DANGER, DANGER: SPOILERS AHEAD!

What started as one of the most boring seasons of “Survivor” has become a delightful example of how you’re supposed to play this game: By never forgetting you’re here to win a million dollars (Russell), and by playing sweetly under the radar and then coming out of the gate to reveal the challenge monster that you are (Brett!)

The Brettster is a curious one – I read Jeff Probst’s blog a few weeks ago on EW.com, and he said that Brett, who at that point was still a nonentity, just hadn’t done anything interesting enough to be included in the show. I can’t believe that he didn’t do ANYTHING in all of those hours of footage that could even be inserted to remind us that he was still around. I suspect it’s more that he wasn’t as interesting as Russell and Shambo, so they just ignored him until he won a challenge. It’s striking how well he’s doing all of a sudden, but would have been even more striking if he’d had a presence at all.

Anyway, Brett finally got Russell’s attention, which meant that he had to be voted out. Also, Russ noticed that Natalie, who had been his close ally, chose Brett in a challenge to be on her team before choosing a former Foa Foa member, thus casting doubt on her loyalty.

While Russell plots against Brett, he also says some nasty things about Shambo’s hair, which doesn’t go unnoticed by his tribemates. OK, guys, here’s the thing. Now that we’re on to the last few votes, Russell, by the end of this show, can no longer use his Immunity Idol. Get rid of him now. He’s not safe anymore, and you can’t be worried about who he’s taking to the finals IF HE ISN’T THERE. So, bounce him. Now. He isn’t likeable enough to be much of a threat at the Ponderosa with the rest of the jury members, so he can’t turn them against y’all much.

So do what wasn’t done, say, to Boston Rob and Amber during the All-Star season. Vote him out now and then you won’t have to deal with him.

Tribal Council was funny, because Brett had immunity and couldn’t be voted out, meaning that Russell shifted the target to Shambo, who thought it was going to be Mick. Russell correctly surmised that they weren’t going to flip on him, so he didn’t bother playing his idol (Why didn’t they vote him out? Arrggh!) I wanted to hug Shambo and prepare her, because as much as I’ve poked at her, the hurt she feels when she’s been had is real. She’s so emotionally vulnerable, and it’s hard to watch.

So, Sham’s gone. There’s one Galu left, and he seems to be on a hot streak in immunity challenges. What do you guys think? Should he rally Mick, Jaison and Natalie to flip on Russell? (I would.)