Couple's Retreat

This is the tenth episode of Survivor: Couples Showdown.

Previously On Survivor...
Tala was was shocked when Camille was blindsided, especially Kevin, who was in tears. At the Reward Challenge, Bulan won, giving them a choice between a pizza feast or an advantage at the next Immunity Challenge. Bulan played it smart, and decided to give their reward to have a better shot at winning immunity. While Tala enjoyed their free reward, Andy ratted Josh, who threw the last Immunity Challenge to vote Camille out.

The next day, tribe tribes merged, and the ex-Bulan members' reward gamble paid off, as Ricky won immunity, but he chose to return to the Tala alliance, giving them a 6-4 advantage because of the additions of Martin and Andy. Later, Andy talked to his partner Devon about giving their Immunity Idol to Josh and vote his biggest rival, Kevin, where the boys were caught red-handed by Kasia. Kasia informed Kevin about the brewing plot against him, and told him to vote for Devon instead. At Tribal Council, Josh played the buddies' idol, but miserably backfired when the Tala alliance turned on Devon instead, making him the third member of the Jury. Nine are left who will be voted out tonight?

Challenges
Reward Challenge: Basket Head The Apolaki tribe will be divided into three teams of three, each with one shooter and two catchers. The shooter will use a large slingshot to fling a rattan ball while their teammates will try to catch them or the other team's ball using a basket on their head. First team to five points wins reward. Reward: A helicopter ride which would take them to a secluded spot where they will eat a full meal and a spa experience (complete with jacuzzi, sauna and massage). They will return back to camp in the evening. Winner: Ricky, Talia and Martin

Immunity Challenge: Weight for Me Using a rope-and-pulley system, contestants must raise and hold on to crates each weighing 50 pounds (23 kg) for as long as they can without their crates touching the clay pot below or both of their feet passing their marked lines. If the crate crushes or even makes contact with the clay pot, or if the player passes through the line, he or she is eliminated from the challenge. Last person left standing wins immunity. Winner: Andy

Night of Day 24
Returning to camp from Tribal Council, where Andy's best friend and partner Devon was brutally blindsided by the Tala alliance, Andy demands an explanation from Kasia how the vote came to be.

"Andy: 'Kasia, I have to admit, you got me there big time. What just happened?' Kasia: 'I caught you talking to Devon yesterday. You told him to vote for Kevin, so I told Kevin.' Andy: 'It's my fault, apparently.' Kasia: 'I know right?' Andy: 'Sorry guys.' Ricky: 'Now Andy, pick a side, Bulan or Tala?' Andy: 'Umm...' Ricky: 'What?! Can't pick?! Come on, are you really acting like a spy or a coward?' Andy: 'Fine, Bulan!' Ricky: 'So be it brotha. You sealed your fate. Game over pal.'"

While most of the tribe are already asleep, Andy pulls Jacki aside and says that he would want to return full time as a member of the Bulan alliance. Jacki thanks him for returning to his former tribe when he joined them in voting for Kevin, albeit failed. Jacki states they need all the help they can get.

Day 25
After receiving Tree Mail, the nine remaining Apolaki tribe members meet Jeff Probst for their next Reward Challenge. The tribe will be divided into three groups which will be determined by drawing rocks. The teams are: Kevin, Kasia and Josh, Andy, Melissa and Jacki and Talia, Ricky and Martin.

The challenge ends up in a blow-out, after Talia and Martin successfully catch three of the balls during the first round and another two at the second round. Ricky, Talia and Martin are airlifted from the challenge area, whilst the six losers head back to camp with nothing.

Ricky, Talia and Martin arrive at a luscious waterfall where a makeshift spa cabin awaits them. During the massage, Ricky falls asleep and snores loudly, to the annoyance of Martin. Talia, who seems to get used of the noise pollution Ricky's producing (since she is friends with Ricky after all), uncontrollably laughs.

After the massage, Talia and Martin let Ricky asleep and proceed to the waterfall to talk strategy. Talia discloses to Martin that, given she and Ricky are the only remaining full pair in the game, she fears that Kevin and Kasia might blindside them. Martin assures her that he is solid being in the Tala alliance, and if anything goes awry, he will inform her. The the three return to Apolaki camp by nightfall, and Martin pulls former Bulan ally Jacki aside and tells her he would want to vote Ricky out.

Day 26
Martin and Kevin wake up the earliest. While tending the fire, Martin talks to Kevin about the idea of voting Ricky out of the game. Martin explains that with Ricky gone, not only there will be eight partnerless individuals left, but also knock down one of the most threatening personalities for individual immunity. Kevin replies that though Martin's idea makes heavy sense, he needs to think this over.

Not getting enough support, Martin approaches Andy and Josh next. Since Andy, being the most vulnerable after being caught playing both sides, and Josh for ultimately betraying Tala, Martin pleads his case to them, hoping they would follow his lead. Without hesitating, Josh and Andy gives Martin their blessing.

Day 27
The Apolaki tribe meets Jeff Probst for their next Immunity Challenge, and the challenge is as easy as it can get. All they need is to hold on the longest. Talia gives in to the pain first, and obliterates her pot, followed by Jacki and Kasia. Melissa impresses everybody for being the last female in the challenge, but takes a fall after accidentally touching her crate to the pot, eliminating herself from the challenge. It comes down to the males, where Ricky seems to be comfortable, while Kevin and Josh struggle to keep their crates above their vases. Suffering a cramp at the arm, Kevin bails out, where the medical team assist him to ease the pain of the cramp. After two long hours, it comes down to Andy and Ricky, but just when he thinks he has the challenge in the bag, Ricky accidentally steps beyond the line, disqualifying himself and giving immunity to Andy.

Back at camp, Talia and Ricky propose to the Tala alliance to vote Melissa off because she has proven herself that her Asperger's Syndrome does hinder her as a person, and definitely win the game if the original Bulan members fill more seats in the Jury. Kasia, Kevin, and Martin agree, though Martin is still visibly undecided if he will go with the plan.

Meanwhile, the vulnerable Bulan alliance (Josh, Jacki, Melissa and the newly returned Andy) talks at the beach, where Jacki tells Josh about Martin's plan of blindsiding Ricky. With this, Josh proposes they should vote for Ricky to at least level the playing field between the alliances with four members each.

With the Immunity necklace around his neck, Andy's Cursed Idol is negated. After the night, Martin joins the Bulan alliance (Melissa, Jacki, Andy and Josh) voting Ricky out or the game. Shocked by Martin's betrayal, an enraged Talia lashes out at Martin, calling him a liar. Ricky hands the Cursed Idol to Martin as payback for his elimination, before quietly walking away from Tribal Council.

Next Time On Survivor...

 * Martin is on hot water, and disaster strikes the Apolaki camp.

Author's Notes

 * After this episode, all eight remaining players do not have partners anymore.