Survivor Phillipines - November 21/12

You know I'm dedicated to the cause when, driving home from my class this evening I come across and overturned vehicle and my first thought is, "crap, I'm going to miss the beginning of Survivor". However, all five of the young occupants were in good health, the police were on their way and no one was in imminent danger of frost bite. I judged that it was safe to move on. They wanted me to drive them home, but I persuaded them that they really should stay with the vehicle since the next car to come along would be digging in the snow trying to see if anyone was pinned in the vehicle. They agreed that perhaps it would be a good idea to stay until the police came. Whew, Survivor crisis averted.

As we rejoin our intrepid band of Survivors, Artis has joined the jury and Abi and Pete are trying to think of a new strategy. Abi seems shocked that the former Tandang hasn't stood firm. Puleeez.

The next morning Abi has a chat with Lisa who tells her that she never waivered from their alliance but is hurt that she was not trusted. Privately Lisa tells us that breaking up is hard to do and that she has lived a lifetime where it feels comfortable to be used. Not any more though. Lisa is preparing to take control of her own destiny and is feeling a new pride in herself.

Dimples has planned a little Reward Challenge for the group. there are three circles, each with two drums, one red and one yellow. One member from each of the red and yellow teams must run about flipping drums. The tribe to get all three of their drums upright at the same time score a point. The first team to score four points wins reward. There is a lot of flipping and running, running a flipping. Abi (competing in her second challenge ever I think) doesn't really know the rules and flips over her own drum. Even that doesn't guarantee defeat though, since Skupin does the same thing, bringing defeat to Team Yellow. The result is that Carter, Malcolm, Pete and Abi get to go to have a spa day with baths, massages, umbrella drinks and a feast of beef, chicken and calimari. Mike, Penner, Denise, Malcolm and Lisa have to go back to camp dirty and hungry.

As the young punks are enjoying their reward, Malcolm suggests that they put the game aside and just enjoy the moment. It's strategic, he tells us later. All the people that he wants to go to the final four with are back at camp. Pete agrees that not talking game is a good idea. He needs time to think things through. He is fit and smart so the extra food can only help his chances of surviving a while longer.

Team Red arrives back at camp with a Pantene shine to their hair and a telltale bulge to their bellies. Now Survivor etiquette suggests that reward winners should downplay the wonderfullness of their reward for the sake of those who didn't get to go. But not my Abi! No. Uh uh. She goes on..and on...and on, leading Malcolm to comment that she has all the social grace of a Mac truck. But Abi isn't quite done yet. She stretches out on her bed and announces that she is done cooking for the rest of her time there. She has cooked for 26 days and now is done. Oh yes, she still wants to eat. She is just done cooking. (Oh God. Let me at her!!).

While Abi is making friends and influencing people, Malcolm is trying to cement his final four. He wants Mike Skupin, Lisa, Denise and himself to take it to the end. Mike is all for the deal but Lisa hesistates. She trusts Penner more than she trusts Malcolm. However, when Lisa and Mike pitch the idea of final four to Penner he balks. "Its too early", says Penner. Lisa, on the other hand, thinks that Penner has missed an opportunity. As a result, the next shot sees Mike, Lisa , Denise and Malcolm shaking hands on a deal to go to the final four together. Privately Mike tells us that he is uncertain about the deal but felt that he couldn't refuse. Malcolm is too much of a "gamer" to be trusted. The only sure way to be secure is to win immunity.

Speaking of immunity...how about we do a challenge? This is a three parter. The first part involves sliding a buoy attached to a rope that winds around some hurdle type things. The first five to complete this move on to round two where the buoy must follow a rope wound around a balance beam. Skupin, Carter and Denise move on to the final round where the rope and buoy are wound around a boat. This is a tough one involving much jumping into and out of the boat, along with a neighbouring dock. In the end Carter wins immunity by a narrow margin over Mike Skupin.

So the final pre-Tribal Council strategizing begins. Penner floats a plan to split the votes and either get rid of Abi or her idol. In a last ditch effort to save themselves Pete and Abi try to turn everyone on Mighty Malcolm. Lisa and Denise are firm but Mike gives the idea serious consideration.

At Tribal Council Dimples is brutal with Abi. Denise tells her she is abrasive and unliked. By the end she is in tears and even your hard hearted scribe is feeling a little sorry for her. But she plays her idol, ensuring we will have another week to get over our sympathy for her. When the votes are tablulated, and Abi's are subtracted, it comes down to Pete and Malcolm. Malcolm looks edgy since, you will recall, he also has an idol that he opted not to play. However, it is Pete who is joining the jury, and, with him, Cheryl from our pool. Cheryl also voted for Pete to win so she is in double despair this evening.

We are now down to seven Survivors. Denise (Kathy and Debbie), Malcolm (Mitzie), Abi (Pat and Barb), Mike (Grace), Carter (Georgia), Penner (Jack) and Lisa (Jeff). Who will be the next to go? I'll let ya know next week! Until then...

Outwit, Outplay, Outlast
Pat (aka Abi I'm a *#@* princess Gomez)