'Survivor 14: Fiji' - Ep. 12 -or- "Hunks of Meat on a Rope"

Since the promos for this week's episode had concerns that Yau-Man would be voted off, I figured he'd be safe tonight. As the show went on, it definitely looked like he should start worrying, but I'm getting ahead of myself here.

Seven are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

The show opened on Night 30 as the tribe members returned to camp after voting out Mookie in Tribal Council. We all know Alex saved his own butt in the game by casting the deciding vote for his pal Mookie. But Dreamz is confused, trying to crunch numbers with his fingers.

Earl was very uncomfortable with the split vote and mentioned it to his alliance. He thought either Mookie or Alex might swing the vote and, sure enough, that's what happened. He thought Alex was much more of a threat and now he's with them. I think Earl's right about the threat value. Alex is definitely a smart player and will do just about anything to stay in the game.

Meanwhile, Alex thinks his best plan is just to lay low, listen, play a "Ninja" game, and perhaps try to plant some seeds of distrust. He hopes that there will be dissension in the ranks and he can slip himself right in. Since Yau-Man has the hidden Immunity Idol, he attempts to make folks think Yau-Man can't be trusted.

The Reward Challenge was a bit um... primitive. Yeah, that's the best way to describe it. Hunks of pork (cooked, thankfully) were hanging by ropes. The tribe members had their hands tied behind their backs. They had to take bites out of the pork, then deposit the mouthfuls on designated plates. Blech. They looked like crazed zombies going after the meat. It should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway... they made pigs of themselves going for the pork.

The challenge was timed and Jeff weighed the results. Boo had bitten off literally more than he could chew - 8.9 pounds. Dreamz and Yau-Man were runners-up with 6 pounds each. The winner, Boo, and the runners-up won a helicopter trip which dropped them off to whitewater rafting.

Boo also won a bag which would "put him at an advantage" for the upcoming Immunity Challenge. He wasn't allowed to open it until then. He chose to send Earl to Exile Island. I personally think that move was more so Earl could get another clue to the newly-hidden Idol, but I may be wrong. Maybe he did it to punish him or something. I really don't know.

In the helicopter, Yau-Man and Dreamz had window seats and both were taken in by the amazing scenery. They spotted Exile Island and even thought they could see Earl there. Boo sat in the middle and talked. And talked... and talked. Both Yau-Man and Dreamz seemed to be silently cussing him out or imagining they could gag him somehow.

Back on Exile Island, Earl read the latest clue to the newly-hidden Immunity Idol. He already knew the Idol was back at their own beach because Boo had shared his clue with him. (My reasoning for thinking that Boo wanted to send Earl there in hopes that he/they can snag the new Idol.) The new clue said the clue was in a normal path, in a tree by a rock. Large rock? Maybe.

The Rewards Trio had a ball whitewater rafting, then checking out truly breathtaking scenery with some fantastic waterfalls.

Their reward was far from over, though. They had a feast and, when they were through eating, they were each handed envelopes. Letters from home! Boo's family eats well. Yau-Man's son got a good report card. And, the most tear-jerking letter was the one to Dreamz from his sister. It gave him resolve and determination to know how much his sister thought of his opportunity.

After they returned to camp, Alex was pleased that they seemed to be down on Boo for being so loquacious (love to throw in big words now and then, I do). He uses the seed to throw in his two cents, working on Cassandra, Dreamz, and Stacy... trying to spread his distrust of Boo and Yau-Man. But he tells us that if Boo wins Immunity, he knows he's in trouble. I'd say he's dead meat hanging on a rope, even.

The Immunity Challenge was in two rounds. It turns out that the bag Boo won in Reward bought him an automatic in to go directly to the final round. It contained three climbing steps. All of the others had to dig in sand for buried steps, within their own marked lanes, and find them one at a time. Cassandra basically gave up, but Yau-Man and Alex really worked it.

Alex made it, along with Dreamz, to the second round. In that one they had to use the climbing steps to climb twelve-foot high poles planted in the water. The first one to get all the way up and grab his flag would win immunity.

Alex tried his best, but Boo won Immunity.

Uh-oh, Alex. You better pedal hard now. And, he did. He tried to get Dreamz, Cassandra, Stacy, and even Earl against Yau-Man since he couldn't work the Boo angle anymore.

Cassandra seemed iffy like she might swing and voiced her thoughts to that effect in confession. Dreamz is the surprise here. He seemed to buddy-up with Alex once again. Is this guy acting or what? He even told Alex that Earl was winking and everything as he (Alex) talked about voting out Yau-Man. I've decided that this kid is more loyal than his talk.

When Tribal Council's votes came down, all voted for Alex to go except Alex (voted for Yau-Man). So, the six voted as one and Alex is gone. Alex is right in that next week, it's going to get messy. The six will have to start picking each other off. I know Yau-Man and Earl are a pair. Cassandra waffles, although I think Dreamz wants to form a group of three with her and Stacy (didn't he dislike her before?). Boo is a bit of a wild card. I really think he wants in with Earl and Yau-Man... or at least in with Earl.

Next week should be good! Oh, it would be nice if Cassandra wore something else. She was on the verge of a wardrobe malfunction throughout the show.