Sword of Damocles (S45: Episode 9)

I JUST WANT ONE REGULAR INDIVIDUAL IMMUNITY CHALLENGE/TRIBAL COUNCIL. IS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK?!!!!?!?

Sorry sorry, I really am enjoying this season, but I want to see an Individual Immunity Challenge where EVERY PLAYER is competing against EVERYONE ELSE. So far we’ve seen: the group of 12 split in half meaning they’re only competing against 5 other contestants instead of 11, the group of 10 dwindled down to only 6 since 4 players sat out for rice, and now the group of 9 split into three different teams, effectively leaving only 3 people to compete individually for immunity. I like the occasional twist, but three weeks in a row is too much. Katurah, Dee, Drew, and Emily haven’t actually competed individually in the past two immunity challenges. GIMME A FULL TRUE IMMUNITY CHALLENGE, JEFF. That being said, when there are still this many people left in the game, I do like the fact that there’s not only a reward for winning, but a punishment for losing (hence the logic math problem that was presented to Austin, Emily, and Katurah).

What else happened in this episode?

• Bruce mopes around as he grapples with Kellie being voted out, and realizing that she was planning to target him. He’s totally socially isolated himself at this point, but maybe this is the wake up call he needed.

• Emily wants to come for Dee. She shares this with Drew and Austin in an effort to confirm that her alliance with them is the real deal, and that she’s not just on the button of the Reba 4. The guys push back a bit so Emily understandably gets weary. Could this have been a costly mistake for Drew and Austin? I think we’ll find out next week.

• Julie and Dee are at odds for the first time because Julie wants Jake out and has gotten the majority of the tribe on board, but Dee won’t let up in her push to go for Kendra. Kendra ultimately goes home in another unanimous vote meaning that Dee came out on top. Is Julie eventually going to get tired of playing second fiddle? Will Dee ease up to lower her threat level or is she going to keep pushing to get what she wants? (P.S. Anyone else notice that Kendra went completely silent when she got voted out/left Tribal Council? No parting words or goodbyes. Seemed unlike her!)

• Last but not least, we’ve got a potential SHOWMANCE blossoming between Austin and Dee, and I am HERE for it.

Let’s look at the League!

For the second week in a row, Bruce was the biggest earner, bringing in 28 points for his tribes thanks to winning individual immunity and group reward. Amanda’s tribe earned her the most points this week (80 total!) which keeps her in the second place position, and has puts her only ONE point behind Tribemaster Brian who is in first place for the third week in a row.

Anthony and Peach losing Kendra from their tribes means they’re now down to 4 tribe members, leaving Katrina as the only remaining person with a full tribe of 5. Will this be enough to propel her to the top next week?!

Rachael was the only one to lose her Sole Survivor pick this week. And sadly, Kendra’s departure results in our first official torch snuff of the season as Joyce no longer has any remaining players on her tribe. Mama Joyce, the tribe has spoken. (We luv u tho!)

xoxoxo,

Tribemasters Liv + Brian