SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS - Official Thread

My somewhat fertile brain | 24 August, 2006 | Cuz_it_aint_their_money

[A knight without armor]

I always wish I knew a whole lot more about how these reality shows are done. Yes, I could live with the little red mark anywhere on me if he could fix what is wrong. Cowboy might be in danger of the others turning on him and voting him off because he is so wily and a threat. He seems he will throw himself into anything and not worry about posing for the camera. I felt the white tribe laid down to sleep and vogued. I even felt that one guy laying on his back, albeit in good shape, he still sucked in his stomach! I've never been to an island but they are very interesting and relaxing to me. Sometimes if I can't sleep I imagine the wind in the high palms on the Seychelles. Someday I wish Survivor would be in the Seychelles.

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s Monday so that means its time for:

A SURVIVOR RECAP

If you haven’t had a chance to watch last week’s show yet and don’t want it spoiled, read no further.

.

Turn back now!

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This is your last chance!

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OK, don’t say I didn’t warn you!

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The Aitutaki Tribe – (Red Buffs) “Taki for short”:
Cecilia, Ozzy, Cristina, J.P., Billy

The Manihiki Tribe - (Yellow Buffs) “Hiki for short”:
Rebecca, Nathan, Sundra, Stephannie

The Puka Puka Tribe – (Green Buffs) “Puka for short”:
Brad, Becky, Cao Boi, Jenny, Yul

The Raratonga Tribe - (Blue Buffs) “Tonga” for short”:
Adam, Jessica, Parvati, Candice, Jonathan

The LOSERS! Sekou

Well, so much for my being able to pick the winners from just their bios! I mean, granted, I’ve been wrong before, regarding which one is the final winner, but at least my pick has always made it to the Jury, if not the final four. This is the first time my winning pick has been the first booted! Guess I’m losing my touch. Oh well, getting old will do that to you!

Also, I’ve decided to borrow a page from silent_jonny’s book, and give ya’ll the official SeeBS recap, so here goes.

JAZZ MUSICIAN'S LAST RIFF
Sekou First to Go

The much-anticipated SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS begins with Sekou Bunch, the 44-year-old professional jazz musician from Los Angeles, California, voted out three votes to two at the first Tribal Council of the season. Pegged as a bossy yet weak leader, Sekou unhappily greets his fate as his torch's flame is extinguished. Holding his head up high, Sekou leaves behind his positive final words: "I believe a good leader is one who can instill some guidance. And I'm sure that I had a real strong effect with my tribe--I have no doubt about that. They saw that I was a real strong leader. Well guess what? They're gonna be a really strong tribe and I'm proud of that. And my torch may be out but my flame is still burning."

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Aboard an ancient ship in the heart of the South Pacific, 20 Survivors meeting for the first time are divided into four tribes: Asian-American, Caucasian, Latino and African-American. They pillage the old sailing vessel for supplies in which to help them live for the next 39 days. Jumping overboard and beginning the arduous paddle to their beaches, it is clear to them that this social experiment is like nothing else before it.

Giving perspective to this unusual situation, Yul from the Asian-American tribe is apprehensive about being divided based solely on his ethnicity. "I'm a little worried that it might play out to caricatures and stereotypes." Even the carefree Parvati hesitates for a moment at being grouped entirely with Caucasians "Different ethnic groups… I mean is that kosher?"

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Cracking jokes as the boisterous Latino tribe paddles to their beach, the eccentric, heavy metal-band styled Billy spins tales of his outdoor skills to his tribe. Upon arrival at camp, Billy's true colors are apparent as he haplessly attempts to construct a shelter. Realizing Billy's ineptness, Ozzy quickly takes over building the shelter and scaling tall palm trees retrieving coconuts to nourish his tribe. "As long as we stay fed and happy with each other we're going to be able to stay real strong," explains Ozzy.

ODD BALL?

For Puka, the tribe of Asian-Americans, there are clearly specific cultural differences within their ethnic group. After listing the specific types of Asians in her tribe, Jenny concludes, "We're a mixed group ourselves within the Asian community." Feeling like an oddball in his own ethnic group and tribe, Cao Boi laments the pressure his appearance and lifestyle may have on his place in the Puka Tribe. "I've never been accepted by the Asian community--take one look at me! This is a very dangerous position to be in."

TRIBAL PRIDE

"Represent! Represent! Represent!" the Hiki tribe chants as they look forward to breaking down the stereotypes bestowed on their ethnicity. "We have to step up to the plate," says Rebecca. "We don't just run track!" Nate takes one look at the personalities on his tribe, realizing that they might be in for a bit of a challenge. "Black people don't like to be told what to do. And we have a bunch of headstrong people around here."

CHICKEN CHASE

While celebrating their bounty, Flica accidentally turns over a box that the tribe kept their chickens in. Realizing her error, a guilty Flica chases after the chickens into the dense jungle. "I'm not happy right now with Flica. She screwed up my chickens," vents a frustrated Jonathan.

LACK OF FOCUS

While trekking through the jungle, Rebecca and Sundra stumble upon the Hiki tribe's much-needed water source. Realizing they need to boil the water first before drinking it, the focus is on making fire, but Sekou is easily distracted with too many other chores at hand. His lack of concentration frustrates the women as Stephannie states, "We've got too much to do. But he is not one to stay focused at all. I'm in a state of piss-tation."

HEALING HANDS

When Brad complains of a headache, it's Cao Boi to the rescue. Diagnosing Brad with a touch of "bad wind," Cao Boi uses techniques from the "old world" to cure Brad of his ailments, but leaves a red mark on his forehead. "I told him when it's completely gone, [his] body will be fully healed," Cao Boi explains. Brad later confesses "I did have a headache. I don't have a headache anymore. But I do have a red dot on my forehead."

IMMUNITY/REWARD CHALLENGE: LOCK LOAD AND LIGHT

The four tribes reconvene for their first challenge as Host Jeff Probst explains the rules.

The tribes must race to assemble a puzzle boat using seven braces, then paddle the boat out and retrieve fire from a bonfire floating on a raft in the ocean. Then they must paddle back to shore and carry the boat braces and fire with them. After putting together yet another puzzle, they must use the braces to create a ladder, climb to the top of a platform and light their tribe fire bale. The first three tribes to the top win flint and immunity. As a bonus the tribe that comes in first wins a fire kit, kindling, waterproof matches and kerosene.

The race begins as the four tribes assemble their paddleboats. Aitu and Puka work together as they are first to paddle their boats out, while Raro and Hiki flounder with the construction of their paddleboats. After retrieving fire it's a close battle between Aitu and Puka for the lead, with Puka deciphering the puzzle faster. They reach the platform first, winning the fire-making kit and Immunity. Aitu finishes second while the battle for last place continues. The Raro tribe finishes ahead of Hiki, keeping them safe from the vote. Hiki's last place finish will send them to the night's dreaded first Tribal Council.

ANOTHER TWIST

In a final twist, the Hiki tribe is granted the power to send one member from any of the other three tribes to Exile Island, potentially weakening that tribe. Jeff Probst explains that hidden some where on Exile Island is a hidden Immunity Idol. Nate and Sekou from Hiki step forward to exile Jonathan from Raro as punishment for stealing Yul's chicken when they first gathered supplies and disembarked their sailing vessel.

SEKOU'S FINAL BATTLE

Strategic alignments begin at Hiki as Nate and Sekou realize they need one of the three girls to side with them. Knowing that Rebecca and Sundra are already tight, Sekou approaches Stephannie to campaign for her vote. Sekou pleads with Stephannie, "If you all lose me tonight, and y'all lose Nate, it's just you three girls [and] you're out!"

As the sun sets before Tribal Council, Rebecca, frustrated with Sekou's scatterbrained leadership, states, "It may be easier for us to work as a team without him." In the end, Rebecca gets her wish as Sekou becomes the first casualty of SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS in a three to two vote.

Take care,

Freepmail me if you want to be added to or removed from the Survivor Ping List.

[sarasota]

Is anyone hosting a thread for The Amazing Race?

[mystery-ak]

Yes.....I'll get you the link...just a minute

[Slicksadick]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1701263/posts

[mystery-ak]

here it is...http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1701263/posts

[mystery-ak]

LOL...now you have two links

[sarasota]

Thanks!

[sarasota]

Just checked out the thread with its updates. Freepers rule in reality threads!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I missed the first show! I can't believe it.

See what all work and no play gets you?

Thanks for the recap!

[silent_jonny]

I’ve decided to borrow a page from silent_jonny’s book, and give ya’ll the official SeeBS recap

It's so much easier :)

[Stone Mountain]

Or maybe the women didn't appreciate being left out of the decision-making process by the guys and took revenge at their first opportunity...

[A knight without armor]

"...While celebrating their bounty, Flica accidentally turns over a box..."



I disagree with that. It was not an accident in my mind, it was stupidity. She lifted the cage thinking the chickens were made by Walt Disney and would just stand there. It would have been an accident if she were for instance carrying the cage and tripped over a rock and fell and they got away.

[Lee'sGhost]

You are, of course, correct.

[Lee'sGhost]

That is a possibility, but there was nothing in the way the following scenes were edited to indicate that.

[Stone Mountain]

That is a possibility, but there was nothing in the way the following scenes were edited to indicate that.

I don't remember how the following scenes were edited, but I remember thinking when the guys were conferencing without the women that they were going to pay for that snub...

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

The Aitutaki Tribe – (Red Buffs): Cecilia, Ozzy, Cristina, J.P., Billy

The Manihiki Tribe - (Yellow Buffs): Rebecca, Nathan, Sundra, Stephannie

The Puka Puka Tribe – (Green Buffs): Brad, Becky, Cao Boi, Jenny, Yul

The Raratonga Tribe - (Blue Buffs): Adam, Jessica, Parvati, Candice, Jonathan

The Losers Sekou

Yes ladies and gentlemen, it’s Thursday. So that means its time once again for your:

SURVIVOR PING ! ! !

The title of tonight’s episode is ”Dire Straights and Dead Weight”

And from a variety of promos and internet previews the following tidbits are offered for clues:

It's dire straights for one tribe when a lack of fire leads to serious dehydration. Which tribe cannot get a simple fire started? My guess is that the Hiki tribe cannot figure out how to use the flint that Jeff gave them at Tribal Council.

At the Aitutaki camp, Billy quickly becomes a deficit to his tribe and his tribe mates become conflicted over what to do. Do they push to win the challenge and keep their tribe intact or throw it so they can vote Billy out? I think this is just another “red herring” to try to throw us off the tract. It’s too early for any tribe to be thinking about “throwing” a challenge just to get rid of one of their own. Then again. . .

After just a short time in the Cook Islands, one castaway is already claiming their affections toward another. Love is in the air…or is it? And this one from the previews.…a romance revealed at Tribal Council leaves Jeff speechless. This means that the tribe that goes to Tribal Council is the tribe that has a “romance.” I think that pretty much rules out the Hiki tribe. I just don’t see any of the three women striking up a romance with Nathan, right after they booted Sekou. In addition, I think there is just too much racial discord amongst the Asians for a romance to blossom. So I’m gonna rule out the Puka tribe at this time.

Tension mounts between Jonathan and Adam when Adam refuses to waste his energy on what he sees as a "stupid" task. One of the vidcaps shows the Raro tribes’ chickens being re-captured in a simple box type snare. This is probably the “waste of energy” that Adam is referring to. Wonder if the rest of the tribe is willing to share the spoils with Adam if he is going to cop that type of attitude.

Members of Puka Puka become increasingly annoyed with some of Cao Boi's comments. The racial discord continues amongst the Asians.

SeeBS again isn’t giving us much to go on this week. In fact we only see one challenge in the promos. The vidcaps for this challenge have been hashed and rehashed to death on the spoiler websites to the point that they are even starting to questions themselves.

My guess is that the Reward Challenge is a mental type challenge, maybe solving a puzzle or something along those lines. Anyway, since we see a vidcap of Billy eating chicken. . .

and we know that Aitutaki didn’t have any chickens in last weeks episode, my guess is that Aitutaki wins the Reward Challenge. In addition, they get to pick one member from one of the other tribes to be banished to Exile Island. My guess is that they pick Nathan.

The Immunity Challenge appears to be yet another obstacle course. Four members of each tribe are tethered together as they navigate through the course, solving puzzles, crawling under obstacles and as we can see from these vidcaps, making their way across a rope line.

Now, since we are given the romance hint at Tribal Council, it’s a safe bet that either Raratonga or Aitutaki loose this challenge. My guess is that Aitutaki makes good on it’s threat to throw the challenge in order to boot Billy.

Well, there you have it:

CUZ’S WEEKLY SURVIVOR PICKS

Reward Challenge Winner: Aitutaki
Sent to Exile Island : Nathan
Immunity Challenge Winner(s): Manihiki, Puka Puka & Raratonga tribes
Tribal Council Bootee: Billy

I’ll be back Monday morning with a recap, so till than,

Take care,

Freepmail me if you want to be added to or removed from the Survivor Ping List.

Remember. . . Money cannot buy happiness.
It can however, buy expensive possessions that make other people envious.
And that feels just as good.
Scott Adams

[girlscout]

After just a short time in the Cook Islands, one castaway is already claiming their affections toward another. Love is in the air…or is it? And this one from the previews.…a romance revealed at Tribal Council leaves Jeff speechless. This means that the tribe that goes to Tribal Council is the tribe that has a “romance.” I think that pretty much rules out the Hiki tribe. I just don’t see any of the three women striking up a romance with Nathan, right after they booted Sekou. In addition, I think there is just too much racial discord amongst the Asians for a romance to blossom. So I’m gonna rule out the Puka tribe at this time.

Last week the Raratonga tribe mentioned the budding romance of two tribe-mates. This was mentioned when they were all getting into the spoon position for a good nights rest. So my guess is the Caucasian tribe goes to tribal council tonite.

[MomwithHope]

I remembered that too, I think you are right.

[girlscout]

If there is a romance they certainly didn't waste any time!