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What about favors, specifically the one that Malcolm gave Michael’s son? Michael says that Malcolm has favors for life, but when asked Lisa say there are no “million dollar favors”. For her, tonight’s vote will be about getting out the biggest threat.

Probst lists the ways he thinks that Malcolm is awesome, so it’s more damage control for poor Malcolm. So Malcolm throws Denise under the bus with his own list – she has been to every Tribal Council, she does not have dirty hands, has never flipped, she’s the only Kalabaw, etc. Michael says that Malcolm makes a strong case and yeah, Denise should probably be scribbling down notes. Probst then asks Lisa what reason there is for her to take Malcolm. Crickets. “Don’t hesitate that long,” protests Malcolm. “There’s not a reason for me to take him to the end,” is what Lisa says. Probst wows. How does that feel Malcolm? It’s upsetting because he’s looked people in the eye and shook hands, blah blah blah.

Probst declares that the only person who feels safe tonight is Michael, but I think Lisa feels pretty safe. It’s time to vote. Denise votes for Malcolm “Sunshine," and talks about how he “didn’t give me a commitment, so I outwit you”. Malcolm votes for Denise. “Sounds like it’s me and you tonight. F---.” Probst goes to “tally” the votes.

And it’s Malcolm, Denise, Malcolm, a resigned sigh from Malcolm and Malcolm is the eighth member of the jury. "Congratulations, Denise,” he grumbles – making exactly the same departing gesture he was complaining about in the beginning of the episode. I wonder how much damage control we’ll see Denise do? “Time for you to go,” says Probst before snuffing Malcolm’s torch. And it’s “one more unhappy jury member” Denise, Michael and Lisa will have to sway tomorrow.

Anyway, Malcolm laments his demise as being down to “pushing too hard” and driving them to play the game that they eventually saw him as a threat, and he’s annoyed that he’s not there at the end. “Painful, for a lifelong fan." Too bad, Malcolm. But Malcolm only has himself to blame. If he had agreed, or even just pretended to agree with Denise, she wouldn't have fought so hard to stay in the game. Tonight was an "either you or me" vote, but it didn't have to be.

Come back soon for the second half of the recap, where the identity of the mysterious Sole Survivor will be revealed.

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