Survivor Heroes and Villains-April 1/10

It's day 16 in the land of Villains. The tribe is back at camp having blindsided Tyson. Rob is shocked. He tells us that, for the first time in his three-season Survivor career, he doesn't know what is going on. As Russell, Pavarti and Danielle giggle outside the tent, Rob wonders how they can be so cocky. Do they know something that Rob doesn't? Do they not understand that Rob has the numbers in his favour? Does Rob have a mole in his alliance who is secretly siding with Russell-EGG?

While Rob tries to figure out what it is he doesn't know, Russell is working Jerri to get her and Coach onside. While Rob seems to have Courtney and Sandra sewn up, and Russell is tight with Danielle and Pavarti, Coach and Jerri have not firmly committed to one side or the other. Trust me, says Russell-EGG, and I will take you two with me to the final three. Jerri listens to what Russell has to say and calls Coach over to tell him that she is now or Russell's team and she hopes he will be too. Coach agrees but later tells Jerri that he is hurt that she didn't consult him first. He has an allegiance to Rob that dates back to his boot-licking first few days on the island. Privately, Jerri tells us that she likes Coach but he is naive and doesn't "get it", believing that he can be the good guy to everyone and still win the game.

Its been a while since we checked in with the Heroes. They are busy mourning the loss of James and Colby is amazed that he is still in the game. He now feels more pressure to perform than Tiger Woods. He gets his chance quickly when the tribes are summoned to a reward challenge. This challenge is a little game of three on three full-contact water basketball. Colby gets two of the necessary three baskets to secure a long-overdue win for the Heroes. While the good guys enjoy a beautiful picnic by a waterfall, they discover tree-mail hiding inside a vegetable wrap. The note tells them that another immunity idol is hidden on their beach. They quickly put the note aside, planning to enjoy the moment and worry about the clue later. However no one can focus on the picnic with that note eyeballing them from the sidelines. Finally Amanda takes the note and reads the clue out loud. The Heroes agree that,when they return to camp, they will look for the idol as a group.

The tribes are back to vying for Tribal Immunity at the next challenge. Relay-style, three members from each tribe must cross a net and climb a rope wall to retrieve bags of puzzle pieces. Once all five bags have been retrieved, two other tribe members must put the puzzle together. Rupert, Colby and Candace collect their puzzle pieces first, but we have seen many a Hero lead slip away when it comes to putting a puzzle together. But this time is different. JT (I love JT) and Amanda out-assemble Rob and Sandra and get their puzzle done first. Rupert is pumped about the second consecutive win for the Heroes. Meanwhile the Villains haven't even left the challenge area before Courtney is mentioned as someone who might be eligible for a free trip home.

But of course, nothing is ever that simple. While they are sitting around in a group, Rob asks Russell who he thinks should go home. Russell points to Sandra and Courtney and says "One of those two". Rob is in disbelief at Russell's lack of tact but Russell is unrepentant. Rob goes to Coach and tells him that they should send Russell home. Coach, still caught between his alliance with Rob and the alliance with Russell that Jerri formed on his behalf, insists that Courtney is a better choice. Meanwhile Russell begins to think that Courtney is small fry and that Rob should be the one to go. Coach looks agonized when he finds out that the two alpha-males, both of whom he has an alliance with, are on the chopping block. However, Coach keeps his honour intact by voting for Courtney. This splits the vote and an unexplained vote for Rob from his buddy Sandra is enough to send Rob packing. Heading off with Rob (and surprised, I'm sure) is our own Barb. Three people voted for Rob to be the final winner, so Debbie, Georgia and Cheryl won't be collecting their special Survivor buff this time around.

The tribes are now at 5 (Heroes) and 7 (Villains). Will Russell, described by Courtney as a bandy legged troll, continue to manipulate the tribe at will? Or will he also have the tables turned on him? We'll find out next week. Until then,

Outwit, Outplay Outlast
Pat (aka Courtney I can't jump into that net because my legs will snap like toothpicks Yates)