Tribal alliances on Survivor 2 are proving to run very deep indeed. Though
footwear designer and former Kucha Tribe member Elisabeth Filarski tried to
take advantage of a supposed crack in the now dominant Ogakor Alliance, her
efforts were for naught. Outnumbering the Kucha Alliance by one vote Ogakor
remained loyal to each other voting out tough-as-nails personal trainer --
Alicia Calaway -- as a team. Calaway's athleticism worked against her. A
threat in any upcoming immunity challenges, she had to be voted off to ease
Ogakor's fears.
Never was the production and editing more important than in last night's
Survivor episode. Since there is no legitimate reason for the Ogakor
Alliance to surrender their Tribal Council leverage fans should expect
several weeks of Kucha Tribe member ejections. To combat that
predictability the producers highlighted the flaws in Ogakor's partnerships
and Filarski's meddling while disregarding any meetings between the Ogakor
members as they determined their voting strategy at Tribal Council. Ogakor
had to have gone in with a plan but we were not privy to it.
As Jeff Varner's expulsion was foreshadowed on various Internet Survivor
sites last week, Alicia's was also given away beforehand by Varner himself
as he spoke to Entertainment Tonight Correspondent and previous Survivor
winner Richard Hatch. Varner told Hatch that he would be seeing Alicia soon
then corrected himself when he realized what he had said while the cameras
were still filming. In order to participate Survivor contestants must sign
a strict confidentiality agreement which includes not divulging impending
happenings on the show.
The remaining Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Barramundi Tribe
1. Alicia Calaway: Personal trainer.
2. Elisabeth Filarski: Footwear designer.
3. Nick Brown: U.S. army officer.
4. Rodger Bingham: Teacher.
5. Amber Brkich: Administrative assistant.
6. Colby Donaldson: Custom auto designer.
7. Jerri Manthey: Actress.
8. Keith Famie: Chef and restaurant owner.
9. Tina Wesson: Nursing assistant.
Barramundi Tribe Happenings (Day 22)
Rodger and Alicia are up before the others, mostly members of the
Ogakor Alliance. As they stoke the fire they criticize the rest for being
"late sleepers". Every time Rodger is near the fire he can't help to think
of Michael. Steady, Rodger. Don't breathe in any of that smoke, my friend.
Alicia The Warrior Princess has gone off to slay some goblins or
dragons so...its time for an episode of Fishing With Rodger Bingham. Rodger
is man enough to admit that the Ogakor Alliance pulled one over on Kucha at
the last Tribal Council. He declares that it is now "every man for
himself". "I love this fishing hole," he says as he yanks more fish out of
the water than a Japanese trawler and he ain't even using a Super Pole
2000, people. Give the man credit. Tearing a page out of Richard Hatch's
play book, Rodger is convinced that as long as he keeps reeling them in, he
is safe. Special guest star -- Keith "Iron Chef" Famie -- joins Rodger for
some pleasant chit-chat.
A crocodile is spotted sunning on a rock in the river. Where's
Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin when you need him, eh? Colby and Amber
contribute immensely to the daily chores by playing backgammon on the beach
and discussing how the Ogakor Alliance is "sitting pretty". Tina states
that she wants the "good guys to win". The "good guys" being Ogakor of
course. The Dark Queen (Jerri) is feeling isolated and is the only one on
Earth who doesn't know the reason why. Here's a one word clue for you,
Jerri. It rhymes with "switch".
Live from the Barramundi campfire it's Super Brawl 2! It's time to cook
the rice so you know what that means. Ladies and gentlemen. Let's get ready
to rummmmble! Elisabeth "Lighting Foot" Filarski is bobbing and weaving as
she makes dinner for the tribe stirring the rice with...a tree branch?
Amber "Bam Bam" Brkich and Jerri "Maniac" Manthey have backed Filarski into
the ropes criticizing her culinary skills. The jabs rub Liz raw. Tina "Den
Mother" Wesson comes to Liz's defence saying to Jerri that she herself
doesn't cook because she doesn't want to be judged. Rodger leads a group
prayer before they choke on the wallpaper paste Liz "cooked". Liz vows to
be a little more ruthless from now on.
Barramundi Tribe Happenings (Day 23)
Welcome to another slam-bang episode of Fishing With Rodger Bingham.
Rodger gives a big Kentucky welcome to special guests, Alicia Calaway and
Elisabeth Filarski. The trio feels like sitting ducks just waiting for
Ogakor to pick them off one by one. To cry baby Alicia, the game isn't fun
any more. Someone hand her some Kleenex, please. Not a quitter like Alicia,
Elisabeth will battle on and try to break-up the Ogakor Alliance. She sees
the personal problems between Jerri, Keith and Tina as an opportunity to
disrupt the alliance. She predicts that Jerri is going to get a lot of
votes at the next Tribal Council. Elisabeth reveals that she uses personal
relationships to gain information. To support this, footage is shown of her
and Tina socializing at the river bank. Liz comments that she can't believe
Ogakor has put up with Jerri for so long. "She'll get hers," says Tina.
"Jerri, you're ready to go," Liz boldly states to the camera.
Reward Challenge
A boomerang toss contest. The closest to a target on the ground
wins.
Reward
A full-course meal.
Result
The producers add an odd swooshing sound to accentuate the boomerang
tosses. It is close between Amber and Jerri but the Dark Queen is
victorious. Jeff suggests she choose one person to accompany her. Jerri
selects Amber. Her reasoning to everyone is that Amber came the closest to
beating her. "I feel like I've won the Miss America Pageant," Amber
babbles. The pair squeal incessantly as they head off to fill their faces
while the rest of the tribe looks forward to another helping of rice.
Winner: Jerri.
Back at the camp, everyone is relaxed and credits that to the absence
of The Dark Queen. Alicia mocks Amber's reaction to being chosen by Jerri.
Keith proclaims that he has cooked for two presidents and didn't feel as
stressed then as he is now when he cooks in front of Jerri. Elisabeth adds
a can of spaghetti to their dinner. Tina is thrilled beyond belief.
Amber and Jerri sit under a veiled tent and scheme as they shovel down
the food. They both feel Tina is acting "weird" since the merger and agree
to talk to Colby about it once they get back.
When Amber and Jerri stroll in it is dark and everyone is sitting
around the campfire. Though they speak to them, nobody turns around to
welcome them back. Colby, Jerri and Amber talk on the beach by themselves.
Colby mentions that Keith and Tina have already planned to be in the Final
Three with him. In a solo interview, Colby says it was hard to sit there
and lie to Jerri but he won't lose sleep over it. In his mind, Jerri
doesn't deserve to win Survivor. Jerri buys everything Colby is selling and
hugs him.
Immunity Challenge (Day 24)
A grid of posts and ropes greet the Survivors. The object is to take
turns creating as many squares as possible using the ropes and posts. The
order is decided by a random draw.
Reward
Immunity from Tribal Council.
Result
Keith has 17. It is one more than Tina who made 16 squares.
Winner: Keith.
Barramundi Tribe Happenings (Day 24)
It is pouring down with rain. Keith finds it strange that it storms
before every Tribal Council. Alicia says that Elisabeth is naive in
thinking that Ogakor's alliance will falter. Elisabeth believes she can
count on Tina. Ah, poor Liz. If only she knew Tina's track record.
Tribal Council
Jeff questions Elisabeth about the merger of the two tribes. Elisabeth
responds diplomatically remarking that the tribes have learned different
and valuable things from one another. Jeff asks Amber about coming back to
camp following her full-course meal. Amber confesses that she felt "guilty
and weird". Jeff reminds everyone that those voted out from here on in
remain to serve on the Survivor Council.
Liz votes for Jerri as it is her "time to go". Plus, Jerri being cranky
when she is hungry is "bumming out" Liz. Amber selects Alicia but claims it
is out of respect for her abilities. Rodger writes Jerri's name. She a
"nice kid" but "way too loud" for him. Jerri chooses Alicia because she
"intimidates both the men and women".
Final Voting
1. Alicia Calaway: Jerri.
2. Elisabeth Filarski: Jerri.
3. Nick Brown: Jerri.
5. Rodger Bingham: Jerri.
6. Amber Brkich: Alicia.
7. Colby Donaldson: Alicia.
8. Jerri Manthey: Alicia.
9. Keith Famie: Alicia.
10. Tina Wesson: Alicia.
Parting Comments
"I'd have to say that I was expecting this. We knew that I was going to
be a threat and I just hope that somebody from Kucha can take this thing
out and break Ogakor's spirit. It's all good though. Now, I get to sit on
the jury and watch everything that happens. Peace...out. "- Alicia
Calaway.
Powell's Comments
The Ogakor Alliance is solid and even though the majority dislikes
Jerri, none of them seems willing to compromise their Tribal Council
monopoly to get rid of her. It's a smart move. As Tina said, they will have
the satisfaction of trouncing her later. Presently, they need her support.
The Dark Queen will be sticking around unless the Ogakors accept Elisabeth
into their ranks and exile Jerri. That might ruffle Amber's feathers
though. The questions everyone should be asking is who are the dominant
players behind the Ogakor Alliance and are the personal relationships some
of them have with Kucha members strong enough to shape another alliance? If
so, who will be hung out to dry?
