The last episode ended with Sally Schumann voted off, leaving Terry Deitz as the sole survivor of the original La Mina tribe. As the holder of the Hidden Idol, he is safe from at least one more Tribal Council, but to stay in the game to make the Final Two, he has to win every Immunity Challenge from now on. So far, he's won three in a row, but can he continue? Or will he succeed in allying himself with a disenchanted member of the Casaya-ite faction of the Gitanos tribe?
If he wins, the Casaya-ites will have to start voting off members of their own. Aras Baskauskas, Courtney Marit , Danielle DiLorenzo and Shane Powers formed a strong if argumentative alliance, while Bruce Kanegai and Cirie Fields have manged to get this far while their team mates concentrated on the La Mina players.
What happens next?
Day 25 begins with Terry very much aware of the "target on his back" and missing Sally. On the other hand, Shane and Danielle share a victory hug and promise to stay together. However, Courtney and Danielle are at odds, which pleases Terry to think that the La Caaya team is frazzling. Bruce, in discomfort from constipation and complaining of feeling bloated and pain, pays no attention to the goings on.
Notice of the Reward Challenge comes with individual "voodoo" dolls that each castaway paints or dresses in his or her own image. At the Challenge, for which the reward is a night at a spa, the castaways answer a questionnaire. Host Jeff Probst reads the questions aloud and the group guess whose name is most often chosen. The ones who guess right get to slice one of three ropes restraining a torch which will burn a castaway's doll. Once the doll is burned, the castaway is out of the game. Not surprisingly, Terry's doll is the first to go up in flames. He sits out the rest of the game, observing the reaction to the questions and responses. Courtney is seen as the player who never shuts up, is the biggest poser, is easily intimidated and the most annoying person. Shane is voted as the one mistakenly thinking he runs the game and the moodiest person.
Cirie, voted to be the one the others would trust with their lives and the one who could survive on her own, wins the Reward Challenge. As the winner, she chooses to send Terry to Exile Island. She also gets to choose two to accompany her to the reward, where they'll get food, laundry, a massage, and an overnight stay. Even though Shane begs, she takes Danielle and Aras with her.
During the helicopter ride, the trio see what looks like manta rays, or another species of rays, leaping from the water. More about rays on Page 2.
During their overnight trip, Cirie, Aras and Danielle gorge themselves with a variety of food and drink, enjoy massages and talk about their tribemates. Cirie giggles through the experience. While they are enjoying themselves, Shane and Courtney talk about Cirie's decision, and Shane whines and complains that he should have been the one to go with her. Bruce is in increasing pain and tries to rest.
On Exile Island, Terry relaxes, exercises and uses the time to strategize for the coming days and challenges.
That night, Bruce's condition worsens, scaring Courtney and Shane who send for the medical team who arrive by boat, examine Bruce and take him away for treatment. Left behind, Shane and Courtney squabble as usual but finally agree that they are on "the same page" as far as their alliance goes. Shane threatens her if she reneges. Cirie, Danielle and Aras return to camp, sensing the tension and the displeasure from Shane. Shane lets Cirie know he is upset about her choice to leave him behind, and extracts her promise, on her children's lives, that their alliance still is strong.
Courtney, Danielle and Cirie maintain Bruce's Zen garden and spell out a loving message with small rocks while Shane and Aras talk. Shane says it's all about himself now, and threatens to turn the game. Aras just listens. Later, Shane smirks for the camera and admits his actions were all a dramatic ploy staged to retain his control of the game.
Terry returns by boat. Jefft Probst is with him and brings them all up to date on Bruce's situation. Bruce will not be returning to the game. He's under medical care for a blocked digestive system. If the doctor permits it, Bruce might return as a member of the jury. Jeff announces there will be no Immunity Challenge and no Tribal Council as expected that day.
The six remaining castaways talk about Bruce, calling him a warrior, but this moment of peace is likely to be short, as the players gear up for the remaining challenges.
Who will be the next to leave?
