Season 20: Episode 10: Going Down in Flames

The tribe has spoken and Erin is asked to leave the pool immediately.

 At Tribal Council, Rupert complains about the Villains’ lack of “banana etiquette,” claiming that Parvati and Danielle freely take ripe bananas without the Heroes’ permission.  While Jerri and Parvati claim to be on the outs with the Heroes, Russell reveals that he has had more talks with the Heroes than with his own tribe.  Courtney, sitting in the jury with Coach, observes what is really going on.  “They’re playing,” she whispers.  Courtney could not have been more right.  After all of the votes have been cast, Parvati gives one immunity idol to Sandra and, to increase her odds, she gives another idol to Jerri.  With this, all votes cast against Jerri, whom all five Heroes voted for, do not count, and J.T. is voted out with five votes cast against him.  James “J.T.” Thomas, the 25 year-old from Survivor: Tocantins, became the eleventh person voted out and third member of the jury of SURVIVOR: HEROES VS. VILLAINS. 

From Jeff: THE AFTERMATH

Oh, there will be a big aftermath with Russell and Parvati.  You saw him mouth to her at Tribal, “You got some explaining to do.”  Russell does not suffer fools lightly, especially when he is his own fool.  He’s mad.  Burn your house down mad.  This will be their first lovers quarrel.  Yes, I know they’re not technically lovers, but in the game of Survivor, they’re more than lovers, they’re married and this will result in a major spat.

The question is will it destroy their alliance or will Parvati be able to salvage it.  Any bets?

Quote of the week:  Russell to Parvati “You got some explaining to do.”

Heroes				Villains
Amanda	~	Warren		Coach	~	Dick
Candice	~	Maureen		Courtney	~	Eric
Cirie	~	Karen D.		Danielle	~	Pat
Colby	~	Christi		Jerri	~	Lauren
J.T.	~	Erin		Parvati	~	Cara
James	~	Karen R.		Randy	~	Sandy
Rupert	~	Brendan		Rob	~	Tonya
Stephanie	~	Colin		Russell	~	Kim
Sugar	~	Cheryl		Sandra	~	Linda
Tom	~	Nick		Tyson	~	Brandon

Season 20: Episode 09: Survivor History

The tribe has spoken.  Eric is asked to leave the pool immediately.

At Tribal Council, Sandra admits that the vote is between herself and Courtney since they were a part of Boston’s Rob’s former alliance.  Danielle reveals that Sandra puts false rumors into people’s minds in order to control the game, which leads to a huge argument between the two. Courtney lashes out at Jerri for flipping to Russell’s alliance just in time to save herself, but Jerri dismisses her comments, stating that she was never a part of any alliance.  “I didn’t flip quick enough, I guess, and so that’s why me and Sandra are in trouble,” fumes Courtney.  With this, the Villains cast their votes, and with five out of the six votes cast against her, Courtney Yates, the 28 year-old from Survivor: China became the tenth person voted out and second member of the jury of SURVIVOR: HEROES VS. VILLAINS.

Quote of the week: Parvati: “We’ll fill Russell in on a need to know basis.  Right now he doesn’t need to know.”

Jeff's insight: – MY ROLE AT TRIBAL COUNCIL
I’m sure most of you have noticed that I’ve been more vocal and more aggressive at Tribal Council this season.  The reason is pretty simple – these 20 players are very experienced and as a result very good.  To get anything out of them you have to be more direct and more relentless.

I hope you all understand that I never bring up anything at Tribal Council that hasn’t already been discussed or isn’t already known.  I would never betray or reveal secret information.  When you hear them fighting back with me, that’s just part of the game and often, the words they are saying to me, are actually intended to send a signal to someone else.

It’s a very elaborate game of cat and mouse and the reason this season is so good is because we started with 20 fantastic players who continue to deliver week after week.  I bust their chops on this blog every week because that’s the fun part of writing a blog, but since I’m feeling very “confessional” today – the truth is we painstakingly hand selected every person this season and we’re really pleased with the results.  Every single player gave us something, even Sugar.  Every single player left in the game has a legitimate shot at winning. Even Candace.  Ah, I love to kid Candace.

Heroes				Villains
Amanda	~	Warren		Coach	~	Dick
Candice	~	Maureen		Courtney	~	Eric
Cirie	~	Karen D.		Danielle	~	Pat
Colby	~	Christi		Jerri	~	Lauren
J.T.	~	Erin		Parvati	~	Cara
James	~	Karen R.		Randy	~	Sandy
Rupert	~	Brendan		Rob	~	Tonya
Stephanie	~	Colin		Russell	~	Kim
Sugar	~	Cheryl		Sandra	~	Linda
Tom	~	Nick		Tyson	~	Brandon

Season 20: Episode 08: Expectations

The tribe has spoken.  Dick is asked to leave the pool immediately.

After the immunity, the Villains return to their camp, and wash off their mud-caked bodies in the ocean.  While the rest of the tribe appears utterly defeated, Coach boasts on his stellar performance.  “Everybody’s down, everybody’s hurting, everybody’s nauseous, and The Dragon Slayer is just coming into his own,” says Coach.  “I feel full of energy, and it’s time for me to shine…off into the horizon,” he continues.  Although Coach ultimately wishes to get rid of his arch nemesis, Russell, he feels that is would be more appropriate to get rid of Courtney, his tribe’s weakest link.  Russell is still dead-set on ousting Coach, but Danielle advises him against it.  “We have a chance [at winning] if we have Coach,” says Danielle.  Russell yells at Danielle for being irrational, and storms off.  After allowing himself some time to vent, Russell has a change of heart, and decides that it would be best to vote off Courtney.  Parvati and Danielle are befuddled at Russell’s inconsistency, and still hope to oust The Dragon Slayer.  “You never know what’s gonna happen between now and when the sun goes down,” says Courtney.

TRIBAL COUNCIL

At Tribal Council, all eyes are on Courtney for her lackluster performances in challenges.  Courtney fights back, but harsh words are still thrown her way by Coach, who views her as the weakest link who continually demoralizes the tribe.  With this, the tribe members cast their votes, and with four out of the seven votes cast against him, Coach is voted out.  Benjamin “Coach” Wade, the 38 year-old from Survivor: Tocantins became the ninth person voted out and first member of the jury of SURVIVOR: HEROES VS. VILLAINS.

Next week on Survivor, what Jeff calls the dumbest move ever in the show's history.

Quote of the week:  from Jeff “Everybody drop your… expectations.”

Heroes				Villains
Amanda	~	Warren		Coach	~	Dick
Candice	~	Maureen		Courtney	~	Eric
Cirie	~	Karen D.		Danielle	~	Pat
Colby	~	Christi		Jerri	~	Lauren
J.T.	~	Erin		Parvati	~	Cara
James	~	Karen R.		Randy	~	Sandy
Rupert	~	Brendan		Rob	~	Tonya
Stephanie	~	Colin		Russell	~	Kim
Sugar	~	Cheryl		Sandra	~	Linda
Tom	~	Nick		Tyson	~	Brandon

Survivor 20: Episode 07: I'm Not A Good Villain

The tribe has spoken and Tonya is asked to leave the pool immediately.

Boston Rob started to get the feeling that something wasn't right following tribal council. That something is named Russell Hantz. Because Tyson basically voted himself out of the game, Rob is left wondering who betrayed his alliance and if that person is still sharing a tent with him. Oh yes, paranoia has most certainly set in at the villains' camp.

Going into the reward challenge, Colby knows he needs to step it up big time. There have been three tribal councils where he should have been the one going home but somehow, he was spared. Considering the heroes voted out James over him, they must believe that good ol' Colby still has some gas left in the tank.

In the challenge, teams faced off, three on three. They'd have to retrieve a ball and throw it into their basket, while the opposing team tried to stop them. When the villains were told they had to sit a few players, guess who had no problem taking a spot on the bench? You guessed it - Courtney! She will go down in history as the player who made it the farthest without doing a damn thing. The heroes dominate, scoring all three points in a row, and Colby responsible for two of them. Yeah, Superman! You show them that it's not just a fat suit!

For their reward, the heroes are taken to a waterfall, where the enjoy a meal that consists of more than just chocolate (and nutritionists everywhere breathed a sigh of relief). A note during their meal revealed that another hidden immunity idol has been placed back at their camp. Wait a minute... if there's an idol there... then there's an idol at the other camp which means... yup, Russell's somehow going to find it. The heroes agree to find the idol together and use it at the merge against the other tribe. Smart people.

Over at the villains' camp, Russell is working overtime to pull Jerri and Coach into his alliance full-time. He has Parvati and Danielle, Rob has Sandra and Courtney. Coach and Jerri are just sitting in the middle and suddenly find themselves the most important people in the tribe. Russell spins Jerri and she buys it hook, line, and sinker while Coach struggles with the fact that he gave his word to both Rob and Russell. How does a man of honor keep his word to two sworn enemies?

At the immunity challenge, teams will race, one at a time, across a net to retrieve a bag of puzzle pieces. Once six bags have been retrieved, two members must solve it in order to win. You better believe Rob and Sandra are solving that puzzle for the villains, with JT and Amanda going against them. Basically, everyone puts on a good show in retrieving the pieces, with the exception of Courtney, who was forced to participate because the rules of Survivor state that you can't sit out of a challenge twice in a row. The heroes got a head start on their puzzle and never looked back. They win immunity and the villains lose both challenges.

Back at camp, Rob tells Jerri that she needs to do what's best for her and she knows what's right. Does she? Coach tries to push some attention on Courtney, who is the weakest physical player but everyone is just concerned with getting one of the big guns out. Fair enough. If you're Rob or Russell, you don't want the other one getting to the merge.

At tribal council, Russell digs at Rob, saying he wouldn't have had the guys to give his idol up to a fellow alliance member the way he did. There's a debate about loyalty and what it means to everyone. Of course, everyone swears that they're really the loyal ones.  When the votes are read, Courtney is thrown a vote (thanks Coach) and with four votes, Boston Rob is sent out of this game.

Quote of the week: Rob: (to Coach) You’re a little man.

Heroes				Villains
Amanda	~	Warren		Coach	~	Dick
Candice	~	Maureen		Courtney	~	Eric
Cirie	~	Karen D.		Danielle	~	Pat
Colby	~	Christi		Jerri	~	Lauren
J.T.	~	Erin		Parvati	~	Cara
James	~	Karen R.		Randy	~	Sandy
Rupert	~	Brendan		Rob	~	Tonya
Stephanie	~	Colin		Russell	~	Kim
Sugar	~	Cheryl		Sandra	~	Linda
Tom	~	Nick		Tyson	~	Brandon