Amazing Race 22 - April 28, 2013 Episode Recap

Working Our Barrels Off

Last week the Horrible Honeymooners came in first and the Roller Derby Moms escaped elimination in Berlin as it was a non-elimination round, though they will face a Speed Bump this leg.

-Max & Katie are the first team to head out at 2:02AM - they get the clue to fly to Edinburgh, Scotland - once there, they must make their way to Gosford House and choose a marked Ford Fiesta to get their next clue.  Also: *Caution* Double U-Turn Ahead! (Ooo.)
-Max & Katie head to the business centre to check out flights on the computer.  They say their semi-alliance with the Hockey Boys and Country Singers is tight (huh? Did I miss this alliance?) but they are racing for themselves (I never had a doubt about that) and they know these next two legs are crucial to get them into the finals.  They can see the million dollars dangling in front of their faces, they just have to get there.

-U-Tubers Joey & Meghan are the next team heading out at 2:49AM - Joey is his usual annoying persona when they read about the U-Turn. They were U-Turned last time and they just hope they can get ahead of the alliance of Max & Katie (Honeymooners), Country Girls (Caroline & Jen) and the Hockey Brothers (Bates & Anthony) so that doesn't happen again. (I guess I did miss this "alliance".)

-Caroline & Jen head out at 3:44AM - excited about Scotland.  They head to the airport - as did Joey & Meghan.  At the airport, nothing is open.  Joey & Meghan look at the boards and see a flight that will get them to Scotland at 1PM (sucks.)  Country girls are waiting for the ticket counters to open at 5am.

-Max & Katie meanwhile have been searching the Internet for flights and Katie found one that will get them to Scotland by 10:40AM - but they have to get to the airport, now!

-Bates & Anthony heading out at 4:20AM - they tell us that their alliance (I just didn't know Max & Katie were buddies with anyone... oh, hold on Katie is mean girling the other pretty blonds... okay makes sense now) anyway, the alliance has agreed to U-Turn the other two teams, Joey & Meghan and the Roller Moms, Mona & Beth. This isn't a new plan, they are just sticking with the last plan.

-Mona & Beth - one minute behind - hop in a cab for the airport.  They are feeling the extra pressure with the Speed Bump as well as the U-Turns ahead but they hope the fact that the Hockey boys are also near the back, and in their eyes a bigger threat, that the other teams will U-Turn the brothers before them (not unreasonable but I kinda doubt it's going to happen. Maybe they didn't see this supposed alliance either?)

-Max & Katie get to the airport at 4:35AM and bump into Joey & Meghan who are waiting for the desk to open - when asked if they booked tickets yet Katie says no and they just keep walking... Max is excited the other team may not know about the early flight and she basically tells him to shut his pretty mouth. (Yet again we see who is wearing the pants in that relationship.)

-Now all the teams are in line when the ticket counter opens - even Max & Katie have come back to, as she puts it, "wait in line like sheep for the 1PM flight."  Joey & Meghan and the Roller Moms manage to get the last two sets of tickets on the 1PM flight which means that the other teams won't get in until 4pm.  Caroline sarcastically tells them to go ahead and do their little happy dance that she's sure they are dying to do ... so Meghan does and the Roller Moms & U-Tubers walk off celebrating their perceived 3 hour lead.

-Max & Katie are already on the 10:40AM arriving flight and the Hockey Brothers and Country Girls set out to try and find better flights - they also find the 10:40AM arrival flight and are able to get tickets - so now these three teams actually have the 3 hour lead.  Bates jokes, "Who are we U-Turning?"  Caroline, "Obviously no us."
-Max & Katie think they are the only team on the 10:40AM flight because they did not share with their alliance - much to their dismay however, they see the Hockey Brothers and then Country Singers getting on as well - And now Max is miffed - (What I imagine went through his head, "How did they find this flight without using the Business Centre like we did?  We are so much smarter than them.)
-Meanwhile, back in the airport, Meghan & Joey are still riding the high of thinking they are getting on the first flight.  The Roller Moms are glad they are on the flight with their allies.

Edinburgh, Scotland
-First flight lands and they head out for the car park - they find the marked Ford Fiestas and see there are 5 cars there so they know Roller Derby and U-Tubers didn't get an earlier flight.  Hockey Brothers head out right behind Max & Katie - Bates says he's fairly confident that these teams have agreed to U-Turn the last two teams (I hope he's not holding his breath - I think Max is a frightened little man and I wouldn't be surprised if he U-Turned the boys.)

-Country girls are having trouble with their car - it's not going very fast... with the parking brake on.  Caroline figures it out though and feels dumb. (Jen and I just leave that alone.)

-Max & Katie find Gosford House (more like a castle than a house) and run up to the front steps where a piping band is playing... they get the clue to the ROADBLOCK - they get the opportunity to play with the Royal Scotsmen. They have to dress up in traditional dress - kilt and all (Yay, I love when they have to dress up) - and learn how to play a harmonizing note on the bagpipes (oh, is that all? Yikes!) while marching around the marble room of Gosford House.  When the instructor is satisfied with their performance, they'll get their next clue.

-Max is going to do this one and Bates & Anthony arrived right after them - Bates is doing it as well.
-Max gets kilted up and says what he wore beneath the kilt will remain forever his secret - he gets the instructions on how to sustain a note... and goes slightly cross-eyed on his first attempt.
-Bates says he's 1/2 Scottish so hopefully this will come easily, even though he's never even held bagpipes before.  He also said he kept his undies on (enquiring minds want to know I guess.)
-Just when they were wondering where Caroline & Jen were, we see them arrive and Caroline is doing this one.
-Max doesn't want to waste time practicing, he's more of a trial by fire kind of guy - so he learns he just has to maintain constant pressure to keep the same note - and he goes for it - and passes! (Lucky - or maybe he's just found his calling :)) They get the clue to search the fireplaces at Crag Millar Castle to find their next clue.
-Bates is the next to attempt it and he's able to complete the task as well.  Max & Katie have to wait for the Hockey brothers to move their car before they can leave - these two teams leave neck & neck.

-Caroline is suited up and starts her circuit around the marble room but quickly the instructor calls them back - she's messed up and the excuses begin.  Her mouth hurts, her lips are too dry to keep wrapped around the - thing. (Do I dare... That's what she said?)
-Jen is worried that the other two teams are landing right about now and she hopes they can get out of there before they catch up.

-Second flight is landing and Joey & Meghan and the Roller Moms are still feeling great about being ahead of the other teams... until they get to the cars and realize there are only two cars left... Oh Doh!  Now they all realize it is probable they will be U-Turned.  Joey, "Dang-it!"

-Gosford House - Caroline fails on her 6th attempt and there are more excuses (she's using muscles she's never used before and her mouth just won't work anymore - sure) and tears.  I think the tears helped her calm down... and she finally succeeds on her seventh attempt!  The old crusty piper gives her a hug where she has fallen to the floor and Caroline says she has found her husband in Scotland, his name is Jim and he's about 70. (Ha, so dramatic.)

-Bates & Anthony have arrived at the castle and see the Speed Bump for Mona & Beth on the gate.  They head inside and start searching the fireplaces - on the 2nd or 3rd one they find a clue to the DETOUR: Tasty Puddin' or Whiskey Rollin'
-In Tasty Puddin' - they must use an ox's intestine and fill it with various organ meats, seasonings and oats (It's Haggis time!) Once they have successfully prepared 4 portions, they will get a taste and their next clue.
-In Whiskey Rollin' - they must deliver 8 whiskey barrels up a cobble stoned alleyway to a Scottish festival.  Once they have delivered all the barrels, a Scottish dancer will hand them their next clue.
-The Hockey Brothers are going to do the Whiskey Rollin'.
-Max & Katie arrive at the castle and don't see any other cars... boys are already gone - they decide to do the pudding.  Max says he figured the boys would probably do the whiskey barrels and they wanted to separate themselves from them - Oh, I do smell a U-Turn double cross coming on?

-Roller Moms and Joey & Meghan arrive at Gosford House and get the clue to the Roadblock - Mona and Meghan are going this one.
-Meghan played the trumpet for 4 years so this should be easy for her.  Mona found it extra stressful because she knows they have a Speed Bump somewhere ahead as well as the U-Turn.

-Caroline & Jen arrive at the castle and start searching the fireplaces...I think?  How did they get on the roof?  They are having trouble finding a clue.

-Hockey Brothers arrive at the Detour site, one way for Whiskey, other way for Puddin'  - they get going rolling the barrels up the steep alleyway - but it's hard keeping them going straight - Bates decides to pick his up and carry it on his shoulders - estimating the barrels to be 100lbs each, no one else can do the challenge that way. (I just realized they are the only all-men team left, huh.  Way to go ladies!)  They are exhausted by the time they deliver their first two barrels - this could be really tough for them.

-The Country Singers finally find the clue to the Detour in a fireplace and they are going to do the Puddin'.  They're not sure what 'haggis' is , maybe a meat pudding. Caroline, "I blew something hard all day, let's just eat it." (Ha ha!  From a church girl no less.)

-By six barrels Bates & Anthony are feeling the strain in their legs and backs but they only have two left - Bates says they should have kept the kilts on for this one, "If it's not Scottish, it's crap!"

-Max & Katie are in the Sheep Heid Inn learning how to make haggis - the meat smells okay but the intestine - Max, "I could smell that sheep's last meal." (Gross.)  They get to work stuffing the intestine/stomach as a Robert Burns impersonator/actor comes in and recites his "Address to a Haggis" in the old Gaelic (okay, that was weird.) Max, "I guess he really likes haggis."

-Mona & Meghan are getting their bagpipe lessons - Mona knows she just has to get this done so they can get out of there - and she makes it - they take off for the castle.
-Meghan's instructor kept blowing in the thing then getting her to do it - she says, "I basically made out with that guy, we exchanged saliva, it was very intimate." She has doubts that she can do it - she can't keep the pressure in there - no go (what do you mean NO GO!?)
-She starts her march, well, she is walking more like Quasimodo, but she makes it!  (Good for her.)

-Bates & Anthony are struggling to deliver their last two barrels of whiskey - Bates is still carrying his like Olympus with the weight of the world on his shoulders, he says. Anthony is rolling his.  They are the first team to complete the Detour - they get the clue to make their way to Duddingston Kirk to find their next clue.
-Max & Katie are still making haggis to the weird Robbie Burns serenade - they get a pass on their haggis making and then dig in to a cooked one - which they seemed to enjoy.  They also get the clue to head to Duddingston Kirk.
-Turns out the Kirk is on the same grounds, Bates & Anthony get to the Kirk and find the Double U-Turn - they U-Turn Joey & Meghan.  Joey & Meghan can't U-Turn anyone because they used the U-Turn last time - the boys expect the other teams in their alliance to U-Turn the Roller Moms and leave those two teams to battle it out for last place.
-Bates & Anthony get the clue to search Niddry St South - a cobble-stoned alleyway which is also the PIT STOP for this leg of the Race.

-Max & Katie get to the Kirk, see the U-Turn and they U-Turn Mona & Beth (oh, no twists there - how boring.)  They are happy with how the U-turn worked out - Max will not be shedding any tears about either [Joey & Meghan or Mona & Beth] going home.

-Caroline & Jen are making their haggis and flirting with Robbie Burns (of course they are).  Tell us more about haggis. (I think there was some eye-batting even, shameless.)

-Mona & Beth have arrived at the Fireplace Castle and gotten their Speed Bump - they have to go up the road to the oldest pub in Edinburgh and play Skittles - the Scottish version of 10 pin bowling - looks like the only difference is the ball has no holes (cripes, that would be hard) - Once they get a whatever a strike is called, they will be able to go back and search the fireplaces.  They take off before Meghan & Joey get there - and upon arriving at the pub also see the sign for the Detours - so they know where they will need to return (that could be a bonus.)
-They hit Skittle Alley and learn how hard it is to throw the ball with no holes.  They also have to go and reset the pins and retrieve their balls by hand (What?  That's just archaic :).)

-Bates & Anthony are trying to find the parking area where they have to leave the car then make their way on foot to Niddry St.  Max & Katie get their first however and they are both heading for the Pit Stop.

-Caroline & Jen have moved on to the eating portion of the Haggis challenge - they get the clue, tell the boys they are all really cute, and head to the Kirk.  They see the U-Turns have been done so they get the clue to head for the Pit Stop.

-Joey & Meghan are still looking for the castle, and it's now getting dark (We know how well these two do with directions, this could be an all-nighter folks.)  Joey is just hoping the Speed Bump takes some time and slows Mona & Beth down.

-Speak of the devil, at the Speed Bump they are still trying to get a strike when one of the locals gives Beth some coaching on the lane, she makes the adjustment and gets them that Strike!  Way to go Beth.  They head back to the castle to search the fireplaces.
-Joey & Meghan have finally arrived at the castle and Mona & Beth get their right behind them - Joey is the first to find the clue but Mona also finds one - they have all decided to do the Puddin'.  Meghan knows what haggis is but she decides not to fill Joey in.

-The Roller Moms try, unsuccessfully, to lead them down the wrong path but both teams head into the Sheep Heid Inn and make some haggis under the watchful eye of Robbie Burns.  Mona & Beth prove to be haggis making machines - they destroyed Meghan & Joey and head off for the Kirk, only to learn they are now Whiskey Rollin'.  Joey is still praying they are not U-Turned (ignorance is bliss, so he has a couple more blissful moments left.)

-Mona & Beth are slightly demoralized, but they get to rolling. They have to head past the Sheep Heid Inn and hope the other team doesn't see them but Joey spots them and realizes they've been U-Turned.  After their taste of haggis, Joey & Meghan head into the Kirk and also learn their fate. Joey, "Gasp - Bates & Anthony, no!"

-Mona & Beth have delivered four barrels to Joey and Meghan's first two.  Meghan isn't as strong as Joey so they decide to start doing one at a time instead of one each.  Mona & Beth get their barrels delivered and drive off to find Niddry St. South.
-In the dark and driving on the wrong side of the road, Beth, who has also proven to be directionally challenged, gets lost and has to ask for directions.
-Joey & Meghan finish the barrels and hope the other team got lost.

 Here's How They Finished:
1) Max & Katie - they are surprised they got there first (she even smiled) and they won $10,000 each!
2) Bates & Anthony - Bates curses a little but Anthony takes it in stride (he does seem the more laid back of the two.)
3) Caroline & Jennifer - they are happy with that placing.
4) Mona & Beth - they say they proved "you can give us a Speed Bump and throw us a U-turn and we're still going to be here."
5) Joey & Meghan - **ELIMINATED** They are so proud of themselves for getting so far.  It's been the best time of their lives.

So, with Joey & Meghan's elimination, Sharon L, Katie L, Carol-Anne D, Shelley A and Dillon/Sage/Asia are out of the pool.

Next week: Is the Two hour finale of the Amazing Race! (Holy, finale already?) And it looks like it's going to be challenging, scuba diving in a mud hole and lots of breaking dishes.  Should be great!

Oh, I have next Monday, May 6th, off work so whoever the lucky winners may be, I will get in touch with you all next Tuesday.

Have a great week everyone,
Coleen.

Survivor Fans vs Favourites - April 24, 2013 episode recap

Come Over To the Dark Side

Last week on Survivor, in an epic Tribal Council where Malcolm played not one but two hidden immunity idols to keep his Three Amigos together, they voted out Phillip Shepard, aka The Specialist, aka The Fun Sponge... Ding Dong, the wicked Specialist is Dead!

Enil Edam - Night 28
Returning from Tribal Council the Stealth R Us bunch is playing all nice nice with the Three Amigos - I don't think anyone was really that sorry to see Phillip go if they are totally honest but the camaraderie rings a bit false.
-Malcolm says he hopes by getting rid of their leader, the Specialist Phillip Shepard, the remaining six may fracture and he can lure some of them over to the dark side with him, Reynold and Eddie.
-Cochran is just glad he never has to use the term Stealth R Us again.
-Erik feels like he is free to speak to people now that Phillip didn't want him to speak with and it frees him to decide who he wants to vote with depending on what is right for Erik.

Enil Edam - Day 29
It's a new day but a tough one for the SRU alliance, no one got much sleep and they are feeling the absence of their deluded bully of a leader.
-Cochran says he has seen and been a part of many tribal councils over the years but last night's left him breathless... and terrified.
-They are showing all of them just listless, starving and it's Brenda's turn to breakdown... what's up with the water works?  She says what happened at Tribal Council, the losing control of the game, has thrown a wrench in her plans (She had plans?) - they have no food (way to ration guys) and the uncertainty of not knowing what the 3 amigos are capable of has just broken her down.
-Tree Mail - they get their wallets for the Survivor Auction!  $500 bucks in cash, do you really need a little poem?
-Malcolm is banking on there being some kind of advantage at the auction and sitting where he's sitting, he's thinking of not spending money on food to try and get that advantage.

SURVIVOR AUCTION
-They file in all smiles and Jeff tells them they each have $500 for the Survivor Auction, bidding will be in $20 dollar increments, there is no sharing of money and no sharing of food.  The auction will end without warning.  Are you ready? 
-First item - a beer and peanuts - first $20... and before Jeff even gets the words fully out Malcolm shouts "TWENTY" and he gets the first item (WHAT?) He tells the camera he was prepping all morning not to bid on food and then he shoots himself in the foot for some beer & nuts. (Ha ha, way to go.  Just shows how hungry they really are.)
-To go with it, Jeff gives him a bucket with 4 or 5 more beers and a bowl of pretzels as well.  He chugs the first one (and Malcolm's going to be bombed!)
-Second item will remain covered - Erik opens the bidding at $20, but they soon get up to $180 dollars and the item goes to Reynold.  BUT, before he gets up Jeff tells him he can keep the covered item he bid on, or he can choose to switch to one of two other covered items he brings up.  It's like Let's Make a Deal and Cochran tells him it's the Monty Hall effect, he's supposed to switch.  Reynold doesn't trust the big brain on Cochran and he goes with his gut, keeping his initial item.
-Jeff reveals the 3rd item was a rotten coconut, the first item, which Reynold bought, was one slice of pizza - the 2nd item was the rest of the pizza.
-Sherri pipes up, "$500 for the full pizza!"  Jeff - SOLD!  She doesn't care that she's out of the Auction... no more talking, just eating now.
-Next item, uncovered, is a full, roasted chicken - Dawn throws down a bid of $500 and it's all hers.  She lets Erik smell it though (really?)
-Next item remains covered and Jeff says, "This IS information in this game"  Malcolm votes $480, it would take a bid of $500 to take it but no one steps up - Malcolm gets it.  He has 60 seconds to look at the information - it's a drawing and clue to a buried hidden immunity idol.  He studies it then goes and sits down (has anyone found 3 hidden immunity idols in one game before?  That could be hitting Russell Hantz territory.)
-Next item remains covered - Brenda bids $100, Andrea outbids her and Brenda gets teary again, she's afraid to take the risk and get something bad (well you get nothing then) Andrea wins it for $260 - plate of spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread and glass of red wine.  She has a dilemma though - Jeff tells her she can keep the spaghetti or take a sack of rice and beans back for the tribe.  She doesn't think twice, she takes the Rice & Beans. (And wins the love of the tribe, there could be no other choice, come on!)
-Next item is an advantage in the next immunity challenge, Reynold bids $300, Brenda goes $320 and Cochran wins it at $380 (Brenda literally looks like she's in pain, she cannot pull the trigger.) He gets a sealed note and is told to keep it sealed until the immunity challenge.
-Covered item - Brenda bids $300 and gets... pigs brains. (That'll teach her not to wait.) Jeff asks if she wants to eat it - though she doesn't eat pork she gives it a try - and another testament to how hungry they must be, she takes it to chow down on.
-Next, Jeff pulls out the letters from home (Let the waterworks begin) - $20 to everyone.  Which means, Dawn, Sherri and Malcolm will not get their letters because they have all spent all their money already.  Oh Gosh, Dawn is going to beat herself up forever about choosing a chicken over a letter from her family... Dawn & Sherri are inconsolable.
-There is another covered item that comes with a twist.  Brenda bids $180 (that's the last of her money) and Eddie out bids her at $200.  Jeff tells him the twist is that it is for the whole tribe - he uncovers a bid bowl of peanut butter!  Jeff says they have 60 seconds to share it, anything they have on their face, hands, etc can go with them, whatever is in the bowl stays. 
They dive in and Sherri feeds some to Cochran off her fingers.
Cochran to Jeff - Did you see that?
Jeff - How often does that happen?
Cochran - More often than you think.  (Ha, he's such a stud.)
-Dawn says Malcolm bought a clue which was likely to another idol and people are psyched out by last tribal council - they have that arrogance and will say whatever we do they will out wit and out play us so go with them.

Enil Edam - Day 29
They get back from the auction and everyone is scraping the globs of peanut butter off their hands and faces into a bowl at camp (they could take it on their person - so they did.)
-Reynold says they feel like everything has turned around 180 degrees - now they are all well-fed, they have provisions to get through the rest of the game and his alliance has a clue to another immunity idol. It's turned into a great day.
-Brenda wants to read her letters, she feels on top of the world right now, this morning she thought she'd give anything for a pizza or a hamburger but this [the letter] is all that mattered - the love an encouragement of these people [her family] that's why she's there, she'll do anything for them. (Oh and did I mention she cried through all that?)
-All the Lettered are on a blanket having a good read and cry - with Sherri and Dawn trying to suck up some of their hope from home and Malcolm pacing behind them (Go find the idol!)
-Even Cochran is crying, he's been trying to play the game without emotion and the letters from home reminded him that their is life outside the game - he's almost a glad that this proved he is still a person that values love and family (Blah, blah - Wahh.) 
Whatever, they are all crying, let's move on.
-Over by the peanut butter pot, Malcolm and Reynold make their move on Sherri.  Reynold tells her to stick with them, if they have her and Erik they'll guarantee her final 5.  She says they better pull something out their butts (No, we don't want to see that.)
-She says they have to talk, but not now.
-Reynold is too eager, as usual, he is the used car salesman, too pushy to make the sale.
-Malcolm tells him he'll talk to Sherri and they can talk to Erik.  Reynold's plan is to pull over Sherri & Erik, get the numbers and then take out Cochran, they're most strategic player, and really bust them.

Enil Edam - Night 29
-Most people are sleeping when Malcolm decides it's time to go dig for the idol.  But Andrea sees him go and she and Cochran follow him to the well putting a kink in his plans.  Cochran excuses himself but Andrea is not budging, she thinks she'll be the next to go if he gets the idol. She's willing to stay there and follow him around all day if need be.
Enil Edam - Day 30
-Malcolm and Andrea, sitting by the well... finally they decide to call it a draw and head back to camp.  He says she's like a pesky little sister he can't get rid of.  He tells the camera he feels like an idiot, he blew his $480 dollars - maybe a million dollars - because Andrea's not going to leave him alone to dig. (Yup, that would be frustrating.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
They will be holding onto a rope attached to a very heavy log, at specific intervals they will have to move down a knot on the rope, lowering the log and making the weight that much harder to bear.  Last person still holding their log up will win Immunity.
-Cochran's advantage: at any point in the immunity challenge he may move his hand up two knots giving him a significant advantage.
-Eddie still doesn't see Cochran as any type of physical threat whatsoever so he's still optimistic.
-They must choose which hand they want to hold with (oh man, this is a one handed challenge to boot!) and they are off.
-5 minutes in, they move down to the second knot.
-10 minutes in they move down another knot - Cochran elects to use his advantage and goes back to the first knot.
-15 minutes, 20 min, 25 mins... they are all still there.  This is the last knot, after that they will just have the nubbin of rope to hold onto... and with that - Brenda is the first person to lose her hold and is out.
Erik drops out shortly after.  Dawn is showing off her lower false teeth with her grimace to hold on... and she makes it to the next interval.
-30 minutes - they move down to the no knots zone (everyone but Cochran that is) and Sherri is out.  Malcolm loses his balance and he he is the next one out.  Andrea loses it to sweaty hand and Dawn plays it so dramatically - but finally does lose her log.
-We're down to Reynold, Eddie and Cochran.  Reynold starts to slip and loses it.  Cochran still has a knot but he's having trouble... Eddie looks steady until his hand starts to slip and COCHRAN wins immunity!
(That's two individual immunities for the geeky kid, good for him.)
-Malcolm tells the camera this was not ideal, he'd like to think he inspired a revolutionary spirit in some of these people who realize that the three of them can be of use to someone trying to shake things up.

Enil Edam - Day 30
Coming back from the immunity challenge, Cochran is high on the fact that he has won the most immunity challenges.  He is the guy that was screamed at last time he played because he was such a liability, now, he doesn't care if winning makes him a threat, because he's just going to keep on winning. (No, big head gets you voted out!)
-Malcolm is watching Andrea and he knows he can't go look for the idol again she'll just follow.  He's nervous.  He talks to Reynold and Eddie and tells them that they have to make them believe that Malcolm has the idol so they split their votes and if he can secure Sherri, they'll have 4 votes to their split 3 and 3.
-He goes and talks to Sherri and tells her he has an idol so they are going to have to split the vote cause he is playing it - oh, do we have a deal? I'll go to the end with you. 
-She says yeah, she's in.  But she tells the camera, she thinks she wants to play with the muscle heads because they are going to keep winning challenges, but then she thinks, Cochran won one today - but he had an advantage (she is basically the quintessential flip-flop weeble wobbler.)
-He tells her Reynold is over working on Erik - she demands a name and that he swear to her - He says "Andrea" and they pinkie swear with a kiss to the hands for good measure. (Yeah, I don't think this is going to happen.)
-Erik meanwhile, tells Reynold if they split the vote 3 & 3 and he's one of the three, he's just going to vote with the boys.  But he tells the camera he's got to gather as much information as possible if he's going to play both sides.  He's excited and at the same time terrified.
-He goes and talks to Dawn, Andrea and Cochran and gets the total guilt trip from mommy Dawn - We're putting our whole game in your hands.  He assures them that he's solid.  But he tells the camera there is no going back after this vote, he's got to keep playing both sides right up until he casts his vote, and it could even change at tribal council. (Maybe he's the master flip flop weeble wobbler.)
-Next we see Cochran, Andrea, Sherri and Dawn talking about how they are going to split the votes.  Three for Reynold and three for Malcolm - if it's a tie Malcolm will go home.  They think it would be great if Malcolm went home!
-Dawn floats the idea of not splitting but Andrea definitely wants to split the vote to draw out the idol if he has it.  Cochran is worried that could be disastrous if something goes wrong, he's worried about Erik voting for Phillip last time.
-Andrea thinks her alliance will vote with her but she's not sure if Erik has a different agenda if he wants to prove he won't be fooled by a girl again and will vote with the guys.
-In front of Sherri she says she doesn't think Erik is dumb enough to switch now.
-Sherri tells the camera that these people (on both sides) don't realize this game is hers right now.  She says she's the one calling the shots, they don't get it.  She corners Erik and asks him what's going on? But they don't show that conversation.  She says she's still torn about who she is going with.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Reynold, did the last tribal council shake anything up?
-I think Phillip's departure kind of marked a new chapter in the game.  (Phillip is listening attentively but stoically - did he smell a turd?) I don't necessarily see six on three anymore - in this game if you don't make moves, you may be doomed to going home sooner than you thought.
Andrea, little unnerving to hear one of the guys on the outs say he's not so sure it's 6 - 3 anymore?
-That definitely makes me nervous but I think anyone flipping at this point will be pretty much dooming their game.  If you look at Malcolm, Eddie & Reynold - they're going to dominate every challenge (Yes, they point out Cochran has won 50% - Whatever) the boys are sticking together and they are going to use and abuse you.
Sherri, the rationale could be, I'm not getting to the end with the six - I already feel like I'm on the bottom.
-Absolutely that has crossed my mind.  Who knows where I sit with the Favourites.
Dawn, does that concern you?
-Yeah, Sherri! I think all of us are feeling vulnerable and people are making decisions because they think it's me on the bottom and I hope in Sherri's case she's not thinking she's on the bottom (so Who is on the bottom?)
Malcolm at the auction you bought information - did you feel others wondering what the information was? (Andrea has an evil grin... and how are her teeth still so white?)
-Yeah, it was a little crazy around camp but everyone was curious.  It was a fun day.
Andrea, what was the speculation?
-We all thought it was a clue to a hidden immunity idol and I'm 80% sure he has it. (That had Reynold's head snapping around, is he wondering now too? Or worried that she's not 100% sure.)
Dawn, why so much concern and fear around the idol?
-Because they're getting played so often. There has been a lot of them.
Erik, how concerned are you that someone within this six may be flipping tonight?
-Oh yeah, it's suddenly, if you're worried you should suddenly trade up for a new alliance.  We've seen it happen in other seasons.
Jeff asks Cochran about the possibility of one of the six flipping and Cochran does the math. 
If the six split their vote 3 & 3 but one of the six then votes with the other three that makes them 4 and they can vote out who ever they want.  And if the flipper sticks with the three, it's a foursome and then it's  4 - 4 and it's a whole new game.
Andrea, how much fear does it put into you?
-She says she knows she's a target but she says it's important that you trust the people you're with.

Time to vote:
Reynold votes Andrea
Dawn votes Reynold - and hopes one of the three guys goes home.
Cochran - Votes Malcolm says he hopes he doesn't have an idol because voting him off would be indescribably delicious.

Tallying the Votes:
No hidden immunity idol is played... much to the 6's relief.

Reynold - 1
Malcolm - 1
Andrea - 1
Reynold - 2
Malcolm - 2
Andrea - 2
Reynold - 3
Andrea - 3
Malcolm - 3
It is a 3 way tie.  Sherri gives Malcolm a smug look (ew, I don't think I like her.)

They have to re-vote - Reynold, Malcolm and Andrea will not vote.

Re-vote:
Malcolm - 1,2,3,4... And MALCOLM is voted out.  He says, "Dammit."  And "I need a drink!" as he walks off into the night.
 
-And with Malcolm leaving us this week, Laura H, Carol-Anne D, and Don H. are out of the pool.

Next week: Looks like the beginning of the end for the alliance of six when Andrea & Cochran are discussing if Brenda or Dawn should go first.. Oooh.

Malcolm's final thoughts: He starts with the standard: "It's been a great run" But he can't keep it up:  Whatever, I paid $480 for an idol clue I couldn't use, I found two without clues... It doesn't matter, I wouldn't have played it tonight anyway. I thought I was safe.  It just goes to show as soon as you think you have it figured out, you're going home.  (He needs to get over the $480 - it was play money... I'd be more upset that Andrea out-played/out-witted him there.)

Happy Jean's Day everyone,

Coleen

Amazing Race 22 - April 21, 2013 Episode Recap

The Ultimate Fun House

Last week we lost the Mullet & Wine-ona... (and I lost my chance at winning the pool... again) because they didn't read the clue and got a penalty for rolling their cheese down the hill - but honestly, I think they went farther than anyone imagined they would.

Switzerland - Hockey Brothers, Bates & Anthony are the first team out at 2:50am - they get the clue to make their way to Dresden, Germany (by train) then find the Ministry of Finance and choose a marked Ford Fusion to get the next clue.
-The boys say it never gets old being in first, they want to maintain that feeling and hopefully keep the Country Singers along with them.
-Roller Derby Moms, Mona & Beth, head out at 2:57am.  They know they are right behind Bates & Anthony who are Superman and they can't understand why the Country Singers want to keep their strongest opponent close to them... it doesn't make sense. (Then you two have been married too long.)
-Horrible Honeymooners, Max & Katie - heading out at 3:01 - Max says they came in [to the Race] expecting to win a lot of legs, so getting knocked down so often has been hard but they still have every confidence they can win this thing.

-Bates & Anthony are talking to a cab driver who tells them they have to wait 20 minutes for another cab... huh?  Hockey Boys and Roller Moms talk to a guy at the place (yeah, I don't know where they are) and they look at a map and decide to walk down to the train station, all the cabs are busy.  They fill Max & Katie in when they arrive and they all take off on foot.

-3:28am - Country Singers, Caroline & Jen get the clue and Caroline, the little energizer bunny is using her high pitched super excited voice about going to Germany (is anyone really that perky?) They confirm to the camera that they want to go to the final three with Bates & Anthony - they are their Race boyfriends. Looks like the girls get the cab that the boys didn't bother waiting for.

-Hockey Brothers, Roller Moms and Horrible Honeymoon get to the train station and find the first train out is at 5:26am - so everyone is on the same train. 
-They don't even show us what time Joey & Meghan started, they were just on the train and Joey says they hate finishing in low place all the time, today they are ready to kick some butt. (I'll believe it when I see it.)

-On the train they are all sleeping, trying to catch some rest while they can, when Bates wakes up to notice his bag is gone... someone stole his backpack!  He still has his passport in his fanny pack so he's not too worried about it, but it still really sucks.  Looking on the bright side, he says, "Just think how fast I'll be." (Glass half full, my kinda guy.)
-Country girl Jen can't believe that would happen to Bates out of the guys, he's just the sweetest, most laid back guy - Caroline asks Jen why she just doesn't date him (yeah!)  She does offer to give him some thong underwear.  He seems okay with that... but not to wear.

Dresden, Germany
-Looks like they took the train to Munich, then flew to Dresden - touching down, all the teams run for cabs and it's Max & Katie that make it to the Ministry of Finance first - they find the Ford Fusions and get the clue off the windshield.  They will have to use the onboard navigation system and answer some Race inspired questions - When they come up with the correct answers, they will have their next clue. (Should be no problem for big-brain Katie, right?)
-They get in the car and Max is operating the gadget (hmm) - they get their first question - What US President said "Tear down this wall!" - right away Max has the wrong answer, he says JFK (uh oh.)  It was Reagan, they got it on the second try. Max is a big Republican and he is upset with himself, he knew that... uh huh. 
-Second question, who did he direct it to? - Mikhail Gorbechov
-Third question, where did he say it? - Germany? Luckily for them it's multiple choice and the only option in Germany was the Brandenburg Gate... and that is their next destination.
-They now have to drive 100miles to Berlin and find the Brandenburg Gate to get their next clue.
 
-Country Singers and U-Tubers are the next teams to arrive - they are too young and, apparently, too blond to know the answers to the questions outright but they are also saved by the multiple choice answers and both teams head for the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
-Hockey Brothers and Roller Moms come running around the building (must have been dropped off at the front) and find the cars.
-Jen saw Bates & Anthony get there and she wanted to tell them the answers but Caroline told her just to go and she did, so she was proud of herself for putting [her & Caroline] first. (Oh honey, you may be too nice to win this Race.)

-Speaking of too nice - we see the exact opposite in Katie & Max - they are driving to Berlin and agree that the honeymoon so far has been very stressful but they know if they can get through the Race without killing each other, they can make it through pretty much anything in marriage (well, there isn't usually $1million riding on your marriage.)
-Joey & Meghan are in a car again... we'll see if they can find their way to Berlin.
-Beth & Mona get on the Autobahn - Mona, on seeing the sign asks, "Does A stand for Autobahn?"  Beth, "It stand for AHHH, everyone's driving so fast!" (Ha!)
-Caroline & Jen see the Hockey boys are right behind them and they're happy to be reunited but they also say they have decided they are going to stop being so nice - Jen's going to stop throwing her love around so much (really? What is going on on these Pit Stops? ;))
-Bates & Anthony are happy to see the girls as well - but as much as they are friends they are also competition and the boys are in it to win it - could come down to them or the girls in the end.

Berlin, Germany
-Max & Katie get to the Brandenburg Gate and find the clue box - it says to make their way to the rooftop of the Park Inn hotel to get their next clue.  They are relishing being in first place.

-Country Singers and Hockey brothers get to Berlin and have to stop to ask for directions - the girls agree to follow the boys and Anthony promptly loses them in traffic (oops.)  Jen has no idea where to go. (So much for focusing on getting yourselves ahead.)
-The Country Singers have to stop again to ask for directions again - and Jen is so frustrated that the boys just took off without them. (I'm disappointed you didn't listen to the directions yourself.)

-Max & Katie have found the Park Inn - it is the tallest building around - and it's getting dark... (I'd be worried - why are we going up to the roof?) Phil tells us when they get to the roof they must BASE FLY (um, that looks like base jumping on a wire - they are jumping off the roof! Oh no, no, no, no...)
-Max is excited by the base jumping and Katie shows her usual level of excitement - that is to say none. She's just worried that she has to pee.

-Joey & Meghan are the next team to find the clue box at the Brandenburg gate, followed by the Roller Moms and then the Hockey Brothers show up (Beth showed them where the clue box was - then says they better pay us back for that... I wouldn't hold my breath.)
-Country girls find the gate last and Jen is still complaining about how difficult this has been.

-Back at the Park Inn, Katie is the first person to jump off the building, face first, flat out - got to hand it to her, she screamed in excitement - said it was cool (so much emotion from Katie, I don't know how to handle it.)  Max goes next and he's stiff as a board - I think it was more likely him that peed his pants.  Safely on the ground, they get the clue to the DETOUR: Train Trials or Font Follies.
-In Train Trials - they must make their way to the train museum then using all the toy tracks provided, they must lay out a complete train track within a specified area, then run a toy train on their track for one complete circuit in order to get their next clue. (A bit of a puzzle that one.)
-In Font Follies - they must transport two giant letters to the city's museum of letters.  First they have to make their way to a market stand and choose their huge lit up letters.  Then they have to carry their cumbersome cargo through the streets of the city without shattering them.  If they deliver the letters intact, they will receive their next clue.
-Max & Katie decide on Font Follies.

-Meghan & Joey are making their way up to the roof of the hotel and Joey says, "Are we jumping off this building?" (Why yes, you are.)
-Meghan goes first and screams bloody murder the whole way down - which does not help Joey's nerves at all.  By the time she reached the bottom though, Meghan was laughing (I'm sure the relief at not being dead is overwhelming :).) Joey jumps and screams until he slows down - then chants "Again, Again."
-They decide they are going to do Train Trials.

-Beth & Mona both jump off the hotel (we get to see the inside of all their mouths as they scream on the way down... nice fillings :) - they are also heading for Train Trials.

-Max & Katie have found their letters in the square and try to choose smart - with letters that should be easy to carry - the 'o' and the 'b' because they have holes they can put their heads/arms through.  The weight doesn't seem too bad but we'll check back with them in a few blocks.

-Meghan & Joey are trying to figure out where the train things is by asking locals on the street - Beth & Mona hear the guy say he would recommend driving and the Roller moms decide to switch to the letters.  They take off in the other direction and see Max & Katie running with their letters so they know they're on the right track.

-And Bates jumps off the building - again, nice fillings.
-Jen was freaked out of jumping off the building- she doesn't want the adrenaline rush, she hates it - and she is the only one who doesn't scream or seem to enjoy it in any way.
-Bates & Anthony are thinking of doing Font Follies, Jen & Caroline decide on Font Follies - then the boys yell over and ask what they're doing and decide to tag along.  Caroline is not too happy about it - she doesn't want to be battling the boys for last place and go home because they can't beat them in a foot race. (It's all good to be partners when you're out in front, but coming from behind, it's every team for themselves.)

-Max & Katie are running through the streets, Max tells Katie to make sure not to bang her letter and 'bonk' she hits a post - but it didn't break (though her 'b' isn't flashing anymore, I wonder if that will count against them) they stop outside a hotel and a girl from the desk comes out to see what they want (they couldn't fit through the doors with their letters) - she told them it was not far up the road.

-Mona & Beth get to the letters and they choose the 'u' and the 'n' cause they can loop them around their necks.  They also love to schlep things so this should be a piece of cake.

-Joey & Meghan have driven to the train museum and they get started on their train tracks - it felt like Christmas morning - and, with no other teams there I'm sure it was that much more enjoyable.

-Country Singers and Hockey Brothers have arrived at the letters and Jen, giving no thought to ease of carrying, chooses the 's', Anthony has the 'v', Bates the 'r' and Caroline the 'k'.  Jen realizes pretty quickly that she made a poor decision with the 's' (d'ya think?)

-Max & Katie have finally found the letter museum - it was actually in a mall and they had to go up an escalator - but they delivered their letters intact and got the clue to drive to some Salon 'German word' (I'm not attempting the German) and go to the entrance of some 'German word' to find their next clue.  They take off for their car.

-Meghan & Joey have gotten their train track assembled and decorated with tunnels through mountains and random trees - they start their first run but the last couple cars topple off the track immediately - oops, not attached - they start again and are like little kids, "This is so sick!"  Their run is going good when they hit a tree (who put it so close to the track?) and it pushes some cars off - they have to start again. (Not so sick.)

-Max & Katie get to the Salon place, it's a little trippy bar - and the entrance they want is in the back - they find the clue to the ROADBLOCK: I can't even explain what the heck it is - just Berlin has a  hip night life and they will be experiencing one of the dance clubs.  First, they will have to recognize a famous German quote from JFK, then crawl through a crazy maze to find the white room where they'll find their next clue attached to the wall. 
-Katie is going to so this one.  She has to tell the doorman the password, which is JFK - he gives her a coin and she has to use it to open the door ... to the freaky pitch black nightmare maze.  She says if anyone jumps out they are going to get hurt because she is going to punch them - it's like a haunted house - flashing lights and strange things in the walls... I'm thinking this is not Katie's idea of fun. 
Waiting outside for her, Max says, "the honeymoon continues in this weird German Speakeasy." (I'm thinking she's going to make him pay for this one.)

-Back on the streets, the Country Singers and Hockey Players can't find the Letter museum.  They have put their letters down and are desperately trying to find someone with a smart phone to look up where this place it - when CRASH - Anthony's 'v' falls over and breaks... he has to go back and get another letter.
-The girls tell them they're sorry but they are going on without them (but they were all obsequious about it - just make a statement don't be all apologetic... ugh.)

-The boys decide, instead of backtracking with the letters, they are going to switch tasks.  They jump in a cab to head to the train museum eventhough they know this could put them in serious trouble.

-Katie is hating the labyrinth - she hates halloween, she hates haunted houses... but she finally finds the white room and gets the clue to the PIT STOP: Kurforstendamn (the 5th Ave of Berlin.)  Katie tells Max the labyrinth was her worst nightmare, and he says "Better you than me." (My hero.)

-Beth & Mona get to the Letter Museum and successfully deliver their letters unscathed - they get the clue to the Underground club.  They say if they had broken a letter, they'd be building trains...

-Speaking of, we see Meghan & Joey praying as they slowly have their train going around the track again - the conductor is impatiently standing nearby, looking at his watch (seriously?) but they finally make it once around and he hands them the clue to the Freaky club.

-Jen & Caroline finally get their letters to the museum and they get the clue to the Salon de Wilden... whatever, the Freaky club.

-The Hockey Brothers have just arrived at the train museum and they get started setting up the train set.

-Beth & Mona are back in their car but they are lost, they can't find the Freaky club.

-Joey & Meghan arrive at the Freaky club and read the clue: Who wants to go trippin'?  Joey, "What is this, is one of us going to get high or something?" They decide he's going to do it.
-First hurdle for these two - They have no idea who said the German Quote - he has to go ask people in the pub and one of them knows (thankfully) - He gives the password to the doorman, gets his coin... and enters the wormhole. "Oh my gosh. This is so cool!"  At least he's enjoying it.  He rates it the greatest Roadblock in Amazing Race history!

-Back at the train museum, Bates and Anthony are trying to run their train but they are hitting trees and they have too many curves, not enough straightaways - this could take a while.  Patience is not their strong suit and their train track sucks.

-Mona & Beth are still lost - they are desperately hoping someone else is having trouble too. (Well, you're in luck there.)

-Joey finally finds the white room and gets their clue to the Pit Stop - he runs out and tells Meghan it was the coolest thing ever - they have to come back to Germany so she can check out the funhouse too. (Diametrically opposed to Katie in every way.)

-Caroline & Jen have found the Freaky club - And they are not impressed.  Jen says she guesses she's going to be trippin' - but at least she knows who said the quote - she gives the password, gets her coin and enters the great unknown. "Oh no, what is this?"

-Back at Train Central - attempt #9 is finally successful for the Hockey boys and they get the clue to hit the Salon (aka Freaky club.)  They know they need a miracle to come back from this one.

-Beth & Mona are driving in circles - they have never been so hopelessly lost in all their lives (maybe ask for directions?)  Finally they stop at a hostel, saying they must be used to helping stupid people (What?)  No matter how far behind they are, the Roller Moms say they are determined to finish strong.

-Jen in the labyrinth thinks this must be what doing drugs is like (of course she's never done any in her life - yes, I rolled my eyes a little) She finds the white room and gets their clue to the Pit Stop.

 -Beth & Mona finally arrive at the Freaky Club and Beth is going to be trippin'.  But she doesn't know who said the quote - she has to go ask someone in the pub - luckily the cute boy with the long blond dreadlocks knew.
-Bates & Anthony get there at this point and are very happy to see the Roller girls are still there.  Anthony is appointed to go trippin - and Beth runs by him to get back to the doorman and give her password.  Anthony knows the answer and is right on her heels.
-In the Labyrinth Anthony & Beth start working together cause it was so weird and they didn't know what they were looking for.  Beth says, "Kids, I think this is what doing drugs is like.  Don't do drugs." They both find the white room and get their clues - and these two teams are racing for the Pit Stop.
-In the cars, Bates & Anthony want to follow the girls and then try and beat them in a foot race (this is the team that has been lost for hours...) The girls don't want to go out this way, but they have no choice but to lead them to the Pit Stop... and it is a foot race to the mat.

Here's How They Finished:
1) Max & Katie - He's so excited and she actually smiled - they each won a brand new Ford Fusion - (What is this? She bounced a little, she must really be thrilled.)
2) Joey & Meghan - they jump up and down and shriek with excitement (You know, a normal response.)
3) Caroline & Jen - Are you kidding me?  How did that happen?
4) Bates & Anthony - 4th team to arrive
5) Mona & Beth - Phil says, "You are the last team to arrive, but you should be proud..." (oh, he didn't say the dreaded words) ...you guys ran this race so hard... but I do have bad news, you will have to keep racing because this is a NON-ELIMINATION round." (Oh Phil, you sly fox.) 

So, no one got eliminated this week - the Roller Moms will face a Speed Bump on the next leg which will see the teams heading to Scotland, with bagpipes and haggis-making in their future.  As well as another double U-Turn! (With only 5 teams left, that will be deadly.)

May you all have a swift and productive week,

Coleen

Survivor Fans vs Favourites - April 17, 2013 Episode Recap

Zipping Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Last week Stealth R Us nearly got rid of Malcolm but Andrea's paranoia  kept him in, flushed out Reynolds hidden immunity idol and ultimately meant the demise of Michael.

Enil Edam - Night 25
-The tribe returns from Tribal Council and Andrea calls a meeting of Stealth-R-Us... minus Malcolm and his new cronies, Reynold and Eddie.  (That's the way they wanted it anyway!)
-Malcolm tells the boys they made the right call playing the hidden immunity idol and he wants the record to show that Phillip gave that away (whatever, he played you.) But Malcolm tells the camera - "Everything I tried to do went horribly wrong."  He now knows that Dawn wasn't necessarily on the bottom, nor was she ever with him.

-Over in the Stealth-R-Us huddle, they are celebrating flushing out the hidden immunity idol, assuring themselves that 'they' [Malcolm-Reynold-Eddie] don't have another one - and even if they do, SRU can split their vote and still get rid of them.

-Back with the boys, they declare it's nice to be on the bottom, Eddie says he'd rather be at the bottom than a puppet for Phillip (well, can't argue with that really.)
-They agree that the next morning they are going to have to go looking for another hidden immunity idol.  Malcolm is glad he already has one, and remains mum.

-Stealth-R-Us does an all-hands-in cheer S-R-Us! and Cochran does the universal sign for crazy (finger circled around the ear) behind their backs.

Enil Edam - Day 26
-Next day, everyone is casually going about their day, chatting in little groups, hanging in the shelter... when, all of a sudden, Dawn starts frantically, tearfully calling for Brenda. "I need your help!"
-Brenda runs down to the water and Dawn is openly sobbing, she lost her false teeth in the water (she has a partial of her lower teeth) and if she doesn't find them she can't go on. "I'll pull myself from the game, I'm not joking." (Wow, we've found Dawn's Achilles heel.)  Brenda hugs her and says she'll find them, then gets in the water to search.  Dawn is still sobbing on the dock.  But Brenda proves she is their water baby - she finds them and Dawn reacts like she saved her child.  They cling to each other and Dawn cries, "I'm so sorry I'm such a wreck, the game is killing me."
-After this bonding moment we actually got a little one on one with Brenda - just enough for her to say after this, she will not turn her back on Dawn, or vice versa.  Dawn is glad that there is still kindness even in a game with only one winner. (Yeah, Dawn is losing it, that was such an over reaction. She did say her double agent day took a lot out of her, I guess losing her teeth was just the final straw.)

REWARD CHALLENGE
They will be split into two teams of 5.  On Jeff's go, a person from each tribe will run through a series of obstacles - over a balance beam, up a ramp, slide into a mud pit, where they have to find a bag of balls - then crawl through rice under a beam to drop their balls on their platform - then the next person can go.  First tribe to collect all 5 bags of balls can start throwing the balls in the little basket - first tribe to get all 12 balls in their basket wins reward.  Reward: they will be taken to a very nice resort with a pool and a nice lunch - beef, chicken, pork, margaritas and a nice break from the game.

Teams: Purple: Reynold, Erik, Dawn, Cochran and Phillip vs Orange: Malcolm, Andrea, Brenda, Eddie and Sherri.
Off they go - Malcolm vs Erik - Erik finds his bag of balls and moves on to dig a big trench through the rice for the rest of his team.  Malcolm does the Jonathan Penner move of taking the time to find all the bags of balls before he moves on.
-Erik finishes and Reynold comes out on the course.  Malcolm has found four bags and Reynold steals that strategy, starts pulling out the rest of their bags as well... quicker than Malcolm.  Reynold moves on and Dawn heads out on the course.  Malcolm finally finds all the bags then has to dig through the rice - finally Andrea can head out on the course but they are two people behind.
-Dawn finishes and Cochran heads out, he does an epic face plant in the mud (Ha, OMG that was bad.)  Sherri is taking forever on the balance beam... Oh boy.  Phillip is the last team member heading out on the course for purple, and we still have Eddie and Brenda waiting for Sherri on the Orange side... Malcolm's strategy kinda backfired on them so far.
-Purple is untying their bags and Brenda finally finishes we still have Eddie to go for Orange.
-Purple has 10 balls in the basket when Eddie finishes the course - Purple Wins Reward before Orange even has the bags undone.  (That was a Malcolm/Sherri combo that sunk them.)

REWARD:
Reynold, Dawn, Erik, Phillip and Cochran arrive at the resort and fall on the food that's laid out for them - PROTEIN!  Once sated they start to wash off - Dawn is so happy to see soap and she takes a shower to wash the mud off - she says one of the hardest parts of the game if feeling almost schizophrenic, with the emotional ups and downs.
-Phillip, doesn't bother waiting to shower first - he just goes right in the beautiful, pristine pool and pollutes it with all his mud and rice from the challenge.  Erik is disgusted with Phillip's lack of etiquette - he just does whatever he wants, doesn't care about anyone else - Erik is sick of having him around.  Phillip, totally unaware, is loving life.

Enil Edam - Night 26
Everyone is sacked out for the night under the stars and there is Dawn, wide awake.  She says she hasn't slept more than 2-4 hours in the last few days (well, no wonder she's losing it) she's nervous about how the game is going to play out - she can't turn her brain off and is totally paranoid.
-She sees Andrea as spending most of her time with Malcolm and Eddie and she's convinced that Andrea will vote with them and take her out.  She even goes to Phillip and Cochran and tells them that Andrea will be their fourth vote to take her [Dawn] out.
-Phillip tells her if Andrea were to go against their alliance she would be the first target, not Dawn.  But Phillip tells the camera he's not looking at Andrea - Dawn is in his sites because she is totally losing her composure out there.  He tells her she is not a target and to calm down.
-Cochran says for Dawn to believe that she is the first target the three guys would have is baffling to him and it's making him suspicious of her.

-Next, the boys and Andrea are cooking up some coconut and I don't know if Dawn wanted some or what the heck happened but she says she just can't take it... (oh, I guess Andrea talking to the boys? ... I don't know.)  And Andrea doesn't get it either - she goes and talks to Phillip - they agree that Dawn is losing it.  He says she's living in a world of paranoia.
-Dawn is over crying on Cochran's shoulder, she says she's stronger than this (really?) but she feels totally unstable and the waterworks begin again.  He is totally being supportive but also a bit enabling - instead of agreeing with her 'needing some time away' how about some tough love - 'You need to pull it together woman!'
Dawn, "I'm so sick of crying." (And we're sick of watching it.)

Enil Edam - Day 28
-Dawn finally slept! Day 28 was the day she went home last time she played, but after a good night's sleep she feels like she had a reboot.  She's not feeling overwhelmed by the game anymore, she's clear and not crying for once.
-SRU call a meeting to discuss their strategy on the eve of another vote - they decide that the four girls are going to vote for Reynold and, just in case he has another hidden immunity idol, they will throw their other three votes toward Malcolm.  Without being too confident, Cochran is very happy that his alliance has the numbers.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
This will be run in two heats.  The tribe members will be out on platforms in the water.  On Jeff's go they have to run across the platform, jump into the water, pull themselves along a rope under the platform then get back up on the platform and transfer a ring from a post on one end to the the other end - then repeat.  First two people to get two rings from one side of the platform to the other will move on to the last heat.  First person to complete the final heat wins Immunity.
-First heat is Reynold, Cochran, Dawn, Andrea and Sherri  - Reynold wins it easily and Andrea is the second person to finish the heat.  They will move on.
-Jeff tells them to get set for the second heat and Phillip says he's going to sit this one out (seriously? The Specialist has become way over-confident - they need to take him out.)  Phillip tells Jeff that he had an incident as a boy in the water and he's just not comfortable with this challenge. (Maybe he did... but SURE that's the reason, he was just going to be shown up in this heat.)
-Second heat is Malcolm, Eddie, Erik and Brenda, all strong competitors and it's a quick one - Malcolm finishes first and Eddie was close to second but he missed getting the second ring on the post and left the door open for Brenda to make the final heat.

Final heat: Reynold, Andrea, Brenda and Malcolm: there are 5 rings in this round (holy crap) and off they go:
It's a little slower pace, they have to do this 5 times after all... it's Reynold and Malcolm neck and neck for most of it but Malcolm starts to slow and it's REYNOLD winning immunity!  (Ho, boy that could put a wrench in things.)

Enil Edam - Day 28
Coming back from the challenge, Reynold says he has mad respect for all of them... except Phillip - he tells the camera he thinks it's sacrilegious to not even participate in an individual immunity challenge, especially when you have lions and gorillas tattooed on your body, "Come on, man." (I know, right?)

-Phillip is feeling like he is finally in a position to make it to the final three and, if these people aren't bitter, he just might win this thing.  He starts pulling people aside, Andrea then Dawn and confirming their new split is 4 for Malcolm and 3 for Eddie - even if Malcolm as an idol, one of them would still be going - but he's sure they don't have an idol.

-Malcolm does have an idol however, but he doesn't want to play it tonight so he gathers Reynold and Eddie and they go on the hunt for another hidden immunity idol.  He's not sure if there is one, but he's got nothing but time to kill today, no one's ass left to kiss - why not go on a snipe hunt.
-Andrea and Dawn also have the thought of going to look for a hidden immunity idol and they end up meeting up with the boys... and witness Malcolm finding another hidden immunity idol (Seriously? This guy has horseshoes where the sun don't shine... Poor Eddie has no luck!)

-Andrea and Dawn go back to camp and inform SRU that Malcolm does have an idol now but they are going ahead with their voting strategy - 4 for Malcolm, 3 for Eddie and on the re-vote they'll take Eddie out.
-Eddie knows that now he's double screwed - he's going home.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Michael is the first member of the jury - oh, and his got a very shiny freshly shaved head.

Reynold, based on the last Tribal Council it seems like you, Eddie and Malcolm are on the outs.
-Definitely agrees with that - he knew he had to win immunity or he'd be going home.
Eddie, you agree with that?
-Yeah, we have to win all the time in order to stay in it - but he's trying to just take the positive - everything he's done out there, he'll remember forever.
Andrea, Eddie's talking like he's gone.
-Well, Malcolm happened upon the hidden immunity idol today.
So everyone knows you have an idol?
And Malcolm pulls it out and puts it on.
Okay, so Cochran, Eddie probably wasn't the first choice, who was your first target?
-Probably Reynold. He's the guy who can charm his way to the top so we see him as a huge, huge threat.
And Phillip, on the other side of the spectrum, you made history.  I can't think of another time someone has volunteered to sit out of a challenge without incentive of food or trade.
-Right - when I was a small boy I went swimming and got trapped under a deck so that is always something I've been fearful of and so for me - that would be the decision I would have made again and again.
Andrea, how is camp life?
-There's a lot of paranoia. So much so that we don't talk to Reynold, Eddie or Malcolm which is really stressful because (I like to flirt with the pretty boys...) I was on Gota with them and I enjoy their company but it made a lot of people (Dawn) paranoid about me and I think I was even a target at one point.
So Malcolm, is there tension?
-Yeah, we're on the outs, like we have the plague or something - but this is supposed to be a game so we figured we'd do something about it... and he pulls ANOTHER hidden immunity idol out of his pocket and hands it to Eddie. (BAM! I don't think Reynold or Eddie could smile any bigger - Michael is doing killer rock face in the jury box - EPIC!)
Stealth-R-Us is having kittens... and immediately the SRU are all whispering to each other - Phillip is whispering to Brenda that it's Andrea - Andrea is whispering it has to be Phillip and Jeff is loving every minute of it - he wishes he had a pause button to make them stop but the instant scramble was fun to watch.
Dawn, you were in control of this game 20 seconds ago...
-I know, I'm like the fainting sheep of this tribe, (ha, fainting goat actually but that's pretty hilarious) things change so fast and she just freezes and falls over.
Malcolm, you were saying.
-Oh yeah, we're not going home.  But tomorrow the situation's not really changing, we're still going to be down 6 - 3, we understand that but we're just throwing out there that the three of us are voting for Phillip.  I don't need to list reasons why, we all know.  This is supposed to be a game and it's supposed to be fun but Phillip is the fun sponge, he sucks it all out of the game.  We're not supposed to be in militaristic training..
-Phillip pipes up that he is trying to label him as something he is not (nope, pretty much hit the nail on the head I think.)
Wow, so, where are we?  Andrea it's easy to say, okay I'll vote for Phillip...
-Yeah, if I really believe they are going to vote the way they say... but I'm still very scared.
-Erik pipes up - Can I just say, there is something to be said for keeping one of the idols...
Jeff agrees - That's true, just because they are wearing them doesn't mean they will play them.
-Phillip says he agrees, he says they should vote the same way they said they were going to vote and if that means he's going home so be it, but they should vote him out strategically not just malign his character (he really needs to get over himself.)
Cochran, you've written papers about Survivor, you've studied the game, what's going on in your head right now?
-The fan in me is sitting at home wondering what the heck just happened, this is the most exciting Tribal Council ever - people are whispering, votes are changing as we speak which is extraordinarily rare at Tribal Council, so, this vote's going to be a gamble. (That seemed pointedly directed at someone. Dawn?)
Dawn, what if, this is really about taking out someone else other than Phillip?
-It would only take a few of us to vote someone else out that's not Phillip. 
So, the questions going into the vote are:  Who are the three amigos voting for?  Who are the seven voting for? And, are Eddie and Malcolm both going to play their hidden immunity idols?

Time to Vote:
They don't show who Cochran voted for but he says "No matter what happens this is why he loves Survivor and has for 13 years."
-Erik votes Fillup!

Tallying the Votes:
Jeff asks if anybody wants to play their hidden immunity idols and Eddie gets up but Malcolm pauses long enough to make us think...maybe - but he gets up and plays his too.  Any votes for Eddie or Malcolm will not count.

Malcolm - 1, 2 - Do not count
Eddie- 1, 2, 3, 4 - Do not count
Phillip - 1, 2, 3... And that's enough for Phillip to be voted out of the game! (WHOO HOO!! He was not a happy Specialist. But that was fantastic!  Phillip has got to be a little pleased that he at least went out in grand Survivor style - right?)

And with Phillip leaving, Nancy C, Sue & Hannelore and Kim A are out of the pool.

Next week: The Three Amigos are recruiting and set their sights on Sherri and Erik - And it's the Survivor Auction. (That's always fun.)

Phillip's final thoughts - He feels he played a great game, he's so happy with how he played trying to bring things he learned from BR into the game but he feels he wasn't respected (you have to earn that) or given credit for how well he played. (Oh yeah, totally rolled my eyes. If you played so well, you wouldn't be leaving would you.)

They also showed how everyone voted and it looks like SRU all voted as they had previously agreed to, except Erik who put it over the edge for Phillip!  Way to go Ice Cream Scooper! There is hope for you yet.

Have a great rest of the week everyone,

Coleen

Amazing Race 22 - April 14, 2013 Episode Recap

My Cheese Is Out of Control

Two weeks ago, the teams were racing through Botswana - the Hockey brothers came in first after winning the Fast Forward and Pam & Winnie were eliminated when they waffled from one Detour to the other and came in last.

This week: Bates & Anthony (Hockey brothers) are the first to head out at 5:55am - they read the clue that they have to fly 5000mi to Zurich, Switzerland.  Once they land in Zurich, they must find the conductor (in the airport) to get their next clue.
-The Brothers have been having a great time playing this game together, they didn't get to play hockey together too much growing up so this has been awesome.
-They hit a travel agency and book a flight getting them in to Zurich at 2pm the next day.  Bates is trying to work his charm and she guarantees that no one will be able to get there any earlier. (Yeah, they're all on the same flight.)

-The flight lands and everyone sprints through the airport to the conductor - the clue tells them to travel by train to Grindelwald, then wait on the grounds of the Kirsche (church) of Grindelwald for an Alpine shepherd to deliver their next clue.
-And everyone is on the same train heading for Grindelwald (but they have to change trains a couple times, that could create some drama) - they should get to Grindelwald by 6:39pm.
-Hockey boys and Country Singers are still playing a flirty game, the girls got themselves some winner Race boyfriends - one with no teeth and the other sporting a fanny pack.

-They get to Bern and have to switch trains... Roller Derby Moms and their U-Tuber allies apparently dawdled to the next platform and missed the train (Ha! I knew it.) The teams on the train just smiled and waved to the late-comers still on the platform.
-Now Roller Moms and Meghan & Joey have to find an alternate train.

-First train arrives in Grindelwald... and it's snowing.  They find the church and a sign tells them the shepherd will be by at 8:55am... so everyone will be together again.  Newlywed Max says, "Take that [sign] down and throw it away now." (Such a prince... and they don't do it, thankfully.) 

-Next morning everyone is waiting at the kirsche when the shepherd slides up on his wooden scooter/sled - he hands them the clue and it tells them to travel by train to Kleine Scheidegg where they will pick up their Swiss Rescue Companion (Awww, St Bernards!) outside the Belview hotel. 
-Everyone takes off running and Chuck & Wynona are pulling up the rear - he's been riding her all morning to move faster and keep up - they get to the train station last but the train doesn't leave for 45 minutes so they're fine... Wynona says "screw him" and goes off to have herself a little cry - she's sick of being a disappointment to him (oh man, pull it together you two! This is my team.)
-Chuck says he gets frustrated when they fall behind and he just wants to egg her on a little, get her moving.  She says he should know after 24 years that's not egging me on, that's pissing me off. (Amen sister.)

-They arrive at Kleine Scheidegg and are excited to see the dogs, "They're like Beethoven!"  They choose a dog and get the clue to travel by train (with their new best friends) to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe - once there, they will have to deliver their dog to a mountain rescue guide, then search for the next clue at the Sphinx (a craggy mountain peak.)
-The dogs seemed to be quite well behaved - except the Hockey boys, theirs took a little nip at Anthony - then the Country Singers' dog did not want to get on the train.  She was having none of it - Caroline tried to pick her up (but the dog is as big as her) so Anthony came out and added some muscle - everyone got on the train.
-Caroline and Jennifer were doing their high pitched baby voice to their dog - but she was loving them, doggy kisses were had.
-Chuck was missing his dog at home, Wynona was grousing that he was treating the dog better than her - he says the dog will run faster (oh man, these two are just getting mean... maybe they'll do better when they fight? I can only hope.)

-Once they arrive at Jungfraujoch, the teams all start running except Chuck & Wynona, she's having trouble with the altitude and feels dizzy (there is more whining - I'd start being mean to her too... well, I'd probably be her actually :).)
-They burst out the door and it's pure white snow and pristine mountains as far as the eye can see.  Joey, "I saw heaven." (It was pretty amazing.)  They wade out in the almost waist high snow, hand over the dogs' leashes to the mountain guides, then wade back to the train station and take the elevator up to the Sphinx where they'll get their next clue.

-ROADBLOCK - Who wants to enjoy the sites?
One team member must climb on the Eiger - a peak with 6K vertical feet of sheer rock... They have to go out an observation deck window, climb along the rock wall to find a Travelocity Gnome, then bring it back to the observation deck - their next clue is on the bottom of the Gnome (They will have to travel back to Grindelwald by train, cross a bridge and follow the sounds of the Swiss Alphorn to their next clue.)
-Beth, Bates, Katie, Meghan, Jen and Wynona... are going to do this one.  They have to run back to the train and head to the Eiger... and Wynona's still dizzy, that will make for great mountain climbing. (It looks like they set up a narrow beam for them to walk on so they are not actually rock climbing. 
- There are two windows/beams set up so they have to line up but two can go at a time.  Bates and Katie are the first two out the windows - He's focused, not looking down, just gets the gnome and goes back.  Katie has to make sure everyone knows she's not scared... but she's also much slower.
-Beth is the next one out the 1st window, 2nd window is still waiting for Katie - this beam seems to have a bigger bend, it's a bit more challenging.

-Bates & Anthony head back down to the train but they'll have to wait so there is a chance everyone can catch up again.

-Wynona is scared waiting her turn, Chuck tells her he loves her, just remember that. 
Wynona - You're mean to me, I'll remember that. 
Chuck - In case things go wrong, I won't remarry for the first month. (ha)
Wynona - What a jerk. (That was kinda cute... I think the bickering is just how they communicate.)

-Katie finally comes back in and tells Wynona it's easy (then why did you take so long?)  Beth is also back in - they all head to the train and have to wait another 10 minutes - they're hoping the last two teams, the Country Singers and Chuck & Wynona are slow.
-Jen knocks it out pretty quickly - Wynona on the other hand, hits a snag and panics.

-The train arrives and the Hockey boys, Roller moms, Country Singers, and Horrible Newlyweds all get on... as it pulls away they realize they are missing Chuck & Wynona and Joey & Meghan (Oh yeah, Joey & Meghan, they were in line after Wynona... jeez, should have went to the other window.)

-Wynona is whining that it's not easy, but she finally gets her gnome and they head down to the train - they have to wait 1/2 hour and Chuck says he wishes she could have moved faster (really dude?) She snaps, "Oh, disappointed again.  I wish just once you'd say 'good job.'  Chuck, "Good job. I'm glad you made it.  The kids need a mother." (OMG! These two are the Horrible Oldyweds!)

-Meghan finally gets her chance at the Roadblock and knocks it out quickly.  They are on the same train as Chuck & Wynona - and know that this is one team they have to get in front of (for sure.)

-First train has arrive back at Grindleweld and they all run across the bridge to the horn blower and get a clue to follow a marked path and join the local workforce.  It's an Amazing Race Switchback... they have to use a traditional sled to transport four 50lb wheels of cheese down a steep hill to the shed at the bottom.  (This time, the hill is also covered in snow... I don't know if that will be easier or harder.  I just know Chuck & Wynona are going to be fighting some more.)
-Katie remembers this one - and it's going to be hard.

-Bates & Anthony are the first team up the hill - more like a mountain - they have a rope to use to pull themselves up it's that steep.
-Max & Katie are the next team trying to get up but Katie cannot get up the hill, she has no traction on her shoes and keeps sliding - the only good thing - in Max's mind - is that no one could pass them either. (Why is no one trying to pass them?)
-Bates & Anthony are the first team transporting the cheese - their strategy is to put two wheels of cheese on each of their sleds, then let the cheese push them down the mountain.  Seemed to work pretty well.
-By the time the other teams got up the hill, they had all seen what the hockey boys did and they all use the backward-let the cheese push you down - method.  Some not as successfully - there were some tipped sleds and they tended to run into each other - but at least the cheese wasn't rolling down the hill on them like last time - so the snow does seem to help make this task a little easier this time.

-Bates and Anthony are the first team to deliver their cheese and they get the clue to make their way to the next PIT STOP: the Bodmi Snow and Ski School. (Pit Stop?)  They grab a cab.

-Back at the mountain, the other teams are having a little more trouble controlling their slides - The Country Singers have their cheese falling off every 5 seconds.  Roller Moms not much better - Max & Katie were farther along but she kept getting run over. (I bet the cheese weighs more than her - minus the hair.)
-Max & Katie deliver their cheese, Roller Derby Moms are next and they all take off for the Pit Stop.

-Meghan & Joey and Chuck & Wynona have arrived at the Alpine hornblower and start heading up the hill to the Cheese challenge when they pass Max & Katie and the Roller Moms coming down - Katie tells them it's really hard and she's not even lying (well that's good to know.)

-Country Singers have finally delivered their cheese and head for the Pit Stop - Meghan & Joey are getting their sleds and the Country Singers pass Chuck & Wynona and give another warning that it's really hard (great, I hope Wynona tries to prove them wrong instead of letting the warnings defeat her...)
-But she doesn't magically improve - she can't get up the hill - Chuck is trying to manage both sleds and push her butt up the hill with his head... yeah, she's useless.  And there he goes, sliding back down (well the man has no free hands, what do they expect?)

-Meghan & Joey get to the top and they show us Meghan hock a loogie into the snow (I bet she's really happy they caught that on camera) - Joey starts his slide down the hill, squealing like a little girl (well, at least someone's having fun.)
-Finally Chuck has to pass her, put the sleds down, then go back and drag her up the hill (well, at least he's superman.)

-Meanwhile Joey is still having a ball sliding down the hill - he keeps losing the cheese but he sounds like he's having a blast.
-Joey & Meghan have made it down the hill when Chuck & Wynona finally make it to the top and she's exhausted and complaining. 
-For some reason, Chuck has loaded the sleds upside down so the slides are facing up and the deck is in the snow... she can't get hers to slide (no wonder), she wants to roll them.  He tells her she sucks walking in the snow, she can't roll them - (She really is hopeless - I don't totally blame him for losing his patience.)

-Meghan & Joey are delivering their cheese (which they have to carry up a ladder to deliver as well, what is that craziness?) and they get the clue to the Pit Stop? (Joey was surprised, they didn't do a Detour this leg.  I guess the Switchback took it's place.)

-Wynona has decided it would be easier to roll the cheese so she abandons her sled and starts rolling one down the hill. Seeing how far it went, Chuck decides to do the same and he rolls his down too...

-Joey & Meghan don't know where the ski school is, they went back down the hill to where they horn blower was when they should have followed the road along where the cheese shed was...  Meghan is having trouble breathing in the cold & altitude and he's trying to get her to run.

-Chuck & Wynona are now delivering the cheese - I guess the rolling did the trick.  They get the clue for the Pit Stop.  And jump in a taxi.

 Here's How They Finished:
1) Bates & Anthony (Hockey Brothers) - they won a trip to Bora Bora! (Oh, so pretty.)  They have a hat trick with the last three legs here, can't be disappointed with that.
2) Beth & Mona (Roller Moms) - These girls are doing really well.
3) Max & Katie - they do a little happy dance to the accordion music (Well he does, she's all stiff and scowly, as usual.)
4) Caroline & Jennifer - Yeah!
-) Chuck & Wynona - What!? But Phil tells them at cheese hill, the clue clearly stated they had to transport their cheese using the proper method, that's why they had the sleds.  They incurred a 30 minute penalty for rolling the cheese down the hill. (OH MAN!)
5) Joey & Meghan - She's already crying because she couldn't run and they took the stupid way there... Phil tells them they are the last team to arrive and lets her cry some more before he tells them that Chuck & Wynona incurred a penalty and they are actually Team #5 (That was kinda mean, just for dramatic effect... plus, Chuck & Wynona are standing right there, on the mat as well... cruel and unusual, not cool.) Joey says this has been the best time of his life and he doesn't want it to end now so he's so glad they're still in it.
6) Chuck & Wynona - **ELIMINATED** Tough way to go out - Wynona says she went farther than she thought she could and she never stopped.  He says they got to go places they'd never have the money to go on their own so he's very grateful for that.  He also says the Race didn't pull them apart, they have too many years between them, he still loves her, she knows that (another awkward kiss, she just looks miserable... and then I realized - she's grumpy cat!  Haha.)

So, with Chuck & Wynona finally leaving us; Jeff T, Bob L, Ivor B, Andria S and myself are all out of the pool. (Dagummit!)

Next week: There is lots of screaming as they do a controlled fall off a high rise building (holy crap!) and they have to crawl through some kind of weird labyrinth... looks interesting folks.

Have a great week everybody!

Coleen
 

Survivor Fans vs Favourites - April 10, 2013 episode recap

Cut Off the Head of the Snake

Last week on Survivor, the tribes merged, Cochran proved he can eat anything and Corinne proved cocky gets you kicked out quickly...

Enil Edam - Day 23
The next day after Corinne's epic blindside Stealth-R-Us are confident they are going to make it all the way (well, Phillip is anyway.)
-Reynold says he sees last night's vote as a victory because, even though Corinne was a big part of their counter-alliance, a Favourite went home, it wasn't him.  Reynold sees his (pretty boy) alliance of himself, Eddie and Malcolm as unshakable and he realizes that every girl that has associated with them has gone home so he decides he's going to play the game (ie: flirt with Andrea.)
-Malcolm lost his closest ally when Corinne went home but on the plus side, he's now the only person that knows about his hidden immunity idol.  They thought they cut off the head of the rebel snake, little do they know, they missed. (I can't help but wonder how soon it will be before he tells someone about the idol, that seems to be what happens... maybe Malcolm will prove me wrong.)

Enil Edam - Day 23
-It seems to me Phillip is flirting with Sherri in his own crazy/awkward way - he tells her when he first saw her he thought she was hot (oh, take me now big boy...)  He tells her the boys are going to go because they dared treat her badly and he bestows upon her the Stealth-R-Us name of Tenacity.
-Oh yeah, she knows he's bat sh*t but she is playing along.  He tells her there is one requirement, she must be loyal and completely trustworthy (uh, two things... related, but still) Sherri's playing Phillip's specialist game, she can deal with big personalities, Phillip is now her Shamar (as Shamar was her Phillip... huh, I'll leave that alone.)  Her plan is to have Phillip coming to her for her opinion within two votes.

REWARD CHALLENGE
They will divide into two teams of 5 - one person from each team will be their defender standing on a small platform in front of a soccer like net (oh, it's all out in the water.)  One at a time, people from the other team will jump off their platform and attempt to get a ball in the net past the defender.  Each goal is a point, first team to 4 points wins Reward.  The Reward: they will be taken to a waterfall, they will repel down and have a picnic lunch, Survivor style.

They did a schoolyard pick and it looks like most of the younger guys are on one team: Reynold, Erik, Eddie, Cochran and defender is Michael.
Other team is Phillip, Andrea, Brenda, Dawn and Malcolm is the defender.
Sherri was not picked so she's SOL - not playing, not rewarding.

-Off they go and Eddie throws the ball right at Malcolm (hmm, does he not understand?)
-Brenda gets a goal, then Erik ties it up, Andrea gets a goal and it's 2-1
Reynold misses, Dawn misses... Cochran scores a goal against Malcolm! and it's tied 2-2 (who is this new Cochran?)  Phillip scores, then Eddie scores and we're at 3-3... Brenda just misses (Ohhh!) door is opened for the guys and Erik scores the winning goal!
-Eddie, Erik, Reynold, Cochran and Michael are going on reward!

REWARD
-Cochran is not enthused about the repelling down a waterfall, he's not used to leaving his apartment, or twitter - but he's embracing it.  This is the guy that was afraid to take his shirt off last time he played, now he's following the show-off douche bag Reynold, down a waterfall and doing a pretty good job.
-They sit down to sandwiches and beer and eat like men, (yeah, thanks for showing me the chewed up sandwiches in your mouth as you talk - Reynold and Eddie - gross).  They pitch to Cochran that the last Fans vs Favourites was dominated by women, how cool would it be if they made it all guys to the end? Michael points out the three Fans there are a united voting block, use them.
-Reynold, proving he has no clue about Cochran's view on the world, tells the camera he's thinking, let's get rid of the scheming women who keep flirting with us all (okay, 1. no one's flirting with Cochran and 2.why would he want to go to the end with the fit, good looking guys? He's smart enough to know that is not how he's going to win.)
-Cochran tells the camera they don't know him very well if they think that a testosterone fuelled appeal will work - he has "no desire to engage in any masculine tomfoolery with these numb-skulls" (I LOVE it!)

Enil Elam - Day 23
-Malcolm says he saw their loss at the Reward Challenge coming, got over it quickly and knows he's with the people he needs to be with anyway.  He needs numbers and he's going to go after the people on the bottom - in his mind that is Sherri and Dawn (OMG! Stay away from Dawn, she's the reason Julia and Corinne are gone - don't talk to DAWN!  Again, I ask, what about Brenda - why does no one ever talk to Brenda?)
-Malcolm makes his pitch to Sherri, we're on the bottom, if we make a move now we'll be improving our placement... she acts like she's in.
So, he goes and talks to Dawn, makes a similar pitch, that they are 7th or 8th in this alliance, if they use the Fans, they can improve their lot.
-Dawn right away is thinking: Malcolm is a problem.  She tells him though, that she wants to talk to Sherri and think and get back to him.  She then tells the camera it would be great if she could make him think she's voting with him, then take him out.

-Next scene is Sherri telling Andrea, Phillip and then Dawn joins them - that Malcolm wants to flip it - get them to split the votes for Reynold and Eddie then vote one of the power alliance out.
-Andrea wants them to go along with Malcolm, but then they'll all vote for him.  Phillip can't believe this young upstart is trying to play double duty against him, the Specialist.
-Malcolm checks in with Phillip, what's the plan? - Phillip says they are going to split the vote between Reynolds and Eddie (but he's all shifty, looking at the camera even - really? You were never a special agent!)

Enil Edam - Day 25
We see Andrea and Eddie sneaking off to the lagoon and she says she doesn't know if they are island dating or what but he's really hot and she hopes fostering this little flirtation will get him to vote for her in the end or at least get him to give her info. 
-He tells her he'll vote however she wants him to, except for Reynold of course (can't vote out his husband) - she flirtily asks him if he promises, that he'll do what she says... neither one of them are tipping their hands though, they are both still playing.
-Eddie says he feels like Andrea really likes him and is willing to drag him along, he only needs to be dragged two or three more votes (as opposed to the 10 votes up to this point - sheesh) before he can start punching people.
-She knows she's playing Eddie but she's not sure if he's playing her (come on, he's a playa!)  She knows he won't vote out Reynold but asks if he'd vote Malcolm.  He says, if he has to... She asks if he knows anything about hidden idols and he says, no, definitely not (oh yeah, playa.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
This is a classic, testing their ability to stay calm when everything in their bodies is telling them not to [be calm].  They will be out in the water underneath an iron grate.  As the tide rises, the water will rise and they will have less and less room to breathe until they run out of space completely - the person that lasts the longest under the grate wins Immunity.
-Off they go and it starts with a nice float... at the one hour mark they are running out of space and they all have their faces pressed through the grate.  Phillip (the Specialist? Really?) is the first person taking himself out of this challenge (no water boarding for him).  Sherri is the next person out, Erik is next and then Dawn can't take it anymore...Malcolm is out, Michael is out... Eddie, Cochran and Reynold are all out and it's down to Brenda and Andrea...  Andrea is fighting to stay in it but she finally has to bow out and they have to actually jump in and let Brenda know she won (apparently she can breathe underwater, that was amazing).  So, you think, Brenda won Immunity, this is a big deal, maybe we'll hear something from her now?  Nope. (It's gotten to the point that I'm wondering if Brenda pissed someone off and they've tried to cut her out of the show, so strange.)

Emil Edam - Day 25
-Back at camp, Malcolm knows this is his last shot to try and keep his numbers up because the Fans are easy pickings - he's got to make his move but make sure the Favourites think he's still 100% on board with them.  He goes and talks to Andrea, because she's the one calling the shots, and she tells him they are splitting 4 votes for Reynold, 4 for Eddie and on the re-vote it's Reynold for sure.  Malcolm sees her sharing this plan with him a positive sign that they don't suspect.
-Andrea is laughing to the camera that he's actually a really good liar and Dawn is proving the MVP, she's really working it. Where did this Dawn come from?
-Malcolm then talks to Dawn and she asks who he wants to take out, Phillip? No, he's after Andrea (he knows where the brains of the operation lie - why take out the joker prince when the brains are with the Queen.)
-Dawn tells Malcolm if he shows her Reynold's hidden immunity idol she'll believe him and vote with them.  As he struts off thinking he's the man, she tells the camera she can't believe, especially after she got Corinne voted off, that Malcolm still trusts her - that just tells her, he's not dialled in.
-Malcolm goes and tells Reynold they just have to show Dawn the idol, it doesn't have to be played, then, when the Favourites split the votes, they can vote for Andrea and take control.  Reynold is happy, Yes! (Oh, you guys are so blind...)
-Reynold goes and grabs his bag and sits down beside Dawn, casually showing her inside the bag and then he whispers to her, "if you don't follow through, I go home tonight, so don't screw me.  If I have reason to doubt you, I'm going to play it for myself tonight.
-She's saying, yes, I understand that... but then she tells the camera she can't stand people that intimidate other people.  She thinks shame on you Reynold, you shouldn't have showed me your idol and shame on you Malcolm, you shouldn't have brought me in. (I'm kinda liking the New Dawn as well. She is way more focused and ballsy this time around, it looks good on her.)

-Reynold goes and tells Michael and Eddie that he showed Dawn the idol, she's in.  Michael is nervous that she won't follow through. Eddie wants to go talk to Andrea but Reynold tries to talk him out of it.  Says she changes her mind every five minutes, promises him all these things - she's dangerous, let's just get her out of here, then Cochran will warm up to us and we can bro-down with the guys to the end (I sh*t you not, he actually said they could bro-down - what the hell does that mean?)
-Eddie doesn't listen (he's not so smart) he goes and talks to Andrea and they have a little joust - he wants to know if they are splitting the votes for him and Reynold tonight. 
She tells him maybe they are splitting the votes but he's not going home tonight. 
He wants to know if Reynold plays an idol he could be going home or is it Michael or Malcolm?
She wants to know if Reynold has an idol. 
He doesn't know, he knows someone has one. 
She wants to know if her name has come up...
And he says it's been talked about (OH EDDIE, What have you done??)

-Now Andrea's freaking out.  "I may be going home tonight. Malcolm's targeting me and there are idols..." (what is she worried about?)  She runs to Cochran, "I may be going home tonight." She feels like they have to change it up and go with the safer play of voting off Michael.
-Cochran says okay, if she's in danger of course - but then he tells the camera he was really put off that she was so willing to abandon the smarter aggressive move of taking out Malcolm. 
-She is frantic about this and I just don't get it - she tells Phillip she wants to change the vote to Michael, he still wants to vote Malcolm but she has the teary panicked look in her big blue eyes and the guys just want to save her (gag.)
-Andrea goes and tells Dawn she wants to change the vote and Dawn can't believe her, she starts crying out of frustration, feels like all the work she did today was for nothing just because Eddie made Andrea feel like she was going home.  Dawn tells her Reynold showed her an idol today to prove they wouldn't play it - this is their chance to take out a big player in Malcolm and she wants to vote out Michael?  This seems to snap Andrea out of it... "I can change it." (OMG!)

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Michael, did you see it as a glimmer of hope that at last tribal council it was a Favourite voted out, not a Fan?
-Yes, I was in shock but also, well this was what I hoped would happen.  Some of the Favourites would see each other as threats and use some of the Fans - unfortunately they didn't use me for that vote, but they can use me for other votes.
[Then Erik starts picking through Andrea's hair - "Bug" - that's all we've heard from Erik this show, did he piss someone off as well?  He and Brenda are the silent players.]
Phillip, what do you see happening at camp?
-From the beginning the Favourites got together and we developed a strategy involving Stealth-R-Us - something he introduced in Season 22 Redemption Island.  And we have a new member, a very effective double agent who was able to share a tremendous amount of operative information in the form of Sherri (she is beaming with pride) and her name is Tenacity.  (Reynold just rolls his eyes - I'm with you there bro.) Phillip blah blahs on...
Michael, so it's you, Reynold and Eddie as Sherri is obviously a member of Stealth-R-Us.
-Sherri pipes up, "you have to remember, they all voted for me. All my Fans wrote my name down.  Pay-back's a bitch." (Hopefully she doesn't eat those words.)
Eddie, concern you?
-It doesn't really bother me much.  I'd rather play my own game than be somebody's puppet (uh, Reynold has his hand up your butt right now) in their little league of operatives.
-Reynold's not really worried about the league of operatives, he knows they are three against eight.
But if someone has an idol, they can flip this game...
-Phillip pipes up, again from his past season, he stated if they think you have an idol, you will be voted for.
Michael, little concerned?
-At this point he is ready to play with somebody who is actually wants to play.
So you're saying when Stealth-R-Us begins to break down, I'll be here.
-It already is breaking down.  They voted out Corinne before a Fan.
-Phillip says we also know, from Season 22 Redemption Island, that a coalition that stays together, makes it to the end.
Andrea, is that the big question - yeah, we can stick together but we can't all go to the end. As some point someone has got to make a move.
-Yeah, in my season, I was on the bottom of my alliance, I didn't know it at the time but if you sense you are on the bottom, this is the opportunity to flip because you do have three Fans and maybe others within the SRU organization that maybe are willing to make moves and you can totally change the game.
So Phillip, when Andrea says if the right person gets the right numbers at the right time they can change the game...
-I totally expect that to happen but if someone tries it now, they are going to realize they erred in their judgement because there are still enough numbers and enough smart people here to realize it and you are going to be flushed out - good-bye. (Malcolm looks a little shell-shocked.)

Time to Vote:
Malcolm votes for Reynold - says this was supposed to be a throw away vote but after Phillip's little speech he has no idea what's going on.  Hopefully it goes to plan.

Tallying the votes time:
Anyone want to play a hidden immunity idol?  Reynold stands up and Malcolm says, "Hold up man, they all voted for me, that's what Phillip's little speech was all about.  Give it to me and we're all good."  Some shocked looks all around, Reynold says, 'yeah' and tosses the idol to Malcolm, who plays it (seemed a little staged to me, but still cool.)  All the Favourites are shaking their heads or looking upset... (Oh, this could be epic...)

Votes:
Andrea 1, 2, 3
Reynold 1
Michael 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... 6 - and it's Michael who is going home tonight. 
And with Michael leaving; Kevin C, Lee G and Wendy E are out of the pool.

So, Andrea did save her bacon by switching the vote from Malcolm, and/or Phillip is an evil genius in flushing out the idol.

Michael had the best exit, "Turkeys, pffst"(raspberry), and the finger. (Hilarious.)

Next episode: We see Dawn having a breakdown... bawling and baffling the boys, she even threatens to pull herself from the game (jebus.)

Michael's final thoughts: It's been a long, strange, difficult journey. He's very disappointed, he wanted to go deep into the game but what can he say - the Favourites are great players they really are tight and they are playing hard and strong.  I know they're going to bust up eventually but here I am, it's a bummer.

Well, for the final result to be the easy vote, Michael, going home, they certainly made it suspenseful and entertaining.

Have a great weekend everyone,
Coleen