My Gut Must Be Constipated

"My Gut Must Be Constipated"
Season	Survivor: Vatulele
Author	User:Sulola
Episode Number	3/13
Episode Chronology
Previous	Maybe We Should Make Our Own Bike
Next	World War III Has Begun

This is the 3rd episode of Survivor: Vatulele.

Challenges

Reward Challenge: Survivor Smorgasboard
Castaways will compete one on one against a member of the opposing tribe, eating "local delicacies" (AKA gross foods like urchin guts and duck embryo). Whoever finishes the delicacy first and shows Jeff with their mouth open, no food inside, earns a point for their tribe. The first tribe to 4 points wins reward.
Reward: Fishing gear (a spear, several nets, fishing hooks and lures, and bait)

Immunity Challenge: Start the Ignition
Three castaways from each tribe must dig in a large mud pit to find three puzzle bags for their tribe. Once all three bags have been found, they will be taken to the next three castaways, who will use the pieces to build a 3-D puzzle of a key with numbers on it. Once the puzzle is done, the seventh and final castaway will use the numbers on the key puzzle to open a lockbox and retrieve flint. They'll use that flint to start a fire with provided supplies. The first tribe to burn through a rope over the firemaking station wins Immunity.

Previously On Survivor...

After voting off Tatiana, Ekubo was in chaos. Calliope confronted the tribe about their betrayal, and verbal fights ensued. The next day, Calliope made Breccan's target bigger by putting all of the fishing achievements of the tribe on him. On Taunovo, Talula was trapped between two alliances (Cornelia's and Jolyon's) along with her ally Dane, completely unsure of where to go. Taunovo managed to win the Reward Challenge for useful comfort items. Louise and Spence grew close on Taunovo, while Talula continued to figure out which alliance to go with. On Ekubo, Breccan and Florine strengthened their bond while Sulien and Kinsley decided to make a deal to work with Calliope moving forward.

Taunovo lost the second Immunity challenge, and Talula and Dane were trapped in the middle. They made a promise to vote with Jolyon, Spence, and Louise, but Talula later wanted to vote off Jolyon with Cornelia, Cress, and Emilia. Before the vote, they decided to vote off Cornelia with their original alliance, but campaigning from Cornelia, Emilia, and Cress at Tribal Council caused chaos, leading Talula to flip her vote to Jolyon and tie things up 4-4. In a fatal error, Talula and Dane both flipped their votes due to poor communication, leading to a second tie, 3-3. They could not come to a unanimous decision to vote off either Jolyon or Cornelia, so the tribe drew rocks. Emilia drew the purple rock, and was eliminated from the game despite fighting hard to keep herself and her allies in the game.

14 remain, who will be voted out tonight?

Night 6

Taunovo

A short shot of the Taunovo flag rippling in the wind is shown, the words "Night 6" shining in the corner of the screen. Then the camera pans over to the seven remaining members of navy Taunovo, carrying their torches over their shoulders. It is deadly silent as, one by one, they lean their torches up against a large tree next to their tribe's flag. All seven of them just stand around the dead fire in utter silence.

“When we got back to camp...it was just quiet. Plain quiet. Dead quiet. I felt like it would be illegal or something to break the silence, because that was how encompassing it was. No one spoke for a really really long time, and it got me feeling messed up. That vote already had torn my feelings to shreds, and Muttano was still quivering and teary a little. It was just so...odd. I didn't think the game would be this hard. There I go, saying it like every naive person says it. But it's not the weather or nature. It's the game itself. I didn't know I'd become this attached to people, and it's scary. It's also shitty because I'm pretty sure I have zero shot of surviving to the merge now. It's just me and Muttano, no one else. We're gonna have to fend for ourselves.”

Cress

After quite some time, Talula sighs and speaks up.

Talula (sorrowfully): I'm so, so sorry about tonight. It really was not intentional.

Dane (ashamedly): We didn't mean to do this.

There's more silence. Cornelia stares at Talula and Dane, and then huffs, marching away into the darkness. Cress pursues her, leaving the other five members of the tribe standing around the burnt out fire.

Spence (quietly): We better get the fire started back up.

Dane: We didn't mean for it to happ-

Jolyon (firmly): You both voted against me. We get it, you were freaking out or whatever. Just let us sort ourselves out, and go to bed. It's too late to get into this.

Talula: Jol-

Louise (perturbed): He asked you to leave him alone, so leave him alone! I'm not extremely pissed off, but listen to people when they tell you things! It's almost like you have communication issues or something.

Dane: Too soon, Louise.

Talula (shaking): We'll...we'll go to bed.

Talula tugs on Dane's hand, and pulls him into their shelter. They lay down, side by side, pulling a pillow under their heads and laying in silence before Dane speaks.

Dane (defeated): We're absolutely f*cked, right?

Talula: Dane, in the morning we can-

Dane: Just answer the question, Talula.

Talula (aggravated): Of course! Of course we're screwed! Screwed like hell! We both know it, so there's no need to say it! Just go to sleep, and we'll figure what the hell we're going to do in the morning.

Dane doesn't say another word, just sighing and closing his eyes, trying to sleep. Talula lays awake, staring at the woven palm fronds that make up the ceiling of their shelter, unable to fall asleep.

“Absolutely f*cked. We're absolutely, positively f*cked. I don't really like to swear that often, but I'm willing to cuss my brains out over this. I just...I just don't know how this happened. Everyone out there, they're going to think we did that on purpose or something because we didn't want to decide a side. None of them will trust us for a second, and we're going to be booted next even though we could've just voted off Cornelia straight away. I know it's my fault, since I switched at the first vote. I'm just going to have to get this target off my back somehow. My head already hurts thinking about it...dear lord, we're royally f*cked.”

Talula

The scene shifts to a night vision shot of Cress and Cornelia standing in the middle of the jungle. Cress holds Cornelia to his chest as she gets her tears out, and when she's through she wipes them away and sighs.

Cornelia (ruefully): I thought we had a chance tonight, my friend. Everything went as best as it could, and it still failed for us. Through accidents and chaos we actually had a chance to get the three of us out of there...but Emilia's gone, and we're done and out.

Cress (encouragingly): Now, you know we're not done and out. I know things are crazy, but we need to fight through this confusion, Muttano, and try and survive.

Cornelia: How do you suggest we do that, my friend?

Cress: We turn on Talula and Dane. They pretty much turned on us back there, even if they almost rescued us from the bottom. We play up how distrustful they are, and we get to survive two more votes by using the mess from tonight and putting it constantly in the minds of Louise, Spence, and Jolyon. That should be enough time to get us to a swap, at least.

Cornelia: You're smarter than you look, my meathead friend.

Cress: Oh shut it. I don't have any compliments to fling back atcha.

Cornelia (chuckling): You dirty peasant!

The two allies laugh, Cornelia punching Cress on the shoulder, before hiking through the pitch black towards their camp. They see a small flickering flame in the distance. The fire's been brought back by Jolyon and Spence. As the duo heads back, Cornelia is shown smiling at little.

“Tonight was an utter disaster, emotionally and strategically. I lost Emilia, which tore up my heart and my game plan. We almost had it there. Almost had success, and possibility of making it far as a trio, if someone else had pulled that purple rock. But Emilia pulled it, and she's gone. That's a hard pill to swallow, but I'm trying my hardest to get it down. I felt hopeless, coming back to camp, but Cress, bless his soul, has raised some good points. I think we may have a chance at staying in this game. It may not be the biggest chance, but it's a chance nonetheless, and more than what I expected we'd have.”

Cornelia

Cress and Cornelia slide past the three still awake, who crowd around the fire, not even acknowledging them. They crawl into the shelter and prepare for sleep themselves. The camera pans over to the three seated around the crackling fire. They haven't said much yet, but they begin to converse as the rest of the tribe begins to slumber.

Louise: Holy hell, was that a shitshow.

Jolyon: My head's still spinning a little, to be honest.

Louise: I'm just at a loss for words. That was insane. I could easily see one of us going next, if things don't sort out right.

Spence: It's just us now. We've gotta play hardball with these f*ckers.

Louise: Someone's bringing out the big guns!

Spence: I'm just pissed off. I knew Talula was a little iffy, so I'm not totally surprised by her. But I'm totally blindsided by Dane. Totally. I thought he trusted me, and was on our side one hundred and ten percent.

Jolyon: We just received our first true Survivor lesson. Trust no one.

Spence: Well, no one outside the three of us of course.

Louise: I feel better knowing I at least have two people I can rely on.

Jolyon: What are we going to do though? We're going to have to team up with someone, or else we're going to get booted.

Spence: We'll talk about it in the morning. It's really late. We should get some sleep.

Louise: Thank god. I love talking to you guys but my eyes were about to fall out, I'm so sleepy.

Spence: Let's head to bed then.

The three allies stand up from the fire, Jolyon throwing a last piece of wood into the flames. The fire crackles, sparks shooting into the air, as the trio climbs into the shelter. Louise and Spence giggle a little as they cover themselves in a blanket, and Jolyon looks relieved to finally be laying down once he's splayed out on the bamboo slats of the shelter's floor. The camera focuses on him as his confessional plays before cutting to the intro.

“That was a close call tonight. Extremely close. I thought I was playing a good game, but apparently I'm not. I just got seven votes cast against me. And yet I'm still here. I've got to up my gameplay and my effort. Now I know you can never have full faith in an alliance; you have to keep checking and keep making back up plans. After being so close to getting my torch snuffed, I have a new awareness about the game. I'm here to win, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to do that, even if that means turning on my closest allies. I never want to see that many votes cast against me again, and I'm going to have to fight hard to get that done. Let this be known to all: Jolyon Xu is here to stay, and I'll cut everyone's throat if that means my torch never comes close to Jeff's snuffer.”

Jolyon

Survivor- Vatulele Intro 2.0

Day 7

Ekubo

After the intro, the scene shifts to a shot of waves lapping up against a sleek, pale beach with the words "Day 7" glittering at the bottom of the screen in dark gray. It's early morning, and two people approach the camera, deep in conversation as they move forward, a man and a woman. The man looks groggy and hobbles a little as he walks, muscles sore, while the woman is awake and alert.

Florine: You know people have been talking, right?

Tungsten (groaning): Well of course, people talk, it's a physical ability.

Florine (rolling her eyes): I know it's early, but don't get smart with me. But...people are talking. It's troubling to hear names other than Calliope, but I've heard plenty of them.

Tungsten (surprised): Really? Like who?

Florine: You, Breccan, Jenson, Sulien, Calliope of course...Breccan's even said that people have mentioned my name around him, the dumbasses.

Tungsten (concerned): Me? Who's chattering about me, besides Calliope?

Florine stops in her tracks, smirking and shaking her head. Tungsten stops as well and turns to her, folding his arms across his broad chest and narrowing his eyes.

Tungsten: Come on, spill it Florine. Can't tease me like that.

Florine (smirking): Who's the one name I did not mention earlier, when I was listing whose names are being thrown around?

Tungsten (thinking): Hmm...oh for Christ's sake. Why would Kinsley be after me?!

Florine (shrugging): No clue, but she's spoken several times about getting you out. Even wanted you out at the first Tribal Council, but Breccan and I shut it down.

Tungsten (growling): The nerve...

“Of course I'm bothered that my name's coming up! And from the lips of Kinsley, no less! I thought she was one I could control easily, but it seems she actually has a brain under that misshapen mop of blonde hair. She just seems like a giggling bimbo who has no clue what she's doing in this game, just here to make friends and play patty cake and take a rightful spot on the jury, voting for an actually competent player like myself! But if she's mentioning my name...the nerve, the damn nerve!”

Tungsten

Florine: She said she's worried she'll go next after Calliope, which is sort of true...but, still. She bothers me, makes me feel uneasy.

Tungsten (frowning): It's hilarious that she thinks I'm after her. She's delusional!

Florine: She's smarter than she looks. We can't just dismiss her.

Tungsten (chuckling evilly): Oh, I'm not dismissing her. Not in the slightest. I wish we could boot her right now.

Florine: Next time we go to Tribal?

Tungsten: Well there's the dilemma! There's no way we can keep Calliope around, especially if we only go to one more Tribal Council before the swap that's presumably coming. She's unreliable, and would flip on us in less than an instant.

Florine: At least you know where her head is at...Kinsley's just a secretive little...little...

Tungsten: Oh, don't restrain yourself. I can tell you're not here to play nice, not to smile at everyone like Kinsley does, so don't guard your language. It's just me. I don't give a flying damn.

Florine: She's a miserable little cretin.

Tungsten (laughing): Using big words! You can do better than that, Florine!

Florine (shaking her head and smirking): We are on nationwide television.

Tungsten: Oh, they'll just blur it out.

The two walk in silence for a few moments. The gray Ekubo flag is in sight, and nearby sounds of the rest of the tribe rousing and getting ready for the day can be heard.

Florine: We've just got to be wary, right? Just got to keep our eyes open, and not let ourselves get too comfortable.

Tungsten: Exactly. We stick together and we keep our eyes peeled, and we can continue to dominate this tribe and this game.

Florine: Let's head back before it gets too suspicious. We've been out here for quite a while.

Tungsten: That was a nice stroll. We should do it again sometime.

Florine: Definitely.

As the two allies chat about trivial things, walking back into their camp, the camera focuses on Florine as she grins at an anecdote Tungsten is telling her.

“Yes, I did hear Kinsley saying those things. Maybe I embellished her desire to get him out just a little, but it was necessary. I need to make Tungsten afraid of her. Maybe it's for my own selfish reasons...hell, it is for my own selfish reasons. Kinsley scares me, and I want her out of this game sooner than later. I wish we could just vote her off now, but we have the big, oh so gorgeous problem named Calliope who's not going to leave us alone. I guess we'll have to figure out what we're going to do, but I'm just setting up Kinsley for the fall after Calliope so I know I won't have to deal with her for much longer, and I can put my worries aside about her.”

Florine

Florine and Tungsten stroll into the center of camp, where everyone else is already awake. Sulien is yawning, sitting by the fire and cooking up some rice with Jenson, while Kinsley and Breccan converse jubilantly in the shelter. Calliope is nowhere to be found. Tungsten hunkers down beside the fire with a huff while Florine strides over to the shelter.

Tungsten: The local hellion's already out searching for the idol again?

Sulien: Yeah. You think we should be following her? There could be some trouble if she finds that dang idol.

Tungsten: Nah, not worth the effort. Worst case we just vote off Kinsley and get Calliope at the next one.

Sulien's eyes open wide, but he quickly changes his expression so he seems disinterested, hiding his shock at hearing Kinsley's name as a blatant backup plan. Jenson looks bothered as well.

Jenson: Shhh, Tungsten! What if she hears you? She's just across the clearing.

Tungsten (chuckling): It's not like there's anything she could do anyway.

Sulien (shocked): Y-y-yeah...

“The second I heard Kinsley's name, it was like someone shocked me with a taser. I just wasn't expecting that. Tungsten just casually mentions to Kinsley's closest ally, aka me, that she's the next to go after Calliope, the backup vote off if Calliope finds the idol. First off, that's bad gameplay, and second off, that means that Kinsley and I really need to figure out a way to flip things, because upon hearing that I know I'm no longer comfortable aligning with Tungsten, cuz who goes after Kinsley? Her closest ally. Me.”

Sulien

Jenson: Still! Man, we've got to keep quiet. What if she has the idol?

Tungsten (chuckling): I'd be surprised if she knew what an idol was. She'd probably think it's just a pretty new piece of jewelry.

Sulien is obviously bubbling with anger, but he conceals it, not wanting to start a firefight with the leader of their tribe. He suddenly stands without a word and stalks over to the shelter.

Jenson (shaking his head): Are you on drugs this morning, or just that ballsy and overconfident?

Tungsten: I don't know what you're talking about. Did I make some egregious mistake or something? All I did was share with a fellow man the plans if Calliope finds the idol so he feels safe.

Jenson (incredulously): You seriously don't see him and Kinsley spending over half of their time out here together? They're obviously very close.

Tungsten: So? Sulien's a smart man. He knows not to mess with power. Even if he wanted to save her, he doesn't have the numbers. We hold all of the power here, Jenson. Florine and Breccan trust us explicitly, and that's four, that's enough to rule this tribe moving forward. We get to pick and choose our allies, and we get an easy ride to the end.

Jenson: I know we're in a cushy spot right now, but this cocky attitude is going to burn us later in the game. We're not the only ones playing the game.

Tungsten (sighing): Just let it go. It's not that big of a deal.

The camera pans over to the shelter for a few moments from the viewpoint of Jenson and Tungsten at the fire. Sulien taps Kinsley on the shoulder and motions for her to follow him into the jungle. The two disappear into the trees within moments, and Jenson huffs as Tungsten lays some sticks onto the fire.

Jenson (pointing the way Sulien and Kinsley have gone): Now he's going to go tell her what just happened, and they're going to try and stir things up.

Tungsten (aggravated): Let it rest, Jenson! Dear lord, do you ever stop nagging? You're like a clingy woman sometimes!

Jenson (frowning): I'm going to come back when this mightier than thou attitude wears off back to its normal levels so we can actually discuss the game like men.

Jenson sighs and stands, walking towards the beach. As he walks along the waterline, the camera focuses on his face. His mouth is folded in a dissatisfied frown as he kicks up some water and sand.

“You know, I don't like how Tungsten is acting. Yeah, we do have a stranglehold on this tribe right now. There isn't a ton of reason to worry. But he's acting like it's impossible that someone will turn on us and take the control out of our hands. I don't plan on flipping, but I don't like how he's acting. That attitude could be troublesome down the road. Really messing stuff up, rubbing possible allies the wrong way and all. I'm sticking with him, but I need to find a way to make him understand that he needs to be more..subtle, I think. Humble. It's just too much right now.”

Jenson

The scene shifts to that of Sulien and Kinsley trekking through the jungle. Once they're far out enough that they can't hear a peep from the camp and the smoke trail from the fire is hidden by the canopy, Sulien begins to speak.

Sulien (gravely): We knew we were in trouble, but we're really in trouble now.

Kinsley: Why? What's wrong?

Sulien: Tungsten just nonchalantly threw out your name as the next to go after Calliope, or if Calliope has the idol, you're gone next. It was so loud I'm surprised you didn't hear it in the shelter.

Kinsley (worriedly): Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit. How the heck did he puzzle out that we're not one hundred percent with him? We've both been playing nice and feeding his ego daily.

The two look at each other and say the same name at the same exact time.

Sulien & Kinsley: Florine.

The two can't help but chuckle a little at saying the same thing at the same time, with Sulien shouting Jinx! But the conversation quickly falls back to serious strategy talks.

Kinsley: So Florine's in his ear, and that means she's with him all the way, and that pretty much means Breccan will be too. So we need to get Jenson.

Sulien (frustrated): Why do things have to be getting so dicey so early?

Kinsley: Because we decided to play nice, and I guess these guys don't like that. We've gotta act at the next vote. We've got to strike then, or we're done for.

Sulien: So we need Jenson.

Calliope (quietly): Or an idol.

The two whirl, frightened at the sound of Calliope's voice. Kinsley sighs in relief upon seeing that it's Calliope, who's been out searching for an idol in the jungle all morning.

Kinsley (still a little shocked): You scared the crap out of me!

Calliope: I didn't hear much. Since we're made that pact or whatever I thought I was allowed to barge in.

Sulien: You're fine, really, just scared my soul straight outta my body.

Kinsley: Tungsten's gotten so cocky that he's talking openly about voting me off after you, or even before you if you have an idol or if he's in the mood or something.

Calliope (scoffing): Arrogant bastard. I've been tearing up this jungle for an idol just so we can send that prick out of here in true blindsiding fashion.

Sulien: We need to find that idol, or flip someone. We've gotta work as hard as possible on that.

Calliope: Trust me, I'm working as hard as I f*cking can. There's nothing more that I want than staying in this game and destroying Tungsten. Even if I go out right after him, I have to take him down first.

Sulien: We've gotcha with that.

Calliope grins at Sulien, looking brighter than usual. She, Sulien, and Kinsley start to search the jungle, poking under oddly shaped logs and stones, looking in branches and between bushes. The camera focuses on Calliope as she lifts a larger rock, peering beneath with the smile still on her face.

“I feel good right now, because I now have people who need me. Before, this relationship with Kinsley and Sulien was purely need based for me. I needed them. But now, they really need me. It's mutual, and it's more comforting to know that they are going to stick with me more likely than not, because they know they're gone right after me. I just hope we find an idol, because I don't think there's any chance we flip any of those four back at camp. If the other two think there's a chance of that, they're either high or too naive to ally with me.”

Calliope

The camera pans over to Kinsley, who's moving slower than Calliope and Sulien in her searching, lost in thought and not focused on the idol hunting. Her lips are pursed as she pulls back the branches of a leafy bush, looking around inside. As she turns to walk away from the bush, her confessional plays, the camera zooming in on her.

“I never thought I had full control of this tribe, not for a second. I knew things would be touchy, especially with people like Tungsten and Calli. I didn't think people would be this obvious or conniving, though. At least Tungsten's dumb and belched out that he wants me gone in front of Sulien, or I would probably still feel more secure than before. Sure, we made that pact with Calliope, but I don't know if we were one hundred percent sticking with it before this happened. I'm worried now, on edge, and I've got to figure a way out of this. There's no way I'm leaving the game this early at the hands of someone like Tungsten and Florine.”

Kinsley

A last shot of Sulien using his hands to dig between two arching roots of a large tree is shown before the show cuts to commercial break.

Taunovo

It's around noon as the camera focuses on the Taunovo flag after the commercial break. A quick shot is shown of Cornelia and Cress tending the fire and then of Talula and Dane collecting firewood before the scene changes to the beach. The camera pans out to the ocean. Jolyon, Louise, and Spence float in the shallows, talking strategy as the midday sun beats down on them.

Spence: So, what's our plan of attack?

Louise: You know what we have to do. Jolyon, I know you're wary of them after all that. We are too. But we've gotta work with them. I barely know Cress and have zero trust in Cornelia.

Jolyon: This can't be a long term deal though. I can't trust them going into the Final Five. So we're not making any deals like that.

Louise: Yeah I know, I know. But we're going to have to work with them for a good portion of the game, so we're going to have to get over it and deal.

Jolyon: You'd be singing a different tune if your name was the one that got written down seven times last night.

Spence: Guys, if we mess with each other, we're not going to get anywhere. Our tribe is f*cked up after that vote, and we need to stick together. If we are fighting, they're not going to want to join us, and then we're all voted off. Is that what we want to happen? I don't think so.

Jolyon: It's just going to be tough for me to put full faith in them, but I know I have to trust them to some extent. I'm here to play, not to whine. Just voicing my thoughts.

Louise: I don't think they intended to necessarily go against us? If that makes any sense, because they did vote against Jolyon. But Talula just voted you cause of the chaos I think, and then they communicated poorly. I think it was just a bad mistake.

Jolyon: They still both wrote down my name. Sure, maybe we have to work with them, but writing out my name isn't a mistake. It wasn't that crazy. I'm still half convinced they forced that rock draw on purpose.

Spence: Come on man, why would they do that?

“Really, Jolyon's grating on my nerves a little. I know his life flashed before his eyes last night when he almost got voted off twice, but he's still annoying me to no end. We get that you were shocked last night, but we've gotta work with Dane and Talula, so he just needs to put that stuff in the rear view mirror and hit the gas pedal. I've got to work with him, so I hope he chills out soon. Really, the only person I'm happy to work with is Louise, and sort of Jolyon. Everyone else I could take or leave at this point.”

Spence

Jolyon: I...I don't know. I'm just still reeling.

Spence (sighing): Unless we get swapped or something, we've gotta work with them, so we just have to suck it up, you know?

Jolyon: Just...just know that I'm loyal to you two at this point and no one else. I'm up for whatever as long as it involves all three of us.

Louise: Now that's the stuff I like to hear. The three of us straight to the end.

The three lock pinkies and grin at one another as the promise is sealed in elementary school fashion. Suddenly Spence splashes some water at Louise, and she cackles, splashing back. Some of the water hits Jolyon, and soon an all out water war has broken out. The camera focuses on Louise as she sends a torrential wave of water at Jolyon's face.

“You know, I was scared as shit last night. Who would've thought I'd be dipping my hand in a bag to pick out a rock at my first Tribal Council? It's a little traumatizing to be honest, so it makes me feel better knowing that I have two guys here I can put my faith in. Spence is my rock in this game, and Jolyon is becoming a close friend as well. I have a tightly knit trio here, and if the rest of the game is as unpredictable as last night, I'm going to need them to help me survive to the end.”

Louise

Eventually the playing settles down, and the three just float in the water, talking calmly and joking around, enjoying their day in Fiji. The scene shifts to Talula and Dane carrying wood back to camp. They march in silence, and when they get back to the clearing, they set down the wood beside the fire. Cornelia and Cress are sitting beside the fire and they smile up at the other two.

Cornelia: Why hello, my friends. Here for a chat?

Dane: Nah, no, we're just dropping off the wood.

Talula: We can sit for a little, no?

Dane (whispering so only Talula can hear): Those three are out on the water talking strategy. We've got to go out there.

Cornelia: We're just cooking up some lunch.

Cress: We won't bite, we promise.

Dane: We'll be back in a minute for the grub. Come on Talula.

Talula (aggravated): So sorry, we'll be right back.

Dane tugs an irritated Talula away from the fire and down to the shore. Cornelia sighs and Cress shakes his head.

Cress: Well, now we can officially start freaking out, I guess.

Cornelia (hopefully): Talula seemed interested, at least.

Cress (discouraged): One's not enough. A rock draw's not going to happen. We have odd numbers.

Cornelia (encouragingly): Keep your chin up. We've still got a chance, no?

Cress: Just look at them, though. They're going to go make up and put us right back in the shit.

Cornelia: We've just got to give them time, and hope for the best.

Cress: Suddenly you're the optimistic one!

Cornelia (sighing): One of us has to be.

“Things aren't looking spectacular for Cress and myself. Talula and Dane are going right down to probably mend things with the others, leaving us right where we started several days ago, inexplicably on the outs. I'm hoping for cracks; Talula seemed like she may have an interest in aligning with us. Right now, things look more grim than giddy however. We've just got to use all of our meddle to try and strongarm our way into a power position.”

Cornelia

The scene shifts to Talula and Dane marching down the shore towards the place in the ocean where Jolyon, Spence, and Louise are floating. Talula looks more than a little miffed, while Dane seems focused on getting to the trio drifting out in the sea.

Talula (annoyed): Do you not have any subtlety?

Dane: We have to get to them now, and we both know they're our better option.

Talula (rolling her eyes): We haven't fully discussed this yet.

Dane (irritated): Yes we did! Yesterday, when we agreed to vote off Cornelia, but then you went and messed everything up, so I don't want to hear it out of you.

Talula: Sometimes you annoy the heck out of me, you know.

Dane (chuckling): Everyone does at some point or another. Now just cut off the bickering. We can keep squabbling like an elderly married couple once we get this done with.

Talula (dismissively): Alright, sure.

“Yeah, Talula and I bicker a lot. I sort of find it funny more than anything, because even though we aggravate each other, we know we need each other, and I wouldn't think for a minute to cut her unless it was necessary to save my life in this game. Our best option really is to align with the stronger people like Louise and Spence to keep the tribe strong so we can go into the merge with numbers. I just hope they take us back!”

Dane

Dane and Talula wade into the water, paddling out to where the other three are floating. Louise spots them and smiles smally, waving them over in invitation. Jolyon seems impartial to the two joining them in the water, while both Spence and Louise have smiles on their faces.

Dane: What's up guys?

Louise (grinning): Happy you're here!

Spence: We're talking strategy, and we definitely want you here.

Talula (hopefully): So you're interested in working with us?

Louise (jubilantly): Of course! Who else would we even work with anyway? We know last night was just a bad mistake, and we're willing to look past it.

Dane (relieved): Thank god. I was scared you guys were going to hold it against us. It wasn't intended at all.

Talula: All the chaos just messed up my brain, I don't even remember voting at all.

Spence: Don't sweat it.

Jolyon (murmuring): I'm sweating it a little.

No one except Louise hears what Jolyon says, and she splashes some water in his face to shut him up as the conversation continues.

Dane: So you guys are still thinking Cornelia next time we go?

Spence: Yeah, of course. She adds almost nothing to the tribe besides odd quips.

Louise (laughing): I'm ready to stop hearing about fossil digs from the sixties.

Spence (giggling): At least we get to hear her stories about drugs, then, too.

The group chuckles except for Jolyon, who just makes himself smirk a little but is not at all pleased with this encounter. The camera focuses on Jolyon as the conversation continues.

“Of course I feel a little uncomfortable, more than a little uncomfortable actually, working with Talula and Dane. They f*cking backstabbed me, and I don't feel safe working with them for one second. I've got to figure out a way to flip this vote around. I'm thinking hard, real hard, and I think I'm going to puzzle something out eventually. All I know is that I'm not working with these people. I can't, for my sake and my life in the game. I will figure out a way to get Talula or Dane booted next time we go to Tribal Council, trust me.”

Jolyon

The camera turns to Talula, who is shown laughing and floating in the water between Spence and Dane. Her confessional plays in the background as she splashes water at a grinning Dane before the scene fades.

“Yeah of course I feel a little uncomfortable making this deal. Of course I'm going to talk to Cornelia and Cress and scope out my options. But I think working with these three makes sense. Jolyon seems entirely unenthusiastic and is doing a shitty job of covering it up, but we still have four with me, Dane, Spence, and Louise. I'm going to look into all of my options, but now I feel better than I did before we came out into the sea to have this conversation.”

Talula

Day 8

Reward Challenge: Survivor Smorgasboard

The next scene is the third reward challenge of the season. The camera shows an aerial view of two sets of bleachers in the tribe colors and a table in the middle of them, with another table holding various covered plates behind the first table. The challenge is taking place on a little sandbar, and the two tribes are shown rowing in.

Probst: Ekubo, come on in!

The members of the gray tribe grin at Probst as they take their place on their mat, in front of the gray wooden bleachers where they will sit during the challenge.

Probst: Taunovo, come on in! Ekubo, seeing Taunovo for the first time since the vote. Emilia was eliminated at the last Tribal Council.

As the navy tribe reaches their mat, there are several confused looks on the gray tribe.

Calliope: Eliminated?

Sulien (shocked): Holy shit, they must've went to rocks.

The gray tribe stands in shock, and Talula just nods ashamedly in affirmation. Then the challenge begins.

Urchin guts	Squid	Clam smoothie	Mealworms	Sea cucumber	Pig snout	Grubs
Florine	Sulien	Calliope	Jenson	Breccan	Kinsley	Tungsten
Spence	Cress	Cornelia	Talula	Dane	Jolyon	Louise

• The castaways will be paired randomly by drawing rocks; any gender or age could be together, but one castaway from each tribe is in each pair. They will be given a "local delicacy" AKA gross food, and the first person to get it down all the way gets a point for their tribe. First tribe to four points wins reward of fishing gear.
• The first duo is Florine from Ekubo and Spence from Taunovo eating urchin guts. The challenge begins once both take opposite sides of the table and Probst places the dishes in front of them. Florine does admirably, but gets off to a rough start and gags on the guts. Meanwhile, Spence holds his nose and slurps them down swiftly, finishing when Florine's only halfway through. Taunovo leads 1-0.
• The next matchup is Sulien vs. Cress, eating squid. Cress grins, saying he loves calamari, while Sulien just sighs, having never eaten anything like the squid. They both attack the food and shove it down eagerly, but Cress beats Sulien by a few seconds, putting Taunovo up 2-0.
• Up next is Calliope vs. Cornelia, drinking clam smoothies. Calliope smirks as Cornelia's eyes open wide in fear as Probst hands them large glasses of pureed giant clam. It's clear who's winning early on. Calliope chugs down the mixture without much problem while Cornelia gets barely two little slurps down before Calliope finishes. Ekubo earns a point, but Taunovo still leads 2-1.
• The fourth matchup is Jenson vs. Talula, eating mealworms. There are dozens of the little critters squirming on the plate. Talula takes the early lead, stuffing down the things with a smirk as Jenson gets off to a slow start. Jenson has a handful left when Talula opens her mouth, but Probst points to a worm that's fallen to the ground. Talula lunges to grab it and barely nabs it, but by the time she's shoving it in her mouth, Jenson has stuffed the last handful into her mouth and has swallowed! Jenson narrowly ties it up 2-2.
• Breccan and Dane face off in the fifth round, eating sea cucumber. The unsightly organism is torn apart by the two men, but halfway through Breccan starts to struggle to choke it down. Dane pulls into the lead and maintains it, opening his empty mouth for Probst to see while Breccan still has a third of his left, Taunovo now leading 3-2, a point away from winning.
• The sixth matchup was Kinsley vs. Jolyon, eating three pig snouts each. Surprising everyone, Kinsley tore into the pig snouts and devoured them, downing all three in a little over a minute while Jolyon barely managed to chow down a single one. Her tribe applauded her, things now tied up 3-3.
• The final matchup was Tungsten vs. Louise eating grubs. The giant white worms tried to crawl off of the plates as the challenge began. Louise gagged as she tried to bite half off and the whole thing fell back onto the plate. As she tried to pick up the pieces, Tungsten was mashing the whole thing in his mouth. He jumped up and down and managed to swallow, earning the final point and winning Ekubo the challenge 4-3!

Probst: EKUBO WINS REWARD OF FISHING GEAR!

The gray tribe celebrates, hugging each other and high fiving in elation. They make their way over to the table where the various nets, lines, and lures are set, gathering them and hauling them over to their canoe.

Probst: Taunovo, I've got nothing for ya. Head back to camp.

The navy tribe just shrugs and heads over to their boat, sliding into the water and paddling back to camp. A few shots are shown, from Kinsley stuffing the pig snouts into her mouth to Tungsten jumping up and down as he swallows the grub. Tungsten's own confessional is heard as these scenes are shown again.

“It always feels nice to help out the tribe, and honestly it was good to get some real protein in me. With this fishing gear, I think our living standard is going to be raised and morale is going to shoot through the roof. We were already catching some fish, but with these we'll be able to catch many. I was also impressed by some people's performances today, like Kinsley's and Calliope's. It might not change the order that they'll be booted, but it does make me realize that they are assets to the tribe in some way.”

Tungsten

Ekubo

The tribe walks back to camp, all smiles and grins, their plethora of fishing gear in tow. Immediately, everyone preps to go fishing and crabbing. They have nets, spears, lures, baskets, anything a Survivor could dream of to catch seafood with. Sulien is shown laughing as he looks inside a wicker box filled with lures and fishing line.

“This stuff is going to be off the hook! Haha, yeah, puns, hmm. Anyway, this stuff will actually help us out though. We're struggling a little bit in the unity aspect of things, and filling our bellies and working towards a common goal of baking up a giant seafood feast for tonight might help us come closer. It's also a chance for Calliope, Kinsley, and myself to get closer to Jenson inconspicuously and test the waters with him. Also a day for Kinsley and I to find out if we really are in trouble, or if Tungsten was just blowing steam that no one's paying attention to. So yeah, we're fishing cuz we're hungry. It's also because we need to do some damage control and some recon.”

Sulien

Tungsten, Florine, and Kinsley decide to go scope out of rocks for more crabs, taking wicker baskets, a cutting knife, and some other implements to help them in their journey, while Calliope, Sulien, and Jenson go fishing on the canoe. Breccan stays back at camp to get the fire started and to boil up some water for the tribe.

The camera first focuses on the three on the canoe as they paddle out into the slightly deeper waters a ways out from the shore. Sulien and Calliope row while Jenson sits in the middle of the two, fitting a lure onto the fishing line they've gotten.

Sulien (grinning): How's the line comin', Jenson?

Jenson (focused): Almost done.

Calliope: We far out enough? We're going really far.

Sulien: Almost, we're almost to the spot Breccan caught all the fish before.

Jenson finishes fitting the lure onto the line as Calliope and Sulien row the canoe a little farther out until Sulien signals to stop. He slides into the water with the mask and flippers on, spear in tow. As he dives down, looking for fish, Jenson sends his line over the side of the ship and into the water.

Calliope (curiously): Think it's going to work?

Jenson: Oh hmm what? Oh yeah, sorry, I zoned out. Yeah, it's going to work. I hope so, at least.

Calliope (shaking her head): It better, or else grumpy old Tungsten's going to go on another tirade.

Jenson (genuinely): I'm sorry about that, I really am. He's just on a short fuse.

Calliope (scoffing): You have nothing to apologize about. He abuses you just as much. It baffles me why you guys stick so close to him.

Jenson: You have to admit he's a good meat shield.

Calliope (grinning): But what about little ole me? I may not be as fat as him but I can cause double the chaos!

Jenson snorts with laughter, and then suddenly there's a sharp tug on his line. He yanks on it, trying to pull in the fish that's chomped down on his bait. After a few moments of struggling and some help from Calliope, he manages to pull the small fish they've caught out of the water. It's about as long as his pinky and not very meaty, but it wriggles a lot and almost jumps out of the boat. Calliope puts him in the basket they brought out for their catch as splashes are head; Sulien has surfaced without anything and is now going back down.

“It did feel pretty good to catch my first fish. It was a little baby thing, wouldn't even be enough for one person, but it was still a good accomplishment. But once I caught one, I went right back at it. I'll admit it was fun, and it was more fun because Calliope was there goading me on and cracking jokes about the rest of our tribe. Sometimes she's unbearable, but you can't deny she has a wicked sense of humor.”

Jenson

A little while later, Jenson has caught two more similarly sized fish and one that's a little bigger while Sulien has lucked out and caught a massive parrot fish. Calliope and Jenson gasp as he climbs into the boat and plops the large fish into the basket as it struggles, gills flared.

Jenson (impressed): Wow.

Calliope (chuckling): He's not incompetent! Come on dude, you've got to show me how to do this.

Jenson continues to cast his line, trying to catch more fish, while Calliope and Sulien slide into the water. Sulien tells her what to do and then they chat a little about the game as Calliope puts on the goggles and flippers. Jenson is preoccupied fishing and doesn't hear them.

Calliope: I think he's warming up to me.

Sulien (smirking): You? That's impossible!

Calliope splashes some water in Sulien's face, making him splutter as some of it gets in his mouth. She snaps the goggles onto her head and then starts to paddle away from the canoe.

Calliope: Work on him a little more while I go give it a shot.

Sulien: Yeah. Good luck girl.

Sulien climbs back into the canoe, sitting down beside Jenson, while the camera follows Calliope as she dives underwater, kicking down to the coral. She hunts around for a fish and then fires the spear when she sees one. The spear narrowly misses and clangs against a rock. Calliope surfaces for air and tries again as a confessional of hers plays.

“Today was more relaxing than usual. Maybe it was just because we won a challenge and then I got to go out on the ocean with two guys that I can actually stand, and I got to be a great ways away from Tungsten and Florine. But it was one of the better days out here so far. The fishing was fun, too. I didn't get anything, but I had a few close calls and I wanna try it again tomorrow. Jenson also seemed to not totally hate my guts, so maybe we do have a tiny chance of flipping him. So yeah. Overall, good day.”

Calliope

As Calliope surfaces for air, the scene shifts to the shoreline. Kinsley, Florine, and Tungsten pick along a shelf of rock on the far end of the beach where Tungsten caught crabs earlier in the week. They're mostly focused on their task, but Kinsley breaches conversation as Tungsten throws a crab into their basket.

	“I've got to scope these two out and see what's going on with them. Can I make a pact with them so I know they'll keep me? Maybe, but I'm not sure if I'd trust it, these two are pretty duplicitous. Really, I'm here to see what I can get out of them about their plans, and to try and get the target Florine's pinned on my back off by being cheery and helpful and thoughtful.”
Kinsley

Kinsley: I can't believe they went to rocks last night.

Florine: Yeah, I was really surprised when I heard Jeff say "eliminated". But that girl seemed like a liability anyway. Why couldn't the football player pick the purple rock?!

Kinsley (giggling): I know right? You and I are both smaller but we had at least twenty pounds on that little bitty thing...Emilia was it?

Tungsten: Doesn't really matter what her name was. But now we know their tribe is in a messy, crazy place. I was concerned they were going to be extremely unified, but we seem to be more together than they are. They're a mess. We at least sort of have our shit together.

Kinsley (nodding): True, true.

Florine (chuckling): But how dumb do they have to be to go to rocks at their first Tribal Council? There's no way you make that strong of bonds in six days. Was it accidental?

Tungsten: Even if it was, their tribe has to be divided. We can tear them apart after the swap and merge with our six strong against their messy whatever.

Kinsley: Yep. Ekubo Six to the end, eh?

Florine (smiling wanly): Definitely.

“GAG, having to play up this unity shit with Kinsley is certainly annoying. She knows I'm not that fond of her and she may know her head's on the chopping block after Calliope apparently due to something Tungsten let slip. So we've just got to go along with whatever she says and make her feel safe and secure, because me might need her in the future. But really, it just hurts and I'm impatient for the day we get to vote her happy go lucky ass off.”

Florine

The scene shifts back to the rock shelf, where the three continue to hunt for crabs. Kinsley pokes under a few loose rocks for a crab, and suddenly she yelps as she drops a crab she's just picked up.

Kinsley (shrieking): Dammit!

Tungsten: What's wrong?

Kinsley holds up her left hand, wincing. Her pointer finger is dribbling blood, a pretty deep cut zagging across the top half. She hisses and presses it into her shirt to staunch the blood flow.

Kinsley (teeth gritted): Stings like hell.

Florine: Hey, just go relax and go back to camp, Tungsten and I've got this. Just go wrap it up and wash it out so it doesn't get infected. Breccan probably needs help anyway.

Kinsley (nodding): Yeah, good idea. Catch some big ones!

Kinsley ambles down the beach back towards camp, her sliced finger wrapped in her shirt. As she distances herself from Florine and Tungsten, Florine scoffs and turns back to the rocks, shaking her head.

Florine: She makes me want to tear my hair out.

Tungsten (chuckling): Each day you get more and more villainous, and it makes me happier and happier that I aligned with you.

Florine (smirking): Cut it out with the "compliments". I hope she bought the shit we were selling, though.

Tungsten: I'm sure she did. I know you think she has some strategic mind or something but I doubt she's able to even do basic arithmetic.

Florine (laughing): Come on, she did finesse me into getting us to vote out Tatiana. She's not that dumb.

Tungsten: She is that dumb if she decided to target me.

“I know Florine's worried about Kinsley, but I don't think she's much of a problem. She's definitely next to go after Calliope. Florine wants her gone because she aggravates her and Florine seems convinced Kinsley's some amazing player in hiding, but I want her gone just because she gets on my nerves but also because she offers little to the tribe. She's just going to be dead weight at the merge, not offering anything to help put our Ekubo alliance in a better position, so she's gotta go! Florine is really convinced she's smart, but she bought our lies about not voting her off hook line and sinker, I don't see her being a roadblock to win in the way that she's a good player. The reverse, actually.”

Tungsten

The scene changes to Kinsley striding down the beach back to camp, her buff hanging limply around her neck. She bites her lip to stifle the pain and looks down at her finger. The bleeding has stopped a little, but it still needs attending to. As she nears the fire where Breccan sits, stirring a pot of boiling water, her confessional plays.

“I'm happy my finger got cut up by the crab when it did, because I wasn't going to be able to keep my smile on for much longer. Tungsten and Florine just think they're so, so much smarter than the rest of us, and it pisses me off to be honest. They fed me lies and their body language and tone totally gave them away. They think they have a total stranglehold on this game and that the rest of us are incompetent fools, and I can't stand that. Maybe Florine got betters grades in school than me and Tungsten's got more muscle than me, but that doesn't mean they get to ask all high and mighty. We've really got to figure out a way to boot one of them.”

Kinsley

Breccan spots Kinsley as she steps through the trees and into the clearing where their camp is based. He smiles at her as she sits down next to him by the fire.

Kinsley: Hey! Is the water boiled clean yet?

Breccan: Yeah, it should be done right about now. Thirsty?

Kinsley (shaking her head): No, I cut my finger crabbing with the other two, and I need to clean it out.

Breccan (smiling): Let me help you out with that.

Breccan scoops some of the hot water out of the pot with a coconut husk. They let it cool for a moment but not too long so it's not scalding but not cold. Then he pours it over her finger. Kinsley clenches her teeth and doesn't make much noise as Breccan rinses out the wound. She tears off a strip of her shirt and washes it in the rest of the water left in the husk before tying the cloth around her finger. The two high five after getting Kinsley's wound cleaned and wrapped.

Breccan: Feeling better?

Kinsley: Yeah, it wasn't that bad anyway. It was more the shock than anything, and I didn't want it to get infected.

Breccan: Good, can't have you hurt. We do need you.

Kinsley (a little surprised): Really?

Breccan (nodding): Yeah, of course! You're pretty good in challenges and you make this crazy camp more bearable.

Kinsley (grinning): Thanks! There's been rumors floating around that I'm on the chopping block so I didn't think anyone really thought much of me around here. It's nice to hear that from you, really.

Breccan: I haven't heard anything. Don't sweat it.

Kinsley and Breccan's conversation drifts to trivial things about camp life as they prepare the water and utensils and such for dinner when the rest of the tribe comes back with seafood. The camera focuses on Breccan as he smiles at Kinsley and stirs the pot of boiling water.

“I wasn't lying to Kinsley when I said I haven't really heard anything about her being on the chopping block. I guess it sort of makes sense, Florine doesn't like her and after Calliope's gone our alliance is going to have to eat one another, but she made it sound like people are actively after her already which I have no awareness of. I've gotta have a chat with Florine, she's bound to know what's going on.”

Breccan

A time lapse of the sun setting over the sea is shown, the three out fishing on the ocean rowing back in their canoe with the setting sun to their backs. As they pull the canoe onto the beach, Sulien carrying the basket laden with fish, they can see the flames of their fire through the tree branches. Tungsten and Florine are already back at camp with the crabs.

Sulien (smiling): Time to feast, baby! Whoot whoot!

Jenson (rubbing his hands together): I am entirely ready for this.

The three haul their catch, around eight or nine fish, back to camp. They settle around the fire, and the tribe oohs and aahs as they reveal the giant parrotfish Sulien caught and put the handful of smaller fish Jenson caught on the line with his lure and bait in a pan. Before long, the crabs have cooked in the pot and the fish is charred to perfection, and the castaways dig in hungrily. There's lots of laughing and smiling and cracking jokes, and Calliope lets her guard down more than she has all game, even laughing at a joke Tungsten tells about going to prom in his senior year with his future wife. The camera turns back to Breccan as he stuffs a piece of crab meat into his mouth, savoring the flavor.

“Tonight was...amazing, to say the least. Really amazing. It's the first time out here that I've had to refuse some food because I was so full from all the crab meat and fish. It was just delicious and the protein was so worth it. And, I felt like we were all one tribe and one family in that moment. We're all bonding, like it or not, and it's going to be tough to decide who to vote out soon. We're going to be getting down to the nitty gritty way earlier than I anticipated. I like all of these people; some more than others, but I like all of them, and they almost are starting to feel like a family to me. I don't want this family to break up, not yet at least. But right now, we're a team, even though we have conflicts running between us. Every team does. We're unified, and I don't think Taunovo is. That's powerful, and I think that's why an Ekubo's going to come out on top.”

Breccan

Taunovo

The scene shifts from Ekubo's evening feast. It's midday, after the challenge, and a few colorful parrots are shown flitting through the air. A close up of one of the vibrant birds gobbling up a beetle is shown before the scene changes to the seven defeated members of Taunovo returning to their camp.

Jolyon (groaning): That was a f*cking terrible challenge.

Cress (shaking his head): Really a rotten one to lose.

Cornelia (longingly): Imagine all the fish filets roasting over their fire...

Talula: If only I hadn't dropped that little mealworm...

Louise (shaking her finger): Hey now, let's not get down and out. It would've been great to get something more than just the spear so we'll actually get fish, but we're already struggling enough. Complaining and getting down in the dumps is just going to be adding fuel to the flames.

Dane: Preach it, girl.

“The way I see it, we've just gotta keep our eyes focused ahead. We lost. Boo hoo. If we wallow in self pity and depression, this slog of a journey out here is going to go from harrowing to nearly impossible. It's time to fix up our attitudes and get our positivity back before we fall into an abyss of a mood that we can't shake. Also, I was sort of the one who cost us that challenge, going up last against Tungsten, so I sorta just wanna move past this topic. That damn grub was just too big and squirmy, and Tungsten was just too crazy to mind that.”

Louise

Spence: How about we go crabbing? We have a spear, we can try it. It shouldn't be too hard.

Louise (grinning): I'm all down.

Dane: Mind if I tag along, guys?

Spence (laughing): Of course not! You're probably the only one who could actually catch anything anyway.

The three gather the pot and the fishing spear to take with them on their trip, and soon they're off with few goodbyes, intent on hunting down some crabs along the shoreline for a meal to get themselves out of the dumps. Camp is silent as Cress stirs the fire back to life, Talula and Cornelia lay in the shelter, and Jolyon stands in the wings awkwardly.

“Of course it was more than a little weird when my closest allies just headed off crabbing without me, leaving me alone at camp. Of course I didn't really wanna go, I'd rather watch paint dry than listen to Dane, Louise, and Spence compete over who can be the most macho and catch the most crabs. They're my friends but sometimes their ultra-competitiveness when it comes to trivial things like food gathering wears me out. But anyway, here I am, all alone. I guess I could've talked to Talula, but Cornelia already had her cornered. So what does one do? Search for the idol of course! I did just get seven votes against me last Tribal, after all.”

Jolyon

The cameras follow Jolyon as he slips down a trail away from camp, undetected. Cress is still busy tending to the fire and the ladies are preoccupied with their conversation inside the shelter. Jolyon smirks at the camera as he scurries off of the path and into the jungle. He then looks around for prominent landmarks, running over to a large whitish tree whose branches are leafless. The dying tree has many twisted roots and branches. Jolyon starts poking around the knotholes and digging between the roots, knowing an idol is often hidden in a notable place. As he digs, he speaks to the camera.

Jolyon (teeth gritted): You know, this is hard work, but it's worth it. Best case, I find the idol and keep myself safe if my alliance decides to renege. Worst case, I get to get sent home looking like a hard worker!

Jolyon tosses aside a wad of leaves and digs in a new spot for a few moments before standing and surveying the area around him with his hands on his hips. He starts to head towards the well, poking under rocks and bushes and continuing to prattle to the camera.

Jolyon: You just have to look for landmarks, things that stick out a little. Just watch Samoa, and you know it's not that hard to find an idol without a clue if you try hard enough.

A montage of Jolyon digging around all over the jungle and by the well is shown, with several shots of his face gradually getting more fed up. Eventually he stands, sighing and wiping the dirt off of his palms.

Jolyon: Where the hell is this thing?!

A quick shot is shown of the shards of the conch shell, sitting by the fire. Ever since Louise said she "accidentally" knocked it over, they've been using the bigger shards as scoops to eat rice from. Little does Jolyon know that the idol is buried on the opposite side of camp, under an inconspicuous rock that Louise scratched her initials on so she'd remember it. Another swift shot is shown of that rock before the scene shifts from Jolyon's fevered idol hunting to the Taunovo shelter. Jolyon's still idol hunting, and the crabbing crew is still in the midst of the hunt. Cress, Cornelia, and Talula all lay in the shelter, discussing trivial things like their favorite candies before the conversation shifts to strategy.

Cress (sighing): I hate to end the happy conversation about M&M's...but Talula, we've gotta talk.

Cornelia (pleadingly): Just be honest with us, alright? Do we have a chance?

Talula sighs and shakes her head, staring down at her hands in silence for a few tense moments before responding.

Talula (frowning): I'm sorry guys, but I don't think it's going to happen. I love the both of you, but Dane's dead set on going with Spence and Louise and Jolyon. He already entered into a pact with them. So even if I voted with the two of you, it wouldn't matter. And I do wanna vote with you. Jolyon's obviously not happy with the arrangements of our recuperating alliance. I know he has zero ounces of trust in me. But Dane's just blinded by his friendship with Louise and Spence to see anything.

Cornelia (desperately): What if we found a crack, my friend? An honest to god chink in their foundation?

Talula (shaking her head): It'd be hard for me to believe it, but if something goes down, I'm willing to take down Jolyon. I don't trust him at all, and it's not like he's our saving grace in challenges.

Cress: Good to hear. We just need to find our second crack.

Cornelia (smiling a little): We'll find it. We've got to, my friends.

“We have a chance. It's a tiny, impossible chance, but it's a chance. We just need some drama to go on today or tomorrow, or we need to find someone who doesn't like someone else in their alliance, and we have Talula's vote. Right now it's practically 4-3, and 4-3 is better odds than 5-2. We've just gotta hustle all the day through to try and get it out of people like Louise and Spence if they're having any doubts about their alliance. Hopefully it's about Jolyon, cuz he seems like the one Talula's most eager to boot. All I know is that I'm giving Talula the best spot by the fire tonight, for giving us this chance. I hope she's not faking us out.”

Cress

Conversation drifts once more after the strategy talks have been settled and surmised. After a little time, Cornelia and Talula get up to go collect water to steam the crabs in while Cress goes back to the fire, adding a few branches to keep it burning strong. Cornelia and Talula stride along the path towards the well, talking in hushed voices.

Cornelia: I hate to ask this, my friend...but is there a way that I can make it past the next vote even if we can't get the votes to go our way?

Talula (shaking her head): I don't think so, Cornelia. They think you're the weakest member of the tribe and in the minority, and a little kooky to boot. They make fun of you all of the time. They'd keep Cress over you any day just because he's stronger in challenges, really.

Cornelia: Dang. So if we don't find another number, I should be packing my purse?

Talula (sadly): I think so. Don't turn on Cress in a desperate attempt to save yourself, Cornelia. They'll just think you're crazier and vote you off quicker. You two don't have a chance if you split and scheme against one another.

Cornelia (nodding): I know, my friend. I was just checking. It is a game, after all.

Talula: Of course.

“I probably shouldn't have said some of the things I said on that walk to the water well with Talula. I hope she doesn't think less of me because I almost tossed Cress under the bus to save my own hide. We desperately need her to advance in the game, and if I just startled her off with such infidel talk, I'll feel forever guilty for having tanked Cress's game. It was a poor question no matter how I asked it. Of course they'll go after the geezer! Oh, Cornelia, ay yi yi!”

Cornelia

As the two women continue their stroll to the water well, they hear noises in the jungle nearby. They both pause, Talula apprehensive and Cornelia quizzical. Cornelia creeps off of the path to look around, Talula tailing a few steps behind.

Talula: What is it?

Cornelia (quietly): Shhh! Let me look.

Cornelia looks through the trees and spots the source of the noise. An oblivious Jolyon is laboring hard several hundred feet away, his back turned to them as he digs furiously at the roots of a crooked tree. Cornelia scuttles back onto the path before being detected and tugs on Talula's hand, pulling her to the nearby well. When they arrive at the well, Cornelia stops and pants, out of breath.

Talula: What was it?!

Cornelia (tiredly): It...it was...Jolyon...searching for an idol. Whew. That was quite the sprint.

Talula (scoffing and shaking her head): Why the hell is he looking for an idol, and at this time? Obviously we're not going to stay put while he tears apart the jungle for the entire afternoon, and why is he even desperate for it? That's the only reason he'd look for it in broad daylight recklessly, if he was desperate. Does he really not trust us? I know he doesn't like me, but he should at least know that Dane is pretty truthful and has complete faith in the alliance.

Cornelia (shaking her head): Sounds like trouble to me. He'll have had to have found it now that he's destroyed half of the forest floor.

Talula: I don't know. He probably didn't have a clue. But this makes me ten times more wary. Find someone else, and I'll go to bat for you guys. Heck, even if it's not Jolyon, I'd consider voting Spence or Louise if it means weakening his power base. He worries me a ton.

Cornelia: We've got your back, my friend. We're up for anything as long as we get to survive.

Talula: I'll let you know if I puzzle something out.

The two ladies chatter dies down as they start filling up the canteens with water from the well. The camera focuses on Talula as she smiles at Cornelia, ladling water into her canteen simultaneously. Her confessional plays as she continues to fill the canteen.

“You know, I knew Jolyon didn't trust me, but I didn't see a way to really work around it. Sure, maybe I was going to work with Cornelia and Cress before. They were just an extra option, and I wanted to keep them happy if I need them in the future. But now that I know Jolyon is actively looking for an idol and actively distrusts me, this game has changed. I'm really hoping we can find that fourth vote to get out Jolyon or to weaken him by getting out one of his friends. It's doubtful, however. Dane won't flip. I've gotta try and see if he will, though.”

Talula

The scene shifts to the beach. Spence, Dane, and Louise are seen picking over a rocky section of the beach, far away from camp, with the spear and pot. Already, several ruby red crabs are dumbly struggling on their backs in the pot that Louise carries. Dane stabs another crab and puts it into the pot before handing Louise the spear and taking the pot from her. As the women begins to hunt around, the three converse about things outside of the game.

Dane: Neither of you guys have anything going on back home romantically?

Spence (smiling): Of course not. It's not like Louise and I are dating, but I think we do snuggle a little too much at night to have significant others.

Louise (laughing): Yeah, if I had a boyfriend I'd probably have already gotten Spence voted off to avoid the temptation.

The three have a good laugh, and the conversation falls into a lull for minute as Louise spots a crab and sneaks up on it. She ejects the spearhead, and it hits the crab square in the back, pinning it down enough for her to crab it and plop it into the pot. She tosses the spear to Spence, who grabs it from the air and takes his turn hunting.

Spence: What's your life like? You've got a daughter, no?

Dane (nodding): Yeah, Lina. She's crazy nowadays but she's just going through her party animal phase. She's sixteen now, and I also have a little guy, Marco, he's just turned ten last month. He loves baseball, definitely following in his old man's footsteps.

Spence: Damn, that's cool. You could have a baseball dynasty!

Dane: He is a killer sprinter, he's just gotta work on catching and throwing but he should be able to develop into a stellar player as he gets older. Alondra's already bought him all this Marlins merch, she's sure he's gonna play there.

Louise: Alondra's your wife?

Dane (grinning): You betcha. Stunningly beautiful, no clue how I managed to score a bombshell like her. She's the one that got me into Survivor, I wouldn't be out here if it wasn't for her.

Spence: We've all got people to fight for out here, no? I think that's why the three of us work so hard out here. We've got something to prove to the people back home, that hey, we're out here doing this for you. I'm out here for my mom, she's a giant fan.

Louise: My sister and I adore this show, and I'd venture to say that Victoria is a bigger fan than I am. She's got a family though and can't come out here right now, so I'm out here playing for the both of us. There really is that extra pressure when you know people back home are almost living vicariously through you. It's a good pressure, though, 'cause it makes you work harder out here.

Spence (smiling): I'm feeling good about our position right now. I'm happy we're all working together, and that we're not holding grudges about the last vote.

Dane (relieved): I'm just happy that you guys didn't kill me for what I did. It feels good to be back in your good graces.

“You know, it was a really powerful moment out there with Dane and Louise, talking about our families and what this game means to us. I really am elated that Dane's back in the fold and feels like a true ally again. However, it doesn't mean I'm going to forget what happened. I'll forgive, but I won't forget. I know Dane was willing to go against the alliance before, and even all of this emotional stuff doesn't mean he won't again. I am starting to trust him again but I've got to be careful, he's a lot better at this game than he seems to be, I can tell you that for sure, and I know Louise feels the same exact way.”

Spence

The trio is shown hunting around a little more before starting to walk back to camp with their full pot of crabs, conversation turning back to their families and lives back home. As the tromp back to camp with dinner, Talula and Cornelia have returned from the well with full canteens. Jolyon is still out searching in the jungle, although he's about ready to give up. Talula and Cornelia set down the full canteens beside the shelter and then sit down beside Cress, who's focused on the fire.

Talula: Guess who we just saw hunting like a madman for an idol.

Cornelia (sniggering): More like a moron!

Cress: So that's where he's been all day. I was thinking he got killed by a shark or something.

Talula (sighing): I just don't get why he would do that. It's a blatant show of distrust.

Cornelia (hopefully): She thinks that Dane might think about flipping when he finds out.

Talula (nodding): Yeah, Dane's a really loyal person, it hurt him to flip his vote at the last Tribal Council, that's why he's trying so hard to fix stuff with Louise and Spence. But if he finds out Jolyon is being shifty and desperate he may think twice about aligning with him.

Cress: You want us to talk to him?

Talula: I've got it. Don't sweat it, this is one of the only things that might make him switch.

Cress and Cornelia share a relieved smile as Talula spots Dane, Louise, and Spence returning from their crab adventure. She walks out to meet them on the beach, leaving Cornelia and Cress alone by the fire.

Cress: So we have a real chance now?

Cornelia: I truly think so, my friend. He was digging like his life in the game depended on it, like you or I would be digging an hour before Tribal Council. He must think Talula and Dane have sided with us.

Cress: So we just have to stay quiet.

Cornelia: And safety will probably fall right into our lap, yes. It's the best strategy for now.

“It's relieving to hear that there's actually something making Talula want to side with us. Before it sort of just felt like she was placating us because she's better friends with us than the others and doesn't want us to be mad at her, but now she seems really interested in working with us which makes me feel a whole lot better. Before Cornelia and Talula went to the well I would've said we had a five percent chance of staying, but now I feel like we have at least a forty or fifty percent shot, if Talula can convince Dane.”

Cress

Talula strides out from the fire, through the trees, and onto the beach to meet the crab carrying envoy. She grins when she sees the pot brimming with red shelled crustaceans in Louise's hands.

Talula (shocked and smiling): Oh my god, that's a ton!

Spence (grinning proudly): We'll be eating good tonight baby.

Talula: Cornelia and I got the water ready for boiling, just gotta pour it into the pot and put it over the fire.

Louise: Let's go, I'm staaaarrrrving.

Louise and Spence jog back to camp, Louise licking her lips. Dane starts to run after them, but Talula catches his arm and pulls him close.

Talula (whispering): We need to talk ASAP.

Dane (agitatedly): C'mon, Talula, let's just go enjoy the dinner.

Talula: Okay, okay, but this is really important. It's making me rethink things.

Dane (shocked): Are you seriously thinking of flipping again?! If we keep changing our allegiances like plastic bags in the wind, no one's gonna trust us.

Talula: But-

Dane (cutting her off): Save it. Let's just go eat, and then we can maybe talk about it.

Dane marches off towards camp while Talula just looks at him openmouthed. She sighs and walks after him.

Talula (mumbling to herself): Jackass...

Soon enough, everyone is sitting around the fire as the crabs cook except for Jolyon. He wanders back to camp from the jungle, dirty and sweaty and exhausted, but he tries to pretend he feels good, saying he just went on a little hike to explore camp. Cornelia is shown rolling her eyes as he sits down, but no one challenges him. It is dinner time after all, and the scent of cooking crab is overpowering. After a while, Louise takes the lid off of the pot and scoops a crab out. She's able to tear into it and tastes the meat inside the shell.

Louise: Oh my god, this is fantastic.

Everyone gets their own crab and starts digging in, puncturing the shell and scooping out meat like savages. Night begins to fall as the navy tribe feasts on their well earned meal, and the camera focuses on Dane as he chews a mouthful of crab meat, a tired looking Talula sitting next to him.

“Maybe I shouldn't have snapped at Talula like that, but really, no one is going to trust us if we keep flipping! We chose our alliance and we've gotta stick to it. I'm also tired from the challenge and going crabbing, and I just wanted to enjoy our meal. I guess we'll have to sort things out in the morning. I just hope there's nothing she'll say that'll sway me, because if there's one thing I don't want to be in this game, it's to be labelled a tried and true flipper.”

Dane

A few last shots of the tribe eating their crab meat and chatting around the fire are shown before the show cuts to commercial break.

Day 9

Ekubo

An underwater shot of a school of tropical yellow fish billowing around a coral studded outcropping fills the screen, with the words "Day 9" glittering in the corner of the screen in a gray font. The scene shifts to a shot of Florine walking slowly down the beach, hugging herself as she sits down on a large piece of driftwood and stares out at the undulating waves.

Florine (sighing): Hello Day 9.

“Today's the anniversary of my Grammy's death, eight years ago. She was probably the person I was closest to on this planet and my biggest inspiration. She didn't even know who Rupert was, so it wasn't like she inspired me to come on Survivor. But she inspired me to work, and work hard. She gave me a wake up call when I was fresh out of high school and got me back on track, and always cared for me in a way no one else could. It's still early in this game so I can still keep my emotions in check easily, and she did die not very recently. But it's a bittersweet day for sure. I really do miss her, I wish she could see me now. I don't know what she'd say about me lipping off about Kinsley behind her back and teaming up with the villain, though. So maybe it's better she isn't seeing this Survivor Florine.”

Florine

Florine stares out at the sea in silence for a few more moments before she hears someone approaching. She turns her head and spots Breccan striding leisurely down the beach towards her, smiling and oblivious to her emotional day like the rest of the tribe. He plops down beside her on the driftwood and looks at her before pulling her into a quick hug.

Breccan (concerned): You doing okay?

Florine (nodding slowly): Yeah...yeah, it's all good. Just tired. I didn't sleep well last night.

Breccan: Only reason I got through the night was my full stomach. I felt like I was at hope again just because I wasn't starving.

Florine (shrugging): If anything, made it harder for me, feeling bloated and all. I don't think I'll be able to eat anything until after the challenge.

Breccan (nodding): Yeah, yeah. I think we've got a pretty good shot of keeping the win streak alive, no?

Florine (chuckling): Two wins isn't much of a win streak, but sure. Taunovo's a real bad mess.

The conversation falls into a lull for a few moments, with Florine continuing to stare out at the ocean and Breccan inspecting his fingernails.

Florine: Is there something you want to talk about?

Breccan: Yeah...so Kinsley brought up last night that she's heard her name being thrown around for the one to go after Calliope.

Florine: Shit. She freaking knows, dumb Tungsten with his big fat mouth.

Breccan: So it's true? She's gone after Calliope?

Florine (nodding): Ideally, yes. Heck, I'd be fine getting rid of her first; Calliope can just be used as a meat shield that no one's going to align with.

Breccan (awkwardly): Uh...I thought we would get out Tungsten after Calliope, honestly.

Florine (shocked): Really? Why? Tungsten is easily hateable and a perfect shield, and he's not such a bad player that he'll screw us with bad play but he's not good enough to outwit us. And Jenson's just along for the ride it seems, I don't think he'll be much of a problem. Meanwhile, Kinsley and Sulien are both savvy social players, at least from what I've seen. Smiles can win the game.

Breccan: But Kinsley and I get along really well, I think I could manage her. Tungsten's really unpredictable. I just don't get the logic. I think Sulien and Kinsley would be more loyal to us, while Tungsten would be more willing to flip and make the big move.

Florine: Tungsten doesn't know it but I have him under lock and key, he comes to me about everything like a little puppy dog. He'll stay with us.

Breccan: Yeah...well, we don't need to worry about this anyway. We're going to win, and if we lose we can just vote of Calliope as planned and not have to think about this until the time comes.

Florine (nodding): Great idea. Let's go get treemail?

Breccan: Sure.

The two close allies stand and walk down the beach towards the direction of treemail. They enter the jungle and follow a dirt path towards the woven urn, and a confessional from Breccan plays as they make their short trek.

“You know, it's plain to see why Kinsley is Florine's target now. They're pretty similar players, both physically smaller girls and play a little under the radar. And Florine has Tungsten and Jenson close to her, while I'm only close to them through her. It forces me to stay with her and ensures she'll always have the majority. It's a savvy move, and I wanted to do the same thing siding with Kinsley and Sulien. It's really down to who'll crack first over which way we swing when the time comes. At least we're being civil about it, eh?”

Breccan

Florine pulls the lid off of the woven urn and removes their treemail, finding a pretty large metal key with flames painted on it along with a note. Breccan surveys the note as they head back to camp, where the rest of the tribe is going through the morning duties.

Breccan (pensively): Seems like a mixture of stuff. Can't pin one idea down.

Florine: Here, let me see it.

As the two discuss the possibilities of what the challenge will be, Florine's confessional plays before the scene shifts to the Taunovo camp.

“You know, a lot of the stuff happening at Camp Ekubo right now is centered around Breccan and myself. When the time comes, we're the pivotal votes, and we both want to go in opposite directions, and for good reason. He's built bonds with the more youthful, fun loving crowd while I've bonded with the older, more intellectual people on the tribe. But I really do think siding with Sulien and Kinsley will just lead to disaster. At least you know Tungsten's going to backstab you at some point. You never know what players like those two will do, if they'll dutifully follow to the end like perfect little FTC goats or if they'll backstab you at their first chance. I hope Breccan sees the light and realizes that it's not the smartest to go with the pretty, cheery people, no matter how alluring their siren's song is.”

Florine

Taunovo

An aerial shot of the island is shown, and then a scene of a small, fuzzy monkey swinging between two tree branches follows it. Cutting down to a dirt path scissoring through the forest, two people are visible walking towards tree mail, absorbed in conversation. Talula is relaying everything she found out yesterday to a stony Dane, too tired to show much emotion.

Talula (shaking her head): So Cornelia and I go to get water for boiling the crabs, and we just hear these crazy noises from the jungle, we both thought it was a boar or a leopard or something insane that shouldn't be on a little island like this. Cornelia peered in and came running back and said it was Jolyon.

Dane (quizzically): You sure it was Jolyon?

Talula (nodding): Yeah, I could see his back, he was wearing his striped button down.

Dane (perplexed): Why? I don't get it. Why does he want the idol that bad?

Talula (intensely): That's exactly my point! We pledge our allegiance to him and hours later he's digging through the jungle for an idol like he's about to get voted off! He has zero ounces of trust in us, and that really scares me. I don't know if I can go deep with someone like that. Come on, it's obvious he doesn't like me anyway, and now this...

Dane: I totally understand why you were freaking out last night, this is big.

As the two continue to discuss, the camera swivels over to the jungle, where nearby Jolyon is walking down a path to the well. He hears the voices of Talula and Dane, and hears a far off word that sounds like his name. He perks up and creeps through the jungle to listen to their conversation.

Talula (sighing): I'm just worried. He could idol us out or something, if he has that idol the game is completely in his hands.

Dane: We just need to keep him on our good side now, and run with it. Angering him will just make the chances of him using the idol to get one of us out even bigger.

The shot shifts back to the foliage, where Jolyon is crouched listening. He's heard enough though, and he quickly thinks up a plan, dashing through the forest to get to treemail first and intercept the duo so he can talk strategy with them.

“The second I heard them talking about me and an idol, I realized someone must've seen me searching yesterday. I guess I probably was searching too long, but I never saw anyone. Anyway, last night I was starting to bake up a plan to get out Talula, but now that she and Dane are suspicious and primed to flip, I've got to rebuild the bridges we've burnt, I've got no choice. It doesn't mean Talula is safe, but just to ensure I'm not public enemy number one, I've got to gloss over this blemish in our alliance or else I could be in big trouble. I hope they'll buy my bluff.”

Jolyon

Jolyon is huffing from the effort of the sprint as he arrives at treemail before Talula and Dane. He opens it, grabs the key and rolled up note, and collects himself, making his breathing normal. Then he walks leisurely down the path until he spots Dane and Talula a minute later.

Jolyon (waving): Morning guys!

Dane and Talula pause in their conversation instantly, Talula smiling and waving in response while Dane takes a shocked moment to collect himself before bidding his tribemate good morning. Jolyon bounds over to the other two, grinning.

Jolyon: You guys come out to get treemail?

Talula (nodding): Yeah, looks like we were too slow!

Jolyon (smirking): What can I say, I was born with a need for speed.

All three chuckle, although the laughter is a little fake. The three start heading back to camp in relative silence until Jolyon breaks it, sighing.

Jolyon: Can I talk to you guys about something?

Dane: Yeah, sure, go ahead.

Jolyon (sighing): I've just been having a turbulent past day or two, I'm sorry I haven't been very present. I just want you guys to know that I trust you fully, and I want you to know something that I haven't told anyone else, as a way to seal our alliance.

Talula: What?

Jolyon (grinning): Yesterday I found the idol!

All three celebrate quietly, as they're now pretty close to camp. Talula hugs Jolyon and then Dane bumps fists with him.

Dane (smiling): That's going to be a major game changer. I'm happy one of us found it, and not Cornelia or Cress.

Jolyon: I wanted to make sure it stayed out of their hands, I was searching all of yesterday because I thought I saw that Cornelia had a clue in her bag.

Talula: Well, good job!

Far off, Louise can be heard calling out for their missing tribemates sleepily. Jolyon runs back to camp with the treemail, leaving Talula and Dane to walk alone on the path.

Dane: Well, isn't this an awesome morning.

Talula (shaking her head): Sigh, sigh, sigh.

“This is not good, not at all. My trust in Jolyon doesn't really exist anymore because he just makes me so unsure and paranoid. He seemed to be one of the most steady people out here but I'd rather trust Cornelia than Jolyon at this moment. However, he does have a pretty convincing story and maybe Talula and I are just being overly paranoid. I hope that's the case, and our alliance is still strong. Either way, at least we know who has the idol now.”

Dane

Jolyon is shown dashing back to camp with a big, goofy grin on his face, obviously pleased with himself and his performance.

	“I'm pretty sure they ate that right up. They think I have the idol, which I do not, I don't even have a fricking clue. They also trust me again and I also gave a reason for being "distant" or whatever since the last vote. I'm not fully sure they bought it but I would be surprised if they didn't at least partially believe me. All in all, that was a successful manipulation.”
Jolyon

Jolyon arrives back at camp, where everyone else is awake and squatting around the fire, Cornelia cooking their morning rice and the others warming up by the flames. Talula and Dane appear as well from the jungle a few moments later, and Jolyon hands the clue to Louise for her to read while the tribe passes around the painted key.

Louise: This isn't just one task. You'll have to dig deep. Strike the flint. To safety you shall leap.

Cress: Something with digging and fire, probably. Sounds weird, honestly.

Spence: All I know is we're going to dom-in-ATE!

The tribe chuckles at Spence's enthusiasm as they eat their breakfast, but you can tell very few of them believe that they'll actually be able to dominate. As the castaways finish eating and grab their bags, the camera focuses on Louise. Her confessional plays as she boards the tribe's canoe and as they paddle towards their third Immunity challenge.

“You know what, I think this may be one we can win. I'm getting as pumped up as I can for this, because we need this win, we need to maintain our numbers. I know we're pretty divided right now, but winning challenges will help heal our wounds and unite us. Morale and quality of life at camp with rise if we win today, and that's exactly what we're going to do. Burn through whatever or dig down miles into the ground, I'll do it if it means this tribe doesn't fall to shambles this early in the game.”

Louise

Immunity Challenge: Start the Ignition

A wide shot is shown of the small island where the challenge is taking place, with the two tribes rowing in their canoes easily visible. On one end of the island, a mat for each tribe is in front of two large mud pits, and then a puzzle station for each tribe is a few steps from the end of the mud pit. Then, at the other end of the island, are two lockboxes and two firemaking stations, sans flint. The castaways row in and take their spots on their mats. Jeff grins at them and explains the challenge: three people will dig in the mud for three bags of puzzle pieces, and then the next three people will use those puzzle pieces to build a 3-D key with numbers on it. The final person will unlock the lockbox using the number code on the key, and inside they will find flint. They'll go to their fire making station and build a fire. The first tribe to burn through their rope wins Immunity! The tribes strategize for a few minutes before the challenge begins.

Diggers			Puzzlers			Fire maker
Breccan	Calliope	Sulien	Florine	Jenson	Kinsley	Tungsten
Cress	Dane	Louise	Cornelia	Jolyon	Talula	Spence

• The challenge starts off very close, with both tribes digging like crazy in the goopy mud, even Calliope digging her elbows in deep as she knows her life is on the line. After a minute or so, Louise pulls out the first bag for Taunovo, but Sulien finds the first bag for Ekubo, keeping it close.
• Cress and Breccan find the next bags for their tribes, and then it's a race to see who can find the third one. Louise triumphantly tears the last bag out of the ground, and the Taunovo puzzlers swarm to grab the bags while Ekubo searches frantically.
• By the time Taunovo has opened all of the puzzle bags and Cornelia, Jolyon, and Talula have begun to put the pieces together, Calliope discovers the final bag, and Ekubo's puzzlers work first to make up ground. Frenemies Kinsley and Florine rip through the knots and work together pretty well with Jenson figuring out the big picture.
• Despite their good teamwork, Taunovo still had a sizable lead, and Cornelia snaps the last piece into place while Ekubo still has a handful of pieces left. Spence sprints up, grabs the key, and runs to the lockbox, putting in the code, while Tungsten waits anxiously for his tribe to finish the puzzle.
• Ekubo isn't far behind, finishing the puzzle as Spence tears the lid off of the box. He grabs the flint and arrives at the firemaking station as Tungsten starts plugging in his code into the lockbox. Spence scrapes magnesium onto his coconut husk and then begins to use the machete to bring up sparks.
• As a small flame catches on Spence's husk, Tungsten frees his flint and runs to his station, panting as he strikes the flint at a furious pace. Soon enough, both men have decently sized fires that are rapidly growing. However, Spence's starts to fade, as he has too much husk and too little wood. He frantically tries to pile on more wood, but it's too late as Tungsten is already celebrating, his teepee of wood enough to get the flames to burn through the rope! A flag raises as the gray tribe celebrates.

Probst: EKUBO WINS IMMUNITY FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A ROW!

The gray tribe continues their celebration, Calliope grinning wildly as she embraces Sulien tightly, and Jenson and Tungsten high five with smiles on their faces as the fire maker who won the challenge for the tribe returns to their mat.

Probst: And Ekubo, you're quickly building a win streak here. We'll see if it lasts, congrats.

Breccan (grinning): It'll last, don't fret Jeff.

The gray tribe chuckles at Breccan's retort before striding off happily to their canoe and paddling out back towards their camp.

Probst: Taunovo, once again, just short, and you'll be meeting me tonight at Tribal Council. For all of your sakes, I hope tonight is a little calmer than the last time we met up. One of the seven of you will be the third person voted out of this game. You have the afternoon to decide who it'll be. Head back to camp, see you tonight.

Louise is shown with an agitated look on her face, and then the camera turns to Spence, looking rather disappointed, as he pushes their canoe into the water.

“Once again, a loss, and I'm not happy. I cost us that one, we had the lead until I screwed it up with the fire. I don't think that's enough to send me home, but it's not good either. Louise is obviously pretty ticked with me over that, and I can see the little hope we all still had has sort of fallen apart. This tribe is spiraling out of control and I really just contributed to that for the first time back there, it's a sickening feeling.”

Spence

Before going to commercial break, a slow motion shot is shown of Ekubo's rope being burned through and then Tungsten whooping in joy and pumping his fists as his elated confessional plays.

“Damn, wasn't that fun! Sure, I love to scheme and part of me is thirsting to go vote someone else off, but I'll always take a win over a loss in this game. We're maintaining our numbers while Taunovo is just falling to pieces, and I think we might win every challenge from here on out, I really do believe that. That challenge has got me rejuvenated, and I'm ready to play this game harder than ever. Only thing is, we're so dominate I don't even really have to! Hahahaha!”

Tungsten

Losing Tribe

The Taunovo castaways disembark from their canoe, trudging up the beach and into the jungle in silence. There is no explosion of strategy like there was last time; there is just silence and dejection. Cress collapses onto the ground beside the fire, stirring it to life with a stick as his confessional plays.

“It was eerie as heck coming back to camp, you could just feel the hopelessness pressing down on us. We just sat there for a while before talking started, processing it all. We're all still reeling from the last vote and now we have to figure out who's gone next...I just hope Cornelia survives this vote, because I know she's the target. If she's gone, I'm dead in the water with nothing but a swap to save me, and it looks like we're going to keep on losing, so I'm screwed unless I manage to save my ally tonight.”

Cress

Cornelia sits down beside Cress, and the two talk about trivial things quietly while the majority alliance of five collects near the well, trickling down the paths one at a time until they've all assembled. Talula leans against the well, clearly worn out, while Louise is still steaming from the loss.

Talula (sighing): I didn't realize how damn exhausting this would be, not just physically, but emotionally and all that jazz. It's going so fast, yet so slow...my head is screwy right now.

Spence: Well, thankfully tonight is easy, we don't have to think too hard about it. We just follow through with the plan. Cornelia gets five votes against her, and she's gone. Simple as that, really.

Louise: But what if one of them has the idol? Should we split it 3-2?

Jolyon (grinning): Doesn't matter. I have it.

Louise mouth gapes open in shock at this information, while Spence looks puzzled for a moment before hiding the expression, as both know that Louise possesses the Taunovo idol. Louise's confessional plays as she tries to collect her thoughts and form a response.

“I was hella confused. Jolyon just bursts out "I HAVE THE IDOL!" and Spence and I just looked at each other...like no, you don't Jolyon. We have it, there's no way that it's a fake, there was the clue and all. I didn't get why he was calling such a weird bluff, and my trust in him was wavering. Like come on, how sketchy is that? It's a little comical though, to see someone go on about having the idol while you are the one who actually knows where it is, under the rock with my initials scratched on it. We've gotta sort this out though.”

Louise

Spence: Thank god! When did you find it?!

Jolyon (smugly): Yesterday, while you guys were out crabbing. I found a clue in Cornelia's bag, she's burned it by now but it helped me find it.

Talula looks a little suspicious, realizing that the details of his story are a little inconsistent, as before he said he just saw a paper in her bag and didn't look at it, but she doesn't speak up as the conversation rolls on.

Dane: He told us this morning, right before the challenge, and we couldn't tell you guys until now.

Jolyon: Swear I wasn't hiding it from you. Just couldn't find the time.

Spence (brushing it off): Oh, don't worry about it dude, totally understand.

Louise: So we don't need to split, we just put all of our votes on Cornelia?

Jolyon (nodding): Correct.

Talula (giggling): This seems a tad too easy!

Spence (shrugging): I guess this is what a solid majority feels like.

Dane: Damn, it's hot out here. I think I'm going to go rinse off in the ocean after all that digging.

Talula (nodding): Agreed, I'm a sweaty mess. Let's go wash off. You guys coming?

Jolyon: One sec, I want to show them where I found the idol, it's not far from here!

Talula (chuckling): You do you, then. Have fun, don't get lost!

Jolyon (smiling): We won't, promise.

The moment Talula and Dane are out of earshot, Jolyon rolls his eyes and shakes his head, obviously annoyed.

Jolyon: Is it obvious that I don't like her?

Spence: Needs a little work, but not glaringly obvious.

Louise: Whoa, okay, let's reel this back. You have the damn idol?!

Jolyon (laughing hysterically): Of course not! I think Talula's on my scent that I'm not trusting her much and she wants to flip, I can see it in her eyes. Wonder why she's been spending so much time with Cornelia and Cress? It's not because they're fun to talk to, I can tell you that.

Spence (concerned): You think they'll actually flip again?

Jolyon (nodding vigorously): I'm almost sure of it. But they like you two, their problem is with me. So I bluffed about an idol to make sure we've sealed the deal.

Spence: Smart, sure.

Jolyon: This isn't a joke, though. They may vote with us tonight, but they're not going to stay with us in the long run, they know going to the end with us would be social suicide, we're stronger competitors and more savvy players than them. They're going to flip on us sooner than later. My bluff is just postponing the inevitable.

Louise (shaking her head): Are you sure? They seem pretty solid.

Spence: No, no, I see it. They're probably talking strategy with Cress and Cornelia right now, not washing off or whatever they said. Like, why did Talula just hang out at camp with them all day yesterday? Why does Dane have more inside jokes with Cress than he does with Jolyon?

Louise: I think we're overthinking things, guys. Let's just get through this vote, and then we can move forward.

Jolyon (dismissively): We're not overthinking, we've got to get them first.

Spence: I've gotta agree. This is possibly our one chance to make sure that they don't flip on us.

Jolyon: We all know Dane is very loyal to us. The problem is Talula, no?

Louise (slowly): ...I guess, yeah. She does seem sorta hesitant still about alla this.

Jolyon (nodding excitedly): And Dane has no one to go to but us if we cut her off, no?

Spence: Are you saying we vote off Talula tonight?

Jolyon (grinning): Bingo!

Louise: But how? I get the why now, I'm starting to see all the suspicious behavior. But if we go running to Cornelia and Cress to try and get them to vote with us, they'll spill the beans right to Talula and we'll be in big, big trouble.

Jolyon: Think about it, guys! Who are Talula and Dane voting for right now?

Spence: Cornelia, of course.

Jolyon (nodding): Yep, yep, and then Cornelia and Cress will vote for one of the three of us. Our three votes will overpower both their duos.

Louise (frowning): A 3-2-2 vote? That's extremely risky.

Jolyon: Risky is the name of the game, you've gotta take risks to advance yourself. They already tried to do it to us, Talula specifically, so this is just revenge really.

Spence: Louise, I know it sounds a little crazy but it's all making sense in my head.

Louise (quietly): Yeah...yeah, it's starting to make sense for me to. Dear God, are we actually going to do it?

Jolyon: I am dying to make this move, it's going to be an iconic power play and it's really going to better our position in this tribe. If you guys decide not to I'll be extremely disappointed but I'll vote with you, but we've got to vote together. None of the flip flopping messiness that Talula and Dane did last time.

Spence: So we decide. We take the safe path, and get out Cornelia, or we play hardball and we take out Talula.

Jolyon: You already know my vote.

Louise (hesitantly): Jolyon, it's a great idea...but it scares me. I'd vote that we just go after Cornelia tonight, but I'm willing to make a move against Talula if that's what you two think will work out best.

Spence: Give me a minute to think.

“The decision, tonight, is solely on my shoulders. I can decide who leaves tonight. I know that people say to play as safe as possible early on, but Jolyon makes some killer points. Talula has already breached our trust, what will stop her from doing it again? It's really all making sense that we should take her out. But there's so many ifs: what if someone changes their vote on a whim and messes up the whole 3-2-2 vote? It's such a close one, it's scary. Also, will Dane side with us after it all? Really, it's a toughie, but I think I know what we've gotta do.”

Spence

The trio comes to a consensus, and they seem satisfied with their decision as they start walking slowly back to camp, ironing out the details and making sure they're all on the total same page of what they'll do moving forward in the game beyond this vote. The scene shifts to the ocean, where Dane and Talula are rinsing off. Dane climbs out of the water and trudges back to the shelter, tired out, but Talula remains in the water, floating placidly. Cress spots her and sidles up to her, paddling out to the woman.

Cress: So, do we have any hope tonight?

Talula (sorrowfully): I'm so sorry to break it to you, but no. I don't think you do. Jolyon revealed to us that he's got the idol. I think it's too risky now to go after him, too risky for Dane's tastes at least, and he's not going after Spence or Louise. So I'm sorry, but the deal is off.

Cress: Dammit. You sure there's no chance?

Talula (shaking her head): I'm sorry. Really, I wanted to work with you. But I don't think it's going to work out tonight.

Cress (sighing): It's okay, you did more than you had to to try and swing it. I'm just disappointed that it isn't going to happen, but I understand.

Cornelia is seen tottering down the beach. She splashes through the sea over to the other two already treading water, smiling happily.

Cornelia (smirking): So it's all good, my friends?

Talula (frowning): I'm afraid not. Jolyon has an idol, so Dane won't flip.

Cornelia (angrily): Goshdarnit!

Neither of them tells Cornelia to calm down, because they all know that Cornelia will be the one leaving at the Tribal Council now that Dane won't flip.

	“I'll be veracious, it hurt like nothing else to find out that the hopeful spark that I'll survive this round has been stamped out by Jolyon's dirty little idol and Dane's unwillingness to take a risk. I was fully believing I would be here to see the sunrise of Day 10. I guess I got overly excited, but I couldn't help myself! Oh this stings! I'm just praying for a miracle now.”
Cornelia

Cress: Well, just in case you change your mind, I think Cornelia and I can agree that we're going to vote Spence.

Cornelia (nodding): Oh yes. At least Louise is cordial, that boy blatantly ignores our existences and he lost that challenge single handedly for us today, he deserves a few votes penned against him.

Talula: Well, that's good to know in case something changes, but I really doubt it will. I don't want to give you guys unnecessary hope, it's not going to happen.

Cornelia (sadly): Thank you for your honesty at least, my friend.

Talula swims over to Cornelia, and the two embrace before Talula paddles back to shore, leaving the two outsiders to drift in the slight waves in silence for a few moments.

Cress: We had a good run. I'll miss having my kooky Muttano around.

Cornelia: Oh, I'm blushing! Just fight, understood? Do not give up, and let them just walk all over you!

Cress (scoffing): I was in the NFL. I know how to turn it on. Once you're gone, I promise, I'll find a new gear and go as hard as I can to make sure I stay in this game.

Cornelia (smiling bittersweetly): Well, that's good. It was rather fun out here, with you and Emilia.

Cress (chuckling): At least we'll all get to enjoy the prejury trip together!

The two have a good laugh about that as they make their way back to camp. It's getting darker, and the time to head off to Tribal Council is closing in on them like death. Cress and Cornelia walk back to camp, holding hands.

	“I'm just happy that I got to make such good friends out here in Emilia and Cress. Maybe I didn't win any money, maybe I didn't even make the tribe swap, but I fought hard and I did better than even I expected, if I'm going to be honest. I was a true survivor in all senses of the word, and I'm pleased with my experiences out here.”
Cornelia

The castaways start to grab their torches, preparing to head out to Tribal Council as it becomes pitch black. One person is lagging, however. Talula takes a slow stroll back to camp on the beach, deep in thought as she walks.

“There's something going on, I can feel it. Maybe I'm just a crazy paranoid freak, but I feel like something big is going to happen tonight. I'm looking to my gut for guidance, but my gut must be constipated, because it's giving me at best mixed messages and at worst absolutely nothing, and that scares me shitless. In the courtroom and in life my gut guides me, and it rarely leads me astray. But out here it's been mutilated and I'm losing my trust in it. But right now, my vote is live. It shouldn't be, but it sort of is because there has to be something going on, doesn't there? This is Survivor! It can't just be a simple 5-2 vote...right? Oh lord, I'm just overthinking this probably. I hope I don't get screwed tonight.”

Talula

Talula eventually returns to camp, still deep in thought as she grabs her bag and her torch from by the shelter. As the seven castaways file out of camp and make their way down the beach towards Tribal Council, the moon makes them all shine. Jolyon looks eager to go to Tribal Council as he leads the tribe in the procession. His confessional plays as the tribe disappears into the inky blackness of the night.

“No matter which way it goes tonight, Talula or Cornelia, I know that I have great power in this game. I can build and heal alliances rather easily and I can lie just as good as some of the Survivor greats. No matter what my alliance decided, this vote will be pivotal not for what really happens tonight necessarily, but for what it'll do for my confidence in this game. All I can say is that I'm pleased, honestly, that things are starting to work in my favor.”

Jolyon

Tribal Council

The seven members of Taunovo, toting their torches and bags, walk up the eerie steps into the dark, ancient Fijian village. A fire burns bright inside the Tribal Council hut that they're quickly becoming accustomed to. Cress squeezes Cornelia's shoulder comfortingly with his free hand as the tribe strides over to their stools across the fire from Jeff. Once they're all settled in, the Tribal Council begins.

Probst: Well, welcome back to Tribal Council. Let's hope tonight is a little less insane.

Dane (scoffing): You can say that again.

Probst: Louise, how do you guys recover from losing now three challenges in a row? After the Immunity, you all seem demoralized.

Louise: You know, it sucks to lose this much, because we're such a strong, tough bunch. But we've just gotta keep our heads up and keep fighting. It's just been a lot, first the rock draw, then losing a great reward, and now we have to vote someone else off. It's all really wearing us thin.

Probst: Cress, what does this tribe need to do to get back to winning?

Cress: We need to work together as a team and put all of this crazy scheming behind us. They think voting off Cornelia will solve all of this but it won't, it really won't.

Probst: Wait, so the alliance of five from last time that seemed broken up is back together?

Cress: Yep. And Cornelia and I are perpetually trapped on the outs.

Probst: Spence, you just let Dane and Talula come right back into the fold easy as that?

Spence (nodding): Yeah, they are our friends and we have a good bond. We've spent the past few days really gaining trust again. And I don't trust Cress and Cornelia much at all, so we did have to go with them.

Probst: Jolyon, you're part of this alliance, do you believe that everyone's back together now? Both of them did write your name down last Tribal Council.

Jolyon: I'm be honest, at first I had my doubts, but after we talked and all I think I can trust them, even more than before. We're really tight now.

Probst: Dane, you buying this? You really believe your alliance is healed?

Dane: Of course there's still some bumps, but I've talked one on one with Louise, Jolyon, and Spence and I really have fixed the major issues between us I believe. I really feel like our alliance has staying power now.

Cornelia: Why are you two trusting them so easily? It blows my mind, to be honest. These three are young and thirsty to make big moves and prove themselves. Cress and I are older and more mature, and we're definitely more trustworthy in the long run.

Jolyon (laughing): Since when does age factor in trustworthiness? She's obvious reaching for something to try and prove why she should stay, but she can't find anything substantial. Just because we're in our 20s doesn't mean we can't be trusted. Cornelia contributes nothing to this tribe besides awkward anecdotes, so it's her time to go

Cress: Cornelia aces the puzzles and helps around camp, that's an unfair statement.

Jolyon: Talula and I can do puzzles ten times better than her, and she spends just as much time collecting wood as she does napping and eating more food than she should. Nothing.

Probst: Talula, you've been very quiet this whole Tribal Council. Do you have a gauge on what's going to happen tonight?

Talula perks up, having zoned out as she has been thinking things over.

Talula: I...yeah, I know what's going on tonight, I'm pretty sure at least. I don't feel too worried.

Probst: Spence, what will this tribe gain tonight after voting someone off?

Spence: I personally think we'll become stronger, and the group of people who hold the power in this tribe will become unstoppable. Really, it's a vote to establish who's running things and who's just here for the ride.

Probst: Well with that, it's time to vote. Cress, you're up first.

Cress strides into the voting booth, looking disappointed. He sighs as he uncaps the pen and scrawls down a name. He shrugs as he holds up the ballot for the cameras.

	“This vote won't do anything tonight, but you aren't playing the smartest right now, so I hope this gives yout he kick in the ass you need to start being aware of everyone, not just your alliance. (Voting Spence)”
Cress

Louise looks a little nervous as she puts her vote in the urn, and Cornelia looks sorrowful as she marches away after casting her vote. Spence folds his vote with a small smile on his face. Dane cracks his knuckles before scribbling down his vote on the parchment.

	“My alliance has to stay strong tonight, and sadly you're our target. Our tribe needs to start winning and you're in the way of that, sorry. (Voting Cornelia)”
Dane

Jolyon is shown walking up to the voting booth smirking. And then Talula is the last up. She slowly strolls up to the booth and takes a few moments to think before she slowly writes down her vote. Once she puts it into the urn, she hobbles back to her seat.

Probst: I'll go tally the votes.

As Jeff walks away, Cress and Cornelia are shown holding hands while Spence and Louise exchange light smiles. Talula looks as spacey as ever, staring at the flickering flames, as Jeff returns.

Probst:  If anybody has found the hidden immunity idol and you would like to play it, now would be the time to do so.

No one moves, not even really looking at each other. No one is expecting idols to factor into this Tribal Council, and they aren't.

Probst: Alright. Once the votes are read, the decision is final. The person voted out will be asked to leave the Tribal Council area immediately. I'll read the votes.

First vote: Cornelia.

Cornelia shrugs, not surprised at getting votes.

Second vote: Spence.

Spence doesn't look too worried at seeing his name, knowing that Cress and Cornelia would vote against either himself, Jolyon, or Louise.

Third vote: Spence. That's two votes Spence, one vote Cornelia, four votes left.

Fourth vote: Talula.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Dane immediately shouts, looking over at Jolyon, Louise, and Spence. Jolyon is smirking, and Talula looks emotionless, a little shocked.

Fifth vote: Talula. That's two votes Spence, two votes Talula, one vote Cornelia.

Sixth vote: Talula.
Talula frowns a little, while Jolyon smiles victoriously and Dane looks shellshocked.

Seventh vote: Spence. We're tied.

Jolyon: Wait WHAT?!

Talula (shaking and smiling weakly): I had a bad feeling...thankfully this time it worked out.

Cornelia hugs Talula and kisses her on the forehead in relief while Jolyon scowls, Cornelia looks hopeful, and Louise embraces Spence tightly. Dane looks confused and unsure of what to do.

Louise: Dane, I'm so sorry, but we can't lose Spence! Please vote with us, I'm begging you. This tribe is screwed without him.

Cornelia: He lost us the challenge today. He provides nothing.

Cornelia and Jolyon exchange icy looks as the pleading falls silent and Jeff clears his throat.

Probst: So, here's how it's going to work. Spence and Talula, you will not vote. Everyone else may only vote for Spence or Talula. Louise, please grab the urn. You're up.

Louise is shaking as she stumbles into the voting booth, looking like a mess. She takes a few deep breaths before casting her vote, holding up her parchment to the cameras with quaking hands.

	“I...shit shit shit! I knew this wasn't going to work! I just hope Dane sees that losing Spence will damn this tribe permanently. We're going to lose everything without him. Oh please please please...(Voting Talula)”
Louise

Cress and Dane are shown putting their ballots into the urn, and Jolyon is shown stalking up to the voting booth, scowling now that his plan may be foiled. Cornelia is the last to vote, and she glides into the booth with a relieved grin on her face as she casts her vote.

	“My prayers were answered tonight. I'm not very religious, but right now I feel a presence of something or someone, and I thank that my prayers were answered so much. Miracles do happen. Even if Talula still goes home, I survived tonight, and that's more than I ever could've asked for. (Voting Spence)”
Cornelia

Cornelia staggers back to her stool, taking her seat. Once she's seated, Jeff speaks.

Probst: Once more, I'll go tally the votes.

Both Talula and Spence look at Dane for confirmation of which way he voted but he refuses to look at his two good friends, squirming with anxiety over his decision in his seat. Cornelia is shown flashing a small smile at Cress, who returns it. Louise looks frightened as Jeff returns with the urn.

Probst: We cannot tie tonight and go to rocks, as we have even numbers. Thank lord!

Jeff earns a few hollow chuckles for that before he continues.

Probst: Whoever has the most votes in here will be eliminated tonight. I'll read the votes.

First vote: Talula.

Talula just nods along expectantly; everyone's just waiting for the fifth vote, Dane's vote.

Second vote: Spence.

Spence sighs, nervously tapping his fingers against his knee.

Third vote: Talula.

Cornelia pats Talula's shoulder comfortingly.

Fourth vote: Spence. That's two votes Talula, two votes Spence, one vote left.

Everyone sucks in a collective breath as Jeff reveals the final vote.

Probst: Second person voted out of Survivor: Vatulele...

Spence, that's three, that's enough. You need to bring me your torch.

Spence groans, shaking his head as he embraces Louise for several moments tightly. He gives her a quick peck on the lips in farewell that makes her blush a little. Then he grabs his bag and torch, snubbing the rest of his tribe. He strides over to Jeff and places his torch before him, frowning and disappointed.

Probst (snuffing Spence's torch): Spence, the tribe has spoken. Time for you to go.

Spence waves goodbye to Louise, who waves back, before stalking out of the hut. He soon disappears into the inky night outside of the Tribal Council hut. The camera turns to Louise, who looks lost and extremely worried now that her partner is gone.

Probst: It seems this tribe just can't have an easy vote, and with how things have been going in the challenges you six need a real turn around to get back in this game, or you're all screwed. Learn to become a team, and you guys will have a shot in this game. Otherwise, you'll all be picked off. Grab your torches, head back to camp. Have a good night.

The six remaining Taunovos retrieve their belongings and their torches, processing out of the Tribal Council hut and away from the shadowy Fijian village. Cress and Cornelia walk side by side, sharing relieved smiles, while Jolyon's face is stuck in a bitter scowl. Louise walks alone, lagging behind the others, willing herself not to cry as she and the rest of her tribe disappear into the night.

Tribal Council 3: Taunovo
First Vote (Tie)		Second Vote
Voted Against	Voter	Voted Against	Voter
Spence (3 votes)	Cornelia, Cress, Talula	Spence (3 votes)	Cornelia, Cress, Dane
Talula (3 votes)	Jolyon, Louise, Spence	Talula (2 votes)	Jolyon, Louise
Cornelia (1 vote)	Dane	Cornelia (0 votes)	Ineligible
VOTED OUT: Spence Iryda

Voting Confessionals

FIRST VOTE:

	“I know I'm leaving tonight, but I hope this teaches you and your alliance to respect their elders! I'm praying for a miracle, my friends. ”
Cornelia

	“This is going to be one of the biggest moves in history. Goodbye, Talula. You're not a bad player, but an erratic one, and one that doesn't like me. The perfect victim of a terrific power play.”
Jolyon

	“I'm a little hesitant to cast this vote tonight, but I've gotta do it. I was outvoted by the guys and it does make sense to get rid of you tonight. Best wishes.”
Louise

	“Jolyon has utterly convinced me you're the biggest threat to our success on this tribe, and he's definitely right. You're not a bad person and I hope we can be friends afterward, but you need to go for me to succeed in this game.”
Spence

	“You know what, I'm making the move I need to make tonight. Maybe it's dumb, maybe it's a throwaway vote that'll get me into trouble while the others vote Cornelia, but something isn't sitting right. My gut came into equilibrium during Tribal, and for some reason it's shouting "DON'T TRUST THEM!", so I'm listening.”
Talula

SECOND VOTE:

	“Karma, buddy.”
Cress

	“Spence and Talula are both my good friends, but Talula has been my ride or die since the start of this game. We're in it to win it or not, and nothing's going to change that. I wish I didn't have to vote you out tonight, but that's the way it is.”
Dane

	“This whole plan screwed by one erratic lady's whims. Exactly the reason I wanted to get her out. I hope Dane sees the light and votes with us.”
Jolyon

Final Words

	“I'm definitely stunned to be sitting out here tonight. I guess Talula has good instincts, because none of us leaked what was happening tonight. She just foiled an awesome blindside, and it sent me home, and I'm more than a little bitter about it, to be honest. She should be happy I'm not on the jury. Right now, I'm sending all my good vibes to Louise. She's kickass and needs to win this thing!”
Spence

Still in the Running

Vatulele
Ekubo
Breccan	Calliope	Florine	Jenson	Kinsley	Sulien	Tatiana	Tungsten
Taunovo
Cornelia	Cress	Dane	Emilia	Jolyon	Louise	Spence	Talula

Next Time on Survivor...

After another tumultuous Tribal Council, shit hits the fan.

	“Dear lord, why are these people so damn stubborn!”
Jolyon

	“It's a ludicrous idea to go back with them. Off with their heads!”
Talula

And if you think you've seen drama on Ekubo, you ain't seen nothing yet!

	“These people are going to make me tear my hair out and gouge my eyes out, can you put on your thinking caps for once in your lives?!”
Florine

	“I didn't even know I could yell that loud.”
Kinsley

Author's Notes

The title of this episode was originally I Feel Smarmy.

The title of this episode was said by Talula Citadels about how she was struggling to figure out which way to vote, and why she must be having such a hard time with it.