Episode 10 ended with a huge surprise for Jamie when his incessant talking and paranoia got him voted out by his own very strong alliance of the old Nakúm tribe Survivors. Shocked, he left the Tribal Council area saying, "Blindsided! Nice. Now that's how you vote somebody out!"
This leaves Danni and Gary stunned, but with slightly better odds against the five ex-Nakúmians. Judd is upset that he was excluded from the discussion or plot to oust Jamie instead of Gary, and his actions show it.
With seven players left, who will be voted out next? In the Who will make it to the Final Four? poll, created before Jamie was voted out, only two percent of the voters thought Jamie would make it that far. At the time of this writing, Stephenie and Rafe lead the votes, and Danni and Gary bring up the rear. But things change as alliances are broken and re-forged as the number of Survivors dwindle. How will the votes change with the next volatile Tribal Council?
Episode 11 begins on Night 27 as the remaining Survivors head back to camp. Judd talks about the vote, saying he's shocked and confused about the alliance of the six that's gone berserk. Steph tries to calm him saying they hadn't told him of the plan to vote out Jamie to "save him from it." He counters saying that he's going to wonder about everything from now on.
That comment seems to set the tone for this episode as alliances turn on themselves, new strategies arise and even though the tribemates are relieved that Jamie is gone, and Rafe says all is right in Survivor world, the old order is on shaky ground.
In the morning of Day 28, Lydia and Gary are up early. Lydia realizes that she needs to completely refigure her alliance else she'll be the next target. To that end, when Gary talks to her about Steph, Lydia answers all his questions about the order of the people being voted out and who makes the decisions: Steph. Judd wakes up and hears them talking and edges closer to hear better. When he hears Lydia and Gary plotting to bring Cindy into a new alliance with them, he wakes Steph and Rafe.
The three listen. Judd mistrusts Gary who earlier had said Lydia should be voted out, as not deserving to be there, but later Rafe says that Judd is very insecure and Judd calls Gary the biggest liar in camp. Lydia says that Gary needs another person to make the Final Four and admits she's rethinking a better deal.
The Reward Challenge involves a set of questions about the Mayans and Guatemala. Every player who gets the answer right gets to break one of three hanging pots for every player. The owner of the last unbroken pot will win a trip to a hot springs waterfall that empties into a cool lake, food and a massage. Judd is the first winner and he breaks one of Gary's pots. Lydia is up next and she breaks one of Steph's pots, in a deliberate effort to knock her out of the game. Steph sees this as a further betrayal. Then Rafe breaks Danni's pot and Gary gets Cindy's. From then on, Steph and Gary are eliminated, followed by Judd and Danni. Next is Lydia, and Cindy and Rafe are the last two. Cindy wins the Reward, and Jeff announces she can take one person with her. Lydia waits expecting to be chosen, but instead, Cindy picks Rafe, enraging Lydia who complains all the way back to camp.
While Cindy and Rafe depart for their reward, the others head back to camp, where Steph gets angry and announces she's sick of Lydia's whining and the others saying she, Steph, eats too much. She says. "Boo hoo for Lydia…. You're lucky you're still in the game." Gary notes that Steph is always eating corn and ramon nuts, and is strong. Lydia protests that she wanted someone who hasn't earned a food reward to get this one. She means herself and lights into Steph, saying everyone has her on a pedestal and she's the biggest threat to them all with no one doing anything about it. Lydia says it isn't personal, but Judd counters saying he sees liars all about him, and everything is personal.
Meanwhile, Cindy and Rafe arrive at the waterfall and are greeted with food, drink and a massage. They eat first, enjoying shrimp and meat shish kebobs and fresh fruit. They talk about the others in camp, cementing their alliance, saying that for better or worse, they'll stick together. Following a swim and a massage that totally relaxes them, they return to camp. Rafe says that he's a touchy-feely person and he's glad to make that connection with Cindy. He says it's the best day ever, an amazing experience.
The group welcomes them back and wants to know what they did and ate. Lydia, who is making a big deal of eating leftover soup from a coffee cup, is insulted that Cindy didn't choose her, the only person who hasn't had any extra food. Cindy isn't impressed with what she calls Lydia's "scrounging" act as if they owe Lydia something. Furthermore, she adds that Lydia has to "step it up" or go. Rafe, Steph, Cindy and Judd talk aboout Lydia going.
