Result

Reward Happenings

Probst takes a swipe at Rob saying that everyone might not want to watch the video his brother did. Rob decides to share the hot chocolate with everyone.

'Robfather': His brother will probably kill him but there has been some bad blood following the last Tribal Council. He has a deal for Probst. He will forego seeing his video if everyone can get their letter from home because everyone is hurting.

Probst: "I can make that trade." Probst hands out everyone's letter to them. Many of the players thank Rob for his generosity.

Chaboga Mogo Tribal Happenings (Day 28)

'She-Devil' Shii Ann: It was big of Rob to offer the deal. It shows he has strong character.

Gratitituous footage of each weepy Survivor pouring over their letters. Rupert's waterworks are on full force. He wouldn't be a strong man without his family. He finds their words to be uplifting. They are so supportive even though he has been an SOB in agreeing to leave them again for the game. The letter will give him strength. He will read it a thousand times in the next 11 days.

'She Devil' Shii Ann: Her letter made her realize how valuable her friends and family are. Though she has made some pals in the game, they will never be like her real loved ones. She questions Rob's motives in surrendering his video for everyone. The move may win him a million dollars though.

'Robfather': Sobbing, he can't remember the last time he was so emotional. He made a decision that allowed everyone to win. He knows how the other players may perceive the deal. There is nothing he can do about that. He admits that it was strategy "to a degree". Family is more important than a million dollars...but...he is still gonna snag that cheque.

Chaboga Mogo Pre-Tribal Council Happenings (Day 28)

Kathy and Rob chatter some more. She is upset some friendships were violated in playing the game. Rob claims he had no idea a merger was coming when he made the promise to Lex. Kathy and Rob seemingly bury the hatchet.

'Robfather': He felt it was appropriate to smooth things over with Kathy. He claims to have no idea how the vote will go down.

Fetching a pail of water, Kathy and Shii Ann talk strategy. Kathy looks upon Rob's actions at the Challenge as a way for him to rehabilitate his image. Shii Ann agrees. It was a smart strategic move. Shii Ann predicts that as soon as Rob fails to win Immunity, he will be fed to the sharks. They ponder targeting Jenna.

Kathy: Plots to sell herself as the swing vote at final seven time. Hell, it worked before.

Kathy plots with Tom. It is time to switch things up. They contemplate taking Jenna out.

Sitting in the shelter, Am-bore and Rob look on as the conferences continue. They smell a set-up.

Shii Ann bends Alicia's ear. Shii Ann claims that Alicia can't trust Jenna as it was she who asked Shii Ann to vote Alicia out.

Rupert and Kathy gab. Rob views what is happening as a "last minute scramble".

Tom: When things are going too good, it is time to worry. He might consider some other options than the current alliance.

Alicia relays information back to Rob and Amber. Little does she know that Shii Ann is lurking behind the shelter. Alicia asserts that if Kathy and Shii Ann are going to focus on anyone, it will be her.

'Robfather': Is having bad thoughts. It just takes one person to ruin everything.

Jenna confides in Rupert. She feels vulnerable. She is worried that Tom and Alicia are weak links in the alliance and might jump ship.

Jenna: Hopes she isn't being blindsided and burned like she was in the first series.

Tribal Council Happenings

Lex is brought in as the first member of the jury. He is sporting a new mohawk. Kathy views this 'Survivor' as different due to the fact that there are some real life friendships in the mix. Tom: Friend or foe, he would rather it be someone else taking the Walk of Shame. Rob makes the distinction between friendships outside of and inside the game. He has given his word and tried to keep it. Shii Ann: Is in the minority. People are now thinking about who they can beat in the finals. Doubts alliances are as strong as everyone makes them out to be. It won't be the end of her if she wins Immunity. She is not going down without a fight. Kathy will be voting for the person who lied to her. Lying is expected in the game but she wasn't pleased about how this lie went down. People should've taken into account other scenarios when Lex was around.

Kathy votes for Am-bore again. If Am-bore doesn't start playing a new game, she won't make it. Rob is proud of Kathy but she didn't honestly think he was going to let her win, did she?

Final Voting

1. Alicia Calaway: Kathy.
2. Rob Mariano: Kathy.
3. Tom Buchanan: Kathy.
4. Rupert Boneham: Kathy.
5. Jenna Lewis: Kathy.
6. Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien: Amber.
7. Shii Ann Huang: Amber.
8. Amber Brkich: Kathy.

Parting Comments

Television: "Damn! I can't believe I got booted off. I can't believe I thought Rob was going to be there for me. It was stupid, actually; it was a stupid play. But that's what happens when you put too much trust and loyalty into your thought process out here. I wanted that million dollars so bad because I got rocked last time." - Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien.

Internet "Damn, I had it going, too! I was working both sides, and I was doing it okay. I think people didn't catch on, they didn't mind it, they weren't asking questions. I had that down. Jesus! I can't believe it. I thought Rob was going to be there for me. It was stupid, actually; it was a stupid play. But that's what happens when you put too much trust and loyalty into your thought process out here. You can't let it happen."

"You know, I came into this with a lot of hesitation, and I think the hesitation was just...I remember how beat up I got. I go so beat up that it affected my decision-making. So I came in here, and I just wanted to play the game. I came in like going to a new job, trying to be effective, as effective as I could. The thing is that it beat me to a pulp in the first six days. I had that pounding dehydration feeling day four. I had that feeling--honest to God--day 20, 25 last time. So it threw me off in the Challenges, and you know what? It threw me off in bonding with people. That robust feeling of this great adventure wasn't here, because I was just hurting physically."

The other thing that was totally missing was that on SURVIVOR: MARQUESAS, we were truly building a little society. I think the players did it. Whether it was Gabriel or Pascal, because it was all new. We were like big-eyed kids at Christmastime or at a holiday: "Wow! This is like Robinson Crusoe!" So, we did this bonding thing that actually makes you win. We didn't have that at all in the tribe that I was on. In that tribe that I was on, Mogo Mogo, it was business. They were all into the business of it. Hatch, Colby, most of us didn't have that wide-open, adventure feeling. So that was the killer; we didn't win. Teams have got to have spirit to win. Even thought that other tribe, Chapera, had all that goofy rah-rah stupid stuff that I didn't think was team spirit, it was enough spirit for them to make it, to win. That's why their alliance is strong.

Why did I want to do it? Because I learned. I started learning last time at about day 15, day 20, and I knew that if I brought back that knowledge, that I could have won. You know what? I could have won. I made that ridiculous decision not having enough facts. That guy wasn't in front of me, you know? I didn't have the pawn or the chess player in front of me. It was stupid. I was going based on knowing the person compared to having him in front. So I really thought I could do well. And you know what? I think I was doing well.

I know how to play this game, and that's why I came back, with great reluctance for the physical. The only thing I knew was I was going to come out and I was going to look younger again, because when I get skinny I look younger. I wanted to take what I learned and see if I could bring it to fruition. There's nothing better. It's like taking a class or learning something new. I went through such an experience last time, a personal growth experience, and just the knowledge of the game. So this time around, I knew just taking the knowledge that I acquired from the first time around that I could really win it. I felt that I was on a good course. So that's why I did it: I wanted to win! It's about winning; I love to win. We all do. And who knows? Maybe there was going to be some new enlightenment that was going to occur. But that didn't happen.

I walk away feeling good that when I am down in the dumps and I'm going down for the count, what I rely on is trust and loyalty and the better qualities of life. And you know what? Maybe I just don't have it in myself to make it all the way to the million and be semi-corrupt and lie like everybody tonight at Tribal Council said you had to do. And you know what? In essence, I don't think I have it in me to do that. I was trying to do it the other way. I feel really good about myself. If I made a mishap and I'm not winning that million bucks because it was based on trust and loyalty, and I keep rearing back to that, I keep going back to that, wanting it. I don't think you can find it here. If you find it, it's in little, short doses, and you should be satisfied with that. And you know what? I'm not. I want the big, big Kahuna loyalty and trust, and I don't think you can win it out here with just that."

On the next 'Survivor':

Television: "Alicia is on edge. Forced to make a tough decision, Rupert is at risk. A surprising development threatens the power players. Rob: I am scared like all of them but I won't let them see it."

Internet: "One castaway is angered when being called, by the group, the least deserving person to be an "All-Star." Winning the Reward Challenge gives one All-Star the rare power to decide what the others eat, from a juicy steak to a small, cold bowl of rice. Shii Ann annoys Alicia, who warns her to watch it, or her camp life will be pretty unpleasant."

Powell's Thoughts:

It is not guaranteed that Shii Ann is the "easy out" next week. By stirring the pot and introducing different scenarios, Shii Ann and Kathy may have caused some dissension in the Chapera ranks. With Mogo Mogo no longer a threat, the core Chapera Alliance of Rupert, Jenna, Rob and Amber may turn their attention to either Alicia or Tom as untrustworthy weak links who need to be removed from the endgame equation. Alicia would be the most probable target due to Rob's mistrust of her. Rob's comment about being aware of Tom's clandestine plan with Lex could foreshadow Tom as being painted as undependable when push comes to shove.

The tried and true alliances shared by Rob, Amber, Jenna and Rupert appear to be holding strong. It is looking more and more like this will be your final four.

One very curious footnote about tonight's show. What did Kathy mean by Lex and Tom having a scheme beforehand? Could it be that the All-Stars communicated with each other before they even headed out to the Pearl Islands? Would that violate the rules of the game? Hmmm.