Have we reached Peak Puzzling on survived These days? Is watching a puzzle clash as exciting as the show believes it is? If each one the immunity challenge is decided the same way, I’d say no, it’s not.
Once again, Wednesday’s episode aaaaaah came to a puzzle as Nneka and Jesse failed to secure the immunity idol for their tribe after failing the old fish puzzle. (I’ve already written the word “puzzle” so many times that I’m annoyed myself.)
Puzzles (blergh) aside, we saw another Beware of Advantage, started a new journey for three lucky castaways, and learned more about the stories of Noel, Neka, and Jessie. But enough of my worries! Let’s get down to this week’s recap and break down all the latest woes.
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BAKA | Gabler begins to deteriorate and the women notice. Ellie, who once considered working with him, now wants him gone. Her new plan: Convince him that his idol has expired. But before he can even try to trick him, Sami tells him that the ladies went through his bag to read the idol rules. Gabler is (understandably) no happy about it. He then gives Ellie a make-believe game, making her believe it he believes that the idol has expired. For now, he’s perfectly fine with making a fool of himself, but Ellie’s gross underestimation here could come back to bite her.
COCO | It’s James’ birthday and he can’t wait to go idol hunting. Despite the fact that suspicions are high, Carla goes searching and finds exactly what everyone has been looking for: the Beware Perk. But she doesn’t risk her voice the first time and eventually decides to return it without opening it.
After talking to James, she changes her mind. You don’t come survived to leave the perks behind! You have to risk it for the biscuit! So she goes back, grabs this thing, and learns all about bead-a-palooza. She easily gets James’ bead, then Geo’s. She trades her earrings for Cassidy and Lindsey’s beads and ends up collecting Ryan’s as well. Idol acquired! I can almost hear Jeff yelling, “That’s how it’s played survived!” from the editing space.
IMMUNITY IS RESERVED FOR THE GRABBING | Players will jump from a tall tower, climb several crates, then dive down to get a key. The two remaining tribe members will use the keys to unlock the puzzle pieces. Complete the puzzle, yay, yay, yay. Tribes also play for a prize: A survived a set of tools and a bunch of fruit.
Owen becomes a parkour master blessed with the blood of a dolphin, giving Baca an early lead. While the other players dive (and dig) deep, Geo checks the Sandra Sit-Out Bench for an advantage. Nice try my man but this time he gets nada. (I like that they worked it into the edit, though.)
Baka returns first with the three keys, but all the tribes are very close together. Elie and Jeanine completely destroy the puzzle, and as they celebrate the victory for the Baka, it’s a straight-up showdown between the other two tribes. A clash that Vesey unfortunately loses. They head to Tribal, but first Baka must choose three players to go on a journey. Choose Noel, James and Owen.
HANGING | So maaaybe Nneka doesn’t have to do puzzles anymore? (Just saying.) Will two strikes get her suspended? We see her falling apart on Dwight; her tribe’s disappointment is tearing her up inside. For Jesse and Cody, the vote comes down to loyalty (Nneka) or tribal strength (Noel). Jesse tells us that Neka reminds him of his mother, which tugs at his heartstrings. He also knows that she wants to put the money to good use and help families in her home country.
TRAVEL | Noelle feels uneasy about leaving camp just minutes before Tribal, and she’s right to have that reservation. But she can’t do anything about it. For now, she, James and Owen climb a high mountain to make a difficult decision. Noelle spilled the beans about last week’s Tribal, hoping the other two would throw her a bone since she was at the bottom of the voting. Her plea works and the boys decide to help her. They let her be the only player to risk her vote, which is why they give her the advantage, which this time is Steal-A-Vote.
TRIBAL COUNCIL | Jeff asks what went wrong with the challenge and Let’s take charge. She spoke of heartbreak from the overnight vote, which others witnessed. However, there is still work to be done.
Although Noelle promised she didn’t risk her voice, Jessie isn’t sure. She can have it all, he says. Almost everyone in the tribe is sure that things will turn out the way they planned, but Noelle isn’t so sure. (Is this a bluff?) When Jeff reads the votes, Let is sent packing and Noel’s advantage goes unused.
Did the right player come home this time? Let us know in the comments.