Next morning, we see that Hayden and Ciera are just happy they made big moves at this stage, but they don’t dig that they’re down in numbers. And for the first time, we actually see someone discussing the player who will re-enter the game, and according to Ciera, it’ll probably be her mom. Funny, there goes Ciera flip-flopping again…!
Off to Redemption arena and we see it’s another previous challenge. Build a pole out of slats of wood and twine. I seem to recall Ozzy doing this, and maybe Malcolm, but I don’t trust my memories on that (and how sad that I can remember who did what challenge…!).
Jeff hints at the emotional impact of Tina playing against her daughter, and Tina – visibly hurting – tells us she’s not sure if she can give 100% today. But she’s going to make a game time decision on whether to play hard or go home.
And as the challenge starts, Tina immediately starts barking out advice to Katie on how to assemble her pole. I guess Katie’s never seen the show, or maybe she just works in an office, because without a doubt, she’s just doing what mommy tells her to do. And right about now, I’m wondering if Laura’s feeling a bit slighted because the only reason Tina is here is because Laura helped her in the challenge with Vytas. Oh well, it’s all part of the game, I guess.
Almost immediately, Laura’s pole is long enough to grab the first key. And using the ricketiest pole I’ve only seen on an episode of Scooby Doo (yes, 2 references in one season!) Katie collects her first key. Tina’s pole is falling apart and she’s quickly falling out of it. I guess that game time decision is being made for her… Laura then reaches her 2nd key and it looks like another landslide victory for Mrs. Morett. And sure enough, she quickly grabs the 3rd key and walks through the gate to victory.
And it’s now that I realize that two people are moving on from this challenge. I thought this was it and the winner would join the remaining 5, but no, I’m wrong.
Katie is having a hell of a time as she drops her 2nd key in the sand. And even with all the advice that Laura is now giving her (does anyone recall anyone getting this much help in a challenge?!), Tina then grabs her 2nd key and has overtaken her daughter. And so with Katie unable to retrieve the key from the sand, Tina collects the last key and with mixed emotions, walks through the gate.
Now, I don’t want to say that I can read how someone is feeling, but it looked to me that Katie didn’t want her mom to go through. When Tina asked “Are you okay with this?” I think she would have replied, “Yeah, totally, mom. You deserve it. Go kick some butt.” But rather, she says, “it’s alright…” kind of under her breath.
And with that, we bid a fond adieu to Katie and naturally, Laura gets to give the worthless hidden immunity clue to Ciera. We’ll see if the show has something tricky up their sleeve with that.
The only interesting tidbit I see from the rest of the scene is that Tina implores Hayden to “win the challenge” because you know Katie’s filled her in on what’s what at camp and you know Tina’s harboring some anger towards those who voted her out. Good for her…
Back at camp (Day 33, if you’re interested) Ciera and Hayden are reading the clue and it’s clear it’s referring to the idol that Tyson already found. The two of them are determined to find the idol and win the Immunity Challenge, which appears to be the only way for both of them to stay in the game. So while Hayden goes climbing around every tree like a monkey, we see that he’s bothered when Monica walks up. Could she be spying on him…?
Unsuccessful, Hayden tells us he believes that Tyson has probably already found the idol, so they got some work to do at the next challenge.
And Gervase is all about maintaining his alliance of 3, because he knows that he needs Monica to make it to the finals. He’ll do whatever it takes to bring Mrs. C with him to the end. And in a little game of “How much do you trust me?” with complete bulls**t answers, we see that A) Monica is interested in giving off the impression that she’s on board with Ty-Vase, B) she appreciates (and was visibly moved) by their act of selecting to stay with her, and C) she’s playing for Monica, so f**k them!
So then Hayden and Ciera are plotting their next move. All they have at this point, is to tell Monica that Ty-vase was talking crap about her. And hope that her ego is so bruised that she’ll flip without asking her alliance if they did say those things, or if she’ll doubt what Ciera or Hayden would say to her, considering they’re on their last leg.
Thought it was awesome when Katie walked in to tribal and Hayden commented how hot she looked and could not wipe the grin off his face. Wondering if that made Kat still think Hayden wouldn’t want to be with someone that couldn’t even make it to the jury. (one of the funnier meltdowns.)
As I was writing the column last night, I made a mental note to mention that moment, but it totally slipped my mind. Good catch! I thought the same thing, exactly! Hayden, you got some ‘splainin’ to do…
Love, Love the Headless Snowman Scooby Doo clip. That is my all time favorite one. Even though my 9 year old is no longer into the shows, that one always cracked me up. I love the Snowman’s face when he makes them hot cocoa. Classic!!!