Morning of Day 9 at the Blue Collar camp and Dan almost trips over a snake in the sand. No, really, an actual snake not one of his tribemates. He calls for the machete and off goes the head. Mike peels the skin back, wraps it around a stick and roasts it up for the guys as the girls look on a bit disgusted. As Rodney says, it's protein.
We quickly jump into a reward challenge where the White and Blue Collar tribes get their first look at the remains of the No Collar Tribe. This challenge has one member of the tribe selected as the caller while the rest are blindfolded and then have to follow the caller's directions as they go out as a pair to retrieve four items in an obstacle course. I'd hate to be left to the mercy of somebody who has no voice on this one as somebody always gets hurt. Each time they grab an item they need to bring it back, put it on a platform, raise the platform, lower the platform and repeat. After all four items are in they're sent back out to retrieve and raise their flag. First two tribes win reward . . . First tribe gets three hens and a rooster, second tribe gets a basket of eggs. Tyler sits out for the White Collar tribe while Rodney & Mike sit out for the Blue Collar tribe.
For the White Collar tribe Carolyn is the caller . . . for the Blue Collar tribe Sierra is the caller . . . And Joe calls for the No Collar tribe. NC and WC are out quick onto the course as BC almost runs into a barricade before hearing they need to duck. The problem is always figuring out who's voice you're listening to as Shirin takes a hit to the groin. NC gets their first item and heads back just as WC crawls around in search of their first item and BC takes a hit. NC raises their first item and heads back out.
Shirin takes another hit on the way back as BC finds their first item and NC almost trips over their second. WC and BC are back with their first and NC is back with their second item, an entire item ahead. NC heads back out almost taking out Will when they release the one side of the platform. BC and WC finally get their first items up. NC again trips over their third item. Apparently having the only male voice calling is a good thing. Shirin takes another hit, once again shielding Max. Lucky Max.
WC just found their second item as NC sets their third on the platform and BC trips over their second. Easy to do if your caller isn't giving good directions. BC gets their second item up and releases the platform entirely which crashes to the ground and Jeff hollers out to be careful with it. NC gets their third item up and heads out again, and again hitting Will with the platform that he now needs to straighten out. They're just flying through this one as Jeff yells back that it's on them to take care of the platform. Without a platform, nothing goes up.
WC finally gets their second item up to Carolyn. BC finds their third item. NC searches for their fourth as one of the girls takes a hit. Meanwhile, after having found their third item, BC decides to tie themselves up trying to retrieve it. NC easily grabs their fourth item. Max finally takes a hit to the knee. BC raises their third item which almost falls off but Sierra manages to grab it in time. When she hollers to drop the platform Dan lets go and the platform swings around and nails Kelly in the head.
Head shots are the worst, not just because of the ton of blood that pours out but the following concussion that results from it. Sierra notices the blood and Jeff freezes everyone and calls for medical. There's a lot of blood oozing through that blindfold but she's still upright which is a good sign. Medical has her sit down as they roll back the blindfold from the wound. She has a 3-4 cm cut in her forehead but medical reassures her that she's otherwise fine. She also says she's fine but she's gonna have one hell of a headache at the end of the challenge.
Medical then says, is she feels up to it, he'll bandage up the wound and she can continue the challenge and then afterwards they can do a more thorough examination. Kelly's good with that but Jeff assures her that they can stop the challenge at any time if she feels lightheaded or anything. It's good to know that Jeff's primary concern is for the wellbeing of the cast, as it should be, despite him sometimes coming off a little bit condescending when they whine over minor aches and pains. This isn't a minor ache.
There's a short break as the medic bandages up Kelly's head to keep the wound clean and then they're back at it. Jeff gives a quick recap, BC was just heading out for their fourth item, WC is raising their third, and NC is raising their fourth. Game on.
Hali takes a shot to the groin as NC gets their fourth item up and slowly lowers their platform. Sometimes people learn from mistakes. They're heading out for their flag. WC heads out for their fourth as Sierra directs her slightly slower moving pair to their fourth item which they grab and head back with. WC crawls over and grabs their fourth item.
No Collar has been dominating this challenge as they easily retrieve their flag and head back. WC gets back first but can't keep their last item on the platform which has allowed BC to return with theirs. No Collar slowly raises their flag to Joe and No Collar wins reward.
White Collar has all their items and heads out for their flag. Shirin is trying run out as Max holds her back. Hasn't she taken enough hits today? BC raises their final item and heads out for their flag but it may be too late as WC stumbles over theirs and starts making their way back. Shirin takes another hit as Max skips along behind her. As BC searches for their flag WC slowly raises their platform. Sierra yells to "go forward" but it's too late. White Collar wins reward and Blue Collar goes hungry.
No Collar says hello to their cage of chickens, which will be delivered for them, and heads back to camp, followed by White Collar who grab their basket of eggs. Nothing for Blue Collar except a stop for Kelly on the way back so medical can properly stitch up her wound. A great effort but not enough to win reward.
At the Nagarote camp they're happy to see their chickens and Joe asks if they should serve one up for Will's 42nd birthday. Joe begins sharpening the machete as Jenn cares for the chickens and asks if they really need to eat them. Apparently they do, despite being egg laying chickens, and Jenn calls him satan. That's a little harsh. Jenn walks off sadly as Joe and Hali tend to the task at hand.
While chicken is plucked and boiled, Jenn uses this time to search for the HII. Once the chicken is cooked the other three start eating but I think Jenn gets the bigger reward as she discovers the HII hidden in a tree. Not having a clue didn't stop her from looking, and as everyone who watches Survivor knows there are telltale signs of where the crew tends to hide them. She's pretty damn happy and it's her quote that titles the episode (but not my review).
Over at Escameca the tribe checks in with Kelly who received six stitches for her wound. Rodney, Lindsey and Sierra start a loud discussion over hooking up and Rodney goes on about how women need to hold themselves to a higher standard which irritates Lindsey to no end. Lindsey starts asking if that's how his mom raised him. Rodney and Lindsey definitely butt heads on this tribe but at least they both realize it and walk away.
At Masaya they're cooking up their 10 eggs and thinking crab and eggs for dinner. Shirin is glad they didn't need to deal with slaughtering the chickens, but reveals that she learned how watching a video and then slaughtered a rabbit. Joaquin immediately thinks she's a sociopath because she started with small animals and has now decided "okay, psycho, you stay over there." In the meantime, Carolyn isn't sure which one of her tribemates is crazier . . . Shirin or Max.
I'm not really surprised that the crazy people end up on the White Collar tribe but it is surprising that it's the crazy ones who go naked. While Max and Shirin are skinny dipping in the ocean Carolyn uses this time to try and sway Tyler and Joaquin that Max needs to go because he's a cult leader. They feel it needs a more serious talk but Carolyn's sure it's time for Max to go.
Time for the Immunity Challenge and at least it looks a little less damaging than the Reward Challenge was. Each tribe is attached to a rope and one at a time needs to make their way through a rope obstacle course, grab a bag of balls and head to the finish where they need to maneuver a ball up a swiss-cheese board to the top by manipulating a set of ropes while balancing on a beam. If the ball falls through one of the other holes they need to start over. First two tribes to get all three balls to the top wins Immunity, loser goes . . . Well, you know the drill. Lindsey and Dan sit out for the Blue Collars, and Shirin sits out for the White.
Hali, Mike and Joaquin head out first for their tribes. Joaquin pulls ahead and is first through to the end, then Hali, then Mike who got hung up momentarily. Carolyn follows next for White Collar, Sierra for Blue Collar and Will struggling once again for No Collar. Sierra pulls ahead and it's Hali on the rope next as Will finally untangles himself and races Carolyn to the end. Max heads down for White Collar as Rodney brings up the rear for Blue Collar and Jenn heads out for No Collar. Max hits his mark and Tyler heads down for White Collar followed by Joe for No Collar.
They're all still in this at this point, until Rodney decides to impersonate Will and gets tied up in the ropes. A momentary blip in their lead which allowed Joe to catch up but Blue Collars still stayed ahead and raced for their bag of balls, followed by No Collars and finally the White Collars. Blue Collar and No Collar hit the Swiss cheese maze almost at the same time, forcing White Collar to step it up. Mike attempts launching a ball up the maze but that's not gonna cut it.
What time they lost on the course Joaquin made up for on the maze, getting the first ball up and in, making way for Carolyn to try the second ball. Joe repeats Joaquin's success getting the first ball for the No Collars, and Jenn moves up. Mike finally follows the others leads and gets the first ball for Blue Collar. Carolyn gets the second one for White Collar and Tyler moves into position. Jenn gets the second ball for No Collar and Hali moves up as Sierra gets the second ball for Blue Collar.
Kelly, Hali and Tyler are all working on the third ball until Tyler loses the ball and calls Max up to the beam. Hali wins Immunity for No Collar. Kelly almost has the final ball in but loses her footing and drops the ball, opening it up for White Collar as Rodney moves in to take over for Kelly. Max tries to race through but instead drops the ball and it's back to the bottom. Rodney is taking it nice and slow while Max makes a few aggressive moves up the maze to take back his lead. As Rodney drops the ball through one of the holes Max drops his final ball into the top spot and wins Immunity for White Collar and sends Blue Collar to their first Tribal Council.
Sierra figures her horses are smarter than Rodney and blames him for their loss, and rightly so. He got hung up on a simple rope course that even Will could figure out (no offence to Will) and then muscled his way into a challenge he couldn't handle. His time may be up as the tribe returns to camp. Once there Lindsey says that she's still proud of her tribe no matter what happens at Tribal, but Mike figures it's exactly what their tribe needs.
Dan and Lindsey make a water run and they both appear to be on the same side in voting Rodney out. I love Dan's explanation of thinking like a guy versus thinking like a girl. Great idea and he almost has me convinced. Meanwhile Rodney still feels he's the leader of the tribe and in a strong alliance of four. That's exactly what Vince thought. Rodney is pushing to get Lindsey out and assumes his alliance will do that for him.
They might if they trusted him but neither Mike nor Kelly actually trusts Rodney and they both know he's the most disruptive element at camp. The downside is that neither one is really pro-Lindsey either. Sierra also wants Rodney out to bring peace to the camp but Kelly could still go either way. On that note, they're off to Tribal Council and it's either Rodney or Lindsey going home tonight.
At Tribal they grab their torches and get fire then Jeff asks Dan who bonded quickest at camp. Dan reveals that Lindsey and Sierra bonded right away. Jeff then asks Rodney who didn't and Rodney immediately says he doesn't get along with Lindsey. Lindsey implies that Rodney has no morals so Jeff asks Sierra if that's what she sees and she agrees, as does Kelly. The girls dislike his vocabulary and how he treats women and Rodney admits he doesn't gave a girlfriend because the number one love of his life is his mother. Yeah, that's not a little weird. No surprise in the lack of girlfriends though. Just keep talking Rodney.
Jeff calls him on his comments offending millions of women and Rodney continues to defend his stand. Jeff is practically pushing for him to redeem himself and apologize but Rodney's just not that bright. Jeff points out to Kelly that she, Mike and Dan have to decide what's best for the tribe moving forward. Just a tiny bit of guidance? Maybe. Lindsey defends her tribe regardless of who walks and is sure that one of these six people is going to win the million dollars. Okay, I'll admit it, I kinda like Lindsey, . . . She has spunk.
Time to vote. Sierra's up first and Rodney's looking a little concerned. Jeff goes to tally the votes and asks for the HII but none us played. First vote . . . Rodney, Lindsey, Rodney, Lindsey, Sierra (where'd that come from?), and finally . . . Sierra. A three way tie so now Mike, Dan and Kelly all need to revote and can only vote for either Rodney, Lindsey or Sierra. Time for the second tally, . . . Lindsey, and Lindsey. Damn. Personally I think that was a mistake but then again I'm not on that tribe.
The eleventh night back at the Blue Collar camp after Tribal and Mike admits that the experience sucked. Mike confesses to Sierra that the reason her name was written down was in case Lindsey played an idol it maintained their four member alliance. Mike's not happy they've cut off Sierra and Dan points out all the things she's done wrong so far in the game. She takes it personally and Rodney fires off his mouth again and that's pretty much the end of Sierra's trust for her tribe.
It's dawn of the twelfth day as Jeff calls the tribes in and the White and No Collar tribes get their first look at the new Blue Collar tribe. It's also their last look at the new Blue Collar tribe. Time to switch things up, and not a moment too soon for Sierra who has decided her tribe is dead to her. Sometimes people take this game way too seriously.
From this point forward there are only two tribes . . . Escameca, the old Blue Collar, and Nagarote, the old No Collar. Apparently the White Collar tribe was too crazy to keep. Everyone grabs a hidden buff and waits to reveal. Once they've done so if they have a lie buff they head over to Escameca, if they have red they go to Nagarote. Sierra is relatively pleased to have three new people to make an alliance with despite remaining in Escameca.
The new Escameca tribe consists of Dan, Sierra, Mike, Rodney, Tyler, Joaquin, and Joe. Sierra is the only girl in the tribe and I'm not sure that's going to work in her favor.
The new Nagarote tribe consists of Will, Hali, Jenn, Max, Carolyn, Shirin and finally Kelly. A little more balanced as a tribe but what I'm seeing is a whole wack of muscles up against a band of nuts. Something is gonna crack.
Time for the Reward Challenge . . . One member of each tribe will launch balls out onto the beach where their tribemates will attempt to catch them, lacrosse style. It doesn't matter what color ball you catch as long as you catch one. First tribe to five wins the reward, . . . Kitchen supplies: pots, pans, cutting board, spices, and a plate of sausages.also, any rewards that the White Collar tribe had will be added to this reward. That's pretty worthwhile for a reward.
Jenn vs Joaquin, Max vs Joe, Mike vs Will, and Tyler vs Kelly as Rodney launches for Escameca and Shirin launches for Nagarote. First shot and Max scores for Nagarote while Joe scores for Escameca. Second shot with Sierra and Carolyn now launching, and Joe scores for Escameca, then Tyler scores for Escameca. Third shot has Dan and Hali firing and Joaquin scores for Escameca while Joe just misses the other ball. Fourth shot has Sierra and Shirin firing and will scores for Nagarote but it's a moot point as Mike catches the winning ball for Escameca. Escameca wins their first reward as a new tribe.
Carolyn isn't happy still being aligned with Max and Shirin but I think her bigger concern should be the fact that she's on a far weaker team in any strength challenge. In an attempt to save to Sierra I think the producers have sacrificed an entire tribe. I guess we'll see how this plays out.
Hali welcomes the new members to her tribe and decides she needs to ally with Kelly to keep her numbers up. Shirin on the other hand thinks she should eliminate Kelly and just keep her original alliance. Told you she was crazy. It doesn't stop her from shmoozing with Kelly who finds herself as the swing vote and may just align herself with Shirin.
Over at the new and improved Escameca camp the testosterone is rising as the guys pretty much ignore Sierra. Mike is concerned that she could easily sway the three new guys to her side and he should be. When Rodney, Dan and Mike wander off to get water Sierra plays her hand to the new tribe members. Great for her but really stupid for the others. Mike's concern grows when he returns to camp and realizes what they've done.
At Nagarote, Jenn has decided she doesn't like Shirin. She doesn't like her voice, her endless chatter, her attitude. Pretty much the whole package. Max stumbles back into camp and Jenn asks him what's wrong. Apparently he got stung by a stingray . . . twice. There's a little blood but Jenn immediately sets aside the boiling water and has Max set his feet into it to ease the pain. So much for the drinking water.
When Hali discovers that Max has a planters wart on the underside of his foot that's been in their drinking water pot for the past hour she decides he only thinks about himself as he's now contaminated the pot. She seems to have forgotten that Jenn was the one who grabbed the pot in the first place. Will confides to Carolyn that Max is already getting in his nerves and Carolyn says "welcome to my world." This does not bode well for Max or Shirin.
On the Escameca beach as the sun sets into the ocean Dan realizes that Sierra has become the swing vote and he knows she doesn't like them. When Mike reprimands him for how he and Rodney went after her Dan just listens (like a girl) and nods his head. He doesn't think they need Sierra's vote just her loyalty but isn't that the same thing? Dan agrees he'll apologize.
So Dan takes Sierra for a walk and as he tries to apologize he ends up directly in her sights. Rather than just apologizing he goes on the defence and gets her more riled up, which is exactly what Mike asked him not to do. Say goodbye to the swing vote boys as you head off on your next Immunity Challenge.
In this Immunity Challenge two members from each tribe will place earthenware pots on a sled and then drag the sled through an obstacle course to the finish where they'll place the pots on tall post stands and head back. Once all the pots are in place one tribe member will use a wrecking ball to smash all the pots. First tribe to destroy all their pots wins immunity and is safe from the vote while the other tribe gets to kiss someone farewell.
It's Joaquin and Tyler against Jenn and Hali as they hit the course. Those pots look heavy and that's going to give Escameca a huge advantage in this challenge. No surprise that the guys are already heading back just before the girls arrive. Joe and Rodney are now out as Jenn and Hali return to be replaced by Carolyn and Kelly. Escameca is a full length ahead and heading back. Carolyn and Kelly just get their pots in place as Mike and Sierra head out, maintaining the Escameca lead, place their pots and actually beat Carolyn and Kelly back to the starting line. The Escameca tribe heads down to the pots as Shirin and Max start out with their last two pots.
Dan is the first one to try the wrecking ball even before Nagarote can place their last pots, and he nails one if the pots. Dan knocks the second pot off its stand and it crashes to the ground as Shirin places the last Nagarote pot. There goes the third pot and then the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, all before Max and Shirin can even get back to their tribemates. Seven falls and shatters as Max pretty much gives up and walks quietly back to the pots. That's it. Eight in a row just like that. Dan was a wrecking machine on this challenge and almost singlehandedly wins immunity for Escameca.
As if Max had thrown the challenge, in an aside to the camera he says it was so hard not to smile when they lost because he actually wanted to go to Tribal to change the dynamics of the camp. Maybe Carolyn is right, maybe he is a cult leader because he's certainly delusional. I'm sure the camp dynamics will change, I just don't think they're going to change the way Max intends. Then again, I thought Lindsey was going to stay. What do I know.
Back at the Nagarote camp, Max reveals to Jenn that Capricorns make up the most winners of Survivor, followed by Leos. He's planning his gameplay based on the zodiac? She's a little confused as to why he knows all this, let alone remembers it. Apparently nobody knows that he taught a university course in Survivor.
Hali and Jenn take a walk and discuss recruiting Kelly to their side to get rid of Max. Unfortunately, while they're having that chat, Max and Shirin are trying to convince Kelly to blindside Will. He is the weakest link but at least he's not a crazy cult leader. Shirin and Max feel they've secured Kelly to their side but it's funny that they both think they're in control of the tribe.
Even funnier when Shirin goes to Carolyn with the plan unaware that Carolyn is more of a swing vote than Kelly. Carolyn really doesn't like Max or Shirin and I'm fairly certain she's going to vote one of them out at Tribal. Time for a classic blindside as Carolyn goes to have a little chat with Jenn.
Jenn had no idea that Carolyn wasn't as tight with Max and Shirin as Max and Shirin let on and the surprise on her face shows. Carolyn admits she's never been part of that power couple and she will vote 150% against them. Jenn is so happy to hear that. Max and Shirin are starting to look a little nervous though as they notice Carolyn over with the rest of the tribe. Seeing the numbers Kelly is pretty easily swayed away from the power couple.
Max says he's not worried but he should be. Especially when Shirin points out that he should be a little worried. The tribe's biggest decision is which one is more annoying, Max or Shirin? I guess we'll find out soon enough as they head off to Tribal Council.
Arriving at council Jeff points out the obvious numbers of 3-3-1. When he asks Shirin how things felt back at camp she says that they jelled better than White Collar ever did but then points out that Jeff was making a face at her response. He wasn't, but he is now. When he asks Kelly for her feedback she mentions there have been a few uncomfortable things at camp but when he asks "like what" she starts to laugh. Max points out the obvious, on paper this tribe is a disaster but they're trying to delude themselves that they still have a chance.
Jenn laughs at Max's response and is in awe that he knows so many details but he just admits to loving Survivor. He also admits he hasn't a clue what his mothers cell number is but remembers who one Survivor: One World. Jeff turns to Shirin who also loves Survivor and knows far too many details. Max comes back defending her love of the game as a part of a type A personality and then mentions his "mandatory relaxation." Which Jeff has him explain and he says that he forces himself to relax otherwise he won't. Will admits that their constant strategizing gets on his nerves but maybe Will should do more of that himself.
Jeff asks Hali for her feedback on how they decide their vote tonight because it's pretty obvious they can't beat the other tribe on a physical level. Hali comments that the determine their vote based on quality of life and loyalty and feels that after tonight's vote it'll be much calmer at camp. When Jeff asks Will if he feels it's going to be a blindside tonight, Will simply answers "Yes." Shirin agrees and then keeps on talking. When will these people ever learn. Time to vote.
Jeff goes to tally the votes and asks for the HII and then Max says "Hold up bro" only because he always wanted to say that, not because he had any idol to play. Jeff looks a bit annoyed at that and nobody plays an idols he gets on with it. The votes are . . . Will, Will, Max, (he looked surprised at that one), Max (less surprised), Max, and finally . . . Max. I think the person most surprised is Shirin as Max is the fifth person voted out. There goes her only ally.
Loved Jeff's closing comment. "If blindsides do indeed bring tribal unity then you guys should be one very tight group." On that note he sends them off into the darkness to return to camp. At least Max learned how difficult it is to play the game and has a new appreciation for it.
Next week Rodney starts a new bromance with Joaquin but his old partners aren't too keen on that alliance and intend to break it up. This should prove interesting. Despite having no Amazing Race review this week I look forward to seeing you all again next week for my Survivor recap. Until that time.