Bringing The Mayhem

Bringing The Mayhem is the ninth episode of Survivor: Cayman Islands.

Previously On Survivor...

 * After 20 grueling days in the Cayman Islands, the two tribes finally merged!

Callum: WHAT’S UP, LOS LAGARTOS?!

He is greeted by a chorus of cheers and whoops as the female-dominated Los Lagartos tribe and sole male Terrence come around the corner to meet up with Las Tortugas on the beach.


 * A majority alliance was formed, comprised of the remaining members of Las Caimanes…

Brett: Are we still good?

Erin: Yes, we’re still good.

Brett: I’ve still got Peter and Callum by my side.


 * …and the Los Lagartos Girls’ Alliance, led by Mitzi, with Erin being the bond that brought both groups together…

Brett: You reel in your three girls. Seven’s a perfect number.

Mitzi: You, me, Erin, Callum, Peter, Penny and Aisha. That’s seven.

Brett: I’m down.

Brett: It’s the three of us, Erin and the three girls, Mitzi, Aisha and Penny. Together we make seven.


 * At the first individual immunity challenge, Oberon narrowly beat out Elmer to claim safety at that night’s tribal council.

Elmer curses as he drops his ball into the sand.

Jeff: Oberon wins individual immunity!


 * Brett argued to take out Elmer for being the biggest threat among the minority.

Brett: I think Elmer is more of a threat. He’s smarter, fitter, sociable – a lot of traits that make him a better person to take out.


 * But Peter and Mitzi’s mutual dislike of Ingrid put the target onto her instead.

Peter: I say we vote out Ingrid. She was a total [censored] back on Las Tortugas.

Mitzi: She’s done dirty by me, a lot more than Terrence has, and if those four have an idol – Oberon, Ingrid, Terrence or Elmer – they’re least likely to play it on Ingrid. It’s the best bet we’ve got.


 * Knowing he was on the outs, Elmer sought to try and make a move, appealing to both his earlier connection with Penny…

Elmer: Try and see if you can get Erin on board. If you’re as close with her as you claim to be, you could get her to join us.

Penny: Erin isn’t going with us. She wants to stick with the Mitzi-Brett thing.

Elmer: So I’m done? No hope?

Penny: Even if I flipped to help you, that wouldn't be enough votes.


 * …and the desire for a big play among Brett and Peter.

Elmer: We know she probably wants one of us going home tonight. Why should she hold all the power? Who made her queen?

Oberon: And haven’t you noticed how much control she has over the girls? Aisha and Penny follow her blindly. And Erin is deadset on sticking with her.

Brett bites the inside of his cheek, contemplating everything being said.

Elmer: Erin is your ally, right? Mitzi’s pulling her away from you, just like she pulled Penny away from me. She’s powerful. She has to go. We can carry out a massive blindside tonight, if you three boys are game.


 * That night at tribal, the minority pleaded their case…

Erin: I think everyone here can see that we split off into two very clear factions.

Jeff: Which would leave Elmer, Oberon, Ingrid and Terrence on the outside looking in. Oberon, so that would mean you really needed tonight’s immunity.

Oberon: I did. [laughs] I’m very happy to have won.

Jeff: Elmer, being on the bottom is not a fun position to be in. What do you do in this situation? You’re clearly a very strong player from what others have said about you, and that makes you, unfortunately, a target.

Elmer: I scramble. Me, Terrence and Ingrid, we’ve all been scrambling.


 * …but to no avail. Neither Penny nor the guys from Las Caimanes sided with them.

Jeff: Ingrid, your tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]


 * And Mitzi finally got her wish.

Jeff: Time for you to go.

Ingrid leaves tribal council; Mitzi is smirking, gleefully watching her ally-turned-nemesis exit the game. Peter is chuckling.


 * Leaving Elmer, Oberon and Terrence…on the bottom.

Jeff: Well, already there is a clear majority and a clear minority on this tribe. And for those of you in the minority, that is not good news. But as everyone knows, anything and everything can and most probably will occur. This is a game all about making moves at the right time, and that’s what makes Survivor so complex.


 * 10 are left, who will be voted out…tonight?

Challenges
Reward Challenge: Cayman Catering (Samoa)

Jeff will spin a wheel and select a mixture of disgrusting ingredients, which he will blend together to form a smoothie. Castaways will compete against each other in rounds to see who can drink their smoothie completely first. The person who finishes before all the others wins reward.

Reward: An overnight trip to a mountainside resort, complete with a barbequed meal, a movie screening and hotel facilities.

Winner: Oberon [Penny, Terrence]

Immunity Challenge: Flashback (early season)

Jeff would recite a series of symbols to the Survivors. When the sequence was finished, the castaways must recite the sequence back to him in order using their answer cube. Every time someone answered wrong, they would be eliminated. In the end, the last person left presenting the right answer will win the challenge.

Reward: Individual Immunity

Winner: Oberon

Night 22
The Alius Diversus tribe makes their way back from tribal council, returning to camp.

Elmer: Well, good job, guys.

Brett: Thanks.

Oberon sighs, dumping his stuff in the shelter, looking depressed.

The majority alliance are huddled down the beach, laughing and talking in hushed whispers, patting each other on the back after their latest vote. Mitzi is the loudest of them all, practically cackling with glee.

Mitzi: Did you see her face? I loved it!

Peter: She totally got what she had coming. No one’s gonna miss her.

Oberon shakes his head, glaring down at them in the darkness. Elmer and Terrence are sitting inside the shelter, watching noiselessly.

Oberon: Lighten up, guys. Tomorrow’s a new day.

Terrence: Yeah…

Elmer: There’s going to be a crack in that group. With such a large majority, they’ll turn on each other eventually. It’ll happen, and we’ll be there to speed up the process and take advantage of it.

Meanwhile…

Down on the beach, the alliance of seven are celebrating.

Mitzi: It felt so good to finally write her name down and send her on her way. Like, living with Terrence and knowing I couldn’t get him out was literal torture. But it felt good to finally get to what I was building up to. And personally, I’m glad Ingrid was my first victim and not him. It just felt that much more personal.

Brett: That’s so savage.

Peter is grinning, watching as the others talk.

Day 23
The sun rises on another sleepy day at camp. Brett is doing sit ups on the beach, as Erin sits by his side, talking and giggling. Elmer is just getting up, yawning. Penny takes a seat next to him.

Penny: Hey.

Elmer: Hey.

The awkward silence stretches out. Mitzi casts them her typical suspicious glance.

Penny: After last night…what’s your plan?

Elmer shrugs.

Elmer: I don’t know. None of you seem to want to make a move. So why bother?

Penny: C’mon Elmer, don’t be like this.

Elmer: Be like what?

Penny: You blame me. I can tell.

Elmer: Why would you think I blame you? I haven’t said anything to you. It seems you just have a guilty conscience.

Penny is taking short, harried breaths now, looking on the verge of bursting into tears.

Penny: I didn’t want to have to put you in the minority, if I had a choice. I’ve got a new alliance! Why wouldn't I stick with the majority?

Elmer: That’s up to you, Penny. I’m not going to stop you if that’s how you want to play the rest of your game.

He looks at her.

Elmer: When I’m on the jury, then judgment day will come. For now, I’m just…[mimics zipping his mouth]

Penny: You’re mad at me. I know.

((quotedark|aliusdiversus|Penny…I don’t know, she was feeling guilty or something because she and I were tighter than Bonnie and Clyde out there and she just turned her back on me and cut me loose when she had to. Hey, I get it. It’s the name of the game.|Elmer))

Penny: I am open to working with you, it’s just…I…I have to look out for my girls too.

Elmer snorts.

Elmer: The tribe swap really screwed us, huh?

Penny: Elmer-

Elmer: Is that what you did to Darnell too?

Penny: No! That’s completely different!

Elmer: You betrayed him, and me. Even though we saved you. I don’t want to hold a grudge, but the fact of the matter is, you could have gone home twice, and we kept you around, and yet you’re turning on me like this.

Elmer: You want to play your game with your alliance. I get that. Okay? But it doesn’t make it any easier.

Penny: I know. I just-

Elmer gets up and leaves, and Penny is left on her own, looking troubled.

Time passes. Erin is down by the rocks, washing the cooking pan in the water, with Penny sitting next to her, pouring her heart out. Terrence is with the two girls, busy brushing sand out of his shoes.

Penny: I just feel like maybe I’m too sensitive for this game. You know? It’s just hard…it’s just really hard for me to do things like that…to feel like I’ve let people down, that I’ve betrayed them.

Erin: Don’t think like that, Penny. It’s just a game.

Penny: I just…I know I’m being stupid. I know.

Terrence: It’s okay, Penny. Just let it out.

Penny: [sniff] I can’t remember the last time I cried this much in such a short span of time. [laughs]

She sighs heavily.

Penny: Thank you both for listening to me rant. It feels good to get it off my chest.

Erin pats her thigh reassuringly.

Erin: Well, we’re here for you.

As Penny leaves, Erin turns to Terrence.

Erin: Penny’s been under a lot of stress since the Darnell incident.

Terrence: Yeah…

Erin: It’s not easy for her.

It is later on in the day, and people are milling around camp, chilling. A slight drizzle is beginning, and Aisha is zipping up her hoodie, curling up in the shelter; Callum beside her, being annoying as usual and bugging the former.

Callum: You can get close to me for warmth, if you need to. I don’t mind.

Aisha rests her head on her knees, a clear look of disdain on her face.

Callum: Hey, I’m serious.

Aisha: Serious? When are you ever ‘serious’? I’m surprised you even have that word in your vocabulary.

Callum: Come on. You know you want to.

Aisha: Callum, do you even hear the nonsense that comes out of your mouth?

Callum: Not in the slightest. That’s fine by me. I think I sound pretty smart when I don’t pay attention to what I’m saying.

He nudges her playfully.

Callum: Come on…we’ve already missed 20 days of not being together. I’m open for a little cuddle. All the other girls are taken. Don’t be so frigid.

Aisha: I hope you’re just messing around.

Callum: That sounds just like me.

Mitzi arrives.

Mitzi: Girl, c’mon. Let’s go get water.

Callum: In the rain? You’re out of your mind.

Mitzi: Oh, relax. It’s lightening up.

Aisha gratefully takes the excuse to leave the shelter, and Callum leans on his back, resting his hands behind his head, turning to glance at Terrence, who is sitting in the back of the shelter.

Callum: You know, I get the feeling she just wanted to get away from me.

Terrence snorts.

Terrence: I wonder what gave you that idea.

Mitzi is leading Aisha down a small path, far away from the others.

Mitzi: Callum getting to you?

Aisha lets out a large sigh.

Aisha: You have no idea. I don’t like him. I’m very conservative. He’s…too open.

Mitzi: Yeah, I can see that. But he heled us get rid of Ingrid. So we have to keep dealing with him.

Day 24
Jeff: Come on in guys!

The tribe trots in; a row of ten unsmiling, determined faces greeting Probst.

Jeff: You guys ready to get to today’s reward challenge? Today, we’ll be doing a classic. A food-eating competition.

A couple people are grinning; Callum is laughing and nudging Peter. Brett is shaking his head already. Elmer nods at Oberon. Penny and Aisha are already cringing and squealing in disgust.

Jeff: With…a bit of a twist. Here’s how it’ll work. I will spin this wheel, and whichever ingredient it lands on will be put into this blender. There’ll be two ingredients per smoothie. The competition will proceed in rounds with only a certain few who are able to down their smoothie in time moving onto the next round until one person is left. That person wins reward, and it’ll be a much more tantalizing reward than what you’re about to consume. The winner will be taken to a nearby resort where you will spend the night…

This is greeted by multiple groans of longing.

Jeff: You will enjoy a delicious barbeque, as well as a massage, and at the end of it all, you’ll be treated to all the facilities the resort has to offer. There’s even a television, and an actual bath. You’ll be taken back to camp the next morning. Worth playing for?

Penny is literally hopping with excitement.

Jeff: Let’s get started.

Soon, the castaways have drawn rocks and are ready to go.

Jeff: Alright, first round, we have five people – Callum, Peter, Aisha, Mitzi and Erin. Only three people will be moving on from this round. Let’s see what you’ll be drinking today.

He spins the wheel twice.

Jeff: Sea cucumber and sea urchin.

He plops the ingredients in the blender and pours in a big helping of water, blending it all together.

Jeff: First three people to down their glasses move on to Round 2. Survivors ready? Go!

The five castaways tip their heads back and gulp furiously. Callum is already gagging, struggling to keep it down. Peter is stoically swallowing, water dripping down his chin. Aisha is surprisingly calm as she sips from her glass. Mitzi is retching, trying to force it down, and Erin is clamping her nose shut, her hands shaking.

Peter is the first to swallow his concoction, flashing Probst a tough look.

Jeff: Peter, moving on!

Aisha grimaces, fighting to swallow her mouthful. Erin coughs, but manages to finish her glass.

Jeff: Erin moving on! We’re looking for one more!

Mitzi belches and spits a gollop back into her glass. Callum is spilling water everywhere. Finally, Aisha takes a big gulp and waggles her tongue at Probst.

Jeff: And there you go, Aisha, moving on to the next round. Callum and Mitzi are out. Next round!

The remaining five take their place.

Jeff: We have Oberon, Elmer, Penny, Terrence and Brett. You’ll be drinking jellyfish and sea slug guts. Survivors ready? Go!

Oberon, Elmer and Brett immediately tip their heads back and take huge swigs. Terrence is contorting his body, looking disgusted as he washes the mixture down his throat. Penny is already backing away from her glass, grimacing at the foul mixture.

Penny: Oh, [censored], that’s nasty. Oh my [censored].

Jeff: Penny can barely get down one mouthful.

Brett opens his empty mouth.

Jeff: Brett, moving on!

Oberon is quick to follow, and right after him is Elmer.

Jeff: No contest – Oberon and Elmer moving on. Terrence and Penny are out.

Penny: Eurgh – disgusting.

Terrence holds out a hand and she high-fives him.

Jeff: Moving on – we have Brett, Elmer, Peter, Oberon, Aisha and Erin. Three people will move on from this round. Let’s see what you’ll be having.

He spins the wheel.

Jeff: Giant clam and sea weed. We’ll add some milk instead of water this time, just to get it extra frothy. Alright…Survivors ready? Go.

The four guys are quick to slam their glasses back. Terrence looks on in awe. Callum is laughing to himself, elbowing Terrence.

Callum: That is so nasty. Look at that.

Erin is gasping for air, holding her head back and tilting the contents of her glass down. Aisha is clutching her table, her whole body shivering, but looking fiercely determined.

Jeff: The guys off to quick starts…

Brett and Oberon finish their glasses at the same time.

Jeff: Brett moving on and Oberon moving on! We’re looking for one more!

Erin lets out a loud groan as she tries to swallow. Mitzi is laughing to herself behind her hand. Penny looks horrified at the grotesque display.

Elmer is running his hands through his hair, looking as if he is going through hell. Peter takes a big gulp and swallows.

Jeff: Peter, moving on! Elmer, Aisha and Erin are out. Next round…

He spins the wheel.

Jeff: We’ve got octopus and sea slug guts. Two people will move on from this round to the final round. Survivors ready? Go!

The three guys grab their glasses and drink.

Callum: Godspeed, Peter.

Peter is holding his nose clamped and drinking furiously, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. Brett has his fist clenched, and is staring fixedly at some point up in the sky. Oberon has both hands wrapped around his glass and is gulping the whole thing down.

He slams the glass on the counter.

Jeff: Oberon is through! We’re looking for one more-

No sooner said that Peter finishes his last drop, burping loudly and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Jeff: And Peter is done! Brett, you’re out. We’re moving onto the final round.

Brett grunts, tossing his glass aside.

Jeff: For the last round, you’ll be drinking a mixture of three ingredients and they are…[spins wheel]…sea slug guts, giant clams and…sea urchin. Survivors ready? Go!

Peter and Oberon tip their heads back and chug, drizzling water down their fronts.

Jeff: This is going to come down to the wire. You need to fight if you want that reward. It is not going to come easy.

Penny is averting her eyes, whimpering playfully at Erin. Elmer is narrowing his eyes at Peter.

Jeff: Who’s gonna get it down first?

Peter jerks, nearly spilling a large chunk of sea urchin. But it is Oberon who finishes his glass first, grinning triumphantly.

Jeff: And that’ll do it. Oberon, wins reward!

The latter whoops, throwing his hands in the air as the others clap in congratulations.

Peter: Good job man.

The two shake hands firmly.

Jeff: Alright, Oberon, get over here.

He trots over.

Jeff: So far you remain the only person to win an individual challenge. Good on you. Now, an overnight stay at a resort is fun, but it’ll be better with some company. Choose one person to come along with you.

Oberon: I knew it. Um…

He looks at the other nine, meeting their eyes. Elmer shakes his head subtly. Terrence is looking up at him, hopeful. Penny is biting her lip.

Oberon sighs.

Oberon: I’ll take Penny.

Mitzi raises an eyebrow. Terrence looks sad. Penny herself is flabbergasted, rushing over to give Oberon a hug.

Penny: Oh, wow, thank you!

Oberon: Yeah, no problem.

Jeff: Why Penny?

Oberon: Ah, well…we haven’t really gotten to know each other that well yet. This reward will be a good chance to get to know her.

Mitzi shakes her head, smiling and rolling her eyes.

Jeff: You know what they say: two’s company but three’s a crowd. That’s not how it works here on Survivor. Pick one more person to join you.

Oberon doesn’t hesitate this time.

Oberon: I’ll bring my boy Terrence.

Terrence grins, walking over. Elmer licks his lips, looking away. Peter and Callum are sharing a knowing look.

Terrence: Thanks, man.

Oberon: No problem, buddy.

The two have a quick hug.

Jeff: Alright, Oberon, Terrence, Penny, you can head out. The boat will pick you up. As for the rest of you, head on back to camp and await your next challenge tomorrow.

The ten of them go their separate ways, and already Mitzi is giving her next confessional.

As the commercial break ends, Oberon, Terrence and Penny are making their way up a scenic mountain route to a mountaintop resort.

Penny: Oh wow…

A bellhop leads them inside where they are taken to rooms with fresh beds and showers to clean up.

Oberon: It has been so long since I’ve seen an actual bed.

Penny: Oh, what the hell!

Penny is checking herself out in the mirror, aghast.

Penny: I look anorexic! [laughs] This is disgusting!

Terrence: Eh, you don’t look so bad.

Penny: Real sweet. Now, turn around. You boys mind if I shower first?

Oberon: Not at all.

Later, the three of them are in clean clothes and are taken down to the poolside, where a barbeque has been set up for them. They sit down to eat and for a few minutes, they do nothing but gorge themselves and compliment the food. Eventually, the chatter turns to the game.

Oberon: So, Penny, do you want to talk strategy at all or…?

Penny takes a sip from her cocktail.

Penny: What did you have in mind? Thank you for inviting me on this too, by the way. I really appreciate it and it was…totally unexpected.

Oberon: Because I feel like we haven’t really…you know…gotten to talk yet. You know, we need to properly form a relationship and…yeah.

Terrence looks awkwardly around, dipping his feet into the pool.

Oberon: So what will it take you to flip on the girls?

Penny shakes her head.

Penny: I don’t want to flip on them. They’re my alliance. I’m not going to flip flop.

Oberon holds up a hand reassuringly.

Oberon: Okay, I respect that. But as you know, me, Terrence and Elmer are at the bottom right now.

Penny looks downcast at the mention of Elmer.

Oberon: We will do…anything…to be in this game still and not be voted off. So whatever move we have to help you girls make, it’s what we’ll do.

Terrence: Look at it this way. We were thinking perhaps you girls would be down for turning against the guys.

Oberon: I mean, let’s face it, apart from Brett maybe, no one likes Peter or Callum.

Terrence: They’re repulsive.

Penny: I don’t disagree there.

Oberon: So, why align with them? If you girls side with us…

Terrence: You’re still going to have the advantage and outnumber us 4-3. So you will always be in the majority.

Oberon: And making this move is going to be respected by the jury. You’ll still be safe, and you can patch your friendship up with Elmer.

Terrence: We can all work together well because we all like each other.

Oberon: Yeah, my man Terrence here is very charming.

He pats Terrence on the shoulder mockingly and the latter shakes it off sheepishly. Penny is considering their words.

Penny: The thing is…I would love to work with you guys, and Elmer.

Oberon: That’s…good news, you know what I mean? That’s exactly what I’d want to hear.

Penny: But…

Terrence: There’s always a ‘but’…

Penny: I don’t think that Mitzi would be happy with that idea.

Terrence: Here we go again.

Oberon: Penny, why do you like Mitzi so much?

Penny: Well, we’re aligned! And she helped me…you know…get rid of Darnell. Okay, she’s done a lot for me and the girls. I don’t know for sure what really went down with you guys and her on your old tribe but the Mitzi I know is a lot different.

Meanwhile, back at camp…

Elmer is sitting in the shelter, tending the fire as Callum lazes in the hammock, swinging back and forth. Peter and Brett are nearby, and the girls are not too far off.

Peter: So what do you make of Oberon’s decision to take Terrence and Penny?

Brett shrugs.

Brett: He probably wants to try and talk to her.

Peter grunts. Mitzi casts them an anxious glance.

Callum glances over at Elmer, who is ignoring them all.

Callum: Hey. Aren’t you worried Terrence is gonna make a move on your girl?

Elmer: She’s not my ‘girl’, Callum. You don’t have to say it like that.

Callum: Why not? I’m just stating the facts here.

He pretends to look up into the sky sagely.

Callum: She got close with the very first guy she met on her new tribe and completely forgot about you. That’s kinda sad, bro. Terrence is clearly no amateur when it comes to the flirt game. Not afraid he’ll steal her from you?

Elmer sighs openly.

Elmer: If anything, the people who’ve stolen Penny away are the girls. I don’t think I should worry about Terrence.

Callum snickers.

Callum: Suit yourself, bro. It’s your loss.

Brett gets up, beckoning to Peter, and the two of them break away, where they go over to where Mitzi and Aisha stand by a nearby palm tree.

Brett: Oberon killed that challenge today.

Mitzi is nodding, lost in thought.

Mitzi: You’re right. He did.

Brett: I say that if he doesn’t win the next immunity, we cut him off.

Aisha shrugs.

Aisha: Hey, I’m down for whatever.

Peter: I’m open to the idea.

Mitzi is biting her lip, nodding.

Brett: And what about Terrence? Oberon brought him along cos they’re friends, but there is truth in that Terrence can pull Penny over to his side a lot more effectively than Oberon could.

Erin is coming over to join the conversation.

Erin: That’s very true. Terrence is very close with Penny, more so than Elmer at this point. I think we should consider cutting him loose sooner rather than eventually.

Peter: Oberon is the biggest physical threat in the market right now. He’s got to go.

Erin: He’ll be expecting that. If anyone in that group of three has an idol, we’re done for. We have to split the votes.

Aisha: Can’t we talk about this after the challenge? I wanna go tan on the rocks.

Callum is running over already.

Callum: I can give you some company if you want it.

Aisha: Ew, no. Not with you.

As the majority continue their banter and bickering, Elmer is alone on his own, sitting by himself in the shelter, poking at the fire.

With a group of others milling around camp, Elmer is still in the shelter and Mitzi is stiting quietly next to him. He whispers to her.

Elmer: Listen, you know I’m on the bottom, right?

Mitzi doesn’t look at him; fixing her gaze on the fire.

Mitzi: Mmhm.

Elmer: I’ll literally do anything and vote anyone to stay in this game a few more days. So if you want to make a move, I am unquestioningly game for it. Me, Oberon and Terrence – that’s three votes at your disposal.

He throws his hands in the air.

Elmer: You like making big moves. You’re a player, so use us three and let’s play. We can take out one of the guys if you want to.

Mitzi: You want to take out Brett?

Elmer: If that’s what you want to do, I’m down.

Mitzi: No, I was just asking you.

Elmer: Well, he is the leader of the three of them. Callum can’t win this game; no one except Peter and Brett like him. Peter’s too cunning and ruthless for his own good. It’s Brett who’s really got the good head on his shoulders.

Mitzi: Just like you’re the leader of your little group?

Elmer: And you’re in charge of the girls. You’re running the show right now, Mitzi. You can do whatever you want. So let’s have at it.

Mitzi narrows her eyes calculatingly.

Mitzi: Well, I will…think on that.

Elmer nods.

Elmer: Yeah. Sleep on it.

Day 25
Jeff: Come on in guys!

The group heads down the path, Oberon toting his immunity necklace conspicuously.

Jeff: First things first, Oberon, I will take that back.

He takes the necklace off of Oberon.

Jeff: Alright, immunity is once again back up for grabs. After 25 days out here, the toll it’s taken on your body is evident, but today, we’ll be seeing its impact on your mind. For today’s challenge, you will be tested on your memory. I will show you a series of symbols and you’re gonna repeat them back to me using a cube. Get it right, stay alive; get it wrong, you’re out of the challenge. Last person left standing wins immunity and is safe from the vote. Losers? Tribal council tonight where somebody will be sent out of this game and be the third member of our jury alongside Darnell and Ingrid. Take your spots, we’ll get started.

Everyone gets into position with their cubes ready.

Jeff: First item…Crate. Compass. Ship. Cannon. Compass. Barrel. Alright, now repeat them back to me. Show me the first item.

Everybody makes their selection.

Jeff: Everybody has Crate. Correct answer: Crate. Everybody’s right. Next item.

Everybody shows compass.

Jeff: Everybody shows Compass. Find your next item and reveal.

This time, everyone shows a ship except for Aisha, who is holding up a cannon.

Jeff: Everyone has a ship except Aisha, who has Cannon. So Aisha, either this means you’ve just won individual immunity seconds into the challenge, or you’re the first person out.

Aisha is already cursing to herself, making her way to the bench.

Jeff: Next item.

Everyone shows a Cannon.

Jeff: Everyone is doing good so far. The correct answer: Cannon. Next item.

Everyone shows a Compass, except Callum, who is holding up a Barrel.

Jeff: Callum has a Barrel, everyone else has a Compass.

Callum: I’ll just be making my way to the bench, Jeff.

Jeff: Last item.

Everyone holds up a Barrel.

Jeff: Everyone is moving on to Round 2. First item…Lantern. Compass. Lantern. Cannon. Barrel. Crate. Ship. Alright, everyone hold up you first item.

Everyone holds up a Lantern, except Penny, who is looking confused and holding up a Cannon.

Jeff: Correct answer: Lantern. Penny, you’re out. We are down to seven. Next item.

Erin, Oberon and Peter hold up a Compass; Elmer, Brett and Terrence hold up a Cannon and Mitzi is holding up a Crate.

Jeff: Very split on this one. Correct Answer: Compass. Elmer is out, Brett is out, Mitzi is out and Terrence is out. Just like that, we are down to three.

Oberon nods to Elmer as he and Terrence pass by. Peter is smirking confidently.

Jeff: No one has won an individual challenge except Oberon, who has yet to lose. Next item.

Everyone holds up a Lantern.

Jeff: Next item.

Both men hold up a Cannon; Erin is holding up a Ship.

Jeff: Erin has a Ship, Oberon and Peter have Cannons. Erin, you’re looking unsure of yourself.

Erin: I know I’m wrong. It’s too late.

Jeff: You are right…about being wrong. Erin, take your spot on the bench. Just like that, we are back to the original showdown of Oberon and Peter. We’ve seen this in action before when Oberon pulled it out. Can he do so again? Hold up your next item.

Both Oberon and Peter take their time looking at their cubes. Finally, Oberon holds up a Barrel, and a split second later, Peter puts up a Crate, biting the inside of his cheek.

Brett is muttering incoherently to himself, looking irritated.

Brett: I think it was a Barrel.

Callum: Plot twist: it was a Cannon.

Jeff: Peter has a Crate, Oberon has a Barrel. One of you is right, one of you is wrong. The correct answer is…

Jeff reveals his card.

Jeff: Barrel. Oberon wins individual immunity for the second time in a row!

Oberon scoffs, setting his cube down and heading over to pat Peter on the back, who is nodding at him.

Peter: Good job. Again.

Erin: Nice job, Oberon.

Jeff: Oberon, come on up.

Oberon smiles, heading over as Jeff puts the necklace back on him.

Jeff: Oberon wins his second individual immunity and with it, he is safe from tribal council tonight. As for the rest of you, one of you will be voted out and become the third member of the jury. You’ve got the afternoon to strategize and figure out who’s it gonna be. See you tonight. Congrats.

He pats Oberon one last time on the back and the victor heads over to join the congratulations of the tribe. Everyone picks up their bags and gets ready to leave. Mitzi is shaking her head.

The tribe returns to camp. People are still congratulating Oberon and patting him on the back.

Terrence: Good job, buddy.

Oberon: Thanks.

Elmer: Well earned.

Peter: Yeah, good job, Oberon.

Oberon proudly hangs his immunity necklace up in plain sight.

Mitzi is already corralling her girls away, and the three guys move over to join them in the water. Elmer is swinging in the hammock again, gazing down to their large group bitterly. Oberon is leaning against the side of the tree, arms crossed, watching them talk.

Terrence comes over.

Terrence: What are you guys looking at?

Oberon: Them.

Elmer: They’re probably deciding which of the two of us to cut loose now.

Terrence: It’s probably going to be me because of Mitzi.

He sighs.

Terrence: It was a good ride while it lasted.

Oberon: Hey now, don’t give up hope.

Elmer: Obe’s right. It’s not over til it’s over.

"aliusdiversus"

- Oberon winning puts me and Terrence in the hot seat. I’ve been trying my hardest to get one of the girls to flip on Brett, Callum and Peter, but they just won’t play ball. I was hoping Mitzi would be up for it, but I doubt she is. Aisha does whatever Mitzi says, and Erin and Penny are both adamantly against flipping at this stage of the game.

Terrence is moping around, looking depressed.

Oberon: Cheer up, man. We’ll do whatever we can to save your ass.

Terrence: I just can’t believe our fates are in Mitzi’s hands. I really can’t.

Elmer: She’s a player. If we want someone to flip on the guys, we have to get her on board.

Oberon: I don’t know if that’s the best move. She hates us. Literally. Not you so much, maybe, Elmer, but she really has it out for me and Terrence.

Elmer: That’s my only pitch; to try and get the girls to turn on Brett, Callum and Peter purely because Callum and Peter make themselves so dislikable. And I’ve been trying to appeal to Mitzi’s desire for power. She wants to be in control and to take charge. That’s her personality and I’m trying to get her to do just that.

Down by the water, the girls and guys are still talking.

Mitzi: It has to be Terrence or Elmer.

Erin: Terrence, then.

Peter: Why not Elmer?

Aisha: I’d rather Terrence go.

Erin: Me too. He’s playing a very stealthy game. He’s likeable and goodnatured. That makes him a problem.

Callum: Too nice for his own good, huh?

Brett is washing his body.

Brett: Not Elmer?

Erin: I mean, if you want-

Brett: I’m down for whatever the alliance wants.

Erin: Okay. Mitzi?

Mitzi pauses.

Mitzi: I…admit I want Terrence gone. He gave us a hell of a lot of trouble on Los Lagartos. And Erin brings up a valid point.

Brett: My only concern is Elmer being a really big threat later on, because he’s physically well-built.

Callum: Ah, well, he can’t get any stronger than Oberon. The dude’s won both individual immunities so far.

Brett: True.

Peter: He wouldn't have an idol, would he?

Mitzi: Oh, who knows who could have idols at this point. If they do have an idol, it’ll probably be Elmer playing one.

Penny: I don’t know if he has one or not. But it’s a safe bet.

Mitzi: With Terrence gone, that’ll be another person on Los Lagartos out of the game.

Aisha: Nice, sister.

The two bump fists.

Mitzi: Let’s do it and send him home once and for all. I hope he doesn’t somehow weasel his way out of this.

Peter is now talking in hushed voices with Brett and Callum.

Peter: What I’m worried about is…that if Terrence has an idol, or if Elmer plays one on him, then I’ll be the one to go home.

Callum: I still have my idol with me.

Peter: I’ve been Oberon’s only competition in these challenges so far. I think they would take me out if they had an idol.

Brett: They may not have one. It’s entirely possible.

Peter: I’ve been searching for the merge idol anytime I get a chance but I haven’t found it. What if one of those three have it? That’s my big worry.

Brett: Well, we could split the votes. 4 on Terrence, 3 on Elmer.

Peter nods.

Peter: Yes, I think we should do that.

Brett beckons Mitzi and Erin over.

Brett: Here’s what we’re thinking. We split the votes 4-3 to avoid a potential idol play. That sound good?

Erin: That’s smart, yeah.

Mitzi: Okay.

The day stretches on. Penny is with Elmer again.

Penny: Listen, I’ve spoken up on your behalf. I’m telling you, you’re safe tonight.

Elmer: They want Terrence gone?

Penny: It’s Terrence going home.

Elmer: Well, thanks for telling me.

Mitzi is watching as Penny gets up and leaves Elmer. Her eyes narrow in that recognizable Mitzi Perez manner.

Mitzi is having a secret rendezvous with Erin and Aisha in the forest.

Mitzi: I just saw Penny skulking about with Elmer.

Aisha: Meaning?

Mitzi: Meaning I think she told him our plans.

Erin: Why would she do that? She’s just jeapordizing our advantage of them not knowing.

Mitzi: Exactly.

Erin: Splitting votes still keeps us safe.

Mitzi: But if one person flips, meaning Penny, then their three votes becomes four, and it’ll trump votes we put on Terrence if an idol is played on him. We can’t trust Penny right now. I think she told Elmer to play an idol on Terrence and if that’s the case, then it’ll be 3 votes for whoever they want and 3 votes on Elmer. And if Penny chooses to flip…

Erin: It’ll be 4 votes on whoever they choose-

Mitzi: And 3 votes on Elmer. Meaning they come out on top.

Mitzi: We can still fix this.

Aisha: How?

Erin: Try talking to Penny?

Mitzi: No, the guys are voting for Elmer. All we need is one of us to vote Elmer as well so a potential idol is wasted on Terrence.

Aisha: We don’t even know if they have idols! For all we know, this is all for nothing.

Mitzi: I’m not taking the risk. I’m sending Elmer home tonight, 4-3. Don’t tell Penny and don’t tell the guys. This is between the three of us, alright?

Mitzi: You girls down?

Erin: Sure, girl.

Aisha: We’ve got your back.

Mitzi: Excellent.

Elmer is hanging out by camp, sitting on a log next to Brett and Callum.

Elmer: Well, I guess you got your wish of having an alliance war, huh Callum?

Callum smirks.

Callum: Yeah, well, what’s a good alliance war without a couple blindsides here and there?

Elmer’s brow furrows.

"aliusdiversus"

- It struck me that perhaps if the girls won’t work with us to get rid of a boy, then maybe our best option right now is to turn around and work with the boys to get rid of a girl. If Brett, Callum and Peter are up for making a big move, that’ll translate to another three days for me, Oberon and Terrence. It’s the only move I’ve got right now! Mitzi won’t work with me. I’ve got no other option.

Elmer: If you could have your pick, which of the four girls would you want to send home?

Brett thinks about it.

Brett: Mitzi.

The camera cuts to a shot of Mitzi walking through camp, stopping to toss a stray bit of firewood back into the fire, oblivious of the conversation involving her.

Brett: She’s got Aisha and Penny under her thumb, and she’s kinda stolen Erin away from me. I don’t really feel like Erin is as solid with me as she used to be.

Elmer nods.

Elmer: Yeah. I see that too. Listen. You want Mitzi gone? We can make it happen. All six guys. If you want to take this game into your own hands and make this move, now’s your chance. We’ll do anything you guys want to keep us in. You said it yourself. Mitzi’s running the show with the girls right now. That’s viable reason to get rid of her. The choice is yours.

"aliusdiversus"

- Mitzi, when you watch this back, know that I’m sorry. As infuriating as she was, I tried to work with her – mostly because I felt she’d be up for making a move and was not going to win this game with her attitude as her biggest downfall. But if Mitzi isn’t willing to play ball, then she’s going to be shocked when we write her name down tonight.

Elmer: I won’t make you shake on it, but I’m trusting you on this. This is the time to make your move. I’ll go tell Oberon and Terrence.

He gets up and goes.

As soon as he leaves, Callum scoffs, scowling.

Callum: What a tool.

Brett looks at him.

Brett: He’s not wrong.

Callum: Dude, why?

Peter joins the two of them.

Peter: What’s goin’ on tonight?

Callum: Brett’s having second thoughts.

Peter: That’s risky, Brett.

Brett: I know. I need to think.

"aliusdiversus"

- I have to consider the pros and cons of siding with the guys or siding with the girls right now. I can make this move and send Mitzi home with 6 votes in a pretty unprecedented blindside. Or I can play it safe and stick with the plan and we’ll send Terrence home. I do feel threatened by Mitzi in that she has usurped my position in the alliance with Erin. Erin takes orders from her now. And Mitzi is the leader of the girls. When we get down to 7, they’ll outnumber me, Peter and Callum 4-3. But at the same time, Elmer is infinitely more of a FTC threat than Mitzi will ever be. Do I really want to risk giving those three guys – who all have much bigger shots of winning this game than Mitzi does – extra time in this game? Whatever it comes down to, one thing is obvious: I am making a decision tonight that is either going to be really good for my game or detrimental to my chances of winning.

And with that, the sky fades to black.

Alius Diversus enters tribal council.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of our jury. Darnell, and Ingrid, voted out at the last tribal council.

Ingrid comes in wearing a white blouse and black skirt, with earrings done and everything, staring blankly and solemnly at them all. Mitzi blinks and turns away from her. Oberon smiles, showing off his necklace.

Jeff: Alright, so, last tribal council, it was pretty clear who was in the majority and who was not. But a lot can happen on Survivor and things change fairly quickly and drastically at unexpected times. Mitzi, did you sense any shift in the balance or is it all still just the way it was meant to be – Terrence or Elmer, going home tonight?

Mitzi: I…think nothing has changed.

Ingrid rolls her eyes. Elmer looks glum.

Mitzi: I still believe one of those two guys has to go and I think everyone agrees. They are both playing different styles of games but they’re both good players in their own ways.

Jeff: Part of Survivor is about making ‘big moves’. It’s become a part of Survivor culture, that you cannot win without making ‘big moves’. With that said, now would be a good time for a select few to make a move. Erin, do you think now is the right time?

Erin: Well, from my perspective, I think that there is value in waiting rather than rushing into making moves.

Brett looks away. Peter is contemplative.

Erin: Sometimes, the best move to make is to not make any at all. Why keep a big threat over a nonexistent one for the sake of making a move? Not every move is a good move.

Mitzi nods in agreement.

Jeff: Elmer, do you think that Mitzi and Erin are just singing the same tune because they don’t want someone to make a move against them?

Elmer: Absolutely. You pulled the words right out of my mouth, Jeff.

Mitzi scowls. Erin sighs.

Elmer: It’s a tactic, called fear. Survivor is a game, and games are meant to be played. It’s time for people to prove their worth and really start playing. Going with the flow gives you no personality and no character. It’s boring.

Ingrid is silently laughing. Darnell is grinning to himself. Terrence too is tentatively smiling.

Elmer: So, some people can and need to make a move. It benefits all of us. If you have power, why not use it?

Erin: The thing is, Elmer is making a very basic plea because he knows he’s on the bottom.

Elmer makes a big show of rolling his eyes. Mitzi’s scowl deepens.

Erin: People on the bottom will say and do anything to stay alive. That’s just facts I’m stating.

Elmer: Oh, I know. And I know that people in the majority will resort to anything to retain it.

Erin looks at her feet.

Jeff: Alright, moving on, let’s discuss the topic of idols. Has there been any discussion about idols so far, Oberon?

Oberon: If so, I haven’t been a part of them. I know there has to be idols out there. Two of my votes have been negated before because of idols and both people who played them are sitting right here, safe and cozy in the majority.

Peter snorts, looking smug. Mitzi arches an eyebrow.

Oberon: I mean, I’m glad and grateful to have immunity, but I sure do wish we had idols.

Penny turns to look at Elmer. He meets her eye. Mitzi looks frazzled but sure of herself.

Jeff: Idols are a big unknown in this gamen, and if proper measures aren’t taken to counter them, they could be disastrous. Peter, have you given this consideration?

Peter: If they do have idols, then they’ll have to use them tonight. That’s all I can say.

Mitzi frowns. Elmer looks uncertain. Terrence is taking deep breaths.

Jeff: Brett, it seems the big question here tonight is: is it the right opportunity to make a move?

Brett: There’s always chances to make moves, Jeff. But we also have to be smart about it. A good player excels in the game if they make good moves at the right times.

Jeff: So Mitzi, is the plan set in stone for tonight? Just chugging along and continuing what happened last tribal? Or do people have tricks up their sleeves?

Mitzi: If people has tricks up their sleeves, I hope I’m in on it and not on the wrong side.

Erin nods. Brett is watching her quietly, his expression unreadable. Penny is solemn. Peter is thinking hard. Callum is grinning his trademark Callum Paisley grin.

Jeff: Alright, it’s time to find out exactly how the votes are going to stack up. It is time to vote. Oberon, you’re up.

Oberon gets up and the music kicks. One by one, the castaways head up to vote. Ingrid and Darnell follow them with their eyes, observing on the sidelines.

Mitzi is looking up, unconcerned.

Penny heads up, her hand and breaths shaky as she uncaps the pen, whitefaced and pale.

Elmer turns to nod at Oberon comfortingly. Sitting between them, Terrence is wracked with nerves.

Mitzi heads up to vote. She hesitates for a while, not writing anything down, before eventually writing a stroke on her parchment in the form of an ‘|’ – either the beginning of an ‘E’ or the body of a ‘T’.

Brett and Peter look over Callum’s head at each other. Callum is busy whistling to himself.

Elmer heads up to vote, cricking his neck and knuckles before writing a name down. Brett is up right behind him, and he stoops over the parchment as he secretively scribbles down a name.

Finally, Brett is back.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves. Elmer and Oberon are still looking at each other. Brett is biting his fingernails. Peter looks excited. Mitzi is chewing on the inside of her cheek, staring at the back of Penny’s head.

Jeff returns.

Jeff: If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you want to play it, now would be the time to do so.

Mitzi turns in her seat to look at Elmer and Terrence. Neither of them do anything. Elmer smirks and raises an eyebrow at Mitzi, who scowls. Erin exhales slowly. Penny is chewing on her bottom lip in worry.

Jeff: Alright, once the votes are read, the decision is final. Person voted out will be asked to leave the tribal council area immediately. I’ll read the votes.

Ingrid and Darnell are watching with trepidation. Terrence takes a deep breath.

Jeff: First vote…Elmer.

Elmer rests his chin on his hand, rolling his eyes.

Jeff: Mitzi.

Mitzi’s mouth twitches.

Mitzi: Cute.

Jeff: Terrence.

Terrence looks nervous.

Jeff: Terrence.

Terrence takes a deep breath, looking pale and wide-eyed. Oberon casts him a concerned glance.

Jeff: Mitzi.

Mitzi is already rolling her eyes.

Jeff: Terrence.

Oberon smirks.

Oberon: You’re popular.

Terrence grins shakily.

Penny’s eyes flick up to Probst, serious.

Jeff: Mitzi. We’re tied. Three votes Terrence, three votes Mitzi, one vote Elmer.

Mitzi shakes her head slightly, with a slight eye roll. Brett watches Jeff intensely.

Jeff unveils the eighth vote.

Jeff: Mitzi.

Mitzi frowns as realization hits her. Erin looks confused, casting Brett an accusing look. Brett looks away. Penny is looking back and forth between Brett and Elmer.

Elmer is grinning widely. Oberon is patting Terrence’s knee reassuringly. Terrence gives Jeff an excited and nervous look.

Mitzi bites her lip, concerned.

Jeff: Ninth person voted out of Survivor: Cayman Islands and the third member of our jury…Mitzi. That’s five, that’s enough. Need to bring me your torch.

Mitzi lets out an exasperated scoff, rolling her eyes and smiling sheepishly as she gets up. Erin looks stunned, giving Brett a questioning look. Ingrid is delightfully slapping a grinning Darnell’s shoulder with barely contained glee.

Elmer is grinning at Oberon from ear to ear. Oberon pats Terrence on the back, giving him a one-armed hug, smiling with relief. Terrence exhales shakily.

Elmer winks at Ingrid and Darnell. Penny is sharing a look of disbelief with an angry Aisha.

Mitzi puts her torch down in front of Probst, smiling resignedly.

Jeff: Mitzi, your tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]

Mitzi turns around.

Mitzi: Well played, bitches.

With a cheeky smile and a wave of her fingers, she leaves.

Erin is shaking her head at Brett, looking disappointed. Peter is smirking, watching Mitzi as she leaves. Penny is still in shock, looking to Erin helplessly, as if asking for guidance.

Elmer and Oberon are both giving Terrence reassuring squeezes on the shoulders.

Jeff: Tonight, a group of you banded together to be rid of your resident troublemaker, and with a move like this comes the question: was tonight the right time to make a move? Only time will tell. Grab your stuff and head back to camp. Goodnight.

Next Time on Survivor...

 * Erin seeks revenge for Mitzi…


 * Brett takes charge of the tribe…

Brett: We are not letting this slide by. I am confident that he has to go, and nothing is getting in the way of that this time.


 * Immunity is up for grabs with twice the stakes.

Jeff: Today, two people will win individual immunity. It all depends on who can hold on and endure the longest.


 * And the Survivor auction is upon the nine remaining castaways!

Penny: 20!

Callum: 40!

Aisha: 200.

Jeff: This is an advantage in this game.

Elmer: 500!

Brett: 500!

Life at Ponderosa #3
Life at Ponderosa #3: Mitzi

Mitzi is standing on the nearby pier, in a starry-patterned blouse, white yoga pants and a straw hat.

Mitzi: Sup. This is Mitzi Perez and I’m at Ponderosa.

The clip of Mitzi having her torch snuffed is replayed.

Jeff: Mitzi, your tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]

Mitzi: Well played, bitches.

She smiles, waves and leaves.

The scene continues.

Mitzi is walking along the trail, on the path to the medical hut, as the camera follows her journey.

Mitzi: So, clearly, I was just blindsided. It was a pretty cool move on their part. I survived…what…three tribal councils with my name coming up? It just wasn’t written in the stars for me to survive a fourth.

She sighs, slinging her bag over her shoulders.

Mitzi: I think I did alright. It’s crazy; I expected to make it a lot further. But I’m on the jury. I could have been gone early but I stayed and I think I slayed. I had a lot of control and it’s easy to see why a guy like Brett – who is all about being the dominant one – would be intimidated by a strong woman like me. So he and the guys all got rid of me. The whole time I was worried about Penny flipping but she stayed loyal. It was Erin’s pals that I should’ve watched out for. Peter and Callum don’t do a damn thing without word from their leader, and Brett just painted a big red bulls-eye on his back. If he makes it to the end, however, he’s a superstar.

She sniffs, chuckling to herself.

Mitzi: I had a bit of a crazy run out there. People were calling me a firecracker, and to an extent, that sums up my whole life. That’s just the way I am. I’m a whole lot of ‘feisty’ in a small package. That’s what I bring to the table this season. In spite of that, I think I led a very successful alliance of girls, and if not for Brett’s little gamechanger there, I think us four girls could have bulldozed our way to the end. I’d have liked to have gotten rid of Erin at F4 because she would have been my biggest threat, and I think the jury would have respected my play enough to give me the win over goats like Penny and Aisha. Don’t get me wrong, I consider them good friends and allies. But total goats. It’s all in the name of the game.

Mitzi arrives at the medical hut.

Dr. Joe: Do you remember how much you weighed previously?

Mitzi: No clue. I have a lot more important stuff to remember. [laughs]

Dr. Joe: You used to weigh 163.

Mitzi steps onto the weighing scale.

Dr. Joe: 158. You lost-

Mitzi: 5lbs. Meh.

She gets into a truck, which begins driving her to Ponderosa.

Mitzi: Who do I think has the best shot of winning? I’d say either Brett or Erin to be honest. I think Erin’s the strongest female left in the game but people like Brett might be sensible enough to realize that and try to take her out. That being said, if he still has a bit of a heartthrob for her he might go after the guys again next anyway. I don’t know what goes on in Brett’s head. While I praised Elmer’s strategic game out there, he’s just made himself too big of a threat. He hasn’t tried to downplay it at all. He can make himself a crowd favorite but he’s diminishing his chances of making it to the end little by little.

Mitzi takes a sip from a bottle of water, then bursts out laughing.

Mitzi: I just realized I’m about to share a hotel with Ingrid and Darnell. That’ll be fun. Especially Ingrid. I think Darnell’s going to have to break up a cat fight.

She shakes her head.

Mitzi: Isn’t it ironic? I took out my sworn enemy just last tribal and here I am, barely three days later, coming to join her. [sigh] Life is cruel.

She now begins opening up a Kit Kat wrapper.

Mitzi: I never got to finish exacting my revenge either! Oberon and Terrence are both still in. How rich. Oberon won’t get very far. He’s made himself too big a challenge threat, and Brett will want to target him next, I assure you. As soon as he loses, he’s a goner, let’s not kid ourselves. It’s a shame. I wanted to personally send those two boys home, but I guess it’s not in my hands anymore. I will give credit to Terrence; he could have gone home so many times before and yet has remained incredibly lucky thus far. That kid is an underdog through and through and I only have myself to blame, I guess, for sticking with Penny’s idea of taking Darnell out over him.

She takes a bite of her chocolate bar.

Mitzi: With me out of the picture, the personal feuds are over. Your season’s bloody best confessionalist is on her way to have a burger. [laughs]

Mitzi gets off the truck and walks over to the resort. To her pleasant surprise, Darnell is there to greet her.

Darnell: Heyyy.

Mitzi: Heyy! Isn’t this a surprise? [laughs]

The two have a quick hug.

Ingrid pops out from inside the resort, a hot dog in one hand and a glass of punch in the other.

Ingrid: Welcome to Ponderosa, bitch.

She laughs in a joking manner and extends her arms to embrace a bewildered Mitzi.

Mitzi: Well, isn’t this a surprise. I was expecting cold shoulders, stony silences and people tearing at my hair and clothing.

Darnell: There might still be some tearing of clothing. You never know.

Ingrid: Oh, hush, you.

Mitzi fidgets.

Ingrid: Listen, whatever happened in the game is past. I don’t want to harp on that. Let’s just try and get along while we’re here.

Mitzi: Fine by me.

Darnell: Come on, we’ll show you around.

Darnell leads Mitzi to her room, as she looks inside with amazement and wonder, as if exploring a hundred-year old cavern rather than a common hotel room.

Mitzi: This is so unfamiliar. I got used to sleeping in the shelter and in the sand with the sea crashing down on the beach.

She bounces on the bed, dumping her bags and belongings on the floor haphazardly.

Mitzi: Oh! [leans back] Clean sheets! [censored] fabulous.

Darnell: You might wanna take a look at yourself in the mirror and check yourself out.

Mitzi: Ah, yes, thanks. My favorite part.

She gets up and heads to the bathroom and nearly shrieks.

Mitzi: I look hideous!

She touches her matted, filthy blue hair.

Mitzi: Urgh! I’m never gonna live this down. This is what I looked like on national television? Good grief.

A fresh and clean Mitzi now joins Darnell and Ingrid at the table, her plate laden with freshly baked bread, corn on the cob, seared salmon, fruit and yoghurt parfait and a scoop of mint and chocolate chip ice cream.

Mitzi: Hello. So what have you two been doing at Ponderosa?

Darnell: Well there’s really not much to do with just the two of us to pass the time.

Ingrid: We watch movies.

Darnell: Playing cards isn’t as much fun without more people.

Ingrid: Tennis is fun one-on-one. Darnell always crushes me though.

Darnell: I can take both you girls on.

Ingrid: Show-off.

Darnell: So what happened, Mitzi? I told Ingrid here that your days were numbered.

Ingrid: I honestly thought you’d go to the end and then not win.

Mitzi: Har.

Darnell: The guys turned on you, didn’t they?

Mitzi: Is that not obvious enough?

Ingrid: I don’t know who I was rooting for at that moment. On one hand, I hate Peter to the core. On the other hand…

Mitzi: I know. You can’t stand me.

Ingrid: Well, you said it, not me.

Darnell: It was Brett, wasn’t it? How’s he like? What kind of guy is he?

Mitzi: He’s…well, he takes charge a lot. It’s not that Peter isn’t strategic – not even going to talk about Callum because he’s a joker and nothing else – Peter has strategic chops. It’s just that it’s Brett that everyone perceives as the ringleader of that trio. And I’m betting Brett brought up the idea of turning on me.

Ingrid: And the minority of three survives another tribal council.

Mitzi: Not for long, I’m sure. I’m betting Oberon or Elmer goes home next. Brett had his little fun but he won’t stay unintimidated by two alpha males for long.

Darnell: I disagree. I think Brett himself will end up getting bitten in the ass.

Ingrid: No way. He came out on top of this vote, so he has momentum. Of course, I’m hoping Oberon, Terrence and Elmer survive. Maybe…one of the three girls goes?

Darnell snorts.

Darnell: No way people are targeting Aisha and Penny right now. Those two are guaranteed to be dragged to the end. If any girl is getting targeted, it’s Erin, but I don’t think any of the six guys left are smart enough to go after her when they can continue ripping each other apart.

Mitzi: There is also the possibility the guys will align after blindsiding me.

Ingrid: With all those big egos? Would they really band together and agree they need to get rid of Erin, or all people?

Mitzi: You have a point…

Ingrid: Knowing Brett and his goons, they’re not going to work with Elmer and the guys for much longer. I think he’ll come running back to Erin, and they’ll reconcile to take out one of the other three guys. Which is a depressing thought.

Darnell: You said Callum and Peter were Brett’s soldiers. Maybe one of them will get the axe in his place.

Ingrid: I hope it’s Peter. Though I wouldn't want him here so soon, better here than still in the game making things tougher for my boys.

Mitzi: Well your ‘boys’ are very much on the bottom, still. They all have solid claims to the loot and are all valid threats at the end. Yes, that even includes Oberon and Terrence. I’ll give them that.

Darnell: Would you vote for either of those two?

Mitzi: If it’s a Final Two and I had no choice…wow, it’s tough to have to choose between the two of them. But come on. We all three know there’s no chance in hell Oberon makes it to the end. As soon as he loses immunity, he’s a goner. There is no way he beasts all the way to the finale.

Darnell: Hey, it’s been done before. It’s not impossible.

Mitzi: But it is difficult. And to answer your question, if it was those Three Amigoes at the end, Elmer gets my vote easily.

Ingrid: What a shocker.

The next morning, Mitzi and the others are playing a game of cards. Darnell understandably is mastering the art of the poker face, and Ingrid groans as he wins yet another round.

Ingrid: You’re too good.

Darnell: It’s what I do for a living. I have to be good.

Mitzi: This is nice and peaceful. It’s fun not to stress out over the game anymore. I gotta say, it’s awesome being a juror.

Ingrid: I pity those who didn’t make it this far.

Mitzi is now taking a walk in the water in her aforementioned outfit, watching the sea waves cascade and billow around her ankles.

Mitzi: My Survivor experience was a series of ups and downs, highs and lows. I believe that I played a strong strategic game. That, I can take credit for. And if people lambast me for my social game, if they say I was chaotic and shady and caused too much trouble, so be it. I’ll have my fair share of haters, but I believe I’ll have my fair share of fans too – people who respect and can relate to the style and the way I played my game.

She looks off into the distance, pulling down her shades.

Mitzi: This game feels like it was journey tailored around my own storyline of growth. I started out rocky and alone, without allies, but I founded and created and led my own legion of girls and I believe we would have been unstoppable in getting to the end. I expect Erin to make it to the finals with Penny and Aisha – that would be my ideal scenario. But Survivor changes on a dime. Just look at what happened to me. One moment, I felt on top of the world, and now, I’m out here standing ankle-deep in the water by Ponderosa.

Author's Notes

 * The episode title was said by Mitzi.