Episode 8: Brandon Goes Home

Brandon Goes Home
official title: The Hidden Immunity Doll

Summary: There is no Reward Challenge as the Survivors create a new name (Xhakum) and a new flag for the newly merged tribe. Tree mail also tells them of a hidden immunity doll. The Immunity Challenge has a Merge Feast twist. Gary prevails and wins Immunity. At Tribal Council Jaime gets four votes but ultimately Brandon is voted off.

After the recap of last week's episode, we join in as Yaxha leave Tribal Council and go to Nakum's camp for the merge. Gary, Danni, Bobby Jon and Brandon all agree to be as nice as they can. Bobby Jon tell us in private that he can't stand Jaime and Stephenie. At Nakum's camp Bobby Jon starts a fire and Jaime starts laying into him. The next day Danni tells us that they do not feel welcomed, that they feel like outsiders. Stephenie tells us that Bobby Jon came to her and asked that she help him to make the jury. She tells us that she will do what she can.

Reward Challenge
Competition: none
Reward: none

They are given a banner and paints and told to come up with a new tribe name and banner. The new name they chose is Xhakum, an amalgam of Yaxha and Nakum.

Hidden Immunity Doll
Tree mail also tells them of a immunity doll hidden somewhere in the jungle. Whoever finds it can use it whenever they want before the final four. It must be presented at Tribal Council before voting starts. This is addition to the regular Immunity Challenges.

The four former Yaxha members - Gary, Danni, Bobby Jon and Brandon - all decide to go fishing. Those left behind cannot believe it and they openly discuss the boot order. Stephenie says it aloud: Brandon, Bobby Jon, Gary then Danni. In confessional Jaime says they have got to protect their investment of blood and sweat. Rafe in private asks rhetorically "Am I a member of an Axis of Evil?"

Immunity Challenge
Competition: Pot Head with Merge Feast Twist

Each Survivor has a choice: either eat at the merge feast table and miss out on Immunity or compete for Immunity and miss eating. The competition would be standing still for an hour with a pot on their head. If necessary, after an hour there would be a tie breaker.

The Eaters: Rafe, Stephenie, Lydia, Jaime
The Competitors: Gary, Brandon, Bobby Jon, Danni, Judd, Cindy

During the competition Jaime and Bobby Jon argued. Basically Jaime was acting like an ass by rubbing it in that they (former Nakum) were all safe and didn't have to compete for Immunity. To his credit Judd didn't say anything and had a look on his face like ' Jaime, would you just shut up.' Rafe is almost at tears and Stephenie tells him it will be ok.

After an hour only Danni is out so there will be a tiebreaker. The remaining Survivors must run up the steps of a pyramid with a pot on their head. Gary is first to the top with his pot atop his head so he wins Immunity.

Scheming is Free
Jaime is chastised by his own allies. Judd (pictured) in particular is very critical of him - to his face and in front of everyone. In private Danni and Cindy both say what a jerk Jaime is. Cindy says he has no class. Rafe says that he doesn't know if he can stand himself and go on being aligned with Jaime. Jaime tells Bobby Jon outright that Brandon's head is on the chopping block.

Bobby Jon tells Brandon that Jaime may now be the one to be voted off. He says Stephenie and Judd are going to vote for him because they are feed up with him. Gary tells Rafe, if we do what's right then it's Jaime who will go.

So, it looks like it will be either Brandon or Jaime to be voted off.

Tribal Council
(paraphrased, not word for word)

Jeff Probst: Rafe what about Jaime at the Immunity Challenge.
Rafe: It was hard to hear.
Bobby Jon: Jaime has no class.

This starts a war of words between BobbyJon and Jaime.

Jeff Probst: Cindy why did you compete? You're with the majority (old Nakum).
Cindy: I can eat when I get back home. I came here to play and compete. [not to mention that she may not be that safe]
Jeff Probst: What do you base your vote on?
Cindy: Morals and my heart do come into play.

Jeff Probst calls for the Hidden Immunity Doll if anyone has it and wants to use it. No takers so it's voting time.

Time to Vote:
Jaime gets 4 votes but Brandon receives 6 votes so he is voted off.

Jeff Probst's Final Thought
Well, you've made it to the final nine, two more until the jury. Eighteen days to go and a lot can happen. Everything you did and will do matters.

Brandon's final words:
I played the game I came out to play. I played for myself. They can take me out but they can't take out my pride.

Alliances
Please don't tell me it will simply be the Nakumians picking off Bobby Jon, Gary and Danni.

Heroes and Villains
I was rooting for Jaime to be voted off and I had him on my fantasy tribe. The sooner that he is gone the better. Rafe is right he's in an Axis of Evil. Well at least Jaime is evil.

Won Reward: no competition (Hidden Immunity Doll revealed)
Won Immunity: Gary
Voted Off: Brandon

Episode 8: As It Airs

As It Airs
Nov. 3, 8:00 pm ET GMT -5 hours
Survivor Guatemala, Episode 8
title: The Hidden Immunity Doll

This post will be updated as Survivor airs tonight.
Some people just can't wait to know what happens on Survivor. If you're one of those people then this post is for you. Note: you may need to hit the refresh/reload button on your browser to see the updates.

First Interview: Bobby Jon.
Tree Mail: Immunity Idol hidden in jungle, it's about 6 inches tall and can be used anytime. This in addition to normal immunity challenges. It can be used until final four and must be presented at a Tribal Council before voting starts.

Reward Challenge
No challenge - new tribe colors and name instead.

Immunity Challenge
Type of Challenge: Endurance/Race. Gary won Immunity.

Tribal Council
First Questioned: Rafe. Brandon was voted off.

Check back later tonight
for my usual, full length review / recap.

Preview Episode 8

title: The Hidden Immunity Doll
CBS, 8:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005
Episode #1108.

from the Survivor web site:
Survivors learn that there is an Immunity idol hidden in the Guatemalan jungle, and the hunt begins.

Given the choice to feast or challenge, several castaways choose to enjoy a large feast in front of the others instead of competing for Immunity. Is this a smart move, or will their hunger be their demise?

from Yahoo TV:
The ninth castaway is voted off.
[not as helpful as some other Yahoo previews]

Commentary
The web is real quiet about tonight's episode. I think Judd, Gary and Cindy are in danger of being voted off.

Survivor Fantasy Picks
I'm sticking with the two mini alliances (see SI: Intermingling Alliances ) so I've got Stephenie and Danni and their cronies. I know Stephenie is in more danger now of being voted off because she has played before but she's a threat to win challenges, cries a lot and has previously climbed ruins so I'll take my chances. At this point I think she's still a safe bet.

Stephenie, climbs ruins
Danni, climbs ruins
Jaime, takes a nap
Rafe, takes a nap

Next Update: As It Airs, updates as Survivor Guatemala airs.
Thu. 8:00 pm ET GMT -5 hrs.

SI: Intermingling Alliances

Survivor Instinct
Second Thoughts and Sudden Thoughts About Survivor

Intermingling Alliances
Now that the merge has happened, it's a whole new game. Here's a quick look at the alliances as I see them.

Original Tribes
Yaxha Tribe
Stephenie, Rafe, Gary, Jaime, Lydia

Nakum Tribe
Bobby Jon, Brandon, Danni, Judd, Cindy

Current Tribes (after the switch)
Yaxha Tribe
Gary, Danni, Brandon, Bobby Jon

Nakum Tribe
Cindy, Judd, Jaime, Rafe, Stephenie, Lydia

The Alliances As I See Them
Danni, Brandon and Bobby Jon
These three have been together since the start and Amy recently said that Danni and Brandon have been together since Day 1.

Stephenie, Rafe, and Jaime
These three have also been together since the beginning. Lydia has been with them as well however I think they are just carrying her along. She would be the first gone if she is in with them. Judd was nice to have around for competitions but now that it's individual immunity he is expendable.

Floaters - No Real Alliance
Gary is probably not as close with Danni's Alliance as he thinks he is. Cindy knows she's not welcomed with the current Nakum's so look for her to join up with others. Judd and Lydia probably think they are in with Stephenie's Alliance but that would be a mistake.

So Who Gets Voted Off Next?
Judd, unless he gets immunity of course. He's a threat to win immunity and he's annoying to too many people. With ten Survivors, six votes are needed to avoid a tie (which I'm sure no one wants). Judd is simply the easiest and agreeable to the greatest number of people.

Or not, I could be wrong; it has happened before.

Next Update: Wednesday night or Thursday morning, Episode 8 Preview

Survivor Live: Amy

Survivor Live: Amy
Hosts: Jenna Morasca and Ian Rosenberger from Survivor Palau

On Being Voted Off
"I had a blast man!" said a disappointed Amy. She's not sure if her injured ankle had anything to do with it or not, but she wasn't going to just give up because of it. (By the way, she's still in physical therapy for the ankle.) Amy even tried to use her bad ankle to her advantage by telling the others that she wouldn't be much of a threat in challenges with her injury.

She doesn't regret voting off Brian because that was part of an agreement, Brian for Blake. Amy has no regrets and said that her personality got her farther than she thought it would. She would have liked to make the merge, but that's just how it goes.

Gary, Rafe and Stephenie
Gary approached her about joining him and Stephenie in an alliance. Rafe was brought in later because Gary wanted gender balance. Amy felt the four of them could have gone far but the switch-up messed them up, but that's just part of the game. Gary told her that he plans to stay loyal to Danni, Bobby Jon and Brandon.

The Others
Bobby Jon said that Jaime was just getting under his skin. If it did come to blows she thinks Bobby Jon would win (so do I). Blake really cracked her up, whatever the topic of discussion he would have to "one up" everyone else. Danni and Brandon have been together since day one. Danni is a good listener and is really working the game; others seem to naturally go to her.

The Challenges
The archeological dig / puzzle challenge lasted around 30 minutes. Some challenges lasted several hours, for instance the Maya basketball game and the tug-of-war.

Ian's Thoughts
Gary is as bad a liar as he (Ian) was. Jaime is trying to be hard core but he's just alienating the others. Danni is really playing well, but he thought Lydia ("short people make me nervous") would be one of the first voted off along with Stephenie and Bobby Jon. Three weeks ago Judd was one of his favorites but he argues with everyone and now he's at the bottom of the pile. Jenna had a good point (she has one or two each season), Bobby Jon expects everyone else to keep their word but he went back on his word when he voted for Blake.

What's Next for Amy
She's back at work fighting crime as a police sergeant. Ian asked her she ever shot anyone. She said 'no' but she will if she has to.

Note: Dalton Ross was away but should be back next week. Jenna and Ian wore Halloween costumes. Jenna was dressed as Dolly from Survivor Vanuatu (little Bo Peep) and Ian was dressed as Richard Hatch (black & white prisoner stripes).