Hey, he's still a smart kid

One of the women laid it on too thick tonight, after Erik Reichenbach of Pinckney was voted out. "You're going to go down as the dumbest survivor ever -- in the history of 'Survivor'," she announced.

Not really. He should go down as a smart guy, a good artist, a great athlete who made one stupendous mistake. Who among us hasn't done something foolish in the presence of someone in a bikini who has implanted breasts. We all have ...

Well, forget I said that. Here are a few of my comments. Please add yours:

1) I don't want to obsess on this, but it looks really weird for Natalie to have lost that much weight while retaining the pseudo-breasts. It's like seeing Dolly Parton and Mia Farrow share the same body.

2) Forget the part about not obsessing. I'm afraid that ship has left the dock.

3) Erik's big mistake came long before handing over the immunity idol at the tribal council. It came when he scrambled, telling different things to each of the four women.

4) The women promptly discussed it with each other. They schemed. "Erik's very, very naive," Amanda said. "I think I can get in his mind."

5) She didn't, but she coached Natalie. Soon, Erik was out.

6) Still, let's not forget what he accomplished. At many points, he seemed sure to go. He was outnumbered in every way -- women vs. men, members of the"favorites" tribe vs. "fans." He kept finding ways to survive. "How am I still here?" he asked.

7) Then four women schemed and one suggested he give away the necklace. Surviving the wilderness, he told the camera, is much harder than "surviving all these crazy, sexy women." Hey, we've all been there.

Comments

[RobinSwartz]

All I can say is ... oy. Giving away the immunity idol when you've consistently won the immunity challenges??? All he had to do was hang onto it and keep winning (not as hard as it sounds, I think) and then go to the final two. At that point, who cares if the jury hates you? At least you win $100,000 and keep people from mercilessly making fun of you! James was totally right in his excitement at no longer being the dumbest "Survivor" in history (Mr. Getting Voted Off While Holding TWO Immunity Idols). Seriously, Erik. Bad, bad move, bikinis or no...

[Linda]

I totally agree with Robin's comments. Rule #1---NEVER, EVER give up immunity. Erik was GUARANTEED to make it into the final four; he saw what happened to Ozzy and Jason...the writing was on the wall. At the very least, he cost himself $100,000 and probably the million dollars. I was so upset with him Thursday night, I couldn't get to sleep.

[Steve Bon]

I found it interesting that when the four women started they relied heavily on the men they formed alliances with. Once they got the numbers - and the power - they became big schemers. Uhmmm. Here's how I think it will play out tonight. Amanda wins the first immunity challenge and the three "favorites" vote out Natalie (if Amanda does not win the challenge, she is out). Parvati wins the last immunity challenge and picks Cirie to go with her to the final tribal. Cirie gets the most votes because Parvati played too many double crosses.