What Goes Around, Comes Around
The last episode recap opened with some insight - once the teams were switched up the younger members both adopted a feisty mother figure - Espada has Holly(crazy-pants) and LaFlor has Jane - leaving the rest of the older members out in the cold.
Espada - Night 15
-The tribe returns from voting out the (apparently) threatening Yve - Dan says he feels like the "Teflon Dan" having escaped elimination yet again.
-Chase Rice! is hoping it doesn't bite them in the ass if Dan loses them challenges. He's talking to NaOnka & Holly - says next they have to get rid of Alina - she's too smart and NaOnka has never trusted her - They all fist-bump on Alina to go next (Really? In Obama's America the fist bump has replaced the handshake.)
LaFlor - Night 15
-The tribe gets back after voting off Kelly B and Marty is congratulating himself for the huge cojones he showed by holding onto the idol (He's going to be insufferable.)
-Marty and Jill aggressively confront Sash about him lying to them about who they were voting. "We would have voted who you wanted" - why the votes for Marty (Marty really does think they are all stupid.) Sash straight out tells him they were trying to flush the idol.
-Marty is seething about Jane voting for him - He tells Jill that she will have to be dealt with. (Hmm, he still thinks he's in control there - amazing.)
LaFlor - Day 16
-Marty is talking to Jane - outlining some truths to her: I've never lied to you - I've never written your name down - I never proposed voting for you - blah, blah, blah (the undercurrent was: how dare you not do what I want even though I've never made any attempt to include you) He's taken on a cajoling tone saying he thinks she voted for him...
-Jane just laughs and says nothing (good girl - if you can't deny, deny, deny - saying nothing is just as good.)
-Marty tells Jill he talked to Jane and isn't sure if he should have... (couldn't have hurt, she already hated him anyway.)
-Jill says they hope Jane will come back (back?) but they are really scrambling here.
REWARD CHALLENGE - Square pool of water
- One person from each tribe will be The Defender and up on a perch in the water. Members from the other tribe will leap off the platform and try to throw a ball (bit smaller than a volleyball) past The Defender into the net behind them (smaller, soccer-type net). First tribe to score 5 points wins a Nicaraguan farm experience - includes horseback riding and a fresh breakfast including milk that they will collect themselves.
LaFlor sits out Jane.
The Defenders are Fabio and Chase Rice!
-There is only one net so they switch out tribes on every attempt - NaOnka gets first point past Fabio - Jill gets one past Chase. Benry scores, Marty misses but Chase Rice takes one in the rice balls if you know what I mean - Holly misses and Kelly Purple ties them up at 2-2.
Dan throws the ball then jumps in the water - doesn't count, he's supposed to throw in mid-air - doesn't go unnoticed by his tribe - NaOnka says he can't even jump. (The ball was nowhere near going in anyway.)
-Sash hits the crossbar - Alina scores - Espada up 3-2
-Brenda misses low... and Fabio pees in the pool - classy... Then NaOnka is the next one that has to jump in (ha ha, okay, it makes some more sense now.) She scores though so it didn't work out - Espada 4-2
-Jill gets another point making it 4-3 but it's Game Point to Benry and he makes it - ESPADA wins reward.
-Okay, it's the first time (I swear) they've ever shown Purple Kelly talking to the camera - she is complaining they won't get to milk their own milk... (yeah, better she doesn't speak.)
LaFlor - Back at camp
-Jane is bummed they lost the reward but it just makes her dig in and do more - she's fishing, gathering wood - says she can do more than Marty & Jill give her credit for - she's okay with the younger folks lounging around, as long as they feel Jane's important.
-Sash says the older people can work their butts off and feed him all day - He loves it. (Oh, I would be bitter and no way would I feed that bum.) He gives the older folks credit for their work ethic but it's not how hard you work - it's how loyal you are to me.
Espada - Reward
Horseback riding - Chase Rice! is loving the riding, says it reminds him of home and his Dad - they had horses until his Dad died - so this is the best reward he could ever get out there. They get to the farm and the farmer teaches them to milk the cow - Dan does alright but NaOnka says she's not a farm girl (No!) Now she can say she touched a cow's nipple... (Ah - that's not... sure, go with that.)
LaFlor - Day 17
Jane's been up since 5:30am catching fish and she's starving - she decides she's going to cook one of the fish just for herself. She builds a small fire back in the trees and cooks the fish. She says they sat her last challenge and lost the food Reward, so this is her little food reward. (I think Jane is so cute. She's the one that did all the work so why shouldn't she have her own fish - and you know it'd never happen in camp.) "Bon Appetit!"
Espada - Reward
And they're EATING! Holly & Alina have some sort of religious experience - well, there is crying, they are all emotional about eating and bonding (I swear Dan rolled his eyes).
-NaOnka played along, she was even able to manufacture some tears but she wasn't buying it - she thinks Alina is fake and just trying to keep herself in the game by putting on this act so NaOnka puts on an act as well to keep herself in the game (does she see the irony there? I doubt it.)
IMMUNITY CHALLENGE - Once again, it's tribal immunity up for grabs.
-Two members from each tribe will be at the top of a tower and will roll cannon balls down a long, steep chute. The four other members will use ropes to aim the chute so the cannon balls break the other team's surfboard shaped tiles in the field. First team to break all 5 of the other tribe's tiles will win immunity.
-Sash volunteers to be sat and they did some weird pause thing before Jeff acknowledged it - trying to make it dramatic I guess - just makes me think Sash is lazy.
-Espada has Benry & Alina up top directing the four rope pullers to aim the chute - Benry gives lots of aiming direction and moves down a level on the tower and uses the small ball... and misses. (Hmm, this could be tricky.)
-LaFlor has Brenda & Kelly Purple up top - with little direction they let go their first ball and smash a tile. (Oh, that doesn't bode well.)
-Espada hits one on their next try though and go on a tear - they get the hang of the aiming and are up 3-1.
-LaFlor gets one more break but Espada pulls ahead 4-2 and ... ESPADA wins Immunity!
LaFlor - Day 18
-Marty hangs his immunity idol back from the tree branch - (Always with the mind games, he is such a douche.)
-The younger members and Jane talking in the shelter - Fabio thinks they should split the vote 3 for Marty, 2 for Jill so he'll have to play the idol and Jill will go home. (Fabio's not as dumb as he plays.)
-Jane will happily vote for Marty again - she was the ugly ducking over at Espada and she's a firm believer in What goes around, comes around.
-Jane feels like she's gained the respect of the younger tribe members and she never had that in the old tribe. She wants Marty gone but it'll put the icing on the cake if Jill goes. She wants to have her cake and eat it too (I love it - it's like [Stephen King's] Carrie (without the pig's blood) - they were mean to her and she'll have her revenge - watch out for wrath of Jane.)
-Sash wants to tell Marty they're voting 3 for him and 2 for Jill... or he can guarantee he'll stay if he hands over the hidden immunity idol to him - so he can make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands (riighht... who's buying that? Wrong hands my butt - he just wants the Precious.)
-Brenda & Sash strategizing - should they ask Marty for the idol and still vote his ass out? Sash says then Jill won't trust them. Brenda - They're never going to trust us anyway... (Way to justify heinous behaviour.)
-Marty approaches Sash and Sash tells him they're saying they're going to split the vote to flush the idol or Marty can give Sash the idol and he'll look him in the eye, shake his hand (no fist bump?) and guarantee Marty's not going tonight.
-Marty says he'll just go next time. Sash tells him again he'll look him in the eye and shake his hand and promise if they lose immunity again he'll give him the idol back (sure you will.) Either way he says it's Jill going home tonight.
-Marty says he's not voting for Jill - Sash tells him he wouldn't expect that (they don't care who you vote for dummy). (Or, Marty could really be a good man and give the idol to Jill, she is the one that figured out the clues after all... yeah, I'm not going to hold my breath.)
-Marty tells the camera - he feels powerless in every way, shape and form (aw, poor ass hat) - He has to give the immunity idol to someone tonight - either Jeff or Sash and he chooses... Sash! Marty says if Sash is a man of his word, Marty could make it one more cycle and that may be enough to get to the merge, then it'll be wide open again... (Huh, I didn't think that would work.)
-Sash is then cocky to the camera - "I don't have to dig for idols, I just have to ask for them. Marty just made his biggest mistake in the game." (Precious, my precious.)
TRIBAL COUNCIL
Fabio, back to back losses - does Espada have momentum?
- Yeah. I think their spirits are up and they're a strong tribe but we're also strong - it'll be an even playing field next challenge.
Jane - last tribal was crazy - how was camp before this one?
- Those of us that mesh really well got together and made a decision.
Is it obvious who doesn't mesh? Do they know it?
- Uh huh, I think so.
Marty, do you feel that?
- Yeah, clearly - some of us did more of a flip flop (obvious dig at Jane) and the rest tried to incorporate ourselves where we fit in. (No, you tried to take over, that's not fitting in.)
Who flip-flopped?
- Jane is a flipper - we tried to remain strong and fit in where we could... (ugh - he's just jealous no one likes him.)
Jane, fair criticism?
- Well when we became yellow - I became yellow. That's the way I looked at it. (She's smart, the less said the better.)
Brenda agreed- Jane didn't try to infiltrate them, it was just a natural fit.
Jill, do you feel the separation?
- Definitely - there is still an old/young division but it's up to me to play out of it if I can.
Marty, there was lots of talk last time about the idol - you had it, would you play it or not. Did it come up again? (What do you think?)
- Marty again paints himself as the gutsiest player in Survivor history by holding on to the idol. He may have put himself as a disadvantage tonight but he TRUSTS someone's word... (Marty's hitting all the buzz words, trying to sway them with his rhetoric.)
Brenda, do you know where the idol is?
- She says she doesn't know physically where it is but she thinks Sash has it.
Sash pipes up and says he has it in his pocket.
So Marty, what happened?
-Marty confirms he agreed to TRANSFER the idol to Sash (hits transfer because he didn't give it to Sash) He continues - it could go down as one of the stupidest moves ever - but you never know in this game.
-Brenda looks SOOO smug - Jill looks betrayed.
Fabio, reasonable for Marty to be concerned?
Of course, we could easily vote him out but we have the idol so we come out on top.
Brenda, interesting he said WE...
- No, that's how much we trust Sash.
Sash, you think this makes perfect sense yet you have it in your pocket.
- If the time comes and I lose faith in them - I mean, they lose faith in me...
WHOA - Jeff makes a big deal about this Freudian Slip - condescendingly asks Fabio if he knows about the psychologist Sigmund Freud...
- Fabio gets a bit pissy and shows he does have a brain- tells Jeff is well versed in Freudian Psychology.
Jeff's being a bully - makes sure Brenda's noticed the slip (give it a rest already, they don't need your help stirring up drama, Dimples.)
Jane, was it a mistake for Marty to give up the idol?
- Anytime you watch this game and you give up the idol it comes back to haunt you...
And with that cryptic statement... It's time to vote:
Jane votes Marty,
Marty & Jill vote Jane...
Tallying the votes:
Jane 1, 2 - Jill 1 - Marty 1 - Jill 2 - Marty 2... and the final vote is (Jill or Marty, Jill or Marty) it's JILL!
So, with Jill leaving - Ian G, Julie T and Gillian H. are out of the pool.
Jill gives a boring exit speech - grateful for the opportunity, blah, blah, kids will root for Marty now, blah, blah, made me appreciate husband and children (zzzz.)
Next week - It's the Merge and NaOnka goes all hood again and steals a bunch of their Merge food. (Nice.)
Have a great rest of the week - and Happy Halloween all.
Coleen
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Amazing Race - October 24th Episode Recap
Tastes Like a Million Dollars
The episode opened with the teams striking out from the Swedish Lapland - Nat & Kat are the first out at 6:00am - they get the clue to drive over the border to Narvik, Norway - the land of the midnight sun - in the summer the sun never sets - once there they must search for the gondola station, at the top of the gondola they will find their next clue. Nat & Kat say they are more like sisters than friends and doing the race together has only strengthened that.
-Gary & Mallory are the next out at 6:04am - doing the race was Dad's dream from his couch every Sunday night - Mallory is so glad to help make it happen for him.
-Brook & Claire are right behind them at 6:05am - Brook knows she's the most hyper, energetic, passionate person and Claire is a calm storm - put them together and they'd be the perfect creature. (Brook would drive me Nuts!)
-Kevin & Michael head out at 6:30am - Kevin is in college right now, thinks this will be the last chance he and his Dad will have to spend so much time together... Eat, sleep, race... and Michael throws in, pee together - with his huge grin... still TMI (too much information.)
-Thomas & Jill - out at 6:48am - He's going on again about how he went to Notre Dame and how he always thought he'd be with someone with an education... she's always trying to prove herself to him (I don't know how she puts up with 'The Great Thomas', his superiority complex is sickening.)
-Brook & Claire and Gary & Mallory are conferring on which way to go while driving in circles in a round-about (this conversation is making me dizzy) they decide to head for the tower on the mountain they can see.
-Nick & Vicki are the next heading out at 7:11am. (I know I'm getting old because I think they just look ridiculous with the tats and face piercings and Brett Michaels bandanas.ugh.)
-Nat & Kat make it to the gondola and are terrified about what may await them at the top.
-Chad & Stephanie head out at 8:12am - they need to focus so they can jump up some spots today.
-Katie & Rachel are the last out at 8:34am - they're here to win, it's not Amazing Friend (Oh, they pulled the "I'm not here to make friends card" famous among reality show contestants[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w536Alnon24 ], usually means you're going to lose too.) it's the Amazing Race. In the car, Katie says the blond one from Nat & Kat (ha, that's funny coming from the team I can never tell apart) Nat is afraid of heights so Katie & Rachel hope she's having a panic attack (Nice girls - this race has a lot of instant Karma, I'd be careful wishing ill on others)...
...And they show Nat crying in the gondola (okay, they called it, but she's doing not too bad) - she's given Kat permission to push her off if necessary. They get to the top and get a clue to a Fast Forward - says they'll have to go to a restaurant and participate in a Christmas tradition - what it doesn't say is the tradition is to eat a sheep's head (oh, gross... but, at a restaurant, you gotta know it's some kind of eating challenge...) Nat & Kat decide to go for the FF.
-Nat was so relieved it was only the clue box at the top of the mountain and they could head right back down.
-Brook & Claire are at the bottom as the doctors come down and Brook is being annoying (surprise). Gary & Mallory get the next gondola and Micheal & Kevin are right behind them.
-The clue is telling them to make their way to a particular bridge - they all head back down assuming the doctors are doing the FF - Mallory finally reads the FF clue and whines that she loves Christmas...
-Nat & Kat, in the car, speculate that it may be a food challenge - Kat is a vegetarian and hasn't eaten meat in 22 years - they don't think she'd make it through a meat eating challenge (seriously? why would you take the chance then - restaurant = food = eating something gross - it's not the Amazing Yummy Food.)
-Thomas & Jill are heading up the gondola as the other 3 teams are heading down. They're all surprised they've caught up so much already. (Oh god, don't tell 'The Great Thomas' that.)
-Nat & Kat get to the restaurant (it just looks like a cabin... it could be the Amazing Restaurant) they're trying to be upbeat but they see a table set with glasses of water and they know... the head comes out and they strip the meat off the bones (tell me they don't have to eat the eyeballs...) and Kat is trying to wash down small pieces without chewing - Nat is telling her it tastes like a million dollars but I'm pretty sure we're going to see her puke at some point.
-Meanwhile - Gary & Mallory and Kevin & Michael get tot he bridge and get the clue to the ROADBLOCK - one team member has to step off the deck of the bridge and rappel down to the water below - once they get to the end of the rope they must signal to a boat to bring them the clue then use a vertical ascender to pull themselves back up to the bridge deck (I'd be dead right there - those ascender things take a lot of upper body strength.)
-Kevin & Gary get suited up in their safety harnesses for the rappel.
-Brook & Claire arrive and as soon as Brook reads the clue tells Claire she's got this - Claire is like, I do? Then Brook starts jumping around like and idiot (again, I'd want to punch her.) Claire suits up and teaches the Norwegian helping her what a wedgie means :)
-Nat & Kat are getting through the sheep head... Oh, they do have to eat the eyes (I gagged a little there too) "Tastes like a million dollars." And they make it through the whole thing - good for them! They get to skip all the tasks and get the clue for the Pit Stop - a marina. Kat's going to wait and puke after they check in.
-Kevin & Gary start their descent and make it down quickly - Gary knows it's the way back up that's going to be a problem - that and the harness making him into a soprano.
-Vicki & Nick get the clue at the gondola and decide to go for the FF - they think everyone will be doing it - (because they are SMRT.)
-Chad & Stephanie and the Volleyball girls still on their way to the gondola.
-Claire starts her descent off the bridge and Thomas & Jill have arrived - Thomas also starts off the bridge.
-Kevin & Gary are inching their way back up after getting their clues -Kevin is finally realizing this is hard.
-Claire is struggling to start her ascent and Thomas is just flying - Jill tells us that Thomas apparently grew up in the mountains rappelling & stuff (she talks about him like he's 'The Great Thomas' as well.)
-Nick & Vicki get to the FF restaurant and there's a sign on the door "Fast Forward has been taken." Vicki, "What does that mean?" They don't understand the sign, what does FF taken mean? (Are you serious? How do these two function is everyday life?) Even later when they're doing the interview footage after the leg she still didn't understand... (I have nothing nice to say so I'll just shake my head.) She wondered if they should wait (for what?) and he says he's not waiting around -they head out for the bridge.
-Chad & Stephanie get the clue at the top of the gondola and know not to bother with the Fast Forward.
-Volleyball girls just arrive at the gondola as Chad & Stephanie are heading out.
-Back at the bridge - Kevin makes it back up but it was tough. Claire is exhausted 1/4 way back up, Brook is yelling down at her not to give up - Claire tells her to shut up (I felt like applauding.)
-Kevin gets the next clue - they have to make their way to Harvika to a remote field where they'll find the next clue box. They head out.
- Gary makes it back up on the bridge - Thomas makes it back up and Claire is crying, still about 1/2 way down... Brook tells her to call on her grandma (who died 4 days before the race started) to help her - Claire was already praying... but she also doesn't give up... and she finally makes it back up on the bridge (way to go, girl!) Says she can check 'rappel off bridge' off her life's to do list.
-Nick & Vicki get to the bridge - Read the clue about strength, stamina and guts and say it's her doing the task... really? She says she's the guts in the relationship (hmm, they may regret that, she's pretty chesty, but that doesn't mean she has upper body strength.)
-Chad already saying he's going to do the task as they drive up to the bridge, he's psyched!
-Vicki is killing it! She wasn't kidding when she said they were a physical rather than a mental team. She gets the clue and is tearing it up back up to the bridge - I was very wrong, I don't mind admitting it.
-Michael & Kevin get to the DETOUR - Bike or Boat.
-In Bike they choose a pair of mountain bikes, taking note of the colour of the bike lock, then they must ride a gruelling course to a sign where they have to memorize the colour coded combination to the bike lock (only 4 digits) ride back to the start and open the lock to get the next clue.
-In Boat they make their way out to one of the fishing trawlers, using a map they must direct the captain to a designated spot where they'll disembark then continue on foot to deliver 2 large cod and a chainsaw to a cabin in the woods - there they'll get the next clue.
-Kevin & Michael decide to do the Boat - Kevin thinks it will be safer for Dad (and rightly so.)
-Gary & Mallory and Thomas & Jill get to the Detour and decide to bike - 'The Great Thomas' tells Jill to try and keep up - Mallory is whining the seat's too high (which it probably is, she's tiny.)
-Brook & Claire get there and decide to do the Boat - they are not outdoorsy girls so this Race is really challenging them - Claire asks if they can get a manicure while they're there. (Ah...No.)
-Vicki finishes the bridge rappel easily and Chad is impressed and probably a bit embarrassed that she did it faster than him... Volleyball girls just get to the bridge and Katie is heading down off the bridge for them. (I can finally tell these two apart... and I just gotta say, they wear a LOT of makeup for athletic girls.)
-Kevin & Michael make shore and have to schlep the fish and chainsaw up a pretty steep hill. Kevin's got the fish and apparently they were fragrant - eww.
-Thomas & Jill are biking like champs - Gary & Mallory both fall down on a slippery section of rock (ouch) she says she was ready to chuck that bike off the mountain. Both teams memorize their codes and head back down.
-Thomas is the first to open his lock and get the clue for the Pit Stop - Inkinus Marina - they take off just ahead of Gary & Mallory who also open their clue and head off.
-Kevin & Michael make their delivery to the old Norwegian man in the woods and get the clue to the Pit Stop - Kevin is happy with how well they're doing today (me too.)
-Brook & Claire's boat passes Kevin & Dad's on their way to the shore - Brook has the fish, apparently she's still smelly too - poor Claire is spent from pulling herself up that rope and is schlumping along with the chainsaw.
-Thomas & Jill are arguing in the car - haven't found the Marina and worried they passed it - she thinks they're going in circles - he thinks she's stupid - so pretty much normal there...
-Kevin & Michael also nervous that they missed the turn to the marina end up behind Jill & Thomas and decide to follow them (the lost leading the lost, great.)
-Nick & Vicki get to the Detour clue box and decide to do the Bike - Nick says he's been riding dirt bikes competitively since he was 12 (and likely fell on his head a lot, could explain some things) he takes off like a shot and she has to remind him to wait for her.
-Chad & Stephanie get to the clue box and decide to do Boat... well, he'd rather bike but they both have to do it - so Boat it is.
-Brook & Claire deliver the goods, ask the old guy why he lives all the way up there - then they both kiss him (made the old guy's day if that huge smile was any indication) and Brook skips down the mountain - "Kiss count is up to 7!"
-Jill & Thomas HAVE gone in a circle - they go over the rappel bridge and the Volleyball girls see them - Rachel thinks Jill & Thomas are just getting there and there's a team behind them (nope they're just lost.)
Thomas is freaking out - we just ruined ourselves! (The Great Thomas can't stand being wrong.) They pull over and ask for directions.
-Nick & Vicki - she's now ahead of him on the bikes as he's struggling to pedal up the hill - she's finding it easy (wow, this girl is in phenomenal shape - if she was as smart as she's is fit they would be first every time.)
-Chad & Stephanie get to shore and start schlepping the fish & chainsaw up the hill - he's yelling at her to hurry up - "we're too far behind to be walking."
-Volleyball girls get to the Detour and decide to do the Boat as well - hope they can pass another team (you haven't passed any yet - did they not notice there were no more clues in the box?)
-Chad & Stephanie get the clue from the old guy... no more kissing though.
-Nick & Vicki coming back and he's in the lead on the downhill (ha! of course, much easier going downhill) they unlock the clue to the Pit Stop.
-Volleyball girls see Chad & Stephanie heading back as they are boating to the shore - they complete the task and head back with the clue - praying they're not last..
Here's How They Finished:
1) Nat & Kat - They win a trip for 2 to Costa Rica. Nice! And I just have to say, they both have the whitest, most perfect teeth, doctoring pays for some good dental work.
2) Gary & Mallory - Phil just raises his eyebrow twice to let them know they are team #2 - he has fun with this team I can tell. Gary says it's very different being there than watching it from the couch at home.
3) Jill & Thomas - 'The Great Thomas' thought so.
4) Kevin & Michael - That's good - they're happy with that.
5) Brook & Claire - Brook cut her eyelid on the door of the car - ooh, that's ugly... Phil impressed, says she's a tough nut. I think he's just surprised she's not freaking out, but maybe she realized Claire had it worse (watermelon in the face...hello.)
6) Nick & Vicki - He thinks they're second... Huh? Did I miss him fall on his head?
7) Chad & Stephanie - He thinks they're one of the strongest teams and they know it can turn around quickly on the race, you can go from last to first in one leg. (I hope so, they're my team.)
8) Katie & Rachel ***ELIMINATED*** They wanted to race forever... some tears but they were, meh. (It just figures, I could finally tell who was who and they got eliminated - oh well.)
So, with the Volleyball girls leaving this week, that means Cheryl B, Alexis G, Virginia D, Ian G and Lindsay J are OUT of the pool.
Next week they sample Russian culture in music, cinema and... babushkas.
Have a great week everyone.
Coleen
The episode opened with the teams striking out from the Swedish Lapland - Nat & Kat are the first out at 6:00am - they get the clue to drive over the border to Narvik, Norway - the land of the midnight sun - in the summer the sun never sets - once there they must search for the gondola station, at the top of the gondola they will find their next clue. Nat & Kat say they are more like sisters than friends and doing the race together has only strengthened that.
-Gary & Mallory are the next out at 6:04am - doing the race was Dad's dream from his couch every Sunday night - Mallory is so glad to help make it happen for him.
-Brook & Claire are right behind them at 6:05am - Brook knows she's the most hyper, energetic, passionate person and Claire is a calm storm - put them together and they'd be the perfect creature. (Brook would drive me Nuts!)
-Kevin & Michael head out at 6:30am - Kevin is in college right now, thinks this will be the last chance he and his Dad will have to spend so much time together... Eat, sleep, race... and Michael throws in, pee together - with his huge grin... still TMI (too much information.)
-Thomas & Jill - out at 6:48am - He's going on again about how he went to Notre Dame and how he always thought he'd be with someone with an education... she's always trying to prove herself to him (I don't know how she puts up with 'The Great Thomas', his superiority complex is sickening.)
-Brook & Claire and Gary & Mallory are conferring on which way to go while driving in circles in a round-about (this conversation is making me dizzy) they decide to head for the tower on the mountain they can see.
-Nick & Vicki are the next heading out at 7:11am. (I know I'm getting old because I think they just look ridiculous with the tats and face piercings and Brett Michaels bandanas.ugh.)
-Nat & Kat make it to the gondola and are terrified about what may await them at the top.
-Chad & Stephanie head out at 8:12am - they need to focus so they can jump up some spots today.
-Katie & Rachel are the last out at 8:34am - they're here to win, it's not Amazing Friend (Oh, they pulled the "I'm not here to make friends card" famous among reality show contestants[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w536Alnon24 ], usually means you're going to lose too.) it's the Amazing Race. In the car, Katie says the blond one from Nat & Kat (ha, that's funny coming from the team I can never tell apart) Nat is afraid of heights so Katie & Rachel hope she's having a panic attack (Nice girls - this race has a lot of instant Karma, I'd be careful wishing ill on others)...
...And they show Nat crying in the gondola (okay, they called it, but she's doing not too bad) - she's given Kat permission to push her off if necessary. They get to the top and get a clue to a Fast Forward - says they'll have to go to a restaurant and participate in a Christmas tradition - what it doesn't say is the tradition is to eat a sheep's head (oh, gross... but, at a restaurant, you gotta know it's some kind of eating challenge...) Nat & Kat decide to go for the FF.
-Nat was so relieved it was only the clue box at the top of the mountain and they could head right back down.
-Brook & Claire are at the bottom as the doctors come down and Brook is being annoying (surprise). Gary & Mallory get the next gondola and Micheal & Kevin are right behind them.
-The clue is telling them to make their way to a particular bridge - they all head back down assuming the doctors are doing the FF - Mallory finally reads the FF clue and whines that she loves Christmas...
-Nat & Kat, in the car, speculate that it may be a food challenge - Kat is a vegetarian and hasn't eaten meat in 22 years - they don't think she'd make it through a meat eating challenge (seriously? why would you take the chance then - restaurant = food = eating something gross - it's not the Amazing Yummy Food.)
-Thomas & Jill are heading up the gondola as the other 3 teams are heading down. They're all surprised they've caught up so much already. (Oh god, don't tell 'The Great Thomas' that.)
-Nat & Kat get to the restaurant (it just looks like a cabin... it could be the Amazing Restaurant) they're trying to be upbeat but they see a table set with glasses of water and they know... the head comes out and they strip the meat off the bones (tell me they don't have to eat the eyeballs...) and Kat is trying to wash down small pieces without chewing - Nat is telling her it tastes like a million dollars but I'm pretty sure we're going to see her puke at some point.
-Meanwhile - Gary & Mallory and Kevin & Michael get tot he bridge and get the clue to the ROADBLOCK - one team member has to step off the deck of the bridge and rappel down to the water below - once they get to the end of the rope they must signal to a boat to bring them the clue then use a vertical ascender to pull themselves back up to the bridge deck (I'd be dead right there - those ascender things take a lot of upper body strength.)
-Kevin & Gary get suited up in their safety harnesses for the rappel.
-Brook & Claire arrive and as soon as Brook reads the clue tells Claire she's got this - Claire is like, I do? Then Brook starts jumping around like and idiot (again, I'd want to punch her.) Claire suits up and teaches the Norwegian helping her what a wedgie means :)
-Nat & Kat are getting through the sheep head... Oh, they do have to eat the eyes (I gagged a little there too) "Tastes like a million dollars." And they make it through the whole thing - good for them! They get to skip all the tasks and get the clue for the Pit Stop - a marina. Kat's going to wait and puke after they check in.
-Kevin & Gary start their descent and make it down quickly - Gary knows it's the way back up that's going to be a problem - that and the harness making him into a soprano.
-Vicki & Nick get the clue at the gondola and decide to go for the FF - they think everyone will be doing it - (because they are SMRT.)
-Chad & Stephanie and the Volleyball girls still on their way to the gondola.
-Claire starts her descent off the bridge and Thomas & Jill have arrived - Thomas also starts off the bridge.
-Kevin & Gary are inching their way back up after getting their clues -Kevin is finally realizing this is hard.
-Claire is struggling to start her ascent and Thomas is just flying - Jill tells us that Thomas apparently grew up in the mountains rappelling & stuff (she talks about him like he's 'The Great Thomas' as well.)
-Nick & Vicki get to the FF restaurant and there's a sign on the door "Fast Forward has been taken." Vicki, "What does that mean?" They don't understand the sign, what does FF taken mean? (Are you serious? How do these two function is everyday life?) Even later when they're doing the interview footage after the leg she still didn't understand... (I have nothing nice to say so I'll just shake my head.) She wondered if they should wait (for what?) and he says he's not waiting around -they head out for the bridge.
-Chad & Stephanie get the clue at the top of the gondola and know not to bother with the Fast Forward.
-Volleyball girls just arrive at the gondola as Chad & Stephanie are heading out.
-Back at the bridge - Kevin makes it back up but it was tough. Claire is exhausted 1/4 way back up, Brook is yelling down at her not to give up - Claire tells her to shut up (I felt like applauding.)
-Kevin gets the next clue - they have to make their way to Harvika to a remote field where they'll find the next clue box. They head out.
- Gary makes it back up on the bridge - Thomas makes it back up and Claire is crying, still about 1/2 way down... Brook tells her to call on her grandma (who died 4 days before the race started) to help her - Claire was already praying... but she also doesn't give up... and she finally makes it back up on the bridge (way to go, girl!) Says she can check 'rappel off bridge' off her life's to do list.
-Nick & Vicki get to the bridge - Read the clue about strength, stamina and guts and say it's her doing the task... really? She says she's the guts in the relationship (hmm, they may regret that, she's pretty chesty, but that doesn't mean she has upper body strength.)
-Chad already saying he's going to do the task as they drive up to the bridge, he's psyched!
-Vicki is killing it! She wasn't kidding when she said they were a physical rather than a mental team. She gets the clue and is tearing it up back up to the bridge - I was very wrong, I don't mind admitting it.
-Michael & Kevin get to the DETOUR - Bike or Boat.
-In Bike they choose a pair of mountain bikes, taking note of the colour of the bike lock, then they must ride a gruelling course to a sign where they have to memorize the colour coded combination to the bike lock (only 4 digits) ride back to the start and open the lock to get the next clue.
-In Boat they make their way out to one of the fishing trawlers, using a map they must direct the captain to a designated spot where they'll disembark then continue on foot to deliver 2 large cod and a chainsaw to a cabin in the woods - there they'll get the next clue.
-Kevin & Michael decide to do the Boat - Kevin thinks it will be safer for Dad (and rightly so.)
-Gary & Mallory and Thomas & Jill get to the Detour and decide to bike - 'The Great Thomas' tells Jill to try and keep up - Mallory is whining the seat's too high (which it probably is, she's tiny.)
-Brook & Claire get there and decide to do the Boat - they are not outdoorsy girls so this Race is really challenging them - Claire asks if they can get a manicure while they're there. (Ah...No.)
-Vicki finishes the bridge rappel easily and Chad is impressed and probably a bit embarrassed that she did it faster than him... Volleyball girls just get to the bridge and Katie is heading down off the bridge for them. (I can finally tell these two apart... and I just gotta say, they wear a LOT of makeup for athletic girls.)
-Kevin & Michael make shore and have to schlep the fish and chainsaw up a pretty steep hill. Kevin's got the fish and apparently they were fragrant - eww.
-Thomas & Jill are biking like champs - Gary & Mallory both fall down on a slippery section of rock (ouch) she says she was ready to chuck that bike off the mountain. Both teams memorize their codes and head back down.
-Thomas is the first to open his lock and get the clue for the Pit Stop - Inkinus Marina - they take off just ahead of Gary & Mallory who also open their clue and head off.
-Kevin & Michael make their delivery to the old Norwegian man in the woods and get the clue to the Pit Stop - Kevin is happy with how well they're doing today (me too.)
-Brook & Claire's boat passes Kevin & Dad's on their way to the shore - Brook has the fish, apparently she's still smelly too - poor Claire is spent from pulling herself up that rope and is schlumping along with the chainsaw.
-Thomas & Jill are arguing in the car - haven't found the Marina and worried they passed it - she thinks they're going in circles - he thinks she's stupid - so pretty much normal there...
-Kevin & Michael also nervous that they missed the turn to the marina end up behind Jill & Thomas and decide to follow them (the lost leading the lost, great.)
-Nick & Vicki get to the Detour clue box and decide to do the Bike - Nick says he's been riding dirt bikes competitively since he was 12 (and likely fell on his head a lot, could explain some things) he takes off like a shot and she has to remind him to wait for her.
-Chad & Stephanie get to the clue box and decide to do Boat... well, he'd rather bike but they both have to do it - so Boat it is.
-Brook & Claire deliver the goods, ask the old guy why he lives all the way up there - then they both kiss him (made the old guy's day if that huge smile was any indication) and Brook skips down the mountain - "Kiss count is up to 7!"
-Jill & Thomas HAVE gone in a circle - they go over the rappel bridge and the Volleyball girls see them - Rachel thinks Jill & Thomas are just getting there and there's a team behind them (nope they're just lost.)
Thomas is freaking out - we just ruined ourselves! (The Great Thomas can't stand being wrong.) They pull over and ask for directions.
-Nick & Vicki - she's now ahead of him on the bikes as he's struggling to pedal up the hill - she's finding it easy (wow, this girl is in phenomenal shape - if she was as smart as she's is fit they would be first every time.)
-Chad & Stephanie get to shore and start schlepping the fish & chainsaw up the hill - he's yelling at her to hurry up - "we're too far behind to be walking."
-Volleyball girls get to the Detour and decide to do the Boat as well - hope they can pass another team (you haven't passed any yet - did they not notice there were no more clues in the box?)
-Chad & Stephanie get the clue from the old guy... no more kissing though.
-Nick & Vicki coming back and he's in the lead on the downhill (ha! of course, much easier going downhill) they unlock the clue to the Pit Stop.
-Volleyball girls see Chad & Stephanie heading back as they are boating to the shore - they complete the task and head back with the clue - praying they're not last..
Here's How They Finished:
1) Nat & Kat - They win a trip for 2 to Costa Rica. Nice! And I just have to say, they both have the whitest, most perfect teeth, doctoring pays for some good dental work.
2) Gary & Mallory - Phil just raises his eyebrow twice to let them know they are team #2 - he has fun with this team I can tell. Gary says it's very different being there than watching it from the couch at home.
3) Jill & Thomas - 'The Great Thomas' thought so.
4) Kevin & Michael - That's good - they're happy with that.
5) Brook & Claire - Brook cut her eyelid on the door of the car - ooh, that's ugly... Phil impressed, says she's a tough nut. I think he's just surprised she's not freaking out, but maybe she realized Claire had it worse (watermelon in the face...hello.)
6) Nick & Vicki - He thinks they're second... Huh? Did I miss him fall on his head?
7) Chad & Stephanie - He thinks they're one of the strongest teams and they know it can turn around quickly on the race, you can go from last to first in one leg. (I hope so, they're my team.)
8) Katie & Rachel ***ELIMINATED*** They wanted to race forever... some tears but they were, meh. (It just figures, I could finally tell who was who and they got eliminated - oh well.)
So, with the Volleyball girls leaving this week, that means Cheryl B, Alexis G, Virginia D, Ian G and Lindsay J are OUT of the pool.
Next week they sample Russian culture in music, cinema and... babushkas.
Have a great week everyone.
Coleen
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Survivor Nicaragua - October 20, 2010 Episode Recap
Worst Case Scenario
Last week Espada voted out Tyrone and it was like it didn't happen... the episode opened the next day:
Espada - Day 15
It's windy and looks like rain and Dan tells Crazy-Pants Holly that he's ready to pack it in - he can't take 20 more days of the rain like that. Holly tells him you can't just quit... she knows from her experience in the first few days that quitting is the easy way out - you signed up for something, suck it up and finish it (that is quite the change of heart, surprising how being in with the power players can make you feel stronger out there.)
- Yve goes and talks to Holly asking why she was left out in the dark about Tyrone - Holly thought Yve and Tyrone were in an alliance (because she's kind of clueless - did we ever even see then talk to each other?) Yve says they weren't and she actually thought she & Holly had each other's backs. (Yve, I think you have to spell things out for Holly...) they agree to be more open and honest with each other.
-Holly tells Yve that Danny doesn't want to be there anymore - Yve is ready to use that information to her advantage - she's going to do what she needs to to survive.
LaFlor - Day 15
-Jill & Marty talking about the youngin's - He feels like he went from a serious drama to Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (Wyld Stallyons! Excellent! Imagine the electric guitar riff.)
-Jill & Marty are cleaning the dishes and gathering wood and keeping the fire going and everyone else is sleeping all day - they think their efforts will ingratiate them with the tribe.
-Jill knows they've been dealt a difficult hand - came into a tribe that had bonded tightly down in the numbers and she feels they'll get rid of them as soon as they can.
-Brenda says they are still divided - younger and older - actually, younger plus Jane, she fit right in with them. She wants to have 3 vote Marty and 3 vote Jill to flush out the idol and make sure one of them goes home. (I don't think Brenda's even on Marty's radar - she's the leader and he doesn't seem to realize it.)
CHALLENGE - Marty thinks it's awesome they voted out Tyrone.
Jeff tells them today they are playing for individual immunity (two necklaces) because both tribes are going to go to Tribal Council and vote someone out.
Immunity Challenge: They have to race out to an individually marked digging area - using a paddle they have to dig up a rope ring, use the paddle to toss it over their shoulder into a basket they'll have tied around their waist - ten race back to the start with it. First person to get all 3 of their rope rings will win immunity and a place in the second round Reward challenge. The two immunity winners will play a game of ring toss - first one to get 3 rings on the hooks will win a feast for their tribe. The winning tribe will go to Tribal Council first and vote someone out then listen in on the 2nd tribal council while feasting on chicken & beef kebabs. They all want the food!
Espada goes first - The hardest part seems to be getting the rings in the butt basket - the girls are tearing it up and Dan is useless... Crazy Pants, HOLLY is the first back with all 3 rings and she wins immunity and a place in the Reward challenge. (Holly's strength is definitely physical.)
LaFlor - they are all pretty even getting the rings back - we're down to Jill & Kelly B going for the 3rd ring and it's JILL that wins immunity (That screws up Brenda's whole plan...)
Reward Challenge: Holly vs Jill - Holy gets the first ring on but they tie it up at 2 and ... Jill wins the feast for La Flor.
LaFlor - Day 15
-They come back all celebratory - Jill thanks Brenda for picking her to be on the tribe (gag me) then they bring it in for a 1,2,3, LaFlor! cheer. Brenda tells the camera that cheer thing was totally fake - Jill & Marty, she can see their minds working - the worst case scenario has happened but they will still vote out someone they don't want.
-Brenda & Sash are talking- Sash thinks they should still split the votes - 3 for Marty and 3 for Kelly B (the girl with one leg) but tell Kelly B they're voting for Jane. OK - done.
-Brenda says Kelly B has never been a part of their core group and she has a fake leg - people will give her a million dollars because they feel bad for her, so she's got to go and hopefully they'll flush out Marty's idol in the process.
-Kelly B says she likes Jane and would have liked to keep her around longer but she (Kelly B's) been on the outs and will vote how they tell her to.
-Brenda - Tonight's tribal council's going to be complicated for her - she has to try and keep all the ducks in a row but she can't rely on Fabio, he's really kinda clueless (kinda? She has a gift for understatement there.)
-Marty is talking to Fabio in the shelter - tells him he's a chess grand master - that he beat some Argentine grand master when he was a kid and that he has it all worked out if Fabio wants to make a move with them. Fabio's eating it all up with a spoon. Marty tells us it's all crap, he's not a chess grand master, the Argentine guy he mentioned was a tennis player - he can pull out anything from the 70's with these guys and they'll have no clue. Marty wants to keep the old Espada together and he might be able to do that with Fabio.
-Fabio thinks this would be good deal - What Marty's dishing him he's taking in hook, line & sinker...(Oh my empty-headed, golden-haired boy, you are way, way too trusting - don't make a deal with the devil - he'll eat your soul!)
Espada - Day 15
-Holly feels bad about losing the feast for her tribe and especially bad that the other tribe gets to eat in front of them. Holly knows her best bet for longevity (immunity or not) is to vote with the youngsters so it's obvious their choices are Dan or Yve.
-Holly talking to Dan - he's exhausted with this stuff - weather's bad, food is bad and he doesn't need the money, why is he here? (Yeah, why are you there?)
-Benry talking to Chase Rice! and he wants to vote Yve out - she's a smart player and is playing for the million dollars - He knows for a fact Dan is not a threat so he'd like to keep him.
-Chase Rice! says he doesn't really trust Alina & Benry, he only trusts NaOnka and he wonders if his best move would be to keep Yve - he thinks he has enough of a relationship with Yve that, if they keep losing, he can get her to vote with them while Dan might vote with Benry. (I think you're getting ahead of yourself there cowboy, are you going to be able to keep her around long enough for that to even be an issue? - I doubt it.)
-NaOnka says Dan's knees are about to give out - he's about to be walking on nubs - doesn't see why they should keep him in this game. (I agree, it seems like a no-brainer to me - Dan wants to go, he's not contributing anything - B-Bye!)
-Yve knows it's her or Dan - she tells Alina & NaOnka that she doesn't want to go home and Dan said he did - Plus - she knows the 3 on the other tribe more intimately than the others so she'll be a great asset to them in a merge. (Or they'll think she'll jump ship and run back to her old Espada friends.) Alina tells her they're on the same page...
-Then Alina tells the camera exactly what I thought - If you know them so well, why wouldn't we think you were going to switch on us (hey, I can still think like a twenty-something :) Alina thinks she just gave them the perfect argument to get rid of her.
-Holly tells Chase Rice! & NaOnka she's 100% with them but Chase is being wishy-washy and he still doesn't know... Dan is weak, but Yve is a threat... NaOnka tells him not to think with his heart but his gut - she wants to vote Dan but if Chase wants to vote Yve then tell her - "I'll write her name down and smile in her face - that's out-witting." (She scares me.)
LaFlor - Day 15
-Fabio is whining that they have to do the Tribal Council before they eat - Good to see he's still playing the game - oh wait, yeah, he's not thinking about the game at all.
-Brenda tells Jane she's safe - pulls her off to tell her the plan - that they've wanted to get rid of Marty since he got there. Jane says they still think she's with them but they've been her enemies since the beginning - Brenda tells her to vote Marty and she's in.
-Jane says she's as thick as peanut butter and jelly with the LaFlor tribe - she believes what goes around, comes around and for Marty & Jill, she hopes it goes the way Brenda's planned it.
-Sash talking to Fabio, tells him they want to flush out the idol so they're going to split the votes for Marty & Kelly B. As soon as he tells Fabio to vote Marty though - he balks - He likes Marty, feels he's in good with him (Right now Sash should shut up... tell him to vote Kelly B then... Oooh, he's going to tattle.) Sash is not convinced Fabio is with them - hopes the plan will work.
-Marty, Fabio & Sash are in the shelter, Sash tells Marty they are thinking Jane tonight - is he okay with that? (If Marty was looking at Fabio he'd know something was up - Fabio looks pained, no poker face on this kid.)
-Marty tells the camera he was hoping to shake things up with Fabio but it might be too dicey, may just vote with the majority and vote Jane.
-Marty checks with Brenda that they're locked in on Jane tonight. She asks if he talked to Sash (smart to ask the source before confirming for him.)
-Brenda says it all weighs on what Marty does with the idol tonight - if he doesn't play it there will be a tie then they'll have to re-vote and decide: do they take out enemy #1, Marty, or a pissed off Kelly B who could win the whole thing? (Marty, definitely Marty.)
-Marty doesn't know why everyone is talking so much if it's a lock (Sash is telling Brenda that Fabio didn't want to vote Marty - She asks "What the Hell?) Marty's not sure if he should play the idol or not - think they'll vote Jane but it could be him tonight if he makes the wrong decision.
TRIBAL COUNCIL #1
Jeff remarks that there is an obvious disparity between the older and younger members of the tribe, Marty says they've been trying to make themselves worthy around camp.
Sash, on day one what did Marty do to make himself worthy?
- He called a meeting and told us he had a hidden immunity idol.
Marty says he thought it was the best move to ingratiate himself, be open and honest and show them he's playing a straight game. Hopefully it bought some good will.
Brenda, on one hand it was a gesture of goodwill but also a warning, watch out I got it...
- Totally - I feel like he was trying to make it more noble than it really was.
So Marty, now you have to figure out if they're going to gun for you to make you play it or make you feel safe to get rid of you and the idol in one fell swoop.
- Definitely, you think I haven't been thinking about this? This game is also about trusting but I'm getting mixed vibes so I have to trust my instincts as far as playing it tonight.
Kelly B - how far can you trust someone in this game?
- You have to go with your gut instinct - people are going to tell you what they need to - so I wouldn't trust too many people.
Jane, how comfortable do you feel, are you part of the majority?
- She plays it cool, says she's probably considered one of the weaker players.
Brenda, should Jane worry?
- No, she should worry about Marty or Jill voting her out.
Marty is shaking his head.
Brenda nodding - That's the truth. (Wow, check out the balls on Brenda!)
Marty is put on the defensive - he looks SHOCKED that she's called him out like this (I LOVE IT!) he says she has nothing to worry about with the numbers we're 2 to their 5, it's idiotic.
Brenda - I'm not the one campaigning for her to go - you are. What did you say to me earlier today (She's a barra-barracuda.)
Marty says LaFlor made the call, he never offered up Jane, they did.
So, how comfortable are you feeling now Marty? (Jeff is such a shit disturber.)
- Now feeling less comfortable - it would have been moronic for him to offer up Jane - he feels like he misjudged what he saw and realizes they're more duplicitous than he thought. (Did Brenda show too much or was that a calculated move to make sure he played his idol - I'm thinking the latter but she's let him know she's the grand master manipulator now - she better watch out.)
-Marty mouths to Jane & Jill to vote for Brenda.
Time to Vote:
Jane votes Marty - Don't ever fluff off a Southern woman - I ain't no sitting duck.
Marty votes Brenda - She's a black widow, black mamba and some other snake all rolled into one - you may not be going home tonight but the lines have been drawn (hey, welcome to the party) Marty's pissed he missed it.
Brenda voted Kelly B.
Tallying the votes: Marty did NOT play the hidden immunity idol (huh, Marty is a gambling man.)
Marty 1, 2, 3 - Brenda 1, 2 - Kelly B 1, 2, 3
They Tied. So they have to re-vote for either Marty or Kelly B (It would be fantastic if he went home with the idol in his pocket.)
Tallying again: Marty 1 - Kelly B 1, 2, 3, 4 ... NO WAY - they voted out KELLY B. (But Marty did look like his eyes were going to pop out of his head.)
Now they feast and get to listen in to the other tribe.
TRIBAL COUNCIL # 2
Espada comes in - NaOnka won't even look at them eating - she looks like she's going to cry - the rest of them are drooling over the food - it's very hard for them to sit there and hear them eating.
Jeff is rubbing it in: You can hear the ice in their glasses, bother you Dan?
- As long as it's not a martini, it doesn't bother me.
What does bother you?
- Nothing, I wouldn't be here if things bothered me.
Getting voted out, would that bother you?
- Yes. (Really?)
Yve pipes up - when you hear him around camp, everything bothers him, the weather, the cold - to the point of not wanting to stay. (Oh, she's playing it - hard - right out of the gate.)
Dan, have you wanted to quit?
- No, I complain, but not quit.
Yve, again - says it's constant negative energy from him and they need positivity around camp.
Jeff starts a pissing match between Yve and Dan.
She calls him a liability.
He calls her arrogant.
She says she's not the one talking about her 6 cars or 3 homes.
He says, no he is. (That's her point.)
Alina confirms for Jeff that it is between Dan or Yve tonight - the liability or the threat...
Time to vote - means LaFlor has to leave with a parting belch (thank you Fabio).
Tallying the votes: Yve 1 - Dan 1 - Yve 2, 3, 4.... and they voted out YVE! (wow, I would not have kept the lame duck - neither vote made much sense to me tonight - but I guess that's just me.)
So with Kelly B leaving: Kim B/Gail W, Nancy C. and Sheila D. are out of the pool
And with Yve leaving: Bob L., Lindsay J and Carol-Anne D. are out as well.
Next week: Sash reveals a crafty side (asks Marty to give him the idol), Jane reveals a sneaky side (cooking a fish all for herself) and Fabio reveals TMI - do not go in the water!
Have a great rest of the week everyone,
Coleen
Last week Espada voted out Tyrone and it was like it didn't happen... the episode opened the next day:
Espada - Day 15
It's windy and looks like rain and Dan tells Crazy-Pants Holly that he's ready to pack it in - he can't take 20 more days of the rain like that. Holly tells him you can't just quit... she knows from her experience in the first few days that quitting is the easy way out - you signed up for something, suck it up and finish it (that is quite the change of heart, surprising how being in with the power players can make you feel stronger out there.)
- Yve goes and talks to Holly asking why she was left out in the dark about Tyrone - Holly thought Yve and Tyrone were in an alliance (because she's kind of clueless - did we ever even see then talk to each other?) Yve says they weren't and she actually thought she & Holly had each other's backs. (Yve, I think you have to spell things out for Holly...) they agree to be more open and honest with each other.
-Holly tells Yve that Danny doesn't want to be there anymore - Yve is ready to use that information to her advantage - she's going to do what she needs to to survive.
LaFlor - Day 15
-Jill & Marty talking about the youngin's - He feels like he went from a serious drama to Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (Wyld Stallyons! Excellent! Imagine the electric guitar riff.)
-Jill & Marty are cleaning the dishes and gathering wood and keeping the fire going and everyone else is sleeping all day - they think their efforts will ingratiate them with the tribe.
-Jill knows they've been dealt a difficult hand - came into a tribe that had bonded tightly down in the numbers and she feels they'll get rid of them as soon as they can.
-Brenda says they are still divided - younger and older - actually, younger plus Jane, she fit right in with them. She wants to have 3 vote Marty and 3 vote Jill to flush out the idol and make sure one of them goes home. (I don't think Brenda's even on Marty's radar - she's the leader and he doesn't seem to realize it.)
CHALLENGE - Marty thinks it's awesome they voted out Tyrone.
Jeff tells them today they are playing for individual immunity (two necklaces) because both tribes are going to go to Tribal Council and vote someone out.
Immunity Challenge: They have to race out to an individually marked digging area - using a paddle they have to dig up a rope ring, use the paddle to toss it over their shoulder into a basket they'll have tied around their waist - ten race back to the start with it. First person to get all 3 of their rope rings will win immunity and a place in the second round Reward challenge. The two immunity winners will play a game of ring toss - first one to get 3 rings on the hooks will win a feast for their tribe. The winning tribe will go to Tribal Council first and vote someone out then listen in on the 2nd tribal council while feasting on chicken & beef kebabs. They all want the food!
Espada goes first - The hardest part seems to be getting the rings in the butt basket - the girls are tearing it up and Dan is useless... Crazy Pants, HOLLY is the first back with all 3 rings and she wins immunity and a place in the Reward challenge. (Holly's strength is definitely physical.)
LaFlor - they are all pretty even getting the rings back - we're down to Jill & Kelly B going for the 3rd ring and it's JILL that wins immunity (That screws up Brenda's whole plan...)
Reward Challenge: Holly vs Jill - Holy gets the first ring on but they tie it up at 2 and ... Jill wins the feast for La Flor.
LaFlor - Day 15
-They come back all celebratory - Jill thanks Brenda for picking her to be on the tribe (gag me) then they bring it in for a 1,2,3, LaFlor! cheer. Brenda tells the camera that cheer thing was totally fake - Jill & Marty, she can see their minds working - the worst case scenario has happened but they will still vote out someone they don't want.
-Brenda & Sash are talking- Sash thinks they should still split the votes - 3 for Marty and 3 for Kelly B (the girl with one leg) but tell Kelly B they're voting for Jane. OK - done.
-Brenda says Kelly B has never been a part of their core group and she has a fake leg - people will give her a million dollars because they feel bad for her, so she's got to go and hopefully they'll flush out Marty's idol in the process.
-Kelly B says she likes Jane and would have liked to keep her around longer but she (Kelly B's) been on the outs and will vote how they tell her to.
-Brenda - Tonight's tribal council's going to be complicated for her - she has to try and keep all the ducks in a row but she can't rely on Fabio, he's really kinda clueless (kinda? She has a gift for understatement there.)
-Marty is talking to Fabio in the shelter - tells him he's a chess grand master - that he beat some Argentine grand master when he was a kid and that he has it all worked out if Fabio wants to make a move with them. Fabio's eating it all up with a spoon. Marty tells us it's all crap, he's not a chess grand master, the Argentine guy he mentioned was a tennis player - he can pull out anything from the 70's with these guys and they'll have no clue. Marty wants to keep the old Espada together and he might be able to do that with Fabio.
-Fabio thinks this would be good deal - What Marty's dishing him he's taking in hook, line & sinker...(Oh my empty-headed, golden-haired boy, you are way, way too trusting - don't make a deal with the devil - he'll eat your soul!)
Espada - Day 15
-Holly feels bad about losing the feast for her tribe and especially bad that the other tribe gets to eat in front of them. Holly knows her best bet for longevity (immunity or not) is to vote with the youngsters so it's obvious their choices are Dan or Yve.
-Holly talking to Dan - he's exhausted with this stuff - weather's bad, food is bad and he doesn't need the money, why is he here? (Yeah, why are you there?)
-Benry talking to Chase Rice! and he wants to vote Yve out - she's a smart player and is playing for the million dollars - He knows for a fact Dan is not a threat so he'd like to keep him.
-Chase Rice! says he doesn't really trust Alina & Benry, he only trusts NaOnka and he wonders if his best move would be to keep Yve - he thinks he has enough of a relationship with Yve that, if they keep losing, he can get her to vote with them while Dan might vote with Benry. (I think you're getting ahead of yourself there cowboy, are you going to be able to keep her around long enough for that to even be an issue? - I doubt it.)
-NaOnka says Dan's knees are about to give out - he's about to be walking on nubs - doesn't see why they should keep him in this game. (I agree, it seems like a no-brainer to me - Dan wants to go, he's not contributing anything - B-Bye!)
-Yve knows it's her or Dan - she tells Alina & NaOnka that she doesn't want to go home and Dan said he did - Plus - she knows the 3 on the other tribe more intimately than the others so she'll be a great asset to them in a merge. (Or they'll think she'll jump ship and run back to her old Espada friends.) Alina tells her they're on the same page...
-Then Alina tells the camera exactly what I thought - If you know them so well, why wouldn't we think you were going to switch on us (hey, I can still think like a twenty-something :) Alina thinks she just gave them the perfect argument to get rid of her.
-Holly tells Chase Rice! & NaOnka she's 100% with them but Chase is being wishy-washy and he still doesn't know... Dan is weak, but Yve is a threat... NaOnka tells him not to think with his heart but his gut - she wants to vote Dan but if Chase wants to vote Yve then tell her - "I'll write her name down and smile in her face - that's out-witting." (She scares me.)
LaFlor - Day 15
-Fabio is whining that they have to do the Tribal Council before they eat - Good to see he's still playing the game - oh wait, yeah, he's not thinking about the game at all.
-Brenda tells Jane she's safe - pulls her off to tell her the plan - that they've wanted to get rid of Marty since he got there. Jane says they still think she's with them but they've been her enemies since the beginning - Brenda tells her to vote Marty and she's in.
-Jane says she's as thick as peanut butter and jelly with the LaFlor tribe - she believes what goes around, comes around and for Marty & Jill, she hopes it goes the way Brenda's planned it.
-Sash talking to Fabio, tells him they want to flush out the idol so they're going to split the votes for Marty & Kelly B. As soon as he tells Fabio to vote Marty though - he balks - He likes Marty, feels he's in good with him (Right now Sash should shut up... tell him to vote Kelly B then... Oooh, he's going to tattle.) Sash is not convinced Fabio is with them - hopes the plan will work.
-Marty, Fabio & Sash are in the shelter, Sash tells Marty they are thinking Jane tonight - is he okay with that? (If Marty was looking at Fabio he'd know something was up - Fabio looks pained, no poker face on this kid.)
-Marty tells the camera he was hoping to shake things up with Fabio but it might be too dicey, may just vote with the majority and vote Jane.
-Marty checks with Brenda that they're locked in on Jane tonight. She asks if he talked to Sash (smart to ask the source before confirming for him.)
-Brenda says it all weighs on what Marty does with the idol tonight - if he doesn't play it there will be a tie then they'll have to re-vote and decide: do they take out enemy #1, Marty, or a pissed off Kelly B who could win the whole thing? (Marty, definitely Marty.)
-Marty doesn't know why everyone is talking so much if it's a lock (Sash is telling Brenda that Fabio didn't want to vote Marty - She asks "What the Hell?) Marty's not sure if he should play the idol or not - think they'll vote Jane but it could be him tonight if he makes the wrong decision.
TRIBAL COUNCIL #1
Jeff remarks that there is an obvious disparity between the older and younger members of the tribe, Marty says they've been trying to make themselves worthy around camp.
Sash, on day one what did Marty do to make himself worthy?
- He called a meeting and told us he had a hidden immunity idol.
Marty says he thought it was the best move to ingratiate himself, be open and honest and show them he's playing a straight game. Hopefully it bought some good will.
Brenda, on one hand it was a gesture of goodwill but also a warning, watch out I got it...
- Totally - I feel like he was trying to make it more noble than it really was.
So Marty, now you have to figure out if they're going to gun for you to make you play it or make you feel safe to get rid of you and the idol in one fell swoop.
- Definitely, you think I haven't been thinking about this? This game is also about trusting but I'm getting mixed vibes so I have to trust my instincts as far as playing it tonight.
Kelly B - how far can you trust someone in this game?
- You have to go with your gut instinct - people are going to tell you what they need to - so I wouldn't trust too many people.
Jane, how comfortable do you feel, are you part of the majority?
- She plays it cool, says she's probably considered one of the weaker players.
Brenda, should Jane worry?
- No, she should worry about Marty or Jill voting her out.
Marty is shaking his head.
Brenda nodding - That's the truth. (Wow, check out the balls on Brenda!)
Marty is put on the defensive - he looks SHOCKED that she's called him out like this (I LOVE IT!) he says she has nothing to worry about with the numbers we're 2 to their 5, it's idiotic.
Brenda - I'm not the one campaigning for her to go - you are. What did you say to me earlier today (She's a barra-barracuda.)
Marty says LaFlor made the call, he never offered up Jane, they did.
So, how comfortable are you feeling now Marty? (Jeff is such a shit disturber.)
- Now feeling less comfortable - it would have been moronic for him to offer up Jane - he feels like he misjudged what he saw and realizes they're more duplicitous than he thought. (Did Brenda show too much or was that a calculated move to make sure he played his idol - I'm thinking the latter but she's let him know she's the grand master manipulator now - she better watch out.)
-Marty mouths to Jane & Jill to vote for Brenda.
Time to Vote:
Jane votes Marty - Don't ever fluff off a Southern woman - I ain't no sitting duck.
Marty votes Brenda - She's a black widow, black mamba and some other snake all rolled into one - you may not be going home tonight but the lines have been drawn (hey, welcome to the party) Marty's pissed he missed it.
Brenda voted Kelly B.
Tallying the votes: Marty did NOT play the hidden immunity idol (huh, Marty is a gambling man.)
Marty 1, 2, 3 - Brenda 1, 2 - Kelly B 1, 2, 3
They Tied. So they have to re-vote for either Marty or Kelly B (It would be fantastic if he went home with the idol in his pocket.)
Tallying again: Marty 1 - Kelly B 1, 2, 3, 4 ... NO WAY - they voted out KELLY B. (But Marty did look like his eyes were going to pop out of his head.)
Now they feast and get to listen in to the other tribe.
TRIBAL COUNCIL # 2
Espada comes in - NaOnka won't even look at them eating - she looks like she's going to cry - the rest of them are drooling over the food - it's very hard for them to sit there and hear them eating.
Jeff is rubbing it in: You can hear the ice in their glasses, bother you Dan?
- As long as it's not a martini, it doesn't bother me.
What does bother you?
- Nothing, I wouldn't be here if things bothered me.
Getting voted out, would that bother you?
- Yes. (Really?)
Yve pipes up - when you hear him around camp, everything bothers him, the weather, the cold - to the point of not wanting to stay. (Oh, she's playing it - hard - right out of the gate.)
Dan, have you wanted to quit?
- No, I complain, but not quit.
Yve, again - says it's constant negative energy from him and they need positivity around camp.
Jeff starts a pissing match between Yve and Dan.
She calls him a liability.
He calls her arrogant.
She says she's not the one talking about her 6 cars or 3 homes.
He says, no he is. (That's her point.)
Alina confirms for Jeff that it is between Dan or Yve tonight - the liability or the threat...
Time to vote - means LaFlor has to leave with a parting belch (thank you Fabio).
Tallying the votes: Yve 1 - Dan 1 - Yve 2, 3, 4.... and they voted out YVE! (wow, I would not have kept the lame duck - neither vote made much sense to me tonight - but I guess that's just me.)
So with Kelly B leaving: Kim B/Gail W, Nancy C. and Sheila D. are out of the pool
And with Yve leaving: Bob L., Lindsay J and Carol-Anne D. are out as well.
Next week: Sash reveals a crafty side (asks Marty to give him the idol), Jane reveals a sneaky side (cooking a fish all for herself) and Fabio reveals TMI - do not go in the water!
Have a great rest of the week everyone,
Coleen
Monday, October 18, 2010
Amazing Race - October 17th Episode Recap
We Should Have Brought Gloves and Butt Pads
The episode opened with the teams helping paint the school in Ghana during the Pit Stop - giving back - it looked good. A cute little kid thanked them, "We love our school." Awww...
-Connor & Jonathan will be the first to depart at 10:15am (I hope the following day) - the clue tells them they are heading to the Arctic Circle... from the furnace to the freezer - they are flying 4500miles to Kiruna, Sweden.
-The teams have all been given tickets on the same flight to the Arctic circle but they are under no obligation to use them. Once in Sweden they must make their way to the world famous Ice Hotel to get their next clue.
-Team Glee are missing their college graduation during this leg of the Race. They ask their driver to go faster but he tells them to take their time (Huh, these drivers got attitude in Ghana.)
-Mallory & Gary are the next out at 11:19am - she, of course, is SO EXCITED to be going to the Arctic Circle (she needs to dial back the sugar.) So happy to get out of the heat.
-Craig & Stephanie next out - she hates the snow (uh oh.)
-Rachel & Katie next to leave - Rachel (I think) is excited go to Sweden, she's half Swedish but doesn't speak it - knows how to be mean in Romanian though (surprise.)
-Nick & Vicki - tattooed duo - get in the cab and he tells the driver they need to go to the Arctic Circle - you know? (Seriously? Does this guy need to remind himself to breathe? How stupid is he?) Vicki tells him that's where they're flying.
- Claire & Brook next out and Brook is SO EXCITED to be going to the Arctic Circle (I think she & Mallory may be the same person - do we ever see them together?) Brook & Claire decided to dress in bright clothes to try and make themselves feel better - now they're disappointed they'll have to put on more clothes for the cold.
-Team Glee at the airport see they won't be leaving until 4:30pm and hunker down to wait for everyone to catch up - Lame.
-Jill & Thomas next to head out - he says they have the express pass but he doesn't want to use it until he has to, otherwise it will be a waste.
-Nat & Kat head out at 1:12pm - Kat is excited about going to Sweden - her homeland, her people (don't know if she's really Swedish or if it's just because it's the home of the blue-eyed blondes.)
-Kevin & Michael are the last out at 1:26pm - they know they'll have a speed bump but they're focused and ready. In the cab they're strategizing flight routes and Kevin uses the cab drivers cell phone to call the airport and check on quickest flights - they find a connection that will get them in 2hrs earlier.
-At the airport they realize no one else looked into changing flights and they decide to share the info with Gary & Mallory (Oh come on, there is such a thing as too nice.) They get Mallory to bat her eyelashes at a guy and he's going to check if he can get them on the earlier connecting flight. She says, "See, you gotta have a girl." (Well, enjoy the blond working for you in Africa, me thinks it won't be much of an advantage in Sweden.)
-Nat & Kat are in the Internet cafe at the airport looking for earlier flights. The Shopping girls go looking for them because they admire the doctor's smart play (and want to ride their coat tails.)
-The airline guy gets back to Mallory & the boys and confirms they're booked on the earlier flight. She's so happy she has blond hair. But they do too much celebrating and Team Glee is suspicious, thinks there might be an earlier flight - so they head to the information desk.
-Nat & Kat book the earlier flight and when Brook & Claire track them down in the Internet cafe share the information with them (somewhat reluctantly but whatchagonnado?)
-Team Glee & the Volleyball girls try to change their flight too but they're told the other flight is fully booked, not switching for them.
-All the teams are together on the flight to Frankfurt - but those teams that changed their connecting flight have only 1 hr and have to sprint through the airport to get their connection - Brook & Claire, Nat & Kat and Gary & Mallory make it - Kevin & Michael are stuck in an elevator (What? Why didn't they follow...) oh you tricky editors - they make the flight as well.
-First flight arrives and they get in their marked cars - Gary & Mallory drive right but the sign that says ICE HOTEL (in English no less) she yells at him to turn around. The all girl teams turn right in - Kevin & Michael decide to follow Gary & Mallory (Okay, this may be sexist but why don't men read signs? I don't get it.)
-The girl teams go into the ice hotel storage warehouse and see blocks of ice with the clue etched into them - in Swedish. They have to figure out they need to go to Fjellesborg's Lodge to get the next clue.
-They other two teams arrive and Kevin & Michael get their Speed Bump - they have to sit on chairs made of blocks of ice for 10 minutes before they can continue. Kevin is wearing soccer shorts, this is gonna hurt - Dad wishes he had those chairs in Ghana.
-Nat & Kat take their block of ice outside and ask someone what it says - he tells them it's a lodge by the lake. Gary & Mallory don't even ask, they decide to just follow Nat & Kat (everyone just wants to be like them... this could be smart or could bite them in the butt if they lose them...)
-And, speaking of butts, Kevin & Michael are starting to freeze theirs. Kevin is finding it very uncomfortable - pins and needles of ice - Dad is okay, he just kept alternating cheeks :) They get the okay to move on and grab their ice clue - Kevin wishes they had gloves... and butt pads.
-Nat & Kat are leading the first 3 teams through the woods - supposed to be on an unmarked road but they're not sure if they're right - doesn't seem to be anything there.
-Kevin & Michael are the first ones to the lodge and find the clue box: ROADBLOCK: Who's feeling kind of slushy?
-Using a summer training sled they must drive a team of sled dogs down a marked trail where they must grab 5 flags along the way to trade for a shipment of fur pelts from a hunter. For every flag they miss they must do a penalty lap around the camp before heading back to the start where they'll trade the pelts for the next clue.
-Michael (Dad) is doing the mushing. He thinks it's awesome - he keeps saying "Good doggy." He's so cute.
-The other three teams get to the clue box and Mallory, Claire & Nat are going to be doing the mushing.
-Everyone is having a great time doing the dog sledding - Claire grew up on a ranch so she felt comfortable and like a tough outdoors woman.
-Michael got all 5 flags so he got the pelts right off and headed back.
-2nd flight arrives in Sweden and they 5 other teams head out - Team Glee is leading the pack and my team, Chad & Stephanie, are bringing up the rear... (Come on guys!)
-Meanwhile- Mallory is too short to grab the first flag - this could be problematic - she realizes she has to balance on a higher bar on the sled to reach the flags.
-Mallory & Claire both pass Nat on the trail - she needs to whip those dogs (not literally, but she could be more aggressive.)
-Mallory first to the hunter but she had to do a penalty lap for missing one flag, Claire gets her pelts right off though and after taking their 'kiss count' to 6 (she kissed the hunter guy) is on her way back. Mallory finishes the lap and heads back as Nat gets there to get her pelts.
- The 2nd flight teams all get to the ice hotel and most of them just write the words down on paper instead of lugging the blocks of ice outside (smart) - It helps that all the people they ask seem to speak English - they're all off to the lodge except Jill & Thomas, who did lug the ice outside - by the time they get out everyone is gone - Hmm, that didn't work so well.
-Michael & Kevin are the first done the mushing and get the clue to make their way to the train station for the next clue. Claire & Brook 2nd, Gary & Mallory 3rd, Nat & Kat 4th and they're all heading to the train station.
-The next 4 teams get to the clue box but Jill & Thomas are nowhere to be found. When they do arrive they see they are last, miss the arrow showing the way to the sled dogs and start running the wrong way... uh oh, express pass time now?
-Connor, Nick, Katie and Stephanie are running the dog sleds and everyone is having a blast with it - Stephanie has wanted a husky forever and it looks like Chad may have no choice after the race.
-Jill & Thomas realize they must have gone the wrong way when they still haven't come to the task - They head back - Jill asks if they should use the Express Pass now but he doesn't want to panic yet (don't get caught with it buddy). They make it back and Jill is going to do the mushing.
-Kevin & Michael get to the train station, it's cold, and they get the clue to the DETOUR - Sleds or Beds.
-In Sleds - they have to make their way to the top of the mountain and using an extreme sports gadget called a Tech Sled, they must speed down a difficult course. Both team members must make the run in less than 1:58 - if they succeed they'll get the next clue - but if not they'll have to start over and try again.
-In Beds - they'll have to make their way to an encampment of decedents of the earliest Scandinavian nomads - then using traditional materials, they must construct a tent-like structure known as a ghoti - once it's completed and the inside is made comfortable for sleeping (pelts and a fire) the elder will give them the next clue.
-Kevin's scared his Dad won't be able to do the sledding so they go for Beds. Ummm... I don't think they're campers - the locals are laughing at Kevin & Michael's first attempts to get the tent up.
-Nat & Kat decide to do the sleds - think it sounds awesome (I think it'd be fun... and scary... and exhausting if you had to do it over and over again.)
-Connor finishes the dog sledding, then Nick, Katie, Stephanie and Jill is last. Chad is very aware that Jill & Thomas have the Express Pass so they are, in essence, last place. Thomas tells us they may have to use the pass... (Could be an idea.)
-Kevin & Michael are making some progress - Kevin says they have camped before but they thought they'd be making a bed not a tent - trying to keep Dad focused but he just keeps giggling... (Altitude madness maybe, is that a thing? I know it's just his way, but I think it's driving Kevin a little crazy.)
-Gary & Mallory get to the train station and are going to do the sledding - Brook & Claire are doing it too - Brook is excited and Claire is scared (she's always struck me as the more level-headed of the two.)
-Nat & Kat are excited as they head down the track for their run - it's so fast & icy that the brakes did nothing - Kat went off the track & was struck in the protective netting/fence. Nat got to the end, "Where'd she go?" Kat didn't make it down in 1:58 - they had to head back up the chairlift and try it again.
-Mallory & Gary head down and she comes in bang on 1:58 - celebration is cut short though as they're told they have to BEAT that time - they have to go again. Dang it.
-Nat & Kat both beat the time on their 2nd run - get the clue to make their way to the Norwegian Border - the Pit Stop for this leg of the race.
-Brook & Claire both beat the time on their first run and Gary & Mallory come in right behind them (Brook & Mallory were together there and the world didn't implode, I guess they're not the same person after all.)
They all get the clue for the Pit Stop.
-Team Glee and Chad & Stephanie get to the clue box at the train station & they are doing the sledding.
-Chad is excited to do the sledding - Stephanie was not. She's never done anything like that (hates the snow remember - I'm with you girl) but she wanted to hack it out for him.
-Nick & Vicki and the Volleyball girls get to the train station too and are doing the sledding too.
-Kevin & Michael complete tent and setting up the beds inside and get the clue for the Pit Stop.
-Jill & Thomas get to the train station and are going to do the Bed - Thomas says in the car they could easily bypass everyone and kill it with the Express Pass (then do it already, sheesh.)
-Connor & Jonathan are not so sporty - they both fall off the sleds.
-Stephanie nervous when they're told the track is running fast and to brake into the turns - they start down the run and she's now PETRIFIED! She lost control and didn't know how to stop - she nearly runs into Chad and then falls off the sled. He's NOT happy and starts yelling at her (guys like him are one reason I never did any team sports - my total lack of any athletic ability was another ;)
-Team Glee goes overtime - has to go again.
-Jill & Thomas get to the tent building/bed task and FINALLY decide to use their Express Pass - Thomas says, "This is the best choice." (yes, it is.)
-Stephanie is giving up on the sledding and he's pissed. Lost their lead, everyone is there now... She's too scared - crying.
-Jonathan can't get the sledding - he keeps going over the side & falling off - they'll have to go again, again.
-Chad & Stephanie get to the Beds and he knows they're going to have to hustle... good thing he was a boy scout - he seems to have given up his pique, which is better rebound time than Nick showed last week.
-Nick & Vicki are more a physical couple than mental (she says with a laugh) they kill the sledding easily.
-Katie & Rachel having a hard time - they keep falling off the sleds and Katie loses hers over a ledge - they decide to switch tasks.
-Connor & Jonathan also still not having any luck - it was becoming truly painful for Jonathan - they decide to switch to the other task too.
-Stephanie & Chad see the Volleyball girls arrive (and they called them that too - I wonder if anyone knows who's who on that team :) Chad & Stephanie are relieved they're still in it. They finish and get the clue.
-Volleyball girls don't pass the inspection of the inside of the tent on the first try - but they still finish before Team Glee. They are all on their way now to the Pit Stop...
Here's How They Finished:
1) Nat & Kat - won a trip for 2 to Belize - So happy, they are a team to be reckoned with and want to be the first all-female team to win the Amazing Race.
2) Gary & Mallory - So happy
3) Brook & Claire - So happy
4) Kevin & Michael - They did their best and are proud of their improved performance this leg.
5) Jill & Thomas - Had to make an important decision and burn their Express Pass, but it was smart I think.
6) Nick & Vicki - She's so happy they did better this leg (and he didn't have another tantrum.)
7) Chad & Stephanie - She's also so happy - she was worried he'd be disappointed in her.
8) Katie & Rachel - Brought their block of ice clue to the mat - (Huh?) They made it by the skin of their teeth.
9) Connor & Jonathan - sing the graduation march as they get to the mat - **ELIMINATED** Oh man, they miss their graduation and get eliminated on the same day... that sucks. They look at it positively though, this was an incredible experience and it's like they graduated from the Race today - they skip off, sing an elimination song and click their heels (I'm going to miss those singing boys.)
So, with Connor & Jonathan leaving that means Miranne D, Roxanne S, Sharleen H, Bernice W and Nenad M. are out of the pool.
Next week Nat & Kat have to eat something gross and Claire is left hanging - telling Bam to shut up (I bet everyone has wanted to do that.)
Have a great week everyone,
Coleen
The episode opened with the teams helping paint the school in Ghana during the Pit Stop - giving back - it looked good. A cute little kid thanked them, "We love our school." Awww...
-Connor & Jonathan will be the first to depart at 10:15am (I hope the following day) - the clue tells them they are heading to the Arctic Circle... from the furnace to the freezer - they are flying 4500miles to Kiruna, Sweden.
-The teams have all been given tickets on the same flight to the Arctic circle but they are under no obligation to use them. Once in Sweden they must make their way to the world famous Ice Hotel to get their next clue.
-Team Glee are missing their college graduation during this leg of the Race. They ask their driver to go faster but he tells them to take their time (Huh, these drivers got attitude in Ghana.)
-Mallory & Gary are the next out at 11:19am - she, of course, is SO EXCITED to be going to the Arctic Circle (she needs to dial back the sugar.) So happy to get out of the heat.
-Craig & Stephanie next out - she hates the snow (uh oh.)
-Rachel & Katie next to leave - Rachel (I think) is excited go to Sweden, she's half Swedish but doesn't speak it - knows how to be mean in Romanian though (surprise.)
-Nick & Vicki - tattooed duo - get in the cab and he tells the driver they need to go to the Arctic Circle - you know? (Seriously? Does this guy need to remind himself to breathe? How stupid is he?) Vicki tells him that's where they're flying.
- Claire & Brook next out and Brook is SO EXCITED to be going to the Arctic Circle (I think she & Mallory may be the same person - do we ever see them together?) Brook & Claire decided to dress in bright clothes to try and make themselves feel better - now they're disappointed they'll have to put on more clothes for the cold.
-Team Glee at the airport see they won't be leaving until 4:30pm and hunker down to wait for everyone to catch up - Lame.
-Jill & Thomas next to head out - he says they have the express pass but he doesn't want to use it until he has to, otherwise it will be a waste.
-Nat & Kat head out at 1:12pm - Kat is excited about going to Sweden - her homeland, her people (don't know if she's really Swedish or if it's just because it's the home of the blue-eyed blondes.)
-Kevin & Michael are the last out at 1:26pm - they know they'll have a speed bump but they're focused and ready. In the cab they're strategizing flight routes and Kevin uses the cab drivers cell phone to call the airport and check on quickest flights - they find a connection that will get them in 2hrs earlier.
-At the airport they realize no one else looked into changing flights and they decide to share the info with Gary & Mallory (Oh come on, there is such a thing as too nice.) They get Mallory to bat her eyelashes at a guy and he's going to check if he can get them on the earlier connecting flight. She says, "See, you gotta have a girl." (Well, enjoy the blond working for you in Africa, me thinks it won't be much of an advantage in Sweden.)
-Nat & Kat are in the Internet cafe at the airport looking for earlier flights. The Shopping girls go looking for them because they admire the doctor's smart play (and want to ride their coat tails.)
-The airline guy gets back to Mallory & the boys and confirms they're booked on the earlier flight. She's so happy she has blond hair. But they do too much celebrating and Team Glee is suspicious, thinks there might be an earlier flight - so they head to the information desk.
-Nat & Kat book the earlier flight and when Brook & Claire track them down in the Internet cafe share the information with them (somewhat reluctantly but whatchagonnado?)
-Team Glee & the Volleyball girls try to change their flight too but they're told the other flight is fully booked, not switching for them.
-All the teams are together on the flight to Frankfurt - but those teams that changed their connecting flight have only 1 hr and have to sprint through the airport to get their connection - Brook & Claire, Nat & Kat and Gary & Mallory make it - Kevin & Michael are stuck in an elevator (What? Why didn't they follow...) oh you tricky editors - they make the flight as well.
-First flight arrives and they get in their marked cars - Gary & Mallory drive right but the sign that says ICE HOTEL (in English no less) she yells at him to turn around. The all girl teams turn right in - Kevin & Michael decide to follow Gary & Mallory (Okay, this may be sexist but why don't men read signs? I don't get it.)
-The girl teams go into the ice hotel storage warehouse and see blocks of ice with the clue etched into them - in Swedish. They have to figure out they need to go to Fjellesborg's Lodge to get the next clue.
-They other two teams arrive and Kevin & Michael get their Speed Bump - they have to sit on chairs made of blocks of ice for 10 minutes before they can continue. Kevin is wearing soccer shorts, this is gonna hurt - Dad wishes he had those chairs in Ghana.
-Nat & Kat take their block of ice outside and ask someone what it says - he tells them it's a lodge by the lake. Gary & Mallory don't even ask, they decide to just follow Nat & Kat (everyone just wants to be like them... this could be smart or could bite them in the butt if they lose them...)
-And, speaking of butts, Kevin & Michael are starting to freeze theirs. Kevin is finding it very uncomfortable - pins and needles of ice - Dad is okay, he just kept alternating cheeks :) They get the okay to move on and grab their ice clue - Kevin wishes they had gloves... and butt pads.
-Nat & Kat are leading the first 3 teams through the woods - supposed to be on an unmarked road but they're not sure if they're right - doesn't seem to be anything there.
-Kevin & Michael are the first ones to the lodge and find the clue box: ROADBLOCK: Who's feeling kind of slushy?
-Using a summer training sled they must drive a team of sled dogs down a marked trail where they must grab 5 flags along the way to trade for a shipment of fur pelts from a hunter. For every flag they miss they must do a penalty lap around the camp before heading back to the start where they'll trade the pelts for the next clue.
-Michael (Dad) is doing the mushing. He thinks it's awesome - he keeps saying "Good doggy." He's so cute.
-The other three teams get to the clue box and Mallory, Claire & Nat are going to be doing the mushing.
-Everyone is having a great time doing the dog sledding - Claire grew up on a ranch so she felt comfortable and like a tough outdoors woman.
-Michael got all 5 flags so he got the pelts right off and headed back.
-2nd flight arrives in Sweden and they 5 other teams head out - Team Glee is leading the pack and my team, Chad & Stephanie, are bringing up the rear... (Come on guys!)
-Meanwhile- Mallory is too short to grab the first flag - this could be problematic - she realizes she has to balance on a higher bar on the sled to reach the flags.
-Mallory & Claire both pass Nat on the trail - she needs to whip those dogs (not literally, but she could be more aggressive.)
-Mallory first to the hunter but she had to do a penalty lap for missing one flag, Claire gets her pelts right off though and after taking their 'kiss count' to 6 (she kissed the hunter guy) is on her way back. Mallory finishes the lap and heads back as Nat gets there to get her pelts.
- The 2nd flight teams all get to the ice hotel and most of them just write the words down on paper instead of lugging the blocks of ice outside (smart) - It helps that all the people they ask seem to speak English - they're all off to the lodge except Jill & Thomas, who did lug the ice outside - by the time they get out everyone is gone - Hmm, that didn't work so well.
-Michael & Kevin are the first done the mushing and get the clue to make their way to the train station for the next clue. Claire & Brook 2nd, Gary & Mallory 3rd, Nat & Kat 4th and they're all heading to the train station.
-The next 4 teams get to the clue box but Jill & Thomas are nowhere to be found. When they do arrive they see they are last, miss the arrow showing the way to the sled dogs and start running the wrong way... uh oh, express pass time now?
-Connor, Nick, Katie and Stephanie are running the dog sleds and everyone is having a blast with it - Stephanie has wanted a husky forever and it looks like Chad may have no choice after the race.
-Jill & Thomas realize they must have gone the wrong way when they still haven't come to the task - They head back - Jill asks if they should use the Express Pass now but he doesn't want to panic yet (don't get caught with it buddy). They make it back and Jill is going to do the mushing.
-Kevin & Michael get to the train station, it's cold, and they get the clue to the DETOUR - Sleds or Beds.
-In Sleds - they have to make their way to the top of the mountain and using an extreme sports gadget called a Tech Sled, they must speed down a difficult course. Both team members must make the run in less than 1:58 - if they succeed they'll get the next clue - but if not they'll have to start over and try again.
-In Beds - they'll have to make their way to an encampment of decedents of the earliest Scandinavian nomads - then using traditional materials, they must construct a tent-like structure known as a ghoti - once it's completed and the inside is made comfortable for sleeping (pelts and a fire) the elder will give them the next clue.
-Kevin's scared his Dad won't be able to do the sledding so they go for Beds. Ummm... I don't think they're campers - the locals are laughing at Kevin & Michael's first attempts to get the tent up.
-Nat & Kat decide to do the sleds - think it sounds awesome (I think it'd be fun... and scary... and exhausting if you had to do it over and over again.)
-Connor finishes the dog sledding, then Nick, Katie, Stephanie and Jill is last. Chad is very aware that Jill & Thomas have the Express Pass so they are, in essence, last place. Thomas tells us they may have to use the pass... (Could be an idea.)
-Kevin & Michael are making some progress - Kevin says they have camped before but they thought they'd be making a bed not a tent - trying to keep Dad focused but he just keeps giggling... (Altitude madness maybe, is that a thing? I know it's just his way, but I think it's driving Kevin a little crazy.)
-Gary & Mallory get to the train station and are going to do the sledding - Brook & Claire are doing it too - Brook is excited and Claire is scared (she's always struck me as the more level-headed of the two.)
-Nat & Kat are excited as they head down the track for their run - it's so fast & icy that the brakes did nothing - Kat went off the track & was struck in the protective netting/fence. Nat got to the end, "Where'd she go?" Kat didn't make it down in 1:58 - they had to head back up the chairlift and try it again.
-Mallory & Gary head down and she comes in bang on 1:58 - celebration is cut short though as they're told they have to BEAT that time - they have to go again. Dang it.
-Nat & Kat both beat the time on their 2nd run - get the clue to make their way to the Norwegian Border - the Pit Stop for this leg of the race.
-Brook & Claire both beat the time on their first run and Gary & Mallory come in right behind them (Brook & Mallory were together there and the world didn't implode, I guess they're not the same person after all.)
They all get the clue for the Pit Stop.
-Team Glee and Chad & Stephanie get to the clue box at the train station & they are doing the sledding.
-Chad is excited to do the sledding - Stephanie was not. She's never done anything like that (hates the snow remember - I'm with you girl) but she wanted to hack it out for him.
-Nick & Vicki and the Volleyball girls get to the train station too and are doing the sledding too.
-Kevin & Michael complete tent and setting up the beds inside and get the clue for the Pit Stop.
-Jill & Thomas get to the train station and are going to do the Bed - Thomas says in the car they could easily bypass everyone and kill it with the Express Pass (then do it already, sheesh.)
-Connor & Jonathan are not so sporty - they both fall off the sleds.
-Stephanie nervous when they're told the track is running fast and to brake into the turns - they start down the run and she's now PETRIFIED! She lost control and didn't know how to stop - she nearly runs into Chad and then falls off the sled. He's NOT happy and starts yelling at her (guys like him are one reason I never did any team sports - my total lack of any athletic ability was another ;)
-Team Glee goes overtime - has to go again.
-Jill & Thomas get to the tent building/bed task and FINALLY decide to use their Express Pass - Thomas says, "This is the best choice." (yes, it is.)
-Stephanie is giving up on the sledding and he's pissed. Lost their lead, everyone is there now... She's too scared - crying.
-Jonathan can't get the sledding - he keeps going over the side & falling off - they'll have to go again, again.
-Chad & Stephanie get to the Beds and he knows they're going to have to hustle... good thing he was a boy scout - he seems to have given up his pique, which is better rebound time than Nick showed last week.
-Nick & Vicki are more a physical couple than mental (she says with a laugh) they kill the sledding easily.
-Katie & Rachel having a hard time - they keep falling off the sleds and Katie loses hers over a ledge - they decide to switch tasks.
-Connor & Jonathan also still not having any luck - it was becoming truly painful for Jonathan - they decide to switch to the other task too.
-Stephanie & Chad see the Volleyball girls arrive (and they called them that too - I wonder if anyone knows who's who on that team :) Chad & Stephanie are relieved they're still in it. They finish and get the clue.
-Volleyball girls don't pass the inspection of the inside of the tent on the first try - but they still finish before Team Glee. They are all on their way now to the Pit Stop...
Here's How They Finished:
1) Nat & Kat - won a trip for 2 to Belize - So happy, they are a team to be reckoned with and want to be the first all-female team to win the Amazing Race.
2) Gary & Mallory - So happy
3) Brook & Claire - So happy
4) Kevin & Michael - They did their best and are proud of their improved performance this leg.
5) Jill & Thomas - Had to make an important decision and burn their Express Pass, but it was smart I think.
6) Nick & Vicki - She's so happy they did better this leg (and he didn't have another tantrum.)
7) Chad & Stephanie - She's also so happy - she was worried he'd be disappointed in her.
8) Katie & Rachel - Brought their block of ice clue to the mat - (Huh?) They made it by the skin of their teeth.
9) Connor & Jonathan - sing the graduation march as they get to the mat - **ELIMINATED** Oh man, they miss their graduation and get eliminated on the same day... that sucks. They look at it positively though, this was an incredible experience and it's like they graduated from the Race today - they skip off, sing an elimination song and click their heels (I'm going to miss those singing boys.)
So, with Connor & Jonathan leaving that means Miranne D, Roxanne S, Sharleen H, Bernice W and Nenad M. are out of the pool.
Next week Nat & Kat have to eat something gross and Claire is left hanging - telling Bam to shut up (I bet everyone has wanted to do that.)
Have a great week everyone,
Coleen
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Survivor Nicaragua - October 13, 2010 Episode Recap
Turf Wars
Espada - Night 11
The episode opened as the older tribe returned to camp from voting out Jimmy T. Holly is upset that Jimmy T was voted out. She thought they wanted to keep the tribe strong yet Jimmy T could do handstands over Danny - she doesn't get it. She knows she's on the outs and something's gotta change.
Espada - Day 12
-Marty thinks Tribal Council was a slam dunk - "You can't get cocky in this game but I am now in control of this tribe." (Ha, he's so humble.)
-Marty's telling Dan they're good for 2-3 more Tribals - Jane & Holly will be the next two to go. Marty tells the camera -"It will take something off the charts, completely whacked out to upset my plans now." (Oh yeah, he's asking for it.)
La Flor - Day 12
-NaOnka is so proud of their young tribe - she's got her core 5 alliance and they're controlling this game right now. She got her hair did, her swag - if she looks good she's gonna do good... (wow, she's tempting fate too.)
Challenge... or is it?
They come in and get on their mats and Jeff tells them to drop their buffs - They're switching tribes (suckers!) No one is happy about it. Marty was not ready for this - too early. Jud/Fabio was looking forward to keep winning - this sucks.
-They all have to draw rocks out of a bag to determine the captains of the tribes. Brenda gets the yellow rock for La Flor and crazy pants Holly gets the blue rock for Espada. Brenda has to choose 3 members of the older tribe to join La Flor and Holly has to choose 4 members of the younger tribe to join Espada. They write their picks down for Jeff to announce...
Joining the younger tribe are: Jane, Jill and Marty and joining the older tribe are: Alina, Benry, Chase Rice! (anyone remember Arrested Development? I always think Chase Rice! like Steve Holt!...) and NaOnka (Really? You can tell they don't really know each other's personalities by these picks.)
New Tribes are now:
La Flor: Jane, Jill, Marty, Jud/Fabio, Kelly B, Brenda, Kelly Purple and Sash
Espada: Alina, Benry, Chase Rice!, NaOnka, Dan, Holly, Yve and Tyrone
-This is also the end of the Medallion of Power - (wha wha wha...)
-NaOnka is not happy to be away from her family (by which I think she means Brenda) and Marty can't argue with winning and he thinks camp is going to be really lush so looking forward to that too.
Reward Challenge
Two members of one tribe will throw/roll a ball (about the size of a squash ball) up a wall, it will roll down the other side hitting little blocks along the way and changing course (like Plinko) down the wall where two members of the other tribe will be waiting to catch it. If a ball hits the ground, the throwing tribe gets a point. When a point is scored they will switch out the pairs. First team to 3 points wins Reward... and they are playing for Chickens! (Well, 2 chickens and a rooster - and they gave them a coup this time, darn - no epic chicken chase this season I guess.) Jane is ready to wring that chicken's neck.
They get started and it's more difficult than they thought predicting where those little balls are going to come down. Espada scores first point when Sash drops a ball. La Flor scores next on Tyrone drop - they go back and forth and are tied - when Marty does a valiant juggling act but ultimately drops his ball and the new ESPADA wins the Reward.
Espada - Day 12
They return to camp and Tyrone's welcoming to the new members - but he tells the camera he would have liked to keep the old tribe, they had a good machine going... but he likes having the pretty young girls around, there may be some flirting going on (Oh man, keep away from NaOnka, she'll cut you.)
-Tyrone proceeds to tell them the rules of camp - the machete goes here - if you leave camp, come back with wood, put it there...etc.
-Alina says Tyrone is definitely the leader here and the way things are in camp is definitely the older tribe.
-NaOnka - "At LaFlor we didn't have any rules and here Tyrone thinks he's G (gangster) but he's not."
-Holly is excited for the new blood - she's trying to ingratiate herself with the kids - telling the boys they remind her of her son and Alina her youngest daughter - they chit chat.
-Holly is off talking to NaOnka and Alina - Holly thinks she has a better chance of going farther with the kids so if they come to her she's 100% on board. (She's so desperate - didn't she learn from Wendy to take some time before forming alliances - she's not a rocket surgeon.)
-Alina tells Holly she doesn't feel like she lost anything coming over and NaOnka chimes in - "Me neither" (Rrriighht.)
-A much more humble NaOnka is making nice with Alina now, she knows she has no choice, she has to go with the numbers.
LaFlor - Day 12
-Fabio says he's happy with how the switch worked out. He thinks Marty, Jill & Jane are all cool and they still have the numbers wth 5 old LaFlor members to their 3.
-Marty is asking them the rules and protocols of their tribe and they all look like deer in headlights - Brenda says they're more chill, they just do whatever.
-Jane is happy, these kids are more like her - the old Espada was all schedule, schedule, schedule. Jane tells Brenda & Kelly B not to trust Marty & Jill, that they've been tight as ticks.
-Marty is asking Fabio (yeah, there's the brain trust of the tribe) about hidden immunity idols - Fabio shares the story of NaOnka knocking down Kelly B and taking the clue for herself. Marty can't believe they let that happen and they let her get away with not sharing the clue. Fabio says to him (I kid you not) "Well, we're the young tribe. I guess we don't really know what we're doing." (Why would you say that? And to Marty of all people? I'd like to think this is part of Fabio's brilliant/stupid strategy, but I highly doubt it.)
-Marty thinks these kids are ripe for the plucking. Everyone is gathered under the shelter and Marty tells them he's shocked they let one person take the clue to the immunity idol - that's like a cancer (oh yeah, that's the second carcinoma of the season) Brenda does not look pleased with this little analogy.
-He tells them he hasn't lied or had to back stab - he wants to get off on the right foot so he tells them he has a hidden immunity idol and pulls it out for all the marvel over his superiority... but to them it was complete stupidity.
-Brenda thinks Marty is so arrogant, telling them he has an idol, "What are you stupid?" He's coming into our home and setting up like he's king. That is the dumbest thing he could have done (Like my husband said, I hope Marty's ready to use that immunity tonight.)
Espada - Day 13
Windy, rainy and miserable - Benry says the resources are definitely sparse at this camp. They built the shelter right off the beach and the roof is so high, it's really no shelter at all.
-NaOnka is huddled, shivering in the shelter - she says she's worried about her head, when she gets cold she could just lose it (Uh oh, I'd be worried.) She starts crying and is telling Alina she's breaking down, that she wants to quit.
-Alina says NaOnka seems like a high school girl - she's irrational and crazy and she seems like she's on her period all the time (hahaha) Rain is not that big of a deal. Alina is also relishing Nay's distress, "Go ahead, check out, one less person for me to worry about."
-Chase Rice! comes over to comfort NaOnka and tells her a very touching story about when his Dad died and he saw a rainbow in the rearview mirror ending in the bed of his pick up but when he turned around it wasn't there, "That's how I know my Dad was good." Oh man, and now he's getting all choked up too... (Okay, I'm jaded. It was very kind of him to try and help her out but, really, how is that supposed to make her feel better? And why are you coddling her? I'm with Alina, suck it up buttercup - or get out of my way.)
-Espada spends a miserable night, thunder, lightning, wind, rain and the constant whimpering of NaOnka.
Immunity Challenge
Three members from each tribe will be strapped to a wheel (like a big watermill) while another 3 tribe members will turn the wheel and they will have their heads temporarily go under water (I said pardon? - No F'N way would I volunteer for that, it sounds like torture to me!) While submerged they will try to take in a mouthful of water that they will then spit into a bowl at the top of the wheel. The water will run into a tube which, once filled, will release a ball into a chute - the remaining 2 tribe members will then use the ball to throw at, and break, tiles - there are 5 tiles, first tribe to break them all wins Immunity.
-Both tribes have strapped the women to the wheel and they start to spin them - LaFlor is spinning their wheel too fast, the girls aren't able to spit as much water into the tube. Espada is going slower and filling the tube much quicker - Espada releases their ball first and Benry & Tyrone start trying to break the tiles. LaFlor isn't that far behind though and Jane & Fabio start in on the tile breaking too. They tie up with one tile left and ... LA FLOR (with Fabio throwing) breaks their last tile and wins Immunity!
-NaOnka says she doesn't want her students to see her as a quitter but she's getting skinnier and she thinks she's done (Really? You have a hidden immunity idol and the numbers in the tribe - you are a quitter.)
Espada - Day 14
-NaOnka believes Espada is cursed - how do you get the pick of the litter and still lose? She doesn't care, she's over it - she just wants to go home.
-They want to eat before tribal and they're all ready to kill a chicken... all except Tyrone that is. He sits down and says he's against it, they'll be cutting down on their egg production for instant gratification (why don't they kill the rooster - the chicken will still lay - see, they need Jane, she'd know that.) Oh, and they're only getting one egg a day anyway. Tyrone says no but they put it to a vote and he's shot down.
-Chase Rice! goes and grabs one of the chickens and breaks it's neck. They all help pluck it and prepare it and boil it.
-Tyrone stayed in the background because he didn't get his way but he was right there to eat the chicken and he actually took a larger portion than everyone else... which did not go unnoticed, especially by Alina and Benry who were still hungry, watching Tyrone savage the bones.
-Benry thinks Tryone is not an easy person to be on a tribe with, he'd be up for cutting him loose tonight but he's worried about Nay's mental state, she's hanging on by a thread - not sure if she's all there right now.
-Alina talking to Yve, letting her know that Nay's checked out and they want to keep the tribe strong so they'll vote for NaOnka. Alina is banking on them having Holly so they can afford to lose Nay and still be in control of the game. They are still deciding between Tyrone and NaOnka.
Tribal Council
Alina, How's everyone getting along?
- She says everything was nice at first but there's a bit of a turf war, having to get used to their rules.
Benry, tell me about leadership, there are 4 members from each tribe...
- Yeah, Tryone seems to be the boss-man - he's got a loud voice and what he says usually goes.
Tyrone, what comes with being the leader?
- Huge responsibility, they come to you for guidance and advice. He says he embraces the position, definitely thinks he's qualified. He says he takes input from the others, doesn't make unilateral decisions (there is eye rolling from the younger tribe members) He says he finds Alina's comment about a turf war interesting and something they should address...
Alina, let's address it - what did you mean by turf war?
-When we came in to camp it was a speech - this is how this goes... we've been surviving too.
(Tyrone shoots her a condescending "Whachootalkinbout" look.) She didn't like being treated like a child.
Tyrone interjects - Just trying to introduce them to camp, it wasn't like laying down the law - maybe that's the generation gap - I don't know.
Alina, what was the toughest day out here?
- She says the nights have been the worst - really rainy, drenched and cold.
NaOnka?
- She says she never thought it would be this hard, last night she was shaking and so cold.
Is it the hardest thing you've ever done?
- She says the hardest thing she's ever done is getting divorced at age 26 - she couldn't shelter herself from that storm and feeling responsible for the relationship failing but here she's had support and encouragement from her tribe mates.
Jeff seemed skeptical, points out they're all playing against her.
- She tells Jeff that it was a monumental night and she wanted to quit but they helped her through it.
Benry, when you see Nay struggling you must want to comfort her but the competitive part says - see ya...
- He plays dumb, asks Jeff to clarify what he means and successfully ducks having to answer (huh, well played Benry.)
You know what I'm saying. Yve, you know what I'm saying right?
- She bites - says she knows what he means and she was given pause by NaOnka's breaking down and questions her longevity in the game.
NaOnka, you had to know it wasn't good for you to breakdown...
- She says she's not sure how she's perceived - Lot of smart people on this tribe - they could be keeping it 100 (keeping it real) and they know when to shut up (I think it's your turn[to shut up].)
Time To Vote:
Tyrone votes NaOnka -"Grown folks game - keeping it 100 - Peace out."
Benry votes Tyrone - makes a speech about dethroning the king then knocks the bell off the table - my bad(really smooth.)
Tallying the Votes:
NaOnka - 1
Tyrone - 1, 2
NaOnka -2
Tyrone - 3, 4, 5... Wow - they got rid of TYRONE - (just goes to show you don't eat more than your share when everyone is starving.)
So with Tyrone leaving that means: Katie L., Nenad M. and Wendy E. are out of the pool.
Tyrone's parting thoughts: My plan by being a leader for this tribe initially stay strong - democratic. But when LaFlor came over that switched. It's a game where anything can happen and guess what? It happened.
*Interesting note - Holly and Dan voted for Tyrone, only Yve voted with him.
Next week: Dan wants a bus ticket back home to NY (telling Holly he's done) and Marty tells Fabio he's a grand master in chess (makes sense)... and there is another twist - Individual immunity maybe?
Have a great rest of the week everyone,
Coleen
Espada - Night 11
The episode opened as the older tribe returned to camp from voting out Jimmy T. Holly is upset that Jimmy T was voted out. She thought they wanted to keep the tribe strong yet Jimmy T could do handstands over Danny - she doesn't get it. She knows she's on the outs and something's gotta change.
Espada - Day 12
-Marty thinks Tribal Council was a slam dunk - "You can't get cocky in this game but I am now in control of this tribe." (Ha, he's so humble.)
-Marty's telling Dan they're good for 2-3 more Tribals - Jane & Holly will be the next two to go. Marty tells the camera -"It will take something off the charts, completely whacked out to upset my plans now." (Oh yeah, he's asking for it.)
La Flor - Day 12
-NaOnka is so proud of their young tribe - she's got her core 5 alliance and they're controlling this game right now. She got her hair did, her swag - if she looks good she's gonna do good... (wow, she's tempting fate too.)
Challenge... or is it?
They come in and get on their mats and Jeff tells them to drop their buffs - They're switching tribes (suckers!) No one is happy about it. Marty was not ready for this - too early. Jud/Fabio was looking forward to keep winning - this sucks.
-They all have to draw rocks out of a bag to determine the captains of the tribes. Brenda gets the yellow rock for La Flor and crazy pants Holly gets the blue rock for Espada. Brenda has to choose 3 members of the older tribe to join La Flor and Holly has to choose 4 members of the younger tribe to join Espada. They write their picks down for Jeff to announce...
Joining the younger tribe are: Jane, Jill and Marty and joining the older tribe are: Alina, Benry, Chase Rice! (anyone remember Arrested Development? I always think Chase Rice! like Steve Holt!...) and NaOnka (Really? You can tell they don't really know each other's personalities by these picks.)
New Tribes are now:
La Flor: Jane, Jill, Marty, Jud/Fabio, Kelly B, Brenda, Kelly Purple and Sash
Espada: Alina, Benry, Chase Rice!, NaOnka, Dan, Holly, Yve and Tyrone
-This is also the end of the Medallion of Power - (wha wha wha...)
-NaOnka is not happy to be away from her family (by which I think she means Brenda) and Marty can't argue with winning and he thinks camp is going to be really lush so looking forward to that too.
Reward Challenge
Two members of one tribe will throw/roll a ball (about the size of a squash ball) up a wall, it will roll down the other side hitting little blocks along the way and changing course (like Plinko) down the wall where two members of the other tribe will be waiting to catch it. If a ball hits the ground, the throwing tribe gets a point. When a point is scored they will switch out the pairs. First team to 3 points wins Reward... and they are playing for Chickens! (Well, 2 chickens and a rooster - and they gave them a coup this time, darn - no epic chicken chase this season I guess.) Jane is ready to wring that chicken's neck.
They get started and it's more difficult than they thought predicting where those little balls are going to come down. Espada scores first point when Sash drops a ball. La Flor scores next on Tyrone drop - they go back and forth and are tied - when Marty does a valiant juggling act but ultimately drops his ball and the new ESPADA wins the Reward.
Espada - Day 12
They return to camp and Tyrone's welcoming to the new members - but he tells the camera he would have liked to keep the old tribe, they had a good machine going... but he likes having the pretty young girls around, there may be some flirting going on (Oh man, keep away from NaOnka, she'll cut you.)
-Tyrone proceeds to tell them the rules of camp - the machete goes here - if you leave camp, come back with wood, put it there...etc.
-Alina says Tyrone is definitely the leader here and the way things are in camp is definitely the older tribe.
-NaOnka - "At LaFlor we didn't have any rules and here Tyrone thinks he's G (gangster) but he's not."
-Holly is excited for the new blood - she's trying to ingratiate herself with the kids - telling the boys they remind her of her son and Alina her youngest daughter - they chit chat.
-Holly is off talking to NaOnka and Alina - Holly thinks she has a better chance of going farther with the kids so if they come to her she's 100% on board. (She's so desperate - didn't she learn from Wendy to take some time before forming alliances - she's not a rocket surgeon.)
-Alina tells Holly she doesn't feel like she lost anything coming over and NaOnka chimes in - "Me neither" (Rrriighht.)
-A much more humble NaOnka is making nice with Alina now, she knows she has no choice, she has to go with the numbers.
LaFlor - Day 12
-Fabio says he's happy with how the switch worked out. He thinks Marty, Jill & Jane are all cool and they still have the numbers wth 5 old LaFlor members to their 3.
-Marty is asking them the rules and protocols of their tribe and they all look like deer in headlights - Brenda says they're more chill, they just do whatever.
-Jane is happy, these kids are more like her - the old Espada was all schedule, schedule, schedule. Jane tells Brenda & Kelly B not to trust Marty & Jill, that they've been tight as ticks.
-Marty is asking Fabio (yeah, there's the brain trust of the tribe) about hidden immunity idols - Fabio shares the story of NaOnka knocking down Kelly B and taking the clue for herself. Marty can't believe they let that happen and they let her get away with not sharing the clue. Fabio says to him (I kid you not) "Well, we're the young tribe. I guess we don't really know what we're doing." (Why would you say that? And to Marty of all people? I'd like to think this is part of Fabio's brilliant/stupid strategy, but I highly doubt it.)
-Marty thinks these kids are ripe for the plucking. Everyone is gathered under the shelter and Marty tells them he's shocked they let one person take the clue to the immunity idol - that's like a cancer (oh yeah, that's the second carcinoma of the season) Brenda does not look pleased with this little analogy.
-He tells them he hasn't lied or had to back stab - he wants to get off on the right foot so he tells them he has a hidden immunity idol and pulls it out for all the marvel over his superiority... but to them it was complete stupidity.
-Brenda thinks Marty is so arrogant, telling them he has an idol, "What are you stupid?" He's coming into our home and setting up like he's king. That is the dumbest thing he could have done (Like my husband said, I hope Marty's ready to use that immunity tonight.)
Espada - Day 13
Windy, rainy and miserable - Benry says the resources are definitely sparse at this camp. They built the shelter right off the beach and the roof is so high, it's really no shelter at all.
-NaOnka is huddled, shivering in the shelter - she says she's worried about her head, when she gets cold she could just lose it (Uh oh, I'd be worried.) She starts crying and is telling Alina she's breaking down, that she wants to quit.
-Alina says NaOnka seems like a high school girl - she's irrational and crazy and she seems like she's on her period all the time (hahaha) Rain is not that big of a deal. Alina is also relishing Nay's distress, "Go ahead, check out, one less person for me to worry about."
-Chase Rice! comes over to comfort NaOnka and tells her a very touching story about when his Dad died and he saw a rainbow in the rearview mirror ending in the bed of his pick up but when he turned around it wasn't there, "That's how I know my Dad was good." Oh man, and now he's getting all choked up too... (Okay, I'm jaded. It was very kind of him to try and help her out but, really, how is that supposed to make her feel better? And why are you coddling her? I'm with Alina, suck it up buttercup - or get out of my way.)
-Espada spends a miserable night, thunder, lightning, wind, rain and the constant whimpering of NaOnka.
Immunity Challenge
Three members from each tribe will be strapped to a wheel (like a big watermill) while another 3 tribe members will turn the wheel and they will have their heads temporarily go under water (I said pardon? - No F'N way would I volunteer for that, it sounds like torture to me!) While submerged they will try to take in a mouthful of water that they will then spit into a bowl at the top of the wheel. The water will run into a tube which, once filled, will release a ball into a chute - the remaining 2 tribe members will then use the ball to throw at, and break, tiles - there are 5 tiles, first tribe to break them all wins Immunity.
-Both tribes have strapped the women to the wheel and they start to spin them - LaFlor is spinning their wheel too fast, the girls aren't able to spit as much water into the tube. Espada is going slower and filling the tube much quicker - Espada releases their ball first and Benry & Tyrone start trying to break the tiles. LaFlor isn't that far behind though and Jane & Fabio start in on the tile breaking too. They tie up with one tile left and ... LA FLOR (with Fabio throwing) breaks their last tile and wins Immunity!
-NaOnka says she doesn't want her students to see her as a quitter but she's getting skinnier and she thinks she's done (Really? You have a hidden immunity idol and the numbers in the tribe - you are a quitter.)
Espada - Day 14
-NaOnka believes Espada is cursed - how do you get the pick of the litter and still lose? She doesn't care, she's over it - she just wants to go home.
-They want to eat before tribal and they're all ready to kill a chicken... all except Tyrone that is. He sits down and says he's against it, they'll be cutting down on their egg production for instant gratification (why don't they kill the rooster - the chicken will still lay - see, they need Jane, she'd know that.) Oh, and they're only getting one egg a day anyway. Tyrone says no but they put it to a vote and he's shot down.
-Chase Rice! goes and grabs one of the chickens and breaks it's neck. They all help pluck it and prepare it and boil it.
-Tyrone stayed in the background because he didn't get his way but he was right there to eat the chicken and he actually took a larger portion than everyone else... which did not go unnoticed, especially by Alina and Benry who were still hungry, watching Tyrone savage the bones.
-Benry thinks Tryone is not an easy person to be on a tribe with, he'd be up for cutting him loose tonight but he's worried about Nay's mental state, she's hanging on by a thread - not sure if she's all there right now.
-Alina talking to Yve, letting her know that Nay's checked out and they want to keep the tribe strong so they'll vote for NaOnka. Alina is banking on them having Holly so they can afford to lose Nay and still be in control of the game. They are still deciding between Tyrone and NaOnka.
Tribal Council
Alina, How's everyone getting along?
- She says everything was nice at first but there's a bit of a turf war, having to get used to their rules.
Benry, tell me about leadership, there are 4 members from each tribe...
- Yeah, Tryone seems to be the boss-man - he's got a loud voice and what he says usually goes.
Tyrone, what comes with being the leader?
- Huge responsibility, they come to you for guidance and advice. He says he embraces the position, definitely thinks he's qualified. He says he takes input from the others, doesn't make unilateral decisions (there is eye rolling from the younger tribe members) He says he finds Alina's comment about a turf war interesting and something they should address...
Alina, let's address it - what did you mean by turf war?
-When we came in to camp it was a speech - this is how this goes... we've been surviving too.
(Tyrone shoots her a condescending "Whachootalkinbout" look.) She didn't like being treated like a child.
Tyrone interjects - Just trying to introduce them to camp, it wasn't like laying down the law - maybe that's the generation gap - I don't know.
Alina, what was the toughest day out here?
- She says the nights have been the worst - really rainy, drenched and cold.
NaOnka?
- She says she never thought it would be this hard, last night she was shaking and so cold.
Is it the hardest thing you've ever done?
- She says the hardest thing she's ever done is getting divorced at age 26 - she couldn't shelter herself from that storm and feeling responsible for the relationship failing but here she's had support and encouragement from her tribe mates.
Jeff seemed skeptical, points out they're all playing against her.
- She tells Jeff that it was a monumental night and she wanted to quit but they helped her through it.
Benry, when you see Nay struggling you must want to comfort her but the competitive part says - see ya...
- He plays dumb, asks Jeff to clarify what he means and successfully ducks having to answer (huh, well played Benry.)
You know what I'm saying. Yve, you know what I'm saying right?
- She bites - says she knows what he means and she was given pause by NaOnka's breaking down and questions her longevity in the game.
NaOnka, you had to know it wasn't good for you to breakdown...
- She says she's not sure how she's perceived - Lot of smart people on this tribe - they could be keeping it 100 (keeping it real) and they know when to shut up (I think it's your turn[to shut up].)
Time To Vote:
Tyrone votes NaOnka -"Grown folks game - keeping it 100 - Peace out."
Benry votes Tyrone - makes a speech about dethroning the king then knocks the bell off the table - my bad(really smooth.)
Tallying the Votes:
NaOnka - 1
Tyrone - 1, 2
NaOnka -2
Tyrone - 3, 4, 5... Wow - they got rid of TYRONE - (just goes to show you don't eat more than your share when everyone is starving.)
So with Tyrone leaving that means: Katie L., Nenad M. and Wendy E. are out of the pool.
Tyrone's parting thoughts: My plan by being a leader for this tribe initially stay strong - democratic. But when LaFlor came over that switched. It's a game where anything can happen and guess what? It happened.
*Interesting note - Holly and Dan voted for Tyrone, only Yve voted with him.
Next week: Dan wants a bus ticket back home to NY (telling Holly he's done) and Marty tells Fabio he's a grand master in chess (makes sense)... and there is another twist - Individual immunity maybe?
Have a great rest of the week everyone,
Coleen
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Amazing Race - October 10, 2010 Episode Recap
In Phil We Trust
In this leg they are still racing in Ghana - Brook & Claire are the first to depart at 7:34am - they have to travel across town and find the Akotaku Academy to get the next clue. The cab driver tells Brook & Claire that it's a place where they box and Brook is SO EXCITED! Boxing!
-Volleyball girls are the next out at 7:35am (Oh, Katie & Rachel, still can't tell them apart.)
-Kevin & Michael next to leave at 7:45am - Kevin says it's hard for them to match up with the younger teams - Dad is 59. It's worth more than the million dollars for them to stay in the race and experience these amazing countries.
-Brook & Claire get to the boxing academy - ROADBLOCK -(Brook squeals at all the burly men) - You have a Rocky road ahead - Boxing is the most popular sport after soccer in Ghana, there are boxing academies like this all over the country. One team member must learn to properly wrap their hands before suiting up in training gear, next they must work on the speed bag for 60 seconds then jump rope for 60sec to get the next clue.
-Brook want to do it - they train at a boxing facility - apparently her nickname is Bammer.
-Katie & Rachel's cab driver is lost - "Son of a B*tch - Why didn't he say he didn't know where it was?" They ask for directions.
-7:52am - Chad & Stephanie head out.
-7:58am - Thomas & Jill head out.
-8:01am - Jonathan & Connor jump in a cab and introduce themselves to their driver - Samson - Oh, such nice, polite boys.
-Brook's wrapping done - she kisses the trainer (of course) and starts on the speed bag.
-Chad & Stephanie are the next to the boxing academy (wow, they made up time) Chad is doing the boxing.
-Volleyball girls get there right behind them (I still don't know who is who) The blonde one does it for them (Ha!)
-Brook finishes and gets their next clue - to travel by taxi to another district and look for a marked supply depot for their next clue.
-Jill & Thomas' driver is asking for directions - they thank him for doing it early (much better attitude.)
-Jonathan & Connor ask in song for Samson to pass Michael & Kevin - He gets a kick out of it and passes for them. They sing, "We love Samson." He says, "I love you too." Awww, that's so cute.
-Nat & Kat heading out at 8:02am - they knew there would be times they'd be at the bottom but they have a never give up strategy and know from what they do for a living that when things look bad that's when you have to work harder, not give up.
-Nick & Vicki head out at 8:04am - their strategy is to communicate - it's huge - without communication you've got no race. (I gotta say, Vicki is a pretty girl, why the facial piercings?)
-Gary & Mallory are the last to leave at 8:06am - they believe their bad luck is behind them with the flat tire and broken down cab - their goal is to move up this leg.
-Back at the boxing task - Chad is showboating while jumping rope and he trips up so he has to start the 60 seconds over again - which allows Katie/Rachel to beat him out of there. He says he did get clowned by the girls but he looked better doing it - Stephanie laughing - that's all he cares about.
-Team Glee and Kevin & Dad get to the boxing as the other teams are leaving. Connor and Kevin are doing the task. Kevin thought it'd be too physical for his Dad to tackle in the 98degree heat (ouch). Then Kevin has to re-wrap his hands while Connor moves on.
-Thomas & Jill, Mallory & Gary and Nick & Vicki get to the boxing - Thomas, Gary & Vicki are wrapping their hands.
-Connor also tried to jump fancy and messed up - Boys! He finishes and they get the next clue.
-Nat & Kat are lost - they are in last place. Their cab drove past the boxing academy and is in front of the volleyball girls and Chad & Stephanie. Nat gets their driver to stop, blocking the other teams - those teams are both yelling at them to get out of the way - Nat asks Chad where the place is and he tells them it's back there, they have to turn around. Katie/Rachel, "You dumb doctor." Nat's cab driver is mad at her too - "Sit down, I will drive." Nat's telling him they need to turn around. He says no. "Sir, we have to turn around." "No." (Seriously? What the hell? Is he kidnapping them, or is it just because they're women?) He finally stops and asks for directions. Jeez.
-Kevin finishes boxing and they are currently 5th. Gary, Thomas and Vicki all finish one after the other and take off for the next clue.
-Nat & Kat finally get to the boxing academy and Nat's taping up her hands.
-Brook & Claire were stuck behind a semi then they run into a herd of very large beasts, cattle or yaks?
-Connor & Jonathan have caught up to them and get Samson to pass the Shopping network girls - Awww - that made the girl's hearts drop and the boy's sing (okay, that was cheesy.)
-Nat finishes the boxing and they're hoping they get good cab mojo with this next driver. (Don't jinx it!)
-Team Glee first to the supply depot - Route Info - Teams must choose a PAIR of wheel barrows and fill them with construction supplies. Then they'll take the supplies to the primary school up the road where the foreman will give them their next clue (provided they've brought the correct supplies.)
-2 wheel barrows, 1 bag of concrete, 2 bricks, 2 shovels, 2 brooms, 2 trowels, 2 scrapers - and Team Glee are off. It's hot and heavy but they get to the school and get the next clue...
-POP QUIZ - Africa is the 2nd largest continent on Earth and the teams' biggest challenge may be figuring out where they are... they have to sit in with an African geography class and correctly locate/label Ghana on the map - Once they get it right they'll get their next clue.
-Connor & Jonathan both give it a try but they keep choosing the wrong countries - it was embarrassing for them not to be able to locate the country that they were in, they're sure they'll get some ribbing from their Princeton schoolmates when they get home.
-Brook & Claire finally get to the supply depot and apparently don't know what a pair is because they head out with only one wheelbarrow (Arrghh! Read the clue!)
-Jonathan finally correctly labels Ghana on the map and they get the clue for the DETOUR - Bicycle Parts or Language Arts.
-In Bicycle Parts they must learn a popular pass time of the local children - rolling a bike rim pushing it with only a stick - they have to go the length of a soccer field and back without letting it fall.
-In Language Arts - they choose a proverb with 8 highlighted phrases - each phrase corresponds to a certain symbol in a native visual alphabet - they will then go to a large cloth and they have to locate all their symbols in the correct order, circling them like a word search puzzle, to get their next clue.
-Connor & Jonathan choose Language Arts - they choose a rolled up proverb, Connor says, "In Phil we trust." then look for the decoder key - they find it around the corner of the school on the end of the building. They find their 8 symbols - kidney beans, ladder, crazy... they looked for the one symbol that struck the eye then looked for their other symbols around it...
-Brook & Claire get to the foreman and he tells them they have to go back - Claire realizes they need another wheel barrow and they have to take it all back with them (Really? That would totally suck!)
-Kevin & Michael arrive and start getting their stuff - Katie & Rachel are right behind them - Rachel says they need a pair of wheel barrows- Katie says she doesn't think they need 2, Kevin & Mike don't have 2 - Rachel, "Well, they're idiots." (Rachel telling it like it is - Does no one know what "a pair" means?)
-Brook & Claire pass Kevin & Michael on the road, they see they only have one wheel barrow but Brook says not to say anything. They tell them they forgot something but stay mum on the wheelbarrow.
-Nat & Kat having more cab problems - they've pulled over and the driver is checking the engine... Over-heating? He says it's okay and they getting moving again. (Bad puck-luck Jim.)
-4 teams get to the supply depot - Gary & Mallory, Chad & Stephanie, Jill & Thomas and Nick & Vicki.
-Kevin & Michael get to the foreman who tells them they need 2 trucks (wheelbarrows) Kevin - the girls didn't tell us (of course they didn't, it's a race man.)
-Next 4 teams are all loading up their supplies - these teams know what a pair of wheelbarrows is but Vicki misreads the bags of concrete and they take off with 2.
-Rachel & Katie get to the foreman and he turns them back - they need 2 trowels (only had one) and they have to take it all back with them... argh! That'd piss me off. Rachel knows Katie being short with her isn't an attack - it's just what they need to do - good having that team mate relationship already developed.
-Connor & Jonathan find the symbols and circle them - one of the school girls gives them their clue and Connor hugs her (she looks like she'd really rather he not touch her - perv.) They get the clue to the Pit Stop! It's a rural farm of a local villager where they have to go by foot on the marked path.
-Connor & Jonathan find the marked path easily and are team #1! They won $5K each.
-Brook & Claire pass Kevin & Michael who are now heading back - Kevin sarcastically thanks them for telling him (they don't even notice - just focused on trying to get the heavy stuff to the school.)
-Brook & Claire get the clue and head into a geography class - Brook has no idea where Ghana is.
-Nick & Vicki get to the foreman and he turns them back because they have 2 bags of cement... and Nick turns into a Grade A a**hole. He starts yelling at Vicki - Good job reading - she apologizes but he doesn't want to hear it, takes off without her - your sorries won't keep us from coming in last. (I would kick him in the butt and tell him he's doing all the reading from now on... what a jerk!)
-Gary & Mallory get the clue from the foreman and head into a geography class. The school conditions make Mallory appreciate the freedom, luxury and justice they have in the States. Dad knows his Africa and labels Ghana right off - they get the next clue and decide to do the Bike Rim.
-Kevin & Michael, Chad & Stephanie, Thomas & Jill all get the clue from the foreman and head into geography classes.
-Gary & Mallory are watching the kids rolling the bike rims - Gary picks it up quickly, Mallory is praying to Jesus to help her... (I think he has bigger things to worry about - like all the injustice in the world.)
-Katie & Rachel get back to the foreman and rudely demand, "Can we have our clue." (I just can't like these two - they are not nice girls.)
-Nat & Kat finally get to the supply depot and they can read so they have no problems - Nat thinks it's too easy, worried they've missed something. (She better not ask all the turned back teams if they thought it was too easy.)
-Chad, Thomas & Katie find Ghana quickly on the maps - Brook (Bammer) finally correctly locates Ghana - they all decide to do Language Arts.
-None of them can figure out what they need to do - Claire sees a group of eight children playing close by and thinks they are the eight figures they have to circle so they go over and start drawing a circle in the dirt around the ring of children (I think this freaks the poor kids out - crazy white people are herding them...) and to make matters worse - the other teams start copying these lunatics - Chad & Katie are also drawing a circle in the dirt around some kids (Hahahhaah!) Finally Brook looks over at the school building and notices the huge symbol map on the wall... Ohhh, maybe the children have nothing to do with it - ya think?
-Thomas is the only one trying to find the decoder key - grabbing the kids schoolbooks and dropping them on the ground (classy) when they're not the key. Katie & Rachel can't figure it out and decide to switch tasks.
-Kevin finally finds Ghana on the map and they get the Detour clue - also head out for Language Arts - also have no luck with it.
-Nat & Kat finally get to the school and have all the supplies right, they head into a geography lesson.
-Chad & Stephanie finally decide to change tasks and head out for the Bike Parts.
-Vicki & Nick are in the geography class and she can't find Ghana, Nick is being his sunny self, "Are we really that stupid?" (Yes, yes, you are! Plus she's the only one doing anything, he's just complaining - I really would have smacked him I think.) Vicki finally gets the right country and they head out to do Bike Parts.
-Nat & Kat find Ghana right away and are going for the Language Arts.
-Volleyball girls doing the rims - Chad does it pretty easily, and is enjoying how carefree the kids are.
-Nick can't do the bike thing and he continues to tantrum - he throws the rim and gives up - yelling at her to shut up and do the task for them. She has asthma and starts having an attack, he finally realizes that he needs to calm down and help her through it - (No, still not making up for being such a jerk all day.)
-Brook & Claire still can't figure out the Language Arts and finally give up - switch to the bike rims.
-Nat & Kat give up quickly on the Language Arts - change to the bicycle parts.
-No one but the first team ever found the decoder key - Thomas even walked around the building to look at them all doing the other task and stood in front of the key but didn't see it...
-Kevin & Dad finally decide to switch too, Kevin is worried about his Dad doing the running but they don't have a choice at this point.
-Nat & Kat finish their two passes with the bike rims and get the clue to the Pit Stop but they totally miss the marked path and can't find the house...
-Michael can't continue with running under the beating sun - Kevin is urging him to not give up but they end up having to call medical help for him, get him hydrated and cooled down - he feels so bad, and wants to teach his son that he has to finish what he's started so Kevin walks him through his last pass with the rim...
Here's How they Finished:
1) Connor & Jonathan - going to use their $5K to buy maps of Africa.
2) Gary & Mallory - nothing broke down today. (Maybe I've underestimated the bubbly blonde girl.)
3) Chad & Stephanie - Woo! (eloquent)
4) Katie & Rachel - (phooey)
5) Nick & Vicki - He finally feels bad about his behaviour - she's a good teammate - didn't deserve his attitude today (Ya think?)
6) Brook & Claire - Phil tells them they are going to come back to the school tomorrow (all of them) and do some renovating of the classrooms - they all think that's awesome.
7) Jill & Thomas - happy they're still there.
8) Nat & Kat - Think it will be awesome to help renovate the school.
9) Michael & Kevin - Last team to arrive - **NON-ELIMINATION LEG** Kevin says that's why you don't give up, Michael is so happy they'll still have the chance to visit more places together. They will have a Speedbump to complete next leg.
So, no one was eliminated this week - and it was an especially happy Thanksgiving for the non-eliminated Bob L, Sharon R, Denise R, Sue & Hannelore and Gillian H.
Have a great (short) week everyone,
Coleen
In this leg they are still racing in Ghana - Brook & Claire are the first to depart at 7:34am - they have to travel across town and find the Akotaku Academy to get the next clue. The cab driver tells Brook & Claire that it's a place where they box and Brook is SO EXCITED! Boxing!
-Volleyball girls are the next out at 7:35am (Oh, Katie & Rachel, still can't tell them apart.)
-Kevin & Michael next to leave at 7:45am - Kevin says it's hard for them to match up with the younger teams - Dad is 59. It's worth more than the million dollars for them to stay in the race and experience these amazing countries.
-Brook & Claire get to the boxing academy - ROADBLOCK -(Brook squeals at all the burly men) - You have a Rocky road ahead - Boxing is the most popular sport after soccer in Ghana, there are boxing academies like this all over the country. One team member must learn to properly wrap their hands before suiting up in training gear, next they must work on the speed bag for 60 seconds then jump rope for 60sec to get the next clue.
-Brook want to do it - they train at a boxing facility - apparently her nickname is Bammer.
-Katie & Rachel's cab driver is lost - "Son of a B*tch - Why didn't he say he didn't know where it was?" They ask for directions.
-7:52am - Chad & Stephanie head out.
-7:58am - Thomas & Jill head out.
-8:01am - Jonathan & Connor jump in a cab and introduce themselves to their driver - Samson - Oh, such nice, polite boys.
-Brook's wrapping done - she kisses the trainer (of course) and starts on the speed bag.
-Chad & Stephanie are the next to the boxing academy (wow, they made up time) Chad is doing the boxing.
-Volleyball girls get there right behind them (I still don't know who is who) The blonde one does it for them (Ha!)
-Brook finishes and gets their next clue - to travel by taxi to another district and look for a marked supply depot for their next clue.
-Jill & Thomas' driver is asking for directions - they thank him for doing it early (much better attitude.)
-Jonathan & Connor ask in song for Samson to pass Michael & Kevin - He gets a kick out of it and passes for them. They sing, "We love Samson." He says, "I love you too." Awww, that's so cute.
-Nat & Kat heading out at 8:02am - they knew there would be times they'd be at the bottom but they have a never give up strategy and know from what they do for a living that when things look bad that's when you have to work harder, not give up.
-Nick & Vicki head out at 8:04am - their strategy is to communicate - it's huge - without communication you've got no race. (I gotta say, Vicki is a pretty girl, why the facial piercings?)
-Gary & Mallory are the last to leave at 8:06am - they believe their bad luck is behind them with the flat tire and broken down cab - their goal is to move up this leg.
-Back at the boxing task - Chad is showboating while jumping rope and he trips up so he has to start the 60 seconds over again - which allows Katie/Rachel to beat him out of there. He says he did get clowned by the girls but he looked better doing it - Stephanie laughing - that's all he cares about.
-Team Glee and Kevin & Dad get to the boxing as the other teams are leaving. Connor and Kevin are doing the task. Kevin thought it'd be too physical for his Dad to tackle in the 98degree heat (ouch). Then Kevin has to re-wrap his hands while Connor moves on.
-Thomas & Jill, Mallory & Gary and Nick & Vicki get to the boxing - Thomas, Gary & Vicki are wrapping their hands.
-Connor also tried to jump fancy and messed up - Boys! He finishes and they get the next clue.
-Nat & Kat are lost - they are in last place. Their cab drove past the boxing academy and is in front of the volleyball girls and Chad & Stephanie. Nat gets their driver to stop, blocking the other teams - those teams are both yelling at them to get out of the way - Nat asks Chad where the place is and he tells them it's back there, they have to turn around. Katie/Rachel, "You dumb doctor." Nat's cab driver is mad at her too - "Sit down, I will drive." Nat's telling him they need to turn around. He says no. "Sir, we have to turn around." "No." (Seriously? What the hell? Is he kidnapping them, or is it just because they're women?) He finally stops and asks for directions. Jeez.
-Kevin finishes boxing and they are currently 5th. Gary, Thomas and Vicki all finish one after the other and take off for the next clue.
-Nat & Kat finally get to the boxing academy and Nat's taping up her hands.
-Brook & Claire were stuck behind a semi then they run into a herd of very large beasts, cattle or yaks?
-Connor & Jonathan have caught up to them and get Samson to pass the Shopping network girls - Awww - that made the girl's hearts drop and the boy's sing (okay, that was cheesy.)
-Nat finishes the boxing and they're hoping they get good cab mojo with this next driver. (Don't jinx it!)
-Team Glee first to the supply depot - Route Info - Teams must choose a PAIR of wheel barrows and fill them with construction supplies. Then they'll take the supplies to the primary school up the road where the foreman will give them their next clue (provided they've brought the correct supplies.)
-2 wheel barrows, 1 bag of concrete, 2 bricks, 2 shovels, 2 brooms, 2 trowels, 2 scrapers - and Team Glee are off. It's hot and heavy but they get to the school and get the next clue...
-POP QUIZ - Africa is the 2nd largest continent on Earth and the teams' biggest challenge may be figuring out where they are... they have to sit in with an African geography class and correctly locate/label Ghana on the map - Once they get it right they'll get their next clue.
-Connor & Jonathan both give it a try but they keep choosing the wrong countries - it was embarrassing for them not to be able to locate the country that they were in, they're sure they'll get some ribbing from their Princeton schoolmates when they get home.
-Brook & Claire finally get to the supply depot and apparently don't know what a pair is because they head out with only one wheelbarrow (Arrghh! Read the clue!)
-Jonathan finally correctly labels Ghana on the map and they get the clue for the DETOUR - Bicycle Parts or Language Arts.
-In Bicycle Parts they must learn a popular pass time of the local children - rolling a bike rim pushing it with only a stick - they have to go the length of a soccer field and back without letting it fall.
-In Language Arts - they choose a proverb with 8 highlighted phrases - each phrase corresponds to a certain symbol in a native visual alphabet - they will then go to a large cloth and they have to locate all their symbols in the correct order, circling them like a word search puzzle, to get their next clue.
-Connor & Jonathan choose Language Arts - they choose a rolled up proverb, Connor says, "In Phil we trust." then look for the decoder key - they find it around the corner of the school on the end of the building. They find their 8 symbols - kidney beans, ladder, crazy... they looked for the one symbol that struck the eye then looked for their other symbols around it...
-Brook & Claire get to the foreman and he tells them they have to go back - Claire realizes they need another wheel barrow and they have to take it all back with them (Really? That would totally suck!)
-Kevin & Michael arrive and start getting their stuff - Katie & Rachel are right behind them - Rachel says they need a pair of wheel barrows- Katie says she doesn't think they need 2, Kevin & Mike don't have 2 - Rachel, "Well, they're idiots." (Rachel telling it like it is - Does no one know what "a pair" means?)
-Brook & Claire pass Kevin & Michael on the road, they see they only have one wheel barrow but Brook says not to say anything. They tell them they forgot something but stay mum on the wheelbarrow.
-Nat & Kat having more cab problems - they've pulled over and the driver is checking the engine... Over-heating? He says it's okay and they getting moving again. (Bad puck-luck Jim.)
-4 teams get to the supply depot - Gary & Mallory, Chad & Stephanie, Jill & Thomas and Nick & Vicki.
-Kevin & Michael get to the foreman who tells them they need 2 trucks (wheelbarrows) Kevin - the girls didn't tell us (of course they didn't, it's a race man.)
-Next 4 teams are all loading up their supplies - these teams know what a pair of wheelbarrows is but Vicki misreads the bags of concrete and they take off with 2.
-Rachel & Katie get to the foreman and he turns them back - they need 2 trowels (only had one) and they have to take it all back with them... argh! That'd piss me off. Rachel knows Katie being short with her isn't an attack - it's just what they need to do - good having that team mate relationship already developed.
-Connor & Jonathan find the symbols and circle them - one of the school girls gives them their clue and Connor hugs her (she looks like she'd really rather he not touch her - perv.) They get the clue to the Pit Stop! It's a rural farm of a local villager where they have to go by foot on the marked path.
-Connor & Jonathan find the marked path easily and are team #1! They won $5K each.
-Brook & Claire pass Kevin & Michael who are now heading back - Kevin sarcastically thanks them for telling him (they don't even notice - just focused on trying to get the heavy stuff to the school.)
-Brook & Claire get the clue and head into a geography class - Brook has no idea where Ghana is.
-Nick & Vicki get to the foreman and he turns them back because they have 2 bags of cement... and Nick turns into a Grade A a**hole. He starts yelling at Vicki - Good job reading - she apologizes but he doesn't want to hear it, takes off without her - your sorries won't keep us from coming in last. (I would kick him in the butt and tell him he's doing all the reading from now on... what a jerk!)
-Gary & Mallory get the clue from the foreman and head into a geography class. The school conditions make Mallory appreciate the freedom, luxury and justice they have in the States. Dad knows his Africa and labels Ghana right off - they get the next clue and decide to do the Bike Rim.
-Kevin & Michael, Chad & Stephanie, Thomas & Jill all get the clue from the foreman and head into geography classes.
-Gary & Mallory are watching the kids rolling the bike rims - Gary picks it up quickly, Mallory is praying to Jesus to help her... (I think he has bigger things to worry about - like all the injustice in the world.)
-Katie & Rachel get back to the foreman and rudely demand, "Can we have our clue." (I just can't like these two - they are not nice girls.)
-Nat & Kat finally get to the supply depot and they can read so they have no problems - Nat thinks it's too easy, worried they've missed something. (She better not ask all the turned back teams if they thought it was too easy.)
-Chad, Thomas & Katie find Ghana quickly on the maps - Brook (Bammer) finally correctly locates Ghana - they all decide to do Language Arts.
-None of them can figure out what they need to do - Claire sees a group of eight children playing close by and thinks they are the eight figures they have to circle so they go over and start drawing a circle in the dirt around the ring of children (I think this freaks the poor kids out - crazy white people are herding them...) and to make matters worse - the other teams start copying these lunatics - Chad & Katie are also drawing a circle in the dirt around some kids (Hahahhaah!) Finally Brook looks over at the school building and notices the huge symbol map on the wall... Ohhh, maybe the children have nothing to do with it - ya think?
-Thomas is the only one trying to find the decoder key - grabbing the kids schoolbooks and dropping them on the ground (classy) when they're not the key. Katie & Rachel can't figure it out and decide to switch tasks.
-Kevin finally finds Ghana on the map and they get the Detour clue - also head out for Language Arts - also have no luck with it.
-Nat & Kat finally get to the school and have all the supplies right, they head into a geography lesson.
-Chad & Stephanie finally decide to change tasks and head out for the Bike Parts.
-Vicki & Nick are in the geography class and she can't find Ghana, Nick is being his sunny self, "Are we really that stupid?" (Yes, yes, you are! Plus she's the only one doing anything, he's just complaining - I really would have smacked him I think.) Vicki finally gets the right country and they head out to do Bike Parts.
-Nat & Kat find Ghana right away and are going for the Language Arts.
-Volleyball girls doing the rims - Chad does it pretty easily, and is enjoying how carefree the kids are.
-Nick can't do the bike thing and he continues to tantrum - he throws the rim and gives up - yelling at her to shut up and do the task for them. She has asthma and starts having an attack, he finally realizes that he needs to calm down and help her through it - (No, still not making up for being such a jerk all day.)
-Brook & Claire still can't figure out the Language Arts and finally give up - switch to the bike rims.
-Nat & Kat give up quickly on the Language Arts - change to the bicycle parts.
-No one but the first team ever found the decoder key - Thomas even walked around the building to look at them all doing the other task and stood in front of the key but didn't see it...
-Kevin & Dad finally decide to switch too, Kevin is worried about his Dad doing the running but they don't have a choice at this point.
-Nat & Kat finish their two passes with the bike rims and get the clue to the Pit Stop but they totally miss the marked path and can't find the house...
-Michael can't continue with running under the beating sun - Kevin is urging him to not give up but they end up having to call medical help for him, get him hydrated and cooled down - he feels so bad, and wants to teach his son that he has to finish what he's started so Kevin walks him through his last pass with the rim...
Here's How they Finished:
1) Connor & Jonathan - going to use their $5K to buy maps of Africa.
2) Gary & Mallory - nothing broke down today. (Maybe I've underestimated the bubbly blonde girl.)
3) Chad & Stephanie - Woo! (eloquent)
4) Katie & Rachel - (phooey)
5) Nick & Vicki - He finally feels bad about his behaviour - she's a good teammate - didn't deserve his attitude today (Ya think?)
6) Brook & Claire - Phil tells them they are going to come back to the school tomorrow (all of them) and do some renovating of the classrooms - they all think that's awesome.
7) Jill & Thomas - happy they're still there.
8) Nat & Kat - Think it will be awesome to help renovate the school.
9) Michael & Kevin - Last team to arrive - **NON-ELIMINATION LEG** Kevin says that's why you don't give up, Michael is so happy they'll still have the chance to visit more places together. They will have a Speedbump to complete next leg.
So, no one was eliminated this week - and it was an especially happy Thanksgiving for the non-eliminated Bob L, Sharon R, Denise R, Sue & Hannelore and Gillian H.
Have a great (short) week everyone,
Coleen
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