Welcome to the SOTS, State of the Spoiling, where we try and one up EPMB and accurately predict the results of his show before it airs...sometimes we are right, and sometimes we are not. But, we will eternally try! Please check out our Community Guidelines that are located here. They keep Blows running smoothly and remind us that it is nice to be civil!

For a running commentary of the last episode, 12, check out Estee's East Coast Update Thread. Last week Amanda and PG bonded as the others went off to the Great Wall of China. Amanda won the IC and teased PG with ideas of taking out Todd, but alas, it did not come to fruition, and PG was sent packing, the last of the Zhan Hu...Now onto the show...3 Tribal Councils,2 Full Hours, and 1 Ultimate Survivor!!

But, first off we would all like to congratulate and commend our final four. They have indeed earned the right to CELEBRATE!!!

EPISODE 13, A SLIPPERY LITTLE SUCKER

Our title for the show is brought to us by michel. The title could be in reference to one of the daws left, perhaps Todd??? Said by some of the others left standing...? Who knows, and at this point, Who Cares?

CBS Misdirection Clues

Our CBS Misdirection Clues were brought to us by Smokedog and are found here. A big question is answered by our own SurvivorBlows when he answers the mystery of 3 Tribal Councils. Evidently CBS is awarding one of the DAWS with a check for $100,000 based on a popularity vote by Joe Q. Public. Note the explanation here.

1.One castaway is surprised by the revelation of another prompting paranoia to hit an all time high. Most likely this could be Todd finding out from Denise that Amanda has been heard around camp suggesting taking out Todd....Clearly Todd seems the paranoid one!

2.During IC one castaway feels vulnerable and tries to swing a deal to get to final 3, will the competitor bite? Most folks around the boards think this could refer to our resident lunch lady, Denise during an endurance final IC...chances are her deal will be a no go...

3.One castaway grows upset when someone considered a close friend makes that castaway look bad in front of the jury.
Most folks suspect that this could refer to our prospective F3 goat, Courtney. Courtney(confessional): I've always sort of slipped through the cracks to get to the top, so hopefully I can continue to sort of slip thru... Courtney is blindsided herself perhaps at TC when Amanda and Todd credit themselves to bring the least deserving of all to the F3...snicker!

4.In the end the final three are held accountable for their actions as the jury decides who will win a million dollars and title of Sole Survivor...who will be the ULTIMATE SURVIVOR???

THE CHALLENGES

Reward Challenge:

As per TDT: This week's reward challenge is listed as "The Great Wall of Zhelin," previewed in this YouTube video, and the winner gets an "advantage", presumably in the IC, as noted on the challenge board that we had shots of very early in the season...

Over at SurvivorSucks Mess Hall, akaIves notes that this challenge will involve soma cubes...The problem with a Soma Cube is that you can think you're almost done, then find out you're not close. The one she's not touching is not a good one to have out at this point. Here are the pieces (my strategy is to try to place the last three in first so that you only have to work in two dimensions):

anywho from Mess Hall notes, From CBS, the reward winner gets a reward of Pizza, Beer, Cola, & Brownies.

So, who wins? Well here is a pic at the end of the challenge...thanks Survivor Phoenix...

Clearly, this challenge is too close to call. It looks at this point that anyone of the F4 could win it...

THE IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Once again, thanks to the Challenge Board we know that the name of the Final IC is "Offer it Up".

Clearly the challenge takes place at the site of a very large Budda idol as seen here...

Here is a shot of Denise at the challenge...

Most folks are speculating that there will be balancing with china plates involved and that they must climb the stairs perhaps? We can also speculate that this challenge will require endurance as well...

So, who wins? Once again, most folks around the boards are speculating that it could be anyone except Denise. In fact, many folks are speculating that Courtney wins, afterall, she did show exceptional balance in the endurace challenge that she won for immunity with the rolling barrels. Perhaps that shot of Denise above is at the end of the challenge as she indeed looks defeated?

TC #1, BOOT:

The lunchlady, Denise

Our Final 3:

Todd, Amanda, and Courtney

TC #2 This is where the winner will emerge. Where the F3 meet the jury. They'll explain themselves, their strategy, and their gameplay, as well as emphasize their strengths while noting their competitors weaknesses.

Now, who thinks who will be our winner? Well, DanieuBleau over at SurvivorSkills thinks this contestant will win.

TDT is predicting this person to win.

This is where I like to point to our resident experts, Veruca Salt and friends over in our editing thread.

Historically, I have been known to be an emotional observer...I often fall for the tricks of the EPMB editing crew. I definately like the contestant to earn the win in my opinion...I recall how I fell for Ozzy hook, line and sinker, as did many of our well respected comrades on the boards.

This year, I am trying to take a step back and look at the facts rationally as well as the theme, the Art of War.. Clearly, Todd came out of the blocks embracing the Art of War. He schemed, and plotted, he deferred leadership, yet drove the direction of the game. It was Todd that first planted the seed to take/slay Goliath aka James by blindsiding him. He emerged as a serious player, while Amanda appeared to do nothing more than note her fan status of the show, and got in cahoots with Todd. Amanda remained under the radar until the James boot episode, where she appeared to set the plot in motion. Now, every week we see her falling all over the prospective bootees, brownnosing her way into their hearts. Clearly, she has paid attention in Survivor 101.

BUT, is this the ole art of editing once again? We see little of Todd's interactions with the prospective bootie's in the latter game. Why not? Could this be MISDIRECTION at its finest? This season I am going out on a limb and predicting my choice for winner...

Regardless, I want to say that I think both Todd and Amanda are indeed worthy winners. It was a great season! Have a wonderful holiday season and sit tight as S16 promises to be a very exciting season indeed...

Thanks to Scarlett O'Hara for always helping out with my photoshopped pics and for elfing the Daws!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, my FRIENDS!