Blindsides are Fun! And Exciting!

S24E12

After Tribal Council, Alicia realizes that the jury members think Christina is dumb, but that Sabrina could potentially sway them.

The Reward Challenge involves family members, who are there on the island. You guys, I actually got choked up when Tarzan's wife came out. She loves that old coot. The challenge is the old "hooked to a rope by a carabineer and then do an obstacle course while untangling the rope." Their loved ones are running it with them, and the winner gets to have a private feast with the loved one. Kat and her cousin with the way-too-close relationship win. Kat chooses Kim and Alicia to go with her. Holy shit, I can't believe that she didn't pick Tarzan. Kat then gives the rationale that she wanted to get drunk with her friends. So that goes over well. Everyone else agrees that Tarzan and Christina should have been chosen – did I mention Christina's dad just had a kidney transplant and only has five to ten years to live?

While on the Reward, Alicia and Kat assume that they are going to final three with Kim. Meanwhile, Kim tells her sister that she probably will take these two, because she thinks she can beat them, but she doesn't plan to vote out Sabrina first. Meanwhile, the people not on the Reward Challenge all agree that Kat should go . Some think so because they're mad at her about the Reward, while others (like Chelsea) are worried that Kat might get jury votes from the guys, given Troy's support for her.

Immunity Challenge: hold a skiing tow rope behind your back while leaning forward over water. Every so often, Probst lets out more rope so that the contestants are leaning further and further forward. Sabrina is the first one out, which might be her death warrant. Tarzan is , and then the rest of the women go until it's just Kat and Kim left. Kat whines about how Kim wins everything and she just wants to win one, and then she falls and Kim wins.

People are still talking about getting rid of Kat, and now they have the added reason that Kat has shown that she can win challenges, while Sabrina can't. I'm not sure why no one is talking about Tarzan; he can win challenges and he would definitely get the men's votes. At Tribal Council, Kat acts like a total idiot and a brat. She actually says that she thinks blindsides are funny and exciting, and then she gets blindsided and it's kind of awesome. I might have been sad if she hadn't been such an asshole this week. Instead, I literally LOL'd. Poor dumb Kat.

After Tribal Council, Chelsea celebrates finally getting rid of Troy. Kat tells everyone that he told her, "Do it!" before leaving, and expresses surprise that he chose her to encourage that way. Kat wants everyone to believe she's a brilliant strategist, but telling everyone that she's Troy the Jury Member's favorite was not her best move. Kim interviews that she feels incredibly relieved that Troy's gone. They discuss the voting and Alicia points out that Troy voted for Christina and she could've gone home. Well, wasn't that your alliance's backup plan, Alicia? That if Troy played an Idol, Christina would go home? Don't act so surprised.

Alicia interviews that Christina just looks dumber when she answers questions at Tribal Council, while Sabrina can talk and persuade people, so she might be more dangerous in the finals. Alicia feeds that information to Kim, starting to make her case to vote out Sabrina . Alicia interviews that people don't like Christina and Sabrina is scary as a competitor, so Alicia thinks he's in a good spot. In fact, she believes that she's controlling the game. Mmm hmm. Sure you are. You keep thinking that.

The day, Sabrina and Alicia go to get treemail and discover a product-placed cell phone containing video messages from their family members. My favorite part is that Alicia gets so excited that she shakes the box up and down while showing it off to the tribe and Chelsea snaps at her, "Stop shaking it!" I don't think Chelsea likes Alicia all that much.

They gather around and watch the messages from family members. It's the typical cryfest, with the loved one offering messages of support and hopes to spend time together. Christina explains that her dad had a kidney transplant last year and now has only five to ten years to live. I'm going to assume he has an underlying illness, because kidney transplants don't limit your life expectancy that way. Tarzan gets all emotional when he sees his wife, which is sweet. Sabrina interviews that Tarzan deserves to see his wife, since they don't have much time left on this earth (? He's 64) and don't have children (?). I would point out that Tarzan is the only one with a spouse that came to the island, which is reason enough to let him visit I guess. I'm not sure why the no children and the age thing matters. Does Sabrina know that she could get hit by a truck tomorrow? And Tarzan could live to be 100 and his wife could be 101? Anyway, Sabrina's point is that whoever wins should make sure Tarzan gets to spend time with his wife, which is not a bad point.

By Kim

Moving on to the actual challenge, the contestants enter with grins because they know they're going to get to see their loved ones. When Probst says that their loved ones are there on the island, Tarzan starts crying. And once the first loved one comes out (Kim's sister), everyone starts crying. Christina's dad comes out and I have to say that he looks pretty spry and healthy for someone who has less than ten years to live. Chelsea's dad comments that she's really tan and Chelsea cry-laughs that it's dirt. Alicia's sister is named Leticia. Her parents were on some good drugs. Kat's cousin Robby comes out and Kat starts crawling on the ground and then wraps her legs around him and they're both hysterical and I don't even know what's going on. Apparently, they are very close. I don't get a kissing cousins vibe or anything, but I don't think I'm that close to anyone except my husband and kids. They practically have a secret language. And they live together?

Tarzan is the last to meet his loved one and he walks a few steps forward and goes down on one knee to wait. His wife comes out and they embrace and cry and she says, "Don't ever leave me." I don't love Tarzan but that's heartwarming. They reeeeeeeally love one another and that is sweet to see even if you don't love the individuals involved.

The challenge is one we've seen before: the contestant and his or her loved one will be attached to a rope with a carbineer and they have to go through an obstacle course while staying attached to the rope. Probst calls the start and the teams take off. Tarzan and his wife are struggling early. Kat, Alicia, Chelsea and Kim get a quick start and are to the halfway point while the others are at the beginning. Sabrina is hopeless. Kat takes the lead, but then they get caught up in a knot, which leaves an opening for some others. In the end, Kat and Kim approach the finish line at the same time, but Kat and Robby make it there first. Kat cheers and yells out, "I won one guys! Come on!" She doesn't seem to understand why no one is happy to see her win or why this challenge might have been more important to some people.

Once everyone gets unhooked from the rope, Probst calls Kat and Robby over and explains that the reward is an afternoon away from camp with a panoply of meats and cheeses. Probst tells Kat that she can choose one person and his or her loved on to join them and Kat barely hesitates before choosing Kim. I guess the hard feelings from not being chosen last time are gone? Kat gets to choose one more person and she scans the group quickly before saying Alicia. Ooh, Tarzan had such a hopeful look on his face. That was rough. Probst points out that Alicia and Kim got to go on the last reward.

Kat offers up an "explanation" for why she chose those two and here it is: "I've been wanting to hang out with these two girls for a very long time, just us. And alcohol, I mean margaritas! Oh my God! I'm about to get drunk." Unsurprisingly, no one laughs at her explanation; they all look sad and/or angry. The non-chosen contestants have to say goodbye to their loved ones. Once the loved ones have departed, Sabrina wipes away tears and whispers to Tarzan that she should have been chosen. Chelsea agrees that it should have been Tarzan and Christina. Kim interviews that Kat made a selfish decision and they'll have to do "major damage control back at camp." Here's my take on it: she should have taken Tarzan. That said, I didn't see either Kim or Alicia volunteering to give up a spot so that Tarzan could have it. Maybe they didn't want to rock the boat. Maybe they wanted to let Kat sink her own ship. Maybe there were other nautical metaphors involved. I don't see why Christina should have gone; by her own admission, she wants to spend more time with her father and hasn't so... that's on her. It doesn't help Kat's case that her stated reasoning for her choices was imbecilic, but it's Kat? Does anyone expect anything different at this point? She didn't know what an appendix was.

Kat and her chosen few arrive for their reward. Kat interviews that she deserved to win because she hasn't won anything so far. I didn't know that everyone deserved a turn. Anyway, Kat also can't wait to spend time with Kim and Alicia as friends (because at camp, they are enemies?) and while she realizes it may not have been the best strategic choice, she's going to eat and drink now and deal with the rest of the tribe later because her decision has been made. I don't think she realizes how unpopular her decision will be with the others, especially after they have had time to sit at camp and stew about it. The three rewardees lay out how the game has gone thus far for their loved ones and Kat adds that she thinks they should take out Sabrina because she thinks she's going to the finals, whereas Christina knows she's not. Really? Does Kat really believe that Christina is content to just hang out until they get close to the finals and then go home? Kat also thinks that she, Kim and Alicia are the final three, but that they don't need to talk about it. That seems like a GREAT idea.

After eating, the rewardees split off to spend alone time with their loved ones. Kim (who is sporting QUITE the lady mustache by this time) tells her sister that she thinks Kat and Alicia are her best option for final three. No one likes Alicia, although she doesn't know it and Kim thinks that Kat would blow the million dollar prize in a year because she's so dumb. So Kim' strategy has been to assure those two that they would kick her ass in the finals, even though she doesn't think that's true. Kim's sister agrees that is a good strategy. Kim explains in an interview that she thinks she can beat Alicia and Kat, but they want to vote out Sabrina . Kat doesn't want to betray Sabrina, but she also doesn't think she can beat Sabrina in the finals, so it might be time to cut her loose. I love how Kim doesn't say, "But Sabrina's my friend." I love how Kim plays the game: she tries to be a decent person while also recognizing that it's a game and emotions shouldn't be a part of her decision-making. We'll see if that actually works out for her.

Back at Tikiano, Sabrina is preaching that she's so mad and that if Kat had picked her, she would have given her spot to Tarzan. She thinks Kat was being purely selfish. Tarzan wonders if she would have picked him if he begged and no one thinks so. Sabrina interviews her reasons why Tarzan and Christina should have gone on the reward, which we've heard already.

As they settle into camp, Sabrina says that this is enough reason for her to vote off Kat. Tarzan doesn't think she's in line, but Sabrina points out that it's really up to them since they have four people there right now. Chelsea floats the idea that they all (except Alicia and Kat) vote Kat out. Tarzan actually keeps emotion out of it and says that they want to get rid of "thinkers" and Kat's not a thinker. So whom would Tarzan propose voting out, I wonder? Alicia? Chelsea and Sabrina are scared of Kat's social game and Chelsea reminds us in an interview that Kat seems to have Troy on her side. Chelsea wants to talk to Kim about it when she returns. I find it interesting that Kim doesn't seem to plan on taking Chelsea to the finals. I mean she shouldn't, but those two have seemed pretty tight all along.

Tikiano. Day 33. Chelsea and Kim wander off to have a strategy talk. Chelsea relays how pissed everyone was and that they want Kat out . Kim says that Kat and Alicia want Sabrina, because she's not dumb and thus poses a threat. Kim interviews that they're planning on sending Sabrina home, but it all hinges on who wins immunity. Kat wanders up and they tell her that Sabrina is the vote. Kim interviews that she thought about throwing immunity challenges near the end to appear weaker, but she's decided that she needs to just go for it and win all that she can to ensure her safety. Poor Kim. That upper lip situation she has going on is quite unfortunate. Speaking of unwanted hair, how is it that the women often have hair on pits and lips but their bikini areas seem pretty clean? Not that I've been investigating closely or anything. I guess the cameras just avoid focusing on that area, while they can't help but show people's faces.

Immunity Challenge. Probst explains that they will be standing on a dock with their arms stretched out behind them, holding what looks like a water skiing tow rope. At intervals, Probst will unwind the rope a little more, so that they must lean forward further and further. The last person still holding on wins immunity.

Everyone grabs on while Probst reminds them that they have to keep their feet on two painted lines and pointed forward and the bar needs to stay above their hips. Probst starts clanking out the rope a little bit at a time. Basically, they're supporting their own body weight with their shoulders and arms and the longer the rope gets, the more they're using their arms and not their legs. After ten minutes, Sabrina steps off. I'm surprised. Alica, Kat and Christina share a smile. Kat even does a little victory dance behind Sabrina's back. I'm surprised Probst didn't call her out. Tarzan is to fall, and Probst tells them that no matter how confident they each are in the alliance, they would be crazy to think they're safe.

Probst cranks out the line a little more and twenty minutes have passed. Alicia says that he can't do it anymore and steps off. So now Kat, Kim, Chelsea and Christina are the only ones left. Chelsea says that she can't do it anymore and Kim tells her that it's okay, so she steps off. Probst notes that Christina is thinking about giving up and Christina says she's not just thinking about it and she steps off.

Now it's down to Kat and Kim. They've been up there for an hour and Probst cranks out the rope a little more. Well, kind of a lot more. Alicia says that she's really impressed with Kat's stamina and Sabrina agrees. Kat whines that she wants to win because Kim wins everything. Kim is not swayed by Kat's begging. A few minutes later, Kat falls in and Kim jumps after her. Everyone compliments Kat as she climbs up on the dock and pouts. Kim asks for a high five and Kat says, "No!" She sits facing away from Kim while Kim gets the necklace. What a baby. And a poor sport. I could MAYBE see being so upset if she thought it means she was going home tonight, but she doesn't think she's in any danger. She's just being a baby. Chelsea interviews that she's sick of Kat's selfishness and that everyone thinks Sabrina is going, but Chelsea thinks it's worth talking about Kat some more.

The tribe returns to camp. Sabrina commends both Kat and Kim for lasting so long. Kat tells Kim that she really wanted to beat her and then interviews that she can't believe that she got beat by someone who's 28. WHAT? Kat is 22. She thinks 28 is old? Does she remember getting beat by Troy, who's way older than 28? Anyway, Kat is an idiot and a child.

Alicia and Kat discuss the vote. Kat says that she hasn't talked to Kim about it yet today (RED FLAG) but she knows that it's Sabrina. Kat goes on about how Sabrina has no clue and blindsides are really great. Kat adds that they are controlling the game now. Well, I expect that's exactly how it will go then. Why not just skip to the finals? Alicia interviews that she thought they needed to get rid of Sabrina, but she was the first one out in the challenge and she's weak, while Kat almost won and maybe they need to look at taking out Kat. But didn't Alicia want to get rid of Sabrina because she could persuade a jury with her verbal gymnastics? Challenge strength had nothing to do with it. Alicia's strategy makes no sense and changes every five minutes.

Alicia approaches Kim and says that now she thinks they need to keep Sabrina and take out Kat, because Kat is too much of a threat in challenges. Alicia is worried that Kat will win immunity every week and then they can't get her out. I thought Alicia wanted to take Kat to the final three like five minutes ago? Or was that all bullshit? WHO DOES ALICIA WANT TO TAKE TO THE FINALS? I can't keep track of these things. Kim is shocked that Alicia had such a change of heart. Sabrina wanders up with some wood for the fire and Alicia tells her that they're voting out Kat. Sabrina agrees that Kat is now a challenge threat. Kim interviews that she still wants to take Sabrina out first, even though Kat might get jury votes because she didn't piss anyone off. Kim is still convinced that Sabrina can outtalk her in front of a jury. There is a good chance that Kat would say something dumb and offensive to the jury; Kim's not wrong about that. But there's also a good chance that the jury would chuckle and say, "Oh, that Kat. What a goofball." Kim interviews that Kat and Tarzan will vote out Sabrina, while Sabrina and Alicia want Kat out. So Kim and Chelsea are the deciding votes here.

Kim and Chelsea take a walk on the beach. Kim tells Chelsea about Alicia's change of heart. Chelsea is shocked too, as Kim explains her concerns: that Sabrina is too smart to keep around. Chelsea interviews that Alicia wants Kat to go, while Kim still wants to vote out Sabrina. Chelsea understands Kim's rationale, but she also thinks that Sabrina has been on their side since day one. Hasn't Kat also, though? Kat was part of the original alliance of five. I think Chelsea just doesn't like Kat and she's looking for any reason to get rid of her. Anyway, Chelsea says that she and Kim need to be in total agreement on their course of action. Kim adds that she knows that Alicia wants Kat out, but Kim want to make sure that it's the best move for them (her and Chelsea) before going along with it. That's why Kim is smart. She thinks through all of the angles.

Kim talks to Tarzan, who says he was told to vote for Kat. Kim isn't sure about that. Kim interviews that she's had an alliance with Sabrina since day one, but Kat looks at her as a big sister. She knows that this is a game-changing decision and there's no way to keep everyone happy at this point and it will be a blindside either way. Tarzan calls Kim "boss lady" and she laughs, but he says it's true. It is true. People are just now starting to figure that out?

Tribal Council. The remaining contestants enter and sit and then the jury walks in. Troy still looks pissed and I think he's wearing Zubaz -- with a matching bandana. Probst starts out by reminding Kat how devastated she was to be left behind for reward last week and then she was put in the position of choosing this week. Kat says that it was "the hardest thing [she's] ever had to do in [her] life." WHAT? I can accept that it was the hardest thing in the game, but the hardest IN HER LIFE? She has obviously lived a really fucking easy life. Or she's exaggerating to try to get sympathy. Kat adds that it's frustrating and it hurts her feelings. It hurts HER feelings? What is she even talking about? Probst asks, incredulously, "Your feelings?" Kat says that she didn't want to see people be mad at her. Does she even know that other people exist? Is she just a sociopath?

Probst points out that Kim dissed Kat last week and yet Kat picked Kim first. Kat says that she wasn't thinking strategically and instead thought about who she would have a good time with, which was her choice. Probst asks Sabrina if she buys that Kat wasn't thinking strategically. Sabrina says it obviously wasn't strategic and it was just 22-year-old logic. Kat gives a big grin and head nod at this. Hey, let's not throw all 22-year-olds under the bus here. Kat's smile dims when Sabrina adds that Kat will live to regret her decision because most of the others would have chosen Tarzan and Christina because of the backstory. Sabrina adds her version of "Bygones," saying, "But it's her choice." Kat says that she's twenty-two and naïve and she's sorry that she made a choice that no one agrees with. I don't think she's sorry at all. Or at least she doesn't realize the impact that her decision had on her and the game.

Probst asks Chelsea if she buys that Kat is that naïve and Chelsea says that she's a little sick of Kat using her age as an excuse for her selfish decisions, since twenty-two is not that young. Thank you, Chelsea! Kat grumps, "So, is this whole Tribal Council about me? Like, I had no idea that this was going to happen." I think if anyone was waffling on voting out Kat, that may have sealed the decision, because that was super bitchy and defensive for no reason.

Probst wants to hear from Tarzan as the wise elder or whatever. Tarzan says that Kat just wanted to have fun with her friends and wasn't thinking about him and his wife and their relationship. He adds that she's too young to have empathy for his situation and he gets that, so it didn't bother him. Kat nods in agreement.

Probst wants to talk about the Immunity Challenge and the fact that Sabrina went out first. He wonders if it's good news because it means Sabrina's not a threat or if it makes people think that she doesn't deserve to go to the end, because she's weak. Alicia says she was surprised that Sabrina went out first, because she expected Tarzan to lose early, but she also thinks Sabrina may be playing a game and hoping to avoid being seen as a physical threat. Probst asks about the ending of the challenge and Alicia says that she expects it from Kim, but she was shocked by Kat. Probst wonders if Kat earns respect for that and Alicia says that she does, but Alicia was also confused about how she was so upset with Kim. Kat interrupts that she was actually just upset with herself. Sabrina points out that Kat blew off Kim's high five and Kat just shakes her head and says, "Dude, what is this?" I think it's you being blindsided and everyone trying to explain in advance why it's happening, but let's find out.

Probst asks about the vibe around camp, since they're decimated the men and now have to turn on one another. Sabrina admits that things are getting testy, but she appreciates honesty and respect from the others. See, if Sabrina's going tonight that's her death knell right there. Probst asks Kim if being too honest can be a threat, because it wins jury votes. Kim says she's seen that happen in seasons, because people like and will vote for a straight shooter. Everyone else on the tribe looks like they never thought of that. Kim's probably like, "Thanks, Probst. Thanks for pointing out my strategy to these dummies."

Probst asks Sabrina if being too well-spoken and honest could be her downfall and Sabrina says that she's planning on voting with her emotions, so someone who pissed her off won't get her vote, even if that was the best player. Is Sabrina assuming she's going to be on the jury? That was a weird way to answer that question. Except that, again, it was telegraphing her intentions to Kat.

By Kim

Kat smirks and Probst asks her what she thinks of Sabrina's statement, since she's effectively saying that she probably wouldn't vote for someone who blindsided her. Interesting that no one mentioned blindsides and yet Probst brought it up. I'm going to guess there was more discussion of blindsides that got edited out. Kat says that a blindside can be funny and exciting, because they always are and people are shocked. They always excite her. She adds, "If it does, cool beans and if it doesn't, touché, whatever." That is the greatest line for Kat to go out on, because it reveals everything about how dumb and clueless she is right now. It's time to vote.

We see Kat vote for Sabrina and Sabrina vote for Kat, but the other votes are not yet revealed. Probst tallies the votes and no one plays an Idol. He reads the votes. The first one is for Sabrina. The second vote and the third vote and the fourth vote and the fifth vote are for Kat. She is stunned and no one will meet her eyes. Now THAT was a blindside, although its success largely hinged on Kat's ineptitude. She starts crying as she leaves. Probst notes that it was obviously a blindside and if it happened to her, it can happen to anyone. It can, but let's not discount Kat's cluelessness. I wonder if Sabrina has any clue how close she came to going home. And I wonder if everyone will finally band together and get rid of Kim, if she ever loses immunity. Then again, she has an Idol, so she's in good shape. Over the credits, we see that everyone but Kat voted for Kat. Ouch.

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