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J.T. on ‘Survivor’: Million dollar bye-bye

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‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 9 recap

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Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - a note from James J.T. Thomas Jr.

From the desk of J.T.:
‘Destroy this right when you finish reading!’

Wade on Birmingham - Survivor Heroes vs. VillainsOh, hell no!

They did not just do that. They. Did. Not. Just. Do. That.

The Heroes aren’t losing to the Villains; they’re losing to their own worst instincts. And leading the way is Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr.

Whether it’s “Survivor” history or “Survivor” infamy remains to be seen, but the Heroes embarked on a daring and likely foolhardy plan tonight.

Who found an idol? Who kept in their (under)pants? And who might have just handed over $1 million? Find out, after the jump …

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - James J.T. Thomas Jr., Parvati Shallow

Feets of strength: Contestants stand tall for reward;
Parvati squares off against J.T.

Reward challenge: The steaks are high. Get it? No, wait, we haven’t told you the prize yet.

Opposing team members are paired off to stand barefoot on small wooden holds. Eventually, they move to the smallest holds. First team to drop three players loses.

J.T.’s dominance in this challenge during his previous season put him in the final four.

The winning tribe wins a steak dinner from a certain Australian-themed chain.

The five Hero-Villain matchups are …

  • Candice Woodcock vs. Danielle DiLorenzo;
  • Amanda Kimmel vs. Courtney Yates;
  • J.T. vs. Parvati Shallow;
  • Colby Donaldson vs. Jerri Manthey, a rematch from two previous seasons;
  • Rupert Boneham vs. Sandra Diaz-Twine, a rematch from Pearl Islands.

Host Jeff Probst notes that Day 22 also marks Amanda’s 100th day playing “Survivor.” Wow.

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - James J.T. Thomas Jr., Russell Hantz

Those three little words: J.T., left, gives
quiet encouragement to Russell.

While competing, J.T. quietly mouths a “Hang in there” to the benched Russell Hantz for reassurance. The Heroes are more convinced than ever after “Coach” Ben Wade’s exit that a women’s alliance controls the Villains and will oust Russell next. Oy.

Boom, boom, boom. Colby drops, then Rupert, then Amanda. The Villains win reward in a sweep, ending the Heroes’ win streak.

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - reward dinner

Where’s the beef? The Villains enjoy a steak dinner prize.

Risk management: At the steak dinner, the Villains are laughing heartily at the Heroes’ notion of a women’s alliance. Parvati finds a small scroll in her napkin and quickly stashes it in her underwear. She’s had lots of practice. Boom! Roasted!

Parvati excuses herself to head to the ladies’ room, as does Danielle. Parvati shows her the clue to a hidden immunity idol, confiding that having Danielle in her back pocket and out of Russell’s clutches could help her end game. (I made at least three ass jokes in that last sentence.)

Back at the Heroes’ camp, J.T. reveals his brilliant idea to the tribe: Secretly slip the idol to the “endangered” Russell to have him blindside Parvati. While the tribe signs off on the plan, Amanda confides the obvious: Russell could be in with the women.

Oh, and it could be the stupidest plan ever. What happened to J.T.’s original idea, to use the idol as a group post-merge against the Villains?

J.T. writes instructions to Russell, and Rupert remarks, “This is ‘Survivor’ history.” Just remember, history is written by the victors.

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - Parvati Shallow, Danielle DiLorenzo

Queens for a day: Parvati, left, and Danielle
find the hidden immunity idol.

The next morning, Parvati and Danielle slip off to find the idol, hoping to avoid Russell’s radar. And like that, Parvati digs it up. Wonder if she’ll hand it off to Russell if he’s even in jeopardy at Tribal Council …

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

Incoming tide: J.T. races along the course.

Immunity challenge: Tribes race to bring five puzzle bags to shore along a rope obstacle course. First team to assemble the puzzle wins immunity.

The Heroes jump to an early and insurmountable lead. When Colby and Russell are left alone on the floating platforms as the anchor legs, Colby tells Russell to get the secret package from J.T. and to vote out Parvati, who Russell claims is running the tribe. Ha!

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - James J.T. Thomas Jr., Russell Hantz

Hug it out: J.T. slips Russell the idol after the challenge.

The Heroes win immunity, and amidst the congratulatory handshakes, J.T. slips Russell the package containing the idol and note. No-o-o-o-o-o-o!!!

(We can’t recap the rest of the episode, with our fist firmly lodged in the plasma screen.)

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - Russell Hantz

It’s good to be a gangster: Russell gloats
over his hand-delivered idol.

Video: ‘J.T. just handed me a million dollars.’

Russell confides, somewhat incredulously, “I don’t even have to find idols. People are actually giving me idols. You don’t hand the enemy the idol.”

Video: J.T. explains the idol handover strategy.

By the numbers: The tribes are about to be even at five members each. The Villains control two idols.

Russell shows Parvati the note and the idol, and later Jerri and Danielle. After they laugh and laugh and laugh, he reels off the most important number of all: “I think J.T. just handed me $1 million.”

Voted out: Not much to tell, except that it was either Sandra or Courtney.

By a unanimous vote, Courtney, the waitress from Boston, joins Coach on the jury. (Jerri picked up the stray vote.)

Jeff points out that with Parvati safe, Day 25 will be her 100th day playing “Survivor.” Again, wow.

Survivor Heroes vs. Villains - Courtney Yates

Tenth out: The Villains drop Courtney, 5-1.

Video: Courtney’s final words

Video: Courtney, the day after

Let’s hear it: Did the Heroes just set themselves up for ultimate defeat?

[Videos and photos to be added.]

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

Previous: Episode 8 – How to train your dragonslayer
Next: Rupert on the merge: “This is where the game gets crazy.” [Episode 10 — Double dealing]

Also:

• • •

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

2 Yips for “J.T. on ‘Survivor’: Million dollar bye-bye”

  1. Wade on Birmingham » J.T. on ‘Survivor’: How to train your dragonslayer
    Thursday, April 15, 2010, 9:57 pm
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    […] Wade on Birmingham » J.T. on ‘Survivor’: Million dollar bye-bye Thursday, April 15, 2010, 9:48 pm 5 […]

  2. Wade on Birmingham » J.T. on ‘Survivor’: Double dealing
    Thursday, April 22, 2010, 8:58 pm
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    […] J.T. on ‘Survivor’: Million dollar bye-bye […]

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