User blog:Sulola/Survivor: Taveuni EP. 6: Does He Think He's Gonna Melt?

Hey guys! I'm sorry this took so long to get out, I've had some stressful times with my school studies slipping, but I've gotten things back on track so I'm able to continue writing. I hope you guys like this episode and it was worth the wait!

PREVIOUSLY ON SURVIVOR…
After the Double Tribal Council, things were relatively calm on Laucala, while Navaka broiled with further conflict. There was an incident where Terry made Rigoberto feel uncomfortable on Vidawa. Meanwhile, on Bouma, Mena expressed her sympathy for Lori-Ann, and Faustina and Conen tried to get Lane’s head in the game. Casey began to feel safer on Kocoma, and Shel and Khelani discussed the game extensively. People began to establish bonds outside of their alliances on Laucala. And on Navaka, Kokoro found the Navaka idol with Jackey.

Bouma lost the Immunity Challenge after Elmer dragged them down, and drama exploded upon the tribe’s return to camp. Lane called out Elmer for his poor performance rudely, leading to a verbal fight between Lane, Elmer, and Zia. Mena was shocked by Lane’s behavior and decided she needed to vote him out. This left her allies Mark and Rowlan alone in the swing position between voting off Lane or Elmer. In the end, they deemed Elmer too much of a liability despite Lane’s bad behavior, and voted him off, shocking Zia and Lori-Ann.

44 remain, who will be voted off tonight?

BOUMA
The Bouma tribe can be seen returning to camp after their dramatic Tribal Council. Zia and Lori-Ann both look like they are in shock and are very upset. In confessional, Lori-Ann sniffles, saying she cannot believe people allowed Lane to stay in this game when he is being so cruel to her. Zia expresses similar sentiments in her own confessionals, but also is angry, saying she has to confront people about it.

As Mark and Rowlan are sitting by the fire, Zia walks over to them and emotionally asks them how they could keep Lane in the game over Elmer, pointing to where Lane is still grinning happily after surviving the night. Lane shouts that they just didn’t want to lose everything, and that Zia needs to get over herself. Rowlan says that Lane is saying it bluntly, but that he’s right. They just didn’t want to lose a lot of challenges.

Zia just sighs and walks away, and then Mena walks over and sits down beside Mark and Rowlan. She apologizes for going rogue on the vote and not voting with the alliance, saying that it was just a matter of principle for her, but she is alright with seeing Elmer go. Mark and Rowlan both tell her that it is okay and they understand why she did what she did, and that they were pretty bothered by Lane’s antics themselves. Rowlan squeezes Mena’s shoulder and says he still considers herself and Mark his closest allies, which makes Mena smile. In confessional, she says she was worried that they’d be mad that she didn’t vote with them, but she’s happy that Rowlan and Mark still trust her.

LAUCALA
On the morning of Day 11, Kenedie can be seen huddled by the fire, while most of the rest of the tribe is still asleep. Looking out through the trees to the horizon, her eyes go wide when she spots the storm clouds coming in. In her confessional, she says the clouds look ominous and like they’re going to hurt when they arrive. She goes to the rest of the tribe and begins to wake them up. Gavin is the first to get up, and he helps Kenedie rouse the others when he sees how bad the weather is going to be. In his confessional, he says that they need to get working to try to protect themselves from the oncoming onslaught of weather.

Everyone gets up, and begins to gather palm fronds and set up their tarp to block out the rain. Gavin and Ethan direct the construction efforts, and Cleo can be seen looking a little annoyed as she drags a palm frond towards the shelter. She admits in confessional that she doesn’t think they need to barricade because the storm doesn’t look that terrible, and that she is annoyed she didn’t get to sleep in more, but that she’ll keep it to herself.

The tribe manages to protect the shelter pretty well by the time that the storm comes, and when it does come, it comes hard. Cleo laughs in confessional that she was stupid to complain about fortifying the shelter, because if they hadn’t they certainly would’ve gotten wet. The nine remaining members of Laucala do stay pretty dry, but some water seeps in so they’re not completely dry. They huddle together for warmth; in confessional, Elena jokes about while things are pretty intimate being so close, she’s been this close to even more people before.

By the time night comes, the rain begins to cease, and the tribe looks around to see how their camp as fared. They find things have gone pretty well; their fire is out, but everything else seems fine, and the shelter only needs minor fixes. Wanting to get it done, the tribe fixes the shelter as the sun sets so that their shelter is in tip top shape as they go to bed. In confessional, Jared says that he loves this tribe’s work ethic and is proud of how they were able to protect themselves from the destruction of the storm. He says he’s pretty confident that not all of the tribes fared as well as they did.

KOCOMA
Scott, Osprey, and Lewis can be seen up first for Kocoma in the early morning, wanting to go see if they can get crabs while it’s still pretty dark out. As they pick among the rocks on one end of the beach, failing to catch anything, the three talk about sports and their lives back home. In confessional, Scott says that so far he’s been laying low in the game, but his two closest allies are definitely Osprey and Lewis. There is no spoken alliance between the three of them, but there is a mutual understanding that they need to protect each other and look out for one another in the game if any of them want to make it far.

As the sun begins to rise, the three guys give up on their crabbing when they see the storm clouds closing in. Rushing back to camp, they wake everyone else up and tell them about the danger. Scott quickly takes control of the situation, ordering people to gather things to strengthen the shelter. In confessional, he admits this tribe has been leader-less thus far, but he organically fell into the role in the moment of crisis, and he hopes it doesn’t put a target on his back in the future. Meanwhile, Khelani says she is thankful someone was willing to be the boss for once on the Kocoma tribe.

As everyone is rushing around, Casey can be seen wobbling a little, looking woozy. In confessional, she admits she hasn’t been sleeping well and has been struggling to keep down her food for some reason. Suddenly, Casey collapses on the ground, and Valerie who is nearby screams for medical. The entire tribe rushes over, with Shel doing her best to care for Casey while the medical team arrives. It begins to pour rain, and Casey is moved to the medical tent, with the entire tribe huddled in the rain outside of it. Tears in her eyes, Valerie hugs Shel tightly as she sobs in confessional, saying she is scared for her friend. Meanwhile, Jordan can be seen shaking his head, saying he hopes Casey is okay. Lewis insists that they all stand in the rain to wait for Casey even when the producers tell them they can go back to camp.

After about an hour of caring for her, Casey stumbles out of the tent, groggy but in one piece. Valerie gives her a hug, and everyone else does too. Dr. Ramona, the main Survivor doctor who has come due to the incident, tells the tribe that Casey was dehydrated and hasn’t been keeping up on food and water, and that plus the elements led her to pass out, but otherwise she is alright. They’ve given her an IV and food and she should be fine by the morning. She reminds them all to be safe and keep food in their system, which they all agree to. They then help Casey back to the shelter, where they huddle against the rains. In confessional, Casey says she is so happy that the tribe came together to support her, and while her blackout was scary, she is feeling better and is optimistic about her future in the game.

VIDAWA
The Vidawa tribe has a rotation for who gets up first to cook the rice in the morning, and this morning’s duo is Paolina and Keyson. The two go to the well to get water to cook the rice in, and as they walk they discuss the game so far. They agree that they love the tribe, and that while the journey has been hard so far, they are excited for all that Survivor has in store for them. In confessional, Paolina says she is happy to have some one-on-one time with Keyson because they don’t talk often, and maybe it will given her an opening to eventually talk strategy with him. Meanwhile, Keyson says he thinks Paolina is nice to chat with and he likes that she’s willing to pull her weight around camp.

As they return to camp to begin making the rice, Rigoberto is the only other one up, having been unable to sleep. He points to the now visible storm clouds and says he thinks they’re going to be in for a rough one, which Keyson agrees with. He helps Paolina and Keyson start the rice, and as they are talking, he mentions Terry calling him “girlfriend” the day prior, saying he felt like it was mocking and it sort of hurt his feelings. Keyson and Paolina try to comfort him; in confessional, Paolina says she feels bad Rigoberto feels hurt, and hopes he’ll be able to figure it out. Meanwhile, Rigoberto says he didn’t know if he should share about the comment Terry made, but felt compelled to in the comfortable conversation with Keyson and Paolina.

From the shelter, Terry can be seen awake but pretending to sleep, listening to Rigoberto, Keyson, and Paolina’s conversation. As they wake up everyone for rice and to warn them about the oncoming rains, he looks grumpy and says he is worried Rigoberto feels like an outsider and is going to try the stupid comment he made to get him out of the game. As everyone goes to get stuff to reinforce the shelter, Terry confesses to Rochelle what is going down since he feels she is his closest ally. She tells him he just needs to relax and not worry, and that he should try to apologize. In confessional, Rochelle says she thinks Terry is overreacting a little bit and is acting more paranoid than she had expected him to at first.

As everyone is crawling into the shelter and it begins to rain, Terry pulls Rigoberto aside and attempts to apologize again for the comment he made. However, Rigoberto tells him it’s not a big deal, and that he doesn’t need to keep trying to apologize before scuttling back into the shelter. Terry just shrugs and climbs back in as it begins to rain harder. In a sighing confessional, Rigoberto admits he just doesn’t feel close to Terry and doesn’t want to speak to him because he feels it is awkward. He would like to see him go if they lose Immunity, but not because of the comment specifically, but just because he feels like Terry is a shady and intelligent guy that he doesn’t vibe with.

NAVAKA
No one seems to get up early enough from Navaka to notice the oncoming storm, and they are awoken by the harsh winds and the rain beginning to drizzle on them. Swearing, Aia can be seen huddling close to Bella to avoid a drip in their shelter’s less than ideal roof, while Turem grits his teeth as the gusts of wind begin to blow harder. In confessional, Joseph says he is worried that their shelter, which is not the best quality, might not hold up against this terrible storm.

Joseph’s predictions turn out to be right; as the eight remaining members of Navaka huddle close in their shelter, suddenly a section of the roof is torn off by the roof, and the quickly strengthening rain drenches half of the tribe. Jackey is on the side with the water, and he yelps and scurries to the other side. There is not enough room for everyone to fit in the dry part of the shelter, and water begins to pool in the part that is not covered. Suddenly, another section of the roof becomes loose, flapping in the wind, and more water pours in as the rains increase. Desperate to keep the shelter intact, Turem brings up the idea of trying to go get things to cover the shelter while the rains are still not horrendous. Everyone begins to climb out of the shelter to help.

Turem and Pheonix run into the jungle with Aia and Kokoro to collect as many palm fronds as possible, while Joseph, Bella, and Elizabreath pick up the logs that surround their fire in order to build a protective barricade around the shelter. As everyone works, Jackey half heartedly tries to pull the loose part of the roof down, and then hunkers down as the rain begins to increase. In confessional, he says he hates the rain and doesn’t want to get sick. As she pushes wet hair out of her eyes, Elizabreath can be seen looking annoyed, saying that she thinks Jackey is being childish by being unwilling to help the rest of them fortify the shelter.

As the rains begin to reach a fever pitch, Aia, Pheonix, Turem, and Kokoro return with palm fronds, doing their best to pile them on the open sections of the roof. At this point, the rain is pretty bad, and there isn’t much they can do except all squeeze together in the shelter and hope their fixes protect them. They don’t do much to keep the tribe from getting wet, and they all end up drenched anyway. Jackey says he feels disgusting from the rain and hopes that it isn’t the end of him in the game, because he feels a little sick. Meanwhile, Turem can be seen rolling his eyes as Jackey shivers, saying in confessional that Jackey is being a whiny baby, and that he didn’t even try to help with the shelter, and it was frankly frustrating. Kokoro comforts Jackey, and says in confessional she hopes people don’t take Jackey’s actions the wrong way since she knows how much he hates the rain.

BOUMA
Mena is the first person up in the morning for Bouma. She walks out onto the beach to do some morning yoga to clear her mind after the melodramatic past couple of days in the game for her. In confessional, she says things have been up, down, and up again, and she just needs to recenter herself. Then, she spots the oncoming clouds. All thoughts of relaxation leave her mind as she rushes back to camp. In confessional, she says she can tell that the storm is going to be a doozy, and that she needs to alert her tribe before it’s too late and they’re all caught off guard.

Mena runs back into the center of camp, and begins to wake everyone up. Everyone begins to get up groggily. Rowlan is the first to shuffle out of the shelter, and when he spots how bad the storm he is, he urges everyone else to get up. Lane even gets out of the shelter to help as the tribe works together to reinforce the roof of their shelter. In confessional, Lane says he realizes he needs to start putting some effort in around camp, and that he’s not just going to coast through the early part of this game like he’d assumed at first for being strong. He says he’s still going to be himself and speak his mind, but he’s going to do his best to limit the laziness, and try to be somewhat helpful with tasks around camp. He groans and says it’s going to be boring as heck, though.

The entire tribe is able to add some palm fronds to the roof of the shelter, strengthening it, and also strengthening the supports so it will stay steady. Then, it begins to drizzle as everyone ducks into the shelter and huddles together to try and stay dry and warm. Suddenly, Mena sits bolt upright and looks alarmed. She says she left her whole bag on the beach when she came running back in a hurry, and is worried it’ll get washed away in the rains. She gets up to go grab it, but Rowlan tells her he will get it. She thanks him as he runs out of camp to the beach in the quickly strengthening downpour.

Rowlan puts his head down as he runs through camp to find Mena’s bag. On the beach, he spots it draped across a log dangerously close to the swelling tide. He grabs it, and begins to dash back towards camp. However, he spots a flash of dark blue out of the corner of his eye. Stopping, he runs over to it, and plucks the package out of the bushes. Grinning in the rain, he realizes it is an idol, and tucks it into his pocket before running back to camp. As he makes it back to the shelter, handing a relieved Mena her bag, he is still smiling. In confessional, Rowlan says he is so happy to have found the Bouma idol, and he cannot wait to unwrap it once the rains have died down.

REWARD AND IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
The five tribes can be seen walking into the clearing where the next challenge is happening looking damp and still cold. The rains have stopped, but things are still overcast and windy. No one seems surprised to see Elmer voted off of Bouma in the slightest after his dismal performance at the last challenge. Su tells the tribes they’ve made it through a tough day out here, but that there’s still over sixty more to go if any of them want to win this game. That fact makes a lot of the castaways sigh as they think about what they will have to endure. Su then reveals that they will be getting a reward if they win today to help with the rain; all four winning tribes will receive a tarp to strengthen their shelters. This excites everyone greatly, as a tarp will make sure their roofs are less prone to leaking.

For this challenge, all eight members of the tribe must cross a rope by holding onto two other ropes. Once all eight members competing have crossed the obstacle, they will run to a net tied to eight poles, with coconuts inside the net. Each person must untie the net from one pole; once all the poles are untied, the entire net will drop, releasing the coconuts. The first four tribes to release their nets will win a Reward of a tarp and Immunity.

Highlights:
 * All of the tribes get out to strong starts on the ropes. However, Laucala pulls into a commanding first place, while Kocoma, Vidawa, and Bouma all are a bit behind them.
 * Navaka clearly struggles the most, with Elizabreath taking forever to get across and putting them firmly in last place.
 * Everyone rushes to get to their nets. Laucala gets their first, and releases their net before everyone else by a mile.
 * While Navaka does their best to catch up, the time lost on the ropes puts them squarely in last place, and they cannot catch up, losing Immunity by a landslide.

PRE-TRIBAL
The Navaka tribe slowly returns to camp, worn out from the day before and the challenge, and completely demoralized. As she sets down her bag, Aia says she just can’t believe that things keep getting worse on this tribe, but they do. Their shelter is in tatters, camp is still rife with drama, and now they have to lose a third member, putting them in a deficit compared to the other tribes. Frowning, she says she is really worried about the future, and thinks it is smartest to keep the tribe as strong as possible tonight.

Aia and Bella immediately walk off to discuss the vote tonight, knowing that they will probably fall into a swing position tonight. As they walk away, Elizabreath watches them and sighs, walking over to Jackey and Kokoro who are sitting in the shelter. She says they all need to work together if they want to survive the night, and those two agree. In confessional, Elizabreath says she is very worried for herself after blowing the challenge for the tribe, while Kokoro says that Elizabreath could be an easy person to pile votes on tonight. However, she thinks Jackey would be next after Elizabreath, so she wants to try to keep Elizabreath in and get out one of the stronger guys to strengthen her position on the tribe.

Meanwhile, on the beach, Turem walks with Joseph and Pheonix, the three of them discussing the vote. They agree that they need to lock down Aia and Bella as the swing votes to come to their side. They like Kokoro, but think she is more loyal to Elizabreath and Jackey, who they see as the two weakest members of the tribe. Turem says he thinks Jackey was annoying not helping with the shelter, but is probably somewhat stronger in challenges. Pheonix says Elizabreath is just dragging them down, but at least she helps out around camp. They all agree to stick together however; in confessional, Turem says that while this tribe is hellish, he’s happy to have his bros with him to help him survive it.

Off in the jungle, Aia and Bella can be seen walking and discussing what they want to do for the vote. Aia is vocally for sticking with the guys, saying she is worried the tribe will collapse if they keep voting off more strong members. However, Bella admits she isn’t sure because she doesn’t really have a relationship with most of the guys, while she feels closer to Kokoro, Jackey, and Elizabreath. Aia says that’s true, and they need to think about strategy too. In confessional, Bella says she isn’t totally against getting rid of Kokoro, Jackey, or Elizabreath, but she would prefer to see Turem go for being toxic.

When the two girls return to camp, both Turem and Elizabreath try to pull them aside at the same time. Turem tells Elizabreath she can get them later, but Elizabreath tells him not to be so arrogant, and that she asked first. They begin to insult one another, and Jackey walks over and tells Turem to shove it and that he needs to stop being so controlling. Aia and Bella calm them all down, and Bella goes to talk to the guys while Aia talks with Elizabreath, Jackey, and Kokoro.

Bella sits on the beach with the guys, and she admits that she wants to keep the tribe strong but isn’t sure if she knows them well enough to vote off one of her friends. Joseph says he totally sees where she is coming from, and the three guys talk with her trying to make her feel comfortable. In confessional, Joseph says it’s key to lock down Bella. Meanwhile, Kokoro sits with Aia in the shelter, and she says that while she is worried about keeping the tribe strong, they also need to think about the rest of the game, and that both Jackey and Elizabreath are loyal in the long run, which Aia says is very true. Jackey and Elizabreath then talk to her, both begging her to work with them and saying that they will do what she wants if she keeps them. In confessional, Jackey says that he is willing to do anything in the game if they can get Aia and Bella back on their side, even if he still thinks they’re untrustworthy.

As everyone prepares to leave for Tribal Council, Aia and Bella whisper a little bit off to the side of camp, coming to a consensus on who to vote. As they do this, everyone else looks on edge. Turem grabs his bag and his torch, and says in confessional that he thinks he’ll stay for strength, but feels a little worried since he isn’t very close to Aia or especially Bella. Meanwhile, as Kokoro puts her bag over her shoulder, she says she has her idol with her, and if she feels like things aren’t going her alliance’s way, she will not hesitate to use it to save Elizabreath or Jackey, or even herself. With that, the castaways march out to Tribal Council.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
The Navaka tribe looks absolutely demoralized as they take their seats in Tribal Council after placing their torches behind them. Su asks Aia what it’s like to lose the most so far out of any tribe. Frowning, she says it is rough to keep positive with so much game left to play and their continual losses. Most people nod in agreement at this. Su then asks how they would attempt to fix this. Turem speaks up first, saying that they need to continue voting off the weak to strengthen the tribe, which makes Elizabreath roll her eyes. She says Turem is just scared for himself tonight because he is rightly being seen as rude and toxic. Jackey backs Elizabreath up, saying Turem is a cancer on the tribe that needs to be carved out. Pheonix comes to the defense of his friend, saying that at least he pulls his weight in challenges.

Su seems stunned by the amount of drama in the tribe, and asks Kokoro how all this drama has occurred. She sighs and says that the personalities of this tribe just don’t gel well, so it’s hard to get a lot of harmony and cohesion. Bella nods in agreement, saying that they just got off on the wrong foot in this game, and are struggling to get back in stride.

With that, Su says it is time to vote. Joseph is the first one to walk up, and then Elizabreath is seen writing down a name, saying “You’re the reason this tribe is falling apart. Good riddance.” Bella can be seen thoughtfully uncapping her pen, and then Turem is shown writing a vote, saying “There’s not space for useless people on my tribe.” Kokoro is the last one seen voting.

When Kokoro returns to her seat, Su grabs the urn and counts the votes. When he returns, he asks if anyone would like to play an idol. The camera zooms in on Kokoro…

...and she stands, shocking everyone.

“I’m playing this for Elizabreath tonight, because I think she’s going to come under fire tonight for blowing the challenge,” Kokoro says, handing her idol to Su.

Su grins, and affirms that this is a real Hidden Immunity Idol. Pheonix can be seen frowning. Any votes against Elizabreath will not count. Su then begins to read the votes.

Turem.

Turem rolls his eye at receiving votes, while Kokoro looks confused.

Jackie.

Jackey’s eyes go wide, and Kokoro puts her head in her hands, realizing she has misplayed her idol. Elizabreath looks sourly at Turem, who doesn’t bother hiding his smirk.

Turem.

Jackey. That’s two votes Turem, two votes Jackey, four votes left.

Jackey squeezes Kokoro’s hand fearfully, while Turem looks stoic.

Turem.

Jackey. That’s three votes Turem, three votes Jackey, two votes left.

Everyone takes a deep breath, knowing that these next two votes will reveal Bella and Aia’s decision. Bella taps her fingers against her thigh nervously as Su reveals the seventh vote.

Jackey.

Jackey groans out loud, and Elizabreath’s jaw drops as she looks over at Aia in shock and annoyance. Turem can be seen bumping fists with Pheonix as Su reveals the final vote.

7th person voted out Survivor: Taveuni…

Jackey. That’s five votes, that’s enough tonight. You need to bring me your torch.

Jackey has tears in his eyes, completely blindsided. He stands up, and gives Kokoro a long, tight, tearful hug. Then he gives Elizabreath a quick hug, and ignores everyone else as he grabs his torch and brings it over to Su. Turem is grinning happily, while Joseph leans close to Aia and whispers thanks in her ear. She smiles back at him. Meanwhile, Bella frowns guiltily as Su snuffs his torch.

“Jackey, the tribe has spoken. It’s time for you to go.”

“You all will regret this,” Jackey says, having wiped the tears out of his eyes. With that, he marches out of the Tribal Council area, disappearing into the night. Su turns back to the tribe, and tells them that this tribe is certainly struggling, but it seems that a certain group has taken power, and they believe that keeping the strongest around will help the tribe win no matter the mood back at camp. He says they shall see how that strategy will work for them. With that, the Navaka tribe departs for their campsite, with Kokoro looking upset, Elizabreath annoyed but also relieved to be safe, and Turem grinning savagely.

NEXT TIME ON SURVIVOR...
Nothing seems to be able to quench Navaka's capacity for drama...

"We still think you're absolutely useless!" Turem yells.

"At least I have balls unlike you," Elizabreath snaps in response.

...and everything on one of the other tribes come crashing down.

"My entire view of this game has changed within the past two hours," someone murmurs in complete shock.

TRIVIA
The episode title was said by Pheonix Ferguson during the storm. He was mockingly asking if Jackey Hal thought he would melt if he stepped out into the rain to help, like the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz.

POLLS
Who would you have voted off at Navaka's Tribal Council? Elizabreath Jackey Turem Someone else Who would you have played your idol on if you were Kokoro? Elizabreath Jackey Myself No one Which tribe is going to crumble next episode? Bouma Laucala Navaka Vidawa