A Tribe Divided Cannot Stand

A Tribe Divided Cannot Stand is the premiere episode of Survivor: Island of Secrets.

Challenges
Reward Challenge: The Marooning (Game Changers)

The tribes are to collect as much supplies as they can from a large ship. However, while the tribes are busy gathering items, several yards from the ship are two color-coded knots. Members from each tribe can choose to dive in and swim to the ropes to untie them. The first person to untie their tribe's knot will release a toolkit for their tribe.

Reward: A toolkit

Winner: Siga

Island of Secrets Challenge: Hot Pursuit (Palau) While harnessed together, all the contestants will circle around an oval course (in shallow water and on land) while carrying a twenty-pound bag each. Players can drop out of the challenge at will, but they must give their weight to another contestant before unclipping themselves from the rope. The first person to catch another castaway and touch them wins, and will head to the Island of Secrets. The first person to drop out will also head to the Island of Secrets. Winner/Loser:

Reward/Immunity Challenge: Watership Down Each tribe will have three members swim through a water obstacle course, collecting three keys each along the course. The three swimmers must reach a floating platform, where they will hand off the keys to three other tribe members, who will jump off of the platform and use the keys to unlock three giant puzzle pieces each. Once all nine pieces have been collected, the last three people will use the pieces and the platform to build a boat. Each member will then pick up an oar from the platform, and row the boat to shore. First tribe to reach shore wins immunity and reward. Reward: A fire-making kit.

Winner:

= Day One =

Opening
The first episode begins with a pan-in view of a small, foliaged, spooky island, as the camera grows closer to the island, closing in on a sign that says, "Island of Secrets", before cutting to a shot of a torch being snuffed out in slow motion, then panning to a shot of Jeff Probst standing by a set of giant, ornate, doors, as he begins his monologue.

Jeff Probst: Every season of Survivor has something unique about it. Be it the cast:

A shot of the eighteen people who competed in Survivor: Melanesia is shown.

Jeff Probst: The twists:

A scene from Survivor: Lunar Temple is shown:

From Lunar Temple:

''Jeff Probst: Welcome everyone, to the first ever Lunar Temple Challenge. What the Lunar Temple is, I will get to in a minute. I am looking around and seeing some excited faces, some confused faces, and some not so happy faces. This will be an individual challenge, so for this one it will be twenty of you battling head to head for victory. For this challenge, players will begin on their stands. Upon starting the challenge all players will race out into a field full of star pieces. Once you find three large star pieces that fit together, you must run back to your stand. You will need to assemble the star and be able to hold it above your head for 60 seconds without the pieces falling. The first person to complete this challenge will win and be sent to the Lunar Temple. Whoever finishes last will also be sent to the Lunar Temple. The Lunar Temple is a twist this season you are going to want to be going to for the right reasons. Inside the Lunar Temple is a gigantic dial. (The castaways have shocked expressions on their face) This calendar will have 6 advantages and 6 disadvantages. The winner will draw one from the advantage side and the loser must draw one from the disadvantage side.''

''The castaways drop their mouths. Some contestants look to each other and begin whispering their theories or feelings about the twist.''

''Jeff Probst: The advantage and disadvantage will only be known by the two people who enter the temple. As for who they share the information with after is up to them. The advantages will be big, the disadvantages will be big. This is a challenge you do NOT want to lose as it could greatly hurt your game.''

Jeff Probst: Or the drama.

A series of scenes of Ashley from Temotu yelling at various people is shown.

Jeff Probst: And this season is no exception.

''The camera cuts to a shot of a large boat cutting through the crystal clear, turquoise, water. Shots of each of the sixteen new contestants situated on the boat are shown. The camera then focuses on an older, heavy set, man with a short beard, gray hair in a comb-over, and an orange and white button-down. He looks around at the other, younger contestants, scoffs, and rolls his eyes. He then gives a confessional.'' The camera then pans over to a young, red-haired woman, who grins from ear to ear and bounces up and down in her seat. Dakota looks over at the person seated behind her, a tall man with light brown hair who is wearing a brown sweatshirt with orange designs of varying subject, as he stretches out and feels the ocean spray against his face. ''The camera pans over to the other side of the boat where eight contestants in purple are seated. We see it focus on a small woman with tattoos, jet-black hair dyed blonde at the bottoms, and glasses. She cracks her knuckles and leans back in her seat.  The camera shifts away from Meg towards the center of the boat, where it zooms in on a large Hispanic man in a striped shirt, who glances around at the others before gulping and laughing nervously.'' ''J.P. ends his viewing of the castaways with a petite, young, African-American woman in a purple tank top and white hat. The camera pans over to this woman, who has an ombre from her natural dark hair color to magenta, and a serious look on her face. She grins as she looks over the side of the boat, her hair being tossed by the wind, as the sea spray hits her face and glimmers, as she pumps her fist.'' India looks over the edge of the boat, as the camera zooms through the ocean to Jeff, where he resumes monologuing.

Jeff Probst: But what these castaways do not know is that they will be joined by two returning players...

''The camera pans to a much smaller boat cutting through the water, which holds two other people. When we get a closer look, we see that they are Pamela Allen and Brad Rockford from Yyaku's season, Survivor: Lunar Temple.''

Jeff Probst: Two castaways from Lunar Temple, Pam and Brad, will also be competing, and one will be on each tribe.

The camera zooms in on Pam, who glances at Brad and appears that she wants to laugh and cry at the same time. After Pam's confessional, we pan over to Brad, who looks nervous as he looks over at Pam, before delivering a confessional of his own. The camera cuts back to Jeff, who begins climbing onto the large boat.

Jeff Probst: This is Survivor: Island of Secrets!

''Jeff climbs onto the boat, as the 16 newbies erupt in cheers. ''

Jeff Probst (Addressing the castaways): Welcome to Survivor: Island of Secrets!

More cheers are heard. Jeff Probst: Alright, first things first. You may be looking around and wondering why only 16 people are on this boat.

There is a general consensus of confusion and a couple of murmurs before Mirtha blurts out.

Mirtha (Jokingly): Tell us.

A couple of people laugh, before Jeff responds.

Jeff Probst: Glad you asked. On this boat are the sixteen new contestants. We'll get to tribe divisions in a sec, after we bring out the returnees.

Most people, anticipating this, chuckle and jokingly roll their eyes, while some wonder who the returnees could be.

Jeff Probst: This season, we are bringing back two castaways from Yyaku's season, Survivor: Lunar Temple.

The majority of people start cheering and clapping, with Helsen whispering, "Wonder who it is" to India, to which India replies, "Who knows?".

Jeff Probst: I'm sure you want to know who they are.

Castaways (Enthusiastically): Yes!

Jeff Probst: We are bringing back two iconic original Kalayo members, one for each tribe.

The smaller boat with Pam and Brad stops st the ladder of the big boat, and the two start climbing up.

Jeff Probst: Alright, let's start with the original crazy, silly, Southern girl; welcome in... Pamela Allen!

Pam climbs onto the boat, arriving to an explosion of cheers.

Pam: Hi!

The newbies erupt with cheers again.

Jeff Probst: Pam, how does it feel to be back?

Pam: You know, Jeff, I'm super hyped! This is such an amazing opportunity, and to do it twice is amazing-er!

Jeff Probst: Alright Pam, stand next to me. Now, let's welcome in baseball player turned villain turned strong ally, Brad Rockford!

''A slightly less enthusiastic cheer is heard as Brad climbs onto the boat. ''

Jeff Probst: Brad, same question. How does it feel to be back?

Brad: It's awesome. I'm ready for anything you can throw at me. Baseball pun not intended.

Scattered laughter is heard.

Jeff Probst: Okay, stand next to Pam. Now, with that out of the way, let's get you eighteen in your tribes. This season, the tribes will be divided by political affiliation, Democrats versus Republicans.

We see a close up of Christina, who looks somewhere between nervous and calculating. Jeff Probst: Pam, you are on the Democratic tribe. Stand on the purple mat. Newbies, if I call your name, take a spot on the same mat as Pam.

Some castaways look nervous, anticipating who they're going to be with.

Jeff Probst: Austin, Helsen, India, J.P., Megan, Mirtha, Noor, and Vladimir, head on up. The nine of you make up the Democratic tribe. Your name is Siga. Here are your buffs.

As everyone takes a buff, Noor smiles wide, before delivering her confessional. Jeff Probst: Brad, you, on the other hand, are the first member of the Republicans tribe. Stand on the orange mat. Alexandra, Christina, Dakota, Elton, Emmett, Heather, Oliver, and Vincent, stand with him. Your tribe name is Bogi. Take your buffs.

As everyone selects a buff, Vincent rolls his eyes. We transition to a few moments later, when everyone has their buffs on.

Jeff Probst: Okay, it's time for the marooning. Your bags are already in your smaller, color-coded boats, and you also already have oars. On this boat are all the supplies you could ever need. Your job is to collect as many of these items as possible and load them into your boat in three minutes. In addition, several yards from the ship are two color-coded knots. One person from each tribe can choose to dive in and swim to the ropes to untie them. The first person to untie your tribe's knots will release a toolkit for your tribe. ''Everyone looks shocked. Meg, Heather, and Mirtha all gasp.''

Jeff Probst: Okay, three minutes on the clock, your time starts...now.

''Everyone sprints off of their mats, grabbing things willy-nilly. Pam grabs a bag of rice and throws it into the boat, and it lands perfectly in the Siga tribe's boat. Fruits are being collected left and right, as India dives into the water and begins swimming out.''

Jeff Probst: India in the water for Siga!

''India starts swimming as fast as she can, wanting that toolkit super badly. Meanwhile, on the boat, chaos is going on in mass numbers, as everyone is pillaging whatever they can get. Emmett throws a chicken into the water, and the chicken, after flailing around, drowns.''

Jeff Probst: Bogi must not want that toolkit, as they have nobody in the water...

''Dakota, wanting to get Bogi into it, dives in and begins swimming as fast as she can, trying to keep up with India. ''

Jeff Probst: Dakota in the water for Bogi! You have ninety seconds left.

''Items are going in every which way, as Austin, Meg, Pam, Brad, Christina, and Vincent dive into the water and begin collecting stuff for their tribes. In the race for the toolkit, Dakota has almost caught up with India, as India starts untying the knots, just before Dakota. While Dakota has to take multiple rest breaks, India surfaces with the toolkit, having done it in one breath. ''

Jeff Probst: INDIA WINS REWARD FOR SIGA! The two of you may start swimming for your tribe boats!

''Everyone but J.P., Noor, Emmett, and Oliver dive in the water, and start either gathering things in the water, or swimming for the boats. ''

Jeff Probst: Thirty seconds left!

Everyone else dives in, with Siga getting everyone in their boat quickly, starting to row, and Bogi rowing right after.

Jeff Probst: This is the ultimate social experiment on TV! Thirty-nine days, Eighteen people, One Survivor!

The scene ends as a commercial break begins.

Siga Tribe
''After the break, we open up to underwater shots of whales, crabs, and dolphins before panning up to the beautiful, lush Monuriki Island, where the Siga tribe paddles in to. Shots of the tribe rowing are shown, as the tribe gets out of the boat and pushes it to shore. They stand on the beach, having an animated conversation.''

Austin (Excited): Well, guys, this is it!

Mirtha (Genuine): That was some hard rowing we were doing there!

Helsen: I know! But this is so pretty. We have a gigantic beach, with a gorgeous view of the ocean, and the rest of the island to explore!

India (Enthusiastic): With so many seasons set in Fiji, I personally get tired of seeing the same beaches on my T.V., but in real life, this is freaking majestic!

J.P.: You can say that again!

As we hear some more indistinct conversation, the camera closes in on Vladimir, who rolls his eyes at everyone else's enthusiasm. The camera pans over to Pam, who has a gigantic smile on her face, as she begins talking.

Pam: Alright, guys, let's stop talking and get to introductions!

Meg: Who wants to start?

Pam: I'll go! As you all know, I'm Pam Allen, I'm twenty-three years old, and I train horses! Who's next?

J.P.: My name is Juan Pablo, but you can call me J.P., I'm thirty-four, I work in the customer service industry, and despite being a divorcee, I am not beaten down yet!

There are a few chuckles at this.

Meg: My name is Megan, I go by Meg, and I am...

Meg pauses for a moment, trying to think of something that is a viable lie for her job. Meg takes a deep breath, before speaking.

Meg (lying): I am a financial analyst.

Pam gives Meg a suspicious glance.

Helsen: Hi, a finanial analyst, my name is Helsen, and dad jokes are my life!

Mirtha (muttering): We didn't notice.

Helsen: Nah, but seriously, I run a music store with my wife and two daughters!

''There is some light applause. The camera focuses on India, who looks especially excited about Helsen being on her tribe.'' The camera then shifts to Helsen, who delivers a confessional. After Helsen's confessional, the introductions continue.

Pam: Alright, we know most of us. Who's next?

''Vladimir grunts and rolls his eyes. India starts having her vocal tics go off. ''

India (while having tics) (calmly, helpfully): Guy who just grunted, how 'bout you go next?

Vladimir looks annoyed with India's suggestion.

Vladimir: Nothing's stopping you, Miss Squeaky and Twitchy.

India (challenge-accepted voice): Okay, I'll go. My name's India, I'm 20 years old-

Pam: That's young, even for Survivor!

India (tics calm down): I'm 20, so I'm pretty sure that I'm the youngest, and I'm a hairstylist.

Noor: I can tell, your hair looks great!

India: Thanks, girl! Maybe I could do yours sometime!

Noor: I'd love that!

India: However, I also study screenwriting.

Vladimir: You still haven't explained why you're so hyper and squeaky.

India (tics start back up) (angry): Fo' yo info, I have ADHD and Tourette Syndrome-

Vladimir: So?

India (slowly, explanatory, directly at Vladimir): So, the ADHD means that I have trouble focusing on certain things, and I am also very hyperactive and always in motion. And the Tourette's means that I make noises and spontaneous movements, which I can't control. And both are considered disabilities, so you can't discriminate against me or deny me my rights for anything, 'cause it's a federal offense.

Meg (complimentary): That's actually pretty cool!

India (appreciative): Thanks...was it Meg?

Meg: Yup.

India: Meg, my girlfriend actually shares your name, and she said the same thing about my issues!

Vladimir: Ohh, a weirdo, a bitch, and a f*g!

India (hurt): Shut the f*** up, will you?

India starts crying.

Noor (concerned): India, are you all good?

India (crying): Maybe. Can someone else talk now? I need to calm down.

Author's Notes

 * The reward/immunity challenge spawned from a long conversation I had with a classmate of mine, in which we combined elements from various challenges (the keys, the water course, the floating platform, the giant pieces, the boat), and came up with this one.