Amazing Race 19 - October 30, 2011 Episode Recap

We Love Your Country Already, It Is Very Spacious (Malawi)

The teams get the clue to head from Thailand to Malawi, Africa - Marcus & Amani are the first out, and they are very excited to be heading to Africa - they've never been.  Marcus & Amani tell us their youngest daughter is a special needs child and she's shown them how to celebrate every little achievement and they want to show her and all their kids (they have 4) not to give up.
Bill & Cathi are the next out, actually they leave staggered as usual but, as there is only one flight from Thailand to Malawi they are all on the same flight. 

Once they land in Malawi they must take taxis to Gate 07 of the tobacco warehouse and look for their next clue.  The flight lands and the order is pretty close to reversed as they jump in cabs - Sandy & Jeremy are the first out, followed by Cindy & Ernie then mid pack and coming up the rear are Marcus & Amani and Bill & Cathi.

Jeremy & Sandy are the first to the tobacco warehouse where they get the clue to the ROADBLOCK - who is ready to put up bale?  They will have to move 10 bales of tobacco weighing 200lbs each with a short dolly through the maze of bales in the warehouse to their assigned row.  Jeremy suits up in his orange jumpsuit and gets started - most of the regular workers are standing on the piled bales making tons of noise while others are running around moving bales and generally getting in the way.  Ernie joins in the bale moving along with Justin, Tommy and Laurence (really?  I think they should have made the kid do this one - Laurence was already tired before they got there.)

Stuck in traffic are Bill & Cathi and Marcus & Amani, their cabs are behind an engagement celebration procession - "It looks like a parade."  But was just a huge pain in their butts.

Marcus & Amani get to the warehouse but the cab stops at the wrong entrance - Bill & Cathi make it to gate 7 first and Bill jumps in to move some bales (he's got the experience with hay bales on the farm).  Finally Marcus wades in as well, and he looks high-larious in the overalls - way too short and snug - but he's getting it done.  The warehouse workers are having a blast - I would be too, they are probably still getting paid and getting to watch the soft Americans trying to do their work - looks like a fun break from work to me.  Everyone is sweating and saying it's hard to breathe - the smell of the tobacco is overwhelming (yeah, I see some of the workers with respirators, the Racers, not so much... um, I guess workplace safety isn't an issue on the Race?)

Jeremy is the first to finish and he gets the clue to head to the Memorial Tower to get their next clue - all the teams finish one after the other- and the workers cheer them like conquering heroes (that would be cool).  The teams jump in cabs and make it to the next clue easily
The clue is to the DETOUR - All Sewn Up or Not Grown Up
-In All Sewn Up - they must make their way to a tailor shop in the old market and choose a guy with a suit requiring sewing - on a pair of manual sewing machines they must finish the leg and sleeve of a suit and when it's completed to their clients satisfaction they'll get their next clue.
-In Not Grown Up - they must make their way to a school and using scrap materials (milk cartons and bottle caps) construct two toy trucks - when they children try them out and deem them worthy, they'll get their next clue.  (Both of these seem kinda picky tasks - how to choose.)

-Jeremy & Sandy - she says she can't sew to save her life so Not Grown Up it is.
-Ernie & Cindy choose All Sewn Up - she says she can sew, he thinks he can (oh great.)
-Justin & Jennifer - she's a special ed teacher so it's a no-brainer for her - it's all about the kids.
-Tommy & Andy - Trucks?  Absolutely.  (It just struck me, Tommy, the non-bearded snowboarder totally reminds me of Dana Carvey - look next time.) He says we chose Not Grown Up cause we're not quite grown up yet. (Ha, yeah.)
-Laurence & Zac - They are going to build trucks - and Laurence shows he's sexist, "This is where the ladies whip past us with the sewing."  (What?  Do you know what century you're in? )

-Bill & Marcus are the last two left still moving the bales of tobacco.  Bill finishes rather easily, he's in such great shape for his age - they head off for the tower.  Marcus finishes not too far behind and all the workers swarm him as he gets the clue then they help strip him of the overalls - He loved having their encouragement (it would have freaked me out I think).

-Sandy & Jeremy get to the school and get started on the trucks - seeing all the kids made Jeremy miss his son.  Sandy has focus issues - she keeps getting distracted by how adorable the kids are - she wants to go play soccer (someone forgot their Ritalin on the Race.)
-Justin & Jennifer get to the school and Justin is studying the example like a surgeon, how do I take this apart and put it back together.

-Cathi & Bill get to the tower and she is of the generation Laurence referred to - she's a great seamstress so they choose All Sewn Up.
-Marcus & Amani also choose the sewing, he says his grandma and mom sew, so he's seen it all his life (ha ha, I've seen a lot of things too, doesn't mean I can do it... we'll see.)

-Laurence & Zac's cab driver takes their urging to heart and improves his own lane right down the middle to pass the Snowboarders (eek!)
-They all get to the school and run in to the craft area - Laurence says to Sandy, "I thought you would have been sewing my dear." (Jennifer throws him a look - Really? Oh Laurence, give it a rest already.)  Sandy says she doesn't sew and Justin says don't you do that in the OR?  We find out Sandy is a Nurse Practitioner - so she can sew people, just not clothes.  And then Laurence really p*ssed me off when he cautioned Justin about marrying her because she doesn't sew. (Shouldn't you be able to sew as a sailor? Oh yeah, you should be able to read a marine map as well... wanker.)

-Ernie & Cindy finally get to the market and Cathy & Bill get their right behind them - the power of a good cab driver cannot be underestimated in this Race.  
-Cathi gets right to sewing, she has Bill working the pedal and she's sewing away - but her thread wasn't set so no actual stitches went into the pants.  Gah, start again.
-Ernie & Cindy say they won the Express Pass in the first leg but they are going to try and hold on to it for as long as they can.  They seem to be doing alright with the sewing.

-Back at the school, Jennifer is thinking she'll get her kids to make some of these trucks to teach them to appreciate the toys they have.  Most of them want to try and remember how to do it to take the lesson home to their kids.
-Laurence makes another crack to Sandy about her going to do some sewing and she looks like, "Is this guy for real?" (I know, really?)

-Marcus & Amani get to the tailor shop and choose a suit - she's not so thrilled to be sewing but they jump right in.  I think if they seam is closed, they are good to go.  Marcus, "Watch me granny, I'm going to work."

-Jeremy & Sandy finish their trucks and the kids test drive them - they work - so they get the clue to make their way to a furniture shop where they'll get their next clue.  Sandy stops to play a little soccer, she wants to enjoy this.  Jeremy says he is enjoying it (subtext: but I want to win more.)
-Justin & Jennifer right behind them - she tries to high 5 a kid and he has no idea what she's doing.
-Andy & Tommy next done, the kid knows the high 5 for them - Tommy tries some soccer on the way by and kicks the ball away from the kid - nice, go get it.

-Back at the tailor shop Ernie says Cindy normally wears the pants in their relationship, so when she's running the ship, things go much more smoothly.  They are the first finished.  Cathi is still having threading issues with their machine.  But they finish not too long after them.  Marcus & Amani still working away.

-Justin & Jennifer and Jeremy & Sandy get to the furniture shop and on the side of the road are a bunch of slatted bed frames - they get the clue that tells them to take two beds to Phil at the next Pit Stop (ask the shop keeper to call you a truck.)  They will have to carry the beds though for the last part of the way to Phil at the mat - and they will be sleeping on those beds tonight.
-Andy & Tommy show up and they steal Jeremy & Sandy's truck - oops.  They had an okay attitude about it though - we just have to get a new one.

-Laurence & Zac show up and as usual Laurence doesn't read the whole clue about asking for a driver - he's trying to talk his cab driver into letting them strap the beds on the cab.  Finally the cab driver tells them to read the clue - Oooh. (Laurence is my least favourite person this leg - thick lump)
-Ernie & Cindy are loading their beds on a truck - everyone is squeezing in with the beds in these trucks - also, not very safe.  This episode is a WorkSafe nightmare (haha.)

-Marcus & Amani are the last team to the furniture shop - Last again - Dag nabbit. 

-Justin & Jennifer get to the end of the line for the trucks and find out they have to carry the beds to the mat.  On their shoulders, off they go.
-Andy & Tommy are the next there, they pay the driver and take off running with their beds (of course they do.)
-Sandy & Jeremy unload their beds and are about to take off when she asks if he paid the driver - no - what are you doing.  (oh, that's going to be a thing.)  Sandy is having problems carrying the bed and drops it, Jeremy says something reasonable and she freaks out, "Don't yell at me!" (Uh, he didn't - she's a little touchy.)

-Marcus & Amani have loaded their beds on a truck but they are riding in their taxi following the truck (I wonder why?)  Then, the taxi breaks down on them so they are farther behind. They jump in the truck with the beds - oh, that's really little - I get it, that's really not safe.  But they are off to the Pit Stop.

-Cindy & Ernie pay their truck driver - Bill says to Cathi, "I assume we have to pay the driver." "Only if he asks." (What? Only if he asks?  What is that?  That is Bill & Cathi having to come back is what it is.)
-Cindy has problems with the bed too - she gets it on her back but she loses the balance on it and just crumples under it... Haha - she's trapped under the bed cage.
-Sandy puts down the bed every 2 feet - Jeremy is berating her now but she really deserves it - she's such a whiner - my shoulder, whine, whine, whine.  Bill & Cathi pass them.

-Justin & Jennifer run back by the teams coming in with their beds - What's going on?  We have to pay our guy.  (Of course they say this before they get to Bill & Cathi so they don't hear them.)

Here's How They Finished:
1) Justin & Jennifer - HOLD IT - They didn't pay their truck driver so Phil can't check them in until they go back and do that... Which means...
1) Tommy & Andy - win a trip for two to the British Virgin Isles - oh, that is so pretty... yes, please.
2) Justin & Jennifer - after elbowing past Cathi at the mat are now team #2
3) Bill & Cathi - didn't pay their driver - and they busted it passing a bunch of teams with the beds.
3) Jeremy & Sandy - Phil checked them in much to Bill & Cathi's dismay - oh, paying, right.
4) Laurence & Zac - Laurence nearly falls into the Malawi lady's arms - it's been a tough leg for him.
5) Ernie & Cindy - She never looks happy to be anything but first - but they're still in it.
6) Bill & Cathi - ran back and paid and ran past Marcus & Amani to get to the mat 6th
7) Marcus & Amani  - Last team to arrive - however - this was a NON-ELIMINATION leg and they will need those beds cause they are still in the Race.  They don't want to quit - they want to show their kids what teamwork and be an example for them. (Yeah, they're such great parents they've left their kids at home to go on a Race around the world... hahaha.)
So, they will face a Speed bump on the next leg but still have the opportunity to win the Race for Susan N, Jeff T, Cara L and Shane B in our pools.

Next week - they work as taxi drivers Africa style (on bicycles, in traffic) and Jeremy & Sandy are fighting while trying to paddle what looks like a log boat thing. 

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen.

Survivor South Pacific - Oct 26/11 Episode Recap

Trojan Horse

The episode opens at:Upolu - Night 16
-They return from tribal council where Brandon had another blow up and Mikayla went to Redemption Island.
-Edna says Brandon is making her job of staying there easier by being a loose cannon.
-Rick (Marlboro Man) is telling Coach they can't have that keep happening, they have to get Brandon under control or he is a liability to the tribe.
-Coach likens Brandon to Lenny in Of Mice and Men - "There comes a time when you have to put a bullet into somebodies head." (WHAT?) "This game is kill or be killed." (Sweet Jebus, sounds like Brandon should be sleeping with one eye open.)

REDEMPTION ISLAND - Day 17
-We jump right to the duel (hello) - Albert & Sophie and Ozzy & Cochran are the witnesses.  The latter were surprised to see Mikayla there.

Duel - they will take apart a crate and use the boards to build a bridge - set them into peg holes across a platform, then they will use some of the planks to complete a puzzle - they have a design painted on the back.  First person to complete the design correctly remains - loser is gonzo.
-Off they go - Christine is in the lead completing the bridge - Albert is shouting help to Mikayla but she's just not as smart... I know, mean, but true.  They move on to the puzzle and Mikayla thinks she has it but the design is just not right - Christine pulls off another win!  She is the B*tchy One that could. Sophie & Albert are not happy.

And with Mikayla leaving - we don't need to hear her speak - oh, she wants to be stronger - whatever - we also see Susan M, Virginia D, Elaine/Kevin leaving the pools. (Tough week for Elaine & Kevin - first AR and now this.)

-Jeff points out that Christine has now single-handedly sent 5 people packing - she's becoming a legitimate force - "I've always been a legitimate force." (For Evil!  Actually, I don't know that, she could be perfectly lovely - hahahaha.)
-This gets Ozzy thinking - everyone thinks the merge will be after the next challenge, if his tribe loses, it could be worth it for them to send someone to Redemption to beat Christine and come back into the game giving Savaii the numbers. (Huh, not such a bad strategy - I hope Christine wins!)

Savaii - Day 17
-Ozzy lays out his plan to Cochran - starts out buttering him up - "We're, like, on opposite poles here but oddly in the same place - we should work together."  Cochran is such an eager little puppy - lapping it up.  So, anyway, worse case scenario - Ozzy says he doesn't want to go to Redemption but he will (because, of course, it's a given he will beat Christine) so he'll have to entrust his hidden immunity idol to someone (pointed look at Poindexter) and hopefully they'll give it back to me when I come back - keeping their numbers even.  Cochran, "That is so courageous of you." (Oh gag me.)
-Cochran sees this great for him - if Ozzy is serious about falling on his sword, so to speak, means Cochran won't be the one going to Redemption (and then, going home - if we're honest.)

Upolu - Day 17
-Coach is doing his yoga/martial arts/zen posing in the water -(I've kinda missed that this season) - but now he's actually praying to God, not just some nebulous spiritual ideal... (hmm, you know, Coach has actually shown a lot of growth and maturity this season - but I miss the crazy... just a little.)  Oh, hold on, his prayer is from Wayne's World, "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy." HAhaha!
-Coach's meditation has brought him to the realization that the only way for him to boost his tribe out of the dumps they've sunk into after losing last challenge is to share with them all that "they" have a hidden immunity idol. "Go Team."  (Uh oh, Brandon's going to be p*ssed.)
-Oh no, this is the new Coach - he rallies them all around to search for the idol today (and he's going to miraculously 'find' it) oh yeah, he's playing this game with honour and integrity alright :) He leads them in a prayer circle before sending them off on their fool's errand and it gives Sophie an icky feeling.  (At least someone has a conscience - but in Coach's mind he's doing it for the good of the tribe so it can't be wrong. Right?  Wrong!)

-Coach & Sophie end up finding tree mail - they have to pair up within the tribe and paint their bodies/dress identically for the challenge - May the best Twins win.  Hmm.
-They call everyone in and they tell them they found the idol - Brandon is so excited, "Pray together, stay together."  (He's going to hate Coach when he finds out about this.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
-They all look ridiculous!  But Brandon with the painted on bikini top is PRICELESS! (I've just realized I've been very exclamationy this recap - oh well!)
-And we find out this is the new movie commercial episode - the winners will go to the Survivor Cinema and have to suffer through the new Adam Sandler movie Jack & Jill where he plays twins - one of which is a woman -yes, that movie got made.  The popcorn, candy, soda may make it worth watching, if I was starving out there - maybe.
-So, one set of twins will be the callers for the tribe and the other two sets of twins will be blindfolded.  One set at a time will have to listen to the callers to guide them through a course and collect bags of masks.  Once they have all 4 bags, the last set of twins (still blindfolded) have to get the masks out of the bags and, using only their sense of touch, must match the twin masks and set them on the board in their pairs.  First team to complete the matches correctly wins Immunity and Reward. (If you want to call it that.)
-Upolu callers: Coach & Rick  - directing Brandon & Edna
-Savaii callers: Jim & Cochran - directing Keith & Dawn - and first obstacle - Dawn cracks her head right into the log (Ouch).  They're not very good at this.
Then Edna takes a hard hit - smashing her forehead into a log as well - Coach did tell her to duck but Brandon was pulling her along - She is definitely seeing stars.
-Brandon & Edna find the first bag first but Keith & Dawn are not far behind.  They switch out the pairs and now Albert & Sophie head out along side Ozzy & Whitney.  Upolu is back first with the 2nd bag but Keith & Dawn take over the lead on the third bag - they've moved out into the water with the obstacles and Edna is not doing well. 
-Savaii hits a snag though, literally - they are tethered to a rope through this whole thing and Cochran was trying to undo one team and hook up the next... well, it was Cochran - it didn't go well and they lost the lead.
-Albert finds the 4th bag but they could not untie it - Ozzy and Whitney get to the bag and untie it quickly but they are all tangled in their rope and it totally slows them down (I think Cochran is toast.)

-Upolu is the first back with all the bags and Albert & Sophie get started on the Twinning of the Masks.  Coach is praying and Brandon is witnessing with his arm in the air (okay, hypocrite, give it a rest already.)  Or, it totally worked - Albert & Sophie knocked it out of the park before Savaii even got started.  Upolu wins Immunity and a movie. 
-Coach demands they all get on their knees and he leads a prayer - Yeah, I'm going with give it a rest already.
-Ozzy has another little temper tantrum - yelling they weren't hooked in right and he hits the wall, then kicks the wall... Cochran knows his agreement with Ozzy has just gone out the window.

And we were subjected to a commercial for Jack & Jill - that's enough for me, thank you.

REWARD
-They b-line to the candy - and they are showing us scenes from the movie -  Please stop it!
-Coach loved it, loves Adam Sandler - movie reminded him family comes first and they have to remain strong as a tribe/family, blah, blah, blah.

Savaii - Night 17
-Returning from the challenge - Cochran looks like he's been crying and Ozzy is ranting.  Cochran feels a new level of ostracism from the tribe and he knows he's the next target.   Ozzy flat out says, "You lost it for us."  and Cochran takes it on, I should be held accountable.
-So Ozzy has his out - he says it's a risky move to send Cochran to Redemption but it's even riskier to send Ozzy and have the merge be delayed another week (why is that?  Ozzy just doesn't want to go - he knows he should but he's just not that good a guy - I think he's a bit weaselly.)  He says this is Cochran's chance to 'redeem' himself (oh, so that's how you're spinning it. Right.)
-Then they all jump on board - You can do it, you have to believe you can do it - it's about redemption.  They start trying to fire him up to go to Redemption and beat Christine and save their tribe.
So Cochran says to the camera, instead of sending Ozzy, the Trojan horse, to Redemption and shaking everything up, they're sending the Court Jester and I don't know what I'm supposed to do but shake my hands around (You go and YOU WIN!  He does need a good dose of self esteem this guy.  Hopefully Survivor will get him laid.)  He says what made it worse was they had a weird kum ba yah justification for sending him there - he says he's not there to be a hero, he doesn't want to save his tribe, he just doesn't want to go to Redemption. Period (as Brandon would say.)
-They show Ozzy unable to sleep... (oh, what's this?)

Savaii - Day 18
-Ozzy tells the camera he had crazy dreams about actually doing what he said he was going to do [get them to send him to Redemption island] so he goes and gets his hidden immunity idol to show everyone that he actually does have it... he puts it on to make his grand entrance and tells them he thinks he should go to Redemption Island.  "What do you think Cochran?"
-To his credit, he did not scream YES! but you know he wanted to.  He's hoping he'll get a reprieve here.
-The rest of the tribe is very resistant though.  Keith thinks everyone should stand for their own actions (but we know Keith could not be strategic if he tried) he explains that his worry is they have another challenge before a merge and they are left with Cochran to take up the slack if they've voted Ozzy out.  Ahh.  Jim shares this worry (okay, and I really can't blame them.)

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Ozzy, at the end of last challenge there was a lot of emotion, was there any finger pointing back at camp?
-He laughs - Yeah, a lot of emotion and a lot of finger pointing at Cochran.
Cochran, what happened.
-Tangle - Panic - Blank - worst nightmare - embarrassing. (He's wordy, I condensed it.)  He claims he's usually calm cool and collected. (Right.)  Then he babbles on about them hoping the merge happens as historical precedent has shown in Survivor and that Redemption Island will work in our favour and get the numbers back up to 6-6. (Jim looks worriedly around that he's mentioned this plan.)
Dawn, he says hopefully Redemption Island will help us - tell me about that.
-She just says they hope whoever goes to Redemption wins the duel and can re-enter the game so it's even numbers.  (No specifics, good girl.)
Ozzy, I'm a little confused - why would Cochran put his life on the line if you vote him out?
-The thing of it is, Jeff, (dramatic voice) I'm putting my life on the line.
(Cochran suppresses a quick grin.)
You're putting your life on the line?
Yes
You're going to Redemption Island?
Yes.  I had a dream, I saw the merge and I saw a chance at my OWN Redemption.  He says it's haunted him that last time he played the game he didn't listen to his heart/his gut and he got voted out by not playing his hidden immunity idol - this time his heart/his gut is telling him to get his butt to Redemption Island and prove to his tribe that he's WORTH keeping in this game.  Then he tells Jeff that he has the idol and he's going to give it up - he's going to tell Christine that Cochran, smart little weasel that he is (backhanded compliment did not go unnoticed by said smart little weasel), found the idol and played it to send Ozzy to Redemption Island.  This makes Cochran, not only the villain but a double-agent and he thinks this is their best shot at taking them by surprise and keeping them in the game.
What if we don't merge tomorrow?
-Then these guys could face a challenge without me - but I go out on my own terms not on someone elses terms like last time. (Little selfish of you.)
For another argument - If you don't win the duel, you go out a bigger fool than you did last time.
Yeah.
Keith, any reservations at all about this?
-I was the most vocal, I think this is Cochran's time to go and redeem himself to the tribe.
Whitney - Ozzy is one of our strongest players, if we go to another challenge, we are not 100% (she said pur-sa-ent - not three syllables honey) without Ozzy.
Jim - worse case scenario tomorrow morning?
-Ozzy loses and we go the 5 of us strong against the 6 of them. (Christine will not be with them.)
Risky move, let's see if you have the courage to go through with it... 

It is time to vote:
Cochran - Blah blah blah - thrilled to be a part of this especially if it means saving my *ss.

Jeff asks if anyone has a hidden idol, now is the time to play it.
Ozzy, "I've changed my mind.  I'm going to let Cochran go to Redemption Island." (WHAT!?!) "Just kidding" (That did get me for a second)  He hands the idol over to Cochran and says you better give it back to me -"Right back at you tomorrow." (I wonder if he'll try to keep it... could happen.)

Tallying the votes:
Ozzy - 1, 2, 3, 4.... Lucky 7th person voted out of Survivor South Pacific.  He does act like he's excited for this chance at Redemption - big smile, runs off into the night.

Jeff says they just made one of the Biggest Moves in Survivor History, based on an assumption.  We'll see soon enough if you were right.

Next week - they don't show much - Ozzy has to win the duel, retrieving a key on the very tip of a stick and Cochran is talking to the camera like a movie gangster, "First, you get the mastermind voted out, get his idol, then win a million dollars."

Ozzy's final thought - this is either the stupidest thing I've ever done or one of the most iconic moves in Survivor history (these people have to get over themselves.  You didn't cure cancer.)
Ozzy wakes up Christine and says what do you think happened?  Cochran.  Yes!

Now I really can't wait for next week!  I think I'm rooting for the B*tchy One to sweep.

Have a great week/end,

Coleen

Amazing Race 19 - Oct 23/11 Episode Recap

I Feel Like I'm in the Circus (Bangkok, Thailand)

This leg of the Race, Andy & Tommy are the first to head out at 10:07am - they get the clue to travel by local transportation up the river to get their next clue.  They have to take a local taxi which looks like a little pick up truck converted into a double-decker... little pick up truck - once at the river they will travel by elephant (that is so cool!) until they reach the next clue.
-Andy & Tommy tell us how their faith in God is very important to them - they have scripture verses on their packs reminding them to be joyful and pray always... (Hey, whatever floats your boat - they are joyful and fun - can't deny that.)
-They get on the elephant, riding along over some rough terrain when the driver slides down the front of the elephant - whoa, where ya going? - He's directing from the ground and Tommy slides forward to drive from behind the elephant's head.  Andy says he's going to get an elephant when he gets home - you can do some serious 4-wheeling. (Could you imagine how much those things eat?  Good luck with that.)

-Fighting Siblings, Justin & Jennifer head out at 11:01, Jeremy & Sandy, Zac & Laurence are off at 11:44 and 11:45am respectively.  Laurence says he's proud of what Zac's accomplished at such a young age but he's the Dad and Zac will have to listen to him (as long as you read the clue, it'll be no problem.)

-Andy is now driving the elephant - "Look ma, no hands."

-Jennifer & Justin get on their elephant and she's waving, "Hello. I feel like I'm in the circus." [parade] apparently.

-Ernie & Cindy are the next out at 11:52am - they grew up in very different environments - he was a B student (that's an Asian F), not pushed like her - he wants to prove himself worthy of her in the Race... (I'm thinking she has some pretty traditional parents - good luck to you sir.)
-Amani & Marcus are next to leave at 11:53am.

-Andy & Tommy get to the bucket with the clue and it's the ROADBLOCK: Who wants to hear some Water Music?  They must follow the sound of music to a waterfall and a traditional Thai flautist, then search the pool he's standing beside for their next clue.
-Ro-sham-bo and scissors cut paper - Andy is doing the Roadblock.  He dives right in but the water is really murky and he doesn't know what he's looking for - takes a minute and decides it's probably right below the flutist - goes back down and of course, there it is - wrapped bundle.  He unwraps it and it's a ceramic koi fish that says break me - he takes it back to Tommy and they smash it and inside is their next clue.  Disassemble a Spirit House: they must travel by the taxi-thingy to a local shop where they have to disassemble a model shrine called a spirit house - then they must transport the pieces to the temple to get their next clue.  Back on the elephant they go.

-Bill & Cathi are just starting out at 12:22pm - seems like so much has happened...

-Justin & Jennifer get to the Roadblock and he's heading to the pool.  Yeah, no swimming there - he's just walking through the water - I don't see it.

-Jeremy & Sandy and Laurence & Zac get on the elephants - she says she loves her Dumbo - Jeremy says it's definitely not the fastest form of transportation (and there you have the personalities of these two in a nutshell.)

-Justin stumbles over his 'clue' bundle - and they are off to disassemble a spirit house.

-Ernie & Cindy and Marcus & Amani are riding the elephants - Marcus says it's a little scary for him, he is a large man - their seat does seem to be leaning over a bit to his side... eek.  (Aw, baby elephants bathing in the river - aww.)

-Andy & Tommy arrive at the Spirit House shop and Andy says they should take mental note of how it looks assembled in case they have to put it back together (smart man my bearded friend.)  They get down to disassemblage and are back in the pick up/cab lickety-split.

-Justin & Jennifer's elephant has to divert into the river to get around Sandy & Jeremy and Zac & Laurence.  Justin says good luck to them and all of sudden Sandy is scared...? (She needs to stop over thinking things.)

-Andy & Tommy get to the temple and the clue is another ROADBLOCK - requires one team member to reassemble the Spirit House exactly how they found it, on the grounds of the temple.  Once they get it exact, the monk will give them their next clue.  SURPRISE - if you did the water Roadblock, your partner must do this one. (oooh, that could be interesting for some.)
-So, Tommy is doing the reassemble and says it's been interesting as Christians doing these tasks at the Buddhist temples - but they know the one true God and he's greater than the temples (really? You can't respect other people's beliefs?  Don't make me not like my Snowboarders.)
-Tommy: "I have no idea where this guy goes." (Uh oh, that could be bad, you have to get the figurines in the right places.  He's going to think God's forsaken him because it's a Buddhist shrine!)

-Back at the Water Music - Sandy and Laurence wade in looking for the clue.  He is the first one to find it - so she soon follows.

-Tommy can't remember how the Spirit House is supposed to look - they focused on opposite sides when they took it apart - he decides he's got to go back to the shop and take another look - off they go.

-Elephant traffic jam - as Sandy & Jeremy and Zac & Laurence are trying to turn their animals around - Marcus & Amani and Ernie & Cindy come up on them... "Lovely day for riding an elephant, eh?" (That was Laurence, it sounded so proper in his accent too.)

-Back at the shop, Tommy makes himself some notes on the placement of things and heads back.

-Ma & Pa are finally on the elephants and...
-Liz & Marie are finally heading out at 1:35pm... and they also have a speed bump they'll have to face at the elephants.  They are still smiling because their Dad taught them to go going, be positive and you'll be successful - they're trying to live by that.  They are thankful they got $135 for this leg of the race because they never changed their Indonesian money so they haven't had Thai money for this leg of the Race.

-Marcus and Cindy head to the pool and are looking for the clue.

-Tommy completes the Spirit House correctly and gets the thumbs up and the clue to travel 550 miles by bus to Bangkok.  Once there they must make their way to the Bangkok Noi canal and feed the fish to receive their next clue.

-Justin & Jennifer get to the shop and figure they're going to have to put the thing back together, borrow the cab drivers cell phone to take a picture (huh, I guess they can do that.)

-Back at the waterfall, Marcus finds his 'clue' and just has to reach down and pick it up - Cindy has to dive under the water (haha.)  They all head off for the Spirit House shop.

-At the temple, Jennifer has to do the re-assemble for them - the parts are heavy and she's complaining. (Surprise.)  She says, "Even though this is not the same religion as mine it warrants the same respect." (Exactly - and now I like Jennifer more.)  She gets a No - runs and looks at the phone and realizes she forgot the cups of water - she gets the clue and head off for the bus depot.

-At the shop, Jeremy and Sandy take notes on where everything is situated on the Spirit House figuring they'll have to put it back together.
-Zac says we should take notes and Laurence, "No, no, we just have to take the thing apart." (Oh yeah, "I'm the voice of wisdom, he has to listen to me." Poor kid.)  He's just focused on passing Jeremy & Sandy - they take off and Zac says again - we didn't take any notes.  Dad - Don't worry.

-Liz & Marie get to the elephants and they're dying - Oh my god - baby elephants - they're may favourite animal (oh, they're so young.)

-At the Temple Zac finds out he has to put the Spirit house back together - great.  Thanks a lot Pop.
-Jeremy is fine with his notes.

-Ma & Pa have reached the first Roadblock and she heads into the pool - and falls down (do I need to start Cathi fall counter part II?)

-Poor Zac is screwed - he gets a no.  He's thinking he's going to have to go back and take notes.
-Jeremy gets it right and they head out for the bus station.
-Zac runs to the cab and says he should have taken notes, Laurence says, "Don't blame me." and is mad Zac couldn't do it - We're losing time - this is something I could have knocked out quickly I think. (Really?  You have a photographic memory do you?  Jerk!)

-Cathi finds their clue so they are heading back to do the Spirit Houses.

-Liz & Marie have to do their Speed Bump and they are squealing like little girls about the baby elephants - then they find out they have to wash and clean up after (yes, that means shovels of poop) the elephants before they can carry on riding one.  They say it doesn't smell and they're happy to do it because elephants are (one of their) favourite animals.  (Uh, right.)

-Zac is taking notes - Laurence stayed behind at the temple in a snit - he heads back.

-Marcus & Amani arrive at the shop and she's taking notes - Ernie & Cindy get there at the same time and they just start stripping the thing... uh oh.  She says she wants to take a good look at one of the other ones and he says "Why, it doesn't say we have to re-assemble it." (Oh buddy, listen to the smart one.)

-Zac gets the set up correct and they didn't lose their spot - they get the clue and head off for the bus terminal. (Do you think Dad learned anything from not taking the time to make notes - no, he thinks he could have done it - it's Zac's fault.)

-Amani and Ernie now have to reassemble the Spirit Houses - you should have seen Cindy's face when she read that clue and knew she now had to rely on Ernie to complete this part... He says he thinks he remembers how it goes.  But he has no idea.
-Amani has her notes and is glad of it.

-The twins finish shoveling sh*t and are ecstatic they get to now scrub an elephant (okay, you're weird).  When they finish and then get to ride an elephant Marie (I think) says this is the best day of her life, "No Joke."

-The Snowboarders get to the bus station and the taxi ride costs them almost all their money - they buy bus tickets to Bankok - leaves at 4:30pm, arrives 6am (thirteen hours on a bus... smelling like elephant ;)
-Justin & Jennifer and Sandy & Jeremy get tickets on the same bus.
-Zac & Laurence get tickets on another bus leaving at 4:30 - it's a first class bus - Zac, "Do you think that will be a problem?" Laurence, "No, not at all." (Really?  This guy is such an idiot, doesn't learn.)

-Ernie has to go back to the shop to take another look at the Spirit Houses - "It's another bad day for team Cindy & Ernie and they all seem to be my fault." (Aw... but yes, they do. Haha.)
-Amani gets hers right and they get the clue to head for the bus station.

-The Twins get to the Water Music and get their clue rather quickly - off they go for the Spirit Houses.

-Ma & Pa get to the Spirit House shop and they know to write down where the pieces go.
-Ernie gets his notes down and heads back to the Temple - he says he thinks he has it now - "And if I don't, I think Cindy's going to kill me." (It's funny cause it's true!)
-Zac finally gets his Dad to see reason - reminds him they're not supposed to take First Class transport, "We can't afford another penalty"- they get the driver to let them off the bus and they have to make their way back and get the proper bus.  Laurence, on the side of the road, "We're screwed now." "Yup."

-Ernie gets back and makes some adjustments and he gets the clue - he says he screwed up again but she's comforting him - (they are pretty cute together.)

-Laurence and Zac are jogging back to the bus station - hopefully they have money for more tickets.

-Liz & Marie get to the Spirit House shop and they bet they have to reassemble it - they take notes.

-Pa gets the shrine together correctly and they head out for the bus station.
-Liz & Marie get to the Temple and Liz has to reassemble the house but she took notes.

-Amani & Marcus get to the bus station and get tickets on the 5:30pm bus.  Ma & Pa also get on the 5:30 bus.

-Ernie & Cindy get to the bus station and they don't have 4500 baht to pay the cab driver - they shove $100 US dollars at him and take off to buy bus tickets.  The driver comes after them (4500 baht is $150) - some woman starts arguing for the cab driver and Ernie & Cindy play the ugly Americans - "Why are you doing this to us, you were a terrible driver..." (So you don't have to pay him? Ugh. - Cindy does say in their interview after that it was not their finest hour, that behaviour was not acceptable but the race is so stressful.)
-Ernie & Cindy get on their (first class?) bus - Marcus & Amani and Ma & Pa are on another bus and they start heading out at 5:30pm as Zac & Laurence come running back into the station. Marcus, "And they look beat."

-Zac & Laurence find out the next bus they can catch is an 8:00pm bus.  They do not look happy hanging out at the bus station.
-Liz gets her Spirit House together and they head for the Bus terminal.
-Zac & Laurence get on the 8:00pm bus and they look like wrung out dishrags - and there is a screaming baby on the bus (nice.)
-Liz & Marie don't have enough money to pay their cab driver - they buy tickets for the 8:00pm bus which is leaving-right-now!  But they still owe the cabbie $40 more dollars that they don't have.  The bus pulls out and now they don't have money for more bus tickets either. (Still the best day of your life Marie?)  They get a reprieve though - the cab driver agrees to accept the money they have and they stop the bus for them and he drives them to the bus... (Ah, the power of being young and pretty.)

BANGKOK
-Ernie & Cindy's bus is the first one to arrive - (Express bus? First class?) They have to go feed the fish.  They have been to Bankok before but they don't think it will help them unless they have to find some lady-boys, "we know where those are." (Oh really?)

-2nd bus arrives with Tommy & Andy, Sandy & Jeremy and Justin & Jennifer - their bus made a lot of stops. They have no idea where any other teams are.
-3rd bus arrives with Marcus & Amani and Ma & Pa.
-They all hop in cabs and head for Bangkok Noi canal.

-Zac & Laurence and Liz & Marie - are still on their buses - they both took 8pm buses but weren't on the same one.
-Liz & Marie have no money now so they won't be able to cab to the canal to feed the fish - Marie hates fish.

-Ernie & Cindy feed the fish with the fish food they got at the temple with the last clue.  They then receive the clue for the Pit Stop - M.R. Kukrit Heritage Home - last team to arrive may be eliminated - their cab driver is phoning a friend to find out where they need to go. hmm.

-The 2nd bus team's cabs are stuck in Bankok traffic snarl - one block in 20 minutes - ugh.
-Ma & Pa and Marcus & Amani's drivers took a short cut and they are the next teams to feed the fishes and to get the clue to the Pit Stop. 

-Laurence & Zac's bus arrives and they hop in a cab for the canal.
-The twins bus arrives and they ask someone how far the Bankok Noi is- they're told it's 3 blocks so they start hoofing it - hoping it's within walking distance.

-Cindy & Ernie's cab gets stuck in traffic and they are worried not to be moving so they pay up and hop out of the cab.  (Where are you going?)

-Ma & Pa and Marcus & Amani apparently have the best cab drivers ever - they are heading to the Pit Stop and know it's going to be a foot race.  Marcus, "They may look like Ma & Pa but don't let that fool you, they can run."

-Cindy & Ernie are walking and she's so p*ssed they got out of the cab (I guess so.)

-Liz & Marie ask another guy where Bankok Noi is and he tells them it would take them 5 hours to walk there.  They feel they have no choice, they feel way too guilty to ask people for money.

-The Snowboarders and Jeremy & Sandy are feeding the fish and both get the clue to the Pit Stop - the snowboarders are told the Pit Stop house is right across the water so they take off running.  Jeremy & Sandy hop in a moto-cab.

-Justin & Jennifer feed the fish and jump in their cab.

-Liz & Marie are tired of walking and decide to beg a cab driver to take them - they say they have no money, will you take us?  He laughs - and agrees.  "Never underestimate the generosity of people." (I guess not.)

-The Snowboarders stop to ask directions at a school - the lady they ask takes off with their clue - tells them to wait there - and she doesn't come back.  Another woman comes out and tells them she's teaching and they'll have to wait - (WHAT?)  They say it was God's will... (Oh, my...) Then a man comes out and shows them on a map where they need to go and they jump in a cab.  Finally!

-Zac & Laurence feed the fish and head for the Pit Stop.

-Jeremy & Sandy are dropped off somewhere and they take off on foot - hopefully in the right place.

-Liz & Marie get to feed the fish and get the clue for the Pit Stop - have to go try and beg another ride. (And you can tell it's hot - the camera lens is all steamy.)  They bat their eyes and get another free cab ride. (I hope this doesn't corrupt these nice young girls - I can get things for free if only I ask sweetly and bat my eyes.)

-Jeremy & Sandy are lost walking around and finally realize they need to get in a cab - they hope this isn't the end for them... but they are proud of each other.

Here's How they Finished:
1) Marcus & Amani - Team #1, now that is some celebration - they win a trip for two to Bali (ahh, nice.)
2) Bill & Cathi (Ma & Pa) - hug M&A and are very happy with 2nd.
3) Ernie & Cindy - Team #3 - however?  No, I guess they were just lucky and got an express bus.
4) Justin & Jennifer - find out they're team number 4 and he says - We were hoping for first place (looking at Phil like it's his fault) but we'll take 4th. (Yes you will, and you'll be happy about it!)
5) Andy & Tommy - alright
6) Laurence & Zac - Phil tells them that the No First Class travel rule only applies to air travel and they would have been okay on the first class bus - (Arghh! So many rules.) I think Laurence wanted to throttle someone but I don't blame Zac for second guessing him at this point.
7) Jeremy & Sandy - Phil plays with them a little - gets her crying that it was a rough day - then tells them they are still in the Race - that really gets her going - "I can eliminate you if you want." "No!"
8) Liz & Marie - Last team to arrive - ELIMINATED - cry talking that they were doing this for their Dad and wanted to show him they'd never give up.  He's be proud of them.
And with the Twins: Kevin & Elaine, Krista H, Janine S and Denise R are out of the pools - and there goes the last all-girl team too.

Next week - they are heading to Africa - moving bundles of tobacco and bed frames...

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen

Survivor South Pacific - October 19/11 Episode Recap

Free Agent

The episode opened at...

Savaii - Night 14
-Returning from Tribal council after blindsiding Elyse (and Ozzy) and Ozzy's pissed off - feels like he had a good thing with Keith & Whitney and they went behind his back and betrayed him (kinda... they didn't actually vote for Elyse - but they didn't warn them either.)  He gives a speech saying he's done playing the alliance way, he's now what's called a free agent.  (He shouldn't try to talk smart, doesn't really work for him.)  I'm playing for myself and you play for yourselves.
-Keith - so that's how you want it now - you against us?
-Whitney - I don't know why you're taking it so personal, it wasn't against you (oh honey, it so was.)
-Ozzy - of course it was against me, if you don't tell me about it...
-Dawn (the voice of reason) - Oh stop being a baby. You're with-holding and you know it.
-Ozzy - Yeah, I have the idol.  How bout that? (oh, you're stupid) And you're forgetting the other part of this game - it's called Redemption.
-Keith - You want to go there, just let us know man. (Yeah, b-bye.)

Savaii - Day 15
-Ozzy(is out fishing) and still saying it doesn't make sense to him that they felt they needed to get rid of Elyse and keep him in the dark. "I'm a big part of this tribe" - he wiggles the fish on the spear (ug, me bring food), "And if they want to keep winning challenges they need to trust me."  (Dude, you can't just expect them to trust you when all you do is fish or sit around camp with your Survivor girlfriend - you gotta be working it - keeping everyone happy... no one said it would be easy.)

-The rest of the tribe is sitting around the fire saying how disappointed they are in Ozzy's attitude - he should be apologizing today - what a child - he needs to man up and get over it.
-Jim is ecstatic with how things are going - his plan has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams, not only is Ozzy no longer seen as the leader - he went and threw a Hissy Fit (perfect!  That is exactly what it was.) He could not have made any worse moves than he did. (They show Ozzy off by himself, still pouting.)
-Keith still deluding himself that they didn't set out to blindside Ozzy or he would be out (whatever.)
-Cochran for once is being quiet.  He sees Ozzy's temper tantrum as a huge advantage to him and (hopefully) is going to keep his mouth shut.  Until he says, "In all seriousness, he's behaving like a stupid b*tch." (Ha.)

Upolu - Day 15
-Coach is still feeling on top of the world.  They still have lots of food having won reward and he has the hidden immunity idol.  Only Sophie and Albert know about it and he struggles with that because he likes to have all the cards on the table but Brandon has proven to be a loose cannon and (for once) he's being cautious.
-Brandon has decided he's going to go looking for the clue / hidden immunity idol (oh, too late Lil Hantz) and he proves to be a bloodhound like his uncle - and finds the clue to the idol.  Right away he goes and shows Coach & Albert, they all read the clue and neither of them lets on they already have the idol.  Coach wonders if with-holding information is lying - it's a grey area... (No, I think it's lying.)  They split up to search... well let Brandon go search.
-Coach is playing it up, "I'm having flash backs right now."  Brandon is determined and looking everywhere and he moves just like Russell (shutter, it's creepy.)
-Albert says to Coach that they can't tell him now, he's so emotional and if he knew we let him search like this and didn't tell him - game over.  Albert says, "He may not be the sharpest tool in the shed" but eventually it's gonna dawn on him that someone probably has it.
-Brandon, "You don't think someone already has it?"
-Coach - "I don't think so."  Watching Brandon's walk and dogged pursuit of the idol is so reminiscent of Russell it scares Coach.

REDEMPTION ISLAND
-Ozzy & Keith and Sophie & the Marlboro Man (Rick - I never remember his name cause he doesn't speak and they rarely show him) are the witnesses.

-Christine & Elyse enter the arena and Rick doffs his hat (aw, I like the rancher man).
-Jeff asks Elyse how she feels having her former tribe mates there to watch.  She says it's bittersweet - she would hope they were wishing her well but they were also the ones that thought it was your time to go.
-Jeff pulls a Barbra Walters on Christine and makes her cry - just by pointing out that she's spent more time on Redemption Island than actually in the game.  (You broke the B*tchy One, way to go Probst.)  She said it's just really hard - she appears strong but Redemption Island can break you.

Duel - Survivor Shuffle Board.
-They each have 4 pucks on the board and must knock the other person's pucks off the board before they can get yours.  Last person with a puck still on the board wins - the loser is gone for good!
-Off they go - Rick actually speaks, "Go Christine, you can do it." and she scratches her nose with her middle finger at him... Oh great, he'll never talk again now.  Sophie & Rick definitely catch the message though.
-Christine is the first to knock out one of Elyse's pucks and they go back and forth - Christine is up at one point when Elyse knocks out one of her own but they end up tied -and with one puck each left - Christine wins another Duel and sends ELYSE packing.
-So with the vapid pretty girl gone - "I'm really proud of myself", blah, blah, blah - that also knocks Steve H, Lee G and Maddy D out of the pools.

-Rick actually does a spot with the camera - says Christine has fire in her eyes, if she comes back she'll be ready to kill us.  (Though she does leave sniffling - off by herself again.)

Upolu - Day 15
-Sophie & Rick tell everyone how bitter Christine is- "She flipped us off"- she has no alligence with the tribe and would be the worst person to come back from Redemption Island.
-Edna is continuing her campaign to cozy up to Coach ever since Brandon told her she wasn't really in their alliance.  Coach is eating it up - he feels she is the only one out there that would lay down her Survivor life for him (I don't know if she'd go that far - she's using you to save her Survivor life.) But it is working, in so far as he will definitely vote out Mikayla before her.
-Edna says she's ready to follow him into battle, even if it gets ugly (oooh, ugly I like.)

Savaii - Day 15
-Ozzy's finally figured out he made a mistake with the temper tantrum.  He approaches Keith first and says he's willing to look past it... (mighty big of you) and Keith is in - we can still go to the end together.  Ozzy, "Probably shouldn't have told everyone about the idol."  And they laugh (so stupid.)
-Then Ozzy continues in his contrition tour - apologizes to Dawn, Jim & Cochran - tells them he'd rather be with them than by himself - that's why I told you guys about the idol. (Sure it is.)
-Jim is buying it though, "he has nowhere to go but with us" - he says he wants Ozzy on his side - he wins challenges and after the merge is a bigger target than him... (hmm - did Ozzy out smart him?)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
-They will race to assemble a wheelbarrow then push it through a series of obstacles, stopping along the way to collect two loads of coconuts - they will dump the coconuts in a trough and the remaining tribe members with disassemble the wheelbarrow and use the pieces to build a sling shot - they will then shoot the coconuts at targets - first tribe to knock down all their targets wins immunity  - Reward: get to go to sliding rocks, natural waterslide and picnic lunch - and another hidden clue at camp.
Upolu sits out Edna - again.

-Off they go - Brandon, Sophie & Rick/Marlboro man for Upolu and Ozzy, Cochran & Dawn for Savaii.  They get the wheelbarrows together at the same time but Savaii apparently can't drive the thing and Upolu gets out to an early lead.  Ozzy & Dawn cannot drive the wheelbarrow - it's weird.  Upolu dumps their nuts and the next three Coach, Albert & Michayla start on the slingshot.
-Upolu (Albert) gets first target knocked down before Savaii even has the coconuts dumped.
-Ozzy & Dawn continue to have trouble to the end but they finally move on to the slingshot portion and Jim, Keith and Whitney start shooting.
-Mikayla hasn't hit the target yet and Coach says to Albert, "No more Mikayla, just you and me." Then he says to Mikayla, "Do you want to take a break." To which she says, "NO, I'm not tired."  (Coach is an a-hole - micromanaging the challenge - really?)  She is trying to use one hand and misses again - again he's trying to push her to sit out (she's a competitive athlete, you're just making it worse.) She says, "Coach, I got it."
-Savaii is catching up - they tie at two - then they tie at three and Upolu/Mikayla still not getting any - Coach getting madder - Savaii runs away with it - they get on a roll and knock them all down - boom, boom, boom.  SAVAII - Wins Immunity, Reward and a useless clue.  (Dawn's screaming was really annoying - I'm just saying.  "Whoo - Yes!"  Shut it lady.)

-And it looks like curtains for Mikayla.  Coach says it's her fault they lost - he gave her direction and she didn't take it (to sit out, really?) "If I'm to coach this team, I need people, in the heat of battle, to listen to me." (You're not there to coach the team, but actually giving her pointers on how to aim would have helped more than trying to pull her from the game - and reviewing the tape - HE DIDN'T HIT ANY TARGETS EITHER! Like they say, those who can do, those who can't, COACH.)

REWARD
-They are one big happy again.  Whoo - Yea! (she's killing me.)  Ozzy says the Reward really did bring them back together - and he definitely wants someone from this tribe to win (hopefully him.)  Then there is rock sliding.  Cochran says the sweater vest is a barrier between him and nature so he stripped it off and slid down the rock -  They were all doing the water slides to a constant chorus of "Whoo - Whoo!"  (Dawn, shut up!) 

Upolu - Day 16
-We win together, we lose together they say but Coach isn't feeling that way - he says it's either Edna or Mikayla and she proved uncoachable in the challenge so Mikayla's going home tonight.
-Albert goes to Mikayla and says he's going to go to war for her - Brandon and Coach will want her out but he can get Coach to listen to him. (ORLY?)
-Mikayla doesn't get it - we have to be all about strength and you are putting my name up against a woman that is half my size and double my age - you have to be kidding me.
-She tells the camera that she really does trust in ALLAN and I hope he trusts in me (Hahaha - his name is ALBERT - yeah, they're really tight.)

-Albert talks to Rick and Sophie first - he says Edna has zero challenge value, that's why we sat her - they don't need her.  To Albert it's a no-brainer.  Plus Edna is a smart tactical player who knows she's 6th which could make her act out desperately at the merge.  Rick agrees Edna is the smart vote tonight and Sophie is on board - they just have to convince Coach & Brandon.
-So, they approach Brandon first and he says he regrets trying to get Mikayla out early in the game, he's come to respect her - and he doesn't trust Edna, he thinks she's trying to play them - but he wants to be a radical for God and he's going to stick by his word that Edna is their sixth and hope they respect that. (Shaking my head - what?)
-Sophie had the same reaction I did.  Mikayla is no longer the whore and he wants Edna out but he's still going to vote Mikayla - He's nuts.  He's absolutely nuts. (Amen sister.)
-Albert says you can't talk strategy to Brandon, more than 5 minutes he's clutching his head and ready to cry.  He and Sophie head to Coach and Albert lays it out - Keeping Edna at this stage is a mistake - the next challenge is make it or break it and they need the strength.
-Coach argues that they lost the challenge because Mikayla wouldn't listen to him and at the merge if he tells Edna to follow Ozzy and wipe his butt when he poops, she'd do it.
-Albert argues that he thinks she's playing them with the loyalty thing but there's no changing Coach's mind.
-Coach now starts his campaigning - if he has anything to say about it, Edna is not going home tonight.  He goes and tells Rick that Edna is loyal and he wants Mikayla out tonight.
-Albert tells Rick he & Sophie will not agree with Coach & Brandon on this point so it leaves Rick as the deciding vote - he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.  "This sucks."

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Coach, big loss today - you could have taken the numbers advantage but you blew it (nice) - What happened?
-Didn't compete as a team today. Lots happening, everyone yelling, neither Mikayla or I were hitting anything and I said, Let's just let Albert do it. (No you didn't.)
-Mikayla - I was hot and at no point did he say 'let Albert do it' - neither of us just stopped. (Exactly.)
Edna, your tribe sat you again - what message does that send you?
-No one wants to be the scrawniest or last picked - but that's just the way it is with me. (Oh, poor little tiger lady - I'm not buying it.)
Brandon, is there much talk of the merge and being up or down in numbers?
-Absolutely - we have to be up in numbers going to the merge - this next challenge is absolutely detrimental to how this game turns out (I don't think that's the word but we get the gist.)
So, do you keep the members that will help you get to the merge or keep the player who will be loyal after the merge.
-You've got to get there, but you want to get there with people who will be loyal (Edna's got a little pleased with herself smirk on her face) Numbers, if one or two people are not loyal, don't mean anything.
Albert, what if the person you're worried about being loyal is the same person that helps you get there with numbers?
-If the one person that helps you get to the merge isn't the most loyal, that is something we have to compromise because in this game it is of the upmost importance to get to the merge with numbers and with an edge...  (Brandon keeps rolling his eyes and looking up to heaven - ugh.)
So, you're saying what good is loyalty after the merge if you don't get to the merge.
-Right.
Sophie, where to you stand on this merge argument?
-If you go into the merge down in numbers it doesn't matter if everyone is loyal, it doesn't (more Brandon theatrics) You have to go in with as many as you can and be as strong as you can.
Coach, a divided tribe - some say strength some say loyalty.
-And you know what my answer would be - honour, loyalty, integrity.
-Albert pipes up - The one thing that worries me though... loyalty can be faked, you can't fake strength. (That hurts Brandon's head and he can't keep his mouth shut...)
-Brandon - We made a pact that there would be a 6th  and we agreed it would be Edna.  Last Tribal Council it was loyalty, loyalty, loyalty and this time too, yet we're split.  I love you Mikayla, but I want to keep everybody to their word.  As far as I'm concerned there should be only one vote - we're divided and this is not loyalty.  Vote me out today if this is the way you're going to play.  Money, you can throw it in the fire and it's gone - Character you'll have for the rest of your life. (Well played 'Lil Hantz, well played.)
Mikayla, it looks like you're in the middle here.
-Well, obviously Brandon's had it out for me from the beginning...
-He jumps in again - Because I don't trust you or Edna strategically.  I would rather keep Mikayla here but because I said I would not vote Edna out of this tribe, I am bound to what I said. Period.
Brandon, one of the things you said is 'If we are not going to play this game based on loyalty, vote me out tonight.' (Oh, gotta love Jeff to keep stirring that pot.)
Coach, explain to Brandon the downside of telling somebody you're going to vote them out before the vote.
-The problem is, there is such a thing as being too honest.  There are some cards you reveal and some you keep hidden for a time but it doesn't mean you're being disloyal or dishonest. (Oh yeah, Coach is feeling guilty - haha, you should have seen his face.)
-Brandon - it's funny, now-a-days people have the conception that you can tell a half lie or a little bit of a lie - it's just a game or it's just one cigarette - that's laciviousness (whoa, big word) because there is no grey - it's black or white. Period.  (And he's busting out the spoken puncuation again - I think they should take Brandon at his word and vote him out.)

Time to vote:
Brandon votes Mikayla
Mikayla votes Edna - I don't even know how you got this far.
Alberta votes Edna - I hope it's you tonight or we're in a world of hurt - come on Cowboy.
Edna votes Mikayla - I hope your time here helps your modelling career. (Oh, meow.)

Tallying the votes:
No one plays a hidden immunity idol
Mikayla - 1
Edna - 1
Mikayla - 2
Edna - 2
Mikayla - 3
Edna - 3
And the deciding vote goes to... MIKAYLA.  (Wow, the power of the ponytail and self-righteous piety is guiding this tribe.)  And with Mikayla, Susan M, Virginia D and Elaine/Kevin also head to Redemption Island.
Coach and Brandon whisper, "I love you, man" to each other (and I threw up a little in my mouth.)

Next time - Ozzy talking to Cochran says he doesn't want to go to Redemption but he'll do it.  And Coach leads his tribe in a prayer circle but says if Brandon becomes a liability he'll put a bullet in his head (figuratively, I hope.)

Mikayla final thoughts:  She feels like whenever Brandon has a crazy blow up it's always directed at a stronger woman -she can't believe Edna's made it as far as she has.  She just hopes the next challenge is something super physical (so she can laugh.)

Have a great rest of the week everyone,

Coleen

Amazing Race 19 - October 16/11 Episode Recap

This Is Gonna Be a Fine Mess (Phuket, Thailand)

In this leg the teams are heading out from Indonesia to Phuket, Thailand - Tommy & Andy(the Snowboarders) are the first team out at 8:17am - once they touch down in Phuket, they must race to the floating pier at the marina to get their next clue. 
-This was Andy & Tommy's second 1st place in a row but they want a real 'clean' first place, not to get it because of another teams mistake.
-Zac & Laurence head out 10 minutes later and Laurence says he's going to make sure they don't make the same mistake as last leg  (yes, reading the clue is very important.)

-At the airport, the Snowboarders are talking to a travel agent, she tells them there are no direct flights to Phuket, they will have to fly to Jakarta and get a connecting flight.
-Zac & Laurence go to a different window and Tommy tells them to go to the same place they did and get the tickets to Jakarta - they just do it - very little questions asked.  Huh.  They also don't have a flight booked on to Puck-it (as they are calling it... no, it Poo-ket.)  They board the flight to Jakarta.

-Sandy & Jeremy are the next team to head out at 9:40am with the clue to head to Phuket. (They call it Puck-it too - argh!  That's pretty annoying.)  Jeremy tells us he's learning that they still have a lot to work on in their relationship on the race... (Oh, that doesn't sound promising for her.)
-9:41am - Fighting Siblings Justin & Jennifer head out - she doesn't want to go down the sidewalk cause "those are steps, that would kill me."  (Yeah, walking down the middle of the road is better, where cars can kill you.  Sheesh.)
-9:42am - Ernie & Cindy next, and yes, she does know how to pronounce Phuket. She's excited because they were just in Phuket (knowledge of the area is always an asset.)
-9:46am - Marcus & Amani - they have 4 kids and want to make them proud.
-9:56am - Ma & Pa (Bill & Cathi) they may be older but every morning they wake up raring to go - they think they'll be around for a while (Argh - knock on wood - quick.)
-10:05am - Liz & Marie - they say Poo-khat... close - Their dad suddenly passed away of a heart attack not long ago and he would be so excited they were doing this.

-Teams start arriving at the airport - they are told there is a 12:45pm flight to Jakarta and the Jakarta to Phuket flight is at 4:00pm - arriving in Phuket at 6:50pm - the 3rd through 8th place teams will all be on these flights.

-The first 2 teams get to Jakarta and go to book their connecting flight on to Phuket - well, the direct flight is now fully booked - CRAP!  They book a flight to Bangkok and a connection to Phuket that will get them in at 7:40pm.  There goes the lead guys.

-The first flight arrives in Phuket and the 6 teams hit the ground running.  Everyone is in taxis and Justin & Jennifer's taxi driver says, "I fight for you." and he passes Ernie & Cindy - Oh, they got a good one.  Bill says our driver will get us there in "chop chop, good shape." There driver is up for it too - "#1" and he also passes Ernie & Cindy... yup, her head's going to explode.  They also pass two more teams - maybe they got the best taxi driver!

- Second flight gets in and at the taxi stand they find out that the other teams were all there about an hour before them - oh, sad Snowboarders make me sad.

-Sandy & Jeremy are the first team to the marina and see the sign that it doesn't open until 8:00am -so all the teams will have time to catch up before they continue in the morning.
-Everyone is shocked that the boys weren't at the marina before them - this game is unbelievable.

-8:00am - they are all lined up to make a run on the wobbly floating dock for the clue - Jennifer tells us she's going to puke on a speedboat though (nice.)  Off they go and Tommy & Andy prove to be as sure footed on the floating dock as they were in the rice field and get out to a lead - they are the first to read the clue to the DETOUR - Coral Reconstruction or Beach Preparation.  Both tasks will give them the chance to help rebuild the tourism industry decimated by the 2004 tsunami.
-In Coral Reconstruction: they must construct a coral nursery then load it on a kayak with a tray of live coral "seedlings" - then they must paddle out to the buoy then dive underwater and load their live coral into the nursery.  When the marine biologist is satisfied with their work he will hand over their next clue (which looks like a medallion and compass? stop watch?)
-In Beach Preparation - they must collect 20 chairs and 10 umbrellas marked with the corresponding sticker found in their clue - then they must set them up to the resorts exacting standards to receive their next clue.

-Andy & Tommy choose Coral Reconstruction and choose a marked speed boat to take them on to the task - WHOO HOO!
-Marcus & Amani, Justin & Jennifer, Jeremy & Sandy and Zac & Laurence all choose Coral Reconstruction.  Oh, and Ma & Pa as well.
-Ernie & Cindy and Liz & Marie are the only teams heading to Beach Preparation but they are all in the same place so it turns into a boat race to get to the little island where the tasks take place.
-Andy & Tommy get to work putting the nursery scaffolding together.
-Liz & Marie lifeguarded for two summers so they feel this is their Detour.  They start to gather their yellow fish marked chairs & umbrellas.
-Laurence proves he still can't read as they miss the sign for the Coral Reconstruction and head over to the Beach Preparation instead.  I guess they're setting up chairs instead.
-Amani & Marcus said they gravitated to the coral reconstruction because they saw it as a way to give back after seeing a program recently about the tsunami and the destruction of the reef.

-And now we see how well the teams work together putting the puzzle of the nursery together.  Most are doing okay except... you guessed it - the Fighting Siblings - who are again fighting.
Jennifer - You're not listening to me.
Justin - Yes I am
Jennifer - don't raise you're voice to me.
(Oh man, he'd probably be better off to just keep his mouth shut and let her do it.)

-Back at the beach set up - the twins are having trouble finding their marked chairs & umbrellas.  Ernie says you have to have some strength to yard out the chairs & umbrellas, they're heavy and they're all stacked on top of each other in the hut.  (Yeah, they don't make anything easy for them.)

-Andy & Tommy are the first one's out on the water with the nursery and their coral.  Getting into the kayaks with all the gear and having to paddle - challenging - once they get to the buoy, they have to jump in the water, the current starts to take the kayak away - they have to drop the nursery - tie off the kayak, then dive down and anchor the nursery with a rock... good thing they're surfers as well so they're used to currents and the water.  I think this is going to be really hard for some of these teams.
-The other teams just trying to get the nursery down to the water it starts falling apart. (Ho boy.)
-Justin & Jennifer nearly tip the kayak - at the buoy, she's just going to keep the boat there (while he goes in with the nursery.) (Yes, Princess.)
-Marcus takes the nursery into the water and it falls apart again - he's having problems diving down to pick up the pieces... he says he swims but he's not a competitive swimmer... (um, doesn't really look like he swims, I'm just saying.)
-Andy & Tommy finish quickly and get the next clue- what the heck is that thing?
-Jeremy & Sandy had trouble getting the nursery together - but they finally head out for the buoy about the same time as Ma & Pa and as Tommy & Andy are coming back in.

-Tommy & Andy now have to use the compass and head off in the speed boat 13 min North to reach the islands depicted on the medallion.  There they will get their next clue.  They know the other teams may struggle with the current in that challenge.

-Back at the beach - Liz & Marie are struggling to gather their equipment and to set it up - the locals are laughing at twin #1 when she couldn't figure out how to unfold the chairs (this does not look good for Blondie's.)

-Jennifer won't get off the boat and she's not keeping it close to the buoy at all - Justin tells her he needs more coral and he can't keep swimming out to their drifting boat - p*ssily she says I'll have to get in the water then - Yes! You need to actually help!  (I officially cannot stand Jennifer.)
-Once she gets in the water and helps they finish quickly and get the next clue - but she's not happy.

-Sandy gets in the water and their nursery falls apart - again - Jeremy gets in too but the thing is in pieces and with the current they can't put it back together - she says she can't do this one - SHE CAN'T SWIM. (WHAT?!  Why would you have chosen this task then?)  Oh, he chose the task.
-Same thing happens to Ma & Pa - theirs falls apart and he can't get it back together - they head in to go do the chairs.
-Marcus & Amani also have the nursery fall apart - she doesn't get off the boat until it capsizes - he can't swim well enough to get it back together... they get back to shore and he's exhausted. "Golly.  Golly." (I'm still love the old man cursing.)
-These three teams all head over to do the Beach Preparation.  Jeremy is barking at Sandy - "Come here - Now."  She's shocked by his negativity.  He says he didn't really want to switch tasks but she did - (She Can't SWIM! He's kind of a d*ck.)

-Meanwhile, the wind has kicked up and the umbrellas are proving impossible to get deep enough in the sand to have them stand up and not blow away.  (I'd be so frustrated.)  Laurence & Zac, working together are able to strong arm the things in but Liz & Marie - not so much.  An umbrellas falls over and hits Marie - and there is crying.

-Tommy & Andy get to the islands on the medallion and read the clue to the ROADBLOCK: Who wants to be the king of the hill?
-One team member has to rock climb the sheer limestone cliff to reach a birds nest where they'll retrieve the next clue.  Andy is going to be the king of the hill.
-Justin & Jennifer get to the island next and Jennifer is going to climb (really?)

-Back at the beach task - Ernie & Cindy are trying to wet the sand around the umbrellas to make them stand up.  Good luck with that.
-Marcus is "Goin' Crazy" - Amani says he picks up catch phrases all the time, "I guess we'll be 'goin' crazy' all day."  Marcus, "I'm just goin' crazy."
-Liz & Marie say they were beach lifeguards but it was someone else's job to set up the umbrellas, they have respect for them now.  Sandy comes over and gives them some pointers and helps them put up an umbrella... she might as well help them because Jeremy won't let her do anything.
-He's frustrated that she didn't set the chairs up properly - she thinks it's no big deal. (yeah, these two are doomed.)

-The snowboarders get to the cliff island and the bearded Andy starts climbing the wall - "Look at him up there, he's like a little monkey."  He makes short work of the climb, retrieves the clue and they head out for the Pit Stop: Koh Panyi, a floating village built over 200 yrs ago to provide easy access for fishing - at the edge of the village is a floating soccer field - the Pit Stop for this leg of the race.  That would be a challenging soccer game - on a floating platform.

-Jennifer is now heading up the wall and they are actually not fighting - she does well, gets the clue and they are off to the Pit Stop.

-Back at the beach - Ernie & Cindy are the first team to finish and get the compass clue.  Zac & Laurence finish right behind them and head off for the islands on the medallion.

-Jeremy asks Sandy if the rungs matter on the chairs (she hasn't set all the chairs up properly) she says they don't matter - but when the guy comes to judge - they fail.  (Yes, I'd be mad at her too - come on lady haven't you noticed attention to detail matters on this Race? Sheesh.)

-Marcus & Amani finish and as they head off he stops to give Liz/Marie pointers about spinning the umbrellas down, kind of screwing them in - (he's a nice guy) - they are still working on it.
-Jeremy & Sandy have now fixed her screw up and received the clue.

-Ma & Pa and Liz & Marie are still working on the Beach.

-Ernie & Cindy don't seem to be heading in the right direction - they don't see anything lining up with the medallion.

-Zac & Laurence get to the islands and get the clue for the Roadblock: Zac is climbing.

-Liz & Marie's umbrellas are all falling over still - Ma & Pa finish and offer them encouragement as they leave.  More crying.

-Ernie & Cindy still lost on the water.  They were a little off North and can't see the islands - they are far off on the horizon though, they just don't spot them.

-Marcus & Amani get to the islands and decide she's going to do the climbing... I want to be king of the hill?  Okay.

-Jeremy & Sandy get to the islands and read the clue - Who wants to be king of the hill - she says, "You."  There you have it. 

-The twins are arguing on the beach, You are going so slow - You do it then.

- Ernie & Cindy are sitting in the middle of nowhere.  Then Ernie finally spots the islands.  He was reading the compass backwards!  They headed South instead of North (Really? Ernie's pretty.)

-Twins - arguing.  They finally finish.  Are you going to cry - No, I'm not going to cry.  They head out for the islands.

-Zac finishes the climb and they head for the Pit Stop - they get a map and have to direct the boat driver - they brag that Zac has sailed around the world so they're good at navigation... and you guessed it - they get lost.  We're used to marine charts... Uh huh.
-Amani climbs the wall and Jeremy is right behind her - they are all heading out. 
-Ernie & Cindy finally get there and Ernie is climbing the rock.  He practiced rock climbing before the race... of course he did.
-Ma & Pa get the clue and Pa is going to do the climbing.  Cathi says they're going to use Bill in as many Roadblocks as they can to build up speed and try to keep them in the Race longer (hopefully that doesn't blow up in their face when she has to do all the Roadblock on the back end.)
-The twins get the clue and one of the twins is doing it :) (At least I have an excuse not to know which one is which :)

-Laurence & Zac don't know what to do to find their bearings, but spot another boat and just follow it, Laurence: "what a bunch of pathetic sailors we are."
-Marcus & Amani get to the village right ahead of Jeremy & Sandy - they don't see the signs though... now lost in the floating village.

Here's How They Finished:
1) Andy & Tommy - win $5000 each.  They say they are going to continue to play smart, be aware and... Andy: Praise in God.  We feel really blessed to be here today. (Huh.) 
2) Justin & Jennifer - She says it's been a tough day - Phil says he judges if it's been a tough day by if she uses her look or not - then she does the look - yikes - I know that look - Run.  (Hahaha.)
3) Jeremy & Sandy - Have a lot to work on, we just have to remain positive and cut each other a little bit of slack sometimes.
4) Laurence & Zac
5) Cindy & Ernie
6) Amani & Marcus - lost 3 places by not seeing the signs to the stadium.
7) Bill & Cathi (Ma & Pa) - Is 7 a lucky number for you?  Must be, but it better change tomorrow.
8) Liz & Marie - on the boat ride to the village, said it felt like they were riding to their deaths - aw.
Phil tells them they are the last team to arrive - are you glad you came on the Race?  Yes, it's been unbelievable, it's just really sad... Well it's your lucky day because this is a NON-ELIMINATION leg.  More crying.  They will face a Speed Bump next leg - but they are glad they'll have another opportunity to prove they do belong there - it's not as easy as it seems.

Next week: They ride elephants, Jeremy & Sandy fight through Bangkok and the twins have no money for cab fare or bus tickets.

So, we're all still in it :)  Have a great week everyone.

Coleen.

Survivor South Pacific - Oct 12/11 Episode Recap

Taste the Victory

The episode opened at Redemption Island -  Night 11
-Stacey catches Christine up on what's been going on at Upolu - tells her it's Coach running everything.  He says everything's hunky dory, it ain't hunky dory. "All y'all gonna go straight to Hell with gasoline drawers on." (ah haha)
-She says Coach acts holier than thou but it's all a load of crap - she's going to stir up a bee's nest and let the red tribe know Coach is running things over there.

Upolu - Day 12
-Brandon is crying again - says Michayla's answer about him being a Hantz showed she has no class.  These are real people and they have feelings, ya know. (Are you listening to yourself?)  Blubber, blubber, I don't care what people think about me, I'm a good person and if I can't win like that then I don't need to win it. (Oh, bull-pucky!)
-They gather to decide who's going to watch the duel - Albert and Michayla are going - Coach is most worried that the other tribe is going to gather intel today from Christine or Stacey - he hopes they'll keep their mouths shut. (You hold your breath and wait for that to happen.)

Redemption Arena:
Witnesses: Bug-eyed Dawn & Whitney (who? I know, I forget about her too - blond country singer) and Albert & Michayla.

Jeff asks Stacey how she feels seeing two of the tribe members that voted her off and... she's off... (honestly, I couldn't transcribe most of what she was saying) - She was calling Coach, Benjamin - she's not going to give him the satisfaction of calling him what he wants to be called - he was born Benjamin, she'll call him Benjamin.  Then there was lots of eye rolling, hand talking - oh, and she and Christine made sure the Red team knew Coach was running things with Albert & Sophie.
-Michayla looked confused and Albert disgusted, "sour grapes."

Duel: It's the balls in the spiral chute challenge.  They put a ball in the chute, it spirals down and they have to catch it at the end and put it back in at the top - every few minutes they will add another ball and they will alternate going down the left or right spiral - first person to drop a ball is out of the game for good.
-Stacey seems to be in the zone but she's not paying any attention to spacing the balls out - Christine is a little more hesitant and makes a couple close saves... but it's STACEY who drops a ball and is out of the game.  And with Stacey: Kelvin H, Sharon R and Katie L are out of the pools.   Stacey says she challenged herself - she's a funeral director, she's a diva - who lives like this? - she's proud of herself for coming out there and doing this (B'bye.)

-Albert is p*ssed off about Stacey's rant - "Benjamin's running things and Albert's his right hand man - that was something we had hoped to keep under wraps."  He knows Coach is going to be p*ssed (so, don't tell him - make a move of your own... that would be AWESOME!)

Upolu - Day 12
-Albert & Michayla get back to camp and Albert tells them about Stacey's rant, kind of chuckling about the Benjamin thing and Coach has NO sense of humour about it - says, "If anyone calls me Benjamin to my face, I'll go NUTS.  My parents call me Coach.  I've been Coach since I was 18." (Whoa, dude, I guess Stacey did know the right buttons to push - too bad she's gone.) He says this news just ruined his day, it sucks.  "Could this day get any worse?" (Uh oh, tempting fate.)

Savaii - Day 12
-Elyse is talking about how it's all good in pretty people land - our 5 is strong and Ozzy & I are on the same page... we haven't really had to talk about anything. (Playing the hell out of this game I see... complacency is going to let Jim & Cochran vote your butt out of there.)
-Cochran seems to be the only one working - he's bringing in armloads of wood and Ozzy is just laying in the shelter with Elyse dutifully by his side- they tease him about how to spell his name, she calls him "The little Cochran that could" like she's so clever.  Cochran says everything they do annoys him now. (Yeah, I'd want to kick them both.)

-Dawn & Whitney return from witnessing the duel and tell everyone that Stacey (purple dress) went home.  They tell them that the other tribe is not voting to keep strength but it's team Coach - "they called him Benjamin" - that it was Coach and Albert and Sophie running things. 
-Ozzy pipes up that if he's smart, Coach will get rid of Albert soon.  That resonates with Jim - If Ozzy thinks Coach should get rid of one of his strong guys that means Ozzy will look to get rid of him and/or Keith before the merge.
-Jim now has his leverage to get Keith on board to voting Elyse out next - "nothing sells like fear."

Upolu - Day 12
-Albert feels Stacey's put a target on his back with the other tribe and decides he's got to go find the hidden immunity idol.  He finds a clue pretty quickly - it tells him it's just barely out of reach by the beach and he could stay dry if the tide is out... He tries to find it on his own but he's getting more and more frustrated so he decides he'll garner good will with Coach and Sophie by sharing the clue and getting them to help him look (you still better hope you're the one that finds it - I think Coach would hold on to that thing with a death grip if he got it in his hot little hands.)
-So, Albert tells them and Coach takes matters into his own hands - he prays for God to help him find the idol and then he finds the idol (UGH!) He's giddy as a schoolgirl and referring to himself in the third person all over the place.  "Coach Wade has found the hidden immunity idol.  A golden little gem for Coach Wade to hold on to."  (I knew it - Albert is never going to have that thing.)  Coach does tell Albert & Sophie he found it - "we have this game by the b*lls" but he holds on to it.

Savaii - Day 14
-Ozzy is trying to teach Cochran to catch fish. Cochran hopes this will be a bonding experience with Ozzy and he won't' continue to be thought of as being a girl, sitting around camp.
-I don't see anyone else fishing though - Ozzy says he's the one providing for the tribe - fishing is really hard, he gets cut up and has to hold his breath for a long time - takes a lot out of him... and makes him the only provider - sounds like it giveth as much as it taketh away.
-Cochran says besides his moments of glory each day when he goes and gets fish, Ozzy is turning into a lazy ass around camp - acts like he's entitled to our deference - and it's going to bite him in the *ss.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
-They see the Roasted Pigs on the spits and are actually looking excited (oh no, it's not for eating.)  Jeff tells them, each tribe will have a roasted pig on a spit - their hands will be tied behind their backs and they will have to chew off as much meat as they can then come spit it in a basket.   The tribe that has the most meat in the basket (by weight) after 10 minutes, wins immunity and Reward: fresh veggies, spices, bread ... and another clue will be back at their camp.

Off they go - and it's disgusting - ugh.  Keith gets a big chunk stuck in his teeth - Dawn has to pull it out of his mouth for him...with her mouth.  Oh, that happens to a couple more of them - this is so gross!  Rick drops a big piece on the ground and leaves it - Michayla picks it up.  There is as much spit (hopefully it's just spit) as meat in that basket (Ugh, I feel a little sick.)

Savaii - 22lbs 12oz
Upolu - 22lbs 14oz... WOW, that was close.  Team Coach wins immunity!  As part of their Reward they get to keep all the meat they 'collected' off the pig.  (Do you know how much spit is in there?)  They are excited, they'll wash off the spit and be thankful for the feast. (You know they're starving.)

Upolu - Day 14
-Brandon is cookin' up their bounty - he comes from Cajun stock - they just cook, cook, cook. (Hey, maybe he is good for something.)
-They are all stuffing their faces and Coach treats us to a bunch of talking with food in his mouth - he feels like they are back in the driver's seat.  "This is unbelievable man."

Savaii - Day 14
-They are all cataloging their pig gnawing injuries - Dawn lost half a molar - Ozzy's lips hurt so bad - Elyse is going to have pig gut break outs (see how their whining decreases in importance... really? A pimple is what you're worried about? - Yes, I rolled my eyes.)
-Cochran proves his social ineptitude by bringing up oral herpes - saying he's going to get a cold sore from them... uh... Anyone want a coconut?  (Yeah, you did just put your foot in your mouth - again.)
-Elyse & Whitney talking about how hard he's trying - Ozzy also notices his pathetic attempt to NOT be the one voted out - but as far as Ozzy's concerned it's too late - he's the weakest link.  Ozzy tells Whitney & Dawn it's Cochran tonight.
-Dawn doesn't agree - she's on board with Cochran & Jim and thinks it's time to break up the Ozzy/Elyse duo by getting rid of Elyse tonight.  She confirms with Cochran who confirms with Jim - and Jim says the lynch pin will be Keith.
-Jim goes to work on planting the 'piece of fear' he got from the Redemption Island information - that Ozzy will try to get rid of one of them before the merge.  Jim says if they get rid of Elyse first, Ozzy won't be able to do anything. 
-Keith says yeah, definitely she needs to go first. (Oh, that was easy.)
-Jim tells him they have four votes, with Dawn & Cochran...
-But then what happens when Ozzy...
-We don't tell Ozzy.
-Errrchhh - I see the brakes come on as Keith realizes what's going on - But then Ozzy won't trust us.(oh, Keith's pretty.)
-So, now Keith's torn, he made an alliance with Ozzy and if they blindside Elyse it's like Ozzy gets blindsided.  He doesn't know what to do.  He goes and talks to Whitney and there is a lot of "I don't know" going on- proving neither of these two are willing to step up and sieze the day.  They are not the brain trust.  Whitney says they are trying to find a way to weasel their way around voting Elyse now and still remaining in an alliance with Ozzy. (Good luck with that.)  She wishes they could just let the three vote Elyse and they two vote someone else (wussies!)

Meanwhile, Jim is telling Cochran they are definitely on for voting Elyse tonight and I think Cochran wet himself a little.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Ozzy, where are we at from a game point of view?
-A third of the way in, merge is still too far off to be worried about - we still have to keep the group as strong as possible.
Elyse, how do you define a strong tribe member?
-Somebody who is strong across the board.  Strong in challenges, strong around camp, has social skills and graces to keep the group together.
Cochran, you've gotten votes every time you've been to tribal council, does Elyse's definition make you nervous you'll get votes again?
-And Cochran talks too much - novelty of tribal council has worn off -alarming to have his name come up every time -  in terms of challenges they cover such a wide range of things - today it came down to two ounces.
Two ounces is one - extra - bite.  Jim, did you go over in your head what you could have done...
-Every one of us did and we all say we gave 100%, but it's would, coulda, shoulda.  This was the least finger pointing challenge - ironically we had the most injuries in this one than the others combined.
Jeff asks for a rundown and they list:
Jim - cuts on inside of mouth and lips
Elyse - bloody cuts & gums
Ozzy - Cuts on my lips, chipped tooth and my jaw's a little dislocated (someone punch him please - even his injuries have to be the best - come on!)
Dawn - Broke a tooth
Whitney - just lips
Cochran - I haven't been wearing my retainer as blah, blah, blah... felt my teeth shifting.
Jeff - are you being serious or funny?
Cochran - I realize it's not on the same level as a dislocated jaw but I am working on realigning my teeth...
Jeff asks Dawn if she finds Cochran's constant analysis endearing or annoying.
-(Bless her, she tries to be diplomatic) Part of this game is being with people you wouldn't normally spend time with.  I'm learning tolerance.  Like today when he said we could get a communicable disease swapping spit - it was hilarious but not.
Keith - everyone else was laughing but you had a different reaction.
-Yeah, I don't want a disease.  His intention was to be funny but in the end he grossed everyone out.
They pick on Cochran some more.
You can't catch a break.
Cochran - yeah, it hurts.
Elyse - feels for him - we've all been in the position of being picked last for soccer. (Sure you have.)
Cochran - I don't put myself in that position.  Yeah, I may have some quirks that people find annoying but I think most people take to me. (Oh boy, he's the annoying puppy that you just can't kick.)
Elyse, after what Cochran has gone through at past tribal councils will it be hard to vote him out?
-One thing you can appreciate about him is that he has such an appreciation of the game that he will enjoy the experience no matter what.  (I would say that is a No, Jeff.)
Jim, is this vote personal or is it just strategy?
-There is always something personal even if it is a strategic vote because I know how it will affect the person whose name is on there.

Okay, Time to Vote:
Jim votes Lys - says it has more to do with keeping Ozzy weak
Ozzy - Coch-train - sorry man, hope you get that 2nd chance.

Tallying the votes:
No one plays a hidden immunity idol.
Cochran - 1
Elyse - 1
Cochran - 2
Elyse - 2
Dawn - 1 ... (what?  Whitney looks over at Keith and smiles - really?  The wussy strategy? Ugh.)
Dawn - 2
We are tied... until Elyse gets the 3rd vote and is sent to Redemption Island.
Ozzy keeps a poker face but he seems to have a hitch in his breathing... Surprise!

Elyse - the trust is forever broken. (Welcome to Survivor.)

Next week:  Coach is having Russell flashbacks with Brandon and it scares him.  Ozzy declares himself a free agent - has a pity party for himself - Cochran is loving the sulking but then lets the tribe down at the challenge... Yawn.

I hope something happens to stir things up soon - these people are all boring!

Coleen