I can’t believe there are only two episodes left - it’s just getting good and it’s over already?
In the previouslies, we see how much everybody is annoying the heck out of everybody else. We’re down to the original five, so it’s time for them to all turn on each other! Let’s watch!
But first, a well-deserved moment of self-congratulation as they return to camp. Yet as Coach says, “The real game begins tonight.” No more alliance, everyone is on their own. And, to my surprise, Albert says that Sophie is the next to go. Huh. I always thought that those two had their own little side alliance going, but I guess I was wrong. Just goes to show you how little we actually see of what goes on in camp.
Oh, Albert was planning on going to the end with Sophie, but he’s realized that he might now win against her. See, this is how Brandon is going to end up as one of the final two. But Albert likes Rick the least, and so thinks he’s a good choice to take to the final three, along with Coach. See, there’s his mistake. No one should be taking Coach anywhere near the final three. Do that, and Coach will win, unless it’s Ozzy he’s up against.
Redemption Island Duel time! And it’s all puzzles, in order to give Edna a fighting chance. Now, the previews from last week would have us believe that Edna beats Ozzy, but she needs help from Albert just to get through the first part. In fact, she’s getting help the entire time from the rest of the players. And although the editing monkeys led us to believe that Edna had a chance, Ozzy triumphs, and continues his Redemption Island winning streak.
Back at camp, everybody thinks they are in an alliance with everyone else. And the only one who probably means it is Brandon. Sophie very astutely points out that the odds are weighted in Ozzy’s favor with the jury -- he gets one-on-one time with each of them after they’ve been voted out, and gets to comfort them and feed them, completely outside of the strategy of the game.
I’m not making a call on who is going this week -- they are all over the place. Sophie wants Brandon out, Albert wants Sophie out, and the rest are playing their cards close to their chest. I wouldn’t be surprised if Albert is the next one out, because of the physical threat he poses.
Coach is being so reasonable this season, and he’s beginning to win me over. I hadn’t watched his previous seasons, so I had only heard about the crazy. He’s a little too egotistical and self-aggrandizing for my taste, but he’s playing a good, level-headed game this season.
Immunity Challenge time! They also get pizza, and frankly, some of them look more excited about the pizza. And it’s more puzzles, this time scaling a wall to retrieve the pieces. And … Brandon wins? Really? OK Brandon wins! And immediately thanks Jesus, of course. He then picks Rick to share in his reward, which ups Brandon’s standing in my eyes. And most likely Rick’s, too.
We find out that Coach was planning on voting Brandon out this week, but is fairly calm about having to adjust his plans. So will Sophie be going like Albert wants, or will it be a surprise? Anyone but Rick!
See, Sophie is also thinking Albert should go. He hasn’t been as discreet as he thinks in his strategerizing (and I know that‘s not really a word), or as good as an actor as he thinks. As a (literal) side note, Sophie has sure been showing a lot of side boob this week.
Whoah, Brandon’s Crazy just reared up and took control, because the words that are now coming out of his mouth don’t make sense any other way. He’s now promising Albert his Immunity Idol, because he knows that Coach “will never vote against him.” Jesus, if you are looking out for Brandon, smack him upside the head for me, alright?
Ooh, sneaky Coach, “I will do whatever God tells me to.” Way to get out of actually making a promise; he’s now got a loophole for getting rid of Brandon, and Brandon can’t even get mad at him for it. Brilliant!
Tribal Council time! Brandon’s Crazy starts things out by immediately giving away the Immunity Idol, not even waiting for Jeff to ask. And Brandon’s speech about loyalty is exactly the thing he needed to say to make everyone feel awful if they actually do vote him out. The jury just looks sad for Brandon and his naïveté. Jeff points out that Brandon is at risk of leaving, and asks Albert whether he’ll give Immunity back. He won’t, big surprise.
Voting time. Rick votes for Brandon, with the succinct, “Dumb move.” A man of few words, is my Rick. Albert votes for Sophie, which I expected; he can’t really vote for Brandon after Brandon saved him.
And just to prove that doing something nice will get you screwed over, at least in Survivor, Brandon is voted out after giving away his Immunity. The jury looks shocked, but, hey, it’s a game. And, as Rick astutely pointed out, it was a really dumb move.
And remember - the finale is this Sunday, Dec. 18, at 8pm EST.
Credits: Brandon does not regret his decision. At least he has the comfort of his convictions, because he sure isn’t getting the money.