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« Survivor: China
The Best Laid Plans…
Erik's strong stomach came in handy. Erik Huffman by Monty Brinton/CBS
Episode Recap: "That's Love, Baby! It Makes You Strong!"
Tonight’s show was very much the part two to last week’s drama with Peih-Gee and Jamie throwing the challenge, except that this week was more of a comedy of errors. At the center of all those errors: immunity – both hidden and earned.
First off, I do believe Peih-Gee has gone a little crazy with this game. As if she were some prisoner in a gulag who had just spied her first opportunity for escape, Peih-Gee, so intent on preserving her original alliances, tried to pass a message to Sherea during the reward challenge. She should have focused on the task at hand instead of trying to pass covert messages. Zhan Hu lost and had to give up James for a night of kidnapped bliss back with his home tribe.
Todd capitalized on that opportunity, making sure to get James’ clue to the idol. Unfortunately, Todd — who had been so smooth in the game thus far — lost all ability to make a nuanced play once he discovered the idol. His partner in crime, Amanda, pulled a ridiculous shingle-removing ploy that resulted in Frosti busting in on the idol’s retrieval. It was nice, though, that instead of stabbing James in the back, Todd included him – and everyone else, really – in a plan that would set James up to be the bearer of both idols in the game. And America breathed a sigh of relief.
It’s great that Todd had the presence of mind to keep playing the game, despite the distraction of James’s nekkid booty. The only caveat, however, was that Fei Long would have to win immunity so that James could use the idol at tribal council and then vote out Jaime. Sadly, the tribes were faced with my most hated of Survivor tricks: the food challenge. To steal a line from James, “Oh, the humanity!” Chicken hearts I can handle. Eel? Yeah. Baby turtles and chicken fetuses? Not so much.
James, up against Denise, tried his best to throw the challenge, but Denise couldn’t get that feathery, partially formed bird down her throat. No doubt she’s used to finer fare than that. Zhan Hu won, but really, Fei Long was at a disadvantage anyway having Courtney on their side in a food challenge, and so Todd’s finely tuned plan fell to pieces when Erik swallowed the 1,000-year-old egg faster than Frosti did. I know Jeff said these were delicacies in China, but I just don’t see that mess on the menu at Panda Express.
Tribal council once again brought out the best in Sherea, who released her pent-up anger in near Tourettes-level outbursts. I don’t know where the animosity toward Jean-Robert came from, but it was vitriolic. Perhaps it was fueled by her buddy Courtney’s ongoing distaste for him. Courtney may be abrasive at times, but she provides quite the amusing commentary.
Tonight’s gem regarding Jean-Robert’s “bad boy” status was particularly funny. Who knows, maybe he does have a Harley? Courtney might want to zip it, though, as her unbridled opinions may have made her into the outsider she perceived herself to be. Todd has liked her since day three, so I don’t know what she’s bellyaching about. Now she’s gone and blown the love by saying she doesn’t feel like a part of the cool kids. It’s lucky for Courtney that Sherea — who still needed to be blurred, by the way — had made no friends at Fei Long. Sherea’s torch was snuffed unceremoniously with a vote of 4-2.
Jean-Robert, you’re next… or maybe not. Next week’s previews have me scared for James (Jaime and Erik find his idol) and worried that Jean-Robert may survive another cut when Jeff calls for everyone to drop their buffs! (Eek!)
Until then, I leave you to ponder three of my favorite moments from tonight’s show — and yes, they all involve James:
-James and Denise hugging as he reunited with Fei Long. Is this the best alliance in the game?
-James cleaning up at the Tea House reward. Gratuitous or welcome footage?
-James smacking Todd on the arm and nearly knocking him over. The man doesn’t know his own strength.
What did you think of this week's episode? Leave your comments below!
For more Survivor: China check out our Online Video Guide.
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Oct 25, 2007 10:41 PM
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Courtney is as ugly on the inside as she is on the outside.
I don't understand why they always have Courtney sit out the reward challenges. Wouldn't it be wiser to have her sit out the Immunity Challenges?
I'd love to see James win the whole thing. I think his only way of doing that is to win each and every IC.
OK everyone raise their hand that wished we could have seen James in the shower without any blurring. Oh my.
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Oct 25, 2007 11:33 PM
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I'm just glad sexy Amanda is still there. Loved her reaction when she saw James' butt!
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Oct 26, 2007 12:02 AM
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Can Erik and Jamie "keep" James Hidden Immunity Idol if they find it in his stuff?
I dont' see why Todd was so upset that they won Immunity. So what if James didn't have to use HII this week. Perhaps it could be used the following week or given back to him once they merged.
I think Jamie, PG, Eric, Anorexic chick and John Robert have all got their days numbered (in that order)
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Oct 26, 2007 12:38 AM
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Twisty, twisty game, gotta love it! As long as Todd, James, and Denise survived another week, I'm happy.
Good for Todd for cooking up the plan to save James. Wish he and Amanda would have walked away from the structure when Frosti arrived, but Todd probably didn't want to risk Frosti finding it first.
Regarding James having both idols, I don't think Todd gave his up. When he said he was giving James the idol, I took it to mean the info James needed to get the one at his camp.
Has anything been said as to how long the idols are "good"? Since the previews didn't show the writing on the back of the medallion Eric hands to Jaime, maybe he doesn't have the right one? Probably wishful thinking, since it appears it did have the gold paint, but I'm hopeful for it being a red herring.
Poor James! First he's shocked that his new tribe threw a challenge; then when he needed to blow it, they abandon their grand scheme and decide they need to win it. I applauded Peih Gee and Jaime's move last week 'cause I thought it was clever and gutsy, but it was a huge risk. Too bad their former tribemates couldn't or wouldn't indicate they were on board. If only they'd realized they were about to lose two tribe members last week and, I don't know, TALKED about pre- and post-merge strategy while they had the chance?
From the previews it looks like there'll be a merge next week, which disappoints me. Wish there'd be one more week for the idol at Zhan Hu to come into play while they were still such a small tribe.
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Oct 26, 2007 2:55 AM
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Rhoda~So how long did it take you to come up with what I assume you think was a clever use of words in this sentence: Tribal council once again brought out the best in Sherea who again released her pent-up anger in near Tourettes level outbursts
As the mother of a child with Tourette's Syndrome, I was disappointed you would find that to be appropriate and not offensive.
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Oct 26, 2007 4:09 AM
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SURVIVOR WAS GREAT. I WAS UPSET ALSO WHEN JAMES COULDN'T THROW THE CHALLENGE,BUT IT TURNED OUT GOOD ANYWAY. THEY GOT RID OF SHEREA. YEAH!
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE NEXT WEEK, WHO MAKES WHAT ALLIANCES. I TOO HOPE JAMES WHEN. HE'S REALLY THE ONLY ONE I LIKE THIS YEAR.
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Oct 26, 2007 5:15 AM
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EXCUSE ME, SHOULD HAVE PROOF READ BEFORE SENDING. I MEANT TO SAY, I HOPE JAMES WINS.
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Oct 26, 2007 5:17 AM
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Yet another terrific episode of Survivor: China! I love that the players this season are cooking up very large strategic plans...smart or not, it's a lot of fun to watch! I admired Todd's plan because it was so gutsy. Stupid? Maybe, although if it had paid off it would have been brilliant. Entertaining? Oh yes. You have to be willing to make big moves in this game if you want to win, which is exactly why I also agreed with the logic behind last week's decision to strategically throw the challenge, even though throwing challenges is almost always a bad idea in this game. The key, however, is not to avoid making those big moves and taking those chances, but to adapt when and if they blow up in your face. I think the Zhan Hu people did that this week, and that was the most ironic part of all, because now it was JAMES who wanted to throw it. I swear, you just can't write this stuff! If Jeff's signal to drop the buffs in the preview is indicative of an upcoming merge, I say bring it on! The individual portion is always the most exciting part for me, and with this group of people, I can guarantee that it's going to be a LOT of fun to watch!
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Oct 26, 2007 6:18 AM
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I am also disappointed that they blurred James in the shower. I hope the previews are wrong and Erik and Jaime don't find James' immunity idol.
I would like to see the tribes not merge next week but become 2 new tribes. That would really shake this game up. I do like when they get to one tribe and go for individual immunity, but I would like to see the tribes get whittled down a little more first. (Plus I don't want Pei Gee to be correct since her assumption last week was a merge at 10).
I think if Courtney had kept her mouth shut at tribal council last night she would have gotten her wish to see Jean-Robert go home. It certainly looked like the rest of her tribe were leaning that way before she opened her mouth. I am glad, however, that Sherea is gone. I could barely stand looking at her last night even with a dress on.
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Oct 26, 2007 7:46 AM
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If James was "careless" and allowed anyone at Zhan Hu to get the idol, it's his fault. He's got to be smarter than that.
And, why in the hell is this guy busting his butt doing lots of work at the camp? Maybe it's just the editing and others are working just as hard, but dang....
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Oct 26, 2007 8:01 AM
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I'm a little in love with James! The hug with Denise, the nekkid-ness, and especially the Todd Arm-Smack. My friend and I were squealing: James, who previously told Dave that he doesn't hug men, was in his own way hugging Todd. How freaking adorable 
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Oct 26, 2007 9:54 AM
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TV Addict,
I hear you about Courtney. The problem is since the are sitting out so many people and you can't sit someone out in back to back challenges they were stuck with have Courtney sit out for the reward challenge.
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Oct 26, 2007 10:06 AM
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Regarding James having both idols, I don't think Todd gave his up. When he said he was giving James the idol, I took it to mean the info James needed to get the one at his camp.
Todd did give James the HII and told him to get the other one when he got back to camp.
James even said so during his "diary room" session about getting both HII.
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Oct 26, 2007 10:08 AM
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Great nail biting episode! I was sad that James wasn't able to vote out Jaime, that would have been sooo sweet, but it worked out well getting rid of Sherea. Her mouth was really gettting on my nerves. She had no reason to attack JR at tribal and frankly I'm starting to kinda like the guy. Yes, he is a sexist pig and I'd be grossed out to have to sleep anywhere near him but he's stepping it up at camp and at least tries to be nice at times.
Courtney was uberstupid to mouth off and I didn't find her trash talk to JR funny at all. I know she was trying to really slam him in her oh so cool NY way but she just came off sounding dumb and spiteful. If her tribe had been willing to sacrifice JR that display sealed Sherea's fate. Why would they keep someone for her to align with particularly when she's spelling out that she doesn't feel aligned them.
I would have loved for them to forego the blurring during James' shower. Ya think he was showing off for Denise? I thought it was so sad that she just wasn't able to eat that bird fetus and he had to do it. He was doing a really good job of looking like he really couldn't do it but in the end it was no problem at all and he saved his fair lady from having to do it even though it completely blew the plan. aahhh
I would love for James to win the whole shebang as he's been my favorite from day one but so long as he stays longer than Jaime, PG, Eric, Courtney, and JR I'll be OK. I wouldn't mind a final 2 with him and Todd but I don't really see that happening.
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Oct 26, 2007 10:13 AM
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