Australian Survivor Report Card - Brains v Brawn 2 - Episode 14
Featuring keeping secrets, spools, alternative votes and vibes
Note: Am I doing this again? Apparently I am. Anyway, if you don’t want Australian Survivor content, no need to unsubscribe. Simply use the ‘Manage Subscription’ page to adjust what emails you receive.
Previously on Australian Survivor: AJ had a crush on Kate, Myles whispered and Paulie used alt-text
Keeping Secrets
Grade: D-
In the aftermath of receiving almost as many votes as Jesse, for goodness sake, Paulie is understandably feeling very down.
“Nobody even asked me how my head is!” he says.
“How’s your head?” asks Karin.
“I’m not telling you.”
But suddenly it’s time for an immunity challenge! Already! Why that’s barely enough time for Kaelan to inexplicably lob a grenade into the middle of the game before peacing out to go body-surfing or fishing or para-sailing or whatever it is he does in between challenges and votes.
In particular, he lets AJ know that Logan’s got an idol, and maybe they should blindside her before going after Paulie for, like, the millionth time. It’s a stunning piece of information and Kaelan sensibly makes AJ promise not to ever tell a single soul he told him that.
“Of course,” promises AJ, who only has enough time to blurt it out to Myles before they’re bussed off to the immunity challenge anyway.
Spools
Grade: F
That immunity challenge? A classic game of ‘Spool’s Out For Summer!’, in which players must balance a spool over their head.
“A spell?” asks Laura, excited.
“Spool,” corrects JLP.
“A stool?” asks Kate.
“Spool.”
“What kind of tool?” asks Morgan.
“No, no. A spool.”
“A pool?” questions Zara.
“Spool.”
“I was gunna say, how do you balance a pool over your head?”
The point is that it’s very difficult. So, PD, sensibly, is still too injured to compete. If I ever make it onto Survivor, I’m definitely feigning a bicep injury to avoid taking part in any of the incredibly painful and strenuous challenges I wouldn’t win anyway.
The other point is that, despite Zara panicking over the prospect of Paulie winning, he’s the second one out of the challenge. (Kaelan wanders over and wins instead.)
Paulie is therefore doomed and gives a sad, wordless confessional before going to commercial.
Alternative Votes
Grade: B+
No problem then. Everybody’s just going to pile their votes on Paulie and send him packing.
Of course, every single episode this season has followed the same script.
ALL: Right. So that’s decided. We’re all in agreement. Perfect. All sorted.
(30 seconds later)
AJ: But I’m just thinking, what if I did something completely different (and possibly mad)?
And this episode is no different. From nowhere, there’s now a plan to vote out PD. Presumably because he’s an immunity threat (ie, a threat to just not show up to the challenge one day and instead maybe stay back at camp and eat more than his share of rice?).
AJ ropes in Myles and half of Coven 3.0 are in too. But this means, of course, that half of Coven 3.0 aren’t in. So they fight about that for a segment, before aborting the plan, to keep the peace (such as it is).
But, hey, after one (1) episode of whispering, Myles’ outside voice is back. So there’ll be no keeping the peace tonight…
Vibes
Grade: A+
At Tribal Council, it’s explained to JLP that everybody has partnered up with a buddy, who will ensure their safety going forward in the game.
“Buddies, eh?” says JLP. “Hands up who has a buddy.”
But as PD wrestles with his sling, JLP changes the question.
“Okay. Forget that. Hands up if you don’t have a buddy.”
And Paulie raises a sad hand.
But just as if it looks like Paulie is doomed, he is approached by Myles. “Hey, Paulie. My buddy noticed you from across the Tribal Council and we really dig your vibe. Can we buy you a hidden immunity idol?”
And so, when Paulie expresses interest in going home with them, Myles whips out his Steal-An-Idol advantage, steals Kristin’s idol, plays it on Paulie, negating several million votes, and sending PD packing.
Everybody else is furious, but we, the loyal viewers are delighted. The PD? Turns out it stood for ‘Paulie Decoy’.
Reminder: If you subscribe to the newsletter to receive these Australian Survivor updates and do not care for the sport of cricket, make sure you select the non-cricket option by going to the ‘Manage Subscription’ section.
Similarly, if you only want the cricket and care not for Australian Survivor, you can also use the ‘Manage Subscription’ option to adjust what you receive.
It really is that simple.