I just realized I never even posted on the last episode of Survivor. I think I was so flabbergasted that they kept injured James over fully functional Tom that I didn't know what to think and was rendered speechless.
The big twist tonight is that both tribes are going to tribal council.
To achieve this, the challenge was a little, well, twisty too. The tribes compete in two groups, with one Hero and one Villain winning individual immunity; then those two winners face off, with the winner gaining dinner for his or her tribe, to be enjoyed while watching the losing tribe during tribal council. (But after voting off one of their own.)
So strangely enough, Candice wins for the Heroes, which is good since she was probably toast otherwise. Rob wins for the Villains. In the faceoff, which is more complicated than the first round because there are three levels of ropes and obstacles, Candice gives it a good go, but Rob wins.
Back at camp, the dejected Heroes start scrambling. Colby is tired of that and tells them hey, he knows they are targeting him, so stop scrambling and let's just have a nice day at camp. Way to play, dude. Amanda realizes, though, that there is concern about James' injury and she tells him that he needs to prove to them that he can run. (Oh, and that he needs to work on his banana etiquette. It's a long story, but funny.)
So James runs a race against JT and loses, but not by that much, though James looks pretty awkward.
But the real action is happening over the Villains, and I don't know if I can even keep track of everything. Everyone pretty much knows that Russell has the hidden idol (and Rob has already told Russell that he has a big old target on his back because of seeking the idol). Rob tells the folks in his alliance that what they have to do is split the votes three for Russell and three for Parvati, and then the other three will vote for someone, probably Tyson. They figure Russell will play the idol and then there will be a revote.
At first, it seems like Russell is sunk. But then the thinks, well, what if they split their votes? He isn't sure they are smart enough to think of that, but he decides to make a move just in case. He tells Tyson he is thinking of switching his vote to Parvati, which comes into play later.
So at tribal, the Villains are up first. There's a lot of talk, but the action comes during the votes. Jeff asks if anyone wants to play the hidden idol. Russell gets up, walks all the way over to Jeff and then says actually, just kidding, he wants to give the idol to Parvati. Everyone looks ... confused.
So Parvati plays the idol and is safe. Then it's time for Jeff and his tally. The votes come in, and there are two for Russell, four for Parvati that don't count and three for Tyson, so Tyson is out.
I think I got that all right, but I'm not actually sure. My head was spinning by the end.
But seriously: Brilliant. And wow, Russell. I was thinking he was getting cocky and about to get his comeuppance, but no, that happened to Boston Rob instead.
Then, oh, right, the Heroes. It's anticlimactic after all the other craziness, but apparently, James' run didn't impress his tribe. He gets all the votes but one, which goes to Colby. The craziest part of that tribal council was James saying of Colby's poor showing this season that it's like discovering Superman is just wearing a fat suit.
Wow. Ouch.
So what did you think? Is your mind boggled?