Yuku free message boards

PrettyGoodYear1988 wrote:

---

At each stage Ken, Crystal, and Sugar pulled moves that were decent to brilliant. I'm especially impressed by the fact that, shortly after the merge, Sugar and Matty convinced the Onions that Sugar had played the Idol at the Kelly boot, which we didn't see on the show but which led to all the Idol madness that happened at the Randy and Corinne boots. Crystal's observational skills at the Marcus boot were also great, but she also had the benefit of Marcus being extremely arrogant in the previous round by isolating Susie, splitting the votes without the consent of his alliance mates Charlie and Corinne. Plus, it may have been dumb for Crystal and Ken to believe that Bob's fake Idol was real, except Bob had used actual show props to build it, including medallions from the torches. Either way, even if it was real, splitting the votes to flush it out was a good idea.

However, I'll agree that this season has been one of the most bitter and unpleasant. It's up there with Thailand and Fiji in terms of mood, for me. Granted, that doesn't mean it hasn't been enjoyable. I'd rather watch unlikable people think strategically and make bold moves than pleasant people just go through the motions of the game, which is basically what made Cook Islands such a bore with the exception of Jonathan. It's also just giving us a lot of types of characters that we haven't seen before, or haven't seen in a long time. My only complaint is that whoever wins will be who the Onions like the best, since Corinne has all but confirmed the four of them will vote together. Unless there is a Sugar, Crystal, and Susie Final 3, the winner will obviously be Matty or Ken.

Which is why I think the Final 3 will be Sugar, Crystal and Susie. Cook Islands was a different kettle of fish due to the fact that the mutiny happened and the Aitu 4 genuinely liked each other. The counter-onion alliance don't really like each other as much as they see the necessity to stick together at least until all of the onions are chopped. Corinne is one vote of seven, in addition to the fact that it's possibly a final three which means the vote could possibly be split. I could see a 3-2-2 vote this time around. I guess what I'm saying is that this is one of those seasons I won't be rewatching due to the downright contempt these people hold for each other. Cook Islands was memorable in a strategic move that gave the underdogs the advantage, but not necessarily in characters. So I see what you're saying, great plays and great characters.

James Barber wrote:

---

I'd rather watch unlikable people think strategically and make bold moves than pleasant people just go through the motions of the game, which is basically what made Cook Islands such a bore with the exception of Jonathan.

I haven't seen any bold moves from Fang. Picking Kelly and voting Jacquie out were no-brainers. Then, finally, after needlessly getting rid of GC and Kelly first, Ken convinced Sugar to vote Ace out. Getting rid of Marcus also came to them easily, since he'd alienated Susie only a day before they were abruptly switched to a new team.

Ken's boldest move was one which failed -- trying to get rid of Matty. Everything else has been incredibly predictable.

Yul/Becky/Ozzy/Sundra not only had to win two immunity challenges against a team which had twice as many members, but Yul had to flip Jonathan to their side after the merge. I thought Yul's gameplay was more interesting than most of what has been going on this season.

I know a lot of people love Fang, but I think that's more on their personality, or on hating the Onions, than on their gameplay. I think this has been a poor season for strategy. More about who screws up less than who strategizes the best.

James, you hit the nail on the head. Possibly those who love the ex-Fang members is that they aren't part of the Onion alliance. I know that's how I feel about it. The show is supposed to create that kind of drama and tension. We love certain people and hate others. I find myself hating Corinne and Randy for what I've seen on the show and in interviews to be narcissistic, elitist, morons who cannot comprehend that they are fallible. Thus they have faults just like anyone else. Yet, if I thought too much about it the loathing gets too consuming and truthfully speaking, they aren't worth my time.

But if I thought about it more, I have to understand that I didn't spend 24 to 33 days with these people. I haven't seen all the things that Sugar has said or did, same goes for Crystal, or for Susie or Matty. I'm not saying that Randy and Corinne are justified in their blatant disrespect and disregard for being human. I'm just saying that their hate for the "mutants" as they are called must stem from a viable source and once that ball gets rolling it picks up momentum and anything that person does later on is caught, sifted through and any negative aspects join the already mounting list of them. Thus, it may have been the case here. Randy never did like being on Fang from the beginning and Corinne noted in an interview that she just didn't like aspects about Sugar. Little things build up, negative qualities are noted and magnified tenfold and that creates the dislike and downright hostility these people have for each other. In an ironic twist of fate, the very people who were despised are now near the end game.

This also works in the other direction, positive traits in a person are easily seen while negative ones are overlooked because a person is liked.

I guess my bottom line is this...I stopped watching China after four episodes and only watched the finale of Micronesia as I felt I was losing interest in the show after watching religiously since season 2. Gabon brought me back to what I've loved about the show since the beginning. Stories are told, villains like Jerri, Jonny Fairplay, Randy and Corinne are voted out; while "good" people like Yul and Earl win the game. It's gotten very ugly at times, but there have also been some nice moments. It's a balance. I take the show for what it is. A show. It got me rooting for certain people while despising others. Mission accomplished

I'm curious to see if this upcoming jury can match the bitterness shown from Fiji, Thailand and All Stars. Time will tell.