SURVIVOR: SECOND CHANCE – 11/25/15

Over at the reward, the “roof” they were promised is merely a grass thatch hut on the beach. This ain’t no Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus! This is Long Duck Dong and his cousins doing their version of Cirque du Soleil’s Zarkana on the sand. While it’s nice to step out of the game for a few hours, the players still have to cover up with blankets, so much for that warmth they were promised.

Ciera, ever the gamer, is getting emotional at seeing all these kids, which remind her of her own children back home. After a mini cry, she’s got her game face on again and decides to get to work. This group of 5 needs to make an endgame plan, and all they need is one more player (Kelley) to blindside someone. The choice is between Jeremy and Fishbach, and with SP’s advantage, now would be the perfect time to pull it off. Spencer is down with it, Joe is really down with it, and Tash has that look like, “I’m not sure I’m down with it.” Let’s see if she spills the beans back at camp…

…who’s still being drenched by torrential rain. The losing 5 are huddled in the shelter, trying to stay dry, but it’s nearly impossible. Keith is wearing Joe’s shirt because “F**k Joe,” is what he’s thinking. Of course, this all leads to a huge discussion of how strong a player Joe is, how he keeps winning immunity, how he’s an arrogant bastard for HOW he’s playing, and that he’s playing every angle. So he needs to go next. Fishbach is obviously a proponent of this chatter. And with his advantage, now may be the perfect time to pull it off (hey, I just said that!). SP confesses that as comfortable as he feels in his position in the game, he knows it’s never good to get too comfortable, and every time he makes a comment saying how comfortable he is, a clap of thunder portends something else. We’ll see…

That night (Night 25) it’s STILL raining! Seriously?! And Stephen is having issues. Yes, I know we already know he has issues, but this time it’s physical. He’s having stomach problems which force him to go poop hopefully far enough away from camp for propriety’s sake. He’s becoming an emotional mess, and I think he’s losing his mind. His confessional is one of the saddest ones I’ve ever seen, and I’m starting to wonder if the machete needs to be kept away from him. Through all his issues, Jeremy is standing by him, but that’s for his own reasons, and hopes they can catch a break and dry off.

Immunity is up for grabs next and it looks like the rain has finally stopped. Jeff calls them in and has everyone take one white and one black rock. Not sure what that’s all about yet, but Jeff tells us the challenge is one that Keith did in Blood vs. Water 2. Standing on a post on one foot, players have to pin a ball against a post above their heads using a “buoy” kind of thing. Keith did not win it before so this is his second chance.

Now, for the rocks. Jeff tells everyone that a construction crew is back at the Orkin camp ready to improve their shelter, fire, etc… However, the catch is that 5 players must give up the chance to compete in the challenge for the crew to get started. It would be a huge benefit to improve the camp, but at what cost? I would figure Joe is gonna compete regardless, because he knows he has to win immunity, but who’s gonna join him? Players make their choice and reveal…

Everyone chooses to surrender their chance…except Joe and Keith. And it appears that Joe will probably win again. And he’s a double winner because the shelter will be improved when he goes back to camp with that necklace around his neck! Jeff asks Joe about whether he debated choosing white, and he gets a nice little dig on SP by saying he can deal with the rain by “sucking it up” better than the others, and you know Stephen felt that in his “gastrointestinal” region…

The losers/quitters take a seat on the bench and let’s get started. This challenge could be over fairly quickly. Taking their spots, both have on shoes, so that’s a good thing. I couldn’t imagine having to do this with bare feet. Once they get set, the challenge is under way. Right from the beginning, it looks like Joe is having minor issues keeping his grip and not shaking. Some of the players notice this and secretly wish he finally fails. Keith looks good. Until he slips…and this challenge is over! What? Joe wins his 4th necklace, Keith earns some respect, and the other players get to start looking at each other like vultures. I wonder what games will be played back at camp, and who is going home…?

Fishbach takes us to the break by saying he/they need to target Ciera because of her aggressive gameplay. If he only knew what she was saying about him, he may even start crying again. Let’s watch the drama unfold…

The players are welcomed to the new Orkun Shelter, by Home Depot. A huge lean-to, rainproofed with a tarp. A fire burning, with cookies and drinks to fill their tummies. Spencer confesses that since many of the players choose to give up their chance to win immunity, they’ve almost made a deal with the devil. And it looks like one of them will be going home. Not sure why he doesn’t include Keith in that group, because just because you do something nice on Survivor, doesn’t mean you can’t be screwed over (just ask Yau-Man and Brenda).

Fishbach, Jeremy and Kimmi discuss who to take out and Stephen says it’s obviously Ciera, because she’s so devious. Even with a smile on her face, she can be plotting someone’s downfall (you’d better believe it, Gastrointestinal Boy!). He feels he could even work with Kelley and Abi down the road, because he thinks his advantage will keep him safe for a few votes, and he really doesn’t want to use the advantage too early. Wonder if that plan will bite him in the ass.

Next, Ciera, Keith, Joe, Kelley, Spencer, Abi and Tash are together and discussing what “the plan” is. Joe says it’s 100% Stephen (“Poopy Pants,” per Abi, the heartless bitch) and everyone is DTF. As a little back-up plan, Ciera plots to have 2 people vote for Kimmi, just in case Stephen plays his advantage. I’m interested to see how this will all play out, and very anxious to see how much Stephen cries when he gets blindsided!

Tash runs the idea of taking out Ciera by Spencer, because she doesn’t like the way Ciera has been running things quietly. And with all the little moves she’s done, that could be a convincing resume come Final Tribal. Spencer is listening, but he still likes the Stephen vote, because it takes that advantage out, and he knows he can always deal with Ciera later.

Spencer, Joe, Tash and Jeremy then have a pow-wow and Joe mentions the Stephen vote. These 4 want to remain strong together, but they’re not in agreement right now. Spencer and Joe want Stephen gone, Tash and Jeremy want Ciera out, so which side is gonna win? And with Jeremy’s 2 idols, you never know when one of those might get played. The players grab their torches and head off to Tribal, in what could be the biggest Tribal Council of the season.

They take their seats and welcome in the jury: Kass, Savage, Caitlyn Jenner (come on, there’s a bit of a resemblance!). Jeff collects the following intel:

-Kelley has never been so miserable
-Poopy Pants has a boo-boo tummy but knows he has to keep playing
-the white/black stone decision was an easy choice for Ciera, who obviously made the selfless decision to help her tribe (what a gal!)
-Tash also chose to be “unselfish” and gave up her spot (a dig at Joe)
-Joe responds with “If I had pulled out that white rock, I’d have gone home tonight.” (that’s probably true, so f**k you, Tash)
-Keith is a dadgum competitor
-Spencer thinks Keith is probably safe, so whoever goes home will be second guessing the choice they made when they picked that white rock
-Jeremy confirms the shifting voting blocs still exist
-Fishbach has no idea what’s going down tonight
-and Tash says Stephen’s advantage has been discussed by people who may be tight with Stephen (does hearing that make him reconsider not playing it tonight?)

Probst calls out that while Hidden Immunities may be kept secret, Stephen’s advantage was public information, so put that in your pipe and smoke it, Fishbach. Stephen even admits the idea crossed his mind that having an advantage really isn’t one, and when Jeremy begins saying that it may be a bad thing, Stephen should start getting worried.

Probst announces it looks like another blindside, which is everyone’s worst nightmare, and best occurrence. These people are all fans of the game too, so they love seeing some crazy s**t go down at Tribal. Ciera admits she may be going home, so choosing that white rock could have been a million dollar mistake. Or as Tash calls it,

“A million dollar shelter.”

And before they head off to vote, I’m left wondering why Kimmi and Abi aren’t asked anything, but I know that’s because they have nothing important to add. Those two are just skating through this season, aren’t they? It’s time to vote…

Votes are cast and nothing seems too shocking. But when Jeff returns and asks for any hidden idols, the silence is broken by Jeremy. He stands and brings an idol to Jeff and tells him he’s playing it for the person who “he can trust more moving forward.” And it’s Fishbach. Damn, homey, you just bought yourself a slave…

Fishbach is dumbfoundedly (is that a word?) surprised/honored/humbled, and Ciera knows she’s up Schitz Creek. Joe looks disappointed as well, but since he was already 50/50 on Stephen or Ciera going home, he shouldn’t really care. Let’s see how this plays out…

Fishbach
Fishbach
Fishbach
Fishbach
Fishbach
Ciera
Ciera
Kimmi
Kimmi
Ciera

Damn. That was some Wentworth level Hidden Idol play. Good job, Mr. Collins. And I think you just save Fishbach’s life. Of course, when his appendix explodes next week and he’s rushed to a hospital, I’m sure you’ll realize you just wasted an idol on a someone who can’t win. In fact, with two idols in your pocket, Stephen does more FOR YOU on the jury than he does in the game. We’ll see how that plays out…

Ciera leaves with a smile and glad tidings for everyone, she’s not bitter. That’s always good to see. Her final words don’t reveal anything monumental, so let’s just be glad another layer of the onion has been pulled back.