Survivor Caramoan Episode 5 Recap: Brandon Hantz's meltdown, Reynold's idol magic

This Wednesday, Survivor fans witnessed one of the most bizarre episodes in Survivor history.  Along with an unprecedented outburst and very real drama, the game just got a whole lot more interesting from a strategic standpoint.

"Muscle is not paying off"

Let's begin with the Fans tribe.  Over at Gota, Reynold and Eddie are preaching a new beginning. Reynold and Eddie talk about how their new tribe will be more unified and able to compete in challenges.  However few, even Reynold, are truly down with a unified group of six. Reynold talks about how he has very little trust in his tribe, recalling how he was essentially blindsided by the decisions to vote off Allie and Hope.  Sherri is disappointed by her tribe, because she wished they hadn't voted of her close ally Laura.  Mike Snow is weary of Reynold who he calls clutch, and poised to go far in the game.  The only member to be totally down with the new tribe seems to be Matt, who is excited to have his friends Sherri and Mike as well as the physical ability of Eddie and Reynold.

"This is how you play Survivor!"

Tension in the Gota tribe was exemplified by the frantic idol searching that was constantly taking place. Mike was especially eager to find it, if only for the reason that Reynold doesn't have it. Sherri also scampers frantically, as her alliance is weakening by the day. Of course, Reynold finds it again and keeps it secret this time.  His teammates have reason to be worried.

The fans have a new pecking order.  Sherri showed an inability to adapt to new tribal alliances, and is now on the outs.  Matt Bischoff is in the best social position, having ties with both former alliances.  Based on the promo for last week featuring talk of Corinne leaving, these fans could win immunity next, which would put them only one player down.

Michael fights 'til the end

At the reward challenge, we have yet another very close contest.  The key job was holding up a bag that was being filled with coconuts by the other team.  The Favorites logically chose Brandon, and Phillip, their two heaviest. The Fans chose Mike and Matt - suspect choices for a tribe whose strongest players are Reynold and Eddie.  May I suggest that if Eddie was holding a rope, the Fans could've pulled it out. Reynold throwing the coconuts was a decent decision, because everyone knows he has a magic arm.  The Fans go home with a full barbecue, probably still full from Tata's feast.

"I'm the author of my fate"

Things heat up at Bikal. With very little reason, Brandon Hantz begins getting irritated with Phillip's "Stealth R Us" and his supposedly condescending nature.  After Phillip mentions to Andrea that they should throw the challenge to can Brandon, Brandon hears this information from Andrea.  Brandon proceeds to dump out the rice and the beans, and yells out to Phillip down the beach. "I'm the author of my fate," Brandon declares.  Meanwhile, the tribe scrambles to collect fallen rice and Dawn attempts to calm him.  I can't remember an emotional outburst of this magnitude.

Probst cools down the situation

The bizarre situation continues at the immunity challenge, which quickly becomes a public debate moderated by Jeff.  Holding Brandon back from Phillip, Jeff lets Phillip and Brandon air their grievances right in front of the delighted Fans tribe. As Brandon berates Phillip, Dawn and Andrea hold back tears.  Jeff sees the Brandon's state and calls for an immediate tribal council vote on the spot (first time ever) and Brandon leaves before any challenge.  



Suddenly this game got a whole lot more interesting.  We now have numbers 8 Favorites and 6 Fans. And based on the promo, there is most likely either a tribe switch or a merge. Given that a merge at 14 people is very rare, a tribe switch seems the most likely.  This change coud be huge because neither tribe is totally tight.  On the favorites, players like Corinne and Erik are probably on the outs and could jump to form new alliances. At Gota, no one (except Matt) is content with their position.  The season suddenly has huge potential because anything can happen.

We've got a game on our hands