Those of you who have been reading the SS for lo these many seasons know that I miss very few opportunities to point out the failures, foibles, stupidity, failings and weaknesses of people who are playing Survivor. I have never missed an opportunity to take a personal shot at a character on TV, making the distinction between the contestants as human beings and the characters we see on our TV screens.

This week offered a study in contrasts between people who are playing The Game with their heads (RussHell and John) and their hearts (Jaison and Russell), and those who are playing with their heads firmly up their [redacted].

RussHell was contemptuous of his tribe for doing nothing to improve their lot in life weathering the rain. He tried to buck up Jaison - the only other real physical strength left of Feebie Feebie - by showing him how to warm up in the ocean.

On dominating Galu, Russell stoked the fire while the rest of his tribe huddled in cold and wet misery. Shambo sat in her hidey hole (she's in the third category)...so ill respected that the tribe won't come out and say the name 'Monica' to her.

Russell explained that he's afraid that being tribe leader will put him at risk - he's right - and that he needs to build capital that hopefully will serve him later. That attitude leads him to make the decision that ultimately cost him his chance to play Survivor. He said he was tired but felt he needed to play. Looking at the playback it was obvious that he was disoriented beyond being blindfolded. He was barely pushing the ball and having trouble following the instructions. By the time he stumbled to the table maze he was in distress - Jeff points out that Russell didn't know where he was - but it was more than being blindfolded that was causing the problem. Even lying on the ground having passed out, he was not sure what was going on - asking to continue the challenge.

Jeff Probst once again shows that he knows when it is time to step in and become the 21st player. And he did - calling the challenge to a stop and asking Medical to come help. He then made the decision to send the rest of the tribes home - telling them that they'd still have to vote someone out (continuing The Game) while they worked to help Russell.

I am not a doctor but when they said Russell's blood pressure dropped 30 points without warning, I know enough to know that he was unfit to continue in The Game. Russell was concerned that he'd be seen as a quitter and once again Jeff Probst did the right thing - the same man who threw Osten's torch to the ground in disgust gave a litany of Russell's accomplishments to him (and to the viewer) as context as Medical over-ruled Russell's determination to stay in The Game.

Watching the show last night my 8 year old son who has appeared with me in one of the several audition tapes that I have submitted asked me if I "still want to go on Survivor." Perhaps it was the combination of being tired from a five day business trip. Perhaps it was the four days of rain we experienced at home prior to the trip. Maybe it was watching the Survivors shivering and miserable two weeks in a row. Or perhaps it was watching Russell - someone who played The Game with dignity, strength, class, determination, honesty, integrity and fierce will succumb to the elements. In any event, I said "no." I meant it.

I have wanted to play this game since the first season. Over the past 10 years, I have tried out several times. I drove to, stood in line for and gave my best appeal during an open casting call. I have submitted videos and applications. Today I am content to watch from the comfort of my couch. Russell, you worried what your family and friends would think of you leaving The Game. I cannot answer that. But someone who has spent a decade insulting, demeaning and pointing out the weaknesses of contestants on Survivor; you stand out (along with Mike Stukpin who passed at and fell into the fire on S2) as a true Survivor. You have a million-dollar heart and gave a million dollar effort. You did everything you could to live up to the title of chief and help your tribe be comfortable (even wrong-headed decisions for the blankets rather than the tarp).

It would really suck if the other RussHell won; having played the opposite game.

Excellent and very surreal summary

WJF, you know I adore your summary. I still come to Zap every Fri. to read it. I was a bit saddened to think that you gave up your hope of being on Survivor...but then I thought of Russell's beautiful family last night (in his family moment) and the comment from your son-"Do you still want to be on Survivor?" And you said no. I bet it was a relief to him. I can imagine it was a very sweet moment with your son. This was my fav. summary from you. Cuz I know it pains you when people quit, or have to leave, when there are so many who want the chance to play. Russell tried to stay, even when he was passing out left and right. And when Russ talked about disappointing his family, even though he freaking almost died, made me so sad. I knew Russ would be ok last night...it was still scary to watch. Keep on the good word...WJF!!!!!

Excellent summary, as always. I've seen quite a few people complain about how boring this episode was, and many criticize Jeff Probst for being melodramatic (aka Andrea who writes the "official" Zap2it summaries). They must have been watching a different show than I was. I found this to be gripping television, though in an entirely different way than I am used to seeing from Survivor. And as far as Jeff goes, to echo what WJF said above, I thought he handled it very well. I have NO doubt that what happened was the scariest thing Jeff had seen on any Survivor, especially when Russell's eyes were glazed over. And I also agree that Jeff knew exactly what to say and when to step in. I'm sure it was still incredibly hard on Russell, but I'd like to think Jeff's comments softened the blow a bit.

OK, this is a rough transition to make, but I do want to briefly comment on strategy. It seems that outside of a few players (like Evil Russell) no one is really playing The Game. On Galu they are so used to winning that they have just started having to contemplate losing people, and on Foa Foa they are so desperate for survival of any kind that strategizing has taken a complete back seat. And I know I pile on her every week, but Shambo continues to astound me. The Galu guys all told her to "keep going" and "vote like the past" and she just didn't get it. It was almost painful to watch. I know not everyone is incredibly perceptive, and Shambo has shown that subtlety has no place in her game, but if you can't pick up on where those comments are trying to lead you what chance do you have of reading people well enough to win?

On one final note, I was very happy to see that they included final words from Russell. Classy move there.

Just my two cents.