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Let's Get Rid of the Weak Players Before We Even
Start
The 19th installment of the popular reality series
takes us to Tocantins, the Brazilian Highlands. Jeff
promises us that this will be a great season due to
the great number of likeable characters on the show.
The theme of this season seems to center around
first impressions and how one can work toward
building a good impression after giving off a bad
one.
All of the Survivors are in a truck, already divided
into two tribes, Timbira wearing black and Jalapao
wearing red. As the truck is moving along, we hear
some insight from the Survivors regarding their
first impressions of each other.
Erinn takes a liking to Tyson, who she describes as
a good guy to have around. Tyson on the other hand
sees Erinn having b*tch potential. Stephen finds it
encouraging to have an older, weak person around in
Sandy because that will essentially be an easy vote
off. Sandy sees Stephen as a geek that she can
manipulate in this game. Sierra reveals that she is
sick but will do her best to hide it. However, Coach
detects her sickness and has a feeling that she will
crumble in no time.
When the truck stops, Jeff instructs each tribe to
grab as many supplies from off the truck that will
make their lives easier in Brazil. They only have 60
seconds to gather as much as they can.
Timbira seemed like they were on the same page
regarding what to grab. On the flipside, Jeff notes
that Jalapao has not grabbed any food or water items
to bring with them.
Jeff instructs both tribes that they will be making
a 4 hour trek to camp in the 110 degree weather.
They will only be provided with a map and compass to
get to camp. Along with the long trek, they must
carry the items they have grabbed or leave it
behind.
Before the tribes are released to make the trek,
Jeff informs the Survivors of one last twist--two
Survivors will not be making this journey. He tells
them that each tribe must vote out a person based
solely on first impression. Coach sees this as a
great opportunity to get rid of the weak even before
starting.
On Jalapao, it quickly became evident that Sandy
would be left behind, receiving votes from Joe, Taj,
Spencer, Carolina and Stephen. Sydney casted a vote
against Stephen. A disgruntled Sandy takes position
near Jeff. On Timbira, all votes go toward Sierra (brendan
casted a vote against Erinn). Once Sierra has
learned she is not part of the journey, she does not
look happy at all. Both of these voted out Survivors
believed that their game was already over.
Jeff bears good news for Sandy and Sierra in that
these voted out Survivors would not be making the
trek to camp. Instead, they will be flown to their
respective camps, ahead of the tribe carrying all of
the supplies. Once Sandy hears of this news, she
cannot contain her excitement. Jeff warns her that
as a social game, it might be a bad move to rejoice
like that in front of everyone. Sierra on the other
hand takes a different approach, clearly still
disappointed that she was voted out based on the
fact that she was sick.
On the trek toward camp, we hear random tidbits
about the Survivors. Taj's motivation for being out
there is to get rid of her baby weight Spencer
declared he is the youngest to be on the show ever
and the trek was not easy at all. JT is accustomed
to the harsh conditions at his previous work. He
also declares he'll be able to catch plenty of fish.
All the while, Stephen is a bit nervous having
someone like JT around the guild, namely because he
does not see either of them relating or connecting
at all. The last time Erinn has gone camping was in
the 7th grade. Jerry has just come home safely from
Afghanistan. Coach describes himself a jack of all
trades. He is used to being a leader and pulling out
the best of everyone. Coach tries to seek a bond
with Brendan noting that it's time for a strong man
to have a chance at winning the game. In a
confessional, Brendan expresses his uncertainty with
Coach’s honesty.
Sandy is the first to get dropped off at camp. She
is still upset that the tribe decided to get rid of
the old gal. She begins to cry saying she is glad no
one can see her true emotion. She vows to herself
that she will make it the full 39 days and that
being older makes her wiser. When she reaches the
tribe flag, a note awaits. She learns that she has
an opportunity to set up the camp which could curry
favor from the rest of the tribe or begin searching
for a hidden immunity idol. Sandy decides that it is
best to look out for #1, and that setting up camp
probably won’t change the rest of the tribe’s mind
about her.
Sierra expresses how she can bring a lot to the
tribe once she arrives at camp. When she learns of
the twist before her, she decides that building camp
will be the best move she can make in the game. It
is her prerogative to be in the good graces with the
rest of her tribe.
As Sandy struggles to find the hidden immunity idol,
she sees her tribe filing in. Carolina is kind of
confused how nothing has been accomplished even
though Sandy has been there for a few hours. Sandy
put on a show, acting like she was ecstatic to see
everyone when moments ago, they tried to vote her
out.
The mood is much different over at Timbira where the
tribe arrives late at night. Sierra welcomes her
tribemates, telling them all that she had built a
shelter for 8 people. Coach acknowledges her effort
but still sees her as the one that should go.
The next morning, Jalapao tries to get their camp
life situated. JT is working on getting the shelter
built while Carolina tries to keep her opinions on
how things should be done to herself. Meanwhile,
Sandy tries to make up an excuse to get away from
the camp to look for the idol. She makes her way to
the beach while the rest of the group says she is
being antisocial.
On Timbira, Tyson lets it all hang out literally. He
describes himself a free spirit and not your typical
Mormon.
At the first immunity challenge, the tribe must
traverse sand dunes, into the water, bring back
puzzle pieces, build a step ladder and solve a maze.
The first time to do so wins immunity and flint for
their tribe.
During the first part of the challenge, Carolina is
seen struggling. Tyson emerges as Timbira’s physical
powerhouse. Both tribes are neck and neck during the
step building portion of the challenge. Sandy and
Taj build their ladder first, while Sierra and Erinn
fall slightly behind. In the end, Erinn and Brendan
are able to beat out JT and Sydney, securing their
tribe for 3 more days in the game. As the tribe
files out, Sydney expresses that she does not want
to vote out Sandy, especially since she held her own
today in the challenge and that she worked so hard.
Carolina believes that with every failure there is
opportunity for growth. She starts to vent to the
women of her tribe about the priorities they should
be focusing one. Taj calls her out for her whiny
nature and that could easily put her on the chopping
block. Meanwhile, the rest of the tribe are trying
to figure out if Sandy is the one to go tonight.
Spencer says that she should e iven another chance,
since she proved today that she isn’t bad, and
perhaps on the same level as Carolina physically.
Joe points out that the two performed equally today
but also notes that Carolina has gotten a bit bossy
and that can make for a bad tribal dynamic. Going
into Tribal Council, it is clear that Sandy and
Carolina are at risk of being voted out.
At Tribal Council, Jeff probes at Sandy on how she
felt for being voted out of the game. She said that
it hurt her feelings but ultimately, she wants to
stay in the game. JT interjects saying it was a
strategic move at the time. Sydney goes along to say
that there was no ill feelings when they arrived to
camp, however, Sandy failed to get much of anything
started. In regards to Sandy being antisocial (when
she was actually looking for the idol), she makes up
a story about how she wanted to collect her thoughts
and come back positive. Carolina agrees that they
voted for the right person at the out start of this
game. Lastly, Jeff asks Carolina how she thinks the
rest of the tribe perceives her. She nails it on the
head saying that she thinks she across as
boisterous, a bit whiny and that she should
definitely learn to check herself before she speaks.
Jeff reads the vote and a very disappointed Sandy
looks on. The first vote is for her. The second vote
is read and Carolina receives one, and you can start
to see the nervousness in her face. Sandy cowers her
head as the third vote is read, and learns that it
is not her. She looks up anxiously why Carolina
gives that classic, I know it is me look. In the
end, Jalapao voted out Carolina by a 7-1 vote,
making her the first castoff of Survivor Tocantins.
Still, the best thing that came out of Tribal
Council is that Jalapao now has fire. |
