Ghost Island Episode 9: Casualties Of War

This is where the power lies

Back from tribal, Libby doesn't know who voted for her or why. Although Domenick could be gloating right now, he decides he needs to lay low a bit lest he be considered a threat. Wendell wants to make sure Laurel is still on his side, so tells her about the idol. But it leaves her pissed he didn't tell her sooner, and now she realizes they're dangerous.

Injecting some levity with a casual chat

The reward challenge is to fire a slingshot to knock down targets. Wendell and Laurel both hit one with their first shots, but Domenick and Michael do for the other team as well. In fact, Wendell and Laurel are so good at it the rest of the team switch out as quick as they can and allow them to do all the work. Probst comments on Sebastian being "high every time" - yeah, we know. Wendell gets three in total, winning the challenge. When it comes to determine who from the losing team is going to Ghost Island, we're back to drawing rocks. Surely it can't be Kellyn again? Nope, it's Jenna this time (but there's no game so we don't spend much time there).

At the Survivor taco hut (that looks suspiciously like the Outback steakhouse from last season), Libby finally gets an explanation for why her name keeps coming up, when Angela says everyone thinks she has an alliance with Michael. Back at camp, Michael tries to sway Angela to work with them and take out Wendell. He seems to think it worked, but Angela just rats him out and lets Kellyn and Chelsea know he was throwing them under the bus.

Emotional? Kellyn? Naah

Coming out like an Alien chestburster

For immunity, it's the classic gross food challenge. Round 1 is fish eyes. Michael, Desiree and Laurel progress through the first heat. Angela, Sebastian and Domenick take the second, just beating Kellyn. Wendell doesn't even attempt it, meaning he won't reverse the curse of people from Philly sucking at this challenge. Speaking of Gervase, his favorite is next: the larvae (and even Probst shouts him out).  Michael, Sebastian and Angela get it. Then we have the sea slug round, where Angela tries to just swallow it whole and fails. She still makes it through along with Michael though. Why we needed to go from 3 to 2 is beyond me, but Angela emerges the winner over Michael. Must've been the dancing that did it.

Kellyn, Desiree and Chelsea are targeting Michael but they need Laurel and Donathan's help if they are going to split the vote on him and Libby. Donathan and Laurel are playing the middle a bit, as Donathan says his gut says to take the risk and go with Malolo on this vote. That still won't give them the numbers though, and Laurel isn't sure if she even wants to turn on Wendell yet.

How's that for a death stare, James?

At tribal council, Donathan says the game is getting more intense, as Desiree claims big moves are coming. But Michael is focusing on tonight, and says some people are feeling too comfortable. Laurel says that though Naviti pretend to not have the power, she's been trying to get some of them to come with them. Kellyn points out that any purple who flips is still gonna be on the bottom.

After the vote, Michael plays the idol just to be safe. Good move, as he would've been voted out without it. As a result, Libby ends up collateral damage. The supposed mega threat that we never saw in action...maybe she'll end up a random returnee one day and get to show it. Until then, the Naviti dominance continues and we wait to see how long playing it safe wins out.

STAR OF THE WEEK: ANGELA PERKINS

Not only gave a stellar performance in the immunity challenge, but she came forward as a game player this episode too. The target planted on Michael was mostly her doing, and there's sure to be more pot stirring to come.