The hidden immunity idol turned into a game changer in Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains Episode 4. Trying to force a tie and throwing three votes toward Tom and two toward Colby, the majority of the tribe was outnumbered when JT flipped to help vote out Cirie.
When he gets back to camp, JT tries to convince his tribe that he did it for them and not for himself. He swears to Amanda that he just got rid of Cirie when he had the chance.
The villains try to keep a straight face while Coach teaches them some “dragon slayer chi.” Everybody except Russell, that is, as he’s looking for the hidden immunity idol instead. He’s not even pretending to hide this fact. Having searched for two days, Russell finally manages to find the idol.
For the challenge, three members of each tribe will battle for balls and toss them up to the others who will try to score baskets. The winning tribe will enjoy a feast of chocolate. Jeff offers up some free samples. While the women have difficulty controlling their hormones at this offer, the heroes say they don’t want any. Sandra, Courtney, and Parvati sit out for the villains. Colby sits out for the heroes. In the pit, Danielle, Tyson, and Russell go against Candice, James, and Tom. On the platform, Jerri, Coach, and Rob square off against JT, Amanda, and Rupert. It’s obvious that this will be a very physical battle. With that said, James goes down, and he’s out at least for this challenge. Amanda scores the first point to give the heroes the lead. They reverse positions with the people in the pit shooting and vice versa. Tyson scores on this exchange to tie at at 1-1, but not in time to prevent Rupert from man handling Jerri. They switch positions again. Jerri scores the final point to give the villains the win. James will be sticking around to have medical look at his leg.
Boston Rob says they’ve gotta vote for Russell, since that’s the only way to flush out that idol. Russell reveals to Parvati that he’s got the idol, which is a relief to her since everybody believes she’s an evil mastermind. His plan is to blindside Rob. He next approaches Coach to try to pull him into their alliance. In Coach’s typical overreaction, he bows down to King Russell.
Amanda’s crying about James, an indication that whatever she may say about past relationships should be taken with a grain of salt because she’s going to stick with them. JT and Rupert assume the worst. Tom is not entirely opposed to a James elimination. This may play in his favor. The end result is that James returns, braced up but walking on his own. However, they don’t know what’s wrong with him, and he’s moving very slowly. Candice is worried that he’s now just dead weight.
For the immunity challenge, one person will be the caller, while the others are blindfolded and paired up. The caller will direct the others to collect ten puzzle pieces scattered in the field. Then they’ll have to solve a puzzle. We know how this is going to go. Colby, Rupert, Jerri, and Boston Rob have done this challenge before. Tyson and Danielle sit out for the villains. Jerri and James are the callers. Not the ideal role for James to fill, but it’s the smartest thing to do at this point. Both tribes have returned with their first three pieces. Villains jump ahead with 5, which the heroes briefly tie. Villains go back up with 7. It’s eventually tied 8-8. Then 9. Both tribes have one piece left, right next to each other. Heroes are the first to get to it and start the puzzle first while the villains roam around for some time. Villains return to start off their puzzle late, hoping their past performance in puzzles will repeat again. Villains win immunity.
Heroes realize that they’re not gonna win at puzzles. Or shooting baskets. Or anything that’s not sumo wrestling.
Tom and Colby want to get rid of James. Rupert and James want to get rid of Tom. Candice tells Rupert this is a stupid idea. So maybe they should vote her out instead. JT agrees the logical move is to get rid of the injured guy. He tells both sides he’s with them. Not a way to gain any trust, but it is a way to live to see another day.
This leads to another heated exchange at tribal council about who is or is not causing the tribe to keep losing over and over again.
Votes
Tom
Tom
James
James
Tom
Tom
By a vote of 5-2, Tom has been voted off the island. As dumb a move as I’ve ever seen in this game.
As a reminder, March Madness is coming up. That means no Survivor each of the next two Thursdays, but the next episode will air on Wednesday March 24 instead.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains Episode 6, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on CBS.