* 65. TERESA "T-BIRD" COOPER *
Isn't she so poised and effortlessly glam?! Something about Teresa has a quiet allure. She's not necessarily beautiful and her personality doesn't just jump out and grab you by the throat, but she has a graceful presence. An "it", if you will. Anywho, Teresa is my favorite member of the Samburu elders, a group of troll-like beings whose most proud accomplishment is how ripe and decrepit they are. Unlike the other elderbeasts, Teresa was not an egotistical old fogie but was actually a sweet yet shrewd gamer who never took her eye off the prize. She would lie straight into the face of anyone if it meant advancing her game. She let Kelly take the fall for voting Lex at a TC, she sold Tom out when she was next in line to be voted off and she tried to arrange a woman's alliance with Kim J. Teresa was a scrambler and I think a lot of people forget that because she was so UTR and just has a low-key personality. Anyway she is kind of dull and Africa is such a bleak, desolate season that it's hard to isolate anything interesting about it in that desert of BLAH, but she deserves some respect damn it.
On Teresa's personality: Teresa was the only chill Samburu elder and was the only one who didn't manage to completely demolish her relationship with them. She had a very even temper and I liked the way she talked in a low hush, like she was trying to lull you into a false sense of security so she could catch you off guard, bash your brains out and steal your water canteen. There are definitely two sides to her. Heads- nice sweet older lady, tails- remorseless viper.
On Teresa's gameplay: As I said earlier, there's nothing this woman wouldn't do to try and get herself further in the game. Really her only failing was her inability to swallow her pride and move forward once the Samburu kids gained the upper hand in their tie. Teresa's BITTERNESS towards Silas and her unwillingness to work together towards a mutually beneficial goal probably cost her the game. But oh well.
On Teresa's placement: I liked Teresa but I didn't like Africa and she wasn't that unique. My feelings on her range from "meh" to "yeah she's cool" but never beyond, and she's not outrageous and didn't really have a ~moment~ that sets her apart, so I feel this placement is appropriate.
