"Survivor: Blood vs. Water" (CBS)
Quick Note: We inducted the first of three new members into the “Survivor: Hall of Fame” this afternoon. Be sure to come back Thursday and Friday to meet the other two members of the Class of 2013. And, follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.
[xfinity-record-button id=”6541379645042428112″ program_type=”series” cid=”45576771592″]
Last Week: Caleb’s stack fell while Tina’s stayed locked, Tyson’s 30-day-old undies is where an idol was socked, and after a tie vote, Katie’s game was like, totally rocked.
39 Days (well…technically 39.5), 20 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog
Let’s take a look at the tribe as it currently stands…
The Kasama Tribe (wearing purple)
Ciera – Cosmetology Student, 24
Gervase – Cigar Lounge Owner, 43
Hayden – Real Estate, 26
Monica – Homemaker, 42
Tyson – Store Manager, 34
Quick Aside: Worst headline ever, right? It’s gotta be close.
We start things off over at Redemption Island where we’re treated to a touching mother/daughter reunion. Tina’s happy to get to spend time with her daughter, but not psyched that she’s going to have to square off against Katie in a challenge.
Over at Kasama, Hayden lets Ciera know that he owes her a hug. There’s an understatement. Everyone else is very impressed with Hayden’s move.
Tyson, however, is annoyed with Gervase for telling Hayden that his number was up. He believes that Hayden wouldn’t have gone crazy if he had felt secure. Well, it’s hard for Hayden to feel secure after you sent Caleb packing.
But, that seems to be the eternal “Survivor” question; is it better to stab someone in the back or let them know and worry about their scrambling.
Monica is worried that Hayden might have an idol. She should be more worried about how skinny her arms are getting. Maybe she shouldn’t pass on the next food reward.
The next morning, Ciera says that she’s cool with her flip because at least she went down fighting. That’s one of the awesome things about this season. People aren’t afraid to make those big moves.
Redemption Island Time: Players will use sticks and rope to build a pole. They’ll then use that pole to retrieve three keys. First two people to use the keys to open a door get to stay. The last person goes home. Also, the winner will get to give out an immunity clue.
The challenge starts and there isn’t much to describe except for rope tying.
(You’re not going to get any “pole handling” jokes from me, so let’s move on.)
Laura‘s the first one with a functional pole. She quickly retrieves her first key. Not shocking.
Katie’s right behind her as she snags a key. Tina eventually gets her first.
Laura easily gets her second and third keys and wins it. Also, water is wet and the sky is blue.
Probst keeps pushing the narrative of Tina sacrificing herself for Katie, but that’s not what we’re seeing. It seems like Tina is trying her hardest.
Katie’s second key drops into the sand and she can’t quite pick it up. Tina gets her second and third keys.
She asks Katie if she’s OK, Katie says she is. So, Tina tells Katie she loves her, opens her door, and wins it.
That was so Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair at Wrestlemania 24.
In other news, it is dusty in my living room.
Katie hugs her mom, burns her buff, and walks off into the sunset…er…midday sun.
Laura gives the clue to Ciera and tells her to find the idol. Tina tells Hayden to win immunity. Gervase, Tyson, and Monica receive no instructions.
Back at camp, Ciera immediately shares the clue with Hayden. It doesn’t seem like Tyson, Gervase, and Monica are trying to Boehlke Block them. So, maybe Tyson told them he has it? He might as well if they’re his final three.
Later on, Gervase takes Monica aside and asks how much she trusts everyone. She says she trusts him and Tyson completely. She appreciates that the guys could have flipped on her at the last Tribal.
Immunity Challenge Time: Players will dive into the water and push a buoy along a rope and through obstacles. Once they’re back to shore they’ll use a bag of letter tiles to spell a classic “Survivor” phrase. (Oh! I hope it’s “Women are dumber than cows,” right Gervase?) The first person to complete the phrase wins immunity and a meal from a “Survivor” menu.
The challenge starts off and Hayden and Tyson jump out to a lead. Monica’s in third and Gervase is out-swimming Ciera. Now Ciera knows how Kelly Wiglesworth feels.
Tyson’s the first one to start the puzzle, he’s followed by Hayden and Monica. Gervase is fourth and eventually Ciera joins them.
As they all struggle with the letters, Probst says it’s a phrase he has said this season. Oh, maybe it’s…
“Tadhana loses immunity!”
“Seriously Colton, you’re quitting again?”
I could do this all night.
Anywho, a month later Ciera figures out the phrase that pays and wins. She is Laura’s kid.
The phrase was “You are going to have to dig deep.”
Ciera gets to choose a lunch buddy and picks Hayden. Really? What advantage does that give you?
Back at camp, Ciera says that she chose Hayden to prove that she’s not scared. That may be the case, but you also just fed someone who’s about to face your mom at Redemption.
Later that day, Ciera tells Monica that Tyson was talking “mad crap” about her. That’s whack.
Monica asks Ciera why Tyson would’ve pulled rocks for her. Ciera smartly says it’s because Tyson would have been next because they would’ve had numbers.
Oh man, Monica stars tearing up. C’mon Monica, you didn’t buy that, did you?
That night at Tribal Council, Hayden points out that Katie is looking hot in her jury attire. No arguments here.
Hayden thinks Tyson and Gervase are keeping Monica around because they think they can beat her.
Tyson says he drew rocks because he trusts Monica.
Gervase points out that people on the bottom will do or say anything to stay around.
Monica admits that Ciera told her about things Gervase and Tyson had said about her.
Tyson reveals that Ciera wanted to go to the end with Monica because she thought Monica was beatable.
Tyson also says that Monica knows what kind of person he is. Hayden counters by saying Monica knows what kind of person he is to her face.
HAYDEN! That was seven shades of awesome there.
Gervase says Ciera only told Monica this stuff when she needed her vote.
Gervase then flips right out. Like flips right on out.
Monica is ready to dig deep. You’ve got to. Probst said so.
Hayden says Monica is being perceived as Tyson’s lapdog and that her husband and kids will see it on TV.
Tyson asks Monica if he told her what to do, or if he asked her what to do.
Ciera says Monica’s family will cheer this big move. Nice.
Voting Time: No votes are shown. #imnervous
Probst digs deep into the urn and tallies the votes. He asks if anyone would like to play an idol…and nobody does.
We’ve got one vote Hayden, one vote Gervase, one vote Hayden, one vote Gervase, and the sixteenth person to be sent to Redemption Island is…Hayden.
Verdict: That was tense. That was really awesome. This season is easily my favorite since “Heroes vs. Villains.”
It’s a shame Hayden had to go home because he and Ciera were playing like champs. They both need to play again.
Who’s Going to Win? If Laura can come back and run the challenge table, she could win. Other than that, it’s Tyson’s game to lose.
Power Rankings Results: Malcolm had Hayden in spot four. I had him in spot five. Malcolm picked Laura to win at Redemption, I picked Laura and Tina. The score for this round is Malcolm 5, Gordon 7. So, the final score is going to be Team Glamour and Glitter, Fashion and Fame 129, Team Real American Heroes 137. A big thanks to Malcolm for being an awesome Power Rankings opponent.
Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
More Whatnot 