Survivor 15.10 "I'm ready to make the whole freakin' pie."

Before we got to see what Jeff had planned for our intrepid Survivors at Tribal Council, we had a Thanksgiving clipshow, full of stuff like: the monks had to cover up the girls' boobs before they entered the temple, the Survivors ate worms, etc. There was a great scene where everyone was lazing about and James basically bullied Aaron into working and acting like a leader, and then Aaron wound up "abdicating" in a snit. But, you know, nothing earth-shattering.

So FINALLY, we got to see what Jeff had up his sleeve. James was terrified because he had (very arrogantly) left his Idol's at camp, but it wasn't another vote (like in the Cook Islands. It was a Reward Challenge involving Chinese Trivia, and Peih Gee wound up winning it. The reward was a trip to a Shaolin Temple, and she took her pal Eric and Denise, who she's still trying to get to flip on the Apple Dumpling Gang. She really SHOULD think about it, as the rest of the gang has a "We're the Final Four" fish fry in her absence. But this is where we get our first real surprise, as Amanda reveals to us that she wants to shake things up--she tells us she's not crazy about winding up in the finals against Todd, Courtney or James. Meanwhile, the others have a blast at the Temple, especially Denise, who's been studying the Karate for some time. They get to learn some moves from some adorable children, and Denise gets to show off some of her moves. Peih Gee vows to "keep on truckin'" no matter how dire her situation seems. When they return, it's pouring down rain, and the others are huddled in a cave, being anti-social and rude. When Denise tells Todd that Peih Gee lobbied her to flip on them, Todd got angry at her for, you know, playing the game as hard as he is.

Amanda makes her move, talking up the idea that they have to get James NOW, when he's feeling too confident to "waste" one of his Immunity Idols. Amanda puts a twist on James' apple-mantra, stating that not only is she ready to eat the apple, "I'm ready to make the whole freakin' pie." When Eric wins immunity, James is content to target Peih Gee, but Amanda tells Todd it's now or maybe never with James, but he's now reluctant. Then Peih Gee tries to sway Amanda to get rid of James, and Amanda's all, 'I'm way ahead of you, just play it cool." SO Peih Gee goes back to camp and does a good job of playing "dead" and resigned to her fate. At Tribal, Peih Gee again plays it smart, lamenting how she's been beating her head against a brick wall trying to break into the Apple Dumpling Gang, to no avail. When James talks about how his tribe are winners and they need to get rid of the vanquished, Peih Gee points out that she and Eric have won the last three Individual Immunities. Once again, there is much suspense as the votes are read, and James goes home with two unplayed Idols in his hands. It's very much like an Aesop's Fable. Greed, James. Interestingly enough, Todd beams at the jury with pride, as if he was the architect, even though it was the tearful Amanda who made it happen.

Big, beautiful James goes out in 7th place, where Gervase left us in Borneo and Nick (I swear I'm not making this guy up) left in the Outback. In Africa, we saw the last of kooky Frank and his deer horns while in the Marquesas, dull Tammy was let go. Boring and smug Penny was booted in Thailand and Alex got all drunk with power in the Amazon and got his walking papers. In the Pearl Islands we saw the last of Tijuana and in a shocking coup, Evil Ami's stooge Le Ann was taken out. In Palau, plucky Stephanie's luck ran out and in Guatemala Gary was sacked. In Exile Island, Bruce had to be evac'ed out of the game and shifty Jonathan was taken out to appease the jury in the Cook Islands. Last season, cocky Alex got served.

Peace! Christine :D