After Last Week’s Blindsides…
Last week’s votes made one thing perfectly clear: take control of your fate in the game or risk being used as a pawn.
Having spearheaded the effort to get rid of Fishbach, Spencer didn’t want to think of himself as a master game player who uses people at his discretion. Instead he focused on strengthening his relationship with Jeremy, Fishbach’s main ally. Spencer assured him that Fishbach’s blindside didn’t change anything between them, but Jeremy still felt uneasy when considering how unpredictable the voting blocks have been.
Then out of nowhere, Kimmi started making moves, proposing an all-girls alliance to Wentworth whom she had dubbed part of the #WitchesCoven not so long ago. Kimmi also suggested that if Joe didn’t win the next immunity challenge, he should be voted out, which would make the women a majority in the tribe. Whether the girls would work together though is another story entirely.
Loved Ones Visit…
Yet, before all that could be put to the test came the loved ones segment that never leaves a dry eye in the house. Jeremy sprinted to his wife who whispered to him that they would be having a baby boy. Tasha was excited to see her cousin who’s more like a sister, and Keith was ecstatic to have his wife in his arms again. Abi was happy to see her mom, while Kimmi bawled in her dad’s embrace. Then Wentworth reunited with her dad, another Survivor alum who confessed it was just as hard waiting back home as it was to play the game.
The real tearjerkers though came with Joe’s and Spencer’s reunions. It had been Joe’s dream to have his dad visit him on Survivor, but he had been voted out before that came up in his original season. When his dad walked towards him, Joe became really emotional and thanked the tribe for keeping him around long enough to see his dream come true. Another prayer was answered when Spencer finally told his girlfriend that he loved her. Fans will recall his struggle to allow himself those feelings, but Spencer proved that a real change had taken place this season.
The reward challenge soon followed, a chance for the players and their loved ones to enjoy an afternoon barbecue. Wentworth won and chose Keith, Abi, Kimmi, and Joe to join her with their loved ones, while Spencer, Tasha, and Jeremy went back to camp hungry and disappointed.
Spencer was very heartbroken by how things turned out, saying that with every person Wentworth chose to go on the reward, it was like taking “tiny little shanks to the heart.” But he regained his focus and created a final three deal with Jeremy and Tasha. They also agreed that should Joe lose the upcoming immunity challenge, he would have to be voted out without question.
An Epic Challenge & One Heartstopping Moment…
Cue the immunity challenge which involved balancing a wooden statue on a pole that was extended at regular intervals. Unlike previous weeks, there would be two immunity necklaces given out, one for a man, the other for a woman. Wentworth took it for the girls, while we saw another showdown between Keith and Joe. The other contestants were clearly hoping Joe would get eliminated and their wish came true since Joe collapsed nearly an hour and a half into the challenge. Thankfully it was only because his blood sugar levels had dropped, so he wouldn’t have to get pulled from the game.
The Scramble Back At Camp…
They may have rushed to Joe’s side as he lay on the ground, but as soon as he was cleared by medical, everyone jumped right back into game mode, excited that they could finally get rid of the biggest threat in the game. Abi in particular was happy that Joe had lost to a man twice his age. Honestly, if I could have reached into the TV to wipe that smug look off her face I would have. How could you get such joy out of what could have been a very serious medical scare?
Joe knew he didn’t stand much of a chance, but he still tried to convince everyone to get rid of Abi instead of him. He told Jeremy that Abi was a big threat because everyone would want to take her to the finals for an easy win. Jeremy admitted it was something to consider, so he brought it up with Spencer and Tasha. Tasha mentioned the all-girls alliance to the guys in order to prevent them from hearing it elsewhere and creating distrust. After hearing that, Spencer and Jeremy tried to decide what would be best for them: get rid of the biggest physical threat (Joe)? or break up the girls because they couldn’t be trusted?
Another Player’s Second Chance Runs Out…
Talk at tribal council centered around Joe of course, from his collapse during the challenge to how vulnerable he was without the immunity necklace around his neck. He tried to persuade the others that Abi was a bigger threat than he was, but ultimately his torch was snuffed, much to the remaining players’ relief. Abi especially. As she cast her vote for him, she told him that he smells moldy and should get a haircut because he looks like a clown.
Seriously, what planet did she come from? And can we send her back?
So did Spencer, Jeremy, and Tasha make a million-dollar mistake with this voting? We’ll find out next week as paranoia sets in and injuries abound.
What did you think about this week’s episode?