Survivor: Guatemala - Episode 11

Well, I've been wrong many times before, so I'm not surprised with the stunning turn of events. We can call this episode the temptation of Lydia.

After a brief Judd outburst from the previous tribal council where Jamie was eliminated, the show quickly uncovers the task at hand: Gary sweet-talking Lydia to turn from her alliance. Gary and Lydia wake up early and discuss tribe politics. Gary's sweet interrogation is to the point: who's making the decisions? Lydia responds: Steph. Gary then tells her that he wants Lydia to join his group. Unknown to Lydia this is all witnessed by Judd from a distance. He tells the others, and its more or less decided there that Lydia is out. I was amazed (and so was everyone else) how quickly Lydia was turned! Going into the reward challenge Lydia was full of confidence (thanks Gary), even declaring that she will choose the group that gave her the "better offer".

For the reward challenge, the survivors are asked multiple-choice questions about Guatemalan history. Every time you get a correct answer, you get to break somebody else's pot. Everyone gets three pots to his/her name and if all your pots are broken, your were eliminated. Well, Lydia, came out swinging! She quickly eliminated Stephenie, breaking her pots twice. Lydia made top 3, but unfortunate for her so were ex-alliance-mates Cindy and Rafe. She was eliminated, and Cindy won. Her prize: kebabs and massage at this fantastic hot/cold waterfall spa. She had a choice of one survivor to bring with her and smartly she chose Rafe. By openly going against her former alliance-mates, Lydia basically sealed her fate not to be chosen.

At the waterfall, Rafe gets touchy-feely with Cindy (his own words) and they discuss strategy. Rafe also says that who knew that someone who looked gay would excel in physical challenges. Lydia may think that Steph is the one to beat, but the strongest players so far are having a picnic and a massage! When they get back to camp Lydia goes into pity-me-i'm-so-hungry mode which annoys Steph, Cindy and Rafe.

For the immunity challenge Jeff tells them a story about a Guatemalan moon goddess. The survivors then go to various stations which have a puzzle clue in them and two boxes with answers. If they select the correct answer, they will find their buff which they should take to their buff post. If they select the wrong answer, they will find a stick which they first need to put into a fire, then they can take their buff. First to get 7 wins, and it was a race between Gary, Rafe and Cindy. It was very close, but Rafe wins again.

Gary tries one more time to turn Rafe before the tribal council.

And during the tribal council Lydia and the subject of lying is brought up. First off, Lydia almost goes into an Apprentice-like flame out when asked about her and Steph. Gary then added that "some people here were starstruck with Steph and would probably ask for her autograph after the show" -- to which jury members Bobby Jon and Jamie laugh at. Judd is asked about lying, and then is outed by Gary for lying about the immunity statue being on the ground. In the end, everybody thinks that Gary is too strong a player and is voted out.