Redemption Island merges

[Ringo]

>written by fans for fans
this ought to catch you up, the show is getting exciting now.

This season was exciting in the beginning as we all waited to see if either of our marquee players would make it past the first commercial. It didn’t take long to evict Russell using his own hubris as a weapon.

Since then we have all been grateful for Phillip. He gives us something to watch while the chess match that is the first half of Survivor is played.

Got thoughts? Post them at the end.

The chess match portion of the game is important, critical even. It’s just that it’s not necessarily entertaining to watch. A whispers to B and C and D sneak off into the underbrush to discuss X.

So thank goodness for Phillip. Phillip doesn’t play chess. I’m not sure what game Phillip is playing. World of Warcraft without a computer, perhaps?

Question: Has there ever been a player who has so thoroughly trashed his own chances at surviving post merge as Phillip?

The point of having two separate tribes leading up to the merge is the unknown.

Theoretically the people on Purple have seen Phillip only at competitions.

Theoretically they should have him listed as a big guy who is about a C-minus competitor in strength and agility and is untested in puzzles.

In reality there is Phillip’s mouth. He has managed to broadcast his weirdness at the duels.

Purple may not really know what Phillip is, but they are bound to have a fair idea that he’s more a starter pistol than a secret weapon.

And the moment Phillip introduces himself as Secret Agent Man Leader of the Known Universe, the Purple tribe will hurt themselves laughing.

What I personally really want to see is Phillip throwing down against David. David also has a hair trigger but David is bright. He won’t take any of this melodrama from Phillip. Phillip will then explode about his being deserving of respect because he’s older or some such nonsense.

Time your drinking carefully if this happens. You will otherwise have a problem with your nose.

The remaining two things the Powers That Be have told us about this week are that the surviving combatant on Redemption Island will come back this week and that Matt is hurt.

The first is most likely true. It’s hard to lie about a statement like that. The second is probably a red herring.

Matt probably has cut his foot. We know from every season that James the Gravedigger played that a cut on Survivor can be a one-way ticket home. But, at the same time the voice-over was telling us that Matt is hurt, they were showing us Matt walking with nary a limp.

So, I think Matt has hurt his foot. I think Matt will come through the duel just fine.

I think they need to manufacture any and all drama possible before they show us Matt going head to head with the ever-so accomplished Sarita.

We open tonight with the after Tribal debrief in the dark.

No hard feelings about the vote for David, or so David says.

There is also a lot of restating the obvious. Sarita arrives at Redemption Island and although neither Matt nor Sarita says anything meaningful to the other, each restates the obvious to us. Ho Hum.

Matt has done the math and has decided that the merge is upon us and that Sarita might be the last duel he’ll have to wage. He doesn’t think it will be hard to beat her. I hope that’s not foreshadowing because I agree with him.

Interestingly, Matt is now pondering the possibility of going against the Yellow group if/when he gets back in the game. Give a man enough time alone with nothing to do but think, and he might just think! That’s one of the nifty aspects of Redemption Island.

The sun comes up and Yellow fetches their tree mail.

The message says the whole tribe will come witness the duel. Voices all say “merge”. They have waited for this since day two so they are bound to read “merge” into any message but this time they are right.

Phillip takes the time to explain that to us. That would be in case we have been asleep for seven weeks, or otherwise occupied. Thank you, Phillip. What would we do without you?

Then just to prove that he is the most contrary person ever to breathe, when Rob suggests that everyone take their stuff with them in case it is the merge and in case they wind up at the other beach, Phillip says “I think they will come here.”

After he postures for a bit, however, common sense and a reluctance to continue being the “red headed stepchild” prevail and Phillip packs up.

Sidebar: the phrase “red headed stepchild” is one I have used off and on forever to indicate someone who doesn’t quite fit in. As God is my witness, I shall NEVER use that phrase again.

Over at the Purple beach, the mail readers are a little less certain that the message means merge but are willing to consider their options in case it is so. Mike tells us that he’s ready to go toe-to-toe with Rob.

The testosterone levels just ramped up.

Over at Redemption Island we get Matt showing us his cut foot. He says “pretty badly”. Well, considering this is the jungle, it looks pretty good.

I will grant you that its position on the weight bearing edge of the foot would be awfully sore if the challenge is one of those stand on little pegs for a few hours types. But the foot looks remarkably clean as does the wound.

Matt again pledges to do his best for his God. Sarita declares herself confident and a worthy opponent.

Sarita always says good stuff like that.

As the competitors enter the arena, Jeff tells everyone that the winner today is back in the game.

We knew because of the previews. The others had hoped or maybe guessed.

There is a range of emotions expressed. Matt and Sarita are pleased. Rob not so much. He doesn’t want another strong person in the game. He’s obviously already put his money on Matt to prevail.

The game constructions, by the way, look kind of like giant telephone booths. Does that mean it is an endurance test where they have to stand on pegs? That’s just nuts if it’s true.

It’s true. Dang it. Did they decide on this one after Matt cut his foot?

I’m not paranoid or anything much!

At least while Sarita is a slender person, she’s not known for strength, stamina or staying power.

Yes, I’m rooting for Matt. The game will be dumb if he’s out and Sarita is in.

They are on each foothold for 15 minutes before they move down to smaller pegs. Mat has wrapped his bum foot. That’s good.

They have shifted down. Jeff is talking about pain and Matt is agreeing.

Jeff decides to kill time by pushing Phillip’s on-button. And seventeen minutes later Phillip is still blathering. Rob is cracking up. Steve just looks befuddled.

Purple is encouraging Sarita. Matt is readjusting. Sarita is just zoned out. Matt is struggling but Sarita is now cramping up. She falls and Matt returns to the game.

As she tosses her buff, Sarita makes a little speech about having tried hard and being bummed. Typical.

All buffs are exchanged. They are merged. They go to a new beach. And starting with the next Tribal Council, Redemption Island is back in force.

What? Yes, I heard about this in recent previews but I’m still blown away by the logistics of this. At what point will the Island Exile return? Think about when the jury will be formed. I need to think about this.

The new camp and the feast is next. No one seems to care about anything but eating. There is fruit, prosciutto, chicken, beverages, and bread. Next they get to choose a tribe name and build a whole new shelter.

[Ringo]

Joke of the year. The tribe has named themselves Murlonio after one of Rob’s wife Amber’s stuffed animals. That’s bizarre.

And before the food has settled or the hammering is done, Mike is all over Matt trying to recruit him. Is that smart? Maybe.

From where we sit, we know that Rob is worried about Matt being bitter about his eviction.

From where we sit, we know that Matt used to be intent on rejoining the Yellow group but is now keeping his options open.

We also know that Mike is determined to take Rob down, because Mike said so to us.

But, none of the people know what we know, to the level we know it. I’m surprised that Mike is jumping into this so fast, but maybe that is a good idea. Get going before Rob weaves his spell over the former Purples.

Mike even offers up the idol, which he really doesn’t have, if Matt needs it. Matt is reacting as he might to the spiel of a desperate used car salesman. He back pedals and says he has to talk with Andrea. Mike keeps yakking like a man with a quota to fill.

Night has fallen and one for all and all for one did not happen.

The shelter is sort of half-finished. The Yellow Tarp is over the back half of the shelter which is where the Yellow tribe is sleeping. There is no tarp over the front half where the Purple tribe is cold, wet and miserable. This is significant.

Any shift from one tribal alliance to another will be immediately apparent. In the pile of soggy blankets I don’t see where Matt is sleeping but I’d bet real money that it’s under the Yellow tarp with Andrea.

The body count is currently five purple versus six yellow. Steve is hoping to pull Matt and Andrea over. Hmmm. They are warm, dry and together. They would want to switch, why?


There is going to be trouble in paradise. They just let us eavesdrop on Matt and Andrea sitting on the beach in the dark.

Matt’s plan is to get rid of Phillip and then Steve and then blindside Rob. “The game respects big moves,” he says.

As far as that goes, it’s not a bad plan, but for a couple of things.

First and foremost is Andrea herself. Having Matt back has unleashed her inner pre-teen. She’s giggling and talking over him and being a hyperactive ditz. Matt has to keep telling her to be quiet so he can finish a sentence.

Second, Matt naively thinks that Andrea is 100% on his side come what may. Not.

Her act may be girly but she’s out to win this game herself. Matt doesn’t get that.

Next, Rob has an idol and no one knows it. Matt hasn’t mentioned how he’d work around that. It’s been done, but he doesn’t seem to be considering it now.

Finally, there is Mike. Mike wants to win this game and is setting up the strong man dominos to fall.

What Matt doesn’t seem to realize is that he is one of those dominos. No one, not even Phillip the Deluded, would ever take Matt to the final three. Matt is nice and hasn’t hurt a soul.

This will all change probably by tomorrow, but the trouble flags are flying. Watch for them.

The sun comes up after a night of strategy.

For a crew that got soaked last night because the shelter was incomplete, it’s interesting that Rob is kicked back in a deck chair surrounded by “the girls” while others are sitting in pairs.

Matt notes that Mike is reading scripture. Discussion follows on the coincidence of 39 days on Survivor and the 40 days in the wilderness and God putting people in place for a reason.

Take that for what it’s worth to you. I’m not going to impose my own beliefs on this forum.

Matt must have been doing more heavy thinking because his thoughts this morning are gravitating toward sticking with the former Yellow gang.

Matt, it’s Day 21. You may have to make up your mind one way or another pretty soon. Sitting on a fence makes you a target from all sides.

Rob is feeling that what he’s decided to call The Christian Coalition has to be broken up. He says he has nothing against God, but when any group of people get together on one thing, they have to be broken up.

I’ll wait for it. Mike’s Bible looks well worn, so he may be as strong in his public faith as Matt. If so, good luck to you Rob on splitting up the Bible Study group.
Ah … the Word from Rob is that Mike is his target if Mike doesn’t win individual immunity. I guess any one of the strong men targeting any other strong man will break up the current waiting game.

And speaking of immunity, we fly in from above to the field of combat. From up here it looks wet.

The colored posts we saw from above are stations. The castaways must stand on a half-buried log and hold a wooden disk on their outstretched hand. That’s holding the disk on the flat of the hand or the tips of the fingers. They must balance a wooden ball on the disk.

In intervals more balls will be added. When a ball falls, the player is out. The posts are there to hold the extra balls until it’s time to place them on the disk.

So, the footing is unstable. The holding of the disk is actually a balancing act. The wooden balls are going to be very “free-spirited” on the hard surface of the disk. Shouldn’t take long.

Jeff’s first instruction is to “get comfortable”. Hah. Easy for you to say, Jeff.

Phillip is having trouble just staying upright.

Julie is out.

They have five seconds to place a second ball.

Ashley is out. David is out. Ralph got saved by the next ball change.

Now there will be three balls and no time limit. And the wind has picked up. And Jeff is now doing commentary.

Andrea is out. Grant is out. Matt is out. Rob is out. Phillip is out.

Mike is solid. Is he trained as a sniper? Ralph is talking to the balls to no avail. He is out.

Steve’s balls start to dance, and he’s out. Natalie is starting to shiver. Mike is just like stone.

A fly has landed on one of Mike’s balls and it broke his concentration. The ball never fell but he did. Natalie wins immunity.

The talking begins before they leave the beach. Mike is aware that he may be a target.

Mike doesn’t think Yellow will come after Julie or Steve. He thinks it will be himself or Ralph. Mike gets Ralph to agree to play the idol for him if it’s needed. They think the target should be Grant, Rob’s right hand guy.

Meantime, Matt is talking with Rob.

Most weeks these chats are just a repeat of what has been said before. Tonight it’s important. It may be heavily edited but it’s new stuff for us.

Matt tells us that he’s sticking with Yellow. No flipping. Then he tells Rob all that Mike told him about access to an idol.
Over the course of the conversation, Matt tells Rob all about his thinking to flip to the other side and get rid of Rob.

Matt tells Rob and Andrea is part of the thinking. Then Matt tells Rob, “but nevermind. I’m sticking with you guys.”

We have just watched a serious self-destruct. Rob tells us that Matt cannot be trusted and is now Gone baby Gone.

And the camera man catches a picture of a sizeable coral snake slip sliding along the beach. An omen and a portent for sure.

Rob wants unquestioned loyalty. Rob wants a pack of friendly dogs, is what he wants. Matt is too naïve to play this game. And now Andrea is totally pissed because, as she says, Matt just threw her under the bus.

Boom.

So Mr Rob Butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-his Mouth says should we vote Mike? Matt says Mike is too strong, they should go after Steve.

In reality, Rob is telling Natalie that the target is Matt. When he tells Grant, Grant talks about Matt being such a “good Christian guy”. Rob says fine. He can be a good Christian guy on Redemption Island.

The big deal is that Rob and his faction see Matt as playing both sides.

Now, suddenly, Matt is feeling ostracized. A minute ago he didn’t have a care in the world. Now he’s wondering where his friends have gone. Mike picks up on this. He’s back to lobbying for the jump to Purple.

Matt instructs Phillip on the vote. Mike is working the rest of Purple.

The group is finally working on the shelter. During this, Mike in the least subtle move ever slips Matt a note. Matt, in an even less subtle move, suddenly needs to take a walk.

As he leaves, Steve and Julie and Ralph are all grinning. Maybe David too. I didn’t see him. The notes says “vote for Grant and I’ll take you to final three.”

Matt is now stuck deciding whether he needs to keep his word.

‘Scuse me? Matt, you have given your word and taken it back about five times since breakfast. If you want to think about possibilities, keep the discussions in your own head. The minute you talk about things out loud to another person you are in the realm of having “given your word.”

Poor Matty. He’s so screwed. Even if he survives tonight, he’s so screwed in the game.

Now Rob is looking for Matt. No Matt. He’s looking for Andrea. No Andrea. Rob is now personally worried.
So, Rob is talking to Andrea and telling her to vote Matt. Andrea reminds us that Rob screwed her over once before.

The long walk in the rain gets them to Tribal Council where Jeff starts by asking about twelve people in one camp. Various people respond that there are two separate tribes in one camp.

This devolves into the discussion of tarp versus no tarp at which point David points out that Yellow won the tarp because Purple didn’t try. Jeff jumps on that and gets a “yes”.
Then Phillip jumps in with one of his speeches about trying hard. I tuned it out but there was probably a Samurai in there somewhere. David makes a commentary and Phllip gets huffy.

My wish may come true. We may get to see David versus Phillip yet.

Phillip’s story is silly and, frankly, offensive. It went from hard working Samurai to tidal waves and dead garbage washed ashore. All the people from Yellow are laughing. They know Phillip. The others are seriously confused and not amused.

Now Jeff prods the What to Do About Matt situation. He gets the expected responses including a pithy comment from Ralph about “they canned him once; they might do it again.” Matt’s response is “I’m on the bottom of everything and I’m still working it out.”

Voting begins: The sneak previews show nothing except for a shot of Matt taking forever to write anything down. Remember, there are 12 votes total.

Jeff asks for any hidden immunity idols. Ralph stands up and plays his idol on behalf of Mike. Mike is safe.

The votes are: Grant, Grant, Grant, Grant, Grant, Steve, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt.

Matt is headed back to his digs on Redemption Island.

Steve says “let the fireworks begin”.

David says “Genius is what that was”.

Please note the voting. The entirety of the Purple tribe voted for Grant. That’s solidarity.

The entirety of Yellow voted for Matt, except of course for Matt himself. That means that Andrea voted for Matt.

Matt will now potentially have the dubious distinction of having spent the entire game of Survivor in sequester, playing his own game one competition at a time.

Ralph burned his idol to no effect. It is clear by that move alone that Purple had no idea whatsoever that Yellow was going to turn on Matt.

Matt. If you are feeling beat up, in your devotional time, I suggest you read up on Job.