Alabama on ‘Survivor’: I just threw up on my feet
By Wade Kwon‘Survivor: Tocantins,’ episode 10 recap
What a waste of an idol. We should’ve been clearer about the meaning behind Brendan’s departure in the previous episode of “Survivor.”
It was yet another blindside. It was the loss of his Hidden Immunity Idol, meaning, one or two are still in play.
And it was the tolling bell of doom for his buddy Sierra, caught on the wrong side of the vote.
Is Debra Beebe of Auburn ready to charge forward? Is James Thomas Jr. of Samson getting enough to eat?
Is ex-Timbira in control, or another cross-tribal alliance? Find out, after the jump …
Worst Creed video ever: Coach welcomes the dawn.
Stuck in Coach class: OK, producers, we get it. You love Coach. You want to marry him and have horrid little long-hair deluded babies.
Once again, the episode opens with Coach at one with the water, the morning, the universe, the camera time. “The dragon slayer has vanquished the dragon once and for all. … Victory is mine,” philosophizes Coach on his tangle with Brendan.
Later, at Tribal Council, host Jeff Probst calls him on it. And yet, Coach prevails in his grand speechifying.
Sigh. I think Jeff was serious about a Coach TV series, but I didn’t realize he meant this show.
Goes all the way to the bone: Tyson vs. Sierra.
Outwit, outplay, outcast: Sierra’s stumble has the rest of the Forza tribe feeling cocky. She’s next to go, and it seems no one’s shy about telling her. Especially that Tyson.
“I don’t think you were the mastermind,” he tells her. “I don’t think you were smart enough.”
Ouch.
Then Tyson finishes with: “You’re the next to go.” (foreshadowing)
J.T. figures he and Stephen are in a good position, having helped oust Brendan. The ex-Jalapao three (including Taj) have made it this far, and don’t seem to be targets.
Reward Challenge: The eight contestants split into two teams, racing each other to collect large hole-y puzzle boards for a specific set-up. Once aligned, seven vowels are revealed, part of a 14-character scrambled sentence to solve.
The red team has Debbie, Erinn, J.T. and Tyson. The black team has Coach, Sierra, Stephen and Taj. You know where this is going.
Better red than dread: J.T., Erinn, Debbie and Tyson win reward.
Red crushes black, and J.T. insists on sending his buddy Stephen for a return trip to Exile Island. Why? To keep Sierra from receiving a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol.
Oh, and Jeff taunts Coach about losing out on reward again. So that’s slightly awesome.
Give them a sense of pride: Debbie chats with a native boy.
Unsafety dance: Ah, classic “Survivor.” Feast then party with the natives. First, our fave hobby: pictures of contestants stuffing their faces …
Clockwise from upper left: Debbie, Tyson, Erinn and J.T. chow down.
Debbie has a nice moment with the local kids, realizing how much she misses her own kids, as well as the 908 students at J.F. Drake Middle School.
And then, reckless dancing on suddenly full stomachs. Uh oh.
You start out leaping, you end up
retching: Erinn pays the post-feast price.
Erinn can’t take all the excitement: “Gross, I just threw up on my feet.”
Meanwhile, at Exile, Stephen discovers that despite Brendan’s idol mishandling, no additional idol has been released. Meaning Taj has the only Hidden Immunity Idol.
that’swhatshesaid
And back at the Forza camp, Sierra bawls while arguing with her ex-Timbiran BFFs Coach, Debbie and Erinn. Later, Coach is kinda torn, seeing as Sierra doesn’t just want to give up.
Slide or slice: Taj pushes for immunity (above).
J.T., Stephen and Coach gorge on pizza.
Immunity Challenge: It’s tabletop shuffleboard, with three rounds. Closest puck to the X wins immunity.
However, any player wishing to drop out can gorge himself on pizza for the duration of the contest.
Oh, and the rain is making everyone shiver in the miserable cold.
Coach, J.T. and Stephen take the pizza. Wait, didn’t J.T. just stuff himself at the feast? What could possibly go wrong?
Sierra comes close, but Debbie wins individual immunity on the final shot. Impressive.
She’s into feather: Debbie wins immunity.
Worrier alliance: The Warrior Alliance (good God) of Coach, Tyson, J.T., Erinn and Debbie is set to boot Sierra.
Until …
Stephen tells Taj and Erinn that it may be their only chance to take out Tyson, who won immunity the last two times. J.T. isn’t so sure, since he promised Coach and can’t stand Sierra.
You’ve heard me say it before: J.T. is in the power position. Debbie feels secure the alliance will stick to the plan.
Voted out: At Tribal Council, Tyson beats up on Sierra just a little more, secure in the knowledge that he’s safe. Coach says he wants “to walk the path of the noble warrior,” and that he can triumph against any foe in head-to-head competition.
Hmm …
In the end, the Warrior Alliance crumbles, as Sierra is saved.
Above: Tyson is ninth out. Sierra is shocked, while Brendan gloats.
Tyson is voted out 5-3 in yet another blindside. Sierra looks shocked, as do Tyson’s alliance partners Debbie and Coach. Brendan, sitting in the jury area, smiles broadly.
Video: Tyson’s final words
Looks like the outnumbered ex-Jalapaos have upended the ex-Timbirans’ game plan.
Bullet? Dodged! Outcast Sierra outlasts Tyson.
Video: Tyson at the Ponderosa
How did Debbie go from triumphant to tragic so quickly? Can J.T., Taj and Stephen keep it together? Has Sierra been underestimated all this time?
[Video and photos to be added.]
“Survivor: Tocantins – The Brazilian Highlands ” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on CBS 42.
Previous: Episode 9 – Be the wizard
Next: Debbie and Coach are suddenly sitting ducks. (Episode 11 – Girl fight)
• • •
Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Tocantins” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.
Thursday, April 23, 2009, 11:29 pm
[…] Alabama on ‘Survivor’: I just threw up on my feet […]
Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 6:59 am
I was surprised last week when JT voted out his champion Brendan. I liked this week’s ouster of Tyson, that tool. I love Coach too, he makes for great TV and I can’t wait for Coach Comeuppance week, if Probst can last that long without straight up punching him in the nards. I feel like they could have put Brendan’s idol back in the same spot and would be surprised if Stephen doesn’t/didn’t check there.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 12:16 pm
Probst wants to do something with Coach’s nards, but not punching.
I would love to know if J.T. has a master plan or is just reacting day to day.
So, more shots of people eating, or more shots of people eating?
Thursday, April 30, 2009, 3:15 pm
Thanks Wade….Great recap.
I feel after tonite(epi 11), we will know how this will go down. Stephen,JT,Taj have it pretty much wrapped up if they can get one more. But i feel tonite Coach will get sierra,erin,debbie on his side or he will try.
I think JT’s group will prevail and Debbie will go home tonite. Coach will see another day, sorry to say.
So happy to see that Tyson is GONE !!!
Thursday, April 30, 2009, 4:55 pm
[…] Alabama on ‘Survivor’: I just threw up on my feet Tribal | Thanks Wade….Great recap. I feel… Wade | Probst wants to do something with… Jen | I was surprised last week when JT voted… […]
Thursday, April 30, 2009, 4:59 pm
You’re welcome!
Wonder if we’re actually seeing the final alliances, or if it’s all still fluid.
Here’s tonight’s preview:
http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2009/04/30/alabama-on-survivor-tocatins-episode-11-preview-video/
Thursday, April 30, 2009, 10:41 pm
[…] Alabama on ‘Survivor’: I just threw up on my feet Wade | You’re welcome! Wonder if… Tribal | Thanks Wade….Great recap. I feel… Wade | Probst wants to do something with… Jen | I was surprised last week when JT voted… […]