Survivor Blood vs Water Finale - Dec 15/13 Recap

It's My Night

It's the Finale people, and we have:
Gervase: first season veteran that vowed revenge on the competition after they voted out his niece - He wants the title Sole Survivor.
Monica: stepping out of her husband's shadow winning challenge after challenge - this Survivor moment is about her.
Tyson: He told himself when Rachel (his girlfriend) left that he had to make it to the end, that is the only thing that would make it worth it to stay there [instead of take her place.]
Ciera: this newcomer started out slow but became a force, even voting out her own mother to get herself to the end.

On Redemption Island (why are these people still around? Not a fan of Redemption Island): Tina, Hayden and Laura will battle it out in one final duel, where one of them will win re-entry into the game. (I'm thinking if Laura makes it back in, she could win this thing.)

Kasama - Night 35
Upon return from Tribal Council -Ciera made a play for Monica that didn't work but she's banking on whoever comes back from Redemption (hopefully her mother) being on her side, someone she can work with.
-Tyson & Gervase know they have to solidify their alliance with Monica so Tyson tries to give her the hidden immunity idol he found (she won't take it.)
-Monica will not be manipulated, she wants to keep her options open, two chances to go to the final three, either with Tyson & Gervase or Ciera and whoever comes back from Redemption. (Monica's thinking she's all that, but playing both sides is often known to come back and bite you in he butt.)

Redemption Island - Night 35
-Laura & Tina are so sorry to see that it's Hayden coming to join them.  He tells Laura that Ciera won immunity - which she was thrilled about - but they couldn't turn Monica, so there he is.
-He says someone else has to get into the top three because if it's Tyson, Gervase and Monica at the end, he's going to vote for Jeff! (Ha, that would be hilarious...But I'm pretty sure that wouldn't stand.)

-Hayden likes his chances of getting back in the game, he's got to compete against two grandmas (oh, don't underestimate the women.  Cocky usually doesn't win either.)

Redemption Final Duel
-They will place one foot on the end of a balancing board, on the other end, a ceramic vase.  When the vase falls (and smashes spectacularly on rocks placed underneath it) they are out.  Last person with an intact vase - gets back in the game.  Other two are on the jury.
-Off they go: Laura started out shaky, which Jeff had to point out, but they all stabilized. 
After 15 minutes all three are still there but Laura starts hopping around... Hairy armpits... but she saves it - just barely.  Then Hayden tries to wipe sweat out of his eye and drops his vase (seriously dude?).  Laura then begs Tina to let her have it.  Tina, "No way sister, this is a million dollar challenge." (I get it, but Tina is only still there because Laura helped her...)  Both ladies start struggling but it's Laura who can't save it again - and TINA is getting back in the game (Hmm, I think Laura would have been the better story.)
-Then there is a big tearful scene with Laura and Ciera - You didn't fail, I'm proud of you - yada yada yada.
Tina gets to go back in the game and she gets a clue to the hidden immunity idol, which she gives to... herself.

Kasama - Day 36
-Tina is so happy to be back in the game - she knows there is a strong alliance between Tyson, Gervase and Monica so she wants to find the idol and try to sway Monica into going with an all-girl, all-mom alliance.
-Tina was the last person Ciera wanted to see come back in the game but she has to work with what she's got.  She's impressed with Tina's no fear attitude climbing trees looking for the idol, but they also come to the conclusion that Tyson probably already found it.  Ciera is also thinking she needs to keep working Monica.
-So we see the girls in the shelter and Monica wants them to convince her.   Tina takes the totally wrong tack, telling her that the jury is going to be ugly because they are all mad at Monica.  Ciera is thinking "Whoa, we want her to come with us, not hate us."  Ciera tells Monica she doesn't agree with Tina - she thinks that Monica needs to show the jury that she is not Tyson's lap dog, that this was part of her game and if the girls go to the final three she has a good chance of winning. (And that's true - if it was these three girls in the end I do think Monica would have a better chance of winning than against the guys.)
-Monica feels pounced upon by Tina & Ciera - she has a lot of thinking to do (she's not flipping.)

Day 37 - IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
They have to pull on a rope balancing a table, then they have to venture out (still trying to keep the table level) to collect blocks to bring back and balance on the table.  First person to get all ten blocks set up and balanced on the table wins immunity. (Hey! This is a new challenge, I don't think I've seen this one before.)
-Off they go - OH MY GOD - they start with one block balanced on the table and when they go back to get the next block, if the one on the table falls they have to go reset it before they can bring the second block back (oh, this could take forever.)  The girls seem to be doing better but it gets harder the farther back they have to go... Tyson takes the lead at seven blocks but the rest are not too far behind.
Then everyone dumps all their blocks leaving it wide open for Tyson to place his final block - TYSON wins immunity!

Kasama - Day 37
-Tyson, Gervase & Monica get together to debate Tina vs Ciera.
-Gervase thinks Ciera should go because she's made more moves and would potentially get more jury votes.
-Monica thinks Tina should go because not one jury member was voted out because of something Tina did - she could potentially get more votes.
-Tyson wants them to decide to take the pressure off himself... he sees the merit in both sides.  He leaves Gervase & Monica to battle back and forth - Gervase has the better argument in my opinion but Monica digs her heels in, she's coming from an emotional place and he just doesn't get it - I feel his frustration, she's not being logical at all but there is no convincing her otherwise.
-Next the ladies are talking and Monica, who is now mad at Gervase for bullying her, sounds like she is open to voting for Gervase with the women.  Tyson won't play his idol for Gerv because he won't see it coming.  Tina & Ciera are super excited but trying not to spook her.
-Monica says it's her night, the girls are salivating over her vote, the guys think she's their lap dog - this is her vote and she's going to own it.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
So we have Ciera & Tina up against Tyson & Gervase, the question is Monica where do you sit?
-I find myself in the middle again.  I know what it's like to be a first round draft pick (bringing it back to football, I see what she did there) I had both sides working on me.
Who made a pitch?
-The girls came to me honestly and said this is a chance for you to make a big move, let's take out a villain.
Gervase do you see yourself as a villain?
-No, I haven't done anything villainous.  I played the game, kept my word to my alliance, that's what good guys do.
Ciera, what's your pitch?
-Woman to woman she wanted to let Monica know that the boys keep saying she's an easy vote, she's easy to manipulate, she's a puppy dog, she'll do what they want her to do.  And then there is also the end of the game when you're sitting there final three to get the votes you have to make a big move, what a bigger move than to get rid of the villain of the game.
Tyson pipes up: I've never used the term lapdog. Ever. To describe Monica.  I've said, "I've got Monica." Meaning she's with me, I trust her, she's in our alliance, she's another person who will vote with us.
Monica, this is tough.
-Jeff, the last 24 hours have been extremely difficult.  These are arguments that are breaking down Monica and I don't want to die inside (whoa, I think that's going a little too far.) It's gotten to me, but tonight it's my time to vote the best strategy for Monica.
Gervase, those are scary words.
-Yeah, my heart just dropped out my chest.

Time to Vote:
They don't show how anybody voted but Monica did say it was great playing the game with whoever she voted for... but tonight is about her (yeah, we get it - All Monica, all the time.)

Tallying the votes:
Hidden immunity idol?  Tonight is the last night you can use it. (Oh? Tyson won immunity so I didn't think it'd be played...) but he hands it over to Gervase (Oh crap!)
Gervase - 1, 2.  Do not count.
Ciera - 1, 2 - and it's Ciera who is voted out... but who did Monica vote for?  They only showed us four votes.
Ciera made if farther than she thought she would but she is proud of the way she played, and she went out doing all that she could do... and they showed us the Monica did vote for Ciera (I'm a little disappointed with all the "this is my time" talk, she still went with the boys.)
Oh, and with Ciera being out: Fred & Gary M, Julie T and Robert L. are out of the pool.

Kasama - Night 37
Final 4 return to camp and Tina tells them she's shocked [that they voted out Ciera instead of her] - now she has to win immunity to stay.
-Monica was shocked that Tyson gave Gerv the hidden idol, that showed her they didn't believe she was 100% with them (huh? Why would they?) and now she has to win immunity to have control of her own destiny.

Final IMMUNITY CHALLENGE - Day 38
-They all want/need this immunity - but no pressure...
-They will race through a series of obstacles collecting bags of puzzle pieces two at a time.  Then they have to run up stairs to deliver the bags to their table and slide down a giant water slide to head to the next obstacle. Once they have all six bags of pieces they will have to arrange the pieces to reveal a word puzzle that will help them solve a combination lock - once they open the lock, they'll raise their flag and win immunity.

Off they go: Monica and Gervase are the first two heading up with their bags and he tried to pass her on the stairs but she blocked him - Oh it's ON!  Monica is the first back with her 4th bag but Tyson is not far behind her.
-Tyson, Gervase, then Monica return with their 6 bags and get to work on the puzzle - Tina is still collecting her last two bags.
-Tyson is the first to solve the puzzle... he has to go back out to count stairs, letters, pieces... and he gets the correct combination and raises his flag - TYSON is guaranteed to be in the final.

-Tina is hoping she can convince Monica to go for a two-two vote (I don't see that happening.) Tina wants to go out with guns blazing.

Back at camp - this is the first time Tyson has made it to day 39 and this has been the best day of his life so far.  Hopefully he can make a totally awesome speech that will win him a million dollars, but for now, this is the best day.
-Monica gives Gervase some gentle ribbing about her elbowing him out at the challenge and he tells the camera he's really bummed that Monica checked him, "are you kidding me?  We had the same goal to not let Tina win, not me."
-Gervase is talking to Tina about how he just wanted to make it farther than he did the first time and he can't believe he was called a villain.  Monica just keeps rolling her eyes.
-Monica tells the camera that Gervase is playing really hard for that jury vote and maybe it's his turn to have his name written down.  Monica approaches Tina and tells her she's furious that Tyson gave Gervase the hidden idol and kept it secret from her and leaves the door open for Tina. 
-Tina says her only hope is for Monica to vote Gervase with her which will force a tie and then Tina & Gervase will build fire to stay.
-Meanwhile Tyson and Gervase are speculating whether Monica would get any jury votes.  She could. (oh are they voting Monica now?)
-Monica tells the camera Gervase has been talking smack, let's hold his feet to the fire and make him earn his place in the final three.  But what if Tina won? Does she want to sit next to Tina?

TRIBAL COUNCIL
So this is it - Tina did you feel the pressure that you had to win today?
-Oh yeah, I had two chances: win today or go to plan B - work Monica.

Monica, at the last tribal council you were very clear it was about you.  It was very clear at the challenge today that this alliance was over when you checked Gervase coming up the stairs.
-Well, Gervase admitted to talking smack and scrappy Monica is going to hip check you back.

Gervase, did that move surprise you? It wasn't that important in the challenge it was more of a signal to step back.
-Yeah, she had a lead on me but I closed it up and even gave her a heads up on her left then she slammed me into the rail... What's the point of that, you're just slowing me up (and you answered your question right there.) I was shocked.

Monica, this is a continuation of the statement you made a last tribal council - all bets are off, I'm here to win.
-No question.  Traditionally the person that wins final immunity is king for the day but I've been in pole position (that had Ciera rolling her eyes.) Tina came to me and said I'd love to build fire against Gervase, are you in?
Tina, what would be in that for Monica?
-Every person sitting here is trying to get to the end and you have to decide who you want to get to the end with.
Gervase, does [the women talking about voting for you] concern you?
-Absolutely, the closer the game gets to the end you think, "phew, I'm here," but it's so much work still to do.  A big move does sway people, they stand back and say, wow that was great.  Big moves are scary and they can happen at any time.

Time To Vote:
They showed us nothing.
Tallying the votes:
Tina - 1, 2,
Gervase - 1
Tina - 3... TINA is voted out.  Monica is still talking a good game but voting with her alliance.
Finally Tina is gone and takes out: Don H, Ian G and Janine S.
Tina says she's sure if she could have made it to the final she would have tied Sandra and Richard as two time winners (Sure, you keep telling yourself that lady.) 

Day 39: Final three get their final feast.  And they are all congratulating themselves on making it there and contemplating their journey.  I'll spare you the jabber but I've got to say I'm just happy there was no walk of remembrance...
FINAL TRIBAL COUNCIL:
Opening statements:
Gervase: I think I played this game great.  I used a combination of old school and new school.  You take any professional athlete from their rookie season, give them thirteen years off, I guarantee you they won't make it to the finals.  I did the big blindsides starting with Aras, he wouldn't have got out of this game except for me (lost that vote.) It was a long hard road but I played this game the way it should be played and I think sitting in this position warrants your votes.

Monica: I wanted to start addressing the elephant in the room, I know you think I was drug along like a puppy dog by these two to make it to the end and that's...not...true.  I had three choices in the last three tribal councils and I didn't chose those paths because I wanted to go to the final with these guys - because I have less blood on my hands and less broken promises.  If I would have sat with Hayden, Katie, Ciera or Tina I would have been more like you (a loser?) So my strategic play gave me more chance to win.  I hope that finds some merit in your vote and I'm proud of the social maneuvering that I've done to get here.

Tyson: I came into this game knowing I would be target numero uno from the get go and most of you confirmed that when I hit Galang beach.  So I said I was going to have maximum amounts of fun, no regrets, and when I get voted out, I'm going to get voted out.  That changed the second I saw Rachel (he starts tearing up - Really?) at Redemption Island.  I knew I had to get to day 39 to show her that I appreciated her sacrifice and knew the reason she left was because of me.  I focused and did what I had to - I dug around for the idols so no one else would have them and I won challenges when I absolutely had to.  Nothing I did was out of malice and I'm here at day 39 because Rachel made that sacrifice. (Oh, that was a good spin... he's been working on this for a while.)

Jury Questions:
Vytas: Tyson the name of the game is get before you get got - you definitely did that.  My last play was that you weren't going to get my jury vote and I'm going to stick to that.
Gervase, old school just means an unwillingness to adapt, doesn't work in Survivor. You hooked up with a dope new school player and he carried you through.
Monica when the tribe swap happened we had a friendship and these guys never promised me anything but you turned on me.  So I really have no idea who to vote for, I'm just going to watch what happens, see what shakes out and take it from there.

Katie: One question to Tyson.  In your opening speech you said you didn't do anything out of malice, but when we drew rocks, I was at my lowest point when I had the white rock, you stood up to hug me and then pointed over to the jury seat and said, "See that jury seat, that's yours." And you did that out of malice.
Tyson: You're right, that's the one thing I regretted doing in the game and I hoping to have the chance to apologize to you for that.
Katie: If you were in my shoes would you vote for Tyson after a statement like that?
Tyson: It's hard because I knew you were gunning for me and sometimes my mouth gets ahead of my brain but I would hope you could look past it and I hope I could be a big enough person to look past it and vote for the person that played the best game but I can't say with any certainty that I could.

Caleb: Gervase, what was your big game changing move?
-Voting out Aras.  I know everyone thinks Tyson makes the moves but here's the thing with my playing style, I was never the target.  I wanted Tyson to look like he was pulling the trigger on all these moves so he'd take the heat but a lot of moves that happened in this game came from me.
Caleb: Monica I feel like you have that perfect persona about you and I need something from you - be vulnerable - tell me something from the heart. (Bleed for me, my monkey!)
-So she starts out choked up, "My whole life has been about Brad and 9 years in the NFL, "and I want this, it's never, ever in the last 21 years been about me and today, it is." (She goes on whining that she was alone and she did it on her own - oh poor little Monica - give me a break.) She keeps crying that this will give her life meaning beyond being Brad's wife and her kids' mom - that's why she's there.

Ciera: Tyson, I titled you "the Villain."  I want to know if you see yourself as the villain or the hero?
Tyson: I obviously don't see myself as the villain - every move I made was strategic it was never personal. Blah blah... not a villain so I must be a hero.
Gervase, were you ever going to vote out Tyson?
-I was going to do it at the right time, I was looking at final four and I thought if I had gone with you guys at that time, I was going to be the next to go.  The better odds at that time were to stick with Tyson and ride it out and if I sat here next to him and lost, okay, because I made that decision.  I feel like I can beat Tyson and that's why I made that move and came here tonight.

Laura: Monica, I don't know who you are.  I can sometimes be really prickly and hard to be around... that's me being vulnerable, admitting a fault.  She goes on wanting Monica to be vulnerable - for some reason they want Monica to rip her heart out and show them - I think they all feel like she's putting on an act, she's too perfect.  But Monica is crying again and I'm sick of it - leave the woman alone - I don't care that this is her time, she should be talking about the game she played not how she's finally found 'Monica'.

Tina: One word and one word only that best describes the core of who you are.  Monica: Generous.  Gervase: Honour.  That's what Gervase means is honourable and I know Caleb probably doesn't think that but out of this game, I'm a very honourable person. (Yeah, he kept talking but she let him get away with it.)
Tyson: Is fun-loving one word or is that two? 

Hayden: Tyson, did you have the idol when you drew rocks?  Yes.
Where was it?  It was in a bird's nest up in a tree.  One step ahead of you again.  Touche!

Monica, you know I love you and I love Brad.  "And I made him." I'm sure you did but the perception is that you are fake and that's why you're getting beat up.  We want to see inside Monica.
-She's crying again, I don't know what y'all want. Have you never met a nice person? Have you never met someone who's not totally selfish? What's your goal? I feel like a total target and you just keep punching me.
-Hayden backs off and the tears immediately are gone - that's more telling than anything right there.

Aras: Gervase, prove to me you have game awareness by assuming I can only vote for Tyson or Monica and tell me why I should vote for them - only choose one - tell me what they did and why it was instrumental to getting them here.
Gervase: I would say Tyson, he had a lot of elements to his game and he could see two people talking, walk right up and say I want in.  He had everyone digging up the beach looking for an idol he already had, making sure no one found something that wasn't there.  That was great gameplay.
Monica: Hands down you have to vote for Tyson, he found two hidden immunity idols and he did win those last two immunities when people could have gotten rid of him - but couldn't.  He was a charging horse for 39 days.
Tyson: Monica, when we started at Galang we had a good bond but when the split happened she kept her distance making everyone believe she was on the bottom but she got info we couldn't get and I would say that was her big move (whatever, he had to say something.  Gervase didn't look too happy.)

Jeff says it was a great final council but there was no crazy Sue moment - no snake or rat speech... I think the winner seems pretty obvious.

Time to vote:  Caleb votes for Tyson.  Vytas votes for Monica.

Final tallying of the votes:
Monica - 1
Tyson - 1, 2, 3, (and he's crying) 4, 5... TYSON is the winner!
And with Tyson, the winners of our pool are: Tori K, Jenn G. and Donna P!  Congratulations everyone!  I will be contacting you personally to get you your winnings.

Reunion
-Jeff felt Laura and Ciera were one of the best example of Blood vs Water and he loved having them out there.
-Jeff still can't stand Colton and doesn't understand Caleb and Colton's relationship.  Colton may have finally realized he needs to grow up.
-Rupert has absolutely no regrets in giving up the game for his wife to have the opportunity to play.

Hint for next season: 
Muddy guys hitting each other with bags: B
Puzzle pieces: B
Blond girl raising out of the water: B ... what?  That was it. Brawn, Brains, Blond?

Update on John Cochrane: he put it out there in the finale to his season that he wanted to be a writer and now he is a writer on the new CBS series, The Millers.  (I'm sure his parents are so proud that his Harvard Law education is going to good use.)

-Aras & Vytas - their relationship is still pretty much the same - they had a great experience playing Survivor together but there will always be the sibling rivalry.
-Tina Wesson's son died two weeks ago in a car accident but she and Katie still wanted to be at the show because the people they played the game with are like family to her and she finds comfort being with them (awww.)

And next season: Brawn vs Brains vs Beauty!  (Oh, three tribes maybe?) 

So that was Blood vs Water - and it thought it was a really good season with new twists and an emotional level that brought new complexity to the game... even though there was a very predictable ending. 

I wish everyone the very best of the holiday season - I'll 'see' you all in the new year.

Coleen
 

Survivor Blood vs Water - December 11/13 Episode Recap

Out on a Limb

Last week Hayden and Ciera shook things up at tribal council by calling out Tyson and forcing a tie vote that resulted in Tyson, Ciera and Katie drawing rocks to see who would leave... unfortunately for Katie, she got rocked and joined her mother on Redemption Island.

Redemption Island - Night 32
-Tina is happy to see her daughter but not under these circumstances - since only one person can go back in the game, they are seriously competing against each other.  Tina tells Katie that she would not be opposed to letting her win but Katie says they should both just try their hardest (exactly.  Laura's going to beat you both anyway, who are we kidding here?)

Kasama - Night 32
They return to camp and Hayden is jubilant that his crazy scrambling worked and he is still there.  He was fighting for his life and the next thing he knows they are drawing rocks... What just happened?
-Tyson is not so enthused, he plays lip service to being excited to have been a part of the rock drawing but, somehow, I don't believe him.  Then he pointedly calls out Gervase for telling a crazy person he's the next going home (that being Hayden.)  If you tell someone they're next to go, they have nothing to lose and they can blow up the game - see, last Tribal Council.
-Monica is being Monica, as usual, she can't stop talking, she's strategizing Gervase's ear off: What if they have an idol?  How do we split the votes to flush it out?... Tyson is fed up and tells her he has the idol.  That shocks her enough to celebrate a little but she catches a breath and is back at it.  Tyson tells her to shut it down and she gets a little miffed.  Monica says she's in tight with Tyson and Gervase but she doesn't feel like she has any respect and she was hurt that Tyson kept the knowledge of the hidden immunity idol from her. (Lady, you don't shut up, he can't trust you with information, sheesh.)

Kasama - Day 33
-Ciera feels like a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders after last tribal council - she knew she was #4 and at least she made a move and tried to improve her lot - it didn't quite pan out but the great thing about her position now is she has nothing to lose.  Their strategy going forward is to try and find the hidden idol, win a challenge, try to drive a wedge between the other three... and wait for mama Laura to come back in the game again to give them the numbers. (They've got their work cut out for them.)

REDEMPTION DUEL
-Jeff asks Tina what this is like for her. 
-She says this is by far the hardest day, the finality of it hasn't stuck in her mind (huh?) so she's going to play today and make that decision in the moment. (Throwing the challenge is not going to help your daughter stay, if she can't win on her own, she's doomed anyway.)

Duel: They will use sticks and ropes to fashion a long pole then use the pole to retrieve three keys.  Once they have all the keys they will use them to unlock a door - first two people to unlock their doors live another day, last person is out for good - but on the jury.  Winner will also get to give out another clue to the hidden immunity idol.

Off they go: And Tina is telling Katie how to best construct her pole.
Laura gets her first key.  Katie gets her first key.  Tina's short.  Laura gets her second and third key... and she wins the duel again. (Ciera is gloating a little, Gervase does not look amused.)
-Tina retrieves one key and Katie drops her second key in the sand...
-Tina gets her second key and Katie is unable to get her key out of the sand.
-Tina gets her third key and she is asking Katie if she's okay with this [as she's unlocking her door] Katie half-heartedly tells her it's alright.  Tina is the second person to open her door, eliminating Katie... and then the waterworks started (man, why am I crying?)  Tina was adopted and she had never felt a bond like what she feels with her daughter - Katie is so incredibly proud of her mom and feels being able to do this together was the greatest gift. (Sniffle, how embarrassing, I'm such a sap.)
Oh, and eliminated from the pool with Katie are: Roxanne S., Carol-Anne D. and Lynne B.

-Laura gives the clue to the hidden immunity idol to Ciera - and Tina tells Hayden to win the challenge. (We know where their jury votes would go.)

Kasama - Day 33
-Ciera shares the clue with Hayden and they start looking in the trees.  Hayden's up the big tree where he's sure the idol should be when Monica comes strolling along, so he's frustrated that everyone's going to know it's up a tree... but when he realizes that there is nothing in the tree where he's sure it should be and he pretty much knows that Tyson must have the idol.
-Gervase is trying to make sure that nothing messes with his 3 person alliance but he doesn't have the finesse needed for this game.  He demands of Monica how much she trusts them on a scale of 1 to 10... so of course she says she trusts him and Tyson a 10 (what else is she going to say?)  And this reassures him (oh, he's not good at this game.)
-Monica feels like her two guys put themselves on the line for her last night drawing rocks instead of turning on her but, she says, she's  got to know the difference between real life and this game, and she's playing for Monica, not Tyson or Gerv - Monica.
-Hayden and Ciera are talking about their next play, and that is to start working Monica.  Ciera's going to throw the guys under he bus, tell Monica they were talking crap about her, that she's dumb and they are leading her around like a puppy... (join the dark side Monica, they have cookies :))

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
-They will dive off a dock into the water and push a buoy along a rope, through an obstacle towards shore.  Once they get to shore they have untie a bag of puzzle pieces and use them to solve a classic Survivor phrase.  First to finish wins immunity and reward - they get to order from a special menu and have it delivered to camp.
Off they go: Hayden & Tyson are leading the way through the water - Ciera is bringing up the rear (she's even slower than Gervase and he can't swim) - Tyson is first back to shore, followed by Hayden, then Monica and Gervase - Ciera last.
-Everyone is working on the 8 word phrase... it could be so many things... but it's something Jeff says often... and it's CIERA that wins Immunity with "You are going to have to dig deep."

Ciera, of course, gets to choose someone to share her lunch and she picks Hayden.  They are not allowed to share with the others (but somehow I don't think that will be a problem.)

Kasama - Day 35
-Ciera is so exultant that she won immunity.  "All you people who thought I was stupid to go against the mighty Tyson, In Your Face! cause I just did it!"  And she's also proud that she chose Hayden to feast with her, that shows she's not scared and trying to kiss up to Tyson.  Now that she knows how winning feels she's going to go for it every time. (Um, I'm confused. Shouldn't she have been going for it every time anyway?) 
-Here comes the food: Hayden gets pizza and Ciera gets a burger... and we get to see it being eaten as they are talking about their strategy with their mouths full (uh, yum?)
-Ciera is going to go hard at Monica, tell her the boys have been talking crap and get her to vote Gervase with them because they think Tyson has the idol.  Ciera thinks Monica is an emotional wreck out there right now and she is the crack they need to work in that alliance.
-Then we see Ciera trying to work her.  She says Tyson was talking mad crap, puppy on a leash, she'll do whatever I say - but she does throw in some truth - every time Monica talks he rolls his eyes at her. 
-Monica asks if that is true, why would he draw rocks to keep her there?
-Ciera says he only did that because if he flipped on Monica last night he would be next - because they would then have the numbers.
-And she makes Monica cry (oh Monica, so quick to believe the worst) - Monica says she's glad to have the information but it was like a gut punch and it hurt her.  She realizes that she's now the swing vote, both sides need her to vote with them and Monica is going to do what's best for Monica.
-Tyson is worried, he saw Ciera and Monica talking and Ciera walk away smiling - Gervase says he guarantees that Monica is not going to swing but Tyson is nervous... and despite his assured words, Gervase looks nervous too.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Jeff asks Ciera if there was still that division when they went back to camp after last tribal council.
-She says absolutely.  They knew it was them two against the other three and one of us had to pull out the win.
-Hayden pipes in - We're on he bottom Jeff, we get it.  It's two vs three and sometimes things don't go your way in the challenges but there are other aspects of the game you can control.
So then when you go back to camp do you say, "who can we get to crack?"
-Not necessarily crack, but we focused on the TRUTH.  There is one reason they're keeping Monica around and that is they both think they can beat her in the end.  Tyson drew rocks last time because he knows without Monica around he can't beat anybody else.
-Tyson - I drew rocks because I knew I could trust Monica to the end.
-Hayden - I'm sure.
-Gervase - Jeff, one man's perception is another man's reality (huh?).  What they perceive is a reality to them but that's not what's really going on. That is what you do when you're on the bottom. You start to throw as much trash against the wall as you can and hope that something sticks.
And Monica, last tribal council, it stuck.
-It did.
So, did they come to you Monica?
-Yes. Ciera came and filled me in on some unbecoming things that had been said by Gervase & Tyson. (The boys are looking shifty and nervous.)
How'd that sit with you?
-No one likes to hear negative things about themselves.
Do you think there's any truth to what she's alleging?
-Perhaps, and that's something I've been thinking about the entire way here. (Monica is playing it close to the vest, they all look afraid to push her one way or the other cause they don't know which way she's leaning right now... maybe she's better at this game than they've given her credit for?)
Tyson, does it concern you that Ciera could have been sharing secrets or making up lies?
-It does a little bit but when Ciera and I talked about who we'd want to go to the final three with, first person she said was Monica because she could beat her.  So, I'm sure she told her lies, that's the way Survivor is played but Monica knows what kind of character I am.
Hayden jumps in - She knows what kind of character you are to her face, not behind her back.
Ciera - Let me say this: I told Monica, woman to woman, let me tell you the people you are playing with and when you get to the final three and they beat you, and you watch this back and see the crap they talked about you, you will think what was I doing?  There were vicious, rude things [said] and if you make it to the end I'll still have the same respect for you but I thought you should know.
Gervase - It's funny how they're telling Monica this stuff now, why not tell her when it happened?  Because you're trying to use it to your advantage (exactly, that's how the game is played.)
Hayden jumps in saying that Tyson was controlling things before now and that gets Gerv all revved up again - he starts demanding to know who's controlling their alliance then yells, "THAT'S WHY YOU'RE GOING HOME ONE BY ONE."
Hayden, "Take it easy Gerv." (It's pretty easy getting a rise out of Gervase, and he falls for it every time.)
Ciera says she played along making fun of Monica when she was #4 but when she felt the chance for a shift last Tribal she took it and wanted Monica to know that vicious, evil things had been said.
How are you hanging in there, Monica?
-You know, it's the phrase of the day, "You're going to have to dig deep." And that's what I've done.  I'm 43 years old and I've found that space really deep and I'm doing it and I feel really good about it and if people can't respect that, I don't know what more I can do.  I like these people and that's what's so hard.  The things that Ciera told me today, did it hurt me?  Hell yes, it hurt me.  But I'm resilient and morality and ethical issues are going to bite you in the ass in the end.  (Both Tyson and Gerv look really freaked out - what were they saying about her I wonder?)
Gervase, does that concern you? (Ethical ass biting)
-Yes, no matter how sure you are in your alliance, when you hear things your mind starts to think about it and that's what happened with Ciera last week.  It plays on your mind and it can happen that fast.
And Hayden, that's what you rely on. Getting inside somebody's head and show them the better path where they could win.
-That's the truth.  Monica, Tyson and Gervase have played a superior game than you.
-I know.
-And the perception that I and Ciera have is that you're Tyson's lap dog and that he's using you all the way to the end.  Brad's going to see that, your kids are going to see that, and now is a time when you can show you're a strong independent woman and put your stamp on the game (Wow!  Hayden is a master with the mind tricks - pulling out her husband and kids, playing to her woman strength... genius.)
Tyson tries to turn it, "Monica, do I come and tell you what to do or do I ask your opinion and we talk through it?
Ciera butts in: Monica, I love you, I have respect for you and all I am telling you is that they are manipulating you.  You don't really have input, they've told me multiple times Monica's easy, she'll do whatever we tell her to do.  But this is a time, with your family watching that you can say you are playing Monica Culpepper's game. Not only that with a big move you could win, your family's going to be cheering. (Not quite so genius.)
Monica: Thank you.

Time to Vote:
Hidden immunity idol?  Tyson hold on to it (hmm.)

Tallying the votes:
Hayden - 1
Gervase -1
Hayden - 2
Gervase - 2
And the last vote... Hayden!  I knew it, she didn't have to stones to flip it. Ciera's final push might have laid it on a little too thick.

This Sunday, December 15th, is the 2 hour finale of Survivor: Blood vs Water.  One person will get back in the game (as they show us Laura's hairy armpits) and one person will win the title of sole Survivor. (Gervase really really wants it - aw, too bad, I don't see him winning - but I have been known to be wrong - almost every time.)

And still in the running in our pool:
Tyson Apostol: Tori K, Jenn G, Donna P
Tina Wesson: Don H, Ian G, Janine S
Monica Culpepper: Vikki M, Wendy E, Annemette J
Laura Morett: Susan N, Kim B, Shelley A
Gervase Peterson: Kevin C, Chandra K, Jessica C
Ciera Eastin: Fred & Gary M, Julie T, Robert L
Hayden Moss: Ritch G, Tamara J, Bob L

(There are still 7 Survivors in the running? Really? That's huge for the finale.)

Good Luck everyone,

Coleen
 

Amazing Race 23 - Dec 8/13 Finale Recap

Amazing "Crazy" Race

This is the two hour finale of the 23rd season of the Amazing Race and they give us a little recap of the four remaining couples:

Jason & Amy - dating couple, model of consistency coming in second on 5 legs of the Race, they never seemed to fight that much and they finally came in first solidifying their place in the final four.
Travis & Nicole - married doctors, power parents, Nicole has a tendency to crumble under pressure but they still sailed into the final four right behind Tim & Marie.
Marie & Tim - proving you don't have to like each other to be able to work together, they have continually fought throughout the race and have earned themselves a spot in the final four.
Jamal & Leo - loud and in your face, they have survived two U-turns only to almost be eliminated last leg - they have eked their way into the final four but will face a Speed Bump this leg.

Indonesia - Jason & Amy are the first team to head out at 1:25am - they get the clue to fly to Tokyo, Japan.  Once they land they will have to make their way to a certain temple filled with traditional ceramic cats with one paw raised, which invites happiness - here they will find their next clue.
-They first jump on the internet and research which flights are available before heading to the travel agency.  They have a couple options and are just going to make sure Travis & Nicole and everyone else takes the same flight so they stay together as a group.

-Tim & Marie - heading out at 2:25am - They believe they are the strongest team still there - Tim thinks they are not only athletic but also smart... (Aahh... I don't know if I'd go that far.)

-Travis & Nicole - 2:26am - Travis is one of those guys that's good at everything, he's athletic and smart and not always that patient with Nicole when she proves to be human (I find him a little sanctimonious, so he's not perfect... just a competitive, athletic doctor with musical ability - you can't help but hate him a little ;)

Travel agency: Jason & Amy get on the second best flight she found that will get them in to Tokyo at 6:20 am the following morning, there was a 6:10 flight but it was all full - though she's sure the Afghanimals will find a way to get on it. (Don't be a Debbie Downer.)

3:19am - Leo & Jamal are the last team to depart - they aren't too worried about the Speed Bump, they have survived two U-Turns in the race so far.  They are also used to being the underdogs and on their own, this leg will be no different.

Travel agency: Jay & Amy, Travis & Nicole and Tim & Marie are all strategizing on how they are going to keep the Afghanimals from winning - Nicole makes a pitch for them all working as a team of six instead of teams of two... and Marie is very quiet (I think she'll go along if it helps her out but if not, you are all on your own with her.)
-All three of these teams booked the 6:20am flight.  Almost hoping the boys take a chance on riskier flights to help them out.
-Leo & Jamal book the same flights as everyone else but they are going to try and find better connections along the way - and find the 6:10 arrival flight - they get that earlier flight much to the other teams dismay.

Tokyo: First flight lands at 6:12am - Leo & Jamal hit the ground running and jump in a cab for the cat temple.
Second flight lands at 6:17am - I'm thinking that 5 minute lead is not going to take them very far.  The other three teams run for taxis but there are only two taxis Jason & Amy and Travis & Nicole are the first teams to the taxis but they don't know the address of where they are going.  Tim & Marie are asking someone to call another taxi and she reveals that she has the address but she's not sharing it unless the other teams wait for them.  Travis is having none of that, let's just go (so what happened to a team of six? I'm sure in his mind Marie should have helped them and let them go first to be a team player.)
-The two cabs will not leave until the third cab shows up anyway so they are still all together and Marie is loving how mad everyone is.

-Leo & Jamal are the first team to the cat temple and they get the clue to the DETOUR: Knock it Down or Call it Up.
This detour gives the teams a chance to become a human bowling ball or make a phone call from inside an aquarium.  Leo & Jamal are dying to be on a Japanese game show and they decide on Knock it Down.
-The other three teams arrive at the temple and Jason & Amy and Marie & Tim are thinking Knock it Down - Travis & Nicole, always different, are doing Call it Up.  However, their cab drivers don't know where anything is, Tim, "Unless it's written in symbols." (Uh, that's called Japanese) and the drivers don't want to separate from each other - which is a problem when you're in a race for a million dollars.

-Leo & Jamal arrive at Tokyo Media City - they have to grab four human sized bowling pins, dress up in pink kimonos with birthday cake helmets (I love me some silly costumes) and then slide down on an inner tube to try and knock down all the pins.  Once they score a strike, they'll get their next clue (a strike? That could be a challenge.)
-Jamal is the first one down but he only gets a few pins - back up the slide he goes (which seems to be the hardest part) and they switch.  Leo goes down next but they have speed bumps on the slide down, it's hard to figure out where they'll land at the bottom - he also takes out only one side.  Yup, this could take a while.

-Travis & Nicole get to the Call it Up park and the other cabs have followed them - Jason & Amy figure if they are there it only makes sense to do whatever detour it is, but they don't want Tim & Marie to stay because only two teams can do either of the detours at a time.  While the Doctors and Boston are milling around pretending they are lost, Marie asks some local where the Media centre is and they get their cab driver to take them there - leaving the other teams free to Call it Up.
-Marie wants to take the risk that they know where they're going and the other teams don't - as soon as they see them leave, the other teams take off running into the park.  Tim is so confused (yeah, smart like rock that one.)

-Drs and Boston come upon the phone booths where they have to make their calls and see they are filled with water and goldfish - Jason, "How are we supposed to make a call when the phonebooth is full of water?"
-One team member has to jump in the phonebooth from the top and make a call - then relay the information they hear over the phone to their partner, who then must pass it on correctly to get the next clue (oh, so it's really a game of telephone.) Oh, and they also have to put on silly swimming costumes (just so no one's left out.) Skimpy speedo bikini for Amy and speedo for Travis, with a clownfish hat on their heads (what is that? HAahah!)

Leo & Jamal are still not getting any strikes.  They try applying some strategy and straight down the middle is the way to go - they get a strike before Tim & Marie even show up... and they get the clue to make their way to a fountain in (someplace Japanese) to get their next clue.  They decide to fold their costumes up hoping that whoever comes next won't know they've already been there (that's smart.)

Phone booths - Amy's first attempt at the task she didn't take a big enough breath and could only dial the number before she had to come up for air - she didn't have time to hear the message.  (Yikes, this also looks really hard.)  On her second attempt Amy gets the message, "Welcome to Tokyo. Wasabi taberu."  She climbs out the top of the phone booth and falls right on her butt (ouch!) but she passes on the message.  Travis gets the message too and Nicole passes it on - both teams get the next clue to head for the fountain.  And they're psyched because it didn't take them very long at all.

Bowling - Tim & Marie show up at the game show and they see all the costumes still nicely folded so they assume Leo & Jamal had some sort of travel disaster (it totally worked) and haven't made it there yet.
-First attempt Tim almost launched Marie right off the tube so she has to put her feet down - doesn't count. Tim's first time he only gets one pin... I hope they have a fast learning curve or they're in trouble.
-Marie figures a way to bank Tim off the side and gets him going really fast - STRIKE!  They are in last place but don't know it, heading for the fountain.

-Jamal & Leo get to the next location and find their Speed Bump, they have to join a crew of zookeepers and try to catch an escaped rhino with nets... the rhino if fake, with two people manning it - and Phil tells us, 'Believe it or not, this is a real drill." (Oh Japan, you so crazy.)
-Leo & Jamal jump in and try to take over but they are supposed to be following the other zookeepers - it's just silly.

-Travis & Nicole and Jason & Amy get to the fountain and see that the Afghanimals are there - and they are excited, now they know where everyone stands.  They read the clue to the ROADBLOCK: Pipe up or go home.  They have large pieces of pipe that they have to assemble into a robot form.  The example is 4 inches high, their robot is 10x that size.  And it's the ladies doing this one (oh no, we all know Nicole is not good at these sorts of things.)
-Travis suggests that maybe they try to do it together... and Amy agrees (I see what he did there.)

Meanwhile, Leo & Jamal have completed the speed bump and Leo is  joining the robot build.  The girls are building both of them together, put a piece on one, a piece on the other.  Leo is on his own but he's a puzzle kinda guy - he's doing alright.  And finally Marie & Tim show up and she's not too happy to see the Afghanimals there - Marie has to do this one.
-In typical Marie fashion, she can't figure out where the example model is and starts demanding they tell her where it is, the girls ignore her but Leo tells her where the model is... (oh Leo, I think he just wanted to shut her up.)  Marie is an animal with the model build, she catches up and passes Nicole & Amy, much to Jay and Travis' frustration.
-Leo is the first one who thinks he's finished- but he gets a fail because the buttons on the body were one the back not the front.
-They judge Nicole and Amy's too and they are wrong as well, they have the shoulder and hips pieces switched - that's going to mean a lot of tearing apart (oof.)
-Marie is the first person to get her robot right and gets the clue to find the roaming vending machine amid the hustle and bustle of the super crazy scramble intersection in the middle of Tokyo.
-Marie & Tim take off and Jason & Travis start bad mouthing their women - (you know, these two just need to shut their pie holes - they figure they would have had it knocked out in no time but the girls are useless - grr, that makes me angry.)

-Amy finally figures out the shoulder and hips issue and she rebuilds her robot but it looks like Nicole is a useless as usual, her's is all apart and Amy stays to help her much to Jay's further annoyance.  And Leo still can't figure out his body is backwards.

Scramble crossing - Tim & Marie arrive and she's the loud mouth American, "Does anyone speak English?"  "Where is the roaming vending machine?!" Tim just looks around and sees it - they run over and the machine dispenses their next clue. They have to make their way on foot to an ancient shrine - it's a Pit Stop, last team to arrive will be eliminated.

Here's How They Finished:
1) Tim & Marie - they won a trip for two to Aruba... since this was their second trip they are going to each get one trip.
2) Jason & Amy - sixth 2nd place finish - but they are in the final!
3) Travis & Nicole - he berated her horribly in the cab for not knowing how to do things (grr) they made it to the finals.
4) Leo & Jamal - **ELIMINATED** they were really disappointed but they had the best time of their lives and wouldn't change it for anything. "The Amazing Crazy Race."
And with the Afghanimals ousted, that also dashes the pool hopes of: Drew C., Michelle L., Lynne B., Heather G., and Kim A.

Final Leg: Tim & Marie are the first team heading out at 6:08am - they get the clue to fly to Juneau, Alaska - once there they have to take a marked boat to Grizzly Bar to find their next clue. (They're all going to be on the same flights.)
-We find out that before they started the race Marie had a contract made up for Tim to sign giving her a 60% share of any and all prizes won on the race.  He doesn't really have a problem with that, you can't put a price on the experience of racing around the world and she says they are not a couple wanting to enjoy the experience together, they are there to win the Race!

-Jason & Amy - 6:15am - Jason is delusional, he says they are one of the best teams to ever run the Amazing Race... their second place finish record tied someone else... (doesn't make you the best dude.) Amy is feeling good that she had to help Nicole with the past couple challenges because now on the last leg, without help, how well are they going to do.

-Travis & Nicole - 6:22am - they know the agreement was every team for themselves on the final leg and they are visualizing themselves being the team that is celebrated as they cross that finish line first.

They are all on the same flight to Juneau - and when they land there is a mad scramble for taxis.  The first one they see is taken but Amy asks him to call one cab for Jay & Amy only.  Next cab they see, Nicole snatches it out of Marie's hands and then the one cab arrives for Jay & Amy... then Tim & Marie do get a cab right behind them.
-All teams get to the boats and they are racing on the water - they hit the beach and get the clue to the ROADBLOCK: simulate a supply drop from a bush plane.  They will go up in the little plane and drop a bag of flour to hit a target on the ground - once they hit the target they'll get their next clue - if they miss is, they have to try again.
-All the girls are doing this one, Nicole is the first to drop and she misses the target (surprise) but not by much.  Amy is next and she is way off.  Marie is third she is also just a little short.
Nicole - 2nd attempt - way too late.  Even she says, "What the hell was that?"
Amy - 2nd attempt - Bullseye!  She gets the clue to 'put themselves on ice.'  They will take a helicopter to a glacier and join an ice expedition, once on the glacier they must search for their next clue in the ice- once they find it they have to chip it out using an ice axe.
Marie - 2nd attempt - still way off.
Nicole - 3rd try - just a little late.  Travis is more supportive today, he doesn't understand why she's struggled so much in the past couple roadblocks but the race is about teams and they are a team (oh, she had words with him last night I bet.)
Nicole and Marie keep trying, and they keep missing.

Jason & Amy have arrived at the ice expedition and when she sees they have to cross a deep crevasse, she's a little frightened (yeah, that's a little crazy.)  Jason goes first and talks her through it, she basically tells him to zip it, "Let me concentrate baby."

Back in the bush planes: Marie finally hits the target and they get the clue to head for the glacier.
-15th attempt - Nicole still can't hit the darn target.  Travis can't handle not being successful, and he's being swarmed by gnats!
18th attempt - Travis is feeling the million dollars dwindling away.

On the glacier - Amy's made her way across the crevasse and they are moving on going through an ice tunnel.
-Tim & Marie have arrived and they are ready to play catch up.

21st attempt - Nicole took a deep breath and finally let it go right in the bullseye!  She says, "We have a lot of time to make up but you never know on the race" - Travis doesn't say anything, he can't even look at her.

-Tim is across the crevasse and Marie is climbing up the other side when Travis & Nicole arrive - they are all on the glacier but staggered - I don't know how much making up time there will be.
-Jason & Amy get to the ice wall and start digging out clues - they all seem to say 'try again' (seriously!?)
-Tim & Marie are making their way through the tunnel.
-Travis is across the crevasse but not confident that Nicole will be able to do it quickly (if at all.  Can't blame him considering her track record.)

-Jason & Amy finally find the clue just as Tim & Marie show up - they have to hike down to the shore and take a tandem kayak to the marked island to find their next clue.

-Nicole gets across the crevasse on the ladder bridge but she doesn't get the hand pick seated well in the ice and drops one while she's trying to climb up (oh man, they are doomed.)  But she shows that she's made of sterner stuff and she makes it up the other side with one pick! 

-Tim & Marie are chipping out try agains - but he finally finds the next clue and they head for the kayaks.
- Jason & Amy are now in the kayaks heading for the marked island.
-Travis & Nicole are making their way through the ice tunnel.

Kayaks - Jason & Amy have a good rhythm going, they work well together.  Tim & Marie get in the boat and right away they are both paddling on the same side, they aren't communicating...
-Jason & Amy get to the island after a mile long paddle and get the clue to take the helicopter back to Juneau and find their next clue at Blueberry hill trail head.

-Travis & Nicole are chipping out 'try again' s.

-Tim & Marie have reached the island and are helicoptering back to Juneau.
-Jay & Amy land in Juneau and grab a cab, Jay asks the driver if she speaks English (OMG, you're in the States - sometimes he's not so smart.)

-Travis & Nicole finally find the next clue in the ice and head for the kayaks.
-Marie & Tim get to Juneau and jump in a cab for Blueberry Hill.

-Jason & Amy arrive at the Trail Head and find a pile of totem pole pieces.  Phil tells us they will have to build a wall of totem poles spelling out the currency from each country they visited on the race, arranging them chronologically.  Once their money is in order, they will get their final clue and race for the finish line.
-Amy has written down everything they've seen, done, smelled... except the currency.
-Tim & Marie get there and they also have no clue on the currencies (this could be the break Nicole & Travis needed.)

-Speaking of which, they are in the kayak and he's telling her she's useless at that too - so she just stops (I wonder if he'll realize he's part of the problem, she quits because he's so critical and then he just does it himself - I wonder if their kids can do anything or if he does everything for them too.)  But they get to the island and jump in the copter heading for Juneau.

-Totem Poles - Tim and Marie seem to have more of a handle on the currencies, they remember all but Abu Dhabi so they're hoping when those are the only pieces left they can figure it out.  Amy & Jason are just trying to get pieces that line up - that could work.

-Travis & Nicole jump in a cab heading for Blueberry Hill and Travis blames all their troubles on Nicole's poor performance in the challenges - (way to be a team player.)  They get to the totem poles and jump in... again, everything is Nicole's fault... he's doing everything himself and she's useless (yeah, you don't deserve to win.)

-Jason & Amy are the first team to finish - they get the clue to the finish line and take off.

-Tim & Marie finish right behind them and take off for the finish line as well.

And the winners are: JASON & AMY!  After six second place finishes they pulled it out in the end and came in first when it counted. (But I still think they were a boring team.)
-Jason says, "It wasn't about winning for us"...blah blah... it was about doing their best every leg. (See, they even win boringly.)
But not boring for the winners of our pool:
Ozzy R., Sharon R., Sandy G., Vikki M. and Lindsay J. Congratulations everyone!

Second place is Tim & Marie - Phil asks her why she came on the race with Tim and she says it was because when she looked up the info on applying, the deadline was that day and he happened to be right there.  But he was an excellent partner on the race.  Everyone starts chanting, "Timmy, Timmy!" (He wins hero points for putting up with her.) Phil also brings up the financial agreement they made - the 60-40 split and Tim says the experience was worth more than the money.  Marie says in some weird-friend way, they love each other.  (They just don't luurve each other.)

Third place - Travis & Nicole: not what they wanted but they should be very proud.  Phil asks what they think their five (yes, five!) kids will think of their performance - and Nicole says she hopes they'll be proud - but then she starts crying and apologizes for disappointing Travis.  He says it's okay... she calls him out for getting down on her and he says he'll always love her no matter what... but he does expect her to be better than she is apparently.  Nicole says she just hopes her kids know that things don't always go well, but they should never give up. (Exactly - way to bring it back around to a positive mom.)

So again, congratulations to our winners!  It was another great season!

They also gave us a sneak peak at the next season starting in February - it will be All-Stars. Who will be coming back, I wonder???

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season,

Coleen

Survivor Blood vs Water - Dec 4/13 Episode Recap

Rustle Feathers

Last week, Hayden and Caleb tried to make a move but Ciera ratted them out to Tyson and Caleb went to Redemption Island.  Tyson also burned his hidden immunity idol and Laura played some Mama strategy at the duel to get Vytas eliminated.

Kasama - Night 29
Hayden comes back to camp and congratulates Tyson on the blindside, he didn't see it coming... to the camera he says, "Those sons of... guns."  Then Hayden puts it all out there, he tells everyone that he hopes they don't mind second place because if they go to the end with Tyson, he's going to win.  "You're playing the perfect game, pure poetry." 
-And Gervase can't have that - he's got to jump in and let Hayden know that he (Gervase) has his hand on Tyson's back, he's the puppet master (sure you are.  Gervase is a legend in his own mind.)
-Tyson is not too happy with Hayden throwing him under the bus like that (oh, pulling out the ol' faithful phrases, I like it.)  Tyson's flattered to hear Hayden say he's going to vote for him to win but he wishes he hadn't played his idol so he'd have it for the next vote.  Hayden is stupid like a fox, he's playing the alliance like a fiddle.
-Tyson gathers his flock and confirms that the next vote is for Hayden (Katie can stick around another vote, she's harmless.)

REDEMPTION DUEL
When Caleb comes in, Jeff remarks that he didn't even look up at the tribe that voted him out - he says there are only two people he cares about up there and he's afraid to look the wrong place.  He says a man's word means something in the South but in the game of Survivor and Utah and Philly I guess it doesn't mean as much. (Oh, totally dissing Tyson & Gervase and they both look around like, "Is he talking about us?")
-Jeff doesn't let it go though, he asks Gervase what he thinks about that, and Gervase says he's old school, a word is a man's bond and they had a bond with Hayden & Caleb but from what he heard they tried to do them dirty first so they had to do what they did.  "That's sore loser status there."

Duel: They have 150 tiles that they will use to build a house of cards 8ft tall.  The first two to 8ft OR the two with the highest tower after 30 minutes will remain - loser is on the jury.
-The winner of the duel will also get a clue to the location of the hidden immunity idol (oh, did they put one back out there?)

-Off they go - Laura is proving to be really good at this - she gets up to 7ft while Tina and Caleb are still down at 2 & 3ft...
-Laura wins the duel handily at 27 minutes and it's down to Tina and Caleb - Tina had a bit of a lead but Caleb starts a run in the last couple minutes and Tina starts losing some tiles... The tribe is rooting for Tina...  Caleb had a lead but his tower was so crooked when he went to get more tiles the whole thing toppled and he had no chance to rebuild before the time ran out. 

Caleb is eliminated from the game for good and Jeff tries to get some insight into his relationship with Colton, because it's a total mystery to him how a nice guy like Caleb can be with... Colton.  Caleb says it will remain a mystery to a lot of people, opposites attract and though they are the same they are also different.  Jeff asks how they are the same, "Well, we're both guys." (Hahaha.. I like Caleb even more.)
But with him leaving that also dashes the hopes of Cindi C., Shane B., and Marla L. who are now out of the pool.

Laura gives the clue to the hidden immunity idol to Ciera and this time, she keeps it. (Good idea - but I wonder if she's going to keep it to herself or keep trying to suck up to Tyson.)

Kasama - Day 30
They get back to camp and we find out that Ciera is going to open the clue with her alliance of Tyson, Gervase and Monica and they are going to decide as a group what to do with it (riiight - how much you want to bet it ends up back in Tyson's pocket.)
-Not too far from your water, not too far from the ground... everyone scatters and starts looking - Hayden and Katie see this and come to join the party, Hayden knows this is one of his last hopes, so he's going to look for the hidden idol too.
-Tyson wants to find the idol too - he gets emotional talking about having to make it to the end so it was worth it not to have taken Rachel's place [when she was sent to Redemption]... and he climbs a tree and finds the idol - (Really, am I too jaded or was that too convenient?)  He crotches the idol and decides that he's going to keep it to himself again (you put it where?  Yeah, you can just keep that.)
-Now Tyson's number one priority is make sure Hayden doesn't win immunity.

-Hayden approaches Gervase and asks where his head's at - he says it's in the game as always - Hayden says he knows he's not going to be happy with second place but Gervase says he doesn't see a play, "what's your move?"  Hayden says he's got Katie and if he can get Ciera...but there's the rub, Gervase says he's got to 100% have Ciera or he's not making a move (who is he kidding? He's not going against Tyson.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE: Day 32
This looks complicated - they have to race through a series of obstacles while balancing a ball on top of a pole - at the end of each obstacle they will add another section to the pole, making it longer and less stable to balance the ball on - if the ball drops, they go back and start that obstacle over.  Once they reach the end they have to use the ball to release a key then unlock the box full of sandbags.  Then they have to throw the sandbags to knock over 9 bamboo targets - first person to finish, wins immunity and also reward of ice cream (ICE CREAM!, Lt. Dan, I got ice cream!)

-Off they do - everyone has to restart except Monica and Gervase - there are little balls dropping everywhere on the second section (balance beam) but Monica makes it look easy - followed by Gervase and Tyson and Hayden - the other two girls are way far behind.
-Monica and Gervase are the first two to get their sand bags and he proves a better shot until he gets down to one left and it takes a few tries but it is GERVASE who wins his first individual immunity! (I was kinda rooting for him, just because she's been a machine, kind of nice to see someone else win one.)  Hayden is frustrated, he's knows he's going home.

Jeff tells Gervase he can pick someone to share his Ice Cream! with and he picks Monica (because she almost won or because she looks like she could snap in half at any minute?)  And Jeff tells him three's a party, choose one more - oh and - People have made million dollar mistakes at this point (but no pressure) - Gervase picks Tyson, no surprise there but did it open the door for Hayden to work on Ciera?  We'll see.

Kasama - Day 32
They return to camp and here comes the ice cream man (I just keep hearing Forrest Gump - Ice Cream!) And they pig out right in front of camp, leaving the other three people eating leaves or something. 
-Hayden does make his move on Ciera, pointing out that she's on the bottom of this little alliance and she should make a big move to pad her resume if she hopes to win.  He tells her that Gervase is in, if she is in - they can either try and flush out the idol if Tyson has another one by telling him they're voting for him and vote for Monica or they can just play it sly and try to take Tyson out.  Ciera is not drinking that kool-aid, she's not going to slit her own throat by voting with Hayden and Katie.
-Next we have Hayden trying convince Gervase and Ciera that they don't want second place, now is their only chance to get rid of Tyson when he's not expecting it - but they are not buying what he is selling.  Gervase thinks he can beat Tyson and Ciera is riding it to the end. 
-Tyson comes over and Hayden tells him he's been trying to convince everyone to blindside him (Tyson) but it isn't working.  Tyson says, "that's good." But he isn't looking very happy. 

-Hayden's plan is to go into Tribal Council guns blazing, he's going to lay it all on the line and see if maybe tonight it won't be him...

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Hayden, is it safe to assume the same division exists that we saw at last Tribal?
-Yeah, it's the four of them being controlled by Tyson and me and Katie are on our own.

Those are big words, Ciera, he just said you were being controlled by Tyson.
-Yeah, let him think what he wants to think.  I'm comfortable in my position with my alliance..
Even though you were left out of the reward today by Gervase.
-I think it was because I've participated in a lot of the food rewards so I didn't take any offence to it.

Gervase pipes up - I mean it's obvious, the two people I chose are original Galang members, these are the people I shared my blood, sweat and tears with the last 32 days in this game.

Ciera, that speech right there is great if you're Tyson and Monica, it's not so good if you're Ciera.
-I agree 100%.

Hayden, this is the opportunity you need.
-Like I said they are being controlled by Tyson, they take a back seat when Tyson says it's Aras or Vytas or Laura M.
Tyson asks Ciera, "Was I the one that voted your mom out?"
Ciera, "No, and actually, it was Hayden and Caleb who were the ones that said they wanted to vote my mom out."

Katie, where do you fit in?
-She says something dumb - she doesn't fit anywhere but as a vote.

Now the full court press comes on Ciera.  Her current alliance is placing her in #4 position, if she goes with Hayden and Katie she could be #1,2, or 3.  Gervase says that would be stupid, if she goes with them she'll be with liars and backstabbers, with her current alliance she's got honest words, people that keep their words (whatever.)  (Even the jury laughed at that.) In Gervase's mind they are laughing because they tried to stab them in the back first and they took them out (uh, revisionist history, Aras didn't do anything.)
-Gervase says no one is jumping ship in their alliance.

Then they started a tug-of-war of words over Ciera staying as #4 over there or being one of three with the others - and Tyson brings it all to a grinding halt playing grammar police.  Hayden says he was just trying to "rustle feathers" and Tyson says, "It's ruffle feathers." (ha! That's what I was saying to the TV... It's ruffle!)  But it also succeeded in diffusing the tension and taking some of the air out of Hayden's passionate argument. 

Hayden, "Ciera, you make big moves in this game and you could be a millionaire at the end of it."
Tyson, "Or you could be going home by having to draw a rock."

Time to Vote:
Gervase votes for Haydone - and yells his speech so all can hear, "this isn't big brother, you're about to get a lesson in Survivor." (The jury are just shaking their heads, Hayden is laughing that he did succeed in rustling Gerv's feathers anyway.) (oohh, it's ruffle, I know, it felt wrong even writing that but I had to go for the call-back.)
-Tyson whispers in Ciera's ear, "Stick with me and Monica, we can do this." (Huh, does that mean he's throwing his bandit bro under the bus?)
-Tyson votes for Hayden - never tell an insane person they're going home next.
-Ciera looked indecisive when she was voting.

Tallying the Votes:
No one plays a hidden immunity idol.
Hayden - 1, 2
Monica - 1, 2
Hayden - 3...
Monica - 3 (gasp!)  Tyson whispers to Ciera, "What are you doing?"

They are tied - Hayden and Monica will not vote and they can only vote for Hayden or Monica.
Ciera was smiling when she voted this time... hmm.  And the jury looks like they are loving this.

Tallying the Votes: #2
Monica - 1
Hayden - 1
Monica - 2...
Hayden - 2

Deadlocked - per the rules of Survivor: Katie, Ciera, Tyson and Gervase - if the four of them can come to a unanimous decision on who to vote out, Hayden or Monica will be out right now, but if not, Hayden and Monica are safe, Gervase is safe because he has immunity, and the other three will draw rocks to see who goes to Redemption Island.

-Ciera turns to her alliance and says she knows she's 4th don't BS her, they try but she's having none of it - "Fine, let's draw rocks."  Ciera, Katie and Tyson all agree to draw rocks. (WHAT? This is Bananas!)

There are two black rocks and one white rock. The white rock is the same as being voted out.
They draw rocks and on the reveal:  KATIE has the white rock (OH! That would have been awesome if it had been Tyson.  As it is, Ciera has burned herself, Hayden survived another day and the expendable was expended, finally.)

Jeff says there is nothing he can say to top what just happened... (but he keeps talking anyway.) Only the second time in 27 seasons that they've drawn rocks - it's pretty clear the game is on and it's going to be a battle to the very end.

Next week: Tina says she's not opposed to letting Katie win the duel and Ciera is working Monica, telling her Tyson was talking "mad crap" about her, and paranoid Monica may just fall for it.

Katie: I was rocked out.

Have a great rest of your week everyone,

Coleen.

Amazing Race 23 - Dec 1/13 Episode Recap

Cobra in My Teeth

Last week the Ice Girls were eliminated after they made some costly mistakes on the Detour, even after trying to cheat off Leo, Dr. Nicole had to be rescued in the Roadblock by Amy and the Afghanimals were the first team to the Pit Stop.

Indonesia - Leo & Jamal are the first team to head out at 7:25am - they get the clue to make their way to the King Cobra hut where they will have to EAT Roasted Cobra!!! (Oh heck no.) Once they have devoured the delicacy, they will receive their next clue.
-The boys are on their own now, their allies Ally & Ashley are gone and they are a huge target if being U-Turned twice is any indication, the rest of the teams want them gone (I think that's more for the annoyance factor than seeing them as a threat.)

-Tim & Marie are the next team out - 7:26am - Tim says Marie is the toughest girl he knows but she has some food issues... (uh oh) certain things she doesn't want to eat.  (She's whining already.) "You must each finish your own serving... Oh No-o-o." (Yup, he can't eat it for you honey.)  Some kind of meat is her worst fear - and it will be realized.  Tim's already reminding her this is for a million dollars.

-Jason & Amy - 7:40am - She loves eating challenges, "Let's go!" He's a little more nervous.  They are the only team left that hasn't come in first - they are the best losers.

-Travis & Nicole - 7:42am - The last leg was a mess - she just didn't get the concept of putting the instrument together (I just don't think she's good under pressure, but she can't admit that as a physician.)  We get some insight into their dynamic - they met when she was a medical student and he was her supervising physician, so he still talks to her like she's a student (and it seems like she's used to him telling her or showing her what to do - just saying.)

Afghanimals are joking in the cab, Leo, "Maybe we'll have to eat snake." Jamal, "They don't eat snakes here." (Oh yeah...)
No sooner has he said that, then they arrive and see they are eating King cobras, right in front of a cage of live cobras.  Jamal is playing it up, doing some gagging motions... but they tuck in.

Tim & Marie get to the CIC camp, but they are at the wrong location - no one's there.  They wonder how they beat the boys there (you didn't.)

-Amy & Jason arrive at the correct place and belly up to the cobra bar beside the Afghanimals.  Amy asks if Tim & Marie were already gone and they say, "Yup. Marie just ate the whole thing..." 
-The boys enjoy lying to the other teams, it's not even lying, it's just joking around, messing with their heads... (Uh, if it's not the truth, then you're lying, dumb*ss.)

-Travis & Nicole are the next team to show up for their share of snake - they are doctors and don't get freaked out by animal parts or body parts - Travis was just worried they had to eat the whole snake but when they only got a small section he was psyched!

-Tim & Marie are aimlessly wandering around and she knows they are in the wrong place - Tim is arguing that this is the right mountain, it's the right acronym, it's got to be the right place (oh boy.)

-Leo & Jamal finish their rubbery, chewy portions of snake, except the bones and I guess that's alright because they get the next clue to make their way to the main entrance of Kawah Domas Crater.
-Jason & Amy are the next team done and he's the whiny one on this - the skin tastes snakish, he ate some bones... Amy just did it, no complaining, let's go!
-Travis & Nicole said it was actually better than they thought, "Tastes like chicken."  They finish and head out.  In the cab Travis was wondering about Tim & Marie, they didn't see them at the snake shack, either they inhaled it or they just didn't get there...

Speaking of - Tim & Marie are still totally in the wrong place, arguing about continuing to look around or going back... They have to get out of there soon or they'll never catch up.

-Kawah Domas - Leo & Jamal arrive and get the clue to the ROADBLOCK - Who's feeling hard-boiled?
-They are at an active volcano - they have to hard-boil eggs in a steaming volcanic spring - first they have to pick up 60 eggs from the egg man (that's two flats of eggs), then they have to travel on the back of a scooter to the volcanic spring (fun with flats of eggs in your hands) and then they have to boil a dozen of the eggs in the spring (put them in a basket on the end of a pole they lower into the water.)  Once they think the eggs are done they have to take them to the egg man who will cut them open and, if they are hard-boiled, they'll get their next clue. 
-Jamal, Travis and Jason are doing this one (Boy-power.)  All their eggs survive the scooter ride but then they have to walk down some treacherous terrain (lots of roots and rocks and steps) to get to the spring.  All the guys get their eggs in the water and now it's just a matter of patience - waiting for those babies to cook.

And they are all still wondering where Tim & Marie are... We see that they have finally gotten back in their taxi but they still haven't found the Cobra place (uh oh, that does not bode well for our bickering duo.)

-Amy is pressing Leo for details about when Tim & Marie left the cobra place and he's just stalling, "Uhhhhh".  She stage whispers to Nicole, "He's such a liar!"
-The boys aren't sure how long they need to boil the eggs - 10-12 minutes?  We'll let Jamal go after 5 minutes... (Some good-natured banter between the boys.)

-Tim & Marie finally find the Cobra place and she is freaking out that she has to eat snake. "I can't eat gross things." "I can't eat this!" (Wow, who knew the b*ll-buster would be laid low by a little piece of snake.)  She's decided she's just going to rip pieces off and swallow them with water (no chewing, just right down) - that could work.  Tim's all sweaty, he's not enjoying it much either.
-Their competitive side overrode the grossness factor and they got through the snake, she's proud of herself that she ate snake.  They head for the Roadblock.

-Jamal has come clean with the guys that they lied about Tim & Marie (bonding over egg boiling.) Jay, "Man, why you got to lie so much?"  But they were laughing, I think just relieved no one was ahead of them.
-Travis & Jay decide their eggs are cooked and they take off to get them checked - Jamal is giving his a few more minutes, he wants to be sure... which then gives Jason pause but he keeps heading back with Travis.  They have to run back up the steps to the scooters then ride back to the egg man.
-Jason's are the first eggs to be checked - they are all cooked but a few still have a little bit soft yolks - he has to go back and do it again. "Okay, I guess I'll see you back there then." "Better hurry up before Marie comes."  Travis is heading back too - his are all under done.
-Jamal is convinced that his will all pass, he waited another couple minutes... but then he gets some rejected and all of them had to head back. 

-When Jamal gets back down to the spring, Travis & Jason tell Jamal to tell Marie that it only takes 8-10 minutes to hard boil the eggs - and he's thinking what hypocrites they are, giving him grief about lying then telling him to lie when it suits them. (I agree, hypocrites!)

-Tim & Marie show up to the Roadblock and she's going to do this one, even though she says she doesn't know how to hard boil eggs.
-Jason passes her on the scooter on his way back up and tells her it's quick - then tells the camera he's going to leave the lying to Jamal (You know, I think Jay's a bit simple.)
-Travis tells her it's a bit tiresome, so I'm sure in his mind he didn't lie to her... but he wasn't giving her any concrete advice either.
-Jamal passes her on the path and he just tells her it's straight down the path - he's not going to do anybody's dirty work.

-Jason's getting his eggs checked for the second time and there is no doubt these eggs are Do-one! It makes Tim nervous because if there is one thing Marie lacks (besides a strong stomach) it's patience.  He's pretty much positive she's going to come back with soft boiled eggs.

-Jason & Amy are the first team to get the clue to the DETOUR - Paint Your Partner or Turn Over a New Leaf.
In Paint Your Partner: they have to make each other up as traditional Japanese brides without the use of a mirror.  Once the beautician decides they are ready to be given away, he will hand over their next clue.
In Turn Over a New Leaf: They have to dress up as local tea pickers and search the vast, steeply- tiered fields of tea looking for a pair of pruning shears.  Once they deliver the shears to the foreman, they'll receive their next clue.
Amy & Jason are going to paint their partner.  They jump in their taxi and wonder if they should have waited for Travis & Nicole...
-But they are leaving right behind them and decide on Paint Your Partner as well because it looks like that's what Jason & Amy are doing and Amy definitely looks like someone who knows how to put on make up (All those pageants paying off :).)

Marie is still making her way down to the volcanic spring and she's complaining about how hot it is and how it smells like sulfur... (I think Tim is right, she's not going to give it enough time.)

-Jamal's eggs all pass and they get the Detour clue - they decide to Turn Over a New Leaf - they don't know anything about make up and they hope they can do the tea thing quickly...

-Meanwhile, Marie wasn't kidding when she said she doesn't know how to boil eggs. She put them in the basket okay but then she's holding the basket over the water, like she's toasting marshmallows or something - Put them IN the water! (How do you not know that boiling something means you put it in the water?)
-She finally does put them in the water but she's thinking it should only take 3-4 minutes... (uh oh) - "It's hot and it smells and I hate eggs and I just ate a snake - so far today blows." (Ha!)

-Jason is second guessing their Detour choice as they arrive at the place and Amy ignores him (Dude, you have the make-up ringer, just go with it.)  Travis & Nicole arrive right on their heels and they all head inside.  First things first, Travis has to shave his moustache & goatee - then we're good to go.  -Jason is so out of his element, you can tell he's a little uncomfortable like this is going to threaten his manhood. (Get over yourself.)  Nicole, "My husband looks like the the sexiest drag queen ever."  And the boys can't stop giggling.

-Marie is still boiling her eggs and Tim is encouraged that she's been down there so long.  He says the one good thing is that anything she does cook is usually well done, "Like hockey puck style." So maybe she'll accidentally over-cook these eggs.  And she's heading back up to get tested (I guess they're not allowed to check one out themselves... they did make them take down 60 eggs, couldn't they cook 13 to have a checker? Probably not.)

-Leo & Jamal get to the tea fields, they don the shirt, skirt, hat and harvest baskets of the traditional tea pickers and head out onto the hill of tea - it's beautiful but sort of like looking for a needle in a haystack (oh man, this looks daunting.)
-Jamal, "I found it!" And he picks up a stick with a flag on the end. (Yeah, that's so not it.)

-Marie is getting her eggs checked and they argue about what yellow the yokes are (really?)  She did accidentally on purpose over cook the eggs - they are all hard boiled and she gets the clue to the Detour.  They decide to do the make up thing - even though Tim thinks maybe they should do the one the other teams didn't.  She tells him Jay & Travis can't do make-up, "You're so metro, you'll be fine." (um, I don't know if that was meant as a compliment.)

-At the make up place, the guys are not having fun with this anymore - it's so tedious and (to Jason) humiliating.  He's thinking they should have done the other task.  Nicole is having trouble getting things to stick to Travis so she bobby pins stuff in his hair... the beautician is just looking dumbfounded (I don't think that's getting them a pass.)

-But the Tea fields are no better - Jamal tries to hand in the flag but how could they think that had anything to do with shears?  They are still looking for something that they obviously have no idea what it looks like.. in a haystack.

Tim & Marie arrive at the make up task and Tim has to shave as well - they never knew what they'd have to do on the race but they absolutely never thought they'd be doing each other's make up.

Leo & Jamal - They finally decide they are never going to find the shears out there and even though they will be in last place, they're going to switch tasks. "Stupidest detour ever!"
The boys show up at the make up challenge and the rest of the teams are happy to see them, that means they couldn't find the shears and Amy says, "Can you say karma?"
-But as soon as the guys realize they have to shave to do the make up, "No Way!" They are heading back to the tea fields, and they feel motivated now - they know where the other teams stand on level of doneness - so they're convinced they're going to finish first.

-Jay & Amy are looking good - he was lucky she had a good base of make up to start with and she made him look so pretty... then they showed Travis and he was a sweaty horrible mess - his make up was running all over his face - Nicole had it all over her hands - Oh, that is never passing.
-Jay & Amy are the first team to finish and they got the clue to the Pit Stop - the base of the Chimahi Waterfall.  They jump in their cab, make-up and all - Jay, "I feel ridiculous right now."

-Leo & Jamal get back to the tea picker hut and get suited up again - Jamal is taking more of a hands on approach this time, actually running his hands through the bushes - Leo is still just looking... I think they keeps passing the shears cause it's only the handles sticking out on the top of the bush...

-Travis looks like Dennis Rodman - his make up is a mess - it looks horrible and they get a fail.
-Tim & Marie also get a "not good enough" but figure they've just missed some jewelry... of course Marie yells, "WHAT?" at the poor guy (haha, I don't know why I'm finding them amusing today.)
-The look on the beautician guy's face when he sees Travis' melted make up is priceless.
-Tim & Marie finally realize that as they are trying to fix the make up, they were leaving black smudges from their hands - they cleaned their hands and took care of the smudges and they are the next team to get the clue to the Pit Stop.

-Jamal & Leo have now been in the fields for 3 hours - Leo finds a snake but still no shears.  Jamal is trying to stay positive but Leo is quoting Spartacus - something about being defeated...

-I don't know why Nicole can't see that his make up is a mess - he points out that she has the make up all over her hands and she finally sees that she's smudged it all over his face (Honestly, she sucks in all of these tasks, if he wasn't there, she would have been gone long ago.)  Finally they also get a pass once she's done the cleanup and they head for the Pit Stop.

-Leo is again talking about changing tasks when Jamal is re-searching one of Leo's earlier rows and he finds the shears! "See, getting your hands dirty does work." (I think he was just that much more determined not to shave off his beard.)  They also head for the Pit Stop.

-Travis & Nicole's taxi passes Tim & Marie's and she starts freaking out, "You have to pass that cab, this is a race and you're making us lose!"  Their cab driver is just doing his own thing, he's going the speed he's going and that it.

-Jamal is berating Leo in the cab for not searching the bushes like he told him to, it was all his fault they were there so long.

-Traffic! The great equalizer... Tim & Marie's cab is able to pass Travis & Nicole and it's a foot race down the stairs to the mat. 

 Here's How They Finished:
1) Jason & Amy - they finally won their first leg of the race - and they won a trip to Cancun, Mexico (Huh, and they got the cheap trip, figures.) Amy says they've just proved they are the strongest team.
2) Tim & Marie - Travis & Tim both got to the mat at the same time so it was down to the women - and Marie made it down first (much to Travis' dismay) "Come on."
3) Nicole & Travis - Phil says he thought Jason looked bad, but Travis, "You look like an angry showgirl."
4) Leo & Jamal - Phil says for the first time in the race they came in last... do you feel like you used up all your lives? (Oh, you know what the stall means.)  This is a NON-ELIMINATION leg and they will survive to lie to everyone another day :)
They went from first to worst this leg but next leg, it's going to be from worst to first as the Globetrotters would say.

Next week is the two hour finale of the Amazing Race - it looks like they may be on a Wipe-out like game show at some point and we'll find out who wins the Amazing Race.

Who is still in the running:
Jason & Amy: Ozzy R., Sharon R., Sandy G., Vikki M. and Lindsay J.
Tim & Marie: Pat T., Miranne D., Lee B., Cara & Alex L. and Cindi C.
Travis & Nicole: Laura W., Ivor B., Fred & Gary M., Karen F. and Jeff T.
Leo & Jamal: Drew C., Michelle L., Lynne B., Heather G. and Kim A.

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen