SURVIVOR: BLOOD VS WATER 2

Returning to camp, Hunahpu finds their new flint and pinky swears they’ll never lose it again. One can only hope. Natalie is channeling John Cody and is crying again – wow, that’s twice in 10 years! – while the rest of the tribe (particularly Missy and the other women) are comforting her. Natalie says she knows her sister is going to be fine, and maybe Natalie can use this as an opportunity to re-focus on the game. Yeah, I’m sure Nadiya is eating a steak right now and watching reruns of their seasons on The Amazing Race. She’ll be fine…

Over at Coyopa, it’s finally dawning on everyone who John Rocker really is. Dale is fully aware of his past, and reveals to the tribe the sordid details. And while this may be a tough pill to swallow for some, Josh knows that Rocker could be an asset to him, because it’s always good to string the bad guys along on Survivor (and did you notice I didn’t make a “swallow” joke when I mentioned Josh…?) So while everyone ponders what having John Rocker on their tribe means, Dale’s wondering what it’s like on Exile between Rocker and Jeremy.

They’re fine, since Jeremy confesses to us that he knows about Rocker’s past and knows of the things he said. That was a long time ago, and he doesn’t seem to care that John was once labeled a racist. This is Survivor, it’s a game, and John can help him.

The guys are also presented with the two urns and the option to choose one, but this time, Jeremy opts to share the clue that’s on his scroll. He shows Rocker the scroll and proposes, “You take of Val and I’ll take care of Julie.” John is down with that, but you know how valid promises on Survivor can be…

To the Immunity Challenge we go! We fly in over a floating deck where the castaways will compete, one-on-one, in the same challenge we saw Aras and Vytas square off on, back on Blood vs. Water I. I wonder if anyone recalls the crap Vytas pulled on his brother to knock him into the water? Those f**king yoga bullies…

Julie begrudgingly sits out (I guess she wasn’t able to get her boobs insured before she left Georgia) and Jeff calls the first combatants to the ring. I’ll provide minimal commentary.

Kelley vs. Jaclyn – Jaclyn’s size is too much. She wins. (H0-C1)
Drew vs. Alec – It’s Aras vs. Vytas II as Drew defeats his little brother. (H1-C1)
Jeremy vs. Wes – I would think Jeremy, but Wes takes a big hit and then pushes back HARD. (H1-C2)
Natalie vs. Val – It’s a BBW showdown as Natalie pushes Val off. (H2-C2)
Jon vs. Rocker – Greco-Roman at its best as the titans clash. Jon wins, Rocker almost breaks his nose (H3-C2)
Missy vs. Baylor – Tina vs. Katie II and both women reveal they’re motivated by an “ex” of Missy’s. This is actually the match of the competition as the initial collision splits Baylor’s lip. While she claims to be okay to continue, the tears in her eyes as she squares off against mom are breaking my heart. I look at Baylor and I wonder if I could ever compete against one of my sons. Not sure I’ll ever get that chance, but I’m okay if Missy jumps in the water and forfeits. It’s that heartbreaking to see your kid suffering. Missy’s heart is clearly not into it as she’s easily pushed off by Baylor. (H3-C3)
Reed vs. Josh – I’m not sure how this will go, and Drew is not sure who’s on his team as he says “Let’s go, Josh!” and is quickly corrected by Jon, “It’s Reed (you f**king idiot)”… Reed wins. (H4-C3)
Keith vs. Dale – (sponsored by Tylenol) I would think Fireman Keith should win but Farmer Dale takes it! (H4-C3)
Kelley vs. Jaclyn II – Dale lets us know that it’s Kelley’s birthday and he can’t watch his little girl fight. He does though, and she wins. Happy birthday, you’re not going to be voted out! (H5-C3)

While everyone’s heading to shore, Val confesses she knows she’s in trouble tonight since she hasn’t found an idol yet. But she’s ready to make some big moves. Then we see Rocker do the worst belly flop dive ever. Dude, take a lesson…

As the defeated Coyopa tribe returns to camp, Dale checks in on Jaclyn. She hates Kelley right now, but she knows she’ll get over it. It just occurred to me that many of the alliances we’re seeing now won’t last until the merge, so it’ll be good to see some potential late-game alliances forming. Maybe…

Over at the well, Rocker, Val and Jaclyn are together. Rocker tells Val it was a pleasure hanging out with Jeremy, and they discuss the clue. He lets her know that Jeremy got the clue, but shared it with him. Val asks if he found one on Exile, and says that she’s found two, one for her and one for Jaclyn, but also tells him to find one and “save himself.” Not sure where she thinks all these hidden idols are coming from, but that’s all she has at this point, so she’s playing any cards she can.

Rocker knows that she’s playing him and decides to hunt for the idol when they leave. Since he saw more of the clue than Val did (they don’t know that, of course, but we do) he knows he should look about 7 paces north of the well, so he easily steps it off and finds the hidden immunity idol without too much ado (he should have been on The Amazing Race last week).

Looks like Mr. Rocker is going to be on the “island” a bit longer than we thought… And since he knows that athletes tend to get chopped down around the merge, he wants to save the idol for a few tribal councils and use it to get to the merge. Maybe that’s enough for him, or maybe there’s something else up Mr. Rocker’s sleeve…

Back at camp, Rocker tells Josh and Wes about Val’s two supposed idols and suggests splitting the vote, 3 for Val and 3 for Baylor (you see, this is where Josh’s “harmless” vote for Baylor could work against her). Because what Rocker wants is to flush Val’s idol(s), if they exist. Josh theorizes that if she does have two idols, the only way to guarantee that one of the guys isn’t going home is to let Val think she’s safe, and then throw the votes at Baylor. So, right now, Baylor is not looking too good…

Next scene, Rocker is walking with Val alone and letting her know what the plan is. The guys are splitting their votes against her and Baylor, so she better play that idol. None of this matters to Val, who thinks that all she and Jaclyn have to do is vote for Baylor and it’s done. 5 votes will be enough. Damn, I’m gonna miss Baylor…

As Rocker and Val return to camp, Josh notices them and questions why they would be off together; since they’re never together (I guess that well scene happened while Josh was sleeping…?) So now he thinks something’s up and he’s a little worried as they head off to Tribal. He knows that splitting a vote can be risky, so he confesses that he’s going to do whatever it takes to get to the top…