Cambodia Episode 11: You Know Nothing

Joe playfully calls Jeremy sneaky for his idol play, but Spencer is a little concerned. Jeremy tries to reassure Spencer that he would've done the same for him, but Spencer doesn't really believe it and is looking to jump ship. Stephen is just annoyed he was so badly out of the loop, since he calls himself a know-it-all and usually has good reads on people.

Stephen's bait-and-switch

We get a rare nighttime challenge now, and it's the return of a classic. Jeff reads them a tale of Cambodian folklore about King Jayavarman and asks them to run over to various stations and bring back medallions by answering multiple choice questions. The challenge gets started, and Spencer is the first to get one. Keith however gets multiple wrong answers...could he be our new Rudy? Kelley finds an idol clue inside her package, which she discreetly takes before racing back out. Jeff makes sure to point out Joe has been terrible in this challenge, since he doesn't get many opportunities to say that. Stephen pulls a fast one on Abi by leading her to the wrong pot and then taking the right answer after she runs off. Awesome move! Spencer only needs one more but gets it wrong, opening the door for Stephen. In a tight race, Stephen edges it and wins the challenge. He gets to choose who take on his reward and takes Tasha, hoping to rebuild some trust. His second pick is Jeremy - just as well, he would've been livid otherwise. Spencer is not impressed with the picks though, and now wants to break that threesome up.

Keith calls out Stephen for exaggerating his foot injury. Kelley gets a moment alone to read her clue, and it tells her the idol is right under the shelter. She can't get it right away, but is hoping it'll be easier once people are off on the reward.

Stephen, Tasha and Jeremy are taken off by helicopter to a luxury resort as Stephen reaffirms that these are the people he started the game with, and the people he wants to end the game with. In the spirit of rebuilding that trust, he reveals to them for the first time what his advantage does.

Stephen breaks bread

The people back at camp think that Stephen has shown his hand with his reward picks, and as soon as Kimmi leaves, Spencer puts the plan in place to target Stephen first because of the advantage. Abi doesn't really trust Joe and Spencer though, so isn't 100% with that plan. She asks Joe to let her win immunity and gets a "hmmm, no".

Sleeping on the job

With Joe, Spencer, Kimmi and Keith off fishing, Kelley is hoping to make a play for the idol. But Abi will just not leave camp. Eventually, Kelley has to pretend she's asleep to get her to go (ah, the Troy and Abed strategy). She sneaks under and grabs it, but then everyone rushes back to camp just as she's coming back out. Close call there!

For the immunity challenge, they've brought back the weird foot challenge that Baylor won in San Juan Del Sur. I always liked this one. Stephen is obviously not in his element with what Jeff calls his cavemen feet. Spencer takes a long time getting his blocks down but actually gets the hang of it once he does. Kelley is in the lead, with Joe and Keith right behind...but then Kelley struggles on the last part, whilst Keith and Joe lose blocks. Spencer can win if he can just get the flag in the tiny hole, but it takes him a while and Joe is on his tail. Eventually, Spencer wins. Finally, someone other than Joe!

You can always rely on Abi to be unreliable

So for the first time ever, Joe is vulnerable and Stephen thinks it's a lock. Kelley and Spencer try to reassure Joe that's not what's gonna happen, and he's a little nervous because he knows what a target he is. Abi is threatening to diverge from the plan, so Kelley and Spencer have to rope her back in by repeatedly assuring her that it's not her going home. The other obstacle is Stephen's advantage, and he tells Spencer he's planning on stealing Joe's vote and voting for Abi, since Jeremy still has the lingering suspicion that Joe has the idol. Spencer points out how there's a lot that can go wrong.

At tribal council, Tasha says that the voting bloc strategy is done and now she needs a core. Spencer talks about how much uncertainty there is behind the vote, but Stephen only sets the odds of a blindside at 33%. Right before the vote, Stephen uses his advantage and tells Probst he wishes to steal Joe's vote.

Stop voting for yourself! Stop voting for yourself!

Stephen uses his own vote to vote for Abi and Joe's vote to vote for Joe...he holds up the parchment for a while and savours it. When the votes come back, Stephen is blindsided again, as there are only 2 Joe votes, 3 Abi votes and 4 votes for him. Stephen seems to appreciate the gameplay as he walks out. Bad call on the split, I guess.

Well, who'd have thought Joe would actually survive a vote without immunity? Just because voting blocs are dead, doesn't mean blindsides are. This might have finally shifted the power, and given Jeremy and Tasha some work to do.

STAR OF THE WEEK: SPENCER BLEDSOE

I wanna give a shout-out to Joe, but I'm making Spencer the star since he not only organized the plot against his fellow nerd but gave the golden boy his first immunity loss. The perennial underdog is no longer on the bottom and finally taking control.

Cambodia Episode 10: Rain On Your Parade

No longer Joe Cool

The air back at camp is a little tense at first until Ciera breaks the silence. Jeremy apologizes to Tasha as he's hoping to flip back to them, and she accepts, but says you only get one chance to leave her out of the loop. Joe is pissed his closest ally is gone, and now really wants to win immunity. Because he was half-assing it before?

Kelley gets swarmed

The rain is relentless, but it doesn't seem to get Keith down, who says he'd endure 50 days for a million dollars. It's still raining at the reward challenge, which is fitting for a game of water basketball. Jeff tells them the reward offers them some warmth and a roof, and you can feel how high the stakes are. The teams are divided...Stephen, Jeremy, Kimmi, Kelley and Keith will be taking on Ciera, Abi, Joe, Tasha and Spencer. Jeremy scores the first point after Spencer misses. Joe breaks out of a huge huddle to tie it up, although Keith is still attacking Abi after the point. Spencer then scores. The purple team only need one more point, so as the strong guys pin eachother, Tasha is freed up to win it.

The reward gets Ciera emotional, as seeing kids there reminds her of her own. But she also sees it as a chance to talk strategy, which the rain had kinda put a stop to. Ciera says they should vote out Stephen...a move that Joe obviously has no problem with.

Back at camp, Kimmi tries to put their suffering in perspective by opening up about her son's medical problems. They come to consensus that it's time to get Joe out. The bad weather continues long into the night and so does the torment, particularly for Stephen, who is now limping and having stomach issues.

This would dampen anyone's spirits

Gimme shelter

At the challenge, Jeff makes them all take two rocks...hmmm. He then tells them that they have a chance to get some improvements put on their camp: a waterproof shelter and a covered fire. Abi asks what the catch is, and he says that he'd need five people to sit out of the challenge as a sacrifice. Ooh, I like this! A real prisoner's dilemma. Everyone reveals a white rock except Joe and Keith, making this a one-on-one duel. Joe says he considered sitting out, but Abi doesn't buy that and makes a face. The challenge is to keep a ball pinned against a frame. Every time Joe slips, Abi gets a little more excited. I'm loving this animosity. Keith drops the ball though, and Joe is safe again, giving them even more reasons to hate him.

The tribe returns to a massive new shelter. Stephen starts working on his plan B to take out Ciera, who scares him. Joe meanwhile is pushing Stephen (or "poopy pants" as Abi calls him), and seems to have a majority on board. Tasha pulls Spencer aside and says that she wants Ciera out, not liking how she seems to have dismantled their group. Spencer disagrees and is still pushing Stephen, but Jeremy comes to back up his man once again. What's gonna give?

At tribal council, Joe and Keith both defend their decision to pick the black rock...Keith because he wanted to de-throne the golden boy, and Joe because he knew he would be voted out otherwise. Spencer talks about how it'll suck to see one of the people who gave up their shot at immunity go home (assuming it's not Keith). Talk also turns to Stephen's advantage, and how it's not such an advantage when everyone knows you have it.

Blindside averted

After the votes are cast, Jeremy speaks up and decides to pull out his idol. He plays it on Stephen, who didn't even know he needed it. As Stephen sees his name come up over and over again, he reaffirms his bond with his savior. Two votes for Kimmi pop up, but three for Ciera is enough to send her out. The queen of the big moves goes down to a big move.

I love Ciera, but I also love excitement. Stephen gets another chance and the stage is set for a brilliant second hour.

STAR OF THE WEEK: JEREMY COLLINS

The theme of the episode seemed to be selfishness vs selflessness, and Jeremy being willing to go out on a limb for his closest ally shows he's willing to take risks and change the course of the game if he needs to. When you have two idols, you can afford to share the wealth a little bit.

Cambodia Episode 9: Hocus Pocus

Kelley gets props for her idol play, but Kimmi still wants to take out one of the three girls next. They've now been dubbed the witches coven, and Stephen is wondering "how can I get them to make the right potion for me?". Now that idols have been confirmed to be in play, everyone is looking for them, especially Joe. Abi catches him in the act and has a good laugh about it with Kelley.

It started out even enough

The reward challenge is another team one, where they have to make a staircase out of poles to climb up, go down a bamboo slide, tackle a rope maze and build a puzzle for a combination lock. Tasha picks a team of Joe, Spencer, Stephen and Ciera. Kelly's team is Jeremy, Keith, Kelley and Kimmi...leaving Abi on the bench. Purple get their staircase first and in fact Joe is done with the rope maze before green do theirs. "This is embarrassing" says Keith - damn right! They eventually get it together, but not long after, Spencer and Ciera finish the puzzle for a blowout win. Massages and food await.

At the spa, it's Tasha who first broaches the idea of talking strategy...and Ciera lets them know that they'll all lose if they go to the end with Jeremy. They all agree that facing Kelly would be a losing proposition too, because of her strong social game. Really? We haven't seen any of it.

Jeremy turns a bad day around

Jeremy decides to use the reward loss as a chance to sneak a look for another idol. He finds the clue to it in a similar place to last time and it tells him to wait until nightfall and leave camp. When the time comes, some people are staying up to talk by the fire, which Jeremy complains never happens. He eventually excuses himself for a bathroom break, and finds his prize marked by a lantern. He's happy to dedicate this idol and his last one to Val - so I guess she did get 2 idols after all.

Joe and Kelly talk on the beach, which is apparently a relationship that exists, and one that Stephen is wary of. Stephen strategizes with the girls and gets confirmation that they're desperate enough to vote how he wants. He names the power players that need to voted out, starting with Joe (of course) and also including Kelly. Again, this would be easier to believe if we'd seen any of it.

Witches need a wizard

You've never seen Abi this poised before

For the immunity challenge, the contestants have to stand on a doghouse in the pouring rain. But there's one extra caveat as Jeff chops a rope to reveal 11 buoys, offering the first one to touch theirs an advantage in the game. Stephen and Spencer are the two that jump off, but Stephen gets there first. The challenge continues as normal, and the lot of people drop out. It's soon down to just Keith, Abi, Kelly and Joe. Wow, way to go, Abi. Keith drops next, and then Kelly is kicked out for failing to make the transition to one foot fast enough. Abi holds on rather impressively but still can't quite beat Joe. The golden boy wins his third immunity in a row. Aargh, so close to an epic upset.

Kimmi wants to make sure to split the votes this time, with 5 for Kelley and 3 on Ciera. Stephen checks his advantage and it's the ability to steal someone's vote. Damn, this is even better than Dan's power last season. He's not planning on using it tonight, but he still wants to make the Kelly vote happen, telling the girls he can easily get at least one other person. Spencer and Jeremy end up being the two he talks to, and both are pretty hesitant to jeapordize some of their bonds, since they don't think the three witches are trustworthy allies long-term.

At a very wet tribal council, Jeff remarks on the game being more fluid than usual, and he's not talking about the rain. Stephen supports this by claiming this season has marked an evolution in how the game is played, with voting blocs being more prevalent than solid alliances. But whilst Ciera is claiming anything can happen, Kelly is hoping that everyone just does what they said they would.

The torch that took 15 years to put out

Kelley casts her vote saying there's only room for one Kell(e)y on the Island...but which one will it be? Well, Wiglesworth gets voted out and looks like a sad puppy at having to leave. In her final words, it seems she's still not sure who voted her out but is just hoping it wasn't Joe. Clearly this new school game was too much for her. Her loss. Vive la evolucion!

STAR OF THE WEEK: STEPHEN FISHBACH

Well finally, we got to see Stephen have some power in the game...and I'm not just talking about his advantage. The vote was entirely his brainchild, from inception to execution. Time will tell if this more aggressive play style pays off.

Cambodia Episode 8: The Fish And The Whale

Savage pats himself on the back for how well the last tribal went, but tells Jeremy keep an eye out for Ciera trying to pull off a big move. Little Miss Eastin is already working it as we speak, telling Stephen to go for Joe...and he likes that idea.

"Big moves" is practically her middle name

Battle at sea

The reward challenge is to paddle out and pull crates out from the water, then bring them back to the beach and stack them so there are no repeating colors. Probst takes the time to remind Kelly of her embarrassing defeat to Gervase last time she did a rafting challenge. The pick for teams results in Wiglesworth, Wentworth, Joe, Kimmi, Ciera and Keith facing Tasha, Savage, Spencer, Jeremy, Stephen and Abi. Kelly's team nearly tip their boat over, but eventually recover and even manage to ram the other team. Keith jumps in the water collect the crates, and does a darn sight better than Abi on the other team. Spencer takes over but is almost left behind by the boat. Joe carries a crate single-handedly as his team race into the lead. The other team catch up though and it becomes a close contest, but Joe's team wins. Stephen looks distraught.

All aboard the Keithmobile!

Ciera stirs the pot at the reward, telling the likes of Kimmi, Keith and Joe that there's four people in charge: Jeremy, Tasha, Stephen and Savage. Stephen!? Anyway, the scene eventually moves away from strategy and into Keith-related hijinks, something we haven't really seen enough of this season. However, watching him drive around on the Tuk-Tuk and pick everyone up is hilarious.

Stephen is still moody back at camp, and even Abi is calling him a buzzkill. He wanted to build bonds to get Joe out, but now Joe is doing that. Hitting the campaign trail, Stephen goes to Jeremy. Spencer and Tasha to tell him he wants Joe out next time he loses immunity. Savage overhears it and wants to put a stop to it, since Joe is his boy. Once Joe gets back to camp, he fills him in on what's been going down.

The immunity challenge is to hold up a plate using a rope and keeping your ball balanced. It's a challenge Keith won in San Juan Del Sur and Jeremy came last in. Kelley and Ciera don't even get started, and neither does Kelly. Jeremy shows little improvement and is out next. Then Savage fails and gives it the finger. Kimmi puts in a great effort, but eventually falls just shy of the furthest back round. Spencer can't keep it up, leaving a showdown between Keith and Joe...with two balls each now. Joe eventually wins immunity, making all of Stephen's scheming worthless.

So you're saying there's a chance?

Savage and Joe want Stephen out for being so shady, and Joe is going to recruit the girls on the bottom to get it done. Kelley is happy to hear it, as she thought she was done. Savage is now getting around to Kelly, Tasha and Jeremy with the plan, but Jeremy is against it, since he's been with Stephen since the beginning. Savage is a little upset to see the move vetoed in favour of Kelley, and Joe even moreso. He lets Ciera know their planned blindsided is a no-go, and Ciera is super frustrated.

At tribal council. Ciera lets Jeff know there's been no changes since her call for a big move. Kelley also gets in on it, saying there's 4 people running the game, although Jeremy finds it silly that she can't even decide whether the 4th person is Stephen or Joe. Savage denies the accusations with evasive answers, and Ciera reiterates that somebody must be getting played. Kelley even says people came to her to try and make moves, but won't name names.

Same, Jeremy. Same!

After the votes are cast, Jeff makes a call for idols and Kelley causes some really shocked reactions when she pulls one out. Not even Ciera knew about it! It turns out to be the right play, but who did the girls decides to go with? Well, they went for the ringleader, Savage! Once again, Savage's potential for a deep run is cut short by unusual circumstances, and he can't quite believe it. Abi's gloriously condescending "at least you made jury" really twists the knife on the way out, and leads to him flipping the bird for a second time. Fellow juror Kass beams with pride at the move that her girls just pulled off.

Wow...did not see that coming. Anyone still think this season is gonna be predictable? With the alpha male alliance now unglued, it's freed up a lot more people. And the Joe/Stephen stalemate has still yet to be resolved.

STAR OF THE WEEK: KELLEY WENTWORTH

Taking a break from my weekly Ciera lovefest to give some props to her right-hand woman as well. Kelley showed great fight at tribal council and managed to shift the power. If you want something done right, do it yourself!

Cambodia Episode 7: Thirteen's A Crowd

Savage is grovelling to his tribe and promising to never vote for Spencer again, but behind their backs he's calling them "pieces of shit". Finally, he drops the nice guy facade. Spencer and Kass have come together like Rocky and Apollo Creed, and it's a truly beautiful thing to behold.

Spencer and the girls pledge to find the crack

Kimmi reads tree mail in the style of an old town crier. A lot of the tribe are shocked that a merge is this early and some don't even quite believe it. Tasha is cautiously intrigued at the prospect of being reunited with her Cagayan peeps, however. The other tribe react much the same, except Ciera is worried about Savage, given that she just blindsided him. But Kass is willing to rally the troops to take him down. Aww shit, this is war!

Bayon and Ta Keo meet at the picnic basket and get their new orange buffs. 13 people is a lot, as Joe makes note of, and the scrambling starts as soon as they disperse from the feast. Savage and Jeremy count numbers: they think they can get Stephen, Kimmi and Wiglesworth. Kass and Kelley think they have Spencer locked in, and are trying to rekindle their Ta Keo connection with Joe. Savage also sees Joe as a key vote, and tries to pledge his loyalty to him. As the kingmakers of the new tribe, Spencer and Joe run numbers on the sand...as there's people they trust in both groups.

The Cambodians get cabin fever

Everyone is huddled under the shelter, due to the rain. Stephen recites a poem. Kass tries to see where Tasha's head is at, but since Tasha still doesn't trust Kass, she just feeds her B.S. about being done with Bayon. Kass doesn't take kindly to that and tries to use this to blow up Tasha's game. Ciera even gets into it as well, accusing Savage of turning on Jeremy and Joe.

Oh, balls!

The first individual immunity challenge is to keep a ball balanced on a platform, which Tasha won the last time it was played. Stephen is the first out, with Keith, Ciera and Kimmi not lasting much longer. Abi is out as soon as the 2nd round starts, which also claims Kass and Kelley. We're down to Savage, Jeremy, Spencer, Joe and Tasha as the last five left. Tasha drops, which gets a smirk from Kass. We end with a Joe and Spencer showdown. Spencer shows some crazy moves to try and save it, but Joe is the one who wins immunity. You were already safe, dude - why did you not throw this??

Savage still not getting his way

Savage wants Ciera out as he is still bitter at being bested by her, and gets frustrated his allies would rather go for the unreliable Kass. Spencer senses the shift in power (even Keith has come over now) and thinks he can't do anything except go with it. But with Jeremy proposing a split vote between Kass and Ciera, the others now have the opportunity to just grab one more and get Tasha out. Kass makes the case to Spencer for why he should flip. Will he come through for Kass, the way she came through for him last week?

Orkun sit down for their first tribal council, and Jeff Probst wants to talk about the chaos that's been going on. Kass says she hasn't been involved, and throws it back at Tasha, an accusation she adamantly denies. Ciera is worried about guilt by association, but tries to make a case to Spencer that it's better to take a risk and be with a smaller group that's tight, than to follow the herd and just get picked off helplessly. It's a passionate plea, but Spencer reminds us that there's many more chances for big moves later on.

A name she should've written down a long time ago

Everyone casts their votes and it seems a lot of people either can't spell Kass or are deliberately being petty. Kass, Ciera and Tasha all await the results to see who it's gonna be, and even Savage sees his name written down. The majority goes to Kass though, and she becomes the first member of this oversized jury. Spencer chickened out, I guess. No surprise there!

I thought Kass did great to last this long considering the size of the target on her back. This season has just lost a major shit-stirrer, but if the tribe swaps have done their job, this giant merge will be full of twists, turns...and yes, chaos.

STAR OF THE WEEK: CIERA EASTIN

I'm really loving the way Ciera plays the game. This tiny little woman has more backbone than anyone out there, and would rather go down swinging than be a sheep. I am praying as hard as I can that her alliance can find a way to overthrow smug Savage.