Dealing With The Devil

Dealing With The Devil is the fifth episode of Survivor: Mozambique - Island of Advantages.

Previously On Survivor...

 * Carter wanted to target Wanda...

Carter: She’s always in game-mode. Like, it’s like her brain runs a mile a minute. I’ve never met anyone as calculating as her. I mean, honestly, I think she’s the most intelligent person on this beach, by far.

"qamea"

- The woman is shrewd, and she’s scarily intelligent. Like, scary.


 * ...and even her allies started to worry that she was a threat.

"qamea"

- I’m starting to think...he’s right. Wanda is incredibly clever, and she’s the mastermind hiding in the shadows. No one should be overlooking her just because of her age, because she’s scary.


 * Over on Waya, Axel tried to throw Summer under the bus to save himself.

Axel: We need to convince them that Summer is the better option for tonight.

Becky: You’re right.

Axel: Because if it’s not Summer, it’s going to be you or me, and it’ll probably be me.


 * But it didn’t work, and ultimately, he was viewed to be playing too hard, and was sent home.

Jeff: Axel, your tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]


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

Night 14
Waya returns to their tribe camp.

Nicholas: That was a good vote, you guys.

Annabeth: Yeah. Easy. No drama…

Christine nods.

"waya"

- Tonight we finally voted Axel out, and it’s like, there’s this sense of relief, almost, like a weight’s been lifted off of all our shoulders. Because Axel brought a lot of negative energy with him, and he was a very threatening person to play this game with. He was intimidating, and so with him gone, it almost feels like this tribe can now work on rebuilding morale and hopefully we won’t lose and have to vote someone off again.

Becky goes to hug Summer, who hugs back gratefully.

Summer: Thank you for keeping me. I know it wasn’t an easy decision for you.

Becky: Don’t worry about it, hon. It’s okay.

She pats Summer on the back and Summer smiles.

"waya"

- I made the decision to keep Summer and vote out Axel. It was hard to have to put an ally’s name down but it’s what I had to do. There was no other way. That’s just how it is when you’re down in numbers like I am. I had to vote to send one of my alliance members home because Nicholas and his posse control this tribe right now. All I can do is keep my head down, do as I’m told, and hope it continues to buy me a few more days on this beach. It sucks, and I hated seeing Axel go, but I have to believe that it was the only thing I could do to help myself and my position in this game right now.

Off to the side, Nicholas, Annabeth, Christine and Percy are gathered and talking.

Nicholas: That was awesome. A clean, simple vote…

Christine: They know we hold the cards now.

Nicholas: Exactly. They had to vote with us. We’re golden on this tribe right now. [laughing] I just hope I’m not jinxing it.

Day 15
Jeff: Come on in guys!

Qamea enters first, Waya coming in behind them.

Jeff: Qamea getting your first look at the new Waya tribe. Axel voted out at the last Tribal Council.

Markus whistles, surprised. Carter looks stunned and nods approvingly.

Becky shakes her head at Markus as the Waya tribe settles down on their mat.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in Marisa returning from the Island of Advantages.

Marisa returns and scowls when she sees Axel is gone.

Jeff: Marisa, also getting her first look at the new Waya tribe.

She curses under her breath as she takes her spot with them.

Jeff: Alright. Everybody, drop your buffs.

Everyone’s faces break out into surprise and glee.

Christine: [laughing] No way…

Annabeth: Aw man, not again!

Carter happily tosses his buff aside.

Carter: Finally!

"qamea"

- I’ve been praying for a tribe swap to happen ever since Charlie went home and now it’s finally happening. I needed this because I didn’t know where I stood on the new Qamea tribe and me or Zoe could’ve been next to go. This couldn’t have come at a better time.

Jeff walks around both tribes, letting them dig inside a bag of covered buffs.

Jacobiah draws the final buff and Jeff takes his place again.

Jeff: Alright, let’s end the suspense. Everybody, reveal.

Everyone uncovers their new buffs.

Nicholas: I’m blue now.

Annabeth: Still red, baby.

Carter is taking out his red buff, but looking worried as Leroy, Jacobiah and Wanda all around him hold up the same color.

And also…

Becky: What…?

Becky is looking at her new yellow buff in bewilderment.

Jeff: Some of you are now realizing that there is a yellow buff in your midst. That is because we are switching from two tribes...to three tribes.

Christine: Damn…

Christine looks down at her yellow buff. Percy peers over Nicholas with a similar one.

Jeff: If you have a yellow buff, stand in the middle. Everyone else, take your spots on your new mats.

People begin moving around while some stay right where they are.

Annabeth: Welcome back?

Annabeth laughs as she gives Wanda a hug and welcomes her four former Wayans back to the Waya tribe mat.

Markus: Hey, good to see you. [laughing]

Becky: Good to see you too. [laughing]

Markus and Becky embrace in the middle of the two mats. Percy is standing to the side, looking uncertain.

And on Qamea, Nicholas, Summer and Marisa are coming over.

Nicholas: So what’s your name?

Trixie: Trixie.

Nicholas: Nice to meet you.

Jeff: Alright, so, let’s assess the damage. On the new Qamea tribe, we have Nicholas, Summer, Marisa, Trixie and Reyna.

Reyna nods, pulling her buff over her head.

Jeff: On the new Waya tribe, we have five people all from the original Waya tribe, Annabeth, Carter, Leroy, Wanda and Jacobiah.

Wanda nods, eyes narrowed.

Jeff: And on our brand new third tribe, we have Markus, Becky, Christine, Zoe and Percy.

Zoe tugs on the new yellow buff around her wrist.

Jeff: Your new name is Nacala.

Markus: Nacala. Nice.

Jeff: The five of you will be starting anew. You will have to build a brand new shelter, and a brand new camp, with none of the rewards that past tribes have won. It is not going to be easy.

Zoe smirks.

Zoe: [under her breath] Great…

Jeff: Everyone, head on back to your camps and get to know your new tribemates. The game has changed yet again.

The three new tribes get ready to leave. The camera focuses on Markus within his new Nacala tribe.

"nacala"

- Starting over on a brand new tribe is nerve-wracking, because we have so much more work to do to establish a brand new shelter and a brand new camp in comparison with the other two tribes. But I was already playing from the bottom on the last Qamea tribe but now, at least, I’m reunited with Becky, who was a close ally of mine, so I’m hoping that this will spell better news for me now.

The Nacala tribe arrives on their new beach.

Christine: Is this it?

The Nacala beach is barren. Zoe pouts, and Christine sighs.

Becky: Looks like we got a lot of work to do again…

Markus: And we haven’t even met yet! [laughing]

He extends a hand to Christine.

Markus: Name’s Markus.

Christine: Hi, I’m Christine. I’ve heard a lot about you. [laughing]

The camera focuses on Zoe looking touchy as she loiters around the beach, kicking at the sand.

"nacala"

- We start over on a new beach, which sucks, because now we have to rebuild a brand new shelter for the five of us, and looking at our new tribe, I’m not filled with a lot of confidence. None of us are particularly strong, smart or athletic, so if I had to guess, I’d say we might be seeing a lot of Tribal Council in the next few days. This just does not look like a strong tribe, and that really worries me. I do not want to go back to Tribal Council.

Markus: Alright, so let’s get to it.

Christine: You wanna lead us in the shelter building, Markus?

Markus: Oh, sure. I’d be happy to.

While Christine walks off, Becky nudges Markus playfully and he nudges her back.

Becky: It’s good to have you back.

Markus: You too.

They hug quickly.

Becky: Life was not good on Waya.

Markus: Yeah? I wasn’t thriving on Qamea either myself.

"nacala"

- I can’t describe what a relief it is to be back with Markus. Back on Waya, our Qamea alliance was getting picked off one by one and I don’t think we’d’ve lasted another three days. So to be back here and with my closest ally, it feels almost like a fresh start.

Markus: Tell me your thoughts on the others. You spent time with Christine, right?

Becky: She’s alright. But we weren’t working on the same side, really. She was with Nicholas.

Markus: What happened the last two Tribals?

Becky: It was basically a war of the alliances. And Percy flipped on us.

The camera cuts to Percy and Christine gathering wood together.

Markus: Did he now?

Becky: Nicholas pulled him over.

"nacala"

- It sounds to me like this Nicholas fellow is the Waya version of me. He’s got this big alliance going, and he’s the king, and he was able to flip Percy and gain the advantage on Waya when he was down in numbers. That kind of player worries me. And it was really lucky that Becky was able to survive being on a tribe where he was on top and in power.

Becky: What about Zoe? Do you have a good vibe from her?

Markus: That’s the thing. I’ve wanted to work with her. I was going to work with her and her alliance but we got burned at our first Tribal Council when the others blindsided Charlie.

Becky: So you’re not working together?

Markus: It’s not that I don’t want to. I do. But it’s just that she doesn’t want to work with me.

"nacala"

- Zoe and I have a complicated relationship. On one hand, I was being genuine in that I wanted to work with her at that first Qamea Tribal Council, but Wanda and the others blindsiding Charlie, and me going to the Island of Advantages, both kinda spoiled that for us. Other than a rapport I had with Carter, I didn’t have any allies on the old Qamea beach and she certainly wasn’t one of them. So that concerns me that I may not have much of relationship with her even now, on Nacala. And with so few people on this tribe, I need all the allies I can get.

Becky: By the way, I have good news.

Markus: What is it?

Becky: When I went to the Island of Advantages…

Markus: Yeah?

Becky: I got an Extra Vote.

Markus: Shut up.

Becky: I did.

Markus: No. Way. Are you for real?

Becky: Yeah. [giggling] You’re the only one I’ve told so far.

"nacala"

- I told Markus about the Extra Vote I got because he’s my closest ally out here. We’ve bonded since the very first day over both being parents, and I’m with him to the end. So I trust him with this information. I’m hoping we can use this Extra Vote together to do some damage.

Markus: That is insane. That is so awesome.

Zoe and Percy are walking to the well together, and they meet Christine there.

Christine: Talk about luck, am I right?

Percy: Are we good?

Zoe: I’m totally down for this.

Christine: Listen. It’s the three of us, and two of them. We can have two easy votes ahead of us if it comes down to it.

"nacala"

- On this new tribe, there’s Markus and Becky, who were already aligned on the original Qamea tribe, and then there’s me, Percy and Zoe. I was already working with Zoe on the first Waya tribe, and I worked with Percy on the second. So that means I’m already in an alliance with both of them. Together, we’re a trio, and that’s all we need to have a majority on this tribe. This could not have gone any better, it literally fell into my lap, perfect as is. [laughing]

Christine: Us three just have to stick together, and we’re golden on this new tribe.

Percy: I know.

"nacala"

- I’m on this new third tribe, and I’m reunited with Markus again. I don’t really know how good my relationship is with him because we were never close. He’s a good guy, I just...I don’t think he really cared for me all that much and I didn’t make a good impression on him or the rest of my Qamea tribemates in those early days. And I know that he and Becky are close, so he’s not going to be happy with me. [nervous chuckling] After what happened with Albert and Axel…so with that being said, maybe it is best for my game to just stick with Christine and Zoe, because then, we have an easy majority.

Percy and Markus are talking later that day, as he hands Markus a bunch of bamboo he’s gathered.

Percy: Hey. Are we good?

Markus: Hm? Yeah, of course. Listen, whatever went down on Waya...I’m willing to brush that aside. It’s all water under the bridge for me. A new tribe, a fresh start, you know what I mean?

Percy: Y-Yeah, that’s good to hear.

They shake on it quickly, but it is clear from their body postures that neither are very comfortable with each other just yet.

Meanwhile, on Qamea…

The new Qamea tribe goes to Qamea beach.

Trixie: Psh. I haven’t left this damn beach since the start of the game.

She plops down in her shelter and smirks at Summer and Marisa.

Trixie: Welcome back. I kept the shelter warm for you two.

Marisa: Good to be back, I suppose.

Summer: Home sweet home.

Nicholas: So this is your place, huh?

Reyna is watching the four of them interact, looking guarded, and a little concerned.

"qamea"

- This new tribe swap did not work out in my favor. [nervous laughing] I’m on the new Qamea tribe with Trixie, Nicholas, Summer and Marisa. Nicholas, I was never aligned with even back on the old Waya tribe. We just never spoke all that much and I knew he had this big alliance that didn’t include me, or Wanda, Jacobiah and Leroy. The four of us would always watch as he and his tight six had little beach parties without us, talking strategy or just hanging out and it never really felt like he cared all that much about me in the game. And now, I have to live with him on the same tribe again. After what I did to Charlie, he could very easily decide to strike back for him, and take me out. And this time, I won’t have any of my former allies to protect me. All three of them went to the new Waya tribe! Now, without them, I’m completely alone on this new tribe, and I’m gonna have to fend for myself.

Summer: Hey there, my name’s Summer.

Reyna: Summer, nice to meet you. I’m Reyna.

Summer: Oh cool! It’s nice to meet you too, I’ve heard about you from the others.

Marisa is watching Summer make chitchat with Reyna from the shelter, sitting with Trixie. She nudges Trixie.

Marisa: She’s the reason Albert and Axel went home.

Trixie: Oh, is that so?

Marisa: Yeah. And Nicholas too.

The camera cuts to Nicholas walking out of the water down by the beach, an imposing figure.

"qamea"

- This tribe swap kinda sucked. Not only am I still stuck with Summer; I mean, I’ve already been with her on all three tribes so far, and I don’t even like her; but I’m also stuck with Nicholas. That’s two people I can’t stand on the same tribe with me, and most of my allies are gone. But it’s Survivor, so whatever. Between the two, I definitely think Nicholas should go first. He was the king on Waya, and he’s a scrappy player. He needs to go as soon as possible because I don’t want to play with someone like him at the merge.

Marisa: Don’t trust a word Nicholas says. He is so shady.

Trixie: Is he now?

Marisa: He was the king of Waya, like, literally.

Trixie looks on approvingly.

"qamea"

- Marisa tells me not to trust Nicholas, because he’s shady and he led a charge against the Qamea alliance on Waya. And that instantly endears me to him, because I’ve never liked my old tribe and knowing that this Nicholas guy led a charge against Markus’ alliance, and took out two of them? That’s, like, music to my ears. And I appreciate another shady person being on the tribe. Makes me feel less alone, you know. [smirks]

Trixie and Nicholas are now talking down by the water’s edge.

Trixie: I hear from Marisa you’re some big shot back on Waya, are you?

Nicholas: Heh. Is that what she’s saying about me?

Trixie: Pretty much. [takes a casual bite of coconut] That true?

Nicholas: [shrugs] Depends which way you look at it.

Trixie: I also heard you’re the main reason Albert and Axel ain’t in this game no more.

Nicholas: Again, that’s one way of looking at it.

Trixie: Well, how would you look at it then?

Nicholas: I’d say I managed to flip the tables that way, yes.

Trixie: Mad respect.

Nicholas: You were never with them folks on Qamea, were you?

Trixie: Nuh-uh. I couldn’t stand Markus, I hated Becky, I hated Albert even more. Axel was alright, but you know, I take what I can get.

Nicholas laughs.

"qamea"

- Trixie is a woman after my own heart. She has no filter, she’s sassy, and from what I know of her surviving those first few tribals on Qamea, she’s not the type to give up either. I could use a girl like her on my team. Plus, she’s a very clear outsider from Qamea, which makes her a perfect number, because she has no other allies. And right now, with Summer, Marisa and Reyna all not looking to work with me, I could use an ally like her.

Meanwhile, on the new Waya tribe…

Annabeth is sitting by the fire, as Carter, Wanda, Leroy and Jacobiah return to their old camp and are re-familiarizing themselves with the shelter.

Wanda: Just like I remembered it…

Leroy: Qamea wasn’t horrible but nothing beats home sweet home.

"waya"

- The tribe swap put the five of us original Waya tribe members back on our old Waya camp. It’s me, Wanda and Jacobiah, with two others in Carter and Annabeth. Carter was on the bottom of our last tribe because he and Zoe were on the outs and chances were high that unless something crazy happened, one of the two would’ve gone home. And he and Annabeth were part of Nicholas’s alliance in the beginning, so now that it’s just the five of us, we still have the majority over them, and Carter’s position in this game hasn’t changed. So I’m thinking this swap is very good for me, Wanda and Jacobiah because we have our pick over which of those two we want to take out.

As Leroy lazes back in the shelter, Annabeth is taking a walk with Carter.

Annabeth: Hey, so, catch me up on everything that happened on Qamea.

Carter: It was horrible. Charlie, Zoe and I got blindsided.

Annabeth: I figured as much.

Carter: It was Wanda, Jacobiah, Leroy and Reyna that flipped on us.

Annabeth: Right, of course.

Carter: Me and Zoe wouldn’t have lasted another Tribal, I don’t think. I tried to shift a target onto Wanda but I don’t know how successful I was. I think we’re in big trouble on this tribe right now.

Annabeth: You think?

Carter: Yeah. You and me are on the bottom. The other three are much tighter to each other than they are to us.

"waya"

- Carter tells me that we’re on the bottom of this tribe, because Wanda, Leroy and Jacobiah are in an alliance. He thinks our best shot is to try and take out Wanda if we have to, which is obviously a better option than, say, the both of us having to target one another. But I’m trying to stay optimistic. Just because things look bad right now and we could be facing a tight trio doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road.

Annabeth: What do Leroy and Jacobiah think?

Carter: I think if possible, we need to flip Leroy to our side and take out Wanda.

The camera cuts to Leroy in the background by the shelter, and Wanda in the foreground, looking off into the distance, back at camp.

Carter: It might be the only shot for both of us to make it through this tribe swap.

"waya"

- Aligning with Nicholas at the start of the game has really not worked out all that well for me. I thought being in a majority alliance early on would set me up right, but I’m still on the bottom of my tribe even after a second tribe swap and I’m at risk of going home. I don’t want to have to vote off Annabeth to save myself, but I also don’t know if I can get Leroy to turn on Wanda. I feel like my life is still hanging on by a thread here and it really makes me feel silly for being so hopeful when I first heard Jeff tell us to drop our buffs. [laughing] But I’m not giving up. I’m sure if I just keep at it, I’ll find a crack within those three that I can exploit and maybe they’re not so tight after all.

The camera cuts to Wanda and Jacobiah making amicable small talk, as Carter watches in worry from the shelter.

Meanwhile, on Nacala…

It is getting dark, and Zoe is talking to Percy in the shelter while the other three are out of earshot.

Zoe: Why did you always ask to be sent to the Island of Advantages back on Qamea?

Percy: I was just mostly nervous. I was scared my tribe was going to vote me out.

Zoe: Didn’t have much of a relationship with the others?

Percy: It always felt like the same few people were in power. Markus, Becky, Albert...I just didn’t want it to be me because I knew that I was probably a big option to send home in those early days.

Zoe: Is that why you flipped on them on Waya?

Percy: Yeah. And I heard they were going to flip on me too, so I’m more Waya than Qamea at this point. [laughing]

Zoe: I guess that’s good for me.

"nacala"

- Percy was betrayed by his tribemates who he thought loyal to him, so that’s one thing that the two of us have in common. And he was working with Nicholas, Annabeth and Christine, the other members of my alliance, so it’s like I have an instant ally as soon as we were both swapped onto this new tribe. He’s a sweet kid and I’m glad I’m on the same tribe with him. Another thing is that he and I both think that Markus is shady and a dangerous player. We both recognize the leadership traits in him that make him a threat and I think we both agree that he needs to be our first target at our first Nacala Tribal Council.

Zoe: I think Markus is playing the best game out here.

Percy: I agree.

Zoe: Even when he was on the bottom on Qamea, he saved himself and it ended with me and Carter on the bottom instead. I just don’t trust him. I don’t trust that charming smile of his. Markus has got to go!

The camera cuts to Markus flashing that same charming smile to Becky and Christine and the women laughing.

Percy: I already told Nicholas this, but I’m with you Wayans all the way. Once the merge hits, I’m sticking with you and your guys.

Zoe: Aw, that’s what I like to hear. I bet you that people underestimate the two of us but we can make it, you and me.

Markus and Becky are talking in low whispers in the shelter.

Markus: Have you talked to Christine yet?

Becky: Not yet, but I don’t think it’s likely she’ll vote with us. We might be cornered on the bottom here.

Markus: If we use your Extra Vote-

Becky: We’d tie it up, and then you or I go home. So our only option-

Markus: -is to convince one of those three to go with us, right.

"nacala"

- It’s not looking good for Markus and I right now. We’re two people going up against three others who have not shown any desire to work with either of us at this stage of the game. Percy and Christine are close, and Zoe and Christine are aligned, so the three of them are together. It would be easy for them to just choose to vote out either me or Markus if we lose the next challenge and I’m not sure how we would even go about changing one of their minds. We need to win the next immunity challenge or Markus and I are screwed and we could end up losing another member of our alliance AGAIN.

Day 16
The Waya tribe is waking up.

Wanda is yawning slightly, stirring the pot of rice, and stretching a little, Jacobiah walks over to help her.

Jacobiah: Need a little assistance with breakfast?

Wanda: Nah, I’m good. Thanks. Sit down.

He sits next to her. Carter is still snoring in the shelter. Leroy and Annabeth are out.

Wanda: What do you think of this tribe so far?

Jacobiah: I think...you, me and Leroy are in a good spot.

Wanda: Mhm, I’d say we’re in more than a good spot. We should be sitting pretty up to the merge with the tribe numbers like this.

She indicates Carter sleeping with a jerk of the head.

Wanda: What do you think of him and Annabeth? If you had to pick, who would you send home?

Jacobiah thinks it over.

Jacobiah: I think...that Carter is a bigger threat.

Wanda: He is, isn’t he?

Jacobiah: Back on Qamea, he was talking about how you were a target.

This catches Wanda’s attention.

Wanda: He did? When?

Jacobiah: It was...just some stuff he said.

Wanda: Like what? What did he say?

Jacobiah shrugs.

Jacobiah: Just stuff he was telling me and Leroy about...how you were really smart and that you were the biggest threat on the old Qamea.

Wanda’s eyes narrow.

Wanda: That’s not the kind of thing I want to hear. Carter has to go next, then.

Jacobiah: Well, yeah. But it’s nothing. The three of us are still solid. And either Carter or Annabeth will go home if we go to Tribal.

At that moment, Leroy returns to camp.

Leroy: ‘Sup.

He walks past the two and Wanda watches his back with concern.

"waya"

- I hear from Jacobiah this morning that Carter Hoskins is throwing my name around. [eye twitches] That is very troubling news. Not that I’m afraid of Carter. I can handle Carter. But I don’t need him throwing my name around, either on our last tribe or this one, especially not to my allies as if he’s trying to get them to turn on me. On this tribe, you only need three people to secure a majority. And I don’t need him or Annabeth planting ideas into Leroy or Jacobiah’s heads that I need to be the next one to go. Honestly, I wanted to take Annabeth out first, because she’s closer to Nicholas than he is, and we don’t need her in challenges. But if Carter is actively rallying to vote me out, then that just means I’m going to have to get him first. If we end up going to Tribal Council, he’d better be worried, because I will come for whoever comes for me first.

Jeff: Come on in, guys!

The three new tribes traipse on in.

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

Jeff takes the idol back from Trixie.

Jeff: Immunity is back up for grabs. For today’s challenge, you will be rowing a boat to shore, lighting torches along the way. Once all the torches are lit and you are back on shore, one member of the tribe must assemble a pole and use it to retrieve three keys from behind a gate. Using those keys, that tribe member must then unlock the door and the tribe must raise the flag behind the gate to win immunity. First two tribes to raise their flag win. We’ll get started.

All three tribes get into position.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

Each tribe begans frantically rowing to their first torch.

It is Jacobiah lighting the torches for Waya, Zoe for Nacala, and Marisa for Qamea.

The Waya tribe lights their first torch, followed by Qamea and Nacala.

Jeff: Waya off to a fast start…

Carter and Leroy are paddling fast.

Jeff: Waya with their second torch lit, Qamea and Nacala not far behind…

Waya gets to their third and final torch, and Jacobiah lights it. Soon, they reach the shore and all five of them grab their boat and beach it.

Jeff: Waya heading out to their gate.

Qamea lights their final torch next, followed by Nacala. Soon, all three tribes are racing onto shore.

Jeff: Carter is assembling the pole for Waya.

Carter is crouched in the sand by the gate, putting his pole together.

Jeff: It is Nicholas working on the pole for Qamea, and Markus for Nacala.

Carter is up first, stretching his pole out to grab the first key.

Jeff: Carter has the first key!

Nicholas gives his pole a shot, but he comes up short.

Jeff: No! Nicholas’ pole isn’t long enough, he has to try again.

Meanwhile, Carter is reaching out for his second key, and gets it.

Jeff: Carter with the second key for Waya!

As Nicholas makes his pole longer, Markus has finished with his pole, having taken an even longer time to put his together, and is reaching for his first key and gets it.

Jeff: Markus with the first key for Nacala, overtaking Qamea!

Carter is reaching for the third and final key, and just misses it.

Annabeth: You got this, Carter!

Nicholas is going for his first key, and manages to hook it, but it falls into the sand.

Trixie curses, and Marisa tosses her hands in frustration.

Jeff: Nicholas drops his key...he’s got to find a way to get it back to him…

Markus is stretching out for his second key, and narrowly gets it on the tip of his pole, slowly and patiently bringing it back through the gate to him.

Jeff: Nacala with their second key!

Carter is still going for the third key, and manages to hook it on his second try.

Jeff: Yes! Waya has all three keys.

Annabeth is jumping up and down as Carter begins to unlock the first few locks on the gate.

Nicholas is busy tugging his first key back to him and manages to snag it through the gate. Now, he is reaching out for his second key, as Markus goes for the third one. Becky and Percy glance over at Nicholas’ progress with concern.

Carter finishes unlocking the gate for Waya, and the five Wayans charge through to the other side, where Leroy frantically begins to raise their tribe flag.

Jeff: Waya wins immunity! We’re looking for one more!

Waya explodes in celebration and get into a group hug, Carter beaming widely and Annabeth cheering, as the other tribes keep working.

Markus is still trying for his third key, as Nicholas successfully snags the second.

Jeff: Nicholas has the second key for Qamea! They just need one more! Markus, still trying for the third key!

The tip of Markus’ pole is dancing around the edge of the keyring, but he manages to lift it and is gingerly bringing it back.

Jeff: Markus, slowly trying to get the key back for Nacala. Can Nicholas catch him or is it too late for Qamea?

Nicholas is focused on getting his third key and manages to snag it.

Jeff: Nicholas has the third key! It’s a race for the final lock!

Markus gets his key back first and begins hurriedly unlocking locks. A couple seconds later, Nicholas retrieves the third key and gets to work on the gate too.

Jeff: It’s neck-and-neck!

Becky: Come on!

Summer: No…

Markus gets his first lock open right before Nicholas does.

Jeff: Nacala is just a split second ahead of Qamea!

Nicholas is working at full speed. Markus is clearly nervous and shaky, but keeps working. He gets his second lock open, and Nicholas does the same shortly after.

Jeff: Who’s going to get their gate open first?

In the end, it is Markus who gets the final lock undone before Nicholas and the Nacala tribe is racing through just as Nicholas breaks open the final lock and charges through the gate like a raging bull, the other members of Qamea rushing to follow him.

Markus reaches the tribe flag first and is already rushing to raise it even as Nicholas reaches his.

The Nacala flag is raised a split second before Nicholas can start turning.

Jeff: Nacala wins immunity, by a split second over Qamea, sending Qamea to Tribal Council!

Markus exhales in relief and the rest of the Nacala five break out into joy and exhaustedly come together in a group hug, as Nicholas kicks at the sand and spits at his feet. Marisa is scowling.

Summer: Dang it…

Reyna shakes her head bitterly, tugging her buff over her mouth to hide her disappointment.

Jeff: Waya, Nacala, come take your immunity idols.

Wanda and Becky grab the idols. Trixie is watching them with narrowed eyes.

Jeff: Waya, Nacala, congratulations. No one on your tribes is going home tonight. As for you guys, Qamea, one of you will become the 6th person voted out of this game. You have the afternoon to figure out who it’s gonna be. See you tonight at Tribal.

As the Qamea tribe leaves, the camera focuses on Reyna walking off.

"qamea"

- Tonight is the first time I will be going to Tribal Council without my allies, and I feel vulnerable. I don’t really trust Nicholas and I have no idea where I fit in with the others, so this could be a very dangerous position for me to be in heading into Tribal tonight. I have to say that this is probably the most nervous I’ve been since the start of the game because I genuinely feel alone right now. I’m going to have to fight through this on my own to make sure I make it out of tonight’s Tribal alive and still in this game.

Qamea returns to their camp.

Summer: Bummer.

"qamea"

- Once again, on Qamea, I have lost an immunity challenge. This is becoming standard practice now! [laughs] I don’t like being on Qamea one bit, and throughout this entire game, I’ve only avoided Tribal Council one time. Just one! I’ve been to every other one and it is exhausting to always have to keep coming back to Tribal Council and have to vote someone out when other tribes are just coasting by, hardly ever having to go back to Tribal. Like, there are people on the other tribe, like on Waya, who have only attended Tribal Council once so far. And then there’s me, who’s only AVOIDED Tribal Council once. How is that fair? [laughs] It’s really not, and it sucks that I have to go back again tonight, and AGAIN have to go through all the strategy and politics that come with Tribal. It’s just...really stressful.

Summer nudges Marisa.

Summer: Take a walk?

Marisa sighs.

Marisa: Sure, whatevs.

They leave.

Summer: So what’s the plan?

Marisa: Well, I think it’s obvious. Nicholas has got to go.

Summer: I agree. Nicholas is the biggest threat on this beach. He can’t weasel out of getting voted out again this time. He can’t.

"qamea"

- Going back to Tribal Council is annoying, especially because I still have to deal with Summer and her annoying, positive ass. But this might be a good thing. I can finally get rid of Nicholas, and it’ll be payback for Albert and Axel. He ain’t gonna be the king no more after tonight. If it means having to put up with Summer just to get him out, then by all means, I’ll have to bite my tongue and do it.

Summer: We need one more vote. Reyna?

Marisa: No, let’s talk to Trixie. I don’t trust Reyna.

"qamea"

- I wanted to get Trixie on board to vote for Nicholas, because I trust her a lot more than I trust Summer, honestly. We worked together on the Ethan vote and I’m confident I got her in my corner. I trust her more than I’d trust Reyna, who I only know for, like, two or three days, so it’s no contest.

Marisa goes to talk with Trixie as they stand in the water.

Marisa: So tonight, Summer and I were thinking it’s Nicholas.

Trixie: That so?

Marisa: He was a nightmare to be with on Waya. I can’t deal with all that kingpin nonsense here again. He needs to be knocked down a peg or two.

Trixie is nodding, listening intently.

Trixie: I hear you.

Marisa: I know you’re still iffy on working with Markus and the other Qamea guys. But I got your back, girl, okay? Just, Nicholas needs to be taken down a notch right now, because his Waya crew do not want to associate with us, at all. I can’t be working with both you and him. He’s got to go.

Trixie: Yeah. I get it. If that’s the plan, I’ll do it.

Marisa: Okay, good.

Marisa leaves, returning to the shelter, and as Trixie watches her, she rolls her eyes at Marisa’s back.

"qamea"

- Marisa...is such an idiot. Honestly, like...she still thinks I’m with her. Girl, I would flip on you and the rest of your little alliance for a chicken sandwich, let alone a million dollars. She is so oblivious and she doesn’t even realize it. I’ve got her wrapped all around my little finger and she’ll eat up whatever garbage I can feed her.

Trixie meets up with Nicholas by the well.

Trixie: You’re gonna get votes tonight.

Nicholas: Yeah, well, that doesn’t exactly surprise me. I figured all three of them would have a vendetta against me.

Trixie: And that’s not good. You’re gonna need to get one of them to flip if you want to save yourself.

Nicholas sighs, stroking his beard.

Trixie: I’m not with Qamea, so I am totally on board with you and Waya. We get to the merge, you’ve got me on your side, no questions asked.

Nicholas: I appreciate that.

"qamea"

- Trixie warned me today that I was going to get votes at Tribal Council, and in other news, you know...water is wet. Like, it’s not surprising in the least to me. I already was never going to be working with Summer and Marisa and Marisa in particular dislikes me. Then there’s Reyna who, you know, me and her...we never really connected much back on Waya and I don’t think we would have worked together. But maybe she’s my best shot at flipping the script right now.

Nicholas: If I can get Reyna to vote for either Summer or Marisa, who do you want to send home?

Trixie: Dude, I don’t [censored] care. Send either one of them home, like, take your fancy. Personally, I will say that Marisa is way easier to fool, because she’s a dumbass.

Nicholas: Summer is better in challenges though.

Trixie: Good point. Marisa isn’t exactly a challenge beast herself.

Nicholas: Summer is way more likeable than she is. I almost don’t want to vote her out over Marisa just becaues I can stand to be around her more. And if ever down the road in the game, we need to work with either one of them for any reason, it’d be easier to negotiate with Summer than someone volatile like Marisa.

Trixie: I agree with that. They’ve both got ties to Markus and the other Qamea folk too.

Nicholas: I think Marisa is more tight with their alliance than Summer is, if what happened to Albert was any inclination.

He hesitates, lost in thought.

Nicholas: Lot to think about…

"qamea"

- The game is all about decisions, and right now, there’s two sides to the same coin. Marisa is not a good player. She’s a little like Trixie in that she doesn’t let go of grudges easily, which is bad for me because I’m one of the people she’s got a grudge against. But she’s also easier to manipulate, and she’s not that smart. Summer is better in challenges, better in strategy, and also has a better social game. But she’s a bit of an outsider right now because I think her alliance no longer trusts her when she got Albert voted off. And she does have a good relationship with Annabeth, so that might bear fruit down the road. If I had to pick one of the two women to vote off...I don’t know who I would pick yet. But none of that matters if I can’t get Reyna to do what I want her to, and that is to vote with a person she has zero working relationship with whatsoever...me.

Nicholas heads off deeper into the forest, carrying his bag with him.

"qamea"

- So I know Reyna feels like she may be on the bottom right now, which is fair. She has no other allies on her side right now, no one from Waya she was close to and all that. The only person she might have is Trixie, because they voted together to blindside Charlie, which I’m still mad about, by the way. But I’m willing to look past that to take care of the issue with Summer and Marisa first. If I’m going to convince Reyna to vote with me, I need to make her think she’s got no other choice but to do it. And I’ve been collecting materials over the past few weeks across the beach; stuff like seashells, tiny ornaments, fabric and other pieces of jewelry. I even have stuff that Albert and Axel left behind. But the best thing I’ve got is that I still have the parchment from Percy’s hidden immunity idol. When he gave it to me, I kept the paper!

Nicholas sits down in the dirt and begins working with his supplies.

Back at camp, Reyna is sitting with Summer and Marisa.

Reyna: What’s the plan for tonight? Are you three from Qamea, like, gonna vote based off of tribal lines?

Summer: I think the safest plan is to just vote for Nicholas. He’s too big of a threat right now.

Marisa: We just all vote for Nicholas. It’ll be easy.

Reyna: Okay. I’ll do it, to prove to you two that I can be trusted. And we can work together moving forward.

Summer: Yeah, that’d be great.

Reyna gets up and leaves. Marisa turns to Summer.

Marisa: Don’t tell her this, obviously, but we should split the votes just to be safe. What if Nicholas has an idol?

Summer: Okay. You want to split it with…?

Marisa: One of us should vote for Reyna, and I’ll tell Trixie to do it too. Then the other one votes for Nicholas with Reyna, so if Nicholas pulls out an idol, at least Reyna goes home and not one of the three of us.

Summer: You think it’s risky? What if Reyna finds out?

Marisa: She won’t. And even so, what can she do? Us three from Qamea have the majority over the two of them.

Summer: Okay…

Reyna meets Nicholas in the forest.

Reyna: You wanted to meet me?

Nicholas: Yeah. Let’s take a walk. I wanted to talk about tonight.

They walk.

Nicholas: Obviously, I know I’m getting votes tonight.

Reyna stays silent.

Nicholas: You don’t have to lie to me, because I know. But I also am pretty confident you’re gonna get fleeced tonight. Because if I play an idol, who do you think they’d split the votes against?

Reyna: Me.

Nicholas: That’s right. And I’m telling you right now that I do have a hidden immunity idol.

Reyna raises an eyebrow in skepticism.

Reyna: Do you now?

Nicholas: I do. I’ll let you see it, but you can’t take it from me.

He shows her the makeshift idol he’s made, and the parchment from Percy’s idol.

Reyna: Oh wow.

Nicholas: If I play this tonight, you’ll go home. You have to know that. But that doesn’t benefit me in this game, to have you go home.

Reyna: No?

Nicholas: No. Because if you go home, and we go back to Tribal next, I won’t have an idol and Summer and Marisa will either vote me out with Trixie or it’ll end in a tie. I don’t want that. Their duo will have all the power if either you or me get voted out tonight. So like it or not, we both need to put aside our differences and vote one of them out. If you agree to vote with me tonight, I can get Trixie to flip on the pair of them and we can keep each other safe at least until the merge, by taking out one of the two of them tonight, and the other one if we go back to Tribal Council.

Reyna is listening quietly, eyes on the floor.

Nicholas: You’re a smart girl. You know you’ve got no other option.

Reyna bites her lips and puts her hands on her hips, shifting from foot to foot.

"qamea"

- Nicholas is a very smooth talker. I can’t get a good read on him. Do I think he’s lying to me? I can’t say for certain if his idol is the real deal, because it looks like it could be fake. But at the same time, there have been idols on Survivor in the past that deliberately look fake, but are the authentic thing. And Nicholas brings up a point. As far as I know, the three girls on Qamea are voting together, so if he goes home tonight, I’ll be next in line if we lose another immunity challenge. And with him voted off, it’d just be us four girls in the next immunity challenge, which makes it very, very likely that I end up coming back to Tribal Council. If I go back to Tribal Council with these three girls from Qamea, I’m going to be the one voted out. But now, Nicholas is offering me a chance to get to the merge, by targeting Summer and Marisa first. It would keep the both of us safe for two votes, but it’d require us having to put aside our differences and work together. Nicholas and I are on completely different alliances, both now and back on the original Waya. So really, I’m dealing with the devil right now.

As the sun makes its way closer to the horizon, Reyna is seen deep in thought as she sits down on the beach, staring out at the ocean.

"qamea"

- I really miss my allies. [laughing] Because I feel like I need someone to discuss my options with. Wanda was a good alliance buddy because she and I thought on the same wavelengths and we could always discuss strategy together, and well. But now, I have to be independent and make this decision on my own, and do what’s best for my game. Nicholas is a bigger threat, but if I do go along with Summer and Marisa’s plan and vote him off now, it could spell disaster for my game moving forward. I may have to keep him around just to keep myself around, and it’s dangerous, having to try and trust a snake like him. I’ve got a lot to make up my mind on, and not a whole lot of time to do it. I just have to hope whatever decision I make doesn’t screw me over.

The camera fades away from the thoughtful expression on Reyna’s face, as the tribe gets up and leaves the Qamea beach.

Night has fallen, and Qamea arrives at Tribal Council.

Jeff: So...once again, Qamea, you are back at Tribal Council.

Trixie: Just couldn’t stay away, Jeff.

Summer laughs and Reyna smiles.

Jeff: Summer, this is your third tribe after having two tribe swaps. What is the effect of having two tribe swaps on the game?

Summer: One big thing is that it really blurs the lines between original tribes. Like, tribal lines get blurred more and more with each swap, because now you’re playing with people from all across the board. For example, I’ve been with Marisa on all three tribes, I was with Nicholas on Waya, I was with Trixie on Qamea and this is my first time meeting Reyna. I’ve had different experiences with all four of them and so my relationships with all of them individually are going to be varied. Multiple tribe swaps really make the web of interconnected relationships much more complicated and that’s going to make the vote a lot more complex too.

Jeff: Nicholas, will past alliances come into play in this Tribal, or is this going to be a whole new tribe voting?

Nicholas: No, I definitely think past alliances and relationships are going to have a huge part in tonight’s Tribal. For example, I know that a couple people here are already aware of my gameplay and that might make me a threat in their eyes.

Jeff: You’re referring to Summer and Marisa?

Nicholas: Yeah, I am.

Jeff: So do you think you’re going to get votes tonight?

Nicholas: Jeff, you could ask me this question each time and I’d probably give you the same answer. I always expect to get votes. I knew I was going to have trouble not coming off as this big, aggressive player, but that’s just who I am. I wanted to come here and make a big splash in the game. I like being the centre of attention. That’s just me. Unfortunately, that’s not a good strategy in Survivor. It makes people want to vote you out more. So it is what it is.

Marisa cocks an eyebrow.

Jeff: It almost sounds like you’ve given up.

Nicholas: Absolutely not. I know whose name I’m writing down tonight and I’m sticking to it, no matter what bullets come my way.

Marisa makes a face.

Jeff: Marisa, that got a reaction from you.

Marisa: Yeah, because Nicholas hasn’t said a word to me this entire time we’ve been on the new Qamea. It’s pretty clear that if he’s voting for someone, it could very likely be me.

Nicholas: I know she doesn’t like me, yeah.

Jeff: So is this what it boils down to? Marisa wants Nicholas gone and Nicholas is retaliating?

Marisa: This is so much more than that. I do think Nicholas is a threat and it’s pretty obvious. The whole tribe can see that Nicholas is a threat and tonight is a prime opportunity to take him out.

Nicholas chuckles.

Nicholas: All out in the open…

Reyna is chewing on the inside of her cheek with concern. Trixie is leaning back and enjoying herself.

Jeff: Trixie, where do you weigh in on all this?

Trixie: I think it’s very entertaining. [laughing] Other than that, you know, I know what I’m doing tonight and the people who I trust and who trust me know that I’m not going to go against that. Tonight is an easy vote and tomorrow we bounce back stronger and hopefully we won’t have to see you again until the merge.

Summer giggles.

Jeff: Reyna, you’re the only other member of Waya other than Nicholas. Concerned that the relationship among the three women of Qamea will outcast you?

Reyna: That has crossed my mind, Jeff. And it’ll definitely be something I consider after tonight. But just because I wasn’t on the very first tribe with them doesn’t mean I can’t build relationships now. I mean, I also worked with Trixie at my very first Tribal so I’m not here completely without people who I have worked with before.

Jeff: Is tonight’s vote truly so simple as taking out a big threat like Nicholas or not?

Reyna: I do think that Nicholas being a threat is a big topic at tonight’s Tribal because he’s the biggest target, but I don’t expect him to go down easy. I’m sure he’s got a plan or scheme up his sleeve somewhere.

Nicholas smirks at this.

Reyna: I’m just sticking to the vote I said I would and hoping that everything works out tonight.

Summer nods empathetically at this.

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

Summer gets up to vote.

Nicholas glances over at Reyna, who is hunched over, intertwining her fingers and resting her fists against her chin, staring deeply into the fire.

"qamea"

- Sorry, girl. I really like you, but I just don’t know if I can trust you yet. I hope you stay.

The camera fades away and cuts to Nicholas walking up to the voting booth, then to Marisa, writing down Nicholas’ name on the parchment.

The camera cuts to Summer seated down, swaying in her seat.

The camera then cuts to Reyna walking up to the voting booth, pausing, before uncapping the pen with a big sigh.

At last, Reyna returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves. Trixie watches him go, pursing her lips.

Summer swallows, glancing over at Marisa, who adjusts herself in her seat, straightening up.

Jeff returns.

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

Nicholas narrows his eyes and looks around. Summer is watching him, anticipating and licking her lips. Reyna is eyeing him out of the corner of her eye. He smirks, shrugs slightly, and does nothing.

Jeff: Alright. Once the votes are read, the decision is final. Person voted out will be asked to leave the Tribal Council area immediately. I’ll read the votes.

He opens the urn.

Summer’s eye twitches as she turns back to Jeff. Marisa is folding her arms, rubbing her skin. Trixie cocks her head to the side as Jeff pulls out the first vote.

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

Nicholas grins and nods.

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

Reyna’s mouth forms into a tight line at her name coming up.

The camera cuts to Summer frowning, then to Marisa raising an eyebrow.

…

…

...

Jeff: Summer. That’s one vote Nicholas, one vote Reyna, one vote Summer. (1-1-1)

Summer swallows, wincing. Nicholas exhales, nodding.

Marisa’s brow creases in confusion.

Jeff: Summer. That’s two votes Summer, one vote Reyna, one vote Nicholas, one vote left…(2-1-1)

Summer’s mouth parts slightly and she raises a hand to her mouth, looking stunned and at a loss for words.

Marisa turns in her seat to stare at Trixie, who is deliberately avoiding her gaze, a smug look on her face.

Reyna bites her lip, looking guilty.

The camera zooms in on Summer’s shocked expression.

Jeff: Sixth person voted out...Summer. You need to bring me your torch. (Final Tally: 3-1-1)

The crushed look and crestfallen smile on Summer’s face betrays her true feelings, as she gets to her feet with a sigh.

Summer: [whispering] Wow…

Marisa is completely taken aback, glaring at Trixie, who has a simpering little smirk on her face. Nicholas is scratching at his beard, looking at ease, and leaning back in his seat.

Reyna shakes her head to herself, looking up as Summer moves to Jeff and puts her torch down.

Jeff: Summer…

Summer: [smiling sadly] Yeah?

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

Summer: Thanks…

She turns around to the rest of her tribe.

Summer: It’s been fun, guys. Good luck.

Trixie nods at her, and Reyna and Nicholas both wave goodbye. Marisa still looks shellshocked.

Summer leaves.

Jeff: You’re down in numbers now, and you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you if you want to stay away from Tribal Council. Grab your stuff and head on back to camp. Goodnight.

Final Words
Summer: Even though I didn’t make the merge, I feel like I’ve been playing this game for ages. [laughing] These couple weeks have been such an emotional rollercoaster, from being the first to go to the Island of Advantages, the bracelet incident with Marisa, to the Albert fiasco, and now this. I just think I have really bad luck in this game, and the multiple tribes have never looked up in my favor. I suppose I’m grateful to have lasted this far despite how ridiculous my Survivor journey has been and while it’s mostly had its ups and downs, I had a lot of fun while I was out here and I’m going to channel my disappointment into something positive, and walk out of this experience with my head held high.

Next Time on Survivor...

 * Marisa finally sees Trixie for who she really is.

Marisa: You are a snake. You hear me? You’re a SNAKE.

"qamea"

- Meh. I’ve been called worse.


 * A new power couple begins forming…

Zoe: I just feel like I need to make a big move in this game. I don’t think anyone respects me.

Percy: Yeah. I know what you mean.


 * And a secret trip to the Island of Advantages lies in wait…

It is nighttime and Leroy is seen on a boat, carrying a torch, being dropped off at the Island of Advantages.

"waya"

- Oh my gosh. I’m going to the Island at night? What is happening right now?