Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites – Episode 9, “Because It’s Just A Stick!”

Previously on Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites, Malakal still couldn’t win an Immunity Challenge which meant Ami’s history of trying to overthrow Ozzy finally came back to bite her. Ami scrambled feverishly to pull together enough votes to keep her in the game, but in the end the tribe decided they didn’t trust her and voted her out while keeping Erik, a former fan, in.

Night 21 – Malakal

The Survivors are talking about how hard it was to vote out Ami. Well, some of them. Ozzy didn’t have a problem with it since Ami was playing too many different sides. Erik is just astounded that he’s still around.

Night 21 – Airai

Eliza is whispering to Jason that she’d like to go to the final three with him and Ami. She’s pretty sure that Malakal voted off Erik and not Ami. Eliza says she feels close to Jason because they both annoy people or something like that. Jason says he likes her to by telling her that he has the hidden immunity idol (well, the fake one anyway). Eliza is pretty sure this is a good alliance for her.

Treemail

Cirie picks up treemail the next morning that tells Malakal to pack up their things and go to a designated location, where they will receive further instructions. It’s obvious that the merge is about to happen.

They all start packing as Erik tells us that the merge is beneficial to him since there will be more players to choose from in voting someone out. He goes to Ozzy and tells him that he’s not flipping and if they (Ozzy’s alliance) want to bring somebody else in, he’s up for it. Ozzy promises to be straight with Erik, but he doesn’t really agree to an alliance.

I’m In Such A Hot Pickle

Airai gets the same treemail that Malakal does and they start packing as well. Parvati talks to Alexis and Natalie and all of them agree Parvati needs to downplay how close she is to Amanda.

Parvati tells us she’s “in such a hot pickle right now.â€Â? She says that she’s made an alliance with Ozzy, James, Cirie, and Amanda – and now also has one with Alexis, Natalie, and Amanda. I don’t really see the problem. She says she has the numbers on her side either way, but she’s going to have a decision to make down the road. Um, yeah.

Alexis points out the obvious – if Parvati stays loyal to her original alliance then Natalie and herself are gone. She’s banking on the whole fans vs. faves thing being over, though.

The Merge

Both tribes meet at the designated spot and everyone hugs everyone else with the possible exception of Erik who no one from Airai really thought would still be there. Eliza calls it the “worst merge” she could imagine because Ami got voted out.

A giant feast awaits them so they quickly move to the food. There’s also a letter that explains what they already know to be true – they’ve merged. It’s also tells them to decide on a new tribe name, paint a new flag, and decide which of the old beaches they want to live on. Yeah, that took about two seconds. They all know Malakal beach is much better.

In one of the bowls there is a bunch of dead bats floating in water. Apparently it’s some sort of Micronesian dish. Most of the Survivors are disgusted by it, but James reaches in and grabs one and takes a bite. He tears it apart and starts eating it like it’s his mama’s fried chicken. James says that he can’t pass up the chance to eat bat because, well, how often do you get to eat bat? He says it tastes like “juicy rabbit” (which doesn’t really help me) and he’ll probably have another one or two.

Introducing DABU

For the name of the tribe, Erik suggests “Dabu.” He says it means “good” in Micronesian. There’s some discussion, but everyone pretty much likes it so that’s what they choose. Erik then tells us that he made the whole thing up. He doesn’t know what “good” is in Micronesian. He just wanted a funny sounding name. He would have used “mo-mo” or “feshizzle” if he could have gotten away with it. I’m actually starting to like this guy.

The Green Eyed Monster

After the massive feast and general fun of merging (which I’m guessing included alcohol), some people got even closer. Alexis decided it would be a good time to get to know Ozzy a bit better. The two of them are practically lying in one another’s arms talking about how they want to be buddies or whatever. Ozzy says he’d rather have her there than somebody else (high praise indeed).

Needless to say, Amanda isn’t digging it quite as much. In fact, she’s getting more than a bit jealous. She tells us that she knows Alexis likes Ozzy, but that she and Ozzy have had a good thing going for like 22 days now (yeah, they’re pretty much married) and who does she think she is to come in and try to break them up?

Well, she didn’t say all of that, but that’s the gist of it. She’s pissed and she wants Alexis gone – sleeping with the fishes gone – or just voted out.

Next Day – Dabu Beach

The old Airai tribe are loving the Malakal beach. Of course, the Malakal people are feeling a bit overwhelmed. Cirie compared it to someone coming into your house, picking up your remote, and changing your channel. I’m not sure it’s that bad…

Jason and Ozzy have a little talk. Jason tells Ozzy that he’s been waiting all game for Ozzy to teach him how to spear fish. Ozzy thinks that means that although Jason is a big fan of his, Jason probably wants to show the world and the rest of the tribe that Jason can do a better job than he can. Gee, I don’t know Ozzy… That might be a stretch, even for you.

Ozzy, of course, knows that somebody took his planted, fake, immunity idol. By a process of elimination he’s narrowed down the possible candidates to Jason. Ozzy is pretty sure that Jason has the fake idol and Ozzy thinks that is “a beautiful thing.”

A little later, Jason walks around in the woods looking for a place to hide the “immunity idol.” He wants to put it somewhere where no one can find it, of course. My suggestion would be to unwrap it and throw it down on the ground. No one’s going to notice a stick on the ground. Jason, however, thinks he found a better spot under some rocks.

Meanwhile, Eliza stalks…I mean, talks to Parvati about being a part of the Fave alliance. Eliza wants to know what happened with Ami. Parvati tells her that Ami tried to overthrow the King and they had to chop off her head (more my words than hers). Parvati is pretty honest about saying she doesn’t know if that’s how things are going anymore. Things have changed. Eliza wants to know the old Faves are sticking together, but Parvati says she doesn’t know…oh, she knows…that they aren’t…

A little later Parvati and Amanda are in the water together talking. Eliza stares at them from the beach. Parvati says she’s sick of Eliza and wants her to go next.

Oh yeah, by the way… Parvati decides to tell Amanda that she also got Amanda involved in another alliance. Parvati tells her about the alliance with Alexis and Natalie. Amanda smiles and acts like it’s a good idea, but she doesn’t look comfortable (might the Alexis and Ozzy thing have something to do with that?). Amanda tells us that Parvati screwed her over because she doesn’t want to go up against Alexis, a professional motivational speaker, at the endgame!

Parvati makes a joke about how she’s making an alliance with everyone. Amanda doesn’t think it’s very funny, though. It leaves her with questions about Parvati. It also leaves her sounding a bit emotional (flashbacks to China where Amanda’s emotions cost her the game).

New treemail comes. It looks like the Survivors are heading to an Immunity Challenge where they will have to hold their breath under water. I’m a little surprised half of them don’t drop out and just let Ozzy win.

Jason tells us that he and Eliza don’t have much going with the rest of the tribe so his hidden “immunity idol” is his biggest bargaining chip. Luckily, he has a plan. If he wins immunity he’s going to give his hidden idol to Eliza. Since everyone’s going to vote for Eliza they will vote for Ozzy, she can play the hidden idol and Ozzy will be voted out. It’s brilliant! Yeah, I’m being sarcastic.

The Immunity Challenge

When the tribe arrives for the challenge Jeff Probst has Alexis tell him the new tribe name and explain it. She tells him that it’s Micronesian for “good” so they really liked it. I’m betting that Probst knows better. Erik was probably sweating it, but Jeff didn’t say anything to give him up. Instead he just unveils the new immunity necklace.

Jeff explains that the challenge will test their ability to remain calm while their body encourages them to do otherwise. Each of them will take a place under a grated steel barrier that is in the water. As the tide comes in and the water rises, their breathing space will decrease until they are left with no room at all to breath. Their heads have to stay under the grate at all times, of course. Whoever stays under the longest, wins.

As they begin the contest they have 11 inches of breathing space. After 35 minutes everyone is still in, but they only have four inches of breathing space. Amanda goes under water and accidentally puts her head beyond the grate – she’s out.

After 45 minutes, they only have about two inches of space left. Everyone is hugging the grate now. Parvati goes out, then Alexis. Cirie goes out. Not much time passes before Natalie goes out followed quickly by Eliza and Erik.

After an hour has passed only James, Jason, and Ozzy are still in it. All three of them are using their hands to funnel air to their mouths and noses and to keep water out as the water is already inching over the grates. Needless to say, this can’t go on long. James goes out first. Ozzy and Jason battle it out, but Ozzy looks like he inhales some water and isn’t able to recover. Ozzy comes up. Jason wins immunity!

Back At Dabu Camp

Jason is gloating to the camera about his victory over Ozzy. He says that he “dominated” and that it was “pretty delightful” to see the look of failure on Ozzy’s face. Well, I’m not sure I’d call that dominating… Now Jason is ready to send Ozzy home with his secret plan.

Different people within the camp get together to talk. It’s obvious to everyone, including Eliza, that everyone plans on sending Eliza home. Eliza runs off to Jason and tells him that she needs the hidden immunity idol so she can play it and destroy their plans. He tells her that he’ll get it.

Meanwhile, Alexis and Ozzy cozy up to one another some more which doesn’t make Amanda very happy. Cirie is loving it. Amanda says that Alexis “needs to go now.” Cirie says she’s okay with that. Amanda admits that she might not know Ozzy as much as she thought she did. (Neither do I, apparently, because he’s making a really stupid move by cozying up to someone who can’t help him and pissing off his ally and possible surf board buddy – if you know what I mean.) Cirie asks Amanda if she thinks Ozzy will vote out Alexis. Amanda says yes, she thinks so.

The Funniest Conversation In The History Of Survivor

Jason has gone and gotten the “hidden immunity idol” (which is fake) from his hiding place and placed it in Eliza’s bag. He whispers to her where it is then leaves. Eliza, of course, goes right to the bag and pulls it out and quickly unwraps it from the napkin type covering that is over it.

Eliza (out loud): This isn’t it. This isn’t it. This is so stupid. This is just a napkin. Oh my God. This isn’t it.

She rewraps the “idol” and hurriedly hunts down Jason.

Eliza: Jason! Come here.

He comes over to her and they walk to a more secluded spot.

Eliza: What are you pulling? What are you trying to pull? I’m going home anyhow.
Jason: What?
Eliza: It’s not the idol!
Jason: It is the idol.
Eliza: It’s not the idol.
Jason: Yes it is.
Eliza: Ozzy must have put it in there. He must have the real thing. That’s not the idol!
Jason: What is it?
Eliza: It’s a f***ing stick!
Jason: I know! It has a face on it! Don’t worry.
Eliza: Ozzy put it on there! Made a face on it!
Jason: No he didn’t.
Eliza: IT’S NOT THE IDOL!
Jason: Why do you say that?
Eliza: Because that can’t be the idol?
Jason: Why not?
Eliza: Because it’s just a stick!
Jason: I know. (pause) You think so?
Eliza: I think that that’s not the idol.
Jason (slowly): Then…that’s a bummer…
Eliza: Should I try and play it?
Jason: Yeah. Of course!

Tribal Council

Jeff says that one thing that happens with a merge is that everyone can assess the skills of the new people. So how much time did they spend doing that?

Alexis says there are three main points that define success in the game. Is somebody a strong social player, a strong physical player, or a strong mental player? She thinks the merge is the first opportunity to see the entire competition.

Jeff asks Cirie what skills she thinks Alexis has. Cirie thinks that Alexis has all three of those skills and is a “triple threat.” Is Alexis worried about that label? Not really because she thinks at this point in the game there are several triple threats still around.

Jeff then asks Alexis what she thinks of Eliza’s skills. Alexis says that she thinks Eliza “playedâ€Â? an incredible mental and physical game, but didn’t do quite so well socially. Jeff points out that Alexis said “played.â€Â? Alexis doesn’t even realize what she said after Jeff points it out. Eliza has to spell it out for her, noting that she said it all in the past tense, as if Eliza had already been voted out. Ouch. Busted. I don’t think Alexis cared.

Jeff talks to Eliza some more about how she’s been playing the game and Eliza admits that she hasn’t been doing well at the social game. Probst then points out that there’s two ways people can play the game. Maybe a person is so bad people keep them around to go up against them in the end? Ozzy agrees. James says that’s the way to win.

After some more discussion, Eliza seemingly changes her entire strategy in the middle of Tribal Council and makes a pitch for the others to keep her because no one there likes her. She tries to make a case that she would be good to go up against in the final Tribal Council. I’m guessing she latched on to this strategy because of the way things were going at the council.

At any rate, it’s finally time to vote. Everyone goes and votes and then Jeff goes and does his tallying. When he comes back he says that now is the time to play the hidden immunity idol if anyone has it. Eliza pulls out the “idol” from her bag and gives it to Jeff without saying anything. Ozzy immediately starts laughing to himself. Natalie and Alexis look incredibly worried for some reason.

Probst proves why he’s the best host in reality television when he prolongs the suspense by unwrapping the “idol” and telling us that the rules say if a hidden immunity idol is played, any votes cast against that person do not count, and the person with the next highest number of votes will be voted out. He then pauses before saying, “This is not a hidden immunity idol.”

Eliza immediately busts out with “that means Ozzy has it!” She says that Jason found the fake one on Exile Island so Ozzy must have the real one. Ozzy just smiles and says he’s sorry he couldn’t tell everyone. Eliza says it was worth a shot. Jeff tosses the fake idol into the fire while Ozzy jokingly protests that it took hours to make that idol.

Time to read the votes. Eliza, Ozzy, Ozzy, Eliza, Eliza (can see where this is going), Eliza, Eliza (yep), Eliza…that’s enough. With that, Eliza becomes the ninth person voted out and the first person on the Jury. At least it wasn’t completely unexpected so Eliza leaves knowing she gave it a shot.

What Went Wrong For Eliza

Everything went wrong for Eliza. At the beginning she aligned with the Faves that were on the losing end because Cirie went with the Four Lovers. Then the tribes split and things started looking up. From interviews I know that she had an alliance with Jonathan, Natalie, and Alexis. Unfortunately, when Jonathan had to leave the game the girls bailed on her.

Eliza then thought she might salvage something by teaming up with Jason and Ami (once the tribes merged). It looked even better when Jason told her he had the hidden immunity idol. Once again, however, Eliza’s bad luck continued and Ami got voted out just before the merge then Jason’s idol turned out to be nothing more than a badly carved stick.

Eliza gave it her best shot, but, for whatever reason, she wasn’t very well liked among the other Survivors. Had she come into the game as a Fan she might have stood a better chance of forming some alliances, but her reputation proceeded her and hindered her attempts to get anything going. On top of that she was such a strategic threat (and annoying) that the other Faves decided to get rid of her right away instead of taking out the Fans first. She never stood much of a chance.

Merged – Dabu

Natalie Bolton, James Clement, Cirie Fields, Alexis Jones, Amanda Kimmel, Ozzy Lusth, Erik Reichenbach, Parvati Shallow, Jason Siska

The Jury

Eliza Orlins (Ep9)

Favorites – Malakal

Jon “Jonny Fairplay” Dalton (Ep1), Yau-Man Chan (Ep3), Joel Anderson (Ep5), Chet Welch (Ep6), Tracy Hughes-Wolf (Ep7), Ami Cusack (Ep8)

Fans – Airai

Mary Sartain (Ep2), Michael “Mikey B” Bortone (Ep4), Jonathan Penner (Ep6), Kathleen “Krazy Kathy” Sleckman (Ep7)