Tonight’s episode of Survivor: Micronesia really gave us an idea of how the game can take a toll on competitors physically.  It also shone a light on the survivors’ true characters.  How badly did they want to win the million dollars?  What were their breaking points?  How fairly did they like to see their fellow challengers treated?

Although most of the Malakal tribal members were happy with Joel’s elimination, Erik was left stunned by the events at Tribal Council.  He finally realized that the Favorites were not ones to be trusted and knew that it was important to make a move soon.  Even though she was integral in the firefighter’s dismissal, Tracy was still bothered by her status in the game.  Keeping Chet around really didn’t help with the numbers; the Fans were still down 3 to 4.

At the Airai camp, Eliza and Jonathan were feeling a bit more upbeat.  Despite his recent injury, the writer from New York thought that his leg was improving.  Meanwhile, Eliza was already trying to figure out how to use the recent switchup to their advantage.  If they could get the Fans to trust them, she and Jonathan might possibly have a chance of sending Parvati and James home.

Later at the Reward Challenge, the teams were presented with a swimming/construction event.  After retrieving several bundles of planks, sticks and rope from the water, the tribes then had 10 minutes to build a ‘blockade’ in their opponents’ tunnel.  Once the time had expired, they then had to deconstruct their own blockade and tunnel their way to victory.

The first leg of the challenge was fairly even.  Both teams brought back their bundles at about the same time.  Unfortunately, the building phase of the competition was what set the teams apart.  Even though it appeared that Ozzy and crew were going to escape through their tunnel quickly, they got held up somewhere in the middle.  Luckily for Airai, the blockade Malakal put together for them had huge gaping holes; holes big enough for people to slide through.

For their win, Airai got the opportunity to have two native Micronesians come visit them at camp.  The two guests would teach them how to effectively live off the island.  The orange team also got to send someone from Malakal to Exile Island (they chose Chet).  Jason, the gymnastics instructor, opted to go with him this week.

Before they could head back to celebrate, Jeff Probst tells Jonathan that the medics would once again like to attend to his wound.  (He was visibly stumbling through the challenge.)  After another examination, it was suggested that he be taken off the island and transported to the hospital.  Infection had already entered the cut and they were concerned that it could spread to the lymph nodes.  Although he didn’t want to leave the game (“I had this game, too.  I saw the daylight.”), the tearful competitor realized that his life was more important than stupid bragging rights.  Jonathan was so emotional; it was almost weird to see him surprisingly vulnerable.  Of course, Eliza was also crying – but for her own reasons.  Now she was forced to come up with a new strategy for herself.

Back at Malakal, the Favorites contingent griped about their weaker partners.  About the only thing Chet managed to do during the whole event was hold rope for his teammates.  Meanwhile, Tracy – a woman who supposedly builds things for a living – was of no use to them as well.  Ami, who was patiently listening as her supposed alliance bitched and moaned, started to feel bad for the minority group in her tribe.  Why would Cirie say she didn’t “feel like teaching them how to play the game”?  Weren’t they all in this same position once before?  Since she was never part of their clique to begin with, the 34-year-old later decided to break from her pact and make a deal with Tracy and her clan.  They both decided that Cirie would be the next to go; she was clearly not one to be trusted.

Out at Exile Island, it was clear the two inhabitants had completely different agendas.  Chet – who apparently injured his foot on some coral earlier – chose to spend the day lounging in the sun.  (He was convinced Ozzy already had the hidden idol anyway.)  Meanwhile, Jason made use of his time and looked for the buried treasure.  After following the instructions, the 22-year-old eventually located the spot where the idol was once placed.  Sadly, the naïve teacher didn’t realize that the piece of stick he uncovered was not the real trinket after all.  (Uhh, doesn’t he think the Survivor production crew would have spent a little more money on the object?  He was holding a stick!  A stick with a small face carved into it!)

The next day, all players reunited for the next Immunity Challenge.  When asked by Jeff how their banishment went, Jason actually made a very smart move (probably the last one he will make from this point forward).  He told everyone that he believed Ozzy was already in possession of the Idol.  (Of course, the Cook Islands vet tried to play it all off.)

For the next tribal immunity, the teams first had to transport two members between two different structures in the water.  The competitors in the water had to hold up long poles with tiny platforms to move their players over.  The object was to alternate the two poles they had so that they could ‘walk’ to the other landing.  Instead of going with the instructions Jeff gave them, the Airai tribe devised their own plan.  They opted to carry their light teammates on one pole all away across.  This strategic decision saved them a lot of time and gave them a clear advantage over their opponents.  (Surprisingly, Ozzy didn’t come up with that idea himself.)  In the end – after all the tribe members had climbed to the top of a tower – Airai came away with another victory.

The Malakal members returned home and spent some time talking about Jonathan’s early exit.  This presented the perfect opportunity for Chet to talk about his own tale of woe.  He said that his swollen foot was hurting badly; he was really hoping his teammates would send him home that night so that he could receive care.  Although Ozzy feigned concern, he was relieved to hear that request.  Now they could finally get rid of the guy who’d been dragging them down all along.  Unfortunately Chet’s plea came at an inconvenient time for his former alliance.  Tracy, Erik and Ami were so close to getting rid of Cirie.  Couldn’t he just hold out a little longer?

Then Erik came up with a new plan.  If they could convince Chet to stay, he thought they should focus on axing Ozzy instead.  If the guy really did have the hidden Immunity Idol, this would be the perfect time for them to strike.  Since he was preparing for the injured weakling to go home, he would never pull out the trinket in time to save himself.  “This could be one of the craziest plays ever in the history of the game!”

Hoping that Chet would suck one up for the team, the three made their plea to him.  Although he really wanted to leave, the ‘ball of goo’ told them he’d consider sticking around for his friends.

Later that evening, it really looked like the game could have its sixth interesting show ender in a row.  But all good things must come to the end, I guess.  Instead of giving us another last-minute twist, this episode concluded on a quiet (and disappointing) note.  LOSER: Chet.

(You can review last week’s episode here.)
(You can read next week’s episode here.)