Deceit Is Running Rampant

Deceit Is Running Rampant is the third episode of Survivor: Cayman Islands.

Previously On Survivor...

 * After voting out Cindy, Penny attempted to patch things up with Wilkes…

Penny: Listen, Wilkes. I don’t want to have to, you know, fight it out with you. You know, I don’t want us to go against each other, I just want what’s best for our tribe.


 * …to no avail.

"lastortugas"

- I don’t know what Penny’s game is…right now. She’s trying to smooth things over with me. But the thing is, the boys made a mistake last night. She should have gone home.


 * In the second Hero Duel, Brett stepped up and won his tribe’s second reward challenge.

Yvonne: Brett, that was amazing.

Natalia: Good job, Brett!

"lascaimanes"

- Brett won us reward in the form of fishing gear. It was nice, you know, that’s three challenges we’ve come out on top of. We’re on a roll. It’s great.


 * And things got even better for Brett when he accidentally found the clue to the hidden immunity idol.

"lascaimanes"

- When I was rummaging through the fishing gear today, I stuck my hand in to grab this scuba mask…and there was this lovely scroll just tucked away inside it. I just found…the clue to the hidden immunity idol.


 * But he wasn’t alone.

"lascaimanes"

- I saw Brett take the clue for the hidden immunity idol from the fishing gear and put it in his pocket. So, if he’s willing to share, I’ll look the other way and not let anyone else know. But I want my piece of the loot too. It’s basically a get-out-of-jail-free card. So I am exploiting all of my feminine wiles in my arsenal to get my little lapdog Brett to lead me straight to it. [laughs]


 * Natalia grew suspicious of their growing relationship.

"lascaimanes"

- Ugh, those two make me sick. If Erin’s thinking to herself that she likes the guys more than us, then she’s not solid with us girls. We're at an impasse. She’s going to have to go.

Natalia: I’m serious, you guys. Power duos are always very dangerous. Keep that in mind.


 * On the Los Lagartos tribe, Mitzi had had enough of Aidan.

Aidan: Mitzi, what’s your problem with me? Huh? You’ve been acting angsty since Day 1. You always wake up on the wrong side of bed?

Mitzi: It’s because you boast about being able to do all these kinds of things but you never live up to your words! You’re always fumbling around in challenges, more of a hindrance than a help! You’re the biggest guy out here and you’re useless! Your snoring keeps me up all damn night-

Aidan: You’re mad at me because I snore? What’d you expect, you were gonna be sleeping in a five-star hotel? You going to come after me and vote for me because I make a little noise when I’m in bed?


 * And Aidan had had enough of her.

Aidan: Mitzi has been on my ass from the beginning of this game.

Oberon: She just doesn’t like you. Not everyone's gonna get along, sometimes, some people just can't befriend each other. Don’t – don’t pay her any attention. Just let it go.

Aidan: I say if we have to go to tribal, we get rid of her first.


 * But Mitzi refused to go down without a fight. She and Ingrid searched and searched for an idol…

Mitzi is shown digging around the red bush for the idol, jumping and shrieking when she uncovers it.

Mitzi: [censored]

Ingrid: What? What is it? Is it a snake?

Mitzi: Oh my god.

Ingrid: What? No. No way, you’re kidding.

Mitzi holds up a small circular medallion, with a grubby piece of parchment tied to it. The two women can barely contain their excitement.


 * And her hard work paid off. But her newfound advantage wouldn't stay hidden for long, and soon, there was yet another target for Mitzi to go after.

Oberon: Mitzi has an idol.

Terrence does a double take.

Terrence: What?

Oberon: You heard me. She’s got an idol. Saw it with my own eyes. Keep this between us for now.

Terrence: Who else knows?

Oberon: Ingrid. And now you.

"loslagartos"

- It’s like, I was on top of the world for like a full minute, because of my new find. And that Oberon comes strolling out of the trees like he’s taking a [censored] walk and just basically says to us, “I know you have an idol. Show me your idol.” The fact that he’s basically trying to blackmail us is so…frustrating! I can’t believe the audacity! Oberon is dead to me.

"loslagartos"

- [laughing] It’s so funny. I caught Mitzi and Ingrid celebrating as they found their idol, I caught them red-handed, like a couple ‘o kids with their hands in the cookie jar. It’s fantastic. Now I’ve got something over them. More power to me.


 * At the next immunity challenge, Las Caimanes maintained a huge lead, whereas Los Lagartos faltered.

A clip of Erin and Peter rushing to finish their puzzle is shown.

Jeff: Las Caimanes wins immunity and reward, in first place again for the fourth time in a row!


 * While Las Caimanes continued to dominate, Las Tortugas continued to fail, as Los Lagartos made up for lost time in a massive comeback victory.

Oberon inserts the last piece of the puzzle to the elation of his tribe.

Jeff: They’ve done it! An amazing comeback as Los Lagartos pulls it out and wins immunity, sending Las Tortugas BACK to tribal council!

The members of Las Tortugas are shown looking dejected and disappointed at their loss. Wilkes scowls, Penny appears crestfallen, and Elmer and Darnell are frustrated.


 * With the threat of tribal council looming over them once again, the boys had to make another decision – to keep either Wilkes, or Penny?

Mitch: So, what’s the word? What are you boys thinking?

Elmer: Second tribal in a row. We think it’s got to be one of the girls, obviously. Penny and Wilkes going against each other is obvious. So it’s up to us.

"lastortugas"

- Like I said, it’s not an easy decision to make, toying with another person’s hopes and dreams out here. There are pros and cons to keeping either girl. We just need to figure out who has more advantages to us in the long run. We need to be smart about this.


 * And at tribal council, both Penny and Wilkes pleaded their case.

Wilkes: I will be writing Penny’s name down tonight, because she will be a liability down the road.

Penny: Um…I’ve done my best to make connections with them, connections which I hope can carry me further in the game. I’ve been genuine with them. I haven’t falsified relationships. I believe they know I’m solid with them.


 * In the end, Penny’s social game came through and the relationships she had built over the past six days paid off.

Jeff: Second person voted out of Survivor: Cayman Islands…Wilkes. That’s three, that’s enough, need to bring me your torch.

Penny beams, squeezing Elmer’s hand in thanks.

Jeff: Wilkes-

Wilkes: [whisper] Unbelievable.

Jeff: -your tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch] Time for you to go.


 * 16 are left, who will be voted out…tonight?

Challenges
Reward Challenge: Haulin’ Oats (Cagayan)

One tribe member will be your ‘caller’, the rest of the tribe will be blindfolded. Using only verbal commands, the ‘caller’ must direct one pair of blindfolded tribe members to head out into the field and retrieve four items (bale of hay, bag of rice, etc.) Everytime you get an item, you gotta bring it back, hoist it up to the ‘caller’ on their platform and head back out. Once all four items have been collected, the ‘caller’ must then send the pair out to collect one last item – a tribe flag. First two tribes to hoist their tribe flag up to their ‘caller’ wins reward.

Reward: Three egg-laying chickens and a rooster for the first tribe to finish; ten eggs for the second tribe to finish.

Winner: Las Caimanes; Las Tortugas

Immunity Challenge: Jail Break, Quest For Fire (Cambodia)

The tribes are to push a platform with a fire cauldron through the water, lighting torches along the way with the fire in the cauldron. Upon getting onto shore, they must carry the platform and light a series of torches while on land. After this, one member from each tribe will attempt to make a pole long enough with pieces of stick and twine in order to retrieve a key from behind a gate. The first two tribes to go through the gate and light a final torch wins immunity, with the first tribe winning an added reward of a dessert picnic at night full of sweet treats, including a supervised trip to have an intimate experience with Mother Nature in witnessing sea turtles laying their eggs on the beach.

Winner: Las Tortugas; Las Caimanes

Night 6
Dejected from their second consecutive tribal council, Las Tortugas returns to their camp.

Mitch: Welp…

Darnell: Congrats guys…we made it one week.

Elmer: [laughs] Yeah.

Penny: Whoo!

Mitch: I feel like we made the right call. We’ve got a strong four right now.

Penny: I just want to say thank you guys, you know, thank you so much for keeping me around, I really appreciate it.

Everyone crowds around and each guy gives Penny a hug as she thanks them. Elmer gives Penny a big hug and he pats her affectionately on the back.

Darnell: Don’t worry, girl, we’re going to win more challenges after this. And we’re not going back to Tribal.

Elmer: I hope not. [laughs]

"lastortugas"

- So we went back to tribal council, and Wilkes is gone. [shrug] No one really cared much for her anyway. She was playing too hard, had compartmentalized the aspects of this game to the point of being cold and alone. She isolated and alienated a lot of people and that’s why she’s gone home and Penny’s here to stay.

Darnell smiles and watches by the fire as Elmer and Penny sit side-by-side in the shelter, talking amicably.

"lastortugas"

- You know, Wilkes is right though. If we go back to tribal, Elmer and Penny could become a pair and if me and Mitch want to get rid of her to keep our Three Amigos’ alliance strong, I don’t know if Elmer will stay loyal to us. He might choose to keep her over us guys. I hope that’s not the case. One can only stay loyal for so long. I know that.

"lastortugas"

- [beaming widely] Hey there-[laughs] Surprise! Bet you thought you’d seen the last of me. I am here to stay another three more days! [gyrates with elation] Whoo! I know I narrowly survived elimination. Two tribals through, I’ve received votes at every single one but ultimately, the guys chose to honor my deal with them and here I am to stay and Wilkes is gone. There is no love lost between us, but I was convinced it was over for me. Yet I’m saved yet again. I’m just too charismatic. [laughs] They wouldn’t want to vote out the sweet, innocent girl [bats eyelids] otherwise these guys are gonna have no girls to stare at, just each other, and honestly they’re all so grubby and dirty after a week out here anyway. I mean, yes, I owe them, and honestly, that scares me. I don’t want to be in someone’s debt in this game, it limits the moves I can make without getting backlash for it. Regardless, I’m still here, I’m still in the game and it’s scary that I’ve gotten so many votes already. I don’t want to think about what would happen if we lose another challenge – even though I know I have to, to prepare for the worst possible scenario in advance – but I’m hoping that the four of us – the boys and me – we’re going to have to really focus on winning the next immunity challenge because I do not want to go back to Tribal Council.

Day 7
A panoramic view of the next reward challenge is shown, as the three tribes are told to “Come on in!” Intense heroic music plays as Las Caimanes waltzes in, with Callum grinning his trademark grin, the whole tribe looking happy, focused and alert, as to be expected from a tribe on a winning streak. Los Lagartos trails in behind them, with Aidan looking solemn and Mitzi appearing cranky. Lastly, Las Tortugas trudges in, all looking forlorn and weary.

Jeff: Las Caimanes and Los Lagartos, getting your first look at the new Las Tortugas tribe. Wilkes, voted out at the last tribal council.

Mitzi raises an eyebrow.

Jeff: You guys ready to get to today’s reward challenge? Today, you will be playing for Reward, and unlike in the Hero Duels, this time, the whole tribe must compete. For today’s challenge, one tribe member will be your ‘caller’, the rest of the tribe will be blindfolded. Using only verbal commands, the ‘caller’ must direct one pair of blindfolded tribe members to head out into the field and retrieve four items (bale of hay, bag of rice, etc.) Everytime you get an item, you gotta bring it back, hoist it up to the ‘caller’ on their platform and head back out. Once all four items have been collected, the ‘caller’ must then send the pair out to collect one last item – a tribe flag. First two tribes to hoist their tribe flag up to their ‘caller’ wins reward and there will be two tribes winning this challenge this time. Wanna know what you’re playing for?

Everyone cheers and there are a few “Yes!” called out. Callum murmurs, “Can’t wait to see what we’re gonna win again” under his breath. Aisha narrows her eyes at him.

Jeff points to a suspicious-looking rectangular object next to him, covered by a blanket. There is the sound of clucking coming from underneath the tarp. Dramatically, he pulls the blanket off and reveals three chickens and a rooster in their pen.

Jeff: First tribe to finish wins three egg-laying chickens and a rooster.

The sight of the chickens is enough to send all three tribes into groans of longing.

Brett: [whisper] We gotta win that, guys. That’ll be an awesome reward.

Oberon: I haven’t eaten chicken in a week, this is unreal.

Elmer: Oh wow…

Penny whimpers.

Jeff: These chickens will provide both nutrition and companionship. Second tribe to finish gets a basket of ten eggs. Not as good, but still a big reward. Worth playing for? Los Lagartos, you’re sitting two people out. Who’s it gonna be?

The Los Lagartos tribe has a quick discussion.

Aidan: We need someone with a loud voice, so I think I can do that.

Ingrid: You sure?

Aidan: Yeah.

Ingrid: I’ll sit out then.

Aisha: Can I sit out?

Terrence: Can’t sit the same person out in back-to-back challenges.

Mitzi: Then I’ll sit out. Aisha can sit out of immunity.

Aidan: Ingrid and Mitzi are sitting out.

Jeff: Las Caimanes, you’re sitting two people out. Who’s it gonna be? Cannot sit out the same person in back-to-back challenges.

Natalia: Me and Callum.

Jeff: Ingrid, Mitzi, Natalia, Callum, take your seats on the bench. Everyone else, let’s get started.

Soon, all three tribes are ready to go.

Jeff: Alright, we have Darnell as the caller for Las Tortugas, Aidan as the caller for Los Lagartos and Brett as the caller for Las Caimanes. Survivors ready? Go!

The blindfolded pairs head off, Elmer and Penny for Las Tortugas, hungry for their first win, Peter and Yvonne for Las Caimanes, eager to continue their winning streak, and Oberon and Aisha for Los Lagartos. All three callers are yelling out instructions, with Aidan’s booming voice the loudest and yet the most incoherent of them all. Darnell’s sharp voice cuts through the throng, directing Elmer and Penny towards their first item: a bale of hay.

Jeff: Elmer has the first item for Las Tortugas!

Peter is blindly swinging his arms here and there, trying to find something as Brett yells at him and Yvonne. Elmer and Peter are off to a solid lead, Peter and Natalia nipping at their heels, with Oberon and Aisha with a lot of time to make up, mostly with Aisha slowing them down, and Aidan’s incompetence hindering them.

The challenge stretches on, delving into hilarity, as players continue to bump into objects, grabbing items that aren’t theirs and knocking into people who are not their partners.

Jeff: Elmer and Penny now returning with their third item, Peter and Yvonne have only just found their third item…Oberon and Aisha, now heading out to get their third item. Los Lagartos needs to pick it up!

Aidan: To your right! Aisha! To your right!

Aisha: Aidan, I can’t hear you!

Oberon: Where is it?

Aidan: TO YOUR RIGHT!!!

Elmer and Penny are now heading out for their fourth item. Darnell directs them as on the other side of the course, poor Peter takes a nasty hit to the gut, slamming right into a large crate, doubling over and retching in pain.

Aidan: No, stop, stop!

Oberon, practically dragging Aisha at this point, stumbles right into Elmer’s outstretched arms, and the ropes tying the two pairs together are caught and hopelessly entangled.

Aidan: Oberon, let them pass!

Elmer: [censored] Penny?

Penny: I’m still here-

Oberon: What’s going on? Are we stuck?

Aisha: Oof!

Jeff: Elmer and Penny getting stuck with Oberon and Aisha, giving Peter and Yvonne the time they need to catch up if they can find their fourth item in time.

Brett: Alright, keep going, guys, you’re doing great! Just head straight!

Oberon: Aidan, we need help!

Aidan: Let them pass! Just let them through!

Oberon: I can’t, we’re stuck!

From the bench, Mitzi and Ingrid are watching; Ingrid tense-faced and white-knuckled, Mitzi stormy and scowling, shaking her head in disappointment. Natalia looks delighted as she laughs quietly beside them.

Ingrid: [under her breath] Terrible.

Jeff: Oberon and Elmer are now hopelessly entangled. Peter has found Las Caimanes’ fourth item and are now heading back! They’ve passed Elmer and Penny!

Mitzi: Damn it.

Natalia is smirking. Callum is clapping and cheering for his tribe.

Jeff: Oberon and Elmer, FINALLY manage to get free. Both pairs now rushing to get their third and fourth items respectively, they’ve got a lot of time to make up! Las Caimanes is now in a solid lead, heading out for their final item – their tribe flag.

The Las Caimanes tribe flag stands tall and erect at the end of the course as Peter and Yvonne navigate the maze of obstacles towards it, directed onward by Brett’s crisp instructions.

Brett: You’re right there! Natalia’s got it!

Jeff: Peter and Yvonne, heading back with their flag! Reward of chickens on the line!

Elmer finally snags the fourth item for Las Tortugas. Helping Penny along, the two blindly rush back to Darnell, passing Oberon and Aisha, as Oberon again bumps into them, making a classic impression of a drunken man as he paws at them like in a drunken stupor.

Jeff: Peter and Yvonne are back with their flag, they need to hoist it up to Brett.

Erin: Pull!

With quick, synchronized movements, Erin, Peter and Yvonne hoist the platform and their flag up to Brett, who snags it and waves it in the air with ecstasy.

Jeff: Las Caimanes wins reward! We’re looking for second place!

Brett: Yes!

Cheering, the three remove their blindfolds; Peter throwing his in the air; and Natalia and Callum race over to join in the group hug as Elmer and Penny rush back with their flag at a panicked pace. Oberon and Aisha stumble back, now finally going after their flag.

Darnell: Come on, come on! You’re almost back, just come to me!

Aidan: Oberon, it’s over to your right!

Jeff: Oberon has the flag for Los Lagartos, they’re heading back! This’ll be down to the wire! Elmer and Penny are back with the flag for Las Tortugas, but can they get it up to Darnell in time? Or will they lose their fifth consecutive challenge?

Darnell: Come on!

Elmer frantically places the flag on the platform and races out, bumping his head hard in the process. As Oberon and Aisha race back, Elmer, Penny and Mitch begin hoisting the flag up. The platform rises…and Darnell reaches down, scooping the flag up with the help of his long arm.

Jeff: Las Tortugas, wins reward!

Ecstatic cheers rise up from the four members of Las Tortugas as they celebrate. Elmer scoops Penny up and joins in a group embrace with Mitch, as Darnell waves the flag and cheers from above. Oberon and Aisha are trudging back slowly, the flag limp in his hand, blindfolds off and thrown on the ground in disgust.

Once everyone has regained their composure, they reconvene back at their mats for the distribution of rewards.

Jeff: Las Caimanes, congratulations, your fifth straight challenge win. Come take your reward.

Callum: Thanks, Jeff.

The guys head out and pick up the chicken pen with the chickens and one rooster flapping their wings around inside it.

Jeff: Las Tortugas, finally! Your first win! Come take your ten eggs, you’ve earned it.

Penny can barely contain her gleeful grin as Mitch takes the basket of eggs from Jeff. All four members are full of smiles and positively glowing.

Jeff: Los Lagartos, unfortunately, it's a big fat goose egg you're getting and it's not edible. I got nothing for you. Head back to camp.

The camera cuts to a slow pan of the trail leading down the beach to the Los Lagartos camp, as the dejected tribe of six trudges into their campsite. Aidan is taking off his shoes, rubbing sand off the soles of his feet.

Aidan: It’s okay, guys, we all tried our best out there. Let Las Tortugas enjoy their victory for once. [laughs] They haven’t won at all. We’re gonna win when it matters, and that’s the immunity challenge coming up.

Terrence: It’s okay, big guy…everyone pulled their weight.

Seeing Mitzi and Ingrid leave to go get water, Aidan turns to the others and slumps down in the shelter, fanning himself with his shirt.

Aidan: You don’t think that one of those rewards might have had one of the midol clues in them...you think?

Oberon and Terrence share a knowing look. Terrence stays silent, looking at his feet.

Aisha: I mean, it’s always possible.

Aidan: You think there’s an idol at camp?

Oberon: You never know.

Aidan: [whisper] Does Mitzi have it? Or Ingrid?

Terrence shrugs.

Aidan: If Mitzi has it and plays it, we could cast our votes for Ingrid instead and flush the idol. It’s a safe play, for when we go to tribal. I just think we should be, like, prepared, for whenever it happens. I mean, I’d hope we don’t have to go, but a back-up plan is always handy.

Oberon: For Ingrid, huh?

Terrence: Yeah, I totally get what you mean.

"loslagartos"

- Aidan’s worried about an idol at camp, that someone might’ve found it. So far, he’s one of the only two people left on our tribe who doesn’t know Mitzi has it. Oberon wants this to stay our secret. We can deal with Mitzi later. Besides, we can always split the vote 2-2-2 if it comes down to it between Mitzi and Ingrid and whoever they vote and then we can vote either her or Ingrid off next. Her idol won’t keep her safe forever. As long as our little…uh…alliance of four here…Aisha, Aidan, Oberon and I – as long as we stay solid and loyal, we won’t have any problems with Mitzi.

"loslagartos"

- I like Ingrid...I don't want her to get screwed over because of the split vote, with her only crime being that she got roped in and dragged under the bus by that human firecracker Mitzi. She's volatile and ready to blow up, and I don't want Ingrid to be caught in the blast radius, because unlike Aidan, I think Ingrid is a rational player, and I trust her. Terrence is my No. 1 out here, but Ingrid, I want as my No. 2. I think she'd be a more trustworthy player than Aisha, to be honest.

Mitzi and Ingrid are by the seashore, washing the pots and bowls for the rice. Standing barefoot, letting the seawater cascade around her ankles, Mitzi turns to Ingrid.

Mitzi: Are we set on the plan to getting rid of Aidan?

Ingrid: I mean, yeah, but he’s gonna expect it coming. I thought you wanted Oberon gone?

Mitzi: I would, but like…maybe we can use him for now. He’s good in challenges, so he’ll be an asset. Aidan will not. And we don’t get along.

Ingrid: You want to reel in Aisha?

Mitzi: I think you should test the waters with Oberon as well. You’re closer to him than I am. If we can get him on board, it’ll be 4-2, and that’s also depending on where Terrence decides to swing.

Ingrid: Alright, I’ll talk to Oberon later.

"loslagartos"

- Mitzi and I have a plan to get rid of Aidan at our next tribal council, whenever that may be. We want to pull Oberon and Aisha on board to get rid of Aidan, because Mitzi and Aidan do not get along, and he’s slowing our tribe down. The thing is, Aidan may have a good relationship with the guys and so it’s crucial we get Aisha and hopefully Oberon to swing with us. We still have that idol between me and Mitzi and hopefully we can use that as a…uh…a bargaining chip, to get the votes on our side.

Ingrid meets up with Oberon in the forest as they walk.

Ingrid: So where’s your head at, like, what are you thinking?

Oberon: About what?

Ingrid: We’re working together now. How would you feel about getting rid of Aidan next?

Oberon: It’s just – the thing is, don’t you think it’s the wrong move?

Ingrid: What do you mean?

Oberon: Aidan is no threat. Like, he doesn’t do anything. He’s no strategist. Mitzi, she’s a wild card.

Ingrid: I get it. You don’t like her-

Oberon: It’s not just that – she’s unpredictable. You know that, Ingrid.

Ingrid is silent for a while, regarding Oberon with a shrewd gaze.

Ingrid: So what do you suggest then?

Oberon: You, me, and basically everyone else in camp – blindside Mitzi.

Ingrid: She has an idol.

Oberon: Then we flush it. Because if we don’t, then it won’t be her going home, it’ll be you. And I don’t want that. I want you on my side.

Ingrid: Well, I appreciate it.

Oberon: Me, Terrence, Aidan and Aisha have a foursome going. But I have no allegiance to Aisha. I’m thinking, you, me and Terrence instead. We split the votes between Mitzi and Aisha. Mitzi plays the idol, Aisha goes home. She doesn’t play it, or plays it on you, and she goes home. It’s a plan in the works.

Ingrid stops, biting her lip, contemplating her options.

"loslagartos"

- Oberon, kind of, whispered some crazy plan in my ear. He basically wants to try and blindside Mitzi, or flush her idol, because he doesn’t want that thing in the game any longer than it has to be, especially with someone like her. And I get that. Mitzi is a wild card. She is unpredictable, she is crazy and hot-headed and temperamental. She has frequent mood swings and is paranoid and easily angered. It makes total sense to get rid of her. She hasn’t been a very good ally other than dragging me under the bus with her with the negative attitude she’s brought into camp. The thing that worries me is that Oberon is telling me false promises, and that if I go with his foursome, I’ll still just be on the bottom. Mitzi’s the only person who made me promises early on and she’s stuck to them thus far. We haven’t been to tribal yet so none of this trust has been put to the test. I have to ask myself: do I really want to play this game with Mitzi? Who is really hard to play with? She is just so…in-your-face. That’s a lot to handle and she plays incredibly erratically. I need to watch out for her. If I do make a decision, I want it to be the smart one.

"loslagartos"

- My read on Ingrid is that she's a smart, ratoinal player and a decent lady. That's the kind of person I'd like to align myself with, more so than someone, say Aisha, for instance. Other than Terrence and Aidan, she's the person I like the most next on our tribe. It's a shame she found herself in Mitzi's company because that's the only thing that's ruining her game at the moment, being close to that human firecracker. So I'm trying to get her out of bad company, and on our side.

Meanwhile, on the Las Caimanes tribe, Brett and Peter are surrounding the bird coup, watching the chickens inside. Callum stands to the side, arms crossed over his chest, watching with amusement. Natalia and Yvonne crowd around, watching as Brett pokes at the chickens.

Natalia: I can’t believe we won again.

Yvonne: I know!

Brett: You guys, seriously, we have a rocking tribe here. The six of us, we are so good. If we make it to the merge, we are so tight.

Everyone murmurs assent. Natalia appears skeptical.

"lascaimanes"

- Because we’ve won so many challenges, life at Las Caimanes is like paradise. We’ve not had to test our trust or our loyalty or our bonds yet by avoiding tribal. So even though it’s all Kumbaya right now, I don’t trust these people, especially Erin. She’s the biggest snake there is out here. The whole baloney about ‘top six, strong six, final six’ that Brett is proposing, it’s nonsense. That goes out the window if we all make it to the merge because I will flip so fast, they won’t even know what hit them.

Peter: Should we slaughter one and eat it now?

Erin: I’m hungry too but there are more benefits if we keep them alive to lay eggs.

Brett: Tribe swap could happen, we could lose all our rewards to whoever ends up on our camp.

Yvonne: That wouldn't happen, would it?

Peter: Hope not.

Brett: Anything could happen out here. I feel like we should just kill one and eat it. As a way of celebrating our winning streak. Just one. We’ll harvest eggs from the rest.

Callum: You think we have enough restraint?

Brett: I’ll tie us down if I have to. [laughs]

Brett and Peter twist one chicken’s neck and after plucking it, they cook it and the whole tribe of six sits down to enjoy their meal.

While Yvonne lays down in the shelter, stretching luxuriously, sitting beside her, Natalia watches - idly sucking a greasy chicken bone - as Erin and Brett head down the beach to the shore to wash up.

Over by the shoreline, Erin is scrubbing dirt out of her hair. She and Brett talk as they stand waist deep in the ocean.

Erin: We going to go idol-hunting later?

Brett: Yeah. ‘Fiery bush’.

Erin: Gotcha.

They leave shortly after, heading into the woods. Peter heads over to stand by where Callum sits in the sand by the shelter, lazing around and chatting with Yvonne.

Peter: Brett and Erin just went off on their own again.

Callum: Did they?

Peter: You think Brett’s doing something?

Callum: Like getting it on with Erin? [laughs]

Peter: I don’t blame him.

Yvonne: You think they’re looking for an idol?

Peter: That’s much more likely. Where would they have found a clue?

Callum: People find idols without clues all the time nowadays, it’s the norm now.

"lascaimanes"

- I don’t know what those two are doing, but they’re up to something. Brett and Erin have been a lot closer the last few days. I mean, I know that us three guys: Brett, Callum and I; we get along great. I trust Callum is loyal to me. But my faith in Brett’s loyalty is wavering. He’s always going off with Erin for one-on-one conversations. I don’t trust Erin that much and I’m starting to trust Brett less too. I want us three guys to be a loyal alliance, and I worry about his relationship with Erin. Erin is craftier than most people give her credit for. What on Earth are she and Brett doing?

Peter snaps his fingers, as Natalia inserts herself into the conversation.

Peter: They probably found a clue in the fishing equipment. Or the hammock. Maybe even in the chicken pen.

Natalia: They were sneaking around even before the chickens.

Peter: One of the other two then.

Natalia: We should start looking as well.

Callum looks uncomfortable as Peter discusses the possible places Brett and Erin may have found a clue to the hidden idol.

"lascaimanes"

- I understand an idol is a dangerous thing. But Peter’s kicking up a fuss over it. I guess he doesn’t want anyone else to have an idol but him, maybe. If Brett and Erin have an idol, it’s like, whatever. As long as they aren’t using it to idol me out. If they do, that idol’s for the four of us. But Peter wants to get something going with Nat and Yvonne because he wants to flush the idol. And the next thing I know, everyone’s on a witch hunt for this idol that we don’t even know exists!

Soon, all six members of Las Caimanes are scouring the beach and woods for the idol.

"lascaimanes"

- It'd be nice to have an idol. I know Peter would love to find one. He wants to be the next Idol Whisperer. Me? I would love to have one too. People have blown idols in the past. I know an idol is the most powerful thing you could have out here on the island.

Peter is shown sneaking along behind Brett and Erin, who are off on their own, unbeknownst to the happenings and the plans of the other members of their tribe. Yvonne is shown listlessly strolling through the woods, only occasionally peeking behind a bush or a tree or in a stump or in between some tree roots. Natalia is like a madwoman, running around camp, checking through everyone’s bags, looking underneath the shelter, and digging around the firepit.

"lascaimanes"

- I’m surprised how quickly Peter rallied the other two women up and got us four all looking! [laughs] Brett and I, and Peter and Erin – us four are solid. We’re taking out the two girls Natalia and Yvonne as soon as we go to tribal because they are on the bottom. If Brett and Erin had an idol, they should’ve presented it to us. Now, Peter’s letting paranoia set in and everyone’s scampering around, worried and frightened like there’s some conspiracy going on!

Natalia is now practically ripping the hammock off, throwing people’s bags and possessions onto the floor and scurrying around shelter, tossing belongings around in a frenzy, a wild an almost animalistic look in her eyes.

"lascaimanes"

- Peter told me, Yvonne and Callum that it’s possible Brett and Erin have the idol, or a clue to one. So, now we’ve got to search for it, to see if they’ve already found it, or if the clue is somewhere around here. We’re all looking now. Our little Kumbaya family is breaking up because of this darned thing! [laughs] And I love it!

Callum and Yvonne return from the water well and are understandably alarmed to find Natalia standing amidst the ruins of their belongings, hair in a rat’s nest and a crazed caveman-like gaze on her face.

Callum: Good grief, Nat, are you throwing a tantrum?

Yvonne: Natalia, honey, what happened?

Natalia: [distracted] Huh? Oh, I was looking for Barbie and Ken’s idol. Peter was right. We all know they’re hiding something.

"lascaimanes"

- Me and Callum came back to camp to find the whole place in disarray, and Natalia standing in the middle of it all, looking a little psychotic. [laughs] I was a little alarmed! [laughs] I thought something serious was happening, I thought we were going to have to deal with a tantrum from her or something!

Brett and Erin are tramping through the forest, a sheen of sweat on both their faces as they scour the underbrush for the mysterious ‘red bush’.

Brett: How [censored] hard can it be…to find a red bush?

Erin: It’s gotta be here somewhere.

Brett: Maybe we’re not doing this right.

Peter is following them from a distance, ducking behind a tree and watching them suspiciously.

"lascaimanes"

- I am well aware of the threat of Brett and Erin’s relationship. And I know they’re both up to something. So I think back and I remember all the rewards we won. The hammock, the fishing equipment, things like that. And I wonder if it’s possible one of them might’ve found an idol clue hidden among those items. So, knowing that they’re up to something, cos they aren’t exactly subtle, I headed out and tailed them through the woods to try and catch them in the act.

Brett is mumbling to himself as he trudges out into a large field. Erin is way off on the other side. Peter is far off, watching the pair from a ways away.

"lascaimanes"

- So I see them looking around this field, and I spot this small conspicuous bush by this large tree on the side, you know. Like, I was hiding here, and so I saw it, cos I was trying not to let them see me. So I dug around in there, as one does, and…I see it.

Peter is sneaking around the roots of a large tree, where a small red bush is found growing, hidden away and almost unnoticeable in the shadow of two larger trees. Cursing in shock when something falls out of the bush, he stumbles back, an expression of comical surprise on his face.

"lascaimanes"

- [takes out idol] Look at this thing! Without any clues, I found the damn idol. This thing probably took Brett and Erin ages to look for and I’m the one that found it!

Peter ducks away from Brett and Erin, retreating deeper into the comfortable depths of the forest, away from prying eyes. As Brett and Erin are shown on opposite ends of the field, scouring the edges of the woods for signs of the ‘red bush’, Peter is off by himself, obscured by vines and brambles as he unfolds the piece of paper tied around his newly found idol, reading the instructions under his breath.

Peter: Congratulations, blah blah blah…hidden immunity idol…blah blah blah…this thing is authentic! Holy cow – this is huge. Alright, screw them, this thing’s mine. [laughs] I've got to find a place to hide this thing-

"lascaimanes"

- I’m keeping my idol for myself. [laughs] Brett and Erin can look for it all they want, but it belongs to me. If I have to, I’ll use it for our alliance of four, but as far as I’m concerned, I don’t want anyone to know about it, not even my bro Callum. It’s perfect, because I’ve already outed Brett and Erin as the ones looking for this damn thing, and so Callum, Nat and Yvonne are gonna think they have it. But they won’t suspect that I do! I found it without a clue! It’s the real deal, and I can’t believe I did it! [kisses idol] This beautiful thing is gonna stay my little secret and my secret alone. It’s such a powerful tool and I’m determined to make use of it only when I have to, at the right time.

Day 8
As the sun rises, the four members of Las Tortugas are just waking up. Penny is yawning and stretching, wearing Elmer’s green hoodie as Mitch stirs a mush of rice in the pot, preparing breakfast for the tribe.

Penny: Morning.

Mitch: Morning.

Penny: I could almost get used to this. Waking up to hear and see the ocean first thing in the morning. My own little...island paradise.

Darnell is walking along the shoreline, staring out at the ocean as the wind blows his hair back, sipping from a coconut. Penny shivers, stepping out of the shelter to where Elmer stands a distance away in the sand, watching the waves crash on the beach.

Penny: Hey.

Elmer: Hey. You alright?

Penny: Mm. Yeah, I’m fine.

Elmer: Immunity’s tomorrow.

Penny: Ugh, I know.

Elmer: We have to win.

Penny: Don't I know it.

Elmer: Don’t worry, Penny, I’m sure we’ll do fine.

Penny: Thanks. I hope so.

She hesitates a while before continuing.

Penny: If we lose again, am I in trouble?

Elmer pauses.

Elmer: I don’t know. I hope it doesn’t come to that. [laughs] I enjoy your presence, you know.

Penny: Thanks.

"lastortugas"

- I really like Elmer, he’s a real gentleman. I like him as a person, and out of this game, I’d like us to be friends, or maybe even more than that. I didn’t think I’d bond so closely with someone out here, but I am. But I have to remember this is a game, and I’m separating strategy from emotion. There’s no way I want to sit next to him in the finals. I don’t want to have to deal with him once the merge comes. I know others share my sentiments too. He’s too nice, too likeable. [laughs] My whole dilemma is that once I get rid of him, who am I gonna cuddle with? [laughs]

Elmer: Let’s just hope we don’t have to go back to tribal. We should just focus all our efforts on tomorrow’s challenge and fight to make sure we don’t lose another of our numbers. Then the four of us can head into the merge stronger than any other tribe.

"lastortugas"

- Penny is concerned about the next vote, as she should be. You know, cos, she has been pulling the least weight in challenges and in camp life. It wouldn't surprise me if she goes next. I want to stay loyal to my alliance with Mitch and Darnell, and I also want to stay loyal to her. But I’m not keen on taking a rock for Penny. I want our tribe to just avoid tribal for as long as humanly possible. We’ve already been through two and are close to losing half our tribe. None of the other two tribes have been to tribal yet. I’d like to see…uh…the Green Tribe – Las Caimanes – I’d like to see them lose a challenge for once and have to go to tribal council, and see if they’re still celebrating and whooping and thinking this is all one big vacation once they start having to turn on each other.

Elmer joins Darnell by the firepit, where the latter is now chopping and hacking away at wood with a machete.

Elmer: Penny’s concerned about the next tribal.

Darnell: Oh yeah? She should be. Hopefully it won’t come down to that. [looks up] I’d like to, you know, see us four make it to the merge. After our two tribals, I think we’re a strong group. I don’t want to compromise that.

Elmer: Yeah, it’d be interesting to see us all go far. Let’s just put our all in in the next challenge.

Darnell eyes Elmer warily as the latter watches Penny getting wet in the ocean.

"lastortugas"

- I pride myself on being a strategist first. Playing poker, I’ve always had a keen mind of manipulation and bluffing and all that stuff. And I can tell that Elmer is going to be a social, strategic AND physical threat come the merge. And that scares me. He excels in all three aspects of the game. He’s likeable, he’s smart and intelligent, he’s strong and athletic, he’s great to have around camp. And he is the biggest threat on this tribe. I don’t want to have to deal with him and have to turn on him at the merge, because it’ll be messy. He has a target on his back just by being, you know, himself.

Meanwhile, returning to the Los Lagartos beach, Aidan is standing over Oberon, watching as the latter tends to the fire. Aisha sits in the shade of the shelter, looking bored.

Aidan: Has Mitzi spoken to you this morning?

Oberon: No. But I’ve talked to Ingrid.

Aidan: What for? What if she repeats it all back to Mitzi?

Oberon: Everyone here is shrewd enough to know the vote’s gonna be Mitzi next tribal. I’m offering Ingrid an out. She can stay on that sinking ship or jump in with us.

Aidan: It just worries me, that’s all.

"loslagartos"

- I am worried about Ingrid and Mitzi being together. The two girls have been categorized as an obvious pair, and we need to split them up. I want Mitzi gone, of course. No one likes her, except Ingrid, and even then I don’t think Ingrid is that fond of her in the first place-

A clip of Ingrid walking around the shelter in her bikini is shown.

"loslagartos"

- -and if she’s smart, she’ll dump Mitzi and jump in with us on the promise that we could be a force until the merge, provided we avoid Tribal.

Aisha looks around curiously.

Aisha: Where’s Terrence?

In the forest, Terrence and Ingrid are standing around the base of a papaya tree, looking up at a bunch of papayas higher up.

Terrence: Check it out.

Ingrid: What?

Terrence: Fruit. I’m gonna go get it. Hold my stuff for me.

Ingrid: [taking Terrence’s hoodie and water canteen] Be careful!

Terrence: I’ll be fine, don’t worry about it.

Terrence grabs a sturdy branch and hoists himself up, deftly scaling the tree with his spry and skinny frame. Making it to the top, he reaches out to grab some of the papayas from the bunch, shaking them loose...and promptly slips and falls.

Terrence skids down the side of the tree and slams onto the ground in front of Ingrid with a loud thud.

Ingrid: Terrence! Are you okay?

Terrence: [grimacing] Fine. I'm fine. The things I do for fruit out here.

Wincing, Terrence gets to his feet, Ingrid helping him along.

"loslagartos"

- I took a bit of a nasty fall today. [laughs] Um...thankfully I didn't break any bones...but I'd really rather avoid any and all incidents like that in the future. I'm glad at least Ingrid was there to help me out. If it was someone like Mitzi she probably would've just stood there and smirked. [laughs]

As a large white cloud wafts past the screen, a cool establishing shot of the Las Caimanes beach is shown, where, upon zooming in, Callum and Peter are shown hanging out by the shoreline, laughing and chatting. Natalia is seen watching by the shelter, picking at her teeth, as Yvonne lazes about next to her, having a nap.

"lascaimanes"

- I’ve been thinking a lot lately, regarding the social politics of this tribe. [holds up six fingers] We’ve been very successful in challenges, and that’s good for harmony. But I know sooner or later, we’re going to tribal and we’re gonna end up turning on each other and eating one another up. I know these people are hungering for that. Erin is. She’s a fan of the show. Brett is. Callum is. Peter is. The relative peace over the week might be something the losing tribe envies, but we do want to get the ball rolling, and, you know, kinda get this game started. I know the three guys are rock solid, that’s easy to see, and reeling Erin in would only keep us at an impasse of 3-3. She isn’t taking a rock for me. I can see that. But with the way Erin’s been talking with every single person the way she is, it’s not that hard to throw her under the bus as someone who’s playing both sides. If I can’t get her to flip, maybe I can get the guys to see her for who she truly is. Because I know Peter and Callum are suspicious of her and Brett always going off together into the woods. Like, what gives? That’s the leverage I need to turn the tables on Erin.

Natalia signals to Brett as he arrives with Erin in two. Catching on, the two leave to head into the forest, as Erin takes a seat next to Yvonne, who is just waking up.

Brett: So, what’s the deal, Nat?

Natalia: What do you think of Erin?

Brett is silent for a short while.

Brett: I don’t know? I mean, she’s cool, I guess.

"lascaimanes"

- Props to Natalia for subtlety. She totally wasn’t fishing desperately for information. [rolls eyes]

Natalia: It’s just…she’s going around talking and flirting with all the guys and laughing…doesn’t it strike you as a little snaky?

Brett: Not…really?

"lascaimanes"

- I don’t know what Natalia’s deal is, trying to throw Erin under a Greyhound bus. But whatever it is, I don’t want any part of it. Any snake around here doesn’t go by the name of Erin. It goes by the name of Natalia Joneses. She's trying to paint Erin out to be some sort of snake when she's doing the snakiest thing of all.

Back by the shelter, Brett is walking off, heading down to the beach. Seeing him leave, and knowing it is only her, Yvonne, Peter and Callum in the shelter, Natalia turns to the boys.

Natalia: Did you guys catch them finding the idol the other day?

Peter: No. But I agree that they were definitely up to something.

Yvonne: If so, then what?

Natalia: We need to strike a deal. The four of us. If you’re uncomfortable with an alliance, call it a voting bloc. That’s a fancy term for a group of people who have a common threat. We’re not amateurs here, we've seen the show. We all four know that power duos – they’re a big no-no. A power duo with an idol in play? Worse still. It’s like I’ve always pointed out. Power couples have GOT TO GO. Getting rid of Erin and splitting up this obvious pair will benefit all of us. If you boys are worried about Brett’s loyalty, this move will ensure it stays with you guys and not with her, because Erin is shady. We need to form a group, and strike a deal, and agree, we need to split Brett and Erin up.

Yvonne looks nervous at Natalia’s strategizing. Peter is lost in thought. Callum has an eyebrow raised, eyes flicking back between Natalia and Peter and back again, clearly skeptical.

"lascaimanes"

- Natalia is playing hard. She is…she has a very brazen personality. She’s unafraid to speak her mind. And she's a very aggressive player. She's coming out here with all these strategies and plans and yet has made very little social connections with these people to back up her moves and actions. I’m scared that this is going to cost us. I’m more scared about how it’ll affect me than her. I tend to be more calm and collected in my thoughts and emotions, but she – she is going for the jugular. She is leading a charge against Brett and Erin for their perceived relationship as a power couple. It’s to be expected, because she's absolutely right in recognizing the pair of them as threats. If it works, great. If it doesn’t…not so great.

"lascaimanes"

- Here’s the thing. As much as I joke around Nat, I don’t really trust her, and to be honest, I don't really like her much either. She just strikes me as this bookish, really introverted woman who doesn’t really have very many social skills or self-awareness. I get why Brett and Erin are threatening together, but I like Brett. Even if I think and agree that Erin is sneaky and way more intelligent than she gives herself credit for, I can’t stomach the idea of working with Natalia and Yvonne to betray my buddy Brett, just for the sake of splitting those two up. No matter how dangerous Natalia makes Erin out to be, I’d take my chances. Because I don’t like Natalia. She’s boring, and frankly, I’m getting a lot of middle-school-teacher vibes from her. She reminds me of my old English teacher, Ms. Callaway [laughs] and I hated Ms. Callaway. Old hag. [laughs]

Day 9
The sun rises on yet another day in the Cayman Islands. On the Las Tortugas beach, Mitch is reading tree mail to his fellow tribe mates.

Mitch: [reading] You’ve been out here for more than a week; to stay any longer it’s immunity you seek. To avoid any and all continued strife; you must learn to keep the fires alive.

Darnell: So…something to do with fire?

Mitch: I guess, I don’t know. Fire represents life.

Elmer: We got this, guys. This is just the set-up for our massive comeback. We’re gonna go into that challenge today, and we’re gonna be so ready for this. We’re gonna win this challenge and we’re not coming back to Tribal Council.

Mitch: Elmer’s right. We just need to have a positive mental attitude and anything’s possible.

"lastortugas"

- Going into today’s challenge, I feel confident. It’d be laughable for us to lose our third consecutive immunity challenge. I don’t want that. I want us to succeed. So I gave our little daily motivational pep talk and hopefully everyone is psyched and ready to kick ass out there today. [laughs]

The concern is evident in Penny’s eyes as the tribe disbands after Mitch’s reading of tree mail.

"lastortugas"

- I know that if we don’t win immunity today, I’m a goner, because the three guys are sticking together. No matter how much Elmer lusts for me, no matter how much Darnell pities me and no matter how much Mitch mollycoddles me, I know Survivor’s cutthroat. I’ve already survived two eliminations by the skin of my teeth. I highly doubt a third miracle is in store. So I’ve got to put in my all in today’s challenge. My life in this game depends on it.

At the next challenge, the three tribes “come on in!” to greet Jeff out by the shore, where half the challenge is situated in the water.

Jeff: Alright, you ready to get to today’s challenge? On my go, you will race out in the water to push a raft with a fire cauldron in it, lighting torches along the way. Once you reach the shore, you must carry the raft and light another series of torches while on land. Then, one representative from each tribe will attempt to make a pole long enough with pieces of stick and twine in order to retrieve a key from behind a gate. The first two tribes to get through the gate and light one final torch wins immunity – safe at tribal council, whereas the losing tribe will have nothing but a date with me tonight where one of you will be the third person voted out Survivor: Cayman Islands. In addition, the first tribe to finish wins reward. Wanna know what you’re playing for?

After a chorus of enthusiastic affirmation, Jeff concedes.

Jeff: The first tribe to finish gets to go on a dessert picnic tonight. You’ll get to feast on all kinds of sweet treats – doughnuts, muffins, cookies, pies, chocolate pudding, ice cream, yoghurt – all kinds of foodstuffs, sweetened and with sugar, and some iced beverages to top it all off. And once you’re done with your meal, a guide will take you out to go witness a – not exactly phenomenon – but you will get to have an intimate experience with Mother Nature, as you will be taken to watch sea turtles laying their eggs on the beach. It will be a rewarding experience for you and your whole tribe to bond over, and one that I’m undoubtedly sure you will remember and have stick to you for the rest of the season. Worth playing for? Las Caimanes, you’re sitting two people out – cannot sit out the same people in back-to-back challenges, who’s it gonna be?

Yvonne raises her hand, and after a few pointed looks, Erin does as well.

Jeff: Erin and Yvonne gonna sit out. Los Lagartos, who’s sitting out?

Aidan: Me and Aisha.

Jeff: Alright. Erin, Yvonne, Aidan, Aisha, take your seats on the bench. Everyone else, I’ll give you a minute to strategize and we’ll get started.

Once the three tribes are now out on their platforms in the water, primed and ready to kick off, Jeff raises his hand to signal the start of the challenge. A light drizzle is settling in over the course, and Aisha shivers from the bench, looking up at the sky and the dark grey clouds.

Jeff: Competing for tribal immunity, survivors ready? Go!

Everyone leaps off the platform and into the water for their first water-based challenge. The three men and Natalia of Las Caimanes are all fast swimmers, and Las Caimanes makes it to their raft first, hustling to push it along.

Brett: Everyone here? Okay, move!

Peter grabs the torch and lights it, moving to light the torches he passes along the way. Bobbing out in the water, the athletic Oberon and the wiry Terrence reach their raft first, with Mitzi and Ingrid right behind them. They start to push their raft out, soaking wet and panting.

For Las Tortugas, Elmer and Darnell make it to their raft the quickest, with Penny huffing as she swims out to join them, the slowest of them all. Once the four have reached their raft, Mitch signals to Elmer and the four being to push their raft, trying to catch up to Los Lagartos, who is in turn trying to catch up to Las Caimanes.

Oberon: Come on, guys…we can catch them.

Jeff: It is Las Caimanes in the lead, with Los Lagartos right behind! Las Tortugas, unsurprisingly, still in dead last.

Elmer: [to Penny] [panting] Come on-!

Penny: I’m going!

Mitch: Come on, Penny!

Darnell is reaching out with his long arms, lighting torches as they go. For Los Lagartos, Terrence is reaching out to try and light the torch, but still a little dazed, his balance wavers and the torch slips out of his hand, plopping into the water, where Oberon hurriedly scoops it up and tries to relight it. On the other end of the raft, Ingrid is exhausted, as one of the older women on the tribe, severely out of breath in the water.

Mitzi: [whispering to Ingrid] Are you alright?

Ingrid: [wheezing] Not a strong swimmer – [gasp].

Jeff: It looks like there’s a little trouble for the Los Lagartos tribe.

Mitzi: [to Oberon] Light the damn thing already!

Oberon: I’m [censored] trying!

Mitzi: Well, [censored] try harder!

Terrence: [panting] Come on, man, you’ve got this…take your time, we can still catch up-

Jeff: Las Caimanes have made their way up to the beach! And Las Tortugas is now overtaking Los Lagartos!

The Las Caimanes tribe are now making their out of the water, Peter still lighting the torches on land as they carry their raft. Still in the water, the Las Tortugas foursome are pushing their raft onward steadily, everyone looking cold and wet but going strong, as Darnell continues to light a steady line of torches.

Jeff: Oberon FINALLY has the torch lit! They’re moving on, to continue and try and make up for lost time! They are way behind and have given the Las Tortugas tribe the boost they need to keep going!

Terrence: We can still do this, we can still do this-

Mitzi: Shut up and push, Terrence!

Back on land, the Las Caimanes tribe are setting their raft down on the platform.

Brett: Gently, gently – alright.

Peter: Go!

Callum: You got this, man, we’re way ahead of everyone right now-

Brett rushes over and begins to work on constructing a pole strong and long enough to reach out and grab the key using the twine and rope supplies available. Peter, Callum and Natalia watch him with rapt anticipation.

Jeff: Brett, now working on the pole for Las Caimanes!

Natalia: You’re doing just fine, Brett, just focus-

Callum: Take your time, man-

Brett nods, eyes fixated on his work, fingers moving swiftly and dexterously over the sticks and the knots he is expertly tying.

Jeff: Las Tortugas are now up on the beach, ahead of the Los Lagartos tribe just like in the last immunity challenge, where in spite of their lead, they LOST in an abysmal performance! Can they make up for it now, or will history repeat itself and see them return for their third consecutive tribal council?

Darnell: [more to his tribe than to Probst] No, we’re not!

The four set their raft down and Elmer races over to the sticks and begins on his construction. Mitch: Focus on making sure it’s sturdy. We need it to be long and strong. Don’t worry about the other tribe, just make sure it works.

Jeff: The Los Lagartos tribe, finally done in the ocean! They’re making their way up the beach to their platform.

Oberon is still lighting torches with the feebly sputtering flame on the end of his torch. Arriving at the platform, they hurriedly set down their raft as Ingrid goes to work on the pole, claiming to be dexterous and good at tying knots.

Jeff: Ingrid, now working on the pole for Los Lagartos! All three tribes now working on their poles, with Las Caimanes at a significant advantage over the other two tribes, but as we saw last two challenges, that could all go to waste very easily. Los Lagartos has a lot of time to make up, but can they pull it off?

Brett gets up, satisfied with the flimsy pole he has tied, eager to reach out for the key as Peter, Callum and Natalia cheer him on from behind.

Jeff: Brett, going to give it a go and reach out for the key! Can he reach it? Is his pole long enough, and strong enough?

Brett grimaces, forcing his hand through one of the holes in the gate. The tip of his pole is nowhere near the keyring and cursing, he retracts it and gets back to work.

Jeff: Brett’s pole is nowhere close to the key. He needs to keep working on it.

Natalia: You’ve got this, Brett, we’re still in this.

Jeff: Everyone is relatively even right now. Los Lagartos started out slow after Terrence dropped the torch…

Terrence: [laughs] I did better in the last few challenges. That was a slip-up.

Jeff:…but now they’re catching up! Elmer now stepping up for Las Tortugas!

Elmer gets to his feet, a relatively sturdy-looking pole in hand, stretching it through the hole in the gate, reaching out for the key. His face a mask of intense concentration, Elmer groans as he stretches out as far as he can, the edge of his pole just barely scraping the keyring.

Jeff: He’s so close…! Right on the keyring! Is it long enough? …No! Elmer’s got to try again, he needs one more stick to do it!

Disgruntled, Elmer brings his pole back, rushing back to work as Penny and Darnell watch on, looking distressed. Mitch applauds half-heartedly, watching the other tribes warily.

Jeff: Ingrid is taking a lot of time on her pole. If it’s her strategy, it could work if her pole is the longest and strongest of them all.

Ingrid is working meticulously at a slow pace, making sure each knot is tight and secure.

Oberon: It’s alright, you’re doing fine, Ingrid, you’re doing fine. Just make sure it's sturdy. There's no point being fast if it doesn't work.

Terrence: Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Mitzi: C’mon girl, you got this, we’re all rooting for you.

Jeff: Ingrid, getting a lot of support from her tribe. Brett, getting up, he’s ready to reach out for the key again. Elmer, also going to give it another go!

Both Brett and Elmer are up, each reaching through their gates with their long poles.

Penny: Come on, Elmer!

Darnell: You’ve got it, you’re almost there!

Jeff: Elmer and Brett, both reaching out for the key! Who will get it first?

The tip of Brett’s pole is dancing around the edges of the keyring, nicking it but not quite snagging it. Meanwhile, Elmer’s pole is the longest one, having worked fastest on tying the knots together and having tied them in the most secure fashion. Slowly, he is able to get the keyring on the edge of his pole, and with an expression of trepidation plastered on his face – fearing the key will fall – he slowly begins inching the pole backwards, pulling the key off its peg on the other side of the gate.

Jeff: Elmer has the key for Las Tortugas, and he’s slowly bringing it back!

Brett looks over, the worry evident in his facial expressions. Ingrid is still working solidly, not paying heed to the other two.

Behind Elmer, Penny and Darnell are clutching each other nervously, the former jumping up and down in barely contained jubilation, biting her lower lip so hard from the suspense of the situation. All three Las Tortugas members watch with bated breath as Elmer pulls the key off its perch and back towards him at an agonizingly slow pace.

Jeff: Brett, still trying to get his key off its perch! Can he do it?

The tension in his muscles clearly showing, with a grunt of exasperation, Brett is just barely able to knock the keyring…and by just inches, is slowly dragging it off its perch.

Jeff: Brett has his key too! Elmer’s bringing his back! This is going to be down to the wire!

In a swift movement, Elmer pulls the pole back and snatches his key through the gate. Penny, Mitch and Darnell all rush to crowd around him as he grabs the keyring; all four yelling and talking over themselves in their excitement.

Penny: Oh my gosh, we’re gonna do it!

Darnell: Come on!

Elmer: I’ve got it!

Jeff: Brett has his key as well! It’s a race to see who can get their gate open first!

Natalia, Peter and Callum rush over to stand behind Brett as he fumbles through the several keys on the ring, trying to find the one that fits. Across from them, Elmer is doing the same, savagely jamming keys into the keyhole of the gate, frenziedly trying to find the right key.

Ingrid is only just now getting up, with an admirably strong pole, reaching it through the gate, where the tip of the pole just barely touches the keyring. Slowly, she jiggles it, trying to get it off its peg, looking strained, as Oberon, Terrence and Mitzi watch her from behind with tense, concerned expressions.

Jeff: Ingrid not giving up! She’s just on the edge; can she get the key or will it not matter?

With a satisfying turn, a key turns and a lock clicks…and Las Tortugas’ gate swings open as all four members stream through the open doorway. Holding their torch aloft, Darnell runs over and triumphantly lights the final fire, setting the Las Tortugas’ brazier alight to the whoops and ecstatic cheers of Elmer, Mitch and Penny.

Jeff: Las Tortugas, wins immunity and reward and their first immunity challenge of the season! For the first time since the beginning of the season, Las Tortugas is safe at tribal council! No one going home from the Las Tortugas tribe!

The Las Tortugas tribe continues to erupt into celebration. Penny leaps into Elmer’s arms, tears literally flowing down her perfect cheeks as the two share a passionate embrace. Mitch and Darnell join in and the lovebirds’ embrace turns into a group hug where the four continue to whoop and cheer and chant ‘Las Tortugas!’ at the top of their lungs.

Jeff: We’re looking for one more!

Over by the Los Lagartos mat, Mitzi looks sick. Oberon rubs his temples, frustrated. By the bench, Aisha mutters to herself.

Aisha: [under her breath] This sucks.

Ingrid is slowly pulling her key back towards her, but it doesn’t matter as Brett jams the correct key into the keyhole and pushes open the gate. Peter runs over and lights the Las Caimanes brazier, as the other members of Las Caimanes break out into relieved celebration.

Jeff: Las Caimanes is through their gate! Las Caimanes, wins immunity! Safe once again, sending Los Lagartos to their first tribal council of the season!

Yvonne: [cheering Las Caimanes from the bench] Good job guys! You rock!

Mitzi kicks the sand by the Los Lagartos mat, looking pissed. Ingrid drops her key in the sand and tosses the pole aside, unhappy. Once everyone regains their composure, the three tribes take their places back on their mats.

Jeff: Las Tortugas, it was a hard-fought battle but you’ve earned it. Immunity for the Las Tortugas tribe for the first time [hands the tribal immunity to Elmer, who kisses it as passionately as if it is Penny]. None of the four of you will be the third person voted out of this game. You’re a scrappy bunch, but for today, you have prevailed. Las Caimanes, once again, you’ve dominated in the challenges. You may have come in second place this time, but it’s still a win. Immunity for the Las Caimanes tribe [hands tribal immunity to Callum]. You remain undefeated in this game. Well earned, none of you heading home tonight, enjoy the night off. As for the rest of you, Los Lagartos…

Standing on the Los Lagartos mat, everyone looks disappointed and dejected. Aidan is eyeing Probst, looking disgruntled. Mitzi is squinting at him, a frown on her face. Oberon has his hands around Ingrid’s shoulders, giving her a reassuring massage.

Jeff:…for the first time, you will be heading to tribal council, where unfortunately, one of the six of you will be the third person voted out of Survivor: Cayman Islands. You’ve got the rest of the day to think about who it’s gonna be. Pack your stuff and head back to camp. I’ll see you tonight.

As the Los Lagartos move to grab their stuff and leave in slow motion, the camera pans down and follows Mitzi as she leaves with her tribe.

"loslagartos"

- The one thing I’d hoped not to happen happened. I wanted to avoid tribal as much as humanly possible because I knew Aidan would come after me, and I don’t know how many people he’s got on board with him. I’ve got to now start scrambling, and this is a new experience for all six of us, going to tribal. I’ve got to try my damnedest to rally people against him. I still have my idol, but I’d hate to waste or squander it. I’m feeling really nervous tonight. I’m not ready to go home. I can only hope Oberon and Ingrid will stay by my side, and that I can pull the goat Aisha over too.

On the flip side, the Las Tortugas tribe is all smiles as they arrive at their picnic, where a checkered mat is laid out with an assortment of desserts and scrumptious foodstuffs have been arranged for their consumption. Penny is practically jumping on the balls of her feet with joy as she and the three men settle down for their long-awaited reward.

Mitch: This looks amazing.

Penny: Thanks so much, Elmer, this is perfect!

Darnell: Yeah, man, this is the best thing that could’ve happened to us.

Elmer: We did it guys. Our first challenge.

Mitch: All we needed was a positive mental attitude and we could do it.

Darnell: Thanks a lot, ‘Dad’.

Penny: I wish I could take a group photo and send it to Wilkes just so she could see what she’s missing out on, now that we’ve got rid of her. [laughs] In the end, she was the weak link on our tribe after all.

"lastortugas"

- We head to have our little picnic reward and it’s…fantastic. There are all kinds of sweets, chocolates, pudding and pie and cakes and cookies – it’s heaven. Out here, in the wilderness, this feels like it’s gourmet material.

Elmer holds up a powdered doughnut in a mock toast.

Elmer: To Las Tortugas! And to the four of us, the best foursome in Survivor history, and to our future in this game!

Everyone toasts with whatever snack they have in their hands.

"lastortugas"

- Having our first victory is…euphoric. It’s doing so much to rejuvenate the four of us. We needed this victory. It was like, we were all starving and we hungered for this. It gave the four of us more time to bond, gave me and Penny more time to bond. The feeling of triumph after our win was indescribable. It was nice to be able to put aside the stress of tribal, put aside the strategizing and the fear of getting voted out and all the issues that come with such a situation, of having to crush someone else’s hopes and dreams – put all that aside – and let us have this nice little meal. This was a bonding experience unlike any other because we all needed it, like, on a spiritual and mental level. That reminded me why I’m out here, why I’m fighting in and playing this game, and refreshed my mind. I know why I’m here, and I want to keep fighting and keep playing and make it far. We’re not even that deep into the game, and already I need a pick-me-up after our losing streak. [laughs]

Penny is smiling and the relief is evident on her face.

"lastortugas"

- No beating around the bush, I knew I was in trouble if we didn’t win that challenge. But we did, and so I’m here to stay. [laughs] To not have to go to tribal for the first time this season, it feels so good! I’m safe for another three days, thanks to Elmer and his fast fingers.

On the other side of the island, the Los Lagartos tribe are understandably nervous, this being their first tribal and with so much uncertainty regarding that night’s vote.

Aidan is walking along, the blubber on his body shaking with each step. Mitzi regards him with distaste as he heads away from the shelter. Noting the coast is clear, she turns to Aisha, sitting beside her, and begins to whisper conspiratorially.

Mitzi: [whisper] So, Aisha, what’s the deal?

Aisha: Tonight?

Mitzi:' You can be honest.

Aisha shrugs.

Aisha: They wanna get rid of you.

Mitzi: [scoff] No surprise there. Listen. You don’t have to go with them. We can go all-women, women-strong. You, me, and Ingrid. And Oberon as our fourth.

Aisha: Are you sure Oberon is on board with that?

Mitzi: He will be. Trust me when I say, Aidan is the biggest waste of space there is. Come on board with me, and I will have your back.

Aisha is listening to Mitzi intently and nodding, deep in thought.

"loslagartos"

- Aidan and I have not gotten along this whole game. We are polar opposites. And mark my words, I will get this man out of this game. It's time to take my fate into my own hands and shake this game up.

"loslagartos"

- Mitzi…has a very fiery personality. [flips hair] She is incredibly forthright with her strategy. She doesn’t like Aidan, and is doing all she can to get the votes against him. She is very brash in the sense that she will strive to getting what she wants and doesn’t slow down for anybody. It’s a feisty, do-or-die tactic, and I will swing with her if, and only if, it benefits me.

Away from camp, Ingrid and Oberon meet up in the woods, as Terrence joins them.

Oberon: So here’s the plan. We tell Mitzi we’re on board with getting rid of Aidan. But we are splitting the votes 3-2 between her and Aisha, not you. Because Aidan would like to split it between you and Mitzi, but me and Terrence? Personally I don't trust or like Aisha. I'd rather Aisha go over you if it has to come down to one of you two.

Ingrid: So the plan is to get her out?

Terrence: We want that idol gone. It’s in everyone’s best interest for it to not exist.

Oberon: How do you feel about splitting the votes between Mitzi and Aisha? If she plays the idol the idol is gone and Aisha goes. If she doesn’t, Mitzi and her idol goes home. As long as we stick to the plan, it’s solid. Us five has to stay together.

"loslagartos"

- Oberon and Terrence are trusting me with this plan right now. They want to target Mitzi. And they’re promising me that I’ll be solid with them if we all blindside Mitzi and flush her idol. But it does pose a concern to me that if I throw my lot in with Aisha and the boys, I’ll just be on the bottom and I’ll be worse off than if I’d just stuck with Mitzi. I have to weigh the pros and cons of siding with Mitzi, or everyone else. [laughs] The odds are heavily stacked in one’s favor.

While Oberon and Terrence work on swinging Ingrid, on the other end of the spectrum, Mitzi is busy working Aisha over to her side.

Mitzi: You will just be on the bottom of their foursome! Remember how Aidan singled you out as the weakest on Day 1? Gurlll, he’s probably twice as weak as you are. You can join me and we’ll make a big move and show him not to have messed with us.

"loslagartos"

- I’m embellishing as much as humanly possible to swing this impressionable young girl to my side. You know, female power and all that. Sticking it to the men of the tribe. Anything. I’m using all that’s in my arsenal to change Aisha’s mind, and I think it worked.

Aisha: Even if I were to help you, we don’t have the numbers.

Mitzi: We don’t need numbers. Because I have an idol.

Aisha’s eyes widen and she cocks an eyebrow.

Aisha: Do you now?

Mitzi: I do. And I’m gonna use it tonight to ensure Aidan leaves this game.

"loslagartos"

- I was just minding my own business when Mitzi comes along with the revelation that she has an idol. [takes shaky breath] This is all almost too much for me to handle all at once. Which way do I go? I don’t know! I no longer know where the majority lies!

Back in the forest…

Oberon: Or here’s another plan. You tell Mitzi that…that perhaps you should hold onto the idol tonight. Tell her to give it to you. Then maybe…just maybe…this plan is crazy enough that she’ll go home and leave her idol on the island for us to use.

Terrence: That sounds berserk. If that works, it’ll be out of this world.

Ingrid looks down at her feet, scraping the leaves on the ground with the tip of her shoe.

Ingrid: There’s a lot that could go wrong in this. You know that, right?

Terrence: Aisha’s with us, and so is Aidan, obviously.

Oberon: You can help us make this move.

Ingrid bites her lip, looking conflicted.

Ingrid: I’ll think it over, let me talk to Mitzi about the idol first.

Oberon: Sure, but don’t take too long, tribal’s right around the corner.

"loslagartos"

- My dilemma this tribal centers around whether I want to backstab Mitzi – my only real ally in this game – because she’s a lost cause. I don’t trust Aisha or Aidan. Hell, even Terrence strikes me as a little…lost in his own world. Oberon is the only one left who I truly have a connection with. And I do like him. But can I trust Oberon?

Aidan has a rendezvous with the boys out in the water.

Aidan: So, the plan is Mitzi?

Oberon: I’m not deviating from that at all.

Terrence: I think we should split the votes, though.

Aidan: So, 2 on Mitzi, 2 on…Ingrid?

Oberon: Ingrid’s with me. I think I can pull her over. But I don’t want to split it between the two.

Aidan: Then what?

Terrence: We were thinking…3 on Mitzi, 2 on Aisha.

Aidan looks worried at this, glancing back and forth between the two boys.

"loslagartos"

- Oberon and Terrence came up and told me that they want to split the votes between Mitzi and Aisha. And, this just seems unnecessarily confusing. Let’s just do a three-way tie between the two women and whoever they vote – probably me – and then send either Mitzi or Ingrid off on their way back home. But for whatever reason, Oberon wants to protect Ingrid from going home because of Mitzi’s idol. And that concerns me about his allegiance to me as opposed to her. Ingrid is Mitzi’s right-hand woman. Why is he defending her? He would rather throw Aisha under the bus in a scenario where Mitzi plays the idol, than Mitzi’s only other ally. Aisha does strike me as a flip-flopper in the future, but she’s a goat too. It just feels like the wrong move to make.

"loslagartos"

- I was working on Ingrid the whole day, and I think I have her on my side. The thing is, I’d rather go with Ingrid to the merge than with Aisha. Aisha is…she has no social game. Which is why I’d view her as more expendable than Ingrid, who is better around camp and in challenges and shrewder than the former girl. I want to split the votes so Aisha goes home if Mitzi plays the idol. I’m throwing Ingrid a bone here, and really, if I make the wrong judgment in trusting her, it could have consequences.

"loslagartos"

- Ugh…to be honest, at that point, I was really genuinely considering, like, just saying, ‘okay, forget Mitzi, I want that idol in my possession, we can send her home’. Because she is unpredictable. Her frequent mood swings, her temper tantrums, her arguments with Aidan…this is not a compelling resume for the position of a suitable ally. And I don’t want to put Mitzi – Mitzi! – in a position of power on this tribe. We need to keep our strong men in and if we get rid of Aidan, Oberon and Terrence will be next on the chopping block, and Mitzi’ll still have that idol. In layman’s terms, though, I like Oberon. I’ve grown to like him, even in spite of the dirty way he went about trying to secure my allegiance, exposing our idol and such. But he’s a better person to ally with than the hot mess that is Mitzi Perezz. [laughs]

Aisha: They don’t include me in their discussions. The boys. They don’t value my vote as a player, so I’m not voting with them.

Mitzi: That’s the right attitude.

"loslagartos"

- I am really nervous about tonight…I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know if I can still trust the people around me. Ingrid said she would vote with me, but I wasn’t so sure anymore. Aisha said she would flip, but could it be true? I feel like everyone’s playing everyone, and I’m determined that if something goes awry tonight, it won’t be without having exhausted all my options, and have done everything I could to ensure things work out my way.

Mitzi is checking through her bag, rummaging around in her belongings, when Ingrid casually strolls over.

Ingrid: Hey. What’s the plan tonight? It’s not changing?

Mitzi: No. I’m playing my idol tonight.

Ingrid: What if they vote for me instead?

Mitzi: Why would they do that?

Ingrid: To flush your idol.

Mitzi: They don’t have the numbers to split it if we get Aisha on board. Unless, of course, you flip to their side.

Ingrid: What are you talking about?

Mitzi: I’m not dumb, Ingrid. You’ve been consorting with Oberon and the boys the whole day. I’ve seen you go off to have conversations with them. I’ve observed your body language and the way you act around camp this whole afternoon. You’ve been tense, and it’s obvious why. You’re gearing yourself up to backstab me tonight.

Ingrid: That’s ridiculous, what the hell are you talking about?

Mitzi: Oh please, drop the act. You’re a horrible actor. Trying to flush my idol? It won’t matter. I’m playing it tonight, and that’s not the only trick I have up my sleeve. You can vote Aidan with me and everything will go just as planned, or you can throw your lot in with them and deal with the consequences.

Ingrid: You’d threaten me? Is that it?

Mitzi: [shrug] I’m not [censored] stupid, Ingrid. You’re a disloyal [censored] I thought I could trust you, I even shared my [censored] idol with you and you turned on me!

Ingrid: [sarcastic laugh] You’re out of your mind! These are all baseless accusations!

Mitzi: Please, don’t insult my [censored] intelligence, I’ve had it with your sneakiness.

Ingrid: Whatever. You can be paranoid about it. I’m not wasting my breath on this.

Ingrid stalks off angrily. The ruckus and commotion of the two ex-allies’ quarrel has attracted the attention of the others, who stand around the shelter watching the whole thing go down like an exciting sports game.

Oberon escorts a softly weeping Ingrid into the forest, while Terrence pulls Aidan away to confirm their plan for the night.

Aidan: Alright, so here’s the thing. I don’t trust Ingrid. I still don’t. If she’s still with Mitzi, this whole plan could go to waste.

Terrence: They were having an argument literally moments ago. It sounded pretty serious.

Aidan: I still don’t trust Ingrid, but fine. Tonight, we’re voting 3 on Mitzi, 2 on Aisha?

Terrence: Yeah. How are we splitting it?

Aidan: We can do…you, Ingrid and Aisha vote Mitzi, me and Oberon vote Aisha? Because then, if Ingrid flips and votes for me with Mitzi, it’ll be 2-2-0 between me and Aisha if the idol is played, as opposed to, say, 2-1-0 against me if she was meant to vote Aisha but flipped to join Mitzi.

"loslagartos"

- So, the plan tonight is to have Ingrid vote for Mitzi to ensure that if Mitzi plays her idol, Aisha would go home even if Ingrid flips to vote against me. But the thing is, I want Aisha in this game. Oberon, for whatever reason, wants Ingrid to stay in because he trusts her. But I think that Aisha – as the weakest member of our tribe – is the perfect goat. She’s quiet, she’s boring, she doesn’t help out around camp or in challenges. And no one really likes her! She’s barely playing the game! Perfect tool for me to win a million dollars, right there. So, even if this goes against Oberon and his plans with Terrence, I’m going to try to turn the vote against Ingrid and not Aisha if Mitzi plays the idol.

Deep in the forest, Oberon is trying to comfort Ingrid.

Oberon: Don’t pay her any heed, she’s just talking out of her [censored].

Ingrid: I know. I know. [sniff] Whatever. She just sealed her own fate. No one'll want to work with her now.

Oberon: You’re voting with us?

Ingrid: Of course. We should decide how we’re splitting the votes because someone impulsive like her is definitely playing her idol tonight.

In the meantime, Aidan approaches Aisha in a secluded area to talk and strategize.

Aidan: So here’s the deal. Tonight it’s meant to be 3-2-1, with Mitzi going home if she doesn’t play the idol. And you’re meant to be voting Mitzi with Ingrid and Terrence. Oberon has roped Ingrid in, and he wants her to vote Mitzi to prove her loyalty and also so her flipping wouldn't affect the outcome of the vote from working in Mitzi’s favor. But the thing is, Oberon wants for me and him to vote you, so you’d go home if she doesn’t play it.

Aisha narrows her eyes, looking offended.

Aidan: Stay with me on this. I don’t want you to go out of the game. Period. I don’t. I trust you more than I trust Ingrid, because she was being sneaky the first few days, working really closely with Mitzi. And the whole argument they just had? It could easily be a ruse. Point is, I don’t trust Ingrid any more than I trust Mitzi, so if Mitzi plays the idol, I want Ingrid to go home. Here’s how we’re going to do that.

Aisha: Okay…

Aidan: You and I are both going to vote Ingrid. So Terrence and Ingrid – if she stays loyal to us – can cast their votes for Mitzi, and if she doesn’t play the idol, the vote’ll be 2-2-1-1, with 2 votes for Mitzi and Ingrid, 1 vote against you and me each – if Mitzi does vote me, presumably – because Oberon will have voted for you thinking that I’d vote for you too and that you’d go home if an idol is played. And if that does happen, we can get rid of Mitzi on the revote. But if she plays an idol, it’s 2-1-1, and Ingrid goes home instead of you. Foolproof. And in the aftermath, Oberon and Terrence will still swing with the two of us, because they’re not aligning with Mitzi, there’s just no way I can see that happening. I want you on my side.

"loslagartos"

- I surprise myself with my brilliance. The plan I came up with is foolproof! Regardless of whether or not Ingrid sticks to the plan the four of us came up with, it’ll be either her or Mitzi going home depending on whether or not an idol is played. Ingrid, Terrence and Oberon think that the vote’ll be 3-2-1 between Mitzi, Aisha and whoever Mitzi votes – let’s just say that’s me for now. But I’m bringing Aisha to my side, so that it’ll be 2-2-1-1, and Oberon will be the sole vote for Aisha because Aisha and I will vote for Ingrid. Mitzi doesn’t play an idol? She goes home on the revote. She does play an idol? Aisha won’t go home as Oberon thinks. Instead it’ll be his new buddy Ingrid who does. Which is perfect. I don’t trust Ingrid, but I trust Aisha. And this way, I ensure that no matter what happens tonight, the vote will go my way. I’m manipulating these people so no matter what ensues, the vote will be successful and in my favor, because I am controlling this game. Man, I was born for this! [laughs]

"loslagartos"

- When I heard that Oberon, Terrence and Ingrid were hoping to blindside me in the case of Mitzi playing her idol – which she confirmed earlier today with me that she would – I was furious. I thought I was in an alliance with Oberon and Terrence, but apparently not. They’ve ditched me and Ingrid has now replaced me. The proposition of blindsiding Ingrid with Aidan is exciting, but there also remains the fact that he named me the weakest person on the tribe on Day 1. Mitzi never did that. Mitzi has been honest with me, and she sucked up to me the whole day. I like her more than I like the fat guy. I can go with Aidan, or I can go with Mitzi. Aidan may think the result of this vote lies with him, but no. It lies with me.

Aisha meets up with Mitzi by a small boulder, flustered.

Aisha: Here’s the deal. I don’t think anyone knows I’ve flipped yet.

Mitzi: I shouldn’t be surprised, they’re a bunch of idiots over there, all of them.

Aisha: Their plan was to split the votes between you and me – apparently to Oberon and Terrence I’m expendable. They were going to keep Ingrid in over me.

Mitzi: And?

Aisha: Aidan wants to change the vote from me to Ingrid.

Mitzi considers this, looking down at her feet.

Mitzi: I mean, I’m fine with that too, after Ingrid betrayed me. She can go third for all I care. I wouldn't shed many tears regardless of if Aidan or Ingrid goes tonight. But I wanted Aidan gone first.

Aisha: I know you don’t like him but this seems like a lot of flipping the script. This vote is so complicated.

"loslagartos"

- Strategically, if Aisha were to flip and join me, we’d be an alliance of 2 going up against the remaining 3, regardless of if Ingrid or Aidan leaves tonight. But she knows she’s on the bottom of the alliance with Aidan, because Ingrid just replaced her and they were planning on getting rid of her if I play the idol. This takes a lot of manipulating to try and get Aisha to my side. She’s like a hurt puppy, coming to me and complaining that she’s getting votes. Because when her allies tell her she’s expendable, it wouldn't make a lot of sense for her to continue to vote and work with them. The only issue right now is how we use the fractures in their alliance in our favor. This is where the gameplay gets dicey.

As the sun sets and the sky rapidly turns dark, the Los Lagartos tribe makes their way to tribal council for the first time. The awe is apparent on Terrence’s face as the group of six soldiers into the tribal council area.

Jeff: Behind each of you is a torch. Grab one, dip it in and get fire. In this game, fire represents your life. When your fire is gone, so are you.

Everyone has their torches lit and take their seats.

Jeff: So, Los Lagartos, welcome to tribal council. This is our first time really getting to interact with each other, so, Oberon, tell me more about the tribe dynamics of this tribe.

Oberon looks to his fellow tribe members.

Oberon: Well, um, I’d say that we are a…very messy tribe. [laughs]

Terrence nods in agreement. Ingrid raises an eyebrow and looks to the ground, shaking her head. Mitzi rolls her eyes.

Jeff: And why would you say that?

Oberon: Um…because there has been a lot of talking today. Since this is our first tribal and we’ve been together for so long without having had our bonds of trust truly tested…no one knows who’s being real with them or not. And there a lot of…unique personalities on this tribe.

Jeff: Like who?

Oberon: Like Mitzi.

Mitzi lets out one silent, sarcastic laugh.

Jeff: Mitzi, why do you think Oberon is saying you’re a ‘unique personality’? Is that framed as a compliment?

Mitzi: That’s a nice way to look at it, but I doubt it. Um…I have been known to…blow up at certain people, from time to time. [laughs]

Jeff: ‘Been known to…’?

Mitzi: Basically, I’m this tribe’s resident bitch.

Aidan nods, agreeing. Aisha is laughing behind her hand.

Mitzi: Um…there are people here who I’ve quarreled and argued with. I don’t hold myself back in these kinds of situations.

Jeff: Like who? Who have you fought with?

Mitzi: Aidan. And Ingrid, who up until a few hours ago, I thought was my friend and ally.

Ingrid turns on her, suddenly defensive.

Ingrid: You turned me away from you yourself. Don’t paint me out to be the bad guy here. You did it all yourself. Your paranoia is the cause of all the arguments that have gone down over the past few days.

Mitzi: I only speak the truth, honey. You and I both know whether or not you’re talking out of your [censored].

Ingrid: This is maddening. Mitzi – she’s stirring the pot like nobody’s business right now, and she’s enjoying the chaos she’s causing around camp.

Jeff: And what about you and Aidan, Mitzi? What’s going on over there?

Mitzi: I think Aidan can tell you about that.

Aidan: Well, I think the thing is…Mitzi is a very fiery individual.

Mitzi smiles to herself. Terrence grins as Aidan continues.

Aidan: She is…a very opinionated person. And it’s hard…for people to get along with her.

Jeff: Mitzi, do you agree with this statement?

Mitzi: Oh yeah, I totally agree. I own that assessment of me wholeheartedly. That’s who I’ve always been, Jeff. I’m a no-nonsense type of gal. If I don’t like you, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it, I’m gonna come right out and say it. And in a game like this, I am at perfect liberty to do something about it.

Jeff: With all due respect, which usually means without any, doesn't it bother you at all to hear that the people here have no problem saying to your face that they don't like you?

Mitzi: Not in the slightest. I'm here to win a million dollars, not to make friends.

Jeff: But the social aspect of this game is still important. How can you expect to win the million if you fail to get along with your fellow tribemates?

Mitzi contemplates this, and then shrugs, grinning.

Mitzi: Who's to say all my tribemates will be on the jury?

Ingrid raises an eyebrow. Oberon casts Mitzi a mocking look.

Jeff: Going by this general analysis of your personality, Mitzi, I have to ask, would it be safe to assume that you are getting votes tonight?

Mitzi: Oh yeah, totally. But it sucks for these guys because I have an idol.

Aidan’s eyes widen as he turns sharply to glare at her. Ingrid looks constipated. Oberon rolls his eyes and sighs.

Mitzi: [sarcastic laugh] Yeah, that’s right.

Jeff: So…to make sure I'm on the same page...you claim to have found an idol?

Mitzi nods.

Mitzi: That's exactly it.

Jeff: Pull it out then. Prove it exists.

Mitzi shrugs nonchalantly and digs in her bag, pulling the idol that she and Ingrid had found out in the open. Aidan, seeing it, groans and massages his temples, looking frustrated. No one else is surprised as they all knew of its' existence beforehand.

Mitzi: I will be using it tonight. So even if they want to get rid of me, they can’t. I’m here to stay another three days, whether they like it or not. Of course I know they’re gonna flush it. So really this is a matter of how they’re going to split the votes.

Aidan casts Oberon a warning glance. Oberon nods reassuringly to him.

Mitzi: Since they have to split the votes, someone in this group is on the bottom and will know they are on the bottom after this vote. Me? I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m an open book. I can be crafty when I want to be, but I think I’ve been nothing but honest in the past few days.

Oberon: A little too honest, I might add.

Terrence chuckles at this. Aidan and Ingrid are both nodding in affirmation.

Jeff: So, if Mitzi really is using her idol tonight, then Aidan, what do you expect is going to happen tonight?

Aidan: Um…I expect to get votes tonight. [laughs] Notably from Mitzi, of course, but I hope from no one else. I think everyone has their own idea of what’s going to happen tonight, but who knows who has the right idea and who’s being fed a bunch of lies.

Ingrid starts to look nervous. Aisha is listening intently to Aidan’s words.

Aidan: I have faith in my alliance that even though Mitzi is openly coming after me, that they will not take me out because of it, because I’ve been nothing but truthful and loyal to these people.

Jeff: Ingrid, Aidan mentions that everyone has their ‘own idea’ of the outcome of tonight’s vote. If everyone believes in a particular result occurring, obviously, someone’s version is not going to come to fruition, because someone is going to get voted out tonight. Do you think tonight’s vote is going to be a blindside?

Ingrid contemplates this, biting her lip.

Ingrid: I think almost everyone here has worries that they are getting votes tonight. And…if Mitzi really plays her idol…then someone is going to be the unlucky victim of a split vote. There are a lot of factors that could throw this vote out of balance. But…I hope that I, for one thing, have shown my sincerity to these people that I’m not with Mitzi anymore-

Mitzi rolls her eyes, her expression stormy.

Ingrid: -and regardless, this vote, I think, will not be completely unprecedented to the person who leaves, but will still be a bit of a blindside nonetheless. Deceit is running rampant through this camp, and someone here is being lied to and played like a fiddle. The only question remaining, is who.

Aidan nods, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Aisha smiles. Oberon licks his lips, looking uncertain but excited.

Jeff: Alright, this has been a very informative tribal council. I’m excited to see exactly ‘who’ is being lied to in this group of six. It is time to vote. Terrence, you’re up.

The music kicks in as Terrence gets up to vote. Mitzi sits up straighter, taking a deep breath and exhaling. Ingrid looks worried, rubbing her arms as if in an attempt to get warmer.

Each person is shown strolling over to the voting booth. Ingrid holds up her voting parchment, having scribbled an ‘xoxo’ underneath her vote.

"loslagartos"

- I must’ve been blind to have aligned myself with a hot mess like you. I hope you go home.

The camera zooms in on Mitzi, who is glancing stoically forward, her head on her hand.

"loslagartos"

- I know Mitzi’s got an idol. The reason you’re going home once she plays it is because you’re expendable. Nothing personal, but you should have talked more.

The camera now shows Aisha, slumped in her seat, eyes closed and lost in her own world.

"loslagartos"

- Ingrid, I don’t trust you, I’ve never trusted you and I never will trust you. It’s time for you to go. You may have jumped on board with my alliance, and you may have charmed Oberon into trusting you, but this is just a case of too little, too late.

Aisha heads up to vote. From an overhead view, she is seen uncapping the pen, hesitating as she considers which name to write down. The next shot is of Oberon slipping his vote into the urn, before heading back to rejoin the others and taking his seat.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves. The camera pans over the thoughtful look on Aidan’s face as he sighs, appearing burdened. Ingrid licks her chapped lips, casting a worried glance at Mitzi. Mitzi shoots her a cocky smirk and flips her hair in Ingrid’s direction.

Jeff returns with the voting urn.

Jeff: If anyone has a hidden immunity idol and you want to play it, now is the time to do so.

Without even waiting for Jeff to finish, Mitzi has gotten up and is sauntering over, idol in hand.

Mitzi: This was a no-brainer, Jeff. I know I’m getting votes tonight.

Ingrid turns her eyes skyward, looking annoyed. Aidan laughs, shaking his head. Aisha is smiling to herself. Oberon follows Mitzi’s movements with his eyes, unsurprised.

Mitzi hands her hidden immunity idol to Jeff.

Mitzi: Put it on my tab.

She returns, a devious smile on her face. Terrence shakes his head solemnly.

Jeff: This IS a hidden immunity idol. Any votes cast against Mitzi will not count.

Mitzi grins.

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.

Intensity glowing in his eyes, Aidan watches Jeff with undivided attention.

Jeff: First vote…Mitzi. Does not count.

Mitzi smirks, nodding. Oberon sighs.

Jeff: Mitzi. Does not count.

Her face lit up as if watching an exciting program, Mitzi shoots Aisha a covert wink. The latter looks excited.

Jeff: Aisha. One vote Aisha.

Aisha takes a deep breath, looking concerned. Oberon nods slowly. Ingrid’s eyes flash with warning.

Jeff: Aidan. One vote Aidan.

Aidan nods, unsurprised, and as if steeling himself for the next vote.

Jeff: Ingrid. One vote Ingrid.

Ingrid frowns, confused. Oberon’s brow furrows, shaking his head slightly, trying to understand what is happening.

Jeff: We have a three-way tie. One vote Aisha, one vote Aidan, one vote Ingrid, one vote left.

Ingrid puts her hand over her mouth, anxiety written across her face. Oberon shoots Aidan an accusing look.

Jeff: Third person voted out of Survivor: Cayman Islands…

He dramatically flips the final vote over.

Jeff: Aidan.

Aidan’s jaw drops. Oberon does a double-take, eyes wide with disbelief. Ingrid looks shocked, eyes flicking back between Mitzi and Aidan. Mitzi and Aisha, on the other hand, are both hiding their giggles behind their hands. Mitzi looks like Christmas has come early, wickedly delighted at the spectacle before her as she savors the downfall or her sworn enemy.

Jeff: That’s two, that’s enough. Need to bring me your torch.

Still shell-shocked, Aidan lets out a barely imperceptible sigh of disgruntlement as he slowly gets up, taking his bag with him as he goes.

Oberon: [whisper] What the [censored] just happened?

Mitzi smiles and rolls her eyes as Aidan passes her. Aisha is laughing quietly to herself. Ingrid’s brow furrows as she shakes her head, looking confused.

Looking foolish and slightly annoyed at himself, Aidan slams his torch down by Probst.

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

Aidan is already leaving, rubbing a hand through his hair, letting out a great sigh as he goes. Terrence raises an eyebrow, sharing a nonplussed look with a similarly dumbfounded Oberon.

Jeff: It would appear that Aidan was the one being lied to, but he wasn’t the only one. Judging by most of your faces, Aidan’s voteoff was, in fact, an unprecedented blindside and it goes to show that everyone here is playing hard and playing aggressive. I believe that was one of the most confusing tribal councils of the season so far, and if this is the way you guys are playing, I am looking forward to see the chaos that will ensue. Grab your stuff, and head on back to camp. Goodnight.

Voting Confessionals
"loslagartos"

- I’m voting for you because you’re a firecracker, and firecrackers have got to go. I hope all goes according to plan.

"loslagartos"

- If this works, it’ll be priceless! No love lost between us, boo.

"loslagartos"

- [amidst quiet laughter] Oh, Aidan…this is why you should never get me angry on Day 1. Sorry, buddy. Better luck next time. Oh wait, there won’t be a next time.

Final Words
"loslagartos"

- Wow…what a blindside that was. [shakes head] I mean…I’m still speechless. I really thought I was the one masterminding everything going on tonight but I guess, in essence, I voted myself out of the game because I tried so hard to get Ingrid out instead of Aisha. Now they’re both safe, and here I am. [laughs] I wish the boys the best of luck. I may have inadvertently screwed them over, because I still don’t know the degree of Ingrid’s loyalty to Oberon. But whatever. It no longer matters to me, cos I’m no longer in the game.

Next Time on Survivor...

 * In the aftermath of Los Lagartos’ crazy tribal council and Ingrid’s betrayal, tensions between former allies Ingrid and Mitzi are at an all-time high.

"loslagartos"

- It’s not like I haven’t tried. I’ve tried, to apologize to her. This chick just won’t let it go. I know I came close to going home last night. I won’t let it happen again.

"loslagartos"

- Ingrid thinks I’ll just forget about what happened the other night, that I’ll just roll over and forget it ever happened and let bygones be bygones. Uh-uh. Apart from Aisha, everyone on this campsite is dead to me.

"loslagartos"

- Aisha and I have basically switched places in terms of where we now stand on this tribe. She has become Mitzi’s new right-hand woman, and now, I have only my fragile relationship with Oberon to rely on to keep me safe.


 * Natalia continues playing aggressively…

Natalia: Yvonne is on board. Peter, we need to flush Brett and Erin’s idol.

"lascaimanes"

- She doesn’t know I have the idol and I don’t intend to let her know. But she is getting on my nerves, fast.


 * And the topic of idols and power duos continue to be the main source of conflict in the game…

"lascaimanes"

- I like to call Callum and Peter the dynamic duo. People think Brett and Erin’s dangerous. Those two boys are always talking and laughing at the top of their voices, I wouldn't be surprised if they were bosom buddies outside of this game. And that is way more dangerous than whatever Natalia’s selling.

"lastortugas"

- You know what I’d like to do? I’d like to split Elmer and Penny up. I’ve grown tired of her by now. I want her gone.

"loslagartos"

- Terrence and Oberon have hit it off since Day 1. I like both boys, but Oberon is the only reason I am aligned with Terrence in the first place. If it comes down to it, would Oberon sacrifice Terrence to keep me in? I don't know.

A clip of Aisha digging in the sand is shown, immediately followed by Ingrid and Terrence running up and down the beach, and Oberon hightailing it in the forest. Mitzi is frazzled, her blue hair a mess, as she stumbles and falls face first onto the ground.

Terrence: The idol’s back here somewhere, and everyone’s going nuts trying to find it. There is no peace in this camp, not anymore.

"loslagartos"

- She's not searching for it anymore. That means she's found the idol.

Author's Notes

 * The episode title ‘Deceit Is Running Rampant’ was said by Ingrid at Tribal Council.