Final 3 - Day 39

Bittersweet Final 3 -
Returning to camp for what should be a celebration for making it to the end of the game, Amanda instead voices her frustrations at Todd for making her look foolish in front of the Jury. Amanda explains: “I feel horrible. In essence, Todd made me look bad in front of the Jury.” Todd attempts to explain himself to Amanda. However, his plea falls on deaf ears as she refutes his apology: “You guys can celebrate. I am going to bed.”

Morning Feast -
On the final day, Courtney, Todd, and Amanda trek to Tree Mail and are delighted to find a bounty of breakfast food awaiting them. Overzealous, they head back to camp to prepare their final meal together.

While they enjoy their breakfast, Courtney reflects back on the emotional rollercoaster of her Survivor: China experience. “I am glad that China was as hard as it was. It is like a building experience. I am proud of myself and I can’t believe it. My final goal was to make the final three and I did.”

Later, before leaving for Tribal Council, Courtney, Todd, and Amanda build a small bonfire, burning the camp’s contents and paying homage to their time spent in the game. Todd reflects, “I think China has actually helped me grow up!” His thoughts then turn back to the final task at hand: convincing the Jury to vote for him. He states, “I feel like looking at the Jury, I stand an okay shot. I backstabbed and lied to a lot of them but I was playing the game. Whether I win a million dollars tonight or not, I feel like I have accomplished a lot and I am so proud.”

As the flames heat up, the final three exit their camp and paddle to the final Tribal Council. Amanda prepares herself for the Jury, stating, “I think it’s anyone’s game at this point. I have a 33-percent chance of winning the money. I am going to go into tonight and tell them the honest truth about my game and how I played.” She continues, “I think a lot of my fears have been minimalized because of this experience and I am ready to do it now and I am not afraid.”

Opening Statements -
Todd, Amanda, and Courtney arrive at the final Tribal Council, where they give their opening statements as the Jury listens intently. “There are some things that I have done that I am not proud of. I voted for some people that didn’t think that I was going to vote for them. I am sorry that I hurt your feelings and really respect playing the game with all of you,” says Amanda. Todd follows, as he hopes the Jury can understand the many facets of his game: “The main thing I can ask tonight is that you are able to see the difference between my strategic game and the relations that I actually built with you because they were all real.” Courtney then admits she was clueless from the beginning and stakes her claim at the million dollars by saying, “I figured out how to survive in a game that was completely physical in the beginning. I started the game weighing ninety-five pounds and I was physically scared to be in this game. You have to give a little credit to the little girl who everyone thought would be gone in the first six days and is still sitting here on day 39.”

Facing the Jury -
One at a time, the Jury attempts to rattle the final three with their intense questioning in order to decide who is most deserving of the million dollars. Deflecting answers and explaining their strategies is all Amanda, Todd, and Courtney can do. When Jean-Robert questions Todd as to why he was voted out, Todd states, “You are a great strategic player in your daily life. I had to get rid of my greatest strategic threat and that was you.” Amanda and Todd feel more heat from Peih-Gee as she questions their game strategy, while Courtney explains to Frosti and Jaime why she deserves to be there and didn’t just ride the coattails of others to the end. Exhausted from the intense questioning, Todd, Courtney, and Amanda await the final vote.

In the end, the Jury deems that Todd played the best game, and he is voted the winner of Survivor: China and awarded the million-dollar check that comes with it!

Episode #1513 Recap - Days 37, 38, and 39

Final Four -
After Tribal Council, the final four celebrates the departure of Peih-Gee and congratulates each other for staying true to their alliance. “I thought I would be out in sixteenth place. And here I am guaranteed at least a one in four chance at winning,” explains an excited Courtney. The final four savors the moment with a group hug and soon hunker down for the night.

Tree Mail -
On day 37, the tribe awakens after yet another uncomfortable night’s sleep in their makeshift hut made of uneven bamboo. Amanda reads the Tree Mail, notifying the tribe of an upcoming Reward Challenge. Her desire to win is strong: “This Reward is probably the most important one we have had thus far because we know we have Immunity coming up and we need energy!”

Reward Challenge -
The Final Four arrive at the Challenge, where Jeff Probst explains the rules. For this Challenge, they must race to construct a Survivor version of The Great Wall of China. First, they will start on top of the wall and race down a ladder. Next, they must race to assemble and cross a puzzle bridge. Once across, they will use a traditional Chinese Yoke to stack their puzzle blocks and carry them back through the course up the ladder. Finally, using the puzzle blocks, they must complete their section of the wall by fitting the properly shaped pieces in the correct slots. First person to successfully complete their puzzle wall wins Reward - an advantage for the upcoming Immunity Challenge in the form of fuel, consisting of pizza, beer, soda and brownies.

The Challenge begins as the Survivors race down their ladders and head to the puzzle bridge. Todd arrives first and begins to build his bridge while Amanda trails just behind. Courtney and Denise finally arrive and begin to construct their bridges as well, but struggle to solve the puzzle. Amanda finishes first, begins to gather her puzzle bricks in her yoke and transports them back to the wall. Todd is close behind. As Amanda begins to reconstruct her wall, Todd catches up. They both frantically attempt to place the bricks in their proper place as Amanda takes a slight lead and never relinquishes it. Amanda finishes first and wins Reward. Jeff Probst then allows Amanda to select one or two other people to join her on the Reward. Amanda decides just to bring Todd.

Adding Fuel to the Fire -
Amanda and Todd sit to enjoy the Reward. Amanda takes advantage of her time alone with Todd and questions his loyalty to her: “Honestly, I don’t trust you that much. From what I have heard, I just have a feeling that if anyone were to backstab me right now, you would.” Todd is shocked by Amanda’s accusation and, in hopes of calming her nerves, replies, “There is one girl in this game that I have been honest to literally since day one and it has been you.” After the two clear the air, conversation turns to the vote when Todd states, “I am not cool with losing to Denise or Courtney. I swear on my life I am in this to the end of this with you.” All Amanda can do is listen and hope the crafty strategist is telling her the truth.

Meanwhile, back at camp, Denise and Courtney escape the intense heat by cooling off in the lake as Courtney asks Denise whom she wants to vote out next. Denise replies, “Todd.” Agreeing with Denise, Courtney states, “He’s a slippery little sucker.”

Three’s a Crowd? -
Todd and Amanda return to camp from their Reward as Todd finds himself alone in the hut with Denise to discuss the vote. Courtney sits nearby, eavesdropping on their conversation. Denise informs Todd that she isn’t ready to leave the game yet, while Todd, nervous about the gender difference on the tribe, states, “I just feel like it’s going to go girl power tomorrow and I will probably be the one that’s gone.” Denise then asks Todd who he feels has the best chance of winning and he tells her Amanda or Courtney. “Todd is a slippery sucker and always manages to weasel his way into something. Todd does not look out for you, he does not care. He is looking out for himself,” states the spying Courtney.

Courtney takes her newfound information and approaches Amanda to fill her in on what she has learned from Todd and Denise’s conversation. While the two girls are talking, Todd arrives and reveals his suspicions. “I know I am feeling paranoia to be left out alone. I see people gather off on their own and that bugs me.” Todd asks Amanda and Courtney if Denise is next to go and receives a yes from Amanda. “I am hoping that Courtney and Amanda are still on the same wavelength as me so that Denise can be the next on the chopping block instead of them going all girl power and voting me out. So paranoia on my side is high and I hate being paranoid, I hate it,” states a nervous Todd.

Rights of Passage -
On Day 38, the tribe awakes as Todd reads Tree Mail, which instructs them to paddle to the giant statue of Guan Yin, the Chinese goddess of compassion and mercy.

As the final four arrives at the steps of the statue and makes their way to the top, they find the torches of those who have been previously voted out. Paying homage to their fallen comrades, they light a set of ceremonial firecrackers at each torch and give thanks to their former competitors as they reflect on their time spent in the game.

Final Immunity Challenge -
The tribe greets Jeff Probst for the final Immunity Challenge. In a test of focus and strength, the Survivors will stack porcelain dishes on a long, wobbly balancing arm. The more dishes they stack and the longer they must hold them, the more difficult it is to keep them stable. Once a dish falls off of the balancing plate, they are out of the challenge. Last person left standing with their dishes stacked wins Immunity, guaranteeing them a spot in the finals and a one in three chance at a million dollars.

The challenge begins as each Survivor awkwardly balances the first plate on the wobbly device. Jeff Probst instructs them to add another plate, bowl or cup to their ever-increasing stack. The pressure builds as Todd loses his concentration and balance, sending his stack crashing to the ground. Ironically, the waitress from New York City, Courtney, can’t hold the dishes any longer and is next to go as the pain of keeping her arm steady is too much.

Amanda and Denise find themselves the only two remaining. Denise seizes the opportunity to strike a deal with Amanda and pleads, “Come on Amanda, let’s make a deal. I won’t write your name down, you won’t write mine down.” Amanda doesn’t go for Denise’s proposal and remains focused. When Jeff Probst instructs them to place one more item on their teetering stacks, Denise loses balance and watches her stack tumble to the ground, shattering the porcelain along with her hopes of Immunity. Amanda’s victory keeps her safe from the night’s vote, guaranteeing her a one in three shot of winning the million dollars.

Power and Responsibility -
The tribe returns to camp, where they congratulate the proud winner. “I am so excited for being in the final three. I have nothing to worry about tonight, but I am afraid that whoever gets voted out tonight is going to think that it was because of me. It could be such a good thing, then it could be such a bad thing,” states Amanda, as she weighs the pros and cons of winning the final Immunity Necklace. Feeling anxious as the night’s vote looms, Denise approaches Amanda in hopes of convincing her to keep her around. “I really admire you and respect your determination and how you don’t give up,” Amanda tells her. Denise tries to gain Amanda’s sympathy: “This is all I got right now. After this I have to go back to my family. I am not saying that it’s a bad thing. I’m just saying that, you know, that I’m going to go back to making seven dollars an hour working as the lunch lady doing the same things day after day like I have been doing.”

Welfare Not Fair -
Courtney and Todd discuss the vote as they watch Amanda talk to Denise. After both agreeing to vote out Denise, Todd states, “I guess all we can do now is hope and trust Amanda. If I have to lose to someone, I don’t want to lose to Denise.”

Agreeing with Todd, Courtney offers her opinion regarding Denise: “This isn’t welfare. You know, like she doesn’t deserve it just because, you know, she sucks at life. I’m the biggest bitch on the planet,” admits a smirking Courtney.

Meanwhile Denise tells Amanda she is voting for Todd in hopes that she joins her on the vote. “I will have to think about it a little more, but I will guarantee you that I will not vote for you tonight, but I cannot guarantee you how they will vote,” Amanda responds.

Tribal Council -
At Tribal Council, Denise helps seal her fate when she openly admits that she is a threat to win the game: “They think because I have kids that I would have a better chance with the Jury being sympathetic, and they don’t want to keep me here because that will weigh on the Jury's mind. I hope Amanda votes with me and not against me!” When Denise claims that Amanda promised to watch her back in the game but Amanda denies it, Todd reacts with a smirk. When questioned about his reaction, Todd explains, “It was sly to tell Denise that she had her back, but I was reacting for Denise.”

When the votes are read, Denise’s worst nightmare comes true as Amanda does not turn against Todd and is voted out of the game three votes to one. With the final three set in stone, Denise becomes thirteenth member to be voted out of Survivor: China and the final member of the Jury that will ultimately decide the million-dollar winner.

Denise leaves us her final words. “I definitely believe I would have won this entire thing if I had stayed in the game. I am just proud of what I have accomplished. To make it 38 days out here is just a spectacular thing for a 40-year-old woman.”

Episode #1512 Recap - Days 34, 35, and 36

Safety in Numbers? -
Returning to camp after Erik is voted out of the game, Denise ponders whether her decision not to side with Peih-Gee and Erik was the correct one, as she admits, “Peih-Gee and Erik approached me earlier and they wanted me to vote out Todd tonight. Here I could have been in the top three and at least tried to make it to the Jury vote. I kind of decided to play it safe and, you know, this could have been one of the biggest mistakes I have made in the game so far.”

Tree Mail -
On day 34, Peih-Gee walks to collect Tree Mail and contemplates her unenviable position in the game. “It’s not easy feeling like you are the least liked, so I am definitely the outsider, you know, and it’s hard.” Peih-Gee then reads the note to the group as they decipher the clue and prepare for the upcoming Reward Challenge.

Reward Challenge: "Zen Archery" -
The tribe arrives at the Reward Challenge where Jeff Probst explains the rules. The Survivors will fire arrows using a replica of an ancient Chinese crossbow at a target wall that has their names randomly written on it. Each time an arrow hits a name, that person will score a point regardless of who shoots it. To make it more interesting, they will be given five arrows to secretly distribute to give someone more attempts. The person whose target is hit the most wins. The Reward is an overnight trip to the Great Wall of China, where they will enjoy a large meal.

After the tribe distributes the arrows, Peih-Gee finds herself with only one opportunity at a shot at the target wall. She fires and misses. Denise is next with only two arrows to fire, and she scores one point. Amanda fires four arrows and scores two more points for Denise. Todd fires six arrows and impressively hits his own name 5 out 6 times to take the lead. Courtney is last to go with twelve arrows and fires the crossbow over and over. When Courtney randomly hits Denise’s target and then Todd’s, it ties the score at seven each. With her last arrow, she fires and hits Denise’s name, giving her the victory.

After winning, Denise is given the option of selecting two people to join her on the excursion to the Great Wall. She chooses Courtney and Todd. Frustrated with not being selected, a teary-eyed Peih-Gee vents, “I took Denise on a great Reward. I gave her the Shaolin Monks. I have been friendly with her from the very beginning and she just doesn’t care. It’s tough to be left out of everything.”

Bitter Sweet -
Peih-Gee and Amanda arrive back at camp and begin the arduous tasks of daily living. Having to start a fire and gather fresh water frustrates Amanda, as she expresses her desire to be on the Reward instead of at camp. “Three people are having meals and eating, and I used to be one of those three, and now I’m not, so it’s hard,” she complains.

When Amanda asks Peih-Gee why she doesn’t like her, Peih-Gee says that’s not true, and the two clear the air and find common ground with one another. The two then bond as they find limes and Asian pears. “Life doesn’t suck right now!” exclaims Amanda.

The Great Wall of China -
As the champagne bottle pops open, Todd, Denise, and Courtney lift off on a private jet heading for The Great Wall of China. Upon arriving at The Wall, they are mesmerized by the scope and history of one of the great wonders of the world. “This is amazing to be standing somewhere that 600 hundred years ago, there were soldiers running back and forth and cannons. Just to be standing in the same place was just amazing,” states a thankful Denise. Unhappy with having to prepare food themselves, the three eat what they can and quickly stuff their faces and enjoy their once in a lifetime opportunity.

Go Fish -
Meanwhile, back at camp, Amanda and Peih-Gee continue their quest for food as they paddle out into the lake and check the fish traps. To their surprise, they find a bounty of fish caught in the net and excitedly head to shore to prepare the night’s feast. They feel entitled to make more rice while the others are enjoying a giant meal, so they cook a larger than usual portion. Peih-Gee notes, “Seriously, there is about enough rice for only two days now.”

As the sun sets, Amanda and Peih-Gee’s thoughts turn back to the game as they discuss the state of the Tribe. “Denise is such a puppet,” Amanda reveals and continues, “This whole game she has been a puppet.” Peih-Gee, knowing she is on the outs, presents an alternative plan to Amanda when she asks, “Would you be willing to do Todd or Denise next?” Amanda tells her that she is open to the idea, which gives Peih-Gee a new lease on life in the game. “At this point in the game, it looks like maybe she isn’t dead set on going with Todd and Courtney yet. It gives me a little hope. “

Left Out? -
Back at the Great Wall, Todd presents a possible voting scenario as he questions, “Say Peih-Gee did win Immunity again, would we want to fight between the four of us or would we want to take out our love Amanda?” Dancing around the answer, Courtney announces, “We are the meanies. I mean, good Lord! Me and Todd are like the devil incarnate in this game. They hate us!” Courtney’s description worries Denise as she finds herself in a vulnerable position and describes, “This is a critical time right now. Someone is going to be left out of our group and I don’t want it to be me.”

An Unhappy Return -
Returning to an empty camp, Todd, Denise, and Courtney sense the thick resentment in the air. “Are we getting extreme Survivor paranoia right now?” asks Courtney. When Peih-Gee and Amanda return from the water well, they are greeted by Todd and Courtney complaining about what should have been an amazing Reward trip. Amanda, fed up with their sour attitudes, reveals, “Todd and Courtney still find things to complain about when they win a Reward, and it just blows my mind. Some people are just so ungrateful. Honestly it just made me mad.” Adding insult to injury, Denise tells Amanda that Todd had made her a boiled meat sandwich to give to her, but instead, he ate it on the plane. “Denise is showing a little more compassion for my situation, and it’s not going unnoticed. If Todd doesn’t win the next Immunity Challenge, I may have to think about getting rid of Todd,” states a frustrated Amanda.

Immunity Challenge: "Chinese Leftovers" -
For this Challenge, the Survivors compete in a four-round race that will revisit some of the previous Challenges from the past thirty-six days. The first round is a Chinese throwing star contest, in which the four highest scores will move on to the next round, which requires them to eat one balut. The first three to eat the balut will move on to the next round, in which they must bounce a ball on a drum while racing through a series of obstacles. The first two to bounce their ball in the finishing bin will move on to the final round. For the final round, they will use a sword to cut through ropes that release wooden puzzle disks. Using the disks they must complete a puzzle. First one to finish the puzzle wins Immunity.

The first round begins as the Survivors attempt three tosses at a target with their throwing stars. Todd is first to be eliminated as he scores the least amount of points. The second round begins as Denise, Courtney, Amanda, and Peih-Gee race to eat the balut. History repeats itself when Denise can’t finish hers and is eliminated. The third round begins as Courtney, Amanda, and Peih-Gee race while bouncing their ball on the drum. Amanda takes a commanding lead and wins, followed by Peih-Gee, placing them both in the head to head final round for Immunity. The final round begins as both women attack their ropes with the sword. Amanda takes and early lead as she collects her wooden puzzle pieces and begins to assemble her puzzle. Although Peih-Gee closes the gap, it is too little, too late as Amanda finishes first, winning Immunity.

Fight for Life -
With the all-important Tribal Council vote approaching, the tribe returns to camp as they congratulate Amanda on her victory at the Immunity Challenge. As the tribe makes their rice for dinner, Courtney informs Todd that they barely have a cup left. “You guys must have gone to town on it yesterday,” Todd exclaims, blaming Amanda and Peih-Gee for eating too much. Todd’s accusations don’t sit well with Amanda as she states. “I don’t even want to hear it. It took everything I had to not like flip out on him.” While Todd and Courtney head to the water well to discuss the upcoming vote, Peih-Gee, Denise, and Amanda are left at camp alone. “Todd is a threat. He’s a strategist, and he could go behind my back at any point in this game and take me out,” explains a concerned Amanda. Peih-Gee lobbies Denise and Amanda as to why she deserves to stay in the game and plots to oust Todd. “I hope you guys knock off Todd and it would be three girls. I don’t know what you are planning, but I would like to see that happen,” smirks Peih-Gee.

Tribal Council -
As the tension fills Tribal Council, Todd’s worrisome looks are evident as Amanda tells the group how pleasant it was to be alone at camp with Peih-Gee. “I got to learn a lot about Peih-Gee and I really respect how she has made it this far, and she is still strong and fighting, so it was nice.” Peih-Gee attempts to deflect the votes off of her when she discusses who deserves to stay in the game. “For me, most deserving means someone who fought hard every single chance they had and really came out here and challenged themselves.” She continues, “I think someone who came out here and managed to get to the same position and did it honorably, I think they deserve to be here more than someone who go to the same position and did it by cheating, lying and backstabbing.” In the end, though, Peih-Gee’s plea is not enough as she is the twelfth person voted out of the game and becomes the sixth member of the Jury that will ultimately decide who will be the Sole Survivor.

Peih-Gee leaves us her final words. "I am glad that I played to my utmost. I pushed myself physically, mentally, strategically and ultimately everybody was scared to death to go against me in the final three. I am not going to be a millionaire, but I feel like I will walk away way richer than I was before I came in this game.”

Episode #1511 Recap - Days 31, 32, and 33

Final Six -
Returning from Tribal Council where James was blindsided, the tribe congratulates each other on their successful plot to eliminate the game’s biggest threat. “I think that was the most shocking Tribal Council yet,” reveals Amanda. The group ponders what James might have done if he had, in fact, played one of his Idols and returned to camp. “Could you imagine if this didn’t work and he came back here? We would all be dead!” Denise says.

Peih-Gee surveys the tribe’s dynamics and explains what she sees: “Seeing the original Fei Long members turn on each other absolutely gives me hope. There must be a crack in old tribal lines somewhere because Erik and I are still around. If I can get one or even two more people, we could possibly cause a tie at Tribal Council, which would be interesting. I’m not giving up until I am voted out and I love that I am still here!”

Misery Loves Company -
As the tribe huddles in a cave protecting them from a torrential morning rain, Erik sings a song aptly named “Cave Dweller” in hopes of lifting spirits. Todd describes his discomfort: “I can’t even describe to you how miserable I feel. I have thought of home for the past week and a half and how much I miss it. You know I am not an emotional person at all, but it kills you.” Turning his thoughts back to the game, he then explains his powerful yet contentious position: “Right now, we want to get rid of Erik and Peih- Gee. That is the goal. But at the same time you can’t trust anybody one hundred percent because in all reality, we all want one million dollars. It would be a very smart move on their part to get rid of me now, but I’m not going to tell them that!”

Reward Challenge: "Marco Polo" -
The tribe greets Jeff Probst at the Reward Challenge, where he explains the rules. For this challenge, they will be paired up in teams of two. Each team will be separated on opposite ends of a giant maze. They must navigate their way through the maze to find their partner and make it to the center platform. First team to make it to the center wins Reward. To make it even more interesting, they will compete blindfolded.

Jeff Probst shocks the castaways as he reveals they will be paired with their loved ones. As jaws drop and tears of joy race across the Survivors’ faces, one by one they are greeted by their loved ones from home: Erik’s mother, Peih-Gee’s father, Courtney’s father, Denise’s husband, and Amanda’s sister. When Todd’s sister, Brandi, hugs him, she reveals tragic news from home. “My other little sister at home was pregnant and lost her baby, but it happened for a reason and she is doing okay and that is what is important,” explains a weeping Todd.

They learn that they will be competing together to win a phone call from home, a boat trip out on the lake and a huge meal.

Blind Leading the Blind -
The challenge begins as both the Survivors and loved ones attempt to blindly navigate their way to the center of the maze. As Amanda and her sister, Katrina, use birdcalls to help find one another, Denise calls out for her husband, Robert, who rumbles along the course. Peih-Gee and her father connect but reach a dead end, as does Todd and his sister and Erik and his Mom. Denise continues to guide her husband as he finally reaches the inner circle. As the other Survivors frantically call out for their loved ones, Denise and her husband connect and navigate the final portion of the maze to the top of the platform to win Reward.

After winning the Reward, Denise faces a difficult decision - she must select two Survivors and their loved ones to join her and her husband on the Reward. With looks of desperation from the group, Denise is pained over making her choice and ultimately selects Todd and his sister along with Amanda and her sister.

After a tearful goodbye, Courtney, Peih-Gee and Erik are sent back to camp empty-handed, while Denise, Todd, and Amanda learn that after the Reward, their loved ones will spend the night at camp with the tribe.

Food, Family, and a Phone Call -
Boarding a boat, Denise, Todd, and Amanda, along with their loved ones, find a banquet of food awaiting them. Pizza, chicken, and ribs are just a few of the delicacies they inhale. The excitement builds when Todd and Amanda shriek with pure joy as they spot a decadent chocolate cake.

“For [my husband] to come here - he is afraid to fly - that means a lot to me. But to come here and compete and to win a challenge together is so uplifting. I have been taken over the top,” explains a sentimental Denise. Later, Denise’s Sprint mobile phone rings, and she speaks to her children at home. As her daughter’s tears are heard over the phone, Denise attempts to comfort her and assures her that she will be home soon. Having been able to speak with her kids, Denise feeds on the emotion of the Reward and explains, “Being able to hear their voices and having my husband with me today definitely gives me the strength to keep on going. I am going to be here to the end and grab strength from them and embrace it.”

Crocodile Tears? -
Meanwhile, back at camp, Erik, Courtney, and Peih-Gee commiserate and discuss the events of the day. “I wonder why Denise picked Amanda? I’ll be honest I am kind of pissed because I took her ass on a phat Reward,” laments Peih-Gee. When Erik doubts Todd’s story of his sister having a miscarriage, Courtney doesn’t hesitate to give her opinion of Todd’s alleged tale as she says, “Todd was going for the Oscar with his story of his sister having a convenient miscarriage. That is not like the fake Johnny Fairplay, ‘My Grandma died story’. You can almost forgive that. That is funny!”

Winners Return with Loved Ones -
Amanda, Todd, and Denise arrive back at camp with their loved ones in tow, as Courtney, Peih-Gee, and Erik seek solace by licking chocolate from Todd’s and Amanda’s fingers. Unhappy from not spending time with her father, Peih-Gee reveals, “When the loved ones showed up, we were sour pusses. We were pissed that we lost the challenge and I really didn’t feel like interacting with anybody. It was really tough, especially for me, because I picked Denise to go on a once in a lifetime reward trip and she didn’t pick me, and it sucks.”

Like Brother, Like Sister -
While swimming in the lake, Todd and Amanda celebrate having their siblings in camp. “We are just so lucky that Denise got to pick two people and she chose us,” Todd exclaims. Todd, feeling insecure about his sister’s miscarriage, reassures Amanda that it was not a ploy for sympathy but, in fact, a truth. “They are going to think I am lying, like I am pulling a big lie to see my sister. Hopefully everyone believes it because it wasn’t a lie,” explains Todd.

Trust Issues? -
Denise and her husband sit away from the tribe and enjoy time alone to discuss the game. Denise informs her husband about her position in the game and explains that she has been with Todd and Amanda from the start. “I can only hope that Amanda and Todd stay with me and we go to the final three. If they backstab me and take Courtney…that is one of the chances I am going to have to take,” explains Denise.

Meanwhile, back in the water, Todd and Amanda conspire against Denise, as they want to take her out in the fourth spot. When asked by their siblings who they would vote out fourth, Denise or Courtney, Amanda explains, “Denise makes a hundred dollars a week. In the final three, she will play her sob story.”

Tearful Goodbyes -
The morning sun brings a teary-eyed goodbye. As the loved ones board the boat, Amanda, Todd, and Denise wave goodbye. Denise, realizing the resentment Peih-Gee holds for her, approaches Peih-Gee in hope of reconciling. When Peih-Gee asks her why she chose Amanda instead of her for the Reward, Denise replies, “I don’t know. She was feeling faint at Tribal Council. She wasn’t able to talk. She has been through it really badly.” Peih-Gee keeps her emotions in check and realizes that she can use Denise to her advantage: “I do feel a little better that at least she took the time to come talk to me. I might need her vote to try to convince her to vote somebody else off. Right now, I am going to concentrate on gathering up all my energy and focus on winning the challenge because I still need it. Every time since the merge, I feel like I need to win.”

Immunity Challenge: "Swamp Donkeys" -
The tribe arrives at the Immunity Challenge, where Jeff Probst explains the rules. This challenge will test the Survivors both physically and mentally, as they race while attached to a rope that snakes through a series of obstacles. At each obstacle, they must maneuver over, under or around it to untangle the rope and continue on the course. At the end of the course are boxes. Each box contains one true statement and one false statement about Chinese history. They must choose the correct statement, grab the corresponding key, and race back to the start, where they will find a box with three locks. If they answer the question correctly, the key will unlock the box and a flag will be raised. If they are wrong, they must head back to retrieve the correct key. First Survivor to answer three questions correctly and open their locks to raise the flag wins Immunity.

The challenge begins as the Survivors trudge through the swamp, untwisting their ropes by hurtling themselves over posts. Todd and Amanda take an early lead as they arrive at their box. Both grab their first keys and make their way back to the start. While Denise, Courtney, and Erik struggle along the course, Todd and Amanda open their first lock and race back to gather the second key. When Erik finally reaches the platform with his first key, he falls even further behind as he realizes he has the wrong key. After Peih-Gee opens her first lock she, too, heads back onto the course. Todd and Amanda both head back with their second key as Todd successfully opens his lock. Amanda falls behind when her key does not work. Amanda’s error gives Todd an even bigger lead. However, Peih-Gee opens her second lock and treks back into the swamp, hoping to catch Todd. After reading his final true-false statements, Todd selects his third and final key, and races to the finish. Peih-Gee grabs her final key while Todd inserts his into the lock. It does not open and a dejected Todd can only hope that Peih-Gee, with her third key, has made the same error. Exhausted, Peih-Gee makes her way to the platform, opens the lock with the correct key, and raises her flag to win the much-needed Immunity necklace, keeping her safe from the vote and guaranteeing her a spot in the final five.

A Proud Victory! -
The Tribe returns to camp after the Immunity Challenge, where the stress of the game moves Peih-Gee to tears: “I can't believe I won and I am still crying about it. Wow! I have been the underdog the whole time I have been here, and every Council that I am not wearing the necklace I expect to be voted out. This is one of my proudest moments I have ever had in my entire life.” As she wipes the tears from her eyes, she continues, “I am safe tonight, but it has been mentally and physically exhausting.”

What Will Denise Do? -
Todd paces the camp, watching Amanda and Erik on the boat in the distance. He informs Denise and Courtney that he is voting for Erik. Todd explains his strategy, “It seems so obvious to me, at least, when Peih-Gee won Immunity, who else is going to go tonight? Erik. It’s probably the easiest vote for me so far.”

Meanwhile Erik, knowing he is on the chopping block, attempts to sway Amanda’s vote against Todd as he questions the truth of his sister’s miscarriage story. Amanda agrees with Erik that Todd may have used that story for sympathy. Still, a frustrated Erik states, “The hard part for me is that nobody here trusts Todd. It irks me because I have thrown his name out there and, okay, if you don’t trust him then what’s the deal? I feel like I have to fight, but I feel like I don’t know what to do.”

After Erik confirms with Peih-Gee that they are both voting against Todd, Erik and Peih-Gee approach Denise with one last plan in hopes of swaying her vote against Todd. “Honestly I think Todd wants to go to the final three with Amanda and Courtney,” Peih-Gee tells Denise. As Denise listens intently, Peih-Gee summarizes: “If she votes Erik out now, it’s highly likely that she will end up in fourth place. If she tries to force a tie and Todd gets voted out tonight, suddenly her chances of getting to the top three are much better.”

As Erik and Peih-Gee pressure Denise, Todd sits nervously, hoping Denise won’t flip on him. With the vote looming and a storm fast approaching, Denise faces her biggest decision of the game. “This Tribal Council is definitely a turning point in the game. If I do switch and go with [Erik and Peih-Gee], are my chances better? Probably, but am I going to win against either one of those two? I don’t know. Right now, it’s a fifty-fifty split.”

After Todd attempts to convince Denise to stay on his side, she contemplates her final decision; “I am definitely the swing vote tonight. For me, personally, this is do or die. When I get up there I don’t know who I am going to pick.”

Tribal Council -
At Tribal Council, Peih-Gee and Erik continue their attempt to sway Denise’s vote. “If you want to look at it as us being two against four, one person is at the very bottom and I don’t see why they wouldn’t make that leap and be like, ‘I don’t want to be fourth, I want to be first,’” explains Peih-Gee.

Despite Erik and Peih-Gee’s plea, Denise stays true to her alliance and is the deciding vote that sends Erik packing. Erik becomes the eleventh person voted out of Survivor: China and the fifth member of the Jury.

Erik leaves us his final words. “I wanted to go all the way to the top in this game but unfortunately today was my day. I am really proud of myself. The five remaining contestants are going to battle it out and I am really curious to see who comes out on top.”