Survivor: China Recap - - James is Blindsided

We open with everyone watching Frosti walk off as his fire is extinguished by Jeff Probst. They are told to remain seated, as the next challenge will begin immediately. The jury, Jean-Robert and Jaime, are asked to leave, and the game begins. There are seven remaining players: James, Amanda, Courtney, Phei-Gee, Todd, Erik and Denise. They will be asked a series of questions on Chinese Culture. They are given letters to hold up for their corresponding answers. The winner will get a trip to the secluded, ancient Shaolin Temple, the original home of Kung Fu. The winner will be flown by private jet, have a vegetarian dinner and watch a live demonstration of martial arts. They will also get to stay overnight in better accommodations than they have had over the last 29 days. The questions do not appear to be too hard, and Phei-Gee wins. Would have been embarrassing if she didn’t….Anyhow, she is allowed to choose two friends to accompany her on the trip, and she chooses Erik and Denise, for reasons only known to her, but we’ll find out later.

Get going already!

The next morning, Erik, Denise and Phei-Gee are awakened by James when the boat arrives to take them to the Temple. No America, they were not up and ready and CLEAN so they could go reap their reward. After they leave, the remaining players discuss how nice it is for them to be gone. James stresses to them that they should not be swayed or influenced by either Phei-Gee or Erik. They all agree outwardly, but Amanda has an agenda. We just won’t know what it is until after the commercial break.

On the private jet, a scantily clad, dirty trio enjoys fruit and champagne on their way to the Temple. Reading my mind, Phei-Gee remarks that it is such a contrast, them being in rags and stinking while on the private jet. Of course, Phei-Gee takes that opportunity to tell Denise and Erik that they should vote Todd off. Denise interviews that Phei-Gee isn’t wasting any time working her strategy. She also says that she is worried that while she is gone from camp, things will change, and not necessarily in her favor. Once they get to the Temple and get cleaned up, they see monks playing music and meditating. The scene has a very strong impact on all of them. After the martial arts demonstration, which is phenomenal and reminds me of a cross between a Ninja movie and the Matrix, Denise is asked to demonstrate her abilities for some local students of martial arts. She has been in lessons for eight years. She is overcome with emotion at the thought being there, participating in a once in a lifetime reward. Later, they are treated to a great dinner and taken to a small temple room lined with mats and pillows for them the sleep on. They reflect on the day and say it will always be a cherished memory, and thank Phei-Gee for including them.

Back at camp…

The next morning it’s raining hard. The players are huddled together in a small cave trying to stay dry as all of the possessions get soaked. When the winners return, Amanda climbs out of the hole to greet them, but everyone else stays put. Phei-Gee excitedly tells everyone about the trip, but Courtney, who is trying to nap, is annoyed that she is invading her space and talking into the cave. The rain lets up, and Todd pulls Denise aside and says he is glad she got to go to the Temple. Denise tells Todd that Phei-Gee was trying to get Denise and Erik to vote for Todd. Todd interviews that all bets are off and he’s campaigning against Phei-Gee. Erik tells James he wants Todd out. He tries to get a feel for what James is thinking, but James tells him he will stick to the original five and there will be no flipping at this point. Which pretty much means Phei-Gee and Erik are on the chopping block. After the commercial break, Amanda takes Courtney aside and tells her that they need to get rid of James because he has too much power with both of the idols in his possession. She says he needs to be blindsided, thinking they will vote for Phei-Gee, and they cannot let him win immunity at the challenge. Lil’ Miss Amanda is getting sneaky!