Survivor Redemption Island - 4-20 episode recap

Rice Wars

Last episode we saw Mike and David join Matt on Redemption Island as the desperate Zapatera tribe were unable to make any inroads with the Ometepe cult. 
This episode opened at:

Redemption Island - Night 24

Matt is praying, out loud (I know I'm cynical but he is carving out his own little niche there - maybe get his own Christian/medical show after this is over... and he's starting to look more and more like Jesus... I'm just saying.)  He's taking strength from God and if He wants him to stay in the game he'll keep fighting.
-David shows up at camp and surprises Matt who's mind is blown (of course it is - God didn't tell him this was coming) and they three of them speculate on what a 3 man duel or tri-uel could mean - are they on the jury? (Oh, that could be.)

Murlonio - Day 25

Zapatera is eating rice and fish - Steven is glad he didn't end up going last night, he wasn't ready yet.  Ralph says he didn't say much at Tribal council and Steven said he couldn't, it was all taken up with Phillip flapping his gums.
-Speaking of Phillip, he's sitting by himself, retying his feather on his headband and mumble-chanting to himself.  Steven is watching him and says he just can't figure Phillip out - everything he does irritates the remaining Zapatera but the Ometepe are clinging to him like glue.  He can't imagine someone being that strange all the time.  The only hope the remaining Zapatera have is the possibility that the Ometepe tribe will get fed up with his antics. (Oh buddy, I think that ship has sailed, they went past fed up two weeks ago but he survived. Now they are using him as a weapon on you guys.)

Murlonio - Day 25

-Phillip is out on the rock chanting and meditating - he says once he got into Buddhism (huh, did we know that already?) he realized his spirit was one with every other living thing - God/Allah/Buddha will manifest itself in many ways and you just have to be open to accept that.  He says in his meditation this morning he had a premonition through his grandfather that his relationship with Rob had come to the full circle of trust and he'll be there at the end of the game.

-So, last week Rob told us he's set up the uncomfortably merged tribes to still be separated - with separate eating times and, I'm assuming, their own food supplies stayed with the separate tribes.  Julie says the Zapatera three have a lot of food - and they are gleefully eating it right in front of Ometepe.
-Phillip is watching them like a hawk and he's obviously hungry and jealous - he goes and bitches to Andrea and Rob that Julie had seven and a half (oh yes, he's counting) scoops of rice - when they, in Ometepe are lucky to get 2 scoops of rice.  Phillip contends that Julie is trying to use up their rice before they go so he takes it upon himself to even things up and goes and steals rice out of their tin - "the fact of the matter is all rice here belongs to all of us" (OMG - have your cake and eat it too - you won't eat with them or speak with them but they should share their food - give your head a shake.)  "I'm watching them like a lion - it's trivial but apparently that is the state of the Morlino tribe" (yeah, he can't get any names right, ever.)

-Steven and Julie go and get tree mail that tells them all of them are going to Redemption Island to see the duel.  I can't wait for the fireworks at next mealtime!

Redemption Island - Day 25

Matt, back to back blindsides, where is your emotional state right now?
-I never knew strangers could hurt me so deeply (ugh, man up already) shame on me for letting them fool me twice.  I'm ready to keep going if I can.

The Duel - each of them will have 150 wooden tiles - they will use the tiles to build a house of cards - the first two people to reach 8 ft stay alive - the loser is out for good and will become the first member of the jury.  (Matt looks pointedly at Rob with a smirk - Rob won't meet his gaze - coward.)

Off they go Mike has taken a huge lead - he's at 7ft, Matt has a few fall, David at 3ft.  Mike gets up on the ladder and he's almost there - his stack is teetering.... Matt and David are catching up, they are all very close to finishing.  Mike is the first to complete his 8ft tower - Matt is the 2nd to complete it and David is out.  (Burn your buff, b*tch.)
-David saw Redemption Island as a chance to further himself in the game and it didn't work out that way - he feels more focussed to tackle things in real life now though.  And with David leaving that means Carol-Anne D, Lynne B and Bryon L are out of the pool.

-Rob says they sent guys to Redemption Island they thought could beat Matt and David didn't cut it - so Matt is still in and is now officially Rob's NEMESIS - if he comes back and beats me, it's over.
-Matt has God on his side - as long as it's His will he'll stay in and try to take Rob out. (Rob is now evil in this equation - I'm seeing him more Jim Jonesy than the devil.)

Mulonio - Day 26

-Rob and Grant are singing a little ditty about RICE WARS (like d-bags) and it bites them in the *ss when Andrea opens their rice container and finds maggots and mold in there.  Phillip says they have to dump out all the rice on a blanket and take out all the bug and contaminates  - Rob doesn't see a problem - we'll just put all the rice in their container - Phillip says he wouldn't want to do that if he were them.
-Julie and Stephen are watching, they know what's going on but are largely unconcerned - Julie, "Bon Appetit".  Stephen - "wow, how nasty would that be."
-Andrea goes over and asks Steven and Julie if they can combine the rice and just put it all in their container and Stephen says, "No, I don't think so." (It's called reap what you sew m-er f-er.)
-Phillip says it's an eye opener to see how they are behaving in a survival situation (WHAT? You stole their rice and have treated them like crap... hello pot, it's the kettle calling) .
-Phillip confronts Stephen, who, to his credit, never gets up from his prone position in the shelter - and tells him that this is not a Zapatera decision, once we merged the only things separate were the rewards (right, now he's making things up) - unless you take that rice container with you everywhere you go, I'm going to take it and put the rice in it and you can come to me for rice. (So he's just going to steal all the rice and not give them any... yeah, that's better.)
-Stephen doesn't like being threatened and when Phillip says he's a reasonable man, Stephen says, you're a lunatic. (Oh no you ditn't!)
-With a stammering flourish Phillip plays the race card - "when someone of my colour gets up in one of your faces you feel I'm a lunatic"... All the Ometepe tribe is listening uncomfortably (except Rob and Grant who seem to be loving it.) Phillip rambles on ridiculously and Stephen goes from incredulous to uncaring...
-Oh, Phillip is the Chief of Counter-Intelligence now, Kung Fu expert - Stephen, "Right on brother."

-Phillip is talking to the camera now and says Stephen thinks he's better than him and he feels there is some racial undertones to it.  "They're the one's that take it to crazy.  I'm like a lot of black man, we're prepared to self-destruct at any moment and a lot do self-destruct (he pretends to pull out a gun.)"  (WHAT? Okay, I'm not black but I can't help but think that other black people do not want him to be speaking for them - ever... and even on this show, Francesca was the first person to call him crazy - I really don't think it's a racial thing.)
-Ralph comes back and Stephen and Julie fill him in on how Phillip went off about the rice.
-Phillip is back in his chair and going on again - You are going to be begging me for some rice.  Ralph is just dumbfounded, he doesn't know what to make of this, tries to defuse things but... Phillip just goes off - he's still running his mouth and he starts throwing the N-word around to boot.  (It's ugly, everyone is uncomfortable and I think Phillip knows exactly what he's doing.  It's kinda sick.)
-Stephen had to turn his back and walk away - he goes over to the fire where Rob and Grant are and quietly says, for what it's worth, we're voting for Phil tomorrow.  He tells the camera that Phil's a loose cannon and a little scary too - he thinks the tribe will be in better shape without Phil.  Talking to Julie, Stephen is saying he's unstable man, someone like that doesn't last in the CIA (he may have been a custodian in the building, he let it slip that's what he did in the army - I wouldn't be surprised at anything at this point.  Oh, and the droopy fuchsia drawers made a comeback too.)
-Rob tells the camera, he's not sure how he did it but what started as a fun little song between Grant and I, Phillip managed to make a war about white rice, racial.  At the end of the day, Phillip is going to be public enemy #1, he's still not sure who to make #2 though.  Then they throw it to Ashley saying she'd rather die then keep Phillip around. (Foreshadowing there?)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

They must build a multi-stage puzzle wheel.  On Jeff's go they must race to release a puzzle base (unscrew a round tray from a post by racing around in a circle) once they have the base free, they must race over to a table and assemble a jigsaw-type puzzle inside the round base.  The first 6 to finish will move on to the next phase where they'll put that puzzle base inside another circle and have to assemble more pieces around it to complete the wheel.  First person to get it right, wins immunity.

Off they go - Andrea is the first one to get her wheel free but they all get going on it rather quickly - Ralph and Ashley drunkenly make their way over - Rob is the first one done (Mr Puzzle Guy) Julie, Ralph, Andrea, Steve and... Grant!  (Phillip thought he had it at one point, but no.)

Next round - off they go- Steve and Andrea going quickly - Rob is right with them... and Rob completes it by seconds over Steve. ROB wins Immunity. (Dang it! I'm rooting for Steve to stay after the whole Phil dust up.) 
(Oh, I just realized that no matter what, Phillip will be on the jury.  I'm pretty sure he won't be a finalist - but he could bring the Rat v/s Snake level of speech in the finale - that should be some fun.)

Murlonio - Day 27

-It's meal time - they show Ometepe scraping the bottom of the pot and Zapatera with more rice than they know what to do with in their shelter... (I can't feel bad about that - Ometepe brought it on themselves.)
-Julie says their vote is going to be easy, there is only the three of them, they are voting Phillip and Ometepe still has the numbers so they could vote out one of theirs - it's the perfect time to get rid of Phillip.
-Julie casually walks over to the clothesline and nicks Phillips swim trunks on the way by and just keeps walking (HA HAHA - I love Julie) she goes and buries them - and we will be treated to a lot more of the saggy underwear from now on it appears.
-Phillip comes back and notices they're gone - he asks if anyone moved his swim trunks - everyone pleads ignorance - "That's okay, it can get real fun and exciting around here."
-Ashley sticks her tongue out at him like a Moari warrior, who does that? - She says to the camera that everyone at camp is over Phillip.
-Phillip goes on that he knows they were taken and he can play that game - I hope it comes up tonight, it better.  Steve says he feels threatened - You shouldn't feel threatened by me, I don't threaten, I just go off. 
Steve, That's scary.  You should be scared... (Is he even listening to what he says?)
-Phillip is prowling around like a crazy man - he's got his feather on and his buff as a loin cloth and when he picks up the machete - Steve and Ralph eye him warily... how can anyone want to keep that guy around?
-Steve is hoping that's the case and Ometepe takes the opportunity to get rid of Droopy Crazy-Pants.
-Rob says it doesn't matter who of the three Zapatera goes next - but then he does have some room to play and he doesn't know where Phillip's head is at.  One man should not have this much power on an Island, but I'm glad that I do.

TRIBAL COUNCIL

Phillip, based on what you're wearing, I'm guessing you had another meditation?
-I actually had a former ZAP (he looks over at Steve) thinking it was cute, he removed my clothes.
You looked at Steve?
-I could tell it was Steve.
This goes back to your training? 
Steve's look says I had nothing to do with it and Julie looks like the cat that ate the canary.
-Phillip - Absolutely, I confronted Steve that they were consuming all the rice and it's been all out war since.
So, Steve, Phillip is asserting that the Zapatera tribe are eating a lot more rice than anyone else - true?
-Well, as the mouths start disappearing from the Zapatera tribe we haven't had to ration as much, so we're just eating our food the way we choose to.
Andrea, the Zapatera tribe is making the argument it's not your business how much rice we eat.
-It is a little frustrating cause we'll look over and they'll have this huge bowl of rice between the three of them and our rice had maggots in the bottom of it. (Still, feel zero sympathy for them.)
Steve - And Chef here wants to make it a whole black and white thing over the rice.
What was that about?
Steve and Julie tell Jeff how Phillip threatened them and brought up the N-word.
-To his credit, Jeff remained calm and asked, Who brought up the N-word? Phillip did.
-So Jeff tried to get to the bottom of this - Phillip says he can't put it into words but he's sure that when Steve calls him crazy he's calling him the n-word.
Jeff says, I don't follow your logic, how do you get the n-word out of crazy?
Richard Pryor had the number one selling comedy album titled "That n-word is crazy." You're not black, you don't know.  Like a woman can't say when something inappropriate happens to them (Yes we can, you're not a woman you don't know.) I just know.
Okay, you say I'm not black so I don't know, how do you know what he's saying when he says crazy? (By the same logic, he's not white, he doesn't know.)
-Phillip tells the story about going to the grocery store in 1968 with his father and his father was called boy...
- Steve says he played his last 7 years in the NFL on a team that was 1/5 white – he has no line between black and white in his heart.


-So Jeff boils it down: There has been a big debate about living together which culminated with the rice. You threw an idea out that you felt was reasonable and Steve said, I don’t know, let’s figure it out, let’s talk about it – and as the argument about the rice continued – Steve said, I don’t like it – You’re crazy. And at that point you equated that with ‘You’re calling me the n-word’ and we have a whole new world we’re dealing with. Phillip agrees with that.

Okay, so now I’m caught up (Jeff is handling this so delicately, you can tell the racial thing is not something Survivor wants to mess with – normally he’d let the sparks fly but not around this hot button issue… interesting.)

Two people from different worlds had an argument, you took it one way and nobody can question the way you took it, it came from your experiences and those of people before you. Nobody knows Steve’s intentions other than Steve, nobody really knows Steve – it’s quite possible that both of you are telling the truth. That that felt very much like the n-word and he absolutely did not mean it that way – Is that a fair assessment? Yes. (Everyone agreed – situation diffused – wow, Jeff should be in international affairs or something, well done.)

So, Rob, how do you go forward at tribal council when all of this is in the context of a million dollar prize?

-It’s not easy.

You’re going to vote someone out tonight, is this going to factor in? (Oh, it looks like Phillip just realized that. Sigh… and do I have to stop calling him crazy now? Am I racist?)

-Yeah, they’re grown men, they say and feel what they want. It’s problematic but it’s real. People are going to have disagreements but at the same time I can’t imagine this not factoring into our decision.

Natalie (who? Oh yeah) How does it impact the game?

-It’s really hard for me to sit here and just listen because I feel for Steve, I don’t think that he has any prejudice in him and I feel for Phillip because I don’t know what it’s like to be an African-American man. (And, she totally didn’t answer the question… whatever.)

Okay, last question – shorts, who took them, who has ‘em? (Oh, and he went there – I thought he might let that go…)

Julie – I TOOK THE SHORTS!

Thank you.

-Nobody will ever find them, I dug a hole and buried them and a rock is on top of them (she says with Glee! <3)

If this were therapy, I’d say, very good session. And he gets a smattering of applause.

Julie as a Zapatera member you’re looking for a crack in Ometepe, maybe you just found it.

-Yeah, hopefully seeing that we would be a happy family if there wasn’t this one division (Phillip looks like he wants to eat her liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.)

Steve, clearly you’re uncomfortable being labeled as a racist. Yeah. But in a game for a million dollars would you be fine if, as a result of this argument that you were a part of, Phillip gets voted out?

-I would be happy but not for any black or white issue – we got three votes going that way and hopefully one or two others might be getting as tired of him as we are.

Phillip, if you were voted out tonight – at this moment do you believe it would be based on anything racial?

-If for some reason they felt like “Oh, we need to let Phillip go at this point in time” then the tribe has spoken… (sub-text – and they are all racist!)

Time to Vote:
Steve votes for Phil – I hope you find peace in your heart brother – nothing racial in the crazy comment.
Julie votes Phil – this has nothing to do with the colour of your skin. Phil, you are one crazy dude.
Ralph votes Phile (yes, he spelt it phile) – I hope you have a good night on Redemption Island with your underwear and your two feathers.
Phillip – gets heads shaken at him by David and Andrea as he flops up to vote in the droopy drawers – he votes Julie

Tallying the Votes:

Phillip 1, 2, 3

Julie 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – Darn it! I guess we have two or three more weeks of Phillip then. Julie says to Phillip – “I guess you’re not going to ever find your shorts.” (Yeah, rub it in as you go… did I mention I really like her?)

Next week: Phillip has his best day yet and Andrea could be scheduled for an early departure. Matt is also plumbing the darkest depths – he’s wasting away and crying – God has been literally carrying me… Awww, poor Matt – he’s spent almost his whole time out there alone, that’s got to be tough.

Redemption Island - Julie was not expecting to be the one voted out tonight she really thought it would be Steve or Ralph but she’s okay with it. This was an ugly Tribal, there is poison in that tribe and his name is Phillip. (She opted for poison instead of cancer – but it’s the same jist.) It’s kind of nice to be removed from it.
Have a great long weekend everyone,  Happy Easter.

Coleen

The Amazing Race - April 17, 2011 Episode Recap

I Cannot Deal With Your Psycho Behavior (Austria)

The episode opened in Varanasi, India where the Globetrotters are the first to depart at 2:07am - they open the clue that tells them to fly to Vienna, Austria - a city that's 40degrees colder than India - once there they must find a marked car (product placement - brand new Ford Focus) and get their next clue.
-The Globetrotters are glad to be leaving India, especially to go to Austia - where the Terminator's from... they do a bad impression - I'll be back, but not to India, hopefully.
-Zev & Justin are the next out at 2:12am - they head to a travel agency specified by the clue and say they want the same thing as the Globetrotters, but faster.
-Kisha & Jen head out at 2:53am - they are enjoying running the Race together - they've always been close as they were raised by a single mom, they have each other's backs- there is not getting rid of blood.
-Gary & Mallory -3:30am - Mallory doesn't seem to happy to be going somewhere cold - she's also nervous because it was the 8th leg that did them in the last time (flashback to them lost in Oman and her praying) She says, "The finish line is fresh in our minds and we'd like to be the ones running not on the sidelines clapping."
-Cowboys - 3:35am - feel they dodged a bullet on the last leg but they're not sure if they can do it again.  The closer they get to the end, the less room there is for mistakes.  The Cowboys are about ready to get out of India - Jet, "I'm done playing cowboys and Indians."
-Kent & Vyxsin - 3:44am - They're the only dating couple left - a romantic relationship is something different, it can just get to a point where you just want to yell, "Get away from me." (I'm sorry, but I don't believe they are dating... longtime friends yes, romantic, I don't see it.)

-At the first travel agency, the Globetrotters and Zev & Justin find two possible routes to Austria, the most direct gets them in at 6:00am - the one with more connections will get them there at 5:35am - They decide to go with the earlier arrival.
-Kisha & Jen are at a different travel agency and they also book the 5:35am arrival - Gary & Mallory come in and say they want the same as them.
-The Cowboys come in to the agency where the Globetrotters et al are and learn of the two options - they say every flight they've been on in this country so far has been delayed 20 to 30 minutes and they are leery of the multiple connections - they decide to book the  more direct route scheduled to get in at 6:00am.
-Kent & Vyxsin show up at the same travel agency as the sisters et al and they are bickering, bicker bicker bicker - they book the same flight as everyone there - arriving at 5:35am (so the Cowboys have set themselves up on a later flight again - I sure hope they know what they're doing.)

Fisrt flight arrives at 5:35am as scheduled - they all run for the parking garage and choose their cars - Phil is on a screen in the cars telling them they'll get their next destination from the new My Ford Touch system - they have to put the car in reverse which will activate the back up camera and it will show them the words Schloss Schallanburg written on the floor behind them (by the way, the winners of this leg will both win a 2012 Ford Focus - which they can drive while drinking Snapple and planning a trip via Travelocity... okay, we get it, no one watches commercials anymore so they have to infiltrate the show - doesn't mean I gotta like it.)  They must now drive to the castle (Schloss Schallanburg) to get their next clue.
-Kent & Vyxsin were the first to the cars but Zev & Justin are the first out of the parking garage - they all start leaving though as they read the clue from teh back up camera.  Kent, "I love this Ford Focus." (Kiss ass.)
-Gary & Mallory can't figure out what they need to do to find the clue.  He's scrolling through the menu... Just throw it in reverse - these two need to learn to listen.
-The Cowboys flight has landed and they are heading to the garage.
-Gary & Mallory reset and listen to Phil again - they go back to the starting position and finally figure out the clue - well, she writes down Schallanburg Schloss - but that should get them there.

-The Cowboys are the last to head out - they get the clue and know there is no one behind them - they can't make any mistakes.

-Justin & Zev, the Goths and Kisha & Jen stop at a gas station to get a map and ask directions - the same guy shows them all where they need to go on the map and Vyxsin said she knew where they needed to go (I wouldn't hold my breath though.)
-The Globetrotters get directions from a hotel (it looked like) they guy prints them up some maps.
-Gary & Mallory get a map & directions at a gas station too - she excited they're going to a castle (I'm sure she has always wanted to be a Princess.)
-The Cowboys ask a truck driver for directions to Schallanburg (I didn't hear them mention the Schloss part though :(

-Zev & Justin are the first team to the castle - Zev doesn't like cold weather... (I think he's going to be taking over for Ron in the always complaining department.) They run through a courtyard and see a girl in medieval garb who gives them a big book that has the name of the National Library on the first page - figuring this is where they need to go, they head out.

-The Goths and the Sisters get to the castle and they get the books - head out.
-The Globetrotters get to the castle - get the book, take off.
- Gary & Mallory get there and get the book and head out for Vienna.
- The Cowboys, bringing up the rear, get the book too - Cord says they've been making a habit of starting in last and you can't do that and expect to win a million dollars. (Don't get down on yourselves, just get better!)

-Kent is driving and missed the first turn - blames her for not telling him in time - she tells him to stop being a kid... Uh, oh, I've been on one of those car rides before - it doesn't end well.

-Zev & Justin arrive in Vienna and find the library - they go in and hand the book to a guy with a bookshelf backpack - he climbs a ladder and picks their clue from the stacks - DETOUR - Long Hard Walk or Quick And Easy Meal (oh jeez, the eating challenge is never quick and easy)
-In The Long Hard Walk - they must head to a museum - the former office of Sigmund Freud - and working together carry an analysts couch one mile to the University of Vienna where Freud once studied and later lectured - once they deliver the couch, they'll receive their next clue.
-In Quick and Easy Meal - teams head to the Wiener Riesenrad - a giant ferris wheel made famous in the Orson Wells film The Third Man - they will pick up two local meals and enter a dining car, then accompanied by local Viennese music - they must eat all the food in one 12 minute revolution of the wheel (That is big plate of food - wiener schnitzel, salad and a large slice of chocolate cake) - ouch.
-Zev & Justin decide to eat the food.
-Jen & Kisha are the next one's there - they decide to eat as well but Jen is a little worried.
-The Globetrotters and the Goths show up but I don't know if they go in the wrong door - they can't find where to get their clue and are lost in the library.
-Gary & Mallory get there and get the clue no problem - Gary wants to do the eating challenge - he says he'll eat his and half of hers... oh no, that doesn't sound like a good plan.
-The Globetrotters figure it out and find the clue, they're going to do the couch. (I wonder if Big Easy remembers it was Freud that proved their undoing the last time they raced.)
- Flight Time stops to pee on the building (nice) and the Goths run right by - they get the clue and also decide to do the couch.

-Jen & Kisha are the first team to the ferris wheel - Zev & Justin are right behind them.  The girls get their food and hump in a car - that is a lot of food!
-Zev & Justin get theirs, enter a car and just start stuffing - Zev says "right away we were like sweating... that's a lot of schnitzel."
-Mallory doesn't seem too worried about this challenge - says her Dad's going to help eat hers and he eats that fast anyway.   The Globetrotters are okay throwing up if it gets them through this.

-Back on the Ferris wheel Jen wonders what happens if they don't finish in 12 minutes? (Good question - I bet they have to go again with a new plate) - Kisha says, don't even think like that, we're going to finish - they are half way through and slowing down.
-Zev is realizing this was a terrible idea - I hate wiener schnitzel!  They belch to make room and try to get a second wind...
-The girls don't finish all the food by the time the ride is over and find out they will have to try and eat a whole new plate of food if they go again - Oh hell no.  They are switching tasks and have to go find the museum.  Gary & Mallory run by them when they are leaving and ask if it's hard - Jen says "It's food" and Kisha says, "Y'all will be alright." (Uh, I don't think so - hahaha - the sisters have an evil streak.)
-Zev & Justin finish less of the food than the sisters did and they agree to pretend like they finished it if they see another team - they pass Gary & Mallory and tell them it was delicious, go get it!  (Oh, so mean.)
-Mallory says she is going to finish it - she's not taking in all these calories for nothing!

-The Globetrotters have finally found the Sigmund Freud museum and go pick up the couch - they have no idea the significance of the couch - I guess he liked to relax on one... (Really?)
-Kent & Vyxsin get there as the boys are leaving and don't notice them use the dolly provided - they just try to carry the couch the whole way - (Hint, little board with wheels will make it much easier.)
-Kisha & Jen get to the museum and they're moving slow up the stairs - I'm sure the super full belly is not going to make this task any easier... Jen says she may barf on the couch.

-Gary & Mallory at 8 minutes in still have a lot of food to get through - they are trying to power through it but I don't see anyone eating that much food in 12 minutes - (it's starting to make me feel sick just watching.)  They don't make it (surprise.)

-The Cowboys have finally found the Library and get the clue to the Detour - they decide on the couch (Good Boys! Hopefully the eating people will be slowed down enough that the Cowboys can catch up.)

-Gary & Mallory are switching tasks and apologizing to each other - she says she'll throw up and try again (ugh, that's dedication) He says he's sorry he didn't listen to her.  Anytime you have to do both sides of a Detour, that's bad (and I think Gary is the master of the understatement.)

-The Cowboys know they are in last place and really have to kick it up a notch to try and catch up - they take off at a run for the museum.

-Everyone is trying to get the couches through the streets of Vienna - Big Easy slings it up on his back to get it up a hill - Kent & Vyxsin are still trying to carry the thing with the dolly on top and as usual she's doing most of the heavy lifting.  Kisha is worried about the covering dragging on the ground, Jen says "it didn't say anything about having to keep it clean."
-Zev & Justin get to the musuem and are carrying the couch down the stairs - Zev complains, "Oh my back" (see, he's the new Ron) and Justin tells him to settle down - they still have a long way to go.
-Back out on the street Kent is yelling that the couch is going to fall (more like he's going to drop it) and, fed up, Vyxsin just drops her end - Quit whining!
-The sisters decide the dolly is giving them too much trouble and pick the couch up.
-The Cowboys see Zev & Justin on the street with a couch and it was like the clouds had parted for them - All right - we're still in this.  They take off with more giddyup in their step to the museum.

-The Globetrotters get to the University and as they were carrying the couch up some marble stairs - Flight Time - who was going up backwards - had his feet slip out from under him and he landed flat on his butt on the stairs - (OUCH! I've done that - and it hurts - I bet he's going to be bruised up and sore next leg.) 
-They delivery the couch and get the next clue - Drive yourself to the city of Salzberg, go to a certain restaurant to get your next clue (they wouldn't make them eat again would they?)  Big Easy is asking who Sigmund Freud was and Flight Time tells him he used to have dreams about sleeping with his mother and stuff... (I just... I don't know what to say so I'll just leave that alone.)

-Kent is still/again whining - Vyxsin is ready to smack him.
-Jen is wondering why they have to slog this couch through the streets to some ladies office(?) when she could have just paid someone to do it. (Yeah, like this has anything to do with real life.)
-Justin is getting very little help from Zev - Justing has the couch on the dolly upright and is drapping it backwards - Zev is just walking behind him carrying pillows.  Argghh.
-The cowboys are hoofing it - Jet says it might have been faster had he laid on the couch, told Cord about his feelings and he could push me - Cord, "I don't need to know about his feelings that bad."

-Gary & Mallory finally get to the museum and pick up a couch - it's heavy - hopefully Mallory can pull her weight.

-The Goths get to the university - Kent - whine, whine, whine -the door - it's heavy - Vyxsin puts down her end and has to show him - that is where we have to go - stop whining, your attitude is bringing me down (she's getting quiet - he should just run, run away now.)  They deliver the couch and get the clue to head to Salzberg.  In the car she tells him she's proud of him but tries to explain his constant whining makes this harder psychologically (Yeah, he heard wha wha whawhawha wha... )
-Jen & Kisha get to the University and deliver the couch right behind the Goths - also get the clue for Salzberg.

-Zev & Justin - who am I kidding - Justin is still struggling to move the couch through the streets - they get tot he University and I don't think they've gone to the right place - someone tells them they have to go upstairs and they are carrying it up multiple flights... I don't think that's right.
-The Cowboys are still going great guns, they know Zev & Justin are still ahead of them but they have caught glimpses of them - the Cowboys go to the right place and are the 4th team to deliver the couch - they have succeeded to pass 2 teams.
-Once up all the stairs Zev & Justin ask again and they're told the place they need to go is downstairs - Are you serious right now?  (That would suck - anyone who knows Justin in real life had better not ask him to help them move in the near future.)  Back down the stairs they go and see they are now in 5th place.
-Gary & Mallory get the couch delivered and are currently in last place.

-Everyone is driving, driving, driving - the Globetrotters are feeling good having left the Detour in first place.
-Vyxsin tells Kent not to turn, but it says Salzberg and he takes the exit anyway - Damn it, get back over there... bicker, bicker, bicker. 
-Zev & Justin see the Cowboys on the the road and quietly pass them - well, it appears the Cowboys don't drive as fast as they run.
-The Goths are back on city streets as opposed to the highway - She tells him, "I can't handle your psycho behavior.  If we get through today, I swear, I'm  never going to speak to you again." (That's not good.)


-The Globetrotters find the clue box and get the clue for the ROADBLOCK, Who feels as lucky as can be? (Oh, that was a Mary Poppins reference - chim, chim-en-y, chim chim cheree - Love that movie.) That would be Big Easy.  -One team member will dress in a chimney sweep uniform and climb to the roof where they must use a weighted instrument to clean their chimney - once finished, they must head downstairs to the clean out door and open it to retrieve their next clue.
-I get a kick out of them always stuffing Big Easy into little costumes- this one is cute with the top hat... but he really is a very large man.
-Zev & Justin get to Salzberg and Zev is already worrying himself into a state about having to do something by himself.  The Sisters and the Goths are also there - driving around looking for the clue box.
-Out on the Highway the Cowboys are still heading to Salzberg - Gary & Mallory are also on the road behind them.

-Big Easy has climbed the roof - he had to plumb the sweep line up and down the chimney three times - he's now down in the basement retrieving his clue in a cloud of ashes. 

-Zev & Justin have found the clue box and Zev heads in to be the chimney sweep - he passes Big Easy and they confirm they're the only two teams there - for now. 
-Easy and Flight time open the clue and it tells them to make their way to the Villa Trapp - the Pit Stop for this leg of the Race. (It is the former estate of the Von Trapp family - I also love the Sound of Music... I wonder what all the references to movie musicals is advertising this episode.)
-Zev was nervous when he saw he had to use a rope for the sweeping - makes a "That's what she said" joke which was a little inappropriate with his female sweep instructor - what can you, he's awkward.

-The Sisters and the Goths both find the clue box and Kisha & Vyxsin are getting their sweeping on.  
-Zev is just finishing up when the girls get to the roof - He heads down for the clue, he and Justin read it and ask locals on the street for directions before they take off.
-The Globetrotters have stopped to ask a cab driver for directions.
-Kisha & Vyxsin both get the clue to the Pit Stop and take off in their cars.

-The Cowboys find the clue box and Cord is feeling as lucky can be - his sweep guide confirm the girls dig the uniform and Cord thinks he's found a new calling - this isn't the first time I've used a rope.

-The Globetrotters drive right past the house - it's that great big yellow mansion!

-Cord finishes the sweeping and they get the clue for the Pit Stop.

-Gary & Mallory get to the Roadblock clue box and she says Gary is feeling lucky as can be.  They head inside as the Cowboys are leaving and she asks if they're last - the Cowboys, honestly, say they haven't seen nobody (but there is only one chimney sweep left there to help them...)

-The Cowboys jump in their car and say they cannot get lost (and we all know they do tend to get lost.)

-Gary finishes the chimney sweeping and gets the clue to the Pit Stop - The Sound of Music family house?

Here's How They Finished:
1) Zev & Justin - What just happened!?!  They both win a brand new Ford Focus!
2) The Globetrotters - Big Easy is disappointed they didn't come in first.
3) Kent & Vyxsin - she says it's strange after such a hard day for them, this is the best they've ever done in the race - maybe we just have to fight more. (They laugh, but I have noticed that teams that fight do tend to do well - unless they totally self destruct.)
4) Kisha & Jen - get their a step ahead of...
5) Jet & Cord - Phil says Cord has been racing so hard his cowboy hat is dirty - when we win, I'm gonna git me a new cowboy hat.  But you're at the back of the pack - Cord acknowledges it's time to step it up or they're going to go home.
6) Gary & Mallory - I'm sorry to tell you this has put you at the back of the pack but this is a NON-ELIMINATION round.  They are still in it but will face a Speed bump on the next leg.  Mallory feels like this is their third shot at the Race and says it is a blessing that they had better do something with.  Now we gotta win. (I can't help but like Little Mary Sunshine - she has a great attitude for the Race - but as the Goths showed this leg - maybe they would be doing better if they fought a little.)

Next Week:  They head to Switzerland - Gary & Mallory get a slow cab driver - they have to ride mopeds (Jet feels like Dumb and Dumber... I'll leave that alone) and there is more eating - looks like cheese fondue. 

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen

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