Survivor Redemption Island Finale Recap - May 15, 2011

Seems Like a No-Brainer

This final 3 hour marathon finally opened at Redemption Island - Night 35
-Grant shows up surprising Matt, Mike and Andrea - he's the last person she wanted to see walk in - against those three strong men, Andrea feels like the under-underdog.

Murlonio - Night 35
-Rob is feeling bad about having voted out Grant.  He says he does have a heart in there somewhere.  In terms of the people at Redemption Island coming back - Rob's not too worried - he wants to get rid of Ashley next.

Redemption Island - they get tree mail that tells them this is the final duel - three will fall and one will re-enter the game.  They are all celebrating the Redemption Island purgatory coming to an end.
Matt leads them all in a prayer (of course) and they troup out for the duel.

Duel - they will all stand with one foot on one end of a balancing board - on the other end is a ceramic vase - vase falls and you are out.  Grant is a yoga instructor, this could be his to lose... but Mike is a trained soldier, he should have strong legs, Matt's got God on his side and Andrea is a slight little thing, being lighter could be an asset as well.  After 20 minutes they're all still there - after 40 minutes, Grant is trying to stretch out his leg....(oh no) and the vase drops.  Grant is out, taking Maddy D, Virginia D and Jeff T out of the pool with him. 
- Next, God must have blinked because Matt loses focus for a second and his vase falls - after surviving 10 duels - Matt (or Jesus-Thanker as my brother calls him) is finally eliminated from this game taking Nancy C, Bernice R and Ritch G. with him.
-So we're down to Mike and Andrea, the farm-girl and the Iraq war vet - Mike is wobbling all over - and he loses his vase!  ANDREA is re-entering the game.  And Mike is out, taking Fred & Gary M, Charolotte W and Steve H. with him.
-Grant is proud of what he learned about himself out there.  Matt praises God, his will be done and Mike wanted to get back in but it wasn't meant to be and it's alright.  They are all so zen.
-Andrea is creepily hugged by Phillip and she's back in the tribe - she says she doesn't feel like part of the tribe, she's going to work some strategy and try to stay in it this time.
-Rob tells us he's still voting Ashley, she played the better game and has to go.

Murlonio - Day 35
-Back at camp Andrea starts working on the girls right away - she tells them that the 3 guys at Redemption Island think of the girls as Robs puppets and that they would all likely vote for Phillip out of the people that are left.  It was a total lie, she's just trying to plant a seed.  Get them to side with her.
-Ashley tells Natalie she shouldn't trust Rob so much.  Ashley tells us she's glad Andrea is back and hopes she'll side with Nat & her to take Phillip or Rob out.
-Rob & Phillip talking - they still want Ashley out and have to watch those three girls don't talk too much.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
They have to race across a balance beam stopping to untie a series of bags containing numbered tiles.  Once they have one bag, they run to the end and arrange the numbered tiles on their board then run back to the beginning - on the beam, get the next bag, place the tiles in order - until they get all 4 bags of tiles and have all 100 tiles - first person to get all the tiles on their board in order wins Immunity.
-Off they go - Rob is the first one across with the first bag, but they all start out strong - Rob, Andrea and Ashley are really the only three with any chance mid-way - and ASHLEY! Wins Immunity!  You can imagine this did not sit well with Rob.  B-bye Andrea.

Back at camp - Rob just tells her, "Sorry Andrea, you're next."  They four of them just confirm right in front of her really that Andrea's next.  Rob says he has an idol and it's the last night to play it but he doesn't think he'll need to - he goes fishing. (Oh, he better play it - you would have to be ridiculously stupid to hold on to it at this point.) 

-Ashley pulls Natalie aside and wants her assurance that the next vote will be for Phillip not for her and that Natalie will tell her if she hears anything different.  Phillip is watching them talking and like the dutiful intelligence officer he is reports to Rob - right in front of Andrea again (wow, they are treating her like she's already gone - I hope she can get through to the girls to vote for Rob - that would serve him right!)
-Phillip finally takes Rob for a walk and Andrea ceases the opportunity to talk to the girls again - they seem receptive - she tells them no one on Redemption is going to vote for them, they are going to vote for Rob so it makes sense to take one of the guys out and try to prove they are playing the game as well.  Andrea says she's voting Rob, and they could have three girls in the final. (That would be awesome, but I don't think these three have the stuff to pull it off.)
-Phillip has no intel worth sharing with Rob - welcome to day 37 - don't they know that I can predict what they're going to do before they even know it?  Rob says he can dictate this vote, he doesn't even need the idol... Ohhh... do you think, could he really go out as the biggest bonehead ever?  That would be hilarious and also sad.

Tribal Council #1
Jeff asks Phillip if he was in on discussions today and Phillip says, "Obviously you've forgotten my title of Undercover Specialist." That had Grant cracking up on the jury (did I miss that one?  I don't remember that title - ever.)
-Basically Rob asked Phillip to let him know if he heard anything about the three girls voting for him.
-Jeff asks Andrea if she was tempted by the three girls having the numbers and Andrea lays it out - (I was yelling at her to shut up, but really she was smart - call them out, can't hurt at this point.)  She tells Jeff that she told the girls the jury knows Rob's pulling the strings and the girls have not done anything on their own - this is their chance to do something strategic and may be gain some respect from the jury. (Will it work?)

They vote and when Jeff asks if anyone has a hidden immunity idol and wants to play it now is the time... Rob hesitates but then does stand up and play the idol - much to Andrea's shock and dismay.
Reading the votes and her efforts to sway the puppet girls doesn't work - Andrea is voted out - Again.
And she takes with her Laura H, Annemette J and Janine S - so, sorry, thanks for playing.
(I have to interject- what was the point of having the Redemption Island person coming back with this many people still there - it was stupid - I think the Redeemed should come back for the final 3 - otherwise they're just going to get voted out right away again... unless she won immunity I guess, but still - Redemption seemed kind of pointless.)

Murlonio - Night 37
-Final Four - Phillip wants a group hug - so creepy!  We did what we said we'd do "Stealth-R-Us" (Ah, wasn't Grant in on that?)
-Ashley says Andrea tried to throw her and Natalie under the bus (staple line #1) but I'm still here and she's not.

Day 38 - Immunity Challenge
It's a maze - they have to make their way to 4 stations in the maze and collect bags of puzzle pieces - once they have all the bags they will race to the top of the Mayan-esque pyramid and have to solve the puzzle with the phrase - Only You Are Safe. 
-Natalie is totally lost from the beginning - non-entity in this one.  Ashley starts following Rob and keeps on his butt throughout - they are the only two that get all 4 bags of puzzle pieces - they start on the puzzle and Ashley gets the first word right away - then she gets the last word... Rob says lets work together and she says yeah - but they both lie to each other that they have nothing - Rob is finding words and ROB WINS FINAL IMMUNITY!  And he makes crying sounds into his hat - he does cry to the camera though.  Amber encouraged him to come back, she believes in him (and is probably sick of listening to him complain about her winning and him not.)  Now he has to decide which of these three idiots to send home tonight and then how to convince the jury to vote for him when his wife has already won one.

Back at camp - Rob is reassuring Ashley and Natalie that they are voting out Phillip - then he drops it on Natalie that it's Ashley.  Natalie is not happy, she was hoping to have a Phillip free day and she has a strong bond with Ashley - She didn't come out here to make friends (staple line #2) but she did make a friend.  She says she'd rather lose this game then lose a friend in Ashely (you're not winning anyway honey so it doesn't matter) but then Natalie tows the Rob line anyway and doesn't tell Ashley.

Tribal Council #2
(Wow, as my friend said - Andrea must have been practicing that b*tch face all day - bitter Betty, table for one.)
Ashley knew she had to win the challenge and she's pretty disappointed.
Rob says he wants to sit with the people he can beat in the end but you never know what the jury is going to see - you can only do what you can do.
-Natalie says she and Rob have been together since the beginning making decisions and hopefully I'm the one he wants here (really, that's your pitch?  I don't think anyone buys that she made any decisions.)
-Phillip is 'the Specialist' and he didn't win any challenges so he's no threat.
-Ashley has been loyal, may times she could have thrown Rob under the bus (staple line #1 again) but she didn't.  Can you win this game?  Yeah.  Do you have a better shot than Natalie or Phillip? Yeah.
(And right there, she sealed her fate - as if it wasn't already sealed but you know what I mean.)

And they vote:
Phillip for Ashley - he thinks she's the laziest thing he's ever met.
Ashley votes Phillip - I won't miss you - you're a nutcase (Oh, she called him the n-word - Nutcase. Ha!)
And ASHLEY is voted out for the final member of the jury - and she takes Roxanne S, Wendy E and Robert L. with her out of the pool.

The Final Three are Natalie, Boston Rob and Phillip... wait - where was the walk of rememberance?  Have the producers finally learned that everyone hates that?  Whoohoo!  We've all won.

Day 39
-Phillip is in full regalia - his great-great grandfather has been talking to him - he learned it's okay to tell the world that he has a relationship with someone who's been dead since 1870 - he's learned he can accept the good, the bad and the different and that's been great out here.  He wants to make it clear to the jury why they are sitting there and he's in the final, he wants to put some salt on that wound so they don't forget that.
-Natalie wants to rub everyone's nose in the fact that she's young - I'm 19 and I stand for my generation - this was hard and I deserve to be here (whatever - no one wants to give a 19 yr old a million dollars.)
-Rob 117 days in total over the last 10years - it's overwhelming - Winning this game has always eluded me and again I find myself one step away from the top - and I'm just hoping to get there.

-He coaches Natalie on where he went wrong last time - he felt bad and he apologized, he should have told them to screw off.  Tells us it looks like he's giving her pointers but he's still playing the game, he's giving her pointers on how he wants her to act at tribal council.

And Phillip comes in dangling the always offensive 'plum-coloured' underwear - to ceremonially toss them in the fire - but there is no fire, it's just ash/embers - so they just sit there and smolder - Ahhh! They are gross until the very end.

FINAL TRIBAL COUNCIL
-Phillip has a handful of feathers tied to his head and a red blanket on - Oh Kimosabe.

Opening Statements:
Natalie - Um, I made it 39 days.  My strength is my social skills, who I wanted to align with and luckily that was Rob.(So basically, she latched on to Rob and he dragged he along.) I would be the youngest female to win if you decided to vote for me (again, who wants to give a little girl a million dollars - no one. You're hooped honey.)
Phillip - he had to revamp the whole strategy he came in with when Boston Rob got off that helicopter.  He apologized to him for trying to vote him off at the first tribal council and Rob accepted that apology - "I wouldn't be sitting here now if it weren't for Boston Rob." (This is you're game winning strategy - this guy kept me in the game?!!)  Also, I implemented the whole concept of STEALTH (that had David rolling his eyes) then he says Rob is the Mastermind and I implemented his plan (again, I did nothing, Rob did it all... Didn't he brag that he had the winning argument a couple episodes ago - I think he forgot what that was, because this will not cut it.)
Rob - Thanks everyone - especially Ometepe, he thinks if he had been on Zapatera it would have been different.  Then he outlines his qualities - he was competitive in challenges, he made many alliances and he was useful around camp but none of that matters - the power has now shifted to the jury and it's what they think now.  He says he's spent 117 days, 10 years off and on, trying to climb this moutain - almost a 3rd of his life - in the end it's about his wife and daughter and trying to provide a better life for them (because we burned through the mil my wife won and need more... how come no one ever mentions that?) I hope you think I played the game the best and you vote for me. Thank you. (The consensus in my viewing party was that Rob should really run for office - what'd you think, Boston Rob 2012?)

Now it's the Jury's turn:
Andrea is first - starts with Phillip, calls him weird - says they've seen a plethora of personas from him - who is the real Phillip Shepherd?
-You've had 39 days to understand who I am, if you don't then don't vote for me. (Alrighty then, they won't.)
She says Natalie's attachment to Rob was almost creepy and what alure did he have that made her betray her best friend.
-This isn't about friendship, it's a game.  I've never camped, Rob has experience - I stuck with Rob.
Natalie as an aside to Rob apologizes if she ever seemed "creepy".

Ashley - tells Phillip she's sick of hearing his voice so she will speak and he will not comment - but he does comment because you don't tell Phillip what to do - she calls him pathetic, she's going to say her piece and he's going to sit there.  "You can say your piece but don't tell me what I'm going to do." (Oh shut up already.)  Ashley says she wants to thank him because she came out there a very impatient person, having survived a torturous 38 days with him, she can get through anything.  "You sound like a little whiney child" (And you don't?)
She calls out Natalie for lying to her about the final vote - Natalie scrambles to tell her it was a back and forth decision and right before tribal Rob decided it would be her.  Ashley was a bigger threat and Ashley breaks in, you want the people sitting there that don't deserve it, I get it.  That's kind of sad.
Rob - you deceived a lot of people - I put you on a pedestal and after this I don't know who you are and I don't think I want to know.

Grant - Natalie - I also had an alliance with Rob - what was your dynamic with him.  Natalie just says Grant was a huge threat.
Rob says Natalie came to him and asked him to tell her what to do and she did everything he asked.  He trusted and valued his relationship with Grant all the way up until he felt Grant could kick his ass - he didn't want to sit beside him at the final tribal.
Linen pant, flip flop Grant though it would have been fun to duke it out with him at the end but Good Luck.

Ralph (Man-Sweater) is wearing a Russell hat - ugh.
Natalie - seems like you can't do nothin without keeping your eye on Rob - Like a kid.
-She says something inane and does keep looking at Rob - Ralph's made his point. You never spoke to me out there - There was a reason for that - Rob told you not to - I wanted my tribe to trust me - we all saw what happened with Matt and I didn't want any misconception. Okay, you dun great.
Phillip - let down he didn't have a whole chicken on his head.  Do you like me Phillip?
-Of all the people on your tribe I love your work ethic, you were funny, you were a very decent man and if you were in my tribe we would have gotten along. (Ah, is that really a ringing endorsement?) But Ralph seems happy with that.

Matt - Rob, clearly you are very duplicitous, coniving liar, where is the line drawn after so much time out here?  The line is drawn as soon as I'm back in my real life.  But inside the game of Survivor I feel like it's necessary to play like this.  I had alliances with every Ometepe and they all thought they were going to the end until they were voted off - it's harsh but how it had to be.
Matt says something about none of them knowing who he really is...(What? Who cares - Matt's final questioning was surprisingly God-free.)

Julie - You three should be sitting there very humble because in my opinion none of you played a respectable game.
-She tells Natalie that her parents would not be proud of her.  She would be sad to see her daughter be a servant to anyone like she was a servant to Rob.
-Phillip you're right, Rob did bring you to the end but it's not because of your loyalty, it's because none of us here on the jury like or respect you.  Would your son be proud of how you played the game. My son would be very proud of me.  You called me the hardest working man out here - I'm not taking your work ethic away from you - The hell with you (Whoa, what... Julie went too far bringing their families into this I think.)
Rob - you're sitting next to the little girl that rode your coat tails and the guy no one likes or respects - Phillip breaks in again - I didn't come here for your respect I came to kick a little ass and I think I did that. I think it was Ashley who threw out, "In the challenges?" No, in the social game - that's why none of you knew how close I was to Boston Rob.  Ohhh.
Julie tells Rob to teach his daughters to be strong women and not to let men treat them the way he treated Natalie.  (Wow, I would say she gets the Susan Hawk award this season.) 
(Rob whispers to Natalie- who's upset by Julies attack, not to worry, they'll be all smiles later.)

Mike - brings the God talk.  He was able to get closer to God, build his faith and make some incredible friendships (I think he spent too much time on Redemption Island with Matt - not that there's anything wrong with that.)  He asks them all what they've learned about themselves out there.
Natalie - she's 19, never camped, sleeping on bamboo, eating two spoons of rice - she's learned she's stronger and more capable then she ever thought she could be... (Blah, blah, blah - I'm young - pick me.)  She appreciates her family.
Rob - biggest thing he's learned - he's got to stop playing games.  He's got to put it to rest and go home and take care of his wife and children.
Phillip - I feel so blessed I had the opportunity to do this - I learned that I could stand on my own - be an outcast - having left home at 16, been in the service, support his son by himself - he is a beacon in the Shepherd family (rather high opinion of yourself - I wonder if they'll feel the same after this.)

Steve - Natalie - I want to commend you for being 19 yrs old - you're there and I'm here so I commend you on that.
Rob - hats off to you -  117 days, I buckled at 31 - fellow warrior took it to another level.
Phillip - I just got to say, I'm sorry for you, what you are, what you've grown into - you're a sorry man. (I think that actually hurt Phillip, he doesn't retort, he looks like he's going to cry.)

And finally David - "And now for something completely different." He addresses the jury not the finalists.  Only one logical decision here, one guy doesn't deserve it so discount him and the other credits the guy in the middle for doing everything - He controlled all of you- he controlled your minds, your thoughts, and one by one by one you were all blindsided.
Two people came into this game - one who claimed to be the best that ever played and we voted him out after 8 days - the guy sitting over there has just played the best strategic game this game as ever seen and it's pretty damn easy to say who deserves your vote tonight.

And they Vote - they only show David vote for Rob and Ralph vote for Phile... (oh Man-Sweater, he even writes with the accent.)

So I'm just going to cut to the chase... everyone is fat and happy in the studio and  Jeff announces the WINNER of Survivor Redemption Island is BOSTON ROB! 
So the winners of the Pools are: Alexis G, Andria S and Ryan H!   Congratulations everyone!

Rob also wins the Spring $100K player of the game money.

Grant is no longer talking to Boston Rob - Zen yoga guy has a poopy diaper.
Phillip apologizes to Stephen for implying he was a racist.
Jeff has a Special Agent in the audience who went to the academy with Phillip and vouches he was really a special agent (still, no one seems convinced.)
Russell tells Jeff not to lose his number - which means he'll play again - NOoooo!
and David proproses to another former Survivor, Carolina (who? She was the first person voted out of  the season JT won) - she said yes. 

And finally - next season will be Survivor South Pacific, Redemption Island will be a factor again (hmm, I don't know that I like that.)

Well, another season of Survivor is done - Until the fall - have a great one.

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - May 11th Episode Recap

Too Close for Comfort

Last week Ometepe was out of Zapatera to sacrifice and they had to turn on one of their own - they made the easiest choice and blindsided Andrea who was on shaky ground ever since she cozied up with Matt at the beginning.

Murlonio - Night 32
-Ashley is crowing that she and Natalie are the last women standing.  She says Tribal Council was kinda fun - she likes blindsiding people, seeing their reaction is the best - (and she has sealed her Survivor karmic fate right there.)
-Ashley does pull Natalie aside and says they have to have each other's backs - tell each other if there is talk of either one of them going.  Natalie feels like she's in a bad position, she wants to stick with Rob.
-Rob asks Natalie what Ashley said to her and she tells him that Ashley thinks she and her are in it together - Rob coaches her to keep that going - but he doesn't trust Ashley.  Rob's got the end of game paranoia coming on, he tells the camera he's thought Ashley was sneaky from the beginning (sure you have) and she may have to be the next to go.

Redemption Island - Night 32
-Andrea comes into camp and gets a chilly reception from Matt.  He is obviously not happy to see her.
-Andrea tries to over-compensate, she hugs Mike and Ralph who are lying in the shelter and starts talking really fast - nervous talk - that she knows Matt hates her because he gives her dirty looks and she didn't have a choice after he was so wishy-washy and threw her under the bus in his confession of their plans to Rob.
-Matt is having none of it - "Sorry I ruined your Survivor game by throwing you under the bus."  Wow, he is definitely not turning the other cheek - he obviously blames her and feels the most betrayed by her.  I'm torn between understanding and wanting him to stop being such a pouty baby.
-Then Andrea asks if there is room in the shelter for another one and Ralph freezes her out - nope.  She can sleep on the floor - this is payback.  (Jeez, no love for Andrea at Redemption Island.)

Duel Arena - Day 33
-Matt, Mike, Ralph and a hang-dog looking Andrea line up in front of Jeff.  She's looking rough and Jeff notices she looks upset. (Pretty, blond girl is not used to being treated like a pariah, especially by men - I bet it's been hard on her.)
-Andrea like, tells us how, like, she really trusted everyone and, like, they all, like, looked her in the eye and, like, lied to her.  She gets all teary and you can tell it does bother the Ometepe watching (but I'm sure not that much.)

Duel
-They each have a long puzzle/maze table with a handle in it.  They have to maneuver the handle down the table, through the maze to the end then take the handle and smash a tile revealing a bag of puzzle pieces.  Then they must solve the puzzle (the pieces look like a smashed tile they have to put back together and it reads One Step Closer to Redemption) - first three people to complete the puzzle stay in the game - last person is out for good.
-Off they go - Ralph is the first one through - Andrea is trying too hard and getting kind of frantic and it hurts her - the three guys are the first through the maze but she is not far behind Matt - on they go to the puzzle.  Ralph is not a puzzle guy - he's struggling.  Mike is the first one done.  Matt is next and Andrea also completes the puzzle.  Man-Sweater is instructed to toss his buff in the urn and we'll see him at tribal council as a member of the jury.
So, with Ralph leaving that means - Chiquita, Tori K and Cara L are out of the pool.

-Rob wants Redemption Island to be over and done with so it's not a factor anymore -(this twist is not part of his plan.   Don't they know that Rob is the king?)

Murlonio - Day 34
-Everyone's exhausted and starving - Grant and Rob want to eat but Ashley says if they eat 3 times a day the rice will only last to day 36.  Phillip tries to inject reason, that not all of them are going to be there that long so they can have a cup - this just confuses her.
-The girls and Phillip go lie in the shelter and Grant says to Rob that the next immunity challenge they should get Ashley out - then Natalie will never turn (turn where?  It's only you guys there).  Rob agrees, he's already been thinking Ashley but he lets Grant think it's his idea (smart.)
-In the shelter Phillip tells the girls Grant's hungry because he's a big guy and if they want him to dominate they should let him eat (what? Why would they want him to dominate - it's individual immunity now - I think they're all loopy from lack of food.  Oh, it's to beat whoever comes back from Redemption Island - I get it.) - Natalie and Ashley don't take too kindly to Phillip basically suggesting they should give up their food to the men - Natalie tells him to get lost and not talk to them in that tone (good for her - he is condescending and has always treated the girls as inferior - it would make me furious.)

-Rob tells the camera that Phillip is crazy - not the N-word crazy - really crazy.  Rob feels the girls are too close and they should be driving them apart but what does Phillip do, he picks on both of them and drives them together.  Phillip, stop making so much work for me. (If we are to believe Phillip this is all an act, maybe Rob should have let him in on the plan and he could have been an ass to Ashley only... yeah, I don't believe it either.)
-Rob finds Natalie in the trees and asks if she's okay.  She's scared and they want to get Phillip out.  Ashley's worried they'll go for her. Rob says well we are going for her - Grant wants to get Ashley out but we'll see.  Natalie doesn't like the idea but she doesn't object.
-Ashley sees them talking and she feels that Natalie relies on Rob too much - they all do.  Ashley thinks Rob will vote one of the girls out in a heartbeat and knows she's going to have to make a power play.
-That night Ashley, talking to Rob and Natalie, broaches the idea of sending Grant to Redemption Island now so that he can take out Mike and then they won't have to worry about getting rid of both of them later.  Rob says he'll think about it - but then he tells the camera that he's run the numbers weeks ago and it doesn't make sense - all it will do is buy Ashley more time and he doesn't want that.
-Rob goes and tells Grant Ashley's plan - and solidifies Grant's impression that Ashley is a snake. Grant is totally set on sending Ashley on her way now.

Day 35
-Ashley says she thinks Rob liked her idea about getting Grant out but if Grant wins immunity she thinks she could be the next to go.  She totally trusts Natalie though and she'd tell her.
-Natalie tells Rob this is going to be really hard for her - Rob reassures her that he has her back to the end. Then he tells Natalie he doesn't like what Ashley is doing to her (oh, sneaky, planting the seeds of discontent) Rob tells the camera that Natalie is sweet and innocent and Ashley is corrupting her with her 'wisdom' (I think he has a romanticized view of our little Natalie.)

Immunity Challenge
They will use large fish hooks (like grappling hooks) to retrieve bags of puzzle pieces.  Then they will use the puzzle pieces to construct a fish skeleton (the wooden pieces are like fish bones and there is a large fish head, spine and tail hanging up for each of them.)  To make it more interesting - they will have to do the whole thing with one hand tied behind their back.  First person to correctly construct the skeleton wins Immunity and reward - Survivor version of room service - a three course meal will be delivered to him/her at camp.
-Off they go - Grant is off to the early lead - the boys are doing better at this one.  Natalie can't get it together.  Ashley pores it on and ASHLEY wins immunity and reward.  (Ha! Not that I like her - at all - but it does kind of tickle me when a wrench is thrown into the puppet master's plan.)
-Reward portion - Ashley is allowed to invite one person to join her for food - and she makes the obvious choice of Natalie.  (Come on!  Don't you want to eat with Phillip?  Or try to get Grant to vote for Rob... I know, no one would do that but it could be fun to watch her try.)

Murlonio - Day 35
Rob - Days like today make me wish I'd stayed home.  The one thing I didn't want to happen and all of a sudden, Ashley's a fricken genius.  Talking to the camera Rob addresses Grant - tells him he never wanted it to play out this way - I consider you a friend but I didn't come out her to make friends (Oh, Reality Show staple line #2 this episode - I didn't come here to make friends. Love it.)  Even though it breaks my heart bud, I have to vote your ass out tonight.
-Rob says as usual, when there's dirty work to be done he's the only one smart enough to do it.  He confirms with Ashley and Natalie at the shelter, it's Grant - Done.  Then he has to go to Phillip and spell it out - we're voting for Grant but I have to put on a show for him and make him think it's you - it's not you.  Then he has to go back to the girls and confirm again it's Grant - then he has to go to Grant and say Natalie or Phillip and pretend to go with him - It's exhausting (being the king.)
-Grant thinks they're voting out Natalie - He looked Rob in the eye and believes he's with him.  Then he celebrates the coming blindside (and seals his Survivor karmic fate.)

-Ashley and Natalie are making rice for the boys when their waiters show up - See ya boys - the girls go sit by themselves under the trees and feast on pizza, pasta, nachos... and chocolate cake... yum.  They eat themselves sick though.
-Rob is worried that the girls are too close, like he and Amber or Andrea and Matt were at the beginning - a couple is a powerful force in the game and he wants to split them up.
-Ashley hopes the person from Redemption Island comes back in the game tomorrow and they can try to align with them.
-Natalie tells the camera she kinda wished Ashley hadn't picked her - she feels like she's in a sucky position - she goes and tells Rob that Ashley's really confident now and she's totally counting on me... but at the end of the day it's you and me (Natalie & Rob).
-Rob's thinking now that maybe he should listen to Grant and vote out Natalie while he has the chance and not run the risk that the girls will align with whoever comes back from Redemption Island.  Rob knows it's his choice - One man should not have this much power in the game. (Uh, yeah.) "Luckily, I'm not an ordinary man."

Tribal Council
Ashley, 35 days in, it must feel good to have immunity around your neck.
-Honestly, I felt like if there was one day I needed to win, it was today.  I feel good.
Grant, how badly did you need to win today?
-I think it was crucial.  I am a threat in challenges and I'm a target.
Rob, you're vulnerable tonight.
-Yeah, I think the only thing I have going for me is that maybe Grant's a bigger threat than me. I hope.
Ashley, you win today and pick Natalie, the only other girl, to join you on the reward.  Did you feel a reaction at camp when you were eating.
-I don't think it's a shock that Natalie and I are close...
Just you admitting that has bombs going off in Grant, Rob and Phillip's ears (I don't think she gets it.) Phillip do you believe that it means nothing that Ashley picked Natalie.
-None of us thought we'd be picked - we knew she'd pick Natalie - is it strategic - yeah, sure.
So Natalie, they may assume that you guys will vote together too.
-Yeah, they may look at me as the target to try to split us up - they may feel we're dangerous in the game.
Grant, only 5 of you left, 2 people have votes, it's huge.
-Yeah, but you come here with a solid group of people or maybe just 2 or 3 and you have to put faith that their word is their bond.
Rob, how much of tonight's vote goes in the category of person we vote off goes to Redemption.
-At this point you can't speculate anymore - we thought Redemption would be over already but it's still going.
Rob, few more days left in this game, what gets you through this?
-He stands up and shows the picture of his wife & daughter on his shirt - he loves Amber more than anything and she's sacrificed so much for him to keep coming out there trying to win - you get so close but there are still so many scenarios, it's still so far.  At any moment you make one mistake and poof it's all gone. (Wow, that was a long speech for Rob at TC - keep it together man.)
Grant, how bout you?
-I think about my soon-to-be wife at home and I get choked up (oh, big man crying gets the ladies going) just knowing he has that beautiful spirit waiting for him back at home gets him through.
Rob, how big a vote tonight?
It's the biggest vote we've had so far.  At this point everybody's on edge - I'm on edge.

Time to Vote:
Grant votes Natalie
Ashley votes Grant

Tallying the votes:
Natalie 1
Grant 1, 2, 3... that's enough - GRANT is voted out.  He said he liked a blindside.... but I don't think he liked this one.

Redemption Island - Grant is very zen about it - obviously someone betrayed him, either Rob or Phillip but it is what it is - he's happy with how he played the game.
The boys are surprised to see Grant and Andrea is happy to finally see a friendly face (maybe.)

THE SEASON FINALE IS THIS SUNDAY - MAY 15TH - and there are still 8 people in the game - now is that going to work.?  Can't wait to see how Redemption Island plays out.

Coleen.

The Amazing Race Unfinished Business Season Finale - May 8th

This is Where it Ends (Brazil & Florida)

On the season finale of the Amazing Race - the teams set out from Zermatt, Switzerland to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Everyone got on the same train to the airport in Zurich where they split up to find the quickest flights to Rio.
-Big Easy & Flight Time went straight to an airline counter and booked a flight arriving at 7:30am the next day.
-Zev & Justin checked the Internet and found that same flight.  They went to the same counter and got the same tickets.
-Kisha & Jen and Gary & Mallory went to a travel agency and were booking tickets getting them in at 5:30pm the next day when the Globetrotters stopped by to see if they had a better flight - when they heard they were going to have a huge lead - Big Easy's horrible poker face gave them away and the other teams changed their tickets so they were all on the same flight to Rio.

Once they landed they were to make their way to a tram which would take them to a famous staircase lined with tiles.  They had to search among the tiles to find the ones marked Route Info, remove them from the wall and their next clue was on the back.

Everyone sprints out of the airport to the cabs and Gary & Mallory were the last out - however, the Globetrotters had the bad cabbie luck and ended up with the grandpa driver - he wouldn't speed, he was stopping at green lights - (that would be my worse nightmare.  Anyone that has ever driven with me knows I tend to lack patience in traffic.) 
-All the teams arrive at the tram except the Globetrotters - they are all trying to get the guy to go but he wants to wait another couple minutes... arghh!  The tram finally gets going just as the Globetrotters get there and they try to get it stopped... but no such luck.  As Jen said, this thing only goes one way and it's up (there was no turning around.)  The Globetrotters had to wait 1/2 hour for the next tram.  Big Easy adopted a zen approach - if it's meant to be it will be... Flight Time had to walk away from him.

-Once at the staircase Justin's eagle eye spied a tile right away and they jump in a cab for the next destination.  Kisha & Jen then Gary & Mallory follow - but they're not that far behind.
-Zev & Justin arrive at what looks like a street carnival and get the clue to the ROADBLOCK - who's ready to shake a tail feather?   Zev has to do this Roadblock since Justin's already done 5 - and Zev just 4 -they have to be even going into the finale.  Sooo, Zev has to suit up in a silly get up and learn some simple samba steps from his guides.  Once they think he's ready he will perform the dance for a judge who, if satisfied, will give them their next clue.  (You know this is not going to go well.)
-As Zev clumsily tries to learn the steps - and he admittedly has white boy rhythm - Gary & Mallory arrive.  Mallory is going to do the task for them - as a pageant queen, she's been in dancing since she was 3 - so she has no trouble with this at all. 
-They both go to do the dance for the judge - Mallory gets a Sim (pass) and Zev get a Nao (no way).
-Kisha & Jen get there and Kisha suits up and learns the dance for them - Jen's confident, she's got rhythm.  Kisha gets a Sim from the judge - Zev, another Nao.
-The Globetrotters have gone and retrieved their tile and they arrive at the Roadblock.  Justin has been very supportive of Zev, telling him to do his best, but when the Globetrotters get their he's not happy.  He tells Zev to loosen up a bit and after he slaps the female dancers butt (she was shocked at first but then laughed) he does start to loosen up.

-Gary & Mallory have arrived at the Copacabana where they must go to the COP Spa and get a full Brazilian wax - OMG!  Mallory is old hand at the waxing but Gary, not so much.  Let the painfest begin.  (I'm just shuttering - and waiting for the screaming of OOOhh KELLY CLARKSON!)  Oh, it doesn't look like they get the full Brazilian - it's armpits, chest, legs...( thank goodness because what I think of as a Brazilian wax would not have been appropriate for family television - and I couldn't imagine them doing that right beside each other either.)  Gary & Mallory are done and they get the next clue. 

-DETOUR - On the Rocks or On the Beach... Newly waxed they must decide where they are most comfortable (huh?)
-In On the Rocks the teams must go to a beach side bar and learn to make a popular Brazilian cocktail he caipirinha - made with muddled limes, sugar and sticky liqueur - once they have made 100 acceptable caipirinhas they will get their next clue. (I guess the lime juice would sting newly opened pores.)
-In On the Beach - they must pick up an umbrella with hundreds of bikinis hanging from it and a portable changing room then head out on the beach, convince customers to model their bikinis and sell enough bikinis to make about $60 US.  (Being someone who would never be caught dead in a bikini, this detour sounds waaay harder.)
-Gary & Mallory decide On the Rocks if for them and head to the beach.

Nao.  Zev finally eeks out a Sim and they head off for the Copacabana.

-Big Easy gets the Sim on his second attempt and they also head out for the waxing.  (I feel sorry for them all.)

-They finally show Kisha & Jen arriving at the waxing place and they do alright - they didn't enjoy it mind you - but I think they all just have to endure 15minutes of waxing.
-The Globetrotters get there next - Zev & Justin's cab driver didn't know the place and they got lost.
-The Globetrotters get through the waxing pretty easy, they're not too hairy - and Flight Time was unashamedly flirting with the poor girl waxing him (I think he's been away from home too long - any woman touching him better look out.)  They are heading out for the Detour as Zev & Justin - arrive.

-Meanwhile the drink mixing starts out rough for Gary & Mallory, obviously not big drinkers - they keep getting the order of the ingredients and mixing wrong and having their drinks poured out... but finally they get in a rhythm and start having acceptable drinks - 5 down 95 to go.  OOf.

-Zev & Justin are hairy, hairy men and there is a lot of screaming in the spa as they get going and there it is - Justin whips out the "Oh Kelly Clarkson!" - 15 minutes is not going to be enough time to denude these two - I predict strange bald patches left in the hair on both of them.
-Justin almost punches the woman in the face when she does his chest - Zev gets his whole chest and armpits done - Justin ends up with bald pecs but still hairy in the middle - (Nice, the chicks will dig that :)  - their time expires and they get the Detour clue.

-Kisha & Jen and the Globetrotters have both chosen On the Rocks and have started mixing drinks at the bar - Jen has some bartending experience - they only have one rejected - the Globetrotters have a couple rejected but they get in the groove and everyone is busy mixing up their 100 cocktails.

-For some reason, Justin & Zev have decided to do To the Beach and try to sell bikinis.  They pick up the umbrella and changing room and Justin speak Portuguese so they have a bit of a leg up there - but no one is willing to try on the bikinis.  They have one guy willing to buy one but his girlfriend won't try it on... Zev says it best - "This Sucks."

-Gary & Mallory are the first team to finish 100 drinks and they got the clue to the Pit Stop - below the Contemporary Art Museum.   Big Easy asks if they're allowed to have one of the drinks after they're done and he gets a big thumbs up from their judge - Alrighty then - a little incentive for them maybe?

-Zev & Justin have been skunked on the beach - no one is buying bikinis - they decide to switch tasks.

-Kisha & Jen finish their 100th cocktail and head out just as Zev & Justin arrive to start mixing their drinks.
-The Globetrotters are getting into it - they must have been sampling the drinks cause they are FEELING it, singing with the guys and just annoying Justin.  The Globetrotters finish and head out - Zev & Justin know they are last.

How they finished this leg:
1) Gary & Mallory - They have made it into the final leg for one million dollars. They won a trip for two along the Mediterranean.  If they are the big Wieners, Gary will be the oldest person ever to have won.
2) Kisha & Jen - Phil gets them coconuts to drink from - they have made it into the final.
3) The Globetrotters -
4) Zev & Justin -ELIMINATED - They've been happier. Zev is Yoda I think.  He tells us his take on things: Justin was the Race and Zev was the Amazing - Seeing what they've seen out in the world, there is a much bigger picture than trying to win a million dollars. 

Final Leg
They get the clue to head to their final destination city - Miami, Florida.  Once there they have to head to the marina to get their next clue.  They all get on the same flight out of Rio and it's a sprint out of the airport - the Globetrotters and Kisha & Jen jump in the first cabs - Gary & Mallory are left at the airport - they are frantically trying to get a cab to catch up. 
-Kisha & Jen pass the Globetrotters and are the first to the clue box - just barely - the Globetrotters are right behind them.  The clue is the ROADBLOCK - one person must drive a heavy forklift and lift a boat into dry dock... oh boy.
-Kisha & Flight Time are driving the heavy machinery - (This does not look safe! No hard hats - 2 minutes of training - they do have a coach with them telling them what to do though - still - eek.)

-Mallory is freaking out in the cab - they keep asking if the guy knows where he's going - she's praying - please, please, please... he's ignoring her and texting or googling the marina - not boding well.

-Flight Time finishes just ahead of Kisha - and they get the clue to head to Key Largo - looks like a two team race at this point.  Gary & Mallory have fallen victim to the bad cabbie curse.

-Gary & Mallory do finally arrive at the marina though and Gary hops on the forklift - Mallory says he's had experience with a forklift and she's staying positive - not a good way to start the 12th leg but it's not over yet - they could have a chance to catch up (sure you can.)

-Flight Time & Big Easy get to Key Largo and it's another ROADBLOCK - the area is famous for it's mermaid shows - one person will have to explore the under water world in a personal submarine known as a Bob dive - Phil tells us from his own bob dive underwater - (SO COOL - I want to do that!)  They will have to maneuver the bob dive through a school of mermaids, checking dozens of floating treasure chests for the clue - once they find it they can return to the surface and carry on. (We'll see how the two teams that hate the water do with this one.)
-Big Easy and Jen have to do this - Jen is slightly panicked, she can't swim... but they both get under the water and come up in their bubble and they can breathe - then it's no problem.  The Bob Dive is like a slow jet ski, they sit on it and are propelled through the water - there is a band and the mermaids distract Big Easy a little...

-Gary has finished the dry dock and get s the clue to head to Key Largo.  Oh, they are using the same cab - I guess they couldn't get a new one.

-Under the sea, Big Easy is enjoying riding his underwater motorcycle, Jen feels like she's going to throw up but she's quickly looking through the chests.  Flight Time and Kisha are just glad it's not them having to do this one. 
-Big Easy is the first to find a clue - it tells them to head to mile marker 29 - they head out of the place and their cab has left.  This is bad (and we have to watch Big Easy run with his pants half way down as he's trying to get dressed and find their cab - nice.)
-They do find their cab and have to stop to ask directions - Kisha & Jen's cab driver thinks he knows where it is so they just go - they pass the Globetrotters.

-Gary & Mallory get to the Mermaids/submarine task and she's trying to get it done as fast as she can - they know the two wetsuits laying there is not a good sign.

-Kisha & Jen get to the next clue box and the clue tells them to walk across the shallow ocean to Horseshoe Island then find the tallest tree to get their next clue.  They're not swimming so it should be fine but they are still apprehensive  the water is cold.
-The Globetrotters are right behind them crossing to the island when the girls get the clue that they have to go back to the mainland, take a speedboat to marathon marina - then travel on foot to the mobile home park to get their next clue.

-Mallory is having a hard time finding a clue - she's trying not to get frantic and she finally finds it - off they go but they're looking a little down.  Their cab driver doesn't know where they need to go but they head for mile marker 29. 

-Kisha & Jen head out in their speedboat and it's wet!  The Globetrotters are again, right behind them.
-Gary & Mallory walk across to the island and get the clue.  They head off for the speedboats.

-Kisha & Jen get to the mobile home park and get the clue to move a small trailer with a hand jack then, when they have it in place, replicate a picture they have (putting out all the accessories for a kitchy mobile home paradise.)  Once their scene matches the picture, they'll receive their next clue.
-The sisters and the Globetrotters are now both moving their little trailers to their trailer pads - the residents of the trailer park, complete with camo trucker hats, are watching warily, I don't think they're used to they're kind around those parts.

-Gary & Mallory are on their way - getting soaked and thrown around in their speed boat.

-The trailer sites are going up alright until Hurricane Andrew hits - the wind has really kicked up and is making putting up their awnings almost impossible.  The local ladies are laughing at how stupid they look.

-A tiny woman with the biggest hair I've seen in a long time has come to check their set ups and despite the wind, both of them are not exactly like the brochure.  They have to keep going. 
-Gary & Mallory get there and put their trailer in place - the other teams are not happy to see them.  It's sudden death baby.

-Kisha finally figures out they are missing a beer cozy on the table and they pass Miss Rose's scrutiny and get the next clue to head out for Seven Mile Bridge.
-The Globetrotters are still not the same as the brochure - they go to check what the girls did - figure out their table is not set right.  And finally get the clue.
-Gary & Mallory are almost there - the awning keeps flying over the top... arggh!

-Kisha & Jen get to the bridge and they have to ride bikes... oh, they are adult size tricycles - off they go - but they are riding into that heavy wind - not easy.  The Globetrotters are there right behind them and are trying to catch up (put your helmets on! Sheesh - this episode is a WorkSafe nightmare.)

-Gary & Mallory pass Miss Rose's muster and they get the clue - jump in a cab and it's a new driver - Oh happy day!  She's a gray haired lady but I bet she knows her way around.

-Back on the bridge Kisha & Jen are slogging along, Jen's running along side the trike at one point but they keep going strong.  The Globetrotters are trying to catch up but the girls are just too far ahead and they trike off towards THE FINISH LINE! (What? No memory challenge about the race - huh.)

KISHA & JEN are the winners of The Amazing Race!  The second time in a row an all female team has won. (And I must admit I got a little teary for them.)  Then they said they were doing this for their mom (they were raised by a single mom) and when Phil asked what they were going to do for her they said everything!  (Ah, now I see why they wanted this to end on Mother's Day)  Their Mom wants to start her own business and now they can help put her in a position of success (yup, I was crying.)
And, with Kisha & Jen: Susan N, Andria S, Kelvin H, Laurie T and Sandy G have won the Amazing Race Pool!  Congratulations! 

The Globetrotters came in 2nd.  We didn't win?  They say they got beat by a couple girls but it's okay - the girls were the most consistent team, they never came in first until it mattered but they never struggled either.  Big Easy said they had a good time - they laughed, they sang, they danced... he's glad they did it.

Gary & Mallory came in 3rd - the experience was priceless for them to be able to do this together.  Gary said they did it back to back and if they had the chance they'd probably do it again.

So, Unfinished Business is finished!  It was a pretty good season even though the least likely team seemed to win (still a little bitter about the Cowboys elimination.)  Have a great summer everyone.

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - May the 4th (be with you) Episode Recap

You Mangled My Nets

Rob's Ometepe tribe has successfully weeded out Zapatera - tonight it's time to turn on one of their own... the cracks showing are Phillips antics and Andrea's continued attachment to Matt.

At Redemption Island
-We have our first 4 way duel to look forward to - the four guys, Matt, Mike, Ralph and Steve wonder how it's going to play out in the end - the jury is all Zapatera at this point - Ralph figures if one of the Zapatera get back in at the end, he could win - and Ralph wants to be that guy.

Murlonio - Night 30
-Ometepe is celebrating the decimation of Zapatera - Andrea is scared and excited to get out of cruise control and start playing the game again.
-Natalie has a little crying jag - the relief of knocking everyone off made her start thinking of home and missing regular life (I think she's dreading what's to come.)
-Rob says she's only 19 - 30 days out there can take a toll on a person and he wants to make sure she's okay - they comfort her and want to make sure she's alright.
-Rob says he has 8 days left, he wants to keep everyone happy and make sure they don't start talking to each other or maybe they'll realize he's the one they should really be voting out.

Murlonio - Day 31
-Tree mail is a box with the Sprint logo on it - "Open first."  The screen says they'll be going to Redemption Island for the duel but first watch the videos for a surprise - Yup, videos from home, it is the requisite crying episode... Let the water works really begin.  Natalie's mom is first (wah!)  Andrea's Dad (aw, he's cute), Phillip's sister, Rob's sister, Grant's brother-in-law (I hope tells him his sister is newly pregnant, because if it's Grant's girl - that would be a cold way to tell him), Ashley's mom (Wah!)

Redemption Island - Day 31
They also get a Sprint phone - Ralph's brother? maybe - says the cows are all great, but a couple chickens got killed though...(ah, red neck news worth sharing I guess.)  Mike's mom, Steve's brother (the brother gets emotional) - Matt's brother - and blond jesus is crying a bit... Matt says if there is a chance he could spend time with his brother, he will do anything he can to win today.

Duel Arena
Jeff takes the phones back - says love in person will be even better - the winner of the duel gets to spend time with their loved one for real.

The Duel - each of the four contestants will have four tiles arranged in a straight row from close to far away.  They will each get to throw metal wire balls to break the tiles - first one to break all tiles wins love from home - first 3 breaking all tiles will stay in the game and the last person will be out.
Mike is the first person to break all his tiles. Wins the love from home.
Matt stays alive, Ralph stays alive and Steve reaches the end of his journey (it was a little sad, he looks so diminished, physically by this.  Throws his buff in the fire and heads out.
So with Steve leaving that means: Nenad M, Alex H and Elaine & Kevin R are out of the pools.

Mike wins time with his Mom but when she comes out she stays 10 ft away.  Jeff tells Mike he can have his time with his mom or he can forego his time (which looks like it would nearly break her heart) and instead let the other two guys at Redemption Island spend time with their loved ones - in comes Matt's brother Burton and Ralph's buddy Ronny... but that not it - He could also decide instead to give love to all the other people - so they trot out all the Ometepe loved ones and the the faucet comes on with the girls especially...
(I'm sorry, but if I were him, I'd let the Ometepe hang - he'd have more Zapatera on the jury anyway and I don't see them voting for a Zapatera no matter what he gives them... that's my opinion.)
OH MY GOD - He starts quoting scripture - Love your brother... he says sharing love with the greatest number of people and making friends out of enemies is the clear choice for him. (Okay, I'm going to hell.)
Jeff is dumbfounded as well - he thought the odds of him giving the prize to the six people that decimated his tribe were less than zero.  Asks Mike's Mom if it surprises her and she says, "No, that's who my son is. I'm so proud of you." (Oh, damn, she got me crying now... I hate this episode, it gets me every time.)

They all thank Mike and he says, "You're welcome. Don't vote me out again."

Redemption Island - Day 31
-The three of them get back to camp and Ralph was really pissed off that Mike let the Ometepe six have the time with their loved ones - he doesn't think they deserved it and if it was just to garner votes, it was stupid.
-Matt says he's glad he didn't win because he couldn't have done that - He and Ralph agree, the way those 6 treated them... but Mike says he believes that's what God wanted him to do - it was the right thing to do and if it gets him some votes in the end it's a bonus.  (I do not want to offend anyone, I grew up going to church too, but... Did they scout bible camp or something this season?  It does seem to be Christian heavy, or is that just me?)

Murlonio - Day 31
Family time - everyone is just so excited to show their loved ones where they've been living - talking to people from home, not in the game, is priceless. 
-And Natalie's mom says she's prayed for her (see?). Natalie feels like she has the strength to make it through now.
-Phillip basically says the same thing - his sister's confidence in him renewed him to CONTINUE TO DOMINATE (he said it twice) and be who I am.  (He also said he's prepared to go crazy cause that works for him and she just nodded... hmm, she gives us nothing.)
- Rob tells his sister everything -  that Phillip is wacko but he's also the biggest goat, if he drags him to the end he gets no votes.  Grant thinks it's me and him, Natalie thinks it's me and her - all they have to do is talk to each other, but they won't.  To the camera Rob gets choked up - he says he's playing his best game but if he can't finish it, it means nothing.  He wants to win to make a better life for his wife and kids (and he's running out of reality shows to go on.)  He wants to win Survivor, it's something he's been trying to do for 10 years now, he's 8 days away and nothing is going to stop him. (I bet he had his sister come because seeing Amber would take his mind out of the game too much - everything he does is with precision and a mind to the end game. Everything.)  And the loved one's take off.

Murlonio - Day 32
They get tree mail - eludes to steps, on the rise, immunity is the prize...
-Rob feels like the vote tonight won't be too difficult - probably voting for Andrea - she's great at the challenges and strategically she knows more about his than anyone but Grant and him.  He's going to work his ass off to make sure she doesn't win immunity.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
What is that?  Huge staircase with rows of different sized pegs on some of the steps... and boards at the bottom... that does NOT look fun.
They will have to race out and collect the puzzle steps then place them in the right places to complete the very large staircase - first person to the top wins Immunity.
Off they go.  There are 3 sets of  steps  they can only bring one piece up with them at a time so if they're wrong it could cost a bunch of time - Andrea is in the lead with Grant and Rob - she gets one wrong and the guys pass her - Phillip, Ashley and Natalie are non-entities in the challenge - Grant makes a couple mistakes Rob is slowing down, it's 110 degrees and they are running up and down steep stairs... Rob is struggling up the stairs... can Grant catch him?  Nope - ROB Wins Immunity and collapses at the top - his legs cramp up, Natalie brings him some water but he is struggling - Jeff asks if he wants medical, he says no, but needs help to get up.  Once on his feet though, he put his hat on with authority - I'm okay - let's go back to camp.
(He did do his damnedest and made sure Andrea didn't win.)

Murlonio - Day 32
-Rob said he literally had to give it everything he had to win immunity but he did it - now he knows he's not going home and he can basically send anyone he wants to Redemption Island.  The plan is still Andrea - he has them all convinced she's the biggest threat because of her skill in challenges and her relationship with Matt.  Andrea thinks they are voting Phillip for sure.  They're all sure she has no idea.
-So it's set - voting Andrea, when Phillip starts to act up as Annoyance #1 again - he starts burning the fronds from the roof of the Zapatera side of the shelter - he's trying to kill a bug and telling Andrea what to do...  Phillip says he's not concerned - from day one he set himself up as the villain so everyone thinks the best way for them to win is with him, it was brilliant strategy (if he does say so himself.) He puts a little salt on the wound every now and then to make sure folks don't forget it.  Phillip says he's sure Rob thinks his best bet for the Million dollars is to take him to the end but he (Phillip) has the perfect oral argument and he thinks he can defeat Rob.
-Rob is having second thoughts and voices to Grant that maybe they should take out Phillip tonight.  Rob doesn't trust him and he wonders if Phillip might now be playing him...

TRIBAL COUNCIL
The time has finally come - this tight group has to finally vote out one of their own.  Andrea, concerned at all?
-For myself? (Your name is Andrea, isn't it - sheesh) Yeah. I feel confident in the relationships I've made in the Ometepe six so I feel safe tonight but you can never be certain in this game.  But I feel like I'm trusting the right people.
Natalie, exciting or terrifying to be at tribal council?
-It's totally different - nerve wracking - it's not fun being at TC tonight.
Phillip, you've made a point of saying you're the sixth man in this tribe and you're okay with that - but there are only six people left.  Is there a part of you that is trying not to look like a threat (sites his poor showing at the challenge.)
-It was 110 degrees and I'm a 52 yr old man - I was clearly out of my league.  I've been praying for a challenge of upper body strength.  When I was in the army at 29, no one could beat me running, push ups...
Phillip - I'm making the argument that they should keep you because you're not a threat and you're saying 'I'm a huge threat, I just haven't had the right challenge.'  Phillip looks a little confused.
Andrea, you were very competitive today.  Might that make you a target?
-I realize it's individual now but we still want to keep our tribe strong because whoever comes back from Redemption - we have to beat them. (Really, that's your reasoning? Colour me unimpressed.)
Grant, are you having to play your own psychological game of this is why you should keep me?
-To a certain degree - but I came into this game knowing myself and this is who I am.  You can tell when people are being themselves and when they are putting on a front to win a million dollars.
Phillip, share with me some insights based on your background in counter-intelligence (and he said it with a straight face) can you make it to the end being truthful?
-Absolutely.  I'll make the case with myself.  I've made no alliance that I've broken - everyone knows me to be the senior statesman, one who leads by example (that got Grant and Rob smirking).  I don't know for sure, but I think I'm the guy you want to have around.
Unless I'm wrong - no one here thinks it's them tonight.  Rob, the pro and con of what you've built here is you are so solid you destroyed another tribe but now someone will be blindsided. (How is that a con - that's good TV.)
-Yeah, it's a tough decision tonight - but it makes it better having [the immunity necklace] around my neck.  Had anyone else won today, I'd be feeling it.
Phillip, before we vote, share one little nugget of what your great grandfather would say tonight. (Really? mining for the crazy gold? Jeff's looking a little desperate for something interesting to happen here - nope.)
-He'd say, you've done everything right to get to this point.  Hold the faith.

And they vote. 

Tallying the votes:
Andrea 1
Phillip 1
Andrea 2, 3, 4 - She knew as soon as she got her 2nd vote.  "Tricky, tricky."  Andrea goes to Redemption Island.  She's bitter that these people she trusted all looked her in the eye today and lied. (pfssfft.)

(I'm getting bored with this season now - I just want to skip to the end... Rob has such a hold on them - no one is making any moves to take him out - they are all just trying to go with him... yawn.)

Next week - Rob wants to split the girls up but Phillip may over-stay his welcome... (Whatever - they keep teasing us with getting rid of Phillip too... of course, he's the only interesting one left. Sigh.)

Have a great weekend everyone,

Coleen

The Amazing Race - After the Cowboys - May 1st episode recap

Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen (Switzerland)

6:54am - Zev & Justin are the first out and read the clue that they are heading into the unknown - Zev - well that's comforting.  They have to go to the Air Rescue headquarters and sign up for one of the helicopters - they run through the snow (so it must be close-by) and they are the first team - first flight set to leave at 9:15am.
7:01am -Kisha & Jen are next out, they laugh about the $1 they have for this leg - they are really enjoying the Race more this time around, taking more time to actually experience it.  Jen is excited about the helicopter ride, says maybe they'll be rescuing someone in the Alps. Kisha - ready to leave their asses there.  They will be on the 9:15 flight.
8:00am - Kent & Vyxsin - say they are starting the legs happier now - she put on extra glitter today to match the snow (but I really don't care. I wish these two were gone - which probably means they'll win.)
They try to stop a little electric taxi but he won't stop for them.
8:18am - Gary & Mallory head out and get one of the taxi's - hoping they'll jump Kent & Vyxsin, looks like they did.  They're taxi goes right by the Goths which frustrates Kent (ha ha - so sorry)
8:43am - The Globetrotters hope they can step it up and... I don't know, Big Easy used some basketball analogy... they want to win in the 4th quarter.  They head out and grab a taxi no problem.
-Meanwhile Kent and Vyxsin are still waiting for their cab and he's stirring himself into a state - he just wants to punch someone - he's offended and she's sick and tired of him being so over reactionary - they finally get a cab.  They do make it to the sign up before the Globetrotters - but they are after Gary & Mallory.

-Everyone is suited up and anxiously awaiting their helicopter adventure.  Zev & Justin, as the first team signed up (everyone else will be staggered 5 minutes), get the clue to the DETOUR - Search or Rescue.
-In Search - teams will use an avalache beacon finder to locate a dummy buried somewhere in the glacier, then dig it up to receive their next clue (it's high altitude, cold and really windy.)
-In Rescue - using a specialized winch/pulley system one team member will rappel into a cravasse where they must attach the rescue line to the stranded dummy and the second team member will use the pulley system to bring their team member up, then they'll work together to rescue the dummy.
-Zev & Justin decide on Search and head out into the majestic wonder of the Alps - Zev finds it mindboggling that the Matterhorn was named after the Disneyland ride (Gaha.)
-Kisha & Jen are going to do Rescue - thinking Search could take hours - in the chopper Kisha's eyes look like they're about to pop out of her head - she is not enjoying this.

-Zev & Justin start searching with their beacon finder - it's beeping... let's dig here - oh, I feel something (are you kidding me?  It can't be that easy.)

-Gary & Mallory get the clue - she tells him to choose and he says, Let's do the first one - so they will be searching too.

-Kisha & Jen get to the cravasse and Jen is going to be the one going in - since Kisha is afraid of heights - seems like a good choice.  Jen thinks it's so cool being inside the glacier - she sees the guy not too far down... Kisha - Is he cute?  (Oh, I guess they have to save actual people.)

-Kent & Vixsin are going to do Rescue and it's their first helicopter ride as well - whoop-di-do.
-The Globetrotters are also going to do Rescue - is it me or did they have a bigger helicopter?

-Zev & Justin are having trouble with the digging - they don't seem to be making much progress when Gary & Mallory's copter comes in and drops them off.  Gary & Mallory also seems to find the location of their "body" rather quickly - we'll see how they do.  The wind is really kicking up out there.

-Kent & Vyxsin get to their cravasse and Kent is complaining (surprise) about the cold - feels like his hands are going to drop off.  The lowering down seems to be going okay as she lowers Kent into the crevasse - and we get a close up of his horrible blue contacts.

-The Globetrotters show up on the glacier and they are awed by the moutains all around them as far as the eye can see - being from humble beginnings in cities - this was just amazing.  Big Easy gets to lowering Flight Time into the crevasse.

-Kent is yelling to Vyxsin that he needs more rope to keep lowering him and then it's like she stopped listening because she just keeps going - he's yelling stop!  As it keeps getting darker and and he's going deeper...(Oh, sweet jebus, are they going to have to save Kent too?)  Ugh, he's just being overly dramatic again - he's clamped on the guy and he's ready to come back up.

-Kisha is struggling to bring Jen back up - she's heavier than she looks (apparently). 
-Kent is coming up easily - but he's probably 90lbs.

-Back at the search - Zev & Justin are still no closer to finding their dude - Gary & Mallory have found their dummy and when Gary tries to wrench the dummy out by the exposed top half - his bottom half stays in the snow - d'oh!

-Kisha & Jen are now working together to bring up their guy - once he's out of the crevasse he hands them their next clue.  Route info - they have to take the helicopter down to a ski resort then hop the train back to Zermatt - where they'll get their next clue.

-Vyxsin is doing all the work as usual and she gets their guy out of the glacier - she has to tell him to help the guy and the guy has to tell him to get out of the way - sheesh.  They get the clue.

-Big Easy has the brute strength to haul up 200lbs more easily than Flight Time would have been able to manage bringing up his 275lbs (he is a large man) - they get their guy up and get the clue (so it seems Rescue was the way to go.)

-Gary is still trying to yard the legs of their dummy out of the snow but it's wedged in their good.  Mallory is proud of her dad - he may be the oldest racer but it's not holding him back.
-Zev & Justin have only found and elbow so far, they can grab it but there is no way to get the dummy out without uncovering it all (it seems) and the digging is arduous in those conditions.
-Gary & Mallory are finally able to get the bottom half of their guy out of the snow - and shout "He's alive!" Uh, I don't think so. 

-Back at the ski resort - the sisters find the train and find out the next one doesn't leave until 11:08am which leaves time for everyone but Zev & Justin to make it on the same train.  
-Zev & Justin, meanwhile, are not making any progress on the dummy extraction - Justin is losing his strength and doesn't know what to do - at this rate, they'll be there forever.  They finally realize they have to dig outward along the body and they end up freeing the legs - now for the torso.

-Now in Zermatt - the teams are looking for the clue box and the Goths are the first to get the ROADBLOCK clue - Who wants to make a new friend?  (OH, IT'S CHOCOLATE!)
-They will have to make a Travelocity Roaming Gnome out of chocolate - using the Swiss exact standards, including cooling with snow.  Once their gnome is completed, if they meet the approval of the Swiss Chocolatier, they can switch their chocolate gnome for a real Travelocity Gnome, and their next clue.
-Vyxsin, Flight Time, Mallory and Jen are set to make their new friends.  They head into the kitchen and find out it's pretty much painting the figure in the mold.  Their team mates get to snack on chocolate while the others are working - Gary says it sure beats being on the glacier...

-Speaking of which, Zev & Justin are still struggling to get the dummy out - they finally do it though.  Justin hopes at least one team switched tasks... or they could be dead last (yup.)

-Back in the kitchen Kent is constantly yapping at Vyxsin, telling her not to be so meticulous, everyone else has one half in the oven... she calmly tells him it'd be the freezer - he just keeps at her - yap yap yap...

-Zev & Justin get the clue for the Roadblock and Zev has to be the one to make the new friend - Justin had already done 5 tasks and Zev just 3... hopefully this will be his forte.  He says he can handle painting with food.

-And then Gnome-gate happens.  Vyxsin puts her first mold in the freezer on the very bottom - she is still working with her other one.  Flight Time goes to switch out his molds and can't find his, says someone has taken his other half - and they blame Vyxsin.  Everyone else says, oh no, I have mine - it must be her... really?  Big Easy is saying Vyxsin took their mold and Kent tries to defend her but he completely ineffectual - (Now I don't want to lay blame but if I were a betting woman, I'd say it was Jen, she was too quiet.)  Vyxsin was very hurt and upset by this turn of events (don't cry, you'll run your glitter.)

-It seems to blow over for everyone but Kent as Big Easy is teasing Kisha on her horrible laugh - Flight Time is the first one done with his painting and then they start to fill his mold with chocolate - he's got to rotate it to cover it evenly - he's using more hip action than is necessary.  Once filled he's got to take it outside and bury it in the snow to cool it down.
-Everyone else is right behind him - Jen, Mallory, Vyxsin all filled and buring it in the snow.  Zev is bringing up the rear.
-Kent is a big man talking to the camera - he says the Globetrotters, when things don't go their way just start yelling, Big Easy was being a big bully - (Kent is dancing, making faces behind his back - ooh, big man) He says they kicked their a$$ in the last leg and they're going to do it again today (whatever.)

-They all start digging their gnomes out leaving Zev waiting his 1/2 hour alone.
-Back in the kitchen, very slowly they have to release the mold from the gnomes - then they have to touch up the seams with the coloured chocolate - Kent is telling Vyxsin she has one pretty gnome and Big Easy starts being the Big Bully again - Yeah, it's Pretty, Flight - It's Pretty. (They are all assholes.) 
-Vyxsin is the first one finished and they get their actual Roaming Gnome and the clue to the Pit Stop - a 300yr old cabin within walking distance.  Off they go... looking for a taxi - huh?
-Flight Time is the next done, then Jen and Mallory... Zev is still out in the snow (Justin is not happy.)

-The taxi's are ignoring the Goths (apparently they are not accepting of pink hair there) and the Globetrotters read the clue that says to make their way on foot - they don't share that info.
-Jen & Kisha ask a cab directions - but Jen knows they have to make their way on foot.
-Gary & Mallory see Kent & Vyxsin get into a cab, they also know they have to make their way on foot - she gleefully says they're going to get a bad penalty.
-So all the teams are running up the mountain and Kent & Vyxsin go by in their cab - she doesn't feel good about this but he dismisses her concerns (um, not tweeking anything that no one else is in a cab?  Nothing?)
-Zev finishes his gnome and they get the clue for the Pit Stop - out on the street Justin gets directions and they head off.

Here's How They Finished:
1) The Globetrotters - Worst to First, baby.  They win a trip for 2 to the Cook Islands.
2) Kisha & Jen - Big St Bernard dog tries to bowl them over - he did the same thing to Flight Time - they could use the Dog Whisperer up there.
3) Kent & Vyxsin... however - they took a taxi - they have a 30 minute penalty... I can't believe we missed that.  She asks how did we miss that and he says, "I don't know, you read it first"...(Really, you're blaming her? Ugh, he's such a... ugh.)
3) Gary & Mallory - That dog nearly takes Mallory out too - they are #3

Kent & Vyxsin - bicker, bicker, bicker

4) Zev & Justin - I'm sorry to tell you, you are the last team to arrive... however, because Kent & Vyxsin incurred a penalty - you are team #4! 
5) Kent & Vyxsin - ELIMINATED - he says every team has their fatal moment and this happened to be ours.  Vyxsin says at the end of the day they are still best friends and she feels sorry for the rest of the teams because she's taking the best partner with her (I don't believe you.)
So, with the Goths leaving that means Alexis G, Pat T, Shelley A, Cheryl B and Rachel R are out of the pool. (Sorry, I'm not really sad to see them go.)

Next week - is the 2 hour season finale as the Race rips through Brazil... Oh My Gravy - they area all getting waxed - chests, armpits, legs - then there is dancing in costumes - (I like it when they make them dress up) - and finally the finish in the Florida Keys.  So next week, we will know the winners of the Amazing Race.

Coleen