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birdlady wrote:

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Do JT and/or Stephen genuinely like Ben and/or Tyson? Or just they're fine existing with them, and are perfectly happy to help them destroy their own tribe?

I don't know if it is genuinely "like" as compared to genuinely "need" Ben and Tyson. Since the merge, JT and Stephen have definately been very opportunistic. I don't think they have said "no" to anyone when approached to "join" an alliance. JT has been shown being in with Coach, Tyson, and Brenden. HOWEVER note that when alone or with Stephen, they always go back to JT/Taj/Stephen as being their core. I think both JT and Stephen realized before the merge that the only way they would survive is (as JT put it) by dividing and conquering the Jals. So far, so good. Does that mean they [JT/Stephen] are in a "iron-clad" alliance with Tyson/Coach.... I think only until something better presents itself. That something "better" I think is an easier path to the final two... which would be accomplished with Tyson out of the way. Last week the opportunity came to get Brenden voted out and JT/Stephen took it. I think if the opportunity to take out Coach or Tyson presents itself, they will jump on the chance.

That's the problem with Coach and Tyson's strategy. They are caught up in who they "like" and who they "don't like" and are using that criteria to determine who to vote out of the game. They are not playing the game. Even Tyson who has (in confessionals) indicated that he is thinking of the day when he can take over the Coach position is letting his personal dislike of Sierra and Erinn get in the way of the end-game. JT and Stephen seem to be able to separate their personal feelings from how they are playing the game. In fact (correct me if I'm wrong) I don't believe that I have heard either JT or Stephen say they "dislike" anyone. Unlike Coach and Tyson who had it in for Brenden, and obviously don't like either Erinn or Sierra. Can anyone think of anyone else who has expressed a "dislike" for anyone else? I know Sandy drove people crazy but I am talking seriously not liking a person.

donutsrule - thanks for the recap.... I had thought of some of those "dislikes" but I feel that they are somewhat different. Erinn has never liked anyone on her tribe but it hasn't seemed to be the basis for her votes... She seems to go along (for the most part) with whoever is put on the block by Coach/Tyson. Same with Sierra. And Debbi? Well duh, she is joined at the hip with Coach/Tyson. Stephen may not trust anybody (and rightfully so) but it doesn't indicate a "dislike" more of a trust issue and I don't believe his votes seem to be strategic as opposed to personal. JT may not like Sierra but we really haven't been shown that and even if he said something on about her on insider, he hasn't let his feelings dictate who he votes for.

Coach and Tyson have eschewed what would be considered a "strategic" vote for what appears to be personal reasons. Brenden? Yes he was a threat and he was targeting Coach but that wasn't why they wanted to vote him out. I don't even know if Coach/Tyson knew about Brenden's attempt to get the votes against Coach. I think that both Coach and Tyson simply were jealous of him and that motivated them more than any strategy to get rid of a "strong" player. If that was truely their mission, why go after Sierra this week, why not target JT? Anyone who thinks Sierra is a bigger threat than JT is either blind or dumb as dirt. That's the point I'm trying to make. Just that Coach and to a lesser extent, Tyson, seem to vote personally not so much strategically. And this is just my opinion.