Blood is Thicker Than Anything
The show opened with the dramatic graphic of blood dripping into water and spreading delicately... then the music starts and lush green islands come into view. We see the 10 pairs of castaways being driven to 10 different locations, each pair made up of a returning Survivor player and a loved one. What they don't know is that they will not be playing together, they will be competing against each other.
Gervase - he was in the very first season of Survivor (really? I remembered him, kind of, but didn't believe he was in the first season - but I looked it up and huh, they're right) he played 13 years ago when his niece, Marissa, was only 9 years old.
-He says he believes he can definitely win it this time.
-She thinks it's cute that after 13 years he thinks he's going to win - she's just focused on herself winning.
Kat - (blond bob haircut, big blue eyes) Her instability in Survivor One World cost her the game but with her boyfriend, and Big Brother winner, Hayden by her side, they hope to go all the way.
-Hayden says Big Brother was basically Survivor in a house (so, not Survivor at all.) In terms training, he's going to be more prepared than anybody else who hasn't played this game. (He may be able to play the social game, but being out in the elements and hungry is a whole different animal.)
-Kat says he's already won a show before, this is her game, it's her time.
Laura - (dark hair, big brown eyes) she was a mother to her tribe when she played before but now she's going to have to split that focus with her daughter Ciera also playing the game.
-Ciera says their ability to balance each other out will really be an asset to them. Laura says nothing is harder than seeing someone you love suffer (she may have a hard time with this then.)
Rupert - he has played Survivor for 100 plus days (three times already) but he's never made it to the end. His wife Laura is hoping to be the first member of the family to win the game. (Ugh, I gotta say I was not enthused to see Rupert back, especially not with the wife in tow. I still have the horrible mental image of him nearly eating her face when they kissed so sloppily in one season when she came to visit) And of course they are holding hands.
-He's returning for his 4th time - Laura says this has always been his thing, "Rupert, Rupert, Rupert." And he says, "Now it's time for Laura." Yeah, it's sweet but we prefer the pirate edge.
Colton - he made some controversial comments in Survivor One World then left with a mysterious ailment and few fans. He's hoping his fiancé Caleb will provide him with the maturity he needs. Colton's goal is to show people the new Colton. Caleb is worried about how Colton's been perceived, he hopes this is a big redemption for Colton.
Candice - (long blond hair, played in the Cook Islands) she's there with her husband and they are both doctors and pretty (ugh). She says they could be perceived as a threat because they are young and successful - he says they know being young and athletic that they are going to have big targets on their backs. (Yes, you're perfect, we get it.)
Monica - Former NFL wife, played for herself in One World but now she's sharing the spot light with her former NFL player husband Brad Culpepper - (I'm sure she's used to that...) and she says it right away - she's used to being Brad Culpepper's wife but when it comes to Survivor she's the veteran here. He says he'll play second fiddle to Monica (yeah, we'll see how long that lasts).
Tina - winner of the Australian outback, she hopes to do well with her daughter Katie by her side. Tina says their love transcends this game but their family is very competitive ... Katie would love to beat her mother at her own game. (That could be interesting.)
Tyson - (tall skinny blond guy) he was blindsided in one season, famously voted himself out in Heroes vs Villains (really? I vaguely remember that) now hopes to redeem himself with this longtime girlfriend Rachel by his side. He feels this time he's in a pretty good spot. He says the newcomers aren't going to be prepared and he's going to slit their throats.
Rachel says Survivor was always Tyson's thing, she never thought in a million years she'd be out there but there she is. (I hope she's there to win!)
Aras - winner of Exile Island (still have no memory of this guy - that's pretty bad) - is returning with his brother Vytas (and this is my guy).
-Vytas tells us he used to be a heroin addict and he's spent a year in prison (oookay, then...) Aras still has a lot of resentment towards him. (Sheesh).
-Aras says Vytas was pretty abusive to him when they were younger so he always tried to beat him at things he could.
Now we've seen everyone tromping into the jungle or on the beach, they get a scroll that tells them they will be spending the first night alone together right where they are. Let the whining begin - there are ants and crabs and bugs... oh my!
Next morning they all congregate on the beach in front of Jeff Probst and he welcomes them to the 27th season of Survivor.
-Jeff says they are going to be experiencing this game with their loved ones but they will not be playing with them... they will be competing against their loved ones. (You can see the shock waves go through them all.) Rupert's wife, Tyson's girlfriend and Colton do not look happy.
-Jeff asks if anyone is looking forward to taking on their loved one and more than half the hands go up. Tina's daughter gets called out and she says she thought her mom would feel the same. Tina says it's going to be one of the hardest parts of this season when the tribes comes together for challenges and you see your loved one might not be there.
-Jeff asks former NFL player Culpepper (oh, it's last name already for the football dude, I think Jeff's a fan) how he's going to feel seeing Monica voted out. Brad says on the surface he wants to beat her at every challenge but underneath, say if they win a tarp, he's going to be thinking that she should have the tarp...
-Marissa pipes up, "You better not be on my team saying that." And you can see the look on his face, he's not happy that someone called him on his running of the mouth. He realizes that he answered with his heart and not his head and the response from the other players made him realize that was a stupid move. (I think Brad is pretty... put the game face on man and shut your trap, oy.)
Jeff divides them into returning players (Galang/yellow) and new players (Tadhana/red) then Jeff shocks them again by telling them that both tribes are going to vote someone out right now. (WHAT? Holy crap, didn't see that coming.)
-They each get a tablet and a pen, so they are going to vote right out in the open - Colton is pretty sure it's going to be him but in true Survivor fashion it's the ladies that fare the worst right off the bat.
-New players unanimously vote out Laura, Rupert's wife (see, 4 times returning is too many, there is Rupert backlash) and the Returning players vote out Candice but a much more split vote, most siting that they don't know anything about her.
So, Laura and Candice go stand over by Jeff and their respective husbands are both ready to take on everyone that voted for them... then Jeff tells them they are not yet out of this game because Redemption Island is in play this season (boo, I'm not a fan of the Redemption Island but maybe it'll work better this time.) Everyone voted out of the game will go to Redemption Island and compete in a duels for a shot to get back in the game.
And the twists just keep on coming... Jeff says he's going to put the blood vs water to the first test and offers Rupert the chance to change places... he doesn't even finish explaining and Rupert is charging through everyone to get to Laura - (Whoa there big boy, let him finish.) If Rupert changes places with Laura, she'll join his tribe and he'll then have to compete in the duels. Tina is telling him not to do it but he's doing it no matter what. So Laura is now on the Galang tribe. Tina is ticked, she understands the emotion behind it but he just went and weakened their tribe. Rupert, as usual, thinks he's invincible and will win all the duels (maybe he will, but he's no spring chicken anymore.)
Jeff makes the same offer to Candice and John and they are a bit more level-headed and discuss it (briefly) she tentatively says she thinks she can beat him, John says she has a better chance than he does (what? No she doesn't.) and Doctor Good-looking sends his wife back to battle the tie-dyed pirate on her own. (There's some 'looking out for number one'-edness for you.) I think John regretted his decision right away, he teared up when she walked away. I think that made him look bad but I think his tribe was relieved, he kept them strong.
Galang - Day 1
-Gervase didn't want to play with Laura, he wanted to play with Rupert. They show Laura trying to open a coconut and nearly chop her hand off (eek). Aras tells her he really wished her husband was there right now (nice) and she says she knows she's a disappointment - oh no, he didn't mean that (right). Laura knows she's going to have to work hard and try to prove to this people that she's an asset and they want to keep her around.
-Tyson gets a fire going, he learned from Boston Rob (BR rules coming back again?) They knew to focus on making fire so they could boil water and having drinking water and be able to eat - then to start on the shelter. They are looking good right now... and then they show Colton holding bamboo between his legs and sawing it towards himself (oh no, no, that's not right.)
-Monica is not happy that both times she's gotten to play this game, Colton has been out here. She was very hurt by him the last time and she confronts him, asking if she can trust him or if he's going to stab her in the back again. (Really? You're going to do that on day one? They are not so smart these Culpeppers.) And what's Colton going to say? Of course he tells her what she wants to hear and they hug it out (I think I sprained my eyes I rolled them so hard.)
Tadhana - Day 1
-They are all busy building a shelter, the boys are splitting bamboo, the girls are weaving palm fronds - and Brad Culpepper is running at the mouth again (I think this guy likes to be on TV cause we are seeing a lot of his jabbering.) He feels like he needs to address his blunder about the tarp and his wife - he promises them he will be going 100% in all the challenges and if they think he's not they can vote him out (Please, just vote him out now, he's annoying me already.)
-Marissa doesn't trust him, she's keeping her eye on good ol' Brad.
-Brad, meanwhile is putting his 'hit the ground running' strategy in play and in his mind that is establishing an alliance right away and being a pretty boy football player, that means getting the 5 men all together (yeah, why would you need women? - oh, I know, because the all-guy alliances never work out.) But he approaches pretty doctor John first. John is not shocked that the football player wants to keep the locker room together but he also thinks Brad's being so vocal and putting himself out there are the leader could bite him in the butt later. (We can only hope.)
-Brad moves on to Big Brother Hayden, he's on the full-on recruiting circuit - next he's bro-mancing Caleb who's not buying it. Caleb knows Brad's game but he'll go along if it will shut him up.
-Then it's on to Vytas and Brad says the John Cochrane's and weaker girls, those are the one's that win Survivor now (you mean the smart people?) so he wants to keep all the strong guys together.
-Then he gives us some football math holding up his fingers - 4 against 9... wait I have 5 against 9... (I can smell him thinking about it from here.) He has a group of 5 guys, that's the majority in a tribe of 9. (I think Brad should just stop talking before he hurts himself.)
Tadhana - Day 1
-They are desperately trying to make fire - Brad is getting smoke but no flame. Vytas and Ciera are watching but, other than holding the bamboo steady, aren't much help. We get to know a bit more about both of them though. Ciera was a teen mom, 17 and pregnant in high school but now she's married and has another child. Vytas comes clean about his past as well, laying it out there that he was a former heroin addict and went to prison at 19 - Aras was the golden child and Vytas was the wild one - he is hoping doing this together with his brother will help to mend their relationship a little more.
-Vytas' strategy is that this is a game based on trust and he hopes by being so open and letting them in, they'll be able to trust him more. (Well I hope it works cause you're my great, scruffy, yoga-teaching hope.)
Galang - Night 1
-They are sitting around the fire and trying to bond a bit - Colton lays it out that he's from the Deep South and he's not accepted for his lifestyle even within his own family... and he loses it, not just a little crying, full on sobbing (that's a little uncomfortable). All the women comfort him and Monica hopes he has changed... but then again, it is Colton Cumbie.
Redemption Island - Day 2
-Candice is busy machete-ing coconuts that she is pretending are the heads of the people that voted for her (oh, that's healthy.) Rupert is just sitting back and watching her work. She had her feelings hurt by the tribe voting her off and now she is extremely annoyed having to be out there with Rupert alone because he is not doing anything. She's gathering the wood, tending the fire, getting the water, boiling the water, making the rice and he's just enjoying the spoils of her work, it's infuriating her (well don't make him food or get him water then, sheesh.) His strategy this time around is to save himself for the duels, if she wants to expend all her energy around camp he's more than happy to let her, but he's not going to kill himself at camp. (I'm not impressed with the new lazy Rupert.)
Day 3 - both tribes get tree mail and it gives them hints about today's challenge, let's them know there will be water involved and a puzzle at the end so they start to strategize, who's a good swimmer, who's good at puzzles.
At Tadhana, Ciera says she knows her mother is good at puzzles but she's better and Tina's daughter feels the same way so they are going to put those two girls against their mothers on the puzzle portion of the challenge.
At Galang, Gervase says it doesn't matter if you have a lead or not, it's the puzzle that will win them the challenge and their thinking is the same on that side, Laura and Tina know their daughters will be doing the puzzle so they are ready to take them out.
IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
First Jeff asks Galang how they're doing and they say they have fire, it's all good. Jeff asks Tadhana if they have fire and they all lie, of course we have fire. Vytas, "We have so much fire, we can share it if you want." Hayden tells the camera, of course they have fire, they know what they're going, we don't cause we're a bunch of... meatheads. (I'm starting to like Hayden, a lot.)
For the challenge: They have to swim out and scale over a few obstacles to a boat tied to an anchor. Once at the boat they need to dive down and untie knots to release the boat then, once everyone is in the boat they have to paddle back to the beach where the three tribe members waiting there can get started on the puzzle (the box of puzzle pieces is in the boat.)
The puzzle is a ship's steering wheel. Once the wheel is complete they have to use it to raise their flag and send their loved one's to Tribal Council.
Off they go and Tyson is starting out strong for Galang all by himself. Tadhana is showing them up with their teamwork though, helping each other over the obstacles and they take the lead. Gervase is proving that he still can't really swim and Aras has to help him to keep him from drowning. The new players have a huge lead at this point with Gervase performing horribly. The returning players finally get everyone to the boat and both tribes start to paddle back ... well the new players paddle back, the returning players are paddling in circles (oh that is embarrassing.) Tadhana has a huge lead getting started on the puzzle when Galang finally makes it to shore - but the veteran Moms prove that the older ladies know how to puzzle - they get that wheel together in no time, while Katie especially struggled, she still had no idea what was going on, it seemed, when Galang raised their flag and won immunity.
-Galang cheers that they won and Gervase is yelling, "Don't let that fool you! Don't let that fool you!" (what are you doing?) Marissa just gives him a 'talk to the hand'. Colton is crying because he's worried about Caleb being in jeopardy. (I don't like the weepy Colton, but then I didn't like the mean Colton either...)
-Brad Culpepper takes notice of Gervase's "in your face" type celebrating of their win and he doesn't appreciate it - "Hey buddy, your loved one may go home." (Uh oh.)
Tadhana - Day 3
-Brad is talking again, our loved ones have fire, lets be happy for them - we all gave 100% - puzzle makers, it was a tough puzzle, don't beat yourselves up about it. Blah, blah, blah.
-Katie is nervous, she knows she's one of the reasons they are going to tribal council tonight.
-Then they start talking about Gervase and Marissa starts cutting him down - she knows that his behaviour pissed people off and they are going to correlate her with him.
-Coach Brad again, "when we win, let's not gloat." They are celebrating sending a loved one home in his opinion. (Whatever, I'd like to see you guys not celebrate when you win.)
-They five guy alliance is thinking they are golden and they discuss who they are going to stab in the heart tonight. Brad says he's a little spoiled on Marissa right now because of Gervase's behaviour (really? that's convenient since I think Brad has been sour on her since she called him out in the first 5 minutes when he made the stupid remarks about wanting his wife to have the tarp.)
-Caleb throws Katie into the mix as well since she was just useless with the puzzle (that makes more sense to me, vote someone out for what they did, not because you don't like their loved ones behaviour.)
-Vytas knows the girls are aware the guys have bonded since they are not being very subtle about it so he also wants to try and forge some bonds with the women as well. He goes over and tells Rachel that the guys are voting Marissa and he then tells Marissa that because of the puzzle thing, it's Katie.
-Brad is still talking to the camera, "we have to think who can we vote out that will potentially affect the other tribe" (I think a daughter over a niece, but maybe that's just me.)
TRIBAL COUNCIL
(Jeff Probst's remarks are in blue.)
Hayden, what's been the hardest part of the first three days?
-Trying to get fire.
So you guys were lying to me today. You don't have fire.
-Yeah, we were totally bluffing.
Ciera, you had to talk to your mom about her experiences out here, how is it different?
-It's completely different. I've never been this hungry, something is trying to claw it's way out of my stomach. It's really rough.
Culpepper, you're three days in and you're obviously struggling.
-It's been very challenging not having fire. If we had fire we could get fish and cook and get strong for challenges.
Caleb, how does having loved ones on the other tribe change this game?
-It really does complicate it. We don't know what's going on in each others tribes, we just have to trust each other and believe they'll do the right thing. But right now, they're doing their thing and we're doing our thing.
John, moments into day one your wife is the first person voted out. Any regrets about not stepping up to take her spot?
-I have a lot of guilt about that decision. As a husband it's something I really struggle with (then he chokes up - aw, don't cry pretty doctor boy) I feel like she's over there thinking that I just let her go, let her down and didn't stand up for her. I hope she's not thinking that, but it's something I've been struggling with a little bit. (I bet one of those coconuts did have his name on it.)
So what's the impact on you knowing that whoever you vote out tonight will be competing against your wife and Rupert?
-Today's challenge proved the other tribe isn't going to pull any punches so my vote tonight is going to be based on who I think will make this tribe strongest going forward. Now if there is an added advantage that I think Candice can kick whoever's butt, then that's great too.
Culpepper, where do you see this game going, the Blood vs Water? What are you already thinking about?
-I thought it was an interesting dynamic today when they lost - I don't know why they were celebrating so much when one of their loved ones is going home.
Who was celebrating, who stood out?
-Gervase.
Marissa, you're shaking your head at your own uncle.
-Yes, I look at them as veterans, older, wiser and I expected them to handle it with grace. (Do you know your uncle?)
Vytas, does it work against you if your loved one behaves in this way?
-Of course, someone who's just gloating in our face, just adds insult to injury. I guarantee with this twist that the other team is worrying when we go to tribal council because they know when they face us again, one of their loved ones will be gone.
Marissa, concerned about what Vytas said?
-Yes, because I'm guilty by association. I wish Gervase would have piped down so I'd feel a little less vulnerable right now. I feel like people should be judging me by my attitude, my performance, not my loved one. It comes down to our tribe, not what their tribe is doing. Wait until we get to the merge and then decide if you want to judge me by his actions. (Very well said, she had Vytas and Caleb looking at Brad, but Coach Brad has his mind made up I think.)
Katie, where are you at for the first vote?
-The fear is they are going to judge off the challenge and the puzzle-makers, of which she was one, fell down at the challenge. She wouldn't be surprised if they voted her out for one bad performance.
Brad says they should be worried but they're not voting solely on the performance of the puzzle- makers (and he glances right at Marissa... I gotta say, I'm really not a fan of Brad.)
Time to Vote:
Katie votes for Marissa.
Marissa votes for Katie.
Tallying the Votes:
Katie - 1
Marissa - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... that's enough. (I'm feeling some righteous anger for Marissa, that's really not fair for her.) She throws a glare over at the guys and Vytas and Hayden guiltily look away. (Oh yeah, you know.)
Jeff also throws them some flint to take back to camp - we'll see if Big Man Brad can manage a fire with the flint.
So, Redemption Island again - no one has actually left the game yet. Next week we'll see if Candice, Rupert or Marissa is the first casualty of the game.
Also next week: The old Colton is back, and we'll see if weepy was better than the bully.
Have a great rest of your week everyone,
Coleen
The show opened with the dramatic graphic of blood dripping into water and spreading delicately... then the music starts and lush green islands come into view. We see the 10 pairs of castaways being driven to 10 different locations, each pair made up of a returning Survivor player and a loved one. What they don't know is that they will not be playing together, they will be competing against each other.
Gervase - he was in the very first season of Survivor (really? I remembered him, kind of, but didn't believe he was in the first season - but I looked it up and huh, they're right) he played 13 years ago when his niece, Marissa, was only 9 years old.
-He says he believes he can definitely win it this time.
-She thinks it's cute that after 13 years he thinks he's going to win - she's just focused on herself winning.
Kat - (blond bob haircut, big blue eyes) Her instability in Survivor One World cost her the game but with her boyfriend, and Big Brother winner, Hayden by her side, they hope to go all the way.
-Hayden says Big Brother was basically Survivor in a house (so, not Survivor at all.) In terms training, he's going to be more prepared than anybody else who hasn't played this game. (He may be able to play the social game, but being out in the elements and hungry is a whole different animal.)
-Kat says he's already won a show before, this is her game, it's her time.
Laura - (dark hair, big brown eyes) she was a mother to her tribe when she played before but now she's going to have to split that focus with her daughter Ciera also playing the game.
-Ciera says their ability to balance each other out will really be an asset to them. Laura says nothing is harder than seeing someone you love suffer (she may have a hard time with this then.)
Rupert - he has played Survivor for 100 plus days (three times already) but he's never made it to the end. His wife Laura is hoping to be the first member of the family to win the game. (Ugh, I gotta say I was not enthused to see Rupert back, especially not with the wife in tow. I still have the horrible mental image of him nearly eating her face when they kissed so sloppily in one season when she came to visit) And of course they are holding hands.
-He's returning for his 4th time - Laura says this has always been his thing, "Rupert, Rupert, Rupert." And he says, "Now it's time for Laura." Yeah, it's sweet but we prefer the pirate edge.
Colton - he made some controversial comments in Survivor One World then left with a mysterious ailment and few fans. He's hoping his fiancé Caleb will provide him with the maturity he needs. Colton's goal is to show people the new Colton. Caleb is worried about how Colton's been perceived, he hopes this is a big redemption for Colton.
Candice - (long blond hair, played in the Cook Islands) she's there with her husband and they are both doctors and pretty (ugh). She says they could be perceived as a threat because they are young and successful - he says they know being young and athletic that they are going to have big targets on their backs. (Yes, you're perfect, we get it.)
Monica - Former NFL wife, played for herself in One World but now she's sharing the spot light with her former NFL player husband Brad Culpepper - (I'm sure she's used to that...) and she says it right away - she's used to being Brad Culpepper's wife but when it comes to Survivor she's the veteran here. He says he'll play second fiddle to Monica (yeah, we'll see how long that lasts).
Tina - winner of the Australian outback, she hopes to do well with her daughter Katie by her side. Tina says their love transcends this game but their family is very competitive ... Katie would love to beat her mother at her own game. (That could be interesting.)
Tyson - (tall skinny blond guy) he was blindsided in one season, famously voted himself out in Heroes vs Villains (really? I vaguely remember that) now hopes to redeem himself with this longtime girlfriend Rachel by his side. He feels this time he's in a pretty good spot. He says the newcomers aren't going to be prepared and he's going to slit their throats.
Rachel says Survivor was always Tyson's thing, she never thought in a million years she'd be out there but there she is. (I hope she's there to win!)
Aras - winner of Exile Island (still have no memory of this guy - that's pretty bad) - is returning with his brother Vytas (and this is my guy).
-Vytas tells us he used to be a heroin addict and he's spent a year in prison (oookay, then...) Aras still has a lot of resentment towards him. (Sheesh).
-Aras says Vytas was pretty abusive to him when they were younger so he always tried to beat him at things he could.
Now we've seen everyone tromping into the jungle or on the beach, they get a scroll that tells them they will be spending the first night alone together right where they are. Let the whining begin - there are ants and crabs and bugs... oh my!
Next morning they all congregate on the beach in front of Jeff Probst and he welcomes them to the 27th season of Survivor.
-Jeff says they are going to be experiencing this game with their loved ones but they will not be playing with them... they will be competing against their loved ones. (You can see the shock waves go through them all.) Rupert's wife, Tyson's girlfriend and Colton do not look happy.
-Jeff asks if anyone is looking forward to taking on their loved one and more than half the hands go up. Tina's daughter gets called out and she says she thought her mom would feel the same. Tina says it's going to be one of the hardest parts of this season when the tribes comes together for challenges and you see your loved one might not be there.
-Jeff asks former NFL player Culpepper (oh, it's last name already for the football dude, I think Jeff's a fan) how he's going to feel seeing Monica voted out. Brad says on the surface he wants to beat her at every challenge but underneath, say if they win a tarp, he's going to be thinking that she should have the tarp...
-Marissa pipes up, "You better not be on my team saying that." And you can see the look on his face, he's not happy that someone called him on his running of the mouth. He realizes that he answered with his heart and not his head and the response from the other players made him realize that was a stupid move. (I think Brad is pretty... put the game face on man and shut your trap, oy.)
Jeff divides them into returning players (Galang/yellow) and new players (Tadhana/red) then Jeff shocks them again by telling them that both tribes are going to vote someone out right now. (WHAT? Holy crap, didn't see that coming.)
-They each get a tablet and a pen, so they are going to vote right out in the open - Colton is pretty sure it's going to be him but in true Survivor fashion it's the ladies that fare the worst right off the bat.
-New players unanimously vote out Laura, Rupert's wife (see, 4 times returning is too many, there is Rupert backlash) and the Returning players vote out Candice but a much more split vote, most siting that they don't know anything about her.
So, Laura and Candice go stand over by Jeff and their respective husbands are both ready to take on everyone that voted for them... then Jeff tells them they are not yet out of this game because Redemption Island is in play this season (boo, I'm not a fan of the Redemption Island but maybe it'll work better this time.) Everyone voted out of the game will go to Redemption Island and compete in a duels for a shot to get back in the game.
And the twists just keep on coming... Jeff says he's going to put the blood vs water to the first test and offers Rupert the chance to change places... he doesn't even finish explaining and Rupert is charging through everyone to get to Laura - (Whoa there big boy, let him finish.) If Rupert changes places with Laura, she'll join his tribe and he'll then have to compete in the duels. Tina is telling him not to do it but he's doing it no matter what. So Laura is now on the Galang tribe. Tina is ticked, she understands the emotion behind it but he just went and weakened their tribe. Rupert, as usual, thinks he's invincible and will win all the duels (maybe he will, but he's no spring chicken anymore.)
Jeff makes the same offer to Candice and John and they are a bit more level-headed and discuss it (briefly) she tentatively says she thinks she can beat him, John says she has a better chance than he does (what? No she doesn't.) and Doctor Good-looking sends his wife back to battle the tie-dyed pirate on her own. (There's some 'looking out for number one'-edness for you.) I think John regretted his decision right away, he teared up when she walked away. I think that made him look bad but I think his tribe was relieved, he kept them strong.
Galang - Day 1
-Gervase didn't want to play with Laura, he wanted to play with Rupert. They show Laura trying to open a coconut and nearly chop her hand off (eek). Aras tells her he really wished her husband was there right now (nice) and she says she knows she's a disappointment - oh no, he didn't mean that (right). Laura knows she's going to have to work hard and try to prove to this people that she's an asset and they want to keep her around.
-Tyson gets a fire going, he learned from Boston Rob (BR rules coming back again?) They knew to focus on making fire so they could boil water and having drinking water and be able to eat - then to start on the shelter. They are looking good right now... and then they show Colton holding bamboo between his legs and sawing it towards himself (oh no, no, that's not right.)
-Monica is not happy that both times she's gotten to play this game, Colton has been out here. She was very hurt by him the last time and she confronts him, asking if she can trust him or if he's going to stab her in the back again. (Really? You're going to do that on day one? They are not so smart these Culpeppers.) And what's Colton going to say? Of course he tells her what she wants to hear and they hug it out (I think I sprained my eyes I rolled them so hard.)
Tadhana - Day 1
-They are all busy building a shelter, the boys are splitting bamboo, the girls are weaving palm fronds - and Brad Culpepper is running at the mouth again (I think this guy likes to be on TV cause we are seeing a lot of his jabbering.) He feels like he needs to address his blunder about the tarp and his wife - he promises them he will be going 100% in all the challenges and if they think he's not they can vote him out (Please, just vote him out now, he's annoying me already.)
-Marissa doesn't trust him, she's keeping her eye on good ol' Brad.
-Brad, meanwhile is putting his 'hit the ground running' strategy in play and in his mind that is establishing an alliance right away and being a pretty boy football player, that means getting the 5 men all together (yeah, why would you need women? - oh, I know, because the all-guy alliances never work out.) But he approaches pretty doctor John first. John is not shocked that the football player wants to keep the locker room together but he also thinks Brad's being so vocal and putting himself out there are the leader could bite him in the butt later. (We can only hope.)
-Brad moves on to Big Brother Hayden, he's on the full-on recruiting circuit - next he's bro-mancing Caleb who's not buying it. Caleb knows Brad's game but he'll go along if it will shut him up.
-Then it's on to Vytas and Brad says the John Cochrane's and weaker girls, those are the one's that win Survivor now (you mean the smart people?) so he wants to keep all the strong guys together.
-Then he gives us some football math holding up his fingers - 4 against 9... wait I have 5 against 9... (I can smell him thinking about it from here.) He has a group of 5 guys, that's the majority in a tribe of 9. (I think Brad should just stop talking before he hurts himself.)
Tadhana - Day 1
-They are desperately trying to make fire - Brad is getting smoke but no flame. Vytas and Ciera are watching but, other than holding the bamboo steady, aren't much help. We get to know a bit more about both of them though. Ciera was a teen mom, 17 and pregnant in high school but now she's married and has another child. Vytas comes clean about his past as well, laying it out there that he was a former heroin addict and went to prison at 19 - Aras was the golden child and Vytas was the wild one - he is hoping doing this together with his brother will help to mend their relationship a little more.
-Vytas' strategy is that this is a game based on trust and he hopes by being so open and letting them in, they'll be able to trust him more. (Well I hope it works cause you're my great, scruffy, yoga-teaching hope.)
Galang - Night 1
-They are sitting around the fire and trying to bond a bit - Colton lays it out that he's from the Deep South and he's not accepted for his lifestyle even within his own family... and he loses it, not just a little crying, full on sobbing (that's a little uncomfortable). All the women comfort him and Monica hopes he has changed... but then again, it is Colton Cumbie.
Redemption Island - Day 2
-Candice is busy machete-ing coconuts that she is pretending are the heads of the people that voted for her (oh, that's healthy.) Rupert is just sitting back and watching her work. She had her feelings hurt by the tribe voting her off and now she is extremely annoyed having to be out there with Rupert alone because he is not doing anything. She's gathering the wood, tending the fire, getting the water, boiling the water, making the rice and he's just enjoying the spoils of her work, it's infuriating her (well don't make him food or get him water then, sheesh.) His strategy this time around is to save himself for the duels, if she wants to expend all her energy around camp he's more than happy to let her, but he's not going to kill himself at camp. (I'm not impressed with the new lazy Rupert.)
Day 3 - both tribes get tree mail and it gives them hints about today's challenge, let's them know there will be water involved and a puzzle at the end so they start to strategize, who's a good swimmer, who's good at puzzles.
At Tadhana, Ciera says she knows her mother is good at puzzles but she's better and Tina's daughter feels the same way so they are going to put those two girls against their mothers on the puzzle portion of the challenge.
At Galang, Gervase says it doesn't matter if you have a lead or not, it's the puzzle that will win them the challenge and their thinking is the same on that side, Laura and Tina know their daughters will be doing the puzzle so they are ready to take them out.
IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
First Jeff asks Galang how they're doing and they say they have fire, it's all good. Jeff asks Tadhana if they have fire and they all lie, of course we have fire. Vytas, "We have so much fire, we can share it if you want." Hayden tells the camera, of course they have fire, they know what they're going, we don't cause we're a bunch of... meatheads. (I'm starting to like Hayden, a lot.)
For the challenge: They have to swim out and scale over a few obstacles to a boat tied to an anchor. Once at the boat they need to dive down and untie knots to release the boat then, once everyone is in the boat they have to paddle back to the beach where the three tribe members waiting there can get started on the puzzle (the box of puzzle pieces is in the boat.)
The puzzle is a ship's steering wheel. Once the wheel is complete they have to use it to raise their flag and send their loved one's to Tribal Council.
Off they go and Tyson is starting out strong for Galang all by himself. Tadhana is showing them up with their teamwork though, helping each other over the obstacles and they take the lead. Gervase is proving that he still can't really swim and Aras has to help him to keep him from drowning. The new players have a huge lead at this point with Gervase performing horribly. The returning players finally get everyone to the boat and both tribes start to paddle back ... well the new players paddle back, the returning players are paddling in circles (oh that is embarrassing.) Tadhana has a huge lead getting started on the puzzle when Galang finally makes it to shore - but the veteran Moms prove that the older ladies know how to puzzle - they get that wheel together in no time, while Katie especially struggled, she still had no idea what was going on, it seemed, when Galang raised their flag and won immunity.
-Galang cheers that they won and Gervase is yelling, "Don't let that fool you! Don't let that fool you!" (what are you doing?) Marissa just gives him a 'talk to the hand'. Colton is crying because he's worried about Caleb being in jeopardy. (I don't like the weepy Colton, but then I didn't like the mean Colton either...)
-Brad Culpepper takes notice of Gervase's "in your face" type celebrating of their win and he doesn't appreciate it - "Hey buddy, your loved one may go home." (Uh oh.)
Tadhana - Day 3
-Brad is talking again, our loved ones have fire, lets be happy for them - we all gave 100% - puzzle makers, it was a tough puzzle, don't beat yourselves up about it. Blah, blah, blah.
-Katie is nervous, she knows she's one of the reasons they are going to tribal council tonight.
-Then they start talking about Gervase and Marissa starts cutting him down - she knows that his behaviour pissed people off and they are going to correlate her with him.
-Coach Brad again, "when we win, let's not gloat." They are celebrating sending a loved one home in his opinion. (Whatever, I'd like to see you guys not celebrate when you win.)
-They five guy alliance is thinking they are golden and they discuss who they are going to stab in the heart tonight. Brad says he's a little spoiled on Marissa right now because of Gervase's behaviour (really? that's convenient since I think Brad has been sour on her since she called him out in the first 5 minutes when he made the stupid remarks about wanting his wife to have the tarp.)
-Caleb throws Katie into the mix as well since she was just useless with the puzzle (that makes more sense to me, vote someone out for what they did, not because you don't like their loved ones behaviour.)
-Vytas knows the girls are aware the guys have bonded since they are not being very subtle about it so he also wants to try and forge some bonds with the women as well. He goes over and tells Rachel that the guys are voting Marissa and he then tells Marissa that because of the puzzle thing, it's Katie.
-Brad is still talking to the camera, "we have to think who can we vote out that will potentially affect the other tribe" (I think a daughter over a niece, but maybe that's just me.)
TRIBAL COUNCIL
(Jeff Probst's remarks are in blue.)
Hayden, what's been the hardest part of the first three days?
-Trying to get fire.
So you guys were lying to me today. You don't have fire.
-Yeah, we were totally bluffing.
Ciera, you had to talk to your mom about her experiences out here, how is it different?
-It's completely different. I've never been this hungry, something is trying to claw it's way out of my stomach. It's really rough.
Culpepper, you're three days in and you're obviously struggling.
-It's been very challenging not having fire. If we had fire we could get fish and cook and get strong for challenges.
Caleb, how does having loved ones on the other tribe change this game?
-It really does complicate it. We don't know what's going on in each others tribes, we just have to trust each other and believe they'll do the right thing. But right now, they're doing their thing and we're doing our thing.
John, moments into day one your wife is the first person voted out. Any regrets about not stepping up to take her spot?
-I have a lot of guilt about that decision. As a husband it's something I really struggle with (then he chokes up - aw, don't cry pretty doctor boy) I feel like she's over there thinking that I just let her go, let her down and didn't stand up for her. I hope she's not thinking that, but it's something I've been struggling with a little bit. (I bet one of those coconuts did have his name on it.)
So what's the impact on you knowing that whoever you vote out tonight will be competing against your wife and Rupert?
-Today's challenge proved the other tribe isn't going to pull any punches so my vote tonight is going to be based on who I think will make this tribe strongest going forward. Now if there is an added advantage that I think Candice can kick whoever's butt, then that's great too.
Culpepper, where do you see this game going, the Blood vs Water? What are you already thinking about?
-I thought it was an interesting dynamic today when they lost - I don't know why they were celebrating so much when one of their loved ones is going home.
Who was celebrating, who stood out?
-Gervase.
Marissa, you're shaking your head at your own uncle.
-Yes, I look at them as veterans, older, wiser and I expected them to handle it with grace. (Do you know your uncle?)
Vytas, does it work against you if your loved one behaves in this way?
-Of course, someone who's just gloating in our face, just adds insult to injury. I guarantee with this twist that the other team is worrying when we go to tribal council because they know when they face us again, one of their loved ones will be gone.
Marissa, concerned about what Vytas said?
-Yes, because I'm guilty by association. I wish Gervase would have piped down so I'd feel a little less vulnerable right now. I feel like people should be judging me by my attitude, my performance, not my loved one. It comes down to our tribe, not what their tribe is doing. Wait until we get to the merge and then decide if you want to judge me by his actions. (Very well said, she had Vytas and Caleb looking at Brad, but Coach Brad has his mind made up I think.)
Katie, where are you at for the first vote?
-The fear is they are going to judge off the challenge and the puzzle-makers, of which she was one, fell down at the challenge. She wouldn't be surprised if they voted her out for one bad performance.
Brad says they should be worried but they're not voting solely on the performance of the puzzle- makers (and he glances right at Marissa... I gotta say, I'm really not a fan of Brad.)
Time to Vote:
Katie votes for Marissa.
Marissa votes for Katie.
Tallying the Votes:
Katie - 1
Marissa - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... that's enough. (I'm feeling some righteous anger for Marissa, that's really not fair for her.) She throws a glare over at the guys and Vytas and Hayden guiltily look away. (Oh yeah, you know.)
Jeff also throws them some flint to take back to camp - we'll see if Big Man Brad can manage a fire with the flint.
So, Redemption Island again - no one has actually left the game yet. Next week we'll see if Candice, Rupert or Marissa is the first casualty of the game.
Also next week: The old Colton is back, and we'll see if weepy was better than the bully.
Have a great rest of your week everyone,
Coleen
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