I Will Survive, Week 6

**Spoiler Warning**
Do not read this post if you haven't yet seen this week's episode of Survivor.



…you've been warned!




NO! Say it ain't so! The Alliance is broken!

The guys are forced into voting off one of their own (Dan the Astronaut), leaving Terry, Nick & Austin at a huge disadvantage. Or at least they would be if the Casaya tribe wasn't a dysfunctional bunch of nuts. Casaya's issues are the only hope for the La Nina tribe.

But what a smart move Casaya made after their recent victory. If any member of Casaya makes it to the top four, it's because of this decision to grant Sally immunity and break up the La Nina male alliance.

With ten players left and Casaya ready and willing to fracture, the alliances will likely change if the merge happens soon. Aras and Shane, at least at first, would sooner line up with the La Nina guys than with Courtney and Danielle, who in turn should quickly pick up Sally. That's potentially 5 on 3 but surely the girls will see that and begin to do something about it. And what does Cirie do? She can heavily influence the game in this scenario.

Bruce doesn't seem to be with it at this stage. What's up with him? [see notes below]

The big winner for now seems to be Sally. Not only was she granted immunity by her friends in Casaya in the face of a certain departure, but she will probably survive to the merge and be able to reunite with the other young women. That said, swing voters like Cirie still control the fate of these mini-alliances.

Random Observations:

• It looks like someone is going home due to sickness or injury after all (according to the previews). Shane's comment this week about Bruce (and Bruce's behavior) makes me think it's him. But it could be the underfed Nick or Austin, who both seem to be having a rough time and are cursed by the La Mina bad luck.
  
• So much for the "tribal council like never before." Basically, Dan knew he was going. That doesn't seem that ground breaking.
• My wife, especially, is growing weary of the dysfunctional team winning and the optimistic, friendly guys getting decimated. Casaya is ready to sell each other down the river at the drop of a hat but they keep winning. Just like in real life, the good guys often lose.
  
• If the young women form the stronger alliance (by turning the younger guys?) will they target Terry first? And then what happens when he reveals his immunity idol? Terry can single-handedly break up that alliance if he gets targeted. Nevertheless, Terry needs to win "hearts and minds" fast after the merge, if that's even possible.