Thursday, November 09, 2006

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - Ep. 8 -or- "Double Mutiny and Early Jury"


Twelve are left. Who will be voted out tonight?


Finally, a bit of excitement! Not one, but two new twists happening before show's end promise to kick the rather lackluster season into gear. Remember, this season was touted as oh-so-controversial. Since the racially separated tribes merged into two mixed tribes, the show has been okay, but that's about it.

Tonight's show opened looking in on the Aitu tribe on Day 19. Jonathan was campaigning against Ozzy once again. I personally think that Jonathan keeps focusing on Ozzy to keep the target off of himself. Either that or he's delusional about all the trust he thinks others have in him. Yul kept nodding, as did Candice, but neither trust Jonathan. But on and on he goes about voting Ozzy out before the game becomes an individual one instead of competing tribes. From one week to the next, he wants Ozzy gone much like sand through the hourglass or something equally monotonous.

Jonathan also told Candice that he wants to team up with her, Adam, and Parvati for the Final Four, the four remaining members of the Caucasian tribe. She's not too keen on that. Heck, she doesn't trust him.

Over at the Raro tribe, they're pretty confident. After all, the tribes are six members each and they're surely the stronger tribe. Or, so they believe. Ah, but there's dissension in the ranks. Brad, already on the hot seat with his tribe mates over choosing to do the puzzle instead of swim last week, claimed it's "every man for himself." Nate, the bandwagon leader of the anti-Brad party, took immediate offense. "Hey! We're a team!" Fo-shizzle wit dat bizzle.

And then, the first twist of the night happened as the tribes gathered for the Rewards Challenge. Jeff Probst announced that anyone who wants to mutiny to the other tribe can do so. He gave them ten seconds to decide. Candice, not unexpectedly, stepped forward. Then, with a second to spare, Jonathan joined her. So now Aitu has four members (Yul, Ozzy, Becky, and Jenny). The other eight are all on Raro.
More fun than a barrel of monkeys
The Reward Challenge was fun to watch, but I don't think I'd want to be rolled and jostled in a barrel. Only four members could compete, two women and two men. The women were rolled through a course while in a barrel; buoys had to be gathered; there were barrels floating in the lagoon, flags, axes, you name it. I'd say more fun than a barrel of monkeys, for sure!

In the end, the Tribe o' Four kicked butt against their competitors. Yes, Aitu won. They sent Candice to Exile Island without even skipping a beat. Aitu won a leisurely time in fluffy white robes quaffing coffee and orange juice, eating muffins and danishes, all while reading letters and seeing pictures from home. It was definitely a bonding session and certainly made them feel stronger and more like a team. They decided they will go to the Final Four.
The Men of Aitu
Alone in his newly-chosen tribe, Jonathan tried to work his way in. He talked, and talked. Then he talked some more. Then he gathered coconuts, built fire, and went fishing. He took Adam aside and told him how tight he was with Candice, and all about the Final Four plans. Adam listened. Nate bristled. "He must be smokin' some good stuff if he thinks he can just walk in here. He sold out his own tribe. He thinks we're that dumb?" Well, at least it got his mind off campaigning against Brad for a while.

The Immunity Challenge had four tribe members from each tribe (well, Aitu only has four members) row out in a glass-bottomed boat which had a target design and a hole in its bottom. Don't ask me why the boats didn't take on water, it was a fancy hole. They had cannonballs and had to locate underwater targets, then nail them to release buoys. Finally, a challenge which is fresh and new. Or, so it was until the end which was yet another puzzle.

Over in Raro boat, it lookGlass-bottomed boat with cannonballsed like Jonathan was lousing up left and right, getting more frustrated as time went on. As Jeff gave his inevitable play-by-play, Jonathan muttered, "Oh, please." So, of course, Jeff included that in his play-by-play. "Jonathan is getting frustrated with me." Aitu won Immunity, strengthening their bond even more.

Raro, needless to say, was bummed out. Candice told both Parvati and Adam here true feelings about Jonathan - she didn't trust him. Nate was on the anti-Jonathan wagon, too. "We gonna cradle a traitor?" But, then, as they discussed things, they seemed to be leaning more towards the idea that they could string Jonathan along and that Brad was more of a threat in the long run. Nate said he'd lead Brad to think the plan was still one to vote off Jonathan.
Nathan
And, so it went down. At Tribal Council, answering Jeff's questions, Brad admitted he didn't trust everyone on the tribe. That's all they needed if their minds weren't made up already. Brad was unanimously voted out with the exception of his own vote for Jonathan. He took it well.

And, then there was the other twist. Brad became the first member of the jury. Not only is that early for the jury, but it will make for a jury of ten members. That, but of course, could lead to a tie situation at the finale. Interesting, huh?

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm not liking Candace...she had an alliance with Jonathan and he kept to it and she trashes him behind his back and tries, unsuccessfully so far, to throw him under the bus. I think she's one of those "sweet girl" pretender types that masks a dark side. Hope Jonathan outlasts at least her. He should have stuck with the honorable Yul.

Anonymous said...

Wasn't it Coiboi who said that before it is too late, that some of the 'white' tribe be whittled down?
Now they are in a new tribe, 4 strong. Why wouldn't they keep Jonathan around? He is a sure vote to pick the others off one by one.
Wouldn't it be great to see the 4 'white' Raro members merge with the diverse 4 member Aitu tribe?
Now that would be something to watch!
Go Aitu!!
-Stacey

Anonymous said...

finally, this game got me shocked! I thought Jonathan would go, however that is what I wanted..he annoys the heck out of me. Candice too.
I adore AItu, but then I always loved Yul. I would hope that this fearsome foursome could make it thru the merge...when you mentioned a tied up jury I was wondering if maybe there will be another twist?

MrsTito said...

Thanks again for the updates! I missed the first half of the show and didn't understand the whole "mutiny" thing...

I think the twist will be at some point when they are down to the final four (or 6 or maybe even 2?) , they will be asked the usual "who on the jury deserves to still be in the game" question, and whoever they choose, will be given an impromtu challenge to try and win a spot back in the game? Far fetched, I know, but wouldn't that be a unique twist?

Anonymous said...

I've been missing Survivor the last couple Thursdays, and I have no tivo. Bummed. But I have a great mother-in-law who records TAR and Survivor in total for me. Yay. Well, actually, now my brother records Survivor for me. He almost made it on the show, he was in the top 48, for th season where Chris won... I think his name was Chris.

Sydney said...

Mrstito -- I LIKE that possibility.

Also, if Aitu made it to the final four, I would really be interested to see how things turn between them, which is what makes Survivor really interesting. They can say may the best of the 4 win, with respect, but getting to that final ONE can make for some great TV, in terms of what it does to people.

Survivors second season was all "nice" people going to the end, in contrast to the first season, which kind of showed a scheming, snakier, feelings hurt, alliances crushed kind of vibe. Its watching the way people can change from week to week as the circumstances shift that fascinated me about this show.

Sydney said...

RE: Jonathan's decision to stick wtih Candace --
Also, you totally reveal your alliance, just like when around this time in the show, when they have people do things like break paltes with teh names of teammates with slings -- you can see who is trying to take out whom and forces people to tip their hand.

He got 3 more days, and a lot can change in that time... if Aitu has to go to tribal next time, he will have 6 days, and in that time could proove valuable in some way, or make it to the merge, then it's every man for himself.

Unless he's very successful at getting all the immunity idols, like the fireman was last time, his time is limited methinks.

Anonymous said...

I agree about Jonathan and Candace, a couple of snakes! I just hope the rest of Raro tribe realize that she is as bad as Jonathan and pull together before they are whittled off like the "loners" on Big Brother AS. Although it may be too late since they sent their numbers down to 3 by voting off Brad.

I so hope that Aitu's Fantastic Four make it to the final Four! They are an awesome team and now have even more heart then ever! (And we know I love ♥'s!)

H♥lly

Anonymous said...

Like the rest of you,I was not surprised that CANDICE jumped at the slightest chance. I think she has the hots for ADAM and would do anything to get back w/him ASAP. And Jonathon just had to cover his butt when she jumped. I don't much care for CANDICE and would keep JON over her any day. He was very loyal to her on AITU,which was not the case the other way around.

Finally,a move that injected some life into this season. I loved the fight those four people brought to both challenges. I also would like to see the four white players against AITU and they now hold the majority of votes on RARO,so they could pull this off. But NATE is a fierce campaigner and he may be able to sway some of them to his side.

Let's not forget that YUL holds that immunity idol also and that could make a big difference for him coming after the merge if the four WHITE players try to run the board. Smart of him (JON) to back ousting BRAD so they had a leg up on the ASIAN-AMERICANS.They still may make it an all white final four,now what will Burnett do to explain that??

I don't like CANDICE,I liked BRAD a lot more than I do her. Now the game is AAAWWWNNN (thank you,Monica)!

Anonymous said...

I agree MrsTito When Brad was sent to jury early that someone was coming back!!!!

Candace mutiny'ied like that into a tribe of others will work against her...Jonathan is just screwed....Adam can not save her.

So far there have been many water challenges and Ozzie has dominated, but what will be next? If H2O then, his tribe stands a major chance. 4-8 (?)seems unreal for Survivor, guess next week will out!!!!! At least they are twisting it up for us, was getting YAWN!!!!!

Sydney said...

We forget though that besides Adam, Candice thinks that Pavarti would also be a part of things... and if what she said to Jonathan about rejoining their original tribe, should they not accept Jonathan? I think he needs to start telling more people that he and Candice had an alliance and it was out of LOYALTY to her that he popped off the mat, with one second to think about it, literally. I't sprobably too late but he might be able to change the perception, as that IS the truth...while she fills their heads being DISLOYAL. You'd think the discrepancy would show...

But not when one is thinking with one's "little" head. She certainly got Adam to get mad at Jonathan with her stories, but he'll believe her cuz she's gonna kiss him next ep.

At LEAST we have something to talk about finally!

Quistan -- think it's cool your brother applied... care to share any of that process? I am always fascinated to know that kind of stuff.

Anonymous said...

im thinking that not every week will the cast off go to jury... maybe every other week??..
debbie

Anonymous said...

response to sydney.
There's a lot to say becuase it was an exciting story that he tells, but let me try to tell some, until my fingers get tired.
You have to have a unique application tape, especially, that is, if you are just a common guy like my bro is. The wittier, the better. If the creativeness or wittyness reflects that you know the show, the better, if it's done well, and "well" not meaning expensive etc. Not to say unique as in dumb and willing to make a fool of yourself. He actually got accepted on two consecutive season tryouts to the first level.
The first of his seasons, he acted as himself and maybe only made it to the first (maybe second) round. He's not that interesting. His biggest draw is that he *ADORES* the show competition and is a neat freak and has barely done any camping, so the catch would be that it would be a challenge for him to survive the environment while he exercises his puppet-masterdom. For whatever reason he didn't get picked to go on. (They don't tell you why.) Both times the recruiter he worked with really liked him and supposedly was rooting for him. Once he was told "you're on the bubble", it going to be close.
The second time he experience the interview level process and so he made his second tape as a mock interview, mimmiccing their process. Very simple, very witty in how he modified it. It's the second time that he got within 48 (which is 3 x 16). The second time he decided to play a role. I believe he played it too long, but it's hard to know for sure, of course. He played a cocky/confident, witty, opinonated, *non-macho* womanizer. And they absolutely adored him. He was maybe half-way similar to a young clean Sawyer. Either way, he was hilariously likable. The recruiter was sure he'd be "in". I wouldn't have played that role, since I don't respect it. He thought he'd have to play it all the way through being on the island. He didn't consult me on that; I would have told him not to *and* that he wouldn't have to that long. It was very draining to play the role, because he played it to the fullest, as if he was played the survivor game already too.
The recruiters were different each time so they didn't know he was a regular guy from the first time. (No, a "regular guy" is NOT a womanizer... well, not necessarily:)
I can't remember everything they ask about in the interviews but basically they try to get to know your whole personality. They ask about family and stuff, and they ask about your opinions on survivor stuff and past survivors etc. Maybe especially since he was opinionated, who knows.
The interviews were held downtown. He had to tell a password at an entry to enter. No signs or uniforms could be seen that anything Survivor was going on at the location. In fact the interviews happened in a basement room, and he would pass only one or two other applicants in the hall. He was told explicitly to tell *no one* about *anything* while going through the process. Not the location, not about the interviews, not about progress in the process.
Sometime after the first cut (or beyond), he was asked if he had a passport and could be free for a certain two months.
We went to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (something foreign to him, yet good practice), but he lied to us saying he couldn't go because he finally got accepted to a minor-league basketball team, which *was* his other NBA dream at the time. He was waiting to hear the news whether he was chosen in the final cut of Survivor. ...No cigar. ...not to be phallic or anything. :)

Anonymous said...

Jackie...

This is totally off topic but... when you said you didn't know how the boat didn't take on water with a hole it, in a nutshell, here's why.

The hole was more of a tube with the top being above the water line. As long as the top of the tube stays above the water line, they're fine. Water WILL go up into the tube but never higher than the water level outside the boat since liquids try to mantain their level. (Think about drinking a soft drink in a glass with a straw. The level of liquid is the same outside the straw as on the inside. It only rises inside when you suck on the straw when you take a sip causing lower pressure inside the straw than outside the straw. When you stop drinking and remove your mouth, the level inside the straw drops back to the level outside the straw.)

Now... since the bottom of the boat is below the water line, had they "broke off" the cannonball tube flush with the bottom of the boat, POOF, the water would pour in and the boat would start filling with water which adds weight which makes it sink lower which forces more water up through the hole and so on and so on until the boat sinks.

Ok... that was more than a nutshell! LOL

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:57 - Good explanation. Works for me.

Quistian - I have to say this is the first time I understood everything you said, even tho you continue to write a book. Also interesting to know how they keep it secret. Did your brother really not tell you he was in the running? That would be my downfall, I'd have to tell everybody, which means I'd never make it past the phone call.

It was a great episode, and I still think Jonathan was not too swift making that decision to mutiny. Again, should have waited for the merge, which has to be coming soon. Not that he was safe with his own tribe, but he sure isn't very safe now.

Anonymous said...

Rats,rats,rats....how bummed am I that they said tonight that MEN IN TREES will move to Thursdays at 10PM next week. Now it fit into my viewing schedule just fine on Friday,the second worst night on tv. But nooooo,they have to screw around with it and move it opposite ER,which I am ever faithful to.And this week's ER was another great one. Finally Morris showed another side to him. The scenes with him and the guy w/DID were so excellent. And how creepy was it of Forest Tucker's
character to befriend Abby and the baby in the park. She has no clue who he is but he sure knows her.I feel a kidnapping storyline or some crisis in the making there since the hospital declined to make him a settlement.ER is just great this season,and it bites that they are moving MIT opposite it.Darn you ABC! They must have cancelled Six Degrees,a show I thought was rather vapid from the get go(what I could watch on commercial breaks from ER).

Anonymous said...

meb. He didn't tell. I was upset, since I helped him so much. I had a hunch, but he had the perfect cover since he had been going to basketball tryouts for european leagues and minor-leauges here. And I just didn't want to believe he would lie to me, especially, again, since I helped him intimately. But it's all good, he was told so-n-so and he was so engrossed and entralled and enamored with his dream prospect. He felt bad, it didn't really come between us.

Anonymous said...

Quistian - sounds exciting and certainly a story to tell his children and grandchildren and everybody else! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I hope they don't merge soon because it will mean Aitu is toast. I always feel bad when they merge with grossly different numbers, it just means the game isn't about whose BEST but who is luckiest then especially with the mutiny. Ozzy and them are majorly screwed if they merge and it is clear that Ozzy is a workhorse who doesn't deserve to be a victim of a numbers game.

I wonder if survivor tweaks things as they go on the island meaning that they go "oh, wow maybe we shouldn't merge now" or is it set ahead of time regardless of how the game may be changing

Anonymous said...

SPOILER
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well,kinda...my next week's TV Guide says two tribemates are eliminated this coming week. I still wonder how they will fix the jury to get a clear majority at the end. I think it would be kind of stinky if they don't let all the cast offs be on the jury from here on out...no?

Anonymous said...

I think if Nate, Jenny and Rebecca just stop and watch for a minute they would see the conspiracy forming with the "white" group! Then if the merge happens this week its bye bye Candace and Jonathan, then Adam and Parvati. It's pretty obvious from my vantage point on my sofa!

H♥lly