Sunday, December 20, 2009

Survivor Samoa - Season Finale - December 20/09

We begin our final episode on Day 37. There are 5 Survivors left. Shambo has just gone for a shower before joining the jury. EGG is up early in the morning and discovers tree mail. The note suggests that someone with balance, speed and patience might win their way to the final four. Jaison is muttering about not sleeping the night before and EGG tells us that he should be in the final five with superstars, not the misfits he has been encumbered with. There is much concern that Brett may win another immunity challenge and EGG tells Natalie that, if that is the case, she will be the next to go. When she asks "why me" EGG tells her its because Mick and Jaison will want a better chance at taking Brett down. Privately EGG tells us that Brett has only won two challenges and is far from invincible.

The challenge involves running over a net and a balance beam to retrieve a bag of puzzle pieces. Survivors must then retrace the course, climb a steep wall to a platform and complete their puzzle (the Survivor logo). EGG takes an early lead but Brett comes from behind to win his third consecutive immunity challenge and keep the Galu hope alive. After the challenge, EGG tells Natalie that he is going to try to change the plan and keep her in the game. He says Jaison "checked out" a long time ago and deserves to go home. He tells Mick that Jaison is going and tells Jaison that Mick is going. Meanwhile he tells us that he doesn't yet know who is going. Both Jaison and Mick tell the camera that they know they can trust EGG, that they have had a pact from the beginning. Having neutralized those two, EGG and Natalie are left to make the decision about who actually goes and who stays. When the votes are counted at Tribal Council, a PO'd Jaison is the one heading over to the jury taking Lorelee from our pool with him.

Back at camp Brett feels his destiny is in his own hands and that he needs to win a fourth immunity challenge to stay in the game. If he can do that, his fate will be in the hands of a largely sympathetic jury made up of former Galu members. EGG approaches Brett and promises not to vote for him and to take him to the top three, then brags to the camera about how he now has the same agreement with every person left in the game. EGG must interrupt his plotting though, because tree mail arrives announcing that is time for the trip down Memory Lane segment of the show. The four remaining survivors must take a walk and collect mask representing all of the Survivors who have been eliminated. Once all the masks have been collected they burn them (because that is really respectful!!) and move on to their next challenge.

This challenge involves Survivors having to balance a small wooden statue on a stick. Every two minutes they must add another section to the stick, making balancing the statue progressively more difficult. This is a nail biter that comes down to a duel of determination between Brett and EGG. But EGG comes out the winner. Now it should be a given that Brett is going home but Brett is hopeful that EGG will honour his promise to take him to the final three. EGG is getting a little nervous, knowing that he is about to put someone on the jury who is going to hate his guts. Mick is suffering from paranoia too, sensing that things are going on that he is not in on. Egg admits to Brett that he made the same deal with everyone and suggests that he might arrange to have the vote end in a tie, so that Brett and Mick could duke it out in a tie breaker challenge. Privately EGG wonders whether keeping Brett would buy him some additional votes on the jury. But when they get to Tribal Council and cast their votes, there is no tie and Brett is heading over to become the last member of the jury, taking Jan from our pool with him.

On day 39, their final day in Samoa, the three remaining Survivors are treated to a breakfast of eggs, sausage, strawberries and OJ. They burn down their hut and think about the showers and flossing they are going to treat themselves to when the show is over. Meanwhile EGG is rehashing the game, telling them where they went wrong and acting like he has already won the million dollars. Both Mick and Natalie share some raised eyebrows as they listen to him.

At Tribal Council each of the final three are allowed to give an address to the jury. Jury members then come forward to ask questions of the remaining Survivors. There are no really interesting confrontations that come out of this unless you count Erik's rantings about delusional entitlement. EGG answers his questions well and is cautious not to appear too confident to the jury. Good thing too, because when they move into the LA studio to count the votes, EGG (aka Russell Hantz) is not the winner. Instead Natalie has pulled in the majority of the votes. While I did not feel that Natalie was particularly deserving of the win, I am happy to say that the winner of the money in our pool is Kathy, one of our New Hampshire members. Kathy, I will be wrestling with the issue of exchange and getting your money to you shortly. Please send me a mailing address. Sadly Lisa, who took Russell to a level I never thought possible is walking away empty handed. Russell got a prize for being an online fan favourite but we have no such prize to offer you.

Of the people who cast votes for the final winner, no one voted for Natalie. The last person in the running who received any votes was Jaison and he received votes from Marie, Debbie and Selina. To break the tie, Pam, Roberta and I made a draw on Friday evening at a local watering hole. The winner of the Survivor Samoa Blue merged buff is, (drum roll), Marie! Now we really do have to get together, Marie!

The next season of Survivor (the 20th) will begin on February 11. It will be set in the South Pacific and will involve 20 of the most memorable Survivors from previous seasons. They will be divided into two groups, the Heroes and the Villains. Hmmm... sounds juicy.

Until then,
Outwit, Outlast, Outplay
Pat (aka Erik what the hell is delusional entitlement anyway Cardona)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Survivor Samoa - December 17, 2009

Its night 33 and our Survivors have returned from Tribal Council minus Monica. Brett is giving Shambo a scalp massage (ewww). As the only surviving member of Galu (other than Shambo), Brett tells us that it's weird to be sitting at camp with a totally new group of people than the ones he started out with. Meanwhile EGG is saying that Brett has to be the next to go because he is the sole surviving member of Galu (plus he is too nice for EGG's liking).

The next morning finds Brett reciting passages from the bible to a rapt Natalie. Brett thinks Natalie might be a kindred spirit and Natalie is certainly lapping up the biblical readings. Meanwhile EGG is getting tired of Shambo and her hair. He says she should cut it, that she hides food in there and that he would get rid of her if he didn't need her. Imagine, EGG doesn't like the hair that Shambo has had since 1986! This makes me think that the reunion show is really going to be fun.

For the Reward Challenge, Dimples has the Survivors draw coloured rocks to chose team captains, then the team captains play rock/paper/scissors to decide who picks first(isn't technology wonderful?). Natalie and EGG are captains, Natalie picks first and picks....Brett. Oh oh! The selection continues with EGG picking Jaison and Shambo. Natalie adds Mick along with Brett. One by one the Survivors approach a net made of intersecting ropes, that is holding up a whole mess o'coconuts. Each selects a rope and carefully removes it, trying not to release any coconuts. The first team to release 100 coconuts loses the challenge. As Rick pointed out (because I can't take credit for someone else's humour) its like a game of Jungle Jenga. Natalie's team is crazy lucky, hardly losing any coconuts at all. Meanwhile EGG's team is knocking them down 10 at a time. When Natalie joins hands with Brett and tells him to ask God to guide his hand, there is much uncomfortable whispering over on the other team where EGG, Jaison and Shambo are watching their erstwhile ally cavorting with the enemy. EGG doesn't like the cosiness of Natalie and Brett. But apparently God is too busy to worry about a Survivor Challenge, because the tide turns and Natalie's team ends up losing the challenge, sending EGG, Shambo and Jaison off to an overnight reward challenge at a nearby village. Jaison has not been on a challenge before and, other than a little worry about Natailie and her new friendship with Brett, he thoroughly enjoys himself. He says to have a day off from the game is an amazing experience - and the food and dancing aren't bad either. Back at camp, Natalie, Brett and Mick are taking it in stride. They go out collecting snails and prepare to have their own little reward feast on the beach. They too feel the need to relax and take a break from the game-playing.

Its not until EGG, Shambo and Jaison are settling in for the night (in real beds with real blankets) that the talk turns to strategy. The subject of Natalie choosing Brett first for the challenge comes up and EGG says that he will have to take Natalie aside back at camp. Privately EGG tells us that he really has no doubts about Natalie, but he wants to plant a seed that will help him get rid of Brett and Mick.

The next day finds the Survivors reunited. EGG finds some time to talk privately with Natalie who tells him everything is good. EGG says its important to keep Brett from winning immunity because, while he is not a threat in the challenges, he is a threat to win the million dollars.

For the Immunity challenge, Survivors must run out onto a course where there are six groups of items. They must accurately count the items in each group (pigs, fish, rocks, crabs, octopi and coconuts), and use the numbers from their count to open a combination lock. When the lock is opened it releases a stick which they can use to break a tile and win immunity. Brett pulls off a come-from-behind win to earn his second consecutive immunity challenge, thereby putting a wrench in EGG's plans to oust him. The Survivors can't get rid of Brett, so who is it going to be? EGG wants Mick to go but Jaison puts in a pitch to get rid of Shambo. Shambo gets suspicious but EGG assures her it is Mick who is going home. Alas though, it is Shambo who is looking crestfallen when the votes are counted at Tribal Council. With Shambo goes Rick, who was surprised he and Shambo made it this far and taunted me because my Erik has been sitting in the jury for a few weeks now. Lisa voted for Shambo to win the million dollars so she is, no doubt feeling a little down tonight too.

Sunday is the season finale when we will find out who wins the million dollars. We will also get to see the faces of all the people that EGG has badmouthed. Oh, this is going to be yummy. Until Sunday,

Outwit, Outlast, Outplay
Pat (aka Erik I am planning my pointed questions for the final tribal council right now Cardona)

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Survivor Samoa - December 10, 2009

Well here we are on the third to last episode of Survivor Samoa. Where HAS the time gone? John has been evicted and 8 hopefuls remain. Sadly none of them are my guy Erik (who is sitting on the jury obviously plotting some sort of revenge on behalf of both of us. I actually can't remember who it is that Erik and I are mad at so I hope he gets it right). As the Aigaruvians arrive back at camp after Tribal Council, Shambo tells us that she is stunned by the tribe's decision to vote John off instead of Dave. She said she has been blindsided as much as John.EGG jumps in and tells Shambo that John was PO's at her and wanted to vote her off, so the rest of the tribe voted John off to save Shambo. As Shambo wanders away, totally appeased, EGG tells us that his damage control has worked perfectly and that he has lied to everyone about everything.

The next morning finds Jaison, Monica and Brett in a little huddle on the beach. Monica believes EGG is a threat and is feeling Jaison out about voting EGG off. Jaison decides that it is time to begin playing for the jury, and that the best way to do that is to confide to Monica and Brett that he has been helping EGG make the decisions. He also tells them that EGG made 2 million dollars last year, which raises eyebrows and drops jaws.

When they get called to a challenge they learn that there will be no reward challenge, only one for immunity. To win immunity, Survivors are randomly divided into opposing pairs. Each member of the pair then throws two bowling balls and tries to knock down more pins then their opposition. The member of the pair knocking down the most pins moves on to the second round, and eventually to the final. Shambo, EGG, Jaison and Dave all beat their opponents and move on to round two. Shambo and Jaison then go on to the final where, in a battle of gutter balls, Jaison wins immunity. Determined that Dave be the next to go, Shambo is ecstatic. If Dave doesn't go home this time, Shambo tells us, she is going to have to have a little talk with EGG. Meanwhile Dave is feeling very much the target. EGG is pretty much sold on Dave too, until Monica comes to try to sell him on the idea of getting rid of Shambo instead. Now EGG is not a fan of Monica but he seems to take what she says to heart, and says he doesn't need Shambo and maybe the better strategy is to keep Dave. EGG goes to talk to Dave and, not unlike like the Godfather, asks him why he has never come to him to ask him for a favour. We could get rid of Shambo instead, says EGG. Yet somewhere on the walk to Tribal Council, the rules change yet again, because when the votes are counted it is Dave who is walking over to spend quality time with the jury. Diving out of our pool with Danger Dave is Mitzi.

Back at camp after Tribal Council, EGG goes to work on Brett. He's a nice guy, says EGG, and tells Mick he must go. Mick is growing wary of EGG though and voices some concern. EGG interprets this as "freaking out" and starts to feel nervous about Mick.

Another immunity challenge rolls around (its a two-for-one-night). Dimples, in a midnight blue shirt tells the Survivors that they must run out into the water and retrieve each of three sandbags tied to a platform floating in the water. As they bring each one into shore they must put it on one end of a teeter totter, jump on the other end, and shoot the sandbag up into a basket. The first to get all three of their sandbags into their basket will win immunity. The 32 days in the wilds of Samoa seem to be taking their toll because everyone seems to be moving very slowly in this challenge. But youth prevails and Brett wins a very timely challenge. With Brett out of the picture EGG proclaims Monica as the next to go. Knowing she is on the chopping block Monica starts to work the crowd. She talks to Brett who suggests they might go to the final three together. She also talks to EGG and tells him that Jaison said he was a millionaire and that he could only use the immunity idol to day 36 and that's when they could make their move. EGG is furious and accuses Natalie of letting the cat out of the bag. Not I, says a wounded Natalie. Since all the fingers of blame are pointing at Jaison, EGG confronts Jaison about his breach of confidence. Jaison is nervous now, since playing to the jury has backfired in the form of a PO'd EGG. He says he has to nip this in the bud. Mick is doing some soul searching too, and says he wants to make a "big move" and that big move might involve getting rid of EGG. For his part, EGG is ticked at Jaison but is also mad at Monica. What to do, what to do? It seems his loyalty to the old Foa Foa outweighs his anger at Jaison though, because when the votes are counted at the second Tribal Council of the evening, it is Monica who is heading over to the jury. With Monica goes our pool's co-founder, Lynn. No one voted for either Dave or Monica as the final winner so there is no change in that area.

We now have six Survivors left. They are

Jaison (Lorelee)
Shambo (Rick)
Russell aka EGG (Lisa)
Natalie (Kathy)
Mick (Roberta)
Bret (Jan)

And in case you are wondering who is still in the running for the Survivor Samoa merge Bandana which goes to the person who correctly identifies the winner (or the one who comes the closest to the final) Marie, Debbie and Selina all voted for Jaison and so are in the running, As is Lisa who voted for Shambo.

Until next week,

Outwit, outplay, outlast
Pat (aka Erik I got my shirt at a Samoan garage sale Cardona

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Survivor Samoa - December 4, 2009

Well most of you probably figured out that last week's Survivor was a "never before seen footage blah blah blah episode" because of the US Thanksgiving, hence no update last week. As review shows go it was a pretty good one though, as there actually was a lot of never before seen footage. But it was a review of old stuff and no one new got kicked off so your humble scribe decided no update was necessary.

This episode begins on night 27 as the survivors meander back to camp after Tribal Council. Shambo is ecstatic, saying that Medusa (Laura) has been dethroned. For her part Monica realized that John changed his vote on the second ballot (the first was a tie) and that he is the one who sent Laura home. She says John is a Judas and that he must go.

Tree mail arrives with money and promises of a full belly. There is much excitement around camp as all signs point to a food auction. Sure enough, when they arrive at the challenge Dimples has it all set up for an auction. I must just interject here, that Dimples looked a tad disheveled for this challenge. His hair was messy, his shirt rumpled and he looked like he had more stubble on his face than a prairie field in October. I'm not saying he was rolling around in the jungle with one of those hot Australian paramedics. I'm just saying he looked a little diseveled, is all. Anyway the auction begins with Natalie bidding $200.00 for a PB&J sandwich. Shambo spends $240.00 on a mystery plate that turns out to be Sea snails and slugs. Monica bids $340.00 on a mystery dish that turns out to be a roast chicken. Jaison spends his entire $500.00 on something guaranteed to give him an advantage in the next immunity challenge, John pays $200.00 for a clue to the hidden immunity idol and Natalie pays 160.00 for a shower and clean underwear. The final auction item is a huge hunk of apple pie that John buys for $300.00. When he goes to collect it, though, Dimples makes him an offer. He can take the single piece of pie for himself, or he can forgo his piece of pie, and take a whole pie that he can give to four other people. After very little thought, John takes the single piece of pie for himself, saying these are all nice people and no one is going to vote him off over a piece of pie. Can you say "forshadowing"?

Back at camp there is a weird little scene where Shambo says goodbye the chickens who, it has been determined, are going to sacrifice their lives for the good of the tribe. Shambo tells us how she talks to the chickens, how they understand her and how they have been her single source of happiness as a survivor. If any of you have actually ever known a chicken, you will know that they are not great conversationalists, but Shambo is genuinely sad that they will be sacrificed for food. While Shambo wants no part of killing the chickens, she is determined that she is going to cook them and God help anyone who gets in her way. She puts them in a pot to boil and when Dave tells her that they will be ruined if they boil for two hours she hits the roof (or she would have if they had a roof). Dave has got to go she tells us. That night she dreams that they vote Dave off. When she relates the dream to EGG he tells her that its a sign, and for sure Dave should go. Shambo walks away pleased, and tells us that she has everyone voting her way. Uh oh. Pride goeth before a fall!

The immunity challenge involves each survivor standing beside a large vertical log with a rope attached to it. Down the length of the rope are a series of knots. They must hold the log up using the rope, but every three minutes they have to move their grip down one knot on the rope. This increases the angle of the log, making it progressively more difficult to hold up. When someone lets go of the rope they are eliminated. Jaison gets to read the piece of parchment that he purchased at the auction, which tells him that he can, at any time, move his hands two knots up the rope. So the challenge begins. Shambo and EGG are out quickly. Natalie hangs in for an incredible length of time, but it comes down to Jaison and Dave. Jaison used his two knot advantage after only 9 minutes and I really thought Dave was going to beat him, but in the end Dave's hand slides off the end of the rope and Jaison wins immunity.

And so the stars are aligning as they should. Dave has no immunity. Shambo and Mick both want him gone and EGG seems to be onside with the plan. However, EGG and John are off visiting in the jungle. John emphasizes that EGG promised him a Foa Foa head on the next vote and together they decide that Mick should be next. Then the conversation turns to the clue to the hidden idol that John purchased at the auction. He has been out looking for it but, of course has not been able to find it. EGG, for some reason, tells John that he has the idol, then privately tells us that was a mistake, and now John must go. He heads over to Dave to tell him that he can save his hide by getting Monica onside to vote John off. The next stop is Mick who is also ok with sending John home. The only hold-out is Jaison who says that Shambo wants Dave gone, and if they take her for granted and vote against her, they will lose her support. Apparently no one cares, because when the votes are counted Dave and Mick each get one and the rest go to John. And so John the rocket scientist is zooming over to the jury, taking with him our own Cheryl. No one voted for John as the overall winner so we're all good there.

Until next week,

Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Erik I'm having a lot of fun on the jury Cardona)