Poetic Recaps
by Michele Kevany
It was a cloudy windy morning at Koror on day thirty one
At the last Tribal, Tom believed he had been under the gun
Having Stephanie voted out did very little to ease his doubt
Tom said if he were them "I would have taken myself out"
Caryn and Tom took a walk to retrieve their next treemail
He told her from his deal to watch her back he would bail
Tom said he was hesitant to step out of his group of five
Caryn had precious few options for keeping her game alive
She said Gregg and Jen should be in their tribal crosshairs
Tom likened Caryn to a cat in a room full of rocking chairs
They returned and read the mail to their sleepy tribemates
For one survivor, "VIP" treatment and pampering awaits
To win Reward they will have island knowledge to recall
Friendship lines will be drawn after their names take a fall
They were excited at the possibility of good food and fun
Ian said if he can, he'll share with Katie whatever is won
They arrived for the challenge and Jeff said "come on in"
He told them what they'll need to recall in order to win
Jeff will be asking a series of questions about the land
Palauan smarts will earn time away from Koror's sand
Above the water were six torches that each bore a name
The object was to be the last player to still have a flame
Each torch had a rope that attached to it's own lever
Dropping a torch into the water will be their endeavor
Each time a survivor gives Jeff an answer that is right
They can pull on any lever until a torch is out of sight
It'll take three pulls to drop a torch into the water below
Having that opportunity will depend on what they know
The last player to avoid having their torch take a dunk
Onboard a luxurious yacht for one night they will bunk
The survivors were each given a box they'll need to turn
One chosen side of six will show what they've learned
Question one asked by what name the islands are known
The answer, "B" for "Rock", on every box was shown
Each will get to pull a lever, as not one of them missed
Tom didn't like being the first to "start this nastiness"
He said "sorry" to Gregg after giving his lever a pull
For Caryn, Jen and Ian lowering her torch was uncool
Caryn proceeded to the levers and gave Katie's a yank
Gregg had Tom's torch lowered by a pull of the crank
"Surprise, surprise" Katie told Caryn, yet not to alert her
Katie took her out, saying Caryn had eaten a cheeseburger
Jeff then said stone was used as currency in days long ago
The weightiest form of this "money" Jeff wanted to know
The answer was "D", for "ten thousand pounds of stone"
After each displayed a side of their box, Tom stood alone
He lowered Ian's torch, saying he was going with the guys
Tom's action had put a look of frustration in Ian's eyes
Along with the Pacific, Palau is part of another ocean
Jeff asked for a name, putting their boxes in motion
They each got it right after showing Jeff the letter "C"
The Philippine Sea's where the Islands of Palau will be
To "level the playing field" Tom gave Jen's torch a dip
Jen did the same to Tom and another notch he slipped
Perhaps the Palauan banquet that was awarded to Tom
Is why Ian took him out, giving him a seat to sit upon
Gregg went for Ian and another notch dropped his name
He told Katie he'd save her if she were to do the same
Katie obliged, aware of how disappointed Ian would be
Ian joined Caryn and Tom, taking a seat beneath a tree
Jeff asked where Palau was located relative to the Equator
Gregg and Katie knew the answer, but Jen was not sure
The right answer was "A", Palau lies seven degrees north
Gregg left his spot and walked over to lower Jen's torch
He turned to Jen and asked her if that would be okay
Jeff asked Gregg if he needed Jen's permission to play
Jen said he will never live it down, while Katie pouted
"I saved you!" to Gregg Katie incredulously shouted
Gregg lowered Katie's torch as if to say "tough luck"
After Katie payed him back she told Gregg "you suck"
The fifth question Jeff asked was about Elvis Presley
Was Palau first with an Elvis stamp for mail delivery?
The answer was "true", Palau was the first nation ever
After answering correctly, Jen and Gregg pulled a lever
Jen dashed Katie's dream of a yacht on which to bask
Gregg lowered Jen, and Jeff said "at least he didn't ask"
Jeff told them that coconut crabs have a special ability
Was it replication, changing colors or a leaping agility?
Gregg answered "change color" and he alone got it right
He'll be the fortunate one on board a yacht for the night
Jeff said it won't be much fun without someone in tow
Gregg faced his tribe and said "sorry guys, Jen let's go"
Saying "three's a party" Jeff had Gregg choose one more
Ian was stunned when Katie was chosen to leave Koror
Saying he'd "pay them back", Gregg employed alittle tact
Tom laughed at Gregg and said "no...we'll pay you back"
Gregg, Jen and Katie then boarded a boat and sailed away
There was a feast to be eaten, dolphins with which to play
At Koror, Ian said it was good he wasn't there for a yacht
Tom said "that's the icing", it's the "cake" they sought
Ian said if Katie was willing to sell him out over a boat
Her hanging on to him for a million bucks was remote
Caryn, Tom and Ian gathered for a strategic discussion
One player on that yacht may face down a repercussion
Days earlier, Tom chose to disbelieve Caryn, not Katie
But after an earful he now dubbed Katie a "shady lady"
Ian said he knew "for a fact" she was gunning for Tom
That Katie, Jen and Gregg wished to bid him "so long"
Ian said as he saw it, they had lost control of the game
The tribemate's pecking order Gregg and Jen will name
The three believed that Gregg and Jen had Katie too
Ian made some suggestions about what they should do
He called Gregg the dark horse who was poised to win
Caryn agreed, saying most would cast a vote for him
Tom said the three of them can send Gregg packing
So this secret alliance will be one member lacking
Ian pointed out that such a move would force a tie
Which meant one of them could be saying goodbye
Tom asked Ian what else he purposed they could do
Ian was not sure, saying he'd have to think it through
Captain Mike welcomed Gregg, Jen and Katie aboard
Showers and massages were just part of the Reward
Their swim suits were found lying on each one's bed
They showered, changed and up on deck they were led
A masseuse for each was there to knead out the knots
Katie, Jen and Gregg wearily climbed atop their cots
Gregg began to sense his masseuse has switched out
After receiving a swat on his behind he let out a shout
He jumped up to see Gregg, his hometown best friend
The two Gregg's were happy to see one another again
Later, as the four enjoyed the delicious feast at hand
In came Jen's sis Kim and Katie's brother-in-law Stan
Back at Koror, Ian and Tom were sitting at the table
Ian had a bold plan and the two were willing and able
He told Tom the vote would come in at three to three
A split vote between Gregg and Caryn is what it'll be
Those two and the Immunity holder would then be safe
The rest will draw rocks and depend on hope and faith
The one who pulls the purple stone is out of the game
Tom said if they didn't do it, they'd be out just the same
The two men shook hands on it and then informed Caryn
She would be safe, so naturally she counted herself in
Ian said it was crucial the others not discover the plan
Tom told Caryn to act as though her time was at hand
Meanwhile, the others had taken a sail to a lagoon
A special surprise awaited, which made Katie swoon
Each was able to snorkel with dolphins at their side
The group's utter amazement was impossible to hide
Later that night while eating dinner aboard a yacht
The three players felt it time for alittle strategic talk
While the loved ones listened, they made an alliance
Gregg and Jen told Katie they'd need her compliance
Katie said she was the player to strike a sneaky deal
Flip flopping would mean someone's trust she'll steal
They each agreed, barring Immunity, Caryn should go
If Caryn wins, they will end Tom's quest for the dough
Gregg believed this alliance "felt real...it felt true"
To the final three they would each see it through
The following day Ian and Tom both said "oh no"
The tribemates had landed with loved ones in tow
Tom, Ian and Caryn were each dismayed to learn
At the Reward Challenge a family visit was earned
To know they wouldn't see their families was rough
Tom sadly said "this one cuts into us, it's tough"
Ian made a promise to Katie's brother-in-law Stan
He said watching her back was a part of his plan
Tom said he'd focus, as the game's end drew near
He also said the yacht trip may have cost them dear
On day thirty three Gregg read the treemail to the team
One survivor may take a dive if they run out of steam
The survivors would revisit challanges from the past
A previous "sit out" may end one's chance to last
Ian told Tom it was imperative that Gregg not win
The Koror tribe's next challenge was about to begin
For Immunity, experience would be worth their while
Only one will earn it in "Survivor Elimination Style"
Jeff greeted the tribe and explained what was in store
In five rounds they'll take on challenges from before
At the start they will be racing the "Jungle Net Maze"
The first five to finish will move on to the next phase
Land versions of the "Sea Star Puzzle" will follow
After assembly, four will have something to swallow
Three Balute apiece will certainly have them chewing
For one out of four, an elimination they'll be stewing
Next they'll untie a box, retrieve a flag and raise it high
One of three survivors might kiss the game "bye-bye"
In the last round, two will face a head to head shoot out
Only one will win Immunity, while the other might pout
The first to hit three targets will be safe from an ousting
While their five tribemates will be eligible for a jousting
Jeff shouted "Go!" and toward the net maze they rushed
After Caryn came in last, her opportunity was crushed
In the second round it was Katie who lost her chance
Ian, Tom, Gregg and Jen were the player's to advance
In the third round they each grabbed a premature egg
Tom, Ian and Jen finished, having out-chewed Gregg
They raced to free the flag to be strung up on a pole
Jen's try was earnest, but Tom and Ian were on a roll
She sat with the others after the fourth round was done
For either Tom or Ian a coveted Immunity will be won
In the fifth and final round, Jeff had the two pick a color
They stepped up to a gun and tried to best one another
Tom zeroed in on the blue targets, while Ian tried for red
At the conclusion of the first rotation it was Ian who led
Tom, as before, found shooting the canon difficult to do
After each took their second shot, Ian was ahead by two
The final shot was taken by Ian, whose accuracy held fast
Ian won three days by mastering challenges from the past
At Koror, Tom said with "that darn gun" he was a flop
It was a good thing he became a fireman and not a cop
Gregg said he'd been tense over stepping out of the game
Tom and Ian assured Gregg the plans remained the same
Caryn would be the teammate to see an end to their fight
They were in agreement about the tribal vote that night
Caryn gave the best "sour and dour" she could afford
Her acting, said Ian, should win her an Academy Award
Ian forewarned Katie the game would be taking a flip
There was a purple rock ahead and he owed her the tip
He mentioned his promise to Stan to watch her back
Ian then said going after Gregg was the plan of attack
Katie was not happy, saying she'd been in a good place
Ian, Tom and Caryn had wiped the smile off Katie's face
She didn't want to choose between Gregg and a rock
It could mean advancement...or something to chalk
Jen mentioned to Tom that Gregg was feeling tense
Tom said there was no reason for that to make sense
They arrived for another Tribal ceremony with Jeff
Each took a seat and in filed Coby, Janu and Steph
Jeff asked Gregg if a Reward can be good or bad news
Gregg said "good", but he felt bad for those who lose
Jeff said the Reward Challenge had bared a tribal line
He asked Caryn if she regarded this as an ominous sign
She said she believed it was because of previous wins
Jeff felt it was about those on the "outs" and the "ins"
He then asked Jen about her relationship with Gregg
Jennifer did not feel she had anyone's pardon to beg
She said they each were playing individual games
This was not a reason to see either of their names
Jeff mentioned to Caryn she was packed to leave
Caryn said she felt they were giving her the heave
He asked Tom how one keep's their game afloat
Tom said they're all out to slit on another's throat
Saying the attitude was "all is fair in love and war"
And at Tribal Council, one can never be too sure
A survivor may feel secure but for all they know
Lo and behold they could be the next one to go
Tonight's outcome hinged on what Katie would do
She'd either pull a rock or serve Gregg a bitter brew
One player learned votes aren't a sure thing to peg
The torch that Jeff snuffed belonged to Gregg
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