Yam Yam returns back to camp after having been the backup plan at the vote that sent Josh home. He goes right into charm mode, not being salty, not taking it out on anyone. He knows he needs friends in the game, so that’s (correctly) his main focus.
Matt feels like a new player. Now that he’s attended two Tribal Councils, he finally has a vote. He also has an idol, or so he thinks. Talking at camp, Brandon asks about the Soka idol, and mentions that there was a real and fake idol. Matt immediately realizes he must have the fake, as he only found one in the birdcage. He knows that Danny is the prime suspect for having the real idol.
Danny starts to plan to vote Lauren out. She has an extra vote, so it’s easy pitch if no other option presents itself. For his part, Matt lays the groundwork for a Danny blindside. Danny appears to be feeling pretty comfortable, so now might be a good opportunity to get him before he can use his idol.
Immunity Challenge
We have a standard immunity challenge this week. They stand on a narrow beam, balancing a ball on a pol they hold above their head. But of course, Survivor can’t help itself and has to add in stupid twists.
Up first (yes, first), they are split into two groups of five. The winning player in each group wins individual immunity. Second, whoever lasts the longest overall also wins a reward of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for their group. And third, whichever player wins the challenge also wins immunity for their group. But wait, there’s more (stupidity)! The group that is immune also CANNOT VOTE AT TRIBAL COUNCIL.
This is just…I don’t even know. It’s laughable how dumb this is. Half the tribe immune, and half the tribe unable to vote.
Orange: Heidi, Kane, Danny, Frannie, Carolyn
Purple: Lauren, Yam Yam, Jaime, Matt, Brandon
Carson was left out, and he backs the Orange group.
Frannie is the last standing for the Orange group, but at that point only Lauren had dropped out from Purple. But Jaime, Matt, and Yam Yam drop, leaving it down to Frannie vs Brandon. After a good battle, Brandon’s ball drops, taking individual immunity, but giving the team win to the Orange group, which includes Carson.
Frannie was actually in an interesting position here. She already had immunity. She could have dropped to also keep Matt safe. There’s no one in her group that is as important to her game as Matt is at the moment. Giving up sandwiches would have been a worthy tradeoff. And this would have been an easy challenge to throw too.
The losing Purple group is sent back to the old Soka beach, without food.
Pre-Tribal
For some reason, we spend time with the immune group. They can’t vote, why spend any time with them at all? Well, there is a secret note, with instructions to open after they are done eating. Great…
There is a new advantage locked in the birdcage. There are keys scattered in the jungle, and only one opens the cage. The first person to find the correct key gets it. So no one can sneak in and nab the advantage from the person who opens it. Eventually Heidi finds the right key, and oh boy is this a terrible advantage.
It’s the Control a Vote Advantage. It’s exactly what it sounds like. She can literally tell one player who to vote for, and that player has to do it. Thankfully it’s only good for this upcoming Tribal, so at least it will be done with soon. But oh my goodness, I hate this.
Heidi tells the rest about her advantage, and everyone has their two cents to pitch.
Over at old Soka, Yam Yam tells Lauren that Danny was talking about target her. But Matt has been floated as an option, and she’s okay with that. It’s still a Soka number, and it breaks up the Matt and Frannie duo.
While Matt seems like the target, Yam Yam isn’t so sure. He talks to Matt and they acknowledge that everyone assumes they will be voting for each other. If they team up, they can get it to a 2-2-1 split, and maybe give both of them a fighting chance.
Tribal Council
Heidi takes Lauren’s vote and tells her to vote for Yam Yam. But Matt is sent to the jury in a 3-2 vote. This episode sucked. Moving on to next week.
