Okay, folks, this was one of those recap episodes where they promise exciting, “never-before-seen” footage that will astonish and amaze you. And while you do get to see some slightly intriguing fresh footage, there’s nothing here that will change your view of anyone in the game, so this review will be a quick one.
Some highlights, if you can call them that:
Erik really, really liked good Russell, before Russell had to be evacuated from the show for medical reasons (and before Erik was blind-sided out of the game). I didn’t catch their bond the first time around. Probably because I never heard half of what Erik was saying because he was always standing in the trunk of that damn tree.
Jaison had some surprisingly harsh words for John right after one of the competitions where John was playing dirty, threatening to come after his butt and finish what John started. I have no idea why they cut this out of the original episode, because it shows that Jaison does have some fire after all, and doesn’t just stand around and whine all the time like we usually see.
Then we get to see a lot more about the “Erik wanting to catch the chicken that Shambo let loose” thing. This guy was really obsessed with the quest, constantly on the alert and getting all philosophical. “You gotta be smarter than the chicken, not stronger than the chicken.”
Lots of scenes with him running pointlessly after the chicken, waving a giant piece of tree that he was apparently going to clobber the chicken with, an act that I’m sure would not sit well with PETA. He even constructs a four-point trap out of netting, with a release mechanism you can set off to snare the renegade fowl if she should step under the net and investigate the bait. And this actually eventually works. But guess who pulled the release to make it happen?
Shambo.
Erik was off hunting crabs at the time. Go figure.
Then there’s an interesting scene where bad Russell, who keeps swearing to the camera that he is NOT going to tell anybody that he’s wealthy, fesses up to Mick that he’s a millionaire. They high-five and bond over that. Russell is just so full of himself that he can’t keep his mouth shut.
Mick in a sidebar: Would I use that information against Russell if I had to? Hell yeah.
We learn that at some point after the merge, Russell unlocked the chicken coops so they can get out again. But there are no follow up scenes to see if they really did. He’s such a sweet guy.
There’s a frustrating scene with Shambo and Laura on the beach, supposedly getting some sun. Shambo suddenly has an emotional breakdown while talking about an older sister who passed from cancer, completely understandable, and Laura is trying to be comforting. Remember, these two can’t stand each other (why they were even on the beach together is mystifying), but Laura puts that aside and does the right thing.
Yet right afterward, in a sidebar, Shambo tears Laura apart for not showing any sympathy. Yet she DID.
Folks, Shambo is just not all there. Something got twisted somewhere along the line. And her people skills, if you can call them that, completely suck, but she just doesn’t get that and doesn’t know how to read people or conduct herself.
And finally, Brett has the most prophetic line, right before a certain eviction: “Voting out Erik will shape the rest of the game.”
Which is exactly what has happened.
That’s about it, not much of anything really revealing. So, to thank you for stopping by to read a review about a traditionally boring recap episode, let me flesh this out a bit with my thoughts on the remaining players, alphabetical order:
Brett: Seems to have some smarts, was the only Galu to really question evicting Erik, physically strong. And he’s completely under the radar at this point. Actually has a decent shot.
Dave: Not as smart as he thinks he is. (“There’s no way Russell can have another immunity idol, forget about that.”) Buddy, that attitude knocked an undeserving Kelly out of the game. And dial down the attitude a little bit. That can cost you.
Jaison: Doesn’t really deserve to be here. He’s whined about wanting to go home since the first few days. In his favor, Russell NEEDS him right now, until the numbers get smaller. And again, not on anyone’s radar. But still. Quit whining and man up.
John: Pompous ass. And already marked for possible elimination a couple of times, even by his own tribe when the tribes were still split. His best shot is to put together an alliance that will take Russell out, because that’s the man to beat right now. But chances are slim.
Mick: Fifty-fifty. Not on the radar just yet, but he’s not playing this game. He’s following the direction of other people (Russell) and not making a plan of his own. No real alliance, because Jaison could quit at any time, and Russell will drop him the second he doesn’t need him.
Monica: Possible slider for a while. But her biggest weakness is that she won’t let go of the hope that the former Galu will stick together. Shambo: “Purple is GONE.” Understand that, sister.
Natalie: Great potential, would not surprise me if she makes it to the end. And if she does, I hope people will put two and two together and realize that, although Russell may have had the grand ideas, it’s Natalie that did the footwork. She’s the one who actually orchestrated the eviction of Erik, which changed the game. She’s got to stay strong, and understand that she might have to cut Russell at a critical point.
Russell: Although it pains me to say this, it’s his to win if he makes it to the end. He’s lied and maneuvered hard to get what he wants. If the jury makes its decision based on play and not the player, like they usually do, he’s guaranteed some votes in the end. But two weak points. The game play lately has been more about Galu falling apart and not strategizing instead of about Russell scheming, and if the jury compares notes and realizes that Russell has lied to everybody AND he doesn’t need the money, he could be in trouble. And I suppose there’s a possible third weak point: Shambo. Russell is going to cut her the second he’s done with her, and she could wreak havoc on the jury.
Shambo: The only way she can win right now is if Russell stays alive, he has a change of heart and decides to take her to the end, and the jury has discovered Russell’s lies. But as Russell constantly says, he thinks women are weak and stupid. He’ll probably cut her, and Shambo doesn’t have any other friends, real or imagined.
Then again, this IS Survivor, and all of the above can become moot points in a single eviction.
And so it goes…
Monday, November 30, 2009
#96 - "Dallas" - Season 11, Episode 25
We start out at the police station, with Clay being released on bail. Then he, Harv Smithfield, Bobby, and Miss Ellie (looking pained and pinched, naturally) head out the doors. And of course, these doors lead to a very long hallway, with rabid reporters waiting at the other end, yelling stupid questions. So the four of them huddle up and march forward, and we get lots of dramatic music as they do so.
Cut to Cliff’s office, where Casey has just showed up and wants to talk business. Cliff initially wants nothing to do with Casey (“I SAW you with JR’s secretary!”), but after Casey convinces Cliff that they both share the same daddy issues, Cliff at least listens to him. What does Casey want Cliff to do? Buy Westar stock.
Back at South Fork, Clay wants to speak with Miss Ellie privately. He thanks her for showing up at the police station and all that. Maybe we can work things out? Ellie: “Nothing’s changed. The Ewings band together when things like this happen. Until this is OVER, you have our support.” In other words, get back in your dog house and shut up. Then Miss Ellie wanders off to see if Teresa has polished the silverware.
Ray’s at his house, moping around because Jenna and Charlie are supposedly off getting Charlie set-up in her prison cell at the School for Misbehaving Child Actors. Connie (the flat-tire tramp) phones Ray. How about we do dinner? Ray politely declines. Connie squelches her hormones for the moment. Maybe we’ll run into each other soon?
Of course they will. This set-up is taking forever. Let’s get to whatever is supposed to happen.
Sue Ellen shows up at April’s condo, and the conversation goes something like this:
Sue Ellen: Have you seen Nick lately? (Translation: I am VERY horny.)
April: Why are you so worried? (Are you sleeping with him?)
Sue Ellen: We’ve been getting… close. (Yes)
April: I can’t find him either. I need to buy some Westar stock. (But I’m not trying all that hard. Last time I went looking for him I got kidnapped and I broke a nail.)
Sue Ellen: I can’t believe you’re going along with JR on this Westar thing. (Bitch.)
April: JR’s actually helped me out in the past. (Out of bed.)
Sue Ellen: “The one joy in my life is stopping JR from getting Westar.”
Bobby gets a call from Kay, the strumpet in Washington. There’s some bad buzz with the Clayton killing somebody thing, better get up here. Bobby: “Be there in the morning.”
At South Fork, JR pulls Miss Ellie aside. JR: “I’m MAD about Clayton being back in this house. He’s a disgrace to the family.” Ellie: “You’re a fine one to talk.” JR: “Clayton was out and out cheatin with that bimbo.” Miss Ellie snaps: “Compared to YOU, Clayton is a saint!”
At the sparsely-populated South Fork breakfast table the next morning, JR tries to get some intel from little Christopher: “Your daddy’s away a lot. Any idea where he goes?” Great, JR. Even ugly little children are fair game for your scheming.
Clayton walks in, all awkward and everything. He apologizes if his actions have upset folks. And of course, JR jumps all over that opening, talking about Clayton sleeping with that tramp and then killing her boyfriend. When Miss Ellie tries to shut him up, he pouts with “I’m just telling the truth!”
Sue Ellen: “That would be a first.”
Cut to Laurel wandering down some sidewalk, looking tragic and haggard. Her weird ex-boyfriend drives up (isn’t he supposed to be back home in England?), explaining that he’s only here to support her, no strings attached. Laurel seems to think that’s a splendid idea and they wander some more down the sidewalk.
Then we’re in Washington, where Bobby is meeting with the senator that is supposedly upset with Clayton’s shenanigans. Turns out, he’s not bothered by that at all. What he really wants to do is help Bobby get the Ewing Oil name back. All Bobby has to do is buy the senator a retirement home in Scotland for a couple million. Bobby just leaves, refusing to even shake the jerk’s hand.
Zip over to South Fork, where Miss Ellie is sitting there looking sad. Of all people, Laurel shows up. “I’m looking for you, to tell the truth.” Ellie gets kind of bitchy with her, and Laurel eventually leaves, but not before telling Ellie that “Clayton needs your love and support.”
Laurel walks out onto the infamous driveway where nobody ever seems to know how to park, and here comes JR, salivating at seeing her here. He wants to know all about her affair with Clayton.
Laurel: “It wouldn’t be lurid enough to turn you on. I’ve met men like you.”
I really enjoyed that line.
Cut to Cliff in his office, taking more pills, and Kimberly Cryder walks in. (What is up this episode with all these people waltzing into places they don’t normally belong?) She’s here on a business deal. She knows that Cliff bought all that Westar stock. Kim wants Cliff to meet her father and stop JR.
Cliff: “What if I don’t want to be in this fight?”
Kimberly: “Call me.”
JR calls Harry, the dirty police detective, and tells him to go pick up Laurel and bring her to his office. When Harry starts to protest that he doesn’t have any legal right to do that, JR yells at him to just do it and then slams the phone down. Poor Laurel. Now she’s got another Ewing stalking her, when all she wants to do is trim her little miniature trees.
Bobby and Kay, dancing again somewhere. He’s all flustered about Senator O’Dell trying to blackmail him. Kay: “What would your father have done?” Bobby looks all confused and sad, which is the expression he gives when he’s contemplating doing something naughty.
Sue Ellen is in her office, and Nick shows up for his “appointment.” Nick: “Nothing has changed between us.” Sue Ellen: “But what is going ON?” Nick: “Can’t tell. It’s a family matter.” Sue Ellen: “I can understand family issues.” Nick: “We can only do business together, no meeting alone, ever. I’ll be in touch.” And then he’s gone again.
Poor Sue Ellen. She doesn’t have ANYONE stalking her, when all she wants to do is be stalked. A lot.
JR’s office, and Laurel storms in, completely fed up with JR’s trick, while Harry stands in the background, looking sheepish, and then he scampers away. JR goes right into aggressive overdrive, digging for information and telling total lies about what his intentions are. Then his horniness surfaces.
JR: “I’d have bedded you.”
Laurel: “If I live to be a thousand, I’d never let you touch me.” She storms back out.
Cut to Ray’s house. He answers the front door to find Flat-Tire Connie standing there, holding a bag of groceries. She’s going to make dinner for him. Poor Ray. All he wants to do is pretend that he misses Jenna and that brat Charlie, and here’s this irritating stalker woman that insists on cooking for him.
Clayton and Miss Ellie meet with lawyer Harv, and he has some grim news about Clayton‘s legal standing. With the way things appear, the best they can hope for is involuntary manslaughter. Then they just sit there. I guess for dramatic effect. Clay looks depressed, Ellie looks like she could wrinkle her face at any moment, and Harv looks like he’s calculating how much money he’s made over the years on Ewing criminal cases.
Cut back to Ray’s house. He and Connie are apparently bonding over a bottle of wine. Ray ends up telling her he’s glad she came by, it’s been a little lonely. Connie smiles a discreet victory smile, then heads off to “clean up the kitchen” which probably means she’s going to slip into a thong and some high heels.
The phone rings. He has a short conversation with what appears to be Jenna, but we can only hear his side of the conversation since there’s not really anybody at the other end of the prop phone.
Connie comes back in, not quite thonged just yet. “Bad news?”
Ray: “They hate the school, and have decided to just travel Europe for a while.” (How convenient for the script writers!)
Connie: “Is there something I can do?” (Like what, Connie? Go get them and bring them back?)
Ray: “Let’s go drink!” They grab their things and head out the door. Gee. I wonder how THIS night is going to end?
Cut to Kimberly’s father, Dr. Styles, sitting somewhere in his fancy mansion. Kimberly arrives with Cliff, and she’s all excited about getting the two of them together.
Styles to Cliff: I want you to join me fighting JR. Maybe a position in the company. Maybe a merger.
Cliff: “I hope this war explodes and blows both of you to hell and back!” Then he storms out.
As the door slams, Dr. Styles has some sort of attack and reaches for his oxygen. Kimberly runs to tend to him, looking anguished, but still manages to keep her good side facing the camera.
Daddy Styles: “I think we’ve lost.”
Cut to JR’s office (that place was BUSY this episode), and Kimberly shows up, ready to broker a deal, but JR is apparently not in the mood.
Kim: I want to call the whole thing off. No marriage. I’ll convince Daddy.
JR: I wanna break him and take Westar over.
Kim: “One way or another, I will stop you.”
End trans.
Cut to Cliff’s office, where Casey has just showed up and wants to talk business. Cliff initially wants nothing to do with Casey (“I SAW you with JR’s secretary!”), but after Casey convinces Cliff that they both share the same daddy issues, Cliff at least listens to him. What does Casey want Cliff to do? Buy Westar stock.
Back at South Fork, Clay wants to speak with Miss Ellie privately. He thanks her for showing up at the police station and all that. Maybe we can work things out? Ellie: “Nothing’s changed. The Ewings band together when things like this happen. Until this is OVER, you have our support.” In other words, get back in your dog house and shut up. Then Miss Ellie wanders off to see if Teresa has polished the silverware.
Ray’s at his house, moping around because Jenna and Charlie are supposedly off getting Charlie set-up in her prison cell at the School for Misbehaving Child Actors. Connie (the flat-tire tramp) phones Ray. How about we do dinner? Ray politely declines. Connie squelches her hormones for the moment. Maybe we’ll run into each other soon?
Of course they will. This set-up is taking forever. Let’s get to whatever is supposed to happen.
Sue Ellen shows up at April’s condo, and the conversation goes something like this:
Sue Ellen: Have you seen Nick lately? (Translation: I am VERY horny.)
April: Why are you so worried? (Are you sleeping with him?)
Sue Ellen: We’ve been getting… close. (Yes)
April: I can’t find him either. I need to buy some Westar stock. (But I’m not trying all that hard. Last time I went looking for him I got kidnapped and I broke a nail.)
Sue Ellen: I can’t believe you’re going along with JR on this Westar thing. (Bitch.)
April: JR’s actually helped me out in the past. (Out of bed.)
Sue Ellen: “The one joy in my life is stopping JR from getting Westar.”
Bobby gets a call from Kay, the strumpet in Washington. There’s some bad buzz with the Clayton killing somebody thing, better get up here. Bobby: “Be there in the morning.”
At South Fork, JR pulls Miss Ellie aside. JR: “I’m MAD about Clayton being back in this house. He’s a disgrace to the family.” Ellie: “You’re a fine one to talk.” JR: “Clayton was out and out cheatin with that bimbo.” Miss Ellie snaps: “Compared to YOU, Clayton is a saint!”
At the sparsely-populated South Fork breakfast table the next morning, JR tries to get some intel from little Christopher: “Your daddy’s away a lot. Any idea where he goes?” Great, JR. Even ugly little children are fair game for your scheming.
Clayton walks in, all awkward and everything. He apologizes if his actions have upset folks. And of course, JR jumps all over that opening, talking about Clayton sleeping with that tramp and then killing her boyfriend. When Miss Ellie tries to shut him up, he pouts with “I’m just telling the truth!”
Sue Ellen: “That would be a first.”
Cut to Laurel wandering down some sidewalk, looking tragic and haggard. Her weird ex-boyfriend drives up (isn’t he supposed to be back home in England?), explaining that he’s only here to support her, no strings attached. Laurel seems to think that’s a splendid idea and they wander some more down the sidewalk.
Then we’re in Washington, where Bobby is meeting with the senator that is supposedly upset with Clayton’s shenanigans. Turns out, he’s not bothered by that at all. What he really wants to do is help Bobby get the Ewing Oil name back. All Bobby has to do is buy the senator a retirement home in Scotland for a couple million. Bobby just leaves, refusing to even shake the jerk’s hand.
Zip over to South Fork, where Miss Ellie is sitting there looking sad. Of all people, Laurel shows up. “I’m looking for you, to tell the truth.” Ellie gets kind of bitchy with her, and Laurel eventually leaves, but not before telling Ellie that “Clayton needs your love and support.”
Laurel walks out onto the infamous driveway where nobody ever seems to know how to park, and here comes JR, salivating at seeing her here. He wants to know all about her affair with Clayton.
Laurel: “It wouldn’t be lurid enough to turn you on. I’ve met men like you.”
I really enjoyed that line.
Cut to Cliff in his office, taking more pills, and Kimberly Cryder walks in. (What is up this episode with all these people waltzing into places they don’t normally belong?) She’s here on a business deal. She knows that Cliff bought all that Westar stock. Kim wants Cliff to meet her father and stop JR.
Cliff: “What if I don’t want to be in this fight?”
Kimberly: “Call me.”
JR calls Harry, the dirty police detective, and tells him to go pick up Laurel and bring her to his office. When Harry starts to protest that he doesn’t have any legal right to do that, JR yells at him to just do it and then slams the phone down. Poor Laurel. Now she’s got another Ewing stalking her, when all she wants to do is trim her little miniature trees.
Bobby and Kay, dancing again somewhere. He’s all flustered about Senator O’Dell trying to blackmail him. Kay: “What would your father have done?” Bobby looks all confused and sad, which is the expression he gives when he’s contemplating doing something naughty.
Sue Ellen is in her office, and Nick shows up for his “appointment.” Nick: “Nothing has changed between us.” Sue Ellen: “But what is going ON?” Nick: “Can’t tell. It’s a family matter.” Sue Ellen: “I can understand family issues.” Nick: “We can only do business together, no meeting alone, ever. I’ll be in touch.” And then he’s gone again.
Poor Sue Ellen. She doesn’t have ANYONE stalking her, when all she wants to do is be stalked. A lot.
JR’s office, and Laurel storms in, completely fed up with JR’s trick, while Harry stands in the background, looking sheepish, and then he scampers away. JR goes right into aggressive overdrive, digging for information and telling total lies about what his intentions are. Then his horniness surfaces.
JR: “I’d have bedded you.”
Laurel: “If I live to be a thousand, I’d never let you touch me.” She storms back out.
Cut to Ray’s house. He answers the front door to find Flat-Tire Connie standing there, holding a bag of groceries. She’s going to make dinner for him. Poor Ray. All he wants to do is pretend that he misses Jenna and that brat Charlie, and here’s this irritating stalker woman that insists on cooking for him.
Clayton and Miss Ellie meet with lawyer Harv, and he has some grim news about Clayton‘s legal standing. With the way things appear, the best they can hope for is involuntary manslaughter. Then they just sit there. I guess for dramatic effect. Clay looks depressed, Ellie looks like she could wrinkle her face at any moment, and Harv looks like he’s calculating how much money he’s made over the years on Ewing criminal cases.
Cut back to Ray’s house. He and Connie are apparently bonding over a bottle of wine. Ray ends up telling her he’s glad she came by, it’s been a little lonely. Connie smiles a discreet victory smile, then heads off to “clean up the kitchen” which probably means she’s going to slip into a thong and some high heels.
The phone rings. He has a short conversation with what appears to be Jenna, but we can only hear his side of the conversation since there’s not really anybody at the other end of the prop phone.
Connie comes back in, not quite thonged just yet. “Bad news?”
Ray: “They hate the school, and have decided to just travel Europe for a while.” (How convenient for the script writers!)
Connie: “Is there something I can do?” (Like what, Connie? Go get them and bring them back?)
Ray: “Let’s go drink!” They grab their things and head out the door. Gee. I wonder how THIS night is going to end?
Cut to Kimberly’s father, Dr. Styles, sitting somewhere in his fancy mansion. Kimberly arrives with Cliff, and she’s all excited about getting the two of them together.
Styles to Cliff: I want you to join me fighting JR. Maybe a position in the company. Maybe a merger.
Cliff: “I hope this war explodes and blows both of you to hell and back!” Then he storms out.
As the door slams, Dr. Styles has some sort of attack and reaches for his oxygen. Kimberly runs to tend to him, looking anguished, but still manages to keep her good side facing the camera.
Daddy Styles: “I think we’ve lost.”
Cut to JR’s office (that place was BUSY this episode), and Kimberly shows up, ready to broker a deal, but JR is apparently not in the mood.
Kim: I want to call the whole thing off. No marriage. I’ll convince Daddy.
JR: I wanna break him and take Westar over.
Kim: “One way or another, I will stop you.”
End trans.
Friday, November 20, 2009
#95 - Survivor: Samoa - Episode 10
We start out with some weird, slightly over-lapping night-vision images of the survivors after tribal. It reminds me of the odd images they used at the beginning of the episode where good Russell was taken out of the game. So is somebody else going down? Or is somebody just being artsy and proving they went to film school? Don’t really know.
Then we have bad Russell, swinging in a hammock, boasting about how wonderful he is.
Sidebar with Laura, where she’s really shocked about Russell’s power play. “We should have known better.”
Cut to Russell and Shambo inside the tent. They are really proud of themselves, and Shambo is just cackling away. Really loud. This is right after tribal, and everybody can hear them whooping it up. Maybe not the exact wording, but definitely the attitude.
If there’s anyone on Galu at this point that doesn’t suspect Shambo has flipped, then they’re idiots.
Roll opening credits.
Early next morning, Russell is out looking for the redeployed idol, while everybody is still sleeping. Can’t stand him, but you have to give him credit. He’s out working and the others are doing nothing.
Sidebar with Shambo, where she’s hatin all over Laura, calling her a viper and a beast and anything else she can come up with considering her limited vocabulary.
Shambo approaches John on the side. “There IS no purple power.” It’s time to change things up. Be my sixth vote, help me get Laura out. John doesn’t immediately commit. But he promises not to tell anyone that she asked.
John in a sidebar: “I’m the only one who knows that Shambo has flipped.” Now he’s just got to decide how and if to use this information.
Then we’re off to the Reward Challenge. The prize this time involves a picnic at a waterfall, and the use of a Palm Pre. (Irritatingly, Jeff goes on and on about the Palm Pre, harping on its god-like powers. Gee, I wonder who was one of the major sponsors for this episode? Hmm.)
Anyway, this challenge involves two teams. One member on each team lays face down in a cradle, then is hoisted up in the air. The rest of the team uses ropes and pulleys to guide the cradle around so the player can snatch up flags and place them in order on another log.
Natalie, the snatcher on the purple team, is amazing. She shimmies off the end of the cradle, barely hanging on by her feet, with her business flopping around and all that. She slams through the flags, finishing way before they yellow team.
Natalie, Russell, Dave, Laura and Brett head off to the waterfall reward.
Where they get to eat, obviously, but they also take an amazing number of pictures with the Palm Pre, demonstrating to the viewing audience just how badly they need to purchase this sponsor’s product.
Meanwhile, back at camp, Jaison and Mick are working Monica, trying to get her to “be their sixth”. Monica: “But that would only make five.” They promise her that someone has already flipped, they just won’t say who. Monica isn’t convinced, but does say that if she joins them, she wants John out.
Over at the waterfall, they discover that the Palm Pre has clues about the hidden immunity idol, including a short video of the rock where the idol is buried. (See, people in the audience! The Palm Pre can help you win Survivor! Buy one now!)
As soon as they get back from the waterfall, Russell races to Mick and Jaison, giving them the idol clues, and off they go into the forest. Dave and Laura see this, and chase after them.
So the five of them are scrambling, checking under rocks for the idol. At one point, Dave gets to a rock before Russell can, but he doesn’t find anything under it. Russell studies the rock. He thinks that’s the one.
Suddenly Russell just takes off running, which obviously gets Dave and Laura’s attention and away they go. Russell purposely loses them in the jungle, and goes back to the last rock Dave moved. He shoves it aside, digs deeper BEHIND where the rock had been sitting, and finds another idol.
Unbelievable.
Later, Monica goes to Laura. “I don’t trust two people on our tribe.” Shambo and John. Laura in a sidebar: “I have to win this challenge.”
Time for the Immunity Challenge.
This one is a two-parter. First, you have to break one of your hanging tiles in order to win a spear. In the second round, you have to throw your spear at a target and get closest to the center. If you don’t break a tile in the first round, you’re out.
When Laura is unable to break her tile, and is therefore eliminated in the first round, Shambo busts out laughing and actually high-fives Russell. What a great sport she is. Bitch.
In the end, Mick wins immunity. Russell and Shambo don’t care. Their target is now vulnerable at tribal. Shambo leaves the challenge still laughing and grinning.
Later, Shambo pulls Brett aside and tells him she’s voting Laura. “There is NO more Galu.” Brett asks if she can be swayed in any way. Nope.
After that, things get a little crazy as last-minute strategizing explodes.
Dave and Laura approach John. We need to get rid of Russell. John: “The vote is Natalie. She’s the least likely to have the idol ‘cause she didn’t look for it.”
Then we have a sidebar with John, where he rants about the pathetic analytical skills of the former Galu. This goes on for a while. He really doesn’t like them. I really don’t like John and his pompous attitude.
Monica, Dave and Brett hatch a plan to make Foa Foa think Monica is voting for John, which might pull the Foa Foa focus off of Laura, and then Galu will really go after Natalie.
Monica goes to Russell and Mick to try to make this work. They aren’t sure what to think about this. After she leaves, Foa Foa discusses and Russell thinks they should go tell John.
John wanders up to Brett, wanting to know what the plan is. Brett tells him that Monica is off convincing Foa Foa that they are voting for him, when they are not. John’s not hip with that and lets the Galu schemers know he’s not going to play this game.
John meets with Russell, with Russell saying he knows Galu is trying to swindle them with the John angle. Foa Foa is ready to go for a tie at tribal. (If there’s a tie vote at tribal, they have a re-vote where you can only vote for those in the tie, and those in the tie can’t vote. If it’s still a tie, then everybody draws rocks and ANYONE could go home.) Russell tells John that the switch has to happen on that second vote.
John wants a deal with Russell. If he votes to send a Galu home, then a Foa Foa has to go next. Of course Russell agrees to this. He’ll agree to anything and then do whatever he wants.
In a sidebar, it doesn’t appear that John is willing to jump ship just yet. But who knows.
Time for Tribal.
Jeff focuses the whole discussion on how, at this point, a flip is very possible. “We’ve got a really interesting night in store for us.” We could go to a tie, and someone could go home by drawing a rock. Jeff really drives home the implications of a double tie
They vote. Five for Laura. Five for Natalie.
Second vote. Five for Laura. Three for Natalie (Laura and Natalie can’t vote.)
Laura’s going home. Shambo busts out laughing again, with Russell chuckling and grinning like he owns it all. At least Natalie, Mick and Jaison had the decency to politely sit there.
So John flipped.
Erik sitting in the jury: “And there goes the lead…”
End credits.
P.S. Did you buy a Palm Pre yet?
Then we have bad Russell, swinging in a hammock, boasting about how wonderful he is.
Sidebar with Laura, where she’s really shocked about Russell’s power play. “We should have known better.”
Cut to Russell and Shambo inside the tent. They are really proud of themselves, and Shambo is just cackling away. Really loud. This is right after tribal, and everybody can hear them whooping it up. Maybe not the exact wording, but definitely the attitude.
If there’s anyone on Galu at this point that doesn’t suspect Shambo has flipped, then they’re idiots.
Roll opening credits.
Early next morning, Russell is out looking for the redeployed idol, while everybody is still sleeping. Can’t stand him, but you have to give him credit. He’s out working and the others are doing nothing.
Sidebar with Shambo, where she’s hatin all over Laura, calling her a viper and a beast and anything else she can come up with considering her limited vocabulary.
Shambo approaches John on the side. “There IS no purple power.” It’s time to change things up. Be my sixth vote, help me get Laura out. John doesn’t immediately commit. But he promises not to tell anyone that she asked.
John in a sidebar: “I’m the only one who knows that Shambo has flipped.” Now he’s just got to decide how and if to use this information.
Then we’re off to the Reward Challenge. The prize this time involves a picnic at a waterfall, and the use of a Palm Pre. (Irritatingly, Jeff goes on and on about the Palm Pre, harping on its god-like powers. Gee, I wonder who was one of the major sponsors for this episode? Hmm.)
Anyway, this challenge involves two teams. One member on each team lays face down in a cradle, then is hoisted up in the air. The rest of the team uses ropes and pulleys to guide the cradle around so the player can snatch up flags and place them in order on another log.
Natalie, the snatcher on the purple team, is amazing. She shimmies off the end of the cradle, barely hanging on by her feet, with her business flopping around and all that. She slams through the flags, finishing way before they yellow team.
Natalie, Russell, Dave, Laura and Brett head off to the waterfall reward.
Where they get to eat, obviously, but they also take an amazing number of pictures with the Palm Pre, demonstrating to the viewing audience just how badly they need to purchase this sponsor’s product.
Meanwhile, back at camp, Jaison and Mick are working Monica, trying to get her to “be their sixth”. Monica: “But that would only make five.” They promise her that someone has already flipped, they just won’t say who. Monica isn’t convinced, but does say that if she joins them, she wants John out.
Over at the waterfall, they discover that the Palm Pre has clues about the hidden immunity idol, including a short video of the rock where the idol is buried. (See, people in the audience! The Palm Pre can help you win Survivor! Buy one now!)
As soon as they get back from the waterfall, Russell races to Mick and Jaison, giving them the idol clues, and off they go into the forest. Dave and Laura see this, and chase after them.
So the five of them are scrambling, checking under rocks for the idol. At one point, Dave gets to a rock before Russell can, but he doesn’t find anything under it. Russell studies the rock. He thinks that’s the one.
Suddenly Russell just takes off running, which obviously gets Dave and Laura’s attention and away they go. Russell purposely loses them in the jungle, and goes back to the last rock Dave moved. He shoves it aside, digs deeper BEHIND where the rock had been sitting, and finds another idol.
Unbelievable.
Later, Monica goes to Laura. “I don’t trust two people on our tribe.” Shambo and John. Laura in a sidebar: “I have to win this challenge.”
Time for the Immunity Challenge.
This one is a two-parter. First, you have to break one of your hanging tiles in order to win a spear. In the second round, you have to throw your spear at a target and get closest to the center. If you don’t break a tile in the first round, you’re out.
When Laura is unable to break her tile, and is therefore eliminated in the first round, Shambo busts out laughing and actually high-fives Russell. What a great sport she is. Bitch.
In the end, Mick wins immunity. Russell and Shambo don’t care. Their target is now vulnerable at tribal. Shambo leaves the challenge still laughing and grinning.
Later, Shambo pulls Brett aside and tells him she’s voting Laura. “There is NO more Galu.” Brett asks if she can be swayed in any way. Nope.
After that, things get a little crazy as last-minute strategizing explodes.
Dave and Laura approach John. We need to get rid of Russell. John: “The vote is Natalie. She’s the least likely to have the idol ‘cause she didn’t look for it.”
Then we have a sidebar with John, where he rants about the pathetic analytical skills of the former Galu. This goes on for a while. He really doesn’t like them. I really don’t like John and his pompous attitude.
Monica, Dave and Brett hatch a plan to make Foa Foa think Monica is voting for John, which might pull the Foa Foa focus off of Laura, and then Galu will really go after Natalie.
Monica goes to Russell and Mick to try to make this work. They aren’t sure what to think about this. After she leaves, Foa Foa discusses and Russell thinks they should go tell John.
John wanders up to Brett, wanting to know what the plan is. Brett tells him that Monica is off convincing Foa Foa that they are voting for him, when they are not. John’s not hip with that and lets the Galu schemers know he’s not going to play this game.
John meets with Russell, with Russell saying he knows Galu is trying to swindle them with the John angle. Foa Foa is ready to go for a tie at tribal. (If there’s a tie vote at tribal, they have a re-vote where you can only vote for those in the tie, and those in the tie can’t vote. If it’s still a tie, then everybody draws rocks and ANYONE could go home.) Russell tells John that the switch has to happen on that second vote.
John wants a deal with Russell. If he votes to send a Galu home, then a Foa Foa has to go next. Of course Russell agrees to this. He’ll agree to anything and then do whatever he wants.
In a sidebar, it doesn’t appear that John is willing to jump ship just yet. But who knows.
Time for Tribal.
Jeff focuses the whole discussion on how, at this point, a flip is very possible. “We’ve got a really interesting night in store for us.” We could go to a tie, and someone could go home by drawing a rock. Jeff really drives home the implications of a double tie
They vote. Five for Laura. Five for Natalie.
Second vote. Five for Laura. Three for Natalie (Laura and Natalie can’t vote.)
Laura’s going home. Shambo busts out laughing again, with Russell chuckling and grinning like he owns it all. At least Natalie, Mick and Jaison had the decency to politely sit there.
So John flipped.
Erik sitting in the jury: “And there goes the lead…”
End credits.
P.S. Did you buy a Palm Pre yet?
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