Survivor Samoa - December 17, 2009

Its night 33 and our Survivors have returned from Tribal Council minus Monica. Brett is giving Shambo a scalp massage (ewww). As the only surviving member of Galu (other than Shambo), Brett tells us that it's weird to be sitting at camp with a totally new group of people than the ones he started out with. Meanwhile EGG is saying that Brett has to be the next to go because he is the sole surviving member of Galu (plus he is too nice for EGG's liking).

The next morning finds Brett reciting passages from the bible to a rapt Natalie. Brett thinks Natalie might be a kindred spirit and Natalie is certainly lapping up the biblical readings. Meanwhile EGG is getting tired of Shambo and her hair. He says she should cut it, that she hides food in there and that he would get rid of her if he didn't need her. Imagine, EGG doesn't like the hair that Shambo has had since 1986! This makes me think that the reunion show is really going to be fun.

For the Reward Challenge, Dimples has the Survivors draw coloured rocks to chose team captains, then the team captains play rock/paper/scissors to decide who picks first(isn't technology wonderful?). Natalie and EGG are captains, Natalie picks first and picks....Brett. Oh oh! The selection continues with EGG picking Jaison and Shambo. Natalie adds Mick along with Brett. One by one the Survivors approach a net made of intersecting ropes, that is holding up a whole mess o'coconuts. Each selects a rope and carefully removes it, trying not to release any coconuts. The first team to release 100 coconuts loses the challenge. As Rick pointed out (because I can't take credit for someone else's humour) its like a game of Jungle Jenga. Natalie's team is crazy lucky, hardly losing any coconuts at all. Meanwhile EGG's team is knocking them down 10 at a time. When Natalie joins hands with Brett and tells him to ask God to guide his hand, there is much uncomfortable whispering over on the other team where EGG, Jaison and Shambo are watching their erstwhile ally cavorting with the enemy. EGG doesn't like the cosiness of Natalie and Brett. But apparently God is too busy to worry about a Survivor Challenge, because the tide turns and Natalie's team ends up losing the challenge, sending EGG, Shambo and Jaison off to an overnight reward challenge at a nearby village. Jaison has not been on a challenge before and, other than a little worry about Natailie and her new friendship with Brett, he thoroughly enjoys himself. He says to have a day off from the game is an amazing experience - and the food and dancing aren't bad either. Back at camp, Natalie, Brett and Mick are taking it in stride. They go out collecting snails and prepare to have their own little reward feast on the beach. They too feel the need to relax and take a break from the game-playing.

Its not until EGG, Shambo and Jaison are settling in for the night (in real beds with real blankets) that the talk turns to strategy. The subject of Natalie choosing Brett first for the challenge comes up and EGG says that he will have to take Natalie aside back at camp. Privately EGG tells us that he really has no doubts about Natalie, but he wants to plant a seed that will help him get rid of Brett and Mick.

The next day finds the Survivors reunited. EGG finds some time to talk privately with Natalie who tells him everything is good. EGG says its important to keep Brett from winning immunity because, while he is not a threat in the challenges, he is a threat to win the million dollars.

For the Immunity challenge, Survivors must run out onto a course where there are six groups of items. They must accurately count the items in each group (pigs, fish, rocks, crabs, octopi and coconuts), and use the numbers from their count to open a combination lock. When the lock is opened it releases a stick which they can use to break a tile and win immunity. Brett pulls off a come-from-behind win to earn his second consecutive immunity challenge, thereby putting a wrench in EGG's plans to oust him. The Survivors can't get rid of Brett, so who is it going to be? EGG wants Mick to go but Jaison puts in a pitch to get rid of Shambo. Shambo gets suspicious but EGG assures her it is Mick who is going home. Alas though, it is Shambo who is looking crestfallen when the votes are counted at Tribal Council. With Shambo goes Rick, who was surprised he and Shambo made it this far and taunted me because my Erik has been sitting in the jury for a few weeks now. Lisa voted for Shambo to win the million dollars so she is, no doubt feeling a little down tonight too.

Sunday is the season finale when we will find out who wins the million dollars. We will also get to see the faces of all the people that EGG has badmouthed. Oh, this is going to be yummy. Until Sunday,

Outwit, Outlast, Outplay
Pat (aka Erik I am planning my pointed questions for the final tribal council right now Cardona)