Survivor Phillipines October 10, 2012

Day 9 in Survivorland. It's cold and rainy...a continuing theme for this season. At Camp Matsing there are only three lonely souls left and hunky Malcolm has lost his snuggle buddy. However will he keep warm? Russell? Denise? No, Malcolm just has to shiver like everyone else (especially since he is unable to get a fire lit). But talk is cheap and Malcolm tells us that they just need one win to turn things around. Russelll, who is just a tad bit more delusional than Malcolm says that his plan is to mount the greatest comeback in Survivor history. Malcolm feels that Russell "lacks self-awareness" but that Malcolm needs him for "muscle mass". As time goes on Russell is becoming (rightfully) concerned that no one is talking to him and that he may be in danger. He needs to find the idol but when he begins hunting around camp, Denise catches him poking around under the shelter. Denise knows something is up but thinks Russell may have already found the idol. When she shares her concerns with Malcolm they decide to go through Russell's possessions. Of course, they don't find the idol because Russell doesn't have it. But Malcolm still feels that the safest option is to blindside Russell and get rid of him.


At Tandang they are somewhat better off, but their roof is leaking and their fire is also out. Artis manages to get a fire going, leaving Peter free (and warm) to plot. He wants to create chaos in camp. His handiwork shows up almost immeditately when the clue to the idol slides out from among Roberta's (RC) possessions. Now you will recall that RC found the clue, shared it with Abi, who then went on to tell Pete about it without RC's knowledge. Pete has now planted the clue among RC's stuff, hoping it will be seen. RC has no idea how it got there, Abi is pissed at RC for "betraying" her (now remind me who told Peter about the clue??) and Pete is smug about his accomplishment. It would appear that any friendship between Abi and RC is over as Abi goes into full blown "don't talk to me" mode. Lisa sees the opportunity in this, and tells us that she hopes to blow 02 on the fire and let both Abi and RC "flame out".

At Kamp Kalabaw Jeff and Jonathon are bonding. Carter is with them so he throws his lot in with the older men (cause, like, ya know, it's, like, probably a good idea). With the three men in an alliance the women of the tribe are on the chopping block. Not being stupid women, they are sitting on shore, watching the men talk for hours on end, knowing full well that they will be one of the topics. They decide to stick together and to try to round up more women after the merge. Thus a girl alliance enters its embryonic stage. Dana warns that the men of the tribe should never underestimate a woman.

For the Immunity/Reward challenge the tribes must, one at a time, carry two pots full of rice on a bamboo pole balanced across their shoulders. They must take the pots over an obstacle course and place them atop a bamboo post, then return to the start before the next person can go. Once all six pots have been properly placed, one team member must break all six pots by swinging a wrecking ball. Matsing takes an early lead and it looks like Underdog might finally win a challenge. However, their lead slips a bit when Denise has to carry the rice (the other two tribes both sat out all their women) and Malcolm has trouble breaking the last pot. When all the rice grains have settled Tandang has won (winning immunity along with some steaks, veggies and spices) and Kalabaw comes second (winning immunity along with some veggies and spices which they decide to trade for a tarp). At the end of the challenge there is the sound of pots smashing. All three tribes turn to find the source of the ruckus. It is Russell. He is breaking pots and ranting at God wanting some clarification on why he didn't let them win. Dimples tries to tell Russell that he isn't superman, just a guy. I want to tell him that maybe God is busy working on world peace or something and wasn't really that concerned about a flippin Survivor challenge. But perhaps I have a skewed notion of religion. Anyhoo, Russell is pissed and Dimples tries to reason with him while the other tribes look on with a mixture of embarassment and amazement. Back at camp Denise and Malcolm agree that Russell will go, but want him to feel secure so that he doesn't play the idol he doesn't have (I never said this wasn't complicated). Denise tells Russell that they will vote for Malcolm, while Malcolm tells Russell they will vote for Denise. When Dimples tabulates the votes (all three of them) Russell is gone. With Russel goes Lisa from the pool. Rick voted for Russell so he is disappointed too *See editor's note below*.

Until next week,
Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Abi Maria don't even talk to me. No. Don't. Talk. Gomes)

Editor's note - Rick voted for Russell to win. As tonight's episode drew to its inevitable conclusion he asked if he could change his vote. I said that if he got me a glass of wine I would enter into an alliance with him and exercise my considerable power to alter his vote. He got me the wine. I'm not changing his vote. That's Survivor, Babe.