Amazing Race - March 20, 2011 Episode Recap

Don't Ruin the Basketball Game

So we're still racing through China from last week and Kent & Vyxsin are screwed... they've left their fanny pack on the gondola and are begging their bus driver to turn around and take them back.

Zev & Justin arrive 8th to the Pit Stop and Phil tells them they are still racing, the clue tells them they have to travel 400mi by train to the city of Kunming once there, they have to find Dounan Flower Market for their next clue.  WARNING - there will be a Double U-Turn somewhere ahead. (Seriously? I think they really are trying to kill these teams - that'll teach them to come back for a second shot at it.)  A U-Turn is when a team is forced to complete both tasks in the Detour.

-The Goths get back to the gondola and their fanny pack is waiting for them at the top... maybe their luck is finally turning around (I know, I am knocking on wood, even though this was filmed months ago ;)

-Margie & Luke are the first team to the train station at 12:01pm and find out the next train doesn't leave until 7:05pm.  That gives Kent & Vyxsin 7 hours to catch up... can they do it?
-The Goths get their Chinese signs right and decide to do the Hammer detour task - Vyxsin doesn't want to try to navigate through town with the Horn - probably a good call.  They get the candy hammered and are the last team to arrive at the Pit Stop - they look as sad as they can with their eyebrows painted on so high (Is it just me or are her eyebrows painted in halfway to her hairline?)
-Phil lays it on them that they are still racing and hands them the clue - to which they are very excited - then he says because they CHOSE (yeah, chose) to take an alternate flight than the one specified from Japan they will incur a 30 minute penalty which they will have to sit out before he can check them in at the NEXT Pit Stop... so they better make it there 30 minutes before another team. (Hmm, seems like they got off easy.)
-Kent says they are going to keep the penalty to themselves because they will definitely be a target for the U-Turn if the other teams found out.

-At the train station the rest of the teams are waiting the 7 (or so) hours until their train leaves.  One of the Cowboys noticed a basketball goal (yes, he called it a goal) and knew the Globetrotters had a basketball so they played a little 3 on 3 - Jet, Flight Time and Kisha vs Cord, Big Easy and Jen - with the Redheads cheerleading (of course) and Luke as referee.  Jet - Who would have thought, here we are, 2 cowboys, playing basketball with the Harlem Globetrotters in China - it was like playing with trees. (ha ha, yeah, they were a little outmatched - but everyone was having a great time.)
-Zev & Justin show up and tell everyone that Kent & Vyxsin were on their way, having shown up at the Roadblock about 10 minutes before they finished.  Someone shouts out - Don't ruin the basketball game.  (LOL - that's hilarious - just goes to show how precious that break from the Race was to them all.)

-Kent & Vyxsin show up finally and everyone is in the train station now waiting for the train - Right away the sharks are circling - What happened - What's your penalty? - Kent sticks with the car broke down in Japan story causing them to miss their flight and he just says they're not sure what they're going to do yet in terms of a penalty.  No one quite buys that story but what can they do?  The Goths are there now and everyone is on the same train - even steven again.  (Yeah, enough about that – Who won the basketball game?  They don’t tell us.)

-They get on the train and find out the sleeper cars are 3 bunks high - yikes - Zev & Justin are on the top which they think provides less chance of murder (and harder to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.)  But then, who else could they stick up there?  Big Easy?  That would be murder by bunk of the two people sleeping below him when it came crashing down.

-The train arrives in Kunming at 5:30am and they all hit the streets running.  Kisha & Jen's cab driver seems to know where they want to go.  Ron & Christina jump in a cab and speaking the language are able to tell him where to go - Zev & Justin, the Redheads and the Goths are following (seems like a sound plan to me.)  The double U-Turn is hanging heavy over all of them today - and Vyxsin doesn't have her eyebrows on... she looks better with no eyebrows.

-Kisha & Jen are the first to the clue box at the flower market and the clue tells them to make their way to 'The Golden Arches' - no, not McDonalds - memorial arches to get the next clue.  They take off.
-Zev & Justin are the next to the clue box just ahead of Ron & Christina which seems to piss her off - Justin asks if we can come with you guys and she sarcastically says yeah (but I think she meant "fat chance.")
-Everyone is getting there fast and furious and telling their cab drivers to wait for them.  Everyone is finding the cluebox and heading back out - but the Globetrotters get a little lost and end up last to the clue box - the Cowboys get back out to the street and don't see their cab... so they take they only one still there - the Globetrotter's... Now the Globetrotters are stranded at the flower market. (Uh oh - Bad Cowboys.)
-They do find another cab and it didn't look like it took too long but now they're playing catch up.

-Ron & Christina and Zev & Justin are the first two teams to the arches (Huh, I guess she did mean yes.)
DETOUR - Honor the Past or Embrace the Future.
-In Honor the Past the teams must watch a traditional Tibetan performance and without taking any notes must then go behind a curtain and place 15 dolls, dressed like the performers, in the same order in which they appeared on stage. When the dolls stand correctly, teams will receive their next clue.
-In Embrace the Future, teams must off-load a complete solar water heating system from a truck, carry it to the roof of a building and correctly install all the tubes to receive their next clue.
-Ron & Christina decide to do Honor the Past and their shadows Zev & Justin are right behind them.

-Margie & Luke get to the clue box and decide to do Embrace the Future - Margie thinks installing the tubes will be an easier task - Really?
- Kisha & Jen are doing the memory one.

-The Goths, Cowboys, Redheads and Gary & Mallory - have been taken to McDonalds by their cab drivers... Ha ha ha - that is too funny - well I guess not for them but you can't blame the drivers for thinking a bunch of Americans asking to go to the Golden Arches wanted a cheeseburger...

-Which means the Globetrotters are the next team to the clue box and they want to Embrace the Future - but when they ask their cab driver if she knows the place - silence... and I must say that their lady driver looks like the bus driver on South Park - all she needs is a bird in her hair and it's her.

-Ron & Christina and Zev & Justin arrive at the Honor theatre and Christina tells Justin to say "Duoih'ouh" to the cab driver to make him wait - Say what? 

-They head inside and have to put on costumes themselves - with hats that look like yellow tassled lamshades (I swear the producers have outdone themselves so far this race with making them dress up for everything.)  The pairs are splitting the memorizing into the first 7 and last 8... we'll see how that goes.

-Margie & Luke get to the solar water tube task and put on their hard hats (that's right, safety first.) They each grab a whole box of the tubes and try to haul them up the stairs on their backs but they're really heavy, I don't think Margie's going to be able to do it herself.

-Meanwhile the Redheads have found the clue box - it was across the street and the Goths see them go.

-Redheads and Goths decide to embrace the future.

-Gary & Mallory and the Cowboys finally ask someone where the Arches are and find the clue box - making the Cowboys currently in last place (Karma getting them already for stealing that cab.)

-Kisha & Jen get to the theatre and suit up - Zev & Justin get their line up checked but they are wrong - Ron is being Ron - I never played with dolls... (it's not about the dolls - sheesh.)  Kisha & Jen start on the dolls - Don't talk.  Ron & Christina also get it wrong and have to head back out to check the order. 

-Zev & Justin get it right and get the next clue... will they wait?  Caution Double U-Turn ahead... oh, probably not.  The clue is a picture of a building where they need to go.

-Kisha & Jen get the order right first try and get the clue.  Both teams are out on the street asking people if they know the place - trying to get someone to take them...

-When Ron & Christina get the order right and come out with the clue - they now have 2 team shadows as Christina could read the writing on the building and knows where to go.  Everyone jumps in their cabs.

-Luke & Margie now have all their tubes on the roof and the real fun begins - trying to assemble the thing.

-South Park driver couldn't find the Embrace the future place so the Globetrotters had to stop for directions.

-Redheads have arrived at the solar tube task and they are schlepping the heavy box up the stairs.

-Margie & Luke finish and get the clue - they head down as Kent & Vyxsin are bickering their way up the stairs with the heavy tubes - yes, she was doing all the heavy lifting.

-The Cowboys also arrive to start on Embracing the Future (I'm kind of surprised how many of them went for the more physically challenging task over the simple memory task - I guess it's harder to think than to just do when you're in those circumstances. Tired/Hungry/Stressed)

-Gary & Mallory have opted for Honor the past and arrive at the theatre.  Mallory has a good memory for this type of thing - I think they'll do well.

-The Globetrotters have stumbled upon the task finally and they start hoofing the boxes up the stairs - Kent & Vyxsin are still bickering about it - he's delicate.

-The Redheads are done and head out - they say they will U-Turn someone.  The Cowboys are done and they head out.

-Ron & Christina and their posse get to the cultural centre... As they are all running to the place Justin is saying no need to be dirty, we're in the front (talking about the U-Turn) but it's the wrong place - the cab driver took them to the wrong place - so even speaking the language doesn't mean you're home free in China.  They all jump back in their cabs.

-Margie & Luke are the first team to the U-Turn and they decide not to U-Turn anyone. (Nice) They now have to make their way outside of the city to the Stone Forest to get their next clue.  She says they're in first place, there was no need to U-Turn anyone.

-The Goths finish the solar tubes and get the clue - leaving the Globetrotters as the last team at that task.

-Gary & Mallory get their doll order correct and they get their clue too.

-The Cowboys are the next team to the U-Turn and they decide not to U-Turn anyone and take off with their clue.  The Goths and Redheads are both looking for the U-Turn and the Cowboys tell them where it is - foot race and Kent & Vyxsin reach the box first with Jaime & Cara right on top of them telling them to U-Turn the Globetrotters - Kent sorts through the pictures and U-Turns... The REDHEADS! (Hahaha - Kent's got bigger cojones than I gave him credit for.)  He says, "Sorry, it's the only way we'll survive." (And I want to kiss his lily white face.)  Jaime, "Unbelievable."  (Can a U-Turned team still U-Turn another team?)

-After the commercial Kent reminds us that on their first time on the Race one of their fatal mistakes was U-Turning a team that was already ahead of them - so he looked at the Readheads and knew 100% that team was behind them... he had to put a bullet in a Playboy bunny to stay in the race. (and it was Awesome!)

-Oh and the Redheads were still able to U-Turn the Globetrotters so both the U-Turns have been set and only half the teams have gotten there so far.

-Next Zev/Justin, Gary/Mallory, Kisha/Jen and Ron/Christina get to the U-Turn and are relieved that they've all been spared.  Kisha & Jen's driver says he knows where to go and they all head out following that car except Ron & Christina who can direct their driver themselves.

-The Redheads arrive at the theatre to Honor the Past...  The Globetrotters get to the U-Turn last and see they've been U-Turned by the Redheads... not happy.

-Kisha tells their driver to lose the other two teams following them (oh, evil) he makes a sharp right and Justin is kicking himself for leaving Ron & Christina.

-The Redheads get the order correct and get the clue which takes them back to the U-Turn where they get the clue to the stone forest...

-The Globetrotters get to the theatre and they get the order right away - get the clue -go back and get the other clue...

-The Redhead's cab has to stop for gas - which sets Jaime off - this happened to them on the race before and she was just as gracious to that driver.  We're in a race!

-Kisha & Jen arrive at the Stone Forest -  ROADBLOCK - Who's ready for a task 65 million years in the making?  In this Roadblock one person will have to assemble a life size model of a dinosaur skeleton.  They'll choose a 'dig' site, collect the bones and using a diagram for reference have to put together a 20ft dilaposaurus.  If they do it correctly, they'll get their next clue.

-Kisha is doing it for them.

-Ron & Christina arrive and Margie & Luke - and the girls are doing the assembly.

-Kent & Vyxsin get there and he's up for this one - I love dinosaurs.

-Vyxsin goes and waits with the other racers and Jen asks her why they U-Turned and Vyxsin spills it - we have a 30 minute penalty and we didn't mean to lie but we kind of fudged around the truth... (Why, why do you tell?  She is definitely the brawn of the operation.)  Ron thinks they are just big ol' liars now - they are Kabuki dancers hiding behind their masks very well (grudgingly, I will admit that was very insightful of him.)

-Back on the road the Globetrotter's taxi passes the Redheads - see ya!

-Zev & Justin and Gary & Mallory are still lost since the sister's ditched them - Justin successfully (hopefully) communicates stone (by picking up a rock) and forest (by hitting a tree) and they head out again.

-The Cowboys arrive at the Stone Forest and Jet is doing the assembling.

-The Globetrotters get there and Big Easy is doing it - says they passed those dirty redheads.

-The Redheads get there and Jaime is doing the assembling.

-Kisha & Christina have both had to restart - unsafe... they have to make sure all the joins are locked in correctly or they could get crushed under an unsteady dinosaur.

-Zev & Justin and Gary & Mallory are the last teams to arrive - Justin is doing the assembling for them and Gary & Mallory survey the scene - see they are dead last and this is a toughie - decide to use their Express Pass they won on the very first day - they get the clue to the Pit Stop: Green Lake Park.

-Jet is the first one finished the dinosaur - and if Jaime's look could kill he'd be six feet under right now - Off they go.

-So Flight Time asks Cara, what was up with U-Turning us, she says it started with them, pointing to Vyxsin who spills again that they have a 30 minute penalty - then my recording cut out a bit but Flight Time said he thinks the Redheads were just being mean. (Still admitting to these people that you totally lied to their faces is not a smart strategy... I don't think Vyxsin gets that - and I'm sure Kent is not going to be happy with her.)

-The Cowboys pass Gary & Mallory in the parking lot - they get the first cab and take off which makes Mallory livid (well, as livid as she gets I think, she's just a little short with the driver.)

-Justin has to fix a join but they're wedged in there and he can't get it apart.  Margie is the next one to complete her dinosaur which she said she was doing for her 4 year old grandson who loves dinosaurs and she misses terribly (sniffle) (aw, now suck it up grandma!)

-Kent keeps getting them to check his dinosaur but he's wrong and can't figure out how to fix it - looks like he's got some long bones in the wrong places... Vyxsin is worried - if they don't get to the Pit Stop a full 30 minutes before another team they are done.  His step stool folds and he falls.

-Kent figures out what he did wrong finally and he has to pull it apart and start over - but he knows what to do now.  Jaime is starting to lose it, she's also fallen off the ladder and starts shedding clothing (much to the paleontologists delight) but she's having trouble breathing (is she asthmatic?)

-Kisha finishes the dinosaur and they're out.  Then Kent finishes finally and they could still have a shot...

-Big Easy finishes quickly (probably because he didn't need to use the stepstool at all) and they shout "Double U-Turn" right in the Redheads faces... Double U-Turn that!

-And then there were 3 - Christina, Justin and Jaime working on the dinosaurs.

-Christina is the next to finish and she almost cries - that took her a long time.

-Justin finally gets the clue and Jaime realizes one of the first pelvic boards needs to be flipped - she doesn't think she can physically rip it apart and put it back together again... pure, miserable torture.

Here's How they finished:

1) Jet & Cord - they won $5K cash each.

2) Gary & Mallory - still all smiles but kinda disappointed.

3) Margie & Luke - yay

> Kent & Vyxsin... but they have to wait out their 30 minute penalty...

4) Kisha & Jen - good show

5) Kent & Vyxsin - #5 is Alive!

6) Flight Time & Big Easy - Double U-Turn that baby.

7) Ron & Christina

8) Zev & Justin

9) Jaime & Cara - Cara, again talks for Phil (which I hate) "You are the last team to arrive" and this time they are ELIMINATED from the Race. (B-bye.)  Phil says things just didn't go your way - Jaime, "They never go our way." (And if you keep being a Negative Nelly they never will.)  They wish they could have won but not everyone can win - they think it was worth it to come back. (Whatever.)

So, with the Redheads elimination that means Ryan H, Kim B, Roxanne S, Carol-Anne D and Tommy D are out of the pool.

Next week they're in Calcutta, India and a massive tea tasting brings Luke to his breaking point - oh no, there is ugly crying...

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - March 16, 2011 Episode Recap

We Hate Our Tribe

After a quick recap of the last episode where we got to see Russell cry again when he got eliminated at Redemption Island (RI) and were reminded that Rob's tribe... uh, Ometepe... voted Kristina out to meet Matt at RI this week... The episode finally opened at:

Ometepe - Night 11

They return to camp from having voted out Kristina - Phillip says he wasn't surprised the vote was 3 for him and 4 for Kristina but he thinks his tribe better wake up and realize he's an asset they should keep around.
-Then he cuddles up with Rob to keep out of the rain.
Rob: You got your underwear on?
Phillip: Yeah, but that's never stopped me. (Whoa, what?  I'd be making sure I had every piece of clothing I owned on after that comment... ghah!)
-Next day Rob's complaining to Grant that Phillip stuck his knee in his back all night (I hope that's what it was) and he got no sleep.  Rob tells the camera that Phillip is aggravating everyone, strutting around in his pink panties, he's totally off his rocker and in a way he should stay to keep the focus off me.

Zapatera - Day 12

The boys are out fishing... oh and Julie.  They caught fish in the net.  Steve wants to reach out to the two Russell girls and try to keep all of them a tight family into the merge. (He strikes me as a guy who would never even consider a woman would refuse him... yeah, I don't see that flying with Stephanie.)
-They get the tree mail to send two people to watch the duel and end up picking numbered tiles - 1 and 4 get to go and that happens to end up as Stephanie and Krista (the Russell girls.)
-Julie says now that Russell is gone, Stephanie and Krista are not a threat, they're just pawns in this game and we don't care what they do at this point. They can't hurt us.
-Stephanie tells the camera that they want to get across to the other tribe that they're Russell's girls and they hate their tribe.  Let them know they have two girls ready to flip so we can create chaos and craziness at the merge. (Again, all this merge talk - you have to make it there first honey.)

Redemption Island - DUEL

-Rob & Grant are the reps from Ometepe... just the people Stephanie should want to see.

Duel: Race to collect puzzle pieces, (they are big pieces too, bigger than a breadbox as they say.)  They have to move the pieces from a pile to a platform where they have to assemble them into a cube.  First person to get them together correctly remains in the game - loser leaves for good.
-Off they go - neither one gets it right off - they both rip it apart and start over.
-Matt starts talking to Rob - voted me out for no reason, I still don't know why.
-Rob is silent.  So Jeff asks, Rob, why'd you vote him out?
-Rob -"Jeff, it takes more than one person to vote someone out - you know that."  (Yup, like getting blood from a stone with that guy.  He's not going to tell you anything, you think he's stupid?)
-Kristina is getting frustrated, kicks one of the pieces.  Apparently they're heavy and it's hot and Jeff keeps blathering... I don't blame her.
-Out of nowhere Matt finally gets it together and Matt wins his 3rd duel in a row.
-Of course, not one to just get on with things, Jeff gives Matt the floor to plead his case to Rob & Grant again.
-Matt says he wanted to go to the end with those guys, he's Ometepe through and through.
-Stephanie pipes up that they wished they had that feeling about their tribe.  Lays it out that she and Krista are on the outs and think yellow would look good on them.
-Rob says it's good to know if it's true.
-Stephanie - oh it's the truth - [Flashes the smile.]

-And finally Jeff gets back to the matter at hand - Kristina - get the hell out.  Oh, and throw your buff in the fire on your way by. (It just seems so cold - I think Redemption Island just adds insult to injury for the person leaving... you didn't feel bad enough when your tribe voted you out - we're going to make sure you really feel like dirt when we finally, really kick you out.)
-And Stephanie is happy she was able to plant a 'big ol' Sequoia tree in Rob's brain'. He tells them to hang in there as they leave.

Ometepe - Day 12

-Back at camp Phillip is left with the girls (Blond 1 & 2 and Brunette 1 = generic young things... is it bad I still don't care enough to remember their names?) - and he's frustrated that he can't make an impression on them (maybe because you condescend to them and walk around in saggy pink gonch)  he says they remind him of the crabs out there (which he is still hunting with a spear - really?) when he tries to approach, they scuttle away (and I think he genuinely doesn't know why - that's sad.)
-He says Andrea (Ah, blond #1's name)  is the most approachable but she's cautious because she doesn't want Rob to know she's talking to him, even though they voted out her SBF (Survivor boy friend) Matt.
- Ashley (blond #2) says Rob & Grant are like their big brothers out there and with them going to the duel she and Natalie (brunette 1) have to pretend to make Phillip part of the group and we have to pretend to keep Andrea comfortable - but she always has a snotty look an her face and is totally disingenuous - I don't think she's really fooling anyone.
-Andrea is frustrated because the other two girls don't really do much (correction - make that don't do anything) - she'd like to get things done but they expect her to hang out with them and sunbathe and talk about their hair.  She says she'd rather see Ashley and Natalie go before Phillip but she can't really bring that up without putting herself on the chopping block.

-Phillip is talking her up - telling her she is the best female worker out there (but as we already established, that's not too hard to accomplish.)  She asks him if he's ever tried to throw her under the bus at there and he gets way too Phillip intense "Never, Never... NEVER."  She's like, whoa there, I wasn't accusing you, just curious.  He whines that he's never had anyone to talk strategy with out there and he thinks if Matt makes it back the three of them could be in an alliance (She kinda plays along but her eyes said, Oh HELL no.)
-Now Phillip is happy with the synergy he established with Andraya today (he does like to pronounce people's names wrong - what's up with that?)
-Rob & Grant return and joke that Kristina won - but fessed up to kidding and confirm Matt won.
-Phillip says he sees Rob as the dictator and himself as a lord - he's just waiting to replace the King... (Wait, is the dictator also the king?  Nice muddled analogy there bud.)

Zapatera - Day 12

-Stephanie and Krista whine that they don't want to go back - then discuss (needlessly if you ask me) that they're not going to say anything about offering their votes to Rob (gee, do you really think you should keep that to yourself? duh).  Stephanie is so excited, Rob heard them loud and clear and knows that whatever his numbers are he can add two if they keep winning. (I don't know why she annoys me so much but her joy makes me hope Ometepe votes out Rob just to thwart her.)

Zapatera - Day 13

-Krista says since Russell was voted out there has been no strategy talk around camp - it's all patting themselves on the back - it's like no one is playing the game and when the game makes them play it, they're going to be very disappointed.
-Steve (who is looking a bit like a skinnier Richard Hatch - eek, I know - Have you been watching Celebrity Apprentice? I still hate that guy - and he's had to go back to jail AGAIN because he still hasn't paid his taxes... oh, sorry, went off on a tangent there.) Right, Steve is saying he's always been successful in any team situation he's been in...blah blah...
-Stephanie and Krista are sick of hearing their blabber and remove themselves more from the tribe to cook the meal.
-GI Joe (Mike) says they're not worried about the Russell girls having any impact on the game (Oh, that is smelling like some Survivor karma coming your way.)
-Julie feels like they're overconfident - she's a little superstitious and actually says they shouldn't be so cocky - it's bad Karma... (Okay, Julie can stay :).)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

One person on each tribe will be the caller and the rest of the tribe will be blindfolded.  The callers must guide their tribe mates through a maze to retrieve bags of puzzle pieces, once they've retrieved all 4 bags, the caller must use the puzzle pieces to solve a word phrase "The Sweet Taste of Victory".  First tribe to get it right wins immunity and reward of coffee and donuts... (Hmm, Donut.)
Zapatera sits out Steve and Julie - then Sarita decides that Stephanie will be the caller because she's bossy and a linguist (sound reasonable) but David is pouting that he'd be a much better choice - (Really? Have we heard 2 words from you lately?)
Ometepe, well Rob, decides he's going to be the caller/puzzle man - surprise.

Off they go:  they start out all of them holding on to each other but soon break apart and it's a little bit of pandemonium - Rob seems to be directing his team pretty well and so is Stephanie except for Ralph... (oh Man-sweater) - he keeps yelling at her to use him and she's telling him to shut up and wait for her to address him... Finally it's his turn and he goes the wrong way... sigh. 
-Ometepe is the first back with all the puzzle pieces and Rob springs into action - the bags are full of coffee beans with the letter tiles mixed in - as Rob is sweeping away some of the coffee he loses a letter on the ground (GASP!)  Stephanie is now working on their puzzle too... and she starts making up time - then Rob realizes he's missing a letter (Whew) - Rob, I'm sure doesn't even hear his team calling encouragement - Stephanie is just annoyed by her team and mutters for them to shut up.
-On the sidelines Steve is whispering to Julie that he wished David had been the caller - he doesn't think Stephanie is smart enough for this. (Wow, I didn't think it possible but Skinny-Richard calling Stephanie stupid made me mad - I'm starting to agree with her that Zapatera sucks.)
-ROB completes the puzzle and Ometepe Wins Immunity! 
-And all the Zapatera guys tell Sarita, "See that's why we needed David to do it." (Sore losers all - look on the bright side, now you can get rid of Stephanie - now who's stupid?) 

Ometepe - Day 13

DONUTS! I've never seen such joy out there they were all making their 'o' faces.  Phillip is feeling frisky and tries to hug all the girls and trade donuts for massages (uh, so skeezy, and he wonders why they all shy away from him.)
-Grant picks up the coffee jar and starts swirling it around - and finds a clue - he's not very subtle and Rob's on him like a shark scenting blood in the water - they think they're being all sly Rob tries to pants the jar but it's too big, Grant uses his (Sigh) big body to block their view and they both bolt from camp - Ashley sees it go down (Rob's congratulating himself but really, it wasn't that smooth - they were all still on a sugar high though and they mostly get away with it.)  Grant fishes out the clue and Rob demands he give it to him... (he's really starting to pick me.)  So Grant casually strolls back into camp smelling the coffee, getting everyone else to smell the coffee, and Rob's off "getting water." 
-Rob meanwhile reads the clue then says he's going to give Grant the clue he already had and keep the new one for himself.  So he takes off running, digs up the idol and clue he already found then returns to show Grant the old clue.  He plays Grant like a fiddle.
-Rob says this is all for nothing because he already has the idol but he's got to entertain himself out there somehow.  "You don't make money unless you hustle."  (Then he smiles and I can't help but be charmed - he really is the scariest kind of manipulator - the kind that makes you like him as he steals you blind.  Damn, and I didn't think I was that easy.)

Zapatera - Day 13

-Trouble in 6-part-alliance paradise - they are fighting now about Stephanie being put in the puzzle solver role because everyone knows David is the puzzle guy.  (Then why didn't he say anything - out loud, to the tribe - at the time?)  Sarita tries to defend her decision by saying David's not good under pressure - of course he's an attorney so his whole life is under pressure (phff - lawyers) he puts his foot down and decrees that he's the only one to do puzzles from now on. Period.
-Skinny Richard (Steve) says he's more disappointed with other members of the tribe that didn't speak up than with Stephanie - he thinks she tried her best.
-Mike (GI Joe) says as far as he's concerned Stephanie and Krista have made their bed right alongside Russell and with her performance today he'd put Stephanie's head on the block first.
-Julie's out talking to Sarita and they both agree that Stephanie can't be trusted.  Julie says she just doesn't like Krista  and would rather see her go first - she thinks they could still reel Stephanie in.  Sarita also puts David up there as #3 - she'd like him to go too (he's a lawyer and he yelled at her - I don't blame her.)

-Stephanie and Krista know there is no scrambling to be done with these dumb-ass people.  Krista is just consoling herself with the fact that she doesn't think any of them will make it to the end.  She's just sorry she won't be around to see them go down.

Tribal Council

Krista, at the last TC Russell was voted out and you and Stephanie were very vocal about being in two separate alliances.  Has anything changed?
- No, and since Russell was voted out there really hasn't been any game play - it seems like the Brady Bunch has gone camping and they've invited the neglected step-children along.
Sarita, what do you think Krista means when she says you're not playing the game?
- I think it's funny because we've been playing so fast and furious that we unseated one of the best players in Survivor history - and we want to stick and take it all the way. (Stephanie looks like she smells a fart.)
-Krista pipes up that you don't play this game with 6 the whole time - then she does a countdown to one and says, then you have to play... (uh, when it's down to one you win the game - that didn't make any sense but I know what she was trying to say - still they don't have to worry about that yet because they still have two to spare).  She breaks out that she's not there to make friends (my reality show favourite line, along with throwing you under the bus and you haven't seen the last of me.) 
-Mike then pipes up that she hasn't been making any strategic plays either, she hasn't had conversations with anyone or developed trust, she has just sat around and been abrasive the whole time.
-Krista - What am I supposed to say - I have a great idea, let's vote off Stephanie (that's the best you got?  Oh, blond #3, it's time for you to go.)
-Mike - you go talk to someone and you develop a bond - that's strategy. 
-To which she just rolls her eyes (I mean come on Mike, don't you know she's a hot blond and she doesn't approach others, they try to talk to her, and she shuns them.)
Jeff clarifies that Krista was trying to say that once they get rid of the two outsiders it is the six of them - are you implying there are no sub-alliances within this group.
- She lays it out: how she sees it that they seem to be in pairs- Mike and Steve, Julie and Steve, Sarita and Ralph - so I don't know where that leaves Dave.(Oh, that got him thinking.)  If I were one of those pairs I'd been jumping on us to make it 4.
So Mike, the trouble with making it obvious who you want to vote out is they come to tribal with both barrels loaded.
- What she doesn't know is there has been lots of talk of strategy among our six but she's been the odd man out so she hasn't seen any of it.
Steven, so you've narrowed it down to two - how do you decide who to keep to help you win the next challenge?
-Well, I would have been happier with David doing the calling today.
So Stephanie, is it fair of them to say we gave you the money spot today and you didn't deliver so you should go home.  (Of course that's fair but let's see what she said)
-I just have to rely on my record with them - hopefully they realize I've done my best in every other challenge. (Hmm, I was waiting for some throwing under the bus... disappointed.)
-Krista and Stephanie stick together to the end and say they knew it would be one or the other of them tonight but they still have Redemption Island and they have to hold together because they have nothing else to hold on to. (Oh, gag me, I'm not buying the wounded bird routine.)

They vote:
And show us nothing - but it's raining like crazy again.

Tallying the votes:
Steve 1, 2
Krista 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... And Blond #3 - Krista is voted out to Redemption Island.  (She and Matt would make beautiful babies.)  Stephanie tells her to hang in there and the rest of the tribe looks like they're going to have Stephanie for dinner when they get back...

Next week:  Matt struggles in the duel and a girls spa day causes a Phillip melt down - "Get off your butts and do something!"  He's the redheaded step-child! (Ha, he is bringing some life to the party, got to say that for him.)

Have a great St Paddy's Day everyone,

Coleen

The Amazing Race - March 13, 2011 Episode Recap

This is the Most Stupid Day Ever

Starting out from Tokyo, Japan - Zev & Justin were the first to depart at 8:44pm.  They got the clue to make their way to Lijiang, China.  Because of limited availability of flights everyone will be on the one mandatory flight to China, but once there they must find their own mode of transport on to Lijiang.
-Zev isn't too enthused about China, there are lots of people in China and being autistic he's not much of a people person.  He's also not much of a water person - but he's going to step up when he needs to (we hope.)  He also lets us know the flight isn't leaving until after 9am the next day.
-Gary & Mallory are next out.  Ron & Christina right behind them - are very excited to be going to China - they speak Chinese and have been to Lijiang before.
-The sister's, Jen & Kisha don't have the best memories of China - on their last Race Jen called the deaf guy a bitch... (hahaha - oh yeah - heat of the moment and he was being pushy...) she's not proud of that.
-The Globetrotters head out - Cowboys are right behind them - and Jet tries to get in the wrong side of the car to drive - Golly, everything's backwards here.  (They're still in Japan, it's right hand drive.)
-The Goths are heading out in lucky number 7 spot - their theme for the day is PMA - Positive Mental Attitude (hmm, this seems like some heavy foreshadowing if the previews are correct.)  They try to get in their car but the keys won't open the door - Did someone take our car? (Oh no, and so it begins.)
-Margie and Luke are the next out - he seems happy to be heading to China.
-Kent & Vyxsin finally find their car in the total opposite direction - bicker, bicker, bicker - so much for PMA.
-And finally the Redheads are the last team out at 12:42am - Jaime is hoping China won't be as miserable for her this time (she was a right royal you-know-what last time they raced through China.)
-Vyxsin is having a meltdown in the car - she can't find the highway to the airport - she's crying and he's being so patient... they get on the highway...
6:00am - the rest of the teams are checking in for their flight and still no Kent & Vyxsin - Zev, "they're either in a Kabuki show or extremely lost"... and it's the latter.  They got on the highway going in the wrong direction and they've been driving that way for HOURS... OMG!  Vyxsin finally realizes their mistake and says "Bye, bye Amazing Race."
(Okay, how does this happen? All they had to do was get to the airport, everyone was going to be on the same flight - they had over 9 hours to do that - I guess when you lose your car in the parking lot it sets the tone for the day.)
-Kent acknowledges they're not going to make their flight - but they can't give up, the Amazing Race is also about miracles (someone is sticking with the PMA!)

-Kent & Vyxsin do miss the required flight but finally make it to the airport and book an alternate flight at 3:30pm - they are hopeful they can intercept the other teams but don't know what will happen to them.  (I'm thinking they missed the REQUIRED flight, they're done.)

-The Required flight lands in China at 7:17pm - everyone is now trying to decide what's they're best option of transport to get to Lijiang. (And I must say, I'm digging Kisha's half-fro, looks like she half took out her braids so the back is all full - I like it.)
-Everyone is doing Internet research - but Ron & Christina with their command of the language has had some guy in the airport look up trains for them and they decide to take a train out the same night instead of waiting for a flight the next day.
-Margie & Luke come up to ask them if they're taking the train and Ron blows her off in his abrupt manner - we have to get our money first.  Then they take off for the train station and head out on the first train to Lijiang (oh - I smell Race Karma coming for you old man.)
-The rest of the teams show up at the train station 10 minutes late for that first train - they all take the second train out about 1 1/2 hours later - every team is on that train except Ron & Christina and Kent & Vyxsin - and everyone is breathing a little easier knowing Kent & Vyxsin are behind them ALL.

-Speaking of - their flight gets in at 1:35am and they have no options to move on, everything is closed for the night.  They go to look for a hotel.

-5:38am - first train arrives in Lijiang - Ron & Christina get a cab and are confident enough in their lead that they stop for hot Chinese buns (yum!) I'm pretty sure Ron would have had a tantrum had she refused to stop - but all is well in Ron-world.  They get to the marked shuttle for the next leg but it's not scheduled to leave until 8am.
-6:00am - Kent & Vyxsin are back in the airport and catching the flight out to Lijiang - Vyxsin leaves her passport at the ticket counter but goes back and gets it... (they really are cursed this leg I think... the fates don't want them in China it seems.)
-The rest of the teams show up at the marked shuttle bus where Ron & Christina are not too happy to be waiting for them... as they pull out though the missing Kent & Vyxsin are still making everyone feel good.
-Kent & Vyxsin's flight gets in to Lijiang at 8:15am - they hope to finally see some of the other teams - it's been days since they've seen anyone.
-The shuttle has taken them all up Jade mountain, it looks cold and beautiful.  They see saddled yak's in the water.  Big Easy - we're going in the water... Zev is not ready to get cold and wet.

Route info - they must saddle a yak (which apparently is what they do in this part of China) and ride it across the river where they'll receive their next clue.
-Cord is showing off smacking the yak with his hat and they tell him to stop that. Zev slides off the back of the yak on his first attempt to mount but he makes it finally.  Everyone gets the clue which tells them they have to ride the gondola now up the mountain to spruce meadow to get their next clue.  They're all feeling the altitude- it's making running/breathing difficult - Margie & Ron especially seem to be feeling light headed.
-The clue is a ROADBLOCK - they have to search among hundreds of hanging charms for all the characters of the Chinese zodiac then they must hang them in the correct order on a wind chime kinda thingy to get their next clue.
-So we have Luke, Cord, Cara, Mallory, Flight Time, Jen, Zev & Christina? She and Ron have to discuss way more than anyone else for some reason - he's thinking with his stomach, if it's eating he'll do it - no, she's doing it.  They all first look at the example then head out among all the people and, I would say, thousands of charms trying to collect all 12 they need - this does not look easy.

-Meanwhile - Kent & Vyxsin have arrived at the yaks and she heads across the river on the hairy beast.

-Luke is the first one back, then Mallory and Christina - Luke doesn't get the order right so he's denied but Mallory does and she's the first one to get the clue - she tells Luke to look at hers for the O R D E R.
-The clue tells them to find a marked bus to take them to old town Lijiang, find the ancient prayer wheel where they'll find the next clue.  Gary & Mallory head out. Then Christina, Luke, Cord, Cara, Jen... Zev is still looking, he's having trouble finding them all.  Big Easy terrifies the locals as he runs through them.

-Kent & Vyxsin are now in the gondola and Zev & Justin are the only one's still at the Roadblock - he's getting totally frustrated and Justin is telling him not to give up.

- The Cowboys spy Kent & Vyxsin heading up as they're heading down in the gondola - uh oh. 
-Gary & Mallory are the first team to the marked bus and it takes off - I had forgotten they also have the Express Pass from day 1 so they're sitting pretty right about now.  Mallory is just having fun with her Dad in China... then they cut to Christina & Ron - another daughter, not having so much fun with her Dad in China especially since they jumped in a cart of some kind, not the marked buses they're supposed to be on - they take off down the mountain but she doesn't feel right - they talk to the driver and he tells them they should have taken the bus.  They get the guy to take them back up...

-Zev has all his charms clumped together in one thing - not right.  Kent & Vyxsin show up and Justin is yelling at Zev to hurry up - which doesn't seem to be helping.  Justin asks Kent what happened and he says they're car broke down so they missed the flight.  Justin says, "so the flight you took was not the one you were supposed to take..." Kent says he's not showing all his cards, they are very afraid they'll get a time penalty but he doesn't need the other teams to know that.

-Ron is having a fit on the cart - we're going to lose so much time (blah, blah, blah - I think he wanted to just keep going on the wrong conveyance - you can't do that - if they say take the bus - you take the bus.)  Christina jumps out of the moving cart when they pass the buses and falls on her back (ouch). The Globetrotters get their driver to stop for them (even with Ron throwing something at the bus- what?) - they really are nice guys.  Christina thanks them profusely - she knows it was them - Ron (grumble, grumble. Old fart.)

-Zev is finally getting his charms together but the guy won't give him the clue - the guy looks as frustrated as Zev.  Vyxsin has found 9 of the 12 so far.

Old Lijiang: The buses arrive and Margie & Luke are the first team to the clue box: It tells them each team member must verbally announce their sign of the zodiac, write a wish on a piece of paper and deposit it in the ancient prayer wheel to get their next clue.  DETOUR - Hammer or Horn.
In Hammer: teams must pulverize hot molten candy in the traditional method - by smashing it with long wooden hammers on top of a block of wood - once they have prepared the candy (which looks like pure sugar) the confectioner will give them their next clue (the confectioner is great - he has a future in television.)
In Horn: teams make their way to the square then pick up a huge, long, heavy horn and lead a group of processioners to the palace to receive their next clue.  (I'm wondering if they've made these easier so as not to kill everyone on this leg? :)
-Margie/Luke and Gary/Mallory are all going to do the candy.

-The next buses arrive - and it seems like everyone is either an Ox or a Rooster (hmm, are these adventurous signs?  I'm a Rat, my brethren are not.) - Oh, the Cowboys are Monkeys - and the Globetrotters have no idea what sign they are - so they have to have it right before they can get the clue - they just start going through them all... unsuccessfully.
-Everyone else is getting the clue and everyone is doing hammer except the Redheads, who go for horn.

-Back up the mountain Zev finally figures out he had two goats on his thing - he gets the order correct finally and they get the clue to move on.  Justin praises him for sticking with it and getting it done.
-Vyxsin is starting to have another meltdown - she can't find all 12 of the charms -(no, no more crying... just get it done) Kent says that little pink kitten is trying her best (he really is so supportive - I'd be yelling at her.)

-Oh, and finally the Globetrotters have determined they are a Rooster and a Dragon - they've dropped back 3 or 4 spots - they decide to do the Horn.

-Ron again is thinking with his stomach - he wants his yogurt - Christina tells him no - he can eat after the Detour - walking through town he gets distracted by a street vendor cooking live fish... she has to put her foot down - You are not eating fish, let's go - He whines, Can we take a tram?  No!  (Oh Ron, he's reverting to childhood right before our eyes.)

-Let the hammering begin - everyone is joyfully hammering away - and Ron is eating- ah, this is good stuff. (I think more than anything else this episode I have heard Christina say "Daddy" with total exasperation over and over and over again.)

-Over at the Horn, Jaime picks one up, decides she can't do it and they change.

-Back up at the Roadblock, Vyxsin is blubbering and calling herself stupid while Kent shivers to death. 
She finally gets all 12 of the charms and heads in to put them in order.  Their only hope is to catch up to Zev & Justin - who are now on the bus heading to Old Lijiang.

-Back at the hammering - teams are finishing up and Ron is still eating all their goods - Gary/Mallory, Margie/Luke, Cowboys - get the clue to head to the Eternal Tower - the Pit Stop for this leg of the Race.
-Jen & Kisha finish and head out and Christina is ready to use the cutting tool on Ron - she makes him let her do it, he's so ungraceful and he's still eating - "Will you stop eating, god!" (haha, unfortunately, I think this would have been me and my dad.)

-The Globetrotters are having no problem with the horn but they can't find the palace - Big Easy nearly impales himself with the horn when Flight Time stops short to ask directions - and a little girl nearly climbs in the other end - aww.

-The Redheads have arrived at the candy hammering place and Cara burns herself on the molten sugar as it seeps through her glove - how'd you get it on your hand?  That's what the long hammers are for.

-Zev & Justin get to the prayer wheel and know their signs - Justin wants to win the Amazing Race and Zev wants a long happy life.  They decide to do horn.

-Vyxsin finally gets all the charms in order and she gets the clue - they head down on the gondola.

Here's How They Finished:
1) Margie & Luke - won a trip to Aruba - Which Phil tells them they can enjoy after the race... but right now you are still racing... (What?  Again?) Luke - Noooo.  Margie says you don't know what I want to say right now.  They rip the clue and take off.
2) Jet & Cord - You have to keep on racing - Cord, "Sweet."
3) Gary & Mallory - Mallory, "Ah Nuts!"
4) Ron & Christina - He's so excited to be 4th - but still racing - Oh My God.
5) Kisha & Jen - Arghh
6) Flight Time & Big Easy - Big Easy, "Is this April Fools?"
7) Jaime & Cara

-Zev & Justin are carrying the horn through the town, Justin's not even thinking about Kent & Vyxsin at this point - he's just trying to get through the Detour and let the chips fall where they may.
-Kent & Vyxsin are on the bus heading to Old Lijiang when Kent realizes that their fanny pack is gone - he's left it in the gondola (I see their luck is holding up - all bad.) They start desperately beseeching the bus driver to turn around... their passports & money are in the fanny pack -(why would you take it off?)

To Be Continued... Argh - and my recording cut off the preview of next week...

I want to know what kind of penalty the Pink & Black Attack is going to face... to be continued - that blows.

Have a good week everyone,

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - March 9, 2011 Episode Recap

Don't You Work For Me?

After a quick recap of last week when Zapatera did what no tribe had done before - voted out Russell - the episode opened at:

Redemption Island - Night 8
Russell arrives and he and Matt play get to know ya a little.  Russell is pissed off that his tribe lied to him about everything - Francesca being there and how they were voting.  He says Matt may be harder to beat but he's a rookie, he'll take him out - then he'll be there to meet every one of his tribe mates and he'll make them suffer - they'll have to sleep in the mud. (Nice, way to put positive thoughts out to the universe.)
-Meanwhile Matt's building up his own legend in his mind - blindsided by Rob, now having to duel Russell - he's a star!

Ometepe - Day 9
-Phillip is quickly wearing out his welcome - while everyone is trying to sleep, he's up at the crack of dawn sweeping the camp (really?)
-Rob says - who comes on Survivor with saggy bottom tighty-whiteys with everything hanging out?  It's not just disturbing, it's disgusting (blond #2 makes gaggy faces as they blur out Phillip's bottoms).  He's like the gross dad walking around in his gonch - you don't want to have your friends over - no one wants to see that.
-Phillip is spear hunting crabs again - and they're all laughing at him. Phillip says no one understands him so he's frustrated.  He knows it's a social game and thinks he'll have to find another side to himself to be accepted by the tribe (Sybil, better trot out another personality - that scares me.)

Zapatera - Day 9
-Russell's girls are not having any fun (oh, wah) but are sure Russell is going to kill it at Redemption Island and make them all pay (I just don't understand the level of crazy loyalty to Russell - the evil force is strong in that one apparently.
-Krista (Blond #3) says she knows she and Danielle are in trouble, that's why they need to find the hidden immunity idol.  They get right to work... on their tans.
-Ralph said he thought he was going to keep the hidden immunity idol to himself but when he saw the two girls go off by themselves he decided to hook that fish good and proper - and shared the fact that he has the hidden immunity idol with his alliance.  Sarita is ecstatic - Ralph says he told them he had it under control.
-Mike (GI Joe) is apparently still afraid of Russell coming back and says with them having the idol it will keep Russell from going deep in the game (uh, it can't save all 6 of you... and I guess Russell is the boogie man :)

Ometepe - Day 10
-Phillip gets the tree mail about them picking two people to go to Redemption Island and witness the duel - this leaves it up to them how they want to choose and Phillip volunteers himself and Kristina - no one objects (of course not, you two are on the outs anyway - I'm sure they just want you gone for a little while)
Phillip says because of his background as a special agent he is looking for some intel on how to win the game (since it's already a foregone conclusion in his mind that he's going to Redemption Island - I don't think he's wrong there.)

Zapatera - Day 10
-Ralph and Sarita nominate themselves to go - Russell's girls don't look too happy about it but no one says anything - Sarita says if she's able to see Russell walk off and go home - that is almost her million dollars.

Redemption Island - Day 10
Russell acknowledges that this duel is good vs evil - in the real world he'd be rooting for Matt but it's Survivor and he's going to win.
Matt is a warrior for God and because he wants it so deeply and truly he's sure he'll come out on top.
DUEL
They have to stack a series of blocks on zig zag platforms (like dominoes) avoiding trip wires which could cause the blocks to fall down before they're done.  The goal is to line the blocks up so that they will fall like dominoes and release a ball that will smash a tile - first one to smash the tile lives to compete another day - loser is out - for good.
-And off they go - they are neck and neck - Matt thinks he has it but the line only falls half way - he has to reset. Russell thinks he's got it but his also falls short - he has to re-stack as well. 
-Matt goes again and successfully WINS THE DUEL!- Matt stays alive and Russell starts crying like a little b*tch - (I will not feel sorry for him.)  Matt tries to comfort him (he's just too nice.)
Of course Jeff doesn't just leave it at that - he asks Russell if he's crying because he's sad at finally losing or is it embarrassment?
-Russell says he respects this game too much to go out this way - it's tough to be the star quarterback when you have pee wee's on your team that throw a challenge just to get rid of "Russell" (he's using the soapbox Jeff gave him to get in Phillip & Kristina's heads - little does he know that they're not the brain trust of the other tribe.
-Ralph rises to Russell's bait and says within 15 seconds he did what Russell couldn't [and found the idol] - Russell does what Rob did at the first Tribal Council and tells him to prove it - Ralph starts rummaging in his bag to get it and Sarita stops him - don't do that...  Ralph, "ah, I faked ya." (No one buys it)
-Phillip pipes up - It was not a lie - I made my living discerning whether or not someone was telling the truth and you have an idol.  I'll make sure you have the opportunity to use it if I have anything to do about it...  (Wow, testosterone and crazy is flying every which way out there.)
-Russell tells them Sarita is in charge and Mike and Steve as well. 
-Phillip - I'm glad I came.
-Russell says he just made sure that he would live on in the game through these two -(Who? Phillip and Kristina?  Hahaha... poor Russell - surrounded by idiots.)

Russell's final words - it's terrible to play with people that didn't come to play the game, they came for fame or just for the money...(just because they didn't play Your game doesn't mean they aren't playing the game - his ego is astounding to the end) - He gives me hope in saying this is the last time he's ever going to play the game - he has nothing else to prove to himself or his family and he gives Matt props - hope he goes all the way.  So with Russell leaving the game: Coleen T,  Lee G, and Kim A are out of the pool... and I'm with Sarita - seeing Russell defeated so early was totally worth the price of admission :)

-Phillip says he's going to use the info he learned from Russell to get himself farther in the game - (I wish I could believe Phillip had the ability to do that - but I just don't.)

Ometepe - Day 10
-Rob comes up with the idea of the rest of the tribe celebrating the fact that Phillip and Kristina are gone and having a beach day... meanwhile he just wants to get everyone out of camp so he can look for the hidden idol.  He lures them all out to the beach, tells them he's having constipation issues and then books it back to look for the idol (what a sneaky little... what he said he was having trouble with.)
-He's looking in, at, under every tree and knows he's been gone a long time and should get back - they're starting to wonder where he is and he's about to give up when he looks up and sees the idol sitting up in a tree - So, Rob found the hidden Immunity idol... and it seems they bought the constipation story and are none the wiser.

Zapatera - Day 10
-Sarita and Ralph come back and share the fact that Russell is out of the game.
-Julie is so stoked that he's not going to come back to get her.
-Sarita tells them it was hard to see him crying his eyes out but he rallied and threw the covers off everything in the tribe.
-Steve is glorying in the little punk leaving which prompts Danielle to say he's going to far.  David says he can understand how the rest of them dancing on Russell's grave could be hard for those two who are still firmly team Russell.
-Mike is later talking to them and Danielle throws out the dig about stupidly throwing a challenge when they need numbers - he counters that synergy was much more important and worth throwing a challenge to get rid of the plague... I think' little miss attitude' Danielle will be the next to go.

Ometepe - Day 10
-Phillip tells Kristina that they'll share the break down that Russell told them but not to say who has the hidden immunity idol - this is good enough intel to keep Kristina from being the next to go home to being 4th.
-Kristina says she defers to Phillip's experience in these covert matters - meanwhile she tells the camera that it's Phillips idea to blackmail Rob into keeping them there with the intel.  The Specialist thinks he's running the show when The Specialist is just one big windbag - she's going to sit back and let him hang himself.

-In camp Phillip puts on a bit of a show - says Russell went home and he was crying - someone asks if he said anything about idols or anything and Phillip says no, that was it - it was weird (The Specialist is not a good liar.)
-Next, Phillip is walking with Rob and Grant out on the beach (and can I just say, I'm enjoying the man candy Grant provides from the neck down - that hair though, has to go... but I digress).  Phillip says he's going to tell them what really happened.  Phillip says Russell told them who had an idol and the alliances - if I share this information with you will you keep Kristina? 
-Rob is impatient with this - aren't you in my alliance? Shouldn't you be working for me?  Rob doesn't get why he's lobbying for Kristina - big mistake Phillip.
-Rob says absolutely to Phillip and he says Sarita is running things (uh, not quite) and that Ralph has the idol... (I thought he was keeping that to himself.)
-Grant later says to Rob they can't trust that guy - they've got to get rid of him (Ya think?)

Zapatera - Day 11
Tree mail - says something about building and trust - Ralph grabs the tool belt - we got this.
Julie is a believer in Karma - she hopes throwing the last challenge doesn't come back to bite them.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Today's immunity challenge brought to you by Craftsman tools.  They have to cross a balance beam and use a crowbar to open a crate and retrieve a shovel, they will use the shovel to dig up an axe, they will use the axe to cut through a log releasing a rope that has two saws suspended in the air (uh, that's not safe) - they will use the saws to saw through a wall creating planks and they will use the planks to complete a ramp that will get the whole tribe to the top of the platform where they will use a hammer to hammer in 3 nails and break 3 tiles - first tribe to get the Craftsman tool kit on top of that table wins Immunity and Reward - BBQ set including food, steak, sausage, bread and vegetables.
Zapatera sits Blond #3 (Krista)
-Ralph and Rob start - Ralph opens the crate first.  Julie comes out to dig and Grant makes up some time on the digging - Ralph and Rob come back out to chop the log - Ralph makes short work of it and releases the saws for Mike and Steve to get started on the wall - Rob is still working on the log - which he gets through and Grant and Phillip come out to saw.  Steve and Mike are getting through the wall quite well - Grant and Phillip are slow.... Zapatera has the planks done and Stephanie and Sarita are out to put them in place - it's a bit of a puzzle so when Rob and Kristina come out to do the planks he starts making up time... Zapatera are the first up on the platform - Stephanie is working on untying the hammer when Ometepe gets up on the platform - they start on the hammer - but Ralph knock in the nails and they slam the toolbox down - ZAPATERA wins immunity and reward.  Ralph gives a victory crow - cock-a-doodle-doo!

Zapatera - Day 11
Barbecue time!  Mike has never been this hungry in his life - he hasn't thought about sex in 2 weeks, all he thinks about is food. (Uh, I'm going to leave that alone.)
-Ralph says he ate everything right down to licking his dirty fingers and offered to lick everyone else's too - gross.

Ometepe - Day 11
-Phillip calls a brief tribal meeting really quickly - we lost and are down but I think we all put forth a good effort - anyone have anything?  Crickets.
-Rob says Phillip is never one to shy away from his moment in the sun - but there is such a feeling of malice towards him right now - it's palpable.
-Ashley cannot stand him - he treats the girls like they are complete idiots - tries to tell them how to fill the canteens and when they say they're fine he says, 'I got to see this'... (Really Phillip? - I would have yelled at him to get the hell away from me - what an ass.)
-They are all fed up with Phillip - Kristina is lobbying for him to go- says the last thing she wants to do coming back from a loss is listen to Phillip's yammering - everyone is in agreement.  She knows she's on the wrong side of the numbers so she hopes they'll take out Phillip first.
-Then Kristina says to the young dark haired girl (Nicole?) that there was probably a clue in the reward - she bets someone has the hidden immunity idol again.
-Nicole goes running to the rest of her alliance and tells them Kristina was talking about someone having the hidden idol - Rob plays dumb - so she's trying to find out if we have it- or she has it...
-Meanwhile he's thinking she is way too dangerous to keep around - Phillip may annoy the ever living crap out of everyone but he's no threat - Kristina is too smart for her own good.  Rob tells them lets split the vote - 2 for Phillip, 3 for Kristina and if everyone does what they're told, Kristina will go tonight.
-Grant talks to Rob and says he doesn't trust Phillip and would rather they get rid of him - Rob says Kristina's no slouch - he wants them to keep in line - this will prove if he is in charge of the tribe.
-Phillip asks who the vote's for tonight and Rob tells him everyone is voting Kristina - this tells Phillip that Rob is not a man of his word and he is ready to pull out all the stops at tribal council to make the moves he needs to survive (oh, will it be a crazy tour de force?)

Tribal Council
Kristina, both times you've been at tribal council you've been on the hot seat, feeling that tonight.
 - Sure, absolutely.
What's happening that's always got you in trouble?
 - I feel like I started out on the wrong side of the numbers but I'm a fighter and I don't give up and I'm determined - I want to stay.
Natalie (that's her name! Not Nicole) - how do you feel about second chances?
- I think they're great - Kristina's a really nice person, we just have to see.
Grant, can people change in this game?
- Of course - everyone is pretty easy to get along with I think you can get a second chance.
Rob pipes up - But to be fair - I think Kristina just joined this tribe - for the first 8 days I don't feel like she was a part of us.  The real question is, is it too late or should we give her a shot.
Kristina, what do you think they should do tonight?  (Keep me?  How do you expect her to answer that?)
 - I think they should vote out who they consider the weakest link.  She defines weak in this case as disruptiveness.  Then calls out Phillip as disruptive and assertive which makes everyone uncomfortable.
Phillip have you faced being disruptive before?
 - No, I wouldn't call it that. I'm a do-er. But if you show up just at meal time and expect to eat then yes, I'll be disruptive.
Kristina says she's done as much around camp as he has.
Phillip - the last 3 days you have sure.
Kristina - eye roll.
So, obviously Kristina thinks it should be Phillip and Phillip thinks it should be Kristina.
Phillip - I have a history with the tribe - You're a do-er - I call it the Shepherd STAMP - it comes from being one of twelve and having my mother pass at a very early age (I can hear the violins) and having to work my way through high school and joining the army - getting an honourable discharge and the highest honour in peace time for doing field sanitation (I said pardon?)- not a glamourous job.  But that's what I do around camp and I think out of the two of us, I've earned the respect of my tribe. (Yeah, that's why they are all snickering or rolling their eyes at you - poor, deluded Phillip.)
And Jeff gives Kristina a chance to make one last argument to stay as well.
-I'm smart and I can be a trusted member of this tribe - if given the opportunity I can prove that to them.
(Huh, anti-climactic... I'm ashamed to say I was hoping for Phillip to bring the crazy.)

They vote:
Phillip votes Cristina - time has run out.
Kristina votes Phil - you're a pain in the neck and I really hope it's you, not me.

Tallying the votes:
Phillip 1
Kristina 1
Phillip 2
Kristina 2
Phillip 3
Kristina 3... 4 - KRISTINA is the 4th person voted out and to Redemption Island.  She gets to leave in an impressive thunder and lightening display.  Says she's just had her ass raked over the coals at Tribal and now has to face Matt, snivel.
Jeff says this tribe is running out of time - they better start winning.

Next week: Phillip is bugging everyone so Rob thinks maybe he should stay - and Russell's girls are ready to create havoc and it tests the bonds in the tribe.

Have a great rest of the week everyone,

Coleen

The Amazing Race - March 6, 2011 Episode Recap

We Had a Lot of Evil Spirits Apparently (Japan)

After last week's first elimination of Amanda & Kris (and they had to go out looking ridiculous in those Kangaroo outfits, just to add insult to injury) 10 teams remain on the Amazing Race.  Once they all made it to the Pit Stop on that last leg they immediately embarked on an overnight train ride to Sydney.
Zev & Justin are the first to head off the train at 11:57am - the clue tells them to fly to Tokyo, Japan - once there they must make their way to a parking garage which is like a huge vending machine of cars - to find their next clue.  Last time they went to Japan, Justin had to eat a wasabi hand roll (oh yeah, they did a sort of Japanese game show challenge.) They catch a cab to the airport.
-Flight Time and Big Easy are the next to leave - they're going to remember Big Easy in Japan, think it's Godzilla attacking again - they are going to hop another train to the airport. 
-The Cowboys and Sisters are one minute apart yet the Cowboys make the same train as the Globetrotters and Jen & Kisha miss it - huh.
-Margie & Luke decide to hit a travel agency at the train station instead of heading to the airport.
-Mel & Mike meet up with Margie & Luke at the travel agency - all trying to book the best flights.
-Kent & Vyxsin head off to use a computer to check Travelocity (nice plug there - I wonder if they get a kick back?)  Kent is rocking the little urban cowboy version of a cowboy hat - to prove to the cowboys they're not the only ones who can pull off that look (Uh, yeah, kinda proved the opposite - I could see him in assless chaps though.)
-Cara & Jaime find a different travel agency.
-Gary & Mallory leave the train station and catch a cab to the airport.
-Ron & Christina are the last ones out at 12:28pm (so they're all within 1/2 hour of each other) and they also hit an Internet cafe to check Travelocity(?)  We find out that Christina is engaged to Azaria... someone she met when they ran the face last time - (I don't remember him at all... but he's cute.)

-Zev thinks he and Justin need a cool nickname like the Globetrotters and the Cowboys - "I guess we're the special kid and his friend." (Special friends? - no, sounds dirty... Short bus? that's just mean... Zev & Justin it is.)  They go looking for a computer at the airport.

-Back at the travel agency - Mike wants to book a connection flight through Hong Kong to get them in 15 minutes ahead of the direct flight - Mel's not so keen - Margie doesn't want to do that either - too many things can go wrong (No guts, no glory! - but I'd probably want to stick with the pack too... Yup, I'm all talk.)
-Globetrotters run into Zev & Justin at the Internet kiosk and they're looking at the same flights - Qantas direct 6:15am or the connection through Hong Kong arriving at 6:00am - they're also leery of delays on connecting flights.
-The Cowboys went directly to the Qantas counter and booked the direct flight arriving at 6:15am - no fuss, no muss.
-The Sisters show up at the same counter and book the same flight as the Cowboys - direct 6:15am arrival.
-Ron & Christina book the Qantas flight over the Internet.
-Gary & Mallory run up to the Qantas desk and book the Qantas flight.

-Kent & Vyxsin think 15 minutes if 15 minutes and they book the connecting flight through Hong Kong over the Internet.
-Cara & Jaime also book the connecting flights at their travel agency.

-Globetrotters and Zev & Justin are still debating - they head to Cathay Pacific to possibly book the connection...
-Margie and Mel & Mike have now decided to go for the riskier move of taking the connecting flight through Hong Kong - Mike thinks they need all the extra time they can get.
-And that leaves only two seats left on the connecting flight through Hong Kong - Big Easy says they owe Zev & Justin one - since they gave them the phrase on the last leg - (plus Big Easy ain't so easy about the connecting flight) so Zev & Justin are the last team on the 6:00am flight.

-Mallory & Gary come upon Margie/Luke, Mel/Mike at the airport and Margie's acting all shifty, doesn't want to tell them they have an earlier flight (Oh come on, it's not that much better - but then they don't know the flight is full now either.)  Now Gary & Mallory are nervous.
-So 5 teams are on the first flight and 5 teams are on the 2nd flight.  The first flight does end up having engine problems and they are looking at a major time delay... that sucks.
-Ends up the Qantas flight arrives on time 6:15am - Globetrotters, Gary & Mallory and the Sisters are the first to get the clue at the car park - they have to drive themselves to another city and find a certain Dojo to get their next clue.  First they must ask the parking attendant for a car - wooo - it is like a big vending machine.  Big Easy barely fits in that little Japanese car - it must suck being that tall, especially in Japan.

-Ron & Christina and the Cowboys make it to the parking garage and Cord has never seen the like - Ron is driving like an old fart and when Christina asks if he could go a bit faster he bites her head off - Ah, just like old times.

-The Second flight arrives at 7:20am and all 5 teams swarm to the car park - everyone is taking their turn getting their cars when Jaime steps on Vyxsin's last nerve and she tells her to wait her turn - (the redheads really are so pushy)  Poor Zev & Justin end up in last place (oh, from hero to zero... I'm rooting for these two.)

-The first 5 teams all seem to be lost driving out of Tokyo except Ron & Christina - she was able to ask directions, which Ron was completely ungrateful for,  and they are the first to the dojo/shrine (Ron is just a grumpy old cuss.)  They see a guy riding a horse and shooting an arrow at a target - then find the clue to the ROADBLOCK: must dress as Samurai and learn to shoot an arrow from atop a wooden horse.  First they must learn the ritual (Form), then perform the ritual in front of a master (Bow & Arrow) and if they are doing it correctly they'll be spun on a wooden horse and they'll have to hit the target with the bow & arrow (Target) - once they hit the target they'll get their next clue (Are you kidding me?  I would be there all day.)
-Christina hands this one off to Pops and he's right away Mr Negative Nelly - I don't have the best eye-sight (Grr - he would drive me insane.)
-Gary & Mallory are the next team to the clue box and Gary is going to do the challenge.
-Ron has failed the Form so far - he grouses that he's not coordinated (he's just afraid of looking foolish - this guy needs to take the stick out of his you-know-what.)
-Globetrotters find the clue box and Flight Time is doing the task.  Kisha & Jen finally find the clue and Jen is going in to do it for them.  She's the only one that mentions the outfit they have to wear - silk robes, booties and a jaunty little cowboy-esque hat. (she is a girl after all ;)
-They are all trying to get the form down and are realizing this is not going to be easy.
-The Cowboys are still lost - driving around with Cord buried in a map (he can't read.)
-Everyone from the second flight is lost as well - they are caravan-ing and consulting with each other - except Zev & Justin who just drive on by - Justin seems to have a great sense of direction.

-Gary is the first to pass the Form - and move on to Bow & Arrow - everyone else still failing.

-Zev & Justin are the next team to arrive at the Roadblock (Oh, come on Cowboys, that's 1 1/2 hours they've lost) - Justin is going to do the task for them.

-Back out on the streets - the Cowboys are just heading south - they can't read any of the signs (sigh).  Mel & Mike and Margie & Luke ditch the Goths and the Redheads... but since none of them know where they're going, does it really matter?

-Jen is the first to complete the task, she says she's usually very detail oriented -Form, Bow & Arrow, Target- Way to go girlfriend!  Ron, "Oh, come on."  Hahaha - suck it.  They get the clue to make their way to a certain railway station and find a statue where they'll also find the next clue.
-Justin is the next one to finish the task -Wow!  That is quite the comeback.  He said he thought it through, what does each step means, instead of just trying to copy the steps - (I think Justin is one of those guys that's good at everything - as long as he doesn't lose anything vital this time, I think they're looking really good.)
-Gary is the next to finish and they head out right behind Zev & Justin.

-The Goths, Mel & Mike and Margie & Luke arrive at the dojo and Kent, Mike and Luke are doing the Samurai cowboy.  Kent gets a jaunty yellow outfit and he thinks this is promising.  Margie tells Luke to watch their mouths because he'll have to say something (hmm, this could be hard for him.)

-Flight Time is the next one finished and finally they take pity on Ron and he's through.

-The Cowboys finally arrive and aren't too happy to see everyone's there but them (and the Redheads)... speaking of whom - Jaime is driving and she's never driven on the right side before - Cara cautions her to move over in the lane just as she hits the mirror of a car on their left.  They stop and try to offer the guy money for the mirror but he wants to call the police - Jaime seems to be keeping her cool but she's frustrated they can't even have a conversation (how dare they not speak English in Japan.)
- They had to wait for the police and it did get sorted out - but it took a long time.

-Back at the Roadblock - everyone is failing the Form - Mike says it's way harder than it should be (this is Unfinished Business, they're not making it easier to win.)

-On the road, the Sisters stop at a funeral home to ask directions - oops, Rest in Peace.
-Mallory is the eagle eye and spots the statue on the side of the road - yells to Zev & Justin and they all get the clue to the Detour - Prayer of Purity or Frog of Luck.
-In Prayer of Purity they must take part in a Shinto religious cleansing ritual - don traditional garb, learn a prayer that is both verbal and physical then stand under a beautiful waterfall coming straight from the snows of Mount Fuji (brrr.) The water is 45F and they must stand under the cascading waterfall for 1 minute to receive their next clue.
-In Frog of Luck they must strip down and enter a mud pit.  Then, while on-lookers pelt them with handfuls of mud, they must search through the pit for a buried plastic frog, a symbol of good luck in Japan.  When they find one, they must present it to the frog master(?) to get their next clue.
-Zev & Justin and Mallory & Gary decide to do Frog of Luck.
-Globetrotters and Ron & Christina arrive at the clue box and they both decide to do Prayer of Purity.
-Jen & Kisha get there and decide to do Frog of Luck.

-Meanwhile the Redheads have finally arrived at the Roadblock and Jaime heads in - they are shocked they are still in it - the rest of the teams are still there.

-Luke completes the task - Cord feels right at home shooting the bow & Arrow, he's done - Kent completes it as well - even Mike finally shoots the target.  They all finish as Jaime looks on.

-Zev & Justin and Gary & Mallory arrive at the Frog of Luck and have to don a diaper-type outfit - Zev said they were like really skinny sumo wrestlers (it did cover a bit more than that - and Mallory was allowed to wear a top - this is a family show :)   The mud throwing was a surprise to them but they started to get into it - one guy belly flopped right by them - hahaha... it looks like fun.

-Globetrotters and Ron & Christina get to the Shinto shrine/waterfall - they put on the outfit and start the ritual - doesn't look like as much fun.

-Margie & Luke and the Cowboys get to the Detour clue box - Cowboys are doing Frog of Luck and Margie & Luke

-Jaime is now trying to shoot the bow & arrow - she drops the arrow then can't shoot it, gets stuck on her glove.  Cara is hoping she's not getting frustrated (well, you can hope.)

-Back at the mud pit they are filthy and Justin is the first to find a frog - they get their next clue and Zev stomach bumps the clue master (ha - is that bad form?)
-They get the clue to the Pit Stop - a monument to Commodore Matthew C Perry's landing.  Last team to arrive MAY be eliminated.
-Zev & Justin hose each other off and Justin's not willing to take the time to put on pants - they head out still slightly muddy and wet - Zev is going commando - That's not so hot.
-Gary finds a frog too and they are heading out right behind Zev & Justin.

-Kisha & Jen hit the mud pit and they don't enjoy it - at all - Kisha doesn't do bikini's, she gets mud splashed in her mouth - hopefully it doesn't get ugly.

-The Goths and Mel & Mike get to the Detour clue box - Goths are doing Frog of Luck (that is going to mess up your make up) and so will Mel & Mike - Mike just thinks it will be very satisfying to beat Jaime & Cara.  Jaime finally completes the Roadblock.

-Back at the waterfall Flight time and Big Easy finish first and grab Christina's fanny pack on their way back up to change.
-Once Ron & Christina finish under the water fall she's looking for the fanny pack and mildly freaking out that she can't find it.   The Globetrotters have left it with his stuff back up at the building but don't bother to tell them - (You know, those Globetrotters are sneaky.)
-Christina finally says they must have taken it so we might as well go back up to the buildings - I would be so pissed off!

-Kisha & Jen have dirt where it has no reason to be - Kisha finds a frog and gives it to Jen to present for the clue so she can pelt one of the guys with a handful of mud - Jen hugs the clue guy and gets him nice and muddy - oh yeah, they didn't like that.

-Ron finds the fanny pack in the men's changing room with his bag and bellows for Christina - he is royally irked and having trouble letting go of his consternation (his words - I must say he is always well spoken, even when really angry.)

-Zev & Justin have stopped at a car lot to ask for directions - still in their underwear - Justin says no one even batted an eye while in the states they'd run in the other direction.
-Gary wants to pull over to ask for directions and Mallory takes charge from the backseat - tells him to just keep going (yeah, and her sense of direction is impecable - don't listen to her.)

-Jet & Cord look cute in the diaper - Margie & Luke also head out to look for the frogs in the mud.
-Jen & Kisha are heading off looking for the Pit Stop and Jen is shaking from the cold.

-Jet & Cord are in the mud pit and Cord finds a frog right away (of course he did) - He says live frogs will jump at any time so he was keeping down low, listening for the croaking - He didn't know they weren't looking for live frogs (oh, he's so cute.)  Whatever - it worked for him cause they had it before Margie & Luke even got in the pit.
- Kent & Vyxsin and Mike & Mel come join Margie & Luke in the mud - Kent finds the mud disgusting - surprise.  Margie thinks it's ridiculous.

-The Redheads have reached the Detour clue box and decide to do the Frog of Luck as well.  Hoping they can catch up to someone.

-Back at the mud pit - Vyxsin is the next one to find a frog - and Kent gives the guy a big muddy hug (I'm just going to leave that one alone - it was slippery and he used tongue.)
-Margie is the next to find a frog - it's now dark and freezing cold - Mike is worried about Mel in the mud.
-Mike is feeling like it's a lost cause and he wants to quit - Mel keeps going - it's been the toughest day of his life but he's not willing to throw in the towel right away - Finally Mel gets cold enough that he lets Mike talk him into quitting and they head into a medic van to warm up.

-Cara & Jaime show up in the full on dark to start the Frog of Luck.  Jaime finds a frog.

Here's How they Finished:
1) Zev & Justin - won a trip to Costa Rica - and Justin hugged Zev - he didn't like that.
2) Gary & Mallory
3) Globetrotters
4) Ron & Christina - Phil asks why Christina's so upset and she tells him the Globetrotters took the fanny pack which may have been an innocent mistake but at the very least they should have let them know, as it was it delayed them greatly.  Phil says he's going to slap them with a 30 minute penalty which means:
3) Ron & Christina
4) Kisha & Jen
5) Jet & Cord (Cowboys)
6) Globetrotters - I wonder how they're going to feel about that.
7) Kent & Vyxsin
8) Margie & Luke
9) Jaime & Cara - Like the snotty b*tches they are say the line for Phil - 'you are the last team to arrive and have been eliminated from the race' - Stonefaced, Phil says, "You are incorrect" that shut them up - and made them so happy - they are still in the race. (poop.)
10) Mel & Mike - After a valiant effort - you have both been ELIMINATED from the race - they are just grateful for the experience - Mike knows his Dad would never give up so sometimes he just has to give up for him - he's 70 yrs old - he shouldn't be rooting around in the freezing mud.  (I'm sad to see them go, their relationship is so touching to see.)
So, with Mel & Mike leaving that means - Jeremy N, Kim A, Katie L, Kevin T and Hardeep & Kim are out of the pool.

Next Week : Zev gets hung up in China, Ron comes unglued and Kent & Vyxsin veer off course.
Ooh, looks like a good one.

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - March 2nd, 2011 Episode Recap

Keep Hope Alive

Redemption Island - Night 5
-FabioII (Matt) arrives at Redemption Island, awakes and surprises Francesca - she was shocked to see anyone but Phillip.  Matt says Rob is a real scoundrel, he's really hurt he was blindsided like that.  Also says what an opportunity, to become the underdog and come back from Redemption Island and win a million dollars.

Ometepe - Night 5
-Rob says Tribal Council could not have gone any better.  Grant wasn't sure Kristina was going to give up her hidden idol but she did.  Rob is impressed with Phillip's performance, proved to be a loyal soldier (oh gag me) says his performance was worthy of an Oscar (that is the way to keep Phillip loyal though, play to his ego.)
-Rob lays it out for Phillip - says there is an obvious alliance - 2 of the girls, Rob & Grant and now Phillip is 5th - he's alright with that.  (Really? - Actually, I can see it, he likes everything to be laid out for him.)
-Rob tells the camera he's got to work on Andrea now since she's smart enough to know they double-crossed her (by voting out her buddy Matt), Rob's got to make her alright with it (good luck with that.)

Redemption Island - Day 6
-Our ousted duo get tree mail telling them to make their way to the arena for their duel.  Two men enter, one man leaves... No, it didn't actually say that.  The winner will remain at Redemption Island alone and the loser will leave the game for good.

Zapatera - Day 6
-They get tree mail that tells them to choose stones out of a bag - two people will get the chance to go to Redemption Island and observe the duel (Oh, fun!) - The two that chose the purple stones were David (geeky lawyer dude) and Steve (grey-haired former football player) - they're not sure what to expect but glad Russell and his girls don't get to go.

Ometepe - Day 6
-They also pick stones and blond #1 (Andrea) & blond #2 (Ashley) get the coloured rocks - Andrea is so happy to be going so she can see Matt again (he's only been gone overnight, she's got it bad.)  She says she wants him to know she didn't vote for him so when he comes back he'll still be an asset to her (ah, the confidence of the pretty people is limitless.)
-Rob is none too happy with how the stone picks worked out - He doesn't want Andrea to be able to talk to her Island Boyfriend and get any ideas.

Redemption Island - DUEL
The observers get to sit up on Aztec looking steps - Jeff lays out how they came to be there and Andrea makes sure to pipe up that she didn't vote for either of them.
-Matt says it's do-or-die time - he wants to be the underdog that comes back and wins.
-Francesca wishes him well in his life but she is definitely there to beat him today.

The Duel - they will use sticks and rope to make a long pole and retrieve 3 keys, the 3 keys will open 3 locks on a bamboo door - first person to open their door will win the duel and stay on Redemption Island.

They should be pretty evenly matched on this one - Francesca gets her stick together pretty quickly and gets two keys back before Matt even tries for one - his stick breaks.  She's trying for her 3rd and her stick breaks - He catches up, they are now tied and both going for their 3rd keys... Matt gets his third key before her and is able to open the locks and open his door...( Boo! I wanted Francesca to stick around - too bad.)
Jeff tells her to toss her buff in the fire on the way out (oh, that seems kinda brutal - but I guess she already had her torch snuffed out - Bye Franchesqua - you will be missed.)
And that means: Shelley A, Shane B, and Ian G, will get their $10 back.

Steve from Zapatera says Redemption Island was an eye-opener and he's wondering if they could throw Russell a curve-ball by telling him Francesca won. (Not quite sure what he's hoping that will do.)

Ometepe - Day 6
Blonds return and are welcomed with open arms - they are all asking how's Matt (hmm, foregone conclusion that he'd win) and Ashley tells them they couldn't talk to him but he was saying he wants to come back and take his revenge (Grant looked surprised by that - really?).  Rob knows Andrea will go back to Matt before she sticks with Rob - he knows he has his work cut out for him with her.
- Rob is talking to Andrea on their own - he tells her he's sorry about voting Matt out but it wasn't only him - 4 people agreed to it - (Yeah, right) - She says she doesn't know where she stands now.  She asks if Kristina and Phillip are still going before her and he tells her yes but I could sense the hesitation.
-She doesn't believe him and knows she's in a sticky spot - looking for a way to shake things up. Oh, and here come the water works - she's pissed they took her friend away. (Boo hoo - you're not there to make friends - don't you watch reality TV?)

Zapatera - Day 7
-Steve & Dave are giving a breakdown of the duel - Of course Russell is acting like they have to debrief him - they say the 2 blonds were there (see, I'm not the only one calling them that) and tells them the black chick won - the blond dude went home.  They are all shocked and Russell looks very happy as he walks away.
Then Steve tells them that's not really true - the Blond Dude is still there - he just wanted Russell to be shocked when they vote him out - hopefully they'll never have to see Russell again.
-Russell knows right now his tribe is 6 to 3 (the 3 being himself and his two young girls) - that's why he's putting all his effort into finding the hidden idol - he's having no luck deciphering the vague clue.
-Ralph is tickled watching them search - this is his game.
-The dark-haired young girl - Stephanie - says they don't need the actual idol - they can make a fake one.  Russell has a great resume of finding idols so she's going to pretend she has the idol in her bag and hopefully make everyone believe it.
-Back at camp Steve notices how she's guarding her bag and comments on it - he's playing right into her ruse.  Russell is bragging that they'll do whatever he says (ew, he reminds me of a skeezy pimp the way he talks about the girls - gross)  Steve, I think, is trying to keep his enemy closer - he tells the camera he's going to stay on his toes until they can cut the cancer (Russell) out of the tribe - (Ah, and he plays the cancer card - Nice.)

Zapatera - Day 8
Ew, apparently Russell has funky armpits - he shaved them up and now he's got a puss-filled rash - gross. 
Mike (former Marine/vet) says Russell sits in the shelter with his concubines and does nothing - he's a black hole sucking in all the energy and light.
-Steve talks to Mike & Ralph and says their goal should be to get rid of Russell, he knows no one wants to throw a challenge cause you'll be down in numbers but he's not a number - he's an irritant, you can't have him lie around doing nothing.  They all want him gone.
-The boys broach the idea of throwing the next challenge to Julie (the firefighter), Sarita (dark haired girl) and Dave - Julie is really reluctant to do that - it could start the other tribe on a roll and they could not get it back - she can live with Russell but not losing.
-As they are leaving for the challenge - Steve gives the thumbs up that they are throwing the challenge (Dave doesn't look too happy either.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
(Oh this one kinda freaks me out) -3 members of each tribe will be strapped to a large wheel - 3 other members will turn the wheel dunking their heads under water where they will have to get a mouthful of water to spit into a tube  - once the tube is full it will dump and release a ball down to a slide puzzle - one more tribe member will have to complete the puzzle so the ball can move through it and into the final hole - first team getting the ball in the hole will win Immunity & Reward - some deck chairs, pillows, tarp, 3 blankets and a lantern.

Zapatera are sitting Ralph & Sarita - they still plan to throw the challenge -they should have sat Julie I'm thinking.  She's still not feeling right with throwing it.  Steve tells her to miss the tube when she spits - which she does and he is slowing down the spinning.   Ometepe releases their ball first and Rob gets started on the puzzle.  Zapatera finally releases their ball and Dave is working their puzzle but makes it totally obvious he's not even trying - Russell is watching you, man - at least move things around like you're trying... but he doesn't and Ometepe wins Immunity.

Russell says if he didn't know any better he'd think they threw the challenge - every one of them let the challenge go - he's dealing with a bunch of b*tches (who all want to get rid of YOU.)

Ometepe - Day 8
They get back to camp and Rob says normally winning would put him over the top but now he knows there are hidden immunity idols and they all know enough to think there could be a clue to another hidden idol in their reward so everyone is looking for a clue instead of celebrating.  The game is always on.
-Rob has decided this time to try to find the idol instead of ignoring it so he's going over everything diligently.  He sees Phillip sitting in one of the chairs and it's lopsided - he tells him to get up before he breaks it and Rob sees the clue to the idol is sewn into the fabric that was right under Phillips crazy-pants - he tries to nonchalantly take the chair back to his workshop (a la the grinch) but goes and hides to retrieve the clue.  It tells him nothing - the idol could be anywhere.  Rob is happy to have found the clue because he knows no one else did but he's going to keep it a secret because he wants to find the idol for himself.

Zapatera - Day 8
They get back to camp and Russell & his minions go off by themselves - the remaining 6 decide to split the vote tonight 3 for Russell & 3 for Stephanie in case he does actually have the hidden immunity idol.
-At the water Russell is b*tching - it's stupid to throw a challenge, especially when you're only 2 up - when the game just started - do you want to go even to the merge?
-Russell says it makes him sick to his stomach that they threw the challenge - you can't give Boston Rob momentum (huh, he's singing a different tune than he did the first time he played- I think Russell's running scared right now.)  Before he wanted his tribe to lose so they'd be more vulnerable to his mind games - now he's the vulnerable one.
-Russell knows if they split the vote it will be a tie and he'll lose on a re-vote - we need to convince someone to flip.
-He sends Stephanie out to work Julie.  She asks her where she stands in the pack of 6 - Julie's not sure - Stephanie goes in for the kill - we have stuff up our sleeves and we're looking for a 4th person.  Julie says she likes the sound of going with someone that's made it to the end twice before (Noo, Julie don't do it - they don't have cookies on the dark side, I don't care what they say.)  She says this could be a game changer - it's a lot of pressure.  She's thought it out both ways - should I trust Russell cause I know how good he is.
-Stephanie reports back to Russell that Julie's with them - now he's going to close the deal - She crows, this is going to be the biggest blind-side ever!
-Russell fist bumps Julie and tells her he has her back - she says she trusts him (Ahhh! He's the serpant in the tree of knowledge, don't eat that apple.)  He tells her to vote Ralph.  Ralph?  Alright.
-This could be epic!

TRIBAL COUNCIL
So Ralph, first time at tribal council...
 - It's good and it's bad.
What's good about it?
 - I was told we had two parts sshiheuhafu ... (Huh? I have no idea what he actually said)  He was trying to say there is a division in the tribe.
Steve, was it quickly apparent who was jelling with who?
 - Yes, there are 6 of us that are pretty rock solid and the other 3 led by Russell
Sarita, what caused the division?
 - It was a lot to do with Russell and his legacy - he gave a great speech about how he was going to play differently but that turned out not to be the case so there was a huge fissure in the tribe.
Russell, you came in here as a target.
 - The problem with me coming here is everyone sees me as a legacy where I would try to lose by burning socks and dumping water - I am not playing that way - I came to win challenges, not lose challenges and from where I stood it felt like they threw the challenge.
Mike, big accusation. (Stephanie is trying not to laugh - I'd like to wipe that smirk off her face)
 - Pretty big - you know today I would say we didn't go 100%, we'd like to win but if we lose, we have some fat on this tribe we'd like to trim off. (Oh, Russell didn't like that.)
Julie, hard to consider getting rid of somebody when it is a game of numbers quite often?
 - Personally I'd like to merge with as many people as possible weak or strong, get along or not - I think we have to go into the merge with numbers.
Stephanie, what do you think?
 - I think they forget they're in the game of Survivor.  This is Russell, he's played the game (wow, she's really drank the kool-aid - next she'll be shaving her head and etching a swastika between her eyes) he would be a huge part of moving forward - he's done it twice before - (and now that she's got the floor there is no shutting her up) there is going to be backstabbing, all you're best buddies are going to stab you in the back - Dave tries to interrupt her - but she's having none of it - Having numbers going into a merge is what you need to take over the other tribe - we were up 2, guys, so throwing todays challenge is not strategy, it's plain stupidity. That's all. (Uh, the merge is a long way off - and Russell's got to go - that's all.)
Russell looks very proud of his disciple.
Jeff asks Steve if they threw the challenge and he bold faced lies - We did not throw the challenge.
So David, you got your ass kicked by Rob, handily today - Rob beat me.
Stephanie again - "Really? Seems weird to me that someone who does puzzles..." - He successfully interrupts her this time and tells her not to speak for him - just because the hands aren't moving doesn't mean the mind isn't working.
Okay (no one's buying it.)
Sarita - is part of what is scary about Russell is that you don't know what he's going to say or do?
-It's a sickness almost - just a big black cloud over everything (Russell loves it) He does nothing around camp (Stephanie says something into her hands - ugh! Just make her shut up already - Squeaky Frome.)
Stephanie says they do work - wake up.
Ralph says something like - they don't catch any fish but they sure can eat em.
So Russell, what do you do?
-I never stop playing this game. (Jeff points out the tattoo - Keep Hope Alive) Russell says that's all he has right now is hope.  First time I played I was in trouble, 2nd time I played, I was in trouble - and I know what they think but it never is what it seems. (Julie has a big ole smirk on her face now - Arghh! Don't do it!) (She gives Russell the little nod, sigh.)

Time to Vote:
Sarita votes Stephanie - you are so misguided and so rude.
Russell votes Ralph - this is my game sucker (I knew it was a revenge vote for standing up to him - he is such a little man.)

Jeff reads the votes:
Russell - 1
Ralph - 1
Stephanie - 1
Russell - 2, 3
Stephanie - 2
Ralph - 2, 3
Final vote is - Stephanie - there is a 3 way tie!  (Oh, Julie, I'm sorry I ever doubted you.)

So now, Ralph, Russell and Stephanie will not vote and the rest will vote again and they can only vote for one of those 3.

Second go around:  
Ralph -1
Russell - 1, 2, 3, 4  - and Russell is the 3rd person voted out of Survivor Redemption Island!  (I shouldn't be so happy since I got him in the pool - but it was worth $10 to see him get kicked out of his tribe first for a change.)
He says he'll be back.
Ralph says he'll be ready.
Stephanie whispers to Julie "Storm's a comin'"  - (Whatever, little girl, Julie could snap you like a twig, and I hope she does.)

Next week: Phillip Crazy-pants is wearing out his welcome - and it's time for Russell to put up or shut up battling Matt at Redemption island.

Russell's final rant - first time he's ever been voted out, he didn't like it at all - he wanted to b*tch-slap everyone of 'em.
He wakes up Matt in the shelter and says they told him the girl would be here - really?
Right now this is his house but I'm about to take it from him.
(It really will be good vs evil in the next duel.)

I am so happy with this vote - it keeps hope alive in this show for me ;)

Have a great rest of the week everyone,

Coleen