'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/30 - Immunity

Adam won Immunity.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - Ep. 10 -or- "A Pivotal Moment Instigated by a Dirty Whack Fruitcake"

Nine are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

Due to last week's double castoff (Rebecca and Jenny), the tribes are closely matched in numbers this week. Aitu is still the underdog with four members to Raro's five, but they're a solid powerhouse. Raro isn't organized and tends to not work towards a common goal.

And, I'm far from the only one who's picked up on Raro's mis-strategy in the game. Jonathan, their recent mutiny addition, seemed to be at wit's end with them in the opening of tonight's show (Day 25). As he fishes, they sleep in. Or, Adam smooches with Candice or snuggles with Parvati. Nate bristles whenever Jonathan tries to lead the tribe, though goodness knows they need some kind of boot in the butt to get their act together. Oh, woe is Jonathan. Although he's outlasted three of the Raro members, he knows he's not in with the in crowd. Yet, he keeps pushing the envelope and making Nate bristle so much that his hair goes wild.

Over at the Aitu tribe, although they're tight, they're suffering. Yul complained of his leg hurting, as well as feeling achy and a bit ill. Sundra showed Ozzy a huge scrape on her knee and they're all hurtin' puppies.

Ah, but the game switches up. Instead of going to a Rewards Challenge, Jeff announced they had paints, brushes, and new buffs. The merge is on! The tribes decided to live at the ex-Raro campsite as it lacks rats. They named the newly merged tribe Aitutonga (a mix of Aitu-whatever and Rarotonga). The castaways enjoyed a feast catered by the locals and a boat ride back to camp. A good time was had by all. Or was it?

Jonathan, in confessionals, once again complained that the "kids" were partying too much and not thinking of the game. Now, I know where he's coming from, but I think that he tends to be too intense and always playing even though he tends to make some bad decisions. What bad decisions? Well, the mutiny, for one. He's lucky to still be there. Another bad move is his tendency to lead and be bossy. Yes, he has a reason, but it still alienates some of the tribe members and makes that target on his back a bit bigger.

After settling in at camp, the others turned to thoughts of the game. It's obvious that the tribes will work along tribal lines for any voting. That puts Aitu at a disadvantage due to being one member less than Raro. Nate and the rest of Raro pledged to stick together as they can indeed count. So, the dilemma turned to the fact that Aitu has to flip a Raro to their side.

Yul approached Jonathan with a hypothetical "if I had the hidden Immunity Idol" scenario (like the "If I Did It" - yikes!). He pointed out that Raro would probably target him (Yul) and Aitu would probably target Jonathan. Then, if he used the idol to save himself, Jonathan would be voted out instead. Although he made it hypothetical to Jonathan, he told both Ozzy and Sundra that he has the idol. So, they'll vote whatever he says and they know someone must flip from Raro - Jonathan is their best bet.

The Immunity Challenge was one of endurance and actually easier for smaller folks (like women) than the larger folks like Adam, Nathan, and Yul. They had to hang onto a pole, not using the top, until they couldn't hang on any longer. There were bands of rope around the poles for foot and hand grips. As Yul said, "This is why elephants can't run up trees." The men, with the exception of Ozzy, did poorly. In the end, it was Candice who looked oh-so-cool-just-hanging-around for so long against Ozzy. Ozzy nailed it and won the first individual Immunity.

So, the scheming went into full force back at the camp. For not doing a heck of a lot of work, Adam sure thinks he can run the tribe. He pushed mightily for a Yul vote from the Raro members while telling us in confessional that Ozzy's too strong and must go soon, too.

Yul admitted to Jonathan that he has the hidden Immunity Idol, no hypotheticals involved. Although, in a way, it's blackmail, it's not an unfriendly blackmail. It leaves Jonathan the choice to vote with Aitu or be picked off as the runner-up against Yul. He was put in a quandary and there's only really one way out for him - Yul's offer. Jonathan hinted to Raro that Yul might have the idol without ever breaking Yul's secret. They didn't think so.

Aitu gave Jonathan a voice in deciding which Raro member to target so that the ex-Aitu vote would be unanimous. Despite me saying "Adam! Adam!," Jonathan felt Adam had protected him and that Nathan should be targeted.

And, so he was. At the Tribal Council, no votes were shown as they were made, but the votes went down tribal lines with a Jonathan flip back to Aitu. He really had no choice if he wanted to stay in the game. Although it puts him in a bad light with the ex-Raro, it all started with his decision to mutiny. Nathan was voted out 5 - 4 with Raro votes all for Yul to go. Yul played it right. He didn't have to use the hidden Immunity Ido. Jonathan played it right or, more like the only way he could play it and stay in the game.

Hey, remember Cao Boi wanted to force the Immunity Idol to put into play? He had a reason, y'know. Without even being put into play, tonight's episode showed the idol can be used for a power play to shake up the game.

How did Nathan take his plight? At Tribal Council, he looked dejected, rejected, and terribly sad. In the parting words during the credits, he was just mad: "That dirty stanky whack fruitcake sold me out!"

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/23 - The Boot

Jonathan flipped. Nate was voted out 5-4, along tribal lines plus the flip.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/23 - Immunity

In an endurance challenge, Ozzy won the first individual immunity of the season.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/23 - Merge ON

The Merge went down instead of Reward. They have a huge feast and decided to live at the Raro campsite (no rats).

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - Ep. 9 -or- "Time (to go) in a bottle."

Eleven are left and the jury has its first member. Who will be voted out next?

And, my own added question, aren't we due for a numbers crunch? Remember, the season started with 20 castaways. Normally there are 16, some seasons 18. The finale is scheduled for December 17. We have four weeks and eleven castaways. You do the math. (I'll just go on writing...!)

The show opened on Day 22 looking in on the Raro tribe. Jonathan, recently mutinied from Aitu, was still working, fishing, and making fire in an effort to prove his worth to the new tribe. He now realizes that he made a very bad move by mutinying. "I'm a wandering Jew without a tribe," he said. The other Aitu mutineer, Candice, is fitting in better thanks to her relationship with Adam. Their thing for each other is hitting fling phase now that she's teamed up with him once again.

Over at Aitu, the small Can Do Tribe, Ozzy's attitude has definitely changed. Without Jonathan (in particular) around, he's meshing with the others well. Aitu has become a tribe to be reckoned with, for sure. "We're the underdogs and I'm happy," Ozzy said. Yul also spoke about what a solid bond the tribe has since the mutiny of Candice and Jonathan.

Treemail brought the tribes nautical flags which signify letters of the alphabet, so both tribes went to work studying. The Rewards Challenge itself had the tribes using given coordinates to a huge compass in the sand and two tribe members digging up four treasure chests per tribe (one at a time). After all the chests were collected, they opened them to find nautical flags which they had to use to spell the word "victory."

Raro did horribly at the challenge. I don't know who was worse - Jenny and Jonathan almost refusing to work together or Adam and Candice just not working well together at all. Nate, Parvati, and Rebecca just kept cringing on the bench as they watched Aitu work well together and claim victory.

Aitu won a plane ride to a nearby island where they would partake in a local feast called an umu. There would be pork and an alcohol-laden homebrew beverage. They announced they were sending Candice to Exile Island with a "1, 2, 3... Candice" cheer. I know why they're targeting her, but I thought they might have gone for Jonathan this week. I guess they were closer to her all along and still feel betrayed. I realize they have a reason, but my own personal feelings say it's kind of mean.

While Candice fussed on Exile Island - "it's horrible when people you like want you to suffer" - Raro was all bummed out (once again) at their camp. The talk turned to ousting Rebecca if they lose Immunity. Rebecca hasn't proved strong in any challenges, nor mental or physical ones. Jonathan has been busting his butt being Mr. Provider and his plan seems to be working. For now it's working, anyway.

The hit of the show was the umu. No, not the emu, but there was a hog! Aitu was greeted by native islanders wearing grass skirts and men in tribal sort of gear. It looked a bit frightening, but soon became reminiscent of the Munchkins leading Dorothy down the yellow brick road. I was just waiting for three of the men to step forward and start singing about the Lollipop Guild.

Two rather large women took a liking to Yul and both bumped and grinded against him, much to his embarrassment. One jumped on him as he fell (see photo). The reward seemed to be the most fun I've ever seen them have and it was a hoot to watch, too. Poor Yul. But, hey, he seemed to have a good time!

The next treemail had a map of the Cook Islands. Again, the tribes studied. The Immunity Challenge had the tribes swimming out to a floating platform, diving for a bundle of island names and swimming them back. They had four members competing as there are only four Aitu members and each retrieved one bag.

Once again, Raro fell apart while Aitu rocketed. They retrieved their island name bundles quickly and placed them right in the puzzle within a minute or two while Raro was just bringing in their last bundle. In a new twist, Raro was given a bottle with a scroll inside. They were directed to bring it to Tribal Council, but warned not to open it - it would be read after the vote was cast.

When I heard the instructions and knew that we had to double an eviction soon, I guessed what it was. Raro tried to guess and I think they knew the possibility of a double castoff, but were afraid to think in that direction. The talk at camp was mainly for a Rebecca eviction, but Adam mentioned that Jenny was getting very untrustworthy and out for herself. Plus, he figured she would target Candice. So, she should be next - more dangerous than Jonathan.

At Tribal Council, Jonathan should learn to shut his mouth. He bragged about catching 22 fish since the day before. I understand he's proud, but I think it would be better to quietly serve up the fish. The votes were cast and Rebecca (the one who's the make-up artist for The View) was voted off unanimously with the exception of her own vote for Jonathan.

Then came the twist. The bottle was opened after Rebecca left. "You've just voted out one member of your tribe, you'll now vote out another." That was it. No time to plot, scheme, or even think much about things. In the second vote, Jenny was voted out. She and Nathan voted for Jonathan, the rest voted for her.

She wasn't a happy camper. In the ending shot as the credits rolled, she just about spit venom. They didn't show Rebecca's parting shot, but I would think she'd be polite.

So now the tribes are a lot more even, five to four. While Jeff hinted there might not be a merge at Tribal Council, I think he may have been saying that just to throw off the contestants.

Another very entertaining episode. Hey, that's two in a row! Let's try again next week!

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/16 - Castoff

Rebecca was voted off with her vote the sole one not for her (Jonathan).

The note: You've just voted out one member of your tribe, you'll now vote out another.

I'll add to this post when the vote is known.

Update: Jenny was the second voted out - 2 votes Jonathan, 4 votes Jenny.

A full review/recap, along with some interesting screencaps of Yul dancing with native women, will be posted late tonight.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/16 - Immunity

Aitu won Immunity. In a new twist, the losing tribe (Raro) was given a sealed bottle which they must bring to Tribal Council. The cannot open it. It will be opened at TC after the votes have been cast.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/16 - Reward

Aitu won Reward, sent Candice to Exile Island. They won a plane ride to a feast on a nearby island.

'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.

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.

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 looked 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.

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?

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update 11/09 - Castoff

Voted out and first member of the jury (you heard me - early jury) is Brad. The vote was unanimous except for Brad's own vote (Jonathan).

A full review/recap will be posted later tonight.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update 11/09 - Immunity

Aitu won Immunity.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update 11/09 - Mutiny and Reward

Candice, then Jonathan, mutinied and joined Raro.

Reward was coffee, danishes, muffins and letters from home.

Aitu won Immunity and immediately sent Candice to Exile Island.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - Ep. 7 -or- "Peanut Butter Love"

Thirteen are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

After last week's entire recap show, we saw an extended recap of the previous week. They must think our memories fail us, eh?

The show opened with the Aitu tribe on Day 16 and with JessFlicka feeling blindsided by the vote to boot Cao Boi in the last Tribal Council. "No one ever tells me anything, fuss, fuss." And, of course, she was saying it all in front of Nathan, the kidnapped Raro member spending some time with the Aitu tribe. Not too cool; Nathan was all but taking notes and the other tribe members caught onto issues with her loose lips, as well.

In strategy talks at the tribe (most not around Nathan), it looks like the tribe members are having trouble trusting Jonathan. Fueled mainly by JessFlicka, but even his alliance members (Yul, Becky, Candice) expressed increasing doubts about him.

In the tree mail, the castaways received a Survivor's Catalogue and were instructed to pick two items. If they win Reward, they will receive the chosen items and the opportunity to send a member of the opposing tribe to Exile Island. The hidden Immunity Idol was found long ago by Yul and, while only Becky and Yul know it, the rest are pretty sure someone has it.

On Raro, Brad was pushing for potatoes as they'd stay fresh longer than bread, the item which the rest wanted. Peanut butter was a hit for both tribes and chosen without argument. No one listened to him, so their choice was bread and peanut butter. Aitu, on the other hand, went along Brad's school of thought and chose potatoes and peanut butter. There were spices, sewing kits and more in the catalogue, but the peanut butter had cast its spell.

The Reward Challenge had the tribe members grabbing a club, swimming a distance, climbing to a platform, and then jumping off swinging the club at a wooden box to break it. A key within the box then falls in the water. They must dive down and retrieve it, then return to shore. Then it's repeated by others. The keys open chests to puzzle pieces and the tribe who completes the puzzle first wins.

It was very rigorous, especially diving down to retrieve the key. The girls, in particular, were spent. Although Aitu had Nathan (a good swimmer) through the challenge, they didn't quite trust him and had to sit a member out. So, he sat. For Raro, Brad wanted to do the puzzle solving instead of the physical part of the challenge. Oops, Raro lost. Aitu chose Adam to be the Exile Island exile.

Back at the Raro camp, they were all up in arms about Brad choosing to put together the puzzle. Nathan, in a confessional spot, called him "puzzle boy" and "such a Nancy boy." Ouch. Then Nathan went fishing and providing so the women could rest.

Adam didn't even search for the Immunity Idol on Exile Island. A nasty storm moved in and he spent the night huddled in the broken hull of the abandoned ship on the island.

Returning to Aitu, the tribe members awakened to Ozzy carrying a bird he had caught in his hands. Although Jonathan was a bit reluctant, it was decided that the bird was food. They seemed very respectful about it, but I'm sure that someone will be upset. I couldn't kill a bird unless I was starving, but Yul can. Finger-licking good!

Ozzy's "Jungle Boy" abilities continue and the tribe members appreciate them more and more. Ozzy himself seems to have changed a bit and I don't see that huge chip on his shoulder he was carrying in the past. Oh, yeah, there's still a chip on his shoulder, but he's wise enough to put it in his pocket when talking to the others.

The Immunity Challenge had tribe members building a staircase with logs of ascending heights. Once built, they had to climb them to a ramp, take a zipline across the water, and retrieve a bag of puzzle pieces. (Have I mentioned how much I love ziplines? I do, I really do.) Another puzzle? They're having way too many puzzles this season, methinks.

In a shocking conclusion to the challenge, Raro actually won. Yes, you heard me right. Raro won something. So, they're safe until the next Tribal Council and Aitu must lose a member.

Once again, the discussion was regarding trust issues with Jonathan and flaky issues with JessFlicka. Ozzy thought he was pretty safe this time around. He called it right. At the Tribal Council, despite editing to make it look like Jonathan would leave, it was JessFlicka. All votes except for her own vote (Jonathan) were for her exit. Another performance artist bites the dust.
I had some major issues with the editing of tonight's episode. Perhaps I've just watched the show too long or something. But I could tell that Aitu would go to Tribal Council because they focused much too much on the tribe discussing the vote while nary a mention of it from the Raro camp.

I also knew the vote was almost unanimous when they showed JessFlicka's vote for Jonathan first. I didn't have to see any more votes. I recognized the handwriting and knew that since they showed her casting the vote for him and then pulled that vote first, it had to be the only one for him.

I'm not all that sorry to see her go, although she's strong in challenges. If I had to hear how "left out" she was one more time again, I was planning to sneer at her. I'm liking Ozzy and Nathan more each week, while waning my cheering on of Jonathan. I'm ambivalent about Adam and most of the women. Yul is still the one I like for the win.

I think I want to see more sneakiness. I need more. It's Survivor, right?

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/02 - Tribal Council

JessFlicka was voted out.

Her own vote for Jonathan was the only vote not for her.

A full recap/review will be posted later tonight, stop on back!

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/02 - Immunity

Are you sitting down?

Go sit down.

Raro won Immunity.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/02 - Reward

Aitu won reward - potatoes and peanut butter chosen from a catalogue.

They chose Adam from Raro to go to Exile Island.

Tonight's 'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' Blogging Schedule

Tonight's show will begin shortly here in the Northeast. As important events occur (Reward, Immunity, Boot), I'll zap up a quick East Coast Update. Later this evening, I'll post a full review/recap.

Remember, you may need to refresh the page or use the November Archive link in the right sidebar of the main page to bring up the most current entry.

Also, don't forget there are discussion posts for those readers who enjoy 'Desperate Housewives', 'Grey's Anatomy', and 'The Bachelor' and 'Nip/Tuck'

Survivors ready?

Tonight's 'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - 10/26

Tonight's show isn't a real episode. It's that mid-season recap with some new material thrown in. It's likely I won't blog about the show itself unless there's some fantastically amazing new material we haven't previously seen.

Of course, if you want to comment about the show's happenings here, go for it. I'll be listening and probably comment a bit myself. But I doubt an actual entry, per se. There will be no East Coast Updates as there won't really be any action.

Enjoy the show!

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - Ep. 6 -or- "When Good Voodoo Goes Bad"

Fourteen are left. Who will be voted off tonight?

Now, this was one rockin' and rollin', get down and get dirty, episode! All they would need is some jello (or mud) and it could have been held ringside for the big bucks.

The show opened with Raro on Night 14. Tension, hurt feelings, and verbal jousting were the order of the night. Understandably, Cristina's feelings were hurt because Adam called her out as "annoying" at Tribal Council. So, they argued. Brad thought it was insensitive of Adam, yet let them orally duke it out without his interference. Cristina cried. Adam didn't cry.

Then it was Day 15 and we were plopped into Aitu territory where Ozzy once again was being Poseidon Man, fishing for the troops. Despite his vow a few weeks back, he continues to supply his tribe with food he catches or climbs to get. Jonathan remarked about Ozzy's talents, but noted that Ozzy isn't anyone to be against after the merge. He's right. But, then again, Jonathan himself isn't one to be against after the merge.

The tree mail they received promised a feast to the winning team and talked about a well-balanced team being needed. The mail was in the shape of a mast. It didn't say whether the challenge would be Reward only or Immunity, but since it didn't mention bringing the Idol, it appeared to be Reward only to most of the tribe members.

Except for the Lone Cao Boi, that is. He wants to drag the Idol to everything as a "spiritual" thing, pride, a fellow member of the tribe, and a host of other reasons. Jonathan told him he was against bringing it because it would come across as gloating over their wins. Cao Boi got very abrupt. Fine, just fine. It stayed at camp.

Ah, it was time for the down and dirty at the Reward Challenge. I have no clue what the producers are doing. This one almost begged for injuries and it's lucky no one got hurt besides bruises, scrapes, and scratches. Cao Boi sat out as the odd man over. Then each tribe chose three members to cling onto a pole which was secured to the ground. Two members from the opposing tribe then had to remove them from the poles and drag them across the sand for quite a ways to the finish line.

Cristina fought dirty as they JessFlicka fought her. Chokeholds, hair-pulling, attempts at disrobing were the off-color moves during that battle. When it came time for the guys to move Ozzy, they just snagged him from the pole and carried him by the pants for a ways. He struggled, but couldn't beat them for long.

Oh? The prize? Well, the winners got a feast. But there's a hitch. Jeff told them that both tribes would each vote out a member tonight. The winning tribe would go to Tribal Council first, then feast and sit in the jury box during the losing tribe's Tribal Council. The feast was lamb shanks, bread, and apple cider. He also said there would be one more surprise. Every tribe member of each tribe gave the challenge their all, but in the end it was another win for Aitu.

Back at the Aitu camp, they were proud of their win, but worried about Tribal Council. Cao Boi came up with Plan Voodoo, an attempt to bring the hidden Immunity Idol into play and vote out one of the original Caucasion tribe members. He fears that, after the merge, the ex-Caucasian tribe will be a huge alliance and wants their numbers decimated. He also thought Jonathan had the Idol when it's actually Yul (the one to whom he was telling his plan) who has it.

Jonathan, meanwhile, wants Cao Boi out as the wild card. He has his points, too. Cao Boi has proved a bit bizarre and, though interesting, he can be annoying and problematic. The women seemed to be leaning a bit more towards voting out Jonathan, even Becky who's in the Becky/Candice/Yul/Jonathan alliance. Ozzy seemed a bit iffy about it all. I think he may have just been happy to be off the radar at the moment -- the ex-Latino tribe members have been dropping like flies. Only Ozzy and Cristina remain from that tribe.

Over at Raro, Nathan decided they didn't need lamb and he caught a nice-sized octopus for their own little feast. With tensions they way they are, Cristina was the largest target. She knew it, campaigned, and only had a decent response from Nathan.

Cao Boi, of course, brought the Immunity Idol to Aitu's Tribal Council. When Jeff Probst questioned him about it, he decided it could be another tribe member sitting there. He also told Jeff that people either love or hate him. That got a snicker from his tribemates. He rambled on about his voting choice being a chess game scenario looking down the robe. Deep, man, deep. Or not. He admitted that his plan was to expose the hidden Immunity Idol, something which may have been better left unsaid at Tribal Council, but that's Cao Boi for you.

In the end, it was bad voodoo for the Zen Master. Cao Boi was voted off with the only votes not for him being his own (Candice) and JessFlicka (Jonathan), his Zen Buddy Grasshopper.

Then it was time for Aitu to sit in the jury box and feast and Raro to hold their Tribal Council. The "Cristina annoying" bit was all rehashed; Jeff mentioned how many challenges they've lost (most of them). Then he announced a new twist right before Raro was ready to vote. Aitu would kidnap one of Raro's tribe members. That member wouldn't vote in the Tribal Council, but would also be safe from the vote. He also would quickly feast for a few minutes, then return with Aitu to their camp through the next Reward Challenge. They chose Nate.

Aitu, including the kidnapped Nathan, left before the votes were cast for Raro. Even Nate's vote couldn't have saved her. Cristina was voted out by all but two votes. She voted for Jenny, as did Brad.

A few random thoughts...

• Ozzy is the sole Survivor of the original Latino tribe.
• I didn't know Cao Boi had the sneakiness in him to come up with Plan Voodoo. Had Yul not had the Idol, it probably would have played out. But both Becky and Yul knew Jonathan didn't have it.
• While Cao Boi wanted to break up the original Caucasion tribe, he neglected to include his buddy JessFlicka in there.
• I know some might think it as racist on Cao Boi's part, but the Caucasian tribe is the only one that is still intact. I'd target them, too.
• My personal favorite remains Yul, though I'm also liking Jonathan more each week, too. Ozzy is a tremendous player, but he's so dang moody when things don't go his way. To me, he's a bit of a wild card in his own right. He's actually playing the people end of things much better the past few weeks.