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?

'Lost' - "The Cost of Living"

The action is getting fast and furious as Lost aired its next to last episode until winter. What is the cost of living? Well, it seems that death is the cost of living, at least on the island.

Oh, and I really think there's only one island despite what we saw last week. I believe Ben showed Sawyer some sort of illusion. Had there been another island that close, how could they have not seen it?

Back to the island and the latest about those kooky fun-loving castaways and their demons...

This episode mainly centered around Eko, in flashbacks and on the island in the present. Last season, we saw a bit of Eko's backstory. Remember, his brother Yemi apparently died in a plane crash of some drug smugglers. When he found the plane on the island, Eko kept the cross that caused the smugglers to think Yemi had been himself. Oh, perhaps you had to be there. Anyway, the flashbacks told more of the story of Yemi, Eko, a bit of their childhood, and the violence which ultimately would be the cost of living.

The show opened with an Eko/Yemi childhood bit in which Eko stole food and was admonished to apologize. "You have sinned." He thought he did what he had to do; he was hungry, he ate something.

Cut back to the "now" on the island, Eko's still in grave condition from the hatch blast and Charlie, Hurley, and Sayid are concerned about him. Drifting in and out of consciousness, he has his own flashbacks to the drug running and his brother Yemi appears onto him. Yemi told him it's time to confess, time to be judged. Uh-oh. That doesn't sound so good and I don't think a Jesus stick is going to help him.

Eko came to only briefly enough to mention his brother to Charlie, then he vanished without a trace from the camp. Locke, meanwhile, wanted to gather a group to head to the Pearl Station (hatch) in hopes of finding a clue which would help them find Jack, Sawyer, and Kate who are still in the clutches of the Others. Desmond thought the computers there could communicate with other computers. While others (not THE others) wanted to find Eko, Locke said that he'd be going to the same place. Locke knew Eko would head to where the drug plane crashed right near the Pearl Station. So, two birds, one stone, and all that. "Don't mistake coincidence for fate," warned Locke.

In Eko's Flashback Sequences
After the initial childhood sequence, they focused on Eko after he "took over" for Yemi at his village. Yes, as the "new priest." An altar boy saw him washing his hands in the holy water and Eko told him he was "washing away his sins." Right then and there the kid had to know he wasn't the real deal.

The armed militia men with whom Yemi had a deal to give most of the vaccine supplies in return for protection came around and Eko refused to deal with them. To prove their seriousness (and ruthlessness), they shot a village woman just to make their point.

When the militia thugs returned after the vaccine shipment arrived, Eko still refused to deal with him. Lead Thug said that he was superstitious and couldn't kill a man of God. Thus, he was going to cut off his hands instead. Eko fought back and (seemingly) killed the men. "You do not know who I am," he said.

The last flashback sequence was Eko preparing to go to London as Yemi was set to do. The locals were boarding up the church. The altar boy's mother warned Eko to repent and to start making his peace now.

On the Island With Jack and the Others
Jack got a personal invite from Ben to Colleen's funeral (the one Sun shot). He wasn't told he was going to a funeral, but he did get a nifty gauzy-white flowing shirt. He started asking Ben questions about his health and the tumor in the x-ray he had seen. Ben played dumb and said he felt fine, didn't know what Jack was talking about. Sure, Ben.

The funeral itself was different from your basic funeral. Colleen's body was on a raft set out to sea, then set afire. And, all the while, tinny loudpeakers played a song which I know that I know, but can't place. It's an older jazz/blues tune about an aching heart and holding someone tight. I guess I'll have to wait for the website with Lost Music to reveal it. (It's driving me crazy!)

At the funeral, we found out that the spine tumor x-ray is indeed Ben's. He told Juliet that she wasn't supposed to tell Jack about it.

After returning to the dry dolphin tank he's called home since being captured by the Others, Jack was visited by Juliet bearing a cheeseburger. Ben arrived and wanted to speak alone with Jack citing doctor/patient confidentiality. He told Jack about some plan they had to "break" him, get him to want to do the surgery and so on. He mentioned that Juliet resembles Jack's ex-wife. Then he claimed he wanted Jack to want to save his life. He asked, "Do you believe in God? I do. Two days after the tumor was found, a spinal surgeon falls out of the sky."

After Ben left, Juliet went back in to the dolphin tank, this time bearing a video she claimed was To Kill a Mockingbird. But, it definitely wasn't. Jack said he didn't want to watch, yet she insisted on putting it on and leaving the volume off. Hidden from the closed-circuit monitors and microphones, the video itself was a series of messages to Jack. Juliet held up a series of signs which said that Ben was evil, a liar, very dangerous and that some on the island want a change. They want Jack to do the surgery and for Ben to unfortunately die. After all, it's a serious surgery with complications. No one would know. She told him it was up to him. He didn't commit.

The Pearl Station Hatch and Eko on the Island
As Eko headed to the hatch and drug plane crash site, we got glimpses of the black smoke wisps. Oh, no! When he saw a huge smoke more-than-a-wisp, all of a sudden it went away and there was Locke, new dude Paulo, Sayid, and the rest of the party heading to the Pearl Station. Later, Eko would ask Locke what he saw. Locke saw a beautiful bright light. "That's not what I saw," said Eko. Me, neither!

While the rest of the party headed down the hatch, Eko remained above. Down in the hatch, new gal Nikki gave them the idea to try to get the other monitors in the bank going. Nothing was on them until... eep! A man with an eye-patch looked into a camera, then blocked it. Yay, a new mystery! (I say with sarcasm.)

Yemi once again appeared to Eko. Yemi told him he's ready to hear his confession. Eko followed him to a stunningly gorgeous spot where he showed Yemi the cross necklace. When Yemi asked him if he was ready, Eko told him he asked for no forgiveness. He didn't sin. He did what he had to do to survive. "When I was a young boy, I killed a man to save my brother. I didn't not ask for this life. It was given to me and I've done the best I can."

Yemi just turned to him and said, "As if I were your brother."

Eko shouted, "Who are you?" Then the smoke monster grew, snagged and dragged him. The folks in the hatch heard a ruckus and found Eko dying in the woods. He whispered something to John Locke, then died.

What did he say? Well, John said he said, "You're next." Yikes!

Answers? Questions?

• An answer - We now know the tumor x-ray subject is indeed Ben
• A question - Yemi indicated that he wasn't Eko's brother. So I have to think that he's not really Yemi?
• A question - Why did that smoke monster look like an elephant snagging Eko? Was that just my impression or did others see the resemblance?
• A question - Wasn't there a glass eye found in one of the hatches at one point? Is it Patch-Eyed Man's eye?
• A question - I don't think that Jack will botch a surgery to appease Juliet, but what if Juliet gains control of the Others?
• A question - What if the whole Juliet asking Jack (secretly) to off Ben is part of Ben's plan to "test" Jack?
• A question - Why did one of my digital shots taken during the episode superimpose Jack over Juliet (see above)? Was it coincidence or fate? It wasn't on the screen. Oh, don't tell me it was just shutter lag!

As usual, there are more questions than there are answers. They think just because they're Lost, we should be, too.

TV Newsy Bits - October 31, 2006

Boo! It's Halloween! If you haven't checked it out, take a peek at the previous entry for some of graphic artist Zoetawny's scary work. After sharing my train ride home with the folks heading into Manhattan for the big costume parade in the village, I'm inside comfy and cozy watching Law and Order: Criminal Intent. Huh. Liza Minelli is the guest star. It's a take-off on the JonBenet Ramsey case.

In other television news, news sources indicate that Studio 60 may or may not be canceled. Yep, it's a ball of confusion. With last night's episode pre-empted, news on the Internet indicated cancellation. Yet, the latest news coming from the Los Angeles Times, says that more scripts have been ordered.

In articles I read last night, it was said that the show was being canceled mainly due to low ratings and a high overhead due to the salaries the stars commanded. Now, in the latest, NBC is saying that FOX started the rumors. I don't know. I'm just reporting what I read. Maybe their people will call my people and clear it all up or something. But, I thought show fans might appreciate the better news that's out there today.

And, for fans of the show - John Goodman Guest Stars Next Week on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Scary TV Newsy Bits - October 30, 2006

Bwahahahaha! Graphic artist Zoetawny made me a cool, yet scary, Halloween tag for the blog!

Let's see... what else is scary? Oh, I know! I was channel-flipping yesterday and came upon the Stephen King movie The Shining, the one with Jack Nicholson. I've seen it before, but never in Spanish! I watched the "Here's Johnny!" scene and the kid in his "redrum" mode which really doesn't translate well into Spanish. Now, that was scary!

• For those who enjoy the ghouls and goblins, as well as blood and gore, AMC (cable) is running the gamut of scary movies tomorrow. Eek, what's that hockey mask?
• BRAVO (also cable) has a two-hour block of Even Scarier Movie Moments running from 8 PM to 10 PM ET/PT.
• A Ghost Visits Melinda & Jim's Camping Trip Next Week on "Ghost Whisperer"
• A Exorcism Leads to a Disappearance Next Week on "Without a Trace"
• "Lost" Stars Kept in the Dark

'The Amazing Race 10' - Ep. 7 -or- "The Six Pack Hangs Back"

Six teams remain. Who will be eliminated next?

The operative word "next" is indeed the operative word this time. But, you can't depend on that being the case. It used to be that there were huge hints whether a leg was a non-elimination or not. Instead of "next," we'd hear "tonight." In the last clue before the Pit Stop, instead of "may be eliminated," we'd get "will be eliminated." It's a gentler and kinder world, but the non-elimination legs don't always come at the right time for the right team of racers. Unless, of course, they hail from Kentucky in The Amazing Race 10.

Now, remember, thanks to the Cho Brothers and the Fast Forward, David and Mary were the first arrive in the last Pit Stop in Kuwait. David and Mary had to arrive first as they were marked for elimination and would have to wait out a 30 minute penalty if they didn't come in first at the Pit Stop. Why was that? Well, it's because they arrived last in the leg before and lucked out with it being a non-Philimination leg.

So, David and Mary were the first to depart the Pit Stop with a good three-hour lead over the next team. Will they be able to maintain their standing or will they fall back with the pack?

As it happens, their lead only led them to a bunching point. Common, a bit too common, that's when all the teams end up together due to circumstances. This particular circumstance was an airport flight to Mauritius. Despite the Beauty Queens (Dustin and Kandice) thinking that the travel agents were clueless and turning down more than a few tickets for the flight; despite a thorny snit betwixt the Boy Ex-Addict Models (Tyler and James) and the Alabama Moms (Lyn and Karlyn)... all the teams ended up on the same flight. At least the snit was entertaining as the Boy Toys mocked the Surly Moms.

A worthwhile quote from the snit - Either Lyn or Karlyn to the Boys: "Live with that on your conscious!" Um. Okay. As long as it's not on my conscience.

The alliance between the ChoBros (Erwin and Godwin), Kentucky (David and Mary), and Alabama (Lyn and Karlyn) continues to strengthen. They've dubbed themselves (or have been dubbed by the other teams) as the Six Pack. I've never seen major alliances work or even be attempted on this show in the past. I guess we'll see how this one pans out.

Of the alliance, the strongest team is the Chos. I hope the two weaker teams, probably the weakest competitively in the race, won't bring them down. I really enjoy David and Mary, but they're making it by the skin of their teeth each leg. Lyn and Karlyn are placing okay, but both are very out of shape for any physical doings. Tyler and James think that the Chos want to bring weaker teams to the Final Three so they can win. Meanwhile, the Chos claim that, as an alliance, they can be stronger than those who fend for themselves.

From that point, the teams were told their next clue would be in their vehicles. It was a model boat. It didn't take any of the teams too long to figure out that the model must have a real-life counterpart somewhere on the island. Lyn and Karlyn didn't wait for Kentucky like the ChoBros did. They didn't think it made any sense for all the teams in the Six Pack to be behind. Ah, so they're in an alliance when it suits themselves, eh? I got it!

Once the teams found the real-life schooner in the bay, they had to swim out to it, retrieve a clue, then swim back to shore. That bodes well if you can swim, of course. Neither David or Mary are strong swimmers. Apparently, from what they said, even though David was thrown in a lake to learn how to swim when he was a child, they're both a bit leery of swimming. The Boy Toys, even after getting very lost (again) turned out to be very strong swimmers and this was their chance to get a leg up on the leg. I snickered when I saw Kimberly swims better than Rob.

That clue directed them to find the post office at Case Noyale, so the teams were happy for dry land. Of course, we had the usual teams getting lost, Tyler and James are constants in that regard. "We didn't go the wrong way. We just took a wrong turn." "That's going the wrong way!" Rob and Kimberly had a blow-up brouhaha of two as Rob couldn't get it in gear. His car, that is. But, the kicker this time was that Kandice and Dustin really crunched their car right into the vehicle ahead of them. I'm surprised nothing was said at the Pit Stop later on about the crash. It was entirely their fault.

The clue at the post office was a Detour, a choice between two tasks tied in with the region's economy. Both team members take part in a Detour. They could choose from Salt or Sea. In Salt, the teams had to find a salt shaker with a clue in huge piles of salt. A play on the old "needle in a haystack," most teams initially went for this task. They kept finding salt shakers, but they were filled with salt or pepper, nary a clue to be found.


All the teams ended up heading to the second task, Sea, which was Dustin and Kandice's original choice. In Sea, teams sailed to an island, followed a map to find sails and a mast, installed them on a boat, then sailed back. David and Mary were the last to give up on Salt, but their Six Pack saved them shouting when they found the masts. The map wasn't clear at all. Needless to say, Tyler and James got very lost.

From the Detour, it was immediately to the Pit Stop with no Roadblock this week. I found that a bit odd. I'm not sure what filled up the hour. While the scenery in Mauritius was stunning, the show left me a bit bewildered tonight. It seemed to be missing something and that was the adrenalin rush which accompanies the Roadblock. And, I suppose, the hour was filled up with the Six Pack alliance and reactions to it. Give me action, guys. If I want alliances, I'll rewatch Survivor.

The arrival order of the teams at the Pit Stop at the Château de Bel Ombre:

1. Dustin and Kandice - Each won a motor scooter. Phil said they could take a rider or a date, but was speechless when one asked him for a date. "Um..."
2. Tyler and James - How can they get so lost so much and still place so well? If they had a sense of direction, they'd be three days ahead of the rest.
3. Rob and Kimberly - They placed well, but they are not getting along well. I predict implosion soon.
4. Erwin and Godwin - My favorites, but they really have to start concentrating on their own race.
5. Lyn and Karlyn - I'm admiring how hard they're working and I bet their children are thrilled, but I think they're the least nice of the Six Pack. I swear that they'd push the ChoBros out of the way if things got close enough to do so. I know they like them, but these women have a nasty edge to them.
6. David and Mary - Last, but saved by a non-Philimination leg once again - the second in a period of three weeks. I like them. I'm getting a kick out of them. I know the non-elimination legs are pre-determined, but I find it hard to believe two such legs are so close together and the same team saved both times. Once again, they're marked for elimination and must come in first on the next leg or face a 30 minute penalty. As much as I enjoy watching them, I hope the ChoBros don't put their own race in jeopardy to save them again.

This wasn't my favorite episode. I want my adrenalin pumping and tonight's episode just didn't do that for me.