Survivor 15.11 "You can almost forgive that, that's funny."

This episode began with Peih Gee rather obviously refusing to take part in a group hug, and that's her problem--she's a little too honest for the game. I kinda respect her for it, because she knows they want to get rid of her, but still, it wouldn't hurt to fake the funk a little. Then we get the tearful family reunion.reward challenge. We meet Eric's mom, Amanda's sister, Peih Gee's dad, Todd's sister, Courtney's stuffy English dad (who was rather put out to have to partake in the silliness of a challenge) and Denise's husband. When Todd asks after his pregnant sister, he learns that she suffered a miscarriage. Everyone teams up with their loved ones to win a cruise and a phone call home, and Denise and her husband git r done (Amanda and her sister make bird calls to one other during the blindfolded game, which didn't help). Has anyone notice how well Amanda's holding up? SHe hasn't seemed to have lost that much weight. I really do enjoy how Courtney keeps telling Jeff to shut up during his annoying play by play--I'm shocked it's taken 15 seasons for someone to do it. Denise gets to take two people, and she goes with the Power Brokers, Amanda and Todd, which ticks off Peih Gee, since she took Denise on her trip to the Temple.

While they do the usual "Food rules!" bit, the others question whether Todd's sister really lost her baby or if he's just pulling a Johnny Fairplay. It was refreshing to hear contestants directly reference a past cast member, I thought. Courtney's recreation of Todd's getting the news, and Jeff's role in eliciting the information was truly hilarious--Courtney really is a riot. Courtney thinks faking a dead baby is a lot lower than a dead grandmother. Todd assures us the news was real, but understands it may have come off like a play for sympathy. He and Amanda concur that Denise is a threat to win the money because she has kids, whereas they and Courtney are on fairly even terms as single, directionless 20-somethings. Denise apologizes to Peih Gee for not taking her, insisting she has to stay in their good graces to stick around, and again, Peih Gee's like "Mix it up, Denise, join me and Eric!" The Immunity Challenge is demanding, muddy and awesome--the players have crawl thru a mud pit, answer a true and false question and take a key back to the start. If they chose right, they unlock one of their three locks--if not, they have to go all the way back and get the other one. Anyone else notice we've been blissfully puzzle piece free for a couple weeks? It's a nice change of pace. Todd goes out to an early lead, but when he chooses the wrong key for his last lock, Peih Gee is once again able to swoop in on Individual Immunity--admit it, haters, Peih Gee's playing a hell of a game!

Back at camp, Eric passively fights for his life, and Denise considers flipping, but in the end, even though she knows she's fourth in her group, she sticks with it and Eric goes home. I think Denise might have flipped if it was a sure thing, but she could only force a tie, and if Todd beat Eric, she couldn't take that awkwardness and anger back at camp. Denise doesn't do emotional!

Eric is gone in 6th place, joining fellow pretty young thing Colleen, who won America's heart, did a crappy movie with Rob Schneider, and refused to do All-Stars, opening the door for Outback 6th place also-ran Amber to come in and win the dang thing. Lil' Kim shuffled out of Africa here and the General (nickname the only thing interesting about him) departed the Marquesas. In Thailand, Jake left, never understanding that he wasn't being voted out because of his work around camp, and deaf Christy got arrogant and expendable in the Amazon. In the Pearl Islands, Crista aka Big Bird flew the coop and Ami the Evil Lesbian was vanquished in Vanuatu. Smarmy Gregg got the heave-ho in Palau and mean drunk Judd threatened death by crocodile when he was blindsided in Guatemala. On Exile Island, we were put out of our misery when annoying Courtney was cut loose and in the Cook Islands, crafty Parvati couldn't flirt her way any further. Last season, mean Stacy ran out of game.

And We're caught up! Peace Out! Christine :D