The Amazing Race 25 - Oct 17/14 Episode Recap

Thinly Sliced Anchovies

Last week we lost the Firefighters when Scott badly twisted his ankle,  and made the mistake of asking for directions at a bar instead of the museum.

This episode the teams woke up in tents... yes, they made them camp out on the Shetland Islands after the last leg, some teams embraced it - and some teams, not so much... anyway, McFakerson Dentists are the first team to head out at 10:36am, a little over an hour ahead of the next team.  They read the clue to head to Copenhagen, Denmark.  First they must take a 13 hour ferry ride to Aberdeen, Scotland then fly from there - once in Denmark they'll find their next clue on the marked Ford Seemus?... Oh, C-Max Energi, I think... got to get the product placement right :)

-When Jim & Misti get to the ferry terminal they find out the ferry doesn't leave until 5:30pm - which means everyone will be on the ferry but they ask about a travel agency to book their flight to Denmark... and the Shetland Islands doesn't have a travel agency - so they head to the library to do their own research of flights.
-The Dentists book themselves tickets that will get them into Copenhagen at 1600 (4pm). Jim is confident no one will get a better flight than that.

-Next teams, Soul surfers and Survivors, when finding out there is no travel agent, decide they will have to go to a travel agency in Aberdeen when the ferry gets in.  Everyone else arrives and the ferry leaves.
-We find out from the Wrestlers that the travel agency doesn't open until 9am and the ferry docks at 7am - so their plan is to head to the airport and get tickets there, hoping everyone else heads to the travel agency.

-Aberdeen, Scotland - the Cyclists are the first off the ferry and they head to the airport, along with the Tim & Te Jay and the Wrestlers.  The Cyclists get a flight that gets them into Copenhagen at 2pm (oh the Dentists are going to be mad!)

-Whitney & Keith, Shelley & Nici, Scientists and Surfers are waiting outside the travel agency.

-At the airport, Tim & Te Jay get a flight getting in at 5:15pm and the Wrestlers get in at 5:10pm ... (and I gotta ask, how many flights do they have going to Denmark today?)  Tim is not happy the Cyclists got such an early flight.

-At the Travel Agency, Shelley & Nici get 5:20pm flight and the rest of the travel agency teams get a flight arriving at 5:10pm.  (So, crazy they are on so many different flights.)
-And then Tim & Te Jay's flight was delayed 20 mins and Shelley & Nici's flight was delayed about an hour (huh, all the flight attendants had bad flight luck, go figure.)

Copenhagen - Cyclists Kym & Alli are the first team to arrive - Phil tells us they must drive their Ford C-Max Hybrid from Copenhagen to Malmo, Sweden - if they successfully drive the car efficiently, using less than 1/10th of a gallon of gas, they will get their next clue.  If not, they will have to correctly answer a geography question to get the next clue.
-As Cyclists, they try to be environmentally friendly so they are stoked for this task - and they complete it successfully.  The next clue is for the DETOUR: Parking Space or Wedding Cake.
Parking Space - they have to repurpose a parking space as a Parklet setting, so they choose either a garden theme or a living room theme and have to recreate the set up in the picture they are given EXACTLY in less than 30 minutes.  If they don't get it exact and the time runs out - they will have to break it down and start again in an adjacent parking spot.
Wedding Cake - teams have to complete a traditional Danish wedding cake (which is a tall cone shaped tower of round hard donut-ish cakes... it doesn't look too appetizing by my standards) then they have to transport it by a crazy bicycle that has a flat deck area in front - one person will hold the cake on the flat deck and the other will pedal behind on the bike part... (that looks hard) - once they deliver the cake in one piece to the restaurant, the maitre'd will sign the receipt and they have to go back to the bakery to get their next clue.
The Cyclists feel like they have to do the bicycle challenge and choose Wedding Cake.... but first they have to drive back to Copenhagen.

Meanwhile, the Dentists have now landed and are trying to efficiently drive their way to Sweden.

-The Cyclists get to the bakery and take a gander at the bikes - those are crazy looking - luckily they have good balance.  First they have to finish the cake though, which is like Jenga with sweets.

-The Dentists get to Sweden and Jim wasn't able to relax and drive efficiently enough (no surprise there) so they run to the square and read that they have to name the capitals of the Scandinavian countries... they have to find a local to help them.

-Next flight arrives with the Surfers, Scientists, Wrestlers, and Survivors - they're going to have trouble being efficient because they're going to want to race each other... Keith is being slow and steady guy.
-Tim & Te Jay land and are super excited to be driving to Sweden.

-Misti & Jim have found a local to help them name the capitals and upon reading the Detour clue have chosen Parking Space (which I found odd because he was Mr. Doing the physical challenges...)

-Back at the bakery - the Cyclists prove resourceful by grabbing one of the icing piping bags as they leave with the cake... for repairs.
They head out to the bike and run across the street to ask for directions to the restaurant - then Kym is going to drive the bike because she's had a little exposure to cargo bikes in the past... and the cake falls apart immediately.  Instead of fixing it, they decide to take the top off and transport it in two pieces, then they'll put it back together later (so smart.)  Off they go and it's a swervy mess, plus there is lots of bike traffic in the bike lane, so they have to watch for that too.

-In Sweden, the Wrestlers have gone over the 1/10th gallon and have to answer the question.
-Keith & Whitney arrive and he's driven like a green rock star - they get the clue and are choosing Wedding Cake, of course, cause they're getting married. 
-The Surfers also failed to drive efficiently so they have to go answer the question too.
-The Wresters work with the Surfers and ask locals to name the capitals - then both teams choose the Wedding cake race.
-The Scientists also show up and failed but answered the capitals quickly and chose Parking Space.

-Shelley & Nici finally arrive in Copenhagen but they couldn't find the cars.  Nici is having a bit of a meltdown, taking her frustration out on Mom and Shelley's having none of it... oh boy.

-The Cyclists arrive at the restaurant and fix the cake... but they can't find the receipt... which means they can't get it checked in... eek! (And OMG, the chick at the restaurant has the weirdly darkest tan and super blond hair - that doesn't look good at all - but I bet the Dentists would feel they'd found one of their own.)
-The girls run back outside and luckily find the receipt sitting right there in the gutter - they get back to the bakery and along with the clue beg some baked goods to eat - which the baker gives them (yum, those danish looked good.)
-Oh yeah, then they open the clue which tells them to drive to the Ida Davidsen Restaurant to find their next clue.

-McFakerson's get to the Parking Spot challenge and choose the garden themed scene to recreate - as usual they are convinced they are going to blow everybody away with their attention to detail... (and there are a couple hippy dudes playing music for them... one guy had this huge, long red wig - what was the deal with that wig?)

-The Wrestlers, Surfers and Survivors all get to the Wedding Cake challenge and Robbie wants to eat some of the cakes - Baker tells him he's not allowed. 

- The Dentists are still working on their parking spot when the Scientists arrive (much to Jim's dismay).

-Tim & Te Jay did not drive efficiently enough but they knew the capitals and got the clue quickly.  They decide to do the Parking Space.
-Shelley & Nici are still really ticked off at each other but Mom drove well and they get the clue right away - and choose Parking Space.

Ida Davidsen Restaurant - ROADBLOCK: Who has a memory for faces?
-One person must become a server and take an order from a table for 4 of the 280 sandwiches on the menu - then they have to memorize the ingredients for the four sandwiches which are ordered by number and give the correct order to the chef - once they can place the order correctly and serve the customers, they'll get the next clue (oh man, this one is impossible.)
-Kym is going to do this one, she was once a horrible waitress who got fired and became a bike messenger - so I guess she has some experience?  She can't even remember the numbers of the sandwiches... oy, this is going to take her a while.

-Wedding Cakes - Keith takes the bike into the road instead of the bike lane, their cake falls apart and they have to go back in the bakery and put it back together.
-Robbie is trying to get the bike going but not having much luck and the Surfers have Adam holding the cake while Bethany tries to drive the bike with one arm - she realizes very quickly that she won't be able to control that bike with only one arm and they switch Detours.  Once Robbie has a feel for the bike, Brooke gets on the deck and is holding the cake steady just with her arms.

-Back at the restaurant - Kym is still having trouble with the memorizing.

-Keith & Whitney have repaired their cake, get back on the bike and it falls apart immediately again - Okay, Switch.

-Parking Space - Jim & Misti ask for a check of their set up and it's not right - there is a plant pot with a flower painted on both sides - one side has 7 petals and the other has 8 petals.  They have to have the 8 petals showing and they have the wrong side out.  They still have a couple minutes to fix it but they don't see the problem and time runs out.  They have to start over in another spot.
-The Scientists, however, did the living room scene and there was no tricky bit - they get the clue.

-Tim & Te Jay and Mom & Daughter are still driving back to Copenhagen - Nici wants to do the Wedding Cake but Mom already chose and they are doing the Parking Spot.

-Ida's restaurant - Kym has finally put in her order correctly and they get the clue to the Pit Stop - The VM Houses.  She tries to get a sandwich on their way out but no luck.

-Wedding cakes - Brooke is true to form, complaining about her arms and back - making faces... but good on her, she's kept that cake in one piece - I bet her back and arms are sore.  They are the only other team to complete the wedding cake task and Robbie wants to eat some of the cake still - No!

-Parking Space - the switching teams arrive, the Surfers and Survivors are excited to see the Dentists are still there.  They still have the flower pot backwards.
-Adam & Bethany get their parking spot checked they have the same problem - the flower pot is backwards.
-Whitney & Keith did the living room scene as did the Scientists and they get a pass as well.
-Jim & Misti are feeling some Amazing Race karma, they show him saying how he wanted to be the most dominant team in TAR history - but they still can't figure out what they have wrong and he feels that Save slipping through their fingers...  After failing to pass the task for the 2nd time, the Dentists decide to switch detours.
-Leaving Bethany & Adam there trying to figure out that darn flower pot.

Ida Davidsen restaurant - The Scientists and the Wrestlers both get there and Maya & Robbie are being the servers.  (I gotta say, some of those sandwiches did not sound appetizing - raw egg yolk, horseradish, anchovies - ew.)

-Tim & Te Jay have just arrived at the Parking Space task and are excited to see the Surfers still there.  T & T decided to do the garden scene too (oh, this one's harder).
-Shelley & Nici show up too and now Nici's happy they chose that one because there are other teams there - Mom & Daughter are doing the living room.

-Wedding Cake - Jim said the cake wasn't that detailed, if they had done that one first, their day would have been much different (whatever doofus).

-Keith & Whitney get to Ida Davidsen's and she's doing the Roadblock, but her memory suuuuucks, she says.
-Robbie is bringing a lot of personality to his sandwich delivery, but he's still wrong.
-Maya goes to start her order, but then just walks away (ha! This one is really hard.)

-Jim & Misti get the cake together quickly and he's grousing that this was way easier... until they get on the bike and he has a few bobbles and things start falling off the cake.

-Maya gets her order right finally and the Scientists get the clue to the Pit Stop.
-Robbie also gets the order correct and Whitney finishes right after him.  They all head for the Pit Stop.

Parking Space - Adam finally sees the flower pot and they take off for Ida Davidsen.  Tim & Te Jay also notice their pot was backwards and they take off for the restaurant. Leaving Shelley & Nici still working on their living room scape.

-The Dentists get to the restaurant and the super tan Maitre'd, while being one of their tribe, cannot accept their cake... what's wrong with it? They dropped one little flag off the cake along the way and they have to go back to get it.  Jim, "I could just shoot myself in the face right now." (How the mighty have fallen... I'd feel bad for them if he wasn't such a goof.)

-Shelley & Nici are still sniping at each other as they try to set up the living room - Mom's trying to be patient but daughter is acting like a pouting teen.

-Tim & Te Jay and the Surfers get to the restaurant and Te Jay is a server so he's hoping to knock this out quickly - Adam is going to do it for them.

-The Dentists get their cake corrected and delivered.
-Mom & Daughter get their parking spot inspected and pass.

Ida Davidsen - Jim & Misti show up just as Te Jay completes the task and Jim has 'let' her do this one because she has a good memory. He's also very happy to hear that Shelley & Nici are still behind them because they're hoping to hold on to the Save.
-Misti tries to give her order but she didn't give the sandwich numbers just the ingredients - sigh.
-Shelley & Nici show up and Nici is going to rock this.
-Adam gets his order right - meat jelly, cabbage and beet root (gross.)
-Misti - again gets it wrong but Jim is being supportive, telling her to just relax.  (I don't know, I can tell he's mad, she just pastes on the beauty pageant smile and said his support made all the difference.)
-Then Nici gets her order correct and there is much jubilation.
-Misti runs back over to try her order again and she's still wrong.  Jim is kissing the Save goodbye.

-The Surfers and Mom & Daughter are having trouble finding the Pit Stop.  Shelley is tired of being barked at by her daughter all day and refuses to drive anymore - they switch places and it's time for Mom to pout in the backseat (yeah, these two are the same.)

-Misti finally decides to read the clue again because she can't figure out what she's doing wrong... and reads that she has to state the sandwich number... Oh dear lord!  She can't believe she made such a fatal mistake.  As soon as she added the numbers she was right.

-Back in the cars Nici spots the mat but can't find parking and Shelley calmly says from the backseat, yeah there was a man at the corner... Nici,"why didn't you say something?" "Cause I'm not driving." (Seriously?  Your fit of pique is worth losing the race?) Shelley feels she is totally justified, every time Nici starts to have a meltdown, she's just going to stop... (how is that helpful?)

 Here's How They Finished:
1) Cyclists - Kym & Alli - the both won a Ford C-Max Energy Hybrid.
2) Wrestlers - Brooke & Robbie
3) Survivors - Keith & Whitney
4) Scientists - Maya & Amy - Amy has an eyebrow contest with Phil :)
5) Tim & Te Jay - The Great Dane with Phil decides it wants to "dance" with Phil, if you know what I mean.  Whoa, big boy.
6) Shelley & Nici - Shelley is blaming Nici's attitude for their troubles yet she's sabotaging them by not speaking up.  I was team Nici eventhough her freaking out all day would have been exhausting.
7) Surfers Adam & Bethany - No need for tears, you're still in the race.
8) McFakerson Dentists - Jim & Misti - the dog has fallen asleep waiting for these two - and before Phil even says a word, Jim hands over the SAVE... which Phil hands back because this was a NON-ELIMINATION leg! (Oh so lucky!)
-He says every drop of confidence he's had for the first three legs is gone - it's very humbling having challenges that do match up with our skill sets, and then we just screw them up! (I think this was a kick in the pants he needed to take him down a peg - maybe now he'll be watchable.... ah, who am I kidding, he's probably not going to change.)
She says, "We got our teeth kicking in today." And they still put in the tooth glint on her (haha.)

Next week: Marakesh, a Double U-Turn and Keith and Shelley get into it. (oh no you didn't.)

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen

Survivor Blood vs Water - Oct 15/14 Episode Recap

We're a Hot Mess

Last week things got ugly at the Immunity Challenge when John Rocker's past came back to haunt him and his alliance turned on him and voted him out with a hidden immunity idol in his pocket.

Coyopa - Night 8
-They returned from Tribal Council and Baylor is celebrating the fact that John got voted out (instead of her.)
-Alec apologized to Dale for leaving him out of the decision to blindside Rocker but they weren't sure what he would have done... Dale realizes he's got to put some more effort into his social game cause if they lose the next immunity, he's toast.

Hunahpu - Day 9
-The sleepy tribe awakes, Natalie stokes up the fire and what should she behold... but the lost flint, right there by her foot (ha!) So everyone is super bummed that they traded the fishing gear for flint and Mr Wonderful (in his own mind) Drew says he's going to ask Jeff if they can trade the flint back for the fishing gear.  Everyone else lives in reality and knows that Jeff would just laugh them right out of the arena (plus the other team took the fishing gear last week) but King Drew is going to do it anyway.  He thinks he's dragging these people along and they'd be nothing without him so he's got to 'balls up' and do what a good leader would... (what colour is the sky in this guy's world?)

REWARD CHALLENGE
Hunahpu claps when they see that John Rocker was voted out, Julie looks surprised but tells Jeff she isn't, that she created a shell to distance herself from his game and just be there with her tribe (what else is she going to say, her tribe basically bullied the other tribe into voting out her boyfriend, she's sleeping with the enemy.)
Drew takes this opportunity to ask Jeff if it might be possible to trade the brand new flint, never been struck, for a small amount of fishing gear. Everyone else on the tribe is hanging their heads in embarrassment and Jeff says he loves it, "that does sound reasonable, you'd like to make a return."  Jon, "Why do I feel like you're taunting us?" 
Jeff, "Because I am taunting you.  Put the flint away, you made the trade."  Drew still thinks it was worth the try... Coyopa just laughs at them.

Challenge - one person from each tribe will use a grappling hook to retrieve three bags of balls, then they will use a catapult to launch the balls into a series of 5 baskets.  First person to get balls in all 5 baskets wins either the comfort items or campfire food - sausage, popcorn and smores.

Ro sham bo - Missy's paper covers Wes' rock and Hunahpu chooses Jon to go up against his girlfriend (and my pool pick) Jaclyn.

Off  they go - and Jaclyn is off to an early lead with two bags to Jon's one but he catches up and gets all his balls before Jaclyn can get the third bag.
-Jon has two balls in baskets before she tries her first.  He's up three balls to her one... Jon is down to the smallest and hardest basket and Jaclyn catches up so it's neck and neck going for the final basket and JON scores for Hunahpu!  Jon & Jaclyn share a hug and confirmation that they love and miss each other. 
-She's okay with going to Exile, he knows she can take care of herself and I guess that's why he chose Drew to go with her because we all know he's useless.

-Hunahpu also chooses the comfort items, Jon says they have to get something they can share with Drew when he gets back and Kelly rolls her eyes and makes an exasperated sound (I know, right?)

Hunahpu - Day 9
-Jon was surprised at how easy it was to send Jaclyn to Exile (or that's what he's telling the tribe) he tells the camera he does have mixed emotions about sending Drew with her because he knows she's going to be doing all the work (then why?? Ugh - boys.)
-Then someone says they can't believe they actually voted Rocker out and Julie says she was prepared for it, stuff like this happens all the time with John and she fronts to the tribe like she's almost relieved not to have to worry about him anymore - but she tells the camera it's a desperate feeling to be without him out there and she hopes she can get herself back in the game.

Exile Island
-Drew is complaining, it's hot, there's no shelter... and he ends up picking the urn with the clue (I get the feeling things tend to go Drew's way despite himself.)  He's glad that Jaclyn's good looking but he's not trying to hook up with his buddy's girl, he's there to manipulate minds and strategize (LOL!)
-He tells her there is no one physically better than Jon and him on his tribe and he's worried about all the girls trying to get them out - he tells Jaclyn he's going to throw the next immunity challenge so he can start whittling down his tribe and get himself closer to the million dollars. (Yeah, this guy is an idiot - you have to have some patience and work a long game - he's of the instant gratification generation and that's not how Survivor works.)

Hunahpu - Day 9
-The youngin's are enjoying the comfort items which leaves Keith some time to go and look for the hidden immunity idol.  He pokes around for 1/2 hour or so and "can't find nothin'" so he assumes that Jeremy must have already found the idol - he then shares that information with the rest of the tribe while Jeremy is off in the water. (Uh, I don't remember Jeremy finding an idol.)

-Reed immediately tells Jeremy that Keith just told them all that he has an idol... Jeremy can't believe it, he thought Keith was with him, especially with them both being firefighters... but Keith flips it immediately, he's got them all believing that Keith must have found the idol and is just trying to throw them off.  Jeremy just wants Keith gone now, he's a rat.

-Keith decides to go poke around a little more and he actually does find the idol.  So, he's going to keep his mouth shut, if everyone thinks Jeremy has the idol that's good for him.  (But Jeremy has the cult of personality thing going, he has the rest of the tribe turned against Keith with his righteous indignation.)

Coyopa - Day 10
Alec and Baylor get tree mail and they fight over who gets to read the clue, just like little children.  Alec wants to read the clue which he does a little haltingly, when Josh wants to hear it again Baylor snatches it out of his hands a second time and re-reads it (so childish and also... it's so on!) Yeah, he makes her go clean the pot before she makes rice, telling her he's not going to let her half-ass it and totally putting her nose out of joint... (hello, social game here too you guys. Oy.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
The Exilees return and Drew says to the camera, "will I throw the challenge today? That is the question."  Some of them may hate him for it but he's got to get things done. (Seems like Drew & Alec's parents did a number on these two.)

Challenge - on Jeff's go, one person from each tribe will dive into the water, swim out to a platform, run up the incline and dive in to retrieve a ring then bring it back - once they collect all 4 rings the two remaining tribe members will have to throw the rings and try to land them on a post.  First tribe to land all four rings wins Immunity.

Hunahpu has to sit three people: Kelly, Jon and Jeremy.

Off they go - Baylor and Missy are neck and neck but Baylor makes it back a little quicker.
Jaclyn and Reed are next out and Reed catches up and passes Jaclyn on the way back.
Natalie and Alec go next and Alec makes up a lot of time on Natalie, getting the lead back.
Keith and Wes are the last two in the water and Wes has quite a lead on dad... getting Coyopa ahead when they start throwing the rings.
Dale and Josh are throwing for Coyopa.
Drew and Julie will be throwing for Hunahpu and Drew is obviously trying to throw the challenge... what is that? He actually won't let Julie throw and is not a good actor.
Coyopa is up two rings when Drew I think accidentally gets one on - he keeps trying to just throw all the rings but they can only do one at a time and if it misses have to retrieve it and try again... Jeff even says, "Drew is single-handedly losing this challenge for Hunahpu."
And he does, Coyopa finally wins Immunity!  (And he's going to be stupid enough to tell them he threw the challenge isn't he?  Because he has to take credit for everything, always.)

-Drew tells the camera he threw the challenge today because he has to get some of the snakes on his tribe off.  If he doesn't want to win, they are not going to win, "that's what make me the kingpin of my tribe." (Oh, sweet jebus! Survivor Karma save us from this blowhard.)

Hunahpu - Day 10
-They return defeated from Immunity and Drew keeps his mouth shut about throwing the challenge (huh) he actually apologizes... but tells the camera he's the badass manipulating this game (sigh.)
-Next we see Jon talking to Reed, Missy and then Keith joins them and he says he's worried that individuals are going to outnumber the couples going to the merge so they have to start taking the individuals out - Julie is the easy vote.
-Drew then joins them and when Jon starts to explain his choice Drew shoots it down immediately - "there is no reason to vote Julie off right now.  The most dangerous player out there is... Kelley." (WHAT? This guy is such a tool!  She's smarter than him, she's pretty and she doesn't like him so she must go.) Jon is still trying to plead his case and Drew won't even listen - he does have a good point that she is a fan of the show, she's observant and Julie is not going to beat any of them to the money... but still his manner is just obnoxious.
-Jeremy then makes his pitch, Keith tried to throw Jeremy under the bus by telling everyone he has the idol and he wants the guy who doesn't have his back out.  Drew tells him he's missing the mastermind and it's Kelley.  (You guys, save your breath - tell Drew what he wants to hear then vote him out.) Jeremy tells Jon to get his boy, he's so pissed off at him.
-Natalie was in on some of this conversation and heard Drew's worry that the girls are going to take the guys out - she points out that there are less girls than guys for one thing, but he's so fixated on Kelley and his master plan that he's stepping on everyone's toes.
-Natalie then goes and tells the girls about what Drew said, and that all the guys are not united.  Natalie wants to take Drew out but they have to strike now while the guys are all over the place (Go talk to Jeremy!)

-Next we see Drew talking to Jon and Reed with Kelley standing right behind them - (he's not that stupid, surely... oh but he is.) He tells them they take Kelley out and "these b*tches won't be able to f*ck us, trust me guys." (Seriously, I wanted to punch him through the TV.)
-Kelley was just like "What the hell?" She has Drew's number, he gets so focused on being king and making his decrees, it's so annoying and his welcome is wearing pretty thin with the tribe.

-Natalie does go to Jeremy and says the girls want to vote Drew... which then scares Jeremy because Drew's prediction is coming true (self-fulfilling prophesy if you ask me.)

-Then we see Drew as he announces to Missy that it's Kelley tonight whether she likes it or not, he doesn't even trust the girls to vote... Jon cuts him off and tells him to stop being a jackass and Drew says he doesn't care (I'm predicting the "ladies man" may have some troubles with the ladies after this episode airs).

-Jeremy is sitting back and watching all this - he knows the guys are all over the place - Drew's demanding they vote Kelley out, Jon wants to go after Julie and Jeremy wants to vote Keith.  He says maybe they should take Drew out, he's basically digging his own grave, but Jeremy's just not sure it's the right time. (Oh yes, it is totally the right time - make the jackass who threw the challenge to get rid of the snakes on the tribe, take himself out - that would be SWEET!)

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Jeff asks Julie about relationships. Who's getting along?
-She says Jon and Drew, they run around like they are 5 yr-olds - it's cute.
-Missy says they have a whole lot of chiefs and not enough indians. There are some selfish and self-less people around camp.  She says half the tribe is selfish.
-Drew said everyone's been playing nice until they lost today and then he felt it, like wow, now we have to play this game.
Jeff calls him out on his performance at the challenge, for being beaten by grand-dad Dale.
-Drew tries to deflect, "could we have had better swimmers? Could we have better retrievers? I did the best I could and you win some, you lose some Jeff." (Really?)
-Jon said when they got back to camp everyone started scrambling. Emotions got high and it was really confusing.
-Jeremy was asked what 'emotions got high' meant and he decides to just lay it out there... says that Keith got back to camp and tells everyone that Jeremy has an idol - he could have come to me.
-Keith says it doesn't work that way in Survivor.
-We were aligned, we could have kept it between us.
-Keith doesn't seem to think that was a viable option and Jeremy can't believe this guy doesn't understand that he betrayed their alliance.... And I missed a bunch of what was said because Keith had some Great Big BUG crawling on his shoulder!! OMG! WHAT IS THAT??? Oh, finally he shoos it off.  I think Keith is confused that any of them see his actions as betrayal, he just thinks that's how you play Survivor.
Jeff asks Drew what they need to do tonight at the vote.
And he lays it out there - he heard Keith's name, he heard Julie's name (which is news to her) and he just wants to strengthen the team by getting any negative energy out so they can roll forward.
-Kelly agrees they need to get the bad energy out but who is the bad seed in this bunch? Maybe we don't agree on that.
-Natalie says she thinks this is a really critical vote.  At one point today Drew was saying the girls want to get the guys out and she was like, "Whhahhatt?"
Jeff even says, How would the girls take out the guys? There's only four of them?  (Exactly!) And everyone starts talking.
-Drew says none of the girls wanted to talk to him when he got back.
-Kelley said that's because you freaked out and didn't want to talk to me at all, then I heard my name going around, maybe you have a problem with me?
-Natalie says she thought they were all on one page but now everyone seems to just be scatterbrained, it's scary because a few stray votes can change everything.
-Jeff asks Jon what he thinks they need to do - he says he honestly doesn't know who's name he's supposed to write down tonight.
Natalie, "Oh Jeff, we are a hot mess."

Jeff, "And it's about to get a lot messier, cause it's time to vote" (finally!)
They don't show us how anyone voted... this could be interesting.

Tallying the Votes:
Anybody want to play a hidden immunity idol? Keith sits on it.

Votes:
Julie - 1
Kelley - 1
Drew - 1
Keith - 1
Julie - 2
Drew - 2, 3, 4!  Drew looks like he's going to cry and Jon is surprised!  "Good play girls."  (Drew was shocked that those b*tches were able to take out the kingpin.  Don't let the bamboo hit you in the butt on the way out.)

And with Drew leaving, that takes Andria S., Katie L. and Roxanne S. out of the pool (somehow I don't think any of you ladies will be too upset that he's gone.)

Next week: Jon vs Hunahpu, he's not happy they voted out his boy without telling him (wah!) but the bad blood won't last too long as Jeff tells them to drop their buffs at the Reward challenge. (Merge already?  Or just a shuffle?)

Drew's final thoughts: I knew all along those girls wanted me out of there, I'm obviously a physical and social threat to them.  Congrats to them for getting me out.  I wish I had been a bit more chill and kind of rolled with the girls instead of going for them right away because, um, it turned out to bite me in my butt. (How does that humble pie taste?)

Oh and I was surprised by how some of them voted:
Kelley voted Drew
Drew - Kelley
Jon - Keith (really?)
Natalie - Drew
Jeremy - Drew (good for you!)
Julie - Drew
Reed - Julie
Missy - Drew
Keith - Julie

Have a great rest of your week and Happy Birthday to Bob L. and my Big Bro Jeff  T!

Coleen

The Amazing Race 25 - Oct 10/14 Episode Recap

Get Your Sheep Together

Last week my team Isabelle & Dennis were eliminated in England and the Surfers came in first place also earning an Express Pass (and thankfully beating the McFakerson Dentists.)
Adam & Bethany are the first team to head out at 12am - they read the clue to travel by land and sea (train and ferry) to the Shetland Islands, Scotland.  Once there they must drive to the Lifeboat institute and find a guy in a puffin suit to get their next clue.  They find out the train station is just up the street.
12:16am - Dentists are heading out and Jim says leaving in 2nd place frustrates him (ugh) but the most successful people in life fail forward and they are not going home today no matter what happens (his eyes are all bugged out, this guy is really a piece of work.)  They jump in a cab and Adam & Bethany tell them the train station is within walking distance so they decide to stick together and head on over.
12:22am - Kym & Alli
12:38am - Keith & Whitney  - they are all running for the train station.

-When the first teams arrive at the station they find out the first train doesn't leave until after 6am... so they will all be on the same train.

1:56am - the firefighters go running by and we hear Scott cry out in pain... "I took a huge dixie." (I've never heard that expression) but he rolled his ankle really badly.  He thought he broke it but he got up and kept go, if at a slower hobbling pace.

When the Cyclists, Kym and Alli found out they had to wait 6 hours for the train they decided to check out Oxford, they say the rest of the teams are square, just camping out at the train station.  These two go skipping through the streets then find a pub to dance their little hearts out... outside in the street.  (Maybe you might want to conserve some of that energy for the race?? Of course if you have the time why not have some fun... I'm torn if this was reckless or cool.  Sometimes it seems these two are trying too hard to be bad-ass.)

6:38am - they are all on the train - for 8 hours - and we see some
beautiful scenery.

Aberdeen, Scotland - they get off the train and run for the cars... well, everyone but the Firefighters are running cause Scott's ankle is hooped.  They all get into the cars and realize they have to drive on the wrong side of the car and road.  But everyone gets on the same ferry without incident.
-Then Scott reveals the black bruise on his ankle to everyone... it looks awful.  He ices and elevates it on the ferry ride but "it still looks like a football."  He says Mike is like a brother to him, he literally trusts him with his life and with Scott's injury Mike may have to step up a bit more but they are still going to make it work. (I don't know, I think they're toast.)

Shetland Islands - Firefighters and Scientists are the first two teams to find the puffin and they get the clue to drive to Scalloway Castle and search the castle for the next clue.  Dentists and Survivors are the next teams to get the clue and they all take off for the Castle.
Firefighters get stuck behind a native island driver who was in no hurry to get anywhere... (yeah, that would have driven me nuts).
-Whitney & Keith say this is their three year anniversary leg, it was three years ago that they met on Survivor.
Keith & Whitney are the first team to the castle - they find a skeleton and then they also have a big scary dude standing by the pile of bones where they clues where (creepy!) - They get the clue to the DETOUR:
Pony Up or Light My Fire.
-Pony Up - there are almost no trees on the Shetland Islands so locals use peat to fuel their fires - in this task they must cut 50 blocks of peat from the ground with a special spade, then, working with a Shetland pony they must deliver two loads of peat to the little house up the hill. (Uh oh, working with animals is often the kiss of death on the Race.)
-Light My Fire - Vikings inhabited the islands 1200 years ago - in this task they must properly build a viking torch - when it is approved and lit by the Vikings, they'll get their next clue.
All the teams are getting to the castle and choosing the tasks... except Tim & Te Jay who are horribly lost.  They finally stop and ask directions and realize they went the wrong direction ... (wait, Tim doesn't know what a quarry is - how is that possible?)

-The Dentists are going to do Pony Up and Jim is confident this is where they will make up time - from watching the show he's sure that if you can do the physical challenges efficiently, they are usually quicker and he has such supreme confidence in his physical abilities, this will be a breeze. (My  Mom called him a blowhard - exactly!)  Misti is just worried about the pony, she'd dealt with a Shetland before and it was "sassy!"

-Keith is worried about exactly that and they decide to build the torch.  First they have to find the store to collect the supplies, then find the shed where they will be building the torches.
-Firefighters and Cyclists also show up to build torches.

-Tim & Te Jay have finally found the castle - they are the last team and decide to build the torch.

-Pony Up - Mom & Daughter, Shelley & Nici are trying to cut peat - Soul Surfers show up and Bethany is hoping this is do-able.  Adam is cutting the peat and she sizes up the situation and starts placing the blocks he cuts, picking them up with her one arm - she is totally amazing, you never hear a word of complaint, she never says 'I can't'... some of these other teams could learn a thing or two from her.
-Dentist Jim is bragging that his 29th cut is just as easy as the first - he got into competitive weightlifting in college so pushing his body past the pain is nothing new to him (and maybe that explains the horrible fake tan?)
-Scientists Maya & Amy are having real trouble cutting the peat, neither one of them are able to push the spade through the peat... (well, keep trying or switch tasks.)  Finally they figured out the angle they needed to use and it was much easier - they used physics... way to go scientists!

-Wrestlers wanted to do Pony Up but ended up finding the torch building challenge instead and right away Brooke is complaining - "Oh man, this is going to be hard." (She has the worst attitude - if you start out thinking it's going to be hard, it's going to be hard, sheesh. She needs to spend more time with Bethany.)

Torch building - there are three very tough steps and after each step they had to get it approved before they could move on.  The demonstater was going really fast and they are all having trouble catching what exactly they needed to do.
Step 1 - roll the burlap really tightly around the stick and nail it in place.  Keith & Whitney fail.

Pony Up - the Dentists have finished cutting the peat and they fill two saddle bags on their pony who runs right up the hill - Jim & Misti said the run up the hill was even more challenging than cutting the peat.

Torches - Brooke is still complaining, "I'm so over this." (Ugh, I'm so over her.)
-Keith & Whitney are frustrated and fighting - and all the teams start passing Step 1 - except the negative-nelly wrestlers - whine, whine, we can't learn fast enough - I knew this would be hard... (She is driving me crazy.)

Pony Up - Shelley & Nici and Adam & Bethany have cut their 50 peat bricks and start up the hill.  Jim & Misti have loaded up their pony for their second trip up the hill and that Pony was done!  He starts pulling back on the rope, and charging Jim... it was scary.

Torches - Step 2 - was a thousand times harder - they have to wrap another burlap sack around the first one and then nail it all over so it's tufted including bending over a nail on the top.  And the wrestlers can't figure out how to bend the nail, "should we bend it first?" (Oh, these two are definitely not rocket surgeons.)
-These teams are taking so long trying to make their torches that Tim is wishing the ponies are really aggressive... (His wish is their command.)

-We come on Shelley & Nici also running from and wrestling with the pony trying to get it up the hill.  Jim & Adam are luckily able to strong arm their ponies to get them up the hill and get the clue to make their way to Berry Farm in Scalloway.
-Jim & Misti are the first team to leave and in his mind that's the way it should always be - if they get there first, there is no way another team should pass them. (So basically he's saying, "I'm so great, everyone should know how great I am.")
-Shelley & Nici also finish the Pony challenge.

Back at the torches they've mostly moved on to Step 3 which is mixing up some cement and coating the bottom of the burlap to seal it.  Wrestler Brooke is still being Debbie Downer and they're still a step behind.  Cyclists are the first team to get their torch approved and they head out to find the Vikings at the dock... but they can't find them (this is proving to be a deceptively difficult challenge, that's for sure.)

-Soul Surfers finish delivering their peat and also the Scientists finish - they had no problem with their pony, which they named "Cupcake." (Must be nice for them, I think the other teams would be happy never to see a Shetland Pony again.)

Torches - Tim & Te Jay, Whitney & Keith and the Firefighters all complete their torches and the Wrestlers are their own worst enemies - still trying to bend a nail (really?)  They do better once everyone is gone though, when they don't have the pressure of the other teams around, they can get it done.
-Tim & Te Jay are the first to find the Vikings and get their torch burned - they head for Berry Farm.

Berry Farm - McFakerson Dentists are the first to arrive and they get the clue that they have to work like dogs... sheepdogs that is - they have to corral a flock of sheep down the centre of a course and into a pen... what the...? Are they flying sheep?  I've never seen sheep jump that much, they are flying all over the place - Crazy!
Once the sheep are contained they'll get their next clue which is a piece of celtic jewelry.
-And Jim says the corralling of the sheep is "damn near impossible."  Oy, and they thought the ponies were bad.

Back at the Viking dock - everyone is burning their torches... and finally the wrestlers get approved.

It was fun watching the Dentists run around but finally they got most of the sheep in the pen just as Shelley & Nici showed up, followed closely by the Soul Surfers.  Shelley says, "This is going to be easy, and fun." (Ha, hahaha, she's in for a rude awakening.)

-The dentists finish and when handed the piece of jewelry are told to "Go where this was found."  They have to figure out that the Pit Stop is St Ninian's Isle made famous after the discovery of 8th century treasure.  The Dentists go to the island museum and find out where they need to go.  Jim, "We knew we were the team to beat coming in, difference is, now everyone else knows it too." (Ugh.)

-Wrestlers finally burn their torch and are in last place.

-There is still a lot of sheep wrangling going on and no one is having much luck... but it was pretty amusing watching them chase around the sproingy sheep.
-The torch challenge teams start to show up at the sheep task and see all the pony people are still there.
-The Scientists prove to have calming abilities with the sheep as well and they are the second team to get their flock penned.
-Adam & Bethany had a sheep miracle when they were too exhausted to chase the sheep anymore and calmly walked them down the course, they just went right in the pen - huh!

-Scientists ask some local tradesmen where the piece of jewelry was found and they directly back to Scalloway Castle (NO! That's not right.)

-Whitney is bossy but polite to the sheep and they do her bidding, firmly talking to them then thanking them for getting in the pen. (Well, there you go - it seems calm and steady is the ticket here.)
-The Firefighters show up and Scott is hobbling pretty badly - this is going to be so tough for him.

-Adam & Bethany also find the museum and get the correct location of the Pit Stop.

-Tim & Te Jay have no way with sheep but they can totally sound like them - they resort to taking off clothing and tying it together to use as a barrier to guide the sheep into the pen - but they just hop right over it... D'oh!

 -Wrestlers show up to the sheep challenge and appear useless... Brooke is screaming in frustration immediately. (Sigh.)  But they end up getting all their sheep corralled rather quickly (these two should always stick to the physical challenges.)
- Firefighters have no luck - and poor Scott can't run after the sheep.  He falls again and starts yelling that they should take the 4 hour penalty.  Mike doesn't want to do that, it's way too long.  There is a commercial break and then miraculously the firefighters sheep go into the pen, which I notice have carrots strewn all over the ground (hey!)
-That leaves Tim & Te Jay with a string of clothes and no penned sheep.

-The Scientists are still unable to figure out where the Pit Stop is - they visit a church- nope, not there.
-The Firefighters decide to ask at the local bar where the piece of jewelry was found and the patrons have no idea, maybe they mean a foundry - and the firefighters head out of town (NOOOO!)

-Tim & Te Jay finally get their sheep penned and still feel alright because they know they can beat the firefighters in a foot race.

-The firefighters get to the town the bar patrons sent them to and they ask at a jewelry store, she tells them where they should actually have gone.  Mike, "Bad directions are worse than no directions." (Maybe next time try the museum instead of the bar.)

-Tim & Te Jay find the museum and find out where the piece of jewelry was found.  They worked too hard to be there, to go out on sheep would be devastating. (I can't help but think going out on anything would be devastating, don't blame the poor little sheep. Heh heh.)

 Here's How They Finished:
1) Jim & Misti (McFakerson/Dentists) - they won a trip for two to Dubai.  Jim wants to establish themselves as the most dominant team ever on the Amazing Race (which makes me root for their demise... is that bad?)
2) Adam & Bethany (SoulSurfers)- she wants to go swimming but according to the Puffin standing with Phil, it's a little chilly. (So they may not be the smartest team, but I still think she's amazing.)
3) Keith & Whitney (Survivors) - they don't care if people think their manner with each other is harsh - "it works for us and that's all that matters."
4) Shelly & Nici (Mom & Daughter)
5) Amy & Maya (Scientists)
6) Robbie & Brooke - (Wrestlers) they overtook the Cyclists in a foot race to the mat.
7) Kym & Alli (Cyclists)
8) Tim & Te Jay - somehow they did some overtaking and are still in the Race - then they had the most awkward almost hi-5, almost hug I've ever seen (are you sure you're a couple?)
9) Michael & Scott - Firefighters are ELIMINATED from the Race.
They had a great time but a broken paw, sheep and asking directions at the bar instead of the museum were their undoing.
And with the Firefighters leaving, that takes Bryon L, Robert & Cindi, Drew C., Sharon R. and Pat T. out of the pool.

Next week: they head to Copenhagen where the cyclists are right at home on bikes and other teams fall apart - with Nici walking away from Mom on the mat... WHHATT? is that all about?

Hope everyone had a great turkey day! 

Coleen

Survivor Blood vs Water - Oct 8/14 Episode Recap

Actions vs Accusations

Last week John Rocker and Jeremy were at Exile Island when they made a pact to protect each other's women (it pained me to write that but that is the caveman mentality at play here.)  Anyway, Rocker is a big idiot and while he was trying to keep his word, he didn't realize that Val was lying about having an idol AND he may Josh suspicious enough that he switched his vote from Baylor to Val and Val went home - thus not protecting Jeremy's woman through even one vote... you can bet there will be repercussions.

Coyopa - Night 6
-They returned from Tribal Council and Baylor has been given a big wake up call that she is not safe and she should not be so trusting of Josh.
-Rocker knows that Jeremy is going to be pretty pissed but he still believes that Val had an idol and just didn't play it... and he also knows if his guy alliance finds out he was trying to protect Val they'd probably be pretty pissed at him.
-Rocker and Josh go for water and Josh admits he flipped his vote because he realized (the way Rocker wanted him to vote) Baylor would have been out.  He blows some smoke, neither is trusting the other but at this point they are going to stick with the 5 guy alliance.
Which means my girl Jaclyn and Baylor's days are likely numbered on that tribe.

Hunahpu - Day 7
Former model Drew declares that they need to shore up their roof before the rains come so everyone gets motivated, starts weaving fronds... and Drew decides he's going to take a nap. 
Keith says if his son was acting lazy and entitled like Drew, he'd get a wuppin'. 
Literally, Drew is snoring right in the middle of everyone working, so Natalie (I kind of love her for this) wakes him up, which he gets mad at, and she calls him on it. "Sorry I'm working in your sleeping space." She straight out asks him what he's done today while everyone else was working and he's like, yeah whatever... and still does nothing!

Natalie tells Jeremy she's not used to dealing with people that are that self centered and she has very low tolerance for it.  He says it's a good thing for this game though, because you know Drew isn't winning the million dollars.  And Jeremy tells the camera he had planned to take Drew farther in this game (as his goat) but now he's not going to be able to... yeah, he's pissing everyone off. (And when did Jeremy start running things?  We'll see how long he can keep that up.)

REWARD CHALLENGE
(Oh, what's Jeremy going to do??) Oh yeah, he's mad!  He just shakes his head at Rocker who looks shame faced but can't really say anything.
-Jeremy tells the girls of the other tribe that the guys are taking over and they have to turn it on them (but looking at the numbers, that's not likely to happen: Coyopa now has 5 guys and 2 girls.  Men always want the girls out because they are generally physically weaker but also mentally stronger... yeah, I said it.)
-Then Rocker pipes up and says he wants to apologize to Jeremy because he gave his word he'd take care of his wife and he tried to sway his alliance but in the end he had to go with them.
-All the guys in his alliance are like, "What?" Josh can't believe Rocker admitted to working with Val right there in front of everyone. (I'm starting to feel like this game is mentally out of John Rocker's league.)

The challenge - they have to race across a wobbly beam, and use a paddle to pick up and transport squares from one side of the beam to the other.  If they drop a square they have to start over - first person to successfully stack 6 squares on the other end of the beam wins Reward of: Comfort - tarp, blankets, mattress OR they can choose the prize from last week - all the fishing gear.

Ro-sham-bo - Julie vs Jaclyn - Jaclyn's rock beats Julie's scissors and Coyopa chooses Wes to battle his dad Keith in the challenge (cause Wes said his dad couldn't do this... eek.)

Off they go... and they actually seem pretty even - Wes may have spoken too soon.  Keith was in the lead but Wes was able to overtake him when a gust of wind knocked a tile off Keith's paddle and he had to start over... WES was able to secure the first win for Coyopa!
Keith and Wes have a good ol' cry - and you can tell it's painful for both of them... this is probably a great thing getting the father & son in touch with their feels.

-Wes decides to send Josh to Exile with his dad saying he thinks they'll get along.  I'm wondering if he doesn't just want to get Josh out of camp for a couple days (does anyone else realize he's a bit of a schemer?)

-And Coyopa chose the fishing gear as their prize.

-As they were leaving Rocker again tried to reach out to Jeremy whispering that he did all he could do... Jeremy is just stone faced to Rocker... but Jeremy tells the camera if he did everything he could, Val would still be there - Jeremy is out to get Rocker now.

Hunahpu - Day 7
-They get back to camp and Julie runs off crying right away.
-Jeremy uses that opportunity to inform everyone of who John Rocker is, that he was a pitcher for the Atlanta Braves who said a bunch of racist and homophobic things ... and obviously he's running everything over there (Oh, no he isn't.)
-Jon: So he's a bigot. (Ooh, this is going to get ugly, isn't it.)
-Natalie is all up in arms - what does Julie have to cry about, her loved one's still here.  He wouldn't even care if she was voted out... the other tribe needs to grow a pair and stop letting him run things. (Wow, Jeremy stirred that up so fast - it's kind of scary.)
-3 time divorcee Missy is keeping her own council and she goes to find Julie who is still off crying.  Julie can't believe John put this target on her back, if her tribe believes what Jeremy is saying, how can she survive that.  Missy tells her she needs to play her own game... (I don't know if she has it in her to denounce him, or if she should. It's like, how far would you go for just the chance at a million dollars?)

Exile Island - Day 7
- Keith and Josh get to the urn choosing and Keith asks if they're going to share... Josh looks like he's not up for that but then chooses the blank scroll - Keith shares the clue with him but they know that Jeremy and John Rocker could already have the hidden immunity idols. (And they are smart enough to know there is probably only one at each camp.)
-Keith and Josh are night and day but they are getting along - eating snails and hanging like good ol boys... though Keith makes sure we know there will be no spooning tonight.

Coyopa - Night 7
-John Rocker has caught fish for the tribe, and it might just be because they are eating, but no one seems too upset with him.  He's hoping they do appreciate him providing for the tribe... (I can't help but feel, it's wait until Josh gets home.)
-Later that night, Baylor is talking to the younger guys, Wes and Alec, and trying to turn them to align with her and Jaclyn.  Telling them the older guys don't care about them, once the girls are gone the young guys are next... think about it.   She is pushing to get John Rocker voted out for his negativity... they still think he's a good guy and Alec tells us they know Baylor's desperate but they still plan on sticking with the guys and taking the girls out one by one.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
They will divide into pairs and be tethered together - on Jeff's go, one pair from each tribe with make their way through an obstacle course to retrieve their tribe's coloured ball - they will then attempt to shoot it into the basket.  First tribe to score three points wins immunity.
-One person from each tribe has to sit so they have even pairs - and they sit the old guys, Keith and Dale.
-First pairs: Jon & Natalie vs Josh & Baylor - Jon gets first point for Hunahpu.
-Next: Wes & Alec vs Missy & Julie - on the way through Alec smashes into Julie sending her into the post and Jeremy makes sure to yell that over to John Rocker (you know, I'm not a fan of Rocker but Jeremy's being a jerk and Julie's getting hurt, that's not cool.) Wes ties it up.
-Drew & Reed vs Rocker & Jaclyn - John Rocker bumped Reed in the course but nothing like Alec's hit on Julie and right away Hunahpu is saying he's a poor sport... never heard turn about is fair play?  Rocker puts them in the lead.
-Josh & Baylor again vs Jeremy & ...Dale's daughter... I can't remember her name - Kelly!  Thanks - Baylor misses and Jeremy ties it up.
-Wes & Alec vs Jon & Natalie - Wes mixes it up with Natalie in the obstacle but they both miss their first shots, try to mix it up again when retrieving their balls but Jon is a good shot and he wins Immunity for Hunahpu. (Well, at least Julie's safe for another couple days.)

-Upon winning Natalie starts yelling at Coyopa to change it up, and berates them for following a racist. 
-Rocker calls her 'mouth' and tells her to save it. 
-She calls him a bad sportsman and he says right back at you.

Coyopa has his back though, Alec and Wes start sarcastically clapping for her great show sportsmanship and she just keeps going.

Jeff asks Julie why there is such group hate for John on Hunahpu and she says obviously they know about the article.
-Jeff asks Coyopa if they know about this article and Dale says it doesn't matter, John is their tribemate and they have his back.
-Natalie just keeps yelling at them to band together and vote him out and John finally can't stand her voice anymore (can you blame anyone for that?) but he gets ugly, "If you were a man I'd knock your teeth out."

And all the air gets sucked out of the room... until Natalie starts screeching again - go ahead, knock me out! (I kinda wish someone would.)
-Alec wonders why they are still standing around for this ... (because Jeff hasn't dismissed you, this is good TV...) and then John makes it worse again by saying "yeah, let's fight."  (Oh-oy... he's his own worst enemy.)
-Josh tells the camera it is scary that John loses his patience and loses his temper - he is playing haphazardly and he is doing things that could damage the tribe... that's a problem.
(Rocker better have that hidden immunity idol all ready to go tonight.)

Coyopa - Day 8
-Baylor knows that she could be going home tonight but she thinks they should vote off John Rocker - yeah Natalie is a trash talker but she was shocked by his responses, she thought they were harsh and mean and scary.

-Rocker talking to the camera says he didn't think he could escape this thing without people hearing about things he'd said in the past but Natalie called him a homophobe today when his closest ally and friend on the tribe is a gay man.  "Actions vs accusations don't really gel there."  He says he's said things in his past he regrets and he knows that the girls are probably targeting him tonight but he's come up a a pretty nifty strategy he thinks could work.  He goes and talks to the girls and says he thinks they should blindside Dale to keep the tribe strong.  Both the girls go along of course, cause what else are they going to say to him... but John isn't actually going to vote out Dale, he goes around confirming to all the guys they should take out Baylor.

-The girls say they don't want to vote out Dale, they want to vote for John (well of course you do... so get working.)

-Finally John talks to Josh and tells him he's voting for Baylor like they had decided before and "I have an idol if things go sideways." (Just nonchalantly throws that out there.)
-Josh didn't know he had an idol and the more he's getting to know John Rocker the less he wants to be an ally with him - he just seems to stand for everything he's against... (Okay, time for Josh to get working then.)

-Josh is talking to Wes in the water and leads in with how he enjoyed spending time with his dad at Exile... Wes immediately asks about hidden idols, Josh says the clue was for the other camp but John Rocker already has the one at their camp.  Wes asks if they make the big move tonight and Baylor conveniently shows up just then - Josh tells them quickly if Wes, Alec, Baylor and Josh vote for John tonight, they can take him out.  Of course she's ALL IN and I'm surprised she's not doing cartwheels... but if I were Baylor I'd make sure Jaclyn was voting John too, I wouldn't trust Josh to actually vote how he said he would either.  Actually, if Rocker plays his idol no votes for him count so she'd be going home anyway... they better make sure they keep the wool over Rocker's eyes.

-Wes goes to Alec with voting John out tonight and Alec's not sure it's such a smart thing to do.  John is a physical asset that they may still need at this point in the game.  Wes tells him that John has an idol so this may be their only chance but Alec is still unconvinced.

-Meanwhile, Rocker has gone to retrieve the idol to take to Tribal just in case - he thinks he's done a good job laying the ground work for tonight's vote but the tide could turn against him and he wants his 'get out of Jail free card' with him.

-Josh still seems to be waffling - if they vote John they are breaking the bro-code alliance - and if he doesn't go home, then it's Baylor, who was Josh's first ally out there.  It's a tough call for him and he's not sure which will way will get him farther in the game.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Jeff asks John what the fall out was back at camp after his exchange with Jeremy at the Reward Challenge.
-John says he'll just explain that he tried to help her but she bluffed so hard he wasn't able to protect her.

-Jeff asks Wes how that makes him feel hearing John was trying to save Val.
-Not good. (That surprised Rocker, he honestly didn't realize that his alliance may not take kindly to his machinations in regards to Val) - But then Wes wusses out and says "but at least it wasn't me so I guess I'm alright."

Jeff asks Alec what impact the animosity the other tribe showed them today had on this tribe.
-Alec wasn't impressed with Natalie hooting and hollering when the ball hadn't even gone down the hoop yet, but what could they do, they can't vote her out.
Rocker rumbles, "Not yet."

Jeff goes to Rocker then and says they were very specifically targeting him, saying he was the leader and "everyone should vote for you because the people you are voting out aren't helping you any."
-John says he's not the leader, several of them are carrying equal amounts of weight yet, somehow, he gets all the blame for what 5 other people do.  It doesn't make a lot of sense to him.

Jeff asks Jaclyn what she felt the impact was having that many people angry at them in a game that is ultimately about relationships.
-She thinks if they go to a merge she'd have a target on her back because [Natalie] was targeting the girls saying they were stupid and should vote John out... well there are only two of us.
Jeff - do you think another girl is going home tonight?
-I don't know, I've seen some shifting in the tribe (that got Rocker's attention... shut up!  You should have just said yes.) But she continued that she thinks the guys are waking up to the fact they can't just have all the girls gone (of course they can) and she thinks, "maybe the alliances are forming differently?" (Yeah, I'm not winning the pool with Jaclyn.)  (And you can see the confusion on Rocker's face - what does that mean?  You went to her yourself and turned on Dale, dummy.)

Wes isn't worried about what Jaclyn just said - he's confident with his alliance and knows what's going on tonight. (See, that's how you answer... and he's just put Rocker's doubts to rest as well.)
Josh says he's not worried about what Jaclyn said either, obviously a lot of people are being told a lot of different things.  No one has their story straight.

Jeff asks Baylor what she thinks needs to happen tonight.
-She says they need to get the dark cloud off of them.  They seem to be going with the flow right now and you can't go with the flow in this game.  (She's totally frustrated but also showing that too much, you can't let them see you sweat... and she is definitely sweating.)  She admits she's frustrated with the tribe, they don't seem to know what an alliance means and she thinks she could be getting votes again tonight.

Jaclyn isn't sure now what's going to happen, she thinks the guys need to grow some balls (which did not go over well with any of them) and vote one of the guys out.  She laughingly says, "Stop picking on me and Baylor." (Oh honey, have you ever watched this show?)

Finally, it's time to vote:
Rocker votes for Baylor
Baylor votes for Rocker

Tallying the votes:
Anybody want to play a hidden immunity idol?  John Rocker shifts and fidgets around... but he doesn't play the idol... (OH?)

Votes:
Baylor - 1
John - 1
Baylor - 2
John - 2... 3, 4... and it's John Rocker looking all confused and angry that has his torch snuffed.  As he's leaving he says to himself, "I had the damn idol right in my pocket too." (Ha! Those are the best blindsides.)
And with John Rocker out - Natalie M., Shane B. and Jennifer G. are alsoout of the pool.

Next week: Model Drew wants to take over Hunahpu because he thinks he's the biggest bad ass - Jeremy says he's just an ass.  Looks like there will be a lot of ego on display next week.

John Rocker's final thoughts: Things don't always work out, he thought his alliance was pretty solid but obviously some were playing both sides of the fence.  And he ended up the one thing he didn't want to be, the guy voted out with an idol in his pocket. (Yeah, you are.)

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend everybody! 

Coleen

Amazing Race 25 - Oct 3/14 Episode Recap

When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go

Last week the Race began from New York City, the Fakey McFakerson Dentists came in first because that dentist had a regular compass on his watch... oh, and I guess he could be smart too... and they won the Save.   The Mean Girl-Barbie Realtors went home when the last three teams agreed to all quit digging and take the penalty and the Boston Firefighters gave them a taste of their own medicine - their pushy karma took them out.

This week, the Dentists are the first team heading out from the US Virgin Islands at 4:21am, they get the clue to fly to London, England.  Once they arrive they must travel by taxi to the Tower Bridge to get their next clue.  Jim tells us there will be six teams on the first flight and four teams on the second so they should have a nice lead going into this leg. 
-Tim & Te Jay are the next team out at 5:40am - followed closely by the Cyclists Kym & Alli - these teams decide to share a cab (everyone is still so nice to each other... well I guess now that the Barbie girls are gone.)
-Wrestlers Brooke & Robbie right behind them at 5:44am - they are excited that they are going to be all caught up getting on this first flight.
-Soul Surfers Adam & Bethany are 5th at 5:52am - they feel like they're still in the honeymoon phase having been married just a year. She's been to England before and remembers all the pretty flowers... then she checks herself, "Wow, I just sounded so blond." (Ha! That you did.)
-6th team is Amy & Maya, the food scientists.  When Adam & Bethany got to the airport the other teams were all talking about how Bethany lost one of her shoes on the first leg (she is just wearing flip flops, that's not good for running) but Amy has the same size feet and gives her a pair of running shoes. (Looks like everyone is still in the honeymoon phase on this race :))
-The first flight has a one hour and 20 minute lead over the last four teams which are former Survivors Whitney & Keith, mother & daughter Shelley & Nici, my team, dating couple Isabelle & Dennis and the Firefighers Michael & Scott.
-Mom (is she Shelley or Nici?) tells us they have been fans of the race since season one and THEY ARE NOT THERE TO MAKE FRIENDS (Ah, I love the good ol standards) they are there to win.

London, England - First flight arrives and everyone runs to the taxis and they take off for the Tower Bridge where they have to look for the Pearly King & Queen (they look like quite the eccentric pair wearing clothes covered in pearly buttons), the pearly "queen" welcomes them to London and the older pearly "king" says something but I'll be darned if I could figure it out (pip, pip, cockney rhyming slang, cheery o!)  Tim & Te Jay are the first team to read the clue to the DETOUR: About Face or Pancake Race.
-In About Face: teams must take part in a traditional changing of the guard (oooh, I love it when they have to dress up, and they will be wearing the full-on uniform, bear hat an all.) They have to work with a drill instructor to learn the precise moves and once perfected, will get their next clue.
-In Pancake Race: they have to take part in a 500 year old tradition, the pancake race on the grounds of parliament (those wacky Brits).  They have to dress up as chefs (apron and hat) then make a perfect crepe-like pancake and then race around the grounds while flipping the pancake in their frying pan and finish the race within 1 minute and 15 seconds in order the get the next clue. If they drop the pancake or don't make it in time, they will have to start all over again. (That's a lot of steps but I still think this one sounds a bit easier than the marching.)

First two teams, Dentists and Tim & Te Jay choose the changing of the guard.
-Bethany & Adam choose Pancake Race - they have to try and gauge each challenge by her ability, the pancake thing should work with one arm, swinging a rifle, probably not.
-Cyclists choose changing of the guard - I get it, who wouldn't want to pretend to be a palace guard?

2nd flight arrives and the last 4 teams race for the Tower Bridge.

-The Wrestlers and the Scientists also choose to do the changing of the guard.

About Face - Dentists are the first team to the courtyard - they choose an instructor then head in to dress up - Misti tells us she's dressed up in a lot of strange things in pageants before (ah, she's a pageant girl, some of the fakey makes more sense now), nothing quite like this, but she does love the colour red.
-They head out and find out they have to memorize the steps and also perform them with precision, which is going to be the hardest part.
-Tim & Te Jay and the Cyclists arrive at Somerset house and head in to get on their uniforms.

Pancake Race - Adam & Bethany arrive and get suited up, literally - they have to put on a suit, plus the apron and hat... then they get a lesson on making the perfect pancake - no excuses, it's got to be a perfect pancake before they get the okay to start the race.

About Face - the wrestlers and scientists show up and see the other teams still learning the steps - apparently Tim doesn't realize when he said left, he's supposed to lead with the Left food... this could be a long day.

Pancake Race - they get the okay on the pancakes and head to the start line, find out they have to flip as they run and they only have 1min 15 secs... Bethany tells the camera that after she lost her arm she had to learn to do everything all over again and she often thinks of herself as more capable than the average person - but not in a braggy way.  (I think she is amazing, never hear complaining from her, she just does it - I'm so impressed by her.)  But I digressed, they breezed through the pancake race and got the clue to proceed to Oxford and find their next clue by a specific bridge.  (Then they run off and... yes, I love her but she really needs some kind of bra... I'm a horrible person.)

About Face - the Dentists make their first attempt at the changing of the guard and the Commander rips them - "it was completely disgusting, get out of my face"... yup, this is not easy.
Cyclists also screw up and the commander guy is my favourite - Calls them over and tells them it was "appalling. Don't smirk at me, don't even look at me! Get out of here."

2nd Flight teams are arriving at the Tower Bridge - Shelley & Nici are going to do About Face, they were both in the military so this task should be right up their alley.
Whitney & Keith, Dennis & Isabelle and the Firefighters all choose the pancake race instead.

Back at About Face: Wrestler Robbie needs to be told to use his knees while he's marching (he's a little special I think, you're not a tin soldier!)  The Scientists look like they have good form - they are just trying to focus and remember the details.
Dentists make their second attempt - The Commander says, "Get over here now!" and gives them their next clue.  Then Jim makes an obnoxious whoop and tells us that's his call to battle that let's everyone know they're getting left behind. (Ugh, Dentist McFakerson is a bit of a jerk.) They head off for the train to Oxford.
-Cyclists make their attempt, the Commander orders them over and gives them their next clue - reprimands them for whooping in his face but one of the girls still tries to hug and kiss him... Haha.

Shelley & Nic arrive at the changing of the guard which makes the teams still there nervous... they've lost their lead from the 2nd flight.  Mom & Daughter make sure to tell their instructor they had military experience which he says is great, he'll expect big things from them... but they may have spoken too soon as they collide on their first try.

Female wrestler Brooke is finding the marching task very difficult - she's having trouble learning the steps probably because she's too distracted worrying about the other teams to concentrate on what she needs to do.

Pancake Race: Whitney & Keith, The Firefighters and Isabelle & Dennis arrive and these three teams are very competitive of each other.

Bethany & Adam arrive at the train station and are all alone heading for Oxford... Adam believes they may be in the lead... and he would be correct.

Back at the Pancake Race - Whitney & Keith have their pancakes okayed and get to start the race - but Whitney is too slow and they have to start over - which ramps up their anxiety.
-Firefighter Scott says he feels like the Swedish Chef "Squirmy Nermy" while making these pancakes (ha!)  They are the only team to have their pancakes rejected - come on guys, that's the easy part.
-Isabelle & Dennis are the next to try the race with the pancake but they don't make the time either. (I'm more and more impressed with Bethany & Adam, they made this look easier than it obviously is.)

-Dentists and Cyclists both get on the train to Oxford.

About Face: Tim & Te Jay fail their attempt.
-Wrestler's are called over by the Commander: "You must swing your arm shoulder high.  If you don't do it right, next time I will rip it off and beat you about the head with the soggy end!" (Did I mention that I loved the commander guy - he's hilarious!)
-Mom/daughter make their attempt but one of them about faced by pivoting on her toe which is apparently a no-no - Commander tells her if she does it again he's going to put his something, somewhere and ride her around like a moped (I couldn't make out what he was going to do but they got the gist.)  They tell us they are super fans and have been waiting to come win the million for years - no one there care be as big of fans as they are.

But then at the Pancake Race, Dennis & Isabelle tell us they have been studying and preparing for the Amazing Race as if it were the final exam for life.  They took up archery, cross-fit, running with their backpacks.  They are giving Mom & Daughter a superfan run for their money.
-Scott is still having trouble making a pancake - come on dude!

About Face - Tim & Te Jay finally get it right and the Commander hands them the clue then orders them not to collapse on his square, "Be Gone!" And they hi-tail it out of there.
-Amy & Maya are the next team to get the clue and the Commander is unimpressed with their celebration.
-Shelley & Nici make it this time and their celebration totally demoralizes wrestler Brooke - I know, how bout you concentrate on yourself and don't worry about what the other team is doing.

Pancake race - Keith & Whitney make it this time leaving the Firefighters and Dennis & Isabelle there.  But then Scott can't run and flip the pancake either - he drops it and they have to start again... again.

OXFORD - Adam & Bethany get to the bridge and read the Route Info clue to Drop Back & Punt.  They have to take a shallow punting boat for a circuit around the Oxford Island - the punter on the back end and the other team member standing in the front waving a union jack flag.  Adam is doing the punting and these two again make this look like an easy task - Bethany says it's a cake walk compared to surfing... Oh, yeah, that makes sense - being surfers they'd have to have excellent balance on water. 
-Dentists and Cyclists show up and choose their punts.

Pancake Race - now the firefighters and Dennis & Isabelle are running with pancakes at the same time - but Scott doesn't get a pass because he didn't flip his pancake enough.  Dennis & Isabelle make it this time and he is kissing strange women, what the??

About Face - The wrestlers are still stinking up the place. Commander tells them to, "Get here NOW!" and proceeds to tell them exactly what they are doing wrong, demonstrating the turn for them ... yeah, he just wants you guys gone.

-Keith & Whitney are the next team on the train to Oxford, joined by Dennis & Isabelle, Shelley & Nici and the Scientists Maya & Amy.  So the final teams are the Firefighters and Wrestlers.
-Speaking of... the wrestlers are making another attempt but Brooke cannot get the turn right - the Commander berates her for choosing "to totally ignore my worldly, Yoda-like advice." (I want them to have this guy at every task, he's awesome.) He tells them to get out of his sight... and Brooke is "so over this."
Pancake Race - Michael is coaching Scott through the fun to flip his pancake... and he drops it again. (Scott is not all that coordinated, I hope he's a better firefighter than pancake flipper.)
But finally, both of these teams get through the Detour.

Oxford - everyone is showing up to do the punting.  Bethany & Adam are the first team to complete the lap and they get the clue to make their way to Christ Church College where they will flip their bowler to find their next clue inside (the birthplace of Winston Churchill.)
-The Dentists were backwards in their boat, he stood in the front and punted while she was in the back waving - so they have to go back and start all over.
-Looks like the cyclists are doing the same thing and they see the Dentists coming back they realize... yup, they're going to have to do it again too.
-Tim & Te Jay are just complaining that this would be so much easier with an actual oar instead of a stick.

The four teams that were on the same train arrive at the punting challenge all at the same time so there is a bit of a traffic jam on the narrow channel.  Shelly & Nici can't seem to steer the thing and say, "punting was invented by the devil to punish the English." (These two are pretty funny.)
-The Dentists collide with Whitney & Keith on their second attempt and Whitney is in the water... but that was just the first time, she falls in again later (I'm guessing she's not much of a surfer.)

Adam & Bethany get to Christ Church College and are given bowler hats and umbrellas to wear and carry.  The clue tells them to pop the umbrella for a chance to win the Express Pass (Oh, so they will still have the Express Pass as well as the Save this season.)  Inside the umbrella is a clue telling them where to go to search for the Express Pass (at a pub called the Bear Inn) or they can proceed to the Pit Stop.  With Bethany having one arm, they want to get the Express Pass in case they do come up against a challenge she cannot physically do - off they head for the pub.

Back at the punting challenge - the Dentists and Cyclists completed it correctly on their second time around and are heading for Christ Church College.
-Dennis is wondering why they don't use motors on these boats!
The last two teams arrive at the bridge and get their punt on.
-Tim & TeJay are having trouble trying to punt against the current - Dennis & Isabelle are also stuck in the current... and the firefighters punt right on by.

Adam & Bethany get the Express Pass with no problem, no other teams are even there yet and when Adam drops his bowler hat they see the clue to the Pit Stop is inside: Churchill's Birthplace which is the Blenheim Palace and the Pit Stop.

-Jim & Misti get to Christ Church College and figure the team in first place would have gone for the Express Pass already so they don't even bother - Jim tips his bowler and they are heading for Churchill's birthplace.
The Cyclists show up and tip their bowlers... but don't look inside.  They guy tips his bowler back and holds it out for a minute... Ahhh, they finally see it.

-Keith & Whitney finish the punting and she's complaining she's the only one that fell in... then they show us Isabelle falling in and daughter (is she Shelly or Nici?) oh, doesn't matter, Mom fell in too and scientist Maya also took a dip.
-Then daughter has to go to the bathroom so bad she hangs it over the side of the boat and lets 'er rip, right through her pants... much to the amusement of a boat of Oxford students which were right beside them - she definitely had to go.

-Tim & Te Jay finally made it through the punting closely followed by the Firefighters and the Scientists Amy & Maya.
-Wrestlers finish next and that leaves Mother & Daughter Shelly & Nici and Dating couple Dennis & Isabelle both still on the boats fighting the currents.  These two superfan teams are both dissolving into tears feeling their Amazing Race dreams swirling away from them.
-There are lots of tears on the final run for the finish from daughter Nici and model Isabelle (come on ladies, there is no crying in the Race!... okay, I know, but they need to suck it up right now.)  There was a lot of sniveling of "I don't want to go home."

Here's How They Finished:
1) Adam & Bethany - They won a trip for two to Sweden! and the Express Pass.
2) Dentists Jim & Misti -  they are disappointed not to be first again - they say they can't be first all the time but you know they expected to be.
3) Cyclists Kym & Alli - they are relieved to be #3
4) Keith & Whitney - she went into the water a couple times, just for fun.
5) Tim & Te Jay - the race is much harder than it looks.
6) Firefighters - Michael & Scott
7) Wrestlers - Robbie & Brooke
8) Scientists - Maya & Amy - 6,7,8 came in all together and Winston Churchill, who is standing with Phil, gives them a speech about not giving up (he was a really good impersonator.)
9) Shelley & Nici - they have wanted to do this for 14 years, they can't be eliminated over not being able to punt a boat... which did happen to...
10) Dennis & Isabelle -*** ELIMINATED *** Dennis feels bad that he let Isabelle down but they confirm that they still love each other.  She says it feels unreal, having been so prepared and to go home so early - she feels like in an alternate universe, they did win the million. (I wish I was in that alternate world too, cause this was my team so I am out of the money!) And so is: Rachel R., Nenad M., Laura W. and Ian G. 

Next week: It's a dog and pony show... they have to work with animals, there looks to be sheep involved too - and Scott rolls his ankle really badly - we'll see if he can continue.

Have a great week everyone!

Coleen

























 

Survivor Blood vs Water - October 1, 2014 Episode Recap

Method to This Madness

Last week: We found out there would be Exile Island this season which adds a new wrinkle in the Blood vs Water drama... and we were spared some Twinnie annoyance when Nadiya was the first person voted out.

Coyopa - Night 3
They get back to camp and first thing Josh pulls Baylor aside (these two have a weird thing going) and he told her that he was the one who voted for her only to throw the guy alliance off realizing he and Baylor are tight - he tells the camera he wants to stick with the guys but keep Baylor on the side (playing both sides will bite you in the end).  She kinda buys it but still thinks it was kinda sketchy for him to do that without giving her the heads up.

Hunahpu - Day 5
The young guys are playing "Look what I can do" with Reed the dancer guy lifting his leg straight up beside his head, football frat boy Jon doing squats with logs on his shoulders and, not to be out done, former model Drew - who says he can do all that, also does a few unimpressive pushups with his feet up on the sleep platform.
-Firefighter Jeremy can't believe how stupid they are being, he's older and has nothing to prove, he's already got all the girls on his side after his emotional show down with his wife on the first day.
-And then... they lost the flint.  Well, Jon lost the flint and he knows he's in the doghouse so he admits it right away - he had the flint last and he's an idiot for losing it - he hopes his genuine remorse will keep everyone from holding this blunder against him. (Well, we'll see if they have fire tonight or not.)

REWARD CHALLENGE
-The teams show up at the arena and Natalie realizes her sister is gone... and she's crying.  Jeff asks her if this is one of the first times she's truly been without her sister and she chokes out yes, and that she hasn't cried in a decade (What? Not even at sucky commercials?  Come on.) Well, she's crying now and it seems like it's because she has not been without her sister... ever. (Pull it
together!  Now you don't have to worry about her, play the game.)

The Challenge:  one person from each tribe will balance a ball on a large disc mounted on a stick. They have to keep the ball on the disc as they maneuver through a series of obstacles - ball drops, you go back to the start.  Once they finish, they must roll three balls into the targets (like Skeeball) - first person to seat all three balls wins Reward: Fishing gear.

They Rock/Paper/Scissor and Coyopa wins with John Rocker winning with paper over Reed's rock. 

John also volunteers to do the challenge which means he is head to head against his girlfriend Julie. (She looks surprised by that - did you think they were going to change it up?)

Off they go - and Julie is proving to be slower and steadier, John drops his ball a few times and has to start over again and again - she's shorter so can make it under the obstacles easier.  She is onto the balls and he's still going through the obstacles.
She lands her first ball and he's got to go back to the beginning again.  She lands her second and then third ball... JULIE wins reward and John Rocker is going to Exile Island.  She can't believe she beat him at something like this and she's crying (really?) She says, "he's just really good at everything" and he just seems mad - nevermind that he lost to his girlfriend, he lost to a GIRL. (Oh the horror! See you meathead!)
-And Julie has to choose someone from her tribe to go to Exile as well and she chooses Jeremy (a little revenge for him sending his wife there last week?)

So the exilees leave and as Jeff is sending everyone else back to camp when Reed makes a proposal to Jeff Probst - he says they have lost their flint and asks if they can keep the fishing gear but barter their beans for more flint.  Jeff is a tough negotiator, and this aint his first rodeo - he knows they waited until they knew if they won or not before making their pitch and then they offered the thing of least value - he don't need no stinkin' beans.  The only offer Jeff would entertain was for them to forgo all the fishing gear and take flint instead.  Nope, they were not willing to do that.  Jeff warns them, when it rains and their fire goes out and they can't start another one, the price for flint will be way more than just fishing gear.  The young guys are all machismo - we'll keep the fire going, I'll eat raw fish - Natalie is the voice of reason - we need fire!  So they make the deal, they give up the fishing gear and Jeff tells them they will have flint back at their camp.
-Jon knows it's his fault they won't have fish, because he lost the flint (well, you better hope you win immunity again.)

Hunahpu - Day 5
-Flint is waiting for them when they get back to camp and (unrelated) Natalie breaks down, she has a good, old-fashioned warbler.  They all rally around her, assuring her that her sister is fine and realizing their twin bond was way more powerful than most of the couples out there.  Natalie finally says she's going to use it as motivation to keep her head in the game and at least go as far as she can (That's not a winning attitude, I think Nadiya was the dominant twin, we'll see if Natalie can suck it up.)

Coyopa - Day 5
-They are talking about John Rocker, Dale wasn't sure who he was but he knows the history about the pitcher for the Braves that gave a racist interview and was run out of the league - this makes Val nervous because her African-American husband is now at Exile Island with John Rocker.
-Josh says maybe he's changed - he's willing to give him the benefit of the doubt - he tells the camera he wants the guy that pisses everyone off on his team, he's the best person to keep close to you as cannon fodder to get you to the end.

Exile Island - Day 5
-Jeremy is not happy being on Exile Island, it's dry, desolate and to top it off, he has to be there with John Rocker - yeah, he knows who he is.  Jeremy knows he said some racist things in the past but he believes people can change - though it's still going to follow you (which I took to mean he doesn't think that Rocker has changed.) 
-So they choose urns and Jeremy gets the one with the clue and he decides to share it with John Rocker, kind of casually saying, you take care of Val and I'll take care of Julie (these are their significant others on each of their tribes.)  John agrees... but Jeremy tells the camera, if Val is voted out, Julie is gone right after.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Oh, they are out on a platform in the water - John & Jeremy return from Exile Island and join their tribes.

The Challenge:
They will square off sumo style, one on one and using a padded bag try to push their opponent off the platform into the water (we've seen this one before.) First tribe to win 5 match ups, wins immunity.
Hunahpu sits Julie.
First match: Blond vs blond - Kelly vs Jaclyn: Miss Michigan, Jaclyn wins for Coyopa.
2nd: Brother vs brother - Drew vs Alec: darn, Big brother Drew wins for Hunahpu (I'm not a fan of that guy.)
3rd: Jeremy vs Wes, firefighters both: and the younger Wes takes it for Coyopa (surprisingly, wife Val was yelling the loudest celebrating Jeremy's defeat, hmm.)
4th: Natalie vs Val: Natalie did it for Nadiya - tying it up 2-2
5th: Jon the flint loser vs John Rocker: both big guys but the slightly smaller and much younger Jon wins it over Rocker - pulling Hunahpu ahead. (And Rocker has a cut on his nose, they butted heads, literally, a couple times.)
6th: Mother/daughter Missy vs Baylor: They both talk big before it starts, Baylor says something like she better not break my nose and the next thing you know Mom's drawn blood and they both drop the bags, more worried about the split lip than winning... but they reset and Baylor's crying which you can see has totally demoralized Missy, she can't cause her daughter pain - guess who wins.  We are tied again.
7th: Reed vs Josh (boyfriends squaring off): [just an aside here, model Drew is so self-centered that he doesn't even know the name of the guy on his team and shouts, Go Josh!  Jon tells him, "Reed's on our team." OMG!]  And Reed wins that one - Hunahpu up 4-3.
8th: Clash of the old guys - Keith vs Dale - fireman vs farmer - if Keith wins it's over - But it's farmer Dale that takes it and we are tied again.
Final showdown starts at the beginning again: Kelly vs Jaclyn - Dale can't watch because it's Kelly's birthday today (that's his daughter) but he has to root for Jaclyn - and Jaclyn can't pull it out again, birthday girl Kelly wins Immunity for Hunahpu and Coyopa is off to Tribal Council - again.

Val is worried, she has no alliance other than Jaclyn and she hasn't found the hidden idol yet. (We'll see if Rocker keeps his word to Jeremy.)

Coyopa - Day 6
-They return to camp and Rocker, Val and Jaclyn are at the well.  Rocker tells Val that it was a pleasure hanging out with Jeremy.  She asks him if he got the clue and he says Jeremy got the clue but he shared it with him - she acts like, of course, and asks if he found the idol.   He says no, and she said she found one there and one here... (huh?)  So she's straight up lying, trying to save herself and Jaclyn.  As soon as they leave, John is looking for the idol.  He counts 7 paces north of the well and he's digging... and Voila!  He's bought himself three more days in the game.  Well, ideally he wants to hold on to it and ensure he makes it through the merge.  But now he has to figure out a way to protect Val.
-Rocker is in the water with Wes and Josh and he tells them that Val told him she has two idols and will play them for herself and Jaclyn so he proposes they vote three for Val and three for Baylor.
-Josh says if they catch wind of it, one of the guys is going home, so they can't let them know three votes are going for Baylor.
-Then Rocker goes off with Val, right in front of the guys (they're not going to trust that) and John tells Val they are splitting the votes for her and Baylor so if she plays her idol she's safe, he told Jeremy he'd look out for her and he's looking out for Julie. (Does he really not realize that she doesn't have an idol... he just found it.) Anyway, Val's not trusting John, she doesn't say anything about idols.  She and Jaclyn will vote Baylor and it's all good. 
-But Josh has taken notice of John and Val walking off together and they've never walked off together before.  Josh is trying to figure out what this means for him and what is going to get him to the top.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Jeff points out that this tribe has gone 0 for 4 so far...
-Dale: they made a mistake pitting loved ones against each other, except for Baylor and her Mom, every other loved one match up, they lost.
-Alec agrees - he's wanted to fight his brother like that for a long time and he didn't win - but it's not the first time they've failed to decide before they just threw a match up out there.
-Rocker says it's just a matter of time, they will gel, it'll click and they will be right back up there.
-Jeff points out that time is an issue - Josh agrees, and uses a Broadway analogy... gist is they have to make some changes and re-open.
-Val thinks they should make some changes, like at camp, some people are trying to play both sides... such as Baylor.
-Baylor tries to defend herself, says Val has had it out for her ever since she brought the girls together and Baylor decided to side with the guys...
-Jaclyn - But you said you were with us!
-Baylor tries to weakly defend herself and Val jumps down her throat , You told me to vote Dale, Own it.(oh yeah, you are outmatched there little girl... and Dale looks surprised.)
-Jeff asks Wes about how they can regroup with this tension and Wes says they heard Val has two idols, that's caused tension too.
-Val won't be surprised if she gets votes and now Baylor won't either, but she says it will be sad if there is a bunch of flipping now just due to some crazy talk. (I wonder if Josh told her anything.)

Time to Vote:
Baylor votes for Val: no words, just an exasperated noise.
John Rocker votes for Baylor
Wes votes for Val: We just want to see that idol girl.

Tallying the Votes:
No one plays a hidden idol - Baylor rolls her eyes and Rocker looks like his head just exploded.

Votes:
Val - 1
Baylor - 1
Val - 2
Baylor - 2
Val - 3
Baylor - 3, 4...
Val - 4 - they are tied which means there is a re-vote, neither Val nor Baylor will vote this time and everyone else can only vote for one of those two.
Rocker's having kittens and still hasn't realized that she was lying about the idol... you found the idol dummy!  And I bet it will never cross his mind to play his idol for her. Hmm, but he might not have brought it with him actually.

2nd vote:
Baylor - 1
Val - 1, 2, 3, 4 - that's enough, it's Val going home.  Why did he even put her name up, why not Jaclyn and Baylor... oh well. Rocker is not the sharpest tool in the shed.

And with Val leaving, that takes Manny W (1), Kim B/Gail W and Jeff T. out of the pool.

Next week: John Rocker's past is exposed to the other tribe by Jeremy and when they start goading him at the challenge his temper comes out... (oh boy, you're not going to improve your image that way.)

Val's final thoughts: She feels like she played big, made big moves considering she wasn't there for two days, just wished she could have played longer.  She is proud of what she did and thinks Jeremy seeing her gone will inspire him, make him go harder, and she's happy about that.

Have a great rest of the week everyone,

Coleen