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'Survivor' icon Richard Hatch is out of the running on 'All-Stars'.
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"The King" is dead. Long live "The King".
Four years after claiming the million dollar prize and setting the tone for all future 'Survivor' schemers, Richard Hatch has finally had his torch snuffed. In a plot worthy of Hatch himself, the entire Mogo Mogo Tribe pulled the wool over his eyes back at camp (despite some last minute waffling) and pulled together a coup at Tribal Council.
As was his attitude through the entire 'All-Stars' series, Hatch took his demise in stride. "I've been bamboozled!," exclaimed a smiling Hatch as host Jeff Probst confirmed the vote. Repeating his fancy footwork on the original series upon winning the "Quest For Fire" challenge, Hatch danced his way from the Tribal Council area once Probst had extinguished his torch.
Though Hatch is now gone from 'All-Stars' his presence may still be felt in future episodes. During the walk-the-plank Immunity Challenge, a nude Hatch brushed up against the boisterous Susan Hawk as they attempted to pass each other. Though Hawk had her back to the camera and as per usual Hatch's naughty bits were fuzzed out, CBS still posted a confusing advisory throughout the episode stating that the material on the show "may be inappropriate for younger viewers". The decision to air the warning was a bit heavy-handed considering what actually happened during the incident wasn't very clear on a number of levels. Hawk didn't take too kindly to the situation and as expected mouthed off to Hatch. In promos for next week's episode, Hawk blasts Probst saying she was "humiliated". Rumour has it, Sue quits the game.
Last night's episode also severely downgraded a supposed 'Survivor' boot list which has ignited debate on various Internet newsboards since it was first posted by a person claiming to be an insider. 'Sleek 28' picked Jerri to go despite reports to the contrary which have clearly spelled out which players spent time "vacationing" together following their exit from the game. Sleek's list has already come under fire for reporting erroneous information concerning the content of each episode thus far. It appears that some die-hard fans and the mainstream media might have also been bamboozled too.
In the first major twist of the game - if you discount the three tribe start - Saboga finished last in the Reward Challenge and was dissolved as a tribe. Mogo Mogo and Chapera had their pick of the Saboga members. Ethan and Jerri were chosen by Mogo Mogo while Chapera claimed Jenna Lewis and Rupert Boneham.
The remaining Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Chapera Tribe
1. Alicia Calaway.
2. Amber Brkich
3. Rob Mariano.
4. Susan Hawk.
5. Tom Buchanan.
Saboga Tribe
1. Ethan Zohn.
2. Jenna Lewis.
3. Jerri Manthey.
4. Rupert Boneham.
Mogo Mogo Tribe
1. Colby Donaldson.
2. Kathy Vavrick-O,Brien.
3. Lex Van Den Berghe.
4. Richard Hatch.
5. Shii Ann Huang.
Before the episode begins, CBS cautions us that tonight's episode "may not be appropriate for younger viewers". Translation for us adults...Woo! Hoo!
Chapera Tribal Happenings
Robfather and his lackeys assault our eardrums with more of what they categorize as "singing". Shrieks from the damned dwelling in the ninth plane of Hell is more like it. Why is Chapera so happy? They have received some bamboo and twine to build a boat for the Reward Challenge. Wow. Party time, eh? Susan suggests that Tom sit out because...well...his extra baggage will sink the boat. Good thinking. Am-bore recaps everything that has happened at Chapera on this episode. You know, the 55 seconds of footage we just saw 10 seconds ago. Thanks for the news flash, mannequin girl.
Saboga Tribal Happenings
Saboga lays out the bamboo logs for their raft. Rupert discusses his grand plans to design an outrigger of sorts. Ethan and Jerri just sit there and politely nod.
Jerri: She hopes Rupert's plan will work though considering he turned their shelter into a swimming pool, she isn't holding her breath.
As they practice with their immaculately designed outrigger, Jenna tells everyone that they must win this challenge and paddle their asses off. Aye! Aye! Captain.
Mogo Mogo Tribal Happenings
Spends more time debating what type of raft to construct rather than building it. Lex believes that simple is best. As per his orders, the bamboo is sloppily bunched together and tied together. End of story.
The Colbster: The tribe has to factor in one special circumstance: the 260 pounds of Richard Hatch. He claims the inspiration for their raft was laziness and exhaustion.
"King Richard": The raft won't be swift but it will float. Just like some of his tribemates, I guess.
Chapera Tribal Happenings
Chapera practices paddling their raft. On the beach observing the others, Alicia "The Warrior Princess" boasts to "Peeping Tom" that they're going to win the race. "Peeping Tom" while staring at Alicia's assets: "That's a nice rack...I mean...raft." Alicia refrains from letting out an Amazonian war cry and gutting Tom.
Susan: Tom is a stupid, clumsy drunk. His constant sexual innuendoes aren't funny.
Tom plans on blessing the raft. Susan beats him to it. She has to pee so she does so on the raft. Tom acts like his herd just caught mad cow disease.
Tom: Susan is a hag. Her pee is sure to rot the bamboo.
Slurring all the while, Tom christens the raft with a whiskey bottle. He names it after his wife...and then takes a swig for good luck.
Reward Challenge
Richard jokes that he can't believe Susan is still in the game when Chapera appears. Rules of the challenge are simple. Two people start out on the raft. They have to paddle out, rescue two of their tribemates, grab their flag, paddle back to shore and cross the finish line with said flag.
Reward
First place winners: Fish hooks and a spear. A clue to their treasure chest. Second place winners: Just a clue. Third place tribe: Is dissolved and their members are absorbed by the winning tribes. The dissolved tribe will not go back to their camp. Their personal items will be delivered to them but anything they won during the game is history.
Result
Tom sits out. Richard has some black shorts on during the challenge. I guess bamboo would be kinda harsh on the skin, eh? In an ironic twist, Saboga has the best looking boat but it performs poorly while Mogo Mogo's is the fastest.
Winners: First place: Mogo Mogo. Second place: Chapera.
Before Saboga lines up for the schoolyard pick 'em, The Colbster advises his tribe to pick Ethan so they can get rid of him. He is too much of a threat. Mogo Mogo selects first. They take Ethan. Chapera picks Rupert. Mogo Mogo selects Jerri. Jenna Lewis is last. She drops Saboga's flag into the sand and joins Chapera.
Mogo Mogo Tribal Happenings
When they arrive back at camp, Mogo Mogo huddles for a phony group chant. Everyone plays along pretending they are one tribe now.
The Colbster: Is happy they can orchestrate the dismantling of Saboga. Ethan is too dangerous. He has to leave. The tribe picked Jerri because they assumed that Ethan wouldn't have bonded with her back at Saboga.
Ethan: Feels like he has a fresh start. It is like Day One all over again.
Jerri: Is happy to be with Mogo Mogo. She doesn't miss Saboga one bit.
Chapera Tribal Happenings (Day 13)
Jenna: Is highly ticked. Her 13 days of plotting just went down the toilet.
Rupert: Loves Chapera,s camp. Saboga's was "Hobo Junction" while Chapera is the "Taj Mahal".
Rupert and Jenna try out Chapera's swing.
Mogo Mogo Tribal Happenings (Day 14)
"Wicked Witch" Jerri, "She-Devil" Shii-Ann and Kathy dig up the key. Jerri is thrilled to be a part of it. The delusional Jerri thinks she is bonding with Mogo Mogo. Mogo Mogo is Dumb-o Dumb-o. They allowed the crate to get wet and now half the rice is rotten. Jerri dumps it.
The Colbster: Knows what it is like to run out of rice. He doesn't want to experience that or handing the game and the million dollar cheque over to a mother figure again.
It is time for "Fishing With The Straight Guy"...starring Ethan Zohn. Our host debates with "King Richard" about going out to fish. Richard is going to wait and wishes Ethan good luck.
"King Richard": Ethan is good. He always playing the game.
Proving that he isn't entirely useless when it comes to skewering aquatic life, Ethan snags a medium-sized fish. Richard is aghast.
Ethan: Happy he scored a fish but was worried about how Richard would react. He didn't want to step on his toes...or other things...just yet.
It is time for "Fishing With That Fat Naked Gay Guy"...starring Richard Hatch.
Richard: "Ethan got a fish. I will have to fix that."
"King Richard" comes back with a bounty. It is Ethan's turn to be stunned.
Kathy: Rock on. She is glad Richard and Ethan are one-upping each other. That means more fish for the tribe.
CBS airs the warning once again. We wait in fevered anticipation. You just know this is gonna be good.
Mogo Mogo Tribal Happenings (Day 15)
"King Richard": He thinks they will win the challenge. If not? Who cares? There are many people to get rid of now.
The Colbster: Mogo Mogo's mantra has always been...slow and steady wins the race. However, second place now means someone goes home.
Immunity Challenge
Race on some balance beams to collect some flags. The tribes must maintain a regular rotation and only two people from a tribe at a time. If two opposing tribe members meet on "battle bridge", they must square off. Whoever is thrown into the water must go back to the start.
Reward
Immunity from Tribal Council.
Result
Rob and Ethan square off. Ethan wins but hits his head sharply on some wood. Hatch (wearing his black shorts again) and Jenna battle. Hatch is victorious. Hatch removes his shorts. Ethan battles Tom. Tom wins.
Here is comes. The scandalous footage we have been warned about. Susan wants to walk down the plank Richard is on. She can't get by Rich so she waits at the junction. As the two pass, a fuzzed out Richard rubs against Susan. Susan is a tad bit irate. Probst tells everyone to calm down. Richard and Susan go their merry way.
That's it? That's all? You gotta be kidding me. Boy, do I feel used. Damn you CBS! Damn you to hell!
The Robfather is whipping through the course so Chapera all hop off allowing The Robfather to run the gambit again for the last flag. Kathy meets Rob on battle bridge. Kathy sits down on the plank. Smart move. Chapera clues Rob in to sit down too. He does. Kathy gets dunked.
Winners: Chapera.
Chapera Tribal Happenings (Day 15)
Susan laughs at how Mogo Mogo was shocked when they all jumped off and let Rob go through the course again. She calls Richard's actions during the challenge "uncalled for".
Robfather: Claims he is tougher than everyone. "Colby isn't as tough as you think, ladies."
Mogo Mogo Tribal Happenings (Day 15)
'She-Devil' Shii-Ann: The game is really on now.
Colby and Ethan talk strategy. Colby admits that he has changed his mind about who Mogo Mogo should vote off. He tells Ethan that Richard Hatch is a snake and he can,t be permitted to stay in the game. He is like a cancer eating away at the tribe. Buoyed by his good fortune, Ethan emphatically agrees with everything Colby is saying. Why wouldn't he? Ethan asks if Richard is strong during the challenges. Colby claims Hatch is weak. Colby admits to Ethan that initially, he was supposed to go at Tribal Council. Ethan agrees to back the plan to ice Hatch.
Ethan: Confesses to being super paranoid. He believes he has a 50/50 shot at having his torch snuffed.
Colby, Lex and Ethan let Jerri in on their plan. Lex says this is the moment they have been waiting for. It is time to take down Hatch. She consents to trick Richard and not let him in on the vote against him. Everyone shakes on it.
Jerri: Doesn't think it is smart to allow the athletes to stay and trash her in the individual challenges.
Richard and Colby chat in the water. Colby plays it like he is scamming Ethan. Lex informs Kathy of the change in plans. Kathy doesn't understand but will vote with everyone else. Shii-Ann talks with Kathy alone. She thinks it is a mistake to vote out Richard. Kathy checks in with Jerri. Jerri doesn't want to repeat the same mistake and allow herself to be screwed over by Colby. Kathy is worried about the fact that Colby was the one who deviated from the group's decision. Jerri lets Richard in on the scheme.
"King Richard": About Colby: "How dare you approach someone about getting rid of me? You go bye-bye now!".
Richard attempts to get Kathy to sign on with ditching Colby. Kathy won't commit.
Kathy: Is stick in the middle. It is either Colby or Rich. She is not sure what she is going to do.
Tribal Council Happenings
Ethan has a new lease on life. Colby says it is time to play the game and people can't coast along any longer like they have been. Kathy: Loyalty was a big factor in the last time she played the game. 'All-Stars' is different though. Everyone is so experienced. Richard jokes: "There's no target on my back!". For Colby it has been a hard day. Someone will be duped and the wool pulled over their eyes. It is time to cut out the cancer. Kathy will vote against the "power players".
Hatch votes for Colby. He doesn't understand the betrayal. He was on Colby's side. Colby writes Richard's name down. He was almost fooled into trusting Richard.
Final Voting
1. Colby Donaldson: Richard.
2. Kathy Vavrick-O,Brien: Richard.
3. Lex Van Den Berghe: Richard.
4. Richard Hatch: Colby.
5. Shii Ann Huang: Richard.
6. Ethan Zohn: Richard.
7. Jerri Manthey: Richard.
Tribal Council Victim: Richard Hatch.
Parting Comments
Television: "Whoops! (Laughs) So much for what I thought. I'm gone. How much fun is 'Survivor'? Yeah, I was blown out of the water today and didn't even know it. I have never had my torch snuffed. I have never had it put out and...here I am. I'm gone. I'm gone. Fifth out of the game. I wanted the cheque again. Damn." -- Richard Hatch.
Internet: One of the biggest things that surprised me about the entire SURVIVOR: ALL-STARS was how difficult it was. It was physically--and mentally, I would say--more tough than I had planned, certainly more tough than the original game I played. Why? I'm not exactly sure. But, physically, more depleted, way, way earlier; lots of things played into that. Did I think people were playing really hard? No, I didn't think they were playing hard or well. Whoops! So much for what I thought: I'm gone!
But something interesting. You know, I can't wait to see it. I keep saying that I can't wait to see what really was going on. I came to Tribal Council tonight really thinking that Colby was going. I've never had my torch snuffed; I've never had it put out; my torch has always remained lit. How did it feel to have it put out? Okay; it felt okay. Maybe it was my time. I like the shock of it. I like that I played. My gosh, this last afternoon before Tribal Council, I was running from one spot to another trying to catch that conversation, talk to this person about that, trying to instill in whoever I thought I was going to be close to that they could count on me. But I obviously made some errors. Many of them!
The second time around, the biggest difference for me was probably the lack of newness, knowing what the game is, knowing the intensity of the living conditions. You're IN them, and it's tough. It's very difficult. I found myself wanting out of the game a few times really, really early on. I kicked myself in the butt and said, "What the hell are you talking about? You've got a check waiting for you." Surprise, surprise! No, I don't!
But still, fun game! Fun game! I would do SURVIVOR...um...well, now I'm lying. I was going to say I'd do a third, fourth and fifth time: yeah, right! Initially, when you're at home and you're thinking about the game, and you've had some time, and you haven't been out camping, you're thinking, "Yeah, let me back in again!" And an opportunity to win some money. But when you get in it, it's pretty tough.
Did I learn anything on SURVIVOR about me or anything meaningful in life, and blah blah blah? No. Abso-freakin'-lutely not! -- Richard Hatch.
On the next 'Survivor':
Television: Shii-Ann: "My strategy was pointed out by Colby last night." Colby to Shii-Ann: "Someone like you doesn't have to lie this entire game because you don't make a decision." Colby to us: "I don't have any respect for that." Shii-Ann: "Captain America with his good teeth. Blah. Blah. Blah." Sue speaks out. Susan yells at Probst: "It wasn't 'sort of' Jeff. I was humiliated and totally spent."
Internet: "Sensing that she had been personally attacked, Shii Ann confronts Colby, only to be subjected to a lecture. One All-Star suddenly rises to dominance in providing for the tribe. Tension builds for one castaway and culminates in an explosive reaction."
Powell's Thoughts:
It very well could be that Tom's "inappropriate" behavior combined with the incident with Richard pushes Sue over the edge. She foreshadowed as much in tonight's episode. Susan must be really ticked at Richard if she is going to carry a grudge like that for days until the next challenge. The question is...Does Sue quit the game over the problems? It sure looks like it.
Susan could be so fed up with the atmosphere that she quits or deliberately positions herself to be voted out. It is not like she is actually seriously playing the game any way. She seems out of the loop too when it comes to alliances and forming bonds. Since they are such a "love tribe", it makes sense that Chapera would vote to kick a disgruntled player rather than someone who could assist them in the challenges like Rupert. I would suspect that Jenna gets in good with 'The Robfather' or forms a covert alliance with Rupert.
Jerri's head could also be on the chopping block just for the simple fact that she let Richard in on the plot against him. If others get wind of that, their worst fears about trusting her will certainly be confirmed. It will be interesting to see how 'The Robfather' reacts to Rupert becoming the provider for Chapera. Colby is possibly setting up his own exit with Kathy, Shi-Ann and Lex banding together to take him out. Jerri and Ethan probably won,t be around for that though.
