Survivor Redemption Island - March 16/11

Night 11. Kristina has gone to Redemption Island to spend the night with Matt (which is not such a bad gig, now that I think about it). The rest of the Ometepernites return to camp in the rain. Phillip realizes he is the odd man out. Really Phillip? How astute of you! In an apparent attempt to endear himself to the tribe Phillip snuggles up with Rob. Ewww.

The next morning Rob is in a foul mood. Phillip had his knee in Rob's back all night and everyone is bugged by the man in the "pink panties". But, reasons Rob, maybe Phillip needs to stay since he takes the heat away from Rob.

Tree mail arrives suggesting that each tribe chose two people to observe the next duel at Redemption Island. Rob and Grant go from Ometepe and Krista and Stephanie from Zapatera. Stephanie and Krista are anxious to send a message to the other tribe that they are available and will be solid allies when the merge occurs. They get their chance near the end of the duel. As Matt is finishing his puzzle he strikes up a conversation with Rob and Grant asking why they kicked him out (whoa little mister, shouldn't you be focusing on that there puzzle?!. Rob responds that it takes more than one person to kick someone out. Stephanie pipes up that it must be nice to have such a solid tribe and makes it pretty clear that she and Krista are not nearly so tight with their tribe. Matt (ahem - MY GUY) goes on to win the duel, sending Kristina home along with Selina from our pool. Krista and Stephanie return to camp buzzing with hope that Rob will be their salvation if they can just hold on until a merge.

Back at camp Phillip is commenting to Andrea that nobody cuddles with him and that he doesn't get to whisper with anyone they way she used to whisper to Matt. Matt is long gone, says Andrea while inching away from the crazy man. But Phillip insists that he is the man to lead an alliance that will overthrow King Rob. At Zapatera Stephanie and Krista are exasperated by their tribe. There is zero talk of strategy and no one is playing the game except them.

Dimples calls everyone together for a reward/immunity challenge. The reward is the ultimate coffee break - coffee with all the fixings, pastries, muffins and fruit. Each tribe must appoint a caller who will verbally guide their blindfolded tribe mates through a maze to collect bags of puzzle pieces. Once all the bags are collected the caller will empty the bags and solve the puzzle to win the challenge. Zapatera appoints Stephanie as their caller on the advice of Serita. Not surprisingly Ometepe chooses Boston Rob for their caller. Its a close race but Ometepe's Grant is a machine and Stephanie has trouble with Ralph who keeps yelling and talking over Stephanie and demanding her attention. Rob gets the puzzle pieces first and, in spite of temporarily losing a puzzle piece on the ground, assembles the puzzle first. The Ometepeeps grab their booty and head back to camp. Grant takes the lid off the coffee and sees a clue hidden in the grounds. He shows Rob and then provides a screen so that Rob can get the clue and take it off into the jungle without being seen. What Grant doesn't know is that Rob already has the idol and that he exchanges this new clue with the vague clue #1 that he got earlier. Meanwhile the sugar high seems to be affecting Phillip's - uh - libido. He has suddenly began flirting with the sweet young things who just don't seem to be feelin' the love.

Things are not so rosy at Camp Zapatera. Serita and David fight. Serita says David wouldn't have been a good caller in the challenge because he gets flustered when stressed. "From now on I do all the puzzles", proclaims David. The only decision to be made by the Zapatruvians is whether it is Krista or Stephanie going to Redemption Island. Stephanie was the caller and puzzle solver in the challenge so many think she should go. Steve is more inclined to think Krista should go and that maybe David should have been more assertive in stepping up to be the caller in the challenge. When the votes are counted at Tribal Council, it is Krista who is leaving, taking our Barb with her to Redemption Island. Who will be next? Will Matt (my guy) hang on for another week? Will Phillip find a friend to snuggle with?

Until next week,

Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Matt dodged another bullet Elrod)