Survivor Phillipines Recap: “Drop Your Buffs!”

After Russell is sent packing Malcolm and Denise find a clue to the immunity idol. They search and search and finally find the idol on top of the rice basket. Malcolm feels so powerful since they realize they will soon be on a new tribe.

Malcolm and Denise drop your buffs! So starts this week’s episode of Survivor Philippines. Jeff instructs the two to pull new buffs from a bag. Malcolm joins Tandang tribe and Denise joins Kalabaw.

A reward challenge ensues. Tandang tribe wins the challenge and is rewarded with cookies, coffee and muffins. Malcolm is in heaven as he’s never had a win and he’s loving his sugar high. Lisa is thrilled that they have Malcolm on their team. I wouldn’t mind looking at Malcolm everyday either!

Over at Kalabaw the girls are excited that Denise has joined their tribe since they have a girls’ alliance and need another girl. The men are bummed because they wanted Malcolm’s strength and more testosterone in the tribe. Trouble is brewing. Dana is extremely sick with nausea and stomach pains. Jeff Probst makes a visit to the camp and brings the medic with him. The medic determines that Dana’s illness is not life threatening but the decision is left up to her whether she wants to remain in the game. Dana is torn but is so ill she makes the decision that she can’t go on. Dana is removed from the game. Kalabaw is devastated as they love Dana and she’s really added a lot to the tribe.

Dawson (Sarah Dawson) knows who Jeff Kent is. Although we have not seen this conversation in any episode, Dawson has already approached Jeff wanting to make an alliance with him and letting him know that she knows he’s a millionaire and a famous major league baseball player. Jeff K continues to deny this to her. He’s not interested in making an alliance with Dawson.

Immunity Challenge: Another Survivor obstacle course. Someone has to sit out and it’s once again Abi. Jeff P. makes mention that Abi sits out repeatedly. Time to change the rules producers! The sitting out of challenges should be on a rotation basis! Kalabaw gets a slow start because Katie can’t complete the first portion of the obstacle course. Jeff P. is belaboring the point that she is slowing down the team. It’s neck and neck at the end and Tandang wins immunity. Now that Kalabaw has lost Dana they are about to lose another tribe mate.

Over at Tandang we find out that Pete and Malcolm are both 24 so Pete is no longer the youngest on the tribe. RC has plans to pull in Malcolm but she is too slow. Pete has already shared the tribe info with Malcolm and recruits him for his alliance with Abi. He even goes so far as to tell Malcolm that they have the idol! Is this wise? I’m thinking no.

Tribal Council: Denise is the new kid on the block however she’s really strong, smart and great at challenges. Katie sucked at the challenge. Dawson knows who Jeff Kent is and is annoying the men. Who to send home? In the end it’s Dawson. I love how this girl went out! That would so be me! As a longtime Jeff Probst fan and a lover of his dimples, Dawson stops and makes eye contact with Jeff as he is snuffing her torch. She leans in and gives him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. You go girl! I would not be leaving that game without giving Jeff a hug and a smooch either!

Jeff P states that next weeks’ episode contains another Survivor first! Until then, outwit, outplay, outlast!!