Survivor Tocantins: Week 2 "The Beauty or the Beast?"

Okay, I didn't get to watch this episode on television last night, due to the digital broadcast switchover.

I tried to watch the streaming video at the CBS website, but it was so choppy and intermittent that I was forced to go to illegal video hosting sites to get my fix. Sorry, CBS! Try coming up with a website that actually works, and I'll be with you all the way! I understand Hulu is available, if you deign to use it.

Anyhow, I'm actually writing this as I watch the episode. Here are some impressions:

Sierra continues to be one of the worst secret keepers in Survivor history. She pulls entrepreneur Brendan aside and spills her immunity idol beans to him. They go off to find it together, but when Debra finds them digging in the sand, they come up with a lame lie about making a massive fire pit for a bonfire. Debra seems to eat it up.

Jalapao took no food in the first episode, and so now they're trying to eat termites for protein. Stephen almost yaks.

Over at Timbira, "Coach" predictably comes into conflict with Candace. They butt heads over the proper manner to cook rice and beans. Candace talks big to the camera about how a modern woman like her isn't going to let a Neanderthalic man vent his insecurities on her, and then she promptly accepts his flitatious apology and invites him to kiss her on the cheek. Coach tells us that he looks for flaws in people because that's his job, while Candace does it because it's her nature. I understand Coach just got fired from his coaching job, so I guess we can look for a lot less judgmental assholery from him in the future.

Taj has spilled some beans of her own, letting it slip that she's married to a Heismann Award-winning NFL player. The guys are flabbergasted and awestruck, except for Stephen, who doesn't know who her husband is. JT interviews that he has nothing against rich people, but that clearly, he needs the million dollar prize more than Taj. Fair point!

Jalapao posts a come-from-behind win during the physical immunity/reward challenge. Taj and Stephen shine as heroes in the challenge, while Sierra and Coach underwhelm. When Taj shows Candace up, Candace seems to take it personally. Sandy hold's Erinn's top with one hand and makes rodeo motions to her tribe with the other. That is not as endearing or cool as she probably thinks it is. Erinn looks annoyed.

The Exile Island twist is that one member of each tribe will go. Jalapao sends Brendan, who chooses Taj to accompany him. The two of them pledge loyalty to each other.

Candace and Coach are gunning for each other as Timbira prepares for tribal council. Tyson wants to stick with the plan and vote out Sierra, who has been officially dubbed the weakest member. Sierra seems willing to suck up to Coach if it will keep her around.

Votes are split between Candace and Sierra. Candace is in trouble-- and she's out! She tried to get a revolt going against Coach, but it was too early to go after one of the big men, I guess.

Next week: Taj forms an alliance! Probst has promised us a record number of blindsides this season, and we're two for two so far.


The Pool:

Not a single pool member predicted that Jalapao would post an immunity win, so no points were awarded there. Be sure to send me your IP for next week (Jalapao or Timbira).

Most people had a really good week, with a few notable exceptions:

1st: Carl: 104 (+5 +0)
2nd: Paul 99 (-12 +0)
3rd: Mike 96 (-1 +0)
4th: Kim 93 (-1 +0)
5th: Mom 90 (-5 +0)
5th: Matt 90 (-1 +0)
5th: Stats 90 (-12 +0)
8th: Dawn 88 (-1 +0)
9th: Brian 77 (-14 +0)

Carl was the only one to hit the nail on the head with Candace's elimination, and his five point bonus places him at the top of the pool. Paul lost his sizable lead, but is still doing well overall. Brian is the big story-- our newcomer has started off with two bad weeks, and is, quite frankly, a laughingstock at this point. He thought Candace's two big bookbs were going to float her into the winner's circle. No beginner's luck there! Everyone from Mike in 3rd to Dawn in 8th is pretty closely bunched, so everyone has a chance to be a breakout star next week.

Good luck, everyone!