As the only remaining couple, Laura has to listen to Ciera's advice about how to stay in the game. Ciera plans on working with Laura, but tells the cameras that she will ditch Laura if necessary to continue on in the game alone.
Redemption Island Truel. Vytas, Aras and Tina have to use a grappling hook to retrieve three bags, and then use one of the balls in the bags to complete a maze. Tina gets her three bags way ahead of the others and thus has more time in the maze, but it doesn't matter because when she gets the ball to the end, it drops through a hold and she has to start over. Vytas ends up finishing first, so it's between Tina and Aras. After a few more false starts, Tina finishes and Aras is out. He will be the first member of the jury. Vytas gives the clue to Katie, who keeps it now that immunity is individual, I guess. She knows she's on the chopping block, so why not?
Katie's clue is pretty detailed and she goes on the hunt not knowing that Tyson already has the Hidden Immunity Idol. Tyson's plan is for the four guys to blindside Laura and then Ciera doesn't have to vote for her mom, but they can break up the couple. Little do they know that Ciera is having a hard talk with Laura about how they can't go to the final three together, and she wants Laura to be willing to get voted out so that Ciera can get further in the game.
Immunity Challenge. They have to lean back over the water while holding a rope, increasing the degree of lean at intervals, until they all fall in the water except for one winner, who gets immunity plus food. It comes down to Laura, Tyson and Monica. Laura falls in, and Tyson was really just waiting for her to go, but he pretends like he's really struggling before falling in. Monica wins immunity and reward: hot dogs, cheeseburgers, fries and soda. Monica proposes that instead of taking one person, she will give up eating any food and let everyone else dig in. Probst is down with that, so everyone pigs out. Probst is getting soft in his old age.
After the challenge, Katie and Ciera just lie to one another. Well, Ciera tells the truth about the vote, but then Katie tries to say that she has the Idol. Ciera calls her bluff by saying that she has the Idol and Katie immediately folds and admits she doesn't have it. Ciera takes that information to the guys and suggests that they vote out Katie instead. The guys appear to consider it, but Tyson thinks they should still get rid of Laura because she's part of a couple. Not everyone agrees that Laura is more dangerous than Katie. In the end, Laura is sent back to Redemption Island as everyone, including Ciera, votes her out.
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The tribe returns to camp after voting out Tina and comments on how dark it is, because it's cloudy. Someone says something about "heat lightning" and my brother, the amateur weather guy, would be SO MAD. Every time I say something about heat lightning, he yells at me that there is no such thing and it's just cloud-to-cloud instead of cloud-to-ground. He's very serious about lightning. He might need a hobby. That's not weather-related. Anyway, everyone apologizes to Katie for voting out her mom. Katie interviews that she's feeling defeated because the alliance is very entrenched and if she doesn't figure out something soon, she's doomed.
Laura and Ciera quietly celebrate being the last set of loved ones in the game. Ciera interviews though that being a pair puts a target on their backs. Ciera tells her mom that they should vote out Katie or, if she wins immunity, Monica. Guess there's no women's alliance, then.
Day 23. I always forget that the tribe is named Kasama now. Dumb name. Anyway, Laura exults to Ciera that they are in a great position because they have two votes to sell. I fail to see how that gives them strength. Ciera says that they need to stand down and let Tyson make all the decisions (so everyone knows he's running the show, then) so they aren't seen as strategizing too hard. Ciera interviews that there's been a role reversal and now she's advising her mom on what to do, and she thinks she's a better player than her mom given that she hasn't been voted out despite going to many Tribal Councils. Laura interviews that she is following Ciera's advice, and it's been a great gift to be in this game together and let her daughter shine. Ciera articulates the thesis of this episode in an interview when she says that she loves playing with her mom, but if her mom needs to go so that Ciera can continue, then that's what will happen, because Ciera has a better shot at winning the game than Laura.
So the main thrust of the episode has been established: will Ciera have to jettison Laura in order to stay in the game? Moving right along to the Truel between Aras, Vytas and Tina. Probst explains that they have to use a grappling hook to retrieve three bags, then take a ball out of one of the bags (so why three?) and put the ball through one of those tilting maze tables. The first two to finish will stay; the third will go to the jury. Probst also hopefully reminds them that the winner gets a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol to bestow upon a contestant. (Subtext: PLEASE stop throwing clues in the fire!!!!) Probst asks Tina if she even considered letting Katie switch spots, but and Tina says no -- so with that formality out of the way, let the games begin.
Tina takes an early lead as she snags all three bags in only four tosses of the rope, so she heads quickly to the maze portion while Aras and Vytas are still trying for their second and first bags, respectively. Vytas is second to move to the maze, with Aras not far behind. Tina gets her ball to the center first, but she overshoots the "finish spot" (as Probst calls it) and her ball falls out a hole. She has to start over. Vytas takes over the lead and wins first place. So now it's a battle between Aras and Tina; Aras seems oddly unfocused so either he's just Zen about the whole thing or he doesn't care if he goes home. I don't know what the fuck he's up to over there, but Tina manages to get her ball all the way back through the maze and to the center before he does. She struggles with the final move a few times, but ultimately gets the ball in the "finish spot" and wins second place.
Probst can't help but try to milk one last drop from the Aras/Vytas rivalry, and asks them about the time they were wrestling and Aras gave Vytas a break and Vytas blindsided him (or tried to). Probst wants to know if they can let some of their competitiveness go. Aras doesn't answer and Vytas says he doesn't know. Probst tries again, asking if Vytas can stop hurting his brother, who just wants to love him. Jeez, Probst. What is this… couples' therapy? Vytas says that he thinks their relationship is healthier now, and will continue moving forward. Aras gives Probst what he wants when he says that being on the show with his brother has been awesome, and he hopes they grow to a ripe old age together and tell their grandchildren about getting blindsided by Gervase. Everyone laughs and Aras says he's rooting for his brother. Aras hugs Vytas and Tina and heads off to the jury, but not before yelling to everyone that there are no hard feelings and they outplayed him. So I guess we can't count on Aras for the bitter jury question. Vytas decides to give the clue to Katie, and she keeps it! Probst is thrilled. It makes sense; it's not like she can get MORE of a target on her back. As Vytas and Tina exit, Katie interviews that she's not going down without a fight.
The tribe returns to camp, and Katie is thrilled that Tina is still in the game. Then she announces that she's going to the bathroom, so no one needs to follow her. Instead, she stops and reads her clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol. It's not so much a clue as a map with step-by-step instructions on how to find the Idol. Then Katie follows the instructions and starts digging for the Idol. Back at camp, Laura suggests that they hide all the sharp tools so that Katie can't dig, and Ciera says that they can't take it from Katie but they can dig right to her and find it first. No one seems concerned that Katie is digging right now.
Tyson interviews that he's not worried about Katie finding the Idol for obvious reasons, and he's trying to figure out his own move. Everyone wants to make moves, but no one wants to be the bad guy… so Tyson says he'll do it. I'm a little disturbed by how much of Tyson's milky white thighs are visible in his short shorts during this interview.
Tyson joins Caleb and Hayden in the water and tells them he's figured out their move. The four guys should vote for Laura and blindside her. They will tell Ciera they're doing it but also that she doesn't have to vote her mom out, which they think will keep her in their alliance, since they're doing her a solid. So they want to get rid of Laura so that she and Ciera don't form a voting bloc, then get rid of Katie and Monica . So they do plan to take Ciera to the final five, but I'm guessing she's fifth in the rankings. Hayden interviews that he feels like he can trust Tyson, but he's also worried about making a mistake that will send him out. Anyway, the three guys emphasize that Laura can't win immunity and their plan will go off without a hitch. Those are usually famous last words.
Tyson cracks me up when he removes his shirt and says, "There you go, ladies. You're welcome." I know he's kind of a dick, but he does make me laugh and that goes a long way. Ciera interviews that she knows that she and her mom are targets and with only two, they don't have the numbers to overcome the alliance, so she needs to talk to her mom about what's probably going to happen .
Ciera sits Laura down on the beach and goes through the scenarios. If Katie wins or has immunity, then they would vote out Monica. Ciera adds that if Laura weren't in the game, Ciera knows that she's in the final circle. Laura wonders if Ciera could win, and Ciera says, not unkindly, that she's got a better shot than Laura, and that the only way Laura will make the finals is by winning every immunity challenge. Laura thinks she can make it further than Katie and then win immunity. Ciera says that she'll get voted out in that case. Ciera runs through many scenarios, but they all end up with her and Laura getting voted out unless Laura realizes that she has no shot at this game and getting voted out without trying some elaborate countermeasure, and recognizing that Ciera might have to vote her out to show her alliance that she's with them completely.
Ciera interviews tearfully that she knows her mom will always love her, no matter what. But she wants to be honest with her about their respective chances. She adds that she doesn't want to vote her mom out, but she also knows that she gets one shot at this, and she doesn't want her love for her mom to blind her to her opportunities in the game. Ciera tells Laura that they could vote Laura out tomorrow and Ciera knows she would be final three. I don't know if I believe that part, but final five for sure. Laura interviews that her relationship with her daughter has morphed and now she is taking advice from Ciera. Laura tears up in her interview as she says that her daughter now has the courage to come to her and says she might have to vote her out, and Laura is so proud because she wanted the game to teach her how strong she really is. Aw. This Blood vs. Water gambit is paying off, because this would otherwise be a pretty dull and perfunctory vote this week, but the relationships raise the stakes immensely. Laura concludes that as a player, it hurts to hear that Laura might vote her out, but as a mom, she's impressed and proud. They hug over being the last couple standing.
The morning, Katie wakes up early to get ready to go on the hunt for the Idol. As soon as the sun comes up, Katie leaves the shelter. The others all stir and wake up. Laura gets her shoes on and follows her at a run. Before Katie can even start digging, Laura catches up. They both dig away, but Katie admits that she was digging in the wrong places on purpose to throw Laura off the scent.
Back at the shelter, they all discuss how Laura took off at a run after Katie, but Katie had a three or four minute head start. Gervase calls her "Laura M.: Immunity Idol Hunter." Tyson interviews that people are starting to see him as the Big Bad Wolf and the people he's voted out really hate him. So he wants to get Ciera on board for voting her mom out. I'm not really sure how that will convince anyone Tyson wasn't behind it. I guess he's hoping everyone will have blood on their hands instead of just him?
Tyson pulls Ciera into the woods and says he's going to tell her a secret. Ciera guesses that they're voting out Laura. Tyson says he's not doing it, but Hayden and Caleb are, and they have the numbers. Ciera says she's okay with voting out her mom. She interviews that she'd rather wait and vote her mom out later, so she's not sure what she's going to do at this point. Tyson promises Ciera that he has her back. That is an alliance that I did not see coming.
Immunity Challenge! Probst explains that they will stand on a platform over the water, leaning back and holding onto a knotted rope. Every five minutes, they will have to move their hands further down the rope. The last one standing wins immunity and a reward of hamburgers and hot dogs.
They take their places and begin. It seems like the heavier people are going to struggle more with this because they're holding up more weight. Hayden struggles right away and he's out in the first five minutes. And down goes Caleb. The first five minutes are up and they move down to the section of rope. Gervase and Ciera are out pretty quickly after the move. And then Katie is out. So we're down to Tyson, Laura and Monica. Tyson keeps looking down at Laura; I get the vibe that he's not letting go until Laura is out, but fortunately for him, Laura falls in. Tyson puts up a good show of hanging on, but I don't think his heart is in it once Laura's done. So he falls in and Monica wins immunity. Probst says she can bring one other person with her to the feast, but Monica asks if she can forgo reward and let everyone else eat instead. Probst asks if the tribe thinks this is a nice gesture or a way to win favor. Caleb says it's probably a little of both. Probst allows it and everyone chows down while Monica sits and watches.
Back at camp, everyone thanks and congratulates Monica, and no one seems all that bothered by the giant snake that is crawling around under their shelter. I would be sleeping in a tree from now on. Wait… snakes can climb trees, can't they? I would be sleeping in a boat from now on. On the water. I know some snakes can swim, but it seems safer somehow.
Ciera realizes that time is short to try to save her mom so she goes to the hammock with Katie and says that it's time for some real talk. They pinky swear on it. Ciera says that Monica, Tyson and Gervase are voting for Laura, and they want Ciera to join them. Katie says that she's still going to play the Idol. Ciera asks if she really found it and Katie says yes. Ciera says she knows Katie doesn't have it, because Ciera found it herself. Nice bluff. Katie folds like a cheap suit and admits she doesn't have it. Ciera says they can't tell anyone that "they" have it (nice move to make Katie think Ciera might use it to help her). Ciera interviews that she's never had to lie to someone's face like that, but she can't believe Katie folded so quickly.
Ciera and Laura meet quickly on the beach. Ciera tells her that Katie doesn't have the Idol, so Ciera might be able to buy Laura more time by telling that information to Tyson. So Ciera goes to Tyson, Hayden and Caleb and floats the idea of voting out Katie this time, since she doesn't have the Idol. Tyson wants to know how Ciera is so sure, so Ciera relates the whole story of trickery. Ciera also suggests that they split the vote between Laura and Katie, and then if Katie does play the Idol, they can all vote for Laura. Tyson says it's not his decision and asks the others what they think. Hayden and Caleb are both open to the idea. Ciera interviews that she's nervous about sticking her neck out to keep her mom.
Tyson interviews that they had decided their vote and then they made the mistake of telling Ciera. And now Ciera is out there making moves of her own. Tyson admits that he's impressed with Ciera's gameplay, but it makes him want to get rid of Laura even more, because now the two of them together are an even bigger threat. Tyson goes around and tells people that they're voting out Laura. Just to add a little doubt into your mind, we see an interview with Caleb where he says he's been going with the group all along, but he thinks they need to take Katie out while they have a chance, because she could somehow float all the way to the end and she would be dangerous to sit to in the finals.
Tribal Council. Probst welcomes the tribe and also the first jury member, Aras. He asks Katie if she still feels like she's on the block, since it was either her or Tina last time. Katie says that she is, and she had hoped that either Tina or Vytas would win the challenge and give her a clue to the Idol, since that seems like her only hope. That answer kind of just gets me more annoyed that Katie didn't make any effort to convince someone to keep her around. Like she could have gone to her former tribemates and said, "Look, are we going to let Tyson and Gervase run this to the end? Or are we going to take control right now and vote one of them out? Because you know that you guys are on the bottom of the totem pole, right?" I mean, what does she have to lose?
Caleb says that Katie could have the Idol, or one of them could have the Idol, and they just have to plan accordingly. Probst asks Tyson about the last remaining couple, and Tyson says they're worried about couples, as they have been from the beginning of the game. Caleb adds that Ciera and Laura are a very different pair than Katie and Tina, because Laura is going to fight to the end. I guess they feel like Tina sacrificed herself for Katie? Also, that is officially more than Caleb spoke in the rest of the episode. Hayden says that it's possible that Laura and Ciera would throw one another over for the win, but they also have a stronger bond than anyone else left in the game, so you have to take that into consideration.
Probst asks Laura to make her case to keep her and ditch Katie. Laura makes the worst possible case by saying that she and Ciera are a unit and aligning with them gets you two votes. The problem with that idea is that the majority alliance doesn't need numbers right now. They have numbers. They need loyalty and non-threats. As Laura speaks, Ciera closes her eyes, mentally telling her mom to zip it.
Katie finally starts playing the game and says that every pair wants to go to the finals together, which doesn't leave much room for other alliance members to go with them. Laura argues that they don't want her on the jury, lobbying jury votes for Ciera. I… don't think the guys have any intention of letting Ciera into the final three, so that's not really a problem. Laura thinks that if you start bailing on your alliance early, then you all end up on the jury wondering what you did wrong.
Probst asks Caleb if it just comes down to sticking with the plan and voting out Katie or splitting up the last pair. Caleb agrees, and points out that they also have equal numbers of men and women and equal numbers of people from the two original tribes. They vote.
Probst tallies. Katie gets one vote, but the rest go to Laura. Ciera does a smart thing -- she writes Laura (Mom) on her vote so that her alliance knows that she pulled through and voted how she said she would. Ciera starts crying and Laura hugs her and promises that she'll be back. I keep forgetting there are still people on Redemption Island. No one seems to be considering that in strategy. I guess they just assume they'll vote the person out as soon as possible. So it'll probably be Katie week, unless the four Tadhana get together and make a move against Tyson. And if Tyson wins immunity, vote out Gervase. And keep it quiet so that Tyson doesn't get a chance to play the Idol they don't know he has. Let's hope they try something or this is going to be a boring final few weeks.
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