"You're the best accomplice ever!"

And with that compliment to Taj, Branden reinforced what very well may be this season's final two contestants.

What I love about this year's Exile-Island twist (that the person chosen to go to Exile Island must select someone from the opposite tribe to join him/her) is that it effectively sets the stage for what could very well be the first time an early cross-tribe alliance has been made without reshuffling the tribes before the merge.

And Taj and Branden sure do realize the opportunity that they have been given! Their little campfire plot session established a long-term goal of maintaining this hidden alliance while also determining whom each of them could trust to invite into this secret partnership.

Taj's choice of Stephen is a solid one. Because he is so firmly vested in a friendship with JT, I think nobody would ever suspect that he would have another alliance on the side. Plus, Stephen would be able to manipulate and persuade JT to vote with his other alliance when the time comes. Sierra, on the hand, is more of a wild card choice. Admittedly, she has stepped up her game in the last couple of days, but she still has her head on the chopping block. If she is able to deflect attention from her and onto others like Erinn and even Debbie, I think she could survive to the merge and be looking at a spot in the Final Four.

Another thing that is so interesting to think about in regards to this twist is wondering how different the game would be if two other Survivors had been sent to Exile Island the first time. Suppose Coach and Sandy were sent out there? What are the odds that either one of them would have shared the clue with the other? Both of these particular Survivors have demonstrated what happens when ego and selfishness becomes part of the game, and sharing information is not in the vocabulary of either Survivor. So, to see Branden and Taj immediately recognize the potential to advance further in the game long-term by working together rather than advancing further short-term by working alone is refreshing because it shows how much these two individuals are THINKING about the game.

I'm glad that Branden found his Immunity Idol. Assuming that he has the chance to tell Taj where hers is in Jalapao's camp, these two will be unstoppable!


Survivor Bits and Pieces:

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who is so annoyed by Coach and his ego-centric antics! The first episode was all about first impressions, and my first impressions of this man told me I didn't like him then, and I sure don't like him now. Even though Tyson is proving to be more and more arrogant by the minute, I was shocked by how bold Coach was by comparing himself to the "Head Coach" position and Tyson to the "Assistant Coach" role. Wow! Not a great way to stay alive for very long in the game.

The OMG moment in this episode HAD to be when Sandy woke up after a night of great rest because of the blankets her tribe just won and announced, "I know I'm a sex kitten this morning. There's no doubt in my mind." The looks on everyone's faces said it all. As for mine? I have a bruise on my chin from when it fell to the ground.

I must say that the last two weeks, I've been spot on in determining who is at risk for being voting out (week one I predicted Candace was in trouble, who was then voted off the next week; week two I predicted Erinn was in trouble, who was almost voted off this week). I'm not sure if that goes back to my first impressions that I formed of each them or if I'm seeing traits in them that I typically see as risky. But I thought it was interesting, to say the least, that these two women showed up on my "in danger" list!

Okay, Tyson, just when I was starting to enjoy you, you had to go and utter, "I love seeing people cry when you crush their dreams." W-H-A-T?!? Yikes. Maybe you and Coach are a better team than I thought!

Mr. Probst was really stirring up a bit of trouble at Tribal Council! Looks like someone must have been whispering in his ear about Coach's vendetta against Erinn, because it looked to me like Jeff was fanning the flames between these two. And more interestingly, the eye rolling and the facial reactions of everyone else on the tribe seem to suggest that Coach isn't really the leader or the "Head Coach" that he thinks he is. I can't think of someone who deserves a blind side as much as this man does.

*Poor Jerry! I'm disappointed that his reaction to the beans resulted in his being voted out. I can't imagine the beating that a body takes after it is deprived of decent food, nourishment, water, and rest (not to mention the 130 degree heat!). Everyone has rough days, and I think in another day or two, Jerry would have rebounded; unfortunately, he wasn't given the chance to prove his mettle. I liked Jerry.


Current Favorites:
1. Taj
2. Branden
3. Stephen

Ones to Watch in the Current Weeks:
1. Branden
2. Taj
3. Sierra

Ones Who Need Immunity Now:
1. Erinn
2. Sandy
3. Coach

If I Had a Vote:
Coach

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