Surviving Nicaragua, Episode 5: “I Can’t Imagine Anything Going Wrong”

Last week, Espada lost another challenge and had to once again vote somebody out. And again they decided not to vote out the weakest link, Dan, because Marty was protecting him as a member of his alliance. Instead, they voted out the most annoying man on the show, Jimmy T. for reasons fully explained here. We all know a tribal switch-up is coming (hey, maybe host Jeff Probst will have to learn the tribe names now that he won’t be able to call them “older tribe” and “younger tribe”!), but the contestants don’t know that yet, so let’s see what they have to say!

We begin as Espada is back at camp after Tribal Council (it’s Night 11, for those keeping track). Holly tells us she had no idea Jimmy was being voted out. She was shocked. I, on the other hand, am not shocked that Holly has no idea what’s going on in the tribe around her. She says she was told they were voting out the weakest link, and physically, Jimmy “could do handstands over Danny.” She’s upset, she’s on the outs, and she knows something has to change. Hmmm, what are the odds that will happen? Pretty good, as it will soon turn out!

The following morning, Marty tells us Tribal Council was a slam-dunk. He says, “You can’t get cocky in this game…” and he should have stopped right there. Instead, he tempted fate and continued, “…but I’m in control finally – I’m in control of this tribe.” He tells Jill they’re in control for at least two more Tribal Councils and adds to us that he has a level of certainty seeing two Tribal Councils ahead. “I can’t imagine anything going wrong.” Oh dear.

Dan says Jane and Holly voting against him means they signed their own death certificate. Marty adds that it just shows how few people are playing strategically. OK, I’ll side with him on that one. They decide on Holly going next and Marty adds to us that it would take something extraordinary and “completely wacked-out” to change his plans.

I thought that would be the immediate cut to the switch-up, but no – we head over to La Flor first for another share of egotism. NaOnka tells us her solid five are herself (duh), Purple Kelly, Brenda, Chase, and Sash. “We are controlling this entire game right now.” So many quotes, how will I ever decide on a title?! (I decided to put it to a Twitter vote to arrive at the title you see on this article – and it only won by one vote!)

She continues that Kelly B. and Alina will be voted out next. She has it all planned in her head. She already sees the win. They got a tarp, she has the hidden immunity idol. She’s got her hair done (Nicaraguan jungle beauty shop?) and has her swag. If she looks good, she’s “going to do good.” (Apparently her English teacher never taught her, as mine did, “Only angels do good.”)

The tribes arrive at the challenge site and Probst welcomes them as La Flor sees Espada without Jimmy T. Probst asks the usual question of whether they’re ready to get to it. He gets the usual smattering of “yes”es and then he says, “Alright… drop your buffs.” Ha!

There are many “damn”s and long faces on both tribes. Marty says anything is possible in the game, but he wasn’t counting on anything like this already – it’s too early. Eh, really it’s not. This isn’t a merge, after all, but a switch-up.

They draw rocks for new captains, with Brenda and Holly getting those positions. Brenda is told she will choose three people from “the older tribe” (learn the damn tribe names, Jeff!) to join her; Holly will pick four from “the younger tribe” to join her. They write down the names and hand the lists to Probst.

Joining La Flor will be Jane, Jill, and Marty. Joining Espada will be Alina (she smiles a bit, knowing she has to be better off), Benry (who?), Chase, and NaOnka. Probst hands out the new buffs and says, “younger tribe no more, you are now La Flor,” then says the same for Espada. I’m not sure why they are “now” their tribe names since they were all along, but whatever.

Not only is this the end of old vs. young, but also the Medallion of Power. Probst says it’s a brand new game, and I have to agree, given the way the alliances have been split.

Speaking of which, what does NaOnka think about the new tribe? She says it’s kind of hard because she got really close to the others and she’ll miss them. (I’m wondering if she’s carrying her hidden immunity idol with her!) What does Marty make of it? He says La Flor has been winning and it will be nice to be on the side of a winning tribe. Plus, with all those wins, he expects camp to be rather “plush.”

Probst explains the challenge – the first this season for reward only: Two members of each tribe will throw a ball that will roll down a peg-filled wall, causing it to bounce and change direction along the way. Two members of the other tribe try to catch the balls before they hit the ground. If they do, the throwing tribe gets a point and that round is over so the pairs switch. First tribe to three points wins reward – two chickens and a rooster! Jane is so happy, she’s ready to ring the chicken’s neck!

And they’re off! Benry and Chase are catching for Espada, Marty and Sash for La Flor. It’s kind of impossible to recap this, other than to say people are throwing balls and the catchers are catching them – until Sash misses one and Espada gets a point.