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After a season filled with injuries, blindsides, and stupid moves, the final four ladies of Survivor still have a tough road to travel to make it to the end and win the million dollars. Which of them has what it takes?

Parvati, Amanda, Cirie, and Natalie were in good spirits when they returned from tribal council after blindsiding Erik and who could blame them? It was a moment that will be hard to beat. Their glee was short-lived though because it was time for another immunity challenge the next day. Each of them had to stand on a pole, gather water with holes in it to raise a set of keys in a bamboo shoot, use the keys to unlock a chest filed with sixteen ladder rungs, and then climb the platform and raise their flag to win immunity. Natalie and Parvati were the first two to grab their keys and swim to shore to work on their ladders. They were no match for Amanda though when it came to her puzzle-solving skills. She wiped the floor with them and claimed immunity for herself.

Natalie knew she was the odd one out and tried her best to work some magic with Cirie and with Parvati to stick around a little longer but it just wasn't happening. She became the seventh member of the jury that evening and blew them a kiss on the way out. When Cirie, Parvati, and Amanda returned to camp that evening, a heated discussion began between them. Cirie had revealed to them at tribal council that she'd always felt like the low man on the totem pole and never felt safe. Amanda and Parvati took offense to that and called her out on it. But the argument didn't last long and the three women ended up hugging it out.

The next day they released Gloria, the last chicken standing, and went to retrieve treemail. They fully expected a fabulous dinner to be waiting for them -- the final three. That was not to be. Instead, they were told they had to go to Exile Island and pay tribute to those that had gone before them before meeting up with Jeff for another immunity challenge. It was a lovely moment watching those three realize that one of them would be leaving.

The fallen survivors tribute was just as hokey as always but the final immunity challenge wasn't. Each of them would have to balance a small silver ball on a slot carved into a wooden cylinder. Sections would be added to that center cylinder in five-minute intervals making holding things together much harder. It was all about endurance and focus. Parvati lasted only two rounds and was the first one out. Cirie and Amanda lasted the four timed rounds and then started a fifth round that would last until only one of them was still balancing their ball. Amanda outlasted Cirie and won the final immunity challenge. She would be the sole woman casting a vote that evening for tribal council. Would she be choosing Cirie or Parvati to go with her to the finals?

It really was no question as to who she would take with her. She voted out Cirie and completed filling the jury. Either Amanda or Parvati would win the million dollars this season. Both of the girls woke up the next day giddy as all get out that they lasted this long. After enjoying a picnic provided via treemail and burning down their shelter, it was time for their final tribal council. The power would now be in the hands of those they'd booted out.

The jury questioning was hilarious. First up was Eliza and it was obvious she was still holding some ill feelings towards both of them. Eliza told Parvati that she can't respect her talking bad about her behind her back and making fun of her. Eliza then told Amanda that listening to her talk made her want to kill herself sometimes. She asked both ladies to be honest with the jury this evening. Jason then asked Amanda if she would have told Ozzy about the plan to blindside him if she had known and she told him yes. Jason asked Parvati if she had any redeeming qualities in the game and she told him that she was loyal and an animal lover. Hahaha!

Alexis wanted Parvati to tell her what makes her a better role model for young women than Amanda. Parvati said that she was independent and bold unlike Amanda who liked going with the flow. Alexis then told Amanda that she thought her "performances" at various tribal councils had been fake and asked what part of her game had been genuine. Amanda said that she hadn't been faking anything and doesn't want anybody's sympathy votes. And then there was Natalie. I swear I think that girl is whacked out. She basically asked Parvati how her flirtiness translates into the bedroom in a weird roundabout way that caused confusion among everybody including Jeff himself. Parvati told her that being flirtatious is a big part of her personality and that she'll flirt with anybody, men and women, to get what she wants. Natalie then told Amanda that she's a beautiful woman but was her strategy in the game to play, "the zombied pretty girl not really knowing what's going on pageant queen cliche" or was that who she really is? Amanda basically said that it was neither and that she's a strong woman who just happens to be reserved sometimes. Again, Natalie is a WEIRDO.

Erik told Amanda that he feels thrown under the bus by what Amanda said about him at his last two tribal councils and Amanda apologized for hurting his feelings. He told her he didn't buy her apology and walked off without asking Parvati anything. James told Amanda that she had this game in the bag and asked Parvati what she really would have said to him the day after Ozzy had been blindsided. She didn't give him the answer he wanted and told her all he wanted her to basically say was that it was a game. Cirie congratulated both of them and couldn't help but involve herself in her questions to them. She wanted them to tell her why Parvati deserved to be in the final two more than herself. She was obviously still a little sore at them.

Ozzy told Parvati that he was hurt by what she did to him and couldn't believe that she put a price on their friendship. Ozzy told her that he didn't want a response from her and then told her that the hardest part was that she took away fourteen days he could have spent with Amanda. He then told Amanda that he wasn't faking his feelings towards her and feels like he has begun falling in love with her. Well we know Amanda has his vote!

After the jury voted, Jeff walked off into the jungle and then appeared before a live studio audience. It was time to find out who the winner of this season's Survivor would be.

Parvati received the first vote to win. Amanda. Parvati. Amanda. Parvati. Amanda. Parvati. The winner of Survivor: Fans vs Favorites is Parvati Shallow.

Parvati and Amanda hugged and then Parvati thanked the jury before running out into the audience to hug her family.

The reunion show was a fun one. Could Amanda say the word "like" any more and what was up with those big green flyswatter earrings? Natalie said she has plenty of haters on MySpace. Everybody's healed up from their injuries.
James won the Sprint Player of the Season and a cool $100,000. Ozzy and Amanda are still together and Mary has fallen in love with Ryan from Survivor: Pearl Islands thanks to Jonny Fairplay. Could you believe Ryan asked her to marry him just three days after meeting her? Next season on Survivor, they return to Africa but this time to the country of Gabon. 18 contestants and the season will be shot in high-definition for the very first time. Yay!

So, what did you think about Survivor? Were you happy that Parvati won it? What did you think about the jury questioning? Are you as excited as I am that they'll be back in Africa this next time around? Spill it!

Erik, you have taken over James in the "Dumbest Survivor Ever" category.

Seriously, what in the world were you thinking? I'm at such a loss for words right now that it's not even funny. When you ran off after getting voted out unanimously, did you cry like a baby at the huge mistake you made? You knew it was up to only you to keep yourself in the game. Those women have been wanting to get rid of you for many days (many weeks for us). How could you give your immunity to one of them? Have you no faith in the jury? Even if you only won second place, it would have netted you more money than the fifth place you finished this season.

I still can't help but feel a little sorry for you though. I said just a little. Gah! I can't you believe you screwed up so badly. I mean, James not using either one of his immunity idols on Survivor China was pretty bad. But you doing this?

Now I'm left trying to pick out who I'm rooting for to win. At this point, I'm pulling for either Cirie or Catalie to win it all. I would really love to see a fan win this season and nobody can say that Catalie doesn't deserve to be there at the end with the gameplay she's had going on lately. And then there's Cirie. She's been working hard ever since the first day. So I'd be perfectly fine with either of those two ladies winning.

This Sunday, May 9th, at 8:00 PM ET will be the season's two-hour finale followed by the hour-long reunion show. Who do you want to win? And what do you think about Erik's mistake this week?

Previously on Survivor, Erik suckled Cirie's fingers for a chocolate fix and Jason joined the jury after stupidly not using his hidden immunity idol. A third hidden immunity idol is back in play this week. Will it be found? If so, will it be used?

Poor James. He got the bum wrap from Parvati last week and now his bum finger is even worse this week. It was so bad that he had to visit the medical team for an impromptu wound-cleaning session. His finger looked really awful and they told him that if it didn't look any better the next day, he would be removed from the game. However, James wasn't the only castaway with a malady. Alexis had fallen and hurt her knee the night before. There was no pus oozing from her wound like James' but it was bad enough that she was shown later with a bandage on it and appearing to have a hard time walking. Cirie, the ever so valiant word warrior, was in good spirits saying, "...it's two less people I have to fight with for a million dollars."

For reward this week, everybody was playing for a little love. Yes, that's right. It's that time in the game where family members are brought in. To earn their reward though, they first had to play the "majority rules" game. After answering a set of questions about their fellow tribemates in private, they had to all then turn around and try to answer how they felt the majority of their tribe answered. The winner of the challenge would go to Jellyfish Lake with their loved one to swim among, what else, the jellyfish. Cirie ultimately decided who would win by chopping Amanda's rope instead of Alexis' causing Alexis to win reward. Luckily for Cirie, Jeff told Alexis she could bring two of her fellow tribemates and their loved one along on the trip so Alexis chose Cirie and her husband and Natalie and her mother to join her brother and herself on the excursion. Before leaving, Alexis also had to choose somebody to go to Exile Island where there were more clues for a third hidden immunity idol. Amanda volunteered to go so go she did.

After everybody headed off on their destinations, it was time for James' fate to be determined by the medical team. He kept a stiff upper lip and told them there was hardly any pain but, in the end, they told him he couldn't stay in the game and needed immediate surgery because of the infection in his hand. James wasn't thrilled about it but realized that his hand was kinda important to him so, after saying his farewells to Erik and Parvati, off he went to the hospital. Erik was now the last man standing in the tribe.

Meanwhile, Amanda was hanging out on Exile Island and following the clues to the hidden immunity idol. The last clue she found told her the idol was back at camp buried beneath the tribe's flag. Drats! When the reward winners returned to camp, sans loved ones, they were told about James' removal from the game. That caused Alexis to be worried about being sent home because of her knee. Cirie was concerned though because her timeline for removing the boys had been knocked off kilter. What if Erik won immunity? With no James to get rid of, it would be time for the girls to start devouring each other.

Amanda was shocked when she rejoined everybody at the immunity challenge and got the news from Jeff about James. Suck it up girl because it's time to play! Everybody would be taking turns firing a high-powered rifle at differently colored sake bottles. The first person to break all three of their own colored bottles would win immunity and guaranteed a one in five shot at winning Survivor. The only two with any skills in this shooting arena were Natalie and Erik. Cirie was awful in yet another competition while Alexis and Parvati weren't much better. Erik won immunity and it was hilarious watching the girls fake clap for him. This game was about to get really ugly.

Back at camp, Amanda emptied her bag to prove to everybody that she didn't find the immunity idol. You know, it was like really windy over there and the current was really strong so she couldn't like get the idol which was underwater. She informed Parvati quick enough though about where the idol was so Parvati made up an excuse for Amanda's absence at dinner later on. Watching Amanda dig for that idol under the flag made me hope that somebody would finish eating early and come and catch her. That would have been priceless. But did she find it? They didn't show us that part. However, they did show us that everybody was planning on voting Amanda out. Well except for Parvati of course, who was earlier in the day trying to figure out with Amanda if they should go after Natalie or Alexis.

At tribal council, James and his makeshift IV rig joined Eliza, Ozzy, and Jason over on the jury bench. Amanda gave Jeff the same excuse about the wind and the currents when he asked her about the hidden immunity idol. Cirie told Jeff that Erik and Amanda are her biggest physical threats. Amanda told Jeff that everybody was going to be voting for her to leave tonight except for Parvati and proceeded to throw Erik to the wolves by outing him as a flip-flopper. Natalie told Jeff that Amanda was her biggest threat in the game because Amanda hadn't done anything wrong to anybody on the jury so she would get their votes. The entire time, Amanda was really playing the poor pitiful me card and putting out those big brown puppy dog eyes. As a viewer, you just knew that she had to have found the immunity idol.

After the votes were cast but were about to be tallied, Jeff told them that if anybody had the hidden immunity idol now would be the time they could play it. Amanda didn't even wait for Jeff's mouth to close and stood up to hand it over. The look of utter shock on the faces of her fellow tribemates and the jury was HI-LAR-I-OUS. Now see Ozzy and Jason? This is what you were supposed to have done you dummies. Jeff informed everybody that any votes that had been cast for Amanda wouldn't count. Amanda gleefully grinned.

Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Amanda, Alexis. And the twelfth person voted out of Survivor and the fifth member of the jury is Alexis. Bring me your torch. Oh Amanda looked like she was about to explode with happiness. As Alexis limped off into the forest, Amanda blew her a little kiss. Ya gots to give it to the girl.

Next week, Erik is approached with a different plan by every single one of the girls and is having a hard time deciding which one of them to trust. Natalie overhears Erik telling Cirie that he wants to go to the end with Cirie and Parvati and tells us she feels like she could bitchslap him like his mother.

Fun times!

Previously on Survivor, Jason won himself immunity and Eliza was booted to become the first member of the jury. On her way out though, she made sure to tell everybody that Ozzy had the real immunity idol. I wonder if they'll remember that the next few days. For some reason, I think they will.

When the Dabu tribe returned to their camp, all talk was about Eliza using the fake immunity idol. They thought it was funny but really loved it when they discovered that Jason was the one that gave it to her. Jason was just thrilled that he was able to win immunity against his idol, Ozzy.

The reward challenge was one that involved swimming and as soon as I saw that, I knew Ozzy would be on the winning end of it. They were divided into two teams of four in schoolyard pick 'em style. Each team had to swim out to a multi-level net tunnel, swim to a platform to study a collection of Micronesian symbols, and then race back to the beach. They then had to place as many of those symbols on their team's puzzle board in the same position they were in on the platform. The team to place their symbols correctly on the board first would win a plane flight to the island of Yap and partake in a traditional Micronesian feast and take in some local dance. The only problem with all of this is that there were nine people so somebody would be sitting out of this competition and would have to go to Exile Island all by themself. And that lucky person is Cirie! One team contained Jason, Ozzy, Erik, and Amanda while the other team was made up of Natalie, James, Parvati, and Alexis.

Both of the teams stayed fairly close in the competition but at the very end when it counted the most, they put a symbol in the wrong spot on their board. That gave Jason's team the win and off they went on their fantastic adventure.

Erik's incredulity at the little village on Yap was really fun to watch. Ozzy had fun watching it as well thought his innocence in the ways of the world was so wonderful. Erik, so curious about everything, wanted to experience everything he could. He even accepted some betel nut from one of the villagers. The chewing of the nut combined with the Micronesian beer got to his stomach later as he hurled before laying down for the night.

Meanwhile Cirie, on Exile Island, had nothing to do but think. Those gears in her head turned and turned and all she knew was that she had to get Ozzy out. His having the individual immunity idol made him a force to be reckoned with and she knew that if he reached the finals he would win.

When the winners arrived back at the Dabu camp, there were the usual questions asking how their reward went. It's usually smart for them to downplay things but Ozzy didn't want to take that approach. He went on and on about the food they ate and you could almost see the saliva dripping from the losers' mouths. He was indeed acting just like the brat that Parvati and Alexis said he was. James, upset at Parvati's telling him to quiet down earlier, told Amanda that Parvati was being obnoxious which caused Amanda alarm because of their secret alliance with some of the others.

The immunity challenge was simple and straightforward. Step up on a log, raise your arm above your head, and have its hand tethered to a bucket filled with colored water. When your hand drops, you get wet, and you're out of the challenge. Yes, it's endurance!

After 20 minutes, Cirie and Erik quit to split a bowl of candy that Jeff brought and used to tempt everybody. The best moment of them all in the challenge came after 45 minutes. Jeff came out with another offering and Alexis dropped her hand before Jeff had the chance to offer whatever it was up to them. Poor Alexis would get nothing and was quite ticked about it. Whiles James was laughing at her, Jeff told them that if they want a chocolate chip cookie and milk they would have to let him know first. Natalie's hand then came down without saying a word so she received nothing. She said she was about to pass out though. That caused James to start laughing again and making fun of them and in all of his laughing he managed to moved just a bit too much. Splash! James was out and without the cookie and milk.

Only Parvati, Ozzy, Jason, and Amanda remained at that point and that's the way it stayed for 15 more minutes. Ozzy was tempted too much by some chocolate-glazed donuts Jeff brought out and decided to hang in the towel. After five hours, Amanda decided to quit because she needed to use the bathroom. It was now down to two people -- Parvati and Jason.

After six hours, Jeff came to tempt them with a full plate of various food. Jason said he would quit if he could get a guarantee from everybody that they wouldn't vote him out at tribal council. Everybody gave him their guarantee (Cirie and Alexis with crossed fingers) so he brought his hand down. Parvati wins immunity!

Back at camp, Ozzy and James thought Jason made one of the dumbest moves in Survivor history. You don't give up on immunity like that! Jason knew it was a risky move but he hoped that everybody stayed true to their word. Luckily for him, Cirie realized that this would be the perfect opportunity to get Ozzy voted out because he'd never be suspecting it. So Cirie approached all of the girls (except Amanda) and told them of her plan. They loved it! Alexis and Natalie then clued Jason in as to what was going to go down and you could see the look of relief on his face. Everybody had to just keep on acting as though Jason was going to go home so that Ozzy didn't play his immunity idol.

At tribal council, Jeff told Jason that he made a very risky move by giving up immunity to Parvati in the challenge. Jason replied that he hoped their word would be good and Ozzy couldn't believe that Jason actually said that. Jeff also asked Ozzy if having the immunity idol gave him any comfort in the game and Ozzy said it did give him a little. It was time to vote and Ozzy did not want to use his immunity idol.

What will probably be the best moment in this season of Survivor then occurred. As Jeff read the votes, the look on Ozzy's face began to change. Jason, Ozzy, Jason, Jason, Ozzy, Ozzy (James and Amanda are now looking quite confused), Ozzy (votes are tied 4-4), and the tenth person voted out of Survivor is Ozzy. Grab your torch.

Eliza, sitting all by herself on the jury bench, was beside herself with shock and glee! Amanda and James' mouths just hung wide open. Ozzy looked like he was in utter shock. After Jeff put out his torch, Ozzy turned around to look at everybody for a very long minute and then headed into the trees. Even Jeff himself was shocked at what had just happened. Grab your torches and head back to camp everybody.

Next time on Survivor, Parvati tries to do serious damage control and talks with James. Parvati tells the girls that they need to get rid of "him" and Natalie says if this goes smoothly, the girls will be unconquerable.

What are your thoughts on Ozzy's ouster this week? And how much of a threat do you think Cirie is?

After a two week absence, Survivor returned with the final episode pre-merge. In typical Survivor fashion, they set the viewers up to believe that one certain member of the Malakal tribe would be a goner if immunity wasn't won.

Basically, the entire episode shown this week took place on Day 21 on this island. There would be no three-day period for all of the castaways to rest and scheme this time. On Day 20, Tracy was voted out of the Malakal tribe and yet another member would be voted out of Malakal on this day.

The ball began rolling with the always fabulous tree mail. It told both teams to pick one person from the other tribe to sit out in the immunity challenge. The two people sitting out would be sent to Exile Island but would be returned to their tribe camp before the tribal council that night! Even more importantly, those two people would be given individual immunity for that night's tribal council only. So the teams circled the name of the person they wanted to send to Exile Island and presented it later to Jeff at the immunity challenge.

Airai selected Ozzy to sit out while Malakal settled on Alexis. Malakal had originally circled James' name but then crossed through it. When Jeff asked them why they changed their minds, they said it was because they felt Alexis would be a better balancer (which was crucial in this challenge). After Ozzy and Alexis departed for Exile island, it was time to play. Two people from each tribe were selected to balance their way across an obstacle course and back (one at a time) while the other team stood to the sides and had to try to knock them off by swinging heavy bags at them.

The competition stayed really close up until both teams were trying to get their fifth and final flag. Jason was working it for Airai while Erik was going at it for Malakal. Erik tried to jump across part of the course and landed rib-first against a platform which created a vicious circle of Amanda next and then Erik going again. Meanwhile, Jason had already crossed the course and was making his way back with his last flag. After Erik's ribs met the platform a second time, Jason was back and had basically single-handedly won immunity, and pizza and beer, for the Airai. Malakal would be meeting Jeff at tribal council for a fourth time in a row.

While Ozzy and Alexis were looking for the hidden immunity idol (Ozzy found that somebody had taken the bait by taking the fake idol), Erik was doing everything in his power to save his rear from being voted out. He approached Amanda and Cirie on the beach and began spilling his guts on everything that Ami has done behind their backs -- including working to get Ozzy out. Ami approached the three as they were talking and began campaigning for her life right in front of Erik and it ended with Cirie and Amanda choosing to stick with Ami. It seemed definite that yet another fan would be leaving that evening.

But wait! When Ozzy returned from Exile island, Erik met him at the boat and proceeded to spill his guts to him. When he revealed to Ozzy that Ami had been jockeying to get him out the previous day over Tracy, that was basically all Ozzy needed to hear. He believed what Erik had to say and went to talk to Amanda about all of this. Who would be staying? Ami or Erik?

After a long pre-vote session at Tribal Council that included Ami crying, Erik was chosen to stay and Ami was voted out. Whew! That was really close for Erik! Ami was really classy in her departure and even told Erik that he would be having so much fun in his continued Survivor experience. She told them all that they'd better start winning, wished them luck, and then literally ran away. So long Ami!

Next week, it's time for the merge! Amanda seems to be getting a little jealous of Alexis spending time with Ozzy and wants her gone. And Eliza informs Jason that what he has isn't the immunity idol. It's just a stick dude! It's going to be a great episode next week so don't forget to tune in!

No more is Survivor a fans versus favorites game. This week, the Airai and Malakal tribes were switched up and the fans now have the pleasure of competing alongside some of their heroes. How happy the favorites were at this tribe switch-up depended primarily on what beach they wound up at -- back at home on the luxurious Malakal camp or the squalor known as the Airai camp.

Natalie and Ozzy were captains in the schoolyard pick'em and the tribe members had to be chosen between the old tribes equally. Still an Airai, Natalie wound up with James, Alexis, Jonathan, Jason, Parvati, Kathy, and finally Eliza. For Malakal, Ozzy was now teamed up with Joel (who he originally called Troy), Amanda, Erik, Ami, Tracy, Cirie, and finally the workhorse known as Chet. It was funny enough watching Joel's reaction at finding himself on the same team as Chet again but the kicker was watching him actually tied to Chet in the reward challenge.

Competing for a dinner of steak, sausage, vegetables, spices, and wine back at camp, each team was divided into pairs and tied together. The pairs had to either chase or be chased by a pair from the other tribe. While this might be in poor taste, watching Joel drag Chet around was freaking hilarious! Another moment I found funny and painful was when James wasn't paying attention to where his partner, Jason, was in relation to him and caused him to slam into a tree face-first. We were even treated to a "thunk" noise for that moment. In all of the mayhem Jonathan managed to puncture his knee with a stick (received three stitches later by the medics), Eliza got a fat lip, and Ami busted her knee. And did you notice Chet sitting down to cry after the competition in which his team lost? Seriously, this guy does not belong in this competition.

The immunity challenge was amusing to watch as well. Malakal had built up such a great lead over Airai only to have Chet's amazing puzzle skills bring them down. Who in their right mind would put Chet up on that platform and ask him to guide their team? You wouldn't have put him in the physical part but couldn't you have used him as one of those pushing the puzzle pieces around? Then Joel made a dunderhead move back at camp when he told Ozzy that perhaps they shouldn't go after Cirie this week as planned and skip to Chet. I totally understand why he did that but didn't he also realize that he was throwing away any power he had? And Cirie is one smart cookie. She knew she'd be targeted sooner rather than later and went to work on getting Joel ousted.

Joel was absolutely shocked when he was voted out 5-2. He later said that it was humiliating and disgusting that they chose to keep Chet over him. A few more adjectives he used were: angry, confused, and stunned. That pretty much sums it up I'd say! I think the way the Malakal tribe is going, Ozzy and a couple of the others are going to have to work really hard to stay now. At least work hard enough to stay until the merge that is.

What did you think about this week's episode? Amanda and her giant shark? The relocation and rebuild of the Airai shelter? Chet's muscley goodness? What about the previews for next week? Jonathan battles an infection and Jason makes a puzzling discovery on Exile Island! It could be interesting.

This week's Survivor was pretty much all about the Malakal tribe. Even more specifically, it was about Cirie and which side of the fence she would stand on.

Malakal's James, Amanda, Ozzy, and Parvati invited Eliza over to their group's meeting to try and pick her brain about her group within the tribe. Eliza didn't trust much of what they told her but reported back to Jonathan and the rest of her group about what they had discussed. After finding out that they were most concerned with Yau-Man and Cirie, Cirie realized she then had to finally pick which side within the group that she wanted to be on. Cirie doesn't really trust either side though and I can't say that I blame her. Between Jonathan and Eliza or the couples making four, she's in a sticky situation.

After telling us that she thinks the two groups of four should be courting her for her vote, she engaged Parvati and Amanda in a little girl talk out on the water. Cirie flat out told them that she's worried about their relationship with James and Ozzy but they told her they're just flirting with their men to keep them close. They eventually came to an agreement that it would be them three until the end and that they would focus on getting Yau-Man out.

That was all peachy keen, until after the immunity challenge in which they had lost, the couples began talking about changing things up and going after Eliza instead of Yau-Man. Cirie wasn't very happy about that and told them that she's not changing her vote. Jonathan didn't do much to sway her over to their side later by arguing with her about playing him concerning which side she was going to pick. Even with Ami talking to her later, it became quite clear that Cirie wasn't going to be swayed anymore and she was firmly on the couple's side. With the couple's wavering over whether to get rid of Eliza or Parvati, Jonathan realized that his group of four needed to stay strong and continue to target Parvati. James was later perturbed by all of this drama and realized that Cirie had gone from a fifth wheel to the decision maker in his group and didn't appreciate it at all.

The bickering at tribal council between Jonathan and Cirie was amusing. Not to just me as a viewer, but to their fellow tribe mates and even Jeff. Cirie's group stayed strong in the end and Yau-Man was the third person voted out of this season of Survivor. This doesn't bode well for Jonathan's group as now they'll just be picked off one by one. I can't see that it goes in Cirie's favor either because surely she must realize that the couples would boot her first in their group. Cirie is a sitting duck and should be begging to go back to Exile Island at the next opportunity.

Speaking of Exile Island, I got quite a chuckle out of Kathy this week. Airai lost the reward challenge so Malakal chose her and their own Ami to be sent away temporarily. Kathy had just been to Exile Island with Cirie a few days ago and they had traveled back and forth between the tiny islands following the clues in their search for the immunity idol. Ami wanted to start from the beginning of the clues and Kathy didn't want any of that so she played dumb when it came to the answers. The storm coming in helped in her mission as well.

What a storm it was too! Airai really needs to get their act together in the shelter department. While Malakal was safely tucked away in their cave with their tarp, Airai struggled to stay dry between their two makeshift shelters. I know they have down time at their camps between challenges so they really should put away their us versus us mentality and get to work on rebuilding.

Next week, there appears to be a focus on the in-fighting going on in the tribes. Cirie and Jonathan continue on with their bickering while the struggle between Joel and Mikey on Airai picks up. And an Exile Island to remember? Surely that must mean that the immunity idol is found. I wonder who finds it.

What did you think about this week's episode? And do you think Cirie made the right choice in deciding to go with the couples group?

I don't know about you but I'm thrilled that Survivor is back. For this sixteenth edition, it's super huge fans of the show versus favorites castaways from seasons past. Fans, make us proud!

Jeff Probst opened the show for us in a helicopter ride over the islands of Micronesia. There's beautiful water and lush greenery and what's that? Why it's ten people (let's call them the fans) being rowed by natives to a beach! And now Jeff is on that beach! Isn't editing amazing?

The fans land on the beach amidst a tropical downpour and take their spots. Jeff told them that since they're big fans of the show that it's only fitting they would be competing against some of their favorites in previous seasons. They're shocked, happy, and definitely ready to meet their competitors. Bring them out Jeff!

First up was Cirie (Exile Island), followed by Ozzy (Cook Islands), Ami (Vanuatu), Jonathan (Cook Islands), and Eliza (Vanuatu). Then they met James (China), Parvati (Cook Islands), Yau-Man (Fiji), Amanda (China), and then finally the rottenest apple of the bunch Jonny Fairplay (Pearl Islands). Fairplay danced out in a trucker hat that said "Will Lie 4 Food" while playing up his smarminess. Yau-Man received the most applause from the fans while Fairplay caused Tracy to want to kick him in the shin. Oooh! She's sounds like such a violent person.

Jeff tossed the teams their new buffs and gave them their tribe names. The faves' tribe would be called Malakal and they would be wearing purple buffs. The fans' tribe is called Airai and they would don orange buffs. Jeff told both teams that across the water on the other beach are two boats with a map to their new home. There are also two individual immunity idols there (one for each team) and that the first person to find the idol on each tribe wins immunity in their first tribal council.

Go tribes! The water they have to cross is shallow enough to walk but it's pretty choppy and some chose to do the kinda half swim thing as well. Erik (fans) was the first to reach the beach right ahead of Ozzy (faves). Everybody begins looking for the idols and it wasn't long until Fairplay, of all people, found it. The idol was hang off the bow of the boat. He snatched it but unfortunately for him it was from the fans' boat. Yau-Man saw this and both of them went to grab their correct idol off the faves' boat. Fairplay found himself head-first into the side of the boat while Yau-Man was able to grab the idol.

During all of this, Kathy (fans) came upon the scene looking lost as all get out. Yau-Man told her to pick up that idol in the sand. She grabbed it and then proceeded to jump up and down like a dork with this huge goofy grin on her face. There's just something about this lady. Fairplay began complaining (poor thing hit his head) about Yau-Man tackling him and Yau-Man apologized but it wasn't good enough. He went on and on about it -- even as they were leaving the beach for their new home.

We then saw Airai (fans) on their beach introducing themselves to each other and talking about how they felt they had the advantage over the faves because the faves knew nothing about them. Mikey B., who seems to be the smartass of the group, says his tribe consists of Big Bird (Kathy), the Southern Princess (some blonde chick), the Incredible Hulk (Joel), Jon Bon Jovi in his prime (Jason), and the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (Chet).

It wasn't long before Big Bird stuck her foot in her beak mouth either. First, she asked Chet if he preferred to be called gay or homosexual (he didn't care) and then asks if his being gay meant that he wanted to be a girl. WTF? She then went on to tell him that she hopes he'll be her first gay "man friend" ever. If you thought this was bad enough, Big Bird then went over to Tracy (who was in a bikini top) and told her that she'd never seen implants before. Tracy replied with, "Who says I have them?" Big Bird is not off to good start with her fellow tribemates.

Over on Malakal's beach, the faves begin to immediately begin work on their shelter. Fairplay weakly told everybody that he just found a message in a bottle telling him that his grandmother had died but they weren't going to fall for that trick again! After telling us that she had to win this time, Parvati pulled out her "flirt" card and went off with James. Unfortunately for us, James thinks Parvati is attractive like a "sex kitten" so, yeah.

Later that night, Eliza notices how close Amanda and Ozzy are getting and begins to feel that they're sparking a connection already. Combine that with Parvati and James pairing up and she realizes that block of four could be dangerous to her.

Day 2 at Malakal has the two sets of lovebirds off and doing their own thing. Eliza took that opportunity to go have a little talk with Yau-Man, Jonathan, and Ami about them four creating their own group to fight against the forces of romance. They're perfectly fine with it and realize that they need a fifth to have the power. After some indecision, it's decided that Fairplay will be that person. Meanwhile, Parvati and Ozzy have convinced Fairplay to be their fifth and tell him that they're gunning to give Eliza the boot. And what do you think Fairplay then does? Of course, he goes and tells Eliza's group about what's going on. Both sets of four are pretty much believing every word he says and he's eating it up.

On day 3, it's time for the fans to go retrieve their very first tree-mail. It turns out to be a puzzle which when put together reads, "Sixteen seasons later you all should know the deal. Outwit, outplay, outlast -- don't waste time reinventing the wheel." It's time to find out what the clue means because it's challenge time!

Each tribe has to put two members in a cart while the others race to assemble four puzzle wheels. They must place the wheels on their cart and then push the cart through obstacles. At the sand pit, they must dig up some planks to fill in gaps in the bridge. Then they have to push the cart over the bridge to the finish platform where the wheels would have to be removed from the cart. The puzzle pieces making up the wheels need to be used to complete a turnstile. Once the turnstile is finished, they must turn it which would raise a fire wok and light the top of their platform. The first team to finish wins immunity and flint.

The fans finished assembling their wheels and were the first ones to begin moving. As they were making their way through the obstacle course, the faves finally finish their wheels and begin. Poor Eliza fell out as they were wheeling their way through the obstacle course and banged up her eye pretty good but she kept on. The fans were the first at every step of this challenge and were the first to light their platform. The fans win immunity and one of the faves would be the first person voted off this season.

Back at the faves camp, Cirie admitted to us that she had no idea what was going on with everybody. Well yeah, she has been left out of the loop just a teensy bit hasn't she? Eliza's group plans to vote out Parvati and the couples group plans to vote out Eliza. Then Fairplay makes his move. He tells Parvati how he's doing Survivor this time around for his girlfriend and their soon to be baby girl Piper. He misses them and tells her that he thinks he's going to ask everybody to send him home.

When Fairplay tells Ami that he wants them to vote him out, Ami's not quite sure what he has up his sleeve. Ami tells the others in group and they don't know either. Does he really want to go home or is this a ploy to keep them from voting out Parvati?

At the very cool looking tribal council, they first light their torches for Jeff. Torches mean life and life means yada yada yada we know the drill. Jeff asked them how things went setting up the camp and they all said it went really good. He then asked Fairplay if his devious reputation gives him an advantage in the game. Fairplay responded by saying his head is screwed up and he can't stop thinking about his baby Piper. Jeff pointed out that the baby hadn't even been born yet but Fairplay said he's still worried about things back at home. I guess we're about to find out if Fairplay is serious about going home aren't we? They each cast their vote and the only ones we saw were Jonathan and Yau-Man voting for Fairplay to go. It could be a trick though!

Tally ho Jeff! Fairplay, Fairplay, Fairplay, Fairplay, Fairplay, Fairplay -- that's six votes and enough for Fairplay to be sent packing. He asked Jeff for a hug before he left and told him to be nice to his tribe once he's gone.

Fairplay revealed in his goodbye video that he felt he did the right thing in leaving. He had everybody eating out of the palm of his hand, was happy to go out on his own terms, and had no regret at all. He was the biggest bad guy up until this season and that ironically people actually liked him this time.

Next week, the fans are in turmoil (Big Bird Kathy says something about how it's not good for her emotionally to be here). The rules have changed at Exile Island (two people one island) and two castaways have a night to remember (Ozzy and Amanda are playing tonsil hockey).

What did you think about the premiere of Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites? Can you believe that two couples were created in their first day on Micronesia? I wonder if we'll see Parvati and James making out soon after Ozzy and Amanda. And what was up with Fairplay? Even though I can't stand the guy, I was disappointed that he was the first one to go home.