Shaking hands with the opposing tribe proved to be Matt’s downfall in Survivor: Redemption Island Episode 2.
Matt was so comfortable with his position in the tribe that he didn’t even bother packing.
They get treemail with a bag of rocks. Those who choose their tribe colored stone will go to Redemption Island. For Zapatera, this is David and Steve. For Ometepe, Ashley and Andrea will be going. Not realizing that her boyfriend has been voted out, Andrea views this as an opportunity to further solidify her relationship with him. Her message to both the people on the island: she didn’t vote for either of them. This behavior isn’t going to win her any friends.
These four tribe members will be the witnesses to the duel between Francesca and Matt. What they tell their tribemates when they get back is up to them.
For today’s duel, they will use sticks and rope to make a long pole to retrieve three keys and open three locks. Francesca has her stick together quickly and with it the first key. Matt’s stick isn’t up to par. Francesca gets her second key. Matt’s stick is still no good. Francesca’s stick finally falls apart, which allows Matt to get his first key. Then Matt gets his second key. In the race for the third key, Matt wins the challenge to stay alive. Francesca is now officially out of the game. Good riddance after the ridiculousness of her gameplay alongside her buddy Kristina.
When Andrea returns from Redemption Island, Rob tells her he’s still looking out for her. Neither of them trust each other, but they’ll work together for now, you know, probably.
David and Steve return from their trip and tell Russell that Matt’s gone.
Since Russell can’t find the hidden immunity idol, Stephanie creates a fake one instead.
In addition to his scheming, Russell’s also not doing much at camp, so Steve has a proposal. Let’s throw the challenge and get rid of him.
At the immunity challenge, three members of each tribe will be strapped to a wheel, while three other members spin the wheel, sending them underwater for a mouthful of water, which they will spit into a tube until they release a ball that must be sent through a slide puzzle. In addition to immunity, they are playing for comfort: chairs, pillows, a tarp, blankets, and a lantern. Ralph and Sarita sit out for Zapatera. Julie’s not happy about this challenge throwing strategy, but it really doesn’t matter since she herself can’t make enough of a difference. Ometepe wins immunity and reward.
After watching this challenge unfold, Russell thinks they threw it. You can’t give Boston Rob momentum.
No time for Ometepe to relax. When they get back with reward, everybody starts looking for the clue to the idol. Having learned from the past when he didn’t care about the hidden immunity idol, Boston Rob’s searching and searching. Then he convinces Philip to stop sitting around. Underneath Phil is the clue. The clue is useless to him, but he’d rather have it than not.
The plan is to split the vote, 3 votes for Russell and 3 for Stephanie. That leaves the other 3 votes for Russell and his allies. Who can he get to flip? He suggests Julie. I’m not sure joining them makes any more sense than sticking with who she’s with, but I don’t think she really has anything to lose. If this works, the others deserve it for assuming they were in control, so much so that they could just throw the challenge.
Russell accuses them of throwing the challenge at tribal council. Mike does not deny this. Steve, however, does, and Dave follows suit.
Then there’s Ralph. It’s a good thing Jeff is there to translate for him. Could we get some subtitles, please?
Jeff warns them: you’re so divided that you’re in trouble come merge.
Votes
Russell
Ralph
Stephanie
Russell
Russell
Stephanie
Ralph
Ralph
Stephanie
With a three way tie, everybody who does not have votes will revote, thereby ensuring Russell’s departure.
Votes
Ralph
Russell
Russell
Russell
Russell
With 4 votes, Russell has been voted off the island for the first time in three seasons. Unfortunate because I would have liked to see some comeuppance from the idiot majority so desperate to get rid of him that they treated him as a throwaway.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of Survivor: Redemption Island Episode 4, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on CBS.