Surviving Thailand, Episode 8: Sinking Fast

Two tribes living together on one beach. Sounds like a recipe for problems. You might almost say they might get into a pissing match. But we'll save that for later.

For now, the guys of Chuay Gahn (CG) decide they are not going to sleep until Sook Jai (SJ) returns from Tribal Council so they can see who was booted. Ted says he wants to ask 'em why they voted whoever off, just to see their reaction. Brian says if they voted off Shii Ann, they made a mistake because Erin is more damaging. Er, Brian, maybe it's a mistake as far as you are concerned, but then you had Shii Ann on your side!

As SJ is walking back, Penny voices over that Shii Ann was plotting against her to the other tribe and Penny had figured she was going - because she thought they were all one tribe. So she was quite happy to find out they were still split. The joke's on Shii Ann, she says. And she tells the rest of SJ she loves them all. Ken just notes that Penny feels she needs to do some damage control - and she's right. She's been walking on eggshells.

So SJ returns and, lo and behold, no Shii Ann. Ted indeed asks his question and Ken answers it honestly - that CG had told Shii Ann that they would work together to pick off the rest of SJ. Privately, Ted says they were dead-on with their accusation. Publicly, the CGers put on a bit of an act like they are surprised, but I doubt it's fooling anybody. Privately, Brian says SJ is still the enemy and they have to earn his respect and trust.

The next day, we see Penny approaching Ted to do exercises and Yoga with him. He rolls his eyes as she leaves. Penny helps Jan get something out of her eye. How cute. Etc. Ted says Penny is going out of her way to be overly nice, but it feels fake, not genuine. Jan says Penny could be a threat because she uses her cuteness and sweetness to her advantage - and why not? Clay says Penny is a cute, sweet little girl who thinks her looks can get her whatever she wants out of men. But he says he's 46, she's not getting anything out of him. Still, she tries on all the CG men.

Ken notes that there are strategic reasons to get along with the other tribe members - things change and you may need them later. He hands out the bananas that SJ had won earlier, but he knows it's still an "us vs. them" situation. For her part, Helen has given up on trying to predict where the game might go next.

Now here is where we come to the pissing match. Ken is upset because he says the CG folks are peeing in the front of the cave, and the whole place is beginning to smell. He and Jake discuss it a bit and Ken notes that even animals don't piss where they eat and sleep. He can't feel at home because he would never do this at home. Hey, Ken, maybe they're just marking their territory. But, really, Clay says it smells because it's a cave, not because of their bathroom habits. Thankfully, this is the last we hear about this.

But we do get to hear about something else we'd heard before - Brian pontificating on the role of women in society. He mentions that the girls are doing all the domestic work - cooking and cleaning. It's like the good old days, when men ate and women did the housework. Of course, he only says this when the women are away!

When they women are nearby, apparently much of the time is spent with Helen playing Martha Stewart. No, she's not providing them with details on insider trading - she's talking about recipes. She keeps going and going and going. Jake says he likes every single person on CG, but Helen drives him nuts with the recipes. Indeed, Brian and Jake have to walk away to complain to each other about it. The two of them head off in the boat and hang out, trying to get information from each other while at the same time holding back info from the other. Both feel there is the potential for a future alliance down the road, but neither is really sure. When Jake gets back and tells Ken about it, Ken reminds him to be careful - remember, Brian is a used car salesman.

The next day, they receive treemail that shows a miniature version of the immunity idol in a glass jar under water. Hmmm. Immunity Challenge already? What happened to the reward? Anyway, they all arrive out in the middle of the water, where host Jeff Probst tells them that this challenge will test their ability to remain calm when their instincts say to panic. Bamboo snorkels are set up under the water, and each tribe member will go under and use one of them to breathe after blowing out whatever water is already in them. Thing is, they are rather primitive and will leak a bit. This means they may swallow some water and start to panic. But as soon as they come up for air, they are out. Since it's still a team challenge, the total times underwater for all tribe members will be added together to see who wins.

CG is, for the first time ever, in the position of having to sit somebody out. I fully expected Jan to sit, but instead it's Helen. Helen?! Why the heck are they sitting out the Naval swim instructor in a water challenge?! Oooookay.

Under they go. And, like a fishing bobber, Penny pops right back up in only nine seconds. Ken is up only six seconds after that. Clay is up after a total of 20 seconds, with Ted at 21, Jan at 23, and Erin at 25. So now it's down to Jake vs. Brian. CG has a total of 64 seconds, SJ has 49. So Jake has to stay down at least 15 more seconds than Brian. But 'twas not to be, as Jake ends up coming up for air before Brian. CG wins and Clay has to dive in to pull Brian away so he can finally come up.

When the tribes return, they find that Magilla and probably his whole extended family have been going through the camp's food. The noodles are open and somewhat strewn about, some chicken feed has been eaten, and all the remaining bananas are gone. Helen is ready to strangle Magilla, and says they won't last very long with the monkey taking their food.