If he wasn’t before he was cast on ‘Survivor’, Christian Brandon Hantz is now certainly familiar with the phrase: “What the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away.” In fact, he may be the only player in the reality show’s history who might be justified blaming his loss on God, that is, if you believe fellow player Benjamin "Coach" Wade.
The final five quickly become the final four as the Upolu Alliance finally had to turn on one another as Ozzy Lusth continued his challenge streak at Redemption Island, sending Edna Ma to the jury. As the remaining players bounced back and forth with everyone besides the comatose Rick Nelson making moves, Immunity winner Brandon paved the way for his own demise. Unwilling to go back on his word to Albert and vote him out as the rest of the tribe wanted to do, Brandon once again threw a wrench into the best laid plans.
”God spoke to me. I pray you accept this decision but I am giving the necklace to him (Albert),” Brandon told Coach. “This will be the pinnacle of why we are out here.”
A confused Coach did some praying of his own to determine who he should vote out and who he should remain loyal to.
”God spoke to me and one name repeated in my head over and over again,” said Coach after knelling in the sand and praying. Apparently, that name was Brandon. At one of the most controversial and bizarre Tribal Councils in the history of Survivor, Brandon surrendered the Immunity to his good friend Albert, who in turn, refused to give it back claiming Brandon was in no danger of being sent to Redemption Island.
”Dumb move,” said Rick as he cast he vote against Brandon.
Albert and Brandon voted against Sophie as Rick and Sophie cast their ballots against Brandon. In the end, Coach was the deciding vote forcing Brandon to duel with Ozzy.
”It is God’s will,” Coach whispered to Brandon before host Jeff Probst snuffed his torch out. “Go win redemption.”
Brandon will attempt to do so this Sunday night during the two-hour finale of ‘Survivor: South Pacific’ at 8.00 et/pt, followed by the ever-popular reunion show. Return to the homepage this Sunday for my finale predictions and a recap.
The Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Te Tuna Tribe
Sophie Clarke
Albert Destrade
Rick Nelson
Benjamin "Coach" Wade
Brandon Hantz
Te Tuna Tribe
Returning to camp after kicking Edna, Coach feels as if a cloud has lifted off the tribe. Brandon asks everyone to pray.
Coach: “The real game begins tonight.”
Te Tuna Tribe
Albert conspires with Sophie but all the while he plans to get everyone to vote her out.
Albert: "She has no idea what’s coming."
Albert: "Sophie is dangerous and is building a resume to present to the jury."
Albert believes Rick is not a threat at all. He has no strategy to speak of and hasn’t won a single challenge.
Redemption Island Duel – Ozzy versus Edna
Solve a slide puzzle to get a hatchet and free more puzzle pieces.
Winner: Ozzy.
Te Tuna Tribe
Brandon agrees with the plan to turn on Sophie. Sophie warns Coach that Ozzy has been the last person to speak to all of the jury members. That could be trouble to anyone facing him in the finals.
Albert tries to sway Coach to turn on Sophie. Coach is “disheartened” to hear the news. He thinks Albert is fearful of Sophie because she is smarter than him. Brandon comes over demanding to know what they are talking about. This angers Coach.
Coach to Brandon: "You sound just like Russell. Don’t bully us. You’ve turned into a bully. Russell did a number on me and you are doing the same thing." Brandon claims his feelings were hurt by that comment. Coach apologizes and they share a hug.
Immunity Challenge
Climb a wall, collect puzzle pieces, solve a code.
Reward
Immunity from the Tribal Council vote and a pizza party.
Winner: Brandon.
Te Tuna Tribe – Pre-Tribal Council Happenings
Brandon picks Rick to share the pizza party with. Brandon thanks Jesus for the win. Sophie leaves Coach and Albert to go “smell the pizza”. While with Rick and Brandon, Sophie tells them she is voting Albert out. Brandon is not sure he believes anything Albert says any longer.
Albert, Rick, Brandon and Sophie confront each other. Albert is on the hot seat as Brandon and Rick accuse him of making deals with and against everyone. Sophie: "Albert is pathetic. We keep trying to flush him down the toilet but he keeps popping back up."
Knowing he has to do some damage control, Albert speaks with Brandon.
Albert: "I feel your heart is closed to me. I thought we were friends?" Brandon decides to forgive Albert.
Brandon: "I am not voting for you."
Brandon informs Coach of his decision to give Immunity to Albert. Coach prays on his own.
Tribal Council Happenings
”I want to give my Immunity up,” Brandon immediately tells host Jeff Probst. Brandon says he is remaining true to the promises he made. He tells a story of being in a gang when he was younger and how his so-called friends left him out to dry time and again. He hopes that isn’t happening tonight.
Albert: "Honestly, I don’t think Brandon is going home tonight. I am not giving the necklace back."
Final Voting
Sophie Clarke: Brandon Hantz
Albert Destrade: Sophie Clarke
Brandon Hantz: Sophie Clarke
Rick Nelson: Brandon Hantz
Benjamin "Coach" Wade: Brandon Hantz
Tribal Council Victim: Brandon Hantz
When Tribal Council ends, the Immunity Necklace mysteriously breaks and falls off of Albert’s neck.
Powell's Thoughts
Tonight is further proof that the game of Survivor is not for someone like Brandon. Remaining true to your promises is admirable in the real world but in Survivor, a game which forces you to lie even in the smallest way, being blindly loyal can and is oftentimes lethal.
Check the homepage on Sunday for a link to my finale predictions and my recap. Tune in at 8.00 et/pt for all the action!