‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers’ (CBS)
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Last Week: The Round Table was on a roll, attracting attention was Mike’s goal, and the person to receive the most votes was handsome…
39 Days, 18 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog
Alright, let’s take a closer look at the tribe…
The Solewa Tribe – Wearing Purple
Ashley, 26 – Lifeguard
Ben, 34 – Marine
Chrissy, 46 – Financial Analyst
Devon, 23 – Surf Instructor
Joe, 34 – Probation Officer
JP, 28 – Firefighter
Lauren, 35 – Fisherman
Mike, 43 – Urologist
Ryan, 23 – Bellhop*
*Has an Immunity Idol
Post-Tribal Shenanigans
We hilariously kick things off with Joe telling Mike that it was stupid of him to burn his idol in that fashion. No argument here, Joe.
Chrissy assures us that Joe or Mike are next.
Mike doesn’t regret his move and tells us to stay tuned because it’s about to get really good. Well, it’s about time.
Reward Challenge Time: The players will create a block tower using only their feet. When the tower is done, they’ll place a flag in the center. The first person to finish wins a seaplane tour of the islands and a cheeseburger feast.
Result: Mike comes close, but Lauren pulls off the win. She’s allowed to take three people with her. She chooses Ashley, Devon, and Ben. Ryan tells Probst that you can’t read into her picks, but in private, Lauren disagrees. Uh oh…
Round Table Reduction
At the reward, Lauren pitches a foursome of herself, Ben, Devon, and Ashley. Everybody seems to be on board. They trust each other so much, that they reveal all of the advantages they know about including Ryan’s idol and Lauren’s extra vote.
They decide to work with Joe and Mike and vote out one of the other Round Table members next.
Devon is very impressed with Lauren’s strategy, saying she’s as good a player as he is. Yeah, but is she a beacon of light?
Also, family letters from home were a part of the reward.
While all this is going on, Mike and Joe brand themselves as “The Coconuts” because of Joe’s ethnicity and Mike’s profession. Don’t forget to tip your waitress, folks.
Also, Ryan and Chrissy decide to target Ben after the Coconuts are gone.
King Arthur Finds His Xcalibur
Ben stumbles upon an idol clue under a rock with an “X” on it. He follows the directions and finds himself an idol. Well done, sir. I have a feeling you’re going to need it.
He smartly decides to not tell anybody, because nobody can keep a secret.
Immunity Challenge Time: The players will balance on top of a dog-house-esque structure. The last person standing wins immunity.
Snoopy would kill at this challenge.
Before the challenge, JPro offers them the chance to sit out in exchange for peanut butter and chocolate.
Peanut butter and chocolate?! And they get to keep their clothes on?! Devon, Lauren, and Ben take him up on the offer.
Result: Ashley wins immunity.
Pre-Tribal Politicking
Ryan is not happy that Devon, Lauren, and Ben sat out.
The Round Table decides to split the vote between Joe and Mike, however, the Reduced Round Table wants to target Ryan or Chrissy.
In an interesting twist, Devon comes up with the idea of making it seem like Ben isn’t in on the vote so the remaining players will run to him. Ben seems to be down with the “Secret Spy” plan.
“Survivor” sleeper! I’ve been pitching this idea for years!
Ben says he’ll have to put his acting shoes on. Those aren’t a thing, Ben.
The Reduced Round Table fills Mike and Joe in on the plan and they jump at it.
Tribal Time
Mike is hoping someone will use the Coconuts’ two votes.
Lauren knows the Round Table can only last so long because seven people can’t get to the end.
JP also says something.
Voting Time: We’ve got one vote for Mike, one vote for Joe, two votes for Mike, four votes for JP, and the tenth person to be voted out of “Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers” and the third member of the jury is…JP.
Wait, who?
Post-Tribal Shenanigans
Chrissy and Ryan play things very differently. Ryan thanks the people who stabbed him in the back for sparing him, while Chrissy seems very annoyed.
Ryan is shocked by Devon’s betrayal, but they’re still cordial. Devon admits to Ryan that Ryan telling Ben about the idol shook him.
Meanwhile, Ben plays his outsider role very well. And, it must’ve been hard, because Joe was really digging into him. This…uh…this might be tough for Joe to watch tonight.
Reward Challenge Time: The tribe will be split into two teams of four. They’ll row a boat and collect bags of logs. They’ll use the logs to release puzzle pieces. The first team to complete the puzzle will win a spa reward and veggie wraps.
Veggie wraps? If you lose the challenge you should have to eat veggie wraps.
Result: Ben, Ashley, Joe and Devon pick up the win easily, but Lauren really showed some determination.
Spa and Strategy
Ben continues to play his role as the unseated king during the reward. In fact, he plays it so well that it makes Ashley realize that he’s a huge threat. Ah…uneasy lies the head that wears a…uh…cowboy hat.
Meanwhile, Ryan is trying to get Mike to swing to his side. And, seeing as how Ryan never worked with Mike when Mike was on the bottom, he’s not interested in working with him now that he’s on the top…er…middle…er…middle bottom.
Chrissy tried to talk to Lauren but she doesn’t have any better luck than Ryan.
Immunity Challenge Time: The players will use a driving wheel to transport a key through a series of obstacles. They’ll use the key to release puzzle pieces. The first person to use the pieces to spell “Invulnerable” will become just that.
Result: Chrissy wins immunity.
Pre-Tribal Politicking
The Reduced Round Table decides that Joe’s day has finally come. The plan is to tell Joe and Mike that they’re going to use Lauren’s vote and split the votes between Ryan and Ben.
Remember when people just voted alphabetically?
Hilariously, Mike is psyched to send Ben home because he has fooled him so many times. He even says, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” This’ll be the third time, so…
In other news, Ashley and Lauren are considering making a move on Ben. Ashley approaches Devon with this idea…and they’re both non-committal.
Also, Ben encourages Ryan to play his idol.
Quick Aside: I tell ya, if this “Survivor” sleeper plan works, it’s genius.
Tribal Time
Joe admits to taking a lot of joy in Ben’s downfall. He also says that this is the most comfortable he has ever felt at Tribal. Oh man…this might be amazing.
Ryan thinks Mike and Joe are making the same mistake they accused the original Round Table of making.
Voting Time: Before the votes are read, Ryan plays his idol for…himself. We’ve got two votes for Ryan, two votes for Ashley, three votes for Joe, and the eleventh person voted out of “Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers” and the fourth member of the jury is…Joe.
Deuces indeed.
Verdict: Wow, the foursome really stepped up and executed some next-level moves. Ryan and Chrissy are good players, but they both took a beating today.
In the end, it kinda feels like Ben’s idol is going to decide this whole thing.
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Power Rankings Results: Aubry Bracco had JP in spot two, I had him in spot five. Aubry and I both had Joe in spot eight. The current score is Team Bracco 94, Team Holmes 103.
Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
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