I hope this won't be an excuse though to continue with more then 16 castaways.
What worries me is Probst saying in the EW.com video this week that situations like Jonathan/Kathleen/James are why they bring in 18 or 20. Which of course is failing to point out that only twice have contestants left outside of TC in 16-contestant seasons and both times it made for fantastic episodes.
China's endgame was pretty dull as soon as James left, but there were enough elements like Peigh-Gee's underdog status and Denise's doubts to keep me interest. This season has more blindsides but the actual storyline is pretty dull - it's been more like watching 'America's Stupidest Home Videos' than a strategy game.
Exactly--Micronesia may have the stronger/weaker (depending on your perspective) gameplay than China, but gameplay is the icing on the cake to the characters, and that's where China completely trounces this season.
I'm shocked to disagree with so much in a beatles post, TAR12 was the first season since TAR5 that had no dud episodes...until the terrible NEL where TK/Rachel survived, giving three awful episodes in a row. I don't think any other season failed so badly right near the end (TAR1 had a great F4 elim, TAR2 had the great finale, TAR7 had better tasks near the end etc)
Well, you know how I feel about Nick and Don not winning but TK/Rachel hatred (eh, in my case I guess it's more absolute indifference) aside, it's
the rare TAR season that peaks in the second half for me--3 and 9 are the only other ones I can think of; 1 and 5 are split decisions.
