Surviving the Amazon, Episode 6: Revenge, Irony, Joy & Happiness

I know that those of you in the Mountain and Pacific time zones probably did not get to see this episode, so I hope this recap provides you with the details as if you were watching it on your TV. Let's begin.

It's still night 15, after Tribal Council shown last week, and Tambaqui is back in camp. Christy is shocked that Jeanne was voted off as she felt Jeanne was one of the strongest in the tribe. She says she's not upset with Heidi but wants to know why she did it.

Apparently, Christy just asks in front of everybody rather than privately. Roger answers that Jeanne went because they felt that she brought assets to the tribe that they already had, mostly in Butch. Privately, Dave says that isn't the reason they had discussed before - rather the reason was that Jeanne was next to go on Jaburu anyway. Heidi says she did what she did so they didn't come in three against three, split. If they had done that, they wouldn't be sitting there right now talking to each other as a team.

Christy is glad to hear the reasoning because she thought she was the weakest, but Roger and Butch say no. Butch adds, "we're a team."

The next morning, Heidi is full of anticipation for a team working together as a team (no, I'm not being redundant - that was Heidi). But instead, the first thing is that Roger says the guys will go netting while the girls dig a new latrine. Yippee. She says this is not what she was expecting as a show of teamwork - in fact, it's a bunch of crap. She wonders if she made the right decision.

At Jaburu, Matt is using some of the stuff won by the women to brush his teeth for the first time in 16 days. He also says privately that he felt his head was on the chopping block over at Tambaqui, so it's good to be in a new tribe (yeah, that's what Jeanne said…). Rob brushes his teeth and asks if anyone wants to make out with him. One of the other guys says he will. Heh.

Deena says it's a brand new tribe and her world is rattled. She's an easy target as she's the oldest and has little in common with them. It's time to readjust, and she does adore the guys.

Matthew talks to the others about how the guys on the other tribe are very tactical and strategic, but it's a breath of fresh air in Jaburu. Deena says that's because girls are different from guys. Yeah, and because Matthew is blinded to the tactics and strategy around him. But he says they all seem genuine and it is a very comfortable atmosphere. Alex likes it too, especially since he's lying with his head on Shawna's stomach while she scratches his head and plays with his hair. Awww.

Alex says he loves to flirt and so does Shawna. She says she enjoys taking care of others out there and they instantly clicked even though he's seen her at some of her worst moments.

Treemail announces a reward challenge, so off they all go. This challenge will require strength and coordination. They have a revolving log over a mud pit and they have to square off against each other, one-on-one, members of the same sex only, randomly chosen. The first person to fall loses and the winner gets a point. First tribe to five points wins. What do they win? Glad you asked - spices like garlic, salt, pepper, and a fresh fruit platter. Jaburu has to sit out a woman, and so Deena doesn't compete. Here are the matches:

• Roger vs. Matthew - Matthew gets Roger off the log easily, and looks comfortable standing there while doing it.
• Heidi vs. Shawna - OK, this just ain't fair. I mean, Heidi has a disadvantage… well, two. She's way too top-heavy to keep her balance, and falls. Jaburu up 2-0.
• Dave vs. Alex - They battle each other for a while in what turns out to be the best match-up of the challenge. Eventually they both end up falling but Alex hits the water first by very little. Tambaqui gets a point.
• Butch vs. Rob - Rob goes in the mud, Butch wins. It's all tied up.
• Christy vs. Jenna - You just know that Christy is relishing the idea of facing off against her arch-nemesis, Jenna. It's even better when she wins. Tambaqui is up 3-2.
• Roger vs. Alex - Roger is in first, but then Alex falls hard. Ouch. Tied again.
• Heidi vs. Shawna - They get paired up again and again Shawna takes advantage of Heidi's inability to balance with that extra weight on top. Jaburu up 4-3.
• Butch vs. Matthew - Matthew looked great against Roger, but not so much this time. Butch somehow manages to win, so it's 4-4. Next one wins.
• Christy vs. Jenna - You couldn't ask for a better match-up for the finale. Can Christy pull through again and put the swimsuit model back in the mud? She sure can! Christy gets redemption! Tambaqui wins!

Jaburu gets back and they're depressed. But Alex says hey, it's all about immunity, not rewards. So they decide to take a communal bath.

Deena describes the bath as lots of brushing and monkey grooming. Eh, she's just jealous that nobody wants her to wash their backs. Alex does say the highlight is Shawna scrubbing his back twice (it must have been really dirty). Shawna says privately that if her bikini helps keep her go farther in the game, she's all for it - she'll play the role of eye candy. Besides, guys always think about bathing in an Amazon river with three half-naked girls. Well, um, I don't know about other guys, but that's not what I think about. I think about… oh… wait… Never mind.

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