CANOE -- JAM! Television - TV Shows - Survivor3: Africa: Episode Nine: Brandon bounced

In the game of 'Survivor' just like in life, what goes around certainly comes around. At the last Tribal Council, Brandon Quinton stabbed his pals in the Samburu Alliance in the back by siding with Boran and voting Kelly Goldsmith out. Three days later, they did the same to him. Nobody likes a snake in the grass.

Everyone was keenly aware of what Brandon had done to Samburu. That he couldn't be trusted and was capable of ditching important friendships without a second thought. Because of that, the Survivors cast their ballots for him. Everyone that is except for the self-appointed leader of the Boran Alliance himself - Lex van den Berghe. In repaying the favor to Brandon, Lex hung himself out to dry. Having made two crucial miscalculations in such a short period of time, one can only wonder whether Lex can salvage his reputation and the Boran Alliance who made their doubts about his leadership known at Tribal Council.

The remaining Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:

Moto Maji Tribe

Moto Maji Tribal Happenings (Day 25)

Mood at the camp is pretty grim. The Samburu Alliance is miffed at Brandon for his betrayal. While Lex sings Brandon's praises, the rest of the Boran Alliance has no faith in him remaining loyal to them. Ethan implores Lex to rethink his strategy. A proud Lex won't be swayed by Ethan's words. Lex believes that Boran owes Brandon. Ethan tells Lex that Tom is not convinced about Brandon's allegiance to Boran either.

Kim Powers is furious at Brandon for betraying Samburu. She doesn't understand why he did it. That's easy, Kim. There are exactly ONE MILLION reasons why Brandon jumped ship. Duh.

Tom and Frank are waiting on the ladies. It seems like it is all they ever do. The always sensitive Frank says they are too many women in their camp. What a charming fellow. Tom does another one of his goofy dances to pass the time. We are treated to several Survivors bathing as Ethan sadistically fires rocks at an innocent fruit tree.

Brandon realizes that Samburu is not happy about his actions at the last Tribal Council. He rationalizes his underhanded treachery by saying that he couldn't bring himself to enter into an alliance with Frank, who he knows dislikes him because he is gay. He mentions nothing about it really being about him furthering his own position in the game. Lex tells Ethan that Frank tried to form an alliance with him but Lex balked at that. Lex feels that Frank's ill-tempered attitude brings down the whole tribe's morale. Frank sure ain't winning any popularity contests in Kenya.

So bored are the producers that the next five or so minutes is focused on...get this... the abundance of flies in Kenya and Tom's boils. Yech. Constantly swiping at the annoying insects, Kim Johnson likens herself to a baboon. Ethan says he can't stop looking at the huge boil on Tom's neck. A loopy Tom tells us that like a rhino, he views his boil as a protective horn he's growing. Methinks that Tom has spent too many hours in that scorching African sun without wearing a hat. Brandon goes into too much detail about how Tom broke one under his arm earlier in the game. Kim Johnson pokes and prods Tom's growth. Tom says that women aren't happy unless they are causing men pain and that it is just his luck that women play with the parts of him he doesn't want them to and won't play with the parts he would definitely like them to. What a charmer.

The Survivors are told they must branch off into pairs. The tribe decides that the only fair thing to do is to draw numbers out of a hat. Wouldn't you know it? Good friends Brandon and Frank are matched up. Kim and Tom are a proud couple. They strut around and Kim tries to teach Tom to do a cartwheel with limited success.

Reward Challenge

Competing in teams, the Survivors must race through an obstacle course.

Reward

A private viewing of 'Out Of Africa' complete with popcorn, hot-dogs and candy for the winners. Watching that bloated and tedious drivel is a reward? Burnett is kidding right?

Result

Brandon and Frank beat Tom and Kim Powers. Lex and Teresa defeat Ethan and Kim Johnson. Brandon and Frank square off against Lex and Teresa in the finals. With Brandon barking orders at Frank the entire way, their team wins. Brandon and Frank high-five.

Winners: Brandon and Frank.

Moto Maji Tribal Happenings (Day 25)

Walking back to camp the rest of Moto Maji snicker at the way Brandon ordered Frank around. Being serious for a minute, Tom credits their win with being able to work together. He figures that if they were able to eavesdrop on the movie that they might be able to hear Brandon cracking the whip again.

Frank and Brandon enjoy their food and flick. Frank says he still wouldn't have a cup of coffee with Brandon in the "real world". He is too old fashioned and set in his ways. Brandon tells us he feels that Frank is abrasive and doesn't have much of a "warm side". Amazingly enough, neither falls into a coma after watching the movie.

Moto Maji Tribal Happenings (Day 26)

Ethan and Tom still don't want Brandon to be a part of the alliance. Lex tells us that he might have to vote outside of the clique. Once again, Ethan attempts to dissuade Lex by asking him which promise means more...his promise to Boran or his promise to Brandon. Off on their own, Tom and Frank bond. They both share a common work ethic and negative attitude towards Brandon. Frank tells us he respects Tom.

Kim Powers and Brandon have a heart-to-heart chat as they go to pick up the tree mail. Kim gets teary-eyed as Brandon explains himself. He says that if it will make her feel better, she should vote for him at the next Tribal Council. He doesn't care. She is still his friend forever and ever, Amen. As he should, Lex feels vulnerable and must win the next Immunity Challenge.

Immunity Challenge

Using a magnifying glass and whatever vegetation they can scrape up, the Survivors must build a fire. Without placing any of the kindling near a wick, the Survivors have to build a big enough fire so that the wick is ignited. If any piece of kindling touches the wick, they are disqualified.

Reward

Immunity from Tribal Council.

Result

Lex, Kim Powers and Frank are in the lead. Kim is frantic begging her fire to grow. "Burn! Burn! Burn!," she shouts. Frank is DQ'd for allowing his kindling to touch the wick. Lex wins. Kim is distraught after putting forth so much effort.

Winner: Lex van den Berghe.

Moto Maji Pre-Tribal Council Happenings (Day 26)

Lex says that the longer you stay, the more you have invested in winning the game. He thinks that if the other Boran members vote for Brandon that their alliance is in serious, serious trouble. Doing some damage control, Lex informs Tom that he shouldn't have confidence in Frank because Frank would sell him down the river in a flash. Despite what Lex thinks, Tom and Ethan are voting for Brandon. Kim Johnson tells us that anyone who has backed out of an alliance has paid the price which is why she is remaining true to her word. Tom informs us of the fact that if Lex doesn't help kick Brandon that he may be in mucho trouble with Boran.

Tribal Council

Kelly walks in to observe as the first jury member. Ethan tells host Jeff Probst that confidence is key to doing well at 'Survivor'. Confidence in yourself. Confidence in your friends. Confidence in your decisions and ability to win challenges. Brandon agrees that bending the rules is fine as long as you don't do something unethical. Tom says that trust is so very important. He enjoys watching the women in his tribe walk around. Frank believes that trust is the "shield" which will take you far in 'Survivor'. Lex still trusts his gut. It doesn't lie and is always accurate. Kim Powers admits to being naive in playing the game and because of that has made some foolish decisions.

Lex votes for Frank. He is rude and a grouch. Kim Powers casts her vote for Brandon. It is a shame but she doesn't trust him any more.

Final Voting

Parting Comments

"I cannot believe I made it 27 days. I've never gone camping, never slept on the ground. I don't have any hard feelings for those guys voting me off because, honestly, I stirred up some trouble. I do regret however that Kim feels like I somehow betrayed her. I think she is such a great person. I should be saying...Damn! I didn't win!...but you know what, I feel like I won." - Brandon Quinton.

Episode Rating: B+.

Powell's Comments

Next time on 'Survivor': Lex is in the hot water with the Boran Alliance. He appears to be backing away from his leadership role. Frank tells Ethan that the media is manipulated by "special interests groups" and has forgotten about the people that built the United States: the "average working class American".

One satisfaction viewers get from investing time in watching 'Survivor' is the gratification of seeing manipulative people get what's coming to them. Such was the case with Silas and now that rat fink, Brandon. The more fascinating aspect of tonight's show though is whether the Boran Alliance can get it together and finish off Samburu. I suspect they will but Lex has just about signed his own death warrant. If he can't fast talk his way out of the mess his "flawless" gut instinct has caused, Boran will target him next after Samburu is history leaving Kim Johnson, Ethan and Tom as the final three. That could result in a intriguing finale with the jury having to decide between two seemingly honest and fair people. Any way you slice it, Ethan is the odds on favourite to take that cool million from Burnett unless he stumbles.