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ahhhh.... the natives are restless....and we still have 2 more weeks!

So, here's something for the lot of you to dissect. Several pages ago, i made a comment about Sierra, that after 5 episodes, we should know something about her personally. Blake made an interesting comment which was - seriously paraphrased here - that not every winner gets something personal about themselves by episode 5, so is that a valid argument for dropping her from my Top 3?

That made me stop and think.... because i believe that to be an excellent question. Is that a valid reason to eliminate someone, or am I being pre-mature.

So... here is my thinking....

1. Is it edgic?
I suppose that's debatable, and if everyone thinks it ISN'T, I'll move my post, however, with a limited 42 minutes of live action available that the editors choose to share certain personal info from some players and not others is a definite editing choice. And knowing personal, non-game relevant info certainly lends itself to creating the "well-rounded" personality that becomes the winner.

2. A definition... WHAT do i mean by "personal" information?
I think of it as information that makes us -- the viewer -- connect to the winner on an emotional level. At first glance, I consider that to be surface information such as: age, occupation, family relationships, where they live. I also include things that are more subjective but equally relevant like hobbies, religion, beliefs, culture, personality traits and also behaviours/reactions if they are indicative of certain beliefs/hobbies/personality traits/etc.

3. WHO did we hear about this information FROM....
I think it's important that we hear personal information from the winner themselves... but NOT exclusively so. For example, hearing about personal info about the winner through another players eyes is an efficient editing choice... the editors get to combine 2 important elements to describe the winner - personal info AND SPV. This also shows the viewer that the winner is connecting to other players and sharing that info. Which one is more important.... i think they are both equally important as both sources ultimately shape the way we see the winner.

4. WHEN do we need to hear about this info?
Sooner rather than later is my motto. Ideally, Episode 1... Episode 2 at the latest. If we go to episode 5 before learning something personal about the player in my opinion, it's too late being that we are now approaching the half way mark. Having a reinforcement or continuation of previously revealed information by episode 5 is okay.


Past Winners PERSONAL INFORMATION Analysis.
I have examined the early episodes of Seasons 11 to 17. It required a heck of a lot of research and calling in a favour or 2, but i was able to verify the episodes listed...only Micronesia is unconfirmed, i don't have anyone with early Micronesia still on PVR and the web seems to be scoured clean...at least if you live in Canada. I only went as far as i needed to to establish some kind of personal information. For example... if we learn something personal about the winner in E1, i didn't bother rewatching E2.

Please feel free to comment/dissect/agree/disagree/etc...

GABON - Bob
E1 - Within the first 3 minutes of the show, we learn from Bob that he is a high school physics teacher in the winter, and he commercial fishes/lobsters in the summer. Immediately, at the pick'em we learn Bob's age (57) and that he is the oldest man playing. We even learn his nickname (Runaround Bob). Before the IC, we learn a helluva lot more about Bob via the camp building scene and Corinne's infamous "forever boyscout" quote. Bob tells us this: "I've done a lot of stuff around camp. To me it's common sense. I come from Maine... that's what we do in Maine. I don't like to spend money on stuff so i tinker. If i don't know how to do it i go to the library and get the book and go do it."

What we've learned: Bob's Occupation, Age, Nickname, Where he lives, Belief system (re spending money), Hobby (tinkering), Behaviour Pattern (researching how to do things).


MICRONESIA - Parvati
*I only have my notes from E1, and they are pretty good, but by no means as complete as I would like. Unfortunately I can't verify exactly what she or others have said. Additionally, as a returnee, we already "know" her and the other returnees so the way it's been handled is different that when everyone is new.

E1 - In the intros, Parv talks about her boxing and self esteem for girls. She is VERY REFLECTIVE on her previous game and talks about being more aggressive this time. She admits that she is flirty in real life, and that was her strategy in CI, but also tells us that she "wants to win" this time, so she's going to play different. She also notes that only James is available to flirt with this time and she really likes him (Eliza confirms this... Parv can't take hands off James). From James we get that she is a "sex kitten type" We also learn that Parv has "grown" from her previous survivor experience as we see her and james go hunting for crabs. We learn from Jonathan that Parv is a very strong social player and is dangerous because of that. Pee water.

What we've learned: Occupation/Hobby; Behaviour (self-awareness... re previous game); Personality Trait (flirty, silly, sexy...confirmed by both James & Eliza, pee water); Personality Trait (Social Skills as confirmed by Jonathan), desires (wants to win, likes james)


CHINA - Todd
E1 - In the intros, we learn that Todd is a "Gay, Mormon, Flight Attendant." We learn later when Amanda asks Todd "what does he do" that he is, actually, a flight attendant. As though this isn't enough... Jean Robert actually challenges Todd on his job... Todd's reply being "why would i lie about that?"... but the intriguing thing about that scene is that Jean Robert - our poker player - tells us 2 personality traits of Todd....1. Todd is devious, 2. Todd is clever. Todd tells us that JR is right, and that Todd will do whatever it takes to win. We learn he really wants to be there and he really wants to win. Later on, Todd demonstrates & confirms that he's smart when he manipulates Aaron into the leadership role that Aaron did not want to take.

Side note... in E2, we get confirmation from Leslie that Todd is both sharp & clever, when she reveals WHY she chose to share the idol clue with him, we also get confrimation that he's devious from his reaction to the news ("what was she thinking!").

What we have learned: Sexual Preference, Religion, Occupation, Personality Traits (devious, clever, smart), his desires (wants to be there, wants to win).


FIJI - Earl
*I rewatched the first 5 epsiode of fiji back to back. What a BRUTAL early season... I had forgotten how much i disliked this season, and i disliked everyone except for Yau-man & Gary. And Stacy... WTF... bitchy mcbitcherson! yikes! Oh, and without a doubt... Rita was definitely OTT in E5. Wow... everyone on Ravu except Michelle commented repeatedly on how much she talks. And the closeups on her lips!!! And a side note... watching all 5 epsiode back to back showed something i missed when i watched the show in real time. Earl likes TV & Movies.

E1 - the only thing PERSONAL that we learn about Earl is the man speaks in metaphor and simile. Everything he spoke of, he relates to something else: On exploring the island...it's like when you buy a house... you want to see your new yard, your bedroom, etc etc. He compares Yau-man to the Professor on Gilligan's Island. In awe of the island, he declares himself a king. In having to vote someone off...it's like playing poker and everyone has on their poker face.

E2 - While on Exile we learn that Earl likes animals: On killing the snake, he makes a Saving Private Ryan reference about if you don't take it out, it will come back to you... then he says "I really don't like killing animals. Snakes are just misunderstood." More metaphor speaking when he says he's going to marry Erica for finding pineapple.

E3 - nothing notable... he only comments on not being sure where the HII is.

E4 - nothing notable... practical in leading discussion of post TC vote out / blow up between Rocky & Anthony to get it resolved; game comments-- practical in nature regarding anthony / not being able to protect him any longer.

E5 - confirmed that Earl is Practical (re Reward Challenge Rocky wants 1 Need & 1 Want; Earl says no, we NEED 2 NEEDS). We get another set of TV references when Earl compares the other Tribe to living like the Fresh Prince of Bel Air while Ravu is living like Good Times. Tries to work with Yau re: searching for idol.

What we've learned: By the end of E5... Behaviour (likes TV & Movies...all the TV references), Behaviour (Earl speaks metaphorically and relates situations to other, more identifiable situations), Belief/Feelings (Earl doesn't like killing animals), Personality Trait (Practicality - as demonstrated through trying to resolve Roky/Anthony conflict, Reward choices, working with Yau on idol search).

**it's not a lot, BUT, he is well-connected to the audience through his "relatable" confessional style. His personal speaking style of comparing everything to something else helps the audience identify with him easily. We feel like we know him because his TV references, etc.


COOK ISLANDS - Yul
E1 - we learn from Jenny that Yul is Korean. We learn from Cao Boi that Yul was born in America. We understand from Yul's confessional & also the conflict with Cao Boi that Yul is concerned about Asian stereo-typing.

E2 - From becky we learn that Yul is very smart and very intelligent. We also learn a bit about the Korean culture and about her & Yul's relationship (ie her feeling like Yul is her Opa - big brother); we learn from Yul that he has integrity and what it takes to earn his respect (Becky is a lawyer, but it's her non-profit work that impresses Yul); again, we learn he is uncomfortable about stereotyping and doesn't appreciate ethnic jokes, "they are uncool"

What we've learned: Ethnicity (American born Korean); Beliefs (regarding Asian stereo-typing & jokes); Personality Traits (smart, intelligent, integrity); Culture


EXILE ISLAND - Aras
E1 - We learn that Aras is knowledgeable in meditation and energy work. We also learn he is creative... The "energy / hands" scene for building fire is hugely indicative of energy work. Then Nick confirms this in a confessional about Aras being into meditation and being creative and having big ideas... even if some are "hare-brained"

E2 - Other than game stuff and how exceedingly arrogant he is (with his bomb-dropping announcement that it's either Cirie or Melinda going home, without talking to his alliance first!!), his meditation is referenced by Melinda as she is talking about possibly being voted off she comments in confessional "Oooooh, i'm not all meditative and kewl." (and importantly, we KNOW who she is talking about.)

What we learned: Beliefs/Hobbies (meditation / energy work), Personality Traits (creative, hare-brained, lots of ideas, arrogant, a little odd)


GUATAMALA - Danni
E1 - nothing, except she thinks Bobby Jon is nice to look at and that women have more stamina than men... and neither of those are outside of the game.

E2 - in confessional about Gary: " I work in Kansas City in sports radio, and Gary used to play quarterback..."

What we've learned: Where she lives, occupation.



In Summary:
Personal, non game related info by E1 (SOLID):
Bob, Parv, Todd,

Personal, non game related info by E2 (SOLID):
Danni, Yul*

Personal, non game related info by E2 (SOFT):
Aras, Yul*, Earl


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So.... it does appear that some effort is made to include personal, relateable, non-game related information. When i have more time, i will hopefully track down the S1-S10 early episodes, but those are hard to come by.

I guess the real question now is this... other than Sierra telling us that she has strep throat, is on antibiotics & had a temperature of 103 degrees.... all of which were related BACK TO THE GAME as her "appearing sick" is why she was selected by her tribe in the "first impression" vote off... do we know ANYTHING else about her?