Survivor 23: Episode 14: And Then There Were Five

 REDEMPTION DUEL: BLOCK IT OUT
 Ozzy quickly solves the slide puzzle releasing his hatchet. Edna struggles with the puzzle until Albert gives her suggestions from the audience. Meanwhile, Ozzy uses the hatchet to release his puzzle cubes and starts working on stacking the cubes. He is in the lead. Edna finally solves her slide puzzle and uses the hatchet to retrieve her puzzle cubes. She has some catching up to do. Ozzy moves his cubes around trying to make sure that the same color does not repeat on any of the four sides of his stack. Each side of the stack must have four different colors red, green, yellow and blue. Edna works quickly trying to solve her cube stack, while Ozzy takes his time, since he has had so much more time to work on this final puzzle. Edna once again receives suggestions from her former tribe mates in the audience. Ozzy receives no help from the audience, which proves that they do not want Ozzy back in the game. In the end, Ozzy solves his cube puzzle first and wins the duel. Therefore, Ozzy stays on Redemption Island, while Edna is out of the game and joins the jury.

Brandon announces right at the beginning of Tribal Council that he is going to give up his immunity necklace to Albert. This surprises Jeff, the jury and Coach, Sophie and Rick. Brandon explains that he wants to honor his commitments. He says, "I had a lot of time to pray with Albert and I knew that if I didn’t give him the immunity tonight, then he was going to Redemption.” Brandon goes on to explain that when he was younger and part of a gang, he was often called crazy or "loco” for being so loyal when others weren’t. He hopes that his tribe mates will stay loyal to him now. Jeff reminds him that he is in a game competing for a million dollars. Albert admits that he has a real and spiritual bond with Brandon and Coach, which is stronger than his bond with Rick and Sophie. Albert says that he would give Brandon back the immunity necklace, if he felt Brandon were in danger tonight. Sophie rolls her eyes. Rick admits that he feels vulnerable, since Albert has the necklace and someone else has the hidden immunity idol, so only three of them can be voted out tonight. Coach winces because Rick has just exposed the fact that he has the idol to others. The remaining Te Tuna members all knew that Coach had the idol, but not everyone in the jury did. Rick apologizes to Coach for exposing the idol. Coach says, "It’s okay, it’s better safe than sorry at this point.” Brandon realizes that he might not be safe tonight. He tells Jeff that it is up to Albert if he wants to give him the necklace back tonight. Albert tries to assure Brandon that he and Coach are on his side. Albert says, "Honestly, I don’t think he’s going home tonight, so I’m not giving him the necklace back.” Coach reveals that he has prayed about what to do tonight and therefore is at peace. Brandon does not feel at peace. The votes are then cast. Brandon and Albert vote for Sophie, while everyone else votes for Brandon. As Brandon goes to pick up his torch and take it to Jeff, Coach hugs him and says, "It’s God’s will. Go win redemption.” So, Brandon Hantz, the 19 year-old nephew of Russell Hantz, from Katy, TX, becomes the fourteenth person voted out of SURVIVOR: SOUTH PACIFIC and sent to Redemption Island. 

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Um…wow. I’ve always help up Erik giving up his immunity necklace in Fans vs. Favorites and then being voted out as the gold standard of dumb Survivor moves. What’s so odd about Brandon now doing the same thing is that he doesn’t seem to view it as dumb in the least. How can I call something strategically idiotic when the person doing it actively refuses to engage in anything strategic? Where does Brandon’s act fall for you in the annals of stupid Survivor moves like what Erik did, James being voted out with two immunity idols, Tyson essentially voting himself out, J.T. giving Russell his idol, etc…
JEFF PROBST: I agree with you that it’s hard to label this as a dumb move since it seems to be based on Brandon feeling it was the “right thing to do.” The more interesting question for me is, did Albert know Brandon was going home? Did he sit there and play dumb when Brandon asked for the idol back?

Be honest Jeff. You’re in danger and someone gives you his immunity idol. That then puts him in danger. You give it back?
Ah, I see you asked my last question with this question! No. You can’t. Not if you want to win.

Both returning players, Coach and Ozzy, have made it to the finale but in completely different ways: Coach by dominating socially and strategically, and Ozzy by dominating physically at Redemption Island. Which is more impressive? And if Ozzy gets back in the game and makes it to the finals, which route would earn your vote as a jury member?
If Ozzy makes it back to the final 3 it’s very hard to vote against him. It’s just such a monumental achievement. But right now my vote would go to Coach if he makes it. I don’t see the case for Rick or Albert. Brandon is out of contention. Sophie is the dark horse. Depends what happens the last few days.

Just one episode left. Tease us up for both the finale and the reunion on Sunday.
It’s the finale, what else do you need? If Ozzy gets back in, he is the favorite.

Savaii			Upolu
"Papa Bear" -	Karen D.		Sophie ---	Pat
"Cochran"---	Brendan		Albert ----	Steve
Whitney ------	Cara		Brandon --	Brandon
"Ozzy" -------	Christianne		Edna ------	Karen R.
Dawn ----------	Kim		Rick -------	Colin
Jim ------------	Lauren		Stacey ----	Erin
Keith ----------	Dick		Christine-	Warren
Elyse ----------	Cheryl		"Coach" -	Tonya
			Mikayla --	Sandy

Survivor 23: Episode 13: Ticking Time Bomb

 REDEMPTION DUEL: PUPPET MASTER Ozzy and Cochran enter the Redemption arena after the entire Te Tuna tribe takes their seats in the audience. Jeff then explains the rules of the duel. Each contestant will use grappling hooks to retrieve three bags. Each bag contains a ball. Once they have all three bags, they will use one ball to solve a table maze. The first person to solve the maze stays alive in the game and still has a chance at the million-dollar prize. The loser is out of the game and joins the jury.
  In the end, Ozzy’s slow and steady moves result in the victory. Before putting his buff in the fire, Cochran admits, "This has been by far, the most incredible moment of my life.” Jeff tells Ozzy that he has a big decision to make. He then brings out Sophie’s dad Thurston, Edna’s sister Debbie, Coach’s brother Pete, Rick’s wife Katy, Albert’s mom Annie, and Brandon’s dad Sean, who is also Russell Hantz’s brother. They all hug their loved ones and then return to the bleachers. Ozzy now has to pick one person to spend some time with their loved one. He knows this is a very important strategic decision. He chooses Albert. Jeff then asks Ozzy to choose a second person. Ozzy chooses Coach. Ozzy then gets to choose one final person to spend time with their loved one, so he chooses Brandon. So Rick, Edna and Sophie return to camp without their loved ones. Jeff gives Ozzy, Albert and his mom Annie, Coach and his brother Pete and Brandon and his dad Sean the EVO 3D phone from Sprint to take pictures of their visit, which will take place on Redemption Island at Ozzy’s camp.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Edna admits that she is in the hot seat tonight and pleads her case that Brandon should go instead of her, since their tribe mantra is honor, loyalty and integrity. She reminds them that Brandon was caught lying even back at the first Tribal Council to Mikayla about Stacey and Christine. She also makes a point to let the jury and Jeff know that Brandon lacked honor even today in the way that he revealed his strategy in the challenge to make sure she lost. Brandon tries to defend himself saying that he was just being open and that Edna has misconstrued things and was planting seeds in the minds of others. Edna defends herself saying, "I didn’t make one of those things up.” Sophie and Albert both admit that this is the difficult part of the game, since they are down to only Upolu members to vote out. The vote is taken. Edna votes for Brandon, but all others vote for Edna. So, Edna Ma, the 35 year-old, anesthesiologist, from Los Angeles, CA becomes the fourteenth person voted out of SURVIVOR: SOUTH PACIFIC and sent to Redemption Island.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Do you kneel down and thank God every morning for bringing you the Hantz family? As if Russell’s evil genius gameplay and Brandon’s schizophrenic back-and-forth drama hasn’t given you enough great TV, now here comes Shawn to shake things up on the loved ones visit. Two part question: 1) Was there ever any talk of Russell coming as Brandon’s loved one, or could that not happen because he was planning to keep that connection a secret? And 2) How many other Hantzes are out there waiting to get on the show?
JEFF PROBST: The Survivor Gods have been very good to us over the years and the Hantz family is one of our greatest gifts. I think Brandon did consider having his uncle Russell come visit but he wasn’t sure at the start of the show whether he would ever admit to being a Hantz so he decided to play it safe and bring his dad. How great would that have been to bring Russell on the show as a loved one?!! 

Another question about the loved ones reward: What about the loved ones who flew out, but their relatives were voted out by the time they got there. Did John, Whitney, and Dawn get to hang out with their loved ones at Ponderosa?
Depending on how far away we are it can take 2-3 days to get loved ones to location so yes, there are times when a loved one flies out but then their contestant is voted out and so they never get to see them.  In those cases, no, they do not get to see them. It’s part of the policy of how we run the show. Especially when those contestants are still on the jury, we just don’t want them having any outside influences.

Be honest, you’ve been practicing your Dragonslayer move, haven’t you? You looked very fluid and zen-like with your motions out there. 
I love the Dragonslayer. I think Coach is a kick. If we all had that sort of a sense of humor about ourselves imagine how much more fun the world would be? As for my moves, hmm… jury still out.

 
Next week, one of the best Tribal Councils of the season, followed by Sunday night’s two hour finale!

From People magaine: 

Jeff Probst Weds Lisa Ann Russell  

The bride has spoken!

Lisa Ann Russell and Survivor host Jeff Probst said, "I do," PEOPLE confirms exclusively. The pair married Monday in front of family and friends in an intimate ceremony at a private Los Angeles residence, says a spokesperson for the couple. This is the second marriage for both. Russell, 40, shares custody of two children with Franklin & Bash actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar, 38, who got engaged to advertising executive Catriona McGinn this summer. 

Probst, 50, will preside over the finale of Survivor: South Pacific on CBS Dec. 18. His self-titled talk show will debut in the fall of 2012.

Savaii			Upolu
"Papa Bear" -	Karen D.		Sophie ---	Pat
"Cochran"---	Brendan		Albert ----	Steve
Whitney ------	Cara		Brandon --	Brandon
"Ozzy" -------	Christianne		Edna ------	Karen R.
Dawn ----------	Kim		Rick -------	Colin
Jim ------------	Lauren		Stacey ----	Erin
Keith ----------	Dick		Christine-	Warren
Elyse ----------	Cheryl		"Coach" -	Tonya
			Mikayla --	Sandy

Survivor 23: Episode 3: Reap What You Sow

TRIBAL COUNCIL Cochran starts off Tribal Council by noting his contribution in today’s challenge as one of the operators of the winch. Papa Bear counters by saying that Cochran is a physical threat to himself. In response to Jeff’s question on leadership, Cochran claims Ozzy is the leader. Papa Bear admits that he usually likes to be a leader, but he has nothing in common with the five-person alliance, which is in control of this tribe. The subject of an idol comes up next. Ozzy admits being burned in a past season, by not playing an immunity idol and therefore being voted out. Cochran brings up the point that you have to be careful of how the tribe perceives you when you search for an individual idol. The tribe can see you as being suspicious and untrustworthy, if you focus too much on the idol. It's time for the tribe to vote. Papa Bear receives six votes, while Cochran and Jim both receive one vote each. So, Mark "Papa Bear” Caruso, the 48 year-old retired NYPD detective from Forest Hills, N.Y. becomes the third person voted out of SURVIVOR: SOUTH PACIFIC and sent to Redemption Island. 

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Every season when I talk to the contestants before the game starts they go on about all these things that they are not going to reveal to the other players. And then they get out there and can’t help themselves. The latest example was Brandon telling his entire tribe about being Russell’s nephew, which he promised he wouldn’t do. Why can’t these people zip their lips? Is it a lack of discipline? And seeing as how people seem to have such a hard time keeping secrets about themselves, do you think contestants are better off just telling the truth from the get-go as opposed to having to come clean or get caught in a lie later?

JEFF PROBST: I think the answer to this question is the reason reality works in general – people want to talk about themselves. Whenever this topic comes up in casting and someone says “I’m not gonna tell anybody I’m a doctor,” I immediately say, “You won’t be able to help yourself.” People just want to talk and they want to share who they are and their accomplishments. In Brandon’s case, the guy is just so conflicted he doesn’t know what to do and as a result he’s reacting rather than acting and everybody sees it. It’s killing his game right now but it’s making him a candidate to take to the end because I don’t think he can win…at this point, anyway.

EW: Semhar is the first person to exit the game, as you predicted before the season started. (Good call!) So now I’m going to put you on the spot: Which contestant from which season were you most sorry to see go out first? (My vote goes to Francesca from Redemption Island.) 

JP: Hmm good question.. and good guess as to my answer, but you’re wrong!  I did like Francesca and would actually like to see her back on the show, but my biggest disappointment was seeing Jessica DeBen from Survivor: Fiji being voted off first. I really liked her style. She’s attractive, she seemed to have a good sense of herself. Then again, maybe it was better for her that she was voted off. Maybe she was too normal.

EW: Do you ever want to exercise any sort of veto power over self-appointed nicknames? For example, I have to imagine you felt a tad awkward having to say, “Papa Bear, the tribe has spoken.”

JP: Dalton, you’re a funny dude and pretty aware. I think Papa Bear was the toughest of all the nicknames we’ve had on the show. Something about it just felt slightly wrong, or like I was saying something that was not quite appropriate for Survivor. Ask me this question at the end of next season, you may get a different answer.

EW: Don’t you dare go anywhere until you tease us up good for next week! 

JP: We revisit a classic challenge and at least one Survivor has a chance to break a record set years ago by Rupert “America’s Choice” Boneham.

Savaii			Upolu
"Papa Bear" -	Karen D.		Sophie ---	Pat
"Cochran"---	Brendan		Albert ----	Steve
Whitney ------	Cara		Brandon --	Brandon
"Ozzy" -------	Christianne		Edna ------	Karen R.
Dawn ----------	Kim		Rick -------	Colin
Jim ------------	Lauren		Stacey ----	Erin
Keith ----------	Dick		Christine-	Warren
Elyse ----------	Cheryl		"Coach" -	Tonya
			Mikayla --	Sandy

Survivor 23: Episode 2: He Has Demons

TRIBAL COUNCIL Upolu starts their first Tribal Council by getting their torches and lighting them on fire. Coach expresses his feelings right at the start by telling Jeff and his tribe that Christine and Stacey are voting for Mikayla, but he does not want Mikayla to go home. Immediately, Christine and Stacey deny that they are voting for Mikayla and question Coach’s integrity. Christine asks Coach, "From whom did you hear that from, Mr. Honesty.” Albert comes to Coach’s defense and tells Christine that Coach is being loyal by not revealing his source. Albert then changes the topic to the hidden immunity idol and says it is a source of tension in the tribe. Coach points out that Christine started looking for the idol on the first day and continued to look even today. Christine responds that she must threaten Coach. Finally, Mikayla asks Christine and Stacey whether they are in fact going to vote for her. They both deny it. Brandon then cracks under pressure and admits that he was the one that told Coach they were voting for Mikayla. Albert admits, "It’s great when things come to the surface and people kind of reveal themselves.” In the end, with four votes against her, Christine Shields Markoski, the 39 year-old teacher from Merrick, N.Y. becomes the second person voted out of SURVIVOR: SOUTH PACIFIC and sent to Redemption Island.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: We’ve seen people constantly struggle on this show navigating the internal battle between good and evil, but I have never seen anything like what is going on with Brandon. He wants to rescue the Hantz name and be a man of God, then blatantly lies to set up Christine and Stacey, and then owns up to lying about it at Tribal Council. And I don’t even know what to make of his treatment of Mikayla, who he wants to ostracize because he is married — even though she has shown no romantic interest in him whatsoever. In 23 seasons, have you ever encountered a bigger Jekyll and Hyde character? 

JEFF PROBST: Brandon is definitely unique and I respect his struggle. It’s an honest admission of internal conflict that is being magnified on Survivor. When you look at his situation, it really isn’t surprising. A former troubled kid who found God, wants to be a good “son” in His eyes but finds himself in the middle of a manipulative game haunted by the legacy of an uncle who is despised by so many. He’s wearing it on his sleeve and one thing is for certain — it makes for very compelling television.

EW: One of the new tweaks to the format this season was that players first had to find a clue somewhere at the beach to the hidden immunity idol before they could find the idol itself. Or so we thought. In light of Ozzy’s discovery, might you finally take my humble suggestion to start hiding idols at challenges? (It could be something only one person knows about via a clue, or something you announce to both tribes to then see who competes to help their team win, and who goes for the idol instead.) C’mon, Probst! I’ve been begging for years! Throw me a bone here!  

JP: Ah yes, the “hide it at the challenge” idea. It is an interesting idea and it is one that we’ve discussed creatively with the team and also with you when you visit location. The biggest hurdle for us is complicating the storytelling of the challenge. With this in play there is a very different story that you have to set up and pay off within a challenge that has its own stakes. It probably doesn’t sound so difficult but even a slight tweak is something we really walk through to make sure it will work. We’ve never been convinced. But as I write this, I am beginning to come around. Who knows… maybe next year?

EW: Savaii had an amazing comeback in the puzzle portion of the challenge, and seemed to know exactly what to do right as they hit the puzzle, which raises a question: Was this challenge won before the puzzle-solvers even hit the course?  The time where you walk both teams through the challenge and allow them to strategize beforehand is super important. Did the Savaii puzzle-solvers do a better job of visualizing exactly what had to be done and whom should do what when they got there so that they were able to hit the ground running, while Upolu simply went in less prepared? How important is the pre-game organization? 

JP: You bring up a good point. The pre-challenge walk through is critical because if you are aware you can pick up clues to how the challenge is going to play and also who should do which portion. Often challenges are lost simply because the tribe put the wrong person in the wrong position. As for studying a puzzle, we don’t give them enough time to figure out anything truly significant, but in terms of gaining an edge? Absolutely. And sometimes all you need is just that, an edge.

EW: Finally, you know we need a tease for next week. Hook us up! 

JP: Brandon’s emotional crumbling continues…

Savaii			Upolu
"Papa Bear" -	Karen D.		Sophie ---	Pat
"Cochran"---	Brendan		Albert ----	Steve
Whitney ------	Cara		Brandon --	Brandon
"Ozzy" -------	Christianne		Edna ------	Karen R.
Dawn ----------	Kim		Rick -------	Colin
Jim ------------	Lauren		Stacey ----	Erin
Keith ----------	Dick		Christine-	Warren
Elyse ----------	Cheryl		"Coach" -	Tonya
			Mikayla --	Sandy

Survivor 23: Pairings

Good luck to everyone!

Savaii			Upolu
"Papa Bear" -	Karen D.		Sophie ---	Pat
"Cochran"---	Brendan		Albert ----	Steve
Whitney ------	Cara		Brandon --	Brandon
"Ozzy" -------	Christianne		Edna ------	Karen R.
Dawn ----------	Kim		Rick -------	Colin
Jim ------------	Lauren		Stacey ----	Erin
Keith ----------	Dick		Christine-	Warren
Elyse ----------	Cheryl		"Coach" -	Tonya
			Mikayla --	Sandy

Season 23: Episode 1: I Need Redemption

TRIBAL COUNCILSavaii starts their first Tribal Council by dipping their torches into the fire.    Jeff reminds them, "Fire represents your life.  When your fire is gone, so are you, with a slight exception Redemption Island.”    Dawn admits to Jeff that the first two days were very tough for her, so she can only imagine how tough it would be for anyone on Redemption Island to go it all alone.   Jim brings up the fact that Semhar volunteered for the challenge and then couldn’t deliver.   Ozzy defends Semhar’s courage for volunteering to give it a try.    Cochran’s name comes up next as someone who is physically weak.   Cochran is quick to point out that he did well in the beginning portion of the challenge and just faltered in getting over the wall. Cochran feels doomed and starts pointing out that Semhar does not do very strenuous tasks around camp.   Semhar responds that at least she does her job without someone having to tell her to do it.   Cochran promises to be everyone’s "genie in a bottle” after this and do whatever he or she want him to do.  He can’t stand the thought of being the first one voted out after wanting to be on Survivor for eleven years.   In the end, Semhar Tadesse, the 24 year-old spoken word artist from Los Angeles, CA. becomes the first person voted out of SURVIVOR:  SOUTH PACIFIC and sent to Redemption Island.

By the way, for those keeping track,  it took Coach exactly 41 seconds into the season to utter the words "honor and integrity."

Each week, host Jeff Probst will answer a few questions about the most recent episode of Survivor: South Pacific.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Three minutes into the game, John asks you to call him Cochran so he can be like many of the former Survivor greats known simply on a last name basis. I thought it was a bad move because that to me is a situation where you want to lay low and blend in, not draw unnecessary attention to yourself, but I remember you telling me out there that you thought it was brilliant. Explain.
JEFF PROBST: Hmm. It’s probably a sign of getting old but I can’t remember why I said it was “brilliant.” I do remember saying something like that, I just can’t remember the particulars. So, here’s my answer as of today… I do see your point about calling attention to being a Survivor fan and how that might work against you and I think you’re right. Also he put himself in a category of “great” players before he had even earned it, which might also work against him. So what the hell was it that I thought was so brilliant? Well, it was charming, at least to me. So there’s that… alright Dalton, dammit you’re right again. It was a risky move and one that could easily work against him. I was probably just trying to be contrary.

As always, the actual Tribal Council goes on a lot longer than what you are able to show on television, and during this one, Cochran kept going on and on, while also seemingly digging his own grave. That leads to the question: How much do performances at Tribal Council matter, and how often are people still weighing their voting decision while there as opposed to knowing whom they are voting out beforehand and sticking with it?
Great question. I actually think that as of the last few years it matters more and more what you say and how you say it. It used to be that people always walked into Tribal Council with their vote locked in, but I’ve seen a lot of times recently where people change their mind or, even crazier, are totally undecided when they arrive at Tribal, even though the rest of the tribe appears to know what is happening. I think Cochran survived a very close call and has major ground to make up. He’s smart and that might help him in reading people, but his physical limitations are a major obstacle.

What’s your sense at this point in the game? Has Coach — who was not welcomed with open arms by any means at the beginning — worked his way into the tribe’s good graces? Or are they just playing along and still itching to get rid of him?
That was the question with Coach from the first moments when Christine said “they’re temporary players.”  You can see the instant value that Ozzy might offer, but with Coach having to overcome “The Dragon Slayer” baggage, it’s much harder for him to make a case. At this point in the game, I think Coach will be his own worst enemy. If he is able to truly lead he might have a shot… time will tell.