Survivor: Last Resort: Cape Verde 1.2 - Episode 2

Survivor: Last Resort: Cape Verde 1.2 - Episode 2 
Writer: Chad Taylor

The two tribes meet with Jeff Probst, where the Brava tribe discover that Sarah was voted out in the first Tribal Council. Jeff tells them that the winner of the next immunity challenge will also get the reward of a fishing kit. This is music to the ears of the Brava tribe, who have yet to make fire.

The atmosphere in the Togo tribe is tense. Gail is angry at Puma but Rosa calms her down from lashing out. Meanwhile, Jose and Chad are smug about successfully pulling off the blindside. Kaiser pulls Jim aside and thanks him for the way her voted.

At Brava, Francis is bummed but decides not to reveal to the others that Sarah was his wife. However, his spirits are lifted by Rajon, Laura and Chase - three people he has befriended. The group don’t solidify any alliance but do promise to have each other’s backs. When it is just those two, it is clear that a flirtatious bond is forming between Laura and Chase. In confessional, Laura admits that she likes him but with the caveat that it really hard to really fall for someone while on a deserted island. They can’t even take normal showers!

Meanwhile, Sally has started building a relationship with the close duo of Fiona and Megan. In confessional, she admits that she doesn’t really feel bonded to them but she needs allies who can do her dirty work throughout the game. This leaves Jim Bonds unaccounted for, which he is more than fine with. He is still an isolating figure on the tribe - some folks finding his schtick endearing while others are annoyed by it.

Francis wanders off in the woods by himself. In confessional, he admits that he knows that he is not putting his all towards helping the camp even though he is a hard worker in a hard profession. Seeing that Sarah was voted out reminded him that he is here for himself and so his focus is not here to see how much he nice of a camp he can build but for the $2 million grand prize. He searches the trees and plants for a Hidden Immunity Idol but comes out empty-handed.

Back at Togo camp, Chad and Jose are acting very relaxed, almost cocky. Kaiser is good at reading people and tells them that they need to tone it down as it has only been one Tribal Council. There are still plenty to go before you can get self-congratulatory. Heeding his advice, Chad and Jose help Puma and Jim try to to start the fire and it is a success.

Rose and Gail have isolated themselves and are trying to determine their next move now that they are clearly in the minority. They both open up to each other about their personal lives - how Gail has felt like an outsider most of her life and how she promised herself she wouldn’t feel that way here. Rose can empathize with Gail as she grew up in a cult and it has always affected the way she fits in with the world. She wanted to become a therapist because she realized how helpful cathartic conversation was for her getting over her past trauma. They hug each other.

The tribes meet for the immunity challenge. This one is a classic test of strength: a muddy floating platform is in the middle of a shallow pond and contestants from each tribe must face off in a series of randomly-selected one-on-one showdowns. The goal is simply to force your opponent off of the platform. First team to 4 victories wins tribal immunity. Since Sarah was voted out, a female from Brava must sit out and they choose Megan.

The first match is Francis versus Kaiser, which proves to be a difficult task for Francis given Kaiser’s sheer size. However, his lack of athletic ability whatsoever is his downfall and Francis finally nudges him off. Puma vs. Laura is next and is very competitive. Unfortunately for Laura, Puma is trained in this kind of combat and knocks her off. The third match-up is Jose and Chase. Despite being a professional athlete, Jose’s mindgames work to his advantage and he is able to maneuver Chase off of the platform. 2-1 Togo.

Gail versus Fiona is one of the weaker match-ups with Fiona coming out victorious. This demoralizes the Brava tribe, who had a chance to go up 3-1. Next is Chad and Rajon, two of the strongest men in the game. Chad wins the intense battle and puts Togo up 3-2. The sixth match-up is Rose and Sally - two women of similar stature. However, Sally is much more agile and makes quick work of Rose. This sets up a final showdown between the two Jims. While, like the previous match-up, the two have a similar height and weight. It becomes clear that Bonds is much more physically fit than most people his age (because if he lets his body go, he won’t be a believable Bond). Bonds ends up victorious and the Brava tribe win a second straight immunity challenge.

There is definite frustration at the Togo camp after two straight competition losses. Once again, things fracture as Gail and Rose leave to go take a walk on the beach. The remaining five talk and discuss who they should vote for between the two. Gail is better suited in athletic competitions but Rose is nice to have around the camp. Kaiser and Jim lean towards keeping Rose while the other three are more competition-focused so they want her gone. Jim reluctantly gives in but Kaiser is still stumping for Gail to go - again knowing that he doesn’t want physical ability to be used as a determinant for who goes home.

Upon coming to the consensus, everyone goes their separate ways. Jim goes hunting for the Hidden Immunity Idol, unaware that it has already been found. Gail and Rose are determined not to give up just yet. In confessional, Rose talks about how she came on this show to prove that she is worthy on her own and not the product of who raised her. She tells Gail that they should try to talk to Puma and Jim.

Rose encounters Puma and asks her how she feels about the vote tonight and to be honest. Puma is partially honest and says that the Chad/Jose/Kaiser is targeting her and Gail - specifically Gail. Rose is defensive of this, asking why are they a threat at this point? They’re clearly in the minority. Puma, ever so blunt, points out that they are two of the weaker components of the tribe. Rose is dumbfounded and asks how this can be true when Kaiser is still in the group. This clearly sticks with Puma and she says she will talk with Jim.

In private, Puma brings up Rose’s points. Jim does admit that he is worried that power has gotten to that trio’s head and that he will be their next target after Rose. Not to mention that Kaiser did not help with the fire-making at all. He asks Puma if she is ready to be in the swing vote position for the second week in a row. In confessional, Puma yells that of course she is ready to be in this spot - she lives for this.

At Tribal Council, they discuss the void that Sarah left and how that has affected tribe dynamics. Chad downplays the effect, pointing out that they were able to successfully start a fire on their own. Gail sees it differently and makes the counter-point that they still lost both of the challenges. When the topic of challenge losses comes up, Puma is again blunt about who she thinks has caused the issues: Kaiser and Rose. Rose responds first, saying that not all of the challenges are athletic based while Kaiser seems totally nonplussed about Puma’s comment. He says that there are more to this game than winning challenges. Jose agrees with Kaiser and points out that Rose and Gail have isolated themselves since Sarah left. This angers Gail, who points out that it is because they’re targeting them for no apparent reason!

Amidst the chaos, Jeff says that it is time to vote. Each player goes to the voting booth and writes a name on the parchment.

Before he reads the votes, Jeff says that if anyone has a Hidden Immunity Idol, now would be the time to play it. Kaiser looks nervously to Jim and Chad but they are in their world, not worried about the vote at all. Just before Jeff can speak, Kaiser raises his hand and says he has something to say. He stands up and says that he will not allow this game to be run on athletic merit. He doesn’t know if he is being voted on tonight but he is playing his Hidden Immunity Idol anyways. Probst verifies the Idol and says that any votes against Kaiser will not count.

First vote...Kaiser, does not count

….Dr. Kaiser, does not count

…...Kaiser, does not count

Jose whips his head towards Jim, knowing that Jim and Puma must have flipped.

….Kaiser, does not count

……….Rose

….The second person voted off of the Survivor: Last Resort...Rose.

Puma lets her face fall into her palms while Jim looks impressed by the move. Chad and Jose are pissed while Kaiser has a smile on his face, as they had all week. Gail gives Rose a long hug before her torch is snuffed. Rose, the Tribe has spoken.

In her post-show confessional, Rose is pretty mellow about her being voted out. Kaiser does not seem the type that would go idol-hunting so it didn’t even cross her mind. She is proud at having been able to sway Puma and Jim, even if it was for naught in the end.

Votes for Kaiser: Rose, Gail, Jim, Puma

Votes for Rose: Kaiser, Chad, Jose