Digging a Deeper Grave

This is the 7th episode of Survivor: Marianas.

Challenges
Reward Challenge: Survivor Sumo

One member from both tribes face off in an arena surrounded by mud. Using their padded bags, or any other body part other than their hands, they must try to knock each other off the platform. Doing so will score their tribe a point. The first tribe to reach six points wins.

Reward: An herb garden, fresh fruit and vegetables, and the castaway's luxury items. Winners: Sarigan

Immunity Challenge: Rolling Stones

One member from each tribe must race through a muddy pit and through a rice crawl to reach a giant spherical rolling ball puzzle. Once there, they must rotate the sphere to guide the stone ball through the puzzle and out onto the ground, where they must then take the ball and insert it into a second rolling ball puzzle before racing back and tagging a second person in to race through the course and maneuver the ball through the puzzle where it will drop into a chute and push out a key. The person must bring the key back through the course where the remaining four members must use it to unlock a chest and use the puzzle pieces inside to win immunity.

Winners: Luta

Night 15
As Sarigan returns from Tribal Council, an ecstatic Zac gloats that he sent Rayya home. Karina and Margot voice their frustration to each other and quickly disappear inside the shelter. "sarigan"

- Zac can’t stop giggling and yelling at the sky. He's making a huge fool of himself and the whole tribe can't stand him. Are you sure that root beer wasn’t alcoholic?

Karina confronts Taj about writing her name down but Taj holds that he never did it. Even when Karina points out that all the evidence leads to him, he shakes his head and tells her to go to bed. "sarigan"

- I can't stand these people sometimes. It's late out, we're all tired, and yet you want to cause a scene? Do it in the morning.

Day 16
Karina and Margot go out to draw water and talk about last night’s unexpected play. Margot mourns the loss of Rayya, who she was still getting to know but got quite close to. After they bring water back, they join David on the beach and ask if they can meditate with him. Taj and Zac watch silently from their camp and Taj shakes his head before pointing out that all three of them were wasting time they could’ve been working. "sarigan"

- You see, I’m a practical man. I have nothing against meditation but we have a lot of things to do this morning and only three members are working.

At Luta, Ryan and Carmen meet while the rest of the tribe is cooking. Carmen suggests banding together to try and fight the Luta alliance but Ryan is pessimistic, reminding Carmen that the Luta alliance has the majority of the tribe. "luta"

- I admire Ryan’s truthfulness, but it’s like his torch has already been snuffed out. He’s given up.

At the reward challenge, Jeff brings in Sarigan, revealing to Luta that Rayya has been sent home, and notes that only two original Sarigan members remain. "luta"

- So Luta is standing around and Sarigan comes in, right? Immediately everyone checks to see if Zac is still there and surprisingly he is. Then you notice Rayya is gone and Jeff says something like 'Wow Sarigan down to two members'. The curse of the blue is definitely real. Ulong, Espada, Matsing and you can probably add Sarigan to that list.

Although Skye engages the fight, Madeleine is able to sidestep her and force her off the platform. Although it is a long fight, Ryan musters up the strength to shove David in, evening up the score. While both castaways are very physical, earning shocked faces from both sides, Karina eventually forces Noemi to the floor of the platform and inches her off into the mud. In two hits Taj is able to knock Isaac off the plaftform. Despite Ryan's words of encouragement ("I want to see her cry, pummel her!"), Margot slams into Carmen, sending her flying into the mud. Zac easily forces Max into the mud. While Karina and Noemi start their rematch even, Karina wins her second match by shoving Noemi in the chest, knocking the wind out of her allowing Karina to push her over.
 * Round 1 - Madeleine for Sarigan vs. Skye for Luta (Win - Madeleine)
 * Round 2 - David for Sarigan vs. Ryan for Luta (Win - Ryan)
 * Round 3 - Karina for Sarigan vs. Noemi for Luta (Win - Karina)
 * Round 4 - Taj for Sarigan vs. Isaac for Luta (Win - Taj)
 * Round 5 - Margot for Sarigan vs. Carmen for Luta (Win - Margot)
 * Round 6 - Zac for Sarigan vs. Max for Luta (Win - Zac)
 * Round 7 - Karina for Sarigan vs. Noemi for Luta (Win - Karina)

After taking their herb garden and luxury items, Sarigan heads back to camp. The tribe sits around camp, discussing their luxury items. Karina sketches portraits of the tribe using her luxury item, pencils and a sketchbook. David shows Sarigan the framed picture of his daughter Sara, who he explains died in an overdose six years ago in Honolulu. The tribe expresses their condolences and David is visibly teary-eyed.

As they enjoy their fresh fruit, Madeleine and Zac comments on Karina's performance, remarking that she didn't realize that Karina had it in her. "sarigan"

- I’m not the toughest out here by far, but when it comes to shoving matches, I’ve got some experience. *laughs* I’ve got three older siblings, so i’ve had lots of practice

At Luta, Ryan talks with Isaac about putting Carmen up for vote. Midway through their conversation, Carmen joins them and they hastily shut up when Carmen asks what they are talking about. "luta"

- I know I’m next or second to next, so my only hope is to convince the Luta alliance that they need me for challenges and they don’t need Carmen.

At Sarigan, Karina joins David at the beach, armed with her sketchbook. She draws him doing yoga as Taj fishes. The two of them can be heard laughing from all the way back at camp. Taj is shown crossing his arms and shaking his head. "sarigan"

- Again, we have two tribe members fooling around while the rest of the tribe does all of the work.

As night falls at Luta, Noemi and Isaac talk to Max about targeting Carmen. Max latches on very quickly to the plan and agrees to vote for her next tribal council. "luta"

- She’s weak and she’s not part of the Luta Alliance. That’s a good enough reason to go. Bye bye *giggles*. See ya Carmen.

Day 17
At Sarigan, Taj grows angrier as he watches Karina, David and Margot relax down at the beach. He brings this to Madeleine’s attention and makes a deal with Madeleine to vote with him and Zac at the next tribal council if they wanted to vote out David.

At Luta, Carmen tries to talk to Ryan again about starting an alliance. She brings out her idol and Ryan pauses for a second before telling her to keep it to herself. Carmen looks a little confused but puts it away before asking Ryan how much he wanted to be in the game. "luta"

- Ryan has a really pessimistic attitude. Not wanting to team up or accepting the idol? Has he given up already?

Ryan assures Carmen he very much wants to be in the game, but doesn’t want the idol. "luta"

- Having the idol is like having blood on my hands. It messes up your game bad. I want to play a clean game and the idol isn’t part of my plans. While they talk, Skye and Noemi are walk on the beach, searching for shellfish. They converse about the game and Skye asks Noemi if there is a final three deal with her and Isaac. Noemi looks surprised before answering no. "luta"

- Skye definitely put a thought into my head. It makes me wonder if I should be making final three deals. I know I can get people to agree, but I know promises mean nothing to some people in my alliance. Skye leans closer to Noemi and whispers that at some point, they'd need to get rid of Max. She points out that if the Luta Alliance keeps letting Max run over toes, it would spell trouble in the long run. Noemi grows quiet and stops and Skye has to ask her what's wrong. Noemi hastily gathers up her clams and walks back to camp, leaving Skye standing there. "luta"

- Something I said shook Noe up bad. I don't know if it was my suggestion of getting rid of Max or whatever, but she looks like she's seen a ghost.

At Sarigan, Taj confronts David, Karina and Margot about slacking off. The three of them are apologetic, but Taj is still worried and mentions to Zac that he is still gunning for David. Karina and Margot try to make amends by making dinner, and David climbs a tree for coconuts. Madeleine whispers to Zac that if Taj does vote with them, they'd be set at a three-three tie. Zac promises Madeleine that he wouldn't flip and urges Madeleine to do the same. Madeleine takes a second before shaking on it. "sarigan"

- Zac told me to shake on it. I did so hesitantly. The threat of rock drawing is a real possibility now and Zac doesn't have to worry because we all know David, Margot and Karina are all writing down his name.

Day 18
The day dawns with the Sarigan tribe heading down to the beach early in the morning. Lead by Taj, the tribe searches the newly revealed beach for crabs and clams. The tribe comes up with a large amount of shellfish, but Karina and Madeleine find themselves stranded on a sandbar, blocked by the encroaching tide. They yell to get the rest of the tribe's attention but watch the tribe leave without them. "sarigan"

- We're out on this tiny little sandbar and we're screaming for them and waiting for them to realize they left us. They didn't. Thanks guys, glad to know you care.

They eventually decide to wade back to shore and storm into camp, both of them mock-furious that the tribe left them. Sarigan erupts in laughter when they see the two girls, with David doubled over roaring. "sarigan"

- Do I feel bad we left them? Of course. Was it funny that they walked sopping wet into camp? Totally.

At the immunity challenge, Jeff explains the rules and then the two tribes start the challenge. Taj and Skye run through the course first and while Taj reaches the puzzle first, Skye is able to make up time and finish at the same time. Madeleine and Ryan race out next and Ryan is able to gain a lead that Madeleine can't overcome, landing Luta squarely in the lead. Max, Noemi, Zac and Isaac start on the puzzle and two minutes later, David, Zac, Margot and Karina start on Sarigan's. Luta is able to pull away even more and they finish first, winning the immunity idol.

At Sarigan, Margot approaches Taj and asks if he would be willing to vote with them tonight. He nods his head but gives a wink towards the camera. At the fire, Karina notices Zac's attitude and wonders if something is wrong. "sarigan"

- Zac knows his head is on the chopping block. His head was on the chopping block last time but he managed to weasel his way out. I'm willing to bet he doesn't have another idol but he does have something up his sleeve.

At Luta, the tribe celebrates their win. They decide to take the rest of the day off and all go down to the beach, where they play soccer with a coconut. Despite voicing his want to stay on the sidelines, Max is coerced to play with the rest of the tribe, however groaning the whole time.

After observing Zac for awhile, Karina runs to go tell Margot, only to trip and fall on her face. The rest of the tribe asks if she's okay but she raises a hand. "sarigan"

- This is not Karina's day. *giggles*

Just before tribal, Madeleine goes on a walk with Taj, bringing up the revote scenario. Taj tells Madeleine that he will not be changing his vote, but if she feels really uncomfortable, she can flip or try and avoid a tie.

Tribal Council
Jeff: Welcome back to tribal. Margot, have things cooled down at camp after the tribe switch?

Margot: Calmed down? No.

Jeff: Wow, a strong answer. What's happening at camp?

Margot: Taj has been kind of overbearing. He believes that the only thing we should be doing at camp is work.

Taj: I have not been overbearing.

David: You kinda have, dude. Taj: Well I'm sorry.

Jeff: Zac, what are your thoughts on this situation.

Zac: Honestly, I'm kind of glad that the spotlight is turned away from me a little bit. As for the actual problem, I have no qualms about taking a little rest once in a while.

Jeff: Taj, your eyes are wide. Did you expect this kind of response from Zac?

Taj: You know, I've always seen Zac as a workaholic like me, so I am a little surprised.

Jeff: Madeleine, being this close to the merge, are there clear cut alliances on Sarigan?

Madeleine: Definitely. At this point the tribe is split between Margot, David, and Karina and Zac and I.

Jeff: Taj, where are you?

Taj: I'm either the extra point with Margot, David, and Karina or the tiemaker with Madeleine and Zac.

Jeff: Well what are you of the two?

Taj: I have yet to decide. My vote's in the air.

Jeff: Karina, Zac, this is your chance. Karina, what would you say to get Taj's vote?

Karina: Taj, the three of us, we've got the connections with the Lutas. At the merge, we will clearly dominate. Join us, or be swept along with the rest of them.

Jeff: Zac, your turn.

Zac: We've been close friends Taj. Like you said, we were workaholics together. So join your friends, Taj.

Jeff: Let's get to the vote. -

Voting Confessionals
"sarigan"

- You're a great guy, honestly. But this is not a vacation. You want the money, you work for it.

"sarigan"

- Again, I'm writing your name down, and I will keep writing it down until you are walking out of tribal with your torch snuffed.

"sarigan"

- This is for my own butt. I love you to death and I wish you all the luck in the future. *starts crying*

"sarigan"

- Gotta hand it to you, you keep avoiding your death, brother. That takes talent.

Final Words "sarigan"

- This has been a great experience. I've had the most fun since Sara was still alive and I met a lot of great people who deserve to still be in the game over me. These islands have given me great gifts, including inner peace and a smile on my face.

Author's Notes

 * The episode title was spoken by Ryan.