Welcome to Spain

Welcome to Spain is the 6th episode of Survivor: Espana.

Challenges
Reward: Cancelled due to weather.

Reward/Immunity: Brace, Brace When an airplane makes a rough landing, you assume the Brace position. That is, get down and grab your ankles. For today's challenge, you will sit in these chairs here and assume that position for as long as possible. If you let go of your ankles, or your back touches the chair, you're out. Last person standing wins for their tribe. Reward:Stay overnight in a hotel.

Previously on Survivor…
Ardilla shuffled up their alliances somewhat. Musaraña, however, stayed true and stuck with the original plan. Sue got fined for using river water for consumption. After Musaraña won the reward challenge, Ramon got drunk. Susan hatched a plan to avoid a rock draw. But ultimately, that proved to be unnecessary. As during the immunity challenge, Ronda broke her arm, and had to be pulled from the game. Many reflected on the memories she brought up. But while the Old Ardilla alliance thought that a quit was on the horizon, that proved not to be the case. Twelve are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

Initial reactions
Night 15

It's late at night. And the remaining swimmers had gathered at the well to talk about strategy. Jack: So, we're thinking that it's best to get rid of Willis. Do you have any objections? Ramon: Not really. Confessional-Susan: I've given up on the prospect of Raph flipping. There's no way that's going to happen now. So to tell them about our conversation before the challenge may be a null point. Susan: We're on the bottom over here now. So we pretty much have to win the immunity challenge. Whereas it seems like you two have some options. Matthew: Want us to throw it? Ramon: Let's wait and see what comes up first. Matthew: Alright. Jack: Well, eventually, you're going to have to face it, aren't you? Susan: Well, we're only one tribal away from the merge now. So if we win this one time, we're good. Confessional-Jack: Susan is starting to realize stuff now. That may not be great. So I'm going to have to be careful with her. But I want to see how this plays out first. Ramon: Alright. Let's do this. The title sequence plays.

Day 16
It's cold. Not just any cold, either. It's full out coat cold. It's huddle together cold. It's get-that-fire-started-before-I-whoop-your-rear-end cold. Ardilla is feeling it, too. Not the butt whooping. The temps. Julia: Hurry up, flint. Willis: Nothing you haven't seen before, Willis. Nothing you haven't seen before. Confessional-Willis: In Ohio, your manhood is determined by how well you drive in winter weather conditions. So this is nothing new to me. Heck, if it snows, I'll drive the truck to the challenge, for all I care. Matthew: Just like home, huh? Willis: No kidding. As you can imagine, no one is in the river. But Jack and Larry are fishing by it. Larry: For an Arizona boy, you sure can fish. Jack: I know 1 or 10 good spots. Confessional-Larry: I didn't expect the fish to be biting like that today. So I'm thinking that we may not even need the rice today. Save some for later on. Larry: I am thinking I should still go with Willis. Too much bad blood. Jack: Looks like it's 3 votes Willis then. Larry: Awesome. Confessional-Jack: It seems like Larry was already voting with us anyhow. So that's going to make things easier for us. Just gotta convince Jeffery now. Hopefully, he will be on board.

At Musaraña,

Susan: SNOW!!!! Sue: Break out the heavy jackets. We'll be in for a rough one. Confessional-Raphael: For the first time in Survivor history, it snowed. So I'm kind of hoping that we don't see a challenge that involves a lot of water. Virginia: I wonder how boiled cola tastes. Raphael: Let me know if it's any good. Confessional-Susan: Survivor is such a weird game. You're so used to seeing people playing challenges in 110 degree heat. So you're planning on trying to find ways to cool down. Then your season comes around, and it snows during it. Yep. Welcome to Spain. Sue, meanwhile, is getting together with Raph. Sue: So, she will be gone any moment now. Raphael: Alright. Then I take it it's Ramon we're after? Sue: Yep. Confessional-Sue: Susan will announce her intentions to drop out at the challenge today. I can almost guarantee it. You can't lose a loved one and have your head in the game. So she's going to want to be with Ronda in Athens. Go ahead. Puts me one step closer to the million. Raphael looks over towards Susan. Confessional-Raphael: I'm thinking that it might be better to go with [Susan] Pena's idea over [Sue] Choi's. Sue's plan relies way too much on emotional pain. That's not something that I want to see.

Raph and Sue part ways about that time. Meanwhile, it's time for tree mail. Matthew grabs the envelope from the box, and takes it back to the tribe. Julia: Is it a tough one? Matthew: I don't know. I haven't opened it yet. As he opens the envelope up, he reveals the parchment paper inside. He reads the note aloud. Matthew (reading tree mail): Weather conditions and the challenge site did not agree. For your safety, the reward challenge is cancelled. Matthew: Wow. Julia: Wonder what it could've been? Confessional-Willis: The challenge got cancelled due to weather conditions. So that will give us more time to strategize. But I was really looking forward to a good old fashioned challenge. Jack: I'm wondering if there were water elements. That would've been terrible to go through. Larry: Probably.

That night, Virginia tried her boiled cola. Well, when you boil cola, the water in the soda can boil away. This leaves a tar like substance made out of sugar, which ultimately sticks to the pot. Virginia found this out the hard way. And now she is getting some flack.

Ramon: Seriously?! What made you think that was a smart idea?!

Virginia: Don't tell me you've never done anything like that.

Ramon: It's mostly sugar! What did you think what going to happen?!

Virginia just walks away. Ramon, clearly flustered, walks in the opposite direction. Sue gave a confessional the next morning, while simultaneously eating a snowball.

Confessional-Sue: Last night, Ramon made a scene after Virginia boiled her soda. I didn't realize why until afterwards. I realized that made our only pot pretty much unusable. So we're fortunate that it snowed this close to the merge. We'll still have water. But we'll definitely be hungry.

Raphael: So there's nothing we can do right now?

Sue: Nope.

Raphael: Dammit.

Day 17
Virginia was sitting by the fire. She looked at the pot, and started thinking.

Confessional-Virginia: I'm not going to lie. I don't want to take that back. Should we lose the challenge, it will put a target on Ramon's back. Hell, Susan may even abandon him. Either way, it may have convinced Raph enough.

Susan walked by and saw the pot.

Susan: Was this what that argument was about. Virginia nods.

Virginia: Yeah. I tried to boil the pop.

Susan: Not going to lie. That sounds like something I would do.

Confessional-Virginia: I'm just planning on Susan and Raph making the decision for themselves. If I talk them into it, it will most likely backfire as scheming.

While Sue tries to avoid scheming, Ardilla isn't.

Julia: I'm at a loss. Who should we vote for?

Willis: I want Matthew out. He will dominate after the merge. That's not good.

Joan: Then you have Larry. He's got a great personality. And he doesn't do that troublemaker crap. Every jury will love that.

Julia: Yeah, but he's worked with me before, and I think we might be able to use that as leverage if necessary.

Confessional-Joan: We have a general idea that we want Matthew gone. That's for sure. But it sounds like we are keeping our options open.

Willis: So there's no way we're going Jeffery's way?

Julia: No. He's too valuable of a swing vote to get rid of.

The RIC
A few shots of a small passenger plane flash by on the Brace, Brace challenge site. Probst is leaning out the door as he yells: Probst: COME ON IN, GUYS! Ardilla walks in smoothly. Musaraña gets into position. Both tribes, though determined, are wondering what is going on. Jeff hops out of the plane. Probst: Alright. I already have the idol. I'm pretty damn certain one tribe will leave with it tonight. As for the other, tribal council tomorrow. Someone will be the 7th person voted out of this game. Understood?

Yeah.

Probst: When an airplane makes a rough landing, you assume the Brace position. That is, get down and grab your ankles. For today's challenge, you will sit in these chairs here and assume that position for as long as possible. If you let go of your ankles, or your back touches the chair, you're out. Last person standing wins immunity for their tribe. Guaranteed to make it to the merge. In addition, you're playing for reward. Wanna know what you're playing for?

Yes.

Probst: The tribe will go to a nearby hotel. There will be a full functioning HVAC system. You can get out of this cold air for the night. Sleep in an actual bed. Take a shower. Access to a water fountain. Continental breakfast in the morning. I know it's worth playing for. Ardilla, you have 2 extra members. Two of you are sitting out. Willis, you sat out last time. You're playing this time. Who's not.

Larry: I'll sit out.

Jeffery: Same here.

Probst: Larry, Jeffery, take a spot on the bench. Everybody else, we'll draw for spots. We'll get started.

After a few shots of the plane, we get to the challenge. It seems apparent that the sit out bench is behind the castaways by about ten yards.

Probst: Everyone get into position. Brace for impact.

They assume the position.

Probst: This challenge is on. I didn't look at the weather this morning. But I can tell you right now it's as warm as it's going to get today.

An on screen graphic reads:

Temperature

25°F

Probst: This position isn't comfortable for anyone, let alone after 16 days of survival. You've been at it for only 15 seconds. Imagine what it will be like when it gets further in.

Five minutes pass.

Probst: A little movement from Jack. He decides enough is enough. He's going to regret that when I show you what's in store.

Everybody is interested.

Probst: On my go, you may choose between staying in the challenge or foregoing it for a shot at an advantage in the game. If you stay in, keep bracing. If you forego it, you will race to the fence straight in front of you. Larry and Jeffery, you may still go for it, but because you're not giving up anything, you'll go a farther distance. First person to touch the fence wins the advantage. Jack, you dropped out already. No shot at advantage. Everyone else, I'll give you a moment to think about it.

A minute later, we're ready for the race.

Probst: Here we go. For an advantage. Survivors ready? Go!

Joan, Larry, Matthew, and Susan went for it. It was a tight race throughout, but ultimately,

Probst: Joan wins the advantage. And like that Musaraña down to 4, Ardilla is down to two. Make that one. Willis can't hold it. Neither can Virginia. Musaraña down to 3, Ardilla relying on Julia.

Julia: We're going to Tribal.

Probst: Julia drops out. Musaraña wins immunity and reward.

Musaraña celebrates while Ardilla mourns. The usual yadda yadda.

Probst: Sue, I have to admit that, probably for the first time ever, our production tests took longer than the actual challenge. What do you think happened?

Sue: The dream team probably had more energy than we did. They probably weren't testing in this weather. All sorts of things, really. But, either way, a win is a win.

Probst: Alright. Ardilla. You'll have some more time to think about tomorrow's decision. Before you head out, one piece of advice. Pack your entire camp up tomorrow. We'll be merging immediately afterwards. Grab your stuff. Head back to camp.

After they leave, a minivan pulls in.

Probst: Musaraña, the only rule you have to note is no internet or phone. It's the same hotel that the crew is staying in, so there's no need to worry about tourists getting spoilers.

Or questioning if the show is legitimate or not. Probst: Grab your stuff. Have fun.

They pack into the minivan.

Afterwards
I'm not going to put a tribe at reward and not show it. Musaraña arrives at the hotel. Ramon checks them in. After they take their stuff to their rooms, a sleeping arrangement is decided.

Sue: So, men in one room, women in the other? Ramon and Susan simultaneously: Sure. Raphael: Alright. Virginia: Wait? Won't we be filmed anyhow? Susan: If that's what she was worried about, she would've stuck me in the bathroom. Virginia: Fair point. Confessional-Ramon: We get up to our rooms. And we decided on the sleeping arrangements. It was a bit of an old school method of doing it. But it works. Ramon: Speaking of which. If Ronda were here, would you two have done it tonight if we had 3 rooms? Susan: Hell no. Way too early... The phone starts ringing. She picks it up while she's talking. Susan:...for that. Musaraña tribe. Susan speaking. Probst: Put me on speaker, will you? Susan: Alright. She presses a button and puts the phone back on the receiver. Probst: Hey guys. It's Probst. How are you? A bit of a mixed response. Kind of hard to make out. Probst: Alright. I just called to let you know that I won't be there for the merge. I'm sending a package to one of your rooms tomorrow. Go ahead and drop your buffs. It will have your new ones. Ramon: Alright. Probst: Well, I better get going. Talk to you later. Musaraña tribe in unison: Bye.

Well, when you hear the word Survivor, you think of hotel life, right? I didn't think so. So let's get to Ardilla as they get back to camp.

Julia: Seven minutes and 45 seconds. That's all it took. And we couldn't pull it off. Willis: Does someone need a hug? Confessional-Joan: I won an advantage at the challenge. So I snuck off to read it. Joan: I'll grab some water. Jack: You could read it to yourself in front of me for all I care. Confessional-Jack: I don't give a damn what the advantage is. The fact of the matter is, I don't have it. So I'm going to be cool as a batch of cucumbers. As Joan approached the well, she took it out of her coat. Joan (reading the advantage): Congratulations. You have won an extra vote. Play this at any tribal council, and you can cast two votes instead of one. You may not play this on any revote. To use, inform Jeff that you would like to play this when he says... Joan (still reading the advantage, impersonating Probst):..."I'll go tally the votes." Confessional-Joan: I can cast two votes at any tribal council. I'm thinking that Jeffery may already be siding with us tonight. So I'm going to save this for a day when I need it. Night 17 featured Jeffery killing the last chicken. Matthew: You sure this is a good idea? Jeffery: Musaraña is going to have a buffet line for breakfast tomorrow. This will help us level the playing field a little. Matthew: True. Confessional-Jeffery: I'm mad at Joan right now. Hence why I was the one who killed the chicken. So, depending on the circumstances, I think she's next to go.

Day 18
As Virginia headed to breakfast, she noticed a package at the door. She turns back around and knocks on the restroom and adjacent bedroom door, in each case saying...

Virginia: Buffs are here.

Ramon and Raph watching a sports talk show, via an English language station. Seeing that the screen just showed that the Cincinnati Greys are on an 8 game losing streak...

Raphael: Best news today.

Sue: Oooh. Blue.

Ramon: That's weird. They've been black for the longest time.

Susan, who was just in the shower, comes out completely naked. Though what we see is fog, everybody else...

Susan: Buffs?

Raphael: Be a gentleman, Raph. Be a gentleman.

Virginia: Here's one. You can use it as a top or a bottom. You're on your own for what you don't pick.

Susan looks at Raph in disgust before deciding bottom.

Susan: Thanks, Virginia. I left my shirt in the restroom. Allow me to go get it.

In a restroom confessional, where it was clear that Susan changed to top,

Confessional-Susan: The comments made by Raphael after my mistake a few minutes ago makes me wonder if I can trust him moving forward. If he's going to behave like that, it may not be wise.

I guess we will find out next week. Because we have a final scramble to get around to at Ardilla.

Julia: Any thoughts of changing the plan?

Joan: Nope.

Julia: Well, I'll leave a nice note in the confessional.

Confessional-Willis: I'm nervous about voting Matthew. But we have no other option. So I'm just going to have to leave my inhibitions at the fire when I go to vote.

By the riverside,

Jack: Willis.

Matthew: It has to be him.

Confessional-Larry: I'm sure that the Swimmers have other reasons. But Willis and I are just not going to get along no matter what. So I'm going his way.

Larry: Alright.

Confessional-Jack: Sorry, Willis, but you were who we arbitrarily picked to go this week. Good bye.

Jeffery is dipping his canteen in the well when Musaraña passes by.

Jeffery: How was it?

Ramon: That was fun.

Confessional-Jeffery: The only two people who won't be with me are Willis and Julia. The Swimmers will be with me. Larry will be with me. Joan, you're out.

Well, I guess it wasn't so much a scramble as it was me confirming that they have a plan. But whatever. We have a…

Tribal Council
…to go to. The torches were already there due to the castaways having their hands full. As they walk in, Jeff gives them instructions.

Probst: If it is a personal item, keep it at your seat. Otherwise, go ahead and put it in the jury box for now. They set camp down in the jury box, and then have a seat. Probst: Julia, Ardilla hasn't been to tribal since the tribe switch. How is the tribe getting along? Julia: Well, there's the usual Survivor alliances and people strategizing. But for the most part, we all get along with each other. Not a whole lot of conflict. Probst: You're using words such as "For the most part" and "Not a whole lot." Matthew: And that's probably just the human aspect for you. We're going to disagree. That's just part of what makes humans humans. But I don't think that I've seen or heard any arguments that will affect the game. Probst: Jeffery, who do you believe will be a crucial swing vote? Jeffery: Probably Larry. I'm not sure he's 100% on board with the plan that the Swimmers and I have going on. Jack and Matthew share an awkward glance. Jack (mouthing): Did you do something? Jeffery: But I'm not sure that... Matthew (mouthing): No. Apparently, you didn't, either. Jeffery: ...He's with Old Ardilla, either. Probst: Larry, Jack and Matthew are confused by that. Your thoughts? Larry: I thought it was Jeffery for the exact same reason. Jeffery now looks confused by that, but Jeff didn't notice. Probst: I guess we'll find out. It is time to vote. Jeffery, you're up.

Jeffery (for Joan): Good bye, Ms. Barrett. You were nice.

Willis (for Matthew): I hate voting people out. Especially nice people. But that's the game. Tell you what. When this is over, I'll buy you a drink.

Jack (for Willis, singing): So long, farewell, Auf Weidersehen goodbye. I hate to go and leave this pretty sight.

Jack (no longer singing): Goodbye, my friend. Larry (for Willis): Unlike everyone else in this room, I hate your guts. I hate your brain. I hate the Greys. Good riddance, small Richard.

As Larry sits down, another catchphrase.

Probst: I'll go tally the votes. Willis is in prayer. Matthew is joining him. Probst: Once the votes are read, the decision is final. Person voted out will be asked to leave the tribal council area immediately. I'll read the votes. A shot of a snake later, Probst: First vote, Matthew. Joan. Joan's vote is spelled Jan. Probst: One vote Matthew, one vote Joan. Willis. Matthew. Two votes Matthew, one vote Willis. Matthew. Matthew's vote is spelled without the second T. Probst: Two votes Matthew, one vote Willis, one vote Joan. Willis. Two votes Willis. Matthew. Three votes Matthew. Two votes Willis. One vote left. Julia is going all bug eyed. Probst: Willis. We're tied. Jeffery shakes his head in disbelief. Probst: Here's what we're going to do. We're going to revote. Willis, Matthew. You will not vote. Everyone else can only vote for Willis or Matthew. It is time to vote. Jeffery, you're up. Take the urn back with you. He takes the urn back. None of the revotes were shown. Probst: Here we go again. Again, Willis and Matt were on the brink of despair. Probst: In case you forgot, and because I love this line, once the votes are read, the decision is final. Person voted out will be asked to leave the tribal council area immediately. I'll read the votes. Rain starts to fall. Probst: First vote. Matthew. Willis. Matthew. 2 votes Matthew, one vote Willis. Willis. Tied again. Two votes Matthew, two votes Willis. One vote left. Seventh person voted out of Survivor: Espana, Willis. That's 3. That's enough. You need to bring me your torch. At last, the suspense is over. Willis puts his torch in Jeff's little slot. Probst: Willis, the tribe has spoken. The fire is snuffed out. Probst: It's time for you to go. Jeffery: I tried to save you. Willis: Take care, guys. As Willis leaves under blue fire, he drops his buff at the exit. Probst: Well, we can learn from Willis's words. Take care. We can also learn from Willis's actions. Drop your buffs. We are merged. Ardilla drops their old green buffs. They were ugly anyways. I mean, seriously. Green? That doesn't match anything. Anyhow, Jeff hands Jeffery a burlap bag. Probst: Here's your new buffs. Go ahead and put them on. You'll be going to the old Musaraña beach. Turn left at the well instead of right. Grab you stuff. You can leave your torches here. Head out. Good night. The new old Ardilla tribe heads out. Julia grabs the new tribe flag, leaning behind the exit.

Next time on Survivor
Everything gets a little mixed up. Susan: Shall we? Larry: Why not. And Mother Nature leaves her impact on the new tribe. The screen shows shots of Jack, Joan, Larry, Raph, and Susan. Confessional-Jeffery: How does that happen?

Final Words
During the final words, the votes from the revote are shown. Confessional-Willis: I saw Matt's name in Jeffery's handwriting. And I immediately got excited. But ultimately, my name showed up in Joan's handwriting. That is why my life sucks. But ultimately, I played the game I'm proud of. That's good enough for me. Could've made the jury, but that's a luxury. Oh, and happy birthday, Mom.

Voting Confessionals
First Vote Julia (for Matthew): Sad emoji... Is it bad that a 50 year old woman just said that? Oh well.

Joan (for Matthew): So sorry, my friend.

Matthew (for Willis): You are a friend to many. Hate to see that go. Second Vote Jeffery (for Matthew): That's what you get for not sticking with the plan. Julia (for Matthew): I can't do this again. Jack (for Willis): Sorry I sung it last time. But I will miss you. Joan (for Willis): Upon further reflection, This might be a better move gamewise. Sorry, bud. Larry (for Willis): Again, guts and brains I hate, Go Black Sox, small Richard.

Author’s Notes
As usual, this is the merely the initial upload. Charts will be uploaded later today.