Survivor: Cook Islands – Who Will Go in Episode 11?

Well, I guessed the merge correctly (and only realized afterwards that my DVR info said outright, "the tribes merge"). However, I was incorrect about the target. I thought that surely Adam would be the one to take a hike. Nate had heretofore been so clearly voting his gut that I never imagined his gut would fall for the fact that he wasn't in the final three of his alliance. Surely he would recognize that he was not on the same page as his fellow Raroans. I suppose not, and it got him kicked off, much to his (and my) chagrin.

So we're now left with the standard two alliances (just once I'd like to see some Survivors enter the merge with three separate alliances), former Raro and former Aitu with Aitu having gained the advantage upon Jonathan's Aaron Burr moment.

So what does the CBS promo have to say about the next episode? Let's look at the points.

Number 1: One tribe member is berated for their vote at the last Tribal Council, causing others to plot this Survivor's exit from the game. Can this Survivor save themselves from elimination?

Before I respond to this point, let me apologize on behalf of everyone as obsessive as me for having to endure the absolutely atrocious grammar used in the CBS promos. "Themselves" referring to one Survivor? Ugh! It almost gives me a coronary just glancing at it. However, for the rest of you who could care less about the grammar, I'll cut short my jeremiad (look that one up, why don't ya?), and give the obvious response to this point.

It's Jonathan. Hey! Who would've thought? Everyone's favorite flying lemming has become an object of loathing, spite, and ill will (not to mention redundancy and redundancy) from the Raroans whom he betrayed.

What really interests me is how the Raro alliance expects to plot his exit. It was made quite clear last episode that these people couldn't plot and scheme their way out of a paper bag (not even a small one like you get at an ice cream and dairy store when you only buy a half gallon of milk). So I'm quite excited to see how they propose to get rid of Jonathan, however inept that proposal might be.

Number 2: At the reward challenge, the Survivors are left stunned when one of them reveals shocking news to the group.

I think the promo people are trying for a record: most uses of the word "shocking" in a single season. That said, it took me a while to come up with anything that might shock any of the others. But I've decided it's one of two possibilities. The first could be that Ozzy reveals his former reality TV experience to his fellow tribemates. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just type his full name into Google and you'll find it (though I wouldn't travel too far into any of those websites if I were you, especially if you're at work). You've likely guessed it at this point anyway.

Of course, it's unlikely that Ozzy would reveal such information about himself, so I'll have to side with my second idea. Yul just might reveal his "hidden" immunity to the rest of the tribe. This is a strong possibility because it could be effectively used as a deterrent from that point forward to divert the vote from him.

Then again, it could be something that none of us is yet aware of, which would make my guessing rather futile.

Number 3: The immunity challenge tests the Survivors' recollection of the past thirty days of the game. Which Survivor's memory will serve them well and keep them safe for another week?

Ahhh, the good ol' memory challenge. This seems like a challenge tailor made for Yul or Becky, these two highly educated lawyers should be used to remembering facts about others and applying them. If one of them doesn't win this challenge, I'll wear a teacup as a hat... briefly.

Number 4: At Exile Island, one tribe member's spirit takes a beating. How will their seclusion from the tribe affect their morale?

Oh my goodness, could it be Candice? Poor girl. I mean, I know it wasn't the best strategy doing the mutiny when she did and tipping her hand to Aitu before she needed to, but that vindictiveness has sure got to hurt. If the reigning Aitu alliance does indeed send her off for a third time, I really think it's time they let up. Just vote her off and put her out of her misery already. She made a dumb move. She's already paid for it by ending up on the wrong end of the numbers.

Number 5: Emotions run high when one alliance decides to eat dinner alone without including the other tribemates. Will this behavior work in their favor or make them bigger targets?

We already saw a bit of this in the next episode preview last time. The Raro alliance is not happy with the Aitus having a meal without them. In the short term I don't think this will have much effect on the game. The Aitus now have control. However, in the long term this is a really stupid thing to do. If your eventual jury members resent you, you've just made the end game more difficult. The smart player would immediately apologize and invite them to dine together.

So where does this leave us? Obviously the Aitu alliance has control. Even if Jonathan were to flip again, the vote would be tied, and a crafty Yul could learn who would need the immunity idol in that situation.

Of the three remaining members of the Raro alliance, I think that Parvati is the only safe one this time around. Adam is the biggest remaining challenge threat on that side, and Candice could still have some measure of influence with Jonathan (as well as the mark of the mutineer).

The choice between Candice and Adam is a tough one. But I'm going to say that it's Adam, simply because his name came up during the last episode when the Aituans were deciding who to vote off, and challenge threats always seem to be targeted the most after a merge.

If Adam wins immunity then Candice is going to the jury next. Watch with me this Thursday to find out if I'm right or filled with chagrin once again.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent Survivor: Cook Islands articles here on RealityNewsOnline:

Wesley is a writer and English teacher from Wichita, KS. He thinks that if they try REALLY hard, the Raro alliance might just be able to plot and scheme their way out of a lunch sack -- barely. He can be reached with questions, comments, or snide remarks at Musnud@Gmail.com.

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