Survivor Tocantins - March 12/09

Its Day 13 (or maybe 14, I can't always tell because the tv station likes to put upcoming shows in the corner where the day is which makes me really grumpy). Anyhow, its some kind of day in around the two week mark. Sandy has left the scene with barely a ripple. At Jalapoa, Taj is excited about the secret Exile Island alliance. She and Stephen discuss it while Stephen scratches Taj's back. Now if that ain't an alliance I don't know what is! Wait until her NFL husband gets hold of Stephen's pencil-neck. First Stephen doesn't know who famous hubby is, now he's scratching the little woman's back. Focus Pat, focus. So Taj and Stephen head off to look for the idol and, as expected, find it hidden in the skirts of the tree mail god. Taj has no pockets so she gives it to Stephen to keep. Privately Stephen tells us that the idol is in his possession now and he might not give it back. At Timbura, Brendan and Sierra finally find some time to be alone. Sierra is ticked that Brendan never told her about the plan for the Exile Island Alliance. Brendan smoothes it over though, assuring Sierra that he meant to tell her (which is true, he really did).


Dimples shows up in a dusty blue shirt for the reward challenge. This is a puker challenge where a member of each tribe sits on a turntable clutching a centre pole. A tribe-mate takes a rope wound around the turntable and runs. This causes the turntable to spin, much like a top, making Pat feel very ill. It also makes the person on the turntable very dizzy. Once they have completed the spin the dizzy spinee must get up and hurry across a balance beam to cross the finish line. This is repeated over three rounds and the tribe who wins two rounds wins reward. Jalapoa wins reward, a visit to the Cafe Charmin (can you say sponsorship opportunity?) where they have access to coffee, juice, pastries, soap and (you guessed it) Charmin. In addition to winning the reward, Jalapao gets to send someone from Timbira to Exile Island (Brendan). Brendan then gets to pick someone from Jalapao to go with him. He picks Stephen thinking he would like to get to know his new ally. Little does Brendan know that his tribe is a little suspicious of his choice and concerned about the amount of time he is spending with the enemy. Tyler is particularly worried about Brendan and feels he should be the next to go.


At Jalapao there are similar concerns about Taj having been away from the tribe so much. But this time she isn't at Exile Island. She is at the Cafe Charmin and loving every minute of it. Things get even better when JT finds tree mail with letters from home for everyone. I'm thinkin' a lot of that Charmin got used to wipe up tears rather than wiping bear bums.


At Timbira there is more talk about Brendan and how he must go. There is also a great scene from the "Coach is an ass" collection where Coach goes on and on about how there is a storm rolling in. Not to worry though, says Coach knowledgeably, since it is going to head off to the west and juuuuussst miss them. The next scene is of the camp being drenched by a torrential downpour.


On Exile Island Brendan introduces Stephen to his "vacation pad". They talk about their alliance and Stephen reveals that he and Taj found the immunity idol hidden at their camp. Privately Stephen tells us that Brendan is obviously a strong strategic player and Stephen has no intention of putting his whole faith in the Exile Island Alliance. Editor's note: This Stephen is a wiley if somewhat nerdy fellow.


On Day 15 Sydney is telling Spencer about a dream she had involving her boyfriend, earthquakes and salsa. She woke up from the dream knowing this is the man she has to marry. Huh? She engages Spencer in a conversation about relationships, after which he tells us privately he is gay. Editor's note 2: I was wondering where the required Survivor Gay Guy was hiding this season. Apparently Spencer is reluctant to reveal the fact, particularly to TJ who is a good ol' southern boy and may have some strong opinions on gay guys. Editor's note 3:Not MY guy!!


So its on to the immunity challenge. This one involves shooting balls from a giant slingshot and catching them in a fish net. Members from each tribe are paired up to both catch the ball and prevent their opponent from catching it. JT is amazing in this challenge. Editors note 4: He made me soooo proud. He catches four balls for the Jalapoaloaves, even breaking a front tooth in the process. When he takes the tooth out and throws it into the water, Dimples retrieves and keeps it for him. Ewww. In spite of JT's efforts though, Timira pulls a win out of their - uh - back pocket. JT has a little temper tantrum, feeling that Spencer didn't do his job as a defender during the challenge. Spencer must go, says JT.



Back at camp the Jalapaolites lick their wounds and prepare for tribal council. Joe and JT are beat up and Taj is angry at herself and, for reasons that I couldn't establish, at Joe. She bawls him out and leaves Joe wondering if Taj should get his next vote. Stephen is wondering the same thing. He is better off if Taj goes home and leaves him with the idol. On the other hand Taj is the connection with the other half of the Exile Island Alliance. Hmmm. What to do?


Off they trek to Tribal Council. Apparently they have a new wardrobe person on the Survivor set because Dimples arrives wearing a chartreuse green shirt. This is the second non-blue shirt he has worn this season. There is no telling what crazy mischief these Survivor people will get up to next! But when Dimples tallies the votes we learn that the youthful Spencer is heading home, taking our own Kathy with him. Leaving the "pick the winner" contest tonight is Marie, whose girls told her to vote for Spencer. See where getting outside help gets you?

Speaking of crazy Survivor mischief...Survivor is skipping next week and will return Wed. of the following week. This is probably due to accomodate March Madness or some such thing. So until the next episode...
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast

Pat (aka JT I caught a ball while spitting out a tooth Thomas)