Survivor Heroes and Villains - Feb 11/10

For those of us who enjoy uncontrolled violence and unabashed nudity, this was a great way to kick off the 20th season of Survivor.

As most of you know by now, this season pulls together some of the best known Survivor contestants from past seasons and pits them against each other as heroes and villains. They are divided into two tribes named, cleverly enough, Heroes and Villains. We start off with a glimpse of each tribe as they approach their beach by helicopter. No getting thrown off a fishing trawler for this group. No they get the star treatment. We see Coach doing weird Coachy stuff on the helicopter as Sandra looks on warily. We learn that Russell, the Survivor formerly known as Evil Garden Gnome is a little starstruck by his companions. We learn that JT the good 'ole southern boy is not above kicking a little ass, and we learn that Jerri, the original Survivor bad girl feels like Mother Theresa amidst her villainous brethern. The Heroes land on the beach first, and the arrival of the Villains is heralded by appropriately foreboding music. There are some introductions led by Jeff Probst (aka Dimples) during which we learn that most of the villains feel they are really poorly cast heroes. But it doesn't take them long to ramp up the evil and get into their parts.

After the introductions we launch right into the first reward challenge and its a nasty one. Two members of each tribe run out into a little strip of sand where they locate and dig up a buried bag. The trick is to then get that bag to home base while being tackled, mauled and generally brutalized by the opposition. The first tribe to get three bags to their home base wins reward - a flint to start a fire. Danielle gets the first bag to home base for the Villains at which point there is a short stoppage in play while the medics come in to pop Stephanie's shoulder back into its socket. After a grind and a crunch the job is done and the game resumes complete with Stephanie. JT gets the next point for the Heroes (did I mention that I love JT), the Coach drags Colby (clutching a bag) onto the Villains mat. At this point Tyson comments that Colby might as well become a woman). A topless Sugar (her bikini top having been undone in the skirmish), takes a bag across for the Heroes, tying the score at 2-2. The last round pits James and Rupert vs Tyson and Boston Rob. In the end James grabs the bag and makes a run for home, winning reward for the Heroes. Rupert has broken his two in two or three pieces but the Heroes have won their first reward and have fire as well as glory.

The Villains return to camp to find that their day isn't a total wash out. Someone has left swim fins and some fishing gear in camp. The women hunker down to figure out who, along with Boston Rob will be the major player. Meanwhile Russell is wasting no time in seeking out women with whom to form alliances. He uses the "Trust me and I'll take you to the final two" line with both Danielle and Parvati. Danielle figures its worth a shot while Parvati knows Russell is playing the game but is not above making a deal with the devil. Meanwhile Russell tells us that in every sport there is someone who rises above the rest. Michael Jordon, Michael Phelps...and Russell is that guy in Survivor (at least according to Russell). He is, he tells us the best player ever to play the game.

Over at the Good Guys camp Colby is not quite wishing he was a woman but is certainly not happy with being beaten by Coach. Sugar seeks advice on the shelter from the "two oldest men in camp" Tom and Rupert. Amanda is feeling the good energy of the tribe and Rupert is feeling that it's good to be a hero. Into all this happiness wander four unsuspecting chickens. Directed by Tom, the Heroes surround the chickens and toss the fishing net over them. The next morning, JT spins the rooster to break its neck and the Heroes dine on chicken stew for breakfast. But not before Sugar keeps them all awake by trying to cuddle up to a somewhat resistant Colby. And of course, alliances are forming. JT and James decide they have a lot in common. They are both hard workers, they are both strong competitive players, and they both need subtitles when they talk. Colby and Candace are rekindling an alliance they had when they previously appeared on Survivor, as are Amanda and Cirie, and Tom and Stephanie.

Over at camp Evil the thoughts are more...well...evil. They are counting up the injuries on the Heroes team and revelling in the harm they have inflicted. But amidst all these happy thoughts it seems a little romance is blossoming between Jerri and Coach. Oh! Say it isn't so! The whole camp seems to be aware of it as Jerri giggles and flirts and Coach looks dumbstruck. Everyone seems to want to play a part in the matchmaking of the black widow and the dragonslayer. But Boston Rob is finding his team a little ADHD. They can't focus on anything for more than 10 minutes, says Rob. Rob wants to start a fire, but Randy discourages it for fear of wearing themselves out. Surely, says Randy, we will get fire sometime in the next 39days. But Rob takes over and directs a successful fire-starting operation, thus becoming the camp hero. Coach is in awe and Russell is annoyed that Rob is getting the attention Russell wants.

On day 3 tree mail arrives announcing the immunity challenge. the tribes are each to assemble a boat using 7 planks to hold the boat together. Six people must then paddle out in the boat to retrieve and light a torch. Then they paddle back, take their boat apart, assemble a puzzle, and use the planks to build a ladder to the top of a platform. The first tribe to accomplish all this wins immunity. The Heroes work well in assembling their boat and have a huge lead until they hit the shore and have to assemble the puzzle. Try as they might, the Heroes can't get the puzzle pieces to fit and the Villains end up winning immunity.

Back at Camp Good, the Heroes have to decide who to send home. Sugar seems like a natural. She was part of the team that fumbled the puzzle and she (gasp) cried after the challenge. But Tom would like to send Cirie home because she is a strong strategic player. Others would like to separate Amanda and James, while still others would like to break up Tom and Stephanie. But in the end, the first Survivor of Season 20 to be sent home is "cute as a button" Sugar, represented on our pool by Lisa. The good news, Lisa is that you don't have to send me any money. The bad news is that you are not going to win any money.

Remember that you have until 7:00 p.m. CST on Thursday February 18 to pick the Survivor that you think will win the million dollars. I have it narrowed down to a couple, but its a tough call this time.

Thank you to those who have already mailed me their money. I have received cheques (checks) from the New Hampshire Four, from Barb, Roberta, Georgia, Mitzi, Marie, Donna and Grace...oh and Rick just handed me a couple of fives and asked for a receipt. Pshaw.

Until next week
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Courtney I'm a tough little bag 'o bones Yates)