Episode Report Card Sara M: C+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Crystal Clear
By Sara M | Season 17 | Episode 5 | Aired on 10.23.2008
Sugar attempts to explain her insane move by saying that she wanted to hold onto the idol for as long as possible, but for some reason thinks she can no longer do this now that Ace thinks everyone else knows she has it. "I gave it to Ace for safekeeping," she says. None of this makes sense. I don't even know what to say anymore. At least when Erik gave up the immunity necklace last season, I could understand his motives. It was still incredibly stupid, but I understood it. Sugar says that she's putting a lot of trust in Ace, and while she knows he's a snake, "he's my snake." Well, not anymore, since you gave him the idol. Now he doesn't need you at all. Nice job.
And now Ace is supremely satisfied with himself. He tells us that he went from the bottom of the tribe to the very top, now that he's got the idol and a deal with Matty. We cut to him interviewing, and in the background we see an elephant slide into the water for a swim. Someone slaps on an elephant trumpeting sound effect, and Ace turns around to see the elephant. He's in awe of it, saying it's beautiful. It's hard to hate Ace when he's gushing over animals.
The tribes arrive at the Reward Challenge, and Randy is thrilled to see that GC is no longer with Fang. He gives his old tribe a thumbs-up and a nod of approval. He must have really hated GC to be able to give someone a compliment like that. Probst explains the challenge: each tribe has to carry a 200-pound weight painted up to look like a snake around an oval track. The teams start out on opposite sides of the track, and the tribe that can catch up to and touch the other team wins. Contestants can drop out, but that will mean more weight for the rest of the group to carry. And what are they playing for? A tray of breakfast goodies, including coffee, tea, milk, and sugar. How are they going to keep that milk from spoiling? The danishes and chocolate éclairs look delicious. Kota sits Corinne out, and we begin!
Okay, I really think this is going to be Fang's time to shine. I mean, it's a running challenge and they've got Crystal. Yes, they have to carry weights, but I'm sure Crystal has done all kinds of training where she had to run while carrying weights. She's going to nail this one. We're finally going to see our Olympic champion! And we're off! I'm surprised that Crystal doesn't just order her entire team to detach from the snake and carry it herself and sprint over to Kota and win the challenge immediately, but perhaps she's holding back to make things interesting. Fang seems to be catching up to Kota, and even Probst admits this. But then, of course, he turns against Kelly, whom he hates for no good reason. "Kelly, barely moving!" he calls out. Ugh.