EPISODE 5:
Returning from a very dramatic tribal council, the La Flor tribe universally came together to mourn the loss of Richpaca's Cat in the game, having been a much loved member of the tribe. Becky then led a group prayer to mourn his loss, which was mocked in a confessional by Britney who felt like they were behaving like he had died. After the prayer had concluded, Becky took herself away from the rest of the tribe to have a cry to herself, feeling like she had lost one of the closest people in the game. Meanwhile, the new formed alliance of Luke, Patsy, So and Taylor celebrated none of them leaving, despite the close call. In a confessional, Taylor stated that he was happy with the outcome, but had almost changed his vote during tribal, in order not to draw rocks. He ended his confessional, stating that the viewers should expect him to risk his game for So again in the future.
Arriving at the reward challenge the next day, Jeff announced that before the challenge took place, there would be a tribe switch. Additionally, from this point onwards, the flop Medallion of Power twist was no more. The castaways then drew rocks to determine who would become tribe captains, and pick the new teams. Luke was selected as the tribe captain for La Flor, while Marco was selected as the tribe captain for Espada. The new tribes were as follows:
~ ESPADA ~
• Britney Haynes
• Donald Trump
• Kate Evans
• Kathreya Kasisopa
• Loveita Adams
• Marco Rubio
• So Kim
• Taylor Lautner
~ LA FLOR ~
• Amanda Cerny
• Becky Burgess
• Fabio Birza
• Glazed Donut
• Luke Hemmings
• Patsy Stone
• Tatianna
• Tisha Mai
Straight away, the castaways competed in their first reward challenge as new tribes, with La Flor coming out on top, winning 3 live chickens to take back to camp. At the new La Flor camp, Amanda and Tatianna were extremely happy at staying on the same tribe together as each other's closest allies, and considered siding with the original La Flor members, as they didn't trust Glazed Donut and Tisha in the game. Little did they know, Glazed Donut overheard the conversation and quickly told Tisha of the news. Meanwhile, Luke pulled Patsy aside and announced that he chose her over Taylor to be on this specific tribe as he felt like she was more trustworthy and proposed a final two alliance with her. Patsy obviously agreed to the plan, but in a confessional confirmed that Taylor was still the only person she truly trusted in the game. Later that day, Tisha and Glazed Donut pulled Amanda and Tatianna aside to discuss the conversation that Glazed Donut had overheard. This lead to a minor argument between Glazed Donut and Tatianna, with Glazed Donut claiming to hear that they wanted to target him, were they to lose the challenge. Tatianna denied it and said that she would be open to working with either of them, to ensure the original Espada's entered the merge in the majority.
At the new Espada tribe camp, with his main alliance member gone, Taylor was upset about being separated from Patsy, and unintentionally made this clear to his former alliance member, So. In a confessional So was annoyed that Taylor had made her feel so unwanted, and considered getting him out before the merge, so that she could take his spot in being Patsy's number 1 ally. When cooking the tribe's meal, Donald became increasingly frustrated at the rationed portions, claiming that they needed the strength for challenges, and that he deserved more food than people like So, Loveita or Kathreya. When Britney called him out for naming all three of the ethnic minorities, this led to a huge argument with Donald being labelled as racist. Donald, did not care however, calling Britney an idiot, and throwing her bag in the fire. In her confessional, Britney broke down at how difficult Donald was being. In a more strategic confessional, Loveita admitted that she was offended at Donald's remarks, but expressed how easy he would be to beat in the end.
At the immunity challenge, the new La Flor tribe came through, securing their spots in the final 15. Returning back to camp, due to her consistent challenge performances, Donald announces to the tribe that he will be voting for Kathreya at tribal council, and that he encourages the rest of the tribe to do the same, before walking off down the beach. Upset by his announcement, Kathreya rushes off in the opposite direction. In a confessional, Kathreya continues to cry, stating that only cookies could make this situation better. With the rest of the tribe, still at the shelter, Britney then makes an announcement that they should vote off Donald for his poor attitude, and is quickly backed up by her former La Flor tribemates, Marco and Taylor. In a confessional, Marco explains that although he and Donald were both members of the republican party, Donald beat him in the political game, and he didn't want to let that happen again.
Despite having a solid 4 votes stacked against Donald, Loveita considered voting to keep him as he would be beneficial for her end game in the long-run. She approached So about her thinking, who in turn came clean about her former alliance with Luke, Patsy and Taylor. Loveita then proposed a final two with her, to which So agreed. Shortly afterwards, Kate accidentally interrupted the conversation, and Loveita filled her in on her plan. In a confessional, Kate outlined the good and bad points to keeping Donald (someone who she actively disliked) in the game, and how she was unsure with what she would do at tribal council.
At tribal, Donald, like he had done back at camp, announced again his vote for Kathreya after she completely failed the challenge that day. While several members of the tribe, including Kate and Marco agreed to this fact, Britney spoke up and stated that she would rather play the game as she was a 'moral' person. This lead to a tribe discussion over whether personality was more important than strength. Jeff then revealed it was time to vote. Jeff revealed the first 4 votes for Donald, and 1 vote for Kathreya, however half of the tribe were left shocked when the last 3 votes were shown to be for Kathreya, causing a tie. In the re-vote, Loveita's plan once again went through, with the votes being deadlocked once again, forcing the castaways to draw rocks. When the rocks were revealed, Kate had drawn the purple rock, sending her home in the second rock draw of the season.
Voted Out: Kate Evans (4-4/3-3/Purple Rock)
EPISODE 6:
After one of the most dramatic tribals of the season, the tribe was pretty awkward around the campfire, with no one knowing what to say regarding Kate's elimination. In a confessional, Loveita celebrated her plan going through and how she had made a big move in the game, but worried that the tribe may no longer trust her down the road. In an opposing tribal council, Britney was fuming at the fact that Donald was still in the game, but announced that she would do whatever it takes to get him eliminated.
The next morning, Taylor confronted So about voting for Kathreya and how she had betrayed her entire former tribe. When So tried to explain herself, Taylor angrily shut her down, causing her to isolate herself from the rest of the tribe. In a confessional, So broke down, wanting to still work with her former tribemates, but worried that they would no longer speak to her. Loveita then went out of her way to comfort her, ensuring she didn't feel left out. Later that same day, Loveita pulled Britney and Marco aside, admitting to her plan to keep Donald in the game, and apologised for not letting them in on the plan. While Britney stressed how unnecessary it was, the pair both forgave her and agreed to work with her further down the road.
Arriving at the next challenge, the castaways were surprised to know that they would be competing for individual immunity that night, as both tribes would be attending tribal council. For the Espada tribe, Donald took home a surprise victory, while at the La Flor tribe, it was Tatianna who won. Afterwards, Donald and Tatianna took each other on to win reward for their tribe. Donald pulled out a win, meaning that Espada would attend tribal council first, and get to listen in on the La Flor tribe's tribal council, whilst feasting on kebabs.
At the La Flor tribe camp, the original Espada's of Fabio, Tisha, Amanda, Glazed Donut and Tatianna grouped together, as they held the majority on their post-switch tribe, and held a group deliberation as who to target out of Becky, Luke and Patsy. While Amanda pointed out Becky's lack of relationships with seemingly anyone in the game, Tisha did state that they felt uncomfortable around her as she was such a wildcard in the game. Luke was acknowledged for being a physical threat at the merge, whilst Patsy's strong social game was also considered. After their discussion, the original Espada's made a pact with one another to stay strong until the end.
Over at the Espada tribe camp, things weren't so simple. With Donald immune, Britney's plan to target Donald again was ruined, and the tribe scrambled trying to determine a new target. Loveita, wanting to stick with her previous plan, openly lobbied for the tribe to take out Kathreya, in order to give them a better chance in the next immunity challenge, and with Donald already on her side, only needed two more votes. In a confessional, Britney acknowledged that voting out Kathreya would be best for the tribe, but didn't want to allow Donald to have his way in the game.
Despite their argument only days earlier, Taylor approached and then apologised to So about his behaviour, pledging his allegiance to the former La Flor tribe, believing that it was in their best interest to stick together going into the merge. So agreed, but only on the condition that Taylor were to be nice to her for the rest of the game. In a confessional, So stated that she would work with Taylor, but would definitely take him out at the next opportunity. Believing that Kathreya was less of a threat going into the merge, Taylor suggested targeting Britney instead. So agreed, and with Kathreya, would only need 1 more vote to gain the majority. Both sides lobbied hard for Marco's vote all evening, with him unable to decide.
At tribal council, Jeff questioned Britney about the plan for tonight, with her arch nemesis in the game, Donald, now immune. Not wanting to be fake, Britney revealed that the target was unfortunately Kathreya, due to her previous bad challenge performances. Jeff then questioned how Kathreya felt about this. While Kathreya was somewhat upset, in an act of sass, replied that Britney should also be worried as her name had also come up at camp. With this new piece of information, Britney was left fuming going into the vote, demanding to know who suggested her name. In a last-ditch effort to save herself, Kathreya revealed that it had been Taylor. At the vote, the votes were tied 3-3 between Kathreya and Britney, with only Marco's vote left. In the end, Marco believed that challenge performance was of greater value, and Kathreya was voted out in a 4-3 vote.
Voted Out: Kathreya Kasisopa (4-3)
After Kathreya's elimination, the Espada tribe then sat on the sidelines, to enjoy their reward, while the La Flor tribe began their tribal council. Jeff questioned the tribe on their dynamics, to which Patsy immediately outlined how the original Espada tribe held the majority 5-3, and how it would be one of either herself, Becky or Luke leaving the tribe tonight. Jeff then questioned Becky about whether any possible cracks had been found, to give them an advantage in the game, to which she replied they hadn't. The original La Flor three then plead for their survival, with Patsy pointing out how she was the least threatening physically of the trio. At the vote, Patsy and Luke put their votes onto Becky in order to give them a better chance of survival, but it was not needed as the Espada alliance also chose to vote for Becky, sending her home unanimously.
Voted Out: Becky Burgess (7-1)
EPISODE 7:
After Becky was eliminated, Luke and Patsy celebrated still being in the game together, once arriving back at camp. In a confessional, Luke discussed how they had done well at hiding the fact that they were in an alliance together, but they knew that were the tribe to lose the next immunity challenge, that one of them would definitely be going home. Meanwhile at the Espada tribe camp, a tribe divided sat awkwardly round the campfire before going to bed. The next morning, So and Taylor tried to do damage control with Britney, after having just voted for her, which was well received. In a confessional however, Britney did reveal that she was still weary of the pair.
At the reward challenge, despite the loss of a strong member in Becky, the La Flor tribe steamrolled through, earning themselves breakfast at a Nicaraguan farm. On the reward, all of the castaways went on a horseback ride through the countryside, apart from Patsy and Tatianna who were both scared of the horses. This allowed them private time together, in which they bonded as they relaxed in a Nicaraguan household. The pair made a deal to work with each other, and Tatianna promised Patsy safety over Luke, were the tribe to lose the immunity challenge. In a confessional, Tatianna stated how important it was to make connections with the minority, as she may need those connections further down the road.
At Espada, after making amends, Britney once again lobbied hard to So, Taylor, Loveita and Marco about voting out Donald, stressing that if he were to make the merge, he would an easy goat to take to the end, and that he would outlast all of them. Taylor and Marco agreed, but Loveita seemed unsure about voting someone so easy to beat out. This further escalated when Britney suggested that the tribe throw the immunity challenge, to vote him out. This didn't go down well with Loveita and So, who didn't like the idea of throwing any sort of challenge in the game. After the talks, Taylor pulled Britney aside, fully on board with the idea, and that regardless of whether they threw the challenge or not, they wouldn't be targets, to which Britney agreed. Furthermore in a confessional, Taylor stressed that by throwing the challenge, this would in turn protect his alliance with Luke and Patsy on La Flor, preventing one of them from being voted out.
At the immunity challenge, the tribes were neck and neck throughout, however Taylor, Britney, and Marco 'struggled' with Loveita on guiding a chute to break the tiles needed, giving La Flor immunity. Back at camp, Britney immediately pulled the tribe aside to reiterate the vote for Donald, but was met with a huge blow-up from Loveita regarding the challenge. When Marco tried to explain that they hadn't thrown the challenge (which was in fact a lie) Loveita called the whole tribe out on it, accusing them of all being snakes, before storming off. Shocked that the tribe had most likely thrown the challenge, So followed in Loveita's footsteps. Upset by their reactions, the trio of Britney, Marco and Taylor still agreed to follow through with the plan. After storming off, Loveita immediately let Donald in on Britney's plans to throw the challenge, and that Taylor was her main supporter. Donald suggested voting for Taylor, stating that he was a bigger threat than threat, who he compared to a 'fly that just won't leave'. Once So arrived, they let her in on the plans to vote for Taylor. So attempted to flip the vote onto Britney, not wanting to betray Taylor after literally just making up with him, but was shut down.
At tribal council, Donald revealed that Loveita had told him about the tribe's plans to throw the challenge, and that they were just setting themselves up to be picked off at the merge. This was argued by Taylor, stating that original tribe alliances would probably still hold up, and that people like himself, Marco and So would be the first to be targeted. During the voting, So took 15 minutes to cast her vote. When the votes were revealed, it was shockingly a tie between Taylor and Donald with 3 votes apiece. Taylor lobbied hard to So, to switch her vote, whilst Donald called out his formed ally in Marco for being untrustworthy. In the re-vote, So chose to keep Taylor in the game, finally sending Donald home in a 3-1 vote, finally giving Britney a reason to celebrate.
Here's part 2 to the story :)