Target Numero Uno

This is the seventh episode of Survivor: Myanmar

Previously on Survivor Myanmar...

 * Upon having his in-game girlfriend blindsided, Sebastian considers quitting before ultimately deciding to stay and compete in her honor.
 * Bianca attempts to put a wedge between the main alliance of Yang, as she tries to throw Thorn under the bus for being a liability. However Rachael picks up on her scheme and quickly shuts her down.
 * Erinn desperately tries to save herself from the bottom by creating personal bonds with her tribe mates, only to have her efforts foiled by Ian and David.
 * Yang won immunity, sending Padaung to tribal council. Laura and Erinn elaborated on plans to convince Alfie and Nathaniel to turn on Ian and David, thus saving the two women. Unfortunately their efforts proved futile as Erinn became the latest castaway to leave the game.

10 are left, who will be voted out tonight?

Padaung
The night is still and silent. The waves calming push against the shoreline while the moon line peers from over a few various clouds. It's the perfect night.

As everyone returns to camp everyone laughs and makes small talk, trying to avoid the quiet. However Laura remains distant, adding nothing to the conversation. Arms crossed, she sits on the edge of the shelter staring into the distance almost as if she is in a trance.

The jokes eventually die and everyone stands around the fire for warmth, saying absolutely nothing to one another. Alfie can tell that Laura is upset, and decides to sit down next to her and rub her back to provide comfort. An action David doesn't like as he glares through the flames at the two. Alfie catches his reaction, but could care less.

Reward
Both tribes, Yang and Padaung, file onto an empty beach simultaneously. Jeff congratulates them all on making it to the half way point in the game, then nonchalantly announces that it's time for them to drop their buffs as the two tribes are merging into one. Jeff's lack luster announcement leads some to be caught off guard as to what's actually happening, but soon he cracks a smile and everyone finally erupts into applause and cheer. Thorn being visibly the most excited as she jumps up and down.

A close up of Bianca shows her smiling from ear to ear.

Jeff walks over to the castaways and hands them their new blue buffs out of a burlap sack. Thorn rubs her dirty face against the clean fabric, a luxury she had previously taken for granted. Laura wraps her buff around her wrist with a smile, no doubt due to her seeming new life in the game.

Jeff then reveals that the reward is one that they can all partake in, a congratulatory feast! As the sun scorches the Myanmar coastline, Ian fans himself with his hand and jokingly says he's either about to pass out from heat exhaustion or excitement and that he's not sure which one it is. Rachael looks over to him with a smile while Laura cannot help but roll her eyes.

Jeff instructs the castaways that if they continue walking down the beach, they'll eventually reach the picnic that has been set up for them. Before everyone is dismissed Jeff points to Laura and says that he needs a second to speak to her, then sends everyone else on their way.

As the newly merged Kayan tribe walk down the hot sandy beach they eventually come to a picnic table set in the sand with various beverages, and next to it lies a blanket containing a wicker basket full of food. On top of the basket lies a note which Nathaniel is the first to grab and read, it contains yet another congratulatory message. As Nathaniel reads the paper he holds tight in his hands, Rachael looks to Jasmine and whispers, "remember". Jasmine nods her head in reply.

Everyone sits down and takes the time to evenly distribute food before eating, Alfie even takes the time to set a plate for the absent Laura. Just as everyone grabs their forks Jeff can be seen walking down the beach toward them. We arrives with a look in his eyes that's enough to spark fear and concern within the castaways eyes. He breaks the news that a family emergency has taken place back home the night before and that Laura had just been informed. "Due to the seriousness of the matter, Laura has decided to withdraw from the game." This is news that cause multiple jaws to drop as a gasp is shared among the the group. Jeff shares a few final words of support for Laura and her relatives before leaving.

Regardless of hunger, everyone takes a second to let the news sink in before looking down to their plates. Being an admittedly sensitive person, this is enough to cause Thorn to shed a few tears as she vocalizes her thoughts and prayers for Laura. Jasmine puts her arm around Thorn and consoles her. Meanwhile all David can do is eye her now unclaimed plate, then breaks the silence with ideas how to split up her portions.

Taking the opportunity while everyone was emotionally distracted, Jasmine scans the food for a possible idol clue. Suddenly she notices that in the bottle of pickles here is a sealed beaker containing a note, it was blending in quite well. Knowing that subtlety is important, she gave Rachael the que to give them better chances of retrieving the clue before anyone else.

As everyone begins to grab their forks, Rachael grabs the pickle jar and takes the bun off of the top of her burger. An action that impresses Jasmine. Then suddenly, "(bleep)!", Rachael "accidently" drops the jar of pickles into the sand beneath the table. She ducts under to salvage what she can, which turns out to be most of the bottle, but manages to burry the clue beneath the sand quickly before sitting up properly again.

Rachael finishes her meal with a grin the entire time she eats.