Survivor – Recap & Review – Sinking Ship

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Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
Sinking Ship

Original Air Date: May 7, 2010

Ryan O – TwoCents Reviewer
ryan@thetwocentscorp.com

Here’s the low-down for this episode: Two tribal councils. Neither of the people sent home are the people you expect to be sent home. Rupert makes a nice move. Russell makes what is potentially a very bad move.

Someone breaks down at a tribal council and it might been the difference in getting sent home.

Pre-Credits: Jerri solo-views that after flipping to help them, Candice is a threat because she might flip again and they don’t need her. Both true! Way to think things through, Candice!

Rupert and Colby sit and talk about how Candice is weak and self-centered (imagine, being self-centered in an individual game – shocking!) Rupert solo-views that she deserved to be on the Villains tribe, which is actually true. She pulled the same move last time she played. He says there are no other Heroes besides himself and Colby.

Pre-Reward Challenge: The next morning, Day 31, Rupert solo-views that his only shot is to show the villains how disgusting and deceitful Russell is and ask if they want to be involved with him. (Hint: this is not the great move he makes.)

As the tribe sits around the fire cooking, Rupert tells Russell that he is a disgusting human being to have sworn on his kids’ lives. Russell says it’s just the game. Rupert shoots back that there’s no need to play the game like that. Russell says he doesn’t care how Rupert thinks the game should be played or how awesome Rupert thinks he is.

Reward Challenge: Oh, except it’s not a Reward Challenge! It’s an Immunity Challenge! SURPRISE! Change the heading!

Immunity Challenge: (That’s better.) Each player will be standing barefoot on a wooden block with one hand raised above their head, tied to a bucket. When the hand drops, it tips the bucket, and that’s it, you’re out.

Jeff says he will be tempting people with food and there will be a twist revealed at the end.

One minute into the challenge, Jeff brings out the first plate of food. It’s still covered and Sandra says she wants it, sight unseen. Russell says he wants it, too. So, just like that, they’re out. They’re sharing cookies and milk.

At 20 minutes, Jeff brings out a plate of doughnuts. Colby takes it. Really, Colby? You’re probably on the block, especially if Rupert wins, and you’re out for doughnuts?

Candice and Danielle whisper back and forth that someone needs to beat Rupert.

Jeff brings out PB&J, chips, candy, and milk. Danielle, Candice, and Jerri decide they’re all taking it.

Now, it’s down to Parvati and Rupert. I would not be pleased with the trio that just stepped down if I were Parvati.

At 70 minutes, Rupert starts to shake a little and his hand comes down. Parvati wins. Rupert says he’s going home tonight.

But wait! The twist! Jeff reads a clue to a hidden immunity idol out loud to the whole tribe. Interesting!

Post-Immunity Challenge: Sandra solo-views that when everyone got back to camp people just ran into the woods, looking for the idol. She talks about how people were digging here and there but she’s the one that found it. She hides it elsewhere and doesn’t tell anyone she found it.

Rupert solo-views that even though he doesn’t have the idol, maybe he can play as if he does. He grabs a fist-sized rock and stuffs it in his pocked, so it looks as if he has it. He heads back to camp and everyone sees him.

Russell solo-views that he has a lot of experience with idols and knows that Rupert has one in his pocket. He says they’ll split the vote tonight so that if Rupert doesn’t play it, he goes home.

Russell tells Sandra that Rupert has it since he knows exactly what it looks like in someone’s pocket.

Sandra solo-views that Russell thinking Rupert has it is good for her and she’s not going to say anything. Sandra is awesome.

Parvati and Danielle talk with Jerri about splitting the votes between Rupert and Colby. Jerri says she wants to vote for Candice since she can’t be trusted and she won’t see it coming.

Danielle solo-views blah blah blah go away.

Rupert and Colby talk about how the six of them are splitting their votes, so if the two of them vote for Candice, she’s going home as long as that’s one of the two people the Villains vote for. Good reasoning.

Tribal Council: Jeff asks about voting out Amanda. Candice says she was voted out because she was a threat. Candice goes on to claim that her vote wasn’t the deciding factor. Colby says he no respect for the excuses. Candice says she didn’t want to go down on a sinking ship and it’s a game. Colby says THAT he respects.

Russell says the consensus is that Rupert is going.

Rupert answers Jeff’s question about the idol clue by saying that he went into the jungle and stayed until he felt comfortable.

Votes: Rupert, Rupert, Rupert, Candice (who looks sad that someone voted for her), Candice, Candice, Candice, Candice. So Candice is out (and Colby looks super-pleased with himself) (as does Amanda, who also looks as if she’s not quite sure what happened).

That was a nice play by Rupert and Colby. It didn’t have the dramatic flair of pulling out an immunity idol but it might be the best move so far this season.

Who Should’ve Been Voted Out: Rupert. Seriously. He didn’t go home because he put a rock in his pocket.

Post-Tribal Council: Russell solo-views that it was a terrible tribal council. He condescends that the girls got their hearts involved in the game and wanted Candice out because they didn’t like her and they all blew it, including himself.

Russell, Jerri, and Danielle talk and Russell tells them they made a mistake voting Candice. All Colby has to do is win immunity once and he’s in the top 5. Danielle points out, “They’re two, we’re five. They suck at challenges.” She has a point – neither Rupert nor Colby has done all that well at challenges. The three of them decide that Rupert doesn’t have the idol since he didn’t use it.

Russell solo-views that now he and Parvati are in control of the game together and that makes him worried. Hey, she told you that she doesn’t ride coattails. You just chose not to believe her.

Immunity Challenge: It’s a multi-stage challenge. First part, dig up a peg and go through a table maze, with the first 5 going to the next round. Then, you use four differently shaped pegs to help get to the top of a climbing wall, with the first three moving on. Those three must solve a sliding puzzle.

Rupert, Sandra (Sandra? Even she says, “I can’t believe!”), Russell, Parvati, and Danielle move to the next round.

Russell, Rupert, and Parvati move on to the sliding puzzle. (Yes, so who’s good at challenges now, Danielle?)

It’s close between Russell and Rupert but Russell solves his puzzle first and wins immunity.

Rupert says that just the lie that was putting a rock in his pocket isn’t going to save him tonight.

Post-Immunity Challenge: They come back from the challenge in a fierce thunderstorm with driving rain.

Parvati solo-views that she’d like Rupert to go home and she can’t wait for there to be “Nooo Hereoes.”

She talks with Villains about staying together and just voting for Rupert and then Colby.

Russell solo-views that he’s nervous about the tight alliance between Parvati and Danielle. He says he needs to break up that couple. He talks with Danielle about how neither of them could beat Parvati for the million.

Danielle isn’t sure if she wants to get rid of Parvati. She says that if she were ever to do that, and she’s not sure she would, now isn’t the time.

Russell talks with Parvati about how Danielle went to him and said she wanted to vote Parvati off when it got down to five or six. Parvati doesn’t really believe him and wants to talk to Danielle about it, which surprises Russell. I know, imagine, a woman thinking for herself, Russell! He tries to bully her into not talking to Danielle but Parvati doesn’t let anyone bully her.

Parvati and Danielle talk. They quickly realize that Russell is lying to them.

Russell talks with Colby about sending Danielle home. Colby: “Really? REALLY?” Rupert is okay with voting for Danielle, too.

Danielle and Parvati go talk with Jerri, realizing that Jerri is the swing vote at this point. Jerri is solid, she’s voting for Rupert.

Russell talks with Jerri. She says it’s too early for voting for Danielle, that they need to vote for Rupert. He says that Jerri’s next, but not because of him. Jerri doesn’t believe him and wants him to explain. He can’t. He babbles on about helping him help her.

Tribal Council: Rupert isn’t sure who is running the show but says it’s probably Parvati and Russell. Danielle thinks the Villains are making group decisions.

Parvati explains how Russell tried to pit her and Danielle against each other. Jeff asks Russell about getting caught. Russell says he didn’t get caught. He says Danielle came up to him about voting for Parvati. Danielle is jumping in with, “Liar!” and is close to tears. She doesn’t know why Russell is doing this. The jury rolls their collective eyes as Courtney says, “Boo. Hoo.” because she is awesome.

Danielle says they’ve been in alliance since the beginning and doesn’t know why Russell is trying to mess with it. Jeff asks if it feels personal and Danielle says that it does. She’s breaking down and losing control.

Russell says they would’ve voted Parvati out if that’s what he wanted to have happen. Danielle says that wouldn’t have happened because she’s closer to Parvati then Russell thinks.

Danielle continues on with “we’re all fine right now.” Danielle, you’re not all fine. You’re crying. Not fine. As she’s talking, Russell whispers to Jerri, “Danielle.”

What’s interesting, and maybe it is just editing but Parvati hasn’t said anything since her initial explanation of what Russell was trying to pull. I’m not sure if she’s trying to stay out of the way or if she figures there’s nothing she can do.

Votes: Rupert, Rupert, Rupert, Danielle, Danielle, Danielle, Danielle, and Danielle is done.

Parvati tells Russell, “That’s messed up.” Russell responds with just a “Well …”

Rupert looks thrilled.

Danielle, in her final speech, shows she doesn’t understand what happened, saying that she thinks that Russell changed his vote at the last minute.

Who Should’ve Been Voted Out: Rupert. By working to vote Danielle out this early, Russell potentially lost jury votes – definitely Danielle’s and probably Parvati’s if she were to go. If he does make it to the end, there is no one left in the game he can beat now except for maybe Jerri. Plus, there’s already enough anti-Russell sentiment among the remaining players that if he doesn’t win immunity next time, Parvati could be able to get people to vote for him.

Bubbling Under: Sandra taking Russell down. Parvati vs. Russell is no longer bubbling under – it’s risen to the top.

What did you think of the votes? Let us know in the comments!