Survivor Micronesia - Episode 10

In last week’s episode Jason and Eliza tried to bushwhack Ozzy all by themselves, but lost their bid for induction into the Survivor pantheon of immortals when the faux immunity idol Ozzy left after taking the real one turned out to be just what it appeared to be – a peeled stick with a smiley face scratched on it. Those who try to assassinate the king better succeed, I figure. Eliza was evicted and this week I’m looking for Jason to go.

Day 25. The Dabu tribe waking up under a rising red sun (sailor takes warning). Jason addresses the camera. He admits that he feels foolish for believing the stick was the idol, but soothes his ego by reminding us that he beat Ozzy one-on-one for individual immunity. “[Winning immunity] let me know Ozzy’s not the only god-like competitor who can play this game.”

And quick as that we are onto the luxury challenge. A large multi-level contraption of poles strung with nets has been erected 100 feet off shore. Another 50 feet beyond it is a raft supporting a small billboard-like structure. The display side faces out to sea. On it are two pyramids made of Micronesian symbols. Teams are divided into two tribes of 4. Team members must swim out, cross the net contraption to the billboard, memorize as much of their team’s pyramid as then can, get back to shore and assemble as much of a copy of the pyramid as they can. Winners get to be flown to the island of Yap to spend the day and a night as the guests of the locals.

Teams are picked. With 9 survivors, the last one not chosen will be sent to Exile Island and not return till the immunity challenge. Jason and Natalie win the draw for captains and pick sides. They pick and the teams are Jason, Ozzy, Erik and Amanda versus Natalie, James, Pavarti and Alexis. Cirie is odd-woman out and Exile Island-bound.

Team Jason wins a close contest. They board a float plane.

Yap is about as close to Eden as I can imagine. Moss covered stone pathways wind through lush jungle to what I believe is the only village on the island. The village itself sits on a bed of stone that lifts the surface a couple feet above the surrounding rain forest. Great engineering – no muddy slop even in the rainy season.

The feast looks like the villagers have put up a year’s worth of food. Betel nuts (“Good for warming up”) are offered, along with a milky beer. Wikipedia says this about the betel nut: “a mildly euphoric stimulant… Chewing betel nuts increases the capacity to work, also causes a hot sensation in the body, heightened alertness and sweating. It should be noted the effect of chewing a few betel nuts is milder than drinking a cup of coffee.”

All the local women are topless. Sadly, Amanda does not feel compelled to participate in this tradition. In voice over Erik says, “I found it interesting that all their women were topless. I’m sitting there, ready to eat my food, and the lunch lady doesn’t have a shirt on…. That’s the most boobs I’ve probably seen in my whole life.”

Erik is great – my vote to win it all – and spends most of the visit with the locals, knocking back nuts and beer. He ends up puking his guts out, so we know he had a good time.

Cut to Cirie on Exile Island under a raging thunderstorm. “Not a good night,” she says. “Not a good night at all.” Next day, with the rain still pouring down, she tells the camera that Ozzy having the immunity idol “increases his target 10-fold.” (Everybody learned Ozzy has the idol at the last tribal council when Eliza ratted him out as she left). “Maybe,” Cirie says, “I’ll just have to work on getting rid of Ozzy and his idol.”

Cut to James chopping wood while his tribe mates are trying to sleep. Pavarti calls him on it and he walks off. As he hauls water he talks about how he maintained the fire throughout the night “keeping the mosquitoes off their ass. But Pavarti fixed her mouth to say something to me.” What a great phrase – “fixed her mouth to say something.” The man is a poet. He truly is.

The luxury challenge winners return. Ozzy makes the mistake of talking about all the different types of food they had. Dumb, Ozzy; real dumb.

Pavarti and Alexis bad mouth Ozzy. A little ways away James and Amanda quietly discuss how close the two seem to have become. James says, “She’s in love with girl power,” and we know for the first time that he suspects she has made a secret alliance with Natalie and Alexis.

Amanda tells the camera she is worried about Pavarti’s loyalty. “Ozzy has to be careful because he is such a threat and they know he has the immunity idol. Who’s to say who will flip?”

Cirie returns and it’s time for the immunity challenge. Each player steps up on a log and raises their hand into the air. Above is a half-barrel of water with a chain attached. The chain is locked around the player’s raised wrist. When the hand drops, the bucket tips and the player is eliminated.

Twenty minutes in Jeff temps the players with a bowl of candy. Cirie and Erik gleefully cave. James says, “What the Nickleodeon is going on around here?” Did I not just finish saying the man is a poet?

Forty-five minutes in Jeff comes out with something behind his back. James says, “Unless it’s a steak…” and Alexis gets so excited by the word steak that she moves her hand a bit, dumping her bucket and eliminating herself from the challenge. Jeff decides to be the prick and says he hadn’t yet offered what’s behind his back, so she doesn’t even get the consolation prize. As she stomps off Jeff clarifies they must tell him they are accepting his offer before the bucket drops. Natalie gets woozy at the site of the chocolate cookie and milk he pulls out, slips off her log and she’s out, too, with no reward. James is so amused he rolls his shoulders and that’s enough to tip his bucket.

Just like that we are down to 4; Pavarti, Jason, Amanda and Ozzy. At an hour in – shocker – Ozzy caves for a couple of chocolate donuts. Hubris, Ozzy. Or maybe he’s decided to use his immunity idol at tribal council, regardless anything else?

Five hours in Amanda decides she doesn’t want to urinate on camera and takes herself out. There’s just Pavarti and Jason now. Six hours. Jeff brings out a platter of treats. If one of them steps down, the entire tribe gets to share the platter. Pavarti tells Jason he needs to make friends. He says he needs a guarantee. Natalie gives him hers. Erik gives him his (surprises me, given his loyalty to Ozzy). Pavarti gives him her word. Uh-oh. The flag has to go up for Ozzy now.

Cirie leans behind Erik, whispers to Ozzy, shows him her crossed fingers and gives Jason her guarantee. Ozzy signals to the others (Amanda, James and, tellingly, Alexis). The word gets passed around and everybody crosses their fingers and gives their guarantee.

This is why we watch Survivor. Who just got set up: Jason or Ozzy?

Jason drops his arm. Pavarti has immunity. The scheming begins. After all is said and done, it comes down to this: Alexis, Natalie, Cirie and Jason will vote to evict Ozzy. Ozzy, Amanda, James and Eric will vote to evict Jason. Pavarti will have to betray one of her two alliances.

At tribal council Ozzy does not use his immunity idol. The vote is read out. At Jason 4, Ozzy 1, the vote turns. At Jason and Ozzy tied at 4 a shock wave ripples through the assembly. James, who lost Survivor China because he failed to use his immunity idols, rubs his face and shakes his head. He glaces at Ozzy with an expression that says, "deja you." Sole jury member Eliza looks like she going to do what Amanda refused to do – wet herself on camera.

Pavarti knifes Ozzy in the back, making 3 straight unused immunity idols going back to last season. Freakin’ great episode. Now what? James, Erik and Amanda versus Pavarti, Cirie, Alexis, Jason and Natalie. For the first time since the period between the first and second tribal council, the fans are outnumbered.