Survivor: Last Resort 2.4 - New Zealand Episode 4

Survivor: Last Resort 2.4 - New Zealand Episode 4
Writer: Chad Taylor

The episode starts out with the immunity challenge. The tribes raced up and down three A-frames carrying ropes, then four members used them to pull a heavy wooden crate filled with puzzle pieces across a ramp. Two tribemates then used the pieces to solve a puzzle; the first pair to complete it won immunity and pillows and blankets for the camp. Jill volunteers herself to be on the puzzle because she knows a Hidden Immunity Idol is hidden under the platform. She successfully eludes anyone seeing her but this slows down her ability to solve the puzzle and, as a result, Maori win the challenge.

However, Jeff informs them afterwards that both tribes will be voting someone out this episode. Since Maori won the challenge, they will get to sit in and observe Tasman’s tribal council.

At Tasman, they enjoy their new pillows and blankets that will make camp more comfortable. While it sucks that they are still voting someone out, at least they won their third straight challenge. Given this lack of conflict, more relationships have blossomed on the tribe. As the two young women on the tribe, Sage opens up to Vinolia about being trans on reality television. She is honest about the hate she fears she’ll receive once they get home, but she even fears that here: how much can she talk about her identity around Rick, for example? This opens Vinolia eyes and she thanks Sage for trusting her to someone she could talk to about this. She relays this conversation to Amanita, signalling an improved social standing for the Outsiders.

Rick is still annoyed at Kenny’s stellar performance in challenges, even if it is winning them immunity (or at least rewards). Bobby, who likes to micro-manage in the game, says in a confessional that he is growing worried about Rick’s tendency to give in to his emotions. That’s not how Jim Marshall did it last season. Meanwhile, the tension between Kenny and Rick is eased by the complete lack of Mickey at camp. He has been socially on his own ever since that first day but he has only worsened this as he goes to search for another Idol. HIs tribemates are not dumb and agree that he is painting a bigger target on his back.
At Maori, morale is low after another loss and knowing that the other tribe will get to pick up intel on them. In private, Jill tells Alexandra about her idol. They don’t think they’ll need to use it this week as it should be obvious: Earl.

Earl has lost his two closest allies but he will not give up that easily. He strategizes a plan, first by trying to secure an alliance with Bradley, who at least didn’t vote for Suzanne or Gregory. In confessional, he admits that this hard for him as Bradley is everything he is not: brash, aggressive, cocky. But in Survivor, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Last time, Earl and Gregory tried to rope in Albert but that didn’t work. So this time, he tries the opposite route: he goes to Jill and comes up a little white lie. Earl says that, before the Gregory vote, Albert came to him worried about the growing women’s alliance of JIll, Alexandra, and Karin. Obviously he is lying (he came to Albert with that) but Earl’s dad-like sincerity buys him some good faith and Jill can’t help but feel paranoid. She calls an alliance meeting, where Albert admits to meeting with them but says that he absolutely did not propose going against them. Afterwards, Alexandra tries to talk Jill down from the ledge but Jill is understandably peaved: she’s been voted for the last two tribal councils. Now she can’t decide what to do, both in regards to her vote and her idol.

Both tribes arrive at Tribal Council, with Maori starting off in observance mode. It doesn’t take long into Tribal Council for the tribe divisions and history to emerge: the Bradley/Karin feud, Rick’s allegiance to Gregory and Suzanne, etc. Tensions do start to rise when Albert confronts Earl about his lie to Jill. Earl is defensive and is cool as a cucumber in this interaction. Albert, meanwhile, is clearly overwhelmed with frustration. Jill, meanwhile, is quiet in this exchange as she doesn’t want to show to many of her cards to the other tribe. Jeff tells them it is time to vote.

After everyone has voted, he says that if anyone has a Hidden Immunity Idol, now would be the time to play it. JIll stares down but then back up, deciding against playing hers.

He’ll read the votes…

….Albert

….Earl

….Earl

….Albert

Two votes Albert, two votes Earl

…...Albert

…...The fourth person voted off of Survivor: Last Resort - New Zealand: Albert. The tribe has spoken.

As Tasman leave, Maori are pretty shocked by the blindside. Jeff asks them about their experience just now and they think it will be of great help going forward. They voice their frustration about having to be here despite winning the challenge. Bobby, a Survivor purist, says that sometimes you have to roll with the punches in regards to the twists of the game. The topic moves to the tribe dynamic, which they admit has been up and down over the last few days. Rick talks vaguely about an ongoing conflict but this is mostly one-sided feud so Kenny remains silent. Meanwhile, Vinolia says she’s had the opposite experience as she has had some really heartfelt moments lately. Jeff tells them it is time to vote.

After everyone has voted, he says that if anyone has a Hidden Immunity Idol, now would be the time to play it. Everyone looks to Mickey, who does not have one.

First vote….Mickey

…..Rick

…..Mickey

…..Mickey

….Mickey

The fifth person voted out of Survivor: Last Resort - New Zealand: Mickey. The tribe has spoken.

Votes for Earl: Albert, Karin
Votes for Albert: Alexandra, Bradley, Jill, Earl

Votes for Mickey: Rick, Bobby, Kenny, Amanita, Vinolia, Sage
Votes for Rick: Mickey