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Previously on Survivor, they used to take breaks during Thanksgiving week. We miss those days.

Also, we learned last week that Missy is not a person of her word, while Natalie lost her primary ally. Those of you who read Ben Willoughby’s power rankings – and you ought to be if you’re not, because they’re hilarious – know that he sees Missy as an out-in-the-open snake. He believes that her use of this strategy can lead to long-term success. He goes even further to suggest that people should vote her out immediately or risk winning Survivor. That is one way to look at Missy’s position.

A slightly different point of view, the one that we hold, is that Missy has the same chance of winning as you, the reader. She’s dumb, she’s annoying, she’s enabling and she’s treacherous. The only way she would have a chance of winning anything is if she were a character on Orange is the New Black. And we still like her chances better than Baylor’s.

With Jeremy and Josh eliminated during consecutive Tribal Councils, the best remaining player argument is a lot like picking your favorite Washington General. We’re clinging to the hope that Jaclyn is smart and that Keith is running a con based on the expected stereotypes about him. If we’re wrong, this is the type of season that leads to someone like Coach, Brian or Vecepia winning Survivor. That would be the karmic result for a season that cast John Rocker and the Amazing Race twins, though.

Night 24 at Huyopa begins with Keith expressing confusion about what just transpired. He had been told that the vote was for Reed, and so he voted for Reed. He then discusses his close alliance with… Reed. In Keith’s words, Reed is a gamer because “He knows how to talk to folks and figure stuff out, mathematic numbers and all that mess, which is way above me.” Okay, Keith is probably not playing the long con we were hoping for. If he is, he’s Keyser Soze.

Coincidentally or not, the editing goes a long way in defining the political groups on the 24th evening. Keith, Reed, Alec and Wes stand together and confer about how to pull another player into their group. Meanwhile, a quartet of Jon, Jaclyn, Missy and Baylor tries to convince Natalie that the horrible breach of trust that occurred only hours before is a net positive for her.

Jon reveals that he has an idol, which causes Natalie to say something that is mirrored by the four gentlemen standing a few yards away. These five people want Jon eliminated for various reasons. So, the one thing we can say with confidence is that Jon is safe from elimination tonight.

We waste no more time and head straight to the Reward Challenge. Once again, there will be two teams competing against each other. This time, they’ll dive into the water and collect puzzle pieces that will help them to build a statue. Winners will be able to deliver some baseball equipment to underprivileged Nicaraguan kids, and will also feast on baseball type foods.

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