Thiago Remembers the Fallen

[thiago]

It's the STARR of the show! Starr was a brute force right from the start on Reliquum. She made alliances, used people to take the blame for her dirty work, and took the heat when she couldn't keep it in any longer. She surprised me on numerous occasions with her ability to befriend people with ease, earning their trust quickly, which came in handy for some key moves in the game. I always found myself being careful around Starr, because she was such a perceptive--and frighteningly paranoid--player. I think the starvation really got to her as the game progressed, as her nerves and irrationality became almost unmanageable at some points. However, it's undeniable that the success of the Fans does have Starr to thank, because without her strong presence, any of us could have been idoled over her. I do believe, however, that the Favourites chose the wrong person to idol out that round, as Starr was not the leader nor glue that kept the group together. She was, however, a huge personality that kept conversation flowing and spiced up the game when things got dull. I have a huge appreciation for people like that, regardless of whether they gave me a headache or not in the game. However, given her age, I can't blame her. I was pretty nuts at 16 too...

[thiago]

I never really got to meet Taylor, but his vote off was undeniably one of the key turning points in the game for us. Convincing Knox to stick with the Fans for one more vote allowed us to gain the upper hand the following round without any need for his vote. I think that Taylor was preoccupied with another game that he was in, and unfortunately he learned the hard way about playing multiple games at the same time. It's a shame though, because I was really eager to get to know him when the game started. Perhaps we'll have that opportunity some day in the future.

[thiago]

*Sigh*

Easily the most difficult decision I've had to make in any game I've ever played was voting off Gloria. We grew close while on Farrago, and always had fairly open line of communication. However, as the Fans vs. Favourites division persisted throughout the merge, we both realized that working together was never really in the cards. She proved to everybody that she was the ultimate threat: she exploited her relationship with Knox to gain information, she found idols like it was nobody's business, and the effort she put into challenges was unbelievable. I think she is aware of the mistakes she made in the game though, particularly with timing, and especially in what information she divulged to me. I was not proud of the way I treated our relationship as the merge went on, but given that she contemplated eliminating me with Knox when he flipped over, I knew that I had to look out for myself. I think that out of everyone sitting on the jury, Gloria has the most reason to be furious with me. I lied to her about joining the Favourites to vote off Mark in order to make sure an idol wasn't played that round on herself. I'm not proud of what I did, but at the end of the day, I have to live with the decisions that I've made and suffer those consequences.

[thiago]

Knox has to have one of the most interesting stories of the series.

He started on Reliquum, I think hoping to take charge and lead a strong alliance, only to find himself on the outside of numerous alliances. He struggled to find strategic placing until after the sacrifice, where he finally found safety in the arms of two Reliquum men who felt he could be trusted over Gabriel. Little did any of us know that Knox looked out for only Knox, which resulted in one of the biggest blindsides of the season. However, soon after his betrayal, the entire group of Fans found out about his little double dipping act, which was consequently the end of his game. I give him props for trying to play secret double agent, but it's a risky play and it burned him in the end. Knox definitely left his mark on this game.

[thiago]

I came into the game with high expectations for Ben and I was most certainly not disappointed. Socially, Ben was outstanding: everybody loved Ben. In challenge, Ben was a powerhouse that left me trembling in my high-tops. Strategically, Ben was able to dominate the premerge with the help of his Season 3 friends. Unfortunately for Ben, he wasn't able to satisfy Gloria enough at the merge to have her use her idol to protect Chad, or to listen to her enough for her to feel attached enough to the group. From then on, it was a heroic struggle for Ben to stay alive in the game. Eventually, his nine lives ran out and Ben was voted off. Although it's definitely been much quieter on AIM with him gone, Ben's elimination certainly was followed by multiple sighs of relief. If anyone would have swept a jury vote, it would've been that guy.

[thiago]

It's ironic that the one Favourite I most looked forward to meeting was the Favourite I got to spend the most time with in the game. Just read his confessionals in Season 3: this is a real person. Before the merge, Liam dominated this game. However, at the merge, he made some blunders when he opened his mouth to the wrong people. He handled himself very well when he thought everyone believed Knox over him, but little did he know that everyone believed him. That is not to say that Liam laid down and died. Liam never gave up, right until the very end when he had 4 against 1, he never admitted defeat until the very last moment. His desire to play was refreshing, and I'm so glad that he was able to place the best he has ever placed.

[thiago]

Who can say anything bad about Zac? He has to be one of the most endearing people I've come across in these online games. I still fondly remember when I first met him over a month ago, when his nerves were sky high, apologizing for everything under the sun (from signing offline without saying goodbye, or being a few minutes late for a challenge). As the game progressed, Zac became more comfortable with his position in the game. Today, he's made it to the Final 4 due to his loyalty, charisma, and wits. Zac would make a terrific winner for the season as a genuinely nice guy who made very few, if any, mistakes.

[thiago]

I know that Mark and I wouldn't be here without each other. I love this man and him winning would be a fine ending to this season. He's delivered in challenges time and time again, he's played idol(s) at the right time, he's always been hugely popular around camp, and he has one of the biggest comeback stories of the series. Who knew that four hours before the first Judgment, Mark was going to leave the game 11-1, and one month later, Mark sits in the Top 4. Well done man!

[thiago]

Bree has been one of the biggest surprises for me this season and has easily the most interesting storyline of us all. She was the girl who wouldn't go home on Reliquum: she found herself in a solid alliance and was constantly saved at every vote despite having naysayers plead for her elimination. She was the Québecois from Montréal who "spoke" Free Translation French and didn't know a thing about the city she claimed to live in. Nevertheless, the schtick had success given she's sitting here in the Final Four. After the sacrifice, she shockingly switched on her own allies, only to be countered by Gloria doing the same. For the rest of her time on Farrago, Bree struggled to stay alive, as she most certainly would have found herself voted off had Farrago returned to Judgment. At the merge, Bree was constantly the target of numerous vote campaigns. Despite this, she pulled off an immunity win and even played a role in some key game moves. If anyone represents the theme of "comeback" this season, love her or hate her, it's gotta be Bree. Oui! C'est vrai!

[thiago]

I'm not really sure how to talk about myself, it's a tad awkward. It also doesn't help that Thiago looks like a cast member out of The Hobbit, or from the new Star Trek flick.

Having been out of online gaming for about 4 years now, it was certainly an adjustment playing once again, like riding a bicycle. The emotions of fear, worry, anxiety, paranoia, excitement, victory, failure, and the works all came rushing back. I have to say that I'm ready for this game to be over. I'm mentally exhausted. I'm pleased to be sitting in the Final Four today and we'll see what tomorrow brings.

At the end of the day, I can say I am proud of the way that I have played this game. It hasn't been entirely moral or malignant (Episode Quote! ), but it has been fair and I can be proud of that.

Cheers,
T