With a tribal merge just around the corner, tonight’s Survivor: Tocantin’s team members had one thing in mind and one thing only: surviving the merge. Of course they all want to be winners, but the first step on the road that goal is to make it long enough to mingle with the opposite team.

Having spent numerous nights on exile island with both Brendan and Sierra of Timbira, Taj has a one up in this department which, with no doubt in my mind, saved her tonight. Having unwisely shared/exposed her possession of the immunity idol with both Stephen and J.T., Taj was of no real value to the greater goal of personal success to both of the boys, having showed her deck of cards and then practically handing out her aces. Luckily for her though, not even Joe and a pretty face could save Sydney this time. Au revoir femme jolie.

Having an entirely different experience these past two weeks, Jalapao is back and stronger than ever. Sure, they may be annoyed at coach and struggling over the beans, but this six member team is looking mighty strong for a merge. That is, as long as they can manage to have each others backs. Something Jeff Probst is apparently counting on, but I as a viewer highly doubt. After all, there’s a nice inter-tribal alliance that was set long ago my friend, and I don’t see that breaking so long as the numbers still work to players advantages.

My prediciton for how the merge will divide the remaining players? Taj, Brendan, Sierra, Stephen, Joe and Erinn will take on Tyson, Debbie, and Coach. It doesn’t take a genius to guess which side will have the muscle.