Survivor Redemption Island - April 27th Episode Recap

A Mystery Package

So, we have three people on Redemption Island, the perennial Matt, Mike and Julie who was sent there possibly because she stole Phillip's swim trunks and really, I would want to punish someone who made me look at him in the saggy underpants all day.
And the episode opened at:

Murlonio - Night 27

-Once back in camp Steve approached Phillip right away to bury the hatchet so-to-speak, shook his hand and said there was nothing racist in the crazy comment, he just thought he was crazy.
-Phillip smiles and shakes his hand but tells the camera that he didn't believe it was "genuous" and found his speech self-serving.  Phillip says [Steve] mocked me a number of times so he will probably go next.  (Yup, his ego is bruised, nothing more.)
-Steve thinks everything is good - he's going to keep plugging away and hopefully Rob will see something he wants to keep around in him or Ralph and cut Phillip loose.
-Rob says Phillip is not going anywhere - as long as he keeps up his antics, he's going with Rob to the finals.
(Could backfire if they end up with three in the end - If I had to suffer through a month with Crazy-pants because of Rob wanting to keep him around - I wouldn't vote for either of them - congratulations #3.)

Murlonio - Day 28

-Phillip is on a quest for his shorts - he had a premonition, his great, great grandfather came to him in a dream so he headed out for the water hole and started digging under rocks - and he found his trunks... (Oh man, he's going to be insufferable...) You can't stand the truth... I'm the specialist alright.
-He can't wait to show up at the duel with his shorts on!  Just to rub it in her face - yup, he's a winner.

Redemption Island - Day 28

-Matt has been on a downward spiral since he was sent back to Redemption Island - Mike and Julie feel for him - she slept better than she has since she's been there, feels like a weight is lifted being away from camp - they speculate on how the betrayal of his former tribe has shaken Matt, who's running on faith alone.
-Matt is seeing single footprints in the sand as God has been carrying him for the last 4 days (if you don't get that reference Google "Footprints in the sand") - he is crying, he's so over this game.

Duel (everyone is there again to witness the duel)

Matt - 21 days out here, only 7 days in the regular game of Survivor - where are you at right now?
-Matt says he's at peace.  He thought if he could keep winning he'd honour his God, but God told him he'd honored him enough and hit him with a whole lot of peace - if he stays or goes, he's at peace with that.
(Rob likes hearing that - he knows he's broken him.)
It sounds to me like you're ready to go home.
Yeah, I'm going to do my best in the challenge but I feel like I've accomplished what I came here to do and whatever happens, I'm ready for it.  (Julie shakes her head - where's the fight?  Don't let the dark side win!)

-Today's duel is Survivor Shuffleboard: each person has their own shuffleboard and three pucks.  The goal, shoot their pucks through the obstacles on the board and into the end zone.  First two with all three pucks in the end zone stay on Redemption Island - loser is the next member of the jury.
-Mike only person to get first puck in the end zone - he gets the second one there too - Matt nothing - Julie gets one - Matt finally gets one - Mike misses the third - Julie misses.  Matt has 2, Mike has 2, Julie has 1.
-Andrea catches Matt's eye and he gives her a look - she's genuinely confused, "I think he's pissed at me." (Really?  I can't imagine why - you answer to your higher power, too - Rob.)
-Matt is the first to get 3 pucks in the end zone...  God is not finished with him yet. 
-Mike short - Julie lands one in the end zone but knocks her other one out... Mike gets a 3rd one in the end zone and Julie has to burn her buff.

Jeff asks how long Jesus fasted ... 40 days - interesting our game is 39 days (Did he really just liken Matt to Jesus?  Hahaha... wow.)

Jeff asks Julie why she was out there and we finally learn something about her - Like many Americans her house is in foreclosure and she wanted to make a better life for her girls (oh, she has kids too.) She tears up and it touches some of the Ometepe who probably realized, like me, that they knew nothing about Julie - but her smile is not gone long (she really is a positive person) - she says Matt's faith has inspired her to find a church when she gets home.  She shouts "Peanut Butter and Oatmeal" as she tosses the buff in the fire and make her exit - (You bet!  Celebrate food instead of crying about losing - Julie's awesome, what a great attitude.)
But with Julie joining the jury - that means Gillian H, Hannelore & Sue and Drew C are out of the pool.

-Andrea tells the camera she's like glad that Matt's not out and if he like gets back in she'd like totally want to talk to him but like, he can't ever trust her again in this game - like why would he... (Like, OMG, I'm old.)

Murlonio - Day 28

-Andrea is like telling the other girls that she feels bad for playing Matt the hardest - she feels guilty for helping to break his spirit.
-Grant is talking with Rob and says he doesn't trust Andrea, she's feeling sorry for Matt - she hasn't learned (to keep her mouth shut, obviously) and Grant thinks they should get rid of her next.  Rob doesn't think that's necessary at this point but you never know.

Immunity Challenge - Day 30

Log Roll - they will be teamed up with another tribe mate and they have to roll them off the log - first one to hit the water is out - winner moves on - last person standing on the log in the last round wins immunity.
Also playing for reward - Huge chocolate cake and ice cold milk... and a twist he will tell them about later (ooh.)
First match-up:  Grant vs Rob - Winner: Grant
Next : Andrea vs Ashley - winner: Ashley
Next: Ralph vs Steve - winner: Ralph
Last: Natalie vs Phillip - winner: Phillip (really?  She's a 90lb dancer and she can't stay on the log?)

Next round - Grant vs Ashley - winner - Grant
Then: Ralph vs Phillip - winner - Ralph!  (yay)

Final round: Grant vs Ralph - Come on Man-sweater!  But alas - GRANT is the winner of immunity and he gets to choose one person to join in for the chocolate cake... of course he chooses Rob and he gets one more choice.  Ralph says he'd lick his feet for some cake - that puts him out of the running.  Grant then chooses Andrea (oh, going to do some loyalty probing maybe.)

And the twist - Jeff throws the bundle (it looks like a book wrapped in a cloth) to Steve and tells him not to open it but to bring it to Tribal Council.

The three Reward participants sit on a bench in front of everyone and Jeff tells them they have 2 minutes to eat as much of the cake as they can (ew, really?)  They go for it and Grant keeps talking - don't talk just eat.
-Grant tells the camera he chose Andrea to share in the reward to put her at ease because if it comes up and they have to get rid of one of their own, it's going to be her.

Back at camp - they are all speculating about the twist.  They think it feels like a large deck of cards - could it be you pick a card and you're going home... is it vote for one person and then have to vote another.
- Ralph is talking to Steve but, like me, he can't understand what the hell he's saying.  (I wonder if Julie was the translator?)  Ralph is disappointed in himself for not winning immunity - he thinks he's on the block tonight and hopes the twist will be good news for him.  Steve is just done, he's starving and has no energy.
-Rob says he sees that Steve is done, he's not going to cause any trouble but Ralph still has his head in the game - Ralph has to be the next to go.
-But Rob is worried about this twist - he wants to hedge his bets - he tells Ashley and Natalie that he and Grant talked about Andrea and if the twist means they have to vote someone else out, after Ralph - it's her.
-Of course, they'll do whatever he says - Rob is so smart and like he's played before...

-Steve approaches Lazy & Lazier (Ashley and Natalie) and tells them he and Ralph are voting for Rob tonight - if they want to turn the game upside down they could do it - Rob's going to start picking them off one by one (like Andrea) and he'll take Nimrod (no guesses who that is) with him to the final - no one will vote for Nimrod. 
-Okay, thanks, we'll consider it.  (He might as well have been talking to a wall - I don't see any independent thought from those two.)  They run and tell Rob - obviously we didn't entertain it. 
-Rob is pissed now - looks like Steve found his second wind - go to my alliance and try to get me out... Rob may be changing his plan if Steve is going to be a problem.

Tribal Council
Rob, is the plan to vote Zapatera again tonight?
-Most likely, unless there's something we don't know about.
Steve, you feel this group is unbreakable?
-Yeah, we tried to stir it up and raise havoc.  We've approached various groups and told them who we're voting for if they want to jump on board, it could be huge tonight.
Andrea, Steve does make a good point at most you have 2 more votes, at a certain point it does make sense to make a move.
-It does make sense strategically but I feel safe we are rock solid (Rob can't hide a little smirk there).
-Ralph thinks it's going to be him tonight - he went farther in the challenge today.
-Steve agrees, in a tired voice, that Ralph is stronger, he thinks it'll be Ralph.
That's the right thing to say if you're Steve and you want to stay.
-Grant says he isn't buying that Steve is giving up, he played in the NFL, he's not a quitter.
-Phillip chimes in as well, he recognizes that Steve's not as feeble as he appears, thinks he's saving it for the right challenge.
Jeff gives Steve one last chance to plead his case.
-He wanted to remind the girls that after he and Ralph are gone it could get brutal.  Boston Rob once begged a guy to save his girl Amber then turned around and voted him out the first chance he got.
Jeff fills them in that he used Lex to keep his alliance with Amber safe then slit his throat - but he kept his alliance with Amber to the end... and beyond.
-Andrea says you can look at it both ways, Rob has kept his word in the past and he's broken it.  She trusts him.
-Rob is tight lipped - he just says he still has the alliance with Amber to this day. (You get no loose-lipped soliloquies from Rob - there is no monologuing from this villain.)

Time to Vote:
Grant goes up to vote and back at the council, Steve is sitting right in front of Rob and he starts whispering to Natalie at the far end - Let's do it... let's do it. (He can hear you, you know... I don't think he cares... it's the Hail Mary play from the ex-NFL-er.)

Tallying the Votes:
Rob 1, 2
Ralph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - Man-sweater is heading to Redemption Island.  Jeff snuffs his torch and Ralph almost forgets to take it. 

Now, let's get to the TWIST:  Steve opens the parcel and there are cards - Jeff tells him to flip over the first card and read it - You will now compete in your next immunity challenge, then immediately vote out one more tribe member. (Huh, they nailed it... sort of.)

Immunity Challenge #2
Jeff hands out bundles of cards to everyone, they look through them to get familiar with them and Jeff explains it's a memory challenge.  He will show them a series of cards that match the ones they have - they have to repeat the series back to him correctly to stay in the challenge - get it wrong you're out - last person standing wins immunity from the next vote they will have immediately following.
-First out is Phillip and Natalie on the 4th symbol - Grant and Andrea are out on the next symbol - Steve and Ashley are out on the next symbol and ROB win Immunity.
-Grant gives an exaggerated wink to Andrea... oh man.

Tallying the Votes #2
Grant 1
Steve 1, 2, 3, 4... And they didn't make it exciting in any way - I think the producers just wanted to put Zapatera (and us) out of their misery with this twist.  Now let the backstabbing begin!

Next week - Ometepe has to start turning on itself, there looks to be tears from the girls - like Rob's looking for a volunteer to go (right.)  There is a harrowing challenge that leaves them all depleted and Rob says, "32 days of hard work, gone just like that."  (Oooh, what could that mean?)

Redemption Island -
Ralph joins Mike and Matt - Ralph says he sees the light at the end of the tunnel now - "if one of the Zapatera guys can get back in the final he'll win, and I aim for it to be me."
They're speculating that Steve has lost about 40lbs when, speak of the devil, who should appear? - Steve!

Have a great rest of the week everyone - Oh, and GO CANUCKS GO!

Coleen

The Amazing Race Unfinished Business - Mini Recap of Apr 22/11 episode

We're Good American People (Switzerland)

I was on the Island visiting the folks this weekend and honestly don’t have the heart to re-watch this episode to do the full recap – so I’m doing a mini-recap from memory…

The teams headed out from Vienna, Austria via train to Liechtenstein – one of the smallest countries in the world. Gary & Mallory were saved last leg as it was a non-elimination round so they will face a Speed Bump this leg – and they stayed up all night watching the scenery because it was such beautiful country. Okay, I love the fact that they want to enjoy the travel and experience the places… but you need to sleep- jeesh.

Once in Liechtenstein everyone grabs a cab, the cowboys were the first team out – they get the clue to the ROADBLOCK – they find out one team member must ride a moped the length of Liechtenstein following a map and counting the kilometers – once they get to the end point, they must tell the Olympic athlete (I guess this little country still sends people to the Olympics) the total kms (22km) to get the next clue.

Jet is the first one out, followed by Flight Time, Justin, Jen, Vyxsin… Out on the road Jet says this reminds him of Dumb & Dumber – Ha, yeah, on the mopeds with the helmet – classic.

The Speed Bump is also there – Gary & Mallory must determine the mixture of gasoline to oil to fill the moped’s tank correctly… Mallory’s never been good at numbers… but they do figure it out relatively quickly and Gary heads out on the moped.

Jet and Flight Time get a little lost, they can’t figure out the map. Justin is magic with the maps and getting places- have you noticed that? They never seem to get lost, Justin has a great internal compass and map reading skills (or he has a GPS chip in his head… hmm.) Jen is usually pretty good with maps too and she’s riding along strong… doesn’t notice the map fly out of her pocket – uh oh. And Vyxsin is showing her usual map skills – she can’t make heads or tails of it and is stopped half the time spinning it around trying to figure out where she is and where she needs to go.

Jen notices she’s lost the map and can’t find it but she does run into Justin and says she’s good with a map if he’ll share they can help each other out – of course he lets her tag along.

Lost or not, Jet is the first one to the end point but he tells the guy 35kms – Wrong. He has to go back to the start and do it over again. Dang it!

Justin is the next person to the end, and he has the correct 22kms – Jen, being with him heard his count and she gets it right as well… They head back to pick up their partners and run into Flight Time along the way – he asks them what the number is so he won’t have to do it again… and they tell him – then they tell Vyxsin and Gary as well – WHAT?! CHEATERS! I am so disgusted… urgggh.

So everybody finishes it the first time and Jet had to do it twice – he gets the correct km count the second time but they are now pretty far behind the rest of the teams… who have now moved on to Switzerland… and caution – there is a Double U-Turn Ahead – Oh for gravy sakes!

In Switzerland Zev & Justin and Jen & Kisha are the first teams to get the clue for the DETOUR – Cheese or Whiz…

-In Cheese – they have to eat a whole huge pot of cheese fondue – so hunks of bread dipped in melted Swiss cheese – they have to eat all the cheese to the bottom of the pot (makes me feel queasy just thinking about it) to get the next clue.

-In Whiz – they have to dress in bellman’s outfits and deliver 20 pieces of luggage to 5 different hotels – the luggage is all labeled with certain hotel names so they have to make sure they get the correct mix of bags to make up the correct total of hotels and bags – at each hotel they have to collect tickets for the bags and once finished present the 20 tickets to the bag handler to get the next clue.

-Justin was leery of another eating challenge but Zev says he’s hungry and he’s ready to tackle the cheese. Surprisingly Jen & Kisha decide to go for the cheese too – which I thought strange, both of these teams tried and failed the schnitzel challenge last leg. And the girls realize pretty quickly that there is no way they were going to be able to eat that whole pot of cheese – they decide to switch tasks. Justin wants to abandon it too – but Zev won’t let him – we’re in too deep now – Justin is not too happy but he keeps choking it down.

-The sisters start on the baggage delivery – they get their uniforms and their cart – load up with some luggage and head out trying to find the hotels.

-The rest of the teams come in one by one – and everyone is doing the luggage delivery – Kent & Vyxsin, Gary & Mallory, the Globetrotters… meanwhile Justin has had to go outside and puke his guts out – nice. While he’s out on the balcony with a bucket Kisha & Jen ask him how it’s going – Just throwing up… don’t mind me.

-Kent is whining as usual, everything is too heavy and hard – bicker, bicker, bicker – I’m just sick of everyone at this point – they are all horrible cheaters.

-Zev & Justin, persevered and actually made it through the pot of cheese to get the next clue. They are in first place – Way to go boys - they head out and get to the double U-Turn board- they decide not to U-Turn anyone. Almost makes me like them again… almost.

-The Cowboys show up and jump right in to delivering the luggage – that is their best hope of catching up, they are good on their feet… run boys, run.

-Kisha & Jen finish with their deliveries and get the next clue – at the U-Turn they also forego U-Turning anyone.

-Kent & Vyxsin and Gary & Mallory also finish their deliveries and don’t U-Turn anyone… I’m still really not happy with any of you cheaters.

-The Globetrotters run into some trouble when they go to hand in their tickets… they only have 18, Flight Time lost 2 tickets… come on Cowboys – here’s your chance. The Globetrotters have to grab two more bags to deliver so they can get 20 tickets.

-The Cowboys are almost done with their deliveries but the Globetrotters finish first and hit the U-Turn board – and guess what… They U-Turned the Cowboys – YOU BASTARDS!

-Jet and Cord finish delivering the bags and see they’ve been U-Turned – meaning they have to go now eat a whole pot of Swiss cheese to add insult to injury. And I’m done with this season – I hate everyone left in the Race. I don’t care who wins –they are all cheaters.

Here’s How I think the finished:

1) Zev & Justin – they won something – they’ve also come in first more than any other team this season. (How do you feel about your team now Denise?)
2) Jen & Kisha
3) Kent & Vyxsin – why are these two still there – so over them.
4) Gary & Mallory
5) Globetrotters
6) The Cowboys – ELIMINATED – I think the producers should have gone and told them not to eat all that cheese – they were already last, everyone had checked in… But classy to the end, the Cowboys weren’t bitter – Cord says they hit the nail on the head when they called this race Amazing – Jet says there is no one else he’d rather travel around the world with… except maybe my wife – Cord, “I don’t blame ya.”

So – with the Cowboys leaving Fred & Gary M, Shane B, Coleen T (Yeah, me), Esther B and Jeff T are all eliminated from the pools as well. Are you my bitter buddies?

I’m really bitter about this elimination, hopefully I’ll feel better next week.

Next week: They have to be lowered into a snow cave… I think… and it looks like Big Easy and Kent get into it in the kitchen. (Kent has become one of my least favourite people in the past few weeks – maybe Big Easy will just snap him in half like a twig – it could happen.)

Have a great week everyone – GO CANUCKS GO!

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - 4-20 episode recap

Rice Wars

Last episode we saw Mike and David join Matt on Redemption Island as the desperate Zapatera tribe were unable to make any inroads with the Ometepe cult. 
This episode opened at:

Redemption Island - Night 24

Matt is praying, out loud (I know I'm cynical but he is carving out his own little niche there - maybe get his own Christian/medical show after this is over... and he's starting to look more and more like Jesus... I'm just saying.)  He's taking strength from God and if He wants him to stay in the game he'll keep fighting.
-David shows up at camp and surprises Matt who's mind is blown (of course it is - God didn't tell him this was coming) and they three of them speculate on what a 3 man duel or tri-uel could mean - are they on the jury? (Oh, that could be.)

Murlonio - Day 25

Zapatera is eating rice and fish - Steven is glad he didn't end up going last night, he wasn't ready yet.  Ralph says he didn't say much at Tribal council and Steven said he couldn't, it was all taken up with Phillip flapping his gums.
-Speaking of Phillip, he's sitting by himself, retying his feather on his headband and mumble-chanting to himself.  Steven is watching him and says he just can't figure Phillip out - everything he does irritates the remaining Zapatera but the Ometepe are clinging to him like glue.  He can't imagine someone being that strange all the time.  The only hope the remaining Zapatera have is the possibility that the Ometepe tribe will get fed up with his antics. (Oh buddy, I think that ship has sailed, they went past fed up two weeks ago but he survived. Now they are using him as a weapon on you guys.)

Murlonio - Day 25

-Phillip is out on the rock chanting and meditating - he says once he got into Buddhism (huh, did we know that already?) he realized his spirit was one with every other living thing - God/Allah/Buddha will manifest itself in many ways and you just have to be open to accept that.  He says in his meditation this morning he had a premonition through his grandfather that his relationship with Rob had come to the full circle of trust and he'll be there at the end of the game.

-So, last week Rob told us he's set up the uncomfortably merged tribes to still be separated - with separate eating times and, I'm assuming, their own food supplies stayed with the separate tribes.  Julie says the Zapatera three have a lot of food - and they are gleefully eating it right in front of Ometepe.
-Phillip is watching them like a hawk and he's obviously hungry and jealous - he goes and bitches to Andrea and Rob that Julie had seven and a half (oh yes, he's counting) scoops of rice - when they, in Ometepe are lucky to get 2 scoops of rice.  Phillip contends that Julie is trying to use up their rice before they go so he takes it upon himself to even things up and goes and steals rice out of their tin - "the fact of the matter is all rice here belongs to all of us" (OMG - have your cake and eat it too - you won't eat with them or speak with them but they should share their food - give your head a shake.)  "I'm watching them like a lion - it's trivial but apparently that is the state of the Morlino tribe" (yeah, he can't get any names right, ever.)

-Steven and Julie go and get tree mail that tells them all of them are going to Redemption Island to see the duel.  I can't wait for the fireworks at next mealtime!

Redemption Island - Day 25

Matt, back to back blindsides, where is your emotional state right now?
-I never knew strangers could hurt me so deeply (ugh, man up already) shame on me for letting them fool me twice.  I'm ready to keep going if I can.

The Duel - each of them will have 150 wooden tiles - they will use the tiles to build a house of cards - the first two people to reach 8 ft stay alive - the loser is out for good and will become the first member of the jury.  (Matt looks pointedly at Rob with a smirk - Rob won't meet his gaze - coward.)

Off they go Mike has taken a huge lead - he's at 7ft, Matt has a few fall, David at 3ft.  Mike gets up on the ladder and he's almost there - his stack is teetering.... Matt and David are catching up, they are all very close to finishing.  Mike is the first to complete his 8ft tower - Matt is the 2nd to complete it and David is out.  (Burn your buff, b*tch.)
-David saw Redemption Island as a chance to further himself in the game and it didn't work out that way - he feels more focussed to tackle things in real life now though.  And with David leaving that means Carol-Anne D, Lynne B and Bryon L are out of the pool.

-Rob says they sent guys to Redemption Island they thought could beat Matt and David didn't cut it - so Matt is still in and is now officially Rob's NEMESIS - if he comes back and beats me, it's over.
-Matt has God on his side - as long as it's His will he'll stay in and try to take Rob out. (Rob is now evil in this equation - I'm seeing him more Jim Jonesy than the devil.)

Mulonio - Day 26

-Rob and Grant are singing a little ditty about RICE WARS (like d-bags) and it bites them in the *ss when Andrea opens their rice container and finds maggots and mold in there.  Phillip says they have to dump out all the rice on a blanket and take out all the bug and contaminates  - Rob doesn't see a problem - we'll just put all the rice in their container - Phillip says he wouldn't want to do that if he were them.
-Julie and Stephen are watching, they know what's going on but are largely unconcerned - Julie, "Bon Appetit".  Stephen - "wow, how nasty would that be."
-Andrea goes over and asks Steven and Julie if they can combine the rice and just put it all in their container and Stephen says, "No, I don't think so." (It's called reap what you sew m-er f-er.)
-Phillip says it's an eye opener to see how they are behaving in a survival situation (WHAT? You stole their rice and have treated them like crap... hello pot, it's the kettle calling) .
-Phillip confronts Stephen, who, to his credit, never gets up from his prone position in the shelter - and tells him that this is not a Zapatera decision, once we merged the only things separate were the rewards (right, now he's making things up) - unless you take that rice container with you everywhere you go, I'm going to take it and put the rice in it and you can come to me for rice. (So he's just going to steal all the rice and not give them any... yeah, that's better.)
-Stephen doesn't like being threatened and when Phillip says he's a reasonable man, Stephen says, you're a lunatic. (Oh no you ditn't!)
-With a stammering flourish Phillip plays the race card - "when someone of my colour gets up in one of your faces you feel I'm a lunatic"... All the Ometepe tribe is listening uncomfortably (except Rob and Grant who seem to be loving it.) Phillip rambles on ridiculously and Stephen goes from incredulous to uncaring...
-Oh, Phillip is the Chief of Counter-Intelligence now, Kung Fu expert - Stephen, "Right on brother."

-Phillip is talking to the camera now and says Stephen thinks he's better than him and he feels there is some racial undertones to it.  "They're the one's that take it to crazy.  I'm like a lot of black man, we're prepared to self-destruct at any moment and a lot do self-destruct (he pretends to pull out a gun.)"  (WHAT? Okay, I'm not black but I can't help but think that other black people do not want him to be speaking for them - ever... and even on this show, Francesca was the first person to call him crazy - I really don't think it's a racial thing.)
-Ralph comes back and Stephen and Julie fill him in on how Phillip went off about the rice.
-Phillip is back in his chair and going on again - You are going to be begging me for some rice.  Ralph is just dumbfounded, he doesn't know what to make of this, tries to defuse things but... Phillip just goes off - he's still running his mouth and he starts throwing the N-word around to boot.  (It's ugly, everyone is uncomfortable and I think Phillip knows exactly what he's doing.  It's kinda sick.)
-Stephen had to turn his back and walk away - he goes over to the fire where Rob and Grant are and quietly says, for what it's worth, we're voting for Phil tomorrow.  He tells the camera that Phil's a loose cannon and a little scary too - he thinks the tribe will be in better shape without Phil.  Talking to Julie, Stephen is saying he's unstable man, someone like that doesn't last in the CIA (he may have been a custodian in the building, he let it slip that's what he did in the army - I wouldn't be surprised at anything at this point.  Oh, and the droopy fuchsia drawers made a comeback too.)
-Rob tells the camera, he's not sure how he did it but what started as a fun little song between Grant and I, Phillip managed to make a war about white rice, racial.  At the end of the day, Phillip is going to be public enemy #1, he's still not sure who to make #2 though.  Then they throw it to Ashley saying she'd rather die then keep Phillip around. (Foreshadowing there?)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

They must build a multi-stage puzzle wheel.  On Jeff's go they must race to release a puzzle base (unscrew a round tray from a post by racing around in a circle) once they have the base free, they must race over to a table and assemble a jigsaw-type puzzle inside the round base.  The first 6 to finish will move on to the next phase where they'll put that puzzle base inside another circle and have to assemble more pieces around it to complete the wheel.  First person to get it right, wins immunity.

Off they go - Andrea is the first one to get her wheel free but they all get going on it rather quickly - Ralph and Ashley drunkenly make their way over - Rob is the first one done (Mr Puzzle Guy) Julie, Ralph, Andrea, Steve and... Grant!  (Phillip thought he had it at one point, but no.)

Next round - off they go- Steve and Andrea going quickly - Rob is right with them... and Rob completes it by seconds over Steve. ROB wins Immunity. (Dang it! I'm rooting for Steve to stay after the whole Phil dust up.) 
(Oh, I just realized that no matter what, Phillip will be on the jury.  I'm pretty sure he won't be a finalist - but he could bring the Rat v/s Snake level of speech in the finale - that should be some fun.)

Murlonio - Day 27

-It's meal time - they show Ometepe scraping the bottom of the pot and Zapatera with more rice than they know what to do with in their shelter... (I can't feel bad about that - Ometepe brought it on themselves.)
-Julie says their vote is going to be easy, there is only the three of them, they are voting Phillip and Ometepe still has the numbers so they could vote out one of theirs - it's the perfect time to get rid of Phillip.
-Julie casually walks over to the clothesline and nicks Phillips swim trunks on the way by and just keeps walking (HA HAHA - I love Julie) she goes and buries them - and we will be treated to a lot more of the saggy underwear from now on it appears.
-Phillip comes back and notices they're gone - he asks if anyone moved his swim trunks - everyone pleads ignorance - "That's okay, it can get real fun and exciting around here."
-Ashley sticks her tongue out at him like a Moari warrior, who does that? - She says to the camera that everyone at camp is over Phillip.
-Phillip goes on that he knows they were taken and he can play that game - I hope it comes up tonight, it better.  Steve says he feels threatened - You shouldn't feel threatened by me, I don't threaten, I just go off. 
Steve, That's scary.  You should be scared... (Is he even listening to what he says?)
-Phillip is prowling around like a crazy man - he's got his feather on and his buff as a loin cloth and when he picks up the machete - Steve and Ralph eye him warily... how can anyone want to keep that guy around?
-Steve is hoping that's the case and Ometepe takes the opportunity to get rid of Droopy Crazy-Pants.
-Rob says it doesn't matter who of the three Zapatera goes next - but then he does have some room to play and he doesn't know where Phillip's head is at.  One man should not have this much power on an Island, but I'm glad that I do.

TRIBAL COUNCIL

Phillip, based on what you're wearing, I'm guessing you had another meditation?
-I actually had a former ZAP (he looks over at Steve) thinking it was cute, he removed my clothes.
You looked at Steve?
-I could tell it was Steve.
This goes back to your training? 
Steve's look says I had nothing to do with it and Julie looks like the cat that ate the canary.
-Phillip - Absolutely, I confronted Steve that they were consuming all the rice and it's been all out war since.
So, Steve, Phillip is asserting that the Zapatera tribe are eating a lot more rice than anyone else - true?
-Well, as the mouths start disappearing from the Zapatera tribe we haven't had to ration as much, so we're just eating our food the way we choose to.
Andrea, the Zapatera tribe is making the argument it's not your business how much rice we eat.
-It is a little frustrating cause we'll look over and they'll have this huge bowl of rice between the three of them and our rice had maggots in the bottom of it. (Still, feel zero sympathy for them.)
Steve - And Chef here wants to make it a whole black and white thing over the rice.
What was that about?
Steve and Julie tell Jeff how Phillip threatened them and brought up the N-word.
-To his credit, Jeff remained calm and asked, Who brought up the N-word? Phillip did.
-So Jeff tried to get to the bottom of this - Phillip says he can't put it into words but he's sure that when Steve calls him crazy he's calling him the n-word.
Jeff says, I don't follow your logic, how do you get the n-word out of crazy?
Richard Pryor had the number one selling comedy album titled "That n-word is crazy." You're not black, you don't know.  Like a woman can't say when something inappropriate happens to them (Yes we can, you're not a woman you don't know.) I just know.
Okay, you say I'm not black so I don't know, how do you know what he's saying when he says crazy? (By the same logic, he's not white, he doesn't know.)
-Phillip tells the story about going to the grocery store in 1968 with his father and his father was called boy...
- Steve says he played his last 7 years in the NFL on a team that was 1/5 white – he has no line between black and white in his heart.


-So Jeff boils it down: There has been a big debate about living together which culminated with the rice. You threw an idea out that you felt was reasonable and Steve said, I don’t know, let’s figure it out, let’s talk about it – and as the argument about the rice continued – Steve said, I don’t like it – You’re crazy. And at that point you equated that with ‘You’re calling me the n-word’ and we have a whole new world we’re dealing with. Phillip agrees with that.

Okay, so now I’m caught up (Jeff is handling this so delicately, you can tell the racial thing is not something Survivor wants to mess with – normally he’d let the sparks fly but not around this hot button issue… interesting.)

Two people from different worlds had an argument, you took it one way and nobody can question the way you took it, it came from your experiences and those of people before you. Nobody knows Steve’s intentions other than Steve, nobody really knows Steve – it’s quite possible that both of you are telling the truth. That that felt very much like the n-word and he absolutely did not mean it that way – Is that a fair assessment? Yes. (Everyone agreed – situation diffused – wow, Jeff should be in international affairs or something, well done.)

So, Rob, how do you go forward at tribal council when all of this is in the context of a million dollar prize?

-It’s not easy.

You’re going to vote someone out tonight, is this going to factor in? (Oh, it looks like Phillip just realized that. Sigh… and do I have to stop calling him crazy now? Am I racist?)

-Yeah, they’re grown men, they say and feel what they want. It’s problematic but it’s real. People are going to have disagreements but at the same time I can’t imagine this not factoring into our decision.

Natalie (who? Oh yeah) How does it impact the game?

-It’s really hard for me to sit here and just listen because I feel for Steve, I don’t think that he has any prejudice in him and I feel for Phillip because I don’t know what it’s like to be an African-American man. (And, she totally didn’t answer the question… whatever.)

Okay, last question – shorts, who took them, who has ‘em? (Oh, and he went there – I thought he might let that go…)

Julie – I TOOK THE SHORTS!

Thank you.

-Nobody will ever find them, I dug a hole and buried them and a rock is on top of them (she says with Glee! <3)

If this were therapy, I’d say, very good session. And he gets a smattering of applause.

Julie as a Zapatera member you’re looking for a crack in Ometepe, maybe you just found it.

-Yeah, hopefully seeing that we would be a happy family if there wasn’t this one division (Phillip looks like he wants to eat her liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.)

Steve, clearly you’re uncomfortable being labeled as a racist. Yeah. But in a game for a million dollars would you be fine if, as a result of this argument that you were a part of, Phillip gets voted out?

-I would be happy but not for any black or white issue – we got three votes going that way and hopefully one or two others might be getting as tired of him as we are.

Phillip, if you were voted out tonight – at this moment do you believe it would be based on anything racial?

-If for some reason they felt like “Oh, we need to let Phillip go at this point in time” then the tribe has spoken… (sub-text – and they are all racist!)

Time to Vote:
Steve votes for Phil – I hope you find peace in your heart brother – nothing racial in the crazy comment.
Julie votes Phil – this has nothing to do with the colour of your skin. Phil, you are one crazy dude.
Ralph votes Phile (yes, he spelt it phile) – I hope you have a good night on Redemption Island with your underwear and your two feathers.
Phillip – gets heads shaken at him by David and Andrea as he flops up to vote in the droopy drawers – he votes Julie

Tallying the Votes:

Phillip 1, 2, 3

Julie 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – Darn it! I guess we have two or three more weeks of Phillip then. Julie says to Phillip – “I guess you’re not going to ever find your shorts.” (Yeah, rub it in as you go… did I mention I really like her?)

Next week: Phillip has his best day yet and Andrea could be scheduled for an early departure. Matt is also plumbing the darkest depths – he’s wasting away and crying – God has been literally carrying me… Awww, poor Matt – he’s spent almost his whole time out there alone, that’s got to be tough.

Redemption Island - Julie was not expecting to be the one voted out tonight she really thought it would be Steve or Ralph but she’s okay with it. This was an ugly Tribal, there is poison in that tribe and his name is Phillip. (She opted for poison instead of cancer – but it’s the same jist.) It’s kind of nice to be removed from it.
Have a great long weekend everyone,  Happy Easter.

Coleen

The Amazing Race - April 17, 2011 Episode Recap

I Cannot Deal With Your Psycho Behavior (Austria)

The episode opened in Varanasi, India where the Globetrotters are the first to depart at 2:07am - they open the clue that tells them to fly to Vienna, Austria - a city that's 40degrees colder than India - once there they must find a marked car (product placement - brand new Ford Focus) and get their next clue.
-The Globetrotters are glad to be leaving India, especially to go to Austia - where the Terminator's from... they do a bad impression - I'll be back, but not to India, hopefully.
-Zev & Justin are the next out at 2:12am - they head to a travel agency specified by the clue and say they want the same thing as the Globetrotters, but faster.
-Kisha & Jen head out at 2:53am - they are enjoying running the Race together - they've always been close as they were raised by a single mom, they have each other's backs- there is not getting rid of blood.
-Gary & Mallory -3:30am - Mallory doesn't seem to happy to be going somewhere cold - she's also nervous because it was the 8th leg that did them in the last time (flashback to them lost in Oman and her praying) She says, "The finish line is fresh in our minds and we'd like to be the ones running not on the sidelines clapping."
-Cowboys - 3:35am - feel they dodged a bullet on the last leg but they're not sure if they can do it again.  The closer they get to the end, the less room there is for mistakes.  The Cowboys are about ready to get out of India - Jet, "I'm done playing cowboys and Indians."
-Kent & Vyxsin - 3:44am - They're the only dating couple left - a romantic relationship is something different, it can just get to a point where you just want to yell, "Get away from me." (I'm sorry, but I don't believe they are dating... longtime friends yes, romantic, I don't see it.)

-At the first travel agency, the Globetrotters and Zev & Justin find two possible routes to Austria, the most direct gets them in at 6:00am - the one with more connections will get them there at 5:35am - They decide to go with the earlier arrival.
-Kisha & Jen are at a different travel agency and they also book the 5:35am arrival - Gary & Mallory come in and say they want the same as them.
-The Cowboys come in to the agency where the Globetrotters et al are and learn of the two options - they say every flight they've been on in this country so far has been delayed 20 to 30 minutes and they are leery of the multiple connections - they decide to book the  more direct route scheduled to get in at 6:00am.
-Kent & Vyxsin show up at the same travel agency as the sisters et al and they are bickering, bicker bicker bicker - they book the same flight as everyone there - arriving at 5:35am (so the Cowboys have set themselves up on a later flight again - I sure hope they know what they're doing.)

Fisrt flight arrives at 5:35am as scheduled - they all run for the parking garage and choose their cars - Phil is on a screen in the cars telling them they'll get their next destination from the new My Ford Touch system - they have to put the car in reverse which will activate the back up camera and it will show them the words Schloss Schallanburg written on the floor behind them (by the way, the winners of this leg will both win a 2012 Ford Focus - which they can drive while drinking Snapple and planning a trip via Travelocity... okay, we get it, no one watches commercials anymore so they have to infiltrate the show - doesn't mean I gotta like it.)  They must now drive to the castle (Schloss Schallanburg) to get their next clue.
-Kent & Vyxsin were the first to the cars but Zev & Justin are the first out of the parking garage - they all start leaving though as they read the clue from teh back up camera.  Kent, "I love this Ford Focus." (Kiss ass.)
-Gary & Mallory can't figure out what they need to do to find the clue.  He's scrolling through the menu... Just throw it in reverse - these two need to learn to listen.
-The Cowboys flight has landed and they are heading to the garage.
-Gary & Mallory reset and listen to Phil again - they go back to the starting position and finally figure out the clue - well, she writes down Schallanburg Schloss - but that should get them there.

-The Cowboys are the last to head out - they get the clue and know there is no one behind them - they can't make any mistakes.

-Justin & Zev, the Goths and Kisha & Jen stop at a gas station to get a map and ask directions - the same guy shows them all where they need to go on the map and Vyxsin said she knew where they needed to go (I wouldn't hold my breath though.)
-The Globetrotters get directions from a hotel (it looked like) they guy prints them up some maps.
-Gary & Mallory get a map & directions at a gas station too - she excited they're going to a castle (I'm sure she has always wanted to be a Princess.)
-The Cowboys ask a truck driver for directions to Schallanburg (I didn't hear them mention the Schloss part though :(

-Zev & Justin are the first team to the castle - Zev doesn't like cold weather... (I think he's going to be taking over for Ron in the always complaining department.) They run through a courtyard and see a girl in medieval garb who gives them a big book that has the name of the National Library on the first page - figuring this is where they need to go, they head out.

-The Goths and the Sisters get to the castle and they get the books - head out.
-The Globetrotters get to the castle - get the book, take off.
- Gary & Mallory get there and get the book and head out for Vienna.
- The Cowboys, bringing up the rear, get the book too - Cord says they've been making a habit of starting in last and you can't do that and expect to win a million dollars. (Don't get down on yourselves, just get better!)

-Kent is driving and missed the first turn - blames her for not telling him in time - she tells him to stop being a kid... Uh, oh, I've been on one of those car rides before - it doesn't end well.

-Zev & Justin arrive in Vienna and find the library - they go in and hand the book to a guy with a bookshelf backpack - he climbs a ladder and picks their clue from the stacks - DETOUR - Long Hard Walk or Quick And Easy Meal (oh jeez, the eating challenge is never quick and easy)
-In The Long Hard Walk - they must head to a museum - the former office of Sigmund Freud - and working together carry an analysts couch one mile to the University of Vienna where Freud once studied and later lectured - once they deliver the couch, they'll receive their next clue.
-In Quick and Easy Meal - teams head to the Wiener Riesenrad - a giant ferris wheel made famous in the Orson Wells film The Third Man - they will pick up two local meals and enter a dining car, then accompanied by local Viennese music - they must eat all the food in one 12 minute revolution of the wheel (That is big plate of food - wiener schnitzel, salad and a large slice of chocolate cake) - ouch.
-Zev & Justin decide to eat the food.
-Jen & Kisha are the next one's there - they decide to eat as well but Jen is a little worried.
-The Globetrotters and the Goths show up but I don't know if they go in the wrong door - they can't find where to get their clue and are lost in the library.
-Gary & Mallory get there and get the clue no problem - Gary wants to do the eating challenge - he says he'll eat his and half of hers... oh no, that doesn't sound like a good plan.
-The Globetrotters figure it out and find the clue, they're going to do the couch. (I wonder if Big Easy remembers it was Freud that proved their undoing the last time they raced.)
- Flight Time stops to pee on the building (nice) and the Goths run right by - they get the clue and also decide to do the couch.

-Jen & Kisha are the first team to the ferris wheel - Zev & Justin are right behind them.  The girls get their food and hump in a car - that is a lot of food!
-Zev & Justin get theirs, enter a car and just start stuffing - Zev says "right away we were like sweating... that's a lot of schnitzel."
-Mallory doesn't seem too worried about this challenge - says her Dad's going to help eat hers and he eats that fast anyway.   The Globetrotters are okay throwing up if it gets them through this.

-Back on the Ferris wheel Jen wonders what happens if they don't finish in 12 minutes? (Good question - I bet they have to go again with a new plate) - Kisha says, don't even think like that, we're going to finish - they are half way through and slowing down.
-Zev is realizing this was a terrible idea - I hate wiener schnitzel!  They belch to make room and try to get a second wind...
-The girls don't finish all the food by the time the ride is over and find out they will have to try and eat a whole new plate of food if they go again - Oh hell no.  They are switching tasks and have to go find the museum.  Gary & Mallory run by them when they are leaving and ask if it's hard - Jen says "It's food" and Kisha says, "Y'all will be alright." (Uh, I don't think so - hahaha - the sisters have an evil streak.)
-Zev & Justin finish less of the food than the sisters did and they agree to pretend like they finished it if they see another team - they pass Gary & Mallory and tell them it was delicious, go get it!  (Oh, so mean.)
-Mallory says she is going to finish it - she's not taking in all these calories for nothing!

-The Globetrotters have finally found the Sigmund Freud museum and go pick up the couch - they have no idea the significance of the couch - I guess he liked to relax on one... (Really?)
-Kent & Vyxsin get there as the boys are leaving and don't notice them use the dolly provided - they just try to carry the couch the whole way - (Hint, little board with wheels will make it much easier.)
-Kisha & Jen get to the museum and they're moving slow up the stairs - I'm sure the super full belly is not going to make this task any easier... Jen says she may barf on the couch.

-Gary & Mallory at 8 minutes in still have a lot of food to get through - they are trying to power through it but I don't see anyone eating that much food in 12 minutes - (it's starting to make me feel sick just watching.)  They don't make it (surprise.)

-The Cowboys have finally found the Library and get the clue to the Detour - they decide on the couch (Good Boys! Hopefully the eating people will be slowed down enough that the Cowboys can catch up.)

-Gary & Mallory are switching tasks and apologizing to each other - she says she'll throw up and try again (ugh, that's dedication) He says he's sorry he didn't listen to her.  Anytime you have to do both sides of a Detour, that's bad (and I think Gary is the master of the understatement.)

-The Cowboys know they are in last place and really have to kick it up a notch to try and catch up - they take off at a run for the museum.

-Everyone is trying to get the couches through the streets of Vienna - Big Easy slings it up on his back to get it up a hill - Kent & Vyxsin are still trying to carry the thing with the dolly on top and as usual she's doing most of the heavy lifting.  Kisha is worried about the covering dragging on the ground, Jen says "it didn't say anything about having to keep it clean."
-Zev & Justin get to the musuem and are carrying the couch down the stairs - Zev complains, "Oh my back" (see, he's the new Ron) and Justin tells him to settle down - they still have a long way to go.
-Back out on the street Kent is yelling that the couch is going to fall (more like he's going to drop it) and, fed up, Vyxsin just drops her end - Quit whining!
-The sisters decide the dolly is giving them too much trouble and pick the couch up.
-The Cowboys see Zev & Justin on the street with a couch and it was like the clouds had parted for them - All right - we're still in this.  They take off with more giddyup in their step to the museum.

-The Globetrotters get to the University and as they were carrying the couch up some marble stairs - Flight Time - who was going up backwards - had his feet slip out from under him and he landed flat on his butt on the stairs - (OUCH! I've done that - and it hurts - I bet he's going to be bruised up and sore next leg.) 
-They delivery the couch and get the next clue - Drive yourself to the city of Salzberg, go to a certain restaurant to get your next clue (they wouldn't make them eat again would they?)  Big Easy is asking who Sigmund Freud was and Flight Time tells him he used to have dreams about sleeping with his mother and stuff... (I just... I don't know what to say so I'll just leave that alone.)

-Kent is still/again whining - Vyxsin is ready to smack him.
-Jen is wondering why they have to slog this couch through the streets to some ladies office(?) when she could have just paid someone to do it. (Yeah, like this has anything to do with real life.)
-Justin is getting very little help from Zev - Justing has the couch on the dolly upright and is drapping it backwards - Zev is just walking behind him carrying pillows.  Argghh.
-The cowboys are hoofing it - Jet says it might have been faster had he laid on the couch, told Cord about his feelings and he could push me - Cord, "I don't need to know about his feelings that bad."

-Gary & Mallory finally get to the museum and pick up a couch - it's heavy - hopefully Mallory can pull her weight.

-The Goths get to the university - Kent - whine, whine, whine -the door - it's heavy - Vyxsin puts down her end and has to show him - that is where we have to go - stop whining, your attitude is bringing me down (she's getting quiet - he should just run, run away now.)  They deliver the couch and get the clue to head to Salzberg.  In the car she tells him she's proud of him but tries to explain his constant whining makes this harder psychologically (Yeah, he heard wha wha whawhawha wha... )
-Jen & Kisha get to the University and deliver the couch right behind the Goths - also get the clue for Salzberg.

-Zev & Justin - who am I kidding - Justin is still struggling to move the couch through the streets - they get tot he University and I don't think they've gone to the right place - someone tells them they have to go upstairs and they are carrying it up multiple flights... I don't think that's right.
-The Cowboys are still going great guns, they know Zev & Justin are still ahead of them but they have caught glimpses of them - the Cowboys go to the right place and are the 4th team to deliver the couch - they have succeeded to pass 2 teams.
-Once up all the stairs Zev & Justin ask again and they're told the place they need to go is downstairs - Are you serious right now?  (That would suck - anyone who knows Justin in real life had better not ask him to help them move in the near future.)  Back down the stairs they go and see they are now in 5th place.
-Gary & Mallory get the couch delivered and are currently in last place.

-Everyone is driving, driving, driving - the Globetrotters are feeling good having left the Detour in first place.
-Vyxsin tells Kent not to turn, but it says Salzberg and he takes the exit anyway - Damn it, get back over there... bicker, bicker, bicker. 
-Zev & Justin see the Cowboys on the the road and quietly pass them - well, it appears the Cowboys don't drive as fast as they run.
-The Goths are back on city streets as opposed to the highway - She tells him, "I can't handle your psycho behavior.  If we get through today, I swear, I'm  never going to speak to you again." (That's not good.)


-The Globetrotters find the clue box and get the clue for the ROADBLOCK, Who feels as lucky as can be? (Oh, that was a Mary Poppins reference - chim, chim-en-y, chim chim cheree - Love that movie.) That would be Big Easy.  -One team member will dress in a chimney sweep uniform and climb to the roof where they must use a weighted instrument to clean their chimney - once finished, they must head downstairs to the clean out door and open it to retrieve their next clue.
-I get a kick out of them always stuffing Big Easy into little costumes- this one is cute with the top hat... but he really is a very large man.
-Zev & Justin get to Salzberg and Zev is already worrying himself into a state about having to do something by himself.  The Sisters and the Goths are also there - driving around looking for the clue box.
-Out on the Highway the Cowboys are still heading to Salzberg - Gary & Mallory are also on the road behind them.

-Big Easy has climbed the roof - he had to plumb the sweep line up and down the chimney three times - he's now down in the basement retrieving his clue in a cloud of ashes. 

-Zev & Justin have found the clue box and Zev heads in to be the chimney sweep - he passes Big Easy and they confirm they're the only two teams there - for now. 
-Easy and Flight time open the clue and it tells them to make their way to the Villa Trapp - the Pit Stop for this leg of the Race. (It is the former estate of the Von Trapp family - I also love the Sound of Music... I wonder what all the references to movie musicals is advertising this episode.)
-Zev was nervous when he saw he had to use a rope for the sweeping - makes a "That's what she said" joke which was a little inappropriate with his female sweep instructor - what can you, he's awkward.

-The Sisters and the Goths both find the clue box and Kisha & Vyxsin are getting their sweeping on.  
-Zev is just finishing up when the girls get to the roof - He heads down for the clue, he and Justin read it and ask locals on the street for directions before they take off.
-The Globetrotters have stopped to ask a cab driver for directions.
-Kisha & Vyxsin both get the clue to the Pit Stop and take off in their cars.

-The Cowboys find the clue box and Cord is feeling as lucky can be - his sweep guide confirm the girls dig the uniform and Cord thinks he's found a new calling - this isn't the first time I've used a rope.

-The Globetrotters drive right past the house - it's that great big yellow mansion!

-Cord finishes the sweeping and they get the clue for the Pit Stop.

-Gary & Mallory get to the Roadblock clue box and she says Gary is feeling lucky as can be.  They head inside as the Cowboys are leaving and she asks if they're last - the Cowboys, honestly, say they haven't seen nobody (but there is only one chimney sweep left there to help them...)

-The Cowboys jump in their car and say they cannot get lost (and we all know they do tend to get lost.)

-Gary finishes the chimney sweeping and gets the clue to the Pit Stop - The Sound of Music family house?

Here's How They Finished:
1) Zev & Justin - What just happened!?!  They both win a brand new Ford Focus!
2) The Globetrotters - Big Easy is disappointed they didn't come in first.
3) Kent & Vyxsin - she says it's strange after such a hard day for them, this is the best they've ever done in the race - maybe we just have to fight more. (They laugh, but I have noticed that teams that fight do tend to do well - unless they totally self destruct.)
4) Kisha & Jen - get their a step ahead of...
5) Jet & Cord - Phil says Cord has been racing so hard his cowboy hat is dirty - when we win, I'm gonna git me a new cowboy hat.  But you're at the back of the pack - Cord acknowledges it's time to step it up or they're going to go home.
6) Gary & Mallory - I'm sorry to tell you this has put you at the back of the pack but this is a NON-ELIMINATION round.  They are still in it but will face a Speed bump on the next leg.  Mallory feels like this is their third shot at the Race and says it is a blessing that they had better do something with.  Now we gotta win. (I can't help but like Little Mary Sunshine - she has a great attitude for the Race - but as the Goths showed this leg - maybe they would be doing better if they fought a little.)

Next Week:  They head to Switzerland - Gary & Mallory get a slow cab driver - they have to ride mopeds (Jet feels like Dumb and Dumber... I'll leave that alone) and there is more eating - looks like cheese fondue. 

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - April 13, 2011 Episode Recap

The Buddy System

Quick recap: Matt returns to the game for the merge and then, too chicken to make a move, is voted back to Redemption Island. 
The episode opened at:
Redemption Island - Night 21
-Matt congratulates himself on being the most naive person ever to play the game - "Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.  I can't believe I got blind-sided twice by the same people - I feel like such a moron."  He's telling God he trusts his will, using his stupidity for your glory - blessed be his name. (Oh, now I'm sad, what if Survivor breaks his faith?  It's only a game dude, and I don't think God has a grand design for your reality TV career.)

Murlonio - Day 22
-Mike and David talking about Rob's genius move at Tribal Council - it was like straight out of a mob movie - he comes back, there is some question if you can trust him but you sit, have dinner... then take him out on a fishing boat and kill him.
-Mike congratulates Rob on the genius move, as much as he didn't like it, it was still brilliant.
-Julie's not so enthused - she feels bad for Matt and realizes how cold-blooded Ometepe is.  She feels like there is no breaking their shield and the Zapatera folk are pretty disheartened.

-Ralph approaches mean-girl blond (Ashley?) and asks her is he's 'on the chop block.' Chop block? Oh, you mean chopping block, we can't discuss anything like that.  She and useless brunette (Natalie?) are both just looking at him blankly -He throws out if they get to the top three he'll vote for them and not Boston Rob (Oh man-sweater, you're barking up the wrong tree with those two - they are Rob's mindless minions as proven by the fact that I can still barely remember their names.)  She puts him off, we haven't decided yet.
-Ralph is very aggravated - they aren't letting us play the game.
-Rob has his Ometepe people together and basically tells them no one talks to any one of them alone - he has separate shelters set up, separate eating times - he wants Ometepe to hate Zapatera - it's us vs them - and we're going to be arrogant about it - Well, I'm not, because I want their votes at the end of the day.

-Natalie is talking to Rob in the trees and asks him if Natalie told him what Ralph said to her.  Rob says no, so Natalie tells him that Ralph pulled Ashley aside and told her he would vote for her in the end and when Natalie asked if Ashley was going to tell Rob she said he didn't need to know. (Huh, maybe she does have more upstairs than I've given her credit for - she is certainly causing trouble for Ashley, making it sound like she's hiding her collusion with Ralph when Natalie was also standing right there and knows nothing's going on.) Rob is laughing to the camera, that Ralph has now ensured Natalie won't be there at the end because she didn't tell him about this - This is my game. You have to tell me everything. (With an attitude like that, I'm predicting that he's heading for a huge karma beat down.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Phillip shows up wearing a headband with a feather tied right in the middle of his forehead.  Jeff asks him if he had a collision with a hawk and Phillip, absolutely serious, says no, I had a meditation and asked for a sign - out of thin air appeared this feather. Literally, out of thin air? Out of thin air.  He said it looks good for the former O-tempo - Om-tempo tribe. (What is up with him and names? Sheesh.)

Today's challenge - they will dig down and find a club, use it to smash a suspended tile - first six to smash their tiles move on to the next phase.  They will submerge their heads in a water trough and take in a mouthful of water then crawl under the trough and spit the water into a tube - first three to fill their tube will move on to the final round where they must solve a block puzzle (odd shaped pieces that have to fit together into a step pyramid type shape.)  First person done the puzzle will win individual immunity.

Off they go - once they get the club they have to untie knots in a rope tying it down - Grant and Rob are the first done (and shower Jeff with shards - Haha) Ralph, Mike, David and Julie are the six that make it through.
Trough round - Grant seems to be a man possessed - does he know something we don't?  Grant is the first one done - Mike is the next one through and David is the third person to fill his tube.
Final round - they are all pretty close but GRANT wins immunity!  (Hmm, he really did step it up for this challenge - is it just Rob's wish to keep Zapatera from winning or does Grant have a strategy of his own?)

Murlonio - Day 22
Mike says they know it's going to be one of them tonight.  He wants to go crash their party but David doesn't want to do that.  They know there is no point in trying to turn any of the Rob Drones, he's got them so locked down.  He's like the prison guard.
-They notice that the flagpole was moved, wonder if maybe a hidden idol was buried under it - (Yeah, they're desperate at this point.)  So they start digging around the poles with their hands.
-Rob sees them digging at the flagpole and freaks out - they're digging under the flag - Ometepe takes off at a run - Phillip drops down and starts digging, Rob grabs the shovels and they come take over digging - David and Mike just stand back - amused at this point because it's pretty certain there is nothing there and they've successfully made a fool of the big man.  They hope he thinks they found an idol before he got there.
-Rob says he can't shake the immunity idol paranoia - it cost him last time he played and with Ralph playing one at the last tribal council he thinks there could be another one in play.  Mike is enjoying playing with Rob's head.

-Ometepe gathers to talk who they should vote for.  Phillip wants Ralph but Grant pretty quickly says that Mike and David are bigger threats.  Rob says they have to think about who could potentially beat Matty at Redemption Island and the girls say Mike but Phillip thinks David would have a better shot at a duel.
-Rob says he's got to gamble that whoever they vote for could have an idol or someone could give them one... he makes everyone hold hands with a buddy as they walk back to camp (Seriously?  Like they're little kids on a field trip - wow, don't drink the kool-aid kids.)

TRIBAL COUNCIL #1
Phillip's got the feather back on and Jeff says - Phillip you knew that feather would bring luck to someone on the former Ometepe tribe.
- My great, great grandfather, Crazy Single-feather (no that wasn't his name) a full blooded Cherokee, came to me in a meditation and told me that was what was going to happen.
-Ralph looks like he's getting a kick out of Phillip and David just looks confused.
Mike, there's six Ometepe and five Zapatera, you guys are in trouble right now.
-You come into a tribal council with zero options and it's not a fun situation.
Julie, do you look at these six and think, somebody is on the bottom.
-Absolutely, it's obvious who we think is on the bottom but they have no idea.
David says it's Phillip on the bottom.
-Phillip - I like being on the bottom if that's where I am, I can look up and see what's going on.  If they say, you're always gathering wood, you're always getting water - that's what I did as a child as one of twelve children and you know what, I have a new family now - as he puts his arms around Rob and Grant - they're all smiles and giggles.
-Julie seems disgusted by this little speech, David rolls his eyes.  Zapatera doesn't find it amusing in the least.
-Julie throws out, Matt thought you guys were his family too. (Oh snap! Way to go Julie.)
-Oh, if Phillips looks could kill - that took the smile off his face right quick.
So Ralph, you're trying to find the way in but right now they're just blocking everything.
 - I'm not going to give up Jeff.  If I'm still here in the morning I'm gonna push like the dickens.  I may get a feather tomorrow, you never know.
Phillip - It takes courage, determination and knowing when to hold your TONGUE to get a feather (Really? Then how the hell did you get one?)
Ralph - Oh. So you hold your tongue?  I may go out on the beach and a whole mess of feathers appear.
Mike, what do you make of Phillip's feather? (who cares about the stupid feather?)
- I think it's an insecurity thing.  That Phillip is struggling to determine who he is.
Phillip - I'm just a guy that got a college degree and became a special agent working for three separate agencies - I served in the US army and received the second highest honour you can receive in peace time...
David breaks in - Just give it up.  You sound like a lunatic.
Phillip - I don't have to give it up.  You sound like the guy on the bottom of a cesspool struggling to get out.
Stephen - Phillip never ceases to amaze me.
Phillip - keep being amazed as you sail away.
I have no idea who's being voted out tonight.  Do you former Zapatera have any idea.
David - I have a pretty good idea it's going to be one of the five of us.

Time to vote:
Steve votes Phil - You are one odd duck, brother.

Tallying the votes:
Phil - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Mike - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  - Well, that was anti-climactic. I hope cutey GI-Joe can knock out God-boy.

Murlonio - Night 22
Rob tells Phillip he's not at the bottom, he's at the top with him.  I know that, I know (Phillip is very happy with himself.)
-Rob tells the camera that TC proved to him that Phillip is turning into a very loyal soldier and he will be rewarded for that.
-Bunked down in the shelter, Phillip's innate insecurity rears it's head- What do you think of them all voting for me?  Rob reassures him - It was just frustration Phillip, you're getting the best of them.  Yeah, I got the best of them. (It's kind of sad how desperate he is for praise.)
-Rob says, Phillip's not really crazy, he's playing crazy - and he's a little crazy.  But I'm still thinking of the end game and as far as my list goes, Phillip is my number one. (Cause who on the jury will vote to give Special Agent Single-Feather a million dollars?)  He says Natalie and Phillip are coming to the final 3 with him.

Murlonio - Day 23
-Phillip says he's crazy like a fox - he knows Rob is going to want to take someone like him to the end with him but he's a smart, complex person and he's got to make something happen - but there is a time for that and now's not the time. (Do you think it might be possible that this has all been an act? Naaa.)

-Ralph is talking to David in the shelter.  He says today's the day - he's going to go over and talk to them.  David says you only get one shot and if you mess it up you won't get another try (little does he know that he's already done that.)  David tells him not to do anything stupid.

-So Ralph approaches Phillip and Andrea by the fire and wants to talk about the game.  Phillip says the tribe that stays together wins and Ralph says until the merge happens then it's one on one.  Phillip shuts him down, says he doesn't want to talk about the game with him - they're more than happy to talk about his steers, his farm... Ralph says we can talk about that any old time - here and now he wants to talk the game.
-Phillip calls his rude and is rude right back, dismissing him and going back to talking to Andrea. 
-During this whole exchange David has had one of their water canteens and is slowly pouring it out over his foot.. I'm not sure why.  He whines to the camera that they won't let them play - this is no fun.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE #2
Oh, I see a big pile o'hamburgers.  Jeff tells them, Today everyone will have an opportunity to feast on cheeseburgers.
-The challenge - They will have to hang from a bar for as long as they can (suspended above water) - after 20 minutes they will have to hang by their legs only (upside down - over water) Last person left hanging will win immunity.  Now the cheeseburgers - he gives them each a white rock and a black rock - Black rock means they want to play and white rock means screw it, I'm eating.  Steve and Phillip are the only two (and the oldest two) who have decided to eat and not play.
-The rest of the tribe get into position and Phillip and Steven get to start eating.  Rob loses his hat (oh, is it a sign? Matt would think so.) Phillip and David have a little friendly (or not so friendly banter) Rob is already struggling, he flips all the way around and is the first to fall.  He gets to sit and watch and smell.
-20 minutes elapses and they have to move to legs only.  Everyone is hanging - David and Ralph are on one leg with the other crossed over the foot - Julie whispers, "I can't do this." and she falls (Oh! Power of positive thinking... I like Julie, I wish she could have hung in.)
-Grant and Ralph are the next two to drop - the heaviest - David is the last Zapatera and the last guy left hanging - the light women will have an easier time of it but they are all struggling at 45 minutes in... and David is the next one out.
-Andrea says to the other two that she really wants this one - and they give it to her.  Ashley and Natalie both drop and Andrea wins immunity.

Murlonio - Day 24
-Returning from the challenge Rob is happy that his side won - he doesn't want Zapatera to have any momentum, any power - and they don't, they all look totally defeated.  Rob has gotten his wish.
-Ralph sees the net just laying out and decides to go check if there's any fish.  He sends up the cry that there are a ton of fish - bring a basket.  Rob, having to be in control of everything asks if the fish are alive or dead.
Ralph says they're all dead and Rob tells them they can't eat them - they're no good. 
-Ralph says whatever - I'll eat them.  Julie is disgusted - his people are all soft - if Rob had found the fish, he'd let his people eat them but he won't let them take anything from Zapatera.

-So Zapatera is feasting, right beside the starving Ometepe.  Rob says he's running his tribe like the army and he's the general - they will do as they're told.
-Grant is starving, he says he's his own man and he'll make up his own mind and he goes over and takes a little pinch of some fish.  Rob is on him right away, calling him away... and he goes (yeah, really showed him there Grant.)
-Zapatera can't believe the power Rob holds - it's cult-like.  He's shown with Matt that you show any sign of straying, he'll cut your head off - and they are all under his spell of fear.

-Rob is deciding who to vote out tonight and it's between David, the strategical player and Steve - the old T-Rex who doesn't want to be there anymore.   Rob says he's been known to have a mercy killing in him from time to time.

Tribal Council #2
Phillip, same feather?  Have you had more meditations?
-That's part of it but it's also that for the first time in 22 seasons there is a beauteous and glorious operations going on - it's known as Stealth-R-Us - and I'm known as the Specialist.  My main mission is to infiltrate and plant inceptions in the Zapatera tribe (Oh for goodness sakes - he's pouring it on a little too strong this time.)
Boston Rob - the Mentalist - has the responsibility to develop strategies for challenges and build alliances that are impervious and Grant - the Destroyer of Aspirations - better known as the Assassin and he forgot to mention the Three Degrees that are agile and able to focus their minds like they did today.
(Ometepe is finding this all amusing - Julie just face-palms.)
Wow, Ralph, pretty tough to beat, Stealth-R-Us.
-Yeah, do you think his grandfather told him to sit on the bench and eat hamburgers today? (Oh, Phillip didn't like that.)
I guess the argument would be do Stealth-R-Us care?
Phillip -I think it's pretty clear that my tribe-mates know what I bring to the table and yes it was difficult for them to see me do that today but they know where my heart is - so today, I ate and I make no apologies for that.
Steve, how bout you?  What was the rationale in you sitting out today when you need immunity more than ever?
-It's just not my thing.  I'd last a short amount of time so I made the decision to take the food and hope for the best.
Phillip, do you see any of the Zapatera's trying to find a crack in the Stealth-R-Us organization? (Do you have to validate him by calling it that? Ugh.)
-They are doing what they can to try to make that happen but our alliance is so strong - we have a buddy system and it's highly effective.
A buddy system?
Julie - they are never alone. Never.  They are always with somebody else.  Rob has complete control over them. (Oh yeah, you go - Rob is looking fricken' laser beams at her.) It's not even a tribe, it's a cult. (Did I mention that I love Julie?)  There was some awkward shifting from Grant there.
David, everyone on Zapatera's got to be thinking one thing - as long as it isn't me tonight, correct?
-There's that definitely that but the numbers as they are now, are pretty insurmountable.  You also have to look at the other aspect of the game - Redemption Island - and maybe it's better to try and advance yourself that way. (Hmm, I think I smell the boys thinking that one over.)

Time to Vote:
They don't show us how anyone voted.  Except David who wrote: Rob Rob Rob Rob (Please count this as 4 votes.)  Hopefully this works. (Hahaha - nice try.)

Tallying the Votes:
Rob 1, 2, 3, 4 (David's paper only counted as one - darn it.)
David 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - Again - nothing shocking there.  I hate when the pick off starts happening - it gets boring.  I wonder what's going to happen with three people guys at Redemption Island next week?

Next Week: Phillip take issue with Steve calling him crazy - Phillip plays the race card - calls Steve crazy.  (Ah, it's starting to wear thin - maybe he could keep the crazy in his pants for a little while... which makes me realize, he's not rocking the fuchsia jockey shorts anymore - I wonder if there was just too much wardrobe malfunctioning going on and not enough eye bleach to go around.)

-David's final thoughts - the last few days have been so frustrating, just when you think you've got the wheels turning the breaks are thrown on by somebody else.
-He shows up at Redemption Island and surprises Matt and Mike - Matt, "What is Survivor doing?"  I don't know.

Have a great weekend everyone,

Coleen

The Amazing Race Unfinished Business - Apr 10 Episode Recap

You Don't Get Paid Unless You Win (Varanasi, India)

Quick recap from two weeks ago - Margie & Luke were eliminated because he couldn't identify the mango/papaya tea and Gary & Mallory were the first to the Pit Stop... they got a private meal and some Snapple (of course.)
-Gary & Mallory were also the first team to head out this leg at 1:18pm - they got the clue to fly to the city of Varanasi - it is on the banks of the Ganges River and the religious heart of India.
-Once they arrive in Varanasi they must make their way to a certain Tonga stand to get their next clue.
-Mallory really believes that she and Gary have what it takes to be the first parent/child team to win the Amazing Race.
-Next out are the Cowboys at 1:52pm - they're trying to minimize mistakes because there is no room for error with the game ramping up intensity each leg - they think they've got the kinks worked out now.
-Ron & Christina are one minute behind them - 1:53pm - and Zev & Justin head out 1:54pm - (Oh yeah, they all got to the Pit Stop together, forgot about that) Zev is not excited to be staying in India - it's a little much for him but for million$ he'll suck it up - Kolkata should be called Kol-crowded.
-The Goths 1:55pm - they decide to hit a travel agency to get tick.... (Oh Dear Lord - what is up with her eyebrows? They showed a clip of their after interview and they were a little heavy handed - the next shot they were... well, you should never pluck out all your eyebrows, but normal for her.)  Last time on the Race the Goths were eliminated in India so it was a place of sadness to them - now they've made it past half way and everything is a bonus for them.
-Jen & LaKisha are the next out at 2:03pm and they head for the airport.

-Gary & Mallory get to the airport and get on the Kingfisher flight arriving at 10:45am the next day.
-Ron & Christina also get tickets on the same flight.  Zev & Justin, Jen & Kisha, the Goths all on that flight.
-The Cowboys go to the Air India counter and ask for the quickest flight to Varanasi - they are told they have a flight arriving at 1:45am - Okay - Cord says if someone looks him in the eye he'll take his word for it [that it's the best flight available.] Jet even said he's guessing that's the best flight (don't guess- ask!)

-Ron is thinking with his stomach, as usual, and since they have ample time they leave the airport and go get some Chinese food (?)  He says he is just savouring spending time with his daughter before she gets married next year (aww, sweet sentiment but I really see him savouring food more than anything :)

-The Globetrotters are the last team to head out at 3:45pm (Flight Time had a hard time with the tea last leg as well.)  He said they feel like they got their bad leg out of the way and now it's time for them to stay near the lead, like it should be.

-Gary & Mallory do some research on the city, she's excited to learn it's a holy city and the river is said to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals - "I really hope I get to go in the holy waters." (She says now... let's wait until she sees it.)

-The Globetrotters also get on the Kingfisher flight arriving at 10:45am. (Oh my gravy.)

-All the teams are on the first leg of their flights to Delhi - but at the airport everyone gets on the next flight to Varanasi except the Cowboys... the Cowboys can't figure out why they haven't seen any other teams until they check the flight board and see there was another flight arriving an hour earlier - D'Oh!  They now realize that everyone else has an hour jump on them - It's gonna be a long day.
-They remembering last time around when they forgot the bottle on the boat - let's try not to repeat that.

-The first flight arrives in Varanasi and it's a free for all race to the cabs - Zev & Justin and Ron & Christina light out - Kent gets hit in the head with the trunk lid by the driver which puts him in a pissy mood - Vyxsin, "Yeah, whatever." (Hahaha, suck it up buttercup.)  They both are yelling at the driver to go faster (he doesn't seem to be as crazy as the Kolkata taxi drivers.)
-Gary & Mallory head out and the Globetrotters are the last team in a cab - their driver is givin'er though - blowing the horn the whole time - Flight Time says just so you know, in India when you push down the gas the horn goes - and the only time people drive like this in the States is when there's a helicopter overhead and 3-4 cop cars behind 'em."

-Zev & Justin's driver has to stop for gas.
-Ron & Christina's cab gets detoured by the police, can't go over a bridge, now they're worried.
-The Goths can't go over the animals in the streets - elephants, cows - "Lions and tigers and bears, Oh My."
-Jen & Kisha tell their driver not the let the car behind them pass - but it's the Globetrotters and their driver is Mr Horn - Big Easy  is egging him on - You the Man!  They pass another team.

-The Goths are the first to the Tonga Stand and get the clue to the ROADBLOCK - Who is ready to search for the meaning of life?  Using only pictures for reference, one team member must find 6 holy men in the streets of Varanasi who will each give them a piece of the clue - once they've retrieved all 6 pieces of paper they must arrange them correctly to discover the meaning of life: Once you're over the hill you pick up speed.  Then find the 7th Sadhu and tell him the meaning of life to receive the next clue.
-Kent is going to do it for them.
-Globetrotters are the next team there and Big Easy is going to do the task - uh oh (I don't mean to be negative but last time they had a word related Roadblock the big man did not do so well... I'm just saying.)
-Jen, Gary, Ron and Justin are also doing the task.

Meanwhile - the Cowboys flight has just arrived and they are hitting the dirt road running.

-Kent finds the last sadhu first - denied - he gets nothing from him.
-Big Easy finds one first and shows Jen where he is - they head off together and find the next guy - he tells her to follow him and she says no, she's going the other way (drats, he can't cheat off her paper.)
-Ron can't find anyone, "where are these holy men?"
-Justin - the holy men - they look like anorexic Santa Claus.
-Kent, Gary & Justin all find the same holy man at the same time - Kent & Gary head off in the same direction and Kent tells him if he helps him find all the other guys he'll take him to the end (he knows where the last guy is) Gary says okay but I think he's a little reluctant - Kent is just going to follow Gary.
-Jen's doing well - Big Easy is doing pretty well and Justin is finding a lot of them too.
-Ron - finally finds one of the guys - he's way behind. 
-Jen gets them all and now has to figure out the phrase.

-Back at the Tonga Stand, Zev is having a hard time with the noise just sitting there in the street waiting - he's got sensitive ears and it's sensory overload - Mallory gives him some earplugs and seems to be helping him to calm down (she really is the sweetest little thang.)

-Big Easy & Justin run into each other looking for the same guy - Big Easy being taller than everyone can spot the guy easier (I swear) and they both get the last piece - Big Easy says he knows where the last guy is, "Come on, come on." (Ah, he's found someone else to cheat off of.)

-Jen is the first one finished - she gets the phrase right and gets the clue from the last sadhu - heads back to pick up Kisha - they rip open the clue and it tells them to a Swaminath Akhara - a wrestling club - there they must find the strong man to get the next clue. (He's swinging great big sticks with balls on the end...)

-Justin figures out the phrase with Big Easy there - they both get the clue and head out in little tuk-tuks.

-The Cowboys finally arrive at the Tonga stand area and the three teams still waiting all kind of hide in the crowd so they don't see them and/or the clue box.  Everyone is threatened by them because they are so efficient in the challenges.
-They find the clue box and Cord is going to do it for them.  He heads out running - the faster you run, the faster you get it done.  He says what they do for a living, riding bulls and bucking horses, you don't get paid unless you win so they are used to having to go all out in everything they do.  He's found two sadhus so far and is still going great guns.
-Meanwhile, they show Ron, he's meandering around down by the water - huh, I thought maybe there'd be one down here but maybe I'll just wander back up... (I just want to shake him - You're in a RACE!)

-Gary & Kent finally find the last of the clues and Kent bolts - he takes off without Gary (what a little sh*t!) he says he doesn't feel bad because at that point our co-dependency was over - (What about you telling him you'd take him to the last guy and that you wouldn't screw him?... Not cool.)
-Kent gets the clue, goes back and gets Vyxsin and Mallory asks him how was her Dad, wasn't he working with you?  Kent says he's right behind me - and she wonders if that means he got the clue and didn't show him where it was after.  Jet - Probably.  (Ah, yes, the rest of the teams have the Goths pegged.)

-Jen & Kisha are somewhere - but not the right place.  The Globetrotters and Zev & Justin are the first teams to Tulsi Ghat - and they get the clue for the DETOUR - Feed the Fire or Feed the Buffalo.
-In Feed the Fire - teams travel the Ganges then follow the marked path to the home of a milkman - they must then form 50 fuel patties out of buffalo manure (I said pardon?) and then slap them on the wall to dry in the sun. (I'm gagging already.) Finally, they have to load a stove with fuel patties and light the fire to warm milk for local children - when the fire is lit, they'll get their next clue. (Yes, I'm too Westernized for this task, I'm not ashamed to say.)
-In Feed the Buffalo - teams cross the Ganges and pick up a large bundle of hay - then they must cross the Ganges again and take the hay through the narrow streets to the address attached to the bundle.  When they reach the correct milk farm, they'll receive the next clue.
-Zev & Justin and the Globetrotters all decide to feed the buffalo - Justin is just glad they didn't have to get in the thongs and wrestle (oh, come on, I like it when they make them dress up funny.)  They all head down treacherously steep stairs to boats to cross the river.

-Jen & Kisha find the clue box and decide the load of hay will be too heavy for them so they're going to feed the fire - "Let's feed the children." (Oh, I have a feeling the clue doesn't even hint at what they are feeding the fire with.)

-Zev & Justin and the Globetrotters get to the hay tent and each guys grabs a bundle - so they have two per team. (Is that right?)

-Cord has completed the Roadblock - and Christina is the last person waiting hopefully for Ron... who, it looks like, is totally in the wrong place to find the sadhus... where is he?  Ron tells us he was thinking that maybe they sadhus would be down by the river freshening themselves us, maybe they weren't in the proper garb (What? Why do you think you had the pictures?) "I over-thought it." (That's an understatement.)
-He finally heads back and finds his second sadhu - hopefully he's on the right track now.

-The hay boys are back with their 4 bundles of hay and head for the address on their bundle.
-Kisha & Jen get to the milkman's place and have just figured out that the fuel has something to do with manure - they have no other choice but to jump in (not literally) and the gagging begins. (Oh no, I'm feeling sympathetic nausea for them.)

-The Goths get to the wrestling place and decide to Feed the Fire - (Oh yeah! I think Kent deserves to play in some poop after the crap he pulled on Gary.)
- Gary & Mallory have also decided on Feed the Fire... oh, too bad.  Out on the river they see the cremation area - she is shocked, she's never seen death celebrated like that - Varanasi is like nowhere she's ever been but she's glad she saw it.

-Ron has finally collected all the clues and gotten the clue from the last sadhu - I guess Ron's not over the hill yet, because he's surely not picking up speed.  They head off for the wrestling place.

- Justin is leading the way for the hay boys and he runs into a herd of  buffalo in a narrow alley and they start trying to eat his hay - Big Easy is singing, "Running with ha-ay, in the middle of India."  He yells at Justin to carry the hay over his head - they finally get through the herd.

-Kisha & Jen are still making dung patties- Kisha is slapping them on the wall and says they need more hay in the mixture - Jen is pointing at some of the children nearby - this is for y'all (that's how they tricked them into picking this task - come feed the children... and the fine print - by playing with poo.)  Bicker, bicker - Kisha's remaking some of Jen's patties before she slaps them on the wall - maybe you can do it all. (Don't fight, just get it done - sheesh.)

-Zev & Justin has delivered their hay (2 bundles must have been right) and they get the clue for the Pit Stop: Ramnagar Fort - they must again cross the Ganges, over a bridge this time, to the fort.  The Globetrotters get the clue right behind them but are the first to find a taxi and head out.  The Globetrotters want to go from last to first this leg (they have been smart by attaching themselves to Justin this leg.)

-The Cowboys get to the wrestling place and Cord tells the guys they'll go suit up and be right there (ha! I bet they all thought that at first.)  They read the clue and it's a no-brainer for them to Feed the Buffalo - "We came to the other side of the world to haul some hay."

-Kisha & Jen have completed their 50 fuel patties and the little Indian woman says no - "Are you serious lady, we're trying to feed your kids."  She flicks 3 of the patties off the wall and they remake them - she's satisfied now and they go build a fire to heat the milk (that part goes fast.)  They get the clue to the Pit Stop.

-Kent & Vyxsin get to the stairs leading up to the milkman's place and he's whining that he can't keep up with her after the Roadblock - she takes his bag and they head up to the task.  Cow manure - great.
-Gary & Mallory show up too and Mallory - Cow manure - that seems to be my Amazing Race theme. (Oh yeah, when they raced before she had to climb a huge pile of the stuff in Russia, the babushka task.)  She says she's going to burn her outfit because next time she wears it will like bring cow manure again.

-The Cowboys get to the hay place and grab two bundles of hay - head back to the boat.
-Ron & Christina get to the Detour clue box and decide to Feed the Buffalo.

-Back at manure patty hell - Kent & Vyxsin have completed 50 pies but the old lady rejects a couple.  They remake them and quickly build a fire - head out for the Pit Stop.
-Gary & Mallory get the critical once over and have to remake a couple as well - then they build the fire and head off.

-The Cowboys are "Running with ha-ay, in the middle of India."
-Ron & Christina have now picked up their hay and are heading back.
-Kent & Vyxsin go down to the water and ask locals if they know where the fort is - they jump in a boat to take them across the river but he's taken them out just a little ways and is not going anywhere - they want to be taken back to shore but are being ignored so she jumps out of the boat - not realizing the water's so deep there I'm sure but she goes under - Kent freaks out - Don't go in the water, are you crazy? (I wonder if it's washed her sins away?)  The guys at the dock help her out of the water and they head up to the road to catch a taxi - Kent is telling her she has to "get a grip, sis."

-The Cowboys deliver their hay and get the clue for the Pit Stop.  Ron & Christina deliver their hay as well.

-Kent & Vyxsin can't find a cab now - well, they find an empty one with no driver...

-Ron & Christina take a water taxi to cross the river - they think it's the quickest way and hope no one else thought to take a water taxi.

-The Goths find a taxi with a passenger and ask him if he can take them to the fort - he says he can and Kent says well get this guy out - Then they drag the poor guy out of the back of the tuk-tuk - (Wow, the Goths have become totally cut-throat this episode.  I don't like it.)

Here's how they finished:
1) Flight Time & Big Easy - won the tuk-tuk race to the Pit Stop and went from last to first this leg - they also won a trip for two to Hawaii.  (Big Easy's had a band aid on his head this whole leg - I wonder what he smacked his head on?)
2) Zev & Justin - Zev said a couple years ago he wouldn't have been able to come to India and take it all in, but he's proud of himself that he was able to deal with it.
3) Jen & Kisha - I bet they smell... I would be trying to hug Phil - but they don't.
4) Mallory & Gary - she's so happy. 
5) Jet & Cord - Every time we had to bust it and get back in the race by pure grit and try - that's what we did.
6) Kent & Vyxsin - They are still in the race but it was close - too close for comfort.
7) Ron & Christina - **ELIMINATED** Ron says, "We had a grand ride, it was gift to come back especially with Christina before she gets married next year.  We have no regrets and a lot of good memories (OMG, I got choked up there - what's wrong with me?) Christina says she's much closer with her Dad after this experience - winning isn't everything - they've made memories they'll have forever and that's what's important.

So, with Ron & Christina leaving this week: Susan M, Kevin C, Christine I, Steve H and Krista H are out of the pool... but I hope Krista had a happy birthday on Saturday.

Next Week: In Vienna, Austria - Gary & Mallory fill up -(oh, no they have an eating challenge - more gagging) - and Kent & Vyxsin break down - she drops her end of the couch they're carrying and there is more fighting in the car with her trying to navigate and threatening to never speak to him again... (could be a good thing..?)

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen