She's Here To Cut Throats And Stab Backs

She’s Here To Cut Throats And Stab Backs is the premiere episode of Survivor: Comoro Islands - Champions and Contenders.

Day 1
The episode begins with Jeff standing alone on the deck of a big wooden ship, staring at the camera with his hands impressively planted on his hips.

Jeff: For this season of Survivor, we are headed to the Comoro Islands. Twelve brand new castaways are on their way here, right now, for the adventure of a lifetime and the chance to win a million dollars.

The camera cuts to two speedboats rushing across the ocean.

One young woman sits at the helm of the first boat, pulling her hair back with a band, smiling out at the sea spray.

"mwali"

- I am the youngest person this season. I’m only eighteen years old; I just got out of school! To go from studying for tests and writing boring essays just a few months ago, and then coming all the way out here in the wilderness to play one of the most stressful games of social politics there is...let’s just say that things escalated REAL fast. [laughing] But I’m confident I can handle it. This world is in the hands of millennials. Young people like me are tougher than we seem and I’m excited to prove it!

Aboard the other boat, a man in a beanie is perched near the railing, a look of quiet anticipation on his face.

Jeff: But twelve people...is not enough. What the twelve of them don’t know yet is that they will not be playing this game...alone. Six players are returning to the game to battle it out for the million dollars...once again.

Behind the two speedboats, a third speedboat is trailing behind, much farther away.

In it sit six people; three men and three women.

Elmer (7th place, 6th jury member) and Erin (Winner) from Survivor: Cayman Islands…

Mallorie (4th place, 7th jury member) and Bridgette (Winner) from Survivor: Seychelles…

Carter (6th place, 8th jury member) and Markus (Winner) from Survivor: Mozambique…

Jeff: These six returning players consist of the winner of each of the past three seasons, returning to protect their claim to the title of Sole Survivor and prove their worth as winners, as well as to take a shot at the coveted title of two-time winner.

"mwali"

- Winning Survivor the first time...was pretty sweet. But winning the second time...is gonna be that much sweeter. I’m back, and better than ever! I learned a lot from winning the last time around. I’m coming into this game with a veteran’s wealth of experience and knowledge, and I’m never gonna be more prepared to tackle this crazy adventure once again.

Jeff: Among their ranks as well are one legendary contender from each season who came up just short of winning the game, back and hungry for redemption and to finish the unfinished business of their past. Hence, the theme for this season.

The camera cuts away from Elmer, to Mallorie, her hair flowing gracefully behind her.

"vailheu"

- I’m baaack! Yes, I know. I couldn’t stay away. [shrugs] I was a bit of a polarizing player my first time. Some people loved me, some people hated my guts. But there’s one thing you can’t deny about the way that I played and it’s that I played, balls-to-the-wall. I never took my pedal off the metal during my season. I played hard, from start to finish. And I truly do think that I played the best game. I’m ready to come back for a little bit of redemption, and finish what I should’ve done the last time.

Jeff: Six returning players, twelve new players...and only one Sole Survivor. This is Survivor: Comoro Islands - Champions and Contenders!

The first two speedboats finally dock near a large ship, stocked with loads of supplies, and the twelve new players are helping each other out and onto deck.

Jeff stands before three colored mats, awaiting their arrival.

Jeff: Welcome!

There is a smattering of greetings and cheers as the twelve of them splinter off into three groups of four castaways each, and take their spots on their respective mats.

Jeff: Welcome...to Survivor: Comoro Islands.

Everyone whoops and claps, a couple people bouncing on the balls of their feet in excitement.

Jeff: This season, the theme is Champions...and Contenders.

A few people whistle.

Lisa: Wooow…

Jeff: You there.

He points at a buff man standing on the yellow mat.

Jeff: What do you think this theme means?

Chase: Perhaps...we’re all champions and contenders in our own way?

Jeff: Is that what you think? Which of those two do you think you classify as?

Chase: I’d say I’m a bit of both. I’m athletic and I’m competitive. I think I identify as a champion contender. [laughing]

Jeff: The lady standing in front of him. What about you?

Candy: Oh, you know…[sweeping hair out of eyes] I guess I might be a bit of a Champion in daily life. I like to take life by the horns, if you will. [laughing]

"vailheu"

- My name is Candy Rose and I am, I guess, what some people might call an Internet...personality? I stream on Twitch full time, I’m also an e-sports competitor; that’s my job, is literally playing games online for a living, and entertaining people. But I don’t live in my parents’ basement or anything like that, that’s a silly stereotype. [laughing] I live with my boyfriend and we’re perfectly well-adjusted. And that makes me such a naturally competitive and adventurous person. I love games and I love trying new things, so what more perfect of a game to play than one of the greatest and toughest games on television, Survivor? But I think, because of who I am and my fanbase online, people wouldn’t be so keen on the idea of getting beat by a girl like me. So I intend to keep the truth about who I really am on the down low, so to speak. I'm going to lie, say I only work in video game development, and I hope to keep it secret as long as I can. Maybe I'll get a high score in the game of Survivor, who knows? [giggling]

The guy standing on the other side of Candy is eyeing her up curiously, a big goofy grin on his face.

"vailheu"

- Since I’m a filthy millennial, I immediately recognize when I’m standing next to none other than the Candy Rose on my tribe mat. I don’t watch her streams that often, but I’m well enough in touch with the gaming and online community to know who she is. This beach in the middle of the ocean is the last place I thought I’d get to meet a girl like her! And as far as I know, I might be the only person in this game who knows that about her.

Jeff: Well, I'm here to tell you that your guesses...are all wrong. You’ve all already been split into your three tribes but looking around at each other...does something seem off to any of you?

A couple people laugh nervously. People are craning their necks to look at their competition.

Jeff: You there, woman in the glasses.

Hazel adjusts her glasses subconsciously, laughing.

Jeff: What do you think is wrong with this picture?

Hazel: Well...four people per tribe doesn’t seem like it’s enough, r-right?

Maverick, standing behind her, chuckles, shaking his head.

Jeff: You’re absolutely right. And it’s time to fix that. Because this season...we are bringing back six players from previous seasons to compete against you.

People react with stunned looks of shock and surprise. Hazel’s jaw drops. Blake is squinting at Jeff, shaking his head with a wry smile on his face.

Eli: Whooo’s it gonna be? [laughing]

Jeff: It’s time to find out. They’re on their way here right now…

Jeff points out the third speedboat, which is barreling its way across the ocean towards them.

When it arrives, the six returning players get out one by one and begin climbing aboard, making their way over to Jeff and the twelve new players.

Jeff: Returning from Survivor: Cayman Islands...Elmer.

Elmer: Hey, guys.

He smiles and waves at the newbies.

Kelli: [whispering] Oh em gee...is that Elmer?

Constance: Oh, I like him. He’s such a sweet boy.

Kelli: [fanning self] I can’t believe it’s actually him…

Jeff: Returning from Survivor: Seychelles...Mallorie.

Mallorie walks up and stands next to Elmer.

Mallorie: Heyyy…

Blake whistles, arms folded.

Eli: [whispering] Oh, she’s good…

Lisa: Is she?

Eli: She’s dangerous.

Jeff: Returning from Survivor: Mozambique...Carter.

Carter arrives, his bag slung over his shoulder, waving a little shyly at the new players.

Carter: Hello. [laughing]

Kelli: Heyyy!

Elmer, Mallorie and Carter stand next to Jeff.

Jeff: These three are your Contenders. Now, let's bring in our Champions.

There are more excited reactions from the new players as the Champions come in.

Jeff: The winner of Survivor: Cayman Islands...Erin!

Erin appears, tipping her hat to the newbies.

Erin: Howdy. [laughing]

A couple people laugh.

Jeff: The winner of Survivor: Seychelles...Bridgette!

Bridgette arrives, smiling sweetly at everyone and waving.

Mallorie nods knowingly, giving her a wink.

Jeff: And last but not least, the winner of our latest season, Survivor: Mozambique...Markus!

Markus arrives behind the two ladies, grinning broadly at everyone.

Drew: Wow. [chuckling]

Kelli: What a lineup this is…

All six returnees stand next to Jeff, who turns to address them.

Jeff: You six...welcome back to the game of Survivor.

The newbies and returnees alike all clap for this statement. Elmer is grinning widely and Bridgette looks excited.

Jeff: Markus, you are the most recent winner.

Markus: Yep.

Jeff: What’s it feel like to be back out here in the game again, so soon after you were just crowned a winner yourself?

Markus: It definitely feels pretty surreal. But I'd like to think the short break between seasons will help me. My brain’s still kinda in game mode, and I’m hoping that...having just wrapped up my first season, I’m still going strong on the adrenaline to keep fighting. This time, I know what to expect from Survivor. I can’t wait to start this crazy ride all over again.

Jeff: Mallorie. As a Contender, you did not win your season.

Mallorie: Thanks for the reminder, Jeff.

This elicits a few laughs. Bridgette smiles wryly, the wind blowing her hair over her eyes.

Jeff: What’s the feeling like, being given this second chance at redemption and coming back not only for a second shot, but coming back to compete against Bridgette, the person who ended up beating you and winning your season herself?

Mallorie: Well, I love Bridgette, obviously. She’s still my girl, she always has been and always will be. But not gonna lie, I’d love to have a little redemption too. I think we’re all excited to be back. The three Champions are excited to defend their titles as past winners…

Erin lowers the brim of her hat over her eyes. Markus has his hands on his hips and is swaying side to side, listening quietly.

Mallorie: And the other Contenders, like myself...we have unfinished business with the game of Survivor. I think I speak for all of us that we can’t wait to get started.

Jeff: Alright. Here’s how this is going to work. The six of you are going to draw an egg from this bag. When I give the signal, crush the egg, and whichever color paint comes out is the tribe you will be joining. There are two bags of three eggs each, to split you six up evenly by gender, so each tribe will get one male returning player, and one female. You will then join your assigned tribe as tribe captains. Once you have been assigned to your respective tribes, we can proceed with our opening challenge. You got that?

Carter: Yes, sir.

Jeff takes out two bags and lets the men draw from one and the women draw from the other.

Jeff: On my mark...reveal.

A few people smash their eggs in their fists or against their chests. Bridgette squeals as she claps her hand down on her egg, splashing red paint over her shirt. Carter is slapping his egg onto his chest, spraying yellow paint all over him.

Jeff: Once you know your tribe colors, go join your new tribes and stand on your mats.

Elmer: Hey, people!

Elmer is walking over to the red tribe mat and opening up his arms in friendly greeting, Bridgette following behind him.

Kelli: Hey! Welcome. [laughing]

Drew: What’s good, man? Good to have you.

Drew pats him on the back.

Mallorie: Alright, hello, hello…

Mallorie is walking over to the yellow tribe, Carter trailing behind her, and Chase is first to hug her in greeting.

Eli: Hey! Nice to meet you.

Eli is happily shaking Carter’s yellow hand now.

Eli: I’m Eli!

Carter: Nice to meet you too, Eli.

And on the other end, Markus and Erin are going around and shaking the hands of the people on the blue tribe mat.

Blake: Welcome.

Markus: Hello, hello.

Hazel: Hi, nice to meet you. [giggling]

At last, the players have settled down.

Jeff: Alright. So here’s where we now stand. On the blue tribe we have two Champions. Markus and Erin, you have joined the blue tribe, with Hazel, Blake, Maverick and Keira. You guys are Mwali.

Markus: [nodding] Mwali, alright.

Jeff: On the red tribe, we have one Champion and one Contender. Bridgette and Elmer, you join Randall, Drew, Constance and Kelli. Your tribe name is Pamanzi.

Bridgette: Yayyy…

Drew nods with interest.

Jeff: Lastly, our final two Contenders, Mallorie and Carter...you join the yellow tribe, with Eli, Candy, Lisa and Chase. Your tribe name...Vailheu.

Carter: Alriiight. Nice.

Eli: Vailheu…

Jeff: Now you’ve all been sorted onto your new tribes. Ready for your first challenge?

There is a chorus of ‘Yes’ in return.

Jeff: As you can see, the deck of this ship is littered with supplies. On my mark, you will race to get as many of these supplies off the ship and onto your respective rafts within the time limit. Once the bell rings, you have to get off the ship and set sail for your tribe beaches. It is a race to get the most important supplies you will need to sustain you for however long your journey will be. Everyone understand? In that case...your time starts...NOW.

Everyone immediately races off in separate directions, people pushing and shoving to get their hands onto whatever they can carry. Crates of food and other supplies begin sailing through the air as people start tossing supplies overboard.

Jeff: It is Armageddon right now as everyone races to get supplies!

Kelli is running over to a crate of bananas. She picks it up and unveils a piece of parchment underneath it that reads “LEGACY ADVANTAGE”. Not noticing it, she scurries off. Keira runs past her, and spots the Advantage.

Grabbing it with her free hand, she hurriedly shoves it down the front of her pants and keeps going, completely nonchalant.

Jeff: One minute left!

More and more people are scrambling about, and several are jumping overboard.

Jeff: Grab what things you can get left and then jump!

Jeff starts ringing the bell to symbolize that time is up.

Jeff: Go!

Everyone gets off the ship and people begin wading out to their respective rafts. Soon, the three rafts are full of people and supplies and the tribes start to row away to find their beaches.

Jeff: And so it begins! Survivor: Champions and Contenders...is officially on!

The Pamanzi tribe is shown arriving at their beach, and the six tribe members are talking amongst themselves, hugging and smiling and cheering as they disembark their raft, carrying their various supplies onto shore.

Bridgette: Woo! Pamanzi, on three! One...two...three!

The tribe chants ‘Pamanzi’ and everyone appears in good spirits as they move up the beach to leave their things by the flag.

Randall: So, what are we gonna do about the shelter and stuff?

Constance: Yeah, should we start gathering bamboo or wood?

Drew: Let’s ask the two veterans, eh? [chuckling]

Kelli: Yeah, we’re ready to take advice.

The four newbies turn to Elmer and Bridgette. Elmer casts Bridgette an amused look.

Elmer: I suppose, yeah, gathering wood is the best place to start. And then we gotta figure out where exactly we want our camp...we’ll also need to weave palm fronds to make a bit of a roof to start out…

The camera cuts to a montage of the six Pamanzi members working around the beach, lugging wood around, weaving palm fronds and more. Elmer is shown walking with Drew, both carrying bamboo poles in their arms and dragging them in the sand behind their footsteps. Bridgette is shown talking with Constance and showing her how to weave palm fronds.

Bridgette: And you just grab this end and pull…

Constance: Oh, that’s lovely, yes…

Constance: You’re a very good teacher, Bridgette.

Bridgette: Oh, thanks. I’m just trying to help. [laughing]

Constance: Thank you for showing this older lady the ropes, it’s very sweet.

Meanwhile, on the Mwali tribe…

The Mwali tribe members are also already hard at work gathering their supplies and materials for building a shelter.

Blake: I think the shelter should be right here, in the middle. That way, the sun rising won’t hit our eyes when we’re asleep. What do you think, Markus?

Markus: I think that’s a good idea. This looks like a nice spot for it.

Blake: Alright. [laughing] Then let’s start building.

"mwali"

- Right now, on my tribe, I’m the oldest person. I’m almost fifty years old. And...I think because of that life experience, I’m expected by the others to be the de facto leader. Even though we’ve got Markus and Erin, who have both played before, I can see the more impressionable players like Hazel and Maverick looking up to me for the early decisions, like where we’re going to put our shelter and stuff like that.

Blake is shown kindly bending over to help Hazel as she opens up a crate of tools for nailing the shelter together.

Blake: You got it?

Hazel: Yeah. [chuckling] I got it.

Markus is shown wiping his face with his buff, watching as Blake talks with Hazel, then glancing at Maverick and Keira as they dump a bunch of bamboo in a pile by where they plan on building the shelter.

"mwali"

- Being back on Survivor, after recently winning it all on Mozambique...it’s definitely exciting. My love for Survivor has not dulled after winning it once. If anything, my drive to win it twice has reinvigorated me. Now, coming into this game, I know more or less what to expect from the whole experience. The only caveat is being assigned the title of a returning player. Not just a returning player too, but a winner nonetheless. The target will be big on me, for sure. That’s kinda why I was content to let Blake take over the leadership role, even though I could’ve stepped up to do it. Being the leader brought me a few problems back on Mozambique because I painted myself as a target from the get go. That’s a mistake I’m not going to repeat this time around.

As the other four work on moving their supplies to their shelter, Markus is talking with Blake by the flag as the latter adjusts their belongings hanging off it.

Markus: I’m more than happy to let you lead for a bit. [laughing]

Blake: Yeah, of course. But it goes without saying that...your experience living in the wilderness before, especially for the full course of the game, will be invaluable to us as a tribe. You and Erin, both.

Markus: I’m happy to help however I can. I think we’ll mostly struggle in the early days getting used to the living conditions, the environment and stuff. But once we get adjusted, I think that as a tribe, we’ll do well. These first few days is going to be heavy on the survival element.

Blake: Right, yeah.

"mwali"

- I’m not a big superfan of Survivor, or anything. I signed up for the show because my daughters, who are both huge nerds of the show, pressured me into applying with them. They didn’t get in...and I did. [laughing] I’m sure they were a little miffed at me about that. So that makes me more determined than ever that...I have to win this game and bring the bacon back to them, or they’ll never forgive me. [snickering] Sorry, darlings. Daddy loves you, and Daddy’s here to prove that old guys can win Survivor too! Don’t underestimate us just because we’re from another generation.

Maverick huffs as he dumps another stack of wood into the sand, patting the dust off his hands.

Maverick: Whew. This is work.

Keira: I’m gonna go get some coconuts. Be right back.

She leaves, and the camera follows Keira as she ducks into the relative safety of the woods, out of earshot of the others heading back to camp with more building materials.

Keira: Gotta make sure I’m not being followed...alright…

As she delves even deeper into the forest, Keira dips one hand into the front of her jeans and pulls out the Legacy Advantage she snatched up at the start.

Keira: Congratulations, you have found the Legacy Advantage. This advantage can only be used when there are twelve people left in the game, or six. Twelve or six...okay. Thank you, Survivor Gods. [kisses Advantage] This is so dope! I’m so excited.

She bends down and begins digging up a specific area at the base of a nearby tree, to bury her newfound advantage.

"mwali"

- During the marooning, there’s usually an advantage of some sort hidden on the boat at the very beginning of the game. I was looking out for one, and lo and behold, I was the one who found it. I don’t think anyone saw me pick it up, so things are looking pretty golden for me right now. This is a Legacy Advantage, similar to the ones that Annabeth and Reyna had on their season. Having an advantage this early in the game...is big news. Um...if I can hold onto it all the way until the Final Six, I can use it then and potentially stave off elimination. This advantage can only be played at two stages of the game, but if played correctly, it could save my life and give me something to brag about at the end. So really, I’m ecstatic that I was both lucky and observant enough to have won this. Anyone on that boat could’ve found it. A returning player could’ve found it. But no, it was me, your girl Keira. [chuckling] And I don’t plan on telling a single soul about this secret weapon in my back pocket. This is mine, and mine alone. If I get voted out, I’ll have to will it to someone else. But I don’t plan on letting that happen, the way it happened with Leroy and Wanda last season. The only person that’s gonna be using this...is yours truly.

Meanwhile, on the Vailheu beach…

The six Vailheu tribe members are standing around by their flag, still introducing themselves.

Carter: And you are…?

Lisa: Lisa, I’m a flight stewardess.

Mallorie: Nice, nice…

Eli: [looking at Chase] What about you, big guy?

Chase chuckles goodnaturedly.

Chase: I’m a pilot.

Eli whistles.

Eli: A pilot and a flight stewardess, huh? What are the chances? You guys gonna sit back and enjoy the flight together?

Everyone laughs.

"vailheu"

- The Vailheu tribe, right now, is in good spirits. We’re all smiling, getting to know one another, and I really like the vibe of our tribe. Lisa, she’s a beautiful woman. Great smile, easy on the eyes...we just hit it off really easily. I like Carter a lot too. We’re easily the two strongest dudes in our little group of six, so us alpha males...we need to watch each other’s backs. I knew from the moment his egg burst yellow that I was going to want to align with him in this game, I loved the way he played on his season.

As the tribe disperses to get their supplies in order, Chase walks with Carter down the beach, each lugging wood behind them.

Chase: Hey. So, you and me, man? We’re good. I got your back, bro.

Carter: Thanks. I appreciate it.

Chase: I watched your season, and you were by far my favorite to win. I was rooting for you all the way.

Carter: [laughing] Well, you can thank Markus if we ever meet up with him. He shares part of the blame.

Chase: Nah, he was a good player too. But you and me? Let me tell you, I was thrilled to see you’d be on my tribe. You were the main returnee I wanted to work with.

Carter: The feeling’s mutual. You know from my game that...I’m loyal. I look out for my people.

Chase: Right on.

"vailheu"

- The first chance he gets, Chase pulls me aside and says he was so glad to see I would be on his tribe. He does remind me of my very first ally on Mozambique, which was Carter. Chase is another handsome, muscular, athletic guy and so I do see the similarities. If things pan out well, I would love to work with Chase on this tribe too. Besides Chase, though, I’m also putting in effort to make inroads with the rest of my tribe members.

Now, Carter is shown talking with Candy as they work on the overall barebones structure of their shelter.

Carter: So you develop games?

Candy: Not exactly. I...I help test games, I work with a company in their QA department.

Carter: That’s so cool. What kind of games are you into then?

Candy: Oh, literally everything. I guess I’m the bona fide gamer girl then. [laughing] The real deal!

The camera then cuts to Carter and Eli walking in the tall grass, chatting amicably.

Eli: As a superfan myself, I was so stoked to know the season would have a mix of vets and newbies. Getting to play with the people I watch and root for on screen is the cherry on top of this already amazing experience.

Carter: [laughing] Don't think of me and Mallorie as celebrities or anything, we're still just regular people.

Eli: Yeah, I know. I'm just having a nerdy Survivor fanboy moment. I'd love to play and work with you.

"vailheu"

- Besides Chase, I also get really strong vibes from Candy and Eli that they want to work with me. Candy's a really sociable girl, she's friendly around camp, and Eli's a dork but I can't help but love him for it. His enthusiasm is infectious and he feels very genuine about it. But the person on this tribe I most wanted to pull away to talk to right off the bat is definitely the other returning player on Vailheu, and that's Mallorie.

Mallorie and Carter are rendezvousing in the forest, and they walk and talk while carrying their water canteens.

Carter: Hey, so what's up?

Mallorie: Nothing much, I'm just excited to be back out here, you know?

Carter: I feel you. It feels great to be doing this again.

Mallorie: Tell me about it.

She turns to face him.

Mallorie: I'm glad you wanted to talk. I think that we're both in agreement that...we two need to be looking out for each other.

Carter: Yes, without a doubt.

Mallorie: You're a returnee just like I'm a returnee. If and when we go to Tribal…

Carter: All eyes will be on us.

Mallorie: Precisely. So we need some of those eyes to be watching our backs rather than eyeing us up as their targets.

"vailheu"

- This tribe has only six people, so not a lot of room to hide. Carter and I might as well have big red exclamation marks over our heads, that's how big of a target we're gonna be having on our backs. I think the main struggle we're going to face is going to be in the early stages of the game. If any of these new players decide that they don't necessarily want to work with a veteran, then Carter and I will be in trouble, and frankly speaking, I think I'll be in greater trouble than him. I'm known as a bigger strategic threat than Carter is, and he has more to boast to help this tribe in terms of challenge strength than I do. So if the tribe thinks to vote a returnee off first...I don't fancy my chances compared to Carter.

Mallorie: All we need is four, but it helps to keep as many people in our pockets as possible. I suggest we branch out to connect with who we can, and not limit ourselves yet until the lines are drawn in the sand.

Carter: Okay, well, I have been speaking to the others. Chase, I believe, wants to work with me. He gave me that much.

Mallorie: Okay. I'm getting good vibes from Candy, too.

Carter: Yeah, she's nice.

Mallorie: Eli strikes me as a fan of the show.

Carter: He told me he wants to work with the returnees. He and I have already talked a bunch.

Mallorie: That's good. Let's just keep as many people in our corner as we can and protect each other.

Carter: Of course. We'll make this work.

Mallorie: We will. That's the right attitude. [laughing]

"vailheu"

- Carter wouldn't have been my first choice for an ally on a regular season because his type aren't usually the ones I make friends with. But, you know, beggars can't be choosers. I came into this game knowing I'd do my best to undo the mistakes of my past, and one of those mistakes was not having a good enough social game with people I didn't necessarily gel well with as much as others. This is my chance to fix that. Carter and I will have to be allies of convenience, and besides, I know from watching his season that he's a loyal player. I could use a guy like that on my team, and at least in this phase of the game, it is crucial the two of us stick together to survive.

Back by the unfinished shelter, Eli leans over Candy's shoulder as she lifts a bamboo pole onto the structure.

Eli: Hey. So...Candy Rose, huh?

She meets his eyes, sees his knowing grin, and breaks out into a sheepish smile.

Candy: Oh no...you know me, don't you?

Eli: Heck yeah, I do. What're you doing out here? This is the last place I imagined I'd be meeting a Twitch streamer like you.

Candy: Oh, really, please...n-no need to make this any bigger than it has to be. [laughing] I'm nothing special. I'm just another player in the game today. I was hoping not to be recognized out here…

Eli: Not by the boomers and Survivor fans, maybe, but I have my fingers in many fandoms. [laughing] Lucky, I'm a Survivor fan but a gamer aficionado too. I knew you looked familiar…

"vailheu"

- Eli knows who I am. [clapping hand to forehead] Crrrap…! His nerdy little freakout was endearing, yeah, but...I was really hoping, before I left for the island, that I could leave that behind me. I didn't necessarily want to be Candy Rose, the streamer with the Internet fanbase. I only wanted to be...me. Candy, another castaway on Survivor, and be judged for that rather than stuff on the outside. One of the reasons I signed up for this, other than being a fan of the show and wanting to play, is that I wanted to push myself in having this experience and be myself during it. Being recognized for who I am in the real world breaks away from that a little bit. On the bright side...hopefully Eli will want to work with me rather than against me, now he knows this. That's about all I can hope for at this point, that this won't hurt my game.

Eli: I'll respect it if you want to keep it quiet. It's your life and you can tell whoever you want, whenever you're comfortable with it, and I'll keep it a secret.

Candy: Thank you. I appreciate that, really.

"vailheu"

- Now, I'm a Survivor superfan. And I want to do my archetype justice. Because the past seasons have had nerdy Survivor fanboys before, aaand I never really thought the likes of Graham and Percy represented us in the geek community all that well. Yeah, both Graham and Percy made it far, and both came up short of the win, but their gameplay on both seasons was teeerrible! Absolute disasters; they were neurotic, out-of-control, overly emotional...it was just not a good look. And what I'd like to do with my season is outshine them both and kinda redeem the nerdy guys, like me! I'd like to be the first guy of my archetype to win Survivor. I'm already starting to try and form connections with the rest of my tribe, Candy and Carter in particular. And Candy and I have a connection now; she knows I know her little secret. Hopefully, this will build trust between us, and I can use my little nugget of information to my advantage down the road.

Eli: [whispering] Geek squad.

He extends a sneaky fist and she laughs, fistbumping him back.

Day 2
It is the morning of a fresh new day on the Pamanzi beach.

Elmer is standing in the water up to his waist, scrubbing at one of his clothes, and Kelli is wading out to join him. Constance is sitting on the rocks nearby and watching them.

Kelli: Ooh!

Kelli almost stumbles in the water and Elmer catches her by the arm.

Elmer: Careful, now.

Kelli: [laughing] I don't know how I'm gonna get used to this, living literally feet away from the ocean.

Elmer: It feels like an old friend to me. [chuckling]

Kelli: How must it be like, being back here again after so long? I can’t even imagine.

Elmer: Well, I know, obviously, what it’s like to be new to the whole game. I’ve been in your shoes before. So I know how overwhelming it can feel at times. But you’ll get used to it after a while. The first few days can get a bit rough, but once you get past that initial hump, it’ll be okay. It’s once you get deeper into the game that things get even rougher.

Kelli: Rougher, huh? If we both make it that far, I think I’d need your help to get me past that…

She smiles flirtatiously at him and he laughs, a little confused.

A montage plays of Kelli repeatedly flirting and making passes at Elmer throughout the day. The camera cuts to Kelli laughing as Elmer hacks away at a piece of bamboo.

Kelli: [squealing] That’s so loud! [giggling]

Elmer: W-What, this? [laughing] You gotta get used to it, Kelli, it’s Survivor.

Kelli: Mmph, this is just soooo...not my thing. You can do all the hard survivalist stuff, I’m fine just, you know...watching you.

Now, Kelli is helping ladle water from the well into Elmer’s canteen. She gasps as she pours water onto his hand instead.

Kelli: Eek! [laughing] How do we even know this water’s, like, drinkable? Do we have to boil it or…?

Elmer casts her a look and chuckles.

The camera cuts again to Elmer and Kelli back in the shelter, as the others mill around them, minding their own business.

Kelli: Like, how often do you gym back home?

She is unsubtly running her hand up and down his bicep as he sits in the shelter, watching the pot boil.

Elmer: I try to go at least once every couple of days. Just enough to stay in shape, you know?

Kelli: Yeah, me too. What kind of supplements and stuff do you take? Like, I’m looking for tips, you know?

Drew is watching them with an amused look on his face from behind, resting his hands on the bamboo above him.

Kelli and Elmer are now sitting in the sand by the water and she is leaning into him, watching as the water laps at their feet.

Kelli: You know, this beach is kind of romantic.

Elmer: Yeah?

Kelli: Yeah, like...no other beachgoers, it’s so quiet because there’s no nearby traffic, there’s no garbage in the sand...it’s like our own little island paradise.

Elmer snorts with laughter.

Elmer: These first few days without any game happening are like a honeymoon period, then.

Kelli: Omigosh, totally…

She plays with his fingers and he lets her.

Kelli: I would love for us two to be, like, the Final Two.

Elmer: ...Well, it’ll probably be like a Final Three.

Kelli: Three? Oh yeah, it’ll be a three. I just mean we’ll be part of that three. Know what I’m saying?

As this is going down, back up in the shelter, Randall is adjusting his cap, leaning back in the shelter and staring down the beach to where Kelli and Elmer are cuddling.

He snorts, turning to Bridgette, who is sitting next to him.

Randall: Can you believe him?

Bridgette: What? Elmer?

Randall: Not even three days, and she’s already head over heels for a dude she just met. It’s silly.

Drew overhears and chuckles.

Drew: Yeaaah, it’s not smart. But she seems to be having fun. No harm, no foul.

Randall: I just can’t understand it.

The camera cuts to earlier in the day, with Constance walking along with Elmer down the beach.

Constance: You know, you kind of remind me of my son a bit…

Elmer: [chuckling] Thanks. I think.

Constance: I think you’d like him. You’re both fine young men, and very gentlemanly too.

Elmer: You’re too kind. I’m just doing what I can to help out the tribe.

Constance: Well, your assistance is invaluable. You and Bridgette, both! I think we’ll do very well with all your help.

Elmer: I hope so too. I went to Tribal so many times my season, I’d really like to not go first again…

Next, the camera cuts to Elmer standing near as Drew is cleaning out his shoes in the sand.

Elmer: You and me, we’re good.

Drew: Yeah? I’m good too, man. I’m glad to have you on my team. I saw your season. You were a great guy, one of my family’s favorites.

Elmer: Not yours? [laughing] I’m kidding, I’m kidding!

Drew: I was rooting for Erin, but I loved you too! [laughing]

Elmer: She’ll love to hear that. I hope you two meet so she can hear that from you in person.

Back in the shelter, Randall is still complaining.

Randall: He’s like a magnet.

Bridgette: Yeah?

Randall: An annoying little fridge magnet. You know, like the one in the shape of a shirtless lifeguard? Yeah, that’s him. And all the others on the tribe are like the magnets that get attracted back to him, they’re zooming across the fridge to stick themselves on top of him. Me, I’m the magnet that gets repelled back and I’m zipping all the way across the kitchen and out the window.

Drew snorts, shaking his head. Bridgette laughs.

Meanwhile, on the Vailheu beach…

Lisa is trailing along behind Chase as he walks through the forest, two large coconuts under his arms.

Lisa: I’ve never actually had a coconut before…

Chase: Never? Like...never never?

Lisa: Never never. [laughing] Why, does that make me weird?

Chase: No, it’s just...I don’t know, I figured you would’ve tried one at least once before.

Lisa: I live in the city! I don’t get out of the country much…

"vailheu"

- So...I’m a pretty popular girl back home. I’m pretty popular...because I’m pretty AND I’m popular...and that makes me pretty popular! [laughing] No, but really, I know I’m hot, and I own it. And I am used to skating by in real life purely...based on my looks! I’m used to having boys do stuff for me, both hot and not hot. Because they see me, and they see how banging I look, and who wouldn’t want to try to get on my good side? So yeah! I know that I’m pretty and I’m aware it’s my biggest asset. So I’m going to flaunt it however I can to get into the boys’ good books on this tribe and keep me sitting pretty if and when we lose an immunity challenge.

Lisa too, now, is shown flirting with Chase.

She laughs out loud, randomly flinging her arms around Chase’s neck when they’re talking, and he laughs and pretends to hug her back and lift her up as she squeals.

Lisa: Are we ready for takeoff, Captain?

He bursts out laughing.

Chase: Oh, absolutely not.

The camera now cuts to another scene, where Lisa is flirting with Carter.

Lisa: And so you’re single now, right?

Carter: Oh, yeah. I am.

Lisa: No Christine in the picture?

Carter: We’re friends, for sure! But yeah, we’re not dating on the outside or anything, it just didn’t translate well to real life…

Lisa: Interesting…

She bats her eyelids at him, looking devious.

"vailheu"

- I don’t think there’s a lot of early reasons to vote anyone out yet. So...why not revert to one of the most basic reasons you’d want to keep someone around, and that is...because they’re aesthetically pleasing to the eye? [shrugs] People want to be around others that, y’know...look good. And I think I look damn good. The boys would be fools to not want me around them.

Lisa: Like, I think we should stick together.

Chase glances at her, bemused, as she inspects the sand underneath her fingernails.

Chase: What do you mean?

Lisa: As in, our tribe. I think you, me...and the boys.

The camera cuts to Carter drinking from a coconut next to Candy, then to Eli chatting with Mallorie as the latter stirs the pot of water.

Lisa: If we want to win challenges, we need strength. That’s you and Carter. You two are the strongest guys on this beach, physically...

Chase: For sure.

Lisa: Then...we keep Eli for smarts in puzzles. He’s a nerd, he’s smart, right?

Chase: I bet.

Lisa: And then you have me, the hottie. I’m a loyal-as-hell girl, I promise you.

Chase: So who would you want out first, if you could vote, like, right now?

Lisa mulls it over.

Lisa: Candy’s kinda boring, she’s honestly just sorta...there. So I would say Mallorie. She almost won her season. She’s a mega threat.

"vailheu"

- Lisa’s idea of an alliance with us, Carter and Eli...honestly isn’t bad. She may seem like a dunce, but she’s spitting out nothing but true facts right now. Me and Carter are going to be needed for our tribe to succeed in challenges. Early challenges are going to be very physically demanding, and the two of us can really contribute in that factor. Plus, me and him are tight, we’re bros. I wouldn’t turn my back on him. And we have Eli, and he’s a little geek nerd. The dude is excited to be here, he wants to be here and play Survivor; we promise him a place in our foursome, and I guarantee he’s never breaking it. That puts the other two girls on the outs, and of the two, Mallorie is infinitely more dangerous when left to her own devices. She’s proven on her past season that she’s a strategic force to be reckoned with. You give her an inch and she’ll take a mile. She’s here to cut throats and stab backs. I am NOT having that. We need to cut her loose the first opportunity we get.

Chase and Carter are now taking a walk together to talk.

Chase: Has Lisa been flirting with you too?

Carter: Oh yeah. Hardcore.

Chase: She mentioned an alliance between you, me, her and Eli.

Chase is numbering the four of them off on his fingers.

Chase: That’s four of us, and that’s the perfect majority number we need, bro.

Carter: Yeah?

Chase: Yeah. We could do it. And she says she would want Mallorie gone first.

Carter’s eyes flash warningly.

Carter: It’s definitely an option. We’d just need to talk to Eli first, right?

Chase: For sure. But if you’re game, I am totally down.

Carter is blatantly hesitant.

Carter: My only qualm is...I’m not sure how much I can trust...Lisa, as of now. She and I just haven’t really connected...as much.

Chase: But do you think you could trust her? Or do you prefer Candy or Mallorie? I’m just saying, I don’t want to force you into anything, bro. But I do think Lisa is more trustworthy than, say, Mallorie. Lisa’s not gonna lead a revolution against us or something later on in the game. She can’t pull off something like that, but Mallorie could.

"vailheu"

- This new alliance that’s being proposed to me...I don’t have as much of a relationship with Lisa that I have with...basically every other person on the tribe. Lisa, I think, has only bothered to try to get to know me...by flirting with me. And I’m not bashing her for that. I flirted with Christine back in my season so I’m guilty of it too. But I just think that...she hasn’t really tried or put in much effort into socializing with me, or with most of the tribe. Everytime I see her, she’s busy making jokes with the boys and that’s it. I don’t feel a connection with her. I think that, personally, I have more trust and affiliation with Mallorie. To hear that Lisa is trying to target Mallorie is worrisome. I promised Mallorie I’d have her back because returnees gotta stick with returnees to survive. We’re outnumbered two-to-one on every tribe, so we need to have each other’s back. The dilemma now is, do I take this option of an alliance with Chase, Lisa and Eli? Or do I honor the deal I made with Mallorie...and tell her about this?

The camera cuts to Mallorie talking with Candy back in the shelter, smoke rising over them, and then to Lisa laughing with Chase back by the rocks, oblivious.

Meanwhile, on the Mwali beach…

Blake and Maverick are up early, standing by the flag, each man sipping from a coconut as they greet the new day.

Blake: It’s a good morning.

Maverick: Yeah, man. Feels good to be out here.

"mwali"

- I do view myself as a bit of...the Father of this tribe. And these people, they’re like my children. They’re my flock, I should say. [chuckling] I really like Hazel. She’s a sweet girl, very kindhearted and bless her soul. She and I have already had a few heart-to-hearts last night, and I really admire her drive for coming out here despite being scared and being young and knowing the immense pressure that comes from a game like this. I’m not just saying this because she reminds me of my daughters...okay, maybe I am. I get sentimental like that! But she really is an absolute sweetheart.

The camera cuts back to a scene from earlier, with Hazel sitting by the fire in her jacket, resting her tired head on a sleeved hand.

Hazel: [sleepy] I’m so tiiired…

Blake: [laughing] Not a morning person?

Hazel: I’m used to my Starbucks coffee. [laughing] I’m gonna have withdrawals.

Blake: I’m no barista, but a coconut cappuccino will have to do.

Hazel: [giggling] I really hope we win a coffee reward sometime down the line, I need it.

Blake: I thought the old man is supposed to be the caffeine addict, not the teenage girl?

Hazel: [censored], you don’t know how hard it is to be a student in today’s climate.

Blake laughs uproariously as Hazel gets into a rant, eyes lit up with fiery spite but laughing as she does so.

"mwali"

- Besides Hazel, there’s also Maverick, whose company I really enjoy. He’s a bit of a kindred spirit, and if I’m the sage old leader of this tribe...then I guess you could say he’s, like, my bodyguard. Or...my right-hand man. [chuckling] That sounds a bit better. He is a bit of a uh...a dude bro, I suppose, so that makes him the brawns to my brains. I think we make quite the unexpected team. Jokes aside, I’ve really enjoyed my conversations with them both. I think, of all the people on this tribe, they’re the two I connect with and feel closest to the most. The others...not so much. Keira’s a little...closed off, but I genuinely believe she’s a team player, and she’s a hard worker around camp, if not personable. Markus and Erin...I get the sense they’re pretty guarded. And it’s to be expected...they’re the two returning players with four newbies. It’s a tough adjustment for anyone, to feel like you’re being viewed underneath a microscope.

The camera cuts back to Blake and Maverick, still standing where they were and talking.

Blake: What do you think of the tribe so far? [sips from coconut]

Maverick: Meh. Everyone’s alright so far. I definitely think I bond most with you...of course. You and Hazel, probably.

Blake: That’s just what I was thinking. She’s like a daughter to me, honestly.

Maverick: She reminds me of my little sister. [laughing]

Blake: What about [points at Markus and Erin] them two?

Markus and Erin are out by the rocks, and he is looking for clams. Erin is following behind him, still wearing her hat, and saying something.

Maverick: I just...I just cannot get a good read on them just yet. You feel?

Blake: I’m in agreement, yes.

Maverick: In general, they’re just dangerous because they’re returning players.

Blake: Took the words right out of my mouth.

"mwali"

- If you ask me...personally, I’m of the mindset that…[frowns] you know, you’ve had your shot. Like, the returning players...the veterans, they’ve- they’ve had their chance, already. You got your one try to win the million dollars, and you failed. So...why do you get to try again? This season, it should be our time to shine. This is our chance, as newbies, to play this game and win a million dollars. Fail once, and you might as well stay at home. I don’t think it’s fair they get another shot, and potentially ruin one of our chances at the million, when it’s our first time playing and it’s their second. The amount of experience they get from playing the first time and coming back in is a huge advantage. It makes the six veterans in the game very dangerous. There are half as many vets as there are new players on this season, and while that may seem like us newbies have the advantage, I know from watching them play that some of these returnees can be manipulative, and they can flip the votes to their side when put in a corner. I think it would be dumb of us not to make it our goal to whittle down as many of the returnees as possible, while we still can.

Blake: As returning players, like...I am grateful to the advice and guidance they can give us to help us, as a tribe, succeed. Our shelter is great, we’re thriving in camp, and hopefully we can win challenges.

Maverick: Yup.

Blake: But they’re not just here as tribe captains.

Maverick: They’re our competition, bro.

Blake: Exactly. And they’re fierce [censored] competition. It’s like putting greenhorn athletes in to compete against Olympic winners in a contest. This season should be our chance to play. The season of the newbies, not the vets.

Maverick: [chuckling] Yeah, I can get behind that.

Blake: What makes them so special that they can play again? This is our shot, our season to shine…

Maverick: Dude, I’m with you on that all the way.

Blake: If we went to Tribal Council right this instant, who would you vote for?

Maverick: Me? Oh, most likely Erin. They’re both former Champions. They’ve both WON the game before. One of them has to go, for sure. But of the two, we need Markus for challenges. He’s stronger than she is, and she’s sneaky. She led the women’s alliance on her season and got them all to the Final Four.

Blake: I’m fine with either of them going, but I see your point.

Maverick: Plus, I like Markus. I get along with him. He’s a cool guy. So if we had to vote, I say Erin first, and save Markus and make him think he’s with us for another day.

Even as the other two plot against them, Markus and Erin are innocently hunting for clams in the distance.

Erin: Found anything yet?

Markus: Not a lot. I remember a bunch back in Mozambique. I guess today’s not a day for it.

Erin wrinkles her nose, following in Markus’ footsteps as they continue to loiter around the area.

"mwali"

- I am the earliest winner of Survivor on this returning players’ season. I guess that makes me the OG Champion. [giggling] It’s kinda fun! Returning to play as a veteran is a vastly different experience compared to coming in as a greenhorn to play...completely fresh, and new to the game. I know what it’s like to be victorious, and I know what needs to be done to get to the end and win the game. Winning once was awesome, but winning twice? That would be the ultimate crowning achievement on Survivor.

Erin: While you look for clams, I think we should also talk about the game too.

Markus: Definitely. I was hoping we could talk this morning as well.

Erin: Are you getting good vibes from the others?

Markus: Honestly, I feel it’s a bit mixed from everyone so far.

Erin: You think so too, huh?

Markus: I’ve only been able to talk so much with everyone, but yeah...not a whole lot.

Erin: That’s not what I want to hear.

Markus: That’s not what I want to hear either. The other four on the tribe are just...kinda secretive.

The camera cuts back to camp, where Blake, Hazel and Maverick are huddling and laughing amongst themselves about something. Keira is sitting in the shelter, fiddling with one of her bangles and looking out at the waves, almost bored.

Markus: I’m not getting the strongest sense that we’re terribly popular.

Erin: Maybe it’s a bit of a stigma against returning players, especially two former winners together on the same tribe.

Markus: It definitely feels we got the short end of the stick. I think I saw other players on the other two tribes who were more excited about their returnees than ours were.

"mwali"

- Markus and I both share similar concerns about how we’re being perceived on our new tribe. Back in Cayman Islands, I was lucky that the three guys on my tribe...generally all really liked me and wanted to work with me, and we were a strong tribe in challenges. But here, I don’t have a guy or a girl I immediately gel as well with. From what I’ve observed, it seems that Blake, Hazel and Maverick are already really tight. They’re almost like a little family of three. Keira, it seems, is the most on the outs. A lot of the time, I don’t see her talking with them, or even with us, as a matter of fact. She sorta sits and...simply stares out into space. But I like that she’s not fully in with the rest of the group. Makes me think me and Markus can either use her...or we can target her if need be. I just hope that me and Markus aren’t labelled too early on as nothing more than the returning players instead of as individuals, because I do believe that without the label of a former winner, the both of us would be less singled out on this tribe than Keira, and maybe we’d be in a better spot.

Erin: Whatever the case, it’s plain to see that we need to stick together, and share information.

Markus: For sure. I couldn’t make it anywhere without a close ally in my last game. If we can stay strong together…

Erin: We’ll be in good shape. Winners have to take care of winners, amirite?

Markus: [chuckles] Winner winner, chicken dinner.

They share a quick fist bump and turn to leave the rocks to head back.

Day 3
Jeff: Come on in, guys!

In walk Mwali, Pamanzi and Vailheu.

Jeff: Ready to get to your first immunity challenge as new tribes?

There is a smattering of excited affirmation and applause.

Jeff: Alright! For your first immunity challenge, one member of your tribe will be the caller. The rest will be blindfolded. On my go, the caller will direct two pairs of blindfolded tribe members to collect bags of puzzle pieces scattered across the obstacle course. The remaining blindfolded tribe member will hoist those bags up to the caller, who will untie them to retrieve the puzzle pieces. The caller must then solve the puzzle to reveal six numbers. Once the caller has discovered those six numbers, the remaining tribe members may remove their blindfolds and use the numerical code to unlock a chest full of sandbags, and use those sandbags to knock down four targets. First tribe to knock down all their targets...wins the first immunity of the season. As there are three tribes, there will be two immunity idols up for grabs. The losing tribe will attend the first Tribal Council of the season where one of you six will become the first person voted out of your tribe and Survivor: Comoro Islands. And no one wants to be the first person voted out. Worth playing for? We’ll get started.

The tribes take up positions.

Jeff: Okay, for today’s challenge. We have Markus as the caller for Mwali, Bridgette as the caller for Pamanzi and Carter as the caller for Vailheu!

As Jeff speaks, he reaches over to a crate covered by a tarp at the end of the obstacle course. Grabbing the tarp, he tugs it off, revealing a bag that reads "ADVANTAGE" sitting atop the wooden crate.

Only the nonblindfolded players see this.

Markus' eyebrows shoot up into his hairline. Carter looks surprised.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

The three callers immediately start shouting out directions for their blindfolded pairs of tribemates.

Jeff: For Mwali, Markus is leading Blake and Erin, as well as Keira and Hazel.

Markus: Keep going, Erin. Straight ahead!

Jeff: For Pamanzi, Bridgette is leading Randall and Kelli, and Drew and Constance.

Bridgette: To the right, Kells, to your right!

Jeff: For Vailheu, it is Carter calling out directions for Eli and Candy, and Mallorie and Lisa.

Carter: Right there, Lisa! Right next to you!

Lisa: [muttering] Where?

Lisa fumbles about blindly, dragging an impatient Mallorie along.

Mallorie: You got it?

Lisa: I dunno…

Carter: It’s just on your right!

Lisa finally snags it.

Lisa: I got it!

The camera cuts to a montage of Markus, Bridgette and Carter yelling out directions for their blindfolded tribemates.

Jeff: Maverick lifting bags of pieces up to Markus...Chase lifting them up for Carter...Elmer lifting them up for Bridgette.

Chaos ensues on the obstacle course as blindfolded tribe members run headlong into one another.

Randall slams into Eli, and Eli elbows him in the throat.

Randall: Oof!

Eli: Oh [censored], sorry…

Randall: Ow! Mother[censored]...watch it.

Kelli yelps as she trips and almost drags Randall down with her.

Markus: Straight ahead, Keira!

Keira is following directions well, pulling Hazel along behind her like a dog on a leash.

Markus is leading Keira forward to the bag labelled “ADVANTAGE” at the end of the course.

Markus: You’re almost there, and...you got it!

Keira grabs the Advantage and Markus begins directing her back. Carter notices this and stares at Markus.

Bridgette: No, Constance - to your left!

Constance: What? Bridge, what?

Bridgette: TO YOUR LEFT!

Markus: Back to me! Back to my voice!

Carter: Little more to your right, Mal...little more…

Constance: [to Drew] I can’t hear her. Can you?

Drew: Barely.

Jeff: Bridgette’s too soft...she’s getting drowned out by Markus and Carter.

Bridgette: TO! YOUR! LEFT!

Carter: RIGHT!

Markus: ALMOST THERE!

Constance: Did she say right?

Randall: Bridgette, we need directions!

Randall starts blindly waving his hand, trying to catch Bridgette’s attention. Kelli, tied next to him, stomps her foot impatiently.

Kelli: Hello?! Bridge, where are you?

Bridgette: Just WAIT!

Markus: You got it, almost back...okay, drop it!

Keira sets the Advantage down and Maverick begins lifting it up to Markus.

Carter: Come on, Mal...nice!

Mallorie dumps her pieces, and Chase lifts it up to Carter.

Jeff: It is Vailheu and Mwali in a tentative race for first place, with Pamanzi lagging behind a little.

Bridgette flinches at this, looking frazzled.

Markus grabs the Advantage from the platform as Maverick begins to lower it back down.

Markus: Alright, one more bag, Blake! You hear me? Head straight!

As Markus yells out directions, he is untying the Advantage at the same time. Taking out the covered item from within, he tucks it down his pants, then quickly hurls the bag into the tall grass behind his podium.

Carter is glancing at him every now and then, looking curious.

Eli: Carter, this it?

Carter: Yup, you got it! Come on back! Straight to my voice, Eli, you’ve got a clear path.

Jeff: Eli and Candy, heading back with the last bag of puzzle pieces for Vailheu…

Markus: That’s it, Blake!

Blake and Erin are now also returning with the final bag for Mwali.

Bridgette: Grab it, Kelli!

Kelli: Where?

Bridgette: Right there!

Kelli: I can’t [censored] see where ‘there’ is, Bridgette!

Jeff: Kelli, getting frustrated with Bridgette…

Chase lifts the final bag up to Carter, and he rushes to open it, dumping his puzzle pieces out.

Jeff: Vailheu, you’re good! Remove your blindfolds. It is now up to Carter to finish solving his puzzle…

The members of Vailheu start to remove their blindfolds.

Lisa: Ugh. That was such a mess.

Candy: I thought that was kinda fun…

Blake and Erin return with their final bag, and Maverick starts to raise it up to Markus.

Markus snags it and gets to work on his puzzle.

Jeff: Markus, now getting started on his puzzle for Mwali. Mwali, you can take off your blindfolds. It is now a close race between Carter for Vailheu, and Markus for Mwali. Two former players from Mozambique, now duking it out again in the Comoro Islands…

Bridgette: That’s it, Kell! Now bring it back! Back to me!

Kelli has the final bag and is stomping back to Bridgette’s voice, tugging on Randall behind her.

Kelli: This is [censored] stupid…

Jeff: Kelli and Randall have their final bag, heading back…

Carter is biting his thumb, studying the pieces and moving one with his free hand. Markus is moving quickly, eyes darting swiftly around his board, analyzing it.

Kelli and Randall finally make it back, and Elmer hurriedly lifts the bag up to Bridgette.

Jeff: Bridgette has the final bag! Pamanzi, you can take off your blindfolds. All three callers, now working on solving their puzzles…

Carter is moving pieces around quickly, an intense look of concentration on his face. Markus is making fast, methodical moves, clearly lost in thought. Bridgette is still opening bags of pieces.

Jeff: Markus and Carter are neck-and-neck…

Markus is inserting pieces one after the other, overtaking Carter’s headstart. He has only a few pieces left. Carter is moving fast too, slapping pieces into the board as quickly as he can, gaining on Markus.

Jeff: Markus with only three pieces left...two pieces!

Markus solves his puzzle and glances at the three numbers on the board.

Markus: Maverick! The code’s 68 47 11!

Maverick runs over to the chest and begins inputting the numerical code.

Jeff: Markus has the code! The codes for the chests are different for all three tribes...so no cheating here…

Carter finishes his puzzle too.

Carter: 83 45 92!

Chase drops down to the chest and begins putting in the code. Both he and Maverick release their sandbags around the same time.

Jeff: Maverick can start throwing sandbags! Chase can start throwing!

Bridgette is still sorting out her puzzle, which is slowly taking shape, but she is still only halfway done, at best. Constance looks like she is on tenterhooks down below, bouncing on the balls of her feet and clutching her cheeks.

Constance: Ooh…

Elmer: You can do this, Bridgette, we believe in you.

Kelli rolls her eyes obviously behind his back. Randall whistles, looking away, arms folded.

Maverick and Chase are both now throwing sandbags.

Maverick’s blue sandbags fly through the air at an alarming pace, and one hits the first target.

Jeff: Maverick hits the first-

Before Jeff can even finish his sentence, Maverick has already throw two more sandbags in rapid succession, and one hits a second target.

Jeff: -Wow! And Maverick hits his second target!

Chase continues to throw, but his sandbags either fall short or sail over the targets.

Carter: You got it, Chase!

Candy: Let’s go, Chase! Woo!

Bridgette inserts another piece, and another…

Her puzzle is starting to form…

Jeff: Bridgette doing her best to catch up…

Bridgette is intently focused on her work, tuning everyone else out.

Maverick continues hurling sandbags, sweat glistening on his forehead as he throws, biceps rippling with each time he pulls his arm back.

Jeff: Maverick hits another target! That’s three targets down for Mwali!

Blake: Yeah! [pumps fist]

Hazel: [jumping up and down] Go, Maverickkk!

Erin: [clapping] You got this!

Bridgette finishes her puzzle, then races to call down to the others.

Bridgette: 20 58 23!

Elmer rushes to input the code.

Maverick narrows his eyes, squaring up and aiming at the fourth and final target.

Jeff: Maverick could seal the deal and win it, right here...can he do it?

He throws…

...the sandbag sails through the air…

...and nails the fourth target.

Jeff: And he does! Mwali, wins immunity!

The Mwali tribe erupts into celebration as all five of them run up to envelop Maverick in a big group hug.

Hazel: Yeaaahoo! [tearing up]

Blake: Good job, brother.

Markus: That was great!

Erin: [laughing] Woo!

Jeff: We’re looking for one more!

Chase is still throwing sandbags, but has failed to hit any of his targets so far.

Elmer gets his chest open, and races forward with his sandbags.

Jeff: It is now Elmer and Chase, squaring off…

Elmer begins throwing sandbags as fast as he can. One lucky one hits a target.

Jeff: He scores! Elmer with the first point for Pamanzi!

The Pamanzi tribe cheers from behind Elmer.

Mallorie: Chase! Chase, if you can’t do it, swap out.

Mallorie looks annoyed at Chase, as he continues firing sandbags.

He ignores her, and throws another one. This time, it finally connects, and hits a target.

Jeff: Chase hits his first target! We are tied, 1-1!

Elmer continues to throw, and through his barrage of sandbags, one manages to hit a second target.

Jeff: Elmer with two!

Elmer and Chase continue to throw.

Candy watches helplessly as Chase’s sandbags continue to miss the mark, and glances over to Pamanzi, as Elmer’s sandbags come up short, but close.

Mallorie: Chase-

Chase continues to throw.

Mallorie: Chase, swap out.

Chase: I got this.

Carter: I can take over if you want to-

Chase: I got this, don’t worry. I got this.

He continues to throw.

Elmer throws another, and his third target goes down.

Jeff: Pamanzi with three, Vailheu with one!

Mallorie scowls over at Pamanzi, as they jump for joy.

Bridgette: One more, Elmer!

Kelli: GO, Elmer!

Elmer takes a deep breath, hefting another sandbag. He pulls his arm back and shoots…

...and the target flies forward and strikes the fourth and final target.

Jeff: Pamanzi wins immunity!

Elmer turns to hug his tribe as they crowd around him to celebrate. Over on Vailheu, everyone is visibly defeated. Mallorie scowls, pacing up and down, hands on her hips, unmistakable anger in her eyes. Lisa looks around awkwardly.

Lisa: It’s okay, guys. We tried, right?

Candy: Yeah…

Chase pants, shaking his head at the three unhit targets.

The three tribes return to their places on the mats.

Jeff: Mwali, congratulations.

A giggling Hazel runs forward to grab the immunity idol from him.

Jeff: Safe from Tribal Council tonight. Pamanzi, you too.

Constance takes the idol.

Jeff: You will also be safe from Tribal Council tonight. Mwali, Pamanzi, head on back to camp and enjoy the night off.

Kelli: Thanks, Jeff!

Elmer: Thanks, Jeff.

Hazel: Whoo!

Both tribes grab their things and turn to leave.

Jeff: Vailheu…

Mallorie smirks at Jeff.

Jeff: Looks like you guys came up short. And one of you will be the first person to leave this game. You have the afternoon to figure out who it’s gonna be. I’ll see you guys at Tribal.

The six of them grab their things and turn to leave.

The camera focuses on Mallorie as she walks in line with the others.

"vailheu"

- Seems I’m destined to always attend the first Tribal Council of whatever season I’m on. Having to visit the first Tribal Council is frightening because being the first boot is the biggest humiliation you could get from appearing on Survivor. No one wants it to be them. But one of us IS going to end up leaving this game, tonight. And I am going to make damn sure that it is not me. My second chance will not end in an embarrassment after just three days. Our tribe needs to get their shit together, and come together tonight to vote out our weakest link.

Elsewhere…

The Mwali tribe is returning to their camp, and elated over being safe.

Blake: Guys, “Mwali” on three! Ready?

Maverick: Everyone put your hands together! C’mon!

The group puts their hands on top of one another, Keira looking a little uncertain but smiling slightly as she joins in.

Blake: One, two, three!

The tribe chants “Mwali!” and throws their hands into the air, laughing in joyous celebration.

Markus makes an excuse to leave, as people being to walk around camp.

He ducks into the forest, and when he is a safe distance away, takes out the advantage he got from the challenge.

Markus: Alrighty...let’s see what this is…[unfolding parchment] Congratulations, you have come into possession of a Super Idol. [gasps] Whoa…

Markus holds up the Super Idol in his hand.

Markus: This Super Idol is special. Rather than simply nullify any and all votes cast against the user, it can be played only after the votes have been read rather than before, meaning the holder of this idol is guaranteed safety. However, to limit the Super Idol’s power, it is only valid for the first Tribal Council of the season. Oh, phooey. [chuckles] And there I was, thinking I struck gold. Anyway…[clears throat] If your tribe is not attending the first Tribal Council, you MUST will this Super Idol to any member of the losing tribe. They will not know it is you who has willed this to them. Choose wisely.

He covers his mouth with a shaking hand.

Markus: Damn…

"mwali"

- Having hailed from the season with the Island of Advantages, and even winning it, I do think I am a bit of an Advantage King on Survivor. So it pleases me that once again, an advantage has wormed its way into my hands. [laughing] Unfortunately, this is not my advantage to use. I must will this Super Idol to someone on Vailheu. But that’s okay! I don’t need to have to own the advantage myself to be able to make use of it to benefit my game. Luckily, I know right away who I’m sending this to, and I can only hope this will spell good things for my game down the road.

Meanwhile, on the Vailheu beach…

The six members of Vailheu have returned and are milling about camp.

Eli: I can’t believe we lost. How did that happen? [snickering] Both those tribes had at least one senior citizen on them and they still crushed us.

Chase: I do apologize. I feel that the sandbag portion was where we dropped the ball. I could’ve had that.

Candy: No, you don’t need to apologize, really! No one here blames you. It was just a tough call.

Mallorie makes a face behind her back.

Carter: I’m gonna go get some water. Anyone wanna come with?

Eli: I’ll tag along.

Chase: I’ll be there.

The three leave.

"vailheu"

- Tribal Council tonight, and I really bombed at the Immunity Challenge. I feel bad. The tribe was depending on me and I cost them the win. But it’s one challenge, and it should hopefully not do too much major damage to me going forward. I just have to pick myself up off the floor, brush off the dirt, and keep chugging on. Attending the very first Tribal Council sucks. No one wants to be the first to go home, we all signed on to play the game of Survivor, not go camping for three days and then get off the island! But it is what it is. Luckily, tonight should be simple. There’s one obvious target that sticks out on this tribe, and that’s Mallorie. Me, Carter, Eli and Lisa need to come together and make sure she’s first to go, because she is so dangerous if we let her go deep. Maybe losing the first challenge was a blessing in disguise, then, if it means we take out a threat now before we have to worry about her later?

Chase leans against the well, propping his elbows up on the rock as Eli busies himself getting water.

Chase: What are you guys thinking for tonight?

Carter: I was thinking, we should just take the sensible option. Vote out the obvious outsider...keep the tribe strong.

Chase: Right. So...Mallorie?

Carter blinks.

Carter: I was actually thinking more so Lisa.

Chase: Lisa? Dude, Lisa is with us. I promise you this. She is good, she is tight with us four.

Eli: Us four, meaning, us four?

Chase: Correct. Tonight, Lisa will vote with us if we tell her to. And Mallorie should be the one to go.

Eli: [shrugs] I do love a good blindside.

Chase: I bet she thinks you and her are good, right?

Carter: Yeah, she does.

Chase: But she is such a threat. She is such a threat! Watching her in Seychelles was like watching her steamroll the competition. She would’ve won if she got to the end. We can’t be the dumbasses that let her get that far.

Carter: My only concern is that keeping in Lisa...will leave the tribe weaker, both physically and strategically.

Chase: Lisa’s no threat. She will vote with us if we promise her the majority.

Eli: Then the four of us, is this legit?

Chase: I swear, this is the group I want to move forward with. Candy will do what she has to to stay out of the fire zone. Although she and Mallorie have seemed pretty close so far.

Carter: Did you want to do Candy then?

Chase: No. Mallorie should be first. She’s not essential for us to win challenges and her returnee status, especially given her previous record, is dangerous.

"vailheu"

- As a Survivor superfan, I am well aware of how dangerous Mallorie can be as a player. I watched her control the women in her alliance like puppets on strings. That being said, the fan in me also doesn’t want to take her out so early. I think it would be awesome to play with Mallorie! And I don’t like the way Chase is trying to throw names around. I may be a nerd but I’m no blind follower. I don’t want to be a Graham or a Percy. I have ideas and decisions of my own that I want to implement. And I want to prove that I’m in control of my own vote.

After Chase leaves, Eli turns to Carter.

Eli: I don’t think we should do Mallorie first.

Carter: You don’t?

Eli: No.

Carter: Did you want to do Lisa then?

Eli: I wouldn’t mind. It seems like she and Chase are setting themselves up as a pair anyway. He came to her defense way too fast. Don’t you think?

Carter: No, you’re right. I was already thinking, it’s best not to rock the boat and just vote off the obvious outsider on the tribe. Lisa doesn’t really have a connection with...anyone, to be honest. Even her relationship with Chase is a tad bit tenuous.

"vailheu"

- Chase wants to do Mallorie first. But that’s a big power play to make for this first vote. Because other than Chase, no one really has much of a connection to Lisa, like...at all. I don’t want to align with someone I have no relationship with, because the foundation of a working relationship in this game is trust. And I don’t know if I have that with Lisa yet. Mallorie, at least, I believe will want to work with and shield me in this game because we’re both returning players on this tribe. The only ones we can truly, totally trust while together on Vailheu...is each other. I don’t want to flub and be the same naive, gullible guy I was the last time, so I need to make sure the decision we make tonight is the best for my game, and no one else’s.

Deep in the forest, Chase is meeting with Lisa to discuss the vote.

Lisa: Are we still on for doing Mallorie tonight?

Chase: Yeah. I’ve got Carter and Eli on board.

Lisa: Okay. Good. Then, you can count on my vote. I wouldn’t know what to do otherwise. [laughing]

"vailheu"

- So we have to vote someone out tonight, aaand...I’m thinking the plan is going to be Mallorie. Chase is, right now, my only real ally in this game, so...I’m trusting him to tell me the truth. I promised him loyalty in this game, and I think he’s smart enough to recognize that I’m a loyal person. If Mallorie has to go tonight, then Mallorie has to go. Like Chase said, she’s a threat anyway. So she can, like, leave...you know what I’m saying? [laughing] This is so easy! We don’t even need Candy and Mallorie’s vote. All we need [holds up four fingers] is one, two, three and four, and that’s all the numbers we have!

Candy is standing over the fire, machete in hand, scratching at her nose as Chase walks near her.

Mallorie is heading down to the water’s edge to wash herself.

Candy squints down at her, then glances at Chase.

Candy: Real quick...penny for your thoughts for Tribal?

Chase puts his hands on his hips, lost in thought as he stares down into the steam rising out of the pot of boiling water.

Chase: What are you thinking, first?

Candy: I think...the general consensus around camp...would be Lisa.

The camera cuts to Lisa suntanning out on the beach, her buff covering her face.

Candy: She doesn’t really talk all that much, nor does she seem particularly present around camp or on this tribe. I think not a lot of people have much of a bond with her, so it would be the vote that...ruffles the least feathers.

Chase: Alright. [scratching arm] Personally, I was thinking...for this first vote, we should make a more potent move.

Candy frowns.

Candy: Like what?

Chase: Like Mallorie.

Candy: Mallorie?

Chase: She is the biggest strategic threat on this beach, and that’s saying something for a Contender, and not a Champion. She should’ve won her season. I just think that, while we have the opportunity now...why not get rid of her?

Candy chews on her lower lip.

"vailheu"

- I was under the impression tonight’s vote was going to be simple. In these first few days, no one has appeared to have much of a strong relationship with Lisa. She’s the outcast on this tribe, because she’s spent more time suntanning on the beach and flirting with Chase and Carter than actually...you know, playing this game. I think she thought this was going to be a little island paradise adventure...I don’t even think she really understands what game she’s here to play. But Chase wants to rock the boat, and toss out Mallorie’s name instead. It would be a big move, because Mallorie’s a strong player. I know this from watching Seychelles. We all do. Well, except maybe Lisa, because her head’s always in the clouds. But this is valuable intel. I actually like Mallorie. I kinda want to be her next Bridgette. [laughing] It’s ironic, saying that, considering Bridgette herself is out here too. Y’know, because Bridgette and Mallorie were so tight, and they went all the way to the end, and Bridgette slit her throat and won. I wouldn’t mind having the same thing play out for me. So I want to watch Mallorie’s ass in this game.

Candy approaches Mallorie later in the day.

Candy: I heard from Chase that he wanted to vote for you, instead of Lisa.

Mallorie scowls at this, almost puzzled.

Mallorie: That so? Idiot...of course.

Candy: You don’t sound terribly shocked.

Mallorie: Yeah, because I knew I was coming in here with a reputation. We all were, the six of us coming back in, but I knew mine would be bigger, just because of how I played the last time. And I’m a woman, so they’re not gonna keep me around for challenges like they would the men. [sigh] I wish I could say I was surprised, but it’s really not unexpected.

"vailheu"

- Hearing Chase is throwing my name out there does not come as much of a shock. These alpha males are so often intimidated by intelligent women, and that is the reputation I came into this game with. But I’m not the one who lost us today’s challenge. Chase was. Who is he to throw my name out there into the void when he’s the reason we’re even attending Tribal Council in the first place?

Mallorie: Thank you for telling me, I appreciate it.

Candy: Hey, I mean, I’d rather vote for Lisa than have to vote for you. That’s the truth of it.

Mallorie: Well, I look out for those who look out for me. No sweat.

Elsewhere, Carter is rendezvousing with Chase near the rocks.

Carter: There’s been a change of plans.

Chase: For what, now?

Carter: Eli doesn’t want Mallorie out first. He thinks Lisa should still be the first to go.

Chase looks disappointed.

Chase: Really? Come on, man, Lisa’s no threat to anyone at this stage. Why would we waste a vote to get rid of her?

Carter: I’m sorry, man. His mind is set. Candy, too. I think it’s too soon, too, as a matter of fact, to take out Mallorie now. She can still help us in challenges like puzzles and stuff. Lisa is just...a nothing factor. Nothing to contribute socially, physically, strategically...she’s a dead weight around camp. The tribe is united in wanting her gone first.

Chase sighs dramatically.

Chase: This just feels like the girls and Eli are jealous that she’s prettier than they are and wasn’t flirting with him.

"vailheu"

- C’mon, Eli, I thought you were supposed to be smart, and a fan of this game! Four is a majority on a tribe of six, what about that don’t you get? Why compromise that and get rid of a number for yourself, to save a girl like Mallorie, who is only ever going to be out for her own skin? It’s an imbecilic move, and made worse still by the fact that I already promised Lisa she was safe tonight, and Mallorie would be the one to go. But numbers are what controls the outcome of Tribal and...we don't have the numbers tonight, thanks to Eli and Carter getting cold feet. I might need to stick the course tonight, for myself. But Mallorie should be the one to go...I’m saying it now in case to foreshadow this biting me in the ass several weeks down the line; Mallorie should’ve been the one to go.

The camera cuts away, and the sun moves across the sky, before cutting back to Mallorie and Carter meeting to talk.

Mallorie: So what’s the news?

Carter: I do think that the most logical option is to take out Lisa.

Mallorie: I thought so too, at first.

"vailheu"

- Lisa is the quintessential first boot player. She does squat to help out around camp. She doesn’t talk to people, except her islander boyfriends Chase and Carter. She’s not a physical asset. She’s ditzy and narcissistic, and her behavior around camp shows that she’s just a stuck-up person in general. She was scared to lift a log the other day, because she stressed that she’d break a nail. Sweetie, this is Survivor, not the Bachelorette. Her flirting “strategy”, if I’m even generous enough to call it a strategy, of getting the alpha males on her side to help her coast on by? It’s not working. No one would’ve protested to her being the first to go, because she did almost everything wrong to start off the season. And yet...now I’m having second thoughts.

Mallorie: I know Chase was trying to get me to be the first to go.

Carter: You heard about that too, huh?

Mallorie: I get it. Really, I know that I’m a huge threat in this game. But I think it would be dumb to get rid of me so easily.

Carter: You don’t need to pitch me. I do want to keep you safe, because right now, we need each other.

Mallorie: Exactly.

Carter: So let’s just get rid of Lisa tonight. I’ve already swayed Chase and got him to back off you.

Mallorie: That’s the thing. I’m thinking...instead of voting for Lisa, why don’t we just get rid of Chase tonight?

The camera cuts to Chase walking up the beach, with Lisa giggling next to him, purposefully checking out his body.

Carter: [eyes widen] What, Chase for tonight?

Mallorie: Let’s be real. He flubbed today’s challenge, hard. He’s the sole reason we lost. If he had just swapped out with someone else, we might’ve stood a chance. His stubborn refusal to give up, to save his own ego, cost us that game. And his archetype of player is meant to be good in these challenges. If he can’t even offer me that, what reason do I have to keep him in, especially knowing that he’s gunning for me?

Carter: But comparing Lisa and Chase, he’s still much bigger of a help to the tribe than she is. The risk…

Mallorie: I don’t feel safe keeping in someone who wants me gone, especially one that was bold enough to suggest it on the first vote. He is directly against me, and I need him gone, or I’m not going to feel good about my position on this tribe. Lisa, we can carry with us. She can’t do anything on her own. She’ll be the easy vote. But I’m not risking Chase flipping Eli or even Candy later on.

Carter groans, rubbing his temples.

Mallorie: Just think about it, Carter. I have your back. You don’t need him. I promise you, this is better for all of us. Orchestrating a move like this unifies the tribe. If we get Eli and Candy on board too, we can turn the tables on him and Lisa.

Later during the day...

Carter heads into the woods with his bag, and as he walks, he sticks his hand in and frowns, pulling out a strange, wrapped object.

Carter: What’s this…?

Carter unfurls the parchment and reveals the Super Idol.

Carter: Congratulations. You have been willed the Super Idol. [gasps] The Super Idol has powers beyond a regular hidden immunity idol. This Super Idol can be played after the votes have been read. It is only valid at the first Tribal Council. After that, it loses all power. This Super Idol was anonymously willed to you by another player in this game.

Carter sputters and breaks off into breathless laughter, grinning and shaking his head.

Carter: Markus, you beautiful bastard. [kisses idol]

"vailheu"

- So it’s tough enough having to decide all this with the deadline of Tribal Council looming over the horizon...and then a new wrench comes along to insert itself into all this madness. I find, in my bag, an object that I’m sure wasn’t there before. Instantly I know...this...this is an advantage of some sort. I already know Markus found the Super Idol. I saw him reel that advantage up to him at today’s Immunity Challenge. He, Bridgette and I were the only ones not blindfolded, and he knows I saw him take it. That means he must’ve gotten this idol, and he chose to gift it to me. I’m...touched, obviously. [chuckling] I didn’t know what it meant for my game to see Markus joining this season as the Champion of Mozambique, and knowing we might be playing with each other once again, but I did know he was a potential ally to work with down the road, past seasons be damned, and him giving me this advantage? It shows that he really is still looking out for me, even on another tribe, and this idol solidifies that we still have a friendship and a possible alliance in the game should we ever meet up later on. And I’m...really grateful.

Carter: [breathless] Oh man. This could really shake things up...damn…

He wanders around the forest for a bit, fondling the idol in his hands, looking conflicted.

"vailheu"

- With this Super Idol in my possession, suddenly this vote gets even more complicated. This is only the first Tribal Council, and already, things are pretty chaotic. From nowhere, Mallorie has set her sights onto Chase once she heard he’d done the same to her. And now, it’s looking like the vote could come down to either him or Lisa going home first tonight. The good news is that it’s not me. But the bad news is, I’m once again, torn between these two people who swore loyalty to me on the very first day. And I’m stuck, having to choose allegiance to one of them. Making a mistake now...could be an error that I can’t recover from, if I make the wrong decision. I’m already like a rubber band being stretched to my limit, forced to have to pick a side between my two warring allies. And now, with a Super Idol? Nothing’s stopping me from giving this to Chase, and letting him save himself from elimination tonight. That way, Lisa goes home, and I don’t get blood on my hands, because Chase could lie about where he got the Super Idol. I want Lisa gone, period. Not Chase or Mallorie. But I know Mallorie wants Chase gone, and I have the power to either help her achieve that, or disrupt her plans for my own goals. It comes down to how I want to handle our new alliance together. Do I stay completely true to Mallorie, or...do I act a little selfish, and save Chase for my own gain? All I know is it comes down to my decision tonight...and I need to be smart about what I do. I haven’t got a Christine to talk me through my thoughts tonight...tonight, Carter’s making his decision alone. And...that can be a scary thing.

The sun dips below the horizon, and the camera cuts to the Vailheu tribe all walking down the beach, before arriving at Tribal Council.

Jeff: Behind each of you is a torch. Grab one, dip it in and get fire.

The six of them move to get their torches and light them.

Jeff: In this game, fire represents life. When your fire is gone, so...are...you.

Everyone puts their torches down and takes their seats.

Jeff: For those of you that are new, welcome to Tribal Council.

Candy pretends to whoop. Eli grins excitedly and Chase nods, smiling.

Jeff: And for those of you who have been here before...welcome back.

Carter chuckles.

Jeff: Mallorie, how has the first three days been for you, returning to the game?

Mallorie: It definitely feels like a much different experience, than playing the first time. Coming into this game, having experience...it’s both a benefit and a boon to me, and to Carter, as returning players.

Jeff: How so?

Mallorie: For starters, obviously, as veterans, we’re more aware of the social and strategic aspects of the game. We know how to navigate a tribe, how to look out for warning signs in people’s behavior, who wants to work with you, who might be a possible threat, little things like that that stand out…

Carter’s eyes flick to her for a split second.

Mallorie: Likewise, we’re also both more prepared for how tough the game can be physically, so adjusting to living out in the wilderness again...is a little less jarring than it might have been before. But all this experience comes at a price, and that price...is, quite literally, a price on both of our heads. Especially mine.

Jeff: You talk about a price on your heads. Do you just mean…?

Mallorie: I mean, that me and Carter are easy pickings. We’re the returning players on a tribe of six. Of course we’re going to stand out. I think me and Carter, and the other four veterans, as a matter of fact, will have an uphill battle because as veterans, it’s easy for newbies to band together and just say, “let’s target the veterans first and get them out, because they don’t need a second chance as much as we need our first.”

Jeff: Carter, do you feel the same way?

Carter: Totally. That’s the risk of coming in with the obvious target on you. But Survivor’s all about adapting to difficult situations so this is...just another obstacle we’ll have to get past.

Jeff: Mallorie, if it really is going to be easy to target the veterans in the game, what sets you and Carter apart?

Mallorie: If it really does come down to me and him, I think the tribe would be more likely to keep him over me. Simply put, he has more to offer in terms of challenge strength in these early few days. Me? I’m more of a strategic threat. It’s easy for people to be intimidated by that.

Jeff: Candy, what do you think of what Mallorie said?

Candy: It’s still the early stages of this game, I mean...this is only the very first Tribal. So everyone’s on the lookout for any reason to vote somebody out because no one wants it to be them that’s the first to go. That would make the two returning players the easy, obvious targets. But there’s always other reasons for someone to go home, so I wouldn’t count Mallorie and Carter out yet.

Jeff: Eli, as Candy said, no one wants to be sent home, and especially not be the first to go. How do you avoid being that person?

Eli: I think that...it’s important to make use of the first three days to form bonds and relationships with people.

Chase nods. Carter swallows.

Eli: If the bonds you form with people are tenuous, then...alliances may not necessarily work out. Alliances are based on trust, after all. You can form alliances with loads of people, but it’s strong relationships that prevail in the end. There are a series of things you can do in the first three days to set yourself up to stay safe if and when you go to Tribal, and then there are things you can do that land you in trouble early on. So I think tonight, the tribe will be voting to take out the weak link among our group to keep us strong and united, and keep us from coming back here again.

Jeff: Lisa, who would be the obvious weak link in this six?

Lisa: [chuckles] Uh...obvious weak link? I don’t know, Jeff...I wouldn’t say there’s too obvious an outsider in this group, yet. I think that...other than what Eli’s saying, there are other reasons to vote someone out tonight.

Mallorie regards her shrewdly. Eli glances at her.

Jeff: Such as…?

Lisa: Well, like you said, uh...earlier...that the veterans Mallorie and Carter, are the easy targets.

Mallorie nods, as if she expected her answer.

Jeff: So is that what you’re basing your vote on tonight? You’re not even gonna hide it?

Lisa: W-Well, I mean...I’m not saying who I’m voting for yet, am I?

She laughs and pretends to hold a finger up to her lips, acting coy. Mallorie suppresses a smirk, an incredulous look taking over her face. Eli is snickering to himself, looking embarrassed.

Jeff: But Lisa, you just said Mallorie and Carter would be the easy targets tonight. What else could you mean?

Lisa: Well, I mean, they said it too. So...I’m just repeating what they said. That doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how I’m voting tonight. ...Right?

Candy suddenly looks extremely tired, rubbing at her left eye. Chase looks solemn, eyes darting over to Lisa.

Jeff: Chase, what do you think would be best for this tribe tonight?

Chase: I think...what’s best for the tribe is to have us stay unified, as much as we possibly can...and that...we walk back to camp tonight, knowing we stuck together, strong, and voted out someone who...is best for all of us to not have around moving forward. It’d be best if our first decision on who to vote off tonight benefits not just our game as a tribe, but our games...individually.

Mallorie scans the floor thoughtfully, contemplating his latest remark. Carter looks at Chase, gulping, clearly thinking hard.

Jeff: Candy, has there been a lot of talk about alliances yet?

Candy: I’m sure there has been, Jeff. Whether or not that includes me is something only for me to know. [laughing] But I do think that alliances will have an impact on the vote, regardless. And once the votes are read and the results are made known, I think alliances will start to solidify then. Because the one good thing to come from Tribal Council...is forging trust with the people who you made promises to...and who made promises to you. It’s a place to prove loyalty to one another, despite the fact that a lot of backstabbing, betrayal and deceit comes to light here.

Carter bites his lip, watching Candy speak. Lisa brushes at her hair absentmindedly. Chase nods in agreement.

Jeff: Alright. There’s been a lot of talk tonight about weak links and outsiders, and it is time to find out who, exactly, is going to be on the wrong side of the numbers tonight. With that, it is time to vote. Mallorie, you’re up.

Mallorie sweeps her hair over her shoulders as she gracefully gets up and begins walking over to the voting booth.

Chase’s eyes follow her as she goes. Lisa is shaking a little in her seat, stretching her arms downwards and casting a worried glance at Carter. Carter stares straight ahead, chin resting on his fists, as the camera fades away to Mallorie’s arrival at the voting booth. She uncaps the pen and puts the tip to paper as the camera cuts away again.

One by one, the others get up to go and vote.

Candy is shown walking to the booth, and Eli is shown arriving, taking a deep breath.

"vailheu"

- Sorry, Lisa, I really wanted to play this game with you. I guess we just hit a little turbulence along the way. You ran out of luck.

The camera cuts to Lisa’s worried expression before fading away.

Carter is shown walking up to the booth, and then the camera cuts to Lisa standing there, writing down Mallorie’s name.

The camera cuts back to Mallorie chewing on the inside of her cheek, then to Chase, his eyes roaming around Tribal Council, before cutting back to Lisa returning and sitting down.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves. Mallorie brushes her hair with one hand, turning to look at Carter. Chase, on the other side, glances over at Carter too. Carter looks down as the camera fades back to Jeff’s return.

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

Eli turns to look at the rest of the tribe.

Carter is chewing on his lower lip, deep in thought. Chase cranes his neck to look for Mallorie.

Mallorie smiles a little, and does nothing more, looking resigned.

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.

He opens the urn.

Candy cocks her head to the right, face expressionless. Chase tongues the inside of his cheek, watching Jeff with a dark look.

Jeff: First vote...Lisa. (1-0)

Lisa takes a deep breath, the fire casting shadows over her face. Chase nods seriously, his face grave.

Jeff: Mallorie. (1-1)

Mallorie’s mouth twitches into a sly smile, and she flips her hair behind her shoulder.

Jeff: Chase. We’re tied. One vote Lisa, one vote Mallorie, one vote Chase. (1-1-1)

Chase frowns, chewing on his lower lip. Mallorie looks calm, leaning back in her seat.

Carter glances at Chase, then back at Jeff.

Jeff: Chase. That’s two votes Chase. (2-1-1)

Chase scowls, shaking his head, one hand perched on his hip.

Eli is smirking behind his hand, leaning away from Chase to gage his reaction.

Mallorie smiles confidently, eyes on the back of his head. Carter’s mouth solidifies into a tight line, and he looks on with a hint of resolve in his gaze.

Jeff: First person voted out of Survivor: Champions and Contenders...Chase. You need to bring me your torch. (Final Tally: 4-1-1)

Chase lets out a barely perceptible gasp, turning to cast Carter an incredulous look.

Chase: [scoffs] Wow. Really, bro?

Shaking his head, he slowly gets to his feet. Carter swallows, watching him with a reproachful gaze...and does nothing. Lisa looks up at Chase, eyes wide and a dark expression on her face.

Chase: Foolish, foolish move…

He steps behind to grab his torch. Mallorie’s smile hasn’t disappeared and she rolls her eyes up to the sky.

Eli hunches over in his seat, not taking his deviously glinting eyes off Chase as the latter walks up to Jeff and puts his torch down.

Jeff: Chase, the tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch] Time for you to go.

Chase looks over his shoulder.

Chase: That was not smart, guys. Nooot smart.

Candy pouts mischievously, glancing to Mallorie, who is rolling her eyes even more obviously as Chase turns back and leaves.

Carter sighs, looking guilty as Chase walks out of Tribal Council. Lisa still looks confused, raising an eyebrow at him.

Mallorie has the ghost of a wry smile on her face, as she turns back to face Jeff, looking satisfied.

Jeff: First Tribal Council...first voteout. Let’s hope, for your sake, that you won’t have to come back here a second time, and that your decision tonight...really was for the best. Grab your things and head on back to camp. Goodnight.

Final Words
Chase: Great first move, guys…[sarcastically claps hands] what a greaaat move. Voting me out first is absolutely going to spell this group's downfall. In these first few days of the game, you NEED strong players like me to keep you away from Tribal Council. It's as simple as that. You can't survive without physically strong players. And Carter, if you wanna be Mallorie's new goat or pack mule for the rest of the season and not get out from under her thumb, then be my guest. They made a boneheaded move tonight. And...it's going to cost them when one of them shows up to join me in purgatory three days later.

Next Time on Survivor...

 * Bridgette breaks down…

Bridgette is shown crying on the rocks away from camp, with Drew and Constance sitting near her, comforting her.

Bridgette: [crying] I’ve had to endure comments like that ever since Seychelles but it’s completely different hearing it said out loud instead of reading it on a screen…


 * Mallorie and Lisa prepare for war.

Mallorie is talking quietly with Lisa in the forest.

Mallorie: I don’t like that. I don’t approve of the way that you sit around camp, do nothing...and expect to have everyone do all the work for you.

Lisa raises an eyebrow at her and says nothing.

Mallorie: It’s not fair to the rest of us. You need to pitch in too.

Lisa scowls at Mallorie's retreating back as the latter leaves.

Lisa: Who does this girl even think she is, to lecture ME?


 * And an idol hunt draws the line in the sand on Mwali…

Blake is talking with Maverick and Hazel at the edge of the forest.

Blake: Are they…?

Maverick: Yeah. They’re looking right now.

Deep in the forest, Markus and Erin are hunting around.

Erin: Found anything?

Markus: No…

He looks around to make sure they are alone.

Markus: It is do or die...we NEED to find this idol, or we’re toast.