Decisions, Decisions

‘’’Decisions, Decisions’’’ is the 12th episode of ‘’Survivor: Espana’’

Challenges
‘’’Reward Challenge:’’’ ‘’Second Chance’’ You will tie sticks together to create a pole long and secure enough to retrieve a key. You'll use that key to unlock the cell door and race to the fence. First four to touch the fence so will move on to round two, where you'll start a fire. Once you have a fire, you'll light a torch, and use that to light ten other torches. First three to finish will move on to round 3. Blindfolded, you must navigate your way across a ropes course. You'll have two carabiners. One must be attached at all times. Along the way, you'll come across junctions. To get across, you must attach one, remove the other, then go. First two to finish will move on to the final round. There, you'll roll a coconut down a lane and knock down bottles of sand on the other end. You get two rolls. All ten in one beats all ten in two. Otherwise, whoever knocks down more bottles wins. ‘’’Reward:’’’ Car, as well as a trip to see a really old movie, and eat food commonly associated with theaters.

‘’’Immunity Challenge:’’’ ‘’No Strings Attached’’ you'll have to go and get 9 blocks. You'll bring them back, and stack them on an unstable platform which you will keep taught using this rope. If at any point, the blocks fall over, you will have to drop the block you're holding, go back, restock them, go back through the course, and regrab your block. The first 3 blocks will be easier, as you'll have no obstacles. For the last 6 blocks, you'll have to go over a seesaw to get the blocks. And for the last three, you'll have to go over one bar and under another. First person to finish wins.

Previously on Survivor…
Matthew's sister won the loved ones reward challenge, allowing her to come back to camp with him. They both agreed to invite Susan's grandfather as well. She, however, had other plans, having convinced Jeffery to continue voting for Matthew. Jeffery then pitched the idea to Jack, who had almost conceded defeat by this point. Raphael was also in on the plan, and convinced Matthew to throw his vote Jeffery's way. After Sue won the immunity challenge, she was brought up to speed about the plan to eliminate Matthew. Although the plan was initially to force a three way tie, and get him out on the revote, Susan realized that such a plan was ultimately pointless, and sent him packing. Five are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

Initial Reactions
Jack: Well, that went better than expected.

Raphael: I thought the plan was to tie it at first, then get rid of him.

Susan: Yeah, but I figured that he would be ticked no matter what. The sooner that starts, the sooner that finishes up.

Confessional-Jeffery: We got an additional 3 days in this game thanks to that move. So I'm not going to complain. But now it's time to shake the game up. Because if we don't, we're out.

Sue: I'll tell you what, though. Matt's going to get a lot of flack when that comment airs.

Raphael: Well, I'm sure that a divorce attorney will have a case here soon.

Jack: Yeah. I'm going to try to find some drier fire wood.

Sue: Alright. As he breaks away, the scene starts to follow him.

Jack: Firewood, firewood. Man, talk about a gold mine.

As the camera pans right, there's a huge pile of wood just ready to go. Gee, I wonder why it's piled up like that.

Confessional-Jack: As I'm looking at the pile, I'm initially thinking that I lucked out. But then I remembered that I'm on Survivor. So that has to be hiding something. So I really lucked out.

Jack: Where is it, where is it? Got it.

Jack (reading note): There is an advantage to the immunity challenge hidden at the reward challenge. The final stage will involve an elevated platform. At the end you will be on throughout most of it, the advantage will be underneath.

Confessional-Jack: This advantage could be what gets me into the final four. So there's no way that I'm passing it up.

Alright. Time for a title sequence.

The Reward Challenge
Probst: COME ON IN, GUYS!

It's a Second Chance set. A jail cell, some torches, a rope course, and some pins. Interestingly, the reward tarp is vertical, not horizontal.

Probst: Are you ready to get to today's reward challenge?

There's got to be an emoji somewhere that says how annoying that question is.

Probst: For today's challenge, you will tie sticks together to create a pole long and secure enough to retrieve a key. You'll use that key to unlock the cell door and race to the fence. First four to touch the fence so will move on to round two, where you'll start a fire. Once you have a fire, you'll light a torch, and use that to light ten other torches. First three to finish will move on to round 3. Blindfolded, you must navigate your way across a ropes course. You'll have two carabiners. One must be attached at all times. Along the way, you'll come across junctions. To get across, you must attach one, remove the other, then go. First two to finish will move on to the final round. There, you'll roll a coconut down a lane and knock down bottles of sand on the other end. You get two rolls. All ten in one beats all ten in two. Otherwise, whoever knocks down more bottles wins reward. Do you wanna know what you're playing for?

The sooner I find this emoji, the better. Jeff knocks down the tarp, and the reward is a beauty.

Probst: Winner will get in a brand new 2017 Galaxy Phoenix with 4 wheel drive and a rear view camera. You'll drive it to a nearby drive-in movie theater, where you'll get to see the movie State Fair. You'll also get to eat all that theater food. Popcorn. Hot dogs. Ice cold cola. And as if that weren't enough, you will get to keep the car after the game. I know it's worth playing for. We'll draw for spots. We'll get started.

I'm predicting that I'll have huge problems with this stupid clock. So I'm going to summarize.

‘’’Round 1:’’’ Susan and Jack didn't take long to get their poles out there. Jack didn't have a long enough pole the first time around, whereas Susan didn't have a strong enough one. Jeffery went out next, and got it, but dropped the key about halfway through the return. Sue and Raphael then go for it. Sue manages to succeed in getting her key, and successfully unlocks and runs to the fence. Raphael, however, snapped his entire pole on the cell frame. Susan tries again, and succeeds.

About midway across the running portion, she trips and falls, but is okay and continues on to touch up second. Jack and Jeffery try again. Jack succeeded, freed himself, and touched up, while Jeffery didn't get enough of a hook on his pole. By the time he finally gets it, Raph has already succeeded in securing his key. Jeffery's slow and steady philosophy, combined with Raph's hurry the hell up philosophy, meant that it would be close coming to the gate. Raphael, however, couldn't find the lock, allowing Jeffery to free himself and touch up.

‘’’Round 2:’’’ Jack and Jeffery got a fire started fairly quickly. Jack, however, couldn't get his torch lit before it died back down. Pena and Choi both had trouble figuring out how to get the fire started. This allowed Jack to light his flame and and his torch easily enough. As you could imagine, both Jack and Jeffery had little need to rush in the torch lighting portion. It took a while for one of the girls to get a fire. A good half hour, actually. But eventually, Susan did, and she did rush through the torch lighting, sending Choi to the bench. Jeff doused out the fires before continuing on with the challenge.

‘’’Round 3:’’’ The ropes course was rather tricky blindfolded. Jack learned this very quickly, having made every single step a really high step. Susan had an unorthodox plan of conducting the challenge under the ropes, a strategy that Jeff noticed and immediately shot down. But ultimately, it didn't matter. After Jeffery tripped over one of the wires, the fact that he was blindfolded meant that he had no way of knowing which way he was supposed to go. This allowed Jack and Susan the time they needed to finish.

‘’’Round 4:’’’ Jack missed the 4, 6, and 9 pins on the first roll. Susan only missed the 10 on her first shot. On the second roll, Jack wasn't able to spare, leaving the 4 pin standing. Susan missed on the second roll, leading to another round. Jack missed the 1 and 2 pins on his first attempt, while Susan missed only the seven. Jack's second attempt, however, rolled off the platform, meaning that the challenge was completed.

Probst: SUSAN WINS REWARD!

As the tribe congratulated her on the win, Jack bent down on the platform and put his head down. He had his right hand on his head, but he was searching around with his left hand. He managed to find a paper of some sort, so he stuffed it in his pocket real quick. We take a brief time lapse.

Probst: Alright, Susan. Here's the keys to your brand new car. Now, you also have a movie, some food, and a nice drive to deal with. Pick one person to join you for that.

Susan: Choi.

Sue runs up ecstatic.

Probst: Alright. You two enjoy the movie. Guys, I have nothing for you. Grab your stuff. Head back to camp.

Confessional-Jack: Susan may have won a car, but I'll take that into factor when I get back home. Meanwhile, I probably got one better. Just have to get back to camp, and I'll find out what it is.

Afterwards
Back at camp, Jeffery and Raphael get to talking.

Jeffery: So I take it you guys are just going to keep the majority alliance in tact.

Raphael: Oh, really? I would've never guessed.

Jeffery: Well, a feeling of safety was fun while it lasted.

Confessional-Raphael: Being away from the reward is not something that makes me feel good. Because they could force an all girls alliance, and plot to take me out when it gets down to three. Because, let's be honest. A jury of only 6? That's not going to happen. So I should probably prepare.

Raphael: Just in case I think to flip, though, who are you going for?

Jeffery: Pena.

Confessional-Jeffery: I don't like that thought. "Just in case I decide to flip." And here's why. The thought of a flip tells me that you're trying to win. So if you do make it all the way, you'll be in the jury's favor. That's not a good thought to someone who is already desperate. So I told him Pena, meaning Raph.

Raphael: Makes sense.

Meanwhile, we'll head over to Jack, who has found something.

Jack: Alright. Let's see what I won.

As he enrolls the scroll, it's clear that he's giddy.

Jack (reading note): Congratulations. You have found an advantage in the next immunity challenge. But you must use it at the next one. To play the advantage, announce to Jeff that you have an advantage before he says, "We'll draw for spots." This challenge's advantage is a 2 minute head start. Remember, use it or lose it.

Jack: Awesome.

Confessional-Jack: Apparently, I found a head start at the next immunity challenge. That could play wonders for me.

Alright, let's go to reward.

Susan: Man, this is a sweet ride.

Sue: Look at that back seat. You could have a lot of fun in that.

Susan: Admit it. You would've invited a guy just so you could have sex back there.

Sue: Raphael.

Confessional-Susan: Well, that was fun. Popcorn, soda, a movie from 1945. Oh, and I won a car. So great.

Movie: It's like every room in the house is a bathroom.

Susan: So Jack or Jeffery? We need to keep Raphael around, even if just for now.

Sue: Jack, if we can. I'm good either way, but he's been seeming miserable. I'd rather him leave honorably.

Susan: Fair point.

Movie: Stay tuned for an exclusive sneak peek for a future network program, Survivor: Espana.

Susan: What?

Probst (on the screen): Spain. This nation filled with history also happens to be a cultural phenomenon.

Sue: Wow.

Confessional-Susan (on the screen): I don't know what the next 40 days have in store. But you know what? Bring it on.

Susan: Wow. I've lost weight.

Paul (on the screen): Considering every possible situation, will strategies from 7 still work now?

Sue: Wow. Now I'm glad she's gone. Had I known she said that, I would've flipped.

Susan: If it weren't for that, though, you wouldn't be here today.

Sue: True.

Day 35
Sue and Raphael begin a somewhat boring sounding discussion over some breakfast.

Sue: Hey there.

Raphael: Hey.

Confessional-Raphael: I'm not sure if Choi is married or not. I don't think she is. Not quite sure, though. Hope she ain't. How do you explain that to him?

Sue: Alright. So Susan and I were talking yesterday. She said Jack's name. Seems more out of concern for him, though. Something about him not wanting to be here.

Raphael: Doesn't make sense. I'd prefer to get rid of the guy who does. With the guy who essentially gave up in the finals, you'd have a much better chance at the million. With this guaranteed to be a final two, that gets bumped up to a guarantee.

Confessional-Sue: Really, Raph? Just spill the remainder of your game plan to someone just because they slept with you? But more importantly, the guy who gave up was Jack. So he would get rid of Pena and I to get him there. That's not what I want in a casual sex partner. Or a voting bloc.

Meanwhile, Jeffery and Jack are getting into a discussion at the bag throwing.

Jack: Seriously, weather. I don't want it to snow again.

Jeffery: We need to do a little sun dance like the Native Americans did. Make sure it's too warm for that to happen.

Jack: You can do whatever funky looking dance you want. I'm not.

Confessional-Jack: We're starting to run low on rice. Not that that's a bad thing. This is when you want to get this low. But you always want to make sure you have an alternative food source. And unfortunately, with these temperatures, fishing is not an option. So we need to think of something else.

Jeffery: So if I remember the instructions correctly, the directions were to slide to the left, and then slide to the right.

Jack (in the rhythm you guessed): Everybody clap your hands.

Susan, walking by and having no idea what they were talking about, complies in the same rhythm.

Night 35 came with its own problems.

We join Susan looking at the river, downstream from camp.

Susan (to self): I wish you were here, Ronda.

Raph and Sue came up about that time.

Susan: Hey, guys.

Raphael: What's up?

Susan: Ever since Grandpa told me about Ryan's desire for engagement, I've been torn. I fell out of love with him about a month before I left. I just never got around to calling it off.

Sue: And now that Ronda is in the picture, it complicates things.

Susan: Yeah.

Confessional-Susan: These two are definitely more than just a run of the mill Survivor alliance to me. They're friends. So hopefully, one of us wins the final four immunity. Because I don't see how I could choose against them.

Jack and Jeffery are talking up by camp.

Jack: So, Pena, Choi, or Raph?

Jeffery: Once a swimmer, always a swimmer.

Jack: You know it.

Jeffery: I'll say Pena, and go Raph should she win immunity. I think we may be able to get Sue to flip against either of them. Especially when you consider that Raph has been a huge swing vote twice and Susan has just made the game's only huge move so far.

Jack: Sounds like a plan.

The Immunity Challenge
Probst: COME ON IN, GUYS!

Well, I know this challenge has an official name. But I can't find it. So I'm just going to call it No Strings Attached. This challenge has a platform attached to a rope, as well as a seesaw and a couple of elevated bars.

Probst: Ready to get to today's immunity challenge?

As I was perusing Facebook the other day, I realized that their new anger symbol may serve as the emoji.

Probst: First thing's first. Jack, I'll take back the necklace.

As Jack hands the necklace over, Raphael looks ready to vomit.

Probst: Once again, immunity is back up for grabs. For today's challenge, you'll have to go and get 9 blocks. You'll bring them back, and stack them on an unstable platform which you will keep taught using this rope. If at any point, the blocks fall over, you will have to drop the block you're holding, go back, restock them, go back through the course, and regrab your block. The first 3 block will be easier, as you'll have no obstacles. For the last 6 blocks, you'll have to go over a seesaw to get the blocks. And for the last three, you'll have to go over one bar and under another.

The dream team showed that both bars were about waist high, though he looked somewhat short.

Probst: First person to finish wins immunity. Guaranteed a one in four shot at a million dollars.

Jack: Jeff, I would like to play my advantage.

Obviously, some shock from the other castaways. I mean, he has an advantage. Who wouldn't be shocked?

Probst: Go ahead and tell everyone what your advantage is.

Jack: I can start 2 minutes prior to everyone else.

Probst: This is an immunity challenge advantage. Jack will have a two minute head start. We'll draw for spot, we'll get started.

Well, not right away, obviously.

Confessional-Susan: So now Jack has found an advantage. Well, that sucks. Because now we know someone else is a power player. Quite frankly, I've been feeling like one for a while now. So I don't feel safe. Now I need to win this.

After the wipe,

Probst: For immunity. Survivors ready? Go!

Dang clock. I'm thinking about writing a new formula for the clock next season. But right now, we're stuck with this one. Anyhow, here's the summary.

Jack's head start was not very helpful once he got to the seesaw. That took him a bit to figure out. Well, it took everyone. But Choi ultimately found out that she could get in the middle, wait for it to drop, and then continue on. This was a strategy that everyone else started to copy. As a result, Sue's lead was minimal, and was overtaken by Jack after her stack fell while reaching for the 6th brick.

The over-under was not as tricky to figure out as production thought. Pena was the only one who had real difficulty with it. But Jack was a little too cautious with it. So he was overpassed towards the end by Raph, only for him to end up tripping and spilling his entire stack, opening the door for Jeff to say,

Probst: JACK WINS IMMUNITY!

Disdain from pretty much everyone. As Jeffery walked by the screen, the wipe followed him.

Probst: Jack, come grab the necklace.

Jack literally does a front flip to the necklace, which resulted in an eyeroll of disgust from Jeffery.

Probst: Pena, how important is tonight's vote?

Susan: It looks like it's a predictable outcome. But you have to be on your guard, as looks can be deceiving.

Probst: Alright. Grab your stuff. Head back to camp. See you tonight at tribal.

The Final Scramble
Alright. So, final scramble time.

Jeffery: Nice job, Jack.

Jack: Thanks, Jeffery.

Confessional- Jack: Three days ago, I thought I was going to be in the Jury box tonight. Now, not only am I still in the game, I have immunity, and a guaranteed final 4 visit. So I'm excited. And even though my only alliance member is gone, I only need a few more challenge wins.

Susan: That rope can give you such terrible burns.

Yeah, her hands look pretty scuffed up.

Jack: Hold on to some snow for a while. That should help.

Susan: Smart.

Jack: So I take it you're planning to go with Jeffery now.

Susan: Is there another option?

Jack: Well, you could blindside Matthew again.

Confessional-Susan: I'm nervous about tonight's vote. I'm not sure where Raph's head is. They've been targeting him for flips more often than the others. So that makes me wonder.

Meanwhile, in the woods...

Sue: So, it's clearly Jeffery. Not going to lie.

Raphael: Yeah, but... quiet. Here he comes.

Jeffery: You don't have any other options. Why keep it a secret?

Raphael: Because that's not Survivor.

Sue: Well, I'm going to do some dishes before we leave.

Jeffery: Alright.

After she leaves, a discussion occurs.

Jeffery: So we were thinking. Pena has made a huge move. A jury is going to love her. That's not a good sign. We need to get her out.

Raphael: Gee. A sure position at the final 3 or an increased likelihood to get booted out next? Decisions, decisions.

Jeffery: Well, at least think about it. Okay?

Raphael: I'm feeling nice today. I won't say no outright.

Jeffery: Alright.

Confessional-Jeffery: Well, I was unable to convince Raph to vote my way. So I'm thinking that there's no other possibility. I'm going home. But, I'll give it as much of a fight as I can. I at least owe it to myself to do that much.

The tribe walks towards tribal council with already extinguished torches, a tradition that I never quite understood. And we hear one final confessional.

Confessional- Raphael: Say what you want about Jeffery's. But his logic does make sense. So we should at least consider the possibility that she may do the same thing again next time around. That makes me nervous.

Tribal Council
As tribal council wavered in, so did the mass confusion.

Probst: We'll now bring in the members of the jury. Virginia, Ramon, Julia, and Matthew, voted out at the last tribal council.

Matthew is still mad, explaining the blurred out area above the left hand.

Probst: Choi, on paper, this seems like a pretty obvious vote.

Sue: Well, I know that's how it seems. But this is Survivor. You never know whose going to flip.

Susan: Well, I think I know the players well enough to say that it's going to be exactly how it seems. And the reason for that is that we pretty much have guaranteed safety that way, even if it is just until tomorrow night.

Probst: It's the night afterwards, actually. It's 40 days, not the usual 39.

Okay, whoever had that idea needs to be fired. It's just stupid.

Susan: Oh yeah.

Probst: Raphael, would you agree with that assumption?

Raphael: I would agree with that. We're all pretty much just knowing how tonight will end. It's kind of predictable. Jeffery's going home.

Susan and Sue basically just nod in agreement.

Probst: Alright. We can cancel the vote and just snuff Jeffery's torch so long as everyone agrees.

After an unnecessarily long pause with dramatic music and facial expressions that could top someone breathing fire, we finally get a response.

Jeffery: I'm not going down without a fight.

Probst: In that case, it is time to vote. Jack, you're up.

Jack (for Jeffery): Okay, I was planning on voting for Pena with you tonight. But you made me spend 10 extra minutes on these hard benches. So good bye, woman. Raphael (for Susan): Alright. So, you're a threat now. So I have to get rid of you. Am I worried about you in the game, yes. Am I worried that this will make me a threat too?... Oh crap. Wish I had thought about that before I wrote your name down... Oh well.

Jeffery (for Susan): This is strictly a strategic affair. It is not personal. Well, it's 5% personal. I mean, you did pee on my favorite water gathering spot. I can't overlook that. But for the most part, it's strategy.

Well, that was more than we needed to know. Anyhow, it's that time again.

Probst: I'll go tally the votes.

Raph is pretty smug looking. Pena is just looking at her ankles.

Probst: 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.

Jack rubs his nose.

Probst: First vote. Jeffery. Pena. One vote Jeffery, one vote Pena. Jeffery.

The vote was spelled without the y.

Jack: Damn pen.

Probst: Um, Raph, I just want to make sure. Are you voting for Pena or Choi?

Having been called out like that, both looks bewildered at the vote that read "Susan".

Raphael: Pena.

Susan: Don't make me do what Matthew did walking in.

Probst: Alright. We're tied again. Two votes Pena, 2 votes Jeffery. One vote left. Fourteenth person voted out of Survivor: Espana, and the 5th member of our jury. Jeffery. That's 3. That's enough. You need to bring me your torch.

Jeffery: Darn it. I got excited.

Probst: Jeffery, the tribe has spoken.

As the torch is snuffed, Jeffery looks back and says,

Jeffery: Jack, you know what you have to do, so do it.

As he leaves, some final words from Jeff.

Probst: Well, even more evidence that, even when something as clear as day happens, it can happen in an unexpected manner. Now the question is, will that play its part? Only one way to find out. Grab your torches. Head back to camp. Good night.

Next time on Survivor…
The end is near. And the castaways prepare for that.

Susan: This is sick.

3 Tribal Councils remain.

Jack: They're how we got here.

2 challenges remain.

Sue: What the flip just happened?

And one castaway will win the million dollar prize.

Raphael: Let's do this crap.

Join us for our 2 hour season finale next time.

==Final words— Confessional-Jeffery: I got really excited when I saw that Raph flipped. I was really thinking that Pena was gone for good. Then Jeff turned Jack's vote around. And it was for me. Uggh. But, you know what? It's a miracle that I even got this far. And now I get to determine who wins it all. So, ultimately, I'm happy with this. That's all that matters.

Voting Confessionals
Sue (for Jeffery): Let's stop kidding around. You saw this coming.

Susan (for Jeffery): If you're ever in Pennsylvania, feel free to stop by.

Still in the Running
Photo background depicts original tribe. Table background depicts current tribe. Green is Ardilla, red is Musaraña, blue means still in the running, and black means eliminated.

Author’s notes

 * This is the third episode of the finale binge upload.
 * The episode title was a quote by Raphael, being sarcastic about Jeffery’s strategy.
 * This is the first time in patricotc’s fanon history where Jeff had to confirm a vote casted.
 * The immunity challenge’s name in the canon series is A Bit Tipsy.
 * I chose the name as a play on words regarding Choi and Raph’s relationship.