With only a handful of days left, the tribe was falling apart. It seems like this season has been a season of injuries and quitters. James had to go see medical after the last tribal council and they informed him that the infection is close to the bone. If his finger doesn’t get better, he will have to go have surgery. Back at camp, Alexis took a major fall and hurt her knee. Only time will tell if this means two more people going home before their time or not.
At reward challenge, Probst made a very happy announcement. The winner of the challenge will get a day on Jellyfish island with their loved one, who promptly came out for each person and gave them a big hug. Parvati’s Mom, Natalie’s Mom, James’s Dad, Amanda’s sister, Erik’s Brother, Cirie’s Husband, and Alexis’s brother. The challenge was for everyone to fill out questionaires and then when Jeff quizzed them, they had to guess whose name was written down the most. Each player had a little clay doll of themselves up on a post. Three ropes were holding back a hammer and if you make the correct guess, you get to break a rope. When all three ropes are gone, the hammer swings up violently to break the doll. Aww.
The cutest part of the family’s arrival was Erik. As his brother came out, he hugged him and gleefully shouted, “Look man, it’s Jeff Probst. He’s just standing right there!” I think Jeff almost blushed. Probably the best part of the entire challenge once it got under way was when Alexis knocked James out of the challenge by breaking his last rope, his father mumbled, “When we get home, we’re going to have a talk about her.” Omg, I love his dad!! I almost wish James had won just so we could see more time of him and his father hanging out!
In the end, I think Cirie had the most correct answers, and it was also her decision whether to knock out Alexis or Amanda. She chose Alexis, curiously enough. Of course, Alexis got to choose two people to go with her, and she chose Natalie and Cirie. Can I just say that I love to watch Cirie and her husband are so cute together. THey seem to really love each other. Her other choice was who to send to exile island, and she sent Amanda, where she will get to look for the other hidden immunity idol.
In the worst, most disappointing turn in the game, James was sent to have his finger looked at again. The doctor, who I am honestly quite mad at right now, said that the infection was too deep and he had to leave the game. What??? Over a finger cut?? I almost cried. I was literally shouting “Nooooooooooooooo” at the TV screen. I am not a doctor, but he only has what? Four days left? Come on!! He got to say goodbye to his tribemates, but James was gone. All the tears on Parvati’s face couldn’t save him. Boohooo. I hope he will still be able to be on the jury.
At the reward challenge, they got to swim in a lake filled with non-stinging jellyfish, which was awesome. I was really proud of Cirie for swimming in there and facing her fears. She said that the experience changed her a little bit, realizing that everything is not a threat. We didn’t really get to see much of the family time, though, which is a bit disappointing. Back at Exile Island, Amanda found all of the clues very easily, but in a twist, they buried the idol under the flag back at camp instead of on the island itself. Amanda can be sneaky, but can she hide this from them all? I wonder.
When everyone (except Amanda) returned to camp, they were all shocked that James was gone. No one shed tears like Parvati, however. Probably because one less person means one step closer to a million dollars. In an interesting conversation around the fire, Parvati asked a hurt Alexis if she wanted to be voted out. With fear in her eyes, Alexis hastily answered “That is not even an option.” This could perhaps paint a huge target on Parvati’s back for trying to manipulate the game. Nothing new there though.
The Immunity challenge this week is about a bunch of hanging colored sake bottles that the competitors needed to hit in order to win. THis time, instead of knocking out other people, the goal is to hit your own. First person to break all of their bottles wins. Natalie and Erik and Parvati were quick to break a bottle, but Erik pulled ahead when he hit his second one. Natalie connected again, but Erik easily broke his third bottle to win immunity. I honestly don’t think Cirie got within a mile of her bottles, but she’ll probably be okay tonight anyway. Erik saved his own life, as the last man standing he is fighting for his life. If Survivor History repeats itself, he will probably survive to go on and win the whole damn thing.
Back at camp, Amanda emptied her entire bag to “prove” that she had not found the idol. She pulled Parvati aside and said that she needs her help in figuring out who was going home at tribal. She confessed to Parv that she knew where the idol was, which is smart to get Parvati on her side. They discussed voting out either Natalie who seems to be a physical threat, or Alexis, who is the more social threat. Neither of them trust Erik to vote with them, so Amanda went to work on Erik right away. She tried to sweet talk him, but he confessed to her that he is going to vote her off at tribal.
Continuing her campaign, Amanda talked to Cirie who said that it’s either a tie or she votes Amanda out and keeps numbers on her side. At least everyone is being honest at this point. Well, except Amanda. Parvati distracted the rest of the crew while Amanda dug for the idol, but they did not show us whether she found it. And at tribal, we get to see Eliza’s tonsils again as she realizes that James is not there. Oh, but they brought James back to sit on the Jury!!! He has an IV and is doing okay.
Amanda confesses that she couldn’t find the idol at tribal, which makes her a great actress. She looks completely resigned to going home. She did, however, call Erik out, saying that he seems trustworthy when he needs you, but if you need him, he finds greener grasses. Everyone basically says that Amanda is the only logical target because she is unbeatable when it comes to jury votes. After the votes are cast, Jeff asks the infamous question “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol, blah blah blah.” For a moment, I thought she didn’t have it, but then her finger went into the air and she sauntered over to Jeff twirling it in her hands. “When I told you I didn’t have it, I didn’t lie. I didn’t have it then.” Finally we got to see the idol played!! Hooray! Good job Amanda! All of the votes for Amanda do not count, so Alexis was sent home with a disgusted look on her face. With a sexy over the shoulder look toward Ozzie, Amanda looked completely triumphant.
Probst said it all when he said “You guys are perfecting the art of the blindside.” This has to be one of the best and strangest seasons of survivor ever! Who do you think is in the best position now for the win? I think they better get rid of Erik fast or risk losing to him in the end. I am actually kind of glad that Alexis went home and Amanda stayed. There’s nothing better than a good twist when it comes to Survivor and this season has delivered surprise after surprise. I can’t wait till next week.
