Tree Mail brings pots and instructions to practice balancing them on the players heads. The players do this, and some are surprisingly good at it. When they arrive for the Immunity Challenge, they see food waiting for them. Jeff Probst announces that food is traditional to celebrate the merger, but this time, it's a feast with a twist.
He hands out a piece of jade and a nut to each player, with the explanation that they can choose to eat or participate in the challenge. If they feel confident enough in their safety, they can eat. If not, they can take the challenge and not eat. They are to hold out their hands, showing either the jade for participating in the challenge, or the nut for eating. Rafe, Jamie, Steph and Lydia opt to eat.
The other six have to balance a pot on their head while standing on a cube without touching it. At the end of an hour, if more than one person is left, there'll be a tie breaker. Danni drops her pot, but the other five last out the hour even as Bobby-Jon and Jamie continue to bicker and Jamie says Judd is in the challenge to protect their tribe. His ex-Nakúm tribal members are appalled at what he's revealed of their strategy and alliance.
Those eating tease the pot heads until Rafe calls a halt, asking the other three to enjoy their food, chicken, vegetables, fruit and wine, without rubbing it in.
The tie breaker involves racing up a pyramid with a pot on the head. The one to make it to the top first without losing the pot wins Immunity. Cindy drops her pot first, then Brandon, Bobby-Jon and Judd. Gary is the only one to reach the top with the pot on his head and wins Immunity. Jeff says he is the only one safe from Tribal Council unless someone has found and chooses to use the small idol.
Following the challenge, most of the Xhakúm tribe are angry with Jamie for his constant talking. Danni calls him cocky and arrogant. Cindy is resentful that he takes so much attention for himself. Judd tells Jamie to shut up. Rafe and Danni talk, agreeing they can't respect Jamie as a player and talk of voting him out.
Jamie tells Brandon that his head is on the chopping block, and he and Bobby-Jon continue to trade harsh words and threats. Bobby-Jon tells Brandon that Judd and Steph have said that Jamie is the one who should go home. Brandon is surprised. He's prepared to leave and as he walks through the jungle pondering the news, he walks right past the idol hidden in a tree above his head.
As the group somberly prepares for Tribal Council, it appears there might be some re-aligning of interests as Gary and Rafe talk. Gary asks Rafe to do what's right and vote for Jamie. Cindy can't decide whether she'll vote for Brandon or for Jamie.
At Tribal Council, Jeff questions the group about the Immunity Challenge, specifically Jamie's comments revealing the ex-Nakúm alliance and strategy. Rafe talks about playing the game with respect, saying he doesn't want it to be an us versus them issue. Bobby-Jon accuses Jamie of having no class, and that starts another war of words between them. Cindy talks about her hurt feelings that she lasted as long as Judd did in the challenge but all everyone talks about is him. When asked, Gary agrees that the six who participated in the challenge deserve to stay more than the six who ate. Cindy adds that heart and morals will determine how she votes.
Jeff says that anyone who has the small idol can use it now, but when no one speaks up, he begins the vote. Jamie votes for Brando, and Bobby-Jon votes dor Jamie. As Jeff reads the votes, it's a tie between Brandon and Jamie with four votes each. The last vote is for Brandon, who is the ninth person voted out. Tribal alliances have held strong.
Jeff mentions that the next seven people voted out will be going to the jury, so it appears that Bobby-Jon will get his wish. Brandon leaves, wishing the others well, saying that he's played the game straight up and held on to his pride. He can walk away with soemthing good. In the Family Moment, his grandomother says she misses him and can't wait until he gets back.
Next episode:
If you have questions or comments about the upcoming Survivor show, post them on the South America for Visitors Forum. If you're not already a registered user, you'll need to register, but it is easy and free.
