J.T. on ‘Survivor’: Knee-to-know basis

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 5 recap

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

[Share on Facebook | Twitter]

Video: Immunity challenge

To be a “Survivor” champ takes heart, guts, brains and nerve. But does it take knees?

One contestant goes down during the reward challenge. Meanwhile, Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. finds himself in the doghouse among the Heroes, but not for long.

Who found an idol? Who had the pivotal vote? And who turned down free chocolate? Find out, after the jump …

In his grasp: Russell finds the hidden immunity idol.

Wasted days and wasted nights: The Heroes return from Tribal Council on Night 11, meaning that only 2 days have passed since the previous one (usually it’s 3 days).

J.T. explains to the tribe that he voted against his (bigger) alliance for the good of the team. On Day 12, Amanda Kimmel — who lost her ally thanks to J.T.’s switch-up — says he’s made too many alliances.

Over at the Villains camp, “Coach” Ben Wade is leading the tribe in tai chi, or as he calls it, “Spa-Peggy and Meatballs.” No, he actually calls it “Dragonslayer-chi.”

Everyone participates in the beach warmup, except for Russell Hantz, who finds the hidden immunity idol. This time, it took him 2 days, instead of the 10 minutes it usually took last season (Russell found three in Samoa and played two).

We’re on Sugar Busters, dammit!

Reward challenge: Teams battle to retrieve and shoot balls into hoops. First team to score 2 baskets wins a trip to a watering hole, complete with chocolate feast.

Before starting the challenge, host Jeff Probst hands plates of free samples to the tribes. The Villains take a nibble, while the Heroes stoically pass it back untouched. Jeff is baffled; Colby Donaldson tells him the team is focused on the challenge, so get it started already.

Weak in the knee: James takes one in the leg.

In the first round, James Clement is knocked down and can’t stand because of his knee. A doctor looks at the fallen Hero, who ends up benched the remainder of the challenge. The Heroes continue with five players to the Villains’ six.

It’s tied at 1, when Rupert Boneham of the Heroes slams Jerri Manthey of the Villains head first into a post, sending her to the ground. He insists it was an accident, even as she gets up and snarls at him.

J.T. mixes it up with “Boston Rob” Mariano and Coach, body-slamming the latter during the match.

But in the end, Jerri nails the winning throw. The Villains win their third challenge in a row.

Chocolate returns: The Villains celebrate with a swim and a sweet feast. Jerri describes it as “chocolate euphoria and sickness.”

Allies Parvati Shallow and Russell stay by the picnic to chat. Russell reveals to her that he found the idol, and they decide need a third pliable ally. Enter Coach.

Russell tells Coach about the idol, who actually bows down. Russell is eating it up: “He kneels down to me! As the king … I knight the dragonslayer.”

Camelot. It is a silly place.

Dorks of the round table: Coach kneels before Russell.

Back at the Heroes camp, Amanda is crying over James’ possible early departure over his injury, describing him as a big brother.

He hobbles into camp with a splint, but unable to do much. James insists he feels no pain, but needs to rest. Candice Woodcock says if the Heroes lose again, James is the obvious next choice.

Hmm …

No piece, no justice: Amanda and J.T. hunt while blindfolded.

Immunity challenge: One caller from each tribe directs blindfolded pairs to retrieve 10 puzzle pieces. The teams then remove blindfolds and assemble the puzzle.

James and Jerri work as callers. Jerri gets the Villains to an early lead, but James helps the Heroes find the last piece quickly, giving them a jump on the puzzle.

And yet …

The Heroes once again stumble on the puzzle. The Villains surge ahead and win immunity.

Video: J.T. explains his voting strategy.

Voted out: At the Heroes camp, the tribe is split down the middle again, with J.T. courted by both sides. Tom Westman, who dodged a bullet last week by playing his immunity idol, wants to vote out James. Rupert wants Tom gone.

Colby complains that J.T. is being “wishy washy,” and echoes Amanda’s observation that J.T.’s multiple deals will come back to haunt him.

But, as many times before, J.T. is in the driver’s seat.

At Tribal Council, James says he’s fine physically, though Jeff claims his niece could beat him in a foot race. Tom says it’s nonsense that James is able to participate fully.

In the end, even J.T.’s vote doesn’t matter much, as Tom is voted out 5-2. The former firefighter from Long Island and previous champion loses this battle of the alpha males.

Fifth out: The Heroes evict Tom 5-2.

Video: Tom’s final words

Video: Tom, the day after

Has J.T. finally picked the right side? Are the Heroes doomed no matter what?

[Videos and photos to be added.]

“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on on CBS 42.

Previous: Episode 4 – Splitsville
Next: Russell vs. Boston Rob, round 12. Episode airs Wednesday, March 24, because of NCAA tournament coverage. [Episode 6 — Big men off campus]

Also:

• Before takeoff on a USAirways flight to visit her parents in Huntsville, Jerri is escorted from the plane. Her lengthy letter of complaint on Facebook: “I was embarrassed and humiliated.”

• • •

Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.

Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 9:35 pm, in Bama, Culture.
For this entry: E-mail | comments feed | trackback.