Survivor Returns to Its Roots by Focusing on Samoa Survival

Survivor Samoa was a bit different tonight. Focusing more on survival and less on game play, the show has taken a step back but in a good way. It all began with the rain, the same drenching rain that ruined the Survivor last time we saw them. Foa Foa was down about going to yet another Tribal Council and also about the rain. Russell loved it though, since he's crazy, and called his tribe basically a bunch of babies. I don't doubt that's true but considering they have a crazy man on their tribe who knows what to believe. Over at Galu things were similar, due to the rain, but Russell was still trudging along. Nobody really talked game. The entire first half of the show was about them surviving the rain and their struggle to stay warm and dry. They were were regretting not taking that tarp a few weeks ago as both Eric and Shambo built their own little "dry" huts. Russell, like I said, kept on going. He tried to get the fire going and kept chopping away, only resting for a few minutes to get warm. Brett, whoever he is, told us about the situation and saw it as a negative. I'd have to agree, if it's raining their is no reason to even try to start the fire. One thing that brought Survivor back to it's great form were the shots of nature. We saw a good two or three minutes of fish and ocean life. It was amazing to see the shots they got under the water, it looked so peaceful but as they pulled up you could tell it was still raining and horrible out. Luckily, thanks to Erik's praying!, the sun returned and brought out one amazing rainbow. It's things like that that MAKE me want to keep coming back to Survivor time and time again. It's a show that focuses not only on the people on the show but the location and nature as well. It's been missing a few of those elements for awhile now and it is very refreshing to see it return. Since the last episode CBS has been promoting this challenge. Not the challenge itself but the outcome. Jeff dropped a big bomb on everyone when he pulled out a double Tribal Council. Foa Foa was not happy but pizza made them at least try. It looked like a fun one with one tribe member in a giant ball as two others, blindfolded of course, pushed them down a course. At the end the other blindfolded tribe members would then move a ball through a maze, while taking instructions from the person in the ball. Foa Foa was out to a strong lead most of the challenge and were well on their way to a win, when it happened. Russell, who looked limp most of the challenge, passed out and fell onto the maze. Jeff jumped into action immediately, he sure did earn his Emmy, and ended the challenge. Medical quickly laid Russell down and there he was obviously blacking out. Jeff then made a decision, which I'm not sure if I believe, where both tribes would not get reward and both would go to Tribal Council. As they left Russell blacked out yet again as he tried to stand up. It was even worst then before and it was obvious he wouldn't be coming back. That put Russell out of the game, Galu down one more member and the game in limbo. Galu was obviously upset about the situation and nobody really wanted to talk game since well, they didn't know if Russell was coming back. Once the initial shock wore off though the game went on and the girls obviously wanted Shambo out. She knew that was the case but the guys had a different plan. Led by John, the guys wanted to get Monica out since she's weak and Shambo is basically their work horse now that Russell is out. The guys agreed and played games with Shambo about who to vote. She finally realized who would be leaving and agreed to vote out her now enemy Monica. Over at Foa Foa things were bitter sweet as they almost won, Russell was out of the game yet they still had to vote someone out. Both Natalie and Liz knew they would be voting for each other. It was then up to the guys on which lady would be leaving and it wasn't really clear who would go. Russell wanted Liz to go, for obvious reasons, while Mick/Jaison weren't really clear on who they would vote for. It seemed they would vote for Natalie, but we still have no idea. In a first ever for Survivor, both tribes sat at Tribal Council together and had a long discussion for Jeff. There they learned that Russell wouldn't return and that led to some heated debate between the tribes. Foa Foa spoke as if they won the challenge, which Erik didn't like. He and Mick went back and forth several times about which tribe was better, but we'll have to wait to find out. In the end Jeff's decision was axed as the tribes were sent back to camp without voting anyone out. It's kind of strange they did that, I wish they would have merged them but I don't control the game. Next week we may see the challenge yet again, I hope we kinda do since it was a good one!