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John Kenney is toast. |
With last night's broadcast, one 'Survivor Vanuatu' alliance has now been utterly demolished. John Kenney, the last of the Young Studs Alliance at Lopevi, got the boot and based on his almost nonexistent game play, he deserved it.
Rip Van Winkle spent more time napping than strategizing on Vanuatu. Sleeping the entire game away, Winkle hatched a last minute plan when he realized the sands of time were running out. John elected to target Chad Crittenden, the 35-year-old teacher from California who lost half his right leg to cancer. His argument being that Chad was coasting through the game and headed to a sympathy vote win. Needless to say, John could've picked a better target. Whatever small chance he had of escaping the executioner's axe was lost when he tried to sway Lopevi against Chad. A dumb move from a dumb player who shouldn't be on the jury and isn't. Thank goodness for small favours.
The Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Lopevi Tribe
1. Julie Berry: Youth mentor. 2. Chad Crittenden: Teacher. 3. Chris Daugherty: Highway construction. 4. Twila Tanner: Highway repair. 5. John Kenney: Mechanical bull operator, model. 6. Lea "Sarge" Masters: Drill Sergeant.
Yasur Tribe
1. Ami Cusack: Coffee server, model. 2. Eliza Orlins: Pre-law student. 3. Leann Slaby: Research assistant. 4. Scout Cloud Lee: Rancher. 5. Rory Freeman: Housing Case Manager.
Lopevi Tribal Happenings (Day 16)
The Lopevi worker bees are buzzing, all except John that is. Chad comments that John is a lazy lima bean who doesn't pull his weight around camp. He doesn't understand how John can laze around and count grains of sand while everyone else is toiling so hard.
John tells us he is tired and bored. There isn't much to do on Vanuatu. There isn't much to do? What about doing chores, establishing alliances and formulating a strategy to stay alive? Where are the savage Vanuatu cannibals when you need them, eh?
Chris and Chad hold a bitch session about John. According to them, he does jack to help out the tribe and he eats too much as well. Chris vows John will not coast through the game. Chad agrees.
Yasur Tribal Happenings (Day 16)
Rory informs us that he starts out each day with a prayer. Today, he has a ton to be thankful for. He can't believe his luck. He is still in the game. Ah, you gotta love this guy. Go, Rory, go! What's the next phase of Rory's master plan? He is going to work on Ami and Leann.
...and here he goes. Chatting with Ami and Leann in the jungle, Rory asks the ladies where he stands. He hopes they aren't thinking of ditching Eliza before him. He's has brought so much to the table while Eliza is useless. Ami informs Rory that unlike the previous editions of 'Survivor', the Yasur women are planning to stick together and maintain their alliance to the very end. She is certain Rory will re-join the men any way when the tribes merge. Rory is fit to be tied. With a few four-letter words and stammering thrown in, Rory professes not to be Lopevi's lackey. Ami: "Don't cuss at me." Before he stomps off into the jungle, he claims not to give a crap about Sarge and Chris.
Rory is going into self-destruction mode. He promised his wife he would approach the game with a slash, burn and salt the earth policy. He guarantees that if Yasur kicks him, the tribe will burn, baby, burn.
Reward Challenge
Finally, a challenge that's a real nail-biter. The players must crack open a coconut and fill half a coconut shell with milk. They then have to make their way through an obstacle course and pour whatever milk remains into a bottle. First tribe to fill their bottle to the designated line and get the bottle back to their starting point without spilling the contents wins.
Reward
A visit to the 'Survivor' coffee house where messages from home, coffee and pastries await. The winning tribe also gets to take the coffee and the coffeemaker back to camp with them.
Result
Sarge sits out. In a cool little moment, Chad eliminates the lead Yasur had built and passes the lanky Leann on the course. Scout puts some smart strategy into play. She dumps her coconut milk and goes to the end of the line. This allows another Yasur member to run the course instead of her. Bringing the bottle back, Leeann stumbles and falls but none of the coconut milk pours out. Probst had instructed Leeann to keep her hand over the top of the bottle. Why does Probst keep giving the players advice this season? Geesh. You gotta wonder if something is up with that.
Winners: Yasur.
Yasur Coffee House Happenings
Yasur finds family photos on a bulletin board as well as letters from home. The pictures are old and new. There is one of Rory's son the day he was born and pictures taken years ago of Scout as a youngster as well as others when they were little.
Eliza: The whole scene touched her heart. It was nice for everyone to share their families with everyone.
Ami cries. In the letter from her parents, she is told her brother is looking down on her and is proud. Ami explains that her younger brother died in a car accident. Scout sobs while reading her partner's letter. Rory's wife advised him to not let his temper get the best of him. Rory says like always, she has impeccable timing. She's right. Nope. He is not going to push the self-destruct button. Ami tells Rory they have a "special bond".
The coffee has wired Rory. Although it was great to share such a special moment with everyone, he hasn't taken his focus off the game. As everyone who knows him will say, he always has an extra ace up his sleeve. He hasn't forgotten where he stands at Yasur.
Lopevi Tribal Happenings (Day 17)
Julie and Twila head off to talk alone. Twila: We are the odd people out. Julie asks Twila if the men offered her a place in the Final Four. Twila admits she has. Julie tells Twila they made her the same deal too. Julie says to us, she was just using reverse psychology on Twila. The men never talked to Julie about her being in the Final Four with them. However, now that Twila thinks so, she will re-align herself with Julie. Julie about the men: They think we are their pawns but little do they know... Julie and Twila agree they are the most unlikely alliance in the game.
Lopevi Tribal Happenings (Day 18)
Lopevi gets tree mail and along with it is a slingshot and some marbles. They begin practicing. Julie is sure that if Lopevi doesn't win, she is going home. Sarge gives slingshot instruction. There is no way Yasur is winning this challenge. No way in hell, soldier! John knows he has been a target from Day One. If they don't win Immunity, his game is over.
Yasur Tribal Happenings (Day 18)
Yasur gets the same delivery. Rory: Let's get ready to rummmmble! Presenting...the ladies of Yasur...plus one! Rory has had three cups of coffee. He starts training the women on how to use the slingshot. Rory understands Yasur must be victorious or they will tank him at Tribal Council.
Immunity Challenge
The Survivors have to shoot ceramic tiles with their slingshot bolts. Each tile corresponds to a piece on a game board. Once all of the person's game pieces have been turned over, they can take a seat on the team's mat.
Reward
Immunity from Tribal Council.
Result
Chris sits out for Lopevi. Rory rocks! He dominates the challenge and can't be beat. He dedicates the game winning shot to his baby boy.
Winners: Yasur.
Yasur Tribal Happenings (Day 18)
Rory is deliriously happy back at camp. Rory: Today, I rocked Ami. I rocked her whole entire world. She has had chances to get me out and failed. Rory claims Ami is at the top of his hit list. Ami tells us that Rory is acting cocky but he's earned that right. Ami is hurt knowing that either Julie or Twila will be ditched at Lopevi's Tribal Council.
Lopevi Pre-Tribal Council Happenings (Day 18)
Chad and Chris plot. Chad is sure they should target Julie. She cannot be trusted. Chris states that John can't either. Chris reminds Chad there is a merger coming up. Chad says if he can be convinced Julie will remain loyal to the men, he will vote against John. Before he goes on any more about the gender war, Chris reminds Chad of one little fact. Yasur kicked Lisa out. That comment starts the wheels turning in Chad's head.
Now that his butt is on the line, John has awoken from his perpetual slumber. John schemes with Chris. He warns Chris that Chad could win the game via a sympathy vote. John has faith in Chris and believes that together they could cause some major damage in the game.
John speaks with Twila and Julie. He advises them that Chad is going home tonight and they should agree to vote him out too. John: Twila is a rough redneck and all the rough rednecks that he knows are loyal. If everyone follows his plan, he will be safe. If not, he is going to the Loser Lodge for sure.
Lopevi Tribal Council Happenings
Chris says the challenge was a close one. Chad confirms there was a mad scramble before Tribal Council. According to Chris, everyone has a role at camp. Everyone seems to be a team player. Sarge: Twila is a great worker. She does a great job at finding and preparing food. John calls Twila a "work horse". He wishes she would take a nap sometimes. John admits to sleeping tons but if asked to do something, he does so right away. Chad thinks he can see through people's bull and knows if they are being manipulative or not. Julie thinks the tribe has really come together well. Chris is basing his vote on trust and his future success in the game.
John votes for Chad. He is afraid Chad is coasting by in the game. Chris can't conceal a smile as John's torch is snuffed.
Final Voting
1. Julie Berry: John. 2. Chad Crittenden: John. 3. Chris Daugherty: John. 4. Twila Tanner: John. 5. John Kenney: Chad. 6. Lea "Sarge" Masters: John.
Tribal Council Victim:
John Kenney.
Parting Comments
"Well, I came, I played, I lost and I am a little bitter. I would love to say that I will walk out of here with no regrets but I have to say I'm shocked. I wouldn't have turned on any of you guys but you guys turned on me. Chris, best of luck. I hope you win. Sarge, I hope you come in second. Everyone else, I hope you lose." -- John Kenney .
On the next 'Survivor': Television. Julie and Sarge sun their butts. Julie to Sarge: "Tan that ass!" Chris: "Sarge! What are you doing?" At Yasur, Ami asks Rory if the coffee is ready. Rory: "What a worthless crew." Rory reaches his breaking point. Rory: "What a complete and useless crew. I am ready to get the hell out of Yasur." Probst comments that the game is about to be turned upside down.
On the next 'Survivor': Internet.
"A Survivor gets fed up with the tribe and is ready for a change. One castaway uses charm, flirtation and cuddling in an attempt to get in good with a tribemate. Anxiety about a possible tribal merge leads one Survivor to make one-on-one pacts with numerous others. One castaway gets into a war of words with a tribemate after being told what to do."
Powell's Thoughts:
Go, Rory, go! Oh, yeah. I am warming up to this guy in a huge way. How can you not? He is an alliance of one and an ultimate 'Survivor' underdog who is pulling his entire game out of the fire. His is the best storyline so far this season. Go, Rory, go!
Do Probst's comments in the promo indicate that the tribes are merging next week? Nope. Not a chance with the current numbers. Methinks what we will see is a delayed merge with the tribes remaining separate but living with each other at the same camp. It is a brilliant move on the producers' part based on the fact that it is not clear whether the gender war will continue with the original Yasur and Lopevi Tribes reforming or not. The producers could divide the two tribes into three but I would hazard to guess it is too late in the game for that. If Bubba had just kept his big yap shut, he could've been in the position Rory now covets. He's gotta be kicking himself now.
My apologies to Julie fans. John was the slacker in the promos. Since the Lopevi pecking order is quite obvious, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to puzzle out who goes next. After that business is dealt with and the tribes do finally merge, business is about to pick up on 'Survivor Vanuatu'. At long last, some fireworks are heading our way.
