Surviving the Cook Islands, Episode 10: A New Identity

Later, Yul tells Becky that he hopes Jonathan isn’t playing them. He could just be trying to deflect the vote from himself to Yul. If Jonathan doesn’t vote with the former Aitu and Yul has to play the idol, he’ll be vulnerable from now on. He hopes things will work out.

Jonathan tells Candice that he’s going with Raro’s plan. He tells her that Yul hasn’t said anything, which Candice finds hard to believe. Jonathan interviews that no matter what he does, people will be mad at him. He’ll either betray Raro by voting with Aitu or he’ll make Aitu mad because he didn’t vote with them. He’s not sure what do to and wishes he knew the best way to go.

The Survivors head to Tribal Council. Brad, Rebecca, and Jenny enter. Jenny looks so, so bitter. Jeff starts out by asking Jonathan how the merge has changed things. Jonathan says it’s mainly affected sleeping accommodations. They just have to get used to living together. Jeff asks Sundra how the game has changed. Sundra says they have to start thinking individually, but still within their alliances. They’ve been spending a lot of time with the people in their former tribes, so they can’t help but bond with them.

Jeff asks Nate if tribal lines are still in play. Of course they are. Nate says people stick with what they’re comfortable with. Jeff notes to Yul that this means Aitu is behind in numbers. Yul says that they’re sticking together, but both tribes are tight, so Aitu is at a disadvantage. They don’t know what their fate will be. Tonight will be pivotal.

Jeff asks Becky if there are any bonds between people that she didn’t want to see. Becky singles out Adam and Candice. Adam tries to throw it back at her, claiming that she and Yul have the closest bond. Becky says it’s different; she doesn’t lie in Yul’s lap. The body language between them is different. Jeff asks Parvati about Candice and Adam. She says they want to make babies and they kicked her out of her spot so they could be alone together. Candice says that Parvati left because she said she wasn’t getting enough attention from Adam. Are we going to have a Candice/Parvati catfight? Because ordinarily I’d put my money on Candice, but Parvati is a boxer. Watch your back, blondie.

Jeff asks Jonathan if he’s concerned that Candice and Adam are pairing off in different way than, say, Jonathan and Ozzy might. Everyone laughs. Jonathan says a relationship between him and Ozzy would definitely be different than Adam and Candice’s. He thinks Candice and Adam are enjoying each other’s company (is that what the kids are calling it now?), but he doesn’t think it’s moved into something romantic, so it doesn’t concern him. Is Jonathan blind?

Jeff asks Ozzy how the game will be different after tonight. Ozzy thinks this upcoming vote will definitely set something in motion. Either things will go downhill for Aitu, or something crazy will happy. The vote will definitely be a pivotal moment. Jeff asks Nate if he thinks the dynamic at camp tonight will be different. Nate does, saying that the vote will stir up waters. If someone flips, things will change. Jeff asks Jonathan (he’s liking Jonathan tonight, I guess) how the game has changed him as a person. Jonathan says that he’s enjoyed every second. He’s bonded with younger people in a way he hasn’t in years. He’s tried to drink in every minute because he knows he’ll never have another experience like this. It’s been a profound and wonderful experience. Dude, you haven’t been voted out yet. Save it for your final words.

Voting time. Ozzy decides to hold onto his idol, of course. Jeff reminds whoever it may concern that the person with the hidden idol should play after the vote, if necessary, and the person with the next-highest amount of votes will go home. Everyone votes, but we don’t see who anyone votes for.

Jeff brings in the votes and starts reading them off. The first vote is for “Yuehl.” The second is for “Yule.” I guess you can’t ask someone how to spell his or her name; that person will know you’re planning to vote for him or her. The third vote is for Nate. The fourth is for Yul. The fifth and sixth go to Nate, so he and Yul are tied at three and three. Then there’s another vote for “Yule” and another for Nate. They’re tied with four each. Jeff reaches for the final vote and Yul closes his eyes while Nate drops his head. The final votes is for… Nate. Crap, there goes my final four. Nate gets snuffed. Parvati is upset; she lost her flirting partner! Yul and Jonathan appear to catch each other’s eyes and Yul gives a small nod. Jeff says that this vote has obviously had a significant impact. He wishes the Survivors good night and sends them back to camp.

Next week: Raro is upset about Jonathan’s betrayal. Lines are drawn about sharing food. Candice thinks Jonathan is trying to weasel his way into Aitu.

I have to transcribe Nate’s final words verbatim: “It hurts to leave this early in the game. Jonathan, kiss my a%$. You’re a dirty, stanky, and wack fruitcake who sold me out. You sold out our tribe when we brought you in, you traiting [sic] bastard, so kiss my a%$, Jonathan. Other than that, everyone I love, but that’s how it’s gotta be in this world.” Lovely.

Jenn Brasler is an Assistant Editor of Reality News Online and an aspiring writer from Falls Church, Virginia. By day she works for a court reporting firm, and by night she’s a spy for a covert branch of the CIA. You can e-mail her at luckyjenn@hotmail.com. She wonders why Becky has been getting so little screen time.

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