The Claws Have To Come Out

The Claws Have To Come Out is the fifth episode of Survivor: Seychelles - Battle Of The Sexes.

Previously On Survivor...

 * Mallorie’s alliance came out on top of Felicity, as her crew was able to sway swing votes Dillan and Graham to vote out Felicity’s closest ally in Lydia...leaving Felicity all by herself, on the bottom.

Felicity: I’m playing with a bunch of idiots. I’m going home anyway and no one here is going to use me to make an actual decent move. I’d rather go out guns blazing.

Greta’s jaw drops.

Mallorie: As soon as we go back to Tribal Council, you will go home. There’s no two ways about it. You’re going home.

Felicity: [getting up and leaving] You’re a [censored], Mallorie.

"seuntjie"

- Felicity just...exploded! It all got very vocal...and vulgar...and it was just...so, so painful to sit through. And I feel bad…


 * On the Meisie tribe, a new trio was formed…

Brandy: I think we could go deep. I respect you a lot, I hope you feel the same way.

Sasha: I’m sold. I really am.

Abraham: We could be a secret trio that no one knows about, us three.

"meisie"

- Me, Sasha and I - we’re peas in a pod, we’re from the same mold, or whatever. I trust the two of them, I like both of them. They’ve got steel and I respect that.


 * As Sven grew tired of Abraham leading the men, and plotted to take the throne for himself…

Sven: Abraham and Brandy are...attached at the hip.

Mary-Anne nods meekly.

Sven: So I think that needs to be split up.

"meisie"

- I’m getting tired of Abraham always being the one in control. Logan tried to take a shot at his right-hand man Brandy, but I think Abraham is the bigger threat in the long run. He’s a dictator. I know the people want entertainment, and what’s going to be more exciting? Getting rid of an easy vote in Mary-Anne or using her to shake up the game? Mary-Anne’s on the bottom. She can’t do anything! She can only do one thing to save herself: and that’s having no choice but aligning with me. It’s the perfect scenario for me to step up and start making big moves.


 * Seuntjie won immunity…

Jeff: Seuntjie wins immunity!


 * Facing tribal council, Sven plotted to blindside former ally Abraham for being a big threat, and worked on swaying the two on the bottom - Mary-Anne and Westin - to help him do so.

Sven: Would you be down for voting Abraham tonight?

Mary-Anne: If it saves me...I’ll do it.


 * Needing one more vote, he turned to Sasha.

Sven: I want to vote Abraham out.

Sasha blinks, looking incredulous.

Sasha: ...Okay.


 * But Sasha had other plans.

"meisie"

- The way Sven behaves, it’s like he thinks he’s the smartest person on the island. Well, Sven, you’re not, and I hate to break it to you, but this is a social game and you kinda STINK at it.


 * And that night, Sasha and Abraham turned the tide of the votes in their favor, blindsiding the biggest hypocrite on the tribe…

Sasha:...Drew Christy-style.

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

Sven shakes his head and leaves, looking embarrassed.


 * 12 are left. Who will be voted out…tonight?

Night 12
The episode begins at night, with the Meisie tribe returning from tribal council, walking back to their camp in single file.

One by one, they leave their unlit torches leaning against a tree. Mary-Anne is stretching, sinking down onto the shelter with a contented sigh.

Mary-Anne: Thanks for keeping me, guys. I really appreciate it.

"meisie"

- Tonight, I was afraid that I was going home, knowing I was on the bottom of this tribe, and yet I didn’t get one...single...vote. [sly smile] All things considered, tribal worked out as well as it could’ve. I’m here to stay a few more days, and that’s plenty of time for me to try and get more movement out of these guys and hopefully play this game a little bit better to save myself.

Sasha pats Mary-Anne briefly on the shoulder before retreating deeper into the shelter, crawling on her hands and knees.

Brandy clears his throat, spitting a gob of phlegm directly into the fire.

Brandy: He had that coming.

"meisie"

- Sven was a dumbass. Now that he’s gone, no one’s going to miss him, not even me. He makes me look like a gentleman; the guy was incredibly dunderheaded and I think our whole alliance will be better off without that walking, talking blunder of a human being. Right now, I like my alliance. Abraham’s been my boy since Day 1, Sasha’s the toughest chick on this island, and Kim is undyingly loyal and smart enough to keep his head down. Mary-Anne may have been spared tonight but she’s still on the bottom of this tribe because she’s weak and she’s got too many social connections with the other girls, and she can share her spot at the back of the pack with that schemer Westin.

Brandy: A unanimous vote. Who’d’ve thought we’d be so united?

Abraham: We’re going to move forward from this a more cohesive tribe than ever before. [pats Kim on the back] We’re going to crush the next challenge.

The camera cuts to a sweet shot of a scorpion scaling a tree, before fading away to show the three boys sans Westin talking down by the beach, in the moonlight.

Abraham is talking quickly to Brandy, and is pulling Kim over to talk as well.

Abraham: So that was a big move.

Kim: That’s two members of our alliance we’ve gotten rid of.

Abraham: What can I say? I’m a huge threat.

Brandy: Sven brought it on himself, and so did Logan.

"meisie"

- Things have very quickly changed from how I’d envisioned it since Day 1 on the island. I thought I’d picked the perfect team of five, I’d assessed all the members of my alliance strategically and figured they were ideal archetypes to work with and it’s all been a monumental mess. Now Sven and Logan are the men’s first two boots, both at my hands; Dillan’s stuck with the girls; and my most loyal allies are Brandy and Kim - who I hadn’t even meant to include in my alliance in the first place. This game changes on a DIME. It’s a fluid game and getting a vote tonight from someone who I’d thought I could trust...it definitely shook me.

Brandy: At our next vote - we have to cut either Mary-Anne or Westin loose.

Kim: Right.

Brandy: Mary-Anne will be dangerous at merge because she will jump ship back to the girls.

Abraham: And Westin wouldn’t? He’s a snake. He drew wedges between you and Graham because he wanted to witness a fight. Who’s to say he won’t flip to the girls for the fun of it?

Brandy: I’m all down for voting off Westin in the end if you still don’t trust him.

Abraham: I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. I’m thinking, Mary-Anne feels indebted to us now. Maybe we can make use of that in the future.

The camera cuts to Mary-Anne, chewing on a toothpick, as she stares into the campfire. Sasha is curling up next to her, shivering in a blanket, and Westin is resting his hands behind his head and staring up at the stars.

Abraham: What matters is we make sure that we keep the majority.

Brandy: Yeah, we need to retain the numbers-

Abraham: Mary-Anne and Westin stay on the bottom. Clear?

Kim: Roger dodger.

The three boys quickly share a fist bump before turning around and rejoining the others in the semi-darkness.

Day 13
Morning arrives at the Meisie camp, as the castaways get up and go about their daily morning chores.

Westin is heading down to the water to where Sasha is washing the dishes. Further out at sea, Abraham, Kim and Mary-Anne are out getting clams.

Mary-Anne laughs as she plucks one from the water, and Kim is having an amicable conversation with her as they go about their work.

Westin: Hey. I wanted to talk to you.

Sasha: What about?

Westin: Um...I’m just thinking about what happens if we go back to tribal council. Like, I know the guys don’t really consider me...one of them. So I’m pretty worried about my spot.

"meisie"

- With Sven out of the game, I know that as far as Abraham and his goons are concerned, I’m on the bottom because I’m untrustworthy. I own that. I like to be a little bit of a troublemaker. But at this rate, the only person I’ll be getting into trouble is going to be me. And my plan for staying a few more days is to do what I do best and throw people under the bus, and the only person I can do that to is Mary-Anne. Abraham, Brandy, Sasha and Kim hold all the power at this point! Unless one of them turns on the foursome like Sven did, it will be either me or Mary-Anne leaving this game and I don’t want it to be me, y’know?

Westin: Like, I’m not going to scheme or go against Abraham at this point.

Sasha: That’s a first.

Westin: The guy’s clearly got this game on lock.

He fidgets a little uneasily.

Westin: I just feel like no one really trusts me.

Sasha is trying to hide her reaction to this statement.

"meisie"

- Westin is finally realizing that no one here trusts him, and that’s making him worried, because after all, if no one trusts him, he’s very likely to go home, and right now I’d rather see him go over Mary-Anne because he just gives me...really bad vibes. He’s the kind of guy who you just cannot trust as far as you can throw.

Westin: Right, well, I’m going to head back up and talk to the others.

Sasha: You do that.

He leaves, and Sasha watches as he heads deeper into the woods.

The camera cuts to a transitional shot of a snake slithering down a branch, shooting out at a rodent off-screen. The camera then cuts to Westin as he treks down a path in the woods.

"meisie"

- Knowing I’m on the bottom of this tribe, I’d say that’s a pretty good rationale to start hunting high and low for an idol on this beach. I can only hope that there’s still one on this island.

Westin is shown searching high and low, checking inside dead logs, between roots and under bushes.

Meanwhile, Sasha and Abraham are going for a walk in another part of the woods.

Sasha: Westin was talking to me earlier. He was saying some interesting things.

Abraham: What’s he been saying now?

Sasha: He’s worried that he’s on the bottom with Mary-Anne.

Abraham: He is.

Sasha: And he was making a lot of comments about, like, how you have this game ‘on lock’.

Abraham: The rat's been ratted out. [laughing] I’ll take what he said as a compliment.

Sasha: He is just so...shady! Like, he is just so incredibly shady. He has no solid allies right now.

The camera cuts to Westin back at camp, chewing on a blade of grass, looking around aimlessly.

Abraham: No one wants to stick their neck out for him. He’s made no personal connections to anyone.

Sasha: In contrast to Mary-Anne, who we know has...her fair share of personal connections and relationships…

Abraham: So we’ve got a social player, and a non-social one...

Sasha: He is such a snake. Snake, rat, whatever other animal - he holds no loyalty to anybody, he just likes to cause chaos.

Abraham: Don’t I know it. We have wanted to get rid of him for a while, next to Graham. Back on the boys’ camp, he would run back and forth between Graham and Brandy, ratting each one out to the other, and he told a lot of lies about both. Graham and Brandy were always going to end up feuding but Westin only made it worse because he wanted to.

Sasha: I just can’t trust someone like that. He was being dodgy the whole morning. I think I caught him looking for an idol earlier.

Abraham is shaking his head.

Abraham: He is just digging himself into a hole at this point. What is he doing?

Sasha: Failing at a social game, that’s what.

Abraham: Listen, I would not be against getting rid of Westin. Okay? Like, I’ve always had it in the back of my mind that he is going to be hard to keep a stern eye on in the future. He is not a guy I would trust to sit still and follow orders at the merge, that guy is going to flip and flop as often as he can just to spice the game up. But in spite of all that, Mary-Anne’s connections to the girls still poses a worry to me. I am still leaning towards voting her out over him if it does come down to it.

Sasha bites her lip.

Abraham looks at her imploringly.

Abraham: See where I’m coming from?

Sasha: Yeah.

Abraham: I’m just laying it all out for you here. It’s gotta be one of those two. It has to be.

Day 14
The sun rises on a new day at the Seuntjie beach. Everyone except Felicity is gathered around the fire, sitting on logs or stumps or cross-legged in the sand, lazing about and chilling. Bridgette is checking her nails, kicking her feet up on Dillan’s lap.

Bridgette: Man, I miss social media.

Mallorie: I don’t know, I kind of like being away from the outside world.

Bridgette: You’re weird. [laughing]

Mallorie: [smiling] Yeah, yeah, I know. I think it’s a lot more peaceful to not be glued to my phone. That’s not to say I don’t have an online profile, I just kinda like being away from technology.

Bridgette: What about you, Graham?

Graham: Hm? Oh yeah, I miss browsing social media.

Bridgette: You’re on Twitter, right Graham?

Graham: Yeah, I am.

Bridgette: Oh, dude, you have to follow me. Give me your username once we get off this island, and I’ll hit you up.

Graham: Mind you, I don’t really use Twitter much other than...well, following, like, dozens of past Survivors on social media. I wanted to be as in touch with the Survivor community as possible.

Bridgette: You are such a nerd. I mean that in a good way, of course.

Graham: Ah, of course.

Bridgette: How long have you been a super fan?

Graham: As long as I can remember. Since I watched the show from young? My obsession with it’s never waned, I’ve been ORG-ing and browsing forums and Reddit and just doing anything to satisfy my passion for this game.

Bridgette: You are so obsessed! It’s crazy!

Mallorie laughs, and Greta smiles serenely.

Graham: [shrugging] Yeah, so...I’m glad to actually be out here and living the dream.

Bridgette: I can’t wait to get a load of followers when the show airs.

Greta: What’s Twitter again?

Mallorie: Greta, how do you not know what Twitter is?

Greta: It’s...well, I’m old fashioned, alright? I live under a rock.

Bridgette: Girl, once this game is over, I’ll hook you up, no worries.

The girls laugh.

Dillan: Anyone wanna place bets on who you think’s gone home on the other tribe?

Bridgette: Oh, I hope it’s not Mary-Anne. I’ll be very disappointed if it’s her.

Mallorie: I’d bet a guy went home.

Graham: I hope Brandy got voted out.

Dillan: Uh...I can’t really see that happening, Graham, sorry.

Graham: Yeah...wishful thinking. Still, maybe Sven or Westin will have screwed themselves over. I just hope it’s not Kim, he was always nice to me.

The camera cuts to a clip of the waves crashing down on the beach, washing a forlorn coconut husk back out to sea. Graham is getting to his feet and stretching, putting on his hoodie as the wind picks up.

Greta: Graham, you want to come with me to get water?

Graham: Sure, Greta.

The two leave, chatting.

Bridgette: [sighing] Lazy days…

Soon, she is snoring and falling asleep, still cuddled up next to Dillan.

Felicity is looking at the two of them together, as she sits away from the group, on her own, looking lonely and bitter.

"seuntjie"

- One thing I respect about Mallorie is that she’s a gamer, like me. And she can’t be as blind to not see how tight Bridgette and Dillan are. The two of them have hit it off since we swapped tribes, and...you know, if you don’t get rid of a power couple on this game...what are you doing?

Felicity is approaching Mallorie, who is digging in her teeth, leaning by a tree and looking out at the sea.

Felicity: I wanted to talk. Want to take a short walk?

Mallorie: [sighing theatrically] Sure...

They leave. Bridgette, though appearing asleep, opens one eye to watch as the two girls walk off, looking suspicious.

Felicity: So, it’s about Bridgette and Dillan.

Mallorie: You think they’re close.

Felicity: Of course. Everyone on the tribe can see it. Ask Greta and Graham, they see it too.

Mallorie: Your point is?

Felicity: Don’t you see? They’re dangerous!

Mallorie nods, studying her feet as Felicity tries to get her point across to her.

Felicity: They are so tight. Listen, I know you don’t like me…

Mallorie: That’s an understatement.

Felicity: But Bridgette is your main gal out here, and she’s being dragged away from you by a guy. Do you want to lose your biggest ally in this game, to a showmance? I can help you separate the two, and I can help you secure Bridgette’s loyalty, one-hundred percent. I have no tricks up my sleeve, I just want to stay in this game. This is the perfect moment for you to make a move. Just look at them!

The two girls look to where Dillan and Bridgette are now snuggling up closer together, Bridgette mumbling in her sleep.

Felicity: If you don’t separate the pair right now, you’ll regret it when she ends up more loyal to him than to you. You’re a strategic player, just like I am. You know there’s truth in my words.

"seuntjie"

- I will say one thing about Felicity: she does not give up. Even with her back against the wall, she is fighting to stay in this game, and I can respect that. Last time, her pitch was to keep the tribe strong and the girls’ numbers up by going against Graham. This time, her pitch is to go against Dillan, because of his relationship with Bridgette. I have to admit, I’ve worried about Bridgette and Dillan for a while. They’ve been snuggling and cuddling and hugging and embracing and all that mushy stuff, it’s just...blegh. It’s cute and all, I guess, but...from a gameplay standpoint, yes, it poses a concern. And Felicity, as much as I dislike her, could be used to make a big move before the merge. Dillan could always jump ship to the boys at the merge, and he might even take Bridgette away from me, and that would not be ideal.

Day 15
Jeff: Come on in guys!

Seuntjie is first in, Graham looking happy to be coming in first. Dillan plops their flag down and they and the girls wait for Meisie to come. Bridgette looks nervous, clenching her white-knuckled fists to her chest.

Jeff: Seuntjie, getting your first look at the new Meisie tribe…

The Meisie tribe begins trudging in. The Seuntjie tribe members are craning their necks to see who has been eliminated. Bridgette looks even more worried, and Graham looks curious.

Jeff: Sven, voted out at the last tribal council.

Graham looks pleasantly surprised, as his jaw drops wide open. Dillan too looks taken aback, shaking his head a little and casting Abraham a perplexed look.

Bridgette smiles and winks at Mary-Anne, who smiles back.

Jeff: Alright, you guys ready to get to today’s immunity challenge?

Everyone replies with enthusiastic assent.

Jeff: First things first, Seuntjie, I will take it back.

Brandy hands it back with a gruff nod.

Jeff: Immunity is back up for grabs! For today’s challenge, you will race under an obstacle and retrieve a war club. You will then come to a rope tunnel. And it is here that you are presented with a choice.

Mallorie looks taken aback.

Jeff: It could mean the difference between winning this challenge or losing. You can cross the tunnel as it is, or use a shortcut, making it much easier. You will then come to a balance beam, which you can again cross as it is, or use a shortcut, making it much easier. The dilemma here is this: for every shortcut you use, you will have 10 more pieces added to your puzzle.

Dillan: Oof.

Bridgette: That’s tricky.

Jeff: So what to take into consideration here is whether you believe you can cross the obstacles fast enough and need help on the puzzle, or that the obstacles will take time and you’re good at solving puzzles. The decisions you as a tribe choose to make can make an impact on which tribe remains triumphant at the end of this. In addition, you are playing for reward. Wanna know what you're playing for? The winning tribe gets to enjoy a Survivor barbecue when they return to camp. You'll feast on sausages, chicken, beef and other juicy red meats sizzling over the fire. The perfect way to end the night, safe and sound in the game, and with a full belly. Worth playing for?

Everyone parrots their excitement and assent back to him.

Jeff: Before we get started, Meisie, you have the Medallion, and what’ll you do with it?

Abraham nods to the others.

Abraham: We’re giving it up.

Jeff: Alright, hand it over.

Brandy tosses the Medallion to Mallorie, who catches it.

Jeff: Seuntjie, with the Medallion, you now have an extra ten pieces on your puzzle already, regardless of whether or not you take the shortcuts.

Bridgette’s jaw drops. Greta looks concerned, rubbing her temples. Felicity scowls, shaking her head, not pleased.

Jeff: I'll give you a minute to strategize and we’ll get started.

The tribes huddle up to discuss.

Mallorie: We can't take a shortcut.

Greta: No? We’ll go much faster.

Bridgette: I think Mallorie has a point. In a challenge like this, it probably all boils down to the puzzle.

Mallorie: With ten extra pieces already, taking a shortcut is suicide. Meisie’s forced our hand.

And on the Meisie mat...

Abraham: We absolutely need to take the shortcuts.

Mary-Anne: We do?

Brandy: We’ll leave them in the dust.

Abraham: Our strength as a tribe lies in physical strength. If we play to our strengths, we’ll steamroll past the obstacles and be at the puzzle a lot faster. We can’t give them any more time than us to solve it.

Brandy: We’ve already set them back with the Medallion. We can extend our lead and make sure we don’t give them any time to catch up.

Kim: I’m good with whatever the group decides.

Soon, the tribes are ready.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

Both tribes charge into the obstacle course, where Brandy is whipping through the knots to free his tribe’s war club. On Seuntjie, Dillan has his war club free.

Jeff: Go Seuntjie!

Bridgette begins crawling through the rope nets.

Jeff: Seuntjie not taking the first shortcut, we’ll see if it pays off.

Brandy has his club free and is now rejoining his tribe on the mat, where with a mighty swing, he bashes the tiki mask to pieces, opening up the first shortcut.

Jeff: Meisie taking the first shortcut, making the rope course a lot easier!

Abraham: Go, go!

Mary-Anne is now inching her way through the course, wincing as she clambers over and squeezes through tight crawlspaces.

Jeff: It is neck-and-neck right now! Meisie has a slight lead over Seuntjie!

Graham and Greta are the two slowest on Seuntjie, and Dillan is bringing up the rear, giving both encouragement from behind.

Greta: Ah! I’m stuck-

Bridgette: C’mon, Greta, you got this-

Dillan: Keep moving, Graham.

Soon, Kim, the last member of Meisie, is through the course a split second before Greta gets out and the Meisie tribe sprints ahead, as Brandy unlocks the second shortcut on the balance beam.

Jeff: Meisie flying ahead, with a second shortcut!

Greta: I’m out!

Mallorie and Felicity help to pull Greta out of the web of ropes, as Graham weasels his way out as well. Dillan is rushing through and manages to extract himself from the course, rushing to join the rest of his tribe on the beam.

Mallorie: Don’t take the shortcut - we got this.

Gingerly, she plants one foot on the narrow beam and climbs.

Jeff: Seuntjie is not taking ANY shortcuts, in contrast to Meisie who has taken both!

Mallorie beasts through the beam and beckons Bridgette up next, who makes it across quickly as well.

Bridgette: Perks of being a yogi.

Mallorie: Alright, Greta, you got it.

Greta is wobbling as she holds both arms out to her sides, inching her way across the beam at a snail’s pace. Felicity is behind her, looking impatient.

Graham: Take it easy, Greta, take your time.

Felicity: No, don’t take your time, we’re far behind!

Jeff: And Meisie is across! Go Meisie, start working on your puzzle!

The Meisie tribe has reached their puzzle.

Kim: 70 pieces!

Abraham and Brandy open the chest and the tribe begins carting out their puzzle pieces.

Jeff: Meisie has the most puzzle pieces to work with. We’ll see if their lead with the shortcuts was a smart move or not.

Meanwhile, on the balance beam…

Jeff: Greta finally makes it across the beam! She took a lot of time!

Felicity is now leaping across, and Graham is hurrying too. Dillan is once again bringing up the rear, his eyes flitting to check on the other tribe’s progress with concern every now and again.

Abraham: Alright, lay them out, lay ‘em out…

Abraham puts the last of the pieces on the table and Mary-Anne and Kim rush to assemble them.

Jeff: Meisie took both shortcuts, they will be assembling a 70-piece puzzle...it is Mary-Anne and Kim working on the puzzle for Meisie…Seuntjie are way behind for not taking either of the two shortcuts. They have a LOT of ground to make up.

Graham is across, and Dillan right behind him.

Mallorie: Hurry!

The tribe reaches their puzzle.

JefF: It is Graham and Bridgette working on a 60-piece puzzle...will the strategy of not taking the shortcuts pay off?

Both tribes are now working furiously on their puzzles. Mary-Anne and Kim, initially with a huge lead, are now stumped. Mary-Anne is turning a piece over in her hand, looking puzzled. Kim is panting, shaking his head.

Jeff: It is Graham with another piece...Bridgette with another...and another…!

Mary-Anne looks over helplessly.

Jeff: Graham and Bridgette are flying through this puzzle! This could be a HUGE comeback for Seuntjie! Whatever lead Meisie had when taking the shortcuts is long gone.

Graham: We’re doing good, we got this.

Bridgette: I know.

Jeff: It is Meisie with an amazing comeback!

Kim: Oh, no way.

Brandy scowls.

With a bit of authority, Graham slams the final piece in and throws his hands up in the air.

Jeff: Seuntjie wins immunity! An amazing comeback!

Dillan whoops and scoops Greta into a big hug as the Meisie tribe celebrates, ecstatic. Felicity is clasping her hands together, as if in prayer, and smirking up at the sky. Grinning from ear to ear, Mallorie holds out her arms as Bridgette gives her a hug, and Graham gives a shaky Bridgette a high-five.

Abraham is cursing, looking frustrated, and Brandy is kicking the sand, hands on his hips. A dejected Mary-Anne shrugs, and Sasha can merely glare daggers at the other celebrating tribe.

Jeff: Wow. Seuntjie, your strategy of not taking the shortcuts paid off. Immunity - safe from tribal council [hands Graham the idol] and a delectable feast waiting for you back at camp. Enjoy the night off.

Dillan: Thanks, Jeff.

Jeff: Meisie, unfortunately for you guys, I'll be seeing you again tonight. It seems puzzles just aren't really your thing. Pack your bags and head back to camp, I'll see you at tribal.

The group moves to go back to camp, and the camera cuts to Kim as he departs with the tribe.

"meisie"

- Taking those shortcuts spelled our downfall, there's no two words about it. Puzzles are, like, our kryptonite! To think that even with the Medallion and those shortcuts, we screwed ourselves over at the end. And now the sucky part of it is that now one of us is going to leave the game for good.

The Meisie tribe returns to their camp, and Westin is already in scramble mode.

Westin is heading down to the water’s edge, where Sasha is washing dishes with Brandy.

Westin: So what’s the plan for tonight?

Sasha squints up at him. Brandy is chewing a toothpick, looking sour.

Sasha: I don’t know. I guess vote Mary-Anne?

Westin: Yeah, I recognize that may be my only hope at this point.

"meisie"

- Losing today’s challenge screwed me, man! I know Abraham the alpha’s coming for my blood and Brandy doesn’t think much of me either. I have to just hope that they see sense and perhaps vote Mary-Anne off because she’s been on the outs since we’ve swapped, and because her connections to the girls makes her dangerous. That’s all I’ve been left with at this point.

As Westin is talking to the pair, Mary-Anne is making her way down the beach to join them.

Mary-Anne: Hey guys.

Westin pales.

Westin: Hey. I’m gonna go.

He leaves quickly.

Mary-Anne: I can guess what that’s about.

Sasha laughs.

Brandy: Yeah, you know what, just forget about him, alright? I’mma tell you right now, you’re safe in my book.

Mary-Anne: Really?

Brandy: Yeah. Just don’t sweat it, don’t get paranoid, and trust me - the vote is Westin. It’s been a long-time coming.

"meisie"

- Westin has been a pain in the butt for a while, and if we can use Mary-Anne to send the little buzzard home, it could totally happen. My only concern in this plan is what Mary-Anne will do or is going to do, because she could be unpredictable, now and later on. We’re taking a risk by trusting her with this, and the vote could change at any moment anyway. I leave it up to Abraham.

Sasha: Let’s go take a walk.

Sasha leads Mary-Anne away, and into the forest.

Sasha: So I’m going to tell you right now…

Mary-Anne: Yes?

Sasha: My advice is you need to make sure you’ve got all your bases covered.

Mary-Anne: Got it.

Sasha: Your best bet is to campaign with Abraham, because he’s making the decision tonight.

Mary-Anne: Gah, again, it’s Abraham in control, it's always Abraham. Don’t you see that’s so lopsided?

Sasha: All I know is, that with Lydia gone, I have no more people I can call a key ally. Abraham and Brandy have my back, and I would like to have yours too and form a proper relationship with you, Mary-Anne, because I trust you more than I trust Westin. But for you to stay, you have to put in the work to talk to Abraham right now.

Mary-Anne sighs dramatically.

Mary-Anne: Fine, I’ll go sell him my pitch.

She walks off.

"meisie"

- I could very well still be on the bottom of this tribe. It...just sucks, that I have to go back and fight for my life with Abraham and Brandy again. I don’t like not having my own fate in my own hands, y’know? I feel caged in. And I want to make a move, I want to flip the game, but I don’t have the power right now.

Mary-Anne and Abraham go walking at Sasha’s bequest.

Mary-Anne: I just wanted to check in with you before tonight, because it’s another big vote.

Abraham nods, listening wordlessly.

Mary-Anne: My only pitch to you to keep me is...that you use me, at the merge. My connections to the girls could be a big benefit to you. But if you keep me, I promise you that I will stay loyal. And that is something that you can never fully trust from Westin.

"meisie"

- I know that if I don’t get them to turn on Westin, I’m going home, and I refuse to go home like this, screwed by a swap. I will fight as hard as I can to stay in this game. I will NOT be a pre-merge boot.Mary-Anne

Mary-Anne: You think Westin ratted Sven out because he was loyal? He’s been using you.

Abraham is still listening and nodding silently.

"meisie"

- You know, she does bring up some good points. All I know is, tonight, it could be a toss-up between the two. But I’m fine with either one going.

It is later on in the day, and Abraham is pulling Brandy aside for a bit.

Abraham: As far as I’m concerned, we can afford to lose Westin. I’ve always wanted him gone, on the lowkey.

Brandy: Aren’t you afraid that if we keep blindsiding men, that the girls will have the upper hand?

Abraham: We can cross that bridge when we get to it. But we’ll be fine. Besides, you trust Sasha, right? If she has our back, she has our back. She warned us about Sven too. She was itching to take him out.

The sky is quickly turning dark, and everyone is getting ready to leave the beach. Mary-Anne looks grave, as she stares out at the sunset as if it is her last. Sasha comes up behind her and pats her on the back a little gruffly, but offers a small smile.

Westin is nodding at Brandy, and then a little more kindly at Kim, licking his lips.

"meisie"

- I just hope I make the smartest decision for my own game, and not one that blows it all up. My alliance is counting on me. Once again, I hold all the cards at Tribal Council, and it all depends on how I choose to play them.

The tribal music kicks in, as the tribe walks to tribal, their six lit torches bobbing in the night gloom. Jeff watches silently as they put their torches down and take their seats.

Jeff: Now, you guys claim to be a strong tribe and yet you’ve lost two challenges in a row? What’s happening?

Brandy chuckles.

Brandy: I guess it’s just bad luck.

Kim: Or that puzzles are not our thing.

A couple people laugh.

Kim: We’re really bad at them, is what I’ve learned from this.

Mary-Anne nods, a small grin on her face.

Jeff: Mary-Anne, you said you were on the bottom of this tribe, and yet you escaped last tribal council unscathed.

Mary-Anne: Heh, yeah.

Jeff: Think that’ll happen again tonight?

Mary-Anne: [shaking her head, smiling] No…[laughing]...not at all, I’m pretty sure I’m getting votes tonight.

Jeff: Really?

Mary-Anne: Yeah. I’d be lucky to squeak by this one.

Brandy is staring at the floor, lost in his own thoughts.

Mary-Anne: I’m not gonna lie, I think of myself as the underdog tonight.

Jeff: Well if not you, then who would you rather see go home tonight?

Mary-Anne: I guess Westin.

Westin scoffs, looking incredulous.

Mary-Anne: Hey, I tell it like it is. It sounds to me like he was known for spreading lies and deceit at your old camp. I don’t see why you’d want to keep someone like that. It’s not a working partnership based on actual trust, it’d just be based off of tribal lines.

Abraham nods.

Westin: I don’t see how they can trust you much either, Mary-Anne. You’ve only been with us a little over a week. And the very fact that you have relationships with those girls makes you a risk.

Mary-Anne: It can also make me an asset. What has Westin got to offer, other than being...well, being a boy?

Sasha looks like she wants some popcorn.

Mary-Anne: I think I am a better player to keep in the game at this point than a snake like Westin.

Kim’s eyes widen.

Westin: Bold words.

Mary-Anne: I’m just saying what I’ve been told. People think you’re a snake.

Abraham turns to Brandy and the two share one of their many looks together.

Mary-Anne: [laughing] The claws have to come out, Jeff. I need to fight.

Jeff: So Abraham, what are you taking into consideration for tonight’s vote?

Abraham: Jeff, there’s a lot to think about for every vote. No vote is ever easy, for me or for anyone.

Brandy nods in agreement.

Abraham: I can only hope we don’t make a mistake.

Mary-Anne bites her lip, clenching and unclenching her fists. Westin has his chin on his hands, not meeting anyone’s eyes.

Jeff: Alright, with that, it is time to vote. Kim, you’re up.

Kim heads up to go, and the music kicks in, gloomy and brooding.

One by one, the group heads up to vote.

"meisie"

- It’s either you...or me...and I hope it’s not me.

The camera cuts to Westin, staring straight ahead with a cocky smirk on his face.

Westin himself heads up to vote, then Brandy, then Abraham...and at last, Abraham returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He goes to retrieve the urn.

Abraham, Brandy and Kim all turn to regard one another. Sasha is rubbing Mary-Anne’s back a little comfortingly, and the latter looks pleasantly surprised.

Jeff returns.

Jeff: If anybody has the hidden immunity idol and you want to play it, now would be the time to do so.

Mary-Anne glances over at Westin. Westin takes a deep breath, and exhales, and does nothing. Brandy raises an eyebrow.

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 takes out the first vote. Abraham sits up a little straighter.

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

Westin breaks out into a huge grin, chuckling to himself.

Jeff: Mary-Anne. That’s one vote Westin, one vote Mary-Anne. (1-1)

Mary-Anne pouts, looking pale. Sasha glances at her out of the corner of her eye.

Jeff unveils the next vote.

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

Westin is running a hand through his dirty blonde hair, still trying to laugh it off. Kim glances over at him knowingly.

Jeff: Westin. That’s three votes Westin, one vote Mary-Anne… (3-1)

Westin shakes his head as the music gets more intense.

Westin: Busted.

Mary-Anne looks up at the votes, a little more hopeful, with a small smile playing on her lips. Abraham nods confidently.

Jeff: Fifth person voted out...Westin. That’s four, that’s enough, you need to bring me your torch.

Nodding, he gets up, taking his bags with him. Mary-Anne breathes another sigh of relief, sharing a quick smile with Sasha. Sasha shrugs a little, turning to give Westin’s back a cocky smile of her own.

Abraham looks around, as if wondering if he made the right choice. Brandy watches Westin with a steely gaze.

Westin puts his torch down.

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

Westin turns around.

Westin: See you later, suckers!

He leaves quickly, with a bit of a jaunty spring in his step.

Kim snorts, laughing. Sasha raises an eyebrow.

Jeff: And just like that, you are down to five, and are running out of places to hide. This should make your tribe dynamics a little more interesting. Grab your stuff and head back to camp. Goodnight.

Day 16
Mary-Anne awakes to the sound of birds chirping in the baby blue sky. Yawning, she gets up, untangles herself from a cocoon of blankets, and heads down the beach to where the other four are sitting cross-legged in the sand.

Kim: Morning, Mary-Anne. Did you sleep well?

Mary-Anne: Yeah, I slept great. I'm just happy to be here.

She kneels down next to them, wrapping herself up in her jacket, looking both snug and cozy as the ocean breeze rolls in.

Mary-Anne: Enjoying the view?

Abraham: We were just talking, and thinking...about how the merge has to be coming up soon.

Mary-Anne: That’ll be interesting.

Brandy: I do not want to have to deal with Graham again.

Sasha is looking out at sea, almost peacefully.

Abraham: We have to win the next challenge.

Sasha: Yeah, you’re right.

Abraham: We shouldn’t have lost the last two. As long as we work together well on this next one, we’re guaranteed to win.

He sighs, getting up and stretching.

Abraham: Alright, I’m going to make us some breakfast.

Mary-Anne nods, lost in her own thoughts.

"meisie"

- Last night, I came close to going home. Westin wrote my name down before he left, and I got lucky again. Clearly, my Survivor story is not yet done, which is good because I want so badly to just meet up with my girl Bridgette again, and Greta and Mallorie, and get back on top of this game because having to play from the bottom is one heck of a dreary experience. I know that if we lose again, I am definitely going home. Not even Sasha can help me anymore. If we go back to tribal council, my only hope of staying may be having an idol. And so that's why I decided it's time to buck up and start playing hard. So I got up bright and early this morning to go searching.

Mary-Anne is later shown digging between the roots of trees, rummaging inside bushes and delving deep into thick foliage, on a determined hunt.

Back at camp, Sasha is looking around curiously.

Sasha: Have you seen Mary-Anne?

Brandy: No?

Kim: She’s probably using the bathroom, she’ll be back.

"meisie"

- So I’m just digging around in the woods, searching high and low, here and there, in bushes, under trees, just everywhere I can think of to hide an idol. And that’s when I see it!

Mary-Anne: Is that…?

She squints at a small object sticking out from in between a couple of thick tree roots. Gasping, she pounces onto it, peeking around the tree to make sure she is not spotted before digging out the idol.

Mary-Anne: [hushed voice] Yes! I got it!

She dusts the idol off, unwrapping it and putting it around her neck.

Mary-Anne: It’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I can’t believe I just found...the hidden immunity idol.

She hops up and down a little, exhilarated.

"meisie"

- Having a hidden immunity idol in my pocket is definitely a satisfying safety net, and I think this will give me a lot more confidence moving forward in this game. I just hope I use it well.

Day 18
Jeff: Come on in guys!

Seuntjie arrives first, and in comes the Meisie tribe behind them.

Jeff: Seuntjie, getting your first look at the new Meisie tribe. Westin, voted out at the last tribal council.

Graham is nodding, looking pleased.

Jeff: Alright, you guys ready to get to today’s immunity challenge? First things first, Seuntjie, I will take it back.

Dillan: Not for long, I hope.

This garners a few laughs. Felicity rolls her eyes.

Jeff: Alright, immunity is back up for grabs. For today’s challenge, you will race through an obstacle course and up a tower, where you will be using a massive slingshot to fire bags at six targets in a field. When you knock down all the targets, you win immunity. Seuntjie, you have the Medallion. Will you be giving it up?

Mallorie nods.

Mallorie: We’re giving it up.

Jeff: Meisie, you now have an extra target to hit, making it harder for you to win. Seuntjie, you also have one extra person. Who are you sitting out?

Graham casts the others a tentative look. Greta steps up and volunteers, raising her hand.

Greta: I’ll sit out.

Jeff: Alright, Greta, take a spot on the bench. Everybody else, I’ll give you a minute to strategize and we’ll get started.

The tribes are pumped up and ready to go.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

The tribes race out! Meisie is out to a quick lead, and Seuntjie is hot on their heels, making fast work of catching up.

Jeff: Both tribes through the obstacle course...heading up to the slingshot. It is Mallorie shooting first for Seuntjie, and Brandy shooting for Meisie.

Both lean back and fire their sandbags. Mallorie’s sandbag connects with a target, and her tribemates whoop in response. Brandy’s sails far over a target, just barely missing it.

Brandy tags out, and Sasha now takes his place. Mallorie’s second shot misses, and she swaps with Dillan.

Jeff: It is now Dillan and Sasha trying to score…

Sasha pulls the slingshot back, her face contorting in fierce concentration, and she fires, with the bag just narrowly nicking the target.

Brandy: Nice!

Kim: Good job.

Dillan fires, and misses his target by a small margin.

Graham: Dang it. It’s alright, you did good.

Jeff: We are tied! 1-1!

The two tribes take turns sending out representatives to fire. Dillan manages to hit a target...then Brandy tries again and succeeds...then Meisie scores again with Abraham stepping up to the plate...and again as Kim knocks one down.

Jeff: It is 2-4, with Meisie in the lead! Seuntjie needs to score four more, and Meisie needs to score three!

Dillan’s face is screwed up in concentration as he takes aim and fires, missing yet again.

Dillan: Go! Someone else try!

Felicity nudges Graham obviously.

Graham: I…

Bridgette runs up to the slingshot instead.

Meanwhile, Brandy is firing again, and just narrowly misses.

Jeff: Oh! So close! Brandy is all around the edge!

Mallorie: C’mon, Bridge!

Bridgette leans far back and shoots, hitting another target for her tribe. Seuntjie cheers.

Jeff: Bridgette scores! It is now 3-4! Can Seuntjie get back in it?

Bridgette: Graham, go!

She swaps out with him and he nervously puts a bag into the slingshot, pulling back as far as he can.

On the other end, Mary-Anne is now giving the slingshot a go.

Both fire, and their sandbags sail through the air. Though Mary-Anne’s comes a little closer to her target than Graham does, both still miss.

Abraham: Mary-Anne, tag out.

Mary-Anne rushes to the back, as Sasha takes her place.

Dillan: Graham, you want me to give it a go?

Graham: Yeah. Sorry.

Dillan returns to the slingshot. Both he and Sasha fire, and both hit at the same time.

Jeff: It is close! The score is 4-5! Both tribes need to hit two more targets to win! Who will get there first?

Abraham is now replacing Sasha, and taking careful aim. A desperate Mallorie is scurrying past Dillan, gritting her teeth as she places her sandbag in place.

Abraham fires, and connects.

Jeff: Abraham scores! Meisie takes the lead, 6-4! They only need one more! It is Meisie’s game to lose!

Felicity looks to the other tribe as the music gets more and more foreboding.

Mallorie pulls back and her sandbag hits another target.

Jeff: Mallorie scores! We are neck-and-neck again! It is 6-5! Both tribes are a point away!

Mallorie takes aim again, and so does Abraham.

Jeff: Who will it be?

Mallorie fires…

...the sandbag flies through the air…

...and plops into the sand.

Jeff: No!

Mallorie curses, as Abraham fires…

...and hits the final target.

Jeff: And he does it! Meisie wins immunity!

Mary-Anne: Yes!

Brandy: YEAH!

Brandy and Abraham are already jumping up and bumping chests, and Brandy scurries over to envelop Mary-Anne in a tight hug as she jumps for joy right into his waiting arms.

The rest of Seuntjie is visibly disappointed. Mallorie’s mouth is upturned, and Bridgette is pouting.

Felicity is shaking her head, her mouth twitching, as she glares at the floor.

Jeff: Meisie, congratulations. [hands a beaming Brandy the idol] Immunity, safe at tribal council tonight, nobody from this five is going home.

He turns to Seuntjie.

Jeff: Unfortunately for you guys, your win streak is over. One of you will be the sixth person voted out at tribal council tonight, and you have the afternoon to figure out who it’s gonna be. Grab your stuff and head back to camp. I’ll see you at tribal.

As the Seuntjie tribe grabs their things and prepares to leave, the camera zooms in on Mallorie, who is trudging ahead, looking contemplative.

"seuntjie"

- I expected us to lose that challenge, I knew our luck wasn’t bound to last forever. But maybe this isn’t such a bad thing. We wanted to get rid of Felicity before, we couldn’t pull it off, and maybe tonight will finally be the night that she does go home.

The tribe returns to Seuntjie beach, and Felicity is clearly in low spirits.

Mallorie: Well, the streak was fun while it lasted, guys and girls.

Bridgette: Yeah...oh well.

Graham looks at the girls, deep in thought.

"seuntjie"

- I was so scared in that challenge because I knew Greta would sit out and that meant I'd actually have to compete [laughing] and it was just embarrassing, I mean...anything physical for me is just humiliation. That's why I excel in puzzles, it's because I don't like physical challenges! And knowing Greta was sitting out and I would have to compete...all the more pressure to succeed, especially with the merge so close by, no one wants to go back to tribal right now.

The girls are gathering down at the beach, and Graham hurries down to join them and Dillan.

Graham: So what’s the plan? Felicity?

Mallorie: Yeah, Felicity. It’s an open-and-shut-case.

"seuntjie"

- So we should be voting out Felicity tonight and our little alliance of five stays solid. We’re a very cohesive tribe right now and I think that's what matters most. It'll be our unity that trumps the other tribe when we merge, which ought to be just around the corner. We’re just a happy family and it's really heartwarming to feel like...I have a place here. And once Felicity goes, our alliance of five will be solid.

Bridgette: What if she has an idol?

Mallorie: If she does, I’ll probably be in trouble.

The others look nervous now.

"seuntjie"

- Tonight, the alliance’s plan is to have an easy vote and vote off Felicity. In a tribe of six, our numbers are dwindling and we’re running out of places to hide. Felicity’s the easiest boot because she’s been on the bottom for several tribals now and this is the best way for our alliance to stick together. My only worry is if Felicity pulls out an idol like she did the last time.

Bridgette: Greta, perhaps you should go talk to her and see if she has one. Out of all of us here, you’re the closest to her.

Greta: Oh, very well.

The camera cuts away as the group disperses. Later on in the day, Greta is approaching Felicity as the latter is collecting palm fronds alone.

Greta: Felicity, dear, I wanted to know what were your thoughts for tonight.

Felicity: What’s there to talk about? I know I’m going home.

"seuntjie"

- Losing today’s challenge was...obviously not an ideal scenario. [laughing] But I never give up. I am incredibly stubborn, incredibly persistent, and...I’m not just giving up on my game like this. I’ve tried and failed to find the second idol re-hidden on this camp, which either means it’s been hidden really well and we’re all really unlucky, or someone else already has it. It blows, because an idol might be my only saving grace, but...you know, not having the physical object itself doesn’t mean I can’t use the threat of an idol as a scare tactic. I’m going around, continuing with my chores, getting palm fronds and tending to the fire, as if I still believe I’m gonna be here tomorrow, still. If those girls believe I have an idol, I can do what I did with Lilly and get them to split the votes with someone else, and I can send whoever it is on their way. I know Mallorie will be scared I’ll idol her out of the game, and I want to trick her into thinking her only way of guaranteeing herself safety is if she throws votes towards one of the boys.

Felicity: I know who I’m voting for tonight.

Greta: Mallorie?

Felicity: Tell her that if she wants to keep herself safe, she should consider having one of the boys as a back-up plan if things go awry.

Mallorie is now coming up to join the two.

Mallorie: Greta.

Felicity: Mallorie, I wanted to talk.

Mallorie: This could be your last day here, so...I’m all ears.

Felicity: You know what we talked about, and if you’re game, I’m still sticking to it. I am voting for Dillan tonight.

Greta looks confused.

Greta: Dillan? Why?

Felicity: Mallorie knows why.

She spreads her arms out wide.

Felicity: Right now, I am completely open and vulnerable. If you want to make a move, I’m right here. You should make use of me while you can. Dillan’s a threat. He’s a good player. He and Bridgette are tight, and he’s also got connections with the boys. If you want to have to deal with a guy like that later on, you’re just inviting trouble on yourself. Me? I cause trouble to no one but myself. And I’m at my wits’ end. I’ll be in your debt at the merge.

Mallorie: [folding arms] So you’re voting Dillan?

Felicity: Yeah. I am. I still want us girls to maintain the numbers and this is the best option.

Away from them, back by the shelter, Bridgette and Dillan are talking.

Dillan: Where’s Felicity?

Bridgette: She’s over there talking with Mallorie and Greta.

Dillan: I’m worried about her. She could be up to something dodgy.

Bridgette: I have faith in Mallorie. You’ve got to have trust in somebody in this game.

Dillan: I know that. I’m not doubting the alliance, I just know that Felicity isn’t one to give up. She’ll be pulling out all the stops to make sure she stays.

Bridgette: Don’t fret over it, Dillan. She’ll be gone tonight and we’ll be fine.

"seuntjie"

- I am especially worried about Felicity because I’ve seen what she’s capable of. If she has another idol, she could go after a big threat like me or Mallorie, and I think she’s dangerous that way.

Dillan: I just feel like we should keep an eye on her so she’s not throwing out, like, your name or my name, or concocting other devilish plans to sway their votes.

Bridgette: Mallorie detests Felicity, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much.

Down by the beach, Felicity is still pitching to both Mallorie and Greta.

Felicity: Like, you can’t be blind to how close Bridgette and Dillan are.

Mallorie: They’ve still got their heads in the game.

Felicity: What if she’s more loyal to him than she is to you? Do you think he’s more loyal to you than he is to her? Not in the slightest.

Mallorie: I trust Bridgette.

Felicity: But do you trust Dillan? He’s with the guys. It’s blatantly clear. I’m just saying, if you want to make a move, as if you’ve been known to do, I will oblige, but if you let this opportunity slip by, you just made a mistake based on an irrational, emotional grudge, and I consider that idiocy.

Mallorie smirks, a dangerous glimmer in her eyes as she regards Felicity coolly.

Mallorie: Well, I give you props for talking to me, at least.

Felicity: Hey, just promise me you’ll think about it. I’m still here for you to use. That’s what I’m reduced to at this point.

"seuntjie"

- It strikes me as no surprise that Felicity isn’t giving up even now. I can respect that, yes. But getting rid of Dillan, you know, it comes with its pros and cons. Is it making a move too early? Backstabbing an ally for an enemy? There’s a time to make big moves and also a time to wait. And that’s the question for me tonight: is now the right time? I mean, the woman’s escaped elimination twice!

Back by the shelter, Greta is teasing Bridgette.

Greta: Who will you flirt with if Dillan’s gone?

Bridgette: It’s not like that’s all on my mind. Dillan’s just fun to be around. I’m sure there are some cute guys on the other tribe too.

Mallorie: No, they're all hideous.

Bridgette: I don't know, the Asian one’s kinda cute…

Mallorie stares.

Bridgette: I’m only kidding! Jeez!

"seuntjie"

- Tonight, I hold both these players’ fates in my hand. I decide whose lifeline to chop, I make the call on who to cut loose. I’m always playing the game and at tribal, it’s going to be an interesting decision.

Felicity is sitting alone in the sand, letting the waves wash around her feet, as she stares up at the light blue sky.

"seuntjie"

- I have...no other choice but to leave my fate up to Mallorie. I hate having to give up my life to her like this...but this could be my last day on the island. [sighing] I love this game. I’m going to keep up the good fight to the bitter end.

Dillan is looking at Felicity, alone, down on the beach.

"seuntjie"

- Seeing Felicity so calm kind of perplexes me. I know what kind of player she is by now. I expected to see her full-on scrambling. And so I’m thinking, maybe she has a trick up her sleeve. Maybe she has an idol? She could do anything she wants to, if that’s the case.

Dillan: Is everyone still voting Felicity tonight?

Bridgette: Yes. Just stay calm. It will be her going home tonight.

Greta and Mallorie share a quick look as Bridgette and Dillan talk.

"seuntjie"

- If I turn on Felicity tonight, I will be voting off someone who...did promise me their allegiance early on. And...it’s once again, having to decide who I want to side with. I am closer to her than I am to Dillan. On a human level, I just feel bad for her, because nothing has gone right for Felicity thus far. But...in a game like this, I have to learn to keep my emotions in check and focus on the game. It’s a hard thing for me to do...but I have to remember that I’m doing this for my kids. And whatever decision me and the girls make tonight, it will be for the best for all of us moving forward. I have to bear that in mind.

The sky rapidly darkens, and tribal chants and music plays in the background as the tribe of six arrives at Tribal Council. They put their torches down and take their seats. Felicity looks as if she is prepared for her day (or night) of reckoning. Dillan swallows a little, looking nervous.

Jeff: Alright, so, back at Tribal Council. Bridgette, what was the aftermath of your last vote? Because it was clearly sending a signal to the whole lot of you, as to where everyone stands.

Bridgette: Yeah, I think that...the upside of these votes is that it can cement trust between players, as well as...feuds.

Felicity smiles a little. Mallorie fidgets.

Bridgette: It makes the lines a little more clearer.

Mallorie: Now people know where they all stand.

Jeff: Felicity, that comment sounds like it was aimed at you.

Felicity: Perhaps.

Jeff: Last tribal council, you played an idol and saved yourself because you were clearly on the bottom.

Felicity: [laughing] Yep.

Jeff: Has anything changed?

Felicity: Um…[glances at Mallorie] not really. My pitch has changed, if anything.

Mallorie eyes her with suspicion. Dillan looks bewildered, and Bridgette curious.

Jeff: So tonight, you're not voting against Graham again?

Felicity: Nah.

Graham sits up in his seat at his name.

Felicity: Graham’s squeaking by this one. I have other targets in mind.

Bridgette casts Mallorie a questioning look, which her ally turns away from.

Jeff: Graham, that must come as a relief for you.

Graham: [laughing] Sure, Jeff, but I can never relax whenever I come here.

A couple people snicker.

Bridgette is leaning over to whisper to Mallorie:

Bridgette: [whisper] What's Felicity talking about?

Graham: Like, I just wanna merge already! [laughing] It's a big Survivor milestone, everyone’s holding their breath, looking forward to it.

Mallorie: [whisper] It's just Felicity being Felicity. We’re fine.

Bridgette looks unconvinced. Felicity smiles, looking at them with a sidelong glance, appearing satisfied.

Jeff: Dillan, you and Bridgette being perceived as a pair was a theme of your last tribal council.

Dillan: It was.

Jeff: Still the case?

Dillan: I think that…you know, romance is a completely separate entity from this game. I play this game with an alliance of people that I trust.

Mallorie is listening closely, hanging onto his every word. Greta looks at her, waiting for a cue.

Dillan: And I think that this group of five, after tonight, will have very strong bonds of trust. My relationship with Bridgette is entirely secondary.

Jeff: You say that, but time and time again, showmances have been a big part of Survivor strategy. Sometimes it works out, other times, it doesn't.

Dillan: Yeah, well…[shrugs] I hope it works out tonight.

Mallorie rubs the bridge of her nose, her mind a million miles away. Felicity runs her tongue over her front teeth, keeping her eyes plastered on the back of her arch-nemesis’ head.

Jeff: Felicity, what do you hope will happen tonight?

Felicity: Typically, I’d hope to survive tonight.

Greta bites her lower lip. Bridgette snorts a little, her face breaking out into a grin.

Felicity: I think this game should be played with strategic moves, and not always emotional ones. That would be a huge blunder, to do so otherwise.

Mallorie is gnawing on the inside of her cheek, listening intently to this. Bridgette pats Dillan’s thigh, looking at Mallorie with a hint of worry.

Jeff: And with that, I think it is time to vote. Bridgette, you’re up.

The music kicks in as Bridgette heads to the voting booth.

The camera cuts to Mallorie, looking up at the sky, and then to Felicity heading up to vote.

Felicity scribbles a smiley face next to her vote.

"seuntjie"

- Dillan, I think you’re a really strong competitor, but you’re still a dumb jock, and as soon as we merge, you’re jumping ship right back to the guys. I hope the girls can realize that.

The camera cuts to Dillan, the fire lighting up his face as he stares blankly into the darkness.

Graham heads up to vote...then Greta, looking a little pale…

Dillan is now at the voting booth.

"seuntjie"

- You should’ve gone home two tribals ago.

The camera cuts to Felicity, biting her tongue as she sits stoically in her seat, looking straight ahead.

Finally, Mallorie heads up. She stares at her parchment, quietly, clearly deep in thoughts.

At last, Mallorie is back.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves. Mallorie turns to look at Greta, who is giving her a questioning look. Dillan is holding Bridgette’s hand, and she squeezes his with a reassuring smile. Graham cranes his neck a little, meeting Dillan’s eyes and nodding.

Felicity sits next to Dillan, looking resigned to whatever is about to come, taking a deep breath as she braces herself for it.

Jeff returns.

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

Everyone turns to obviously look at Felicity. She stares blankly back at them, almost as if daring them to say something.

Then, she 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. Felicity criss-crosses her fingers, studying the floor. Dillan’s breathing is shallow, as he swallows hard. Mallorie glances at Jeff out of the corner of her eye, skeptical.

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

Felicity nods, rolling her eyes. Greta licks her lips.

Jeff: Dillan. One vote Felicity, one vote Dillan. (1-1)

Dillan blinks, cocking his head to the side. Graham looks concerned.

Jeff takes out the next vote. . . . . . . . . Jeff: Felicity. That's two votes Felicity. (2-1)

Felicity is biting the inside of her cheek, looking vengeful. Graham is running his tongue over his front teeth, watching the votes read with an open-mouthed expression.

Jeff: Felicity. That's three votes Felicity, one vote Dillan…(3-1)

Felicity smiles sadly, shaking her head. Mallorie is leaning back, relishing the moment.

Jeff: Sixth person voted out of Survivor: Seychelles…Felicity. That's four and tonight, that's enough. You need to bring me your torch.

Felicity is already getting up.

Felicity: Alright...totally saw that coming.

Mallorie wags an eyebrow.

Felicity: Worst of luck, guys.

Dillan is breathing a sigh of relief and Graham shares a grin with him.

A white-faced Bridgette clasps Greta’s clammy hand in hers. Greta watches with a slightly remorseful gaze as Felicity walks past her with her torch.

Felicity sets her torch down in front of Jeff.

Jeff: Felicity…

She nods.

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

She quickly leaves without looking back. Mallorie smiles, seeing her go.

Jeff: Well, after tonight, the last person swimming on their own on the outs is gone. Now what? Grab your torches and head back to camp. Goodnight.

Challenges
Immunity Challenge #1: Got To Choose [Millennials Vs. Gen X] The tribes have to race through an obstacle course to retrieve a war club. They must then proceed through a rope net and a balance beam to get to their puzzle. If they wish, they can take a shortcut to make the rope net and balance beam easier to traverse. This will, however, add puzzle pieces to their puzzle. Seuntjie had the Medallion, presenting them with an additional 10 pieces of their puzzle. Reward: Tribal Immunity and a Survivor barbecue. Winner: Seuntjie

Immunity Challenge #2: Air Raid [Cambodia] At the start of the challenge, tribes must race up a tower and through a series of obstacles. Once all tribe members have made it to the top of the tower, they will each take turns launching sandbags with a giant slingshot, attempting to hit targets out in a field. The first tribe to hit all six targets would win. The Medallion gave Seuntjie an extra target to hit to have to win. Winner: Meisie

Voting Confessionals
"meisie"

- You’re a sneaky little rat, and this is why you’re going home.

"meisie"

- I hope I’m making the right decision here. [exhales]

Final Words
"meisie"

- Man, I can’t tell you how disappointed I am to be here! [laughing] I really thought I was going to weasel my way into the merge, at least. To go home before the merge, that’s just plain insulting. But whatever. It’s my fault, I admit it. I never made any solid personal relationships, I had no friends, I had no allies, and wow, saying it out loud makes it sound so much worse. But...it’s the truth. I just proved to be too much of a troublemaker, I guess. When you don’t have anyone’s trust, you’re bound to go home sooner or later, and in this case, it was sooner than I expected.

Voting Confessionals
"seuntjie"

- I’m sorry, Felicity, sweetheart, this breaks my heart, but I...have to do this. It’s what my alliance wants.

"seuntjie"

- You just played too hard, too fast.

"seuntjie"

- Hey, I’m sorry, but honestly...you give me anxiety, and I’ll feel a lot better with you gone.

Final Words
"seuntjie"

- Surprise, surprise, I got voted out. I may be out early but I credit myself for fighting to the bitter end and really, what more could I ask for? I came here to play the game, and as far as I’m concerned, I was one of the only ones actually playing it and playing it hard...almost a little too hard. I thought I was being smart, aligning with everyone, that I’d have everyone on my side...well, it turns out all that did was alienate people. No one trusted me. I definitely learned a hard lesson out here, and I take it all in stride.

Next Time on Survivor...

 * The merge is upon the castaways!

The ten castaways are gathered around Brandy, as he unfurls a scroll of parchment and reads from it excitedly.

Brandy: Congratulations, you have merged!

Everyone begins cheering and whooping.


 * Old enmities resurface…

"redneg"

- I was not looking forward to being back on the same camp with Brandy again.

"redneg"

- Why in the world is Graham in this game still? He’s a terrible player!


 * Old friends are reunited…

Mary-Anne: I missed you so much, girl!

Bridgette: Me too!


 * Alliances are tested…

Abraham: Is Mary-Anne still with us?

Sasha: I’m with her, and she’s with me.

Abraham: Then I hope you can bring her over here because we need her to stick with us right now. I need to be able to trust you two.


 * New partnerships are formed…

Dillan: What are you thinking, that we could be in the middle?

Mary-Anne: I think we have a big decision to make because what we do is going to shape the rest of this game.


 * And tensions run high…

Mallorie: I just don’t think you’re being very modest right now. You are trying to be a dictator.

Abraham: If you’re going to come after me, I’m going to do the same! That’s just the way it is, and there’s no two ways about that! Don’t get mad at me for wanting to take a shot at you.

"redneg"

- Has war been declared? [smirk] I think so. It’s on.

Author’s Notes

 * The episode title ‘The Claws Have To Come Out’ was coined by Mary-Anne.