By: Mary Cavaliere

It took me a few minutes to figure out why the remaining eight would call their new tribe NOBAG but then I got it – it’s GABON spelled backwards.  OK so let’s give them a “C” for clever!

The first challenge was a typical Survivor auction where each member received $500 to spend, sometimes on something they could see and sometimes on something they could not see.  Randy made the first purchase of peanuts and beer.  Kenny spent $320 for something unknown that was the choice to send someone to Exile Island (he chose Bob).  Sugar bought chocolate and peanut butter (again it was unknown until Jeff uncovered it so it was a pleasant surprise).  Susie bought a bath but oddly enough didn’t stay in the tub for the entire auction.  Matty bought the burger and fries and Randy bought Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, and Wine.  Corinne bought an unknown bottle with a clue in it for the immunity challenge.  Randy spent his last $20 on cookies for the tribe and it was hilarious when no matter how hard he tried to get Sugar to take one she wouldn’t because she loathes Randy and he once again showed his true “troll” colors acting like a complete ass throughout the game.  That moment alone was enough for me to root for Sugar to win this game, but as the show progressed it got even better.

I felt bad for Bob who was sent to Exile Island again but I was happy that he chose to enjoy the sites of Africa instead of looking for an idol that is no longer there.  When he returned he willingly shared with Sugar that he had a fake idol and that’s when the fun began.

Randy went on one of his typical little rampages about how he was treated like a dog by everyone.  Well Randy, maybe that’s because you ACT like a dog!   So this genius comes up with a plan to make everyone hate him (like that wasn’t already the case) so everyone would vote for him at tribal council and then they (him or Corinne) would convince Bob to let him play the immunity idol (not knowing it was fake of course).  I was completely captivated the rest of show and waited with baited breath for it all to unfold.

The immunity challenge was a race across balance beams with bags of puzzle pieces.  Several rounds were played and the final round consisted of arranging the puzzle pieces in a way that the end product would fall like dominos and the last one would raise the tribe flag for the winner.  The complication was that they had to avoid trip wires that could tip the blocks over forcing them to start all over again.  Corinne’s bottle contained a pass to the final round which consisted of only three people (Corinne, Kenny, and Matty).  Kenny won immunity and we were off and running with the “get Randy” plan that Sugar orchestrated.  Getting Bob to agree to give Randy the immunity idol was pulled off and we were good to go!

This was truly the BEST tribal council and BEST blind-sided elimination I have EVER seen on 17 seasons of Survivor, including last season’s blind-side with Ozzie!   I was laughing so hard when Crystal’s presentation of her vote to eliminate Randy was stated out loud so everyone there could hear what she had to say as well as the camera man and the viewing audience.  For the first time in 17 seasons I was cheering my butt off when Randy was voted out.  Corinne and Kenny………..you’re next!!!  Sugar – you GO girl – I hope you win the million!!!

You can read more of Mary’s television blogs at www.myspace.com/italiangirl57
 
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