Survivor BBB2 – Apr 14 – The One with the Sooky Lah Lahs

Here we go – will Jason and Scot go ballistic after tribal? Naw, Scot’s looking glum in the night vision as he and Tai talk about the girls now having an alliance. Tai is regretting his tribal council revelation about the super idol and panics when Jason quizzes him about the vote.

It was you Jason the Bounty Hunter, but he's not telling you that.
It was you Jason the Bounty Hunter, but he’s not telling you that.

Tai panics and blurts out “Debbie” and cut to confessional where he says he’s a terrible liar. Will Jason’s Bounty Hunter super senses start tingling at this lie? It seems not. They hatch a plan to use join their idols for a super idol at the next tribal. Surely the problem with this plan is that the “enemy” will split the vote and the super idol can only save one of them?
And Scot has another vote: “What do you guys this about taking away their food?” Yeah, Scot, you just lost any respect from the viewers you’d clawed back when you were separated from Jason and buddied up with Tai instead. Douche move.
Not cool, Scot.
Not cool, Scot.
Jason wants to “weaken their soul” – a tactic from his military days he uses in his bounty hunting: “I love psychological warfare.” Urgh. At least when J’Tia threw the rice in the fire on Cagayan she was off her nut with anger – it wasn’t a calmly planned thing to drag down morale. And now she’s forever known as the chick that threw rice in the fire rather than a brilliant nuclear engineer. And these guys will be the sooky lah lah Russell Hantzes who wouldn’t let the other kids play with their toys.
Tai is wisely keeping his mouth shut (he needs to forge a new alliance – stat!) but the vengeful talk is freaking the Buddhist out morally.
The next morning Scot and Jason are up early to carry out their plan.
Nice hashtag, Survivor editors.
Nice hashtag, Survivor editors.
The hide the machete and the axe in the jungle and gloat about how miserable everyone will be.
Where's the machete, asks Debbie (looking so scrawny even in layers of clothes)
Where’s the machete, asks Debbie (looking so scrawny even in layers of clothes)
It’s obvious to everyone who the saboteurs are. Michelle is pissed but determined to show the Sooky Lah Lahs they don’t even need those tools (that’s the actual tools, not the walking giant babies). They roast coconuts in the fire and Cydney cracks one open with a saw.
Scot does not look happy the girls worked out how to open a coconut.
Scot does not look happy the girls worked out how to open a coconut.
And then Scot does something super douchey. “Why don’t we just end the speculation?” he says. And he puts out the fire with their precious drinking water.
What the hell, Scot.
What the hell, Scot.

Oh my god!! He’s on the verge of going Brandon Hantz. I’d be a bit worried about my safety if I was one of the girls. The girls are dumbfounded and Joe calls him on it, but Scot doesn’t give a rats. Michelle must feel like she’s dealing with one of her drunk customers at the bar, but there’s nowhere to run on the island. She gets the fire going again – good on you, Michelle.
Watching from the shelter Scot vows to put it out again (I half expect him to reach into his baggy shorts and piss all over the flames) and Tai is getting rather uncomfortable.
Maybe Debbie's strange approach about an alliance isn't looking so weird now, Tai.
Maybe Debbie’s blunt approach about an alliance isn’t looking so weird now, Tai.

Come on in, guys. It’s time for a reward challenge, so will the Sookies man up and be team players? Blue cap Jeff probes them about the sabotage and the Giant Walking Wgo proclaims the tribe only has water and mangoes because of him. Cydney shoots back: “I can climb a damn tree!” Go girl!

We found the missing tool: it's Scot!
We found the missing tool: it’s Scot!
Seriously, is he playing a villain role because he wants to get invited back for another season, or is he actually this childish?
Reward is Chinese takeaway and Joe offers to sit out. Usually the non-player would forfeit the reward, but Jeff says Joe can bet on a horse and if his horse wins, he gets Chinese, too. However, it means once of the girls is going to have to saddle up with the Sookies and Julia puts her hand up, much to Cydney’s disgust. Julia wants to make a big move (the quickest way to get in Jeff’s good books) but this could all go horribly wrong for her. Joe punts on the girls and they should be quicker at untangling the ropes around their feet as they don’t wear size 20 shoes.
Twisted.
Twisted.
Dammit – the Sookies plus Julia get through the ropes quickly and move on to throwing sandbags to knock down stacked logs.
Check out her muscle! Debbie's imagining she's pegging the sandbag at Scot's head.
Check out her muscle! Debbie’s imagining she’s pegging the sandbag at Scot’s head.
Debbie’s doing really well, catching up fast, and earns Jeff’s respect: “Debbie’s got an arm on her!” But the Sookies have too big a lead and more brute strength and win. Grrr.

Back at camp the Sookies (and the chicken, who we learn is named Mark – and Google says, yes, Tai’s partner is named Mark) tuck into their Chinese while Julia explains she is at the bottom of her existing alliance.

Did the poor camera man have to climb a ladder to get this shot?
Did the poor camera man have to climb a ladder to get this shot?
And she tells confessional she’s keen to keep the Sookies around because she knows the jury won’t vote for them to win the mill.
At this point Julia has burned her existing alliance and doesn’t even know it.
Joe sums it up.
Joe sums it up.
But Debbie (who I just want to see put on an IV drip to rehydrate her) sticks up for Julia and says she’s just playing them. We’ll see.
Did you know Gollum was playing in this season?
Did you know Gollum was playing in this season?
Julia tells the girls she was just playing along with the Sookies, but Cydney knows better because her “BS radar” is goigg off.:
Remember the first half of the season, where Cydney hardly got airtime? Me neither.
Remember the first half of the season, where Cydney hardly got airtime? Me neither.
Cyd grabs Aubry for a beach pow-wow and straight away this is my new favourite Survivor pairing.
See, Neal, I didn't need you anyway now I have new BFF Cyd.
See, Neal, I didn’t need you anyway now I have new BFF Cyd.

They agree Jules has to go next.
Tai and his BFF, Mark the chicken.
Tai and his BFF, Mark the chicken.
Tai is having trouble sleeping and is uneasy about the sabotage, but tells himself it must be done. And then HE puts out the fire. Sweet little Tai!
Noooo! What would Mark the chicken think?
Noooo! What would Mark the chicken think?
“The evil side of me rarely comes out, but it does,” he says to the camera the next day with a grin.
The fire dousing pisses everyone off but Aubry (who thinks Scot and Jason did it) reckons it was a deliberate act to attract votes which they could then negate with an idol. She wants to vote for Jules to flush the idols out, but Debbie is super cranky at Scot and wants the guys gone. Up until now Debbie has been a very strategic player, so the deprivation must be getting to her.

Immunity challenge time … Green cap Jeff explains the domino challenge and this seems made for a smaller, nimble contestant to win. And indeed Michelle, Julia and Debbie do very well, with Michelle in the lead until her domino topple fails at the last second. A lot of people look like contenders but don’t get their spacing right and Julia wins immunity. Uh oh. Well, at least Aubry and Debbie now don’t have to fight.

Back at camp Debbie gets her girl posse and wants to split the vote between Tai and Scot as she thinks Jason will play an idol. To Aubry’s horror, Deb lays it all out in front of Jules. She wants Brains to vote Scot, the others Tai. Julia trots off to the Sookies to tell them the plan. Geez, I really hope she’s a double agent but I don’t think so. Sookies want to vote Cydney.
Cyd and BFF Aubry discuss the option of cutting Debbie loose and think they will have the support of Joe and Michelle. But Joe is adamant he won’t vote Debbie. So now the BFFs have to tell Suss Julia their plan and see if she will go with them. Uh oh – I’m worried Cyd is going home as she’s got so much air time this ep.

At tribal council Jeff gets the lowdown on the missing tools (as if he didn’t already know) and learns Debbie still trusts Jules. Talk turns to idol play and Jason and Scot are busting a gut to make some idol threats.

Are Julia and Aubry whispering to each other here while Scot is talking?
Are Julia and Aubry whispering to each other here while Scot is talking?
Scot says: “Tai’s got an idol. Tai’s not going anywhere tonight.”
Boo yah.
Boo yah.
And Jason continues: “Wait a minute – the idol’s got a brother.”
Jason's making his devilish speech from the fiery pit of hell.
Jason’s making his devilish speech from the fiery pit of hell.

Over on the jury bench Neal and Nick are whispering that the Sookies should combine them for the super idol. But then Jason says Tai will keep his idol and he and Scot will be rocking off for the idol honour and then play it before the votes are read, which I think is false – he’d do super idol for sure. But the other players, of course, have only heard whispers of the super idol, so there’s much whispering of “original plan”.
whispercyd

whisperdebbie

whisperjulia

whispertai

Jules is stoked she has the immunity necklace and Jeff is stoked this will make great TV. Who’d have thought whispering could be so compelling?
Jason and Scot go through their Rock, Paper, Scissor charade (Scot’s paper covers Jason’s rock) and then they hand the idol to Tai, who doesn’t budge. 30rockscissor
No one – other than the jury members – knows what’s going on and Aubry looks like she’s going to be sick.
The votes are read and Cydney calls out whoever spelt her name incorrectly – she is awesome. It’s Cydney and Scot votes and then the Debbie votes come out and she is shocked. debshock
And it’s … Debbie. So Julia didn’t vote with the Sookies, who are stoked that they are safe and they didn’t even have to super idol it up.

Next week: We see the Sookies basking in their super idolness but Aubry tries to lure Tai back to the Rebel Alliance.

And if you haven’t already, check out Nick’s Ponderosa video.
http://tinyurl.com/hhww28h



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Survivor BBB recap – Mar 24

kaoh rong start

It’s episode 6 already – boy, that went quickly. Back at camp after the ousting of Anna (the poker player with built-in flotation devices that would have made diving challenges tricky), Tai thanks his tribemates for keeping him and is relieved he didn’t show his idol.
1taichicken

He jokes that he should at least outlast the chicken. (Hmm, who do we think would be on chook-killing duty in this tribe? Joe?)

Dr Evil decides now is the time to change his status as bottom-rung Brain and chats to Tai about alliance. That’s Tai, who we know from last episode can’t stand Dr Evil – and Tai loves all living creatures.

Everyone wants a piece of Tai.
Everyone wants a piece of Tai.

Doc tells Tai he wants Joe gone, which is odd because Aubry is far more strategic and has a strong bond with Neal on the other team.

Over at blue team beach, we finally start to get some confessionals from Nick (always a dangerous sign). He is focused on getting in tight with his new tribe and reckons he has Debbie sussed out: she wants someone to listen to her and work hard. “Whatever person Debbie admires – which is herself – just be her,” he tells the confessional. (Please tell me Debbie isn’t falling for this and is playing him just as hard.) Debbie thinks Nick looks like a Greek god and has great features for modelling, and she should know – she’s been a model for years. Here the editors cackle with glee and up flashes another of the ever-changing Debbie occupation chyrons.

Lately she's been a chemist, waitress, civil air patrol capt and electronic expert.
Lately she’s been a chemist, waitress, civil air patrol capt and electronic expert – the editors are loving this.

She hopes he gets a modelling contract out of the show “but it’s going to have no effect on my strategy”. Phew.

Nick entertains the idea that she’s just stroking his ego but then, because he has a Dr Evil-sized ego, dismisses the notion.

They learn the reward challenge involves throwing balls through hoops, which Yellow team’s Scot, ex-professional basketballer, should smash. But Nick shot some hoops in school and is tall, so he’s the one who gets to practise back at camp with coconuts and what appear to be juggling beanbags. I’m surprised Debbie did not add basketballer to her list of careers.

5practice

So, come on in, guys, says Jeff, as always. I’m going to have to  rewatch Borneo and see if he used that phrase 31 seasons ago. The challenge has a loooong course.

6challengevie

Exile over, Julia appears, and black-and-green-capped Jeff ushers her to the yellow team. Everyone’s hungry and wants to win this:

Wonder if there's an idol clue baked into the bread?
Wonder if there’s an idol clue baked into the bread?

Aubry – who looks like a total nerd – is a challenge beast for the yellows and gives them a good lead, releasing the buoys way before Michelle – who looks like a pilates instructor or something. I know nothing about Beauty Michelle because we’ve barely seen her.

It get to the basketball stage and Scot takes a while to get the hang of out, allowing Nick to catch up and at one point to overtake him. Scot is worried.

Oh no - this is going to be like the time Wiglesworth the whitewater raft guide lost the rowing challenge to Gervais.
Oh no – this is going to be like the time Wiglesworth the whitewater raft guide lost the rowing challenge to Gervais.

But he gets it together and wins. Over at blue, Michelle knows she’s in trouble for not releasing the buoys sooner, but she really wasn’t that bad.

(That's Michelle talking while Neal and Jason have Who Has the Palest, Most Cochran-like Skin? contest)
(That’s Michelle talking while Neal and Jason have Who Has the Palest, Most Cochran-like Skin? contest)

Julia is stoked to be out of exile and on a team which has food, but not so stoked to see her alliance member Anna was voted off. Dr Evil is thrilled, though, to have someone young and seemingly naive to work with. He takes her for a dip and bitch session for more “I hate Joe” talk.

I just hope Dr Evil's not aqua dumping right now.
I just hope Dr Evil’s not aqua dumping right now.

And then he reveals he actually has some smarts: “Aubry is more important to get out because she’s the bigger player.” Julia plays the Sandra Diaz-Twine strategy of “as long as it’s not me”, which is really her only option at this point.

Watching from the sidelines, Joe and Aubry (who is wearing Joe’s jumper – nice one, Joe) can’t believe how obvious Dr Evil is being. Aubry in confessional: “Peter’s a little rogue and desperate right now. Which makes me feel like I need to seriously consider whether now is the time for Peter to go.”

Over at blue, Michelle is bummed they lost the challenge, knowing she will be held accountable. But she gets to work trying to build new alliances and goes to see the Oracle.

Teach me what to do, O Wise One.
Teach me what to do, O Wise One.

Debbie says it’s ok; she wants Jason gone because he does *&@! all around camp, and she wants a woman to win. Good one, Debbie. Michelle recounts the convo to Nick, who tells her bluntly Debbie is lying because she just wants her to be calm. “You are definitely the target,” he says.

(That's Nick talking about not voting for Jason. And you know it's true because we've seen very little of him this ep and lots of Nick and Michelle)
(That’s Nick talking about not voting for Jason. And you know it’s true because we’ve seen very little of him this ep and lots of Nick and Michelle)

All of which is true but the way he says it is all wrong, and gets her hackles up. But she’s smart enough to let it slide. We get a lot more of Nick saying how much better at this game he is than Michelle – total shades of Dr Evil and Liz’s boasting just before the Liz blindside.

Speaking of His Evilness, he’s over at the other beach telling Scot he wants Aubry gone, then Joe. And Joe is not happy to see yet another tete-a-tete with a non-Brain.

Joe seethes while Aubry talks.
Joe seethes while Aubry talks about Dr Evil.

Joe decides he’s going to confront Dr Evil, using his lie detecting FBI skills.

Who - me?
Who – me?

And Pete, looking guilty as hell, fails to shoot back with: “It’s a game, I’m making sure the other three don’t team up against us by pretending to want an alliance. Brains forever!”

It’s immunity challenge time and Jeff is in his orange cap. It’s one of the more straightforward land-based challenges, but I’m still hanging out for the merge and some endurance-based or balance challenges. And the merge can’t be far away, as we’re down to 12 players and they usually do it at around 11, and we’ve already lost Caleb. The challenge starts and Giant Scot helps Tiny Tai and his teammates over the rolling barrel.

19tinttai

The next part is even more challenging, with the most athletic guys having to leap for a handhold on this structure and pull themselves up, while their teammates give each other boosts so they can be hauled up. Luckily Debbie only ways about 45kg by now as she’s just skin, bones and hair.

20nickpull

Of course, Scot is the booster for his team and Jeff delights in yelling: “This is like a dad with his kids.” The blues are leading and it’s interesting to see the next bit has Nick and the strong but short Jason poking blocks with poles – a task surely more suited to taller members of the team.

Jason does his block.
Jason does his block.

Now, Neal is taller than Jason and yet he’s not on block duty. Is this a case of Jason’s ego winning out, or Neal being smart and “non-threatening”. For yellow, Peter is proving an asset – he knows he’d be in danger at tribal if they lose.

At the block-stacking station, the lead goes back and forth and it’s proving a tricky challenge.

Timberrrrrrrrrrr!
Timberrrrrrrrrrr!

25bluetimber

Poor Joe cops a couple of wooden blocks on the noggin’ but seems ok. He can always consult the tribe’s resident ER doctor. Oh, that’s right, he pissed him off earlier so that could be a no go.

Tis but a scratch, Jeff - a mere flesh wound.
Tis but a scratch, Jeff – a mere flesh wound.

Yellow tries a new approach.

26scottai

But Debbie goes one better …

Debbie #block stacker
Debbie #block stacker

… and blue wins by a hair.

Back at yellow camp Aubry tells Joe they still need Peter on side, so they still have a numbers advantage. Joe concedes she makes sense “even though he’s a big pain in the butt”. Aubry says Joe needs to talk to Peter about their earlier spat and “work it out as guys”. (Have I mentioned how much I like Aubry?) Joe swallows his pride.

Said while trying not to grit his teeth.
Said while trying not to grit his teeth.

Peter agrees with their plan to take out Julia and then tells Scot he’s shelved his mutiny and is voting Julia. Why would you tell Scot that? Just nod and say yes to whatever Scot tells you.

So Scot, Tai and Julia discuss who they want gone.

The tribe discusses how much they love Peter.
The tribe discusses how much they love Peter.

“We need to talk to Aubry,” says Julia, knowing she’s the Brain of the Brains.  They lay out Dr Evil’s deception for her and she plays it cool.

Aubry's wishing she could use the machete on Peter right now.
Aubry’s wishing she could use the machete on Peter right now.

I’m not sure why Aubry has not approached Scot about joining up with her and Joe – although maybe she has and we’ve just not see it. Tai is worried by her lack of reaction, which leads to this adorable scene:

40taiwater

Joe is not impressed that Aubry is thinking of switching her vote to Peter, after she just made him eat humble pie when he wanted to do the same. He’s sticking with the Julia vote, which means if Aubry flips she’ll lose Joe as a future ally. “I feel that no matter what I do, it’s going to blow back and bite me in the ass,” Aubry says. Since we’ve seen no other footage of Aubry talking with Brawn and Beauty, I reckon she’ll vote for Julia. Unless Peter says something really douchey at tribe, and that’s not likely, is it?

Who brought the marshmallows?
Who brought the marshmallows?

It’s tribal council time and Jeff leads the chat in the direction of making it obvious either Julia or Peter is going home. And while he’s talking to Aubry, this happens:

I love it when they whisper stuff at tribal.
I love it when they whisper stuff at tribal.

And then, while Jeff is talking to Joe, Aubry whispers:

46aubruwhisper

And Scot replies “Peter”. Well, this is fun. Poor Aubry looks so stressed and we see her pause immediately before and after finally writing Julia’s name.  Darn it.

And then Jeff reads the votes and it looks like it will be a tie until this awesome thing happens:

48juliapete

And Dr Evil gets his comeuppance. Well, that made for great TV.

The preview for next week’s Survivor: Kaoh Rong shows what looks to be the merge. So, left in the game are Beauties Nick, Julia, Michelle and Tai; Brawn Scot, Jason and Cydney; and Brains Aubry, Joe, Debbie and Neal. And we get footage of Jason boasting about “shoving geeks in lockers”. Urgh.

***

In other news, check out this article on Fishy. Nothing much new but good to see Survivor on the home page of news.com.au.
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/former-survivor-contestant-stephen-fishbach-spills-show-secrets/news-story/4dfdc934a8d79397385ab0b0beaee5a5



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Survivor BBB – Mar 17 – tribe swap


Let’s see who gets a raw deal after tonight’s tribe swap. Beauty are in a strong position numbers wise and seem unlikely to self-destruct as quickly as the Cagayan Beauties did (remember Morgan, Jeremiah, LJ, Jefra and co?).
Please can we have an episode where we don’t have to watch people suffering in the heat. Perhaps Jeff could send them all on a spa reward and bring them fruity cocktails to sip.

It’s Day 12 and we’re at the Brain tribe. Everyone looks knackered. Joe, the retired FBI agent, looks to have an infected finger and doctor Peter sees it as an opportunity to ingratiate himself with the tribe.

It's no ear worm, but it looks painful.
It’s no ear worm, but it looks painful.

He’s on the outs after his god complex got a full airing at the tribal council where his only ally, Liz, was voted out. Let’s hope that in real life he’s not as much of a a dick to the nurses and his patients as he is on Survivor.
Luckily, Neal the ice-cream entrepreneur sees right through him.

That's Neal in the shelter keeping an eye on shady Peter as he treats Joe.
That’s Neal in the shelter keeping an eye on shady Peter as he treats Joe.

“We have four people that are aligned and we have one cancer named Peter,” Neal says, adding it’s now vital he finds the idol to keep it out of Dr Evil’s hands. And he does just that, finding the clue and the the map with the annoying information that it’s hidden at the top of the tree. Please, Survivor, enough of these treasure hunt-type idols. Just hide them like normal or do sneaky ones in public areas, as per the All Stars season – they were fabulous.

Neal does the stick-poking trick and gets the idol.

So that's Neal, Tai and Jason with idols.
So that’s Neal, Tai and Jason with idols.

And now I’m worried that we’re seeing so much of Neal, when he’s usually a bit player in the edit. Is he on the chopping block in what we know will be a tribe shuffle? I was wondering what an ice cream entrepreneur was, so I googled Neal, and apparently he started his own business making organic ice cream and selling it at markets. The business grew and now he supplies restaurants and supermarkets in 50 states. Check out http://threetwinsicecream.com/ he has a coffee and dark chocolate one that looks delicious. According to insidesurvivor.com: “He is a keen adventurer that [sic] has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and driven an ice cream truck solo across the United States in 93 hours. He also lives on a 27′ sail-boat called The Incorrigible.”

Neal sounds like the perfect Survivor contestant, and not only because he has crazy hair and wears pants with an ice-cream pattern.

Come on in, guys!  Jeff is wearing his green cap. Darn it – I thought he’d have the orange one on to cheer us up a bit after the trauma of last week. He does the “drop your buffs” and Cydney leaps for joy at the thought of getting away from the trainwreck that is the Brawn tribe. Everyone else looks gutted.

Jeff explains Caleb’s chopper flight to hospital but them in a tricky spot, as there is an uneven number of contestants in the game. So, there are six yellow buffs, six blue buffs and one red buff. OMG does red buff get to choose their tribe? Err, no. They have to go to Brawn beach by themselves!!

Nameless Beauties react to the red buff news.
Nameless Beauties react to the red buff news.

It’s like Exile Island (which always sucked as a concept), but with a shelter already built and, hopefully, fire-making tools. The benefit is they skip the next immunity challenge so are safe, but people who get exiled are out of the alliance loop, so it’s a disadvantage coinciding with a tribe swap. After the next tribal council the red buff exile gets to join the tribe who lost a member. They pick buffs and they’re showing a lot of a worried Aubry, but it’s a misdirect. It’s …

Nameless no more, I christen thee Julia.
Nameless no more, I christen thee Julia. Could be worse, Jules – you could be on Brawn with Jason and Scot and be called Blondie 2.

We haven’t seen much of Julia as Beauty never lost a challenge, so the narrative there was on Caleb and Tai.

Here’s the new blue tribe and it’s a fair split, with two of each BBB tribe.

buetribe

But it’s a different story on yellow, where Scot is the only Brawn.

yellowtribe

Beauty has two and there are three Brains, but Peter could well defect and turn on Aubry and Joe. Let’s hope Aubry gets to Tai and his fellow Beauty first.

The tribe swap has shaken some people up, not the least Beauty Michelle, who in what I’m sure is her first confessional notes her alliance of three is now on separate tribes.

She speaks!
She speaks!

You’re in danger, Michelle, because a) you’re a girl who will be seen as “weak” at challenges and b) you are on a team with fellow Beauty Nick who does not seem the loyal type and, c) you’re getting airtime when previously the edit ignored you.

The yellow tribe ends up on the Beauty beach, where there seems to be lots of fruit and one chicken left. Dr Evil is so relived to be in a new tribe, where the Brains have the numbers. Since they know Beauty Julia will join whichever tribe loses immunity, he correctly tells Aubry:

sheltertalk

That would put Tai and, ummm, Anna ? in danger. But Aubry actually IS a Brain and knows he’s shady. Scot is hoping the Brains will do the logical thing and vote out a Beauty.

Still in blue and over at the old Brain beach Debbie grabs her new blue tribemate Cydney and shows her their tree branch “pull-up” bar.

The casting director must be stoked they went with Debbie.
The casting director must be stoked they went with Debbie.

I’m worried that if she goes deep into the game Debbie is going to end up a walking skeleton like Trish of Cagayan.

It hurts to look at you, Trish!
It hurts to look at you, Trish!
Snacks and strategy.
Snacks and strategy.

Debbie is quick to decide she wants to align with Brawn, and goes on a coconut-gathering walk with Cydney. Cydney reciprocates. “I’ve been playing the dumb jock role,” she says in confessional. She hasn’t told anyone she went to an Ivy League school. Smart move, Cydney, because Jason and Scot might have targeted you. Then Debbie talks to Jason, who also doesn’t want another Beauty joining the tribe. Yep, Debbie’s in the swing of Survivor.

In her element.
In her element.

No matter how she fares this season, she’ll be a returning player, for sure.

Over on the yellow beach Scot is suddenly much more likeable because he’s enjoying being around jovial and capable Tai. “I’ve got a man crush right now on Tai,” he jokes. Join the queue behind Caleb, Scot. “In my opinion he’s the number one most valuable member of the tribe right now,” he says, referring to Tai’s food-gathering, survival and social skills.

Anna, who was kind of the girls’ leader at Beauty, knows she’s in trouble as she is outnumbered and not seen as an asset.

Not those assets.
Not those assets.

She puts her professional poker player skills to use by telling everyone about Tai’s idol hunting. Surely everyone’s been out hunting idols, though – that’s what you do in Survivor.

At blue beach, finally we get to hear from Beauty Nick. He know he and Michelle need allies, so fetches water with Jason. He tells the confessional: “When it comes to being manipulative, I think I’m the most intelligent person out here.” Whoa – touch of the Dr Evil there, Nick, but at least you didn’t announce it at tribal.

Jason is happy everyone is approaching Brawns wanting to team up and pretends to consider both options. But he has to be thinking about Julia over at red buff exile.  Speaking of Julia, she wakes up lonely and feeling crook as from dehydration.

WILSON!!!!!!!!!
WILSON!!!!!!!!!

“People don’t know that I’m actually 18,” she says. Is she the youngest-ever Survivor contestant?

It’s immunity challenge time and Jeff has his cheery  orange cap on. They start with a swim, diving to untie knots underwater and Scot proves he’s a physical powerhouse. Partner Aubry gets to hear the condemning Jeff commentary: “(Scot) Basically doing this first stage all by himself.” Come on, Jeff – the dude is a giant. He was only waist deep in water that Aubry couldn’t touch the bottom in. Please can we have a less-elaborate balance-type challenge soon where a girl has a chance at shining.

Still, once it gets to the puzzle stage they are pretty much even, with Debbie and Neal on puzzle duty for blue and poker player Anna and Dr Evil (who nailed the last puzzle) for yellow.

The win goes to blue, which means my fears about Neal’s sudden increase in airtime earlier were unfounded.

Happy blues.
Happy blues.

Over at yellow, Anna knows she has to scramble, while Tai says he doesn’t want to join to list of players who’ve been voted out with an idol in their pocket. If he does play an idol and the others haven’t split the vote at all, one of the Brains will be in danger. Joe and Aubry want Tai gone, Pete wants it be Anna because she’s more divisive. They shoot him down but once he’s gone privately decide it may be better to keep the main provider around.

Later at camp Anna asks Peter what’s going on and, in front of Tai, he says it’s one of them. I like Tai even more when he tells confessional he can’t stand Peter’s arrogance. He tells the camera: “We can take Peter out. I can do it because I have the idol.”

And then he tells Anna and Scot his plan, and shows them the idol. Ballsy move, Tai – Probst is going to love this!

Let's play "what's hidden in my shoe?".
Let’s play “what’s hidden in my boot?”.

But will he actually do it or is he expecting Scot to tell Aubry so  she will vote for Anna. I don’t know! How exciting.

Tai came ready to play.
Tai came ready to play. Can you imagine if he and Debbie end of on the same team and join up?

Aubry then tells Scot they are voting for Anna. He’s relieved because – and I hadn’t thought of this – he has allies in Tai and Jason who both have idols. If they join up they can make a super idol. Wouldn’t that be cool? He tells Tai none of this but advises him to hang on the idol. But there are eight minutes to go, so it can’t be that straight forward.

It’s tribal council time and Anna shows that, while she can rhyme, she doesn’t know it’s incorrect to say “Tai or I”. Vote her out immediately! Tai sells his work ethic and food-gathering skills. Joe tells Jeff he thinks the season’s twist is there are no idols. Really, Joe, the hostage negotiator? Tai grabs a hold of this coat tail and agrees. Aubry proves adept at answering Jeff’s questions without giving anything away yet making it clear to her tribemates they should not make a stupid move.

Time to read the votes and … Tai does not move!! Anna looks concerned. One vote Peter, rest for Anna!

See ya, Anna.
See ya, Anna.

Everyone – except Anna – is happy with the outcome. So next week Julia will take her place and be on the bottom.

Great episode and no footage of people on the verge of death – hooray!

Next week on Survivor: We see Debbie flirting with Nick and suss Joe accusing Dr Evil of being a turncoat.



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Survivor BBB, Thurs, Mar 10

It's all systems go for the crew in an emergency.
It’s all systems go for the crew in an emergency.

That was challenging to watch. When the humidity is so high Survivor needs to do a puzzle or memory challenge, not one of those elaborate digging through sand in the baking heat ones. Or stop for water breaks, at least! (Although maybe they do and we just don’t see it.)
The lovely Rosie has done us a recap and I will add some screen grabs and captions.

So here we are again after last week’s TC. Peter (aka Dr Fauxbama around the net 😆 ) is shocked!, shocked I tell you, and later tells us he has knots in his stomach.

Still being a smarty pants, he thinks that’s because they lost a strong player. No dear, it’s because they didn’t choose the player YOU wanted them to lose. Idiot. But they should be shivering in their shoes, because as soon as there’s a swap or merge, he’s going to take them out one by one. Single handedly!

REWARD CHALLENGE

It’s a big, big challenge in a big, big heat. Just thought I’d mention that for those who are reading this instead of watching. And no one really except Jeff is wearing a hat.

Jeff brings back the orange cap. Hooray!
Jeff brings back the orange cap. Hooray!

Although I think it’s Nick whose head is covered in a grey scarf thingie. Nor do we see anybody drinking any water.
Edit: it's Caleb with a T-shirt on his head.
Edit: it’s Caleb with a T-shirt on his head.

Oh, and the prizes? First place getter will receive a kitchen set with coffee and spices, while the second place winner will get salt, pepper, wok and oil.
Winner's reward, but drinking coffee after a dehydrating challenge may not be the best idea.
Winner’s reward, but drinking coffee after a dehydrating challenge may not be the best idea.

The challenge consists of running through an obstacle course, collecting bags of balls, and then rolling said balls into holes on boards. Oh goody, we love our balls, don’t we Jeffy?
Cydney leads at the wriggle log.
Cydney leads at the wriggle log.

After 45 minutes, the heat is getting to them. Brains win the challenge, but then Joe wants a medic for Debbie who feels as though her insides are on fire.
Good on you, Joe.
Good on you, Joe.

Debbie gets medical and Jeff's TLC.
Debbie gets medical and Jeff’s TLC.
Note it’s Joe, the former FBI agent calling for medical assistance, not the ER doctor. 😉 Medical check her over. Oh, and Debbie did NOT have heat stroke! Even Joe knew it was heat exhaustion, not heat stroke. Debbie thinks she had heat stroke though, even though you take a whole lot longer to recover from heat “stroke” than a matter of minutes, or even hours. Whatever, that she recovered so quickly is what matters.

Then Cydney is down, crying and saying she can’t move. Medical are attending to her. Another case of serious heat exhaustion.

Don't Heimlich me, Tatts. I have heat stroke, for reals.
Don’t Heimlich me, Tatts. I have heat stroke, for reals.

Then it’s Caleb’s turn. There are people everywhere on Jeff’s instruction at this point with water, umbrellas, ice you name it.

Man down - it's Caleb after a huge effort in the challenge.
Man down – it’s Caleb after a huge effort in the challenge.

Oh, did I mention Beauty got the second Reward?

It's tough for Aubry and a recovering Debbie to watch the drama unfold (go, Aubry!).
It’s tough for Aubry and a recovering Debbie to watch the drama unfold (go, Aubry!).

Finally Cydney responds to treatment (as did Debbie a wee while back), but Caleb is taking too long.

Jason may be a dick but he's a cool head in a crisis for Cydney.
Jason may be a dick but he’s a cool head in a crisis for Cydney.

Medical makes the decision to evacuate him.
Nick elevates poor Caleb's feet while they ice his body. This will be an iconic scene in Survivor history.
Nick elevates poor Caleb’s feet while they ice his body. This will be an iconic scene in Survivor history.

This is when we see Tai’s dramatic tears. I have to say I am liking this man a bit less every week. I know a lot of people adore him, but me? Not so much, hard-hearted piece of shit that I am.
No more cuddles for you, Tai.
No more cuddles for you, Tai.

Cydney is feeling okay now. Whew.

The Beauties are all unhappy that Caleb is being evacuated (including Caleb himself) but it is explained to them that it is a medical decision, not Caleb’s idea. They are all tearful, but none is quite so dramatic about it as Tai.

The girls of the Beauty tribe. Yeah, I don't know who they are either.
Tai and the girls of the Beauty tribe. Yeah, I don’t know who they are either.

Apparently it was 118ºF during that challenge. That’s nearly 48ºC!!! And I’ll tell you what else that is – that’s batshit crazy! They knew how hot it was, so why not switch to a water challenge, or just cancel the bloody thing altogether? Heatstroke can so easily be fatal. Maybe in future Medical should be calling the shots and calling for breaks, complete with drinks during such, hot, energetic challenges. And all that was for a few spices and fucking salt and pepper!! And why don’t they insist on everybody wearing a big floppy tie-under-the-chin hat? We Aussies are brought up to be sun safe, and we know about hats.You wear them on your head and they keep your head cool. Cooler.
Bye, Caleb. We like you. And you won Jeff over. Have you signed a contract to come back yet?
Bye, Caleb. We like you. And you won Jeff over. Have you signed a contract to come back yet?

Fortunately we are told that Caleb is now 100% healthy and hopes to play again.

Day 9 at Brawn and Alecia is copping it from her team. She dared to encourage her team during the challenge – the nerve! And BullyScot says he wanted her to shut up and dig. She WAS fucking digging! He also says don’t tell an NBA champion about teamwork. Interesting tweet from Dalton Ross re BullyRoss’ “championships” points:

Dalton Ross ‏@DaltonRoss
Worth pointing out that “NBA Champion” Scot played a total of ZERO playoff minutes in the Celtics 2008 title run. #Survivor

Scot is a massive dbag.
Scot is a massive dbag.

BullyScot tells her straight out that next TC she’s out. Oowaa! Cydney thinks Alecia needs to listen and stop talking. (I’m beginning to think so too, even though she’s in a vile tribe.) BullyBountyboy tells her it’s always something with her. She should take some responsibility. He then stomps away like a real grown-up.

Yes, Alecia would be annoying to live with. She's young and a bit of a goose and has no tact. But don't try and break her. (Poor Cydney at the side of the shot, just trying to get some rest after her heat stroke.) She'd be counting the days to get away from these fools.
Yes, Alecia would be annoying to live with. She’s young and a bit of a goose and has no tact. But don’t try and break her. (Poor Cydney at the side of the shot, just trying to get some rest after her heat stroke.) She’d be counting the days to get away from these fools.

He admits later he went a bit overboard because he was angry. Yes, but did you admit that to her? No, of course not. But at least she’ll see this on TV I s’pose, which will be better than nothing. *wee little eye roll* He tells us he has two daughters, and wants them to be strong, educated women who can take care of themselves. And do you want horrid, bullying, tattooed men to pick on them whenever possible, hmm?

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Jeff asks are they all looking after themselves and staying hydrated? They all nod dutifully. He then hands everyone a hat … alas, only in my dreams. What he does do is chat about Caleb being med-evaced out before taking back the immunity idols.

For this challenge, they must rush into the jungle to grab puzzle pieces from up ladders, then into the ocean to find further puzzle pieces. Then – you’ll never guess! You did! You guessed that they have to solve a frickin’ boring puzzle. Aaaarrrgghh!

Brains finish first. I am disappointed since I’d have loved Fauxbama to have been turfed out. Sigh.

And Beauty take the next. Bye bye, Alecia then.

SCRAMBLE TIME?

Except they are not even back at camp when Alecia says it was her fault they didn’t finish the puzzle. BullyScot says she’s going home if he has any say about it, and they can vote now if Jeff wants. BullyBountyboy – aka Yes Man – agrees. Jeff says they can if Alecia agrees. She says that would be giving up, and she doesn’t want to do that. Oh for goodness’ sake girl, have a bit of dignity! You know there’s no way any of this lot is changing their mind!

TRIBAL COUNCIL

BullyBountyboy tells Jeff nothing has changed since earlier. BullyScot and Cydney agree. Jeff says this TC is more clear than any other he has seen.

They vote. Jeff calls for idols, but since Alecia doesn’t have one…

He reads the votes: Alecia, Scot, Alecia, Alecia. At least BullyBountyboy didn’t call her Blondie, which was big of him. She tells us she never gave up and she is proud of herself. I sigh. I didn’t like her much, but even so nobody deserved that level of bullying.

The tribe has spoken.
The tribe has spoken.

I find myself hoping they won’t mix’n’match the tribes just yet simply because I want to see what will happen if these three are forced to eat each other. So my fingers are crossed. But no, we see at the very end that Jeff tells them to drop their buffs next week. Oh well, should be interesting.



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