TVSquad

(S16E06) The promos all this week sounded like an exciting episode of Survivor Micronesia would hit tonight. Now, we know that the promos are edited to make us think things happen when they don't happen at all. They take things out of context and show-hungry fans will eat it up.

This week we were led to believe that Jonathan Penner's knee wound from a previous challenge might take him out of the game. We were also led to believe that fan Jason found out that Ozzy has already found the hidden immunity idol on Exile Island. Did either of these events really happen? Did both? Read on past the jump for more.

First, let's take a moment to talk about Alan Alda ... er, Jonathan Penner. I didn't care for him so much in his own season and I was having ups and downs with him earlier this season. Just when I decided I liked him (kind of, sort of), he impales his knee on a stick last week. The medics came and gave the wound three stitches.

Alas, infection has set in and he's in a dirty rotten environment. No, I'm not talking about his fellow castaways although that description is certainly apt for some of them! Between the torrential rains, the dirt, the lack of any way to keep the wound really clean ... he's a goner. He gave his all to help Airai win reward, but then the doctor had to come in.

She explained the seriousness of the situation. The wound developed an abscess which had already spread. The antibiotics he had been given weren't fighting the infection and the only solution would be to go to the hospital for a surgical wash-out of the wound. If he didn't attend to it, he could lose his leg and possibly his life. It saddened me to see how upset he was about having to leave the game. I almost shed a tear for him, but then I thought of him knocking down the bird nest with its nestlings in his season. He had to go, had to leave the game. There really was no choice. His knee looked nasty. So, the promos were spot on with Jonathan and it even gave the episode a title.

The rewards challenge itself was new material. Although, because it was new, the castaways really didn't have time to perfect a strategy. They had to swim out for bundles of poles, sticks, and rope. Then, once they had them, they had to build a blockade in the other tribe's "tunnel." They were given a time limit to build the blockade, then switch to undo their own blockade and get the entire tribe through the tunnel. Malakal made the mistake of making the first bit of the blockade huge with almost nothing beyond it. Even with Penner playing with his wounded knee, Airai won.

It was a given that they would send Chet to Exile Island. He wouldn't bother looking for the idol. They sent Jason from their own tribe. Here's where part two of the promos came into play. Sure enough, Chet fussed about a coral infection in his foot (which did look painful) and lazed about. He thought Ozzy already found the idol and just wanted to rest. Jason found the fake idol that Ozzy had made to replace the real one he had found.

But Jason didn't realize it was a fake. That's the kicker -- he thinks he found the real idol! He hides it in his pants and later at the immunity challenge says the line used in the promos to make people think he (Jason) didn't find it. He made the statement to throw them off, not because he thinks Ozzy has the idol. The problem is that he said it in front of both tribes. Some may believe him, some not. Only time will tell.

The reward for Airai is of the sort we've seen before -- natives teach the tribe to fish and gather food. This time we saw some neat tricks. If I'm ever near coconuts down the shore here in New Jersey, all I need to do is cut them up and stick them on sticks in the ground to catch crabs at night! The natives also showed them how to fish, shared vegetables and fruits, and taught them how to say "bottoms up" in their language. I'll tell you what, send those natives to me and I'll teach them how to use the NYC subway system! I always enjoy the "teach a man to fish" rewards.

The immunity challenge was similar to ones we've seen in the past. The tribes had to transport two of their people on poles with itsy-bitsy platforms across water. Then they all had to pile on the top of a raised platform similar to stuffing people in a phone booth.

Again, it was Airai shining even though it's practically all women and James. Well, Jason's there. James was the force behind the win. They reworked the way the game is played by using just one pole, not two. James all but carried both girls across separately with his tribe just kind of spotting if there was a shift.

Parvati even fell right at the platform and they had to go back to the start and do it all over again. But they still beat Malakal by a long shot. Malakal continues its streak of losses.

As the favorites seem to think the reason they're losing challenges is because they're a camp divided. Cirie, running the show once again, thinks they need to rid themselves of the fans as she wasn't there to teach people how to play the game of Survivor and they didn't do much.

But Ami, not in with the in crowd of favorites, thinks the biggest foe in the game is not the fans but instead it's Cirie or Ozzy. Ami works her way in with Erik and Tracy and they decided to focus on Ozzy. Oh, no! He's my favorite this season! Ack!

I thought I had a reprieve when Chet said he wanted everyone to vote him out. Nope, they want Chet to stay and with his dying breath he's expected to vote out Ozzy. Actually, the plan is a good one. Ozzy, thinking Chet was a surefire ouster, wouldn't use the idol to save himself and he'd get wham-blam blindsided. I have to give them credit for the scheme even if their target is the person I want to win it all.

When tribal council went down, I was sure Ozzy was a goner. There were hints given by Chet and others about not trusting people, nothing is a sure thing, and more. Use the idol, Ozzy! Use it! Ozzy was even looking worried and sweat broke out on his forehead. I think he almost cost himself the game. Hopefully he'll use the idol the next time he's at tribal council. My nerves just can't take this again!

In the end, it was almost unanimous for Chet to go home. Chet himself voted for Erik to go. I think it's the wisest move. Chet was Courtney revisited in the weight department. He was looking more unhealthy each week. Combine that with that evil looking infection on his heel and he won't be of any help to anyone on his tribe. Plus, even the million isn't going to do him any good if he's dead. It was time.

Thankfully, it wasn't time for Ozzy to go. Phew!