Surviving Samoa, Episode 10: Viper Queen of Galu

Last week, Russell did the unprecedented – finding a second hidden immunity idol without a single clue and using it to turn the tables on the Galu alliance, sending the almost-unseen Kelly home in a huge surprise (and earning himself a Reality TV Hall of Fame Moment in the process). The previews indicate that there is going to be a heck of a hunt for the immunity idol this week, so it should be interesting. Let’s get to it!

We begin immediately following Tribal Council, when Aiga returns to camp. Oh, and we’re in slow motion with building, ominous music. We hear first from Russell, saying, “My work is done. It’s like a painting… like a Picasso. … He’s a great artist, this is my artwork; this might be one of my best pieces of work I’ve ever done. … They’ll write me a check for a million dollars for this work, so I could take that to the bank.”

Dave walks over to Russell, Jaison, and Mick and says, “Good move!” Russell says, “That was almost as great as my kids being born.”

Needless to say, the Galu women are not quite as happy. They keep repeating, “Wow” and muttering that they still have the numbers (oddly, Natalie is with them as they talk about Russell the snake). Laura tells us they knew Russell was sneaky and always lurking around camp, but this was a shock. “We should have known better.”

Shambo tells Russell (sarcastically) that he’s in big trouble. She relates that Laura said Russell has ruined everything – it was all she could do to keep a straight face. Russell wonders what Laura thinks he’s here for, to bake her cookies? They share a big laugh.

She later tells us how awesome it was to see the look on Laura’s face. She needs to find the next idol so she can give it to Russell again.

The following morning, Russell is up early and already looking for the next hidden immunity idol. “I will find it,” he says. “I’m just drawn to ‘em.”

Meanwhile, the Galu are sitting around the campfire. Shambo tells us, “Laura is the viper queen of Galu. … She is the snake of the tribe. She is the evil demon. She is a beast.” Shambo, tell us how you really feel!

She also tells us that since she is siding with Foa Foa against Laura and the others, it’s all even. She needs John to change the balance. So she gets him alone and talks to him about becoming the sixth vote to get rid of Laura. He says he has no answer, and adds to us that he thinks he’s the only Galu who knows Shambo has flipped. So what does he do with it? He tells Shambo he won’t betray her, but he tells us he has to do what’s right for him.

And just like that, we’re at the reward challenge. Wow, that was quick! Host Jeff Probst tells them they will divide into teams of five. One person from each team will lie face-down in a cradle, suspended in the air. Attached to the cradle are four ropes, which will be pulled by the other four to maneuver and gather 15 flags, one at a time, in order, and placed appropriately. First team to do so wins reward, which is a flight to a neighboring island. They will have a picnic lunch at a waterfall. Russell is more concerned about getting a clue, which he believes will be handed out at the picnic. In addition, they get a sponsor cell phone to take photos. Woo.

The teams are as follows. Yellow is Shambo, Jaison, Monica, Mick, and John (in the cradle). Purple is Dave, Brett, Laura, Russell, and Natalie (in the cradle). Hmmm, the Foa Foans are evenly-split – how can I predict which team will win?!

And they’re off! Natalie gets the first flag for yellow, with John getting the purple flag soon after. But John drops his while Natalie plants her first one. John gets it back and plants it, but Natalie gets the second planted at about the same time.

Purple has three, yellow two. Now four and three. Uh oh – yellow just accidentally knocked the ninth flag out of the ring, meaning it’s out of order and has to be replaced before they can do anything else. John gets it back, but purple is up to their seventh flag.

Yellow has five now and purple has eight. Yellow is coming back as they’re up to seven, but purple has ten. Now it’s nine and 14. Just one flag left for purple. Natalie is literally hanging on only by her knees, wrapped around the ropes of the cradle. She grabs the 15th flag and… plants it! Purple wins! Well of course they did – purple was the color of Galu.

As the purple crew head towards their reward, Russell tells us if he can find the clue to the idol, he doesn’t see how it won’t end up with him taking out Laura. Um, I can – she could win immunity again!

They board the plane and take cell phone pictures of themselves and the ocean. They arrive at the waterfall and dive into the food – hot dogs, pie, potato salad, etc. Natalie tells us she needed the food, she’s wasting away. It’s her and Russell’s first reward!