The teasers for this week episode hint at the merger of the tribes, but if it happens this week, no doubt it will have a twist of its own.
Episode 9 begins with the explanation that this episode is highlights and never before seen footage (in italics below) of the first 21 days of the most “cutthroat” Survivor series ever, with the Explanation of how the castaways are brought to the islands with nothing but a machete and the clothes on their back. See Episode 1 – They’re Back for details of the hardships and Tom Buchanan chortling that this game is for the “big boys.”
Rob Mariano wastes no time in making an alliance with Amber Brkich and a secondary one with Big Tom. As Tom puts it, he’s okay with it but he doesn’t trust anyone.
Chapera tribe plays their own Survival Game, with tribe mates playing the roles of the Saboga castaways and Rob Cesternino playing the role of host Jeff Probst. They mock the Saboga tribe members and foretelling Saboga’s real Tribal Council, they vote off Tina Wesson. They hum the “Council has spoken” music as the pretend Tina walks away.
It’s no joke though, to see Colby Donaldson walking bowlegged to ease the chafing in his “nether regions,” as he puts it.”
On Day 4, we see again the Reward Challenge that Saboga won but had to share with the others by accepting the pot and flint. Making fire to cook and boil water was a higher priority than the alternate prize of blankets because the castaways were Episode 2 – Panicked, Desperate, Thirsty as...
His tribe mates have trouble understanding Big Tom who speaks with a heavy Southern accent and says things no one can understand. As Rob M says, it takes a “special degree to speak Big Tom,” and his tribemates mimic his speech.
Day 6 was the second Saboga Immunity Challenge loss with Rupe refusing to write the name of his ally Rudy Boesch at Tribal Council, but Rudy is the second person voted out.
Day 7 is the day of the great shark battle between Richard Hatch, who liked to compete naked in the challenges, and the shark that latched on to his arm and refused to let go even when Richard beat its head against a rock. Details of Episode 3 – Shark Attack! We also get a glimpse of Amber admiring Rob M’s style and physique as he uses his expertise to create Chapera’s shelter, built with the tools delivered for that purpose.
On Day 8, a construction contractor judges each tribe’s shelter. Chapera’s is very sound, Mogo Mogo is shaky and Rupert Boneham’s below sand effort is “awful” and “dangerous.” Chapera celebrates their win with blankets and wine, but Jenna Morasca is depressed thinking about her mother, gravely ill with cancer. At the challenge the enxt day, she tells the group that she must go home to be with her mother and becomes the second person ever to walk away from a Survivor’s game. That night, suffering through one of the worst storms ever experienced by Survivor contestants, Saboga’s shelter is inundated while the tribes huddles in the cold and rain. Meanwhile, Amber and Rob cuddle under their blankets.
Day 10 sees Rupert and the others, all but Jerri that is, working together to build a new shelter. Only when the shelter is underway, does she offer an opinion, one that differs from the others. She and Rupe get into an argument, which leaves him feeling inadequate and uncomfortable when Jerri walks away without looking at him.
Next page: highlights and unseen footage from Days 10 - 20