It Doesn't Take A Rocket Scientist To Win Survivor

As a culture we're used to giving rocket scientists more credit than others due to the nature of their work. But even rocket scientists get played like the rest of us, as Survivor's John came to realize this week. Let's trace the path of his demise, shall we?

Tonight's episode opened with a lot of tension. Galu members confronted John about switching his vote at tribal council and sending one of his own team members packing. Although players and audience alike understood he did not want to risk his place in the game by picking the wrong stone, they started seeing him as less trustworthy anyway. However John was oblivious to this sentiment, turning down Probst's offer to give the rest of the tribe apple pie during the Survivor Auction and selfishly keeping it for himself since he "wasn't in any danger of being sent home."

For a while everyone's attention turned to Dave. After daring to second guess Shambo when she boiled a chicken for 2 hours the funny fitness instructor jumped to the top of her hit list. When he fell short of winning immunity it seemed his time was up. But the angel of mercy (in the form of Russell) swooped in at the last minute and decided John was more of a threat than Dave. In all actuality though Russell needed to get rid of John after he accidentally told John he had the hidden immunity idol. It wasn't too hard convincing Natalie, Mick and Jaison to come on board with this plan, nor Dave since essentially it would be his head on the chopping block otherwise. Russell pretended to keep his word to John about voting out one of his own. Therefore John thought he was laying the groundwork for Mick's departure. Left in the dark as usual was Shambo who insisted her God-given power to see into the future would result in Dave's torch being snuffed out.

With all this last-minute scrambling accomplished, Aiga arrived at tribal council not knowing what in fact would happen. One thing was certain though – tonight's eliminated player would not see it coming. And true to form the vote was another blindside – for John.

So far everything has gone according to plan for Russell. Next week's previews though show some dissent in the ranks of Foa Foa when Mick questions Russell's loyalties. We're getting down to the wire people, and the suspense is only growing with every episode.