Survivor Tocantins - April 16

It's night 21. Joe has been evacuated to have his infected leg treated. The tribe is sitting around the campfire in a funk. Coach seeks to cheer them up by sharing a piece of his life. He tells them a story that he "has only told to 2-3 other people". Our coach was kayaking down the Amazon having been dropped into the wilderness by a miltary helicopter. He was set upon by some 4 foot aboriginal peoples with bows and arrows. They grabbed him and tied him to a stake and beat him with clubs causing him to black out several times. Fortunately, just before being killed, he was able to wear through the rope, escape and paddle for two days to freedom . National Geographic got wind of the story and wanted to come and join him but Coach told them "no way - this trip is about me being by myself". As this story unwinds there is absolute, total, deafening silence around the fire. Looks are exchanged, eyebrows are raised and lowered but not a sound is heard. Finally a puzzled Brendon asks the obvious question "So how much does it cost to get a military helicopter to drop you in there?" Well ok maybe its not the question I would have asked. Your editor would have asked something like "if you only told 3 people in all these years, how did National Geographic hear about it before you even got home from the Amazon?" Another good question might be "Do we all look like we just fell off turnip trucks?". Brendon sums it up for everyone when he tells us that Coach is lying and if he's lying about this what else does he lie about.

The next morning the Power Alliance of JT, Debbie, Tyson and Coach meets to confirm that Brendon is still the next one to go home. Coach tells us (again) that he is the Dragonslayer and Brendon is the Dragon's head. About Sierra he says she is the dragon's bowel movement and will be the next to go. Coach tells us (again) that he is in total control of the game. No coach. Mostly people are just laughing at you. Meanwhile other friendships are percolating. Erin chats with JT and confesses that she has no alliances among her form tribe-mates now that Joe is gone. She admits that she like JT's tribe better than her own. JT knows that he can go to Erinn for help if he needs it.

For the reward challenge three teams of three each must throw metal balls and try to break tiles belonging to one of the other teams. The last tribe to have one of their eight tiles unbroken wins reward - a white water rafting trip, followed by a picnic of sandwiches, chicken wings and brownies. The team of JT, Brendon and Debbie win this one and select Stephen to go to Exile Island (this time, alone).

So Stephen heads off to Exile Island where he successfully makes a fire for the very first time. He tells us this is like giving birth to his very first child. He just wants to tend the fire for the rest of his life. On the rafting trip, other firsts are being had. JT has never been on a white water rafting trip before and he is having the time of his life. Brendon comments on the look of delight on JT's face and says he is a "good soul". Brendon knows that if he goes to the final two with Brendon he won't win, but says that having JT win would be a victory. I'm really happy you feel that way Brendon because the dreamy JT is MY GUY! The whole thing begins to get a little creepy when, the next morning, Brendon tells us that he has been up the whole night trying to figure out how to get JT to the final. He tells Sierra that there is a new plan. JT is in and Coach is out. Good plan says Sierra who is also, apparently a huge JT fan. Did I mention JT is MY GUY?

As usual, the juicy conniving is interupted by Dimples and an immunity challenge. In this one each survivor is attached to a long rope which is wound through a series of wooden frames. The goal is to wind, twist, roll and crochet your way through the obstacles following the path your rope takes you. The first three to finish move on the the final where the obstacles are three levels high. Tyson JT and Brendon all move on to the final, but its Tyson who wins immunity for the second time in a row. Its a complicated few hours before tribal council. Brendon thinks he is in control and gets his Exile Island Alliance on board to send Coach home. Coach thinks he is in control and rallies the Power Alliance to send Brendon home. JT thinks maybe he and Stephen are the ones who are really in control since they seem to be on all the alliances. And finally everyone says JT is going home even though no one intends to vote for him so that no one will know who they are really voting for. Phew! At Tribal Council Dimples questions Coach about his Amazon adventure and gets Coach to add the part he had hesitated to tell the others before - that the Amazon tribesmen had actually been talking about eating his ass. Dimples gets a look on his face like he has just discovered a crushed cockroach on his best blue shirt. One can only imagine the laughter among the Survivor cameramen and crew members after this one! Brendon, believing that Coach is going home doesn't bother playing his immunity idol and when the votes are cast it is he who watches his torch being snuffed. Along with Brendon goes Rick. Also crying in their beer tonight are Lynn and I who both picked Brendon to win the big money.

There are now eight surviving Survivors JT, Taj, Tyson, Sierra, Coach, Debbie, Stephen and Erinn. Soon one more will be gone. Who will it be?

Until next week,
Outwit, Outplay Outlast
Pat (aka JT Everyone loves me Thomas)