Survivor Psyche, Episode 4: Called Home

Matthew the Mortal

Ever since his two best buddies were voted off in rapid succession, Matthew has been working hard to solidify alliances with the other men. He's already the camp cook, and has finally succeeded in catching a bona-fide eating fish - a peacock bass, no less. Dave and Butch refer to Matthew as "Matteo" during their fishing expeditions, where they try out the earthworm bait. In place of the disdainful and aloof demeanor of the first episodes, a new and vulnerable Matthew confides that his efforts have "borne fruit." He gets a big hug and cheer from Principal Butch when he brings the fish into camp.

Reward Challenge

The challenge is for the players to burn through four ropes and release sections of a banner spelling out their tribal name. At first, the women are two ropes ahead, but the men band together and really start cooking. With a flash of insight, they realize that huddling together, with their arms wrapped around one another, blocks the wind. Their flame surges ever higher until their banner unfurls to its full length. (Once again, the men finish before the women, wink, wink.)

Torch Song

See Shawna collapse in a sodden mass in the shelter. See her alliance mates cluster around in stupefied horror as their dreams of rebellion against the evil stepmothers go up in flames. Housemother Deena uses "logic" to deal with the histrionic girl. "You allowed yourself to get dehydrated," Deena intones slowly, "So if you allow yourself to get re-hydrated …" What a hoot! Any mother of a teenage girl can see what comes next. "My body is sucking energy from my left toe!" Shawna wails. (It's the only part of her body with fat to burn.) "I am just breakin'. (sob) It took everything in my entire brain to not just sit on the sand and take a three-hour break." (Melinda knows from long experience that you just have to wait this kind of thing out. Unfortunately, it'll take more than a box of Kleenex and a sympathetic shoulder to bring Shawna out of her pity party.) Heidi and Jenna are speechless with shock, and Deena wisely holds back the torrent of common sense she wants to unload on Shawna's nappy head.

Shawna is lost in the land of woe and begging to be sent home, as she sings the Tweety song.

"I'm a poor widdle bird in a grungy cage.
Shawna's my name but I'm kept a host-age.
I'm getting all worried and that is that,
I'm voted off cause I lack body fat."

But all Deena, Heidi, and Jenna care about is that fourth vote, and pity be damned. So much for a strong sense of sorority. At the first bump in the road, the other cheerleaders confiscate Shawna's pom-poms and exile her to the bench.

Krelboyne Karaoke

It's time to kick back, chill, and enjoy the Coke cans' oh-so-delectable nutrition labels when the men get back to camp. Camp clown Rob is their own person karaoke machine. The troops join in the rendition of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - and any hope of staying in the same key. When they can't remember the words, they break down into manly grunts and warbling, but hey, everyone is having a great time. Everyone that is, except Roger. "Rob really is pathetic. He's 24-year's-old singing karaoke in the basement." Trust Roger to say something pissy and judgmental during the USO tour. You'd think he'd have developed an appreciation for impromptu entertainment during his stint in 'Nam.

Fish Story

Whosoever catcheth the most without losing a digit shall be declared champion. Piranha, that is. Deena and Matthew are the most affected by Probst's speech, and bare their teeth in pained sympathy as he shows off the piranha's lethal fangs. The two tribes settle on different areas of the river with their rods, bait, and boats. Probst fishes for a knee-jerk response from the men, when he casually dangles this bait, "Any chance that Jaburu is outfishing you?" But the men worm their way out of it. "There's always that chance," they chorus. Who says men can't learn? Rocket scientist Dave used the opportunity to propound a scientific theorem. "See Jeff, I think the biggest thing we need to talk about is the dynamic combination of Roger and myself." In plain language, Dave and Roger take turns using the rods and stomping the fish. When the hour is up, the men have indeed caught the most fish and win again.

Pod Girl

Even though Shawna sat out the fishing challenge, she collapses in the shelter as soon as they get back. But her legs turn to rubber as soon as she stands up, and it's back to the prone position. While Jeanne is busy comforting Shawna, her alliance members are busy reeling in that shaky fourth vote. In an alleluia moment, Jenna speaks to Christy for the first time this season! The cheerleaders need a favor from the odd-girl and actually call Christy over as she walks by. "How do you feel?" inquires Jenna. Christy gives a "who me?" reaction, but knows exactly what Jenna is talking about. Not for nothing is this girl smart and savvy enough to make her way in the hearing world. Christy questions them astutely about who they're voting for and why. "You're securing your position as well," Heidi urges Christy. To the camera, Christy calls herself a "little free bird." "They want to keep Shawna in the game and take out JoAnna because she gets on everybody's nerves. Shawna really wants to get out - we're making her trapped."