Survivor: Pearl Islands – Advice for the Remaining 12

Morgan is finally on the scoreboard, even though it took Drake throwing the immunity challenge to do it. Now they've got Rupert and Drake was forced to play politics for the first time. So now that the alliances on Drake have been revealed, we get a better idea of what each player on that tribe needs to do to stay in and ultimately win the game. What is the advice for the remaining 12?

Morgan. The smartest thing you've ever done was to select Rupert for your prisoner. He'll probably teach you a thing or two about spear fishing since he is fond of eating, and he can help you move your shelter. Yes, your shelter has to be moved. In a battle between sand walls and the tide, the tide is going to win. So suck it up and move it while you have Rupert to help you or you are going to be sleeping with the fish. Plus, while you have Rupert... watch and learn. I repeat... watch and learn.

Andrew. Good pick in selecting Rupert as your prisoner. However, as the leader of the Morgans, it was your duty to have delegated which members went after which pieces during the reward challenge. You failed at this, allowing a weak swimmer (Osten) to attempt to retrieve a water piece, and didn't delegate Darrah to go after one when she had the mask. You simply have to do a better job if you wish to win challenges.

Osten. I just don't understand it. In Episode 1 you said you were not a strong swimmer. So why did you choose to swim in the reward challenge to the point where you needed to be rescued? You should have dug up the beach pieces and left the ocean pieces to the stronger swimmers. In the future, play to your strengths, not your weaknesses.

Darrah. When I examine your hand, I almost think you are drawing dead (a poker term used to describe a hand that cannot beat another hand no matter what card comes up). You have a couple of options. First, since you're on the outside of the Morgan alliance, you can talk to Rupert. If there is another mystery note or prisoner to be taken at the next immunity challenge, ask Rupert to take you. It will force the Morgan Behind alliance to fracture and you'll be out of danger for another vote. If Probst has no mystery note, you've got to win immunity or your torch will be snuffed.

Tijuana. Why did you enter the water during the reward challenge without the mask? It made life more difficult for you and cost valuable time. It's a contributing factor to your loss in the reward challenge. Think first, act second. You did not look good during the challenge.

Ryan O. You are secure in your alliance for now, but your tribe simply has to do better in challenges or your alliance is dead. Learn what you can from Rupert during his stay, and you'll do better at surviving the elements.

Drake. Damn it, I warned you last time – throwing an immunity challenge was stupid. Not only did it cost you a strong player (Burton), it's cost you Rupert for a few days and you have to do battle with him at the next reward challenge (not to mention his spear fishing bringing home the food). Don't ever pull a stunt like that again. Also, you weren't kidding Jeff Probst or the audience when you tried to talk about rotation for challenges. Doing that only makes you look stupid and naive. Next, mold can be removed from the equipment in the treasure chest. It just takes some work. While I happen to agree the producers should have done something to make the chest watertight (such as plastic coverings), you can use the equipment and make do with what you did get. It's certainly more than what Morgan has.

Rupert. You are in an sticky situation, and one not of your own making. You are a captive of Morgan. First, keep your mouth shut about your tribal politics. That information can and will be used against you when it comes to a merge. Second, it's probably fine to show them how to spear fish and help them move the shelter. However, no matter how tempting the reward is during the next challenge, you've got to actively work against Morgan at the challenge and help Drake win. They are your long term allies, and you need to keep from being seen as a traitor. Tossing the challenge will benefit your tribe and allow them to loot instead of be looted.

Michelle. You have problems. You are the single person who voted against Christa who is still in the game. You need to try to win immunity and reposition yourself in the tribe. It will be hard, but the escape hatch I see is for you to expose Jon and his multiple promises. If you can show that he is playing all sides, then the tribe may decide he can't be trusted and toss him next.

Christa. Well done. You were the target, but the tables were turned and you have found yourself on the right side of the alliance. You now need to work to make the single unallied person (Michelle) the next target when it comes to tribal council. You're in a good position for now.

Jon. First, don't show up drunk to tribal council again. Jeff Probst generally regards it as a serious ceremony and has problems with people who don't treat it with respect. If you don't, he's going to get on your case and ask you hard questions. Second, I think you are skating on thin ice. You've made a lot of deals and have already broken one, and exposure as a double-dealer might get you tossed. Great Survivors in the past like Brian and Rob Cesternino made deals, but you might have made too many too soon. I may be wrong, but I don't think you're in their league. So quit the obnoxious behavior and be more subtle in your dealings with your alliance partners.

Shawn. I'm not sure why you changed votes, but I assume Jon clued you in that there was a change in the wind and you correctly voted out Burton. It wasn't a bad move, since you've got Michelle lined up as the next victim and are in a position to expose Jon's double-dealing whenever you like in order to make him a target. That puts you in solid with a five-person alliance. Plus, cool it with the attitude about Rupert and his clothing. You see a man in a skirt or dress and want to laugh and make fun. I see a man doing what it takes to survive the elements. That, to me, makes a MAN.

Trish. You did well in the reward challenge. Getting that last piece took a lot of work, with the surf coming in and all that, but you used an available tool and got it, allowing your tribe to win the challenge. You are also on the inside of an alliance, with two potential targets in front of you. You need to carefully start selecting people for sub-agreements to carry you after the merge to get to the finals.

Sandra. You're in fine shape for now. You've got an alliance, food, shelter, and water. You did well in the reward challenge. What more can anybody ask?

Burton. Why did you walk the plank? Well, let's start by saying be careful what you wish for – you just might get it. You wanted to throw the immunity challenge to get rid of a member, and it worked. The joke was on you though – Rupert considered your idea to toss the challenge as nothing less than mutiny, and the rest of the tribe (except Michelle) agreed. So you paid the price for your attempt. Let this be a lesson for future Survivors.

Jeffrey Clinard lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his cats, Lam and Princess. He can be reached at jclinard@earthlink.net.

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