After Tribal Council the Jalapao tribe reflects on the tension as the number of contestants dwindles down. Joe confesses he feels like the odd man out now that buddy Sydney was voted out. He says, “It’s not fun to loose and it’s not fun to vote people you like home.” Jalapao is down to 4, which is not good with the looming tribal merge. Jalapao will have the lesser amount of tribe members and it’s likely Timbira will pick them off one by one.
Coming back from the commercial break – dramatic, epic movie music booms from the TV and the camera focuses on a Samaria soldier preparing for war. Standing in the water at sunrise stretching his arms wide in a power stance to re-center his chi…the camera pulls back…oh wait, its just Coach being Coach. (groan) Coach comes back to the beach with a new attitude and gives his teammates a quick message even winning over nemesis Erinn.
At Jalapao, Joe’s leg is not good. He injured it a couple of challenges ago, not too badly, but being in the elements day and night, bugs have gotten into it, dirt, and no band aids in the Brazilian outback. Now the area below his knee is very red and VERY swollen. But Joe insists it’s getting better and doesn’t complain. What a trooper!
Treemail hints at a challenge and the promise of a feast. Everyone’s excited. All Survivors head to where the clue describes and they end up together – merged! The infamous merge has finally occurred. They are asked to come up with a new name and a flag. While discussing the tribe name Sierra randomly asks how the other tribe decided their last votes. The former Jalapao tribe is reluctant to reveal too much information and ultimately the conversation is steered into another direction. The Survivors decide on the name “Forza” which Coach says means “strength” in Portuguese (strength is actually “força”, but close enough, right?) The Survivors head to their new camp, the former Timbira camp and immediately makeover the shelter – it’s not water proof or large enough.
Coach and JT fish. Coach states for about the 5th time this episode, that JT’s a “warrior” and that’s why they’re kindred spirits. They bond while fishing though. JT says, “It’s not even been 15 minutes and Coach is ready to talk about the game. And…it was perfect. I couldn’t wait to talk to him about the game.” Coach and JT discuss who might have the Immunity Idol.
JT admits his new plan, “I’m just here to make sure everyone hates each other.”
The first night as a combined tribe everyone is off plotting under the dark cover of night. Tyson talks to Coach about an alliance – Tyson, Coach, JT, Stephen, and Debbie. Coach says, “It’s time to go for the jugular. Brendan is the head of the dragon, and when you want to defeat an Army, you cut off the head of the dragon. For him to go out as the first person from the merge…yeah I love it, that’s awesome.” I note this quote for future reference. Tyson also talks to Stephen about the alliance and about voting Brendan out (who was part of the secret alliance with Stephen, Brendan, Taj and Sierra).
Day 20 – Tyson and JT talk while fishing. They agree that Brendan needs to go next. At camp Taj admits she’s a little nervous about her secret alliance because Brendan and Sierra haven’t made a move or said anything that hints that the alliance is still good. Brendan later confesses that it’s a good thing they haven’t said or done anything to hint at the alliance because that will help protect its secrecy. Tyson and Debbie discuss strategy. Brendan walks over while they’re talking and Tyson quickly asks him what he thinks about voting Joe out. Tyson plays it like he’s going along with whatever Brendan wants not giving away his new allegiance to Coach, JT, Stephen and Debbie. Tyson’s proud to out scheme Brendan.
Erinn and Joe look for the Immunity Idol based on what Erinn learned the one time at Exile. They go to the right place, but the Idol isn’t there. They assume Brendan or Sierra have it.
The first Individual Immunity challenge has each Survivor clinging to a pole. It’s as easy as that. First out is Stephen, but Joe really struggles (that hurt leg isn’t helping). Then Joe falls and Jeff notices his leg for the first time. Next Taj, Erinn and Brendan all fall at the same time. Debbie and Tyson are the last two and Tyson is the first winner of Individual Immunity. While the Survivors are heading away from the challenge Jeff asks Joe to stay behind so medical can take a look at his leg.
At camp the plotting continues. Gathered under an umbrella the tribe talks about the challenge. JT leaves followed by Stephen. The group quickly discusses a new person to vote out – JT because they see Joe now as weak and beatable and want to keep him. Stephen and JT talk and Stephen admits he knows he can get to the final 4 with his original alliance, but he’ll align with JT if he promises to turn on Taj, Brendan and Sierra. Tyson interrupts to ask them about dinner. Then about who to vote out (the dinner conversation was just a rouge to get away from the other team mates). Brendan is not totally unaware that a surprise vote-out might come his way and, in a smart move, decides to take the Immunity Idol to Tribal Council tonight, just in case. Coach and JT talk and Coach tells JT that the group discussed voting him out. Then Coach calls JT a “warrior” again for the millionth time.
JT and Stephen discuss a new tactic – splitting the votes – just in case Brendan does play his Idol. Word quickly spreads through the alliance of Coach, Tyson, Debbie, JT and Stephen. Remember the whole “dragon” analogy Coach brought up earlier? Here’s why I mentioned it. While talking to the cameras Coach takes credit for the “split vote” idea and then calls himself the “dragon slayer” because of the votes against Brendan who is the supposed “head of the dragon”.
Everyone is banking on going to Tribal Council when Jeff, in the pouring rain, pays a visit to the Forza camp. He shares the news that Joe is out. His leg is too infected. No Tribal Council. Now there’s a new anxiety at camp. Tyson sums it up, “The main thing with getting the plan to work was keeping everyone quiet long enough to vote him (Brendan) off so he didn’t use an Idol if he had it. Now, I dunno how much is going to leak or what’s going to happen…” And Coach says, “The dragon slayer has to wait to another day to taste blood.” (shaking my head)
Joe’s goodbye is smart, he knows his leg is bad, but he’s sad he has to leave the game this way.
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