I liked how Probst hinted that there may not be a merge at all to the villains. While the villains are normally a smart tribe, they were just dumb last episode. Reward challenge? Doesn't mention the word "tribe"? Better pack up our entire camp and bring it to the challenge, 'cause hey, a merge is coming OBVIOUSLY.
The only thing I think that hinted at a merge was that there were enough people gone to start adding people to the jury. But I don't think it's normal for the tribes to merge on a reward challenge, I think it's traditionally an immunity challenge that ends up being for individual immunity instead of tribal. So the villains wasted tons of energy taking down their camp and bringing it to the challenge, and bringing it back, and putting it back together. So they were worn down for the challenge (which didn't affect them much, but they lost anyway) and then while the Heroes are feasting on pizza and stuff they're rebuilding their camp, further draining their energy before the immunity challenge.
While I like Russel, I love how Sandra saw how to take advantage of one of his major faults: if he thinks anyone doesn't trust him or wants him gone, he'll do whatever he can to get rid of them. And I think the best part of the plan was (aside from choosing Coach as the target, who was obviously dissatisfied with how the few previous votes went) that since Russell wanted to blindside Coach, nobody told Coach about it. So Coach doesn't even have a chance to defend himself from Sandra's false accusations. Though, I think that deviates from Russell's usual MO, and he normally confronts people who say they don't trust him. He did that a lot in Foa Foa, at least.
Also, just generally, this season has been great. I only started watching survivor again last season. Russell and the rest of Foa Foa having their backs against the wall and coming from behind after the merge was great. But this time it's not an entire game of Russell and the Morons. Though the Heroes tribe was really dumb early on, and may continue to be dumb.
I'll bet JT talking about giving Russel the idol was just idle strategy talk, with the Heroes thinking about what they should do if a merge comes. Either that or just arguing over what to do with the idol. I'll be really surprised if he actually gives Russel the idol. While the Heroes tribe may believe there's a girl power alliance at first, if a merge happens next episode, I'm sure Courtney and Sandra will take the first chance they get to form an alliance with the Heroes, and it'll be obvious from there that there isn't a solid Villain Girls alliance. And with Sandra and Courtney they don't need Russel and they don't need to give the idol to anyone to get them to vote along with them. Unless Russel can convince them that they're lying about not being in an all girl alliance, and they just want to know who the heroes are gonna vote for or whatever.