Survivor:Micronesia Episode 13 recap

If I didn't know better, I would have thought that the leaves were dropping and fall was all around us. That some Harry Potter or James Bond flick was about to hit theaters. That across America, turkeys were being placed into ovens en masse. That's right - if I didn't know better, I would have thought that it was Thanksgiving; after all, that's the feeling that episode 13 of Survivor: Micronesia gave me.

Say what you will about which contestants are remaining (I certainly have), but it is hard to dispute the fact that this has been one of the, if not the most, entertaining seasons in the long history of the show. So much has happened, from bamboozlements to quittings to injuries, we viewers have been treated to something jarring to our senses and emotions seemingly every week. This episode might have taken the cake. Here's a trip through the emotional ride I took while watching.

Glee - Upon watching the recap from last week, and from seeing the five remaining players return from the last Tribal Council, where Amanda had so beautifully and slyly played her Hidden Immunity Idol.

Ambivalence - As the players walked up to the Reward Challenge, which appeared to be yet another boring quiz, perhaps of how much they know about Micronesian culture.

Surprise - When we learned that the quiz was actually about past Survivor seasons; a nice trip down memory lane (and not so nice for some players like Michael Skupin).

Shock - At seeing Erik send Parvati to Exile Island and taking Amanda along for his reward.

Unbridled Glee - Watching Natalie's face as Erik made those choices, all but sealing Monkey Girl's fate.

(Damn near) Ecstasy - Hearing Natalie bitch and moan to Cirie that she was neither chosen to go to Exile or on the reward.

Yawn (ok, so that's not an emotion) - Trudging through another "Wow, this is nice" reward with Amanda and Erik. Luckily, this was short.

Annoyance - Listening to Natalie talk about how she was going to "bitch slap" Erik "like his momma," in regards to the above-mentioned actions.

Worry - In regards to the Immunity Challenge that Erik all but needed to win to secure his place in the Final Four, as the widows had learned of his duplicity.

Sheer Joy - At seeing Erik pull through and win Immunity.

Amusement - Hearing the ladies' plan to rid Erik of his Immunity necklace, which consisted of Natalie talking him into giving it to her, using his insecurities about the jury and his potential for winning as bait. As if anyone would be dumb enough to do such a thing.

Terror - When Erik was actually considering Natalie's plan.

More Terror - When Erik was seemingly convinced of the ploy even more by Cirie.

Aghast - At seeing ERIK GIVE UP HIS IMMUNITY TO NATALIE!

!!!!!! - !!!!!

Sorrow - Upon thinking of how sad it will be for Erik, the self-proclaimed "Ice Cream Man," to return home, only to hear how stupid and naive he is for the next 10 years.

Amazement - That that scenario really just happened. I sincerely can't recall the last time a player gave up Immunity (not an HII). I can't decide if I feel sorry for Erik or believe he got his just desserts. Had anyone come up to me with that plan, I would have told them they were high and that I'd take my chances with the jury. Yet there he was, honest, trusting and simple as can be, really thinking that he was going to garner "goodwill" from the jury and further his place in the game. Really, what did he have to worry about? Ok, so he lied to the girls - isn't that the point of the game? And besides, he had won multiple immunity challenges in a row - does that count for nothing?

What a game.

Survivor: Micronesia homepage at CBS.com