Survivor: Island of the Idols - November 13 Blog Party

We're in for two hours tonight as well as the merge. Can we handle all the excitement? I'll be updating this entry with the major happenings as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments -- please feel free to join in on the fun!

Lifeguard Laurie has updated the blog pool. Are you still in it?

Lairo
Dean Kowalski -- CherryPie, Merrilee
Karishma Patel -- Ed in Ohio, SueGee
Jamal Shipman -- Donna in Alabama, Petals
Janet Carbin -- Donna NY, Sharon C
Kellee Kim -- Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane
Noura Salman -- Jennasmom

Vokai
Aaron Meredith -- Auntie Leigh
Elaine Stott -- Cheryl in NC
Elizabeth Beisel -- CherylNY, monty 924
Missy Byrd -- Janice, TS14Fan
Dan Spilo -- Bizaro22, marthalight
Lauren Beck -- Jackie, Sharon N
Tommy Sheehan -- Karen in CA, Terry is a Texan

Jury
Jack Nichting

Survivor fans ready?

It's after Tribal and Dean is grateful to Kellee for saving him. Noura is stirring the pot. Kellee feels that Noura is setting her up for disaster with Jamal. After all, Jamal's sidekick Jack was the cost of her play AND Jamal wasted his idol by using it on Noura. The idol search in on.

Kellee found an idol! Woot!

Now the merge is about to start. Of course, it starts out with the feast. Will original alliances re-ally?

Oh my. Some of the women are getting really ticked at Dan touching them inappropriately. It's several of the women upset with him. I would be upset, too. I so hate unwanted touching!

Tommy is pushing for a Kellee first vote out in the merge. Oh noes!

Immunity Challenge time! Table with three balls on top. when you move it it lowers, when all balls fall off, you're out.

Noura is out first, then Kellee. Dean out. Janet out. Elaine out. Lauren out. Dan out. Karishma out. Tommy out. Missy out. Elizabeth out. It's between Aaron and Jamal. 

AARON WINS THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL IMMUNITY!

It looks like Kellee is the main target this week. Tommy and Lauren are pushing it. Dean is not keen on it -- after all, Kellee saved him. Jamal would like to make a move on Dan going. Hmm … but several are thinking Missy is the target and Dan vote is just smoke and mirrors.

Well, at least we won't go into Tribal sure of who will be going home. 

Kellee thinks there's another idol on this beach. She has the one from her old beach. She's searching. YES! She now has TWO idols! She thinks she might have to play one tonight.

Tribal Council time and they are talking of trust. Is it a bigger factor than deception? Tribal lines? Will Lairo fall? 

The tally -- Kellee does not play an idol

Dan, Kellee, Dan, Kellee, Dan, Kellee, Dan, Kellee, Dan, Kellee, Kellee, Kellee

GAH! She had two idols and I thought she was a smart player. Bye, Kellee!

Janet feels betrayed by the girls voting out Kellee instead of Dan. Lauren thinks she herself thought the reason to vote Dan out because of the touching issue. She talks to Dan about the touching issue. He talks to the women and explains that he had no bad intentions. They pretty much lie to him saying that Janet was lying about them complaining. They're painting Janet as a snake which isn't totally true. They were complaining about Dan!

Missy and Aaron go off looking for idols. Janet follows them. She's thinking that they will be targeting her next. She finds the idol! Hopefully she won't go home with it in her bag!

Jamal and Karishma find a note -- he could reach it, so he got it. A trip to the Island of the Idols but he can't open the note until he gets there. 

He opens the note after the meeting with Rob and Sandra. Oops -- he lost his vote at the next tribal. The lesson is sabotage. Sandra gives him a blank note and a pencil. What can he do with it? Then he's headed back. He wrote a fake legacy advantage. He tells them he played a game that caused him to lose his vote but won an advantage. He gives it to Dean as an olive branch. Dean thinks all it does is paint a target on his back. 

People are realizing that Jamal deliberately targeted Dean and it might just backfire on Jamal.

Time for the Immunity Challenge. Hold onto a handle over the water. Jeff lowers them, fall in the water and you're out. Two will get Immunity -- a man and a woman will win. 

Lauren out, then Dan. Jamal out. Elaine out. Karishma, then Janet, then Dean out. Noura out. Tommy out. AARON wins the mens immunity!

Elizabeth out.

AARON AND MISSY WIN INDIVIDUAL IMMUNITY!

Janet, Jamal and Karishma are worried they will be targeted. Tommy tells Janet she needs to vote for Jamal. She's still thinking she might need to play her idol. It will be in her pocket.

Tribal Immunity time.

Jeff asks how things were after the last tribal. Janet says that she thought everyone was voting for Dan. Missy brings up that Janet brought her name up first. Whoa. People are still throwing Janet under the bus. Aaron calls her out and claims she could have ruined Dan's life. Jamal speaks up for Janet. Dang, Jamal is a gem. Dan apologizes if he ever did anything. Now Janet is crying thinking she's hated and should go home. 

Finally it's time to vote.

Janet plays her idol! 
The tally --
Janet, Janet, Karishma, Karishma, Karishma, Jamal, Jamal, Jamal, Jamal, Jamal

Ack! Another player I was really liking this season. Bye, Jamal.

Two go home next week? Oh my!

Survivor: Island of the Idols - November 6 Blog Party

Last week we saw Elaine's gameplay narrowly keep her in the game. What lies ahead for us tonight? I'll be updating this post with the major happenings throughout the show as it airs here on the East Coast. As always, the real party is in the comments area -- please feel free to join in!

But first … Lifeguard Laurie has updated the blog pool, probably grateful they didn't drop buffs and switch around two weeks in a row. Is your castaway still in it to win it?

Lairo
Dean Kowalski -- CherryPie, Merrilee
Karishma Patel -- Ed in Ohio, SueGee
Jack Nichting -- David, jennifer
Jamal Shipman -- Donna in Alabama, Petals
Janet Carbin -- Donna NY, Sharon C
Kellee Kim -- Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane
Noura Salman -- Jennasmom

Vokai
Aaron Meredith -- Auntie Leigh
Elaine Stott -- Cheryl in NC
Elizabeth Beisel -- CherylNY, monty 924
Missy Byrd -- Janice, TS14Fan
Dan Spilo -- Bizaro22, marthalight
Lauren Beck -- Jackie, Sharon N
Tommy Sheehan -- Karen in CA, Terry is a Texan

Survivor fans ready?

Once again we're starting without the opening sequence. Elaine kept her original four together but hurt feelings abound. But her four now outnumber the other original tribe members.

Over on Lairo Jamal has trouble making fire and manages to annoy one of the women who actually can and does make fire. Uh-oh. Now he's ticked off yet another woman, this time over food portions. He's made himself a target.

Ohhh … Elaine had picked Janet to go to the Island of the Idols. She's not happy because it seems to put a target on those who go there. A boat comes for her and we go through the fan gawking over Rob and Sandra. Rob advises her to think two or three steps ahead. Today's lesson is calculated risk. 

She can win a safety without power advantage good to the final seven. If she wins it, she would leave TC and come back after the vote. She declines, thinking ahead that she would be the target the next week and it's best not to go for it. Both Sandra and Rob are pleased she turned it down -- say it speaks for her gameplay and thinking ahead. Sandra is sure a woman will win this season. 

She returns to camp, lies about the island, creates a story similar to one told before and said she declined to play as there would be a consequence to winning. Those who haven't gone to the Island seem to realize something is up.

On Vokai, they're eying the chickens without considering eggs. @@

They also have a lot of distrust -- Lauren and Tommy want Dan out. But others see how tight Lauren and Tommy are and want to target Tommy.

Immunity Challenge time! Race to shoot coconuts in basket, heavy enough puzzle pieces drop, very large puzzle. No one sits out because the tribes are even again.

VOKAI wins Immunity by seconds.


Kellee seems like she's considering using her idol for someone else. It expires soon and she doesn't seem to think she's a target. Uh-oh. I'm not too keen on that line of thinking. 

Dean (my local Westfield NJ dude) seems to be the target … at least for now. The guys are lying to him, saying the target is Noura, Kellee happens to like Dean and wants to get him to vote out Jamal or Jack. 

She goes to Dean, tells him the people are lying to him and he's the target. She offers the idol. Hmm.

To Tribal very early -- 8:44pm, should be good.

Original tribal lines talk. Indifferent is the opposite of hate. Is Dean trying to get people to target others? Noura speaks … too much as usual. Jamal is now worried about an all girls alliance thanks to Noura. Four women, three men on the tribe. Kellee balks at the thought. Noura starts speaking of the women's movement and how Survivor is a microcosm of society. Janet thinks that it's not respectful to assume there's a women's alliance. Now Jamal has stopped freaking out that he is going to be targeted and we're getting yet another world lesson here. Add it to last week's race relations talk and we have an educational show. Finally they vote.

Dean plays the idol. Jamal plays his idol for Noura. 

The tally:

Dean, Dean, Dean, Dean, Dean, Jack. Jack

Seventh out and first jury member -- Jack

The merge is on next week.

Survivor: Island of the Idols - October 30 Blog Party

Okay, the tribes have been shuffled, yet they kept the weakest challenge link on the more losing tribe. Maybe that's so they can lose some more. I'll be updating this entry as the show airs here on the East Coast -- refresh the page to get the latest happenings!

Lifeguard Laurie has updated the blog pool to reflect the tribe shuffle and the latest departed. She indeed rocks!

Lairo
Dean Kowalski -- CherryPie, Merrilee
Karishma Patel -- Ed in Ohio, SueGee
Jack Nichting -- David, jennifer
Jamal Shipman -- Donna in Alabama, Petals
Janet Carbin -- Donna NY, Sharon C
Kellee Kim -- Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane
Noura Salman -- Jennasmom

Vokai
Aaron Meredith -- Auntie Leigh
Elaine Stott -- Cheryl in NC
Elizabeth Beisel -- CherylNY, monty 924
Missy Byrd -- Janice, TS14Fan
Dan Spilo -- Bizaro22, marthalight
Jason Linden -- Dr_Celine, Nickelpeed
Lauren Beck -- Jackie, Sharon N

Tommy Sheehan -- Karen in CA, Terry is a Texan

Survivor fans ready?
Again, right to the show, no opening sequence/theme.

Noura is trying to get a bunch against Jack and Jamal. Now the target will turn on her. Karishma and Dean are the two sole members of the minority tribe.

On Vokai there are four from each tribe and they're still worrying about going to rocks in case of a tie at tribal.

Reward Challenge time. Transport a sled with sandbags and one tribe member through obstacles, collect keys, unload all the sandbags, that person must shoot three targets. It's the chickens reward. They sat out Elaine who instead of watching will go to the Island of the Idols.

Vokai wins Reward!

With all the down time, Rob is building the Mansion of the Shelters. He says Sandra snores so she might get her own wing.

Elaine arrives. Her lesson is having the courage to be daring. Rob tells us that being as impulsive as she is might be a double edged sword as she just jumped on her challenge without knowing what it is. Rob tells her a lot of information about the Immunity Challenge and where she needs to grab an advantage. If she doesn't get it, she loses a vote. She must choose who goes to the Island next.

Jack doesn't seem to know much about your average Black men. Jamal schools him. Hopefully Jack really listens.

At least they're talking about eating the rooster this time around. Elaine tells Elizabeth what she needs to do because Elizabeth knows about the island.

Immunity Challenge -- dig under big cage, get inside it, collect five balls while in cage, target. Noura sits out.

LAIRO WON IMMUNITY!

And Elaine succeeded. She can block one vote. However, she might still go home because her own people are willing to betray her. Her name is in there as well as Lauren and Dan. 

Time for Tribal Council. Jeff starts off with the tie possibility. Whoa! Elaine reads her advantage and blocks Jason's vote. (He was one saying her name.) Lots of whispering going on. Lauren is crying. She thinks she will be going home. 

The tally --
Elaine, Elaine, Elaine, Jason, Jason, Jason, Jason.

Byebye, Jason. Ohhh bitterness, tells them not to trust Aaron.

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/

Survivor: Island of the Idols - October 16 Blog Party

Greetings and felicitations! As tonight's show airs, barring possible power outages due to a nasty nor'easter type storm outside, I'll be doing my best to live blog the show as it airs here on the East Coast. You'll have to bear with me as I'm still having trouble with some of the names of castaways. Perhaps a bit less Rob/Sandra time and more current cast time would help in that regard. Refresh this page to get the latest updates. And, if I vanish, I've lost power.

Here's the latest blog pool update from the esteemed Lifeguard Laure:

Lairo

Aaron Meredith - Auntie Leigh
Chelsea Walker - Big winner Brian, Margo
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

As always, the real party is in the comments! Survivor fans ready?

Again no real intro? Right to the action. Karishma thinks she must be expendable because she got three votes. Uh-oh … Dean and Chelsea seem to be becoming a power couple. That could throw the target on them! The women's alliance could suffer … that is unless they get rid of Dean. Hmm.

The other tribe wants to go fishing. Jamal, worried about being left out of the last vote, thinks he needs to go looking for an idol. And, he finds it. Are they making them too easily to be found? Jamal has a Richard Hatch laugh.

A boat arrives and they must make a unanimous decision who goes to Island of the Idols. If not unanimous, they need to draw from a bag. What a quandary, huh? Noura volunteers to go and meets up with Rob and Sandra.

They give her watermelon. It's like BB all over again! Her lesson is in the art of persuasion. Poor Erik … they show him giving his immunity and getting voted out once again. Rob tells her that in the next immunity challenge she should convince them she needs to be the caller and, if she succeeds she wins the power to block someone's vote. If she doesn't succeed, she loses her vote. Neither Rob nor Sandra are too keen about Noura's talents in playing the game.

Noura tells her tribemates that they have an advantage in the next immunity challenge if they unanimously agree she can choose her role. She tells them she will be the caller. Jason is skeptical and they're all thinking she's lying. They practice and it's not going well. 

Immunity Challenge time. We'll see who calls. Course, collect three keys, solve puzzle all while blindfolded. Heh. Her tribe sat Noura out. She won't call nor even compete. Jason and Elizabeth are the callers.

Jason has brought his tribe to a big lead with his calling abilities, don't think Noura could have done as well. Elizabeth has caught her team up with them. 

VOKAI wins Immunity!

Karishma is sure she's the target and is on the "woe is me" train. Chelsea feels secure because she has an idol. However, her buddy Dean is in the spotlight. Elizabeth doesn't think getting Dean out is good for her game. Aaron keeps pushing his Dean Out agenda. That seems to be casting some suspicion on him. Missy now is pushing Chelsea. Elaine is befuddled. 

Time for Tribal Council and Jeff's Probsting questions. He starts with asking them about the previous blindsides. Elaine remains befuddled. Chelsea talks about how everything can change. I hope she watches for signs and doesn't leave with an idol in hand. Ohh … Missy disses Karishma. Dang. This whole TC is about blindsides.

The tally -- Chelsea does not play her idol.

Karishma, Karishma, Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea. Chelsea

Another out carrying an idol. Silly castaways!

Next week looks like the merge or a shuffle. They will be dropping their buffs!