Editor's Note: Chart the progress of Eastern Michigan University junior Erik Reichenbach on "Survivor Micronesia" each week at the "Reich-O-Meter." Reichenbach is a member of the revised Malakal tribe (a mix of Survivor" fans and favorites) who are squaring off against the Airia Tribe, also a fusion of fans and favorites. The show airs at 8 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
In the game of "Survivor", honesty is not always the best policy — that is, if you want to advance in the game. But, it's what allowed Erik Reichenbach to live another day.
"I feel really, really lucky to still be here. I'm the last fan. I'm really scared that I'm the next to go," Reichenbach said well before the immunity challenge. "I don't think I have any leeway with the tribe. I feel I'm the next to go."
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SURVIVOR OBSTACLE: Erik Reichenbach (above left)
competes in the reward/immunity challenge during
the eighth episode of "Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs.
Favorites." Although his Malakal tribe lost the
challenge, Reichenbach performed well, grabbing
three of the five flags needed to win the pizza and
beer reward. It looked like Reichenbach would be
voted out by his tribe mates as he was the only fan
left, but he managed to convince other tribe members
he was more trustworthy than Ami Cusack, who was
voted off. Photo courtesy of CBS.com
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Reichenbach, an EMU junior, was on the chopping block as the only remaining fan among favorites on the Malakal Tribe. After his tribe lost a reward/immunity challenge (in which Reichenbach performed well, but took a hard hit when he hit his chest squarely on a platform), for the fourth consecutive time, Reichenbach admitted he was doomed.
With nothing to lose, Erik spilled the beans — to tribe mates Cirie Fields and Amanda Kimmel — that Ami Cusack had been plotting with the fans (in previous episodes) to oust Cirie and Ozzy Lusth, who was spending the day on Exile Island.
It had the desired effect, as Cirie and Amanda contemplated who they could trust more — Ami or Erik.
When Ozzy returned from Exile Island (where he discovered someone had taken the bait of the fake immunity idol he planted in an earlier episode), Erik was the first to greet him. Erik relayed Ami's previous schemes to Ozzy, who was not happy.
"If I found out someone has turned on me, I'm about getting them out as fast as I can," said Ozzy, who expressed concern earlier in the episode that he suspected some plotting against him.
Ironically, it was Ami who reassured Ozzy she was on his side.
When Ami's guile was exposed and discussed at Tribal Council, she made a tearful plea and explained her actions by saying she didn't initially feel included with the Favorites' plans. She said she did now and would stick with the Favorites to the end.
Erik said Ami was a good person, but said, "I'm backed against a wall. The truth is all I have to give."
In the end, the truth won out as the vote went 4-1 against Ami.
It appears Erik has new life. Previews for the next episode show the two tribes merging, which presents an opportunity for new alliances and a chance to stay alive longer in the game.
