Survivor Edge of Extinction episode 5: Challenge review

Double the episodes, double the challenges on Survivor Edge of Extinction. A memorable comeback marks the best challenge of this season so far.

Last night’s episode of Survivor: Edge of Extinction overdosed on challenges. In fact, over 25 minutes worth of content was challenge related! In this article, we’re going to focus on the two challenges from the first episode, which included one of the most remarkable and entertaining comebacks in Survivor history!

Reward Challenge

The two tribes had to maneuver through a path of ropes and then lift one of their members to retrieve two bolas hanging high off the ground. Then the tribes will make their way through a crawl through grabbing two more bolas. In order to win, each tribe member will have to land a bola.

This is a typical Reward Challenge format involving an obstacle course ending in throwing something. Landing a bola-type of object is an activity you’re more likely to see at a park as opposed to on Survivor, but the great length needed to toss them kept things interesting.

Kama dominated another challenge, winning peanut butter and jelly, milk and all the fixings. It came down to Manu versus Lesu, and although Victoria struggled with that last bola, she finally nailed it sending Lesu back to their camp empty-handed. Here’s another look at the challenge below.

Joey Amazing continues to live up to his name, as he lifted up Julie all by himself to enable her to reach the bolas, and he landed a bola on his very first attempt. Ron, Eric, Gavin and Aurora also shined with the bolas. Isn’t Lesu glad it’s merge time because of that overall dismal performance?

Reward Challenge Rankings:

Creativity: 2/5

Difficulty: 2/5

Entertainment Value: 3/5

Immunity Challenge

One at a time, each castaway is tasked with swimming out to a ramp, jumping off, and diving underwater to unhook two sets of buoys. Once a tribe has them both, they have to use those buoys to build a pyramid, and the first two tribes to do so win Immunity. Collecting buoys is nothing new, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it that difficult to release them. The castaways had to yank as hard as they could to remove a lever holding the buoys in place.

This proved to be a challenge for all three teams, but mostly for the disintegrating Lesu tribe. No one could come up with that stinking buoy, putting them way behind. However, Wardog was finally able to release one, and Lauren gave it another shot and clutched it out.

This simple looking four piece puzzle stumped even the best puzzle solvers in the game. Soon after Lesu made it to this phase, Julia and Joe were able to figure it out for Kama. As soon as they asked Jeff if they were correct, Lesu intensified their focus.

Aurora tried to signal Aubry how to solve the puzzle, but that didn’t matter because Lauren and David were locked in, as they completed the remarkable comeback by solving the pyramid. If you got up from your couch cheering on their win, you’re not alone! It was so satisfying to see this group of players win their first Immunity Challenge and it was a joy watching them celebrate. Have another look at this moment below.

Immunity Challenge Takeaways

One thing I learned from yesterday’s episode was how underrated Julia’s physical ability is. She was able to pull out a buoy when other strong and athletic players like Wardog and Wentworth couldn’t. Julia also played a key part in solving that last puzzle to clinch the win.

Eric and Gavin proved to be an athletic combo, keeping their tribe on pace with Joe. Speaking of Joe, he not only performed well in the physical portion but also in the puzzle, as this is the second puzzle so far where he was instrumental in solving it.

Other than that, Aurora showed off her incredible swimming skills, and Lauren and David were finally able to pull off a puzzle win. That being said, David has struggled the most in the past few challenges.

Immunity Challenge Rankings:

Creativity: 2.5/5

Difficulty: 3/5

Entertainment Value: 5/5