Survivor Russell Hantz Takes on Boston Rob

Survivor fans, did you remember that Survivor was on Wednesday this week instead of their usual Thursday? If you forgot, then I suggest you stop reading this to go watch episode 6 of Survivor: Heroes vs Villains "Banana Etiquette" online. In my book, this episode goes down as the one with the best play ever made by a Survivor player - even better than Johnny Fairplay's dead grandmother play.

Survivor: Last Time on Survivor

Since it has been almost two weeks since we last saw Survivor, let's recap a little. In episode 5 of Survivor, Tom was voted off the Heroes tribe and James was injured during a challenge. Russell Hantz and Boston Rob are still battling wits to see who the true Villains' tribe leader is.

Survivor: Let the Games Begin

This week, Boston Rob and Russell Hantz are still battling for Survivor tribal supremacy. While the Survivor Heroes tribe is at Tribal Council, the Survivor Villains tribe is bedding down for the night; all except Boston Rob and Russell Hantz. Russell Hantz gets up to approach Boston Rob in an attempt to try to convince Rob that he really doesn't want to go up against him. Who's he trying to kid? That's what he lives for at the moment. Boston Rob reminds Russell Hantz that he broke the Villains tribe agreement when he went searching for the hidden immunity idol. The tribe (all but Russell that is) had previously agreed that no one would search for the hidden immunity idol and that anyone found with the immunity idol would immediately be voted off. Each of them warns the other, "Watch your back."

Survivor: Tree Mail

The two Survivor tribes receive tree mail that reads, "When things look desperate, never lose hope. Never throw in the towel, you just have to cope. And never, ever, give up, even when you're at the end of your rope." The note does not say if the upcoming challenge is for reward or immunity; guess the tribes will have to find out when they get to the challenge.

Colby, who has a big target on his back in the Survivor Heroes camp, can't help but wonder what this challenge means for James and his injured leg. Will James even be able to compete in the challenge? The question is on everyone's mind in the Heroes tribe. As the Survivor Heroes tribe is marching to the challenge, James is trailing in the rear and grabs 3 or 4 bananas hanging from the tribal sign as they pass it.

Survivor: The Challenge

When the Survivor tribes meet at the challenge spot, the Villains are shocked and surprised to see James is still in the game. They assumed he would have been voted off after his injury. All they can surmise from this is that James must be a part of a really strong Survivor alliance. Jeff reveals that immunity is back up for grabs, but this time it is for individual immunity within each tribe. In a rare occurrence on Survivor, Jeff also reveals that both tribes will be going to Tribal Council this time. After the two tribes compete in the challenge, the two winners from each tribe will go head-to-head for a food reward to be given to them to eat as they sit and listen to the opposing tribe at their Tribal Council.

Survivor: Individual Immunity and Food Reward Challenge

The Rules: Each Survivor is attached to a long rope (via a belt around their waist with a clip on it) that is threaded through a series of obstacles. Survivors will have to climb over, crawl under and dive through these obstacles as they make their way to the finish. The first Survivor to the finish wins individual immunity and is safe at their Tribal Council. Coach, JT and Tyson have all previously competed this rope challenge course with Tyson the victor.

Candice wins for the Survivor Heroes tribe while Boston Rob takes Tyson's' crown away for the Villains. The head-to-head challenge is the same but different in that this is a more difficult course that is 3 levels high. Boston Rob, looking haggard and out of breath at the end, beats Candice to win the food reward for the Villains tribe.

Survivor: Boston Rob's Alliance

Back at the Survivor Villains camp, Boston Rob is so proud (note sarcasm) that he beat a girl. With Boston Rob having the immunity necklace, Parvati feels the heat knowing she is one of the Villains being targeted for elimination. Boston Rob gathers his alliance of Coach, Sandra, Tyson, Jerri, and Courtney. He tells his alliance to vote for Parvati, but to let it be known that they are writing Russell Hantz' name down to force him to play the hidden immunity idol.

Survivor: Boston Rob Warns Russell Hantz

Boston Rob and Russell Hantz meet up at camp where Boston Rob warns Russell one more time that he is in big trouble of being voted off. He lays it on thick; maybe a little too thick. Boston Rob suggests that it is in Russell's best interest to work with him instead of against him. Russell Hantz promises the viewers that he will get Boston Rob to eat those words.

Survivor: Russell Hantz' Plan for Tribal Council

As much as I dislike Russell Hantz' cocky attitude, I have to admit he is a smart player in the game of Survivor. He realizes that Boston Rob is trying to flush out the hidden immunity idol. He tells Parvati that he is putting Tyson's name down and giving Parvati the hidden immunity idol at Tribal Council. He believes Boston Rob and his alliance is trying to blindside her. Hmmm... I wonder what Russell Hantz is really up to?

Survivor: James Challenges JT

Over in the Survivor Heroes camp, Colby knows that he is next in line to go home. He is ashamed of his performance in the challenge, where both James with his injured leg and Rupert with his broken toe, beat him. Colby lets his tribe know that he will go out graciously and there's no need for any scrambling this afternoon at camp. JT, Amanda, Candice and Rupert meet in the jungle to discuss the pros and cons of keeping Colby over James even though they have an alliance with James. James' injury is a concern as well as how much food he consumes. Amanda lets James know that he needs to prove himself capable in a challenge. This leads to James challenging JT to a foot race on the beach where JT easily defeats James....running backwards.

Survivor: Boston Rob's Plan for Tribal Council

Boston Rob has had more time to think and realizes he needs to split his alliance teams' votes. 3 will vote for Parvati, 3 will vote for Russell and Russell's 3-member alliance will probably vote for Tyson. If they vote 3 & 3 & 3 and it's a tie then there will be a revote which will flush out the hidden immunity idol for sure which means either Russell Hantz or Parvati goes home. If Russell Hantz plays the hidden immunity idol, then Parvati goes home. If Russell Hantz gives the hidden immunity idol to Parvati, then Russell Hantz goes home. Boston Rob, Tyson and Sandra will vote for Russell Hantz; Courtney, Coach and Jerri will vote for Parvati. It's a win-win plan.

Survivor: Russell Hantz Plans One More Move

Russell Hantz pulls Tyson to the side to have a little chat. He tells Tyson that there is nothing he can do to help Parvati. He knows he's outnumbered so he's going to vote for Parvati. Tyson does not like Parvati and really wants her gone so he is contemplating switching his vote. He is not thinking this through good. If Russell Hantz is telling the truth and really votes for Parvati, that ensures that Parvati would go home. Two extra votes are unnecessary. Without Tyson switching his vote, Russell knows the vote could end up in a 3-way tie and force the hidden immunity idol out and the following revote could go either way. Russell Hantz agrees it's a genius move on Boston Rob's part, but is it smart? Russell Hantz is still contemplating whether giving Parvati the hidden immunity idol is the right thing to do.

Who do you think has the better game plan - Boston Rob or Russell Hantz?

Survivor: Villains Tribal Council

Jeff asks Jerri what is different this season that the last time she played Survivor. Her response is this time alliances are made quicker and game play is more important than camp life. The same question is posed to Boston Rob who quickly brings up the hidden immunity idol. There were no hidden immunity idols when he played Survivor in season 4. He points out that the idol can be used to protect yourself, protect somebody else, and you never know if someone has it or not. Sandra pipes up to say, "We all know who has it. Russell, if you don't have it, you didn't find it, you best look for it." Russell Hantz responds, "If you ain't got it, you can't play it." Parvati says Tyson is a big threat because he has connections on the Heroes tribe, plus he is tight with some strong players on the Villains tribe. The same is said of Parvati - she has connection on the other tribe.

Have you figured out how this vote is going to go yet? Let's break it down. But wait, before we count the votes, Russell Hantz shows Coach what it means to be loyal to your word by giving Parvati the hidden immunity idol to play. Wow! Now Russell Hantz is vulnerable in the vote. What a bold chance he is taking! Boston Rob and his alliance are all smiles to see that their plan is working and the idol has been flushed out.

Boston Rob and Sandra vote for Russell Hantz.

Danielle, Parvati and Russell Hantz vote for Tyson.

Jerri, Coach, Courtney and Tyson vote for Parvati, but these votes do not count since Parvatio played the immunity idol.

As the votes are being counted, Boston Rob has a smug look on his face as he's watching his plan in action. But when a fourth vote for Parvati is revealed, that smug look changes to confusion. Tyson soon realizes that by falling for Russell Hantz' deception he just essentially voted himself off. Had Tyson stuck to Boston Rob's plan, Russell Hantz would be going home instead of him. Now the smug look is on Russell's face and Boston Rob looks pissed!

Survivor: Heroes Tribal Council

The Villains are listening in on the Heroes Tribal Council while munching on hot dogs and soft drinks. The Heroes attention is focused on the food and not the questions Jeff is asking. As thunder rumbles overhead, James quips to the Villains, "At least it's raining on ya'lls parade." Jeff's questions focus on the two Survivor players who have targets on their backs in the Heroes tribe - Colby and James. Colby because thus far hasn't been very good at challenges, and James who is injured and eats a lot. The Villains are dismissed while the Heroes unanimously vote James off.

Survivor: Next Week on Survivor

Without the hidden immunity idol in his pocket Russell Hantz is now vulnerable to face the wrath of Boston Rob. Rob realizes that Russell Hantz is a dangerous Survivor player. "Anybody that gives away immunity and leaves themselves blank, it's like a suicide bomber. You can't stop someone like that. If they don't care about their own fate in the game, that's a wild card."

Survivor returns to its regular Thursday night timeslot next week, April 1st.

Lesson Learned from the Survivor(s) voted off:
(Tyson) If your alliance has a plan, it's in your best interest to stick to it.
(James) What can I say? He was hurt and hurt players only bring the tribe down.

Survivors left standing after episode six are:

Survivor Villains Tribe:

Sandra Diaz
Danielle DiLorenzo
Russell Hantz
Rob Mariano
Jerri Manthey
Parvati Shallow
Benjamin "Coach" Wade
Courtney Yates
Randy Bailey (3)
Tyson Apostol (6)

Survivor Heroes Tribe:

Rupert Boneham
Colby Donaldson
Amanda Kimmel
James "J.T" Thomas Jr.
Candice Woodcock
Jessica "Sugar" Kiper (1)
Stephenie LaGrossa (2)
Cirie Fields (4)
Tom Westman (5)
James Clement (7)

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains: "Banana Etiquette" aired March 24, 2010 on CBS.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION