by Gina Scarpa

Now that Phillip has been blindsided right out of the game of Survivor, it will be interesting to see what will become of Stealth R Us. No one seems too keen on jumping ship to join with Malcolm, Eddie, and Reynold but those guys would be stupid to go to the end with each other. They'll need to reel in a player or two that they feel they have a better shot at beating in the end instead or risking a very split jury.

It's time for one of my favorite parts of the season (with the other being reunited with loved ones), the Survivor auction! Everyone starts with $500 and bids on various items, some covered, some out in the open. Of course, there's at least one advantage that will be up for grabs too so Malcolm promises not to spend any of his money... then immediately spends $20 on beer and peanuts. As if you're not dehydrated enough, buddy! Salt and beer is a terrible idea. Reynold gets a slice of pizza, Sherri buys the whole thing for $500, Brenda ends up bidding on pig brains and tries to stomach it, and Andrea wins pasta and wine but gives it up for rice and beans for the tribe. Letters from home go for $20 but by that time, Sherri, Dawn, and Malcolm had already spend their money. Cochran gets an advantage in the immunity challenge, while Malcolm gets a clue towards another idol. As the auction comes to a close, some spent their money well while others just got a bit too impulsive. At least everyone got to share a gigantic bowl of peanut butter before they headed back to camp.

It turns out that Malcolm's clue is a blessing and a curse. He knows where to find the idol but Andrea refuses to leave him alone so that he can dig for it. The two have a bit of a standoff in the woods, with Malcolm finally giving up and heading back to the beach idol-less. In the challenge, players held 1/3 of the body weight they came into the game with and after 5 minute increments, move their hands down a series of knots on the rope they're holding. Cochran is able to move up two knots which ends up paying off because Reynold and Eddie are the last to drop, while he hangs on long enough to win his second individual immunity. Between his strategic sense and his newfound ability to win challenges, he is becoming more and more dangerous with each passing episode - and I love it!

Malcolm's only play is the good o' "make them think I have the idol" trick. The Three Amigos try to bring in Sherri and Erik, with one seeming on board more than the other. Sherri feels if you can't beat them, you join them, and who in the heck ever knows what Erik is thinking? He's playing both sides, if you want to call it playing. On the one hand, he is playing pretty smart, never getting caught up in alliances but on the other, how is going to make a case for the million (if he makes it there) that will win a jury over?

At tribal, the votes are split, just as the amigos planned, but Sherri and Erik didn't flip. With a tie between Malcolm, Reynold, and Andrea, only Eddie can vote to save one of his friends which is totally irrelevant. Malcolm is voted off and heads down the path towards Ponderosa, ready for a drink after playing two seasons back to back.

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

(Image courtesy of CBS)