by Gina Scarpa

 

The Matsing tribe has been completely decimated on Survivor: Philippines. They've lost four challenges in a row, and they're down to just Malcolm and Denise. I asked Russell last week what the tribe's problem was - physical ability or the ability to get along, and he couldn't seem to pinpoint the issue. Perhaps that was the biggest problem of all. The two remaining tribe members speculate that they'll be split up between the two bigger tribes, or Jeff will mix all of the players up. Just when it seemed to matter most, Malcolm figures out that the idol has been on top of their rice basket and claims it for himself, while Denise helplessly watches and slaps a smile on her face.

 

Before the reward challenge gets underway, they find out their fate. Jeff tells them to drop their buffs and they are indeed being split up. Malcolm pulls out a yellow buff, while Denise pulls a red one. It's funny, because all along, I've thought that Malcolm would fit in best with the Tandang tribe but it'll be interesting to see what happens to Denise at Kalabaw.

 

The tribes are playing for coffee and sweets but I'm over here thinking, "A little protein would be nice!" They're all about the sugar though, and you can't really blame them, so let the game begin! Players face off and must knock an idol from the other's hand before theirs hits the ground. Not too far in, people start figuring out that they can throw their idol in there and knock the other player's idol down in order to get their point. In a story that Survivor producers probably dream of at night, Malcolm faces off against Jeff for the winning point and FINALLY gets his first win of the season! Denise, on the other hand, remains cold, wet, and starving. I'll give it to her though, she is one resilient woman!

 

Malolm is the man of the hour over at Tandang - not only did he score the winning point, but everybody wants to be his best friend. He and Pete click immediately, and Pete wants to use him to help get rid of Skupin, even going so far as to tell him he has the idol! RC decides she needs to play the flirt card, clearly under the impression that she's the new Parvati (she's not), and tries to reel him in as well. Denise is popular over at Kalabaw as well because with the gender division going on there, both sides need a vote to gain power.

 

Unfortunately for the women of Kalabaw, their alliance takes a hit when Dana goes down for the count. She's sick to her stomach, she can't stop shaking, and she just curls up in a little ball waiting for someone to save her from the miserable conditions in the Philippines. Right on cue, Jeff shows up with the medical staff in a speedboat to examine her. She gets cleared to stay in the game for another twelve hours to see if her condition improves but she's past the point of no return and pulls herself out of the game. If I felt as bad as she looked, I probably would've done the same.

 

For the immunity challenge, teams run through a series of obstacles then sort through what seems like hundreds of puzzle pieces for ones with letters and have to spell out "Live Another Day To Play" in order to be safe from tribal council. With Tandang up one player, Abi-Maria sits out for the umpteenth time, and even Jeff looks annoyed that she's only participated in two challenges thus far. Katie gets off to a horrible start for Kalabaw and I'm surprised they didn't just drag her along! Denise, on the other hand, is a little firecracker, barreling her way through the obstacles and untying the ropes at one point at lightning speed. It's partially because of her that Kalabaw is able to catch up. Apparently, Dawson wasn't fast enough handing the puzzle pieces to Jonathan, and Lisa and Pete literally completed their puzzle a second or two before the other tribe. Tandang wins again!

 

Back at Kalabaw, Denise makes a deal with Jeff to support the men's side of the alliance, and Jonathan and Carter couldn't be happier about that. Considering how well Denise performed in the challenge, Jonathan is in no rush to get rid of her so it's coming down to Katie or Dawson. Knowing she may be in trouble, Dawson tries to stir the pot by talking smack about baseball in front of Jeff, and seems pretty proud of herself for it. It would probably just be better to point at him in front of everyone and say, "Do you know who you're playing with?! Jeff F-ing Kent!!!"

 

The men must've told Katie she'd live to see another day if she voted with them because it's Dawson who is unanimously sent packing from the tribe. Before she leaves though, she grabs Jeff and gives him a long kiss on the cheek. Well, at least there was a silver lining for her. She's been wanting to do that since day one!

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of CBS)

 

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