Survivor Redemption Island - April 13, 2011 Episode Recap

The Buddy System

Quick recap: Matt returns to the game for the merge and then, too chicken to make a move, is voted back to Redemption Island. 
The episode opened at:
Redemption Island - Night 21
-Matt congratulates himself on being the most naive person ever to play the game - "Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me.  I can't believe I got blind-sided twice by the same people - I feel like such a moron."  He's telling God he trusts his will, using his stupidity for your glory - blessed be his name. (Oh, now I'm sad, what if Survivor breaks his faith?  It's only a game dude, and I don't think God has a grand design for your reality TV career.)

Murlonio - Day 22
-Mike and David talking about Rob's genius move at Tribal Council - it was like straight out of a mob movie - he comes back, there is some question if you can trust him but you sit, have dinner... then take him out on a fishing boat and kill him.
-Mike congratulates Rob on the genius move, as much as he didn't like it, it was still brilliant.
-Julie's not so enthused - she feels bad for Matt and realizes how cold-blooded Ometepe is.  She feels like there is no breaking their shield and the Zapatera folk are pretty disheartened.

-Ralph approaches mean-girl blond (Ashley?) and asks her is he's 'on the chop block.' Chop block? Oh, you mean chopping block, we can't discuss anything like that.  She and useless brunette (Natalie?) are both just looking at him blankly -He throws out if they get to the top three he'll vote for them and not Boston Rob (Oh man-sweater, you're barking up the wrong tree with those two - they are Rob's mindless minions as proven by the fact that I can still barely remember their names.)  She puts him off, we haven't decided yet.
-Ralph is very aggravated - they aren't letting us play the game.
-Rob has his Ometepe people together and basically tells them no one talks to any one of them alone - he has separate shelters set up, separate eating times - he wants Ometepe to hate Zapatera - it's us vs them - and we're going to be arrogant about it - Well, I'm not, because I want their votes at the end of the day.

-Natalie is talking to Rob in the trees and asks him if Natalie told him what Ralph said to her.  Rob says no, so Natalie tells him that Ralph pulled Ashley aside and told her he would vote for her in the end and when Natalie asked if Ashley was going to tell Rob she said he didn't need to know. (Huh, maybe she does have more upstairs than I've given her credit for - she is certainly causing trouble for Ashley, making it sound like she's hiding her collusion with Ralph when Natalie was also standing right there and knows nothing's going on.) Rob is laughing to the camera, that Ralph has now ensured Natalie won't be there at the end because she didn't tell him about this - This is my game. You have to tell me everything. (With an attitude like that, I'm predicting that he's heading for a huge karma beat down.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Phillip shows up wearing a headband with a feather tied right in the middle of his forehead.  Jeff asks him if he had a collision with a hawk and Phillip, absolutely serious, says no, I had a meditation and asked for a sign - out of thin air appeared this feather. Literally, out of thin air? Out of thin air.  He said it looks good for the former O-tempo - Om-tempo tribe. (What is up with him and names? Sheesh.)

Today's challenge - they will dig down and find a club, use it to smash a suspended tile - first six to smash their tiles move on to the next phase.  They will submerge their heads in a water trough and take in a mouthful of water then crawl under the trough and spit the water into a tube - first three to fill their tube will move on to the final round where they must solve a block puzzle (odd shaped pieces that have to fit together into a step pyramid type shape.)  First person done the puzzle will win individual immunity.

Off they go - once they get the club they have to untie knots in a rope tying it down - Grant and Rob are the first done (and shower Jeff with shards - Haha) Ralph, Mike, David and Julie are the six that make it through.
Trough round - Grant seems to be a man possessed - does he know something we don't?  Grant is the first one done - Mike is the next one through and David is the third person to fill his tube.
Final round - they are all pretty close but GRANT wins immunity!  (Hmm, he really did step it up for this challenge - is it just Rob's wish to keep Zapatera from winning or does Grant have a strategy of his own?)

Murlonio - Day 22
Mike says they know it's going to be one of them tonight.  He wants to go crash their party but David doesn't want to do that.  They know there is no point in trying to turn any of the Rob Drones, he's got them so locked down.  He's like the prison guard.
-They notice that the flagpole was moved, wonder if maybe a hidden idol was buried under it - (Yeah, they're desperate at this point.)  So they start digging around the poles with their hands.
-Rob sees them digging at the flagpole and freaks out - they're digging under the flag - Ometepe takes off at a run - Phillip drops down and starts digging, Rob grabs the shovels and they come take over digging - David and Mike just stand back - amused at this point because it's pretty certain there is nothing there and they've successfully made a fool of the big man.  They hope he thinks they found an idol before he got there.
-Rob says he can't shake the immunity idol paranoia - it cost him last time he played and with Ralph playing one at the last tribal council he thinks there could be another one in play.  Mike is enjoying playing with Rob's head.

-Ometepe gathers to talk who they should vote for.  Phillip wants Ralph but Grant pretty quickly says that Mike and David are bigger threats.  Rob says they have to think about who could potentially beat Matty at Redemption Island and the girls say Mike but Phillip thinks David would have a better shot at a duel.
-Rob says he's got to gamble that whoever they vote for could have an idol or someone could give them one... he makes everyone hold hands with a buddy as they walk back to camp (Seriously?  Like they're little kids on a field trip - wow, don't drink the kool-aid kids.)

TRIBAL COUNCIL #1
Phillip's got the feather back on and Jeff says - Phillip you knew that feather would bring luck to someone on the former Ometepe tribe.
- My great, great grandfather, Crazy Single-feather (no that wasn't his name) a full blooded Cherokee, came to me in a meditation and told me that was what was going to happen.
-Ralph looks like he's getting a kick out of Phillip and David just looks confused.
Mike, there's six Ometepe and five Zapatera, you guys are in trouble right now.
-You come into a tribal council with zero options and it's not a fun situation.
Julie, do you look at these six and think, somebody is on the bottom.
-Absolutely, it's obvious who we think is on the bottom but they have no idea.
David says it's Phillip on the bottom.
-Phillip - I like being on the bottom if that's where I am, I can look up and see what's going on.  If they say, you're always gathering wood, you're always getting water - that's what I did as a child as one of twelve children and you know what, I have a new family now - as he puts his arms around Rob and Grant - they're all smiles and giggles.
-Julie seems disgusted by this little speech, David rolls his eyes.  Zapatera doesn't find it amusing in the least.
-Julie throws out, Matt thought you guys were his family too. (Oh snap! Way to go Julie.)
-Oh, if Phillips looks could kill - that took the smile off his face right quick.
So Ralph, you're trying to find the way in but right now they're just blocking everything.
 - I'm not going to give up Jeff.  If I'm still here in the morning I'm gonna push like the dickens.  I may get a feather tomorrow, you never know.
Phillip - It takes courage, determination and knowing when to hold your TONGUE to get a feather (Really? Then how the hell did you get one?)
Ralph - Oh. So you hold your tongue?  I may go out on the beach and a whole mess of feathers appear.
Mike, what do you make of Phillip's feather? (who cares about the stupid feather?)
- I think it's an insecurity thing.  That Phillip is struggling to determine who he is.
Phillip - I'm just a guy that got a college degree and became a special agent working for three separate agencies - I served in the US army and received the second highest honour you can receive in peace time...
David breaks in - Just give it up.  You sound like a lunatic.
Phillip - I don't have to give it up.  You sound like the guy on the bottom of a cesspool struggling to get out.
Stephen - Phillip never ceases to amaze me.
Phillip - keep being amazed as you sail away.
I have no idea who's being voted out tonight.  Do you former Zapatera have any idea.
David - I have a pretty good idea it's going to be one of the five of us.

Time to vote:
Steve votes Phil - You are one odd duck, brother.

Tallying the votes:
Phil - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Mike - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  - Well, that was anti-climactic. I hope cutey GI-Joe can knock out God-boy.

Murlonio - Night 22
Rob tells Phillip he's not at the bottom, he's at the top with him.  I know that, I know (Phillip is very happy with himself.)
-Rob tells the camera that TC proved to him that Phillip is turning into a very loyal soldier and he will be rewarded for that.
-Bunked down in the shelter, Phillip's innate insecurity rears it's head- What do you think of them all voting for me?  Rob reassures him - It was just frustration Phillip, you're getting the best of them.  Yeah, I got the best of them. (It's kind of sad how desperate he is for praise.)
-Rob says, Phillip's not really crazy, he's playing crazy - and he's a little crazy.  But I'm still thinking of the end game and as far as my list goes, Phillip is my number one. (Cause who on the jury will vote to give Special Agent Single-Feather a million dollars?)  He says Natalie and Phillip are coming to the final 3 with him.

Murlonio - Day 23
-Phillip says he's crazy like a fox - he knows Rob is going to want to take someone like him to the end with him but he's a smart, complex person and he's got to make something happen - but there is a time for that and now's not the time. (Do you think it might be possible that this has all been an act? Naaa.)

-Ralph is talking to David in the shelter.  He says today's the day - he's going to go over and talk to them.  David says you only get one shot and if you mess it up you won't get another try (little does he know that he's already done that.)  David tells him not to do anything stupid.

-So Ralph approaches Phillip and Andrea by the fire and wants to talk about the game.  Phillip says the tribe that stays together wins and Ralph says until the merge happens then it's one on one.  Phillip shuts him down, says he doesn't want to talk about the game with him - they're more than happy to talk about his steers, his farm... Ralph says we can talk about that any old time - here and now he wants to talk the game.
-Phillip calls his rude and is rude right back, dismissing him and going back to talking to Andrea. 
-During this whole exchange David has had one of their water canteens and is slowly pouring it out over his foot.. I'm not sure why.  He whines to the camera that they won't let them play - this is no fun.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE #2
Oh, I see a big pile o'hamburgers.  Jeff tells them, Today everyone will have an opportunity to feast on cheeseburgers.
-The challenge - They will have to hang from a bar for as long as they can (suspended above water) - after 20 minutes they will have to hang by their legs only (upside down - over water) Last person left hanging will win immunity.  Now the cheeseburgers - he gives them each a white rock and a black rock - Black rock means they want to play and white rock means screw it, I'm eating.  Steve and Phillip are the only two (and the oldest two) who have decided to eat and not play.
-The rest of the tribe get into position and Phillip and Steven get to start eating.  Rob loses his hat (oh, is it a sign? Matt would think so.) Phillip and David have a little friendly (or not so friendly banter) Rob is already struggling, he flips all the way around and is the first to fall.  He gets to sit and watch and smell.
-20 minutes elapses and they have to move to legs only.  Everyone is hanging - David and Ralph are on one leg with the other crossed over the foot - Julie whispers, "I can't do this." and she falls (Oh! Power of positive thinking... I like Julie, I wish she could have hung in.)
-Grant and Ralph are the next two to drop - the heaviest - David is the last Zapatera and the last guy left hanging - the light women will have an easier time of it but they are all struggling at 45 minutes in... and David is the next one out.
-Andrea says to the other two that she really wants this one - and they give it to her.  Ashley and Natalie both drop and Andrea wins immunity.

Murlonio - Day 24
-Returning from the challenge Rob is happy that his side won - he doesn't want Zapatera to have any momentum, any power - and they don't, they all look totally defeated.  Rob has gotten his wish.
-Ralph sees the net just laying out and decides to go check if there's any fish.  He sends up the cry that there are a ton of fish - bring a basket.  Rob, having to be in control of everything asks if the fish are alive or dead.
Ralph says they're all dead and Rob tells them they can't eat them - they're no good. 
-Ralph says whatever - I'll eat them.  Julie is disgusted - his people are all soft - if Rob had found the fish, he'd let his people eat them but he won't let them take anything from Zapatera.

-So Zapatera is feasting, right beside the starving Ometepe.  Rob says he's running his tribe like the army and he's the general - they will do as they're told.
-Grant is starving, he says he's his own man and he'll make up his own mind and he goes over and takes a little pinch of some fish.  Rob is on him right away, calling him away... and he goes (yeah, really showed him there Grant.)
-Zapatera can't believe the power Rob holds - it's cult-like.  He's shown with Matt that you show any sign of straying, he'll cut your head off - and they are all under his spell of fear.

-Rob is deciding who to vote out tonight and it's between David, the strategical player and Steve - the old T-Rex who doesn't want to be there anymore.   Rob says he's been known to have a mercy killing in him from time to time.

Tribal Council #2
Phillip, same feather?  Have you had more meditations?
-That's part of it but it's also that for the first time in 22 seasons there is a beauteous and glorious operations going on - it's known as Stealth-R-Us - and I'm known as the Specialist.  My main mission is to infiltrate and plant inceptions in the Zapatera tribe (Oh for goodness sakes - he's pouring it on a little too strong this time.)
Boston Rob - the Mentalist - has the responsibility to develop strategies for challenges and build alliances that are impervious and Grant - the Destroyer of Aspirations - better known as the Assassin and he forgot to mention the Three Degrees that are agile and able to focus their minds like they did today.
(Ometepe is finding this all amusing - Julie just face-palms.)
Wow, Ralph, pretty tough to beat, Stealth-R-Us.
-Yeah, do you think his grandfather told him to sit on the bench and eat hamburgers today? (Oh, Phillip didn't like that.)
I guess the argument would be do Stealth-R-Us care?
Phillip -I think it's pretty clear that my tribe-mates know what I bring to the table and yes it was difficult for them to see me do that today but they know where my heart is - so today, I ate and I make no apologies for that.
Steve, how bout you?  What was the rationale in you sitting out today when you need immunity more than ever?
-It's just not my thing.  I'd last a short amount of time so I made the decision to take the food and hope for the best.
Phillip, do you see any of the Zapatera's trying to find a crack in the Stealth-R-Us organization? (Do you have to validate him by calling it that? Ugh.)
-They are doing what they can to try to make that happen but our alliance is so strong - we have a buddy system and it's highly effective.
A buddy system?
Julie - they are never alone. Never.  They are always with somebody else.  Rob has complete control over them. (Oh yeah, you go - Rob is looking fricken' laser beams at her.) It's not even a tribe, it's a cult. (Did I mention that I love Julie?)  There was some awkward shifting from Grant there.
David, everyone on Zapatera's got to be thinking one thing - as long as it isn't me tonight, correct?
-There's that definitely that but the numbers as they are now, are pretty insurmountable.  You also have to look at the other aspect of the game - Redemption Island - and maybe it's better to try and advance yourself that way. (Hmm, I think I smell the boys thinking that one over.)

Time to Vote:
They don't show us how anyone voted.  Except David who wrote: Rob Rob Rob Rob (Please count this as 4 votes.)  Hopefully this works. (Hahaha - nice try.)

Tallying the Votes:
Rob 1, 2, 3, 4 (David's paper only counted as one - darn it.)
David 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - Again - nothing shocking there.  I hate when the pick off starts happening - it gets boring.  I wonder what's going to happen with three people guys at Redemption Island next week?

Next Week: Phillip take issue with Steve calling him crazy - Phillip plays the race card - calls Steve crazy.  (Ah, it's starting to wear thin - maybe he could keep the crazy in his pants for a little while... which makes me realize, he's not rocking the fuchsia jockey shorts anymore - I wonder if there was just too much wardrobe malfunctioning going on and not enough eye bleach to go around.)

-David's final thoughts - the last few days have been so frustrating, just when you think you've got the wheels turning the breaks are thrown on by somebody else.
-He shows up at Redemption Island and surprises Matt and Mike - Matt, "What is Survivor doing?"  I don't know.

Have a great weekend everyone,

Coleen

The Amazing Race Unfinished Business - Apr 10 Episode Recap

You Don't Get Paid Unless You Win (Varanasi, India)

Quick recap from two weeks ago - Margie & Luke were eliminated because he couldn't identify the mango/papaya tea and Gary & Mallory were the first to the Pit Stop... they got a private meal and some Snapple (of course.)
-Gary & Mallory were also the first team to head out this leg at 1:18pm - they got the clue to fly to the city of Varanasi - it is on the banks of the Ganges River and the religious heart of India.
-Once they arrive in Varanasi they must make their way to a certain Tonga stand to get their next clue.
-Mallory really believes that she and Gary have what it takes to be the first parent/child team to win the Amazing Race.
-Next out are the Cowboys at 1:52pm - they're trying to minimize mistakes because there is no room for error with the game ramping up intensity each leg - they think they've got the kinks worked out now.
-Ron & Christina are one minute behind them - 1:53pm - and Zev & Justin head out 1:54pm - (Oh yeah, they all got to the Pit Stop together, forgot about that) Zev is not excited to be staying in India - it's a little much for him but for million$ he'll suck it up - Kolkata should be called Kol-crowded.
-The Goths 1:55pm - they decide to hit a travel agency to get tick.... (Oh Dear Lord - what is up with her eyebrows? They showed a clip of their after interview and they were a little heavy handed - the next shot they were... well, you should never pluck out all your eyebrows, but normal for her.)  Last time on the Race the Goths were eliminated in India so it was a place of sadness to them - now they've made it past half way and everything is a bonus for them.
-Jen & LaKisha are the next out at 2:03pm and they head for the airport.

-Gary & Mallory get to the airport and get on the Kingfisher flight arriving at 10:45am the next day.
-Ron & Christina also get tickets on the same flight.  Zev & Justin, Jen & Kisha, the Goths all on that flight.
-The Cowboys go to the Air India counter and ask for the quickest flight to Varanasi - they are told they have a flight arriving at 1:45am - Okay - Cord says if someone looks him in the eye he'll take his word for it [that it's the best flight available.] Jet even said he's guessing that's the best flight (don't guess- ask!)

-Ron is thinking with his stomach, as usual, and since they have ample time they leave the airport and go get some Chinese food (?)  He says he is just savouring spending time with his daughter before she gets married next year (aww, sweet sentiment but I really see him savouring food more than anything :)

-The Globetrotters are the last team to head out at 3:45pm (Flight Time had a hard time with the tea last leg as well.)  He said they feel like they got their bad leg out of the way and now it's time for them to stay near the lead, like it should be.

-Gary & Mallory do some research on the city, she's excited to learn it's a holy city and the river is said to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals - "I really hope I get to go in the holy waters." (She says now... let's wait until she sees it.)

-The Globetrotters also get on the Kingfisher flight arriving at 10:45am. (Oh my gravy.)

-All the teams are on the first leg of their flights to Delhi - but at the airport everyone gets on the next flight to Varanasi except the Cowboys... the Cowboys can't figure out why they haven't seen any other teams until they check the flight board and see there was another flight arriving an hour earlier - D'Oh!  They now realize that everyone else has an hour jump on them - It's gonna be a long day.
-They remembering last time around when they forgot the bottle on the boat - let's try not to repeat that.

-The first flight arrives in Varanasi and it's a free for all race to the cabs - Zev & Justin and Ron & Christina light out - Kent gets hit in the head with the trunk lid by the driver which puts him in a pissy mood - Vyxsin, "Yeah, whatever." (Hahaha, suck it up buttercup.)  They both are yelling at the driver to go faster (he doesn't seem to be as crazy as the Kolkata taxi drivers.)
-Gary & Mallory head out and the Globetrotters are the last team in a cab - their driver is givin'er though - blowing the horn the whole time - Flight Time says just so you know, in India when you push down the gas the horn goes - and the only time people drive like this in the States is when there's a helicopter overhead and 3-4 cop cars behind 'em."

-Zev & Justin's driver has to stop for gas.
-Ron & Christina's cab gets detoured by the police, can't go over a bridge, now they're worried.
-The Goths can't go over the animals in the streets - elephants, cows - "Lions and tigers and bears, Oh My."
-Jen & Kisha tell their driver not the let the car behind them pass - but it's the Globetrotters and their driver is Mr Horn - Big Easy  is egging him on - You the Man!  They pass another team.

-The Goths are the first to the Tonga Stand and get the clue to the ROADBLOCK - Who is ready to search for the meaning of life?  Using only pictures for reference, one team member must find 6 holy men in the streets of Varanasi who will each give them a piece of the clue - once they've retrieved all 6 pieces of paper they must arrange them correctly to discover the meaning of life: Once you're over the hill you pick up speed.  Then find the 7th Sadhu and tell him the meaning of life to receive the next clue.
-Kent is going to do it for them.
-Globetrotters are the next team there and Big Easy is going to do the task - uh oh (I don't mean to be negative but last time they had a word related Roadblock the big man did not do so well... I'm just saying.)
-Jen, Gary, Ron and Justin are also doing the task.

Meanwhile - the Cowboys flight has just arrived and they are hitting the dirt road running.

-Kent finds the last sadhu first - denied - he gets nothing from him.
-Big Easy finds one first and shows Jen where he is - they head off together and find the next guy - he tells her to follow him and she says no, she's going the other way (drats, he can't cheat off her paper.)
-Ron can't find anyone, "where are these holy men?"
-Justin - the holy men - they look like anorexic Santa Claus.
-Kent, Gary & Justin all find the same holy man at the same time - Kent & Gary head off in the same direction and Kent tells him if he helps him find all the other guys he'll take him to the end (he knows where the last guy is) Gary says okay but I think he's a little reluctant - Kent is just going to follow Gary.
-Jen's doing well - Big Easy is doing pretty well and Justin is finding a lot of them too.
-Ron - finally finds one of the guys - he's way behind. 
-Jen gets them all and now has to figure out the phrase.

-Back at the Tonga Stand, Zev is having a hard time with the noise just sitting there in the street waiting - he's got sensitive ears and it's sensory overload - Mallory gives him some earplugs and seems to be helping him to calm down (she really is the sweetest little thang.)

-Big Easy & Justin run into each other looking for the same guy - Big Easy being taller than everyone can spot the guy easier (I swear) and they both get the last piece - Big Easy says he knows where the last guy is, "Come on, come on." (Ah, he's found someone else to cheat off of.)

-Jen is the first one finished - she gets the phrase right and gets the clue from the last sadhu - heads back to pick up Kisha - they rip open the clue and it tells them to a Swaminath Akhara - a wrestling club - there they must find the strong man to get the next clue. (He's swinging great big sticks with balls on the end...)

-Justin figures out the phrase with Big Easy there - they both get the clue and head out in little tuk-tuks.

-The Cowboys finally arrive at the Tonga stand area and the three teams still waiting all kind of hide in the crowd so they don't see them and/or the clue box.  Everyone is threatened by them because they are so efficient in the challenges.
-They find the clue box and Cord is going to do it for them.  He heads out running - the faster you run, the faster you get it done.  He says what they do for a living, riding bulls and bucking horses, you don't get paid unless you win so they are used to having to go all out in everything they do.  He's found two sadhus so far and is still going great guns.
-Meanwhile, they show Ron, he's meandering around down by the water - huh, I thought maybe there'd be one down here but maybe I'll just wander back up... (I just want to shake him - You're in a RACE!)

-Gary & Kent finally find the last of the clues and Kent bolts - he takes off without Gary (what a little sh*t!) he says he doesn't feel bad because at that point our co-dependency was over - (What about you telling him you'd take him to the last guy and that you wouldn't screw him?... Not cool.)
-Kent gets the clue, goes back and gets Vyxsin and Mallory asks him how was her Dad, wasn't he working with you?  Kent says he's right behind me - and she wonders if that means he got the clue and didn't show him where it was after.  Jet - Probably.  (Ah, yes, the rest of the teams have the Goths pegged.)

-Jen & Kisha are somewhere - but not the right place.  The Globetrotters and Zev & Justin are the first teams to Tulsi Ghat - and they get the clue for the DETOUR - Feed the Fire or Feed the Buffalo.
-In Feed the Fire - teams travel the Ganges then follow the marked path to the home of a milkman - they must then form 50 fuel patties out of buffalo manure (I said pardon?) and then slap them on the wall to dry in the sun. (I'm gagging already.) Finally, they have to load a stove with fuel patties and light the fire to warm milk for local children - when the fire is lit, they'll get their next clue. (Yes, I'm too Westernized for this task, I'm not ashamed to say.)
-In Feed the Buffalo - teams cross the Ganges and pick up a large bundle of hay - then they must cross the Ganges again and take the hay through the narrow streets to the address attached to the bundle.  When they reach the correct milk farm, they'll receive the next clue.
-Zev & Justin and the Globetrotters all decide to feed the buffalo - Justin is just glad they didn't have to get in the thongs and wrestle (oh, come on, I like it when they make them dress up funny.)  They all head down treacherously steep stairs to boats to cross the river.

-Jen & Kisha find the clue box and decide the load of hay will be too heavy for them so they're going to feed the fire - "Let's feed the children." (Oh, I have a feeling the clue doesn't even hint at what they are feeding the fire with.)

-Zev & Justin and the Globetrotters get to the hay tent and each guys grabs a bundle - so they have two per team. (Is that right?)

-Cord has completed the Roadblock - and Christina is the last person waiting hopefully for Ron... who, it looks like, is totally in the wrong place to find the sadhus... where is he?  Ron tells us he was thinking that maybe they sadhus would be down by the river freshening themselves us, maybe they weren't in the proper garb (What? Why do you think you had the pictures?) "I over-thought it." (That's an understatement.)
-He finally heads back and finds his second sadhu - hopefully he's on the right track now.

-The hay boys are back with their 4 bundles of hay and head for the address on their bundle.
-Kisha & Jen get to the milkman's place and have just figured out that the fuel has something to do with manure - they have no other choice but to jump in (not literally) and the gagging begins. (Oh no, I'm feeling sympathetic nausea for them.)

-The Goths get to the wrestling place and decide to Feed the Fire - (Oh yeah! I think Kent deserves to play in some poop after the crap he pulled on Gary.)
- Gary & Mallory have also decided on Feed the Fire... oh, too bad.  Out on the river they see the cremation area - she is shocked, she's never seen death celebrated like that - Varanasi is like nowhere she's ever been but she's glad she saw it.

-Ron has finally collected all the clues and gotten the clue from the last sadhu - I guess Ron's not over the hill yet, because he's surely not picking up speed.  They head off for the wrestling place.

- Justin is leading the way for the hay boys and he runs into a herd of  buffalo in a narrow alley and they start trying to eat his hay - Big Easy is singing, "Running with ha-ay, in the middle of India."  He yells at Justin to carry the hay over his head - they finally get through the herd.

-Kisha & Jen are still making dung patties- Kisha is slapping them on the wall and says they need more hay in the mixture - Jen is pointing at some of the children nearby - this is for y'all (that's how they tricked them into picking this task - come feed the children... and the fine print - by playing with poo.)  Bicker, bicker - Kisha's remaking some of Jen's patties before she slaps them on the wall - maybe you can do it all. (Don't fight, just get it done - sheesh.)

-Zev & Justin has delivered their hay (2 bundles must have been right) and they get the clue for the Pit Stop: Ramnagar Fort - they must again cross the Ganges, over a bridge this time, to the fort.  The Globetrotters get the clue right behind them but are the first to find a taxi and head out.  The Globetrotters want to go from last to first this leg (they have been smart by attaching themselves to Justin this leg.)

-The Cowboys get to the wrestling place and Cord tells the guys they'll go suit up and be right there (ha! I bet they all thought that at first.)  They read the clue and it's a no-brainer for them to Feed the Buffalo - "We came to the other side of the world to haul some hay."

-Kisha & Jen have completed their 50 fuel patties and the little Indian woman says no - "Are you serious lady, we're trying to feed your kids."  She flicks 3 of the patties off the wall and they remake them - she's satisfied now and they go build a fire to heat the milk (that part goes fast.)  They get the clue to the Pit Stop.

-Kent & Vyxsin get to the stairs leading up to the milkman's place and he's whining that he can't keep up with her after the Roadblock - she takes his bag and they head up to the task.  Cow manure - great.
-Gary & Mallory show up too and Mallory - Cow manure - that seems to be my Amazing Race theme. (Oh yeah, when they raced before she had to climb a huge pile of the stuff in Russia, the babushka task.)  She says she's going to burn her outfit because next time she wears it will like bring cow manure again.

-The Cowboys get to the hay place and grab two bundles of hay - head back to the boat.
-Ron & Christina get to the Detour clue box and decide to Feed the Buffalo.

-Back at manure patty hell - Kent & Vyxsin have completed 50 pies but the old lady rejects a couple.  They remake them and quickly build a fire - head out for the Pit Stop.
-Gary & Mallory get the critical once over and have to remake a couple as well - then they build the fire and head off.

-The Cowboys are "Running with ha-ay, in the middle of India."
-Ron & Christina have now picked up their hay and are heading back.
-Kent & Vyxsin go down to the water and ask locals if they know where the fort is - they jump in a boat to take them across the river but he's taken them out just a little ways and is not going anywhere - they want to be taken back to shore but are being ignored so she jumps out of the boat - not realizing the water's so deep there I'm sure but she goes under - Kent freaks out - Don't go in the water, are you crazy? (I wonder if it's washed her sins away?)  The guys at the dock help her out of the water and they head up to the road to catch a taxi - Kent is telling her she has to "get a grip, sis."

-The Cowboys deliver their hay and get the clue for the Pit Stop.  Ron & Christina deliver their hay as well.

-Kent & Vyxsin can't find a cab now - well, they find an empty one with no driver...

-Ron & Christina take a water taxi to cross the river - they think it's the quickest way and hope no one else thought to take a water taxi.

-The Goths find a taxi with a passenger and ask him if he can take them to the fort - he says he can and Kent says well get this guy out - Then they drag the poor guy out of the back of the tuk-tuk - (Wow, the Goths have become totally cut-throat this episode.  I don't like it.)

Here's how they finished:
1) Flight Time & Big Easy - won the tuk-tuk race to the Pit Stop and went from last to first this leg - they also won a trip for two to Hawaii.  (Big Easy's had a band aid on his head this whole leg - I wonder what he smacked his head on?)
2) Zev & Justin - Zev said a couple years ago he wouldn't have been able to come to India and take it all in, but he's proud of himself that he was able to deal with it.
3) Jen & Kisha - I bet they smell... I would be trying to hug Phil - but they don't.
4) Mallory & Gary - she's so happy. 
5) Jet & Cord - Every time we had to bust it and get back in the race by pure grit and try - that's what we did.
6) Kent & Vyxsin - They are still in the race but it was close - too close for comfort.
7) Ron & Christina - **ELIMINATED** Ron says, "We had a grand ride, it was gift to come back especially with Christina before she gets married next year.  We have no regrets and a lot of good memories (OMG, I got choked up there - what's wrong with me?) Christina says she's much closer with her Dad after this experience - winning isn't everything - they've made memories they'll have forever and that's what's important.

So, with Ron & Christina leaving this week: Susan M, Kevin C, Christine I, Steve H and Krista H are out of the pool... but I hope Krista had a happy birthday on Saturday.

Next Week: In Vienna, Austria - Gary & Mallory fill up -(oh, no they have an eating challenge - more gagging) - and Kent & Vyxsin break down - she drops her end of the couch they're carrying and there is more fighting in the car with her trying to navigate and threatening to never speak to him again... (could be a good thing..?)

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - April 6th Episode Recap

This Game Respects Big Moves

The episode opened at:

Zapatera - Night 18
Returning from voting out Sarita (the loyal) they are mouthing all the platitudes of losers - Sarita took it like a champ.  We have to turn this thing around.  I understand why you voted for me (that was David to Ralph). No one likes a landslide.  We are down to 5 and we have to win the next two challenges.

Redemption Island -Night 18
Sarita comes and wakes up Matt - And he invites her into his Swiss Family Robinson bed... bow chicka wow wow (of course it was nothing like that, just trying to liven things up ;)  Anyway, he starts pumping her for information about Zapatera, saying he's heard it's a nightmare over there (of course his info comes from Russell and the girls) Sarita is singing a totally different tune and tells him they are really great people and he should talk to Mike, he's a cool ex-Marine bad-ass.  (She's feeding him all this info like she knows she's going home already... oh Sarita, given up so soon?)  Matt is glad to hear it, he figures she's the last of the duelers and he's going to have to make up his mind if he gets back on the Ometepe train or becomes the wrathful avenging God of the Old Testament and takes them out.

Ometepe - Day 19
They get the tree mail to send the whole tribe to witness the duel at Redemption Island - they all figure it's a merge.  Rob says they should pack up all their stuff in case they have to move over to Zapatera's camp - Phillip gets obstinate, 'I'm a gambling man, I think they'll come here.'  He's still having a one sided power struggle in his head with Rob but finally he relents and starts packing up. He says he's learned a lot playing the game with Rob and Ometepe has the numbers so he'll stay with them (mighty big of you Phillip, I'm sure they're relieved.)

Zapatera - Day 19
They also realize it's going to be a merge and Mike is talking big - he's ready to get in the ring and go toe-to-toe with Rob (whatever, you haven't shown any of that chutzpa up to this point.)

Redemption Island
-Matt and God are ready for his 6th duel but he's a little nervous because he's cut his foot 'really bad' (it wasn't that bad but out there it could become really bad) - it's on the bottom outside edge of one of his feet so he's worried if they have an endurance challenge it could be an issue.
-Sarita says she's going in with so much confidence she thinks she's a worthy opponent (and she's not a good actress so I know that's what she may be telling herself but that's not what she's feeling.)

Jeff tells them everyone is gathered there today because the winner of this duel will go back into the game - which delights the duelers but freaks out everyone else.  Rob is not happy - if Matt wins, it's no good for me personally, he's holding that against me and he may defect to the other team - that's what I would do.

The duel - they will brace their arms between two walls and balance their feet on very small footholds (of course, the one challenge that will be hard for Matt with the cut) they will move down to smaller footholds every 15mins - last person left standing, wins the duel and re-enters the game.

They begin and Matt is between white walls and Sarita has black walls - really?  They both make it for the first 15 minutes and move down to the second foothold - Matt takes his time with the injured foot but they're both still in it...  And Jeff starts talking with the crowd:  Phillip, give me some insight, situation like this what do you have to do to be successful?
-Well the Bushido Code is how the Samurai knew how he was to conduct his life (Andrea laughs, Rob is exasperated, Ralph is laughing) they had a whole strategy.... blah, blah, blah - pictures of clouds going by... 22 minutes... gives them a way to live like the bible, I know Matt knows it's all up here and if he keeps that focus he'll be fine.  "Thanks Phillip." 
-And they have to move down to the last tiny little footholds and are told they have no time limit how.
Matt is re-adjusting and Sarita looks good but then she starts to adjust and ends up falling - Matt wins the final Duel! (He had to - if he won every duel but the last one, that would not have been just.)
-Jeff  says to Sarita - Throw your buff in the fire on your way by (it's like, "don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out." I still think the buff burning seems mean.) And with Sarita leaving us that means Lindsay J, Kelvin H and Kevin C are out of the pool.

-Matt gets to take his buff off and Jeff gives him a new one - in a new colour - because they are merged!
-Everyone is happy and hugging - handing out the new buffs - when Jeff tells them with the next Tribal Council, Redemption Island starts again... errchh - What?  Matt you could be voted right back here - He says, "Guys, please give me a minute."  Jeff sure knows how to kill a moment... but wow, so the next round of Duels - does the survivor come back for the final vote?  I wonder.
-Matt thinks his time at Redemption Island was an advantage, he had 6 people bread down exactly what was happening in both tribes for him - he just has to be careful what moves he makes cause one mistake and he could be right back where he started.

Merged Tribe - Day 19
They have gone to a whole new beach for both of them - they get there and see FOOD!  Right away they sit down and eat (never mind they are surrounded by building materials - they have to rebuild a new shelter - everything - ugh.) 
-They start to brainstorm names and Rob suggests Murlonio - meaning comes from the sea united - they all agree that will be their new name.  He tells the camera that it's actually an inside joke between him and Amber - Murlonio is the leader of her stuffed animals. No one even questioned it at all - He is the master.
-They get down to building the shelter and Matt asks Grant why they voted him out in the first place - Grant gives some vague excuse about Kristina making them paranoid.
-Mike is watching everything going on - he says Matt is the lynch pin - he was voted out of Ometepe so he must have some animosity there but he sees that Matt and Andrea have a bond so he wants to tread carefully but he's ready to make a move - doesn't want to be just dealt with by Boston Rob when it's his time.

-Mike and Matt go for water and Mike lays out his plan - The way he sees it Matt, Andrea and Phillip will be the next to go from Ometepe if Rob gets his way - if Andrea and Matt will vote with them, and he trusts them whole-heartedly (really?), he (Mike) is willing to whittle down his tribe to honour his word with him and take them to the final 4 (I'm not sure who the 4th is...)  Also, Mike throws in the power seats on the deal - tells him he has access to an immunity idol if he needs it. 
-Matt is still weighing his options - says it sounds good but he's still kicking the tires around there right now and he's got to check with the Survivor Girlfriend.

Murlonio - Night 19
-It's a dark and stormy night and the shelter was never finished so Zapatera folks are all getting poured on while Ometepe are sleeping peacefully under their tarped off section (oh, man, that's horrible.)  Steve hopes Andrea and Matt are ready to switch because being down 5 to 7 in the merge is not good for them.
-Speak of the devils - Matt & Andrea are off in the dark talking strategy.  He tells her he wants to take out the Ometepe tribe - we play along for now - vote Steve then Phillip but then we blindside Rob and take him out.  (It sounds excellent in theory, but Rob's going to be anticipating that... I don't see it panning out for them - God or no God.)
-She seems excited by this but cautious - she thinks it's very risky for her to jump ship at this point but she's definitely keeping her options open. 

Murlonio - Day 21
-Mike is still trying to ingratiate himself with Matt and he's reading the bible - Book of Matthew with Jesus fasting in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights.  Rob is watching the whole thing, he knows exactly what's going on.  Matt is sure that God put him there for a reason and helped him survive Redemption Island in order to honour Him - now he's morally conflicted - he genuinely cares for the Ometepe tribe and doesn't know that he can do the big Survivor move, his heart is telling him to stick with Ometepe. (We need some lion fighting Christians here Matt - Rob is the false prophet - take him down!)
-Rob sees the Christian coalition brewing and he doesn't like it - he's got nothing against God - it's groups forming around any common thing - it's got to be broken up.  He sees Mike is trying to find a couple to go over with them and Rob thinks Mike will be the next to go to Redemption Island if he doesn't win immunity. (Rob is all knowing, all seeing... it's kind of creepy how good he is at this game.)

INDIVIDUAL IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
They will be perched on a small log (on its side, buried in the sand) and they will have to balance a ball on a disc (like a waitress' tray) in their hand - at certain intervals they will add more balls to make it more difficult (up to 3 balls).  If at any point a ball falls off, they are out of the challenge.  Last person standing wins individual immunity.
-Phillip is having trouble from the get go just balancing on the log - but he recovers.
-Julie looked okay but just lost her balance and stepped off the log- first out.
-They add a ball and Ashley is the next out - David loses a ball and he's out.
-They add the third ball and there is no more breaks or time limits now - Andrea is the next one to lose her balls - Grant is the next out and they start dropping like flies - Matt, Rob, Phillip.
-Leaving Mike, Steve, Natalie and Ralph -  Natalie is the last Ometepe and I bet she has waitressing experience (I'm just saying that would help a lot on this one.)  Ralph loses a ball, Steve loses his balance and we are down to Mike and Natalie.  Mike has been solid the whole time, she's wobbling a bit more - a fly lands on one of Mike's balls but still not movement... then he just steps off the log - Huh?  I guess he lost his balance but there was no flailing, he just stepped off.  Which means non-entity brunette girl - Natalie - wins the first individual immunity challenge... much to Rob's relief.
-Mike still hopes Matt will flip but if not, he knows he could be the one going to Redemption Island.

Murlonio - Day 21
-Mike says his feet went numb and he just slid off... he's talking to Zapatera and tells them he doesn't think they'll go for Steve or Julie at this point- he thinks it will be either Ralph or himself since he did well at the challenge.  He asks Ralph if he's willing to use the idol to save him and neutralize their votes - Ralph agrees if need be.  Then Mike says they should go for Grant since they won't be expecting that then hopefully reel in Matt so they can take Rob out next.
-Rob and Matt are off talking on a rock - Matt has decided to honour his God he's not going to flip.  So he tells Rob that Mike told him they have a hidden immunity idol and offered to take him to the final 4 and Matt wants to stay there as long as he can but he wants to stay with Ometepe.
-Rob can't believe him - first he has the audacity to come up with a plan to take him (Rob) out - then he has the stupidity to tell him about it - Matt just bought himself a one-way ticket back to Redemption Island. 
-Matt is still running his mouth - he had it all worked out, he talked with Andrea - she comes up and joins them and can't believe how STUPID Matt is - we agreed not to tell anyone and here he is throwing me under the bus.  Rob can't believe it either - he's just letting him talk.  She's going to have to throw it into damage control mode and distance herself from god-boy.
-They discuss who to vote for and Matt thinks Steve, they won't give up the idol for him.

-Rob goes back to camp and tells Natalie it's got to be Matt - he tells Ashley and she agrees - he's just too nice and he's playing it the same way he did the first time around.  Rob tells Grant they have to vote Matt and Grant is reluctant since he's such a good Christian boy - but he can be a good Christian at Redemption Island (Christian's do kinda thrive when they are persecuted.)

-Matt sees everyone going off without him and he's feeling the paranoia - Mike likes to see that.  He tries again - you guys have to vote with us... then Rob comes and takes Matt away to do some work on the shelter - Mike writes him a note and passes it to him in the guise of working on the shelter... it's so high school - all the Zapatera boys are tittering.
-Matt goes for a walk real quick and reads the note - it says 'Vote for Grant and I'll take you to the final 3.'  Andrea meets up with him and he says it could be his golden ticket - she asks what are the chances of him doing something crazy tonight - he says he doesn't want to but...
-Rob all of a sudden realizes Matt and Andrea are gone... he realizes if they still flip he could be in a world of hurt.  He tells Andrea she needs to vote for Matt tonight.  Andrea doesn't trust Rob anymore and thinks it could be the right time to flip but then Matt's being so wishy-washy... she doesn't know what to do.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Ralph, what's it like with 12 people in camp?
-It's rough, we're like two tribes still, sleeping in two areas and there's not a lot of talking - they go their way and we go ours.
-Rob - it's freaking crazy what's going on there Jeff - we're not saying anything to each other, I never seen anything like it. (Big fake smile.)
-David - we slept under the bad side of the shelter - they had the tarp so we were soaking wet.
-Ashley - we won the tarp so if we choose to sleep under it...
-David - Points out they only 'won' the tarp because they threw the challenge.
Rob is just laughing.  He apparently thinks this is hi-larious.
-Phillip - Jeff, that's the distinction between the two tribes...
-David - Oh please
-Phillip - Please don't interrupt, I'll be courteous and let you speak, just don't interrupt (oh yeah, this is their first dose of Phillip at Tribal council - no wonder all the Ometepe tribe is laughing and Zapatera is just bewildered.)
-Phillip continues: There are some on that tribe - like the Sea, it's beautiful but when it recedes it leaves a stench that you know is parasitic and should not be touched. (Oh yeah, he brings the crazy.)
Jeffs asks why they're laughing and Ashley says, "That, whatever Phillip just said.  Look we don't dislike them as people but we're just being loyal to our original tribes."
-Matt, freshly returned from Redemption Island - coming into this... (and all the laughing stops)
-It was so much easier without all these people around - I've had some pretty wild Tribal Councils so far blah, blah... (all the levity is gone, looks like none of the Ometepe feel good voting for him again.)
-So, it's 5 Zapatera, 6 Ometepe and Matt...obviously he's a big vote
-Mike - definitely he is the man in the middle and you can see it wearing on him - but everything is going to fall out with this vote and we'll find out where everybody stands.
Ralph, what do you do to try and convince Matt to come over to you?
-Be good to him, take him further in the game - they done canned him once, they'll likely do it again.
Matt, fair argument, these guys voted you out, why go with them (Looks like Rob is trying the Jedi mind trick to shut Jeff up but it's not working.)
-It's an extremely fair argument - I've been gone for 15 days and time didn't stop - they've grown closer together and I'm on the bottom but I've been struggling with what to do and I'm starting to see the big picture.
Looks like David likes the sound of that and Rob, not so much.

Time to vote:
Looks like Matt is struggling with what to do...  Steve whispers this should be good.

Tallying the votes:
Jeff asks if anyone wants to play a hidden immunity idol and Ralph gets up (no) and presents the hidden idol on behalf of MIKE. (Oh, no Ralphie... what a waste.)

Votes:
Grant 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Steve 1
Matt 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - And Matt goes back to Redemption Island.
David is very impressed- 'Genius is what that was' - I think Rob has a new disciple.
Julie feels sorry for the poor kid.
Matt is blind-sided - what the heck guys.
And Jeff warns them that they will have to duel Matt eventually and he doesn't think forgiveness will be on his mind.  (I don't think anyone really needs to worry - Matt just proved he's not a vengeful guy and even if he is feeling more vengeful this time, I don't think he has it in him to act on it.)

Next week: Rob solidifies his leadership of his tribe - or does he.  Grant is talking to Steve - says he's his own man... ooh, trouble in paradise.  And Phillip gets a makeover - he's got a feather in the middle of his forehead - he asked for a sign and out of the blue appeared this feather - (oh crazy-pants, don't ever change.)

Matt returns to Redemption Island and proves he's just too survivor-stupid to ever win this game.  He has no idea what happened - he put his trust in God and today God's will is contradictory to what he wanted.  He likes these people and wants to be friends with these people (oh, there is your problem - no one is there to make friends) but apparently he's just not very good at this game of Survivor (and I think he's just come to realize the truth of the matter right there.)

Have a great rest of the week everyone,

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - March 30th Episode Recap

It Don't Take a Smart One


Jeff's voice over recap blames Zapatera's turn for the worse on them throwing that challenge to oust Russell... (I still say it was so worth it and would like to shake all their hands.) Reminder they voted out Stephanie last week and the tribes are now even at six players each.

Zapatera - Night 16

-Skinny Richard (Steve) tries to clear the air with the obvious tension now between David and Sarita, he says they hope they can still come together.

-David says he doesn't trust Sarita but she hasn't done anything directly to him so he'll be fine. She says she welcomes constructive criticism and will try to suck it up... I don't believe either one of them - they keep mouthing the platitudes: we'll do what's in our collective best interest... blah blah blah... but Sarita talks a good game and tries to come off sweet (I think she's a big phony) and David's dropped all pretense of tolerating her at this point - but he needs to watch the attitude - being the arrogant, abrasive, whiner will get him kicked out in a heartbeat (this could get interesting.)

Redemption Island - Day 17

-Stephanie is just talking about food - every kind of junk food she's going to eat when she gets home...

-Matt just finds her annoying (I bet, he's planning on being there for the long haul - shut up about the food already... or is she really that smart - trying to throw him off his game through his stomach?) Oh, he says God's going to keep him out there as long as he's supposed to be there... (hmm, maybe Stephanie is just one of the trials God is making him face in his holy Survivor quest... I bet he wishes God wasn't so mean sometimes :)

Ometepe - Day 17

-They get the note to choose 2 people to go to observe the duel - Phillip says he's going to go, it's his turn and Rob also announces he's going.

-Phillip says he doesn't trust Rob anymore because of him trying to hide the clue to the hidden idol from him and as Miyamoto Musashi wrote in the Book of 5 Rings, and what is so difficult to do, is let your enemy move first - and that is where Rob's weakness is - he is extemely controlling, but he doesn't control me.

-Rob says he's got to go because Phillip can't go without a chaperone, "So I got to babysit his ass. He's dangerous because of his stupidity. He's probably the most unaware person I've ever met in my life." (wow, and he was on the same tribe with Coach on Heroes vs Villains so that is saying something.)

Redemption Island

David and Man-Sweater (Ralph) are there for Zapatera.

Today's duel will test their memory - Scattered in the arena are matching pairs of symbols (tiles on individual frames) each round they have to flip over two symbols trying to find the pairs - each pair is a point and first person to 5 points wins.
Stephanie wins the coin toss and elects to have Matt go first - and God guides him to find a match straight off - that's what she gets for aligning with the Devil... oh, spoke too soon - she gets a match on her first go too.
They are tied 1-1. And it starts to get harder but Matt stays in the lead - he's up 4 to 3 and misses a match - she has the chance to tie it up but she messes up and he takes it, finds the 5th pair and remains the Duel King!

-Jeff gives her the opportunity to speak, she has a little cry to be giving up her dream to be there ‘til the end then she reverts to form and addresses Ralph directly - you got to get rid of Sarita, she's your weakest link - I know you think David is because he voted with me but he's the only one that can do puzzles - do you want to take on that responsibility? Ralph says he'll do what he has to (didn't you learn anything last time? Don't interact with the departed.)

-Jeff goads her on to talk to Rob and Phillip - She tells Rob to look out because they'll try to take him out like they did Russell and he should try to win Matt back but good luck, he's been here a long time (God's helping him in his quest for vengeance on Rob...I don't see them buddying up again.)

-With that the pushy little thing throws her buff in the fire and walks off into the jungle. And with Stephanie leaving that means: Jodi S, Jeremy N and Brittany & Sarah R are out of the pools.

-Jeff asks Phillip what he thinks of Matt and he starts quoting the Bushutu code (I think he meant Bushido – I looked it up - This code is said to have emphasized virtues such as loyalty, honor, obedience ) - tells him he is definitely a Samurai Warrior - Matt laughs, "Thank you Phillip." And as he's walking out Matt pointedly says to Rob, "I won another one."

-Phillip, by not keeping his big mouth shut, has shown Rob that he's ready to make a big move at the merge and that move is to get Rob out... (Bye-bye Phillip.)

Ometepe - Day 17

-On the way back to camp Phillip asks Rob if he wants him to withhold any information - Rob tells him he doesn't want to play that way, they need to stay one cohesive unit. Rob tells us that he was hoping Phillip would say something like that so he could use it as ammunition and (one of my favourite reality show staples) throw him further under the bus with it.

-Rob tells the tribe that Stephanie lost and she warned him that Zapatera would be coming for him.
-Phillip walks away and Rob right away tells them that Phillip didn't want to tell them anything and he knows that Phillip will flip at the first opportunity so if they lose, Phillip is the next to go to Redemption Island.
-Rob is content to hide behind Phillip - let everyone hate on him so Rob is free to do whatever he wants. He says there will be no blindside with Phillip, if he asks who they're voting for, he'll front-side him.

Zapatera - Day 17

-Steve asks if Stephanie was nasty after she lost and Ralph says she told them to beat us - David defends her and says it was nothing egregious though, nothing unexpected - then he walks away.

-Ralph tells them Matt is definitely still with Ometepe (okay, that tells me how observant Ralph is) then says that their David would definitely flip, given half the chance. To the camera Ralph says, “But he's a law-yer, you expect that from them - they think they're better than everyone.”

-David tries to tell them they should go fishing - everyone else knows better and is fed up with his know-it-all ways. He's bugging everyone, not savvy at the social game, the women want to smack the arrogant smirk off his face.

-Ralph - you don't have to be smart to win this game, you just have to be able to maneuver ... (then I couldn't decipher the accent anymore and didn't feel like rewinding again.)

Ometepe - Day 18

-They're all standing around eating rice (except Rob) and the girls are saving the crispy stuck on stuff for Rob. The more they talk about it the more you can smell Phillip thinking - then he strides over and says he wants some of the crispy - the girls close ranks and won't let him near it and he has a little tantrum - "We are all entitled to the same portion of food, I saw you had some of the crispy, I don't see why it's a big deal if I have some of the crispy" (it was ridiculous) "All I ever hear is Rob, Rob, Rob, Rob" (and all I heard was: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha.)

-He just goes on and on (he's so jealous it's crazy) - the girls pay deference to Rob on everything, sleep in his underwear every night (ew, I don't want to know that) sleep in his bed and save the food he likes to eat - everyone likes the brown crispy rice but Rob gets it all (the ego is taking a beating – The lion and gorilla can’t handle not being top banana.)

-Rob comes into camp and the girls are all fawning all over him (not a proud moment for my sex I must say) and Natalie tells him all about Phillip's rant. Rob says, Oh well.

-Phillip has a head of steam now - he says he's getting rid of Rob first chance he gets (I don't see that chance coming) and he continues to rail that he is the senior member of this tribe at 52 years of age and if anyone, he should be entitled to the crispy rice just in deference to his age - instead he gets the red-headed step-child treatment. He gives 110%, he gets no respect and he's sick of it. (And they're sick of you.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

We have an obstacle course - we've seen this one before. They have to work together to get through all the obstacles and collect 3 bags of balls - then they have to throw all 6 balls into a basket - first team to get all their balls in the net win Immunity and [Ralph, "Whater we playin' fer?] Reward - helicopter ride to a picnic with food and booze (except for Natalie, who's under age.)

Off they go and jump into the hay - unwind the balls from the spring Rob gets it down quickly and Sarita takes a lot of time. Under the rope crawl - through the rope webs (Phillip gets stuck) - to the next spring and David takes over for Sarita, he uses Rob's technique and gets the ball much quicker than Rob this time - Zapatera takes the lead - Into the net crawl - Phillip is really slow going and Rob is helping push him along - both teams working on the last bag of balls - Zapatera still ahead - breaks through the brick walls and they are trying to untie the knots - Sarita keeps asking someone to help her. They are all now trying to put the balls in the basket - but they are softball sized balls - and the hoop is really small and high - Ometepe gets a lead but Zapatera ties it up - they are both struggling to get the last ball in the basket... and Grant sinks the last ball - OMETEPE wins Immunity and Reward - Again.

Helicopter comes in to get them and Phillip gets camera time for his speech: "Some tribes advance boldly. Weak tribes will agitate it. But superior tribes, like ours, we Find... A Way... TO WIN! And we did."

REWARD

They are taken to the rim of a volcano - steaming crater in the earth - and Rob said it was one of the coolest experiences he's ever had (which is saying something having played Survivor 4 times and the Amazing Race twice). Then they EAT! Everyone is feeling the joy of victory and is glad to be sharing this day together - even Phillip said he was feeling tribal in his thinking.

-Rob, of course, is playing the game - he knows there's a clue there somewhere - sees the jar of rolled up cookies, fishes a couple out, passes them around and slips the clue that was in the middle into his back pocket. At the edge of the volcano he says, "Doesn't matter what it says, I already have the idol." Toss. That's right, he tossed it right into the volcano - with a grin from ear to ear (Super cocky doesn't usually play well in Survivor - I have a feeling Rob may be heading for some Survivor karma someday soon.)

Zapatera - Day 18

Mike says, "That sucked." and knows they are not in a good situation - they're now down in numbers with a looming merge.

-Steve, Mike, Julie and Sarita are discussing what to do and I at first I thought Sarita wanted to go home - She's still holding her face like the tooth hurts and when they say they're thinking David she asks if they're sure they want to lose the puzzle maker because she wants this tribe to win. But she’s just sussing them out – using reverse psychology.

-They think Mike can do whatever Dave can do and then Sarita says she would put herself up if she though Dave was better than her but she just doesn't think he's good.

-Sarita goes and finds Man-Sweater to make sure he's on the same page and Ralph says he thought David did awesome today (he did do well in the challenge) Sarita says that's beside the point, she doesn't trust him (and like Ralph, himself said earlier this episode) she thinks David will flip at the first opportunity... oh yeah, he remembers that now.

-David says he's feeling nervous tonight - he doesn't think the tribe has seen light in terms of keeping strength on the tribe and he could be going home.

-Mike and Steve think they should keep David - he was strong in the challenge and Sarita was not, she panicked a couple times - They go to work on Ralph - pointing out that Sarita is definitely the weakest So their choice is loyal or strong... it's still up in the air as they go to:

TRIBAL COUNCIL

Ralph, what's happened to Zapatera? What happened at the challenge?
- We were ahead until we got to the balls...

David, finish this sentence, "Excuses are for ____."
- Losers.

Ralph - Well, I'm a loser then. (And he just lost Ralph's support.)

Julie, there is one looming stat: since you threw the challenge to get rid of Russell you have lost all 4 challenges. (I thought they won the next one after - didn't they?)
- That's right, it was bad karma (or is it the Devil's Curse?) At that time we thought we were a way stronger tribe than the other tribe and could afford it - we still think we're stronger.

David, maybe it's not that the other tribe is stronger, just that they're more cohesive. (Yeah, go ask the red-headed stepchild about that.)
- That's exactly what it is - it's a lack of unity - when we were banded together against Russell we had a common goal. The other tribe looks like they're all friends.

Ralph, is that what it is, you have to be more cohesive? Ralph doesn't understand the word so Jeff states it more simply - you have a group of guys, would you rather have the strong guys that don't get along or the weaker guys that work together well.
-Ralph - I'd rather have the ones that don't get along - they work harder - the other guys just yak yak yak (Haha, well that blew up in Jeff's face - and Ralph's probably right in the real world.)

-Steve respectfully disagrees - he'd rather have a group that gets along - and he thinks they are working together.

Krista and Stephanie would disagree and from what I've seen of David and Sarita, David would also disagree.
- Steve - that's why Krista & Stephanie are gone - they were the dissenters.

- David says he's worried that his voting with Stephanie last tribal will be looked upon as his dissenting but he says he gave Stephanie his word he'd do that and he wasn't going to go back on his word. (Ha, nice try, I don't think they'll find that loyal when you sided against them.)

Sarita, so David's making the argument that by keeping his word he was demonstrating loyalty.
- Yeah, that doesn't fly with me - I trusted in the six.
David - I trusted in the six but I don't have individual trust in you though (and why is that? Oh, because you're trying to save your ass.)
Sarita - I was surprised when he voted for me. He yelled at me a couple times but we were still aligned within the six.
David - So we had no alliance but you were still willing to work with me within the six.
Sarita - we had the agreement within the six and you broke that last time by voting against us.
David - I did what I thought was best for the tribe.
But it's different tonight because there is no Stephanie and there is no Krista...
Sarita - and he wrote my name down.
So you're gunning for David tonight.
- Um... (Just say YES - sheesh.)
David - Of course she is, it's obvious. If she thinks I betrayed the alliance of course she's gunning for me. Everyone has their mind made up whether it's me or her, so be it.

They Vote:

Sarita for David - I was always honest with you and you betrayed me. It's unfortunate because I think you have a lot of great qualities.

David for Sarita - I hope you love Redemption Island as much as I love writing your name down.

Tallying the Votes:

Sarita - 1

David - 1, 2

Sarita - 2, 3, 4 - She's blindsided and right away whines to Julie, "I wish I'd brought my stuff." David proves the jerk he is and gloats, "Don't get too confident."

Sarita’s thoughts: David won out by saying he was stronger but what they didn't take into consideration is at this point you don't necessarily want someone who can win individual immunity - they just wanted the most robust football team and God love them for it.

Next week:

Matt cut his foot pretty badly and it jeopardizes his chances in the duel - the winner of which will be going back into the game. Then they hear the words they've been anticipating - You Are Merged. Phillip thinks it's a whole new game and Rob is paranoid - I know they're coming for me. (Oh yes, they are... should be a gooder.)

Have a great rest of the week everyone,

Coleen

Amazing Race Unfinished Business - March 27th Episode Recap

I Feel Like a Monkey in a Circus Parade (Kolkata, India)

Quick recap from last week - Gary & Mallory used the express pass but still came in second to the Cowboys (because they're magic) and Kent & Vyxsin survived by U-turning the Redheads, who thankfully went home.

The Cowboys are the first to depart from Kunming, China at 2:14pm - the clue tells them it's tea time - they have to make their way to a tea shop and take part in a traditional tea tasting - what they don't know is that the mango and papaya infused tea will appear in another challenge later in this leg of the race - once they complete the tasting they'll get a brick of tea and their next clue.
-Jet says their wives are making as big a sacrifice as they are while they're there - staying home and taking care of their child and the ranch - it's added incentive that makes them really not want to go home empty handed (happy wife, happy life - 'strue.)
-Gary & Mallory are 2 minutes behind them and she's not excited to be staying in China.
-Margie & Luke -2:48pm - he's also upset to be staying in China - Damn it.

-The Cowboys are taken to the street but don't see the tea shop, nothing's in English - Gary & Mallory are the first team to make it to the correct place and they start the tasting - she says, mmm Peach.  The Cowboys get there as they are leaving, she tells them the tea is good, peach.
-Gary & Mallory's clue tells them they are heading to India. When they arrive in Kolkata, India they must make their way to town hall where they'll find their next clue.

-The rest of the teams are heading out and no one is happy to be staying in China (Poor China, it's gonna get a complex.)  Zev & Justin are the last team to head out and Zev is wearing silver pajamas - a pick me up for this leg of the race.
-They all drink the tea and say it's good but no one asks what it is except Christina, who speaks the language.  They find out it is mango/papaya tea.  Zev even comments when they finish, "That was pointless."... oh just you wait.

-All the teams are on the same flight to Calcutta/Kolkata (I had to look it up and apparently: "In 2001, the city's name was officially changed from Calcutta to Kolkata." they are one in the same) - it is a foot race out of the airport where they are met by a teaming mass of humanity - Oh my gosh.  Mallory already loves India, Ron couldn't believe there were that many people for a midnight flight (their cab driver laughs.)
-Flight Time & Big Easy are the first team on the road - they tell their driver to go fast - he says, "You wait for your friends?" NO!
-The Cowboys cab passes Gary & Mallory and is coming up on the Globetrotters - everyone is screaming through the streets - the cabs are running red lights, Luke thinks theirs is running on the train tracks, near misses with a bus and Ron & Christina were nearly T-boned by a huge truck (I think they'll need a change of undies after that one.  Well, no one can say they got screwed by getting a wimpy cab driver - they're all crazy.)
-Teams start arriving at Town Hall in one piece and see the gates don't open until 10am - half the teams are waiting at the gates when the rest get there and Big Easy starts yelling at them to "Run, run and sign in" - it's bedlam as the teams run from their cabs like chickens with their heads cut off - Big Easy laughs! (He's evil... but that was funny.)  They realize that he's just kidding and everyone has a laugh about it - Mallory gives them a smack... "My God, we're like dogs."

-10:00am the gates open and everyone races inside - the clue is a ROADBLOCK - Who's ready to drink in the scenery?  Kolkata has always been where Chinese tea came to India and Indian tea left for China - here they will face a Roadblock that will push their powers of perception to the extreme.  Team members will take part in the ancient custom of tea tasting - the teams must bring a mango and a papaya along with their brick of tea to the auctioneer - once the auctioneer infuses the flavours they must find the same tea they tasted in China among hundreds of cups of tea laid out on the table.  When they find the right tea they will receive a bottle of iced tea from the auctioneer with a clue under the cap. (Are you kidding me?  I hope they have sophisticated palates.)
-Kisha, Justin, Jet, Kent, Flight Time, Luke, Mallory, Ron, Zev - they are all tasting tea - Ron is the only one who really knows what he's looking for and he was smelling as well as tasting - the mango came through and he is the first one done.  He gets the bottle of iced tea... how do I get the clue?  He opens the bottle and luckily sees the writing in the cap - they now have to make their way to a tea stall to get their next clue.
-Everyone else is just taking random cups, going by colour since none have figured out the significance of the fruit at the beginning - Jet finally decides to go by smell and he finds one that smells like it - He's right - the Cowboys are the next one's out.
-Kisha lucks into finding one - Luke says he's full - Mallory looks like she's ready to puke. 
-Kent finally finds one and now can't figure out the clue from the bottle - Vyxsin finds it under the cap though.
-Mallory finally finds one by smelling it - that is the key - smell it first. 
-Still have Flight Time, Luke and Zev not able to find the right tea - Zev just drops the last cup he gets wrong smash - Justin says he's not going to be any fun after this.
-Zev is the next one to luck into it - he's not able to show his joy - Justin hugs him anyway and tells him he can wet himself in the cab.

-Ron is being the old fart he is in the cab - grousing about the cab driver - they decide to change cabs.
-Kisha & Jen are just asking people if they know where Snapple is made - their cab driver said he knew and I thought was taking them to the right place but then he says he doesn't know and they get out of the cab and ask more people if they know where it's made (OPEN the bottle!)

-Kent & Vyxsin are the first team to the tea stand and they get the next clue. DETOUR - Hindu Art or Bengali Literature.
-In Hindu Art, teams make their way to a statuary shop where they must paint, dress and adorn a statue of the Hindu god, Ganesha.  Once theirs matches the intricate design of the example, they will get their next clue.
-In Bengali Literature - they must make their way to a book store then take 8 stacks of children's book with them into a rickshaw school bus (yellow caged wagon) then direct the rickshaw through the congested streets of Kolkata to a school where they must deliver the books to receive their next clue (why would anyone do this challenge I ask you? - Maybe it's a hint of claustrophobia or my latent artistic streak but the statue seems like a no-brainer to me.)
-The Goths are doing the statue - Vyxsin says she's crafty. 
-Gary & Mallory get to the tea stall and she says we can do the delivery one if you want. (Really?)

-Kisha & Jen are still asking where the tea is made and a guy wants to open the bottle - Jen says 'no way' - then Kisha thinks, huh, maybe it is in the top and opens the bottle - Jen freaks - Shut the bleep bleep! (What were you thinking not opening the bottle?  I don't get it.)  At least now they know where to head.

-Christina & Ron finally find the tea stall and decide on Hindu Art.  The sisters get to the stall and also go with Hindu Art.

-Back in tea tasting hell - Flight Time and Luke are still striking out.

-Gary & Mallory get to the book store and get their bundles of books - they take them out to the rickshaw school buses and find someone who speaks English to give them directions.  As Gary wedges himself through the small door into the cage he says he feels like a monkey in the circus parade. LOL

-The Cowboys finally find the tea stall and decide to do the Literature. Huh.
-Justin and Zev also are going to do the book delivery.

-The artistic teams make it to the statuary - when Kent saw they had to paint the statue 'Pretty in Pink' just like them he knew they chose wisely. 
-Ron, on the other hand, is instantly complaining about the noise level since there are people there playing instruments really loudly right at them - he puts in ear plugs but it's still giving him a headache (grumpy old codger) Christina gives him heck for not concentrating - the music is doing it's job and distracting him from the task at hand. Good Grief.

-Back at the tea table - Flight Time is remembering the last time on the Race when they couldn't complete a task and took the penalty which ultimately eliminated them - he said they made a pact this time around and they were not doing that again - finally, he finds the right tea.  They jump in a cab and Big Easy opens the tea- this is where we need to go - FAST!
-Luke is the last one there and he breaks down - crying "It's too hard." Margie gives him a hug and tells him he can finish it - but she's not sure he can. (Huh, good thing there's no nuance in sign language.)  He feels like he let her down but she's so proud of him.

-Gary & Mallory get to the school and deliver the books - they get the clue to go to the Pit Stop - the Fountain of Joy.... Okay, maybe I was wrong, seems like the books were the way to go.

-Kent is enjoying painting on the eyebrows and accessorizing their statue - it's like them getting ready in the morning.
-Ron just hears music. (Turn down that racket!)

-The Cowboys can't find the bookstore/publisher - kept getting directions to go up and down the street.
-Zev & Justin find the bookstore and head off in the school bus - Zev is hanging his head out the back because he's feeling claustrophobic - but it's for a good cause.
-The Cowboys finally find the right bookstore and get their books - they take off in the cage... this is quite the school bus.

-Watching Luke break down is heart breaking - Margie tells him to just think how he'll feel if he doesn't finish - the turbaned tea guys start clapping for him to bolster him - he's going through the last cups and finally finds the correct one. YAY!  The turbaned tea guys pick him up like the conquering hero and Margie runs to hug him.  She says she's so proud of him in the cab - but they're both still upset.

-The artists all finish their statues - Kent & Vyxsin, then Kisha & Jen, then Ron & Christina get the Pit Stop clue and head out.

-Zev & Justin make their delivery to the school, get the clue and jump in a cab.
-The Cowboys also make the book delivery and read the clue with all the children - aw, so cute.

-Flight Time & Big Easy are painting the statue - that should be fun.

-Everyone is stuck, very stuck in traffic - Ron has a splitting headache because of the music and now they're not moving (grump, grouse, complain... that's all he does.)  Goths, Zev & Justin, Kisha & Jen, the Cowboys - all are sitting in traffic (must be rush hour.)

-Margie & Luke get to the statuary and see the Globetrotters are still there - this gives them hope.  Big Easy is like a bull in a china shop and kicks a bucket of paint splashing brown all over the bottom of the statue - they have to fix that before they can move on - he's not too happy.

-The Globetrotters do the necessary touch ups and complete the statue-  Flight Time - with some jaunty spots of pink on his head - stops and hugs Margie & Luke before they take off - he said he knows how tough it was with the tea and just wanted to show respect that they hadn't given up.  Margie appreciated it.

-Globetrotters are having trouble finding a taxi  - Margie & Luke finish the statue...

Here's How they finished:1) Gary & Mallory - And we find out this whole episode has been a Snapple commercial - Snapple has created two new flavours based on this leg and they will be the first to taste them - plus they will get a wonderful meal, Bollywood entertainment and one million rupees (about $20K US). 
2) Jet & Cord
3) Ron & Christina
4) Zev & Justin - Teams 2, 3 and 4 all arrive at the mat together - group hug! And cheers with Amazing Race Snapple tea. (Have I mentioned I hate the product driven episodes, makes me mad.)
5) Kent & Vyxsin - Cord tells them they're team #4 - No, 5!
6) Kisha & Jen - we'll take it.
7) Flight Time & Big Easy - fought like crazy to get there today - they just hope their 2nd chance isn't over... and it's not.
8) Margie & Luke - **ELIMINATED** And there is more crying... by me (damn it - crying deaf guy gets me) It's been an emotional afternoon for them both - Luke said it was a big dream of his to be on the Amazing Race and he had a good time racing with his Mom.  She tells him she's very proud of him (and I need a tissue.)
So with the tearful farewell of Margie & Luke, we also see Shelly P, Alex H, Chiquita D, Lee G and Ian G. exiting the pools.  Bye guys.

In Two Weeks - the crap they'll so for a million dollars (Kisha & Jen look to be making goat dung patties an slapping them on a wall) and Zev can't believe his ears - the overwhelming noise makes him not like that place.

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - March 23rd Episode Recap

Their Red-Headed Stepchild

Quick recap from last week - Zapatera was too cocky and lost the challenge - they voted blond #3 - Krista... and the episode opened at:

Redemption Island - Night 13

The new pretty blond people tribe - Krista was looking forward to meeting Matt since she saw him in the duel, he appeared to have more substance than the people she's spent the past 14 days with (bow chicka bow wow).  And they start talking about God... really? and playfully talking smack - calling each other Blondie... how precious.

Zapatera - Day 14

Steve is bothered that the girls both voted for him at Tribal Council and he asked Stephanie why - she wants to gather everyone but he's not giving her that platform - she tells him she thinks he's a weak player.
-They are being so polite and proper, dancing around this conversation - she's trying not to widen the rift in the tribe and Steve is too vain and proud to accept the fact that he's no spring chicken.  He thanks her for explaining but tells her he thinks the vote was another stupid move on their part. (Argh! Get over yourself.)

Ometepe - Day 14

Ashley & Natalie (chicky 1 & 2) decide to have another beach/spa day - and they're clipping their armpit hairs with scissors (yeah, they are getting very familiar out there) - meanwhile, Phillip is collecting wood and tending the fire, Rob is chopping wood to make a daybed, Andrea is helping him with that task... and lazy lumps are making sure their eyebrows are groomed... Ashley says she's worked hard all her life (she's all of what 24?) she's played basketball and been in pageants, it's not like she's lazy... (okay, I'm done with you - time to drop the dead weight.)
-Everyone has moved on to hair braiding and sitting around and Phillip comes over and asks the girls if it would be possible for them to just check on the fire every 1/2 hour or so, the wood is wet and he wants it to keep going.  Andrea's the only one that acknowledges him - and she wasn't really the one he was talking to.
-Phillip is fed up with chicky 1 & 2 - they're treating him like their red-headed stepchild... he's going to be really pissed if he goes to Redemption Island before those two - who do nothing.  (Sorry to tell you Phillip-  they are easily controlled votes for Rob - they'll be staying.)

Redemption Island - Day 14

Blond tribe got Krista's luxury item and it's a BIBLE... oh no... Matt says Krista's not like the other people out there, they have both been struggling with not having a faith community out there - people to talk to about their beliefs (Oh man, they're like a Survivor Adam & Eve... maybe they'll run off together into the jungle never to be heard of again.) He says connecting with her is definitely going to make it harder to compete with her... and maybe she is a better strategian than I gave her credit for.

DUEL
Andrea & Natalie and Julie & Mike are the spectators for the duel. 

The combatants will use a grappling hook to fish in 3 bags each containing a ball.  When they have all 3 bags they will use one ball to complete a table maze - first person to complete it will remain - loser is gone for good.

-Off they go - They have to stay on a small square platform as they toss the hook - Matt misses with his first throw - she gets all of hers on three throws and she starts on the table maze first - Matt is trying to catch up and drops the ball - he starts again and catches up - they are neck and neck... and Krista drops the ball... MATT wins the duel! (Of course, God wanted him to.)
-Krista makes a show of gifting Matt her bible - they had agreed whatever happened today it was God's will.  Jeff, of course, makes sure to ask if this was something they shared (as if to say: what else have they been sharing out there) and Matt was so grateful for the bible - "that book breathes life."

-Andrea, on the other hand, was bitten by the green-eyed monster and is seeing Matt in a totally different way - she thought they had a strong bond and wanted him to stay in as long as possible but obviously he also bonded with Krista (really quickly) ... Now she's seeing him as dangerous (she scares me a little bit, hopefully she doesn't have a lock of his hair to make a voodoo doll... but then God would protect him anyway.)

*With Krista leaving - that takes Kevin T, our first time player - thanks for coming out, Kim B, it's been a tough week for Kim and Bob L, ooh tough season for the Lowe family... out of the game.  (Sorry guys, maybe some praying would have helped :)

Zapatera - Day 15

-Sarita has a toothache- she thinks she got some bacteria in her gum 'brushing' her teeth with a stick.
-Julie just thinks she's a drama queen princess. (Suck it up buttercup.)
-Ralph thinks cleaning her teeth with a dirty stick and getting an infection is a stupid way to take yourself out of the game.
-Julie talking to Mike says Sarita is really starting to wear on her. (There is trouble in paradise.)

-Lawyer David is talking to Stephanie and says she has to find a way to unseat Sarita in the tribe because if it's just him and the 5 of them he'll shoot himself. (Uh... and this is her problem how?)  He's telling her to start talking to everyone - he wants her to become a member of the tribe so he can try and get Sarita out.
-Stephanie has to lie there and think ... how to suck up to people she hates... (Think, this crow I'm eating tastes like a million dollars :)

Ometepe - Day 15

-Phillip is again gathering wood and everyone else is just sitting around.  He warns them that the storm clouds are coming in they should be stock piling wood.  No one moves a muscle or says anything.
-As he walks away Ashley complains that he didn't ask them nicely, he was dictating, sorry. (I want to smack her.)
-Phillip says they are reaping the fruits of his labour and he's fed up he's not getting any credit (I was with him until he said he wanted credit - he wants them to fawn all over him more than he wants their help.  I'd be telling them they don't get food if they don't help build the fire and cook it - he just wants adoration.)
-Rob & Grant are gathering wood and know those girls aren't going to do it - they also know better than to try and tell them to do it.  Phillip, not so much.
-He finally confronts Ashley and Natalie and tells them he's sick of them sitting around doing nothing
-She says she's sick of him picking on them and not the boys. 
P - The boys and Andraya are pulling their weight - you won't do anything unless someone tells you to.
A - It's Andrea.
She tries to walk away and he says fine, I'll follow you...
A - OMG! (doesn't he know when he's been dismissed?) You're not my dad, Phillip.  She thinks he's mental and (eye roll) "I'm just done with him. Done."

-Rob says ideally they want to keep winning and not get rid of anyone, he sees this rift could really fracture his tribe so he pulls Phillip aside to try and squash this thing.  He says to Phillip that he totally gets it, but at this point the most important thing has to be team unity.  And he must really be mad cause he doesn't say anything - just goes off on his own.
-Rob tells the camera that Phillip is right, the girls weren't doing anything but he wants it that way - he doesn't want them working hard so at the end people will vote for them to win the million dollars - he wants them to be as annoying as possible, that makes him happy.

Zapatera - Day 15

-Stephanie starts on the plan of action and approaches Steve - and apologizes for voting for him - she said she knew it kind of hurt his feelings but that's not what she meant.
-He's not sure if she decided to start playing the game better or if she really was sincere but he's willing to keep that door open with Stephanie.
- He accepts her apology and she moves in for the kill... Do you know who I really wanted to vote for?  Sarita.  (She is playing him like a fiddle.)  But because of her position in the tribe she doesn't feel like she can say anything.  He totally agrees with her, they've all been saying that Stephanie is stronger in the challenges. So Stephanie sees she has to kill it in the challenge - anything to drag Sarita down and herself up. (For someone who said she wasn't good at sucking up to people she hates - she just proved that she is actually pretty good at it, as long as she learns not to go too far too fast... a little finesse is still called for.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Jeff tries to stir the pot a bit - gets them talking about animosity - Phillip is using both the gorilla and the lion - and Steve gives a gesture I'm not sure is polite - I think he meant he going to use a football forearm block. (Just get to the challenge Jeff.)

Two members of each tribe will be launching balls out into the playing field where all the other players will be waiting with large netted sticks to catch them.  Doesn't matter what colour ball they catch - it counts.  First team to 5 wins immunity and reward of a mountaintop picnic lunch.
-Sarita volunteers to sit out with no consultation (she looks like she's in pain and I have to say, tooth pain is the worst, but you can't let them see you weak like that - these people do not have your back lady.)

-Stephanie and David are launching for Zapatera and Phillip and Natalie for Ometepe
-They have to catch the balls out of the air - once they hit the ground they're dead.
-Grant proves to be the superstar and gets Ometepe up 3 to zip.  Mike rips Grant's shirt off - (thank you)
-Rob picks up another one - Ometepe 4 - Nothing.  And Grant catches the winning ball - OMETEPE wins immunity again.
(Stephanie was not able to be the big saviour of the tribe like she wanted... Steve says it's going to be a tough decision now between Sarita and Stephanie.)

REWARD

-FOOD! They are eating at the foot of a huge statue of Jesus (are they trying to tell us something - seems to be a running religious theme this episode)... and Rob sees the clue to the hidden immunity idol under the bowl of lobster tails.  He doesn't think he can grab it without someone noticing so he leaves it for one of them to get it and Grant does the ol' snatcheroo.
-Immediately, Rob says, let's go look at the view (Man, you're still eating, try to be a little less obvious) They go hide behind Jesus and read the note but Phillip follows and tells them he saw it - what does it say...  They show it to him and now Phillip is back baby!  He says their alliance is Stealth-R-Us; he's the specialist, Rob is the mentalist and Grant is the assassin.  (Okay, I get the brain and brawn part but what does the specialist do?)
-Phillip says he knows they tried to hide the clue from him but "hell hath no fury like a lion or a gorilla when he thinks he's been provoked." [growl] (I love the sound effect - LOL.  And Phillip, that's not really how that saying goes.)  He says if you're going to make an alliance with him you better adhere to it because he's all about integrity and if you try to trash on that me and the United States will have something to say about that, my baby. (Oh, he's on a roll) He's not going to dwell in a place of negativity, he's going to smile and when the time comes [kick] I'm going to kick a little ass around here. (You go, Phillip.)

Zapatera - Day 16

They return defeated and Dave says it's going to be interesting he's going to lobby for Sarita to go - he whispers to Steve and Julie that they have to keep the strongest six to the end - think about that.
-Sarita knows what's going on - she sees Dave and Stephanie are trying to get her voted out and she says she's not going to start campaigning - she is the most loyal person her tribe will see and they all know that. (Oh, I don't know... playing it too cool can get you voted out.)
-Stephanie is working Julie - it's six and six and they can't sit anyone anymore - Sarita is the weakest link.  And speak of the devil she walks up on them and Stephanie says she can't be anyone other than who she is... (She knows you were talking about her!)  Stephanie says if they get rid of her they will lose every single challenge (yeah, cause you made such a difference today) and  they should know they can't keep carrying Sarita.
-David is working the boys and Julie comes out to them - she says Stephanie is stronger but she trusts Sarita more - she gives them both a 1 out of 10.  Dave fundamentally disagrees - he says all he cares about is winning (and to him that means keeping Stephanie. I guess.)
-Mike thinks Sarita has been cruising and Stephanie has more fight in her - if Stephanie can prove she can be trusted he's not adverse to keeping her around.

TRIBAL COUNCIL

David - take me back to throwing that challenge to get rid of Russell - how big a regret is that?
- Obviously we're paying the price for giving them that breath of fresh air - if we had kept our foot on the throttle things may have been totally different in terms of momentum. (Stephanie nodding.)
Ralph, today's challenge - you got destroyed
- We had open men and balls didn't come our way, I think had I been shooting, things would have been different (Stephanie didn't like that.)
Sarita, why sit you out?
- I would have liked to have been out there...
And Stephanie cuts her off: "I think she was shaking in her boots when she found out it was a contact sport.  But I'm okay with her sitting out because I don't think she's that great at challenges." (Wow, don't sugar coat it - tells us how you really feel.  And from Sarita, just a tight look, no rebuttal?)
So when you say she was quaking in her boots...
- She was worried she'd have to mix it up and I was like, I don't care - let's go.
Sarita - well, I didn't want to say definitely I can do it and then not come through.
So you'd rather sit out than be the goat?
- Well, no...
David cuts her off- That's exactly what she said. (No, I think she meant that Stephanie claims she's hot stuff in the challenges but she hasn't really proven that - at all.)  He continues that she knew she was the worst so she didn't put up a fight at the challenge so she couldn't be held responsible for the failure.
-Sarita:  I'm not saying I'm not good - I would have been fine to be out there.
-Stephanie - Bullsh*t. (Oh, Steve and Julie don't seem impressed with the potty talk... tread lightly big mouth.)
-Sarita - I'm a big active member of this tribe and I was horrible to watch that loss - I was really upset, it's sad to lose someone.
You buy that Stephanie?
- Absolutely not.  I haven't heard anyone complain as much as she does so my impression is she doesn't want to be here...
And finally Sarita interrupts - That's not true.
Stephanie - I'm here, I see you and you don't act like you want to be here.
Sarita - well you're welcome to your opinion but you are way off base.
Steve, is there any part of you that wonders maybe Stephanie's spunk alone is worth keeping her around.
-He says Stephanie is a warrior and she works hard at camp - Sarita is a trustworthy confidant but he'd like to see her do more at camp - she's kind of an uptown girl and hasn't gotten her footing out there yet and he'd like to see her pick it up more in the challenges. (Sounds like a warning to Sarita - I think Stephanie is still going.)
-David jumps in - Some of those positives are actually negatives - I think this tribe is too stuck on trust when that's not the issue.  Right now we have to focus on putting the best six on the field to win. (Winning, duh!)
Ralph, what do you make of that strategic layout?
-Sounds pretty good.

Time to Vote:  and here comes the thunder and lighting and RAIN again.
Sarita votes Stephanie - if you thought more about your actions maybe you'd still be here.
Stephanie votes Sarita - Not leaving now, I'll see you at Redemption Island and kick your ass then.
David votes Sarita - says he made the best arguments he could for Stephanie - we'll see if it worked.

Tallying the Votes:
Sarita - 1
Stephanie - 1
Sarita - 2
Stephanie - 2, 3, 4... And we'll see if Matt can convert this one or if he's only got a thing for blondes.

Next Week:
Mental fatigue is getting to everyone - David is wearing on people and Phillip is crazy as ever "Rob, Rob, Rob, Rob" - they're all losing their minds.

At Redemption Island, Stephanie is filling Matt in on Zapatera - they are horrible people and you don't want to align with them.  She says when she gets back in the game she's not going back to them (keeping the dream alive... but I don't really see that happening.)

Have a great rest of the week everyone,

Coleen