01:00 AM EST on Thursday, February 19, 2004

Helen Glover, of Portsmouth, a contestant in Survivor: Thailand in the 2002 season, is now a freelance Survivor commentator. Here is her report on tonight's episode of Survivor: All-Stars (airing at 8 on Channels 12 and 4) in which three "tribes" of contestants are vying for a million-dollar prize off the Pacific coast of Panama.

Tonight's tension:

Tonight we'll see a storm of Biblical proportions sweep through the islands, making an already miserable existence worse! Rupert Boneham can't help but feel responsible as his tribe suffers through a wet, cold night of rain due to his poor planning of a tribal shelter. Jerri Manthey is at the end of her rope, reduced to tears, and almost ready to give up. Over at the better-prepared Chapera camp, Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich are finding comfort in each other's arms. Life returns to "normal" as the castaways compete in a Rubik's Cube-type challenge for immunity that has them blindfolded and taking directions from fellow tribe mates. Chaos and confusion reign as contestants rush to assemble their cubes, knocking others to the ground in an attempt to finish first.

Recapping last week:

Last week we saw the all-stars receive a package of supplies to aid them in building a shelter. Chapera tribe had the clear advantage with Mariano, a construction worker by trade, building the Panamanian version of the Taj Mahal. Over at Mogo-Mogo, Richard Hatch made himself comfortable, choosing to sit this one out and observe the construction. Perhaps the biggest blunder of the day was over at the Saboga camp, when Boneham decided to add a basement to the tropical shelter, much to the dismay and protestations of his tribe mates. The usual immunity challenge was postponed with Jenna Morasca's decision to pull herself out of the game and head home to the bedside of her dying mother. Thank God she did, as her mother passed away a mere eight days later.

What you don't know:

Most people aren't aware that from the moment you leave the United States, you have no contact with anyone or anything outside the game until you return home almost two full months later. You can't watch TV, read a newspaper, use a computer, a credit card, or heaven forbid, make a cell phone call! In fact, all of those things are confiscated when you're on location. When we were in Thailand, we often wondered if we would even be told of another terrorist attack in the U.S. This makes Jenna's departure even more significant last week. Under normal circumstances, even the first person voted off remains at the location, secluded from the others, but unable to contact family or access world news.

What's up with Richard Hatch?

Rhode Island's own Richard Hatch assured himself plenty of "exposure" last week by tangling with a baby shark. One might debate his choice of nude swimming when there are sharks present, but Hatch proved an even match for the tiny predator, even choosing to bite it back after it locked on to his forearm. The reward challenge required Mogo-Mogo and Chapera tribes to sit two of their members out to even up the numbers with the dwindling Saboga tribe. Hatch sat out the competition and watched his fellow Mogo-Mogo tribe mates frantically attempt to construct a livable shelter without his strength and expertise.

My prediction:

With the departure of Jenna Morasca last week, Chapera remains the only tribe left with the full complement of six players. However, I believe their days are numbered and if they find themselves at Tribal Council tonight, I think Sue Hawk would be wise to align herself quickly to whomever will have her, or she's history. Saboga is down to four players, and Jerri Manthey seems to have had just about all she can take. It is dangerous to display weakness in front of your tribe mates. That's like throwing blood into the shark-filled water. Mogo-Mogo is down to five players, with Richard Hatch the only previous winner remaining. Hatch could secure his place for three more days if he continues to supply food for his tribe. If he puts the spotlight on Colby Donaldson, Hatch can make a case for Donaldson's removal by convincing the others that he is young, strong and athletic. The last time he was on Survivor, Donaldson dominated the challenges. With some careful maneuvering, we could see Donaldson voted off tonight.