Survivor: Cook Islands: Why Aren't You Swimming?!

(S13E07) Were I stuck on Survivor this season there is one rule I would follow: shut your yap. I don't think I've seen a season before where free speech could get you in so much trouble. Blowing a challenge doesn't get you voted out this season but tooting your own horn or speaking your mind is a deadly offense.

In the post-tribal wrap-up from last week, Jessica has realized that she is not part of the alliance at Aitu and start muttering about it. Meanwhile, Nate takes careful notes on what is going on in the tribe which angers Yul. Nate clearly thinks he is being very clever. Yul has his strategy all mapped out, a careful list of who is going next. I really like Yul but he seems so emotionless much of the time. Beautiful but flat.

The teams are giving a catalog of items they could win at the reward challenge. At Raro. Brad tries to convince his team to go for peanut butter and potatoes but they are convinced they need peanut butter sandwiches even though the bread won't last as long. He gives in, knowing that disagreeing is a quick way to get shown the door. This perhaps leads to his decision to be the puzzle creator rather than a swimmer in yet another two-part challenge. Rebecca is in trouble for Raro but Raro manages to make up a lot of time. The teams are exhausted but fight hard. It's raining, they are cold, it's a brutal challenge. Aitu wins and Nate heads back to Raro. They send Adam from Raro to Exile Island.

Over at Raro, Nate is angry that Brad opted to do the puzzle rather than swim. He uses the term "nancy boy" to describe Brad and then grumbles about having to provide for his exhausted team.

"It's hard to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys," says Adam while on Exile Island. Admittedly those pecs of his are worth something but eagle seems a bit of a stretch. Nate and Adam are clearly birds of a feather, certain that they are the anchors of their team and crippled by the performance of their inferior tribemates.

Speaking of birds, over at Aitu, Ozzy catches a bird and brings it back to the tribe. They wake up Yul to do the business of the killing. Yul is this season's Terry minus the father complex. Ozzy's nature boy prowess make him a big target. Seeming to sense this he approaches Candice and Jessica for an alliance. He stresses his provider abilities. It's true, he's the Swiss Army knife of Survivors but if he keeps talking about it he's going to get shown the door. Every time he talks about what he can do I have to shout at the screen. Save yourself, stop talking.

The immunity challenge is another tough experience. The teams have to create a staircase, ride a zip line, swim, climb a ladder and solve a puzzle. Isn't it time for a straight-up endurance challenge yet? It's close and Aitu has the physical advantage but Raro edges out in the puzzle competition. Thank goodness, Raro has been beaten up the last few weeks. I know, they are the weaker and more obnoxious tribe but I still hate to see them slaughtered.

At Aitu, the posturing begins. Jessica, once Jonathan's biggest fan, really, really wants him gone and campaigns hard. He's sneaky, blah, blah, blah. Unfortunately Jessica's rabble rousing only alienates her more from the tribe and her tribemates quickly show her the door.

Next week, is a switcheroo in the works?