I actually missed the first few minutes of the show tonight so all I can tell you is that there was an immunity challenge and JT won it. As I joined the show Erinn is pleading her case with JT telling him that she knows he is tight with Taj, but suggesting that Taj might be more popular with the jury than Erinn. That makes Taj a liability.
At Tribal Council thunder rolls overhead as Dimples questions the group about who should go home. Erinn suggests that she will be very surprised if it isn't her. Turns out Erinn is surprised because it isn't her. It is Taj who is waving goodbye. Along with Taj goes Marie from our pool. On their return from Tribal Council JT begins to suffer the consequences of his vote. Erinn talks incessantly. JT is annoyed by the chatter and feeling guilty about voting for Taj.
The next morning Erinn tells Stephen that she will take him to the final 2 with her. Stephen says that he will do the same. A little later JT and Stephen repledge their allegiance but Stephen's response is somewhat less than overwhelming. JT is worried sick. Negotiations break off when tree mail arrives (ever wonder who actually delivers the tree mail?). They are instructed to go on a walk to reminisce about their departed tribe mates. When this is done they are promised an immunity challenge involving concentration and coordination. They must put a ball into a metal spiral chute. The ball rolls down and out one side. The next time the ball rolls out the other side. Survivors have one hand tied behind their back and must catch the ball as it comes out the chute. Not so hard with one ball, but every few minutes another ball is added. When a Survivor bobbles a ball they are eliminated. Erinn is out first leaving Stephen and JT to battle it out, but in the end JT wins immunity. And so MY GUY is ensured a spot in the final two. JT knows he has a huge decision to make. Does he take Stephen with him to the final two and honour his alliance with him. Or does he take Erinn who he is certain he will be able to beat out for the million. Stephen tells us that he is happy he doesn't have to make the decision. Erinn tells JT that Stephen was going to take her to the final two. JT looks even more pained than before. But in the end JT sticks by his word and takes Stephen with him, eliminating Erinn and taking both Cheryl and Selina out of our pool.
And so it comes down to the Warrior and the Wizard, the country boy and the city boy, JT and Stephen. The two spend the morning of day 39 having breakfast together as they have planned since day 3. Then its off to Tribal Council for the final showdown with the jury. As usual, each member of the jury gets to ask them a question or two, but there are no real hard hitters in this group. The votes are cast. Dimples takes the urn in which the votes are deposited and heads out of the tribal council area and straight onto a New York stage. When the winner is finally announced it is my very own JT (MY GUY) who wins the $1,000,000 in a unanimous vote, beating out Stephen (Lynn's guy). I would take a picture of me handing me the money but my camera has gone missing. Perhaps I can use my winnings to buy a new one!
Two people picked JT to win (Barb and Selina) so I wrote their names on pieces of paper and woke Rick up to make him draw a name (that's love). The winner of the green merge Survivor Tocantins buff is Selina. I will have that in the mail to you shortly Selina!
The next Survivor series (season 19) will take place in the South Pacific on the island of Samoa. There will be 18 survivors. I hope I can count on all of you to continue. Now its very late. Thank you all for another great season. See you in Samoa.
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka JT now I'm cute nice AND rich Thomas)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Survivor Tocantins - May 14/09
It's night 33 in Survivorland Brazil. Debbie has gone home to her middle school students (well actually over to the jury but that doesn't sound very dramatic). Coach is in shock, having just realized that he is not actually running the show after all. The others cushion the blow by telling him that they saved him and that Debbie wanted him voted out. Coach is grateful. Coach is stupid.
The next morning the conversation turns to who should go to Exile Island next. Coach doesn't really want to go because he has suddenly and unexplainably, after 34 days, contracted asthma and back pain. Of course the Dragonslayer is willing to go if he must, but he would much rather send Taj or Erinn, fierce competitor that he is. Privately JT tells us that Coach should go to Exile Island. JT wants Coach weak for the immunity challenge so that they can vote him out.
Dimples introduces the reward challenge. With feet shackled, Survivors must race through a maze. Once through the maze they must construct a pole long enough to retrieve a sandbag suspended on a rope. They must then swing the sandbag and hit three targets. First to hit all three targets wins reward, an overnight trip to the Governor's retreat, complete with real beds, a shower and a feast. JT wins this challenge easily and chooses Coach to go to Exile Island and Stephen to accompany him on the reward. Before Coach heads off to Exile Island he tells the others that he is going to choose the monastic approach and not take any food or water or build a fire during his stay on Exile Island. Erin takes offense and tells Coach exactly how stupid his monastic approach is. He really just wants to be a martyr, says Erinn. After the confrontation JT is obviously angry with Erinn. He tells Stephen that "people are so dumb in this game. They talk way to much".
So the men-folk head off in their various directions and Taj and Erinn are left at camp. Far from feeling left out Erinn and Taj are enjoying the peace and quiet. Erinn tells Taj that she feels guilty about her tirade against Coach and hopes it will not gain her votes in Tribal Council. On Exile Island Coach is talking, and talking, and talking about how this will be a vacation, he will suntan, no food or water, no wishy washy no-character people around. He will take a spiritual journey in the manner of his ancestors the Cherokee (I'm pretty sure anyone of Cherokee ancestry is wincing during this segment). As coach fashions himself a dragon's cane he congratulates himself on getting the last word against Erinn.
At the Governor's retreat JT and Stephen are flown via private plane to a secluded wicker-furnished paradise. When they walk into the fully equipped bathroom they are both aghast at what they see in the mirror. Beards. Bad hair. Cruddy teeth. Whatever happened to the glamour of television? After a shower the two are led out to enjoy a bbq Brazilian style, which seems to consist of meat, meat and meat.
On day 36 we see Coach lying on the beach half submerged in the water. He has had no sleep, no food and no water and it has been awesome, he tells us. Yet he limps into the immunity challenge with his dragon cane like Christ carrying the cross to Calvary. Taj privately tells us that Coach is a drama queen (gee and I thought I was the only one who thought that!). The Immunity Challenge, Dimples tells them, involves two vertical posts. Survivors must brace themselves with their hands on either post and keep their feet on narrow footholds. Every 15 minutes they must move to narrower footholds. The challenge comes down to a mano et goofo between JT and Coach. Coach finally caves, falling to the ground and needing to be revived by the others. His back has been in spasm for the last 10 minutes, he tells us, bravely forgoing treatment by the medics. He is such a brave warrior, isn't he?
Back at camp JT has had a change of heart. He tells Coach that he, Coach and Stephen will vote for Erinn. Privately, in the first break between Stephen and JT, Stephen tells us he is not certain who to vote for. At Tribal Council Coach goes on another rant and reads a poem he has composed, causing much eye-rolling amongst both jury and tribe-mates. When Dimples counts the votes it is Coach and not Erinn who is heading over to the jury (where I am sure we are destined to hear more of him during the final vote). Stephen has cast his vote for Coach and not Erinn.JT looks, for the first time, like he has just realized he is not in total control. As Coach wanders over to the jury, so does Lisa from our pool. Thank you Lisa for bravely riding the roller coaster that is Coach. Rick is one of a small group who is sad to see Coach go, since he picked him to win (and I wouldn't let him change his vote). We are now down to four survivors. JT (Pat), Stephen (Lynn), Erinn (Cheryl and Selina) and Taj (Marie). Sunday is the finale. One of these four will be eliminated at Tribal Council and the remaining three will throw themselves on the mercy of the jury. Until Sunday...
Outwit, outplay, outlast
Pat ( aka JT did I almost throw Taj under the bus in favour of Coach Thomas)
The next morning the conversation turns to who should go to Exile Island next. Coach doesn't really want to go because he has suddenly and unexplainably, after 34 days, contracted asthma and back pain. Of course the Dragonslayer is willing to go if he must, but he would much rather send Taj or Erinn, fierce competitor that he is. Privately JT tells us that Coach should go to Exile Island. JT wants Coach weak for the immunity challenge so that they can vote him out.
Dimples introduces the reward challenge. With feet shackled, Survivors must race through a maze. Once through the maze they must construct a pole long enough to retrieve a sandbag suspended on a rope. They must then swing the sandbag and hit three targets. First to hit all three targets wins reward, an overnight trip to the Governor's retreat, complete with real beds, a shower and a feast. JT wins this challenge easily and chooses Coach to go to Exile Island and Stephen to accompany him on the reward. Before Coach heads off to Exile Island he tells the others that he is going to choose the monastic approach and not take any food or water or build a fire during his stay on Exile Island. Erin takes offense and tells Coach exactly how stupid his monastic approach is. He really just wants to be a martyr, says Erinn. After the confrontation JT is obviously angry with Erinn. He tells Stephen that "people are so dumb in this game. They talk way to much".
So the men-folk head off in their various directions and Taj and Erinn are left at camp. Far from feeling left out Erinn and Taj are enjoying the peace and quiet. Erinn tells Taj that she feels guilty about her tirade against Coach and hopes it will not gain her votes in Tribal Council. On Exile Island Coach is talking, and talking, and talking about how this will be a vacation, he will suntan, no food or water, no wishy washy no-character people around. He will take a spiritual journey in the manner of his ancestors the Cherokee (I'm pretty sure anyone of Cherokee ancestry is wincing during this segment). As coach fashions himself a dragon's cane he congratulates himself on getting the last word against Erinn.
At the Governor's retreat JT and Stephen are flown via private plane to a secluded wicker-furnished paradise. When they walk into the fully equipped bathroom they are both aghast at what they see in the mirror. Beards. Bad hair. Cruddy teeth. Whatever happened to the glamour of television? After a shower the two are led out to enjoy a bbq Brazilian style, which seems to consist of meat, meat and meat.
On day 36 we see Coach lying on the beach half submerged in the water. He has had no sleep, no food and no water and it has been awesome, he tells us. Yet he limps into the immunity challenge with his dragon cane like Christ carrying the cross to Calvary. Taj privately tells us that Coach is a drama queen (gee and I thought I was the only one who thought that!). The Immunity Challenge, Dimples tells them, involves two vertical posts. Survivors must brace themselves with their hands on either post and keep their feet on narrow footholds. Every 15 minutes they must move to narrower footholds. The challenge comes down to a mano et goofo between JT and Coach. Coach finally caves, falling to the ground and needing to be revived by the others. His back has been in spasm for the last 10 minutes, he tells us, bravely forgoing treatment by the medics. He is such a brave warrior, isn't he?
Back at camp JT has had a change of heart. He tells Coach that he, Coach and Stephen will vote for Erinn. Privately, in the first break between Stephen and JT, Stephen tells us he is not certain who to vote for. At Tribal Council Coach goes on another rant and reads a poem he has composed, causing much eye-rolling amongst both jury and tribe-mates. When Dimples counts the votes it is Coach and not Erinn who is heading over to the jury (where I am sure we are destined to hear more of him during the final vote). Stephen has cast his vote for Coach and not Erinn.JT looks, for the first time, like he has just realized he is not in total control. As Coach wanders over to the jury, so does Lisa from our pool. Thank you Lisa for bravely riding the roller coaster that is Coach. Rick is one of a small group who is sad to see Coach go, since he picked him to win (and I wouldn't let him change his vote). We are now down to four survivors. JT (Pat), Stephen (Lynn), Erinn (Cheryl and Selina) and Taj (Marie). Sunday is the finale. One of these four will be eliminated at Tribal Council and the remaining three will throw themselves on the mercy of the jury. Until Sunday...
Outwit, outplay, outlast
Pat ( aka JT did I almost throw Taj under the bus in favour of Coach Thomas)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Survivor Tocantins - May 7/09
This is my very first Survivor update from beautiful Pasqua Lake. I'm still trying to decide if having a computer and internet access out here is an asset or a detriment.
But on to Survivor. Sierra is gone. Coach believes he had his way though really he had little to do with the decision. Six Survivors are left. Coach tells Debbie it is time for the Warrior Alliance to swoop down on Taj and Erinn and punish them for casting rogue votes for Stephan and Debbie at Tribal Council. Debbie agrees that this is how it should play out, but privately tells us that Coach's dialogues are getting old. Ya think? The next morning, after having an overnight epiphany, Debbie decides it is time to disengage herself from Coach. She goes to Stephen and JT with ideas for a new alliance and the expulsion of Coach. Debbie's wavering allegiance to Coach only make Stephen and JT mistrust her, in spite of her pinky swear that she will be loyal to them.
The reward challenge is a food auction. Each Survivor gets $500.00 and can bid on food items in increments of $20.00. Debbie antes up for a $120.00 plate of fries, while Coach pays $320.00 for a plate of Chicken Parmesan. The last item up for bids is a cell phone. Highest bidder on the cell phone gets a message from home and Survivors can pool their money for this one. Led by JT (MY GUY) everyone hands their remaining money over to Taj who has missing her young children and her studly husband. So Taj gets to listen to a message from Eddie the football star. She is wailing so hard by the end of the message that she misses the final words of the message "see you back at camp". Dimples calms her down enough to point out what Eddie has just said in his message. For his trouble Taj nearly rips Dimples arm off in her excitement. So Taj gets to spend the night with Eddie but there is a twist. If she makes a sacrifice and agrees to spend her time with Eddie on Exile Island, everyone can have a visit with a loved one. Taj readily agrees and scurries off to Exile Island where Eddie jumps out from behind a tree. He marvels at her weight loss, her smelliness and her armpit hair, but tells us he is turned on by her wildness. The fact that he is afraid of snakes and scorpions just gives him a new respect for his wife.
Back at camp tears are flowing as the other Survivors reunite with brothers, fathers, sisters and uh, an assistant coach?? Did I miss an actual relationship between Coach and his visitor or was he really an assistant coach? If anyone caught this please let me know.
On Day 32 the visitors head home and the strategizing recommences. Debbie again talks to JT about getting rid of Coach. JT feels Debbie is throwing Coach under a bus (Coach under a bus is wrong how? wonders Pat) and thinks he needs to watch out for a person like that. Meanwhile Coach comes to JT suggesting that Taj should go home. JT tells us he is not on the same page as Coach and that he is just telling Coach what he wants to hear. In reality JT feels he is several steps ahead of Coach in his strategy. (Pat wonders if JT would be further ahead in his strategy if he would put Coach under that bus!)
But Debbie is back. She tells JT and Stephen that they should vote together to remove Coach, then Erinn, then Taj. She sweetens the pot by telling them she will be happy with third spot and that they have nothing to fear from her. Not convinced, Stephen and JT are leaning toward sending Debbie home.
At the immunity challenge, Survivors have to dig under a log, walk across a balance beam and crawl under some ropes. Eventually they get to a series of spinning mathematical symbols which they must memorize and use to solve a mathematical equation back at the start line. JT springs off to an early lead while Stephen repeatedly falls off the balance beam. However, when it comes to memorizing the symbols Stephen has a system and only needs one trip down the course to memorize the symbols and solve the equation. Back at camp Stephen revels in his win and JT is nearly as pleased as Stephen. Together they evaluate their position. They are dominating and people are coming to them for direction. Through it all they have stuck with Taj. They are wondering, though, if Debbie is really the best choice to send home. JT tells us that Coach constantly requires reassurance, requiring that JT lie to him. JT hates lying and thinks the best solution would be to remove Coach from the game sooner rather than later. But, in the end, it seems Debbie's double dealing is her downfall. When the votes are tabulated at Tribal Council she is the one packing up her bag and heading home. With Debbie goes Jeff who is undoubtedly wondering how backstabbing Coach can be a bad thing. No one voted for Debbie to win so no one is disappointed in that area.
We are now down to five Survivors. Good luck to those still in the race. Next Thursday is the last regular Survivor and the fnale is on Sunday May 17 (yes, that is the Victoria Day weekend). Until then,
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka JT Still the nice guy Thomas)
But on to Survivor. Sierra is gone. Coach believes he had his way though really he had little to do with the decision. Six Survivors are left. Coach tells Debbie it is time for the Warrior Alliance to swoop down on Taj and Erinn and punish them for casting rogue votes for Stephan and Debbie at Tribal Council. Debbie agrees that this is how it should play out, but privately tells us that Coach's dialogues are getting old. Ya think? The next morning, after having an overnight epiphany, Debbie decides it is time to disengage herself from Coach. She goes to Stephen and JT with ideas for a new alliance and the expulsion of Coach. Debbie's wavering allegiance to Coach only make Stephen and JT mistrust her, in spite of her pinky swear that she will be loyal to them.
The reward challenge is a food auction. Each Survivor gets $500.00 and can bid on food items in increments of $20.00. Debbie antes up for a $120.00 plate of fries, while Coach pays $320.00 for a plate of Chicken Parmesan. The last item up for bids is a cell phone. Highest bidder on the cell phone gets a message from home and Survivors can pool their money for this one. Led by JT (MY GUY) everyone hands their remaining money over to Taj who has missing her young children and her studly husband. So Taj gets to listen to a message from Eddie the football star. She is wailing so hard by the end of the message that she misses the final words of the message "see you back at camp". Dimples calms her down enough to point out what Eddie has just said in his message. For his trouble Taj nearly rips Dimples arm off in her excitement. So Taj gets to spend the night with Eddie but there is a twist. If she makes a sacrifice and agrees to spend her time with Eddie on Exile Island, everyone can have a visit with a loved one. Taj readily agrees and scurries off to Exile Island where Eddie jumps out from behind a tree. He marvels at her weight loss, her smelliness and her armpit hair, but tells us he is turned on by her wildness. The fact that he is afraid of snakes and scorpions just gives him a new respect for his wife.
Back at camp tears are flowing as the other Survivors reunite with brothers, fathers, sisters and uh, an assistant coach?? Did I miss an actual relationship between Coach and his visitor or was he really an assistant coach? If anyone caught this please let me know.
On Day 32 the visitors head home and the strategizing recommences. Debbie again talks to JT about getting rid of Coach. JT feels Debbie is throwing Coach under a bus (Coach under a bus is wrong how? wonders Pat) and thinks he needs to watch out for a person like that. Meanwhile Coach comes to JT suggesting that Taj should go home. JT tells us he is not on the same page as Coach and that he is just telling Coach what he wants to hear. In reality JT feels he is several steps ahead of Coach in his strategy. (Pat wonders if JT would be further ahead in his strategy if he would put Coach under that bus!)
But Debbie is back. She tells JT and Stephen that they should vote together to remove Coach, then Erinn, then Taj. She sweetens the pot by telling them she will be happy with third spot and that they have nothing to fear from her. Not convinced, Stephen and JT are leaning toward sending Debbie home.
At the immunity challenge, Survivors have to dig under a log, walk across a balance beam and crawl under some ropes. Eventually they get to a series of spinning mathematical symbols which they must memorize and use to solve a mathematical equation back at the start line. JT springs off to an early lead while Stephen repeatedly falls off the balance beam. However, when it comes to memorizing the symbols Stephen has a system and only needs one trip down the course to memorize the symbols and solve the equation. Back at camp Stephen revels in his win and JT is nearly as pleased as Stephen. Together they evaluate their position. They are dominating and people are coming to them for direction. Through it all they have stuck with Taj. They are wondering, though, if Debbie is really the best choice to send home. JT tells us that Coach constantly requires reassurance, requiring that JT lie to him. JT hates lying and thinks the best solution would be to remove Coach from the game sooner rather than later. But, in the end, it seems Debbie's double dealing is her downfall. When the votes are tabulated at Tribal Council she is the one packing up her bag and heading home. With Debbie goes Jeff who is undoubtedly wondering how backstabbing Coach can be a bad thing. No one voted for Debbie to win so no one is disappointed in that area.
We are now down to five Survivors. Good luck to those still in the race. Next Thursday is the last regular Survivor and the fnale is on Sunday May 17 (yes, that is the Victoria Day weekend). Until then,
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka JT Still the nice guy Thomas)
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