He's Becoming A Goliath

He’s Becoming A Goliath is the ninth episode of Survivor: Mozambique - Island of Advantages.

Previously On Survivor...

 * Still solidly on the outs, the minority alliance of Wanda, Reyna, Leroy and Jacobiah were at risk of cannibalizing themselves.


 * With still no movement from the majority against Nicholas, Markus realized he was going to be a target.


 * In the end, the majority stayed strong, and Markus joined them to save himself, and of the four on the bottom, it was Leroy whose shadiness ultimately made him the next to fall.


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

Night 25
Several Vantagem tribe members are gathered around the fire and resting in camp.

The camera cuts to Wanda and Reyna sitting in the back of the shelter, and Jacobiah laying down near them.

Wanda: Are we screwed?

Reyna: Don’t say that…

Wanda: Certainly feels like it.

Jacobiah looks at her with concern.

Jacobiah: It’s not over yet.

"vantagem"

- When we got back to camp after losing Leroy, Wanda was being pretty defeatist. There’s still a long way to go in this game. I’m certain that sooner or later, we’ll get the majority to crack, and we’ll find that one or two weak links to help us turn the tide against them. We can’t be on the bottom forever.

Reyna: At least we’re all still in the game.

Wanda: I know. I know.

"vantagem"

- Wanda does not like to lose. She’s used to getting her way, so walking in and out of Tribal Council on the wrong end of the vote twice is probably a pretty big hit to her pride. We may have lost Leroy but it doesn’t mean we’re completely out of it. We’re still in the game and I think that’s looking on the bright side of things.

Wanda: We just need to get these losers to wake up from their godfather’s frikkin’ spell…

The camera cuts to Nicholas and Annabeth talking by the fire.

Nicholas: [whispering] We’re golden.

Annabeth: [whispering] I know.

Nicholas glances around. Trixie shares a smile with him, and Carter nods in his direction.

"vantagem"

- Wanda and the others like to make it sound like I’m running some sort of mafia or cult with my alliance, but honestly, I look to them as family. I’m the big link that chains them all together and we’ve carried out our plans twice now, sending home Becky first and now Leroy. Things are going smoothly, and I think the minority are going to have to shift their plans away from targeting me if they ever want to get any traction. And if that’s the case, then, I think that makes it the prime time for me and Annabeth to make a move of our own.

Day 26
The next morning, in the woods, Nicholas is walking with Annabeth.

Nicholas: Alright, hear me out on this one, okay? It’s gonna sound pretty crazy.

Annabeth: Go for it. What is it?

Nicholas: Hate to say it, but I’m thinking...we take out Carter now.

Annabeth’s jaw drops open theatrically.

Annabeth: What…? No way...shut up.

Nicholas: I’m serious. I think it’s time. Sooner or later, I think he and Christine are going to take shots at you and me.

Annabeth: You sure?

Nicholas: Wanda and Reyna love to make me out like some sort of villain or big boss or whatever. With all that talk, eventually, I don’t think Carter and Christine will be content to be seen as followers for long. Carter’s smarter than people give him credit for, and Christine is shrewder than expected too. I fully believe that when the time comes, they’ll turn on us. Plus, Carter’s a big threat. He practically won the last two challenges by himself. He’s athletic, he’s likeable and charismatic, and he and Christine are a pair. All these are good reasons why he’s got to go. We need to take a shot at them before they take a shot at us.

Annabeth is thinking hard, still taken aback by Nicholas’ proposition.

"vantagem"

- I hear that Nicholas wants to blindside Carter, and internally, I’m like...NO. Way. My heart is racing in my chest. This could totally blow up in our faces! But at the same time, it’s kinda exciting. I’ve only been voting out people not in my alliance. But this...this would be a real blindside, on someone I’ve been working with since the start. I do like Carter, but everything Nicholas said about him is true. Carter is a physical threat, and that’s a good reason to vote him out before he makes it too deep, and we can’t take him out anymore.

Nicholas: They’ll all be expecting us to still be voting against the minority. That’s why this is the perfect opportunity for a blindside because they won’t see it coming.

Annabeth: But do you have the numbers?

Nicholas: Trixie will be down for it, 100%. I can convince Percy and Zoe too.

Annabeth: You’d need at least one more person.

Nicholas: Markus, then. He owes me, I kept him safe at the last Tribal. So he’ll vote with us if I ask him to.

Annabeth: Then that’s it! It’s perfect.

Nicholas: We don’t even need to tell Wanda, Reyna and Jacobiah because we won’t need them. We only need six, and then bam. Carter’s a goner.

Annabeth: Christine won’t be happy about it.

Nicholas: She’s one person. What can she do?

"vantagem"

- Aside from idoling out Albert, taking out Carter would be my first...real blindside, I think. I would really be betraying an ally’s trust in me by blindsiding him, especially since Carter and I have been aligned from the very beginning. I promised him and Charlie and Christine that we’d go far, and Carter is one of the people who, as Wanda claims, is in my core four with Annabeth and Christine. So it will hurt to stab him in the back but if I don’t stick my knife into his back, then he might stick it in mine down the road. I have to strike first.

Meanwhile…

Wanda, back in the shelter, is rummaging around in her bag, and she suddenly frowns.

"vantagem"

- When I was going through my bag this morning, I discovered a piece of parchment that...wasn’t there before. Huh. So, I knew that this was going to be something important, so I took the first chance I got to sneak off into the forest to see what it was.

Wanda sneaks off into the woods, and takes out the parchment from her bag.

Wanda: Congratulations, you have been willed the Legacy Advantage. [gasps] No…

"vantagem"

- Turns out, Leroy had been keeping a little advantage secret to himself this whole time. And now, he’s given it to me. This is great news! Not only is this my first advantage in the game, and an advantage speaks huge volumes of power in a season that’s all about advantages, but also, I’m honored that Leroy chose me, of everyone else, to give this advantage too. I’m hoping I don’t let him down, that I can make it far enough to be able to use this at the Final Six, and that it’ll serve me well.

Later...

Jeff: Come on in, guys!

The Vantagem tribe enters.

Jeff: Ready to get to today’s reward challenge? For today’s challenge, you will be split into teams of five. Three members of each team will swim out to a platform in the water, pull yourself underneath it with a rope, and surface to grab a ring, and swim out again to a second platform. Once the three castaways have brought three rings to the other platform, the remaining two members will toss those rings out, trying to land them on three posts. First team of five to land all three rings win reward. Wanna know what you’re playing for? The winning team will be taken to a nearby spa and aromatherapeutic parlor, where they will have a massage and a hot shower, as well as a delicious feast of ham, chicken, turkey, chips, salsa, cold beer and soft drinks.

Zoe looks excited, hands clasped in prayer. Percy is salivating. Carter is grinning, squinting in the sunlight.

Jeff: Worth playing for?

Jacobiah: Definitely.

Jeff: Before we begin, as there are eleven of you, one of you will not be participating in the challenge and will be betting on one of the two teams to win. If they pick the right team to win, they will join them on reward. If they pick the wrong team, then that person will not go on reward and instead...will be sent to the Island of Advantages.

Wanda’s jaw drops.

Annabeth: Dayum.

Jeff: First, we’ll draw rocks to determine which of the eleven of you will be sitting out of the challenge. Then we’ll do a schoolyard pick for teams and get started.

Soon, the two teams are formed.

Jeff: Alright. Here are the results of the schoolyard pick. Christine was a Captain. She chose Nicholas, Annabeth, Zoe and Percy. Carter was a Captain. He chose Markus, Jacobiah, Wanda and Trixie. Reyna drew the white rock and will be sitting out of the challenge.

The camera cuts to Reyna sitting on the bench, looking lonely.

Jeff: She bet on Christine’s team to win reward. Alright. Survivors ready? ...Go!

For Christine’s team, Nicholas is out swimming first. Zoe and Christine are waiting on the other platform. For Carter’s team, Markus is out swimming first. Carter and Trixie are waiting on the other platform.

Jeff: Once again, we have Nicholas and Markus going against each other. Both men swimming fast!

Nicholas gets to his platform first and races across, almost slipping; Markus is right behind him. Nicholas drops back in the water and begins pulling himself across it using the rope. Markus, again, is right on his heels.

Nicholas resurfaces, gets back up, and grabs his ring, swimming out to Zoe and Christine.

Markus is just a second or so behind him, swimming out as well.

Nicholas reaches the second platform.

Jeff: Go Annabeth!

Now it is Annabeth out swimming.

Markus reaches his platform.

Jeff: Go Jacobiah!

Jacobiah is out swimming for his team too.

Annabeth reaches her platform, swims underneath, and resurfaces to get her ring. Jacobiah is making fast work catching up to her, his muscles rippling as he pulls himself out of the water.

Christine: [whispering to Zoe] Damn, he’s ripped.

Zoe casts her an incredulous look.

Annabeth jumps back into the water, swimming out, and not far behind, Jacobiah leaps into the water after her, creating a massive splash.

Annabeth reaches her platform.

Jeff: Go Percy!

Percy flops into the water much less impressively, as Jacobiah pulls himself onto the platform with Trixie and Carter.

Jeff: Go Wanda!

Wanda dives in.

Percy and Wanda are both slower swimmers, but Wanda paces herself well, and catches up. Now, both Percy and Wanda pull themselves up, grabbing their rings. Wanda leaps into the water a second time, slightly before Percy, and as they swim to their next platforms, Wanda is steadily gaining speed on Percy, who is panting and slowing down, out of breath.

Wanda clambers onto her platform first.

Markus: Nice, good job.

Jeff: Wanda is up! Carter and Trixie can now start throwing rings!

Percy struggles to pull himself onto his platform, completely exhausted.

Jeff: Percy is up! Christine, Zoe, start throwing rings! Both teams now working on scoring their three rings!

It is Carter throwing first, taking on Zoe on the other team.

Carter’s first ring lands easily on his first post.

Jeff: Carter scores the first point!

Zoe’s ring flops and drops off her post.

Zoe: Ugh.

Carter shoots again and just misses.

Wanda: Oh!

Markus: You’re doing good, Carter, keep it up.

Zoe shoots again and still comes up short.

Christine: Tag out, let me try.

Jeff: Christine now shooting rings, taking on Carter…

Carter shoots again, and nails a second post.

Wanda: Yes!

Jacobiah: You got this, brother.

Jeff: Carter with the second ring for his team!

Reyna looks nervous on the bench.

Christine shoots, and just misses, flinching. Carter shoots again, but throws too far.

Jeff: Carter only needs one more to win reward for his team…

Christine throws her ring again, and lands her first ring.

Jeff: Christine with the first point for her team!

Carter throws again, and it knocks into the third post but doesn’t stick.

Wanda stamps her foot, looking anxious.

Markus: Come on...keep trying, don’t give up!

Christine shoots again, and her ring bounces around on her second post, almost falling off, but it sticks.

Annabeth: Yes!

Jeff: Christine lands her second ring! We are all tied up! Whoever lands the next ring wins reward!

Carter glances at Christine, concentrating hard. He throws his third ring and it nicks the edge of the post but falls off.

Jeff: No! Carter misses again! Christine could win it right here…

Christine takes a deep breath, and throws her ring. It soars through the air…

...hits the post…

...and bounces off.

Jeff: No! Christine can’t do it! It is back to Carter!

Carter hefts his final ring and throws. It sails upwards…

...and lands squarely on the third post.

Jeff: That does it! Carter, Markus, Jacobiah, Wanda and Trixie win reward!

Carter looks relieved, shoulders sagging as Wanda and Jacobiah embrace him. Markus grins and joins in, and even Trixie looks pleased as the others pull her into the hug.

On the other team, Christine looks disappointed.

Annabeth: Aw, darn.

Everyone settles back down.

Jeff: Carter, Markus, Jacobiah, Wanda, Trixie - congratulations. A boat will pick you up. Enjoy your reward.

Carter: Thanks, Jeff.

Jeff: As for you, Reyna - you bet on the wrong team. You will be sent to the Island of Advantages. You will return the next day.

Reyna: Gotcha.

Jeff: A boat will pick you up and take you to the Island as well. As for the rest of you - Nicholas, Annabeth, Christine, Zoe and Percy - I got nothing for you. Head on back to camp.

As the others leave, the camera focuses on Reyna getting on the boat to the Island of Advantages.

"vantagem"

- When I was given the choice of which team to bet would win reward, I picked Christine’s team even though I was pretty confident Carter’s team was going to win, as they had three strong males on their team. It’s because I wanted to go to the Island of Advantages. As tantalizing as the food sounds on reward, getting an advantage in this game is much more important, especially considering I’ve not been to the Island before, AND I’m on the bottom of the tribe right now. I need an advantage to give me and my alliance some power, and so I was hoping the entire time that the team I bet on would lose, and they did. Now I just have to hope my gamble pays off and I don’t leave the Island emptyhanded.

Meanwhile, at the aromatherapeutic massage parlor…

The winning team of five arrive, looking around in awe.

Wanda: Wow.

Jacobiah: This place smells good…

Carter: Heavenly, almost.

"vantagem"

- The massage parlor had all these little scented candles and stuff, and it was like my nose had died and went to the olfactory heaven up in the skies. It was like walking into a mini-paradise. You’ve got lemon scented soaps too, and fresh towels, cubicles for warm showers, a pool and sauna...it’s a far cry from living on the dirty beach and I was prepared to leave that place freshened and a new man.

Carter is taking a shower, while Markus and Trixie peruse the table of foodstuffs. Wanda is leaning back in a lounge chair, a towel wrapped around her hair, in a bathrobe, as Jacobiah sits down while a masseuse tends to his feet.

Wanda: Want a pedicure, Jacobiah? [laughing]

Jacobiah: Honestly, I wouldn’t mind. [laughing] I’d appreciate some pampering. I need a little body maintenance after all this.

"vantagem"

- Right now, my position in the game is looking pretty bleak. My ally Leroy went home, Wanda and Reyna and I could go home at any time and we’re not doing very good in terms of staying out of trouble. But despite that, we’re still in the game, and at the end of the day, the experience is what really counts. So getting to have this reward with the others, it was a really nice bonding moment and I really appreciate having those little moments to take away from this journey. I can’t often say I go to aromatherapy or massage parlors or get pedicures in my daily life, especially not with these people, like Trixie or Wanda, who I’d probably never have met outside of this game. So i-it’s...it’s pretty cool, yeah. It was a really cool moment.

Wanda leans back in her lounge chair, closing her eyes as a masseuse tends to her aching feet.

Wanda: Time to be treated like a queen, baby!

Meanwhile, on the Island of Advantages…

Reyna steps out of the boat, looking intrigued as she arrives on the Island.

Reyna: What do we have here…?

She arrives at the wall of urns and reads the instructions.

Reyna: Welp. Let’s do it.

She flips the hourglass over and starts her puzzles. She gets through two in the time limit.

Reyna smashes open two urns and finds one piece of parchment, which she reads aloud from.

Reyna: Congratulations. You have found a Vote Steal. This advantage allows you to steal a vote from another player at Tribal Council. That person cannot vote and you will vote twice.

"vantagem"

- My little advantage here is a Vote Steal, and like the name suggests, I steal a vote from another player in the game and use their vote to vote twice. If used correctly, this advantage is, essentially, worth three votes when stacked against the numbers. This advantage hasn’t always worked out in Survivor, but I plan on reversing the curse, and making it work out for me this time.

Back at camp, the others are sitting around the fire.

Christine: I think I’m gonna go lay in the hammock for a bit…

Christine leaves.

Nicholas watches her go, then beckons to Annabeth and the others when she is out of earshot.

Nicholas: Wanna go fishing?

Annabeth: Sure.

Percy: I can go get the things.

Nicholas: Alright. Let’s go.

"vantagem"

- Reward challenges are really underrated in this game when you’re playing more strategically than in-the-moment. You know, I see reward challenges as moments where the winning team gets to strategize with one another, but losing them? ...It’s exactly the same. Because right now, I’m left behind at camp with Annabeth, Zoe and Percy - three of the five people I need on my side to pull off a successful blindside on Carter. I was worried about Christine also being back at camp with us but then she solves the problem for us by just leaving to lay in the hammock for a bit by herself, which is perfect for the rest of us to steal away so I can lay this devious plan out for them.

Nicholas, Annabeth, Zoe and Percy are out on the raft, going fishing. As Annabeth heads underwater, Nicholas turns to the other two.

Nicholas: Nice to be out in the open water, isn’t it?

Percy: Tell me about it.

Zoe: Totes.

Nicholas: No one will hear us out here, hopefully. Okay, so, here’s what I’m thinking for this next Tribal.

He turns to them more directly as Percy dangles his feet playfully in the water.

Nicholas: Right now, the easy move is to just keep voting out the members of the minority. Correct?

Zoe pauses.

Zoe: Right, yeah.

Nicholas: Right. And they’ll just keep pitching to vote me out over and over again. But I’m thinking, that makes this the perfect time for us to make a move that they won’t expect.

Percy: What move is that?

Nicholas: I’ve already discussed this with Annabeth. I’ve told Trixie. We just need you two on board as well, and Markus, and we’re golden. I’m thinking...we take out Carter.

The camera cuts to Carter back at the massage parlor, sipping from a glass of wine, oblivious to his name being thrown out by his allies out in the water.

Zoe: Carter…?

Nicholas: I think it would be very stupid of us to leave him in the game too long. He’s a threat in this game, but not one that people would look at as a target as much as someone like me. You can use me as a meat shield, but he’s more under-the-radar. No one’s going after him hardcore yet, even though he checks off all the boxes as a threat in this game. He’s likeable, he’s charismatic, he’s part of a power couple with Christine, and he’s good in physical challenges. Not so much endurance, but he’s proven himself that he can win challenges. And what’s more, he won’t see it coming. Not right now, not so soon, with Wanda, Reyna and Jacobiah still on the bottom.

Zoe nods to herself, digesting all this. Percy is still playing with his feet in the water, as Annabeth surfaces, with no fish on the end of her spear.

Annabeth: I got nothing.

She notices the other three.

Annabeth: What are you guys talking about?

Nicholas: About blindsiding Carter.

Annabeth: Oh. Okay.

She gets up on the raft too to join in, taking off her scuba mask.

Nicholas: If we can get Markus on board too, we have all the numbers we need. We’d all get credit for the blind side and taking out a threat in the game, and we’d leave the minority on the outs still. It’d give us all something on our resume, and I do genuinely think that we’d all regret it later on if we don’t vote Carter out now when he least expects it. Because I think he’ll be much harder to get rid of down the road. Now is a time when he’s more vulnerable, and we need to take the opportunity while it still exists.

Zoe: We’d be blindsiding Christine too though.

Nicholas: She’s just one person. With the six of us, we’d still hold the power. Christine will come back to us because she can’t do anything else on her own. She’s not going to join Wanda and the others, so she’ll have to stick with us afterward. She’ll understand why we made the move without her. It’s because she’s too chummy with Carter.

"vantagem"

- Any doubts about what Wanda keeps preaching on how Nicholas is a big threat and a gamer...just went out the window. He’s pitching us turning on each other right now, with eleven people still in the game, to not only take out his friend and trusted ally, Carter, who really does trust Nicholas...but also to leave Christine on the outs without fear of any repercussions. It’s a bold move, and it really shows that he’s a powerhouse in this game. His mind is always thinking several steps ahead, and to be willing to turn on one of his allies so early on, like...what does that say about him? Is he ever going to do the same to, say, me and Percy? And even if he doesn’t, does that just mean he thinks we’re not threats to his game? I don’t know if I really want to be in on this plan to blindside Carter with Nicholas.

Nicholas: Trust me, I don’t want to do it too. But Carter leaving now, I feel, would benefit all of us.

Annabeth: We’d have the numbers to do it too. The cards are ours to hold.

Percy bites his lip.

"vantagem"

- Nicholas has a pretty crazy plan to take out Carter, which is really exciting. But also, he keeps saying it’ll benefit all of us, but really...I think it helps him more. Because he’d be the one getting the most credit for it. I want a little credit for myself too. Maybe taking Carter out would be a bullet point for my resume, but I don’t want it to all be to Nicholas’s credit. He’s already cemented his status as a big threat in the eyes of most of the tribe and he’s not doing anything to diminish that. He’s becoming a Goliath, and it makes me wary of him.

Nicholas: Think about it, you two. Just think about it.

Day 27
It is a new morning, and Reyna is back in camp, watching the sunrise. Wanda joins her, and the two are sitting on the same boulder Leroy had been on a few days earlier.

Wanda: So…? What’d you get from the Island?

Reyna: What makes you think I got something?

Wanda: So you didn’t?

Reyna: I didn’t say that…

She smiles coyly at Wanda, who chuckles and nudges her playfully.

Wanda: Go on. Spill the beans, girl.

Reyna: I got a Vote Steal. I can steal another player’s vote.

Wanda: Shut the front door!

Reyna: Yup. Totally.

"vantagem"

- With the Island of Advantages twist, who knows how many advantages are currently in play in the game, floating around out there in the other players’ possessions that no one else knows about? There could be idols, advantages, all kinds of things. Me myself, I have Leroy’s old Legacy Advantage. And now, my ally Reyna has an advantage of her own too. The ability to steal someone else’s vote and use it for yourself is...huge. It’s, like, an upgraded version of Becky’s Extra Vote, because you’re not just voting twice, you’re also preventing another person from voting. If played correctly, as Reyna knows, it could be a three-vote advantage. Reyna’s a smart girl, and with our brains combined, I’m sure we can use this to turn the tables on Nicholas’ mafia. We just need to be able to figure out how to use this advantage of hers the right way, because we only get one shot.

Wanda: You did good, girl.

She hugs Reyna.

Wanda: We’ll knock their socks off with this, I promise you.

Reyna: [laughing] I hope so.

Day 28
Jeff: Come on in, guys!

The tribe walks in.

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

Jeff takes the immunity necklace back from Carter.

Jeff: For today’s challenge, you will be balancing a dish with three dimples on a ball support, and attempting to land three balls in all three dimples. The dimples are shallow and the support is shaky so your balls could fall off at any time. First person to land all three balls on their dimples will win immunity, guaranteed safe at Tribal Council tonight where someone will be voted out and become the third member of our jury. Worth playing for? We’ll get started.

Everyone takes their spots.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

Everyone begins rolling their first ball, attempting to land it in the first dimple on their dishes.

Several people drop their balls off the post fast. Zoe curses as her ball rolls off. Wanda’s face is screwed up in concentration as her ball drops.

Jeff: There is a learning curve to this…

Carter winces as his ball drops. Christine is going slow and steady and her ball makes it to the dish and she is trying to maneuver it into one of the dimples.

Nicholas is moving his dish around too aggressively, dropping his ball.

Jeff: This is going to take precision...and patience…

Like Christine, Markus has also got his ball near his dimples.

Christine is biting her lower lip as she steadies her dish, and her ball is inching around her first dimple.

Annabeth too has reached her dimples. Carter is going a little more slowly now, and his ball has arrived at his dish.

Reyna is also moving slowly but gaining on the others.

Christine’s ball moves in and out of her dimple, but rolls off the edge.

Jeff: Christine, so close to that first dimple…

Christine pouts.

Carter’s ball is going in and out of his dimple, before finally settling in.

Jeff: Carter with his first ball!

Annabeth and Markus both get their balls in one after the other, right behind Carter.

Jeff: Annabeth and Markus with their first balls…

Reyna gets her first ball in as well and reaches for her second.

Jeff: Reyna, also with her first ball!

Jacobiah drops his ball while rolling it to his dish again and looks disappointed.

The camera cuts to Trixie dropping her ball and cursing, then to Wanda looking irritated as her ball misses the dimple yet again.

Jeff: Christine has her first ball near her dimple again…

Christine leans to the side and gently nudges her first ball in.

Jeff: Christine with her first ball as well! We’ve got a challenge!

Markus is rolling his second ball down to his dish now too. Carter has his ball on the edge of his second dimple and is trying to land it in.

Carter’s ball slips and falls off and he curses.

Jeff: Carter drops!

Markus’ ball is right on the edge and is circling around his second dimple. Annabeth, Reyna and Christine are all right on his tail.

Markus sinks his second ball in.

Jeff: Markus in the lead with two balls.

Markus grins, sweat dripping down his brow.

Annabeth is biting her tongue, rolling her second ball down. She lands it in her dimple.

Jeff: Annabeth also with two balls…

Christine lands hers in right after. Reyna winces as her ball misses her second dimple and drops off.

Jeff: Christine with her second ball! Reyna just misses!

Carter tries to edge in his second ball but it knocks into his first ball and now both balls are on the move. He tries to steady his disc and saves one ball, but the other one falls off.

Jeff: Carter knocks off one ball, and lands the other. Carter still with only one ball on his disc, so is Reyna; Markus, Annabeth and Christine tied for first with two balls each. Everyone else is nowhere close.

The camera cuts to Zoe dropping her ball again, then to Jacobiah dropping his ball, and to Nicholas looking frazzled.

Trixie finally gets her first ball in, looking frustrated with herself.

Jeff: Trixie with her first ball.

Wanda drops her first ball into her dimple, and looks satisfied.

Jeff: Wanda with her first ball…

Markus is working on his third and final ball now, rolling it down to his disc.

Christine and Annabeth are doing the same, both ladies focused on their discs.

Markus’ third ball reaches his disc and begins moving near his third and final dimple.

Jeff: Markus’ third ball is close! Can he get it in?

Nicholas glances over, surprised.

Markus is biting his tongue as he tries to navigate his third ball around the others. But his ball knocks into one of his already set balls, knocking it off its dimple. Now two balls are circling around his disc and he flinches, trying to get them back in.

Jeff: Markus knocks one of his balls loose. This could be the opening that Christine and Annabeth need!

Christine loosens one free hand to brush her hair out of her eyes as she tries to get her final ball in.

Annabeth is leaning over her post as well, intensely focused on her task.

Jeff: If Christine gets this ball in, it would be her second individual immunity in three challenges.

Carter: Go, Christine.

Christine’s eyes are narrowed as she tries to land her third ball. It goes in and out of that final dimple, coming dangerously close to knocking into one of her other two balls.

Annabeth’s third ball is also inches away from the dimple.

On Markus’ end, one of his two circling balls finally rolls off and he curses.

Jeff: Markus drops! It is Christine in the lead, Annabeth right behind!

Wanda glances to her left where Christine is working.

Christine’s ball goes in and out of the third dimple again, and nearly hits one of her other two balls. She maneuvers it away, but her third ball moves too far and rolls off.

Christine: Dang it!

Jeff: No! Christine drops! It is now Annabeth in the lead!

Annabeth’s third ball goes in and out of her third dimple. Slowly, she moves her disc with excruciatingly precise movements, and it gently nudges closer and closer to her third dimple before gracefully settling in.

Her eyes go wide.

Annabeth: Jeff. Jeff! Jeff!

Jeff hurries over to check.

Jeff: And she does it! Annabeth wins immunity!

Annabeth looks stunned and ecstatic as she drops her disc, squealing and jumping for joy.

Markus, sweating, looks defeated, and Christine smiles sadly as the others congratulate Annabeth.

Reyna glances sadly at her own disc.

Soon, everyone returns to the tribe mat.

Jeff: Annabeth, come on up here.

Jeff puts the necklace around a glowing Annabeth.

Jeff: Annabeth, safe at Tribal Council. As for the rest of you, one of you will become the third member of our jury tonight and it will not be you. [pats Annabeth on the back] Congrats.

Annabeth: Thanks, Jeff!

The tribe prepares to leave. The camera focuses on Nicholas.

"vantagem"

- I’m happy my girl Annabeth won, but I’m mostly just thankful that Carter didn’t win immunity twice in a row. Because I’m planning on pulling the wool over his eyes and blindsiding him tonight. Sending him to the jury is going to be a daunting task because I’m not entirely sure Zoe and Percy are on board with the plan yet, and Markus too is up in the air. But I’m certain I’m up for the task and if I can pull this off, then maybe I really am as big of a threat as Wanda likes to paint me out to be. [chuckling]

Back at camp, the tribe is congratulating Annabeth.

Christine: Good job, Beth.

Annabeth: Thanks, Chrissie.

Markus: That was tight.

Zoe: Yeah, mad respect.

Nicholas: Markus, want to get water with me?

Markus: Of course.

The two leave.

"vantagem"

- If I want to pull this off on Carter, I’m gonna need Markus to vote with me. Because I don’t trust that I’ll be able to work with the likes of Wanda, Reyna and Jacobiah. Wanda does not want to work with me; matter-of-fact, she’s kinda made it her goal to take me down. So I need to rely on Markus if I want to have the numbers to make this move.

Nicholas: The main plan tonight would be to take out another member of the minority trio.

Markus: Right, yeah. Which one?

Nicholas: We haven’t settled on a target yet. But, and lemme float something by you here…

Markus: Oh boy. [laughing] What is it?

Nicholas: What if...we take out someone within the majority?

Markus: You want to blindside someone in your alliance?

Nicholas: Carter.

Markus: Wow…

He covers his mouth, nodding, eyes big.

Nicholas: It’d have to be a blindside, on him and Christine. She can’t know about this, they’re too close.

Markus: [nodding] Mhm. Right.

Nicholas: And I don’t think I really need to pitch you on why we should vote out Carter, right?

Markus: No, I can see why you might think to do that.

Nicholas: The guy’s likeable, he’s physical, and he’s got a power couple going on. I think this is when he’d least expect this move to happen against him and so it’s time.

"vantagem"

- Nicholas...hoo, boy. Nicholas wants to blindside Carter. I didn’t expect this to happen, but I like it. I like that he’s giving me options. And unless he’s lying to me, it’d mean I don’t have to be a target tonight, and like every night I go to Tribal, I’m usually always worried about being a target. Carter is a threat in the game in the sense that Nicholas is absolutely right. Carter’s likeable. No one has anything bad to say about Carter the same way Nicholas or Trixie usually get negativity thrown onto them. And Carter has been winning challenges left, right and centre. Not all the time, but he definitely throws himself into challenges. Plus...the thing with Christine. Taking out Carter leaves her open. That’s a lot of pros to voting out Carter now. But I also know that this is Nicholas’ move to make. This is a major bullet point going on his resume, and he’s already got a big enough one as it is as the so-called leader of his alliance. I’m not necessarily keen on making him look even better than he already does, even if it’s still pretty early on in the merge. I may have followed his lead last Tribal, but I’m not going to be a follower of his forever. I’m a player in the game too.

Some time later, Markus is meeting up with Wanda in the forest.

Wanda: What is it?

Markus: Nicholas is planning something.

Wanda: When is he never? Is it me? Am I going home?

Markus: No, it’s not you. It’s not Reyna or Jacobiah either.

Wanda: Then who?

Markus: He’s going to take out Carter. Tonight.

Wanda: What? Seriously?

Markus: Dead serious.

Wanda is lost in her own thoughts, thinking hard.

"vantagem"

- I have wanted Carter gone for a while now, almost as long as I’ve wanted to send Nicholas home. Honestly, I should want Carter gone even more because I’ve been on the same tribe as him this entire time we’ve both been in the game, and I know he was throwing my name out a lot before the merge, on Qamea and on Waya. I’ve said that Carter should go home several times before, and now, this golden opportunity is presenting itself to me to join in on the plan to blindside him and claim a little bit of credit that Nicholas is trying to deny me. But at the same time, knowing about this secret plan is awakening a little bit of deviousness inside me. The thought of intercepting this plan to blindside Carter, as much as I’ve wanted to vote him out before, is tantalizing. Oh, how tantalizing it is…

Wanda sits with Reyna and Jacobiah later in the day, whispering to them.

Wanda: They’re going to blindside Carter tonight.

Reyna: Who?

Wanda: Nicholas, Annabeth, Trixie, Zoe, Percy and Markus. But Markus told me. I don’t think he’s fully on board. We could still do something tonight.

Jacobiah: Like what?

Wanda: We still have that Vote Steal of yours, Reyna. We can really turn the tables on them.

Wanda makes sure no one is within earshot before continuing.

Wanda: Why don’t we just blindside Nicholas?

Reyna: You really think we can pull it off this time?

Jacobiah: Who would go for that?

Wanda: We can tell Carter and Christine about their plans.

Jacobiah: I don’t think Carter will believe you. He doesn’t trust anything we say.

Wanda: Markus is willing to make this happen with us, so we can convince him. We’d just need two more people to pull it off. Guys, if we can do this, we’d be so close to achieving what we’ve been trying to do since the merge. We can finally knock Nicholas off his throne.

Reyna: ...Almost seems too good to be true.

"vantagem"

- Nicholas has been on a power trip for so...soooo long. He has controlled votes since before the merge. But if we can intercept his plan to blindside Carter, he might end up being the one blindsided instead. If all goes well, there are going to be a LOT of fireworks tonight.

Jacobiah meets up with Carter and Christine in the forest for a walk.

Carter: What’s the matter, big guy? You look like you’ve got something on your mind.

Jacobiah: It’s about tonight’s vote. People won’t want me telling this to you, but you should know.

Carter: Yeah?

Jacobiah: I think that Nicholas has turned on you two.

Carter looks distrusting.

Carter: Turned on us?

Jacobiah: He’s trying to pull a fast one on you; both of you. You’re getting voted out tonight.

Carter: What? Shut up. By who?

Carter laughs a little nervously.

Jacobiah: Serious. It’s Nicholas, Annabeth, Trixie...Zoe, Markus, Percy. He’s rallied the votes and he’s coming after you. He thinks you need to go now before you make a deep run.

Carter splutters.

Carter: No way. That’s insane.

Jacobiah: You have to trust me on this. Nicholas is crafty. We all know this. He wants to make big moves. And he’s going to blindside you tonight.

Carter still looks suspicious, but Christine appears worried.

"vantagem"

- Jacobiah says that Nicholas is going to blindside me tonight. As of this very moment...I don’t believe him. No, I think the minority knows that one of them is going home again, and so they’re trying to spread lies and rumors to make me paranoid and get me and Christine to flip on our alliance. And it’s a good play, I’ll give them that. If I were in the minority, I’d lie about potential plans to get allies to turn on each other as well. But I have trust with Nicholas. We swore early on in the game that we’d play a loyal game and get our alliance to the Final Six, and make it a fair fight to the finish. And I hold true to that.

Once Jacobiah leaves, Carter sees the expression on Christine’s face.

Carter: You buying it? ...I don’t buy it.

Christine: Don’t you?

Carter: Nah. I think he’s lying. He knows one of them’s going home so he’s trying to lie to get us to flip.

Christine: I don’t think Jacobiah’s capable of lying.

Carter: He is if Wanda put him up to it. You know she’d do something like that.

Christine: I also know Nicholas likes to make moves. He’s already getting labeled as this massive threat so what’s one big move to him?

Carter: No. Look, I’m not breaking up the alliance just because of paranoia. If we flip on Nicholas over what could very likely be a lie, then that’s a stupid move on our part. I think it’s just their way of playing us. We have a plan tonight and we should stick to it.

Christine: ...Well then, I hope you’re right.

"vantagem"

- Carter doesn’t believe that Nicholas is trying to blindside him. Admittedly, lies are very common in Survivor so it’s hard to discern the truth from falsehoods. But at the same time, this whole afternoon, I’ve been getting a very bad feeling in my gut. Whether it’s just the general behavior of the others in how they act or talk to me, or the looks they cast, I just get the feeling that maybe Jacobiah wasn’t lying to us. Something about the vibe of camp feels off today.

The camera cuts to Christine standing in camp with her hands on her hips, looking around at the other players.

Trixie is staring into the pot of rice steaming, a blank look on her face.

Annabeth is avoiding Christine’s gaze, picking at a scab on her heel.

Zoe is sleeping in the shelter, her buff over her face, blocking out the rest of the world.

Christine takes all this in, her face stormy.

Christine: [whispering] Something’s not right…

Christine goes to corner Nicholas and Percy at the water well.

Nicholas: [whispering] She’s coming. Shh.

Christine: What’s the vote tonight?

Percy: Hm? Tonight?

Nicholas: We’ve been thinking. I think...the person they’d least expect us to put the votes on is probably Reyna.

Christine: You think? She just came back from the Island of Advantages. She could have an idol.

Nicholas: And that’s exactly why they wouldn’t think we’d vote for her. They’ll think we’d vote for Wanda because she’s the strategist, or Jacobiah because he’s the muscle. They wouldn’t expect a Reyna vote. And it’s about time she goes. She’s been scrappy and surviving for too long. She’s gotta go.

Christine nods slowly.

Christine: The others know this?

Nicholas: Yeah, I’ve already caught Beth and Trix up to date. It’s going down tonight.

Christine chews on the inside of her cheek.

Christine: ...H’okay then.

She leaves.

"vantagem"

- The bad feeling in my gut still hasn’t gone away. It’s like I have a sixth sense. ...No, that’s stupid. But knowing what Jacobiah told me...I don’t know what to believe anymore. I’m just hoping that Carter is right about this and we’re not about to get totally bamboozled tonight at Tribal Council.

Nicholas turns back to Percy and nods empathetically.

Nicholas: It’s Carter.

Percy: Right.

Nicholas: Plan hasn’t changed. This is exciting, isn’t it? A proper Survivor blindside.

Percy: [chuckling nervously] Heh...yeah…

Percy shuffles his feet, kicking at the sand on the ground.

"vantagem"

- To be honest, I’m not so sure about this plan to blindside Carter. Markus’ words about me and Zoe being Nicholas’ goats have really stuck with me, and even though we still stayed loyal and voted out Leroy last Tribal...it makes me worried that I’m not doing enough with my game to win. I would hate to be dragged to the end as a goat. To me, that’s even worse than being voted out. I’ve already made the merge and I’ve been scared of playing more aggressively. But maybe I need to if I want to win. I just don’t know if I can…

Percy meets up with Zoe out in the water as the latter is collecting clams.

Zoe: You talk with Nicholas? What’s the story?

Percy: Same as before. He’s talked with Markus too. If we vote with him, the plan to send Carter home is on.

Zoe chews on this.

Zoe: Do we want to do that though?

Percy: If we struck out...what do we do next?

Zoe: We can flip this vote with Markus. He’s talked about turning the tide against Nicholas for a long time. Now that the core four is fracturing from within, there’s a legitimate chance to take the game into our own hands and shift the power on the tribe.

Percy: [shaking head] It’s so risky. It’s so, so risky though. I don’t want Wanda and Reyna to get the power over us. What if we turn on Nicholas, and then they take all the power back? Then we’ll have gone from the top of the tribe to the bottom for no reason.

Zoe: Do you want to stay Nicholas’ goat forever?

Percy: I’m not his goat.

Zoe: And neither am I.

Percy: I don’t want to support this narrative that Nicholas is the only one making moves.

Zoe: Then maybe we should make one too.

Percy: Yeah, but we could be opening up a real can of worms.

Zoe: [bites lip] ...I know. But we may not have any other choice.

"vantagem"

- Tonight, the fake plan is to vote out Reyna, and stay in the majority. At least, as far as Carter and Christine are concerned. But I know Markus is plotting with the minority. Right now, he, Percy and I...we could, once again, totally flip this vote on its head. And it comes down to staying loyal, in a sense, and blindsiding Carter...or making a big move of our own and just blindsiding Nicholas instead. It’s been talked about for a long time, and the same reasons Percy and I don’t want to make the move now is the same reasons as before. Turning on Nicholas would set this camp on fire because it would expose him, it would expose us, and the majority alliance could be easily and irreversibly...fractured! Carter and Christine would be vulnerable, Annabeth would be on the outs, Trixie would be on her own...everything would go up in flames! And I am completely in a whirlwind of my own trying to figure out if I really think this is smart for me. I don’t want to be a goat. I don’t! I’m trying to be the chessmaster here but I really just feel like a pawn being pushed all around the chessboard.

Percy: Whatever we do, once again, it’s on us.

Zoe: I’m aware. I don’t want to make a mistake.

Percy: Neither do I.

Zoe: This could bite us in the behind real bad.

Percy looks distressed.

The camera cuts to Annabeth putting on her immunity necklace, then to Nicholas packing his things, and then to Carter walking around camp.

Percy: Whatever happens, tonight is going to be crazy…

Zoe: You’re telling me.

Zoe sighs, and the camera fades away as the members of the tribe gather to get their torches and begin heading out of camp.

The tribe arrives at Tribal Council.

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

Leroy is dressed in a similar outfit to his usual clothes, only in a cleaner jacket and bermudas. He smirks at the tribe on his way in. Wanda winks at him.

Jeff: Reyna. At the last Tribal Council, it seemed like the lines were pretty clearly drawn in that there was a majority and a minority on the tribe. Is that still the case today?

Reyna: I just am a little frustrated that...there are people who are content on sticking to a majority. Majorities don’t always last on Survivor and those of us in the minority are willing to play with you guys if a move is wanting to be made. To be left out of these moves and to have to watch our allies go home week after week, it’s definitely disappointing. I hope that’s not the case again tonight, but I have no idea what’s going to happen or who’s lying and who’s telling the truth.

Jeff: Nicholas, you’ve taken a lot of heat for being labeled the leader of your alliance. Does it worry you that you will continue to be viewed as a threat for that?

Nicholas: I think the game changes constantly. You can be a threat one day, but another threat might emerge from the shadows at the next Tribal Council. I think that it’s not smart to be so centered on one particular person as a threat that you neglect to see who else might be a threat too.

Wanda rolls her eyes. Markus is listening attentively.

Jeff: So if the majority isn’t turning on each other, still...does that mean that Wanda, Reyna and Jacobiah are still in trouble?

Markus: Don’t forget me, Jeff.

Annabeth laughs.

Markus: I may have voted correctly last time but I don’t count myself as safe.

Wanda: Safer than us, that’s still for sure.

Markus: [shrugs] I don’t know about that.

Wanda: But yeah, to answer your question, Jeff...ever since the merge, I’ve constantly felt like I’m in danger, like Reyna’s in danger, like Jacobiah’s...you get the gist. I feel like I have no power in this game. I constantly feel on the edge of my seat, like I’m about to go home. I never feel safe and I still don’t feel safe tonight. I’d like to feel as safe as some of these other players do some day.

Christine frowns at this.

Jeff: Carter, on the other hand, while the people in the minority are constantly afraid of being the next one sent home, what about the people in the majority? Are you ever afraid you might end up on the wrong end of a blindside?

Zoe turns to Carter.

Carter: Ehh...of course, being blindsided is always a scary thought. No one wants to think they’re safe only to end up being backstabbed and betrayed by their allies.

There is a glint in Nicholas’ eyes at these words. He glances at Carter speaking. Reyna notices him.

Carter: But that’s why you need to find a group of people you trust. Lies are spread all the time in the game, and so the mark of a good player is being able to separate facts from fiction, and paranoia from...you know, correctly sensing you’re in trouble. It may be easier to play within a majority but I don’t believe we’re being complacent like Wanda implies. I just believe that those of us in the majority have found a solid group and we’re playing the game fair and square. There’s a hierachy in Survivor and that’s just how the game’s being played this time.

Wanda: Yeah, but Carter, it’s frustrating when the same people are always fearing getting voted out while those on top stay in power. There needs to be a shift in power at some point. Because if you just keep voting us out, we’re going to end up on the jury and who are the jurors going to respect more? The mastermind or puppeteer viewed to have led his alliance like a mobster…

Nicholas snorts. Leroy is chuckling to himself on the jury.

Wanda: ...or the mafiosos that just took the easy route and followed orders? There is always time to make a move and I’ve been imploring these people to stop being comfortable and shake things up because it’s Survivor and it should be about votes shaking up the game.

Zoe looks conflicted at her words and she shares a nervous look with Percy, who is licking his dry lips.

Wanda: So I’m hoping that there’ll be a shift in power tonight, or at least sometime soon, because I’m sick and tired of being on the bottom. That’s all I’ve got to say, Jeff.

Jeff: Wow. Well, if there’s any time to figure out if there’s going to be a shift in power, it’s right now. It is time to vo-

Reyna: Wait, Jeff.

Everyone turns to look at her. Nicholas looks surprised. Annabeth is alarmed, mouth parting.

Reyna: I have an advantage I’d like to play before we vote.

Nicholas chortles, shaking his head at Trixie, who shrugs at him.

Christine: I knew it.

Jeff: Reyna, what is your advantage?

Reyna: It’s a Vote Steal I got from the Island of Advantages. With it, I can steal someone else’s vote and vote in their place.

Jeff: Alright. In that case, which player’s vote would you like to steal?

Reyna glances at the others. The camera cuts to Nicholas biting his lower lip, brow creased, then to Annabeth looking timid.

Reyna: I’d like to steal Trixie’s vote.

Trixie scowls.

Jeff: Alright. Trixie, this means you will not vote. Reyna, when you get up to vote, you will vote twice.

Reyna smiles and nods.

Jeff: Alright. It is-

Nicholas: Hold on, Jeffrey.

Carter does a double take, shocked. Annabeth’s mouth drops open again.

Markus: [laughing] What is happening right now?

Wanda looks puzzles, glancing back at Nicholas. Becky is gripping Leroy’s knee, face shining with excitement.

Jeff: Yes, Nicholas?

Reyna glances reproachfully at him.

Nicholas: If Reyna’s gonna be pulling out advantages, then I’m gonna do the same. I have here...an advantage of my own.

He pulls out his own advantage from his bag.

Jeff: And Nicholas, what does your advantage do?

Nicholas: My advantage is a Vote Nullifier. With this, I can nullify any one player’s vote and stop them from casting a vote at Tribal Council.

Wanda looks grim. Zoe turns, eyes wide, to look at Percy, who is at a loss for words.

Jeff: Very well. Nicholas, whose vote are you going to nullify?

Nicholas: I’ll nullify Wanda’s vote.

Wanda throws her hands in the air, unsurprised, her mouth forming a tight line.

Jeff: Okay. Wanda, this means you will not vote. Everyone else is fair game.

Wanda nods, looking stern.

Jeff: So, to recap...Reyna, you will vote twice. Trixie and Wanda, both of you will not be casting any votes.

Trixie smacks her lips, eyes rolled up into the back of her skull.

Wanda looks annoyed, giving Nicholas a dirty look as the latter smirks slightly.

Jeff: With that all said and done...it is, now, time to vote. Jacobiah, you’re up.

Jacobiah goes to vote. Annabeth glances over her shoulder at Nicholas, who nods repeatedly at her.

Markus casts Reyna a look out of the corner of his eye, and she nods back, a knowing look on her face. The camera cuts to Wanda straightening in her seat, stretching her legs out with a sigh.

One after the other, the group gets up to vote.

The camera cuts to Christine folding her vote, to Zoe heading to the booth, then to Percy bent over the parchment, scribbling.

Trixie looks bored, resting her chin on her hand, drumming her fingers against her jawline.

"vantagem"

- You’re a tough cookie to crack, pulling out advantages here and there. It’s been a good game, and you should be proud...but you’ve gotta go.

The camera cuts to Reyna looking serious, her eyes lit up.

Markus heads up to vote.

The camera cuts to Percy biting on his thumb.

Annabeth is now at the voting booth, and is writing down Carter’s name in big, bold letters.

The camera cuts to Carter staring morosely off into space, the fire casting shadows over his face.

Reyna gets to the booth now, and uncaps the pen. The camera cuts to Wanda pressing her knuckles up to her lips, the fire reflected in her eyes.

At last, Nicholas gets to the booth, cracking his knuckles. The camera cuts to Markus looking at Becky, who looks worried for him.

Nicholas finally returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

Jeff leaves.

Annabeth watches him go. Carter looks at Christine, who raises an eyebrow at him, unsmiling.

Nicholas is exhaling through his teeth, and the camera fades away as Jeff returns with the votes.

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

Wanda looks around. Markus is staring at his feet. Nicholas makes a show of turning his head to watch for signs of movement. Markus doesn’t react.

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 uncaps the urn. Reyna takes a deep breath, eyes big and round.

On the jury, Becky and Leroy turn their heads in unison to watch Jeff with rapt attention.

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

Carter grins sheepishly, nodding hastily. Christine glances at him, worried.

Jeff: Reyna. (1-1)

Reyna sits up straighter, smacking her lips, looking annoyed.

Jeff: Trixie. (1-1-1)

Trixie blinks, as the camera cuts to a wide shot of her and the others seated around her.

Jeff: Nicholas. We’re tied. One vote Carter, one vote Reyna, one vote Trixie, one vote Nicholas. (1-1-1-1)

Nicholas nods slowly, his arms folded, looking serious.

Jeff: Carter. That’s two votes Carter. (2-1-1-1)

Carter frowns now, a look of concern growing on his face. Percy licks his lips.

Jeff: Reyna. That’s two votes Reyna. (2-2-1-1)

Wanda looks over at her. Reyna rolls her eyes, smirking, and she shakes her head.

Jeff: Trixie. That’s two votes Trixie. (2-2-2-1)

Trixie scowls, her brow creasing in confusion. Nicholas is also starting to look confused. Zoe exhales slowly.

Jeff: Nicholas. We’re tied again. Two votes Carter, two votes Reyna, two votes Trixie, two votes Nicholas. (2-2-2-2)

Nicholas looks stunned, his mouth parting slightly. Annabeth looks bewildered, turning back to cast him a questioning look.

On the jury, Becky looks amazed and Leroy is excited.

Jeff: Trixie. That’s three votes Trixie, two votes Nicholas, two votes Carter, two votes Reyna...one vote left. (3-2-2-2)

Trixie is shaking her head, groaning, casting her feet an irritated glance. Nicholas is chuckling to himself, looking embarrassed, running a hand through his hair.

Wanda is smiling to herself, and Markus is chuckling beneath his fingers. Carter looks nonplussed, shrugging at Christine, who raises a shoulder at him.

The camera cuts to the shocked look on Annabeth’s face, mouth wide open.

Jeff: ...Nicholas. We’re tied. (Final Tally: 3-3-2-2) Here’s how this is going to work.

Nicholas: [laughing] Oh man…

Annabeth: [whispering] What…?

Nicholas is running a hand over his face, looking resigned. Annabeth still looks lost.

Jeff: Nicholas and Trixie, you will not vote. The rest of you, including Wanda, whose vote is no longer nullified in a tie vote - you will revote, and you can only vote for Nicholas or Trixie. Jacobiah, if you’ll come get the urn.

Jacobiah gets up, and the camera cuts back to Annabeth looking like she’s just been run over by a truck, her face white, turning back again to look at Nicholas, who shrugs at her in disappointment.

Nicholas: [mouths] It’s over.

The camera zooms in on Zoe turning her head to look at him before fading back to Jacobiah at the voting booth, setting the urn down and uncapping the pen to revote.

One by one, the others get up to vote. The camera cuts to Nicholas shaking his head at the floor, and then to Percy glancing at him guiltily.

Annabeth gets to the voting booth, shellshocked, the necklace swinging from around her neck. She splutters helplessly, mouthing incomprehensible words under her breath.

The camera fades away, and cuts back to the others making their way up to the booth to revote one after the other. Wanda is the last to reach the booth, and she flashes the camera a sly smile as she does so.

At last, she returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves. Nicholas nods in disappointment as he watches Jeff go. Annabeth casts him an apologetic look.

Markus is watching them, one hand in his beard.

Jeff returns.

Jeff: I’ll read the votes.

He uncaps the urn for the second time. The camera cuts to Wanda, eyes as round as saucers with anticipation.

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

Nicholas nods, sighing.

Jeff: Trixie. One vote Nicholas, one vote Trixie. (1-1)

Trixie is chewing on the inside of her cheek, looking pissed, her legs tightly crossed over one another.

Jeff: Nicholas. Two votes Nicholas. (2-1)

Nicholas barely reacts. Annabeth looks defeated.

Jeff: Nicholas. Three votes Nicholas...(3-1)

Nicholas nods again. Zoe looks hopeful. Percy is staring at the floor, a little guilty.

Jeff: Nicholas. That’s four votes Nicholas, one vote Trixie...(4-1)

Nicholas glances over at Carter, grinning.

Nicholas: Sorry, bud.

Carter: [shaking head] It’s all good, bro.

Jeff: Tenth person voted out of Survivor: Mozambique and the third member of our jury...Nicholas. That’s five, and tonight, that’s enough. You need to bring me your torch. (Final Tally: 8-1)

Nicholas already has his bag slung over his shoulder. He sighs, nodding and smiling as he gets to his feet.

Nicholas: Good job, guys. I mean that.

Annabeth turns to stare reproachfully back at the others. Christine regards her with a stony look as the wind tugs at her hair, fluttering strands over her face. Carter has his hand on his waist and shrugs, eyes wide still, looking surprised and perplexed.

Wanda is giggling and smiles at Reyna, who shares a small smile in return. Markus is bouncing his leg up and down, arms crossed, not looking up as Nicholas walks by him.

The camera cuts to Zoe and Percy sharing a nervous look with each other.

Nicholas slams his torch down, smiling widely.

Nicholas: Jeffrey.

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

Nicholas nods and leaves without sparing a glance back. Annabeth watches him go, solemn and unsmiling.

Carter turns to Christine and mouths “Wow” at her. She straightens her hair, a steely gaze in her eyes.

Wanda is all smiles. Reyna looks quietly pleased with the turn of events.

Jeff: After all the talk of alliances and dictators and leaders, tonight, a majority rose up and seized control for themselves. The question now is, how long will it last...and where do you all go from here? Grab your things and head back to camp. Goodnight.

Final Words
Nicholas: I came out here to play as bold and aggressive a game as I could. That’s what I told my family before I left, and I’m proud of myself for achieving that. I never took my pedal off the metal the whole game, I made alliances, I lied, I backstabbed and people didn’t necessarily like me for that. But that’s who I am and that’s the game I was always going to play so I can accept leaving the game in style. I’m not happy I couldn’t go all the way but I know that I gave it my 101% out there on the island and I can live in peace with myself for it.

Next Time on Survivor...

 * The majority alliance is in shambles…

Christine is whining to Annabeth, as Carter watches on the sidelines, looking down on the ground, uncomfortable.

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.


 * Feeling empowered from taking Nicholas down, the minority alliance starts to scheme…

Wanda: Markus is the ultimate underdog right now, so he can’t be allowed to go any further.

"vantagem"

- We need to nip this in the bud before it’s too late.


 * And a massive twist shakes the game up…

Jeff: 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.