CBS has announced that the 2-hour finale of Survivor Caramoan: Fans VS Favorites 2 would be on May 12, Sunday (May 13 in the Philippines) followed by the 1 hour Reunion Show, they're pretty much wrapping up the show and things are happening really fast - hence, we had a double dose of immunity challenges and tribal councils and zero reward challenge in this week's episode.
But instead of what we might have expected that the last two remaining amigos - Eddie and Reynold - would get voted out back-to-back, we get an epic blindside in the last TC of the night.
On with the recap.
It's the final 8 after Malcolm was voted off, and the epic bromance of Eddie and Reynold since day 1 remains. Reynold bluffs that he is confident that he could win five immunity challenges in a row. Eddie just plans to roll with the punches. Cochran on the other hand believes that the power is in the hands of the favorites and he will do everything without reservations this time that he'd probably scare his own mother.
First Immunity Challenge
The next day, the castaways receives a tree-mail informing them that they're about to have an immunity challenge, to Erik's dismay hoping that it's a reward challenge instead. Reynold knows he has to win, or else he's a goner.
Jeff Probst announces that the winner of the challenge would not only get an immunity necklace, but an information about the game as well, which turns out to be the same information Malcolm got at the auction. For the challenge, each of them would stand on a triangular, pyramid type platform floating on the water. It has three levels, making them move up the platform and try to balance as long as they can despite trembling legs, the current and the wind.
To make things more interesting, Probst would try to bribe the castaways with food for them to quit the challenge. Classic.
Probst makes the first offer - donuts and milk, which is shared by both Erik and Eddie after mutually deciding to jump at the same time. Asked by Reynold if it's worth it, Eddie replies with "I don't know yet."
Probst then tells the players to move their feet one step up to the second perch. He makes another offer, 3 hotdogs on a bun and soft drink. Cochran announces that his thighs are about the burst and jumps even without the approval of his alliances. For Cochran, as long as one of them and not Reynold wins the challenge, he's going to be fine.
The remaining players are all on top of the platform. Dawn and Sherri jump out of the challenge. Reynold stays on with several incredible recoveries. But eventually, Reynold is out. The fight is between Brenda and Andrea. Andrea makes a deal that she will share with Brenda the clue if she wins. But Brenda wants to go on with the challenge and says she'd be happy if Andrea would beat her instead. Andrea says that she wants to win the challenge because she hasn't won yet.
The challenge goes on for three hours. In what Probst decribes as history, Andrea and Brenda make their own rule which is to lift their left legs to get it over with. Andrea wins both immunity and reward.
The Big Threat
Back at camp, even though Reynold knows that his time is up, there's still a hope for him if somebody will use the opportunity and timing to strike and blindside somebody in that point of the game.
Reynold's idea is not actually far-fetched as far as Andrea is concerned as she realizes that Brenda is a big threat to her and she regrets that she would be sharing the clue with her. So, Andrea decides to take her entire alliance of six to look for (hopefully) the last immunity idol of the game, which Malcolm failed to find. Erik finds it but immediately hands it over to Andrea. Cochran could only say that Erik learned nothing.
So, with the immunity necklace and an extra idol, Andrea is even more confident of getting rid of Brenda as he runs around telling everyone that the latter is the biggest threat to all. And with that, Cochran feels like it's the beginning of the end for the alliance of six. Dawn on the other hand believes that it is definitely and option to blindside Brenda.
First Tribal Council
At the tribal council, Reynold says that he could be used as a great instrument to blindside somebody, to make a move that would change the game. Dawn says that at that point of the game, paranoia comes because you know that you can't be trustworthy as well.
Apparently, no major moves for this tribal council as Reynold gets 4 votes, with Erik, Sherri, and Eddie getting 1 each.
Reynold is more than gracious as he walks out. For his final words, he admits that he no longer has any more rabbit to pull out of the hat but he had the time of his life.
The final seven returns to camp. Only one amigo left, Eddie who with Sherri, make up for the two remaining fans in the game. But it seems that Eddie could still get a couple of good night sleep as the attention has shifted from him to Brenda.
Andrea is so eager, trying to convince Cochran that Brenda, then Dawn has to go. But Cochran has other things in mind as he warns both Dawn and Brenda about Andrea's plan.
Second Immunity Challenge
For the second immunity challenge, the castaways must swim through a couple of obstacle courses, untie some serious knots, get a key, solve a ladder puzzle and unleash the "immunity" banner. Erik is on fire as he effortless go through the obstacles. It's a race between Erik, Brenda, Eddie and Andrea. But it is Erik who wins immunity and redeems himself after handing over the hidden immunity to Andrea earlier. Erik makes sure that he won't give his idol to anyone else this time.
Andrea makes her move and tells Eddie to vote for Brenda. Eddie is more than willing to oblige and he knows that as far as Andrea knows, they're going to blindside Brenda. For Eddie, after 33 days in the island, it's the first time he has an idea who they're voting for.
Cochran makes a realization as to why Andrea is throwing Brenda under the bus. It's because Andrea wants to take Eddie in the final 3. "Whether it's personal or strategic, I don't know. I'm worried that I'm gonna be replaced by Eddie. If I am a part of your plan, you're not a part of my plan," Cochran said.
Brenda on the other hand is very much aware that Andrea wants to blindside her. Andrea comes up to Erik and offers to take him at the end. Erik, this time feels in control of the game of the game, more than ever.
Second Tribal Council
At the second tribal council, Eddie is facing the same dilemma as Reynold was and he is hoping that they would make the "move". Cochran admits that Andrea's hidden immunity is a concern, because she could use it until the final five. Sherri, Dawn, Andrea and Cochran all admit that lies and talks of the final 3 have been tossed around the camp. Andrea says that she would use her immunity if she gets paranoid enough (but earlier also said that she is confident about her plan).
The votes are cast. Probst tallies the votes.
Brenda gets 2 votes, Eddie gets 2 and Andrea gets 3, making her the latest member of the jury.
The look on Reynold and Malcolm's faces were priceless as the shocked Andrea gets voted off. She could only muster, "That was really good!"
Probst tells the final 6, "We've been talking about the big move for weeks.. Tonight, you made it.. the question is, now what?"
Andrea's final words "I was confident. I wasn't even thinking about playing the idol. It happened again."
I think that necklace is cursed.
Next week: Cochran is in trouble. Erik is losing it. And a visit from home changes everything.