An unhappy Dragon Slayer is an unstable Dragon Slayer. Watch this dude.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD. DON’T READ IT YOU DON’T WANNA KNOW.

Last week, before James and his injured leg got voted off the Hero tribe on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,” he talked about how disappointed he was in tribemate Colby Donaldson. In previous seasons, Colby had been a hard-charging, challenge-winning Superman. And now, he was sort of a un-fun stick in the mud who floundered in challenges.

“It’s like my Superman sucks!” James said.

That’s exactly what it was like. But the loss of James, and maybe, the earlier loss of fellow former Superman Tom (who had also become sort of a no-fun prig), made Colby look around, look in the mirror and say “I’m Colby Donaldson! I love this game! I’ve seen a million challenges, and I’ve rocked them all!”

OK, maybe he didn’t say that last part, but it’s true. And whatever fire he lit under himself and his tribe, he’s undoubtedly part of the reason that the Heroes have rebounded to become a lean, mean, challenge-winning machine. They first won a sweet reward at a natural waterfall with good food, good drink and comfort, where they decided to use their clue pointing to the Hidden Immunity Idol as a group. Of course, after the merge, they’ll have to start thinking as individuals. But for the moment, this is what they need. And it’s working.

What’s not working? Going against Russell. Anyone who reads this blog knows how I feel about him – which is mostly negatively – but he is playing this game. He’s actually playing it better this time than before – his social game has gotten somewhat better. He’s still a bully, still a little too pleased with himself, but he pulled a genius, genius move last week giving Pavarti his Immunity Idol. That was not only risky, but showed this group of basically untrustworthy people that he can be trusted. Sorta. Right now.

That’s not solid. But they’re called the Villains, so they have to take what they can get. And what they’ve got now is Russell as a leader, choosing him over Boston Rob. I dunno. I think that’s a mistake. Not that Rob’s a shining example of humanity, but Russell played the Coach card – he tapped into the Dragon Slayer’s sense of loyalty and honor, and convinced him to go against it. And even though Rob, who he betrayed, is gone and not a factor, that’s gonna weigh so heavy on Coach’s soul that he might regret it. And then he’s gonna be a loose cannon. And a loose Dragon Slayer is crazy pants. Good luck with that, y’all.