Watching Survivor

-:30 It’s here it’s here it’s here it’s here! WHOO! Just 30 minutes to go before it’s time for the first as it happens recap of the season! Two whole hours of Survivor: Gabon deliciousness! Stay tuned - I’ll cover it as it happens, right here, thanks to JustTvNuts streaming the East Coast feed!

:00 It’s time! Elephants, monkeys, hippos, and more…. This is Gabon, one of the last untouched places on the planet! (Hi Mr. Dimples!) 18 Americans have been dorpped here in the wild with nothing but their street clothes. They’re being led to the most remote part of Africa. Crystal is the olympian, a teacher, a kid who has had it tough, Ace, the bald headed beauty - forced to work together, they must build a new society, while fighting the elements and each other. In the end, only one will remain to claim the prize. 39 Days, 18 people, 1 Survivor!

:02 Rooooooooll Intro…

:03 Welcome to Survivor Gabon - ready to get started? Everyone goes through and introduces themselves and what they do. Randy, the wedding videographer, isn’t a fan of marriage. Ha! Crystal doesn’t tell anyone that she’s an Olympian. Corinne promises to be a bitch. Dan says he’s finding himself.

In gabon, it is tradition that the elders make decisions and are the leaders - the two oldest people, Bob an Gillian take their places on the mat, and it’s schoolyard pick. No limits - man or woman, doesn’t matter, going off only the info they just heard. RPS to see who chooses first. The tribes

Bob: Yellow: Kota
Baldy (Ace *L*), Sugar, Marcus, Charlie, Paloma, Kelly, Jackie, Corinne

Gillian: Red: Fang.
Crystal, Susie (Mama’s gotta hang together. Charlie says it’s stupid survivor!), Matty, Randy, Dan, Danny/GC, Ken and last pick is Michelle.

Jeff asks how Michelle feels being the last and she chuckles “I’ll learn to love you. Maybe.”

First challenge time! On Jeff’s go - race through the flags to the top of the hill where there are two immunity idols for the first person of each tribe that makes it.Also waiting is the essentials, including a bag of rice. The first entire tribe wins the corn and beans. Are you selfish to get the idol for yourself or work together to ensure food? See ya at the top! Survior’s ready - GO!

It’s a mad rush through the flags, as Jeff runs alongside to keep up with them. GC is in the lead, Gillian is bringing up the rear, Matty and Dan go back to help the tribe - get em on the hill, get em on the hill. GC and Marcus are going after the individual immunity, a big move to make so early in the game. Bob helps Paloma, Ace pushes someone else. Marcus is first to the top with the Idol for Kota, GC for Fang, the rest falling back - Michelle, the last woman picked is the first woman across. She tells us they can kis her ass. THe question now is who gets the food?

Kota has a big lead, as susie, Crystal, Gillian are really struggling. Kota wins the extra food! Corn and Beans as Matty tries to get his tribe to the top. He tells us tha Gillian is a huge load to carry, she’s a slow human being. Matty helps Crystal too, and she tells us that running is easy, that hill was hard.

Marcus has the idol for Kota, GC for Fang. Jeff says it’s gonna be a long run for Fang if that’s any indicator, it wasn’t even close. Everyone grabs their stuff, they’re maps, and heads out to find their home.

Coming up - things get serious in Gabon!

:14 Commercial!

:18 We’re back, and Marcus says being out in the jungle is unnerving, and very scary. They emerged from the jungle and saw their flag and a beautiful lake, and a couple broken down huts. It’s a wild place and you don’t want to be exposed to the animals. They have a dock too, and go to look around. Sugar says it’s beautiful but wild animals, and she’s not gonna be bathing in the lakes - where there are hippos. They feel sprinkles and start to work on the roof of one of the huts. Corrine calls Bob the forever boy scout. He got the came together and running smoothly, he’s 57 and awesome. Bob says it’s common sense, he doesn’t like to spend money on stuff, so he tinkers. Everyone is happy with Bob. Go bob!

Fang finds their tribe, and they too have some huts, and Gillian says that according to poeple they sucked, she doesn’t think so. There’s an African word for Fierce, and she teaches them the word as a cheer. She likes a positive attitude and hopes that they forget she’s the old broad who fell. She asks for them to find elephant dung, as it burns well. Randy snorts. Gillian hopes that they keep their distance. She shows off her Elephant poop, and shows them that there might be something edible. Randy has already come to the conclusion that she’s annoying, looking busy and not accomplishing anything.

Ken finds termites, and offers to eat one. He tries to convince one of the girls to eat it - she does, he thinks it’s hot. Too cute. *L* Ken tells us that he’s very shy back home, and hasn’t kissed a girl since high school. He’s attracted to the girl (Not sure who she is, sorry - Ah! Michelle.)

Ace takes the lead for the Yellow tribe, and he starts to talk about latrines and how it could work. No one really listens - and they’re already annoyed at Ace. Ace tells us he’s the full package, he has no fear of standing in front of Jeff, he expects his check for a million dollars. He’s making suggestions, and sends everyone off - and he’s already annoying his tribe members. They think Ace will dig his own grave, everyone else is going to kinda lay low - Charlie and Marcus. Charlie feels that he has a bond with Marcus, a connection in that deep blue beautiful eyes. Charlie has a crush - and they agree they can trust. Macus says that he knows Charlie is attracted, but well, he can appreciate that, but not the way he rolls, no two Adam’s in eden. Hahah!

:27 Night falls… Fang, and they hear Elephants real close to their camp, about 30 yards Matty says, and it’s a little bit frightening. Randy was walking back to camp, and went to get into the hut, and hit his head… Gillian is the nurse, but can’t see anything in the nurse. She tells us be careful - you could get hurt! They call medical, because at least hey have lights. They numb him up, clean it out, and give him a couple stitches. He’s scared the injury will take him out of the game, and for him that is not an option.

:29 Commercial!

:34 Fang - they’ve got some grasshoppers, and Randy says he’s full. Hahah! He laughs about his huge bandage, and feels he’l be fine in a couple days. They’re cold, wondering where the sun is. Michelle is shivering, and has someone’s jacket on. She says she got really cold at night, she’s bony, no cushion, and she’s miserable. They’re trying to make fire, with bone, and she doesn’t think she got stuck with the brightest bunch, she’s stuck with the dorks.

Kota, day three. They’re looking for Treemail, and find it. Yay! They bring it back to camp to open. Cold dark nights and you’re situation is dire - wouldn’t you love fire? Move together to win the flame, if you’re not the first to finish you may lose the game. They decide to do some mediation, a little yoga lead by Ace. He hopes it gets them excited and motivates - though some of them don’t do it. She says she’d laugh the whole time, Bob stretches in the hut.

:37 Challenge time! Hi there Jeff! RAAAAAAAAAWR!

6 tribe memebers will be belted together, race through the swamp, over a net wall, over/under hitching posts, dig up puzzle pieces, where the rest of the tribe will solve the puzzle. PLaying for Immunity. (I love that Bob has his buff as a bow tie. *L*)

Paloma, Sugar, Bob solving the puzzle, as are Gillian, Randy and Susie.

First leg is through the leech filled swamp, they’re neck and neck, Ace is leading Kota, pulling them into a lead, as he and Sugar lead the team over the ned. Carinne and Kelly get stuck, and Fang takes the lead! Under, then over, under then over - Kota catches up, we’re neck and neck again! Fire and Immunity at stake! Fang still has a lead, and starts to dig first for 3 bags of puzzle pieces - a friendly exchage of dirt going on says Jeffy, as they try to sbatage each other. Fang finds the first bag, and try to yank it out. Kota has their second bag, then their third, as Fang still searches - exhaustion setting in. Some aren’t even digging, as Kota brings their puzzle pieces to their team members. Bob is excited, he teaches physics and loves puzzles. They solve the first part of the puzzle, and Fang is still digging as Gillian tries to yell encouragement to her team. Randy is tired of her accent - and understands never quit, but come on… Fang comes around the corner but it’s TOO LATE! KOTA WINS IMMUNITY AND FIRE!

:43 So far, 3 days in, 2 absolute blowouts, it’s not even close says Jeff, and hands over Immunity and Fire. Fang has a date with Jeff at Tribal where one will be going home. Coming up - not one, but TWO tribal councils!

:44 Commercial!

:48 We’re back, to see more elephants, as Fang gets back to the camp. Randy says they need someone to set up and say we need a leader, as GC says he’s the only one that’s safe and they need a game plan. The guys think that MIchelle should go, she’s miserable, but one wants to know how they’re better wihtout her - they think he’s negative, but Randy isn’t sure. Randy says that he doesn’t buy that everyone will vote her to be gone, and he’d prefer GIllian go first, she’s 60 years old.

Randy says she cheerleads, thinking folks will like her, but they’re worthless. Michelel and Ken talk, and they want Gillian to go too. Ken knows she’s the weakest number, she’s nice but not meant for the game. He lets Michelle know that he thinks that she’s on the outs, she laughs and says that would confirm her belief that they’re the dumbest people on earth. He wants to keep her as an allie, and she finds it hard to be nice to people that frustrate her.

Gillian says she won’t hesitate to vote out Michelle, she’s sad and doesn’t want to be there. She’s having too hard a time and it’s not good for them. She’s negative nancy - it may be her, but she feels Michelle just doesn’t want to be there.

:52 Time for Tribal council! ACK! SNAKE! *shudders* (Lessa is phobic, for those who are new. heh.)

They light their torches and get fire, the ritual of Tribal COuncil. Fire represents life. As long as you have fire, you are still in the game.

Jeff asks Dan how they think they did. Dan says they did better then expected, they did ok. Jeff says so in addition to being a complete disaster, they’re in total denial. Dan disagrees. He asks fro Michelle to give a play by play, and Michelle says that people were taking breaks. Dan says you can’t go 100% 100% of the time, Michelle says that’s what the challenge is, you have to go until it’s done. Susie asks why she didn’t ste up - Michelle points out that she didn’t stop. Jeff says they went into arguing something else other then the question he asked. Crystal says there’s no leader. He asks Gillian, and she says there are leaders, but no one wants to step up. Jeff asks if anyone will step up - GC says that it should be someone who will step up, and Gillian says it should be discussed, and GC says if no one will volunteer, he would. Jeff puts him on the line, and Crystal says yes. Randy saysgood luck. Gillian says yes, Michelle says yes, Everyone fals into line. Theya ccomplished something big - Fang has a leader, named GC.

Relationships. Michelle says she’s closest to Ken. Gillian saw the firs challenge and knew it’d be rough but hopes everyone sees there is more to her then the gray hair and someone who sucked on the hill. Time for vote - cannot vote for GC, everyone else is fair game. Michelle votes for Gillian as the weakest player, and Gillian votes for Michelle because she shouldn’t be there with her negative attitude. Heh.

:58 The votes: Michelle, Gillian, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle, Michelle. (O.M.G.) That’s five, that’s enough.

Jeff says they came in as a group of individuals, hopefully they found leadership for a tribe. They get to take their torches, and thus have fire. Jeff gives them flint, and they cheer and head back to camp.

:01 GC says the first tribal council sucked, they lost Michelle, but got flint. They have GC do the vire- they laugh and say as their leader, he needs to do it, or be voted out. He tells us that he feels there’s a big ole target on hi back as leader - but he gets the fire started easy enough. GC is the hero. He tells us that feels good - they can eat and be warm.

:02 Commercial!

:06 Kota, day four. Marcus says it’s going pretty well, they’ve settled down and are doing the daily chores. Charlie thinks Marcus is the best person out there - and he doesn’t understand why a million girls aren’t jumping all over him, because he certainly would! They paddle off on the boat and talk some strategy - Marcus says that they’re the inner circle, and possibly think Jackie should be the next one to bring in. They talk about Corrinne too. The large Onion alliance will be those four, what they’re shooting for. Marcus is gonna talk to Corinne and try to get her vibe.

Fang - day 4. GC says they should look some fruit before it gets too hot, and sends some people out to look for things for bowls and spoons and such, and he says being the leader is ok, but he wants to get the camp put together, and Ken says he can weave some things for more comfortable bedding and GC is comfortable with their plan for the day. GC offers to make the rice, Randy wants to use lake water to make the water, because then you boil it twice and GC says it’s just water, surrounded by water. Randy says that he’s too young - but his operation is let other people crash and burn, his best plan is to keep his mouth shut and let others self destruct.

GC: Get Crackin! The king is restless this morning!

:12 Commercial!

:15 Kota, day four, and there’s monkeys in the trees. Corinne talks to Charlie, and they talk about who they’ve talked too, and she says it’s only been Jackie, and she’s for it. She knows they’re only 4, and then there’s five. They know then need one more. They think that they should bring in Bob, and Charlie calls it magic. Aww.

Fang, night four. Someone is a snorin, snorin… while Charlie boils water and works around camp. GC got up early to wash his clothes, and GIllian thought keep it down so they can all sleep. Then Ken joined him and the talking started, the Susie, and it got louder… She gets up and says they have all day to talk, and maybe they could keep it down. GC says that he was woken up by people snoring, don’t attack him. He’s a grown man and no one can tell him what to do… and GC says he’s done with leadership, what he being the leader for. He didn’t want it, he resigns. Randy tells us that’s the best call he’s made so far.

Dan says he’s a leader that QUIT… he QUIT. Dan lets them know his management style would not be good for the tribe, and so would like to be a silent leader - because they never get the blame.

:20 TREE MAIL!

Dan thinks tey need to be more unified if they’re going to have a chance to win. They decided to paint their faces and it brought the mood up. Gonna tear it up, gonna kick your ass says Crystal - it’s her go to war face.

Challenge time!

Jeff asks what is with the face paint - they say Unification, ready to take them on. First things first, Immunity is back up for grabs. Today’s challenge, both tribes will push a large bolder through a series of gates, retrieve three keys, use the keys to open the lock, race to the finish. First to get their bolder secured wins Immunity and fishing gear. Also, the Winning tribe will pick a member of the losing tribe to go to exile. Paloma sits out for Kota, and it’s time to get started.

Survivor’s ready? GO!

The hills are steep and have to dig deep, they ask Gillian to get out of the way, Kota has a bit of a lead and gets to the keys first Fang slows down a little, Ken gets the key for Fang, Bob gets his for Kota first…Fang is right behind them. Major collision between them as they get to the second key - dead even at the second set. Bob and Ken go for the keys once again as everyone tries to catch their breath. Kota is off first - Fang right behind!

They’re neck and neck, Kota racing to the finish, Fang right behind them as they run - Kota has problems getting on the pedastal - Fang still has a shot, it’s close, but KOTA WINS IMMUNITY AND REWARD once again!

They send Dan to exile. He will return in time for tribal council tomorrow night, where the second person will be voted out of the game. Back to camp for both Tribes.

:27 Commercial!

:32 Kota returns to camp triumphant! Charlie is excited they got the fishing gear, they’re stronger team and keep getting stronger. He expected the worst, but it’s far better then he could have expected. Jacquie says they have the cleverest guys possible, they already know how to put the net out, moral is up, they’re doing well. She doesn’t envision them losing ever.

Exile island - Poor Dan. Aww. He says it wasn’t smart for Kota to send a strong OMGSNAKE guy to get Immunity. When he gets there he reads the note, where he has a choice. Clue or Comfort. Idle comfort or Idol protection. He chooses the clue. No questions asked, he knows they’re there for one reason. One night of comfort won’t get him the million dollars. The clue leads him to a sandy crator - but he thinks it’s in the lake, but starts looking. He’s frustrated that he can’t beat the clue, so it’s officially the worst place ever. He says he feels stupid, he’s missing something, he’s tired thirsty, hungry, and can’t find the idol. it sucks.

:36 Back at camp, everyone is pretty pleased with their performance, it was a huge improvement. GC though is frustrated because they needed to win, it’s tough. Crystal goes down and talks to Ken. She wants to know how he feels about the tribe, he says they are lacking the physical part, and Gillian is slowing them down, and tells us they have to learn from their mistakes. Crystal is down with that, as is… another one - not sure who, still figuring out names.

Gillian approaches Susie and says the young ones are going to gang up agianst them, so they need to get rid of the young people, the weak ones. She says Ken - they’re going to wipe them out. She knows that she’s the walking target, and there are a lot of twists, things can change, but she has to start working on it else her target be hit.

:39 Commercial!

:43 Awww, gorillas! Fang tribe, and there’s another TC tonight and GC is worried, says they have a problem just pulling it together, they need something. They’re a needy tribe right now. Randy took his glasses and made a fishing hook out of it - and GC puts in his shoe strings, and Crystal Sue went and looked for worms, and found 6 or so. It’s a group effort for the first time, and they’re excited. The boys head out to try and catch fish. It works! GC and Ken catch some fish! They don’t need no fishin gear, they’re experts! They come back to camp with five fish and it’s feasting time..

They have protein and it feels good.

:47 Dan’s back from exile, and saysit’s not fun at all, but he can’t talk about what he had and he says you can make a choice and he made a bad one. If they send a weak player they’ll just quit, he looked for hours for it. GC says he was acting strange, he doesn’t get that guy. He’s guessing he knows where the idol is, or has it. The others think something is up too.

That means it’s Dan and Gillian they’re talking about putting out, between GC, Ken and Crystal. They put it to Randy, and Randy thinks he’s just tired and doesn’t think he has it. Crystal says he’s smart… she thinks he has it. Dan breaks up the little love fest. Crystal talks to (another kid - gah, name?) and that Dan is who they’re targeting.

:50 Tribal Council number TWO!

Jeff wants to know what happened and asks GC how it’s going being the leader. GC says it was ok for a couple days, but he didn’t want it, and stepped down. Susie says there was a conflict between him and Gillian, it fell apart. GC says it doesn’t mean he’s not helping out or they’re not working together as a group. Randy says the problem is they have 8 individuals. He wouldn’t want to lead either. Dan says it’s lack of leadership, and GC says no one will take it up. Crystal says that sometimes it’s frustrated, but when it’s war time she needs to see them come together, and they all need to agree then, Gillian agrees and ads if not they’re doomed.

GC says it IS better though, because Randy made a fishing hook, they found worms, they had fish. THey were small, but it helped. Dan talks about exile, and it has a price, it wasn’t fun. They say they’re a little concerned that he might have one and Crystal says that she thinks he has it, and Dan says he doesn’t lie, and empties his bag to prove it. He says don’t try and flush it out, I don’t have it! I wish I did! Please!

Time to vote! (GAH! Snake! UGH! Why do I like this show again? *L*) Time to tally the votes…

:55 The votes - jillian, Ken, Jillian, Jillian, Jillian, Jillian. That’s 5, that’s enough.

Jeff says the best news is that they realized that when they work together they’re successful, now they just need to do it a little more often. head back to camp…

:59 Next time, on Survivor… Fang is a tribe with big problems, they’ve lost 3 challenges in a row, and are in for the fight of their lives to stay in the game….