Grasping At Straws

Grasping At Straws is the premiere episode of Survivor: Cayman Islands.

Challenges
Hero Duel: Tower of Hanoi (South Pacific)

In this simplified version of the Thrilogy challenge from South Pacific, Penny, Aisha and Peter would represent their tribes by solving a Tower of Hanoi-style puzzle with a medallion as the top piece to win the challenge.

Reward: A fire-making kit for the winner and his/her tribe

Winner: Peter (Las Caimanes)

Immunity Challenge: Yank Yer Hank (Cambodia)

Tribe members would have to climb across three A-frames, each being taller than the previous one, while carrying coils of rope. They will then use the ropes to pull a heavy crate across a wooden frame. Two tribe members would then have to use the puzzle pieces inside the crate to solve a puzzle. The tribes could change solvers, but they must stay at only two at a time. First two tribes to finish are safe; the tribe in last place goes to Tribal Council.

Reward: Tribal immunity for the first two tribes to finish, with a reward of a hammock and tarp for the tribe in first place.

Winners: Las Caimanes & Los Lagartos

Day 1
"fanfic"

- Right now, we’re in the Cayman Islands, of the West Caribbean Sea, home to many forms of diverse wildlife from rock iguanas to red-footed boobies. It is here that 18 different Americans, from all walks of life, will compete over the course of the next 39 days, in a grueling adventure against the elements, social politics and each other, for a million dollars and the coveted title of Sole Survivor!

Three speedboats are traversing the ocean, on their way to the beach where Jeff stands, awaiting their arrival. The camera pans down and zooms in on the leftmost speedboat. A young man in a football jersey sits near the bow, staring out at the ocean.

"lastortugas"

- I’ve wanted to play Survivor my whole life! I’ve watched the show ever since I was a little boy, and it was always an impossible dream of mine. But now, I think I’m in my prime. I’m readier now than I believe I will ever be to tackle this adventure head on.

The camera switches over to the second speedboat, moving over to focus on a heavily tattooed woman with blue hair, leaning against the side of the boat, with a smirk on her face.

"loslagartos"

- The people out here, they don’t know what they’re getting themselves into. These people look like they’re out here to take a damn vacation. Me? Nah. I’m coming out here to play.

The camera zooms over to the third and final speedboat, focusing on a bespectacled older woman, smartly in a blue vest and beige suit jacket.

"lascaimanes"

- There are too many schemers and snakes on this show. I understand that you’ve got to be cutthroat, but I’m out here to try and prove that you can play this game with integrity, and honesty, and loyalty. I’m here to show that a woman with dignity can play and win this game that is all about lying and cheating and stealing and backstabbing.

"fanfic"

- Survivor is the ultimate challenge. And there is only one winner!

"lascaimanes"

- I think I’ve got the charm. Yeah, I’m real charming. These people will like me too much to want to vote me off. I’m going to be the kingpin of the tribe and these people are gonna just let it happen.

"fanfic"

- Who has what it takes to outlast all the rest?

"loslagartos"

- I grew up on a farm in Texas and we need more people from the country and the nitty gritty to represent! [laughs] I’m used to living out in the heat, manual labor, working with animals; I know how to start a fire – this is just a walk in the park for me.

"fanfic"

- And who will outwit, outplay and outlast everyone else?

"lastortugas"

- I hate weak people. If you’re out here, you’ve gotta play with all you’ve got. You’re going to have to be cutthroat, and I’m gonna slit as many peoples’ throats as I have to, to get to the end.

"fanfic"

- This is Survivor: Cayman Islands! 39 days, 18 people, 1 SURVIVOR!

As the speedboats come to a stop by the shore, the castaways get off their boats and head up the beach to their respective tribe mats.

Jeff welcomes the castaways to the Cayman Islands for Survivor. Everyone cheers and claps. Several people are shown smiling and whooping.

Jeff: All eighteen of you are now standing on three separate mats, with five other people. Take a good look at the people on your mats because those people are going to be your new tribemates.

Six castaways each are standing on pink, brown and green mats. The castaways begin sizing each other up.

Jeff: Before we get down to your tribe names and the maps to your beaches, let’s start this game off with a little twist. You guys have only just met each other, you’ve not spent any time getting to know one another, but now, you’re all going to make a decision as a group. Based off of first impressions alone, I want you all to collectively elect one member of your tribe to be your tribe leader. Pink tribe, we’ll start with you.

The pink tribe members look at one another and have a quick discussion. They choose to elect Mitch as their leader. Jeff asks Elmer why they chose Mitch, to which the latter replies he exuded the aura of a fatherly figure.

Jeff asks the brown tribe to do the same, and they elect Aidan on the basis of him being the largest and toughest-looking guy out of the gate. The green tribe is last and they choose Yvonne, based on her being the oldest, and what they hope to be, the wisest, of the six of them.

Jeff then tells the three tribe leaders in turn to elect one member of their tribe as the weakest member of their tribe, based purely on first impressions. Mitch looks pained and turns to survey the expectant faces of his tribemates. He picks Penny. A hurt and offended-looking Penny steps forward out of the group.

"lastortugas"

- Mitch has to out someone as the weakest member of our tribe…and he picks…me? I’m insulted, why would he pick me? I’m not the weakest. I mean, look at Cindy!

When asked about his decision, Mitch stated it was nothing personal, he didn’t believe Penny was weak, just the ‘least strong’.

For his choice, Aidan selected Aisha, which appeared to annoy the petite Indian girl. When Jeff asks Aisha why she thinks she was outed as the weakest, she says it’s obviously because she’s the smallest girl here and she can see why that would work against her.

"loslagartos"

- I outed Aisha as our weakest member because, let’s face it. One look at the people on our tribe and it’s obvious. We have three strong guys, myself included, a heavily tattooed woman, and a tall older one in a nice coat; it’s really no contest. She’s small and petite. She’s a head shorter than everyone else. Even if she holds it against me, she can’t do nothing about it. These guys have already made me their leader.

"loslagartos"

- No surprise, Aidan singled me out. I get it. I'm small, smallest girl out here. It was to be expected.

Last but not least, Yvonne of the Green Tribe selected, to the shock of many, Peter. As Peter is relatively well-built and in shape, Jeff is bewildered, as are many of the others. Cindy is seen wide-mouthed in comical surprise.

Jeff: Why Peter?

Yvonne: There has to be a reason you’re making us elect someone as our weakest member. It can’t just be that simple. Yeah, I’ve watched the show. I bet you’re putting them through some sort of twist. If that’s the case, I want Peter to handle it because looking at him, I don’t believe he’s the weakest and I trust that he will do what’s best for the tribe in whatever this secret twist entails.

"lascaimanes"

- I consider myself to be a little shrewd, a little observant. There had to be a reason why Jeff made us nominate someone as our weakest member. I’ve seen the show, either they get sent up ahead to camp to perhaps get started on our shelter or there’s some secret twist or choice they have to make. I look at Peter and I see a reliable, strong man. Of course that assumption might be entirely different from what I say in a few days, this is all based off of my first impression of him. But whatever this twist is, hopefully he’ll do what’s right for the tribe.

Jeff: Well, Penny, Aisha, Peter, if this was an ordinary Tribal Council, the three of you would’ve been voted out of the game and that would’ve been the end of that. Luckily for you, this is not Tribal Council. You three are not out of the game yet. Now, you three will participate in the first Hero Duel of the Season.

Penny shoots her tribe a nervous look. Aisha raises an eyebrow. Peter lets out a slow exhale.

The first Hero Duel will be: Temple Transfer; involving the three elected contestants to solve a Tower of Hanoi puzzle. The first tribe to finish will win fire in the form of a firemaking kit for their tribe.

As the puzzle begins, all three tribes shout out support to their respective champions. Penny is visibly flustered as Wilkes yells at her with impatience. Darnell tells Wilkes to calm down, looking comically flustered at her outburst. Aisha is merely confused, looking at the puzzle pieces as if she’d never seen or attempted a puzzle in her life. Aidan, being the largest guy, has the loudest booming voice, and is heard shouting orders at Aisha in his loud voice to no avail, competing with Mitzi to get his voice heard, as the latter is also yelling frenzied instructions.

It is no contest. Peter easily gets off to a solid lead in the puzzle, and wins the challenge swiftly to the celebration of his tribemates, winning a firemaking kit reward for his tribe.

Probst then hands out maps to the three respective tribes, and tells them their names: the Pink Tribe will be Las Tortugas, the Brown Tribe will be Los Lagartos and the Green Tribe will be Las Caimanes. The tribes leave for their respective camps.

On the Las Caimanes beach, the winning tribe is shown walking along the beach, happy and elated after Peter won them their first challenge. As they arrive at their new camp, the group congratulates Peter for coming through for them, and thanks Yvonne for her shrewdness in picking a reliable person for the challenge unlike the other two tribes.

"lascaimanes"

- So we’re not even a day into this game and already I’ve won the tribe a firemaking kit, I’ve won our first challenge, I’ve won their respect. This couldn’t have gone any better. Seriously, what a way to start the game! This is the best start to the game any of us could’ve asked for. Now, we have momentum – now, I have momentum. I have to give props to Yvonne, she was smart enough to see through the whole ‘elect your weakest member thing’. It was a risky move but it paid off.

Natalia: So how are we gonna go about building this shelter?

Brett: I don’t know; you wanna ask our leader?

Yvonne laughs.

Yvonne: Well, I guess we could start by gathering resources…we’re gonna need bamboo, palm fronds…

Yvonne helps regulate duties to everyone and for the most part, everyone is willing to pull their weight. The boy go gather wood while the girls work on weaving palm fronds, giving ample opportunity for each trio to talk and discuss strategy.

While Erin and Yvonne work on their weaving, Natalia is more focused on the game and immediately proposes an all-female alliance.

Natalia: What do you girls think about, like, a female alliance?

Yvonne: What, like, with just us girls?

Natalia: That is what a female alliance is about, yeah…

Erin: I would be open to that.

Yvonne: I think we should settle down on our tribe first…it’s only the first day.

Natalia: I just think we shouldn’t, like, let the boys get the upper hand.

"lascaimanes"

- First off, it’s like…we’ve only just met! And we haven’t even finished building our shelter, and like, Natalia’s already charging ahead full speed, proposing an all-girls’ alliance. Like, you know, I’m down for that. Girl power and stuff. But relax. It’s not even the second day yet. Let’s just, you know, finish weaving these palm fronds and get our shelter built first. I don’t know, is this how quickly Survivor is played? You get an alliance even before you share more than like, I dunno, seven sentences with someone just cause of their gender?

The girls continue talking and Yvonne laughs at a joke Erin makes.

"lascaimanes"

- Otherwise, though, I like this tribe! I think I got really lucky with the tribe I've been put on, and not just become a member of, but become the 'leader' of. It's surreal. I think we have some really solid people and some really strong players too. Hopefully we can avoid that dreadful first tribal council and carry our good luck deep into the game. This is my tribe and these are my people, my island family for however many days I have in this game.

Over on the Las Tortugas beach, the group is halfway through constructing their own shelter. Penny is talking to Wilkes, Cindy and Erin by the shambles of their half-built shelter as they move materials over.

Penny: I can’t believe that Mitch would just out me as the weakest player right away. It’s so unfair.

Wilkes: What, you don’t think you’re the weakest player of the six of us?

Penny: Uh…no. We haven’t even gotten to know each other yet, the game’s barely started.

Wilkes: Well, first impressions form very quickly. You’ve got to adapt on the fly.

Cindy: Oh good grief, speaking of flies, I hope there aren’t too many out here. I hate all kinds of insects, I don’t want to get bitten.

Wilkes: We’re out in the middle of the wilderness, of course there are insects! Check that bug phobia at the door, girl, we’re out here to play Survivor.

Cindy is shown talking animatedly with the other two women, with all sorts of bizarre hand gestures. Wilkes cocks an eyebrow, looking impatient.

"lastortugas"

- Good grief…this chick is so annoying, I can’t stand her! She needs to zip it, does she not have a filter? I just want to filter out all of her nonsense for one minute so I can hear myself think!

Elmer heads down towards the shoreline, where Darnell is attempting to chop open a coconut with a machete, with Mitch hovering over him.

Mitch: What’s your take on the girls so far, boys?

Darnell: That Cindy girl never shuts up. I’ve met elephants that are quieter than she is.

Mitch: It’s only been a few hours. Cut her some slack.

Elmer: Penny seems really sweet though.

Darnell: Yeah she does; a real sweetheart.

Elmer: She was really upset about you nominating her as the weakest, though.

Mitch looks back at Penny with a worried expression.

"lastortugas"

- Elmer tells me Penny’s still upset about the whole ‘weakest person’ thing. I’d really hoped for that not to have consequences, but I guess as per Newton’s Law, every action in Survivor will have its’ fair share of consequences. To be fair, if Penny wants to prove her worth, she’s more than welcome to at the next immunity challenge.

"lastortugas"

- Penny’s real cute. [laughs] Like, I said I wasn’t gonna get booty blinded out here but she is really hot.

The scene transitions to one of Elmer and Penny by the water well, talking and laughing as they get water, almost flirtatiously.

Elmer: So what do you do for a living, Penny?

Penny: I’m a fashion designer. It’s always been my dream. I know, it sounds stereotypical. What do you do?

Elmer: Oh, I’m a musician.

Penny: Wooow, impressive…are you going to serenade me?

Elmer: Naw, really, it’s nothing-

Penny: I love guys who know how to play music, I think it's really romantic.

"lastortugas"

- You know, Elmer’s a really sweet guy. He’s a real gentleman, and he’s certainly easy on the eyes. He’s very charming. I could see myself going to the end of this game with him.

"lastortugas"

- I’m starting this game off running, I’m making sure I connect with everybody, that I’m everyone’s favorite person out here. I’m relying on [holds up two fingers] sincerity and flattery.

Elmer is seen sitting next to Cindy in the shelter, talking.

Elmer: I really like your hair.

Cindy: Thanks! You see, I’m a hairdresser, and I, you know, obviously, my hair has to be as good as, you know, what I’d like to show my customers I can do. Otherwise I’d be a pretty crappy hairstylist!

Elmer is now shown walking along with Wilkes in the forest, both in an animated discussion. The scene that cuts to one of him laughing along with Darnell.

"lastortugas"

- You know, not everyone here’s easy to get along with, but I’ll make do with what I have. I just hope the girls don't think I'm playing the flirt card cause that's not my intention! The key to a good player is someone who can adapt on a dime to any situation. I’ve got five people here with me, I’ve gotta appeal to them any way I can, and get them to like me. Which is good. It’s one of my skills: I’m good at making friends. Always have been. [laughs]

Next up, the camera checks in with the Los Lagartos tribe on their beach. A very sweaty and flustered-looking Aidan is bustling about in nothing but a pair of red boxer shorts, barking out orders as the tribe tries to figure out how they plan to build their shelter.

Aisha sits on a half-assembled bamboo structure, picking at her teeth, looking tired and bored. Mitzi is pacing up and down, livid.

Oberon: This is a mess.

Aidan: No, it’s fine, I know the basic structure of what we’re doing, we just need to get it together.

"loslagartos"

- I'm, you know, trying to get our shelter fixed so we have a place to sleep tonight and we won't get cold. And some of these people don't think it's important to help me. Aisha is already sitting down like she's tired or something. Honey, the game started less than three hours ago. Get off your ass, and get moving.

As Aidan hustles about, dragging large pieces of bamboo over to the spot that the tribe has designated to build their shelter, Mitzi and Ingrid head into the woods to gather palm leaves to shelter in the rain, talking as they go.

Mitzi: Aidan’s being really pushy.

Ingrid: That’s a fair observation.

Mitzi: I didn’t really think he was leader material. I don’t see why everyone elected him leader.

Ingrid: Who would you have elected then?

Mitzi: You, probably.

Ingrid: [laughs] Me?

Mitzi: Yeah, girls gotta represent. Like that woman they made leader on the Green Tribe, whatever they're called. Besides, you seem like a smart woman. One look at Aidan bustling around in those boxers of his and I want to puke.

"loscaimanes"

- Coming into this game, I’m not exactly the nicest person to walk the face of this Earth. I can be a bit of a bitch at times [laughs]. I own that. So I knew I had to get that one or two really solid people locked down, so I at least have someone who I can trust…I hope. It's only the first day but I'm getting a good vibe from Ingrid. I just hope my instincts are right to tell me to align with her.

Mitzi: I’m thinking, you, me and Aisha? Three of us band together, and we can rope in one of the guys to get the majority. We only need 4 on a tribe of 6, and you seem like a smart woman.

Ingrid: I am totally down. I’d be stupid to turn down an alliance. Do you think you can rope in Aisha?

Mitzi: Aidan already made that easy for us by singling her out as the weakest. She’ll come onboard to get back at him.

"loslagartos"

- I'm not too sure how I feel about aligning with Mitzi. On one hand, she and Aidan don't really seem to get along. On the other, I need allies and no one else is offering alliances to me. If Mitzi wishes to pledge allegiance with me, sure. But I'm wary of her. She's a wild card, and she seems fiery. That could be bad news. Unpredictability does not bode well out here.

Elsewhere, Oberon and Terrence are out wading in the lake, talking.

Terrence: You watched The Walking Dead too? Dude, I love that show.

Oberon: Yeah, so do I.

Terrence: There’s one thing we got in common.

Oberon: It’s nice to see another fit, young guy on the tribe.

Terrence: [laughs] Thanks. I’m no bodybuilder, really.

Oberon: You’re fine, don’t worry about it. You know all those power duos that go to the end and become, like, friends for life? I can totally see that happening between us, bro.

Terrence: I watch your back, you watch mine?

Oberon: Done deal. [laughs]

The two share a short, awkward fist bump.

"loslagartos"

- I had to get my bases covered, and Terrence genuinely seems like a decent guy, someone I’d like to stick close to. I need to pick someone to stay loyal to and for someone to stay loyal to me. For me, that was my boy Terrence. And I had to get more than just him, so I’m looking to the two ladies for that. Mitzi seems a tad bit explosive, she was glaring daggers at Aidan the whole day. But Aisha seems impressionable and Ingrid seems cool, so if they’re on board, we could potentially have a majority alliance in the works among the four of us. With three tribes instead of two, that also reduces our chances of having to go to tribal council. People see me, they think I'm just a jock or a cowboy. I'm not. I'm a thinker. I'm sensitive, a lot more than people would expect. I'm here to play Survivor, but I believe it's not impossible to make some lasting friendships along the way as well. I want this to be a positive experience on top of being a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

"loslagartos"

- The game starts off, and it's Day 1. Instantly this guy Oberon and I hit it off. It was just a natural friendship, he reminded me of some of my close friends back home. So it was an instant ally choice. You've got to have allies in this game, and I guess we're good.

Back over at the Las Caimanes beach, the sun is slowly setting. Natalia is stirring rice in a pot, looking confused.

Natalia: Is the rice cooked yet? How can you tell?

Yvonne: Here, let me see for you.

Brett is sitting in the shelter, looking at the two women incredulously.

"lascaimanes"

- I’m in a tribe with a woman who barely knows how to cook! You’re on Survivor! You didn’t think to figure out these things first before you came out on the island? What is Natalia anyway, a science teacher or something?

"lascaimanes"

- I am a Literature professor. [laughs] My…extensive knowledge of all things Shakespeare doesn’t really help me when I’m in the kitchen. [laughs] I’ll admit I think it’s a little demeaning some of these men expect me to instantly be a master at cooking but if they really think I’m being silly, they can always take over. You know, you won’t hear any complaints from me. You think you boys can do it better, go right ahead!

Peter: It’s a good thing we got that uh…that firemaking kit.

Callum: Heh, yeah-

Peter: Or we’d really have no idea what to do.

"lascaimanes"

- As silly as Natalia’s antics are when it comes to figuring out how to cook rice, the actual survival element of Survivor is nothing compared to the social element. That’s more of what the game is about nowadays, surviving the social politics and the cutthroat nature of the game, and less about wondering how the hell we’re going to survive if no one in the tribe knows how to cook rice or catch fish. I’ll worry about starvation and dehydration and lack of sleep later. You know the game is played as soon as you hit the beach and you better be quick to learn or you’re screwed. So I’ve got my main allies, my guys Brett and Callum. Brett’s resourceful, he at least knows his way around a machete, he chopped open a coconut and passed it all around. Callum’s more like me, you know, he’s cool, he’s suave and he’s sarcastic as all hell but I like it. But we need to win over one woman and I think Brett’s got that covered. We need Erin.

Brett comes limping into camp, wincing with each step.

Brett: Got stung.

Yvonne: What?

Erin: Oh my gosh.

Yvonne: Let me take a look at it.

"lascaimanes"

- Heh. Survivor's brutal. One night in, I already get stung by something when wading out in the ocean. It's au naturel out here. The native blue sea.

Erin and Brett are then seen talking out in the ocean, near the shoreline. Erin is standing in a bikini, the water up to her knees as she untangles her long hair. Brett is sitting down as the waves lap around him.

Brett: If only we had some sausages. We could have a beach barbeque.

Erin laughs.

Brett: So what are you thinking, Erin? What’s the story here?

Erin: Well, I really like our tribe. [laughs] Everyone seems like a decent bunch. I think it’s too early to tell though and I’d rather not have to dwell too much on it until we have to go to tribal but everyone seems solid.

Brett: I like your hat by the way.

Erin: Aww, thanks.

Even as Erin smiles, her voiceover cuts in over her beaming face, dripping with suspicion.

"lascaimanes"

- I get your game, Brett. He’s really sweet, thinks he’s all romantic and being a ladies’ man. Yeah…takes a lot more than a few simple compliments to just win me over there, buddy, so hold your horses. I’m not one to just fall for someone on a dime. He thinks he can flirt his way through this game. I'm observant. He's the kind of guy who's probably great with people. And that's fine. But it makes me wary. You want to be allies? Cool. Our tribe needs to stay strong physically. I have no issue with that. I can smile and be sweet to you, but I’ll have no problem cutting his throat if I think he’s playing me. So I’ll go along with him for now, but I’ll have my guard up. Still, he does have this way of making you feel at ease when he talks. It's almost mesmerizing. So, I have to admit it: I like Brett.

The sun has almost set, and back at the Los Lagartos beach, Aidan is trying to make fire. Oberon and Terrence are hovering over him, breathing down his neck. Aisha is sitting in the shade of the more-or-less finished structure, watching silently. Mitzi looks incredulous at Aidan's attempts.

Mitzi: I thought you said you knew how to make fire.

Aidan: I'm trying! It's not easy to make fire without flint. I'm doing my best.

"loslagartos"

- We don't have fire right now, and it's scary, wondering what we'll do if it gets cold at night.

Oberon: You got it, Aidan, put your back into it.

Aidan: You give it a go, Oberon.

Oberon takes over and begins furiously scrubbing two pieces of wood together. Sweat pouring down his face, with added encouragement from Aidan, Oberon manages to get the wood smoking.

Ingrid cheers and raises her hands up high.

Ingrid: Just as it's getting dark too!

"loslagartos"

- It is beautiful out here. Truly. The stars coming out was magical. I could get used to living out here.

Mitzi is standing to the side, smirking.

"loslagartos"

- For all his big talk, the grand leader of Los Lagartos couldn't start a fire. Credit is due to Oberon but Aidan is all talk and he has nothing to back it up with. I can't believe I'm going to be stuck with this blockhead for who knows how long.

It’s now late at night and returning to the Las Tortugas beach, everyone is sleeping in the shelter. Elmer and Penny are cuddled together on the edge of the shelter, giggling and whispering.

Penny: *whisper* Stop it!

Elmer: *whisper* What? I’m not doing anything.

Penny: *whisper* Quit tickling me! I’m trying to go to sleep! [giggles]

On the opposite side of the shelter, Wilkes pokes her head up and glares at the pair, the anger evident in her glowing white irises.

"lastortugas"

- Oh my god, Penny and Elmer are making me sick. It’s one thing for them to be all lovey and flirty like they’re on their honeymoon but tone it down when we’re all lying in the same shelter trying to get some shut-eye, no one wants to hear you cooing to each other as you *censored*.

Day 2
The next day, over at the Los Lagartos beach, Mitzi is in a foul mood.

"loslagartos"

- I was trying to get some sleep last night, you know, as you do. But with this giant of a man – Aidan – taking up so much space on our already rickety shelter, and tossing and turning and literally causing the ground to shake each time he does that like he’s a frikking hippopotamus – no one could get any sleep. I know I certainly didn’t get any sleep. I guess this is what I signed up for coming out here. I’m not complaining. I’m just making a statement.

Ingrid is also awake. Terrence is leaning against the side of the shelter with bleary eyes as Aisha stretches, getting up as well.

Oberon: Morning, guys.

Ingrid: Good morning.

Oberon: We survived to Day 2!

Ingrid: Whoo!

Oberon: Heh…yay us…

Aidan: [groans] I could use some coffee…I wish we had coffee…

Terrence: Well, we could probably win it in a challenge or something…

Aidan: I hope so, man…I really hope so. [yawns] I need my caffeine.

The camera zooms in on Mitzi’s irritable face as she stands nearby, picking her teeth.

"loslagartos"

- It’s like I said – we’ve got the biggest guy here who we made our leader and he’s the one doing the least amount of stuff. Who went out and got all the firewood and started the fire and helped get us breakfast? Not his lazy ass, that’s for sure. That was me, and Ingrid, and the boys Oberon and Terrence went out to get clams. Even Aisha helped go get water and she’s so quiet and boring I almost forgot she was on our tribe. So, point blank, I don’t like him. He’s too bossy. And I hate hearing his voice. If I have to listen to him call me ‘sweetheart’ again and be all like [in an imitation of Aidan’s gruff voice] ‘hey, yo, sweetheart, go get some of our firewood, we gotta get firewood, we gotta work, you all gotta pull your own weight’ blah blah blah, whatever. I don’t care.

Mitzi and Ingrid are back out in the forest, and Mitzi pulls Ingrid aside.

Mitzi: Okay, so, we all know what we have to do as soon as we arrive on this beach, right?

Ingrid: What, build a shelter?

Mitzi: No! We look for an idol! Girl, come help me look!

Ingrid: What? I don’t think it’s going to be that easy to just find one-

Mitzi: Since our dear leader Aidan’s always on our case about going to get more firewood, [imitating Aidan] ‘more o’ dat doggone fiyahwood!’ he won’t suspect a damn thing. Now come on. And quickly. This is between you and me.

"loslagartos"

- I woke up this morning and while the Oberon and Terrence are out securing us breakfast, Mitzi pulls me aside and says, 'We gotta look for an idol'. And I'm like, whoa, where did this come from all of a sudden? Like, did you have a premonition in your dreams last night about where to find it? Why the sudden interest? And then she's off! Darting from tree to tree, scaling this tree and that, wandering all over the place like a couple of mad women.

The girls take off all over the woods, searching high and low, up in the trees and in the lake, all over for a possible hidden idol. Back by the beach, Oberon and Terrence are back from clam fishing.

Oberon: Where’re the girls? Mitzi and uh…Ingrid.

Aidan: I don’t know. She said she was gonna get firewood. Or palm fronds. One of the two.

"loslagartos"

- Anytime two people disappear for a long period of time on this show, it usually means something fishy is going on. Mitzi, I already knew she was shady. She never seemed to like many of us, especially Aidan. But I liked Ingrid, I thought she was cool. So I'm wondering what the two of them are doing playing Houdini and vanishing with no trace like this.

Oberon: Are we at all concerned about where they’ve gone off to?

Terrence: Why? You don’t think they’re up to something, do you?

Oberon: Mitzi seems perpetually grouchy. You think she’s always this grumpy?

Aidan: Not a morning person, maybe?

"loslagartos"

- So, for whatever reason, Oberon’s worried about where Mitzi and Ingrid have gone off to. Personally, I think he’s being paranoid.

As Terrence gives his confessional, the scene transitions to show Mitzi and Ingrid scampering around the forest, scouring the place madly for any sign of the idol.

Mitzi: Have you checked that tree?

Ingrid: Yes!

Mitzi: Okay! I just wanted to make sure.

Ingrid: We’ve checked this area, like, a hundred times! It’s not here, let’s just move on!

Mitzi: No! What if it’s like right over our heads and we’re just not seeing it, and then the show busts out that corny music as we totally miss the idol right under our noses or something and we become laughing stocks on national television-

Ingrid: We’re going around in circles, face it.

"loslagartos"

- …But, I don’t think the two of ‘em are looking for idols. It’s just, would they really? I don’t think they’re looking for idols, I think Oberon’s just being a little paranoid.

Ingrid: Whatever, it’s not here. Let’s just get back to the others.

Moving over to the Las Tortugas camp, Elmer is out in the ocean, getting clams. Penny is sitting out on the beach with Wilkes, having what appears to be an intense conversation.

Penny: What’s your story, Wilkes? Like, I don’t get…where we stand.

Wilkes: What’s that supposed to mean?

Penny: I don’t – I don’t know, I just, like, I don’t know! I get the feeling you don’t really like me…

Wilkes: W-Well, you know, this isn’t a popularity contest, okay? You don’t need to be loved by everybody. What are you getting at, Penny?

Penny: Nothing! I was just…trying to have a conversation.

"lastortugas"

- Wilkes is one of those…explosive…types…you know? Yeah, I don’t really like her, I think she’s just one of those easily jealous, bitter old cougars who are always, like, holding a grudges against girls like me who just, you know, they can’t hold a candle to. I’m sorry you’re not as pretty as me, get over it. I think she was jealous of how well I was getting along with the men.

Penny walks up to Elmer and Darnell by the water well as the latter two are getting water.

Penny: I just had, like, this really weird conversation with Wilkes. It felt like a confrontation and yet at the same time it was really…

Elmer: Strange?

Penny:…passive.

"lastortugas"

- I don’t really know what role this Wilkes chick serves…in our tribe as of now. Like, we got Mitch, who’s the fatherly figure and the leader of our tribe, always the role model and the kind guy and stuff. Then there are new American couple Elmer and Penny who are always laughing and flirting like they just got engaged or something. Cindy’s the loud talkative chick who gets excited everytime she sees a wild animal or bird up in the trees or whatever and then you have Wilkes who is like this super-stoned tattooed chick and I just can’t figure out her deal, you know. Like, what’s her game? She’s been trying to turn a lot of the tribe against Penny these first two days, saying she hasn’t really been helping out around camp and all that stuff and I don’t think there’s any love lost between the two girls.

Elmer: Yeah, well, don’t, you know, worry too much…about Wilkes. I think you, me, Mitch and Darnell here, we got a good thing going. It’s just us four, so we’re solid.

Penny: Yeah?

Darnell: Yeah, girl, just ignore her. We got your back.

Penny: Thanks. I just can’t stand her.

Darnell: Heh, you can’t stand Wilkes cos she doesn’t like you. Well, me? Cindy’s driving me crazy. If I have to hear her talk one more time or regale me with another one of her stories about her amazing life back home, I wouldn't mind actually sending her BACK home.

"lastortugas"

- As for Cindy, eh…she’s kinda driving everyone in camp a lil’ nuts.

Cindy is shown squealing and leaping onto the shelter as a centipede crawls around in the sand near her.

"lastortugas"

- She is just so…crazy and…full of energy…it’s like…yeesh! This chick is mental. She is the Shirin of our tribe. Translate that energy into our first challenge and you and I got no problem. You know, I can appreciate how enthusiastic she is to be out here but on the other hand she’s gotta stop screaming every time a grasshopper or whatever bug is annoying her lands on her.

While Penny has her talk with the boys, Wilkes sits with Cindy by the shelter.

"lastortugas"

- There are many reasons why I don’t like the stunningly beautiful Penny Looper. First off, she barely does anything to pitch in at camp. It’s almost always me and the guys doing it all while she waits for us to attend to her needs. Even Cindy does more than her. That’s right – Cindy! The girl who is apparently so dense she doesn’t realize no one wants to hear her story about how she was almost killed by the mailman, which sounds way cooler than it actually is.

Wilkes: Penny is like…really getting on my nerves, you know?

Cindy: Oh, yeah, totally.

Wilkes: Like, if she doesn’t prove her worth in the challenge, I’m thinking we get rid of her…like, first.

Cindy nods empathetically.

"lastortugas"

- So, for whatever reason, Wilkes wants to get rid of Penny and I’ve spoken with Penny more than enough to know that Penny wants to get rid of Wilkes. Options are opening up! The game of Survivor is being laid out in front of me as we speak. If either woman wants to target the other, that’s perfect cause it takes the target off of me and I can just sit back with the boys and take our pick. You want to cut Penny loose? Let’s do it. You want to cut Wilkes loose, I hear? Fine by me too. I have no allegiance to either woman, I’ll do what’s best for the tribe, as long as that includes me, of course. [laughs]

Wilkes: It’s just, I can’t stand the way she’s so openly flirting with, like, Elmer.

Cindy: They were spooning all of last night, weren’t they?

Wilkes: Exactly!

Cindy: I KNOW, it’s so juicy! [laughs]

Wilkes very imperceptibly rolls her eyes.

"lastortugas"

- It’s reached the point where I can’t decide who I dislike more, Penny or Cindy. Penny’s won over the hearts of the men, most especially Elmer because the two will not stop groping each other and whispering sweet nothings in the other person’s ear. It’s positively revolting. At any rate, that’s another reason why I want to get rid of her – to separate the obvious power couple. Never get into a romance or a showmance because while it makes for interesting television, you become a walking target! Both of you become walking targets! Power couples tend to last very far and go very deep together in the game, and we need to split them up by getting rid of one or the other, and fast. And then there’s Cindy, come to regale me with another tall tale of how badly she’s wanted to be on Survivor and how pathetically she is actually destroying her chances of staying on it with every word and syllable that leaves her mouth, the poor thing.

The camera pans over a cool establishing shot of the Las Caimanes beach. The three guys are out in the water with Erin, talking. Natalia watches from the shelter, eyes narrowed.

"lascaimanes"

- You know, I can see the guys very clearly sucking up to Erin. It starts as small things, Brett keeps complimenting her hair and her hat or something and they’re all out there in the water, laughing and chatting. It’s so nauseating, I didn’t know I was back in high school where the pretty popular girl got all the attention. They’re already vying for her vote if we get to Tribal Council and it’s sickening. I hope to hell that that doesn’t mean me and Yvonne are on the outs but those four are, like, that table at high school where only the popular kids can sit. I pitched this idea of an all-girls’ alliance to Erin because I knew the guys would try to win her over and sadly it looks like it’s working. I guess maybe an alliance of 3 in a tribe of 6 wasn’t the most stable idea but hey I’m a Literature professor, not a math teacher. [laughs] 4 does trump 2 and if Erin is thinking of going with the guys instead of me and Yvonne, it could mean trouble. I know I’ve got Yvonne on my side, so I’ve gotta reel my girl Erin in.

Brett: So, Erin, here’s what I’m thinking.

Erin: Uh-uh? What's up?

Brett: You, me, Callum and Peter. That’s four.

Erin: And that leaves Nat and Yvonne-

Brett: On the outs.

Peter: We need a majority of four on a tribe of six. This would benefit all of us, to stick together and get through the pre-merge phase.

Erin: And us four are solid?

Brett: Absolutely. Boys?

Callum: Rock solid, sweetheart.

Peter: My word.

Brett:  This will be a great alliance. As long as us four stay strong, we’re golden.

"lascaimanes"

- So, I said I was going to get a good alliance going, and after a couple days interacting with my tribe, I think I’ve selected a good group. For my alliance, I’ve chosen Callum – he’s cool, he’s laidback, he’s strong; Peter – he’s smart, he’s strategic and he honestly seems a little chauvinistic so I can use that to try and keep him by my side; and we have Erin, who I believe is a rational and intelligent young woman. It’s a solid group, with two stragglers on the outs. In the case of a tribe swap we’re trying to keep our majority alliance under wraps in case we regret it later on. But let it be known that I’m not defecting from this group, I think this is a solid four.

"lascaimanes"

- Brett kinda gathered us all for a little strategy talk out in the water. [holds out four fingers and counts them down] He wants me, him, Erin and Peter in an alliance. Which is good. It’s good. I am solid with that, I am cool. My boy Peter and I have a good relationship. Brett’s solid. Erin’s awesome. And I never really cared much for rice chef extroadinaire Natalia Shakespeare anyway. Yvonne made a good choice with her leadership but that’s about as far as we’re taking it. She’s wise, a little too wise, and that intimidates me. If we go to tribal council, I kind of want Yvonne out first. Wise old women scare me. [laughs]

Brett: So are we good?

Erin shakes Brett's hand and nods at Callum and Peter.

Erin: We're good.

"lascaimanes"

- I feel like I'm signing my own death sentence here, by throwing my lot in with Brett and the boys. I mean, yeah...I really like Brett. He seems like a really decent guy, and he’s good on the eyes. Callum and Peter, on the other hand? Wild cards. It's risky, trusting them. Callum is seriously one of the most sarcastic people I've ever met, and Peter is one of the most cunning. One or both of them could be really untrustworthy and turn out to be snakes, wolves in sheep's clothing, etcetera. But...I guess we'll have to see where this takes me. I guess it's better to have cocky allies than no allies, right?

Day 3
The next day, the three tribes arrive for their first immunity challenge as Jeff informs them to “Come on in!”

Jeff: You guys ready to get to today’s challenge? On my go, you will race out and climb across three A-frames, each being taller than the previous one, while carrying coils of rope. You will then use the ropes to pull a heavy crate across a wooden frame. Two tribe members would then have to use the puzzle pieces inside the crate to solve a complicated puzzle. First two tribes to finish are safe. Last tribe to finish goes to Tribal Council where one of you will be the first person voted out of Survivor: Cayman Islands and trust me, that is a distinction none of you want. In addition, first tribe to finish wins a tarp and a hammock, both of which will make fine additions to your tribe as comfort items. And, in the case of either Las Tortugas or Los Lagartos, win this challenge and you will earn fire in the form of flint for your tribe. Worth playing for? Let’s get started.

The tribes are off! Each tribe is off to a good start as they begin scaling the first A-frame. Las Caimanes is off to a quick lead, with Brett, Peter, Callum and Erin up first, helping up Natalia and Yvonne. Los Lagartos and Las Tortugas are neck-and-neck, with Oberon and Terrence up first, helping pull Aidan up as he struggles. Mitch yells out encouragement to his tribe as they rush to stay in it.

Las Caimanes are scaling the second A-frame as the other two tribes race to catch up. Penny is panting, visibly struggling to scale the frame as Elmer and Mitch reach down to pull her up. Wilkes is glaring daggers at her. Cindy, at the bottom of the A-frame on the other side, is doing nothing to help, calling out for Penny to hurry up and cheering.

Mitzi is yelling, “Come on, Aidan!” as the other two men struggle to help the larger man get his huge frame over the…A-frame. Aisha, as the smallest girl, struggles to get up as well, with the guys having to climb back down to give her a boost, giving Las Caimanes more time to further extend their lead.

Las Caimanes reach the end first, and the boys and Erin help to pull the heavy crate across the beams, with Brett taking charge, booming out for his tribemates to pull at his command.

“Go, go, go!” Aidan yells as their tribe finally reaches the end, with everyone sans Aisha and Ingrid helping to pull the puzzle crate across. Las Tortugas is in it too, and everyone is once again dead even. Penny is beat, and nearly collapses onto the sand, panting with exhaustion.

Las Caimanes get their crate across first and dig into it. Working on their puzzle is Erin and Brett, who get to work quickly. With tremendous effort, Aidan, Oberon, Terrence and Mitzi get the crate over and Terrence and Ingrid rush over to do the puzzle. Lastly, Las Tortugas gets their crate and Elmer and Darnell work on the puzzle.

For a few moments, it is neck and neck, with Las Caimanes just barely maintaining a slight lead over the other two tribes. Yvonne calls out directions to Brett and Erin on the puzzle. Mitzi looks over to them and yells out for Ingrid to copy off the other tribe. Cindy and Mitch cheer Darnell and Elmer on.

Yvonne’s directions pick up and Brett and Erin begin to make a lot more progress. Ingrid starts to panic and looks wildly over at their puzzle to try and copy off them. Aidan starts yelling incoherent babble for no apparent reason.

Mitzi: Follow them! Follow what they’re doing!

Wilkes: Copy their puzzle!

Elmer and Darnell frantically pull out puzzle pieces, scattering them all over the sand as they try to make some sense of the puzzle.

Jeff: Brett and Erin are getting close! Are they right?

With only one piece left, Erin inserts the final puzzle piece.

Jeff: Las Caimanes wins immunity and reward! We’re looking for one more!

Las Caimanes cheers with jubilation as everyone gathers together for a group hug and embrace each other. Bret and Callum are high fiving each other. Mitzi lets out an inaudible groan of disgust. Wilkes is looking similarly nauseated.

Mitzi: Look at their puzzle as a reference, follow them!

Cindy: Good job guys, you're doing great!

The panic is evident on Elmer's face.

Jeff: It’s gonna be down to the wire!

Los Lagartos are just slightly ahead of Las Tortugas by one or two pieces. In a photo finish, Terrence inserts the final piece a split second before Elmer does.

Jeff: Los Lagartos wins immunity, sending Las Tortugas to tribal council, where somebody will be the first person voted out of Survivor: Cayman Islands!

Elmer kicks the sand in anger as Darnell can only fume in silence. Wilkes bites her lip, scowling as she watches Los Lagartos hug it out and celebrate.

Jeff: Las Caimanes, immunity! [hands Peter the idol] Safe from tribal council – and you get to bring back a hammock and a tarp to improve your living conditions. Los Lagartos, immunity as well [throws Mitzi the idol] safe from tonight’s tribal council.

He turns to Las Tortugas, where everyone looks dejected and defeated.

Jeff: Unfortunately for you, Las Tortugas, for one of you, your time in the game ends today. Got nothing else for you. Head back to camp and await tribal council with me tonight.

Returning back to camp, disappointed, Mitch tries to cheer his tribe up with a pep talk.

Mitch: We may have lost today…but there are still more challenges to be had. Try to think positive. We all know how this works, we all go have our one-on-one conversations.

Everyone disbands to go their separate ways.

"lastortugas"

- Well…we lost our first challenge. It kinda sucks but it didn’t come as much of a surprise. And now we gotta vote someone off. I don’t like going to Tribal Council, especially since it will be the first of the season. As a tribe, losing the first challenge could hurt our momentum. It’s definitely nerve wracking.

Elmer goes to join Mitch and Darnell in the water.

Elmer: So, what are you guys thinking?

Mitch: You know, I love the girls, but I think it’s going to be one of them tonight.

Darnell: Yeah, I mean, we were thinking one of them. I think the girls are gonna turn on each other too cos they don’t know which one of them is gonna go home. Penny and Wilkes are gonna go after each other, no doubt about that. There’s no way those two are working together. That means we effectively control tonight’s vote.

"lastortugas"

- I don’t know if there’s ever been such a dicey first vote before. For starters, we have…three different women on the chopping block tonight, with legitimate reasons to get rid of any of them. We’ve got Cindy, who, to put it bluntly, can’t keep her mouth shut. She gets on peoples’ nerves, especially Darnell. We have Wilkes, who has some sort of personal vendetta against Penny and brings a sort of negative energy to the tribe, but she did pull her weight in today’s challenge. Then, we have Penny. I love Penny and I consider her a friend and an ally – well, okay, maybe more than just a friend - but today…there’s no easy way around this, but to put it bluntly, she cost us that challenge. She did, and she knows it. I mean, had she been a little faster out on those A-frames we might have had those precious few seconds we needed to solve that puzzle sooner than the other tribe, the one with the big fat black man in it. Wow, that sounds really racist, saying it out loud.

Darnell: Are you guys thinking…Cindy?

Mitch: Do you two want to do Penny or Cindy?

Elmer: What about Wilkes?

Mitch: She pulled her weight in the challenge today.

Darnell: Yeah, she did.

Elmer: Talking to her is, like, talking to a black hole though. She just sucks all the positivity out of the conversation.

Darnell: I don’t know, bro. She does annoy me but Cindy annoys me more.

Mitch: Cindy cheered us on in the challenge today. Penny was so wiped out she couldn’t even watch you two do the puzzle.

Darnell: You want to keep her just cause she cheered us on? What, we need cheerleaders now? We need our fair share of athletes too!

Mitch: Penny wiped out on that challenge.

Elmer: She did…

Darnell: Say what you will but I love Penny. I am good with Penny. She will stay loyal. Wilkes is a wild card. She looks like she will flip flop all over the place if we have a swap or a merge. And Cindy is just…man, I don’t know what that chick thinks she’s doing.

Mitch: Well, we have to make a decision. What do you want – Penny, Cindy or Wilkes?

"lastortugas"

- It comes down to challenge strength versus tribe harmony. Which is more important? I don’t know. It is absolutely draining trying to talk to Cindy and Wilkes is a bit of a damper. Then again, Penny was awful in that challenge. If we don’t get rid of her, we might be back here again in 3 days. Still, those would be 3 days spent with the likes of Cindy and Wilkes. Penny may not be the strongest player out here but she is a lot easier to get along with than the other two. Whichever decision me and the boys make should be for the benefit of our tribe.

Penny walks up and asks to join in the conversation.

Penny: So what are you boys thinking?

Mitch: We’re thinking-

Darnell: We think it should be one of the other two girls.

Penny: Oh, can we get rid of Wilkes? I can’t stand her.

Darnell: Girl, I can’t stand her either, but Cindy is just plain annoying.

Penny: Hey, as long as it ain’t me, I’m good. I will stay loyal to you guys, just tell me which way to vote, which of the two girls you want to get rid of and I’ll do it.

"lastortugas"

- I know I wasn’t on my A-Game at today’s challenge. I know that. And if that’s what sends me home on Day 3, so be it. It’ll hurt like hell and I would be heartbroken. Being on Survivor has been an amazing experience thus far and I’ve wanted to be on since I watched it as a little girl. I hope the guys aren’t considering getting rid of me. I’m desperate and I’m grasping at straws.

Penny: You know, I really hope it’s not me-

Elmer: Don’t worry-

Penny: Like, you know, I’ve wanted to be out here since I was a little girl, I know I didn’t deliver during today’s challenge, but I can promise to stay loyal to you. That’s what I offer. Neither of the other two can promise you that.

"lastortugas"

- [sighs] This is not a decision I enjoy making. I’m conflicted…I want to do what’s best for the tribe – but Penny and I have been getting along really well the past few days, if you know what I mean. [laughs] It sounds really messed up when I say it that way. But I genuinely do like her. She’s much nicer and cooler to be around than the other two. So maybe we should keep her around, and cross our fingers our decision doesn’t end up bringing us back to Tribal Council in another three days. Who knows? It’s a tough decision. Who gets the axe tonight? Me and the boys are making that decision. It’s exciting, but it’s also tough. Is it Wilkes? Cindy? Penny? I don’t know! I don’t even know. But what I do know is that there are going to be fireworks tonight.

In the meantime, Wilkes and Cindy are sitting back at shelter. Wilkes looks around for the others.

Wilkes: Where do you think they are?

Cindy: I don’t know.

Wilkes: Talking strategy, no doubt.

"lastortugas"

- If the boys are seriously deciding keeping Penny over either me or Cindy, that would be a costly mistake. Seriously. If they choose to keep her just cause they can’t take their eyes off her, they’re just gonna be back here at Tribal Council going at each other again. Like, guys. Think this through.

Wilkes: What are you thinking for tonight, though?

Cindy: I don’t know. I mean, as long as it isn’t me, I’m cool. I’ll vote whichever way people tell me to.

Wilkes: I was thinking, it’s got to be Penny, right? They’d be stupid to keep Penny.

Cindy: If that's the name I'm writing down to stay safe, sure.

"lastortugas"

- All the same, I am dealing with a bunch of men here, so who knows? How am I to know they’re not going to doom our tribe with a boneheaded move? Elmer and Penny are tight so we need to split those two up. Elmer proved his worth in today’s challenge; Penny didn’t. And to think she had the nerve to complain when Mitch named her our tribe’s weakest link.

Wilkes approaches Elmer in the forest.

Wilkes: So what are we thinking, for tonight? Is it Penny? Or what?

Elmer: It's not easy. First vote's not easy, people are still figuring out where they want to stand.

"lastortugas"

- I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what’ll happen tonight. Hopefully things work out my way, but, you never know.

The sky turns dark and it is now nighttime. Las Tortugas arrives at tribal council, where Jeff instructs them to grab their torches and get fire, before they all sit down.

Jeff: So, Elmer, tell me what the tribe dynamics have been like these past three days.

Elmer: Well, um, it’s all just one big, crazy family. We’ve got Mitch, who’s like everyone’s father out here. Darnell’s the crazy, cool big brother who rides a badass motorcycle everywhere. Wilkes is the rebel big sister, Cindy’s the perky middle sibling and Penny’s the young impressionable sister.

Jeff: And where do you fit in all that?

Elmer: I don’t know, I guess I’m the mom. [laughs]

Wilkes: That’d be a weird relationship if the mom’s hooking up with her youngest daughter.

Jeff shoots Wilkes an absurd look. Darnell and Cindy are laughing quietly.

Jeff: Excuse me?

Wilkes: Elmer and Penny have a thing going.

Penny rolls her eyes.

Jeff: Penny, why’d you roll your eyes at that?

Penny: Me and Elmer do not have a ‘thing’ going. It’s just…

Jeff:…Just what?

Penny: I don’t know…we just do not have a ‘thing’ going! [laughs]

Wilkes: She just doesn’t want to admit because it paints her and Elmer as a power couple.

Jeff: So what you’re saying is, Elmer and Penny are the new power couple?

Wilkes: That’s exactly what I’m saying.

Jeff: So, Elmer, does that bother you? To be labeled as being part of a ‘power couple’? Cause, that’s an immediate target on your back, is what Wilkes is saying.

Elmer: I don’t think me and Penny are a power couple. Period. She’s just another member of the tribe I get along with.

Wilkes: [laughs] Yeah, I bet you two get along real swell.

Darnell shakes his head imperceptibly. Cindy is laughing into her hand.

Jeff: So let’s talk about today’s challenge. Penny. You have to admit, you wiped out today.

Penny: Yeah. Yeah, I uh…I wiped out. I blew it.

Jeff: What do you say to that, to try and convince your tribemates that’s not a reason to vote you off? Because we’re only three days into this game, and that’s not a lot of time! People are looking for any excuse to get rid of someone. What do you say to that?

Penny: All I can say is that I promise to do better. That’s really all I can say. I’ve sworn my loyalty to the people who I plan on staying loyal to, and it’s my word. What I don’t have in terms of my dreadful challenge performance, I can make up for in other ways.

Wilkes: But that won’t matter, if, because of you, we end up coming back here in 3 days. You are the weakest link.

Mitch: She tried her best today. That’s, you know…she tried her best, that’s what I’m trying to say.

Jeff: Cindy, what do you think is going to happen tonight?

Cindy: I don’t know, Jeff. I mean, I think tonight is going to be a vote that betters our tribe. I know whose name I’m writing down. I think enough people have spoken for people to know…you know…kind of…where they’re swinging, after tonight.

Jeff: Darnell, do you know what you’re doing? What impact is this vote going to have on how you progress from this point on in the rest of the game?

Darnell: Well I think the decision falls to who we believe is holding the tribe back. So I think this decision will hopefully help our tribe, that it will strengthen our tribe, in a sense.

Cindy nods solemnly. Wilkes raises an eyebrow. Penny looks worried.

Jeff: Before we vote, is there anything anyone wants to say? Cindy?

Cindy: Well, you know, I have a feeling I’m seeing my name come up once or twice tonight. But I did what I did. I did my best in today’s challenge. It’s certainly not my fault we’re here at Tribal tonight. I hope that whatever our tribe does, it’s for the best.

Jeff: Penny?

Penny: You know, I hope you guys keep me…like…I still want to be here and I promise to help out as best as I can. You have my word.

Wilkes: I think we can all agree this first vote is important and that what we do tonight will determine whether our tribe will remain a success or a failure in upcoming challenges.

Jeff: And with that, it is time to vote. Cindy, you’re up.

The music kicks in as Cindy heads up to vote. Wilkes looks confident. Clearly nervous, Penny’s hands are shaking as she stares straight ahead, as if in silent prayer.

"lastortugas"

- I’m really sorry, Penny, but you need to work on those climbing skills.

Elmer is shown heading up to the voting booth. A spider is seen crawling across the floor of tribal council.

Wilkes heads up to vote, writing a large letter ‘P’ on her piece of parchment.

"lastortugas"

- I’d rather Wilkes go, but if it’s not you, it’s me.

Mitch and Darnell head up to the voting booth respectively and after putting his vote in the urn, finally, Darnell returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

Penny takes a deep breath, looking worried. Cindy rubs her arms, as if cold. Wilkes simply smirks. Elmer shoots Penny a concerned look.

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

Cindy looks around as if waiting for someone to come forth. Darnell arches an eyebrow. Penny exhales slowly. No one budges.

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.

Penny bites her lip in worry. Cindy shudders.

Jeff: First vote…Penny.

Penny looks like she is about to faint.

Jeff: Cindy.

Cindy nods imperceptibly, unsurprised.

Jeff: Penny. That’s two votes Penny, one vote Cindy.

Penny casts a withering look at Wilkes, who smugly smiles back.

Jeff: Cindy. We’re tied. Two votes Cindy, two votes Penny.

Cindy takes a deep breath, blood draining from her face, brows furrowed. Penny is biting her nails nervously. Darnell looks excited.

Jeff: Cindy. That’s three votes Cindy, two votes Penny, one vote left.

Cindy swallows. Penny is looking at Probst with unbridled intensity. Wilkes frowns.

Jeff: First person voted out of Survivor: Cayman Islands…Cindy. That’s four, that’s enough, need to bring me your torch.

Crushed, Cindy smiles sadly and brushes her hair out of her face as she gets up. Penny, evidently relieved, looks over to Elmer and nods a silent thanks. Elmer nods back. Wilkes’ face is stormy and she shakes her head in disbelief. Darnell simply chuckles under his breath.

Cindy sets her torch down in front of Probst.

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

Cindy turns around to bid goodbye to her tribe and wishes them luck. They wave goodbye as she leaves. Penny's eyes are shining but she is smiling, albeit sadly. Wilkes appears unhappy. Darnell is nodding his head, satisfied.

Jeff: Well, it is very clear that you guys are a family. An extremely confusing dysfunctional family, perhaps, but evidently, majority of you still managed to get it together and make it through this vote successfully. We’ll see if you guys made the right decision. Last but not least, now that you have been to Tribal Council, you earn fire, in the form of flint. [tosses flint to Darnell] Grab your torches, head back to camp. Goodnight.

Voting Confessionals
"lastortugas"

- You annoy me, sooo much. I hope the guys see sense and get rid of you, because I really can’t think of any pros when it comes to keeping you.

"lastortugas"

- Sorry Cindy. You’re a sweet girl, just not cut out for this game.

"lastortugas"

- Maybe tone it down a little bit, okay?

"lastortugas"

- I’m sorry, Cindy. This is for the benefit of our tribe.

Final Words
"lastortugas"

- To say that I’m disappointed is…an understatement. [laughs] Clearly I underestimated Penny and how much faith the boys had in her. They got rid of me over her when she flubbed so badly in today’s challenge. I really didn’t want to be first out, or out at all, to be fair. I would’ve liked to stay longer, but what can you do? It’s too late now. Just gotta hold my head up high and deal with it.

Next Time on Survivor...
Wilkes is shown whispering frantically with Elmer and Darnell in the forest.
 * Wilkes continues to stir the pot.

Wilkes: Seriously, she is NOT going to help us at all. She is just going to slow us down, she is holding us back. You can’t be that blind, she is a liability.

A clip is shown of Ingrid and Mitzi taking off into the forest, seeming panicked. Mitzi is heard crying out in excitement, “It’s gotta be here!”
 * The search for an idol continues…

"loslagartos"
 * …with unfortunate consequences.

- I’m starting to think they’ve found an idol.

Oberon is seen talking to Ingrid.

Oberon: If you girls have got something going on, I want to be a part of it.

"loslagartos"

- The fact that he’s basically trying to blackmail us is so…frustrating. I can’t believe the audacity!


 * Mitzi snaps.

Mitzi and Aidan are shown having a furious fight. Ingrid and Oberon looks on with bewilderment.


 * And a potential romance jeopardizes everything.

A clip is shown of Erin and Brett cuddling in the hammock.

"lascaimanes"

- Ugh, those two make me sick. If Erin’s thinking to herself that she likes the guys more than us, then she’s not solid with us girls. We're at an impasse. She’s going to have to go.

Author's Notes

 * The Survivor: Cambodia tribal music is awesome.