(S17E11) The good news is that there was a Survivor show tonight on Thanksgiving evening. The bad news is that it was basically a recap show covering the entire season thus far. But there were enough new clips we haven't previously seen to make it worthwhile at least touching on the episode. Some of the footage really cemented my opinions of some of these castaways and some was just plain bizarre.

The audition tapes
I think the most interesting previously unseen clips for me were the original audition bits. Now, you know I don't like Randy. And, to be honest, I'm not sure how he got on the show with the clip we saw. It was odd. Don't get me wrong -- I'm a pet lover. But he's still pining for a dog he lost five years ago? He had the urn with the dog's ashes on his table and has built his life around him? I don't know. It reminds me of Mr. Bojangles to some extent -- "The dog up and died, he up and died. And after twenty years he still grieves."

Bob's tape was kind of funny. I loved when the school cafeteria lady whomped him upside the head for comparing their food to the show's nasty food challenges! Corinne's tape didn't surprise me at all. That woman really has to lose that chip on her shoulder. Sure, she's apparently an intelligent woman, but it doesn't mean that everyone else is stupid. Kenny had braces on his teeth and Sugar had a glittery dangling nose ring. I'm glad she lost that before going on the show!

Crystal's tape was another odd duck one. Hmmm ... I'm not sure why I'd be expected to remember an Olympic track runner who was never really hyped a lot from four years ago, especially one who seems to have gained weight and slid into obscurity. But, for her to call herself the "three Bs" -- "brains, beauty, and blazing speed." No, she's not dumb. No, she's not ugly. But blazing speed? Where's that? I haven't seen her do anything quickly all season!

Cementing my opinions
In other previously unseen bits along with the recap segments, I found out I was right all along. Bob's a cool guy who can build all kinds of things. Kenny is a weaselly gamer who's actually playing the "outwit" part of the game very well. Corinne is a pompous mean-spirited so-and-so who thinks she's smarter than everyone else. Susie is an unusual contestant to make it this far in the game. I had no clue she could grow a beard, though.

Jeff Probst kept going on about underdogs and a good versus evil aspect this season. Let's see ... of those left on the show, Corinne has to be evil. In a way, Kenny lies to people, so he might be evil. But he's not mean-evil like Corinne or Randy. So, it's possible he's on the good side because of his underdogesque ways. Matty is good, Sugar (even after last week) is good. Crystal walks the line between good and evil. Bob's good even though he played Randy with the fake idol. So what happens if Corinne, the sole really evil one, goes next? Will it be good versus lesser good?