CANOE -- JAM! Television - TV Shows - Survivor 8: All Stars: Episode Fourteen: Tom trounced

Trust. Trust. Trust. The three little words that are worth their weight in gold during the endgame of 'Survivor' when the paranoia really sets in. In the 'All Stars' edition, it was without a doubt the overwhelming factor in determining the final four.

The Power Couples of Rupert, Jenna ('Jennapert') and Rob, Amber ('Ramber') stuck together and are moving on while 'Big' Tom Buchanan - who was as shifty as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs - took the Walk of Shame and angrily joined the 'All Stars' jury on last night's broadcast.

Tom's plan to position himself as the swing vote between the Power Couples backfired on him. While Tom's cagey demeanor played a role in him being ousted, it was 'The Robfather' who greased the wheels for his exit. With his confidence in Tom already shaken due to Lex's revelation that Tom was planning on jumping alliances, 'The Robfather' instigated a heated argument between Tom and Rupert. With both Power Couples unsure of his loyalty, Tom was effectively positioned as the odd man out and became easy pickings at Tribal Council leaving the Power Couples to battle it out on this Sunday's finale of the 'All Stars' series.

Though no formal announcement was made on the Canadian broadcast, a programming note concerning next week's schedule made it known that a special 'All Stars' follow-up entitled 'Survivor: More Time With The All Stars' will air next Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The remaining Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:

Chaboga Mogo Tribe
1. Rob Mariano.
2. Tom Buchanan.
3. Rupert Boneham.
4. Jenna Lewis.
5. Amber Brkich.

Chaboga Mogo Tribal Happenings (Day 34)

Surprise. Surprise. The rain is back. A soggy Rupert and Tom gather firewood while everyone else counts sheep. Rupert 'Blackbeard' is particularly annoyed at Mother Nature.

Rupert moans: The weather is terrible and everyone at camp stinks like "rotten dogs". Each day is getting harder.

'The Robfather' grumps: It is the time in the game when you get totally fed up with your tribemates. You don't want to hear their stories any more. You feel like saying..."Shut up. Don't talk to me."

'Robfather' and Tom sit at the doused camp fire. Tom blithers on not making any sense at all. It is just pure garble. Rob just politely nods at all the appropriate spots in the "conversation".

'The Robfather': During their stay on the island, he has managed to understand only about two words Tom has said. More often than not, he has no clue what he is gibbering on about. All Tom does is make unintelligible noises.

Jenna and Rupert gather some coconuts. They toast their victory over the evil coconut tree. Jenna says that they need to focus on voting Rob off...maybe with Big Tom's help. All of a sudden, 'The Robfather' powers down the cloaking device he made out of coconut husks, hair off of Big Tom's back and some twigs. He is standing right behind Rupert and heard the entire conversation. What the hell?!?

Rupert: His heart sank when he spotted Rob. Jenna was jabbering on full-tilt with Rob listening on.

Rupert stands his ground while Jenna awkwardly fumbles with a coconut. "We gotta be big time," Jenna whimpers to Rob justifying their conversation. "It is no big deal," replies 'The Robfather' coolly.

Rupert: Paranoia will destroy you.

'The Robfather' immediately hustles back to Am-bore. "We got problems," he grumbles. Rob claims that 'Jennapert' have no intention of bringing them into the final four. Am-bore asks Rob if he will confront them. He won't.

Am-bore: She second guesses their strategy. Rob is a target and that worries her. Soon after he is gone, she is next. The game is out of their control.

Reward Challenge

It is an obstacle course elimination challenge. The challenge developers must be sick because it is the same course we have seen on the series before. First heat is the balance beam. Last one to make it across is out. Second leg is a military belly crawl and the get-the-knife-out-of-the-puzzle thingy. The first three to finish will carry on to the step-on-a-board-and-launch-the-bag-into-the-basket game. The final stage is a tight-rope walk, slide down the flying fox and key retrieval.

Reward

A new truck and some time at a 'Survivor Drive-in' complete with popcorn, candy and unlimited sugary beverages. Ummmm...sugary beverages.

Result

Probst reminds the players that the winner of the truck or car has never gone on to win the 'Survivor' game. Rupert is out during the first stage. Jenna is gone during the second phase. Tom loses the third heat. Rob beats out Amber to win the truck. Jeff Probst permits Rob to select someone to accompany him to the Drive-in. Rob naturally picks Am-bore.

Winner: Rob.

Drive-In Happenings

This is the first new truck 'Boston' Rob has ever owned. 'Ramber' and Probst cruise to the drive-in site.

"The Robfather': During the challenge he didn't let Probst's trivia fact about the car-truck winner never moving on to take the entire game discourage him at all.

Probst reveals that the movie 'Ramber' will be watching is 'Lord of the Flies' and he has one more surprise. Taking them to a nearby clearing, Probst says that whomever Rob selected also wins something...a car. Am-bore blithers: "Are you serious?". She is stunned. Am-bore to Rob: "You just gave me a car!". Rob: "You earned it." Rob kids to Probst: "What is behind Door Number Three, Jeff?".

'Ramber' cuddle in the back of the truck, munch on popcorn and watch the flick. Rob says that it is nice to be alone and not have to think about the game.

Am-bore in total glee: It was a great first date. She got a car! Flowers? A car? Flowers? A car? She will take the car.

'Robfather': It was special to be with Am-bore but...he hasn't lost sight of the prize. He is not going surrender the money to anyone...not even Am-bore.

Chaboga Mogo Happenings (Night 34)

Jenna, Rupert and Tom agree that it would be nice if 'Ramber' brought back some candy. Rob and Am-bore stumble back. Am-bore kisses Rupert on the cheek.

Am-bore: She had the option of not telling them about the car but that wouldn't be right.

Am-bore recounts the entire story of how she won the car. Jenna and Tom's faces are pretty grim. Rupert: "That is very, very cool." 'Ramber' pull out a pile of candy for everyone.

Rupert: Is ticked when 'Ramber' divide the candy into five piles and take off with their share. They already won a car and ate like pigs. What do they need more candy for?

'Ramber' sit, cuddle each other and kiss.

Rupert: Hopes the hex on the car-winner comes true. It would be sweet justice for him.

Chaboga Mogo Tribe Happenings (Day 36)

Rupert, Tom and Jenna are hard at work while 'Ramber' just take it easy.

Rupert: He is tired of getting very little help when it comes to chores around the camp. It makes him crazy that Rob and Am-bore just sit on their butts while everyone works hard. By doing so, they have so much energy to compete in the challenges.

Rupert and Tom talk strategy. Rupert warns Tom that he better win Immunity or he could be gone. Rupert asks Tom if he would join him and Jenna in voting Rob out. They have to break up that Power Couple. Tom: "If we don't get Rob, he's won."

Rob confronts Tom. He lies to Tom and says that Rupert told him that Tom is going to vote him off. Tom: "Why would I do that. I am not changing alliances. Why would he say that? He is a truthful man but now he is being an SOB." Tom takes Rupert's "fibbing" really personal. Rob: "Are you going to let him chump you like that?".

With Rob standing just footsteps away, Tom questions Rupert. Rupert just keeps posing the question...Did you not tell me to vote Rob off and say that you're sorry you made an alliance with him? As Tom blunders for a response, Rupert accuses Tom of never intending to take Rob into the final two. Rupert: "You talk about getting rid of everyone and I am the bad guy?".

Rupert: He knows he was being played. It was all a ploy to tear down his credibility.

Immunity Challenge

A word scramble involving the 17 'Survivor' tribe names. Once all the words are found, there is a mystery word to figure out.

Reward

Immunity from the Tribal Council vote.

Result

Amber is in the lead but evidently stumbles over the mystery word. Rob catches up and wins. Did Am-bore let Rob win? Hmmmm. The mystery word was Chaboga Mogo.

Winner: Rob.

Chaboga Mogo Pre Tribal Council Happenings (Day 36)

As the players walk back to camp, Rupert jokes that he wants to win the necklace...just once.

Rob: He holds the power but is fearful everyone will team up against Am-bore. If they were smart, they would. While debating his options, he will play diplomat.

At the camp fire, Tom apologizes to 'Ramber'.

Am-bore: Tom is scrambling. He is working the swing vote deal.

Tom insists that he has no plans to break the agreement. Tom wants Jenna gone.

Jenna: Not sure if she trusts 'Ramber'. It is amazing that the alliance has held up this long. Something is bound to go wrong now.

Sitting on the shoreline, Rob says to Am-bore that he is sick and tired of mulling the issue over in his mind. They should just flip a coin. It is a stupid strategy...but...what the hell. Tom has been fishing. Rob calls him over. He asks Tom to be honest for once. Will he be true to the alliance? Tom admits to employing the swing vote strategy. Rob accuses Tom of marking him for eviction. Tom replies that Rob did that himself by winning so many challenges. Tom claims not to be in control. Am-bore scoffs at that notion. Rob asks why Tom has been feeding information to 'Jennapert'. He is telling too many stories that don't make sense. The three agree to vote as a block. Tom says that he likes Rupert. It was a low-life thing he did in lying...but...he is over it.

Am-bore: She can taste the money. This is going to be the ugliest Tribal Council yet.

Tribal Council Happenings

Rupert states that there has been no peace at camp. Alliances are being tested. Am-bore: There is a lot of suspicion. She is anxious and nervous. She can smell the money. The jury rolls their eyes at that comment. Jenna: All they can think about is the money. It will change someone's entire life. Rob: Two people have been caught in two lies. Am-bore is voting with her gut. At this point, she can only trust her gut. In response to Probst asking him how he would feel if he was voted out, Tom says: "Et Tu, Brutus." If that is the case, those who lied to him will have to live with their decision. Jenna: It is not good enough to finish fifth now. You have to play to win.

We don't see who Rob votes for...but...he says the pony ride is over. The person is 'welcome' for Rob carrying them this far.

Final Voting

Alicia and Lex are quite upset by the vote. There seems to be tears in Lex's eyes. When Probst says..."The tribe has spoken." to Tom, he replies "I heard it." As Tom takes the Walk of Shame, he stops, turns right around and give Rob a downhome Stare of Death.

Tribal Council Victim: Tom Buchanan.

Parting Comments

Television: "Good god. I gotta pull the knife out of my back. Gosh. I was mistaken. There is two knives back there. Rob and Amber. I am going to be on that jury and the sticking is going to be my turn. So, listen. Don't worry about me. If you can live with it, I can live with it. And I am going to live with it happy ever after. So, fire away, fair-weather friend." - Tom Buchanan.

Internet: "To come here and to play SURVIVOR: ALL-STARS is a dream come true for an old country boy like me. Number one, I've said it all along: to play with an elite group, of truly All-Stars...they're all good in their own way. It's just a game; I know that, but it's kind of hard to take when you play hard and get "whimwillied." I know that's part of the game.

But truly, truly, truly, I didn't consider myself an All-Star. I considered myself a player in a game, but when I got the call to be an All-Star, I felt like I was the eighteenth person they called, because they couldn't get ahold of some, and some wouldn't do it. For me just to make the picture and say that I was in that group is a proud moment. When I had a baby boy 21 years ago, that's the only moment I've been prouder of. Even though I got voted off fifth, I'm disappointed. Don't get me wrong: I'm disappointed. I thought I'd sneak around here and be down to the Final Two.

Everything pertaining to the game I've learned, and I've learned to close it off, because the game's over, I know that. But my son got to experience some of it, which is huge! I gave him another little gift of life, to be a part of something that was so important to me, and I got him involved. That was huge. It was like swimming in a fishbowl down there underwater. I've never been underwater with one of those [diving masks], never, and I didn't think they were going to let me. Nobody on that team knew how bad I sat over there every day wanting to get in that water. Actually, I was a little scared that I might get...I didn't know if I could swim well enough in it. But I just couldn't wait to see a fish.

The whole time out here has been a vacation for me, that I never had. I'm 48; I'm not going to be going around again; this was it for me. People that know my lifestyle realize how huge this is to me. People that live in a higher lifestyle, they have no idea. They go on vacation. Have you ever seen a farmer with a swimming pool, or who goes on a family vacation to the ocean? You don't. They don't. They're on the farm; they're working the cattle. They can't be gone. But I did it, and I did it for 36 days, and I'll take some friends with me. There's a lot of them that I wouldn't piss on them on fire right now, but I'll get over it. They made a bad judgment. They're going to realize that, and I hope I'm man enough to say, "I realize you did, I know you did, and it just cost me a million dollars. But you know what? We'll sweep it under the table, and we'll get over it."

The only regret that I probably had in the whole thing is, obviously, not letting other people know in my alliance how much turmoil I was going through, with other people trying to break me away, and that I wouldn't do. The other thing is that now I look back on it, letting Rob and them boss me so much. In any other situation, I would have bit him, that little young whippersnapper trying to boss me around, especially stuff that I knew what I was doing. It was all I could do, but I was doing it for the game. I'm still not sure that probably wasn't the best part. The only regret that I've got is that I'm not staying four more days. But I'm not going to cry over spilled milk. I truly, truly am glad to have "All-Star" in front of "Big Tom." I'm going to be a hootenanny dancer, I'm going to be jumping around! [dances]" - Tom Buchanan.

On the next 'Survivor':

Television: "It started with 18 Survivors. Probst: The best of the best played the game.. Now, it is down to the final four. The Robfather. Rob: I can't trust anybody. Beautiful Amber. Jenna, the single mom and Rupert, the gentle giant. Rupert: I am going to kill myself to win. Don't miss the Survivor season finale and the live reunion show with a surprise so big it will stun everyone. We guarantee it. Who will be the Ultimate All Star? Amber: I can taste the money. Find out on the two-hour season finale and live reunion show."

Internet: "With the end in sight, and paranoia plaguing the remaining All-Stars, one castaway is challenged to break an alliance. The Jury has been sitting silent, but now they get to return and have their say! Thirty-nine days ago, 18 former castaways returned to play the ultimate game of SURVIVOR one more time. Now four remain, but only one will win. Who will be the Sole Survivor? After the Final Tribal Council, stay tuned for a special live reunion broadcast. See all 18 All-Stars come together again for the first time since they left the island."

Powell's Thoughts:

It had its up and it had it downs...and now it is almost done. The 'All-Stars' ('All-Stars' being a debatable term) series is coming to a close and the last few pieces of the puzzle are snapping into place. As far as gameplay and strategy goes, this season has spotlighted some of the worst 'Survivor' strategies ever...and we aren't done yet, folks.

The one clue from CBS is..."one castaway is challenged to break an alliance". The castaway in question could be Jenna. Rupert is assuredly the next 'Survivor' to take the Walk of Shame and probably leaves in a huff worthy of Hagar the Horrible. Let's just hope we don't see a return of the infamous and much loathed "purple rock" tie-breaker. It is truly nauseating to watch anyone lose the game in that fashion especially at such a crucial phase...except for maybe 'The Robfather'.

At this time, everything points to Amber Brkich taking home the title of 'Sole Survivor'. That presumption might change though as late-breaking information becomes available. Amber is in the best position to pull off the win. Odds are that the only player she might not be able to beat at the final Tribal Council is Rupert...and he is soooo gone it ain't funny. There are those on the jury who openly hate Jenna and the cards are definitely stacked against Rob. The critical flaw in Rob's gameplay is that he didn't think long-term. You have to remove people from the game without them carrying a grudge against you later. If not, you have no chance of winning the final vote which is usually a popularity contest and not based on who employed the best strategy. Whoever pissed off the least amount of people is generally awarded the game.

The biggest challenge leading up to Sunday is deducing if and how Amber makes it to the finals. It doesn't seem likely that if faced with the choice of Rob or Amber that Jenna would pick Amber. That would be game suicide. Rob has said many times that he won't sacrifice the million dollars for anyone...including Amber. Therefore, would he pick Amber because he has fallen for her (Awww!) even though he cannot beat her at Tribal Council or would he stab Amber in the back and go with a better final two partner in Jenna? Like Jenna, Amber has a stronger chance facing Rob too.

What is the big surprise to be revealed on the live show? One clue can be found in a CBS press release today which reads..."An additional announcement about the May 13th 'Survivor: More Time With The All Stars' special will be revealed during the Survivor: All-Stars: live reunion show."