(S19E12) Although I wouldn't have said it a month ago, this season of Survivor has been so interesting each week due to a certain snake oil salesman. Mind you, I don't like a lot of what Russell says, especially his misogynistic attitude towards women. But to give credit where credit is due -- he's a master of the game, and this season would have been boring without him. It's got to all catch up to him one day. His own people will turn on him if any of them are serious about wanting a chance at the million dollars. They have to. Could tonight be the night?

If the typical CBS promo machine predicts that Russell's in trouble tonight with two tribal councils, we know we can generally predict he's safe. But they did blindside us once this season leading us to believe someone went home and they actually did. As much as he creeps me out, I want Russell to stay.

So tonight had no reward challenge, two immunity challenges, and two tribal councils. We had lots of time to see the scheme machines in motion. Well, except for Shambo. I totally understand the mullet now. She's living in her own little clueless Shambo world. While she often comes close to winning immunity challenges, she chokes. No one tells her anything, not Galu nor Foa Foa folks. Russell is her only friend, and it looked like he seriously considered tossing her under the bus tonight. And, what was with Jeff Probst thinking that Shambo had the brights to be playing up to the jury for votes in the second tribal tonight? Duh, she's Shambo!

The immunity challenges themselves were a bit fun and different tonight. I liked the Survivor Bowling Tournament, but it looked a lot harder than real bowling. It garnered Jaison his second immunity in a row. In the second challenge, I groaned when they were told to swim out for bags. No puzzles, please! But it wasn't to be. Instead, we got to watch them catapult bags into baskets. Or in the case of Monica, jump on a board for no real reason.

As for Dave getting voted out in the first tribal council (as per Evil Russell), I'm down with it. He's been more of a threat to any of the ex-Foa Foa than Shambo. Even though he's pathetically skinny, he comes close to winning challenges. Plus, the ex-Galu listens to him. Russell and company were wise to stick to Shambles, er ... Shambo.

After ridding themselves of Dave Ball (the only castaway whose last name is ever used), the next logical target would be Brett. Monica absolutely sucks at challenges -- not a single time has she even done a passable job on one. Brett, although we barely know him due to lack of airtime, is young and healthy. He's not clueless and he's the best Galu left. So what does he do? He wins the second immunity challenge and throws Russell's scheme askew.

Monica tried her best and she did freak Russell out. Although he is a master of the game, he should remember that loose lips sink ships or snuffs the torches out, or something like that. He's told too many people about idols, his work, and more. It's all starting to catch up to him. Jaison and Mick stayed with him for the vote tonight. However, Monica was successful in planting the seed. He only has two more tribal councils (I think) to use the idol. I was surprised he didn't play it tonight although he wore it for them all to see. I hope that he does use it when he needs it. His people will turn on him. They have to. If Russell makes it to the final two, he's a slam-dunk for the jury vote. You can tell the glee and awe on the jurors' faces as they watch every plan of his work.

With Monica and Dave voted out tonight, the only true Galu person left is Brett. If he doesn't win immunity, he's out for sure. Russell's going to have to do some serious winning to stay in. That's a mighty large target growing on his back.

[Watch episodes and clips of Survivor over at SlashControl.]