CANOE -- JAM! Television - TV Shows - Survivor3: Africa: Episode Twelve: Boran destroys Samburu

And then, there were none. Sticking to their gameplan and keeping their core alliance strong, the former Boran Tribe finally rid Kenya of the last remaining member of the old Samburu Tribe on last night's 'Survivor:Africa' broadcast. Not even an attempt at sowing some last minute dissension could save the sly and shifty Teresa (T-Bird) Cooper from having her wings clipped. The biggest schemer of the bunch and the mastermind of several past plots to fracture the Boran Alliance, Cooper deviously fought to the bitter end but the unbreakable Boran Alliance stood firm.

Teresa's and likewise Samburu's demise was preordained during the first few weeks of 'Survivor: Africa'. Split down generational lines, Samburu could never put their differences aside to mount a united front against a mostly cohesive Boran Alliance. Even when the tribes experienced a swapping of members Samburu couldn't capitalize. Competing on different teams, Boran kept their alliance alive by feeding each other information (as best they could under the circumstances) while the Samburu members were just glad to be separated and individually made failed plays at integrating themselves with Boran. Boran never accepted them into the fold and they were in turn picked off one by one. When Samburu finally did get their act together letting bygones be bygones, it was far too late. The die was cast and all that remained to be determined was in which order Samburu would be voted off.

Teresa's ejection means that tattooed family man Lex van den Berghe, goat farmer and proud father Tom Buchanan, charming soccer player Ethan Zohn and never-say-die grandmother Kim Johnson are the 'final four' of 'Survivor: Africa'. In the two-hour finale next Thursday, the Boran Alliance will finally be shattered as the field is narrowed down to two finalists who will face a jury vote. One will become a runner-up while the other will be named the 'Ultimate Survivor' and fly home a million dollars richer.

The remaining Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:

Moto Maji Tribe

Moto Maji Tribal Happenings (Day 34)

Everyone is showing the wear and tear the game has taken on them. The Survivors are lethargic, waking up late and lazing around camp. Lex tells us that he never thought it would be this hard. He is trying not to think about his wife and kids until the game is over. Doing so would weaken his resolve to win.

Everyone treks down to the watering hole to take a bath. A gift is waiting for them there. An elephant has decided to relieve itself right in the middle of their water source. The pile is darn big and stinks to high heaven. Tom tells us that he has mentioned to Kim numerous times not to wash in the location she has chosen. He says that's where the elephants "do their business". Kim hasn't heeded Tom's words of warning and Tom has therefore given up alerting her to the problem.

Lex expresses what we the audience already know. Given nothing to do, the Survivors are bored silly. Ethan complains about Tom's foot odour. It is the worst he has ever smelled. He half-jokes that Tom should throw his boots into the campfire. As the Survivors sit around and eat some popcorn, their rooster flies the coop. Teresa tells the others to stay put. She is one with this bird. Teresa chases it over to Tom who captures it in one clean snatch. Ethan is impressed. The excitement of the day over, the Survivors return to filling their faces.

The Survivors receive their tree mail. This time it is really mail for each one of them. Letters and thoughts from home turn on everyone's water works. A teary-eyed Lex says that the messages from his wife and kids have "fed" his body and soul. A sobbing Teresa is glad to have heard from her father. He was ill before she left for the show and was really worried about him. Ethan sits alone gathering his thoughts. He says that his loved ones touched the paper he is holding and therefore he can feel them. Kim can't keep from crying as she reads a poem her husband wrote to her. He is not one to do such things so Kim is deeply touched. We find out that even before there was a 'Survivor' show, her hubby always called her 'Survivor Kipi'. Teresa says that the mail calmed her as she now is reminded of who is waiting for her back home.

Reward Challenge

The Survivor have to solve a word scramble and puzzle out the hidden word.

Reward

A pick-up truck and the chance to be a goodwill ambassador.

Result

Lex is the first to complete the task. The hidden word is the name of the truck he has won. Lex and the others are shown the vehicle. Lex is overjoyed. Ethan tells us that it is hard to be happy for Lex when he is totally bummed that he didn't win. Everyone is shown what is in the back of the truck. It is medical supplies for a local hospital which was established by an Italian doctor and thrives on the charity of others. Many of the supplies are to help fight the spread of AIDS. Teresa reveals that her brother died from the disease and therefore the sight of such a gift brought back those painful memories. She is happy though that Lex is bringing the supplies to people in need. There is also a second truck loaded with supplies that will be following Lex on his trip.

In another wonderful 'Survivor' moment, Lex visits the hospital, handing out supplies and toys to orphaned children. Playing with them reminds Lex of his own two sons back home. He misses them badly. His work done, Lex drives off with host Jeff Probst. Lex says the experience changed him as a person and that it planted a seed that he will take back with him to America.

Winner: Lex van den Berghe.

Moto Maji Tribal Happenings (Night 35)

With Lex gone the conniving begins. Kim speaks to Ethan about getting rid of Lex. Kim tells us that the men mistrust each other greatly. When Lex arrives back he describes the vibe around camp as "thick". According to Lex, the "mojo is funky". Lex tells his tale to the others but he feels that the mood has changed while he has been absent. Ethan is sick of Lex winning everything. Kim and Teresa chat about Tom wanting to vote off Lex but doesn't want to be the person who initiates such a plan. Teresa says that Kim is finally waking up to the fact that the three men will turf her in the 'final four'. Teresa informs Kim that she will try to convince Tom to vote Lex off if he doesn't win immunity. Teresa tells us that the next Immunity Challenge is the most important to her. She has to give it all she's got.

Immunity Challenge (Day 36)

An obstacle course has been created combining elements from previous 'Survivor: Africa' challenges. The Survivors have to put together a ladder, navigate down and along a net, put together a puzzle, crawl under a ladder-like obstacle and hit a target with an arrow.

Reward

Immunity from Tribal Council.

Result

Tom falls on the web. Teresa and Kim bring up the rear while the guys are far ahead. Lex has the lead all the way through and never surrenders it.

Winner: Lex van den Berghe.

Moto Maji Pre-Tribal Council Happenings (Day 36)

Teresa has one last card up her sleeve. She has a heart-to-heart chat with just Ethan and Kim. She admits to being the person who cast the vote that angered Lex earlier on and got Kelly voted off. She says that the reason she did that was because Tom had told her not to trust Lex. If viewers recall, at the time Teresa claimed that the reason she cast that vote was because of a deal she made with Clarence during the "water torture" Immunity Challenge. It seems as if Teresa can't get her story right. Lex seems genuinely shocked. He doesn't understand why Tom would say such a thing. Kim chimes in that Tom has wanted him gone for the longest time but wants other people to "do the dirty work". Lex and Kim thank Teresa for the chat. Kim tells us that Tom has always had his best interest in mind and never thinks about the repercussions his actions could have on other people. Lex says that if he finds out that Tom is going to stab him in the back, he will slit Tom's throat first.

Tribal Council

Kelly is wearing a T-shirt that has the word "Shameless" on it. Host Jeff Probst comments on it asking Lex why the Survivors call the path leading away from Tribal Council the "Walk Of Shame". Lex replies that it is just a term everyone has used and that it is nothing personal. There is no shame in being voted off. Tom says that jury knows what he is all about. He is too old to change. He speaks his mind freely and is who he is. Ethan admits not to being as mentally sharp as he was at the beginning of the game. Probst points out to Teresa that she is the last Samburu member. She jokes that she was hoping that the others didn't notice that. She is thankful to have made it this far. Tom says that he has no gameplan until he finds out if he is staying or not.

Tom votes for Teresa. He says she is a good friend and it has been a pleasure to know her. We can't see Lex's ballot but he comments that he is voting with a heavy heart.

Final Voting

Parting Comments

"This has been an absolute experience of a lifetime. I never dreamed I'd make it to being one of the sixteen Survivors much less be one of the five remaining Survivors. It is something that I will never forget. I appreciate having the opportunity to be here and to experience everything here in Africa. Thank you for a wonderful experience. " - Teresa Cooper.

Episode Rating: A+.

Powell's Comments

Next time on 'Survivor': Four people. Three days. Two Immunity Challenges. One Survivor.

One thing that was different about this edition of 'Survivor' is that though one tribe did dominate there were plenty of bumps along the way which made things more interesting than 'Survivor 2'. Although the series isn't the runaway ratings blockbuster it once was, it has held its own as one of the most popular shows on network television. The finale of 'Survivor: Africa' is turning out to be a very close race indeed. The worst part for the producers is the problem that has plagued them throughout the series: 'Survivor: Africa' had no clearly defined villain for people to despise. Though Lex is the closest thing to one and is the more edgier of the four finalists, he isn't a bad guy. He's just deadly serious about playing the game and has made some poor judgment calls along the way.

All in all, predicting the winner is much tougher than in previous editions. That is mostly due to the change in format and the clever editing. I haven't done as well this season in my predictions but here's my take on things for what it is worth. The biggest question needing to be answered is will anyone realize that keeping Lex around will better their chances in the final jury vote? My guess is that Lex will continue his winning ways. He clearly has more energy than the others. Lex's downfall is that he too paranoid. That will cost Tom. He is the next to go. Following that will be Kim Johnson. Since she is such a good person at heart and hasn't made a single, solitary enemy, she is a threat during the final jury vote. Ethan and Lex will eliminate her. This of course virtually assures Ethan of winning 'Survivor: Africa' as Lex can't possible sway more of the jury that he can. A true nail-biter will result if Ethan and Kim end up as the final two. Then, the jury vote will be a total toss-up either way and may be the closest 'Survivor' vote yet. My money is on Ethan though with Lex as a distant second.