In the seventh episode of Survivor, the castaways have been living in Africa 19 days and are starting to pick up their games. In a shocking twist, both tribes are sent to tribal council and two contestants are voted off.
Highlights of Survivor Episode Seven
With the departure of Kelly the last episode, Fong is left feeling a bit discouraged. Matty loses hope and isn't afraid to show it! Crystal commits the ultimate Survivor sin when she trips over and spills the tribe's rice supply. She then sulks and refuses to eat the next morning, sacrificing her share for the rice that was wasted. All the while doing it with an attitude. Kenny becomes suspicious of Matty and Ace, whom he believes to be "running the show."
Over at Kota, Dan feels vulnerable to Charlie, Marcus, and Corinne. His feeling of being on the outside of their alliance is confirmed when Corinne reveals to America that she views Dan as " socially inept" and "a little kid seeking approval." The rest of the tribe describes Dan as paranoid and childish and Marcus doesn't see "how to save Dan from himself."
An Enduring Reward Challenge
The Survivors challenge one another in a version of Keep-Away. Three members of each tribe toss a breakable ball back and forth while one member of the other tribe attempts to smash the ball or force it to the ground. The two tribes play in rings opposite each other and whoever's attacker breaks their opponents ball first wins a point. Winner takes three.
After a five-game losing streak, Fong succumbs to Kota once again. Despite Fong's aggressiveness, Kota wins all three matches with kudos going to Randy and Bob. Sugar is chosen for a record-breaking fifth consecutive time to go to Exile Island. Matty is all too happy about this as he thinks Sugar is "worthless at challenges."
For reward, Kota gets picked up by a chopper and flown over breathtaking craters to land and sit on the edge overlooking them.
Back at Camp
Fong's Matty is humiliated by their loss when he gets back to camp and brings the tribe down once again. He tries to pair up with Ace to vote out Sugar but Ace makes a case to keep her in order to have her individual immunity idol at his disposal. Ace tells Matty he wants Crystal gone.
Once back from their reward, Kota is shocked by a visit from a man bearing letters from home. Bob is rejuvenated by his surprising number of letters and Dan is astonished by a letter from his Dad, who "never writes anything." Sugar returns from her "Sugar Shack" at Exile Island just in time to join the others for a challenge.
A Twist at the Second Challenge
Prior to the challenge, Jeff explains that both tribes will be going to Tribal Council and both will be voting someone out. In addition, each survivor has a shot at winning individual immunity. The contestants are matched up against each other ( maybe with the other tribe or maybe their own) to compete in a log roll challenge. The first person to fall off is out.
The finals come down to Ace vs. Charlie with Ace winning; Marcus vs. Randy with Randy winning; and Sugar vs. Bob with Bob putting in a valiant effort, but Sugar winning. In a grand finale of Ace, Sugar, and Marcus all on the same log; Sugar falls, then Ace, leaving Marcus the last man standing.
Another twist happens after the challenge when Probst gives Marcus the message "You may now assign immunity to one member of the other tribe." He chooses Sugar.
Getting Ready for Tribal Council
Matty and Ace decide to vote for Crystal while Ken wants to vote with Sugar (whom he seems smitten with) for he and Crystal's sake. He rats out Ace by telling Sugar that Ace is using her for her idol; thus sealing an alliance with her and Crystal to blindside Ace. Crystal goes with the plan although she is skeptical of Sugar's intentions. Ace feels something is out of sorts and asks Sugar for her immunity idol but is surprised to find she is hesitant to give it to him.
Meanwhile at Kota, it seems Randy's replaced Bob, and Susie and Dan are on the chopping block. Corinne tells Susie she really likes her and that Dan's the one going home. Susie admits that at first she was going to vote for Corinne, which causes Corinne to get mad and run to tell Randy a distorted version of what happened. She and Randy team up in a plan to get rid of Susie-whom Randy refers to as "annoying."
The Tribe has Spoken!
At Kota's council, Jeff asks Susie who she thinks is weaker than her and she responds "Corinne." Corinne takes the opportunity to turn on a phony "
I-don't-want-to-insult-Susie-and-respect-her-for-telling-me-the-truth" attitude, all the while planning her revenge. Dan admits he needs to be less paranoid and Marcus decides to keep his individual immunity idol for himself. Susie and Dan tie at three votes to three votes but ultimately Dan's paranoia was right on the money as he gets voted out.
Fong's tribal starts with Crystal and Matty getting into it over the spilled rice and continues with Crystal and Ace having words. Sugar says everyone's losing by fighting over pettiness and keeps her idol for herself. Crystal and Ace tie with two votes each and the seventh person voted out is...Ace!
Stay tuned for the next episode recap. Survivor airs on Thursday nights at 7:00 pm central time on CBS.
