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.