Watching Survivor

Here we go kids, it’s recap time! I’ll be covering the full two hours – tribal councils right on through to the reunion show and hopefully the announcement of ASS2 and James’ part on it! Ha! I’ll add to this post as I can through the commercials for those I know are watching for it (Hi Jamie!) - be patient with me thought! All pictures will come at the end, when I can find screen shots.

Previously, on Survivor… we get a full season recap, of course, like we haven’t been paying attention – but we’re down to the final four, they’re loyal now, but who will be the first to turn on the others, who will outlast them all to become Sole Survivor?

It’s night 36 at Hae de Fung, where the final four is celebrating ending up with exactly what they wanted. There’s hugs, and dance moves, and Courtney says she always slips through the cracks to get to the top and hopes it will carry her all the way through.

The next morning, they’re still smiling, and Denise says she just wants to be happy one day out there before she goes. It’s a tough fight, and Denise says she’s proved herself and has learned a lot – it’s a life changing experience for her.

Tree Mail – another chance to eat, sounds like a reward challenge. Amanda says she’s been in a funk because she’s been without food, and knows it’ll be the most important reward yet, because she needs food.

Right to the challenge! It’s the one we saw on the Jeff videos at the beginning of the season – I was wondering! They tackle Survivor’s versions of the Great wall. Climb down the ladder, cross the bridge, finish the bridge and get to the end of the course. Use the Yoke to carry the puzzle blocks to the top of the wall, solve the puzzle and finish their section of the wall and win reward. Reward is comfort – the kind of food they’ve been craving, Pizza, beer, soft drinks and brownies – and Amanda is almost in tears. It’s a serving for one.

Survivor’s ready? GO! Todd is off to an early start, jumping off the wall and starting to build the bridge – which only goes together one way. All are working quickly, methodically, Todd and Amanda are in the lead, and Denise is struggling. Todd finishes first, Amanda is right on his heels. They load up the first load of puzzle blocks, with Amanda right behind while the other two are still trying to finish the bridge. It’s all about Todd and Amanda at this point – who wants it more.

Todd makes his second load and Courtney finishes her bridge finally. Denise is as good as out of it. Amanda joins Todd and starts working on the puzzle, Courtney has her first load of puzzle blocks. Denise FINALLY finishes her bridge, but Todd and Amanda have a huge lead. It’s like a tetris puzzle, and it only goes together one way. Courtney starts on her puzzle as Denise gets her first set back, Todd is making progress, and Amanda is close as well… Courtney is close – but wrong, and keeps going. Denise finally starts her puzzle….

Amanda is on to something, and AMANDA WINS REWARD!

Amanda is given the choice to share her reward with one or two people to join her. She says she hates it, she doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Jeff reminds her that there’s $1 Million on the line. She apologizes to them, and then decides to share her reward with Todd. Courtney rolls her eyes. OH THE SHOCK, and she and Denise head back to camp.

(commercial!)

We come back to Todd and Amanda sharing the reward, which better then the pizza it gives them a chance to talk, and she doesn’t trust him. She tells him it was the hardest decision she’d ever made, and she’s got some things she doesn’t understand is honest with Todd about not trusting him and having the feeling that he’d backstab her if he could. He says he suspected, and he’s been honest with her from day one. She’s glad to clear the air. Todd tells us it hurt his feelings a little, but he was glad they talked and he swore on his live he’s in it to the end with her. And he hopes she trusts him now because he needs her.

Back at Camp, Denise said it hurt her feelings a little bit, and anytime you get to eat before a challenge is important. She tells us how she was the outsider, just like she was as a kid, but she knows someone is going to be left out now that they’re down to the final four. Denise and Courtney talk about Todd, Courtney calls him a “slippery lil sucker”

Todd and Amanda are on the way back, and he’s a little worried about trusting his girls, but he has hope. It’s all he has. Todd tells Denise that it will hurt to write down one of their names, and he fears it going all girl power on him. Courtney is listening in the bushes, as Todd is hoping that voting for one of them won’t hurt their feelings, he has too. Courtney goes on and on about how Todd is out for Todd only, just before Courtney and Amanda sneak off for a little chat – or fishing camp. Courtney expresses doubt, doesn’t know if Todd is paranoid, and Amanda tells her about their talk during the reward.

And here comes Todd to bust up the convo. Survivor Paranoia anyone? He hates being left out of the loop, and he confirms with them that Denise is going if she loses the Immunity Challenge. He hates being paranoid, but he tells the girls they’d be the most fantastic final three in the entire world. They don’t look impressed. Ha!

(Commercial)

(THE NEW BIG BROTHER COMMERCIAL ROCKS! HAHAHAHHA! BRILLIANT EDITING!)

Ah, it’s time for the traditional trail of past Survivor’s, where they honor the torches of those already voted off, lighting firecrackers in memory of those who helped get them to the final four before they go to the final Immunity Challenge. Todd knows that they all had a part in getting him there, he gives credit where they are do.

They each say something about the other survivors, and we get a recap of final words from the Survivors themselves about their experiences. Chicken (With a name like that, how can you not be cool?), Ashley, Leslie, Dave, Aaron, Sherea, Jaime, Jean-Robert (They hope he’s most changed by the experience. Ha!), Frosti, James, Erik, and Peih-Gee.

Time for final Immunity Challenge!

(After this commercial, of course!)

For the final immunity challenge – it’s not really a strength challenge like tradition dictates. It will test the ability to ellimate distractions. They have to balance dishes on a long wobbly pole. Last person holding them stable, wins Immunity! Each station has been adjusted for their height.

The first dish they put on is the large plate, then a large bowl, then small plate, rice bowl – they have to hold it steady as they are stacking – there is sweat pouring already!

Elapsed time, 27 minutes. It’s hot, with no breeze. Todd is shaky already, wobbling, as they place another small bowl on top. Todd’s stake is a little off balance, and he’s shaking. Courtney is focused. Amanda is steady, so is Denise. Nothing to do but Dig Deep, and Todd’s dishes topple and smash!

Time to place another item, the rice bowl, and Amanda makes a strategic move and puts her bowl on upside down, making it much sturdier. Amanda is cool and collected, sweat is dripping constantly off of Denise’s hands, and Courtney looks ready to pass out and says she’s not feeling good, and is in pain – and off they go, she’s the second one out and joins Todd on the sidelines.

Amanda or Denise will win – Denise tries to make a deal, Amanda says “You don’t want to give up easily! I don’t want to give up!” It’s time to place another item, and Amanda looks oh so steady as they add another bowl. Amanda wobbles a little bit – but she catches it and steadies, Denise is shaking, and trying to breathe, and it topples over, Amanda wins Immunity!!

Jeff tells them if there was ever a time to pull out all the stops, to make a deal, this is it!

(Commercial)

Back at Camp, Amanda is happy, but wary. Does she get rid of Todd or not? Denise is feeling on the outside, she’s older, she might be able to sway Amanda to her side. Amanda tells her that she hasn’t decided, and Denise put up a good fight - ugh. Denise! She pulled the poor card, that people have big things to do and she’s going back to $7 an hour and doing the same thing over and over just like she always. Amanda tells us she respects her, but this is a million dollar question – someone who deserves it, or someone you can beat?

Amanda, Todd and Courtney agree that it’s Denise, and Todd is still hopeful that he’ll be there on day 39, but is prepared for it to be a tie, or even going home – all he can do is hope and trust Amanda. Courtney knows Amanda’s best bet is to bring Courtney and Todd to the final three, and Courtney goes all snarky about Denise “This isn’t welfare, she doesn’t deserve it because she sucks at life!”

Amanda tells Denise that she and Todd had an alliance since day one, and the decision kills her, because she’d rather Denise be there then Todd, but she doesn’t know about the alliance. Amanda guarantees Denise that she won’t vote for her tonight. Denise kinda believes her, but knows anything is possible. Denise is upfront and said “You told me you had my back, I believed you, nows when you need to prove it.”

Amanda runs to talk to Courtney. Amanda’s really thinking this through – Denise hasn’t connected, Todd even being a schemer, he’s made friends. She knows that Todd is her biggest threat, but she’s still unsure. She’s at an “awful crossroads”.

Tribal Council!
Jeff goes to establish right off the bat if Amanda is going to give up immunity – no way! (Duh.) Jeff asks Todd what he’s going to base his vote on tonight, because the four of them have been together since day one. Denise says she’ll base her vote on how she feels right now, she’s always at the bottom of the totem pole, she has to do what she has to do tonight because she’s on the outside. Courtney says that everyone is on the outside of some group. And Peih-Gee is nodding and looking smug. Courtney says it’s all perception.

Jeff asks Todd how important is perception – Todd agrees, and says the only one who can be confident is Amanda, and admits he’s still not sure if he’s safe. He hopes, but he’s seen a lot happen, people were sure and they weren’t safe. Courtney says she doesn’t think anyone of them are sure and safe, that’d be stupid.

Jeff asks Denise why it makes sense to keep her. Denise says she doesn’t know why they wouldn’t vote her out, because she could sway the jury because of her kids. Courtney knows people won’t be excited that she snuck through, and she knows there are areas where she falls short, and hey, her winning personality – at least she knows she’s a bitch and owns it! *L*

Amanda knows that people have changed a bit since her vote could be considered more powerful then any of the others today. Denise is up front about their talk, and that she said she had her back, and Amanda clarifies that it was last time. Todd had a grin, reacting to the little jab by Amanda. Todd just took an opportunity to make the editorial comment, and Amanda says she just has to try and put herself into the best position – that’s all she can do.

And with that, it’s time to vote!

Todd and Denise of course vote for each other… all that’s left is to see who the other girls vote for. Jeff tallies the votes, and they’re read: Denise, Todd, Denise, and Denise is the 13th member voted out, and the 7th member of the Jury.

Amanda is almost in tears, Jeff tells them theyv’e gone as far as they can – their fate now is held by the Jury. The only power they have left is the opportunity to persuade them. And they head back to camp.

Denise says she feels she could have won, feels she did a great job and to make it 38 days out there is a spectacular thing for a 40 year old woman.

(commercial)

The Final three are back at camp, and Todd and Courtney ask Amanda if she’s ok, and Amanda is upset that Todd called her out to the Jury. She feels Todd made her look bad in front of the Jury, and that Todd cut her off at the knees, and Todd apologizes. Amanda knows it sounded bad, Todd tries to assure her he isn’t going to bad mouth her in the finals, and Amanda tells us that she feels like crap being in the final three with a guy who will stab her in the back.

Todd tells us it was a slip up, and it was a total accident. He wishes she wanted to celebrate and Amanda says “I have nothing to celebrate” – oy, Amanda, don’t lose it at the very end!

The morning of Day 39 Dawns, and Courtney is all “sometime, in the next 24 hours, I get to use a Q-tip! And Todd is like “Peanut Butter…” Then excitement takes over because they go to Tree Mail and sees the final three feast, where they can build a fire and make pancakes, bacon, eggs, eat pastries, and drink orange juice and champagne. NOW they’re celebrating, and everyone is a bit sappy and the air has definitely cleared.

For now. Ha.

Courtney is pleased she has never been anything but herself through the whole thing, and hopes that will get her some respect from some people. They collect everything – including Jean-Robert’s $500 shoes and lights it aflame. Todd says the experience has made him think more about his live in all. He feels he has a shot with the Jury – he came to play the game, and that’s what he did.

Hugs and some tears, and they watch the fire. Amanda knows she has a 33% chance to win the money and will be going to Tribal Council to tell the truth, and she’s not afraid – she’s nervous, and emotional, but excited.

Final Tribal Council!
(Cue the exciting, dramatic music!)

Jeff Probst welcomes them, and explains the power has shifted. Tonight the Jury will decide who will win – it’s their last chance to convince the Jury. They will make an opening statement, the jury can address them, then they will vote.

Amanda says she had a lot of time to reflect on the whole experience and feels blessed to be sitting there. She came in having a strategy, she aligned with Todd. She says there were things she feels bad for, voting for people she said she wouldn’t have. She apologies.

Todd thanks the Jury for helping him get there. He knows he had to lie and backstab, and hopes people can see the difference between his strategy and his personality. This is his dream come true, and they’ve all been a part of it. He’s ready, and thanks them for helping him get there.

Courtney says she was not a life long survivor fan, no strategy, no idea and was surprised every time she wasn’t voted off. She figured out how to survive in a game that was physical and hard. She managed to find her footing, make good alliances, and was upfront and was proud of herself. She figures she deserves a little bit of credit for the little girl who’s still there, though everyone thought she’d be gone.

(Commercial!)

It’s time for the Jury to have at Todd, Amanda and Courtney.

James is up first. He congratulates them all, and he’s not gonna be a bitter betty, he asks Courtney what is one of the best times she had, and she says the first challenge, she’s not going to be the first person voted off! Jeff asks him why he asked that – he said he didn’t want to be bitter, and wanted to start them off nice, early.

Jean-Robert says he has a dilemma, he promised Amanda and Todd that if they backstabbed him they wouldn’t win the money, and he felt Courtney wasn’t deserving, so he’s in a dilemma, and asks Courtney why she deserves his vote. She says “I won immunity. Did you? I was never the favorite, but here I am.” Jean-Robert says that he had a strategy that he didn’t get to play out, which brings him to Amanda, and how on Day 23 she said she wouldn’t vote for him, and on day 24, she did. Did she lie? She contradicts herself, but works her way out. Says it was peer pressure. He asks Todd why it was a blind side against him instead of James, because he wasn’t the biggest threat. Todd says that he’s a great strategic threat, and it was JR as soon as he started catching up. Todd shut him the hell up, and the Jury starts laughing in shock. James’ giggle is PRICELESS. James is all “I’m in awe – he shut his mouth! I’ve never seen that happen before!” AWESOME.

Peih-Gee’s turn. She wants to vote for who deserves it the most. She wants to know if Todd slid in, or if he really worked. He says He didn’t slide – he got his numbers right off. He fought, it was a glorious battle. He came out as a fighter, bottom line. She tells Amanda that she’s sick of her sounding apologetic, and feels like she wants Todd to take the fall as bad guy. What did she do? Amanda takes credit for blindsiding James, she had to have people she could physically beat.

Erik wants to know what the riskiest move in the game. Amanda says again it was to get rid of James. She believed Todd and James had something on the side, and possibly wreck her alliance if he stayed. She clarifies that if he had played that idol, it would have changed the whole game.

Frosti goes to Todd – says he doesn’t know if he really knows him, why does his game play deserve a Frosti vote? Todd knew he wanted to make a friend, it was real, and he wanted him on the jury as a friend. Then he smiles at Courtney and says she looks great, and she says “dressed up for you!” He assumed Todd and Amanda would backstab him. He was surprised by Courtney, that she backstabbed him and that she said she would tell him. She says he might have felt better, but it wouldn’t have changed the outcome, and she turns it on Todd – “its not like I befriended you just to have a pocket juror!” Points for Courtney

Jaime – she wants to know what about Todd’s dirty laundry, and Courtney says to air it would be redundant, but Jaime pushes to know. Courtney says that he wears it all out there, and each one has a reason they’re deserving and railroads her “so he deserves it more then you? FINE!” Jaime is coming up quite bitter. Todd says Courtney didn’t want to be there in the first place, and he deserves it more. Amanda says she’ll be honest, and she feels Courtney was ungrateful, and she didn’t feel she should be there, and didn’t put her heart into it. Amanda feels Todd is strategic, but lied too much for her, hoped that he could have done it without lying that much. Todd says he did the dirty work for the nice girl, and that they were strategic, but not as much as he was.

Denise says she is glad they can look her in the eye, that’s nice, and kudos to them for that. She says they didn’t want to go against her, and she believes she’d have one it. She says Amanda has lied, even if she says she didn’t. Todd has such a deceptive side, you never know when he’s telling the truth – if you have it in you to do that, your conscience needs to be cleaned and he needs to turn over a new leaf and how his actions affect people. Courtney is outgoing and says what she means and means what she says and she respects that. Sounds like we know who she’s voting for.

It’s time to Vote.
(after this commercial!)

And now, it’s time to Vote. Erik votes for Amanda, Jaime votes Todd, because he gave the best answers. Denise votes Courtney because she was honest… Frosti looks torn. Jean-Robert says “You just stole a million, well played” but we don’t see who it was. Jeff goes and gets the votes.

Jeff gives his little “Amanda, Todd, Courtney – it’s been a long 30 Days, and he’s going to read them now because they’ Live in Hollywood for the reading of the votes” and OMG WHO ARE THOSE PEOPLE SITTING THERE? Everyone looks so DIFFERENT! Holy Cow! Courtney is a completely different person!

Time to read the votes: Courtney – no applause! Hahaha! Amanda, Todd, Courtney, Todd, Todd,

Winner of Survivor China – TODD!!!
(is that a ‘hawk he’s sportin? Cute!) Crowd goes wild, he jumps to greet his family, and they show his hometown as he’s congratulated, and the rest of the survivors get there – Todd was only 14 when Survivor started, and has been the biggest fan ever (man, I feel old) Up next – and next post – the Reunion show recap!

CONGRATS TODD!!!