Survivorfest week 12!

Candice goes down, followed by Danielle!

Tonight:  Two immunity idols and two tribal councils!

Fresh from voting out Amanda, Jerri is ready to move on to Candice.  Nice thank you for flipping her vote.

The Heroes are plenty unhappy with Candice as well.  She was about as popular as an IRS agent at a Willie Nelson concert.

Rupert had plenty of anger to throw around.  He's also unhappy with Russell who he now views as worse than Johnny Fairplay.  Figuring he was headed home that evening Rupert decided to give Russell an earful at camp.

Russell not only took it, he dished out plenty as well:  "You the second coming of Christ, Rupert!"  Followed by "you a dumbass, Rupert!"  I think Russell needs to make up his mind.

The immunity challenge was yet another endurance challenge.  This time the players had one arm tied to a chain above their heads, tied to a big vat of colored water.  Further, they had to balance on a small stool.

One minute into the challenge and Probst offered a covered dish to anyone who would drop out.

Immediately Sandra and Rupert were out.  The dish?  Milk and cookies.

A short while later Jeff brought out doughnuts and iced coffee.  Colby couldn't drop out fast enough.

For a guy who was likely to be sent home that night, Colby sure didn't kill himself at this challenge.

When Probst came by with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, candy and milk Danielle, Candice and Jerri dropped out.

I can see the CBS executives hiding in the shrubs writing the following:  "Note to self...no more endurance challenges after week 10."

Parvarti and Rupert were the only two remaining at the hour mark.  Rupert eventually slipped off of his stool and Parvarti won immunity.

As a twist, Probst read a clue to a hidden immunity idol back at camp.

As soon as the tribe returned, they were off and hunting.  Sandra came up with the idol.  She hid it, and no one appeared to be aware she had it.

After a while Rupert got tired of searching and went to plan B.  He pulled a large rock from the creek and stuck it in his front pocket.

Russell immediately noticed the new bulge.  Anyone reading this who expects me to write something like "is that an idol in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?" shouldn't feel too disappointed right now.

Russell believed Rupert had the idol and instructed the Villains to split their votes.  Jerri was successful in lobbying for Candice to be the other votee.

At council, Rupert lamented that there were only two Heroes left.  Candice officially lost her power ring and cape when she voted Amanda off.

Candice feebly offered that Amanda would have gotten voted off anyway.

Colby:  "I have no respect for the excuses!"  Hey, Colby...you still have some doughnut on your chin.

Russell declared that Rupert was going home that night, breaching tribal council protocol by not at least pretending that someone else might be getting voted off.

Rupert, for his part, continued to hint that he might have found the idol.

Russell:  "If Colby or Rupert didn't find the idol, then they gave up...and I don't think they would give up."  Ummm, Russell did you see today's challenge?

Jeff called for the votes and asked if anyone had an idol they wanted to play.  Sandra wisely kept quiet and Rupert not-too-subtly fondled his pocket. A good move in that there's a shred of doubt that he still has one.

The votes went in and Candice went out.  When the Heroes heard the Villains would split votes, they dumped all of their votes on Candice.

I'm not sure how they knew the Villains would go that way.  I thought they should've gone with Colby.  I suspect Sandra might have told.

Candice:  "I feel like I got thrown under the bus.  Karma's a bitch sometimes." Indeed.

Back at camp, Russell was irritated with his alliance and himself for getting outflanked.  He's also become worried about how close Parvarti and Danielle seem to be.

The next immunity challenge had three stages:

Stage 1:  Players dug for a peg that would be used to slide through a peg maze and then, pointlessly I thought, break a tile.  First five would advance.  Rupert, Sandra, Russell, Danielle and Parvarti moved on.

Seriously, Colby, when Sandra is whipping your butt in challenges it's time to consider what drinking games you'll be playing with Coach at the Loser's Bar pretty soon.

Stage 2:  The players would use pegs to climb a wall.  The first three to the top would play for immunity.  Russell finished first, easily navigating the wall.  Rupert next, followed by Parvarti.  Sandra had trouble figuring out how to get down.

Stage 3:  A tile puzzle of the Survivor logo.  Russell made fairly quick work of this, finishing just ahead of Rupert to win immunity.

Say what you will about Russell, but he always seems to bring his A-game to challenges late in the season.

A monsoon was waiting to greet the tribe as they returned to camp.

Parvarti seemed to be doing all of the planning.  You could tell Russell didn't like being second fiddle.  He thought it might be a good time to break up pals Danielle and Parvarti.

Russell:  "Once Danielle is gone, Parvarti will be so scared that she'll stick to me and vote whoever I tell her to."

Russell told Parvarti that Danielle wanted her gone and he told Danielle that Parvarti was ready to see her go.

He underestimated how close they were.  Parvarti was beside herself and insisted on speaking to Danielle.

Russell vehemently protested the move, which revealed that he was lying.  As I've mentioned countless times, Russell is one of those liars who has the tell of getting really irritated when you doubt his sincerity.

Russell told Jerri that Danielle was the new target and if she didn't vote that way, she was likely the next to go.  Parvarti and Danielle told her to keep her vote on Rupert.

Jerri, once again, was the linchpin of a critical vote.

At tribal council, Danielle seemed to be the only one who was unaware of who was running the show.  I'm not sure if it's Russell or Parvarti, but it surely isn't a group that "makes decisions together".

Danielle outed Russell about his lying at council, much to Russell's chagrin.  Russell continued to insist he was telling the truth.  Russell, everyone is on to you now.

Danielle started crying.  The long weeks and physical abuse seemed to be taking their toll.

Russell whispered to Jerri:  "vote Danielle!"

The votes were in, no immunity idol was played and Danielle was voted out, just over Rupert.

Next week:  Judging by the frosty look that Parvarti gave Russell I'm going on record as predicting that one of the two of them are going home next week.

We'll find out on the next...Survivorfest!