“Survivor: Ghost Island” (CBS)
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Last Week: The boys got a reward, but Wendell went and missed it, Kellyn tried to rally the girls, but Laurel resisted, and Chelsea was voted out, which is proof that she existed.
39 Days, 20 People, 1 “Survivor” Blog
Let’s take a look at the tribe as it currently stands…
The Lavita Tribe (wearing black)
Angela, 42 – Army Veteran
Donathan, 26 – Caretaker
Domenick, 38 – Construction Supervisor
Kellyn, 31 – Career Counselor
Laurel, 29 – Financial Consultant
Sebastian, 22 – Fishing Guide
Wendell, 33 – Furniture Company Owner
Post Tribal Shenanigans
Kellyn knows she’s on the outs, but she isn’t going to let that get her down because she trusts her gut. Is that the gut that didn’t think Des would target her?
Or is that the gut that thought Michael had an idol?
Reward Challenge Time: The players will be split into three teams of two. Three captains will be named and they’ll pick their partner. They’ll work together to keep spools rolling on a cool spool-rolling contraption. The last duo with their spools in motion will win a trip to a local school to deliver supplies. While there, they’ll also enjoy a fried chicken dinner.
Quick Aside: Aww…I love the good-will mission rewards.
Another Quick Aside: Boo…one person won’t get to compete and won’t be eligible for Ghost Island.
Team Picking: Kellyn picked Sebastian, Wendell went with Domenick, and Donathan chose Laurel. So, Angela gets to sit there and wonder why she’s wasting her summer.
Result: Domenick and Wendell pick up the win in what was a super fun new challenge. They pick Laurel to come with them. They also decide to send Sea Bass to Ghost Island.
At Ghost Island
Sebastian is greeted by a three-in-four chance of winning an advantage. I see the logic in this. The later you get, the more valuable votes get. He plays and is rewarded with the extra vote that Kellyn just played on Laurel. Ooo…double cursed!
Jeez…that extra vote is reaching Ozzy levels of returning.
Sebastian claims that this extra vote is the best thing that could ever happen to him. The best thing? Better than fishing-based immunity challenges? Or a Domenick and Wendell double medical evacuation? Or a crate of banana Laffy Taffy washing up on shore?
He also uses a fisherman analogy to say that he’s worried that the others see him as a remora…a sucker fish…but he’s really a shark. Well played, Sea Bass.
School’s In Session
Domenick, Wendell, and Laurel have a blast with the adorable Fijian kids. Later on, Domenick claims that they’re the final three. However, Laurel lets us know that she isn’t so sure.
Laurel tells the guys that she wants Domenick and Wendell to split the votes and she’ll get the rest. Yeah, the rest will be zero.
In a cute moment, Laurel asks a Fijian woman who’s going to win. She keeps looking at Domenick. Wow…even she knows.
DTF…Donathan to Flip?
Donathan says he’s getting tired of waiting for Laurel to make a move and is prepared to strike out on his own. Apparently that means rubbing both Wendell and Domenick the wrong way.
He starts off by telling Wendell that he feels like he’s on the outs and that he’ll be voting for Domenick if he gets sent to the jury. Wendell realizes that Donathan is trying to play him and even says, “I don’t know what you’re doing right now.”
Dom joins the conversation and Wendell immediately rats Donathan out. Dom makes a great point, saying that if Donathan thinks he’s headed for the jury, what’s his incentive to keep working with them?
This is like a “Survivor” masterclass with Wendell and Domenick picking poor Donathan apart.
Oh…and Dom makes a reference to Donathan slitting someone’s throat with a credit card. Is that a real thing? I’m afraid to Google it.
Immunity Challenge Time: The players will pull planks to a bridge, then use the planks to finish the bridge’s surface. They’ll run across and then build a ladder and climb a tower. The first person to complete the slide puzzle at the top of the tower will win immunity.
Result: This is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen on the show. Wendell actually did complete the puzzle first, but he didn’t call for Jeff to check it, he just stepped back. Laurel then finished the puzzle and called for Jeff. Jeff checked the puzzle and declared her the winner. When Wendell protested, Probst claimed that you have to call for a check. So, Laurel wins immunity. Wendell doesn’t take it too hard though, saying that Laurel is the rightful winner.
Quick Aside: Before every immunity challenge, Jeff walks the players through every step and they’re allowed to ask questions. Every time I’ve been out, he’s told the contestants they have to tell him when they’re done. So, I think Jeff is in the right here.
Weird situation though. Wendell must be zonked.
Pre-Tribal Politicking
Laurel doesn’t feel right sending Wendell home after what happened at the immunity challenge. That means she’s targeting Kellyn. She says this is going with the “smart move” over the “big move.” Um…a move can be both.
Meanwhile, Domenick and Wendell are tempted to get rid of Donathan because he’s being shifty. When they’re all talking strategy, Donathan asks that they let him know if he’s going to be blindsided. Well, then it isn’t a blindside. Doy.
Wendell decides to use a fake idol he has been crafting, but he needs the paperwork from Dom’s idol. Donathan catches the exchange and gets freaked out. They tell him he can see what they’re handing off, but Donathan doesn’t want to look at it. It’s just awkward and weird.
This is enough to fully set Donathan off. He runs off to chat with Kellyn.
Tribal Time
Donathan is frustrated that the people on his team aren’t sharing all of their information with him. Domenick asks if he can say something and Donathan flatty responds “No.”
Ooo…
Then the whispering starts. First it’s Wendell and Sebastian, then Dom starts saying, “Stay with it.”
Donathan thinks the target has switched from Kellyn to himself. He tries to address Dom, but Dom points out that they’re done talking.
Burnnnnn…
Voting Time: Donathan votes for Dom, Kellyn votes for Donathan, and the rest of the votes are secret.
JPro tallies and returns. He asks if anyone wants to play an idol and…nobody does. We’ve got one vote for Dom, one vote for Donathan, two votes for Kellyn, two votes for Donathan, and the final vote is for…Kellyn. A tie!
Voting Time Part Deux: No votes are shown.
JPro tallies and returns yet again. We’ve got one vote for Donathan, two votes for Kellyn, and the fourteenth person voted out of “Survivor: Ghost Island” and the seventh member of the jury is…Kellyn.
Kellyn congratulates everyone on the way out. Class act. Love to see it.
Verdict: This is probably my best Power Rankings season ever. Not because I’m a genius (and not that you needed that reminder) but because it’s just so predictable.
Seriously, can you imagine someone other than Domenick or Wendell winning?
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Power Rankings Results: Roark and I both had Kellyn in spot seven. The current score is Team Roark 132, Team Gordon 135.
Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes
Tags: survivor, survivor ghost island
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