CANOE -- JAM! Television - TV Shows - Survivor 8: All Stars: Episode Nine: Wicked witch is dead...again

Sometimes things are just meant to be. Call it destiny. Call it fate. Call it the Big G-Man messing with our brains. Whatever the case, the fates of two 'Survivor All-Star' tribes seem to be sealed and there is nothing the producers can do about it...though they gave it one hell of a try.

In a bid to head off the traditional tribal massacre (affectionately called "Pagong-ing" by fans) in which the weaker team is picked off one by one, Mark Burnett and his minions attempted to pull a tribal switcheroo on last night's broadcast. In possibly the strangest occurrence on 'Survivor' ever, when the players were asked to discard their buffs and select new ones out of a pot, only Chapera's Amber Brkich was swapped. Though they exchanged names and camp sites, everyone else remained with their former tribemates. Survivor rigged? I don't think so.

Though Amber was the odd woman out, the new Chapera (AKA: The old Mogo Mogo) decided to drop a house on Survivor's infamous wicked witch - Jerri Manthey - for fear that when the two tribes merged, Amber's bitter beau - Rob 'Robfather' Mariano - would put a hit out on every member of the new Chapera if Amber was jettisoned out of the game.

You just know that somewhere out there, Kel Gleason is smiling.

The official CBS 'Survivor' Web site has revealed that the tribes will indeed merge next week. No real surprise there since the tribal shuffle failed so miserably. One guesses that the producers realized that in this circumstance fighting fate is totally pointless. Pagong! Pagong!

The remaining Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:

Chapera Tribe
1. Alicia Calaway.
2. Amber Brkich
3. Rob Mariano.
4. Tom Buchanan.
5. Rupert Boneham.
6. Jenna Lewis.

Mogo Mogo Tribe
1. Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien.
2. Lex Van Den Berghe.
3. Shii Ann Huang.
4. Jerri Manthey.

Chapera Tribal Happenings

Early in the morning, 'Peeping' Tom and Rupert 'Blackbeard' are tag teaming some trees while everyone else slumbers. Timber! Crash!

Rupert: He and Tom are the "worker bees". Everyone else is just taking up oxygen. He would love to whip the others into shape but that would be as dumb as Sean's alphabetic voting strategy.

Not satisfied with clear-cutting the forest, Rupert and Tom chat about a possible merger as they head out fishing. Tom watches from the shore as Rupert swims out. When he returns, Tom takes the spear from Rupert. He is going to make his first attempt at further decimating the local marine population. Rupert encourages Tom though he questions him keeping his shoes on. 'Blackbeard' agrees to wait all day if need be. Tom scores a guppy that would be just enough to feed Am-bore. Rupert is proud.

Rupert: 'Big Tom' did a fine job. It's a fish tank guppy but a great first try nonetheless.

Mogo Mogo Tribal Happenings

A grumpy 'Wicked Witch' Jerri awakes and promptly unleashes some abominable hexes. Grumble. Grumble. Sleeping on the floor of the shelter is like being on a torture rack. Groan. Groan. The Pearl Islands are always wet and soggy. Grumble. Grumble. The environment is taking its toll on her.

'Benedict' Kathy tries to start a fire with wet wood. She throws in the towel.

Kathy: In case you didn't hear Mrs. Sunshine utter it a hundred times before...It is depressing for her to be on a losing team. We get the picture Kath. Mogo Mogo's poor track record and camp life is everyone else's fault. Vote the wench off already.

In their tree mail, the tribe receives a can of green paint. Insert gratuitous merger talk here. 'She-Devil' Shii-Ann warns everyone about putting the paint on their faces since they don't know what kind it is.

Kathy: If she was a betting woman, she would guess that the merger is finally upon them. What's that about counting your chickens?

Lex: Since there were no instructions on what to do with the paint, Mogo Mogo will just bring the can with them to the Reward Challenge. They don't want to look like weirdoes. This is ironic coming from Survivor's version of the Illustrated Man.

Chapera Tribal Happenings

The paint flies at Chapera. They paint all manner of symbols and markings on each other. Tom is tickled pink. I'll leave you to guess why. Alicia senses that something is going to happen...and it can't be good.

Reward Challenge

No challenge is held. Probst compliments Chapera on their paint jobs. Jiffy ushers in the new Mogo Mogo announcing that Ethan is gone. Jenna: "Good." Chapera had a good time painting each other. Jiffy questions Mogo Mogo on why they didn't open their can. Kathy says they are the civil tribe. They have learned to conserve whatever they can.

Probst asks the Survivors to line themselves up as they see fit. Since Chapera has two extra members, the last two will have no say in...well...whatever Jiffy has in store. Once the Survivors have done that, it is time for them to pick a partner to chat with.

The pairings end up being...Lex - Rob, Tom - Jerri (Pun intended), Shii-Ann - Rupert, Alicia - Kathy, Amber - Jenna.

Reward

Each couple is given a basket lunch and sent off to blither and babble.

Result

Kathy jokes that she thought something devastating would happen. Jerri blushes. She can't believe Tom picked her. 'She-Devil' tells all to Rupert. She loves Kathy and Lex. Jerri is a lazy cow. Jerri says to Tom that the game has almost broken her spirit. Tom advises her to "stick her chest out" and take it all in stride. Jerri: "This game has been a humbling experience." Lex says to Rob that he is prepared for the final phase of the game. Shii-Ann and Rupert foresee 'The Robfather' dominating the challenges. Jenna and Am-bore talk merger.

Once they are done filling their faces and using up their vocabularies, Jiffy calls the players back in. They are told to drop their buffs, reach into the pot he is holding and select a new one. Except for Am-bore going to the new Chapera, the tribes stay together. Jiffy: "It is like it was meant to be." Jiffy informs the Survivors that they cannot go back to their old camps. Whatever they left behind is now the property of their rivals. Alicia, Jenna and Rob hug Am-bore goodbye. Rob looks like someone just ripped out his heart and barbecued it up for a gross food challenge.

Winners: Everyone except the new Mogo Mogo and Am-bore.

Chapera Tribal Happenings

Walking to their new camp, Shii-Ann thanks Am-bore for being their hostess.

Am-bore: "I got screwed. I am so mad." Her thoughts are with Rob.

Surveying the upscale camp, Chapera can't believe their luck. Shii-Ann calls it "paradise". Lex can't believe there is so much wood around. Another food basket has been left by the producers as a camp warming gift. Two catered meals in one day? So much for the 'survival' bit, eh?

Am-bore toasts her new tribemates. They respond in kind.

Am-bore: It is strange not having the old Chapera here. It kinda sucks. It is not a home without them.

Mogo Mogo Tribal Happenings

The ex-Chapera Tribe checks out their dump. They aren't pleased. There are long faces all around.

Alicia: They got the short end of the stick. The Mogo Mogo camp is in disarray. They haven't cleaned up or maintained anything.

Rob tosses out the idea of building a new shelter. He won't be able to sleep in that wretched dwelling. It is decided that it is pretty pointless to do the remodeling. They will just fix the roof.

Jenna: It is "crap camp". It's a mess.

They find the food tray and everyone eats as if they are attending a wake. Rupert says to the others: "It is a shame Amber isn't here." Alicia thinks that the new Chapera will be impressed by all the hard work they put into their camp and that will drain their spirits even more. The new Chapera sucks. Yeah, 'Warrior Princess'. That makes as much sense as Paschal being kicked from the game because he picked the wrong rock.

Chapera Tribal Happenings

Mind-numbing close-up footage of Jerri and Lex brushing their teeth. Lex, Shii-Ann and Kathy rifle through the shampoo and other toiletries. That rubs Am-bore the wrong way but she keeps her mouth shut. Kathy and Shii-Ann revel in being able to wash their hair.

Mogo Mogo Tribal Happenings

Sniffle. Sniffle. Rob hopes Am-bore is okay. He wishes he was the one who was traded. Sniffle. Sniffle. He knows she is tough. He misses those good times with her. Boo. Freakin'. Hoo. Someone hand 'Robfather' some Kleenex. What a whiner. He can't believe that Chapera has his girl. He sulks some more. Rupert and Rob toast Am-bore. They hope she makes it.

Chapera Tribal Happenings

The tree mail has all of the 'Survivor' logos and talks about knowing the history of the series. The tribe begins quizzing each other. They focus on the boot orders. They can't remember the woman in the blue dress from 'Survivor: Pearl Islands'. Pssst. It's Nicole.

Am-bore: Her life is on the line during this challenge. Her tribe must win.

Mogo Mogo Tribal Happenings

How many Robs and Jennas who played 'Survivor'? Mogo Mogo has the answer. Rob plots on a way to keep Am-bore around. He is going to make some decisions which will have consequences for everyone in the game.

Immunity Challenge

It is a 'Survivor' trivia challenge. First tribe to score ten questions right first wins.

Reward

Immunity from Tribal Council.

Result

Question One: Which Survivor arrived like Cleopatra in the Marquesas? Answer: Sarah Jones. Both tribes are correct. Question Two: On Africa, who went on the bizarre drive-in date? Answer: Brandon and Frank. Both tribes are correct. Question Three: Which country did Survivor Africa take place in? Answer: Kenya. Chapera is right. Question Four: In the first series, what did the Survivors eat during the original gross food challenge? Answer: Butok (live beetle larvae). Mogo Mogo is right. Question Five: Which Survivor on the Borneo series used the alphabetical voting strategy? Answer: Sean. Both tribes are correct. Question Six: Who had to be airlifted out of the Outback? Answer: Michael. Both tribes are correct. Question Seven: Who picked the wrong stone and was booted from the Marquesas? Answer: Paschal. Both tribes are correct. Question Eight: On Thailand, who did Rob grab by the throat during a challenge? Answer: Clay. Both tribes are correct. Question Nine: Who was a mortician on Pearl Islands? Answer: Darrah. Both tribes are correct. Question Ten: Who had to be rescued during on water challenge on Pearl Islands? Answer: Osten. Both tribes are correct. Question Eleven: What was Kel Gleason accused of bringing into the game? Answer: Beef jerky. Both tribes are correct. Question Twelve: Tie-Breaker: In order by series, name all the players who were voted off first. Chapera messes up some of their list. Mogo Mogo is correct.

Winners: Mogo Mogo.

As they leave the challenge, 'The Robfather' tells Lex: "If you take care of Amber, I will take care of you." Lex responds under his breath: "I will do my best."

Mogo Mogo Tribal Happenings

Rupert calls the win "bittersweet". Alicia: "We did what we had to do."

Rob: If Lex is smart, he will keep Amber around.

Rupert and Rob share a drink and toast Am-bore again. Man, gimme a break. By the number of salutes you'd think that Am-bore had already won the game and donated the money to an orphanage in Botswana or something. How corny.

Rob: Snivels some more. It hurts not having Am-bore around. He promised to take her to the finals. Rob has drawn an "A" on his arm to honour her. He should have etched an "L" for "Loser".

Chapera Tribal Happenings

Kathy: We lost the challenge. What else is new?

Shii-Ann and Kathy discuss how angry Rob would be if they turfed Am-bore but then again Am-bore would never be on their side after a merge.

She-Devil: Rob will flip if Am-bore is voted out. He would unleash the "wrath of God".

Kathy chats with Am-bore. Am-bore says she is ready to write down Jerri's name. Kathy asks Am-bore how can she convince everyone to vote out Jerri. Am-bore: "Do I have to get down my knees and beg?". She does so.

Am-bore: Is just trying to make deals to stay longer.

Am-bore promises Kathy that they, Lex, Rob and Tom would be in the finals.

Kathy advises Lex that Rob will carry a grudge if they target Am-bore. Lex is sure he can exploit this favour in the future but he has to tell Jerri.

Lex has a heart to black heart with Jerri. He starts off..."You know I love you...". Jerri doesn't need to call the Psychic Friends hotline to predict what is coming next. She asks Lex why she is being voted out. What is the logic. Lex explains what Rob said to him at the end of the challenge. Jerri doesn't understand why Lex would trust Rob. He has the hots for Am-bore and will do anything to keep her in the game. Jerri thinks it is only a matter of time before Rob stabs Lex in the back.

Lex, Shii-Ann and Kathy huddle. They weigh their options. Shii-Ann thinks Lex shouldn't have said anything to Jerri.

Lex: He isn't looking forward to the vote. It is going to be a miserable night.

Tribal Council Happenings

Kathy: Their new home is a four star hotel. They are feeling stronger. Am-bore was upset at first but is now happy with the new tribe. Shii-Ann: It is silly to think that Am-bore has cut her ties with the old Chapera but it is a game of trust. Jerri was happy to see her Outback sister. It is a totally different game now. Lex: There are twists and turns to the game. It isn't over until it's over. Am-bore: Is proud that she fought to the very end. If she is going out, she is going out trying.

Jerri picks Amber. She is very proud that Amber will go out fighting. Amber writes down Jerri's name. It is crazy that she has to vote for her. She owes her a huge thanks.

Final Voting

Tribal Council Victim: Jerri Manthey.

Hugs all around from Jerri. Jerri tells everyone that it was an honour playing the game with them.

Parting Comments

Television: "This has truly been again a life-changing experience. I think I have done the impossible. I have found a way to find peace in a very stressful situation and I am ready to go out to the world and see what other craziness I can conquer." - Jerri Manthey.

Internet : "I asked myself that so many times a day: "Why, why, why would I want to put myself through this again?" There were quite a few times when I almost talked myself out of being here. It was a thousand times harder this time around than the first time. I kind of knew going into it that it was going to be tough, but I had no idea that it was going to nearly break my spirit. That was the hardest thing I think I've ever had to face: coming this close to having something break me. But it didn't. It didn't, it didn't, it didn't. I stood up to the challenge, and I pushed myself through some pretty horrendous moments out here, and for that, I'm so proud of myself. I look forward to my family watching this. I know they're going to be mortified, horrified and, in the end, hopefully even more proud of me than they already are.

Why did I do it again? I guess because either I'm a closet sadist, or I just really enjoy taking risks and having adventures and doing things I've never done before and seeing how far I can push myself and finding my own limitations.

I am walking away from this experience feeling like there is nothing that can break me. I know life is going to present a lot of difficult situations for me to deal with, but at least I know I have the strength to get through it. In that, I find a whole new sense of comfort. So I feel really good about the way I came into this, I feel great about the way I played the game, and I feel equally as good about the way I exited.

You know what? I was very surprised at the fact that I even considered, for a brief moment, giving up. I was ready to roll over and play dead at one point. That really surprised me. I didn't think that sort of idea could even cross my mind. The fact that I didn't let the idea take hold of my present experience makes me feel really good about myself and makes me feel good that I did this again. I walk away a stronger woman than I did coming into it." - Jerri Manthey.

On the next 'Survivor':

Television: "The game is on. Amber: I made promises that I don't know that I'll be able to keep but at least I got myself three more days. Not knowing Amber's fate, Rob makes a new plan. Rob: I made an alliance with Alicia. Now I got one with everyone. He goes back on his word. Rob to Alicia: I am sorry you feel that way. I really truly am."

Internet: "Amber is trapped between promises to two rival castaways. The tribes finally merge, prompting a new and explosive dynamic among the tribe members. The stakes are raised when the All-Stars are hit with a new twist at the Immunity Challenge. Total chaos erupts when the castaways prepare for Tribal Council."

Powell's Thoughts:

With the swap deal tanking pretty hard, the producers are tossing in the towel and just merging the tribes next week. Can you blame them? Let the "Pagong-ing" begin...with maybe a few throwaway boots like Alicia included in the mix for good measure. Alicia is just too big a threat when it comes to the Individual Immunity Challenges as is Lex. Both will be departing soon. Kathy is next on the hit list though. She is doomed especially if she publicly turns on Lex and Shii-Ann or her turncoat strategy is revealed by 'The Robfather' and others. If so, Kathy will be deemed as untrustworthy by both sides. That's what usually happens when you play both sides of the fence. You become expendable in a hurry.

The good news is that the back-stabbing should heat up. Knowing they goofed by keeping Am-bore, the new Chaperas will have to think quickly on their feet to shore up an opposing alliance. They don't have a hope in hell though.

More bad strategy by Lex. What is he thinking trusting 'The Robfather'? Even if Rob exacted vengeance for them turfing Am-bore at least the new Chapera would be going out with their heads held high knowing they didn't let Rob intimidate them or rule their gameplay. What a bunch of cowards.

Is it too much to ask for a massive tidal wave to come along and sweep Am-bore and 'The Robfather' out to sea? For me it is like watching Doctor Frankenstien's creations pine away for each other. Yech. Where is a good torch-bearing, pitch-fork wielding village mob when you need one, eh?