>This was one of the cruelest
>votes ever and Brenda's reaction
>reflected it. I'd say the
>invisible edit she received was
>to diminish any connection the
>viewers had to her to
>avoid outcries of immorality.

I had tried to post something from my tablet last night about Brenda's edit, but it didn't go through. The emphasis last night on Brenda's humility in the game really highlighted her attempt to play an honest, humble game. The editors could easily have given her a Yau Man edit and viewers would have been at least as outraged at her treatment as they were when Dreamz went back on his promise to Yau Man after receiving the truck. (I think Yau Man had something like 85% of the Fan Favorite vote that season.)

But, is the cruelty more in what was done or was it seen in light of Brenda's heart-broken response and the timing? Brenda's humble, giving nature in this game are commendable, but is that the reason to hand someone a million dollars? While her humility stands in stark contrast to Corinne and Andrea's hubris before their blindsides, we have to keep in mind that she was just as strategically in this game as those who eliminated her. While she probably would have remained loyal to Dawn based on her promise after retrieving Dawn's retainer, she was gunning for Cochran on the next vote. It is heartbreaking that she was eliminated right after making such a self-less sacrifice, but as Cochran's mother pointed out, it was a potentially game winning move. Brenda has been the biggest recent challenge threat, so postponing a vote on her would have meant Cochran risked her winning immunity and his ability to lock down two of the three other players votes at F5. Not great odds. Brenda has been one of the emotionally fragile three in the past few episodes. It was heart wrenching to see how upset and personally betrayed she was feeling. I can't feel bad about Cochran and Sherrie making a strategic decision to boot her,especially when she was already making her plans to blindside one of them out of strategy. It was just horrible timing. But delaying the decision could have been a moment of strategic weakness that could have potentially cost one of them the game. Given Brenda's close emotional connection to Dawn, it is easy to see this as much more of a personal betrayal. In light of the experiences they shared it comes off as much more cruel and will probably cost Dawn the game.

IT also sets Brenda up as the bitter juror who gives some type of Sue Hawk speech while railing at the finalists. But these responses always trouble me. Survival instinct in the end game is always remove the biggest threat. Is Brenda's argument that she should not have been blindsided the fact that she was selfless and giving, making her a better person, more deserving of the win? I think you just have to ask Coby Donaldson and Lil about what happens when victory is within your grasp and you send the "better person" to the finals.