Survivor Blood vs Water - Nov 27/13 Episode Recap

Gloves Come Off

Last week - Ciera voted out her own mother... nuff said.

Kasama - Night 26
-Katie was surprised that Ciera chose water over blood but obviously she must have a plan and her mom isn't part of it.
-Ciera hopes she proved she's trustworthy and that they will take her seriously moving forward. (I don't know, I think she made them realize that she's playing the game and that's a threat.)
-Tyson said exactly that - Ciera was in a tough position but she showed loyalty and made him realize she's playing hard... which scares him - she could be dangerous.

Redemption Island
-Tina is waiting to see Katie come into camp but it's Laura who walks in, much to their surprise. 
-Laura tells Tina & Vytas that Ciera wrote her name down and she's conflicted about it, it sucks but she's also proud of her daughter for playing the game. 
-The Redemption Islanders can't believe that no one is targeting Monica, who keeps winning challenges, or Tyson who is running the whole thing. (Things get much clearer on the other side.)

Redemption Duel - Day 27
-Jeff starts poking the raw nerve right away - pointing out that the last vote he read against her said (MOM), Ciera voted you out. 
-That gets Laura crying but she says she's proud of her - "we knew we'd have to do it eventually, it just happened sooner than expected - but that's okay, I'll come back." (Oh sweet Jebus, just go away... but then if she is able to fight her way back, maybe she wins this thing.)

Duel: There are 4 coloured cubes placed inside a long net tunnel, they have to retrieve the cubes my working them down the tunnel just using their fingers through the net - once they have all 4 cubes they must stack them so there are no repeating colours on any side.  First two to finish remain, and the last is out.  Plus the winner gets a clue to... well nothing because Tyson already has the hidden immunity idol.

Off they go and Vytas and Laura are moving quickly - Tina is falling out of it - that rope net may be her undoing.  Vytas & Laura get started stacking their boxes and Tina is still on her 3rd box.  She gets them all out and starts stacking just as Laura completes the puzzle.  Laura wins, now it's down to Vytas & Tina... Laura starts helping Tina and spinning her rack so Vytas can't check her solution... and Tina gets the solution literally a second before Vytas - the moms stay and all my hopes are dashed again as Vytas goes home.
With Vytas leaving that takes Michelle L., Alexis G. and me out of the pool. (Yes, I'm pouting a little.)

-Laura gives the clue to the hidden immunity idol to Ciera, who decides to burn it.  (Katie doesn't look very happy about that - and Jeff is still incredulous how many people just throw that chance away.)

Kasama - Day 27
-Tyson knows with seven people in the game right now the next two votes are going to be super important so his best move right now is to keep everybody against Katie.
-He tells the guys that Katie is the most dangerous player right now, she's got three jury votes sealed with Aras, Vytas & Tina (uh, I don't know about that.) He says they have to stay the course and take her out.

-Hayden tells the camera he's in a five person alliance right now with Tyson, Gervase, Caleb and Ciera and they can stay with that... but he doesn't want to be the guy that waited too long to make a move and ends up getting blindsided himself.
-Hayden talks to Caleb and says right now they are in the middle, they can coast along or they can try and make a move and knock it out, otherwise it won't be up to them (who & when they go home).
-Hayden knows that right now as things stand, Tyson would beat them in the end - "he's got a hell of a resume to preach to the jury" - they're going to have to pick him off.

-Caleb goes and tells Katie that she is safe because they are going to have to blindside Tyson at the next vote.  She wants to know if she can trust him, he tells her 100% - and she feels like she's found a home back with the original Tadhana.

-Hayden and Caleb then go and talk to Ciera, they say they can use Katie as extra vote and take Tyson out.  She says that's so smart, then they will be final three. 
-Ciera totally plays along telling the boys what they want to hear but she tells the camera that these people that have never played before are so ready to flip on each other, she doesn't want to play like that (OH MAN! She's going to tell Tyson isn't she?... harrumph.)

-Yup, she runs and tells Tyson that Caleb and Hayden are gunning for him but she's got his back and will vote with Tyson til the end. (huh? I don't get it, does she think she will win over him in the end?)
-Tyson trusts Monica and Gervase but still sees Ciera as a wild card.  He says he's gonna have to lock down his game earlier than he thought he would (What does that even mean?) but it's alright because he was going to have to get rid of Caleb and Hayden eventually anyway.

Kasama - Night 28
-Tyson and Gervase are sitting on the beach and Tyson tells him about the plot Ciera revealed to him.  Gervase can't believe that Caleb and Hayden started stirring the pot, he trusted them - but they got sloppy.
-Now they are targeting Caleb, he's Mr Nice Guy and the biggest threat to win it in the end (Uh, wasn't Katie the biggest threat a minute ago?)  Gervase says it's going to get messy once the gloves come off - tomorrow's gonna be huge.

Kasama - Day 29
-Ciera and Tyson go for tree mail and Hayden knows something is up, she won't even look Hayden in the eye.

-Ciera confirms she's solid with Tyson and she tells the camera she's so glad she didn't go with Caleb & Hayden - now Tyson knows they were gunning for him and he knows that she saved him so she's set for the final four... (Huh, starting to sound a little cocky and we all know what that means - Momma, I'm coming to Redemption Island.)

-Hayden is talking to Katie and tells her his suspicions about Ciera spilling the plan to Tyson.  They may have to come up with Plan B (which I think is win immunity today) if Ciera doesn't win immunity, she could be in trouble.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
They each have to hold onto a rope handle - it's attached to a bucket, inside the bucket is 25% of their body weight - as they fatigue the handle will start unspooling, the bucket will drop and they are out of the challenge.  Last person left standing wins Immunity... but there is a twist, if anyone thinks they are safe, they can choose to sit out the challenge and feast (Oh man, that food looks good - steaks and ribs and sausages... Oh My!)

Jeff gives them black and white rocks to reveal if they are choosing to eat or not - on the reveal, Tyson, Gervase and Ciera are eating (wow, that's ballsy - and it gives them leverage to get Monica to vote for Ciera with them - come on, do it.)

Once the challenge begins, the eaters get to start eating... once it's done they have to stop - (Oh, I wish the competitors could just agree who should win and let go - ending the challenge immediately so the eaters get nothing, that would be sweet!  But alas, would never happen.) So, Tyson is making a pig of himself, throwing bones over his shoulder, the whole 9 yards.

10 minutes in everyone's bucket has dropped a bit except Monica - she's trying to prove to her kids that dad's not the only badass in the house... (blah blah) - Hayden says he'll be mad at the eaters if he doesn't win immunity - Tyson seems surprised.  And... Katie is the first person out of the challenge.
20 minutes in - all of them have their buckets slipping - Hayden and Monica are able to wind them back up but Caleb's blisters are bleeding and he lets it drop.  Tyson takes a moment from stuffing his face to notice Caleb is out and acknowledge that they are all good [for the vote tonight.]  (Oh guys, start working on Monica... might as well.)

-Hayden is really determined to win this one but his bucket keeps slipping... and Monica wins her third individual immunity!  Who knew she'd be the slayer in the end.

Kasama - Day 29
They return to camp and Hayden & Katie are talking - the fact that Ciera, Tyson and Gervase felt comfortable enough to eat was very telling - he knows he made a mistake trusting Ciera and now they are in a mad scramble to come up with a new plan.
-Hayden goes and talks to Caleb and he thinks they should just go and ask Tyson if they are planning to blindside one of them, then tell him that Ciera is obviously trying to play them against each other so they should all vote as one against Ciera.  He doesn't like it but she did it to herself.

-Hayden & Caleb play it pretty cool - they pull Tyson aside and say, hey, it feels like you guys are targeting one of us - we gotta get on the same page.
-Tyson tells them that Ciera said they were targeting him, they say only after she told them he was targeting them...

-Now Tyson, who was already thinking Ciera was too sneaky for her own good, believes that she was the one playing them against each other and he's ready to take her out.
-But... he also doesn't trust Hayden & Caleb 100% either - Tyson is thinking he may have to play his hidden immunity idol tonight.

-As they walk away, Hayden & Caleb aren't feeling completely confident that Tyson will vote Ciera out either... Caleb is the more skeptical but he is hoping that Ciera is going home tonight.

-Tyson now pulls Gervase aside and tells him that the guys approached him and he thinks it was a very plausible story they told about Ciera turning them against each other.  He asks Gervase, "so who do we vote out, Ciera or Caleb?"  "Ciera was a teenage mom, hellraiser, she can look in your eyes and lie better than anybody."  Gervase agrees that someone is lying to them, but who?... It's scary, he doesn't know who to trust and if you put your trust in the wrong person, you're going home.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Aras and Vytas come sauntering in to man the jury. Aras looks stonefaced, Vytas is all smiles.

Hayden, when you have the opportunity to sit out and eat and three take it but four don't, it shows there isn't harmony in the alliance of seven.
-Yeah, no doubt. It shows who feels comfortable and who doesn't right away.  
He shows the broken blisters on his hands and Jeff asks how does it make him feel when Tyson and Gervase and Ciera come back with full bellies?
-There's a little bit of jealously really, because I don't feel as comfortable as they do. How can they sit out the challenge when I'm thinking, man, I gotta win today or I could be going home.

Caleb, was there anyone who sat out that surprised you?
-No, not really. 
Not even Ciera?
-No, she probably feels comfortable and she likes to eat.

She probably feels comfortable?  There's no where to hide, there's seven people left.
Ciera, that was a gigantic move.
-At the end of the day if I look at the challenge and I know I can't win, I'd rather eat.  It's don't compete and eat or lose and don't eat.

Tyson were you surprised at who sat out?
-Honestly I was surprised that more people weren't eating, I feel comfortable with the alliances I made so even though my whole alliance wasn't there I tried to enjoy the food as much as I could... which was a lot! (He was trying to make a joke there but it fell flat with the brothers on the jury... oops.)

Gervase, let's talk about trust.  Such a simple little word isn't it?
-I trust people in my alliance.  I have to, it's that simple.   And he looks over at Hayden (who is always super sweaty guy at Tribal, how do any of them trust that?) But Jeff picked up on that and pointed it out.
Hayden, he was looking right at you.
-Yeah, it's been no secret that I have been paranoid at times but we trust each other.

Ciera, that can't feel great - Two guys confirming they're good but no one's tapping your shoulder.
-No, it feels like crap.  I mean I'm supposed to be part of an alliance and to hear Gervase and Hayden are close right before we vote makes me wonder if there's a hidden a message or what.

Tyson, for tonight's vote, would you be shocked if you were voted out?
-Yeah, I come in hoping for the best but expecting the worst. So yes, I would be shocked if I was voted out tonight but that's Survivor - someone gets blindsided and someone gets shocked and it happens almost every tribal council.

Caleb, how bout you? Do you think there's going to be a blindside tonight? (Don't answer that question!)
-Yes, I do.

Ciera, would you be shocked tonight if it was you?
-Oh totally, I would be com-pletely shocked because I feel as far as my alliance goes I've been 100% honest, probably overly honest and I've put my trust in them 100% (Come on, throw down the 'I voted out my mom' card!) So if it is me tonight it would be a total blindside and the paranoia of that is always there and it's higher than ever (stop, you're babbling.)

Time to Vote:
Caleb votes for Ciera - you've just run your mouth way too much the past couple days.
Ciera votes for Caleb.

Tallying the Votes:
Anyone want to play the hidden immunity idol, now is the time.... Tyson starts rifling through his bag, "hold on Jeff,"  he dumps it out and "oh there it is," he hands Jeff his idol much to everyone's shock (but no one voted for you dude.)

Ciera - 1
Caleb - 1
Ciera - 2, 3...
Caleb - 2, 3 - What?
Caleb - 4 - and it's Caleb heading to Redemption Island. (Huh, they had me, I thought Ciera was joining Mom, for sure!)

Next week: Hayden throws everything on the table - "I hope everyone here likes second place because if Tyson goes to the end, he's winning."  And it just might work on Gervase - he wants to know the move to make (Gerv is so not winning.)

Entering Redemption Island: Caleb was shocked with the way Tribal Council went, it was definitely a successful blindside on the other side's part. 
He tells the moms that Ciera flipped on them and Laura is beaming about her little Ciera. (It's kinda sick that she's so proud her daughter is playing everyone, but then these are people that chose to play this crazy game.)

Happy American Turkey Day!
Coleen

Amazing Race 23 - November 24, 2013 Episode Recap

Part Like the Red Sea

Last week, Doctors Nicole & Travis played their Express Pass and U-Turned the Afghanimals (they were utilizing all the tools at their disposal) and Pinky & No-brains, Marie & Tim also utilized the U-Turn on the Baseball Wives Nicky & Kim, which ultimately proved their final undoing as they were sent home.

United Arab Emirates: Travis & Nicole were the first team to head out at 12:38am - they get the clue to fly to Bandung, Indonesia and once there find the Ram Arena to get their next clue.
-And we find out they're holy rollers, they want to be a beacon of God's light on the Race and show you don't need to lie, cheat or steal to do well... and they are praying.
-Jason & Amy are next out at 12:52am - they want to continue to work with Travis & Nicole, they have respect for them and that is the kind of game that they want to play.  Jason asks Amy what kind of people are in Indonesia, are they like Chinese or Indians? (Oh, Jason.)  Amy just laughed at him, "Oh, dear lord."
Tim & Marie, 1:15am - their weakness is definitely decision making - Marie always thinks she's right... and she goes off on a rant in the car about how she is right 99% of the time and she doesn't want to give in to him because he's yelling at her... (Seriously lady?  She also does 99% of the yelling... these two are a nightmare.)  Even the cab driver looks like he cannot believe this chick.

Nicole & Travis get to the airport and the ticket agent tells them they have to take three connecting flights to get to Bandung... the first flight is leaving at 8:40am... so everyone will be on the same flights.

-Leo & Jamal overslept and missed their scheduled start time (by a few minutes) so they ended up leaving with Ally & Ashley at 2:06am.  Jamal is excited to run into Travis & Nicole, he wants to question them about why they U-Turned them - he says there is no playing nice anymore, it's just going to get worse. (Uh oh, their sanctimony may just backfire.)

8:00am: Travis & Nicole tell Jamal & Leo that they U-Turned them because they lied about U-Turning Brandon & Adam - again Travis tells the camera they are not going to live their lives like that for any amount of money.  Jamal thinks trying to run the race that way is going to break them, they won't be able to handle the pressure.

Bandung, Indonesia: they hit the ground running, all teams are in cabs and slowly navigating through the extremely heavy traffic.
Travis & Nicole are the first team to the clue box and it's Route Info that tells them they have to find two head-butting rams in a truck, unload the rams, lead them to a traditional festival, wait until the rams butt heads, then take them back and load them back on the truck to get their next clue (Oh, it's always tricky having to lead animals in this race - especially ones that just want to bash their heads together.)
-Ally & Ashley are right behind them - they all get their rams to the festival pretty quickly and then cheer on the ramming action (how crazy is that?) Once they take the rams back to the truck they get the next clue, again Route Info telling them to go to the train station, take the train back to Bandung and find the next clue on the train platform.
-Nicole & Travis leave as Jamal & Leo arrive and Ally & Ashley are trying to lead their now brain damaged rams back to the truck (they said the rams weren't injured, but that's gotta scramble some eggs, just saying.)
-Ally & Ashley take off the the train station, Leo & Jamal are leading off their rambunctious rams and Tim & Marie have arrived.  Jason & Amy, still in their cab, pass Ally & Ashley going the other way which really excites the Ice girls, to be ahead of that strong pair.
-Jamal & Leo's rams really seem to have it in for each other... and the boys themselves are acting like idiots cheering for their rams.  The boys get their next clue as Tim & Marie's rams are butting heads and Jason & Amy are leading their rams to the festival (things are moving quickly...)

-Ally & Ashley's cab passes Travis & Nicole's getting the girls to the train station first - but both teams get on the same train.  The girls are saying how cool it is for them, having never caught up to them before... Travis & Nicole are somewhat less enthused.  Travis says, "And we'll tell you the truth." (Hmm, not sure how godly that little dig was.)

-Tim & Marie jump in their cab and are yelling at the guy to go but he is having car trouble which allows Jason & Amy to take off for the train station before them - Jay & Amy feel like it's payback for when they stole their cab on the Vienna leg. (Yup, couldn't have happened to a more deserving couple.)

-Ice girls and Travis & Nicole are waiting for their train to leave... but with 3 minutes to spare, Leo & Jamal jump on. "Shoot!" 
-Now all three teams are anxiously hoping the train leaves before more teams arrive - Jason & Amy get to the station but the Afghanimals start making noise, "My wife's pregnant." "I'll pay extra."  Travis mutters under his breath, "No need to lie." (Ugh, he's getting tiresome.) And the train finally takes off, leaving Jason & Amy at the station, which means they'll likely be on the next train with Marie & Tim (that will be fun.)  Next train is not for 1 hour.

-Bandung train platform - they get the clue to the DETOUR: For the Elephants or For the Birds.
-For the Elephants: they have to visit the market and pick up 8 watermelons, two bunches of banana, a dozen sweet potatoes and 5 stalks of sugar cane before heading to the Zoo - transporting all the provisions on a hand cart at the zoo, they have to feed the elephants to get their next clue.
-For the Birds: they have to pick up two peach-faced love birds from the market then take them to a bird song competition at an arena.  Once there they have to enter the arena and encourage their birds to sing - once they've been scored, the judge will hand them their next clue.
Afghanimals - Elephants
Ice girls - Ally want to do elephants, Ashley thinks the birds will be easier but she folds and they're doing elephants.
Doctors - are doing the birds.

-The Ice girls get in their cab and it takes them to the zoo first (huh?) they are running around looking for their marked trollies (didn't they have to go to the market first?)  The Afghanimals go to the market and start collecting their watermelons and putting them in the cab (oh, boy, I wish I could read the clue - are the trollies at the zoo?)

-Travis & Nicole get to the bird market and Nicole is just searching for someone who speaks English... they find the bird stall first and get their matched pair - then head to the arena, hoping those caged birds will sing!

-At the Zoo the girls are still trying to find the main entrance to find their marked trolly - they find the elephants but still no trolly.
-Leo & Jamal have loaded up their taxi complete with 8ft sugar cane stalks hanging out the windows and are heading to the zoo.

-Travis & Nicole get to the Bird Grand Prix - hang their bird cages in the arena and now have to try and make them sing... which is easier said than done apparently. (Never work with kids or animals, they are unpredictable and will steal the show... it appears the Indonesia leg was made to prove this statement.)

-Back at the Bandung train station - Marie & Tim and Jason & Amy know it is just them duking it out to stay in the Race.  They all seem a bit dejected but resolute... and they board the train.

-Ally & Ashley finally find the marked entrance and see the trollies but where's the market - they finally re-read their clue and realize that they were supposed to go pick up the fruit first then bring it to the zoo. (Yup, the boys had it right and the girls just wasted a lot of time.  If in doubt, always re-read the clue!)
-Meanwhile, Jamal & Leo get to the zoo and prove to be resourceful, using their head scarves from Abu Dhabi to tie the watermelons into a package and keep them on the hand cart... they head in to feed the elephants.

-Back at the birds arena, Travis & Nicole were having a great time with the crowd of bird lovers cheering on their birds... when finally they started singing and they got their next clue to head to Suang Angkung Udjo?? Or something like that - to find the next clue.

-Ally & Ashley get to the market and tell their cab to go - then realize they need something to put the fruit in so now they have to try and flag down another cab (way to think that through.)

2nd train finally arrives and the final two teams get the clue for the Detour - both teams want to see the elephants, so they are doing the elephants.  They are pretty sure they are in last place but they hope someone has screwed up and maybe they can catch up.

-Cue the Ice girls - they have a cab and are loading up the fruit but it all falls apart when they see the size of the sugar cane - Ashley freaks out that it won't fit in the cab and she wants to switch.  (She wanted to do the birds from the beginning).  Ally wants to stick with it so Ashley says fine but leaves the sugar cane behind... (Uh, you need that.) In the cab, the fight continues as they yell at each other over who wanted to do what, essentially Ashley is saying this is all Ally's fault. "Fine, let's do the birds then!" (Wow, that's the first time we've seen these two fight light that - spending too much time with Marie maybe?)

-The Afghanimals have finally started feeding their elephant - after wrestling the sugar cane back from the over eager pakiderm so it could be counted - they get the next clue to head to the Ujdo.

-Ally & Ashley are now trying to transport the watermelons on the handcart and they haven't used their heads for one minute this leg so, yeah, watermelons rolling everywhere.
-The Afghanimals are leaving and see the girls, they give them one of their scarves to tie up the watermelon and feel really bad about their sugar cane dilemma - well not that bad - as they still take off on them.

-Travis & Nicole have made it to the Ujdo and get the clue to the ROADBLOCK: Who has an inkling for Angklung?  This requires them to assemble a traditional Indonesian instrument called an Angklung, made of bamboo - they have to arrange the notes in the correct order to play an octave to get their next clue. (Uh oh, this could be trouble for someone with a tin ear.)  Nicole is going to do this one, eventhough Travis thought he might do better on a music challenge... there's no one around so he's okay with her doing it (hmm.)

-Jason & Amy and Marie & Tim are at the market gathering their elephant food - Amy used a blanket to wrap up the watermelons and yams to make it easier to take to their cab - Tim & Marie are just yelling at each other, as usual.

-Jamal & Leo get to the Roadblock and Leo is going to do this one.
-The pressure appears to be getting to Nicole inside as the local kids are laughing at her and she rebukes them, "Don't laugh. You have to help the lady." (No they don't, they can laugh all they want.)
-Leo & Jamal are enjoying the music and start dancing and playing to the crowd, which just makes Travis tell Nicole she has to hurry (these two, why always so serious? They're not going to have any fun memories of this race if they don't loosen up a little, sheesh.)

-Ally & Ashley have delivered the food they brought but now have to head back for the sugar cane... which is unfortunate because here come Jason & Amy and Marie & Tim with their full loads... of course they are all running and watermelons start a rolling.

-Back at the music thing, Jamal is reminding Leo that it's just like a puzzle, Leo's looking for an example he can follow.  Travis meanwhile is telling Nicole to hurry up but sees she only have 4 notes, when an octave is 8 (so why not yell that at her?)

-Jason & Amy finish the elephant feeding and head out of the Ujdo - Tim & Marie are right behind them so they are running (they don't know the Ice girls still have to come back with the sugar cane.)  But Tim seems to know, so maybe they're not so rushed after all.

-Nicole & Leo have both completed their instruments but Leo's got to grandstand for a bit - Nicole gets her's judged first but she doesn't have 8 different notes, two of them are repeating - she fails and has no idea why.  Leo's octave is correct and he thinks he's got it, but the stand is not correct (say what?) Alright, they are both still working on it.
-Amy & Jason get to the Roadblock and Amy is going to be putting the instrument together - Travis is wound even tighter when another team shows up.
-Tim & Marie get the Roadblock clue and everthough they have a system of alternating the Roadblocks, Tim has a musical background and Marie feels like he'd do better at this one - he finally agrees and Tim is assembling the Angklung.

-The Ice girls finally finish feeding the elephants and are heading to the Raodblcok - where all the other teams are still trying to get this thing assembled correctly.
-Nicole has her's judged again and it's even worse this time.  Leo passes on his next judging and Jamal yells for him to destroy his as Nicole runs over to try and get a look at it... so much for running the race honestly.  He can't believe how much of a hypocrite she's being and they do a keep away dance until he can dismantle his angklung and she goes back to working on hers. (That was desperation on her part plus the silent disapproval of 'Travis the perfect' over there.)

-Leo & Jamal read the clue to head to the Pit Stop, the Bosscha Observatory.

-Tim is the next one to complete the instrument and they take off right on Leo & Jamal's heels (wow, seems like that was the right call for them.)  Of course, Marie also rubs that in Tim's face - instead of telling him he did great, she says, "So I was right, wasn't I." (Really, lady?  How has he not strangled her in her sleep?)

-Travis is quietly having kittens, "It's not about the length, it's about the sound..." He needs to be yelling that at her but oh no, that would be cheating.
-Meanwhile Amy completes her angklung and the ice girls show up... Nicole still can't figure it out, so before they leave Jason tells Amy to go help Nicole, they don't want to leave them behind.  Amy quickly tells her she has this upside down, put them in order... she tries to leave before the girls see her helping but Nicole is fried, she begs her to help more... and now Jason is yelling at Amy to leave (well make up your mind, bud.)
-In the cab he's mad she took so long to help Nicole, and Amy points out that he told her to help and then Nicole was begging her - he's worried their cab could get lost or break down, then they'd be last... (she handles it calmly, but really, he deserves a bit of a smack.)

-Finally Nicole completes her instrument and they get in a cab for the Pit Stop.  In the cab, instead of direct confrontation, Travis passive aggressively tells her he's embarrassed, "40 minutes to figure out what an octave is.  If we continue to perform like this, time to hang out with the babies." (Oh, that is worse, he's saying 'we' but you know he's berating her... and she can't even respond directly because he's not being direct... Is that WJWD? [What Jebus would do])

 Here's How They Finished:
1) Leo & Jamal - They win $7500 each. "Travis & Nicole are going down.  Karma is a bitch."
2) Tim & Marie - came in right on their heels.
3) Jason & Amy - they dropped one spot from their norm.
4) Nicole & Travis - Nicole hugs Amy and tells her she will love her forever.  Travis is speechless, the leg was a hard miserable day.  He's got to look in the mirror and fix it, pray about it and hopefully they can stay together (whoa, what now?)
5) Ally & Ashley - **ELIMINATED** Travelling to seven countries was a dream come true and they're crying because they don't want it to end.  However, they are proud that they made top five and have shown how tough they really are.

So, with Ally & Ashley's elimination, that takes the last all girl team out of the race and also: Lois & Dave L, Karen S., Nenad M., Jessica C. and Alexis G. out of the pool.

Next week: Marie meets her match, having to eat snake - they have to apply heavy make up to both boys and girls (Jason is quite pretty - Travis, looks like Dennis Rodman) and Leo & Jamal may meet their downfall in a rice field.

Have a great week everybody,

Coleen.

Survivor Blood vs Water - Nov 20/13 Episode Recap

Big Bad Wolf

Previously on Survivor - Vytas joined his brother on Redemption Island, then Tina joined them as Tyson's minions were taking out those with loved ones still there... watch out Laura & Ciera.

Kasama - Night 24
They returned from Tribal Council and Katie is feeling pretty defeated, she knows if she doesn't come up with a plan really quick, she's doomed.
-Laura & Ciera are celebrating that they are the last surviving pair and they are strategizing together but Ciera has taken the lead and is trying to save Laura from herself, it seems.  Ciera knows the lay of the land and coaches Laura to leave Tyson alone, let him come to her and she should also stick with the women, just lay low... we'll see if Laura heeds that advice.
-Ciera says she loves her mom and wants to play with her as long as she can but when her mom needs to go, she needs to go because Ciera has a better chance of winning than she does (hmm, she's so not winning.)

REDEMPTION DUEL
Aras, Vytas & Tina - they have to use grappling hook to retrieve three bags containing balls.  Once they have all three bags, they must use one of the balls to solve a table maze which is suspended on ropes that they can manoeuvre with rope handles.  First two to get a ball seated in the centre of their maze will remain, last person is out for good... but will be the first member of the jury.
-The winner will also be able to give a clue to the hidden immunity idol to someone in the game (why bother at this point?) Jeff thinks now that it's an individual game someone might bite... we'll see.

-Tina says there is "No way, Jose" that she'd let her daughter switch places with her (I don't think Katie was offering either.)

Off they go: Tina proves better with the hook and gets her all of her bags before the boys even have their 2nd bags.
-She gets a head start on the table maze but the boys come on strong once they start.  Aras is trying too hard and his ball drops... Tina and Vytas are down to the centre section... Tina trying to get it
set in the middle and she overshoots it and drops the ball through a hole... she has to start over.  Vytas does not make the same mistake, he is focused and he gets the ball in the middle.  VYTAS wins the Duel.
-It's now down to Tina & Aras... Tina is back in the centre and she finally gets it set... TINA also stays alive and that means that ARAS is ELIMINATED - which also takes Kim A, Kevin & Elaine R and Katie L. out of the pool.
-Vytas gives the clue to the hidden immunity idol to Katie who doesn't even consider burning it - she knows that could be her only lifeline left out there.

Kasama- Day 25
They return from the duel and Katie tells them she's just going to the bathroom so they don't have to follow her... but she reads her clue and goes to try and find the idol.
-Back at camp Ciera and Laura are discussing ways keep the idol from her, hide all the digging implements, go dig beside her, try to grab it from her...
-Tyson couldn't care less about Katie, he officially has the hidden immunity idol (but what if they put another one out there?) so she's a non-threat to him.  He's devising his next big move... which he lays on Caleb and Hayden - the four guys vote for Laura M now, before she sees it coming, and they can pull Ciera back in by telling her they didn't want her to have to vote for her mom.  (Hey, I just realized it's 4 guys and 4 girls left... those women should band together but unfortunately, I don't think they will.)
-Ciera knows that she can't get to the end with her mom - and she has the hard discussion with her - Ciera knows she has one shot at this and she doesn't want to mess it up.  Ciera tells her mom that if they get to six, she may have to vote her out, and she's going to do that.  Laura takes the news like a mom, she's proud of Ciera and if it looks like she has a better chance to win, she'll step aside. (You're on borrowed time anyway - stupid Redemption Island - Laura annoys me for some reason - could be her voice.)

Kasama - Crack of Dawn
-Katie is up and heads out to search for the hidden immunity idol and Laura has decided she needs to find it herself so she runs after her and they both start digging... however, Katie has her digging in all the wrong places - she still has no idea where it is.
-The rest of the tribe is kind of joking about the girls off searching for the hidden immunity idol - no one knows that Tyson has an idol but he is also aware that he is the biggest threat out there. Right now they like him fine, but when he votes them out, not so much. He decides he needs to get Ciera on board with voting her mom out. (What? Why?)
-Tyson goes to Ciera and says he's going to tell her something that's going to blow her mind... "You're going to vote my mom?"  He says no, he's not going to vote her mom but Hayden and Caleb are.  She says she's okay with her mom not being in the game anymore... Tyson assures her he has her back and now she's not sure what she's going to do...

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
They are out on a floating dock - they are going to be standing on a  very small pivoting platform holding onto a rope and leaning back - every five minutes they will move their hands further down the rope until they can't hold on anymore and drop in the water.  Last person standing will win immunity and a reward of hamburgers, hot dogs, fries and soda... (You know there is going to be some twist with that.)

-Off they go - and Hayden and Caleb are the first two to fall out (it is harder for the heavier guys). Gervase is out, Ciera is out, Katie drops out and then Laura... we're down to Tyson and Monica - the tall skinnies!  Tyson struggles to hold on but in the end, it's MONICA that wins immunity. 
-She also wins the food and tells Jeff that Immunity means more to her than hamburgers (she really could use a hamburger, girlfriend is getting scary skinny) she asks Jeff if she can give all the food to the rest of the tribe, "They are my family out here." (Oh gag me, Saint Monica, Phfft)  Jeff asks Caleb if he thinks this is genuine or calculated, he says it's probably a little of both... but none of them care - they just want the food!  Jeff allows it and they descend like a hoard of locusts!  I think Monica may have won some jury votes if she can make it to the end (Ha, yeah, I don't believe it either.)  But by giving the food to the whole tribe she defused some of the drama that picking just one person would have caused (I wonder if the producers are sick of them messing with the drama bombs they're
trying to set up all the time.)

Kasama - Day 26
(I just gotta say, I hope all these snakes they keep showing are also just visual set ups because they never show them near people... stop with the snakes already.)
They return from the challenge and everyone is in a great mood because they ate, they are all thanking Monica when someone notices the snake in the shelter (oh, maybe it is a real unwelcome visitor.)

-Next shot is Ciera talking to Katie in the hammock, Katie pinky swears she won't turn on Ciera and Ciera tells her that everyone is voting for her mom and Tyson wants her to as well... Katie says she's still going to play her hidden immunity idol just to be safe and Ciera calls her bluff, she says she knows she didn't find it because she (Ciera) has it.  Katie falls for it and says, "Man, you stole my idol!"  Now Ciera knows for sure that Katie doesn't have the idol and she confers with mom who wants her to go to Tyson and let him know that Katie definitely doesn't have the idol... maybe buy Laura some more time.  (He already knows... and what happened to all the tough, I'm going to vote my mom talk... it's coming down to that and she's sticking her neck out, could hurt her.)
-So, Ciera meets with the boys and floats the idea of taking Katie out instead of Laura because she can assure them she doesn't have the idol.  She explains how she lied to Katie and got the truth... Ciera says someone can still vote her mom if Katie plays an idol she's still the one going home... the guys tentatively agree that maybe the more honourable vote of Katie is the way to go.
-Tyson is kicking himself for telling Ciera about the plan to vote her mom (d'uh!) she's smarter than he gave her credit for and is making moves of her own (Oh, I wish this would bite him in the butt, but, sigh, I doubt it will.)  He's more determined than ever that it has to be Laura tonight - he has to break up that last pair.
-He quickly tells Monica that Ciera's trying to sway the votes to Katie but it's still Laura - Of course.
-Gervase asks Tyson, "Who are we voting for?" (Where have you been, dude?) Tyson tells him Laura but Caleb is also standing there and Caleb thinks that they should vote Katie out tonight, she doesn't have the idol and he thinks she shouldn't be able to skate through to the final.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
-Aras gets to come in and watch as the first member of the jury.

Katie, last tribal council it was you or your mom - you survived but does it feel like it's you next?
-Yes, absolutely.  I was hoping that after Redemption Island my Mom would make it through to give me the clue to the hidden idol... it's not a guarantee, but at least it's something.

So Caleb, this is tricky now, you have this alliance of seven and then there is Katie.  If she has the idol, somebody from your group goes home and it could be you.
-There are tons of maybes - Maybe it's still out there, maybe Katie has it, maybe one of us has it.  You just got to plan ahead.

Tyson, now that Tina's gone, there are only one pair of loved ones left and they are blood, mother/daughter.
-Yeah, that's something to look at - they will probably be of like mind, swing the same way - since day one we've been looking at that and I don't think it's changed on day 26.

Caleb, did you sense any concern from Ciera or Laura?
-Yeah, there is definitely some concern but Ciera & Laura differ from Tina & Katie because Laura wants this just as much as Ciera does and she's not about to lay down for Ciera's game.  They are both really great competitors, really smart and they've both got an equal shot in this game.

Hayden, so is Caleb saying he's less concerned about having this pair because Laura would cut Ciera's throat just as quickly as Ciera would cut Laura's throat?
-There is some truth to that, they have a competitive nature - 'I brought you into this world, I can take you out' kind of mentality.  But at the end of the day, the bond they have is way stronger than the bonds any of us have and you have to consider that.

So Laura, what do you do to get them to stick with the plan tonight, take out Katie, I will get rid of Ciera any time you want me to.
-Before, it was a liability to have your loved one but now it's a huge asset because one is two, you get one of us, you get two votes. (Ciera looks pissed... like she just wants her mom to shut up... I don't blame her.) Laura says there's going to be seven of us, you pick up another buddy and we're final four.

Katie chimes in: But you want to get to the final two with your loved one and that is also a threat, in a way (no it's a total threat, don't back off that Katie.)  I was nervous having my mom here because everyone thought we wanted to go to final two together, so having your loved one here probably isn't the best route anyway...

Laura: here's another thing to think about - if you send a loved one home at this point, you have someone lobbying for those jury votes for their loved one - if I'm here, you're not going to have the influence on the jury.
-Because you'll be competing against each other.
Absolutely, I think where problems come in is when you get your alliance and people start bailing early, then the final three are people that weren't even in the alliance and you're all on the jury wondering what you did wrong.

So Caleb, is tonight's vote do we stick with the plan and take out Katie or take the opportunity and get rid of the last loved one here? (Weird, isn't Caleb the go-to guy for Jeff tonight.)
-That is the big decision, do we take out Katie, do we take out the last loved one, there are four girls/four guys, four original Galang/four original Tadhana - it could swing either way.

Time to Vote:
They don't show us how anyone voted...

Tallying the Votes:
No one plays a hidden immunity idol...
Laura - 1
Katie - 1
Laura - 2, 3, 4, 5... Ciera, wrote (mom) on hers so they know she voted with them... Lots of tears but they say sorrys and I love yous (damn why am I crying?)  Laura whispers to Ciera that she'll come back for her... (Hmm, is that a promise or a threat?)

Next week: The Tadhana four may get their you-know-what together and vote Tyson out (ooohh!)

Laura's final thoughts - she's not sure how she feels about Ciera writing her name down: the fact that she felt she had to write her name down and the fact that she did write her name down... but she's going to do what she can to stay there and further her daughter in the game. (Blech, I don't know why, but she bugs me.)

Have a great rest of your week everyone,

Coleen.

Amazing Race 23 - Nov 17/13 Episode Recap

One Hot Camel

Last week was a non-elimination leg which saved the Baseball wives, Nicky & Kim, to race another day...

Abu Dhabi - Leo & Jamal finished in first place on the last leg and are the first team heading out at 7:10am - the clue tells them they have to use the Viking coins they picked up in Norway as the keys to the Ford Explorer they have to drive into the dunes.
-They will need to figure out that the coins will have to be placed in the order they are stenciled on the sachel and then turned over to read the numbers which are the code to open the SUV.
CAUTION - U-Turn Ahead!
-They figured out the code really quickly and are on the road heading for the sand dunes - when they get where they need to go they'll find dune buggies next to the highway (Wheee!)
-Amy & Jason are the next to depart at 7:18am - Amy's already figured out the code (they have had the sachel of coins for a while) so they waste no time hitting the road.  Though Amy is backseat driving, thinking they're lost and need to get directions.
-Travis & Nicole - 7:23am - Power Parents (ugh, I don't like that nickname) had a rough day last leg but they still have their ace (the Express Pass) and they will be playing it this leg. 
-Marie & Tim - 7:44am - Marie's worried that they're going to be U-Turned by Jay & Amy over the cab-stealing incident, cause that's what she would do (I think that could be a very real possibility.)

-Travis & Nicole caught up to Leo & Jamal and the Afghanimals are worried they may try to U-Turn them... as Travis is saying they may U-Turn the boys because they don't like the way they're running the race.  Leo & Jamal don't have a U-Turn, they used theirs by U-Turning the bearded duo (Ohhh, they only get one per Race, I didn't realize that.) So, Leo & Jamal have an added incentive to get to the U-Turn first.

-7:53am - Ally & Ashley are the first team to have a problem figuring out the code with the coins (surprise). "How do we unlock it with coins?"
-8:02am - Nicky & Kim (Baseball Wives aka Bunnies) are the last team heading out and both the girls-only teams are trying to figure out the car codes... but finally the Ice Girls get it and the Bunnies
get theirs right behind them.
-Nicky & Kim have the added stress of the U-Turn and a Speedbump they'll have to complete this leg - they say they're not bunnies anymore, they're ninjas!

Dune Buggies
-Jamal & Leo and Travis & Nicole get to the dune buggies and get a route info clue to drive the buggies into the dunes and find their next clue.  The guys are having a great time ripping through the sand.

Lost... thy name is Amy & Jason - they stop and ask for directions at a hotel (I think).

Dunes - Travis & Nicole get bogged down and Leo & Jamal are the first team to the clue box - it tells them to return to their Ford Explorer and drive to Al Ain Oasis, once there, they must look for their next clue high up in a date palm tree.
-Travis gets them unstuck and they also get the clue and take off for the Oasis.
-Jason & Amy finally get to the Dune Buggies just as Leo & Jamal drive away, they pass Travis & Nicole and both teams share their worry that the Afghanimals may U-Turn them (Oh, they don't know.)
-Tim & Marie show up just as Jason & Amy are heading out on their dune buggy.  Everyone is pretty close together.
-The Bunnies & the Ice girls are just getting to the dune buggies as Tim & Marie finish.
-Nicky & Kim get themselves totally stuck in the sand and Ally & Ashley breeze right by them - Ally's had some dune buggy experience apparently.  The Ice girls get the clue and leave and Nicky & Kim are still stuck... Uh oh.
-I guess on the bright side for them, they burnt out the clutch of their dune buggy uselessly spinning the tires and they get to switch out their vehicle - that's one way to get unstuck.  They get the clue and head for the oasis.

Al Ain Oasis - Travis & Nicole are the first team to make it to the Oasis they run in and see the clue up the tree, then some other guy climbs the tree and gets it for them (really? Huh, I thought they would definitely have to climb the tree.)
DETOUR: Wedding Guests or Beauty Contest
In Wedding Guests: They must prepare a traditional dish - collect the ingredients, prepare them according to the recipe then deliver them to the cooking area - when the chef feels it is correctly made to order, they must serve it up to the wedding guests to receive their next clue.
In Beauty Contest: They must choose a prize winning camel based on a set of criteria they are given - once chosen they must dress the camel up in Arab finery and present their camel to the judges - if they come up with a winner, they'll be rewarded with the next clue.
-Travis & Nicole want to take off before anyone sees them... and I believe they are going to use the Express Pass.

-Jason & Amy are lost again, apparently Jason is finding it challenging driving in the Middle East and Amy is berating him for just driving in a big circle.

-Jamal & Leo finally arrive at the Oasis, get their Detour clue and are going to do Wedding Guests.
-Tim & Marie are right behind them.  They choose the Beauty Contest.

-Travis & Nicole get to the Detour and present their Express Pass, they get the clue to search on foot in the tower - which takes them right to the U-Turn board - they quite easily U-Turn Jamal & Leo because they lied to them about U-Turning the Beards (whatever, it's not Survivor, they can lie to you all they want.)
-Travis & Nicole get the next clue to drive themselves to Wadi Adventure (looks like a water park) and look for the next clue.

-Jason & Amy finally find the Oasis - and choose Beauty Contest, Amy says she'd competed in beauty pageants for years so it should be a cinch dressing up their contestant (Hahaha!)

Wedding Guests - Leo & Jamal arrive at the wedding guests tasks and we find out the Leo owns a restaurant & bar so he's good with  food prep and knives, they figure with his experience they'll be able to bang this one out quick.

Beauty Contest - Marie & Tim arrive and figure out their "beauty contestants" are camels - Marie has the sheet with what to look for and Tim doesn't get it, he just wants to grab any old camel, but Marie is picky, she's looking for the best show-camel - no busted up knees or pedi's will do.  They finally choose the prettiest camel and get the wrangler to rope him for his primping.

-Ice girls and Bunnies are still looking for the Oasis - and the Bunnies are hoping to be saved by some other team getting U-Turned, like the Afghanimals, "That'd be cool." (Your wish has been granted m'ladies.)
-Speaking of... Leo & Jamal are busy cutting up veggies and they're a little worried that they haven't seen any other teams.  They hope Travis & Nicole are doing the camel thing and haven't U-Turned them. (Your wish has not been granted m'gentlemen.)

-Beauty Contest - Marie is worried their camel is going to spit on her when BOOM! he kicks Tim right in the shin... but he's a good sport, he shakes it off and they get back to the camel make-over.
-They present their pimped out camel to the judges and they reject him - Marie asks what's wrong with him and I think it's the head is too low... they have to choose again (really? Come on, a camel's a camel, no?)
-Jason & Amy show up at the Beauty Contest and Amy still feels like she's in her element, she was a former Miss Rhode Island USA and apparently is used to being judged and judging other things by their looks.  They choose a pretty camel and get to it.

Wadi Adventure - Nicole & Travis get the clue to the ROADBLOCK - Who likes rapid transit?
-They will have to navigate the world's largest man-made rapids - balanced on a raft, they must collect three different coloured flags hanging above the rushing water course.  Once they collect all the flags, their guide will hand them their next clue.
-Nicole has to do this one.   And she's not doing so hot - she misses the first two flags... by not being tall enough to reach them (Uh oh.)

-Oasis - Ice girls and Bunnies are both going to do Beauty Contest (Really?  I would have chosen the cooking any day over dealing with live animals, but what do I know.)

-Beauty Contest - Tim & Marie have finished grooming their second contestant and are told it is a "beautiful camel" - they get the clue to head to the tower (U-Turn).
-Jason & Amy - are leading their camel to the judges when it refuses to go, digs in it's heels and flops on the ground - which messes us her hair and gets the finery dirty... didn't even get judged and they have to start over.

-Tim & Marie are looking for the tower and stumble into the cooking task - they see Leo & Jamal and Marie asks them if they've found the tower (what?) she realizes her mistake and Tim & Marie take off but now Leo & Jamal realize that the chopping is taking too long and decide to switch tasks (Noooo! You're going to have to come back and start over again... argh, why can't they hear me through the TV?)

Beauty Contest - Jason & Amy have chosen a new camel and groomed it up just as Leo & Jamal show up.  Jason & Amy get a pass on their beautiful camel and head out to look for the tower.
-Tim & Marie are still looking for the tower - they end up outside back at the cars and just when Marie's about to see the sign for the tower, Tim distracts her by deciding to take their bags out of the car (what, why?)
-Leo & Jamal are sweet talking their camel but it doesn't work, as they throw the "dress" over it's hump Jamal gets a full body check - but he's okay.

U-Turn - Jay & Amy decide not to U-Turn anyone (Oh, that was their perfect opportunity to take out Tim & Marie...) they head for Wadi Adventure.

Wadi Adventure - Nicole finally gets one of the flags, then a second one but misses the third again - she must have to keep going around until she gets them all - third attempt and she got them all!  They get the clue to drive themselves to Jebel Hafeet, to the Pit Stop.

Beauty Contest - Leo & Jamal are busting out the Arabic for the camel and the judges and they get a pass the first time - they head for the tower (to learn their sad fate.)  They call Nicole & Travis losers for U-Turning them, they don't know what reason they could have (how about you were in first place last leg?) They head back to the Wedding Guests and carry on with the chopping (I guess they didn't have to start over after all.)

-Jason & Amy are driving away from the Detour and they see Tim & Marie running around outside the compound, a good 1/2 mile away from the tower - they can't figure out how they ended up out there and hope they don't see them.  (Ha! They didn't have to U-Turn them, they screwed themselves by just not finding the tower.)
-Tim & Marie ask about the tower in the town and they're told it's back in the fort (where you came from) - d'oh!

-Ice girls and Bunnies still haven't gotten to the Detour - Ally & Ashley stop and ask for directions and the Bunnies pass them, thinking they're now ahead of them (but are you heading the right way?)

Wedding Guests - Leo is not showing fantastic knife skills, these two are taking forever getting everything chopped up - plus they're mad they were U-Turned.

-Tim & Marie have come running back and find the tower, Marie says, "Good thing we took our bags.  I could just punch you in the head right now!" (Well, I can't say I blame her this time.)
They decide to U-Turn the Bunnies and give themselves a bit of a cushion - saying their stunt at the airport earned them a U-Turn (when they got on the stand-by list ahead of them... which was awesome - but I guess did cost them in the end.)

Detour - Nicky & Kim and Ally & Ashley show up to the Beauty Contest and Nicky & Kim decide to change tasks, they don't want to leave their fate up to animals. They run over to the wedding feast and see the Afghanimals are there, and they lie to them, that it's not hard, they've only been there 15 minutes and are almost done. (Yeah, the Afghanimals seem a little allergic to the truth these two.)

Roadblock - Jason & Amy get to Wadi Adventure and Jason is doing this one.  He's got no trouble getting the first flag.

Wedding feast - the Bunnies are figuring out that the boys are full of it - there is no way they got that much done in 15 minutes.
Beauty Contest - Ally & Ashley are really good with hair and make up and talking up their pretty camel - they pass the first try and head up the tower.  They are shocked to see that the Afghanimals were U-Turned again (News Flash - no one but you likes them.)

Wadi Adventure - Jason if flying through the rapids and gets all the flags easily.  They head for the Pit Stop.
-Tim & Marie show up and Tim is going to do this one - it was a lot harder than he thought it would be, his raft gets all spun around and goes up on a rock... (really dude, just do what your told and it'll work out fine.)

Wedding Feast - the Afghanimals finish all their prep and are given the go ahead to take it out to the cook - they feed the guests and get the clue to the tower - where they then get the clue to Wadi Adventure.

Wadi Adventure - Tim flails a lot, almost falling out of the boat... it wasn't pretty but he does get all the flags and they take off for the Pit Stop.

Ice girls are driving the wrong way looking for Wadi Adventure.

-Bunnies finish their food prep and get the clue to the tower/U-Turn.  They can't believe they got U-Turned, they figure Tim & Marie did it, "Because they're mean."  So, it's back to the Beauty pageant - and they get a pass on their camel.  Then head out for Wadi Adventure.

-Ice girls are still lost... they can't read a map, read the road signs or navigate in roundabouts... it's been a hard driving day for everyone it seems.

Wadi Adventure - Leo & Jamal get there and Jamal is doing the rafting.
-Ally & Ashley finally get there and Ashley is in the raft - she missed the first flag.
-Nicky & Kim get there and find their Speed Bump: They have to jump into a wave generating pool, swim across and climb a rope ladder up the other side without the wave taking them away.  Nicky is ready to go for it then realizes that Kim is freaking out - she's afraid of heights, it's a long fall into water... it's just scary.
-But finally they are in the water.

Wadi Adventure - Jamal only got two flags the first time so he had to go again but they finish and head out.
-Ashley is still rafting, she has two flags - just one more to go.

-The Bunnies are doomed in the wave pool - Kim's now whining that the ladder is really hard to climb... sigh.  But they get up the ladder and Nicky does the white water rafting - falling out of the boat at one point....

 Here's How They Finished:
1) Nicole & Travis - They each won their choice of any Ford vehicle in their line-up with an Eco-boost engine (might as well get the full plug in there, I wonder if next season it's going to be Ford's Amazing Race.)  Phil also asks them about U-Turning the Afghanimals and they said the boys lied to them about U-Turning a team last time and it didn't sit well with them. (They used it as a teachable moment then? Riiigght.)
2) Jason & Amy - is this their 5th or 6th second place... but they're happy with it, this leg was pure torture with being perpetually lost all day.
3) Tim & Marie - Phil asks them about U-Turning another team and Marie says the Bunnies screwed them over in the airport and that was their payback (they out-smarted you and you hold a grudge, you mean.)
4) Leo & Jamal - the other teams can try but they are there for the win.  They got chicken blood on them today, next it will be human blood. (Uh... pardon?)
5) Ally & Ashley - Phil asks about the potential for their Race Marriages to lead to something ... if they finish one and two they'll see (those boys have no chance, I'm just saying.)
6) Nicky & Kim - **ELIMINATED** They had such an amazing time - they got to do so many amazing things Kim faced so many fears and it's made her realize she can do so much more than she thought she could.  Blah-dy blah blah... (they weren't crying because it was a long time coming, they must have felt like I did, that their elimination was inevitable.)
And with Nicky & Kim out of the Race: Janine S, Andria S, Annemette J, Tori K and Sue & Hannelore are out of the pool.

Next week: Enemies come face to face - when Nicole & Travis see Leo & Jamal in the airport... then Nicole has trouble in a Roadblock and tries to cheat off Leo - where is the moral high ground now lady??

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen

Survivor Blood vs Water - Nov 13/13 Episode Recap

My Brother's Keeper

Last week, Laura M. earned her way off Redemption Island and back in the game, the tribes merged, and some of the returning players turned on one of their own, sending Aras to Redemption Island.

Kasama - Night 21
The tribe returns from Tribal Council and Vytas congratulates them as a fan of the show - Aras did not see that brutal blindside coming.  Of course, to the camera, he says he wants to get vengeance - "knives out, let's get it on."
-Tina is mad and she can't keep her mouth shut - she says bravo to Tyson & Monica but they have screwed themselves because there are 5 jury votes they aren't going to get because they flipped.  She says they weren't in the alliance... but then everyone speaks up that they all thought they were in an alliance with Aras.
-Tyson tells her the only person that was flipping around there was the guy they voted out [Aras] (that's not exactly true.)
-Tyson tells the camera that Survivor has broken his heart twice before but tonight he fell back in love a little bit.  How dare Tina say shame on me for not playing like she does, if everyone played this game like Tina, I'd win every time.

Kasama - Day 22
Tina apologizes to Katie for choosing the wrong alliance that has put them on the outs.  She tells her if she can find a way to further herself in the game she should take it and not worry about Mom. (Aww.)
-Katie's now got to come up with a game plan - she's got to figure out a way to sell her vote, but how does she do that with her loved one on the line - she doesn't know if she can say, "Keep me instead of her."

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE #1
OH NO!  It's the gross eating challenge... damn those huge grubs.
-First round: Tyson, Vytas, Monica, Katie and Laura - they reveal a cup full of 40 monster meal-worms.
-Moving on: Tyson, Monica.... Vytas coughed some up and had to pick them up off the ground, then eat them and he still beat Katie & Monica.

-Second round: Hayden, Ciera, Tina, Gervase and Caleb (oh yeah, Caleb is still there).  They are eating the same thing.
-Moving on: Hayden, Gervase and Caleb (Ciera gave up and Tina spit them out too... come on ladies - course I wouldn't want to do it either.)

-Third round (only two people moving on) - they are eating... What is that?? Pig intestines... at least they're cooked - they each have 3 ounces of rubbery tubes... let's just say there was lots of gacking, spraying, gagging... Monica is the first one finished (way to represent!) and Gervase joins her (that's a surprise, he must have been gross eating training for this one.)

-Final round - they are eating: two huge grubs (of course, the one thing that Gervase could not get down the very first season... and the one thing they have every season there is an eating challenge.  I know I couldn't do it.)
-Gervase is saying he can't do it - he tries to take both on at the same time but that's a big chew.  Monica is more methodical, taking them one at a time and, despite some major gaggage, she is victorious!  Monica wins immunity!

Kasama - Day 22
Back at camp, Laura tells Tyson, Gervase, Monica, Ciera, Hayden and Caleb (I guess, they never show Caleb) that the guys are voting Vytas tonight and the girls are voting Katie.  She doesn't know if Vytas, Katie or Tina have a hidden immunity idol so she says they have to split the votes.
-Tyson is torn, does he tell them he has the idol so they don't have to worry about splitting votes or is that going to make him too big of a target?  He doesn't want to tell them he has the idol so he keeps his mouth shut.
-Vytas comes up and asks them who is on the block tonight.  Tyson says, "Only time will tell." (He's no Laura B. there will be no teary confessions of their voting strategy.)

-Vytas and Hayden go for water and Vytas asks him to tell it to him straight, if he's going home, he at least owes him that (does he, does he really owe you anything?)
-Hayden tells Vytas it's him or Katie - but Vytas pushes more, there are seven of them is it 4 for me or 4 for her... that Hayden will not say.
-Vytas knows he's got to scratch and claw for his position in this game and if that means putting Katie's name down, that's what he's going to do.
-Katie comes and joins them at ye ole watering hole and Vytas tells her of course he's not turning on you girls...(Right.)

-Back at camp, Monica is watching everyone off talking to each other and thinks that everyone is scrambling, it must have been her tonight... (WHAT?) Laura can't believe how paranoid Monica is, she has the immunity necklace, she's not going home, so why does she care if people are talking?

-Vytas goes to Tyson and pleads his case, he asks them to vote 3 for him tonight, it would just be rubbing salt in the wound to vote him out right after Aras, if they take Katie out tonight that is breaking up one more pair out there, and Vytas can offer up his jury vote in the end if they keep him.  -Tyson sees these all as valid points, plus he's worried that the women may wise up and form an alliance, if he keeps Vytas the guys will still be the majority.  He'd like Katie to go next - and he floats the idea to his alliance...

TRIBAL COUNCIL #1
Tina, what went down at camp after Aras' blindside?
-Well Jeff, I should have kept my big mouth shut but I called out Tyson and Monica.
Vytas, it was your brother they took out.
-Yeah, I was really happy Tina said what she did because I was feeling it.  Bleep you, you voted out my brother (Oh, bad word made everyone jump a little) Vote out my little brother, how dare you. 
I'm my brother's keeper and if you vote him out I'm going to do whatever I can do to get you back (uh... what are you doing?)
But I couldn't say that then...
But you just said it.
-That's the natural feeling, but I get it - I totally get it. (Hmm, I don't know if he saved himself there.)

Gervase, can you relate to Vytas?
-Of course, I understand his anger, when Marissa left I called out Tadhana - of course you're going to feel that.

Vytas - and to be honest Jeff, it's a great move that they made and I know it's a game about betrayal.  They said Aras had all these alliances, he had a couple, but you fan that to people as paranoid as Monica, tell her she's a doormat - Okay, I don't want to be a doormat, I'm with you.

Monica - Wow, I've given my word, that's all I have out here.  I think you flopped on my husband but I stuck my neck out for you and Aras and Tina to get you there, to live vicariously through you all...

Vytas - You were getting yourself further at the same time.  This 'Monica the benevolent' thing is a little bit old, we're all in this thing to win a million dollars.  We had a bond, when we left Galang I trusted you and you broke that trust.

Katie, is it safe to assume it's you, your Mom or Vytas tonight?
-Yes, it could be me tonight but if I make it, I'm going to look for the cracks and hopefully somebody will make a move. (She's been way too passive, it's too little too late there honey.)

Vytas, what do you say to these guys, what's your case?
What if the women rally and they don't have a guy to maintain their numbers.  I think Tyson and Gervase have the most power in this alliance and the girls would behoove themselves to get them out. (Tyson did not like that being pointed out to the ladies.)

Time to Vote:
Monica votes Vytas - "What up, Brad"

Tallying the Votes (No one plays a hidden immunity idol)
Vytas - 1
Katie - 1
Tai Sun - 1
Vytas - 2, 3, 4, 5... well he did maximum damage while he could. We'll see if the ladies listen to him. Vytas goes and joins Aras on Redemption Island.

Kasama - Night 22
-They return to camp after voting out Vytas and Monica is crowing about how she said "What up, Brad" when she wrote Vytas' name down.  After his attack on her at Tribal, she switched her vote and she obviously doesn't care who knows it. (For someone so paranoid, she's not very smart.)
-Gervase tells the camera that Monica was told to vote for Katie and she switched her vote - "if that had been the reason Tyson or myself were voted out, I would lose it."  It's moves like that which make him think let's get rid of Monica next.  "One more straw and the camel's back will be broke."

Redemption Island - Day 23
-Vytas is blaming Aras for getting them to Redemption Island.  Aras says there is no way he could have known but Vytas isn't buying that, "there were signs."
-He's miffed that he brought people along in his alliance based on Aras saying he was good and he wasn't good.
-Aras says they are still in the game.
Vytas - purgatory
Aras - if we weren't in the game, I'd be eating a cheese burger right now.
Vytas - belch.
Aras says his brother has a very negative energy and he [Aras] has a positive energy - that's why he'll do better.  Aras says he'll be happy if either he or Vytas gets back in the game - Vytas says he can't say the same. (You definitely get to see the real Vytas when he's dealing with Aras, none of the nice guy veneer, it's all bitter big brother.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE #2
They have to balance a sword on a shield, point down - with the other hand they have to stack what look like hand made coins on the handle/hilt of the sword - when the coins get too tall they will topple - if their coins fall they are out of the challenge - last person with a stack of coins standing, wins Immunity.
-Off they go: oh, and Jeff tells them what coins to add, small, medium or large coins.... Ciera's hands are shaking like a leaf.
-Monica drops a coin putting it on the stack and she's out - Ciera drops one before Jeff is even finished saying Monica is out.
-Next out is the shaky handed Tina.
-A while later it's Gervase out - then Laura right behind him.
-Getting dicy, stacks are growing, wind picking up... and Caleb is out.
-Down to Hayden, Katie and Tyson.  Tina keeps telling Katie she's doing a good job (Mom, shut it!)
-Tyson drops... Hayden drops... and KATIE is the surprise winner of this Immunity Challenge. (Well, that was fortuitous, you may have just sealed Mamma's fate though.)

Kasama - Day 24
-Katie feels like she won the lottery but it's short lived because Tina is vulnerable.  Tina feels like she has 5 hours to find the hidden immunity idol and she doesn't care who knows it.
-Tyson says to Hayden and Caleb if Tina goes looking for the hidden idol, at least one of them should go sit with her and keep tabs on if she finds it or not.
SO, Tina makes her move and all three guys follow her but she gets the slip on them... so they split up... but they end up finding her and she was looking in the right place but Tyson had already found and moved the idol.  He of course is just playing along so they won't suspect he has the idol, but Tyson really wishes he could just go have a nap.
-Tina stops looking while they are there, but they're not leaving... it's a real Mexican stand off - she doesn't want to start looking because they don't know if she has it or not if she's not looking - yup, everyone is just hanging out in the woods. (So silly.)

-Back at camp Monica is being Monica, what if she finds the idol, who do we vote for then?  Laura says they'll split the votes.  Split the votes for who? (Katie has Immunity...) Oh, I see what you're saying. (Yeah, paranoid is on the bottom...) They're just going to all vote Tina.

-Tyson is talking to Gervase about Monica being a loose cannon.  Gervase says if she just sticks to the plan everything is fine but loose cannons tend to go off and end up sinking something you're riding on. 
-Gervase is thinking he'd rather keep Tina and Katie another couple days and take Monica out.  He broaches that idea with Hayden and he's alright with it, he tells Caleb that maybe Monica is their better move tonight.

TRIBAL COUNCIL #2
Alliance of 7, Vytas is voted out, Katie gets immunity, Tina, what do you do?
-All I could do was try to find the hidden immunity idol but I had babysitters all day - so I had to pull a fast one and try to run and hide for a while...
So you did have time free of your captors?
-Twice today.  Read into that what you want.
Your other play is to try and find a crack.
-You are exactly right, it cannot be all of these people - and poor Monica, guess what, you are on the bottom.

Wow, Monica, what do you say to that?
-That's fine, people have their opinions, but I've had relationships with these people since day one and hopefully they'll pull through (blah, blah, blah - Laura is laughing at her.)

Tina- so are you saying that you don't feel like you're on the bottom?

Monica - whether I'm on the bottom or not, it's obvious that Tyson and Gervase are together, Caleb & Hayden are together and both sets of mothers and daughters are together so do I sometimes feel like I'm #7? - sure.

Tina, there's your crack. (One person in an alliance of seven does not a crack make - she's just the dangling bit stuck to the fur... if you know what I'm saying.)
Tina -And every tribal council she's the last one told who to vote for, cause Monica just talks way too much and it makes people scared to death.

Gervase, when does somebody talking too much become a liability?
-Instantaneously - I don't like wild cards cause they can ruin everything (snaps his fingers) just like that.  I like to know what my hand looks like all the time.

So, Monica, what if they get rid of you tonight, they can get rid of Tina anytime they want.
-Sure, you always have that little bit of doubt... blah, blah.. splitting votes... blah blah ... I could be the bottom.

Hayden says maybe they should split the vote in case Tina has the idol (since then one of them would go home) maybe they should take out the bottom.

Monica makes some lame pitch about being trustworthy and they couldn't ask for a better player.

Tina says maybe she has the idol, maybe she doesn't....

Time to Vote (FINALLY!)
Katie votes for Monica
Monica votes for Tina

Tallying the Votes:
Tina starts rummaging through her bag, "Jeff,... I wish I found it, but I didn't." (she's the only one that found that amusing).
Monica - 1
Tina - 1
Tyson - 1 (who voted for Tyson?  Oh, must have been Tina.)
Tina - 2, 3, 4, 5... That was not a surprising vote, sometimes you just have to take the easy vote, they can't all be fireworks.  And Tina joins the boys on Redemption Island.

Next week: Ciera celebrates being the last remaining couple in the game with her mom and in the next breath is saying that her mom needs to go.

So there you have it, Redemption Island is fully stocked again and no one actually went home this week.

Have a great weekend, after tomorrow :)

Coleen

Amazing Race 23 - Nov 10/13 Episode Recap

Speed Dating Is the Worst

Last week Marie & Tim stole Amy & Jason's cab firmly making enemies on the Race and we said goodbye to the Okies, Tim & Danny (Tim, why can't you sing a lick?)

Vienna, Austria: Nicole & Travis came in first last leg so they are the first to leave at 12:03pm - they read the clue to fly to Abu Dhabi and make their way to a specific mosque to find their next clue.
-Nicky & Kim are the 2nd team out at 12:09pm - they are so proud to be in 2nd place but have to stop the dilly dallying and step up their game.
-Afghanimals 12:10pm, they feel they'll have an advantage heading to Abu Dhabi being middle eastern, speaking a little Arabic... we'll see.  They search for flights on the hotel computer before heading for the airport.
-12:23pm - Tim & Marie - they are at the half-way point in the Race and in Marie's eyes that the time to start looking out for yourself.  That's why they took the other teams cab, it could mean the difference between 6th or 7th place or going home.
-12:28pm- Jason & Amy- they're still upset with Tim & Marie stealing their cab but they have a lot of Race still to go, so, it's going to be keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
-1:10pm - Ally & Ashley (Ice Girls) they are hoping their relationship with Leo & Jamal will help them out in Aboo Dabye...(Yeah, they're pretty) besides not knowing the language, they know it's a man's world over there (well, at least they know that much.)

The teams converge on the airport and the Afghanimals head straight to the Air Austria counter to book tickets on the earliest flight they had already found - getting them in the Abu Dhabi at 5:50am - the next flight is only 10 minutes behind but they'll take any lead they can get. The rest of the teams: Travis & Nicole, Jay & Amy, Ice Girls, Baseball wives, Marie & Tim are on the 6:00am flight.

Abu Dhabi: Leo & Jamal arrive first and grab a cab to the mosque.
2nd flight arrives and they are all right behind them.

Mosque: it's huge and gorgeous - they have to remove their shoes and walk peacefully through to find the guy with the clue, which tells them to make their way to the Irani Souk.
-The rest of the teams show up as Leo & Jamal are leaving.

-Jason & Amy are the next team into the mosque and she's got to wear a black robe with a hood to cover her head.  Jason said he'd never choose to go to the Middle East being an American, he feels a bit uncomfortable there.
-Ally & Ashley were in awe of the mosque - it is quite spectacular - the walls, columns and immense woven rug throughout, very ornate and immaculate (how do they clean that thing?)
-Nicky & Kim are enjoying the mosque - Marie, not so much, but Tim loved that she had to calm down, remove her shoes, not run, no yelling... you can tell it's killing her - she just wants to push past the girls in front of them (she needs to calm the ^&#$ down.)
-Travis & Nicole - how did they end up the last team to the mosque?

Irani Souk - Leo & Jamal get to the next clue and it's the DETOUR: Sort it Out or Sew it Up.
In Sort It Out: they have to sort through an astounding array of dates, picking out the correct types to recreate an assorted tray of the fruit. (Who knew there were that many different types of dates?)  This looks hard, they are all similar looking then they have to arrange them in an intricate pattern... I don't know.
In Sew It Up: They have to assemble a traditional fishing net which consists of a pre-existing wire dome that they have to sew on the based, then the opening (?) not exactly sure but this could be time consuming as well...
-Leo & Jamal decide on Sort It Out.
-The rest of the teams start showing up and everyone is going to Sort It Out except Jason & Amy and Travis & Nicole - they are going to Sew It Up.

-Leo & Jamal get started, they see the example tray and realize this is not going to be simple.  They get started counting specific types of dates and head out to find those and start their tray but they can't see where the other varieties of dates are - they haven't gone down far enough at the souk to find all the dates... this could be an issue.

-Sew it Up, Jay & Amy and Travis & Nicole show up at the docks and start gathering their materials to assemble the nets... the greater issue on this one is that they are out in the hot sun and it's scorching, no cover. At least at the dates thing, they are under cover.

-Speaking of the dates, the rest of the teams are showing up and starting their trays.  Everyone is feeling the heat and it makes Marie even more cranky and unbearable - she is always right and yelling at Tim - and he's yelling back. 
-The rest of the teams are either embarrassed by their behaviour, annoyed because it's distracting, or amused because they're breaking down.  (I would be squarely at annoyed, I can't stand that constant bickering, it drives me crazy!)

-The fishing traps are proving to be tedious - Jay & Amy are just head-down, getting it done but Travis & Nicole are getting pretty frustrated, well, he is anyway.  She made some wrong ties that he had to fix and they're talking about using the Express Pass (anything to get out of the sun at this point I think.)  But they re-think it, after spending that much time and expending that much energy on the traps why waste it by using the Express Pass.

-Back at the Dates sorting, Nicky & Kim are the only team that find the far away dates and they did it quietly so no one would notice them sneaking off to get the different dates.
-Jamal & Leo think they are done but when they get their tray judged... they don't have all the right dates.  They see that Nicky & Kim do have the right dates on their tray so they offer to help them at some point if they need it, if they'll tell them where they found the right dates (yeah, like that's a great deal). The girls basically tell them to go away.  They know if they share where they found the dates the guys will be loud about it and everyone will know. (Cutthroat bunnies, they are learning.)

-Fishing traps - Nicole has been having a bad day, she's done it all wrong and Travis is frustrated having to fix her mess.
-Jason & Amy meanwhile have completed their trap and they get the clue to make their way to the Al Bandar Marina where they will take a luxury cruise to the Yas Marina where they'll find their next clue.

-Finally the Afghanimals find the far away tables with the rest of the dates and they do exactly as the Bunnies knew they would, they take off running and make lots of noise so now everyone knows.
-Leo & Jamal are the first team to complete their date plate and get the clue to head to the marina.

-Travis & Nicole finish their trap and they are now in 3rd place heading to the marina.

-Ashley & Ally and Nicky & Kim both fail on their date plates and have to fix it.  Tim & Marie actually pass (maybe all the fighting worked out) then the Ice girls pass on their second attempt but the Baseball Wives are still wrong... and currently in last place.

Al Bandar Marina - Leo & Jamal get on their yacht and are joined by Jason & Amy - it is a pretty amazing skyline they get to cruise past.
-Travis & Nicole get a yacht to themselves.
-Yachts leave every 15 minutes - Ice girls and Marie & Tim are on the third yacht and the Baseball Wives are running down the dock when it takes off without them. (Darn it!)

Yas Marina - ROADBLOCK - Who wants to drop into one hot lap?
Leo and Jason are going to do the task... and what a task it is - they have to drop 200 ft off the building onto the race track below where they have to be a passenger for a lap around the track and keep their eyes peeled for a sign with a record holding driver's name and his time - at the end of the lap they have to tell the pit chief the driver's name and the time to get the next clue.
-Jason says before the Race began, they agreed Amy would do anything having to do with heights - and it's worked out the exact opposite - he's been doing all the heights things. But he does great.
-Jay & Leo both do the zip line/rappel no problem and they are excited riding in the race car but choosing the correct sign with the lowest time and remembering the name - not so easy.
-Leo got the time but not the name - he's got to go around again.
-Jason sees the first sign and remembers that one - but then there are 3 more (they have to choose the one with the fastest time) so he's wrong and has to go again as well.

Al Bandar Marina - Nicky & Kim finally catch their yacht, they are not happy being 15 minutes behind but they are trying to stay positive.

Yas Marina - Travis is going to do the Roadblock and he's excited to ride in a race car.

-Leo gets the right name/time on his second attempt but Jason proves to be a little dyslexic and gets the last 3 numbers wrong. He's got to go again.
-Leo & Jamal get the clue to the Pit Stop - the Champions Podium.

-After his drop, Travis is just EXCITED! Let's go! (He has a need... a need, for SPEED! I couldn't resist.)

-Ice Girls and Marie & Tim get to the Roadblock and it's Ally and Marie doing the Hot Lap.
-Marie had no trouble with the drop but Ally screamed the whole time... Even Marie wondered what she was screaming about - such a girl.

-Travis uses his doctor brain in the race car and easily remembers the name and time of the record holder on his first time around.  He says, "Shoot!  I wanted to go again." (Ha.  Then you shouldn't be so darn smart.)
-Marie saw and remembered the first name but then there were more signs and she gets confused.
-Ally is just confused - she knew she needed to remember something (yikes.)
-They are both going again.  Ally with no idea what she's doing.

-Finally the Baseball Wives arrive at the Roadblock and it's Kim, who is also afraid of heights, that is doing this one - she's wondering why she always has to do the high ones as well.

-Marie gets the right name/time on her second lap.
-Ally does not.

-Kim screams bloody murder her whole way down and then when she gets to the car she is terrified of that as well (now I feel bad for making fun of Ally... Suck it up buttercup!)

-Ally is wrong again - I think she has the time right but she doesn't understand the words (It's a name, sheesh.  I think adrenaline is not her friend here.)
-Kim didn't get it on her first lap either, they just went past too fast.
-Ally finally gets it right on her 5th lap, I think.
-Kim gets it right on her second try and they are running.

 Here's How They Finished:
1) Leo & Jamal (Afghanimals) - Phil sprayed them with sparkling water at the podium (Ha! That's hilarious) - and they win a trip to Paris, France.
2) Jason & Amy - came in 2nd for the 4th time - Jay says they are the biggest losers on this show.
3) Travis & Nicole - she feels she let the team down at the fishing nets - I think this is a matter of doctor perfectionism - they didn't do that bad.
4) Tim & Marie - surprisingly nothing to say at the mat.
5) Ally & Ashley - By the skin of their teeth these two keep making it in 2nd to last place.
6) Nicky & Kim - are the last team to arrive and Phil lets them start crying before he tells them it's a NON-ELIMINATION leg.
-They are so happy to still be in the Race but Nicky sees this as a wake up call to get more fire under their butts and hopefully get back to the front of the pack.  Kim is still dazed, I thought we were going home.
So everyone survived this leg - congratulations.

Next week - there is another double U-Turn, Leo & Jamal are all by themselves, Marie wants to punch Tim in the face and Nicky & Kim get their dune buggy stuck in the sand.

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen

 

Survivor Blood vs Water - Nov 6/13 Episode Recap

Skin of My Teeth

Last week Vytas survived a vote on the girl-heavy tribe by playing the women like a virtuoso and getting them to turn on Laura B.

Galang - Night 18
-Vytas thanks the girls and tells them (Tina, Katie & Monica) that this is his final 5, speaking for Aras as well ... (Yeah, his slick veneer is starting to come off a little slimy to me.)
-They start talking numbers and who's in what spot and Vytas tells the camera that he's basically telling the girls whatever they want to hear.
-Tina goes a little too far in campaigning for Monica... to be their number 5.  Monica tells the camera she's none too impressed with this ranking (though she thanked Tina and hugged her - Monica is so faky fake.)  If someone offers her better than 5th spot, she is open.

Redemption Island  - Night 18
-Laura B. thinks the girls made a ridiculous, non-strategic move in voting her out - she doesn't get it - the merge could be tomorrow and here are the girls letting Vytas join all those guys and they're going to pick the girls off. (Yup, probably - if you weren't such a wing-nut maybe you could have done something about it.)

Redemption Island - Day 19
-John, Laura M and Laura B read a scroll that tells them this is it, the winner of this duel will get back in the game. 
-The tribes come into the duelling arena and Jeff announces it's the final duel - the winner gets back in the game and the other two are out for good.
-Ciera's the only one with a loved one still there and Laura M.'s determined to get back to her daughter.
-Ciera has mixed feelings about her mom coming back, she says it could really ruin her game (Huh. I guess blood isn't thicker than the possibility of a million dollars.)

 Duel: They will hang onto a pole for as long as they can.  Any part of their body touches the ground, they're out, last person hugging the pole wins.
-Laura B. has issues right from the start, she has trouble finding a comfortable foothold. Jeff tells her not to panic, there are lower footholds... she settles a little but still, not loving hugging the pole.
-John also doesn't look very comfortable, but this is going to be a harder challenge for the tall, heavy guy.
-Laura M. looks like she could stay up there all day - light, petite...
-John starts sliding and is having trouble keeping his foothold so he kicks off his shoes thinking he'd do better with just his toes (not so much) his socks slip too and... big strong man - John is the first one out of the duel.
-Laura B. isn't using a foothold, she's just wrapped around the pole... and she starts sliding... she's only a foot from the ground and she can't stick it - Laura B. is also out.
-That means Laura M. is getting back in the game and the other two are burning their buffs.
Pool eliminations:
Laura B: Heather G, Bryon L, and Bernice R.
John C: Susan M., Jodi S., and Jeremy N.

-Before Laura M. can officially re-enter the game, they are all told to drop their buffs - they are merged.  She hands out new buffs to everyone and Ciera's crying (I don't think those are tears of joy).  Another piece of business, Jeff tells Laura that she has the power to give a clue to the hidden immunity idol to anyone that is still in the game... which includes herself.  He says maybe now that it's an individual game the clue may mean more... but... she also throws it into the fire. (Hmm, personally, I think she should have kept it - she's got a huge target on her back anyway being the person coming back in the game.  But what do I know.)

-Vytas & Aras hug, they are glad they both made it to the merge and Aras tells the camera his strategy is to stay original Galang strong - Gervase, Tyson, Tina, Monica, Aras + Vytas & Katie.  That's seven in a game of eleven, "we can't lose." (Until there are only seven... oh, and two of those want you gone.)

Merged tribe - Day 19
-They hike back to camp and crack open the Merge Feast box. Tina: Where's the food?
-They all start stuffing their faces but Hayden is thinking, how do I stay with the numbers?  He breaks it down, they had a five alliance at Tadhana with Hayden, Caleb, Tyson, Gervase and Ciera but will Ciera now want Laura M. to come with them or will Laura M. pull Ciera away or will the remaining loved one pairs all pair off leaving the rest to fend for themselves?
-Hayden says once the merge happens, Survivor really starts.

-Laura is thinking that the couples definitely have to stick together - she wants to talk to Ciera.  So they take off down the beach and Ciera's alliance is watching, they hope she can work Laura to their way of thinking.
-Ciera lays it out for her - she's in an alliance with the others that had no loved ones left - Caleb, Hayden, Tyson and Gervase - Mom coming back has made her place there tenuous - she has to play along with their next vote - Aras.
-Laura thinks she and Ciera are in a power position, they are deciding if it's singles or doubles... Ciera just tells her not to talk to anyone and not to play hard.

-Now that the tribes have merged, Tyson has decided that he needs to find the hidden immunity idol.  Hayden told him what info he had from John via Brad... he figures it must be at this certain tree... and he finds it, just sitting on the ground it seemed (I may be getting cynical, but that seemed too easy.  Survivor producers, really?)  Tyson's excited, he's never had an idol before - he's not going to share it with his alliance unless he needs to use it to save someone (uh huh.)

-Brothers unite!  Aras & Vytas get together and talk about their strategy going forward.  Vytas says they have Tina & Katie and Monica, if Aras has Gervase they're good with that six.  Aras says they definitely need to keep Tyson too - Vytas is not so sure.
-Aras doesn't trust Laura M. at all - she would be his next vote.
-Vytas knows if the rest of the tribe was smart they would be gunning for the brothers big time, but they won't - he's going to try and deflect any blood mistrust onto Laura & Ciera.
-Vytas says Blood vs Water should really be called Vytas vs Aras - no one can win against them in a final three. (Don't get ahead of yourself - cocky = gone in this game.)

Merged Tribe - Night 19
-Tyson talks to Monica alone in the dark - she tells him she's #5 and not happy - so he has to show her some love.  He tells her he's tight with Gervase and they are going to take Aras out then she will be with them (he's presenting it like she's top 3 without spelling it out in so many words) and they can start picking everyone else off.
-But Monica will not stop talking, she wants constant reassurance and guarantees of placement... it's taking all Tyson's patience not to tell her to just shut up already. (I can just imagine her and Brad, constantly talking, talking, talking - that must be why it works, cause they drive everyone else completely crazy.)
-Monica even tells the camera if he would tell her he's 100% with her she'd relax, but how do you do that in Survivor? (exactly!)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
-It's a memory challenge - Jeff is going to show them a series of symbols, then they have to repeat the series back to him using a cube with the different symbols on each side.  Get it right, you stay alive, get it wrong and you're out.  Last person standing wins immunity - and it's a pretty necklace this time.
-Monica's out on the second symbol.
-Caleb & Katie out on the third symbol.
-Tyson & Tina out on the fourth symbol.
-Hayden misses the fifth symbol.
-Last item the five remaining get it all right and we move on to the second round. (Whew, that first round was a bloodbath!)
-Laura M is eliminated on the 2nd symbol.
-Ciera out on the third symbol and we are down to Vytas, Aras & Gervase.
-Gervase is out on the fourth symbol and its down to the brothers.
And the first winner of individual immunity is VYTAS!

Kasama - Day 21 (I guess they named the tribe)
-Vytas says if you go into a challenge needing immunity you've already made some mistakes in this game.  He didn't need immunity today but he needed to beat his brother and he did that so he's happy.  In his mind, he and Aras have this beach on lock and he'd be very surprised if anyone had the guts to do anything about it. (Oh man, he's just asking for a huge Survivor karmic blindside isn't he?  You are my hope of winning this year, shut it!)
-Aras tells Katie, Tina, Monica, Hayden, Caleb, Tyson and Gervase that he doesn't trust Laura M. and they have to get her out - they agree to split the votes: girls vote for Ciera and guys vote for Laura.  They all agree but not everyone is making eye contact.

-Laura M. and Ciera are off talking and Laura's worried that Aras has an idol so if they put all their votes in one basket it could blow up, Laura wants to throw four votes Tina's way and three Aras' so if he pulls an idol Tina goes home (but if he doesn't pull an idol Tina still goes home and you've tipped your hand.)  Ciera says she is usually her mom's biggest supporter and she wants to listen to her - but she also wants to play her own game (don't listen to her Ciera...)

-Gervase and Tyson confirm that they are still on with their plan, Tadhana is going to vote for King Aras... but they demote him to Sir Aras.
-Gervase says this is when it gets tricky, when people have split loyalties.  He isn't sure how this is going to shake out but he hopes it goes how they planned.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
So Tyson, you merge and there are original tribal lines, new tribal lines and then there is also blood vs water with three pairs of true blood.
-Right, I'm sure the couples want to work together as long as they can...
Are you sure?
-Well, if my brother were here I'd want to work with him as long as I could. (Aras just nods at that.)

Aras, is that a fair statement?
-It's absolutely fair.  Right now there are eleven people here, that means six people have to come together tonight.  Vytas and I can't just trust each other we have to find four other people that we really trust to get the majority in this vote tonight.  So I think it's more about making relationships with everyone, not just Vytas and I.

So Hayden, if we just look at the numbers, there are three pairs of loved ones and there are five individuals - the one hiccup is that one of the pairs includes Laura M. who just got back in the game and if you look at the history of Survivor that person is usually voted out at the very first tribal council - which would be tonight. (Was there a question there?)
-No doubt - if you look at past seasons, you come off Redemption, you tend to head right back.
Does that potentially make Laura and Ciera swing votes?  She may not be welcome back in this game.
-For sure, and not just Laura & Ciera, you have to assume the pairs are going to work together so any one of the pairs could potentially be a swing.

Katie, why would that make sense if you and your mom could go over to the individual side and make it a seven - four game.
-Right now I don't know if it would.  We came into the merge with an idea of who we wanted to play with, and I don't want to over-complicate things right now especially right after the merge.

So Tyson, Katie's basically saying, I'm going to stick with the loved ones and if Laura & Ciera bite on that it's game over for the individuals. (Umm, I don't think that's exactly what Katie said...)
-It's definitely a threatening thing to see that there is six of them and five of us individuals.  But you could do that with the guys too - there are six guys and five girls, in the end, it's who you trust the most.  There are lots of roads to go, it's however you cut the pie and I hope to get the largest portion of the pie Jeff.

Laura, what's your best play right now, having just come back into the game?
-Yeah, it's like being home sick with chicken pox for two weeks then coming back to school and no one wants to play with you.  The advantage of having my daughter here is I can filter things
through her, she's a great social player, and she can keep me in check. (Ciera's just looking at her like, shut up - stop telling them anything.)

Ciera, is that a role reversal or is that how it's always been?
-"No, it's a total reversal out here."  She has to tell her mom to relax and calm down, she's freaking her out.

Gervase, what do you think is going to be different after tonight's vote?
-I think for the smart player, nothing.  For those that aren't, a lot.  If you're buddy-buddy with someone and you don't have a loved one, it's foolish to act crazy - you need to stay calm.  Every second of every minute makes a difference in this game and it could change [with the snap of your fingers] and you need to be ready to take advantage of it.

Alright, it's TIME TO VOTE:
Katie - votes for Ciera
Gervase - votes for Aras
Aras - votes for Laura

TALLYING THE VOTES:
No one plays a hidden immunity idol.
Laura - 1, 2
Ciera - 1, 2
Aras - 1, 2, 3,  Aras still looks calm but Vytas raises his brow... 4,  Aras looks resigned to it now... 5... and it's ARAS voted out.  (Sweet blindside!)  Aras goes to Redemption Island though, so they will still have the chance to come back. (Boo - I hoped Redemption would be done.)

Next time: It gets nasty when they go back to camp - Tina and Vytas on the war path.  And they will have an eating challenge - get ready for some gagging and grossness.

Redemption Island: Aras is in shock, he's never been voted out before.  But what pains him most is that Vytas is in a very tough position now and he wouldn't be shocked if his brother is the next to join him on Redemption.

Have a great long weekend everybody,

Coleen