Survivors Nicaragua - December 1/10

After a week of "never before seen footage" resulting from the US Thanksgiving we rejoin our Survivors on night 27. Brenda has just been sent home, no doubt wondering what the hell happened to that idol that Sash was supposed to use to save her. Brenda's departure has caused a lot of uncertainty in camp, especially for Purple Kelly** who suddenly feels left out of the loop. NaOnka is angry (there's a surprise) because Brenda threw her under the bus at Tribal Council. Holly takes her aside to tell her not to panic, that Brenda's chatter won't affect her relationships in camp. Chase is circulating, making sure that his alliance with NaOnka, Holly and Jane is still intact.

The survivors get through a rainy night to find a flood in their front yard. The continuing rain is taking NaOnka and Kelly to the edge. Kelly is cold and NaOnka's joints hurt. Wah. Fabio, not the brightest light in the harbour, at least has a good attitude. He says he just finds his mental happy place when things get tough. For his part, Benry hopes the two girls go home. Chase, always the most empathetic of the men, encourages NaOnka to stay but she says her heart is no longer in the game. She gives Chase her immunity idol. Chase might be too nice for his own good, but he does tell us privately that he isn't giving the idol back even if NaOnka changes her mind and decides to stay.

Now that NaOnka and Kelly may be leaving, alliances must be checked and re-jigged. Jane feels that Sash will fill in the gap left by NaOnka in her alliance with Chase and Holly. But Sash tells us that he doesn't trust the group.

Day 28 also brings a reward challenge. As the tribe gathers for the challenge, NaOnka and Kelly both announce that this will be their last day. Dimples can hardly believe his ears. Why would anyone not want to look at him for another 11 days (my words, not Jeff's). A school-yard pick (which still makes me feel a little queasy all these many years later) divides the Survivors into a blue team (Holly, NaOnka, Chase and Benry) and a yellow team (Kelly, Jane, Sash and Fabio). Dan is not selected by either team (go figure) and elects to let his fate go with the blue team. The teams are tethered together and are introduced to Gulliver, an 8 foot stuffed dummy. They must haul Gulliver through a series of obstacles. It is an extremely close race and Dimples has never been so "into" a challenge, yelling at both teams to work harder. Ultimately, the blue team wins reward - a trip to the Survivor Cinema. There they will watch the unreleased movie Gulliver's Travels starring Jack Black while eating popcorn, hotdogs and candy. There is a twist though. If any member of the winning team is willing to give up their trip to the cinema, they can win rice, a tarp and a rope for the entire tribe. Now considering NaOnka is planning on leaving tonight anyway, there is a collective glance in her direction. But NaOnka just smiles with visions of popcorn kernels dancing in her eyes. It is Holly who steps forward, saying she can eat hot dogs when she gets home. While Holly is volunteering, Benry is muttering at NaOnka to do the right thing and take Holly's place. More smiles. She doesn't move. So NaOnka, Dan, Chase and Benry head off to a grass hut where they find popcorn popping and weinies roasting. Jack Black is a hit and by the end of the evening NaOnka is thinking that maybe, just maybe she should stick around.

Back at camp Holly is a hero for her selfless act. She takes Kelly aside and tries to persuade her to stay. She tells her to suck it up and be tough inside. While she wavers a little, Kelly is still pretty sure she wants to leave.

At tribal council a visibly angry (and wet and hatless)Dimples hosts a Tribal Council in the pouring rain. He asks NaOnka if she still wants to leave. She does. He asks Kelly if she still wants to leave. She does. While Survivors have quit before, I don't recall Jeff Probst being quite so...well..mean...before. He agrees to snuff their torches but wants them left in Tribal Council to remind them each time they return with the jury, that they quit. The three members of the jury are livid. THEY wanted desperately to stay but these two are walking away. But it is so, and with NaOnka goes her alter ego Marie, and with Kelly goes Jan from the pool. Goodbye ladies. I know you would never have quit like these two. Selina voted for Kelly as the overall winner so no buff for Selina.

Until next week,
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Jill back in the ER Behm)

**Since Purple Kelly is now the ONLY Kelly your lazy scribe will hereinafter call her Kelly (also because I never did figure why the hell they called her Purple Kelly anyway!)