This week on Survivor……Both tribes head off to the reward challenge and find a treasure chest waiting for them. They quickly open it and find new buffs……THE MERGE! The newly merged tribe enjoys a feast and chooses a new name Aiga which is Samoan for extended family. The new tribe settles into the original Galu camp and the scramble begins. The four remaining Foa Foa members quickly begin trying to establish relationships with the eight remaining Galu members. Russell shows the idol he found to Laura who won’t commit to an alliance. Then he approaches Monica who also won’t commit and finally to John who does accept a final two alliance. Russell is quick to suggest Laura go home to break up any possibility of a “girl” alliance. Erik devices a plan with Laura to tell everyone that Russell is the target so he will play his idol but the real target is Jaison. Erik tells Jaison, Mick and Natalie to let Russell think he is the target but really to vote for Monica so the idol will be out of play. Jaison distrusts Erik and realizes the opportunity to get rid of him. The original Foa Foa tribe decides to pretend to go along with his plan but quickly goes to work on votes against Erik. Natalie convinces the girls that Erik has to go as he is targeting them and Shambo is easily convinced to go along with the plan. Russell is not convinced that they really have the numbers to vote out Erik and remains nervous about the vote. At tribal council, there is obvious animosity between Erik and Russell. Erik feels secure in his position and chooses not to play his idol. Russell is still nervous that he may be the real target and chooses to play his idol (too bad he didn’t have to). As host Jeff Probst reads the votes there are two for Jaison and four cast for Erik, however as the final votes are read it becomes painfully clear that a blindside is in effect and Erik will go home with the idol in his pocket. It is only the first tribal council as a single tribe and already a blindside and both idols are flushed out of play. As host Jeff Probst said “This is most definitely a new game!”
