Survivor: Samoa

Two Brains Are Better Than One

By Kim Hollis and David Mumpower

December 17, 2009

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Evil Russell is weighing his options. There are three reasons to keep Shambo: 1) She will never write his name down. 2) She sucks at immunity challenges. 3) She is not going to get any votes from the jury. There is one reason to keep Mick: to keep a solid contingent of athletes together to make sure that Brett doesn't win any more Immunity Challenges. Does Shambo's usefulness outweigh the need to get rid of the one guy who can win a vote over any of them? I think it depends on secret reason #2 to keep Mick instead of Shambo: Mick is male. Will Russ's misogyny take control? We're actually with Jaison here - you have to optimize your chances to beat Brett. Shambo is the correct play. Let's see how it all plays out.

We know there's no blind side of Russell in the offing, because tonight is his last night to play the hidden immunity idol. This means that the only options are Jaison, Natalie, Mick and ELR. Probst explores these options at Tribal Council. Brett is alluded to as a huge threat, and Russell notes that at this point in the game, you have to vote out people that you like. This causes Mick some consternation, but in theory, the comment could apply equally to the doctor or to Shambo.

And...in fact, the choice is Shambo. She gives Brett a big hug before she leaves, which has to be worrisome to Foa Foa. We know that ELR, Jaison and Mick will be doing their damndest to make sure Brett doesn't win another challenge. We're down to one final episode. Will Evil Russell prove us to have misjudged him all along? Will Natalie sneak a win? Will Mick pull the upset? Will Jaison organize some sort of surprise uprising against Evil Loser Russell? Join us late Sunday as we find out the answer to those questions and also the intriguing result of the fan favorite vote. It's not like a lot of the contestants this season have been hugely endearing. Is this a case where Evil Loser Russell has had so much screen time that he could take such a vote? We'll see.

On a final note, we'd like to point out that no SHOCKING! BETRAYALS! happened tonight. This vote went exactly as it should have given that Brett won immunity. CBS is getting a little fast and loose with their promo descriptions.

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