'Survivor: San Juan del Sur' (CBS)
NOTE: XFINITY TV is the place to go for “Survivor: San Juan del Sur” coverage with “all the fixin’s.” We’ll have Power Rankings with “Cagayan” fave Spencer Bledsoe, every Wednesday evening we’ll bring you a recap of the most recent episode, and every Thursday you’ll be able to watch the previous night’s episode and read an interview with the eliminated contestant. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for immediate updates.
[xfinity-record-button id=”6034085997813089112″ program_type=”series”]
MEGA IMPORTANT NOTE: Cast your vote for the best Tribal Councils ever in this year’s “Survivor” Hall of Fame.
Last Week: Jaclyn and Jon huffed and puffed, Natalie’s attempts to make a move were rebuffed, and Alec and Reed’s torches were snuffed.
39 Days, 18 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog
Let’s take a look at the tribe as it currently stands…
The #Huyopa Tribe (wearing blue)
Baylor – 20, Student
Jaclyn – 25, Media Buyer
Jon – 26, Financial Assistant
Keith – 53, Fire Captain
Missy – 47, Owner of Cheerleading Gym
Natalie – 28, Crossfit Coach
Team Jacljon is very confused after Tribal as to why Alec went home. Natalie acts like it was a mistake and everyone seems to buy it.
Feel free to make your own joke about Jaclyn and Jon being confused.
The next morning, Natalie confesses to Keith that she saved his bacon. She pitches her, him, Missy, and Baylor as a solid unit. As someone who was just on the outs, Keith definitely goes for it.
Quick Aside: I don’t like this move as I think Keith is the only person who could possibly beat Natalie in front of a jury.
Reward Challenge Time: The players will be divided into two teams and then tethered together. They’ll go through hay and under a hitching post. They’ll then fill a bucket with water and go over a teeter-totter. They’ll use the water to fill another bucket and lower a wall. The first team to complete the puzzle that lies beyond the wall will win a trip to a spa.
It’s Keith, Missy, and Jon in blue vs. Jaclyn, Natalie, and Baylor in yellow.
The challenge starts and Missy isn’t having a great run of it. She headbutts the hitching post more than a few times. Then, she twists her ankle on the teeter-totter. This slows her team down considerably.
The yellow team has a major lead when they get to the puzzle. Probst tells the blue team they need to move. He doesn’t elaborate on whether or not they should dig deep.
The blue team finally makes it to the puzzle and manages to catch up and win the challenge.
But, Missy’s in bad shape. She tells Probst she’s fine.
Jon tells Missy that the spa will make her feel as young as she looks. This annoys Jaclyn because Jon is so happy. I’m no relationship expert, but if the sight of your partner’s happiness annoys you, that can’t be good.
Jon decides to give Baylor his reward so the mother/daughter duo can have an afternoon they’ll never forget. Ugh…this season.
Meanwhile, Natalie volunteers to go to Exile. Ugh…this season.
At the reward, Keith admits that it’s OK being at a girly spa as long as there’s food there. He doesn’t mind the massage either.
Quick Aside: I kinda wish they’d flown in the torture masseuses from “The Amazing Race.”
Back at #Huyopa, Jaclyn is still talking to Jon so they’ve got to consider that a win. They discuss Natalie’s voting “mistake.” Jaclyn brings up the idea that Natalie might be working with Keith. Jon doesn’t believe it though, because he can’t see Natalie flipping.
#famouslastwords
Over at Exile, Natalie laments on being a twinnie left all alonie.
Immunity Challenge Time: Wait…not yet.
Keith and Baylor have to practically carry Missy in. Missy breaks down because the pain has gotten much worse. Probst calls medical in. The doctor is concerned that the foot could be fractured because it isn’t getting any better. He wants to do an x-ray, but he’d have to pull Missy from the game to do it.
However, the doctor thinks she can stay in the game if they immobilize the foot. Missy sucks it up and decides to stay in the game. Way to be, Missy.
Also, Baylor brought rice for Natalie which is an awesome gesture. Way to be, Baylor.
Immunity Challenge Time: Players will hold onto handles with their hands while standing on a teeter-totter that has a vase attached to it. Last person with their vase standing wins immunity.
There must’ve been a sale at the teeter-totter store this episode.
Also, Missy will obviously forfeit the event.
The challenge starts and Jaclyn is out first. She’s followed by Baylor.
A while later, a gust of wind claims Keith’s vase.
Nat and Jon go toe-to-toe, with Natalie eventually pulling out the win.
Jon’s cool with it though, because it’ll give Natalie a chance to finally vote for Keith. Oh Jon…you’re so pretty.
Back at camp, Natalie wants to split the votes between Jon and Jaclyn. Then if Jon doesn’t play his idol, they’ll vote for him.
Natalie asks Keith to not freak out when they pretend to target him. Yeah Keith, stick to the plan.
Jaclyn is a little worried that there could be a blindside, but Jon doesn’t think it’ll happen.
#famouslastwords
Baylor approaches Missy about voting for Jon and it does not go over well. Missy says that she has given her word to Jon and she won’t break it. Baylor brings up her mother’s divorces for the 40th time this season, saying that her mom always puts men first.
That night at Tribal we’ve got an all-dude jury. I bet the Ponderosa toilet seat is always up.
Keith says that he’s been trying to pierce the five, but there are no cracks. Nice, Keith.
Jaclyn believes it’s natural for people to think of different scenarios, but she doesn’t think her and Jon are going anywhere.
#famouslastwords
Natalie thinks anything can happen in the two days she was gone, so she’s glad she won immunity.
Missy says she loyal and she doesn’t waver.
Voting Time: No votes are shown. Oh man, it’s so on.
JPro tallies and returns. We’ve got one vote for Keith, one vote for Jaclyn, one vote for Keith, one vote for Jaclyn, one vote for Jon and…one vote for Jon! Three-way tie!
Voting Time Part Deux: No votes are shown.
JPro tallies and returns a second time. We’ve got one vote for Jon and the thirteenth person to be eliminated from “Survivor: San Juan del Sur – Blood vs. Water” and the sixth member of the jury is…Jon.
So in the end, Natalie was the one who always knew when Jon should have played his idols.
Heh…Jon forgot his torch on the way to Probst. But, he had a good attitude about it. Good guy.
Verdict: I don’t get this season. There are big interesting moves, but it doesn’t feel right. It just doesn’t pop.
Who’s Going to Win? Natalie or Keith, right? I’m thinking Nat’s got it.
Power Rankings Results: Spencer had Jon in spot five while I had him in spot four. So, the current score is Team Farm Guy 97, Team Corinsanity 113.
Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter at @gordonholmes.
More Whatnot 