Survivor Recap: Who Thrived (and Who Flopped) at the Iconic Auction?
The Gata/Tuku war raged on in Wednesday’s episode of Survivor, but where did that leave Lavo? Smack dab in the middle. But by the end of the hour, blood was shed and a line was officially drawn in the sand.
But before all of that mess kicks off: THE SURVIVOR AUCTION IS BACK! Like last time, the players are tasked with finding mini bamboo tubes of cash stashed around the island that they’ll use to bid on items. (Andy, my guy, you might need to buy yourself a new pair of glasses.) After the cash is snagged, the show wastes no time in delivering the goods, so [Probst voice] let’s get it on!
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AUCTION | It’s Day 14, so needless to say, these empty bellies are looking to mange. Jeff recaps the rules of the new era auction. Fifteen items are available to buy, but the number they’ll actually get to bid on depends on a mystery number Jeff pulls out of a bag. Like last time, the auction will end without warning and the person with the most money left will lose his or her vote. Stakes! We love it.
The biggest gets? A big bowl of mac and cheese goes to Teeny for $640. Sierra buys chips, salsa, guac and a margarita for $800 (man, this restaurant is expensive!). Kyle’s buffalo wings look tasty — sadly for him he’s a vegetarian, but starvation takes over and he eats some of the wings anyway. And how about that giant apple pie with whipped cream that Sol snags? (I’m not dying of hunger and I need that NOW.)
But the best of the best? Rachel buys a burger, fries and a beer for $500. But wait! There’s more! A tiny piece of paper is nestled underneath Rachel’s fries. When Genevieve wins the largest collection of desserts known to mankind, Rachel uses it as a distraction to sneak the little scroll under her bra. From the looks of it, she did so completely undetected.
Another fun little Auction 2.0 twist: Jeff brings out a massive breakfast, but tells players they gotta compete in order to win it. The task? Be the first to chow down two massive (live!) grubs, which Sam does like a champ. However, when the auction comes to an end, Sam is the one left with the most cash, and therefore, will not be able to vote at Tribal Council. And what a Tribal it turns out to be!
ADVANTAGE | When Rachel finally gets some alone time, she reads her clue. There’s an immunity idol sewn into the fabric of their tarp. Can she get the goods in time? Yup! In broad daylight and steps away from her competitors, too!
Meanwhile, Sierra, Teeny and Rachel solidify an alliance together with the hope of knocking Tuku out one by one. Their first potential target: Kyle, if he doesn’t win immunity. Genevieve, however, seems to have missed the Gata/Lavo team-up memo, as she takes steps to join forces with Caroline and Sue.
IMMUNITY IS BACK UP FOR GRABS | The challenge: Hold up a bucket that’s filled with 25% of the players’ pre-game body weight. Bonus: One man and one woman will win individual immunity. Those lucky players are Sue and Kyle.
With two of the Tukus safe, eyes fall on Gabe and Caroline. But Andy, tired of being viewed as an “expendable piece,” wants to cut bait and have his “She’s All That makeover moment.” He’s tired of following “cool kids” Sam and Sierra around, and you know what? Kudos to him for being self-aware! He tells Caroline flat-out that he’s flipping. With this new information presented to them, the Tukus start to question whether to cut Sam, Sierra or Rachel… but Sol just saved Rachel last week and is looking to protect his new potential ally. Who’s working with whom, and which tribes are going to align together? Too many cooks, I tell ya!
THE TRIBE HAS SPOKEN | The players reflect on how the auction gave them a second to take a break from the game, but the very next morning, notes Gabe and Teeny, the shots began firing once again. While the group agrees that to be taken out early in the merge is a sign of respect, every individual has a lingering fear that his or her read on the game could be entirely wrong. But they all agree that tonight’s vote will be an indicator of what’s to come.
As Jeff tallies the votes, Rachel’s idol burns a hole in her pocket. When he asks for advantages, Rachel speaks up. Shockingly, not to use her idol, but her Shot in the Dark. Jeff opens up her scroll and she is… Not Safe. When the votes come in, Gabe catches one stray, while Sam and Sierra are tied with four each. On the revote, Jeff explains that Sierra can vote. But it’s not enough to save her hide because every single other eligible voter writes her name down. (Read our Q&A with Sierra here.)
Surprised by the outcome? Happy to see the auction back? Hit that comments section and go full tilt boogie!
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