It seems the Survivor producers have had enough of Pagonging as well. Sparing us from watching the Savaii Tribe suffer a slow, agonizing and predictable death week after week, the producers threw in a couple of twists to speed things along.
First up at the Redemption Island duel, both Keith and Jim couldn’t balance a board better than Ozzy and became the first and second member of the jury. Two down, two to go.
Unable to carry a bowl of rice on her head better than Sophie, Dawn didn’t win Immunity and was sent to bunk with Ozzy at Redemption Island.
Jeff Probst promised a twist at Tribal Council and he delivered one calling for another Immunity Challenge and vote. Sophie once again won Immunity and Whitney, the last loyal Savaii member left the game.
”You have accomplished your goal,” Probst told the Upolu Alliance and John Cochran. “The game is about to change.”
Indeed it will. Next week Upolu will have to cannibalize itself or will they play it safe for one more week and vote out Cochran?
The Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Te Tuna Tribe
John Cochran
Whitney Duncan
Dawn Meehan
Sophie Clarke
Albert Destrade
Brandon Hantz
Edna Ma
Rick Nelson
Benjamin "Coach" Wade
Redemption Island – Night 21
Ozzy and Keith greet Jim. Ozzy jokes he thought they would be the final three.
Jim: "Coach has them all fooled."
Te Tuna Tribe – Night 24
Coach thinks Jim is a very dangerous person and admits he is trying to make those who are on the bottom of the totem pole feel safe. Whitney scoffs.
Whitney: "How can smart people be so stupid?"
Te Tuna Tribe – Night 24
First it was wearing Coach's blazer, now Cochran embarrasses himself by trying to learn Tai Chi on the beach. Cochran admits he is sipping Coach’s Kool-aid.
Cochran: "I have to obey the father of the family."
Coach confides in Cochran. He is really worried about Albert turning on him.
Redemption Island Duel – Keith versus Ozzy versus Jim
The guys must balance a board using two poles.
Winner: Ozzy.
Te Tuna Tribe – Day 26
Dawn speaks with Cochran in the hovel. She regrets not jumping ship with him. Cochran contemplates making another Big Move with Dawn and Whitney.
Immunity Challenge
Carry a bowl of rice on your head and over teeter-totters.
Reward
Immunity from the Tribal Council vote.
Winner: Sophie.
Te Tuna Tribe – Pre-Tribal Council Happenings
Dawn and Whitney plan a Hail Mary play. They need to speak to Albert to see if he will join them in a mutiny against Coach.
Whitney’s doesn’t feel Rick is even playing the game and Edna is in Coach’s back pocket.
Albert talks things over with Whitney, Cochran, Dawn and Sophie. He proposes teaming up to pull the rug out from under Edna. Even if things don’t work out, Albert is sure he has Whitney and Dawn’s jury votes.
Albert about Edna: "Nobody is here to outorganize, outclean and outgather."
Sophie believes she is the "swing vote" but will do what is best for herself.
Tribal Council Happenings
Coach admits he is nervous. There are a lot of thinkers in his tribe.
Coach: "I believe, I trust in my tribe."
Final Voting
John Cochran: Dawn Meehan
Whitney Duncan: Edna Ma
Dawn Meehan: Edna Ma
Sophie Clarke: Dawn Meehan
Albert Destrade: Dawn Meehan
Brandon Hantz: Dawn Meehan
Edna Ma: Dawn Meehan
Rick Nelson: Dawn Meehan
Benjamin "Coach" Wade: Dawn Meehan
Tribal Council Victim: Dawn Meehan
Immunity Challenge
It is a question and answer quiz. Whoever gets the most right, wins Immunity.
Reward
Immunity from the Tribal Council vote.
Winner: Sophie.
Final Voting
John Cochran: Whitney Duncan
Whitney Duncan: John Cochran
Sophie Clarke: Whitney Duncan
Albert Destrade: Whitney Duncan
Brandon Hantz: Whitney Duncan
Edna Ma: Whitney Duncan
Rick Nelson: Whitney Duncan
Benjamin "Coach" Wade: Whitney Duncan
Tribal Council Victim: Whitney Duncan
Powell's Thoughts
What could throw a wrench into the works of the Te Tuna Tribe is John Cochran. If anyone should direct the attention away from himself, it is Cochran. Next episode should be showdown between Cochran and Albert.
I cannot wait to see Ozzy in showdown with Dawn next week at Redemption Island. She may just be the person to end Ozzy’s winning streak depending on the challenge.