'Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains': Why everyone wants Parvati gone…and fast
Dangerous. That’s the best word to describe Parvati Shallow when it comes to Survivor. The woman will slay you with a smile. In 19 seasons, I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone play a better social game than Parvati, and I’m not just talking about the flirting either. Obviously, we’ve seen her get cuddly with boys only to discard them when their services (strategic or otherwise) are no longer called for. But it’s not just horny dudes that have fallen under her spell. She was also at the center of the female alliance in Micronesia, acting as a high-powered magnet for newcomers like Natalie and Alexis. She rode that all the way to the end of the game and won the million dollars. If I were a player in Heroes vs. Villains, Parvati would scare the bejeezus out of me and she’d be the first one I’d want out of there — which I suppose is the ultimate sign of respect. [Who is after Parvati, plus exclusive footage of her in the game, after the jump.]
And there are people actually plying this game who feel the same way. Coach, Tom, and Stephenie all mentioned Parvati as the person they were most concerned about, and several others worried about a Micronesia alliance between Parvati, Amanda, and James. That’s bad news for Parvati in that she is unlikely to sneak up on anyone this time around. But she’s well aware of that. “There’s a huge target on me as a winner and just as who I am, because I am always called out because I’m very social,” Parvati told me in Samoa right before the game began. “And there’s always a huge target on the social threats at the beginning of the game.”
But getting rid of her will not be so easy. Paravti is very laid back and very likable. She excels in not making waves and covering up her deviousness with a grin and a chuckle. That worked for a while in the Cook Islands, and worked against perhaps the dumbest assortment of men imaginable in Micronesia, but we’ll see if she can pull it off a third time against the likes of Russell and Sandra and Boston Rob, who are less likely to be fooled. Either way, Parvati’s skills should not be underestimated. We’ve seen her get close to several people — both male and female — and then have no problem whatsoever slitting their throats when the time called for it. The other players are right to be wary of her, and as a result, Parvati has her work cut out for her if she wants to once again flirt with making it all the way to the finals.
To see Parvati’s expert flirting in mid-game form already, click on the video below. This is the 17th in a series of daily profiles on the contestants of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. If you missed our first 16 (including Russell, Boston Rob, Cirie, and Courtney), there are links to all those players below the video. And to enjoy interviews with all the Heroes and Villains, head over to our super special Survivor video hub. Up next tomorrow: James Clement. Oh, and for Survivor scoop delivered right to you, follow me on Twitter @EWDaltonRoss. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you — Parvati in flippers!
Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS