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As they get back to camp, and everyone compliments Ashley. Devon says that he had a feeling she would win anyway, so at least he got a massage out of it. Ashley tells us it might be time to make a move. She'll look good having the necklace again, but she really doesn't have a move of her own. So she takes it to Lauren and Devon. Devon is a little nervous about it and thinks Chrissy is more of a threat to win immunity. They're getting water now and Devon again says he thinks Chrissy should go first, but he agrees about Ben. Meanwhile, right around the corner, Ben is standing there listening. He doesn't really hear what they're saying, but he thinks he hears his name. When he steps up, things get a little awkward. They say that Chrissy should be the vote tonight, but Ben is feeling really uneasy now.

Ben goes off with Mike and they talk about getting paranoid. Devon and Ashley are too close, he says and Lauren is right in there with them. He tells Mike about Lauren's new idol. That idol along with the extra vote makes Lauren way to powerful in the game. Mike tells us that once again, something has come up that could save him in the game. Ben takes this plan to Ryan. He asks him what he thinks and Ryan is a bit lackluster in his acceptance of the deal. Ryan tells us that the problem is that Chrissy hates Ben and won't work with him. Next up we see Chrissy talking to Devon telling him she doesn't want to go home. Proving once again to be the least stealthy player in Survivor history, Ben walks up as she's talking to Devon. He tries to start a conversation with her and she just barks at him. Ben somehow gets her to go for a walk with him. He tries to apologize to her but she really isn't having any of it. He finally tells her to vote however she wants to but Lauren has an extra vote and an idol and it might be time to take her out. If this happens, then they, along with Ryan and Mike will be in control of the game. Chrissy like the idea, but she's worried that Ben is just lying to her again. Mike tries to talk her down a bit but it's not working. She won't commit to taking out Lauren. And when that happens, Mike tells us it's time for plan B. And he is absolutely right. The person that hedges gets voted out. You have a small window of time to make a decision or the group moves on without you. Chrissy's window may have just closed.

Mike gets Devon and Ashley and lets them know what Ben's been doing and how he's targeting Lauren. Devon goes back to Lauren to let her know that Ben has told them everything and that he's making a move against her. Lauren decides that the extra vote will probably have to come into play tonight, but she'd like to get some more numbers on her side. So she gives the seashell part of her idol to Mike to gain his trust. He tells us that this falls into one of those stupidest moves in Survivor history. The question is whether the Survivor Gods will make her pay for it or not.

We come back from break as everyone arrives at Tribal. Jeff brings in the jury and we're ready to go. Jeff starts with the immunity challenge. He tells everyone what happened with the challenge. Devon says he was just sending a message to his alliance and he would have done the same thing if it was Lauren. Ben is a little surprised not to hear his name. Ashley says that the pressure of the game might be getting to some people. She suggests that some people, who were really safe, might not be anymore. Jeff gets Ashley to say she's talking about Ben. He says something about getting to play the game. Lauren jump in and asks what part of the game was telling everyone about her idol. He says it was part of his game. She basically dares him to come after her. Chrissy decides to shed light on things talking about her advantage. Lauren says she left the advantage back at camp and she can't use it if she doesn't have it with her. Chrissy suggests that they could vote 4-3 against her. Lauren says, "Do whatever you feel you need to do." I have NO idea what game she's playing right now, but if she really doesn't have the advantage and gave half the idol to Mike - she is completely naked tonight. You know Devon and Ashley are with her. This will all hinge on Dr. Mike now. Lauren also calls out Ben's fake idol that he wanted Chrissy to find. He says he never hid it because it would have seemed personal. He puts it around his neck. Mike then shows everyone his half of the new idol and then says, "I've been wanting to do this for 15 years" and he throws it in the fire. Lauren is crushed. Jeff calls him out on tempting the Survivor Gods by throwing an idol in the fire. Devon says that Lauren with an extra vote isn't as dangerous as Ben running around telling everybody everything. As this is going on Ryan and Mike discuss keeping the vote for Lauren. Much chatter goes back and forth and we lose what Ryan and Mike are saying. Whatever it is, they finally come to an agreement. Lauren also offers up her vote to someone else. And with this, Devon gets up and goes to Mike and says, let's just get Ben out of here, he's screwing up everything. Chrissy tells Ryan she's still good for Lauren. Devon tells Mike that they don't need Ryan and Chrissy's vote. Mike whispers to Chrissy to get rid of Ben and she refuses. She wants to turn the tables on the whole night and vote Lauren. I don't think Mike's on board. At this point, what I know for sure is that Lauren, Devon and Ashley will vote for Ben. Chrissy, Ryan and Ben are voting for Lauren. Dr. Mike's vote is the only one up in the air, I think. We'll find out shortly because it is...time to vote.

They show us none of the votes and play us none of the comments. We're totally blind on this one. Jeff asks for anyone to play an idol and after a large pause, Ben steps up to play his idol for himself. Jeff reads the votes and it seems that everyone got on board the vote out Ben train. The first 6 votes were all for Ben and they do not count. Ben's vote is the only one that matters and Lauren becomes the 12th person voted out and the 5th member of the jury. Because you know he'd have to say something, over in the jury box, Joe says something about that's what happens when you keep Ben around. And all I can say is, "Wow." That just went insane. And it proves what I (and others like me) have said for years with this game. Stop telling people about your advantages and idols. The only reason Ben is in this game is because NO ONE knew about his idol. No one. And now, he's part of the majority alliance. The most likely player to win is out of the game. Devon and Ashley, while challenge threats, have been neutralized for the most part. And there's a perfect path to the final 4 for Ben, Mike, Chrissy and Ryan. There are no more idols or advantages in the game, just a straight game of Survivor ahead for the final 6. Unless they replace Ben's idol, of course.

Next time on Survivor: Ben's big play has everyone talking about getting him out. Mike is scared of him. Chrissy wants to send home Ashley and Devon talks about how the game is never as simple as you want it to be. I think it's quite clear that despite everyone saying for weeks now that he's the biggest threat in the game - the new power alliance has no plans to do anything about it. Ashley and Devon are dead players walking right now, unless they can win immunity. I can't help but think that this season is going to end with Ben getting a million dollars and everyone else trying to figure out why in the hell they didn't do something about it. Either way, we only have 2 episodes left kids. Next week gets us to the final 5 and then the finale will air on Wednesday, December 20th. Looks like it could be good - so make sure you come back and hang out with me. Til then, take care everyone!

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