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Alabama on ‘Survivor’: Tastes like victory

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‘Survivor: Tocantins,’ episode 3 recap

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Wade on Birmingham - Survivor Tocantins

On “Survivor,” is it better to be helpful or helpless? Samson native James Thomas Jr. may be the key to Jalapao’s seafood bounty, while Auburn’s Debra Beebe may wind up dragging Timbira down.

Who went on an idol hunt, and who wasn’t full of beans? Find out, after the jump …

Jerry - Survivor Tocantins

Bean there, done that: It’s Jerry, rice, when
he can’t stomach much else.

It’s Erinn vs. Jerry: There, we said it. Face it, just too much drama at the Timbira camp for them not to go to Tribal Council. Jerry is the new Sierra, too weak to do much, even eat beans. Meanwhile, Erinn is on the outs for being too close to last week’s loser, Candace.

James Thomas Jr. - Survivor Tocantins

Fish out of water: J.T. catches a mess of fish for Jalapao.

Stuffed to the gills: Over at Jalapao, J.T. has problems with the big fishing net. And yet, they’re all feasting on fish, thanks to his proven system of: catch bait; catch bigger fish with bait.

The Jalapaos are eating like kings, damn ass hell kings!

Debra Beebe - Survivor Tocantins

Blonde leading the blind: Debbie, top, calls
the shots for the reward challenge.

Reward challenge: Finally, a reward challenge by itself. Each tribe has three blindfolded pairs and a caller. Pairs race through a maze to collect enough water and corn to raise two flags. Winning team receives an umbrella (ella, ella), a hammock, pillows, a tarp, and chairs, plus sends a losing team member to Exile Island (who, like last week, picks a member of the winning team member to join him or her).

It’s Brendan and Taj. There, we said it. Just like last week, the winning Jalapao tribe picks Brendan again, who picks Taj again. And yet, no one suspects a thing …

Debbie, by the way, served as Timbira’s ineffective caller. Coach blows a gasket after another defeat.

Later, back at Timbira’s camp, Coach warns everyone not to run off and point fingers. He then runs off with his crush Tyson and points fingers. Um, shouldn’t he like, um, coach them or something? Give 110 percent, that stuff?

Even more demoralizing, the Jalapaos have started a new chant: “1-2-3-pow!” OK, let’s end that right here right now.

Day 8: There is no Day 8.

Taj and Brendan - Survivor Tocantins

Stuck in the middle with you: Taj, left, and Brendan
make the most of a repeat visit to Exile Island.

Two by four: On Exile Island, Brendan and Taj repeat the ritual of picking one jug each. This time, Taj receives the clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol, which she immediately shares with Brendan.

That night, they hatch a scheme for a four-way alliance: them paired with one from each of their tribes. Brendan will recruit scrawny Sierra, while Taj will grab J.T.’s BFF Stephen. They’re thinking about 10 steps ahead, which at this early stage is either crazy, brilliant or doomed.

Brendan makes the most of his second clue. Back at the Timbira camp, he finds the Hidden Immunity Idol, hiding within the Treemail totem pole.

Immunity challenge: The Jalapaos are dry, warm and well rested. J.T. is talking smack. It’s a total set-up for a Timbira surprise win.

Tribes race to move six large painted crates across the field, then arrange them like a staircase displaying the tribal name on the side. First team to the top wins immunity.

Jalapao takes the early lead, but Timbira overtakes it. Only to lose it. Jalapao wins it in a close one — three-victory streak.

Jerry - Survivor Tocantins

Third out: Timbira votes out Jerry 6-1.

Voted out: It’s Jerry, by 6-1 over Erinn. (Third landslide vote in a row.) Some red herring bickering between Coach and the rest of his tribe over who should be leader (everyone else says Brendan). Debbie is safe, and no blindside.

Why does host Jeff Probst call Coach “one of (his) all-time favorite ‘Survivor’ contestants”? And do you think Brendan should be tribe leader? Should he tell his ally Sierra about finding the idol?

[Video and photos to be added.]

“Survivor: Tocantins – The Brazilian Highlands ” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on on CBS 42.

Previous: Episode 2 – Work shall make you free
Next: Cindy Sydney flirts with J.T. at Jalapao; Taj tries to recruit Stephen. (Episode 4: Beauty or the beast)

Also:

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Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Tocantins” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.

2 Yips for “Alabama on ‘Survivor’: Tastes like victory”

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