Survivorfest week 8

Ami sleeps with the fishes!

My Survivor thoughts for week 8:

Malakal returned from tribal council grousing about Tracy's parting shots. I have to admit, she couldn't keep herself in the game, but she really did a number on those left behind. I think she deserves another round on a Survivor favorites season in the future.

Ozzie seemed particularly shaken, having the mantle of "leader" foisted upon him.

Ozzie: "I'm not the leader...I just have good opinions and people respect me. " If it walks like a duck...

I also noted that they used the word "like" approximately 400 times in a single conversation. Like, ugh.

Ami and Cirie made a dramatic early morning crab hunt, resulting in good news for the hungry tribe and bad news for the crabs. I feel a PETA boycott coming soon.

I note that Eliza continues to look positively feral. If I were on the island I think I'd make sure the machete was accounted for at all times.

Parvarti still seemed to be sporting a fat lip from her previous encounter with a fence post. It kind of makes her look like she's growing a mustache. I don't think she'll be happy to see that.

The Airai tribe celebrated their recent victory when Jason caught and killed a rat in honor of the first season of Survivor. Oh, look...I just received a PETA boycott email in my inbox...

The challenge this week combined immunity with reward. Each tribe got to pick a member of the other tribe to sit out the challenge, head to Exile Island and get immunity at tribal council for that one day.

Alexis is chosen from her tribe and seems delighted to have Ozzy chosen to join her. I suspect CBS threw this one out there since they knew Ozzy already had it. Why send people to a place with a hidden immunity idol just to give them a one-day immunity?

Jason asks for the previous week's idol and Jason tried to get cute with him "what are we playing for, Jeff?" You could almost see Probst make a mental note to have Jason room with Kathleen at the Survivor resort when he gets voted off the island.

Reward is pizza and beer and no tribal council for the winners.

The challenge was a rope bridge, net and balance beams, while other people from the tribe tried to knock them off with weighted bags. The first tribe to retrieve all five of their flags would be the winner.

Erik attacked the course, jumping over the first rope bridge to the platform. On his fifth attempt he didn't make it, landing chest first against the edge of the platform. Ouch. He shrugged it off though and continued on. He may not be smart, but he's tough.

I think the bags needed to weigh more. Several of them hit the mark, but when Eliza and Erik can shrug off getting hit by a sand bag, it's too light.

Airai won again as Jason and Eliza took their team home. Both were somewhat slow, but steady, and didn't make any major mistakes.

Erik tried hard (almost desperately), but the crash into the platform combined with Amanda's typical lackluster performance doomed them. She must get a lot of mileage with her looks, because I just don't see her adding value in any other facet of the game.

On Exile Island, Ozzie and Alexis attempted to find the hidden immunity idol. The only value for Ozzie is to keep Alexis from finding out he already has it and to discern whether someone else has found the fake one he left behind.

Turns out someone did, which tickled Ozzie to no end. I hope it pans out...could be a real "Billy Moment" for someone.

Back on the beach, Jeff indicated "Ozzie will be returning shortly to join Malakal for tribal council...and he won't be pleased". Okay I added that last part. But he won't be.

Heh. I just noticed that Erik has matching green and yellow sneakers to go with his shorts. He is soooo '70s. Has anyone checked to see if he is actually Leif Garret's love child?

At reward, Airai enjoyed the pizza and beer.

James' special skill is opening bottles of beer with his teeth. Jason tried it as well. Bad move, dude. The only dentist on the island is a tubby Micronesian with a pair of pliers and a hangover.

Back with Malakal, Erik tried to sway Cirie and Amanda to keep him around by spilling the beans on Ami and the way she's been playing both sides the past few weeks.

Ami caught him in the act and did a poor job of trying to talk them out of it. When that didn't work she started crying her eyes out, resulting in a big three-way girlie hug. Erik can't be happy to see that.

Erik: "Things are looking pretty bad...things are definitely bad." He's starting to sound like Randy from My Name is Earl.

Ozzie returned on the boat from Exile Island to find Erik waiting for him halfway into the surf.

Ozzie: "How'd we do?"
Erik: "We lost."
Ozzie: "No way! "

Um. Ozzie, you guys lost the last three straight challenges with you participating...why be surprised they lost next one without you?

Erik retold his story of how Ami had been playing both sides (however ineffectually), which really seemed to bug Ozzie. An actual discussion between Amanda and Ozzie:

Amanda: "Erik is more dangerous than he appears!"
Ozzie: "So is Ami!"

Not sure where they're getting their facts from...let's review the "loser on Survivor" list:

Loses most challenges? Check.
Regularly at tribal council? Check.
In serious danger of being voted off? Check.
Lets other do the thinking for them? Check.
Allied with non-power group or a hanger-on with a power group? Check, check.

Yup. Neither one seems to be "dangerous" other than to themselves.

At tribal council, Probst dug in a little deeper, attempting to pry apart any cracks in the team. Ami quickly resorted to tearing up and wailing about feeling left out. Hey, it worked earlier in the day.

Watching Ami try to explain herself to Ozzie for "just talking" with the other tribe about voting him off last week reminded me of a scene from the Godfather.

Cue Italian dinner music.
Ami: "I swear, Ozzfather, I would never do anything to betray you!"
Ozzfather: "This...game...is a matter of trust...You were a part of my family."
Ami: "Ozzfather, no! I would never leave you! I would be loyal all throughout the merge!"
Ozzfather looks away and nods. A grim-faced Amanda and Cirie lead her away, into the night.
Ami: "Amanda...you were like a sister to me...Could you do me a favor and look away for a moment? You'll never see me again."
Amanda frowns and shakes: "Sorry, Ami."

Ozzie seemed to pause for several moments before starting to write his choice down. Curious as the vote was effectively unanimous.

After being voted off, a teary Ami turned to Erik and says "you're gonna have so much fun!" She then ran off into the night. I don't think I've ever seen anyone run down the path after getting voted off before. We might need to come up with a top ten list of most interesting exits.

Next week: Eliza tries to convince Jason that he doesn't, in fact, have the idol (dang it). See you next week on...Survivorfest!