Episode Report Card Sara M: B- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT A Lost Puppy Dog
By Sara M | Season 16 | Episode 8 | Aired on 04.03.2008
Probst is disappointed that his announcement that Tracy was voted out last night isn't met with much surprise, since even Jason figured that out already from the clue. Cirie smirks at Airai, and Eliza rolls her eyes. Not sure if one thing lead to the other or it was just the editing, but who cares? It made Eliza look badass. Probst explains the immunity rules once more: each team has selected a member of the other tribe to sit out and go to Exile Island. If that person's team loses the challenge, the Exilee will have immunity at tonight's (and only tonight's, like anyone thought he was going to get super-permanent immunity or something. On second thought, that's probably exactly what Jason thought) tribal council. Probst collects the selections, and we see that Airai chose Ozzy, much to Erik's chagrin, and Malakal selected James, then crossed his name out and wrote "NO JAMES" and changed it to Alexis. All of Airai is like, "huh?" Alexis is probably more shocked than anyone, as she actually reacts with a facial expression if not words. Ami non-explains to a curious Probst that they thought the challenge was about balancing and Alexis "seemed" like she'd be good at that. Um. Okay, I know the players can't see the little writing that accompanies Jason's name that says "Gymnastics Coach," but surely, one of them must know that he's a gymnast, right? Erik? Hello? Alexis just makes an "oookay, whatever" face that I like. Maybe she'll be really cool once she starts talking and stuff.
Probst sends Ozzy and Alexis to the boat and asks the remaining players if they're ready for the challenge. "How about what we're playing for?" Jason demands. Oh, dude. What was that? What is his freaking problem that he has to blow up Probst's spot like this? This is worse than the time he made Probst sit back down at Tribal Council. Probst should smash him over the head with the immunity idol for such insubordination. Instead, he just asks for the immunity idol back so he can give his important "immunity is back up for grabs" line and explain the challenge. Basically, two members of each tribe have to navigate an obstacle course. There's a balance beam section where opposing team members can throw sandbags at you. If you fall off, which is demonstrated by one of the challenge actors hamming it up by losing her balance and pitching into the water, you have to go back to the beginning and the other team member will go. If you make it across the course, you grab a flag and then do the course again to return with it. The first team to get five flags wins. And now that Probst is good and ready, he'll tell them what they're playing for: besides immunity, the winning team will have pizza and beer delivered to their camp. Eliza almost craps her bikini at this news, and the rest of her team is similarly excited. Malakal looks somewhat less thrilled, probably because they know there's no way in hell they're getting that prize. Airai sits out Parvati (BIG LOSS there) and the game begins!