Game Changers Episode 9: Live By The Sword, Die By The Sword

Sarah ends the silence back at camp by confessing that she flipped, and is hoping she's finally getting credit for being a game changer. Cirie is happy that their side claimed a victory, but is not getting complacent at all.

Even puzzle-solving looks epic in a montage

The reward challenge is the one from last season where they're hoisted up in a pulley to pull out numbered tiles and then use them to solve a puzzle, with an additional net climb. They're playing for a meal at an overnight resort, but the real prize for most of them is the chance to sleep in a real bed for a change. We end with up with Andrea, Sarah, Aubry, Zeke and Brad vs Sarah, Troyzan, Tai, Michaela and Sierra. Michaela is making up for missing out on that last reward by zipping past Brad, although Brad's team has more success on the pulley. Andrea vs Troyzan is equally close, so then it falls to Sarah vs Sierra, where blue once again do much better. It comes down to the puzzle, and both teams are tossing a lot of ideas around, but Andrea's suggestion of "Reinventing" leads to blue getting it.

Drinks are on me

At the reward, Brad and Zeke bond over football, which concerns Andrea because Brad should be the odd man out. Back at camp, Andrea suggests to Cirie they could vote out Zeke next and still maintain their numbers. But when she takes it to Sarah, the cop shoots it down....and reveals her advantage to keep Cirie comfortable. Zeke and Sarah do some scheming of their own, where Zeke proposes a final 5 with Brad and Troyzan, telling them that after one more vote, it's gonna get interesting.

The immunity challenge is stacking dominos whilst being careful to not knock your grid. Everyone for the most part does a great job of keeping theirs up, with only Brad knocking his down. Sarah, Andrea and Michaela do it the fastest, with Sierra not far behind. Andrea gets to the end, but has to re-space hers when she has too much room. Andrea wins immunity again...which is likely just increasing the target on her back.

Space changer

Sierra's walk of shame

Now that Andrea is safe, she and Cirie decide to push harder to get Zeke out. Sierra feels the most in danger, but promises to vote whatever way the girls say. Aubry seems fine with the new plan, but Michaela is less sure - saying it's scary to put themselves in a position where it only takes one to flip. Sarah doesn't want to do it either, but doesn't want to press the issue.

At tribal council, Jeff gets Sarah to confirm that she was the one who flipped, causing Debbie to flip her the bird. Tai is nervous for the first time ever in this game, and Sierra shares the sentiment. Andrea talks about how this season is all about trying out new alliances and seeing which one fits, Zeke claims it's too early to make a move...so you know it's the truth if he's saying it!

Is this a "bit"?

The vote looks like it's gonna be a close one between Sierra and Tai...until a bunch of Zeke votes come out, catching both Zeke and the other side off-guard. Michaela is bawling...wow, I didn't know they were so close. Zeke seems to take it well, and even acknowledges it was a good move for Andrea since he was coming after her. The episode ends with Hali whispering "game changers" and Debbie replying "idiots." I'll leave it to you to decide which one you agree with.

STAR OF THE WEEK: ANDREA BOEHLKE

Andrea isn't really someone that immediately comes to mind when you think Survivor legends, but she's managed to rack up a pretty impressive resume across her three seasons now. She's made it to 100 days, tied the record for most immunity wins for a female, and was able to get out a threat before they got her.