'Survivor Cambodia: Second Chance' Recap: Week 8

Following Last Week’s Vote…

The head of the snake was cut off in last week’s tribal council, but a smaller one took its place. You’d think it’d be easy to get rid of, but then that wouldn’t be Survivor.

Planting Seeds…

It’s no secret that Joe is the biggest threat in this game. With his flawless social game and incredible strength in competitions, he could easily go far just by winning individual immunity every week. Which is why Ciera approached Fishbach and suggested that they vote out Joe if he loses immunity this week. Of course, Fishbach was ecstatic by the proposal since he’s wanted to make a big move for some time.

 

The Reward Challenge…

This week’s reward challenge was a throwback to the same one played in Season 1, which Wiglesworth lost. Determined not to have a repeat performance, she and her team came together for the win, an afternoon at Survivor Café with plenty of iced coffee, bagels, and cookies to be had. Ciera used the opportunity to talk strategy with Keith, Joe, Kimmi, and Wentworth. Keith used the excursion as a chance to practice driving the Tuk Tuk they arrived in.

 

Meanwhile back at camp, Fishbach approached Tasha, Spencer, and Jeremy about his plan to get rid of Joe. While they didn’t necessarily agree with him, they did begin to consider it. Savage overheard one of these exchanges and was immediately disgusted by Fishbach’s sneakiness and deceit. Rather than call him out on it though, Savage decided to warn Joe. He also promised Joe and swore on his family that he would not write Joe’s name down. (And unlike many contestants who do this and go back on their word, Savage actually means it.) #IWishThereWereMorePeopleLikeSavage

The Immunity Challenge…

This week’s immunity challenge involved balancing a ball on a wooden circle held up by a rope of different lengths. This contest was first played in Keith and Jeremy’s season. Jeremy was the first person to drop out, and Keith won it. The castaways dropped like flies in the first round, ultimately coming down to Keith and Joe. The contest went on so long that Probst was forced to give them two balls to balance instead of one. When the cameras panned to the eliminated contestants, it was obvious that they wanted Joe to lose, perking up every time his balls were dangerously close to the edge. Which made his win all the more glorious to witness!

 

The Scramble Back At Camp…

With Savage and Joe on the same page, the plan seemed pretty simple: blindside Fishbach. Joe approached Wentworth and Ciera, and they were on board with whatever was decided since that meant they would be safe. Meanwhile Savage worked on convincing Tasha and Wiglesworth. He probably would have succeeded had Jeremy not joined the conversation and for his own selfish purposes shifted the focus back on to Ciera and Wentworth.

Once it was decided that one of the two girls would be voted out, Tasha updated Joe on the change. When Ciera and Wentworth approached him to make sure the plan to get out Fishbach was still intact, Joe told them what was actually going to happen. The girls became frustrated that those in charge were calling the shots, so Ciera, Abi, and Wentworth decided they would choose between Fishbach and Savage.

Tribal Council…

Clearly bitter after last week’s blindside, Kass took her seat in the jury section after giving everyone the finger. #Classy Then I found myself back in high school with a bunch of immature girls whining, complaining, and rolling their eyes as the other side spoke. Ciera and Wentworth called out Jeremy, Savage, Tasha, Fishbach, and Joe, telling Probst these five were in charge of the game and that no one wanted to go against them and make a big move.

 

Before reading the votes, Wentworth finally played the hidden immunity idol that she had found in the first week, leaving everyone shocked. Of course, this was because everyone but Ciera, Wentworth, and Abi had voted for Wentworth. With those votes now not counting, the minority’s did, and unfortunately, they blindsided Savage. As he walked away, Abi taunted him, saying, “At least you made it to the jury,” at which point Savage responded with a middle finger of his own.

 

I’ve been watching Survivor from the very beginning, and I don’t think I’ve ever been as heartbroken by a blindside as I was watching Savage get his torch snuffed in this second chance season. As a mature adult, I’d like to think that I’m not a sore loser, but understanding of the fact that you can’t win everything. However, this tribal council left me feeling angry – at Jeremy, for changing everyone’s minds to keep Fishbach, knowing full well that Fishbach is a smart player who could possibly orchestrate Jeremy’s demise in the coming days; at Ciera and Wentworth for acting like spoiled brats throwing a tantrum because things are not going their way, even though it’s their own fault for having aligned themselves with the wrong people; but especially with Abi.

All we’ve heard since Day 1 was how volatile Abi was and that several players took her under their wing when she was blowing up her own game. Savage was one of these people. To turn on him and then rub salt in the wound after his blindside was just disgusting. Abi, you certainly haven’t done anything to get yourself where you are, you’ve been carried there by others. I would say your true colors showed tonight, but your game is not that much different than it was the first time around… when you fell well short of making it to the end.

Until Next Week...

The search for the hidden immunity idol is on next week, and an advantage in the game is up for grabs during one of the challenges. As per my rant from above, it’s clear what I hope will happen, but with the insane twists and turns this game has taken thus far, I honestly don’t have a clue what’s coming.

What did everyone think about this week’s episode?