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Artis is wrecking for Tandang, and he knocks out one pot immediately, and then knocks out two on the next swing. Malcolm also gets in a swing that knocks out two pots and Kalabaw is looking like they are in trouble. But then professional baseballer Jeff Kent is wrecking for Kalabaw, and he gets two on his first swing and it looks like two left for Matsing, four for Kalabaw as Artis smashes Tandang’s last pot. Tandang wins immunity and first place reward!

Kalabaw smashes two more pots and then another, while Malcolm smashes the second-last pot for Matsing and we are tied with one pot left. Matsing misses! Kalabaw misses! Matsing misses again! Kalabaw gets a nick that jostles the pot in its stand... and then the pot is smashed when the wrecking ball swings back. Kalabaw wins immunity! And Matsing loses for the fourth straight time.

Matsing isn’t the only thing losing it for the fourth straight time. Russell grabs Matsing’s remaining pot and smashes it to the ground. The other tribes take a break from celebrating to look at him. “Same old crap,” he yells. “Lord, I do not know what happened. You gave me another opportunity. I don’t get what’s happening, Father. I just can’t take this.” I think at this stage, God has broken the clue stick over Russell’s head and stormed off.

Probst asks Russell who he is talking to. “I’m talking to God, Lor- I mean Jeff.” says Russell. Hey Russell, don’t give Probst any ideas.

Russell explains his worldview, which is that he is “a guy who was formed by God’s hands, a perfect creature” and that “everything he is supposed to do is supposed to be excellent.” Doesn’t Russell have abundant evidence that this is not the case?

Anyway, Tandang collects their reward, and Kalabaw tradea their meager prize for a tarp. “Really?” Probst mocks, as though they have been staying in the same luxury resort he’s been in. Probst must have missed the endless rain because of a limbo contest or something. And Matsing is off to tribal council again. Cue the dejected slow-motion walk.

Matsing’s walk of shame continues after the commercial break, and Malcolm interviews that he did not cry when his dog died, but he was ready to cry after losing the challenge. While they are all down at the beach washing off the caked mud and stench of defeat, Malcolm gets a word in with Russell. “Vote Denise out, that’s it. Gotta keep the two athletes.”

Back in interview, Malcolm again talks about his frustration at it being Day 9 and he’s having to make decisions that he wasn’t planning to make until Day 20 or so. I love his low expectations that he wouldn’t have to consider stabbing his closest ally in the back until at least halfway through the game.

At camp, Malcolm reassures Denise that Russell is going home and that Russell thinks that it is her, but it’s really not. They discuss Russell maybe having the idol and agree to keep him comfortable.

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