Amanda (China) - Micronesia

[PWS]

Originally Posted by Minney

Lots of great thoughts here and I'd just like to add my 2 cents. I don't think Amanda's game play has been given enough credit either. The fact that their alliance of 5 made it strongly to the mix up speaks volumes for the decision to go with those people. After the mix up her tribe lost many many MANY IC's and yet she (and her alliance mates) made it to the merge. There had to be some strategizing going on to make it that far. Sure you can argue that Cirie or others were doing the thinking, but by allining yourself with these "thinkers"--that's strategy too. It appears that most people want to only respect the post merge game when thinking of jury votes, but I think you should look at the whole game from day 1 and take into account what a person has done to get to the end and how they played the game. Integrity counts big with me, as does honesty and loyalty. Parv ended up on a tribe after the mix up with most of the people who made up the jury. Big advantage for her.

Yeah, but, and I'm no fan of Parv as a person, but was that just entirely chance? Parv managed to send people to the jury who would vote for her. Wasn't just "on a tribe" with Nat and Alexis, she allied with them, for example.
ETA, since this IS the Amanda thread after all, that on thinking it over I think Amanda's tears at the final TC were probably real, although probably as much tears of exhaustion as anything else. She thought it was over, thought all the decisions and deceptions (of 2 straight seasons) were over, and then she has to keep doing it. It wasn't like she was great buds with these people before the show (except James) because she didn't really have time between China and this show to become one of the Survivor survivors gang. So the only bonding that took place was on the show--unlike whatever Parv and Ozzy's relationship was, which was outside the show. But she thought she'd gotten to the point where there was nothing left except convincing the jury and instead she had to do yet another hard thing. I think she was just mentally and emotionally exhausted. It's a lot easier to pretend anger or "despair" than to cry on cue.

[Google]

 

[sekretskwirl 39]

^ another excellent point! She was FRAZZLED

[Sydney Bristow]

Originally Posted by karalott

I actually think that's a bit of a compliment from Parvati. She says Amanda played the game and should have just owned it instead of trying to be apologetic and nice about it. When Amanda ripped into Erik the first time (the week she had the HII) I think she was justified and it was a good strategy. Obviously she was able to point out that she helped Erik stay in this game but now when she needed his help he turned the other way. It was Erik's strategy too, but she made her point and it might have looked good for Erik if he helped her since in the end she wasn't going anywhere anyway. The following week when Erik got booted I thought all the girls were a little mean to him that I couldn't believe he'd even think giving up his immunity to one of them.

Oh it was definitely a compliment from Parvati. I know for a fact that Amanda's relationships with Parvati, Ozzy, and James have come out unhinged from a devious game like Survivor. And I really respect her for that. The same can't be said for Parvati. I never respected her as a person but I respect her game and her honesty.

[FBhang]

What Parvati said is true, and this is exactly what made the difference.

Amanda is too nice to piss people, the only one she was dare to piss was Erik, the younger brother of her. She was afraid to piss Cirie and others. You should not be afarid to show that you had played a better game than them. Amanda should have learnt the lesson if China and Micronesia arenot that close together.
Parvati on the other hand, who really cared she was over the top? The same was true for Todd, Todd was so arrogant in the finale and did not apologize. You should never apologize in the final TC, apologies hurted Amanda twice.

[JR.]

Originally Posted by Minney

I don't think Amanda's game play has been given enough credit either. The fact that their alliance of 5 made it strongly to the mix up speaks volumes for the decision to go with those people.
After the mix up her tribe lost many many MANY IC's and yet she (and her alliance mates) made it to the merge. There had to be some strategizing going on to make it that far. Sure you can argue that Cirie or others were doing the thinking, but by allining yourself with these "thinkers"--that's strategy too. It appears that most people want to only respect the post merge game when thinking of jury votes, but I think you should look at the whole game from day 1 and take into account what a person has done to get to the end and how they played the game. Integrity counts big with me, as does honesty and loyalty.

She does get some credit, but she pretty much took the middle of the game off. After making her initial alliance and the side one with Parv & Cirie, I can't remember her doing much else. Apparently the other contestants felt the same way. Parv made a side deal with Nat & Alexis, got them into the women's alliance, and had a better relationship with them. She also got the credit for taking Ozzy out. Parv seemed to be in the middle or in charge of everything that went on and didn't try to hide. Cirie switched alliances twice, had everyone liking her in spite of that, and came up with the plans for Jason's and Erik's boots. Those 2 were more consistent throughout to give themselves a better position.

Amanda, on the other hand, just didn't do enough over the course of the entire game compared to either of them. That said, she still could've won if she owned up to the things she did do, because I think she did do enough. She played very well towards the end in getting rid of Jason, Erik & Alexis, and didn't seem to have a moral or ethical problem with those blindsides. She should have used that since it was fresh in everyone's mind, but she tried to go with the nice and innocent thing. If she wanted to play the honesty card, she should've said "yes, that's what I did and this is why ...". The jury knew anyway, they were there when she was doing those things. To give them the sad puppy eyes was like a slap in the face. I'm not surprised no one bought it and it's easy to see why some people think she's fake.

[Sydney Bristow]

I am a huge Amanda fan but even I can admit that she is not good at articulating her case.

As far as "she didn't do enough damage" or "she didn't play the game in the middle" I respectfully disagree. There are two kind of under-the-radar player. One whom just slip past because they are considered too weak like Courtney from China. She made it solely on luck and circumstance. And then there are under-the-radar players who keep the spotlight off themselves, let the cards fall, and adjust if needed. I would put Cirie and Amanda in that category. These are the most dangerous players because they'll always slip through the cracks. They are a) likeable b) strategic c) adaptable. The reason I prefer players like Amanda over Cirie is because she seriously rocks the challenges. The girl plays hard and puts all her heart into it. I keep remembering the time in China when even a strong willed player like James opted to have food instead of participate in a challenge. Even though she was in no trouble Amanda still choose to participate in the challenge.

If you take away the emotional break downs at FTC, Amanda is by far the best player Survivor has ever seen.

[JoaTher]

I was really bummed that Amanda didnt win. I have been rooting for her since China.

Ah well.

[armywife]

Amanda played a good game, but I think Parv did her one up. It will be sad to not see Amanda anymore..she is fun to watch!

[weary]

Hasw anybody mentioned that Amanda looks better without makeup in the jungle than she does with makeup at the reunion?

[JR.]

Originally Posted by Sydney Bristow

If you take away the emotional break downs at FTC, Amanda is by far the best player Survivor has ever seen.

But you can't take this away, it's arguably the most important part of the game. It can be won or lost on how the contestants handle it and if there is anyone on the jury that's undecided. It can be like sudden death overtime where the next point wins. The same thing happen to her last year, and I thought she played a better overall game in China. She just didn't sell herself.

Winning challenges doesn't always mean a lot either. Sure it can help, but it's not a guarantee to winning the whole thing. Look at Ozzy, he was a challenge monster in both of his seasons but he didn't win either. Over the seasons, there have been a lot of good athletes, but they didn't all win. This isn't the Olympics, and being able to handle people is sometimes more important than challenges. Amanda is a good athlete, but the rest of her game is lacking.

I wanted her to win after Yau was voted out, as I really didn't like anyone else. I was hoping she would do better than she did in China, but she played a little bit worse IMO.