Back at camp, the losers start talking about who to take out next, and the common pick is Keith, because he’s the new Joe. Ahem, I think not, but you gals go have your big strategic talk, and then go cook Jeremy some food. Geez…
Abi likes hearing Tash and Kimmi discuss the next move, because it makes her think they’re both scrambling, which is something she’s much too proud to do. Abi is embracing her role as a villain, and is totally fine being a goat dragged to the end because “this game is all about using people” and what the Imbecile From Ipanema doesn’t realize is that EVERYONE has been using HER to get farther in the game. Nice plan, palerma.
And just when I was feeling all high-and-mighty my wife just stepped out of the bedroom and said she’s heading to the Redbox to rent Magic Mike XXL. Hmm…I wonder if I should be worried…
The ladies try to enlist Jeremy on the Must Kill Keith plan, but he shows a tiny amount of hesitation, so they can see he may not be on board. This strikes Tash a little deeper than the others, because she wants Jeremy to trust her, but she also knows she’s piloting the Foxy Boat, and that boat is sailing with or without Jeremy. Take heed, brother…
Alright, I’ve never been to Cambodia, so the thrill of walking through Siem Reap temple is something I still hope to do, but these 3 did it 33 days prior, so I really don’t understand how this is such an amazing reward. Everyone keeps saying how awesome this opportunity is, but I keep thinking that every time someone says this is a “cultural” experience, I wonder if they would have rather said a “great” experience.
I’m thinking they’re feeling a little shortchanged until the monks and the dancers come out, and again, it just looks like Knap, MB and the Robot are more interested in eating than watching this black and white documentary film. And thankfully, the performance ends quickly as Keith wanders away trying to guess what those “lady dancers” are called. TBH, I wish Spencer or Kelley were twisted enough to tell him those were “ladyboys” but that joke would probably be lost on him as well. Never mind, it’s time to eat!
And of course, when there’s eating, there’s talking, and strategizing, and we’re so close to the end you know some big s**t is going to be discussed. Naturally, they talk about a Final 3 pact, and what’s going on back at camp, and then who to take out next. Keith offers up Jeremy first (um, yeah, that’s not a good move, Knappie) and Spencer has to suggest doing Jeremy second. Everyone (well, Kelley and Spencer) has on their mind a final three, but it’s still too early to guarantee that for anyone. Spencer is smart enough to know if he can get to final three with Keith and Abi, he’ll win, but that’s a long ways away. The plotting continues…
Spencer throws out Tash’s name to do first, and Kelley seems to be willing to consider that, but the plan is contingent upon having Abi play along, be rationale, and vote as expected, and there’s almost no chance of that. It occurs to me this whole scene could be removed and it probably won’t affect the outcome of the season at all…
Back at Total Drama Island, Tash wants to have a chat with Jeremy, but with Abi there, she feels she needs to ask permission first. And based on Abi’s reply – “I’d prefer you have that chat in front of me” – Tash knows it’s better to do it later. It’s a foregone conclusion Abi is currently in Psycho Abi mode, and once again, America, I say “f**k you for voting her in.”
When they finally get some hammock time, Tash tells Jeremy she’d be willing to pass on voting out Keith until later because she’s got a better target in mind: Abi F**king Gomes. And whether that makes any sense at all (it doesn’t, considering how Survivor works) but I applaud it whole-heartedly because it says that Tash is thinking with her brain and not her pocketbook. “Let’s get rid of the crazy bitch so the rest of us can decide this game.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what I’ve been begging for since Season 13 when Becky was dragged to the final. “Never again,” I shouted at my TV, and yet, season after season, some lame duck is taken to the end as cannon fodder. Please, all future Survivor players, do not use the Lame Duck approach to winning Survivor. Try to go out there and take the game by the balls. Take the advice of Coach and let “iron sharpen iron.”
It’s Day 35 and we’re in for the brutal challenge we saw in last week’s tease. Players are going to take some nasty falls and wind up bruised and beaten, but at least it’ll inch us a bit closer to the end. Obviously, it being a physical challenge, Jeremy and Spencer have the advantage, and with Tash’s near drowning approaching, I wonder what other drama may spring up. Let’s find out…
(Does anyone else wonder why Tash is always at the head of the line when players walk in?)
Jeff’s wearing a black shirt… Someone’s going to die, I know it.
The challenge involves racing out into the water, climbing atop a floating deck, walking over balance beams, retrieving a key from the water, and then racing back to solve a puzzle. No one cares the puzzle is the Second Chance aspect in this challenge, so let’s rock and roll.
Everyone sprints out and Jeremy takes an early lead. The first crash belongs to Spencer, but he quickly makes up time in the swimming section and passes Jeremy. They’re followed by Keith and Kelley, and I don’t even have to tell you who’s in last (surprisingly, it’s not Abi)…
Spencer takes spill #2, which allows Jeremy to regain the lead. Seeing his physique, you wonder why no one is talking about him being a challenge beast, but maybe he’s playing THAT GOOD of a game where he’s letting everyone else appear strong.
Players are making progress however Tash is about to undergo her “Osten moment.” Meanwhile, Jeremy and Spencer begin solving the puzzle but it’s really never in question. Spencer solves it in about 10 seconds and I’m beginning to wonder if he remembers the puzzle piece placement from the previous season. Jeff even says that no one has ever solved it that quickly in their dry runs for camera. Wow.
And now Tash is drowning, so let’s get Medical out there. All jokes aside (and there are jokes to be made here) she’ll be fine, so let’s give Spencer his fancy necklace and hear what the Knapsack has to say.
“Dadgummit, Tash almost drown-ded, but we got a plan. Take out Tash, take out Kimmi, take out Jeremy. Bam.”
And something tells me it won’t be that easy.
When everyone gets back to camp, Tash tells them she needs to head out and get her head straight, but that probably means it’s time for a Tash confessional. It does, and she tells us that since Kelley may or may not have bonded with Spencer and Keith on the reward challenge, it’s time to take out Abi. Fingers are crossed…
Keith, Spencer, Kelley and Abi share a quick moment and conspire to take out Tash, which is what we thought they’d do, but the amusing thing in this scene is when Abi says,
“I’m just thinking who to bring to the end with me.” And it’s almost cute how unaware she is of who’s controlling this game. News flash. It’s not you, dummy…
Tash, Jeremy and Spencer then discuss their voting bloc’s plan, and Tash brings up the smartest thing I’ve heard all season: that it would be a disservice to the fans who voted these people in to allow a goat to be brought to the final. And although that makes perfect sense, so does dragging a couple goats to the final so you can win a million dollars. So, put that in your pipe and smoke it, Miss Logic Pants.
Spencer has a choice to make, and he’s in the driver’s seat on which direction this season will take. Heroes or Goats. Can’t wait.
-there’s a four person Final Tribal
-both Jeremy and Kelley play their Hidden Immunity Idols at the same Tribal and nullify all the votes cast
-there’s a tie at Final Tribal and a tie-breaker will be performed live at the Finale Show.
4 Person Final Tribal almost seems necessary now. That or they’re going to have to get rid of 3 people in two hours AND still have final tribal with all the questions. Seems like that’d be very, very rushed.
While interesting to see all votes nullified, all it would do is cause a revote or some other form of tie breaker to occur. I don’t see that worth going on and on about “NEVER BEFORE ON SURVIVOR!” like Probst keeps mentioning.
A tie breaker on the reunion show could be interesting, but honestly, I’d be surprised if it got down to that. I feel there are some very clear winners who will take the majority of the vote unless they make it to the end with the other clear choices. Still plenty of lame ducks outside of Abi (Hello Kimmi and Tasha and Keith [Still like him though]), surely at least one of them will make it to the end. Although come on, if anyone was laughing as much as I and my wife were at Abi talking to the camera about how she needs to pick whom she’s bringing to the end, I almost wish she could get to the end just to hear more delusions of grandeur from her. That stuff was priceless!
Show went about as I expected. Spenser’s best shot is with a final three of Tasha/Keith/Kimmi and himself so doesn’t surprise me that he voted off Abi.
you are starting to embarrass your self and Survivor ! Calling Abi being voted out a blindside is an insult and slap in the face to every person who has watched or played , I wouldn’t call it a blindside if Jeff said only Abi is voting tonight and she voted herself out . She is crazy enough and dumb enough do it . That being said voting Abi out though popular across the land was incredibly stupid ! You carried her this far for a reason wanted her in the final three with you . Stop with the integrity of the game crap . If that was the case her stupid ass should have been off my TV 10 weeks ago . How you let the chance to have her sit in front of a jury with you knowing even an idiot like Rodney wouldn’t vote for her is insanity . I blame Spencer . He had immunity ,. Its simple . Tell Kimmi , Spitting Hillbilly and everyone else I am voting Tasha . You want to guarantee another day you should too ! Speaking of Tasha how the hell do you get picked for Survivor and don’t learn to swim ? That is unbelievable . People come to the show and cant make fire or swim . By definition an island is surrounded by water . Its a free prop for Survivor to put challenges in . The lord himself stocks it with food . Learn how to use it ! I would know how to swim every stroke ever invented . Plus I would be able to start a fire using pubic hair and rice . Its common freaking sense to learn the few simple things that are necessities to live on a damn island !!!!!!!!
OOOOPS beginning of my rant was cut off . I could lie and say I said hello hope everyone is doing great but it would be a lie . I immediately lashed out at Jeff for his idiotic use of the word blindside
Just a few more days. Is everyone getting excited?
thatguy: While I think it’s likely we’re in for a 4 person FT, I’m not sure I’m a fan of it. Perhaps there’s some other “first time ever” thing like the top 2 vote getters are sent home? IDK, I’m sure whatever happens, fans won’t like it. That seems to be the way it works, right?
All votes nullified could be interesting if it nullified, say, 4 votes for Jeremy and 2 for Kelley. Sure, they’d just revote with the same outcome, but you never know. Hell, Probst needs to promote the show any way he can — we’ve seen what he talked up in the past — so I wouldn’t put it past him to make this non-event a huge deal. We’ll see.
So, I’m with you on some kind of tiebreaker at the live show. Who knows, maybe it’s a combination of things and there’s a 4 person final tribal AND a tiebreaker where 3 people all receive 3 votes? Settle it on live TV… I just hope it’s something cool and not some lame attempt at being “cutting edge” or new.
Funny how Jeff is even saying how unaware Abi is of herself and that she didn’t really go through any changes like she intended… Her FT question will most likely be about herself and why she was voted out, rather than what the players did to win the game. Mark my words…
This season has been so different in how voting went you almost can’t apply standard Survivor logic to the past votes. As I wrote, I love that Tash said they “owe it to the fans” to dump Abi, but who knows if that was the right play. You never know until it’s all over, and there are ways to get votes based on FT answers.
Rick! Yeah, I was like, “What’s gotten into Rick this week? He seems pissed off at me…” But then how could you be pissed off at me……….?
Especially when it was your birthday a couple days ago!!! Whoop Whoop! Happy birthday, stud, hope you were given a fancy BBQ by those folks at your work. Good times in Missouri…
Okay, so I get you on the blindside reform talk. I think Jeff is (again) just trying to pump up the drama. TBH, he’s using blindside every time someone goes home and they’re not expecting it, but that’s most every Tribial…ever. Sure, these aren’t traditional blindsides, but he’s doing everything he can to make this THE GREATEST SEASON EVER, and has even said that in interviews. Let’s see how it wraps up next week.
I know what you’re saying about Abi. While I agree in principle (trying to win the game) I’ve always believed annoying people should go home early. That’s why I hoped she was voted out first in my first column this season. Trouble is, the farther she got, the more her stock rises, and finally someone had the balls (Tash) to make it happen. Yeah, it could be called a bad move, but even decisions like that could potentially have an upside with the jury. “Damn, she had the balls to vote out crazy Abi, I’ll give her my vote…” Prolly not, but you never know how the Butterfly Effect changes the game day to day…
I don’t know if she DOESN’T know how to swim, I think she was just really fatigued. Who knows? Maybe we’ll find out more about that at the finale.
Thanks for all your comments this season, Rick, however I don’t think I wanna watch you make fire… Gotta draw a line somewhere!
Enjoy the final episode, I’ll be doing the same from inside the live show…and there’s a good chance I’m going with A VERY SPECIAL GUEST. Stay tuned for that big reveal next week.
Thanks again to everyone for all your comments. You guys make this all the more fun for me.
Fish
A few things, first off Mr. Fish, you probably look way better than Channing! Don’t be so hard on yourself. But please stop threatening us with quitting these recaps. Its cruel. Ok, one thing that’s been bugging me, why does Spencer walk like a duck? Its so odd. Abi-I have hated her all season, her tiny piggy eyes, her mean comments, her manic/depressive personality..but she actually came across as fairly sane and normal in her Ponderosa video. She said she’s a realtor. Can you imagine having her help you buy a house? I can’t imagine her doing well in any type of negotiation. Speaking of goats, Kimmi is a total goat. And Tasha, she is rather a goat too-what happened to her challenge beast self? I grow to hate Savage more and more as I watch the Ponderosa videos. He dresses like he’s a 20 year old at a Pfish concert. Rasta hat, open shirt-he’s just gross and so cocky. I love watching Kass tell him he’s an asshole. Here’s my hope for the Win in order of who I hope gets it. Jeremy, Keith, nuclear warhead accidentally hits the island and they are all fried. IF I must go on from there…Spencer, Wentworth (she is not hot-what is wrong with you!), Kimmi or Tasha at the end. I never watched Feshbach’s first season. Why was he so annoying then? Did he act as odd as he did at the beginning of this one? I actually liked him by the time he was voted out, ok I admit it.
Thanks Fish . The boss is usually nice to me on my birthday . Sometimes even nice on Christmas . She is really really mean around the 4 th of July though . The entire first week of July she calls everyone in the office ungrateful infidels ( must be part British ) . Best of luck getting into the Survivor reunion show . If you are lucky enough to meet RC or coconuts give them a firm hand (or breast ) shake for me !
Katiebeans! You are far too kind. I appreciate the love, but Channing’s got me by a lot. -IF- you’re into that hunky, Hollywood, macho, muscular, studly kinda guy. I’m kinda like Travis Bice (look it up) with a man bod. But, I have boyish good looks for 48, all due to the alcohol pickling all my internal organs…
And, to be fair, I’m not threatening to quit. I’m just being honest with myself (and you guys) about what might be around the corner. I would hate to not be able to write these anymore, and worse, not be able to say goodbye properly. To be perfectly frank about it, to make this column work successfully, there’s a great deal of time that needs to go into it, and time is not something I have a lot of these days. So, it’s either write a quick, shitty column with a couple laughs, or spend a lot of time on it and write a longer, less shitty column, with a few more laughs. Sometimes I stare at my sons as they refill the ice cube trays and wonder if I could be a better father…
Random thoughts…
Spencer – I noticed that too. He’s got skinny legs and walks like a spoon’s in his butt.
Abi – I didn’t hear where she said she’s a realtor. You sure about that? I read that she created an alcoholic drink in a bottle, which makes more sense. She needs to keep guys drunk to date her…
Kimmi – who is she?
Tash – Varner confirmed that everything he said about her is true, so she must be REALLY awful. Now, I don’t know boo about Varner (in real life) but I think we can get a sense of who these people are after seeing them in so many interviews/videos. I used to think Tash was sexy, now it’s just like whoa…
Savage – he strikes me as one of those snobby jerks who just likes to hang out with the same kind of person. I hate those guys… Go vote for Trump.
I like your picks but what the hell is wrong with you? Wentworth is gorgeous. Like a little Scandanavian goddess. I love her…
Fishbach has gotten better, but I think a lot of people suffered from having the “Second Chance” label hung on them. Like everyone had to play into that story arc yet it different fit for everyone. Fishbach, originally, was just a nerdy guy who latched onto a nice guy (JT) and they ran their success to the end. Fortunately for Fishbach, JT was honorable and kept him around, but I think he was also smart enough to know he could beat Fishbach too. I don’t remember if Fishbach ever had an opportunity to take out JT, but maybe that’s what he truly regrets not doing.
Thanks for all your love and support over the years. You’re my favorite reader and I do hope I can continue arguing with you about Keith’s merits… XO
Rick! Take my advice. Keep the boss happy, at all costs. Even if it pisses off other employees. Fuck ’em, they don’t pay you…
I’m a lock for the finale show, and there’s a chance I’ll be attending with that VIP GUEST I mentioned the other day. Don’t wanna jinx it. Maybe if I have an opportunity to Tweet a picture before giving up my phone I will post a photo with him. I’ll let you know what happens either way.
I will endeavor to grab their boobs for you, but that will lead to 3 things:
1. Kicked out of show
2. Arrested for sexual battery
3. Divorce
So, you may wanna request something else…
Thanks for all your comments this season, was fun to see there are fans out there who do Survivor the way I wish I could. You’re the ones this show is made for, and which is why it’s still on after so many years. Guys like me, and other bloggers and social media peeps, may be doing what we can to keep the show fresh, but it’s not made for us. It’s made for you. I’m just glad I can be a fan once in a while…
Take care, happy holidays, and I wish everyone a great finale…
Fish out!
I certainly do not want to get you in trouble . Send them to St Louis all 4 of them if you know what I mean !!!! Actually I am a legs and butt guy but damn those girls and their have some nice eyes (and hooters ) !