Survivor HvHvH - October 11/17 Episode Recap

My Kisses Are Very Private

Last week on Survivor, the Hustlers tribe went to Tribal Council and Simone proved to be too much of an odd-ball and was voted out - which was the obvious and most boring choice, bit of snooze-fest.

Hustlers - Day 7
The next day it was Simone's yard sale as they tried on all the clothes she left behind - Bellhop Ryan has himself a nice ladies pantsuit and knee high boots and he says in a way she's finally shown her worth (in leaving them clothes - ooh, that's cold.)

-The boys are talking about which of the remaining girls they are going to vote out (because of course the women have to go? Grr.)  They agree the young and approachable Ali has far more worth than the older, not as attractive, Lauren. (I'm feeling a little fem-Nazi tonight, this show is making me crazy.)
-Meanwhile Lauren and Ali are talking and it's no secret that Lauren is not a fan of Patrick and she is going to try and sway some of these younger tribe mates over to her way of thinking. She includes Devon in the talk and points out Patrick saying he trusts most of the people there... well who was he talking about? She's planted the seed that he's a loose cannon who can't help but put his foot in his mouth. (I'm not a fan of Patrick, ADHD toddler boy would drive me nuts too.)

Heroes - Day 7
Ben & Chrissy still have their secret alliance and they feel like they are driving the train.  Ben tells us they like Ashley, she's a hard worker and she's fun so they have to decide between the guys who they want to keep around - Alan is a hot-head and a loose cannon but then JP walks around like he doesn't know what's going on... although JP has taken to fishing for them and bringing in food, which is huge.

-Meanwhile Alan is trying to figure out how to open coconuts - and he's not having much luck.  In terms of providing, he's not a coconut master.  He's trying to laugh it off and pretend it doesn't bother him - but it does.

-Ashley has noticed that provider JP is dreamy and makes things happen to her downstairs - but she's got to keep it in her pants because of Alan's assertion that they are a power couple - it's dangerous for her game if she tries to cozy up to the pretty fireman. She's ready for Alan to go.
-Ashley talks to Ben about Alan & JP both trying to provide, how it's working for JP but not Alan. Ben is leery of any arguments Ashley makes to keep JP because Alan got in all their heads with the power couple stuff... now I'm thinking maybe she should just make that happen, it may be her best shot of sticking around to couple up with him.

Healers - Day 7
Joe is telling us how life for the Healers is great - they haven't lost a challenge and everyone is on the same page that Dr. Mike should be the first one voted out. (I don't like Joe either, he's so smarmy.)  Joe's one worry is that Cole knows he has the idol.  He doesn't think Cole has told anyone but he's worried about the lovebirds - Cole & Jessica, "that lovesick is worse than the flu."

-Speaking of the devils, Cole & Jessica are out fishing together again and I can't help it, these two are just so darn cute together, I'm kind of rooting for them.  Jessica opens up to us by explaining that she was brought up very religiously and she's a virgin - so the flirting is pure and innocent but she does like the thought of him thinking of her (oh, maybe not so innocent.)
-Cole has been thinking about the game and how he can bond with his dream girl Jessica by sharing some info with her, so Cole tells her that Mike doesn't have an idol and he knows this because he helped Joe dig it up. Joe has the idol. She is so excited that she ends up kissing him on the cheek (gasp! the Scandal!) This is where we get the title of the episode, Jessica says her kisses are very private, but this was huge!

Hustlers - Day 8
Everyone is hanging out around camp and Patrick just wanders away and starts searching for an idol.  They all know it, he makes no secret of it.  We find out that Patrick has a moving company which is appropriate since he never stops moving and he knows openly searching for an idol may bite him in the butt with his tribe but he's working harder than anyone [looking for the idol] and he hopes that pays off.  (He's right about one of those things.)

-Ali takes it upon herself to try and help Patrick's game by pulling him aside and telling him he's got to play smarter - being so idol crazy is hurting him with the rest of the tribe.  He hears her and appreciates she's trying to have his back but he thinks changing his behaviour would take away from his personality and he might not be able to make relationships if he's not being him. (OMG dude, you need to wake up and smell some self-awareness.)  And then he goes back to looking for an idol.

Healers - Day 8
Joe solidified my hate of him when he complained about some of the potato slices being raw (potatoes that someone else had cooked for him, mind you) and when Desi or Roark said she didn't mind, she'd eat it - he threw it in the dirt and told her to go ahead then. (What the Every Loving F%^&!?)  He continued to complain about raw food and spitting out the skin when food is scarce - total d*ck move. (This is where I would lose my cool and be the next one voted out.) 

Joe's behaviour did not go unnoticed though. Roark very calmly told him that he was free to cook next time then and Desi told the camera she found his behaviour challenging - I believe these Healers have had tactical communications training ;)

Joe's behaviour has also gotten Cole thinking that it's not fair that Joe has the idol and all the power - so he proposes to Jessica that they blindside Joe and send him home with the idol in his pocket - if they end up going to Tribal.  She is all in for that idea... but then Cole doesn't stop there, when they get back to camp he tells Roark and Desi too that Joe has an idol. Jessica is stunned that he would go ahead and tell everyone without discussing that move with her first.  He's lost their advantage by telling so many people especially before the challenge when they don't know what may happen. Also the  more people that know, the more chance that Joe could find out he told, which could potentially put Cole on the chopping block (uh oh, trouble in paradise.) Jessica is very upset with her Survivor Boyfriend.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
They will race through a series of obstacles then use sandbags to knock blocks off a ledge.  Once all the blocks are knocked down, they will have to stack all the blocks in a single tall tower which will require them to lift someone to be able to stack them all up.  First team to stack all the blocks and run back to their mat without them falling wins Immunity and a crate of four chickens (oh, they finally get chickens!), Second team to finish will get a dozen eggs from said chickens (Jeff said, "They work." Ha!) and last team is going to Tribal Council.

Healers sit out Dr. Mike. 

Off they go and the Heroes get out to an early lead with Alan able to leap up to the rope net so they get throwing first.  But here is where it all goes wrong for the Hustlers because selfish Patrick refused to let anyone else throw the sandbags and he took forever to get all the blocks off the ledge.  Lauren asked him many times to switch out, apparently she plays softball (of course she does) but nope, Patrick looked like he would have switched out until he saw it was Lauren and you know he thought she wouldn't be able to throw so he had to finish it himself.  The Hustlers never caught up on the tower build.
Healers thought they finished first but they missed one of the blocks which let the Heroes steal the first place finish and the chickens.  Healers came in second and got the eggs (better than nothing - but they better let Joe cook them or he will complain) and the Hustlers are going to Tribal Council.

Hustlers - Day 8
-Lauren's not able to hide her anger at Patrick who does apologize for taking so long to hit all the blocks off but then he tells the camera, "by looking at her I don't think her coming in for me would have really changed much." (Boys! This guy needs a good swift kick, by a woman who can kick.)

-Lauren goes to get water and Patrick asks the rest of them how they stand.  Devon says that Lauren wants him out but not to worry - Ali confirms that Lauren has mentioned voting out Patrick and he's not happy - but they reassure him.
-Smarty-pants Patrick thinks he has to go talk to Lauren and keep her from freaking out - the thing is, he has no skills at talking to people.  When she tells him she knows he wants to vote her out he fumbles, "uh, I don't know that's true." So she asks if not her then who are they voting out and he can't say anything, "uh well uh..." and smiles at her like a dope... Oh man, this is his idea of damage control?  Lauren is smarter than him and is quite frankly insulted with this ridiculous performance.  She says redheads don't lie well and she knows for sure he's writing her name down. (yeah, that did not go well.)

-Lauren goes and talks to Ali and tells her she felt like Patrick was laughing at her - Ali is already questioning if Patrick has outlived his usefulness because he's supposed to help them win challenges not cost them the win.
-Lauren goes and talks to Ryan and tells him, "no offense, but you're the oddball and I'm the old woman - I trust Devon and Ali but not Patrick" - and Ryan is listening... but kinda did take offense.  -Ryan talks to Devon and he didn't like the oddball and old lady speech but Devon gets him back on track - the important thing is that people are coming to them and they can decide who they want to go with - either Lauren or Patrick. (I think that Devon may be more than just a pretty surfer dude.) 
-Ryan wants to save Pat and take all the boys to the merge but Devon would rather go to a merge with steady reliable Lauren than Pat... of course they don't know if they'll make the merge, who better to get them to that point? 

TRIBAL COUNCIL
-Lauren comes out swinging calling out Patrick for taking the challenge on himself and losing it for them.
-Patrick agrees that he shouldn't have taken it all on himself but it was adrenaline... she tells him that's no excuse, there were five of us but he made it all about him and it lost them the challenge.
-Ali doesn't immediately agree, "who knows, if he had switched out it may have taken longer" - she doesn't like dwelling on the past, they need to look forward from here. (Lauren didn't like hearing that.)
-Patrick says it is comforting hearing Ali say he won't be held accountable - he was trying, he wanted those chickens.
-Lauren pipes in again that they do still need to work as a team from here and Patrick proved today he is not a team player, but he is definitely a good idol hunter - that's all he does.  He is trying to play strategy and trying to cover his back, that should make us worry.  When she said she hasn't even looked for an idol Patrick lights up and says that's a relief because he was worried she had one.
-Lauren says, "I have two."
-Patrick goes on about trying to talk to her today but she told him she didn't want to hear his bullsh!t - and she cuts him off, she's going to tell the story her way.  She's never believed a redhead a day in her life (well that's unfair) and when she said she knew he was voting for her he just sat there and grinned.  She tells Jeff that she can say one thing, someone is going to be blindsided tonight.
-Patrick agrees, someone will be blindsided tonight.
-There is some more filler talk - Ryan tells Jeff he's never been in a relationship. Jeff, "Uh, okay." Ryan, "Do you know someone?" 
-Devon is hoping this vote will get the chemistry of the team back on track and get them moving forward.  Lauren says her vote tonight is also to help make the tribe better.
-Patrick thinks that he is good with people and will help them make friends in the merge but Ali points out how good is he with people if he can't get along with Lauren who they've been with for 8 days.  Patrick takes these pointers as a wake up call, he knows he's not perfect but he welcomes the criticism and will learn and grow from it.
-Blah, blah, hustlers, blah blah, unity... finally...

Time to vote:
Lauren votes for Pat, Patrick votes for Lauren.

Tallying the votes:
No one has a hidden immunity idol.

Votes:
Pat - 1
Lauren - 1
Patrick - 2 and finally that huge grin is gone from his face
Patrick - 3 - that's enough, the big Ginger Baby is out, and he's mad. He tells his tribe that they are awful. (Really?) 
And with Patrick leaving that also takes Bob L., Lindsay J., and Kim H. out of the pool. (Sorry guys, but I'm glad to see him go.)

Next week:
They are told to drop their buffs - and there is going to be a switch up. (Yay, I'm ready for a shake up.)

Patrick's final rant: "this is the worst sting I've ever felt" - he had total trust in Ryan, Devon and Ali, he hopes they don't have a very successful game because they are liars and it really hurts him that they didn't keep their word.  It's too early in the game for him to leave, this has been devastating. (Wow, hopefully he does learn from this cause - as my husband said, you can't be an attention-seeking douchebag and expect to do well in this game.)

Have a good rest of your week,

Coleen






 

Survivor HvHvH - Oct 4/17 Episode Recap

I'm a Wild Banshee

Last week the new Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers season of Survivor started in the beautiful Fiji.  We saw a new twist with the super idol that could only be played at the first Tribal Council - skinny bellboy Ryan had the idol but had to anonymously give it to someone on the Heroes tribe as they were the first to go to Tribal.  He gave it to one of the Mom Squad, Chrissy, and she didn't use it because she was safe, the other mom went home - Katrina.

Heroes - Night 3
Fall out from that first tribal council was that Alan called out JP and Ashley as a "power couple" and all Ashley could do was whine about the fact that they weren't a couple.  JP is a man of little words, he just thought it was ridiculous and refused to give it any more energy than that... but he and Ashley are also keeping their distance.

Chrissy, the actuary, has taken all of this as a great thing for her.  She has a decoy idol now, that has no power but she can use it to bluff.  She also saw the cracks in the tribe and being someone who weighs the possible outcomes for the best course of action, she's coming up with the best plan to keep herself there.

Alan thinks he got what he wanted, whether he was right or wrong, he's created the suspicion he wanted within the tribe. (Ugh, why you got to be like that? It feels like it's too early to stir up the drama... but some would also argue it's never too early in Survivor.)  What he did succeed in doing is fracturing the tribe so no one trusts anyone at this point - let's start over shall we?

Hustlers - Day 4
Everybody's working, gathering wood, fishing, doing laundry, getting water... everyone that is except Simone - who is sitting in the shelter swatting at flies and assuring herself she's okay.
-Bellhop Ryan tells us he's made a connection with everyone on his tribe... except Simone.  He says, "Simone... she's weird." She is not trying to make any connections and she's not blending in which is usually pretty important, especially in the early days.
-She successfully takes an "aqua dump" and announces it to the tribe.  She tells us she is not an outside person so this whole experience is a huge challenge for her.  She's trying new things and looks at this as an adventure... but she's also whining to the camera that it's hot all the time and there is no air conditioning. (Oh sweet jebus.)  She did volunteer to gut the fish Devon caught, she'd never done it before but she read up on it - (uh, how bout we let the fisherman do it? Just me?) To her credit, Simone gets through it, whatever.  She said she has 10 brothers and sisters so she's been fighting to prove herself her whole life (why isn't she better at getting along with people then?)

Healers - Day 4
-Jessica and Cole are out fishing and he's crushing on her - even though she's older than him (I did roll my eyes at that.) They are all flirty - I'm thinking that's going to get old fast.
-Back at camp Probation Officer Joe is getting to know and like Dr. Mike but not enough to keep him around.  Joe's kind of painted himself into a corner by planting the idea that Mike has an idol with everyone... because Joe wants to go looking for it but can't be seen looking for it because they'd know that Mike doesn't actually have it.
-Joe gets his opportunity to head out looking for an idol anyway, and he finds a clue painted/carved into a tree.  It's a map of sorts with a symbol he can't identify, the ocean and then 5ft with an X marking a spot.  We find out that Joe's not a rocket surgeon when he can't figure it out.  He thinks the symbol might be a raft and Cole's been fishing on the raft - so Joe goes and jokingly accuses Cole of having the idol but explains he found a clue and then he shows Cole the clue... and Cole knows right away and blurts out, "that's the symbol for the well." (DUDE! This guy is too nice - I don't think it even crossed his mind to try and get the idol for himself.) 
-So these two geniuses head to the well and start digging and Joe has himself an idol... and I'm betting he's going to try and get rid of Cole as soon as he can because he knows too much.  Joe is celebrating his idol while Cole has the presence of mind to go cut the clue off the tree.

Heroes - Day 5
-JP catches a lobster for the tribe - this is his strategy, to keep them fed and happy and stay out of the drama.  He's not happy being labelled a power couple with Ashley because he's not hooking up with her or anything (?) I think he meant to say he's getting the negative without the positive but it could have been phrased less... rape-y.
-Chrissy meanwhile is on her actuarial mission to find out her best option to move forward in the game.  She's talking to JP posing the hypothetical if they were to team up and he laughs, "No one would ever think we were a power couple." (Why, because she's older than you? No one would ever believe you'd lower yourself to be with her??  I'm really not liking JP, it's probably best that he doesn't talk very much.)  Chrissy's take - JP will be helpful in challenges, but she doesn't think he's that smart.
-Chrissy talks to Ashley but she's not going to team up with her because Chrissy's not convinced Ashley and JP aren't actually a power couple.
-Chrissy is also concerned about Alan after his blow up at Tribal council and therefore, Chrissy has concluded that Cowboy Ben is the best option for her.  She thinks they will compliment each other - him being socially charming and her able to think three steps ahead.
-So Chrissy sells Ben on the thought of her and him partnering up and then they can decide to go with Alan or Ashley... who knows what JP's thinking.  Ben thinks this is crazy how it's shaping up but he seems to like it.  After Alan's antics at tribal Ben doesn't know if he can work with him, so he's all in with Chrissy, she's smart and wants to work with him - he thinks they can rule.

Hustlers - Day 5
-Patrick is letting his freak flag fly... and he should probably have kept it under raps for a while longer.  The big ginger is afraid of crabs and addicted to attention - he is like an ADD toddler on sugar - He says he's a wild banshee wanting to have fun all the time.  Meanwhile his constant look-at-me behaviour has fisherman Lauren ready to strangle him.  She's used to working alone and having to deal with someone like Patrick is driving her crazy.
-Ali is also double-thinking her early alliance with Patrick, his constant noise and childish behaviour doesn't bode well for his longevity in the game and she'd like to stick around.  If people decide to vote Patrick out, she doesn't think she needs him in this game anymore.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
They are out on the water for this one.  On Jeff's go, three tribe members will jump in the water and swim out to a floating net ring.  They will have to swim the ring over to a buoy were one person at a time will have to dive down and untie a bundle of puzzle pieces inside a sunken cage, then work the bundle of pieces along the cage to the opening then bring them up to the net so the next person can go.  Once they have all three bundles of pieces they will swim them back to the raft and the two remaining tribe members will have to use the pieces to complete a spinning signpost puzzle.
Along with immunity they will be playing for reward - First place tribe will get a deluxe fishing kit, second place gets a smaller kit with line and lures and the last place tribe is going to Tribal Council.

Healers sit probation officer Joe and Hustlers sit fisherman Lauren.

Off they go and the deciding members in the first part of the challenge are Surf Instructor Devon who apparently can hold his breath for a really long time - he got all the puzzle pieces for the Hustlers and gave them a great lead on the puzzle.  JP does a pretty good job for the Heroes where I thought lifeguard Ashley would shine but, not so much.  And the Healers brought up the rear in gathering the puzzle pieces... but in the end it was the puzzle solving skills of Dr. Mike and Desi that allowed the Healers to come from behind for the win!  The Heroes, Chrissy & Alan were able to work out the puzzle to come in second and the Hustlers blew their whole lead and blamed Simone for not being able to complete the puzzle (though Ali was working with her as well.)

Hustlers - Day 6
They return from losing the challenge and Simone apologizes for her role in the loss - she knows that she would be an easy vote so decides she has to start shaping the narrative of this tribe (too little too late.)  She knows that Patrick gets on Lauren's nerves and decides he's the best target for her to get the girls to vote for. Lauren is in of course but it's trying to get the guys to vote him out.
-Meanwhile the guys are all solid that Simone is their weakest link and she's got to go. Patrick is leading the charge against her and he knows he has Ali on his side so there should be no problem getting her voted out.
-Ali knows she has the power now to make this decision - should they take out Pat because he's so unpredictable and keep Simone because she's easily controlled.  OR, keep Pat for his strength and get rid of Simone because she's useless in helping them win challenges.  Ali talks to Ryan and they're talking about their three, Ali, Ryan and Devon... wait, when did that happen?  Ryan likens Patrick to a newborn baby, you want to like it but it requires constant attention and is really annoying (oh man, he should not become a parent any time soon) but then Simone scares him because she's really smart... and in the end, smart is more of a threat than annoying.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
This tribal was a little boring they were all towing the Survivor line - it's about physicality and winning challenges but it's also about building trust and keeping people around that can benefit the tribe but also your own game.  Yes, we all know these things.

-Then Patrick says he knows he can trust MOST of the people here.  And that stirs things up a bit - but he backpedals and says he meant to say ALL. 
-Ryan jokes, "Well I'm sold."  (We know he said exactly what he meant, but it didn't help his cause any, especially with Lauren.)
-Simone pleads her case by saying this is 100% real, she comes from a city, she's never been camping before and she's terrified 100% of the time but the good thing about being a hustler is that you challenge yourself - "so send me back to the bugs, I don't want to go home." (Whatever.)

Time to Vote:
Simone votes for Patrick

Tallying the Votes:
No one has a hidden immunity idol.

Votes:
Patrick - 1
Simone - 1, 2, 3, 4... and Simone is sent packing - B-Bye.  They took out the low hanging fruit, how boring.
Oh and with Simone leaving that also took Trish J., Tori K., and Jamie S. out of the pool. (Is it really that much of a loss?  She had no social game whatsoever.)

Next week:
A war erupts between Lauren and Patrick on the Hustlers tribe and Cole spills the beans about Joe's idol to Jessica over on the Healers, trying to wrest that power away from him.

Simone's exit speech was as reasoned and unemotional as everything else she's said - she's proud of herself for trying something she was uncomfortable with.  Her Survivor adventure is over and she's sad, but she's living with it. (Bye Felicia, you will not be missed.)

So, second episode, no surprises - I hope they do something to spice this up (am I just jaded?)

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend everyone,

Coleen









 

Survivor HvHvH - Sept 27/17 Premiere Episode

I'm Not Crazy, I'm Confident

They're on a boat... in Fiji... and it's beautiful.  The castaways are divided into three teams this season. Jeff welcomes them to the 35th season (say what?) of Survivor, and explains that they have been divided based on the positive traits most associated with them by others - this is how the world sees them:

Heroes - they are heralded for their courage, achievements or ideals.
-We meet Cowboy hat guy - Ben - former marine and family man (and my guy in the pool) - serving in the Marine corps he didn't see himself as a hero, it was just his job.
-Meanwhile Financial Analyst Chrissy tells the camera that she totally thinks she deserves to be on the heroes tribe because she had a career, took time off to raise her family and then went back to an awesome career - but she's not going to advertise that she makes a lot of money because she still wants to win a lot of money (oh yeah, you're a hero.)

Healers - win gratitude for their acts of service helping others heal their physical or emotional pain.
-Big buff dude, Cole, is a wilderness therapy guide, working with at-risk youth teaching them about nature and survival skills to help combat addiction. (He seems really nice.)
-Then Jeff talks to Dr. Mike who says he's a sex doctor (I said pardon?) He clarifies that he is a urologist and specializes in erectile dysfunction and male infertility... (uh, maybe he's the hero? Am I right?) This guy comes across as the biggest nerd - he tells the camera this is the biggest thrill in his life and though his kids think he's going to die, he's determined to rise to the occasion and win.

Hustlers - respected for their hard work ethic - get it done, no matter what, 100% of the time.
-We meet Ali, young attractive girl with big curly hair - she's a personal assistant to someone in YouTube (wow, YouTube stars have personal assistants now? crazy.)
-Then we meet Ryan, the bellhop, really slight guy wearing a turtleneck... in Fiji... A TURTLENECK people - what up with that?  He's hoping other people know how to build shelter because he's not going to be leading the charge physically, that's for sure. (He tells us he weighs 125lbs... what?)

Jeff then hands out their buffs - Heroes are Blue, Healers Yellow and Hustlers Red - and tells them their first challenge is to transfer as much stuff off the bigger boat they are currently on to their smaller boats anchored nearby.  The camera pans over the supplies - fruit, veggies... and a secret advantage (oooh.)  We also noticed, no live chickens this year - huh. 
Once Jeff rings the bell on the ship, that is their signal that everyone has to be in the water and they have to start rowing to shore. 
Once on shore they will have to tie up their boat then work as a tribe to lift one tribe member up high enough to light a torch off the lit cauldrons suspended 15ft up.  First tribe to get fire wins fire in the form of a huge fire making kit back at their camp.  Second tribe gets flint and the last tribe is SOL.

When Jeff says go it's pandemonium as they start chucking stuff overboard.  Someone on the yellow tribe starts asking "Who can Swim?" (Uh, this is Survivor, I hope you all can swim!) People are flinging themselves overboard and it's pencil-neck Ryan that ends up finding the secret advantage (by first impressions, he could probably use that) and he's so excited he can't even get it in his pants... (Darn you adrenaline!)  Jeff rings the bell everyone has to be in the water and heading to the beach.  The dawdlers are both Hustlers which puts their team way behind... and then they can't figure out how to row the boat to shore - they head the wrong way and one guys is paddling backwards (oy.)
-It's the Healers and Heroes in the running for the fire.  Healers gets it first just barely ahead of the Heroes... and Hustlers finally make it to the beach.

Jeff tells the Healers they'll have a big fire already burning on their beach, he gives the Heroes their flint and then tells them all they have maps in their boats so they have to paddle to their beaches... and the Hustlers were never heard from again.  (No, I kid... but Jeff did say they were still trying to figure out what show they are on.) Ali, the personal assistant, is feeling pretty nervous about her team at this point.

Healers are the first to their beach and we know it because there is a huge bonfire burning for them.  Social worker Roark (female) tells the camera that healers are team players in terms of how they approach their careers and she thinks this group will do well.  Nurse practitioner Jessica is crushing on Cole pretty hard (and who wouldn't, he's kind of dreamy with the curls and dimples and 8-pack abs.)
Then we see Joe, the smarmy probation officer with his pants falling down (I don't need to see that much of your red underwear dude), he was hoping to be on a tribe that he could manipulate.  When you're a healer you lead with your heart, not your head.  He's not a probation officer out there, he's there to win and they are all just his victims at this point (yeah, we don't like Joe already - he reminds me a lot of Spy-Shack Tony.)

Over on the Heroes beach everyone is working and it looks to be going really well, they are gathering bamboo and building a shelter... and then Lindsay says the hero cape has come off and she's thinking alliances (already?)  She approaches the very buff JP (he's a firefighter) about who they should align with - apparently it's a given that Lindsay & JP will align... they're thinking Cowboy Ben.  The other built guy, NFL player Alan, is sure he knows how people are playing the game with all his NFL experience, he's talking to Cowboy Ben (he's just wearing a cowboy hat, this is the ex-Marine) and they want to align with JP of course, keep it strong and Lindsay (oh yeah, she's a lifeguard and also very fit).  It's the old ladies on the outside, as the other two member of the tribe are Chrissy (the Financial analyst) and Katrina (Olympic swimmer) who are both in their forties (so ancient.)
-Ashley and JP are talking a lot and Alan is super suspicious - they are coupling up, he knows it... (wow, that paranoia struck quick.) Chrissy & Katrina (the Mom-Squad) go to get water and the other four take this opportunity to confirm that they're going to work together - Lindsay says that's what she wanted from the beginning (it's the first day, what beginning? Sheesh.)

Hustlers - Day 1
Fisherman Lauren was disappointed they didn't win but she's a no-nonsense, let's just get on with it person and she's building a shelter.  The rest of the tribe is helping, kinda, but they think they are hard working and getting stuff done... as they joke around with stick bugs.
Patrick is a big red-head with the start of an epic sunburn already - for some reason Ali thinks he's the guy to align herself with at this point and they agree to have each other's backs... though he's still uncertain about it.
Patrick openly wonders about who got the clue off the boat and Ryan looks like a deer in headlights... but he discretely takes himself off to explore his secret advantage.  He's found an Immunity Super Idol... which means, if his tribe is the first to go to tribal council, he can play this idol after all the votes are read and whoever he plays it for is safe.  The catch is that it is only good for the very first tribal council and if his tribe doesn't go to tribal, he has to secretly gift it to someone on the losing tribe.  This is potentially huge for this guy who is wearing a turtleneck in the tropics and not even sweating... He is like a human Chihuahua.

Healers - Day 1
We finally hear from Desi, female physical therapist, who is also happy with her healer tribe, if nothing else they should be able to communicate together well.
-Dr. Mike is determined to go look for a hidden immunity idol (too soon!) He makes a lame excuse of checking on the fire and then takes off to look for an idol.  Joe knows exactly what he's doing and then takes it on himself to confront Mike when he comes back.  He asks him what's in his pockets, (none of your damn business) is what I would have said but Mike, being nice, shows him he has some twine from the bandanas - Mike tells him that he knows what he's been doing and thinks he has an idol... it was passive aggressive and bully-type behaviour... it just felt threatening and it didn't help that Joes pants were hanging down his butt again - there is a drawstring for a reason.
Anyway - Joe and Mike say they respect each other (but neither one trusts the other as far as he could throw him.)

Hustlers - Day 2
Ryan has decided that he's going to trust Surf Instructor Devon with the knowledge of his secret advantage.  Ryan likes Devon because he is the opposite of him and he hopes that Devon will want to align with someone who is more strategically savvy than him (Devon is kind of pretty) - so he tells him about the super idol and Devon is so super happy that he's not going to be the first one out.  They agree not to tell anyone else and it seems these two have bonded.

Heroes - Night 2
Alan is watching Lindsay and JP laughing and talking and he's convinced that there is something going on there and he has to make sure everyone knows that these two are stronger together.  So he confronts JP and says he knows he has an idol and wants to see what's in his pockets - he turns out his pockets and tells him there is no idol.  Lindsay comes over and can't figure out what Alan is talking about (turns out Alan didn't see any idol but he's hoping to throw suspicion on JP and Ashley to get one of them out. What?)  He keeps pushing JP saying he doesn't believe he doesn't have an idol until he even shucks off his pants - to the skin (hello) - to prove he's not hiding anything.  (That was super weird and uncomfortable, I think Alan just made himself look bad, not the other two.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
First they have to run up a cargo net to the top of a platform then pull a heavy cart up the other side - they all have to get in the cart then ride it down, roller coaster style, into a pile of sawdust.  Then they have to choose a table maze - first tribe to it gets first choice, next can choose from the two remaining and the third team gets the last maze.  Then they have to work together to get the maze to the top of an even taller tower - once it's up there, two tribe members will have to work together to get three balls through the maze - last team to complete it will be going to tribal council. Hustlers are still playing for fire as well.  Oh, and Jeff said, this season Tie votes are back in...were they ever out? What is he talking about?

Anyway, they're off and pretty much neck and neck - I think the game was won or lost in the decision on which table maze to play.  The first tribe took what looked like the most complicated to me - a true maze/labyrinth looking table.  The next tribe took one that had bigger spaces but triangles and obstacles to manoeuver around and the maze that was left, was a single line down the middle - which looked the easiest to me... and that proved correct.  The Healers were left with this simple rail maze which of course was deceptive, it was difficult because you had to keep the ball straight down the middle or it would fall off the raised middle as it had small bumpers and then gaps along the sides.  But the Healers have steady hands and they're good under pressure - they get the first immunity.
Leaving Heroes and Hustlers neck and neck... they were both circling that third hole when Hustlers pulled out the second place immunity win.  Sending the Heroes to tribal council.  As Jeff is blabbing away, Chrissy quietly crumples to the ground and when they finally notice she's actually in distress not just being dramatic, she pukes on camera (nice.)  No one can say they didn't give their all.
And guess who is going to get Ryan's super idol?? Yup, the puker.

Heroes back at camp - Mom-Squad goes off to get wood or something (why are these two always going off together?) and Cowboy Ben seems kinda oblivious to the tension in his alliance - Alan doesn't trust Ashley and JP and they think he's off his rocker... but they still say they're all good.
-Later Alan  has Katrina approach him and he says no one's been talking to him about votes, they call Chrissy over and (why is Katrina yelling?) they think the four of them, including Ben, should vote Ashley out (because they always want to keep the guys... grr).
-Ben doesn't know why they didn't just leave things alone, go with the original plan, but now at least he and Alan have their choice of who they want to align with - JP & Ashley or the Mom-Squad.
-Oh, and when Chrissy is getting ready for tribal she finds the immunity super idol in her bag... wow, how lucky did she get?  She only knows she'll play it for herself if she has to, otherwise she's going to see how things play out.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Chrissy says right away she felt like she didn't belong in this tribe, that the four main physical threats would band together leaving her and Katrina on the outs.  Katrina agreed that being older than the rest of the tribe did seem to put them at a disadvantage.
-Lindsay said day 2 1/2 things started to go sideways when Alan got it in his head that JP had an idol.
-Alan says he didn't accuse Ashley, it was Ashley and JP.  She tells Jeff that he even made JP strip off his clothes looking for this non-existent idol.
-Alan says you can deny deny deny, doesn't mean I'm going to believe you.
-JP wants none of it, he's all calm. Alan has a right to his opinion, whatever.  That does not sit well with Alan, he's trying to stir it up and JP is not cooperating.
-Chrissy says there was some concern that they could have a power couple in the tribe.
-Ashley says that is ridiculous, there is no "her and JP", they've had no conversations other than those right in front of everyone.
-Alan is all buggy-eyed - I just wanted everyone to know there is something more powerful than the tribe, within the tribe. Whether these folks believe or not, I know what I know. I'm not crazy, I'm confident. (Alan has to work on not bugging his eyes out when he's trying to convince someone he's not crazy - cause he definitely has the crazy eyes going on.)  Ashley tells him he's very silly.
-Ben says they are the heroes and shouldn't bicker about this, they should get on with it and hash this out later.
-Oh no, Mr Drama, Alan, throws it out that he'd like nothing better then to sit back with his feet up as they are talking about voting out Katrina or Chrissy but he had to make it known what was happening [with Lindsay & JP.]  Really, did you have to?
-Now Katrina & Chrissy know for sure they were on the block and Ben is trying to just do some damage control... but it's Time to Vote!
Tallying the votes:
No one has a hidden immunity idol to play at this point. Super idol is after the votes.

Votes:
Katrina - 1
Ashley - 1
Katrina - 2, 3, 4 - And it's Katrina... Oh, is Chrissy going to play the Super Idol???  Nope. Turns out she voted for Katrina too.  So it's the Olympic swimmer, who was the first voted out of the game.

That means: Andria S., Philip K. and Cara & Alex L. are out of the pool... but you get your $ back!

Next week: Chrissy and Ben may be the new power couple on the Heroes tribe. There is a budding romance on the Healers tribe between Wilderness Therapy Guide Cole and Nurse Practitioner Jessica (they do make a pretty cute couple) and an inevitable break up on the Hustlers tribe when Patrick shows his true crazy colours and drives Ali away.

Katrina's final words were boring - she was way too skinny to last long in this game - her face was almost skeletal already on day three - maybe this was a blessing in disguise for her.

So, there you have it, episode one was just an hour but the recap is long because we don't know who anyone is yet.  I think Alan is going to be the trouble maker, we'll see if they start mixing them up quickly with all these potential couples happening. 

Have a great rest of your week.

Coleen



 

Survivor HvHvH - POOL PICKS

Survivor 35 - Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers
Tribe:  Levu	Heroes		Tribe:  Soko	Healers		Tribe: Yawa	Hustlers
Alan Ball	1. Jenn G.		Jessica Johnston	1. Cindi M.		Patrick Bolton	1. Bob L.
Age: 32	2. Lois L.		Age: 29	2. Brandon L.		Age: 24	2. Lindsay J.
NFL Player	3. Ethan G.		Nurse Practitioner	3. Katie L.		Small Business Owner	3. Kim H.
Ben Driebergen	1. Coleen T.		Roark Luskin	1. Kevin C.		Alexandrea/Ali Elliott	1. Shelley A.
Age: 34 - WINNER!!!	2. Cindi & Steve		Age: 27	2. Maria C.		Age: 24	2. Alexis G.
Marine	3. Elaine R.		Social Worker	3. Cindi C.		Celebrity Assistant	3. Stacey L.
John Paul/JP Hilsabeck	1. Shane B.		Cole Medders	1. Lorraine F.		Simone Nguyen	1. Trish J.
Age: 28	2. Sharon R.		Age: 24	2. Gillian H.		Age: 25	2. Tori K.
Firefighter	3. Susan H.		Wilderness Therapy Guide	3. Manny W.		Diversity Advocate	3. Jamie S.
Chrissy Hofbeck	1. Bryon L.		Joe Mena	1. Scott M.		Devon Pinto	1. Kevin R.
Age: 46	2. Roxanne S.		Age: 34	2. Lynne B.		Age: 23	2. Kim A.
Actuary	3. Jeff T.		Probation Officer	3. Robert L.		Surf Instructor	3. Lynne B. (2)
Ashley Nolan	1. Drew C.		Desiree/Desi Williams	1. Sunnie C.		Lauren Rimmer	1. Kim K.
Age: 26	2. Emily H.		Age: 27	2. Trish W.		Age: 35	2. Mike L.
Lifeguard	3. Tam J.		Physical Therapist	3. Yvette S.		Fisherman	3. Brittany & Sarah R.
Katrina Radke	1. Philip K.		Mike Zahalsky	1. Carol-Anne D.		Ryan Ulrich	1. Kim B.
Age: 46  FIRST OUT	2. Cara & Alex L.		Age: 43	2. Fraser G.		Age: 23	2. Susan N.
Olympian	3. Andria S.		Urologist	3. Julisa C.		Bellhop	3. Sheila G.

Survivor Season 35 - Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers

Survivor Season 35 is starting next week - Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

Here's what CBS had to say on their website:

For Survivor's 35th installment, the new cast of 18 individuals will meet up in Fiji for their next big journey. For the first time ever, the tribes will be divided based on the positive traits most often associated with them by others. [first time ever?? Uh huh.]

What differentiates these three tribes? Well, the Heroes Tribe ("Levu") are used to being heralded for their high achievements. The Healers Tribe ("Soko") receive gratitude for their good work, and the Hustlers Tribe ("Yawa") must earn respect from others.

*Another season starting out with three tribes of six, we'll see if they mix it up as often as the last season to keep us all on our toes.

I'm doing the pool again and will be posting the recaps here starting next Wednesday.  Please stand by.

 

The Amazing Race 29 - Finale recap Jun 1/17

We're Going to Victory Lane

Last week was the shocking elimination of the Matt & Redmond in Seoul, South Korea - which left us with the final three teams racing for a million dollars:

Brooke & Scott: Philip K., Elaine R., Andria S., and Cindi C.
London & Logan: Bernice W., Cara & Alex L., Robert L., and Kevin R.
Tara & Joey: Shane B., Susan N., Emily H., and Shelley A.

Phil tells them all that for the final leg they will be travelling more than 6000 miles as they head to Chicago, Illinois... and as a bonus, they get to travel in prestige class (oooh, pods and champagne.)

Once they land in Chicago, they have to head to the pit at Chicagoland Speedway.
The teams head for taxis and Brooke & Scott made the best decision of the whole race, they gate-checked their backpacks so they only have their fanny packs to carry around today (genius!)

Brooke & Scott are the first team to the speedway and they read the route info clue - Start Your Engines.  They will suit up and one person will have to change a tire in under 40 seconds, then the other will have to drive that car one lap in under 48 seconds in order to get the next clue.
-Brooke is going to change the tire and Scott is going to drive (really? They're going to make her do something handy... oh wait, would she be able to drive fast?? Rock and a hard place on this one.)  She starts out with her usual "I can't do this" and the waterworks start... Scott is used to it by now, she'll get herself together and get it done.

-Tara & Joey get there and Tara tells him he has to change the tire, she can't do it - so that means mom is driving (Ohh, it's killing Joey he doesn't get to drive... but a million dollars) - Joey changes the tire in 38 seconds on his first try.  But it was just after Brooke's 4th try when she finally made it so Scott was the first one out on the track - he did not make the 48 seconds.
-So Tara got to go, and her first lap was over a minute (Ah, Mom!)

-London & Logan get there and she is changing the tire and he's all ready to drive.  It takes her a good four tries to make the time on the tire change. 

-Scott makes his 45 sec lap and they head in to victory lane where he and Brooke get to shower each other with champagne and, they get the clue to make their way downtown to the Monroe Street (EL)Station to find their next clue.  This time the clue is held by a construction worker looking guy - they have to notice his high vis. vest and red & yellow marked hard hat to figure it out.

-Logan got to make his first attempt - didn't make it.  Tara gets her 46 minute lap and they head for the station.  London & Logan still bring up the rear.

Monroe Street Station - Scott & Brooke took a little bit to figure out the guy had the clue but then when they open it, they have to solve three riddles to three Chicago downtown landmarks then head to each one to pick up a postcard (also from marked people) with letters on them that will spell out their next destination: Chicago City Hall Rooftop.  On the rooftop they will get the next clue from the city bee keeper (Yeah, that's right, beekeeper - who knew?)

-Scott & Brooke ask a local if she can help them, she does not look too enthused - but she lets them use her phone to figure out the riddles.  Tara & Joey show up and they also ask a local who helps them figure out the riddles with her phone.  They take off for the landmarks - Gothic water tower, drawbridge control tower and wedding cake fountain.
-Brooke & Scott checked a map and systematically set out on their route.
-Tara & Joey, as usual just take off for the farthest one first it seemed, but they were all finding the post cards... until we realize that Tara & Joey have one of the landmarks wrong (WHAT?)
-Oh yeah, London & Logan are there now and also running around collecting their postcards.

-Brooke & Scott figure out they have to head for the City Hall rooftop and she is running but so  slow, she's crying that she doesn't want to let him down but refuses to let him piggy back her (Argh! Lady, just jump on his back!).
-London & Logan get the rooftop clue but then they got on the EL train - These two end up getting to the rooftop last, even though they had the postcards before Tara & Joey.
-Tara & Joey figure out they were in the wrong place and actually find the right location and head for the rooftop as well.

Rooftop - Scott & Brooke the clue to travel by taxi to Wrigley Field Dogs and search for their next clue.  So this is a hot dog stand where they have to pick up 10 hot dogs, put them in a warming box and then deliver them to a rooftop overlooking Wrigley Field.  Once there they have to hand out the hot dogs and get two tickets to enter Wrigley Field from a past winning team Ernie & Cindy (oh man, I don't remember them at all - and actually I don't think any of the teams realized who they were either.)

Wrigleysfield dogs - Scott & Brooke pick up their hot dogs and head out - Brooke couldn't believe they didn't get to eat one (a sentiment shared by all, they must be pretty hungry.)

Tara & Joey get to the City hall rooftop and moving slowly and quietly (not to disturb the bees) they get the clue to head to the hot dog stand.
London & Logan arrive to City Hall and head up to get their clue (where were they? We've learned these last two legs that the train is never quicker than a cab - in Chicago and Seoul anyway.)

Scott & Brooke head up to the next rooftop and find the waiting Cubs fans hungry for some hot dogs.  They pass out the dogs and get the tickets, then take off for the marquis entrance to Wrigley field.

London & Logan try to take a cab from City hall but the driver refused to go anywhere without the actual address - so they had to jump out and find a different taxi to take them to the hot dog place (no luck for these two today.)

Tara & Joey had no cab trouble, they get to the hot dog place, get their box of dogs and head to the rooftop to deliver. 

Scott & Brooke find the clue box inside Wrigley Field and it says, Who's been keeping score? - As their final challenge, they will be utilizing the iconic hand operated scoreboard at Wrigley field.  From opposite ends of the park (one person in the press box, the other in the scoreboard) they will have to post their corresponding placement on each leg beside the destination cities that are posted on the board.  The press box person will use a one way radio to direct the person in the scoreboard as to what numbers to put where.  Once they have them all correct, they have to meet a home plate where the umpire gives them a book where they have to work out an equation using their placement numbers which will direct them to a section in the ball park where they will find their last clue - to the FINISH LINE - Milton Lee Olive Park.

-London & Logan have finally found a cab to take them to Wrigleysville dogs.
-Tara & Joey have delivered their dogs and Joey yells, "Go Red Sox!" and got a round of good natured boos from the Cubs fans.  They head for Wrigley Field entrance.

Scott & Brooke are getting all their numbers correct - they get the usher to check and they're heading to home plate.   They have to put in their placement numbers to figure out their next clue is in section 504 - then they are climbing to the nosebleed section to search among the seats for the clue.(Yeah, that wasn't a seat number, it's a section number, the clue could be on any seat - great.)

Tara & Joey have started their "Keeping Score" with Tara in the press box and Joey in the scoreboard - they didn't do them top to bottom like Brooke & Scott, Tara was doing them in order of the race so poor Joey was running up and down stairs... anyway, they got them all right as well and head for home plate.  Their section was 534.

London & Logan show up as Tara & Joey are heading to their section... London proves she is blonde by not being able to figure out initially that Logan can't respond to her through the radio... but they figure it out.

Here's How They Finished:

1) BROOKE & SCOTT!! What??? I know, right.  No one would ever had believed from watching them throughout this race that they were going to win - but there you have it.  Like I always say, teams that fight do better, keeps them on their toes.  I think they were able to figure out how to work together even though they were so different and let's admit it, while Scott was no saint, he does deserve props for getting through this thing without killing her. 
That also means that Philip K., Elaine R., Andria S. and Cindi C. have won our pool!  Congratulations all!
-Brooke says the race has made her a better, stronger person - the money is just gravy, the experience was priceless. 

2) TARA & JOEY - they had a tremendous race, just fell a little short but they will never forget the experience - couldn't have asked for better partners.  Joey is so thankful that she chose him.  She says this is one of her greatest accomplishments (besides the military and being a mom, of course.)

3) LONDON & LOGAN - you know, he is a really good-looking guy and she looks a hot mess - but in the end she was always positive, always up for anything and they worked very well together.  He says they're like family at this point... (I have hope they could be the love connection, someone had to be right? Maybe??)

Anyway. There you have it, another great Race - hopefully the team we all loved to hate winning didn't tarnish it too badly :)  In the end you have to give them props, Congrats Brooke & Scott.

- I haven't heard anything about whether or not the Amazing Race will be coming back next season.  With the world the way it is right now, maybe travel will be too costly and dangerous for Americans.  We can only wait and see I guess.

Happy Summer TV.

Coleen