Three weeks ago, it felt that everything on Survivor: Samoa was set. Foa Foa was lagging behind numbers-wise and influence-wise. Galu was more than confident that they have the game down pat, at least until it boils down to the final six or something.

But two blindsides and two played immunity idols later, nothing is so sure. The four remaining yellows have forcefully exerted a lot of influence on the game. Russell, in fact, has become a terribly formidable force, so strong that everything the other castaways do have him in mind. Galu, on the other hand, has been forced into a corner, not knowing that one member is subverting them. (Karma bites, everybody who hates Shambo.)

But that doesn't set everything in stone. Now everybody has, more or less, a better idea of what's going on, there's a much bigger chance a shake-up will happen. Someone will make a plan and someone will subvert it, and I won't be surprised if the person who makes the biggest influence in tonight's episode is the person we least expected to do it.

So, tonight, after everybody goes on a search for a returning hidden immunity idol, things will go belly up again. They're promising another memorable Tribal Council (well, actually, "dramatic") after an alliance gets this close to breaking apart. My guess? Someone puts whatever plan they have in jeopardy, just to keep them safe. Shambo, Russell, the rest of Foa Foa... I told you, they're just guesses.

Survivor: Samoa returns tonight from 8pm on CBS.


- Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image courtesy of CBS)