You always remember one conversation inSurvivorafter its over.
Were going to remember this one if we end up going different paths.
David Wright
Weve pretty much seen it all over 38 seasons ofSurvivor.
Credit: Robert Voets/CBS
Weve seen purple rocks, white rocks, black rocks, and rocks that Francesca Hogi promised to eat.
Weve seen advantages and disadvantages.
Weve seen tie votes.
Weve seen almost every form of headgear known to man worn by Jeff Probst.
Weve seen people make fire.
But we saw something for the first time this week onSurvivor: Edge of Extinction.
No, not Aurora talking, although that felt like a first as well.
No, we saw something else that was absolutely, positively fascinating.
Im speaking, of course, about the split between David and Devens.
Look, weve seen alliance-mates argue before about the best way to proceed.
David and Devens were two peas in a pod.
They were a package deal and seemed to be in lockstep on every decision they made.
They appeared to view the game identically and had an equal partnership.
But Rick just could not get over twice being voted against by Kelly, Lauren, and The Wardog.
Now that I know I can trust you guys, I really want to get back with you all.
Except that I dont want to get back with you guys at all.
Why would I work with you guys?
You guys stabbed me in the back over and over again.
Should Rick trust that trio?
Hed be a fool to.
But should he use them to put himself in a better spot in the game?
David wanted to play to win rather than play to last three more votes.
But my way is better for me.
Youre not getting numbers, bro.
I think youre getting played.
More likely, Rick was worried about being twice bitten, thrice shy.
I mean, I get it.
If framed that way, sure, go with Kama.
But wheres your path with them?
Im not coming to your side, Rick told David.
And with that, it was done.
THIS IS WHY I LOVE THIS GAME AND THIS SHOW SO MUCH!!!
Here are two players.
They like each other.
They respect each other.
But they both held firm in their beliefs on what the next step should be.
Their paths didnt line up, so they went their separate ways.You always remember one conversation inSurvivorafter its over.
Who would have thought that just three days later this inseparable pair would be split?
Rick asked for the other half of the idol back.
And it appears this debate will extend into next weeks episode as well.
Maybe the duo will reconcile.
But like dont split up with this here recap!
At least not until we get through all the other big moments from the latest episode.
Its a Family AffairDo me a favor.
They did this with me the day before filming began.
Some of the ideas were actually pretty decent.
Go ahead andcheck it out here, and pay close attention to what Aubry pitched.
Freeze inBatman and Robin.
Okay, did you do me the favor and go read in?
LIAR!!!!!
I know you didnt.
I know you didnt because I wouldnt have and we share one mind, you and me.
Anyway, heres what Aubry pitched the day before the game began:
Get rid of the family visit.
Because people play for the family visit instead of playing to win.
I think there are certain goal-posts inSurvivor.
You dont want to be the first boot.
You want to make it to the merge.
You want to make it to the end.
Theres this funny spot, mid-merge, where people get exhausted.
Get rid of the family visit, and I think it leaves people guessing a little bit.
The woman is a seer!
(So are Eric and Joey Amazing.
Again,heres your link.)
If we just stay the course, three votes from now, you know where that puts you?
Eric would later repeat the same basic speech to keep his own Kama alliance-mates in line as well.
I guess he thought this was the proverbial carrot at the end of the sick.
The problem was it wassoooooootransparent.
If you want to promise me something, promise me final three!
Or promise me a signed Rowdy Roddy PiperThey Liveposter!
One of the two.
But dont promise me a family visit.
First off, lets be honest: My family could probably use the break from me.
Which is fitting, because Eric thought he was being so sly in using it as bait.
This strategy would come back to haunt him in a big way.
First, we see Joey Amazing crying and upset.
Although maybe he should be celebrating.
He may have just won the game by being sent there.
The other big scene at EOE involves a clue to an advantage.
Not only that, but she also receives an extra vote to give to someone still in the game.
Im so torn on these challenge advantages and disadvantages.
That way there are no excuses and whoever wins truly deserved it.
On the flip side, they do need to give the folks at EOE something to do.
No making other people untie extra knots.
A Puzzling SituationI just dont get it.
How is David Wright so bad at puzzles?
Okay, thats not fair.
I dont know if hesbad.
But hes certainly not good.
Suffice it to say, it hasnt happened.
He has blown leads.
And every time David falters, I keep saying to myself, Aw, hell get em next time.
But then he never does!
He never gets em!
Naturally, David is on the puzzle, and naturally, David loses.
I hate having to write this each and every week.
For one thing, I genuinely like the guy.
For another, he was my pre-game pick to win so if he looks good, I look good.
(Or, you know, at least as good as I am ever gonna look.)
I mean, we all know what happened here, right?
Dammit, I guess this is all on me.
(Miyagi was more successful… and with chopsticks, no less!)
This is exactly why Ron and Eric made a mistake in ousting Joe last week.
For one thing, the numbers are too tight.
All it takes is one Aurora flip and youre at 6-6.
Once you open that door, it cant be shut.
And that same door will hit Eric on the way out of Tribal Council soon enough.
Not an all-time great.
But not the S.O.S.
challenge or picking the same colored rock out of a bag either.
At least if Kelley Wentworth is counting.
And thats when things get scary.
Im a little dizzy, says Lauren to herself.
However, she continues on, even outlasting David, who falls out of the challenge.
But things then progress from scary toreallyscary.
I cant see anything, says Lauren, louder now.
Im about to black out.
And then, boom!
But there is one big difference: Laurens happened while a challenge was still in play.
But when Lauren drops here, both Victoria and Aurora are still standing.
This means Jeff Probst has to get to some serious multitasking.
Not unlike Run D.M.C., its tricky.
Probst immediately rushes over to Laurens crumpled body, calling the medical team along the way.
Joe, let me know if we need to stop this challenge, he instructs.
What would have happened had they been forced to stop the challenge?
Here are what I see as the three options.
OPTION 2: Both Victoria and Aurora would have been awarded immunity.
My best guess is it would have been option 1.
There is also a lot of chatter going on, at least form Aurora.
This seasons Purple Kelly is begging Victoria to drop and hand her the immunity win.
I need this, just to feel better with our group, she pleads.
I was the only one left out of the vote, dude.
Shes not awake right now!
complains the New Yorker about the odd timing of Auroras request.
Im gonna f-in lose it.
(Its unclear if Julie is referring to her bladder or Aurora with that comment.)
And props to Probst and theSurvivormedical team.
Once Dr. Joe made it to the patient, there was no reason for Jeff to stay there.
This is why the entireSurvivorcrew and production team is so incredible.
Seriously impressive work done here by all parties involved.
Kama WeakMaybe things are turning around for Aurora.
Meanwhile, Eric is doing everything wrong.
Seeing Eric talk this entire episode is like watching a horror movie.
Look, its been a rough go for The Wardog this season.
No doubt about it.
But The Wardog is in his foxhole now, preparing for battle.
And damn if he isnt stocked with some ammunition.
And now the seed has been planted.
Considering all this, Julia stages a test.
Gavin has also had his doubts.
It was supposed to keep people in line.
Instead of lulling Gavin into docility, it did the exact opposite and woke him up.
By flipping now with so many Lesu, the Kama traitors would be giving up their majority.
Waiting for another vote or two is indeed the more prudent move.
But also less exciting!
So lets do exciting!
Throw caution to the wind!
BIG MOVES!!!!
And that pilots win.
Erics response to the pilot/passenger analogy?
The loved ones AGAIN?!?
If the rest of Kama did not feel manipulated before, they surely felt manipulated now.
More praise for The Wardog!
Way to go, The Wardog!
I would high-five you right now, but Im kinda afraid you might miss.
But, on the plus side, hes still the most dapper Tribal Council attendee weve ever seen.
(I love the way he puts his tie on for Tribal.
So unnecessary, yet, at the time same, so crucial.)
So that does it.
Eric is gone, but not really gone.
And the biggest irony of all?
Hell now miss the family visit!!!
But there comes off as more drama afoot.
Cant wait to see what prompted that.
Some of them are actually pretty decent.
Not all, but some.
Okay, now itsyourturn.
Was the David and Devens split as fascinating to you as it was to me?
Should they have stopped the challenge after Lauren collapsed?
And did the Kama defectors make their move too soon?
Hit the message boards to weigh in and Ill be back next week with another scoop of the crispy.
