Threat posed by Tyson defused for good on 'Survivor: Tocantins'

The individual game is well underway at Survivor: Tocantins, and it's time for a little threat assessment. The least two threatening players, in my opinion, are Erinn and Sierra. I haven't seen a terrific competitive streak in either, and they seem like easy cannon fodder for the likes of JT, Coach and Tyson. Stephen will go farther, but he isn't going to be as strong in challenges, nor is he as likeable as his partner, JT. Taj has a lot of fight in her, and is social enough to make the best of the relationships she has in camp. I'd put her about on par with Debbie, who isn't dangerous enough to concern yourself with by herself, but strikes me as that Tina Wesson type of player who can coast through to the final four. Coach is a little scary, and not just because he is the most delusional survivor in history. Things seem to have been going his way at tribal this season, despite the fact that he isn't the competitor you'd think he would be, and is too nutty to really compete in the social game. JT and Tyson are the most powerful players in the game. Both are great competitors, and both are at or near the top of their alliances. But, that makes them both big, big targets as well. Both have the best chance to win, and that means that it is very possible that one or the other will be eliminated at Forza's first opportunity.

Coach's pants are on fire. Sierra comes back to camp after tribal, and has one foot out the door already. She takes Coach aside in a last ditch effort to save herself, and it's quite possible that Coach may want to keep her around if he thinks she can provide a vote when he needs it. But what's this about, "everyone's lied out here but me?" Check yourself, bro. That statement in and of itself is one of the biggest lies that has been told this season so far!

Vowel movement. Coach is really feeling himself after Brendan's departure, and he celebrates with more of his own brand of Tai Chi. Sierra continues to backpedal from her alliance with Brendan, and Tyson goes on the offensive, calling her stupid and informing her that there is no chance she will survive the next three days.  I wonder if that psychopath is disappointed he didn't get her to cry.

A feast and entertainment is at stake in the next challenge, and yet another of Survivor's creative puzzles is the obstacle at hand. When the puzzle is solved, vowels to be used in unscrambling a sentence for the win will be revealed. The team of JT, Erinn, Debbie and Tyson gets the win, and Coach is shut out from another cultural experience that he could have developed into a brilliant lie to tell later. I'm really disappointed that he didn't get the chance to see Capoeira performed, as I'm sure he would have emulated it later and busted his ass good. But then again, I'm sure he believes that he invented the art.

Sierra aLeone. Everyone enjoys the reward, Erinn a little much so. After all the food and dance, she's off to the side heaving up her guts. Meanwhile, at Exile, Stephen discovers that despite the fact that Brendan's idol has been removed from the game, no new idols are being introduced at this time.

Sierra's still pleading her case, this time to Debbie, and she finally starts crying. Too bad Tyson isn't around, he'll be heartbroken when he finds out that he missed it. No one seems to have much sympathy for Sierra's plight, and she goes off to sulk on her own.

Immunity shuffle. I have to hand it to Sierra, she's got no quit in her. She's not giving up, and Coach gives her the "death before dishonor" speech. Sierra was a very early target in this game, being voted out of the Timbira tribe before they even got to camp, but she's still around to try her case in front of Coach with only eight people left in the game. He says that he's touched by her plea, but is he just saying that because it makes him sound good in front of the cameras? Quite possibly.

At a freezing cold immunity challenge, a modified game of shuffleboard is on offer, but so is a twist. Survivors are given the opportunity to eat pizza rather than compete in the challenge. Coach, JT and Stephen choose to eat pizza. JT, you just had a feast, greedy boy! In very dramatic fashion, Sierra takes a late lead in the competition, but Debbie's last shot knocks her out as the school principal takes immunity for herself. Sierra seems to have accepted her fate.

The price of Tyson's success. Everyone is excited about Debbie's win, and Taj, Erinn and Stephen are excited in particular, as it gives them the opportunity to rid the tribe of one of the biggest threats in the game--Tyson. Stephen pitches the idea of eliminating Tyson to JT, and Coach approaches JT to make sure that their alliance is still strong. JT has a decision to make. Will he ultimately ally himself with Stephen, Taj and Erinn or Tyson, Coach and Debbie.

Tyson continues his efforts to get Sierra to cry at tribal. If this dude has a girlfriend back at home, either she's left him after tonight, or I pity her. Coach goes on about his desire to battle everyone in an honorable fashion-blah, blah, blah. More of the same pseudo-mystical babble from him. With Tyson and Sierra the big possibilities for elimination tonight, the vote goes down. The votes are tallied, and I savor the look on Tyson and Coach's faces when Tyson is voted out.

Well, JT's thrown his lot in with Stephen and the girls. This doesn't mean that Sierra is safe, by any means, but it does mean that Coach is in trouble. After Tyson's departure, he represents the biggest threat to JT and Stephen's dominance of the game. And, based on the sneak peek at next week's episode, it seems like Sierra has some pivotal role yet to play in this game.

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