Game Changers Episode 2: Hello, Old Friend

The episode opens up going right into the tribes meeting Jeff...I guess the aftermath to voting out Tony wasn't very interesting, then!? Well we do have a lot to get through, as Zeke correctly guesses that it's a swap. The new Mana tribe leaves Caleb and Hali on the outs, but at least the cowboy gets his lover Tai, along with Brad, Debbie and Sierra. The Nuku tribe leaves J.T. with 5 old Mana (Sandra, Varner, Malcolm, Aubry and Michaela). Troyzan is alone on the green tribe with Ozzy, Cirie, Zeke, Andrea and Sarah.

Left adrift

Varner and Malcolm walk into the awesome Nuku camp and can't believe their luck. J.T. realizes he needs to do something big to survive, so takes his tribe out in the ocean for a fishing trip to keep them occupied. When Malcolm breaks the spear, J.T. offers to go back and get the pliers...seizing his chance to go look for the idol. The other players all realize what he's doing, and laugh about it.

Brad starts decorating his new Mana beach to make it look a bit more like his old home. Hali recognizes that she's on the bottom but hopes that Caleb is a bigger target than her because of Tai. Unsurprisingly, Tai is making the argument for them to keep Caleb but Brad is a little worried about leaving three Kaoh Rong people in the game.

Troyzan's ticket off the bottom

Ozzy sets up camp at the new Tavua tribe and Cirie is hoping this can be the start of a new relationship between the two of them, since they're both in the numbers. Troyzan is pissed about getting the short stick and Andrea's fake attempts to placate him aren't making it better. He starts looking for an idol and finds a message in a bottle. It's a clue that tells him there's an idol at the next challenge under the puzzle table. Wow, this one seems harder than the others, but we'll see.

J.T. offers to catch goats for the tribe, and him and Malcolm manage to successfully snag a baby and his mother. But nobody has the heart to kill it (except Sandra, who is outvoted) so they all put it back and take a chicken instead. Bet Sia was pleased watching that,

Sandra has experience handling goats

The immunity challenge is the same one that crippled Missy - cross an obstacle course to fill up a bucket of water until it lowers a gate, then solve a puzzle. Troyzan looks on anxiously, knowing he can't make his move yet. Nuku go over the obstacles very quickly whilst Mana fall behind going under. It's relatively even going into the puzzle though, with Troyzan's really slow untying hindering his tribe. Varner and Sandra do an awesome job on the puzzle to give Nuku the win. But both tribes are right behind, so who will get it first - Zeke and Cirie or Brad and Hali? Despite a false alarm, Tavua edge it out and win immunity. Troyzan pretends to be slumping down by the table in celebration...and manages to stuff the idol into his crotch. And just like that, his game has life again.

A sand facial?

After losing the challenge, Hali and Caleb aren't sure which one of them it's gonna be. Tai wants to keep the tribe strong, but Brad wants Caleb out and is hoping he can get Tai to make that decision too. He talks to Tai and tells him his relationship with Caleb is gonna hurt his game, and whilst Tai agrees, he's not sure he can shank his real-life friend.

Hali rests her case

At tribal council, Debbie and Caleb both talk about the Kaoh Rong contingent that's making people nervous, with Caleb trying to downplay it by saying him and Tai started on different tribes. Caleb lists the positive attributes he brings to the table, but Hali flips it and says those make him a threat. Caleb then points out Hali's ties to the other tribe. It's clear this is a tug-of-war between these two and Hali is in full lawyer mode.

In the end, it's Caleb that's voted out, with even Tai writing his name down. Caleb has no hard feelings and kisses Tai's head for good luck, leaving with grace. Man, day 9 is just good for him, huh? But he does point out that he's grateful he's at least able to leave the game on his feet this time.

STAR OF THE WEEK: BRAD CULPEPPER

I'm really liking what I'm seeing from Brad this season, he's making smart decisions whilst - somehow - flying under the radar. This much more quiet approach is sure to serve him well.