Espada

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Espada is one of two competing tribes in Survivor: Nicaragua. They are made up of the ten contestants aging from 40 and over. Their tribe color is blue.

Members

Original

These contestants comprised the original Espada tribe:

• Dan Lembo, a real estate broker from Watermill, New York
• Holly Hoffman, a swimming coach from Eureka, South Dakota
• Jimmy Tarantino (nicknamed "Jimmy T."), a professional fisherman from Gloucester, Massachusetts
• Jimmy Johnson, the famed retired NFL coach from Islamorada, Florida
• Jill Behm, a doctor from Erie, Pennsylvania
• Jane Bright, a dog trainer from Moore County, North Carolina
• Yve Rojas, a housewife from Kansas City, Missouri
• Wendy DeSmidt-Kohlhoff, a retired US army soldier/nurse/rancher from Fromberg, Montana
• Marty Piombo, a wine industry executive from Mill Valley, California
• Tyrone Davis, a firefighter from Inglewood, California

Post- Tribe Switch

These castaways comprised the rehashed Espada tribe

• ► Yve Rojas
• ► Dan Lembo
• ► Holly Hoffman
• ► Tyrone Davis
• ► NaOnka Mixon
• ► Alina Wilson
• ► Chase Rice
• ► Ben Henry

Tribe History

The "Older Tribe"

The twenty castaways (undivided into tribes yet) were asked to find a "Medallion of Power" hidden across the beach. When Brenda found it, then they were divided into tribes separated by age. With Brenda aging lower than 30, she was placed on the La Flor tribe, thus granting the yellow tribe ownership of the Medallion of Power. When Jeff tempted La Flor to give the Medallion to Espada in exchange for flint and fishing supplies, La Flor decided to surrender the Medallion to their older rivals, giving them a yet unknown advantage.

The Espada tribe buff

With La Flor taking the flint, Jane harnessed her grief towards her husbands recent death to create fire. Using eyeglasses and some coconut husks, Jane did a feat that only few tribes in Survivor had achieved - a bonfire without any flint or any fire-building kit. Meanwhile, the Espada males expressed their hate towards Jimmy Johnson, stating that he is already wealthy and doesn't need the money. Meanwhile, Holly, sensing that Wendy is trustworthy, immediately approached the latter for an alliance while building their shelter. Moments before they headed out for their first Immunity Challenge, Jimmy J. declared that he only applied for the show just for the experience, stating that he already assumed that no one would vote for him should he be in the Day 39 Final Tribal Council because he was already wealthy, but wanted to make sure that the Sole Survivor will come from Espada.

At the inaugural Immunity Challenge, Jeff Probst revealed that the Medallion of Power will give the host tribe an advatage during challenges, initially daunting La Flor. But when Espada decided to keep the Medallion in the long run, La Flor surged ahead and won the challenge, thus sending the oldies to Tribal Council. Back at camp, the tribe was torn between Jimmy J. (for they felt that he was lying about not wanting to win the game) and Wendy (for her verbosity and weak physique). At their first Tribal Council, despite appealing that she could contribute more to the tribe, Wendy was unanimously eliminated. Back from their first Tribal Council, Holly felt isolated when Wendy got voted out (despite voting Wendy herself). The next morning, Jimmy J. called for a tribe meeting and started to give out chores for everyone. Irked by Jimmy J.'s de facto leadership, Jimmy T., Tyrone, and Marty continue their crusade in eliminating the NFL coach. Holly on the other hand bickered with Jill about eating certain snails that the latter caught, saying those are not edible, much for the hungry tribe's chagrin. Thinking that Dan is attacking her by calling her "stupid," Holly retaliated by stealing his $1600 alligator-skinned shoes, dumping sand in it and threw it to the ocean. When Dan searched for his shoes, a nervous Holly realized of her inappropriate actions and confessed about whats he did. Despite knowing that Dan might not forgive her, Holly sought advice from Jimmy J. and contemplated quitting. But when the tribe won the next Immunity Challenge (after finally using the Medallion of Power), giving them not only tribal immunity but also fishing supplies. After their first win, Holly returned to camp in high spirits.

When Espada started to unfurl their fishing supplies, they discovered two clues to a Hidden Immunity Idol. After Jill read the clue, everyone frantically scoured the encampment for the Idol. Jill realized that the clue depicting a "tree beside a man" actually stands for "Tree Mail" (male). Believing that she could trust Marty, Jill shared her insights about the clue with him. And with additional help from Dan, the three finally found the hidden Idol. Seeing Jimmy J.'s star power, Marty's jealousy made him reveal to the whole tribe his Idol, earning both respect and reservations from his tribemates. Marty's nefarious schemes againt his male tribemates caused an uproar when the tribe lost the next two successive Immunity Challenges. Using his influence, Marty lured everyone to eliminate the two people he despised. His first victim was Jimmy Johnson, whom Marty felt that he does not deserve to win because of his amassed wealth as a NFL coach, as well as his growing popularity among the females. Marty used Jimmy J.'s confession of being oldest and weakest of the tribe as a crutch to eliminate him. The tribe again followed Marty's lead by voting Jimmy T. out for being talkative and assertive.

Post-Tribe Switch

After a surprise tribe switch in Day 12, Marty, Jane and Jill transferred to La Flor. Yve, Tyrone, Holly and Dan remained at Espada, while being joined by Chase Rice, Ben Henry, NaOnka Mixon and Alina Wilson. The new Espada tribe won the next Reward Challenge, earning them three chickens. Upon reaching camp, Tyrone immediately informed the new members about how things work at camp, irking them. Later, Holly found time to hang out with 'the kids.' Feeling that she might be better off siding with them, Holly asked a spot for an alliance with the former La Flor members, in which they accepted. Holly's changing allegiances made NaOnka and Alina, who have misunderstandings since being in La Flor, reconciled. After losing the following Immunity Challenge, Tyrone opposed the plan of killing one chicken before heading to Tribal Council, but he was perceived to have eaten a larger share of it. Despite NaOnka showed weakness by getting emotional during a heavy rain, Tyrone was eliminated for his bossy attitude.

Shocked by Tyrone's sudden exit, Yve asked Holly why she wasn't informed about Tyrone's elimination. Holly explained that they thought that she and Tyrone had an alliance, in which Yve denied. During a double Tribal Council twist, Holly won immunity, though lost against Jill for a feast. Though Dan was again targeted for his weakness, Yve's potential to a dangerous player sent her home. Espada would later win two consecutive challenges.

In Day 19, They welcomed the La Flor tribe at their camp for the merge.

Gallery

Wendyboot.jpg

Wendy voted out from Espada

Jimmy Johnson voted out

Jimmy T. voted out

Tyrone boot.jpg

Tyrone voted out

Yve voted out

Trivia

• Espada was third tribe in Survivor history that is entirely comprised of older contestants, after Panama's Casaya and La Mina tribes.
• Espada was one of few Survivor tribes that created fire without flint or any fire-making materials provided by the show.
• The tribe was the fifth consecutive tribe to vote out a female first in the game.