A Complaint, An Insult, A Sarcastic Remark

A Complaint, An Insult, A Sarcastic Remark is the tenth episode of Survivor: Mozambique - Island of Advantages.

Previously On Survivor...

 * Nicholas and Annabeth plotted to blindside Carter…


 * Markus spilled the beans about the plan to the minority…


 * ...and with Zoe and Percy’s help, the minority alliance was able to turn the tide against Nicholas.

Jeff: Nicholas, the tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]


 * ...leaving Annabeth and Trixie blindsided, and Carter and Christine shocked at the outcome of the vote.


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

Night 28
Christine: Pretty damn sneaky, guys.

The tribe is back at camp, and Christine is applauding the others.

Christine: That was a good move.

Jacobiah: I was telling you guys the truth.

Carter: I know. Well, I know now, obviously…

Wanda is snickering to herself, regarding Carter with a cocky look.

Wanda: For all the shade you’ve thrown at me, in the end, I still saved your ass in the game so sit on that for a bit, why don’t you?

Carter sputters a bit.

Carter: I’m sorry?

Wanda: What, you think I don’t know how much you’ve been throwing me under the bus before? That you wanted to target me back on Qamea and then on the second Waya tribe?

Carter: You knew about that.

Wanda: Of course I did. And you’re welcome, by the way. If not for me, you wouldn’t even be here right now. You’d be on the jury.

Carter: Well I’m sorry you’re upset I brought up your name up before, but it’s the game. I was just trying to stay alive.

Wanda: Whatever, Carter. You can’t just say “thank you” and move on?

Carter: I am. I mean, thanks for saving me, but I know you also wanted to take Nicholas out, so…

Wanda: So what? Whatever my motives were, I’m the reason you’re even still in the game right now.

The camera cuts to the uneasy look on Markus’ face. Jacobiah is staring at the floor despite sitting right next to Wanda, doing his best to avoid the conflict. Annabeth looks unhappy, sitting alone in the shelter and watching as Wanda and Carter squabble.

Wanda: So show a little gratitude that despite you trying to get me voted out so damn much, I still looked past that and kept you in.

Carter: Alright. Thank you.

Wanda: Good. We’re done here.

She tosses a twig into the fire with more aggression than necessary.

"vantagem"

- Tribal Council...was messy. I thought the plan was to vote out Reyna; Christine thought that was the plan. And we were completely left out of the loop of what was really going down. The rest of the tribe blindsided Nicholas, all while Nicholas and Annabeth, the two people outside of Christine who I thought I was most closest to...tried to backstab me and send me to the jury. Turns out I was the fool all along and Jacobiah wasn’t lying, Christine was right...I just feel stupid that I believed Nicholas’ lies about loyalty. I should’ve listened to Christine. And if it wasn’t for the people on the bottom rising up and taking the opportunity to blindside Nicholas while he was vulnerable, I wouldn’t be in the game right now. And it’s...jarring, to realize that I was so close to not being here anymore.

Carter walks off, over to where Christine is talking to Annabeth.

Annabeth: [breathless] What was that?

Christine: I can’t believe you tried to betray us, Annabeth, what the hell.

Annabeth: Look, Chrissie, I’m sorry, it just-

Christine: No, look, sorry isn’t going to cut it, Annabeth!

Annabeth looks a little taken aback at her sudden outburst.

Christine: I really thought I could trust you! We [indicating Carter standing nearby] really thought we could trust you! And it was the people on the bottom who ended up keeping us in the game instead. What logic is that?

Annabeth: Look, it was Nicholas’ idea. He said that Carter was a big threat and that he wanted to make a move, I shouldn’t have listened, I-

Christine: You guys tried to pull a fast one on us! You really only have yourselves to blame for this.

Annabeth can only nod silently.

"vantagem"

- Christine is NOT happy with me. I think I might have just tossed my game into the trash. We used to be really tight but betrayal must really sting for her, especially coming from me. So...I’m not exactly on good terms with her or Carter right now. All that talk about shifting power at Tribal Council and tonight...it happened. My closest ally in this game is gone and now...I might be the one that’s truly on my own after this. I went from the top to the bottom in one night and it was all over a big, stupid mistake.

Annabeth walks off sadly. Christine is rubbing the bridge of her nose as Carter wraps an arm around her.

Carter: Hey, you good?

Christine: Oh, yeah. I just wanted her to understand why I’m so upset.

Carter: I’m sorry. I should’ve listened to you.

Christine: Yeah, you should’ve!

"vantagem"

- If there was ever a time to say ‘I told you so’, it was tonight. Because Carter, boy...I told you so. I knew, the whole damn day, that something fishy was going down, and I knew Jacobiah wasn’t the type to lie to our faces. And yet he didn’t believe me, and he almost got himself sent to the jury because of it. It would’ve ruined both our games if either one of us was blindsided and we were so close to being separated. What makes it worse was that it was Annabeth and Nicholas who tried to stab us in the back. After all the talk about staying strong together...guess the core four isn’t so strong after all.

Meanwhile, the minority alliance is in high spirits.

Wanda: That worked out beautifully.

Wanda, Jacobiah, Reyna, Markus, Zoe and Percy are gathered around the fire.

Wanda: With Nicholas gone, this truly is a fresh start to the game. We’ve freed them enough to start playing.

The camera cuts to Annabeth sitting alone, sadly, in the sand by the water’s edge, then to Carter and Christine still talking a ways away, and then to Trixie huddled up by herself in a darkened corner of the shelter.

Jacobiah: You guys made a move. You should be proud of yourselves.

He looks at Zoe and Percy.

Reyna: Where do we go from here now?

Wanda: The four of them are totally split up. Carter and Christine aren’t going to trust Annabeth after this, and who wants to work with Trixie? This is our game now. We’ve gone from a minority to majority overnight. The six of us can do this.

"vantagem"

- Make way, Nicholas. Because now that you’re done warming up my throne, it’s time for the King of the tribe to be replaced with a Queen and that queen...is me. [laughing] Finally! It feels so good and so exhilarating to have finally taken him down and stolen his crown. Now his old allies are all pitted against each other, and the rest of us are still intact. It’s like I can finally breathe again.

Wanda: Tonight was a victory for all of us. Don’t forget that. To the Final Six...

They all put their hands in the centre and do a small celebration, whispering “Final Six” before breaking off into muted laughter.

Day 29
Annabeth is first to wake up, and with horrible bed hair, she hobbles back down the beach to sit and watch the sunrise in the sand.

"vantagem"

- I still can’t believe last night’s Tribal Council actually happened and it wasn’t just some fever dream...or nightmare. It was a major wakeup call for me. This game isn’t always going to go the way I want it to, and I can either sulk about it or try to take the wheel and fix things. Nicholas is gone, but I don’t need him to play my own game. I need to rely on myself to save myself. Right now, Wanda is in power. She’s gone from a peasant on the bottom of the hierachy to the queen at the very top, with Reyna and Jacobiah as her loyal minions. And on her side, she’s got Zoe and Percy flipped, and Markus too. That leaves me, Trixie, Carter and Christine down on the bottom, and I need to know where I stand with them.

When Trixie is awake later, Annabeth nudges her.

Annabeth: Can we go for a walk?

Trixie: Hm? Okay.

"vantagem"

- Last night’s Tribal Council was dreadful. I was left out of the vote, and I...HATE when I get left out of the vote. The only other time I voted wrong this whole game was at my very first Tribal Council, and my blood was boiling last night just like it was all those weeks ago. It’s worse that they took out Nicholas, because he and I had a good rapport. He liked to call the shots a lot, sure, but we were united in being the most controversial players. Now that he’s gone, Tricksy Trixie has to come back out, because I know I don’t have a place in Queen Wanda’s new kingdom.

Annabeth: So, last night was awful.

Trixie: Psh. Yeah, you tell me.

Annabeth: With Nicholas gone, I think you and I aren’t in a good position anymore. If we’re going to get out of this, I think we’re going to need to work together.

Trixie: Yeah, that’s not exactly a piece of cake. Wanda doesn’t like me. She never has.

Annabeth: Well, we need to figure out a game plan for in case one of us is targeted next.

Trixie: That’d be a dumb move. What would they gain from getting rid of you or me?

Annabeth scowls.

"vantagem"

- Trying to talk strategy with Trixie is like...trying to pet a dog that’s constantly growling and barking at you. You’re trying to make the relationship work but the dog just keeps snapping and trying to bite your fingers off and it’s just...no. I can’t. Trixie was always more of Nicholas’ ally than mine. I’ve spent the least amount of time with her in this game because we only met at the merge, and I’m kinda thankful for that. Because talking to this girl is taking up a lot of my mental energy, and I’m a counselor by occupation. My whole job revolves around talking to people with problems, and that pales in comparison when trying to get a plan going with Trixie. Everything that comes out of her mouth is negative, a complaint, an insult, a sarcastic remark...the list goes on.

Annabeth: Look, I’m just trying to find a way out of here for us.

Trixie: Well, keep looking. I’ll find my own way out, Annabeth. No offense, but we were never really working closely together anyway. But you don’t have to worry. I’m sure Queen Wanda isn’t looking to either of us as threats. If you ask me, I think there’s only one person she’ll go after next if she has her way.

Annabeth: What? And who’s that?

Trixie: Seriously? Who do you think? Who was she yelling at as soon as we got back last night?

The camera cuts to Carter back at camp, diligently chopping open a coconut for Zoe.

Annabeth: Carter?

Trixie: Yeah, no duh. You’re blind if you can’t see he’s going on the chopping block next. The alliance is kaput, and we’re on the bottom. But whatever. I’m used to it.

Trixie leaves abruptly and Annabeth sighs, watching her stalk off.

"vantagem"

- Trixie brushed me off...very plainly. She did not want to talk to me. She did not want to work with me. But she may have a point...Carter came under fire from Wanda last night and it seems like this feud’s been stewing under the surface for a while now. Maybe I won’t be in so much trouble of going home right after Nicholas as long as Carter’s still around.

Elsewhere, at the water well, Zoe is waiting. Percy begins walking down the path towards her, and when she sees him, she breaks into a wide grin and squeals, opening her arms to hug him.

Zoe: We did it! [laughing]

Percy: Y-Yeah, we did. [nervous laughter]

Zoe: We actually took down Nicholas. I still can’t believe it. They can’t say we’re not playing the game now.

Percy: Yeah, d-damn right…

Zoe: You were closer to him than I was. Are you okay?

Percy: Yeah. It’s a game, and I know he respects that. I’ve had to betray people before too.

"vantagem"

- Voting out Nicholas was hard for me. He was like a big brother to me, and my first real ally who I thought I could trust, and who took me under his wing and coached me a little bit and helped calm my anxiety in those first few days. I even gave up an idol for him. But...Zoe convinced me that we couldn’t wait forever to make a move. I feel a little more comfortable knowing I made a move and I have that under my belt and so maybe the threat of being dragged to the end as a goat...is a little less likely for me. I don’t know. I’m just glad I made the move, no matter what.

Percy: But what happens now?

Zoe: I don’t know if Carter and Christine are going to work with Annabeth anymore.

Percy: The Final Six thing Wanda mentioned last night...is that a thing?

Zoe: It could be. If you want it to, I mean. I’m just gonna say now, you’re my closest ally in the game, so if you think that’s what it should be, then...I’ll roll with it. Right now, I’m down with anything. If you want to try and get back in with Annabeth and the lovebirds, or if you want to link up with Wanda’s crew.

Percy: I don’t know. Let’s not think about it now.

Zoe: You’re right. Let’s just take the day off. I feel like we’ve been stressing over this for so long already.

They laugh and hug again.

Back at camp, the mood is more sombre.

Carter is laying in the hammock with Christine, swinging it and trying to make her smile. She looks listless.

Carter: Not still thinking about last night, are you?

Christine: I just feel lied to, you know?

Carter: Of course. I feel the same way.

Christine: Now we might be in trouble unless we make a new alliance.

Carter: I don’t think we have any shot with Wanda. You saw how she railed into me last night.

Christine: Yeah, dude, you have no shot with her, at all.

Carter: That means Reyna and Jacobiah are off the table too, then. They’re a package deal.

Christine: Just like you and I are. So wherever we go, we need to go together. They already see us as a pair.

Carter: Right. Yeah. We probably should’ve done a better job of hiding that. [snickering]

Christine playfully slaps him in the chest.

Carter: Well if, like...Reyna and Jacobiah and Wanda are out of the question, that just leaves...everyone else that’s left.

Christine: Even after Annabeth betrayed us?

Carter: What about Zoe and Percy?

Christine: I don’t know…

Carter: Maybe Markus?

Christine: I think...whatever the case, we need to get people to vote against Wanda’s trio, and keep the crosshairs off of you and me.

Carter: Sounds like a plan.

"vantagem"

- Christine and I are without an alliance now. Nicholas was often called the dictator of our alliance, but he was more than a tyrant. He was also the glue keeping us together. Without him, we’re all going in different directions. All I know is that the only person I can truly count on, without doubt, is Christine. And wherever she and I go from here...we need to go together, because she’s the only one left I really, wholeheartedly trust.

Day 30
Jeff: Come on in, guys!

The tribe walks in.

Jeff: Ready to get to today’s immunity challenge? First things first, Annabeth, I’ll take it back.

Annabeth pretends to cry as Jeff takes the necklace back. Markus chuckles.

Jeff: Alright! Immunity is back up for grabs. But...there’s a twist. Because…

Jeff reaches behind the post and takes out a second immunity necklace.

Jeff: Today, two people are winning immunity.

Markus: Whoaaa…

Wanda: What?

Reyna laughs, shaking her head.

Jacobiah: Two? Why?

Jeff: Good question. That is because today, all of you will be attending Tribal Council tonight...as two...separate...tribes.

Zoe’s jaw drops. Percy is at a loss for words.

Christine: Holy cow…

Carter: [chuckling] Crazy.

Markus: Whaaat…?

Annabeth: How does that even work?

Jeff: You’re all going to draw rocks to form two groups of five. And you will be going to two separate Tribal Councils in those two teams. Here’s how the challenge is going to work. On my go, you will each be lifting a post on your shoulders, with a vase at the end. You must squat to balance the post. If you stand up too high, the vase will be pulled off your post and put out the fire underneath. If you go down too low, you will trigger a flag, and you will be out of the challenge. The last person from each team of five standing will win individual immunity within their group. And also...the last person out of all ten of you standing will win tribal immunity for their team, meaning, their group will attend Tribal Council after the first group. This will give them an advantage of seeing who the first group votes out and shifting plans accordingly, if needed. Clear on the rules?

Carter still looks stunned, one hand up on his forehead.

Reyna nods.

Jeff: Alright. Then let’s get started and draw rocks.

The tribe finishes drawing rocks and have been split into their teams. Everyone takes their spots at their posts.

Jeff: Alright, we have our two teams. Our first team consists of Markus, Wanda, Jacobiah, Trixie and Annabeth.

Wanda nods down the row of posts at Jacobiah. Trixie looks composed at her post, eyes narrowed.

Jeff: Our second team is Zoe, Carter, Christine, Percy and Reyna.

Christine smiles at Carter.

"vantagem"

- When I saw that me and Christine were going to be attending Tribal Council together, I was a little more relieved because I knew then that we could work together, no matter who we were attending Tribal with. If we’d ended up going to Tribal Council separately, I couldn’t protect her and she couldn’t protect me. But together, we know we’re a voting unit, so all we’d need to stay safe at Tribal Council is to get one more person to vote with us.

Jeff: These two teams of five are the teams that will be attending Tribal Council separately. And with that, this challenge...is on.

Everyone lifts their posts on their shoulders.

Jeff: This challenge will put you in an excruciatingly uncomfortable squatting position. Go too high, your vase drops and your fire is out. Go too low, and you’re out anyway.

Annabeth is scrunching her face up in agony already.

Jeff: Find a balance that works for you…

Zoe is fidgeting a little, sweat rolling down her neck.

Percy is grunting, struggling early on.

Percy: Gah, I can’t do it.

He lowers the posts back down and his flag pops up.

Jeff: Percy, first person out of this challenge. Take a spot on the bench. That’s good news for Zoe, Carter, Reyna and Christine. One less person to outlast…

Percy leaves.

Reyna has her eyes shut and is quiet. Annabeth is shuffling from foot to foot, grunting.

Christine is trembling slightly but staying calm and collected.

Wanda: Damn, this is not good for my back.

Jeff: Wanda, feeling it in her back.

Wanda: Yes, thank you, Jeff.

Jacobiah grins.

Trixie’s legs begin to shake. She scowls, groaning as she tries to move her arms a little. Her vase topples over and just like that, water is spewing over her fire.

Jeff: Trixie is out. Trixie with no shot at immunity.

Trixie: [censored] it.

Chortling to herself, she leaves.

Markus is licking his dry lips.

Markus: It’s hot out here.

Carter: Tell me about it.

Jeff: We could be here a while…

[TIME ELAPSED: 15 MINUTES]

Jeff: You guys have been out here for fifteen minutes.

Zoe is adjusting herself again, trying to move her feet slightly. Her vase shudders on its post and she looks alarmed, trying not to move it again.

Wanda looks uncomfortable, trying to straighten her back slightly.

Wanda: Damn, this hurts. Ughhhhh…

Christine is a little shaky, her lips dry.

Christine: I’m out.

She sets her post down of her own accord and straightens up.

Christine: Ow.

Jeff: Christine just...gives up.

Christine walks by Carter and whispers to him.

Christine: [whisper] Good luck.

Carter smirks at her. Wanda catches the action.

Jeff: We are down to seven…

Without warning, Markus’ vase tips over and puts out his fire.

Markus: Aw, man…

Almost immediately after, Zoe’s falls off too and she curses.

Jeff: One after the other, Markus and Zoe drop out. We are down to five.

Reyna still has her eyes closed and she has not moved.

Jacobiah is watching his vase intently, barely reacting even as a fly lands on his cheek.

Jeff: Wanda, Jacobiah and Annabeth fighting for one immunity necklace; Carter and Reyna fighting for the other.

Carter grins, looking over at Reyna.

Carter: Hey Reyna, wanna make a deal?

Reyna peeks open an eye to look at him.

Reyna: Not interested.

Carter: Alright, cool, cool, cool. [laughing]

Reyna: I’m not giving up.

Carter: Oh yeah?

Reyna: I want that necklace, Carter.

Carter: I respect that.

Wanda lets out a grunt and sets her posts down.

Wanda: I can’t do it.

Jeff: Wanda is out. We are down to four. It is Carter and Reyna, and Jacobiah and Annabeth, fighting for immunity.

Carter winces, readjusting his posts on his shoulders. Jacobiah is solid, unmoving.

Jeff: Carter and Annabeth both know what it’s like to win individual immunity, they both know what that safety net feels like. Reyna and Jacobiah, both craving to know what that feels like…

Jacobiah: Hell yeah. [laughing]

Annabeth: I want that necklace back too.

Jeff: You think you’re gonna need it, Annabeth?

Annabeth: Oh yeah, definitely.

Trixie rolls her eyes very obviously at this comment.

Carter’s foot slips out of the blue and his vase topples over.

Carter: Aw, no! Agh- damn it.

Jeff: Carter, without any warning whatsoever, drops out. Reyna wins individual immunity!

Carter: Dang it.

Reyna smiles but doesn’t give up yet.

Reyna: I’m gonna keep fighting, Jeff.

Jeff: Reyna pushing on to get her team to attend Tribal Council second...meanwhile, Annabeth and Jacobiah are still battling it out…

Annabeth looks to be in pain. Jacobiah still appears comfortable.

Annabeth: How are you so calm?

Jacobiah: I...I dunno. I just am. [chuckling]

Annabeth: Damn it, Jacobiah…

More time passes…

[ELAPSED TIME: 30 MINUTES]

Jeff: You’ve been up there, holding that position, for half an hour in the hot sun…

Carter: Damn. Good job, guys.

Reyna squints back at Annabeth and Jacobiah still fighting, and relents. She sets her posts down.

Reyna: I’m done.

Jeff: Reyna, take a spot on the bench. That settles it. Reyna, Carter, Christine, Percy and Zoe will attend Tribal Council first. Markus, Annabeth, Jacobiah, Wanda and Trixie will attend second.

Wanda nods.

Annabeth, sweating profusely, glances over to Jacobiah, who is stoic still and almost statuesque.

Annabeth: [frustrated] Gahh…

Jacobiah glances over at her.

Jacobiah: [whispering] Annabeth.

Annabeth is looking down at her feet now, at the sweat drops dripping onto her wooden platform.

Jacobiah: [whispering] Annabeth.

She looks up now that he has caught her attention.

Annabeth: What?

Jacobiah: [whispering] You’re not going home tonight. You don’t have to worry.

Annabeth: ...You’re just saying that.

Jacobiah: [whispering] No, seriously. You don’t have to fight so hard. If you can’t do it, drop out. I promise you you’re not going tonight. You’re not in trouble.

Annabeth chews on his proposal.

Jacobiah: [whispering] I just want to know what it’s like to win one immunity. That’s all I want. Please.

Annabeth looks at him with big doe eyes.

Annabeth: [whispering] Promise I’m safe?

Jacobiah: [whispering] I promise. I don’t lie.

Annabeth holds his gaze for a moment longer, before finally dropping her post with a loud exhale.

Jeff: Annabeth drops. Jacobiah wins immunity!

Wanda: Nice one, Jacobiah!

Jacobiah smiles widely as he puts his posts down and steps back from the platform, going over to hug Annabeth, who pats him on the back.

Annabeth: Congrats.

Jacobiah: Thank you.

Everyone returns to the bench.

Jeff: Reyna and Jacobiah, come on up.

The others clap politely as both winners move over to Jeff, as he puts the necklace on Reyna first, and then Jacobiah.

Jeff: Reyna and Jacobiah, both safe at Tribal Council tonight. As for the rest of you, two of you will be voted out of your respective Tribals tonight and become the fourth and fifth members of our jury. You have the rest of the afternoon to figure out who they’re gonna be. See you guys at Tribal.

Everyone prepares to leave, and the camera focuses on Annabeth.

"vantagem"

- Jacobiah promised me that I wouldn’t go home tonight, and he’s one of the most lovable, docile people I’ve ever met, especially for a bodybuilder. I’m choosing to trust him at his word, and I was at my limit anyway which is why I gave up in that challenge. And if it turns out I needed that immunity necklace after all, and he lied to me...I’ll be very disappointed in him, but even more disappointed in myself.

The tribe returns to camp.

Wanda: Two Tribal Councils, huh?

Christine: That is so bonkers. I can’t even imagine.

Zoe mimes shooting herself in the head.

"vantagem"

- Tribal Council tonight is split into two. One group consists of me, Percy, Carter, Christine and Reyna, and the other is Wanda, Jacobiah, Trixie, Markus and Annabeth. It’s pretty wild, because with the alliances already split up from the last Tribal Council, going to Tribal in two different groups only makes the vote more uncertain. But in my group of five, I think I see a clear solution. I have Percy with me, so I feel better about having my closest ally by my side. Carter and Christine are a strong duo. We may have saved Carter from going home at the last Tribal Council, but I think tonight, his time is up. We can’t vote out Reyna, so the only option is to team up with her and take Carter down.

Percy meets up with Zoe.

Percy: So what are we going to do?

Zoe: I don’t know. I’m just glad you and I are together tonight.

Percy: Y-Yeah. It could’ve been worse.

Zoe: I think voting out Carter makes the most sense.

Percy: Even though we saved him?

Zoe: Well, we can’t vote out Reyna. And we’re not voting out each other. So it has to be Carter.

Percy: What if the three of them team up and take out you or me?

Zoe: It’s highly unlikely that Reyna would team up with them to take out one of us. We’re not threats on the same level as Carter and Christine.

"vantagem"

- I think the plan tonight is that me, Zoe and Reyna will vote out Carter. We saved him last Tribal Council so we could take out Nicholas but I think his luck has to run out sooner or later. He is a really likeable guy, and he’s good in challenges...so that’s all reasons to get rid of him, and with only three other people I can vote for, there’s not a lot of options.

Elsewhere, Wanda is meeting up with Reyna, Jacobiah and Markus.

Markus: Hey. What are your thoughts on tonight?

Wanda: Obviously, we’re kinda split up here so we need to collaborate on this…

Reyna: Mhm.

Wanda: Reyna, you should probably work with Zoe and Percy to take out Carter. I think that’s the safest bet for your side of Tribal Council.

Reyna: Yup. That’s what I was thinking too.

Wanda: Carter’s a threat in this game. He and Christine need to be split up. And Zoe and Percy aren’t threats. So it’s simple.

Markus: What about the three of us? We’re going to Tribal with Annabeth and Trixie.

Jacobiah: Do we get rid of Trixie?

Wanda makes a face.

Wanda: Trixie? She’s no threat to anybody. She’s never gonna win. All she does is pull faces and make enemies and throw out complaints about everything. No one’s gonna work with her.

Markus: Then Annabeth?

Wanda: She was close with Nicholas. That’s one vote on the jury she might have. People definitely like her more than Trixie. I think Annabeth has to go tonight, before Trixie.

Jacobiah looks uneasy.

Jacobiah: I promised Annabeth she wasn’t going home today.

Wanda: What? Why would you do that?

Jacobiah: Because I thought we were doing Trixie.

Wanda: What, no. What made you think we were going to vote off Trixie?

Jacobiah: Because she’s a troublemaker. She likes to stir the pot. That’s the kind of player she is. I thought we all wouldn’t want that kind of vibe around camp.

Wanda: I mean, I don’t like her. Nobody does. But that makes her perfect to keep around, doesn’t it? That’s not a reason to vote her off. She’s a threat to no one right now. Annabeth is the vote.

Jacobiah looks even more uncomfortable than before.

Jacobiah: I gave her my word.

Wanda: Jacobiah, it’s fine. I know it’s hard, but lying is part of this game. Besides, you didn’t know. Okay?

Markus: You good, big guy?

Jacobiah: [sighs] ...Yeah. Yeah, I’m alright with it.

Markus: So it’s Annabeth?

Wanda: Yeah. We’ll vote out Annabeth tonight, and Reyna, you take out Carter.

Reyna: Alright. Done.

"vantagem"

- The plan that I’ve been told is that Wanda, Jacobiah and I will be voting for Annabeth tonight. With the majority alliance in shambles, it feels good to finally, you know, be a part of something solid. To have a group of my own to work with. I had a group once, back on Qamea, but they all went and died on me so I’ve been operating alone or with Becky for a long time. To finally have a group of people who I can consider an alliance of sorts, it’s almost like going back to the early days of the game and this time, I’m not trying to be the leader, I just want to be another member of the alliance. I don’t want them to view me as a threat again if I don’t keep my head low enough because that’s an easy way to get targeted. I took a risk turning against Nicholas because I knew he was a good meat shield for me. Him being out of the picture means I need to take better care to stay as under-the-radar as possible.

Reyna and Markus get up and leave. Jacobiah is about to move too, but Wanda grabs his arm.

Wanda: Wait a moment.

Jacobiah: What is it?

Wanda peers over his head to make sure Markus is gone before turning back to him.

Wanda: You don’t have to worry so much about lying to Annabeth. Because we’re not voting her out tonight.

Jacobiah looks dumbfounded.

Jacobiah: What? What are you talking about? Then who are we voting?

A devious look crosses Wanda’s face.

Wanda: [mouthing] Markus.

The bug-eyed look on Jacobiah’s face is almost comical.

Jacobiah: What? You want to blindside Markus?

Wanda: Of course. Jacob, come on. Markus is the ultimate underdog right now, so he can’t be allowed to go any further. Surely you can see that.

Jacobiah: I-

Wanda: If he gets to the end, he’s got Becky’s vote for sure. And Nicholas would probably respect him for fighting his way to the finish despite starting the merge with close to no allies left on his side. He’s a dangerous player. He’s got a great underdog story and if we don’t cut that story off before the concluding chapter, then he’s got this in the bag.

"vantagem"

- Right now, with my nemesis Nicholas gone, I look at Markus as the biggest competition on this beach, and that’s even with Carter included. He has the perfect story to sway jury votes. He’s the underdog who lost almost his entire alliance by the merge and continued to lose allies, but survived this far. If he goes even further...who’s to say he doesn’t survive all the way to the end and win the whole thing? A story like his makes for a great survivor’s journey and we can’t let that happen. We need to nip this in the bud before it’s too late, and so, tonight’s the night.

Wanda: We tell him that Annabeth’s the vote but we just need to get the girls to vote with us and he’s gone.

Jacobiah: So we’re lying to him then too?

Wanda: Like I said, it’s part of the game, Jacob.

"vantagem"

- I knew my soft heart would be one of my bigger obstacles in the game. I can’t lie to people. I have a terrible poker face and I hate lying in general. I’ve been lied to before, and I know how much it hurts. The idea that I might have been lying to Annabeth, unwillingly, was bad enough. To know that I’d be willingly lying to Markus and stabbing him in the back tonight...especially after he’s put his trust in me...it’s hard. It’s a different situation than it was back with Charlie because he and I never really aligned. But Markus really does believe we’re a new alliance of six and now it feels like we’re doing him dirty.

Wanda: I’ll go talk to Trixie and you talk to Annabeth.

Jacobiah: What do you want me to tell her?

Wanda: I don’t want to risk Trixie not voting with us, so get her onboard with the plan.

Jacobiah: [sighs] I don’t like it but...I’ll do it.

Wanda: Good man.

Meanwhile, back at camp…

Carter is swinging in the hammock, glancing around the shelter. Christine is nearby. He beckons her over.

Carter: What are we going to do tonight?

Christine: Honestly, I’d be surprised if you or I don’t receive votes.

Carter: Yeah?

Christine: Zoe and Percy are definitely turning on us. They’re not turning on each other of their own accord, and Reyna has immunity.

Carter: So it’s going to be one of us?

Christine: We have to turn the vote against one of the two of them.

Carter: How? I can’t even...think up an argument against Zoe or Percy. [laughing] Like, I don’t want to sound like a dick, but...I can’t even come up with a solid pitch for either of them.

Christine: I don’t think we can sway Reyna anyway.

Carter: We’re gonna have to try.

"vantagem"

- Tribal Council tonight is a dicey situation because only four people can receive votes: me, Carter, Zoe and Percy. Reyna has immunity which sucks, because she was the only person I feel that we could’ve convinced Zoe and Percy to vote for other than one of us. But to have to now do the opposite, and convince Reyna to vote against Zoe and Percy so Carter and I can stay in the game...it’s a much tougher task. Zoe and Percy are both...not great players. They’re both paranoid, easily nervous, socially awkward, bad in challenges...it’s really hard to think up a way to throw them under the bus.

Christine and Carter meet with Reyna in the forest.

Reyna: You want to talk about tonight?

Carter: Yes. Okay, so...I know I’m most likely the biggest target heading into tonight’s Tribal.

Reyna: I won’t lie to you...that is kinda what it’s looking like.

Carter: Yeap. Figured.

Christine: But we want to know if there’s any way you’d think voting out Zoe or Percy is better for your game.

Reyna shakes her head.

Reyna: I can’t tell you that, because it’s not. It’s not better for my game to turn on them. I’m sorry, I’m just being honest with you.

Carter: Okay. ...I appreciate it.

"vantagem"

- Carter and Christine tried to pitch me on possibly voting out Zoe or Percy but...it’s just not happening. In no universe is Zoe or Percy a bigger threat in this game than Carter is. The plan for tonight is we vote out Carter and that’s what I’m sticking to because it makes the most sense for me and my alliance.

Christine: Okay, how about this? Carter can be a meat shield for you. He can be a shield for us. He’s always going to be more of a target than a Zoe or a Percy.

Reyna: Zoe and Percy made a move against Nicholas, didn’t they?

Christine: Yes, but that’s not enough. You and I both know they’re two of the easier players to beat.

Reyna: [sighs] ...I promise you I’ll give it some thought.

Carter: Okay. Thank you.

Reyna leaves.

Carter: That went well.

Christine: Damn it. I wish we had an idol. Then we wouldn’t even have to bother with Reyna.

Carter: Are we out of options?

Christine: ...We can try something else.

Carter: And what’s that?

Christine: If Reyna won’t turn on Zoe and Percy, then maybe they’ll turn on each other.

Carter: You said that was close to impossible. You’ve seen how tight the two of them are. They made that move on Nicholas together.

Christine: I know, but what if we found a way to play on their paranoia?

Carter: Who do you want to make a move on?

Christine: I think...I have a good enough relationship with Percy that he’ll believe what I tell him.

Carter: Better than with Zoe?

Christine: Yeah. Percy’s still just a kid. I don’t think he’s astute enough to know when he’s being lied to.

Carter: What are you gonna tell him?

Christine: If we make him think the vote is turning on him...maybe he’ll turn on her.

Carter: You realize you’re trying to do the exact same thing we accused Jacobiah of pulling on us when Nicholas went home?

Christine: Yeah. But Percy’s different. He might actually buy it.

"vantagem"

- Christine’s making a really risky play right now, but it’s the only shot we’ve got. She thinks she can actually twist the facts enough and prey on Percy’s paranoia, and get him to turn on Zoe. Percy and Zoe have been tight since the second tribe swap, so it’s not going to be easy to just get him to turn on her. But if anyone’s paranoid and gullible enough to make a mistake like that...maybe it’s Percy. I have to hope it works because if this doesn’t, then...I’m going home.

Christine sits down with Percy in the shelter when everyone else is elsewhere.

Christine: Hey. I have news for you.

Percy: What is it?

Christine leans in conspiratorially.

Christine: [whispering] You’re going home tonight.

Percy’s face pales with fright.

Percy: W-What?

Christine: Okay, so, here’s what happened. Reyna cornered me and Carter in the forest. She said the Final Six deal with you guys and Markus? It’s done. She and Wanda want the threats to make it to the end so they’re voting out the goats this round. And tonight, she told me we’re voting you out.

Percy: Are you for real?

Christine: Dead serious.

Christine doesn’t break eye contact with Percy.

Percy: Why would she do that? Why would they want to take us out?

Christine: Look, she doesn’t want to be the last threat remaining in the game. She knows if she takes out me or Carter tonight, that exposes her as a threat, so she needs to keep the meat shields around, especially with Nicholas gone. That’s why she’s targeting you tonight.

"vantagem"

- Christine told me that...Reyna wants me gone tonight. Me, of all people. When I heard my name was coming up, I was...horrified. Hearing my name come up is one of my biggest fears. I’m scared to death of seeing my name being read at Tribal Council, that’s why I was so determined to avoid Tribal Council in the first week. Knowing that I might be the target tonight is so...so scary. Is this payback because of betraying Nicholas? I’m going to feel so stupid if I end up sitting next to him on that jury bench right after I stabbed him in the back. And he’s going to hate me for it…[puts head in hands]...oh my [censored]...

Percy: Does Zoe know?

Christine: No.

Percy: Why are you telling me this?

Christine: Because I have a better relationship with you than I do with Reyna. Reyna and I don’t talk. And frankly, Zoe and I don’t talk either. Carter and I genuinely want to work with you, Percy.

She deliberately reaches for his hand.

Christine: We don’t think you’re a goat. You’ve got a great underdog story. So we don’t agree with what Reyna’s saying.

Percy: Then what can I do about it?

Christine: We can’t vote Reyna out. So we only have one choice. If you, me and Carter vote out Zoe tonight, all three of us are still in the game, and we can go after Reyna and her allies at the next vote.

Percy looks terrified, shaking his head.

Percy: Th-That’s...insane. Zoe’s my closest ally, I can’t...I mean…

Christine: I’m already risking a lot by telling this to you. I could’ve just chosen to vote you off with Carter and Reyna and stayed safe. I’m putting my game on the line to help you because I trust you and I think we need to work together against them.

Percy is silent for a long while.

"vantagem"

- [laughing] I was totally improvising, the whole time. Everything that I said, I pulled out of thin air. But I had no idea I could be that good of a liar. And I’m a religious girl too, so I do feel really bad about it, but…[laughing] it was kinda fun. I even held his hand, I leaned in and lowered my shirt, I did all kinds of flirty things, and...I think at the end of it all, he might’ve actually bought it. I’m sorry, Percy, but...I think you’re still a little too young to have come out here...and a little too naive. I really hope he bought it because if we pull this off and we actually get him to make one of the biggest blunders of the season, it would be so amazing and it would be so great for my game.

Off in the forest, Jacobiah is leaning against the edge of the water well, as Annabeth comes down the path towards him.

Annabeth: Hey. I’m glad you wanted to talk.

Jacobiah: Come on over. Sit down.

Annabeth: I was going to come look for you anyway. After you made that deal with me, I wanted to know who the actual target was for tonight.

She hops onto the edge of the well with him.

Annabeth: Promise I’m not the target?

Jacobiah: I swear.

Annabeth: Okay. Then what’s happening tonight?

Jacobiah: We’re blindsiding Markus.

Annabeth: No way. Really?

Jacobiah: Yeah, really.

Annabeth: Right now. Tonight?

Jacobiah: Yup. It was Wanda’s idea.

Annabeth: [nodding] That’s interesting.

Jacobiah: I think Trixie’s on board too, so you can’t let it slip to Markus.

Annabeth: Then who does he think it is?

Jacobiah hesitates.

Jacobiah: You.

Annabeth: Me?

Jacobiah: Yeah. ...Sorry. Again, it was Wanda’s idea.

Annabeth is tonguing the inside of her mouth, eyebrows raised.

Annabeth: Okay…

"vantagem"

- Jacobiah tells me that Markus is going home tonight, but that I’m the decoy target, of sorts. And I’m like...uh, okay. Wanda’s the one piecing this plan together and she’s deciding that I need to be the alternative target. And I don’t like that she’s the one calling all the shots right now. It’s like now that Nicholas is gone and she’s the one in power instead of scrambling on the bottom, she thinks she can dictate everything. And I need to ask myself, do I really want to put my stock in with her and her people?

Annabeth: And you said Trixie knows?

Jacobiah: Yeah, Wanda’s probably telling her right now.

On the other side of the island, Wanda is having a conversation with Trixie.

Wanda: It’s Markus tonight.

Trixie: Oh, you have no idea how [censored] long I’ve been waiting to hear someone say that. Thank [censored], finally! I have no idea how he’s made it this far. No clue! He needed to go, like, in Week 1.

Wanda: Well, tonight’s the night.

Trixie: Yes, I am 100% on board for this plan.

Back with Annabeth and Jacobiah…

Jacobiah: So we have all the votes we need to send Markus packing. He’s a big threat. Wanda says he’s got the best story, like, out of all of us.

Annabeth: Right. Well, you’re not wrong there…

"vantagem"

- Wanda is right. Markus has a very rootable story. But I don’t care about that. I’m a free agent right now. I have no loyalties left to anyone and I need to find people I can work with. Jacobiah may be keen on that, but I have nothing with Wanda and Reyna and they helped orchestrate sending Nicholas out. Markus, on the other hand, is about to get totally blindsided by these people, and maybe, just maybe...he’s the new Nicholas that I need.

Sometime later…

Annabeth is walking with Markus in the forest.

Annabeth: I can’t be seen talking to you, so I’m going to have to make this quick.

Markus: You sound serious. Hit me with it.

Annabeth: It’s you. Tonight.

Markus: That so?

Annabeth: Yeah. I know you think the plan is me, but it’s not. Jacobiah’s just told me that he, Wanda, Trixie; they’re all voting for you.

Markus: [sighs] Damn it. I knew it.

Annabeth: You did?

Markus: No, I had a gut feeling. When you’ve been without allies for as long as I have, you start to question how long your luck is going to last.

Annabeth: I’m sorry, I know this isn’t great news to hear…

Markus: Don’t worry about it. Thank you for telling me.

"vantagem"

- Once again, Wanda and her allies are trying to send me to the jury. After the new alliance we formed after Nicholas...yeah, that was a fantasy, and I shouldn’t be surprised. I knew it was too good to be true. I’ve already lost all my allies so why wouldn’t they want to vote me out and be done with me? But it’s not over yet. I still have an ace up my sleeve and that’s my hidden immunity idol. If Annabeth is telling me the truth, I can still pull it out tonight and save myself if need be. But I need to be careful with my idol. There’s always a chance that something new will happen, or something will change, or that Annabeth is just lying to me in a bid to save herself. I need to make sure I get the clear picture before I make a decision. An idol is extremely powerful and I’ve gotta be careful with how I use it.

The sun is going down. The first group is getting ready to leave for Tribal Council.

Reyna is putting on her immunity necklace. Zoe is getting dressed. Percy is watching her nervously.

"vantagem"

- I still don’t know if Christine was telling me the truth or not but I am so scared. I don’t have an idol anymore. I have nothing. The only thing I had was that I believed I could trust Zoe but if Reyna really is working to get rid of me, then I might have to lose that too. I’m so conflicted and I have to decide this on my own and she doesn’t even know how tormented I am and I’ve been the whole day, fussing over this. [puts head in hands] Ugh...I don’t know what to do...what am I going to do…

The sun sets as the camera pans back from the five castaways leaving with their torches to Tribal Council.

At Tribal Council…

The first group of five arrive: Zoe, Percy, Carter, Christine and Reyna.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of our jury. Becky, Leroy and Nicholas, voted out at the last Tribal Council.

Nicholas walks in in a white polo tee and jeans. He nods grimly at them. Becky looks shocked to see only half the tribe there.

Jeff: Some shocked reactions from the jury. I’ll explain. Today, the tribe was split into two teams of five. Each team would be attending Tribal Council in seperate groups.

Leroy: [mouthing] Oh, wow.

Nicholas looks unimpressed. Percy catches his eye and swallows.

Jeff: Alright, so...now that this twist has been established, you five are attending Tribal Council separately from the other half of the tribe. Christine, how is that going to affect the vote tonight?

Christine: I think it’s a huge twist, and it totally shakes up the game. Because usually, when you merge, you know...you don’t expect to be voting back in tribes again, so to speak. With the tribe split in half like this, it could spell disaster because people who you could trust and were voting with might have ended up on the other side and you might be stuck with people who, you know...you may not exactly trust to keep you in the game. So this twist is all about adaptability, you have to adapt to whichever group of five you’re stuck with and figure out how to get past that Tribal Council.

Jeff: And what about tonight, and this group of five? Does it spell disaster for your game to be with this group at Tribal Council or would you have fared even worse on the other tribe?

Christine looks at the other four.

Christine: Well, whether or not this tribe is going to work out in my favor remains to be seen, Jeff. For now, I’m hoping that things will go well tonight. But in Survivor, you can never really know.

Jeff: Carter, your name was brought up last Tribal Council, and it was a spectacularly chaotic vote.

The camera cuts to Nicholas watching the proceedings with a stern look on his face, arms folded across his chest. Carter catches his eye before turning back to Jeff.

Jeff: Do you expect your name will come up again tonight?

Carter: Absolutely, Jeff. I think, with what happened last Tribal, it was a sign that...people in this game consider me a threat, even my own allies!

Nicholas is rubbing his trimmed beard with one hand.

Carter: So if I can’t even predict when my allies will turn on me, let alone the people I’m not working with...i-it could all go to [censored] really quickly. [laughing] I’m hoping it doesn’t tonight but you never know. I’m already pretty certain I’m getting votes coming my way.

Jeff: And on a tribe of only five people, there’s very little wiggle room. There’s almost no place for you to hide, especially someone seen as a threat as you are.

Carter: Yeah, exactly. There’s not a whole lot I can do if the votes really are stacked against me. But the thing about having such a small group of people at Tribal Council is that it doesn’t take a lot of votes to flip things around, so I’m hoping against hope that a miracle will happen tonight.

Percy swallows, listening.

Jeff: Zoe, Carter thinks he’s going to be targeted tonight at Tribal Council because he’s a threat. But you yourself made a move at the last Tribal Council. Does that also make you a threat?

Zoe: [laughing] That’s nice of you to say, Jeff. Uh…

Becky smiles and rolls her eyes on the jury.

Zoe: I think people perceive threats in the games many different ways. Like Carter, for instance. All he’s done so far is win challenges and be nice to people. He hasn’t got a whole lot on his resume.

Carter: Gee, thanks.

Zoe: [laughing] I didn’t mean it to come out like that, but you know what I mean.

Carter: [laughing] Not really, but I don’t take offense.

Zoe: See, he’s nice like that. You see what I mean? [giggling]

Reyna smiles. Jeff nods. Percy still looks on edge.

Zoe: My point is, even though Carter hasn’t exactly been a master manipulator or whatever like Nicholas, he’s a threat in this game just because of physicality and because no one dislikes him. So even though I did make a move last Tribal to help take down Nicholas, I don’t believe that automatically makes me a big threat, or a bigger threat than Carter. I do believe it was good for my game, and I’d do it again if I had to.

Leroy and Nicholas share a look, the former grinning devilishly.

Jeff: Reyna, you’ve proclaimed, quite publicly, that you’ve been on the bottom of the tribe for quite some time now.

Reyna: Yeah, I have been.

Jeff: With the move made last Tribal Council, do you expect things will have changed much?

Reyna: I hope they have, Jeff. But with a twist like tonight, there’s no telling how things will continue to shake up over the next few days. I think voting out Nicholas did give everyone a bit more leeway to actually play the game and make moves, and I’m hoping that will help me out down the road by taking a bit of the target off of my back.

Jeff: As you say that, did you think you needed immunity tonight or were you comfortable?

Reyna: No, I definitely needed it tonight. I wouldn’t have felt safe otherwise.

Percy glances at her.

Reyna: I’m never truly comfortable because it’s Survivor, I mean, you could get voted out any time for any reason, no matter how ridiculous.

Zoe is chewing on her bottom lip. Carter is looking at Reyna thoughtfully.

Reyna: And you never know who could be lying to you and who’s telling you the truth so it’s always good to feel completely safe.

Jeff: Before we vote, Carter, do you think the outcome of this vote will affect the other five when they come in to vote in any way?

Carter: Potentially. If tonight happens to go unexpectedly as the people on the other side might anticipate...it might rattle them enough and things might go wrong there as well. I don’t know for sure but I do know that I’m excited to see what comes next, even if it’s me that ends up on the wrong side of it.

Christine nods empathetically, a tiny smile on her face.

Jeff: It is time to vote. Reyna, you’re up.

Reyna nods and gets up. Carter looks to his left, at Christine, and she nods reassuringly at him.

Percy is biting his nails, a scared look in his eyes. The camera fades away, and cuts to Zoe walking up to the booth and uncapping the pen.

The camera cuts to Carter staring out into the night, mood solemn.

Christine is shown walking past the jury to get to the voting booth.

Finally, the camera cuts to Percy walking up to the booth, hands twitching slightly. He picks up the pen, rolls it around in his hands for a bit, leans over the parchment and presses his elbows against the rocky surface, hemming and hawing and sighing a lot.

The camera cuts to Reyna looking curiously over at him, then to Carter’s concerned face, and lastly, to Zoe biting her lip and glancing away.

At long last, Percy returns, twiddling his thumbs together.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

Jeff leaves. Christine’s eyes follow him, before she glances back at Carter.

Carter is tonguing the inside of his mouth, looking a little uncertain now. Zoe glances back to look at Percy, but he carefully avoids her gaze, eyes downcast.

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.

Reyna looks at the other four. Carter is breathing in and out with his mouth. Christine casts him a worried look. Zoe is watching him over her shoulder, but he shrugs at her.

Satisfied, Zoe turns back to Jeff.

Jeff: Alright. 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.

He opens the urn.

Carter cocks his head to the side, looking resigned to whatever happens next.

Percy cannot stop moving in his seat, resting his chin on his hand at one moment, then drumming his fingers on his knee the next, and constantly shifting and adjusting. Zoe casts him a confused glance.

Jeff: First vote...Carter. (1-0)

Carter blinks, expecting it. Christine sits up straighter.

Jeff: Zoe. One vote Carter, one vote Zoe. (1-1)

Zoe winces, pouting. Percy is exhaling shakily, staring at her with frightful eyes, his shoulders jittery.

Reyna has her eyes on the back of his head, looking puzzled and almost concerned.

Reyna: [whispering] Are you okay?

Percy doesn’t turn back to face her, still jittery.

Jeff: Carter. That’s two votes Carter, one vote Zoe. (2-1)

Carter is sticking his tongue out beneath his teeth, nodding slowly, eyes narrowed slightly.

Percy looks horrified and is covering his mouth with both hands and sinking forward in his seat, sticking his elbows between his knees.

Zoe turns and notices his odd behavior and frowns. Reyna catches her eye and shakes her head, equally confused.

Jeff: Zoe. We’re tied. Two votes Carter, two votes Zoe, one vote left…(2-2)

Zoe takes a deep breath, staring back at Jeff, a little scared now. Christine shares a satisfied smile with Carter, who raises an eyebrow in return.

Percy is still staring at the floor with big bulging eyes, his hands clamped so tightly over his mouth that his knuckles have gone white.

Jeff: Eleventh person voted out of Survivor: Mozambique and the fourth member of our jury…

… … …

Jeff: ...Zoe. (Final Tally: 3-2)

Zoe’s eyes almost bulge out of their sockets and she looks shocked beyond belief.

An alarmed Reyna glances around, eyebrows creased.

Christine: [whispering] Oh my gosh…[giggling]

Carter turns to her, stunned himself, laughing a little nervously.

Reyna: [whispering] What the [censored]?

Percy has his whole face in his hands now, eyes and all.

Jeff: Zoe, you need to bring me your torch.

Zoe, still mouth agape, glances at Percy but he doesn’t look back, hiding his face. Moving slowly, like she cannot believe it still, Zoe grabs her bag and moves to get her torch.

On the jury, Becky is covering her open mouth too. Leroy is chuckling to himself and shaking his head, eyes following Zoe as she puts her torch down.

Jeff: Zoe…

Zoe is crying now, not looking up at Jeff.

Jeff: The tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]

The camera cuts to Carter shaking his head, a disbelieving expression still on his face, a stunned smile frozen in place.

Jeff: Zoe, tonight, you can take your spot immediately with the jury next to Nicholas.

Zoe: [sniffling] Holy [censored]...

Walking on uneven steps, Zoe makes her way to the jury bench and weakly collapses next to Nicholas, who pats her on the back halfheartedly.

Percy is looking up now, shaking his head at her, eyes wide and horrified. Zoe has her own head in her hands now and is still weeping. Becky reaches over to rub her knee comfortingly.

Jeff: Alright. For the four of you, your work here is done.

Reyna looks disappointed, lost in her own thoughts. Percy looks like he is about to cry himself.

Jeff: Grab your stuff and head back to camp. We’ll bring in the next tribe.

Chuckling to himself, Carter playfully pokes Christine in the arm as the four of them get up and move to grab their things and leave. Zoe keeps her head in her hands as they walk past the jury.

As they disappear, the next five castaways appear and start walking in.

Jeff: Go ahead and have a seat. We’ll get started.

Wanda sees Zoe sitting on the jury, crying, and looks alarmed.

Wanda: [whispering] Oh [censored]...

Jacobiah: [whispering] What in the…?

Annabeth shares a surprised look with Markus, who shrugs at her, as all five of them take their places.

Jeff: As you can see, Zoe was voted out at the last Tribal Council and has become the fourth member of our jury. Tonight, one of the five of you will join her as the fifth.

Wanda shakes her head.

Wanda: [mouthing] Crazy.

Zoe is finally looking up now, eyes red and splotchy, sniffling as she looks at the other five.

Jeff: Wow. A lot of shocked reactions. Wanda, what’s with the surprise seeing that Zoe was the one just voted out?

Wanda shakes her head, trying to form words but nothing comes out of her mouth before she splutters and laughs shakily, inciting nervous laughter from the others around her.

Wanda: Wow, I...I’m just taken aback. I didn’t think I’d be seeing her on the jury. I can’t even imagine what must’ve happened.

Jeff: What do you think happened?

Wanda shrugs.

Wanda: Carter...had an idol? I don’t know.

Jeff: That’s interesting that you assumed it was Carter who had an idol. That suggests you expected him to be the one getting voted out tonight.

Wanda: Well, yeah. He’s a threat in this game, and he’s a threat to me. The plan was for the others to vote him out but clearly that didn’t happen.

Annabeth narrows her eyes, watching Wanda speak.

Jeff: You’re very open about admitting that the plan was to vote out Carter in front of the others.

Wanda: Well yeah. Most people here probably anticipated that that was the plan for the other five, that Carter would be the one getting voted out. I can’t fathom how things got flipped around so badly.

Zoe: [whispering] I can’t believe it.

Zoe is whispering to the others on the jury, and Nicholas shrugs sympathetically at her.

Jeff: Seeing that it was Zoe voted out, Markus, will that affect anything regarding this vote?

Markus: Ehh...I don’t know. I doubt it. I think the plan tonight is still the plan for tonight. What just happened isn’t changing that.

Jeff: Speaking of the plan tonight, you five are here at Tribal Council separate from the other five. How is that going to affect the gameplay, Annabeth? Have you had to change your strategies depending on who you were going to Tribal with tonight?

Annabeth: Totally, for sure. For starters, the number of people I had to have conversations with was halved, so that was good. [laughing] Also, I guess it would change your strategies depending on who you’d need to strategize with and who you didn’t have to. But it didn’t really change much for me because I didn’t really have many allies anyway.

Jeff: Why do you say that?

Annabeth: Well after Nicholas got blindsided, I’ve kinda gotten the feel that I’m...a bit of a lone wolf right now.

Jeff: Really? Well, you weren’t the only person blindsided by the Nicholas vote, were you?

Annabeth: Yeah, but he was my closest relationship. With him gone, I didn’t really have anyone else left. The other relationships I had which I thought were good...weren’t as good as I’d imagined.

Trixie smirks.

Jeff: Trixie, what do you make of what Annabeth just said?

Trixie: I think she’s just sulking a little after getting burned so badly at Tribal.

Annabeth frowns.

Trixie: I mean, I got burned too. I got burned pretty bad. And I was pissed. But I’ve also been used to things going awry so I just bounced back and moved on. Heard the plan for tonight, and I’m all good on it.

Markus raises an eyebrow at that statement.

Trixie: I’m not too bothered about not having as many close allies as before because that’s not my style of play. My style of play is that I find people to vote with and I do just that. I vote with them. I don’t need to be in a tight alliance with you or spend several nights talking under the stars for us to be able to vote together. It’s a game. Annabeth may be more concerned with forming strong relationships to progress further, but I’m used to being scrappy. When Nicholas got blindsided and I found myself back on the bottom without anyone, I just picked myself up and moved on. And that’s what I’ve done and what I’m going to do tonight.

Jeff: Wow. You don’t get any clearer than that, huh, Annabeth?

Annabeth: No, you certainly don’t. Um…[laughing] that was very clear and concise, what she just said. I guess we just don’t think about this game the same way.

Trixie shrugs.

Jeff: You both were blindsided by the Nicholas vote and yet it seems the two of you are going in very separate paths.

Annabeth: You’re right. And maybe I’m in the wrong here, because it seems like my path is leading me into imminent danger.

Jeff: Why do you think that?

Annabeth: I’m worried that, without anyone having my back, I’m on my own and could be in trouble tonight. I might end up on that jury.

Jeff: Well, with so few people here tonight, everyone’s chances of getting voted out are increased. So how do you make sure it’s not you?

Annabeth: Well...I trust that I’ve done everything I could. And at this point, I just hope that it was enough.

Jeff: Wanda, with regards to the move to blindside Nicholas, you were quite vocal about him being the leader of his alliance. There was talk of godfathers and mafiosos and kings and dictators and tyrants…

Wanda laughs. Nicholas is smiling too on the jury.

Jeff: Do you take voting him out as your own personal success?

Wanda: I mean, I can’t claim all the credit. But it was definitely sweet for me. I’ve been on the bottom since the merge, Jeff, and it took a lot of scrounging to get to this point and have taken him down. So I hope I’m not being too arrogant by enjoying my seat on his old throne, but yeah, it uh...it definitely felt pretty sweet.

Jeff: Markus, what about you? You were a part of the move to oust Nicholas last Tribal, but before that, you were quite vocal about your position as an underdog who’d lost most, if not all, your past allies. Do you think you might end up being targeted, again, tonight?

Markus: It’s always possible, Jeff. You can never really know for sure in this game. And I have Trixie here, and we’ve had such an on-and-off relationship. [laughing]

Trixie shrugs again.

Markus: I know she’s never really wanted to work with me since I voted for her and I think she’s kinda made it her personal vendetta to see all the Qamea members who voted against her sent home. With only me left in that regard, she’s almost succeeded.

Trixie: You almost make me sound vengeful for some reason.

Markus: [chuckles] At any rate, I do believe that the move last Tribal hopefully gave me something more solid to work with than I had before and I hope that that stays true even now.

Wanda nods to herself. Jacobiah looks a little guilty.

Jeff: Alright. It is time to vote. Annabeth, you’re up.

Annabeth leaves.

Wanda shares a look with Jacobiah, who nods back.

The camera zooms in on Markus as he glances up at the sky, taking a deep breath.

Trixie is shown walking past the jury, Zoe still looking disheveled.

The camera cuts to Jacobiah at the voting booth, uncapping the pen.

The camera cuts back to Annabeth sitting down, swallowing and looking serious.

Wanda is shown walking to the booth, and then Markus is shown reaching the booth, drumming his fingers on the table.

The camera cuts to Trixie watching him with a raised eyebrow, and to Wanda fidgeting in her seat.

Markus returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

Jeff leaves.

Annabeth watches him leave. Wanda is staring into the fire. Trixie glances out of the corner of her eye at Markus, who is looking over at the jury.

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.

Wanda stares straight ahead. Jacobiah has his hand on his waist and is shaking his legs.

Annabeth glances over at her shoulder at Markus, who is looking at her. She widens her eyes pointedly, and he smiles.

Markus: Jeff.

Wanda does a double take. Trixie’s eyes go wide and she appears angry.

Markus: I have a little something I’d like to give you…

He begins rummaging around in his sock.

Wanda curses, turning back to Jacobiah, who looks taken aback.

Trixie is cursing too, slapping a hand to her forehead, looking pissed.

Markus gets up with his idol and walks over to Jeff. On the jury, Becky is pumping her fists. Leroy is chuckling to himself again. Neither Zoe nor Nicholas look particularly interested.

Markus: I’d like to play my idol on myself.

Jeff: Okay.

Markus returns to his seat.

Wanda: [whispering] Damn…

Annabeth is giggling.

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

Markus nods, looking to the jury. Trixie rolls her eyes, annoyed.

Jeff: Alright. 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.

He opens the urn.

Wanda pouts, unhappy. Jacobiah has a surprised look still on her face.

Markus looks back at Annabeth, who is looking at him. He laughs and she pats his leg in a friendly manner.

Jeff: First vote...Markus. Does not count.

Markus nods, arms crossed and chest puffed out.

Jeff: Markus. Does not count.

Relieved, Markus is nodding and exhaling, an uncertain smile forming.

Wanda’s gaze is dropping further and further down, and the fight has left her shoulders.

Trixie: Ugh.

Jeff: Markus. Does not count.

Annabeth shares another excited look with Markus, who nods and grins back.

Jacobiah looks worried. The jurors turn to watch Jeff as one.

Jeff pulls out the next vote.

… … …

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

Wanda: Yeap.

Wanda is nodding, straightening up in her seat, resigned. Jacobiah is staring at her, eyes big and sad.

Leroy is shaking his head.

Wanda glances back at Jacobiah, patting him on the knee as he looks at her apologetically.

Wanda: [whispering] It’s okay. You’re fine. You’ll be fine.

Jacobiah’s face looks pained as he sits, helpless to do anything.

Jeff: Twelfth person voted out and the fifth member of our jury...Wanda. That’s two and that’s enough. You need to bring me your torch. (Final Tally: 2-0)

Wanda: [laughing] You got me!

Wanda gets to her feet, smiling widely as Markus shrugs apologetically at her.

Markus: Sorry.

Wanda: It’s cool.

She leaves to get her torch.

Trixie looks incredulous, the irritation evident in her posture.

Jacobiah’s eyes follow Wanda sadly as she walks up to Jeff and puts her torch down.

Wanda: Here you go, Jeff.

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

Wanda nods and turns back.

Wanda: It has been my honor to play this game with you all. Good luck to all of you. Play hard.

Markus: Thanks, Wanda.

Annabeth: Bye, Wanda…

Jacobiah raises a hand in still shellshocked farewell. Trixie doesn’t bother, rolling her eyes at the fire pit.

Wanda turns back and begins to leave.

"vantagem"

- I couldn’t make it far enough to use my Legacy Advantage, but Leroy’s and my legacy will live on in my girl Reyna, because I’m willing this little gift to her. And I really, really hope that she can succeed where the two of us failed, and make it far enough to use this thing, and use it well.

Jeff: Another Tribal Council...another blindside. And the game is still...far from over. Grab your things and head back to camp. Goodnight.

Final Words
Zoe: I...have no idea what the hell just happened. I’m...still processing my emotions and...my shock and...I think Percy flipped on me…? I…[chokes back sob] I don’t know, I just...I saw the look on his face when my name was read and I…[sniffs] I think he did it. Reyna looked genuinely surprised so...so if he did, I just...I don’t know why he’d do it…[sobs]...

Wanda: I find it pretty ironic that when I was on the bottom, I never got a vote, and yet the moment things finally start to seem like they’re looking up for ole’ Wanda, that’s when this happens and I get sent to the jury. Because of a damn idol too, no less. [laughing] Yeah, I’m disappointed, but I can’t help but laugh about it because the game’s over for me and I respect the hell out of them who managed to take me out. I can’t wait to watch the rest of the game play out and I can’t wait to crown a winner who deserves it, because this game is hard, and it really kicks your ass, and this winner is going to earn it.

Next Time on Survivor...

 * Percy feels manipulated…

Percy: I can’t believe you did that to me.

Christine shrugs.

"vantagem"

- She played me like a damn fiddle.


 * Everything goes wrong, again, for Reyna and Jacobiah…

Reyna: Are we back on the bottom?

Jacobiah: I don’t know…


 * A new power couple rises to power…

Markus: Right now, we decide who we want to go with.

Annabeth: Right.

"vantagem"

- Annabeth and I both have no one else left. But that means the two of us can choose who we want to go to the end with.


 * Tricksy Trixie returns…

Trixie: She’s got an idol.

Carter: What?

Trixie: Dead serious. Check her bag.

"vantagem"

- These people are morons. I’ll never die!


 * And love throws a wrench into the game…

Jeff: There’s nothing more important than family.

Jacobiah is tearing up. Annabeth is pulling her buff over her eyes.

Markus: [in tears] Oh, please...