San Juan Del Sur Episode 2: Drop Your Bluffs

Josh has some serious explaining to do

Coyopa get back at camp and Josh is doing damage control after voting for Baylor, claiming he did it to disguise the alliance between them. Reed, Jon and Drew are all showboating over on Hunahpu, but the smile is wiped off Jon's face when Kelley notices the flint missing. Jon knows it's his fault and decides to own up to it, even dropping a J'Tia reference.

Julie avoids any...slip-ups

At the duel arena, Natalie cries when she sees her sister has been voted out, for what she claims is the first time in a decade. The challenge is to keep a ball balanced on a paddle as you cross an obstacle course, before shooting the balls into holes. John gets to choose who to send in and chooses himself. The pitcher ends up dropping his ball several times whilst his girlfriend just goes slowly across the course and gets it first time. Julie shoots her balls into the holes whilst John is still on the obstacles, and she ends up winning the challenge. "No-one could've predicted this!" says Jeff. Easy there Probst, your sexism is showing.

Being the chauvinist he is, John is pissed at having lost to a girl. That girl now gets to pick a partner to go to Exile with him, and she chooses Jeremy. Probst gives Hunahpu the fishing gear but Reed wants to make a deal...trade their beans for a new flint. Probst isn't having any of it, and says they'll have to give up the gear they just won. Despite some initial reluctance, the tribe give in to Probst's demands.

Driving a hard bargain: What is this? Dragon's Den?

Now that Rocker isn't at camp, Dale and Alec see fit to mention they not only know who he is but are aware that he's said some pretty offensive things about minorities. The irony of him having to spend solitude with Jeremy is not lost on them, then. Jeremy is also aware of John's identity, but he's still willing to make him a deal: if he takes care of Val, then he'll take care of Julie. He even gives John the idol clue to cement this bond.

The tribes face off in sumo battles for the next immunity challenge, and Jaclyn gives Coyopa a winning start in the battle of the blondes. Drew then beats his bro to level it up. Wes takes on Jeremy in what should've been a mismatch, but the little guy manages to win. Natalie beats Val and Jon beats John to swing it back in Hunahpu's favour, as Jaclyn winces from the sidelines.

Jon's redemption moment

Missy ends up injuring her daughter when her head clashes with her mouth. The collision seems to take her out of it a bit as Baylor goes on to win. Reed then beats his loved one (despite Drew's confusion over who to root for) before Dale pulls one back going beastmode on Keith. Kelley is given the opportunity to win it in her rematch, and she manages to deliver. It's now 4-0 for Hunahpu, wow!

I got idols to spare

John tells Val about his discussion with Jeremy, and Val decides to bluff that she has not one but TWO idols for some reason. John follows the clue's instructions a finds an idol for real, but he still wants to protect Val so proposes the guys split between her and Baylor. He then lets Val know what's going on and tells her to play her idol. She seems a little surprised that he actually believes her, and knows that her and Jaclyn's votes will be enough to ensure she stays. But Josh sees Val and John conspiring and starts to get suspicious.

At tribal council, Alec admits it was probably a mistake to go against Drew in the challenge and that his pride might've got in the way. Josh makes a broadway analogy on how to improve their tribe. Val and Jaclyn show they're still mad at Baylor for switching sides, and get really fired up in confronting her.

We see votes for both Baylor and Val, as planned. But when Val fails to produce an idol and the vote comes back 4-4, the tribe has no choice but to send Val home on the revote, much to John's chagrin. It was a bad move by Val to overplay her hand, and not only has it taken her out of the game, it might have just doomed Julie as well.

STAR OF THE WEEK: JOSH CANFIELD

In an episode choc full of bad moves, one piece of gameplay stands out. By Josh switching his vote, he not only ensured the safety of his pocket ally, but he sent home Rocker's too. Josh has been a delightful surprise for me, he's constantly gaming but subtle enough to not stand out.