Edge Of Extinction Episode 4: Family Separation

Chris arrives at the Edge of Extinction still stung from his blindside, and Keith and Reem aren't exactly in the mood to be a sympathetic ear. The next morning, Wendy has returned the flint. Kelley and Lauren know it was her that took it though, and are not happy. Wendy tells David she's not even close to being done, which he's amazed at. The tribe are all in agreement - Wendy has to go next.

Swap shocker: Meet the new tribes, same as the old tribes

Kama are shocked to see Chris gone and give their speculation on what it might mean. And then Probst drops another unexpected twist on them - they're swapping. We form three new tribes, but curiously there ends up being very little mixing. Kama are split in two, with Ron/Joe/Aurora/Julie/Julia staying yellow and the rest moving to blue, picking up Wendy. The 5 other Manu go to green. Wendy seems happy to leave the rest behind.

Joe is hoping to pull Ron onto his side along with Aurora to form a majority. Ron tries to convince Joe that he's not coming for him...but really he's told Julia to search Joe's bag whilst he distracts him. Julia reports that Joe doesn't have the idol...which gives them the all-clear to take him out if they so wish!

Joe's little pet

Lesu (aka former Manu) are feeling a little uneasy without their scapegoat Wendy around. They try to put a shelter together, but it's hard. Kelley is really not feeling this new tribe, and Lauren is struggling even more, to the point where she's no longer eating.

Wendy flies the coop

On Manu, Wendy gives her new tribemates the tour. Aubry is happy to have an easy boot around as a buffer, even though she likes Wendy. Wendy starts dishing all the info on her old tribemates, calling them bullies and painting Kelley as the ringleader. Eric mentions eating a chicken and Wendy has to talk him out of it. That night, she finally lets the chickens go.

As Keith contemplates quitting, Chris seems more determined than ever and catches fish to ingratiate himself. Back at Manu, Eric notices the chickens gone and suspects Wendy did it. Wanting to recapture them, he even hears one taunting him when doing a confessional. Wendy's position hasn't really changed then.

The climb

Onto the first challenge with three tribes, and it's to get over two steep ramps, then pull a box along a track using rope, then open the box and solve a puzzle. The rain makes it even harder to get over the ramps, but Eric and Gavin manage it first. Joe gets up too, and now they're all pulling up tribemates. Lauren gets up first for Lesu, and hauls Kelley and the rest of the tribe up. For the second ramp, the tribes try a human ladder approach. All tribes pull their boxes around the same time so it comes down to the puzzle....Joe and Ron vs Aubry and Eric vs Kelley and David. Joe and Ron seem to be getting the closest, as Wendy subs in for Aubry. Kama win immunity, and a frantic race for 2nd sees Manu beat out Lesu. Wow, this will be a fourth trip in a row for these sorry saps.

Lesu lovefest comes to an end

David and Rick propose voting Lauren, thinking she's the weakest. Ironically they think Kelley has the idol and that by voting Lauren they're avoiding it, but she just might play it as she does feel in danger. Kelley and Lauren are their own pair and want Rick out. Wardog is the swing vote between the two pairs, as everybody tries to sway him to their side.

At tribal council, Rick gives a news report on the status of the tribe, but adds that they all love eachother. Lauren says building the shelter was exhausting. Kelley cries as she's been through a lot with these people already and this is gonna be the toughest vote yet. David talks about how many great things he's got out of his Survivor experience. Aw man, this is getting heavy. And yet the game continues!

We get to the vote and Lauren holds onto the idol. Could it be a mistake? In the end, Wardog sides with the girls, and Rick is voted off. He departs amicably...and probably won't find such a warm reception where he's heading, which is Edge of Extinction. Well now, seems like David is in a tough spot. Or will we finally see a Kama go to tribal council next? Any one of them will be fine, doesn't matter to me!

STAR OF THE WEEK: LAUREN O'CONNELL

Not sure why she was labeled the weakest when she was the first one up the ramp, but she managed to survive and hold on to her idol. I don't see Kelley turning on her, so she's probably safe as she can be right now.