Survivor Recap: Is Survivor Too Predictable?

The last two episodes of Survivor although promising twists and excitement, have become all too predictable. Last week we left off with Keith, Ozzy and Jim on Redemption Island after a double elimination. Tonight in the Redemption Island arena Ozzy’s superior challenge skills including agility, balance and strength, proved too much for his opponents yet again and Jim and Keith became the first two members of the jury. This seems fitting to me actually since Jim, who spoke of honor and loyalty last week, was the first person to turn against his alliance and join with Cochran, Keith and Whitney to blindside Elyse. Little did Jim know that he would create the monster that would take him out of the game. Karma’s a bitch Jim.

Ozzy is loving his time at Redemption Island. Once again he’s Mogli, climbing barefoot to the top of a coconut tree to survey his kingdom. He fishes daily in the reef and has ample food and all he needs to survive. In the meantime TeTuna is starving.

Back at TeTuna camp, also known as the former Upolu tribe, Dawn and Whitney anticipate the immunity challenge because they know it’s their only shot at staying in the game. Coach mentors Cochran in Yoga and meditation. Ever the benevolent Lord, Coach keeps a sharp eye on his minions. “I’m drinking the Coach Kool-Aid—slowly, with delicate, ginger sips.” states Cochran. Could have fooled me Cochran and don’t get your hopes up on winning any challenges requiring balance after that poor excuse of a yoga session.

Immunity Challenge:

Survivors must balance a bowl of rice on their heads while traversing a course including a seesaw. When they get to the other side they must dump their rice in another bowl. The first person to fill that bowl wins immunity. If you drop your bowl or touch your bowl, you are out of the challenge. Sophie, Brandon and Dawn are far ahead of the others. With an overflowing bowl of rice balanced on her head, Sophie wins immunity. There is no reward. Jeff says that tonight’s tribal council will include a twist which he will not reveal until tribal council. Many speculate that it’s another double eviction.

Dawn and Whitney are frustrated that they didn’t win immunity. Dawn actually tells Cochran that she has regrets about not outing Cochran to Savaii when she had the chance. It’s a little late for that Dawn. She too has signed her own eviction notice by siding with Cochran and throwing Savaii under the bus. Dawn’s attempts at brown-nosing Upolu do not go unnoticed, however not to her advantage. Many Upolu tribe members including Coach, believe that because Dawn is well liked it makes her a bigger threat than Whitney. Dawn and Whitney don’t want to stand by and wait for the slaughter. Dawn wants Cochran to reciprocate in some way for not outting him. They decide that the only person who is not totally under Coach’s spell is Albert. Albert has talked about making big moves but he is stymied by Coach and Sophie thus far. Albert wants to harvest some Savaii jury votes and the only way to do that is to let them get farther in the game. He proposes voting out Edna. For all intents and purposes Edna is Coach’s maid and servant who, according to the Survivors, has brought nothing to the game. “This game’s not out-organize, out-clean and out-gather. It’s Survivor!”says Albert.
Edna is the epitome of someone playing “under the radar.”

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Coach is extremely nervous and believes that Albert is going behind his back with Whitney, Dawn and Cochran. Coach exclaims right before tribal council, “If anyone goes against the family, it’s instant death.” Pretty harsh words Coach, I believe Jim Jones said that, or was that Don Corleone? Coach insists that he handles his tribemates with coddling, reaffirmation and fear if appropriate.

At tribal council

there is a spirited debate about the importance of a big move. You can tell that Jeff P. wants to shout at these people, “Wake up and do something big!” Jeff must also know that it’s boring for the fans to know excactly in what order everyone is going to be evicted. Jeff asks Cochran if he feels he’s number 7 in the group, Cochran says yes, he’s come late. Jeff asks what his strategy is and Cochran basically says well he’ll cross that bridge when he comes to it. “You’re going to be very, very late to a party where they’re not even interested in letting you in the door!” says Jeff.
Jeff asks Coach if he is the leader. Coach denies he is the leader of the tribe. He asks Whitney and Albert. They all but confirm that yes Coach is the leader. (If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.) After all the talk and banter it’s time to vote. Dawn and Whitney vote for Edna, Dawn is voted out and will join Ozzy at Redemption Island where he will cook her a lovely fish, treat her nicely and hopefully send her to the jury.

Surprise!

Jeff P. announces that they will immediately hold a new immunity challenge and another eviction vote. Well this is promising! Perhaps Whitney can win immunity? Then we would see Cochran slink off to Redemption Island. Could this really happen??? Jeff asks a series of questions regarding survival in the South Pacific. Edna and Albert get the first question wrong and are immediately eliminated. Brandon, Rick, Cochrane and Coach are eliminated and it’s down to Sophie and Whitney! The final question Whitney gets wrong and Sophie wins immunity. It’s time to vote. Who could it be? Will it be a blindside? No, it’s only Whitney who then joins Ozzy and Dawn on Redemption Island. It’s another Savaii reunion.

Although I haven’t mentioned Brandon or Rick (whose Rick you ask?), they’re still in the game. Brandon is still being as annoying as humanly possible and Rick is just a ghost that you rarely see and never hear.

What new twist is in store for next week? Will someone from Upolu finally turn on Coach? As Whitney said, “Seven people cannot win this game!” Will the duel on Redemption Island continue to be a threesome? Will Coach become Zeuss and eat his children??? Until next week, the tribe has spoken.