IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Ousted ‘Survivor’ never saw it coming

Timbira's first trip to Tribal Council ended with a surprise. Candace was voted out, not Sierra, the whiny model the tribe voted for on the first day.
/ Source: msnbc.com contributor

The tribe has spoken: Timbira's first trip to Tribal Council ended with a surprise. Candace was voted out, not Sierra, the whiny model the tribe voted for on the first day.  "Your first Tribal Council, your first blindside. Congratulations," Jeff Probst said. Candace was indeed one of the stronger players, but from the start, she clashed with Coach, who decided to abandon his strategy of keeping the strong around in order to abolish the "cancer" in the tribe.

Fun with foreshadowing: Before the vote, Candace told Erinn they were both obviously safe. "It ain't you or me. They know what we're worth," she said.

Twisting in Exile: Brendan was sent to Exile after Timbira lost the immunity challenge, but there were several twists to come. First, he had to choose someone from the winning tribe to take with him, and he chose Taj, bonding with her as they explored the massive red sand dune that serves as this season's Exile. Once there, they each selected a jar, only one of which — Brendan's — had a clue to the location of the hidden immunity idol, which is back at their respective camps. Brendan also learned that he will have the option to mutiny and switch tribes, although he said there's "no chance" he'll do that.

Are you ready for some football? Taj told her tribe about her husband, who she said "works as a football analyst." After she said his first name, Spencer realized that Taj is married to Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL player Eddie George. "It's a pretty big deal to be on a tribe in Survivor with Eddie George's wife," Spencer told us. But Stephen had no idea who Eddie George was. "While everybody else around me is freaking out, I'm feeling like an absolute idiot," he said.

Snack time: Jalapao's tribe members — including snack-loving teenager, Spencer — were hungry, so they kicked over a termite mound and pretended like it was a 7-Eleven. "Out here, if I want a snack, I'm going to have to go find something," Spencer said. Sydney, however, drew the line at a large worm they found. "I'll eat one in the challenge if I need to, but not in real life," she said.

Awfully far from the Mississippi: "He is Tom Sawyer, and I am the anxious city boy," Stephen said of Jalapao tribe leader J.T. Stephen acknowledged that their unlikely friendship may be J.T. "seducing me ... but I'm smitten."

Pretend you didn't just say that: Sierra and Brendan dug a huge hole on the tribe's largest beach looking for the hidden immunity idol, but pretended they were digging a fire pit. When Debbie discovered the hole in the sand, she was excited, and said, "We can pretend we're at the beach somewhere." Maybe after that you can pretend you're in Brazil on "Survivor."

is a writer, TV critic, and editor of , and can be found on