They're Playing With Tainted Goods

"They're Playing With Tainted Goods"
Season	Survivor: Son Doong
Author	AJ
Episode Number	7
Date Uploaded	11th of May, 2020
Episode Chronology
Previous	Make Rainbows From Rain
Next	If He Could Stop, That'd Be Great

They're Playing With Tainted Goods is the seventh episode of Survivor: Son Doong.

Challenges

Reward Challenge: Four, Score, And Seven Tiers
Contestants will compete in teams of four, racing up and over a series of a-frame obstacles. Once over, one member will race to retrieve a set of keys from the top of a pole, handing it off to another who will use it to unlock a chest of seven buoys. The last two members will then attempt to throw those buoys into a series of seven nets, each higher and further away than the last. The first team to make all seven shots wins reward.
Reward: An overnight stay to a local resort, complete with dinner, spa treatment and beds for the night.

Immunity Challenge: Bow Diddley (South Pacific)
Castaways must stand on an angled balance beam while balancing a ball. At regular intervals, they would move further down the beam, making it harder to keep steady. The last person standing wins.

Episode

Night Eighteen

Ukesirch Tribe

The episode opens to a shot of the night sky, as dark clouds begin to roll in, covering the previously starry expanse. There is then a cut into the Ukesirch tribe camp, showing the final nine returning, all setting their torches aside and standing around. There is then a shot focusing in on Fraiser shown, as she sits down in the shelter, looking quite content with herself.

I'm so relieved that everything went as well as it did last night. I took a huge risk in being the one to draw first blood at the merge, but look at how well it went! Every single person just followed through on voting for Trent, and I was like, the catalyst of that! Being the one person to really influence how the whole merge game starts has to be something that I can hang my hat on if I get far enough to go before the jury. I'm just really on cloud nine after that, and I'm excited for this to be the start of big things!

(The camera then cuts to a similar shot of Alex as she stands by the torches, looking far less glad.)

Seeing Trent go tonight sucked. I know it was easily the best thing for my game, because I no longer have him weighing me down and I also still have an idol in my back pocket, but the two of us still spent eighteen days living together. Spending that much time so closely attached to someone - even if it's someone that infuriates you sometimes - means that it'll always hurt if you're suddenly torn apart. I definitely don't miss Trent the player, but not having Trent the friend anymore stings a bit. I guess I really do have a heart.

(There is then another cut, this time showing Jordan sitting in the hammock on the other side of camp, looking rather disheartened. Noticing this, Phillip then heads over to join him, sitting down beside him.)

Phillip: What seems to be the problem?

Jordan: I just feel... stupid.

Phillip: Jordan, I assure you, you are anything but.

Jordan: No, I am stupid. I let myself get so carried away with being so happy over everything that happened last round, that I ended up being targeted and I would've had no idea if someone didn't tell me. That's pretty stupid if you ask me.

Phillip: Well, you know for certain that I won't write your name down, and I assume that the same can be said about Gerald and Calvin.

Jordan: Yeah, but that was half my issue. I got so carried away having fun with you guys that I lost sight of the game. I still want to have fun, obviously, but I can't get sidetracked again.

Phillip: I suppose that's fair enough. I would refrain from calling that stupid, however. That's just human.

(There is a brief pause.)

Jordan: Thanks, I needed to hear that.

Phillip: No problem. Now, tonight emotions are still high, so I'd suggest waiting until the morning before planning our next step, however if losing sight of the game is what's concerning you the most, then we should put on a display to ensure that nobody forgets where you stand.

Jordan: Yeah, I could get behind that.

Phillip: Then let's [expletive] [expletive] up.

(Jordan is a little taken aback, before the two both chuckle, getting up from the hammock and heading back towards the shelter, with the camera focusing in on Jordan as he walks.)

I came back to camp feeling really terrible, because I hated that after how much effort I've put into the game to stay on top of things, I let that all go and let my guard down. Surprise, surprise; the first time I do that in these first eighteen days of being out here is the first time my name gets written down. Phillip is right though, I need to pick myself up, dust myself off and figure out where to go from here. I'm so far from being down and out, and I need to do something to prove that. It's time to shake things up big time, starting as soon as possible.

(The camera then cuts to show Lacey sitting in the shelter, watching Jordan and Phillip returning to the camp area, before looking over at the rest of the tribe, visibly deep in thought.)

Tonight really set in motion what I was hoping to see happen, and that was someone from Teja leaving, as well as one of the new players leaving. I'm now sitting on solid ground between the group of the original Thavi tribe members, as well as the group of returning players that have more or less agreed to work together, and I'm even now Alex's only real ally left, so on all accounts, I've got my bases covered. Where I go in these next few days will probably dictate the outcome of the whole game, and I'm very glad to have that sort of power. I put in the hard yards to get myself into this spot, and now I'm ready to use it properly.

Following Lacey's confessional, the camera fades into the season intro.

Survivor Son Doong (Intro)

Day Nineteen

Ukesirch Tribe

The camera then fades back in from the intro to an overhead shot of Son Doong in the early morning, showing the sun rising high above the treetops. There is then a cut to show the stillness and silence of the vacant well area, before some laughter can be heard through the trees. Finally, the camera cuts once more, showing Gerald and Fraiser going through Trent's food stash, eating it together while giggling.

Gerald: So, you knew about this for this long and didn't bother to share with me?

(Fraiser stuffs her mouth full with pretzels, before nodding.)

Gerald: The horror. I thought I could trust you.

(The two both laugh, eating some more, with the camera focusing in on Gerald as he takes a handful of pretzels, nuts and chips, eating them all at once.)

Fraiser: That's disgusting.

(Gerald goes to speak, but his voice is too muffled by the food to make out what he's saying, causing the pair to both laugh once more.)

In the blue corner, standing at around five foot eight, at just eighteen years old, we have the one, the only... Fraiser Douglas! And in the red corner, standing at a five foot eleven that we know has been claimed to be six feet for his whole life, we have Mr. Coach Man himself... Trent Oldale! And they're on! The fight of the millennium. Trent tries to use his average challenge strength and food hoarding skills... oo, but it has no effect on the other competitor! Fraiser then comes in, harnessing the power of social connections and likability, and it's a knock out blow! Nine to one, Oldale goes down! The crowd goes wild, Douglas is the champion! To the victor goes the spoils, a lifetime supply of snacks and drinks for her and her best friend to enjoy all season! And enjoy them they most certainly will.

Gerald: This is seriously some stone cold [expletive], Fraiser.

Fraiser: Oh well, that's life.

(Gerald chuckles.)

Gerald: Remind me to never cross you or I'll wake up in the middle of the night a year from now to find you going through my pantry.

Fraiser: No promises.

Gerald: Seriously though, I'm really proud of you. It takes serious balls to put yourself in the position of pulling together the merge vote, and you not only pulled it together, it was an absolute slam dunk on Trent.

Fraiser: Well, I couldn't have done it without you, either. We're a team.

(The camera then cuts to the well, showing Alex approaching it, preparing to fill up her canteen. She does so for a moment, before starting to head through the bushes. The camera then cuts back to Fraiser and Gerald who hear the rustling, with Gerald signalling for Fraiser to be quiet. The two both sit there in silence, when the rustling finally stops, but as they go to move, Alex suddenly steps out from the bushes.)

Alex: Absolutely [expletive]'ing busted.

Fraiser: Wait, we can explain!

Alex: You're so dead. Unanimous boot. Eight votes Fraiser. It's done.

(Fraiser looks around frantically, before Alex just laughs.)

Alex: Nah I'm [expletive]'ing with you. Don't worry.

(Gerald chuckles, while Fraiser just goes wide-eyed.)

Fraiser: That's so not funny. You can't just do that.

Gerald: I don't know, your reaction was pretty priceless.

(Fraiser punches Gerald in the arm playfully.)

Fraiser: I did not ask for your input.

Alex: Well, glad to see that Trent clearly trusted you guys more than me if he told you guys about this and I just had to find out by catching him in the act.

Fraiser: He only told me. Something something, challenge competitors sticking together, something something, y'know?

Alex: Sounds about right. The more I hear about [expletive] he was doing, the more glad I am that he's gone.

(There is a brief pause.)

Gerald: So, pretzels?

Alex: No way. I might not be angry at you for having private food, but I know there's some people here that would kill you guys if they found out. I'm not about to put myself on their hitlist.

Gerald: Suit yourself.

(Gerald tosses a chip up in the air, catching it in his mouth, causing Alex to chuckle for a second, before walking back away.)

Finding out just before tribal last night that Trent had a secret food supply hidden in the forest, and finding out this morning that he had actually been sharing that with other people and not me does make me feel a lot better about not saving him with my idol. He clearly had a lot of plans that didn't involve me, so I shouldn't feel the slightest bit guilty about going with my plans that didn't involve him either. Still, I'm not about to chow down on the man's goodies. That feels a little morbid to essentially rob his grave - even by my standards - so Gerald and Fraiser can have at it. They're playing with tainted goods as far as I'm concerned, and that's not a life I'm trying to live.

(As Alex continues walking out of the area, the camera then cuts into camp, somewhat later in the morning, showing Phillip sitting on his own in the hammock, enjoying his morning. Noticing this from over at the fire, Taylor gets up, heading over to him.)

Taylor: Unusual to see someone other than Jordan in the hammock.

Phillip: I believe he went down to the stream to bathe for a short while.

Taylor: Ah, fair enough. How are you doing?

Phillip: Splendid.

Taylor: Oh, that's great to hear. I'm glad you've had a nice turnaround after things getting a bit dicey back on our last tribe.

Phillip: Well, that was for appropriate reasons. I couldn't merely sit by as someone was consistently disrespecting me as Owen had been.

Taylor: Right, I get that a hundred percent.

(There is a brief pause, with Taylor looking around her quickly to make sure nobody is alone.)

Right now, I'm just trying to go with the flow in the game, not ruffle feathers at all after doing so back on Teja, and just sit by as a non-entity. In saying that, I do still need to be looking ahead to my future, so that when it comes time to come out of hibernation, I have some people to be able to pull in for that. I'm quite content to just ride the coattails of others for now, and while they're playing the main game of voting people out, I'll be playing my own side game of managing people for my future. One of those people that I want is Phillip. I was the reason for Phillip surviving two tribals in a row back on Teja, and if I can make him aware of that, maybe he'll repay the favour down the line when I need it.

(Taylor sits down in the hammock next to Phillip.)

Taylor: You probably haven't heard the full story about those few rounds on the swap tribe, have you?

(Phillip looks confused for a moment.)

Phillip: Possibly not? Is there more that I should've been told?

Taylor: Well, not explicitly, but if you want to know a bit more about everything that went down, I'm fine to fill in the blanks for you.

Phillip: Alright, I'm all ears. Figuratively, that is, because I am so much more than just ears in reality.

Taylor: Well, you know that Parker and Owen targeted you at that vote where Owen went home, obviously.

Phillip: Yes. I don't see how that's new information.

Taylor: Well, that wasn't the only time. When Amity left, those two were pitching to get rid of you then as well.

(Phillip seems somewhat surprised.)

Phillip: Interesting.

Taylor: Had I not told them otherwise, they were going to keep Amity around and kick you to the curb.

Phillip: So what you're saying is that in both that vote and the one that followed, you were the one that had my back?

Taylor: I guess so. Obviously Calvin was a big part in that second vote too, but yeah, I was also pushing to keep you around.

Phillip: Huh. Interesting indeed. I do suppose I owe you some sort of thanks then.

Taylor: Don't sweat it, it's all good.

Phillip: Well, if you're in a similar predicament, I won't hesitate to give you the same treatment. I'm not a particularly avid fan of dealing with fake bitches that are out to get me, so seeing that you have consistently been on my side goes a long way.

Taylor: Well, let's just keep in touch more often then.

Phillip: I'll be certain to.

(Taylor then notices Jordan arriving back into camp.)

Taylor: I suppose I'll leave it at that and let Jordan have his hammock spot.

(Taylor then gets up, heading away, leaving Phillip on his own to think everything through when Jordan arrives.)

Jordan: You alright?

Phillip: Yes, just pondering.

Jordan: Fair enough.

(Jordan jumps into the hammock, with Phillip not giving him much regard, still visibly processing everything.)

Hearing from Taylor that she's been looking out for me was quite the surprise, but I have no reason to question the validity of her statements. She indisputably was the crux of my survival over Owen, given that Calvin and I could not have survived that vote without her siding with us, and if she did it once, I see no reason to doubt that she could have had a similar effect on the previous vote, especially since my name did come up that tribal. At the moment, I have no explicitly strict loyalties outside of my developing friendship with Jordan, so I would be quite foolish to not believe her. Who knows, maybe something valuable will come from this?

(As they two swing in the hammock for a short moment, before the camera cuts to the entrance to camp, showing Calvin standing in the shade up against a tree, just as Gerald returns from the food stash, stopping for a moment.)

Gerald: Hey, how's it going?

Calvin: I'm alright.

Gerald: Any big plans today?

Calvin: Honestly? Not really. I'm just bored.

Gerald: Surely there's something you can be doing?

Calvin: Not that I can think of. Anything that needs doing is always done already before I get a chance to do it.

Gerald: That's fair.

Calvin: Even when there wasn't much to do in Dueling Desert, I'd create something to do like trying to fish aimlessly or Jamie would send up on an expedition to climb the waterfall or something. These off days now are just a lot of sitting around waiting for something to happen.

Gerald: Well, tonight we should try get the four returnees together again to discuss things.

Calvin: I'd be down, but it's only morning now. That still leaves us with a whole day and nothing to do.

(Gerald pauses for a moment to think.)

Gerald: Alright, I know what we need.

Calvin: What's that?

Gerald: I'm calling a cave bois meeting.

(Calvin smiles.)

Calvin: Really?

Gerald: Yep. Cave bois meeting in the cave.

Calvin: The cave of the cave bois?

Gerald: Precisely.

Calvin: Fine, let's go. We'll grab Jordan and Phillip on the way.

Gerald: Sounds good.

(The two then head into camp, signalling to Jordan and Phillip in the hammock to join them, before the four then all make their way back out of camp, heading towards the cave, all sitting around outside it, with the camera focusing in on Gerald who is smiling as he looks around at everyone.)

This whole cave bois thing started as a pure coincidence that the four of us got stuck in the cave together after the feast, but honestly? They're three of my favourite people to spend time with out here. It's not an alliance, nor is it some group we're even talking strategy in and voting together. It's genuinely just four guys hanging out and enjoying themselves. When days are as long as they are out here, sometimes that's just what you need.

Gerald: Cave bois.

Jordan: Cave bois.

Calvin: We all still gay?

(Everyone nods, affirmingly.)

Calvin: Good, good.

Jordan: Would it be not good if we were no longer gay?

Calvin: Those are your words, not mine.

Phillip: Yes, it would be bad. Very bad.

Calvin: Those are your words and Phillip's words, not mine.

(Everyone laughs.)

Calvin: So, Jordan, how's day three of being gay going?

Jordan: I'm pretty sure I've been gay for like, twenty years?

Calvin: For [expletive]'s sake, am I allowed to say anything without being attacked?

(Calvin chuckles.)

Calvin: You know what I mean.

Jordan: Yeah, but it's fun to get you worked up.

Calvin: Glad to be of service I guess. Didn't realise my purpose this season was to be everyone's punching bag though.

Jordan: To answer your question, it's good. I'm in a really good place emotionally right now, and on a personal level it's really good. I think maybe on a game level I let it make me let my guard down a bit too much, but I also don't want to punish myself for being happy, so I'll take the good with the bad.

Gerald: That's good to hear, and I agree. It's a tough tightrope walk to try manage personal growth and the game at hand. I mean, that's basically how I ended up leaving last time.

Calvin: You left because you gave up immunity.

Gerald: Which was something I had to do on a personal level. Don't forget who went home right after me.

Calvin: Don't forget who orchestrated the hit on you.

(Calvin and Gerald both stare at each other in silence for a moment.)

Phillip: This is quite the hostile cave bois meeting.

(Gerald finally breaks, laughing, causing Calvin to as well.)

Gerald: Don't worry, it's just banter. Calvin and I have had a lot of time to kiss and make up over last season.

Calvin: Pfft, you wish there was a kiss involved.

Gerald: I can do better.

Calvin: Until I see proof of that, I'll have my doubts.

Gerald: You're not exactly pulling either. In fact, I don't think any of us are.

Jordan: I mean, I only came out to the general populace three days ago, so that's not really fair to lump me in there. Besides, we don't know what Phillip gets up to.

(The three all turn to look at Phillip, who glances around, clearing his throat.)

Phillip: No comment.

(The other three chuckle.)

Calvin: Phillip's loaded, he doesn't have time for someone. They'll just want him to be their sugar daddy.

Jordan: I mean, that would solve a lot of life's problems. I wouldn't have to worry about college debt.

Gerald: My school could definitely do with some funding for more extracurricular events.

Calvin: I could definitely use money for... well, just... life.

Phillip: I'm... I'm still right here. I can hear you all.

Calvin: We're just saying in general, none of us actually want your money in particular.

Jordan: Once again, speak for yourself. I'm not saying no to Phillip paying off my tuition.

Calvin: Once again, I'm being attacked and do not deserve this treatment, and I think as a result you don't deserve any Phillip money.

(Phillip chuckles.)

Phillip: I'll keep that in mind, I suppose.

(The four guys go back to talking for a short while, before eventually concluding their meeting, getting up and heading out of the cave, back towards camp, when Calvin then taps Jordan on the shoulder, stopping him.)

Calvin: Jokes aside, can we talk for a sec?

Jordan: Sure.

(As the other two continue on ahead, Jordan and Calvin sit down on some nearby rocks, facing each other.)

Calvin: I just wanted to say thank you. I know I've thanked you for being such a good ally to me a lot in the past, but I want to reiterate it just so you know how much it means to me.

Jordan: Oh, dude, no problem.

Calvin: If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't even be here. I could've been out the door day three or day nine, but you kept me around. When I was on exile, thinking of how much you'd done for me was what got me through. I mean, [expletive], I managed to find an idol on the tribe camp I wasn't even meant to find an idol at because you gave me a clue. You really pulled through for me when I needed you, and it means the world to me.

(Jordan is silent for a moment, his smile beaming from ear to ear.)

Jordan: Dude, I feel like I'm about to cry. That's the sweetest thing someone's ever said to me.

(Calvin chuckles.)

Calvin: I mean, you know more than anyone how rough things have been for me, both in the real world and in the game, but you've treated me with nothing but love and kindness, and I don't want that to seem like it's going unnoticed.

Jordan: Well, you just made my day. Thank you.

Calvin: No, thank you. You really mean a lot to me, and no matter the outcome of this game, I'm glad I decided to take the call to come back out here again if for no other reason than the fact I met you. You've been the one person I trust and the one person that really gets me since day one, and that's priceless.

(There is a brief pause.)

Jordan: That's pretty gay, not gonna lie.

(Calvin chuckles.)

Calvin: Never change.

(The two both get up, hugging for a moment, before starting to head back to camp together, with the camera focusing in on Calvin.)

Given we just had a unanimous vote, there was no immediate damage control or scrambling happening all day, so everyone just had time off to really do whatever they felt like. Me personally, I've been spending a lot of time just reflecting on what matters the most to me, both back home and out here. When everything's been going to [expletive] in my life and I've been stuck in an increasingly miserable rut, the one thing that's been a light at the end of the tunnel for me has been the people in my life that I care about. In the real world, that's been my sister, and I never really thought anyone else would hit that level, but I think Jordan's as close as it gets out here. He's my absolute rock, which is probably weird to say about a twenty year old, but without him here, I both literally and figuratively wouldn't still be here. Sometimes you've just got to take a second to seperate yourself from whatever you're doing and voice that, you know? We're playing a game for a million dollars, I get that, but I feel like I've really made a lifelong friend out of him. Win or lose, I'll walk away with his friendship, and while I've had Survivor friendships before like Edith or Jamie, I think this is the first time I've met someone that I can fully open up to and they'll just be there to listen. He's a really great kid, and yeah, I guess I just want him to know that. I've seen enough firsthand how the world can tear you down, so I want to build him up.

As the two continue walking back to camp, the camera pans up to the sky.

Night Nineteen

Ukesirch Tribe

The camera then fades to a shot of the sky, late in the night, showing clear and glistening starscape above Son Doong. The camera then cuts into camp, showing the tribe's shelter, with Calvin then very carefully and quietly getting up, heading out of the shelter and walking out of camp.

With everything being all good with Calvin and the cave bois, the last thing I need to check in with is the returnee crew. For the time being, I'm pretty sure it's in everyone's best interest to keep working together, but it's only valuable to us if it's done on the down low. The second those five newbies catch wind of something fishy going on, they'll suddenly revolt against the four of us and we're done, so obviously, us discussing things has to be done very privately and discreetly.

(Calvin continues walking, and once he reaches the outskirts of camp, he looks around, making sure he hasn't been followed, before heading onto the trail, where he eventually finds Gerald, Lacey and Alex waiting.)

Alex: Took you long enough.

Calvin: I was trying to be stealthy. Let's just talk before we're caught.

Alex: Fine. What's on the agenda first?

Gerald: Status report after last night?

Lacey: I'd say the status is good. The four of us survived, there was no divide since the vote was unanimous, we're all good.

Gerald: The only thing that I've heard is that Jordan was feeling a little bit rattled about getting votes, but that was just because he was a bit emotional already from a few days prior.

Alex: Nothing that we should be worried about, right?

Gerald: Nah, just some personal stuff.

Lacey: Well, in that case, it's probably better to not rattle his cage further. Unless we plan on explicitly targeting him, keeping the votes off Jordan is probably our best bet. We don't need the kid becoming some emotional wreck wildcard.

Calvin: Agreed. We need to be making as few waves as we can. If we all get through this vote, we tie up the numbers of us versus them.

Alex: So, if we were to target someone, who would it be?

(There is a pause for a moment as everyone thinks.)

Lacey: I could maybe see value in it being Phillip if we don't want to make waves, since he's the least connected from what I can see, but I'd be open to suggestions.

Calvin: I'm the only one here that's really played much with him since I went to tribal before the merge with him, and I think he means well, but when he goes into scramble mode it's a complete mess. If we did go that way, nobody can know, otherwise we'd need to figure out something else.

Alex: Well, I assume since this is an informal group or whatever we called it, nobody's going to want to cut loose the people they have as numbers outside this group, right?

(There is a brief pause, with everyone looking around, while Alex just nods.)

Alex: Exactly. We don't need to beat around the bush. Calvin won't cut Jordan, Gerald won't cut Fraiser, Lacey won't cut her Thavis.

Lacey: Well, how are you with Phillip, then?

Alex: I mean, Phillip's the only person left from my original tribe, but the two of us never went to tribal together on Teja, and we have next to no connection, so he's not tight with me. If you guys aren't willing to lose people just yet, then Phillip's the least attached.

Gerald: I guess it's Phillip then if we're trying to keep this group united.

Calvin: Yeah, sounds like it.

Alex: We'll talk again later in the coming days to cross reference notes a bit more, but that's probably the option that keeps us all in the game and doesn't directly screw one of us over. We all need to be getting something out of this deal for it to make sense to stick to.

Lacey: Agreed. I'm good with leaving this here, and we'll talk again some other time.

Gerald: Sounds good.

(Everyone starts heading back to camp, with the camera first focusing in on Alex, who looks somewhat nervous about the whole discussion.)

I have no allegiance to Phillip at all, but in the back of my mind there is that concern of being the last person left from Teja. That would mean that people could view me as an easy vote, in the exact same way we're looking at Phillip right now. If I'm assumed to be unattached to any alliances, people will get rid of me to keep the peace. Now, obviously that's not the case, because Lacey and I are tight and whatever this returnee thing ends up being is still intact for now, but that doesn't matter if other people perceive me as being alone. They can take the shot at me whenever they please, so I'm not thrilled at the idea of having no options left. I'm hoping that over the next two days the target starts to just naturally shift, because while pushing for Phillip does keep the peace and make me look like the good guy that's doing right by this non-alliance alliance, it definitely raises some red flags for my future.

(As everyone continues to walk, the camera then focuses in on Lacey, who appears deep in thought.)

This whole returnee thing is all good in theory, but I'm not letting it hold as much weight as the others are. For me, it's not really a loyalty, it's information. It's an open line of communication that I can use to further my game and the game of the people that I actually am loyal to, since the only returnee I actually have any sort of fidelity with is Alex. I'm down to sit there and listen to who people want the vote to be, and I'm down to throw out names to them to gauge interest, but at the end of the day, I'm always looking for more chances to wheel and deal and figure out where to zig and zag, and that's irrespective of circumstances. I'm always open to talks, no matter how they come about or who they come about with.

(The camera then cuts to show the returnees heading back into the shelter, quietly lying down without arousing any suspicion. There is then another cut, this time to the tribe hammock, showing Jordan sitting in it, rocking back and forth as he looks over to the shelter with a skeptical expression on his face.)

Because we haven't had any rain since that killer storm that birthed the cave bois a few nights ago, I've been sleeping in the hammock. I'm already in it most of the day anyway, but I figured I might as well corner the market and secure my territory before Gerald tries to reclaim it, since it was his spot to begin with. What I was expecting from that was that I'd have a comfy place to sleep. What I wasn't expecting, was that I'd see the four returning players slink off together one by one at night, then conveniently return to camp together at the exact same time. That's like, beyond suspicious, so it's pretty damn clear that they're working together in some capacity. After last tribal, I want to do something to make myself look like a strong player instead of an easy target again, and I think I've now got my sights set on what that may be. First chance I get, I want to break those four up.

Jordan then continues rocking in the hammock, smiling to himself, before closing his eyes to sleep, when the camera fades to black.

Day Twenty

Reward Challenge

The camera fades back in to a shot of the sky at high noon the following day, with a cloudy overcast looming, but no rain. There is then a cut to show the challenge area, with Jeff standing in front of it.

Probst: Come on in guys!

(The final nine are all then shown walking into the challenge area, looking around at it, before taking their places on the tribe mat.)

Probst: Alright, let's get to today's reward challenge. For today's challenge, you'll race up and over a series of a-frames, after which one person will need to climb a pole to retrieve a set of keys. Your next team member will then use those keys to open a chest with seven buoys inside. The final two people will then throw those buoys, attempting to land them in seven tiered nets. The first team to land all seven buoys wins reward. Want to know what you're playing for?

Everyone: Yes!

Probst: The winning team will be taken on an overnight stay away from camp for the night, where you will enjoy a nice cooked meal for dinner, comfortable beds to sleep in, and to top it all off, you'll be given a luxury spa treatment to help you unwind. If you're feeling tense at all after these past twenty days, this is definitely the reward for you to get your head back in the game for the second half of it. Now, this challenge runs with four people on each team, meaning one person will not be chosen. We'll draw for teams now...

(Jeff walks around, getting each person to pull a stone out of a bag.)

Probst: Reveal.

(Everyone reveals their stones, either having a red or blue stone each, with the exception of Calvin who has a grey stone.)

Probst: Alright. On the blue team we have Lacey, Alex, Parker and Gerald. On the red team we have Jordan, Taylor, Fraiser and Phillip. Calvin got the odd rock out, he won't get to compete today.

(Calvin sighs.)

Calvin: Story of my life.

Probst: Calvin, you won't be competing, but you will have a chance to go on reward still. Choose which team you think will win, and if you're right, you'll go with them.

Calvin: Oh, okay. I'll go with blue.

Probst: Alright, Calvin has backed the blue team. Calvin, take a spot on the sitout bench, everyone else, I'll give you a minute to strategise and we'll get started.

(Everyone is shown huddling up to discuss in their teams, before there is a timeskip to then show everyone ready for the challenge.)

Probst: For reward... survivors ready? GO!

Challenge Summary:

• Everyone races towards the a-frames, with the blue team working together perfectly to easily make it through first, while the red team struggles despite Taylor and Fraiser's efforts, due to Jordan's lack of height and Phillip's lack of coordination, speed, athleticism, strength, agility and overall willingness to put in effort.
• With this lead established, blue is the first to the pole climb, with Parker climbing quickly, reaching the top in no time at all and handing the keys off to Alex, who has the chest open before the red team even arrives.
• Fraiser then heads up the pole, making up a bit of time, but before she can hand the keys off to Phillip, Gerald already lands the first buoy for blue.
• By the time Phillip has the chest open for Taylor and Jordan to start shooting, both Lacey and Gerald have made another shot each, with Gerald then scoring the fourth buoy for blue as Taylor gets the first in for red, however, that's as far as red makes it, as they continue to miss their following shots while Gerald has deadly precision, scoring two more shots in a row, with Lacey then picking up the final buoy for blue.

Lacey: Kobe.

• Lacey shoots it, landing it perfectly into the highest net, with the blue team celebrating as it goes in.

Probst: Lacey, Gerald, Alex, Parker and Calvin win reward!

(Calvin heads off the sitout bench to join them, with the five all excitedly congratulating each other, leaving a dejected red team standing by. There is then a quick timeskip, showing everyone back over on the tribe mat.)

Probst: Lacey, Gerald, Alex, Parker; a job well done and a commanding performance through and through. Calvin; you clearly made the right decision. The five of you can now head on out to my left and will be picked up shortly to go on your reward. Jordan, Phillip, Taylor and Fraiser; I've got nothing for you. Grab your stuff and head on back to camp.

(Everyone starts heading in their seperate directions, with the winning group all excitedly leaving the area.

I probably couldn't have asked for a better group of people to go away on a reward with. Having all the returning players end up together thanks to Calvin's correct pick means that we've got a lot of worry-free time to talk, but on top of that I also get to kick back and relax with my boy Parker after he's been feeling less than great about our alliance with Taylor. It's probably even better that I've just got him, too, because that means Taylor's back at camp for the night and will hear everything that goes on, so I've got eyes and ears on both sides.

(The camera then focuses in on the losing four, with Jordan glancing back to watch them leave together, before continuing on.)

Okay, did I or did I not just say last night that those four returning players are getting too dangerous and need to be split up? They just absolutely crushed us, and even though it was a coincidence that they ended up together this time, I'm not forgetting what I saw last night. The only upside I can think of is that I can maybe raise this to everyone back at camp since I don't have to be worried about the others hearing, and then maybe we can agree to just stick together for one vote to even the playing field a bit. It's time to make a stand. One of them has to go, now or never. The newbies have suffered seven uninterrupted casualties to their zero, and I'm not about to be just another statistic on that list.

Following Jordan's confessional, the camera fades back to black.

Reward

The camera then fades back in to show a shot of the five reward winners excitedly walking along a trail, eventually reaching stepping stones that lead up to a large cliff-top pavilion, overlooking Son Doong. They then eagerly make their way up the steps, noticing a huge platter of fruit laid out on a coffee table in front of some couches, so they all make their way over and sit down, each grabbing a different piece of fruit and kicking back to eat it.

Parker: Oh wow, I can't believe how much I missed the taste of sweetness.

Lacey: Yeah, I don't even really like apples, but this hits different right now.

Alex: More of an android fan?

Lacey: Shut up, nerd. Eat more fruit.

(Lacey tosses Alex a banana, while the others laugh. Maintaining direct eye contact with Lacey, Alex then takes a bite of the banana through the peel, holding it for a moment, before finally spitting it out over the railing of the pavilion and into the trees.)

Alex: Not worth it for the gag.

(Everyone laughs again, with the camera this time focusing on Gerald who smiles as he glances around at everyone.)

This is such an amazing reward to be on, because everyone's just happy. Granted, you could have had this same reward with any combination of the people left and we'd enjoy each other's company, but when a lot of the game is up in the air at the moment, it's nice to have a chance for people to let their guard down and just kick it together. Even with how divided Dueling Desert was in terms of alliances, going on rewards was the one time where that didn't matter and people just coexisted peacefully - even Jeremy and I who did not get along normally - so I'm going to make the most of it again this season.

(There is then a timeskip ahead, showing Gerald and Calvin both lying down on massage tables, each getting a back massage, and while Gerald looks incredibly relaxed as the female masseuse massages him, Calvin looks anything but as the much bigger masseur is being much more rough with him, causing Calvin to groan and mutter to himself. The camera then cuts to the other side of the pavilion, where Alex and Lacey are both sitting in adjacent bubble baths, watching the guys being massaged and laughing at Calvin's predicament.)

Lacey: Poor guy's not going to be able to walk until tomorrow.

Alex: Honestly, it's worth it to me. [expletive] is hot to watch.

Lacey: Alex...

Alex: Hey, don't shame me!

Lacey: You're disgusting, you should be ashamed.

(The two both laugh, before Alex reaches to the outside of the bath, picking up some grapes and eating them, before smiling to herself and continuing to watch the massages.)

I've had an up and down couple of days after losing Trent, so I think coming on a reward like this was definitely what I needed. It gives me a chance to get a clear head before I figure out what my game needs to evolve into post-Trent, and given that a pretty big part of that right now is working with Lacey, getting some girl time with her - even if neither of us are remotely girly - is actually kinda fun. Neither of us would be caught dead in a day spa, but when you're starving and filthy, you make some exceptions to your normal hang ups. I'm going to just find my zen or my whatever-the-Vietnamese-version-is. I've earned this break from playing hard.

Alex: I wonder if we can convince Parker to go with that guy next...

Lacey: Now you're talking.

Alex: Wait, really?

Lacey: No. You're still gross.

Alex: Well, you're no fun.

Lacey: Pfft. I'm no fun? When we had this same reward in Temotu all you did was go off and strategise with Jackson and Margot.

Alex: Do not use the M-word around me. I don't want to throw up in this bath.

Lacey: Why should I do what you want?

Alex: Because if you do, I'll stop verbally thinking about the masseur oh-so-sensually rubbing up and down all over-

(Lacey puts her finger out to silence Alex.)

Lacey: Fine.

Alex: Thank you.

(Alex then notices as Calvin's massage ends, with Calvin unsteadily getting up, making eye contact with the masseur for an awkward amount of time, before slinking off away from him.)

Alex: Welp, looks like it's my time to shine.

Lacey: Have fun, but not too much fun.

Alex: No promises.

(Alex gets up, putting a bathrobe on, before heading over to the masseur, and as she starts talking, the camera cuts back to focus on Lacey, who then also gets up, heading back over to the fruit, where she finds Parker reclining on one of the couches.)

Lacey: Yo.

Parker: Hey, how's it going?

Lacey: Good, good. Had a bath, feeling not overly clean but very much better than I was before, I smell like roses, and now I'm ready for some more fruit.

Parker: Sounds like you've ticked off the itinerary well.

Lacey: That's my usual plan on rewards. The official Lacey Varcoe rules of rewards are to eat as much as I can, use all of the things to make me feel better, chill and zone out for a while, then maybe talk to people a little bit. That's in order of importance, anyway.

Parker: So, are you at 'chill and zone out for a while' or 'talk to people a little bit' right now?

(Lacey jumps onto the couch adjacent Parker's, putting her feet up and grabbing an orange from the platter.)

Lacey: Screw it, both.

Parker: Is that not breaking the official rules of rewards?

Lacey: Rules are made to be broken.

Parker: Deep.

(The two both chuckle.)

Lacey: So, how're you feeling about everything?

Parker: I'm good. I think if we can get ourselves into a really good spot on this vote, we can set ourselves up for a long time.

Lacey: Yeah, I agree with you. Last vote was unanimous, so it barely even counts as a merge vote. This is where the lines are actually going to be drawn.

Parker: Right. Hopefully we can do what we did last vote and cross notes and stuff to all get on the same page.

Lacey: You, me and Taylor?

Parker: Yeah. I'm still not, like, all that comfortable with her, but we mutually benefit each other by not turning against each other, and we also don't screw you over.

Lacey: Have you spoken to her recently?

(Parker shakes his head.)

Parker: Is it bad that I don't feel like I need to? Like, I'm fine with the way things are right now. We're not on good terms, but we're not on bad terms either. We're just co-existing.

Lacey: I guess that's fair enough. Like a 'nothing personal, but I just don't want to talk much game with you' sort of thing?

Parker: Yeah, I guess so. I do feel like she betrayed my trust a lot, and I'm not going to really hold that as a grudge, but I'm also not going to put myself into a position where it might happen again at any time.

Lacey: I think that's a fair enough way to handle it.

(Before the two can continue talking, they notice the other three heading over, so they quickly go back to eating fruit to act natural, smiling at each other briefly as they do, with the camera focusing on Lacey.)

This whole Parker and Taylor thing is interesting, because they're not outright mad at each other anymore, they've just distanced themselves from each other, aside of coming together to work in our little Thavi trio. As things stand, the two of them are probably a big part of my late game plans - as vague as they may be right now since I don't like to get ahead of myself - so I'm cool with this ceasefire for now, but not knowing how long it's going to last is difficult. It's just a confusing way to go about things, and throwing Alex into the mix makes it all the more confusing. I have three main allies that are super close with me, but not each other. Having to juggle that is hard, but I know the longer all three of them stick around, the better of I'll be, so I'm willing to put in as much effort as is required to keep the target off them at all costs.

(The others then all sit around the table on the couches, all settling in.)

Lacey: That was done quickly, Alex.

Alex: Yeah, he had to dip. I think he's simultaneously our masseur and our waiter.

Parker: So, dinner's coming soon?

Alex: Sounds like it. A little earlier than I'd usually eat dinner, but with this view, a sunset dinner sounds great.

Calvin: I'll say. This place is straight out of a travel magazine.

Gerald: I mean, I don't doubt that it isn't literally in one, somewhere.

Calvin: Am I allowed to say anything without someone making me look stupid these past few days?

Lacey: If it's any consolation, you looked stupid long before these past few days.

(Everyone laughs, while Calvin sighs, before eventually joining the laughter.)

Alex: So, are we doing the obligatory game talk on rewards that is deliberately vague enough to not get any of us in trouble back at camp but forward enough to potentially put a plan into motion?

Gerald: Well, if it's obligatory, I suppose we better. What're people's thoughts?

(There is a brief pause.)

Gerald: I can start if need be. Personally, I'm still of the mindset that it's still early and rocking the boat is scary, so I'd lean towards going after someone that's not overly connected and wouldn't be someone anybody would jump to save.

Lacey: Yeah that's fair.

Gerald: Well, can I ask you, Parker, since you and I haven't been on a tribe together prior to the merge, are you in any way attached to Phillip?

(Parker shakes his head.)

Parker: Nope. Owen and I were the two that voted for Phillip to go at the tribal Owen left, and I had pushed for Phillip to go instead of Amity the round before that as well.

Calvin: So, if the vote was Phillip, you'd be down for that?

(Parker glances at Lacey, who shrugs.)

Parker: Yeah, I don't see why not?

Alex: Well, we've got five here and that's a majority. I guess if we lock this down here, we're pretty set.

Gerald: I'm good with that. We can always bring on more people if need be to make it a more secure vote, but as long as everyone here is on board, we should be fine.

Lacey: Cool.

(The conversation is then broken up by dinner being brought out, which everyone excitedly begins eating. As they do, the camera focuses in on Parker, who politely eats his, looking around at the other four somewhat nervously.)

It didn't really hit me until we all sat down together that I was on the reward with all four returning players. Obviously in the back of my mind I had noticed it before, but it didn't mean anything until we sat down to quickly touch base. They just whipped something together and agreed in no time at all, and even put the ball in my court by asking what my thoughts were on Phillip. Obviously I'm glad to be in on it, but it all just happened in such a blur, and that's not really how I've been playing so far. The last time I tried to just have a quick conversation and lock something in, my whole game nearly fell apart. For now, I'll roll with this Phillip thing being the plan, but I don't know if I trust it, and outside of Lacey, I don't really trust any of the returnees that much, so I'm going to keep a close eye on what goes on.

(The camera then cuts across to Calvin as he eats, stretching his legs out which are still tender from the massage.)

I was the one person who lobbied to save Phillip really hard back on the Teja tribe at the swap, but if Phillip is the name everyone's throwing out, I'm down to roll with it. From what I can gather, Lacey's number one is Taylor, Gerald's is Fraiser, mine is Jordan, and I don't think Alex has a number one now that Trent is gone. That leaves just Phillip and Parker, and given that Parker's here with us on reward and we need him as a number, Phillip's kinda just the way things have to go, and the fact that Parker was so gung ho on targeting Phillip in the past just makes it more likely that it'll work out. On a personal level though, it does sucks to lose a cave boi so soon, but I'd rather it be him than Gerald, Jordan and I.

As everyone continues to eat, the camera then pans out to the trees.

Ukesirch Tribe

There is then a cut to a similar shot of trees, this time panning into the Ukesirch tribe camp in the afternoon, showing the remaining four players all sitting around in the middle of camp, uneventfully waiting for their rice to cook for dinner, with nobody saying anything. The silence continues for a while, before the camera cuts to focus on Fraiser, who looks down at the rice, before glancing away towards the forest. She then quietly gets up, leaving the other three alone, and heads out of camp towards the well, with the camera then staying focused on the other three as they sit by.

Phillip: I wonder where she's heading off to.

Taylor: No clue.

Jordan: Probably to the well, if I had to guess.

Taylor: Well, she better not be gone too long. This pot is almost at a boil.

(The three continue to sit around, before eventually Fraiser comes in, carrying the remaining few containers of food from Trent's food stash in her arms, before approaching the others and setting them down.)

Jordan: Uh, what is that?

Fraiser: That, is our reward, proudly brought to you by whatever college it was that Trent is a football coach for. If the others get to go to a spa and have dinner, we get to have some fun too.

Jordan: What does that have to do with Trent?

Taylor: And you got a private stash of food how?

Fraiser: Trent's reward for sitting out of the feast was a feast of his own. He shared it with me, but since he's gone, I figure it's not really my secret to keep anymore, so by all means, dig in. It's only the non-perishable stuff left like nuts, pretzels and trail mix, but I'd say that'll be a nice entree to our main of rice. Now, dig in.

(Everyone cracks open the containers, excitedly eating the remainder of the food, with the mood visibly lifting as people are smiling and enjoying themselves. The camera then focuses in on Phillip who is taking the time to meticulously crack open several nuts, before eating them, and as he does so, he nods to himself, impressed.)

Phillip: Not bad.

(Phillip goes back to crack open a few more nuts, now smiling cheerfully as he does so.)

As much as I deserved a reward like a spa day - given I am likely the only player here that would frequent a spa in my everyday life, should I find the time - a small assortment of what are essentially rudimentary bar snacks is able to at least slightly make up for that loss. Even though it's all far from nutritional or any real substantive sustenance, just having something to perk up our tastebuds other than rice is a blessing. Mind you, it hasn't been too long since the feast, so we're not exactly perishing, however falling back into the rice routine quickly brings back cravings for different tastes, so Fraiser's mock reward for us was certainly a hit.

(The camera then cuts across to Taylor, who is eating pretzels and chips, looking around at the other three all enjoying themselves, while looking deep in thought herself.)

A moment like this is pretty rare in Survivor - getting to bond over food - but when you're hungry and starving, it really does bring you together to have anything to eat. We're not on a beach like some seasons, so we can't just go out to a reef and catch a bunch of fish, either, so having this fake mini reward is just lifting everyone's spirits. If everyone's in a good mood, it might be a good idea to just test the waters a little and see where people's heads are at right now, especially since this is a group that I haven't had too much contact with, outside of talking to Phillip on occasions. The more groups I'm a part of - even if they're just superficial and not going anywhere - the better. I'm still trying to dodge the spotlight at all costs right now, so I'm not going to be the one to slap my name on a grand coup d'état, but if people need a foot soldier, I'm the go to girl.

(Eventually, everyone starts to get down to the last remainders of the food, setting down the empty containers and finishing off their last handfuls.)

Taylor: That's it.

Fraiser: That's it. Thanks, Trent.

Jordan: Glad we could count on him to hoard food away. And on you to be willing to steal and share said food.

Fraiser: Well, I got to eat it too, so it's win win.

(There is a brief pause.)

Taylor: It feels so weird only having four people here, honestly. Hasn't been that way since our starting tribes.

Fraiser: Yeah, I never thought about that, but now that you mention it, this place feels so empty and quiet.

Taylor: Well, for four of us at least, this'll be the reality in another two weeks.

Jordan: Well, like, for what it's worth, this has been a pretty cool afternoon.

Phillip: I would most certainly agree.

Taylor: Yeah, me too. At least we know if the four of us end up as the last four for whatever reason, it's going to be nice and civil and relaxed.

(Hearing this, Jordan raises an eyebrow, before glancing around and thinking to himself for a second.)

Fraiser: Yeah, that's true.

Jordan: Hear me out for a second, but there's like, no reason why the four of us shouldn't work together right now. I'm not even saying locking ourselves into some final four deal or anything, I'm just saying that for now, we could probably all benefit each other nicely.

Taylor: Agreed.

Jordan: I'm just throwing this out here since I've been pretty carefully watching it play out, but we're dangerously close to being outnumbered by the returning players.

Fraiser: Yeah, I've noticed that too. It's five four even though it started twelve four.

Phillip: That is rather alarming, I must say.

Taylor: Definitely alarming.

Fraiser: So, are you saying one of them has to go?

Jordan: I mean, maybe.

Taylor: I agree, personally. If you're doing it, count me in.

Fraiser: Well, taking out a returning player is already a big deal, so we need to make sure we go after the one that's got the least connections that could muddy the waters.

Jordan: Well, the four of us are an even spread from the four starting tribes and the two swap tribes. We should know who's the least in touch.

Taylor: Right. I think Lacey's the most off the table. She's got Parker still, so we can't touch her if we want any chance of having Parker as our fifth vote.

Jordan: That's fair. I think Calvin would go where I go, so he's probably good for us to keep.

Fraiser: I'm the same but with Gerald, since we've been on a tribe together since day one. How are you with Alex, Phillip?

(Phillip shrugs.)

Phillip: Amicable, but not attached.

Jordan: So, like, is it Alex then? Any objections?

(Nobody speaks.)

Taylor: Sounds like it.

Fraiser: I'm good with that. I think it's just what makes the most sense for all four of us, and hopefully Parker too.

Jordan: Agreed. As long as it's mutually beneficial to all of us, we have no reason not to do it. Let's settle this score with them once and for all.

(Everyone nods, before Taylor notices the rice looking ready, so she goes to start serving it onto leaves for people, and as everyone starts eating their rice, the camera then focuses on Fraiser who is thinking over the conversation.)

I was really the one who arranged the hit on Trent last round, and if I'm a big part of this first shot being taken at the returnees, it might put a bit of a target on my back of being involved in too much. Still, I'd rather get involved than miss the boat on this, and if one of the returning players has to go, Alex is the call. From our time on the new Apa tribe, I feel good about Lacey, and obviously Gerald's my number one. Even though Alex was part of that tribe too, I didn't get close with her at all. Part of that was probably guilt by association to Trent, but sometimes that's unfortunately all it takes to have you become the target, and now she's very much in the hot seat. Hopefully, she isn't going to become aware of that.

Following Fraiser's confessional, the camera pans up to the sky.

Night Twenty

Ukesirch Tribe

There is then a fade to another shot of the sky, this time later in the evening as cloud cover rolls in and the sky darkens to night, before the camera cuts to show the five reward winners returning into camp, starting to head over to the fire where the other four are still relaxing.

Jordan: Oh, hey guys! How was it?

Lacey: It was nice. How were things back here?

Fraiser: Same as usual.

Calvin: So I take it we didn't miss anything exciting?

Phillip: I'm afraid not.

(Everyone then begins dispersing, preparing to head off to sleep for the night, with Lacey signalling for Taylor to quickly break away with her, so the two make their way to the edge of camp in the darkness, ensuring they're out of sight and earshot of the others.)

Lacey: So, how was everything while I was gone?

Taylor: Honestly, pretty uneventful. We sat around the fire all afternoon just chatting.

Lacey: About anything in particular?

Taylor: Not really. Obviously game stuff did come up eventually, but just general 'hey, how would you feel about x? Hm, maybe not x, but how do you feel about y?' sort of stuff. Nothing concrete.

Lacey: Fair enough.

Taylor: Oh, actually, something did happen. Fraiser gave us pretzels that Trent had been hoarding from a reward.

Lacey: Nice. Love that for her.

Taylor: Anything happen on reward I should know?

Lacey: Nothing new, honestly. Pretty much exactly what you described. People not wanting to sound like they're committing to anything but still trying their best to partake in a conversation. We eventually landed on Phillip as a maybe option.

Taylor: Oh, okay. For what it's worth, our maybe option was Alex.

Lacey: Damn, okay. Sounds like people are just throwing Teja names up in the air since Trent left and they see it as an easy vote.

Taylor: Yeah, that sounds about right.

Lacey: Well, thanks for the heads up. I'll keep you posted on anything new I hear.

Taylor: Thanks. I'll be sure to fill you in as well.

(The two both break apart, with the camera focusing on Lacey as she starts heading back into camp, heading over towards the shelter, visibly thinking things through.)

Coming back to camp after having spoken pretty generally about the next vote on the reward, I wanted to figure out where the other group's heads were at, and thankfully, having Taylor back here gave me that access. Hearing Alex's name pop up is far from ideal, but as things currently stand, it's just a name being thrown in the air, so I'm not going to panic and do anything rash just yet. Still, if I didn't keep tabs on people and have people in every little pocket of this camp, I could've gone this whole round oblivious to Alex's name being up in the air. Tomorrow I'll need to do the work to make sure it's not Alex going home, so tonight I have a lot to think about. For now though, I'm just glad I'm in the know on things like this, and it shows the importance of keeping up to date on things with people you're close to.

(As Lacey gets into the shelter, there is then a cut to show Jordan standing on the edge of camp, looking up at the sky with a concerned expression on his face. The camera then shows Calvin pausing as he's about to get into the shelter, noticing Jordan for a moment, before heading over to him.)

Calvin: Everything all good?

Jordan: Oh, yeah. Just trying to figure out if it's shelter or hammock weather.

(Calvin chuckles.)

Calvin: Of course you are. At this rate, I should just build you a roof over the hammock.

(There is a pause for a moment.)

Jordan: Can you?

Calvin: Theoretically: in the future, at least. Right now though? Obviously not.

Jordan: True. On second thoughts, looking back to Vayu, I don't think your roof building skills would keep me remotely dry.

(Calvin jokingly winces.)

Calvin: Ouch. Right in the fragile masculinity.

(The two both chuckle.)

Calvin: On that note though, things are a lot less fragile these days, honestly.

Jordan: Yeah?

Calvin: Yeah. I mean, you haven't had to come console me while I've been breaking down in the forest for a while now. I still feel like a useless waste of space sometimes, but sometimes is better than all the time. Sappy as it may be, you're one of the main reasons for that.

(Jordan pauses for a moment, before hugging Calvin.)

Calvin: What's this for?

Jordan: I don't know, it just felt like a hug moment.

Calvin: That's a good enough reason.

(Calvin hugs him back, before the two both seperate, and as they do, they feel a few tiny drops of rain fall.)

Jordan: That sounds like no hammock.

Calvin: Or, it sounds like on our next off day hammock roof project begins. Oh wait, my roofing skills aren't up to your standards.

Jordan: I'm sure you can manage. Especially after all I've done for you.

(Calvin chuckles, giving Jordan a playful shove.)

Calvin: Trust you to use my sentimentality against me, but fine. Done deal.

(The two smile at each other, before heading back to the shelter and climbing in, with the camera focusing in on Jordan as she gets into the shelter at one end, glancing over at Calvin who is getting in at the other end, with the pair still smiling from their conversation.)

I'm really like, the one person that knows everything that Calvin's been going through out here and back home, and so on a personal level, hearing that he feels like things are improving for him really warms my heart. I care about him a lot, and any time you care about someone, it sucks to see them down in the dumps. That goes without saying, really, but in an environment like Survivor that can get really cutthroat, it's a pretty rare occurrence, so it's worth mentioning. Either way, I'm just glad that things are looking up for him at long last. He deserves it.

(Calvin as he lies down, looking out of the shelter as the rain starts to pick up a bit.)

The headspace I'm in now is a far cry from where I was, even just a few days back. Being surrounded by people I can joke around with and just have fun with really has shown me that people do care about me, and not just as a sympathy case, but as a good friend. I may have no job, I may have no home, I may be playing a really haphazard Survivor game that's had two close calls of nearly going home and a misplayed idol in the pre-merge, but I've got some incredible people around me, and that's priceless. I feel like I'm finally starting to get back to my former self, both as a Survivor player and just as a person. It's a really nice feeling. It's... it's a very welcome change.

Following Calvin's confessional, the camera fades to black.

Day Twenty-One

Immunity Challenge

The camera then fades back in to a shot of the sky the following morning, with the rain having cleared up and the sun now shining through the gaps in the cloudy sky, before it then cuts to a drone shot of the challenge area, showing Jeff standing in front of it.

Probst: Come on in guys!

(Everyone is then shown walking into the challenge area, looking at the display before them, with Jordan turning to Phillip beside him, giggling.)

Jordan: South Pacific balance challenge. You and I aren't lasting more than a second.

Phillip: At least I'll beat you.

Jordan: You're on!

(Everyone then settles in, turning their attention to Jeff.)

Probst: Alright, let's get to today's immunity challenge. For today's challenge, you'll each be standing on a narrow beam while balancing a ball on a wooden bow. At regular intervals, you will move further down the beam, where it gets more narrow and harder to balance. Last person standing wins immunity, is safe from tonight's tribal council, and is guaranteed a spot in the final eight. For the losers, one of you will become the eighth person voted out of Survivor: Son Doong and the first member of the jury. Big stakes. We'll draw for spots and get started.

(There is then a timeskip ahead as everyone gets ready for the challenge, all standing by and awaiting Jeff's call.)

Probst: Alright, place your balls on, this challenge is on.

Challenge Summary:

• As predicted, Jordan and Phillip's collective lack of balance plagues them early, with the pair both struggling right out of the gate. As they continue to wobble, they both glance at each other, laughing, with this distraction causing Jordan's ball to drop, with Phillip then losing control of his after laughing at Jordan's failure, sending them both out of the challenge.

Jordan: You win this round.

Phillip: You're only newly out. I have more experience with balls.

(Jordan pretends to gag.)

Jordan: Horrific mental image.

• The other seven then continue on for a short while, with people wobbling, but nobody dropping. As per usual, Fraiser and Calvin both look very strong, not moving much at all, with Alex also doing a good job of keeping her ball steady. The first round continues right up to the nine minute mark, but just before everyone is called to move down, Lacey suddenly loses control of her footing, stepping off to the side.
• The ten minute mark is then reached, with everyone grabbing their balls and stepping down to the next, more narrow section, before all placing their balls back on and getting right to it. As expected, people immediately begin to struggle with the adjustment, with both Gerald and Parker losing their balls, dropping out of the challenge. There is then a short amount of time passing before anyone else drops, with Fraiser, Calvin and Alex all still looking strong, and although Taylor's ball isn't particularly steady, her balance on the beam is perfectly solid.
• Eventually the eighteen minute mark is reached, with only two minutes to go until the third and final round, and in this time, Calvin shows his first signs of movement, while Fraiser and Alex continue their unwavering focus, and Taylor's ball begins to drift. As another minute passes, Jeff begins counting down the last ten seconds of the round, and despite their best efforts to save their balls, Calvin and Taylor both drop in this time, looking equally disappointed at being so close to the next phase.
• Finally, the twenty minute mark is reached, so Alex and Fraiser move down to the final section, where Alex immediately begins to struggle with her balance, but keeps the ball steady. On the contrary, Fraiser remains completely still physically, while her ball slowly begins to teeter from side to side, which she has to adjust to stop herself from losing. This continue on for a short while, with both women constantly making nice saves, but eventually Alex over-corrects her balance too much, stepping off the beam.

Probst: Alex drops! FRAISER WINS INDIVIDUAL IMMUNITY!

(Fraiser steps down, gently placing down the bow, before walking over to shake Alex's hand.

Fraiser: That was such a good showdown.

Alex: Yeah, congrats.

(Alex then returns the handshake, but looks rather disappointed. There is then a timeskip ahead, with everyone then making their way back to the tribe mat.)

Probst: Fraiser, come on over.

(Fraiser excitedly makes her way over to Jeff, who puts the necklace on her.)

Probst: Individual immunity is yours. With this around your neck, you're safe from tonight's tribal council and cannot be voted out. The same cannot be said for the other eight of you. One of you will be voted out at tonight's tribal council. I'll give you the afternoon to figure out who that's going to be. Grab your stuff and head on back to camp.

(Everyone picks up their belongings, starting to head out of the challenge area, with the camera focusing in on Fraiser who looks very content.)

Finally pulling out an individual challenge win after coming second in the last two is an amazing feeling. Not only to finally win something, but just to know that I'm safe tonight. I was wavering on whether or not I could stick my neck out and be a part of this move against Alex tonight, but now that I'm safe and it can't come back to bite me right away, I'm all for signing off on it and making it happen. We've laid the groundwork for it, now we've just got to finalise things and we're good to go.

As everyone continues walking out, the camera then fades back to black.

Ukesirch Tribe

The camera then fades back in to show the final nine returning to camp, all heading over to the shelter to put away their bags, with Fraiser hanging up the immunity necklace and smiling at it.

Calvin: Congrats, Fraiser.

Gerald: Yeah, seriously, you crushed that!

Fraiser: Thanks guys. Must say, Alex gave me a serious run from my money there.

Alex: Figures that I'd manage to be good at something as dumb as balancing a ball on an arch-shaped piece of wood. If only I had the actual practical skill in that challenge of my own bodily balance.

(Everyone then begins to head off, going about their day, while Alex glances at the immunity necklace, looking somewhat disheartened.)

I've never exactly been someone that could rely on immunity wins to get by, and my only win in Temotu came because Noah almost drowned and Jackson had to help him out, but losing today kinda stung. It's the closest I've ever gotten to winning an immunity challenge in a long time, and somehow was something that was actually in my wheelhouse at a time when I could've definitely used it. I'm used to being confident - overly confident in many cases - in Survivor, but I'm not feeling too confident about my safety tonight. I've got an idol that I'd rather not play, and the afternoon to figure things out, but something just already feels off, so once the dust has settled I need to check in on people.

(As people begin making their way around camp, the camera then cuts to focus on Fraiser who is watching everyone heading around, and once she sees Alex get up and head towards the well, she quickly heads over to the fire where Parker, Jordan and Phillip are standing.)

Fraiser: Okay, this is kinda perfect timing, but we've got to make it quick.

(Jordan and Phillip nod in agreement, while Parker looks confused.)

Fraiser: Parker, I know you were away on reward so you missed this talk, but all the newbie players discussed making a move against Alex, and if you're down, we've got the five needed to make it happen.

Parker: Wow, okay. This is a lot to process very quickly.

Jordan: I totally get that, but unfortunately we've got to lock this down before someone that could rat us out overhears us.

Parker: Right. Well, if that's where the numbers are going, I'm down.

Fraiser: So, we're all good on Alex?

Phillip: Most certainly.

Jordan: Yup.

Parker: Sure.

Fraiser: Awesome. We'll just need to let Taylor know we've locked it in and then it's all set.

(Fraiser then heads off again before anyone can find the four talking, with the camera following her as she makes her way over to the shelter, filtering through her bag to look unassuming.)

I think things are pretty set for tonight now, and I'm glad about it. It's definitely more of a rush job than last tribal where I was able to take my time on getting the numbers to take Trent out, but given that this has to be kept on the down low, we can only really afford to briefly discuss things. Even so, now that we've got Parker, I think we should be fully locked and loaded. I haven't had too many chances to talk with him, but from what I see, he seems like a straight up guy that wants to be loyal, so I don't doubt he'll vote Alex tonight now. As long as everyone else stays the course and Taylor's still on board, we're going to see some fireworks at tribal, that's for sure.

(The camera then cuts back to focus on Parker who is still by the fire for a moment, before he gets up and starts walking across camp, heading down towards the stream, appearing quite contemplative as he does.)

Hearing that the target of the newbies is Alex is both comforting and a little bit concerning, honestly. I'm just glad that if they're going after a returning player, it's not going to be Lacey, but at the same time, I'm worried now that two sides are both relying on my vote, since the returning players pitched potentially going after Phillip when we were on reward. It puts me in a weird spot, because I don't want to lead anyone on only to go against them per se, but I also don't want to blow up people's plans. I was telling the truth when I said that I'd go with the Alex thing if the numbers were there, but if they're not, then I'm not breaking any promises by not voting that way. I just want to sort through this and figure out which way to go sooner rather than later, so I'm not spending all afternoon being paranoid.

(Parker then arrives at the stream where he finds Lacey sitting on the rocks, washing some of her clothes in the water, and as she notices Parker, she looks over to him, smiling.)

Lacey: Hey, what's up?

Parker: A lot.

Lacey: I'm all ears then. Take a seat. Welcome to Lacey's help center.

(Parker chuckles, sitting down on the rock opposite Lacey's.)

Parker: You wash clothes in a counselling office?

Lacey: It's a counselling office and a laundromat. I'm quite entrepreneurial. Seriously though, what's up?

Parker: Well, I wanted to know how concrete the Phillip thing is, really.

Lacey: Honestly, I don't think it's immovably sound, but it seems to be where people are most likely going. Why? Have you heard something else?

Parker: Yeah, basically. The rest of the new players want Alex out.

(Lacey nods.)

Lacey: Okay. I'd heard from Taylor last night that Alex's name was mentioned. I guess it's final now.

Parker: Yeah, seems like it.

Lacey: Well, I'll tell you what. I'm not going to pressure you into not doing that if that's what you need to do, but I will tell you that I'm probably not going to be voting for Phillip tonight.

Parker: Okay?

Lacey: I don't know, maybe I will. I need to figure some stuff out.

Parker: Well, if the Phillip thing is falling through, I think I'm probably going to go the Alex way then.

Lacey: Alright. I'll keep you posted on where I'm at in regards to voting for Phillip then. I'm not going to sit here and bull[expletive] you though and lie to you.

Parker: I appreciate that. You know I've got your back a hundred percent. If this whole newbies thing ever throws your name into the mix, you'll hear about it within the minute.

Lacey: Likewise, the second I hear your name ever, I'm coming straight to you.

Parker: Thanks.

(The two then seperate, with Lacey laying her clothes out on a dry rock away from the stream, before taking the left trail towards the well, while Parker heads back to camp. The camera then follows Lacey as she briskly walks through the forest, looking around as she does.)

I was always going to be patient and wait to see if Alex's name was a legitimate target or just being thrown around in general discussion, but with Parker confirming to me that it's happening, now I actually have to do something about it. I'm going to need to go to work in double time to figure out a way to keep Alex out of this, because I need Alex right now, both as an ally and as a friend. I've weaselled me and my allies out of far dicier situations than this before, so I'm not panicking, but I do need to act fast now to get something else on the table before people take the Alex name and run with it. This is what I do though, like, this is my forte. I'm not some muscle hunk winning challenges, I'm not some genius brainiac running game theory calculations, I'm a dodge and weave type player that pulls numbers together from all across the board when I need them. This exact sort of situation is why I go to such lengths to have people in every pocket of the game, and now I need to call upon them.

(Lacey then arrives at the well, breathing a sigh of relief as she finds Alex still there, filling up her canteen.)

Lacey: Oh my god, I have never been happier to see you.

Alex: That's an unusually warm greeting. What did I do?

Lacey: It's more about what you're not going to do, and that's go home.

Alex: [expletive]. It's me. I knew it.

Lacey: It is so, so, so, not you. Not while I'm here.

Alex: That's great to hear in theory, but what's the plan.

Lacey: It's a work in progress. I'm doing this on the fly.

Alex: Okay, you know I love you, but that's not comforting.

Lacey: Dude, I'm trying. I found out this thirty seconds ago and [expletive]'ing power walked my way here.

(Alex lets out a deep breath.)

Alex: Right, sorry. We've got a strong case to push to make it Phillip, if you still want to go that way.

Lacey: That's definitely the best option right now, but I'm going to go door to door to see where people are at, and if it's someone other than Phillip, I'm doing it as long as it gets us both out of this alive.

Alex: [expletive], you really will, won't you?. You're Lacey. You're so god damn annoyingly good at this [expletive] that you're somehow going to pull this off and I'm going to have to kiss your ass all day tomorrow when I'm still here thanks to you.

(The two both laugh.)

Lacey: I'll take the compliment, but for now I must run.

Alex: Go do your thing.

(Lacey starts heading off again, leaving Alex at the well, who waits until Lacey is gone to let out a sigh, looking quite worried as she puts the lid back on the well.)

So, you know how I said I'd see where things were once the dust settled? The dust did the opposite of settling, it got kicked up into a whirlwind, and I'm smack bang in the middle of it. The saving grace is that Lacey is still in my corner, for some godforsaken reason. She's coming to save me, and as pathetic as that is, I'm glad for it. In my fifty-seven day Survivor career, I've only had one other instance of someone reaching out a hand to help me before, and that hand - surprise, surprise - was Lacey prompting me to play an idol. I don't know what sick pleasure she gets out of it, but maybe I'm just her special charity case at the moment that she wants to care for. It almost makes me feel guilty that she doesn't know about the fact I have an idol right now, but I really wasn't planning on playing it any time soon, so if I can hang onto it while she works her magic, I'm going to. I think the whole thing really just struck a chord with me big time, that someone would go out on such a drastic limb for me in a game for a million dollars. She's dumb, quite frankly, because I don't know if saving me is actually worth her time in the long run, but she's still doing it anyway. I must have been a superhero in a past life or something to wind up deserving a friend like her.

(There is then a cut back to camp, showing Fraiser still sitting in the shelter, and as she continues to sit there, Gerald eventually makes his way back into camp, heading over to her once he notices her.)

Gerald: Howdy.

Fraiser: When did howdy enter your vocabulary?

Gerald: Four seconds ago.

Fraiser: Fair enough. So, what's going on?

Gerald: Not much, really. Figured I'd check in with you.

Fraiser: That's fair. I'm good, just chilling right now.

Gerald: Oh, nice.

(There is a brief pause.)

Gerald: Have you been hearing much about tonight?

(Fraiser sighs.)

Fraiser: Yeah, I have, and you know how much I like you, but I can't really go into it.

Gerald: Cool.

Fraiser: Cool?

Gerald: Yeah. You're my closest ally, but you're also free to be your own person. You do you, unless that means voting me out, obviously.

Fraiser: Wow, okay. I will. I was worried you'd be mad if I was in plans without you.

Gerald: Nah, go for it.

Fraiser: Okay then. Same to you too, obviously. It's a two way street.

Gerald: Right. Anyway, good luck with whatever you end up trying to do.

Fraiser: You too, I guess.

(Gerald then heads off again, leaving Fraiser on her own, looking a little bit confused as she watches him leave.)

Gerald almost like, giving me his blessing to not vote with him was a bit unexpected, honestly. It does calm my nerves a bit, so maybe that was his intention, since the idea of running the plan without him was weighing on me in the back of my head. He's like, almost giving me the blindside hall pass. I get to make a move not involving him, he's going to vote however he ends up voting, and after that we're all good to work together again. It's oddly liberating. With that settled though, I guess everything as in place as it can be. I've done my job, and now I need to wait for things to unfold.

(The camera then focuses on Gerald as he walks away, smiling to himself.)

Fraiser having the guts to go behind my back and try make some move makes me really happy. That might sound weird, I know, but her being an independent player is a great notch in her belt, and it also improves our current stance as a a pair too. We show that we're not attached at the hip and we're able to be on opposing sides of the game, even if we're close friends, especially since she's not even letting me in on what the plan is. She's keeping me in the dark, but not in a bad way, in a way that could really advance the both of us in the game, so I'm not complaining in the slightest.

(The camera then focuses back to the fire, showing Jordan and Phillip still standing together, before Jordan then excuses himself and heads away, walking along the outskirts of camp and following the cliff wall, until he spots Calvin up ahead, gathering up some wood, so he casually heads over to him.)

Jordan: Is that for my hammock roof?

Calvin: Unless your hammock roof is being thrown into the fire, then no.

Jordan: Rude. And to think I was going to give you a hand carrying all that.

(Calvin pauses for a moment, before picking up a twig off the ground, handing it to Jordan.)

Calvin: That seems like your limit.

(Jordan goes to throw the twig into the distance, but hits a branch of the tree next to them, resulting in the twig simply dropping back at their feet.)

Jordan: Wow. That's bad even by my standards.

Calvin: Yeah.

Jordan: Be right back, about to isolate myself in the cave bois cave until tribal.

(Calvin doesn't react.)

Jordan: Oh, come on! That was funny!

Calvin: It was, but...

(There is a pause, before Calvin sighs.)

Calvin: Cave bois are under threat, basically.

Jordan: Oh. I mean, we were never any sort of official alliance or anything, but that does suck.

Calvin: Yeah.

Jordan: It's not me, is it?

Calvin: No, god no. I was incredibly firm on the fact that I wasn't voting for you. The vote right now, as far as I've heard, is Phillip. I know that he was there with us in the cave, and that was a big moment for you, so I didn't want you freaking out.

(Jordan nods.)

Jordan: It's okay. When you say you were 'incredibly firm' on it not being me, who were you actually saying that to?

Calvin: Just the people that were on reward. We got to talking, as you do on rewards, and we were just having a bit of an open forum about people's preferences. Phillip was the person with the least pushback.

Jordan: Alright.

Calvin: Are you okay with that? I mean, this is the first we've really spoken about the vote, so I assume you're part of your own plans anyway.

Jordan: I mean, I'm still in the stage of feeling people out to figure out what's going on. But yeah, like you said, Phillip was there in a huge way for me on the birth night of the cave bois in the cave of the cave bois. There'll always be a piece of him in my heart, just the same as there would be with you and Gerald. That's it though. In terms of Survivor, it is what it is.

Calvin: Alright. Well, that's where my votes going unless something changes. You can hop on board if you want, but don't feel pressured if it's not something you're comfortable doing given the circumstances.

Jordan: Thanks, and I'll think about it. Just know that if I don't vote for Phillip, it's not malicious.

Calvin: That's perfectly reasonable.

Jordan: Anyway, I'll let you get back to camp so people don't get suspicious with how long your wood gathering is taking.

Calvin: Alright.

(Calvin then starts heading off, carrying the pile of wood with him back to camp, putting it down by the fire, before dusting himself off.)

Even though the plan to vote out Phillip was put together by the returning players, and I guess loosely Parker from the chat on the reward, I don't see any immediate harm in letting Jordan know. It could actually give us an extra number if Parker flakes out on us, but I think it also just gives Jordan some emotional closure, and god knows he's given me that in spades over the past twenty-one days. Phillip was there for Jordan the night Jordan came out, and that's a really big deal, so springing the vote on Jordan without him knowing and having him only find out when Phillip's name was being read by Jeff would've hurt him a lot. I've seen it firsthand when I tried to go behind Edith's back, and I still feel awful about that to this day, so I can't do it all over again.

(The camera then cuts back to Jordan who is still standing where he had been talking with Calvin, deep in thought. He then starts walking to head back to camp, before suddenly stopping and turning around, picking up the stick he had tried to throw earlier, snapping it and tossing it over his shoulder, before walking away again.)

Hearing that Phillip is the target from the returnees kinda makes sense. I mean, Calvin literally said that Phillip is the target because there was no pushback against him going home, which makes a few things clear. Firstly, it makes it clear that I'm one of Phillip's only connections out here. Secondly, it makes it clear that the returnee thing is real, and taking one of them out is more important than ever. If I'm Phillip's only lifeline, he'll kinda go where I go, and that's too valuable to lose. He's also just a great guy to be around, and we get along super well. Bottom line, Phillip isn't going home. The only issue is, if the Phillip plan happened on the reward, then we haven't got Parker on our side since he was on that reward, and that means we don't have the numbers to keep this as an Alex vote. One thing's for sure, they're going to look foolish for thinking there'd be no pushback over Phillip leaving. I'll show them pushback.

(Jordan then arrives back at camp, heading over to Phillip who is still loitering around, with Jordan then whispering something to Phillip, causing him to have an alarmed reaction, before the two start heading out of camp, finding a quiet area to quickly talk.)

Phillip: Who? Tell me who!

Jordan: I heard it from Calvin, but he said it came from everyone that went on the reward.

Phillip: This is ridiculous.

Jordan: Yeah, it's not happening. Just do me one favour: keep your cool. We'll get through this. We just need to pull in some people to make something happen.

Phillip: What about the Alex vote?

(Jordan shakes his head.)

Jordan: Parker's playing double agent. He was on the reward, so if they all agreed to vote you on the reward, then he did too.

Phillip: Figures. Parker and Owen both held an abhorrently misguided grudge against me for zero reason. Wouldn't surprise me to learn that he's carrying the torch after Owen's departure. So, if not Alex, then what are we doing?

Jordan: I'm still thinking on that part...

(There is a brief pause, as the two both think things through, before Phillip quizzically raises an eyebrow.)

Phillip: Taylor!

Jordan: Voting Taylor?

Phillip: No, quite the contrary. The other day Taylor informed me of some nefarious happenings on the swap tribe surrounding my near elimination, and it turns out that she was my saving grace in the tribal Owen left.

Jordan: Oh, wow. That... that is very useful. Like, really useful. If we get Taylor, we could maybe pull Lacey as a two for one deal and actually make something happen.

Phillip: That would be splendid.

Jordan: I don't know where Lacey necessarily stands, but if you're been talking with Taylor, it's worth a shot.

Phillip: Shall I fetch them?

Jordan: By all means. I'll wait here.

Phillip: Alright.

(Phillip starts heading off, leaving Jordan behind who looks rather impressed. The camera then follows Phillip as he heads out of the area.)

Once again, my name has entered the mix of people potentially in danger at tribal council, and it's disgusting. What did I ever do to these people to acquire their disdain? Flippant, facetious bitches. Also quite misinformed, quite frankly, as if they paid attention to history, they would've seen that the last person to try mess with me ended up being whisked away with his torch promptly snuffed. History repeats itself, and tonight is no exception. This is going to be a boisterous bloodbath, and it shall be delightful to watch unfold.

(The camera then cuts back to Jordan once more, who is smirking to himself.)

This saving Phillip thing actually has legs. Phillip - ever the master of unusual surprises - apparently has been wheeling and dealing with Taylor. Phillipt truly is my fairy godfather out here, with a particular emphasis on the fairy part, of course, but that makes it all the better. This Taylor thing is fesh news to me, but hey, if Phillip's got an in somewhere, I am all for using that. Through Taylor, we might get Lacey too, and Lacey and I got along well on Apa, so there's no reason we can't work together here. If there's some way we can pull some last minute plan together that benefits both parties, it disrupts the entire game and blows it wide open, and suddenly not only will Phillip not be going home, but we might find ourselves in control, and wouldn't that be swell?

(There is then another cut, this time showing Lacey and Taylor both sitting together by the fire, with Lacey looking around to make sure nobody is within earshot of them, before turning back to Taylor.)

Lacey: We need to talk.

Taylor: Okay. Let's talk.

Lacey: I know last night you mentioned Alex as a target to me, and I've heard through the grapevine that she's the vote.

Taylor: Is the grapevine named Parker?

Lacey: The grapevine is named Parker.

Taylor: Well, yes, that was the twenty second conversation that is apparently dictating this vote.

Lacey: Okay, well, hear me out: not anymore.

(Taylor grins.)

Taylor: I'm liking where this devilish tone is going.

Lacey: Well, maybe that's some Alex rubbing off on me, but in any case, she's not going home. Alex has no one. We can have Alex on our side just like that.

(Lacey clicks her fingers.)

Taylor: Interesting. You know I'm always down to keep as many avenues open to us as possible, so if keeping Alex keeps us flexible, I'm on board.

(The two both notice a few people coming back into camp, so they go back to tending to the fire to not arouse suspicion, with the camera focusing in on Taylor who is stoking the fire with a stick.)

I'm somewhat falling into a position that I really do not want to be in. I was fine to go along with the Alex vote, especially since it was helping out my game without needing to be the one to make a move and increase the target on my back that I'm trying to make as small as possible. With Lacey changing things up, I no longer have that comfortable hiding spot, and that's daunting. Sometimes you have to roll with the punches and be adaptable though, so if Lacey's the player I'm currently hitching myself to, I better be ready to be along for the ride that is whatever she's planning.

(Before the two can find a moment to speak more, Phillip then walks up to them.)

Phillip: I require your assistance for a brief moment.

(Lacey and Taylor look at each other, somewhat confused, before getting up and following Phillip, eventually heading back to where Jordan is waiting.)

Jordan: Hey!

Lacey: Hey. What's going on?

Jordan: Oh, Phillip, did you not tell them anything before just leading them into the forest?

Phillip: No, it's more dramatic this way.

(There is a silent pause.)

Jordan: Right. Well, I think we've got a lot to talk about.

Taylor: Let's talk then.

(The four all sit down, making sure they're out of sight from camp and the trail.)

Lacey: For real though, what's going on?

Jordan: I've heard that the vote is Phillip, and given he's sitting next to me right now, I think it's clear that that's not what I want to have happen.

Taylor: What does that have to do with us?

Jordan: Well, I think the four of us could swing this any way we want, really.

Lacey: I agree, both with that suggestion and this whole predicament. If the cards are all out on the table, I know about the plan to vote for Alex.

Phillip: Of course there were snitches...

Lacey: I don't really want that to happen either, quite frankly.

Phillip: How serendipitous.

Jordan: The four of us need to come to some conclusion then.

Lacey: I'm down. Guess Trent was a savant after all though, targeting you because he thought you wanted to work with me.

Jordan: Guess so.

Taylor: Guys, I hate to be like this, but the sun is setting, so we need to do this fast.

(The camera focuses on Lacey for a brief moment, who glances away to the side, processing things.)

In a time of need, sometimes being able to fall back on old tricks is the best way to approach something. The devil you know sort of thing. If I look back at my track record, I think there's one particular move that really kickstarted my game in Temotu, and that was the Matt blindside. I pulled off a blindside at the final ten with just four people in on it. As far as I'm concerned, if I did that at the final ten, I can do it here at the final nine even more easily. Plurality votes aren't for the faint of heart, so we need to make sure our target is perfect, but maybe I'm onto something here...

Lacey: Alright, here are my thoughts. Here's how things stand, as far as I'm aware: Phillip is getting votes from Alex, Gerald and Calvin, while Alex is getting votes from Fraiser and Parker. As long as we keep it that way, our four votes are enough to take out anybody, but only if we have each other's backs here. One person going awry screws us all over.

Phillip: You have our utmost trust that we'll cooperate.

Taylor: Well then, who would we stick our votes on?

Jordan: I mean, if Alex is off the table for you two somehow, that leaves us with Gerald, Parker and Calvin.

Lacey: So, would the obvious choice then be Gerald since he's the neutral territory there?

Phillip: While I do have a personal score to settle with Parker, I would be willing to vote for Gerald.

Taylor: Yeah, Gerald works for me.

(There is a pause.)

Lacey: Jordan?

(Everyone turns to face Jordan, who looks deep in thought, but visibly distressed.)

Lacey: You alright?

Jordan: Uh, maybe? I uh... okay there's no easy way to say this... I honestly... I think I might rather Calvin?

(Everyone seems surprised.)

Lacey: Really? You'd just part ways with the guy like that?

(Jordan shrugs.)

Jordan: I don't know, okay? I'm just trying to think about this rationally. In the grand scheme of things, I don't think Gerald is a concern to any of us, and I imagine you guys don't want to part ways with Parker so soon. Trust me, I love Calvin, and he's a great guy, but there's no chance I can take him deep if I want a chance at winning. Between the three of them, who is the most threatening player?

Taylor: Clearly Calvin, no offence to Parker or Gerald. Still, are you sure about that?

(Jordan glances around for a moment, before sighing.)

Jordan: Yeah. I guess, maybe. Yes. We should. We should vote Calvin.

Lacey: Alright. I guess that's it then. Four votes Calvin, three votes Phillip, two votes Alex. Calvin goes home.

Jordan: It's terrifying, but... I think it's the best call.

(The two pairs split apart, heading in their seperate directions, with Lacey and Taylor heading down the trail, stopping to talk once they're far enough away.)

Taylor: Surely not.

Lacey: Every time I've spoken with Calvin, he's adamantly said voting for Jordan wasn't in the cards.

Taylor: Yeah, which is why I don't know if we can trust that Jordan would just throw him to the wolves for a second.

Lacey: Maybe Jordan's not nearly as sweet and innocent as we thought.

Taylor: Maybe, but still, going off what you're saying, that's brutal, especially when we could just go the easy route and vote for Gerald.

Lacey: Yeah. That almost would've made me more comfortable than a Calvin vote does, and I didn't realise I was the one in that conversation that should be pushing to keep Calvin.

Taylor: It's just bizarre.

Lacey: We need to have a serious think about this. It's not too late for us to go any which direction we want.

Taylor: I know. Let's just figure it out here and now though. I'm done with the scrambling.

(Lacey nods, before the two go to discuss things further.)

I don't know what Jordan's angle is in pushing for Calvin. Calvin adores the kid, and without even hesitating Jordan throws his name out there as a target, ahead of Gerald who I didn't see Jordan have a one on one conversation with once in the time we were all on Apa together. It doesn't make sense, but then again, so little of what's gone on this round makes sense. There's so many one on one relationships dictating how the vote is going, so maybe Jordan cutting ties to Calvin isn't the strangest thing in the world. If we can trust him and Phillip and we go that way, Jordan's absolutely taking the heat for it. His hands will be filthy they'll be that bloody. That's half the reason it's hard to believe though, but Taylor and I need to make a judgement call, and we need to make it now.

(The camera then cuts back to Phillip and Jordan who are walking back to camp, with Jordan looking nervously ahead, before glancing to his right at Phillip.)

As much as it breaks my heart... the more I think about, the more I actually think voting for Calvin might be the move that makes the most sense for me right now. There's never going to be an easy way for me to vote out Calvin, because we're both so close on a personal level that it's going to sting no matter when it happens. The thing is, Calvin is solely reliant on me. You'd think that'd be a great thing, but not when I both cannot beat him and also don't really have as big a say in his decision making. Crazy as it may sound, I think Calvin's a redundant Phillip to me. I hate hearing myself say that, but it's kinda true. Phillip is in the same spot Calvin is in being attached to me, but Phillip does what I say and I don't have to be scared of him in the late-game. I don't know though, maybe I'm overplaying my hand and Gerald is the play. I've got a lot to think about and not a lot of time to think about it, but I need to take my heart out of it and just think with my head.

(There is then a cut to a shot of the sky, showing the sun beginning to set and the moon peaking over the horizon, before the camera cuts back to camp, showing everyone getting ready for camp, with Alex standing behind the shelter, out of view of everyone, adjusting her top, before putting her jacket on.)

Alex: Nice and snug.

(Alex then picks up her bag, rejoining the others, looking around at everyone as she does so.)

I don't feel the slightest bit safe tonight, and while I could rest my fate in Lacey's hands and hope that she keeps me alive, I also have a get out of jail free card to just take matters into my own hands and play my idol. I'm still hung up on that, because I know with my threat level, an idol in two votes from now is far more valuable than it is tonight, but I'm also not about to let an idol be the death of me, and going home with it in my pocket would be an insult to the reputation I've built as a player. Maybe I need to just roll the dice and chance it?

(The camera then focuses on Fraiser who is putting on her shoes, tying them up, before standing and making her way over to where the torches are, passing by Gerald along the way, with the two both smiling at each other.)

Tonight, I think things are set for Alex to leave, and while that's a scary thought, I need to do it with no fear. Being scared before an important decision is just a natural part of life, sure, but right now, I need to be fearless, so I can worry less about tonight and more about figuring out what my next step is to keep this from putting a glowing red bullseye on my back when I get back to camp. I'm ready to work hard at that though, and so I've got to make this happen.

Jordan who is sitting in the shelter, deep in thought, glancing around camp, pausing as he looks at Calvin, before looking over at Phillip who is sitting by the fire.)

This is such a hard decision to make for me. I've got to weigh up what I value right now. The player in me is screaming to take out the big threat that I know I lose to, and that I should seize control of the game and take a stand, but I'm still in turmoil over whether or not I have the heart to do that. Is it worth it to just throw away everything Calvin and I have been through over the past three weeks to chase a dream I've had for the past twenty years? I don't know. I really, really don't.

(Everyone then eventually congregates around the torches, each picking up their own, before they start to head out of camp, with the camera lastly focusing on Lacey who looks ahead purposefully.)

My game in Temotu was under the radar for a lot of the game, but this season, there's no replicating that. Lightning doesn't strike twice in that regard. If I'm not going under the radar, I need to go loud, and I need to go assertively. Tonight, everything is in my hands, and I'm not playing it from the shadows. This vote out is going to send a clear message as to how I want the game to go, and if people don't keep up, they'll be the next in line.

Everyone continues walking out, before the camera then pans up to the sky.

Night Twenty-One

Tribal Council

There is then a fade to another shot of the sky, this time later at night as the moon shines through the dark, hazy cloud cover, before the camera pans down to show tribal council, with everyone entering, putting their torches up the back and taking their respective seats.

Probst: Alright. Alex, walk me through the last vote. It's rather rare in Survivor to see a unanimous vote in a tribal council with as many people as we had, much less at the merge tribal council. What brought that on?

Alex: I think it was just a case of Trent playing himself out of the game. I spent the whole game with Trent, and so I can't say it shocked me. The guy definitely had a flair for trouble.

Probst: Well, where do you go then following that? If none of you were left out of the vote, how does the next vote come about?

Alex: That's an excellent question. It kinda leaves the door wide open for anyone to throw out anyone as a target. I think there was a lot of that this round, with people busier trying to find their footing and in turn, just throwing out names to see what bites instead of having super specific targets.

(A few people are shown nodding.)

Probst: Parker, fast forward to a few days later then, and you, Calvin, Gerald, Lacey and Alex all went on a reward together. At this stage of the game, do you view that more as a reprieve from the game, or just another opportunity to discuss things?

Parker: Personally, I saw it as a reprieve. It was a great chance to just unwind and not have to worry about anything.

Probst: So there was no game talk?

Parker: Nothing explicit. I kept to myself for most of it since I'm not a huge massage guy, and I was more in it just to relax. Like Alex said though, this round people have thrown out feelers to see where people stand on certain names, so obviously there was a little bit of that, as I assume there was back at camp when we were gone.

Probst: Let's talk about that. Fraiser, is losing the reward challenge sometimes beneficial in that regard, in that you get some time at camp in a smaller group that you can talk with?

Fraiser: If you look at it that way, absolutely. For someone that wants to make the most of every little situation and relay it to the game, that would be a silver lining there, but I think we stuck pretty rigidly to the usual routine.

(Alex glances at Fraiser skeptically, but Fraiser doesn't take notice.)

Probst: Lacey, I feel like there's a bit of an elephant in the room that surprisingly hasn't been adressed much.

Lacey: Are you calling me fat?

(Jeff chuckles.)

Jeff: What I'm referring to is the fact that all four of the returning players are still in the game. Do you think that's a deliberate occurrence, or just a happy - or unhappy, depending on your view - coincidence?

Lacey: I think it's definitely a bit of both. Obviously having played before, we're quicker to adjust to the game and know how to make our way through things, so it doesn't surprise me that none of the returning players didn't leave early into the game, but by now I think most if not all the rest of these guys have caught up, so I think from here on out it's just a coincidence.

Jeff: Calvin, do you echo that sentiment?

Calvin: Not the easier early game part. I went through hell on Vayu being targeted both tribals, then got stuck on exile for a round, so I feel like I was in the hot seat from the get go.

Jeff: So what is it - if not experience as a returning player - that got you through that to be here today?

Calvin: The people I've been around, essentially. Everyone here has contributed to it in some way, but in general I've just had a great group of people to be around, and even when something is completely unrelated to the game, I've had people here that were willing to support me anyway.

(Calvin smiles as Jeff moves on, looking over at Jordan, who returns the smile.)

Probst: So, from the sounds of things, everything has been amicable amongst the tribe, but given that in a few minutes, somebody is going to be voted out, I don't quite understand how that can be the case. Taylor, weigh in on that for me?

Taylor: I think everyone here has at least some sort of a line drawn in the sand where there's an understanding of things that are game-related or not. Even if you're not working with someone, doesn't mean you can't still enjoy their presence and keep things respectful around camp, and even if get along with someone perfectly well, it doesn't mean you're necessarily working together.

(Gerald is shown nodding.)

Probst: Gerald, you agree?

Gerald: Absolutely. I don't have a single issue with a single person out here. I genuinely like everyone here. At the end of the day though, I've still got to vote for someone, but I think there's an understanding there amongst the tribe that while there is a game at hand, let's not make things too personal to where people get upset, let's enjoy ourselves.

Probst: Weigh in on this debate for me, Jordan. Is it that simple to just set things aside?

(Jordan pauses for a short while.)

Jordan: Maybe for some people, I don't know. I'm not a super emotionally vulnerable person, and I find it hard to let people in on things about my life, so when I do let someone in, it's hard to imagine shutting the door on them in the name of a game. I've been a fan of this show for years and have seen it done countless times, but only once you're in the position do you understand how much it sucks.

(Jordan sighs, with Phillip patting him on the back.)

Jordan: All of us have probably felt that way at some time, but it still never really gets easier.

Probst: Well, there's only one way to test this theory, and that'll be the response someone has to being voted out. Phillip, if it was you tonight, would it be as simple as everyone is saying in just taking it in your stide, no hard feelings?

Phillip: Absolutely not. It may not be an indication of personal disdain against someone, however nobody here wishes to be sent home. Whoever is sent home will likely be upset, irrespective of whether they hold a grudge against people for sending them home. Myself included.

Probst: Well, I think it's time to put it to the test. It is time to vote, Gerald, you're up.

(Gerald heads up to the voting booth, casting a vote which isn't shown, before placing it into the urn and heading back. A few more people then do the same, before Fraiser is shown casting her vote for Alex, holding it up to the camera.)

“	You are a fantastic player in every facet of the game, but that's exactly why you need to go. Heck, you even went toe to toe with an Olympic gymnast in a balancing challenge today. Enough said.	”
–Fraiser, voting for Alex

(Fraiser places the parchment into the urn, before returning to her seat. Alex is then shown heading up after her, casting her vote for Phillip and is also shown holding it up to the camera.)

“	This is still the plan, as far as I've heard or been told. I don't exactly have a great track record on being filled in on plans though.	”
–Alex, voting for Phillip

(Alex then places the parchment into the urn, heading back to sit down, with Jordan then being shown heading up next, and as he approaches the podium, he nervously looks at the pen for a short while. As he finally grabs it, the camera cuts away, before Lacey is then shown as the last person heading up to vote, with the camera then cutting to a shot of her placing her vote into the urn, though the name is not shown, before she heads back to her seat.)

Probst: I'll go tally the votes...

(Jeff then heads away to tally the votes, returning shortly with the urn in hand.)

Probst: If anyone has a hidden immunity idol and would like to play it, now would be the time to do so...

(The camera focuses on Jordan, who glances over at Phillip for a brief second, but doesn't move...

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(...with Alex then standing, pulling the idol out of her top.)

Alex: Come on, Jeff! I'm Alex Anderson, I never come to tribal without an idol or two.

(Alex walks the idol up to Jeff, handing it to him, before returning to her seat.)

Probst: This is a hidden immunity idol. Any votes cast for Alex will not count. I'll read the votes. First vote...

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ALEX, does not count.

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ALEX, does not count.

(Alex nods expectingly.)

Probst: That's two votes Alex, neither of which count...

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PHILLIP.

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PHILLIP.

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CALVIN. (2-1)

(Calvin raises an eyebrow, before nodding.)

Probst: That's two votes Phillip, one vote Calvin...

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PHILLIP. (3-1)

(Phillip looks somewhat frustrated, glancing around at everyone, before the camera then focuses on Jordan, who lets out a nervous exhale.)

Probst: That's three votes Phillip, one vote Calvin, three votes left...

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CALVIN. (3-2)

(Calvin now looks around uneasily, while Phillip looks somewhat more calm and Jordan stares the ground, visibly anguished. Meanwhile, Alex shakes her head, frustrated in wasting her idol, with the camera then lastly focusing on Lacey and Taylor who glance to each other, but don't give anything away yet.)

Probst: That's three votes Phillip, two votes Calvin, two votes left...

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CALVIN (3-3)

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Eight person voted out of Survivor: Son Doong and the first member of the jury... CALVIN.

(There are quite a few shocked reactions, as people try piece together what happened, with Calvin blankly staring ahead, crestfallen. Fraiser and Gerald look around at everyone else, complete bewildered the result, while Lacey just watches Jeff inexpressively.)

Probst: That's four, that's enough. You need to bring me your torch.

(Calvin finally stands up, looking around at everyone, still unsure of what happened, before making eye contact with Lacey, after which he shakes his head and sighing.)

Calvin: I don't think that was a good call.

(Calvin goes to grab his torch, looking disappointed, but shaking Gerald's hand on the way past. He then makes his way over to Jordan, looking for a hug, but Jordan continues to stare off into space.)

Calvin: Dude, it's okay. Win this for us.

(Jordan seems surprised by Calvin's reaction.)

Jordan: Really?

(Calvin pauses for a moment.)

Calvin: Why would it not be? You voted for Alex, right?

(There is a long silent pause, as an absolutely heartbroken look comes across Calvin's face.)

Calvin: Holy [expletive]... you did this... w- wow...

(Calvin quickly steps back from Jordan, rescinding his attempt at a hug, before finally making his way over to Jeff, not acknowledging anyone else on his way over.)

Probst: Calvin, the tribe has spoken.

(Jeff snuffs his torch.)

Probst: Time for you to go.

(Calvin slowly walks down the path out of tribal, trying to keep his composure, until he is eventually out of sight.)

Probst: Well, despite what implications the last tribal council's vote or the answers at tribal council tonight may have had, this vote was anything but unanimous, with an anything but amicable exit. Grab your stuff and head on back to camp, goodnight.

Everyone gets up, with the general shock and tension being felt around by most people as they grab their torches, starting to head out, with the exception of Jordan who is still seated, until Phillip gets him up, giving him a hug and handing him his torch, before the two join catch up to the others in heading out of tribal council, after which the credits begin to roll and the outro music plays, with the camera then fading out to black.

Tribal Council #8: Ukesirch
Voted Against	Voter
Calvin (4 votes)	Jordan, Lacey, Phillip, Taylor
Phillip (3 votes)	Alex, Calvin, Gerald
Alex (2 votes) Idol Played	Fraiser, Parker
VOTED OFF: CALVIN LANGARD

Final Words

“	I feel physically nauetious. This whole place is just spinning, and I feel sick to my stomach... what the [expletive]? I don't understand what the [expletive] just happened... I saw those votes and thought okay, the Thavi three picked up Phillip and took a jab at me. I just... Jordan!? In what [expletive]'ing world would it ever have been Jordan!? I'm the biggest [expletive]'ing idiot on the planet falling for his [expletive] for twenty-one days... I'm going to vomit.	”
–Calvin Langard

Next Time On... Survivor

A big blindside calls for an even bigger reaction...

“	That was absolutely [expletive]'d up, even by my standards. Retribution is a bitch though, let me tell you, so I'd sleep with one eye open if I was him.	”
–Alex

And while the going gets rough sometimes...

“	This, here, right now? This is a low point of my life. Not just Survivor, my life.	”
–Jordan

Sometimes all it takes is one person to pull things back together...

“	The cave of the cave bois is officially under new management. The gay axis of gay evil is here.	”
–Phillip

Author's Notes

• The episode's title was originally Bewildered Beyond Belief, but I could not for the life of me remember who was meant to say that or the context in which it was said, so it got deleted real quick.