Crystal goes home; ‘Survivor’ down to five

No gold for sixth place: This week started off well for Olympic gold medalist Crystal, who enjoyed her first reward when Bob took her along with him on his excursion. But the trip to a gorilla sanctuary didn't put her in a calm and happy mood when she returned, and her season-long inability to hide when she's not getting along with others proved costly. She and Matty fought, the fallout caused an alliance shift, and she got voted off the show.

Sweet on Matty: Sugar began the episode saying that Matty was the biggest threat, and later seemed annoyed when he griped about not going on the reward trip. But when the lucky trio came back and started sparring with him, she changed her tone. "Matty doesn't deserve to be yelled at," she sniffled, adding that "Crystal is just a big bully." So she changed sides and protected him instead.

An immunity idol gift: Though Crystal got the only four votes that counted this week, all six contestants cast their ballots. But Crystal and Kenny's votes for Matty didn't count because — finally — the real hidden immunity idol was played. Sugar has had the idol since her first trip to Exile Island, and gave it to Matty before Jeff tallied the votes. It didn't make a difference, as Crystal received more votes than he did anyway. But since this was the last day it could be played, it didn't cost her anything to use it.

My word is my (Bear Stearns) bond: Kenny knew that Bob lied at the previous Tribal Council when he said that Corrine had the hidden immunity idol, and a guilty Bob offered Kenny the immunity necklace if he won it this week. But that deal got renegotiated, and by the time Tribal Council arrived Bob considered it a valid agreement only if he thought Kenny would otherwise be voted off. Since he knew that wouldn't happen, he kept the necklace for himself.

Hoop dreams: The reward challenge forced everyone to run through an obstacle course, grab a ball, race back and make three baskets. Matty jumped out to an early lead, Kenny caught up, but Bob ultimately won. Meanwhile, none of the women made even one basket. After the challenge was over, Crystal raced to the hoop for a dunk — and missed.

It's not your job to think! Matty doubted that Bob would flip on his allies, telling Sugar "I think he's on board with Kenny and Crystal no matter what." Sugar shook her head and silently mouthed "Let me do the thinking." He did, and it worked. That might be Matty's best strategy for making it through to the end.

Evil thwarted: Matty was so excited at the prospect of sticking around to the finish that he was willing to face the possibility of going to the jury with Bob among his rivals. "I may have to go to the end with Bob, and Bob will dominate, but at least good will prevail," he said.

Comfortable exile: Susie continues to survive despite not really doing anything to keep herself in the game. She got sent to Exile Island this week, where she ate some fruit, relaxed, and ruminated that "The one good thing about Exile Island is that it takes you away from the game." Right, but when has she really been in the game?

Craig Berman is a writer in Washington, D.C.

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