Survivor Recap: Tom Westman Gets Hosed
Credit: Robert Voets 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc.
I realize that writing a TV recap in the form of an open letter is a lazy and contrived journalism device. So here goes.
Dear Heroes tribe,
You hurt my feelings in the March 11 episode. I was not-so-secretly cheering for you the moment you all walked off that helicopter on the beach and stepped on your mat for the first time. I recall hugging. A few back-slaps, perhaps. And why not? You were all smart players who could play the game strategically and fairly. Plus, you had Tom. Tom! The NYC firefighter hero who won Survivor: Palau without making a single enemy in the process. He caught a friggin' shark too. I figured you guys would be wiping that smug smile off of Russell's face before Probst's first "you wanna know what you're playing for?"
Voting off Sugar was a no-brainer. Getting rid of Stephenie was questionable. Blind-siding Cirie was shrewd. But then. Then.
Pause while I collect myself: How scary-good is Boston Rob in puzzles? The villains seemed light-years behind in that immunity challenge and he still pulled it together. Truly impressive performance. I can't even assemble my remote control.
Where was I? Right. Then. you voted off the man! (Et tu, J.T.?) And the only reason why you made that decision was because he happened to be on the wrong side of an alliance. An alliance that's soon going to be as worthless as my VHS collection, mind you.
Tom's ousting was vexing enough. But the fact that you chose him over James is downright infuriating. He goes down in a reward challenge, seriously injured his knee, was fitted for an unsightly leg brace, hobbles around in camp and, as a result, makes my 81-year-old grandma look like Ussain Bolt. And yet -- he sticks around?! People: This is not Sheer Genius. It's Survivor. Your livelihood depends on winning physical challenges.
So fine. You're left with quite the brain trust: Doe-eyed Amanda, wishy-washy J.T., muted Candice, broken-toed Rupert (whose tye-dyed shirts seem cloaked in insecurity), and one-legged James. Can't wait until you decide that Colby's Texas accent is a threat.
I know you're not sharp in puzzles, but this one is easy to solve: You're all going to go down soon.
Send me a postcard!
--By Mara Reinstein for UsMagazine.com
Tell Us What You Think
12yeah-heroes are taking themselves down fast!!!
I know its way after the fact, but I agree with Anon. I have watched Survivor faithfully since the second season, and Tom definitely played Ian the dolphin trainer the trump card. He guilted Ian into giving up by telling him he had betrayed him, when Tom had betrayed Ian too. Ian was young, gullible and looking for a father figure so he gave in to Tom. Tom was a great physical player and a generally nice guy, but not without his flaws and his ability to take advantage of a friend. Plus he won a million already. I wish they had brought Ian back - that kid was sweet, likeable and had a big heart!
Getting rid of Tom was one of the stupidest moves I've ever seen made. How do you keep Rupert with his broken toe and James with that bum knee. They're not the "Heroes" tribe, they're the "Idiot" tribe. It didn't hurt that Tom was one of the sexiest men on TV either.
I love Survivor, but I am tired of hearing these players whine about how loyal they've been, or having been in the wrong alliance. People . . . the motto is "outwit, outplay, outlast". They always seem to lose sight of that and cry about the social part of the game. You're not out there to make friends, you're out there to survive to the end of the game. As for who the next player the heroes will vote out, that's easy. Colby will be the next to go because these morons will carry James on their shoulders through the challenges if they must because he is running the show. They deserve to lose. Can't wait until it's just the villians left and they start turning on each other.
Initially I admired Tom when he was hooked up with Ian. But when they got down to the final three, Tom manipulated Ian into quitting to preserve their "friendship." What a crock. I'm glad Tom's gone.
Worthless! I was originally in favor of the hero's, but after so many dense moves, you just throw your hands up. I'm rooting for Boston Rob all the way! He's a genius.
I love JT but Boston Rob is my favorite of all time bc he was the 1st season i watched and i just always liked him
I cant believe they voted out Tom. So sad. I hope James crumbles next week and they all reflect on how they shouldnt have gotten rid of Tom. I like Boston Rob too but, Russell is trying to take him down. Now he has Parvati and Coach on his side. Coach is a wimp on this allstars one. Crying and bending down for Russell. Give me a break. I hope Russell goes before Rob. Villians are definitely kicking butt with the puzzles. Funny how they keep throwing puzzles in there. Really dont like James. He is very rude. When he threw that blocking pillow down at Randy in the wrestling/push each other immunity challege. Then how he was talking to Stephenie. He has to go. I cant believe none of the Heroes wanted a piece of the chocolate and then Colby was rude to Jeff and he said Lets just get on with it. Jeff was like we will get on with it when I say so (or something like that). I was cracking up. I'm enjoying this season of Survivor (so far).
Kinda makes you wonder how these people got as far as they did last time. The Heroes are voting off by alliance, and not by strategy to form a winning team. They make a brick look smart. I was rooting for them, too, in the beginning. Now I can't even stand James or Rupert--Amanda is a weakling (what happened to her?!)--who is that blond girl, anyway, and why is she there, and JT has become a jerk. I'm for Boston Rob at this point. He's clever but not evil. Russell is a decent player, but just not likable or reliable. I was glad his arrogant, misogynistic butt came in second last season!
This is why I hate "all-star" editions of Survivor. In Palau, Tom was The Man, the Alpha male of the undefeated Koror tribe, and he took it all the way to the winner's circle. On Heroes and Villains, Tom and Colby, another true hero and leader in the Australian Outback, were the unwanted outcasts whose ouster was and is imminent. I am disgusted to see these two former power players in this lowly state. We should be left with our memories of what they were in their respective original seasons, not with this depressing image of what they are in this unnecessary reunion. Most disgusting of all is the fact that Tom got voted off. I haven't seen the show yet, and I was absolutely sick to my stomach when I saw this headline. And as for the Heroes tribe - will they ever get it together? It infuriates me that the vile Villains are owning this game.
I thought the same thing. But, then was thinking, JT might just of been looking out for himself. Getting rid of Tom a threat and then Colby. Maybe James will have to leave soon anyways. I think he was just playing a smart game. Anyways, I'm for Russel winning. He's the best player of all time.
One of the dumbest moves in Survivor history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!