Jeff, however, does seem to care, because he is now in love with JT for being the manliest man that ever man'd. Like, you can see it in his eyes. He goes from zero to Pepe Le Pew in a split-second. James, eat your heart out!
Jeff momentarily pauses the challenge to make everyone look around in the mud for the lost half-tooth. JT really doesn't seem to want it back, and Jeff is all "Um....okay?" about it, volunteering to take the tooth and hold it for JT until the end of the challenge. And then the tooth goes into Jeff's pocket, logically. And hygienically!
Even after losing a tooth, JT continues to make ridiculous catches, grabbing two more and closing in on the win for Jalapao. However, Tyson begins to come on strong and makes two catches in a row, tying it up and making the next point crucial. JT, having lost a tooth in order to win this challenge, ends up a bit overinvested in what's going on and begins yelling at Spencer (who's supposed to be guarding Tyson) to move his ass and do some blocking. During the next round, Tyson sort of randomly reaches out and miraculously snatches the ball out of the air like it's a game of Quidditch or something, so Timbira wins immunity. The victory music is actually in a minor key, so I'm pretty sure that the people making this show know that Timbira is about as likable as the Hamburglar.
Jeff compliments JT on his solid challenge performance, and he looks like he's about to leave a lit cigarette under his windshield and start carving JT's name into his arm.
Back at camp, Taj is fuming over the outcome of the challenge. She's nervous, because she knows she didn't do very well, but that Spencer did a terrible job at the challenge, so she's going to do her damndest to get him knocked out. Taj holds a meeting with certain members of the tribe out in the water, which seems to have become a pattern for her. Every time they lose, she takes a select group of people out into the water and starts to try and build a consensus. Obviously she does all her best thinking in the shower, like most people.
Taj begins a wonderfully ironic segment by asking the rest of the group to "leave their little emotions out of this and think for the team". Taj becomes increasingly frustrated and begins ranting about every frustration she's had since she arrived in Brazil, from the little cliques that have formed, to the team's lackluster performance in the challenge, to the fact that there are people in the tribe who have not approached her for an alliance (which is actually good for her, since you sort of need people to vote out). "I don't give a fuck what nobody thinks about me, I am angry!" she fumes. JT, Joe and Stephen look on in confusion, because who the hell knew Taj could even get angry like this? It's like how sometimes cute and wonderful animals can sometimes become deadly assassins. Panda bears: nature's ninja.
Taj directs her attention at Joe, demanding to know why he's never come to her to try and get any sort of alliance going. "It's a two way street," Joe replies. This makes Taj even angrier, mostly because he is right. "I've had enough!" she says, and storms out of the water off into the forest, presumably to channel her frustration into the magic of song.
Now, I like Taj a lot, but I need to point out a couple of things: Taj was supposed to be guarding Brendan, who earned two points for the team, so...don't get mad at everyone else about something for which you yourself were responsible, at least partially. I realize that he's larger than her, and more athletic, and blah blah blah, but there were several mismatches during the challenge that did not result in two points for the other team.
« Brothers and Sisters: In Which the Shit Finally Hits the Fan | Main | Keeping Up With The Kardasians: Kourt's First Kover »
Comments (22)
Apparently Taj and Sandy had become unlikely but good friends while out there (most likely it was the fact that they were both mothers). That's why she threw a vote away to Joe, because she didn't want to vote for Sandy and cause her the embarrassment of a unanimous vote (which is odd, because the other four votes this season have all been unanimous, so it's not like she would have been alone).
I actually miss Sandy's random Southern craziness. She seemed like a genuinely nice person and I actually found her funny (having been raised in the South; I can tell you that many older ladies are like that there). Plus, she probably would have been loyal to Taj's alliance. At the same time, if the rest of the tribe viewed her as expendable and annoying, it would have been dumb of Taj to stick her neck out for her.
I do hope you don't have a bias against the old goofy ladies, though. Or people with strong Southern accents. :)
1 of 22 | Posted by User Name | Posted on March 16, 2009 8:24 PM
How could I? I'm from Kentucky!
2 of 22 | Posted by schoonie | Posted on March 16, 2009 8:51 PM
For some reason this week I developed a huge crush on JT...I have no idea why it was the episode where he knocked his tooth out haha. But I do know that I will def be looking forward to seeing him shirtless again!
3 of 22 | Posted by krickledawn | Posted on March 16, 2009 10:36 PM
P.S. I forgot to tell you schoonie how much I look forward to your recaps. No recaps for 3 weeks? This is BRUTAL!
4 of 22 | Posted by User Name | Posted on March 16, 2009 10:40 PM
sorry that last one was me krickle1215, I don't know why my name didn't show up.
5 of 22 | Posted by krickle1215 | Posted on March 16, 2009 11:03 PM
Well Taj wasn't lying, you know. She said "I don't have the idol." meaining "I don't have the idol on me." Remember? She gave it to her "buddy" because he has pockets.
6 of 22 | Posted by geewits | Posted on March 17, 2009 2:18 AM
Dude...you drunk dial your MOM? Weird.
7 of 22 | Posted by aholic | Posted on March 17, 2009 4:34 AM
I feel like I've learned so much just from this recap. It's like an eye-opening, mind-shattering awakening.
Everything is different now! Thanks!
I'm afraid Taj is going downhill fast. It's bad enough that she sucks at the challenges, but her social game really blows too. Wait until she discovers that she's hooked her whole strategy to a true idiot (Brendan).
If Stephen's smart, he'll orchestrate Taj's ouster, then bring JT into the alliance and take it over.
8 of 22 | Posted by itchy | Posted on March 17, 2009 4:46 AM
"Well Taj wasn't lying, you know. She said "I don't have the idol." meaining "I don't have the idol on me." Remember? She gave it to her "buddy" because he has pockets."
Yes yes, it's all very clever.
My point, however, is that saying stuff like this is completely irrelevant for that very reason. Whether she says she has the idol or not doesn't actually provide any useful information to any of these people, or make them feel any less suspicious, so why waste everyone's time playing some stupid word game that changes nothing? I'm sure they all still think she has it.
9 of 22 | Posted by schoonie | Posted on March 17, 2009 6:06 AM
I think Taj is getting a little too cocky. I'm with Itchy, I hope Stephen gets her out and then alligns with J.T.
10 of 22 | Posted by LisaMay | Posted on March 17, 2009 6:17 AM
I do my best thinking in the bathroom, but not necessarily in the shower.
11 of 22 | Posted by Firthguy | Posted on March 17, 2009 6:50 AM
Uh, I liked this:
"If we merge, he has control of the game," Coach says, "and then I'm a bystander, and I certainly don't want that to happen." Um, Coach? You're already a bystander and you just don't know it.
and this:
Jeff, however, does seem to care, because he is now in love with JT for being the manliest man that ever man'd. Like, you can see it in his eyes. He goes from zero to Pepe Le Pew in a split-second. James, eat your heart out!
Both made me laugh out loud.
Uh, Spencer would still be there if he had gone to JT and mentioned something about having "pretty lips." Then JT and Spencer could have developed a "DELIVERANCE" type of relationship. One centered around pig squealing and sex. Spencer is obviously dating Todd for the money cause Todd ain't that cute.
12 of 22 | Posted by Mr Dangerous | Posted on March 17, 2009 8:28 AM
Had to post because I also thought Coach was going to make a douchey comment about Brendan with the whole "wind change" thing. You know someone is an asshole when you just expect every comment out of their mouth to be like that.
13 of 22 | Posted by pixi-stix | Posted on March 17, 2009 9:38 AM
Taj and Brendan had what could have been one of the best alliances in recent years. When they pulled in the other two players they should have just layed low and played hard in challenges until the merge. Taj really should have kept her mouth shut. She could have just bitched to the camera and played it cool at camp. Now neither Taj nor Brendan can afford to go back to tribal council.
Like itchy said Taj has no social game and Brendan is missing a lot of the 'outwit' part of the game. Brendan should have let coach think he felt everyone was wrong and he wanted coach to be the leader. There is going to be at least one more tribla council before the merge and the chance is slim now that Erinn will go next if so Brendan's only hope is that he can try and get Sierra and Erinn to vote three vs three against Coach, Tyson and Deb.
14 of 22 | Posted by Dreamkeeper | Posted on March 17, 2009 12:34 PM
More SWV Fun Facts!
- SWV sang backup on TLC's hit song Waterfall. I know this is true because I read it on the internet. No really.
- The letters S W and V stand for Singers with Vajayjays.
Love ya, Schoonie! Thanks for another great recap.
15 of 22 | Posted by Snootchy Bootches | Posted on March 17, 2009 4:22 PM
Soilent Green is made of people! It's made of peeeooople! HAHAHAHA...
Thanks for the recap. I guess hunger will make you do stupid things (like shoot yourself in the foot). This whole Taj alliance thing seems too easy...I'm sure something will happen.
I miss last season.
16 of 22 | Posted by dani2526 | Posted on March 17, 2009 6:34 PM
OMR Schoonie. Your SWV fun fact had me laughing my little arse off! I just feel bad for anyone who just now starts reading your recaps and has NO idea what you're talking about. LOL. Actually, I'd feel bad for a person who missed any of your recaps anyway. Too funny.
17 of 22 | Posted by zbird | Posted on March 17, 2009 6:40 PM
Aaand once again, Coach does as little as possible in the Immunity Challenge. I kept saying "where is he?' and they never showed him until the very end. He certainly wasn't around any of the action. Am I becoming blinded by my hatred for him, or is he truly sucking?
Loved the recap as usual Schoonie, and it's going to be a long 3 weeks.
18 of 22 | Posted by briar | Posted on March 18, 2009 2:00 AM
Sixteen Candles reference in the caption - pretty cool
Say Anything reference in the caption - priceless
19 of 22 | Posted by trickydick | Posted on March 18, 2009 1:38 PM
Well, at this point nobody thinks that Coach is a threat and they all know that he is a douchebag, so...maybe he is not so dumb, or maybe he has bumbled into a good position.
If he makes it to the merge, he can stop sandbagging and actually try to win some immunity challenges. And as long as he acts douchey (but not TOO douchey), he isn't a threat to get jury votes. Hmmm. Genius or idiot? You be the judge.
I personally don't think he is self-aware enough or smart enough to come up with a strategy (other than thinking he'll win because he is the bestest contestant EVER!), but, unless he really screws up, there are a number of people who could go before him. (Taj, Brendan, etc.)
20 of 22 | Posted by pixielated | Posted on March 18, 2009 9:45 PM
I agree with Pixie; Coach has lucked his way into a great position... no one will trust him long enough to be in an alliance, but people will come to sway his vote (giving him the misguided impression he is powerful), however, his douchiness will ruin his game. Plus, he won't have the votes on the jury, esp. if Erinn is on the jury.
21 of 22 | Posted by slutty_whore | Posted on March 19, 2009 2:33 PM
I also like Taj and JT. I've got one word to explain Taj's behavior-HORMONES! Isn't she the one that recently had a baby and said she was looking forward to losing the extra weight? Hormones are crazy after giving birth, not to mention a lady Taj's age has the painter visit town once a month....I'm just saying...
22 of 22 | Posted by soapboxx | Posted on March 19, 2009 9:41 PM