Survivor Brawn vs Brains vs Beauty - April 30 Episode Recap

Chaos Is My Friend

Last week on Survivor, Tony found the special power immunity idol, Jefra almost made a big move but in the end she stuck with the alliance and it was Jeremiah going home.  Oh, and Spencer played his hidden immunity idol which ended up making no difference.

Solarrion - Night 28
-Jefra tries to tell us that she was convinced at Tribal Council that she'd have a harder time winning against Spencer and Tasha in the end (oh honey, you're not making it to the end) so she stuck with her alliance.
-Then she asks Spencer where his hidden immunity idol came from and is there anything more annoying than know-it-alls trying to one up each other?  Spencer said he found it the day Woo stole the clue and Kass pipes up that she knew because she can read Spencer - he's usually way meaner to her and he was too calm.  He says if that is really true he might be impressed (calm down, put the brains back in your pants you two.)  Kass also tells the camera she knew Spencer would play the idol for himself because there is no more selfish beast on earth than a 21 year old male. (She's not a very likable person, is she.)
-Spencer is mad at himself for using the idol wrong and the other tribe is rubbing his nose in it.  Kass, "We flushed the idol."  Tony, "I love it when a plan comes together."  All right in front of Spencer. (Well, isn't that classic bullying behaviour - nice.)

Solarrion - Day 29
-Tree mail - Woo and Tony come back with tree mail and Woo says his back really hurts, asks Trish to look at it, and he's got the wallets of money tucked in his pants - It's the Survivor Auction!  Trish is ecstatic, that means food and she could really use a meal.  They are all so excited.
-Tony of course is thinking there is usually an advantage up for auction so he's putting all his money on keeping that out of Spencer or Tash's hands.

AUCTION
-They each have $500, the betting is in $20 increments, they cannot share food, they cannot share money and the auction will end without warning so if you see something you like, bid on it or you could miss out.
-First item: Popcorn, candy and a soft drink - Goes to Trish for $80
-2nd item: Remains covered - $100 to Jefra...quesadilla, guac, salsa, marg.  She comes back and Woo has a food porn moment, "Yeah, take a fat dip of that guac." (Haha, stop drooling.)
-3rd item: Also remains covered - Kass gets it for $20 - they're all afraid it's something gross.  Jeff tells her she can keep what she bought or she can trade it for a second covered item.  She decides to stay with the original item... which turns out to be a steak sandwich and iced tea. (Spencer reacts like he just killed his dog.)  Kass takes a huge bite and Tony is dying, his stomach is tied up in knots, he doesn't know if he can hold out for the strategic move.
-4th item: Jeff offers the item that Kass passed up and Trish grabs it for $60... turns out to be rice and water.  Trish tells them to start spending their money.
-5th item - Ribs and Beer - Woo bids $40 and he gets it.
Jeff says, "so clearly something is up, I'm showing you all his food and you're not bidding.  Tony, what are you waiting for?"
Tony, "I'm looking for an advantage Jeff, it could be my only hope to beat these challenge beasts." (Liar, you just don't want them to have it.)
Spencer and Tasha say they are also looking for the advantage.
Jeff says, "Let's just get to it then."  When he brings out the advantage Tony says "$500!"  But Jeff tells him to cool his jets, "Here's how the bidding works.  If there are multiple people bidding the maximum $500, they will all be able to get in on the action, by paying $500 for the chance to pull rocks and win the advantage. 
-Tony is still in for $500, Spencer says he's in and Tash... she's out (if it's not a sure thing, she wants food... I hope this isn't the last thing.)
-The boys step up and black will be the winning rock - F'n Tony wins the advantage and Jeff announces the Auction is over.  So Tasha gets nothing (I wonder if she can keep the $500?) She said she was hoping there would be one more item, a clue to the hidden immunity idol (Huh?) but now she knows she just has to win immunity.

Solarrion - Day 29
-Returning to camp and Tony I guess was trying to make Spencer feel better by saying winning the advantage was a catch 22 because he's still starving and Woo just ate ribs - he'll have more energy to beat him. Spencer points out that he's starving and he doesn't have an advantage.  Spencer says he'll go down as the biggest loser ever at the Survivor auction. (Oh, I don't know, in the past people have won gross food - I think Trish was lucky with the rice and water, it could have been grubs and intestines.)
-Kass as usual thinks she's the super genius - she was going to hold out but let Tony be the martyr for the team, she feels like she's done enough.  And she relished seeing that truly dejected look Spencer has when he knows he's on the block.
-All of Tony's alliance is laying down - food coma - and he's disgusted, he's still starving, why put all that weight on my shoulders. (You put that weight on your own shoulders dude.  Now he's whining about it.)  He tries to get someone to go for water or help build a fire - no takers.  They just want to talk about the food they just ate - until Tony guilts Trish into going for water.
-Then he takes off to go read his advantage away from prying eyes - it's a clue to another hidden immunity idol. (Yeah, they're never getting rid of him now.) Hmm, but he's having some trouble finding the it.
-Tasha is working Tony remotely by playing up to the girls, she wants him to think that they could band together (that would be 4 girls to the 3 guys) and take Tony out.
-And it works, he takes note and mentions it to Spencer, that Tasha was working the girls.  Spencer takes a more direct approach and tells him maybe he should worry about that, they weren't lying when they said Jefra was with them.  Just two days ago, Jefra wanted to blindside Tony.  Tony's listening and Spencer should have left it at that but he really wants to hammer his point home and tells Tony that Jefra said if it didn't work out last Tribal Council she'd be looking to make a big move. -He's hoping Tony's paranoia will cause him to blow up and destroy the alliance making everyone fair game and hopefully saving Spencer's bacon for another few days.
-Tony knows to take everything Spencer is saying with a grain of salt, he's desperate - but Tony's still going to look into it.  The more he's thinking about it, it makes sense to Tony that the girls will band together but they're not going to blindside him - he's going to take things into his own hands. (Uh oh.)

Solarrion - Day 30
-The girls are hanging out in the water, again.  Not going unnoticed by Tony up at camp.  They had a crab someone caught that died while they were collecting firewood - Tony calls down to the girls asking if they think it will be okay, Kass says to put it in water and Jefra tells him they have to cook it soon or it will go bad... but none of them volunteer to do anything.  Tony is pissed, under his breath and to Woo, he says, "why don't you come up here and cook it then."
-He's not happy that the women do nothing around camp and the thought that they are banding against the guys is taking deeper root.  Priority number one, he's going to get that hidden idol right now... and this time he finds it.  It's the 3rd idol he's found this game - now he has two in his possession - one special and one regular.
-He decides he's going to show his alliance he has the idol one at a time and tell them it's for everyone so they're protected but what he's really telling them is that he's protected so don't even think about voting for me.  He made a conscious effort to scare them a little bit so four girls don't get any ideas.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
They will race to dig up bags in the sand (all attached by a rope), once they have all five bags, they will release the balls inside and then maneuver them through a table maze one at a time, seating all five in their spots at the end of the maze.  First person to get all five balls through the maze on in their spots wins Immunity.
Off they go - Woo is the first to dig up his rope but they all start getting it quickly behind... except Kass and Trish.  Tony is the first one with all his bags - Tasha is the first to have all he balls out and she starts on the maze way ahead of the others.  She has two balls seated through the maze before the others even start.  But the guys soon start, she's up to three balls but Woo catches up to her.  Tasha has 4 balls and Kass & Trish still haven't even gotten their balls out of the bags.
Woo ties it up again but it's TASHA! Who wins her third immunity in a row (She is an immunity beast!  Hopefully this is the last time we see Spencer's pinched-lip, constipated face.)

Solarrion - Day 30
-They return to camp and Tasha is hoping her plan to keep cozying up to the girls will cause Tony enough angst that he'll do something stupid and maybe she can save Spencer.
-Spencer and Tash go for water and the alliance meets to confirm that they're voting for Spencer tonight.  But Tony tells the camera this is the worst case scenario for him, with Tash staying and them voting Spencer out that will mean there are still four girls and only two guys, they can pick the guys off - so it's time to make a big move again and he's targeting Jefra to go tonight to even up the gender numbers.  She was willing to vote him out, so it's her time to go.
-Tony talks to Woo and asks if he's willing to pull a fast one tonight, (his eyes open wide) "What?" Tony says let's vote Jefra instead of Spencer.  Tony convinces Woo that they have to keep the ratio of girls to guys even or they will be done.  The catch, Tony can't tell Trish or Kass so he's got to get Spencer and Tasha to vote with them.
-Tony's approach is to tell Spencer, "It's time for me to be hero and try to save you because I do not want to see you go before Jefra." (Really?) And Tony tells Spencer he's got to tell Tash because he can't let Trish and Kass find out. 
-Spencer's down with that and he's more convinced than ever that he's the smartest guy out there.  He takes Tash aside and asks if she's ready for Survivor miracle part II - Jefra.  Tony and Woo don't trust Jefra and they don't trust the girls so is she is willing to vote Jefra, it could keep him there a couple more days.  Tash, "What did you do?" Yes, she is totally down for voting out Jefra to keep Spencer there. (He's going to be insufferable.)
-Spencer goes and whispers to Tony that Tash is in, then he nods to Woo and decides he's going to go looking for the special immunity idol.
-Tony wonders where Spencer went and then it dawns on him, "Is he searching?" And now Tony's torn, if Spencer will go looking for an idol while he's trying to do this thing for him to keep him there - is he stupid for voting out Jefra and keeping a threat like Spencer around?  This game is driving Tony crazy.  He tells Woo there is going to be chaos tonight.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
-Spencer acknowledges he's in trouble, he played his hidden immunity idol last time, Tasha won her third immunity in a row and Spencer is b a
basically helpless at this point.
-Tony says it was chaotic at camp after the challenge (which makes Jefra very puzzled, it was really calm where she was hanging out in the water) He continues that Spencer came to him and told him his alliance wanting to blindside him, more specifically Jefra - so [he puts the hidden immunity idol on] I'm not the one to be blindsided tonight, I don't want to go home.
-Jefra says she was upset about the LJ situation so [shrugs] (what's the big deal?  He's Paranoid Man, everything's a big deal.)
-Kass tries to diffuse by saying that Jefra had to come to terms with the anger of being left out (Oh, don't try and make this Tony's fault, he's having none of that.)
-Tony - You don't go advertising a blindside, you're supposed to withhold it (you know BLIND side). He's not surprised they are holding together at this point, it's the only thing they have to hang on to for the next couple votes anyway.
-Spencer says this chaos is a good thing for him.  He's clearly the target tonight so if he can mix it up with the other 5, he's going to try.
-Kass says there could be a mistake made tonight, people's heads are spinning, there's paranoia everywhere.
-Jefra agrees, she knows if you're on the bottom you're going to try and break us apart in hopes it'll do something for them. (Clearly she doesn't believe anything can break them up.)
-Spencer says he thinks he played well and can go home happy with that - at the same time windows of opportunity open and close in this game and some could be closing tonight. If you pick me off then pick off Tasha and end up fourth or fifth place, you made a mistake tonight by not making a move. The most common reason people lose this game is because they don't make the move they should have, when they could have, because they got too comfortable and I hope that doesn't happen to someone this game. (Smirking, stiff neck, know-it-all look - he can be really annoying when he's right.)

With that, it's time to vote:
Kass votes for Spencer - "I already saved you once, not doing it again."
Spencer votes Jefra - "Moral of the story, actually play the game before you get played." (He's full of advice tonight.)

Tallying the votes:
Hidden Immunity idol - Tony keeps it around his neck and doesn't play it (he doesn't need to, the threat was enough.)

Votes:
Spencer - 1
Jefra - 1
Spencer - 2
Jefra - 2
Spencer - 3
Jefra - 3 (The girls are all frowning at that...) 4... it's JEFRA going home tonight.
Kass and Trish are not happy to have been left out again.  Spencer cannot keep the sh*t-eating grin off his face.
With Jefra leaving, Mike L., Donna P. and Kim A. are out of the pool.
And I just realized with Jefra leaving, that is the end of the Beauty tribe, so I guess they proved Beauty will only get you so far in the game of Survivor, now it's down to Brains and Brawn.

Next week: Everyone is tired of Tony's antics, Kass tells him to his face she might write his name down and Woo is thinking it might be time to make a move. (Oh, you guys are screwed, Tony's not going anywhere.)

Jefra's final thoughts: says obviously someone in the five alliance flipped and she suspects Tony and Woo, because if Tony wanted her out, Woo would go right along with it.  They fooled me and I wish I would have jumped ship at tribal sooner when I had the chance but I don't live with regret, this is how I played the game and this is how I have to go out. (That's a good attitude... but somehow I don't think Tony's getting her jury vote.)

Have a great rest of your week everyone,

Coleen

The Amazing Race All-Stars - April 27 Episode Recap

Accidental Alliance

Last week, Brendan & Rachel U-Turned Dave & Connor and Dad was a total baby about it.  The Globetrotters were bringing up the rear the whole day and were eliminated.

9th leg: Brendan & Rachel are the first team to depart at 6:13am - they read the clue that tells them to make their way to Switzerland!  They will catch a train in Rome and go 400mi over the Alps to Chiasso, Switzerland.  Once there they will make their way to another town and find the statue of Wilhelm Tell to get their next clue.
-They say they U-Turned Dave & Connor to make sure they came in first place - hopefully they don't take it personally but if they do, oh well, we did what we had to do to win. (Exactly, Dave has to suck it up, that's the game.)

The Cowboys are the next team out at 7:23am - they were lucky to fly under the radar through the whole double U-Turn debacle - they are just as happy to avoid all that drama. (Good strategy, just stay out of it.)

Afghanimals - 7:34am - They got U-Turned for a third time and have no ill-will towards Dave & Connor, since they felt bad about it.  Leo & Jamal want to go to the final with the Country Singers and Dave & Connor.  They think their odds of winning are much greater against those teams (ahh, so it's not just cause you like them, you think you can beat them... okay, I get it now.)

Dave & Connor, 7:44am - Caroline & Jen, 7:45am - These four head out together - the girls love Dave & Connor they can't believe anyone would U-Turn them.  Dave is still on the warpath - Brenchel made a mistake U-Turning them instead of the Cowboys and now he's coming for them (Really dude, keep your eye on the prize, don't let a petty vendetta mess with your head - Mama wants to win the pool for once!)

-Brendan & Rachel are the first team to the train station and they get tickets for a train leaving in 15 minutes.
-The Cowboys have stopped for directions... uh oh.
-Leo & Jamal, Dave & Connor and the Country Singers all get to the train station and run for the ticket counter... and they just make the train.  When they walk into the car and see Brendan & Rachel they ice them out and go sit in a group, then act like the mean kids in high school, bad mouthing Brendan & Rachel (I wonder if the whole ride was like that... puts a bad taste in my mouth honestly.)

-Meanwhile the Cowboys have finally arrived at the train station and they get tickets on an 11:20 train, they haven't seen any other teams so they must realize they are now behind everyone.  They're used to being the lone rangers anyway and I'm sure they're just as happy to avoid the drama as well. (I just hope they can catch up!)

-On the train, after making fun of Rachel, the other three teams put hands in to solidify their final three alliance. (Yes, I rolled my eyes - I'm now rooting against them all.)

Chiasso - the train arrives and they run for their marked Ford Focus' - when they get to the town there are tons of people in the street (some kind of festival?)  They find the statue of Wilhelm Tell and there is a plaque on it telling them, "At sunrise, wait for Wilhelm Tell." (Oh good, the Cowboys can catch up.) 
-Caroline tells the guys that she's dubbed them the "Accidental Alliance" because Brenchel created it by accident when they U-Turned their Race-Dad.
-Brendan & Rachel, "Who needs friends?  We're here to win a million dollars."
-In the middle of the night the Cowboys show up and they are all there at sunrise to meet Wilhelm Tell, who has a crossbow and his young son with him.  He hands them clues telling them to drive themselves to Luzern and search for their next clue on the oldest wooden bridge in Europe (the Chapel Bridge).

-They all take off caravan style and Brendan & Rachel discuss pulling off so the others think they don't know where they're going... so they do, and they end up at the wrong bridge (oops).

-The rest of the teams find the correct bridge and get the clue to go to a certain hotel and search for a room that's been trashed by a hard partying rock band.
-Afghanimals, Dave & Connor, Cowboys and Country Singers all the get the clue and take off running, wanting to be gone before 'the Brenchels' gets there (it's just Brenchel, sheesh.) 

-Brendan & Rachel ask a local who tells them the correct bridge and they see they are last when the get to the clue box.  She starts saying, "If we are out because we U-Turned...." and Brendan tells her not to even say it - but he's mad they are now at the back of the pack... and he's whining, "Man, how far ahead are they now?"

-The other four teams get to the hotel and choose their rooms... to clean.  They have to put on the housekeeping uniforms (how cute) and clean a trashed room to the Swiss exacting standards in order to get their next clue.
-Even when they go and pick up their cleaning supply of baskets, the room inspector is straightening their uniforms and lamenting that they don't have black shoes... (Uh oh.)  Connor says, "the Brenchels aren't here yet so lets just knock this one out." (It's singular, like Benifer.  Why does that bug me so much?)
-And we see the rooms - they are a mess!  Caroline & Jennifer are just getting to it, cleaning up.  Dave & Connor start by going up and looking at the reference room.  Jet hopes his wife doesn't see him vacuuming, then she'll realize he knows how (HA! One more chore on the honey-do list from now on.)
-Brendan & Rachel get to the hotel and the rest of the teams are almost finished.  Cowboys are the first to get drill sergeant Helga to check their room and they do not pass - the toilet paper didn't have a point and they forgot the tray of fruit.
-Leo & Jamal are the next checked, a lamp was positioned wrong and they didn't have the vase of flowers (yeah, there were lots of accessories... looks like a nice hotel actually.  Mental note, if ever in Switzerland... :)
-Helga checks out Caroline & Jen's room and they are missing the flowers, the fruit, the toilet paper's wrong and they have a towel over the tub... (4 things ladies, get it together.)
-We find out that Rachel was a maid for four years so she should know the quality standards required for a hotel... now do they have an eye for detail though?
-Dave & Connor get their room checked and they are very close... the only thing wrong is the tissue (Oh man!) Helga won't tell them either, they've got to try and figure it out - so back upstairs to the example suite (wow, they are getting their exercise on the stairs this time.)
-The Cowboys get the fruit and get the room checked again - but the toilet paper is still wrong.
-Afghanimals got the flowers but the lamp is still wrong.
-Country Singers got the fruit but still flowers, towel and toilet paper are issues.
-Everyone is lamenting how tough Helga would be to work for - the stress of that work environment must be hell.
-Brendan & Rachel get their first check and it's only the lamp that's wrong for them.
-Cowboys finally figure out the toilet paper... and they are the first team to get the clue to make their way to the Museum of Transportation and look for the marked artifact outside - answer the question to get the next clue.  Helga got some hugs... she didn't look comfortable with it.
-Afghanimals are the next team to pass and Helga gets more hugs - she's more into it with them (hmm, maybe she's loosening up?).
-Dave & Connor get a pass - no hugs.  Once in the car they say anyone can win except Brendan & Rachel. (Get over it all ready.)
-Caroline & Jen get a pass... no hugs.
-Brendan & Rachel are the last team and whining about it - Brendan is trying to be positive by cutting the other teams down - the girls will struggle in the next challenge and Dave is old and slow... they still have a chance.

-Jet & Cord are the first team to the museum and they have to figure out the artifact they are looking for is the huge drill bit out front, used to dig the world's longest tunnel (Chunnel!?)  The question was, "What was this piece of equipment used for?" and Jet knew, he's seen it on TV before (must watch the Discovery channel.) They get the clue to search the museum for the Ford Mustang exhibit.
-They are out in a courtyard - the Cowboys choose a car and read the clue under the windshield wiper - it tells them to use the street signs on the wall behind the cars and calculate the model year of the Ford Mustang they chose. (Oh no, there's math.)  So they have an equation in their clue, they have to find the signs with the places on them and put the numbers into the equation... actually, shouldn't be too tough.  Once they have the correct year, they'll get their next clue.

-Afghanimals are the next team to the drill bit and they have no idea what it was used for.  Measuring?  Calculator? ... they go to ask someone.
-Dave & Connor walk up and Dave used to be a mining engineer so he might have even designed the thing - he knew right away it was a tunnel drill and they tell Leo & Jamal. (Of course.)
-Caroline & Jen get their and Dave tells them what it is as well.

-They are now all outside trying to find their equation numbers on the street signs.  Caroline & Jen just seem confused - they don't understand what they need to do (really?)

-Brendan & Rachel finally figure out the lamp was askew and they get a pass on the room... no hug for Helga, I swear she was hanging around for one by this point.(Ha).

-Brenchel gets to the museum but they don't know what the artifact is...

-The Cowboys are the first team to get the answer, they had a 67 Mustang and they got the clue in the car (Oh, do they get to drive it? Nope.) They do have to drive to another town and look for their next clue.
-Dave & Connor had a '69 - they are right on the Cowboys heels.

-Brendan & Rachel ask some passersby what the drill bit is and they finally get the clue to head in to the Ford Mustangs.

-Leo & Jamal had a '65 Mustang - they get the clue as Brendan & Rachel show up and Caroline & Jen still don't get it. (Looks like Brendan had them pegged correctly.)
-I noticed Leo & Jamal were leaving and thought the girls were toast, but Leo stopped to help them - explaining what they had to do... (come on girls, don't perpetuate the stereotype!)  The girls had a '71 Mustang and Leo & Jamal take off when they see the girls got it.
-Brendan & Rachel get theirs right behind them - '66 - and it's now a race to Oberrikkenbach (Or something like that.)

-Cowboys and Dave & Connor get to the town and read the clue to the ROADBLOCK  - Don't cry over spilled milk.  They have to make a mild delivery, Swiss style.  They will have to choose a Burmese mountain dog and cart, then transport two empty milk containers to one of two dairy farms that can only be accessed by gondola - once at the farm they will exchange the empty containers for
full ones and then bring the milk back to the truck to get their next clue. (Oh thank goodness, I thought they might have to milk cows and fill the containers themselves.  I think the dogs will be difficult enough.)
-Connor and Cord are going to be doing this one.  Connor picks Kira and they're out.  Cord picks a big boy named Ulix... he just calls him Max.
-The rest of the teams get there and it's Leo, Brendan and Caroline delivering milk.
-Connor and Cord have run their dogs to the gondolas and then they take the containers on by hand - once up the mountain they have to run up a hill, through the snow to the farmer... this is actually quite a physical challenge.  Connor is very glad he did this one instead of his Dad.
-Speaking of physical - Caroline is running to the gondola and hits a patch of ice and boom! She goes down - Hard! (OUCH!)
-Connor gets his full milk containers and they are heavy - he's trying to carry them both at once but has to take a little breather.
-Cord gets his too and it was much easier carrying the empty ones.  But, in true Cowboy fashion, he's just gonna grit it out.
-Connor gets back to the gondola and passes Brendan as he gets out - they are pleasant enough to each other but then Brendan had written Brenchel winners of the 24th Amazing Race in the condensation on the windows and Connor wipes it out, "The nerve of him writing that." (He's just trying to get your goat.  And it worked.)
-Cord passes Leo at the gondola as he gets out to switch the milk.
-Brendan is getting his milk and he'll pass Caroline as she gets out of the gondola - she says her back does really hurt, she's not gonna lie... we'll see if she can manage the heavy milk containers on the way down.

-Connor gets his milk in the cart and heads out with Kira pulling his cart.  Cord also gets his milk loaded and thanks his stars he picked a good stout dog - he was able to overtake Connor, "That Max, he was a mushy sucker." (Haha - I love the Cowboys.)  They are the first team to get the next clue to drive themselves to Engelberg- once there they will take the gondola to the top of Mount Titlis - the PIT STOP for this leg of the race.

-Getting out on the road though, Dave & Connor were able to get in front of the Cowboys - Jet's not too worried, they can beat them in a foot race.
-Leo & Jamal head out, and in the car Leo says that was really hard, he's not sure if Caroline's gonna get it.
-Brendan finishes as well and they head out 4th.
-Caroline is slowly dragging her full milk containers through the snow at the top of the mountain still.

Mount Titlis - Dave & Connor are the first team there and Dave tries to jump the bars to get to the gondola and wipes out (serves you right, you're a 60yr old man for goodness sakes.)  Off they go up the gondola and they see the Cowboys pulling into the parking lot.
-In the gondola Dave & Connor know they have to find Phil fast because they won't beat the Cowboys in a foot race.  The Cowboys are right behind them in a gondola.
-Leo & Jamal are also in the gondola now - they hope they can be a factor in the foot race too.

-When the gondola lets Dave & Connor out, they scramble around a bit then realize they aren't at the top yet, they have to get into another, bigger gondola and who will be with them... Cowboys AND Afghanimals (woohoo - the Race is ON!)
-Once they reach the summit - they all start running through a hallway and Dave & Connor decide they're not going to follow - if they're going to be third anyway they'll go the other way and take the elevator...

-Meanwhile - Caroline is still struggling to get her full milk containers to the gondola... poor thing, she's the smallest one there and she broke herself on the ice...
-Jennifer says she is so proud of Caroline, they couldn't have done any better.

Here's How They Finished:
1) Dave & Connor - they won brand new 2015 Mustangs. (I guess the elevator was the way to go.)
2) Jet & Cord - and just behind them...
3) Leo & Jamal - Phil asks Dave & Connor about the division in the group with Brendan & Rachel - Connor says, "They are not our favourite people but to each their own."

4) Brendan & Rachel - they say they can win the race with no friends.  "If they are gunning for us," Brendan says, "Karma tells me, it's gonna come back to haunt them."

5) Caroline & Jennifer - Phil was sorry to tell them they were the last team to arrive... but he hopes they want to keep racing because this is another NON-ELIMINATION leg! (What?!  Wow, if they were last every leg would they all be non-elimination I wonder?)
Caroline says this was way too lucky, it must be meant to be that they win the Amazing Race.
So, we are all still in it for another week anyway. 

Next episode: They will be bullfighting as the bulls inside blow up balls (that looks awesome) they will have to shave a balloon and the Afghanimals get to turn the tables at another double U-Turn.
Looks like it's gonna be a gooder!

Have a great week everyone,
Coleen

Survivor Brawn vs Brains vs Beauty - April 23/14 Episode Recap

Sitting in My Spy Shack

Last time on Survivor, Tony started to turn on his alliance, conspiring with Spencer and Jeremiah at the Reward win to take LJ out... and he succeeded in blindsiding LJ and all the female members of his alliance as well.

Solarrion - Night 25
-They returned to camp after Tribal and Jefra wants to know who flipped on LJ and why.  Tony admits it was him and he says sometimes you just can't tell people things. (Oh, that's reassuring.) -Trish tells the camera that she understands why Tony didn't tell her and she still trusts him.
-Jefra is another story, she wants to know if this means she's on the bottom of their alliance... Spencer pipes up and says you know a six person alliance never works out... but Tony's still trying to spin it (I don't think she's buying what he's selling anymore.)
-Spencer knows Tony likes the big moves and he's not going to complain because it benefitted him this time but, Tony is also very unpredictable and the sooner they make a move against him the better.

Solarrion - Day 26
-Tony's in trouble with his alliance because he blindsided LJ so he's got to do something to get himself out of it.  He knows that a lot of people go to the water well to talk strategy so he builds himself a little "Spy Shack" by gathering branches and leaves around a tree about 5ft away where he's going to sit patiently and wait for people to come and talk about him.
-And here comes the first victims - Jefra & Trish come to the well and he listens to their whole conversation.  Jefra asks if the alliance is still in place and Trish reassures her that it's still the five of them just without LJ and they still plan to take out the other three (being Spencer, Tash and Jeremiah.)  She also says she thinks Tony went into the wrong business, he could have been an Academy Award winning actor and Jefra says she doesn't trust him anymore because he lied to her face.
-Tony tells the camera he doesn't trust Jefra anymore because she doesn't trust him (can you blame her? Really?)
(Oh, and by the way, the spy shack went from being some brush around a tree to Tony being behind a wall of foliage... how did that happen? They even had a shot of his eye peeking out from behind some leaves, are you telling me the girls wouldn't see the cameraman filming the bush?  Come on.)

REWARD CHALLENGE
They will be divided into two teams of four, then they will race out onto the water in a boat and collect a bunch of paddles that are tied to buoys along a course.  Once they have all the paddles, they'll return to the beach and two tribe members will use the paddles (which have letters on them) to solve a word puzzle "Worth Playing For."
-The Reward - they will be taken to a natural beauty spot, the Kallal Caves and have a bountiful BBQ lunch - chicken, ribs, potato salad, chocolate chip cookies (yes, it was food porn for them just listening to Jeff describe it to them.)
Teams are:
Orange: Tony, Woo, Trish and Kass (Tony can't get into too much trouble with this group.)
Purple: Spencer, Jeremiah, Tasha and Jefra (maybe she'll be their tie vote.)
Off they go and this is going to be harder than they thought - the boat is rather big and cumbersome - but Tasha pulls the purple team together to start on the paddles first.  Orange pulls into the lead with Woo & Tony working on untying paddles - then Tony drops a paddle and he jumps out to get it and Purple over-shoots a buoy...
-Orange has a slight lead going into the word puzzle but they are pretty much neck and neck when they get all the letters out and everyone is trying to figure out the puzzle.  Finally Kass sees it, "Worth Fighting For" and they are rushing to re-arrange their letters but Spencer sees Worth and figures out the phrase as well... and the Purple team is able to steal it out from under them and win Reward.

-Tony thinks they are all in trouble now, Jefra doesn't believe in their alliance anymore and that's a problem for them all when she's off with the other three.

Solarrion - Day 27
-The losers return to camp with sad piano music accompanying them (?) they're bummed to have lost.  Kass knows if she wants to win the million dollars she's got to stick with the five alliance she's in - Tony is annoying but she wants to keep him around and get rid of the bigger threat, in her mind, Spencer.
-Tony is certain Jefra's going to flip and he wants to talk strategy, but Trish just seems tired of his antics and enlists Woo to help her gather some limes and papayas, then she'll come back and strategize all day.
-Tony is beyond annoyed, he's trying to enlighten them to what's going on and she wants to gather fruit?! He stalks off in a huff, he's going to strategize by himself and look for the idol. 
-Woo is up the papaya tree and he is able to shake a bunch free but on the way down his handhold branch breaks and he falls pretty far, right on his butt!  "Oh, my butt!"  It looked like it could have been serious, he was writhing around for a while.  But, good on him, he remains positive, "I'll break my ass for papayas any day." (I hope this doesn't hurt him too much in the challenges, Woo's fun.)

REWARD
-They are inside the cave with a guide, it's pretty spectacular.  Then they come upon the table of food and it's Eatin' Time!  They pretty quickly start working on Jefra though, asking her how she's feeling in her alliance or if there even is one and she's receptive - Spencer asks how she'd feel about working with them to take Tony out and when she says she needs a minute the guide comes back with letters from home and she's a bawling mess in seconds (well, not the best timing for that.)
-But, just when I thought it was going to turn into the crying show, Jefra's mom's letter tells her not to be afraid to lie out there and she takes it as a sign that it's time for her to jump ship.  She shakes hands, vowing final four with Tasha, Spencer and Jeremiah.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
They will start standing on a narrow beam that's at a 45 degree angle, and balancing a ball on a small platform they're holding in one hand.  At regular intervals their feet will move down to a more narrow beam and their hand will move further down the pole holding the platform, making it that much harder to balance all around.  If at any point they fall off the beam or drop the ball, they are out of the challenge.
-They get started and the wind picks up right away - which has a lot of them struggling to hold on to their balls... Jefra's out first but it starts a chain reaction - Trish, Tony and Kass - all out within three minutes.
-10 minutes in, it's time to move down the board and down the pole... Jeremiah is the first one out at this level... and Jeff will not stop talking (that has got to be one of the hardest parts of some of these things, Probst jabbering away.)
-20 minutes in and they move down to the narrowest part of the beam and their hands down to the end of the pole... Woo is the first out leaving it down to Spencer and Tasha again... and TASHA wins individual immunity again.

Solarrion - Day 28
- They get back to camp and Tony's on a mission to find the hidden immunity idol with the special powers.  He's looking at every crazy tree like a man possessed.
-Meanwhile back at camp Trish notices that Jefra is upset and draws her out - Jefra tells Trish and Kass that she doesn't feel safe in their alliance with Tony, she's over his fakeness, he's getting on her nerves.
-Doesn't really matter though because Tony finds the special idol and he's like a hyperactive kid on Christmas morning - he reads the note that tells him this idol can be played AFTER the votes have been read and that it is only good for the person that found it (non-transferable!) He's got to go hide it and wash up so no one's the wiser. 
-The girls are still in the water talking about not trusting Tony, Trish tells Jefra they can't get rid of Tony tonight because that will give the other three too much power... and Tony comes and joins them.  Trish calls him out, asks if they can trust him and he gets his back up a little but starts swearing on everyone he knows that he's with their alliance of five still.  Woo joins them too and they're talking about how to vote.  Kass says she thinks that Spencer has an idol which would mean their best bet is to vote for Jeremiah.

-Jefra goes back to camp and tells Jeremiah that she's really sorry but she's not going to be voting with them. "Sorry."
-He's not surprised really, he tells Spencer and Tash and they have a little goodbye meeting in the water.  Jeremiah reveals to them that he's a fashion model, like it's some huge deal at this point.  Spencer tells the camera he's not surprised he'd think it was a big thing, coming from the Beauty tribe but then Spencer decides to roll the dice and put it all out there - he reveals that he has a hidden immunity idol (which is a way bigger deal.)  Spencer wants them to know the game is not over for them, he says they should vote Woo tonight since he's been doing better in the challenges and Spencer has to decide if he uses his idol for himself or for Jeremiah.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
-Spencer says the game was up for grabs for a while after last tribal when they voted out LJ but now they know their three is still on the outside.
-Jeremiah agrees, he said they worked on Jefra at the Reward but she decided to stay with her alliance.
-Jefra says she was questioning her place in the alliance after the last vote because she, Trish and Kass didn't know about the LJ vote (which is news to the jury). Jefra decided she'd rather risk being blindsided by this alliance than sit in the end with Tasha or Spencer because they'd beat her.
-Spencer is disgusted - after what happened at last tribal he says he wouldn't go back to camp wondering where he stood, he'd know he was at the bottom of the alliance.  Tony swore on his wife and kids and he broke those promises...
-Tony breaks in, "Be specific. When did I break promises?"
-Spencer says he's not admonishing him for lying, they've all done it - his point is that, if anyone is in the final with Tony, his vote would go to Tony because he's been steering this game and the rest of them haven't. Tasha says she would also vote for Tony.
-Tony is not happy to be called out like that, but he's not articulate enough to argue against Spencer... especially because he's right.
-Trish tells everyone that they called Tony out today about his playing both sides and told him they were uncomfortable with it and he agreed he'd stop (you sound like a naïve fool.)
-Tony says you have to make big moves in the game but it is also  largely a game of timing.  Right now, at this point in the game, it [voting with the other three] would be a reckless move, they have to stay solid to move forward.
-Woo says they weighed out who they thought could have a hidden immunity idol - they could potentially be voting for someone with an idol.
-Jeremiah says he loves Spencer but he's way more of a threat than he is.
-Spencer doesn't blame Jeremiah for trying to throw votes his way, he may be seen as a threat but you have to consider the social game and Jeremiah is one of the most likable people he's ever met. (And Spencer is always so defensive and petulant at Tribal, he's not very likable.)
-Jeff asks Tasha how they decide who to vote for tonight and she says Tony was mad they voted for him last time so they are not going to vote for him again.
-Tony pipes up that they can't because he brought his bag of tricks with him again.
-Spencer scoffs at this supposed bag of tricks - he'd like to see what he might have in there but they haven't had the chance yet. (Be careful what you wish for this time.)

Time to Vote:
Spencer votes for Woo - and he's a jerk about it too, "Bro, this vote is a real bummer dude."

Hidden Immunity idol: Spencer pulls out his idol and Tony pulls out his as well... giving Spencer pause, Jefra whispers, "It's not real."
But Spencer gives it to Jeff and he confirms it is a real idol.
Tony has to pipe in, "Do you see the inexperience in the young lad, he almost gave it to Jeremy because he thought I'd play mine." (Who's Jeremy?) Tony says, "This is a fake idol by the way." (Oh, good cover. Tony's a jerk.)
-Any votes for Spencer will not count.

Tallying the Votes:
Woo - 1, 2, 3
Jeremiah - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... JEREMIAH is voted out.  Spencer apologizes to him but Jeremiah seems fine with it and I'm sure Spencer's kicking himself for not playing it right.
And with Jeremiah leaving, that takes Marla L, Nenad M. and Janine S. out of the pool.

Next week: It's the Survivor auction!  And Spencer starts using his brain by getting in Tony's head, telling him Jefra said she wants to vote him out... (Oh yeah, that's the ticket.)

Jeremiah - blah, blah, blah - he felt like he played a great game, did the best he could... Yeah, he wasn't much of a force out there, b-bye.

Have a great rest of the week everyone,

Coleen.

Amazing Race All-Stars - April 20/14 Episode Recap

Donkeylicious

Last week, Brenchel came in first place in Rome and, even with the Afghanimals generous help at the Detour, John & Jessica were eliminated.

This leg, Brendan & Rachel head out at 7:48am, they read the clue that they must now drive a Ford Focus 80mi to the Civita Di Bagnoregio... Caution: U-Turn ahead.
-In the car Brendan & Rachel tell us they want to U-Turn the Cowboys to force them to use their Express Pass.

-Country Girls are the next out at 8:26am and they first run back in the hotel to ask for directions and ask the guy to print out two copies because they are going to share with Dave & Connor who were leaving at 8:27am and they had discussed working together this leg.
-Dave & Connor think the world of the Country Girls, they are honest, bright and just quality people... Dave & Connor take the lead and the girls follow as they are admittedly directionally challenged.

-Cowboys, 8:40am - they see there is a U-Turn ahead and they know they have to use the Express Pass this leg (it's their last chance) but it will be huge in a U-Turn leg, what an advantage for them, they can just skip the 2nd task if they are U-Turned.

-Meanwhile, Dave apparently has no idea how to drive with someone following him, he lets a huge truck get between them then turns off - the girls have no idea where they went.  Dave says he feels really bad about it and the girls think they might have done it on purpose as it is a Race, but they didn't think they would ditch them so fast (there was no malice, just cluelessness on both their parts it seems.)

-Afghanimals are the 5th team out at 9:38am, they are not happy to be bringing up the back of the pack with the Globetrotters, 9:39am - especially with the U-Turn board ahead. 
-Afghanimals take off in the Ford Focus and the Globetrotters go inside the hotel and ask for directions.  The Globetrotters say maybe it's time to start worrying about beating more than just one team.  They do want some first place finishes but right now they are just trying not to be eliminated - hopefully it's worst-to-first for them today.

Brendan & Rachel are the first team to the Civite and they get the clue to the DETOUR - Donkey Run or Donkey Build
-Donkey Run requires teams to pick a pair of pack animals and take part in the town's famous donkey race. If they can make it around the course three laps before the band stops playing, they'll get their next clue. (Oh no, it's actually real, full-sized donkeys this time, could be dangerous.)
-Donkey Build requires teams to head into Gepetto's workshop and assemble a wooden donkey using all the parts provided.  Once they've loaded their assembled donkey with wood, they have to roll it out to Gepetto himself to get their next clue (it is on wheels but it's also got to stay together... we'll see how that goes.)
-Brendan & Rachel decide to build the donkey but then come upon the donkey run and decide to just do that one instead (hmm).
-Dave & Connor are the next team to the clue box and they decide to race the donkeys.
-Brendan & Rachel choose their donkeys and they are riding bareback holding a rope as the bridle - they start out fine but Rachel gets hers moving quicker and it bounces her right off his back - Brendan tries to grab her donkey for her and also falls off - much to the delight of the spectators, they think it's hilarious. (Just to add insult to injury, we'll have the townspeople laughing at you as well, nice.)  The re-mounting did not go easily either, hopefully they'll learn from the first dismal failure and make it on their second attempt.
-Meanwhile Dave & Connor have arrived and they yell over to Brendan asking where to get the stuff... and they're upset that Brendan didn't tell them. Dave, "Obviously, they don't want to help us." (Uh, no, they don't - stop being lazy and find it yourself, sheesh. Dave & Connor are my team in the pool but expecting all the other teams to help you when you're in a race for a million dollars is just ridiculous.)
-They do get their heads out their you-know-where's and find the donkeys - Dave says they have had experience doing pack trips but donkeys are a bit different than mules, more stubborn.

-Rachel & Brendan are on their second attempt and she's clinging on to her donkey like a baby monkey on his mother's back - she's got her arms around it's neck and she's laying on it's back... it's keeping her on the thing, so you can't fault her too much... and they make their three laps in time.  They get the clue to make their way on foot to... the U-Turn board.
-Dave & Connor start their first try at the Donkey Run and it's Dave having the issues staying on his donkey - he ends up hanging by it's neck before he falls off - and they have to try again.

-The Cowboys are still driving and discussing their options, Cord thinks they should just use the Express Pass right away for the Detour so they know they won't have to do the other side. (So if they are U-Turned, they'll still only have to do one of them.)
-The Country Singers are completely lost - they never saw Dave & Connor again once they lost sight of them and they may be going back the way they came (Get it together girls!)
-The Afghanimals are stressing about the U-Turn, they were U-Turned twice the last time they were on the show so they are pretty sure it's going to happen again.
-The Globetrotters are lost and stop for directions, but the people they ask don't speak English... it's going to be a long day.

-U-Turn - Brendan & Rachel are the first team to the board and she wanted to stay with their original plan of U-Turning the Cowboys, Brendan wants to U-Turn Dave & Connor because they are right behind them - she gives in and they U-Turn my team (Pffhtght!)
-They get the clue to drive themselves to a certain chapel to get their next clue.
-Rachel is already second-guessing the U-Turning of Dave & Connor instead of the Cowboys, Brendan gets mad at her, says if their positions had been reversed, Dave & Connor would have done it to them... and, as they are driving out of town, they pass the Cowboys heading in.

-Dave & Connor are having a hard time with their donkeys - they are on their fourth attempt when the Cowboys present Gepetto with their Express Pass and get the clue to the U-Turn board - figuring if they've been U-Turned they can ride donkeys no problem, I'm sure.
-Dave & Connor succeed on the Donkey Run and end up running into the Cowboys as they are all looking for the U-Turn board.  As bad luck for the Cowboys would have it, Dave & Connor get to the board first and see they've been U-Turned so they have to U-Turn somebody... and the Cowboys are standing right there... silently holding their breath.
-Dave & Connor seem to be too mad at what snakes Brendan & Rachel are for U-Turning them that they won't stoop to their level and U-Turn the team right behind them - they put up Leo & Jamal (What? These two want to win by being nice but they are only selectively nice... and Dave tried to play the old-age card again, "U-Turn a 60yr old man" Really dude, you've proven you can more than hang with the crowd.)
-The Cowboys have no idea how they skated by that one but they are not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
-Running back through town, Dave & Connor run into Leo & Jamal and tell them that they had to U-Turn them because they were U-Turned by Brendan & Rachel... the Cowboys just quietly run on by and I'm sure Leo was thinking, "what about those guys?"

-Jet & Cord are in the car and heading for the next destination still shaking their heads that Brendan & Rachel U-Turned Dave & Connor, "seems like some teams are starting to play dirty." (Okay, what am I missing - it makes total sense to me to U-Turn the team that's right on your tail, that's how the game is played. They are way too Kumbaya this season.)

-Dave & Connor and Leo & Jamal all head into the wooden donkey building  place to work together on getting these things done.  The Afghanimals understand the U-Turn is part of the game so they have no ill-will towards Dave & Connor (maybe explain it to them.) Dave & Connor feel bad enough about U-Turning the cousins that they will help them finish quickly (if they can.)
(I think it helps that two teams are still not there - the Country Singers and Globetrotters are still lost along the Italian countryside.)

-Brendan & Rachel get to the chapel, and they get the clue to the ROADBLOCK: Who's got the write stuff?
-They will have to copy a page from an ancient manuscript, doing the calligraphy by hand and gold leafing the page - once they've made an identical match, the monk will hand them their next clue.
-Rachel is going to do this one and once she sees it's calligraphy she's excited, she has some experience with the writing and she's an artist so she's taking a slow and steady approach.

-The Country Girls finally found the Detour and they are mad at Dave & Connor for leaving them in the dust.  The girls head into wood shop and find Dave & Connor and Leo & Jamal still working on the donkeys (there is no example for them to copy so they're assembling blind.)  Dave immediately goes over and hugs the girls saying he's sorry but they did wait for them at the round about (I call BS on that one.)  Dave tells the girls once they finish theirs, he'll come over and help them (I know he's a Mormon and everything but come on, you know not all of you can win the money, right?)
-Leo & Jamal get their donkey checked and they're wrong - great.

-The Globetrotters are still trying to ask for directions (so far behind.)

-Roadblock - Brendan has taken the opportunity while waiting in the chapel to pray for... forgiveness? Maybe.  He knows Dave & Connor are not going home this leg so he will have to face them eventually and he hopes it's in this place of worship where they can't get mad at him, right?

-Donkey building - none of them can figure out that they have to put the crate that the pieces came in on the donkey's back as his pack to carry the wood out to Gepetto.  Leo & Jamal decide they're going to go do the donkey run and ask Dave & Connor if they'll tell them what they missed when they figure it out.  Dave says yes, if we figure it out. (Apparently, I'm not a good person because this friendly racing is not doing it for me.  I can't help but think it would be a different story if there wasn't one team still behind them all.)

-Roadblock - The Cowboys have arrived at the chapel and apparently Jet has the write stuff. He's not too happy to be getting the arts & crafty stuff - and his penmanship is awful so he's nervous.

-Back at Geppeto's toyshop, when in doubt, Dave re-reads the clue and it tells them the toymaker will load their donkey with wood - so there has to be something he can load... and they figure out they have to put the crate on it's back - way to go!  The Country girls copy and Dave & Connor take off to deliver their donkey but say they'll come back and help the girls.

-Leo & Jamal are trying to ride their donkeys and it's not going that well - Jamal's donkey wants to go the wrong direction or just stops - and they see Dave & Connor run by with the wooden donkey - when they come by again with the girls, Dave tells them it's the box on its back.
-Leo & Jamal tell the camera later that Dave & Connor were truly classy gentlemen, they wouldn't even call this leg a U-Turn, it was a gift from Dave & Connor (Oh come on!)
-But they can't finish their three laps in time and Jamal goes to trade in his donkey, hopefully they can get this done before the Globetrotters get there.

-Speak of the devils - the Globetrotters are just arriving as Dave & Connor and the Country Singers are leaving.  Leo & Jamal finish the donkey riding and run over to finish their wooden donkey.

-Roadblock - Brendan is still praying in the chapel while he waits for Rachel - Cord, on the other hand, has made some friends.  He's got the monks wearing his and Jet's cowboy hats and posing for the cameras (I love it! Hahaha.)  The monk goes in to check on Jet with his hat on - hilarious!

-Globetrotters are going to be riding the donkeys... Oh that poor thing with Big Easy on it's back - it's the same donkey that Jamal had to switch and it's just not going to go anywhere with the big man on his back.  Big Easy wants to switch tasks but Flight Time convinces him to just switch donkeys with him... but it won't move with Flight Time either.  They decide to switch to the other task.
-The Globetrotters get the wooden donkey together but also can't figure out the box...

-Rachel gets her calligraphy checked and she thinks it's perfect but the monk rejects it - too thin in some spots, too thick in others.  She's not happy but Brendan tells her she's in a house of God, just listen to the man.  "I'm out here praying for you." (Is it wrong to flip someone the bird in a chapel?  Yeah, I know, I'm going to hell.)

-Dave & Connor get to the chapel and Brendan says he's sorry, Dave is a pill, "You're not sorry. Gol-ly, a sixty year old man." (I'm just shaking my head, so you expected a pass because of your age?  I'm really turned off by how sanctimonious these two are this leg.) Dave & Connor then start arguing about who is going to do this task - Connor says Dave's going to do this but he flat out refuses and Dad wins, Connor has to do it.
-Caroline & Jen are there as well and Caroline is going to do this one.
-When Dave passes Rachel he pats her on the back and sarcastically says, "Thanks a lot." and at this point Brendan & Rachel are laughing at them - they say they are playing the same game that Dave & Connor are but they are playing it better.

-Back at the Detour - Flight Time & Big Easy are stumped and seem to be giving up (read the clue again dummies!) They even pick up the box looking for more pieces.... then decide they are going to try and ride the donkeys again.

-Back at the Chapel, Rachel gets her page judged again and passes, Brendan does a happy dance and Dave makes fun him (really?  You keep reminding us you're a 60yr old man, try acting like a grown up if you expect to be respected as one.)
-Brendan & Rachel get the clue to the Pit Stop, the Piazza Del Duomo.  They have to drive, take a funicular up to a spectacular chapel and then find Phil in the town centre.

-Jen and Cord finally make Dave realize that being U-Turned was a compliment, obviously Brendan & Rachel think he's a threat and you could see his knickers untwist for a second.

-Meanwhile, Jet, Connor and Caroline are painstakingly still trying to copy the elaborate pages when the Afghanimals arrive and Leo heads in to try his hand at calligraphy as well.

-The Globetrotters are back on the donkeys and they're having better luck this time, these animals want to run!  Flight Time falls off but they still make their three laps.

-Back at the Roadblock - Jet gets his page approved finally and the Cowboys are heading for the Pit Stop.
-Caroline is the next person to get her page approved and they head out.
-Connor is still struggling, his handwriting is bad at the best of times so it's taking him a long time.
-Leo says his mom used to make his copy random books as a kid so that's helping him with this, "Thanks Mom."

-The Globetrotters are still driving for the chapel and hoping it was something hard so they can hopefully catch up.

-Connor is almost ready to quit and take a penalty for this one.(Uh oh.)
-Leo gets his page approved and instead of just taking off, the Afghanimals want to make sure Dave & Connor are okay so Leo asks Connor if he needs any help but Connor gets his page approved
and both teams head out for the Pit Stop.

-The Country Singers are lost again trying to drive to the next town.
-Dave & Connor see there are two ways to the town and agree they should go left.
-Leo & Jamal get to the same signs and see the 'funicolare' sign to go right.

-Roadblock - Flight Time is copying the page and these two are still keeping it positive - they know they are last but they're going to have fun until the end - (gotta love 'em.)

-Dave & Connor realize the Afghanimals are not behind them and turn around, they run into the Country Singers who just asked for directions and they are now both heading for the funicular.

 Here's How They Finished:
1) Brendan & Rachel - they won $7500 each.  They had to U-Turn Dave & Connor but that's how you play the game, it's a race for a million dollars (I know, right!)
2) Jet & Cord - Sweet!
3) Leo & Jamal - and they were U-Turned!
4) Dave & Connor - still upset that they were U-turned
5) Caroline & Jennifer - Caroline says she doesn't understand why they would U-Turn their boys (because they were right behind them... do the other teams just want to quit and give Dave & Connor the money, that's what it sounds like to me.)
6) Flight Time & Big Easy - **ELIMINATED** It just wasn't their day, it wasn't their time, but they have nothing but great memories of their 31 legs of the Amazing Race.
-They ask their fans to come see them but don't bring any donkeys or sewing machines... Big Easy would like some cookies though.
So, with the Globetrotters elimination, that takes Rachel R., Laura W., Janine S. and Donna P. out of the pool.

Next week: The Cowboys are cleaning a hotel room and Brenchel is public enemy #1 with Dave & Connor, the Country Singers and Afghanimals making fun of her like school-yard bullies and entering a pact as final three. (Ugh!)

Hope everyone had a great long weekend!

Coleen

Survivor Brawn vs Brains vs Beauty - April 16/15 Episode Recap

Bag of Tricks

Last time on Survivor there was a crazy tribe-wide search for a hidden immunity idol of which Spencer came out the victor.  He was also able to win the individual immunity which proved the end of B.McGee (Morgan.)

Solarrion - Night 22
-They return from Tribal Council and Tony goes on the offensive because the minority alliance voted for him - he was pissed to see his name written down, he thinks he's an over 40 bald guy he shouldn't be seen as more of a threat than LJ or Jeremiah... (Dude, they're not stupid, they've been watching you operate and know who's running the show.) He says he's going to take it as a compliment... but it was a stupid argument and he should have just kept his big trap shut, he's just made himself that much more of a target.

Solarrion - Day 23
Trish is worried that Tony's going to be paranoid and start spinning out of control - he has a tendency towards that already, and after his reaction to the votes last night... she and LJ agree they have to keep an eye on him.
-And Tony doesn't disappoint, he's telling LJ he couldn't sleep, his name is always coming up on the chopping block. "This is where people start to panic, where people start to lie and not trust each other..." Tony tells the camera that he wants to get rid of LJ next but he doesn't want to be the bad guy so he's going to set LJ up, make him break a promise or want to break a promise and hopefully take himself out... so he's planting the seeds. 
-Tony tells LJ he thinks Woo found the idol and LJ says he'll play it when he thinks he's going, Tony says he could take out some of our people... and LJ asks, "You want to get rid of him now?"  That's what Tony wanted, LJ said he wants to get rid of Woo (not really) and now Tony's going to run and tell everyone LJ can't be trusted and pit them all against LJ to take him out. (Tony's such a weasel, I hope this bites him in the ass.)

Solarrion - Day 24
Tree Mail - sounds like Reward of a Spa Day.
-Tony wants to win so he can have the opportunity to strategize and manipulate people in a weakened state after the pampering. (You can't fault his dedication to always be playing the game, but it's in no way endearing to me.)

REWARD CHALLENGE
They will be split into three teams of three - on Jeff's go they will throw a rope through a ring releasing sandbags, then they must throw the sandbags as far as they can through a rope tunnel.  Once they've worked together to get the sandbags through the tunnel, one player will bounce the sandbags off a trampoline and into five baskets.  First team to get one sandbag in each of the five baskets will win the reward of: Survivor Spa Reward - shower, massage, spa lunch.
Three teams:
-Jefra, Trish and LJ (Orange)
-Kass, Tasha and Woo (Purple)
-Spencer, Tony and Jeremiah (Green)
Jeremiah is the first person to release the sandbags for green and he starts trying to throw the sandbags down the tunnel too (that looks really hard.)
-LJ is the next one to get the orange sandbags released.
-Tash passes this over to Woo and he finally gets their sandbags released.
-They are all working their sandbags through the tunnel but it's green with the lead and moving on to the bouncing into the baskets.  Tony has three targets filled before the other teams even get started.
-Orange gets started bouncing... Purple gets started bouncing but they can't catch up - it's the Green team of Tony, Spencer and Jeremiah that get to enjoy the spa day.
-Tony's plan is to talk to Spencer and Jeremiah about blind-siding LJ, "Just call me the opportunist because if there is an opportunity, I'll jump on it." (Pretty much the definition of opportunist.)

Solarrion - Day 24
-The reward losers return to camp and Woo wishes he'd won the Reward but at least he's happy his boy Tony won and will be keeping an eye on Jeremiah and Spencer for them (oh, poor, trusting Woo.)
-Jefra says she's not worried, they know at this point their best bet is the six-alliance sticking together.  She goes out on the boat with Trish and JL and he's telling the girls that Tony is super paranoid right now about Woo having an idol and wants to get rid of him now but they agree the next three people to go should be Tash, Spencer and Jeremiah.  LJ tells the camera he's not worried because he's built such a strong bond with Tony, they used their hidden immunity idols to save each other and he trusts Tony will do the right thing. (Oh poor, trusting LJ.)
-They decide that someone has to put out Tony's fire and Trish says she'll do it.  They're plan is built on patience and she thinks she can defuse Tony's manic scheming (good luck.)

REWARD
-Spencer knows he's down but he's not out yet, he's glad he was paired with his right hand man, Jeremiah, on the Reward but he really wants to talk to Tony and find out where his head is at.
-Tony is game and starts the ball rolling, asking Spencer if he wants to talk strategy.  You Bet!  But they talk in vagueries, it's annoying.  Basically Spencer offers himself and Jeremiah up as pawns for Tony to use as he sees fit and Tony says he wants to keep them around to use them to make a big move in his alliance, maybe not now but someday.  Neither Jeremiah nor Spencer trust Tony at all - they know how hard he's playing the game.  Spencer says one thing Tony doesn't know is that Spencer has a hidden immunity idol and he's not afraid to use it.  At this point, if he can use Tony to get him a little farther in the game, he might find a detour that gets him all the way.  (He's hoping that Tony drops one of those balls his juggling.)

Solarrion - Day 25
Everyone is back in camp and Tasha knows she's got to make a move - she figures Tony's alliance must realize that he's not going to take another strong guy with him to the end so she targets LJ and asks if he's willing to talk.  He says he's willing to listen.  She says she has a proposition for him and asks him to meet her off by themselves... but he stands her up.  He knows Tony is a big ball of anxiety right now and he doesn't think she'll have anything of worth to say to him so he doesn't want to risk being seen going off with her. (Smart, but not very gentlemanly of him.)
-Tasha was going to propose he take Jefra, Spencer, Jeremiah and herself and blindside Tony but LJ is obviously not man enough to make a big move.  It's obvious to her that Tony is calling the shots and has everyone under his thumb, if something doesn't change, she's screwed.

Tree Mail - it's a colourful clue but doesn't really tell them what they'll be facing.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Today's challenge will test how 25 days out there has affected their minds - it's a memory challenge.  Jeff will show them a series of coloured tiles, then they have to recreate the series correctly in their frame.  Get it wrong and they're out, last person standing wins Immunity.
Off they go - first round is only 4 colours- Trish is first out on the second tile (really?) Woo is out on the third colour, and the rest make it to the 2nd round.
-Next round: this series was seven colours, little more challenging, the sixth colour takes out Jeremiah, Jefra, Kass and Spencer - leaving LJ, Tasha and Tony, down to the last colour: they each put something different - Tony is out - LJ is out and it's TASHA with a much needed immunity win.

Solarrion - Day 25
-Back in camp everyone is congratulating Tash and she's thinking, "In your face, LJ."
-The six strong alliance meets and LJ proposes they split the votes between Spencer and Jeremiah in case one of them has an idol.  LJ knows Tony's worried Woo has the idol but taking out someone in their alliance makes no sense to him at this point.  They agree to splitting the votes.
-Tony wants to take out LJ before he has the chance to turn on him - he's got a lot of work to do stirring everyone up and making them think LJ has to go.
-Next we see Tony talking to Woo and telling him that LJ's shady, he wants to blindside him (Woo) and Tony doesn't like that, if he's willing to turn on Woo, he'll turn on Tony too, "Maybe it's time for another shocked face." And Woo laps it up, he thinks Tony is his closest ally and it's great to have him on his side - it's that easy, Woo is voting LJ.
-Tony moves on to Spencer and tells him that LJ wanted to sacrifice Woo so if Spencer and Jeremiah vote LJ with them, he's 100% safe.
-Spencer said it's like Christmas morning and instead of the ashes and coal he was expecting, he got a great big present called, "Let's vote out LJ." He's hoping this isn't too good to be true and just a ploy to get him not to play his idol but if it is true, this could be a big game changer for him.
-Spencer goes and tells Jeremiah the plan and he's in 100% with whatever Spencer wants to do.  Spencer says right now they just have to let them kill each other.
-Tony then moves on to Trish, he asks her what they were talking about at camp when he was off on the Reward and she tells him the LJ said Tony was worried about Woo and LJ told him getting rid of Woo wasn't a good idea.  Tony says no, it was the other way around, LJ was lying to her because he doesn't want to be in fourth place behind Tony, Trish and Woo.  She's not sure who to believe now.  Tony and LJ told her completely opposite stories and she can't figure out why. 
-Tony proposes that the three remaining Brawn vote for LJ and get the three on the other side to vote LJ with them - and she balks, she wants to stay with their original agreement to remain six strong until Spencer, Jeremiah and Tasha are gone.
-Trish and Kass are in the shelter and Kass asks if they're alright and Trish tells her that Tony was mad about his name being written down last time and he's flipping out - she told him to take a chill pill.  Kass tells the camera she loves a blindside but it's too soon, it's stupid, and she thinks Tony knows that.
-Tony tells the camera he's got a plan in place right now to take out LJ but Trish wants to keep their alliance six strong and she's been his closest ally out there since the beginning.  If he takes LJ out now, she could turn on him and that's not good for him, so he says he's got to know when to kiss ass and when to kick ass - unfortunately he's in a position right now where he may have to kiss ass and get rid of Spencer or Jeremiah.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
-Jeremiah confirms for Jeff that it's still the six-strong against Spencer, Tasha and himself.
-Jeff asks Kass if she has any empathy for her former tribe mates who are in this position because of moves she's made and she basically says no, it's the game and you can't play it without getting a little dirty.
-Tony agrees, when you agree to play this game you know you're going to be lied to, you're going to be deceived and that's why he brought his bag of tricks with him tonight (implying he has another hidden immunity idol.)
-Tash says the longer you're in a tight alliance, the more you can see the cracks.
-Jeff asks LJ if there are cracks, was he approached by Spencer, Tash or Jeremiah.  He says he was vaguely approached but he realizes there is no reason to cause anxiety among their six, they are pretty water tight.
-Jeff starts asking them what they do and if loyalty plays a role in their professions - LJ says he thinks he has a pretty good gauge to know if someone is loyal.  Tony says he's in construction (which got Sarah's attention - he's still lying to them?) and loyalty is huge, you turn around and someone has stolen a tool (really? I thought they all knew he was a cop by now - weird.)  Kass says she tried to check her life at the door when she came out there - you have to be 100% selfish if you're going to get far in this game (this has both Sarah and Morgan on the jury rolling their eyes at her - no votes for her there.)
-Woo says he knows there may be threats in his alliance but for now they are six strong, why not stay the course, take out the bottom three and then they can sort out each other.
-Jeff asks Spencer if he knows who's on the bottom of the six alliance - he says he doesn't really know but if you are one of the people being told there is no division we're six strong... maybe you're on the bottom (that had Jefra and LJ going, "wait, what now?") and it is that time when people have to start thinking, how do I put myself in a position to win.
-Trish says she thinks their Brady Bunch is about to get very disfunctional.  She got comfortable thinking we're six and they're three but it doesn't end at this, it really begins at this because something has to break.  Jeff says it will, but when?  She says it could be tonight but that would be something she was completely unaware of - of course every time they come to tribal council the place goes crazy but that's what makes it so fun and what makes your stomach sick at the same time.

Time to Vote:
Spencer votes for LJ, fingers crossed for another blindside.

Tallying the votes:
Hidden Immunity idol? And Spencer doesn't play it (uh oh.)

Votes:
LJ - 1, 2, 3
Jeremiah - 1, 2, 3
Spencer - 1
LJ - 4, 5... WOW, they actually did it.  LJ is voted out much to the delight of the jury girls... and Spencer's fist pumping celebration (calm down, Opie.) Jefra can't believe Tony flipped.

With LJ's departure, that takes Kevin R., Jennifer G. and Robert L. out of the pool.

Next time: Tony's on a mission, spying on Jefra talking to Trish and Woo falls out of a tree trying to shake down some coconuts (oh no!)

LJ's final thoughts: it's very hard to find the balance between patience and being assertive.  If you move too soon you can bite yourself in the butt but if you wait too long you'll find yourself looking into a lens saying, "Where did I go wrong?"

Hope you're all having a great week :)

Coleen

Amazing Race All-Stars - April 13/15 Episode Recap

The Gladiators Are Here

Two weeks ago, the Afghanimals eked out a first place win over the Cowboys, and the Country Singers were saved by a non-elimination leg.

Sri Lanka - the Afghanimals started out this leg at 2:41pm and read the clue to fly to the Eternal City (having to figure out that means Rome, Italy) and search Hadrian's Bridge for their next clue.  They take off not knowing where the heck the Eternal City is.
-The Cowboys were next out at 2:42pm - Jet knows it must be Rome because Hadrian was one of the emperors of Rome (hey, look at the history brain on Jet, I must admit I didn't know that.)
-Jessica & John - 3:01pm - Jessica finds it so much fun to live, eat, sleep the race and they are still hoping to redeem themselves this time.

-Travel agency - Leo & Jamal use the internet to figure out they need to go to Rome and are told the best flight available leaves at 1:20am and arrives in Rome at 7:50am.
-At another agency, the Cowboys and John & Jessica get the same flight info.

3:02pm - Dave & Connor head out followed by Brendan & Rachel at 3:05pm - Rachel says, "Eternal City, Ethiopia, Africa here we come!" Brendan, "How do you know that's where it is?" "I don't!" (Ha, that would be awful and hilarious if they actual went to Ethiopia...)
3:09pm - Globetrotters head out on their 30th Leg of the Amazing Race, they have been staying mid-pack but their strategy has been to make sure they always beat at least one team... (which is fine until the end I guess.) And Flight Time knows they are heading to Rome.
Last team out is the Country Singers at 3:26pm (so they are all pretty close together - pretty sure they'll all be on the same flight.)

Rome, Italy
The flight arrives and the four teams that were in the front of the plane encouraged the shuttle to leave before the rest of the teams got out from the back of the plane.  John & Jessica, Brendan & Rachel, Leo & Jamal and Caroline & Jen have a slight lead over Jet & Cord, Dave & Connor and the Globetrotters.
Hadrian's Bridge - John & Jessica are the first team to read the clue to the DETOUR: Gladiator or Charioteer
In Gladiator: They will have to dress in costumes and learn a series of sword fighting moves with a real Gladiator - once they've mastered the moves, they'll get their next clue.
In Charioteer: They have to do some remote control chariot racing. (HA! That looks awesome.) One team member controls the steering and the other the speed (uh oh, coordination could be a challenge) they must complete 5 laps around the course before the flame goes out to get the next clue (so they have a time limit too - this one could be harder.)
-John & Jessica choose Gladiator.  Brendan and Rachel choose Charioteer.  Leo & Jamal also choose Charioteer (huh, that surprised me.)

-The Country Singers find their Speed Bump on the bridge.  It tells them to go to the Pantheon, pick up a typewriter from an antiques dealer there, then take the typewriter to the building it resembles (how are they supposed to figure that out? - I hope everyone in Rome knows of the building they call the typewriter.) Once they get to that building they have to place the typewriter on a pedestal out front to continue racing with the rest of the teams. (This seems like a harder Speed Bump than they have been lately, I hope the girls can figure it out.)

-John & Jessica arrive at the Colosseum and head for the Gladiator task.  Brendan & Rachel head over to the Charioteer task and they are all getting dressed in their costumes - which Rachel is enjoying, "We love dressing up in costumes!" (says the girl that wears green sequins everyday - I can see it.)

-John & Jessica start their sword fighting lesson and it's a series of defensive moves they'll have to perform against the Gladiator that is going to try and kill them (ha, I kid.) John, of course, says it came easily to him because of his martial arts experience (but I tend to think that John has a higher opinion of himselves than is sometimes warranted.)

The rest of the teams are starting to arrive at the cluebox - The Globetrotters choose Chariots, Dave & Connor choose Chariots and the Cowboys are so happy thinking they'll be driving some horses, also choose Chariots.

-Rachel & Brendan are all suited up and run out to the chariots... only to find the mini-remote control versions (wha-wah... I have a feeling most of them will be disappointed.)  They start their first attempt and she's controlling the speed with a slow and steady attitude - of course too slow - the fire goes out on their 4th lap.
-Leo & Jamal show up all suited up as well and..."These aren't  real horses."

Speed Bump - Caroline & Jennifer get to the Pantheon and pick up their Olivetti typewriter then are asking people if they know of the building and a couple directs them...(okay, maybe not as hard as I thought.)

Gladiators - John & Jessica figure they have the sequence of moves down and start on their first attempt... alls well until Jessica sees the huge brute they will be sparring with - What? "He's not really going to hurt us, is he?"  John goes first and, even though he was the one telling Jessica it was sword only first then shield next, he screws up and uses the shield (that guy was scary!) They have to start over.

Charioteers - Brendan & Rachel are now trying to race their chariot at the same time as Leo & Jamal and it's harder because they are now running into each other... great.  They agree to try not to run into each other especially since they see Dave & Connor show up and don't want to have to do this with more teams there.

Gladiators - Jessica goes first this time and she's got it down, she's performing it like an actor and has a great death scene.  Then John's turn again and he messes up and uses his shield - again. (Hmm, comes naturally to him does it?)

Charioteers - When Leo & Jamal can't get 5 laps in the time allotted and Dave & Connor and the Globetrotters get there - they decide to switch tasks rather than battle through a crowd with their remote controlled chariot.
Once everyone gets their mini-chariots up an running - it's mayhem.  Brendan & Rachel, Dave & Connor, Globetrotters and then the Cowboys show up.  At one point Dave & Connor were almost finished their 5th lap and Brendan & Rachel slammed into them (Dave was not happy).  Rachel shrugs, "It's a race." (So I guess they're starting to play dirty? No, I think they just really have horrible control over the thing - if possible they were getting worse at it with every attempt.)  She mentions switching tasks, he says let's just switch and then she's telling him to just focus and do it... (I wish she'd make up her mind, sheesh.)

Speed Bump -Caroline & Jennifer finally deliver their typewriter and get the clue to the Detour - they choose Chariot and take off.

Gladiator - John is trying again and finally he dies successfully - Jessica goes second and does it correctly as well - so they are the first team to get the clue to head to the Piazza Di Spagna (but they have to figure out it's where 'John Keats spent his unhappy Roman holiday'.)  They take the clue to the cab driver who says, "no Piazza, street, street"... Hmm, they trust that he's knows where to go, but I'm thinking he really doesn't.

Charioteers - They are losing parts of the toys left, right and center - the charioteers are being dragged, the horses fall off -but even dragging a horse, Brendan & Rachel are the first team to finally complete the 5 laps in the time allotted and they get the clue to head for the Piazza of John Keats' unhappy Roman Holiday.

Gladiator - Leo & Jamal have finally arrived at the Gladiator task (they must be farther apart than they thought, seems like it took a while) and they have to get suited up again.

Brendan & Rachel's cab driver knows the Piazza of John Keats is the Spanish Steps - so they are heading to the right place.

Charioteers - Caroline & Jen show up just as Jet & Cord and Dave & Connor successfully complete their 5 laps and take off for the Piazza Di Spagna (hopefully.)

Gladiators - Leo & Jamal are all learned up and ready for their first attempt at fighting the hulking brute.  They play up to the ladies present but when the gladiator tosses a sword to Jamal he lets it fall then messes up his sequence.  The gladiator goes and boots Leo in the butt to let them know they have to go practice some more before they hope to spar with him. (Ha! I bet lots have people had wanted to kick Leo at one time or another.)

Charioteers - Globetrotters hit their five laps with no problem once the other teams were gone.  They get the clue and take off leaving the Country Singers the last team there... and they have a learning curve to overcome - this could still take them a while.

The Cowboys cab driver is taking them to John Keats street... I have a feeling they'll be seeing John & Jessica in the wrong place.  Oh, and it looks like the Globetrotters too are being taken to John Keats Street.

Caroline & Jen are feeling defeated, they have the mindset that they will likely be eliminated so might as well just have fun with doing a crazy remote control chariot race in Rome.  Taking the pressure off must have worked because they completed the 5 laps - and the Romans watching loved it because they hugged everyone.

Via John Keats - John & Jessica get to John Keats St. but there is no piazza, it's an apartment building - they get a guy on the street to look for the Piazza John Keats on his smart phone but he says there is no piazza just the street.

Piazza di Spagna - Brendan & Rachel get to the right place, the Spanish Steps and get the clue to the ROADBLOCK: Who can sum up the Spanish Steps?  They have to count the steps, not including the sidewalk, then add the number to the Roman numerals carved on the obelisk at the top - then write their answer in Roman numerals correctly to get the next clue. (Oh sweet Jebus!) MCMXXIV
-Brendan is going to do this one.  Apparently he's a math guy so he should be able to do this... but does he know Roman numerals?

Gladiators - Leo messes up this time but they were having a blast with this task - it was like play acting or being in a movie - they finally both died dramatically and got the next clue... but are unfortunately in last place at this point.

Spanish Steps - Brendan decides he's got to find out the year on the obelisk first so he runs up all the steps and asks a guy what year it was erected... and lucky for him, the gentleman takes the time to explain the Roman numerals to him - giving him the year and what the symbols mean.

Dave & Connor used their cab driver's phone to look up that they needed to go to the Spanish Steps.  Caroline & Jen's cab driver also looks it up on his phone and they are headed for the Spanish Steps.

John & Jessica finally decide to abandon their cab and take to the street but no one speaks English and they can't find a hotel or anywhere to check the internet... Jessica is having an unhappy Roman holiday.  Finally they find a hotel and check their computer.

Spanish Steps - Dave & Connor get there and see Rachel, they ask her where the clue box is, she tells them it's a Roadblock but doesn't tell them where the clue box is, she just points (she doesn't have to tell you anything.) They see the chestnut vendor with the clues and Dave is going to do this one.  He starts with counting the steps, seems logical since Brendan will have to run the steps three times starting at the top, counting down then going back up to get the next clue (I don't think Brendan is the smarty pants he thinks he is.)
-Regardless, Brendan realizes the first sewer grating is not a step, he counts the rest then goes to his new friend at the top who helps him write out his answer in Roman numerals and he gets it right!  And gets the clue to the PIT STOP.  Which is also a riddle of sorts - they have to figure out they need to make their way on foot to the Piazza Del Popolo.  They ask a horse & buggy driver and he just waves them in a vague direction and she takes off running.

The Afghanimals get in a cab and the driver says no Piazza, Via John Keats. (Uh oh)
-The Cowboys are at the Via John Keats and ask a guy working at a coffee shop who tells them they should be at the Spanish Steps - they are not happy.
-Globetrotters were also taken to the wrong place - they ask someone who tells them it's the Spanish steps so they get back in the cab and take off.
-John & Jessica finally figure out to head to the Spanish Steps, it's where John Keats died - off they go.

Spanish Steps:
-Dave doesn't know his Roman numerals, he didn't have a helpful old man to figure it out for him at the top.  He gets the answer wrong and has to go back down the steps to the chestnut vendor and pick up another postcard before he can try again.
-Caroline & Jennifer get there and Jennifer is going to do this one.  They were just happy to see one other team still there, so they know they're still in it, little did they realize they are actually in third place at this point.  And Caroline tells us that she and math are not best friends so this is definitely one for Jen to do.

Somewhere else in Rome - Leo & Jamal are asking a guy on the street if he knows the Piazza di John Keats and he looks it up on his phone - Spanish Steps.

Spanish Steps - Caroline & Dave have sort of teamed up, they both found the number of steps and had people help them figure out the Roman numerals - but they checked their answers with each other and then both got the clue to the Pit Stop from Audrey Hepburn.
-They remain together to figure out where to go from there.

-Meanwhile, Jet & Cord have finally arrived.  Jet is doing this one and he asks some tourists for help with the Roman numerals and gets the clue to the Pit Stop.
-The Globetrotters finally get to the steps as well and Flight Time is doing this one - but he doesn't know Roman numerals and obviously doesn't read what he needs to do because he asks someone for the number of steps and hand over the post card with 135 written on it - (Really?) He keeps trying different number of steps but is having no luck (I know, READ THE CLUE!)

Still in cabs are: John & Jessica and Leo & Jamal, hoping that other teams have screwed up and they may still have a chance.

Spanish Steps: Leo & Jamal show up, luckily for Flight Time.  Jamal counts the steps and at the top Flight Time asks him how many steps he got, Jamal says it's based off the date on the obelisk and he's like, "It's based off the date?" (Man, if the Globetrotters had been the last one's there, they would never have gotten through this task.)
-John & Jessica are the last team to arrive much to Leo's delight, they were not in last place.
-John however knows his Roman numerals and makes his first guess with the incorrect # of stairs.

-Jamal is the next one to get the right number with help from a tourist and her smart phone - the Afghanimals get the clue to the Pit Stop. While they're reading the clue, Jessica says they can help John... and Leo says they'll help them as long as they promise not the beat them and not to U-Turn them. (They're assuming there are still teams behind them as well.)
Both the Globetrotters and John & Jessica promise both those things and Leo & Jamal give them the Roman numerals.
Flight Time is able to write it out and head back up to get his clue but John had to run back to the chestnut vendor to get a clean postcard first... Jessica is praying there is someone still behind them.
Flight Time gets his clue.
John gets his clue.
And it's a foot race to the mat.

Piazza del Popolo - Pit Stop:
Here's How They Finished:
1) Brendan & Rachel - won a trip to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia!  They've been struggling to stay in the Race so this is huge for them.
2) Caroline & Jennifer - they got to the mat at the same time as...
3) Dave & Connor - who allowed the girls to step on the mat first and when Phil told them their placing Teams #2 & 3 they were shocked and ecstatic!
4) Jet & Cord - They remind us they still have an Express Pass and the next leg is their last opportunity to use it.
5) Leo & Jamal - They're shocked to hear they're 5th... which means...
6) Flight Time & Big Easy - they were lucky they didn't lose that foot race.
7) Jessica & John - ***ELIMINATED!***  She was teary, couldn't believe they were out - and John, ever the politician, puts on a big smile and says she's the best, blah, blah, blah.

So, with John & Jessica's elimination, that takes Marla L., Cindi C., Sue & Hannelore and Denise R. out of the pool.

Next week:  It's a Double U-Turn and it looks like people are starting to play dirty. (Ooh, love it.)

I hope everyone is having a great week,

Coleen

Survivor Brawn vs Brains vs Beauty - April 9, 2014 Episode Recap

Mad Treasure Hunt

Last week the tribes merged into Solarrion and they found out there was another hidden immunity idol with special powers somewhere out there.  Sarah found herself the odd man out... which in a game of numbers made her the president (in her mind) but it all blew up in her face because Kass wanted to be president... and Sarah is the first member of the jury.

Solarrion - Night 19
-They return from tribal council and Kass' former Aparri tribe is really mad at her.  Spencer is livid but trying to keep it civil (although he did tell the camera she was letting her estrogen sway her decisions... really? Like a guy wouldn't have made the same decision in her position?) Anyway, they have words, he basically tells her she made the stupidest decision and messed up everyone's game.  She doesn't care.  She knew they'd be mad, she pissed off five people and made five friends. (I can't help but remember when Cochran did a very similar thing his first time playing - he flipped as soon as they merged and he was gone not long after... we'll have to see if Kass can fare better - lord knows she thinks she's smarter than everyone.)

Solarrion - Day 20
Kass starts the day by endearing herself even more to her former tribe-mates when she passive aggressively points out that Morgan (B. McGee) is lazing around in the shelter like an old dog who's not good for anything, and should go get some water. 
-Instead of being eager to help, Morgan has a snotty attitude, (I'm sure she thinks getting water is beneath her) and then she spits out her constant mantra to the camera, "I don't mean to sound conceited, but..." (You Are!) of course she says Kass is just an ugly, bitter old woman who doesn't like her because she's cuter than she has ever been. (OMG, she really needs a good kick in the rear end.)
-Grudgingly, once Tony asks her twice to go get water, Morgan storms off with a couple pots.  In voice over she says Kass is stupid and she has to go next.

REWARD CHALLENGE
-They are divided into two teams and starting from a platform out in the water they will race through a series of obstacles to the shore until they reach a chest, then they must drag the chest through the sand to the base of a tower - they will climb the tower (wall walking with a rope) then they will drag the chest up the tower.  Once it's at the top, two team members will have to solve a shrine tower puzzle - first team finished, wins reward of: a Survivor themed Out-Back Steakhouse.  They'll get steak, margaritas, desserts... Food is very exciting to all of them at this point.
-Two teams randomly selected:
Orange: Spencer, Jeremiah, LJ, Boobs... uh, I mean Morgan and Jefra
Purple: Tony, Woo, Kass, Trisha and Tasha  (the 'random' selection is really sucking hard this season.  It's young and fit vs older but still fit... we'll see who wins the race.)

Off they go - it's neck and neck until Woo falls off the balance beam but he flies along to catch them back up... and they are caught up when they all start up the wall.  Purple has a person lead when they start pulling up the chest.
Woo & Kass start on the puzzle for Purple and not long after LJ and Spencer start the puzzle for Orange.
-LJ is flying through the puzzle, he and Spencer quickly out pace the Purple team and it's the young and fit Orange team that wins the Reward.

Solarrion - Day 20
Reward losers return from the challenge and their first order of business is twice the rice and put some coconut in it - we eat well tonight too! (haha)  Tony and Trish ask Kass who she thinks should go next, Jeremiah or Spencer, but she's hedging, she doesn't want to be the decider - she tells the camera she's still a free agent, no one's told her she's in but it is assumed (uh, they did say she was with them and they'd take care of her... but I see where she may be edgy still.)  Tony doesn't totally trust her because he can't read her, and he's a cop (ah, but she's a lawyer, they have the best poker faces.)
-Tony's then talking to Woo and he says he's going to go look for the hidden immunity idol (why not, half the tribe is gone) plus he and LJ burned the other idols last week.  They show him skulking around, climbing trees, poking in holes... I just don't understand why the rest of them aren't looking too.

Reward
EATING! At the end of the meal Spencer finally realizes his hands of filthy and grabs his napkin when what should fall out... a clue? He shiftily puts it in his pocket, looking around to see if anyone noticed but B.McGee beside him has eaten herself sick and has her head in her hands and everyone else is pre-occupied... FOOD!  Spencer is hoping this clue is a game changer for him.

Solarrian - Day 20
-When the reward winners come back to camp it's POURING rain and they showed Morgan and Jefra running to the shelter... did that shot really need to be that long?  Spencer has a clue burning a hole in his pocket and he's stuck waiting out the downpour with everyone else... but as soon as there is a break - he's out.
-When the rest of them finally figure the rain is past, they look around and wonder, "Where is Spencer?"
-Woo, being a fan of the show, knows when there is a big food reward there is often a clue... and he decides to go follow Spencer... and using his "ninja stealth mode" he spies on him while lurking behind some brush.
-Spencer takes off his shoes and pants, putting the clue in his folded clothes and he wades into some water to dig on the bank.  When he doesn't find anything he goes, maybe to another location, but he sees Woo and they both try to play it off casually.  "Going for a walk?" "Yeah, just walking myself."  But Woo walks over to Spencer's pants and says, "Hey, you forgot your clothes over here." And when he goes to throw them to Spencer, the clue falls out... Woo scoops it up and takes off running, with Spencer in hot pursuit... until he realizes he's not going to catch him.  (If they are going to set something like that up, they should hire better actors than Spencer, his reaction seemed a little fake to me.  And why wouldn't he have left the clue in his pocket, why just fold it in the pants?... makes no sense.)  Spencer knows pandamonium is about to ensue.

-Woo gets back to camp and he crows to everyone that Spencer had a clue but he took it - then he enlists LJ help him look for the idol.
-Spencer then came back to camp and told them Woo had thrown his pants in the water and stolen the clue- he enlists his alliance to come help him look.
-LJ is sharing the clue with Tony and he's loving the thrill of the chase ... everyone takes off on the Mad Treasure Hunt.  And it's crazy, they are all swarming all over the area the clue has led them to - even Morgan, who Tony hilariously says is more like a pillow than a person because she doesn't do anything, is there.
-At one point everyone has moved on except Spencer and Kass, who was left to watch him, he says he can't believe their game has devolved to this and she can't help but get a few licks in - saying not that she condones Woo's stealing the clue, but she can't help but feel this was Karma for Spencer's poor treatment of her last night.  He apologizes and then explains in voice-over that he had found the idol right in front of Kass but kept her talking and distracted so she wouldn't notice, when she finally looked away he stuffed it in his pants and walked away.
-He reads the note that came with the idol and it doesn't come with any magic powers - it's just a normal idol.  Which is still huge for him right now... (But I want to know what the special powers are! Dang-it!)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE - DAY 22
-They will have to balance on their toes with a block wedged between the top of their head and the top of the frame they are standing on (to add insult to injury, the area they are set up in is a huge puddle and their feet/shoes are soaked - yuck) - When the block falls, they are out of the challenge.  Last person standing wins Immunity.
-Off they go, and almost right away, Kass is out.  (This would be really hard, they can't hold on to anything, just stand on their tip-toes pushing up with their head... I'd be toast.)
- Jeremiah and Trish are the next two out, Tony goes to scratch his neck and he's out.
-25 minutes in and the remaining six are still standing... though Jeff is trying to distract them.  Spencer has a bobble but recovers... Morgan does not, she's out.  And then Woo, who I thought would ninja power through, is the next to fall.
-1 hour in, Jefra is the next out and you can see how sore she is... LJ falls out and it's down to Tasha and Spencer. 
-1hr, 30min - Tasha looks like a statue, Spencer has a lot of movement but Jeff is encouraging him to fight through it and... out of nowhere, Tasha drops the block - SPENCER wins individual immunity.

Solarrion - Day 22
They return to camp and pretty much right away the larger alliance meets to make their plan.  The guys want to vote out Morgan because she's useless and the girls are thinking Tash because she's a bigger threat.  Tony takes over (of course) and he says they have to plan like the other guys have a hidden idol, so Plan A is Morgan because they're unlikely to share an idol with her (and Tony doesn't think dead weight deserves to be there) and Plan B will be Tasha, in case they do pull some crazy shenanigans like he did last Tribal.
-Tony tells the camera he's also worried that Kass could flip back, in which case there will be a tie and they'll have to draw rocks, but he hopes she stays with them (Oh, she's burned her bridges, I don't think they'd have her back.)
-Meanwhile the other four are talking about who to vote tonight, Morgan-pillow wants to vote for Kass (surprise) but Spencer thinks Kass may be their only hope - she'll change her mind at the drop of a hat so he persuades them to vote Tony and he sets out to win Kass back over to their side. (And he proved me wrong.)
-Spencer approaches her to hypothetically find out if she may be willing to vote with them to win back their jury votes and improve her lot, blah, blah blah.  This was exactly what Kass was hoping for.  She knows human nature is to forgive and want to get along, so she banked that her old alliance would forget the betrayal as it was just one of many that would be coming in the game.
-Kass tells Spencer she's certainly willing to entertain voting with them and when he mentions Tony she's that much more interested.  She knows it would be much harder to win the million sitting beside Tony, he's too charming and everyone likes him. Morgan is a bitch and annoying, but she's going to stay that way so she's no threat.
-Now Kass is where she likes to be, they brought her their game plans and she gets to choose which one is better for her.  She says she loves the ambush, she also practices law like that.  She loves the blind side.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
-Massive power shift after last tribal council, Tony says they have an alliance of six, we had an alliance of five, but the winds changed directions... and Kass pipes up, "Jeff, obviously, I was the wind that blew through." (Wow, not to sound conceited but...) Sarah and Morgan rolled their eyes so hard at that.
-Kass tells Jeff she did get chewed out at camp and the cold shoulder for a couple days.
-Spencer admits he felt betrayed and he got a little out of hand.  He also says he's feeling pretty good with the immunity necklace but he'd rather risk going out now for a shot at winning than extend his stay in the game.
-Tony basically says his answer doesn't change how they're voting - they made a consensus decision as a group so they could have smooth sailing ahead.
-Morgan's argument to keep her is that she's not a physical threat in the challenges and people don't seem to like her so she's not getting any jury votes. (Huh, I didn't think she was even that self aware.)
-Trish agrees that's pretty accurate and Morgan rolls her eyes again (you said it first... oh, I get it, she wanted them to all say, "That's not true Morgan, we like you." Haha!) Trish says she doesn't really do anything around camp and if you wanted to add to that list, I could probably add to that. (Sarah makes an "Oh Snap!" face - hilarious)
-Jeff asks Morgan what she thinks of that and she gushes that LJ and Jeremiah took such good care of the girls in the beginning and she got used to it. (Ugh.)
-Jeff calls her on it, says he's pretty sure she's like that in the real world too and she admits she's used to getting what she wants because she's good looking, she never really has to work for anything. "If most people had a choice to be ugly or cute, most people would pick cute." (Everyone is either shaking their head or laughing at her...) Then she vows that she will try to work harder, no not try, she will work harder in camp. [Huge fake grin.] (They'll believe it when they see it.)
-Jeff asks Jefra about Kass' placement in the alliance and she starts on the "we're all equal" - Jeff and Spencer call her on that - Tony pipes up that they chose this alliance while the other people were thrown together (which is crap, and Spencer called him on that).
-Tony also gets a little dig in that Kass is in a comfortable place and hopefully she sticks with them. (I heard a 'if she knows what's good for her' in there.)
-Jeff points out that Kass is unpredictable and Trish admits it was risky including her but they've treated her like one of their own.
-Kass says there was no alliance formed, when she goes to Vegas with a friend and sits down at the table, she doesn't mind beating them. (That got Tony's attention - time for Plan C?)

Time to Vote:
They didn't show us how anybody voted.

Tallying the votes:
No one played a hidden immunity idol.
Tony - 1, 2, 3, 4
Morgan - 1, 2, 3, 4... we're tied.
Morgan - 5 - one vote left...
...and it's MORGAN!  B. McGee, the pillow... who can I give mean nicknames to now?
And with Morgan leaving, that takes: Lindsey J., Ian G., and Lee B. out of the pool.

Next week:  Paranoia starts wreaking havoc in camp, or in Tony's mind at least.  He wants to take Woo out, Woo wants to strike first and Trish says Tony is freaking out (he's going Apocalypse Now on us...)

Morgan makes some chirpy little speech about how proud she is of herself (of course), she doesn't care what they say and that Kass is a child (I'm sorry, who was being immature?) "You're 40, get over it." (oy.)

Have a great rest of your week everyone.
Coleen