Survivorfest China - week 9

Frosti shuffles off into the jury!

I've updated the page with the latest data: http://www.woltermanns.com/misc/survivor_2007.htm

Some week 9 observations and thoughts:

The day dawns and Courtney exclaims: "It's Christmas! No Jean-Robert!" Indeed. I always thought Christmas was heralded by the stores taking down Halloween decorations. I guess this will also work.

Courtney and Frosti are now an item? The two of them make an interesting pair. It's hard to imagine but she could probably wear one of his shirts for a dress.

The reward challenge for the week is an odd balancing challenge where a drum is used to bounce a ball across an obstacle course and into a bucket.

Peih-Gee makes a huge mistake by picking James first for her team. I think it's been demonstrated that, while strong, tough and able to eat anything, James does not do well in challenges that require fine motor skills.

Courtney is wisely chosen last for a competition that doesn't involve doing nothing or adding significantly less volume to a container than a normal human.

The challenge is painful to watch as one team quickly bounces the balls into the bucket while Peih-Gee's team flails around pitifully. James seemed unable to hold the drum's surface horizontal and Peih-Gee, although painfully inept at the challenge, continued to insert herself into the mix. I found myself wondering if James and Peih-Gee remembered that they weren't supposed to be throwing this challenge. Seriously. It was that bad.

The winning team is taken for a lovely river cruise. Not sure which part of the Li river they traveled on...but most of my recollections of Chinese rivers included floating waste deposits. I'm sure it was nice anyway.

I hope for Courtney's sake that she gets voted off soon. At the rate her roots are showing I think it won't be long before someone mistakes her for Cruella De Vil.

Frosti comments that he really likes Courtney, but that she is "out of my league". Ouch. Dude, get some standards. I have a hard time believing that Courtney is out of anyone's league.

Erik displays his special talent: unnaturally expert goat noises. I think we may have gotten a hint of a challenge for a future Survivor: animal calling.

The tribe reunites and Todd welcomes them back with "Hey, bitches, welcome home!" Makes me wonder what Christmas is like at Todd's house.

Courtney on Peih-Gee "She's made some bad choices." Pot...kettle...black.

I find it interesting that they lied about the food portion of the reward. Probably a good idea to not get the others jealous, but I'm a little surprised Jeff didn't bring it up in tribal council. He's like that, you know.

Before they begin the immunity challenge, Jeff takes the idol necklace off of Courtney and hangs it on a stick jammed in the ground. My wife looks up from her crocheting and utters the Survivor watcher hall-of-fame worthy quote: "I thought Courtney had to take the immunity necklace off". This game is really bringing out the best in my family.

The immunity challenge is a memory game. I was shocked at the number of people who declined the challenge in favor of a plate full of cheeseburgers and fries. Especially Courtney. She had eaten just the day before. Seriously, this challenge could have easily been won by any of them.

Peih-Gee wins fairly quickly, earning her a much-needed immunity.

Courtney pulls herself away from the table and declares that she's "covered in mayonnaise." I seriously doubt anyone would have noticed, Casper. Though she's really lucky that Denise didn't mistake her for a french fry.

Tribal council convenes and Jean-Robert is the new member of the jury. I was amused to note that he still seemed very irritated that he had been voted off before most of the people still in the game.

Frosti is surprised to be betrayed and mutters the Survivor hall of fame quote: "With cheeseburgers still on da breath" as his flame is snuffed out. It's not Et tu, Brute? but it'll do.

More next week on....Survivor!