Survivor 19.13

BY GARY SHERWOOD

For the first time since the merge, we had no blindsides. Dave and Monica were the two most visible remaining Galus (the campfire has gotten more facetime than Brett) so their respective exits were not a surprise.

What was a surprise was how much of an Olympic class sh*t disturber Monica turned out to be. Previously, her entire game seemed based on competitive sunbathing and aggressive hip-swaying. But when she knew her turn was coming – Dave was already voted out and Brett won Immunity – the law student went out guns a-blazin’. She tells Russell flat-out he’s not getting her vote as she knows he’s already a millionaire. And rather than playing it cool, Russell hurls accusations at Natalie before learning Jaison was the source of that information. Much as I’ve come to love Russell and revere him as my spiritual savior, I can’t figure out the practical reason why he told Mick about his real net worth. However, I think I know the psychological reason: Russell feeds on risk. From the beginning, he’s tempted the wrath of his tribemates. Remember him getting up on the first night to dump his tribe’s water and burn one of Jaison’s socks? Or post-merge letting the chickens out? Or wearing his Immunity Necklace right in front of Dave? As the recap episode showed, he spilled the beans to all of Foa Foa at the height of the rain storm when he said he didn’t need to be here. To his credit (pretty much the only thing to his credit), Mick pressed Russell and the truth came out. Mick told Jaison, Jaison leaked it to Brett and Monica and by now the jury has to know. And that may be the one thing that trips Russell up if he makes it to the end because Monica said she’s not giving $1 million to someone who doesn’t need it, and it’s likely other jurors will feel the same.

For the sake of suspense, we see Jaison and Mick once more consider voting out Russell, and the big man is so unnerved by Monica that he snaps at his closest ally, the blameless Natalie. However, the Foa Foa foursome hold together, perhaps for the last time. It’s pretty certain Mick and Russell are about to part ways. With six castaways left and only two eps to go, next week will probably be another double elimination. That’s assuming we’re going into the finale with the Final Four. Then again, we may go to the finale with five, and it’ll be the Final Three before the jury. Of the remaining castaways, I’d like to see it come down to a three-way shootout between Jaison, Natalie and Russell.

In the Penthouse

Monica – She’s been nothing but scenery the previous dozen episodes, but she brought what little drama this week’s ep had. Wish she was like this from the start. Probst may have been overdoing it when he said, “The pupil has become the master” (her pert young ass was still voted out) but she did unnerve Russell like no one else.

In the Doghouse

Russell – Dude, you were so close to winning this thing in a walk, now you’ve blown your cool with Natalie and the jury is gonna know your secret once Monica gives them the lowdown.

Next week sees Jaison and Russell agree to take each other to the end, but Mick and Natalie could outflank them in a deal with Brett and Shambo.

‘Til then!