Survivorfest week 11!

Amanda goes down for the first time in three seasons!

Fresh from blind-siding JT at tribal council, the remaining players returned to camp, half of them still reeling from the busy night of surprises.

Everyone was giving huge props to Parvarti for her crazy idol play.  Russell wasn't happy because he wasn't involved and wasn't sure he was even in control of the game any longer.

Rupert realized that for the Heroes to have a chance he would have to make a play for Sandra.  Russell, concerned that Sandra would flip, started working on Candice.

The reward challenge was Survivor Shuffleboard.  The teams were divided into three random groups, each with two pucks to slide.  Closest to the "X" would win reward for the team.

Sandra showed us why she shouldn't still be in the game with her typically pitiful performance.  I think she was the only one to zing her puck off of the side.  As early in the game as it was, I don't think she was trying to knock anyone off.  Her second toss was off to the side, adding no value whatsoever.  It's almost like she's trying to lose.

One puck sat next to the edge of the "X" until Colby took the last shot of the challenge and dropped it right on the bulls eye to win reward for himself, Danielle and Amanda.

The reward was a trip to the estate of Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island, Kidnapped and Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde.  The author lived his last few years in Samoa and was buried there.  Hopefully after he was dead.

He was likely laid in state on the very bed that Amanda, Danielle and Colby were lying on in their nasty old camp clothes and eating popcorn while watching a movie.  I suspect the late Mr. Stevenson was spinning in whatever Samoan grave they chucked him in.

At the very least, I suspect the phones at the Robert Louis Stevenson Appreciation Society are lighting up like Christmas right now.

I did a quick bit of research...Stevenson, in fact, died on the island shortly after straining to open a bottle of wine at the age of 44.  I'd always heard that alcohol could kill you but that's ridiculous!

While chomping on popcorn and watching the black and white (!) version of the movie on the late Mr. Robert Louis Stevenson's flat screen television, Danielle spied a hidden idol note under the kernel duds.  She quickly slid it out and onto the floor beside her.

Amanda, who had no interest in the move spotted her acting strangely and decided to go over and sit right on top of her.  She spied the clue on the floor next to Danielle's side of the bed and grabbed it, starting a wonderfully entertaining wrestling match between Amanda and Danielle.

At this point I suspect the ghost of Mr. Robert Louis Stevenson either spun even more wildly in his grave, or became a little intrigued...Oh, come on!  You can't tell me that I guy who dresses up like this as a seven-year-old isn't at least a little kinky!  He's got a whip and is wearing a dress for Pete's sake!

Anyway, all the commotion caused Colby to (reluctantly) turn off the movie and break up the fight.  He told Amanda that the clue was Danielle's and that she should give it back.  I'm a little disappointed with Colby. I know more than a few fellows who would have suggested something a little more interesting about how to settle the dispute.  Of course, I sometimes hang with rough and vulgar crowds.

Back at camp, Danielle had a different version of the story to tell.  In her version Amanda was half crazed with blood lust and she had to "rip the clue out of her hands".

Rain had returned to Samoa.  While the rest of the tribe huddled under shelter, Danielle and Russell searched for the idol.  Russell found it in about six seconds and quietly stuffed it in his shorts.  I suspect Danielle won't be too happy later when she realized that he let her look for it in vain in a monsoon for quite some time after that.

Russell was only too happy to call this payback for Parvarti not telling him about the other idol that she had found.  Which Danielle also knew about.

Russell, who can't bear to find an idol without telling somebody, went to Candice and used it to try to swing her.  Candice, who still seemed on the outs with the heroes from back in the Tom-alliance days, was interested.

In the meantime, Sandra told Colby she would flip to the heroes.  She was tired of Russell and knew they had no interest in taking her much further in the game.

The Immunity Challenge was a tile stacking game.  The first to reach the ten foot mark would win.

I immediately predicted that Russell and Sandra would fail miserably.  Not much of a reach in Sandra's case.

I turned out to be in error with my Russell guess.  He came very close to reaching the ten foot mark first, but Jerri was able to eek out a win.  Impressive because she almost lost her tower at the eight-foot mark.

Back at camp Russell has his eyes set on Amanda.  He claimed she was like "Boston Rob in a girl's body".  Really?  Except maybe for the leadership skills, ability to win challenges and personality. 

Sandra and the heroes agreed to vote out Parvarti.  When Candice got word, she rolled over on Sandra and told the Villains.  Russell confronted Sandra with Candice close behind to hear what they had to say.

The Heroes weren't willing to believe that Candice had flipped.  Colby went as far as to say "if Parvarti doesn't go home, we all know it's Candice's fault!"

Candice and Sandra had a long chat right before council to try to settle on what was going to happen that evening.

At council, Danielle is sporting some interesting writing on her arm:  "I (heart) you punkin butt"

Possible hidden meanings?  Of course I have them!

Danielle is a long-time fan of Linus and the Great Pumpkin
It was a shout out to punk rock great Johnny Rotten
The ghost of Robert Louis Stevenson told her to do it
I have nothing further to say about this link.

During council, there weren't many surprises.  Russell admitted that Sandra was pretty much along for the ride until they didn't need her any more.

Coach went from dressing in his kimono to a more urban look.  Maybe it was the rain.

Russell opted to play the idol.  It seemed like a stretch, but one thing you might remember about Russell from last season is that he never wanted to get sent home with an immunity idol in his pocket.

It was a bad sign for his idol play when, while surprised that he had it, none of the Heroes winced or made any faces.  A sure sign that they didn't vote for Russell that night.

The votes were tallied and Amanda was voted out for the first time in three seasons.  All other seasons she made it to the final three. 

In reviewing the voting, Sandra obviously knew that Candice had decided to flip so she stuck with the Villain alliance and voted out Amanda as well.

Next week, can the Villains keep their alliance together long enough to finish off the remaining Heroes?  What will Coach wear next?  What will Samoa have to do to clean the bedsheets of Robert Louis Stevenson?

Find out next week on...Survivorfest!