Redemption Island Episode 6: Uptown Girl

Krista has acquired a new friend on Redemption Island. Stephanie is looking very much alone back in Zapatera camp. Steve seemed kinda offended that the girls voted for him. "They're basically just tightening the rope around their neck" he seethes. Ashley and Natalie are having a spa day on Ometepe. Phillip complains, as expected.

Krista gives a good account of herself during the battle
of the blondes

Krista and Matt bond over the bible. They agree that whoever wins the duel, it's the will of God. The first part of the duel involves using a grappling hook to retrieve bags. With three precise tosses, Krista was able to get her bags faster than Matt. Could we be in for a shock here? Once again, Matt doesn't panic, and manages to catch up. He overtakes Krista on the ball maze and secures the win. I thought it was a little classless of Julie to celebrate Krista's elimination like that.  As she walks out, she leaves her bible with Matt. A sweet gesture, and I think Andrea was slightly jealous of Krista's bond with Matt.

Sarita has a really bad toothache. Apparently it's from cleaning her teeth with a twig too much. Julie has had enough of her. David wants to unseat Sarita in the alliance and bring in Stephanie, so talks to her and convinces her to start making inroads into the group. I bet it has more to do with his petty grudge against Sarita than keeping the team strong, but whatever.

Ashley, after Phillip orders her to go to her room

Phillip is upset with Ashley and Natalie's lack of effort around camp, so talks to them. It's a pretty lengthy argument, reminiscent of a domestic dispute, and Ashley walks away from it like a rebellious teenage daughter. Rob intervenes to try and bring team unity. He actually likes the fact that the two bimbos are useless...it means people won't vote for them at the end.

Stephanie apologizes to Steve for voting for him. He doesn't entirely buy it, but it helps her position a little. She recognizes what she needs now is to prove herself in challenges and for Sarita to fail.

Steph sucks it up and says sorry

Phillip and Steve have a little flare-up before the challenge starts. Did Steve just threaten to forearm Phillip? Anyway, Sarita sits out. Stephanie gets the starring role as the launcher that she needs. Natalie is Ometepe's launcher. Aim of the game: shoot the ball for the players to catch in the nets. Grant scores the first three points to give Ometepe a healthy lead. Mike rips off Grant's shirt in an attempt to stop him. Rob steals a point from Steve and this could be a battering. Ometepe win the challenge when Grant - who else? - catches the 5th ball.

Nothing gets past Agent Phillip!

Rob's tribe get a meal as reward. Rob notices the clue but can't get it. Grant gets it, but when he tries to read it in the corner, Phillip busts them. He feels a little slighted by their attempts to hide it from him and spouts off some vaguely threatening crap about tigers and gorillas again. Phillip has called his alliance Stealth...the Coach comparisons are piling up now.

David's one goal is winning - like Charlie Sheen!

The tribe are still unsure on whether Sarita or Steph should go. Stephanie talks to Julie, and may have half-convinced her. I liked Julie's quote about her being "a strong woman in a little package". David pushes hard for Stephanie. Julie weighs up trust vs strength. Steve doesn't exactly think much of either of them. "I'd give them both a 1/10" he says. C'mon Steve, Stephanie is a 10/10 in every aspect.

At tribal council, Ralph says he wanted to do the shooting. Stephanie trashes Sarita. David pitches in too, accusing Sarita of sitting out so she wouldn't take the blame. After taking a verbal beating, Sarita's defence is that she is the most loyal person to the tribe. Everybody gets up to vote and the concern is that Stephanie may have talked herself out of it. Stephanie promises to kick Sarita's ass at Redemption Island, and it turns out she's gonna have to...David failed to sway the others and she is voted out 5-2.

As entertaining as Stephanie was, they made the right strategic decision. Voting out Sarita would have basically ensured that none of them would win the game. Of course, they'll still be in trouble if the slide continues. A win next week is crucial, and could determine which tribe goes on to dominate.

STAR OF THE WEEK: GRANT MATTOS

Grant is proving to be a challenge dominator in this game, and he secured victory almost single-handedly this week. I can definitely foresee a potential immunity run. Is there anything he can't do? Well, other than think for himself.