CANOE -- JAM! Television - TV Shows - Survivor2: Australian Outback: Episode Seven: Walkabout

Like an unstable Macintosh computer, Internet product manager Jeff Varner saw his hopes of being the final Survivor crash right before his very eyes at a crucial Tribal Council which could change the dynamics of this edition of Survivor. With both tribes merging into one and with the Survivors still voting with their former tribe members, the previous ballot rule came into play once again. After two deadlocked votes, the tie between Colby Donaldson and Jeff Varner was broken. Donaldson had none against him while Varner had two, one from Debb Eaton and one from Kim Kappenberg.

Extremely weak during the earlier challenges, the Ogakor Tribe came into the Tribal Council with a plan to turn the tables on the dominant Kuchas. Donaldson deliberately drew attention to himself so Kucha would target him. Ogakor gambled on Varner as being Kucha's weak link who would probably have more votes against him than Colby. They were correct. The underdogs for so long, the remaining Ogakor members are now in the driver's seat outnumbering Kucha by one person.

In the case of Varner's ousting, the Internet scooped the mainstream media once again. Reminiscent of the Gervase photo scandal last year, a poster (DeVeau31) on the SurvivorSucks message board claimed on Thursday to have screen-captured a photo of Varner on the official Survivor site indicating that he was the next to go. CBS denied that any such photo was ever published on their site. A lucky guess? A CBS screw-up? You be the judge.

The remaining Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:

Kucha Tribe

Ogakor Tribe

Kucha Tribe Happenings

Huddled together the sneaky Kangas plot their merger strategy. Elizabeth believes that Colby and Jerri are Ogakor's weak links. The Kangas agree that Keith or Amber could be manipulated into stabbing their teammates in the back but Tina can't as she appears to be loyal and trustworthy. Sure she is. Just ask Kel and Mad Dog. Kucha predicts a deadlocked Tribal Council vote. For those just tuning in, Jeff unnecessarily explains exactly what the tribal merger entails. Thanks for the news flash, Jeff.

Ogakor Tribe Happenings

The waterlogged Crocs have been kept in the dark. They still don't know anything about Michael's accident. Using her psychic powers, The Dark Queen (Jerri) suggests Rodger had a stroke. Tina squeals "Oh, my gawd!" in response. Ogakor receives tree mail which informs them that their men are going to scout out Kucha's camp and eat dinner there. Colby and Keith are delirious with anticipation. "Life is good," The Iron Chef (Keith) croons as visions of roasted chickens and pigs dance in his head.

For those who are hard of hearing, Keith and Tina detail the merger process again. The Dark Queen reveals that the Crocs aren't going to let it slip that she and Keith are vulnerable in the event of a tied Tribal Council vote.

Kucha Tribe Happenings

Tree mail announces that it will be a Girls Night Out for Kucha. Jeff surmises that the producers are attempting to keep the "chicks" apart. The Kangas don't want to leave the hovel they've built.

Gratuitous hiking footage airs. Colby, Keith, Alicia and Elisabeth trudge over to the opposing camp. It makes for riveting television.

Tribe Merger Happenings

At Ogakor, all of the women exchange hugs. Ahhh. Ain't that special. Sitting in the Croc's shack, Elisabeth tells Mike's tale of woe. Showing off her expansive knowledge of professional sports, Tina comments that Survivor is now a tie ballgame that's going into overtime. The female Crocs discover that Keith has taken the tribe's matches with him. The Dark Queen closes her trap about how much she wants to Mulinex the Iron Chef understanding that such information could be used against them at Tribal Council. Alicia feels honoured that the Crocs opened a can of tomatoes for their supper. All of a sudden, the Warrior Princess feels sorry for the Crocs and wants to share her tribe's food with them. The women babble incessantly about food and we are treated to an enlightening conversation about Tootsie Rolls.

At Kucha camp, the Kangas are disappointed that male Crocs (Colby and Keith) have arrived. It seems they were expecting to wine and dine female Crocs. They've got the good linen out. Rodger even changed his shirt, gosh darn it. Keith feels the meeting went well as they all relate to each other like comrades in arms. Jeff says Colby is all teeth and that Keith follows him around like a puppy dog. Jeff surmises that Keith is the outsider at Ogakor. The men eat Kucha's last chicken for dinner. Belch.

Both sets of scouts stay at the opposing team's camp. Tree mails at Ogakor and Kucha announce that they have 15 minutes to gather whatever they can. They are then to follow a map to the new, neutral camp site. The canoes stay where they are. Rodger is pissed at having to abandon Kucha's ghetto. It's a two hour trek to the camp site. Thankfully, very little of the mind-numbing hike is shown.

Barramundi Tribe Happenings

The Survivors greet each other. Their tribe colour is now orange. A crate filled with materials to make a flag and food is waiting for them. Nick is furious that the women started gobbling down the food before it was even out of the crate. The Survivors drink wine and pig out. Tina reveals that she has never drunk wine before. Why does that not surprise me?

Eagle-eyed Jeff notices that Keith has met with Colby and Jerri. It seemed to him like they were pointing people out to be booted. In the morning, chaos ensues. The women (led by Jerri) want the shelter on the beach. Rodger thinks they should build it on a hill under some trees. Final score: Barramundi women one, Rodger nothing. Colby assesses the situation and deciding there are too many chiefs, he smartly refrains from making any sort of comment. The Survivors reveal that their tribe is named after an Australian fish.

Immunity Challenge

It's that marathon standing-on-a-pole bit again.

Reward

Immunity from Tribal Council.

Result

Feeling sick, Nick ditches at 1 hour and 30 minutes. He goes off to slumber on the beach. Colby is next at four hours in. Our host Jeff brings out a tray of food to tempt them. Not meaning to, Elisabeth gives Jeff the idea of inviting Colby and Nick over to share in the food. Rodger and Jeff are off next so they can chow down. At 6 hours and 47 minutes, Amber and Jerri are lured off their perches by ice cream and chocolate. It is dark, cold and starting to rain. Jeff asks a shivering Elisabeth what it would take to get her to abandon the challenge. She says a boat ride back to shore. Jeff does just that when she eliminates herself. Ten hours and 17 minutes in, Jeff paddles up with hot coffee and hot chocolate. Alicia can't resist. Keith begs Tina to let him have this one as he desperately needs the immunity. She concedes.

Winner: Keith.

Tribal Council

No footage is shown of any plotting beforehand. Alicia comments that she stepped off because it wouldn't change what will happen. Keith refers to Tina as his "sister" and credits her with him winning immunity. Tina was just being a team player. Jeff informs the Survivors that anyone voted off following tonight's Tribal Council will stay and become part of the Survivor jury.

Colby's vote is strategic though we don't see who he selected. Tina's thinks her vote is for a nice guy but again strategy has come into play. A pompous Jeff says that the lonestar (Colby) must go as he deposits his ballot. Rodger proclaims that all members of Ogakor are outta there. After Round One, Colby and Jeff are barred from voting but are allowed to state their case. Jeff is proud of what he has done on Survivor. Colby explains that he plays the game "full-tilt" and is there to win even if that makes him out to be a threat in some people's minds. Nothing revealing of the Tie-Breaker balloting is broadcast.

Final Voting (Round One)

Final Voting (Tie-Breaker)

Stalemate Vote Tally

Parting Comments

"I knew this was going to happen because of a very large mouth of a former tribe member at Kucha. Ogakor knew I had that vote and I knew there was nothing I could do about it so, I'm going home and I've had an awesome time. This has just been the most amazing experience I have had in my entire life. "- Jeff Varner.

Powell's Comments

The balance of power has shifted. Unless a member of the Kucha Alliance defects or wins the next immunity challenge, they run the risk of being voted off in succession. The Crocs outwitted the Kangas this week. All that hiking and eating made this the worst Survivor episode so far this year. Yawn!