LAST EDITED ON 11-16-12 AT 07:37 AM (EST)A lot of things came together just right for this episode. Seriously, can you just imagine Abi, Pete, and Artis on that reward? We're now at our third great tribal council in a row, this time courtesy of Abi's inability to censor herself.
1. Jonathan Normal (10, 6, 5, 5, 6, 1, 1, 2)
This was undeniably Jonathan's and Lisa's episode. From breaking the reward challenge, to what is shown of his interaction with the villagers, to his two long conversations with Lisa, there's just so much to like about him. This is probably his best edit in any of his seasons, and just basing on how hard he has worked in this game so far, he deserves it. And maybe the fan favorite award.
2. Michael (4, 3, 6, 12, 8, 8, 7, 6)
Mike may not be as visible as Jonathan or Lisa this episode, but his character was just as pivotal with him winning the IC and then subsequently finally flipping the vote on Tandang. Kudos to him for finally sticking up for himself.
3. Lisa (3, 14, 10, 7, 3, 3, 3, 1)
Nearly everything this episode indicates Lisa flipping: Malcolm forgiving her for the last TC, Jonathan's long talks with her, Mike talking to her about flipping, Abi being her normal self. So why the whole charade, editors? Anyway, she's definitely a sympathetic character, and the whole tugging-at-the-heartstrings theme of this episode suited her story well.
4. Denise (1, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4)
I loved how Denise showed that she has a mean streak this episode. I literally laughed out loud at her sarcastic "Yay! Whoopee!" as Abi found the clam, and then as she called Abi a "selfish mess" during her voting confessional. It also seemed that it was her idea to vote out Artis who, among the power trio, was the best choice for a target.
5. Malcolm (5, 5, 3, 1, 1, 4, 4, 3)
Malcolm is fifth mostly by default. He remains a very likeable character who is great at challenges. Now, we get to see a more sensitive side to him as he talks about the reward. It's great that he understands the game, and realizes that Lisa's move was nothing personal.
6. Carter (15, 9, 14, 10, 10, 10, 6, 7)
Still relatively invisible, and still lacking personality. He gets a bump up mostly because Pete lost almost all his power this episode and his single, but astute, confessional.
7. Pete (11, 11, 8, 3, 7, 7, 5, 5)
Pete’s downfall has to come soon, and it should come from one of the people he antagonized the most. Maybe now, he’s learned how difficult it is to keep people by your side after treating them horribly. Pete loses two balls, indeed.
8. Abi (6, 15, 15, 14, 11, 9, 8, 9)
Proof yet again that you can't spell "Liability" without the "Abi".
Out:
Artis (16, 10, 11, 6, 9, 11, 9, 8)
Jeff (7, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 10)
RC (2, 1, 2, 8, 4, 6)
Katie (14, 12, 13, 13, 12)
Sarah (8, 13, 12, 11)
Dana (12, 8, 7, 9)
Russell (17, 16, 9)
Angie (9, 7)
Roxanne (13)
Zane