brilliant because it threw them off kilter...when you're out in the middle of nowhere, it's not like you have a whole lot of tools to work with. He did it with complete impunity.

Steal lines? I've never heard anyone else refer to his dumb-ass alliance, lol. I think making those alliances was actually the DUMBEST thing he could do because eventually the others are gonna talk...and figure out that he's making promises all over the place. If he has a weakness at this point, that's it. He's TOO sure they are devoted to him....however......

Idiotic? Let's see--he wanted the two people who have shown to distrust him out and? they're out. Marissa and Betsy were both showing signs that they didn't buy his act, so they had to go. And they did. And whomever he targets next will go, too.

Richard would have won any season he played had it been his first. He suffered in All-Stars from having his style known and prepared for.

And the idea that he is a plant is craziness, IMO. It's not exactly rocket science (no pun intended toward the rocket scientist whose name I can't remember) to think to look around for a HII if you've watched recently. It's the first thing I'd be doing once I realized there was no EI. And I would also make up a story to make me sympathetic to my team--not a chance I'd tell them I was wealthy--or in my case 40 and no debt, three kids, a husband, house, etc. It's the 'needy' people or the charitable ones that are able to use their personal stories when a target even inches their way--like the game should be determined by who actually needs the money the most. It's a bogus reason for letting someone win, but it happens.

I didn't see Coach, but Rob and Rob were sarcastic and cocky, but they weren't ruthless. Russell is. He also understands the social aspect of the game far better they seemed to. Mariano was in the control seat in All-Stars, but not in his season. In his original game, Mariano was a hot-headed smart ##### who couldn't control his personality or his mouth. And Rob C. was too easily swayed by Heidi and Jenna and his underlying need to be liked and respected to ever win. Russell is doing it all as part of a plan. Brian was just blessed to be playing with stupid, stupid, STUPID people early enough that his competitors, for the most part, didn't really understand the many nuances of the game.

Kimmah Says
--Rob in All Stars is still my favorite player, but I'm partial to him having met him IRL, lol.