Survivor 11 Running Commentary*warning: contains spoilers*

**Michelle** · 09-16-2005, 04:39 AM

Warning: this thread will contain spoilers, so please don't read before you watch each Thursday (unless of course you *want* to LOL

What did you all think of Bobby Jon and Steph's returns? Do you think CBS did that because they felt that B.J. and Steph didn't get a fair shake last time? Or do you think they did it to boost ratings? I'd like to think the former, but Steph was one of the most popular players, and I know they were trying to keep the show fresh, so perhaps it's a combination of the two.

Those were the most grueling challenges I've ever seen.

I always feel bad for the first person voted off

And what was really different about this first episode was that they didn't really show too much with the players' personalities. In years past, you could kind of guess who would be voted out if they were bossy, loud, obnoxious, etc. This year there was a lot of focus on the marathon.

**baxjul** · 09-16-2005, 05:16 AM

I totally agree with you! I thought for sure that Bobby John would be voted off.

**Darlene** · 09-16-2005, 07:03 AM

Wow, glad I wasn't on that hike, amazing how it really took down so many of the men.
You just knew when the older guy hurt his arm that it was the end for him, that injury will need time to heal and the tribe doesn't have that time. That said, the big guys who are having problems from dehydration will have them for a while yet, probably. Glad they have a nurse on their team.

Glad to see Steph back and am looking forward to seeing what happens next. The highlights showed some pain & problems ahead.

**kaykwilts** · 09-16-2005, 07:59 AM

I was shocked to see that Bobby Jon and Step would be part of the tribe. I have not been visiting the spoiler boards so this was a complete surprise to me.

**daddys3chicks** · 09-16-2005, 08:23 AM

Well, I could see Stephanie, but I didn't like Bobby John the first time around so I didn't care about him being there. I thought it was funny that this was the first time Stephanie was NOT at tribal council!

I also got a kick out of the fact that all the guys were puking and the girls were fine. Hmmmm.....

I agree that there wasn't much shown of the personalities this time. Although I think Judd is a jerk, and I keep wondering if the girl that is the magicians assistant will pull a rabbit out of a hat!

I think it is kind of cool that they have Gary the ex quarterback on with and assumed name. Tricky. Funny that the sports caster girl didn't recognize him - although she probably was in diapers when he played.

I already like the nurse - what was her name? I think she might get to stay a while just because they are going to need her! I hear the Jeff Probst said the 11 mile hike was the most grueling thing he has ever seen the survivors have to do.

**Michelle** · 09-16-2005, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by daddys3chicks

I also got a kick out of the fact that all the guys were puking and the girls were fine. Hmmmm.....

The muscular guys were sick because they were dehydrated--and since they are muscular, and muscles need more water than fat does, the men had more adverse reactions to the hike. At least this is what Dave told me LOL

Also, as someone pointed out at tribal council, the men were the ones carrying most of the heavy stuff, especially in the beginning of the hike.

**YankeeMom** · 09-16-2005, 10:04 AM

I thought last night was really good. It is different from previous Survivors, at least for me. Usually I get a good sense of who I can't stand in the first show. But both tribes worked together extremely well. I'm glad they brought back Stephanie & Bobby John. Those two are my absolute favorite non-winning Survivors. They totally deserved a second shot. I just hope their celebrity status doesn't make them a target.

**Emerald_Mommy** · 09-16-2005, 10:52 AM

I really enjoyed last night's episode. I'm glad to see Bobby Jon and Steph, much more happy to see them again then Rupert, but that's another story. During the opening credits my dh and I both said "Well, goodbye Jim," without even knowing what happened so we thought it was pretty funny at the end when he was voted off. I felt bad for him though, because he seemed so nice.

That challenge was hard, definitely one of the hardest I've seen. At the end I told my dh that it looked like the nurse's (Margaret?) game to lose at this point. She was everywhere and so helpful without being annoying, imo. Can't wait til next week!

**mommy2many** · 09-16-2005, 11:58 AM

I was dissappointed that they had Steph and Bobby jon come back. The whole point of Survivor is the once in a lifetime chance to outwit and outplay.....I think the all-stars season and bringing back old players isn't a good idea. I think it will take a couple fo votes before it becomes exciting. but I am still looking forward to the rest of the season. Hoping for some fireworks!

**kaykwilts** · 09-18-2005, 11:13 PM

Bobby Jon and Step are back because Mark Burnette wants to constantly change the game and make it interesting and surprising. If he never made any changes and it was like the first one which was Borneo, people would get bored. People like me keep coming back because new elements are added to make it interesting. Remember on Pearl Islands when Burten and Lil the boy scout lady got to come back. That was new and different. A lot of people didn't think it was fair that they got a second chance but I liked the surprise.

**Emerald_Mommy** · 09-23-2005, 11:39 AM

Thought last night was another great episode. SPOILERS:

I'm glad neither tribe seems to be dominating this. I would love to see a perfectly matched game with one tribe losing one week & the other tribe losing the next or something like that.

I don't think Gary has a very good strategy going. Lying bold faced to your team doesn't seem like a great idea to me.
Morgan never saw that coming but I think she was the right choice. Not that she was terrible or anything but Steph & Lydia seem slightly more valuable at this point. I'm glad the tribes seem to be playing smart where elimination is concerned. So often it seems like they get rid of the strongest person first and then lose all their challenges after that!
Blake really surprised me in the challenges. One second he looks like he's on death's door and the next he's a large reason why his tribe won both challenges. Not sure what's going on there!