Redemption Island Episode 9: The Rob Zombies

Matt arrives home, clearly embarrassed at his own stupidity. Mike and David discuss the move that Rob made, saying it was like a hit out of a mob movie. Julie feels sorry for Matt, thinking it was cold-blooded.

Rob's not even letting them go to the bathroom now?

Ashley struggles to understand Ralph asking if he's on the chopping block. He tells her he'd rather vote for her than Boston Rob if she gets to the top three. Rob comes up with a "buddy system", so that nobody talks to anybody alone. Geez, what a control freak. Don Mariano is trying to encourage the segregation between the two groups. Natalie tattles on Ashley about what Ralph said. Because of that, Rob decides that Ashley is not going to make the final three. "And it's because of you. You have to tell me everything" he says.

Chief Sheppard, the enlighted one

Phillip turns up at the immunity challenge with a feather. He says he asked for a sign and out of nowhere, the feather appeared. Right. The challenge has three phases, and it's knockout. The first phase is to dig up a club and smash a tile. The first six through are Grant, Rob, Ralph, Mike, David and Julie. On the water spitting part, the three that advance are Grant, Mike and David...Rob just missing out. Now onto the puzzle. Surely master puzzlemaker David has this in the bag? No, he's actually a distant third. Grant wins immunity. Probably the first of many.

Mike and David dig by the flagpole, wondering if an immunity idol is under it. Phillip sees it and runs over, with Rob soon to follow. There isn't one, but Mike thinks it's funny to fuck with them, so keeps implying he has it. The council of Ometepe debate who to vote off, and there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus.

"Phil, you are one odd duck"

Zapatera spend tribal council taking potshots at Phillip, and say they think he's on the bottom of the alliance. Phillip preaches love for his new family, claiming he loves being on the bottom. He also reveals his Native American roots, regaling another tall story about how his grandfather came to him during meditation and gave him good luck. Julie brings up Matt, who "thought he was your family too". Ralph hopes for a feather of his own, but according to Phillip "it takes courage and determination and knowing when to hold your tongue to get a feather". Anyway, the Zaps vote for Phillip, and the rest vote for Mike. Mike heads to Redemption Island to face Matt.

Back at camp, Rob hugs Phillip and whispers in his ear that he's not at the bottom, he's at the top. Rob reveals his ideal final three, and that's him, Phillip and Natalie. Phillip gives his first indication that he's putting on an act. Ralph tries to talk to Phillip and convince him Rob is gonna win the game despite David urging him to be careful, but Phillip isn't budging at all.

The remaining ten arrive at the next challenge - but first, they must decide if they will eat or compete! Only two people sit out, and that's Phillip...and Steve, what the hell? The guy has given up. So the eight competing hang over the pool by the rail, knowing if they fall, they lose immunity. Rob loses his hat, and starts struggling, before becoming the first one to drop. Phillip and David get into a bit of a slanging match. Now having to use their legs only, Julie soon drops. Grant and Ralph are next. The three little girls are left to hold the fort against David. When David drops, Andrea asks for it to be given to her.

Girl power!

Ralph finds a whole bunch of fish in his net. Rob assesses the haul, and says they're

dead, so they shouldn't eat them. But really, it's just about not wanting his tribe to have

An Ometepe with an independent thought? GASP!

any social contact with the enemy. So Ralph and his friends sit in their shelter and eat the fish, with Rob's group obediently ignoring them. Grant wanders over for a piece, which does not please Rob. "I'm my own man, I make my own decisions" Grant says. I wish he'd show more of that side, as Rob is (now literally) leading him by the hand.

If it wasn't established at the challenge, Steve is a useless lump, who only wants to sleep. He's an old man and he's showing it. Rob says voting him off would be a "mercy killing". Continuing the mafia analogy again.

At tribal council, Phillip gives another hilarious breakdown of his Stealth alliance. Ralph has a go at him for sitting out. I'm loving the Phillip/Ralph rivalry, long may it continue. Julie brings up how much control Rob has, saying "it's not even a tribe, it's a cult!". David shows a sense of humor when he writes down Rob's name four times and says "counts as 4 votes". But it's to no avail, as he becomes the next person sent to Redemption Island, to face Matt and Mike.

The vote-off seemed like a formality, but it can't be long before somebody listens to Julie and makes a move. Rob is starting to show signs of arrogance, and pride always comes before a fall.

STAR OF THE WEEK: PHILLIP SHEPPARD

Every time it seems like his shit is getting old, he comes up with something new and equally hilarious. What's great is that he now seems to have the best chance of anyone of getting to the final three. If it's all a con, it's the best con ever.