I thought that they had stopped doing reward challenges before they started Redemption Island, but looks like you’re right - aside from the odd episode here or there they’ve always had two challenges, whether they be reward and immunity or RI and immunity.
Which was just one more reason to hate the whole “Redemption Island” concept. Without two challenges each episode, the show is just too…
Usually the only time they don’t have two challenges is on the first episode (unless they do an opening challenge) and when they merge.
We missed the first ten minutes of the show, does anyone have a site where we can catch this episode?
They used to put the full episodes on CBS.com after they aired. Not sure if they still do or not, but that would be the first place to check.
If you have cable, see if you have a PrimeTime OnDemand channel. survivor is on the CBS tab.