Previously on Survivor Hamilton: Old Meets New
After Nevala lost a particularly grueling Immunity Challenge, the game hit a higher gear for these first time players. Divisions began to appear on a tribe that previously seemed cohesive, and so Nevala properly entered the game of Survivor Hamilton; lying definitely included. David M. unfortunately learned the hard way that he was viewed as a threat, with cross-tribe connections having an impact at Tribal Council for the first time when he was voted out 9-5.

Everyone on the Nevala Tribe was now fully aware of the toll that this game takes on not just the calendar, but the psyche as well. With some early alliances forming, the tribe was beginning to split into two sides, with the majority of the players stuck in the middle needing to decide which way to go. It’s in these early parts of Survivor Hamilton that players get to try out different strategies for building trust. Do you try to speak with every player, or just the ones you want to work with? If you do talk with multiple other tribemates, what do you tell each one?

It was becoming clear to Jim, that he, the oldest and wisest of the group could come under fire this week. With his fedora planted firmly on his head, he would need to ensure his closest allies were with him 100% and then go from there to build some sort of voting block. That’s what he’d need to get through this, the first real tough vote on Nevala. On the other side of the tribe, with his close friends enjoying safety on Kobara, David M. went to work with his closest ally Jon to get to know the other players. Both Jim and David M., with connections on Kobara (though they aren’t the only ones!) were not being paranoid; they really were being talked about.

Throughout the rest of the tribe, groups of 2 and 3 were beginning to form. It is essential so early in the game for every player to have at least one or two other players they can trust, and that was beginning to happen. You all know who you are, and what ended up happening was a third of the tribe joined up with Jim, a third sided with David M. and a middle formed with a tough decision on which way to go.

On the other “side of the island” Kobara got to sit back and watch Nevala go through the same thing they just did. Silas went home last weekend, and the repercussions from such a big target going home would be felt for weeks to come. It was no secret that Silas had been close with David C. from last season, as well a strong friendship with Bryan, and he’d been working to reconnect with Amanda. Those people obviously hoped that Silas could had stayed, but since he didn’t, their votes were now up for grabs.

After narrowly winning Monday’s Immunity Challenge, they got a couple days off from the stress, but Kobara still needed to settle down from a 9-6 split vote, with various players needing to find their way moving forward. Obviously if they could keep winning Immunity, the stress and paranoia could be kept at bay for another week.

Kobara had the fortunate decision with one extra player to sit someone out for tonight’s challenge. These little breaks will be a godsend throughout the season, especially as (if) life gets back to normal. Some players were considering whether to sit out or not. David C. had sat out for the 2nd Immunity Challenge due to his being 5 hours ahead, and the challenge potentially happening when he’d be sleeping. Chelsea and James considered whether their plans could get in the way, but ultimately decided to play. So David C. will be sitting out for the 2nd time this season.

Now onto the show.

This Immunity Challenge went a lot smoother than Monday’s. Both Kobara and Nevala seemed to regroup, work through what went wrong, and come back stronger with a plan to not repeat the same mistakes. The first three challenges had involved math and logic, but now it was time for a word puzzle! Here’s the question:

Change one letter in each word to uncover a hidden five-letter animal. For example, change the H of SNOBBISHNESS to an O to get BISON.
1. ALGEBRAIC
2. DEPENDANT
3. ITINERARY
4. COLLEAGUE 

With the express instructions to solve for the hidden animal names and send all 4 of them in a single WhatsApp message, the tribes got to work. The answer of course is: 1. zebra 2. panda 3. tiger 4. eagle, and in no time at all, Kobara worked effectively as a team, and the answers started coming in. Nevala was not much slower in real time.

The following happened in the first minute alone. The players on Kobara were getting used to answering more quickly than Nevala, and the competition for who could be first was getting heated. While Chris had been first for the first 2 challenges, and Bryan ended up first on Monday’s charade, it was time for a new first overall. The quickest response this time came from Elliott, who had been essential in organizing Kobara’s unified approach. Chelsea buzzed in next live from improv class, followed by Chris in a disappointing 3rd place finish. Following bis brother, Kyle had the next correct answer, then James, Paul and Cowin rounded out the first minute of the competition.

Kobara with the early 7-0 lead after only 60 seconds. Amazing job. AND you all followed the directions!

The next minute was nuts, with the majority of remaining players submitting their answers correctly. Graham was the next in, and it was starting to look like more of the same for Kobara over Nevala. Thankfully, the underdogs finally showed up with Ruth submitting the first correct answer for Nevala, and it was likely there would be more where that came from. We then had alternating answers from Bryan and Marishka with another strong performance for Nevala, but the heavy lead was still intact for the snakes 9-2.

Next came Jordan’s answer, which included all of the correct words, but in the wrong order. This was not against the rules, and thus Jordan’s answer counted towards Kobara’s total, but in the future it would be something for him to stay on top of. Amanda was next, then Sasha chimed in, followed by Peter. The Kobara lead now stood at 12-3 with only Jonathan’s answer remaining. Now THIS was a familiar position for the Kobara Tribe. Huge lead. Nevala lagging. Jonathan waiting in the wings. Would there be a different result? I feel a Nevala comeback coming!

Kicking off the streak was Wayne’s best performance in 16th.

12-4 Kobara.

Next we had Andre’s response come in.

12-5 Kobara. 

Then the shirtless wonder also had his best finish.

12-6 Kobara. Still a long way for Nevala to come back.

Ian pulled a Jordan and technically answered correctly, but in the wrong order, probably panicking.

12-7 Kobara. Little bit closer.

Then Jon got his answer in, right in the middle of the pack. Blending in as best he could after his closest ally was voted out of the game.

12-8 Kobara. 

Fear the beard, Dave is here!

12-9 Kobara. Uh oh.

April was next, hopefully putting last night’s surprise drama behind her.

12-10 Kobara!!! Can you believe it? Can Nevala pull off the stunning comeback?!?!

Nope.

Jonathan, only 3 minutes after the question was posted, crosses the finish line in 23rd of 26 possible response, and that means that Kobara wins Immunity!!!

For the 2nd time this week Kobara will be safe from Tribal Council, and will end up going at least a full 11 days without voting anyone out. Silas was voted out last Saturday, and they’ll have at least until next Wednesday’s Tribal Council safe, unless they keep winning and then who knows how long they can keep the streak up. I’m pretty sure Jonathan is super glad that Nevala had 3 players answer even slower than he did.

Sharon, Jim and Shareed were the last 3 to answer in this Immunity Challenge. Granted Sharon and Jim were still only 3 minutes after the question was posted, just like Jonathan, however Shareed was a full 5 minutes after the question. How dare he make us wait so long!

The results are there to see, and once again, it was clear that Kobara is just quicker on the draw. Nevala starts buzzing in just as Kobara is finishing up, and that deficit may continue to prove too much to come back from unless someone from Kobara screws up.

So we’ll see you again Nevala, for the second time this week, at Tribal Council. Our video will start at 6pm EST, with the voting period taking place between 5pm-6pm EST. Good luck Nevala. It will be interesting to see what happens so soon after last night’s blindside.

MH

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