Perhaps I've been a bit blind the last couple challenges, but a few things struck me on this episode. The narrators of the group have changed, some on an extreme level, some more subtly. Some of the changes could have been due to the nature of this episode, but I thought I'd post what I was thinking.

Mogo Mogo

With the King gone, the role of primary narrator for this tribe is up for grabs. We already saw many perspectives last week with the scheming going on, but this week they seemed to settle. Shi Ann is giving us alot of <b>commentary.</b> (To much for my tastes...and I liked her back in Thailand!) Lex seems to have settled in as the main <b>narrator,</b> something that was starting in previous episodes already. Jerry is still a voice being heard alot for commentary, but often in dissention with the rest of the tribe. Kathy told us her role at the very beginning, but then either I tuned out, or we didn't see much of her after that, beyond the 'don't talk about food'. Ethan was there, but <b>telling us his story, not the tribe's.</b> Colby didn't say much, but what he did say was signficant, and usually relating to strategy theory.

Chapera

Sue obviously had alot to say this episode. However, her storyline was focused on herself, not the tribe. I found it interesting that on this new tribe, Rupert's role as narrator seems to be closer to what it was in S7 then it was back in Saboga. Whereas Rob was often giving us the play by play in the tribe before, his role has shifted to something I'll discuss in a second. Rupert, on the other hand, let us know how Sue was dealing, brought us up to speed on the food/provider issue, and even gave the details of who was talking to him and Jenna about alliances. Rob seemed to move from narrator to strategist. He was the one who brought up how Sue's incident would affect the tribe. We see his thoughts on the Romber/Saboga alliance. His only comment about Rupert providing is that he will decide how long Rupert is around.

Alicia and Tom provided contrasting commentary. Alicia's was generally sympathetic - she seemed the most on Sue's side, while Tom's seemed to sum up the voice of 'let's move on with the game'. Both spoke alot more then Jenna, who seemed to almost disapear this episode. Amber had a few nice speeches at the end, much the way Kathy was portrayed when Jenna quit.

So...I'm a rookie at this, and I'm going off of a memory from 4 hours ago now, but these are my thoughts. The strategist roles(Colby/Kathy for MM, Rob for Chapera) are often used as set up for a fall. When people discuss their brilliant strategy, it very rarely comes true for much longer. We're at the point now where 'second stage' narrators are being developped, and Ethan and Rupert, both being providers, seem to be falling into those roles. This probably guarantees them a spot well into the merge, but beyond that is questionable. I should really watch the show again to look closer at the 'commentators'. Shi Ann, as much as she was grating on my nerves, didn't really have a negative commentary. She seemed quite deluded at times, but that 'I can see what you can't' attitude is sometimes a sign that the character will outlast their tribemates(Sometimes it's a sign that they're just crazy and will be going soon). Jerry's was more negative, and combined with the previews for next week I see her going into the 'hated-one' role.

Tom and Alicia confuse me. They're neither under the radar nor in the spotlight. All and all, that seems to suggest they'll be around for awhile. Jenna's sudden drop was probably one of the biggest surprises for me. I mean, I think we had more confessionals for Amber.

Speaking of Amber. Whatever can you say about Amber.