Turning Loyal Soldiers Into Traitors

Turning Loyal Soldiers Into Traitors is the final episode of Survivor: Seychelles - Battle Of The Sexes.

Story
Jeff: Welcome to the season finale of Survivor: Seychelles! We are live in Los Angeles for tonight’s two-hour season finale!

He is greeted by cheering and applause from the live studio audience.

Jeff: Tonight, one of the final five remaining castaways will win a million dollars and be crowned the winner of Survivor: Seychelles, followed immediately by our live reunion show, where we’ll have all 16 castaways who were on the show out on stage to ask them questions. It is a big night; reach out to us on Twitter and your tweet may be shown live on the show.

More cheering and applause ensues.

Jeff: Let’s get to the show! We started out with 16 castaways, and now we’re down to just 5 – Bridgette, Greta, Graham, Mallorie and Sasha!


 * Survivor is an arduous journey, where castaways have to battle the elements of Mother Nature, the social politics of the game, and each other, to fight over 39 days for a million dollars and the prized title of Sole Survivor!


 * This season, the tribes were initially split by gender.


 * On the male-dominated tribe, self-proclaimed tribe leader Abraham emerged, forming a majority alliance of five that quickly crumbled and saw two of its members going home early on.

Jeff: Logan…

Jef: Sven…

Sven snorts, shaking his head.

Jeff: Your tribe has spoken.


 * Graham came under fire from his tribemates for not contributing around camp, and frequently got grief from Brandy and Sven.

Brandy: You know, Graham, you need to start pulling your weight around camp.

Graham: I’m sorry?

Brandy: You don’t really help out much.

Kim looks up at the pair of them, looking incredulous. Dillan’s eyes are flickering back and forth between the two men.

Brandy: I do not respect the fact that you’ve been sitting around, looking sorry for yourself, these past two days. You are not helping out. I’m just trying to give you a little friendly wake up call here. If you’re not going to help out, then you might as well just join the girls, because we don’t need or want slackers here.

"seuntjie"

- I know guys like Brandy, I know his type. He’s the kind of guy that’s all about masculinity, about strength and testosterone and chivalry and chauvinism and being a big, strong, tough alpha male. I am everything that he’s not, and I can’t see us ever getting along. And with me being on a tribe with him, that clash in personalities could spell my doom.


 * On the girls’ side, Mallorie formed her own alliance, most closely with Bridgette, Mary-Anne and Greta.

Bridgette: Yeah, I mean…us four could be strong moving forward.

Mary-Anne: I’d be down for that, I mean…it’s not a majority but we could be a lowkey foursome.

Mallorie: I’m a hundred percent for it, if y’all are.

Greta: I would absolutely be an advocate for that.


 * The foursome’s biggest opponent was Felicity, whose over-strategizing and scrappy gameplay made her an early target, and saw her clashing and butting heads mostly with Mallorie.

"meisie"

- Mallorie thinks herself the Queen Bee, and I want to overthrow her so badly.


 * When the tribes swapped, Graham got away from his tormentors and was able to form new relationships with Dillan, and an alliance with the girls.


 * Felicity’s attempts to get the girls to stay together and target the boys backfired both times.

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


 * And Mallorie sent her biggest target out of the game before the merge.


 * When both tribes merged, Abraham and Mallorie went head-to-head with their competing alliances.

"redneg"

- Abraham is targeting me, because he’s threatened by me. And it’s not good news to know my name’s been tossed out there, at the start of the merge. It’s on. We’re out to get the other.


 * And Mallorie came out on top, yet again.

Jeff: Abraham, your tribe has spoken.


 * From that moment on, Mallorie continued to be a target.

Brandy: Mallorie… She. Needs. To. Go. Stat.

"redneg"

- I always knew we’d all want to get rid of Mallorie at some point. I just don’t like her. But beyond that, she is a threat.


 * But attempt after attempt to take her out failed, one after the other.

Jeff: Mary-Anne…

Jeff: Brandy…

Jeff: Dillan...your tribe has spoken.


 * And now, the game is left with only 5 players.

Bridgette - for the past month, she has made her social game a priority and in a season of frequent fights and constant drama, she has failed to piss anyone off. She has played closely alongside her best friend and ally Mallorie, but has stuck to the shadows, letting her meat shield take all the heat while she made strategic decisions from under-the-radar. She has had to made tough choices and big moves in the game, such as flipping on her original ally Mary-Anne, and even daring to go to rocks, sending her crush Dillan to the jury. And she has yet to receive a single vote against her. Now, with one final stretch left, will her social game and under-the-radar strategy pay off?

"redneg"

- Making it to the Final Five on Survivor is a huge feat! I would never have believed you if you told me I’d be sitting here today, but I am, and it hasn’t come without my fair share of risky moments and emotional betrayals. But I’m here to play and I’m not giving up and I’m only getting more excited as we get closer and closer to that Final Tribal Council.

Graham - this self-proclaimed Survivor super-duper-superfan was almost voted off in fifteenth place. But after finding his footing in the game, aligning with the women and making a new best friend in Dillan, he has been able to grow and overcome his own personal insecurities, not only outlasting the people who have bullied and tormented him, but even finding it in his heart to forgive and work with them for the sake of advancing and bettering his own game. Now, having lost his best friend Dillan at the last Tribal Council, he is the last male standing in the game. Will his personal growth garner him respect? Or will he ultimately come up short?

"redneg"

- I could’ve been the first person voted off of my tribe, and instead, I’ve actually made it all the way here. I outlasted all the other guys on my tribe, which is something I didn’t think possible. It’s a dream come true to have made it on Survivor, to have made it to the finale was nothing short of a miracle. The fanboy in me is having a field day, and I don’t care what people will say about me and my game, I’m just going to fight and have a hell of a time.

Greta - the oldest woman on the season has had one of the most emotional journeys of everyone on the cast. She is here, fighting in the cutthroat game that so goes against her kind and motherly nature to make her family proud. Like Graham, she has evolved from being one of the weaker players in the beginning and has made her way to the end with her closest allies. Can she prove her naysayers wrong, or will she be underestimated to the bitter end?

"redneg"

- Seeing my daughter...it was just the motivation I need to make it through these last few days. I know they’re rooting me on and...I’m so close! I don’t believe it, but I am! And I can hardly breathe because I’m still in shock! One way or another, I’m coming out of this experience a better person.

Sasha - since her allies Abraham and Brandy were targeted at the merge, she has watched as several of her post-swap allies went home one after the other. Now, this single mom is the only one left from nuMeisie, and the ultimate underdog remaining in the game, going up against a strong solid alliance of women that want her gone. Not afraid to be blunt and speak her mind, Sasha is determined not to go down without a fight. Can she beat the odds and claw her way to the end?

"redneg"

- How in the world am I still here? This is amazing. I can almost hear the jury cheering me on and to get rid of Mallorie already and I’m going to fight tooth and nail to make some magic happen. People didn’t think I could last this far; hmph, guess I proved them wrong.

Mallorie - for weeks, Mallorie has been seen as the biggest strategic mastermind in the game and has been soaking up votes over and over, as several have tried to take her out. However, having a loyal alliance of both girls and guys, and an idol, and winning a couple individual immunities, have kept her in the running thus far. Will it be enough? Or will her time finally come? Will the jury respect her for dictating votes or will she be seen as a tyrant?

"redneg"

- For most of this game, I’ve been a powerful force. I went into this game guns blazing, unafraid to play as hard and as scrappily as I needed to. They thrust me into the role of the leader, even from the very beginning, and I have how far I’ve made it today to show for it. Bring on the tribal councils because I have one goal on my mind and that’s to make it to the end and I’m not stopping for anybody or anything until I get there.


 * It’s the grand finale of Seychelles - Battle of the Sexes!

Night 33
The grand finale begins with the tribe again returning home after Tribal Council.

Graham looks crestfallen, as he puts his torch by the tree, and sinks down into the shelter.

Graham: That was insane.

Mallorie: That was one for the books.

Greta walks over to Bridgette and gives her a hug.

Greta: Thank you for keeping me.

Bridgette: [patting her on the back] Don’t worry about it.

Greta: [sniff] I was so scared, you had no idea...

Bridgette: [slight laugh] I might know what you mean…

"redneg"

- I run the risk of sounding like a broken record at this point but...Tribal Council was insane. It feels like each Tribal gets crazier and crazier with each passing day. Dillan...he, and Graham, and I...we all went to rocks. It sucks cause I genuinely liked them both. I wanted Sasha to go home, not either of them! But...I’m going to have to harden my heart a little. I’m too soft. Dillan...he knew we would go to rocks. He wanted to let it happen. So...it is what it is. You can’t take that moment back.

Mallorie: That took guts, Bridge.

Bridgette notices Graham looking lonely.

Bridgette: You okay, Graham?

Graham: Yeah...I just can’t believe it…

"redneg"

- I never in a million years thought I’d one day be drawing rocks on Survivor. Well...I did...and I survived to tell the tale...but it wasn’t without loss. Dillan, probably my best friend out on the island...he’s gone. I knew it was a possibility I’d be coming back to this camp without him but not under these circumstances, not with him leaving the way he did. And this just sucks because now Mallorie’s more in power than ever. She needs to be taken care of quick, because the Final Tribal’s drawing near and I want to be there, and that’s not happening with her around. Dillan’s gone now so it’s time for me to pick up the pace and push the game in a direction I want it to go, by myself.

Mallorie is consoling Greta, who is shaking a little, still. Sasha is off by herself, down at the beach again, looking out at the water.

Graham beckons to Bridgette, and the two walk away a short distance in the dark to talk.

Graham: Tonight was the worst case scenario. I don’t know if you realize that.

Bridgette: At least you’re still here...I’m still here-

Graham: No, you don’t get it. We needed Dillan. You think I don’t know he’s a threat? You think I don’t know he stood a good shot at winning this whole thing? I do, but he was the only one of us who stood a chance against Mallorie in challenges. With him gone, who’s going to stop her from winning the last two challenges and making it to the end? Dillan could’ve given her a run for her money, Greta can’t. We needed Dillan to help beat Mallorie in challenges. Unless you really do want to go to the end with Mallorie…

"redneg"

- Dillan was cute and all, and I really did fancy him. I enjoyed having him around camp like he was my flirt buddy. [laughs] But...you know...he tried to make a move, and it backfired. I think he’ll respect that it’s in the name of the game and that when [censored] hits the fan, it really hits the fan. [laughs] I feel bad for him, still, and I feel bad for Graham because he just lost his best friend and he’s going to have to deal with that, and so will I. Having Dillan out of the picture...in a way, it does bring me a bit of relief because he was a huge physical threat. Now...I’d say Mallorie’s the biggest threat left on the board.

Graham: We HAVE to get Mallorie out next, please! Mallorie and Sasha, they both have to go, Bridgette, you have to be able to see that! Okay, I need you with me on this.

Bridgette: We will. Okay? I’m hearing you. Just...trust me.

Mallorie sits Greta down in the shelter, peering off into the distance where Graham and Bridgette stand a distance away, talking.

Mallorie: That was rough.

Greta: Where’s Bridgette?

Mallorie: Consoling Graham, I think.

Greta: [sighs, putting head in hands] I still can’t believe I nearly went home tonight.

Mallorie: I know what you mean.

Greta: And that Bridgette would go to rocks for me?

Mallorie: We talked about getting here from the start. We’re so close to the end, Greta, I can taste it. We just need to get over the hill.

"redneg"

- With Dillan gone, there goes my biggest competition for the win, but also my biggest meat shield. I need to watch my step moving forward because I know I’m only a few days away from getting a seat at the Final Tribal but one slip up, and it’s over for me. It’s knowing how close I am to that my ultimate goal that really has me on edge because I can almost see it within my reach and I’m still not there yet and I know at any moment, it could all end for me. That’s why I’m afraid.

Mallorie: The game’s almost over...it’ll all be worth it in the end.

Greta: I hope so.

Day 34
When Graham awakes the next morning, Sasha is coming back up the beach with a fish dangling from her hand.

Sasha: I caught breakfast.

Graham: Nice.

He sits up straighter as Sasha squats down.

Sasha: I’m really not that good of an angler. It was always Dillan or Brandy that’d go out to get food.

Graham: Or Abraham.

Sasha: Him too.

Graham: [sheepishly] The best I can do is watch them.

Sasha: You used to head out on the waters with Dillan in the boat, didn’t you? You never picked up any tricks.

Graham: I’m not really the hands-on type.

Sasha: Yeah...I can see that.

"redneg"

- With Dillan gone, camp life feels lonelier. I mean, he was our main provider, honestly. He kept us fed. Me? I’ve already been told plenty of times I’m useless out here. The best I can do is make fire, because I practiced over and over even before coming out here. Fishing? Not exactly my forte, though I respect it. That was always Dillan, as usual…

Sasha: Where are they?

Graham: You mean Mallorie and them all? I think Greta’s got business, and Mallorie went to get coconuts with Bridgette.

Sasha is cutting up the fish, her eyes droopy. She looks haggard.

Sasha: I miss my sons.

Graham blinks.

Graham: What?

Sasha: I’ve got two sons, back home.

Graham: [splutters] I didn’t know.

Sasha: I never told you.

Graham: I don’t get it. We all introduced ourselves when we met, at the merge or at the swap or at the start. You said you didn’t have children.

Sasha: Well, that was a secret. I only told the people I trusted the most, like Brandy. Don’t let this get to your head, but I guess since it’s just us against the world now, I might as well tell you.

"redneg"

- It is so bizarre that only a few days ago, Sasha was shouting across the challenge arena at me and now she’s supposedly entrusting me with what she claims is a guarded secret, and secrets is currency in this game. I guess it’s a good way to build rapport between us but still it’s coming really late and long overdue. With only a few days left in this game, I guess she sees there’s really no point left in hiding this. Our personal relationship might be icy but in this game, we’re being forced to work together and neither of us are strangers to that kind of partnership. We need each others’ votes so I can understand why Sasha told me. She’s an oddball, for one, but I can see why she is the way she is.

Sasha: I can’t wait to see my boys again.

Graham: Given all that Greta’s been moaning about her own family, I guess I expected that to be the norm. You’ve barely mentioned your own family to anyone else, I guess to know you’re a mom too’s coming as a shock.

Sasha: Funny, that me and Brandy would torment you so much and we’re both single parents.

She pokes at the fire, as she sets the pan of cut-up fish slices above it.

Sasha: Listen, let’s just put aside any personal bad blood, alright? I yelled at you, I was mean, and so was Brandy, but...this game’s gonna be over in a few weeks. I didn’t expect to make it this far, I never did, and I certainly never thought I’d get by what happened last night. But I did. And as depressing as it is seeing Mallorie thwart my attempts to get her out again and again, and watching all my allies go before me...I’m in this for my family. I’m not giving up. I need you to respect that.

Graham is silent, before speaking.

Graham: I do.

Sasha: Good. Then we need to be on the same page about this. Mallorie has to go. Correct?

Graham: Of course.

Sasha: Try your hardest in the next immunity challenge. Okay? Try your absolute hardest...and we’ll get her out if she’s not safe.

Graham: We still need numbers. Mallorie’s got Bridgette and Greta tight to her.

Sasha: We keep trying to find the weak link. As long as we persist...I’ll know we didn’t just lay down and die. I hate a quitter.

"redneg"

- I still cannot believe I got two people who were not on my side to begin with to draw rocks for me. That is the part I still can scarcely believe. It blows my mind, you know? And, yeah, okay, granted, it was more Dillan’s doing than anything because Graham was terrified and probably would not have been willing to risk his life in this game he loves so much for a person he very clearly will not be sending Christmas cards to in me, but...and it being Dillan to have gone home? Brutal. Yeah, he was a threat, and I was gunning for him before, and I would’ve gunned for him later on eventually too...but he took my fatal bullet. It was gutsy. And...I won’t lie, I feel a little bit of guilt. I feel like I’m a bad person, or worse still, that I’m going to end up a goat, because that’s two people now who’ve been eliminated from this game because they tried to save me: him, and Mary-Anne. I’ve nearly gone home four times in a row and each time, someone else has been blindsided in my stead. And it’s all been Mallorie’s work. She’s turned into my biggest enemy in this game.

Sasha: Mallorie has to go. Period. Her and her two little allies...it’s just too much.

The scene fades away, and cuts to an overhead shot of the island.

Jeff: Come on in, guys!

The Redneg tribe troops on in for their next reward challenge.

Jeff: You guys ready to get to today’s challenge? For today’s challenge, you will race to dig up bags in the sand, connected by a rope. Once you have all five bags, release the balls inside and manuever them through a table maze. First person to get all five balls to the end of the maze win reward. Want to know what you’re playing for?

Bridgette: Yes sir.

Jeff: The winner will be taken by helicopter to a nearby hilltop, where they will get to enjoy a picnic feast.

Graham whistles. Bridgette looks on longingly.

Jeff: Worth playing for? We’ll draw for spots, and get started.

Everyone is in position.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

The five castaways drop to their knees and begin frantically digging, scooping out sand and tossing it aside.

Sasha is moving with unbridled ferocity, shovelling sand over her shoulder as fast as she can. The muscles in Mallorie’s arms are bulging as she digs into the sand like an animal.

Jeff: Find your first bag and the rope and start pulling the rest of them up! Thirty-four days in, and this food could make a difference in the immunity challenges! You want to give it everything you’ve got!

Mallorie digs up her rope and gets to her feet.

Jeff: Mallorie with her first bag!

Sasha is quick to follow, huffing and puffing as she tugs on her rope.

Jeff: Sasha, right behind!

Mallorie is running, pulling the rope along with her, freeing a second bag. Bridgette digs up her bag too and takes flight.

Jeff: Bridgette with her first bag!

Sasha unearths her second bag and keeps pulling on her rope frantically.

Jeff: Graham with his first bag! Greta with her first bag! You’ve got to dig deep if you want to catch up!

Graham and Greta are both rushing to follow the others.

Jeff: Mallorie has her fourth bag! Sasha with her third! Bridgette with her second! Everyone’s getting their bags!

Mallorie grunts and tugs out her fifth bag.

Jeff: Mallorie with all five bags! She can start working on her maze!

Sasha tugs, clutching her rope, and pulls out her fourth bag from within the sand with effort.

Jeff: Sasha has her fourth bag! Bridgette, Graham, and Greta, falling out of it!

Mallorie reaches her maze, and is now depositing her balls out onto the table.

Jeff: Mallorie getting to work on her maze! Everyone else is trying to catch Mallorie!

Sasha gets to her maze, Bridgette right behind her.

Mallorie is already maneuvering her balls through the maze. She gets one ball in.

Jeff: Mallorie with her first ball! It is Mallorie blowing the rest away with a commanding lead!

Graham is now running to the maze with his balls. Greta is still left behind, cursing silently to herself.

Jeff: Everyone working on their maze except Greta!

The music amps up the intensity as Mallorie’s second ball inches closer and closer to one of the four remaining holes. She dips her maze forward, and scores her second point.

Jeff: Mallorie with two balls! Everyone else is still left in the dust!

Sasha is laying her balls out, rushing to manipulate the maze. Bridgette is doing the same, flustered, trying to stay composed.

Jeff: Greta still trying to get her last bag! She is way behind!

Mallorie is biting her tongue between her teeth, as her balls gets perilously closer to her third hole.

She dips her table maze forward, and the ball just narrowly misses the hole.

Jeff: Oh! Mallorie misses, giving the rest a window to catch up!

Sasha is trying to be precise but is falling apart, as she misses her hole. Bridgette is going slow but steady, as her ball makes its way through the maze.

Mallorie is putting her ball back into place, as Bridgette smoothly eases her first ball in.

Jeff: Bridgette with one ball! It is Bridgette and Mallorie, vying for reward!

Sasha: Damn it.

Graham is getting to work on his maze too.

Jeff: Greta finally at the maze with her bags!

Mallorie is moving her third ball down the maze as Greta finally reaches her table.

Jeff: Mallorie is close…and she scores! Mallorie with three balls, Bridgette right behind, trying to catch up! Sasha, Graham and Greta, falling out of it!

Sasha is doing awful, as her lead is crumbling. Moving too fast or too impatiently, her ball almost always slides off. With each botched attempt, her face gets redder and redder.

Graham’s hands are trembling a little too much.

Jeff: Mallorie with her fourth ball! She is unstoppable!

Bridgette sinks in her second ball, looking determined to win.

Jeff: Bridgette with her second ball!

Graham lands his first ball, and breathes a huge sigh.

Jeff: Graham with his first ball! But is it too late?

Greta is just getting her bags open, as Mallorie tips her final ball into her final hole.

Jeff: Mallorie wins reward!

Mallorie steps back from her maze coolly, triumphant. Bridgette goes over to pat her on the back. Greta looks bummed. Sasha is wiping sweat off her chin with the hem of her shirt, looking ticked off.

Jeff: Mallorie, come on over.

She joins him.

Jeff: So, you’ve got a lovely hilltop picnic feast, and a breathtaking ride on the helicopter to go along with it. Choose one person to join you.

Mallorie takes a deep breath, looking down the row of faces.

Greta looks on pleadingly. Bridgette raises an eyebrow a little. Graham has his arms folded, not even trying.

Mallorie: Can I take two people with me?

Jeff: Pick one person first.

Mallorie: [sighs] Okay, I’ll pick...Greta.

Greta’s face breaks out into a relieved grin.

Greta: Thank you, Mallorie.

She comes over to join Mallorie, as Bridgette pats her on the back too.

Jeff: You wanted to pick one more person? You get your wish. Choose one more.

Mallorie: I’ll take Bridgette.

Bridgette nods, smiling, as she goes to join the two ladies. Graham and Sasha are left standing on the mat, both unsurprised.

Jeff: Alright, you three are going to be picked up in the chopper and taken to the hilltop for your reward. Enjoy.

He turns back to Graham and Sasha.

Jeff: As for the two of you, got nothing for you. Head on back to camp.

They stoop down to grab their things and leave.

"redneg"

- Surprise surprise, Mallorie picks her two best buds to go with her on reward. No one saw that coming at all; I ain’t even mad.

The girls climb onto the helicopter and it begins to take off.

Bridgette is whooping and looking out the window as the helicopter hovers over the islands. Mallorie is putting on her headphones, smiling serenely.

Greta: This is beautiful…

Bridgette: Are you seeing this, Mal?

Mallorie: Yeah, totally.

"redneg"

- I know my options for getting to the end are slim. Sasha’s not working with me, and Graham’s not working with me. So I need now, more than ever, to cement this Final Three deal between me and my girls, Greta and Bridge, and make sure it’s airtight to get me through these last few days. I didn’t just bring them because they were my friends. I did it strategically. Sasha’s not gonna suddenly save me and have us be best buds if I give her a hot meal. There was no other option for me, clearly.

The helicopter begins to land and the girls get out on the hilltop, where a picnic table awaits them, laden with an assortment of food. The trio sit down and begin to feast.

Greta is stuffing a large sandwich into her mouth, chewing happily, as Mallorie swallows and begins to talk.

Mallorie: So, just so we’re clear on this and on the same page...Sasha goes home next?

Bridgette: Absolutely. She’s gotta go.

Greta: No question.

Mallorie: Final Three, girls.

Meanwhile, back at camp, spirits are low.

The camera zooms in on a coconut lying in the sand, as a machete comes flying out of nowhere, cleaving into the brown husk.

Sasha is busy hacking into the coconut with unbridled ferocity. Graham is lying in the shelter, watching her, bored.

Sasha: And this…[huff]...is for Mallorie…

She gives the coconut another hack.

Sasha: I say (censored) the three of them. Pieces of (censored) with this cliquish bull(censored), I’ll show them…

Graham smiles dryly.

"redneg"

- Back at camp, Sasha was understandably peeved about the whole reward situation. But this kind of thing happens all the time, it’s quite common, really. A group of people banding together like this, I mean...it really wasn’t much of a surprise to me. I’ve been used to this kind of thing my whole life.

Sasha gets to her feet, panting heavily, red in the face. She looks around.

Sasha: Idol.

Graham: What?

Sasha: We should be looking for the idol. Quickly, while there’s still time.

"redneg"

- This is the perfect opportunity to look for the idol without having to fear about being stopped by those three at any moment. An idol could be the last thing that saves me or Graham in this game and he’s sitting on his ass doing nothing! I’ve got to find it because I know I’m next in line for execution. It’s as Mallorie says: desperate people do desperate things. And I am very desperate.

Sasha is hightailing it into the woods, running helter-skelter, like a bat outta hell.

She’s looking inside tree stumps, under bushes, digging holes and the camera cuts to her running all around the beach, out into the water, checking under boulders, poking around the well and tree mail and even digging under the tribe flag.

Graham looks tired but is searching too, albeit half-heartedly, but still trying.

Sasha: Damn...no luck.

Graham: I just hope this doesn’t mean one of them already has it.

Day 35
The next day, the girls are back.

Mallorie is sitting up, and is watching Sasha from afar. The latter is still on her futile idol hunt, not even bothering to hide it this time.

"redneg"

- I know Sasha’s been looking for the idol. I don’t blame her. I’ve been trying to find this idol for the longest time, and I’ve still gotten no luck. And it’s reached the point where I’m starting to consider other options. I need some form of an insurance policy to guarantee my safety because there’s really nothing stopping Bridgette and Greta from deciding to finally turn their backs on me and cut me loose, especially given that we’ve established now more than ever that I am the person to beat. I’ve tried to make them feel like they need to bring me to the end, but I, for one, don’t think they’ll be that fooled. An idol would’ve guaranteed me a spot in the Final Four but without one, I’ll have to be resourceful.

The camera cuts to Mallorie, crouched down and hiding behind a bunch of bushes. She is kneeling over a set of materials.

"redneg"

- For a few days, I’ve been scavenging some materials. A little bit of twine, some stray string from the hammock, a couple beads from one of Lydia’s necklaces that she left behind, a few tufts taken from Graham’s jacket - I’m no master craftswoman but I can do something basic in the free time I have on this island. The winner of this game is going to be a jack-of-all-trades. I’m proving that even without an advantage in the game, I can fake it until I make it.

Mallorie plops down next to Bridgette in the shelter.

The camera cuts to Sasha, who is now digging around in the campfire with the machete, poking at ash and smoldering remains of last night’s fire.

Discreetly, never taking her eyes off Sasha, to ensure her nemesis is out of earshot, Mallorie nudges Bridgette.

Mallorie: [whispering] I found it.

Bridgette: [blinks] What?

Realization dawns on her.

Bridgette: [whispering] For real?

Mallorie: [whispering] Yeah.

She briefly opens her bag, giving Bridgette a glimpse of the fake idol, before closing it quickly.

Mallorie: I can’t let you-know-who see it.

"redneg"

- I used the idol to try and scare Bridgette. Do I trust her and Greta? Yes, but to an extent. Eventually, they may realize they might not beat me at the end. And so, I need to try and scare them into being loyal. I’m trying to pretend like I can’t let her look at and inspect the idol too long in case Sasha sees us but really I just don’t want her to realize it’s fake, since, frankly, it’s shoddy work. [laughs] But it’s the best I could’ve done.

Bridgette: That’s crazy impressive, girl.

Mallorie shushes her playfully, indicating Sasha with a jerk of the head.

Mallorie: At least she don’t have it. We’re cool for the next vote.

Bridgette nods, but looks troubled all the same.

"redneg"

- Mallorie’s telling me that she’s found the idol! And it’s like, how does this girl do all this? She’s a beast, she’s got no Off switch! And this also kinda thwarts my plans a little because I honestly would not have been against the idea of joining Graham in voting Mallorie out. It was a possibility I was toying with. He is going to flip out when he finds this out. But maybe her finding this idol is a sign from fate that I should go with my gut and get rid of Sasha like I wanted to. Mallorie’s a threat, yes, but so is Sasha. This idol may put an end to this debate, one way or another, as to what move I should make at the next Tribal.

Day 36
Jeff: Come on in, guys!

In walks the small tribe of five.

The four women and sole man take their places on the golden mat.

Jeff: You guys ready to get to today’s challenge?

There is a smattering of “Yeah”s and “Yes”es.

Jeff: First things first, Mallorie, I will take it back.

Mallorie steps up to the plate as Jeff takes the necklace off her.

Jeff: Immunity is back up for grabs! For today’s challenge, you will race out and count the number of items at six different stations. You will use these numbers to solve a combination lock. First person to solve their combination lock and use the pole released to break their colored tile will win immunity. You know the drill by now. Losers - tribal council tonight, vulnerable, where, with only five people left in the game, immunity is more important than ever, and one of you will be voted out this close to the end as the sixth member of the jury. We’ll draw for spots and get started.

Everyone stands on their individual mats.

Jeff: Alright, for immunity! Survivors ready? Go!

The five of them race out to the six individual stations at the other end of the beach. There is a station full of crabs scuttling around and over one another, another station with rocks piled up on top of one another, a station with several different colored and patterned wooden masks, a station of interlocked bamboo poles, a station of multicolored buoys and a station of fish traps stacked on top of each other.

Jeff: With only a few days left to go in this game, this challenge will test the extent of damage the game and living in the wilderness has done to you both physically and mentally.

The castaways are gathered around the stations, counting. Bridgette is muttering under her breath, focused. Mallorie’s gaze is intensely roving across the six stations, pointing at items and counting mentally.

Sasha looks like she is having a headache. Graham is bent over, counting slowly, using his fingers.

Jeff: Not only will you have to sprint back and forth from the stations to your lock boxes, you have to memorize the numbers, and you won’t know if you have them right or wrong either!

Mallorie is first to turn tail and start running back.

Jeff: Mallorie heading back the way she came!

A short while later, Bridgette follows, and Sasha begins sprinting back as well, determined not to let Mallorie get a headstart.

Jeff: Bridgette and Sasha heading back!

Mallorie returns to her lockbox and begins inputting a couple numbers. Bridgette and Sasha are back and do the same.

Jeff: Graham and Greta are still counting!

Greta looks thoroughly puzzled. Graham is counting out loud, muttering under his breath.

Mallorie begins running back, having only memorized a couple numbers.

Bridgette turns around after inputting her few numbers too, and so does Sasha. The three ladies hightail it back to continue counting.

Graham now starts running back with his numbers.

Jeff: People are running back and forth, between counting, memorizing and inputting their numbers. How many numbers can you remember? How much wear and tear have you endured over the past month? Has the game taken its toll on you? After spending so long in the wilderness, even simple memorization becomes a challenge.

Graham inputs more numbers than the other three, but has to head back too.

This goes on for a while, as the girls and Graham take turns running back and forth between the stations and their combination locks.

Mallorie is back first with her last two numbers, her hair a mess. She begins putting in the last of her combination.

Jeff: Mallorie trying her combination! Will it work?

Mallorie tries the combination but it fails.

Jeff: No! Mallorie is wrong! She’s got to head back! It is anyone’s game!

Bridgette returns, and so does Graham, overtaking Sasha.

Jeff: Bridgette trying a combination!

It fails.

Jeff: Bridgette is wrong! Head back!

Graham tries, and is wrong too.

Jeff: Graham is wrong!

Sasha tries and pulls but the lock remains locked.

Sasha: Grr!

Jeff: Sasha is wrong!

Greta is heading back to her lock, still counting on her fingers, looking lost, and wheezing. She puts in her final number and pulls, to no avail.

Jeff: Greta is wrong! Everyone has counted at least one number wrongly! This could take a while…

Sure enough, the rest of the challenge devolves into a montage of the remaining contestants running back and forth between the stations and their combination locks.

Jeff: Mallorie is wrong! Bridgette is wrong! Sasha is wrong! Graham is wrong!

Greta has given up on running and is now walking slowly back to recount at the stations after her fifth failed attempt.

Jeff: Mallorie is coming back again! She counted and recounted each station once and has gone back and forth multiple times. Will her hard work pay off? Or is she still missing a crucial point?

Mallorie begins inputting another combination, moving her value for “Crabs” up by one digit.

Behind her, Graham is heading back up the beach, and Bridgette is racing past him, looking determined.

Jeff: This could be it! Does someone have it?

Mallorie tries her lock again, and it fails. She slams the table, looking pissed, as she runs back.

Jeff: No! Mallorie’s got it wrong again!

Bridgette and Graham both get back to their locks, and both get to inputting another code.

Jeff: Bridgette’s trying a code!

Bridgette pulls but her lock doesn’t budge.

Jeff: Bridgette is wrong!

Graham tugs on his pole and it comes loose!

Jeff: Graham’s got it!

Graham smashes his tile and it shatters into several pieces.

Jeff: Graham wins immunity!

Graham is panting, as he tosses the pole to the floor. Bridgette looks over, looking a little disappointed, but she smiles and heads over to pat him on the back.

Sasha is trotting back up the beach, sweat trickling down her face.

Greta is standing by her station, looking left out.

Greta: Good job, Graham.

Everyone returns to the mat.

Jeff: Graham, come on over.

Graham stands beside Probst, a big grin on his face.

Jeff: [putting the necklace on] Graham - safe at tonight’s tribal council. As for the rest of you…

The camera pans down the line.

Bridgette is squinting at Probst. Mallorie has her hands on her hips, looking serious, and Sasha’s arms are crossed as she stands away from the others.

Jeff: Mallorie, Bridgette, Greta, and Sasha - one of you will be voted out tonight and become the sixth member of the jury, and with the end so close in sight, you do not want to make the wrong choice on who to send home. See you guys tonight at tribal. [slaps Graham on the back] Congrats.

Graham thanks him as the group prepares to leave.

"redneg"

- This first immunity could not have come at a better time. To actually win an immunity challenge on Survivor, it’s a dream come true. It’s like I keep ticking off checkbox after checkbox on a mental bucket list. I got on the show, I made it past my first vote, past the swap, past the merge, and got to put this necklace on. But beyond that, at least I was able to keep this out of Mallorie’s hands. If this was the decisive challenge win that sends her home, that’s a huge game changer for me.

The tribe returns to camp.

Bridgette: Congrats again, Graham. Good job.

Graham: Thanks.

Mallorie: How’d you do it?

Graham: Ah, well...I guess I was just being meticulous. I counted each station all over again once.

Mallorie: Well, I guess that careful strategy worked out.

"redneg"

- Not having immunity definitely unnerves me, because Graham has it and I know he and Sasha are gunning for me. I don’t have an idol, but I can still throw out the threat of one, and while I still believe Bridgette and Greta are loyal to me, you never really know in this game, so I need to act like I’m confident I’m making it past today and then I will.

Sasha is shown walking down the beach, off on her own.

Mallorie leans over and signals Bridgette and Greta in the shelter.

Mallorie: Tonight: Sasha. No question.

Bridgette: Yeah.

Greta: It’s long overdue.

"redneg"

- Sasha and I, we have a complicated relationship. She’s hated me ever since Mary-Anne left. Bridgette doesn’t trust her either, and Mallorie hates her. To be finally rid of the bad energy she brings to the camp, it’ll be a relief for all of us, as long as we stick to the plan, and I don’t see why we shouldn’t. Us three girls have been solid since the start of this.

Graham catches up with Sasha.

Graham: Hey.

Sasha: We need to pull Bridgette aside and get her to vote with us.

The camera cuts to Bridgette undoing her ponytail, sitting in the shelter, looking relaxed.

Sasha: It’s our only hope; it’s MY only hope at this point.

Graham: It won’t be easy.

Sasha: I don’t have a choice. Mallorie and Greta will never flip to save me. She’s all I’ve got.

"meisie"

- Knowing that...I’m at those three girls’ mercy...again...it’s tough. I’m pissed off, but that’s not going to help me now. I need to convince Bridgette to keep me for one more vote, and to vote out Mallorie now. Thinking about my two boys...it’s hard. I don’t want to think of the fact that I left them behind to come out here…I don’t want to think of the fact that I may be going home next...and that I’ll have come all the way out here and not win, that I’ll have to go back to my kids and tell them that their mother didn’t win Survivor...it’s tough. I don’t...I didn’t...I don’t like to show emotion, but...I’m trying to look at this as a positive thing, and that...knowing my boys are out there, rooting for me...that’s the best motivation a mother could ask for. I will fight to my last breath in this game because I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing this for them.

Graham: You need to talk to her too.

Sasha: [angrily] I know!

A look of irritation crosses Graham’s face momentarily.

"redneg"

- Trying to work with Sasha is stifling. She could snap at you at any moment if you put even one toe out of line. I’m always walking on eggshells with her. But, I said I’d try and do my best to save her. Once she goes, I could be next in line. I need to make sure Mallorie goes home.

Graham is approaching Bridgette in the forest and the two are walking together.

Graham: Mallorie has to go tonight.

Bridgette thinks it over, biting her lip.

Graham: She has to. She has to go home, Bridge! I don’t want to lose to her.

Bridgette: I know, I just...I think she has an idol.

Graham: You think?

Bridgette: And I just don’t trust Sasha, like, at all.

Graham: Honestly, neither do I. But she has nothing to lose at this point. She’s got nothing left. We can use her to get rid of Mallorie.

"redneg"

- Tonight it comes down to either Mallorie or Sasha. Mallorie says she has the idol and she’s shown me it, but it could be a fake. It’s been done many times before on Survivor. I don’t know. I don’t want to betray Mallorie and have it come bite me in the butt if she’s going to play the idol tonight and be safe anyway. I’d just end up losing her trust so close to the end, when I need her to believe I’m still on her side the most, so she’ll be willing to bring me to the finals in case she wins immunity. I just can’t make the wrong move here! If Mallorie has the idol for realsies, Sasha is done.

Bridgette: If Mallorie does have the idol, she’s playing it tonight. There’s nothing I can do.

Graham looks conflicted.

Graham: Are you sure she’s got it?

Bridgette: She showed it to me.

Graham: And it’s legit?

Bridgette: [sighs] I don’t know? I guess?

Graham slaps his thighs impatiently.

Graham: I don’t believe this.

Bridgette: Do you want to vote Sasha?

Graham: I don’t want to, but if Mallorie has the idol, what does it matter?

Bridgette pouts, as the screen fades to black. The camera cuts to an overhead view of Tribal Council. The Final Five’s torches bob up and down in the darkness as they arrive.

Everyone puts their torches down and takes their seats as usual. Sasha looks closed-off. Mallorie is tightening her jacket around her, looking prim.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of our jury. Abraham, Kim, Mary-Anne, Brandy and Dillan, voted out at the last tribal council.

Dillan comes in behind Brandy, wearing a sleeveless beige shirt and white shorts. He sits down, raising an eyebrow at Graham’s necklace, but otherwise doesn’t acknowledge the others.

Graham smiles.

Jeff: So, Graham, first individual immunity.

Graham: Yeah. It’s about time. Mallorie and Dillan have been passing it back and forth between ‘em for a while, I figured it was a good time to go for broke.

Mallorie smiles a little at this statement. Sasha adjusts her seat.

Jeff: Mallorie, you’ve been discussed as a target for a while now. Without immunity, are you feeling the heat?

Mallorie: I always feel the heat whenever I’m vulnerable, Jeff. Tonight, more so than ever, I guess. It would suck to get cut so close to the end.

Bridgette swallows, listening solemnly. Greta turns to look at Mallorie.

Mallorie: But, you know, I think we all know the drill by now. We’ve got a plan in motion and honestly, I think people are just going to be tired to try and change it.

Sasha shakes her head.

Jeff: And that plan is?

Mallorie: To vote Sasha out.

Sasha’s eyebrow twitches, and she smirks. Bridgette is sucking in air through her teeth.

Jeff: Sasha, does that surprise you?

Sasha: [letting out a breath] No, not really.

Brandy is chuckling to himself on the jury.

Sasha: That’s just Mallorie. You know, she’s very forward. It’s kind of like me. And I hate me, at times.

Mallorie turns in her seat. Graham is licking his lips.

Jeff: Sasha, what’s your pitch to the tribe to keep you?

Sasha: I’m not pitching anything to the tribe, just to one person.

Jeff: Who?

Sasha: Bridgette.

The camera cuts to Bridgette, looking nervous.

Sasha: Greta and Mallorie ain’t turning on each other.

Jeff: And Bridgette will?

Sasha: I don’t fancy my chances, but she’s all I’ve got left. Maybe she will, most likely she won’t, but who knows, really? I’m not giving up fighting. Perhaps she’s gonna surprise everyone.

Jeff: Bridgette, your thoughts?

Bridgette: I...well, it’s...obvious that...Sasha has been on the bottom for quite some time.

Sasha scoffs.

Bridgette: You know, I feel sorry for her. It’s a rough game. But...you know, we’re all still playing it. I know who she wants me to vote for, I know who Mallorie wants to vote for...but there is a lot in play here. So there’s a lot to think about when making a vote like this.

She mimes holding something in her hands to get this point across.

Jeff: Mallorie, are you concerned about things not going your way tonight?

Mallorie: No. Not really. This should be a straightforward vote.

Sasha scoffs again.

Mallorie: I mean, yeah, okay, I’m a straightforward person. I tell it how it is.

Jeff: You have faith in Bridgette?

Mallorie: Yes.

Bridgette smiles a little uncomfortably.

Jeff: With only five people left, it seems the discussion is short. Tonight’s either going to work one way or go the other and there doesn’t seem to be a third option.

Bridgette shakes her head. Greta gulps. Graham sits up in his seat, touching his necklace, almost as if subconsciously.

Jeff: Sooner or later, we’re going to see how the chips fall in the penultimate tribal council. It is time to vote. Greta, you’re up.

Greta gets up to vote as the voting music begins to play yet again. Sasha stares into the fire, as the scene fades away.

"redneg"

- It’s time for you to go home.

Sasha is swaying in her seat, eyeing Mallorie’s back at the voting booth with distaste.

The camera cuts to Bridgette heading up to vote, then Sasha.

"redneg"

- You don’t - deserve - to be here.

Mallorie is chewing on the inside of her cheek, and looks away as the camera cuts to Graham passing the jury to get to the voting booth, wearing the immunity necklace awkwardly.

Brandy’s steely gaze follows him as he goes. Dillan is watching, quiet.

At last, Graham returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves.

Bridgette and Graham are eyeing each other. Sasha is licking her lips. Mallorie sits, arms folded, calm and collected.

Jeff returns.

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

Sasha glances over at Mallorie. The jury is watching, heads turning to stare.

Mallorie leans forward a little, as if reaching for something. Bridgette is watching too, eyes wide with anticipation.

Graham leans over, his tongue hanging out as he sits on the edge of his seat.

But Mallorie does nothing more.

Bridgette frowns.

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.

Graham grins, looking nervously at Bridgette.

Sasha blinks despondently. Mallorie licks her lips.

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

Mallorie tongues the inside of her cheek, uncaring.

Jeff: Sasha. One vote Mallorie, one vote Sasha. (1-1)

Sasha scowls. Graham looks on nervously.

Jeff: Mallorie. Two votes Mallorie, one vote Sasha. (2-1)

Mallorie frowns, sitting up a little straighter. Greta turns to look at Bridgette and Bridgette studies the floor.

Jeff: Sasha. We’re tied. That’s two votes Sasha, two votes Mallorie, one vote left…(2-2)

Sasha leans back in her seat, her lips pursed. Bridgette turns to look at her.

Jeff: Eleventh person voted out of Survivor: Seychelles and the sixth member of our jury...Sasha. That’s three, that’s enough, you need to bring me your torch.

Sasha smirks, and nods as she gets up with her things ready. Graham looks away as she brushes past him.

On the jury, Brandy is shaking his head already.

The camera cuts to Bridgette turning around to watch Sasha leave, and sharing a look with Mallorie.

Sasha sets her torch down in front of Probst.

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

She smiles and leaves without a look back. Greta exhales slowly, as Mallorie pats her and Bridgette on the back, pleased.

Jeff: Mallorie, Bridgette, Greta and Graham - congratulations on making it to the Final Four. Tomorrow, you will compete in your final immunity challenge. Go back and get some rest, because you’ll need it.

Final Words
"redneg"

- Obviously, to make it so close to the end and finally get cut loose, it stinks. I’m bitter, because this is going to sting for a while, knowing I could’ve made it, but I didn’t. But I’m still really proud of myself for coming out here, for doing this, and for making it as far as I did. The goal was a million dollars, and I ultimately failed, which sucks. But I proved to myself and to the world that I’ve got guts and I wasn’t afraid to show it. I hope my kids are proud of me for that.

Night 36
Redneg returns to camp from Tribal Council, and already the girls are sharing hugs, with solemn looks on their faces.

Mallorie: That was long overdue.

She envelopes Bridgette.

Mallorie: Thanks.

Bridgette: Yeah...no problem.

They separate.

Bridgette: No idol?

Mallorie: [shrugs] It was a fake.

Bridgette: [chuckles] I knew it. I should’ve known. You’re so sneaky.

"redneg"

- Man, I can’t believe it. Bamboozled, again! Mallorie’s making fake idols now? That just shows she didn’t trust me to go through with the plan! That girl...is going to be the death of me. I love her, but...man. It is so hard to be Mallorie’s ally.

Bridgette: Hey, Graham. No hard feelings?

She hugs him too.

Graham: Yeah, it’s no biggie. [sighs] Final Four, right, ladies?

Greta: My family is going to be so proud. They never would have predicted I’d make it this far. Some even said I’d be first boot, or definitely gone before the jury. Look at me!

Mallorie: [laughs] Look at you!

As Mallorie and Greta geek out, Graham slumps into the shelter, looking defeated.

"redneg"

- Mallorie pulled the wool over Bridgette’s eyes, again. We could’ve done it, and we didn’t. I tried, and...just...so close to eliminating her. But no, Sasha went home instead. I never liked her, I was only forcing myself to work with her, but still...maybe I bought some goodwill with her by voting for Mallorie. [licks lips nervously] I’m so nervous. Because I know...Mallorie could be one Tribal Council away from winning this whole thing and...me winning or losing the next and final immunity challenge could decide whether I go home or not. I’ve been hitting milestones ever since I stepped out onto this island and I want to be able to hit that milestone of making it to the end, Day 39, and being a part of that breakfast, and that Final Tribal. Mallorie is now the biggest obstacle in the way, because she’s going to want to be all-girls-strong, and I don’t have a place in that. It is do or die from here on out.

Day 38
Jeff: Come on in guys!

The Final Four walk in as intense music plays in the background. Mallorie jams the tribe flag into the ground as the foursome stands on their yellow mat for the last time.

Jeff: Ready to get to your final immunity challenge?

Mallorie whistles. Graham is nodding, smiling in spite of himself.

Jeff: First things first, Graham, I will take it back.

Graham: [sighs] If you must.

He relinquishes the necklace.

Jeff: For the last time this season, immunity is back up for grabs. For your final immunity challenge, on my go, you will race out into the ocean to retrieve a key. You will run back to the beach and use that key to unlock a set of stairs. At the top of the stairs, you will find a second key. You will head back out into the water and use the second key to unlock a ball attached to a rope. You will use the ball to drop a ladder. At the top of the ladder, you will find the third and final key. Head out into the water one last time and use the final key to unlock a pole, that you will use to knock off and retrieve a bag of puzzle pieces. You will run back up the ladder and use the pieces to solve a three-level puzzle. First person who finishes their puzzle wins immunity and is guaranteed a 1-in-3 shot at winning this game. As for the losers, after 38 days, one of you will become the seventh and final member of our jury and come up short of the Final Tribal Council. We’ll draw for spots and get started.

The three girls and Graham get in their positions, all with faces of grim determination.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

The challenge kicks off as everyone races out into the water, Mallorie going at full speed, once again in the lead.

Jeff: Everyone getting their first key and running back!

The four of them begin running back to the beach with their keys - Mallorie in the lead, Greta bringing up the rear.

Jeff: Mallorie unlocking her stairs! Bridgette and Graham right behind!

Mallorie races up her stairs, grabbing her second key and is now heading back out into the water. Bridgette has her stairs free next, and rushes to get her key.

Jeff: Mallorie back out in the water, looking to free her ball!

Mallorie is using her second key to unlock her ball and rope. Bridgette is heading out into the water, and Graham is just now getting up his stairs.

Jeff: Mallorie has her ball! She’s heading back to the beach to release her ladder!

Graham has retrieved his second key. He is racing across the beach, passing Greta, who is still hobbling back with her first key. Bridgette is busy releasing her own ball and rope.

Jeff: Mallorie is back on the beach, working on that ladder!

Mallorie throws her ball and just barely misses snagging the ladder.

Jeff: So close!

Bridgette gets her ball free. She jumps into the water and begins racing back, running past Graham with a big splash.

Mallorie snags the lever and successfully pulls down the ladder.

Jeff: Mallorie has her ladder free!

Bridgette is racing up her stairs, her second key clutched tightly in her hand. Mallorie is clambering up her ladder, rushing to untie her third and final key.

Graham is heading back from the water, having spent a while getting his ball free. Greta is just heading up to free her own ball.

Jeff: Mallorie racing out with her third and final key, to get her puzzle pieces! Bridgette, right behind!

Bridgette finishes freeing her ladder, and is working on freeing her key, looking frantically down the beach where Mallorie is racing away.

Graham is panting heavily, now walking up the stairs instead of running. Greta too is heaving, as she wades through the shallow water, her ball and rope in her hands.

Jeff: Mallorie has her pole free and is trying to knock down her puzzle pieces! Can anyone catch up to her?

Bridgette has her final key and is heading back out, not far behind Mallorie. Graham is having trouble getting his ladder, and is getting redder and redder in the face with each failed attempt.

Jeff: Greta FINALLY back at her station with her ball and rope! Get working on freeing that ladder, Greta! You’re still in this, let’s go! You never give up on Survivor!

Greta wipes away sweat from her forehead, grimacing as she swings with her ball and rope.

While both Greta and Graham work on their ladders, Bridgette is reaching her station and is working on freeing her pole. Mallorie finally gets her puzzle pieces free, and tossing her pole aside, she leaps into the water to grab her pieces, landing with a hard grunt.

Jeff: Mallorie with a hard fall! Playing aggressive!

Now walking with a wince and a slight limp, Mallorie is cursing as she drags her soggy bag of puzzle pieces back up the beach, her eyes set on the ladder and the puzzle station at the end of it.

Graham finally gets his ladder free and is pulling his key out of its tangle of knots.

Bridgette has her pieces free, and is racing to catch up with Mallorie, as Graham passes her, heading out into the water again in the other direction.

Jeff: It is Mallorie with a solid lead, as usual! Bridgette right behind her, and Graham trying to keep up! Greta, you need to pick up the pace!

Mallorie is climbing up the ladder with difficulty, and she makes it to the top, where she rushes to empty her bag of pieces as fast as she can. The pieces scatter all over the place, and she wastes valuable time hobbling around to pick up stray pieces.

Bridgette scurries up her own ladder, and rushes to her own station, untying her bag.

Jeff: Graham has his pieces free! Let’s go, Graham!

Graham, having freed his puzzle pieces, is clearly winded as he runs slowly back up the beach to his ladder.

Greta is finally up her own ladder and is only now working on getting her final key. She frees it with shaky fingers and passes Graham coming up as she makes her way back down.

Jeff: Graham, get started on your puzzle! Greta, heading back out into the water for the last time, in dead last!

Graham makes it up his ladder, totally out of it, exhausted, as he staggers over to his puzzle station and almost keels over.

Mallorie is arranging her pieces haphazardly, studying them with intense concentration.

Mallorie: [muttering] C’mon, c’mon…

Bridgette too has her pieces assembled and is moving fast, moving pieces here and there, trying to make sense of it all.

Graham too is now freeing his pieces, still exhausted but not giving up.

Jeff: It is Mallorie, Bridgette and Graham, all working on their puzzles! Greta, far behind.

Greta is making her way back with her puzzle pieces, eager to make up for lost time.

Bridgette is slowly but surely forming the base of her three-level puzzle. Mallorie looks perplexed, peering over at Bridgette’s puzzle to try and see what she is doing right.

On Mallorie’s far right, Graham is working slowly but steadily, and his puzzle begins to take shape as well.

Jeff: Bridgette and Graham, making slow but clear progress on their puzzles. Whatever lead Mallorie had is dissipating with each second wasted…

Mallorie is biting her tongue hard as she fumbles with her pieces, looking lost and confused. She puts a piece down, tries to fit a piece on top of it, and reaches for another when it is a bust. Her impatience grows.

Bridgette is finished with her first level. Her intense gaze never wavers as she gets started on her second level. Graham too is finishing up with his first level, glancing at Bridgette every now and then as he hurries to overtake her.

Mallorie is putting a couple blocks in the right place, but moving too fast to try and catch up, and not making much progress.

Greta is finally up the ladder, and is slowly untying her bag of pieces.

Jeff: Bridgette with her second level! Graham with his second level, just a couple seconds behind!

Bridgette is exhaling as she puts another piece on her third level, and another, followed by another, and another…

Graham is rushing to catch up, almost knocking over his entire puzzle as he rushes to put blocks on his third level. Mallorie is still working on her incomplete first level, the desperation evident in her expression as she watches the challenge slip away from her.

Greta now turns to watch, giving up entirely.

Jeff: Bridgette with only a few pieces left, Graham with a few left...this is going to come down to the wire…

Mallorie refuses to stop working and she desperately tries to finish her first level.

Bridgette is only a couple pieces away...she puts one more in its right place...and another…

Graham is about a block or two behind her...closing the gap…

Jeff: Bridgette with only two pieces left!

Bridgette puts her penultimate piece in its place, and Graham looks over just in time for Bridgette to insert her final puzzle piece into the puzzle with a look of triumph.

Jeff: And that is it! Bridgette wins final immunity! Safe at Tribal Council, guaranteed a spot in the Final Three and a 1 in 3 chance at the million dollars!

Bridgette leaps up and down, grinning widely.

Bridgette: Woo!

Greta hurries over to give her a tight hug. Mallorie too is coming over, dejected and beat, but still patting Bridgette on the back.

Graham is standing by his almost complete puzzle, looking on forlornly.

Graham: Nice work, Bridge.

Jeff: Bridgette, come on over.

She skips over and the others clap as he puts the necklace on her.

Jeff: This is the first challenge you’ve won, correct?

Bridgette: Yes, sir.

Jeff: You won the most important one. Bridgette - safe at tonight’s tribal council, guaranteed a spot at the Final Tribal Council. As for the rest of you, Greta, Mallorie and Graham - one of you will be voted out tonight and become the seventh and final member of the jury [pats Bridgette on the back] and it will not be you. Congrats. I’ll see you guys tonight.

Bridgette beams as she sets off to leave with the others. The remaining four leave the challenge arena for the last time, grabbing their things and returning to their camp, the mood somber except for Bridgette’s high spirits.

"redneg"

- I can’t believe how close I came to actually winning my second immunity challenge, and the final and most important one at that! It would’ve been so great to have won and been able to have the power to boot Mallorie tonight. I could’ve sealed the deal entirely. But, unfortunately, not everything works out the way we want it to, and this is just another curveball. I don’t have immunity, but the silver lining is that Mallorie doesn’t either. My last ditch hope of staying in this game, as I’m used to fighting for, is to campaign, once again, against her. Turning loyal soldiers into traitors is going to be a difficult task, but I’ve got no other option.

Back at camp, Bridgette is hanging up her necklace, as Greta and Mallorie surround her.

Greta: Good job, Bridge. I’m so proud of you, that was awesome.

Bridgette: Thanks!

Mallorie: Good job, hon. [hugs her]

"redneg"

- I didn’t win the final immunity challenge today...Bridgette did. It...sucks to not have that final immunity necklace, especially since I think I’ve been doing pretty well but...no matter. At the very least, Graham didn’t win. I need the girls to stick with that Final Three plan we’ve had since the beginning and really, you know, seal the deal on this. It’s just one more night, and that’s it.

Graham: Good job, Bridge. That was intense.

Bridgette: Yeah, it definitely was.

"redneg"

- To not win any dumb, freakin’ challenge all the way up to the end, at the very end - mind you - when I needed it most...is surreal. [laughs] This was the most important challenge by far and it was just so amazing. When I had all the pieces of the puzzle falling into place, piece by piece, I was just...blown away, realizing that I could actually finish this. And to have this beautiful necklace around my neck when I walk into Tribal tonight is going to be epic. I actually made it to the Final Three. I never would’ve expected this from Day 1, or that I would be going through the madness I’ve seen throughout this whole crazy adventure.

Graham heads down to the water to clean up. Mallorie pokes Bridgette and pulls Greta over.

Mallorie: So, we’re all in agreement that Graham goes?

Greta nods mutely.

Mallorie: This is it. The Final Three. I promised we’d stick to that and we have. It’s just one more night and then we’re all in the Final Tribal. We never had to backstab each other, or betray each other, we’ve been solid, so let’s keep it that way, alright?

Bridgette: Okay.

Mallorie: Besides, you two will be sitting pretty. They are going to rail into me tomorrow night, people like Sasha especially.

"redneg"

- I am…really nervous. [laughs] I’m scared. I want to have faith in my alliance but they could easily just decide: hey, I could beat a Graham. I can’t beat Mallorie. That’s my biggest fear, that they’re gonna wisen up and [censored] turn on me right at the end. It would break me so bad if they did that. So I’m hoping my little speech today cemented that...you know, yes, what we’ve worked so hard towards since the beginning is right around the corner, and we can all still accomplish that and not have to do any scrambling at the last minute about wanting to make one last big move. No. Please, let’s have none of that. I am going to take a breath and be calm and composed and most of all, confident, about tonight. They could have taken me out any other time before tonight, so why should the plan change? Let’s stick to it, and finish what we started. Three friends, three allies, three awesome women in Survivor - making it to the end since starting out together in the beginning. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Bridgette heads down the beach, to where Graham is sitting in the sand. She plops down next to him.

"redneg"

- I’ve got a very important decision to make today. Basically, it comes down to Mallorie and Graham. Greta’s already at the Final Three with me. I just have to choose who we’re both sitting next to, because I think she’ll vote whoever I tell her to. There’s Graham, who’s been a scrappy underdog for a good majority of the season but has also been called weak and a goat and a bad player, hiding in Dillan’s shadow, being bullied by Brandy and Sasha. Then on the other side of the coin, we’ve got Mallorie who’s been called a bitch and a liar and a [censored] by Sasha too, but she’s also been perceived as our so-called leader, calling all the shots and making all these big game moves and playing idols and orchestrating blindsides, and now that I’m saying this out loud, I can hear how crazy impressive it sounds. I have a feeling in my gut that Mallorie is the player with the bigger resume but she’s also got a lot of hate. I don’t know if the jury is going to keep that hate and dislike of her tomorrow night or if somehow it’s going to translate into a respect for her game that trumps all that. I am making a million-dollar decision right now to chop one person loose, and the stakes have never been higher.

Graham: You know my pitch. Mallorie is the biggest threat. She should’ve gone a long time ago.

Bridgette: You know I’ve had my reasons for aligning with her.

Graham: I know. She’s the perfect meat shield. I get it. But all is forgiven if you vote with me.

He smiles a little playfully.

Graham: You know, I’m not going to go bowling with you and Dillan if you vote me out tonight.

Bridgette: [laughs] What a tragedy that would be.

"redneg"

- I think I’ve done all that I can. I know ultimately my fate rests in Bridgette’s hands tonight. We here all know what tonight’s vote comes down to. You know, to be honest, I think that even if Dillan and I hadn’t flipped on the girls the night Brandy went home...we’d still end up in this situation, with him gone and me left with these three, and they might still be making the decision to vote me off because I wasn’t originally part of their girls’ alliance. I only joined them at the swap. These three have had a long history, throughout the season, sticking together. What’s to stop them from keeping it going even past tonight, playing through the entire game as a trio, all the way to the end? I’ve tried my hardest to break that up, plenty of people past the merge have tried, and no matter what happens tonight - final juror or finalist - I know I gave it my all, and in spite of all the bullying, I had a hell of a time and I don’t regret a thing. I just wish I didn’t smell so bad. [laughs] One way or another, I’ll get clean in a day or two.

The scene fades away yet again, and soon the Final Four are back in a familiar nighttime setting.

They take their seats on the same stumps.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of our jury: Abraham, Kim, Mary-Anne, Brandy, Dillan and Sasha, voted out at the last tribal council.

Sasha sits down, in a long black gown, with silver bangles around her wrists, and instantly flips the four of them off.

Mallorie laughs, shaking her head. Graham smiles wryly. Greta raises an eyebrow disapprovingly.

Jeff: Alright...the Final Four. Mallorie, disappointed to not win the Final Immunity Challenge?

Mallorie: Definitely. You know, I really thought I had that thing. It’s gonna sting for a while, but I’m proud of Bridgette, you know? She killed it, so I say, good for her.

Sasha very obviously rolls her eyes, casting Mallorie a dark look. Mary-Anne purses her lips, not giving away any facial expression. Graham is looking down at the floor.

Jeff: Mallorie, without final immunity, now more than ever, you have to be shaking in your boots, right?

Mallorie: Absolutely. It’s been a common theme since the merge to take potshots at me. No one’s succeeded, but, you never know what could happen, right?

Abraham nods and wags an eyebrow in agreement.

Jeff: What’s your pitch then, to the girls, as to why you should stay, given that you’ve frequently been told how strong of a resume you have?

Mallorie: I mean, so I’ve been seen as the leader of the alliance. So what? This game goes beyond just voting for the most strategic player. A good social game can also go a long way and I think that’s where all three people here will be able to triumph over me. I say, bring me to the end because I am no social threat. People...you know...don’t really like me.

Brandy is laughing to himself. Kim flinches a little.

Jeff: Graham, what pitch have you made to Bridgette to keep you? It would appear she is in the position of power, tonight.

Graham: You know, yes, Bridgette and Mallorie and Greta, they have their little...you know, their little girls’ alliance thing and they’re all friends and whatnot, but like, I think I’ve made bonds with them both too. It’s not like I’m not friendly with Bridgette, or not like a son to Greta. I think of Greta as my mom on the island, and Bridgette is, like, the girl I’m most excited to hang out with once we get out of here.

Greta smiles a little. Bridgette is listening quietly.

Graham: The fact that Mallorie’s been so closely aligned with them...you know, whatever. She’s a big threat, and they have to realize that. Social, anti-social, whatever - if the jury says she led the two of you here by being the ‘leader’ then there’s probably some truth to that statement, and if you want to risk that tomorrow night, be my guest.

Greta widens her eyes. Mallorie smirks, shaking her head.

Graham: Plenty of people have said it, I’m tired of saying it. [laughs]

Jeff: Mallorie has to go, period?

Graham: Yeah. Either she goes, or I go. So Mallorie isn’t the most liked. Well, neither am I. And she’s got the strategic leadership that I lack. Fans of the game would vote for her to win, and I would too if I was on that jury. So...you know. That’s one vote for her and one against the both of you if you bring her with you to see tomorrow night.

Greta sits up straighter in her seat, glancing at Graham reproachfully. Bridgette raises her shoulder at him in a shrug.

Jeff: Bridgette, with immunity, clearly, tonight, you call the shots.

Bridgette: Pretty much, I believe.

Dillan snorts, looking a little peeved.

Jeff: Just to be clear...it comes down to Mallorie and Graham tonight?

Bridgette: Oh yeah, no doubt.

Greta is biting her lower lip, worried.

Jeff: So Mallorie, are you confident that the vote will go your way tonight?

Mallorie: [sighs] I…[glances at Bridgette]...the girls have proven to me that they’re loyal to me...I mean that we’re a team. So I’m not...I have faith in them, both.

Jeff: Greta, whatever happens tonight, clearly, it will be an emotional vote.

Greta: Absolutely, Jeff. I’ve grown so close to Mallorie out here on the island, and I also love Graham. They’re both really great people, just sweethearts.

Graham grins slightly. Sasha is shaking her head, looking incredulous.

Mallorie brushes her hair back, glancing at Greta.

Greta: So whatever goes down...it’s going to be a tough vote, no matter what. But that’s the price of being on Survivor. I know that now.

Jeff: This could be a million-dollar make-it-or-break-it move, happening tonight. You’ve got a big decision to make, and it’s time to make it now. For the last time, it is...time to vote. Graham, you’re up.

The voting music plays for the final time as Graham gets up to go to the voting booth.

"redneg"

- I have so much respect for you for the strategic game you played. If I’m on the jury, I’m putting your name down. That’s how much respect I have for you. You killed it out here. But for my own sake, I have to hope you go home tonight.

The camera cuts to Mallorie, the fire casting dark shadows over her face.

Greta heads up to vote, heaving a deep sigh.

Then Mallorie goes to vote…

"redneg"

- It’s either you or me tonight, so…

The camera cuts to Graham, leaning forward in his seat, arms crossed and shaking his leg, full of nerves.

Lastly, Bridgette is heading up to vote. Graham looks at her back as she leaves, and Mallorie has her hands clasped together, studying her shoes.

Bridgette gets to the booth, picks up the pen, and exhales slowly.

At last, she returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves.

On the jury, Abraham is rubbing his hands together with glee. Mary-Anne raises an eyebrow.

Mallorie fidgets in her seat, watching Bridgette’s body language. Bridgette is wrapping her arms around herself, though it does not look cold.

Graham is covering his mouth with his hands, and sighs, closing his eyes.

Jeff returns.

Jeff: 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.

Graham is breathing heavily and rubbing his hands together. Mallorie sweeps her hair out of her face, nodding.

Bridgette bites her lip, looking on.

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

Graham nods, visibly blanching at seeing his name come up.

On the jury, Dillan is watching intently.

Jeff: Mallorie. One vote Graham, one vote Mallorie. (1-1)

Mallorie folds her hands in her lap, looking serious.

Greta clasps her hands together as if in prayer, looking down at the floor.

The jury watches from the sidelines, captivated.

The camera cuts to Bridgette, chewing on her lower lip, anxious.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

Jeff: Mallorie. That’s two votes Mallorie, one vote Graham, one vote left. (2-1)

A flicker of concern crosses Mallorie’s face. Graham is trembling, nervously watching.

Sasha is frowning on the jury. Abraham looks puzzled, shaking his head.

Mallorie turns to look at Bridgette, almost reproachfully. The camera zooms in as the latter looks on, the necklace prominent around her neck.

Jeff: Twelfth person voted out and the seventh and final member of our jury...Mallorie. That’s three, that’s enough, you need to bring me your torch.

Mallorie smirks, shaking her head, as she gets up.

Mallorie: Wow.

Graham is breathing a sigh of relief, the color drained from his face.

Greta gives Bridgette a guilty look, as the latter turns to watch Mallorie take her torch to Probst.

Brandy is nodding with approval.

Mallorie puts her torch down, sheepish.

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

Mallorie turns and blows a kiss at the girls as she leaves. Greta waves goodbye sadly, and Bridgette nods at her.

Jeff: Bridgette, Greta, Graham, congratulations on making it to the Final Three. Tomorrow night, you will be a part of the Final Tribal Council, where you will plead your case to the jury as to why you deserve to win a million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor. Grab your torches and head back to camp, get a good night’s rest, because you’ll need it.

Final Words
"redneg"

- Thirty-eight days...and I guess tonight was the night. [laughs] It’s heartwrenching, to have fought for so long...knowing how long I’ve fought and how much I’ve been targeted throughout the game and yet ironically, I’d finally go home, voted out and betrayed by the two people I’d call my closest allies in the game. But...I guess it is what it is. I can’t say I’m not happy about the way I played, I may have made enemies but I’ve also made friends, and I know I fought hard and never took a day off in this game and I think that knowing how I gave it my all...that’s what really matters in the end.

Day 39
The Final Three start their final morning on the island, heading out to get tree mail, where they see baskets of food waiting for them.

Bridgette: It’s the Day 39 breakfast! Woo!

Greta is smiling serenely as Bridgette squeals, grabbing a basket and passing it off to Graham to carry.

"redneg"

- Everyone who watches the show will know what an accomplishment it is to wake up on Day 39, and be a part of the Day 39 breakfast. It’s, like, a little gift to say congratulations on making it this far.

Greta is laying out the ingredients and chopping them up, cooking a few slices of bacon on the pan. Graham is gorging himself with tasty morsels, and Bridgette is chowing down alongside him.

"redneg"

- I cannot emphasize how lucky I am to be sitting here. I mean, I could’ve been gone last night, but I’m not. And no matter what happens later...I want to be proud of what I’ve accomplished and of making it to this stage of the game. I want to own that. I overcame a lot of odds to get to this point, I could’ve been out really early because my body was not built for this game, but in the end, my mind has prevailed. And as a Survivor superfan, this is the dream come true for me.

Bridgette pops open a bottle of champagne and pours out flutes for the three of them.

Bridgette: To the Final Three!

The others toast and they clink glasses.

"redneg"

- I didn’t make it here without having to get my hands dirty. My game was mostly about staying off people's’ radars but not disappearing from the grid entirely and I think I managed that fine line pretty well. I’m here to prove it, tonight. Having to stab my closest ally in the game last night was rough, but I’ve done it before. I did it to Mary-Anne. It just goes to show it’s very hard to get through this game and make it to the end with your hands clean, and it goes completely against my nature as a person, but I know why I came out here and I made myself make those moves that is so against who I am. I’m both proud and not proud of it. [laughs] But I’m not alone. I still have Greta with me. I promised her it’d be us two to the end and I stuck to that, at least. I think I played a decent game, and I’m ready to tackle tonight with confidence and not second-guessing myself. I want to enjoy this breakfast, because I earned it.

Bridgette pats Greta on the arm warmly.

Bridgette: Final Three. What’d I tell you?

Greta: Thank you so much, Bridgette. I’m really happy to be here with you.

"redneg"

- This game has put me through so much turmoil over the last month. I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever been more emotionally drained in my life. But...it’s been a great adventure. I got to bring my daughter out here too. I had the time of my life and I wanted to make a statement to all the other older women out there who think they’re too old or past their prime for something like this. In spite of every challenge in my way, I got to the end, no matter how much I hated the lies and the backstabbing and being away from family...I was able to make true, genuine bonds. Bridgette’s brought me to the end because I forged that relationship with her. I’m glad at least that I could make it through without burning all the relationships that I had, that at least I still have her even when Mallorie and Mary-Anne and them all have gone. It was hard but the fact that I was able to do it, even though people saw how I struggled with it...I think it showed tenacity. I showed a strength that I’ve always thought I’d been lacking. And it’s a glowing moment for me.

The sun is beginning to set. Graham stands at the edge of camp.

Graham: You wanna burn this place to the ground?

Bridgette: Spontaneous! I like it. Let’s do it.

Graham: This should be a Survivor tradition.

He lights a torch and tosses it into the shelter. Bridgette and Greta follow suit. They stand and watch as the place is lit up in flames.

The scene fades away as the Final Three return to Tribal Council.

Final Tribal Council
The Final Three arrive at Tribal Council and take their seats.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of our jury: Abraham, Kim, Mary-Anne, Brandy, Dillan, Sasha and Mallorie, voted out at the last Tribal Council.

Mallorie comes in, dressed in a denim jacket and sleek white pants. She sits down and brushes her hair out of her eyes, new earrings dangling from her ears as she stares the finalists down.

Bridgette pouts a little, seeing her stony-faced expression.

Jeff: Alright. Bridgette, Greta, Graham...you’ve made it as far as you can go in this game, and tonight, the power now shifts to the jury: seven people who you’ve had a hand in voting out will now decide your fate and vote for who they feel is deserving of the million dollar prize. This is your opportunity to plead your case as to why your game is more deserving of the title of Sole Survivor than the two people sitting next to you.

He turns to the jury.

Jeff: As for you guys on the jury, you will be looking for any and all information to help you make a life-changing decision for one of these three. Jury, now is your time to address the Final Three. I’ll give you all a moment to think about what you’re going to say, and we’ll begin.

The jury sits in silence for a few minutes.

Jeff: Alright, it is now time to address the finalists.

Juror #1
Jeff: Abraham, start us off.

Abraham: Alright.

He gets up and saunters over to stand before the Final Three.

Abraham: First off, I just wanted to say...I am really disappointed that we’ve ended up with the three of you sitting before us all.

Graham swallows. Greta looks down.

Abraham: [gestures at jury] I think every single person on this jury tried harder than all three of you. This is the worst Final Three I’ve seen so far. I, really, am struggling to think of a reason to vote for any of you. So if you want my vote tonight, you’re really going to have to earn it, because I have no clue whose name I’m writing down. I’m not even voting for the person who I feel played the best game, I’m voting for the person who I feel played the least lousy game.

Bridgette, for once, looks genuinely irritated at this.

Abraham: So, I want you all to diss each other. Tell me why I shouldn’t vote for the two people sitting next to you. Make me feel absolutely disgusted by how the other two people played their games, so yours looks better in comparison. Graham, starting with you.

Graham: Well, Bridgette...basically rode Mallorie’s coattails throughout the season.

Bridgette lets out a ‘tch!’, and glares at him. Mallorie is looking unamused on the jury.

Graham: She hid behind her the whole way through, and refused to make a move the whole game...until the very end. I tried to get Mallorie out, I mean...and then there’s Greta, who’s been really...emotionally weak the whole season long. I mean, she’s spent more time crying than actually...playing this game.

Greta bites her lip, hurt.

Abraham: Bridgette?

Bridgette: Yeah, it’s total nonsense, what he just said.

Graham winces. Brandy is grinning, enjoying this.

Bridgette: I waited to make a move, yeah, but it was my strategy to stay out of the spotlight. Graham showed his cards way too early on and it made him an outcast along with Dillan and Sasha. He says I hid behind Mallorie but he hid behind Dillan the whole game, and then when Dillan left, he hid behind Sasha. And he can’t exactly fault Greta for being emotionally weak when he was too.

Graham smiles despondently at her words.

Abraham: Greta? What do you have to say?

Greta: Yeah, I’m not going to...I’m not going to slander my fellow finalists just because you’re angry that we’re here and you’re not, I mean-

Abraham: So you’re not even gonna try? Is that it?

Sasha looks peeved.

Greta: I mean, I don’t think I have your vote anyway, and I’m not going to deliberately hurt these two next to me just to satisfy you when you’re not going to vote for me to win, so-

Abraham: It’s fine. I get it. I’m gonna sit down, and I’ll make my decision.

He cuts her off, and moves back to take his seat. Graham is exhaling slowly, avoiding Bridgette’s gaze.

Juror #2
Jeff: Kim, you’re up.

Kim gets to his feet and stands before the finalists.

Kim: Alright. Hey, guys. First off, congratulations. I’m excited to be here, and you guys should be too.

Greta smiles.

Kim: I want to know what this experience meant for each one of you, personally. Greta, starting with you.

Greta: For me...it was about coming out here and...proving not just to myself but to my kids and my grandkids that even though I’m old...I’m not going to let a factor like my age hold me back from getting out here and participating in this adventure. I think this game can be brutal for even the young and the fit, so I think for me to come out here when I’m the way I am...I’m proud of myself.

She smiles a little more sadly this time.

Greta: I hope the family back home is too.

Kim: [sincerely] That’s nice. I’m sure they are. Graham?

Graham: I consider myself a huge fan of this game. I’m a superfan. I’ve watched the show for years, never missed an episode. I’m obsessed. Coming out here and getting this chance to play was a dream come true. My heart beats for this game. I loved every second that I was out here, even through all the crappy moments. It was a huge step out of my comfort zone to come onto this island and I think that’s what rang true to me, on a personal level, the most - that I could really push the envelope like this and live.

Kim: I’m glad you got to live out that dream. Bridgette?

Bridgette: I guess, for me, it was about seeking out that next big adventure. It’s not as noble as playing for my family to prove age is just a number, or playing to fulfil a lifelong dream, but Survivor was still a big deal to me. I may not be a superfan, but I was still a fan. I’m not the kind of person to take experiences like this for granted. I know how blessed I am to get the chance to be out here and I don’t believe I’ve taken any bit of this journey for granted. I would wake up each day that I was still in the game and go off on my own to meditate and reflect and just have some time alone to be thankful that I’m out here. I’d close my eyes and think of the family I left back home, who are thinking about me, hoping I’m playing hard and having fun and getting this amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m all about big experiences in life like this. That’s what being on Survivor meant to me, on a personal level.

Kim: Alright. I’m glad to know you’ve all had a fulfilling experience. Good luck, you three.

Juror #5
Jeff: Dillan, you’re up.

Dillan gets up.

Dillan: Hey, guys. So, first, congratulations, obviously, it’s not an easy task to make it to the end on Survivor. Good job.

Bridgette: [mouthing] Thank you.

Dillan: I’m going to be civil about this. Bridgette, you and I obviously had a very close connection in this game. I think forming social bonds is where you excelled, in places where others might have faltered. I think that’s your strength. You were even able to get along with those that weren’t easy to get along with.

At this, the camera cuts to Brandy, sitting in silence.

Dillan: But are you afraid that by forming all these relationships with people is going to backfire because it means people feel more betrayed by you and your actions?

Bridgette: No, I don’t think so. I own that I was close with a bunch of the jury, like Mary-Anne, Mallorie, you...I had to do what I had to do. I think there’s...a balance between getting close enough to someone that they like you and are willing to vote for you at the end...but that they’re not as close to you as to feel resentful that you had a hand in voting them off. I think I was able to find that balance and straddle that line pretty well.

Dillan: Alright. Graham, you and I too, obviously, were pretty close out there on the island.

Graham smiles and nods.

Dillan: What I wanted to know...how you feel you’ve evolved since the first days out here, to get this far?

Graham: I think that...just this whole game has been one big journey for me. I’m a fan of this game, I’ve loved it for years. Everyone knows this. But...I am not a social person, like, at all. Doing this and coming out here, and I run the risk of sounding like a broken recorder at this point, but it really was a big step out of my comfort zone. I mean, I’m a recluse, man. [laughs] I’m a hermit. I spend more time in my apartment, on my computer, than I do outside of it. That’s just who I am. It was my love for this game that inspired me to come out here and do it and I did. I got myself to this point in the game. I feel more confident about myself at the end of the day, no matter what.

Dillan nods.

Dillan: Okay. Thanks, guys.

Juror #6
Jeff: Sasha, you’re up.

Sasha walks on over, folding her arms, her eyes flashing dangerously as her gaze passes over each one of them.

Sasha: Okay, I’m gonna make this as clear and succinct as possible. Graham, Bridgette, Greta, I think you all sucked at this game in your own right.

Greta looks away. Bridgette laughs humorlessly.

Sasha: So I’mma make this simple. Pick a number...between 1 and 10.

Greta looks up.

Bridgette: Is that it?

Sasha: Yes. Now go.

Bridgette: [shrugging] 5.

Graham: 7.

Greta: [sighing] 8?

Without another word, Sasha simply walks back and takes her seat again.

Juror #4
Jeff: Brandy, you’re up.

Heaving a great, big sigh, he lumbers over to stand before the finalists.

Brandy: ‘Sup. So, I was really at a loss for tonight. I thought I was going to be bitter, I thought I was going to be resentful, and to a certain extent, I still am. But, I respect this game, I respect that sometimes it’ll go a direction you may not want it to go, and that’s just it. Whatever you guys did to get here, it worked. Whether it was luck, skill, whatever - you guys are here, and we have to pick the best one out of you to give a million dollars. But it is killing me, having to decide which one of you should get it. I think you’ve all played weak games, at times, but I’m sure you’ve also played strong games in your own right. So, I want to know, from each one of you, what was your biggest move this season? What defining moment in the game was there for you? One moment or move you made that impacted this season, that you did, on your own? Bridgette?

Bridgette: I think...for me, it’d be winning that final immunity challenge. The whole game, I knew that Mallorie was a big threat.

The camera cuts to Mallorie, looking on coldly.

Bridgette: I could’ve flipped on her a million times over, but I didn’t. I knew I had the power to, but I also knew that...she was the biggest meat shield out there. When I won that final immunity challenge...I had that single power to send her out of the game. Her ouster is on my resume, and it was something that plenty of the others on the jury failed to do. They’ve all tried and failed to get out Mallorie, and in the end, I did it. I was able to turn even Greta against her.

Greta looks up sharply.

Brandy: There are some who would say they see you as Mallorie’s puppet. Do you agree with that?

Bridgette: No.

Abraham raises an eyebrow.

Bridgette: We discussed strategy together. She just put herself out there so much, everyone deemed her a target. I stuck to the shadows, but I don’t ever see it as me letting her control me. There are moves that she made, that she could not have pulled off, if not for me. The Kim vote, remember, it was me that brought you into the fold and got you to help us blindside him. Mallorie came up with the plan, but I did the footwork and put it into action. I think that I had...the better social game, to convince even people I wasn’t exclusively working with, to help me make a move in the game, to help Mallorie make her big splashy moves. She couldn’t and wouldn’t have convinced you to make that move, she had to rely on me.

Brandy: Alright...Greta, what about you?

Greta: I think my biggest moment was when I had to betray Mary-Anne.

Mary-Anne’s gaze is full of scorn.

Greta: It was a crucial point in the game when I had to pick an allegiance, when I had to pick an alliance to side with. I did, and I chose to make a big move and stab her in the back. Had I not done that, things might have turned out very differently. Mallorie may not have made it as far as I did, Bridgette might not have either. I might not be here. I think that was a moment I took the game into my hands and...changed my fate.

Brandy: You don’t think it was a bad move?

Greta: What? Uh...no, I don’t. It was my move, and...I own it. Mary-Anne was- she was scheming a lot, and so it was a big move to send her home.

Brandy: Okay. Graham, my little buddy, what about you?

Graham: Hmph. My biggest move was aligning with you, even if it was just for one measly vote. You have to admit...like, you and I, I never thought we would work together. I hated the idea of doing it...but I still did it. I went and swallowed my pride and stuck my neck out for people I wasn’t...aligned with. I tried to betray Mallorie...it didn’t work. But I don’t think...I think that was a move that I might not have made thirty-nine days ago, if you’d asked me to make it before. I think it showed I was willing to make a crazy move.

Brandy: I don’t hate you as much because you at least tried. But do you think more credit for that should go to Dillan and not you?

Graham: I…[hesitates] no, I don’t think- I mean- I was the one with the feud against you, not Dillan. Dillan and you used to be good. For me to work with you was more of a feat than, say, if Dillan decided to work with you again. I could’ve said no and Dillan wouldn’t have been able to flip on the girls without me. I made the decision that me and him would go through with that, because I was the one whose vote he needed to make sure the numbers would’ve been on your side, against Mallorie.

Brandy: Okay...what about you at camp? I’ve been wanting to ask, are you just that lazy? You don’t help out a lot at camp. I mean, Bridgette helps out a lot. Dillan pitches in, Mallorie works hard, Greta doesn’t do much but she’s old.

Greta shakes her head, looking offended. Bridgette rolls her eyes, laughing.

Graham: I didn’t- I- wha-

Brandy: Why should you be this season’s sole Survivor when you were useless around camp? That doesn’t sound very Survivor-like to me.

Graham: I guess I’m just not an outdoorsy person. I mean, you know, like I said, I’m a hermit. I know more about the internet and Twitter and YouTube than I do about, like, camping and stuff. It’s just more of me stepping out of my comfort zone.

Brandy: Sounds to me you’ve got a very small comfort zone.

Graham: ...I do. I get it. It’s...it’s one of my flaws.

For a moment, he looks a little choked up. Downcast, he looks away.

Brandy’s stern gaze softens a little.

Brandy: Welp, thank you, guys.

Juror #3
Jeff: Mary-Anne, you’re up.

Mary-Anne dusts herself off and walks over in high heels, clearing her throat and brushing her hair behind her ear.

Mary-Anne: Greta.

Greta: Yes?

Mary-Anne: You and I were close in this game.

Greta: Yes.

Mary-Anne: I comforted you in the very first few days on the island, when you were breaking down. You were at a low point. I thought you were going to quit. I thought you would give up. But you came out here to prove something to your family. I knew how embarrassing and how humiliating it would’ve been for you. I was there for you, when you were going through so much emotional turmoil, and even after the merge when we linked up again, I tried to rekindle that and remind you how close we were before the swap. I wanted to be there for you like last time, be that shoulder for you to cry on.

Greta is nodding mutely.

Mary-Anne: But clearly the swap made us distant because Mallorie scooped you up and I couldn’t get a hold on you again. I get it. In this game, you’ve gotta stab people in the back. But all I see from you is not a strategic player making a strategic move to betray an ally, I see a weaker player being swayed into turning on her allies by a stronger player. Mallorie could’ve been a right [censored] at times but she had you and she had you good. Am I right?

Greta: No!

Greta looks genuinely insulted.

Greta: Mary-Anne, it killed me to vote you out, but I had to make a crucial decision and I just felt it was better for my game to stick with Mallorie.

Mary-Anne: That may be how it seems from your perspective. But plenty of people here, myself included, just see you as Mallorie’s puppet. Whenever Mallorie and Bridgette wanted to make a move, they’d just pull you aside and tell you the name.

Greta: That’s not true.

Mary-Anne: You were an emotional wreck. You stuck close to the girls who comforted you from the beginning and never left them. You didn’t really want to talk strategy or make a move that would’ve been risky or dangerous or deviating from your alliance and it made you a really frustrating ally to have. I’m sorry, but is there anything you can say that’ll redeem yourself in my eyes?

Greta: I made the decision to flip on you! Mallorie didn’t force me to do it. Our alliance survived that vote because of my decision to turn on you. You were playing too hard and overplayed. That’s all it was.

Mary-Anne: And all the accusations of being weak? The way you played - that’s not the kind of gameplay a jury wants to reward.

Greta: I played a loyal game but I made the moves same to Bridgette. You can’t say I played a bad game but then that she played a good one.

Mary-Anne: Fair point. Bridgette, I ask you next. If Greta was Mallorie’s puppet, what are you?

Bridgette: Mallorie was a force to be reckoned with. We all knew this.

Mallorie smiles wryly for the first time that evening.

Bridgette: But I used her as my meat shield. I knew it was a distinct possibility that I’d have to take her out eventually, and I did. But I kept her in the game and stayed loyal not because she was leading my every move and I couldn’t think for myself-

At this, Greta reels back, as if scoffing.

Bridgette: -it was just my strategy. And I made sure that people could see it. Where she faltered socially, I say I excelled. She burned bridges and I forged relationships. Half the moves that she made, she couldn’t’ve, without me. That was what I contributed to the alliance. She was the target and the Head Honcho, the Godfather barking out orders, and I was the Henchman, but she would’ve been nothing without me doing all the footwork. What sets me apart from Greta is that Greta would just write a name down. I’d go out and I’d discuss the vote with people and either feel them out, like with Dillan, or try to sway them, like with Brandy.

Mary-Anne: Alright, you know what? I’ve heard enough. That’s all.

Juror #7
Jeff: Alright. Mallorie, finish us off.

Mallorie: Heh. Alright.

She gets up.

Mallorie: It’s crazy. Even when I’m sitting on the jury, I swear, my name comes up like half the time.

A couple jury members laugh. Abraham is grinning and shaking his head. Bridgette smiles.

Mallorie: First off, congrats. I applaud each one of you for getting to this stage of the game. I take my role as the final jury member very seriously. I don’t hate any of you for voting me out. I get it. You saw me as a threat, cool. No, I respect you for doing it. I’ve never been against making a move for the sake of your game.

Bridgette nods gratefully.

Mallorie: Bridgette, I give you credit for the move. I want to know what sets you apart from your competitors.

Bridgette: I think that...I was able to combine both social game and strategy good enough that it’s got me here. I know that I wasn’t a flashy player. I didn’t make flashy moves like you did. I was more under-the-radar, but I used that to my advantage. I tried to be the silent assassin.

Abraham is raising an eyebrow again.

Bridgette: I made myself the...strongest non-threat, I would say. I wasn’t threatening to the point that people would want to target me, but also I didn’t sit back so much that no one would think I was playing the game. I mean, I never even had a vote cast against me throughout the entirety of the game. Laying back and letting you take the heat so much...that was part of my game.

Mallorie nods.

Mallorie: No matter what happens at the end of the game...I think you did good. And you know what, I mean that to all of you. I know whose game I respect more, and I’m a sucker for big games. But this game has been a lot for all of us...and I think I’m learning that a bit of goodwill can go a long way. Good luck, you three.

Jeff: Bridgette, Greta, Graham – you’ve done all that you can. Jury, I’ll give you a moment to take in every word you’ve just heard and then, you will get up and cast your votes for a winner. This is the biggest decision of this game, so think things through.

The Votes
Jeff: Alright, jury, it is time to make a million-dollar decision. Tonight, you are voting for either Bridgette, Greta or Graham – the person who you believe is most deserving of the win. For the last time, it is time to vote. Kim, you’re up.

Kim gets up to vote and for the final time, the voting music kicks in.

One by one, the jurors head up to the voting booth.

Abraham is bending over his parchment, and the camera shows him scribbling down a large capital “G”.

Graham is busy biting his fingernails, looking nervous as usual.

Brandy is up next. He is seen writing a large “B”.

Bridgette is taking a deep breath to calm herself, looking at the jury.

"redneg"

- That whole numbers’ thing was bull[censored]. I was gonna vote for you anyway. But all the same...you all three suck. You’re just lucky I think you don’t suck as much.

At last, the last juror is back.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves.

Bridgette reaches out and grabs Greta’s hand, squeezing it as she always does, and smiling. Greta forces a smile back.

Graham shrugs sheepishly at Dillan, who nods at him.

Jeff returns.

Jeff: Jury, Final Three – thank you all for another great season on Survivor. I will see you all back in Los Angeles for the reading of the votes.

He picks up the urn and walks out of the Tribal Council set, with it tucked under his arm, passing the jury and the finalists on his way out. Heroic music plays in the background as he moves, symbolizing the end of the season, and the imminent arrival of the reading of the votes.

Brandy is whistling, leaning back and folding his arms. Abraham meets his gaze and wiggles his eyebrows.

Mallorie is smiling and shaking her head.

Graham smiles too, and closes his eyes.

The camera follows Probst as he walks into the foliage, and follows him until he inexplicably emerges at the studio in Los Agneles, California, on live television. The live studio audience is cheering and applauding all the way as he makes his way up to the stage, where the jury is seated, along with the three finalists; everyone dressed up nicely for the momentous occasion.

Jeff: Alright! Have a seat! Thank you everybody!

The audience takes their seats.

Jeff: Bridgette, Greta, Graham, congratulations on making it all the way to the end. It’s the ultimate goal for everyone who comes onto Survivor, and now, for one of you, the struggle will all have been worth it. I will now read the votes.

He opens the urn.

Bridgette is wearing a shiny silver gown, and is again still clutching Greta’s hand. Graham is holding hands with the two too, and smiles at them.

Jeff: First vote...Bridgette.

There is a smattering of applause and cheering. Bridgette smiles a little.

Bridgette: Finally, my name.

On the jury’s benches, Brandy is dressed smartly - for once - and turning in his seat to watch Jeff read out the votes.

Jeff: Graham. That’s one vote Bridgette, one vote Graham.

Graham smiles thankfully, and Bridgette punches him on the arm in a friendly manner.

Jeff: Bridgette. That’s two votes for Bridgette.

The clapping continues. Among the jurors, Mary-Anne is clapping too, looking much brighter and more cleaned-up than she was on the island.

Jeff: Graham. We’re tied again. That’s two votes each for Bridgette and Graham.

Graham grins, and looks at Bridgette.

Dillan is leaning back in his seat, arms folded.

Jeff: Bridgette. That’s three votes Bridgette, two votes Graham.

Bridgette exhales shakily, looking pale. Mallorie’s eyes flick to her momentarily.

Jeff: Graham. We are tied yet again. That’s three votes for Bridgette, and three votes for Graham.

Graham is shaking his head, full of nervous energy. Bridgette is still all smiles. Greta pats their hands in congratulations.

Jeff takes out the final vote and reads it on his own.

Jeff: The winner of Survivor: Seychelles…

He flips it over.

Jeff: Bridgette!

Bridgette fans her face as she gets up, looking overwhelmed. The audience breaks out into the usual applause, as Greta reaches over to kiss Bridgette on the cheek. Graham is patting her on the back, shaking.

Graham: Good job.

Bridgette: Oh my G-

Greta: Go meet your family!

Bridgette runs down into the crowd, where a group of ecstatic family and friends are waiting to envelop her.

Jeff: It was meant to be the Battle of the Sexes, and at the end of the day, Bridgette came out on top, a dark horse to win, but her social game proved to be effective. With the whole cast with us tonight, we’re going to discuss a lot of the things that went down on the show. How are things between Brandy and Graham? Are Mary-Anne and Greta still talking? There’s a lot of feuds to get into, and so stay tuned for the Survivor reunion show!

Challenges
Reward Challenge: Inside Track [Cagayan] The castaways had to dig in a circle of sand until they found a rope, which ran underground and was tied to five bags. Once the castaways pulled all five bags up and out of the ground, they had to untie the bags, each releasing one ball. They would then have to maneuver the balls, one at a time, down a small maze and navigate them into five holes. The first castaway to land all five balls win reward. Reward: Helicopter Ride and Picnic on Mountain Peak Winner(s): Mallorie + [Bridgette, Greta]

Immunity Challenge: Combo Platter [Cagayan] The castaways must race out to a series of stations with a certain number of objects at each station. The count of the objects must then be used to unlock a combination lock. The first castaway to open their lock and break their tile wins. Reward: Individual Immunity Winner: Graham

Immunity Challenge: Gimme Three Steps [Koah Rong] They will race out into the ocean, climb up a stool and retrieve a key. They will use that key to unlock a set of stairs back on the beach at the bottom of a tower. At the top of the stairs, they will find a second key. They will head back out into the water and use that key to unlock a ball attached to a rope. Next, they will use the ball to drop a ladder back on the beach, which gets them to the second level of the tower. At the top of the ladder, they will find a third key. They will head out one last time into the water and use that key to release a pole. They will use the pole to knock off a bag of puzzle pieces that is on a perch above their head. Finally, they will go back to shore, climb the three levels of the tower and use the puzzle pieces to solve a three-tiered puzzle. The first to finish wins immunity. Reward: Individual Immunity Winner: Bridgette

Reunion Show
Jeff: Welcome to the Survivor: Seychelles reunion show! You just watched Bridgette win a million dollars!

The camera cuts to Bridgette, who still looks very much overwhelmed. Next to her, Graham is clapping.

Jeff: For a good portion of the game, Bridgette, one of the biggest duos was you and Mallorie. This was a season full of duos - you had Dillan and Graham, there was you and Dillan, Brandy and Sasha, Abraham and Brandy - but the duo that went the furthest was you and her. And at that penultimate Tribal Council where someone was gonna be voted off, you finally turn around and stab her in the back. That betrayal, I think, was what won you the game.

Bridgette: I uh...I think it definitely played a part in it. People knew I was close to Mallorie, and that I ultimately had to betray her to win the game, I think, is a good way to close the circle.

Jeff: There is something to be said about the social game of Survivor. I think Dillan put it across rather well earlier, in that you were close enough to people that they were willing to give you a million dollars at the end, and yet not close enough that they’d feel too betrayed and snub you.

Bridgette: Yeah, I just feel that befriending people has always been a strong suit of mine. Obviously, I’m not going to like everyone but I came into the game, telling myself, that I was going to at least pretend that I do. [laughs] I found myself trying to get along even with the most problematic of people, like you saw with Brandy, and, you know, others…

The camera cuts to Brandy, who is shaking his head good-naturedly.

Bridgette: I do think that Mallorie wouldn’t have been viewed as as big a threat as she was if I hadn’t been doing much of the work for her.

Jeff: That brings me to my next topic. By a show of hands - okay, say that Graham is now the final juror and Mallorie, you’re in the Final Three - how many votes does Mallorie get?

Abraham raises his hand right away, and Graham shrugs and does too. Mallorie looks around but no one else follows suit.

Jeff: Wow. And does every other vote go to Bridgette?

People are nodding.

Jeff: So Bridgette, you would’ve won either way.

Bridgette: I guess so. [laughs]

Jeff: Mallorie, how does it feel to hear that?

Mallorie: It doesn’t sting as much as it would’ve if I had had made it to the end and lost. I think the way I went out was very poetic. I’m fine with Bridgette winning, I voted for her myself and I’m proud of her. When we were leaving that Final Tribal Council and the season was over, I said to her, “Congratulations. I think you’ve taken it.”

Jeff: But the whole season long, people have been citing you as a big threat and yet now you know they still wouldn’t have voted for you.

Mallorie: I think that...ugh, I guess being a big threat doesn’t necessarily mean you’re guaranteed to win. I think that people just saw me as the leader of the girls, and that taking me out would cause that alliance to crumble. And when Brandy was on the outs and Sasha was on the outs and Dillan and Graham flipped, it was easy for them to just keep naming me the target over and over again rather than come up with a new one. I think that’s how the narrative stuck. But, clearly, I know that my jury management was going to be an issue. People felt burned by me and...that’s now how you get jury votes. [shrugs]

Jeff: All the same, you were one of the highlights of the season, gameplay-wise, so you can take that with you.

Mallorie: Thank you. I’m glad.

The audience cheers for her. Sasha is visibly rolling her eyes, but smiling all the same.

Jeff: And I wanted to talk to you, Abraham. You and Mallorie’s feud didn’t last longer than one episode, but it was still a pretty big battle, and she ultimately came out on top. And just now, you said you would be one of the only two jurors who would put aside their bitterness and vote for her if she made it to the end.

Abraham: Yeah, yeah...I would.

Jeff: [shrugs] Is it just respect from one strategic leader to another or is there something more? Even so, you voted for Graham to win, so what was the reasoning behind that?

Graham cranes his neck to listen as well.

Abraham: Ah, well...you know, I respect the decision at the end of the day that people wanted to award Bridgette. I’m sorry, Bridgette, you’re a nice gal but I was only out there with you for, like, three days, and I never saw you make any real strategic moves so I still don’t think you should’ve won.

There are a couple boos as Bridgette shrugs, brushing this aside.

Bridgette: Understandable. I get it.

Abraham: Mallorie was easily a big target and tribal after tribal, she stayed. How could I not vote for her at the end if she’d made it? I thought she played great.

Mallorie wags an eyebrow at this and smirks.

Abraham: And as for Graham...you know, I think there was a point in the season when I said I thought of him as my little brother and I wasn’t lying, you know. I was out there with him at the very start, and though they didn’t really show it as much, um...we had a good relationship. I respected his reasons for coming out here, I respected that he was out here to chase his lifelong dream and as a fan myself, I saw a bit of me in him. I saw the way he evolved to make it to the end and I, well...that’s why I voted for him.

Jeff: And Graham, you’re in an interesting position now. You once said that you would dread going to the end and getting 2nd place.

Graham: Yup. I didn’t come here for 2nd place. [laughs]

Jeff: You said you wouldn’t even wish that kind of thing on Brandy and Sasha, two of the players who you, arguably, got along the least well with. And yet, here you are, in that dreaded position.

Graham: Yeah, uh...it really sucks to lose by one vote. I don’t think I’m gonna get over it for a while but life goes on, you know. And at the very least, I got votes, I came close to winning, so that’s a small consolation. No offense, Greta.

He turns red and Greta pats his thigh reassuringly.

Greta: It’s alright, honey.

Jeff: And what’s the status on bowling night? Is it a-go?

Graham: [laughs] Yeah, yeah, we went bowling. Me and Dillan and Bridge, we all hung out after the show. Heck, we even hung out with Mallorie, and we met Greta’s kids, so it’s all good off the screen.

Jeff: I think that...well, one of the overarching themes in your storyline this season was that you were a huge fan of Survivor.

Graham: I am.

Jeff: And you finally get the chance to come out here.

Graham: Yeah, I’ll be honest, even as I’m sitting on stage right now it’s still a little surreal. I think I’m very blessed to have had the opportunity to play.

Jeff: Still a fan?

Graham: Huge fan. Nothing’s going to change that.

Jeff: I’d like to know what the status is with Brandy. Your feud lasted...for about as long as he was in the game. Did it still continue once the show was over?

Graham: I think that...Brandy and I are just very different people. We view the world in two very different ways. He sees it one way, I see it another.

Brandy is nodding.

Graham: And...you know, I don’t think we’ll ever be best of friends but we parted amicably enough.

Jeff: Alright, we’re gonna cut to commercial, but when we get back, we’ve still got a lot to get into. There’s Mary-Anne: she gave away her idol, and it cost her the game!

Mary-Anne looks sheepish as the spotlight falls on her.

Jeff: What does she think of that sacrificial move now that she sees where it’s gotten her? And there’s Dillan and Bridgette. Are they a thing, are they not? What about Sasha? Is she still talking to anyone? We’ll find out.

When the show returns from commercial break, Jeff turns to Mary-Anne.

Jeff: So Mary-Anne, anytime someone plays an idol, it’s a big move. When played correctly, it can be a lifesaver, a gamechanger. Suddenly, the tables are turned and someone who wasn’t supposed to go home goes home! But it’s very tricky to figure out how to play it correctly. You could play it at the wrong time, or for the wrong people, and in this case, that happened.

Mary-Anne: [sighs] Yeah, yeah. It definitely did.

Jeff: Any regrets about that move?

Mary-Anne: Absolutely. If Sasha really had been the target, there would’ve been no regrets on my end, of course. I love her. But, you know, she wasn’t the target, I was! So it’s definitely painful to have to relive that.

Jeff: There was a lot of issues surrounding you and Greta in that you and her undoubtedly had a close relationship. Yet in the end, she played a pivotal role in getting you out.

Mary-Anne: I love Greta outside this game. She’s had me and the girls over at her place for dinner and I genuinely love and have so much respect for her as a mom and and a woman. But in the game, she...well, she was hard to work with.

Greta pouts a little, looking up at her.

Mary-Anne: But I don’t carry bad blood out of the game. She outplayed me. They all did, that night. I underestimated her, I suppose. I thought she’d just go along with whatever I told her to.

Jeff: Do you think the tribe swap maybe played a role in causing you two to drift apart so she wasn’t as close with you as she was with Mallorie?

Mary-Anne: Definitely! The tribe swap is a very tricky component of the game to maneuver around. Without it, maybe me and Greta would have stayed solid to the end and it’s the same with Bridgette. But without the swap I probably never would’ve grown close enough to Sasha to want to use my idol on her in the first place. That’s Survivor for you. It hurts to have left with an idol that way but it is what it is and it certainly made for an epic night.

Jeff: Alright, and speaking of which, Greta, what’s your take on this whole journey and how’s it been for you? You struggled the most out of everyone, grappling with the betrayal element of the game.

Greta: Well, Jeff, I’m not used to lying and betrayal. I positioned myself as a motherly figure on the first few days out here. It was hard for me to be cutthroat, so maybe Mary-Anne was right in that that made me an unreliable ally because it was so hard for me to play the game. However, I recognize that that was my mistake, and I know everyone makes mistakes. I’m at peace with it, and I got to the end and my family is proud of me nonetheless.

She smiles as the crowd claps. The camera cuts to her family sitting in the crowd, and her daughter Brenda is among them, clapping.

Jeff: Alright, that’s lovely. Now, I wanted to talk to Dillan. You started the game kinda quiet, but it was clear that you were a force to be reckoned with in challenges, and with Abraham gone and Brandy gone, you took on the role of directly competing against Mallorie. You played most of that section of the game alongside Graham, but it put you at odds with Bridgette. And the two of you - you were great together in the game, you were often attached at the hip. People said you were the next big couple, heck, even your brother thought so!

Dillan grins, and Bridgette raises an eyebrow at him.

Jeff: I want to know: what’s the status update?

Dillan: Ah...we’re not together right now. It just didn’t work out.

Jeff: I’m sorry to hear that.

Dillan: It’s cool. I still think she’s great, she’s awesome, and she deserved the win.

Jeff: Did you vote for her?

Dillan: Oh, no. Graham’s my boy. I had a feeling Bridgette was winning anyway, so I wanted to toss him some support.

Graham chuckles.

Graham: Thanks.

Jeff: And Dillan, you were also part of a big move in which you volunteered to draw rocks! It was a very risky scenario and ultimately it just didn’t work out for you. Graham and Bridgette both put their hands in that bag of rocks and they’re both sitting at the end here, as finalists. Does it haunt you, thinking about how differently that could’ve turned out?

Dillan: Yes, I think that I was a big player in the game at that stage, taking on Mallorie. Had I not drawn that cursed rock, I think I could’ve given her a run for the money. It just goes to show this game isn’t all about skill, there’s plenty of luck involved too.

Jeff: Very true. Alright, we’ve got a couple more people I want to talk to, and then we’ve got the Fan Favorite award to give out! And then, I want to show you guys what we’re going to be doing next season. Before we go to commercial, I wanted to reveal our top three in the running for the Fan Favorite. We got a lot of votes and the leadership position changed quite a bit over the voting period, but ultimately, our top three is Mallorie, Mary-Anne and Graham, in no particular order.

The camera cuts to Mary-Anne clapping, and Mallorie and Graham sitting on the bottom bench near each other.

Jeff: We’ll reveal the winner after the commercial break. Don’t go away.

The commercial break ends, and Jeff returns.

Jeff: Alright, we’ve got a couple more questions remaining. I wanted to talk to Sasha. So, Sasha, you didn’t fit in with the main girls’ clique. I think you’d agree with me on that. There was even one scene there where you almost decapitated a coconut out of anger about it.

Sasha: [laughs] One of my finer moments.

Jeff: And it was because of that that you were on the outside looking in for a while. You had allies, like Mary-Anne, Abraham, Brandy...even Lydia who left early.

The camera cuts to Lydia dressed in a teal dress, dolled up, and nodding at her name being mentioned as she sits up in the top row.

Jeff: But ultimately, you were seen as very much an underdog, with Mallorie and you frequently butting heads. And you made it, to the Final Five!

Sasha: I feel just as achieved as you do.

Jeff: What does that mean?

Sasha: Um...well, I’m very proud of how far I made it. My family was proud of me, so I’m proud of me. I couldn’t go the extra mile to the end and I knew my number was up when I lost that immunity challenge. But I still fought hard and I never gave up.

Jeff: That’s true. You fought with a lot of people on the season, and while you were a firecracker like so many of our past contestants, like Felicity or Mitzi from our last season, you were still rootable and still likeable. The audience, I’ve heard, liked the fighting spirit. They admired your tenacity.

Sasha: Well, I’ve been through some shit in my life. Oh wait, do you censor stuff like that?

Jeff: It’s already out in the open.

Sasha: [laughs] Sorry. But yeah, I’ve been through bad situations before and they’ve made me a stronger person. So, yeah, I’m glad me not giving up has got me some favor. Maybe you should remember that and bring me back on the show one day. [laughs]

Jeff: Subtle.

Sasha: Never my strong suit.

Jeff: And what’s the update on Mallorie? Or Graham? You talk?

Sasha: I think all of us has had a chance to calm down and rationalize the events of the game now that it’s over and done with. Mallorie, she’s a tough chick. I have a lot of respect for her even though we fought a lot. She was a leader in the beginning and I still see it that way. And Graham, well, like with Brandy, we just don’t see eye-to-eye. But I gave him a vote to win because he stuck to his guns and didn’t chicken out of voting Mallorie when I went home.

Jeff: All’s well that ends well?

Sasha: Yeah. [laughs]

Jeff: Alright, well you were one of the stronger players this season, Sasha, and we’d love to have you back. Okay, one last thing before we get to the Fan Favorite reveal - I wanted to talk to Felicity. Felicity, you may not have made it past the merge, but you called Mallorie out as a strategic player early on, and you were right. Plenty of people took shots at her and they all ended up failing, just like you did. But in the end, she did still get taken out. What do you think of how it all panned out?

The camera cuts to Felicity, sitting above Dillan, dressed in a cyan jacket and pink top. She smirks.

Felicity: I think that...Mallorie played a badass game. I give her props. I was like, I told you she was going to be a strong player! But yeah, she did awesome. Kudos to her.

Jeff: Mallorie’s had her fair share of rivals and enemies this season.

The audience laughs a little. Mallorie looks embarrassed.

Jeff: What about you?

Felicity: Mallorie and I don’t really talk but it’s just cause we’re not, like, close friends. But we don’t hold grudges. She earned her spot in the finals. She was a good competitor.

Jeff: Alright, I can think of no better way to wrap up this finale in good spirits than awarding our Fan Favorite with their own $100,000 prize and that prize will go to none other than the person who gave up her shot in the game for another person. I can think of no one else more heroic who deserves this monetary prize than Mary-Anne, who played her idol for someone and got played that very same night. Congratulations!

Mary-Anne looks taken aback, and Kim is patting her on the back.

Mary-Anne: Wow...thank you!

Jeff: Alright, last but not least, before we go, we’re going to take a look at what we’re doing for Survivor next season, starting around the end of the year. Take a look!

The sneak peek of Survivor: El Salvador plays.

"fanfic"

- Survivor has been through several electrifying seasons and has pushed the boundaries of reality show television. There have been epic blindsides, heartbreaking moments and gut-wrenching betrayals. But the game will go one level higher in our next season, when the element of love and family is introduced to the show.

The screen cuts to a lightning fast montage of several people’s faces, some old and some new.

"fanfic"

- Eight past contestants are returning to the game, to battle it out, with their loved ones.

The camera cuts to a guy and a girl sitting underneath a tree, together, having a joint confessional interview.

"fanfic"

- I love this game and I love Bianca, so this is going to be crazy when I’m going to be forced to have to pick one over the other. I think it’s going to add so much more complexity to an already complex game because I’m not just going to be looking out for myself, but for her too.

Bianca laughs, slapping Brett’s arm.

"fanfic"

- He says this, but I know how ruthless he can be. Well, I can be pretty cutthroat too. I love him to death, but we’ll see who comes out on top. I’d love to beat my boyfriend at his own game. I’m not a fighter, but I’m always willing to find that next big adventure.

The camera cuts to another couple, seated on a large rock overlooking the choppy ocean.

"fanfic"

- Last time I played, I spent a lot of time being scared and helpless and emotional and I didn’t get to make my own big moves. Having William here is going to alleviate some of that, I feel, and help me come into my own a little bit as a bigger and better player. I’ve picked up a few things from Erin, and I think having William here is really going to help.

"fanfic"

- I remember seeing how Penny played before I met her. I never thought that we’d end up together and one day we’d be out here, also together. But I’m a tough competitor and I think that she complements me. I’ll be able to fuel her drive and she’ll be able to ground me. Together, there’s no end to the damage we can unleash.

Lastly, the camera cuts to a familiar older woman, sitting next to a bespectacled young lady.

"fanfic"

- I’ve always struggled without family backing me. Now, I have my little girl out here. I already feel emboldened, knowing we’re in this together.

The camera cuts to her daughter Brenda, now on her own.

"fanfic"

- Don’t tell my mom this, but she’s had her chance. Now, it’s my turn. I can’t wait to beat her. [laughs] I love her, but it’s my time to shine.

"fanfic"

- Survivor: El Salvador - Blood vs Water, begins next year! Stay tuned!

Jeff: That’s right! Greta, as well as two other mystery contestants from this season, and more from our last season, are coming back again for another shot at the money! And with half a cast of newbies, it’s going to be a bumpy ride, and you won’t want to miss it!

Author’s Notes

 * The episode title ‘Turning Loyal Soldiers Into Traitors’ was coined by Graham, talking about trying to get the girls to flip on Mallorie.