Slipstream, you're totally wrong about the jury. The favorites such as Eliza are likely to reward the best player and one of their own. Parvati's making the right move, she was the least liked of the 10 coming into this game (even ol' sleazy Johnny had more of a fanbase), so she couldn't and probably can't possibly win against the other favorites. But against two fans who initiated absolutely zero of the game's crucial moves? It's a lock for her.
As for Cirie, smartest to stick alongside Parvati. Going to the end with potential challenge hogs and a well liked favorite like James isn't going to cut it.
In the previews, four of the merged players have fire in their intro....Jason/Alexis/Natalie/Ozzy...the Ozzman's is an absolute joke obviously....but I could see the other three being our F3. What worries me about Parvati is whether or not she'll take out a fan or two next. If James goes next week, it's four fans against three favorites and they certainly will tip the scales in their direction because who wants to go up against a favorite at the end when the jury will have 4 or 5 of them? Would really screw this whole season over....we spend thirty-odd days watching the favorites completely own this game and then it all goes down the shitter because Parvati can't count.
For the record concerning a mistake in another post, Amanda did receive a jury vote last season. It was 4-2-1 and she received Erik's. Yeah, I know, not exactly a great endorsement.
Can you believe that amidst the idol mayhem it's only been played in two seasons? Gary sniffed it out from Judd at the crucial moment and played it before the vote, leading to Bobby John's ouster. Terry never played it because he won individual immunity until the F4 where he would've used it if necessary. Yul sat on it the entire season in what was easily the most "rigged" sort of season and completely unrankable winner. If people are going to go home if they vote you out because you can play the idol
after the vote, you've got a free pass to the end. And letting Yul make it to tribal council with a free-ride was just unforgivable, but hey, crappy-Ozzy had the opportunity to flush it out.
But Fiji, wow. Three idols played.
Can't stand the comments on the CBS site if you go there to check out the Ponderosa clips...bunch of whingers crying about "Cirie plotting in the woods" and the "heroic, noble Ozzy" being ousted. I guess a game that's all about secretive backstabbing has a different definition when their favorite gets the axe. They seem to ignore Ozzy trying to eliminate Jason after such a deal which was probably the sleaziest act of the night or his endless arrogance.
Oh, and importantly, Amanda/James did not know who won China at this stage. Micronesia (as the spring season always is) was filmed nearly immediately after in the fall. It usually commences a few days before the fall season's reunion show. Amanda had no idea how many votes she received but her fear of facing Alexis at the end tells us that she sort of knows she blew it with her jury responses. Actually, she threw her game out the window by not taking Denise to the end but that's another story...one about severe self-unawareness.
Don't know if Ozzy had seen James not play the idols or if the gravedigger had told the others of his folly. Also, no idea if James or Amanda told the others of Amanda's placement in China or if James told her how the jury felt...