Episode Report Card Sara M: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Russell Dies
By Sara M | Season 19 | Episode 6 | Aired on 10.22.2009
Probst says that Russell is okay now and asks Shambo how she feels about this. Shambo says she's sad that Russell had to leave that way because he had a lot of heart and spirit. Um, that was actually well-said, Shambo. Probst turns to Li'l Russell and says that, as a member of the opposing tribe, he must see things a bit differently because any time someone from Galu goes home, it's a good thing for Foa Foa. Li'l Russell says Russell was "the strongest on their tribe" but he still doesn't like the fact that he left the game that way. "I don't want to beat him like that," he claims. As it starts to rain again, Probst asks Dave Ball what it's like to watch someone "go through this crisis." Um, bad? And then they give them no pizza. This game is cruel. Dave Ball says it was an "eye-opener" as to how tough this game is. Probst tells Erik that the past fifteen days have been the hardest he's ever seen the show's contestants have to endure. Erik says he just spent the past 22 hours huddled in the bottom of a tree trunk praying to everything and everyone possible that the weather would let up. "I feel like I'm in solitary confinement for a crime I didn't commit, and that was not anything that was advertised," he says. Well, you could hang out in the shelter with the rest of your tribe, Erik. Also, how was surviving the elements not advertised? Are these people not aware that rain exists? I guess if you live in Los Angeles for long enough, you forget.
Meanwhile, it's pouring again. Probst points this out to the contestants, who are truly miserable about it. Erik says it's a mental game, too, because they're all terrified that the rain will never stop. Probst asks Dave Ball what he thinks the "status of the game" is for Galu and Foa Foa right now. Dave Ball says it looks like Galu has a serious numbers advantage, not to mention the boost of protein that has kept their spirits as high as they can be. Probst asks Li'l Russell if he agrees. Li'l Russell does not, saying "the attitude at Foa Foa is fine" and they're going to surprise Galu and even up the numbers. Except they'll still be down four to six, best case scenario. Unless the show has the tribes merge at 8 because they really want Li'l Russell to have every advantage. Probst asks Mick if Foa Foa sees the challenge as win for them, since they were ahead and no one from their tribe died during it. Mick says they do, and if the challenge hadn't been cancelled, they would have won it. Laura does not agree with this. Probst asks Erik if Foa Foa's apparent confidence concerns him. Erik says it doesn't. Foa Foa won a challenge before and Galu was able to regain their momentum. They'll do it again, no problem.