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The tribes swap one more time this week, causing major damage to some key players’ games.  Also, we see the return of a very new and different Exile Island!  You’ve been warned, spoilers ahead!

Top Moments from Survivor, Episode 5

1. Long live the queen! I had to open the top moments with the most notable moment of the night, and possibly of all of Survivor. After 94 days on Survivor, Jeff finally snuffed Sandra’s torch.  But boy, did she put up a fight on her way out.  After the tribe swap, Sandra and Jeff found themselves on the wrong side of the numbers on the new Nuku tribe.  Jeff, desperate to make the merge, was eager to believe that the tribe planned to vote out Tai, but Sandra knew better.  This episode, we really get to see the best of Sandra.  The way she pitched herself to Ozzy, Sarah, and Andrea as a player who can protect them going forward in the game almost worked.  Sarah noted how Sandra just draws you in and you feel yourself falling for her and Ozzy acknowledged that Sandra made some very good points about getting rid of the Kaoh-Rong three.  Finally, at the final tribal council, Sandra managed to cause havoc by taking advantage of Tai’s weaknesses – his lack of a poker face and ability to strategize whatsoever – and for a moment, it seemed like she was going to pull of a Tai boot.  Sadly, this was not the case and five votes landed on Sandra, making it her first time in her three seasons of Survivor to be voted out.  She might also be the first person in Survivor history to receive applause from her tribe as she walked towards Jeff to have her torch snuffed.  She couldn’t have handled it more gracefully, and perhaps that’s because she can claim credit for ending the game of the other two winners on this season, JT and Tony, and maintaining her queen status.  Even though Sandra wasn’t able to pull off a third win, the fact that she lasted for 16 days with such a massive target on her back is beyond impressive.  And for any of us who doubted why she’s one of the best players in Survivor history, this season makes that undeniably clear.  I’m sad to see Sandra go but wow, what a ride it was.  I think it’s safe to say the queen stays queen!
2. Tai finds another idol.  Tai is undeniably gifted in the art of finding idols.  After figuring out the clue to the hidden immunity idol and digging it up near the water well, he was astute enough to realize there would be another idol hidden in the same spot on his new tribe, and he was right.  That brings Tai’s idol count up to three in three episodes.  The only problem is that Tai is possibly the worst liar ever in Survivor history and it seems like everyone is aware that he’s constantly searching for idols, making him an early target.  For Tai’s game, it might be best if he just chills on the idol front, but for now, he’s sitting on two and hoping to play them correctly.
3. Tai’s disastrous final tribal council.  Things were looking good for Tai.  The tribe was seemingly in agreement to vote out Sandra at this tribal, but instead of just going with the flow, Tai has to basically blow up tribal council and perhaps his game.  Tai was clearly uncomfortable during this tribal council but instead of sitting back and listening to what people were saying, he takes Sandra’s bait and offers up a name he would like to vote out at tribal council in an attempt to solidify his safety in the tribe.  As if that wasn’t bad enough, he doesn’t name someone uncontroversial like Jeff, but instead names the de facto leader of the tribe, Ozzy, announcing it out loud to the entire group. He even adds that he’d like to keep in line with the trend this season to vote off the big threats.  The fact that Tai made it through this tribal council is lucky, but going forward, Tai just put himself first on the chopping block when Jeff was easily the next vote for the tribe. If the tribe attempts to split the votes between Tai and Jeff, putting three votes on Tai and two votes on Jeff, Tai could be out if he fails to play his idol correctly.  If Tai puts his vote on Jeff, leading to a tie-vote, we might see the new rules involving the tie-vote (Tai-vote even?) come into play, but chances are the tribe will unanimously decide to vote out Tai avoiding a rock-drawing situation. Tai has two idols so he better be prepared to play one at the next tribal council.
4. Debbie’ Exile Island experience.  Debbie has the misfortune of drawing no buff at the tribe swap and is sent to Exile Island.  Debbie could probably use some alone time after her freak-out last episode, but Exile Island is brutal for everyone and she is not looking forward to it.  Fast forward to the boat driving Debbie up to the side of a fully stocked ship where Debbie will be spending the next three days.  She is rightfully in heaven as she eats, drinks, and lounges on a hammock.  But that’s not the only surprise the producers have for her.  John Cochran, winner of Survivor Caramoan, is dropped off to spend the afternoon talking strategy with Debbie.  After finally getting Debbie to explain the drama with Brad Culpepper, Cochran smartly advises her to try to kiss and make-up with him.  Then, he offers her the choice of an advantage in the game.  Debbie gets to choose one of three options: a fake hidden immunity idol kit, an extra vote, or an advantage at the next immunity challenge.  Debbie chooses to take the extra vote.  Was this the right choice?  It’s extremely difficult to know when to play the extra vote correctly.  If she could successfully make a hidden immunity idol, she could use it as a shield for herself going forward and as a way to create bonds with players on her tribe.  But, we haven’t really seen how good Debbie is at lying yet.  We certainly know she isn’t good at tempering her emotions, so lying about hidden immunity idols could have been more of a liability for her than an advantage.  Now we have to see if she can play the extra vote correctly.

Next week, it seems like everyone on Mana is losing it! Why all the tears? I think we’re just one episode away from the merge which begs the question, will Cirie manage to escape attending any tribal councils until that point? Only time will tell.

Photo Credit: CBS