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It was love at first sight for Billy Garcia on 'Survivor'. (Photo Courtesy of CBS.) |
Rock n' Roll will never die...except on "Survivor."
In one of the most shameful and foolish moves ever made on the CBS reality show series, the Aitu Tribe deliberately threw last night's Reward-Immunity Challenge just so they could set up rocker/wrestler Billy Garcia for the boot. The worst part is, they weren't even subtle about it. It seems that someone needed to remind Aitu that 'Survivor' is a game about numbers and each tribe began the game with only five members.
Even host/producer Jeff Probst couldn't bite his tongue as Aitu purposely dragged their feet throughout the obstacle course.
"Aitu is taking their time. Aitu is on holiday," he shouted mocking the transparent forfeiture.
If his tribe's brazen surrender wasn't embarrassing enough for Billy, he also seemed to misinterpret a fleeting conversation he had with rival Rara Tribe member Candice Woodcock as Probst wrapped up the challenge.
"We feel really bad for you guys," Candice told Billy as they stood side-by-side on their respective tribe mats.
"I'm next," replied a downcast Billy.
"We love you," said Candice.
"I love you," said Billy.
At a heated Tribal Council, Billy dubbed the exchange as "love at first sight" telling Probst he had lost the game but finding true love was his prize.
Love hurts, Billy. Love hurts.
The Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Hiki Tribe
1. Nathan Gonzales.
2. Rebecca Borman.
3. Stephannie Favor.
4. Sundra Oakley.
Puka Tribe
1. Anh-Tuan "Cao Boi" Bui.
2. Becky Lee.
3. Brad Virata .
4. Jenny Guzon-Bae .
5. Yul Kwon .
Rara Tribe
1. Adam Gentry .
2. Candice Woodcock.
3. Jonathan Penner .
4. Parvati Shallow .
5. Jessica Smith .
Aitu Tribe
1. Billy Garcia.
2. Cecilia Mansilla.
3. Cristina Coria.
4. John Calderon.
5. Oscar Lusth.
Hiki Tribal Happenings
The city kids are trying to light a fire but are having no luck whatsoever. For Sundra, the idea that the tribe is representing African-Americans is putting added pressure on them to do well. Stephannie is determined. "We gotta make this fire," she says. Nathan gives it his best but tires out. The women take over and they are successful. Steph: What do we do with it now? Nathan jumps for joy: We got fire! We got fire! The tribe shares a group hug. Nathan about the women: I knew they would step up. They are tough sisters.
Aitu Tribal Happenings
Aitu endeavours to decrease the local marine population and they are doing a good job at it too. They haul in fish, clams and even a lobster.
Back at camp, Cristina reveals to the others that she is a police officer and almost lost her arm in a shooting. That is the reason she keeps the bullet that was shot at her on a necklace around her neck.
Cecilia praises Cristina for being a positive role model.
The headstrong Cristina and control freak Ozzy argue about the best way to make a chicken trap to catch some of the wild fowl. Ozzy claims he is being careful not to shoot down Cristina's ideas although he truly believes he knows better. Cristina thinks Ozzy doesn't see other people's point of view.
Ozzy attributes Cristina's frustration to her being a cop. He figures he would be cheesed off too though if a person substantially younger than him was trying to tell him what to do.
Ozzy's trap works and Cristina stomps off instead of making merry with everyone.
Puka Tribal Happenings
Puka has the same idea as Aitu but they are using Wile E. Coyote's faithful box and string trap. They do capture two chickens for their effort.
Yul and Becky get chummy on the beach. Becky figures they have a lot in common because they are both Korean. Yul trusts Becky. Becky sees Yul as an older brother of sorts. They agree to protect each other in the game.
Rara Tribal Happenings
Jonathan arrives back from Exile Island. Everyone welcomes his return. One of the women calls him "Papa Bear". Jonathan explains that he searched for the Hidden Immunity Idol but didn't find it.
Jonathan is not pleased that in his absence the youngsters haven't done anything productive at camp like making a better floor for the shelter. Jessica assists Jonathan in renovating the hovel.
Jessica sees Adam, Parvati and Candice as being lazy. They do nothing but slack off.
Adam and Jonathan butt heads over constructing an elevated floor for the shelter. Adam calls the idea the "dumbest thing" he has ever heard. Adam: What's a raised floor gonna do? He calls the plan a waste of energy and time. Yes, folks. It seems the casting crew did away with the totally inconsequential pre-series I.Q. testing this year.
Jonathan says Adam's crabbiness stems from the fact that he is hungry. That still doesn't explain how he can function with half a brain though, Jon.
As Jonathan throws up his hands, Candice advises Adam not to make enemies. Duh.
Aitu Tribal Happenings
'Headbanger' Billy is happy to sit on his butt and not lift a finger to help with the fishing. "Let them burn their energy," he says of his tribe.
Ozzy figures Billy is not pulling his weight. Cristina wants everyone to work together. Billy chats with Cristina. Billy: I don't feel Hispanic. Metal is my culture. Party on, dude.
Puka Tribal Happenings
"Cao Boi" is on another house call. It seems now Becky has a headache too or just wants some screen time. "Cao Boi" works his magic again and leaves a mark on Becky's forehead even though she asked him not to do so. "Cao Boi" states that anybody who knows him eventually ends up with a mark on their foreheads at least once. Becky admits her headache has disappeared.
While Puka retires for the evening in their shelter, "Cao Boi" jokes around imitating Asian stereotypes and telling off colour jokes. Yul and Brad voice their displeasure. "Cao Boi" thinks it is crucial to be able to laugh at yourself. Brad: A lot of people won't get it though. "Cao Boi" says he doesn't live his life avoiding the stereotypes. "Cao Boi": A joke is a joke. Others disagree.
Yul: Making a joke at the expense of another ethnic group is not cool in his book.
Aitu Tribal Happenings
Nobody can sleep as Billy is snoring like a foghorn. Ozzy suggests throwing the Immunity Challenge so they can cut him. Playing that way doesn't seem right to Cristina. Ozzy tells the others they will be in a better position and be a stronger tribe if they push Billy overboard.
Cristina doesn't know if she can trust Ozzy any longer. She is really disappointed in the tribe.
Reward - Immunity Challenge
Before the challenge takes place, the tribes are shown receiving their tree mails. Nathan: We have to win this challenge. At Aitu, Ozzy and J.P. agree Billy has to go. Ozzy: He is dead weight. We have to cut our losses.
Probst reads a story about Captain Cook. The Survivors must work their way together through an obstacle course, gather seven clues and answer five questions about Cook's story correctly. If they want to, the tribes can read the story again to refresh their memory by opening a book at the start line. JP, Adam and Jenny sit out.
Reward
The first three tribes win Immunity. The first place tribe gets some tarps. The last place tribe will again decide who gets sent to Exile Island.
Result
Aitu throws it. Puka and Rara think they have completed their puzzles but Probst reminds them that they have to all be standing on their mats. Even though Rara seems to get there first, Probst declares Puka the winners. Rara protests the decision. After "reviewing the tapes", Probst declares that Rara and Puka are tied for first and both teams with get tarps.
Winners: Puka (first), Rara (first), Hiki (second), Aitu (third).
Aitu sends Yul to Exile Island. Candice and Billy share in the conversation described above.
Aitu Tribal Happenings
A disenchanted Cristina states that throwing the challenge just sucked. Ozzy: Billy's laziness signifies that he will never commit to the tribe. He equals lack of work with lack of a commitment. Cristina is wary of Ozzy. To her, he is very conniving.
Billy: Things look bleak for me but maybe I can pull this one out.
Exile Island Happenings
Yul follows the clues and digs up the Hidden Immunity Idol. A note states that the last time it can be used is when there are four people left in the game. Yul: If at any point, I can change the game up, I will use it.
Aitu Pre-Tribal Council Happenings
Billy meets with Cristina as they fetch water. He tells her that after he has been sent to the Loser Lodge, she is next. She agrees to help him. Cristina sees Ozzy as a threat. Christina talks to Cecilia in Spanish about flipping the vote. Cecilia tells us she trusts Cristina. She just hopes the cop is being honest with her.
Ozzy: I am fearful Billy will flip the vote. If this tribe votes me out, they will suffer.
Billy: My best hope rests on Cecilia. He is sure she is the queen in his last hand.
Aitu Tribal Council Happenings
Ozzy knew he would be looked at as a leader because of his outdoor skills. Cristina says Ozzy always likes to take control. Ozzy doesn't see himself as the leader. He claims it is hard to look the other way when someone is doing something wrong at camp. Billy: I am hurt this tribe threw the challenge. I know they threw it. JP rips on Billy for not doing his fair share. Billy: I fell into a classic trap. JP scoffs at the notion. He and Billy talk over each other. Billy makes his statement about falling in love with Candice. She is his prize. Probst's jaw drops open. JP comments that he knew Billy was sketchy since the beginning. Cristina believes love at first sight is possible but doesn't want to see Billy get hurt.
JP votes for Billy. JP: I cannot trust you now or later. Billy writes down Ozzy's name. Billy says Ozzy is the best player on the tribe.
Final Voting
1. Billy Garcia: Ozzy.
2. Cecilia Mansilla: Billy.
3. Cristina Coria: Billy.
4. John Calderon: Billy.
5. Oscar Lusth: Billy.
Tribal Council Victim: Billy Garcia.
Parting Comments
"I came into this wanting to live the dream of playing 'Survivor'. I got to live that dream six days and I think it is kinda cool that the heavy metal guy is getting eliminated by a guy named Ozzy. My biggest regret is that I didn't play the way I wish I would have. I didn't represent myself well in the beginning but I am not going to regret anything because I still got to live the dream." -- Billy Garcia .
On the next 'Survivor': Television.
Probst: Mother nature fights back. Someone is doing battle with an octopus. Probst: Parvati works her assets and Cao Boi turns up the volume. Brad: The guys never shuts up.
Powell's Thoughts:
Next week could be a double boot episode with the tribes merging the following week.
Poor Cristina. If the tribes aren't switched up soon and Aitu loses another challenge, she could be hanging with Billy in the Loser Lodge unless Cecilia is serious about teaming up with her.
Could the Episode Three title "Flirting and Frustration" be a clue to a tribal reshuffling already? Do Candice and Adam get separated? Does the title simply imply that Parvati is hitting on the wrong guy who because of his sexual orientation may not be susceptible to her female charms?
The introduction of the Becky and Yul pairing could be significant if the two end up on the same tribe following the reshuffling. Chances are, they could both go far in the game.
Whatever happened to the "It's dire straights for one tribe when a lack of fire leads to serious dehydration" in the CBS Internet promo?
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that like Cristina, Cao Boi's days are really numbered.
Word is the players are given the option of switching tribes but nobody takes Probst up on his offer.
