Surviving the Pearl Islands, Episode 6: Backstabbed!

As we approach the presumed merge, the main question that faces us before the sixth episode of Survivor: Pearl Islands is whether Drake can pull themselves together after their three-challenge losing streak and make sure they retain a numerical advantage. Morgan, of course, wants just the opposite – obviously, going into a merge with even numbers would be preferable to heading in with only four tribe members to Drake’s six. So what will happen? Let’s find out.

It’s night 15, after Tribal Council, at the Drake camp. Rupert notes that it was his first Council (which I’d forgotten). He was mad, tired, and didn’t want to be there. It sucked. Well, it’s not exactly supposed to be fun! They all discuss how Probst was rather direct in his questioning and Rupert says they were brutally honest in their responses as well. He even apologizes if he offended anybody with his answers. But privately he notes that they others still don’t see how they gave Morgan momentum by throwing the immunity challenge. He goes off by himself and talks to Balboa, the snake. He says he can’t believe he wrote down “Michelle” instead of “Shawn.” For a while, everybody knew a Drake would win. Now it’s a question.

The following morning, Rupert goes to check on the injured snake. Unfortunately, Balboa didn’t make it through the night. He tells the snake he’s sorry, but it’s a hard world, and then goes off to bury him with Jan’s baby bat and chicken heads. Shawn says he doesn’t understand why Rupert is so upset about a little snake he found in the water, but that’s Rupert.

Over on Morgan, Osten is out on the beach when a pelican arrives. Osten approaches its area of the beach and the bird is not happy. It starts to snap at the tribal flag. Ryan approaches it and pretends to box it, then he pushes it a bit with a frond in an attempt to get it to fly away. It doesn’t, so Ryan starts petting it – Andrew says Ryan has a soft spot for animals. Ryan says “Pelican Pete” is their mascot for a while. (Hopefully it’ll have better luck than the Drake mascot.) After Ryan is done petting it and walks back to the shelter, Pete follows him!

At this point, Osten is freaking out. He doesn’t want it there and tries to push it away with a pole. He keeps repeating that he’s not playing around! Osten leaves the shelter and Pete comes in. Darrah thinks it’s hilarious that Osten is afraid of every little thing.

After a bit, Ryan tries to send Pete on his way. Osten continues his whining, saying he doesn’t like animals – he’s been bitten by a couple and the next thing that bites him will die. As if to prove it, he stands around sharpening his machete blade. Andrew says Osten is being an ass for no reason. Ryan says Osten was afraid of the pelican – and everything else – it’s pissing him off. If you’re afraid of everything, don’t come out to Survivor! Eventually, Pete flies away and Osten can relax… until he sees the next ant or something else that threatens him.

Back at Drake, Rupert wants to do some work on their free day. He says they should elevate the floor of the shelter off the ground to stop the biting they get at night. Most of the others don’t think it’ll work but think should try anyway, says Sandra. Shawn says it won’t make a difference and begins looking for excuses not to help. Jon has had it up to here. Everybody else is working but Shawn, he says. Jon gets to work and Shawn is still complaining. Jon starts getting even more pissed because Shawn is not doing anything, so he starts yelling at him as we know Jon can do so well. Shawn gets mad and tells him to shut up. Jon, of course, doesn’t. Jon stalks off while each mutters at each other under their respective breaths and then they get mad at each other for what they say. It’s all rather childish. Sandra says Shawn needs to get a clue – he’s nobody’s buddy here. He’d better start working and make sure they win the challenge or he’s gone.

The next day, the tribes get mail about their next reward challenge. It contains a small cannonball and says it’s time to have a blast. Hmmm. And the prize will be the tastiest reward by far. Trish says they want to get their momentum back. Rupert says they’re going to “go kick some Morgan ass.”

So there they all are at the challenge. There are four targets set up for each team. One at a time, opposing team members will come up to their cannon, load it, aim, light it up, and fire. The object is to be the first to knock out all of the other tribe’s targets. Reward is a grill that fits over a campfire, utensils, spices, lobsters, and steaks. Plus looting. And, of course, the second piece of the map for Morgan if they win. Jeez, at this rate and considering what bad shape Drake’s treasure was in, there will be more mold than material left by the time they get to it – if they ever do.

Jon and Andrew are the first two up. They have to use ropes to aim the cannon and they can also tilt or lower it. Probst asks Andrew which one he’s aiming at (although it doesn’t seem they actually need to declare – whichever one they hit is fine, so he’s just asking), and Andrew tells him. He fires first and goes a little high. Probst asks Jon the same question and Jon the smartass says he’s “going for the orange one.” Ha! What a funny guy that Jon is. He misses also.

Ryan and Sandra are next and both hit. Tijuana and Trish follow, with Trish hitting and Tijuana missing. Osten goes against Rupert and both hit. Drake only need one more. It’s Darrah and Shawn. Darrah hits. Shawn… misses. So Andrew is back again and he’s against Christa. Andrew misses again. Christa hits! Drake wins reward! Morgan doesn’t look happy – especially Andrew.

Drake brings back their surf and turf back to camp. Shawn says it’s like a dream come true. Everybody seasons their own meat and they cook up lobster followed by the steaks. Sandra says it’s the greatest steak she’s ever had.