I'm happy to see that they didn't do an entirely strength-based challenge, although this one does favor the person with long arms, who, in this case, I'm assuming is Matt. But I guess they're trying to get all of their tall people favored challenges out of the way now before Li'l Russell arrives. Because you know that every challenge when he's there will be planned so that a short, fat, bald asshole has a distinct advantage. Probst says a weak "go" that lacks the volume and enthusiasm of his usual challenge beginning cries because Redemption Island is a solemn place. Matt and Francesca get to work. "Good old fashioned Survivor challenge: sticks and rope. And locks," Probst says, apparently forgetting how lame those early challenges used to be. Like the Blair Witch one, a good old fashioned Survivor challenge with stories and video cameras. And Rudy.

Francesca is the first to try out her pole. She's able to grab her first key ring as Matt makes an attempt with his pole, only for it to fall apart as soon as he picks it up. Francesca goes for her second key. Slowly and carefully, she lifts it off the hook and brings it back behind the gate. Wow, Francesca is kicking Matt's ass. Hooray! I want her to win and go back in the game. She is funny and smart and didn't get a chance. Matt makes a second attempt at the first key ring, and his pole falls apart again. Meanwhile, Francesca goes for her third and final key. But this hook is slightly further away than the others and her stick is just a hair too short. Too bad her arms aren't as long as Matt's, or else she might have won right there. The pole folds in half on her as Matt makes a third attempt for the first key ring. This time, he gets it. He immediately goes for the second key. He gets that one, too. All of the sudden, Francesca's huge lead has disappeared. She and Matt go for their third keys at about the same time. Their poles dance around the key rings. Matt's is a half-inch short of the ring, while Francesca gets her pole in the key ring but it slips off. In the meantime, Matt has stretched his arm out enough to get the last key ring. He slowly and carefully carries it back behind the gate. Damn. I mean, Matt seems okay and all, but I really like Francesca. And she doesn't have a chance at winning now, with Matt successfully getting his last key ring behind the gate and working on the locks while Francesca is still unable to get that last key ring on her pole. Matt quickly unlocks the gate and wins.