Survivor: Nicaragua Wed, Sept 15**No Spoilers**

[DonkeyGreatness]

Funny, you just started posting this month, but I KNEW you were a Russell fan.

haha who isn't? dude is the man!! And after this pathetic season of Survivor, I need a good one in the spring.

 

[DonkeyGreatness]

I thought that was a very strange tribal council. It was almost like Jeff was trying to tell them how to vote, which he usually is quite so pointed about.

I thought since they made it appear that Holly was going to be the target, that Chase would hand her his idol. I'd still love to know what Dan and Fabio were thinking to vote Jane, other than they were afraid to make a move.

What irked me about when Chase took Sash and Holly to reward is all the whining that Fabio and Jane did. At least Dan didn't expect it, so he didn't whine. Don't Fabio and Jane realize that no matter who Chase picked, someone was going to be mad?

Fabio had a point though. He only sees his mom twice a year and apparently Chase knew that. I thought that was pretty brutal.

 

[Kurby]

Fabio had a point though. He only sees his mom twice a year and apparently Chase knew that. I thought that was pretty brutal.

but that's what the game is all about - chase brought his true alliance with him and Fabio isn't part of it. all three of them wanted him gone and unless he wins the next immunity he may very well be the one that leaves.

 

[RUDisney]

I thought that was a very strange tribal council. It was almost like Jeff was trying to tell them how to vote, which he usually is quite so pointed about.

I thought since they made it appear that Holly was going to be the target, that Chase would hand her his idol. I'd still love to know what Dan and Fabio were thinking to vote Jane, other than they were afraid to make a move.

What irked me about when Chase took Sash and Holly to reward is all the whining that Fabio and Jane did. At least Dan didn't expect it, so he didn't whine. Don't Fabio and Jane realize that no matter who Chase picked, someone was going to be mad?

Dan didn't whine, but his DS called Chase a scumbag.

 

[shirleyb]

Fabio had a point though. He only sees his mom twice a year and apparently Chase knew that. I thought that was pretty brutal.

But whose fault is it they don't see each other? If he could take the time to go on Survivor, he can take the time to go visit his mom.

 

[DonkeyGreatness]

But whose fault is it they don't see each other? If he could take the time to go on Survivor, he can take the time to go visit his mom.

We don't know the circumstances behind that. No point in speculating.

 

[RUDisney]

We don't know the circumstances behind that. No point in speculating.

Exactly what I was going to say.

 

[DonkeyGreatness]

but that's what the game is all about - chase brought his true alliance with him and Fabio isn't part of it. all three of them wanted him gone and unless he wins the next immunity he may very well be the one that leaves.

Certainly fine but there was no reason to tell Fabio before the challenge that Chase would take him, if he wasn't planning on doing so. That's how you lose votes in the end my friend.

 

[shirleyb]

Certainly fine but there was no reason to tell Fabio before the challenge that Chase would take him, if he wasn't planning on doing so. That's how you lose votes in the end my friend.

Another example of why Chase is not exactly the brightest guy to play this game.

 

[Kirby]

I think that Jane voted for Sash because she realized that he was the one who made the decision to vote her out. Do you really think that Chase or Holly would have? They just followed his lead and Chase had a hard time doing that.

Jeff's blog:

IF IT’S A SPRINT PHONE, THAT MUST MEAN THE LOVED ONES ARE COMING!!

We’ve been through this season after season. I love the “loved ones” visit. I fight to have it in the show every season because it always pays off. Plus, Sprint loves it and Sprint is a major sponsor so if they like it, we really like it.

It’s almost always emotional and on the rare occasions that it’s uncomfortable due to an odd family dynamic, you always learn something new about the Survivors. This season was pure emotion. Let’s review, shall we?

HOLLY – I think it’s clear that Holly and Charlie have a great love affair. He was a very nice guy and so happy for Holly’s adventure. Married for 25 years and obviously still going strong. In fact, if given the chance, I think he would have stayed for the rest of the show just to be with Holly.

JANE – This was the first time her daughter Ashley had been on a plane. She was feisty just like her mom. She’s clearly a young woman who carries a lot of responsibility. She was a bit nervous at the prospect of being on television, but I have a feeling that once she was back home she was bragging about her trip to Nicaragua!

CHASE – Yeah, sure he’s a big football playin, country music singing, good ‘ole boy… but bring a boy a hug from his Mom and he’s reduced to tears. Connie was a delight to have out in Nicaragua and I think the loved one visit really connected Chase with his mom in a new way.

FABIO – I really liked Fabio’s mom, Anne. She has an amazing sense of calm about her and clearly loves her son. She was smiling the entire time she was there, she had nothing but positive things to say and it made me look at Fabio, aka Judson in a different light.

SASH – Leigh was so excited to see her son, Sash. I loved hearing Sash talk about what it was like growing up with not much money but a lot of love. I think Sash needed that comfort. He doesn’t have a lot of friends in the game right now.

DAN – My personal highlight. You don’t see men share affection enough, especially father/son affection. I was truly moved watching Matthew kiss his father so openly and so often. There was no embarrassment, only love. If you were watching in HD you could probably see that I was tearing up myself. The entire crew thought it was pretty fantastic. For a moment I considered not giving Dan a hard time anymore. But only for a moment.

CHASE’S REWARD DECISION
It’s hard to criticize Chase’s decision of who to take with him on the reward. He certainly bought some goodwill with Sash and Holly. And just as important, by not taking Fabio, he kept Fabio from putting food in his belly. It was a smart move as it could have made a difference in the next Immunity Challenge. Turns out it didn’t, but strategically it made sense.

FABIO’S FEELINGS WERE HURT
When Chase came back from the reward, I really respected how honest Fabio was about how he was feeling. He was trying so hard to be “fair” about his frustration but he knew he needed to share that frustration with Chase. Fabio grew on me a lot with that exchange. I didn’t sense any game play, just a guy trying to get something off his chest and then go kick some *** in the next challenge, which he did.

FABIO KEEPS HIMSELF ALIVE
These types of memory challenges are already difficult but add 30 days of no food and no sleep and they become extremely challenging. You are trying to remember symbols and placement. Fabio came through big and it seems clear that without immunity he was next to go. He’s too big of a threat to leave in the game.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCENES OF THE SEASON
After the immunity challenge, the gang goes back to camp and now has to decide who to send home.

The moment of Chase, Sash, Holly standing in a circle as Jane approaches was riveting. It was like an Alfred Hitchcock movie. The other three knew they were going to “kill” Jane but didn’t know how to tell her.

Then… Jane starts to figure it out.

Jane: “So, is it me….?”

Cue the scary music…

Holly: “This is not easy.”

Silence.

Jane: “So you all been conniving this whole time?”

Cue ominous bells…

Chase: “Yes, there has been discussion…”

Jane gives a not so subtle flip of the middle finger to the group.

Then tears.

Jane: “My alliance have turned on me.”

Then anger.

Jane: “ They’re liars. They’re cheats. They’re backstabbers. I’m most disappointed in my Carolina homeboy, Chase. If I was Chase I wouldn’t show my *** back in North Carolina.”

Then the rage.

Jane grabs a bucket of water and violently dumps it on the fire.

Jane: “By God I started it and I’ll put it out!”

And with that moment I think Jane solidified her spot as the most “root worthy” person on this season of Survivor.

I LOVED this moment. Let’s pass out some recognition to the folks that made it happen:

Kudos to the team who shot this out in the field. Great coverage of this scene. Remember, there are no second takes. What you see is happening in real time. If we don’t get the shots, we don’t have it. We got it. All of it.

Don’t forget the audio. Our sound team has to make sure they get every whisper without ever getting in the way of the shot. When you’re shooting in a circle with four people, that is much easier said than done.

This was excellent work by the Survivor editing team. This scene is brilliantly cut. It’s cut so well you don’t even realize it’s cut. Quentin Tarrantino would be proud.

Fantastic choice of music, which guided our emotions so seamlessly.

And finally, a huge nod to our producing team who oversee all of this. This scene is yet another great example of why Survivor still shines above all the other shows in our genre. We have the best of breed in every single department.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Whoa! Jane tore it up. She broke it wide open. Wow. Fabio just got a huge wake up call. Dan just got a huge wake up call. Did either of them hear it?

At Tribal Council I always try to ask the questions I imagine you are asking at home. Or in this case, the questions that I imagine my mom is asking at home.

When you looked at the scenario it was painfully obvious. There are six people left. Three of them — Chase, Sash and Holly — were hung out to dry by Jane when she exposed their alliance. That leaves three others — Jane, Fabio and Dan. Classic Survivor. You wait for this moment because the game can change on a dime. But did it? Nope.

Even after discussing it, nobody changed their mind or their vote. Now Dan and Fabio must win every challenge or they are gone. That means one of them is gone next….

Unless of course something changes… ah, but that never happens on Survivor, right?

FINAL FIVE
Okay – here’s where we sit. Our final 5:

Holly – Could win. She has made a dramatic comeback and seems well-liked. A jury might respond to the underdog story.

Chase – Could win. Especially if he dominates the last few challenges and takes the right people to the end with him.

Sash –A long shot, would need to take the right people with him and do an amazing job at the final Tribal.

Dan – I just don’t see any way Dan can win, which is why I will be amazed if they vote him out. Dan should be in the final.

Fabio – Could win but he will have to win every challenge because at this point if he loses, they’ll take him out.

THIS SUNDAY DEC. 19th – THE FINALE AND LIVE REUNION SHOW
Sunday is our two-hour finale followed by the Live Reunion show from CBS in Los Angeles. I think it’s going to be a good one.

In addition to crowning a winner, I’m so looking forward to having Coach Jimmy Johnson back to chat. Rumor has it he’s bringing a special guest with him. I’m very curious as to who will win the Sprint Award voted on by you guys.

And I can’t wait to talk to Naonka! Yes I’m going to talk to her! You’re crazy if you think I’d pass up that gold, especially during a “live” show! Who knows what she might say or do? I’ll be sure to have security close by in case she tries to take me out.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
Finally, we have a big announcement regarding the next season of Survivor that I think you’re going to want to check out! It’s.. EPIC.

I hope you enjoy Sunday’s finale!!

 

[Kirby]

I watched Ponderosa to see Jane's cuts. She lost 14 pounds. Everyone greeted her with open arms. She and Marty made up. She like Nay, thinks she has spirit and will go far.

She's still ticked about being voted out but everyone is at that point in the game.

Nay asked her why she still trusted Chase even after Nay told her not too. I didn't really hear an answer. She said that she voted for Sash because Chase had wanted her too.

Jane also explained why she put out the fire. She had told Chase that she wanted to be the last woman standing and she would put out the fire then so when it was obvious she would be going home, then she put out the fire.

It rained the next day and she was delighted to see that and hoped that those that were left had not been able to start a fire.

 

[PixieDust32]

There's a rumor floating round that we didn't see all of what happened last night. Apparently, Jane accused Sash of offering to pay her mortgage if he wins. Filming stopped whilst Jeff and the producers what to do in this situation, as tha...t sort of thing is apparently against the rules. As none of this was actually caught on camera, they left it as it is. This is supposedly why Jane voted for Sash at tribal council. Don't know why they couldn't show this, but this comes from a very reliable source who has given a 100% accurate boot list as of this episode.

This comes from a spoiler site. Jeff had to stop cameras because Jane outed Sash for offering her some kind of cash deal. Yes, against the rules but somehow it flew. They edited it out. But the jury knows so I bet Sash get no votes if he makes it! Also, if you look at the tribal council voting video on the website for this episode, both Jane and Sash's votes have been cut down at the end, when they usually show them in full.

 

[DonkeyGreatness]

There's a rumor floating round that we didn't see all of what happened last night. Apparently, Jane accused Sash of offering to pay her mortgage if he wins. Filming stopped whilst Jeff and the producers what to do in this situation, as tha...t sort of thing is apparently against the rules. As none of this was actually caught on camera, they left it as it is. This is supposedly why Jane voted for Sash at tribal council. Don't know why they couldn't show this, but this comes from a very reliable source who has given a 100% accurate boot list as of this episode.

This comes from a spoiler site. Jeff had to stop cameras because Jane outed Sash for offering her some kind of cash deal. Yes, against the rules but somehow it flew. They edited it out. But the jury knows so I bet Sash get no votes if he makes it! Also, if you look at the tribal council voting video on the website for this episode, both Jane and Sash's votes have been cut down at the end, when they usually show them in full.

Interesting.

 

[PixieDust32]

Russell Hantz and Rob Mariano are back next season. And I hope by epic, Jeff means Russell and Rob make the final 2, and then Russell wins.

Not again!!! Russell again?? I guess he is going to play as many season as need it to win.

 

[DonkeyGreatness]

Not again!!! Russell again?? I guess he is going to play as many season as need it to win.

Probably.

 

[gometros]

I think that Jane voted for Sash because she realized that he was the one who made the decision to vote her out. Do you really think that Chase or Holly would have? They just followed his lead and Chase had a hard time doing that.

Jeff's blog:

Every time I read Jeff's blog, I wish I could ask interact with him like we do here. He brings up so many "Uh huh" comments, it's hard to resist.

 

[goofy's friends]

I really felt like Jeff was showing his favoritism last night more than he ever has before. He was leading Dan, Fabio, and Jane to vote out one of the other 3. I was surprised that he pushed it so hard. He really likes and respects Jane and I think he didn't want her to go!!

 

[SideshowBob]

I really felt like Jeff was showing his favoritism last night more than he ever has before. He was leading Dan, Fabio, and Jane to vote out one of the other 3. I was surprised that he pushed it so hard. He really likes and respects Jane and I think he didn't want her to go!!

Agreed ... was surprised by how much he seemed to be leading them to vote that way! First that I have noticed either.

 

[travelbug24]

Agreed ... was surprised by how much he seemed to be leading them to vote that way! First that I have noticed either.

I have got to stop dozing off during TC.

 

[declansdad]

Not again!!! Russell again?? I guess he is going to play as many season as need it to win.

Russell is entertaining, that is why they bring him back. He will never win if he continues to use the same strategy.