Survivor recap episode 10: double elimination shakes up the game

Survivor: Second Chance recap “Like Selling Your Soul to the Devil” Season 31, Episode 10 (original airdate Nov. 25): With Thanksgiving coming tomorrow, CBS graciously decided to treat us to a Survivor feast tonight with a two-hour episode that included two contestants going home.

Rain, rain and more rain. Not only did it make it miserable for the contestants from a physical standpoint, but it made it more difficult from a mental and strategic standpoint because leaving the shelter was darn near impossible.

Keith, whose feet were waterlogged, went on an epic rant: “People ask me if Survivor is fun. I tell them ‘hell no!’ Survivor ain’t fun. Goin’ on a cruise is fun; goin’ fishin’ is fun; playin’ golf is fun. This ain’t fun! I mean, look at me, golly.”

survivor episode 10

Reward Challenge
The contestants were divided into two teams of five, with the winners getting to go to a Cambodian circus. Not only was a fun trip involved, but it afforded the victorious team a respite from the torrential rain.

Survivors battled in the water to see who could get three baskets before being tackled by their opponents. Nothing was off limits. Dunking, yanking, tripping, head-butting, you name it. At one point, Tasha dragged Kimmi through the water en route to scoring the winning bucket for her squad — also comprised of Joe, Spencer, Ciera and Abi.

Once on the reward, the winners enjoy food, beer, entertainment and, most importantly, cover from the rain. Ciera took the opportunity to convince the group that they needed to take out Fishbach.

Meanwhile, back at camp, strategy was discussed as contestants huddled together in a futile attempt to get warm. Joe’s name immediately surfaced as a target that needed to be removed. The rain and cold took an emotional toll later that night when Fishbach suffered physical pain that transformed into an emotional meltdown.

Survivor recap episode 10

Immunity Challenge
The rain has finally subsided. Before the challenge starts, Jeff offers substantially improved shelter and food at the camp if five people will give up their shot at immunity. Stones were drawn, with each Survivor getting a white and black stone. White means giving up a chance at immunity, and shockingly only Joe and Keith decide to partake in the challenge.

With eight opting out, Joe and Keith were left to fight it out mano a mano. They each had to stand on a block while using a buoy to balance a ball against a wooden board. Sadly, what is usually one of the most exciting parts of the show, only lasts a few minutes as Keith drops his ball and once again grants Joe immunity.

Survivor recap episode 10

Discussing Strategy
Fishbach’s name comes up often— especially since they know he has an advantage in the game that he won last week — but Jeremy and Fishbach have Ciera atop their list. The jockeying begins as individuals attempt to steal votes to their side. Spencer and Jeremy both state their cases to one another, but nothing is revealed to viewers as they head to Tribal Council.

Survivor

Tribal Council
After asking about how much the rain has affected them, Jeff turns to grilling contestants about why they chose to give up a shot at immunity. Joe bluntly and astutely says that had he given up a chance at the idol, he’d be going home tonight.

As Jeff is about to tally the votes, he asks if anybody wants to play an immunity idol. Jeremy speaks up and says he’d like to play an idol (he has two); but instead of playing it on his own behalf, he plays it for Fishbach. Let the drama begin!

Jeff reads off the votes: Fishbach gets five votes (which don’t count), Kimmie gets two, and Ciera gets three. Bam! Jeremy single-handedly saved Fishbach and ensured that Ciera — the #1 target on his list — went home. Brilliant strategy all around.

Who went home on Survivor tonight?  Ciera Eastin.

Wait, It’s Not Over Yet! 
Following Tribal Council, the second hour begins. Another reward challenge ensues in which contestants have a chance to be taken to an island with food, beverages, etc. Jeff tells a very detailed story with a lot of historic details that everybody must remember.

The Survivors scramble into the night with their torches to scattered stands with questions that they must answer correctly. Each correct answer is rewarded with a golden medallion. Wentworth finds a hidden immunity clue along the way. Spencer gets a pretty big lead, but a wrong answer opens the door for Fishbach to win the challenge and reward. He gets to bring two people and chooses Tasha and Jeremy.

While the trio go on their reward trip, the others are left back at camp to discuss strategy. Once again, Fishbach is on the chopping block. Wentworth takes time when others are preoccupied to use her clue to find the hidden immunity idol. Bingo! She find it and gains a huge advantage in the game.

For the second time tonight, we get an Immunity Challenge. Individuals have to use their feet to build a tower with blocks. As most competitors struggle, Spencer and Joe duel it out with sweat pouring off them as they struggle to maneuver their blocks with their feet. And for the first time in what seems like ages, Joe is dethroned. Spencer prevails to win immunity, leaving Joe extremely vulnerable.

Following the usual lobbying in which paranoia consumes the camp, everybody heads to their second Tribal Council of the evening. Once around the fire, individuals talk about alliances and targets. Fishbach estimates that there is a 33-percent chance of a blindside tonight, and Tasha talks about shifts in voting blocks. Fishbach decides to play his advantage, which permits him to steal a vote from another contestant. He steals Joe’s, which means Fishbach gets two votes and Joe gets none.

Jeff tallies the votes after nobody opts to play a hidden immunity idol. Fishbach is correct about the blindside, but unfortunately for him — despite playing his advantage— he is on the receiving end of the blindside. He gets 4 votes, Abi gets 3, Joe gets 2.

Who went home on Survivor tonight?  Steven Fishbach.

Standings (in season order):
Kelly Wiglesworth (Season 1, Borneo) Voted off 8th
Jeff Varner (Season 2, Australian Outback) Voted off 4th
Kimmi Kappenberg (Season 2, Australian Outback)
Terry Deitz (Season 12, Panama) Left Day 13 for family emergency
Peih-Gee Law (Season 15, China) Voted off 3rd
Stephen Fishbach (Season 18, Tocantins) Voted off 10th
Monica Padilla (Season 19, Samoa) Voted off 5th
Abi-Maria Gomes (Season 25, Philippines)
Vytas Baskauskas (Season 27, Blood vs. Water) Voted off 1st
Ciera Eastin (Season 27, Blood vs. Water) Voted off 9th
Tasha Fox (Season 28, Cagayan)
Kass McQuillen (Season 28, Cagayan) Voted off 7th
Woo Hwang (Season 28, Cagayan) Voted off 6th
Spencer Bledsoe (Season 28, Cagayan)
Kelley Wentworth (Season 29, San Juan del Sur)
Keith Nale (Season 29, San Juan del Sur)
Jeremy Collins (Season 29, San Juan del Sur)
Shirin Oskooi (Season 30, Worlds Apart) Voted off 2nd
Joe Anglim (Season 30, Worlds Apart)

The Jury:
Kass McQuillen
Andrew Savage
Kelly Wiglesworth
Ciera Eastin
Steven Fishbach

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