Hello everyone. I am very sad that there is so much that is polarizing this season. Clearly, the characters this season evoke alot of feeling, either you love them or you hate them. But, it has gotten to the point where I feel we are "bullying" each other. It is very ugly, and makes me seriously want to leave these boards. I never thought I'd feel that way as I so enjoy dissecting the game each week. I felt that KO's thread was very polarizing. Not KO, just her post. So much so that I found it incredulous. Trying to examine the downfall of Savaii by crucifying it's members, but it "seemed" to me that all of the evidence or most all of the evidence she provided was supposition. It was a moot point, we don't know what was done and possibly edited out. Therefore, this is why I am posting this retort in this thread.

I am not calling anyone out. I love everyone at these boards. But, people are all entitled to their opinions. Can't we leave that alone.

While I defended Ozzy's position in the game, his actions, I am not all over him like you, should I say some?, suppose that I am. I really enjoyed and respected his game play in Cook Islands. Since then I do think he's become a bit too "Bob Marley" for my personal tastes. But, never the less, I see a character this season that is indeed "playing to win". I respect that, regardless of what a bad actor he is. He's playing to win. He did make alot of mistakes in this season already, we know this, he's been lazy, and arrogant, but he has not bullied anyone that I can see. You guys, and the audience, and me...we can make up their own minds. Why do we need to argue over our own reactions to the editing? For me, I see it as Kiki does. Appealing to the tribe to get rid of the weakest perceived member is playing the game. He's not picked on Cochran, he's not called him names, he's not withheld anything from him and he's not ignored him. Quite the contrary. I see it as Kiki, in that the tribe has never embraced Ozzy. I am NOT saying that that is right or wrong on anyone's part. But, the editing has made me sympathetic toward Ozzy.

For me, I see Cochran as inept in reality, but he appears to believe that he's more of a game player than what I see. In the first episode his arguing was over the top, when the tribe had already decided. A little too desperate, imo, but I suppose I can't fault him for that. But, I did think to myself that he's not going to make a very good lawyer if this is an example of his argument.

I saw him gravitating to Dawn and Papa Bear, I didn't really see him trying to make inroads with others either. Not that the "cool kids" did either. He didn't even want to go in the water with them all the first day....his insecurities separate him...but is that everyone else's fault?

He was quick to alienate Ozzy when Ozzy reacted poorly to Elyse's blindside. I can't blame him for that. If I was low man on the totem pole I would note that as well. But, throwing the whole tribe under the bus to save yourself, imo, is not an "honorable way to play". I didn't even think that Keith "bullied" him when he noted that he thought the best course of action was to take responsibility for your own actions...I thought it was speaking his mind. Too bad if Cochran thinks it is. That's immature and selfish, imo. It notes poor character, imo. I couldn't respect the individual that would do that, so early at the merge when there were other options. No doubt there was risk. I found it cowardly. Perhaps I look at him as a mom would, and I don't like what I see. To deceive an adversary in the game is strategic, imo, but to deceive your entire tribe was self serving and cowardly. It crosses a line, "for me".

I don't understand why people can not accept anger and the expression of anger. Being dishonest, going back on your word makes others angry. It's ok to express anger. It's healthy. Perhaps it could even begin to lead to resolution. Ozzy had a right to feel betrayed and angry at his tribe when he was blindsided with the Elyse boot. The Savaii tribe has a right to feel angry as well. I don't consider voicing anger as bullying when the anger is a natural reaction to betrayal.

So, I accept that alot of folks seem to have great feelings for Ozzy and Cochran. Good or bad. I also think that the editing of the show is trying to soften the character that is Cochran. Which gives me pause. I don't see it. But, nevertheless, it is what it is! Cochran appeared to play into the "they are bullying me" thinking of Coach. But, this could have been used as a ploy to make the Upolu's think that he was turning to them. Same can be said with his "gossiping" about the Savaii's to the Upolu's. Talking about Ozzy to them, noting that "it came to him in a dream". I can give him the benefit of the doubt regarding those events.

Anyway, I most admire the giving it everything you've got in challenges, and folks that play with their teams, not against them. Like Boston Rob did, like Chris did, like Yul did. Sure we can argue all we want, but the editing evokes things in me and it's my opinion. I'm entitled to it, as others are to theirs. But, I can't take all of the harsh feelings that others seem to be pointing towards each other. Can we please try and relax a little here.

This is a game. No matter who wins, they deserve it. If they can get to the end and get the jury votes, than they certainly deserve it. Cochran is edited to be a big character this season, no doubt about it. He evokes disgust from me at this point. His edit would have to explain a lot to me in the future for me to come around, perhaps it will.

Regarding Ozzy, I still see that the editors like him. I do see him headed for a fall to RI soon, but with the confessional "I will never stop trying as long as I live", marked with the rainbow. I see Ozzy winning at RI, as long as he is there, perhaps. I still see him with a shot at winning the game. He is the hero, in editing terms, not mine, where Cochran is the "anti-hero". I still am inclined to think that someone from Savaii will win this game.

I see Coach's arc as heading downward. With the return of Tocantins Chi-Coach, which was Coach 1.0. Sophie and Albert are an enigma to me. I am stuck on Albert going to RI, as in the first episode when Jiffy talked about RI, they zoomed in on Albert, imo. I can't help but to wonder about that. I will try and go back and watch ep one and post the vidcaps to underline my thoughts.

I see Dawn as a mom too. I don't think she is the winner. Thanks everyone for all of your thoughts. I hope it was appropriate to post these thoughts here. I don't want to argue with anyone. I respect your opinions and I love to hear why you think as you do.