Survivor Branford: Episode 3

The feeling of unity from the last tribal council carried over for Totoket. All four tribe members felt they had a place in the group and a good relationship with the others. They were all very loose before the next challenge, quite a difference from how they felt prior to the previous two. Larry kept the mood light around camp joking around and having fun. This he thought was the missing element that they needed. He thought back to his words at the previous tribal council when he said that something wasn't clicking in the challenges. He remembered that positivity can carry you a long way.

Larry picks up morale at Totoket

Metacomet had yet to taste defeat so strategizing was able to be kept to a minimum. Josh began growing restless at this. Despite his alliance with Amanda and Dennis, he began to think long term. His first move was to consider throwing the immunity challenge. He was concerned about how much power Dennis and Amanda were getting within the tribe. He was getting slightly paranoid that they would be able to convince the others to do their bidding and get rid of him before he became too much of a threat. Throwing the challenge he thought would make Amanda and Dennis more dependent on him and reduce their options.

"I want to throw the challenge"

His next move was to talk to Diana. During their conversation he let it slip that Dennis had the hidden immunity idol. This got the aspiring contortionist and aerial yoga student thinking. Only a little while later she approached Dennis and asked him if he had the idol. Very taken aback by this direct question, he could only reply "nnnngghrjh." Diana instantly translated this as "yes" and walked away with purpose. Dennis felt that he needed to do damage control. However, it was time for the next immunity challenge and he would have to wait to repair things.

As Metacomet stepped onto their mat down on the beach, they could see Totoket coming in from the distance. The green tribe appeared to be in high sprits despite not having won a challenge and being down two members. Amanda remarked that it was "no big surprise" to see that Melissa had been voted off at the last tribal council.

Metacomet laughs at Totoket's dwindling numbers while Larry keeps it positive

Today's challenge was a remake of the infamous "Pass the Bucket" challenge. One member from each tribe would kayak out into the ocean and circle around a buoy. On the way back they would have to untie a series of knots to release a bucket. Once back on the beach, a second tribe member would have to locate a stack of three cups buried in the sand. Once a tribe had its bucket and cups, they would use the cups to pass water from the ocean to each other before emptying the remaining water into the bucket. The tribe that had the most water in their bucket after time was called would win.

Because they had two extra tribe members, Metacomet would have to sit out two castaways. Noting her poor eye-hand coordination, Diana offered to sit out. Christine being selfless wanted other tribe members to experience the thrill of winning immunity for their tribe. She joined Diana on the sidelines.

The challenge got underway with Nicholas and Amanda sprinting towards their kayaks. As usual, Totoket seized an early lead thanks to the strong paddling of Nicholas. He made it to the bucket well before Amanda but the knots slowed him down considerably. Amanda made up ground here but it was Nicholas who made it back to the beach first.

Nicholas unties as Amanda tries to catch up

Larry began digging in earnest for the Totoket cups. While he searched, Amanda ran back with the bucket and Josh dove into the sand. Both guys found their cups at practically the same time. The assembly lines were formed and soon water was flying through the air. Totoket appeared to have a better system down as Amanda could be heard screaming "watch what Angela is doing!"

Metacomet cheers Josh on as he digs

Totoket has a good system going

3 challenges in a row for Metacomet?

Once time was called, the water in each bucket was measured. Metacomet had a very respectable three quarters of a cup collected. However, Totoket's water not only surpassed the three quarters mark but overflowed the cup! Their celebration was joyous! Meredith threw her arms up and let out a yell. Metacomet realized they were human and that they'd be making their first visit to tribal council. As Totoket retreated back to their camp, Larry could be heard in the distance shouting "the power of positive thinking!"

Meredith is elated!

Dennis could not forget his conversation with Diana all throughout the challenge. He talked privately with Amanda about this situation as soon as they got back to camp. The first thing they needed to do was address Diana. Amanda decided that their only choice would be to bring her into their alliance. The bigger issue was determining how Diana came across that information. Amanda promised Dennis that she didn't tell her about the idol. This could only have left Josh as the culprit.

As she rehydrated, Diana was approached by Amanda. She told Diana that Dennis, Josh, and herself had an alliance and wanted to work with her. Knowing that "no thanks" is always the wrong this to say, Diana accepted the deal despite her misgivings. Dennis had clearly not been honest with her, she perceived that Amanda was only talking to her out of necessity, and she didn't know what Josh's aim was by stirring up trouble. But she didn't feel that she had a great rapport with Steve or Christine either. All Diana wanted to do was have a few quiet moments to figure out what to do.

Metacomet before the craziness started

Amanda reported to Dennis that Diana was in and he was quite relieved. They told Josh this who simply nodded. He hid his emotions well but was quite angry that a new member had been added to his alliance and he had no say in it. This confirmed to him that giving less than his best effort in the challenge was the right thing to do. He knew he was safe at tribal and would be able to get rid of either Steve or Christine, two potential people who could replace him as the third to Dennis and Amanda. Win win.

The newly formed alliance of four huddled up to determine who should be their target. Since everyone there knew that Dennis held the idol, they could have their pick and did not have to worry about any surprises. The group debated the merits of both Steve and Christine. They reached their decision and also came up with a plan. Someone would tell Steve that they were all voting for Christine. And someone else would tell Christine that they were all voting for Steve. Knowing it was unlikely for Steve and Christine to compare notes, it was a pretty sound plan.

Dennis, Amanda, and Diana hold an emergency meeting

At tribal council, the Metacomet tribe had its first opportunity to have its members speak candidly in front of the whole group. Steve noted the tribe's luck in not having to go to tribal council until now and confessed that the extra time helped him to figure out how to play the game better. He managed to do a lot of talking without directly answering any of the questions thrown his way. Amanda was very tight lipped and cryptic in her answers and had the look and sound of someone with a sense of security. Diana said that it had been a wild day for her and that the speed of the game was faster than even she anticipated. But she noted her ability to adapt and felt she weathered the storm ok. Josh claimed to be disappointed that his tribe couldn't sweep through all of the premerge challenges but his body language indicated otherwise. He said that tonight's vote was unfortunate but necessary. Christine when asked about her strategy said that she was trying to lay low. With so many people playing hard and painting themselves as targets, she felt that it was unlikely that anyone would target her. Coincidentally, Dennis was asked a question about the hidden immunity idol. Thinking about his earlier idol conversation, he calmly said that he had heard or seen nothing of an idol. Amanda and Josh approved of his composure.

It was time for Metacomet to vote. The plan that the alliance of four made worked out perfectly. Christine and Steve cast votes for each other. The alliance had chosen to put their votes on Christine. With a 5-1 vote Christine became the third person voted out of Survivor: Branford! She could not hide her displeasure at being given the boot and vowed to never give her jury vote to any Metacomet tribe member lucky enough to reach the final three. But this threat did not appear to bother the business like Metacomet tribe. They looked forward to proving once again that they were the dominant tribe.