Physically? No. Strategically? Debatable, but Russell was definitely smart with allies and knew who to get out when.

Socially? Hell yeah. Russell's social game was SO horrendous that the entire jury focused on that instead of challenge wins or good strategic mind. He was hated by everyone enough that nobody wanted to vote for him. Natalie was smart in playing the way she did. Was she a dominant force like Russell? No. But she learned from experience (Marisa) that anybody who tried to go against Russell got voted out. So, she decided to use him as her shield and let him do all of the dirty work while she got everyone to like her.

Also I find its similar to the Rob/Amber AS vote too. What a disaster that one was.

not this a fucking again

I haven't watched All Stars in full so I can't really judge Amber's win but a majority of the jury thought she earned it so!

Shadow @ 3/1/2014 5:37

not this a fucking again

:D

Wait till Bryce comes too.

I already sprayed some repellent in here so it should keep him at a distance

Personally I think Russell's social game prior to voting people out was actually pretty good. Of course when he voted them out he was kinda a dick to them which they got all bitter about. But if you vote based on how they played the game (not just one moment when you were leaving), 99% of what Russell did was (relatively) fine. Plus is cocky FTC wasn't needed.

Also there is no way in hell Natalie gets to the end without Russell. Merge is even in doubt. While Russell's game is no where near as dependent on Natalie. Look how many "Natalies" he found after Samoa.

Russell has admitted he would not have made it to the final tribal without Natalie.

stopped reading at Russell's social game was pretty good

Matt @ 3/1/2014 23:46

Russell has admitted he would not have made it to the final tribal without Natalie.

Where? Thats rubbish.

Shadow @ 3/1/2014 23:46

stopped reading at Russell's social game was pretty good

People in his alliance didn't mind him prior to him screwing them over.

Also I do think in HvV and RI his social game got a lot worse. He just got way too cocky.

clearly u just go by the editing of the tv show. interviews + secret scenes give a lot of inside scoop to a season that the editing chooses not to show. casual fans, aka russell fans, go by the edit.

Shadow @ 3/1/2014 23:48

clearly u just go by the editing of the tv show. interviews + secret scenes give a lot of inside scoop to a season that the editing chooses not to show. casual fans, aka russell fans, go by the edit.

Yeah I have seen all that. And the bitter mentality of the jury is pretty evident! They formed a voting block against him. If people in Ponderosa were separated, he wouldn't of lost 7-2.