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 one of nine surviving contestants in the merged Dabu tribe (a mix of "Survivor" fans and favorites). The show airs at 8 p.m. Thursday on CBS.
After a celebration that included beer and betal nuts on the island of Yap, Erik Reichenbach stirred the wrath of the Micronesian gods. As he learned, that might be a better deal than stirring the ire of Tribal Council.
Reichenbach, an Eastern Michigan University junior, like others, were stunned at perhaps the most shocking ouster on the history of "Survivor." Favorite Ozzie Lusth, one of the game's strongest players and who was holding the hidden immunity idol to boot, was blindsided and voted off 5-4 during the 10th episode of "Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites." Lusth, who had the opportunity to play his immunity idol before the votes were counted — a move that would have sent fan Jason Siska packing — chose not, too. And his overconfidence cost him.
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Reichenbach Photo courtesy of CBS.com |
It was a shocking conclusion to another episode that started off with some light antics, again provided by Reichenbach.
Erik played an instrumental role in the reward challenge in which teams had to swim out to a platform after navigating a net tunnel, memorize a puzzle, return to shore and arrange the puzzle in the exact order. When the team had its puzzle arranged, Erik called for one change — replacing a puzzle piece with a dark-blue sky background with one with a light blue sky.
"That's it. I think that's it," Erik said with excitement.
After that occurred, Survivor host Jeff Probst declared the team of Eric, Ozzy, Jason and Amanda Kimmel as the winners. The four enjoyed a traditional feast and celebration with native residents of Yap, an island of Micronesia.
"I've never even heard of Yap. But, a lot of people haven't heard of Pinckney, where I've grown up. So, I kind of relate to that little, tiny country," Reichenbach said as the group arrived on the island.
When they reached the village deep in the jungle, Reichenbach said, "This village looked out of time. It's almost like this village had been there millions of years. I was almost expecting a dinosaur to come out of the woods and go 'Raah!'"
The group enjoyed a large feast and witnessed an ancient tribal dance. Erik took time out to play with one of the children, sparred with sticks against the islanders, and chewed some betal nuts, which Erik described as being "tobacco-ish."
That came back to bite. Before turning in for the night, Erik, sick and woozy, had to toss his cookies.
"I partied a little too hard, Micronesian style. Beer and betal nuts. Not a good combination," he said as his teammates enjoyed a laugh.
But, that didn't stop Erik's need for more nourishment.
During the immunity challenge — in which tribe members had to hold their arm straight up to avoid dumping a tethered bucket of water on their heads — Probst tempted the contestants with a bowl of gummy worms (sugar candies). Erik made a deal that he would share the bowl with favorite Cirie Fields, who agreed. They were drenched, but had their snack. Ozzie also was tempted later, as he opted out for three chocolate-glazed donuts. At that moment, the camera showed the wheels turning in Cirie's mind.
But, first Jason and favorite Parvati Shallow were in a duel for 6 ½ hours. When Probst brought out a large plate of snacks and drinks for the person who gave in first, fan Natalie Bolton suggested to Jason that the tribe would guarantee they would not vote him off if he conceded the challenge so the tribe could enjoy the food. After receiving verbal guarantees from all tribe members, Jason gave in.
While it first appeared the tribe was going to withdraw their guarantee to spare Jason, favorite Cirie again weaved her web. She suggested this was a prime opportunity to get rid of Ozzy and the immunity idol. Parvati, who already had ideas of a "girl power" alignment, was in, as were fans Alexis Jones and Natalie. All that was left was to get Jason to go along. That was easy enough, as Jason had already been duped by the fake immunity idol created by Ozzy and was told Ozzy was going to vote against him.
The rest was up to chance, as they prayed Ozzy would be too confident to use the immunity idol. He was, and was booted off the island.
With the new female alliance showing strength, Erik and the two remaining males had better watch their backs.
