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And Russell is correct here. If Russell gave up, then by the same logic Angie also gave up. If Russell’s decision to not continue with the challenge was “strategic,” then so was Angie’s. There’s no Russell gave up, while Angie didn’t. The only difference between the two is that Russell wasted a lot more time on the challenge than Angie did.

Russell goes on, claiming that Angie could not hold a candle to what Russell can offer Matsing – “life experience, intellectual capability, physical capability”. Angie says that she may be only 20-years-old, but she can still fight more than Russell. And she’s about to learn just how wrong she is. Russell is dismissive, going on about how he “was willing to die for this game. Are you willing to die, little girl?” “Yes,” Angie says meekly. Immediately, Russell hits back that Angie had no strength to pull the ring off in the challenge and that this “revisionist history” might work on Probst - points for Russell for implying that Probst is a gullible fool - but “when you came back, you were done, you had given up.” Angie starts to cry, saying that “I feel this small right now” while making the appropriate gesture, and “it is hard to compete with Russell. Brownies!” I guess Russell had a bit more fight in him than Angie expected.

Malcolm backs her up by pointing out that the little girls on the other tribes have not been tested like Angie has, as they have had the option to sit out their challenges due to Matsing’s constant losing. “She’s in a tougher situation than any other young girl in this game right now.” This is obviously said to make Angie feel better, because you only have to compare Angie’s performance at the challenge to Dana and RC to realize it’s not true. Not to mention Denise, who isn’t a “young girl”, but Survivor challenges aren’t exactly kind to older women either. Jeff changes the topic from strength to loyalty. Denise says that you need loyalty come a merge, and Malcolm agrees that loyalty is “paramount, but you also have to get to the point where you can win the game.” And it’s time to vote.

Russell votes for Angie. He apologizes for making her cry, but he has to play hard or go home. I feel bad for Angie, but when you call someone out for quitting and declare that you would fight harder than them, you can’t complain when they come back and slap you down. Angie votes for Russell, saying “I never give up” and writing a moral victory in her mind.

When Probst “tallies” the votes, it’s Angie, Russell, Angie with a peace sign and Angie. The tribe has spoken. “Good luck, guys, kick some ass,” she says with a beauty queen wave. Probst’s final words are, “hopefully what remains is the right combination of people to turn this tribe around.” And if it isn’t, they’ll just have to dump Russell.

I think Denise and Malcolm made the right choice. Certainly Denise did, as Angie doesn’t have any loyalty to her. For all her talk of being a fighter and not giving up, Angie didn’t show much fight at all when challenged about it. It’s like she thinks people will believe whatever she says, no matter how dim, and that should sail her through the votes. While Russell may be a millstone, with his horrible leadership and mediocre challenger performance, he can at least contribute physically in challenges. Just don’t give him any power to make decisions.

Next week on Survivor, Jonathan and Jeff Kent solidify their alliance, so there goes any chance we had of getting to know any other Kalabaws. I didn’t see how many fingers were used in the handshake, though. The fate of Matsing comes down to “one defining moment” that is implied to be at the immunity challenge. And presumably at Tandang, Michael bleeds some more.

In her interview, Angie says that it sucks to be voted out this early, but she urges Matsing to go strong and that she is their biggest cheerleader. And Angie appreciates life so much more now. And “marshmallows!”

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