Previously on Survivor: Danni felt vulnerable but remained optimistic. The survivors participated in an auction. And Danni outbid the others for a secret clue that could help her at the next immunity challenge. The last item offered up was an overnight visit with a loved one. Judd bought a night with his wife Kristin. Cindy’s sister Mindy and Steph's boyfriend Michael joined them. Danni, Rafe and Lydia were exiled from the group and forced to spend the night at the old Yaxha camp, while the loved ones got a taste of camp life. At the old Yaxha camp, Danni and Rafe strategize. The next morning, Danni, Rafe and Lydia returned to camp and the loved ones said their goodbyes. Before the immunity challenge, Lydia tried to ally herself with Judd, while Danni listened in. In a mental challenge for immunity, Danni used her secret clue from the auction. The clue played off when Danni beat out Steph. Danni’s next move was to target Judd by exposing his earlier conversation. Danni’s maneuvering worked. Cindy and Judd were taken by surprise when Danni, Rafe, Stephenie and Lydia banded together to vote out Judd. Five are left, who will be voted out tonight? 

Xhakum 
Day 33
Steph is talking about Judd and his reaction to being voted out. Danni says he called them scumbags and said he hopes they get ate by crocs. Steph says he was sounding a little like Jamie. Danni tells us in confessional “Judd got voted out - completely blindsided. Stephenie and Rafe broke that alliance. I’ve been praying for a crack in that alliance. “ Cindy says she at least wishes they had talked to her. Cindy tells us in confessional that she thought they were voting out Lydia – that had been the plan for the last few days. But apparently she was not privileged to the information. Cindy points out that there is a pattern – the one who doesn’t know about the “change in plans” is the one voted out next – that makes her nervous. Judd didn’t know they were voting Jamie out, then Judd was gone. Now she didn’t know that Judd was going, so where does that put her? She is afraid she might be gone next. Steph tries to reassure her and says it could be any of them next, but Cindy says it still makes her nervous. 

Xhakum 
Day 34
Cindy and Rafe are stoking the fire. Cindy says Rafe is the last only guy left. Rafe laughs and says in the hardest survivor ever, it is the gay guy and 4 women in the final 5. Lydia points out all the boys are on the jury. Rafe says he is the last man standing. He is sitting around camp with four girls, and he’s really happy. It’s like Rafe’s angels around camp. Steph says-- things they aren’t going to miss about Guatemala. Rafe says “naked Judd”! Rafe says that now that Judd has left, they can all be a little dorkier and have more fun. Lydia says Rafe is a real gentle type of a male and fits right in with them. So they are looking at him like one of the girls. Rafe says even though the four women could vote him out, he has a close personal friendship with each one of them. And he is hoping that is the thing that will get him to the end. Rafe and Danni get tree mail, and it’s a car key! Steph says this might be the best tree mail yet. She’s never had her own car and she is in desperate need of a car. Lydia would like to win it for her 17 year old son. 

Reward Challenge:
Jeff calls the survivors in for the reward challenge. He is standing next to a black 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Jeff explains the challenge is called “second chance” because they will get a second chance at some past challenges. They will race across a balance beam stopping to untie and gather “macanas” as they go. The first three to finish will advance to the next section. Next they will use the macanas to break a tile. The first two that break their tile will move on. Last, they will untie a bag filled with puzzle pieces, assemble the puzzle, and then jump in a cart and ride it to the end of the track which will lower a flag. In addition to the car, the winner will enjoy a feast of steak, sausage, eggs, veggies, and rum.  The challenge begins. As they advance across the beams, Steph takes an early lead, but eventually falls off, followed by Lydia, who falls off twice, and Rafe and Cindy, who also fall off. Danni makes it across first without falling off, Cindy is next to finish, then Steph.  Next, Danni, Cindy and Steph use the macanas to try to break their tiles. Cindy is the first to break hers, and is joined by Steph to move on to the final round. It is close, but Cindy assembles her puzzle first, and goes on to win the challenge. 

Jeff offers Cindy the key to the new car and says she also won the BBQ feast and the right to invite one other person to come along. Jeff goes on to say, but first, before you answer, you may or may not know that in ten seasons of Survivor the person who has won the car reward has never ever won the game. Superstitious people believe it is the curse of the car. He is giving her a chance to get rid of the curse right now and perhaps change her destiny. If she wants, she can give up her car and instead each of the other four will get a Pontiac Torrent. Four grey Torrents pull up to a chorus of “oh my God”. Cindy says she normally doesn’t believe in superstitions, but she also wants them to have cars. She says she also believes in making the impossible possible, which means screw the curse, she can win the car and the million dollars if she plays her cards right and does her best. Jeff says it’s a tough decision, but she needs to make a decision right now – what’s it going to be. Cindy says she would love to give everyone a car, but she is here to beat the odds and so far she has, so she is keeping the car. Jeff asks who is going on the reward. Cindy says normally in the game of Survivor if you come in second it gets you nothing, but today it is going to get Stephenie a reward with her. Cindy and Steph get in the new car. Steph says the car is beautiful and she should be happy. Cindy says there are no guarantees in the game and giving people cars doesn’t mean they are going to say give her a million bucks. They drive off to enjoy the reward. Part 1 [13 minutes]

We see Cindy and Steph making their way to the reward. Cindy in confessional, “Stephenie was just like, oh, my gosh, overwhelmed with enthusiasm for me. This is beautiful! She seemed to really appreciate what this meant to me. I don't think I've of been that happy in my whole life.” Cindy also comments to Steph about it being all chicks at the end of the competition for the car.

They arrive to the archeology site and Federico greets them. He explains where the food is and tells the girls he will be back a little later. Steph asks him to come back and have a drink with them and he agrees. In the meantime Cindy and Steph get the fire going and cook the steak and sausages. They also break out the rum and make a toast to the final four. Steph tells Cindy, “If you win, you win. Why should you feel bad?” In confessional Cindy tells us, “Never in Survivor has the winner of the car of won the million dollars. So they call it the survivor curse of the cars. It was really hard to look at all four people, and you think when in my life will I of have the capacity to give four people new cars? Like, I don't know anybody who has the ability to do that. Maybe Oprah.” I don't know. I think at this point, there are no guarantees. They're not going to give you a million dollars because you gave them a car. Screw the curse. I took the car, and I don't think anybody is bitter about it at all.”

Back at camp we see Rafe talking to Danni, he can’t believe that was the decision that Cindi made. He tells us, “I just couldn't believe that was the decision Cindy made. For me, that didn't seem like a choice. It was, like, you have to give the car to the four other people. There was nothing else I would have done. Like, I never would have taken the car for myself.” He explains to Danni, “I was standing there, and I'm going like, oh, my gosh. This is so sad for Cindy. She deserves that so much. And now she has to give it up. Because there's, like, no other choice.” (Hmmmm, not bitter at all!) Danni and Rafe both say they would never have kept the car for themselves. Lydia on the other hand probably would have. Rafe tells us, “If Cindy had given us four a car. There is no way I could have voted her out in the next tribal council.”

Back to Cindy and Steph, they’re still eating and commenting on the steak when Federico joins them again. He tells them stories about Mayan culture. Cindy tells us, “I'm listening to his stories, and right behind me, every time I turn my head, out of the corner of my eye, I can see this car sitting there. That's mine. I get to keep that.” The girls move to where they will be sleeping and talk about the game for a while. Steph comments that she doesn’t want Danni at the end and lose to her. She would rather Cindy and Rafe at the end with her. Cindy also feels that Danni could beat them all in the end. Part 2 [6 minutes]

Xhakum
Day 35
Cindy and Steph make it back to camp. Cindy goes on and one about her car. We see Danni and Rafe, not really taking notice and looking very uninterested. “It drives so nice. I can't believe that the car handles that way. The suspension and everything is so nice. I mean, you barely even felt the rocks. I was just like, this is like a freaking luxury vehicle.” And she goes on, “I really never expected I would own a brand-new vehicle in my entire life. Every time I go out to get in it, anybody who is with me, I’m just going to be, like, you like my car? I love the way the tires are shaped, and the love e way the tail lights look.” While Rafe is sitting there with his mouth open just looking at her. 

Rafe tells us, “It's cute that Cindy is really, really excited about the car, but at the same time, I think it's grating on people a little bit. You can only hear so much about something that other people could have had. Like if you can’t read that body language, no one listening while you talk about the car. Then it’s probably best to stop talking.” 

Later, Steph and Rafe talk. Steph says she would never have given the car up and can’t believe that Cindy was considering it. Rafe said he and Danni would have given everyone a car. Steph tells us, “I don't think I would have done it. I could not believe he said, "I would have given the other four the car." I was like no way. Seriously, sometimes I just feel like Rafe does try to play the martyr a little bit. That was like the first time Rafe and I have ever disagreed the whole game.” Lydia joins Rafe and Steph and agrees that Cindy made the right choice in keeping the car. We hear again in confessional from Rafe that he is maybe playing this game too nicely.

Immunity Challenge:
After questioning Cindy about the car, Jeff explains today’s challenge. “Once again, immunity back up for grabs. For today's challenge, you're each going to begin attached to one long piece of rope, which is wound around a series of poles. Your goal is to unwind enough rope to reach the finish line. In addition, your hands and feet will be shackled. On my go, you'll reach for ten keys. Use one of the keys to unlock your hands and you'll move to the next pole where you'll unlock your rope. When you reach the last lock, you will also release one final key. That will unshackle your feet. If you think you've untangled another rope, sprint to your flag pole. First person to the finish to release their tribe flag wins immunity and guaranteed a spot in the final four.” They all take their positions and Jeff gets them underway. 

Steph is off to a good start and is the first to have her hands unshackled. Rafe right behind then Cindy, Danni and Lydia having trouble and still on the first lock while Steph and Cindy are on the second. Steph and Cindy are neck and neck for the third lock, Rafe, Lydia catch up while the others are searching all the keys. Steph is the first one to get the final lock and the key to undo her feet. She gets her feet undone, she heads to her flag and the rope is too short. She goes back to undo a knot in the rope. She still doesn’t have enough and has to go back and undo the last knot in her rope. Cindy is hot on the trail. Steph gets the last knot in her rope undone and makes it to the flag. Steph wins Immunity and a spot in the final four. Steph, “Oh my god, finally I won something! Jeff: Is this your first individual win? Steph: Yes. Jeff: Steph, you've come a long way from day one when you weren't sure you'd make it through the first tribal council. With this, you're guaranteed a spot in the final four.” He tells Danni, Rafe, Lydia and Cindy that one of them will be going home tonight and sends them all back to camp. Part 3 [9 minutes]

Back from the Immunity Challenge. Danni and Rafe try and be discreet and have a discussion about who they will be voting out tonight. Rafe tells Danni that he will not write her name down no matter what. She is concerned that Steph will sway him. He tells her he wants her in the final three and wont change his vote tonight. Danni in confessional, “I really feel like I can trust Rafe. He said he wouldn't vote for me. I don't know, you can't really trust anybody out here, but he seems to be a pretty honest guy, so hopefully I'll be okay tonight.” Danni tells Rafe, “If I somehow win immunity in the final three I promise I’ll take you to the final two.” Rafe tells us in confessional, “Danni promised me she'd take me to the final two. That's a huge degree of security at the end of a crazy, crazy game. I think it's definitely possible that people could want to get rid of Danni at this point, but nothing could really change my mind about voting out Cindy. The reward challenge was the first thing where I stepped back and was, like, whoa. Maybe I'm not going to be Cindy's biggest fan. It will come down to my powers of persuasion here, but I'm pretty sure that I can convince Steph we should vote out Cindy.” Rafe tells Steph that he wants to vote Cindy out. Steph says she feels bad and that is another vote in the Jury she wont get. Later Steph lets Cindy know what’s going on and Cindy decides to talk to Danni. Explaining to Danni that Rafe is a bigger threat than her. He’s won more challenges and the smart thing would be to have all girls go to the final four.

Tribal Council:
The final five make their way and and take a seat. Jeff brings in the jury then starts the questions. Jeff: Okay, it's day 36. There are five of you left. Steph's going to be one of the final four. One other person is going home tonight. Rafe, what was the mood like at camp this afternoon?
Rafe: I think everyone's feeling threatened right now. Except Steph, who has the immunity idol, and there's four guys in a row on the jury, and I'm the last guy here, so I certainly was feeling threatened around camp today, too. 
Jeff: Danni, what is the temperature back at camp, in terms of paranoia, or stick to whatever plan you have? Danni: Well, I felt uneasy since the merge because, number-wise, I've always been the odd man out, so I always feel worried. I mean, I'm so lucky to be here, I mean, to be if the final five.
Jeff: Cindy, at the reward challenge, you win the car reward, and I tell you in previous seasons, the person who has won that reward has never won the game, and I give you a chance to give it up and get rid of that curse, and also gain favor by giving everybody else a car. You say no, I'm keeping it, and I'm going to win the game. Still feel confident you can break thatr6urse, keep that car and win the million bucks?
Cindy: Well, I don't feel like I made the wrong decision because in this game, there's no guarantees. They could very likely vote you out the next day after you gave them a car, and then you're left with nothing. So thought the curse thing was silly, that if you win the car you're not going to win a million dollars. The curse is being a strong competitor and winning thing, regardless of what it is, a car, a pile of cookies, whatever it is. If you're a tough competitor, that's your curse. I don't think it has anything to do with the car. I'm content with the decision I made.
Jeff: Who else should have a target on their back? Cindy: As far as the competition, I think Rafe is the one that people should be most concerned about. We all have seen him win challenge after challenge, whether it's physical or mental, so he's good at everything, and people like him. So there you go. That's the complete package.

Jeff sends them to vote. Cindy goes first. Her vote is for Rafe and she says, “You're just a tough competitor in all walks of competition, and, dang it, people just like you.” Lydia votes, her vote isn’t shown but she says, “What a terrific person you are, but you're very athletic, very competitive, and very intelligent, and I'm voting with the tribe.’ Rafe votes for Cindy, “Cindy, I've always known you'd vote whichever way the wind was blowing in a game where I'm the biggest threat and it's always blowing towards me. I have to vote you out. I love you, though.”

Jeff tallies the votes. One vote was for Rafe and the rest are for Cindy. As Cindy is taking her torch to be snuffed by Jeff she says, “I'll think about you guys when I see the stars through my sunroof with my new car.” After she makes the walk of shame, Jeff tells the final four. “You've made it to the final four. Over the next three days, you will have three tribal councils, two immunity challenges, one winner. Grab your torches head back to camp. Good night.

Final words from Cindy: “I think the one thing I'll miss the most is the sounds of the jungle. The birds, the howler monkeys, the frogs that literally is nature's orchestra. So, yeah, I don’t have the million bucks but I've got memories that are priceless. There are no dollar signs for the things that I am going to have in my head and my heart as a result of this game for the rest of my life.” Part 4 [10 minutes]

Thanks to mo, Morty and Smirnoff for their contributions to this recap. Also, thanks to the flu that knocked me (Jem) out and making it hard for me to keep my eyes open and post the segments and video for you.