Survivor: Island of the Idols - October 23 Blog Party

It looks (from the "drop your buffs" promo that we'll most likely going to be a switch up with the tribes this week. I think it's too early for a merge. That said, it's been nice to see the tribes running somewhat equal strengths-wise. Usually we have one tribe decimating the other.

I'll be live-blogging the major events as they air here on the East Coast -- refresh the page to get the latest updates! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Please feel free to join in on the fun!

But first … Lifeguard Laurie has updated the blog pool and here are the latest standings --

Lairo
Aaron Meredith - Auntie Leigh
Dean Kowalski - CherryPie, Merrilee
Elaine Stott - Cheryl in NC
Elizabeth Beisel - CherylNY, monty 924
Karishma Patel - Ed in Ohio, SueGee
Missy Byrd - Janice, TS14Fan
Tom Laidlaw - Judi Sweeney, Laurie

Vokai
Dan Spilo - Bizaro22, marthalight
Jack Nichting - David, jennifer
Jamal Shipman - Donna in Alabama, Petals
Janet Carbin - Donna NY, Sharon C
Jason Linden - Dr_Celine, Nickelpeed
Kellee Kim - Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane
Lauren Beck - Jackie, Sharon N
Noura Salman - Jennasmom

Tommy Sheehan - Karen in CA, Terry is a Texan

Survivor fans ready?

Dean was blindsided with the Chelsea vote out. He goes searching for answers. He has his suspects and wants to know who the mastermind behind the plan is. He's uncomfortable around Missy (who did the dirty deed) and manages to put himself on her radar even more.

They meet up with Jeff. Drop you buffs -- we're switching tribes. I'm probably not going to be able to keep up with the changes tonight. The Purple tribe has four from each tribe and is the new Vokai. On Lairo, five and three. 

Reward has them slithering with feet tied, hands tied at sides and solving a fire puzzle. The reward itself is product placement fodder for Applebee's (in Fiji). VOKAI wins! Karishma once again was the weak link for Lairo.

So we get a roughly five minute ad for Applebee's with a bit of talk about original tribe members sticking together.

Switch to Lairo -- Tom is already talking about targeting Karishma. Dean isn't too keen on his old tribemates due to the Chelsea blindside. The three old Lairo are going to have to scramble to fit in because they're outnumbered.

Jamal wants to improve his social game and make bonds with the new people. He looks at Elaine and claims her social game is fantastic. Vokai is worried that they technically could have a tie and have to draw rocks at tribal. 

Immunity Challenge -- swim to ladder, climb, leap off, release three buoys, transport buoys on floating balance beam, throw to target. As usual, Karishma is dragging her tribe down. Dean almost redeemed it for Lairo, but ...

VOKAI WINS IMMUNITY!

Lairo lost but it seems like no one will go to Island of the Idols. Hmm.

Tom, Dean and Karishma know they're the likely targets. Dean and Tom think like I do … get Karishma out. She's weak in EVERY challenge. Noura lost her vote for tonight back when she was on the island and royally screwed things up. They seem to be focusing on original Lairo with cases for and against each one They're worried more about the merge than winning challenges now from what I see.

Tribal Council time! Jeff points out the five/three and questions how that will affect the vote. The three are in the spotlight. Noura is just weird. I had to say that. Dean points out he doesn't have strong ties with his old tribemates as they blindsided him.

Time to vote ...

The tally:
Tom, Karishma, Karishma, Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom.

What the hell are they thinking? They too kept Karishma.

Goodbye Tom/