More Whatnot

“Survivor: David vs. Goliath” (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings with Bradley Kleihege, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Last Week: Bi said, “Bye,” tribes were swapped in tri, and Natalia was betrayed by her guy.

39 Days, 20 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

Let’s take a look at the tribes as they currently stand…

The Vuku Tribe (wearing orange)
Alec, 24 – Bartender
Carl, 41 – Truck Driver
Davie, 30 – Social Media Manager
Elizabeth, 31 – Kitchen Staff
Kara, 30 – Realtor

The Jabeni Tribe (wearing purple)
Angelina, 28 – Financial Consultant
Lyrsa, 35 – Flight Attendant
Mike, 47 – Filmmaker
Natalie, 56 – Publishing CEO
Nick, 27 – Public Defender

The Tiva Tribe (wearing green)
Alison, 28 – Physician
Christian, 32 – Robotics Scientist
Dan, 27 – S.W.A.T. Officer
Gabby, 25 – Technical Writer
John, 38 – Pro Wrestler

Post-Tribal Shenanigans

As you’d imagine, Kara was not psyched that Alec left her out of his…questionable…plan. Heh…this won’t be the last time she’s annoyed with his judgment.

He justifies this move by saying he was trusting his gut. Oh…then…no problem.

Fiji Water…Lots of It

A beautiful, relaxing day is ruined by ALL OF THE RAIN IN THE WORLD. In an amazing moment, the rain cranks it up during one of Natalie’s interviews and she tells the crew that they need to go. See, Mike…she tells everyone what to do. She should get a producer credit for this episode.

The weather gets so bad that production steps in to evacuate the players. When they return their camps have all been decimated.

What’s interesting is; when Alison is listing all of the crazy things that have happened this season, she describes Bi’s exit as “quitting.” Technically, she’s not wrong, it just seems harsh.

Also, Alison said things.

Reward Challenge: Two members from each team will use poles to bounce sandbags off of a net. From there, they’ll use a slingshot to launch the bags at targets. The first tribe to hit two targets will win four hens and a rooster. The second place tribe will win twelve eggs. The last tribe will have no chickens to count and nothing to hatch.

Result: Vuku claimed first place and Jabeni took second. Honestly, two Goliaths took all of the shots for Tiva. How do you not let a David use the slingshot?!

A Kara-ble Position

After the challenge, Kara starts throwing her buddy Alec under the bus. It seems like Davie and Carl could be swayed, but Elizabeth doesn’t trust her. But what about the horses?!

Add that to the fact, that Alec betrayed the Goliaths, and poor Kara has a real uphill battle.

An Eggs-cellent Way to Get Voted Out

Angelina is very happy to have won the eggs, because she’s a vegetarian and that’s her main source of protein. I wasn’t sure if eating eggs disqualified her from being a vegetarian, so I looked it up. Apparently, that makes her an “ovo-vegetarian.” Thanks, Google!

There’s a heated debate between Lyrsa and Natalie over how long the eggs will last in the warm weather. Natalie wins the argument by pure force of being Natalie, but Lyrsa literally graduated Magna Cum Laude from a culinary school.

Tiva Inc.

Over at Tiva Beach, the fun game seems to be setting up adorable nicknames and clubs. First, Christian is dubbed the “Ka Genius,” which is a step above a classic genius, obviously.

Then, they start a business called “The Brochachos.” The org chart lists Dan as the president, John as the CEO, and Christian as the “Head of Awesome Stuff.”

No, seriously.

And why is Dan just giving away sweet titles? He should make Christian earn them…

Hey wait, aren’t the citizens of Slamtown going to be furious that their mayor and comptroller are splitting time with this new business venture?!

Dan takes a break from his new career to go looking for the Tiva idol. He knows whatever it is will be wrapped in a green string. Oh good, so it’ll be like finding a green needle in a green haystack. Piece of cake.

Sure enough, he finds a clue that lets him know that he’ll have to retrieve the idol at the next immunity challenge. Which leads us to…

Immunity Challenge: The tribes will race across obstacles, then they’ll lasso and pull up a bridge. They’ll cross the bridge and one member from each tribe will have to complete a pulley/snake/ball maze. The first two tribes will win immunity, the second gets a date with Jeff.

Result: Alec was the man, winning it for Vuku. And Christian completed the puzzle for Tiva. Jabeni gets a trip to Tribal. Also, Dan was able to easily retrieve the idol.

Pre-Tribal Politcking

It starts off with a Goliath discussion about Lyrsa and Nick with the trio eventually deciding to keep Nick because he brings more to the table challenge-wise.

However, Angelina wants to vote out Lyrsa in a way that will result in Lyrsa handing over her jacket. Huh…

Natalie is on the case, and in a roundabout way, seems to be threatening Nick that he’ll be going home if he doesn’t steal Lyrsa’s jacket or give up his own jacket. It’s all very confusing and off-putting.

Anywho, the Rock Stars approach Angelina with the idea of sending Natalie home instead. She seems to play along, but is very non-committal.

Tribal Time

Angelina and Natalie seem to be repeating the “Goliath Strong” mantra, but Lyrsa won’t go down without a fight. She makes an excellent point that they don’t know what’s going on over at Vuku now that Natalia is gone.

Jacketgate is brought up too. Nick thinks Natalie was being a bully, but she feels like she was negotiating. Hilarious.

Angelina eventually comes to her defense, saying that Natalie’s jacket maneuvers were done out of love.

Voting Time: Lyrsa votes for Natalie, Natalie votes for Lyrsa, and Nick votes for Natalie. The rest of the votes are secret.

JPro tallies and returns. We’ve got one vote for Natalie, one vote for Lyrsa, one vote for Natalie, one vote for Lyrsa, and the sixth person eliminated from “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” is…Natalie.

Angelina asks Natalie for her jacket on the way out and Natalie doesn’t respond. Then Angelina asks twice more to no response. Cold blooded…and awesome. Five stars.

Also, Mike was the Goliath who voted for Natalie.

Verdict: I gotta say, despite only lasting five episodes, Natalie has got to be one of the most incredible, memorable characters of the last five years. I’m actually very sad to see her go.

And now that the David vs. Goliath stuff has calmed down, I’m loving this season.

	Nick and Lyrsa – Once again the best grade goes to the Little Davids That Could. Maybe Probst is right; maybe they’re all champs at overcoming adversity.
	Dan – We all have our gifts. I’m good at skee-ball, Dan’s good at finding idols. Maybe hide this one better, kay? Christian – That snake puzzle was a big moment for you. Awesome stuff.
	Mike – Yeah, you got what you wanted, but it might come back to bite you at the merge.
	Angelina – Sooo…were you blindsided? Or, did you agree to let Natalie go if you could vote with her and get her coat? Either way it’s not a great look.
	Alec – Well…you’ll probably be the third Goliath voted out of your tribe. That’s something.
	Kara – It seems like the other Vukutians aren’t buying what you’re selling. You need to figure out a new angle quickly.
	John, Alison, Gabby, Davie, Carl, Elizabeth – I can’t give you full credit if you don’t show your work.

Power Rankings Results: Bradley Kleihege had Natalie in spot fifteen, I had her in spot twelve. So, the current score is Team Bradley 53, Team Gordon 62.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

“Survivor: David vs. Goliath” (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings with Bradley Kleihege, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

The Rules: Each week our two combatants will create separate power rankings. The ranking of the person who is voted out of the next episode will determine the number of points the players will earn. For example, if Dan is voted out this episode, Bradley will receive five points and Gordon will receive four points. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: David vs. Goliath”

Last Week: Bradley Kleihege had Bi in spot seventeen and Natalia in spot four for a total of 21 points. Gordon Holmes had Bi in spot sixteen and Natalia in spot twelve for a total of 28 points. So, the current score is Team Bradley 38, Team Gordon 50.

Quick Note: Rankings are not based on who the player thinks is most likely to win. The smart strategy is to rank players based on how safe you think they are in the upcoming vote.

Bradley’s Score: 38 Any questions for Bradley? Drop him a line on Twitter: @bradley_r_k	Gordon’s Score: 50 Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
1. John: Now that the Mayor of Slamtown has a comptroller, in addition to his Goliath cronies, he should be safe at least until another mixup.	1. Davie: Alec really opened the door for Davie to take over this game. He’s got the numbers, he’s got an idol, his buddy has the only thing that can nullify his idol. The question is; should they throw some challenges?
2. Davie: Impressive move last week shifting the power back to the original Davids in his new tribe.	2. Carl: …because they have two Goliaths they can burn off. They just might make it to the merge with a David majority and two powerful advantages.
3. Elizabeth: This cowgirl should ride right on through this week now that she is in the majority.	3. John: Between Dan and John’s brawn and Christian and Gabby’s brains, the Slamtown Olympic Team will probably never have to settle for a bronze. Oh, Alison is there too.
4. Carl: Found an advantage and also gets to join a tribe where his original tribe is in the majority. Carl’s fortunes seem to be turning.	4. Dan: You’ve got an idol and one of the most challenge-ready tribes I can remember. You’re good until the next swap.
5. Dan: Poor Dan, all alone without a Kara in the world. Will his broken heart allow him to regain focus or will he continue to act like a bumbling fool?	5. Elizabeth: I don’t know how you and Davie did it, but you did it. That’s two significant jams you’ve managed to wiggle your way out of in just four episodes. Well done.
6. Mike: Mike got a lucky break, he is in a better position post-swap than he was pre-swap.	6. Angelina: There’s a lot of uncertainty within your new tribe, but I think you’re the safest for now. It’ll probably come down to the Rock Stars trying to get rid of Natalie or the classic Goliaths wanting to get rid of Lyrsa. You’ll make the call.
7. Nick: Nick is still on the bottom of his tribe but his alliance with Mike should keep his torch lit through next week.	7. Alison: Hey, buddy.
8. Angelina: If someone goes home from her tribe this week I would be shocked if it isn’t Natalie.	8. Christian: So, we all had a lot of fun with our Slamtown infrastructure jokes, but at no point did John and Christian agree to work together. Christian could be in serious trouble. Fortunately, I’m betting Tiva never sees Tribal.
9. Christian: He was shown buddying up with John and Dan on his new tribe which is great. However, if he has to go to Tribal his biggest problem is going whether or not he comes across as a bigger threat than Gabby because this would be a perfect chance to get him out.	9. Nick: Whether or not this Rock Stars things pans out, you’ve at least bought yourself another cycle as the classic Goliaths will be more likely to target Lyrsa first.
10. Gabby: If her tribe loses, she is probably headed home. But, her tribe has a good balance of physical strength and puzzle acumen, so she should be safe.	10. Mike: Why is Mike this low? Because I’m not convinced that Natalie, Angelina, and John don’t have a final-three deal. If you start pushing to send Natalie home, you could be on your way back to Horace Green.
11. Alison: Purple Alison. The week you start talking you’re probably toast.	11. Gabby: I hate having Gabby this low, because I loved her big win last week. But, in the unlikely event Tiva loses, she’s the most likely boot. Although, there’s gotta be an idol on that new beach…
12. Lyrsa: No idea where my winners pick stands after the swap. Presumably somewhere on the bottom of her tribe, sadly.	12. Natalie: Natalie telling her tribe exactly how to make the fire might be my favorite “Survivor” moment of the last ten years. I just laughed and laughed. She’s got to feel she’s safe to be acting like that.
13. Alec: Alec did what the producers wanted this episode, he made exciting TV, but that doesn’t mean it was good gameplay. He will always be on the bottom of both the original Davids and the original Goliaths now.	13. Lyrsa: The good news? Your buff now matches your hair. The bad news? You aren’t a Goliath or a rock star.
14. Kara: On the one hand she got away from her biggest liability, Dan, on the other she lost a key ally. If her tribe goes back to Tribal Council she is probably headed to the place where Natalia is now.	14. Alec: What was it Alec? It can’t have just been that Natalia was being too pushy. Because that move makes zero sense to me.
15. Natalie: Natalie had a chance to reset her game and reputation with the swap but that is not the strategy she seems to have taken. While Napalm Natalie burns bright, I think she also burns quick!	15. Kara: You’re down in numbers, the dominant alliance has every reason to start throwing challenges, it is not looking good for you.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

“Survivor: David vs. Goliath” (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings with Bradley Kleihege, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Last Week: Christian threw Gabby under the bus, Bi’s mobility stopped being a plus, and Jeremy is no longer a part of Goliaths R Us…

39 Days, 20 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

Let’s take a look at these tribes as they currently stand…

The David Tribe (wearing orange)
Bi, 28 – MMA Fighter
Carl, 41 – Truck Driver
Christian, 32 – Robotics Scientist
Davie, 30 – Social Media Manager
Elizabeth, 31 – Kitchen Staff
Gabby, 25 – Technical Writer
Lyrsa, 35 – Flight Attendant
Nick, 27 – Public Defender

The Goliath Tribe (wearing purple)
Alec, 24 – Bartender
Alison, 28 – Physician
Angelina, 28 – Financial Consultant
Dan, 27 – S.W.A.T. Officer
John, 38 – Pro Wrestler
Kara, 30 – Realtor
Mike, 47 – Filmmaker
Natalia, 25 – Industrial Engineer
Natalie, 56 – Publishing CEO

Buffs Will Be Dropped

We don’t waste any time with post-Tribal shenanigans as we head right off to a gathering of the tribes. But, before we get down to business, Bi announces that she will leave the game because she sprained her MCL. I’m usually all for people staying in the game at any cost, but she has a physical career, so good on her for making the move that’s best for her life.

Jeff then tells us that it’s time for an “unpredictable twist.” And by that he means…tribe swap.

Everyone drops their buffs and some people receive…a mysterious green buff. Oh, and Carl didn’t get anything. He’s like Charlie Brown trick or treating.

OK, the new tribes are; Natalie, Mike, Nick, Lyrsa, and Angelina on the Jabeni Tribe, Elizabeth, Davie, Alec, Natalia, and Kara on the Vuku tribe, and Dan, John, Alison, Gabby, and Christian on the new Tiva tribe.

Seriously?! I have to remember tribe names? Can’t we just call the green folks the Versus tribe?!

And poor Carl has earned himself a trip to Exile Island. He will join the first tribe to vote someone off.

Oh, that’s pretty interesting. The breakdown of each tribe is three Goliaths and two Davids. Why would a Goliath flip knowing that the Goliath they vote out is going to be replaced by a David?

Also, in the most poetic moment of the season, Christian catches a thrown map that was destined to hit Gabby in the face.

At Vuku Beach

Kara and Elizabeth seem to be getting along like peas and carrots and Natalia does not dig it. This immediately puts a target on Elizabeth’s back.

At Exile Island

Carl is greeted by a message that tells him that an advantage is available, but only for a limited time. Ooo…like the McDonald’s Monopoly game.

Anywho, he has to run off to a part of the ocean to find a coconut that’s bobbing around. He hustles over and claims the game’s first-ever Idol Nullifier. He’ll need to play it when the votes are cast and specify name which player he is playing it against.

At Jabeni Beach

Mike is rightfully freaked out because all of the challenge threats are on the other tribe. But, at least he still has Natalie to boss him around.

No joke, she literally gives everyone assignments, and then critiques their work. It’s hilarious. I can’t wait for the episode where she conducts their year-end reviews.

Later on, Nick and Mike decide to pair up as the “Rock Stars” alliance. What?! “School of Nick” was right there! Mike proves he trusts Nick by telling him about Dan’s idol.

At Tiva Beach

Christian immediately starts grilling John on the inner workings of Slamtown. He eventually asks if there’s a website where he can apply to be the comptroller.

No, seriously.

This all makes Gabby worry because she’s doesn’t bond well with Goliath-types. Later that night, Christian does his best to reassure her that they’ll be OK. She gets very emotional, comparing it to not feeling comfortable around cool kids. Aww…Gabby…you’re cool.

Immunity Challenge Time: One member from each tribe will sit on a one-wheeled cart. Two members will wear blindfolds and push the cart through an obstacle course. Then the unblindfolded member will have to instruct two other blindfolded members on how to complete a table maze. The first tribe to complete the puzzle will win immunity and snacks. The second tribe will just win immunity. The third tribe will get to vote out a David.

Quick Note: The unblindfolded players are Gabby, Angelina, and Kara. They really are in the spotlight in this challenge.

Results: Gabby pulled off the win for the Tiva. And, she even gave some big hugs to the scary Goliaths on her tribe. It was a close battle for second with Jabeni claiming the victory.

Pre-Tribal Politicking

The early debate centers around who should go home between Davie and Elizabeth.

But…Natalia opens the door a little bit by rubbing members of her alliance, particularly Alec, the wrong way. She tells people to shut up, she threatens Davie if he doesn’t vote her way. Both Davie and Elizabeth make plays to Alec and he seems to at least be entertaining the notion.

Tribal Time

Elizabeth is so concerned that she almost “pooped her pants.” I don’t have anything to add to that.

She eventually moves on from discussing…such things…and says that people need to make big moves before it’s too late. This inspires Alec to get up and whisper in her ear. As you’d imagine, this does not sit well with Natalia.

More whispering happens, with Kara trying to convince Natalia that everything is OK.

Finally, Natalia defiantly says, “Let’s go.”

Voting Time: Natalia votes for Elizabeth and no other votes are shown.

JPro tallies and returns. We’ve got one vote for Elizabeth, one vote for Davie, two votes for Natalia, and the fifth person eliminated from “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” is…Natalia.

Oof…and she does not go gentle into that good night. Alec tries to apologize, but she tells him to shut up. Natalia then asks Kara if she knew, Kara claims that she didn’t.

Verdict: I…uh…I don’t get this move by Alec. He’s now outnumbered by Davids. I don’t get it.

Buuuut…sign me up for more of “The Christian and John Show.”

	Davie and Elizabeth – I’m not quite sure how closely they worked on that plan, but at the end of the day, they swung the entire tribe in their direction.
	Carl – You found an advantage and you’re about to be reunited with your buddy…good times. Christian – Gabby is a dream alliance member. Can you even imagine her turning on him? I can’t.
	Gabby – Buck up, camper! Hopefully your big win will make you feel more comfortable. Nick – I think the “Rock Stars” have legs. Mike obviously trusts you enough to tell you about Dan.
	Mike – You’re right, Nick does have more to gain than you do in this new alliance. But kudos for trying making moves.
	Kara – Oh boy…how did all of that happen right under your nose?
	Natalie – I’ve been doing this gig for ten years and I’ve never seen anything like the way she handles herself around camp. She’s playing an amazing 3rd-place game. Alec – Congrats, you’re in the minority. Also, it’ll be fun to explain why Natalia is gone if you get to the merge.
	Dan, John, Lyrsa, Angelina, Alison – I can’t give you full credit if you don’t show your work.

Power Rankings Results: Bradley Kleihege had Bi in spot seventeen and Natalia in spot four for a total of 21 points. I had Bi in spot sixteen in Natalia in spot twelve for a total of 28 points. So, the current score is Team Bradley 38, Team Gordon 50.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

“Survivor: David vs. Goliath” (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings with Bradley Kleihege, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

The Rules: Each week our two combatants will create separate power rankings. The ranking of the person who is voted out of the next episode will determine the number of points the players will earn. For example, if Dan is voted out this episode, Bradley will receive nine points and Gordon will receive six points. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: David vs. Goliath”

Last Week: Bradley Kleihege had Jeremy in spot four. I had him in spot fourteen. So, the current score is Team Bradley 17, Team Gordon 22.

Quick Note: Rankings are not based on who the player thinks is most likely to win. The smart strategy is to rank players based on how safe you think they are in the upcoming vote.

Another Quick Note: Bradley has taken a page from Gordon’s exit interview style and has done his rankings in “Word Association” format.

Bradley’s Score: 17 Any questions for Bradley? Drop him a line on Twitter: @bradley_r_k	Gordon’s Score: 22 Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
1. Natalie: Power	1. Christian: So, first thing’s first: What’s the deal with the odd numbered swap? Are we getting three tribes? Are we getting two tribes and the odd person out gets a boat ride with Cochran? Anywho, Christian is safe.
2. Lyrsa: Moxie	2. Nick: I gotta tell ya, getting rid of Gabby so you’re Christian’s number one is some next level gameplay. If Nick ends up alone with Gabby, he might get his wish.
3. Christian: Exuberant	3. Angelina: So, are you envisioning a final three where you’re the mastermind behind the brute (John) and the goat (Natalie) getting to the end? Not bad…
4. Natalia: Capable	4. John: He saved Natalie and he won the Impact World Title in the same week? There is joy in Slamville. Usually, I wouldn’t rate a challenge stud this high in a swap week, but John isn’t putting out threat vibes just yet.
5. John: Multifaceted	5. Davie: Players with idols should be hypersensitive in swap situations. If Davie feels like he needs it, he should use it.
6. Nick: Chicanery	6. Dan: See “Davie.”
7. Kara: Convincing	7. Mike: He’s playing it so under-the-radar that people wouldn’t even notice if he was replaced by Jack Black.
8. Alec: Unfrequented	8. Alison: Uh…I know next to nothing about you. I imagine whichever tribe you end up on will have bigger fish to fry.
9. Dan: Thirsty	9. Elizabeth: She’s so likable and non-threatening. I’m sure she’ll be fine wherever she ends up.
10. Gabby: Moonstruck	10. Carl: You could be in for some headaches if Lyrsa is on your new tribe. Gotta mend that bridge.
11. Elizabeth: Sidekick	11. Lyrsa: I only have Lyrsa below Carl because I feel like he might make a better first impression. That’ll be important if they’re surrounded by Goliaths.
12. Davie: Undiscovered	12. Natalia: My worry for you is that your feud with Natalie over “Who’s the best Natali_” will carry over to your next camp.
13. Alison: Who?	13. Gabby: You’re going to be in big trouble if you find yourself on a tribe with Bi, Carl, Davie, or Nick without Christian.
14. Mike: Overdone	14. Kara: If word gets around your new tribe that you’re close with Dan, it’ll be all the reason someone needs to take you out.
15. Carl: Lugubrious	15. Natalie: If she ends up on a tribe with John or Angelina she’ll be fine. If not…
16. Angelina: Cocksure	16. Bi: My swap rule is that the challenge beast on the tribe that’s down in numbers is usually in trouble. Bi is the closest thing to a Wimpville challenge beast, but she has a bum leg…I’m so confused.
17. Bi: RIP	17. Alec: Challenge beasts are always in trouble at swaps, and you’ve taken the solo leg of every challenge so far.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

“Survivor: David vs. Goliath” (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings with Bradley Kleihege, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: David vs. Goliath”

Gordon Holmes: Take me back to last night. Did you see it coming at all?
Jeremy Crawford: The thing that really kicked me off the show was something that wasn’t shown, so it might sound like an excuse. The reason for the blindside, and it wasn’t a blindside, Angelina was in a showmance with John. It was kind of one-sided like Kara and Dan. But, Angelina had just gotten married. So, she was adamant that nobody make any comments about a showmance between her and John on the show. And essentially I made a joke about Angelina and John’s showmance after our  challenge where we won fishing gear. I made a joke around the campfire and that got back to Angelina. And from that, she went around and told people, “He has to go, he’s trying to ruin my marriage. I’m going to be humiliated.” So, she told people that, but told them not to talk about it on camera. That’s how you get nine people to vote somebody off who they really don’t want to. You add a personal layer from the real world to it. So, it really had nothing to do with me and Natalie. If you go back and look at Angelina in the tent when she says, “I can’t trust him anymore.” That “anymore” is telling you why. And that’s the only clue I could find last night as to why she so adamantly couldn’t trust me anymore. We weren’t in an alliance, so what was that “anymore”?

Holmes: When were you clued into the fact that she was targeting you?
Crawford: Maybe the morning of the immunity challenge. Somebody said “Angelina is mad about this joke you made.” And I think the girls were trying to get out a boy because they wanted an all-girl alliance. So, I thought I’d offer up Dan, we could flush out his idol. I’ve been watching “Survivor” forever, and if nine people are trying to get someone out, one person is going to tell them. Especially if that person is popular and has friends. But, when nobody came, I knew something was going on and I went into panic mode. Let me tell them about Dan, let me get into a bigger fight with Natalie.
Holmes: Once you realized what was going on, was there ever an opportunity to mend fences with Angelina?
Crawford: She mentioned the joke, but there was no way to talk to her about it because she didn’t want to talk about it on camera. So, what can you do? I’m an open, honest person. Everything about me can be on camera. I’m a lawyer, I’m good with rules. So, I didn’t know what to do with my tribe’s inability to follow rules.
Holmes: What was going on that made you think they were in a showmance? Was it more than canoodling?
Crawford: What made me make the joke was that it started raining and instead of grabbing her own clothing, she grabbed John’s. And we all knew it. It wasn’t a secret. She was fully into him. John wasn’t in a showmance, he was always talking about his fiancé. But, he was definitely pulling the Kara card of letting Angelina do what she wanted to do to improve his game. When we were in the camp, it rained every day. So, there was so much time in the tent, in the camp huddled together. And showmances, that’s where they start.
Holmes: Did I date myself by saying “canoodling.”
Crawford: (Laughs) I’m probably older than you, so you made me feel comfortable.

Holmes: So, the Natalie feud was a way to deflect attention?
Crawford: It wasn’t so much a feud, but Natalie and Natalia got into it on day one. That thing blew up on day three to the point where Natalie was ready to fight Natalia. She made a very threatening comment to Natalia and I jumped in and said, “Listen Natalie, you can’t say that.” Because Natalie told us on day one that she didn’t want to be perceived as an angry, black woman. I’m like, “OK, you’re black, I’m black, I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.” So, when she got mad at Natalia, that’s when we had our first conversation. Then she got into a big fight with Mike. Mike might’ve stepped on her bed. I wasn’t there. I told her to calm down. So, these feuds were never generated by her and I having a problem. The problem was, I’d tell Natalie what other people were saying and thinking and she wasn’t believing it. So, she thought it was me saying it. At Tribal Council, that was the first time people were saying to her face that her attitude sucks. Do I have a problem with Natalie? No. Is Natalie completely unaware? Yes.

Holmes: Do you remember what comment Natalie made to Natalia that made you step in?
Crawford: They were carrying a log…like one of the poles, and Natalie felt like Natalia had given her a snide look. And Natalie, was like, “You’ve got one more time, you’ve got ONE MORE TIME, and I’m going to come over there.” And that was too much.
Holmes: That was a very solid Natalie.
Crawford: “Cut these coconuts! You all need to start this fire!” That was Natalie pretty much 24/7. We would wake up and Natalie would say, “You need to wake up and start this fire!” And we’d say, “There’s a fire making kit now. Go over there and do it.” That was just her. I don’t think Natalie knew I was going home, it was probably more of surprise to her that it was to me, because they didn’t need to talk to her to get the votes.

Holmes: Alright, word association time. Let’s start with John.
Crawford: Solid, American man. Nobody will ever say anything bad about John.
Holmes: Alec?
Crawford: Charming, he has the it factor. Charisma, intellect, once he gets some of that youthfulness out of him, he’s going to be amazing.
Holmes: Mike?
Crawford: He’s hilarious, a little nervous. He’s not what he appears to be when you first meet him.
Holmes: Kara
Crawford: Kara is absolutely amazing. Hands down, on both sides, she’s the person you want to hang out with for the rest of your life.
Holmes: Natalia?
Crawford: She’s great, funny, she loves “Survivor.” She talks about it all the time. And she was freezing on the island.
Holmes: Dan?
Crawford: Dan is twelve years old.
Holmes: Alison?
Crawford: Smart, kinda WASPy, solid girl.
Holmes: Natalie?
Crawford: Unaware.
Holmes: Let’s finish with Angelina.
Crawford: Lacks integrity.

Holmes: Tell me you’ve seen a pro wrestling match since you’ve returned to the states.
Jeremy Crawford: Oh, I haven’t. (Laughs)
Holmes: (Laughs) I’ll send you some recommendations.
Crawford: I’m not big into violence.
Holmes: It’s pretend violence.
Crawford: Mm…hm…

UPDATE: Angelina responded to Jeremy’s allegations with the following comment…

“My husband and I are aware of Jeremy’s comments. While we do not appreciate his blatant mischaracterization of my friendship and alliance with John, I am not surprised he feels compelled to attempt to revise the narrative.

I think all of this really comes down to one fundamental Survivor truth: being the first eliminated member of your tribe by a unanimous, undisclosed blindside, must really sting, especially for a supposed “Goliath.”

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

“Survivor: David vs. Goliath” (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings with Bradley Kleihege, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Last Week: Davie made a find, Christian and Nick a-line-d, and Jessica was left behind…

39 Days, 20 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

Let’s take a look at these tribes as they currently stand…

The David Tribe (wearing orange)
Bi, 28 – MMA Fighter
Carl, 41 – Truck Driver
Christian, 32 – Robotics Scientist
Davie, 30 – Social Media Manager
Elizabeth, 31 – Kitchen Staff
Gabby, 25 – Technical Writer
Lyrsa, 35 – Flight Attendant
Nick, 27 – Public Defender

The Goliath Tribe (wearing purple)
Alec, 24 – Bartender
Alison, 28 – Physician
Angelina, 28 – Financial Consultant
Dan, 27 – S.W.A.T. Officer
Jeremy, 40 – Attorney
John, 38 – Pro Wrestler
Kara, 30 – Realtor
Mike, 47 – Filmmaker
Natalia, 25 – Industrial Engineer
Natalie, 56 – Publishing CEO

Post-Tribal Shenanigans

The mood is…awkward…at Casa de David after the big blindside. Davie brings Christian aside to figure out what happened and Christian throws Gabby right under the bus.

Ooo…

By the next morning, Carl and Bi are ready to send Gabby packing. And Nick’s into it too, because then he’d have Christian all to himself.

Good Times for Goliath

John catches their first fish of the season, which, not to brag, is the same size as the one I caught in Fiji. And it only took me an hour, not seven days…ahem…

Jeremy confesses to having never seen a wrestling match in his entire life. This blows John away, he then does a five-star job of selling the profession by saying, “What?! Tons of dudes in sparkly tights? You’ve been wasting your life.”

Fun Fact: When John worked as “John Morrison” in the WWE, his fans were known as “JoMoSapiens.”

(WWE)

Later, Jeremy and Mike share a touching moment when Jeremy opens up about his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Nerds of a Feather

Christian and Gabby are having a delightful conversation where they imagine what life must be like in John’s fictional “Slam Town.” Christian wonders if he’d be welcome there as a citizen of “Wimpville.” Are you guys OK if I refer to the tribes as “Slam Town” and Wimpville” from now on?

Jeremy’s Spoken…a Little Too Much

The paranoia bug that caught Gabby last week made its way to Goliath camp, as Jeremy is freaking out over all the side conversations people are having. Now, the talks we were shown were innocent, but who knows what he overheard.

Anywho, he calls a team meeting and asks everyone to stop talking strategy…says the guy who’s digging in people’s clothes looking for idols.

Sure enough, everyone picks up on the fact that Jeremy is playing harder than anyone. This is cemented when he tells Alec, Alison, and John about Dan’s idol.

Immunity Challenge Time: One player from each tribe will maneuver around a rope that’s twisted around a beam. Then three players will unbraid a large set of ropes. From there they’ll have to lasso a sled of puzzle pieces. The first tribe to complete the puzzle will win immunity and comfort items.

Quick Aside: It is mega pouring out there. Maybe some of the worst rain I’ve ever seen during a challenge.

Another Quick Aside: Natalie doesn’t want to sit out, she wants to do the puzzle. Ooo…I hope she’s as good at puzzles as she is at doing nothing around camp.

Sitting: Angelina and Natalia

Result: The Goliaths had a little bit of a lead, but the Davids were able to pull off the win. Big takeaways included; Natalia called Natalie out in front of everyone for failing on the puzzle and Bi spraining her MCL.

Pre-Tribal Politicking

The discussion kicks off with Jeremy and Natalie immediately butting heads. She asks him to consider keeping her, but he doesn’t think she has the support. Later, they get into it when he tries to interrupt a conversation she’s having with other players.

Man, these two are oil and water. I feel like if either one of them would give an inch, they could work together. They just won’t let each other in.

The big debate comes down to Angelina wanting to get rid of Jeremy because he’s playing so hard and Natalia wanting to get rid of Natalie because…well…Natalie.

Tribal Time

Oof…this got really ugly. It came down to a war of words between Jeremy and Natalie with Jeremy coming off as a real heel. At one point he even said that the tribe wouldn’t show up at her funeral.

Voting Time: Jeremy votes for Natalie, Natalie votes for Jeremy (and gets in some awesome zingers), and the rest of the votes are lost to the magic of editing.

JPro tallies and returns. We’ve got one vote for Natalie, five votes for Jeremy, and the third person eliminated from “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” is…Jeremy.

Verdict: Wow…what a perfect example of someone playing himself right out of the game. The clothes searching, the don’t-talk-strategy meeting, the feud with Natalie, all of it came together to make him an obvious boot.

Anywho, it was awesome to finally get to see the Goliaths throw down, but none of this will matter after next week’s tribe swap.

Aw man…now I have to learn tribe names.

	Angelina and John – She wants Jeremy gone, he wants Natalie to stay. The first couple of Slam Town is making things happen.
	Davie – Davie handled the post-Tribal festivities perfectly. Cool head, mended fences. Bae-vie for life. Nick – If Gabby ends up paying the price for Jessica’s exit, he’ll be Christian’s best option.
	Mike – Mike was the opposite of Elizabeth this week. He knew Jeremy was in trouble, but let him go. I’m not sure if it was right or wrong move. This grade is more for the way he’s made people forget his early idol hunting. Natalie – I’d imagine Angelina had way more to do with you staying in the game than you do. But, you’re still standing.
	Natalia – Yeah, you didn’t get your way with the vote, but you obviously didn’t think it was a big enough deal to rock the boat. (I didn’t mean for that to rhyme.) Bi – You got back on your feet after the blindside, but a bum knee is going to be bad news in the future.
	Gabby – Your #1 definitely doesn’t have your best interest at heart. Christian – Trying to keep blood off of your hands? Is this “Big Brother”?
	Carl, Dan, Kara, Alec, Alison, Elizabeth, Lyrsa – I can’t give you full credit if you don’t show your work.

Power Rankings Results: Bradley Kleihege had Jeremy in spot four. I had him in spot fourteen. So, the current score is Team Bradley 17, Team Gordon 22.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

“Survivor: David vs. Goliath” (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings with Bradley Kleihege, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

The Rules: Each week our two combatants will create separate power rankings. The ranking of the person who is voted out of the next episode will determine the number of points the players will earn. For example, if Dan is voted out this episode, Bradley will receive nine points and Gordon will receive fifteen points. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: David vs. Goliath”

Last Week: Bradley had Jessica in spot thirteen while Gordon had her in spot eight. The current score is Team Bradley 13, Team Gordon 8.

Quick Note: Rankings are not based on who the player thinks is most likely to win. The smart strategy is to rank players based on how safe you think they are in the upcoming vote.

Bradley’s Score: 13 Any questions for Bradley? Drop him a line on Twitter: @bradley_r_k	Gordon’s Score: 8 Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
1. Christian: His alliance has been tested by Tribal Council and it held strong. But, Christian is so animated that he could risk putting a target on his back. This is, after-all, a TV show and everyone is starving for attention, in addition to food.	1. Christian: On a tribe of eight you’re in an alliance of three within an alliance of five. Well played, sir. The only thing I’d worry about is Gabby’s paranoia. You’re going to have to work overtime to make sure she always knows you’re on her side.
2. Gabby: She was perceptive enough to know that she was not as close with Jessica as others on the tribe, yet a sobbing mess that needed Christian to lead the way. Safe for now but is currently playing for second place.	2. Nick: And the award for “Biggest 180” goes to our boy Nick. It’s never cool to say that a severe back injury was fortuitous, but in your case it definitely was.
3. Kara: Her strategy is working, she has Dan wrapped around her finger and she also has Angelina and Natalia working with her as well. I’m impressed, my only worry is that her strategic maneuvering may be too obvious.	3. Gabby: “Imagine if you’re sitting there and two people walk off and all of the sudden a camera man and a microphone man dash after them. That’s going to freak you out. Maybe they’re talking about where the best coconuts are, but you have no idea.” – John Cochran Gabby, you’re fine for now, but you’ve got to get that paranoia under control. It’s a game killer.
4. Jeremy: Jeremy went on a suicide mission when he tried to tame Napalm Natalie. Nice try, amusing backfire. He knows about Dan’s idol and has Mike working with him. Jeremy’s long term prospects are going to hinge on whether or not he can find himself a few more allies.	4. Angelina: The six-person, faux couples…triple/double alliance could be an unstoppable monster. And if John is in your pocket, that technically makes you the “First Lady of Slam Town.”
5. Davie: He has an idol and as far as we know hasn’t told anyone about it yet. This should be enough for Davie to survive another trip to Tribal.	5. Alec: Bro-liath…
6. Natalia: She is in the dominant alliance in the Goliath tribe. Shouldn’t be in any trouble if they go to Tribal.	6. Davie: Bae-vie was on the wrong side of the vote, but he found himself an idol. Should he use it now to take back the power on the David tribe? Probably not. There’s got to be a swap coming soon and he might need it.
7. Angelina: Angelina is fun to root against, so sadly she is in a solid spot within the Goliath tribe.	7. Mike: Correct me if I’m wrong, but being a Hollywood bigwig probably carries some significant weight around reality TV folk. They’re not going to want to upset him if he’s in the process of casting “School of Rock 2: School Harder.”
8. Elizabeth: She is a good ally for letting Lyrsa know she was in trouble and navigating the two of them out of that precarious position.	8. John: He’s getting along with everybody, he clearly doesn’t have an idol. (Thanks, Dan!) He’s capable of doing a split-legged twisting moonsault. He’s fine.
9. Dan: His gameplay last week was sloppy. Lucky for him, he is in the majority alliance. Dan is a great example of why I actually really like casual fans and recruits on “Survivor.” It is fun to watch him learn as he goes and make mistakes (way more so than the meta strategy nonsense we get with superfans).	9. Elizabeth: We learned a lot about Elizabeth last week. She could have gone with the group and not rocked the boat, but she turned the entire tribe on its head. She’ll have Lyrsa’s loyalty for the rest of the game.
10. Lyrsa: Lyrsa showed that she is not about to get voted out without a fight.	10. Alison: You’re not in the triple/double alliance, but you seem well liked and you aren’t causing any trouble. You’re probably safe.
11. Alec: Not running his alliance but also not in danger. He is perfectly bland.	11. Lyrsa: It’s like Connor 4 Real says, “Never stop never stopping.” It truly looked like you were facing a seven to two vote and you flipped it. Now you’ve got a chance to course correct, figure out what put you on the block and try your best to remedy it.
12. Nick: Dude should thank Pat for hurting his back on the boat ride because he may have been a goner, but with a few extra days he seems to have rehabbed his standing.	12. Natalia: I was a little worried that you’d get in trouble as the conductor of the “Get Rid of Natalie” train. But, I’m sure you’re fine now that Jeremy has taken that post.
13. John: First problem, he said he was working with Natalie. Second problem, he tried to level with her and it didn’t work at all. Hopefully he is strong enough with the other bros and Natalia that his association with Natalie doesn’t hurt him too much.	13. Kara: I’m digging the triple/double alliance. But, we’ve seen women pay the price in perceived power couples too many times for me to feel comfortable with ranking you higher.
14. Alison: Where does Alison stand in the drama of the Goliath tribe?	14. Jeremy: It’s a classic “Survivor” move; reach out to the person who’s on the bottom of the tribe and bring them to your side. But, it really backfired this time. I’m worried that Natalie’s Napalm partnered with the fact that you’re digging in people’s stuff could get you in trouble.
15. Mike: The archetype that Mike inhabits is feeling a bit tired. How many times must we go through this charade? Safe until Natalie is gone.	15. Dan: Oh Dan…Danny…you seem like a really nice guy. Like, super nice. The best. Five stars, two thumbs up, buddy. But a secret idol that isn’t a secret is a wonderful way to find your way on the pre-jury trip. And I can just hear people saying, “We can get Natalie out at any time…”
16. Carl: Carl needs a swap. He is older and got blindsided at the first Tribal by losing his closest ally.	16. Natalie: You are engaging in some next-level horrible “Survivor” playing, my friend. The only thing you have working for you is John trying to help you, the whole world knowing about Dan’s idol, and being on a tribe of challenge beasts.
17. Bi: I have a particular disdain for post-challenge-loss pep talks. Couple that with getting blindsided at Tribal and absolutely flopping in the challenge and Bi is not in a good spot.	17. Carl: Lyrsa holds you responsible for her name being out there. That’s bad. And, your tribe hasn’t won a challenge since that first kinda-rigged one.
18. Natalie: With Napalm Natalie around, just about everyone else on the Goliath tribe is most likely safe if they end up at Tribal.	18. Bi: Carl will have Davie sticking up for him. Who will you have?

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

“Survivor: David vs. Goliath” (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings with Bradley Kleihege, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: David vs. Goliath”

Gordon Holmes: It’s seemed like Nick was a goner last week. Why was the decision made to target Lyrsa instead? Was it strictly a challenge strength decision?
Jessica Peet: The reason why Lyrsa became the target was she didn’t do as much work around camp as we would have liked. It was her and Nick, every time we were doing work she was off doing something else. And then, my name came up, long before the chatter of me actually going on the chopping block, it came back to me that she had said my name. So me, and Bi, and Davie, and Carl were like, “Heck no. You’re not going to put my name up.” We actually had a conversation about it. Lyrsa was apologizing and in my head I’m thinking, “No, you’ve already said my name once, I’m not going to let you vote me out.” And Pat really wanted Nick out, so once he was gone Lyrsa became the one.

Holmes: Lyrsa and Elizabeth claim to have a secret alliance. Did anyone know that was going on at the time?
Peet: (Laughs) Everybody knew! It was kind of funny to watch it.

Holmes: In hindsight, were there any clues that Gabby, Nick, and Christian were going to flip?
Peet: I remember sitting at Tribal and I’d say something and then Jeff would ask Gabby, “What’s your take on this?” And she’d say, “Oh, I agree…but…” She kept doing it. And I was thinking, “Why is she doing this? She’s supposed to be in my alliance.” She was contradicting what I was saying. I didn’t get a lot from Christian or Nick that I should be worried. But, when they were tallying the votes I remember looking around and trying to get visual confirmation and the only people who were giving me that were Bi and Carl. So, I started to get a little bit nervous.

Holmes: Christian and Nick are now the Mason Dixon alliance. Have they done a good job keeping that a secret?
Peet: I knew Nick had a relationship with Christian, but I didn’t know to what extent. Watching it back, it doesn’t shock me.

Holmes: A lot has been made about David vs. Goliath and what makes someone a David. Is that something you talked about a lot at camp or did you just go about your business?
Peet: During the first couple of nights where it was raining all the time, we were forced to sit there and keep each other warm, we took that time to bond. We were all upset, we were devastated because we were wet and cold. We really dug into the theme of the show and why we were put there. So, to unpack that and really dig in and talk about why we were viewed this way as a David, that was really good for us. And we got to learn so much about each other and that bonded us so much quicker than I would have expected. Leaving those people? It’s hard because I’m still rooting for them. I want them to pull out a win for everybody.

Holmes: Davie found an idol last night. Does anyone else know about it at this point in the game?
Peet: I believe Carl knew he had the idol. Davie approached me and said, “We found a clue.” I asked what it was, and he showed me a blue piece of string. I remember being like, “…that is not a clue. A piece of string? Really?” (Laughs) So, watching it back and knowing there was a string involved, but it wasn’t blue it was orange. I’m almost positive Carl knew he had the idol.

Holmes: OK, word association time.
Peet: (Laughs) Oh lord…
Holmes: There are no wrong answers here, Jessica. Let’s start with Gabby.
Peet: Smart.
Holmes: Pat?
Peet: Hard working.
Holmes: Davie?
Peet: Hilarious.
Holmes: Christian?
Peet: Savvy.
Holmes: Bi?
Peet: Competitive.
Holmes: Elizabeth?
Peet: A lot.
Holmes: Nick?
Peet: Chatty.
Holmes: Carl?
Peet: Caring.
Holmes: Let’s finish off with Lyrsa.
Peet: Passionate.

Holmes: Let’s jump back into that. How is Elizabeth “A lot”?
Peet: She has a very big personality. Whenever we’d be at a challenge and Jeff would be like, “Let’s get it on.” She’d go, “Woooooo!” and scream. She always had her hands in something at camp. She’d have this project going on and that project going on. She’s a lot. Not in a bad way, she’s a great person. She’s got a great personality, it’s just a BIG personality.

Holmes: Was there anything you did out there that we didn’t see that you wish we had?
Peet: I wish they’d shown more of Carl and I chatting. We had a very good relationship. He’s an amazing guy. He’s a great father, he talked a lot about his daughters and his wife. We bonded a lot. Bi and him were my number ones in the game. I understand it’s only an hour show, but I wish it would have been highlighted more.

Holmes: “Survivor” has a tendency to change people. Have you taken anything from the game that you apply to your daily life?
Peet: It has changed things. You grow an appreciation for the things you don’t have. I remember thinking, “I wish I had a blanket. I wish I had a towel. I wish I had a toothbrush.” So, there’s growing in that way. But, I feel like I’ve matured a lot. I was only out there for six days, but I was at Ponderosa and then the trip. I had a lot of time by myself and I’m usually around my loved ones. So, it kind of made me more of an independent person and since I’ve been home that independence hasn’t gone away. I think this experience has helped me to grow as a person.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

“Survivor: David vs. Goliath” (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings with Bradley Kleihege, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Last Week: For the first time ever, a season premiere ended with someone being boat-ed out instead of voted out. Poor, Pat.

39 Days, 20 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

Let’s take a look at these tribes as they currently stand…

The David Tribe (wearing orange)
Bi, 28 – MMA Fighter
Carl, 41 – Truck Driver
Christian, 32 – Robotics Scientist
Davie, 30 – Social Media Manager
Elizabeth, 31 – Kitchen Staff
Gabby, 25 – Technical Writer
Jessica, 19 – Waitress
Lyrsa, 35 – Flight Attendant
Nick, 27 – Public Defender

The Goliath Tribe (wearing purple)
Alec, 24 – Bartender
Alison, 28 – Physician
Angelina, 28 – Financial Consultant
Dan, 27 – S.W.A.T. Officer
Jeremy, 40 – Attorney
John, 38 – Pro Wrestler
Kara, 30 – Realtor
Mike, 47 – Filmmaker
Natalia, 25 – Industrial Engineer
Natalie, 56 – Publishing CEO

Weather Woes

Both tribes are getting absolutely hammered by crazy rain. The Davids in particular are in a bad place without Pat the morale-booster. At this point they might even have to come up with their own “Pregnant Nun” jokes.

The “Survivor” gods show some some uncharacteristic mercy by gifting both tribes a fire-making kit. I can already hear the classic “Survivor” players screaming at their TVs.

Power Coupling

The Goliaths are starting to whisper about Kara and Dan’s showmance with the popular opinion being that he’s soooper into her, but she’s just playing him. I mean, he named his dog after her before he even knew she existed! Stalker…

At any rate, this is a very real cause for concern for Kara. She tries to smooth things over with the others and finds herself in an odd three-way alliance with two other women who each seem to be controlling a man; Natalia (with Alec) and Angelina (with John.)

Line in the Sand

Christian decides to throw Nick a lifeline and partner up with him. Nick loves this because he was going to go home if Pat’s accident hadn’t happened. He then compares the new duo to Tocantins BFFs JT and Stephen.

Hmm…yeah…JT was a country boy, but he was also a super charismatic challenge god. Win a challenge first, Nick.

Since Nick is from Kentucky and Christian is from Maryland, they go with the nickname “Team Mason Dixon.”

Fun Fact: I went to Space Camp with a kid named Mason Dixon.

Immunity I-dolt

Dan has been hiding his idol in his jacket, even though Kara advises him against it. She encourages him to bury it. You know, like everyone does…ever.

Sure enough…Jeremy finds it. (Face palm gif.)

Immunity I-con

My new favorite person Davie manages to locate the David immunity necklace. How is it not shaped like a sling?

I’m thinking of referring to Davie as “Bae-vie” from now on. And all of us are in his “Bae-liance.” Thoughts?

Natalie vs. Goliaths

Natalie is not pleased with the shape of the shelter…but she doesn’t do anything about it, she just tells everyone else to do it.

Aaaaaand…she doesn’t seem to understand why they would target an older woman first. Oh goodness. I don’t know what to say except…WATCH….LITERALLY…THE FIRST EPISODE OF THIS SHOW EVER.

She claims that her plan is to play under the radar, but she’s pissing everyone off. Everyone, that is, except for John. He likes the idea of them working together because nobody would expect it.

Jeremy tries to give her some advice, but she barely lets him talk. It was rough.

Immunity Challenge Time: One player from each team will have to create a ladder using only two rungs and climb to the top of a tower. They’ll release a key that will be used to unlock a boat. The team will then row out to retrieve puzzle pieces. The first team to complete the puzzle (which is on a teetering platform that must be held up using ropes) will win immunity and fishing gear.

Sitting Out: Natalie

Quick Aside: Holy cow, this balance puzzle looks hard.

Result: Bi took a looooong time doing the ladder portion, but the puzzle took over an hour, so what does it matter? Oh, and the Goliaths won.

Pre-Tribal Politicking

It seems like a pretty clear decision with almost everyone targeting Lyrsa…but Gabby’s paranoia seems to be getting the best of her. When Elizabeth makes a move to target Jessica, Gabby jumps at it.

This puts Christian and Nick in the swing position. Dun dun dun…

Tribal Time

The Davids claim that the weather has brought them together, but Lyrsa knows she’s on the chopping block.

Jessica thinks you shouldn’t wait until the first Tribal to start making moves. Well, she’s not wrong.

The rest is non-committal blah blah blah.

Voting Time: Jessica votes for Lyrsa, Lyrsa votes for Jessica, Davie votes for Lyrsa, and the rest of the votes are secret.

JPro tallies and returns. We’ve got one vote for Lyrsa, one vote for Jessica, one vote for Lyrsa, one vote for Jessica, two votes for Lyrsa, two votes for Jessica, and the second person eliminated from “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” is…Jessica.

Verdict: Much better this week with the focus on the personalities and not what makes someone a David or a Goliath.

	Christian – Gabby and Nick both owe you at this point. Not a bad place to be. Elizabeth – You could’ve gone with the flow and saved yourself for a while, but you stuck your neck out and cemented your alliance with Lyrsa. Well done.
	Kara – Good on you for staying on top of this showmance thing. Davie – Yeah, you were on the wrong side of the vote, but that idol must feel pretty good.
	Lyrsa – Fight, fight, fight until Probst invites you to meet him at his podium. Nick – A complete 180 from last week’s debacle. Way to right the ship.
	Jeremy – Good job fishing out that idol, but it feels like you’re on the wrong side of the numbers. Mike – It seems like all is forgiven after last week’s idol fiasco.
	Gabby – One of the most under-appreciated “Survivor” challenges is paranoia.
	Carl – Oh man, you were on the wrong side of the vote and Lyrsa thinks you were the one targeting her. Dan – Your shirt? Yup…right in your shirt.
	Natalie – I am trying to come up with a single positive about your game at this point.
	John, Alec, Bi, Angelina, Natalia, Alison – I can’t give you full credit if you don’t show your work.

Power Rankings Results: Bradley Kleihege had Jessica in spot thirteen. I had her in spot eight. So, the current score is Team Bradley 13, Team Gordon 8.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes