Survivor Guatemala: Survivor Live Recap, Episode 8

It’s time for the next episode of Survivor Live, CBS’s Internet interview show with the most recently booted contestant(s) from Survivor: Guatemala. This week, the show is hosted by Dalton Ross of Entertainment Weekly and Survivor: Palau winner Tom Westman. This week’s castoff guest is farmer Brandon Bellinger. My own occasional comments are enclosed in square brackets like this [I see the headlines – Bran-Done!]

Proceedings begin with Dalton welcoming Brandon to the show. Brandon has had a haircut and looks good. He still has that beat-up hat but fortunately, isn’t wearing it. Brandon admits Tom is his favourite former Survivor.

Tom says Brandon was on the “Tribe of Love,” not in “The Axis of Evil.” Dalton asks if Brandon thought there was any chance The Axis would break apart. Brandon says he kept a glimmer of hope that it might be Jamie going home, but felt deep down that it was going to be him. Tom says Bobby Jon might have been, “calming you down as he led you to the slaughter block.” Nah.

Brandon admits he never tried to work anyone, snake into a deal or beg for pity. Dalton asks, “So, what show did you think you were on, then?” Brandon aw-shucks, “That’s just me.”

Tom asks if there was any consideration of trying to flip Cindy. Neither figures it was unlikely to work and Yaxhá had to play their numerical superiority. Dalton identifies Cindy as sixth of the six. Tom says it’s too early for her to make a move, though… maybe in a couple of weeks.

Debbie from Maryland asks Brandon why he assumed he was going to be eliminated before Bobby Jon. Brandon admits Stephenie is running the show, and after Bobby Jon cut his deal with her, that was it. [Yes, but Brandon didn’t know about that at the time. That reply doesn’t wash!] Tom feels Brandon was a bigger sentiment threat than Bobby Jon, especially at final two.

Brandon admits he was a little disappointed with Bobby Jon asking Stephenie for one more week, but can’t blame his objectives. Tom jokes, “Next season, Bobby Jon will have the game figured out and he’ll be a force to contend with.”

Kendra from Oklahoma doesn’t like Stephenie or Jamie and hopes they lose. She has essentially the same question and wonders why annoying Jamie didn’t get voted out. Brandon thinks Jamie maybe means well, but always says something wrong when he opens his mouth. Brandon thinks either Bobby Jon or Jamie should have gone home, just to cut the conflict

Tom thinks Jamie and Judd are good opponents for the final two. Tom wonders if Jamie and Judd know how the jury phase is going to work. Brandon thinks they are doing what feels natural, instead of playing the game.

Dalton calls Jamie’s actions (telling Brandon he’s on the chopping block) rubbing salt in the wound. However, Brandon has a revelation for us – he blames the editing. Brandon tells us that Jamie wasn’t taunting him, Jamie was leveling with Brandon because Brandon asked Jamie what was going on. He adds that Jamie actually helped Brandon look for the Hidden Immunity Idol, to save him. Brandon insists Jamie was depicted in a bad way and appreciated Jamie’s help. “We had a respect there, even though we were on opposite tribes.” However, he adds, “He needs to shut up every once in a while.”

A couple of clips from the show are run of the newly formed tribe and Jamie and Judd making snarky comments about the four Yaxhá. Tom asks if the six Nakúm did any work at all. Brandon says they did, not as much as his group but all worked.

Arthur from NJ says it was depressing watching Jamie rub salt in the wounds when it was obvious Brandon was going to be booted. How genuine were his comments he made while voting you out? [from the Survivor Insider clips, which will also be recapped on this site in a few days. Briefly, his comments were very positive toward Brandon]. Brandon thinks they were genuine, and he made similar statements to make when voting for Jamie.

Dalton comments that Jamie has shown disrespect to Stephenie, Brianna, Bobby Jon, and others. Brandon says that’s why so many don’t like Jamie.

Dalton asks about the change in the way Stephenie is portrayed. Brandon doesn’t know what to think of her, he was only with her for three days. He noticed the whining and complaining. “Dude, there are a lot more incredible women that Stephenie out there.” He mentions Danni, Margaret, and Amy. Tom defends her a bit but Brandon says, “They can only show what she gives them to show.”

Dalton asks what Brandon thought of the idea of having former players returned into the game. Brandon admits, he wishes they’d gotten rid of them right off because they had their chance to win last season. Dalton contrasts this season to Survivor All-Stars, where the winners were voted off first.

As the segment ends, they go out with some nice country-pickin’ banjo in honour of Brandon. Cute.

The Hidden Immunity Idol is discussed. Tom calls it a torture element, because it would always be on your mind that it was out there somewhere. Brandon says that everyone was looking for it. After he lost immunity, he spent about three hours looking. The mosquitoes were much worse away from camp, they were a solid cloud in places. “They just tear you up,” he says. He kept jogging to try and stay away from them.

Tom asks if Jamie would really have shared the idol to him. Brandon isn’t positive, but he thinks so. Jamie also put forward the idea to him that maybe Danni should be voted out next, but Brandon said, “Danni is like a sister to him. Don’t sacrifice Danni to save me.” [Why?] About Jamie, Brandon says, “He didn’t seem like an extremely quick guy.”

Dalton suggests that Brandon should have faked it that her found the idol. Brandon never thought of it, but loves the idea.