Episode Report Card Sara M: A+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Third Time's A Charm
By Sara M | Season 16 | Episode 12 | Aired on 05.01.2008
After the break, Dr. Carolyn Sein takes a look at James' finger. James tells us he hopes she'll say it looks better and clear him to continue the game. Uh, yeah. Sure. Dr. Sein asks James if he's in pain and he says no. She warns him to be honest. He admits that's it's sore on the side of the knuckle. It looks gross. Swollen and nasty. How did humans, like, survive before antibiotics? Probst takes a knee, so you know it's serious. Dr. Sein says the wound is deep, and squeezes James' finger to show us. Thanks, lady. Probst rapid-fire demands to know what Dr. Sein's call is here. She says it's too big of a risk and James has to leave the game. Ah, well. He didn't have much longer anyway. James gets to say good-bye to the members of his tribe who aren't on reward or Exile Island, and Parvati and James hug even though he hates her now. She tearfully tells us that James is a great guy and shouldn't have to "go out like that." This rings sort of hollow when you know that she was going to vote him out at tribal as soon as possible anyway. Erik watches James go and says he's the only man left.
Meanwhile, over at Jellyfish Lake, the winner and her chosen ones are blissfully unaware of the latest developments as they enjoy their prize. Everyone dives in and hangs out with the stingless jellyfish that crowd the lake. One person even, like, pets the jellyfish. Cirie says this was a "breakthrough" for her and she doesn't have to be afraid of "every little thing" in either nature or water or both. Yeah, well, anyone can be brave in a lake full of stingless jellyfish. Also, this is an interesting breakthrough to have after being on this show for almost two full seasons. I mean, I love you and all Cirie, but you don't know how to swim. What's up with that?
And over at Exile Island, Amanda needs that idol more than ever with James out, although she doesn't know it yet. She begins her search, and I'm not sure how much faith I have in Amanda's abilities. Although I guess if Jason could find it twice, she certainly can. My pet guinea pig could find the idol, and he's been dead for fifteen years. Also, the clue writers are obviously sick of doing this, so they lay out some pretty easy clues in plain sight, all within, like, ten feet of each other. Amanda finds the third clue by stepping on it underwater. Unfortunately, the last clue involves digging, which we all know Amanda sucks at considering her performance in the key-finding leg of last week's immunity challenge. After digging up like half the beach, though, she finds the final clue! She's thrilled and relieved, and I'm surprised to find myself also being happy about this. I want Amanda to last in this game as long as possible, if only to wipe that smirk off of Natalie's jugular-threatening face. The idol is not with the last clue, which tells Amanda she can find it back at Dabu, buried underneath the flag. And I don't know how the producers knew to do this, but that right there pretty much changes this game.