Dec 8 2006
The final seven
The final seven Survivors are still reeling from the aftermath of Candice’s departure. Understandably, former Raro tribe members are angry that Jonathan is still around. The episode opens with some of the Survivors chopping coconuts. There is a loud shriek from Pavarti as we realize she has chopped her finger instead. “I feel like my finger is gonna fall off.” Thankfully, a couple of stitches and a bandage did the trick.
A big surprise
It’s time for the next challenge, and Jeff has a big surprise. He brings out Jonathan’s wife Stacy, Adam’s dad George, Pavarti’s dad Mike, Becky’s sister Sarah, Yul’s brother Paul, Ozzy’s mom Gina, and Sundra’s mother. In this rewards challenge, each Survivor will partner with their loved one. They will be blindfolded as they try to fill buckets with water toward their loved one’s bucket. The water collected will be dumped into a larger bucket. When the bucket becomes full enough, it will lower and raise a flag.
What were they playing for?
The winner will be joined with their loved one as they travel to another island to a cave and a picnic with natives as they feast on meatloaf, apple pie, and more. They also get the opportunity to send the person of their choice to Exile Island.
And the winner is…
Pavarti won the challenge, and Jeff told her father that he could pick two other Survivors to join them at the reward with their loved ones. Pavarti was not allowed to give him any guidance. He choose Sundra and her mother and Adam and his father George.
Adios, Jonathan
Jonathan is sent to Exile Island. Understandably, no tears were shed over his departure.
Back at camp
The loved ones joined the Survivors back at camp while they waited to be picked up for their reward. I was amused at how much Adam’s dad looked like an older version of Adam with that same, goofy smile.
“I call him George because he’s my best friend,” says Adam.
An amazing reward
The reward was an incredible one. The Survivors were taken to another celebration where they were witnessing the blessing of the cave. They feasted on a ton of delicious food and jumped off cliffs into cool, clear water.
The question of food
Back at camp, Ozzy and the others begin discussing the issue of food. He commented that he felt like he was bringing in all the food and feeding the former Raro members so they could win the challenges. They formulate a plan to hide the food.
Returning to camp
When the other Survivors return to camp, Ozzy and the crew had already hidden some of the food. One of the other members asked if they had eaten while they were gone. Someone commented that they hadn’t because Ozzy had gone out for food but hadn’t had any luck. That’s when they pulled out all the extra food they had from the reward and shared it with all of the remaining tribe members. This open show of generosity pretty much slashed the plan to hide food from Adam and Pavarti.
In good spirits
With Jonathan away at Exile Island, the Survivors were in good spirits, seeming to genuinely enjoy each other’s company. When they arrived at the immunity challenge, nobody was smiling as Jonathan returned from Exile Island. When Jonathan tripped as he walked back to the beach, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Immunity- up for grabs again
The survivors had to race out into the water and make their way over a floating, wobbly obstacle course that included boats and barrels. They had to do this twice while retrieving bundles of sticks, untie the sticks, use them to build a long pole, and use that pole to retrieve two rings. The first one to finish would win immunity and a 1 in 6 shot at a million bucks.
Ouch
As I watched the Survivors make their way across the floating obstacle course, it was both comical and painful. They fell, they splattered into the water, they clung to barrels for dear life. Sundra even fell and landed painfully on a barrel. While they stumbled and splashed, Ozzy ran across the course almost effortlessly before winning immunity.
Tribal counsel
It’s anybody’s guess. Will Jonathan finally go home, or will it be Adam or Pavarti?
“Nobody wants Jonathan around,” Adam said to Jeff.
In the end, Jonathan was voted off. His parting words were, “These people told terrible lies.” Have you listened to yourself, Jonathan?
