Surviving Guatemala, Episode 2: “One Big Bag of Nerves”

Last week, we met 16 new Survivors – and two old ones. Stephenie finally won a tribal immunity challenge while Bobby Jon continued his immunity losing streak. Almost all the guys at Nakum got sick, to the point where Bobby Jon’s eyes were rolling back into his head. Jim injured his arm at the immunity challenge, so he was the easy boot. Who will go tonight? Let’s find out!

We begin on Night 3, after Nakum has returned from Tribal Council. Bobby Jon feels like he should be paying rent for being there – he’s ready for it to change. Nurse Margaret directs the sick guys to lie down and rest while she talks about the emotional toll of Tribal Council adding to the physical toll they’re already suffering.

The following day, Yaxha discusses how they thought Nakum was a powerhouse but they weren’t. Stephenie points out that they just don’t look like they’re having a good time. Jamie thinks Yaxha is good because they’re diverse – they have a bum, a police officer, a magician’s assistant, a fishmonger, a gay guy (I didn’t realize that “a gay guy” was a job description), and a landscaper (that would be ex-NFLer Gary Hogeboom, who they don’t know is ex-NFLer Gary Hogeboom).

Gary tells us once again that since his tribemates have been asking him what he does, he tells them a landscaper. Nobody has asked what he did 15 years ago, so he figures he doesn’t have to tell them.

Stephenie says it’s a fun camp life and they have good team morale. They hope to keep the family together for a long time. Oh, she means they hope to Ulong the other tribe.

There’s treemail at Nakum for a reward challenge – winning will help them eat. But Blake just wants help breathing! For those who don’t recall, Blake was the one nailed by the spiky branch during their jungle trek, and he hasn’t been the same since. Margaret is really worried about him – a strong young guy who is struggling to get breath. “Something’s not right.” Ya think?

Brandon, sympathetic guy that he is, says he doesn’t think Blake can handle it out there. He’s been on his hands and knees, struggling and having problems the whole time they’ve been there. He says he has nothing against Blake, but he thinks Blake should just “man up” and get past the hurt. Right about now, I’m really wishing another branch would fall – on Brandon. It would be interesting to see how he “mans up” under the circumstances.

Both tribes arrive at the challenge. Probst explains how it will work. Each person will race, one at a time, up a ramp and across a net run to a spider web type set-up of rope. Within the web are eight bags of each color. They need to crawl through the web to retrieve a bag. When they untie it, they drop into the water below and then climb up a rope ladder to get back. If they fall into the water without a bag, they have to get up and go back to the beginning so the next person can go. Everybody must attempt it at least once – after that, they can go in any order they want. First tribe to get all eight bags wins the reward: fishing gear including a filet knife, hooks, corks, weights, twine, and worms. Yaxha sits out Amy and they’re ready to go.

And they’re off! Jamie and Bobby Jon start for their respective tribes. Jamie gets the early lead as Bobby Jon falls in the net run. Jamie gets to a bag and drops into the water to head back; Bobby Jon is not far behind getting into the water, but loses time heading back. Brian is next for Yaxha, Cindy for Nakum. Both get their bags as Cindy has made up quite a bit of time – in fact, she’s back before Brian!

Blake and Stephenie are up next. Both get their bags and head back with Yaxha barely in the lead. Gary and Brandon head out with Brandon moving across the web like an expert – where did he learn to do that?! Brandon beats Gary back by a bit. Margaret and Rafe head in. Margaret gets back but Rafe falls in and Yaxha is now quite a bit behind. Rafe can’t even get up the rope ladder out of the water to go back to his tribe!

Judd is in for Nakum as he falls on his face in the net run portion. Wow, Rafe is seriously in bad shape. He finally stumbles onto the net run to get back as Probst says four days with no water have really taken their tolls. But wait – they got flint the previous day, so shouldn’t they have water now? Consider me confused.

Rafe finally gets back and Morgan heads out. Judd is struggling to hang onto the net and his team encourages him to just drop so he doesn’t waste any more time – smart thinking. Judd makes it back and Danni heads out while Morgan creeps along. She gets the fifth bag for Yaxha and makes it back.

Brianna goes out for Yaxha but falls in. Lydia follows while Danni grabs a bag for Nakum, putting them up one again. Brooke hits the web while Lydia ties it back up again and sends Jamie back out. Brooke gets a bag with Jamie not far behind – Yaxha is catching up.

Only one bag left. Brian and Blake head in. Blake? The guy who couldn’t breathe? Interesting choice. But he gets there first and drops into the water. Brian is at his bag and they’re both in the water. It’s going to come down to a footrace. Blake wins by a few steps and Nakum wins reward. I wonder if Brandon considered that “manning up.”