Brilliant and Boneheaded 'Survivor' Plays of the Week: Think About It

Warning: This recap of the “The Circle of Life” episode of Survivor contains spoilers.

Over the years on Survivor, we’ve seen a lot of archetypes. The scheming rat (Richard Hatch, Russell Hantz), the good guy who wins challenges (Terry Dietz, Colby Donaldson), the friendly smooth-talker (Parvati Shallow, Boston Rob). And then there’s the know-it-all.

Here’s the thing, though — the know-it-all almost never wins. Pretty much the only exception is John Cochran. This type of player, who usually calls him or herself a “student of the game,” usually flames out early.

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Now, this season, most of the people on the Brains tribe are know-it-alls (that’s kind of why they are on the Brains tribe). But the worst offender is Peter. He’s not just a know-it-all who thinks he’s solved the game, like, three days in, he’s smug and condescending. Nobody except his partner in smarmy crime, Liz, likes him.

Unfortunately for her, he’s strong in challenges, and we’re still in the group stage of the game. So, the Brains tribe, which is made up of three pairs, decides to take his game wife out. Dad may still be around, but without Mom, the kids are going to run this house.

Here’s how the episode went down:

Boneheaded Play of the Week: Peter

Honestly, we could probably just transcribe everything he said this week, and it’d be case closed. For example, “They need paternal direction, and I’m being that paternal person.” Peter, Peter, Peter — your choice of words should’ve clued you in. Nobody… NOBODY… likes a paternalistic presence looming over them. Not even kids, and these are full-grown adults.

Debbie, in particular, is not a fan. He’s said some very ageist things about her and her ally Joe, and she’s really not having it. Last week, it seemed like she might be a potential goat, but Debbie is proving why she belongs on the Brains tribe. Even before the challenge, she analyzes the numbers, and realizes she needs to get the Aubry/Neal pair on her side.

After the challenge, Peter and Liz pretty much assume either of the other two pairs will be with them. They decide in very condescending fashion to bring aboard Debbie and Joe, since they’re “old” and can be useful to them as goats later. Little do they know that Debbie, Joe, Neal, and Aubry are plotting their demise. It’s just a question of whether Peter or Liz goes home.

Even tribal council is handled masterfully. Everyone votes in their alliance pairs, and there is a tie among Peter, Liz, and Aubry. This is meant to flush out any potential immunity idols. A re-vote occurs, and the foursome go with their original plan to eliminate Liz. Peter tries to play it off, but he’s clearly shocked. But hey, man, we thought social interaction was, like, your specialty?

Brilliant Play of the Week: Tai

On the other tribe, Brawn, Jason — with an assist from Scot — basically mows down Alecia to get the immunity idol. But on the Beauty tribe, Tai finally gets his through ingenuity all by himself. And apparently, nobody even has a clue! (Are they all fishing, or what?)

By no means is Tai in a power position, even with the idol. But he is subtly changing his tribemates’ opinions of him. His breakdown over killing the chickens endears the women toward him, and now, they’re thinking of targeting Nick if they ever lose a challenge.

So, he’s no longer on the bottom, and he has the idol. Things are looking up for Tai.

Power rankings:

Beauty: Caleb — He’s still in a good position. The girls have approached him for an alliance, and he’s still got Tai as a potential partner.

Brains: Debbie — She’s no goat! She engineers the destruction of Peter and Liz’s power-coupling with a deft hand.

Brawn: Cydney — She’s in good with Scot and Jason (who now has an immunity idol), and she can still play Alecia.

Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on CBS.