Being A Jerk Won't Get Me A Million Dollars

Being A Jerk Won’t Get Me A Million Dollars is the ninth episode of Survivor: Seychelles - Battle Of The Sexes.

Previously On Survivor...

 * Mary-Anne, Sasha and Brandy plotted to overthrow Mallorie.

Brandy: We have to usurp control from Mallorie. It’s time.


 * But when Mallorie won immunity…

Jeff: Mallorie wins immunity!

The camera cuts to Sasha’s cold expression, Brandy’s defeated scowl as he spits on the ground, and Mary-Anne flinching in disappointment.


 * ...the target changed to the next biggest threat in the game and in Mallorie’s alliance of five.

Mary-Anne: We can’t vote Mallorie anymore, so…

Sasha: Just take out one of her loyal allies, then.

Brandy: You want to do Bridgette? I mean, Greta would be a waste of a vote.

Sasha: What about Dillan or Graham?

Brandy: We should use this vote to take out a threat.

Sasha: Dillan. He’s a beast in comps.


 * And the crucial swing vote came to rest on Greta’s shoulders.

Mary-Anne: Plan’s changed.

Greta: Uh-huh.

Mary-Anne: It’s Dillan now. Are you good with that? This can work, Greta. It could actually work!


 * Putting Greta on the spot...

"redneg"

- I’m caught between...two alliances. And Mary-Anne...and Mallorie...and Bridgette...I’m close with all of them. And it hurts to see them all split apart and having to choose a side? …It’s killing me. I want to see them all succeed. But...I know I have to make a choice, and decide who I want to be loyal to.


 * At tribal council, Mary-Anne played her idol on Sasha, thinking the initial target would be her.

Sasha: [whisper] Thank you.

Mary-Anne: [whisper] You’re welcome.

Jeff: This...is a hidden immunity idol. Any votes for Sasha will not count.


 * But the plan to blindside Dillan failed, as unbeknownst to the conspiring trio, Greta had told Mallorie and her alliance...everything.

Jeff: Mary-Anne. You need to bring me your torch.

Mary-Anne: [whisper] You’ve got to be kidding me…


 * The alliance put their votes on Mary-Anne instead, flushing her idol and sending her to the jury in an intense blindside.

Mallorie: [unremorseful] You tried it.

Sasha glares at her.

Jeff: Mary-Anne, your tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]

Mary-Anne cries as she leaves. The camera rests on Greta's guilty face.


 * 7 are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

Night 27
The episode begins, as the Redneg tribe returns to tribal council. The camera cuts to a transitional shot of the ocean washing away a couple dead coconut husks in the sand, leaving a few seashells and stray weed behind.

Sasha is slowly slinging her bag off her back and tossing it into the shelter, looking peeved off.

"redneg"

- Tribal council...was a disaster. It should’ve worked. It should’ve worked the way it was meant to and Dillan should’ve gone home. But no. Mary-Anne played her idol on me and it was that that sent her home. I feel so guilty inside. She didn’t deserve to go out that way. It was brutal, it was humiliating, and I just…[sigh]. I’m pissed the [censored] off.

Sasha: So how’d that happen?

Brandy is standing alongside Sasha, looking similarly solemn. Bridgette looks upset, and is playing with her hair. Mallorie ignores Sasha.

Graham and Dillan share a nervous look.

Greta: I’m sorry, Sasha, but I had to.

Sasha: Is that it? You told them about tonight.

Greta: Yes. I did.

Sasha: Why? Why would you do such a thing?

Sasha scowls fiercely, frustrated, as Greta babbles out a few weak excuses about integrity, and family.

"redneg"

- The plan should have worked. [laughs a little] It really should’ve. But these people...they’re all out of their minds! And you can’t work with people like these, you just can’t. You try to, but you can’t talk sense into crazy people.

Mallorie: You did a good thing, Greta. You showed loyalty.

Dillan: Yeah. [tosses jacket into shelter] If it wasn’t for you, I’d be a goner.

"redneg"

- [laughs] I very nearly went home tonight. I came this close to getting voted out, but thanks to Greta, I’m still here. I don’t take pleasure in seeing Mary-Anne get voted out that way, you could tell it broke her up and I feel bad for her. We had a good working relationship, but I knew I was perceived as a threat in this game and that next to Mallorie, people were going to start coming for me eventually. She tried to make a big move.

Greta: Well, you’re very welcome, dear.

She gives Dillan a one-armed hug, and nods at Mallorie

"redneg"

- I made a very tough decision today...to choose Mallorie and our alliance over Mary-Anne. She has been nice to me since Day One, so it was very hard to betray her that way. But ultimately...when I’ve given the two of them my word to be loyal, and one of them turns on the other, I feel the right thing to do would’ve been to do as I said, and stay loyal. It was my choice, that’s just who I am.

Bridgette hugs Greta, rubbing her back comfortingly.

Bridgette: There, there.

Greta: You girls are like family to me. [hugs Mallorie, who smiles] I was just so torn.

Mallorie: You did right by me, Greta. I’ll remember that.

"redneg"

- Tonight’s vote was probably one of my least favorite of the season, by far. Mary-Anne was a very close ally of mine, and at one point, she was my closest. She trusted me enough to tell me she wanted to make a move against Mallorie but I wasn’t sure she was really going to go through with it until Greta confirmed. There was a lot going through my mind when I made the decision to save Mallorie over her, but you know what, I think I made the right choice, and I’ll own that. I hated doing it but this game makes you do things you may not necessarily enjoy or feel comfortable doing. She was my closest ally from the start, Mary-Anne. I know we’ll be friends for life after this but for now, this move has cemented my place on this alliance of five with Mallorie, Greta, Dillan and Graham. We’ve forged trust through tonight and we’re gonna make it all the way to the end.

Mallorie: Not gonna lie, that was intense.

Bridgette: It was. I feel awful.

Mallorie: Chin up, Bridge. You and I, we’re still in this together.

Bridgette: I know...you’re right.

"redneg"

- When Greta told us Mary-Anne had an idol and might play it on Sasha, it was a very risky move, for us to change our votes and dump them on her instead. We were banking on Greta and Bridgette sticking with us and not flipping to her side, and given that she’s aligned with trash like Brandy and Sasha, it wasn’t totally a surprise they stuck with our alliance. Mary-Anne tried to make a move against me, and as Jeff said, there’s moves and then there’s countermoves. She got burned because I struck back first. It’s the name of the game.

Mallorie: C’mere.

She brings Greta into a big hug with Bridgette as well.

"redneg"

- That being said, while I’m indebted to Greta, had I been an outsider, I would’ve thought she’d made a terrible game move, not flipping on me, because Greta’s already perceived as the weakest player out here, both physically and emotionally, and that’s saying something because we have Graham on the island too. Tonight’s just made it clearer than ever that while we all admire her for coming out here at her age, she’s the obvious goat of the season. I would love to bring Greta to the end because I’m certain that I can beat her.

Day 28
Another morning begins, as the sun rises on a new day.

Graham is yawning, looking sleepy, as Dillan walks over and offers him a shell’s worth of fish and rice.

Graham: Thanks, man. I needed this.

Bridgette and Mallorie are talking in low voices by the fire.

Bridgette: What was it, that you said to her before she left?

Mallorie: I said: ‘you tried it’. And then I just watched as she walked off.

Bridgette: [winces] Ouch…

Mallorie: Hey, it’s the truth. She backstabbed me first, she can’t be upset about it-

Sasha: You really think there was nothing wrong with what you said last night?

Mallorie and Bridgette turn around to acknowledge Sasha, who is sitting in the back of the shelter, quietly listening to their conversation.

Sasha: That was absolutely uncalled for. You have no sportsmanship. None! You rubbed it in her face, and you know it.

Mallorie: [shrugs] Don’t act like you wouldn’t do the same.

Sasha’s expression darkens and Bridgette is quick to metaphorically step between the two women.

Bridgette: Alright, come on, girls. Let’s not do this. Alright? It’s too early for another fight.

Sasha rolls her eyes and looks away.

"redneg"

- This girl is getting on my last nerve. Mary-Anne didn’t deserve that last night, what she did to her, what she said. It was my fault, and I will do everything in my power to make it right by her.

Mallorie snorts, patting Bridgette’s thigh.

Bridgette: What?

Mallorie: Ever the mature one.

Bridgette: Oh, stop it.

"redneg"

- It’s almost becoming a pattern now, for me, to keep doing damage control here, trying to clean up Mallorie’s messes. She pisses off a few people, and it’s up to me to keep things civil again. I did it with Brandy when she needed him to blindside Kim, I did it to regain Dillan’s and Graham’s trust and here I am doing it again to make sure Sasha doesn’t lose her cool. Mallorie’s, frankly I think, starting to let all this talk of her being a powerhouse go to her head a little. I don’t know if I like that, much, but...to be honest, I think this just shows that she needs me.

The camera cuts away from camp to the next reward challenge.

Jeff: Come on in guys!

The tribe enters the challenge arena. Bridgette is marveling at the setup.

There are seven posts ready, with seven dolls - all made and designed to look like the seven of them - hanging on ropes suspended over roaring fires.

Dillan: What is this?

Graham: Oh, I know what it is.

Graham is shaking his head already.

Jeff: You guys ready to get to today’s reward challenge? Today’s challenge will be all about you, and your tribe. Before we begin, I have a series of questions for you regarding your tribe members, and each of you will go about answering these questions in private. I will then tally the results. You cannot answer ‘yourself’ for any of the questions.

He hands out clipboards with checkboxes and questions on them to all the castaways, along with a pen for writing each. Everyone disperses to answer their questions away from prying eyes. When they are done, Jeff collects the answers back.

Jeff: Here’s how it’ll go down. For today’s challenge, you are going to guess what the tribe answered as a whole to each question. You are looking for the consensus. It may differ from what each of you answered individually, which means you can answer ‘yourself’ as an option. Whenever you get a question right, you get to chop another tribe member’s rope. When your rope has been chopped three times, it will release your lifelike Survivor doll into the fire and you are eliminated from the challenge. Last person standing, wins reward. Wanna know what you’re playing for?

Bridgette: Yeah!

Jeff: Ice cream.

There are looks of longing on everyone’s faces. Sasha is grim, and Brandy looks determined. Bridgette is sharing an ecstatic look with Greta.

Jeff: The winner of this reward gets to order as much ice cream as they want from an ice cream stall that will be opened up back at camp. Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, coffee, mint chocolate, matcha, crème brûlée, black sesame and a whole lot more...worth playing for?

Mallorie: Absolutely.

Graham: Yeah!

Jeff: First things first, Mallorie - you have the Medallion. Will you give it to somebody or keep it?

Mallorie looks at Bridgette for what she thinks.

Bridgette gives her a look.

Bridgette: [whisper] Well?

Mallorie: [whisper] I want to make sure Brandy has that Medallion during immunity.

The camera cuts to Brandy, who can’t hear what the two girls are whispering about but looks like he can guess.

Bridgette: [whisper] We can’t let Brandy or Sasha have the Medallion now because they’ll pass it on at the next challenge.

Mallorie: [whisper] So do I keep it?

Bridgette: [whisper] If you really don’t want the penalty, you can give it to me. I won’t hold it against you.

Mallorie: [whisper] No, it’s fine.

She turns back to Jeff.

Mallorie: I’ll keep the Medallion.

Jeff: Alright. This means, Mallorie, that you will only need to be chopped twice instead of thrice to be eliminated. Let’s do this.

Soon, all seven castaways are standing in a row in front of Probst and their dolls.

Jeff: Remember, you will be answering which name you think came up the most in the answers.

Everyone has boards in their hands, with all the names of their tribe members on it.

Jeff: First question! Who would you trust with your life?

Bridgette: [laughs] Oh boy.

Jeff: Everyone reveal.

Everyone turns their boards over.

Jeff: Wow. Very split answers. Mallorie, Graham and Brandy say Greta.

Sasha’s eyebrow twitches, as if disagreeing.

Jeff: Bridgette answers HERSELF.

Bridgette: [laughs] I don’t know!

Jeff: And Greta, Dillan and Sasha also answered Bridgette.

Mallorie smirks.

Mallorie: You go, girl.

Jeff: Funnily enough, the correct answer...was Greta, with 4 votes.

Bridgette: [whistles] Aw, man.

Jeff: Mallorie is right, Graham is right, Brandy is right. You can each take a chop at one of your tribemates’ ropes.

Mallorie heads up first, machete in hand. With no hesitation, she chops Brandy’s rope.

Jeff: Mallorie, chops Brandy, with some authority.

Graham grabs the machete, and heads over to chop Brandy’s rope as well.

Jeff: Brandy, takes his second hit, and he still gets one swing!

Brandy rolls his eyes, but expects it. Graham shrugs with a smile, as he returns to his spot.

Jeff: Brandy, you’re up.

Brandy grabs the machete, and instead of heading over to Graham, he walks up to Mallorie’s post and chops her rope.

Jeff: Brandy, gives Mallorie her first hit.

Mallorie: Hm. I see how it is.

Jeff: Next question: Who most needs a wake-up call in life?

Bridgette: [scoffs] This is brutal!

Sasha is giving Brandy some significant looks with her eyes.

Everyone reveals.

Jeff: Sasha and Brandy both answer Graham, everyone else answers Brandy.

Brandy looks genuinely surprised.

Brandy: Wow. Really? I do almost all the work around camp, and it’s me?

He snorts.

Brandy: Okay.

Mallorie raises an eyebrow, looking cocky. Graham smiles, shaking his head.

Jeff: Correct answer: Brandy, with 4 votes. Mallorie, Bridgette, Graham, Greta and Dillan all get it right.

Mallorie heads back out to chop another rope, and she quickly chops Brandy’s rope.

Brandy’s doll is consumed by the flames. The real Brandy tosses his board to the floor.

Brandy: Yeeaap. Knew it.

Jeff: Brandy is the first person out of this challenge. Take a spot on the bench.

He spits on the grass and leaves.

Bridgette heads out, and with a half-hearted “sorry”, she chops Sasha’s rope. Sasha looks unamused.

Jeff: Sasha, with her first hit.

Graham heads out, and chops Sasha’s rope too.

Greta steps up, and also looking apologetic, gives Sasha her final hit.

Jeff: Sasha is out of this challenge.

Looking murderous, Sasha wordlessly heads over to the bench.

"redneg"

- In the challenge today, the big five-person alliance over there was basically sending a message out to us, over and over, that we were so on the bottom. Like, we couldn’t be more on-the-bottom right now. Our ropes were both chopped within two rounds. We were done, Brandy and I. It’s nauseating. They’re tighter than glue and they basically kicked us to the curb today. They couldn’t get rid of us faster. They made it so blatantly clear that they wanted one of them to win this reward. We’re so on-the-outs we’re even singled out in a reward challenge! It’s so cliquish, it’s like high school all over again and we’re the outcasts.

Jeff: Dillan, you’re up.

Dillan heads on over and chops Mallorie’s rope. Her doll is engulfed in flames.

Jeff: Mallorie, you’re done.

Mallorie: [sighs] Yeah.

She leaves sadly.

Jeff: Next question: Who does not deserve to still be here?

Graham flinches.

Dillan: That’s a rough one.

Everyone reveals.

Jeff: Bridgette answers Brandy.

The camera cuts to Brandy’s stone-cold expression.

Jeff: Graham, Dillan and Greta herself all say Greta.

Greta smiles a little in spite of this.

Jeff: However, the correct answer was actually Graham, with 3 votes.

Graham looks surprised, and a little hurt.

Graham: Only three? Hmph.

On the bench, Sasha has a little smirk on her face. Mallorie scratches the bridge of her nose, looking away.

Jeff: Graham, hearing that’s gotta sting.

Graham: Yeah, it does. I can’t imagine why.

Sasha: Really? It’s not hard to see why.

Graham turns to Sasha. Bridgette looks worried.

Dillan: Why then?

Graham: [turning back to Dillan] No, it’s okay, you don’t have to-

Sasha: Isn’t it obvious? Graham, you have done absolutely nothing to get yourself this far. You are a disgrace to this game and to all the players fighting to stay in it. You have no game of your own. You’re their goat and you won’t know it until it’s too late.

Brandy: Amen to that.

Graham: Say whatever you want, Sasha. I’m not going to listen to someone like you.

Sasha: You don’t even help out around camp. And you call yourself a superfan? You’re useless!

Dillan: Cut it out with the personal attacks right now. You’re not acting with a lot of class.

Sasha: Class? Me? I’ll have you know-

Bridgette: Guys, can we not do this? Let’s just...not. Please. It’s not cool.

Sasha turns away, red in the face. Dillan quietens down.

"redneg"

- I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’ve felt a lot of guilt for a while over not standing up more for Graham back on Seuntjie, when I was with Abe and Brandy. I’d let them just walk all over him. I turned a blind eye to their antics, I was blind to it. But knowing a different side of Graham, I feel like crap knowing I let him have to deal with being ostracized by Brandy and Sven all the time without lifting a finger. I’m going to start doing that now.

Graham: [turning to Dillan] It’s fine. You don’t have to fight my battles for me.

Dilalan: [whisper] It’s not right, bro.

Graham: It’s cool.

Jeff: Next question: Who would you least like to see win this game?

Sasha is silently laughing on the benches.

Dillan exhales as he flips through his answers.

Jeff: Everyone, reveal.

They show their answers.

Jeff: Everyone says Brandy, everyone is right. The correct answer is Brandy, with 4 votes.

Brandy is nonchalantly smiling away, brushing this off.

Bridgette walks over and, with a sly wink, chops Graham’s rope.

Graham: Wow, Bridge.

Graham heads over, and true enough, chops hers in return.

Bridgette: It’s all good in the hood.

Greta: [walks over] Sorry, Dill, this ain’t nothin’ personal…

Dillan: It’s cool.

Greta gives Dillan his first hit.

Dillan heads up, and in similar fashion, gives Greta her first hit.

Jeff: Everyone is now down to two hits left. Next question: Who is most likely to stab you in the back?

Everyone reveals.

Jeff: Bridgette and Greta both say Sasha, Graham and Dillan say Mallorie.

Mallorie narrows her eyes on the benches.

Jeff: The correct answer is...Sasha, with 4 votes.

Sasha: [scoffs] Really? Me?

She looks directly at Greta.

Sasha: I wasn’t the one who gave away the entire plan last night.

Greta looks down, avoiding her accusatory gaze.

Sasha: You people don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.

Jeff: Bridgette, Greta, you’re up.

Bridgette heads up and gives Graham his second hit.

Greta heads up and gives Dillan his second hit.

The two boys look at each other and Graham shakes his head.

Jeff: Next question: Who would never survive a night in the wilderness on their own?

Graham smirks a little as he flips through his answers. Greta takes a deep breath, hugging her board to her chest.

Jeff: Reveal.

Everyone shows their answers.

Jeff: Bridgette, Dillan and Greta herself all say Greta. Graham says himself.

Graham chuckles a bit.

Jeff: The correct answer...is Greta, with 5 votes.

Bridgette heads on over and grabs the machete. She walks over and hacks Graham’s rope, giving the self-proclaimed Survivor superfan his final hit.

Jeff: Just like that, Graham is out.

Graham: Aw.

He takes his leave.

Greta heads up and hacks Dillan’s rope.

Dillan takes his final hit and his doll goes up in smoke, as does his chances of winning.

Jeff: Dillan, you’re out. You still get one last hit.

Dillan heads over and hacks Greta’s rope.

Jeff: Greta, down to her last rope. Bridgette, still has two hits left to go.

Bridgette: Yeah. [strikes a pose]

Dillan winks at her as he leaves.

Jeff: This could be our last question: if Bridgette gets this right, she wins reward. Who do you hope to never see again?

Bridgette: [whistles] Wow.

On the benches, people are chuckling. Sasha has a dark look on her face. Brandy is picking at his teeth, a glint in his eyes.

Jeff: Reveal.

They reveal.

Jeff: Bridgette says Sasha, Greta says Brandy. One of you is right, one of you is wrong.

Bridgette bites her lip.

Jeff: The correct answer is...Sasha, with 3 votes. Bridgette wins reward! Take your last chop.

Bridgette: Woo!

Greta: Congrats, honey.

The two share a quick hug as the others applaud politely. Sasha is clapping too, with a smirk on her face.

Bridgette heads over and chops Greta’s final rope, sending her white-haired doll into the flames.

Jeff: Bridgette, come on up.

Bridgette: K’kay.

She hops on over, looking excited.

Jeff: Congrats, you have a delicious ice cream reward waiting for you back at camp. But I think that cold dairy goodness should be enjoyed with another person.

Bridgette nods, expecting the dilemma.

Jeff: Choose one other person to join you on this reward.

She looks at the row of people standing before her. Dillan smiles winningly, arching an eyebrow. Greta looks at her pleadingly; Graham gives her a hungry puppy-dog-eyed expression.

Bridgette: Sorry guys, but I have to choose Greta. She needs this.

Greta smiles in thanks and walks over. Dillan pouts, looking disappointed.

Greta stands beside Bridgette as the latter gives her a hug.

Jeff: Now, you know the saying “two’s company but three’s a crowd”? That doesn’t apply on Survivor. Pick one more person to join you.

Bridgette thinks on it.

Bridgette: I’m...I’ll have to go with Mallorie.

Dillan pats Mallorie on the back as the latter walks on over, giving Bridgette a grateful hug.

Jeff: Alright, Bridgette, Greta, Mallorie, you’ll have a nice reward waiting for you back at camp. As for the rest of you - Graham, Dillan, Sasha and Brandy - I got nothing for you. Grab your stuff and head on back.

The remaining four grab their stuff to go, as Bridgette puts her arms around Mallorie and Greta each.

The camera focuses on Brandy as he leaves with the tribe.

"redneg"

- Bridgette wins reward, and of course, she picks Greta and Mallorie; her two bosom buddies, her two bestest of pals; to share it with her. Those three have been together since the start. It’s no surprise at all. And if Dillan didn’t see it before, he has to open his eyes and see it now, that those three girls are more loyal to each other than they are to him. Maybe this is the opening me and Sasha need to turn the tables on Mallorie and her crew and get some action going.

The tribe returns to camp, and sure enough, there is a small ice-cream stall set up on the beach, manned by one local vendor, and Bridgette is squealing upon seeing it.

Bridgette: C’mon, let’s go!

The three ladies head on over to check out the assortment of ice cream.

"redneg"

- Returning to camp, out of the blue there was this little ice cream stall near our shelter where it’s never been before, and it has a wide selection of ice creams to choose from. There were so many flavors, that I just ordered one of everything, because I won’t get to taste ice cream for who knows how many days, and I have been craving something cold and sweet for a long time! This reward is just what the doctor ordered.

Mallorie: I’ll have...a scoop of mint chocolate...and a scoop of vanilla...and a scoop of caramel cheesecake…

"redneg"

- I honestly did not expect Bridgette to pick me for reward, but I’m very glad that she did. Me and her, we’ve formed a very close bond over the season and this, I think, just solidified it. She’s my girl. I’ve been very...I’ve been on ‘hardcore gamer’ mode this whole month or so, but getting to enjoy ice cream, it feels like I’m taking a break from the game for once. This might be one of the first real breaks I’m taking from the game in a while, so I’m just going to relax and enjoy the ice cream for the time being.

With a grunt, Greta sits down with the other two girls as they begin to eat.

Greta: Thanks so much for this reward, Bridge.

Mallorie: Yeah, thanks a lot. We owe ya.

Bridgette: No problem, you guys.

They eat in silence for a little while. Mallorie checks to make sure the others are out of earshot before talking again, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial tone.

Mallorie: So, now that we’ve got this opportunity to talk...we should discuss the endgame.

"redneg"

- With the numbers dwindling, that Final Tribal Council is clearer than ever in my head. I know it’ll be upon us any day now, and so I need to start planning who I want to sit next to at the end. My girls Greta and Bridgette, I’ve aligned with them since the start, and honestly, I think I can beat them. My only issue is, that Bridgette, at least, may be smart enough to realize that’s my plan - to bring her to the final tribal and wipe the floor with her. Because I know I’m still seen as a threat and people may still be thinking of trying to take me out and unless I convince them of this Final Three Deal, they may think they’ll have better shots at the end with me out of the picture. So I need to get some proper deals going.

Mallorie: I think that…us three, this three right here...we can be the Final Three.

Bridgette: [eats another scoop of ice cream] Go on.

Mallorie: Like, we’ve been tight since the very beginning. I’m not straying from that. Once Brandy and Sasha go, we get rid of the boys and then it’s just us. I promise you, that I will stick to this Final Three.

Bridgette: I’m on board for that, honestly, if y’all are too. We could make it happen.

"redneg"

- Mallorie proposes a Final Three deal of me, her and Greta. Greta, bless her soul, I feel, will not stand a very high chance of winning because she has been, basically, goated this whole time. Her strength and weakness is her undying loyalty to me and Mallorie. And the tears...oh, man, the tears. [laughs] I’m agreeing to this Final Three for now, but nothing’s set in stone for me yet. I do like the idea of going to the end with these two ladies, with whom I’ve shared such a bond for this long, but I also need to think of the jury and think of the endgame. Because let’s face it, Mallorie’s been pegged as a threat and a target for almost the whole merge. Do I really want to bring someone like that with me to the end? Even if Mallorie and I have been good friends and allies for, like, ever? Or do I want to take her out at the Final Five or Four? It’s a lot to think about, when to take someone out, and who to take out at what time.

Back in the shelter, the others are wistfully watching as the three women sit on logs and eat their ice cream by the stand.

Graham: I miss ice cream so much.

He moans, leaning against Dillan, who is picking in between his teeth with a toothpick, watching the girls.

Graham: It’s killing me to see them eat it and not be able to taste it.

Dillan: I know, buddy.

"redneg"

- I gotta say...I’m surprised Bridgette didn’t pick me. That may sound a little entitled, but I just...I thought she would’ve. I thought our bond was close enough but I guess she’s just a little bit closer to the girls. I was disappointed, yeah, but it is what it is, I suppose. Me and Graham are just hamming it up on the Loser’s Log and all we can do is watch them have all the fun and the food.

Graham: I miss sweet stuff.

Dillan: So do I.

Graham: You must not have a lot of sugar intake, do you? Given you’re a basketballer and all?

Dillan: The training’s tough but I do still eat ice cream like any normal person, you know. Not all the time, but I indulge every now and then.

Graham: I couldn’t imagine living your life, working that hard your whole life and training for competitions over and over…

Behind them, Brandy is busy tending to the drying clothes. Sasha is lying down in the shelter, keeping her eyes closed and her arms propping up her head, giving no indication she is eavesdropping.

Graham eyes her from behind him.

He nudges Dillan.

Graham: [whisper] Can you believe half the stuff she said about me at reward?

Dillan: She was trying to get under your skin. Don’t let her get to you. Take her words, and toss them out the window.

Graham is silent for a while.

Graham: Do you think I’m a goat?

Dillan: Man, I said, don’t listen to her. No one in the alliance thinks you’re a goat.

Graham: I bet the jury does. Mary-Anne and I never really connected much. And then you’ve got a macho man like Abraham…

"redneg"

- Today at the reward challenge, Brandy and Sasha especially were basically using me as a punching bag, to get out all their anger and aggression that nothing’s gone their way since the merge. It was a really low blow, even for them, though I guess I shouldn’t be very surprised. People like Brandy and even Sasha, it seems...when things don’t go their way they wanna step on the little people to feel better about it. I’m glad at least, that Dillan and Bridgette came to my rescue, almost. But it doesn’t soften the blow, much. I can never understand why someone would want to, and enjoy, intimidating someone - exploiting someone’s fear or anxiety against them for some sort of sick, perverse pleasure. And I’ve spent majority of my life feeling scared, feeling depressed, being intimidated by the people bigger and badder than me, and it’s an awful feeling; whether it was a tough schoolteacher or a guy who’s used to a life of more discipline than I am, a guy like Brandy. I hate having to go through with it again, even out here. I knew I would most likely come under fire out here for the kind of timid character that I had, given the social nature of the game, but it took a lot of love for Survivor to get me to still want to come out here and brave my inner demons.

Graham sighs, resting his head on his fist, propping his knee up on the log he is on. He watches as a line of ants crawl along the surface of the wood, looking moody.

Graham: It just sucks.

Dillan looks genuinely concerned.

"redneg"

- Graham came back from reward today, looking really depressed. I guess Sasha’s words just got to him. He loves this game, and so I can sort of see why the thought that he stood no chance at winning really stung. I have to admit...I don’t know if the guy can win this. But I would never say that to him, it would hurt him too much. He’s a very sensitive guy, you know? People like Brandy and Sasha, they’ve been through a lot too and it’s made them tougher. Graham...is kind of the opposite.

Graham: It just feels like no matter how far I run, even coming out here, I just can’t escape the endless cycle of bullying.

Dillan: She was just trying to mess with your head.

Graham: This is supposed to be a game. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but still…

Dillan is silent for a bit.

Dillan: Were you...bullied a lot, as a kid?

Graham: [laughs] What makes you think I don’t still get bullied? I mean, you’ve lived with me for almost a month. What do you think?

Dillan: Just try to have fun...take comfort in the fact that you’re on Survivor! You know how hard it is to get on this show, to get this opportunity?

Graham: [nods] Oh believe me, I know. I’ve applied countless times.

"redneg"

- I mean, I’m a fan of this game. I’ve said it plenty of times. I love this game to bits and knowing Sasha’s calling me a goat...it, you know...it frightens me. I’ve seen countless people get dragged to the end and lose, and it’s an embarrassing and a humiliating process. I don’t want to be in that position. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody, not even Sasha and Brandy.

Graham: You know I love this game, man. I just can’t handle the fact that I’m probably gonna lose it.

Dillan: You gotta stop thinking that way, alright? There’s still a lot of game left to play. Nothing’s set in stone.

Graham: [unconvinced, and dejected] I guess.

Behind him, Sasha has one eye squinted open, and is listening to every word.

"redneg"

- With a challenge like Touchy Subjects, it’s perfect for trying to get under people’s skin and the whole challenge, I was singling Graham out because I was trying to, you know, psych him out a little. When people get upset or hurt, they don’t think rationally. I was insinuating that...he’s their pet goat right now. The sooner he realizes that he won’t stand a chance at winning at the end, the likelier it is he gets off his ass and makes a move, and that’s what Brandy and I need right now to stay alive. I want that five to cannibalize each other. Believe it or not, I don’t take pleasure in beating his ego to pieces, shredding it and giving him a defeatist attitude. But if it’s good for my game, so be it, I say. I gotta remember why I’m doing this - I’m playing this game and putting myself through this physical and emotional torture for my family. And for my boys, I’ll do anything.

Sasha closes her eyes again and turns over, turning her back to the two boys. Graham is still staring across the fire at the girls enjoying their ice cream, brooding, lost in his own world.

"redneg"

- It’s clear that Sasha and Brandy want to vote Mallorie out but given that that’s their goal, they’d need all the swing votes they can garner. Sasha should be trying to be nice to me, not mean. She’s only making me want to vote her out even more. I don’t care what happens, I just want her or Brandy to go home as soon as possible.

Day 29
It is early in the morning, and Bridgette is sitting in the grass on the hilltop, overlooking the beaches with a grand ocean view.

She is sitting cross-legged, her back straight, and she is breathing deeply, eyes closed, listening to the sound of the ocean.

"redneg"

- Some days, my morning routine consists of me waking up to go meditate on the hilltop nearby. I find that, in a game as stressful as this, 24/7, it’s good to take a breather and just...relax. I feel good being able to focus again. It takes a lot of strength for me to deal with some of these people [laughs] and I’m marketing my social game my biggest strength here so I need to be as cool, calm and collected as I can be to deal with some of them. [laughs]

As Bridgette does her thing, down by the beaches, Sasha is peering up at her distant figure, looking on ludicrously.

Sasha: What is she doing?

Dillan looks at where she’s looking and laughs.

Dillan: Bridgette’s a yoga fad. She did that a lot back on Seuntjie. Sometimes, she’d even lead us for a group session.

"redneg"

- Yoga, to me, is kind of...weird. [sputters, and laughs] I mean, I don’t have time for yoga in my life. I’m struggling to make ends meet and I’ve got two kids to feed. Stuff like yoga kinda goes out the window when you’re being smothered by bills coming at you from every direction. That’s why I need this money so badly, to give my kids and I a better life. Because it’s not easy to be a single parent.

The camera cuts to Brandy, who is looking out at sea, not listening to the conversation as Sasha makes a couple more comments about Bridgette.

"redneg"

- Today’s my daughter’s birthday. I’ve been counting the days since we started all this, and I know that it’s Day 29. 29 days since I started this adventure and if my calculations aren’t off, then it’s true. Today’s my little Meghan’s special day, and I’m not there to share it with her. I can only hope that she’s having a good birthday while I’m gone.

Sasha plops down next to Brandy, still eyeing Bridgette with mocking curiosity.

Sasha: You alright?

Brandy: Yeah. [chuckles] Today’s my little girl’s birthday.

Sasha: Aw. That’s nice.

Brandy: I wish I was home to share it with her, but…

Sasha: I know. I know.

"redneg"

- When you’re a father to a little girl, or just a parent to young kids, like Sasha...you want to be there for your children as much as possible, to never miss out on any milestone of their childhood, because they’re only going to be that young once. I don’t know if I’ll ever have any more children. So Meghan...she might be all I’ve got. She, to me, is the human representation of my soft side. When I get too rough, or gruff, or too mean, she’s what makes me want to be kind again. Because she’s just a kid! When I talk to her, I have to be gentle and that’s something I have a lot of trouble with, believe it or not. [laughs] I know I’m not the kindest or the gentlest person in the world. She brings out a different side of me who; if you’ve known me before I had Meghan; did not exist. Even out here I’ve let uglier sides of my personality show because I don’t have her to show me how to control myself. I’m the parent here but she schools me, in that she shows me how to be kind and caring and compassionate, a lot of things that I’m not. She means the world to me.

Dillan is getting to his feet.

Dillan: Brandy. You want to go catch fish?

Brandy: Not right now, thanks.

Dillan: Okay.

He leaves, with a curious glance at Brandy and Sasha. Dillan heads back out into the water on the boat, with Graham tagging along, holding out the oars.

Brandy: I really miss her.

Sasha: Yeah...I miss my sons too.

Brandy: I know I can be a bit of a dick at times...I don’t want my daughter to see that side of me on television.

Sasha: [laughs dryly] You’re not a dick.

Brandy: Oh, you say that, but maybe it’s cause we’re both dicks.

Sasha doesn’t smile.

Sasha: Yeah...maybe.

Bridgette comes down from the mountain, and walks into camp.

Greta: Feeling fresh?

Bridgette: A little. What’s for breakfast?

Greta: The boys have gone to get fish.

Bridgette sees Brandy looking a little depressed, and sits next to him.

Bridgette: What’s wrong? You look upset.

Brandy: Hmph. You can tell?

Bridgette: I’ve been told I’m good at reading people.

Brandy casts a suspicious look in Mallorie’s direction. She is busy tending to the pot, and out of earshot. Greta is half-asleep, half-awake, in her own little world.

Brandy: What I’m going to tell you...I’ve only told two people out here. Can you keep a secret?

Bridgette: [looks surprised] Uh...sure.

Brandy: [pauses] Today’s my daughter’s birthday.

Bridgette: Oh! Well...that’s nice. I’m sure she’s...I’m sure she’s thinking of you right now.

Brandy: [snorts, but not derisively] I appreciate the sentiment.

Bridgette: I didn’t even know you had a little girl. You didn’t strike me as a father type...oh, I hope that didn’t come across the wrong way.

Brandy: Naw, don’t worry about it. I know I’m not the fatherly sort. I certainly don’t look it. But I am. I’d do anything to protect my little girl.

Bridgette: That’s very sweet.

She looks off into the distance.

Bridgette: I miss my family too.

Brandy: Yeah...I think we all do.

Bridgette: Greta, most of all. She’s had it rough out here.

Brandy: So I’ve heard. The poor lady was a wreck the first few days, I’ve heard.

"redneg"

- To know that Brandy thinks he can trust me with the knowledge that he’s a dad? That’s insane! I never in a million years thought that man was a father. [laughs] But it’s nice to know that beneath the surface, there is a more sensitive side to Brandy. I just wish he’d made that side known to all of us. Graham is terrified of him, and Greta thinks he’s a bully. It’s nice to know what I do of his little secret, and it does endear me to him, knowing what I do about who’s counting on him back home.

Bridgette gets to her feet and walks over to join Mallorie.

Brandy is leaning on his back, closing his eyes.

Brandy: I’m gonna nap. Wake me when breakfast’s ready.

Sasha snorts.

Sasha: [laughs] Yeah, you wish. Lazy ass.

Brandy: Oh, har har.

Mallorie is stirring rice in the fire. Looking over to see Brandy and Sasha far from them, she leans in closer to talk to the girls.

Mallorie: If we’re going to get to the Final Three, we need to think on what we’re going to do next. I mean, what do you two think?

Bridgette: [shrugs] I say we just stick to the plan and vote Brandy or Sasha out.

Mallorie: You don’t want to shake things up?

Bridgette: What else would you propose? Dillan and Graham are still with us.

Mallorie: Yeah, let’s make sure they keep thinking that way.

Bridgette casts her a curious look.

Mallorie: I wanted to pick your thoughts, homegirl.

Bridgette: Go right ahead.

Mallorie: Brandy or Sasha? Who goes next?

Greta: Don’t you think Sasha is a bigger threat?

Mallorie: One of them’s gotta go. We’ve spared them too long.

Bridgette: I’m fine with either. Brandy...he came close to winning immunity last round. If the next challenge is a physical one...he could pull it out.

Greta: But Sasha...is a social threat. She’s very vocal. She could change the game with her words, alone.

Mallorie: You’re still upset about what she said after last tribal, huh?

Greta pouts.

"redneg"

- Brandy was nipping at my heels last challenge and that concerns me. I know he probably doesn’t have an idol so it’s just a matter of whether it’s him or Sasha we send to the jury next and my gut says that it should be him. Sasha doesn’t worry me. She’s already pissed both Greta and Graham off, she’ll never be able to work herself out of the hole she’s dug herself into. But Brandy may pull off an immunity win soon if we don’t get rid of him. And that’s my plan for the time being. But if Brandy wins this next immunity, Sasha will be the one to go home.

Mallorie looks at Brandy and Sasha out of the corner of her eye as she continues tending to the rice.

Brandy is lost in thought, as Sasha lays down to rest next to him, bored.

"redneg"

- I wanna give Meghan a late birthday present. Nothing would make her happier than knowing her old man made it to the end of this game and could win. So today’s just a reminder of why I’m in this game, and I’m more resolved than ever that I can’t give up now. I’ve got a lot I’m fighting for and so I need to win this next immunity and claw my way to that Final Tribal Council. I know if I win today’s challenge, it’ll probably mean Sasha stands a very good chance of going home because she and I are on the outs looking in. Unless those people wisen up and join us to make a move...me winning could send my last, closest ally home. But...I’m not here to play this game for Sasha. I’m here for my daughter.

Day 30
Jeff: Come on in guys!

In comes the Final Seven, as Brandy deposits the golden-yellow tribe flag by the side of the mat.

Jeff: Ready to get to today’s challenge? First things first, Mallorie, I will take it back.

He takes the immunity necklace back.

Jeff: Immunity is back up for grabs. For today’s challenge, you will use grappling hooks to retrieve three bags, each containing one ball. ONce you have all three bags, you will use one of those balls to solve a table maze. First person to finish, wins immunity - guaranteed a one in six shot of winning this game. Losers - Tribal Council, where after 30 days, for one of you, your shot at winning this game will come to an end. Mallorie, you have the Medallion. What’ll you do with it?

Mallorie wastes no time in making her decision.

Mallorie: Give it to Brandy.

Brandy looks pissed off.

Jeff: Hand it over.

Mallorie hands the Medallion to Brandy, who gruffly takes it, looking like he wants nothing more than to break it in half.

Jeff: Brandy, because of the Medallion, you will have to retrieve four bags of balls instead of three.

Brandy nods gruffly.

Jeff: Alright. Let’s do it.

Everyone gets in position.

Jeff: Here we go! Playing for immunity and a guaranteed spot in the Final Seven...Survivors ready? Go!

Everyone begins swinging with their grappling hooks, trying to snag their bags.

Jeff: Mallorie gets her first bag fairly quickly! She’s reeling it in!

Sasha grunts as she hurls her hook. Brandy’s face is screwed up in concentration as he swings.

Jeff: Dillan gets his first bag!

Bridgette grits her teeth and lets her hook fly.

Jeff: Bridgette gets her first bag! [Brandy hooks a bag] Brandy gets his first bag! It is Mallorie, Dillan, Bridgette and Brandy all with one bag each!

Graham grunts as his hook goes flying. Greta keeps coming up short. Sasha is getting red in the face, looking increasingly frustrated.

Jeff: Graham, Greta, Sasha and Brandy all have three bags remaining, everyone else left with just two!

Mallorie twirls her hook and swings.

Jeff: Mallorie with her second bag! It is Mallorie in the lead!

Dillan swings and snags another bag, seconds behind her.

Jeff: Dillan with his second bag! Dillan is nipping at Mallorie’s heels!

Dillan is huffing and puffing as he reels his bag in.

Bridgette tosses her hook again.

Jeff: Bridgette just misses!

Mallorie swings with her hook and snags her final bag.

Jeff: Mallorie has all three bags! She can start working on her maze!

Dillan snags his final bag too.

Jeff: Dillan also with all three bags! It is Mallorie and Dillan, in the lead!

Mallorie is untying one of her bags, taking out a ball as she does so and moving to the maze. Dillan is right behind her, hurrying.

With a grunt, Brandy swings his hook and snags a second bag.

Jeff: Brandy, with his second bag!

Sasha gets a bag. Graham gets a bag, looking gleeful.

Jeff: Greta, now the only person left without a bag.

Mallorie and Dillan have reached the table maze. Mallorie puts the ball in position and grabs the handles. Dillan does the same.

Jeff: Brandy with another bag! Brandy needs one more bag, Graham, Bridgette and Sasha need two, Greta needs three!

Brandy twirls his hook and swings, looking determined.

Jeff: Brandy gets his fourth and final bag! Brandy, reeling it in, trying to catch up to Mallorie and Dillan!

Brandy growls as he fished his bag through the sand and back to him. Untying it and grabbing the ball inside, he races to the table maze.

Jeff: Sasha with another bag!

Sasha’s beady eyes are narrowed and she is focused, intensely, on her task.

Jeff: Bridgette with her second bag!

Brandy has gotten to his table maze and is now working on maneuvering his ball around.

Jeff: In spite of the Medallion’s penalty, Brandy has caught up! It is Brandy, Dillan and Mallorie, neck-and-neck! Graham and Greta, falling out of it!

Greta sighs, shaking her head as she again misses her bag by inches.

Jeff: Graham with a second bag!

He pumps the air with a fist.

Mallorie is steadily moving her ball through the maze. She grits her teeth, trying to work it around a large hole in its way.

Jeff: Mallorie trying to get past a hole…

Mallorie tries to slowly slide the ball past the hole but it tips over and falls through.

Jeff: Mallorie drops her ball! She's gotta start from the top!

Mallorie curses as she rushes to grab her ball again. Dillan is in the lead, carefully manipulating the table maze with his handles. Brandy is moving haphazardly, shaking the table manically in an attempt to catch up by virtue of aggressive behavior.

Jeff: Sasha with her third bag! And Greta FINALLY gets her first bag!

Greta shakes her white-haired head, looking disappointed in herself.

Sasha is rushing to her maze now as well. Graham is fumbling to get his final, furthest bag.

Jeff: Mallorie drops her ball again!

Mallorie yells out, loudly, in frustration. Graham laughs, eyes wide with surprise.

Jeff: Bridgette with her final bag! Graham with his final bag!

Dillan is getting his ball closer and closer to the end. Brows furrowed with concentration, his hands grip the handles tightly.

Brandy is moving fast and furiously, and his ball drops into a hole close to the end.

He shouts out a curse.

Jeff: Brandy drops the ball! Mallorie making steady progress, trying to catch back up and make up for lost time!

Mallorie is biting her tongue, her arms shaking as she manipulates her maze.

Jeff: Sasha, Bridgette and Graham, starting on their mazes! But is it too late?

Dillan’s ball is inches from the goal, with a hole in its way. Breathing in and out to calm himself, he slowly dips the maze down and the ball rolls forward…

...and drops into the goal.

Jeff: Dillan wins immunity!

Dillan lets the handles go and claps, jubilated. Laughing, he heads over and gives Graham a high five.

Graham: Nice.

Bridgette: Good job, Big D.

Mallorie pouts as she lets go of her handles. Brandy is glowering as he shakes his head at the sand.

Jeff: Dillan, come on up. [puts necklace around his neck] Dillan, safe at tribal council tonight. As for the rest of you - Mallorie, Bridgette, Sasha, Greta, Graham and Brandy - for one of you, your shot at the million dollars will come up short and you will become the fourth member of our jury. You have the afternoon to figure out who it's gonna be. I'll see you tonight at tribal. [slaps Dillan on the back] Congrats.

The camera focuses on Brandy as he walks off with the others.

"redneg"

- I didn’t win immunity; that’s a bummer. Mallorie gave the Medallion to me so I know they’re coming my way tonight. But the silver lining is that Mallorie herself is vulnerable, so maybe, just maybe, I can make some magic happen. Regardless of the outcome, I’m not one to go quietly into the night. If tonight’s my last night on the island, I’ll for damn sure go out kicking and screaming to the end.

The Redneg tribe returns to camp, and people are congratulating Dillan.

Graham: Congrats, bro. That makes No. Two!

Dillan: Heh, yeah, man. Thanks.

The two high-five and Graham pats Dillan on the back.

"redneg"

- I’m very proud of Dillan for pulling out a win today. He’s like my hired muscle. [laughs] Because I can’t win a challenge to save my life, so I need him to do it for me instead. I’m the brains of our joint operation and he’s the brawn. He’s pulling through for us and our alliance and it’s just good to know that Brandy didn’t win instead, so maybe now, I can finally send my rival home, because it’s been way, way, way overdue.

Bridgette: Good job, Dill.

She gives Dillan a one-armed hug.

Bridgette: That necklace looks good on you.

"redneg"

- This immunity came at the perfect time because that makes two challenge wins for me, and me winning makes it so that both Brandy and Sasha are up for elimination tonight. This alliance needs me to keep this necklace out of their hands, and it feels good to know that I’m needed.

Brandy and Sasha are down by the water, talking, and washing their feet. Mallorie takes this time to beckon the group of five to gather around her.

Mallorie: So is everyone on board for Brandy tonight?

Graham: Absolutely. They both need to go, but Brandy first, please.

Mallorie: He’s been on the bottom for quite some time now, and he’s a threat in comps.

Dillan: I’m good with it.

Bridgette: Me too.

By the shoreline, Brandy grunts as he sinks to the ground, and Sasha joins him. Both sit in silence for a while, and the only sound is that of the ocean, and water rising up to tickle their toes.

Brandy: It’ll be one of us going home next, you know that, right?

Sasha nods, and doesn’t respond.

Graham is watching them out of the corner of his eye.

Graham: Can I vote Brandy?

Bridgette: Sure, I guess.

Mallorie: I thought we’d have boys on Sasha, girls on Brandy.

Graham: If this is his last rodeo, I want to be one of the votes that sends him home.

Bridgette: It’s fine. Let him do it.

Mallorie: Then who’ll vote Sasha with Dillan?

Bridgette: I can vote Sasha.

Meanwhile, both Brandy and Sasha are still sitting alone in the sand. Sasha is picking at her feet, gloomy, and Brandy is staring out at sea with a cold, hard expression.

Brandy: Stupid.

Sasha: I know.

Brandy: Well, it’s been a good run. That’s all that matters.

"redneg"

- It almost feels like Brandy and I are just waiting, and delaying the inevitable. We’re staring our deaths in the face and we can see the blade about to fall down on one of us, and yet there’s nothing we can do about it. It’s tormenting. It’s depressing. And it’s a [censored] mess.

Brandy: [cracks knuckles] We should at least try to talk to Dillan.

Sasha: Do you really think you can get some of them to flip?

Brandy: Never say never, I say. Dillan knows Mallorie’s a threat. He needs to add big moves to his resume, maybe we can get him to use us for one tonight.

"redneg"

- I’m not a quitter. This looks bleak now, but...I’m still going to try. Playing from the bottom is hard...and it’s emotionally draining, to think that no one wants to play this game with you. But...maybe that’s my comeuppance, for the way I’ve behaved this whole month. I’ve been a dick to a few people, namely Graham. And now I only have Sasha working with me, because she too’s been a dick to him and others as well. I guess...being a jerk doesn’t work out in this season, huh? [laughs] We jerks don’t win. This is a social game, and...being a jerk won’t get me a million dollars. It certainly doesn’t get me far, farther than tonight. [sighs] I can’t give up. I’m going to try, and to campaign...and I’m not just going to roll over and die.

Brandy and Sasha are now sitting down with Dillan, to talk.

Dillan: Alright. So, what’d you two want to talk about?

Sasha: What do you think?

Brandy: Sasha, just-

Sasha smirks and quietens down.

Brandy: We wanted to see if we could get something going tonight.

Dillan: [shrugs] I’m all ears.

Brandy: What do you think...that we take out Mallorie tonight?

The camera cuts to Mallorie milling about camp, popping a slice of fruit in her mouth and stirring the pot of water absentmindedly.

Brandy: This isn’t the first time people have wanted to come after her for running the show. [shrugs] Maybe there’s a reason for that.

Dillan: Well, I don’t disagree with you that she’s a huge threat.

Brandy: Right, and the threats gotta go.

Dillan’s eyes narrow.

"redneg"

- It’s not my first time saying this, but Brandy has the subtlety of a raging bull, if that analogy works. He’s loud, he’s obnoxious, he says thinks before thinking them through. He talks about wanting to take the threats like Mallorie out, but I’m a threat. I know people see me in this game as a threat. He’s a threat, too. You can’t go after someone like Mallorie on the basis of her being a threat when you and I are threats too. It’s all about timing, in this game. I don’t know if this is the right time.

Dillan: My biggest qualm with this is- well, first of all, we can’t ignore the elephant in the room and that is that you two did try to take me out just last tribal.

Brandy’s steely gaze does not waver.

Sasha: Yeah. We had no choice.

Dillan: Whereas these girls, they’ve had my back since the swap and they’ve never deviated from that. Why should I turn my back on people who have been loyal to me, to help people who have tried and failed to vote me out? Besides, the truth is, once Mallorie goes home, I become the next biggest threat in this game. Who’s to say with her gone, you won’t immediately turn on me?

"redneg"

- The idea to vote out Mallorie, to blindside her, is very tempting. However, the main reason stopping me is that, once Mallorie goes, I’ll be next in line. With my challenge wins, I’ll become the next biggest threat in the game. It won’t make sense for me to vote out the biggest meat shield left in the tribe, the one person people would want to get rid off over me, with the numbers as big as this. Say I side with Brandy and Sasha now, come the next tribal council, I find it unlikely they’ll look at Graham or Greta and say, hey, one of those two should go home next over Dillan. No, once Mallorie goes home, I’m the next target. It’s in my best interest to keep her around until she finally gets voted out because she’s a walking magnet for votes.

Mallorie is sitting in the shelter. She looks down the beach, watching as Dillan talks to Brandy and Sasha in the distance.

Brandy: What else are you going to do? Wait until it’s too late to go after her? She’s got Bridgette and Greta on a leash, both. Tonight, we have the numbers. If you and Graham hop on board-

Dillan: [laughs] Whoa, whoa, you think you can get Graham to vote with you?

Brandy: I don’t like the guy, but he’s smart. He knows he stands no chance sitting at the end with Mallorie. If he’s as big a superfan as he claims and wants to win this thing, then yeah, he should be voting with me. Dillan, I admit I’m a petty son-of-a-[censored] but I’m putting that aside. I have reasons for wanting to go far in this game, people I care about back home. If having to put aside a rivalry gets me farther, I’ll do it. I’m sick and tired of no one wanting to play ball with me.

Dillan is silent. Sasha is nodding, solemn.

Brandy: If you two are on board, we can get rid of Mallorie tonight. Tonight is the only night we have the numbers. What better timing is there going to be? You can’t say you’ve never entertained the thought of blindsiding her.

Dillan: Once Mallorie goes, what then?

Brandy: We can go after Bridgette. And the rest of us, we’ll fight it out, fair and square.

Dillan: Listen, I hear you. But all this scheming is going to be useless if you can’t get one more vote, in Graham.

Brandy scowls.

Dillan: You need to patch things up with Graham. Beyond this game, you’ve just been acting like a Grade A [censored] to him the whole season and that’s not earning you any goodwill.

Sasha: You should apologize to him.

Brandy turns to look at her, incredulous.

Sasha: [shrugs] You said you’d put aside even the most bitter of rivalries! Now is the time. This could be a million-dollar enmity.

She gives him a knowing look.

Sasha: Just remember why you’re doing this.

Dillan gets to his feet.

Dillan: You guys have a good talk. I’m gonna go skip rocks across the water.

He leaves and Brandy sighs. Sasha shakes her head empathetically.

"redneg"

- Knowing that I'm forced to have to go play nice with Graham, and that my life might be in his hands...it irks me. Graham? Really? If it comes down to him, I'm already a goner. But...I gotta remember...Meghan, Meghan, Meghan. I'm doing this for my daughter. I'm no bitch. I'll suck it up and say sorry. It won't hurt to try.

Brandy approaches Graham, and taps him on the shoulder.

Brandy: Hey. You wanna take a walk?

Graham: [stunned] A walk? With me?

Brandy: I want to clear the air about something.

He sees Mallorie, watching the two of them.

Brandy: Privately…

Graham: [sighs] Alright.

They leave.

Graham: What do you want?

Brandy: Look. I get it. You and I...we don’t exactly see eye-to-eye.

Graham: Understatement of the year.

Brandy: And I’d like to apologize for that.

Graham stops in his tracks.

Brandy: But I think that if we help each other, for this one vote, it could be beneficial for both of our games. You want to make it far in this game as much as I do! You love this game, you talk about it 24/7! How’s about we make a big move, together?

"redneg"

- Brandy, knowing he’s on the bottom, does the unthinkable, and actually comes up to me...to try and apologize, for his behavior. I’m like...are meteors going to start falling from the sky? Are pigs starting to fly? What is this madness? [laughs]

Brandy: Look. You’re a superfan, right? Do you want to win this game? Because if you do, getting rid of Mallorie would be a HUGE bullet point on your resume. I know you don’t like me, but guess what, you don’t have to like me to work with me. It’s a game and you’ve gotta do whatever you have to to make it far and win, even if it means giving your rival in the game a few more days to live.

He shrugs.

Brandy: Just think about it.

Graham: [stutters] That’s...quite a lot to think about.

Brandy: I’m being honest with you here. You hate me, you dislike me - whatever. Forget that. Once the game’s over, we can never speak to or see each other again. But I want to stay in this game and I’ll do anything and everything to do just that. And you’re a superfan. Let’s make a big move.

"redneg"

- [groans, then laughs] As much as I hate to say it, Brandy brings up good points. I love this game and I love making big moves, but...I don’t know. I thought studying on all things Survivor-related pre-game would prepare me for this but...when you come out here and you’re forced to depend on all these people for survival, literally, it makes betrayal a lot harder. Mallorie and I, we’re not terribly close but we’ve been in an alliance since...well, forever. And Bridgette, and Greta...they’ve all been nice to me and leagues nicer than Brandy has been. They’ve stood up for me, made me feel like I actually had a place in their group. They made me feel accepted. It’s hard to betray these people who’ve done a lot by you. And I know we can’t all make it to the end. But the idea that I’d betray my alliance, who have done so much for me, for people like Brandy and Sasha, who have shown no remorse in tormenting me and bullying me...it is incredibly difficult.

Graham approaches Dillan by the edge of the lake, as he skims another rock across the surface. It sinks with a plop.

Graham: You been talking to Brandy?

Dillan: Yeah. Have you?

Graham: Believe it or not, yeah. I don’t know what to do.

"redneg"

- Tonight could finally be the night Brandy goes home. I mean, I’ve tolerated having him around camp way longer than he should’ve been. First there was Abraham, then Kim, then Mary-Anne...so many votes that he could’ve and should’ve gone home but he’s still here! And it irritates me, because he is by far my biggest rival out here! He annoys me to death. He sucks the fun out of the whole experience. I mean, now he’s the underdog! He’s got a compelling storyline that a jury might want to vote for, as a scrappy player who’s been fighting from the bottom since his biggest ally went home. He could even get two votes in Abraham and Mary-Anne, two people who may not be Mallorie’s biggest fans. When it comes down to it, is Mallorie really that much bigger of a threat than he is?

Dillan: We don’t have to do it tonight if you don’t want to. We can get rid of Brandy now and we’ll still have Sasha for the next vote.

Graham: But can we count on Sasha?

Dillan: I mean, she hates Mallorie.

Graham: I’m pretty sure she hates me too.

Dillan: Let me ask you a question: Do you think Mallorie’s a threat?

Graham: [immediately] Yes.

Dillan: Do you think we should get rid of her?

Graham: Yes. At some point. But I don’t trust Brandy or Sasha.

Dillan: That’s the thing. Neither do I.

Graham: Say we get rid of Mallorie tonight...what happens then? Will we still have Bridgette and Greta?

Dillan: [thinking hard] You think Brandy’ll turn on us as soon as Mal’s gone?

Graham: Of course he will. With Mallorie gone, you’re the next biggest threat.

Dillan: Right. That’s what I’m afraid of.

Graham: Unless you think we can patch things up with Bridge, and Greta, even after we blindside them and their biggest ally? That they won’t turn around and work with them to get rid of you?

Dillan: They’ve stayed loyal to Mallorie this long. It could work.

Mallorie, meanwhile, is still in the shelter. Greta is dozing off next to her, and Bridgette is frowning as she drinks from a coconut.

Bridgette: Where are the boys?

Mallorie: The last I saw them, they went off into the woods.

Bridgette: And Brandy, and Sasha?

Mallorie: I think they might be in there too.

Bridgette: What, looking for an idol? Brandy must figure that’s his and Sasha’s last shot.

Mallorie: I’ve been uneasy the whole afternoon. Brandy and Sasha have been campaigning with Dillan since we’ve got back.

Bridgette: Yeah, I’ve noticed too.

Mallorie: Since he’s the one with immunity, they know he’s the one with the power tonight.

Bridgette: I’m sure they’re selling their pitch but I have faith in Dillan and Graham. They won’t flip on us, especially considering Graham’s history with both Brandy and Sasha.

Mallorie: [still unconvinced] The guy’s a superfan. What if he’s starting to think of making that big breakout move?

Bridgette: I can talk to Dillan and Graham later, if you want, to try and feel ‘em out.

Mallorie: [quietly worried] Okay.

"redneg"

- This whole afternoon, I have this really weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. Brandy is not stealthy. He’s made it clear he’s campaigning for me. That’s why I want him, and Sasha, to go home as soon as possible. But I know Dillan sees me as a threat. I think both of us knew we’d have to go after the other at some point. I fear it might be tonight. It could be the perfect time for him to flip, because he’d have numbers on his side. I have Bridgette and Greta, but it won’t be enough if they’ve formed a voting bloc foursome.

Mallorie: I just don’t like that I’m vulnerable tonight.

Bridgette: You still have that idol.

Mallorie: [checks that Greta is still asleep, before she whispers] You think I should play it?

Bridgette: I wouldn’t, if I were in your shoes. I can’t see Graham joining forces with Brandy and Sasha.

Mallorie still looks deeply worried.

"redneg"

- Bridgette thinks Graham would never flip on the alliance for Brandy and Sasha, even if Dillan wants to. Bridgette may know Dillan well; the two have been smooching and cuddling and snuggling for weeks. But I think she’s underestimating Graham. I’ve underestimated him too. But I think that the further along we get in this game, the more he’s starting to think about the endgame and the more Sasha’s words are getting to him from the reward challenge. Should he think he hasn’t made a big move yet, he might start thinking usurping me is that big move he needs, and if he and Dillan decide to use those two bottom feeders...I’ll be in trouble. Maybe tonight’s finally the time to pull out that idol.

Mallorie is lost in thought as the sun begins to set. She looks up as Graham and Dillan emerge from the forest.

Bridgette is approaching Dillan, and nods at him questioningly, grazing his arm with her hand.

Bridgette: You good?

Dillan: Yeah. Feelin’ peachy.

Graham is wordlessly packing his bags, keeping to himself. Mallorie is tonguing the inside of her cheek, observing and taking this all in.

The sun begins to dip below the horizon, and the sky is filled with orange patches cast from the sunset. Everyone begins grabbing their torches, shouldering their bags, and in single file, they begin heading off into the distance.

Soon, the tribe has arrived at Tribal Council. Everyone takes their seats.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of the jury.

Bridgette cranes her head to look. Dillan licks his lips as they walk in.

Jeff: Abraham, Kim and Mary-Anne, voted out at the last tribal council.

Mary-Anne walks in, dressed in a long, flowing green dress, cleaned and dolled up. She sits in her seat, crossing her legs, unsmiling.

Sasha smirks at her and turns back to Probst.

Jeff: Last tribal council, there was a big move made, and a massive blindside.

Mary-Anne is stony-faced as she sits, prim and proper, eyeing everyone from her spot on the jury benches. Bridgette pouts.

Jeff: Sasha, you had an idol played on you last time but didn’t receive any votes. Did you feel a little responsibility for what happened?

Sasha: I do feel a little bad but I think the real people to blame are the ones who turned on us and broke up the plan we’d put into place. We were going to take out a threat in the game-

Dillan frowns as she says this. Graham raises an eyebrow at him.

Sasha: ...but I guess some people aren’t playing to win.

Greta: [turns to face Sasha] What’s that mean?

Sasha: [smirks and arches a brow] I don’t know, Greta. What does it mean?

Bridgette: [quiet voice] Just ignore her.

Jeff: Greta, you think Sasha’s referring to you?

Greta: I know she’s referring to me. She’s upset I ruined the plan.

Mary-Anne’s eyes are red as she watches Greta from the sidelines.

Greta: I just...I was very torn that night, Jeff, between doing two things, and I ultimately made my decision...and whether it was the right one or not, I guess, we’ll know in due course.

Sasha: Your choice will haunt you, Greta.

Greta: [turning back to face Sasha] How can you say that?

Sasha: It’s the truth! This game is about making moves and you made a terrible one.

Greta: Of course you’d say that…

Sasha glares at her and Mallorie. Bridgette steps in, waving her arms.

Bridgette: Alright, c’mon, let’s not do this-

Sasha: No, let’s!

People turn to look at her.

Sasha: I ain’t got nothing to lose, and neither does Brandy! We’re going into this guns blazing.

Brandy nods.

Jeff: Brandy, what do you have to say about all this? Do you think you could be going home tonight?

Brandy: I think there’s definitely a big chance. It’s an option. I mean...that alliance has been tight for several weeks. I’ve been trying to find a crack, to weasel my way in, but it’s just...Mallorie has them in a tight, vice-like grip.

Mallorie laughs, rolling her eyes at this statement.

Brandy: It’s the truth. Everyone sees her as the leader.

Mallorie: I’m not. This is not a good thing for me, Jeff. I want to make that clear, I don’t want to be seen as the leader.

Brandy: But you are! And perception is reality out here.

Jeff: You’re afraid being seen as the leader makes you a target?

Mallorie: Yes! I’m just playing this game...the way I’m comfortable with. I think everyone has equal say in the alliance. But if Brandy wants to throw out accusations, because he knows he’s on the bottom, and people believe him...what can I say? He’s desperate and desperate people do desperate things. He’d say and do and promise anything to stay in the game.

Brandy: That’s just part of the game. There’s almost always someone on the top, and someone on the bottom. That’s the dynamics of tonight, that’s how it’s been for a long time!

Jeff: Where you’ve been on the bottom and Mallorie’s been on the top?

Brandy: Yes.

Mallorie scoffs.

Brandy: [pointing at Mallorie] Mallorie is the biggest threat in this whole group and I’ve been trying to get people to get rid of her, but so little are willing to play ball.

Jeff: Mallorie, it seems that a lot of the time, you come under a lot of heat. I guess you could take it one way in that it’s a compliment and a testament to you as a player that so many are intimidated by you, but also a bad thing in that it attracts attention.

Mallorie: Exactly. I want to win. Of course I do! But I basically have a bounty on my head. The people on the bottom - Abraham, Brandy, Sasha, even Mary-Anne - they were all out for my blood. Me being a threat doesn’t mean I’m a shoe-in for the win. There are plenty of reasons why anyone else could take this in the end. Brandy’s just trying to push this target onto me because, like I said, desperate people do desperate things.

Jeff: Dillan, with all the talk of Mallorie being a threat, has it ever crossed your mind that, “hey, Brandy might be right”?

Dillan: [licks lips, choosing words carefully] I won’t lie, I think that’s crossed everyone’s mind at some point.

Mallorie looks at him.

Dillan: You don’t repeat something over and over again at tribal and not hammer it into everyone’s skulls. Even if it’s not necessarily the truth, for Brandy to be campaigning over and over about it - and he’s a surprisingly eloquent speaker-

Brandy: [snickers] That I am. I’ve got a million and one tattoos on my back but I love me some poetry.

The three jurors are laughing. Mallorie catches it out of the corner of her eye.

Dillan: Brandy and Sasha want her gone. But in this game...timing is everything. What one person might consider to be a good strategic move...may be detrimental to another person’s game.

Jeff: Graham, you consider yourself a big superfan. In most seasons, everyone always fills out a certain role or archetype. And whenever there’s a player perceived as a big leader or strategic mastermind, they either go on to win or suffer an iconic downfall. Do you see that in Mallorie’s future?

Mallorie turns to regard Graham with a curious look.

Graham: I think...Mallorie has been very...open with her strategy. It’s not wrong to say she’s been a big voice in the alliance, in deciding things.

Mallorie shakes her head.

Graham: But, you know...this is a complex game where you can do everything right and seem to deserve the prize and yet...you still lose. So...I can’t speak for Mallorie’s game. I’m focused on my own game.

Jeff: And that’s how it should be. Everyone here is focused on their own games and it is an INDIVIDUAL game. Bridgette, at what point do you think alliances such as your alliance with Mallorie, Dillan, Greta and Graham will eventually have to turn on one another?

Bridgette: Oh, jeez. That’s a hard one. I’d like to think we can all get along forever and it’d be just peachy. [laughs]

Abraham is rolling his eyes. Mary-Anne has a small, sympathetic smile on her lips.

Bridgette: But I know that’s not the case. The honeymoon period will end someday. I just hope it’s not today.

Sasha breaks into a grin. Graham looks nervous.

Jeff: Well, I’m now curious to see if things are going to go ahead as planned or if there’ll be a wrench thrown in the works. It is time to vote. Dillan, you’re up.

Dillan gets up and the camera slides over to focus on Graham, licking his lips in anticipation. The voting music begins to play as the camera fades away.

The castaways head up to vote one after another.

Greta heads up and uncaps the pen. The camera cuts to Sasha, moody, and fades away.

Mallorie heads up to vote, and as she walks past the jury, Mary-Anne is glowering at her the whole way.

Graham goes to vote, and the camera cuts to Brandy, his face serious, the flames reflecting ominous shadows over his haggard face.

Brandy heads up to vote, with a big sigh, and cracks his large knuckles. The camera cuts to Graham, biting his nails absentmindedly.

When everyone has voted, Sasha returns, looking expectantly at Dillan.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves.

Brandy gives a slight shake of the head, sinking his head into his hands. Graham takes a deep breath, sitting up a little straighter. Mallorie is deep in thought.

Jeff returns.

Jeff: If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play it, now would be the time to do so.

Sasha turns to look at Mallorie. Mallorie is biting her lower lip, still thinking. Graham cranes his head, curious. Dillan looks contemplative.

At last…

Mallorie smirks a little.

Mallorie: Damn it. Alright.

Dillan whirls around in his seat, stunned. Graham’s jaw drops.

Sasha smiles despondently, shaking her head. Brandy’s eyebrow twitches, and he looks unsurprised.

Bridgette is turning in her seat to stare, shocked, as Mallorie gets to her feet, taking the idol out of her pocket.

Mallorie: I don’t know...100% if things are going to go down one way or another tonight...but I know my name has been thrown out, over and over…

Kim is laughing on the jury. Abraham is nodding.

Mallorie: I don’t know who to trust, if people are lying to me or not...there’s a lot at stake, and a lot in the unknown. It’s tricky but...at any rate...I’d rather waste this than go home with it.

She hands her idol to Jeff and takes her seat.

Bridgette turns to face her, still looking shocked, and a little upset. Mallorie meets her eyes coolly. Graham smiles, shaking his head as he gives Dillan a look.

Jeff: This is a hidden immunity idol. Any votes cast for Mallorie will not count. I’ll read the votes.

He opens the urn.

Everyone begins casting each other looks. On the jury, Mary-Anne opens her eyes wide, giving Sasha a significant look.

Jeff: First vote...Mallorie. Does not count. (0-0)

Mallorie smiles and nods.

Bridgette: [gasps] No way.

Brandy is gritting his teeth.

Jeff: Mallorie. Does not count. (0-0)

Mallorie’s smile gets bigger. The camera cuts to Sasha, brooding in her seat.

Jeff: Mallorie. Does not count. (0-0)

Mallorie shakes her head.

Mallorie: Well, well.

Dillan is stroking his chin, looking disappointed.

Jeff: Mallorie. Does not count. We still have no votes cast for anybody. (0-0)

Bridgette turns to face Mallorie, who gives her a sly wink.

Greta is covering her mouth, her face pale.

Jeff reaches for the next piece of parchment, and everyone is waiting with bated breath.

Jeff: Brandy. That’s one vote Brandy. (1-0)

Brandy nods, expecting it.

Sasha looks upset, as she turns to look at Brandy, who nods at her reassuringly.

The camera cuts to Graham’s wide-eyed expression, then zooms in on Brandy’s defeated expression.

Jeff: Tenth person voted out and the fourth member of our jury...Brandy. That’s two, that’s enough. You need to bring me your torch.

Brandy: [heaves a great sigh] Alright. See ya later, guys.

He gets up to go, and Sasha watches him as he turns to grabs his torch.

Graham shoots Dillan an astonished look. Dillan shrugs.

Sasha makes eye contact with Mary-Anne and wags a brow in her direction. On the jury, Abraham is shaking his head, his eyes following Brandy as he walks up to put his torch down in front of Probst.

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

Heaving his bags in one hand, he takes his leave.

Mallorie’s face is unreadable, but she is studying the floor intently, as if trying to comprehend what just went down.

Jeff: It is clear from tonight, that people are playing with the endgame in mind, and with everyone looking out for themselves, that will only make the going tougher from here on out. If there was ever any doubt that this is an INDIVIDUAL game, they will have been eradicated after tonight. Grab your stuff and head back to camp. Goodnight.

Challenges
Reward Challenge: Touchy Subjects [One World] Castaways would answer questions about their fellow tribemates, and Probst would tally the results. They would then publicly answer what they believed the majority of the tribe chose as a whole to answer each question and for every right answer they got, they would be allowed to chop a fellow tribemate’s rope. When a castaway’s rope was chopped three times, they were out of the challenge. Last person standing won reward. Reward: Ice Cream at Camp Winner(s): Bridgette + [Greta, Mallorie]

Immunity Challenge: [Worlds Apart] Castaways must use a grappling hook to retrieve three bags, each containing one ball. They must then use one of the balls to solve a table maze. First person to make it through the maze wins immunity. Mallorie gave Brandy the Medallion, meaning he had to retrieve four bags of balls as opposed to three. Reward: Individual Immunity Winner: Dillan

Voting Confessionals
"redneg"

- I can’t believe I’m doing this. [laughs] I hope I don’t regret it.

"redneg"

- You’re a huge, huge threat. I think we both knew one day, this was going to happen. I just have to get you before you decide to cut me.

"redneg"

- Brandy, I’m sorry, but...I think you’re a bit of a brute. Still, you can hold your head up high; you’ve made it decently far. Your daughter would be proud of you.

"redneg"

- Not tonight, buddy.

Final Words
"redneg"

- Having watched this show for years, getting the opportunity to come out here was a blessing in itself. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and I'm stoked to have been able to play and to play with my daughter in mind. I'm not happy that even after fighting so hard, I still came up short but I guess there's nothing else I can do but get over it.

Next Time on Survivor...

 * Cracks form within the majority…

Mallorie: [whisper] They're plotting something, I can feel it.

Dillan: Mallorie is a big threat, we all know this.

"redneg"

- These people who I call allies...they’re finally turning on me.


 * Sasha scrambles to stay alive…

Sasha: At this point, I don't care, I just want to be on the right side of a vote. No arguments from me...just use me.

"redneg"

- My strategy right now is to be at their mercy and hope they overlook me for another three days...and it is so not in my nature to lay low but I've got no choice. Much as I detest it, I've run out of road to run.


 * And a reward challenge forces the players to make crucial choices…

Jeff: You will have to make a choice between nourishment...and love.

Greta’s eyes are watering.

Graham: Oh, wow.

Author’s Notes

 * The episode title ‘Being A Jerk Won’t Get Me A Million Dollars’ was coined by Brandy, talking about himself.