Season 21: Episode 10: Stuck In the Middle

The tribe has spoken and Cara is asked to leave the pool immediately.

At Tribal Council, Sash reveals that a lot of shuffling has occurred within the tribe since the last Tribal Council and that he feels vulnerable. Brenda admits to Jeff that she did not want to vote for Marty in the last Tribal Council, but she did so to prove to her alliance that she
was trustworthy. She then accuses NaOnka of not being trustworthy because she now wants to “jump ship”. NaOnka insists that it is not her that is breaking up the alliance and blames Chase. As each person in her alliance deflects the blame, Brenda admits that she did not scramble to keep herself in the game before Tribal Council. She admits to Jeff that she was too proud to scramble and that it was more important to just talk to the people with whom she could trust, such as Sash and Chase. In the end, this may not have been a good strategy, since Brenda is then voted out with eight out of the ten votes cast against her. Brenda Lowe, the 27-year-old paddleboard company owner from Miami, Fla., became the eleventh person voted outand the third member of the jury of SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA.

Jeff's thoughts: MOVING FORWARD…THIS GAME IS ON
Like her or not, Naonka is playing the game. She’s a fair weather participant for sure, but when she wants to play she is a pot stirrer. Marty would be proud. Naonka could win if she ends up in the final with Purple Kelly. Even then she would need to pray.

Fabio is also starting to turn it on. Last week he was laying back, playing “cool.” This week he was part of a very big move taking out a major power player. I think Fabio is really starting to figure out this game.

Lurking in the shade is Jane. If things keep going the way they are, people may forget Jane is even in the game. If Jane gets to the end she would very likely be a millionaire.

The Redeemer is Holly. I’m usually a pretty good gauge of what the audience is feeling and I think a lot of you are starting to like Holly and have forgotten about those first five days.

The “no chance” is Dan. I just can’t see a scenario in which Dan could win this game.

The other “no chance” is Purple Kelly. Sweet young woman. I like her. But she hasn’t earned it and unless she really turns it on, her best finish is to make herself a great person to take to the end because she can’t win.

Sash is “in trouble.” He’s going to have to work hard to stay alive now that his partner is gone. If he can do it, he could make a strong case that he deserves to win. Otherwise he could be gone soon.

Benry is a “long shot.” He could make it to the end based on physical abilities but at this point he doesn’t have a strong enough case to win it.

The wildcard is Chase. Chase is likable enough to win this game and wishy-washy enough to screw it all up for himself and somebody else. Being in an alliance with Chase is risky.

Quotes from this week:

“I think Sash and I being in control does look like a king and queen situation, but Sash is more of a queen and I’m more of a king. That’s the way I look at it.”

Brenda:  “The last thing I want to do is start scrambling. It just shows that you are desperate.”

La Flor				Espada
Brenda	27	~	Cara	Alina	23	~	Tonya
Fabio	21	~	Brendan	Benry	24	~	Karen D.
Jane	56	~	Brandon	Chase	24	~	Kim
Jill	43	~	Eric	Dan	63	~	Colin
Kelly B.	26	~	Karen R.	Holly	44	~	Christi
Kelly S.	20	~	Warren	NaOnka	27	~	Steve
Marty	48	~	Pat	Tyrone	42	~	Cheryl
Sash	30	~	Sandy	Yve	41	~	Dick

Season 21: Episode 09: Running the Camp

The tribe has spoken and Pat is asked to leave the pool immediately.

At Tribal Council, Marty once again makes his case for getting rid of Jane because she is such a big threat.  He also attacks NaOnka for stealing and states, “To lie and to take food, there is no bigger sin.”  NaOnka does not take this attack lightly and throws personal attacks right back at Marty.   Fabio finds their battle very uncomfortable, while most others find it entertaining.    NaOnka then turns her attack on Fabio.    In the midst of it all, Jeff Probst admits that he is amazed that NaOnka gets away with her attacks on others and is not voted out by the tribe.    NaOnka responds, “I’m not putting on a show, this is who I am.  This is what I’ve been for twenty-seven years.  So if you don’t like it, then you don’t like it.”  With this, the Libertad tribe cast their votes, and NaOnka decides not to play her hidden immunity idol.   Much to his surprise, Marty is voted out with seven out of the eleven votes cast against him. Marty Piombo, the 48-year-old technology executive from Mill Valley, Calif., became the tenth person voted out and the second member of the jury of SURVIVOR:  NICARAGUA.

From Jeff: ON BEING COOL Benry and Fabio hanging in the shade, talking Survivor strategy. It was almost like a trailer for a new comedy:

Benry: You and I should just lay low… play stupid.
Fabio: I know dude, I hate playing stupid so much… but it’s like the smartest thing to do right now.
Benry: It’s easy.
Fabio: It’s… real easy.

Come on! That’s brilliant. That’s yet another beautiful element of reality shows. People forget the cameras are there, they stop thinking about what they are saying and they get so depleted that can’t even monitor what they are saying. Put those elements together and you end up with moments that wouldn’t be half as funny if you wrote them in a script.

Quotes from the week:   

Fabio: “Dude, I hate playing stupid so much, but it’s like the smartest thing to do right now.”

NaOnka: “Jeff, I’m not perfect. I’m a humanitarian, I’m a human. I screw up.”

La Flor				Espada
Brenda	27	~	Cara	Alina	23	~	Tonya
Fabio	21	~	Brendan	Benry	24	~	Karen D.
Jane	56	~	Brandon	Chase	24	~	Kim
Jill	43	~	Eric	Dan	63	~	Colin
Kelly B.	26	~	Karen R.	Holly	44	~	Christi
Kelly S.	20	~	Warren	NaOnka	27	~	Steve
Marty	48	~	Pat	Tyrone	42	~	Cheryl
Sash	30	~	Sandy	Yve	41	~	Dick

Season 21: Episode 08: Company Will Be Arriving Soon

The tribe has spoken and Tonya is asked to leave the pool immediately.

At Tribal Council, Marty quickly starts his attack on Jane pointing out her weak strategy in the game but dangerous popularity within the tribe. Marty argues, “If she makes it to the final three, if you have watched Survivor, this woman will take the million dollars.” Jane is shocked by Marty’s attack and tries to keep her cool. Marty ends his rant by saying that he will vote for Jane if she makes it to the finals, since she will deserve it more than the people who let her get there. Alina points out that Marty is a huge threat since he just revealed what a strategic player he is. Dan reminds the tribe that NaOnka and Alina stole from the tribe and they should remember that in tonight’s vote. In the end, votes Alina out, with ten votes cast for her, two for Marty. Alina Wilson, the 23 year-old art student from Downey, Calif. became the ninth person voted out of SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA.

Jeff's thoughts:  NAONKA NAONKA NAONKA…
Okay as I said earlier, I’ve figured out Naonka.  I’m no longer surprised by anything Naonka says or does… because… did I say this already…? I finally figured her out! Eureka!

Are you ready…?  Here it is…

From a maturity point of view, Naonka is a seven-year-old. That’s it.  That’s my big discovery.

When dealing with Naonka you simply have to treat her as you would a first-grader.  Think about it.  She’s selfish.  She’s a know-it-all.  She’s defiant.  She’s a rule tester.  She denies everything and only apologizes when she is actually caught doing something.  She behaves in every conceivable way as though she were seven years old.

That’s why, at the end of the day, people like Brenda can still find her a little charming.  They see her like I do, like a small child.  Who can be mad at a small child?  It’s not the most flattering thing to say about a twenty-something, but I do believe it’s true.  I’m not defending her actions – not at all – but it does make it easier for me to relate to her at tribal council.

Even I have to admit…stealing the food was one of the most brazen things I’ve ever seen on our show.  Outright crazy until you remember, she’s only seven.

Quotes from the week:

NaOnka:“I robbed the tribe. But I gave it back because I was pushed into a corner. I gave it back, nobody was hurt.”

Fabio: “You wouldn’t have gave it back if we didn’t find out.”

La Flor				Espada
Brenda	27	~	Cara	Alina	23	~	Tonya
Fabio	21	~	Brendan	Benry	24	~	Karen D.
Jane	56	~	Brandon	Chase	24	~	Kim
Jill	43	~	Eric	Dan	63	~	Colin
Kelly B.	26	~	Karen R.	Holly	44	~	Christi
Kelly S.	20	~	Warren	NaOnka	27	~	Steve
Marty	48	~	Pat	Tyrone	42	~	Cheryl
Sash	30	~	Sandy	Yve	41	~	Dick

Season 21: Episode 07: What Goes Around Comes Around

The tribe has spoken and Eric is asked to leave the pool immediately.  At Tribal Council, Marty strikes out at Jane by calling her a flipper,  “She’ll go wherever the wind blows in terms of making sure she saves her own skin.” says Marty.  Brenda disagrees and feels that Jane has been genuine and made an effort to fit in with the tribe.   Marty reveals that he gave Sash his hidden immunity idol and therefore feels vulnerable tonight and hopes he hasn’t made a huge mistake.   Jeff questions Sash about why he has the idol and whether he would be willing to give it to anyone else in his alliance.  Sash responds, “At this moment, I don’t think it serves a purpose, but if there’s a time when I lose trust in them OR I’m sorry if there’s a time when they lose trust in me, then I’ll have to turn it over.”    Sash realizes he made a Freudian slip in his response and hopes to have not caused any damage with his alliance. In the end, the tribe honors their word to Marty and votes Jill out, with three votes cast for her, two for Marty and two for Jane.  Jill Behm, the 43 year-old ER doctor from Erie, Pennsylvania became the eighth person voted out of SURVIVOR:  NICARAGUA. 

Jeff's thoughts:

REWARD CHALLENGE

Because of the rough water in Nicaragua we couldn’t do a lot of water challenges, so we built a large cement pool. It never ceases to amaze me what our art department can create and execute.

As far as the challenge, I loved this one. It’s fair for everybody, (okay with the exception of Dan) you could play it at home (Okay if you had a swimming pool) and it’s just fun to watch. But the best part of the challenge came once again thanks to Survivor‘s favorite comedy genius… Fabio!

YOU KNEW SOMEBODY WAS GOING TO DO IT

Fabio peeing in the pool was a moment that still makes me laugh when I think about that day and the look on his face as he was doing it. I enjoy Fabio. He’s a charming young man who often speaks before he listens but is so open and shares so many thoughts that he’s endeared himself to me. No Fabio, not everybody pees in the pool.

My favorite line of the entire pitch to Marty:

Sash: I think it makes sense, but I can’t tell you what to do with your own idol.

THAT’S the shady part I’m talking about! If Sash thinks it makes sense… don’t do it!

To Marty’s defense, I think Marty is right – he has to try something and the idol was going to get flushed out one way or the other. Giving it to Sash gives him a lifeline to Sash with the hope that something will happen to change things up.

Quotes of the week:

Sash:“If there’s a time when I lose trust in them - I’m sorry, if there’s a time when they lose trust in me, then I’ll have to turn it over or I’ll have the biggest target on my back of this entire tribe.”

Dan:“They used to call John Gotti the Teflon Don because every time they’d try and get him on something it could never stick. I’m starting to feel like Teflon Dan.”

La Flor				Espada
Brenda	27	~	Cara	Alina	23	~	Tonya
Fabio	21	~	Brendan	Benry	24	~	Karen D.
Jane	56	~	Brandon	Chase	24	~	Kim
Jill	43	~	Eric	Dan	63	~	Colin
Kelly B.	26	~	Karen R.	Holly	44	~	Christi
Kelly S.	20	~	Warren	NaOnka	27	~	Steve
Marty	48	~	Pat	Tyrone	42	~	Cheryl
Sash	30	~	Sandy	Yve	41	~	Dick

Season 21: Episode 06: Worst Case Scenario

The tribe has spoken and Dick and Karen R. are asked to leave the pool immediately.

At La Flor's Tribal Council, Marty reveals to Jeff Probst that that he told La Flor about him having a hidden immunity idol when he joined the tribe to be open with them and hopefully buy some goodwill.  Brenda questions Marty’s intentions by saying “I feel like maybe it’s trying to make it look more noble than it really is.”  Brenda then goes a step further and reveals that Marty and Jill are not noble since they are going to vote for their old tribemate Jane.   Marty is infuriated that Brenda tries to make it look like his idea and not hers.   Marty insists, “I never offered up Jane.”   He then whispers to Jane to vote for Brenda tonight.  Meanwhile, Brenda hopes that she has made Marty uncomfortable enough to play the idol.   When the votes were cast, they generated a tie between Marty and Kelly B.  Marty decided not to play his idol, so the tribe had to vote again to break the tie.   Marty and Kelly B. had to sit back and await their destiny.  In the end, with five out of six votes cast against her, Kelly B. is voted out.   Kelly Bruno, the 26 year-old medical student from Durham, North Carolina, became the sixth person voted out of SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA.

As Espada starts their Tribal Council, La Flor begins enjoying their delicious feast in full view and earshot of the jealous Espada.  The decision for Espada to make is whether Dan or Yve is the better tribemate to keep in the game.  Yve is quick to point out that Dan constantly complains about things and may not even want to stay in the game.   Dan calls Yve out over her arrogant attitude and confirms his commitment to the game.   Alina sums up the debate between Yve and Dan by saying, “Do we want to keep somebody who maybe a liability for us, but isn’t going to be somebody who is a super competitor or do we want to keep somebody who is playing really hard and just makes more competition for you.” With this, La Flor is sent back to camp, and Espada cast their votes.  In the end, with six out of seven votes cast against her, Yve is voted out.   Yve Rojas, the 41 year-old homemaker from Kansas City, Missouri, became the seventh person voted out of SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA.

Jeff's Insight on Double Elimination:
Let me explain why we have to have double tribal councils. When the show first started we had 16 contestants. That is still the perfect number if you want to vote one person out each week and have a final two scenario at the last tribal council. To be clear — we LOVE starting with sixteen people.

Here’s the problem. Over the years, contestants have become okay with quitting. After Osten did it back in the Pearl Islands, it became acceptable to quit. Well, a quit really screws us up because then we don’t have enough people to finish the season. So, in an effort to make sure the game can play fairly and without interruption, we started bringing more people.

If you bring 18 people, which we have done, you have to consider the fact that you’ll have an uneven number of men and women on each tribe.

So, that often leads you to bringing 20 people. Twenty people is great because even if people quit, you are okay because you brought more people than you needed.

The two problems with 20 people are:
1. It’s a lot of people for the audience to get to know.
2. At some point you have to get rid of the extra players.

That’s where the double tribal councils come into play. To keep it a bit more fair, we now offer everybody a chance to win individual immunity, so you do have a shot to keep yourself in the game. But obviously if you’re the one in trouble, then you hate this facet of the game.

So anytime we have 20 people you can expect to see at least one double-elimination at some point.

Quotes of the night: 

Marty: “You’re the black widow, king cobra and black mamba all rolled into one. You may not be going home tonight, but the lines have been drawn.”

Jane: “I’m as thick as peanut butter and jelly with the younger La Flor tribe.”

Jeff: “Dan drops his ring. … Dan still struggling. … Dan still nowhere.”

Marty: “I feel like we went from being in a serious drama before arriving here, and I feel like I just fell into Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”

La Flor				Espada
Brenda	27	~	Cara	Alina	23	~	Tonya
Fabio	21	~	Brendan	Benry	24	~	Karen D.
Jane	56	~	Brandon	Chase	24	~	Kim
Jill	43	~	Eric	Dan	63	~	Colin
Kelly B.	26	~	Karen R.	Holly	44	~	Christi
Kelly S.	20	~	Warren	NaOnka	27	~	Steve
Marty	48	~	Pat	Tyrone	42	~	Cheryl
Sash	30	~	Sandy	Yve	41	~	Dick

Season 21: Episode 05: Turf Wars

The tribe has spoken and Cheryl is asked to leave the pool immediately.

At Tribal Council, Alina and Benry point out the harshness of Tyrone’s leadership.   Tyrone takes offense at this and suggests that he is misunderstood because of the “generation gap.”     NaOnka tells host Jeff Probst, “I never thought that it was going to be this difficult for me.”    She also admits that she considered quitting but that her tribe helped her get through it.   Espada had to weigh Tyrone’s iron fist rule versus NaOnka doubtfulness.   In the end, with six out of eight votes cast against him, Tyrone is voted out.   Tyrone Davis, the 42 year-old fire captain from Inglewood, California, became the fifth person voted out of SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA.

From Jeff: TELL THE TRUTH
You’re a little glad the switch happened because now maybe the challenges will get a bit more aggressive… and oh yeah, the Medallion of Poooowwwer is gone!

TELL THE TRUTH
You shook your head in amazement when Tyrone started bossing his new tribemates around. Another unaware Survivor making a critical mistake.

TELL THE TRUTH
You turned to the person you were watching with and said “What is he doing?” when Marty admitted to having the Immunity Idol.

TELL THE TRUTH
You first laughed… and then after a moment, had a touch of sadness, followed by another fit of laughter when Naonka cried to her new best friend, Alina, about how tough it was to be out in the rain.

TELL THE TRUTH
Initially, you wished Chase would have stayed quiet and not tried to talk Naonka into staying in the game. “Let her quit” you yelled at the screen.

TELL THE TRUTH
Once you heard Chase’s story about his father, you forgot about Naonka and thought about your own dad and your family and those you love, and you liked Chase a little bit more afterward.

TELL THE TRUTH
When Naonka said, “I’m not a quitter… I think I’m done” you jumped for joy and said, “Oh I hope she quits!”

TELL THE TRUTH
You knew Tyrone was in trouble when the tribe said they wanted to kill the chicken and Tyrone said, “So we going with that?” But when he then followed it up with “I think we should keep it,” you knew he would get votes. But when he said “just be conscious of your neighbor” and then took the biggest piece of chicken, you knew he was done.

Quotes of the week: Marty: “It would take something extraordinary, off the charts and completely whacked out to destroy my plan.”

La Flor				Espada
Brenda	27	~	Cara	Alina	23	~	Tonya
Fabio	21	~	Brendan	Benry	24	~	Karen D.
Jane	56	~	Brandon	Chase	24	~	Kim
Jill	43	~	Eric	Dan	63	~	Colin
Kelly B.	26	~	Karen R.	Holly	44	~	Christi
Kelly S.	20	~	Warren	NaOnka	27	~	Steve
Marty	48	~	Pat	Tyrone	42	~	Cheryl
Sash	30	~	Sandy	Yve	41	~	Dick

Season 21: Episode 04: Pulling the Trigger

The tribe has spoken. Linda is asked to leave the pool immediately.

At Tribal Council, Dan defends his decision to sit out in the challenge because it was for the good of the tribe.   Jill admits that she is tired of losing and that her tribe could not even win when being coached by Jimmy J.  Jimmy T. makes his argument that they have not had the right coach yet for their team and that he repeatedly asks to get the chance but he is “the squeaky wheel that doesn’t get the oil.”  Marty explains that Tyrone is the coach now and that Jimmy T. with his “delusions of grandeur” is not the right person for the job. Tyrone adds that Jimmy T. could be more valuable to the tribe if he would just be a follower and not try and be the leader all the time.    With much emotion, Jimmy T. swallows his pride and commits to giving up his quest for leadership and to be satisfied with being just a valuable “worker bee.”   The Espada tribe casts their votes and with five out of eight votes cast against him, Jimmy T. is voted out.  Jimmy Tarantino, the 48 year-old fisherman from Gloucester, Mass., became the fourth person voted out of SURVIVOR: NICARAGUA.

Jeff's Insight: 

In case you are not aware, Jimmy T entered a Sears contest in which people applied online to be on the show. He won the Sears contest, so clearly a lot of people voted for him to be on the show. We were delighted he won, he’s a fantastic character. He was open with his opinions, he gave colorful interviews, and the sound of his voice and his look were quite memorable. But still, I couldn’t do it. I just wouldn’t be able to do it. I would have voted him out too. This is yet another reason why Survivor is so difficult. It tests you on every level and your truth always comes out.

 

Tribal council went much longer than we were able to air last night. It went for at least an hour and a half. I kept it going because Jimmy T was being given a real big dose of honesty by his tribemates.

There was some hard truth delivered to Jimmy T. I’m not sure if he took it to heart or not, but it’s rare when you get a group of people to tell you the absolute truth about how you are perceived. This group did that for Jimmy. It was a gift. They gave him the truth. I hope it landed.
 

It wasn’t ever going to save him from the vote. Even though a couple of them were starting to turn, I think it was too late for the majority. They’d simply had enough.

Maybe that’s what Jimmy T will take from Survivor – the life lesson that sometimes perception is reality.

Truth is, we’ll miss Jimmy T. It’s easy to complain about his non-stop bragging and annoying habits but that’s what made him so much fun to watch. He’s the guy you love to hate.

Quotes of the week:  CHASE: ‘You really can’t trust anybody in this game, but sometimes you have to.”

Jimmy T:  “Couple of times I wanted to say to Marty, 'You preppy little bitch.' You wouldn’t last a minute in my world.”

Marty: "Anybody who calls out Jimmy Johnson and says that Jimmy Johnson might be insecure because of Jimmy T.'s leadership capabilities, has got some issues going on."

		ESPADA TRIBE
Eric	~	Jill Behm	43	ER Doctor
Brandon	~	Jane Bright	56	Dog Trainer
Cheryl	~	Tyrone Davis	42	Fire Captain
Erin	~	Wendy DeSmidt-Kohohoff	48	Goat Rancher/Retired Army Officer
Christi	~	Holly Hoffman	44	Swim Coach
John	~	Jimmy Johnson	67	TV Sports Broadcaster/Former Football Coach
Colin	~	Dan Lembo	63	Real Estate Executive
Pat	~	Marty Piombo	48	Technology Executive
Dick	~	Yve Rojas	41	Homemaker
Linda	~	Jimmy Tarantino	48	Commercial Fisherman
		LA FLOR TRIBE
Brendan	~	Judson Birza	21	Student
Karen R.	~	Kelly Bruno	26	Medical Student
Lauren	~	Shannon Elkins	30	Pest Control Co. Owner
Karen D.	~	Ben "Benry" Henry	24	Club Promoter
Sandy	~	Matthew "Sash" Lenaham	30	Real Estate Broker
Cara	~	Brenda Lowe	27	Paddleboard Co. Owner/Ex-NFL Cheerleader
Steve	~	NaOnka Mixon	27	Physical Education Teacher
Kim	~	Chase Rice	24	Pro Race Car Jackman/Singer
Warren	~	Kelly Shinn	20	Nursing Student
Tonya	~	Alina Wilson	23	Art Student