Now, Rupert Boneham , Jenna Lewis, Amber and Rob are the Final Four, facing fierce competition to become the Final Two, and ultimately, in this two-hour episode, one becomes the Sole Survivor of Survivor 8: All-Stars. Who will it be? Our reader Episode 15 Poll clearly prefers Rupe as the Sole Survivor. Will this viewer favorite, termed the “Gentle Giant,” actually make it?
And the jury, each of whom the victim of Rob’s broken promises have their chance to tell it like it is – that is, if he makes it the to Final Two. And then there's the Big Twist. What can that be?
Episode 16 begins after the Tribal Council with the Final Four discussing Big Tom’s ouster. These are the four that had earlier in the game created an alliance, but it is now down to two groups of two. And someone has to switch sides with the next vote. Rob and Amber immediately go to work on Jenna, encouraging her to switch her alliance from Rupe to them.
The next morning, Day 36, host Jeff Probst arrives with a large basket containing the makings for breakfast: bacon, eggs, pancakes, fruit, orange juice, champagne, and suggests a Mimosa. The four enjoy their breakfast, with Rupe cooking pancakes, and toast each other with Mimosas, saying, “Good luck to us all.” They’ll need it. Jeff also gives them a camera and a scrapbook for photos of their last days together.
Rob and Amber continue their pursuit of Jenna to vote Rupe off. If a tie develops, then they’ll use a rock, one side painted purple, instead of a coin toss, to see who goes, who stays. Whoever gets the purple rock, goes. Jenna doesn’t want to trust her luck to that.
The Immunity Challenge is a giant maze. Each of the Final Four has to maneuver around, over and under obstacles to retrieve eight rungs to a ladder. Speed and agility are essential. The first one to build the ladder and climb up to a platform wins Immunity, and a spot in the Final Three. Amber takes the initial lead, but soon all are tied, until Rob loses his way and time. Jenna also falls behind. Amber increases her lead and surges ahead to build her ladder, climb up and claim the Immunity necklace, moments ahead of Rupe. She is jubilant as Jeff congratulates her.
Back at camp, Jenna tells Rupe what Amber and Rob have been up to, but tells him she won’t do it. Rupe is concerned, knowing is fate rests on Jenna. Rob knows he can’t beat Rupe so he redoubles his campaigning and Jenna wavers. Rob and Amber walk down the beach for some quiet time, leaving Jenna and Rupe to talk. She is still in turmoil, but eventually decides to do what is best for her.
At the Tribal Council, Jeff talks about Big Tom being blindsided, and asks Rob if he would betray another player. Rob responds that there are two sides to every questions. Jenna says she is still not sure what she’ll do, and Rupe hopes his alliance will stand. It’s a losing hope, though, as the others vote him out. (Editorial note: boo hoo.) Rupe is disgusted and angry with Jenna but he did his best and says he’s had a good experience with Survivor All-Stars. Jenna says she loves Rupe, but had to stay on herself. Rob congratulates her for her decision.
Before dawn the next morning, Jeff arrives and instructs the Final Three to take a canoe and map to another beach where they will find body paints and illustrations based on the Acuna Indian tribe rituals. When they have decorated their bodies, they are to walk past the torches of the fifteen castaways already gone, pay their respects, and meet him for the final Immunity Challenge. They do so, painting their faces and bodies, putting on beads and bits of cloth for their walk past the torches. All are upright except for the two representing the two women who voluntarily quit the game.
Next page: Who wins much needed Immunity?