Survivor 44: May 17 Episode Blog Party

 

Good evening!

I will be live-blogging the major events of the show as it airs 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!

We're getting down to the wire here. I never thought at the start that I would be cheering on Carolyn. Or that Yam Yam would still be in it at this point. Or that four women and two men, not alpha males either, would be the final six. This has been the best season in years! I've heard Bruce (1st out due to medical head injury) is rumored to be on the cast next season. I would like to see him play. Good casting this season!

The blog pool has been updated by Wonderful Lifeguard SueGee and here's where we stand:

VA VA (MERGED TRIBE)

Heidi - John Cantrell, PDX Granny 

Jaime - Andi, monty924  

Carolyn - Krysta Gibson, Sydney 

Yam Yam - Sharon N, Glenn Allen

Lauren - David, KelseyNY 

Carson - Petals, Donna in FL

JURY

Matt

Brandon

Kane

Frannie

Danny

Survivor fans ready?

As per custom, we pick up with the castaways returning from Tribal. It's Night 21. As usual, we have a few unhappy campers. Carolyn, Carson and Yam Yam are happy, but ...! Yam Yam is worried that Carolyn is letting on how good a player she really is. 

Now Jaime is thinking Carolyn is a very calculated and good game player. Carson notices that Heidi is out looking for an idol in the middle of the night. He awakens Carolyn and they both search, too. Heidi does already have an idol no one knows about. If she can have two, it would be game changing for her!

Lauren is also now onto Carolyn's game. She thinks she's lovable, though. Lauren and Jaime are trying to talk Carson and Yam Yam to work with them against Carolyn. Hmm.

Day 22. Yam Yam has lost a lot of weight! It really shows in his face. Into a Reward Challenge. Two teams. Two blindfolded push one caller in a giant ball, table maze. Sanctuary is the reward. Foot massage, lunch, chocolate, cookies, fruits, juice and iced tea.

Carson calls, Yam Yam and Lauren orange in the lead.

Purple has Carolyn and Heidi pulling/pushing with Jaime inside.

ORANGE WINS! Carson, Lauren and Yam Yam!

At Sanctuary, Yam Yam is in heaven. It's his first time eating in 22 days other than camp fare. Yam Yam and Carson talk to Lauren about how they want Carolyn out next. Carson actually doesn't want that, but Yam Yam seems to be considering it.

Back at camp, Heidi and Jaime are talking to Carolyn about how loved Carson is and they want him out. Carolyn agrees but tells us she still needs Carson in the game. Heidi and Carolyn talk about taking out Lauren. Hmm.

Carolyn runs to Carson telling him his name is coming up. Carson thinks the ex-Tika can run the game. I hope they do stick together. Yam Yam is starting to worry me a bit. He seems to be seriously considering a Carolyn vote. I think, dependent on who wins Immunity, we are going to have another guessing game vote tonight.

Immunity Challenge time. Two ropes balancing a ball on a disk, they have to back up further at time intervals. Last ball up wins. The weather looks good, a little wind but not bad. Jaime out first. Carolyn out. Carson out. Yam Yam out. Uh-oh. It's down to Heidi and Lauren.

LAUREN WINS IMMUNITY! It's her second Immunity win.

Argh. Yam Yam is still for Carolyn going and he's telling us, so it's real. No one is really talking. Carolyn talks to Heidi about taking out Jaime. She is skeptical and is thinking she might have to use her idol. Heidi tells Yam Yam and Carson that she is willing to vote out Jaime. Jaime is worried that people won't support her wanting Carolyn out.

They are definitely setting us up for the guessing game vote again. Carson is reluctant but recognizes Carolyn's great game. He's in a quandary! I hope Yam Yam goes with his heart and keeps Carolyn.

They brought everything to Tribal Council as they're worried they may be sent elsewhere and all might be at risk. Shot in the Dark is over. Jaime says everyone's names were out there. Yep, for sure. Carolyn is giving Yam Yam weird eyes. Carolyn defends emotional but strategic players. She doesn't like lies. She's very worried. Yam Yam says the person who leaves tonight is the one who needs to leave for everybody's game. Carolyn does not take that well with her facial expression.

The tally -- Heidi plays her idol.

Carolyn, Jaime, Carolyn, Jaime, Jaime, Jaime.

Phew! I was scared for Carolyn! Jaime is history, goes out with class and a smile. 

It's good they brought everything -- they are headed to a new beach.

Next week is the season finale!

Jaime and Lauren voted Carolyn. Yam Yam followed his heart.

Survivor 44: May 10th Episode Blog Party

 

Good evening!

I will be live-blogging the major events of the show as it airs 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! 

Are you ready for 90-minute episodes of both Survivor and The Amazing Race, both for Wednesday evenings, in the fall? Three hours of live blogging in one night. Eek. Thankfully, I'm feeling somewhat better. We can thank the writers' strike. Here's an article about it right at this here link.

The blog pool has been updated by Lifeguard SueGee and here's where we stand:

VA VA (MERGED TRIBE)

Danny - Donna in AL, Mikes Girl

Heidi - John Cantrell, PDX Granny 

Jaime - Andi, monty924  

Carolyn - Krysta Gibson, Sydney 

Yam Yam - Sharon N, Glenn Allen

Lauren - David, KelseyNY 

Carson - Petals, Donna in FL

JURY

Matt

Brandon

Kane

Frannie

Survivor fans ready?

As usual, we start with the return from Tribal. Carolyn is SO ticked that she wasn't told of the Frannie vote. Yam Yam wants to try to explain to her. She thinks Yam Yam and Carson, her main allies, lied to her all day. She is acting out. 

Heidi put Danny's name down and thought he was going to go. At least she still has her idol.

Day 20 - they are meditating and sharing gratitude on the beach. How peachy-keen is that? They say they are creating real bonds, trying to get closer to each other. Okay, as long as they can be cut-throat when needed.

Carolyn has calmed down and seems to be making amends with Yam Yam. She tells us she's over it and will go back to trust Carson and Yam Yam. She also still has her idol and hasn't told anyone about it. Yam Yam knows Heidi voted for Danny at Tribal and tells him. 

Danny talks to Heidi and she denies being his vote. He tells her Yam Yam said it was. She suggests Jaime. He thinks it's Yam Yam and his Tika crew, now he wants to target them.

Carolyn found a molted lobster shell. She loves it. Yam Yam gave her a "shell" that works like an evil finger pointer. She decides she must have fun ... and loves having fun with Yam Yam. They talk about Danny and Lauren being big threats. 

Meanwhile, Lauren and Danny talk about the Tika Three being the main threat. They talk to Jaime and try to get her in on targeting them. Jaime thinks Yam Yam is the biggest target as he's so likable.

Ohhh  ... they arrive by boat for the Immunity Challenge. It's the one in which they have to overcome fear, in the water under a metal grate, remaining in it as the tide comes in -- AND THEY ALMOST DIE!!!

Thirty minutes, all still in. Lauren first out at an hour, she was shivering from the start. Jaime out. Carson out. Carolyn out. Danny out. It's down to Heidi and Yam Yam for the win. One hour, 25 minutes. Heidi out.

YAM YAM WINS IMMUNITY! Everybody, except Danny, seems thrilled for him. I don't think any expected he would ever win a challenge.

Carson is happy, of course. He doesn't know that the non-Tika is planning to vote Carson. Danny tells Yam Yam they will be splitting Jaime/Lauren votes. The others think their plan is so solid! They are worried about Carolyn's reaction. Carolyn is worried for Carson. She goes to "work" with Danny and he denies Carson is the target. She goes to Carson and tells him her suspicions. He tries to convince Jaime and Lauren to vote with him against Danny. It doesn't seem to be working.

Yam Yam tells Carolyn he will keep Carson with her. They need a split vote from the others. Carolyn tells Carson she has an idol she will play her idol for him. Carson is amazed she has one and told no one. She's scared Danny has an idol. They're setting us up for yet another unpredictable Tribal Council. I love when you don't outright know ahead of time!

Tribal Council time - Jeff brings up the uncertainty of the Tribals this season. Carson admits being scared. He makes an eloquent speech about what the experience means to him. 

Time to tally the votes -- Carolyn is delaying her vote, looks totally lost. She plays her idol for CARSON!!!

The tally -- Carson, Carson, Danny, Danny, Heidi, Heidi, Danny.

Carolyn did it! DANNY goes out imitating DiNiro in Taxi Driver.

Survivor 44: May 3 Episode Blog Party

 

Good evening!

I will be live-blogging the major events of the show as it airs 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! 

How interesting is it that the first three voted out after the merge are all men?

The blog pool has been updated by Lifeguard SueGee and here's where we stand:

VA VA (MERGED TRIBE)

Danny - Donna in AL, Mikes Girl

Frannie - Auntie Leigh, Brent 

Heidi - John Cantrell, PDX Granny 

Jaime - Andi, monty924  

Carolyn - Krysta Gibson, Sydney 

Yam Yam - Sharon N, Glenn Allen

Lauren - David, KelseyNY 

Carson - Petals, Donna in FL

JURY

Matt

Brandon

Kane

Survivor fans ready?

We open, as usual, with the castaways returning from Tribal Council. It's Night 17. Frannie is befuddled. She wasn't in on the Kane vote. They all lied to her. Carson wants to focus on damage control. He talks to Jaime. He told her that Kane told the others she had an idol when in actuality, Carson himself told the others. Now, Kane went off to jury with her idol in his sock.

It's right to the Reward Challenge. Spinning in metal frame to bring a buoy to them. Dizzy, they have to climb over a net platform, go across a beam, collect big balls, untie knots, toss ball to land in an elevated narrow trough. Sanctuary overnight and tacos, wine, etc. are the reward.

It's raining pretty hard. 

FRANNIE WINS REWARD! Letters from home are part of the reward. One person to join -- Carolyn! One more -- Lauren. One more -- Heidi.

Back at camp they are cooking rice. Yam Yam tells us he's the only one who hasn't been on a reward. He's pretty down. He does think maybe he can work on a bond with Danny and Jaime. He already has one with Carson.

At the Sanctuary, they are all thrilled. Even sober Carolyn has a margarita. The moms choosing is a hit with the moms. Now the letters and tears are coming. Lauren says it's the first time her father has said he's proud of her. Carolyn's son wrote and even drew some kind of unicorn fish. These women are bonding! They are talking about voting out Danny.

At camp, Jaime comes clean about losing the idol. Danny doesn't believe her. She thinks they all believe her. None of them do. Now their plan is Frannie or Jaime.

The Sanctuary bunch returned to camp in the morning. Jaime tells the women about the idol. She thinks the truth will set her free. Let's see if they believe her. Nope! No one believes her. She has put a bigger target on her back.

Time for the Immunity Challenge. It's actually sunny. Feet tied together, arms tied to side, slither through sand and course with a buoy attached to their mouth, maneuver buoy through an obstacle, first one to the finish a puzzle wins.

CARSON WINS IMMUNITY!

Frannie wants to put her social strategy to the test without Immunity. They are talking about Danny and Jaime. Danny is campaigning against Frannie. Lauren is not impressed by him. But, she thinks Danny might have a point. Yam Yam thinks Jaime is the biggest threat. He goes to talk to Carson. They are worried about losing Carolyn as an ally if they vote out Frannie. It sounds like we're going into another Council of Confusion.

Carolyn thinks that Heidi telling her that Danny wants Frannie out is stupid. She wants Danny out. Now the four girls want Heidi out. Carson wants Heidi out and he wants Frannie out ... which will he choose?

Tribal Council awaits its victim. Jeff starts with the Reward Challenge, once again putting a spotlight on Frannie. Danny is given a chance to focus on winning (and Frannie). Yam Yam is asked about targets and people winning challenges. Jaime once again brings up Kane taking her idol away with him. Jaime says the era of alliances is over. Once again, I have no real idea how the vote will come down. No whispering this week.

The tally -- Frannie, Danny, Heidi, Heidi, Frannie, Frannie, Frannie.

Frannie ... she won too much, I guess. Carolyn seems the most disappointed.

Survivor 44: April 26 Episode Blog Party

 

Good evening! I'm ready for another night of chills and thrills. How about you? I feel so much better about this season than I have the past few seasons. You may not believe me, but live blogging some of those seasons made the hour spent seem endless. With this season, it goes by so quickly. 

I will be live-blogging the major events of the show as it airs 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! 

I was worried that the men might wipe out the women, but the women are now in the majority -- thanks to two guys being medically evacuated, but ...!

The blog pool has been updated by Lifeguard SueGee and here's where we stand:

VA VA (MERGED TRIBE)

Danny - Donna in AL, Mikes Girl

Frannie - Auntie Leigh, Brent 

Heidi - John Cantrell, PDX Granny 

Jaime - Andi, monty924  

Carolyn - Krysta Gibson, Sydney 

Yam Yam - Sharon N, Glenn Allen

Kane - Nickelpeed, Cheryl in NC 

Lauren - David, KelseyNY 

Carson - Petals, Donna in FL

JURY

Matt

Brandon

Survivor fans ready?

We open with the castaways returning to camp after Tribal. Danny thinks all went to plan with his saving Frannie and ousting Brandon (his biggest competition), plus getting the old tribes even for the first time. Lauren was not in on the plan, of course. She's so not happy Ratu is down one and hopes they can work with Tika.

Yam Yam is happy, no blood on his hands and no votes on him. Josh, Matt and Brandon voted for him, and all are gone now. Coincidence? Hmm.

Kane feels Brandon going was an awakening for him. Kane thinks Danny is the big threat in the game. Both he and Danny are out there looking for idols. Jaime and Lauren know Danny is looking for idols. Jaime still has hers. Now they are all out there looking!

Heidi finds one and it warns her that it's only good until five players are left in the game.

At camp they're playing meaningless games. Yam Yam thinks they need chill time. Carolyn mispronounces S and gives them some giggles. She tells them she just celebrated 13 years sober. She thinks her past made her what she is today. Yeah, she's wacky. But she is playing the game well. Frannie loves her because she's herself. She sure isn't anyone else!

Carson feels tired but no longer nauseous. They are hungry. Carson hasn't really been eating. They have been roasting unripe papaya. Ew. Tree Mail - challenge is relatively painless unless they want rice. They have to negotiate to win rice. Some people have to give up the right to be in the Immunity Challenge for rice. Danny thinks that's the cowardly way out. Carson wants to sit out but is feeling pressured.

It's pouring rain for the Immunity Challenge. Stand on a small block while balancing a ball on a piece of wood. Drop the ball and you're out. Jeff brings up the Tree Mail. Carson and Lauren volunteer. Jeff wants four. Danny says he won't vote for the sit-outs, Carolyn won't either. Kane volunteers. Heidi volunteers to be the fourth out. A large bag of rice is what they will get.

To the Challenge -- Carolyn out first. Jaime out. Yam Yam out. Danny out!

FRANNIE wins her second Immunity showdown against Danny! I'm liking her better without the Matt connection. I think she's playing better without him.

Day 17 as they return from the challenge. Yes, they have fire and rice. They are feasting. Kane thinks he can't trust Danny's word to not vote for him. Yam Yam still thinks he's in the middle and in less trouble than earlier in the game. They are still trying to play by original tribal lines. Jaime wants Kane out. Meanwhile, the others want to flush Jaime's idol.

Some want to split the votes between Danny and Heidi. They bring Kane into it. Jaime is worried that they might vote for her. Jaime is giving Kane her idol just in case there is a Knowledge of Power advantage -- that's the one where you can take an idol from someone that you know has one. It is not in play this season ... yet.

My gosh, the votes and plans seem to be all over the place. Danny thinks Frannie is betraying the "family." Yam Yam wants to work with Soka to get out Kane. Carolyn wants Danny out because she's sick of him. I'm getting more befuddled by the minute.

Tribal Council time. I feel the need to note the time -- 8:46 -- much earlier than the last several weeks. Jeff brings up the rice sit-outs. Jeff brings up the safety promises. Kane says he doesn't trust. Jeff says Danny said "Scout's honor!" Danny quickly replies he was never a scout. Quite a bit of the conversation seems directed at Danny. Hmm. Yam Yam says he himself is paranoid. Lauren brings up those who have lied to her.

Uh-oh. Kane is whispering to people. Danny? All are whispering now. Danny votes first. Ohh. One of the women uses an extra vote -- can't think who it was who had it.

The tally: Kane, Heidi, Jaime, Kane, Heidi, Danny, Kane, Heidi, Kane, Kane.

Kane is gone. Yam Yam was right -- now he has the fourth one who put his name out there gone.

Oops. Kane went out with Jaime's idol in his sock.

Survivor 44: April 19 Episode Blog Party

 

Good evening! Hopefully the real merge will be on this evening without splitting into two teams!

I will be live-blogging the major events of the show as it airs 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!

On a sad note before we start, it was brought to my attention that two-time Survivor contestant and fan favorite Keith Nale recently passed away at the age of 62. He was a good guy and I enjoyed watching him on the show.

The blog pool has been updated by Lifeguard SueGee and here's where we stand:

MERGED TRIBE VaVa

Danny - Donna in AL, Mikes Girl

Frannie - Auntie Leigh, Brent 

Heidi - John Cantrell, PDX Granny 

Jaime - Andi, monty924  

Carolyn - Krysta Gibson, Sydney 

Yam Yam - Sharon N, Glenn Allen

Kane - Nickelpeed, Cheryl in NC 

Lauren - David, KelseyNY 

Brandon - Mike Barer, Michelle

Carson - Petals, Donna in FL

JURY

Matt

Survivor fans ready?

We start the show with Yam Yam surprised he's still there. Happy but surprised. Frannie, of course, is still in tears over Matt getting the boot. She feels like she's been marooned with nothing all over again. Too bad, so sad. Heidi tries to make good with Yam Yam once again. There are four original Ratu left while only three each from the other two tribes.

Carson and Yam Yam think they have the power now. Um, well. The Tika Three may endure. We just don't know. Carolyn loves being underestimated.

Uh-oh. Carson is sick. He's teary just thinking of being sick.

Tree Mail - Only one necklace, five pairs to compete. Hmm. Despite his being sick, Carolyn pairs with Carson. Lauren is worried about her low energy level and goes in with Danny. Danny is not thrilled about that. He wants her out.

We are at Day 15 Immunity Challenge. They talk about Carson being sick. Kane/Brandon, Heidi/Jaime, Carolyn/Carson, Frannie/Yam Yam, Danny/Lauren. 

Crawl through muddy net one after the other in the duo, to a mat. Carolyn can't get through it! Dig for planks. Four duos move on. Carolyn/Carson out.

Race up cargo net with planks. Use them on a rope bridge. Slide down to a mat. Yam Yam/Frannie out. From this point, after a commercial, they will no longer be pairs. It will be an individual segment finishing out the challenge.

The final stage is using footholds to climb up a foothold frame. It's endurance. The footholds get narrower as they are phased down in rounds. Lauren has the smallest feet. She might do the best at this one. We will see! Kane out first. Brandon out. Danny out!

Lil' Feet Lauren wins Immunity!

Danny thinks, since he can't get Lauren out tonight, one of the original Ratu must go as "they are running the game."

They are all trying to wash off the mud in the water. Yam Yam is worried once again. Brandon is back to thinking his Ratu bunch is ruling the game. He wants to target Frannie. He wants to get Yam Yam and Carolyn aboard. They already think they have Carson. Heidi thinks the six from the smaller ex-tribes would be more powerful than the four from Ratu. Danny tells her he could use his idol on Frannie. Hmm. She wants Brandon out.

Danny tells Frannie that he wants Brandon out and he (Danny) will play his idol for her. Carson tells Danny that Heidi told Yam Yam about the plan. Now he's worried that Yam Yam will use the plan to target him (Danny).

Tribal Council time. Matt will be joined in jury with someone tonight! While they are all nervous, it's fairly calm for a Tribal. 

Time to vote.

The tally - Danny does play his idol ... for Frannie!

Frannie, Frannie, Frannie, Frannie, Frannie, Frannie, Brandon, Brandon, Brandon.

Danny's plan worked! Matt is all smiles. Yam Yam looks surprised.