More Whatnot

Debbie Wanner (CBS)

Quick Note: We’re going to be bringing you all kinds of “Survivor” fun this season including episode recaps, exit interviews, and Power Rankings with Shirin Oskooi. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

Watch Full Episodes of ‘Survivor: Kaôh Rōng’

Gordon Holmes: Thank you for doing Reading, PA proud.
Debbie Wanner: Oh, thank you! You must be from around here if you said (red-ing) and not (read-ing).
Holmes: I’m a Wilson High School graduate.
Wanner: Oh, then you’re Governor Mifflin’s arch-nemesis.
Holmes: Oh no, now we have to hate each other.

Holmes: Were you at all surprised by Aubry’s flip last night?
Wanner: I knew it was coming.
Holmes: What tipped you off?
Wanner: After Julia got immunity, I said, “OK, name a name.” And she couldn’t come up with a name. So, that was big. Joe told me. And I saw her and Cydney go off together. You know, Gordon…I knew Aubry was…and I mean this with all due respect…I adore her. She was hyper, paranoid, and neurotic about being voted off. Hey, that’s what keeps you alive.

Holmes: What was the final plan?
Wanner: Let’s see if they’ll give up their idol to play a super idol. Are you telling me that Jason and Tai are really both going to give up their idols to make a super idol for a millionaire? But, I knew I couldn’t sell her on it because she thought she was on the chopping block.  I told her, “It’s not you, it’s Cydney.” But, I had a lot of clues. And what I whispered to Joe was, “Hey, it’s been great. See you later.”
Holmes: So, you knew about the super idol. Was it Tai at the last Tribal that tipped you off?
Wanner: No, Neal told us before he left.
Holmes: And you personally didn’t think they’d use them to save Scot?
Wanner: We didn’t assume, we knew. We knew Tai had an idol, we knew Scot did not, and we knew Jason did. And part of that was overhearing them talk. You’re always in close proximity. I had actually been privy to a conversation between Tai and Jason where they said, “Why would we give up our idols for a millionaire?” And why would you? I couldn’t convince Aubry that she was safe and if she took me or one of the other girls out, she would be safe.

Holmes: Why did you refuse to target Julia before the immunity challenge?
Wanner: I do not like bullies, tyrants… “Survivor” is a game, but we were really starving out there. I lost twenty pounds. I lost more percentage of my body weight than probably anybody. I weighed 92 pounds at one point. So you have these two guys pouring water on our fire, taking our tools, giant clams were destroyed, so there was nothing. And you want to appease them by taking out Julia? You fight fire with fire. You throw rocks? I’m throwing boulders.  I just don’t know why when people are being bullied they take it up the butt with no K-Y.
Holmes: Oh.
Wanner: I stole their shorts.
Holmes: (Laughs)
Wanner: That was all I could do. (Laughs)

Holmes: At the end, a jury has to vote to give you the win. Did you ever consider taking those two heels to the end?
Wanner: I did. But, there were three guys to pick from who were unlikable, so one of them needed to go just to stop the shenanigans. You split up those three stooges and they’re not having any fun. And nobody played an idol. That was pretty cool that Jason gave his idol to Tai. And I’m curious, and I honestly don’t know, what would be hysterical is if Tai refuses to give it back.
Holmes: That’s what I was wondering. You can’t steal an idol, but when you give it to someone, it belongs to them. They were having fun with their little performance, but it seems to me like Tai legally has two idols.
Wanner: He absolutely has two idols! And if you noticed,  Jason says, “I give you this idol.” And Tai says, “I accept.” Those are the rules. Tai now has his own super idol and how stupid were you to do that? But, it was a great stunt. The guys were great TV.

Holmes: It hurt my soul to watch Tai douse the fire.
Wanner: I know.
Holmes: Did you know he was a part of that?
Wanner: I knew it. And it was a struggle him going back and forth. He was so unpredictable. The previous week he votes for Jason. And Jason gives him an idol? You’ve got to be kidding me. They gave him a super idol. Which I do not like the concept for at all. I think that is the only season that stupid stunt should ever come up. It’s just crap.
Holmes: Kudos to the guys for playing the hand that was dealt to them. But it is stupid powerful.
Wanner: And it’s crap. You’re dead and you’re resurrected? I didn’t like it at all. But, I do like that Jason gave it to Tai. You just gave it to the most unpredictable person in this game…who just voted for you, dude! (Laughs)
Holmes: Do you know what was behind that vote?
Wanner: No clue. I don’t think even Tai knows.
Holmes: Maybe it’s the alphabet method.

Holmes: Alright, word association time. Let’s start with Nick.
Wanner: Personality of a stone statue.
Holmes: Neal?
Wanner:  Ice cream.
Holmes: Scot?
Wanner: Goliath.
Holmes: Julia?
Wanner: Boston sweetie.
Holmes: Aubry?
Wanner: Geek goddess.
Holmes: Elisabeth?
Wanner: City dweller.
Holmes: Peter?
Wanner:  Hail to the chief. Good guy.
Holmes: Cydney?
Wanner: Wonder Woman.
Holmes: Joe?
Wanner: Ultimate gentleman.
Holmes: Tai?
Wanner: Bi-polar. (Laughs)
Holmes: Michele?
Wanner: “The Great Gatsby” because she’s related distantly to F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Holmes: Let’s finish with Jason.
Wanner: I almost have nothing nice to say…dedicated to his family.
Holmes: Who said you had to say something nice?
Wanner:  Yeah…but in my life I’ve been taught to take the high road. I wanted to have fun. But Jason is reprehensible.

Holmes: If you had managed to get rid of the guys last night, what was your plan for the rest of the game?
Wanner: Tai, because  I don’t think he could’ve gotten any votes. He kept flip-flopping. I would’ve taken Tai and Aubry.

Holmes: You’re a very interesting “Survivor” character, which is different than you as a person…
Wanner: Thank you.
Holmes: You’re portrayed as very eccentric out there, but I interview people every week and they seem to enjoy you. Was there anything that happened out there that we didn’t see that you wish people had seen?
Wanner: No, I don’t think I needed to be portrayed so talkative and kooky. The truth was it was Liz who talked non-stop. I said, “I’ll be one of the most forgettable characters on ‘Survivor’ and even if I win people will say, ‘Who’?” I’m nothing to look at, I left weighing 92 pounds, I’m not beauty, brawn, or brains. I can juggle, but when they showed me, they showed me dropping them. So they were going for the kooky old lady character. It just isn’t who I am. I am fun-loving, but nobody worked as hard as me except for Joe.

Holmes: You’re someone who says what she wants and then goes out and tries to get it. I think that would’ve done well in front of a jury. Was that your strategy?
Wanner: My approach to “Survivor” was; in Hollywood a woman is old at 35 years old. The “old” woman is the hardest group you can be in. Why? You’re not in the young girls (T&A) club. And I mean that with all due respect. You’re not in the bodacious club. You’re not going to go into a testosterone male alliance. Unless you can form an alliance of weirdos and outcasts, who may or not be physically fit, you’re really out there by yourself because there’s only one “older” lady out there. Why do you keep putting buffoons out there with no physical capability? I have military training in survival, I can out-lift any of you. I just wanted a smarter, savvy, physically-fit older woman.

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

'Survivor: Kaôh Rōng' (CBS)

Quick Note: We’re going to be bringing you all kinds of “Survivor” fun this season including episode recaps, exit interviews, and Power Rankings with Shirin Oskooi. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

Watch Full Episodes of ‘Survivor: Kaôh Rōng’

Last Week: Cydney slipped then flipped, Tai won then jumped the gun, and Nick boasted then was roasted…

39 Days, 18 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

Let’s take a look at the tribe as it currently stand..

The Dara Tribe (wearing black)
Aubry – 29, Social Media Marketer
Cydney – 23, Body Builder
Debbie – 49, Chemist
Jason  – 31, Bounty Hunter
Joseph – 72, Former FBI Agent
Julia – 19, Student
Michele – 24, Bartender
Scot – 40, Former NBA Champion
Tai – 51, Gardener

Sorry I missed last week’s episode. I’ll never let you down again.

We start off as the Dara tribe returns to their beach to thunder and lightning. The “Survivor” FX crew is top notch. No clue how they control the weather like that.

Jason asks Tai who he voted for and he says, “Debbie.” Fibber. The dynamic duo agrees to use their super idol to save whoever is in trouble at the next Tribal.

Scot then comes up with the idea of throwing the machete and the ax into the woods. He calls it psychological warfare. Or is that “psycho-logical”?

Tai doesn’t love this strategy. Well, the lack of an ax will keep the chicken safe…

Maybe they should throw Michele into the woods so she can’t vote.

The next morning, Scot and Jason won’t help around camp. They just sit there. It’s equal parts hilarious and sad. These are grown men. Debbie accuses them of not being gentlemen. Whoa…don’t say things you can’t take back.

Joe, Debbie, and Michele realize that the camp has been sabotaged. But, they manage to cut open a coconut with a saw.

Instead of taking the saw, Scot dumps all of the water onto the fire. So, this Brains vs. Beauty vs. Brawn season has a J’Tia too.

Reward Challenge Time: Two teams will be attached to a rope. They’ll have to work together to unbraid the rope. They’ll then use sandbags to knock blocks off a ledge. The first tribe with a clean ledge wins Chinese food.

Joe will be the odd man out, but he’ll get to bet on the teams. If he chooses correctly, he gets the reward too.

Probst lets them choose their own sides. The guys ask which girl wants to join them and Julia jumps at the opportunity. This does not go unnoticed.

Joe bets on the female team.

We start off and there isn’t much to describe except for some intense unbraidin’.

The guys/Julia team gets to the sandbags first, but the women aren’t too far behind. Debbie goes to town with the sandbags, but isn’t able to make up the difference. The guys/Julia win reward.

Back at camp, Tai, Scot, Jason, Julia, and Mark the chicken enjoy some delicious Chinese food. They ask Julia for her long-term plan. She’s worried because she thinks she’ll be on the bottom with the women, and the guys would be easy to beat in front of a jury. Well, she isn’t wrong.

When they return to camp, Julia assures Debbie that she’s still with them. Cydney and Aubry don’t buy it.

That night, Tai douses the fire when everyone is asleep! That just felt wrong. Like when Batman was killing people in “Dawn of Justice.”

Later, Debbie and Aubry discuss strategy. Aubry thinks that Julia needs to go and it’ll help flush any idols. Debbie won’t hear of it. She refuses to target Julia.

All of this strategy talk before the challenge? Cue Julia winning immunity.

Immunity Challenge Time: The players will stack blocks like dominoes. As they stack them, they have to be careful not to hit a beam that will knock them over. First person to complete their domino line and set off a gong wins immunity.

We start off and there isn’t much to describe except for crazy dominoin’. #notaword

Michele, Julia, Aubry, and Debbie are in the lead

Aubry wipes out. Michele sets her line off and…it doesn’t make it.

Julia knocks down a few of her own blocks, but not all of them.

Debbie sets off her line and….no luck. C’mon Debbie, I know you were a professional domino placer at some point.

Jason is started to climb back into it. So is Aubry.

Jason sets his off…nope.

Debbie again…nothing!

Julia tries her luck…and succeeds! Julia wins immunity!

Ha! Totally called it.

Back at camp, Debbie says they should split the vote between Tai and Scot and then vote for Scot if it’s a tie. This freaks Aubry out because she said it in front of Julia.

Sure enough, Julia tells Scot immediately. Scot says they should target Cydney and then if Julia doesn’t play along they can use their idols.

Aubry is very frustrated with Debbie. She approaches Cydney with the idea of voting her out. Cyd seems into it. Aubry tries to get Joe on board, but he isn’t feeling it.

Needing another number, they approach Julia with their plan. She says she’ll go along with it.

Julia the swing vote! I’d go for Cydney. Going to the end with the guys is a million-dollar check.

That night at Tribal, Debbie claims that their lives are on the line because of the way the guys are sabotaging camp.

Julia says she chose to be with the guys at the reward challenge because somebody had to do it.

Michele thinks tonight’s vote will show where Julia’s allegiance lies.

Tai believes that idols will come into play…if they exist.

Scot laughs, then admits that Tai has an idol. Oh, so they do exist.

Jason stands up and admits that he has an idol too.

Tai says there’s a 35% chance that they can vote him out. Well…

Jason lays out the plan, saying that he and Scot are going to rock/paper/scissors for the idol.

And now…everyone is whispering.

Voting Time: No votes are shown.

Probst tallies and returns. He then asks if anyone would like to play an idol…and Scot’s paper beats Jason’s rock. But, they decide to give the idol to Tai anyway. And he doesn’t play either. That was fun, but useless. Kinda like dinner theater.

Alright, we’ve got one vote for Scot, one vote for Cyd, one vote for Scot, two votes for Cyd, three votes for Debbie, and the tenth person eliminated from “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng is…Debbie.

Note: The evil alliance voted for Cydney. Aubry, Michele, Julia, and Cydney voted for Debbie.

Verdict: Wow…wheee…wow. Why on Earth was Probst so subtle about hyping this season? It’s crazy!

Who’s Going to Win? Julia’s got a clear path if she gets back with the guys.

Power Rankings Results: Shirin had Debbie in spot seven, I had her in spot eight. The current score is Team Shirin 82, Team Gordon 80.

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

'Survivor: Kaôh Rōng' (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITYTV.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, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng”

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 Tai is voted out this episode, Shirin will receive three points and Gordon will receive one point. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Last Week: Shirin had Nick in spot nine, Gordon had him in spot eight. The current score is Team Shirin 75, Team Gordon 72.

Quick Note: Rankings are not based on who the player thinks is most likely to win. The smart strategy is to rank the contestants based on who is the most likely to be voted out in the next episode.

Shirin’s Score = 75 Any questions for Shirin? Drop her a line on Twitter: @theshirin	Gordon’s Score = 72 Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
1. – Joe: Gentlemen, start your engines, and may the best woman win! #DragRace	1. – Tai: “What? Super idol? You guys didn’t hear that rumor? Huh…nevermind…” Tai, you are bad at “Survivor,” but charm can take you a long way. I don’t think you’re going to need that idol this week, but keep it close just in case.
2. – Michele: You don’t need to be carried when you can Apparate, bro. #LikeAFawkes	2. – Michele: Michele is playing a pretty solid get-to-the-end-and-receive-one-vote kinda game. She needs a resume-builder and fast.
3. – Tai: Ah…I finally see it. Refugees are scary……at immunity challenges. #RefugeesWelcome	3. – Jason: The bad news? Your alliance kinda blew up. The good news? You weren’t the first target and you still have an idol. There’s no way Jason is going home without playing it.
4. – Aubry: As long as it ain’t me…or my friend here…actually, look, it’s going to be you.	4. – Joe: That smile could make any color look good. Even purple.
5. – Cydney: She didn’t like being checked, so she put an X on the men. #StormOfSwords	5. – Julia: Julia’s still swinging. She could’ve been safe for a while with the Brawns, but she struck out and could build a case to get to the end and win.
6. – Julia: Could it be that you are at the crib with another lady?	6. – Aubry: Last week was a good one for Aubry. She’s no longer tops on the Brawn’s hit list.  In fact, I don’t think it’d be insane for her to consider working with the Brawns.
7. – Miss Debbie: She might go drown herself. You gals better keep an eye on her.	7. – Cydney: Welp…nobody can call you a floater anymore. And if you play your cards right, you could be facing some weaker competition when it comes time for the more physical immunity challenges.
8. – Jason: “We have a Super Idol…We are literally unstoppable!” Then Storm clouds gathered above into great balls of fire. And fire shot down from the sky in bolts like shining blades of a knife… And if we don’t behave, they’ll cut us down again. #AngryInch	8. – Debbie: Someone who says what she wants then goes out and gets it? I bet a jury would really respect that.  It’s a rocky road from here to there, but I wouldn’t count her out.
9. – Scot: “If I have to go to another Tribal, I am absolutely going to write down Aubry… Joe… Aubry… Joe, and I’ll just cross them out until…” they vote you out.	9. – Scot: The second-biggest physical threat was sent home last week. The biggest is still out there.

'Survivor: Kaoh Rong' (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITYTV.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, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng”

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 Scot is voted out this episode, Shirin will receive nine points and Gordon will receive seven points. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Last Week: Shirin called it. She had Peter in spot twelve. Gordon had him in spot eleven. So, the current score is Team Shirin 60, Team Gordon 58.

Quick Note: Rankings are not based on who the player thinks is most likely to win. The smart strategy is to rank the contestants based on who is the most likely to be voted out in the next episode.

Shirin’s Score = 60 Any questions for Shirin? Drop her a line on Twitter: @theshirin	Gordon’s Score = 58 Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
1. – Cydney: Dracarys, Jason! Dracarys dracarys! #khaleesi	1. – Cydney: Yikes, ranking this merge has been as easy as making sense of last week’s Tribal. I’m thinking you’ve got the Brawns with Tai against the reunited Brains with Michele, Julia, and Nick in the middle. Either way, I’m saying Cyd is safe.
2. – Tai: Tai will continue to be a target this week: the target of everyone’s affections.	2. – Jason: The whole reason Scot told Tai not to play his idol was so it could be paired with Jason’s. Those two, if they’re working together, are gonna make it to next week.
3. – Joe: Curmudgeonly Carl Frederickson will stubbornly live there forever while the surrounding neighborhood is torn down around him. When his time is finally Up, thousands of balloons (or a helicopter) will carry him away.	3. – Tai: See Jason.
4. – Michele: Flitting freely between Number 12 Grimmauld Place and Malfoy Manor. Disrespected by some. More talented than most. #always	4. – Julia: Don’t sleep on Julia, everyone. She’s a sooper secret challenge beast. She’s going to have some room to maneuver at the merge and she’s already in good with Scot and Tai.
5. – Julia: Oh I’m just a girl, all pretty and petite, Well don’t let me out of your sight. I’m just a girl… what’s my destiny?	5. – Michele: Last week’s buoy trouble didn’t end up costing you. Now you and Julia can figure out which side makes the most sense.
6. – Neal: It’s the zombie apocalypse, and they’re coming for brains. But Neal’s got a concealed carry, and he’s smart enough to only use it when his life’s actually in danger. #BLM	6. – Neal: Things aren’t looking great for the Brains. It’ll be nice to have that idol for the Rocky Road ahead.
7. – Aubry: Peter says you don’t win votes by being tofu. As he failed to grasp, you don’t want votes yet. #TakingOutFoesUnawares	7. – Scot: Tai and Jason can use their wonder twin powers to save each other, but would they save the most powerful challenge threat in their alliance? Scot had better hope so.
8. – Jason: He is playing the game like Jamie Lannister played his hand.	8. – Joe: Look me in the eyes, Joe, and tell me if you’re going to be voted out this week! You’re not an obvious target, but they might throw votes at you if they’re afraid of an idol.
9. – Scot: The tallest blade of grass will either sway with the wind or be cut by the lawnmower.	9. – Nick: The Beauties are probably the swing votes, but Nick could always overplay his hand. And, challenge threats are never safe after a merge.
10. – Nick: Debbie is the farthest he’ll get in this game.	10. – Aubry: Joe’s probably annoyed with you, but he’ll get over it. The problem is that the other side knows you’re flighty after last week’s amazing cross-out vote. People fear those they can’t predict.
11. – Debbie: Little Debbie wants it to be HoHos vs Twinkies, but they’re coming for this DingDong. #StickyFingers	11. – Debbie: It’s no secret that Debbie is the leader. Her best hope now might be a physique that’s designed to win the next few “stand-in-one-place” immunity challenges.

'Survivor: Kaôh Rōng' (CBS)

Quick Note: We’re going to be bringing you all kinds of “Survivor” fun this season including episode recaps, exit interviews, and Power Rankings with Shirin Oskooi. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news and info.

Watch Full Episodes of ‘Survivor: Kaôh Rōng’

Last Week: Neal found an ace in the hole, Scot and Tai became two of a kind, and Anna’s game busted out.

39 Days, 18 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog

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

The Chanloh Tribe (wearing blue)
Cydney – 23, Body Builder
Debbie – 49, Chemist
Jason  – 31, Bounty Hunter
Michele – 24, Bartender
Neal – 38, Ice Cream Entrepreneur
Nick – 30, Personal Trainer

The Gondol Tribe (wearing yellow)
Aubry – 29, Social Media Marketer
Joseph – 72, Former FBI Agent
Julia – 19, Student
Peter – 34, ER Doctor
Scot – 40, Former NBA Champion
Tai – 51, Gardener

Note to Self: Chanloh is blue, Gondol is yellow, Chanloh is blue, Gondol is yellow, Chanloh is blue, Gondol is yellow, Chanloh is blue, Gondol is yellow…

Alright, the fun times kick off back at Gondol beach after Tribal. The Brains make sure to tell Tai that they saved him because he’s useful around camp and that he can kill the chicken. Oh good, keep him around so he can do his LEAST FAVORITE THING!

Later, Peter makes a move to form an alliance with Tai. The good doctor pitches sending Joe (and the most disgusting finger in Cambodia) home.

The next morning at Chanloh, Nick is trying to buddy up with everyone. Debbie, in particular, seems into it. Debbie tells us how handsome Nick is and she should know because of all the modeling she’s done.

Debbie modeling the tiger swimsuit > every model modeling anything ever.

Tree Mail arrives and apparently the next challenge involves basketball. Oh, that’s fair. They should have a challenge that involves giant tattoos so Jason can be as useful as Scot.

Reward Challenge Time: One member from each tribe will dive down and release buoys. Then three other tribe members will bring the buoys to shore. From there, two tribe members will have to shoot baskets with them. First team to hit all ten of their shots wins a picnic.

Before we begin, Julia shows up and takes Anna’s spot on Gondol.

We start off and Aubry and Michele are your divers. Aubry releases Gondol’s quickly while Michele is having some issues.

Joe and Scot are the first ones to start shooting. They’re eventually joined by Nick and Cydney.

Not surprisingly, Scot takes all the shots for his team.

Surprisingly, Nick takes the lead over an NBA champion. Somewhere Alecia is smiling.

Unfortunately, Scot eventually comes back and wins it. Somewhere Alecia is mispronouncing something.

Quick Aside: A free throw challenge?! With an NBA player? On a “Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty” season?! If I’m ever on “Survivor,” the challenge had better play to my strengths. Like making bad puns and eating ice cream.

Back at Gondol, Julia’s trying to learn the ways of her new tribe. Immediately Peter tries to bring her on board and throw Joe and Aubry under the bus.

Joe and Aubry see this discussion and come to the conclusion that it might be the doctor’s time to hit the golf course.

Over at Chanloh, Nick is annoyed that he didn’t defeat an NBA champion in a free throw challenge. The ladies at the bar would’ve been all over that story. However, he’s cool with it because Michele screwed up the buoy release.

But, Michele isn’t ready to go down without a fight. She asks Debbie who they should target. Debbie tells her that she wants a woman to win and she wants to target Jason.

Nick doesn’t buy it though, he assures Michele that she’s the target in the most condescending way possible. At least he didn’t pat her on the head.

The next day at Gondol, Peter pitches getting rid of Joe and Aubry to Scot. He refers to himself as a free agent. Speaking the athlete’s language, good call.

Joe aggressively confronts Peter and asks him if he’s targeting him. Peter stammers and claims that he hasn’t been. But, Joe’s FBI spidey-sense sees right through him.

Immunity Challenge Time: The teams will race through an obstacle course. Then, they’ll use poles to knock puzzle pieces out of a net. The first tribe to complete their giant stacking puzzle wins immunity.

We start off and Chanloh builds a small lead through the obstacle course. When we get to the puzzle releasing portion, Scot’s height comes in super handy. Gondol is the first to the puzzle.

Peter comes up with a strategy of building the pile from the bottom and it totally doesn’t work. A huge pile falls off and clunks Joe in the head. He’s bleeding. Poor Joe. This gives Chanloh the opportunity to pass them and win it.

Back at camp, Aubry wants to get rid of Peter, but doesn’t want to hand Scot, Tai, and Julia the numbers.

Joe listens to her pitch and decides to make peace with Peter. They agree to target Julia.

Later, Scot asks Peter if he still wants to target Joe. Peter admits that he’s changed his mind and wants to stick with the Brains.

Julia and Tai approach Aubry and tell her that Peter was targeting her. That can’t be a surprise.

Either way, Aubry doesn’t commit to anything. She tells Joe about the new info and he is very annoyed that she’s considering making the move.

That night at Tribal, Peter owns up to his failed block-stacking strategy.

Julia thinks that’s a reason to vote him out. Another reason is that he’s way shifty.

Quick Aside: Wow…Nick and Michele haven’t seen the Tribal Council set yet.

Julia admits that Peter was the first person to talk game to her.

Peter doesn’t own up to it, but says the game is complex.

Scot is frustrated because there are members of the tribe who don’t stick to their decisions.

Meanwhile, Tai and Scot are trying to talk to each other. It seems like they’re debating between Peter or the “Original Plan.”

Joe picks up on this and says he isn’t sure which way the game is going.

Scot tells Julia to go with the original plan.

What the actual what?!

Voting Time: Julia votes for Peter, Peter votes for Julia, Aubry votes for Julia, and no other votes are shown.

Probst tallies and returns. We’ve got one vote for Peter, one vote for Julia, one vote for Peter, one vote for Julia, one vote for Peter, and the seventh person eliminated from “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng is…Peter!

AND THE LAST VOTE HAD JULIA’S NAME CROSSED OUT! AUBRY CHANGED HER MIND IN THE VOTING BOOTH!

Verdict: Remember when Tribal Council was pretty much a done deal. Everyone came in knowing which way they were voting and Probst’s questions were pretty much a formality? Those days are long gone. Awesome.

Although, there was plenty of parchment there. Aubry could’ve just used another one.

Who’s Going to Win? Cydney. She’s my pick. Although Tai has already won my heart.

Power Rankings Results: Shirin called it. She had Peter in spot twelve. I had him in spot eleven. So, the current score is Team Shirin 60, Team Gordon 58.
 

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

'Survivor: Kaôh Rōng' (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: XFINITYTV.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, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng”

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 Scot is voted out this episode, Shirin will receive three points and Gordon will receive four points. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Last Week: Shirin and Gordon both had Anna in spot nine. So, the current score is Team Shirin 48, Team Gordon 47.

Quick Note: Rankings are not based on who the player thinks is most likely to win. The smart strategy is to rank the contestants based on who is the most likely to be voted out in the next episode.

Shirin’s Score = 48 Any questions for Shirin? Drop her a line on Twitter: @theshirin	Gordon’s Score = 47 Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
1. – Cydney: Khaleesi has found her third dragon to ride to victory.	1. – Jason: With an idol in his pocket and both sides vying for his attention, Jason isn’t going anywhere.
2. – Jason: Chillin like a villain. #GreenMushroom	2. – Cydney: I’m not much of an edit reader, but what does it say that Cyndey got to discuss the Brains behind her Brawn when it didn’t play into episode’s outcome?
3. – Scot: All this ring bearer ever seems to score is a front row seat to the main attraction.	3. – Aubry: How do you solve a problem like Peter? You can’t trust him as far as you can doodle a crayon drawing of a manatee. I’d keep him for one more vote, then lose him before the merge.
4. – Aubry: As the only brain with a heart, she’s well on her way to stealing the title. She’s already got that bandit look down.	4. – Scot: Kudos to Scot for finding himself a cozy spot in his new tribe. Also, three of my top four are former Brawns. Sure lends credibility to the theory that losing tribes do well in three-tribe seasons.
5. – Michele: Whenever Gilderoy Lockhart tries wielding a wand, it backfires onto himself, buying Michele three more days to work her charms. #StMungos	5. – Tai: So, you didn’t play the idol last week. To me, that says you’re in Scot’s pocket. Which isn’t a bad place to be because I’m assuming it’s roomy in there. Probably doesn’t hurt to have someone looking out for you in a post Beast-Mode world.
6. – Neal: Everyone wants more exciting flavors, but at least VaNeala got a sprinkle of immunity on top last week.	6. – Debbie: I think it’s officially time to stop taking Debbie so lightly. She killed the puzzle last week and she’s making connections with several people across the game. This tiger has fangs.
7. – Julia: And the game goes by so very slow Oh I hope that it won’t end though Alone #Heart	7. – Neal: Will the Brawns stay on the Brains side now that the threat of Julia joining is gone? Probably, nobody is worried about Neal going on a challenge run post-merge. Not that that makes him a sherbet to win. (Sherbet…sure bet…not my best work. Let’s move on.)
8. – Nick: You know at amusement parks when you get the fruit cup, and it has cantaloupe, honeydew, one red grape, and maybe a small triangle of pineapple? Nick is the transparent green melon bits floating around the bottom. #OneChildLeftBehind	8. – Julia: Now that the Beauty domination concern is over, you’ll be in a better spot than your poker pal. But, if they stick to previous alliance lines, they’re going to keep Tai over you nine times out of ten.
9. – Tai: We all idolize Tai, but I fear his idol will lay idle at his last tribal. ;_;	9. – Joe: Oh man, if you vote out Peter you might lose that finger. Oh well, you have nine more.
10. – Debbie: She’s swinging for the fences but pulling up short. If they lose immunity, she may experience going all the way down.	10. – Nick: So, Debbie thinks your hunky…but does she trust you? Seems like everyone I’ve interviewed thinks it’s easy to see through your game.
11. – Joe: Medical: Pull Joe’s finger.	11. – Peter: Nick and Peter are the same guy, right? Nice enough, a little conceited, nobody trusts them. Can we get them to face off in that challenge where they fight with pillows?
12. – Peter: It’s tough coming back from exile.	12. – Michele: It seems like the Brains and the Brawn are tight. And, Debbie has a bit of a crush on Nick…where does this leave you?