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J.T. on ‘Survivor’: How to train your dragonslayer

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‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 8 recap

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Wade on Birmingham - Survivor Heroes vs. VillainsThe Heroes are on a roll. They get a little food, win a little immunity, and suddenly, they think they’re kings, damn ass hell kings.

After all, the Villains lost only one member. Who led them. And kept them unified. And helped them dominate at challenges.

On “Survivor,” a little momentum can go a long way.

Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. wonders if having a secret immunity idol might not be a bad thing. And the Villains, well, “Coach” Ben Wade is upset. Sandra Diaz-Twine is pissed. Jerri Manthey is disgruntled. Russell Hantz is … wishy-washy?!

Who packed up camp? Who went on an idol hunt? And who outfoxed Russell? Find out, after the jump …

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - James J.T. Thomas Jr.

Measure of safety: J.T. finds the hidden immunity idol.

J.T. goes fishin’ … sorta: After J.T. suggesting the tribe search for the hidden immunity idol as a group for unity’s sake, he hunts for the idol on his own. And finds it.

Of course, before he can hide it, his fellow Hero Amanda Kimmel discovers his secret. And then, Candice Woodcock does, too. At this point, J.T. reveals it to his other two teammates.

Candice tells Amanda that they should be wary of J.T. Candice confides, “J.T.’s the slimiest guy out here. He’s running the tribe. He’s got a little best friend interest with everybody.”

Is the idol cursed?

Video: Colby: ‘I still don’t trust J.T.’

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - James J.T. Thomas Jr.

There are no small rolls: J.T. bowls in the reward challenge.

Reward challenge: The Heroes note that the Villains have ousted “Boston Rob” Mariano and come to one erroneous conclusion: A women’s alliance is in control.

The Villains are screwing up fine on their own, having brought most of their camp with them to the challenge, assuming (or hoping) for a tribal merge.

Nope.

Host Jeff Probst says no combo, only combat.

One player from each tribe bowls a frame, and the winner of each frame wins a point. First team to 2 points wins a feast.

After some confusion, Coach says the Villains will sit out Sandra and Courtney Yates, their two weakest players.

The Heroes win 2-1 in the laziest challenge ever. Next week: high card wins!

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - James J.T. Thomas Jr.

Slices of heaven: The Heroes celebrate a reward challenge win.

A new game: The Villains are bickering, and without real leadership, look like they’re falling apart. Sandra senses an opportunity.

Fearing that she and Courtney are next to go, she correctly surmises that if she can get Russell to turn on Coach the dragonslayer, he’ll be next to go.

You always gotta keep an eye on the quiet ones.

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - Courtney Yates, Sandra Diaz-Twine

Hat Squad! Courtney, left, and Sandra weave a tale for Russell.

Meanwhile, Russell tells his ally Parvati Shallow that the Heroes will come running to him after the merge, since he appears to be at the mercy of the phantom girls’ alliance.

You also gotta keep an eye on the loud ones.

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - Russell Hantz, Sandra Diaz-Twine

Dirty duo: Russell, left, and Sandra slog
through the obstacle course.

Immunity challenge: Teams race in heats either in joined pairs or singles across a muddy obstacle course to retrieve flags. First team with two flags wins immunity.

The Heroes’ pair of Amanda and Candice stomps the Villains’ Sandra and Russell. But in the second heat, Coach squeaks by Rupert Boneham of the Heroes, tying it at 1.

The final heat pits J.T. and Colby Donaldson against Parvati and Courtney, and again, not even close.

The Heroes win immunity and their fourth challenge in a row.

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - James J.T. Thomas Jr.

Mud and guts: The Heroes win immunity.

Video: J.T. talks about the immunity challenge.

Voted out: Coach announces, “The dragonslayer’s coming into his own … It’s time for me to shine.”

And yet, despite wanting to vote out Russell, he decides to aim for the much weaker Courtney.

Russell and his other ally Danielle DiLorenzo argue about the vote, with Danielle insisting that losing a stronger player like Coach is bad for the team.

Russell storms off, but later wavers on who to keep.

At Tribal Council, Jeff calls out Courtney as a weaker player compared to the recently booted Tyson Apostol and Boston Rob. Courtney says, “I’m a determined little bitch.”

And despite giving 110 percent, it’s Coach Wade, the soccer coach from Susanville, Calif., who’s kicked out by a 4-3 vote. He becomes the first jury member.

After the exits of Coach and Tyson, J.T. remains the sole player from the “Tocantins” season.

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - Coach Ben Wade

Ninth out: The Villains oust Coach 4-3.

Video: Coach’s final words

Video: Coach, the day after

Can the Heroes even it out before the merge? Have the Villains set themselves up to be picked off?

[Videos and photos to be added.]

“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on on CBS 42.

Previous: Episode 7 – Small soldiers
Next: J.T. wants to give the idol to … Russell. Worst move in “Survivor” history? [Episode 9 — Million dollar bye-bye]

Also:

• • •

Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.

5 Yips for “J.T. on ‘Survivor’: How to train your dragonslayer”

  1. Wade on Birmingham » J.T. on ‘Survivor’: Small soldiers
    Thursday, April 8, 2010, 10:35 pm
    1

    […] J.T. on ‘Survivor’: How to train your dragonslayer […]

  2. Jen
    Friday, April 9, 2010, 10:30 pm
    2

    I’m still rooting for Russell (in the game, not in life necessarily), but I loved watching the pairings of Amanda & Candace and J.T. & Colby–I hope they stick.

    I feel like we missed something crucial; I see how Russell ended up going Danielle’s way, but I don’t see why Danielle ended up changing her vote for Coach.

  3. Wade
    Saturday, April 10, 2010, 2:14 pm
    3

    Poor Rupert: no dance partner.

    Some of the other fans have suggested that Danielle and Parvati are tighter than has been shown and that both decided on their own to stick it to Coach.

  4. Wade on Birmingham » J.T. on ‘Survivor’: Does J.T. stand for Just Thick?
    Thursday, April 15, 2010, 12:15 pm
    4

    […] J.T. on ‘Survivor’: How to train your dragonslayer Wade | Poor Rupert: no dance partner. Some of… Jen | I’m still rooting for Russell (in… […]

  5. Wade on Birmingham » J.T. on ‘Survivor’: Million dollar bye-bye
    Thursday, April 15, 2010, 9:48 pm
    5

    […] J.T. on ‘Survivor’: How to train your dragonslayer Wade | Poor Rupert: no dance partner. Some of… Jen | I’m still rooting for Russell (in… […]

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