Zip It, Part 1

‘’’Zip it’’’ is the 13th and final episode of ‘’Survivor: Espana’’. This is the first part.

Challenges
‘’’Immunity Challenge:’’’ ‘’Tribute to the Troops’’ You'll undergo elements of a real military obstacle course. You'll climb up two cargo nets, then climb over the second net, around to the other side, where you'll climb back down. You'll then run to a series of stumps. You'll be given planks. You must use those planks as a bridge to navigate across the stumps. Once you finish that, you'll crawl under a series of ropes. You must make your way through the ropes. After that, you'll jump across a series of logs. First to finish that wins.

Challenges in Part 2 will be revealed in its article.

The Story
We join Jeff backstage at the reunion show for the live portions of the finale.

Probst: We're getting ready for the live finale and reunion show...

Yeah, Jeff, I pretty much just told them that.

Probst:...And you're in for a good one. Sixteen of our 18 contestants this season are getting ready behind this door. I figured you may want to say hi. So let's just walk on in.

As the door opens, 16 men and women start hooting and hollering. Larry and Gina are both absent from the crowd. Larry wasn't invited because he quit. For Gina, we will explain why later.

Probst: As you can see, our players are ready for tonight. So are we. There's one thing left to do. Roll it.

And thus, the episode begins.

Season Summary
Thirty-six days ago, 18 castaways got off a boat, headed into the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, and began the adventure of a lifetime. They were initially divided into two tribes, Ardilla and Musaraña. Musaraña's only visit to tribal council sent Elmo packing on tribe chemistry, while Ardilla took out the simple minded Paul and the elderly Gina. A day 10 tribe swap resulted in Danielle being eliminated at random, and things took a turn. Musaraña's next visit to Tribal Council proved to Laura that the players make the rules. But they would lose Ronda at the next immunity challenge, making life worse for them. But ultimately, Ardilla fell at the next immunity challenge, and they sent Willis home on the revote.

After the merge and an earthquake, an extra vote wouldn't stop Joan from being eliminated for a big move. But that wouldn't stop Larry from quitting before they left Tribal. A double revote sent Virginia out, and a power 4 alliance was established. They sent Ramon to the jury, and they sent Julia there as well. But then a big test of faith sent Matthew out of the game. But even though a divide was present afterwards, Jeffery was sent home anyhow. Four are left. Who will be voted out tonight? And who will win the title of Sole Survivor?

Initial reactions from Night 36.
Jack: Welp, just me. Anyone up for flipping?

Sue (clearly irritated): Raph might. He's already done it once tonight.

Raphael: Hey. Calm down. It's just a game.

Sue: No, Raph! I won't calm down! We were reliant on that plan! You had a guaranteed trip to the final 3, and you blew it for both yourself and us! If you feel like --- around, we'll you right back! Under stood?!

Susan (captioned): So, Jack, wanna go somewhere else? Catch up a little?

Raphael: Look, this anger will come to pass, and...

Sue: WHAT PART OF GO YOURSELF DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?!

Jack (captioned): Yeah. Let's go up river for a spell.

Confessional-Jack: Immediately after Tribal Council, Sue had this huge outburst. And I'm sure that the camera operators wouldn't mind being a witness. So I accepted an offer from Pena to step away for a bit.

As they got about, oh, let's say a quarter mile upriver, the arguing died down a bit.

Confessional-Sue: Damn right I'm mad. He had no right to screw with our plans like that by voting Pena. So now he better watch his back.

Jack: So, whether it's on day 39, or if I win immunity on day 38, who are you going with?

Susan: After that outburst, probably Choi. We still need tribe chemistry. Hell, I might be tempted to keep you around for that.

Confessional- Susan: If anyone could have a chance at what Sue did to work, it would be me, because that's who the vote was for. But I'm fine with it. Just need to come up with a new strategy. And I think I just did.

And now for the title sequence, which was somewhat altered. In it, the final four are listed as Choi, Jack, Pena, and Raphael. The jury was listed as Virginia, Ramon, Julia, Matthew, and Jeffery. It's a short one, but a goodie. But we're going back to live.

Probst: Just a game my ass. Now, we'll get to more discussion during the reunion show. But I just have to ask, are you two back on good terms yet?

Raphael: We got there, but we still don't have the old benefits back.

Probst: Probably a good thing, considering she's married. Much more when we come back.

Day 37

Susan and Raph are making plans for the day.

Raphael: So, we should probably do these dishes.

Susan: And tear open the rice bags.

Confessional-Susan: We are pretty damn close to running out of rice. But we still have a river to fish in. We're in Spain's small game season. So squirrels are fair game if we can trap them. Jack told me that we're not going to need to worry about starvation until 6 days after the game ends. At which point, that's your fault.

Raphael: Get much sleep last night?

Susan: After Sue's rant, I was too scared to do that. Especially sharing a hut with her.

Confessional-Raphael: If you're just tuning in, last night, Choi and I got into a huge debacle about my tribal council vote being for Pena. I'm still worried that she's still pissed off about that.

She is. As Jack and Choi go to fetch some water, something is amiss.

Jack: So, how about this weather? Nice and cold. May actually see some snow. That's always fun.

Sue: --- Arizona morons.

Jack merely proceeds to head back.

Confessional-Sue: This dumbass has the audacity to declare snow to be "always fun." I tell him otherwise so he will know, and he walks away. What the hell is wrong with him.

Sue: HEY, ASSHOLE! GET BACK HERE AND --- DO YOUR JOB!

He didn't respond.

Confessional-Jack: I volunteered to be an umpire for my kid's baseball league. So, yeah. I've been called worse.

Night 37 didn't see snow. It saw rain. And thunder and lightning.

Susan (singing): When you hear the...

Yeah, let's go to the other hut. Fewer FCC infringements over there. Or at least gameplay related reasons for them.

Raphael: So, any thoughts since we last talk?

Sue: You better --- vote for Jack this time around. Or else you ain't seeing day 40.

Susan and Jack (singing off screen): YOU THUNDER!

Raphael: What the hell is that?

Great...

Sue: --- imbeciles.

The Rites of Passage
Probst: COME ON IN, GUYS!

The Gamma tribe walks into the not a challenge site rather subdued.

Probst: Jack, I see you brought back the necklace. You're not going to need it just yet, though.

This intrigues Raphael, but those camera workers wouldn't show us anyone else.

Probst: You see, this season more than the other recent ones, you've become a lot more tight knit with the other castaways. Some you've become friends with. Some you have become more than friends with, Pena.

A bit of a chuckle.

Probst: And some you've become enemies with. I ask that you remember them one by one during your hike to the next challenge. Along the way, you'll pass by with names of the fallen. Stop and remember them.

Jack: They're how we got here. May as well.

Probst: Alright. Let's begin.

As they approach Paul Walker. His assisting Danielle, his idea for the shelter, his strategizing with Raph and Willis.

Sue: Wasn't the sharpest crayon in the box. But he sure knew how to play.

Raphael: He'd probably be here if he were smarter.

As they approach Elmo Fetterman. His family photo. His working on the shelter with Joan. His homophobic rant.

Susan: Up yours. Jack: Well, in his defense, we had to have a jackass at some point.

As they approach Gina Hart. Her reward challenge jump. Her dispute with Virginia. Her chatting by the fire with the tribe.

Sue: This game was just getting too dangerous.

Raphael: Well, Virginia helped out a lot.

As they approach Danielle Moore. Her getting the water on day 1. Her fire building with Laura. Her black rock.

Sue: A sad method for an elimination.

Jack: Too bad we agreed to it.

They didn’t. As they approach Laura Stark. Her throwing the rice bags. Her brushing off Choi. Her talking with Danielle.

Sue: Laura. Great survivalist. Horrible player.

Raphael: Sounds about right.

As they approach Ronda Davenport. Her and Pena as they started out. Her building the rice bags. Her throwing the buff.

Susan: A few more days, my love.

Jack: Won't be too much longer.

As they approach Willis Atwood. His talking about the Greys with Raph. His complaining about Julia's mouth. His arm stuck between the rock and the cliff.

Raphael: Willis. A man of many talents.

Sue: And his desperate search for more.

As they approach Joan Barrett. Her 40 yard dash for the extra vote. Her negotiating a deal with Jeffery. Her reaction to the no idols news.

Jack: Joan could've done anything she wanted. Just didn't work out that way.

Susan: Amen to that.

As they approached Virginia Chairez. Her making amends with Gina. Her under the tarps, singing with Raph. Her reaction to the audible vote.

Jack: Good woman. But her time has come.

Susan: She's not dead yet, jackass.

As they approach Ramon Blunt. His drunk discussion with Ronda and Pena. His singing around the campfire. His reaction to Ronda and the keg.

Jack: Ramon always was a weirdo.

Sue: I think that could describe all 18 of us.

As they approach Julia Waldell. Her questioning Paul. Her giving up the leadership. Her talking about baseball with Raph.

Raphael: Julia always was forgiving.

Susan: But she could cut your throat if you weren't careful. As they approach Matthew Clintron. Him hugging his sister. Him in the river on day 1. Him after being voted out.

Sue: Was he sexist or was he frustrated?

Susan: Frustrated.

As they approach Jeffery Herbst. His "fake idol" condom. His prank against Larry with the "big ass spring." His silent observation of the game.

Jack: He was a real snooze.

Raphael: Sorry. What did you say? Jeffery bored me to sleep.

The Immunity Challenge
The Tribute to the Troops set looks really difficult. A really high cargo net. Some logs.

Probst: COME ON IN, GUYS! After the four come marching in, we get down to business.

Probst: Ready to get to today's immunity challenge?

Unanimous yes, showing once again that the question is just a nuisance.

Probst: First thing's first. Jack, I'll take back the necklace.

Jack: You're not hurt bad enough to come get it from me.

Probst: And don't you forget it. Once again, immunity is back up for grabs. For today's challenge, you'll undergo elements of a real military obstacle course. You'll climb up two cargo nets, then climb over the second net, around to the other side, where you'll climb back down.

The dream team shots showed that they will have assistance in getting over the second net, while the first had a perpendicular platform at the top leading to the second.

Probst: You'll then run to a series of stumps. You'll be given planks. You must use those planks as a bridge to navigate across the stumps. Once you finish that, you'll crawl under a series of ropes. You must make your way through the ropes. After that, you'll jump across a series of logs. First to finish that wins immunity. Guaranteed a 1 in 3 shot at the million dollars. Losers, tribal council tonight. Huge stakes, so a huge warning. If at any point, you jump off the cargo net, touch the ground in the broken bridge or log jump, or touch the ropes in the rope crawl, you're out of the challenge. If everyone gets disqualified, there will be no immunity at tribal council. Everyone will be vunerable.

A bit of reaction from the tribe.

Probst: Huge stakes here. We'll draw for spots. We'll get started.

After the time skip, which saw a few guys in digital camo climbing up to the top of those cargo nets, it's time for the challenge.

Probst: For immunity, Survivor's ready? Go!

Alright, so the brief sum-up. Jack got to a quick lead on the cargo climb. Pena was right behind him, but lost her footing, and fell off about 3 feet from the pad. Choi managed to cut the gap a little bit, but not by much, and was soon followed by Raph.

In the Broken Bridge, the castaways quickly learned that one plank was going to be too short in spots, and the other was too long to use safely in other spots. This was the grounds for Choi's struggle, and allowed Raph to overtake her. Jack, however, maintained his lead, and had actually extended it to a considerable degree.

The rope crawl was the most problematic. With the gap being pretty narrow, and a stump being on one side, the castaways realized that they had to stay away from that. In addition, the mud definitely slowed them down. Raph managed to close the gap to a few seconds, but Jack maintained the lead. Sue reached the obstacle as the guys were exiting, and kicked the rope in frustration. When Jeff called her out, she cussed him out.

The Log Leap was where the two castaways froze. They took a while, trying to figure out how they were going to do it. Ultimately, though, one pair of feet managed to cross the obstacle very swiftly. Who was it, though?

Probst: JACK WINS IMMUNITY!

In a moment of sportsmanship, Raph walks over and hugs his rival. Pena follows up with a handshake. Angeroo Sue, though, just looks over in disgust. After a brief time lapse, we earn the medal.

Probst: Jack, come get the necklace.

Jack walks over and gets the necklace all smooth like.

Probst: Jack, this is you're second straight immunity win.

Choi flips him the bird right then and there.

Probst: Choi, out of the blue, you're frustrated. What was that about?

Sue: This dumbass has proceeded to make our struggles even harder with this win here today. I think I have a right to be frustrated.

Probst: Well, a reason in a reason, regardless of quality. But you just ticked off a guy with a lot of power tonight. We'll see how that plays out for you. Grab your stuff. Head back to camp.

Confessional-Susan: So, we have no choice but to vote against ourselves tonight. Yet, for some reason, Choi is insisting on painting a big red target right on her bum. I'm definitely curious as to why that is. But I'm also glad she's making this decision very easy.

Final Scramble
As we join the tribe for the final scramble, a brief summary of what the immunity challenge results means. Jack is safe, and everyone else is in the majority alliance.

Sue: this. that. everyone.

Yeah, no one said Choi was smart.

Raphael: Sue, calm down.

Sue: I'll be calm when I'm ready. Not when someone tells me to be.

Susan: Okay, Sue. Here's the deal.

The conversation begins to overlap.

Sue: No. I'll tell you what the deal is. Raph's a --- traitor to us. Jack's done quit, but is going to win every --- challenge, and you're a --- jury player. So naturally, I will be sitting next to Jack when I become a --- millionaire.

Susan: We have no choice but to get rid of our own. And you've been a real asshole these past two days over something it makes more sense if it were me. If you don't straighten up immediately, it's clearly you. So wise up now.

As the rather lively conversation continues, Raphael starts to back off.

Jack: Seriously? Again?

Raphael: Yeah.

Confessional-Jack: Welp, the triple crown appears to be set. It looks on paper to be Sue. But maybe I can trick Sue into voting for Raphael and make them draw fire. Or trick the audience into thinking that's the plan. Haven't quite made up my mind yet.

Down by the river,

Jack: Choi?

Sue: Hey.

Jack: Look. I'm sorry about everything that has happened. But, if you are willing to vote for Raphael, I will too. He's arrogant, he's cocky. I just hate him, and you want him gone. Why not help each other.

Confessional-Jack: I have a lot of power tonight. May as well wield that as much as I can.

Confessional-Sue: Jack comes up to me and said that he wants to get rid of Raphael. So now I'm going to need to work on my fire building skills.

Sue: Alright.

As she begins rubbing one flint against the machete, Raph begins to wonder.

Confessional-Raphael: The only thing that would make sense is Sue going home. But, the fact that she's working on fire tells me that Jack got her on his side.

He decides to hunt down Pena, who's fishing on the shore.

Raphael: Bad news. Sue is practicing fire.

Susan: Dammit. Any clue who they're targeting?

Raphael: Nope.

Susan: We may as well both practice ours, then.

Tribal Council
Well, we have a bit of an obvious tension in the castle courtyard tonight.

Probst: We'll now bring in the members of the jury. Virginia, Ramon, Julia, Matthew, and Jeffery, voted out at the last tribal council.

They all take a seat, and we begin.

Probst: Choi, is there a reason for all this tension?

Sue: Hell yes, there is. This entire season is a --- joke. We have people flipping for no good reason. We have people who don't want to do camp work. Hell, the preview I saw during the reward for this season had a --- narrator.

I’m worth every penny.

Sue: It's pathetic.

Probst: Raphael, is there any reason to expect that this is the new game?

Raphael: Yes. It's a game that's always changing. You don't know what to expect in even ten minutes, let alone tomorrow. So you have to be prepared for anything. Including this.

Probst: Well, it is time to vote. Pena, you're up.

Susan (for Sue): You didn't think this through very well.

Jack's trip to the booth involved him stepping back, looking at the parchment, tilting his head, and rubbing his chin.

Probst: I'll go tally the votes.

Matthew looks around in awestruck. Sue is scowling.

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.

Raphael looks at the ground in glee.

Probst: First vote, Raph.

That glee didn't last long.

Probst: Choi. One vote Raphael, one vote Choi. Pena. We're tied. One vote Raph, one vote Choi, one vote Pena, one vote left. Fifteenth person voted out and the fifth member of our jury…

He takes a pause that would make Ryan Seacrest look like an amateur.

Probst: …Choi. That's two. That's enough. You need to bring me your torch.

The audio was cut to censor her out.

Probst (captioned, as if we needed it): Sue, the tribe has spoken.

The torch is snuffed, still with no audio.

Probst (captioned): Please leave.

She complies, but moons the crowd on the way out.

Raphael (captioned): Never thought I was going to see that again. After she leaves hearing distance, the audio is restored.

Probst: Well, I have no idea what that was about. And something tells me I don't want to know. Grab your torches. Head back to camp. Good night.

Sue's final words were cut due to lack of legality to air.

Voting Confessionals
Jack (for Sue): Sometimes, to play the game, you have to make a bold move. Other times, by making a bold move, you falter. I don't want to falter.

Sue (for Raphael): I knew better than to get -- by you. In more ways than one.

Raphael (for Susan): There's no way around it. They're more frustrated at you than me. Good bye.

That Last Little Bit Before the Hour is Up
We go back to live real quick.

Probst: So, we couldn't air Sue's final words. The FCC and the network wouldn't let us.

Honestly, why do I need to be here tonight? I picked out a really expensive outfit just to have a guy in a sweater and blue jeans say all my lines. A $50 outfit especially for tonight, for crying out loud!

Probst: But let's replace that with a question on everyone's minds. I was going to ask it in the reunion show, but let's get it out of the way. Pena, Ronda. Are you two still together?

Ronda: You don't read much, do you?

Yeah, they're literally wearing similar shirts that read "I Heart Susan" and "I Heart Ronda." They kiss right then and there, in front of everyone in the green room.

Probst: Well, that settles it. And for a published author, you'd think I would. We'll be right back.

To bank time for later on, we'll skip those commercials. Let's get to those initial reactions while we're finishing up the first half.

Susan: We really needed that.

Jack: Yep.

Confessional-Raphael: The game just got a lot simpler. We don't really need to do a whole lot more. Just win tomorrow, and we get to pick our final 2 entrant. Lose, and you simply have to convince the winner to keep you around. But that will involve me begging me to stay around, so...

Jack: It's traditionally an endurance challenge. So I'd recommend staying off your feet as much as you can. You're going to need them to stay as comfortable as possible.

Raphael: Yep.

Confessional-Susan: To be the last woman remaining gives me this natural fear for my life. Obviously just instinct. But this is a television show. We're being filmed 24/7. So I need to learn to relax. But this is Survivor. You never know what your opponents are planning. So I need to panic. It's a vicious cycle. Thank God it will be over in a couple of days.

Susan: Raph, do you know how to do the double flip?

Raphael: I haven't double flipped since Dana died.

Confessional-Jack: Going into the final 3, I have to remember that Susan has made really big moves. Raph has also been viewed as a crucial swing vote. At one point, I fell just short of the quitters classification. So I'm pretty much a good take along for the final 2. But, a swing vote may not do it. So I'm going to need to take Raph when I win tomorrow.

For the Final 3
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