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Vegas showgirl Janu Tornell called it quits. (Photo: Courtesy of CBS) |
'Survivor' has itself another quitter though this time around at least the player left with some measure of pride. Quirky Janu Tornell, the 39-year-old Las Vegas showgirl, laid down her torch on last night's episode claiming she had gotten what she needed out of the 'Survivor' experience...and apparently that had nothing to do with the million dollar check and the title of 'Sole Survivor'.
Penalized for being the first to duck out of the Immunity Challenge, Janu was exiled to live alone for one night on another island. The producers gave Janu a flint, a machete, some water and fishing gear for the trip. Janu, who had pathetically moped around in a hammock for the last nine episodes, became a whole different person once she was on her own and away from the group she didn't fit in with. Determined to make fire, Janu struggled throughout the day and long into the evening but her efforts paid off. Happy to be away from those who ridiculed her and overjoyed at having started a fire all on her own, Janu celebrated by dancing under the stars.
"The moon, the stars and the water, they are all mine," she said.
With Janu having experienced an epiphany of sorts and knowing how she had wanted to leave the game for so long, it didn't take much effort at all for host Jeff Probst to lead or manipulate Janu into laying down her torch at Tribal Council especially after former Ulong member Stephenie LaGrossa expressed her frustration over fighting so hard to stay in the game.
"Janu, if you had your way what would happen tonight?" asked Probst.
"I would ask this tribe to vote me out and keep Stephanie in," Janu replied.
"What's the difference between you laying your torch down and you looking at this group and saying...Vote me out?" said Probst.
"I guess after reflecting and understanding this, there would be no difference. So, I would be willing to lay down my torch so Stephanie could have a chance to stay in the game," Janu declared. Her pride creeping in, Stephenie refused to let Janu make such a sacrifice. "Not just for me," she said. "If she wants to lay down her torch, she wants to quit this game, she can do it but not on my account."
Taking her cue from Stephenie, Janu corrected herself. "What I am saying is I will lay down my torch and I don't want Stephenie to feel that I am doing it for her. It is something I have to do," said Janu.
"I just want this to be clear. You, on your own, are quitting this game?" Probst asked.
"Yes, Jeff. I will lay down torch this evening," Janu replied as it began to rain. Probst surmised that the downpour might symbolize a "cleansing moment" for Janu and then he asked her to bring him her torch.
"Janu, per your wishes, this game is over for you but you will not go home. You will return and be part of our jury," stated Probst as he snuffed her torch and laid it down in the dirt.
In leaving the game, it seemed as though Janu threw a wrench into Koror's plan to vote off Stephenie thus giving her yet another chance to formulate a winning plan. Unlike 'Pearl Islands' quitter Osten Taylor, the producers did air Janu's parting comments at the end of the episode.
The Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Koror Tribe
1. Ian.
2. Katie.
3. Tom.
4. Janu.
5. Gregg.
6. Jennifer.
7. Caryn.
8. Stephenie.
Koror Tribal Happenings (Day 25)
In the early morning, Caryn adds another notch to the calendar. Tom can't believe it is Day 25 already.
Janu is fuming over Coby's departure and tells us so. The vote caught her completely by surprise. Nobody told her what was going down beforehand. She feels betrayed.
As they wash at the shoreline, Katie and Jennifer boldly rip on Janu who is in earshot. The gruesome twosome comment on Janu being "crazy" and "grinning like a Jack O' Lantern" all the time.
Katie to us: Janu is a crazy person.
Caryn sets the stage for the confrontation that is about to erupt. She points out that Janu heard everything the two women were saying.
Let's get ready to rumble! Janu squares off with Katie in front of everyone. "What is this, junior high, Katie?" says Janu. Katie's calls Janu "creepy" to her face. Janu asks Katie why didn't she tell her instead of talking about it behind her back. Janu calls Katie out. Does she think she is a comedian on Saturday Night Live?
Katie claims that Janu talks in circles and doesn't make sense half the time.
Katie apologizes to Janu. Janu blows it off. Janu about everyone: "You are going to turn on each other any way."
Gregg gives us his perspective on the whole mess. In short, he would rather ditch Stephenie because she is a threat. Janu is harmless and could help him reach the end of the game. He won't vote out someone who can assist him just because he dislikes them on a personal level. It makes no difference to him whether Stephenie deserves to stay or not. The game isn't about rewarding people.
Reward Challenge
The tribe is broken up into two teams. They must drag six 30 pound pieces of a scaffold into the water and put them together. Once they do that, they can retrieve a flag and carry it back to shore for the win.
Reward
A traditional Palau feast.
Result
The teams are Stephenie, Ian, Katie and Jennifer against Tom, Janu, Gregg and Caryn. At the start of the challenge, Probst comments on how Janu and Jennifer are doing nothing when it comes to putting the scaffold together. They are letting Gregg and Tom do all the work. Katie is so slow, Stephenie has to yell at her to move her butt. Janu picks up the pace and actually starts leading the challenge for her team. She insists on being the one who grabs the flag and is the first one back at shore.
Winners: Tom, Gregg, Janu and Caryn.
Reward Happenings
The winners are taken to a special tribal area where they are greeted by a high chief and dancers.
Tom: Being in the jungle, the players have seen nothing of Palau's culture. It is nice to meet the natives and show respect for each other.
The high chief bestows festive headpieces on the players and blesses them. Caryn is touched by the entire ceremony. Gregg is thrilled to see what local life is really like.
The players head to a hut-like area where they partake in a feast. There is no strategy or game talk. Janu has to leave midway through. She heads outside and vomits. Janu: "I thought I was having an embolism." Gregg feels that because Janu couldn't keep the food down, she ruined the feast for the others.
Koror Tribal Happenings (Day 25)
Arriving back at camp, the lucky challenge winners describe the experience to the others. Gregg then reveals they have brought food back for them. In a bonehead move noticed by everyone, Janu and Caryn eat some of the food too. Janu claims she got sick and couldn't finish the meal back at the reward.
Katie: Nobody wanted to speak up since Janu and Caryn brought back the food for them in the first place.
Koror Tribal Happenings (Day 26)
Steph, Jenn and Tom get tree mail describing the Immunity Challenge. It is clear the challenge involves conquering fear while underwater. Tom speculates it may involve cages or something.
Stephenie: She needs to win Immunity. She is seen as the strongest woman at Koror.
Immunity Challenge
The players must sit under a cage-like device while the tide slowly comes in and shrinks their breathing space. The last competitor to quit the challenge wins. The first 'Survivor' to quit will be exiled to a deserted island.
Reward
Immunity from the Tribal Council vote.
Result
While Probst talks to Janu about panicking, she does and quits at 6 minutes in. She would rather live alone that stay in that cold water a moment longer. The others mock her and laugh. Probst comments her tribe doesn't seem concerned that she will be spending the night alone. Probst chastised them. Probst: "You guys are sitting there making jokes like it is open mike night." Caryn is out at 55 minutes. Katie, Jenn, Stephenie, Gregg and Ian are next.
Winner: Tom.
Exile Happenings (Day/Night 26)
As Janu leaves by boat, some of the Koror members wish her good luck. When Janu arrives at the island, she commits herself to making fire. As the sun goes down, Janu comments on how frustrating it is. She won't quit though. Her effort is well worth it. She does get fire. Janu celebrates by dancing on the beach. Janu believes that God wanted her to hold on. This is her happiest day yet in the game because it is all about her. She is positively elated to be away from Koror.
Janu: "The moon, the stars and the water, they are all mine."
Koror Tribal Happenings (Day 26)
Tom: A big decision must be made today. Who are they going to send home?
Tom schemes with Gregg. Gregg is firmly set on Stephenie. She could weasel her way into an alliance with the women while Janu won't.
Tom: The original Final Four of himself, Ian, Katie and Stephenie promised each other at the start of the game they would look out for each other even if they were separated for a time. Tom fears that pledge might be in jeopardy because Jenn and Gregg really want Stephenie out.
Tom, Gregg and Ian plot in the shelter. Tom wants to know when they should stop rewarding Janu for doing absolutely nothing. Gregg thinks they need to vote for Steph. The bigger threat must be removed from the game. Tom is worried Janu will coast her way to a win. Gregg figures they must put a stop to Stephenie.
Gregg: He fears Stephenie will conquer Koror if given the opportunity.
Tom: It appears Stephenie is going home but that isn't where his heart is.
Janu is back is she feels great. Janu tells the others it was wonderful to be away from Koror. They are stunned and congratulate her.
Janu: She didn't want to come back to Koror. They are being friendly towards her now but she doesn't forgive the way they treated her.
Making supper, Stephenie points out to Jenn that Janu arrived back happier.
Stephenie is worried that she can't get anyone alone. When she does, they won't talk to her about Tribal Council. That makes her nervous.
Koror Tribal Council Happenings
Janu smiles at Coby as he takes his seat as a member of the jury. Janu reports that it was fantastic to be on her own. She recounts her success at making fire. She didn't take the praise gave her afterwards to heart. She believes it was all "the game" based on how they made rude comments about her before. She feels as if she doesn't belong. Caryn is shocked that Janu would see it that way. Tom states that voting is all based on strategy now. Gregg: Everyone is a threat to him winning the million dollars. Katie doesn't feel as if she poses a threat...especially when it comes to the challenges. Janu doesn't see any reason why they should keep her. She is sick of herself already. She doesn't care at all if she is voted off. It upsets Stephenie to hear that from Janu because she is fighting so hard to stay in the game. Steph knows Koror has seen her heart and will. They are threatened by that and will kick her. Tom comforts Stephenie. His entire Fire Department would be proud to work along side her but this is 'Survivor' and it is a game. The whole Janu quitting scenario described at the start of this recap ensues. No vote is held. Coby covers his face when Janu lays down her torch. Coby and Steph exchange smiles.
Tribal Council Victim:
Janu Tornell.
Parting Comments
"I asked them to please let me go home and it didn't work so I made the last move. I decided to take myself out of the game. I guess I did make a major power play and I guess I did ruin their plans. Even though I laid down my torch, no one will ever be able to take away this unforgettable experience." -- Janu Tornell. .
On the next 'Survivor': Television.
"Speaking to the other women, Stephenie says: Tom might be have to be the next to go. Probst: Stephenie steps up her game. Stephenie and the women work on a deal. One of the men take the fall. Ian or Gregg: We should have voted Steph off during the first round. Stephenie: You think I am a threat? I will show you how threatening I am."
On the next 'Survivor': Internet.
"Some Survivors entertain the idea of forming a secret alliance and persuade a tribemate to join their pact. A Survivor heeds some advice and makes personal hygiene improvements, delighting the tribe. As the game nears its conclusion, three castaways formulate individual strategies for surviving the upcoming Tribal Council."
Powell's Thoughts:
Faux female alliance: Don't be fooled by the promo. If the gossip is true, the girl power alliance doesn't hold up because Jenn and Katie feel threatened by Stephenie. There will be no mutiny at Koror. It seems as though the core Koror alliance was ready to vote Stephenie off tonight and their plans won't change next week.
Steph's swansong: Good for her. She is going to go out with a bang and hit the canvass throwing punches. We would expect nothing less from her. Next week could be the most emotional episode this season...if you are a Steph fan that is.
Gregg's a goner: Jennifer and Gregg's power play concerning the Stephenie vote will likely paint targets on their foreheads. Tom is quick to react to shifts in the voting block. Gregg's increased face time also could be considered to be a clear indication that he is snuffed soon. Will Jennifer join the others in stabbing him in the back when Caryn wins Immunity and throws the core alliance's Tribal Council plans into chaos? Hmmmmm.
Tom and Katie: An interesting facet of this instalment of 'Survivor' is the way in which Tom and Katie are being depicted. For the most part, Tom's editing is positive...except for his bossy nature. He was given screen time this week to explain why the decision to boot Stephenie is out of his hands and that even though he respects Stephenie, he has to protect himself in the game. Meanwhile, Katie is the do-nothing, immature, gossiping, mean-mouthed shrew. She is the perfect foe for Tom to bring into the Final Two if it is indeed his choice to make.
To read Powell's 'Tale of the Torch', go here and follow all the latest 'Survivor' news in Jam! 'Survivor Palau'.
