Trapped Like Mice

 is the eleventh episode of '' Survivor: Mongolia. ''

Challenges
''Reward Challenge: Mongolian Relay The castaways will be divided into two teams of four to compete in a four-part relay that scales one of Mongolia's mountains. The first team to overcome all the obstacles and reach the finish point wins reward. Reward: A trip to a local village, where the winning team will deliver school supplies, various toys, and receive a feast. Winner:  Cassie, Eric, Katie, Tony

Immunity Challenge: Shaky Foundations Each player balances a replica Mongolian hut at the end of a balancing arm. After each set interval, players place a disc on the arm and place the hut on top of it, making it harder to balance over time. Last player with their hut remaining on their balancing arm wins immunity. Winner: Melissa''

Previously on Survivor...
''Since the first vote of the merge, the Noyon Four has done nothing but flex their muscles against their opposition. By luring Cassie and Tony to their side, they took the majority and ousted Antonio and Julia without any hiccups. Jake, however, was not about to go down without a fight. He took every opportunity he could get to find a hidden immunity idol he found a clue to. "Maybe I'm looking in the wrong bushes." But his search proved ineffective, and he returned to camp empty-handed. Meanwhile, Elliott sensed something suspicious about Jake and called him out in front of everyone except Katie and Ruth, who were fishing. "Could I have everyone's attention please? Jake has something to share with everyone!" Jake hesitantly shared the clue to the idol with everyone that was around, but not without some scheming of his own. "While you all were asleep...I did happen to find it." He showed the tribe Katie's idol, making the rest of the tribe thinking it was his. Melissa immediately became weary of her ally. "Jake, you just moved to the top of my hit list, buddy. You can't do that." At the immunity challenge, Katie made it a little easier on her and her allies by winning immunity, which solidified the majority alliance's voting plan. "We're now splitting the votes between Jake and Melissa to flush out the idol. Regardless of it being played or not, one of them's going home tonight." Back at camp, Melissa struggles to ensure her safety in the game. "It's all a crapshoot...I feel like no matter how I look at it, I'm at risk tonight. I want to stay...and...still act as a role model to my kids. Maybe I need to take things into my own hands..." At Tribal Council, Katie's idol never appeared and the plan to split the votes worked better than expected. Melissa turned on her ally Jake and made him the third member of the jury. "The tribe has spoken." Eight are left. Who'll be voted out tonight?''

Night 26
The camera fades into the moon's reflection off of Arlal's lake and transitions to the remaining eight placing their torches against the end of the shelter.

Katie:  I'm going to go down to the lake for a bit.

Melissa:  Do you want me to come down with you?

Katie (softly):  No, that's okay.

Katie ends the conversation and heads down the hill towards the lake.

Katie simply sits on the dock and looks out to the moonlit lake. It cuts back to camp, where Melissa internally wrestles with her decision at Tribal Council.

As Melissa sits in the shelter and weighs the pros and cons of her decision, Elliott, who is sitting at the fire, silently glances over his shoulder at Melissa.

Katie comes back to camp as everyone climbs into the shelter to call it a day.

Day 27
Night passes and the sun rises on the remaining eight Survivors, minus Elliott, sleeping. It then cuts to Elliott going out into the woods to look for branches for fire.

Elliott returns to camp with a couple hands full of branches and sets them down next to the fire pit. Afterwards, he goes to check to see if anyone is awake yet. Katie is half-awake and pokes her head out from the blanket. She groggily tells Elliott, 'Good morning.' and prepares herself to get out of the shelter.

Katie (still half-asleep):  Any tree mail?

Elliott (quietly):  I don't know. I didn't check.

Katie:  We'll check later then.

The camera focuses on everyone else sleeping but is centered at Melissa.

(intro plays)

The camera returns to an aerial shot of the Gobi Desert with snowy mountains in the background. It then zooms in to forested area where the reward challenge is set to commence. The eight contestants file in and on to the mat. Probst begins explaining the challenge and the reward that will follow. The Survivors instantly become elated and eager to start when they hear about the reward. It shifts over to the start of the challenge. The red team consists of Elliott, Jenn, Melissa, and Ruth while the blue team consists of Cassie, Eric, Katie, and Tony. Probst starts the challenge as the first runners for each team, Jenn and Cassie, start the relay. The first stage is a heavily-forested area in which the runners are to clip from rope to rope, trying to find the rope that gets them to the second leg of the challenge. Cassie quickly maneuvers through her ropes as Jenn starts to grow more and more lost over time. With a hefty lead, Cassie clicks to her final rope and runs alongside to meet up with Tony, who is waiting anxiously. Jenn starts to make up ground as Tony starts the second leg, in which the objective is to break the one tile out of sixteen hanging tiles that contains a key to open the door to the third leg. Jenn finally clips on to her final rope and dashes to the end of her first leg. As Tony continues to shoot tiles, Jenn reaches the end of her rope and hands off to Ruth, who grabs her slingshot and starts shooting. The first tile she shoots contains the key. She runs over, grabs the key, and starts unlocking the door. Tony, meanwhile, keeps shooting. Ruth unlocks the door as Elliott begins the third leg, which is, in an open area, a challenge to build a fire strong enough to cut through a rope. Elliott dashes out of the forest as Tony keeps shooting. Elliott arrives at his fire-making kit and begins assembling a stack of kindle in his fire pit. Tony finally finds the key with only three tiles left to shoot. He starts unlocking the door as Katie waits for her turn on the other side. With the door unlocked, Katie rushes to her fire pit. Elliott, in the meantime, is lighting his fire and hoping it's enough to break through the rope. He routinely puts more brush on the fire to keep it healthily burning. Katie starts building her fire with kindle. Elliott's fire starts sparking as he stands back as the fire hits the rope. Katie starts working faster as Elliott's rope breaks. Probst signals that Melissa is good to run the final leg, which is an obstacle course. Katie ignites her fire and keeps feeding it straw and brush as it burns. Melissa starts navigating through the course to extend the red team's lead. Katie eventually gets her rope burned through, and Eric starts on the course for the blue team. Melissa is halfway through the course when she starts slowing down. Eric begins to dwindle the red team's lead as Melissa continues to struggle. Eric eventually overtakes Melissa on the course and wins it for the blue team. After the challenge, a chopper is seen in the background. Probst directs the winning team of four to the chopper, where they will be sent to the village. Probst gives them the supplies, toys, and everything else, and they head on their way. The other four leave empty-handed. The camera focuses on the chopper leaving and fades to break.

The camera returns to an aerial shot of the village that the winning team of four is en route to. The chopper lands and the children of the village rush the four as they get off one at a time. Cassie, with her hands full of toys, has a radiant look in her eye.

It cuts to Tony and Eric delivering supplies to the local school, while Cassie and Katie play with the kids just along the side of the village's main road.

Eric and Tony meet up with Cassie and Katie, who are still playing with the kids, at the edge of the road. Tony notices Cassie having the time of her life as she smiles from ear to ear.

Tony also looks over to Katie, who is also smiling from ear to ear. Katie doesn't notice Tony's glance because she is so engrossed with the kids.

It cuts back to the four challenge winners continuing to enjoy their stay, sharing a laugh with the natives and the children. Then it shifts back to camp, where the four losers of the challenge wander around trying to find something to do. Elliott muddles around the shelter.

Elliott:  Hey Melissa, you wanna go down and fish? Not like we have anything better to do.

Melissa:  Yeah, I'll tag along. Anybody else want to come?

Elliott rolls his eyes while no one looks on. Jenn and Ruth decline Melissa's invitation, and the two set adrift into the lake. Ruth, meanwhile, suspiciously looks on.

It cuts back to Elliott and Melissa on the tribe's boat.

Elliott:  So, how are you feeling?

Melissa (knowing what Elliott is going to ask, but put it off):  Just in general? Or...?

Elliott:  Well yeah, that...but I've noticed that you haven't been one-hundred percent since last night.

Melissa (guiltily):  So, you know it was me who flipped?

Elliott (attempting to be consoling):  I kinda had an idea, and I don't think you did anything wrong. I really don't. That was your decision, and you have to know whether you did the right thing or not.

Melissa looks out to the lake, internally debating with herself.

Elliott (impatiently):  So, do you think you made the right decision?

Melissa:  Part of me says yes and part of me says no. I know that's a safe answer, but I really don't know yet.

Elliott (trying to delve deeper):  Well, I think you made the right decision. I can't say whether it was our original plan to get rid of you or not, but you're still here, aren't you?

Melissa:  I am, but I flipped on the guy...

Elliott:  ...to save your own ass! There's nothing wrong with that!

Melissa's line snags and she reels in what is the final fish caught for the day.

Elliott (realizing the talk is going nowhere):  Alright, I've said my piece. Now, let's go back to camp.

They start rowing back in.

Back at camp, Ruth lies in the shelter while Jenn tends to the fire.

Ruth:  Jenny, between us girls, let me ask ya' something.

Jenn (rears her head curiously back to Ruth):  And what might that be?

Ruth:  Do you think the four of us are going to stick together to the end?

Jenn sets the stick she was using down and turns around to be more attentive to Ruth.

Ruth (almost defensively):  I'm not wanting to flip. No way in hell am I going to flip. It's the other two I'm worried about.

Jenn:  And I want to stick to the four, too, and trust me, I've had my reservations about Elliott more than anyone here still. We still have to stick to it, though.

Ruth:  I know we will, but I don't know about the two fellas. Elliott's out there with Melissa. Who knows what's going on out there.

Jenn:  I don't think Elliott would go behind our backs and double-deal like that.

Ruth:  You never know...he's strategic like that. I'm not saying go and confront him about it, but keep your eyes open. That's all I'm saying.

Jenn looks over as Elliott and Melissa row back towards the dock.

Jenn:  I really don't think Elliott would flip like that. If we were to be concerned about anyone, it'd be Eric.

Ruth and Jenn hush down and get back to what they were originally doing as Elliott and Melissa return.

The camera fades to break as Ruth observes Elliott and Melissa from the shelter.

It fades back in to the camp, where everyone minus Cassie and Tony are sitting around the fire telling stories about one another. Ruth is heard telling an entertaining story about her and her partner that has everyone in stitches, with the exception of Melissa, who squirms internally.

Katie quickly scans over to Melissa as Ruth continues with her stories.

It cuts to Cassie and Tony sitting down at the dock as the sun is setting. The two remaining Sevrei members talk about their standing in the game.

Cassie:  So, we're going with the Noyon people final six, right?

Tony:  That's what the plan is for now, yeah.

Cassie:  But we can't go out fifth and sixth! I don't want to, and I know you don't want to either.

Tony:  So, we flip? Now?

Cassie (starting to stumble for ideas):  Well...no. Not now, anyway. But do you see what I'm saying? We've put ourselves in this hole that's just going to keep growing deeper the closer we get to day thirty-nine. I think we need to shake this up soon.

Tony drops his head into thought and stares at his reflection in the navy blue lake.

Cassie:  We talk to Melissa and Katie, even Eric, and we talk about changing this game.

Tony:  But Jenn and those guys are the reason we're on the side that we're on right now. We can't betray that trust we have with them.

Cassie grows more and more frustrated as the conversation goes.

Cassie:  Well, I think we need to discuss this more after the challenge and see what happens at the next Tribal.

Tony:  Let's do that. You and I are in this together, for better or for worse. We've been that way since day one, and let's stay that way.

Cassie:  I know, and I plan to. Let's just wait and see.

Day 28
The camera fast-forwards through the night and sunrise to the challenge area, a very wide-open field. The eight survivors file on to the mat as Probst greets them to another challenge. He explains the challenge and the contestants take their spots. Each contestant places their first disc on their balancing arm, put their miniature hut on top of the disk, and begin to balance their hut. The first ten minutes go by without any casualties, and Probst stops the competition in order to place another disc on each arm. Now that each castaway has two discs on their balancing arm, the challenge continues on. All eight intensely concentrate on their hut over the duration of the round. The second round, ending at twenty minutes, and the third round, ending at thirty minutes, end with everyone still unscathed. The fourth interval of ten minutes commences and almost subsequently, Ruth loses her balance as her hut crashes to the ground. The other seven firmly hold each of their balancing arms and are oblivious to Ruth's elimination. Probst mentions that a slight breeze glides through the field, but it does not deter the seven still in the challenge. Right before the forty-minute mark and the end of the fourth round, Cassie loses control of her balancing arm which causes her discs and hut to careen to the ground. The fifth round continues on afterwards with the remaining six castaways with five discs beneath each of their ceramic huts. Katie starts to wobble her arm back and forth, while Jenn readjusts her grip. Probst mentions that neither Melissa and Eric have moved throughout the challenge. Then, without warning, Elliott's discs collapse from not being aligned properly. His hut shatters, and he takes a spot on the bench. Jenn's hut follows shortly thereafter. Katie is also seen struggling and, eventually, she loses her hut. She exhaustedly walks to the bench. The remaining three of Eric, Melissa, and Tony reach the fifty-minute mark and place their balancing arms on their holders. All three are seen breaking a sweat, due to the weight of the discs and the hut itself. They place a sixth disc on their respective arms and continue on with the challenge. All three, especially Melissa, are seen straining and struggling to hold on. The five on the bench start to huddle around each other, note who's struggling, and predict who might win. They give Eric the best shot to win. Right as they say that, Tony promptly releases his arm. As he walks over to the bench, he grabs his arms out of pain. Katie is seen quietly cheering for Melissa as Tony takes a seat. The final two go through the ten-minute interval without any more problems and place their seventh disc on their arms. Melissa closes her eyes and begins to pray while Eric concentrates intensely on his hut. Another breeze flows through the field as both castaways start to struggle with their arms. Eric's wobbles uncontrollably and enough to have him lose his focus. His hut shatters on the ground, winning Melissa immunity. Katie hugs Melissa as everyone else congratulates her. Probst presents Melissa with the necklace, and she follows that by playfully showing it off to the delight of her tribemates. The eight gather their bags and begin the trek back to camp.

The camera focuses on Melissa beaming over her necklace as it fades to break.

It then fades back in to camp, where the final eight return with the focus on Katie and Melissa.

It cuts to Katie and Melissa walking along the tree mail path next to the lake, out of sight from the other six.

Katie (whispering, but ecstatic):  Yes!

The two high-five and hug as Katie pulls out her idol.

Melissa:  So, neither of us are going home tonight?

Katie:  Nope, I play my idol, we vote for Elliott, and figure it out after tonight.

Melissa:  Well, let's talk about who we should vote for. Is Elliott the right person? Sure, he's the brains behind everything, but there are cracks. He isn't the crack.

Katie:  So, who else is there to vote? I don't want to vote Cassie and Tony cause I think we can work with them later on, so one of those four has to go home. If not the biggest threat, then who?

Melissa (noticing rustling in the bushes):  I don't know, but let's walk a little further down.

In the background, Elliott and Eric are seen walking towards the two girls in hopes of interrupting their conversation and crush any idol searching.

It cuts back to Katie and Melissa walking towards the end of the trail with Elliott and Eric, still in the background, following them.

Melissa (as they walk):  I think if we look for an idol, they'll get suspicious.

Katie:  But don't they think my idol went home with Jake, though? Let's act like we're trapped like mice and look for one.

Katie and Melissa reach the end of trail and start searching where they had previously looked. Elliott and Eric arrive to find Katie and Melissa clawing through the bushes out of desperation.

Elliott (feigning curiosity):  Are we looking for an idol, girls?

Katie (playing along):  Yep, we have to since I'm pretty sure I'm going home tonight.

Eric:  Y'know Elliott, I think I'm going to just sit over here and enjoy the beautiful day that we're having.

Elliott:  That sounds like a good idea, Eric. I think I'll join you.

The two guys sit on a nearby rock and observe Katie and Melissa continuing to dig.

Back at camp, the other four of Cassie, Jenn, Ruth, and Tony cement their plans for Tribal Council.

Cassie:  So, those two are making sure that they don't find the idol. What if she finds it, though? Do we have a backup plan?

Ruth (looking at Jenn):  Not really. We haven't thought about it.

Jenn:  I can say with confidence that it won't be anybody from the four of us.

Ruth:  I think we should cross that bridge when we get there. For all we know, they're still looking for the damn thing.

The camera fast-forwards a shot of the lake and the mountains beyond it and then cuts to Jenn and Ruth talking amongst themselves.

Jenn:  I saw you look over when we were talking about a backup plan. What's your backup plan, I'll tell you mine?

Ruth (talking about Cassie and Tony):  One of those two...

Jenn (interrupting Ruth's explanation):  See, that's where I think we're going to mess up...

Ruth (interrupting Jenn):  But we can't break up the four, honey! We're riding this train until then! And maybe it'll never come to that, but if it has to, we're gonna have to take one of them out.

Jenn:  Well, let's hope not. But like you said, we'll cross that bridge if or when we get there.

Meanwhile, Katie and Melissa are seen quitting their search of the idol. The four of them then return to camp. It then cuts to Elliott and Eric meeting up with the other four of the majority alliance.

Elliott:  She doesn't have the idol. We just sat there for an hour with them, and they didn't come across it.

Tony:  So, all of us Katie tonight?

Jenn (relieved):  Yep. Let's do it.

The six put their hands in the middle of the huddle and do a little cheer before dispersing. Katie and Melissa are then seen in the shelter discussing their voting plans.

Melissa:  So, what do you want to do? Elliott still?

Katie:  No, I've been thinking about what you said about cracks. I say we just observe for the rest of the day and see who's liked the most. Who's the one holding them together, y'know?

Melissa (smirking):  Alright, I can do that.

Katie:  It may be the most conniving thing we've done in the game, but we don't really have any other options.

Melissa:  No, I hear ya'.

The two remaining Manlai members sit back in the shelter and quietly observe the other six. The camera focuses on Ruth telling another story that has everyone cracking up. It then focuses on Elliott goofing off to the delight of the others. The camera then transitions to right before the castaways are to leave for Tribal as Katie and Melissa have one last discussion.

Melissa:  I don't know if you observed the same thing, but it seemed like Ruth is the glue to me.

Katie:  I got that, and I got a couple hints that Elliott is too. We can figure it out at Tribal, but wouldn't you say it's down to those two?

Melissa:  Yep, but one thing's for sure. Neither of us are going home!

The two giggle on the way to grab their torches. The sun sets and the camera moves to Tribal Council as eight torches file in to the Tribal Council area. Everyone takes a seat as Probst presents the jury.

Probst:  We'll now bring in the members of our jury.

Antonio, Julia, and Jake file in and take their seat adjacent to the eight still in the game. Jake smiles as he sees Melissa with the immunity necklace. Probst starts the Q and A by talking about Melissa's immunity win.

Melissa:  Jeff, it's no secret that Katie and I are on the outs, so to win today was such a huge relief for me. It sucks for Katie cause it's all on her now, but we've done all we can to make sure she doesn't go home.

Elliott (interjecting):  Done all that you can? All we saw you do is look for an idol. You didn't talk to anybody about strategy or anything. We've had eyes on you all day, and that's the only thing you've done.

Melissa:  Alright, think what you want to think.

Probst addresses Elliott's counter to Melissa and asks Elliott more about the subject.

Elliott:  Well, Eric and I followed them out to the end of the trail today. Then we sat on a rock for hours as they rummaged the bushes. They didn't find a thing, so we're all voting Katie tonight.

Probst:  Katie, have you felt the pressure with the target on your back? Cause with Melissa winning immunity, it does fall on you.

Katie (acting defeated):  It does, and it's like Melissa said, we've done all we can. I don't want to go home, but it's looking more and more like I am.

Ruth:  Jeffrey, I can definitely relate to what Katie is going through right now. I've had my share of ups and downs in this game. More downs than ups, but being on the outside is not a fun thing. I told you about this way back in the game, and it's gotten better for me. I'm just saying I can relate to what she's saying.

Probst:  So, you're saying you're on an up right now?

Ruth:  Oh yeah. (pauses) Up, up, and away.

The jury look at one another as Probst and the other seven start cracking up. Ruth smiles as the camera focuses on Katie and Melissa laughing. As Probst continues with his series of questions, Katie nudges Melissa's leg to get her attention.

Katie (mouthing to Melissa):  Ruth.

Melissa slightly nods as Probst asks her the final question of the night.

Probst:  Melissa, if it is Katie tonight and you're left to fend for yourself, what do you do going forward?

Melissa:  You got to hope for the best. I've seen cracks in this alliance of six, and I'm going to have to do what I can to exploit them.

As the questions come to a close, Elliott smirks to Eric, who smirks back. The voting then commences with Tony starting off. One at a time, votes are cast at the voting booth. Only Jenn's confessional is aired as Probst goes to collect the votes. Probst returns with the urn as the castaways and the jury anxiously look on.

Probst:  If anybody has a hidden immunity idol and you would like to play it, now would be the time to do so.

Everyone glances at Katie as the camera focuses on her. Then she suddenly stands up, shocking Elliott and the rest of the majority alliance.

Katie (grabbing the idol out of her pocket):  Before I play this, I would like to say that this the idol you all thought Jake had. I'm here to say that it is mine and has been mine for a long time. So, here you go, Jeff.

Katie hands the idol to Jeff as Elliott has his hand over his mouth in shock.

Probst:  This is a hidden immunity idol. Any votes cast for Katie will not count. I'll read the votes.

First vote: Katie (does not count) (0)

Katie grins at Melissa, who shares her relief.

Second vote: Katie (does not count) (0)

Jake and Antonio fist bump, knowing neither of the former Manlai girls are going home.

Third vote: Katie (does not count (0)

Fourth vote: Katie (does not count) (0)

Fifth vote: Katie (does not count) (0)

Probst:  We still have no votes for anybody.

Sixth vote: Katie (does not count) (0)

With all the majority's votes read, Jenn puts her head in her hands as the rest look on.

Seventh vote: Ruth (1-0)

Ruth leans back in disappointment as Probst explains to her that the last vote needs to be for someone else in order to enforce a tie.

Eighth vote: ...

Probst:  Thirteenth person voted out and the fourth member of our jury...Ruth. That's two and tonight, that's enough. I need you to bring me your torch.

Cassie mouths the word 'Wow.' to Tony, who looks equally as surprised as the now broken Noyon Four.

Ruth (placing her torch down):  I think this is a down, Jeff.

Jeff (smirking at Ruth's remark):  It seems like it but Ruth, the tribe has spoken.

Ruth's torch is snuffed as she blows a kiss to the final seven. She then disappears into the darkness beyond Tribal Council.

Probst:  Katie and Melissa, you still have life after tonight. The question for you two now is this enough to change the game. Grab your torches and head back to camp. Good night.

The remaining seven grab their torches and begin to file out. Katie pumps her fist to the jury in excitement as she leaves.

Next Time on Survivor...
The Survivor Auction returns! And now that Katie and Melissa have newfound life, they try to use it to their advantage.

Trivia

 * The episode title was said by Katie when discussing strategy with Melissa.