Edge Of Extinction Episode 10: Stealth Operation

David comes back from tribal with no regrets about wasting the idol, since it just wasn't worth the risk. Wardog wants to put together a six-person alliance with Kelley, Lauren, Ron, Julie and Gavin. He blames Aurora for how the last tribal went down, and plans to target her next.

Nobody suspects the butterfly

The immunity challenge is to keep a pot held in position without it falling. But players are also offered the chance to sit out for food, which Kelley, Lauren, Ron and Victoria all take. Wardog falls out of the challenge first, due to a butterfly landing on him. Gavin drops next, then Julie, whose legs give out. Rick gives a news report with sweat dripping down him, but doesn't last much longer. It's now Aurora vs David, and Aurora is determined to win. David drops, meaning Aurora saves herself when she needs it most.

The six agree that David is the biggest threat and is the obvious vote. David and Rick sense the danger and try to sway Ron, Julie and Victoria to target Wardog instead, pointing out they're just letting an obvious trio run the game. Julie and Ron talk about it, and seem to enjoy that they're in the swing vote position now.

My brand is broken records

At tribal council, Rick talks about playing a loyal game since he came back from Edge of Extinction, and how Julie seems to be the person to go to if you want to make a move. Wardog says he's loyal too, pointing out how his trio have always voted together. Ron says he didn't appreciate the hard sell from Rick. David tries to give his loyalty speech again, but everyone just scoffs at him, with Wardog calling him a squirmer. Unfortunately for him, David's pitch doesn't work and he is voted out...but I give him a lot of credit for lasting as long as he did.

The gang on Extinction receive news of a new advantage to find, and David takes off immediately. Eric, Chris and David all think they have an idea of where it is...but David is the one to get it. He now gets to give somebody still in the game an advantage in the next immunity challenge...seems pretty obvious this is going to Rick.

Insert lesbians/balls joke here

Straight into the challenge now, and it's to balance five balls on a paddle. Thanks to David, Rick only has to do 4. Ron and Rick start getting the hang of it first, but Aurora is getting some too. Rick goes for his 4th, but knocks off another ball in the process. Now Aurora is in the lead with 3. Rick knocks a ball out again, but when he saves the closer hole for his last one, he gets it this time.

Julie wants Aurora out, who is proving herself a challenge beast. But Wardog has a bigger plan: slaying his closest ally, Kelley Wentworth. I didn't see this coming, and Wardog is being very careful to make sure she doesn't either. Having set this up with brief 30-second conversations with Victoria and Rick earlier. now he just needs Ron. Ron is not too sure about it, mainly because it'd piss off Julie. Aurora starts to worry the plan won't go through, and offers up her extra vote to Ron as a sign of trust. Wooow, that is bold. And knowing Ron, might not even stop him voting her out.

Can they spot this coming?

At tribal council, the jury are very happy when they see Rick has immunity, as Rick thanks his guardian angel. Victoria says nobody has really talked to her much. Ron talks about how blindsides can be fun, even addicting. Rick says he thinks idols are only on Edge of Extinction, since he hasn't seen any from the game yet.

"Last returnee standing" tag didn't last long

We get to the vote, and the girls hold onto their idols again. It's crazy they've kept them this long, but it's one gamble too many for Kelley, who is sent to Extinction. She's so pissed she didn't play it she vents to the rest of the group and even outs Lauren's idol too. Well, Wardog really stepped up and changed the game and Julie was left out again. Where does Lauren go from here? Lots of questions to be answered starting next week.

STAR OF THE WEEK: DAN "WARDOG" DASILVA

Wardog managed to succeed where many others have failed in pulling the wool over Kelley's eyes. He just took firm control of the game, added the biggest scalp possible to his resume and presided over a first-ever achievement in mixed seasons: getting rid of all the returnees.