Alabama on ‘Survivor’: Beauty or the beast

‘Survivor: Tocantins,’ episode 4 recap

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So much drama at Timbira. So much winning at Jalapao. But what if a craaazy episode of “Survivor” flipped the two? Hmm …

James Thomas Jr. of Mobile attempts to pull his weight in challenges. Debra Beebe of Auburn keeps up tribal spirits at camp. Who’s lining up allies, and who’s the fairest of them all? Find out, after the jump …

James Thomas Jr. and Debra Beebe - Survivor Tocantins

Dixie duo: J.T. and Debbie share a hug,
while Coach, right, looks on.

The fantastic three-and-a-half: As you may recall, Taj of Jalapao and Brendan of Timbira have been spending time together at Exile Island. Their soon-to-be four-way alliance has already taken shape, and it’s clear Taj is running the show.

Taj pulls aside fellow Jalapao member Stephen, who’s all about the union. But at Timbira, Brendan fails to snag Sierra alone to seal the deal. Does Taj have to do everything??

Debra Beebe, James Thomas Jr., and Taj - Survivor Tocantins

Pound for pound: Debbie holds her own for Timbira,
while J.T. ties a record. Afterwards, Taj gives Debbie
a sporting hug.

Reward challenge: It’s Day 10. Two men and one woman from each tribe compete to see who can balance weights on their shoulders the longest. Winning team sends two members to raid the losing team’s camp for two items. Plus, a member of each team goes to Exile Island.

J.T. makes an incredible effort, shouldering 220 pounds before dropping out, tying the previous record set by Rupert Boneham on “Survivor: Pearl Islands.” It winds down to woman vs. woman: Debbie for Timbira and Taj for Jalapao.

They’re both at 80 pounds, then at 100 pounds. (We never saw who, if either, had to shoulder more weight longer.) Debbie falters first, but Taj exclaims, “Debbie, you did a helluva job!” and hugs her. Jalapao wins its fourth straight challenge.

For Exile, Jalapao’s Taj picks Timbira’s Sierra (thinking she’ll pick Jalapao’s Stephen). Instead, Sierra picks Taj right back. Oops.

Give and take: J.T. and Joe from Jalapao are merciful, taking only one bag of beans and one watering can from Timbira. J.T. figures if they’re too tough, it could backfire if they endure a tribal shakeup or early merge. Sandy, however, says they were too nice.

Sierra and Taj - Survivor Tocantins

Diplomacy in action: Sierra, left, and Taj agree
to align while at Exile Island.

Over on Exile Island, Taj earns the clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol, but doesn’t share with Sierra. Taj has figured out that it’s hidden in the Treemail totem back at her Jalapao camp.

She ropes in Sierra from Timbira to be the fourth alliance member (see, Taj does have to do everything herself!), declaring “Team Secret is in place.” Ugh, Team Secret?

Debra Beebe and Tyson - Survivor Tocantins

Jungle love: Tyson, right, goes native, as Debbie laughs it off.

A Tyson moment: Day 11 at Timbira, Tyson takes the opportunity to show off again, this time in a buff-turned-loincloth. Debbie doubles over with laughter. She mentions it’s important to take a day off, keep tribal spirits up even after losing the beans.

Immunity challenge: Day 12. Tribe members run out on a simple course one at a time to bring back eight lettered puzzle pieces. First team to solve the puzzle wins immunity.

While Jalapao loses the early lead, it’s almost even by puzzle-solving time. Jalapao sees “immunity” as a possible word but figures it’s a red herring. Meanwhile, Timbira’s Coach quickly deduces correctly that “immunity” is the key to the whole phrase.

Timbira wins - Survivor Tocantins

The sign says it all.

And Timbira wins with the phrase “Escape the vote, Timbira wins immunity.”

Wow, Coach actually helped. We’re speechless, too.

James Thomas Jr., Sandy, Sydney - Survivor Tocantins

The hottie vs. the nottie: Above, Sydney massages the vote for J.T.;
Sandy soaks and schemes.

Voted out: At Jalapao, it comes down to flirty Sydney the model vs. Sandy the quirky older not-model. So far, all we’ve seen Sydney do is walk around in J.T.’s boxers and give him a little massage. Yawn. (She’s such a nonentity, we accidentally called her Cindy last week.)

At Tribal Council, J.T. describes Sandy as the mother of the tribe. But most of the discussion focuses on Sydney’s good looks. You can see where this is going …

And yet.

Sandy - Survivor Tocantins