Survivor: Last Resort: Cape Verde - Episode 9 & 10

Survivor: Last Resort: Cape Verde - Episode 9 & 10
Writer: Chad Taylor

Upon getting back to camp, Jose reveals to the group that he planted the fake idol. Some feel bad for Francis while others found the move to be hilarious. Since Francis is a fan of the show, Jose thinks he probably took it in stride. While he goes off to fish, Laura tells the group that she is worried about Jose’s deceitfulness.

In a confessional, Megan talks about how the game feels unpredictable at the moment. There are three solo players and two strong pairs left. She and Fiona sense that Rajon is in the pocket of Chase and Laura, which is worrisome. Megan says that this is really tough for her because she doesn’t dislike anybody so it is hard to make targets.

This seems to be a general feeling across the board. The group spends time at the camp, taking a break from any strategizing or game-playing. It almost feels like a reset before the last stretch of the game. This is the mood at camp leading up to the next immunity challenge.

This week’s immunity challenge is another endurance competition. Castaways stand on a wooden frame, balancing a block between their head and the top of the frame without the assistance of their hands. Chase is the last castaway with his block remaining and so he wins immunity.

Back at camp, Laura frets to Chase that winning too many challenges will make them a target. Chase counters by saying their inherent athleticism makes them a target. This is the first sign of tension between the two of them. He recommends that they regroup with Fiona and Megan and take the remaining Brava 5 to the end. In confessional, Chase says he was slightly bothered by what Laura said because he is a professional athlete. He doesn’t know how to try less in any type of competition. It’s the only way he knows how to win this game.

The Brava Five convene and discuss their target this week. While Jim is clearly smart, Jose adds a certain sense of unpredictability into the game and so they are leaning in that direction. And Jose is more of a social threat as well, often creating social bonds that seem stronger than they really are. In their private meeting, Jim and Jose make an agreement not to turn on each other this time and to stay on the same page - even if they are on the losing side of the vote. There is a clear mutual respect between these two, having made it this far without much physical prowess. Jose says they shouldn’t give up and says he will talk with Fiona (whom he has aligned with before).

Jim and Jose make their pitch to Fiona and Megan. Jose says that Chase and Laura have a potential to win the rest of the competitions on the way out, meaning they will have two of the Final 3 spots locked up. And who are they likely to choose? Rajon, who doesn’t have much of a resume. Jim points out that they Chase and Laura are relatively well-liked on the jury as well, unlike Jim and Jose who are viewed as a little more cold-blooded. Fiona says this gives them a lot to think about and that a Final 4 deal is very enticing.

Fiona talks with Laura to sure up their plans for the vote. The conversation moves beyond Jose and Fiona starts talking about how Laura and her eldest daughter are the same age so she sees some of her in Laura. They then start talking in-depth about the game and Fiona asks if Laura had to cut ties with Chase, would she? Laura says she would in a heartbeat, although she isn’t sure Chase would say the same. In her conversation with Megan afterwards, Fiona relays this message but isn’t sure if Laura was being completely honest.

At Tribal Council, Jim and Jose are blatant about being on the bottom - even if they may be acting a bit. They wish their original tribe hadn’t lost so many immunity challenges, as they have been pigeonholed as strangers ever since they swapped. When Jeff points out that they have survived thus far, Jim says that is more luck than skill. Talk then moves on to power couples, as they seem to be persevering. Amidst this talk, Rajon admits that he likes being alone because it gives him some more flexibility. As helpful as it is to have a loyal partner, the bigger target it paints on your back. Jeff tells them it is time to vote.

After everyone votes, Jeff says if anyone has a Hidden Immunity Idol, now would be the time to do so. After no one does, he reads the votes.

First vote...Laura

….Jose

….Laura

….Jose

…..Jose

Three votes Jose, two votes Laura

….Laura

The tenth person voted off of Survivor:Last Resort and the fifth member of our jury...Laura. The tribe has spoken. Chase and Laura share a long embrace before she leaves.

In her post-show confessional, Laura says she was definitely surprised that Fiona and Megan turned but that she always knew aligning with Chase would make her a target. She tried to lessen that when she could and build additional bonds (like with Rajon) but it wasn’t enough. She admits that she is surprised she tolerated the environment as long as she did. Her first thought after being voted out was “God, I can’t wait to take a good shower.”

Votes for Jose: Chase, Laura, Rajon

Votes for Laura: Fiona, Jim, Megan, Jose

After Laura’s elimination, Chase is on a warpath. He openly tells everyone that he is going to win individual immunity for a third time in a row and then find a Hidden Immunity Idol and play it on Rajon. Even Rajon is taken aback by Chase’s forwardness but keeps his mouth shut during this period.

Of course, the talk of a Hidden Immunity Idol sparks chaos around camp and everyone scurries to go looking for one. No stone is left unturned as every part of the island is examined to no luck. In confessional, Chase says he is disappointed that he couldn’t find the idol but he is glad that he at least caused the rest of tribe to be frantic.

Rajon talks in private with Chase to calm him down, pointing out the perception this gives to the jury. Chase doesn’t care much, saying the jury will have to respect him if he goes on a run of immunity wins despite being in the minority. Rajon asks why they are automatically in the minority. The game is constantly moving and a new opportunity could arise in the blink of an eye.

At the immunity challenge, the castaways race through a giant obstacle course. They must each go to six stations over different obstacles and collect six bags of puzzle pieces along the way. They must then use those pieces to solve a puzzle. The first to finish their puzzle wins immunity.

Chase is by far the fastest, while Jose isn’t that far behind. The others are more methodical with their bag-collecting, figuring they can make up for it with the puzzle. As he pushes himself to his limits, Chase twists his ankle and falls to the ground in pain. As he gets attended to, the others reach the puzzle stage and start working on it. While the injury does not merit Chase be removed from the game, Probst recommends Chase that he sit out the rest of the challenge but Chase pulls himself up and tries to finish the puzzle. He is holding back tears as he does so. Unfortunately for him, he is too far behind and Fiona is able to complete her puzzle first.

As the group returns to camp, they commend Chase for his effort out there. He tells them that he isn’t going to do any strategizing and will instead stay here at camp and rest up. Whatever will be will be.

Rajon, however, does not give up and meets with Fiona and Megan. He tells them that they are making a huge mistake by going to the end with Jim and Jose. It is now highly unlikely that Chase would win any more challenges so that increases their odds just a little bit more. Meanwhile, he thinks the jury will respect the behind-the-scenes maneuvering of Jim and Jose. He apologizes for Chase’s behavior earlier, as he was clearly emotional as they would be if one of the other one were voted out. Megan actually sees his point there and says apology accepted. Afterwards, Fiona says to Megan that they should be circling Rajon as a potential person to take to the final 3 with them at the end of the game.

After hearing Rajon’s pitch, Fiona and Megan meet with Jose and Jim. They re-solidify their alliance, at least that is what they are all saying. Jim is critical of Rajon’s viewpoint about the jury, saying he thinks the jury will respect old-fashioned, truthful players more than schemers. Not to mention that the jury is overwhelming Brava, meaning they will likely vote for an old Brava member over Togo. Jose also points out that the jury is likely going to feel sorry for Chase, given his one strong advantage was taken away from him. This makes him a threat to garner votes.

Megan brings up the obvious question: what are they going to do when they reach the Final 4? How will they decide who is the one person who will miss out on Final Tribal Council? Jose says they’ll worry about that when they get there. Megan is uneasy about that answer but there’s not much more she can say.

The topic at Tribal Council is naturally Chase’s challenge performance. All the castaways are complementive of him, as they were at camp. Fiona says that Chase has always been the hardest competitor and it has pushed everyone else to be their absolute best. The topic naturally segways into the physical toll that the game is taking on them. They’ve now spent a month in the wilderness and it is beginning to affect their physical and mental abilities. Jose says this just makes the million dollar prize all the more worth it. It’s time to vote.

After the votes are cast, Jeff says if anyone has a Hidden Immunity Idol, now would be the time to play it. No one does.

First vote...Chase

….Chase

….Jim

….Jim

Two votes Jim, two votes Chase

….Chase

…..The eleventh person voted off of Survivor: Last Resort and the sixth member of our jury...Chase. The tribe has spoken.

In his post-show confessional, Chase voices self-doubt about his ability to win this game. He can do all the physical things right, build shelters and all that. But the strategizing just isn’t for him. His heart and body were what he brought into the game and those just couldn’t do enough.