February 26th, 2009

On night three the Jalapao tribe reflects on the difficulties of their first tribal council. Day four inspires some to look for sustenance other than veggies.  Some Survivors experiment with huge worms, things with 18 legs and other bugs that turn out to be very, very chewy. 

At Timbira, Sierra reflects on how it felt to be the first with votes cast against her and mentions the clue to the hidden immunity idol. Now, I don’t know what compels contestants to do this, but whoever has the Hidden Immunity Idol or the clue to the Idol feels as if they have to tell someone else about it. Sierra reveals to Brendan that she has the clue and recruits him to help find it.  And he helps – by digging, and digging, and digging. Debbie finds them and Sierra comes up with a bonfire pit lie to cover their butts.  When Debbie mentions the beach bonfire to the tribe we get the first glimpse of the “not so pretty side” of Candace who says “I just don’t think it makes that much sense. I probably won’t go.  I’d rather sit around here and talk crap.”  The next morning Candace and Coach have a heated discussion about making food and outspoken Candace and egotistical Coach continue to argue throughout the morning. 

Back at Jalapao camp a conversation leads to the revelation that contestant Taj is married to Eddie George (who everyone knows except tribe mate Stephen ). 

The first and only challenge of the episode is a water basketball game and the prize is immunity and fishing gear. Also, the winning team picks the first person to pay a visit to Exile.  First, it starts pouring rain, then the lightening comes making me wonder if the Survivors should even be competing in a water event. But they do and here’s the rules – three team members from each tribe race through the water to get a basketball and work together to get up to the basket and make a shot.

The catch, three team members from the opposing tribe will try and stop the others from making those shots in any violent manner they so choose (including holding people under water, holding onto their bikini tops, pushing, shoving, tackling at the knees and other injury provoking activities).  Timbira takes the lead when both Candace and Brendan make baskets. 

But Jalapao poses a challenge when Sydney scores, then JT makes a shot and finally Stephen makes the winning basket. Jalapao wins immunity and reward.  They send Brendan to Exile but wait, there’s more. Jeff reveals that Brendan gets to choose someone from the winning tribe to go with him to Exile and he chooses Taj.

Tribe Timbira is sent back to camp to think about their upcoming Tribal Council. 

Tribe Jalapao puts their new fishing gear to work right away.  And JT and Stephen bond during a fishing excursion.

On Exile, Brendan and Taj each choose an urn.  Brendan’s has two notes in it which he must read in private. A trend that’s immuring this season is people not understanding these clues.  Brendan doesn’t understand the following statement about his clue “But in tribal homelands is the thing that you seek.” (Meaning the idol is back at camp). And Brendan won’t understand “tribal homelands” until he finally reads the clue to Taj who makes is clear that the idol is at camp.  Brendan is also given the option to switch tribes, which he does not.  The two Survivors bond during their time at Exile. 

When Brendan returns to camp he lies saying that Taj’s urn had the clue, that she went for a walk and didn’t mention if she found anything or not when she returned. Brendan also mentions that Taj seems to be on the outs with her tribe and that this could be useful information later in the game. 

At Timbira they discuss who they want to vote out and Candace brings up how Coach failed physically at the challenge. Next Coach, Tyson and Debbie discuss how Candace is being negative.  Everyone thought they’d vote for Sierra, but people seem to be getting tired of outspoken Candace.  And Coach confesses, “The girls think we’re still voting for Sierra but for me the obvious choice is Candace because she’s just cancer on the tribe.”  Candace and Erinn discuss the possible people who could be voted out and Candace says “Listen, I’m gunna tell ya right now, it ain’t you or me, they know what we’re worth.” 

At Tribal Council Jeff recaps how Sierra felt when she was the first person with votes cast against her.  And trust is brought up as a major issue. We finally hear Survivor Jerry say more than 5 words in a row as well.  Once the votes are counted, Candace, almost unanimously, is the 2nd person voted out of Survivor and an important lesson is learned – do not be the outspoken person on Survivor because you’ll be the first two people voted out of the game!