Thanks FlowerPower for the vidcaps and here is the 20 second video of episode 9
thanks to YouTube video and Survivor Phoenix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0eXErERufk

More vidcaps are out. It looks like bat is on the menu this week; a new rivalry is emerging between Jason and Ozzy; and the Immunity Challenge will be held in cages at the surface of the water with the tide coming in. Who can hold their breath the longest. Cirie's going to love that one!

Here's the website narrative from Survivor Fever ...

Ah! The conception of Exile is revisited.

I wonder if Janu will be watching ...

and here is the promo of the immunity challenge,James eating a bat,and the yellow buff for episode 9
thanks to YouTube videos and Survivor Phoenix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfVrvpgUU5s

Thank you for the links. I've come to rely on them.

The merge buff looks more like a lime/neon/pastel green to me..........

Hi Scarlett and everyone. You're so right - Cirie will be absolutely skipping when she sees this challenge - can't say I blame her. I reckon I'd be standing there going "ICK!" too.

I know we get a shot of Jason pumping his fists in apparent victory but then I caught this shot of Ozzy at Survivor fever also. What's the thing around his neck?

Could be an island made necklace but seems coincidental that the shot comes in when Jason is talking about how great it's going to be to dominate Ozzy (that boy is a little odd).

Well, if this is a breath holding competition, Ozzy has it before it even begins...

Well you would think so - but I think I must retract my earlier idea. I'm now thinking that's not the immunity necklace that Ozzy is wearing. Survivor Phoenix have a pic up of the IN and it's a gigantic thing with huge fronds hanging off it. Ick.

I may have to go with the fist pumping shot and back Jason for the immunity challenge then. Ouch - I think it may pain me to see him win anything. He got smug over catching a darn rat!

I may have to go with the fist pumping shot and back Jason for the immunity challenge then.

It looks like the good folks at Survivor Fever are thinking along the same line. And Jason's 'funnel' technique is a reenactment of Tom's winning strategy in Palau.

So, whatever else Jason may be, perhaps he is also truly a fan of the show.

Note: In Palau the first dropout from the IC (Janu) was, for a night, exiled to another island: the initial instance of that 'twist' to the Game.

>I may have to go with
>the fist pumping shot and
>back Jason for the immunity
>challenge then.
>
>It looks like the good folks
>at Survivor Fever are thinking
>along the same line.
>And Jason's 'funnel' technique is
>a reenactment of Tom's winning
>strategy in Palau.

Just as an update here, someone suggested to me that the 'fist pumping' animation we saw from Jason in the preview was actually from the ep 4 coconuts under water challenge. I went back and had a look and sure enough - it was.

So I guess that leaves us back where with started as far as the winner of the challenge. My necklace theory is out the window and so to is Jason's 'celebration'. This deliberate misdirection is killing me! Sneaky buggers.

Sneaky buggers.

Agreed!

When I saw the beginning of this Challenge during Palau I thought 'Finally! A Challenge that even I would have a decent shot of winning'. For some reason, I float effortlessly (I can stretch out on my back and, if the sea or pool is calm/quiet, fall very soundly asleep). And I can hold my breath for a very long time. So, I reasoned, anyone who floated well on her back could simply relax, turn it against the incoming tide and form a pillow/breakfront behind her head with her arms: channeling the rising water to either side of a pocket for her mouth and nose until she absolutely had to take that one last deep breath.

But, if I remember correctly, the cage apparatus held the Survivors in a semi-seated and face-front position that eventually forced them to use their arms (and the cage's bars) to keep their heads above water. And it was, as byoffer has said, a very long Challenge.

As you said: Sneaky buggers ...

But, the picture of the Challenge in Micronesia (below) seems to show at least some of the F10 ... floating. Either that, or a number of them are in the process of dropping out ... almost simultaneously.

One last (totally useless) thought:

A water-resistant leather (or heavy canvas) shoe, turned upside-down and its 'mouth' clamped firmly over the mouth and nose of a Survivor at the very last possible moment would, much like a miniature oxygen tank, provide several inches, and moments, of breathable air.

And I don't see how using something allowed in the Challenge to survive it could be called 'cheating'.

Could it?

While the air may be breathable, I suspect it might also be very stinky

While the air may be breathable, I suspect it might also be very stinky

I didn't think so. But my husband says that I can't take my running shoes and a pitcher of Pina Coladas into our bathroom ever again.

I don't think it is just a breath-holding competition. This is a long challenge, not just holding breath.

Rather, I think there will be several elements. #1 will be relaxing in the water. Even with a snorkle I don't think Cirie could win this. #2 is finding a way to breath above the bars will help. Maybe someone with a big nose, or someone who learns to breath between the wave swells.

I think Jason is comfortable in the water (almost as much as Ozzy) and if his face or "hand-snorkle" allows him to breath longer, then he will win.