In the last episode, for the first time the Casaya-ite bloc of the Gitanas tribe had to vote off one of their own. Although Terry Deitz campaigned to save her, Courtney Marit , finally fell to Cirie Fields and her efforts to vote her out.
Terry was saved once more by a tremendous effort to endure to win the Immunity Challenge, the fourth in a row. He still holds the Hidden Idol, which assures him of at least one save at Tribal Council, but can he pull off another win at the next challenge?
Politicking and alliances are put to the test in this episode. The survivors at Tribal Council are the Final Four. Then there will be three, and the Final Two facing the jury they voted off. Who will Outlast, Outwit and Outplay the remaining players to win the one million dollar prize?
Episode 12 begins with the castaways returning to camp after Tribal Council. Shane Powers is upset over Courtney Marit's being voted off, as he had planned to go to the Final Two with her, thinking he could easily win over her. He speaks with Aras Baskauskas and Cirie Fields . They agree that they will vote off Danielle DiLorenzo at the next Tribal Council. Terry Deitz listens, upset with Danielle for reversing her agreement with him and voting to oust Courtney. He says she's out next.
After a beautifully calm dawn, the Reward Challenge is anything but. The challenge is a combination of past challenges in a four stage obstacle course, with the winner getting to choose who "gets love" and how much of it when the players' loved ones arrive for a visit. Shane falls out on the first stage and Cirie on the second. Danielle gets to the third stage, but it is Aras and Terry who battle it out and Terry wins.
The loved ones appear and stand across from the players, exchanging smiles and loving words. Now Terry must decide who will go to an island villa, where they'll enjoy food and drinks and separate bedrooms. He chooses himself and his wife Trixie, and Shane and his son, Boston, for the overnight villa stay. Next, he must decide which player can take a loved one for an overnight at the camp, who will have to settle for a hug, and who will get nothing but a trip to Exile Island. He chooses Ciris's husband HB to spend the night in camp, Ara's mother for the hug, and Danielle exiled.
Danielle is disappointed, vowing Terry will "get his," and says it is time to rethink her strategy. At the Gitano camp, Cirie shows HB around, who is amazed at the primitve conditions they live in, but tremendously proud of his wife for her efforts. Cirie appreciates how far she's come, saying that now she can do anything.
At the villa, Shane and Terry gush at the contents of the full refrigerator, pizzas, wine, beer, champagne, snacks and breakfast makings. Shane tells Boston of his days on the island, grateeful now that he didn't quit or get voted off when he begged to be sent home. boston comforts his father when Shane gets emotional, telling him it's only seven more days left on the island. Terry shows Trixie his Hidden Idol, and they talk strategy. Shane comments that she is more competitive than Terry.
On Day 31, Cirie has HB working around the camp, which he isn't happy with but he gets wood, water, opens coconuts and helps with the fishing so Cirie can conserve energy for the Immunity Challenge ahead. When the boat arrives to take him away, they say their farewells. Terry and Shane return to camp. Cirie thanks Terry for having HB with her, but Aras is angry.
Terry explains his reasoning for his big decision. Obviously, he and his wife would enjoy the benefits, and he chose Shane to give him time with his son. He couldn't separate a married couple. Aras is not appeased, arguing with Terry that he deserved time with his mother, who is his "rock." In turn, Terry becomes upset with Aras and the rivalry between them intensifies. Aras is determined to beat Terry.
The Immunity Challenge has the players perched on a platform 20 feet above the water. From there, standing only, they lower a bucket into the water, pour the water into a bamboo tube to raise a flag. Whoever is the first to grab the flag wins Immunity. The challenge involves balance and a steady hand. Terry takes an early lead getting water in the bamboo tube, but Danielle, Aras and Cirie are right behind. Shane has difficulty and is out of the game. Terry raises his flag first, and wins. It is his fifth straight Immunity win, making him undefeated.
With this win, Terry relaxes. He has an automatic spot in the Final Four and with the Hidden Idol still in his possession, he feels confident of his standing.
