Five episodes into "Survivor: Micronesia," Eastern Michigan University's own Erik Reichenbach is emerging as an important player. While still trying to maintain a low-key game, Reichenbach is becoming more vocal and is showing his physicality in challenges.
In perhaps the most exciting episode to date, new tribes were formed, mixing the "Favorites" with the "Fans". At least three Survivors suffered injuries during the reward challenge; a shocker was pulled when firefighter Joel Wright was booted from Tribal Council rather than Chet Welch, perhaps the weakest "Survivor" player ever; and Ozzy Lusth told three of his tribe mates he found the hidden immunity idol — right before the tribes changed.
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DROP YOUR BUFFS: During the March 6 episode of
"Survivor Micronesia: Fans Vs. Favorites," the two
tribes were asked to drop their buffs, indicating new
tribes would be formed. Eastern Michigan University
student Erik Reichenbach (obscured on the left of the
back row) remains in the game after five episodes.
Photo courtesy of CBS.com
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And Reichenbach teamed up with his "Survivor" idol, Ozzy, during the reward challenges, which he was obviously excited about. The two worked well together and scored a point during the obstacle course chase in which two teammates, tethered together, chase two teammates from the other tribe.
"I got to meet Ozzie today. I was with the fans. I'm now living with some of the favorites," Reichenbach said. "But, I can't let that cloud my judgment. They're still people in this game."
But, ultimately, the new Malakal tribe lost the reward challenge, which included steaks, sausage and wine. The new Airia tribe was allowed to live at the camp with all of the furnishings while the Malakal tribe had to settle for a primitive setup near the beach.
Later, Erik and Ozzy went fishing and Erik was amazed at Ozzy's swimming abilities.
"He's natural in the water. That's just how he was born. And there's nothing to it other than that. I can't compete with it. He's amazing," Erik said.
After fishing, Ozzy and Joel discussed strategy in the water, with Erik listening in. Joel agreed to dump Chet if Ozzy would help him get rid of Cirie Fields first. Erik agreed with that plan.
"It was kind of like two superpowers discussing terms," was how Erik described the strategy summit.
Later, the Malakal tribe enjoyed their own feast, after tribe mate Amanda captured a four-foot shark in a net just off shore.
Erik again fared well in the immunity challenge, breaking two of the five ceramic tiles with rocks. After the tiles broke, puzzle pieces were dropped, which were then pulled in by tribe members. Erik's tribe got all their pieces first, but could not take advantage as Chet, who called out where to place the puzzle pieces, got confused -- especially after Joel started trying to run the situation.
After Joel and Erik said it was time to dump Chet, it appeared he was finally headed off the island. But Joel rubbed many of the women, including Cirie, the wrong way. For the second time, Cirie orchestrated a major vote, pointing out that Joel didn't break one tile and couldn't help the team solve the puzzle.
During Tribal Council, Joel received six votes, but only five needed to be counted to boot him off the island. Chet received two — from Erik and Joel.
When Joel left Tribal Council, Erik put out his fist and said, "Hey, big guy," in a show of support and blew out a gasp of surprise.
While disappointed, Erik is probably glad it's better Joel than himself.
