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Cecilia Mansilla found herself outnumbered when the tribes were merged on last night's episode of 'Survivor'. (Photo: Courtesy of CBS.) |
Critics of the racial twist on 'Survivor: Cook Islands' can rest easy now. The controversy is over. By merging the four racially segregated tribes into two mixed tribes last night, the producers have put a swift and sudden end to the contentious opening twist that sparked protests, heated debates and higher ratings for the series premiere.
Old alliances die hard though and the ramifications of the twist sent tremors through both tribes. At the new Aitutaki Tribe, Sundra Oakley, Oscar Lusth and Cecilia Mansilla soon found themselves outnumbered as the former Puka and Raratonga tribemates were quick to assess the lay of the land and get on the same page, well, sorta. Notwithstanding Candice being sent to Exile Island and some flip-flopping before Tribal Council, the Puka-Rara Alliance stayed strong through the first vote at least and Cecilia Mansilla was given a one-way ticket to the Loser Lodge where she probably set the delusional Billy straight about Candice.
The Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Hiki Tribe
1. Nathan Gonzales.
2. Rebecca Borman.
3. Stephannie Favor.
4. Sundra Oakley.
Puka Tribe
1. Anh-Tuan "Cao Boi" Bui.
2. Becky Lee.
3. Brad Virata.
4. Jenny Guzon-Bae.
5. Yul Kwon.
Rara Tribe
1. Adam Gentry.
2. Candice Woodcock.
3. Jonathan Penner.
4. Parvati Shallow.
5. Jessica Smith.
Aitu Tribe
1. Cecilia Mansilla.
2. Cristina Coria.
3. John Calderon.
4. Oscar Lusth.
Aitu Tribal Happenings
After Tribal Council the talk of the tribe is all about Billy's crush on Candice. JP is the harshest critic saying there is no way in heck Candice is interested in the future 'Rock Star L.A. Guns' contestant.
Puka Tribal Happenings
Cao Boi conveys a long-winded story about his discussion with a family who moved from Vietnam to the United States to give their teenage children a better life. Cao Boi thought that was quite amusing considering the kids would soon be of age to be sent off to fight in Iraq. Cao Boi asserts that only rich kids with connections can skip out on such military service.
A snarky Brad is sure of one thing: Cao Boi never shuts his trap. He has had time to ponder Cao Boi's situation and he has come to the conclusion that he is two donuts short of a dozen.
Rara Tribal Happenings
Jonathan is confident in his tribe. They have yet to lose a challenge.
Tribal Swap
Yul returns from Exile Island. Probst orders everyone to drop their buffs. Some of the players have no clue what Probst is talking about until others who have actually watched an episode or two fill them in. Through a fair but long and convoluted process of which I won't bore you with the details, two new tribes are formed.
New Aitutaki Tribe
1. "Cao Boi" Bui.
2. Becky Lee .
3. Yul Kwon.
4. Candice Woodcock.
5. Jessica Smith .
6. Cecilia Mansilla.
7. Oscar Lusth .
8. Sundra Oakley .
9. Jonathan Penner.
New Raratonga Tribe
1. Nathan Gonzales.
2. Rebecca Borman.
3. Brad Virata.
4. Jenny Guzon-Bae.
5. Adam Gentry.
6. Parvati Shallow.
7. Cristina Coria.
8. Stephannie Favor.
9. John Calderon.
Raratonga Tribal Happenings
As everyone arrives back at camp, Nathan is delighted with the new digs. As they sit down and chat, Steph asks everyone how they felt about the racial twist. John hopes it made viewers think hard about some issues.
Steph: Finally, the game is about the heart of the individual and not the colour of someone's skin.
Parvati is glad the tribe is a "melting pot" just like the United States.
Brad: This game is about cold, hard cash. In the end, everyone is out for themselves.
Aitutaki Tribal Happenings
Jonathan loves the shelter. Cecilia and Ozzy give everyone else the grand tour of the camp.
Jessica (Courtney 2.0), is so happy. She feels a change in the energy around her. She never felt those positive auras back in her original tribe.
The misfits, Jessica and Cao Boi, bond.
Cecilia informs Candice of Billy's statement at Tribal Council. Candice is bewildered. She explains that she just felt sorry for the big lug. Jon jokes that Candice led him on. Candice: I did not!
Raratonga Tribal Happenings
The young jocks move some rocks to impress one another and the women. Parvati rubs her hands together in glee. She makes no bones about it. She is going to use her feminine charms with the men. Parvati: It is what I do best. She plans on luring them into her web and then sucking their blood. Methinks her last name fits like a glove.
Aitutaki Tribal Happenings
Jonathan and Candice agree to seek out an alliance with Yul and Becky. For Jon, Jessica is the key to the alliance moving forward successfully. Jonathan melds minds with Jessica. He offers her the final five deal. Jessica is not sure she wants to play along. She wants to make friends and not feel fake. Someone give this woman a clue. Yul and Becky meet. They see the likely targets as being Ozzy and Cecilia. To prove that he trusts her, Yul reveals that he found the Hidden Immunity Idol. Beck is ecstatic. Yul wants to hold onto the Idol and use it when they have the chance to flip the game around. Yul promises that he will use it to save Becky if she gets into trouble. Becky hugs Yul. Becky: I am so proud of you.
Raratonga Tribal Happenings
Nathan, spear in hand, wins a battle with an octopus. When he gets it out of the water, the creature gets all friendly with Brad. The tribe celebrates the catch.
Immunity Challenge
It is the weighted chase contest from the Palau series. You remember. All of the tribe members are buckled together with each carrying bags of sand. Players can drop out but they must put their weight on those who stay in. As the tribes race around a course, the object is to catch the other team and tackle one of the opposing members to the ground.
Reward
Immunity from the Tribal Council vote and a surprise note.
Result
The women vacate the challenge leaving the men to duke it out. Rebecca is the female who stays in the longest. Raratonga almost catches up to Aitutaki. Yul decides they should stand their ground and fight. He does so but unfortunely, Cao Boi is targeted and goes down hard.
Winners: Raratonga.
Probst reads the secret note. It states the winning tribe gets to send someone from the losing tribe to Exile Island. That person will miss the Tribal Council vote and therefore be safe. Rara picks Candice.
Aitutaki Tribal Happenings
Back at camp, Jonathan surmises that Candice was sent to Exile Island because Raratonga thinks she is their weakest member.
Yul: Candice being exiled has messed up their voting plans. The numbers advantage may be null and void now.
Ozzy tries to rally Sundra, Cecilia and Jessica to take out Becky.
Jessica and Jonathan discuss strategy. Jessica doesn't have a good vibe about Becky. Jon: If Jessica isn't with me, we have serious problems here. Yul and Jon meet privately. They understand that they need Jessica on their side or the plan could fail. Jon meets with Jessica again. He explains that she needs to think about the future and making the merger. Jessica is not sure she trusts the same people Jonathan does. Jonathan states that Survivor is a 30 day chess game and Jessica needs to thinks three steps ahead. Cao Boi and Yul debate the merits of Becky and Cecilia. Yul thinks Cecilia is weak. Cao Boi terms Becky as a "princess". Yul argues that Becky has stepped it up in the challenges.
Cao Boi is not used to manipulating people. He doesn't feel comfortable doing that. Cao Boi and Jessica agree that Jonathan is not trustworthy.
Jessica: I agree that Survivor is a numbers game but I have respect for Cecilia. Jonathan wonders just how convincing he has been. They will soon see.
Aitutaki Tribal Council Happenings
Jonathan doesn't think race played a role at the merge. The players were picked based on their strengths. Sundra is gonna stick to what her gut tells her to do. Yul agrees that there are two different mind-sets. Some are on the series to play the game. Others are there for the experience. Jonathan: Whether you actively play or not, you are still part of the game. Jessica is not used to deceiving others. She is not sure about the motivations of some people in the game. Ozzy: At the end of the vote, he will know where some people stand.
Yul picks Cecilia. His loyalty is to Becky. Cecilia writes down Becky's name. Nothing personal. She is just doing what is best for the tribe. Sundra votes Becky. Becky writes down "Cecilia". Ozzy votes for Becky. He claims she hasn't gotten to know him as a person at all. Jonathan picks Cecilia. Her terms her as classy.
Final Voting
1. "Cao Boi" Bui: Cecilia.
2. Becky Lee: Cecilia.
3. Yul Kwon: Cecilia.
4. Jessica Smith: Cecilia.
5. Cecilia Mansilla: Becky.
6. Oscar Lusth: Becky.
7. Sundra Oakley: Becky.
8. Jonathan Penner: Cecilia.
Tribal Council Victim: Cecilia Mansilla.
Parting Comments
"The vote is a testament as to how quickly this game can change but I have no regrets. I had a great time. I got to crazy things I never thought I would ever do and probably won't ever do again. I think it was a mistake to vote me out. It may weaken the tribe, unfortunately. " -- Cecilia Mansilla .
On the next 'Survivor': Television: Probst: At Raratoga new lines are drawn. Parvati is ticked that the men want them to do all the work. At Aitutaki, Cao Boi goes too far. Cao Boi is shown climbing up a tree. A baby bird is found on the ground below. Jonathan describes Cao Boi as a "wild card" who cannot be trusted.
On the next 'Survivor': Internet: "Feeling vulnerable, Ozzy proves his worth by catching a feasts of fish. As the only member left from his original tribe, would this be enough to keep him safe? One tribe finds itself divided: men against women. Can they find a way to pull together as a team and work as a team or will their division be their downfall? When Candice returns from Exile Island and is questioned about why she thinks she was sent away, she plays dumb and avoids discussing her ties to the other tribe. Will her tribe's growing suspicions put her in jeopardy or has she talked her way out of trouble? J.P.'s dominance and controlling demeanor around camp angers some of the women in his tribe, will this behavior put a target on his back?"
Powell's Thoughts:
No double boot this week but you just know it is coming up soon. Might Probst ask the players if they wish to switch tribes right before the merger like on Thailand?
Because of her classic indecision, Jessica could be axed when the time and numbers are right. Nobody likes a wild card in the mix. Cao Boi is reported as not having lost much weight during the excursion. He and Jessica are in the same boat.
Steph being picked last during the switcheroo does not bode well for her in the game.
Ozzy and Sundra are rumoured to do well in the game. One wonders how they get out of the pickle they are in?
Apparently, Parvati's charms work on Nathan.
