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Ami Cusack. (Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS.) |
It doesn't really take much to be hated on 'Survivor'. All you got to do is treat people with disrespect, don't work around camp, carry yourself with an arrogant attitude, align yourself with the wrong crowd or hit someone below the belt without just cause. To be unconditionally and overwhelmingly LOATHED by the majority of the fan base though? Well, that takes some serious, serious wickedness. Just ask Ami Cusack, Survivor's Queen of Mean, the only Survivor ever to flip off everyone during the Walk of Shame.
Joining the likes of the infamous Brian Heidik, Johnny 'Fairplay' Dalton, Richard Hatch, Osten Taylor and Jerri Manthey, Ami did achieve one goal during her stint on 'Vanuatu'. She will unquestionably go down as one of the greatest 'Survivor' villains of all time based on her patronizing nature. Though she wasn't quite the strategic mastermind that both Richard Hatch and Johnny 'Fairplay' were - despite what a certain obsolete periodical focusing on television might say - Ami was as charming and sometimes creepy in her manipulations as Thailand's 'King' Brian Heidik ever was.
Unlike Brian though, Ami couldn't maintain her spell over the other players. Unable to keep her condescending and cocky attitude in check, Ami dug her own grave by pushing Vanuatu's misfits into an alliance against her. Knocking herself out of the shuffleboard Immunity Challenge was just the icing on the cake for fans who tolerantly waited week after week for those five little words... "Ami, the tribe has spoken."
The Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Alinta Tribe
1. Julie Berry: Youth mentor.
2. Chris Daugherty: Highway construction.
3. Twila Tanner: Highway repair.
4. Ami Cusack: Coffee server, model.
5. Eliza Orlins: Pre-law student.
6. Scout Cloud Lee: Rancher.
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Night 30)
Is it Canada Day already? Here come the fireworks. While everyone lounges around the campfire, Twila and Ami pop out their claws Wolverine-style and tear at each other's throats. The Queen of Mean sarcastically calls the alliance against her a "really smart move" but she is still in the running. Twila spits back that it was a move for the "little guys". They took back control of the game. Ami points out that assisting the underdogs isn't Twila's motive at all. She's playing for herself like everyone is.
Chris is loving this. Watching the "wildcats" turn on each other is priceless.
Ami suggests that Twila and others have worked just as hard to try and ditch Eliza time and time again. Ami to Twila: "At least I didn't swear on my son's life." Ami has lost all respect for Twila because of that. Twila wishes she could take that back but it was time for the "high and mighty" to fall. Ami is accused of being "cocky". Ami: I may be cocky but I am one of the most loving and caring people around.
Twila: Ami is just peeved because she's the queen who got overthrown.
Ami: There is nobody she can rely on any more. Everything is up to her.
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Day 31)
Alinta has tree mail. Twila prays that Eliza wins the Reward Challenge if it involves food. She has been jokingly calling "stick girl" Olive Oil. To emphasize the point, we are treated to a shot of Eliza's bony back. Yech!
Reward Challenge
Probst drives up in a sports car the sponsor makes. He lays down the rules. The Survivors must make their way across a floating obstacle course consisting of platforms, outrigger canoes and balance beams. Beyond that, each player has three flags tied underwater that must be retrieved one at a time, carried back through the obstacle course to shore.
Reward
First place finisher gets the new car and a visit to local resort where they will shower, eat tons and sleep in a real bed overnight. Those who finish in second and third place receive everything but the car.
Result
As Scout struggles through the challenge, Probst calls her the "woman who would not quit". Ami is leading for most of the race then takes a hard fall allowing Eliza to scoot into the lead. Chris beats Julie out...but not by much.
Winners: 1st: Eliza. 2nd: Ami. 3rd: Chris.
Eliza drives Ami and Chris to the resort. The rest head back to camp.
Reward Happenings (Day 31)
Eliza, of course, can't believe she won a car. It is all still sinking in. At the resort, Ami, Chris and Eliza shower. As Chris cleans up, Ami and Eliza lay in lounge chairs on the beach. Eliza tells Ami she is sorry for turning on her. Ami and Eliza rip on Twila and Scout. Once Chris arrives, a band appears and serenades the players.
Eliza: This is the best reward...ever!
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Day 31)
Twila and Scout are sore about the physical water challenge. Twila: Every time we compete in one of those water challenges, I feel like I have swallowed half the ocean. Scout says her performance was humiliating. Before her battle with cancer six years ago, she would've owned that challenge. With Julie listening on at the campfire and making faces, they both agree on one thing...they are glad Ami didn't win the car. Twila is sure Ami will try to sweet talk Eliza. Scout feels better knowing Chris is with Eliza.
Reward Happenings (Night 31)
At dinner, Ami calls the game "interesting" and throws out the idea of joining forces to break up Twila and Scout's alliance. She then purposely excuses herself so Chris and Eliza can debate the issue. She leaves the room.
Chris: Ami must think he is stupid or something.
Eliza seems willing to mull Ami's proposition over. Chris garrottes that idea. Chris reminds Eliza that if they stick together, they are guaranteed Final Four status. To change course now would be suicidal. Chris to Eliza: They (the producers) might as well write the checks now. Ami returns and the strategy banter ends.
Chris: He is going to keep tabs on Eliza. He is counting on Eliza's mental strength to ward off the Queen of Mean's Jedi mind tricks.
Ami and Eliza sleep in the plush bed while Chris sleeps on the couch or a hammock. He falls asleep. Eliza and Ami chat quietly. Eliza apologizes for how things turned out. Ami says picturing Scout in the finals makes her "sick". Ami argues she stood up for Eliza when others wanted her turfed.
Eliza: Ami is speaking the truth. She did stick up for her. Eliza sees Ami as her big sister in the game.
Ami says to Eliza: "I don't expect any more miracles from you. I should be quiet now." Both women drift off to sleep.
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Day 32)
Ami, Chris and Eliza arrive back at camp. Scout and Julie sniff them out like crazed bloodhounds.
Julie: Chris smells much better. He just stunk before.
Twila is concerned that Ami got to Eliza.
Ami, Eliza and Julie sit in the hovel and groom each other while Scout does chores.
Scout: The beauty shop is making her ill. There is so much work to be done. She calls Ami a "control freak". She likes to control everything and everyone.
Ami knows Scout is ticked at her. She guesses Scout feels humiliated and jealous. Ami: Maybe it is because I still have my body and she doesn't. Ami: Scout has me pissed off.
Scout and Ami argue over making another pot of roots for supper.
Ami: Scout has poured Cheyenne Pepper in her pants and she is going to dance. She reiterates that if Scout makes it into the finals, she will puke.
Chris: The women have all forgotten about him and that's the way he likes it. All he has to do is sit around and let them gun each other down.
Scout goes to pick up a blanket. Ami: That is ours! Get your own blanket!
Chris: Though Ami has been knocked off her high horse, she could dust herself off, pick herself up and pull off something. Who knows?
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Day 33)
The players receive tree mail detailing the Immunity Challenge. Chris: Only Immunity will keep him safe now.
Immunity Challenge
The producers have dug hard for a challenge they believe Scout can win. It should be no surprise it is...geriatric shuffleboard, well, sort of. The playing surface is a huge table. On it, islands and volcanoes are represented. The Survivors have to slide their disks onto an island to score a point. Of course, others can choose to knock their opponents off the islands and take away those points. Landing a disk in a volcano makes it safe from being eliminated.
Reward
Immunity from Tribal Council
Result
Ami is one of the leaders but obliterates one of her own points during her final shot.
Winner: Chris.
Scout and Twila congratulate Chris on his win. Ami looks crestfallen.
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Day 33)
Chris is pumped that he finally won something. He recognizes the humour in him winning a non-physical challenge.
Ami: She knocked herself out of contention. Her performance was weak.
Eliza tells Twila she is not sure she can trust her. She did swear on her son. Twila again wishes she could undo that but they have to stay true to the alliance if they want to move ahead.
Twila is concerned about Ami being so persuasive. Twila and Scout relax in the hovel. Scout: Ami has one day to work her magic.
Ami to Eliza: It hurts me knowing I backed you up and you might throw me to the lions.
Ami: She wanted to play fair and not dirty.
Chris declares that as far as he knows, if there is a tied vote, the players vote again. If the vote is still tied, it is time for the dreaded purple rock.
As Ami wanders around poking at the beach with a machete, Eliza and Julie chat. Eliza says she has told Scout and Twila that she hangs around Julie and Ami because...well...they are just more fun. Eliza and Julie ponder making things a tie at Tribal Council. Scout would blow a gasket if that happened.
Eliza is not sure what to do. Julie and Ami would take her into the finals. There is no doubt about that. She is not afraid to mix things up again.
Ami is shown painting a picture of Eliza on a tree.
Eliza feels a connection with Ami.
Alinta Tribal Council Happenings
Ami admits the last Tribal Council shocked her. She knew there was "something wrong in her world" when the vote went down the way it did. Probst pressures Scout on her support of an all female alliance. Scout says she did want it that way but when some of the players became "sitting ducks", it was time to flip things around. Ami rips into Twila for promising on her son's life. The lie disgusts her. She has written Twila out of her life. Twila interjects. She confesses it was wrong to do so and is asking for forgiveness. Twila: Get over it. You've been had. Screw you! Ami: A million dollars isn't worth doing something like Twila did. Eliza never thought it would be so hard to vote people off as she has done. Ami is the big sister she never had. Eliza bawls and so does Ami. Ami says that more than anyone, Eliza has changed the most.
Twila votes for Ami. She is a drama queen to the end. Ami votes for Scout. Scout has shown her true colours now and is not part of any rainbow she has ever seen. Scout picks Ami. Lightening strikes the highest tree on a mountain first.
Final Voting
1. Julie Berry: Scout.
2. Chris Daugherty: Ami.
3. Twila Tanner: Ami.
4. Ami Cusack: Scout.
5. Eliza Orlins: Ami.
6. Scout Cloud Lee: Ami.
Tribal Council Victim:
Ami Cusack.
Though CBS blurred it, as she is taking the Walk of Shame Ami appears to flip everyone the finger.
Parting Comments
"First off, I just have to laugh. I would like to hold Twila underwater for two minutes. I think it would make me feel better but I really feel my integrity is so complete and I can't say that for all the people on the tribe still. I made some really important friends in my life. Leann. Julie. Eliza. I love those girls." -- Ami Cusack.
On the next 'Survivor': Television.
Twila: "I am so sorry I ever made that mistake." Twila unleashes her dark side. Twila to everyone: "You all can kiss my ass." Julie: Twila flipped out and I am going to use that against her later on. Twila and Eliza have it out. Eliza to Twila: I think you are a liar, T. I think you are a liar." Chris: I am having fun right now.
On the next 'Survivor': Internet.
" One Survivor is alienated from the tribe after an outburst that jeopardizes any chance of being in the Final Four. Tempers flare when one tribemate refuses to tell another the whereabouts of some buried provisions. When a tribemate catches two Survivors talking strategy, an altercation erupts that makes everyone realize what's at stake. Working both sides of a divided camp, one Survivor makes conflicting promises going into Tribal Council. Which way will the tribe member vote? And who will make it to the Final Four? "
Powell's Thoughts:
Don't make waves: Chris is slowly inching his way to a finals thanks to the women devouring each other. The best thing about the situation is we haven't seen Chris wade into it. Chris' biggest asset continues to be his ability to bite his tongue at the right times and open his yap at the right times. As long as he feels his position is secure, he can wait until the civil war ends until he makes his next big move. Don't be surprised if he takes home the check. The longer as he remains off everyone's radar, the better his chances are.
Open mouth and insert foot: Twila and Eliza put on the gloves? One of three things will happen next Thursday. 1. Eliza shoots her big mouth off for the very last time...on 'Survivor' that is. Since they have the numbers and can afford to sacrifice her, Twila, Scout and Chris vote Eliza off. 2. Cooler heads prevail and the alliance remains solid. Julie takes the Walk of Shame. 3. Chris forms a new alliance with Julie and Eliza. They target Twila.
Always be prepared: Scout is going to have to work some magic to take this thing home. She couldn't even win the shuffleboard challenge? What challenge is Scout capable of winning? Her inability to score any kind of individual challenge victory could pave the way for her departure in a final three situation if she is left with Chris and Twila.
The end is near: The next Thursday episode is entitled..."Eruptions of a volcanic magnitude". That probably refers to Twila and Eliza's verbal tussle. On December 12th at 4:00 p.m. on Star, the women of 'Survivor' will be profiled. Next Sunday, the finale of 'Survivor Vanuatu' airs. It is entitled: "Spirits and the Final Four". As per usual, the reunion show will follow the finale.
