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Willard Smith and Angie Jakusz were victims of a double boot last night on 'Survivor'. (Photos courtesy of CBS) |
After nine seasons of almost every twist and turn imaginable 'Survivor' proved last night that it still has the ability to shock and stun even the most seasoned fan. "The Best and Worst Reward Ever" was not only the best episode of the extraordinary 'Palau' season but it unquestionably ranks as one of the greatest 'Survivor' episodes ever broadcast.
Keeping true to his promise of 'Palau' featuring many unique 'Survivor' firsts, host Jeff Probst sent the players and viewers for a loop when he announced at the special Reward Challenge that both tribes would be voting someone out at Tribal Council. If that weren't enough, the victorious tribe would devour a feast while they "spied on" the opposing tribe's Tribal Council ceremony.
True to form, the ridiculously feeble Ulong Tribe bungled another lead and another challenge. After the relentless Koror Tribe sent grumpy old man Willard Smith to the glue factory, they gobbled up a stew dinner while Ulong grumbled to Probst during their Tribal Council. As Ulong prepared to vote, Probst announced another twist. By casting individual votes, Koror had to assign Immunity to one of the Ulong members based on what they heard at Tribal Council. Perhaps believing his Ulong-done-me-wrong speech and not thinking strategically at all, Koror granted the shabby shark necklace to Ibrehem, the guy who cost Ulong the challenge to begin with.
In another surprise development, Ulong's vote ended with Angie and Bobby Jon being tied with two eviction votes each. Thankfully, the producers didn't have to resort to the Dreaded Purple Rock of Doom to decide the stalemate. The re-vote had Ibrehem, James and Stephanie unceremoniously toss Angie Jakusz, Palau's Illustrated Woman, overboard.
The Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Ulong Tribe
1. Bobby Jon.
2. Stephanie.
3. James.
4. Ibrehem.
5. Angie.
Koror Tribe
1. Ian.
2. Katie.
3. Tom.
4. Janu.
5. Gregg.
6. Jennifer.
7. Coby.
8. Caryn.
9. Willard.
Koror Tribal Happenings (Night 11)
Just when you thought we were rid of those annoying and sappy island romances...here comes another. Sigh. 'Palau' has "Greggifer". Gregg and Jenn giggle, cuddle and giggle some more as Koror beds down.
Coby: "Greggifer" are getting pretty serious. She had her hand on his stomach and everything. Everyone isn't stupid. They can all see what is going on. They see "Greggifer" together.
Willard is resting in the hammock. "Willard! Willard!," shouts Tom. "You are in charge of the fire." In the darkness, Willard just rolls his eyes.
Ulong Tribal Happenings (Night 11)
A rainstorm ravages Ulong's camp. In another bright move, they decide to pack up everything and seek shelter in that nearby cave. The problem is they can't find it. Ulong stumbles around in the jungle getting more and more lost with every turn. Angie looks like she is about to cry.
Angie sobs: We are going the wrong way!
Bobby Jon: I tried to lead everyone to the cave but got lost in the wilderness.
James bumps into a rock wall. James: "See, this is a rock wall." As everyone gripes some more, James tries to encourage them. James: "It's an adventure." Nobody is buying what James is selling. Angie insists they are just going in circles. She doesn't know what everyone else is doing but she is heading back to camp.
James: Angie is a quitter. She just gives up all the time.
Once again, Stephanie is the voice of reason. Stephanie: "This is the last place they say to be. Let's just go back to the shelter."
Returning to their soggy shelter and their soggy makeshift beds, James tells everyone "You do not quit if you want to win this game. You cannot falter."
Goodnight, Bobby Jon. Goodnight, James. Goodnight, John Boy.
Ulong Tribal Happenings (Day 12)
In the morning, James looks off in the distance. He has another astute revelation. It is going to rain again.
Angie: She feels miserable. Everyone is freezing. This is a rough one.
Koror Tribal Happenings (Day 12)
Making another guest appearance and notching more screen time than Jennifer or Janu, Jaws is shown swimming at the shoreline looking for breakfast.
Tom is worse for wear. He didn't get much sleep. He had to climb over Willard and tend to the fire all night long.
Tom: His strategy must be to wear me down. Why else wouldn't he watch the fire?
Tom chats with Gregg. Tom says that if Willard wanted to show how valuable he was to the tribe, he could at least put another log on the fire. They can't keep Willard around. In the real world, Tom would've "unloaded" on Willard but this is a game and you can't do things like that.
Gregg: Koror is sitting pretty so there really hasn't been too much talk about alliances. Willard has been getting a free ride. He has played the game longer than he should've been allowed to.
Reward Challenge
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Angie Jakusz of the Ulong Tribe during the reward challenge "Sea Salvage". (Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS.) |
The players must use a pulley and skiff system to send their tribe mates out to a shipwreck. Once there, they must dive down and retrieve bottles. First team who scores 6 bottles wins.
Probst tells Ulong and Koror that no matter what, both tribes will be going to Tribal Council and voting someone out.
Reward
A feast and the opportunity to sit in on the opposing team's Tribal Council.
Result
Koror sits out Katie, Willard, Caryn and Janu. Ulong appears to be winning until it is Ibrehem's turn. Ibrehem surfaces three times without a bottle. Fed up, Ulong calls him back. Even though Ian has to dive down numerous times to find a bottle, Ulong can't catch up.
Winners: Koror.
Koror Tribal Happenings (Day 12)
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The Koror Tribe take a break. (Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS) |
There are cheers and laughter at Koror. Ian comments that Ulong is a disaster. Tom believes that even if Ibrehem had scored a bottle, Ulong would've still lost.
Ian: He is so excited to see what Ulong is all about.
Coby asks everyone if they could be polite during the feast and not rub it in Ulong's faces.
Ian starts garbling a song about Ulong being in "Survivor hell". Tom laughs and calls Ian "crazy". Tom: Who brought this guy?
Ulong Tribal Happenings (Day 12)
James: They lost the challenge because of Ibrehem. He just gave up. If Ibrehem was a man, he could've just told everyone he couldn't do it and they would have made allowances.
Stephanie: She has been an athlete all of her life. She is not used to losing. Her only hope is a merger comes along soon.
Ibrehem: He panicked and lost it during the challenge.
At the campfire, Ibrehem admits to James that the challenge loss was all his fault. Ibrehem: "I single-handedly lost that one. I am the Number One target."
Ibrehem meets with Bobby Jon. He asks Bobby to give him a heads-up if he is being voted off. Bobby Jon agrees to do so.
Bobby Jon: It is only fair to vote Ibrehem tonight.
Koror Tribal Happenings (Day 12)
As Willard stuffs his face, Katie, Gregg, Jennifer, Ian and Tom meet in the water. Tom thinks Willard should go. If he is allowed to stay he might win the puzzle challenges and make it to the end. If he does, Tom will blow his top.
Willard knows he is toast.
Willy meets with Coby. He wonders if his shorts will fit Coby. He has a feeling he is going home tonight. Willard isn't mad. He had fun.
Coby: It will make him mad if Willard is voted out before do-nothing Katie.
Willard thinks 'Survivor' is a game of personalities and he can't win. Something must be messed up if what you have to look forward to is someone's pants.
Coby: Willard is done like dinner and there is nothing he can do to stop it. He just doesn't have the numbers to support him. 'Survivor' is a popularity contest to be sure.
Coby: If Katie stays longer than him in the game, he will just puke.
Gregg meets with Coby. He puts a deal on the table. He and Jennifer want to make a secret alliance with Coby and Janu. When it comes down to brass tacks, they can pick the others off. Coby accepts the offer and won't tell a soul. Gregg points out Tom as the biggest threat. He promises Coby he will act as a snitch and rat out the others to Coby.
Coby: He is glad the game is going to a whole new level. He can't wait.
Tom and Gregg discuss Willard's departure. In Tom's mind, everyone gets voted out eventually.
Gregg: He and Jenn are seemingly free to navigate through this tribe. They can flip their alliance and pick off the others. According to him, he and Jenn think more than the others.
Koror Tribal Council Happenings
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Koror gets fire at their first Tribal Council appearance. (Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS.) |
Probst instructs the tribe to light their torches. You know...fire representing life and all that crappola.
Probst: We have so much to cover. Katie says there are different kinds of leaders on the tribe. Tom leads the challenges. Ian is the hunter/gatherer. Tom says it wasn't his plan to be the leader. His strategy was to be the laidback dad who would fade into the background. Since Koror was the physically weaker tribe, he had to step up to the plate. Coby claims he is very social. He gets along with everyone. He is a social butterfly. That decision might end up costing him the game. Gregg says that some wonderful bonds have been formed. Ian and Tom have a father/son relationship. Tom pipes in that he is the father. Coby and Janu are close and so are Willard and Caryn. Katie is friends with everyone. There is nothing super intense going on with "Greggifer". Willard is not in a good position since he is weak. Gregg: Trust is about to be tested.
Willard writes down Katie's name. Katie votes for Willard. Katie: You are crabby and bitter. Bye.
Final Voting
1. Ian: Willard.
2. Katie: Willard.
3. Tom: Willard.
4. Janu: Willard.
5. Gregg: Willard.
6. Jennifer: Willard.
7. Coby: Willard.
8. Caryn: Willard.
9. Willard: Katie.
Tribal Council Victim:
Willard Smith.
Willard to Koror: Stay strong. Stick to the plan and finish them off.
Parting Comments
"I surprised myself out here by not being quite as strong as I expected to be. There are times I get crabby and I know that can bother people but it has been many years since I've been in a situation where I have been deprived of water and sleep. I think the tribe as a whole are good people by and large." -- Willard Smith .
Probst: We will now bring in the Ulong Tribe, who I am sure is going to enjoy this. Koror is sent to the jury side of Tribal Council and asked to pull off the cover of their meal. It is stew, root beer and bread. Ulong cheers and drools. Janu begins dishing the food out.
Ulong Tribal Council Happenings
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Ulong at Tribal Council. (Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS.) |
Probst sees that Ulong has brought their shovels and tools. He wonders why.
Bobby Jon: We didn't know what was going to happen. We don't know if we are going to merge. We decided to bring everything but we might have to lug it all back.
Probst: "Yeah, we are not merging."
Probst asks why Angie is hiding her face. She can't stand to watch Koror eat. She is frustrated. Ulong really wanted to win that challenge. It would have given them such a boost. It makes Stephanie sick to watch. Ulong made one mistake and it cost them the challenge. James: We wanted it. We had the desire. Ibrehem could remind people how others did cruddy at previous challenges but he doesn't do business like that. He wants people to remember his performances at the other challenges. One mistake shouldn't sink his game.
Probst informs Koror that the last part of their Reward is they can assign Immunity to anyone on Ulong. They will vote individually. Katie picks Ibrehem. Gregg selects Angie.
Ibrehem is granted Immunity.
James votes for Angie. He is sorry. It appears that Ibrehem votes for James.
Final Voting
1. Bobby Jon: Unknown. (Angie?)
2. Stephanie: Unknown. (Bobby Jon?)
3. James: Angie.
4. Ibrehem: James.
5. Angie: Unknown. (Bobby Jon?)
The votes are counted. Bobby Jon and Angie each have two votes. Probst directs Ibrehem, Stephanie and James to vote again.
Tie-breaker Vote
1. Stephanie: Angie.
2. James: Angie.
3. Ibrehem: Angie.
Tribal Council Victim:
Angie Jakusz.
Angie to Stephanie: Rock for the ladies.
Probst to Ulong: Well, you have had a rough first 12 days and even though you are down four tribe members the fact remains that you are still a tribe and the good news is, you still seem to believe it.
Parting Comments
"I am very proud of my accomplishments out here. I mean, I did much better than I ever thought I would. I am happy that I came out here and done something I have never done before. It was a different and refreshing experience. I definitely have more appreciation for the things I take for granted. All those little things in life, I will never take them for granted again." -- Angie Jakusz .
On the next 'Survivor': Television.
"Next Wednesday on 'Survivor', Ibrehem faces the music. James to Ibrehem: You cost us the game. You went down three times and didn't come up with a bottle. A storm hammers Koror. Koror huddles in their shelter. They worry about their shelter being blown away. And...Janu pays the price."
On the next 'Survivor': Internet.
"Tensions flare between two tribemates when one blames the other for the tribe's loss in a Challenge. A tribe's high morale is not enough to keep one Survivor from being annoyed by a tribemate's uselessness around camp. After a miserable night in a typhoon, one Survivor has an emotional and physical breakdown. One undecided Survivor makes conflicting deals with two tribemates going into Tribal Council. Who will be next to leave the island?"
Powell's Thoughts:
The Ulong Blues: I don't know about you but even my black heart is breaking for Ulong. It is one thing to be beat. It is quite another to be kicked when you are down. Watching them at Tribal Council was pure agony. Sadly, it doesn't appear that things are going to get better for them any time soon.
What's up with Janu?: In the promo, Probst mysteriously mentions that Janu pays a price. For what is unclear. I would assume she gets REAL sick after gorging on that food at Tribal Council.
Coby's comment: Coby's statement about puking if Katie makes it further ahead in the game than him was classic foreshadowing by the producers. You must also ponder Gregg's comment at Tribal Council about Katie being pals with everyone. Don't be shocked if Katie somehow makes the Final Two.
The Outcast Alliance: If you believe the rumour mill, Coby's alliance with Gregg somehow falls apart and they never end up putting their dastardly plan into motion.
Silent Jennifer: Some giggling and that's it? One has to wonder why they are giving Jenn such little screen time. It could very well be that her story unfolds later on...or...she just rides Gregg's coat-tails and therefore there is nothing insightful to report on her.
Jig is up for James?: If James continues to hammer on Ibrehem, he could be setting himself up for the boot next week. Bobby Jon and Ibrehem are somewhat aligned and Stephanie has said James is annoying at times. As the last Ulong woman, Stephanie might go along with whatever Ibrehem and Bobby Jon decide in order to keep playing the game.
To read Powell's 'Tale of the Torch', go here and follow all the latest 'Survivor' news in Jam! 'Survivor Palau'.
