PREVIOUSLY ON SURVIVOR: Having been blindsided by Andrea’s idol, Kirby, Abe, Nemo, and Brenda seemed to feel hopeless, and knew that Cirie was the person in the middle they’d have to fight for. Brenda told Cirie “Andrea played cutthroat games every time she was on, and she’s playing a cutthroat game now. Me and you play a much more social, honest game, and I want to partner up to take her down.” Cirie thought this was funny since Brenda was obviously a strategist, as was she, but she knew that Andrea was the biggest threat out there. Andrea knew that she had made her place clear with Alexis, Dylan, and Joel, but knew they needed one more and also approached Cirie. Cirie knew she was now in a power position, and could decide which way she wanted to go. “On one side you have much more likable people in Brenda, Kirby, Abe, and Nemo, and on the other, you have all the challenge threats, Joel, Alexis, Dylan, and Andrea.” At the challenge, Brenda knew she had to stop Andrea, and it was a competition involving balancing on a log against someone. Whoever won would then put two more people on the log to challenge, until one duel was remaining. Kirby was randomly selected first and challenged his friend Nemo, beating him. Kirby then put up Joel and Dylan, in which Joel won. Joel put up Brenda and Cirie, in which Brenda won. Brenda herself decided to go up and challenge Andrea, in which Brenda lost, not paying off. Andrea put up Kirby and Abe, in which Abe won. Abe put up Joel and Alexis, in which Joel won again. Joel put up Abe and Andrea, and Andrea won. It was down to Andrea and Joel. Andrea won, sending Joel in the water, and winning immunity. Back at camp, Andrea celebrated with her new alliance, but Cirie saw that their side was way too strong, and she didn’t want to play for fifth place. Cirie told Brenda she was all in, and since Andrea had immunity, they decided to target the next strongest. At tribal council, nobody played an idol because Andrea had immunity and they all felt like it would be better to save their idols. Brenda received votes from Andrea, Joel, Alexis, and Dylan, but it was Joel who was blindsided when Cirie flipped to join the rest in voting for him. Joel was upset, but happy that he got to come back after so long and play again.
Brenda