by Gina Scarpa

 

Russell arrives at Redemption Island tonight on Survivor, expecting to see Francesca but encounters Matt instead. The lie by Zapatera doesn't shake Russell's confidence but then again, does anything?

 

At Zapatera, the alliance of six is delighted as hell when Ralph reveals that he found the hidden immunity idol. Stephanie and Krista are just sitting ducks. Quack, quack. Tree mail arrives, giving tribes the choice to send any two they want to watch the duel. They choose Sarita and Ralph while Phillip volunteers himself and Kristina at Ometepe.

 

The duel at Redemption Island tonight is a bit better than last week's. Russell and Matt have to set up blocks on a multi-level platform, while avoiding a series of trip wires that could cause everything to fall over. The blocks stack up like dominoes and the first to send them all down will live to see another duel. Matt goes first and misses, then Russell goes and is short as well. Matt gets one more chance and this time, his set up is perfect - he sends Russell home!

 

Shockingly, Russell breaks down and cries. Love him or late him (and I love him), few play this game as passionately as he does. After he pulls himself together, he gives Phillip and Kristina some valuable information about the inner workings of Zapatera to perhaps help them take out the tribe members that betrayed him.

 

Over at Ometepe, Rob makes up a fabulous lie about being constipated in order to get away from everyone and search for the idol. It pays off because he finally finds it, sitting high up in a tree. He's in it to win it!

 

Tonight's immunity/reward challenge is just one giant product placement for Craftsman tools and Sears. Basically, they have to use a bunch of tools to make their way through a series of obstacles and release a bunch of other tools. Zapatera gets off to a lead and never looks back - they grab a much needed win after losing the last challenge.

 

Once they get back to camp, Phillip tries to rally the troops and have a little meeting but is ignored by everyone. There's not a person

who wants to listen to him talk and it seems like he's the obvious target, heading into tribal council.  However, Kristina starts running her mouth about somebody having the idol and Rob is ready to send her packing.  

 

At tribal, Rob calls Kristina out for being on the outs with her tribe.  Kristina immediately tries to deflect attention on her and outright say that everyone should send Phillip packing.  When the votes are read, Rob's plan of having his alliance throw three votes at Kristina and two votes at Phillip goes exactly as planned.  Once again, he controls everybody in a way that benefits him best - god, he's good! 

 

 

Survivor: Redemption Island airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on CBS.

 

(Image courtesy of CBS)

 

 

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