Episode 9: Bobby Jon Makes the Jury

Bobby Jon Makes the Jury
official title: Secrets and Lies and an Idol Surprise

Summary: Judd wins Reward although everyone gets something to eat (Judd also won a clue to the location of the hidden immunity idol). Jaime won Immunity and the plan was to vote Gary off, however he found the hidden Immunity Idol so Bobby Jon was voted off instead; he is the first member of the Jury.

After the recap of last week's episode, the night after last week's Tribal Council they all get on Jaime about the "no class" topic. Judd tells us that other than the food camp life is great. Stephenie and Judd are talking and she says that they have the numbers they just have to stick together. Bobby Jon in confessional says that he really needs the Immunity Idol like right now; there's no breaking the "Magical 6" [also known as the Axis of Evil].

Reward Challenge
Competition: Giant lawn dart game with arrows.
Reward: Food for everyone and winner get a clue to where the Immunity Idol is hidden.

Each Survivor got one chance to throw an arrow (using a Maya throwing stick - atlata (sp?) at a target on the ground some distance away. The closer to the target, the better food the Survivor won.

Judd went first and got real close. No one was able to get closer so he won the best food - lobster and steak. Jaime went last and earned fourth place. He then said that he would like to eat last since his outburst at Tribal Council. Of course Jeff Probst allowed it so everyone but the top three moved up in the food eating order.

Here's the eating order:
Judd (surf/turf), Cindy (chicken), Danni (spaghetti), Stephenie (hamburger), Gary (slice pizza), Rafe (ham cheese sandwich), Bobby Jon (baked potato), Lydia (fish), Jaime (ramone nuts).

Jeff Probst then told Judd (pictured) he could select two of the others to join him at his table to share their food and join in on the open bar and dessert menu. Judd chose Bobby Jon and Stephenie. As Bobby Jon says in private, Gary looks anguished as they enjoy their food and beer. Gary says the right thing - I'm enjoying watching you have a good time - but in private tells us it was hard to do.

Judd stumbles back to camp with the rest of them (overnight he vomits). The next day he shares the clue with Stephenie - the Immunity Idol is in the open and above the ground. However Judd then tells the others that it is at ground level (the liar!).

Jaime (pictured) works Rafe and then Rafe tells us that Jaime is paranoid and he doesn't trust him. Stephenie also says that Jaime is paranoid and that he could ruin their entire plan. Gary tells Jaime he will vote however the 6 do - he doesn't have much choice.

Immunity Challenge
Competition: 3 stage obstacle course that tests balance.

Round 1: Untie 2 boards as they cross a balance beam. First four across move on.
Stephenie (despite falling once), Gary, Jaime, Rafe all move on.

Round 2: Use the 2 boards on 2 parallel horizontal ropes to cross a span. First two across move on.
Rafe and Jaime move on. Gary the former pro athlete falls twice.

Round 3: Cross a span using two ropes - one for the feet and one for the hands. First one across wins Immunity.
Jaime wins Immunity as Rafe falls off into the water. [I can't believe Rafe got this far considering how badly he did on the web-rope competition earlier.]

Scheming is Free
Stephenie (pictured) tells us that the plan is for Gary to be voted off because he is a physical threat and always in game mode. She said she would consider Jaime but he won Immunity. Gary talks with Stephenie ("look me in the eye") and she tells him that Bobby Jon is the target (she's lying too!). Bobby Jon talks with Judd and Jaime and tells them that Stephenie is ruthless and will lie. They tell him they know that already and to relax - he's not going home at Tribal Council.

Gary secretly follows Judd out into the jungle and notices him looking up. Gary, being no dummy, figures out that Judd was lying when he said the Immunity Idol was on the ground. Later we see Gary return to camp and it looks like he is holding and hiding something.

Xhakum at Tribal Council
(paraphrased, not word for word)

Jeff Probst: Danni do you trust these people?
Danni: It's scarry and a numbers game; you can't really trust anyone.
Jeff Probst: Do you agree Rafe?
Rafe: Yes, paranoia is setting in.
Jeff Probst: Gary how does lying figure into the game?
Gary: Everyone is different, up to themselves whether to lie or not.
Jeff Probst: Have you lied?
Gary: No I have not lied. [that's a lie]
Jeff Probst: Judd how about you, have you lied?
Judd: No, not up to this point, I have not lied. [they're all a bunch of liars]
Jeff Probst: Cindy do you trust anyone?
Cindy: I trust them more than I thought I would. In this game it's hard not to lie. I'm sure we'll all be liars by the time the game is over.

Jeff Probst: before you vote, Jaime would you like to give the Immunity necklace to anyone?
Jaime: No sir, I think I'll keep it.
Jeff Probst: Now if anyone has found the Immunity Idol and would like to use it now is the time to reveal it.
Gary turns it in!
Jeff Probst: Time to vote. You cannot vote for Jaime or Gary.

Time to Vote:
Stephenie gets 2 votes, Cindy gets a vote, but Bobby Jon gets 5 votes and is the first member of the Jury.

Jeff Probst's Final Thought
It's clear from this Tribal Council that the next phase of the game will center around lying. Just remember you'll be lying to the Jury.

Bobby Jon's final words:
I was really surprised at Tribal Council . . . I really wanted to win, but everything happens for a reason . . . it was an amazing adventure.

Alliances
The best chance of breaking up the Axis of Evil is if Danni makes it to the final seven. So, sorry Gary you have to go next. Danni has the best chance of getting the weaker players and outcasts within the Axis of Evil of turning on Stephenie, Judd and Jaime.

Heroes and Villains
Way to find that Immunity Idol Gary - I had you on my Fantasy team. Jaime wasn't as evil this episode and Stephenie was a little more likable too. Judd was obnoxious again. I'd hope none of those three win. I'd really like Danni (pictured) to win but the odds are really against her.

Won Reward: Judd
(Judd shares drinks and dessert with Bobby Jon and Stephenie)
Won Immunity: Jaime
(Gary turned in Immunity Idol at TC)
Voted Off: Bobby Jon