survivorwildwest

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 14 - Finale - They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?

Jerri, Colby, Ken, Michaela, Bi, and Lauren, return to camp after a close vote taking out Kass. They tie their horses to the saloon’s hitching post. 

“Well done,” Bi says, before retiring to bed.

“Do you want to talk,” Ken asks Lauren.

“There’s nothing to talk about. You’re playing your game. I’m playing mine. I’m not mad at you, baby,” Lauren tells him as she cups his cheek in her hand.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cottontail rabbit wriggles its nose.

At high noon the next day, the Final Six meet Jeff for their next reward challenge. Jeff and his trusty clydesdale stand before two wobbly tables, each of which have three ropes attached.

“For today's reward challenge, you will be randomly divided into two teams. Each team will have six cards on a barrel, which will spell out a classic Wild West phrase. Place the correct cards in the correct order while balancing a heavy table by holding a long, heavy rope. First team to do so wins reward. Want to know what you’re playing for?”

Everyone nods as they look over the challenge.

“Here in the United States, Nearly one in every four Native American households experience brutal food insecurity, meaning not enough variety, quality or desirability of their diets. Today, you will serve as ambassadors of goodwill when you deliver food and other supplies desperately needed to help their life be a little bit easier. Hot meals, gardening supplies, books and other school supplies. You will then be treated to a traditional Wild West feast.”

“Beans,” Michaela presumes.

“Beans, yes, as well as chips & guacamole, margaritas, pork, beef, baked potatoes with all the fixins. Worth playin for?”

They all nod and clap and get ready for the challenge. The two teams are randomly assigned by rock draw. They take their places and Jeff explains, “Wearing orange we have Ken, Jerri and Lauren. Wearing teal, we have Colby, Michaela and Bi.”

Each of them take their respective rope and stand over the barrel when Jeff calls for the challenge to begin. All six competitors look over the thick wooden cards.

“We have two Es,” Colby says, “An A, a Y, an H and a W.”

“Yeehaw,” Michaela whispers.

Bi takes the Y card and begins her walk to the table Colby and Michaela hold. Lauren is quick to figure it out for orange.

“Both teams think they have it figured out,” Jeff yells, “It’ll be a race to see who can get it done sooner.”

Bi places the Y in its upright position and begins to walk backwards, holding her rope as she returns to the barrel. Hoping to gain an advantage over the other team, Colby holds his rope tight so Michaela can begin her march toward the table before Bi returns.

“Teal team, taking a gamble having two people away from the barrel at a time. We’ll see if it pays off.”

For the orange team, Lauren runs back quickly so that Jerri and Ken don’t have to hold the rope as long. Jerri pushes forward as soon as Lauren returns to pull her rope taut. Jerri places their second card as Michaela walks backwards toward their barrel. It’s a close race but the strategy of leaving Colby in one position the whole time proves successful as the teal team spells out “Yeehaw” first. Jeff announces, “Colby, Michaela and Bi win reward!”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a scorpion burrows under a large, rocky hill.

Colby, Michaela and Bi ride their horses south, trotting through the Colorado River and into Arizona. They pass through the hot springs of White Hills and by the Hackberry General Store before riding along Route 66 for over 20 miles. They come upon a lived-in trailer and a cabin made of stone and wood. The paint has been stripped from the wood after years of inattention. An American flag flies overhead.

They hitch their horses outside a motel. Inside, an old man opens his arms and says, “Welcome to Peach Springs! We’re so happy to have you. I am Dr. Damon Rudy Clark. You can call me Rudy.”

“Nice to meet you, Rudy,” Colby says, shaking the man’s hand.

“Nice to meet you tooo,” Rudy says, elongating the last syllable to ask Colby’s name.

“Colby. My name’s Colby.”

“Colby,” Rudy says, “Thank you for coming.”

“Hi, I’m Michaela,” she says, taking a step next to Colby and shaking Rudy’s hand.

“Michaela, thank you for coming.”

“I’m Bi,” Bi says, jutting her hand out for Rudy to shake.

“Bi, thank you for coming.”

“Pleasure,” she says.

“I would like to introduce you to Tim. Tim lives in a trailer, but his mom recently lost her ability to walk. So, now she’s in a wheelchair. Tim needs help installing a ramp so his mother can more easily live her life.”

“We’d be happy to help,” Colby says.

Rudy takes them to his old, red pick-up truck The supplies are thrown in the truck bed. He drives them in his rusted red truck to Tim’s trailer. Tim sits on the stairs outside his trailer with his head in his hands. He looks up when he hears the truck. He doesn’t look much older than Colby.

“Tim,” Rudy calls, “These kind folks have offered to help with your ramp!”

“Oh, really,” Tim asks.

“Absolutely,” Michaela says.

“Oh thank you. It’s not a big job, but the more hands the better. Thank you.”

They unload the equipment from Rudy’s truck before he leaves to give the rest of the supplies to the stores and schools who need it most. Colby and Tim begin sawing the wood while Michaela and Bi take measurements. The screen door slowly creaks open and an elevated foot in a wheelchair emerges.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” the woman behind the screen door says.

“Hello,” Michaela says, sitting on the next to last stair.

“Thank you for doing this,” she says with a shaky voice, “Would you like some lemonade?”

“Oh, no thank you,” Michaela says.

“If you don’t mind my asking, what happened to your leg,” Bi asks.

“Oh, it was really nothing. I just fell on these steps one morning while on my way out on my way to work. I’ve fallen a thousand times on these steps. But, I’m always able to catch myself. This time… I wasn’t. I guess that’s just part of aging.”

“How old are you,”

“I’ll be 90 this fall.”

“And you’re--”

“This fall,” the old woman laughs, “that’s funny. I didn’t mean to do that.”

“It’s very funny,” Michaela agrees, “So you’re nearly 90 years old and still working?”

“Well, not anymore. This has taken me out for good.”

“So, it’s broken,” Bi asks, noticing no cast.

“Oh, I assume.”

“Does it hurt,” Michaela asks.

“Oh, at my age, honey, everything hurts. It’s just like everything else…”

“You didn’t go to a doctor,” Bi asks.

“Oh no,” she waves it away.

“When I hurt my foot, I saw a doctor immediately,” Bi says.

“How am I supposed to pay for a doctor,” she asks. “Between me and Tim, we can barely afford this trailer. A doctor’s visit? Out of the question.”

“But… I thought the government was supposed to... help you,” Bi says.

“They’re supposed to,” Tim says as he and Colby drop some unfinished wood next to the stairs.

Somewhere near the Mojave Desert, creosote bushes dominate the mountainside.

After installing the ramp and a handrail on either side. Tim and his mother join Colby, Michaela and Bi for the feast Jeff Probst promised. With meats and sweets, they fill their pleats. Colby makes sure to cover his cornbread with beans.

“More beans, Colbeans?”

“What can I tell you, I like beans?”

“Does your butt,” Tim’s mom asks.

Colby only laughs.

“They call it the magical fruit,” Tim’s mom says.

“So I’ve heard,” Colby says.

“Have you,” Michaela asks.

Colby sighs and says, “Not yet…”

After filling a plate for himself and his mother, Tim takes a seat at the picnic table next to a cactus blooming a single yellow flower.

“I really want to thank you all for doing that. I could not have done that without you,” Tim says.

“We’re happy to help,” Colby says, slapping Tim’s back. 

“Life can be hard on the reservation. I’m sure you know,” Tim says, “but at the end of the day, we’re really not asking for much. All I want is a good home for my mom. Maybe a wife and some children, and some food to feed them every night.”

They all nod along as he speaks. Colby grabs Tim's shoulder and says, “Yes, of course. We hear you.”

“Thank you, Colby,” Tim says.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a spider continues building its web.

Back in town, Jerri sits alone while Ken and Lauren snuggle on the bench next to the fire.

“Jerri,” Lauren asks, “Are you really taking Michaela to the end?”

“Why do you ask,” Jerri retorts.

“I’m just saying, she’s out with Colby and Bi right now. You don’t think the three of them are making a deal without you?”

“They’re not gonna do that.”

“Okay. I hear you, but if I were you, I wouldn’t go up against Michaela in the final three.”

“What are you proposing,” Jerri asks.

“The three of us take out Michaela tonight.”

“She is a jury threat. Ken, you’re okay with this?”

“I’m not gonna beat her in the end,” Ken surmises.

Jerri tosses the idea around in her head. 

“Lauren makes a good point,” Jerri says in a talking head, “Taking out Michaela would help make my argument at final tribal.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a rosy boa emerges from its hiding place.

As the sun begins to set, Colby, Michaela and Bi make their trek back to town on the backs of their horses.

“So,” Bi says, “We should probably discuss who we’re targeting.”

“I want Lauren out,” Michaela says. “She’s got too many connections on the jury and she hasn’t really pissed anyone off”

“Plus, she’s not in our alliance,” Colby adds.

“There you go,” Michaela says.

“Works for me,” Bi says.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cottontail rabbit finds shelter in some brush.

The final six meet final six meet Jeff for their next immunity challenge. He stands in front of a board that looks like this:

“For today’s immunity challenge,” he tells them, “you will each fire bullets from a replica nineteenth-century Colt six-shooter revolver. Each time your name on the target wall is hit, you score a point. You’ll each begin with six bullets. But, to make things interesting, you’ll come behind this wall, and secretly distribute your bullets to the other Survivors by placing them in marked containers. Each time you give another person a bullet, you give them another shot at the wall and a better chance at winning immunity and this game. Whoever’s name has been hit the most often by the end of the challenge, wins immunity and has a one-in-FIVE chance of winning this game.”

Jeff gives each of them the opportunity to drop their bullets in the other’s containers, then announces, “Bi received two bullets and will be going first as she received the least. Do you feel unloved, Bi?”

“Not at all. I’m going to use what I have to win.”

“Great attitude. Go for it.”

Bi lines up her shot and hits one of her tiles for her first point. Without moving her arm, she pulls the trigger again, piercing the same tile again. She hands the gun back to Jeff who congratulates her on her two perfect shots. He grips the barrel of the revolver and calls for Colby. 

“Colby will take five shots. You handy with a gun, Colby?”

“I believe this is when I’m supposed to say ‘yeehaw,’” he says as he tips his hat to Jeff and takes the revolver’s handle.

He aims for one of his tiles in the center of the board, for fear he may miss off the side. His first bullets strikes a tile with Lauren’s name, just barely missing his own. He takes a deep breath and fires again, hitting the same place. He lets out a frustrated grunt and adjusts his stance slightly. He takes a shot, then another, then another. In quick succession, all three of his bullets fly through his own tile.

“Colby takes first place with three points,” Jeff says. “Bi has two and now Lauren has two. Up next with five shots is Ken.”

Michaela throws her hands up in the air as Ken makes his way to Jeff.

“What’s the issue, Michaela?”

“He’s just gonna give all his points to Lauren.”

“Not necessarily,” Ken says, taking the revolver from Jeff.

He points his gun at the board and closes one eye. His steady hand pulls the trigger. His bullet penetrates Lauren’s tile. Then, again. Then, again. Then, again. Then, with his last shot, he adjusts his aim slightly so that it pierces Michaela’s tile.

“Oh, thanks, Ken,” Michaela unenthusiastically says.

“Up next is…” Jeff says, “Lauren.”

Lauren skips to Jeff and takes the gun. He tells her that she has seven shots. Her eyes go big as she looks at the gun, then the board. She takes aim and says, “I’ve never shot a gun before.”

“Well, there’s a first time for everything,” Jeff tells her.

Lauren wraps her fingers around the grip and holds it tight. She closes an eye and aims for her own name. The bullet races toward the board and hits the wooden border separating her name from Colby’s.

“Damn, okay.” she says before rotating her hips for a more goal-oriented angle.

She fires again and the bullet smashes through her own tile. She takes a deep breath to calm herself then fires again. Again, it hits her target. She jumps up and down excitedly before finding her footing again and taking another shot. Without moving, she takes two more shots, both piercing the same tile. For her seventh shot, Lauren has to reload the six-shooter. When she gets the gun back in working order, she finds a familiar stance and fires. Lauren’s seventh and final shot hits the tile just below the one she’d hit five times in a row, giving Colby another point.

“Thanks,” Colby says.

“Michaela, you’re up next,” Jeff says, “You have seven shots.”

Michaela looks over the board and counts the holes left by the bullets. She looks at the gun and continues her count. She drops her head and aims at the board. She fires all six shots of her first round at Colby’s tile. All six hit.

“You’re not even trying to win immunity,” Jeff asks.

Michaela doesn’t respond. Instead, she places her final bullet in the chamber, lines up her shot, and gives Colby his eleventh point.

“I can’t win this, but Colby still can,” Michaela explains as she hands the gun back to Jeff, “I’m just looking out for my own.”

“Last but not least,” Jeff says, “Jerri. You have ten shots.”

The rest of the tribe looks around at each other, none of them entirely shocked by Jerri’s popularity.

“So,” Jerri says as she takes the revolver from Jeff, “I can’t win this.”

“Seems that way,” Jeff says.

“So, it’s up to me who wins immunity?”

Jeff lifts his shoulders to neither confirm nor deny her comment.

Jerri aims at Colby’s line of tiles. She pulls the trigger six times and leaves six holes in the board. Three in a tile for Colby and three in a tile for Lauren. She looks at the board as she reloads. She rolls her eyes upon seeing the result. She uses the same strategy for her last four shots. The first hits the top right corner of Colby’s tile. The second hits only a couple inches to the right of the first,  piercing the top left corner of Lauren’s tile. The third strikes a couple inches higher in the lower left corner of Jerri’s tile. The fourth and final shot of the challenge pierces the board a couple inches to the left, in the bottom right corner of another one of Lauren’s tiles. Jeff calls out “Lauren wins immunity!”

“Dammit,” Michaela says under her breath.

Lauren jumps for joy as she runs to Jeff. He drapes the bandolier across her chest and hands her the key to the Immunity Suite. She beams with pride before rejoining Ken and the rest of the tribe.

“God,” Lauren says in a talking head, “I have been waiting for this for sooo long.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, two cottontail rabbits approach each other cautiously.

The tribe returns to town. Jerri makes her way behind the bar in the saloon and grabs six tumblers “to celebrate the final six,” per Lauren’s suggestion. Jerri fills each tumbler with the brown stuff and passes them to her tribemates sitting at the bar. As she looks up, she notices only Colby, Michaela, and Bi. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Lauren run upstairs with Ken in tow.

“Didn’t realize this was a reward challenge too,” Jerri says.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a newborn cottontail rabbits takes in the new world. 

Lauren lays on Ken’s chest. The immunity bandolier can be seen under the sheet they wear.

“Do you think we should take out Colby,” Lauren asks, blue skying.

“Me, you and who, Bi?”

“Unless you can convince Michaela.”

“I can try.”

Ken trots down to the bar where he finds Michaela, Bi, Jerri and Colby sitting at the bar. Jerri is excited to see him and invites him over.

“Oh, no thank you. I’m just going to go get some water,” he says, making brief, but noticed, eye contact with Michaela.

“I could use some water, actually,” she says.

The two millennials make their way to the oasis. Ken is characteristically nonverbal until Michaela says, “Okay, what’s your plan?”

“We need you.”

“Okay. Who is it?”

“Colby,” Ken finally admits.

“That’d be a Big Move,” Michaela says.

“It’s a necessary move.”

“Alright, Ken,” she agrees.

Constellations blossom as evening descends on the Mojave Desert.

As the sun sets, the final six get on their horses and ride to tribal council. They take their seats and Jeff calls in the jury, “Elizabeth, Todd, Russell, Ben, Wardog, Wendy, and Kass voted out at the last tribal council.”

On their akhal-tekes, the jury surrounds the final six. Each juror places themselves behind each of the seven people sitting around the campfire.

“Lauren,” Jeff begins, “First individual immunity of your career. That must feel nice.”

“Couldn’t have come at a better time.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I know I’m their target. They have to target someone else tonight,” she says with a proud smile.

“When you say ‘they?’”

“Michaela, Colby and Jerri.”

“Does that mean it’s you, Ken and Bi, on the other side?”

“Could be,” Lauren says, looking across the fire at Bi. “Or it could be me, Ken and Michaela, or it could be me Jerri and Colby. We won’t know until you read us the votes, Jeff.”

“Jerri, does Lauren winning immunity change your plans tonight?”

“Come on, Jeff,” Jerri says, “You should know by now that plans change by the minute in this game.”

“Bi, any change of plans since Lauren won immunity?”

“I don’t concern myself with the activities of others,” she says.

“Okay. Colby, has your plan changed tonight?”

“I’ve had the same plan since two-thousand-and-one. And that is to win this game.”

“Well, good luck. It is time to vote. Bi, you’re up first.”

Bi makes her way into the cave to cast her vote. The rest of the tribe makes their way in, one-by-one. Jeff collects the votes and returns to the campfire. He tells them, “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play it. Now would be the time to do so.”

Michaela stares at the glowing sand around the fire. She taps her feet a few times before looking back up to Jeff, who says, “Alright. I’ll read the votes.”

He reaches into the urn and pulls out the first vote, “Colby, Colby, Ken, Ken, Ken, Fifteenth Person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and the eighth member of our jury, Ken.”

Ken nods his head, grabs his torch and stands next to Jeff, who tells him, “Ken, the tribe has spoken.”

“It’s been wonderful. I love you all,” Ken says, “Good luck.”

Ken strokes his quarter horse’s chest before riding off into the horizon of the moonlit Mojave.

Ken and Lauren voted for Colby. Everyone else voted for Ken.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, bats awake in a cave and fly into the night.

Colby, Lauren, Jerri, Bi, and Michaela, return to town and hitch their horses outside the saloon. As Lauren ties her brown quarter horse to the hitching post, she says, “Have you noticed, the jury doesn’t ride in on the same horses they were voted out with?”

“Yeah,” Michaela says, “There’s are a lot prettier.”

“What do you think happens to the horses when their person gets voted out?”

“I think in horse racing,” Colby slowly recalls, “they... shoot horses, don’t they?” 

“I hope not,” Lauren cries.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, in the early morning, a wild horse runs free, kicking up the sand among the red rocks as he gallops.

Colby approaches with another piece of tree mail, alerting them to their next reward challenge.

“Oh, dammit, is it mud,” Colby asks.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a rosy boa sllides through a very small cave at the base of a rocky hill.

At high noon, the final five find Jeff and his clydesdale standing in front of five empty wooden buckets and a pit of mud.

“For today’s reward challenge, each of you will dive into this mud pit, then transfer the mud in any way you can into your bucket. Whoever gets the most mud in their bucket wins reward. You want to know what you’re playing for?”

They all nod with excitement but not much energy.

“Whoever collects the most mud will win an overnight trip to Las Vegas. A bed, cocktails, casinos, a shower, which will come in mighty handy after a dive into this mud. Worth playing for?”

They all nod and say, “wow.” Jeff clasps his hands together and says, “Alright, we’ll draw for spots and get started.”

They all take their places and Jeff calls for the challenge to begin. Jerri tries to fill her hair with mud. Colby covers his whole body. Michaela and Lauren each try to cradle as much mud as they can. Bi takes the strategy of making a lot of small trips.

Colby, having the most body mass, wipes a significant amount of mud off himself into his bucket. Michaela and Lauren each bring back a comparable amount to one another. Bi doesn’t bring much, but she’s in and out faster than the rest. Jerri was able to collect a lot of mud in her hair, but getting it out is proving more difficult.

Each of the final five continue with their same strategy as the challenge goes on. When Jeff finally calls time, all five appear to have similar levels. Jeff grabs Bi’s bucket first. He places it on the scale and announces, “Bi, twelve point three pounds.”

He returns Bi’s and grabs Jerri’s bucket, “Eleven pounds even.”

He takes Michaela’s bucket after returning Jerri’s, “Twelve and a half for Michaela. A new leader.”

He returns Michaela’s bucket and takes Lauren’s, “Lauren got… also twelve and a half pounds.”

Jeff finally takes Colby’s bucket, weighs it and announces, “With thirteen pounds even, Colby wins reward.”

“For real,” Colby asks with genuine surprise.

“For real,” Jeff assures him.

“Of course,” Michaela says with a dismissive tone.

“What’s the problem, Michaela?”

“Lauren and I worked just as hard, if not harder. He’s just bigger. It’s whatever. I’m not mad. It’s Colby. Colby’s gonna do everything right,” she says while wiping the mud off her face.

“Alright, Colby. You’re headed to Vegas tonight. Who do you want to bring with you?”

“Oh, jeez,” Colby says, looking at the four women before him. Lauren and Bi both expect to not be picked. Michaela raises her eyebrows expectantly. Jerri brushes some mud from her lip and smiles at Colby.

“You want to go to Vegas, Jerri?”

“I’ve been waiting 20 years for you to ask me out, Colby. Of course I do.”

“You two will be headed to Las Vegas,” Jeff says, “Lauren, Bi, Michaela, I got nothing for ya.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a spider has caught prey.

Lauren, Bi, and Michaela ride their horses back to town and take a seat around the fire. Lauren stretches out on Ken’s bench and says, “Sorry Colby didn’t pick you, Michaela. I know you guys are close.”

“Yeah, thanks. You know, it is what it is. He’s known Jerri for, what, twenty years. I can’t be mad at him. Plus, if I were out there, y’all’d be targeting me.”

“No one’s targeting you, Michaela,” Lauren assures her, glancing to Bi, who nods quietly.

“No, it’s okay,” Michaela says, “I know I’m a target.”

“Would you vote for Colby,” Lauren asks.

“The three of us?”

“Then whichever of us is best at fire can take out Jerri with fire next time.”

“Yeah, that could work,” Michaela says, “Are either of you good at fire?”

“I’m good at fire,” Bi promises.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, two desert tortoises slowly crawl over the cracks in the sand.

Jerri and Colby find their dirty bodies in a pristine hotel room. They track the dirt over the white carpet and into the white & gold marble bathroom. Behind a floor-to-ceiling glass door, they see a large shower with shower heads from more angles than should ever seem necessary.

“Oh wow,” Jerri says as she runs her fingertips over the etched glass.

“That looks so nice,” Colby says.

“Looks big enough for two,” Jerri hints.

Colby grins before unbuttoning his shirt. Jerri does the same and they swing the glass door open. The warm water rinses the excess dirt from their skin. Jerri’s hair drops as the once dry mud falls over her body. Colby takes a washcloth and places it over Jerri’s shoulder to remove the dirt. They both stare at his fingers, his skin nearly touching hers. She places a hand over his and the other on his cheek.

“Jerri,” Colby says, mirroring her movements.

“Colby,” she says softly, staring into his eyes.

The water from every which direction removes all the dirt from their bodies. Colby’s hand drops from Jerri's cheek. His knuckles trace her neck. They haven’t stopped staring into one another’s eyes but their fingers interlace with perfection.

“Would you look at that,” Colby says.

“Almost like it was meant to be,” Jerri says.

“Something like that,” Colby says.

“Seems like someone should have listened twenty years ago.”

Colby gives Jerri a polite smile. He removes his other hand from her shoulder and begins collecting water in his palm. Once full, he pours it over Jerri’s face.

“Hey,” she laugh-screams while trying to push him away. She tries to collect water in her own hands to toss at him. They chase each other around the shower until Colby finally shuts it off.

“Oh, Colby! I was having fun!”

Colby smirks and says, “We’ve got a dinner date.”

Jerri wears a burgundy dinner gown with floral accents draped over her shoulders. Colby wears a classic tuxedo with a matching burgundy pocket square.

“It feels like we’re at prom,” he jokes as they sit down atop Las Vegas’ Eiffel Tower.

“There is a certain romance to it,” she says with a gentle smile as she looks up from the menu.

They order some wine and lobster and look out over the desert. Colby cocks his head to Jerri and lifts his glass of pinot noir, “to twenty years,” he says.

“Twenty years,” she says, clinking his glass. “You ever expect us to be here?”

“I honestly did not ever imagine this,” he laughs.

“I did,” she says before flashing a genuine and charming smile. “I’m really happy to be here with you, Colby.”

“I’m really happy you’re here, too, Jare.”

“How’s your stomach and--”

“Yeah, no. Still can’t pass gas.”

“That’s so weird. Have you tried pushing?”

“Like I was giving birth.”

The two Australian Outback castaways laugh and sip their wine and eat their dinner while basking in each other's company. They watch as a young man on a date takes credit for the fireworks display. The young man wears an ill-fitting suit. He seems nervous. A firework shaped like a heart, complete with an arrow and a ribbon reading “Jerri & Colby,” explodes.

“What is that,” Colby asks, “Did you do that?”

“I had nothing to do with that,” Jerri says, “Did… Jeff?”

“Oh my god, yes,” a voice to their left exclaims. The crowd applauds. Colby and Jerri look to see what’s all the commotion. The nervous young man holds his date in the air. Her arms are wrapped around him. As they spin around in celebration, the young man’s young date opens her eyes and yells, “Oh my god! Colby!”

The nervous young man sets her down and looks over at Colby. His eyes go bing and the two come charging at Colby & Jerri.

“Oh wow,” the nervous young man says.

“Uh… hi…” Colby says to the nervous young man.

“Colby…”

“Yeah, hi. Nice to meet you.”

“That’s my name! And this is my girlfriend-- well fiancée now, Jerri!”

“Oh wow,” Colby says. “So, you just proposed?”

“Yeah, hi, sorry,” the young Jerri says, “We’re just really big fans.”

“Oh yeah,” Jerri asks.

“Oh yeah! I was actually named after you!”

“Oh…” Jerri says, “So, how old are you?”

“Nineteen,” she says with glee.

“And how old are you, son,” Colby asks.

“Twenty, sir,” the young Colby tells him.

“Twenty years old? What are ya drinking,” Colby asks.

“Sarsaparilla, sir,” the young Colby tells him before sipping from his straw again.

“So,” Jerri says, “Are you named after my Colby?”

“No ma’am,” the young Colby says, “I just happen to be named Colby. But, that’s how my parents were introduced to the show. Their friends--”

“My parents,” the young Jerri informs them.

“Yeah, her parents. They knew my name was gonna be Colby so they said ‘Oh, you should watch this show.’ So they did. And then when her parents were pregnant they said…”

“Well, whose Colby meant to be with,” the young Jerri finishes, “That’s you!”

“Right,” Jerri says she says with a fascinated grin. “So your families are really close?”

“Oh yeah,” the young Colby says, “Family’s really important to us.”

“Yeah,” the young Jerri says, “His uncle does the fireworks show at the Bellagio.”

“That’s how I got the fireworks with all our names on it.”

“Wow,” Colby says, “That’s really cool.”

“Some people call me Coolby,” the young Colby says.

“Alright Coolby,” Colby says, “Congratulations.”

“Yeah, congratulations,” Jerri says.

“Thanks,” the young couple says before returning to their table.

“Alright then,” Colby laughs as he clinks champagne flutes with Jerri.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tortoise rests.

The next day, Colby and Jerri return to town, hand-in-hand. They separate before being seen by anyone. Michaela is sitting alone at the fire.

“Afternoon,” she calls when she sees them.

“Howdy,” Colby says as he takes a seat on Ken’s bench. “Where are Bi and Lauren?”

“Getting water. How was the reward?”

“Fantastic,” Jerri says.

“It was exactly what we needed,” Colby says.

“That’s great. I’m happy for y’all,” Michaela says, looking around before speaking again. “We’re all on board for Lauren, right?”

“Yeah, of course,” Colby says.

“Okay, good,” Michaela says, “I’m worried they’re coming after me.”

“We’re with you one hundred percent, Michaela,” Colby says.

The shadows of old rocks cover the wildlife of the Mojave Desert with temporary respite.

Bi and Lauren collect water for the tribe at the oasis. Bi says, “It’s Michaela tonight, right?”

“Oh, absolutely. She’ll win if she makes it to Final Three.”

“Glad we’re on the same page. You think Jerri and Colby will go for it?”

“If they’re smart.”

The next day, Colby wakes up and makes his way to the saloon. There, he finds Lauren making coffee.

“Coffee,” Colby asks.

“Yeah, you want some,” Lauren asks, grabbing a blue and white mug from above the bar.

“Sounds great.”

“I do have to warn you. We are out of sugar.”

“How’d we run out of sugar?”

Lauren shrugs her shoulders before asking, “Are you going to get tree mail?”

“Yeah, you want to come?”

“Sure!”

The two of them walk to the lone tree in the desert when Lauren says, “I have to be honest. My trek to the tree with you has ulterior motives.”

“Yes. I’ve played Survivor before.”

“Okay, so, what do you think of voting for Michaela tonight?”

“She’s my closest ally.”

“I thought Jerri was your closest ally.”

“I’m not going to rank them.”

“Okay, whatever. Just, think about it. You’re not going to beat her in final three. I don’t mean to be harsh, but...”

“Why do you say that? I’ve played a good game.”

“Look, the way I see it, you, Michaela and Jerri-- not all three of you are going to make it to Final Tribal together. Do you want them to turn on you before you turn on them?”

They make it to the tree before Colby has a chance to respond. He taps the envelope on his fingers as he paces back toward town.

“Bi’s already in on this?”

“Take a wild guess.”

“Alright. Alright. Let me think about it.”

When they return to town, Lauren stands behind Colby as he reads the tree mail to the rest of the tribe who sit around the fire.

“Sound,” Michaela huffs.

At high noon, the final five find Jeff standing before five metal contraptions. As they take their places, Jeff says, “First things first, Lauren, gotta take it back.”

Lauren kneels in front of Jeff and bows her head. He removes the bandolier from her shoulder. She returns to her tribe and Jeff explains, “For today's immunity challenge, you will have one hand tied behind your back. You will drop a ball into the contraption. The ball will race through the contraption and fall out from one of two alternating tracks. When it comes out, you have to place it back in the contraption. At regular intervals, you will add more balls. Last person with all their balls still in play wins immunity and has a one in FOUR chance of winning this game. We’ll draw for spots and get started.”

The final five take their positions and drop their first ball into the track. Each of the five balls slowly rolls through the track while their respective castaway watches. Once the balls reach the bottom, they all place the ball back in the starting place. The balls continue through the track until they all switch to the other track. All the eyes dart around the track as their balls descend. When Michaela drops the ball for the third time, she closes her eyes and waits for the ball to drop into her hand at the bottom of the contraption. Everyone successfully makes it through the third go round. Once they all place it a fourth time, Jeff tells them they now have fifteen seconds to drop a second ball. When Michaela hears the first ball take one track, she drops the second ball and waits again. Colby is watching his without distraction. Bi is invested in her two balls as they spiral through the track like a mirror. Lauren rocks back and forth and she waits for hers. Jerri pays attention to the new ball, but forgets about the first. It drops and she simply laughs and throws up her loose hand.

When everyone seems to get a rhythm down with two, Jeff gives them fifteen seconds to drop a third ball. Bi mistimes the drop and misses catching one of her balls in the process. Lauren, Michaela and Colby all seem to have three down to a simple pattern. Michaela still hasn’t opened her eyes, focusing solely on her ability to hear. Colby’s focus has become determination. Lauren’s rocking has become quieter. She places her hand in front of the left side of the contraption and the ball comes out of the right.

“Wait, No,” Lauren yells.

“Time for a fourth ball,” Jeff tells Colby and Michaela.

Michaela times out the clinks and clanks of the balls around the rusty metal structure. When feeling they’re evenly spaced, she drops it. She rushes to get her hand down to the one exiting as Colby does the same. Colby grips the ball as it shoots out, waits a beat, then drops it back in. Michaela’s ball flies out with more force than she expected and she bobbles it. She’s able to retrieve it and place it back in but has to open her eyes.

“Nice save by Michaela,” Jeff calls.

The near-fumble by Michaela messes up her rhythm and the next ball falls to the ground.

“Colby wins immunity,” Jeff calls.

As she walks to the bench, Michaela throws her hand in the air. Her three other balls shoot to the ground in quick succession.

“Colby’s gonna Colby,” Michaela says in a talking head, “but Michaela’s gonna Michaela too.”

Back in town, after hitching up their horses, everyone meets in the saloon for a celebratory whiskey in Colby’s honor.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, the sun beats down on the sand all day, but in the early evening, the moon begins to rise.

The final five ride the last five horses in town to Tribal Council. Jeff welcomes them as he stands next to his clydesdale. He announces the jury, “Elizabeth, Todd, Russell, Ben, Wardog, Wendy, Kass and Ken voted out at the last tribal council.”

Ken gives a gentle wave to Lauren as he approaches on his shiny akhal-teke.

“Colby,” Jeff starts, “Once again, you are wearing immunity.”

“Yeah, Jeff. I’m starting to feel like the old Colby again, the Colby everyone fell in love with.”

“Everybody’s always gonna love Colby,” Lauren says.

“Yeah, he doesn’t need challenge wins for us to love him,” Michaela says.

“He’s just a good dude,” Bi says.

“Any praise from you, Jerri,” Jeff asks.

“Colby knows how I feel about him,” Jerri says, almost giggling to tease a smile out of Colby.

“And how’s that,” Jeff asks.

“Same way she always has,” Colby says, still smiling at her.

“Are you gonna question them incessantly about their relationship, Jeff,” Lauren asks.

“I might,” Jeff says.

Lauren just rolls her eyes.

“How has camp been without Ken, Lauren,” Jeff asks.

“Again,” Lauren says, “Ken and I are just friends.”

“Pretty good friends from the sounds of it,” Michaela says.

“Does that influence how you vote, Michaela.”

“It all depends on context, Jeff. If Lauren wants to work with me, then I love their friendship. If they're against me, well…” she says, gesturing to the now voted-out Ken.

“Are you taking credit for Ken’s vote out,” Jeff asks.

“No. It was a team effort. Ken got four votes. You can’t vote someone out by yourself, Jeff.”

“What do you vote for on a vote like this, Bi?”

“Well, I’ve made a lot of deals with a lot of people throughout this game. Some of them are worth preserving. Some... aren’t.”

“Do you have certain deals you don’t think are worth preserving, Colby?”

“I don’t know if that’s the phrasing I would use,” the immunity winner says, “but the game of Survivor, at its core, forces you to weigh relationships against each other.”

“Alright,” Jeff says, “With that, it is time to vote. Jerri, you’re up first.”

Jerri gets up from the campfire and makes her way to the cave to cast her vote. Bi follows her, then Lauren, then Colby and Michaela, who casts the final vote. Jeff tells them he will go tally the votes. When he returns, Michaela is already rummaging through her bag. He tells them, “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play it, tonight is the last night you can play it.”

“Jeff,” Michaela says, “I’m not going home. You guys can chase me but uh… you know you gotta Bi, ha, quicker than that.”

“Unbelievable,” Colby says.

“Wow,” Wendy mutters from the jury.

Michaela walks up to Jeff and holds her gold nugget. She turns to the jury and says, “I found this with Todd the first day of the merge.”

She hands it to Jeff and returns to her seat.

“This is,” Jeff says before pausing.

“Oooh,” Michaela says, proud of her play.

“A hidden immunity idol,” Jeff continues, “Any votes for Michaela will not count. I’ll read the votes.”

Everyone, castaways and jury alike, are rubbing their head and laughing in disbelief.

“First vote,” Jeff says, “Michaela. Does not count.”

Michaela beams with pride.

“Second vote, Michaela. Does not count. Third vote Michaela. Does not count.”

Michaela nods her head, happy she made the right move.

“Fourth vote, Michaela, does not count.”

“Damn,” Michaela says, unsurprised. She turns her attention to Colby, “Even you.”

“You know I had to… I’m sorry.”

“Yeah,” she says with a now defeated tone, “I could have guessed.”

“Sixteenth person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and ninth member of our jury,” Jeff finally reveals, “Lauren.”

Lauren juts out her chin and nods, “Yeah, that’s fair.”

Michaela stands up and hugs her before she leaves and whispers, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s a game. You had to.” Lauren says, “I mean, I was trying to take you out too.”

The two women laugh together before Jeff tells her “The tribe has spoken.”

In her final talking head, Lauren says, “aaah! Taken out by an idol in fifth place AGAIN! Whatever. I’m not mad. I got outplayed. Good on Michaela.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a bat stretches his wings.

Colby, Michaela, Jerri, and Bi ride their horses back to the ghost town they’ve made their home.

“Great job,” they tell Michaela.

“Yeah, thanks,” she says without eye contact. She retreats to her empty bedroom.

Over the horizon, the sun rises.

On the morning of Day 38, Colby meets Bi, Jerri and Michaela in the center of town for the reading of the tree mail.

“I think this is the last one,” Colby says before breaking the wax.

“Thank god,” Michaela says, “it’s always just some lame rhyme.”

“They do this time after time,” Bi jokes.

“It really oughta be considered a crime,” Jerri laughs.

“Wait wait wait,” Bi says, “Before you read it. Can we just have a toast to the McQueens? We actually did it!!”

“Great idea,” Jerri says. She runs into the saloon. After a couple minutes, she returns with a nearly empty bottle of whiskey and four tumblers.

“Vroom vroom,” Bi says as she holds her glass of brown stuff over the fire.

“Bottoms up,” Jerri says as the three of them join Bi in the cheers.

Michaela lifts her glass without looking away from the fire.

“Wouldn’t you know it, Michaela,” Colby says, looking over tree mail, “You’ve got another rhyme crime.”

Michaela rolls her eyes and puts on a smile.

Colby reads the tree mail.

“Fire,” Michaela says, “You need fire. It’s the fire making challenge. We already know this.”

“I’m so close to the end,” Colby says in a talking head, “I can feel it. I just have to make fire. Who’s better at making fire than Colby Donaldson?”

As dusk descends, Jeff leads the jury to the campfire in town. Before each of the four seats around the fire is a fire making kit and a revolver. Jeff explains “Tonight for your final immunity challenge, you will all build a fire. The first person to build fire and raise their flag will win immunity and automatically be going to Final Tribal Council. The three who don’t make fire will then partake in a Mexican Standoff. Each of you will take a revolver and point it at one other person. Once one person has two revolvers pointed at them, you will all fire and the person with two guns pointed at them will be eliminated and become the final member of our jury.”

The jury leans in to watch the final four fire making challenge. Bi takes her time building a base. Colby makes a classic teepee shape. Jerri stacks some kindling. Michaela builds a system she believes should work. They all begin striking their flint. Colby is the first to achieve fire, followed shortly by Bi. She places another piece of wood on the flames whipping with the desert wind. She holds it in the flame until it catches. Once ignited, she places another piece of wood beneath it. The wind nearly extinguishes Colby’s fire to the point he has to rebuild his structure slowly. But, it’s clear as the night sky. Colby’s too late. Bi’s fire is already licking the twine. It snaps and Bi’s orange flag jolts upward.

“Bi wins immunity,” Jeff calls.

Bi lets out a deliberate, slow exhale, as if she’s been holding her breath for 38 days.

“Colby, Michaela, Jerri, the three of you will now take up your arms and two of you must decide, together, in front of the whole town, who will be the last member of the jury. Once two of you have come to a consensus, pull the trigger.”

Somewhere under the star-littered night sky of the Mojave Desert, a tortoise is mere steps from a river.

The three of them take their revolvers and stand before the saloon in a triangle. They all trade apprehensive glances as they hold the irons at their side. Michaela, while staring at the sand, finally says, “Colby.”

“Michaela…”

“We established a relationship on day one. We wanted to find common ground, no?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“That was real for me. That was a genuine friendship I wanted with you. I trusted you.”

“The feeling’s mutual, Michaela.”

“Right, but then you didn’t vote with me at our FIRST tribal council. I said, ‘It’s alright. Don’t be mad, Michaela. It’s only the first one. This is a long game.’”

“Right.”

“Then you voted out Wendy.”

“I was vo--”

“I almost went home that night, Colby,” Michaela says, holding back tears, you coulda helped me and you didn’t. You chose not to. You said you wanted to help however you could and when the opportunity presented itself, you didn’t.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not done, Colby. Because, just last night, you tried to vote ME out!”

“I- I’m sorry. What do you want me to say? I'm trying to win this game too! I did what I felt I needed to do to win. I’m sorry!”

“Yeah, truth be told, Colby... your sorries have soured,” Michaela says as she raises her revolver to America’s Favorite Son.

Colby chews his words in his mouth before jutting out his chin and, with tears in his eyes, he points his revolver back at Michaela. They both look to Jerri, who hasn’t looked up from her feet.

“Jare,” Colby says, “It’s me and you to the end.”

“Yeah, Colby,” she said, “From the beginning to the end, Colby & Jerri. But... you’ve had your shot at the end. I think it’s my turn now.”

She points her revolver at Colby and pulls the trigger with Michaela. From the barrel of the gun comes a stick and from the stick unspools a red flag exclaiming “Bang!”

Colby adjusts his hat over his brow. He collects his things, grabs his torch and sets it next to Jeff. He looks back at the final three and says, “Great game, ladies.”

“Colby,” Jeff says, “the tribe has spoken.”

Colby slings his pack over his shoulder, waves so long, and walks off into the night with the reins of his black mustang in hand. Jeff turns to the final three and says, “Jerri, Michaela, Bi, congratulations. You have made it as far as you can in this game. Tomorrow, you will present to the jury why you believe you deserve the million dollars and to be crowned the winner of Survivor: Wild West.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, sand blasts a forgotten town.

On Morning 39, Jerri, Michaela and Bi ride their horses to the tree where they receive tree mail. This time, they find a chest filled with food and champagne. They dig through the feast of sausages and fruits and sweets.

“You know what’s not in here,” Bi says.

“Hm,” Jerri asks.

“Beans!”

“Good thing Colby’s not here,” Jerri jokes.

“Colbeans!” Michaela and Bi both shout and laugh.

The final three spend their day contemplating their place in the game and prepare their speeches.

“I can’t believe I actually did it,” Bi says in her final talking head. “After David vs Goliath, going out like that, I told myself I wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass me up again. So, I did what I had to do to get to the end. I’m not going to apologize for being successful.”

They clean their rooms, pack their bags, and meet outside the saloon for the final time.

“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to get to Day 39,” Jerri asks in her final talking head, “I’ve been vilified for 20 years. And for what? I don’t think I’ve ever done anything villainous. I hope the jury can finally recognize that too.”

They unhitch their horses and ride to tribal council. Their torches light the way through the dark desert.

“I know how I’m perceived,” Michaela says in her final talking head. “In my first two seasons, people called me abrasive or entitled. Why? Because I’m a millennial? That’s some bullshit. Millennials work hard as fuck. I think people finally realize that. So, maybe it’s something else...”

Michaela sits atop her white mustang. Jerri’s curls bounce as she rides her brown quarter horse. Bi strides across the Mojave Desert on her grey lipizzan with her chest forward and her chin pronounced.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, wild horses roam free.

Jeff sits on his strong clydesdale as the final three enter the Tribal Council area. He welcomes them to Final Tribal Council. They take a seat at the three stones next to the fire. Jeff calls in the jury, “Elizabeth, Todd, Russell, Ben, Wardog, Wendy, Kass, Ken, Lauren and Colby, voted out at last night’s tribal council.”

The jury takes their seat on a provided bench. The ten akhal-tekes line up behind the jury, as if they were a part of it. The horses, too, stare at the final three. It’s a pressure none of the final three anticipated. But, they all feel it.

“Congratulations on making it to Final Tribal Council,” Jeff begins, “You have outlasted 18 other people. Tonight, the power shifts from you to the jury. Based on what they’ve seen over the last 39 days and what they hear tonight, the jury will make a million dollar decision. Opening statements, Bi, you’re up first.”

“Alright, hi everybody,” Bi starts, “As I’m sure you know, I went out early my first time playing Survivor because of an injury. I went into this game hoping to make the best of this second chance. So, I think, that’s what I did. I saw a path to the end. I saw who I needed to take out to get there, so I did.”

“Jerri,” Jeff instructs.

“Sure, so, everybody knows my story. The public absolutely destroyed me my first time out. That persona has followed me around for two decades. I came in this time, hoping to shed that. I tried to foster positive relationships. I wanted to be a hero this time, like Colby.”

Colby gives a knowing and sheepish smile.

“Michaela,” Jeff says.

“Right. Okay. So, first, I don’t have any real history with anyone on the jury, Jeff. So that feels like a disadvantage. But, more importantly. I knew coming in, I didn’t have a lot of close relationships I could fall back on. I knew I had to build those relationships and sustain them throughout the game. And, it wasn’t a game move. I genuinely wanted to get to know Colby, Jerri, Lauren, hell, even Kass. What I’ve found now in my third time playing, and I’m ashamed it’s taken me this long, but when you are truly invested in getting to know someone, you know, that’s felt. That’s heard. That’s what I tried to do over the last 39 days.”

“Alright, Jury, now it’s your turn. Any questions you have for the final three, ask away. Elizabeth, you’re up first.”

Elizabeth gets up from the Jury bench and stands before the final three, “Good evening, ladies. First things first, congratulations. My question is for Jerri.”

“Shoot,” Jerri says with a smile.

“The night I went home, you voted for me. Why did you vote for me over, say, Michaela, since she’s sitting there next to you?”

“Oh sure. I saw that Ken and Michaela were a strong alliance. Stronger than you, Todd and Wardog, no offense. I thought a foursome of me, Colby, Michaela and Ken could be stronger than that of Me, you, Todd and Wardog.”

“Fair enough. Thank you,” Elizabeth says before taking her seat again.

“Ben, you’re up.”

Ben marches to the imagined lectern and asks, “Bi, how long were you planning on taking me out like that?”

“I wasn’t targeting you specifically, Ben. I just figured you had an idol because you always do. I had the idol nullifier, so I used it on you, along with Wardog’s extra vote to ensure you would go.”

“So, you targeted me because you knew I had an idol?”

“More or less, yeah.”

“Michaela had an idol. Why didn’t you target her?”

“I didn’t know she had an idol. If I had, maybe it would be you sitting here instead of her.”

“I’m good, Jeff. Thanks,” Ben says.

“Lauren, you’re up next.”

Lauren climbs over Ken on the second row of the jury. He holds her hand as she steps down to the ground.

“Michaela, my question to you is simple. You could have taken anyone out when you took me out with your idol. Why me?”

“I saw you as my biggest competition at that point. I knew you would all come after me, so I knew I would play my idol for myself and I’d be able to take out whoever I wanted. And, sorry Lauren. I thought you and I were playing a similar game and I knew the jury would vote for you over me if we were both here, so I wrote your name down that night.”

“Alright, thanks. Jerri... Me, you, Kass and Wendy had what I thought would be a solid final four. Why did nothing come of that?”

“I had every intention of keeping that alliance together. I knew you and Wendy were close and I was close with Wendy. I hoped you and Kass had a similar relationship on your tribe. But, then Kass took out Wendy so we couldn’t do anything anymore.”

“Alright, thanks, Bi, what can you tell me about myself?”

“Oh, okay, um, you dated Ken.”

“I specifically said time and time again that we were just friends. What else, other than my relationship with Ken do you know about me?”

Bi simply shrugs.

“Okay, I’ll make it simpler for you. What do you know about ANYONE you helped vote out?”

“Wardog’s in law school.”

“Okay,” Lauren says, turning back to the jury, “It seems to me we have two people who worked hard to maintain relationships in this game of social politics and one person who refrained from getting to know anyone because she didn’t care to. That’s all. Thanks, Jeff.”

“Sure. Russell,” Jeff prompts.

Russell rubs his hands together as he makes his way to the stand.

“Jerri, Michaela, Bi,” he says, “congratulations. My biggest issue in this game has always been jury management. Now, I’m on the jury. Wouldn’t you know it?! So, my question is, how do you feel you were at jury management? Whoever wants to go first.”

“Well,” Bi says, “I’ll say, people may be mad at me. And while I think that’s fair, I’m not going to apologize for it. I got here how I needed to. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Jerri,” Russell says.

“I hope the jury recognizes I was trying to be good the whole time. I never befriended anyone solely to keep them close until I wanted to cut them,” Jerri says with a quick glance to Bi.

“Michaela,” Russell says.

“Well, how the jury feels about me isn’t really up to me, is it? I know how I feel about y’all. I got nothing bad to say about any one of you. I pray that feeling is mutual.”

Russell nods once and returns to his seat.

“Kass,” Jeff says.

She makes her way to the stand and says, “Congratulations ladies. Bi, Michaela, sit sistas.”

They both give her a knowing smile.

“I’ve battled a sexist view of my game since the first time I played. I know Jerri can relate to that. Do you feel your gender influenced your game?”

“You’re right,” Jerri says, “Seeing you play in Cagayan brought up a lot of the feelings I had in Australia. But, to answer your question, not once did anyone’s gender influence my vote.”

“Same here,” Michaela says, “I mean, my two closest allies were Ken and Colby.”

“My closest ally was Wardog,” Bi says, “There was never any all-women's alliance.”

“Thank you. That’s all I wanted to hear,” Kass says before returning to her seat.

“Wardog, you’re up,” Jeff says.

“Alright,” Wardog says as he lifts himself up and walks to the stand, “Bi, quick question for you. How soon after finding the Idol Nullifier did you know you would take me out?”

“As soon as you showed me the Extra Vote. You showed me that and the whole plan came into my head immediately. I just had to be patient.”

“Alright, thanks, Bi. Good luck.”

“Wendy, you’re up.”

Wendy hops up and skips to the stand.

“Hi guys,” she says with the same beaming smile she always has, “Jerri, I wanted to thank you for being my support and my friend through all this. I really appreciated it. My question is this: were you really planning on taking me to the final three?”

Jerri stares at Wendy and taps her foot. She cocks her jaw to the side then looks at the sand. She adjusts her hat and finally says, “Wendy. I want to be honest with you. You deserve that. I knew I wasn’t going to beat you.”

“So you were planning to vote me out.”

“Not if I could help it.”

“So, you were gonna let someone else do it?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

“Well, you said you weren’t taking me to the final three but you also weren’t going to vote me out, so which was it?”

Jerri lets out a slow and soft exhale as she searches for her words. Then, finally, she says, “I didn’t want to vote you out. I never want to vote anyone out, but that is unfortunately the game of Survivor.”

“Okay, Jerri, thank you,” Wendy says before returning to her seat.

“Todd,” Jeff says, “You’re next.”

Todd makes his way to the stand and greets them with a positive exhale before saying, “I can’t say I don’t envy your position. But, I’ve been there before. I’ve had my chance. I’m happy to give up my spot to you three lovely ladies. My question is for Michaela. It seemed like we could have worked together, but you took me out immediately. What was your motivation for that?”

“You knew I had the idol. I couldn’t have anyone knowing I had that. The fewer people know about it the more powerful it is.”

“Alright, thanks, Michaela. Good luck.”

Todd takes his seat once again and Jeff calls for Colby. Colby stands up from the Jury and has to hold his stomach as it grumbles when he moves. Once contained, Colby walks to the stand. “Congratulations. I just wanted to say--” Colby says through a stifled burp.

He can’t get the words out. He contorts his face as he holds his stomach. As he deliberately inhales to begin speaking, a different, louder, perhaps more unexpected noise is heard from the wrong hole. The Jury, the Final Three, and Jeff are treated to a long, sustained rumble of thunder out of Colby’s butt louder than Krakatoa. Colby goes white as his body deflates. He rests his hand on his stomach and says, “I’m so sorry. That’s incredibly inappropriate.”

The final three all yell “Col-beans” together.

“The magical fruit,” Wardog says.

“Are you alright,” Jerri asks.

“Yeah,” he says, “Never better after that!”

“Do you still want to ask your question,” Jeff asks.

“I actually don’t have a question. I know who I’m voting for. I just wanted to say, Jerri, after last night, I gave it a lot of thought. I was planning on giving you this big speech. And maybe if we were ten or twenty years younger, in Australia or Panama or Samoa, I would, but you don’t need all that. We know how we feel about each other.”

“Yeah, of course,” she tells him and they simply smile at each other, both satisfied with where they stand. Colby takes his seat again and Jeff calls, “and last but not least, Ken, you’re up.”

Ken takes his place before the final three and says, “I’ve always found that Survivor, more than a game show, is an educational and potentially transformative experience. So my question is, what do you feel you’ve learned through this experience?”

“I am competitive, “Bi says, “I’ve always been competitive. That much I know, but with that competitive nature, I never took the time to get to know each of you and for that I am sorry. I saw this as a game show, like you said. I saw you all as my competition. I saw my goal and I did what I felt I had to to get to the end and that is what I’m not going to apologize for.”

“Very good. Thank you, Bi. Jerri?”

“You know the phrase, ‘no man is an island,’” Jerri asks.

 “Yes, of course,” Ken assures her. 

“Well no woman is an island either. I couldn’t have gotten here if not for my relationships with Colby and Michaela, you and Lauren, Wendy and Russell. I owe my game to the people around me. And for that, I thank you.”

“Okay, thank you. Michaela?”

“When Colby, Bi and I went on that reward to Peach Springs,” Michaela says, “there was a moment when we were talking to this guy Tim, and I looked at the four of us, me, a young black woman, Colby an old white man, Bi, a young Vietnamese woman and Tim, a middle aged Native American man. And Tim said something that just put it all in focus for me. All this strife between us is unnecessary, not just in this game but just… everything. Colby, I got nothing against you. Bi, I got nothing against you. Tim said all he truly wants is a comfortable life for him and his. Isn’t that what we all want? Not money, or love, or any concrete thing. We all just want to feel safe in our home. But, I noticed something else in Tim’s eyes after we installed that ramp for his mom and that was the hope that their future was bright, or at least brighter... I feel that same hope inside me tonight.”

“Thank you, Michaela,” Ken says before returning to his seat.

“Alright,” Jeff says, “Thank you, Ken. You will now have a chance to give a closing statement and then the jury will vote.”

“Well,” Jerri says, “I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. I strived to be a good person this time. I strived to build relationships. I never intended to hurt anyone. I hope no one feels hurt by me.”

“I feel I greatly improved this time out,” Bi says, “I’m proud of how I played. That being said, looking back, I wish I’d been more invested in getting to know you all.”

“All I’ve gotta say is,” Michaela says, “I played this game with great patience. I know how I’ve come across in the past. I know what people say about me. It’s two things: She’s smart or she’s abrasive. I can’t turn off my intelligence, but I can turn down what people perceive to be abrasiveness, so I did, or at least I tried to. People will still be rude online. But whatever. That’s their shit. When someone shows you who they are, believe them. I put trust in people and that trust was reciprocated... until it wasn’t. At which point, I had to do what I had to do. And, I’ll remind you, this is Survivor: Wild West and a lot of the first cowboys were black.”

“Alright, Jury, take a moment to collect your thoughts and then we’ll vote.”

The jury collects their thoughts as the final three hold one another’s hands and wait. Elizabeth is first up. She proudly writes Bi’s name and draws a pair of boxing gloves in the corner. Kass writes Jerri’s name and draws a rock smashing a pair of scissors. Ken writes Michaela’s name, holds it up to the camera and says, “been a long time coming.”

Jeff collects the urn and returns to the campfire. He tells them all, “Thank you for an incredible season. I will see you all in LA for the reading of the votes.”

He straps the urn to his clydesdale, climbs aboard and rides off into the night. He rides through the southern tip of Nevada and crosses the border into California. He and his horse traverse the San Bernardino Forest. He comes upon the CBS Studio Center and the doors are opened for him. He rides through the standing audience. On an aisle, Jeff sees Adam Scott hollering. He removes his cowboy hat and places it atop Adam’s head. Jeff hitches his clydesdale to the hitching post at the bottom of the stage. He takes the votes and greets the cast on stage. The stage holds a recreation of town square. Bi wears a strapless yellow dress. Jerri wears a fitting red gown. Michaela wears a black dress with long lace sleeves. Jeff wears his same blue safari shirt as he sets the urn on his lectern and waits for the audience to finish applauding. Once they’ve seated, he says, “I’m gonna read the votes.”

The audience hips and hollers again.

“First vote: Jerri.”

The audience cheers and Jerri gives a bashful smile.

“Second vote: Bi.”

There’s a smattering of applause.

“Third vote: Michaela.”

The crowd erupts in applause. Michaela is taken aback by the response. Jeff just grins.

“Bi, Jerri, Michaela,” Jeff says, reading the next three votes, “We’re tied as two a piece.”

Everyone in the studio waits in anticipation.

“Michaela,” Jeff says to more hooting and hollering.

“Jerri,” Jeff says, unfolding the next vote to great applause.

“Michaela,” Jeff says reading another vote, then, unfolding another vote, “Winner of Survivor: Wild West, Michaela.”

The crowd erupts and Michaela stands up with tears streaming down her face. Her mouth is half-agape in disbelief. She holds her hands a few inches from her face as she greets her family in the audience.

Elizabeth and Wardog voted for Bi. Kass, Wendy and Russell voted for Jerri. Todd, Ken, Lauren, Ben and Colby voted for Michaela.

#Survivor #Survivor Wild West #colby donaldson #Jerri Manthey #michaela bradshaw #Lauren O'Connell #ken mcnickle #bi nguyen #millennials vs gen x #The Australian Outback #edge of extinction #david vs goliath

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 14 - Finale - They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?

Jerri, Colby, Ken, Michaela, Bi, and Lauren, return to camp after a close vote taking out Kass. They tie their horses to the saloon’s hitching post. 

“Well done,” Bi says, before retiring to bed.

“Do you want to talk,” Ken asks Lauren.

“There’s nothing to talk about. You’re playing your game. I’m playing mine. I’m not mad at you, baby,” Lauren tells him as she cups his cheek in her hand.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cottontail rabbit wriggles its nose.

At high noon the next day, the Final Six meet Jeff for their next reward challenge. Jeff and his trusty clydesdale stand before two wobbly tables, each of which have three ropes attached.

“For today's reward challenge, you will be randomly divided into two teams. Each team will have six cards on a barrel, which will spell out a classic Wild West phrase. Place the correct cards in the correct order while balancing a heavy table by holding a long, heavy rope. First team to do so wins reward. Want to know what you’re playing for?”

Everyone nods as they look over the challenge.

“Here in the United States, Nearly one in every four Native American households experience brutal food insecurity, meaning not enough variety, quality or desirability of their diets. Today, you will serve as ambassadors of goodwill when you deliver food and other supplies desperately needed to help their life be a little bit easier. Hot meals, gardening supplies, books and other school supplies. You will then be treated to a traditional Wild West feast.”

“Beans,” Michaela presumes.

“Beans, yes, as well as chips & guacamole, margaritas, pork, beef, baked potatoes with all the fixins. Worth playin for?”

They all nod and clap and get ready for the challenge. The two teams are randomly assigned by rock draw. They take their places and Jeff explains, “Wearing orange we have Ken, Jerri and Lauren. Wearing teal, we have Colby, Michaela and Bi.”

Each of them take their respective rope and stand over the barrel when Jeff calls for the challenge to begin. All six competitors look over the thick wooden cards.

“We have two Es,” Colby says, “An A, a Y, an H and a W.”

“Yeehaw,” Michaela whispers.

Bi takes the Y card and begins her walk to the table Colby and Michaela hold. Lauren is quick to figure it out for orange.

“Both teams think they have it figured out,” Jeff yells, “It’ll be a race to see who can get it done sooner.”

Bi places the Y in its upright position and begins to walk backwards, holding her rope as she returns to the barrel. Hoping to gain an advantage over the other team, Colby holds his rope tight so Michaela can begin her march toward the table before Bi returns.

“Teal team, taking a gamble having two people away from the barrel at a time. We’ll see if it pays off.”

For the orange team, Lauren runs back quickly so that Jerri and Ken don’t have to hold the rope as long. Jerri pushes forward as soon as Lauren returns to pull her rope taut. Jerri places their second card as Michaela walks backwards toward their barrel. It’s a close race but the strategy of leaving Colby in one position the whole time proves successful as the teal team spells out “Yeehaw” first. Jeff announces, “Colby, Michaela and Bi win reward!”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a scorpion burrows under a large, rocky hill.

Colby, Michaela and Bi ride their horses south, trotting through the Colorado River and into Arizona. They pass through the hot springs of White Hills and by the Hackberry General Store before riding along Route 66 for over 20 miles. They come upon a lived-in trailer and a cabin made of stone and wood. The paint has been stripped from the wood after years of inattention. An American flag flies overhead.

They hitch their horses outside a motel. Inside, an old man opens his arms and says, “Welcome to Peach Springs! We’re so happy to have you. I am Dr. Damon Rudy Clark. You can call me Rudy.”

“Nice to meet you, Rudy,” Colby says, shaking the man’s hand.

“Nice to meet you tooo,” Rudy says, elongating the last syllable to ask Colby’s name.

“Colby. My name’s Colby.”

“Colby,” Rudy says, “Thank you for coming.”

“Hi, I’m Michaela,” she says, taking a step next to Colby and shaking Rudy’s hand.

“Michaela, thank you for coming.”

“I’m Bi,” Bi says, jutting her hand out for Rudy to shake.

“Bi, thank you for coming.”

“Pleasure,” she says.

“I would like to introduce you to Tim. Tim lives in a trailer, but his mom recently lost her ability to walk. So, now she’s in a wheelchair. Tim needs help installing a ramp so his mother can more easily live her life.”

“We’d be happy to help,” Colby says.

Rudy takes them to his old, red pick-up truck The supplies are thrown in the truck bed. He drives them in his rusted red truck to Tim’s trailer. Tim sits on the stairs outside his trailer with his head in his hands. He looks up when he hears the truck. He doesn’t look much older than Colby.

“Tim,” Rudy calls, “These kind folks have offered to help with your ramp!”

“Oh, really,” Tim asks.

“Absolutely,” Michaela says.

“Oh thank you. It’s not a big job, but the more hands the better. Thank you.”

They unload the equipment from Rudy’s truck before he leaves to give the rest of the supplies to the stores and schools who need it most. Colby and Tim begin sawing the wood while Michaela and Bi take measurements. The screen door slowly creaks open and an elevated foot in a wheelchair emerges.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” the woman behind the screen door says.

“Hello,” Michaela says, sitting on the next to last stair.

“Thank you for doing this,” she says with a shaky voice, “Would you like some lemonade?”

“Oh, no thank you,” Michaela says.

“If you don’t mind my asking, what happened to your leg,” Bi asks.

“Oh, it was really nothing. I just fell on these steps one morning while on my way out on my way to work. I’ve fallen a thousand times on these steps. But, I’m always able to catch myself. This time… I wasn’t. I guess that’s just part of aging.”

“How old are you,”

“I’ll be 90 this fall.”

“And you’re--”

“This fall,” the old woman laughs, “that’s funny. I didn’t mean to do that.”

“It’s very funny,” Michaela agrees, “So you’re nearly 90 years old and still working?”

“Well, not anymore. This has taken me out for good.”

“So, it’s broken,” Bi asks, noticing no cast.

“Oh, I assume.”

“Does it hurt,” Michaela asks.

“Oh, at my age, honey, everything hurts. It’s just like everything else…”

“You didn’t go to a doctor,” Bi asks.

“Oh no,” she waves it away.

“When I hurt my foot, I saw a doctor immediately,” Bi says.

“How am I supposed to pay for a doctor,” she asks. “Between me and Tim, we can barely afford this trailer. A doctor’s visit? Out of the question.”

“But… I thought the government was supposed to... help you,” Bi says.

“They’re supposed to,” Tim says as he and Colby drop some unfinished wood next to the stairs.

Somewhere near the Mojave Desert, creosote bushes dominate the mountainside.

After installing the ramp and a handrail on either side. Tim and his mother join Colby, Michaela and Bi for the feast Jeff Probst promised. With meats and sweets, they fill their pleats. Colby makes sure to cover his cornbread with beans.

“More beans, Colbeans?”

“What can I tell you, I like beans?”

“Does your butt,” Tim’s mom asks.

Colby only laughs.

“They call it the magical fruit,” Tim’s mom says.

“So I’ve heard,” Colby says.

“Have you,” Michaela asks.

Colby sighs and says, “Not yet…”

After filling a plate for himself and his mother, Tim takes a seat at the picnic table next to a cactus blooming a single yellow flower.

“I really want to thank you all for doing that. I could not have done that without you,” Tim says.

“We’re happy to help,” Colby says, slapping Tim’s back. 

“Life can be hard on the reservation. I’m sure you know,” Tim says, “but at the end of the day, we’re really not asking for much. All I want is a good home for my mom. Maybe a wife and some children, and some food to feed them every night.”

They all nod along as he speaks. Colby grabs Tim's shoulder and says, “Yes, of course. We hear you.”

“Thank you, Colby,” Tim says.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a spider continues building its web.

Back in town, Jerri sits alone while Ken and Lauren snuggle on the bench next to the fire.

“Jerri,” Lauren asks, “Are you really taking Michaela to the end?”

“Why do you ask,” Jerri retorts.

“I’m just saying, she’s out with Colby and Bi right now. You don’t think the three of them are making a deal without you?”

“They’re not gonna do that.”

“Okay. I hear you, but if I were you, I wouldn’t go up against Michaela in the final three.”

“What are you proposing,” Jerri asks.

“The three of us take out Michaela tonight.”

“She is a jury threat. Ken, you’re okay with this?”

“I’m not gonna beat her in the end,” Ken surmises.

Jerri tosses the idea around in her head. 

“Lauren makes a good point,” Jerri says in a talking head, “Taking out Michaela would help make my argument at final tribal.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a rosy boa emerges from its hiding place.

As the sun begins to set, Colby, Michaela and Bi make their trek back to town on the backs of their horses.

“So,” Bi says, “We should probably discuss who we’re targeting.”

“I want Lauren out,” Michaela says. “She’s got too many connections on the jury and she hasn’t really pissed anyone off”

“Plus, she’s not in our alliance,” Colby adds.

“There you go,” Michaela says.

“Works for me,” Bi says.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cottontail rabbit finds shelter in some brush.

The final six meet final six meet Jeff for their next immunity challenge. He stands in front of a board that looks like this:

“For today’s immunity challenge,” he tells them, “you will each fire bullets from a replica nineteenth-century Colt six-shooter revolver. Each time your name on the target wall is hit, you score a point. You’ll each begin with six bullets. But, to make things interesting, you’ll come behind this wall, and secretly distribute your bullets to the other Survivors by placing them in marked containers. Each time you give another person a bullet, you give them another shot at the wall and a better chance at winning immunity and this game. Whoever’s name has been hit the most often by the end of the challenge, wins immunity and has a one-in-FIVE chance of winning this game.”

Jeff gives each of them the opportunity to drop their bullets in the other’s containers, then announces, “Bi received two bullets and will be going first as she received the least. Do you feel unloved, Bi?”

“Not at all. I’m going to use what I have to win.”

“Great attitude. Go for it.”

Bi lines up her shot and hits one of her tiles for her first point. Without moving her arm, she pulls the trigger again, piercing the same tile again. She hands the gun back to Jeff who congratulates her on her two perfect shots. He grips the barrel of the revolver and calls for Colby. 

“Colby will take five shots. You handy with a gun, Colby?”

“I believe this is when I’m supposed to say ‘yeehaw,’” he says as he tips his hat to Jeff and takes the revolver’s handle.

He aims for one of his tiles in the center of the board, for fear he may miss off the side. His first bullets strikes a tile with Lauren’s name, just barely missing his own. He takes a deep breath and fires again, hitting the same place. He lets out a frustrated grunt and adjusts his stance slightly. He takes a shot, then another, then another. In quick succession, all three of his bullets fly through his own tile.

“Colby takes first place with three points,” Jeff says. “Bi has two and now Lauren has two. Up next with five shots is Ken.”

Michaela throws her hands up in the air as Ken makes his way to Jeff.

“What’s the issue, Michaela?”

“He’s just gonna give all his points to Lauren.”

“Not necessarily,” Ken says, taking the revolver from Jeff.

He points his gun at the board and closes one eye. His steady hand pulls the trigger. His bullet penetrates Lauren’s tile. Then, again. Then, again. Then, again. Then, with his last shot, he adjusts his aim slightly so that it pierces Michaela’s tile.

“Oh, thanks, Ken,” Michaela unenthusiastically says.

“Up next is…” Jeff says, “Lauren.”

Lauren skips to Jeff and takes the gun. He tells her that she has seven shots. Her eyes go big as she looks at the gun, then the board. She takes aim and says, “I’ve never shot a gun before.”

“Well, there’s a first time for everything,” Jeff tells her.

Lauren wraps her fingers around the grip and holds it tight. She closes an eye and aims for her own name. The bullet races toward the board and hits the wooden border separating her name from Colby’s.

“Damn, okay.” she says before rotating her hips for a more goal-oriented angle.

She fires again and the bullet smashes through her own tile. She takes a deep breath to calm herself then fires again. Again, it hits her target. She jumps up and down excitedly before finding her footing again and taking another shot. Without moving, she takes two more shots, both piercing the same tile. For her seventh shot, Lauren has to reload the six-shooter. When she gets the gun back in working order, she finds a familiar stance and fires. Lauren’s seventh and final shot hits the tile just below the one she’d hit five times in a row, giving Colby another point.

“Thanks,” Colby says.

“Michaela, you’re up next,” Jeff says, “You have seven shots.”

Michaela looks over the board and counts the holes left by the bullets. She looks at the gun and continues her count. She drops her head and aims at the board. She fires all six shots of her first round at Colby’s tile. All six hit.

“You’re not even trying to win immunity,” Jeff asks.

Michaela doesn’t respond. Instead, she places her final bullet in the chamber, lines up her shot, and gives Colby his eleventh point.

“I can’t win this, but Colby still can,” Michaela explains as she hands the gun back to Jeff, “I’m just looking out for my own.”

“Last but not least,” Jeff says, “Jerri. You have ten shots.”

The rest of the tribe looks around at each other, none of them entirely shocked by Jerri’s popularity.

“So,” Jerri says as she takes the revolver from Jeff, “I can’t win this.”

“Seems that way,” Jeff says.

“So, it’s up to me who wins immunity?”

Jeff lifts his shoulders to neither confirm nor deny her comment.

Jerri aims at Colby’s line of tiles. She pulls the trigger six times and leaves six holes in the board. Three in a tile for Colby and three in a tile for Lauren. She looks at the board as she reloads. She rolls her eyes upon seeing the result. She uses the same strategy for her last four shots. The first hits the top right corner of Colby’s tile. The second hits only a couple inches to the right of the first,  piercing the top left corner of Lauren’s tile. The third strikes a couple inches higher in the lower left corner of Jerri’s tile. The fourth and final shot of the challenge pierces the board a couple inches to the left, in the bottom right corner of another one of Lauren’s tiles. Jeff calls out “Lauren wins immunity!”

“Dammit,” Michaela says under her breath.

Lauren jumps for joy as she runs to Jeff. He drapes the bandolier across her chest and hands her the key to the Immunity Suite. She beams with pride before rejoining Ken and the rest of the tribe.

“God,” Lauren says in a talking head, “I have been waiting for this for sooo long.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, two cottontail rabbits approach each other cautiously.

The tribe returns to town. Jerri makes her way behind the bar in the saloon and grabs six tumblers “to celebrate the final six,” per Lauren’s suggestion. Jerri fills each tumbler with the brown stuff and passes them to her tribemates sitting at the bar. As she looks up, she notices only Colby, Michaela, and Bi. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Lauren run upstairs with Ken in tow.

“Didn’t realize this was a reward challenge too,” Jerri says.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a newborn cottontail rabbits takes in the new world. 

Lauren lays on Ken’s chest. The immunity bandolier can be seen under the sheet they wear.

“Do you think we should take out Colby,” Lauren asks, blue skying.

“Me, you and who, Bi?”

“Unless you can convince Michaela.”

“I can try.”

Ken trots down to the bar where he finds Michaela, Bi, Jerri and Colby sitting at the bar. Jerri is excited to see him and invites him over.

“Oh, no thank you. I’m just going to go get some water,” he says, making brief, but noticed, eye contact with Michaela.

“I could use some water, actually,” she says.

The two millennials make their way to the oasis. Ken is characteristically nonverbal until Michaela says, “Okay, what’s your plan?”

“We need you.”

“Okay. Who is it?”

“Colby,” Ken finally admits.

“That’d be a Big Move,” Michaela says.

“It’s a necessary move.”

“Alright, Ken,” she agrees.

Constellations blossom as evening descends on the Mojave Desert.

As the sun sets, the final six get on their horses and ride to tribal council. They take their seats and Jeff calls in the jury, “Elizabeth, Todd, Russell, Ben, Wardog, Wendy, and Kass voted out at the last tribal council.”

On their akhal-tekes, the jury surrounds the final six. Each juror places themselves behind each of the seven people sitting around the campfire.

“Lauren,” Jeff begins, “First individual immunity of your career. That must feel nice.”

“Couldn’t have come at a better time.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I know I’m their target. They have to target someone else tonight,” she says with a proud smile.

“When you say ‘they?’”

“Michaela, Colby and Jerri.”

“Does that mean it’s you, Ken and Bi, on the other side?”

“Could be,” Lauren says, looking across the fire at Bi. “Or it could be me, Ken and Michaela, or it could be me Jerri and Colby. We won’t know until you read us the votes, Jeff.”

“Jerri, does Lauren winning immunity change your plans tonight?”

“Come on, Jeff,” Jerri says, “You should know by now that plans change by the minute in this game.”

“Bi, any change of plans since Lauren won immunity?”

“I don’t concern myself with the activities of others,” she says.

“Okay. Colby, has your plan changed tonight?”

“I’ve had the same plan since two-thousand-and-one. And that is to win this game.”

“Well, good luck. It is time to vote. Bi, you’re up first.”

Bi makes her way into the cave to cast her vote. The rest of the tribe makes their way in, one-by-one. Jeff collects the votes and returns to the campfire. He tells them, “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play it. Now would be the time to do so.”

Michaela stares at the glowing sand around the fire. She taps her feet a few times before looking back up to Jeff, who says, “Alright. I’ll read the votes.”

He reaches into the urn and pulls out the first vote, “Colby, Colby, Ken, Ken, Ken, Fifteenth Person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and the eighth member of our jury, Ken.”

Ken nods his head, grabs his torch and stands next to Jeff, who tells him, “Ken, the tribe has spoken.”

“It’s been wonderful. I love you all,” Ken says, “Good luck.”

Ken strokes his quarter horse’s chest before riding off into the horizon of the moonlit Mojave.

Ken and Lauren voted for Colby. Everyone else voted for Ken.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, bats awake in a cave and fly into the night.

The final five, Colby, Lauren, Jerri, Bi, and Michaela, return to town and hitch their horses outside the saloon. As Lauren ties up her brown quarter horse, she says, “Have you noticed, the jury doesn’t ride in on the same horses they were voted out with?”

“Yeah,” Michaela says, “There’s are a lot prettier.”

“What do you think happens to the horses when their person gets voted out?”

“I think in horse racing,” Colby slowly recalls, “they... shoot horses, don’t they?” 

“I hope not,” Lauren cries.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, in the early morning, a wild horse runs free, kicking up the sand among the red rocks as he gallops.

Colby approaches with another piece of tree mail, alerting them to their next reward challenge.

Come High Noon,

This is it, bud

The game will get dirty soon

When you cover yourself in…

“Oh, dammit, is it mud,” Colby asks.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a rosy boa sleeps in a very small cave at the base of a rockhill.

At high noon, the final five find Jeff and his clydesdale standing in front of five empty wooden buckets and a pit of mud.

“For today’s reward challenge, each of you will dive into this mud pit, then transfer the mud in any way you can into your bucket. Whoever gets the most mud in their bucket wins reward. You want to know what you’re playing for?”

They all nod with excitement but not much energy.

“Whoever collects the most mud will win an overnight trip to Las Vegas. A bed, cocktails, casinos, a shower, which will come in mighty handy after a dive into this mud. Worth playing for?”

They all nod and say, “wow.” Jeff clasps his hands together and says, “Alright, we’ll draw for spots and get started.”

They all take their places and Jeff calls for the challenge to begin. Jerri tries to fill her hair with mud. Colby covers his whole body. Michaela and Lauren each try to cradle as much mud as they can. Bi takes the strategy of making a lot of small trips.

Colby, having the most body mass, wipes a significant amount of mud off himself into his bucket. Michaela and Lauren each bring back a comparable amount to one another. Bi doesn’t bring much, but she’s in and out faster than the rest. Jerri was able to collect a lot of mud in her hair, but getting it out is proving more difficult.

Each of the final five continue with their same strategy as the challenge goes on. When Jeff finally calls time, all five appear to have similar levels. Jeff grabs Bi’s bucket first. He places it on the scale and announces, “Bi, twelve point three pounds.”

He returns Bi’s and grabs Jerri’s bucket, “Eleven pounds even.”

He takes Michaela’s bucket after returning Jerri’s, “Twelve and a half for Michaela. A new leader.”

He returns Michaela’s bucket and takes Lauren’s, “Lauren got… also twelve and a half pounds.”

Jeff finally takes Colby’s bucket, weighs it and announces, “With thirteen pounds even, Colby wins reward.”

“For real,” Colby asks with genuine surprise.

“For real,” Jeff assures him.

“Of course,” Michaela says with a dismissive tone.

“What’s the problem, Michaela?”

“Lauren and I worked just as hard, if not harder. He’s just bigger. It’s whatever. I’m not mad. It’s Colby. Colby’s gonna do everything right,” she says while wiping the mud off her face.

“Alright, Colby. You’re headed to Vegas tonight. Who do you want to bring with you?”

“Oh, jeez,” Colby says, looking at the four women before him. Lauren and Bi both expect to not be picked. Michaela raises her eyebrows expectantly. Jerri brushes some mud from her lip and smiles at Colby.

“Jerri, you want to go to Vegas?”

“I’ve been waiting 20 years for you to ask me out, Colby Donaldson. Of course I do.”

“You two will be headed to Las Vegas,” Jeff says, “Lauren, Bi, Michaela, I got nothing for ya.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a spider has caught prey.

Lauren, Bi, and Michaela ride their horses back to town and take a seat around the fire. Lauren stretches out on Ken’s bench and says, “Sorry Colby didn’t pick you, MIchaela. I know you guys are close.”

“Yeah, thanks. You know, it is what it is. He’s known Jerri for, what, twenty years. I can’t be mad at him. Plus, if I were out there, y’all’d be targeting me.”

“No one’s targeting you, Michaela,” Lauren assures her, glancing to Bi, who nods quietly.

“No, it’s okay,” Michaela says, “I know I’m a target.”

“Would you vote for Colby,” Lauren asks.

“The three of us?”

“Then whichever of us is best at fire can take out Jerri with fire next time.”

“Yeah, that could work. Are either of you good at fire?”

“I’m good at fire,” Bi promises.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, two desert tortoises slowly crawl over the cracks in the sand.

Jerri and Colby find their dirty bodies in a pristine hotel room. They track the dirt over the white carpet and into the white & gold marble bathroom. Behind a floor-to-ceiling glass door, they see a large shower with showerheads from more angles than should ever seem necessary.

“Oh wow,” Jerri says as she runs her fingertips over the etched glass.

“That looks so nice,” Colby says.

“Looks big enough for two,” Jerri hints.

Colby grins before unbuttoning his shirt. Jerri does the same and they swing the glass door open. The warm water rinses the excess dirt from their skin. Jerri’s hair falls as the once dry mud falls over her body. Colby takes a washcloth and places it over Jerri’s shoulder to remove the dirt. They both stare at his fingers, his skin nearly touching hers. She places a hand over his and the other on his cheek.

“Jerri,” Colby says, mirroring her movements.

“Colby,” she says softly, staring into his eyes.

The water from every which direction removes all the dirt from their bodies. Colby’s hand drops from Jerri's cheek. His knuckles trace her neck. They haven’t stopped staring into one another’s eyes but their fingers interlace with perfection.

“Would you look at that,” Colby says.

“Almost like it was meant to be,” Jerri says.

“Something like that,” Colby says.

“Seems like someone should have listened twenty years ago.”

Colby gives Jerri a polite smile. He removes his other hand from her shoulder and begins collecting water in his palm. Once full, he pours it over Jerri’s face.

“Hey,” she laugh-screams while trying to push him away. She tries to collect water in her own hands to toss at him. They chase each other around the shower until Colby finally shuts it off.

“Oh, Colby! I was having fun!”

Colby smirks and says, “We’ve got a dinner date.”

Jerri wears a burgundy dinner gown with floral accents draped over her shoulders. Colby wears a classic tuxedo with a matching burgundy pocket square.

“It feels like we’re at prom,” he jokes as they sit down atop Las Vegas’ Eiffel Tower.

“There is a certain romance to it,” she says with a gentle smile as she looks up from the menu.

They order some wine and lobster and look out over the desert. Colby cocks his head to Jerri and lifts his glass of pinot noir, “to twenty years,” he says.

“Twenty years,” she says, clinking his glass. “You ever expect us to be here?”

“I honestly did not ever imagine this,” he laughs.

“I did,” she says before flashing a genuine and charming smile. “I’m really happy to be here with you, Colby.”

“I’m really happy you’re here, too, Jare.”

“How’s your stomach and--”

“Yeah, no. Still can’t pass gas.”

“That’s so weird. Have you tried pushing?”

“Like I was giving birth.”

The two Australian Outback castaways laugh and sip their wine and eat their dinner while basking in each other's company. They watch as a young man on a date takes credit for the fireworks display. The young man wears an ill-fitting suit. He seems nervous. A firework shaped like a heart, complete with an arrow and a ribbon reading “Jerri & Colby,” explodes.

“What is that,” Colby asks, “Did you do that?”

“I had nothing to do with that,” Jerri says, “Did… Jeff?”

“Oh my god, yes,” a voice to their left exclaims. The crowd applauds. Colby and Jerri look to see what’s all the commotion. The nervous young man holds his date in the air. Her arms are wrapped around him. As they spin around in celebration, the young man’s young date opens her eyes and yells, “Oh my god! Colby!”

The nervous young man sets her down and looks over at Colby. His eyes go bing and the two come charging at Colby & Jerri.

“Oh wow,” the nervous young man says.

“Uh… hi…” Colby says to the nervous young man.

“Colby…”

“Yeah, hi. Nice to meet you.”

“That’s my name! And this is my girlfriend-- well fiancee now, Jerri!”

“Oh wow,” Colby says. “So, you just proposed?”

“Yeah, hi, sorry,” the young Jerri says, “We’re just really big fans.”

“Oh yeah,” Jerri asks.

“Oh yeah! I was actually named after you!”

“Oh…” Jerri says, “So, how old are you?”

“Nineteen,” she says with glee.

“And how old are you, son,” Colby asks.

“Twenty, sir,” the young Colby tells him.

“Twenty years old? What are ya drinking,” Colby asks.

“Sarsaparilla, sir,” the young Colby tells him before sipping from his straw again

“So,” Jerri says, “Are you named after my Colby?”

“No ma’am,” the young Colby says, “I just happen to be named Colby. But, that’s how my parents were introduced to the show. Their friends--”

“My parents,” the young Jerri tells them.

“Yeah, her parents. They knew my name was gonna be Colby so they said ‘Oh, you should watch this show.’ So they did. And then when her parents were pregnant they said…”

“Well, whose Colby meant to be with,” the young Jerri finishes, “That’s you!”

“Right,” Jerri says she says with a fascinated grin. “So your families are really close?”

“Oh yeah,” the young Colby says, “Family’s really important to us.”

“Yeah,” the young Jerri says, “His uncle does the fireworks show at the Bellagio.”

“That’s how I got the fireworks with all our names on it.”

“Wow,” Colby says, “That’s really cool.”

“Some people call me Coolby,” the young Colby says.

“Alright Coolby,” Colby says, “Congratulations.”

“Yeah, congratulations,” Jerri says.

“Thanks,” the young couple says before returning to their table.

“Alright then,” Colby laughs as he clinks champagne flutes with Jerri.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, two tortoises rest.

The next day, Colby and Jerri return to town, hand-in-hand. They separate before being seen by anyone. Michaela is sitting alone at the fire.

“Afternoon,” she calls when she sees them.

“Howdy,” Colby says as he takes a seat on Ken’s bench. “Where are Bi and Lauren?”

“Getting water. How was the reward?”

“Fantastic,” Jerri says.

“It was exactly what we needed,” Colby says.

“That’s great. I’m happy for y’all,” Michaela says, looking around before speaking again. “We’re all on board for Lauren, right?”

“Yeah, of course,” Colby says.

“Okay, good,” Michaela says, “I’m worried they’re coming after me.”

“We’re with you one hundred percent, Michaela,” Colby says.

The shadows of old rocks cover the wildlife of the Mojave Desert with temporary respite.

Bi and Lauren collect water for the tribe at the oasis. Bi says, “It’s Michaela tonight, right?”

“Oh, absolutely. She’ll win if she makes it to Final 3.”

“Glad we’re on the same page. You think Jerri and Colby will go for it?”

“If they’re smart.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a scorpion readies its tail from its underground alcove.

The next day, Colby wakes up and makes his way to the saloon. There, he finds Lauren making coffee.

“Coffee,” Colby asks.

“Yeah, you want some,” Lauren asks, grabbing a blue and white mug from above the bar.

“Sounds great.”

“I do have to warn you. We are out of sugar.”

“How’d we run out of sugar?”

Lauren shrugs her shoulders before asking, “Are you going to get tree mail?”

“Yeah, you want to come?”

“Sure!”

The two of them walk to the lone tree in the desert when Lauren says, “I have to be honest. My trek to the tree with you has ulterior motives.”

“Yes. I’ve played Survivor before.”

“Okay, so, what do you think of voting for Michaela tonight?”

“She’s my closest ally.”

“I thought Jerri was your closest ally.”

“I’m not going to rank them.”

“Okay, whatever. Just, think about it. You’re not going to beat her in final three. I don’t mean to be harsh, but...”

“Why do you say that? I’ve played a good game.”

“Look, the way I see it, you, Michaela and Jerri-- not all three of you are going to make it to Final Tribal together. Do you want them to turn on you before you turn on them?”

They make it to the tree before Colby has a chance to respond. He taps the envelope on his fingers as he paces back toward town.

“Bi’s already in on this?”

“Take a wild guess.”

“Alright. Alright. Let me think about it.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a gust of wind blows a trailing four o’clock from the cactus it once resided.

Lauren stands behind Colby as he reads the tree mail to the rest of the tribe who sit around the fire.

At High Noon,

You’ll be coming Round

You know the tune

Just listen for the…

“Sound,” Michaela huffs.

At high noon, the final five find Jeff standing before five metal contraptions. As they take their places, Jeff says, “First things first, Lauren, gotta take it back.”

Lauren kneels in front of Jeff and bows her head. He removes the bandolier from her shoulder. She returns to her tribe and Jeff explains, “For today's immunity challenge, you will have one hand tied behind your back. You will drop a ball into the contraption. The ball will race through the contraption and fall out from one of two alternating tracks. When it comes out, you have to place it back in the contraption. At regular intervals, you will add more balls. Last person with all their balls still in play wins immunity and has a one in FOUR chance of winning this game. We’ll draw for spots and get started.”

The final five take their positions and drop their first ball into the track. Each of the five balls slowly rolls through the track while their respective castaway watches it. Once the balls reach the bottom, they all place the ball back in the starting place. The balls continue through the track until they all switch to the other track. All the eyes dart around the track as their balls descend. When Michaela drops the ball for the third time, she closes her eyes and waits for the ball to drop into her hand at the bottom of the contraption. Everyone successfully makes it through the third go round. Once they all place it a fourth time, Jeff tells them they now have fifteen seconds to drop a second ball. When Michaela hears the first ball take one track, she drops the second ball and waits again. Colby is watching his without distraction. Bi is invested in her two balls as they spiral through the track like a mirror. Lauren rocks back and forth and she waits for hers. Jerri pays attention to the new ball, but forgets about the first. It drops and she simply laughs and throws up her loose hand.

When everyone seems to get a rhythm down with two, Jeff gives them fifteen seconds to drop a third. Bi mistimes the drop and misses catching one of her balls in the process. Lauren, Michaela and Colby all seem to have three down to a simple pattern. Michaela still hasn’t opened her eyes, focusing solely on her ability to hear. Colby’s focus has become determination. Lauren’s rocking has become quieter. She places her hand in front of the left side of the contraption and the ball comes out of the right.

“Wait, No,” Lauren yells.

“Time for a fourth ball,” Jeff tells Colby and Michaela.

Michaela times out the clinks and clanks of the balls around the rusty metal structure. When feeling they’re evenly spaced, she drops it. She rushes to get her hand down to the one exiting as Colby does the same. Colby grips the ball as it shoots out, waits a beat, then drops it back in. Michaela’s ball flies out with more force than she expected and she bobbles it. She’s able to retrieve it and place it back in but has to open her eyes.

“Nice save by Michaela,” Jeff calls.

The near-fumble by Michaela messes up her rhythm and the next ball falls to the ground.

“Colby wins immunity,” Jeff calls.

Michaela throws her hand in the air and the other three balls shoot to the ground in quick succession as she walks to the bench.

“Colby’s gonna Colby,” Michaela says in a talking head, “but Michaela’s gonna Michaela too.”

Back in town, after hitching up their horses, everyone meets in the saloon for a celebratory whiskey in Colby’s honor.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, the sun beats down on the sand all day, but in the early evening, the moon begins to rise.

The final five ride the last five horses in town to Tribal Council. Jeff welcomes them as he stands next to his clydesdale. He announces the jury, “Elizabeth, Todd, Russell, Ben, Wardog, Wendy, Kass and Ken voted out at the last tribal council.”

Ken gives a gentle wave to Lauren as he approaches on his shiny akhal-teke.

“Colby,” Jeff starts, “Once again, you are wearing immunity.”

“Yeah, Jeff. I’m starting to feel like the old Colby again, the Colby everyone fell in love with.”

“Everybody’s always gonna love Colby,” Lauren says.

“Yeah, he doesn’t need challenge wins for us to love him,” Michaela says.

“Yeah, he’s just a good dude,” Bi says.

“Any praise from you, Jerri,” Jeff asks.

“Colby knows how I feel about him,” Jerri says, almost giggling to tease a smile out of Colby.

“And how’s that,” Jeff asks.

“Same way she always has,” Colby says, still smiling at her.

“Are you gonna question them incessantly about their relationship, Jeff,” Lauren asks.

“I might,” Jeff says.

Lauren just rolls her eyes.

“How has camp been without Ken, Lauren,” Jeff asks.

“Again,” Lauren says, “Ken and I are just friends.”

“Pretty good friends from the sounds of it,” Michaela says.

“Does that influence how you vote, Michaela.”

“It all depends on context, Jeff. If Lauren wants to work with me, then I love their friendship. If they're against me, well…” she says, gesturing to the now voted-out Ken.

“Are you taking credit for Ken’s vote out,” Jeff asks.

“No. It was a team effort. Ken got four votes. You can’t vote someone out by yourself, Jeff.”

“What do you vote for on a vote like this, Bi?”

“Well, I’ve made a lot of deals with a lot of people throughout this game. Some of them are worth preserving. Some... aren’t.”

“Do you have certain deals you don’t think are worth preserving, Colby?”

“I don’t know if that’s the phrasing I would use,” the immunity winner says, “but the game of Survivor, at its core, forces you to weigh relationships against each other.”

“Alright,” Jeff says, “With that, it is time to vote. Jerri, you’re up first.”

Jerri gets up from the campfire and makes her way to the cave to cast her vote. Bi follows her, then Lauren, then Bi and Michaela, who casts the final vote. Jeff tells them he will go tally the votes. When he returns, Michaela is already rummaging through her bag. He tells them, “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play it, tonight is the last night you can play it.”

“Jeff,” Michaela says, “I’m not going home. You guys can chase me but uh… you know you gotta Bi, ha, quicker than that.”

“Unbelievable,” Colby says.

“Wow,” Wendy mutters from the jury.

Michaela walks up to Jeff and holds her gold nugget. She turns to the jury and says, “I found this with Todd the first day of the merge.”

She hands it to Jeff and returns to her seat.

“This is,” Jeff says before pausing.

“Oooh,” Michaela says, proud of her play.

“A hidden immunity idol,” Jeff continues, “Any votes for Michaela will not count. I’ll read the votes.”

Everyone, castaways and jury alike, are rubbing their head and laughing in disbelief.

“First vote,” Jeff says, “Michaela. Does not count.”

Michaela beams with pride.

“Second vote, Michaela. Does not count. Third vote Michaela. Does not count.”

Michaela nods her head, happy she made the right move.

“Fourth vote, Michaela, does not count.”

“Damn,” Michaela says, unsurprised. She turns her attention to Colby, “Even you.”

“ You know I had to… I’m sorry.”

“Yeah,” she says with a now defeated tone, “I could have guessed.”

“Sixteenth person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and ninth member of our jury,” Jeff finally reveals, “Lauren.”

Lauren juts out her chin and nods, “Yeah, that’s fair.”

Michaela stands up and hugs her before she leaves and whispers, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s a game. You had to.” Lauren says, “I mean, I was trying to take you out too.”

The two women laugh together before Jeff tells her “The tribe has spoken.”

In her final talking head, Lauren says, “aaah! Taken out by an idol in fifth place AGAIN! Whatever. I’m not mad. I got outplayed. Good on Michaela.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a bat stretches his wings.

The final four, Colby, Michaela, Jerri, and Bi ride their horses back to the ghost town they’ve made their home.

“Great job,” they all tell Michaela.

“Yeah, thanks,” she says without eye contact. She retreats to her empty bedroom.

Over the horizon, the sun rises over the Mojave Desert.

On the morning of Day 38, Colby meets Bi, Jerri and Michaela in the center of town for the reading of the tree mail.

“I think this is the last one,” Colby says before breaking the wax.

“Thank god,” Michaela says, “it’s always just some lame rhyme.”

“They do this time after time,” Bi jokes.

“It really oughta be considered a crime,” Jerri laughs.

“Wait wait wait,” Bi says, “Before you read it. Can we just have a toast to the McQueens? We actually did it!!”

“Great idea,” Jerri says. She runs into the saloon. After a couple minutes, she returns with a nearly empty bottle of whiskey and four tumblers.

“Vroom vroom,” Bi says as she holds her glass of brown stuff over the fire.

“Bottoms up,” Jerri says as the three of them join Bi in the cheers.

Michaela lifts her glass without looking away from the fire.

“Wouldn’t you know it, Michaela,” Colby says, “You’ve got another rhyme crime.”

Michaela rolls her eyes and puts on a smile.

Colby reads the tree mail.

In the game of Survivor

You may be met with ire

But in the final four

All you need is…

“Fire,” Michaela says, “You need fire. It’s the fire making challenge. We already know this.”

“I’m so close to the end,” Colby says in a talking head, “I can feel it. I just have to make fire. Who’s better at making fire than Colby Donaldson?!”

As dusk descends, Jeff leads the jury to the campfire in town. Before each of the four seats around the fire is a fire making kit and a revolver. Jeff explains “Tonight for your final immunity challenge, you will all build a fire. The first person to build fire and raise their flag will win immunity and automatically be going to Final Tribal Council. The three who don’t make fire will then partake in a Mexican Standoff. Each of you will take a revolver and point it at one other person. Once one person has two revolvers pointed at them, you will all fire and the person with two guns pointed at them will be eliminated and become the final member of our jury.”

A scorpion stands on a rock on the hill overlooking tribal council. It flexes its stinger.

The jury leans in to watch the final four fire making challenge. Bi takes her time building a base. Colby makes a classic teepee shape. Jerri stacks some kindling. Michaela builds a system she believes should work. They all begin striking their flint. Colby is the first to achieve fire, followed shortly by Bi. She places another piece of wood on the flames whipping in the desert wind. She holds it in the flame until it catches. Once ignited, she places another piece of wood beneath it. The wind nearly extinguishes Colby’s fire to the point he has to rebuild his structure slowly. But, it’s clear as the night sky. Colby’s too late. Bi’s fire is already licking the twine. It snaps and Bi’s orange flag jolts upward.

“Bi wins immunity,” Jeff calls.

Bi lets out a deliberate, slow exhale, as if she’s been holding her breath for 38 days.

“Colby, Michaela, Jerri, the three of you will now take up your arms and two of you must decide, together, in front of the whole town, who will be the last member of the jury. Once two of you have come to a consensus, pull the trigger.”

Somewhere under the star-littered night sky of the Mojave Desert, a tortoise is mere steps from a river.

The three of them take their revolvers and stand before the saloon in a triangle. They all trade apprehensive glances as they hold the irons at their sides. Michaela, while staring at the sand, finally says, “Colby.”

“Michaela…”

“We established a relationship on day one. We wanted to find common ground, no?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“That was real for me. That was a genuine friendship I wanted with you. I trusted you.”

“The feeling’s mutual, Michaela.”

“Right, but then you didn’t vote with me at our FIRST tribal council. I said, ‘It’s alright. Don’t be mad, Michaela. It’s only the first one. This is a long game.’”

“Right.”

“Then you voted out Wendy.”

“I was vo--”

“I almost went home that night, Colby,” Michaela says, holding back tears, you coulda helped me and you didn’t. You chose not to. You said you wanted to help however you could and when the opportunity presented itself, you didn’t.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not done yet, Colby. Because, just last night, you tried to vote ME out!”

“I- I’m sorry. What do you want me to say? I'm trying to win this game too! I did what I felt I needed to do to win. I’m sorry!”

“Yeah, truth be told, Colby... your sorries have soured,” Michaela says as she raises her revolver to America’s Favorite Son.

Colby chews his words in his mouth before jutting out his chin and, with tears in his eyes, he points his revolver back at Michaela. They both look to Jerri, who hasn’t looked up from her feet.

“Jare,” Colby says, “It’s me and you to the end.”

“Yeah, Colby,” she said, “From the beginning to the end, Colby & Jerri. But... you had your shot at the end. I think it’s my turn now.”

She points her revolver at Colby and pulls the trigger with Michaela. From the barrel of the gun comes a stick and from the stick unspools a red flag with yellow lettering exclaiming “Bang!”

Colby adjusts his hat over his brow. He collects his things, grabs his torch and sets it next to Jeff. He looks back at the final three and says, “Great game, ladies.”

“Colby,” Jeff says, “the tribe has spoken.”

Colby slings his pack over his shoulder, waves so long, and walks off into the night with the reins of his black mustang in hand. Jeff turns to the final three and says, “Jerri, Michaeala, Bi, congratulations. You have made it as far as you can in this game. Tomorrow, you will present to the jury why you believe you deserve the million dollars and to be crowned the winner of Survivor: Wild West.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, sand blasts a forgotten town.

On Morning 39, Jerri, Michaela and Bi ride their horses to the tree where they receive tree mail. This time, they find a chest filled with food and champagne. They dig through the feast of sausages and fruits and sweets.

“You know what’s not in here,” Bi says.

“Hm,” Jerri asks.

“Beans!”

“Good thing Colby’s not here,” Jerri jokes.

“Colbeans!” Michaela and Bi both shout and laugh.

The final three spend their day contemplating their place in the game and prepare their speeches.

“I can’t believe I actually did it,” Bi says in her final talking head. “After David vs Goliath, going out like that, I told myself I wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass me up again. So, I did what I had to do to get to the end. I’m not going to apologize for being successful.”

They clean their rooms and pack their bags. They meet outside the saloon for the final time.

“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to get to Day 39,” Jerri asks in her final talking head, “I’ve been vilified for 20 years. And for what? I don’t think I’ve ever done anything villainous. I hope the jury can finally recognize that too.”

They unhitch their horses and ride to tribal council. Their torches light the way through the dark desert.

“I know how I’m perceived,” Michaela says in her final talking head. “In my first two seasons, people called me abrasive or entitled. Why? Because I’m a millennial? That’s some bullshit. Millennials work hard as fuck. I think people finally realize that. So, maybe it’s something else. Hm, I do not know what it could be...”

Michaela sits atop her white mustang. Jerri’s curls bounce as she rides her brown quarter horse. Bi strides across the Mojave Desert on her grey lipizzan with her chest forward and her chin pronounced.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, wild horses roam free.

Jeff sits on his strong clydesdale as the final three enter the Tribal Council area. He welcomes them to Final Tribal Council. They take a seat at the three stones next to the fire. Jeff calls in the jury, “Elizabeth, Todd, Russell, Ben, Wardog, Wendy, Kass, Ken, Lauren and Colby, voted out at last night’s tribal council.”

The jury takes their seat on a provided bench. The ten akhal-tekes line up behind the jury, as if they are a part of it. The horses too stare at the final three. It’s a pressure none of the final three anticipated. But, they all feel it.

“Congratulations on making it to Final Tribal Council,” Jeff begins, “You have outlasted 18 other people. Tonight, the power shifts from you to the jury. Based on what they’ve seen over the last 39 days and what they hear tonight, the jury will make a million dollar decision. Opening statements, Bi, you’re up first.”

“Alright, hi everybody,” Bi starts, “As I’m sure you know, I went out early my first time playing Survivor because of an injury. I went into this game hoping to make the best of this second chance. So, I think, that’s what I did. I saw a path to the end. I saw who I needed to take out to get there, so I did.”

“Jerri,” Jeff instructs.

“Sure, so, everybody knows my story. The public absolutely destroyed me my first time out. That persona has followed me around for two decades. I came in this time, hoping to shed that. I tried to foster positive relationships. I wanted to be a hero this time, like Colby.”

Colby gives a knowing and sheepish smile.

“Michaela,” Jeff says.

“Right. Okay. So, First, I don’t have any real history with anyone on the jury, Jeff. So that feels like a disadvantage. But, more importantly. I knew coming in, I didn’t have a lot of close relationships I could fall back on. I knew I had to build those relationships and sustain them throughout the game. And, it wasn’t a game move. I genuinely wanted to get to know Colby, Jerri, Lauren, hell, even Kass. What I’ve found now in my third time playing, and I’m ashamed it’s taken me this long, but when you are truly invested in getting to know someone, you know, that’s felt. That’s heard. That’s what I tried to do over the last 39 days.”

“Alright, Jury, now it’s your turn. Any questions you have for the final three, ask away. Elizabeth, you’re up first.”

Elizabeth gets up from the Jury bench and stands before the final three, “Good evening, ladies. First things first, congratulations. My question is for Jerri.”

“Shoot,” Jerri says with a smile.

“The night I went home, you voted for me. Why did you vote for me over, say, Michaela, since she’s sitting there next to you?”

“Oh sure. I saw that Ken and Michaela were a strong alliance. Stronger than you, Todd and Wardog, no offense. I thought a foursome of me, Colby, Michaela and Ken could be stronger than that of Me, you, Todd and Wardog.”

“Fair enough. Thank you,” Elizabeth says before taking her seat again.

“Ben, you’re up.”

Ben marches to the imagined lectern and asks, “Bi, how long were you planning on taking me out like that?”

“I wasn’t targeting you specifically, Ben. I just figured you had an idol because you always do. I had the idol nullifier, so I used it on you, along with Wardog extra vote to ensure you would go.”

“So, you targeted me because you knew I had an idol?”

“More or less, yeah.”

“Michaela had an idol. Why didn’t you target her?”

“I didn’t know she had an idol. If I had, maybe it would be you sitting here instead of her.”

“I’m good, Jeff. Thanks,” Ben says.

“Lauren, you’re up next.”

Lauren climbs over Ken on the second row of the jury. He holds her hand as she steps down to the ground.

“Michaela, my question to you is simple. You could have taken anyone out when you took me out with your idol. Why me?”

“I saw you as my biggest competition at that point. I knew you would all come after me, so I knew I would play my idol for myself and I’d be able to take out whoever I wanted. And, sorry Lauren. I thought you and I were playing a similar game and I knew the jury would vote for you over me if we were both here, so I wrote your name down that night.”

“Alright, thanks. Jerri... Me, you, Kass and Wendy had what I thought would be a solid final four. Why did nothing come of that?”

“I had every intention of keeping that alliance together. I knew you and Wendy were close and I was close with Wendy. I hoped you and Kass had a similar relationship on your tribe. But, then Kass took out Wendy so we couldn’t do anything anymore.”

“Alright, thanks, Bi, what can you tell me about myself?”

“Oh, okay, um, you dated Ken.”

“I specifically said time and time again that we were just friends. What else, other than my relationship with Ken do you know about me?”

Bi simply shrugs.

“Okay, I’ll make it simpler for you. What do you know about ANYONE you helped vote out?”

“Wardog’s in law school.”

“Okay,” Lauren says, “It seems to me we have two people who worked hard to maintain relationships in this game of social politics and one person who refrained from getting to know anyone because she didn’t care to. That’s all. Thanks, Jeff.”

“Sure. Russell,” Jeff prompts.

Russell rubs his hands together as he makes his way to the stand.

“Jerri, Michaela, Bi,” he says, “congratulations. My biggest issue in this game has always been jury management. Now, I’m on the jury. Wouldn’t you know it?! So, my question is, how do you feel you were at jury management? Whoever wants to go first.”

“Well,” Bi says, “I’ll say, people may be mad at me. And while I think that’s fair, I’m not going to apologize for it. I got here how I needed to. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Jerri,” Russell says.

“I hope the jury recognizes I was trying to be good the whole time. I never befriended anyone solely to keep them close until I wanted to cut them,” Jerri says with a quick glance to Bi.

“Michaela,” Russell says.

“Well, how the jury feels about me isn’t really up to me, is it? I know how I feel about y’all. I got nothing bad to say about any one of you. I pray that feeling is mutual.”

Russell nods once and returns to his seat.

“Kass,” Jeff says.

She makes her way to the stand and says, “Congratulations ladies. Bi, Michaela, sit sistas.”

They both give her a knowing smile.

“I’ve battled a sexist view of my game since the first time I played. I know Jerri can relate to that. How do you feel your gender influenced your game?”

“You’re right,” Jerri says, “Seeing you play in Cagayan brought up a lot of the feelings I had in Australia. But, to answer your question, not once did anyone’s gender influence my vote.”

“Same here,” Michaela says, “I mean, my two closest allies were Ken and Colby.”

“My closest ally was Wardog,” Bi says, “There was never any all-women's alliance.”

“Thank you. That’s all I wanted to hear,” Kass says before returning to her seat.

“Wardog, you’re up,” Jeff says.

“Alright,” Wardog says as he lifts himself up and walks to the stand, “Bi, quick question for you. How soon after finding the Nullifier did you know you would take me out?”

“As soon as you showed me the Extra Vote. You showed me that and the whole plan came into my head immediately. I just had to be patient.”

“Alright, thanks, Bi. Good luck.”

“Wendy, you’re up.”

Wendy hops up and skips to the stand.

“Hi guys,” she says with the same beaming smile she always has, “Jerri, I wanted to thank you for being my support and my friend through all this. I really appreciated it. My question is this: were you really planning on taking me to the final three?”

Jerri stares at Wendy and taps her foot. She cocks her jaw to the side then looks at the sand. She adjusts her hat and finally says, “Wendy. I want to be honest with you. You deserve that. I wasn’t going to beat you.”

“So you were planning to vote me out.”

“Not if I could help it.”

“So, you were gonna let someone else do it?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

“Well, you said you weren’t taking me to the final three but you also weren’t going to vote me out, so which was it?”

Jerri lets out a slow and soft exhale as she searches for her words. Then, finally, she says, “I didn’t want to vote you out. I never want to vote anyone out, but that is unfortunately the game of Survivor.”

“Okay, Jerri, thank you,” Wendy says before returning to her seat.

“Todd,” Jeff says, “You’re next.”

Todd makes his way to the stand and greets them with a positive exhale before saying, “I can’t say I don’t envy your position. But, I’ve been there before. I’ve had my chance. I’m happy to give up my spot to you three lovely ladies. My question is for Michaela. It seemed like we could have worked together, but you took me out immediately. What was your motivation for that?”

“You knew I had the idol. I couldn’t have anyone knowing I had that. The fewer people know about it the more powerful it is.”

“Alright, thanks, Michaela. Good luck.”

Todd takes his seat once again and Jeff calls for Colby. Colby stands up from the Jury and has to hold his stomach as it grumbles when he moves. Once contained, Colby walks to the stand. “Congratulations. I just wanted to say--” Colby says through a stifled burp.

He can’t get the words out. He contorts his face as he holds his stomach. As he deliberately inhales to begin speaking, a different, louder, more unexpected noise is heard from the wrong hole. The Jury, the Final Three, and Jeff are treated to a long, sustained rumble of thunder out of Colby’s butt louder than Krakatoa. Colby goes white as his body deflates. He rests his hand on his stomach and says, “I’m so sorry. That’s incredibly inappropriate.”

The final three all yell “Col-beans” together.

“The magical fruit,” Wardog says.

“Are you alright,” Jerri asks.

“Yeah,” he says, “Never better after that!”

“Do you still want to ask your question,” Jeff asks.

“I actually don’t have a question. I know who I’m voting for. I just wanted to say, Jerri, after last night, I gave it a lot of thought. I was planning on giving you this big speech. And maybe if we were in Australia or Panama or Samoa, I would, but you don’t need all that. We know how we feel about each other.”

“Yeah, of course,” she tells him and they simply smile at each other, both satisfied with where they stand. Colby takes his seat again and Jeff calls, “and last but not least, Ken, you’re up.”

Ken takes his place before the final three and says, “I’ve always found that Survivor, more than a game show, is an educational and potentially transformative experience. So my question is, what do you feel you’ve learned through this experience?”

“I am competitive. I’ve always been competitive. That much I know,” Bi says, “But with that competitive nature, I never took the time to get to know each of you and for that I am sorry. I saw this as, as you said, a game show. I saw you all as my competition. I saw my goal and I did what I felt I had to to get to the end and that is what I’m not going to apologize for.”

“Very good. Thank you, Bi. Jerri?”

“You know the phrase, ‘no man is an island,’” Jerri asks.

 “Yes, of course,” Ken assures her. 

“Well no woman is an island either. I couldn’t have gotten here if not for my relationships with Colby and Michaela, you and Lauren, Wendy and Russell. I owe my game to the people around me. And for that, I thank you.”

“Okay, thank you. Michaela?”

“When Colby, Bi and I went on that reward to Peach Springs,” Michaela says, “there was a moment when we were talking to this guy Tim, and I looked at the four of us, me, a young black woman, Colby an old white man, Bi, a young Vietnamese woman and Tim, a middle aged Native American man. And Tim said something that just put it all in focus for me. All this strife between us is unnecessary, not just in this game but just… everything. Colby, I got nothing against you. Bi, I got nothing against you. Tim said all he truly wants is a comfortable life for him and his. Isn’t that what we all want? Not money, or love, or any concrete thing. We all just want to feel safe in our home. But, I noticed something else in Tim’s eyes after we installed that ramp for his mom and that was the hope that their future was bright, or at least brighter... I feel that same hope inside me tonight.”

“Thank you, Michaela,” Ken says before returning to his seat.

“Alright,” Jeff says, “Thank you, Ken. You will now have a chance to give a closing statement and then the jury will vote.”

“Well,” Jerri says, “I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. I strived to be a good person this time. I strived to build relationships. I never intended to hurt anyone. I hope no one feels hurt by me.”

“I feel I greatly improved this time out,” Bi says, “I’m proud of how I played. That being said, looking back, I wish I’d been more invested in getting to know you all.”

“All I’ve gotta say is,” Michaela says, “I played this game with great patience. I know how I’ve come across in the past. I know what people say about me. It’s two things: She’s smart or she’s abrasive. I can’t turn down my intelligence, but I can turn down what people perceive as abrasiveness, so I did, or at least I tried to. People will still be rude online. But whatever. That’s their shit. When someone shows you who they are, believe them. Maya Angelou said that. I put trust in people and that trust was reciprocated... until it wasn’t. At which point, I had to do what I had to do. And, I’ll remind you, this is Survivor: Wild West and a lot of the first cowboys were black.”

“Alright, Jury, take a moment to collect your thoughts and then we’ll vote.”

The jury collects their thoughts as the final three hold one another’s hands and wait. Elizabeth is first up. She proudly writes Bi’s name and draws a pair of boxing gloves in the corner. Kass writes Jerri’s name and draws a rock smashing a pair of scissors. Ken writes Michaela’s name, holds it up to the camera and says, “been a long time coming.”

After the jury casts their votes, Jeff collects the urn and returns to the campfire. He tells them all, “Thank you for an incredible season. I will see you all in LA for the reading of the votes.”

He straps the urn to his clydesdale, climbs aboard and rides off into the night. He rides through the southern tip of Nevada and crosses the border into California. He and his horse traverse the San Bernardino Forest. He comes upon the CBS Studio Center and the doors are opened for him. He rides through the standing audience. On an aisle, Jeff sees Adam Scott hollering. He removes his cowboy hat and places it atop Adam’s head. Jeff hitches his clydesdale to the hitching post at the bottom of the stage. He takes the votes and greets the cast on stage. The stage holds a recreation of town square Bi wears a strapless yellow dress. Jerri wears a fitting red gown. Michaela wears a black dress with long lace sleeves. Jeff wears his same blue safari shirt as he sets the urn on his lectern and waits for the audience to finish applauding. Once they’ve seated, he says, “I’m gonna read the votes.”

The audience hips and hollers again.

“First vote: Jerri.”

The audience cheers and Jerri gives a bashful smile.

“Second vote: Bi.”

There’s a smattering of applause.

“Third vote: Michaela.”

The crowd erupts in applause. Michaela is taken aback by the response. Jeff just grins.

“Bi, Jerri, Michaela,” Jeff says, reading the next three votes, “We’re tied as two a piece.”

Everyone in the studio waits in anticipation.

“Michaela,” Jeff says to more hooting and hollering.

“Jerri,” Jeff says, unfolding the next vote to great applause.

“Michaela, Winner of Survivor: Wild West, Michaela.”

The crowd erupts and Michaela stands up with tears streaming down her face. Her mouth is half-agape in disbelief. She holds her hands a few inches from her face as she greets her family in the audience.

Elizabeth and Wardog voted for Bi. Kass, Wendy and Russell voted for Jerri. Todd, Ken, Lauren, Ben and Colby voted for Michaela.

“Congratulations to MIchaela! She got five of the ten votes! We’ll be right back for the reunion!”

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 13 - Every Relationship is Brand New

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cactus bears no blossom.

The Final Seven return to the ghost town they’ve made their home. Jerri places her torch against the saloon and heads up to the inn without saying a word. Colby tries to explain himself, but she won’t hear it. Everyone else quietly makes their way to bed. Kass and Bi bump fists before entering the saloon.

The next morning Colby is joined by Michaela and Jerri on his trek for tree mail. Jerri turns to him, “So, you were, what, threatened by Wendy?”

“You know she would have won.”

“We have bigger fish to fry, Colby,” Jerri tells him.

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, you mentioned that,” Michaela says.

“Now we still have to deal with Bi AND Kass,” Jerri says.

“Okay, I get it,” Colby says, “What do you want me to do?”

“I��m taking out Kass,” Jerri says, “And I’m relying on you, Colby, to do it.”

“Okay, yes, that’s fine. I can do that.”

“Don’t fuck it up again,” Michaela instructs him.

“I won’t.”

They make it to the tree mail where they find a parcel wrapped in thick brown paper and fraying twine. When they return to town, Colby drops the box on the bench and unwraps it. Inside, he finds seven questionnaires and seven pens. “I guess we have to fill these out.”

They each take a questionnaire and pen, then find a private area to answer the questions. 

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a ringtail cat crawls over some rocks.

At high noon, they meet Jeff in the desert. He stands in front of seven dummies, each named for each of the final seven, and seven shotguns pointed at them. Jeff explains, “For today’s reward challenge, you will be guessing the most common answer from the rest of your tribe. If you’re correct, you’ll chop the rope of one of your competitors. Once the rope is chopped three times, the shotgun will fire at the dummy and the corresponding person will be eliminated. Want to know what you’re playing for?”

They all wait with ample anticipation.

“You will take a private helicopter to one of the earth’s seven natural wonders, the Grand Canyon. There you will take an exclusive mule ride to a rustic oasis nestled deep in the Canyon overnight where you will enjoy a bed, a shower, and a feast under the stars. Worth playing for?”

“Absolutely,” Colby says while everyone nods with excitement.

The final seven are randomly assigned their spots. Jeff stands to the side of them to read the questions. The closest person to Jeff is Ken, followed by Kass, then Bi, Jerri, Michaela, Lauren, and Colby takes the end.

“First question:” Jeff begins, “Who is the most honest?”

Everyone writes on their parchment and reveals. Everyone answers Ken except Michaela and Colby, who both answer with their own names.

“Correct answer,” Jeff says, “is Ken. Ken you’re up first.”

Ken takes the axe and looks over each of them. Everyone looks at him with expectation until he finally decides to give Jerri her first chop.

“Ken! No,” Jerri yells in a half-joking manner.

Kass is up next and gives Jerri her second chop. Bi takes the axe and takes out Jerri for good. Since Jerri answered correctly, she gets to take one swing with the axe. She gives Kass her first. Lauren is the last person with a correct answer this round and hits Michaela for the first time.

“How’s that feel, Michaela,” Jeff asks.

“I’ve been better, Jeff,” she tells him.

“Alright, second question: Who is the biggest poser?”

Everyone scribbles their answers on their next parchment and reveals. Most everyone said Kass, except Kass, who said Colby, and Michaela, who again, answered with her own name.

“You think you’re a poser, Michaela,” Jeff asks.

“I don’t know what these people think of me!”

“Correct answer is: Kass.”

Ken takes the axe again and walks up & down the untriggered shotguns. He finally decides to chop Colby’s rope. He hands the axe to Bi, who gives Colby another axing. Lauren takes the axe and takes Colby out of the challenge.

“Damn,” he says, dropping his head before taking his last shot on Kass and joining Jerri.

“Next question: Who do you trust most with your life?”

The five people remaining write their answers on a blank parchment. They reveal. Michaela has written “Jerri,” while everyone else writes “Michaela.” She looks at everyone else’s answers, “Really??”

Ken takes the axe and shrugs his shoulders in her direction, “Yeah, I mean, I know I do.”

“Ken, I had no idea,” she says, genuinely touched.

He looks at the remaining options and gives Bi her first chop. Kass gives Michaela her second. Bi takes the axe from Kass, looks at Kass’ one remaining spot, then Michaela’s. She contemplates taking either of them out, but ultimately decides to give Ken a retaliatory chop.

“Fair enough,” Ken says.

Lauren is the next to take the axe. She goes straight to Bi and gives her her second chop, then an unapologetic shrug. She hands the axe back to Jeff who reads the next question, “Who uses their sex appeal as a weapon?”

Everyone looks around at each other, then writes their answers with varying levels of smirks. They finally reveal. Ken has written “Jerri.” Lauren has written “Colby.” Everyone else has written “Lauren.”

“Correct answer is:” Jeff says, “Lauren.”

Kass takes the axe from Jeff and walks directly over to Lauren’s rope to give her her first chop. Jeff asks her, “Why Lauren?”

“She was winning,” Kass explains, “Can’t have that.”

Bi takes the axe from Kass and gives Lauren her second chop. She passes the axe to Michaela who takes Lauren out of the game.

“Ahhh,” Lauren groans as she walks to the bench.

“Next question: Who would you most like to be stranded with?”

They all write their answers and reveal. Ken has written Lauren. Everyone else says Colby.

“Correct answer:” Jeff tells them, “Colby.”

“I guess I just answered for myself,” Ken says.

Kass takes the axe from Jeff once again. She looks at Bi, who is one away, then Michaela, who is also one from being eliminated. She looks at Ken, who is still two away, and gives him his second chop.

“It’s about equality, Jeff” she says as she passes the axe to Bi.

Bi takes the axe from Kass, then looks at the three of them, trying to decide who to eliminate. Ken looks sheepish but hopeful. Kass doesn’t appear concerned. Michaela tilts her head down and stares at Bi until she decides to give Ken his third and final chop. She passes the axe to Michaela and raises her eyebrows as if to say, “I didn’t take you out. You better not me.”

Michaela looks between Bi and Kass. Kass’ unbothered attitude melts away when she tells Michaela, “I haven’t been on a reward yet.”

Michaela looks at Bi for a response.

“Michaela, come on. I will take you on the reward.”

Michaela looks behind her at the two options and slams the axe on Bi’s final rope. She passes the axe back to Jeff and he reads the next question, “Who has surprised you the most athletically?”

Michaela and Kass both quickly write their answers on their parchment. They reveal their responses as “Bi.”

“Correct answer is,” Jeff says, “Bi.”

Kass gets the first shot with the axe. Michaela’s jaw drops as Kass walks up to her rope. Kass chops the rope and the shotgun fires at Michaela’s dummy, eliminating her.

“You rigged this against me, Jeff,” Michaela kids.

Jeff laughs before announcing, “Kass wins reward!”

They rejoin the rest of the tribe when Jeff tells Kass, “Alright, you’ve got a trip to the Grand Canyon tonight. Who do you want to bring with you?”

“Oh, okay, uuuh, Bi.”

“Alright, Bi. Come on down. How about one more person.”

“Oh,” Kass says, looking over at Bi, then the rest of the tribe, “Lauren, come on.”

Michaela rolls her eyes while Lauren joins the elated Bi and Kass. A helicopter descends behind them. Desert sand flies through the air around them.

The three of them rush to the helicopter and climb inside. Jeff then turns to Ken, Michaela, Jerri and Colby and says to Michaela, “Big reaction from you when Kass didn’t pick you for the reward.”

“I thought it’d be a kind gesture, since we were the final three in the challenge, but when’s kindness ever gotten anyone anywhere in Survivor?”

“Alright, I got nothing for you. I’ll see you at the next immunity challenge.”

“I’m just annoyed,” Michaela says in a talking head. “I’m annoyed and I’m tired.”

Bi, Kass and Lauren take the helicopter over the Mojave Desert and land on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The helicopter leaves and the three women stand over the millennia-old basin. They see the limestone become darker as the valley becomes deeper. Above them, a bald eagle soars and screeches as it descends into the valley.

“This is incredible,” Kass says, taking in the awesome expanse of the Grand Canyon.

“It’s so big,” Lauren says, “I knew it would be big, but this is unreal.”

Behind them, Jeff approaches with four mules. They’re shocked but excited to see him. “Jeff! Are you coming with us,” Lauren asks.

“No,” he laughs, “I just came to give you the mules and introduce you to your guide, Sam.”

Sam waves hello. Jeff bids adieu. And the four mules begin their trek into the canyon.

Somewhere in the Grand Canyon, a red-spotted toad finds respite next to the river.

After a beautiful descent of several hours, Bi, Kass and Lauren find themselves outside the cabins wherein they’ll be staying. They take their seats around a picnic table and begin their feast.

“So,” Bi asks while spreading butter on a biscuit, “You want to target Michaela again?”

“Would you two be on board,” Lauren asks.

“I would,” Bi says, “She’s a major threat to win.”

“Eh,” Kass mutters, “They’re gonna see that coming. Do either of you have an idol?”

“No,” Bi says.

“I don’t,” Lauren says.

“Does Ken?” Kass asks.

“He hasn’t told me anything.”

“Would he tell you?”

“He tells me everything.”

“Okay, so either Colby, Jerri or Michaela have it. I say we make them think it’ll be Michaela, have them play the idol for her. We put our votes on Jerri.”

“That works for me,” Bi says.

“Yeah, I’ll talk to Ken about it. I’m sure he’d be cool with it.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a trailing four o’clock opens.

Back in town, Colby, Michaela, Jerri and Ken sit around the fire. Jerri pokes at the fire with a stick. Colby sits on a boulder across from Michaela on an old tree stump.

“Have any of you ever been to the Grand Canyon,” Michaela asks.

“Yeah,” Colby says with his fingers folded into a fist in front of his face, staring into the fire, “It’s really cool.”

Ken looks up to see Jerri disengaged with the conversation, choosing instead push an ember around.

“You alright, Jerri,” he asks.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she says, “I just miss Wendy.”

“Yeah,” Michaela says, “I’m sorry. It should have been Bi.”

“I’m sorry I voted for you, Michaela,” Ken says.

“You were distracted. I get it. I’m not mad at you. We just gotta know you’re gonna be with us moving forward.”

“Yes,” Ken tells her, “One hundred percent. Who are we targeting?”

“You guys wanted Bi,” Colby says.

“I’m sorry, Colbeans, but I don’t think you’re in any position to be making decisions for this alliance right now,” Michaela says, “Jerri, what do you want to do?”

“I want Kass,” she says, crushing the ember with the stick she’s holding.

“It’s Kass, alright guys,” Michaela says.

Colby nods.

Ken says, “Good for me.”

The sky of the Mojave desert fades as the stars illuminate the space above the Survivors.

Ken lays alone on his bench and stares at the stars above. He feels at peace, fully immersed in his natural surroundings. He can hear Colby and Jerri laughing and flirting and teasing one another on the balcony above the saloon. He closes his eyes and smiles as the desert air blankets him to sleep.

In the base of the Grand Canyon, Lauren lays on her back and looks up at the stars. She assumes she’s alone until she hears Kass behind her, “I’m sorry you couldn’t share this with Ken.”

“Oh, hey,” Lauren says, getting up from her supine position, “Don’t worry about it. We get to sit under the stars together every night.”

“That sounds nice,” Kass says, now sitting down next to Lauren, “I just want to show the two of you that I support you and I appreciate you.”

“Well, uh, thanks, Kass. That’s really sweet, but I assure you, you don’t need to do that.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a horned rattlesnake leaves a twisted trail behind her.

The next day, Kass, Bi and Lauren return to town. Lauren hugs Ken and whispers, “we need to talk.”

They find an empty room and close the door. Lauren grabs Ken’s hand and sits him down on a bed. She strokes his arm as they talk. She says, “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” he says, running the back of his knuckles over the back of her wrist.

“Do you know if Michaela or any of them have an idol?”

“I haven’t heard anything.”

“Can you find out?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Thank you,” she says, squeezing his hand tight.

“So, they’re still trying to get Michaela out?”

“Well, not exactly. Kass’ plan is to get them to play an idol on the wrong person.”

“Michaela?”

“Right, but then we’re actually all going to vote for Jerri.”

“And you & I, we’re voting for Jerri?”

“Does that work?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cottontail rabbit hops around indiscriminately.

Ken finds Michaela tossing horseshoes. She sees him approach and says, “Hey Ken.”

“Hey Mick, I had a question.”

“Shoot.”

“You don’t have an idol, do you?”

Michaela looks up at him suspiciously. “Who’s asking?”

“Lauren.”

“She trying to take me out again?”

“No. They want to flush the idol and put all the votes on Jerri.”

“Who does?”

“That’s Kass’ plan.”

“Hm. Well, I guess it’s a good thing we’re voting out Kass tonight,” Michaela says.

“Yeah,” Ken says, looking at his feet as he walks. “So, you don’t have an idol?”

“Have you seen me with an idol?”

“I know. I just have to ask.”

“Yeah, I know. Maybe Jerri does but she hasn’t said anything to me about it.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tortoise continues his journey across the plain.

The next morning, Colby returns to the town’s campfire and reads the day’s tree mail to the final seven.

“These things suck. I hate these. Are we in kindergarten,” Michaela asks. “The answer is ball.”

A road runner leaves a cloud of dust behind himself as he races through the Mojave Desert.

At high noon, the final seven meet Jeff in front of seven balance beams. He holds his clydesdale's reins in his hand as he says, “First things first, Colby, gotta take back immunity.”

Colby kneels in front of Jeff, allowing him to retrieve the bandolier. Colby rejoins the tribe and Jeff says, “Immunity is back up for grabs. For today’s challenge, you will stand on a balance beam and hold a disc. On the disc is a ball. Every fifteen minutes, another ball will be added. If your balls fall off the disc or you fall off the beam, you’re out. Last person with all their balls wins immunity and has a one in SIX shot at winning this game.”

They take their places and Jeff calls for the challenge to begin. Closest to Jeff is Colby, then Lauren, Bi, Michaela, Jerri, Ken, with Kass on the end. For the first few minutes, everyone is able to stay in, until a breeze rolls through. Jerri’s ball begins to roll to the edge of the disc and she tries to adjust accordingly.

“Come on, Jerri,” Michaela encourages, “You got this.”

Jerri recovers after a few stressful seconds. Other than a few erroneous tweaks, everyone makes it through round one unscathed. Jeff comes around and gives them each another ball. Once everyone is balanced, Jeff calls for the round to begin. 

“Michaela’s balls rolling,” Jeff narrates. Michaela adjusts her disc slightly and levels out.

“Ken’s beginning to move,” Jeff announces.

“You got it, Ken,” Michaela says as he levels out.

“As soon as she encourages someone else, Michaela’s balls begin to roll,” Jeff announces.

“I got it, Jeff,” she tells him as she overcorrects, “Dammit!”

“And just like that, Michaela is out and Jerri’s balls begin moving. Meanwhile, Kass has barely moved. Ken’s looking good. Lauren has a firm grip. I don’t think I’ve seen Colby even blink.”

Another breeze blows everyone’s balls to the left slightly. Everyone adjusts their discs accordingly, some more well than others.

“Nice recovery by Kass,” Jeff says, “Jerri, struggling to hang on. Ken wavering a little. Lauren’s barely affected by the wind. She has complete control over these balls AND Ken’s balls have dropped!”

Jerri and Bi both snort and their balls fall to the sand below.

Jeff counts down from five and they set up for Round Three. The only people remaining are Kass, Colby and Lauren. They all get balanced and the round begins.

“Almost immediately,” Jeff says, “an errant ball of Lauren’s has begun rolling away.”

She tries to recover, but it only forces the other two away. All three drop into the desert sand below. She joins the rest of the tribe on the bench. Kass and Colby remain.

“You want to make a deal,” Kass asks.

Colby does not respond.

“I don’t think he’s gonna talk, Kass,” Jeff says.

“Hey, worth a shot,” she says.

Colby hasn’t taken his eyes off the balls since the challenge started. He hasn’t let anything distract him. He is completely focused. The wind picks up and he raises the disc slightly.

“Kass, trying to recover,” Jeff says, “but it’s hard with all three going in three different directions.”

One of Kass’ balls falls, then the other two when she flips her disc into the sand.

“Colby wins immunity!”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tarantula takes down a small bird.

Everyone congratulates Colby on his win before resting inside. Jerri finds Kass in a room with Bi. She turns to Kass and asks, “Can I ask who you’re targeting tonight?”

“You can always ask.”

“Okay, I’m asking. I’m still open to working with you, Kass.”

“Alright, I appreciate that. We’re targeting Lauren tonight.”

“Well, that makes things easy.”

“Doesn’t it,” Kass agrees.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, two cottontail rabbits chase each other in some tallgrass.

Ken and Lauren take a hike around town to have their final discussion before tribal council.

“Michaela doesn’t have an idol,” Ken says.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. She would tell me.”

“Okay, so we don’t need to worry about that.”

 “I don’t know if I want to vote out Jerri though.”

“Why not?”

“I just trust her more than Kass.”

“Jerri’s not bringing you to the final three. She’s set with Colby and Michaela. I’m telling you, Ken, Jerri is the right move,” Lauren says, wrapping her hand around his, “for us.”

“What makes you think those two are anymore trustworthy than Jerri, Colby and Michaela?”

“We got really close at the Grand Canyon. I trust them.”

Ken's eyes look to the ground.

“Ken,” Lauren says, “What’s wrong?”

“Kass could have brought you and I,” Ken explains. “She deliberately chose not to.”

“She wanted to,” Lauren tells him.

“Then, why didn’t she?”

“Ken…”

“I just have a hard time trusting her.”

“That means,” she says, grinning at Ken, “We’re the swing votes.”

“I guess so,” he says as he drags his feet through the sand.

As the sun begins to set, the final seven climb atop their seven horses and ride into the horizon from the saloon to tribal council. There, they meet Jeff outside the cave, stood beside his trusty steed. 

“We’ll now bring in the members of our jury,” Jeff says, “Elizabeth, Todd, Russell, Ben, Wardog, and Wendy, voted out at the last tribal council.”

Wendy’s smile is brighter than the akhal-teke she sits atop. The final seven smile back at her. Jeff turns his attention to Lauren, “The last two tribal councils, two of you original tribemates were voted out. Does that make you nervous?”

“Not especially, Jeff. I don’t think anyone's original season has any bearing on this game.”

“Do you agree with that, Michaela? You’ve still got someone from your original season left in the game.”

“It’s just like everything else in the game of Survivor, Jeff,” Michaela says, “Having an ally that goes back years can be incredibly helpful, but at the same time, everyone’s gonna assume y’all are working together and two votes is helluva lot more powerful than one. Ken and I have worked together, sometimes, sure, but not all the time. Same could be said about Colby and Jerri, I’m sure..”

“Colby, Jerri,” Jeff says, “Any credence to what Michaela’s saying?”

“Oh, of course,” Colby says, “I can’t hide my relationship with Jerri. We’ve known each other for over twenty years. This is our fourth time playing together. Of course that puts a target on us. But, having Jerri by my side doesn’t mean I haven’t talked to other people and made plans with them.”

“Yeah,” Jerri agrees, “Mine and Colby’s relationship has had its ups and downs over the last two decades. You build a lot of trust over that time. But each season of Survivor is it’s own game. Each season presents the opportunity to build new relationships.”

“Kass, you’ve been alone this whole season. No one from your original season.”

“That’s right. After Kimmi left, every relationship is brand new.”

“Do you wish you had someone like Jerri & Colby or Ken & Michaela? Someone you could have complete trust with?”

“Who’s to say I don’t?”

“Fair enough, with that, it is time to vote. Bi, you’re up first.”

Bi makes her way to the cave and casts her vote. She returns to the fire and Kass gets up. She casts her vote and shows it off as a vote for Jerri. “If it’s not you, it’s me,” she says before returning to the fire. Colby makes his vote, then Ken, then Michaela, then Jerri, who holds up a parchment reading “KASS.”

“This is for Wendy,” Jerri says before folding her parchment and returning to the tribe.

“I’ll go tally the votes,” Jeff tells them.

When he returns, he says, “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play it, now would be the time to do so.”

The camera cuts to Michaela, then Jerri, then Colby. None of them stand. Jeff says, “Alright, I’ll read the votes. First vote, Jerri, Jerri. That’s two votes Jerri. Kass, Kass. We’re tied. Two votes Kass, two votes Jerri. Kass. Three votes Kass… Jerri. Three votes Jerri… Fourteenth person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and seventh member of our jury, Kass.”

Lauren looks over to Ken and grits her teeth silently. Ken nonchalantly shrugs. Kass gets up from her seat and walks to Jeff to have her torch snuffed. Lauren, Bi & Kass voted for Jerri. Colby, Michaela, Jerri and Ken voted for Kass.

Kass takes the reins of her quarter horse and rides to the horizon with only the moon lighting her way.

Read the Finale here

#Survivor #survivor cagayan #Survivor Wild West #Survivor The Australian Outback #Survivor David vs Goliath #michaela bradshaw #ken mcnickle #Jerri Manthey #colby donaldson #fanfic #Lauren O'Connell #bi nguyen #kass mcquillen

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 12 - Us and Our Friends

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a jackrabbit finds comfort in some tallgrass.

Ken has woken early and made his way to the town’s campfire. He surveys the campfire and the boulders they’d been using as seats, then the shadows of the few buildings in town and the sun.

“Why are you staring at the sun,” Kass asks as she walks up behind him.

“I’m not. I’m just... checking something,” he says as he turns to her and removes his hand from his brow.

“What are you checking?”

“I’m working on something.”

“That much I gathered.”

He puts his hands firm around the only boulder in the shade. He drops his hips and presses his chest forward as he pushes the boulder from its place. As he tries to move the boulder to its side, the force of his chest pushing forward pops open the top couple buttons of his shirt. The strenuous and sweaty work makes his shirt stick to his back. Once the boulder is sufficiently horizontal, Ken stands up and wipes the beads of sweat from his forehead and removes his shirt. He bends down again and slides his hands under the boulder. His heels dig into the sand as he begins to roll the boulder. The waist of his pants remains stiff, giving just a glimpse of his ass, as he slowly lunges through the sand. Once Ken feels the boulder has been moved far enough from the fire, he turns around to see Lauren approaching from the saloon.

“Good morning, Ken,” she calls.

“Good morning, Lauren,” he says, “I’ll be right back.”

Lauren takes a seat next to Kass and asks, “enjoying the show?”

“I’m certainly not complaining,” she says.

Ken returns shortly after carrying what he’s been building. He places it where the shaded boulder had been.

“I built a bench for us,” he tells them.

“What, when, how,” Kass asks.

“The last few days. We had all these leftover tools and supplies and, you know, I always need something to keep my hands occupied.”

“That much I’ve gathered,” Kass jokes, looking at Lauren.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tortoise reaches for a flower with his beak.

Colby appears with the day’s tree mail.

“Weight?” Wendy guesses.

“I guess,” Colby says.

At high noon, the final eight meet Jeff in front of the day’s reward challenge. As always, he’s full of smiles standing next to his clydesdale.

“For today’s reward challenge, you will be divided into two teams. Each team will, together, hold a board over their head. Over each person’s head will be a bucket of water. Each bucket weighs one quarter your starting weight. Your hand will be attached to a disc keeping the water in the bucket. If you drop your hand, your bucket will empty and you’ll be out, leaving your teammates to carry your weight. Last team standing wins. Want to know what you’re playing for?”

They all yip and they all yeehaw.

“The winning team will take a trip to a movie theater for a viewing of an American classic set right here in the old west! We’re talking popcorn, soda… air-conditioning and of course... the traditional beans. Worth playing for?”

They all yip and they all yee and darn tootin do they all haw.

“Alright,” Jeff says, “We'll do a schoolyard pick for teams.”

Jeff passes a bag of two black and six white rocks around. They reveal and Jeff announces, “Kass and Jerri, captains once again.”

The two women count one-two-three-shoot to decide who goes first. Jerri’s paper covers Kass’ rock this time. She picks Colby first. Kass takes Ken. Jerri calls Michaela’s name. Kass says Lauren’s. Jerri looks at Wendy, whose smile is so big her whole body vibrates, then to Bi. Jerri drops her head and calls for Bi. Wendy drops her smile and joins Kass’ team.

The two teams stand on platforms set to each of their heights so their buckets can remain level. Jerri takes the first position for the orange team. Standing next to her in the second position is Michaela. Taking the third position is Colby. Bi, standing on the tallest platform of the challenge, takes the end. 

Kass takes the first position for the teal team. Ken and Lauren stand in the second and third positions. Wendy rounds them out in the fourth position. Once everyone on their platform, Jeff calls for the challenge to start.

Both teams start strong, unwavering in their support and balance. Jeff begins his narration, “This is a challenge of balance, you don’t want your bucket to tip, but also of trust. If you trust your teammates enough to hold the weight, you can drop out... Eventually, your arms are gonna get sore and you’re gonna try to fight the urge to drop out but maybe you should. If you can communicate, the weight won’t be too much to bear.”

After a few minutes, everyone has closed their eyes and fallen completely silent. Kass eventually speaks up, “How are you guys feeling?”

“I’m good,” Ken tells her.

“I’m good,” Lauren says.

“I’m fine,” Wendy says, her eyes still closed.

“Okay, I’m gonna drop,” Kass says.

“Okay, do it slowly,” Lauren says.

Kass removes her hands from the handles and drops her arms to her sides. The water splashes over her and she exhales “aaaahhh!”

“Feel good,” Jeff asks.

“Oh, I’d recommend they all drop out.”

After another ten minutes, Jerri asks her team how they’re feeling. Michaela gives a simple, “yeah.” Bi says, “You’re good.” Jerri lets her bucket shower her with water and she joins Kass on the bench.

After an hour and ten minutes, Wendy says, “Will you guys be okay if I step out? I feel like I’m gonna pass out.”

“Yeah, go ahead,” Lauren says.

Wendy turns her face upward and drops her hand to take a shower.

“How’s that,” Jeff asks.

“Amazing,” she says.

Bi snarls at the wet Wendy as she walks past.

“Jealous, Bi?”

“It does look nice,” Bi responds.

“You can drop out,” Michaela says. “We’ve got this.”

“No, I’m alright. I’m good.”

“Michaela and Bi negotiating going down to two people,” Jeff narrates, “Ken and Lauren doing the work of four people. Colby, meanwhile, hasn’t said a word this whole challenge. Are you not a fan of my questioning Colby?”

“Don’t need it,” he says without opening his eyes.

“Alright,” Jeff says, “message received.”

“Ken,” Lauren says.

“Yeah?”

“I think I’m gonna…”

“It's okay. I can take it.”

“No, I mean--” she says as she faints and drops her disc.

Ken and Jeff both rush over to make sure she’s okay. The medical team rushes in to check on her. They determine she’s going to be fine. She just passed out. When she comes to, she sees Ken and feels his hand in hers.

“Are you okay,” he asks.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Did we lose?”

“Yeah,” Ken laughs, “I think so.”

“Aw, damn. I really wanted to go see a movie with you.”

“We can go some other time,” he promises.

“I’d like that,” she says as she places an ice pack on her forehead. “Oh, I didn’t even get to feel the water splash on me!”

“Is the ice nice?”

“The ice is nice, yes. Thank you.”

“Of course,” he says.

Jeff turns to the orange team to let them know they’ve won. They all let the water splash over them but with less enthusiasm than they’d hoped for after seeing Lauren pass out.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a trailing four o’clock shakes in the breeze.

Jerri, Colby, Michaela, and Bi ride their horses to a large marquee with pink and green neon lights, alerting anyone within a mile of this dusty, old movie palace. They tie their horses outside the theater and walk in. They take in the scent of the warm film and the popping corn. They each grab a bucket of popcorn and various other treats and drinks. Colby and Jerri take two seats next to each other in the back of the theater, spreading their snacks in the seats around them. Bi and Michaela take the seats in the next row and do the same.

From above, the projector illuminates. The warmth emanating from the bulb is a comfort from the shock of the theater’s air conditioning. The increasing flip of the film roll starting is heard and on the screen before them, they see “Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Lumière No. 653.” appear in white text on a black screen.

“Oh,” Colby says, “This is that movie where everyone was afraid the train was coming at them.”

The film plays and the screen fades to black, but the whirring of the projector continues. Fireworks burst over a castle, a lamp hops across the screen, then a red car says, “This is Agent Leland Turbo.”

“What is this,” Michaela asks.

Then the title card appears on screen, “Cars 2.”

Everyone bursts into laughter. Colby falls back and raises his knees as he laughs. He slaps his knee, forgetting he’d rested something there, as one does in a movie theater. His hand gets hot and sticky and wet, “Ah,” he shouts as he jumps up from his seat.

Michaela turns around and, seeing the mess Colby’s made yells, “Ha! Colby’s eatin beans!”

Everyone laughs at him as he runs off to the bathroom to clean up.

When he returns, he takes the seat next to Jerri that is not covered in beans. Jerri whispers softly to him, not to interrupt the antics of Lightning McQueen and Mater, “You know we have beans at camp. Why’d you go for the beans?”

“I don’t know, I just like beans. I don’t really like sweets like that,” Colby also whispers, giving John Lassatter’s vision the respect it deserves.

“Aren’t you farting a lot,” Bi turns around and whispers.

“Honestly, no. I haven’t once.”

“What,” Jerri asks, surprised but still whispering.

“I haven’t been able to fart once since this started.”

“That’s weird,” Bi whispers.

“Are you okay,” Jerri whispers.

“What are y’all whispering about,” Michaela asks at full volume.

“We just didn’t want to interrupt the movie,” Jerri explains.

“I don’t give a shit about this movie,” Michaela says, “What’s going on?”

“Colby can’t fart,” Bi tells her.

“Bi,” Colby protests.

“What about all those beans you been eating,” Michaela asks.

“Nothing,” Colby tells her.

“Do you feel sick,” Michaela asks.

“No, I just can’t fart.”

“So, you’re just eating beans for the fun of it,” Bi asks.

“Col-beans,” Michaela calls him.

“Colbeans,” Jerri and Bi both laugh-shout.

Colby just smiles and appreciates they’re all having a good time, despite it being at his expense.

“You know we’re just joshin you, Colbeans,” Michaela says.

“Yes, I am a veteran in this,” he says, looking over at a grinning Jerri.

“You know we love you, buddy,” Jerri tells him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I know,” Colby says, gently resting his hand atop Jerri’s and for a moment they gaze at one another.

“So,” Michaela says, “Should we talk about the final four?”

“I’d be happy with this four,” Bi says.

“I’m on board,” Jerri says.

“Absolutely,” Colby agrees, “I guess the next question is, who are we targeting next tribal?”

“Well, it seems Lauren’s the glue over there,” Bi says.

“Ken’ll be mad,” Michaela says.

“Ken will get over it, then he’ll come running back to us. Wendy and Kass aren’t going to comfort him. We use him to take out Kass, then Wendy, then we take him out and voila we’re the Final Four,” Bi says, putting her hand in the center of the four of them.

“Makes sense to me,” Michaela says, putting her hand on Bi’s.

“Sure,” Jerri says, placing her hand atop Michaela’s.

“Should we come up with a name,” Colby asks, putting his hand in.

“The McQueens,” Bi says, overhearing Mater cheer for his friend Lightning McQueen as he leads the pack around a bend in a canyon.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a river digs away at the land for years on end.

Back in town, Ken and Lauren sit together on the bench he built. Wendy sits on the next closest boulder. Kass pokes an ember with a long stick around the fire.

“So, who’s the next target, Lauren,” Kass asks without making eye contact.

“Oh, I’m not in charge...”

“You’ve got a captive audience right here if you want to present anything,” Kass tells her.

Everyone looks at her expectantly.

She sits up straight and says, “Okay, what about… Colby?”

“Big move,” Ken says.

“But, we could do it. The four of us stay strong. They can put their votes on whoever, as long as they don’t play an idol or anything--”

“What if Colby wins immunity,” Kass asks.

“Then we put all our votes on Jerri.”

“I don’t want to vote for Jerri,” Wendy argues.

“Okay,” Lauren thinks it over, “Bi? Is anyone close with Bi?”

“I’m not worried about her,” Kass says.

“She’s smart,” Lauren says.

“She’s not a jury threat,” Kass explains.

“Ken,” Lauren says, turning her attention toward him, “Would you vote for Michaela?”

“Michaela and I… are close...”

“It might be our only option,” Lauren says, “You need to take her out before she takes you out.”

“I don’t think she’d do that.”

“Are you sure,” Kass asks, “She’s gotten awful close to Colby.”

Ken tilts his head back and forth as he considers Kass and Lauren’s proposal.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cactus’ bloom wilts under the ceaseless sun.

The McQueens return to town after their viewing of Cars 2. Michaela follows Ken into the saloon. Ken sits at the piano and slowly plays a single note over and over as he droops his head over the keys.

“What’s going on, bud,” Michaela asks, taking a nearby seat.

“They’re coming after you.”

“Who?”

“Lauren and Kass.”

“Are you gonna vote with Lauren?”

“I don’t know. Who are you guys targeting?”

Michaela drops her head in a similar way and says, “Lauren.”

“Aw, man. What?”

“Bi thinks she’s the glue between y’all.”

“Bi thinks she can just take out whoever she wants.”

“What do you think of this? Me, you, and Lauren, plus Jerri and Colby take out Bi right now.”

Ken nods his head back and forth as he thinks it over.

“She’s gonna take everyone out one by one until she makes it to the end. We take her out right now, Kass after that, then Wendy, then it’s us and our friends in the Final Five. We just gotta stay strong.”

“I like the sound of that.”

In a talking head, Ken says, “You know, Michaela’s a smart girl. So, that’s the problem... She’s a huge threat... Good at competitions... She’s a smart chick… It’s a tough game. It’s a really tough game.”

The next morning, Colby hikes through the Mojave Desert with Jerri and Michaela to collect Tree Mail.

“I know we just made a Final Four deal with Bi,” Michaela says, “but I can’t trust her after her taking out Wardog like that.”

“Sure,” Colby says, “That makes sense.”

“You talk to Ken already?”

“Yeah, he’s on board.”

“Let’s hope she doesn’t win immunity,” Colby says.

“Yeah, it’s about time you won one yourself,” Jerri says, slapping Colby’s back.

“I’ll say. It’s been 20 years since I last won one,” Colby says.

“Oh, it’s only been about 9 days for me,” Jerri teases.

“Yeah, it’s been like eleven or twelve for me,” Michaela piles on, “but for real, I need it tonight. They’re coming for me.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a rock teeters on the edge of a cliff.

When they return to camp, Michaela stands beside and just behind Colby as he reads the Tree Mail to the tribe around the morning fire.

“Robbery,” Michaela finishes.

Colby assumes the same rhyme and points a finger gun at Michaela.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a train track stretches across miles.

The final eight meet Jeff outside the train station. Jeff wears a conductor’s cap & overalls as he explains the challenge to them.

“This challenge is called The Eight Train Robbery. Each of you will be carrying a sack with you. First, you will have to untie and unlock a briefcase. The key is somewhere inside the train station. Once your briefcase is opened, you are free to take as much cash from it as you want. But, you’ll want to be quick because a train will be coming to town five minutes after the challenge starts. The train will be refueled with coal while stationed here. You have until the engine is filled to get onto the open box car before the train leaves. If the train leaves before you get on, you’re out. Inside the box car, you will find a chest with your name on it. It is locked with a combination lock. Figure out the combination and collect the chest’s contents. Then, climb the ladder. On top of the box car, you will find a dummy that is half your starting weight. Throw the dummy off the top of the train. Once the first person throws their dummy off the train, the train will slow to a stop and the conductor will unlatch the engine from the rest of the train. You have until the engine is completely removed to get your dummy off the top. If you can’t do it in time, you’re out. The rest of you will have the opportunity to run through the train and collect as much cash as you can before the engine leaves again. The first four people on the engine will move on to the next round. The engine will drop them with four horses. They will then race to the finish line. The first three people across the finish line will have their money counted. Whoever collected, and held onto, the most money throughout the challenge, wins immunity and has a one in SEVEN shot at winning this game. I’ll give you a minute to strategize and we’ll get started.”

The final eight contestants stand in front of eight dummies wearing a vest over a puffy white shirt inside the station. The dummy’s ankles are tied together and his hands are tied behind his back. In the dummy’s hands, behind his back, he’s holding a briefcase. Jeff calls for the challenge to begin. They begin untying the knots. Colby drops his dummy on the ground to get a better angle on the knots. The rest of the tribe follows suit after its proved successful. Colby is the first to untie, followed closely by Wendy, then Bi. Colby checks the ankles, but sees nothing. Finally, he notices a box hanging next to the door. He rushes over and reaches inside to find the key with his name. He returns to his dummy, where he left his briefcase. Meanwhile, Wendy and Bi both brought their briefcases with them while retrieving their keys. As soon as hers is open, Bi flips the suitcase over her sack. Bills fly everywhere, many of them not making it into her bag. She doesn’t seem to care as the train is already refueling.

Colby runs into the box car and finds the chest with his name. It’s locked with a combination. He looks around the boxcar for four digits anywhere. Next to him arrives Bi. She sees the combination lock, then immediately looks in her sack. She pulls out a handful of bills and notices they all show the same scene: Pocahontas marrying John Rolfe. Each bill was printed in 1865. Bi inputs 1-8-6-5 and it opens. Inside the chest is more cash. Bi tips the chest into her sack and rushes to the ladder, climbing to the top. Wendy implements a similar strategy. Meanwhile, Colby is taking his time to make sure he gets as much cash as he can before he has to leave. He successfully transfers all the bills that had been carefully placed in the briefcase into his sack.

Meanwhile, Ken, Michaela, Lauren, Jerri and Kass have all begun unlocking their chests when the train begins to slow. Colby has made his way to the top, where he sees Wendy and Bi have both thrown their weight off the top. Colby does the same. Michaela, Jerri and Kass shake as much cash as they can into their sacks and head to the top of the train. Ken and Lauren remain in the boxcar alone as the train slows to a walking speed.

“You need to win this,” Ken says.

“What?”

“They’re gunning for you. Take my money.”

“What? No! You keep it. You can still win this.”

“You’ll have more than anyone else if you take mine,” he says, handing her his open briefcase.

She opens her sack and together they pour all their cash into her burlap sack. She rushes to the ladder and throws her dummy off the roof just as the conductor removes the train from the engine.

The remaining competitors line up behind the caboose. Wearing a conductor’s uniform, Jeff holds his arm in the air and announces, “Survivors ready? Go!”

They rush into the caboose and look around for hidden cash. Bi is the first to realize there’s nothing to find in the caboose and runs into the next car. Colby is quick behind her, followed by everyone else soon after. 

In the next car, they find more dummies. Each of them wearing fancy tuxedos and gowns. Those in tuxedos smoke cigars. Those in gowns clutch their rhinestones. Bi opens a purse and dumps its contents into her sack. Colby reaches inside a tuxedo and pulls out a money clip. Kass finds a wallet. Michaela finds a purse with some cash. Wendy runs past and into the next car where she has first dibs of all the dummies. She grabs some cash from various pockets before her competition runs in. She runs off into the next car while everyone searches the dummies for any remaining cash.

Bi is the first, after Wendy, to the next car. Then, Colby, who is followed closely by Jerri. They all rummage through the dummies when Kass and Michaela join them. They all turn their attention to the engine 50 yards ahead. Bi is already almost there. Wendy is nearly halfway. Everyone else races for the final two spots on the engine.

Bi is the first to the engine. Wendy climbs aboard shortly thereafter. Colby takes the third spot. The three of them look over the back of the engine to see Michaela outpacing Jerri, but behind either of them is Lauren. She takes long, quick strides and passes Kass, then Jerri, then, despite being the last out of the train, she passes Michaela and claims the fourth and final spot on the engine. The conductor blows the whistle and the engine moves forward.

The engine stops where four horses wait. Colby, Lauren, Bi, and Wendy take their places in line with their horses. Jeff raises his arm and says, “Survivors ready? Go!”

The four horses are off! Bi takes a quick lead but Colby is determined behind her. He’s sure to not overwhelm his horse and keeps a steady pace. Wendy is close behind, giving her horse clear direction. Lauren falls behind. Her long legs make for an awkward fit on the horse’s back so it's hard to control. Colby’s pacing has worked out and he’s now directly behind Bi and her horse. He drops his shoulders slowly and presses his spurs into his horse’s sides. The horse giddies up and takes first place with just 30 yards remaining. As the finish line draws nearer, he hears the trots of another horse approaching. He quickly glances behind him and sees Wendy and her horse sprinting ahead. They are gaining speed faster than Colby and his horse can. Wendy passes them by and crosses the finish line first. Colby is next to cross soon after, followed closely by Bi. A few seconds later, Lauren crosses the finish line fourth and is eliminated.

The tribe meets again in the train station where Bi, Colby, and Wendy count the money they collected. Bi pulls out all her money, totaling “Ten Thousand and Eighty One dollars,” Jeff tells them.

Wendy empties her sack to the tune of “Twelve Thousand, Four Hundred Eleven Dollars.”

Everyone is shocked and applauds. Bi and Kass both side eye Colby as he looks around nervously. He giggles, certain he hasn’t beaten Wendy for a third time in a row.

“Twelve Thousand, Four Hundred And…” Jeff pauses, “Eighteen Dollars. Colby wins immunity!”

“Oh, man,” Colby says, “you had me going there, Jeff.”

“Congratulations, Colby,” Jeff says as he places the bandolier over Colby’s shoulder.

“Well done,” Michaela says.

Colby points a finger gun at her, winks, and fires.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tortoise takes a step.

Back in town, Colby places the bandolier over the bar. He pours himself a whiskey as everyone congratulates him. Bi and Kass take a seat at the bar.

“She almost won again, Colbster,” Kass says.

“Wendy,” he asks.

“That would have been three in a row,” Kass says.

“How long has it been since you won one of those,” Bi asks, nodding up to the bandolier over his shoulder.

“Twenty Years.”

“So, I was like twelve years old the last time you won.”

“Okay, yes, Colby’s old now. What’s your point,” he asks.

“If we don’t take out Wendy now, what’s to stop her from getting to the end and winning. Isn’t that what you did?”

“I did more than just win immunity challenges, Kass.”

“Like, what?”

“I formed strong bonds with the people in the game.”

“You mean like Wendy’s doing,” Kass asks.

Wendy sits on the bench in the shade and plays with an ember in the fire when Ken and Lauren approach and take a seat next to her.

“Hey, Wendy,” Lauren says.

“Hey guys,” Wendy says.

“We’re all still on board for Michaela, right,” Lauren asks.

“Well,” Ken says, “What about Bi?”

“Michaela’s too smart, man,” Lauren says, “We have to take her out now. Before she expects it.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a ringtail cat crawls across some rocks.

As the moon illuminates the night sky, the final eight ride their horses to tribal council. Jeff approaches the campfire on his clydesdale, followed by the jury on their five akhal-tekes. They align their horses behind the remaining tribe members in a star shape. Jeff begins by asking Colby, “Colby, how long has it been since you’ve held individual immunity at tribal council?”

“Twenty years, Jeff. And I had been on quite the run then.”

“Five in a row,” Kass reminds them.

“That’s gotta be helpful, knowing you're safe so many tribals in a row,” Jeff says.

“Oh sure. Going on an immunity run is incredibly helpful, but that also means there’s a bigger target on you when you’re not immune. It’s a real double-edged sword.”

“Wendy,” Jeff says, “This is the first time you’re not immune in a few tribal councils. Does what Colby said make you nervous for tonight?”

“Oh, nooo. I understand where Colby is coming from, but I think I’ve built enough quality friendships that they don’t want to see me go!”

Jeff doesn’t respond with a followup question. Instead, he just smiles, appreciating Wendy’s exuberance.

“Everybody loves, Wendy, Jeff,” Kass says. “It would be silly to get rid of her.”

“Lauren,” Jeff says, “You made it pretty far in the immunity challenge.”

“I would have won if I’d crossed the finish line in time.”

“You had collected more money?”

“Yeah, Ken helped me a bit in the beginning.”

“Last I heard,” Jeff says, “You two were just friends? Is that still the case?”

“I mean,” Lauren coyly says, “What is a ‘friend’ on Survivor?”

“That’s a good question,” Jeff asks, “What is a friend on Survivor?”

“I think we’re all friends,” Wendy says. “I hope, at least.”

“A friend is someone you can trust implicitly,” Michaela says “in and out of the game.”

“Do you feel there are people in this game you can trust implicitly,” Jeff asks.

“How long have you been doin this show,” Michaela jokes, then, “But really, I do. At least, I hope so. This game, ultimately, is about building relationships.”

“Alright, with that, it is time to vote. Kass, you’re up first.”

Kass makes her way into the cave and casts her vote for Wendy. When she returns to the tribe, Ken makes his way inside, then, Colby. Jerri casts and shows her vote for Bi. Michaela follows her. Bi casts her vote. Lauren casts her vote for Michaela. Wendy makes her vote. Jeff tells them he’ll go tally the votes. When he returns, he says, “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol, and you want to play it, now would be the time to do so.”

Michaela looks around her fellow tribe members, then back to Jeff, who reads the first vote. “Michaela,”  he announces. Her head drops.

“Michaela,” Jeff continues.

Michaela looks around, trying to deduce the author of the votes. Jeff reads the third vote, “Michaela.”

Ken’s head drops. Michaela’s brow furrows.

“Bi,” Jeff continues, “Bi, Wendy.”

Wendy’s head darts around as Kass grins.

“Wendy.”

Bi grins and looks over at Colby, who adjusts his hat as he looks at the sand.

Jeff reads the eighth vote, “Wendy.”

“What?!” Jerri and Michaela simultaneously yell, turning to Colby.

“We’re tied. We will revote. Wendy and Michaela will not vote,” Jeff says. He passes the urn to Colby who brings it back into the cave. Colby casts his vote, followed by the other five voters. Jeff tallies the votes and returns to the campfire.

“I’ll read the votes,” he says, “Wendy, Michaela, Wendy, Michaela, We’re Tied. Two votes each.”

Michaela bounces her knee as she stares down Jeff. Wendy grabs Jerri’s hand.

“Wendy,” Jeff reads.

Wendy clutches Jerri’s hand tighter. Jerri wraps her other hand around Wendy’s wrist and runs her thumb over her skin. Michaela has turned her attention to Colby. She stares at him with untrusting, yet hopeful, eyes. 

Jeff opens the final vote, “Thirteenth person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and sixth member of the jury, Wendy.”

Jerri hugs Wendy tight as she says goodbye. Wendy grabs her torch and makes her way to Jeff.

“Wendy,” he says, “the tribe has spoken.”

She hugs him and says, “I’m just happy to get to go to Ponderosa this time!”

He laughs and says, “It’s time for you to go.”

Wendy rides her quarter horse toward the horizon as the final seven get back on their horses and head back to town.

“We didn’t need to do all that,” Michaela tells Colby as she gets on her horse.

“I’m sorry.” Colby says genuinely.

“Yeah,” Michaela says, riding off.

Michaela and Jerri voted for Bi on the first vote. Lauren, Ken and Wendy voted for Michaela on the first vote. Bi, Kass and Colby voted for Wendy on the first vote. On the revote, Jerri switched her vote to Wendy.

Read Episode 13 here

#michaela bradshaw #Jerri Manthey #wendy diaz #bi nguyen #ken mcnickle #Lauren O'Connell #colby donaldson #kass mcquillen #survivor #survivor wild west #edge of extinction #david vs goliath #millennials vs gen x #the australian outback

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 11 - You’re Never Alone in This Game

Lit by the full moon, a coyote howls in the distance as the surviving members of Cheyenne tie their horses up after voting Ben out at the last tribal council. Those on the outs congratulate those who executed the plan.

The next morning, Colby returns with tree mail. “It’s heavier than usual,” he tells them while opening the envelope. Inside, he finds nine smaller, sealed envelopes, each bearing one person’s name. He passes them out and they open them to find Five Hundred US Dollars.

“It’s the auction,” Wendy screams.

“We never got to do the auction,” Wardog says.

“It’s great,” Jerri says.

“You’re gonna love it,” Kass tells him.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a flame skimmer buzzes over some brush.

At high noon, the nine remaining survivors meet Jeff for the auction. Wendy hops up and down as they walk in.

“Welcome,” Jeff says, “to the Survivor Auction. In the recent iterations of the Survivor Auction, there have been opportunities to bid for advantages in the game. So, people would hoard their money, trying to game the auction, waiting for an advantage. That defeats the purpose of the auction. This is your money to do with what you choose. If an item looks good, bid on it. If not, let someone else bid on it. Simple as that. I am not going to present you with an advantage at the auction. Are you ready for the first item?”

Everyone nods their heads and cheers.

“First item is a classic, PB and J.”

“Twenty Dollars,” Jerri says.

“Forty,” Wardog says.

“Sixty,” Wendy exclaims.

“Eighty,” Wardog shouts, waving eighty dollars in the air.

“Going once, twice, sold to Wardog for eighty dollars.”

Wardog shouts and trots up to the sandwich and Jeff’s delighted smirk.

“Eighty dollars for a PB&J sandwich,” Jeff says.

“Worf evvy pehhy,” Wardog assures him with a mouth full of peanut butter.

“Next item, another American classic, a glass of Diet Coke, steak fries and a cheeseburger.”

“One hundred,” Bi shouts.

“One twenty,” Michaela says.

“One sixty,” Colby offers.

“Two Hundred,” Bi asserts.

“Going once, twice, three times! Sold to Bi for two hundred dollars,” Jeff says, pointing his gavel at Bi.

“Up next... I’m going to keep it covered,” Jeff says with a self-satisfied grin, “bidding starts at Twenty Dollars.”

“I’ll do 20,” Colby says.

“Forty,” Kass bids.

“Sixty,” Jerri says.

“Eighty,” Lauren bids.

“One hundred,” Colby says.

“Going once, twice… sold to Colby Donaldson for one hundred dollars.”

Colby makes his way to Jeff’s stand where he holds the cover over Colby’s item.

“What did I get Jeff?”

“A favorite,” he says, uncovering a warm bowl of beans.

“Beans?”

“Beans.”

“Alright,” Colby says as he returns to his seat with the overflowing bowl of beans.

“For our next item, if you need that extra little oomph, how about a protein shake?”

“Twenty dollars,” Wendy says.

“Forty,” Ken says.

“Sixty,” Lauren bids.

“Eighty,” Ken says.

“120,” Wendy says.

“140,” Ken ups.

“160,” Wendy bids.

“180,” Ken says without objection.

“Protein Shake sold to Ken for one hundred eighty dollars.”

Ken wraps his hand around the cold glass. The condensation evaporates away by the touch of his warm hands. As he walks, Ken wraps his lips around the straw and sucks slowly so he can savor what he holds. He lets out a satisfied moan after swallowing.

“The next item up for sale is another American Classic, Steak and Potatoes.”

Colby’s jaw drops when he sees the steak. Beans drip off his lips and splash back into the bowl.

“200,” Michaela bids.

“220,” Colby says, setting his beans aside.

“240,” Kass says.

“400,” Colby bids.

“420,” Wardog bids before giggling.

“440,” Jerri outbids him and everyone else.

“Going once, twice, Sold! to Jerri for 440,” Jeff says.

Jerri takes her steak and potatoes back to her seat. She cuts a big piece of steak and a scoop of potatoes, turns to Colby and, with a signature smirk says, “I’m so sorry I can’t share.”

“The next item... will remain covered.”

“20 dollars,” Kass starts.

“Forty,” Michaela says.

“Sixty,” Lauren says.

“Eighty,” Wendy bids.

“One hundred,” Kass says.

“One twenty,” Wardog bids.

“One forty,” Kass says.

“One sixty,” Michaela bids again.

“Two,” Jerri bids.

“Two twenty,” Kass says.

“Three hundred,” Lauren bids.

“Three hundred to Lauren going once, twice--

“Three twenty,” Kass bids.

“Three forty,” Lauren bids.

“Three sixty,” Colby bids.

“Four,” Kass says.

“Four twenty,” Wardog bids, snickering again.

“Four forty,” Kass bids.

“Going once, twice, sold to Kass for four forty.”

Kass proudly walks to Jeff. He unveils her item. Kass looks at the plate then back at him in disbelief, “Really?”

“For four hundred and forty dollars, you bought a glass of water and a bowl of rice.”

The disgruntled Kass returns to her seat.

“Up next is a nice, big, warm, tasty, greasy slice of cheese pizza.”

“Cheese??” Wendy asks.

“That’s right,” Jeff tells her.

“One hundred,” she bids.

“120,” Lauren says.

“Three hundred,” Michaela bids to a shocked Jeff Probst.

“Three twenty,” Lauren bids.

“Four,” Michaela says.

“420,” Wardog bids again but laughing less this time.

“440,” Michaela bids.

No one outbids her. Jeff bangs her gavel and Michaela walks up to Jeff’s stand.

“Now, you have a choice. For four hundred and forty dollars, you can take this piece of cheese pizza.”

“I heard it’s greasy and warm,” she says.

“Or,” Jeff continues, pulling out a covered item, “you can trade it for this.”

“Nah,” Michaela tells him.

“Won’t even consider it?”

“No way. You always put the bad shit under the covers.”

“Fair enough,” Jeff says as he hands Michaela her slice of pizza.

“Next item is what Michaela passed up.”

“What is it,” Wardog asks.

“Remaining covered,” Jeff tells him.

“One hundred,” Wardog bids.

“One twenty,” Colby says.

“One forty,” Lauren bids.

“One sixty,” Wendy bids.

“Three sixty,” Lauren says, trying to win as soon as possible.

“Three eighty,” Wendy says.

“Four forty,” Lauren bids

“Four sixty,” Wendy bids.

“Four eighty,” Lauren bids, looking over at Wendy.

Wendy doesn’t bid again.

“Sold to Lauren for four hundred and eighty dollars.”

Lauren makes her way to Jeff to retrieve the covered item.

“What do you think it is,” Jeff asks.

“Well, I hope it’s the rest of Michaela’s pizza.”

Jeff removes the cover to reveal exactly that.

“Are you gonna be able to eat all that,” Jeff asks as Lauren looks over the pizza.

“You’d be surprised how much I can fit inside me,” she tells him before returning to her seat next to Ken.

“Up next,” Jeff tells them, “A rich slice of chocolate cake, a bowl of ice cream and... a letter from home.”

“Five hundred,” Wendy shouts before anyone else can get in a lower bid and prolong the inevitable.

Jeff bangs his gavel and she runs down to him.

“Now, Wendy, you have a choice. You can take the desert and read the letter from home for as long as you like or you can volunteer to stay the night in jail and,” Jeff says, pulling something from behind his stand, “get more rice and beans for your tribe.”

“Oh, the rice and beans,” she tells him without hesitation.

“Just, like that. You’re willing to exile yourself from the rest of your tribe at Final Nine?”

With their sloppy fingers and full mouths, the whole tribe rallies Wendy to take the chocolate cake and treat herself. But, she protests.

“All this food here is nice, Jeff, but everybody’s gonna be hungry again soon. I don’t mind spending the night alone if it means my tribe gets to eat!”

“With that,” Jeff says, banging his gavel, “the auction is over.”

Everyone gets up from their seats and hugs Wendy, some of them giving her whatever leftovers they can. Jeff tells them Wendy will return for the next immunity challenge. They get back on their horses and ride off. Jerri holds the reins of Wendy’s quarter horse as it rides back to town without her.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a coyote runs up a rock.

The tribe returns to town without Wendy. They drop their things in the saloon and Jerri pours eight glasses of old whiskey.

“That was really nice of Wendy,” Lauren says.

“Yeah, she didn’t have to do that,” Wardog says as he takes a seat at the piano.

“I’m not complaining,” Kass comments.

Wardog starts playing a simple, familiar tune.

“Wardog,” Colby says, “What are you doing?”

“It’s the only song I know.”

“Taps is the only song you know,” Kass asks.

“I mean, yeah. It’s easy.”

“It’s a bummer,” Kass tells him.

In the sheriff’s office, Wendy has been locked in one of the two jail cells. She’s stuck in the same cell Wardog was, as the other’s bed was dismantled by Bi. Wendy spends the first couple hours just napping.

“When I got there,” she explains in a talking head, “I realized, I was all alone. You’re NEVER alone in this game. So... I took a nap! Then, when I woke up, I had all this ENERGY! So, I started looking for an advantage. And I found,” she lifts her hands, holding two screwdrivers and two rolls of twine, “screwdrivers and twine! That is not an advantage!!”

Wendy’s narration of her exile experience is played over a montage of her finding the same toolbox Bi did and its contents. Wendy looks at the screwdriver, then across to the other cell, then back at her own.

“And then,” her excited talking head continues, “I saw the other bed had been disassembled and turned into like an arm thingy.” She impersonates the wood slabs Bi had put together using her own human arms. 

She unscrews the bed and ties the pieces together to make an arm as long as the one reaching from the other cell. She follows the other arm in the other cell to see that it reaches around the corner and to the front door. Wendy leans out of her cell as far as she can to see, next to the front door, a key hook with a key ring hanging from it.

“Oh!” Wendy exclaims.

She picks her own wooden pole from the ground with one arm and grips the other around one of the cell’s bars. She pulls herself up and rests her feet on the center bar of the cell. She slips one shoulder through the bars, then two. With a clearer vantage point, she aims the pole, hooks the keys, and slides them into her hand.

“Ahhh! Yaaay,” she yells. She looks at the ground, then the bar she’s standing atop, and asks herself, “Okay, how do I get down?”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a desert tortoise munches on a single flower growing from a small cactus.

Colby sits alone with his elbows on his knees and looks over the far reaching desert on the hills outside of town.

“This game has been a big part of my life,” he says in a talking head, “I’ve tried and I’ve tried and I’ve tried. You’d think I would have had my fill, but something keeps pulling me back.” The hero music builds as he speaks of his twenty year journey.

“I thought I was done after last time,” he continues, “but I’m still fighting for something. Honestly, after all this time,” he fights back tears, “I just… I think I just need that win.”

The hero music slowly fades away when a long shadow finds its way next to Colby. Kass takes a seat next to him.

“Hey Colby,” she says in a friendly tone.

“Howdy,” he says.

“I wanted to talk to you.”

“Here I am,” he says, opening his arms and smiling.

“I know Jerri is becoming close with Wendy.”

“Yes.”

“You’re close with Michaela.”

“Sure.”

“We’re getting close to the end, as you know. Are you and Michaela closer or are you and Jerri?”

Colby thinks it over.

“And, if you think Jerri and Wendy are closer than you and Michaela, where does that leave you with Jerri?”

“Jerri’s been by my side for 20 years. Are you trying to make me suspicious of her?”

“Jerri doesn’t need you.”

“I know that.”

“Do you think Wendy needs Jerri?”

“No, I think she’s doing fine on her own. I don’t think Jerri is the reason she’s made it this far if that’s what you’re implying.”

“No, I think Wendy’s played a great game thus far,” she lets her words hang in the air, before climbing aboard her brown quarter horse and leaving Colby alone to think.

Back in town, Lauren finds Jerri and Michaela sitting around the campfire, roasting a rabbit.

“Hey y’all,” Lauren says.

“Sit, sista,” Michaela tells her and she does.

“I’m here to ask for your vote,” Lauren says, “You know how badly I want to get Wardog out. Between the three of us, Ken, Wendy and Colby, we’ve got the numbers, easy.”

“I can vote Wardog,” Michaela says.

“That works for me,” Jerri agrees.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a desert star grows through a pile of small rocks.

Wendy continues her journey in jail. She’s made her way down from the steel rods she had climbed to retrieve the keys. She’s found the key to unlock her cell, which she does with great elation. She looks over the key ring and determines one of the keys is for the other cell. But, the third, smaller key is still a mystery. She looks around the sheriff’s office for a lock that looks like it would fit the key. She tries the door to no avail. She then notices the fallen paper on the ground next to the front desk. Looking at the newspaper sprawled across the floor, her eyes come across a safe. She throws the chair out of the way and crawls under the desk, tries the key, and opens the safe.

“Oh my god,” she squeals.

Reaching inside the safe, Wendy pulls out a tube, sealed with a four digit combination lock.

“Dammit,” she groans, pressing the end of the tube into her forehead. She sits cross legged on the floor in the sheriff’s office. Feeling defeated, she slowly leans back until she’s laying on the ground. She drops her head to the side and starts reading the middle of a sentence in a random article.

“I was laying on the ground,” Wendy explains in a talking head, “and I started reading this article just, ya know, because what ELSE am I doing? And it was about something called the Nez Perce War. So, I started looking through the article for a date! I learned it happened between June and October, 1877. So, I put 1-8-7-7 into the combination and it worked!”

Wendy reaches into the now open compartment and pulls out an envelope sealed with wax. Wendy breaks it open and reads the contents. A single page reads, “Chief Joseph.”

“Wait, Chief Joseph,” she says, flipping through the newspaper again looking for a specific article.

Somewhere under the Mojave Desert sky, a tortoise lays to rest for the night.

The next morning, Colby makes his way to tree mail with Michaela and Ken. The long hike over the desert sand each morning is tiring but it gives Colby time to talk to people, so he doesn’t mind it.

“What do we think of Wendy,” Colby asks.

“She’s cool,” Ken says.

“Yeah, I like her,” Michaela agrees.

“I think Kass is targeting her.”

“Why,” Michaela asks.

“She thinks she’s a threat.”

“Everyone’s a threat,” Ken reminds him.

“She sacrificed herself for our benefit,” Colby reminds Ken.

“I don’t want to vote for Wendy,” Michaela informs them.

“Lauren’s targeting Wardog, I assume,” Colby asks.

“Yeah,” Ken says.

“Yeah, she came to me and Jerri yesterday asking for our votes.”

“You and Jerri?”

“Yeah.”

“Yesterday?”

“Yeah, in the morning.”

“Jerri hasn’t said anything to me about it.”

Michaela looks at him with a confused, almost suspicious, raised eyebrow but doesn’t say anything.

When they return to town, the whole tribe (minus Wendy) is gathered around the campfire. Colby breaks open the wax seal and reads the tribe tree mail.

“It’s gonna be Folklore,” Jerri says, “Didn’t you win that?”

“I did win that. In Australia, yes,” Colby proudly states. “You think they’ll put us in shackles again?”

“I hope not,” Wardog blurts.

As the sun set, the desert sky fades into a deep, dark blue. Then, more stars you could ever imagine populate the sky.

At midnight, with the moon lighting their way, the castaways meet Jeff in a cavern lit with oil lamps.

“Good evening,” Jeff says as they stand before him beneath the centuries-old stalactites. “We’ll now bring in Wendy, returning from Exile.”

Wendy is all smiles when she joins the tribe.

“Wendy,” Jeff starts, “when most people return from Exile, they look miserable, lethargic, upset. You look full of life, just your regular, ol bubbly self!”

“Yeah! I had a GREAT time at Exile!”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, I took a nap! And I got a lot of reading done!”

“Hopefully that reading comes in handy because tonight’s immunity challenge is Folklore. Stationed throughout this cave system, there are ten multiple choice trivia questions. Each answer will provide you with a wrapped nugget. Return to this cave with your wrapped nugget. When you unwrap it, if you got the right answer, you’ll find gold. Drop the gold in and your scale will tick up one. If you’re wrong, it’ll be just any other rock you might find in this cave. You’ll have to return to that station and try again. First person with all ten gold nuggets on their scale wins immunity and has a one in EIGHT chance of winning the million dollars. Are you ready to hear the story of Chief Joseph?”

“Let’s do it,” Colby says. His booming voice echoes through the cave.

Jeff tells the story, “Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it was born in 1840 to his mother, Khapkhaponimi, and his father Tuekakas, also known as Joseph the Elder. While Chief Joseph's given name meant ‘Thunder Rolling Down the Mountain,’ he was known as Young Joseph in his youth. He became known as Chief Joseph after the passing of his father in 1871. Joseph the Elder warned on his deathbed, ‘Never sell the bones of your father and your mother.’ Chief Joseph led the Nez Perce people through non-violence, despite increasingly hostile attacks. In 1877, Chief Joseph led a group of 750 on a trek through the Rocky Mountains. The United States Military had fifteen hundred men after them. After twelve-hundred miles, countless casualties and a five-day battle on Snake Creek, Chief Joseph, on behalf of the surviving members of Nez Perce, surrendered to Brigadiers General Howard and Miles. Chief Joseph surrendered after being told the surviving Nez Perce people could return to their reservation in Idaho. Instead, they were sent to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas as prisoners. The New York Times went on to call the war ‘a gigantic blunder and a crime.’”

The Survivors grab their torches to light their way through the caves. Jeff calls, “Survivors ready? Go!”

Lauren strides through a narrow tunnel and comes up to the first station. She reads the question quickly under her breath, “Where did Chief Joseph lead 750 Nez Perce people? Rocky Mountains, Smoky Mountains, Saint Elias Mountains? Rocky, definitely.” She grabs the wrapped nugget and returns to the starting cave where Jeff announces, “Lauren’s back with one, Jerri’s back with one, Kass is back with one, Wardog is back with one, but the question is, are they right?”

All four of them answer unwrap the gold nuggets while Michaela, Wendy, Colby, Ken, and Bi return with gold nuggets of their own. “Everyone on the board with one right,” Jeff announces, his voice booming through the tunnels.

“Where did the final battle of the Nez Perce War happen,” Michaela reads, “Colorado River, Fort Leavenworth, Snake Creek, that one.” She grabs the wrapped nugget and runs back. Most everyone else has returned to their stations and has begun unwrapping. Jerri unwraps a rock and drops it on the ground, rolling her eyes before running back into the caves.

Kass runs into an empty station in a far off cave. She reads the question to herself, “What did the New York Times call the war? A. Bloody but Necessary, No. B. A gigantic blunder and a crime, yes? C. The right move for America, No.”

As Kass lifts the lid for the second answer, Wendy comes up from behind, reads the question aloud and says “oh!” before reading any of the answers. She reaches a hand into the bucket and as quickly as she arrived, she’s gone. Kass shakes her head and laughs as she grabs from the bucket. When she returns, she sees everyone has at least two correct answers, but most people have three. Kass unwraps her nugget and drops it onto her scale. The arrow in the scale overhead moves from 2 to 3.

Ken looks over the question in the cave he’s found himself in. He mumbles it loud enough only for air to exit his lips, “What was Chief Joseph’s father’s name? Joseph the Elder, of course.” He grabs the correct answer without checking the other two options. Ken passes Lauren in one of the tunnels. They give each other a big smile as they pass.

“Great job,” he tells her.

“You too,” she responds as they squeeze past one another in the small tunnel underground.

Lauren makes it to another cave where she sees Wendy is already there reading the question, “In what year was Chief Joseph born? 1840, 1871, 1877. Psh, 1877 was the year of the war and I don’t think he was Chief when he was SIX YEARS OLD! It’s 1840!”

“How do you know so much about Chief Joseph,” Lauren asks as they each grab the 1840 nugget.

“I listened to the story Jeff was telling!”

“Yeah, but you seem way more confident than anyone else with this.”

Wendy just shrugs her shoulders and smiles as she runs back to her station. Her scale now reads six and she’s mere steps behind Colby who also has six. Everyone else has five.

Wardog finds the next station and mutters the question to himself quickly in an attempt to save time, “What did Chief Joseph’s given name, Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it, mean in the Nez Perce language? A. Thunder Rolling Down the Mountain B. Looking Glass C. White Bird?” He looks over all three answers, assuming each had the same probability of being right. Any time he saved by reading the question quickly has been lost by his contemplation of each choice. He finally chooses A and runs back. Giving himself six.

Jerri, while behind in the challenge, hasn’t given up. She’s picked up the pace and reads herself the next question, “To whom did Chief Joseph surrender? Gibbon & Strugis, I don’t think so. Sitting Bull? That... doesn’t make sense. Howard and Miles, yes! That was it!” She runs back and unwraps the correct answer’s nugget, though she’s still one nugget behind the next person.

Colby, Bi and Wendy are all tied for first with nine on their scales. Bi reads her final question, “Where was the reservation Chief Joseph was told his people could return after his surrender? Kansas, Idaho, Nevada. That makes sense.”

Simultaneously, Colby reads his final question, “Where were the surviving Nez Perce people sent after their surrender and why? The South to Farm, no, Relocation Centers for Spycraft, that... doesn’t sound right, Fort Leavenworth, as Prisoners! Yes!!”

At the same time, Wendy finds herself in the same cave as Lauren. Lauren appears stumped. Wendy reads the question, “What did Joseph the Elder say to his son from his deathbed? A. It is Cold, and We Have No Blankets; B. From Where the Sun Now Stands, I Will Fight No More Forever; or C. Never Sell the Bones of Your Father and Your Mother. The last one. The first two are from Chief Joseph’s surrender speech.”

“That wasn’t a part of Jeff’s story,” Lauren says, “How do you know that?”

“I read it!” she explains before rushing back to Jeff.

Bi, Wendy and Colby come out of their respective caves at the same time. All three race to their stations. Bi starts unwrapping her nugget, sees its a rock and drops it on the ground before rushing back. Colby and Wendy start unwrapping their own to find two gold nuggets. Wendy’s a step and half ahead of Colby, drops it in her scale, and Jeff announces, “Wendy wins immunity!”

The tribe gathers round where Jeff tells them, “Great challenge today. Wendy, gettin it done! Twice in a row, Wendy cannot be voted out. Colby, what happened?”

“You know, Jeff,” Colby says, “This is the third or fourth time I’ve come so close to winning. I just don’t think I can keep up with these young kids anymore.”

“Alright, it’s late,” Jeff says, “You’ll have tomorrow to think over the vote. I’ll see you at tribal council, tomorrow at sundown.

The castaways get on their horses and ride back to town. Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a scorpion crawls up the skull of a coyote and pinches its pincers like tongs.

The next morning, Bi finds Lauren. She’s joined Ken in his workshop. Ken is building something.

“I understand you’ve been coming after Wardog,” Bi says.

“That’s right,” Lauren admits.

“I’m fine with that. I don’t need him anymore.”

“You’re done with him,” Ken asks, “just like that?”

“Sure, why not?”

“He’s been your closest ally this whole time,” Lauren reminds her.

“No,” Bi corrects her, “the idol nullifier was my closest ally. I got rid of that, an idol, Wardog’s extra vote and the last winner left in the game in one tribal council. Tell me again, what do I need Wardog for?”

“Alright,” Lauren says, “You’re not gonna hear me fighting for him.”

Bi leaves.

“Don’t you think it’s weird that she’s targeting her closest ally,” Lauren asks.

“Yeah,” Ken agrees, “It’s suspicious.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a black carpenter bee buzzes around a blooming cactus.

Bi finds Wardog resting in his bedroom. He lifts his head up when he hears the door open, then lays it back on the pillow when he sees it’s Bi.

“You know they’re targeting you,” Bi asks.

“Lauren? Of course. She’s never gonna trust me.”

“You want to take her out?”

“Wendy’s not gonna vote for Lauren.”

“Michaela would. Jerri would. Kass would.”

“Okay, who do you want to take?”

“I’ll talk to Michaela. You take Jerri and Kass?”

“Alright, sounds like a plan, pardna,” he says as he fires a couple finger guns at her.

Wardog gets up from his cot in the inn and marches down to find Jerri and Kass sitting by the fire with Colby and Wendy.

“Hey, uh, I’m gonna get some water. Does anyone want to come with?”

“Sure,” Kass says.

“I’ll come,” Jerri says, “You need any water, Wendy?”

“No, thank you, Jerri!”

Once out of the town proper, Wardog excitedly tells Kass and Jerri they’re targeting Lauren.

“Lauren, why,” Kass asks.

“She’s-- ow!” Wasdog slaps the back of his neck.

“What’s that,” Jerri asks.

“Something bit me,” Wardog says as he shows them the back of his neck. “Are there bugs in the desert?”

“Flies,” Kass says.

Wardog removes his hand to show the back of his neck. Jerri and Kass see his skin puffed up in a small circle.

“I think you got stung, man,” Jerri says.

“Flies can sting you?!”

“It was probably a bee,” Kass says.

“There’s bees in the desert?!?”

Michaela finds Ken and Lauren in Ken’s workshop. His project is coming along. He removes the nearly finished product from the work table and says, “What’s up Michaela?”

“Have you talked to Bi,” Lauren asks.

“I haven’t seen her recently.”

“She’s targeting Wardog,” Lauren explains.

“What? Alright. that makes things easier for us.”

“We don’t necessarily trust it,” Ken says as he brushes the dust off his project.

“It is weird,” Michaela agrees.

“Are you willing to trust Bi,” Lauren asks.

“If it’s not Wardog, who’s Plan B?”

“Wardog is Plan Bi,” Ken laughs to himself.

“I don’t know, but Ken, Wendy and I are all voting for Wardog.”

“Alright,” Michaela says before going out to find Bi.

Michaela finds Bi and the two walk on the outskirts of town as the sun begins to descend for the day.

“So,” Michaela asks, “What’s going on?”

“Lauren wants Wardog. Wardog wants Lauren.”

“Who do you want?”

“Who do you want?”

“Wardog’s gonna rustle fewer feathers.”

“So, you’re voting Wardog?”

“What are you asking me, Bi?”

“I just want to know how you’re voting.”

“I want to know how you’re voting.”

“You’ll see at tribal.”

Michaela looks at her, confused but not challenging anything.

As the moon takes the sun’s place, the remaining members of the tribe ride their horses out of town and meet Jeff around the campfire that is Tribal Council. Jeff greets them as they take their seats around the warm fire. “We’ll now bring in the members of our jury, Elizabeth, Todd, Russell and Ben, voted out at the last tribal council.”

The four members of the jury ride in on their akhal-tekes and form a square to preside over the tribe. Jeff begins, “Wendy, quite the few days for you. You go from volunteering for Exile to winning immunity.”

“Yeah! Exile was great! I noticed one of the beds had been disassembled and I found some screws and a screwdriver so I put the bed back together!”

“You didn’t have to do that, Wendy,” Jeff tells her.

“I know! But I wanted to! And also I took a nap!”

“You took a nap at Exile?”

“Yeah! Well, it’s so hard to sleep at camp. Everyone’s always walking around and chatting and plotting. It was nice to get some peace and quiet!”

“Who makes it hard to sleep at camp?”

“Wardog,” she groans.

“Wardog, she called you out,” Jeff says.

“Yeah, I don’t know what that’s about,” Wardog says, “I’m just out here trying to play the game.”

“I’m just trying to play the game,” Lauren impersonates Wardog’s Jersey accent under her breath. “Why are you even on this season, man? Aren’t you from, like, New Jersey?”

“I go to school in California.”

Lauren just raises her hand in exhausted frustration.

“Why does that bother you, Lauren,” Jeff asks.

“It doesn’t bother me that Wardog goes to school. It doesn’t bother me that Wardog’s school is in California. I’m bothered because, try as I might, I can’t seem to get Wardog out.”

“Kass, is it impossible to get Wardog out?”

“Hey,” Wardog protests.

“Nothing’s impossible, Jeff,” Kass says, “Anyone can get voted out at this point, except Wendy, of course.”

Wendy beams with pride as she shows off the immunity bandolier.

“Last tribal, Ben played an idol. Have people been going out looking for a new idol, Michaela?”

“I don’t think so. We figured Ben’s idol was from Tsitsistas.”

“So, has any found the Cheyenne idol,” Jeff asks.

“I don’t know, Jeff. You know from Game Changers, I lack observation skills.”

“Fair enough. So, if no one is concerned with another idol play, Bi, what are they concerned about?”

“Everybody sees the end in sight, so at this point, everybody’s trying to find their next target, the right target, the smart target. It’s like in MMA, You have to find their weak spot and target it to win,” Bi says.

“So, do you feel you’ve found your target,” Jeff asks.

“They’re all my targets, Jeff.”

“With that, it is time to vote. Colby, you’re up first.”

Colby makes his way into the cave to make his vote. Lauren follows and proudly shows her vote for Wardog. Bi makes her vote. Wardog makes his and holds it up to show Lauren’s name. The rest of the tribe makes their vote in the cave. Jeff tells them he’ll tally the votes and heads into the cave himself. When Jeff returns, he says, “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play it, now would be the time to do so.”

Every tribe member looks at every other. Jeff waits a few beats, then says, “Alright, I’ll read the votes. First vote, Wardog. Second vote, Lauren.”

Lauren looks at Wardog and rolls her eyes.

Jeff continues, “Wardog, Wardog, Wardog, Twelfth person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and fifth member of our jury, Wardog.”

Jeff holds up the deciding vote for Wardog, which reads “Dan,” with a cartoon bee scribbled in the corner. Wardog accepts the votes with a stiff lip, nods and grabs his torch.

“Great job, guys,” he says before meeting Jeff and having his torch snuffed and riding his gorgeous grey lippizan. The sky is darker than his horse’s mane.

The final eight, Bi, Jerri, Colby, Kass, Ken, Lauren, Michaela and Wendy, get back on their horses and ride back to town after a unanimous vote.

#Survivor #Survivor Wild West #bi nguyen #Jerri Manthey #colby donaldson #kass mcquillen #ken mcnickle #Lauren O'Connell #michaela bradshaw #wendy diaz #wardog #edge of extinction #millennials vs gen x #survivor australia #david vs goliath

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 10 - That’s Me, Baby

After tribal council, everyone wishes Wendy “congratulations” & “well done” before going off to sleep.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, an evening primrose blooms.

The next morning, Ben wakes before his roommates, Lauren & Ken (the two of whom recently pushed their cots together), or anyone else in the inn. 

“I already have an idol,” he explains in a talking head, “but now with Wendy’s gone, it would be mighty helpful to get another one.”

He hikes out to the hills and looks between each rock formation and under every little cave he can fit his hand in. The sun begins to rise and Ben looks across the barren land. He holds his hands in front of his chest like a prairie dog.

Back in town, people begin to wake up. Kass and Jerri are the first around the fire. Kass looks at Jerri with a grin, “Did you devise of that last night?”

“What do you mean, Kass?”

“Take out Russell using Wendy?”

“I didn’t tell her who to vote for.”

“But you knew she would play her idol?”

“Correct.”

“So, you and Wendy are pretty close, huh?”

“You could say so. Aren’t you and Lauren?”

“Lauren is… preoccupied.”

Bi takes a seat at the fire, “Have either of you seen Ben?”

“I haven’t,” says Kass.

“No, sorry,” says Jerri.

“I think he’s out looking for an idol.”

“What do you want to do about it,” Jerri asks.

“We gotta get him out, but keep it quiet. We’ll tell him we’re all targeting Wardog.”

“I can do that,” Kass says.

“Sure,” Jerri agrees.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a rock lizard observes his surroundings.

Walking into the saloon through the back door, acting as if he’d only just woken up to use the outhouse, Ben runs into Lauren at the bottom of the stairs to the inn.

“Hey Ben, what are ya doin?”

“Oh, hi miss, I was just, uh, just pooping.”

“Oh, okay,” she says before she hears a door close at the top of the stairs. She looks upstairs to see Colby emerge from the immunity suite.

“Good morning, sleepyhead. Good night’s rest,” Lauren calls up to him.

“Yeah, it was. Thank you,” Colby says as he trots down the stairs.

“You must have felt pretty good at tribal council last night with that bandolier over your chest.”

“Oh, no. I didn’t actually win immunity.”

“Oh, didn’t you? But I just saw you coming out of the--” Lauren says, playing dumb.

“I was just in there, ya know, because, I was, uh...”

“You were,” she asks with a smirk

Colby stops stammering and just smiles and chuckles with Lauren and Ben is there laughing too.

“And everybody talks about me and Ken like we’re some hot commodity as if the original Power Couple isn’t sleeping two doors down.”

“Well, I don’t know about that,” Colby laughs.

“Okay, I need to ask you, can I count on you guys to vote Wardog at the next tribal?”

“Absolutely,” Ben agrees quickly.

“That works for me,” Colby says.

“Great! Awesome. I am telling you, if he isn’t next to go, he’s going to pull something that’s gonna destroy your whole game.”

Colby notices through the back door Michaela and Ken walking toward tree mail and catches up with them.

“Hey guys,” he calls.

“Hey Colby,” Ken says as he kicks the dirt at his feet.

“Mind if I tag along,” Colby asks as he approaches them.

“Please do,” Michaela says, “I wanted to ask you if you knew anything about last night?”

“I had no idea, honestly.”

“So, are we going after Wendy at the next tribal again?”

“I don’t think so. That felt like Russell’s gambit. Lauren wants to go after Wardog again.”

“I could do Wardog,” Michaela says.

“Works for me,” Ken mutters under his breath.

“What’s going on, bud,” Colby asks, “You seem down.”

“Well, I’ll be honest. Lauren and I are more than ‘just friends.’”

“No,” Colby says, feigning surprise.

“You don’t say,” Michaela jokes.

“But last night,” Ken continues, “We were going on our nightly horseback ride through the desert,”

“Sure,” Michaela says.

“And she started talking game. We agreed to never talk game on these rides. We just wanted to get to know each other.”

“That’s cute,” Michaela interjects.

“I don’t have a lot of people close to me. I have a lot of… walls… you might say... But, I had this instinctual connection with her, outside of the game. And she felt that too, so we agreed we’d take these rides every night where Ken got to know Lauren and Lauren got to know Ken.”

“Did you and Jerri ever have dates like that, Colby,” Michaela jokes.

“We didn’t have horses in Australia.”

“But then,” Ken continues, “she used that time to talk about who we should target and that’s… I don’t know… that crossed a line for me.”

“Sounds to me like she trusted you enough through these walks that she felt comfortable telling you her plan on the walk,” Colby suggests.

“Yeah, maybe,” Ken sheepishly agrees.

“If I were in Lauren’s shoes, I would just want that communicated,” Michaela says. “How long have you been taking these rides?”

“It’s only been since the merge, when we got the horses.”

“Okay, so not a long time, but you both feel you have something worth exploring.”

“It seems like it.”

“If I were in this scenario, where you feel your relationship is worth saving despite breaking a boundary, I would just want to communicate why that boundary is important and set in the first place. Breaking a rule isn’t what ends a relationship. It’s not communicating that does. Are you having another horseback date tonight?”

“Yeah, we do every night there’s not tribal.”

“Just talk to her about it then.”

“Yeah, alright. Thanks, Michaela.”

“No problem.”

The three of them reach the lone tree in the desert to collect their tree mail. Colby stuffs the challenge clue in his satchel and they walk back to camp where the rest of the Cheyenne tribe has gathered around the roaring campfire. Ken takes a seat as Colby reads the tree mail while Michaela stands a step behind him.

“Deliver,” Wardog suggests.

“Who’s Malone,” Wendy asks.

“Karl Malone! Oh my god, Wendy! You don’t know who Karl Malone is?”

“Sorry?”

“He was incredible. They called him the mailman because he always delivered.”

“He was a basketball player,” Colby clarifies.

“So, we’re playing basketball,” Kass asks.

“Sounds like it.” Colby says.

“I’m excited! I love basketball,” Wendy exclaims.

“Wendy! Ooooh my gooooood! Do you even know Dr. J?”

“Is that another basketball player?”

“Yeah! What about Bill Lambier?”

“I know who Michael Jordan is!”

“Yeah, fine. Alright, Wendy,” Wardog says in a jovial manner, “I want the record to show I do NOT want Wendy on my team.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a coyote climbs atop some rocks.

The Cheynne tribe rides their horses to the Colorado River, where they see Jeff on his clydesdale, his grin beaming beneath his ten-gallon hat. 

“For today’s reward challenge, you will be divided into two teams. Members of each team will race through the river to get a ball. You must then work together to shoot your ball in your basket while members of the other tribe try to stop you any way they can. Each time you get a ball in your basket, you score a point for your team. Whichever team scores more points after three rounds, wins reward. Want to know what you’re playing for?”

They applaud as they look over the challenge.

“In 1948, Harry Snider introduced America to his new creation, a drive-thru hamburger shop. His first shop had barely any room to operate. But that didn’t stop him from waking up every morning before daybreak to prepare his burgers. At night, he would work on a two-way speaker box so that his customers wouldn’t have to even leave their cars to order. Harry’s little idea turned into one of the most popular burger places in the Western United States, In-N-Out.”

Everyone but Wendy cheers.

“The winning team will receive a picnic catered by In-N-Out Burger. It’s Quality You Can Taste. We’ll do a schoolyard pick for teams and get started.”

Jeff carries a bag containing 10 rocks around the tribes as he tells them “The two black rocks, amongst the eight white, will decide the captains.” Jerri and Kass pick the captain rocks. They play rock-paper-scissors to decide who goes first. Kass’ scissors cut through Jerri’s paper. Kass looks over the group and finally says, “Ken.���

Jerri takes Colby as her first pick. They give one another a welcoming side hug.

Kass calls out Lauren’s name. She quickly skips to her team.

Jerri picks Michaela. Kass calls out for Wendy, who grins ear-to-ear. Jerri looks at Kass with confusion before picking Bi.

Ben and Wardog look at the two teams, saddened they’ve become the last two to be picked. Wardog makes eye contact with Kass and quickly but quietly shakes his head back and forth. Kass sighs and says, “Fine, Ben.”

“I’m a good basketball player,” he jokes as he walks toward his team. Wardog makes his way toward his and high fives Bi down low.

Round One is three women against three women. Michaela is assigned defense as the tallest member of the teal team. Kass plays defense for the orange team. Lauren lines up against Jerri, whom she towers over. Wendy and Bi stand face to face, ready to grapple. The six women turn to Jeff, who has removed his usual safari shirt in favor of a black and white striped one. He stands in the river. The rushing river water envelopes his calves and makes wet the bottom of his cargo shorts. He holds the ball in his hand and a whistle on his lips. He tosses the ball in the air and Lauren leaps for it. She lands next to Bi and Wendy, neither of whom can seem to get the upper hand on the other. Bi is a stronger grappler, but Wendy is more graceful in the water. Jerri dives at Lauren, so Lauren passes the ball to Kass behind her. Kass runs, against the current to her side, toward Michaela. Once close enough, Michaela wraps her arms around Kass and forces the ball into the water. It flows past Jerri, who’s wrapped up in Lauren. Bi makes a jump at it, but slips. Wendy wriggles free from Bi and lunges for the ball. She gains control of it and makes a few strides toward the basket, tossing the ball in as Bi grabs at her.

Round Two sees Ken and Ben for the Orange team take on Colby and Wardog for the teal team. Ken lines up against Wardog. Ben faces Colby. Ref Probst tosses the ball in the air, Ben and Colby reach as high as they can. Colby tips the ball to Wardog who catches it while falling into the rushing river below. Wardog quickly passes the ball to Colby. As the ball flies through the air, Ken tries to box Wardog into a corner, but Wardog ducks under his arm and elbows him in the stomach. He runs toward the basket a few paces behind Colby and shouts to him when he sees Ben leaping again. Just before Ben crashes with the Colby, Survivor’s second runner-up passes the ball behind him for Wardog to pick up like a relay. Wardog leaps over where Ben had just speared Colby. He drops the ball into the bucket with the flick of a wrist. Tying the score and forcing a round three.

“For Round Three it’s two women and one man,” Jeff explains, “For the orange team, we’ve got Ben, Lauren and Wendy. For teal, we’ve got Wardog, Michaela and Bi.”

The two teams take a minute to strategize. Wardog and Ben each line up to defend their basket. Wendy and Bi take their same spot from Round One again while Lauren and Michaela face each other for the jump ball. “Survivor’s Ready,” Ref Probst says before throwing the ball in the air, “Go!”

Michaela and Lauren both watch the ball as it rises and spins. While Lauren begins her ascent, Michaela’s eyes move to Lauren’s arm. She grabs the arm Lauren isn’t using to reach and pulls her down, burying her shoulder in Lauren’s chest. Meanwhile, Bi immediately dropped to the ground and swiped at Wendy’s ankles. Wardog started running as soon as Jeff said go and he hasn’t stopped. When the ball falls where Lauren and Michaela had once been, Wardog is there to catch it. Without losing speed, he barrels toward Ben, who is holding his ground. His feet firm on the river rocks. Wardog drops a shoulder and, while staring directly into Ben’s eyes, passes the ball to Bi, who is now one step behind him. Wardog arches his back. Bi jumps off a rock and races up Wardog’s back to dunk the ball.

“Wow!” is Ref Probst’s only response.

“KillHer Bee,” Wardog yells as he catches his teammate. He lifts her onto his shoulders while their team joins in a celebratory, wet hug in the Colorado River.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a scorpion readies its tail as prey unknowingly approaches.

After the challenge, Jerri, Wardog, Bi, Colby and Michaela eat the burgers and fries around a sand-ridden wooden table in the desert. Their only shade is provided by a large, old cactus.

“How’d y’all get that plan together like that,” Michaela asks, pointing a fry at Bi and Wardog.

“Well, I’m just a huge basketball fan,” Wardog explains, “so I know how to put a play together.”

“And I’m small & quick, so it’s easy to get around people,” Bi says. “It’s kind of what I do in the ring. Couldn’t have done it without your takedown of Lauren though. Let’s be honest.”

“Well, I knew to win, I was gonna have to take her out, so I did,” Michaela explains.

“That’s right,” Bi says, pointing a fry back at Michaela.

“So, Bi” Jerri asks, “where do things stand with your side?”

“Oh, there’s no sides. I’m not aligned with anyone.”

“Sure,” Jerri says.

“So, here’s where my head’s at,” Bi continues, “We need to ensure a winner doesn’t make it to the end.”

“So, you want Ben,” Michaela states.

“Honestly, I think any of us could beat Ben in the end,” Colby says.

“Yeah,” Jerri agrees, “Nobody’s going to vote for a winner to win again.”

“Who’d you vote for in Heroes vs Villains, Jerri?”

“Parvati,” Jerri says.

“Who’d you vote for, Colby?”

“Sandra.”

“But, nobody’s going to vote for a winner to win again?”

“Okay,” Colby says, “I see your point, but can we get the numbers?”

“Well,” Bi says, “That’s where Wardog comes in.”

Wardog reaches into his bag and pulls out his extra vote, shimmying his shoulders as he reveals it. Bi dances in place while Wardog holds the blank parchment in front of him.

“What is that,” Colby asks with a mouthful of beans.

“An Extra Vote, Coooaalbee,” Wardog says in a singsong-y voice.

“Meaning,” Colby asks.

“We have six votes,” Bi tells him.

“All of em on Ben?”

“We have to do it now, before he tries to pull any idol shenanigans later in the game,” Bi warns.

“He already has,” Michaela says, “He played one at our first tribal on Tsitsistas, remember? Lisa went home.”

Bi points at Michaela with a fry and looks at everyone else, “See?”

“How do we know he’s not going to do the same thing this time?”

“If he had it, he would have played it the night Todd went home,” Wardog says.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cedar waxwing picks the few remaining berries from a tree branch.

Back in town, Kass, Ken, Lauren, Ben and Wendy sit around the fire and wallow in sadness after their loss.

“I’m sorry, guys,” Kass says to Ken and Lauren, “I really wanted to give you two a nice reward together.”

“Oh, no worries,” Ken says.

“Yeah, but thank you,” Lauren says.

“Should we discuss who we’re targeting,” Ben asks slowly while he adds more wood to the fire.

“You already know who I wanna see go,” Lauren says.

“Wardog,” Kass asks.

Lauren and Wendy nod.

Kass shrugs her shoulders, “Sure.”

Ben agrees.

Lauren turns to Ken, “Do you think you can get Michaela?”

“Uh, yeah, probably,” slowly looking up to her from the fire.

“Perfect!”

When the reward winners return, they’re welcomed back with open arms. Ken and Michaela make their way upstairs to talk.

“How was the reward,” Ken asks.

“Delicious,” she says with a satisfied grin as she falls back on the cot, “Man, I don’t know if it’s because I’m starving or what but I horfed those fries down like they were water. How were things here?”

“That’s great. Things here were more of the same, you know, Lauren’s targeting Wardog again.”

“I’m not worried about Wardog.”

“Who did you guys target?”

“Ben.”

“Why Ben?”

“Bi’s worried he’ll win again if he gets to the end.”

“Do you think he would?”

“I don’t know, but this may be our only opportunity to take him out before he goes on an idol spree.”

“Lauren’s gonna be mad if I go against her.”

“It’s your decision, man,” Michaela says as she fidgets with the rusty window lock. “Have you had a chance to talk to her about your boundaries and all that yet?”

“No, I’m going to on our ride tonight.”

“Sounds like a plan. Good luck, man.”

“Thanks,” Ken says, “I think I’m just gonna rest until then.”

“Sounds good,” she says before leaving the room.

“Honestly,” Michaela says in a talking head, “It doesn’t matter to me if Ben or Wardog goes. I just hope Ken and I are on the same page.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a momma bird feeds her young.

Kass stirs some beans over the fire. She and Ben have been joined by Colby and Jerri. “Oh, I don’t think I could stomach another bean right now,” Colby says, holding his stomach.

“That’s good, because we’re running low,” Kass tells him.

“How low,” Jerri asks.

“We’re gonna need to cut back. One pot in the morning and one in the evening.”

“Oh, no way,” Ben says, “Beans is good protein.”

“I don’t know what to tell you man,” Kass says, “We don’t have another option.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a rabbit finds shelter in a small cave.

As the sun begins to set, Ken makes his way to the front of the saloon where he unties his horse and waits for Lauren. When the orange of the sky is its most burnt, Lauren trots up next to Ken.

“Ready,” Ken asks with an uncharacteristic curtness.

“Yeah, what’s up? Are you alright?”

“We just need to talk.”

“Yeah,” Lauren says, “of course.”

“About the other night.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve really enjoyed these rides with you, Lauren,” he says as the horses begin to gallop.

“Me too,” she says, confused and afraid she’s about to be broken up with.

“But the other night, you started talking game out here. We had agreed to not do that when it’s just us.”

“Yeah, yeah, right. I’m sorry. I know. We had before and it’s just so easy to get caught up in the game. I wasn’t thinking.”

“I know. This game is omnipresent, but getting to know you outside of the game has been wonderful and I’m afraid if we don’t re-establish this, we’re going to lose that bright spot of this experience.”

“Yeah, absolutely Ken. I hear you.”

“You’re sure? I need to know I can trust you.”

“Of course Ken. You can trust me,” Lauren says, placing her hand on his arm. As it drops, their pinkies interlock for more than just a moment.

As the sun rises, a wren chirps from a cactus somewhere in the Mojave Desert.

The next morning, Ben, Lauren and Ken wake in their room above the saloon, make their way down the rickety stairs, and take the long stroll through the sand for tree mail.

“Ben” Ken says, “You don’t have an idol, do you?”

“Why do you ask? Do you need one?”

“No, but you might.”

“They’re targeting me?”

“Sounds like it.”

“Who is?”

“Everyone who went on the reward.”

“Oh, shucks. Alright, fine,” he says as he reaches into his pocket, “Wardog’s going home tonight, alright?”

He shows them his genuine gold immunity idol.

Lauren breathes a sigh of relief as Ken says, “alright.”

When the trio returns from the tree, the rest of the tribe is anxiously awaiting the clue to their next immunity challenge. Ben breaks the red wax sealing the envelope and looks over the coarse paper.

“It’s just a bunch of symbols,” Ben tells the tribe.

Colby looks up at him and reaches for the letter, which Ben voluntarily hands over.

“It’s a Bag of Coins, a Barrel, a bottle of Whiskey, a Six Shooter, a Noose, and the Skull of an ox it looks like,” Colby says before holding the letter up for all to see. “This mean anything to anyone?”

“All it means to me,” Michaela says in a talking head, showing the tree mail off, “is I’m winning. Look at this. Bag of coins, Money- M, a Barrel- B, a bottle of Whiskey- W, a six shooter, also known as an Iron in the old west- I, and then a Noose, and a Skull, NS-  M. B. W. I. N. S. What’s that spell? M.B. Wins! Who’s M.B.? That’s me, baby,” she says with a huge grin on her face.

At high noon, the eleven castaways meet Jeff for the immunity challenge. He sits on the back of his clydesdale and says, “Today’s challenge will test your mind. I will show you a series of images related to the Wild West. You’re going to repeat them back to me. If you get it right, you will stay alive. Get it wrong, and you’re out. Last person left standing, wins immunity and has a one in TEN shot at winning this game. We’ll draw for spots and get started.”

Each castaway takes their place behind a cube with the six symbols, coins, barrel, whiskey, gun, noose, skull. Jeff shows the first grouping. The images are branded on squares of deer hide. “Coins, Barrel, Whiskey, Pistol, Noose, Skull.” Jeff says, “You may remember this as your tree mail today.” 

Everyone looks over their cubes and places the coins forward. Jeff looks them over, “Everyone says Coins. Correct answer is: Coins.”

He instructs them to move on to the next image, everyone puts up Barrel. He asks for the third image, which everyone is able to produce. On the fourth image, everyone puts up the pistol except Jerri and Bi, who present a noose. “Correct Answer is: Pistol.”

Jerri and Bi take their seats on the bench while everyone else searches their cubes for the next image. Ben, Lauren and Ken all present the oxen’s skull while everyone else show’s Jeff the noose. “Correct Answer is noose.”

They all find the sixth image without fail. Jeff then presents the next group of images. “Skull, Whiskey, Pistol, Barrel, Noose, Whiskey, Coins.”

The remaining castaways all show Jeff the skull. On the second image, everyone shows the whiskey, then the pistol. For the fourth image, Colby and Kass show the Noose. Wendy, Wardog and Michaela show the barrel. “Correct answer is,” Jeff says, “Barrel.”

Colby and Kass sit with the rest of the tribe while Michaela, Wardog and Wendy continue correctly presenting the answers. All three of them make it to the final image of the round. Michaela and Wardog both present a pistol. Wendy is alone in presenting coins. Jeff says, “Michaela and Wardog both say Pistol. Wendy says Coins.” Wendy looks over at the other two answers and drops her head in shame atop her cube.

“If Wendy’s right, she wins,” Jeff continues, “If she’s wrong, the challenge continues and Wardog or Michaela will win. Correct answer is:”

Wendy peeks up from her cube with one eye.

“Coins.”

Wendy lifts her head but her jaw remains on the ground.

“Wendy wins immunity,” Jeff announces.

Wardog and Michaela give her congratulatory hugs and Wardog tells her “Well done.”

She skips to Jeff and excitedly tells him “I’ve never won immunity,” while he puts the bandolier over her shoulder.

“Never?”

“Well, never first place!!”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tumbleweed blows with no destination.

Back at camp, everyone congratulates Wendy on her win. Ken catches Michaela’s eye and asks if she wants to play cards. She does, so they go to a corner table in the saloon out of earshot of anyone else. Michaela begins shuffling the cards and asks, “What’s up?”

“Ben has an idol,” Ken tells her.

“Okay. You’re sure?”

“He showed me it.”

“Okay, you’re still voting Wardog?”

“I mean…”

“So, things are good with y’all?”

“Yeah, we just talked about it and it’s cool now.”

“That’s cool, man.”

“Yeah, it is cool.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a carpenter bee buzzes around a wooden fence.

Bi and Kass sit around the fire. They watch Jerri and Wendy on the side of the saloon tease Colby about having yet to win immunity. The two women pass the bandolier between one another trying it on and gauging Colby’s reaction, roasting him no matter what he says.

“Wendy’s building herself quite the resume, huh,” Kass floats.

“Sure is,” Bi agrees.

“Seems like something to keep an eye on.”

Michaela approaches the fire. Her movement catches Bi’s eye. Michaela glances over to Kass and Bi says, “Michaela, Sit sista!”

“Michaela, how are you,” Kass asks.

“I’m fine, Kass,” Michaela tells her, “How are you voting tonight?”

“I am open to options. What are you proposing?

“Ben has an idol.”

“So we flush it. Bada bing bada boom.”

“So, who are you voting for then?”

“I believe the plan is Wardog.”

“If we shoot for Ben and hit Wardog, I ain’t losing sleep.”

“I’d rather it not be Wardog,” Bi says.

“Who do you propose then,” Kass asks.

“I don’t care. Just not us and not Wardog.”

“Sounds good to me,” Kass says as she gets up to join Colby, Jerri, Wendy and now Ben.

Once out of earshot, Bi tells Michaela, “Don’t worry about her. And don’t worry about the idol.”

“Why not?”

Bi has drawn a sheriff’s badge in the sand and looks up at Michaela.

“What’s that,” Michaela asks.

“The Idol Nullifier. Wardog is the only other one who knows about it.”

“Oh, this is good.”

“Wardog’s playing that extra vote tonight either way. If I get the sense Ben’s gonna play his idol, I’m playing this when I vote.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, the sun beats the land.

Kass has joined in the teasing of Colby, despite having not won immunity. Colby tosses horseshoes as the other four trade quips. Without looking at any of them he says, “I still hold the record for most immunity wins in a single season.”

“Yeah, but Wendy and I have each won one,” Jerri says, “so that means we’re only what… Wendy do you know?”

“I think four,” she says with a grin and a head tilt.

“Four away from tying Colby’s record?”

“Yeah, and we’ve got waaay more than four immunities left,” Wendy points out.

“Plus, like a million people have tied you for that record,” Kass reminds him.

“I don’t see you trying to that record, Kass.”

“Well, Colby, I don’t need to win challenges.”

“Oh no, why’s that?”

“I just don’t rely on challenge wins to get to the end.”

“Oh,” Colby laughs, “and how do you get to the end. Oh that’s right, you’ve never made it to the end. Only I have!”

“Me too, missy!” Ben reminds them.

“That’s right,” Colby yells, his head getting more red with every word, “only me and my main man Ben have made it!”

He high fives Ben aggressively. The joking tone seems to slip away.

“Colby, dude,” Jerri says, “you need to chill.”

He takes a step forward and nearly loses his balance.

“I’m sorry, Kass,” he says rubbing his temples, “I’m sorry guys.”

“Are you alright, man,” Ben asks.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. I just- It’s just the heat. It’s...”

“Let’s have you go lie down, okay,” Jerri says before putting the exhausted Colby’s arm over her shoulder.

“Here,” Wendy says, holding the skeleton key in front of her, “He can stay in the immunity suite until he feels better!”

“Thanks Wendy,” Jerri says, taking the key and heading inside with Colby.

“Well,” Kass starts, “this is awkward. I came over here to try to target Colby.”

“We can’t target Colby,” Wendy yells.

“Yeah, not after that,” Ben says, “the desert can be a dangerous place. When I served in Iraq--”

“We know,” Kass says before he can start his story.

“I’m just glad Jerri was there to help,” Wendy says.

As the sun begins to set, Lauren puts her riding boots on while Ken does the same next to her. She holds her hand out, spreading the fingers, and asks, “You’re all in on Wardog?”

“One hundred percent,” he says, clasping her hand with his. The two get up and stroll to their horses. They see Jerri and a refreshed Colby untying their horses when they make their way outside. The rest of the tribe joins them as the shadows in town become long.

They ride toward the horizon and meet Jeff Probst outside the cave. They take their seats around the campfire before Jeff introduces the jury, who ride in on three majestic akhal-tekes. The horses form a triangle for their riders to observe the tribal council.

“Wendy,” Jeff begins, “How does that bandolier feel over your shoulder.”

“Oh, Jeff,” Wendy says, “This is a brand new experience for me! It’s exciting! But this is heavy.”

“Hey, I’ll hold on to it for ya,” Ben jokes.

“Nooooooooo,” Wendy giggles, shaking her head slowly.

“You worried you need immunity tonight,” Jeff asks.

“My name wouldn’t be Ben Driebergen if I weren’t afraid of going home. But, there’s a reason I’m a winner.”

“Cause you got idols up the whazoo,” Michaela says.

“No, no, no, that’s not it. Because I know how to win. I don’t see anyone else on this tribe who’s won. Todd’s the only one and he’s out.”

“So, Ben is the next logical choice, Michaela,” Jeff asks.

“I think a lot of people don’t want to see a winner get to the end again, but a lot of people don’t see Ben as a threat based on his first game. But, I don’t think anyone’s gonna let a winner win again.”

“Then why isn’t Todd still in the game,” Ben yells.

“Todd coulda won again,” Michaela says.

“But I can’t?”

Michaela gives him a look that says, “you tell me.”

“Wardog,” Jeff says, “do you think Ben’s got a reason to be concerned?”

“Oh, sure. We’ve all got reason to be concerned.”

“Especially if you’re working with Wardog,” Lauren says.

“Why do you say that, Lauren,” Jeff asks.

“I have been banging this drum for so long and it seems like it’s finally gained some traction, but there’s some people who are still dragging their feet and to those people, I just want to say, Wardog is going to turn on you, I promise you.” Lauren warns.

“Do you know who Lauren’s talking about, Bi,” Jeff asks.

“Oh sure, and they know who they are too. But, lemme just say, everybody’s gotta turn on somebody at some point or this isn’t Survivor, right?”

“So, based on your answer, I’m assuming Wardog isn’t a concern of yours?”

“Jeff!” Wardog nervously laughs, “Are you trying to get me voted out?”

“I’m just trying to figure out where everyone’s heads are at.”

“I can tell you, Jeff,” Kass says.

“Enlighten me, Kass,” Jeff says with a huge grin as he crosses his legs and turns his attention to her.

“Everyone’s trying to weigh the damage of Ben playing an idol vs the damage Wardog might cause if he makes it any further. We’re gonna find out one way or another.”

“Alright. With that, it is--”

“Uh, Jeff,” Wardog says, holding one finger in the air while reaching into his bag, “I found this on Day One. It’s an extra vote and I’d like to use it now.”

Ben buries his head in his hands. Lauren grins in excitement, ready to see Wardog make a fool of himself and go home.

“Alright, Wardog, go ahead,” Jeff says.

Wardog heads into the cave and casts his two votes. Lauren casts her vote for Wardog, waving goodbye. Ben casts his vote for Wardog. The rest of the tribe follows. Jeff then tallies the votes and returns, “If anyone has a hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play it... now would be the time to do so.”

“You know what,” Ben announces, “I did use a lot of idols to win. Y’all are right to say that.” 

He digs into his bag, tossing anything that is not his idol to the ground. He finds the gold nugget and hands it to Jeff who accepts it. Ben returns to his seat, stares at Michaela from across the fire. He continues, “But you gotta remember, missy, I know how to win.”

“This is a hidden immunity idol,” Jeff says, “And this,” he pulls from the urn a sheriff’s badge, “is the idol nullifier and it was played on,” he spins the badge around to reveal, “Ben. Any votes cast for Ben will still count.”

“Dammit,” Ben mutters under his breath.

Lauren folds her hands together and rests her forehead on her pronounced knuckles.

“First vote, Wardog, Wardog, Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben” Ben begins to collect his things, “Wardog, Wardog Wardog.” 

Everyone waits for the tenth vote. Perhaps Lauren’s cry got enough people on her side that the extra vote didn’t make a difference and the idol nullifier would be a bust. Maybe. Jeff unfolds the tenth vote, and reads it aloud, “Ben.”

Lauren bites her thumbs and begins to bounce her heel. Jeff continues, “Eleventh person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and fourth member of our jury, Ben.”

“Daggumit,” he says as he collects his torch. 

As Ben walks to Jeff and his snuffer, Michaela tells him, “I ain’t Missy, Todd.”

Ben mutters something incomprehensible and Todd lets out an involuntary snort from the back of his akhal-teke.

“Ben,” Jeff tells him, “The tribe has spoken.”

Ben grabs his horse’s reins and they walk off into the horizon until the tribe can no longer make them out. Jeff turns back to the tribe, “Well, a lot of ammunition was used but it seems sides have been taken. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

The remaining castaways return to their horses and ride back to town. The final votes were Ben, Wendy, Kass, Lauren and Ken for Wardog. Michaela, Colby, Jerri, Bi and both of Wardog’s votes for Ben.

Read Episode 11 here

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 9 - I’m My Own Girl

Returning from Tribal Council Russell ties his horse to the saloon and turns back toward his tribemates to say, “So, everyone voted for Todd but me?”

“That was the plan from the very beginning, Russell,” Kass reminds him. “I don’t know why you had to go trying to screw things up.”

“I’m not screwing anything up!”

“Clearly,” Kass smirks.

Russell storms off to the inn above the saloon. The rest of the tribe chuckles as he leaves.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a kangaroo rat’s eyes glow as she scurries around.

The next morning, the tribe reads the tree mail. Colby clears his throat as the residents of their small ghost town gather round.

“gun,” Ben finishes.

When their shadows are their smallest, the Cheynne tribe finds Jeff behind the saloon. Painted on the wall is a silhouette of a cowboy on horseback. The horse is grey with the number one printed on it. The cowboy is black with the number two printed on it. The cowboy’s head is yellow with the number three. The tan hat is worth four points and the cowboy’s red heart is five. Jeff tells them they will split into two randomly selected teams. He places two six-shooters, one with a teal grip and one with an orange grip, on the wooden stand in front of the silhouette. “Each person has one shot at the cowboy and his horse. The team who scores highest, wins reward. A breakfast buffet with sausage and eggs and bacon, biscuits and gravy, pancakes and syrup and of course, beans.”

Everyone cheers, especially when the beans are mentioned. The team wearing teal is Russell, Wardog, Ken, Bi, and Ben. The team wearing orange is Michaela, Jerri, Colby, Kass, and Wendy. Lauren draws neither and sits out.

Russell fires first. He takes aim and hits the cowboy in the leg. A teal gel is left where the bullet strikes, giving them two points. Michaela takes the first shot for the orange team. Her orange bullet explodes on the cowboys head, giving them a 3-2 lead. Wardog takes a shot and hits between the horse’s legs and its chest, giving them zero points. It’s 3-2 as Jerri takes her shot and hits the cowboy’s chest. The score 5-2 as Ken takes a deep breath, steadies his arm, knowing exactly where he’s aiming, he fires and hits the hat, giving the teal team a 6-5 lead. Colby fires and just barely knicks the cowboy’s leg. The score is now 7-6. Ben lines up his shot and everyone gets quiet. He pulls the trigger and the bullet hits the edge of the cowboy’s heart, giving them five more points. The score is 11-7 when Kass takes her shot. She hits the cowboy in his ribs, giving them two more points. Wendy takes her shot and hits the cowboy in the leg, covering Russel’s shot. The score is 11-11. Bi picks up the gun, lines up her shot and asks Jeff, “What do I need to win?”

“One point.”

“Oh, easy.” She fires. Her bullet explodes in the exact center of the cowboy’s heart, winning reward for her team.

“But five will do,” Jeff continues.

“Killher Bee!” Wardog yells as their team celebrates.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a swallowtail floats through the dry air with grace.

The teal team find themselves at a long table set up in a small cave. A pile of pancakes wider than any one of them sits as a centerpiece within a mountain of scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon. A ring of biscuits lines the mountain. The peak of the mountain is decorated with deviled eggs, each dashed with just enough paprika to give the ensemble that pop of red any good Cave Breakfast requires. At the end of the long table is a plate of beans on a warmer. The five castaways take their seats. Russell looks over his compatriots, tucks his napkin into his collar and folds his hands in his lap before touching his food.

Wardog makes an argument against Kass again, but it doesn’t gain much traction. Then Russell speaks up, “I’m glad to have you all here. I’m sure you all know my game. And I’m sure you all know how well that’s done me. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since Brandon left. Who I am, who he thought I was, who I want to be. I am turning a new leaf. I am becoming a new man. I want to play an honest game.”

“So, what are you suggesting,” Bi asks.

“The five of us come together. Ken can bring in Lauren and then we have the upperhand for the rest of the game.”

“Who do you want to take out, Russell,” Ben asks.

“Wendy. She has proved to me time and time again, she is not trustworthy. I want to play a game based on trust. I know you two are close, Wardog, but you gotta think about your future in this game and Wendy ain’t it.”

“That works for me,” Bi says, licking deviled egg yolk from her thumb.

“Ken, can you get Lauren, Ken” Russell asks.

“Yeah, I think so,” he says.

“Ben?”

“I’m in,” he says.

“Wardog?”

“I hate to go against Wendy, but I’m in,” he admits.

Russell says in a talking head, “And they say Survivor’s hard.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a goldfinch sits atop a willow tree.

Back in town, Lauren, Kass, Michaela, Jerri, Colby, and Wendy sit around the fire and boil some beans.

“Do you guys want to talk about who to target,” Kass asks.

“Is anyone close with Bi,” Colby asks.

“I’d rather see Wardog go to be honest,” Lauren says, “I know he’s itching to make a move. He’s going to do something that blows up everyone’s game soon. I promise you.”

“I’m good with that,” Michaela says and everyone around the fire comes to an easy consensus.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a scorpion hides between two rocks.

After the beans they considered lunch, Kass and Jerri wash dishes in the sink in the inn’s kitchen when Wendy and Lauren walk in. They sit at the rickety wooden table in the corner.

“So, you two are really on board with voting Wardog,” Jerri asks as she looks into the pot she’s drying.

“Absolutely,” Lauren says.

“I’ve wanted him out since I saw he was here,” Wendy says.

“I’m surprised you three don’t have some Edge of Extinction alliance,” Kass says while she rinses the dishes in the sink.

“No way,” Wendy assures her through a hiccup.

“Well, that’s good to hear,” Jerri says.

“What about your friend, Lauren,” Kass asks, passing a freshly cleaned bowl to Jerri to dry.

“We’re just friends. That’s it.”

Jerri turns around and raises a single eyebrow to Lauren then looks back to Kass. They share a snicker before returning to dishwashing.

“So, when are you gonna cut him loose,” Kass asks Lauren.

“Well, I think the four of us would be a strong final four, so I could use him up until five?”

“I think Final Five is a good time for the Ken & Barbie story to end.”

“He actually doesn’t like to be called that,” Lauren says.

“What,” Jerri says.

“Isn’t that his name,” Wendy asks.

“Yeah, no but like the barbie doll, he doesn’t like that.” Lauren explains.

“Okay,” Jerri says as she dries the last dish.

“Oh my god,” Lauren says in a talking head, “That was so stressful. I felt like a teenager bringing a boy home for the first time.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cottontail rabbit hops up to and munches on a plant under a log.

The winning team returns to camp with enough leftovers for the rest of the tribe to eat for the day. Russell immediately finds Jerri and the two head to The Oasis for water.

“What’s going on,” Russell asks.

“We’re targeting Wardog.”

“Wardog? Why?”

“It’s what Lauren and Wendy wanted.”

“Hmm. Interesting,” Russell says, scratching his head.

“Who did you target?”

Russell looks up at her, apologizing with his eyes before mouthing, “Wendy.”

“No, why?!”

“It was the consensus.”

“Fuck,” she says, massaging her temples, “Okay. Fine.”

“Really, you’re fine with it?”

“Yeah, I mean, it’s a massive wrench in my plan, but it’s fine.”

“I thought you’d be more mad. Isn’t that your girl?”

“I’m Jerri Manthey,” she says with a grin, “I’m my own girl.”

Russell smiles a real big, proud smile back to her.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, the shadows of rocks grow and shrink as the sun rises and sets.

Michaela finds Ken in the inn. He’s laying down on a cot after a hard day of eating and chatting on the reward.

“How was the reward,” she asks.

“Oh, It was great,” he says, “Oh my god. I think I ate too much.”

“Where’s everyone’s head at?”

“Looks like Wendy’s the target. I’m supposed to get Lauren to come over to our side.”

“Cause y’all are shacking up?”

“Shacking up?”

“Or whatever you’re calling it.”

“We’re just friends.”

“Right. Sure. I know y’all are just waiting for the opportunity to take Ben out so you can get this room to yourselves.”

“I mean, it’s not our number one priority…”

“But...”

“It’s been brought up.”

“Ha! Y’all are nasty.”

Ken just shrugs his shoulders.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a coyote howls as it crosses a path left by a roadrunner.

Wardog finds Lauren sitting with her horse at the fire just before the sunset. She holds the reins in her fist beside her.

“Hey, Lauren,” Wardog says as he sits next to her, “I gotta talk to you.”

“Yes, Wardog?”

“I know you me and Wendy were supposed to be working together but,”

“What did you do Wardog?”

“Wendy’s the target.”

“What? Since when?”

“Since the reward, we all got together and decided to vote Wendy because she’s untrustworthy.”

“What?”

“That’s what Russell said.”

“Why are you listening to Russell? You know who he is.”

“No, he said he’s turned a new leaf.”

“Wardog. Come on. Don’t be stupid.”

“So, who are you voting for?”

“Russell! Obviously,” Lauren says, rolling her eyes and looking back at the fire.

“Okay, okay, okay,” Wardog says as he runs the plan through his head.

Ken approaches on his horse and reaches a hand to Lauren, “m’lady,” he says as she takes his hand and climbs atop her horse. The two ride off as the sun descends and the sky turns from blue to orange to pink and violet. Far from ear shot, as the stars become visible, Lauren tells Ken, “I know we agreed to not talk about the game on these walks, but I have to tell you, I can’t vote for Wendy.”

“So, who are we targeting instead?”

“Wardog.”

“What’s Wardog ever done?”

“Nothing. That’s my point. He’s going to do something soon if someone doesn’t take him out.”

“What if he wins immunity.”

“Have you seen Wardog in challenges? He’s not winning immunity.”

Somewhere under the Mojave Night Sky, a ringtail cat stands alert.

The next morning, Colby rouses the tribe and gathers them around the fire to read them the day’s tree mail.

At high noon, Cheyenne rides their horses out to the challenge where they meet Jeff. He stands in front of 11 balance beams. 

“For today’s challenge,” he explains, “each of you will stand on a beam while balancing a ball as it races around a ring. If your ball drops or you drop, you’re out. Last person standing wins immunity, and, as you have all informed me, has exclusive access to the immunity suite.” 

He holds up the rusty old key and tucks it into a pocket inside the bandolier.

Everyone takes their place and begins spinning the ball. Once everyone finds their rhythm, Jeff announces the challenge has begun. Almost immediately, the ball clips Wardog’s finger and he falls off the beam. Michaela drops soon after, then Kass, then Ben, all within a few seconds of each other. Russell loses his rhythm for a moment but is able to gain it back for a few moments before succumbing to the sound of wood scraping against wood. Colby loses focus and drops his ball. Ken, Lauren, Bi, Wendy and Jerri remain. Ken’s ball increases in speed with each rotation. Next to him is Lauren, who instinctively matches his speed. It eventually becomes too fast for either of them to control and they drop out one right after the other. Jerri, Wendy and Bi remain. All three women have found a concentrated rhythm.

Jeff announces they must move to the next smallest section of the beam. Once they do, Jerri easily finds her rhythm again, followed by Wendy. Bi is unable to find her speed again and drops out. Jeff notices Russell grinning.

“What are you so happy about,” Jeff asks.

“It’s both my girls up there. I’m good either way.”

“You don’t think you’d be good if Bi won?”

“Let’s just say, I’m more good with one of them two winning. I know they got me.”

“That’s right, Russ,” Jerri says, not breaking her concentration, “We got you.”

Wendy loses her concentration after a high pitched tic, forcing her ball to the ground.

“Jerri wins immunity,” Jeff yells.

Jerri quickly drops her ball to check on Wendy. Wendy tells her she’s fine. Jerri kisses the top of her head and cuddles her under her shoulder.

In a talking head, Wardog says, “I gotta choose between Wendy and Russell. I’ve played with Wendy but that’s the past. I gotta worry about my own future. Wendy’s my past and Russell’s my future.”

After the challenge, everyone congratulates Jerri on her win as she hangs the bandolier over the bar in the saloon. At the bar, Colby, Ken and Jerri all take a seat. Jerri spins around, tips her hat back and asks in an exaggerated drawl, “What can I get y’all?”

“Y’all got any sarsaparilla,” Colby asks, mirroring her charm.

“Darn tootin we do!”

“What are you guys doing,” Michaela asks with disdain as she takes a seat next to Ken.

Jerri and Colby giggle together like teenagers while Jerri pours each of them a whiskey. As she passes each of them a tumblr of the brown stuff, she asks, “So, it’s Wardog tonight, yeah?”

“I don’t know, Jerri,” Michaela says, “I’ve thought about it a lot and I think we’re pissing off less people with Wendy.”

“But, who cares about Wardog?”

“It’s just not the time,” Ken says.

“We can take him out at any time,” Michaela assures her.

“Colby,” Jerri asks for support.

“I just don’t think it’s worth the effort to save her,” he says.

“Fine,” Jerri mutters.

She downs her drink and walks upstairs. In one of the bedrooms, Jerri finds Kass resting. Jerri falls back on the creaky mattress. Her greying brown curls fall over the pillow as she groans.

“They’re targeting Wendy,” she says with her face in her hands.

“Do they have the numbers?”

“I think so.”

“Well that really throws a wrench in our plan, huh?”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“What is Lauren thinking?”

“She doesn’t want to vote for Wendy.”

“You don’t have an idol for her?”

“No, I don’t...”

“Well, that is unfortunate.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a spider jumps over a crevice between two rocks as it builds its web.

As the sky takes on an orange hue, Ken and Lauren work on the fire when Jerri approaches them.

“Hey guys,” she says.

“What’s up Jerri,” Lauren says.

“Hey Jerri,” Ken says.

“So, you know it’s Wendy?”

“I heard.”

“You’re definitely voting for Wendy, Lauren?”

“I mean, what’s my vote for Wardog gonna do?”

Jerri gets up from the fire and wanders through the town until she finds Wendy doing the same.

“Wendy,” Jerri calls over.

“Jerri, hi.”

“Who are you voting for tonight?”

“Wardog, isn’t that the plan?”

“No, listen to me. Don’t waste your vote on Wardog, unless you want to. You have an opportunity to take out whoever you want in this game with your vote.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re gonna need to play your idol.”

“I don’t have an idol.”

“I know you do.”

“How do you know?”

“Because when I asked you if Hannah had an idol, your eyes darted around the same way they did just now. The votes are coming your way. All of them.”

“What do I do?”

“Play your idol. Take out whoever you want.”

“Whoever I want?”

“Whoever you want.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a leopard lizard rests on the side of a rock formation.

With the moon now lighting the desert town, the tribe rides out to Tribal Council. Jeff takes his usual seat at the head of fire while the remaining members of Cheyenne gather around. Todd and Elizabeth ride in on two gallant and gold akhal-tekes. The horses stand across from each other, as their riders preside over tribal council.

“Ben,” Jeff begins, “you mentioned at last tribal council, you felt there was a target on your back for having won before. Do you still feel that’s true?”

“Oh, yessir. Of course. I imagine there will always be a target on my back.”

“Do you agree, Michaela, will there always be a target on Ben’s back?”

“I don’t think so. If we take out Ben, then do we take out Colby and Russ next because they did the next best? Nah, you know that’s not how this game works.”

“Colby, do you feel targeted?”

“Well, sure. I’ve done well in Survivor, why shouldn’t I be considered a threat, but this game’s evolved. It’s so much more than building strong relationships with people. I don’t know that I can navigate this new advantage-heavy game.”

“Russell, how do you feel you fare in this next evolution of Survivor?”

“Well, clearly I’m still a threat or else Michaela wouldn’ta said my name!”

“I think at this point, Jeff,” Kass says, “It’s fair to say everyone’s a threat.”

“That’s the thing about Survivor,” Bi says, “Anyone can win.”

“Can anyone win, Survivor, Ken?”

“Yeah, you could say that.”

“Lauren, do you believe anyone can win Survivor?”

“With the right amount of tact and luck, I think anyone could win Survivor, yes.”

“Wendy, do you think you could win Survivor?”

“Oh, I really hope so, Jeff,” Wendy says with a smile wider than her cheeks should allow.

“Alright, with that, it is time to vote. Wardog, you’re up first.”

Wardog makes his way from the campfire into the cave and the voting booth inside. He holds up a begrudging vote for Wendy and just says, “Sorry.” Colby makes his vote. He’s seen writing a “W” before fading to Russell. He proudly writes Wendy’s name, holds it just over the urn, leans his elbows on the stand, and says, ”You never should have turned your back on me.”

Wendy makes her way to the voting booth and contemplates her vote for a good while. Jeff turns around and peers into the cave after a few minutes to see Wendy briskly walking back to her seat.

“I’ll go tally the votes.” Jeff walks into the cave and returns with the urn full of votes. He sets it upon the rock he’s stood behind and says, “If anyone has a hidden immunity idol and you would like to play it, now is the time to do so.”

Wendy looks over at Jerri who’s staring back with her eyebrows raised as high as they’ll go.

“Jeff,” Wendy exclaims, getting up from her seat. She reaches into her bag and pulls out her gold nugget of an immunity idol. “During the challenge, Russell said that me and Jerri were his girls and I just wanted to tell him,” she turns to Russell before handing the idol to Jeff, “I’m my own girl.” She turns back to Jeff, “I’m playing this for myself.”

Wendy returns to her seat, looks to a beaming Jerri, then to Russell, who’s winning a staring contest with the sand. 

Jeff tells them, “This is a hidden immunity idol. Any votes cast for Wendy will not count. First vote: Wendy. Will not count.”

“Wendy. Will not count. Wendy. Will not count. Wendy. Will not count. Wendy. Will not count. Wendy. Will not count. Wendy. Will not count. Wendy. Will not count. Wendy. Will not count. Wendy. Will not count. Tenth person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and third member of our Jury... Russell.”

The jury and the rest of Cheyenne gasp. Jerri reaches over to Wendy and rubs her shoulder. Wendy smiles a humble, quietly proud smile. Russell grabs his torch, shaking his head, and makes his way to Jeff. His torch is snuffed and he walks away into the night with his small grey horse following close behind him. Jeff gets back on his clydesdale and rides off with Elizabeth and Todd.

“Player got played,” Russell says in his final talking head, “Gotta give her that. I ain’t mad. Great job, Wendy Girl.”

Read Episode 10 here

#survivor #survivor wild west #wild west #jerri manthey #russell hantz #wendy diaz #michaela bradshaw #colby donaldson #kass mcquillen #bi nguyen #wardof #Lauren O'Connell #ken mcnickle #Ben Driebergen

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 8 - Like Looking Through a Time Machine

Suhtai and Tsitsistas meet Jeff at high noon, as they do before every challenge. Jeff sits atop his clydesdale in the desert 20 miles from town. Behind him stand a dozen horses of various sizes and colors. Jeff has a big, infectious smile on his face as the two tribes approach. He tells the two tribes, “Before this land became the America we know today, the Suhtai and Tsitsistas tribes were known to travel together. Then, in the early 19th century, the two tribes merged to become the Cheyenne tribe. And today, you’ll be doing the same. Everybody, drop your buffs.”

The remaining 12 contestants remove their stinky old buffs from their tired bodies. Jeff hands each of them a fresh, tan buff and a small scroll. He says, “I’m sure you’re all wondering what I’m doing with these horses. Well, it wouldn’t be the wild west without a good old fashioned horse race. Each of you has a map to your new camp. First one there wins immunity.”

Each Survivor takes a horse and their place on the starting line. Ben and Colby ride twin black mustangs. Beautiful brown quarter horses are ridden by Wendy, Lauren, Todd, Kass, Ken and Jerri. Michaela chooses the sole white mustang. Wardog & Bi ride two sophisticated grey lipizzans with movie star manes. Russell sits proudly on the back of the grey runt of the litter. This horse, affectionately deemed “Grey,” knows he’s small, but he’s ready to race as hard as he can.

Jeff looks back at the Survivors on their horses from his own horse, “Survivors ready, go!” Every horse begins sprinting in the same direction, straight. After a couple miles, it becomes clear that some horses are just faster than the others. Bi and Wardog’s movie star horsies move like a pair of bullets. Michaela, Ben, Colby and Wendy’s horses are close behind. The other horses fall behind with a lot of ground to make up in the first couple miles. When the finish line becomes visible, Ben yells “Yee haw!” This garners the attention of the grey lipizzans and their riders. They adjust their route to cut off Ben. Meanwhile, Michaela and Colby pull slightly ahead of Jerri. She lowers her shoulders closer to those of her horse in hopes of gaining speed. Her hat falls off her head and flaps in the wind behind her as her bountiful hair bounces. Colby and Michaela’s horses jockey for first place in the last mile. The two survivors dig their heels into their horses and make eye contact as they barrel toward the finish line. Michaela looks up at the finish line and says, “Oh holy shit,” and digs into the horse again, giving her the edge over Colby. He looks up to see what she saw, giving her the opportunity to pull ahead. One second after Michaela won, Colby’s horse passes the finish line. Over the next few minutes, the remaining survivors cross the finish line.

“Michaela wins immunity,” Jeff calls.

Once Lauren finally finds her way across the finish line, Jeff picks up the individual immunity idol and calls Michaela over. He places a bandolier with gold-tipped bullets over her shoulder. “Congratulations to Michaela. As you can see, your new camp is the whole town. You can stay in the saloon, the inn upstairs, the jail, wherever you can find a comfortable place to sleep. And the horses you rode in on, those are your horses now. In the saloon, the merge feast is set for you. Biscuits, beef, venison, coffee, whiskey, dried fruits and meats, pan de campo, and it wouldn’t be the American West without some beans.”

“The magical fruit,” Wardog says to some chuckles from his tribemates and a beaming grin from Jeff.

“Alright, enjoy your feast. I will see you at Tribal Council tomorrow night.”

The survivors tie their horses up to the saloon’s fence and head inside. Todd is the first in the saloon and heads straight for the food. He fills his plate with the various meats and breads. He comes to the beans and stirs them with the provided ladle. As he grabs a bowl, he notices a skeleton key resting in the next bowl. He looks at the group lining up behind him. No one is paying attention, so he grabs the key. As he leaves the spread, Michaela catches his anxious eye. She asks him what’s going on with only her eyebrows and he raises his own with eagerness. Michaela looks back at her plate and continues down the line. The rest of the tribe gets their food and takes their seats around the table.

“First things first,” Ben bellows, “We gotta get a tribe name.”

“Does anyone have any ideas,” Kass asks.

“What was Jeff saying about our two tribes traveling together and then becoming one tribe,” Colby asks.

“They became Cheyenne,” Bi says.

“What about Cheyenne?” Colby asks.

Everyone agrees to the name and begins the usual merge feast conversation. Jerri and Colby are sitting next to each other, finding comfort in their familiarity.

“Jerri, Jerri, Jerri,” Russell says, turning his attention to the two of them, “You’re good with Cheyenne? I thought we were All Villains.”

“Some of us are,” Colby says.

“Ha Ha,” Russell mocks.

“So, you two got along on Tsitsistas,” Jerri asks, already knowing the answer.

“Swimmingly,” Russell says.

Colby doesn’t respond.

“So, who can we pull in from your side?” Russell asks.

“I’m not sure. I was bouncing between the Davids and the Millennials, but we just voted out the last true David from Suhtai, so we’ve probably got a better shot with the millennials. What about Wendy?”

“Wendy’s my girl. I trust her.”

Sitting a couple seats away, not quite out of earshot, Wendy talks to Wardog and Lauren. Wardog’s eyes go bing when he sees the three of them made the merge.

“All three Edgers,” Wardog says.

“Don’t call us that,” Lauren says.

“What’s wrong with Edgers,” Wardog asks.

“It’s just... It just sounds gross,” Lauren tells him.

“What’s gross about it?”

“It reminds me of edging, which is not what I want this alliance to be.”

“You’re not into edging,” Kass asks Lauren, looking up from her beans, then at Ken.

“No, I-- oh my god. No. First of all, we’re not calling ourselves the edgers. Second, Ken and I are just friends.”

“Yeah,” Ken says, “just friends.”

They then turn toward each other from across the table.

“It’s nice to see you again,” Lauren tells him.

“I’m glad to see you too,” Ken assures her. They stare at each other without speaking for long enough that everyone else stops talking as well. Everyone turns their attention to the two hotties. It’s silent in the saloon until Jerri and Colby snort. Everyone at the table breaks into uproarious laughter as Ken and Lauren each sheepishly look back at their plates, occasionally looking back up at each other to exchange flirtatious grins.

As they finish eating, the survivors begin wandering around the town at a more casual pace than the first day. Todd gets Michaela’s attention and the two meet behind the saloon as everyone else unties their horses out front.

“I found this,” Todd says, pulling the skeleton key from his pocket.

“What is it?”

“A key!”

“Yeah, but for what?”

“I don’t know, but we gotta figure it out.”

“Who else knows about this?”

“Only you.”

“Okay, good.”

While everyone else remembers how to mount a horse in front of the saloon, Russell notices Todd and Michaela missing.

“Anyone see where Todd and Michaela went?”

“I haven’t seen them,” Ken says.

Russell looks at Colby and Jerri with a suspicious eye.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, two cottontail rabbits hop across the sand.

With the sun beginning to set, Ken asks Lauren, “Would you like to go for a horseback ride?”

“Absolutely,” she says.

They climb atop their respective horses and ride to the outskirts of town in search of peace and quiet.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a spider leaps over a crevice between two rocks. A thread of silk streams from its body.

Jerri builds a fire in the center of town when Wendy takes a seat on a nearby rock, close enough to keep her in the warm, comfortable glow, “Hey, Jerri.”

“Hey, Wendy. How was everything while I was gone?”

“Well, Russell is pissed at me.”

“For what?”

“He thinks I didn’t vote with him.”

“Did you?”

“Yes!”

“This is just Russell’s strategy. He picks some ‘dumb girl’ and thinks he can just drag them to the end.”

“I’m not dumb.”

“I know. Russell just thinks you are.”

“But, I’m not.”

“I know, honey. You don’t need to worry about him. He’ll get what’s coming to him.”

“I hope so,” Wendy says, staring into the fire.

Far from their now established camp, Ken and Lauren ride under the stars.

“You know there’s gonna be a target on us if we spend too much time together,” Lauren says.

“I know.”

“So, what’s our plan?”

“Stick with Michaela, Colby and Jerri.”

“What about Wendy and Wardog?”

“What about them?”

“They’re my people.”

“So, bring them along. We can take out Kass or Ben right now.”

“I’m worried Ben has an idol.”

“So, Kass then?”

“Sure. Moving forward though, Lauren,” Ken says, “Can we refrain from discussing the game out here? I really like you and I’d like to get to know you outside of the game.”

“Yeah, Ken,”  she says. “That sounds great.”

Michaela and Todd wander through the upstairs area of the saloon, trying every door they can find. The first door they come across is unlocked. Inside is a bedroom with three cots and little else. The second door they try is also unlocked. The windows in the bedroom overlook the town square where they see Kass, Jerri and Wendy sitting around the fire. The room has four cots. They go to the next door and find the same thing. Now, Colby has joined the group around the fire. Lauren and Ken tie their horses back up and join the fire after their ride.

“Wait, that’s only eleven beds. There’s twelve of us,” Todd mentions.

“I guess that answers what the key’s for,” Michaela says.

They leave the third bedroom and walk to the fourth and final door on the second floor of the saloon. As they expected, this door is locked. Todd pulls out the skeleton key and slides it into the keyhole. It unlocks and they walk inside to find a king size bed, complete with blankets and pillows, a full size mirror, and a bowl of peanuts on the bedside table. Todd makes his way to mirror to admire his beard coming in. Michaela falls back into the soft bed. Her head falls onto the pillow, but it’s not as soft as she expected. She picks up the pillow and shakes it loose from the pillowcase. With the pillow drops a fist-sized nugget of gold. Picking the idol up in front of her face, Michaela says, “Todd.”

Todd looks over and sees the gold, “Oh my god. Thank god.”

“No one else knows about this.”

“This is ours.”

“We need to get back.”

Back around the fire, Jerri, Colby, Kass, Lauren, Ken, Bi, Russell, Ben, Wardog and Wendy discuss Todd and Michaela.

“It’s awfully suspicious how long the two of them have been gone,” Russell says.

“Why don’t all ten of us just get together and vote Todd,” Bi says, “Easy. That’s one less winner to worry about.”

“Works for me,” Kass says.

“Quiet,” Ben says when he sees Ken and Michaela walk out of the saloon.

“Well, well, well, where have you two been,” Russell asks.

“We found beds,” Todd exclaims.

“Where,” Kass asks.

“The second floor of the saloon is all bedrooms aaaaand” he pulls out the key, “There’s one room with a king sized bed. I think it’s only fair that we let Michaela stay in that room tonight since she won immunity.”

Russell throws up a hand in exasperation but everyone seems to agree with Todd’s proposal. The Cheyenne tribe all sit together around the fire for the first time. The game seems to melt away as everyone gets to know each other. 

As the moon rises over the desert horizon, the tribe finishes the whiskey leftover from the feast. Far in the distance, a coyote howls and everyone still awake impersonates the animal and laughs together. Colby’s head falls back in an exhausted and gentle laugh. He lands on Jerri’s shoulder, who instinctively rests her cheek on Colby’s head. The two of them look across the fire at Ken and Lauren flirting.

“Look at them,” Colby says as he looks up at Jerri, “Remember that?”

“It’s like looking through a time machine.”

“Is that what we looked like?”

“Oh no. They’re way hotter than we ever were.”

“Fair enough,” Colby laughs.

“We were pretty hot though,” Jerri reminds him.

“Were?”

“Are,” Jerri smiles, “But no, I don’t think we were ever that obvious about it.”

“Maybe not, but people wanted to see it.”

“Oh, I know. But you hated me back then.”

“I never hated you, Jerri.”

“I never hated you either, Colby,” Jerri says as their hands interlace.

Lauren looks over at Colby and chuckles before looking back at Ken. The two of them are still sitting an arm’s length from each other for fear of being “too obvious.”

“Hey Ken,” Lauren whispers.

“Hey Lauren,” Ken says.

“You know how we’re just friends?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Well... I didn’t come here to make friends,” she takes Ken’s hand, leading him into the saloon.

They make their way upstairs and find the first bedroom they can. The door swings open and they hear, “Oh, hey guys.”

“Oh, uh, hey Ben,” Lauren says as she scratches the back of her head, “We were just headed to sleep.”

“Okay. Cool. Me too. Night.”

Lauren looks up at Ken and rolls her eyes. He just smirks and raises his hand like “What can you do?”

Galaxies illuminate the night sky of the Mojave Desert.

The next morning, Bi and Wardog find each other at the fire. They’re the first two awake. Wardog is beyond excited when he sees Bi.

“We made it!”

“Yeah, just don’t bring too much attention to it.”

“Right, right,” Wardog says, “Here come sit down. This is the only place around the fire that gets any real shade.”

“Oh, thanks Wardog,” Bi says as Wardog gets up from his shaded boulder.

“So, you’re all in on Todd,” Wardog asks.

“Yeah, I want the winners out.”

“I get that but you know nobody’s gonna vote for a winner to win again.”

“I don’t know about that,” Russell says, approaching the fire.

“Who do you want instead of Todd, Wardog?”

“Kass. If she gets past this tribal, she’s going to dominate the game. I promise you.”

“I’ve got a shot at Todd and I intend to take it. Are you in?”

“Yeah, sure. Fine.”

“Russell?”

“Alright. I can do Todd.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a bendire's thrasher calls from a tree top.

Kass makes herself some coffee in the saloon when Jerri walks downstairs.

“Good morning,” Kass says.

“Morning,” Jerri says, “We haven’t talked much.”

“We haven’t. We should.”

“Agreed.”

“So, you’re working with Colby?”

“I suppose so.”

“And you guys are all in on Todd?”

“You’re not about to give up someone from your side, are you?”

“We could lose Ben.”

“I’d feel much better about that. Does he have an idol?”

“Only one way to find out.”

Around the fire, Todd notices Ben make his way out of the saloon and nod his head to the side for Todd to come over. The two walk out into the desert.

“You know they’re coming for us,” Ben asks.

“I was afraid of that,” Todd says.

“They’re coming for you first though.”

“What? Why?”

“I don’t know. It was Bi’s idea.”

“I don’t like that. Do you think we can corral anyone to go for Bi?”

“I can talk to Russell,” Ben says, “He and I were working together on Tsitsistas. He’s got Jerri and Wendy.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to Michaela.”

“That’s six.”

“Ken is going to do whatever Michaela tells him to do, so that’s seven.”

“Are you sure? He and Lauren came in last night pretty… uh… hot & heavy.”

“Ugh, of course they did. Is Lauren closely aligned with anyone?”

“Other than Ken, I don’t think so.”

“Okay. We’ve got all day. I think we can do it.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a trailing four o’clock blooms.

Jerri, Colby, Michaela and Ken make their way on horseback to collect the rabbit traps Tsitsistas won.

“Alright guys,” Jerri says, “There’s a new plan. We’re going for Ben now.”

“Why,” Michaela asks.

“We still get a winner out and we still have one more person on our side.”

“Alright, whatever you say, Jerri.”

Ben gets on his horse in search of Russell. He finds him walking through the hills with Wendy and Kass.

“Hey, what’s going on,” he asks, looking down from his horse.

“Just going for a walk,” Russell tells him, “What’s up?”

“How do you feel about Bi?”

“Honestly,” Kass says, “I could take her or leave her.”

“I could vote Bi,” Russell says, “Wendy?”

Kass, Ben and Russell all look at the diminutive Wendy, who quickly nods.

On their ride back to camp Jerri, Michaela, Colby and Ken are cut off by Todd.

“Change of plans, guys. We’re targeting Bi now,” Todd tells them.

“Who is,” Jerri asks.

“Me, Ben, Russell.”

“Russell’s in on this,” Colby asks.

“Yeah, Ben’s talking to him now.”

“Bi then?” Michaela asks.

“Bi. She’s not close with anyone so it’s not gonna piss anyone off and she’s from Tsitsistas, so that only helps us.”

“I’m from Tsitsistas, Todd,” Colby reminds him.

“Yeah, but you’re with us now, aren’t you?”

All four former Suhtai members look at Colby, waiting for a response.

“I’m with y’all,” he finally says, “A hundred percent.”

“So, we’re all voting Bi tonight?” Todd asks, to which everyone nods.

As the sun begins to set and the air begins to cool, Wardog and Bi sit on the balcony atop the saloon. Inside, Jerri teaches Wendy, Lauren, and Michaela how to play Hearts.

“The goal of this game,” Jerri explains as she deals, “is to score the fewest points. You get a point for every heart card you pick up from a winning trick.”

The four women look at their hands and pass three cards to their left. Wendy looks over her cards and asks, “So, you don’t want hearts?”

“No, you want to get rid of hearts,” Jerri explains.

“Okay, because I have a lot of hearts.”

“Do you mind if I look at your hand?”

Wendy holds her cards so everyone can see.

“Okay. One thing you can do with a hand like that is try to collect every heart. If you’re able to obtain all of the hearts, you win. It’s called Shooting the Moon.”

 Colby calls from outside the saloon, loud enough for the entire town to hear, “It’s time for Tribal!”

Everyone gets on their horses and rides to Tribal Council. They take their places around the campfire before Jeff. He greets everyone with his biggest smile of the season.

“It’s nice to see you all here. Let’s bring in the first member of our jury, Elizabeth, voted out at the last tribal council.”

Elizabeth trots in on a golden brown akhal-teke with a black mane. It sits a few feet above Jeff’s shoulder to observe.

“So,” Jeff starts, “How has the merge been thus far?”

“So far, so good,” Bi says. “It’s nice to be able to explore this whole area, not just our initial camps.”

“Has there been any animosity between starting tribes, Ken?”

“Oh, no. Everyone’s been really cool to each other.”

“Yeah,” Todd adds, “I think the story you told us of the Suhtai and the Tsitsistas coming together really inspired us to do the same.”

“Well, that brings me to my next question. What is the merge tribe name?”

“Like Todd said,” Colby says, “We were inspired by the people who came before us, so we decided to honor them and call ourselves Cheyenne.”

“Cheyenne,” Jeff repeats, as if surprised, “I like it. So, on Cheyenne, have people really started playing the game?”

“Oh yeah,” Ben says, “There’s a huge target on our back.”

“Who’s back?”

“Mine and Todd’s.”

“Because you two have won?”

“Haha, yeah Jeff,” Ben chuckles, “No one wants to see a winner get to the end again.”

“So, it’s safe to assume it will be one of you tonight?”

“We tried to put the work in,” Todd explains, “We’ll see if it did any good.”

“Alright, with that, it is time to vote. Wendy, you’re up first.”

Wendy makes her way to the voting booth in the cave and returns to the campfire after a few moments. Bi follows, holding up her vote for Todd. Russell is next and shows his vote for Ben. The rest of the tribe follows suit and Jeff goes to tally the votes. He asks for any idols. The camera cuts to Ben, then Wendy, then Todd, who glances to Michaela. None play an idol. “First vote, Todd.” and Todd’s head drops. “Ben, Ben,” Todd lifts his head again in hope, “Todd, Todd, Todd, Todd” Todd begins collecting his things, “Todd, Ninth Person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and second member of our jury, Todd.”

Todd gets up and says, “Good job, guys,” and hugs everyone goodbye before having his torch snuffed. Everyone voted for Todd except Todd and Russell.

Todd gets on the back of his quarter horse and rides off.

Read Episode 9 here

#Survivor #Survivor Wild West #todd herzog #Ben Driebergen #michaela bradshaw #colby donaldson #Jerri Manthey #russell hantz #Wendy Daiz #kass mcquillen #ken mcnickle #Lauren O'Connell

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 7 - He’s Not My Boyfriend

Suhtai returns to camp. Michaela sets her torch down and turns to Jerri, “Rallying our troops, huh? Does that mean you're against me now, Jerri?”

“I’m not against anyone.”

“Seemed to be against Hannah.”

“Oh please, you knew it was coming.”

“I’m gonna make sure your boyfriend knows what you did.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“But you know who I’m talking about.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a kangaroo rat avoids a pouncing snake.

The next morning, Wendy is trying to reignite the fire after it went out overnight. She’s trying and trying but nothing is lighting. Kass comes up from the shelter behind her. “You need some help, Wendy?”

“No, thank you. I’ve got it.” She strikes the flint a few more times before dropping her head and handing the flint to Kass. Kass crouches next to Wendy and shows her how to hold the flint and how to strike it. She hands it back to Wendy and tells her where to aim it. Wendy does as instructed and voila a flame is born. It builds and shines bright until the the warm light is enveloped by a dark shadow from behind Wendy & Kass. The two women look up to see Russell Hantz illuminated by the flames rising.

“Good morning,” he says, looking down at them.

“Good morning,” Kass and Wendy say as they take their seats back around the fire.

“Great job on the fire, Wendy,” Russell says with a smile as he takes a seat.

“Oh, thanks. Kass helped a lot.”

“Aw, don’t mention it,” she says.

Ben approaches while Tsitsistas gathers to hear him read tree mail.

“These clue’s are becoming less clever,” Lauren says.

“Were they clever to begin with,” Bi asks.

At high noon, both tribes meet outside the saloon to see Jeff in the same corral where they had recently herded cows. This time, he stands with a bull. Tsitsistas takes their spot first. Then Jeff says, “Tsitsistas, getting your first look at the new Suhtai tribe. Hannah voted out at the last tribal council.” Bi looks pleasantly surprised.

“For today’s challenge, everyone will take a ride on this bull here,” Jeff says as he slaps the bovine’s back. “Whoever has the longest time staying on his back, wins reward for their tribe. Want to know what you’re playing for?”

The shocked faces all nod slowly. Jeff no longer holds their attention. That belongs to the bull.

“The winning tribe will receive hamburgers, fries and whiskey back at camp. Tsitsistas, you have one extra member. Gotta sit someone out.”

Kass raises her hand and takes a seat on the bench.

Lauren is the first to take on the bull for Tsitsistas. She wraps her long legs around the bull and grips firm with her thighs. When the bull is released, Lauren is out almost immediately. She falls to the ground and scrapes her shoulder in the sand. Ken runs up to her to make sure she’s okay. He pulls out his water bottle and pours some water over her cut to wash it.

“You’ll be okay,” Ken tells her as he gently grasps her arm and runs a thumb over the injury.

“Thanks, Ken,” Lauren says.

Lauren returns to her tribe and Ken climbs on the bull’s back. Recognizing they could get in the way, he’s rolled his shorts up. His glistening gams are on display for all to see and see they do. His legs firm up as he grips the bull. Once the bull is released, Ken exhibits control over his body and the body he rides for a few moments before he too is tossed off.

Wardog is next. He tries to mimic Ken’s approach, but slides off as soon as the bull takes his first trot. Bi follows him with a calm balance atop the bull. She lasts far longer than anyone else with five seconds.

Jerri takes her turn and does well, but can’t beat Bi. Ben lasts longer than Wardog, but not quite as long as Jerri. Michaela nearly matches Jerri’s time. 

Wendy takes her time to focus while taking her seat on the saddle. She places her palms on the back of the bull and wraps around to hug him. The gate raises and the bull goes. Wendy is able to hold on. The bull doesn’t seem to be fighting as hard with Wendy, but when he trots off his back feet once, Wendy bounces into the air and falls to the ground. But, she’s beaten Bi’s record with five and a half seconds.

Russell takes his turn, wiping the sweat from the top of his head. He’s clearly gone bull riding before and beats the record just set by Wendy with six seconds. Todd follows him. He brags to Jeff that he’s “ridden a lot of mechanical bulls in bars.”

“You think that will help,” Jeff asks.

“I hope so,” Todd laughs.

It doesn’t. 

Colby takes his turn with a hesitated excitement.

“Have you ever ridden a bull, Colby,” Jeff asks.

“You know, Jeff, I can’t say I have.”

He tries to mimic the form he’s seen other successful people use. He lasts a few seconds-- moments longer than Michaela but not quite as long as Jerri.

Elizabeth takes her turn. As she takes her seat on the saddle, she has a huge smile on her face.

“Excited, Elizabeth?”

“Oh, yeah, Jeff. I was actually Pee Wee Bull Riding champion at my middle school.”

“Pee Wee Bull Riding Champion?”

“That’s right. And Mutton Bustin Champion in third grade.”

“Well, alright,” Jeff laughs.

The gate raises and she takes on a face as if she’s fighting the bull. She instinctively follows the bull’s movement for seven seconds at which point she loses her balance and falls off. When the dust settles from her fall, Jeff announces “Suhtai wins reward!”

Back at the Suhtai camp, the tribe finds their hamburgers, fries and whiskey and begin their feast.

“So,” Todd begins, “We need to talk as a tribe about the merge. It’s happening soon and I think it’s important we stick together.”

“Agreed,” Michaela says, “We need to come together as a tribe.”

“They’ll pick us off one by one if we don’t,” Jerri says.

“Okay, so who do we have on the other side?” Todd asks.

“Colby,” Michaela and Jerri both say.

“Okay, who else?”

“Bi,” Elizabeth says, “ I could get her to come to our side.”

“That’s eight to their seven. We just need to make sure we win the next immunity challenge so we can go into the merge with the advantage.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tortoise crawls toward a flower.

Around the Tsitsistas camp, the same conversation happens. Colby takes a seat around the campfire and says, “Alright guys. Merge is coming up. We’re all on the same page, right?”

“Tsitsistas to the end,” Kass assures them. She looks over to Wendy.

“Yup,” Wendy says as everyone nods in agreement.

“Yep, Tsitsistas to the end,” Russell agrees when he hears Wendy.

The next day, the two tribes meet Jeff in town for their next immunity challenge. He stands in front of a black train with gold trim. Four cars, including the caboose, are attached to the stationary engine. 

Jeff explains, “For today’s challenge, four members of each tribe will race through this train, collecting four bags of puzzle pieces. Once all four bags have been collected, they will be passed to the two people on the caboose who will complete the puzzle. Tsitsistas, you have one extra member so you’re gonna sit someone out. You cannot sit the same person out in back to back challenges.”

Tsitsistas discuss who to sit out. Wendy argues for herself to take the puzzle. The tribe turns back to Jeff. Wendy lowers her head, raises her hand and takes a seat on the bench. The two tribes take a minute to strategize. Suhtai places Michaela and Todd on the puzzle. Tsitsistas elect Kass and Russell.

The eight runners line up on opposing sides of the train engine. Jeff raises his arm, “Survivors ready,” he drops his arm, “Go!”

Tsitsistas separate so one person can take on each car. Suhtai decides to go car by car to find the bags together. Four eyes are better than one, they said, even if one is Wardog’s, they said. Suhtai’s strategy seems to work, as they find their first bag within seconds. Colby checks under the chair where Suhtai found their bag and finds the bag for Tsitsistas. He runs into the second car, where Lauren is already following Suhtai’s strategy. The six of them make it into the third car. Ben’s found his bag tied to a lamp in the corner. He’s untying it as Suhtai enters. Wardog stays back to untie Suhtai’s bag. Everyone else runs into the fourth and final car, the caboose. Bi’s already left the interior and is now waiting next to Kass and Russell as they do their puzzle. The rest of Tsitsistas run out to the puzzle area on the back of the train. Suhtai searches high and low for their fourth bag. Elizabeth finally finds it hanging above the door they entered through. They run outside and hand their bags to Michaela and Todd, “Where’s Wardog,” Todd asks as Michaela dumps their pieces onto the puzzle’s frame.

“He’s still inside,” Elizabeth says before running back to the third car. Inside, Wardog is finally finishing untying his knot. He yells at Elizabeth to run back outside. When they get back out, they see both tribes have made significant progress on their puzzles, but Tsitsistas had more pieces to work with. When Michaela and Todd place their last bag of pieces into the empty spaces of their puzzle, Kass and Russell yell, “Jeff! Jeff!” Jeff runs over to check their puzzle and announces, “Tsitsistas wins immunity!”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a kit fox huddles under some tallgrass.

At the Suhtai camp, Michaela and Ken meet at the well.

“What are you thinking,” Michaela asks.

“I’m most worried about Elizabeth,” Ken says, “She’s got Todd and Wardog now.”

“So we need to convince Jerri.”

“I guess so.”

Elizabeth and Todd wander through the desert, collecting whatever firewood they can find. A scorpion runs over a branch Todd picks up without him noticing.

“So,” Todd says, “Michaela or Ken?”

“I think Ken is more likely to come to our side than Michaela when it comes down to it.”

“I think you’re right.”

“Michaela then?”

“Yeah, you think we can get Jerri and Wardog?”

“Wardog, yes, Jerri’s gonna be a little harder with her boy and Michaela being close.”

“Right.”

“And, even if we have to force a tie, everyone’s gonna switch over to Michaela to save themselves.”

“Totally,” Todd says, collecting another piece of wood.

Wardog and Jerri sit around the fire. Jerri stares into the fire, then to Wardog, meeting his eyes. She smiles a warm smile at him and asks, “Who do you want to see go?”

“I’m worried Todd is going to be a big threat if we let him get to the merge.”

“That makes sense,” she looks up to see Todd and Elizabeth approaching, “So, you’re a lawyer?”

“Well, law student, but yeah, that’s the goal.”

“That’s impressive.”

“Hey, thanks,” Wardog says when Todd and Elizabeth take a seat at the fire.

“Well, I’m beat. I’m gonna go lay down,” Jerri says.

Once Jerri is out of earshot, Todd looks up from the warm fire and turns to Wardog with an inviting smile.

“How do you feel about Michaela?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well,” Elizabeth says, “Remember in her first season, they took her out right before the merge because they were afraid she’d go too far. Then, in her second season, they didn’t take her out pre-merge and she made it significantly further.”

“Do you want her to make it significantly further yet again, Wardog,” Todd asks, having dropped his smile.

“So, Michaela tonight?”

“That’s the plan.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a blue & black whitetail dragonfly buzzes through some tallgrass.

Michaela and Ken find their way back to the shelter and lay with Jerri. Jerri lifts the hat from her face to see them, “Hey guys.”

“Hey Jare,” Michaela says, “Do you have a plan for tonight?”

“I’ve got some options. What were you thinking?”

“I think they’re expecting us to come for Todd. But, I think we should take out Elizabeth right now. Todd’s not gonna win again. If Elizabeth makes it to the end, she will.”

“Alright,” she says before putting her hat back over her face.

“It’s that easy,” Ken asks.

“Sure, what y’all are saying makes sense,” Jerri says, “I’m in.”

As the sun sets, Wardog walks to the shelter for his torch. Jerri is waking from another nap and sees him. 

“Wardog,” she says, “There’s a new plan. We’re voting Elizabeth.”

“What? What about Todd?”

“We don’t need to worry about Todd. Just trust me, alright.”

“Yeah, alright Jerri.”

With the pink sky behind him, Jeff greets Suhtai to tribal council once again. He exhales slowly and sits with the tribe around the campfire.

“Once again, Suhtai is at Tribal Council,” he says.

“Please tell us we’re merging soon,” Elizabeth pleads.

“I assure you, the merge will be happening soon, but one of you isn’t going to make it. Wardog, have you seen a lot of scrambling?”

“Oh, sure. There’s definitely two sides on this tribe and both sides think they’re right.”

“What side are you on?”

“I’m not picking sides, Jeff. Me and Jerri are always between the Millennials and the Davids.”

“The Millennials and the Davids?”

“That’s right,” Michaela says.

“You, Micheala, are clearly in the millennial alliance.”

“Yeah, with Hannah and Ken, but Hannah’s not here anymore,” she stares at Jerri from across the fire.

“So, where does that leave Wardog and Jerri?”

“That’s a question we’re all asking, Jeff,” Michaela says.

“Jerri, let me ask you directly. Where does that leave you?”

“Ready to vote.”

“Alright. Jerri, you’re up first.”

Jerri makes her way to the voting booth in the shallow cave. Then Michaela, who holds up her vote Elizabeth. Todd follows her with a vote for Michaela. The rest of the tribe votes. Jeff tallies the votes, asks for any immunity idols and reads the votes when no one gets up, “Elizabeth, Michaela, Elizabeth, Michaela, Elizabeth,” Michaela looks at Jerri with a cautious smile, “Michaela.” Her smile drops. “We are tied,” Jeff continues, “We will revote. Elizabeth and Michaela will not vote. Everyone else can only only vote for Elizabeth or Michaela.”

The remaining four members of the tribe vote again. Jeff heads into the cave to tally the votes. He returns to read the votes, “First vote, Elizabeth,” Michaela reaches over and grabs Ken’s hand to say thank you. “Michaela, Elizabeth,” Michaela looks over to Jerri with worried eyes. Then, Jeff finally reads, “Elizabeth.”

“Damn,” Elizabeth says. She hugs Michaela first before having her torch snuffed.

The first round of voting saw Elizabeth, Todd and Wardog vote for Michaela. The votes for Elizabeth came from Michaela, Ken and Jerri. On the second vote, Todd changed his vote to Elizabeth.

Read Episode 8 here

#survivor #survivor wild west #michaela bradshaw #jerri manthey #jeff probst #wardog #elizabeth olson #rodeo #trains

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 6 - Just Rallying Troops

Tsitsistas returns to camp after tribal council. Everyone seems confused by the vote. They all mutter, trying to figure out who voted for Brandon over Colby.

“Whoever it was, thank you. I’m just happy to still be here,” Colby raises his hat in thanks to no one in particular.

Russell and Ben walk off into the night. Ben is visibly nervous, but trying his best to hide it. Russell is visibly pissed, but trying his best to hide it.

“What happened? I thought you were with us,” Russell mutters with his whole chest.

“I am,” blusters Ben, “I voted for Colby.”

Russell juts out his chin and stares deep into Ben’s eyes.

“Have you talked to Wendy?”

“Nah, I trust Wendy. That’s my girl.”

“You sure,” Ben asks. He looks over toward camp where Wendy is glowing in the firelight as she laughs with Lauren.

Russell groans and storms over to Wendy. He enters the campfire area with a huff and Ben three paces behind.

“Wendy, can we talk,” Russell says in a forcefully calm voice.

Wendy freezes.

“Hey, Russell, it’s late,” Lauren says, “We should probably all get some rest.”

“This doesn’t concern you, princess.”

“Oh?”

“I gotta talk to you,” Russell says, pointing at Wendy with a firm finger.

“Well, I was going to go to sleep. Let’s talk in the morning,” Wendy says.

Russell looks around at the three people around him, as well as Kass and Colby who have now woken up to check on the commotion.

“Alright, sure, we can talk in the morning,” Russell finally concedes before going to the bed.

“Sorry,” Ben mouths to Wendy before leaving for bed.

“We’ll get him out,” Lauren assures Wendy.

Somewhere under the night sky of the Mojave Desert, a bobcat walks over a rocky ridge.

Amongst their dirty tents, Suhtai returns to find their fire is merely embers. Hannah reaches a hand to Elizabeth, “Do you want to talk?”

“No,” Elizabeth says before heading to her tent for the night.

The next morning, back at Tsitsistas, Russell sits at the fire and waits for Wendy’s arrival. She slumps her shoulders as she sits on the stump next to him.

“Good morning, Wendy,” Russell says without removing his eyes from the fire.

“Good morning, Russell,” Wendy says without making eye contact.

“I wanted to ask, who did you vote for last night?”

“Colby, like we planned!”

“Not Brandon?”

“No! Why would I vote for Brandon? Ask Ben, they had their little moment after the votes were read.”

“You think Ben turned on us?”

“I don’t know! Go talk to him.”

“Hey guys,” Colby says as he walks up to the fire, “Sorry to interrupt but we’ve gotta get ready for the challenge.”

At high noon, the two tribes meet in town square where Jeff explains their next reward challenge. “Each tribe will have a designated area in the sand to dig. In the sand, five pounds of gold are hidden in varying sizes. Collect the gold, place it in the sifter. First tribe to retrieve all five pounds of their gold wins state of the art cooking utensils and spices.”

Each tribe has a 10x10 foot square roped off in the hot desert sun and a ten foot tall wooden structure painted with various images and symbols of the old west in their respective colors. From each structure hangs something that will hold the gold but the sand will fall through.

The two tribes begin digging at Jeff’s call. Colby finds what he assumes is a significant nugget and runs it over to the sifter. After the sand falls off, the hand on the scale rotates to 1 Pound. Russell is quick behind Colby. He tosses his gold in and the hand rotates to just before the two pound mark. Michaela and Elizabeth march to their structure together after digging up some gold.

They drop their nuggets in together. The gold nuggets bounce around in the scale and finally land so that Suhtai has exactly 2 Pounds. Ken follows them and drops another nugget in, bringing their arrow to the halfway mark between two and three pounds. Lauren’s addition to Tsitsistas’ scale ties the two tribes again. Then Hannah sprints for the sifter where she drops 4 pieces of gold spinning the arm back to the top and raising the teal flag reading “Suhtai.”

“Suhtai wins reward,” Jeff calls.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert,  a scrub jay swallows an insect.

Back at the Suhtai camp, Elizabeth is excited to be able to cook with real spices. She walks to the campfire with a chicken in hand. “Who’s ready to cook?”

Hannah and Todd squirm when Elizabeth snaps the chicken’s neck and begins preparing it.

“Who do you guys think they’ll pick between Bi and Wardog,” Ken asks.

“I hope they pick Wardog, so we can get Bi,” Elizabeth says.

“Are you two close,” Jerri asks.

“Not exactly, but I know she’s strong and she’d help us win challenges.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a lizard lounges in the sun.

Over at the Tsitsistas camp, Russell confronts Ben again. “Wendy tells me she wouldn’t turn on us, like I said. She suspects it was you.”

“I already told you, Russell, it wasn’t me. I don’t have anyone in this game other than you guys.”

“That’s what I thought. That’s why I thought you’d be loyal. Cause you’re a good guy, Ben. So, I’m thinking, what does Ben gain on turning on us so early? Then I remembered, he said you’d found an idol. So, if you two were close, you probably took him idol hunting. He found one, then gave it to you when y’all thought you were the target. Then, when you realized Brandon was the target, you switched your vote so you could keep his idol.”

“Russell, oh my god!” Ben stammers, “You’re being paranoid!”

“He’s exactly right,” Ben says in a talking head, “Shit. He’s smart.”

Russell exhales slowly as he stares down a seemingly clueless Ben.

“I’m telling you, it was Wendy. You can trust me.”

“Alright, alright,” Russell says, presenting his hand, “I’m sorry, Ben.”

“He’s a lying sack of shit,” Russell says in a talking head, “but he knows he’s done me wrong and I can work with that.”

The next day, the two tribes meet in town for their immunity challenge. Behind Jeff stand 10 platforms of increasing heights, five are teal, five are orange. Atop each platform are bags of sand. Jeff welcomes the two tribes and immediately asks Russell, “How does it feel to lose Brandon immediately after finally being on a tribe together?”

“Ya know, I’m sad to see him go. He’s a good kid. But, it’s part of the game. No sweat off my back.”

“No sweat off your back at all?”

“No, if anything losing him gives me the freedom to actually play and, Jeff, I can’t wait to get started.”

“Well, alright! Let’s bring in Bi and Wardog returning from jail.”

Bi smiles when she sees Elizabeth, but looks away when she sees Carl is gone. Wardog sees Wendy and Lauren and gives them an excited and hopeful smile. It is not much reciprocated.

“Lauren, you won something at the last immunity challenge,” Jeff says.

“Yes, so, we get to choose between Bi and Wardog to join our tribe and replace Brandon. We talked it over as a tribe and came to a consensus.”

Wardog raises his eyebrows with expectation.

“We have decided to take Bi.”

“What,” Bi and Wardog say simultaneously.

Jeff hands Bi her new orange Tsitsistas buff. He hands Wardog his new teal Suhtai buff. They take their place with their new tribes and Jeff explains the challenge.

“Each tribe will have a rope and five sandbags. First tribe to tie a lasso and pull all five sandbags from their perch wins immunity.”

The two tribes take their places and begin trying to tie a lasso. Elizabeth is first to be able to tie a working lasso. Colby is quick behind her. Elizabeth misses her first shot. Colby hits the platform, but the sandbag doesn’t move. They both try again. Colby’s lasso surrounds the first sandbag and he pulls it down. Orange sand dyes the ground below as the bag smashes open on impact. Elizabeth pulls her sandbag down soon after, covering the ground with their teal sand. Colby goes for the second bag, but can’t quite reach it. Elizabeth is able to catch her second bag with no trouble. Colby hands the Tsitsistas lasso off to the next person, who is Russell. He swings the lasso around and tosses it to the second bag. It catches on the corner of that platform as it falls. He tugs it back but it drags through the sand as his tribe yells at him. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is nearing the third bag for Suhtai. But, she keeps making the same mistake. The rope continues to fall on the front of the bag, then to the ground. She can’t get it that extra inch, so she passes it to Hannah, who didn’t seem to be expecting it and is ill-prepared. She tries tossing it through the air the way she saw Elizabeth do it, but she can’t get it more than a foot in front of her. Suhtai cheers her on to try again while Russell passes the Tsitsistas lasso to Bi. She takes her time in finding her stance but eventually tosses the lasso high enough that it drops directly onto their third sandbag. She yanks it into the ground below. Hannah still hasn’t found the rhythm and passes her lasso off to Ken. He’s able to get the third Suhtai sandbag, but it’s too late. Bi’s already yanking the fourth, then fifth Tsitsistas bag to the ground. Tsitsistas cheers as Jeff announces “Tsitsistas wins immunity!”

“I am not excited about my chances tonight,” Wardog says in a talking head.

Upon returning to the Suhtai camp, Wardog introduces himself to Ken and Michaela, then asks what happened at tribal council. “Jerri took their side,” Elizabeth tells him.

“Whose side?”

“The millennials,” Todd says.

“Who’s that?”

“Hannah, Michaela and Ken.”

“And then it was you two and Carl?”

“Yep.”

“Alright, alright. Well, I’m gonna get some water. Does anyone need any?”

“Yeah, I’ll come,” Jerri says.

The two walk to the well and Wardog tries to figure out where Jerri stands in the tribe. “So, are you working with the millennials?”

“No,” Jerri says, “I just voted with them last time. No guarantee I’ll vote with them this time. What are you thinking?”

“I’m still trying to figure things out.”

“Can I tell you how I see things?”

“Please.”

“Todd and Elizabeth don’t have a play without us. The millennials don’t have a play with at least one of us. I say we stick together and take out one of the millennials.”

“Even the playing fields.”

Jerri taps her temple.

“So, who were you thinking?”

“Ken’s an idiot. He’ll be easy to use in the future. Michaela’s smart but she’s loyal. I say we keep her.”

“So, Hannah?”

“I don’t want to, but she strikes me as the type who would flip on us.”

“What about Todd and Elizabeth?”

“They’ll just be happy it isn’t one of them.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a horned rattlesnake propels itself through the sand.

In a tent, Michaela and Elizabeth talk. Michaela says, “Look, Wardog and Jerri are gonna try to pit our sides against each other. They’re gonna pick us off one by one.”

“I hear you.”

“What do you think of you two and the three of us coming together to take out Wardog now before he finds his way in somehow?”

“I think that’s a good idea. But, I’m worried he found something in jail.”

“Well, let’s flush it now then.”

“He’s not gonna play an idol if we tell him it’s Jerri.”

“I’ll think about it, Michaela.”

“Okay. Just… yeah, okay. Think about it. I think it’s a good move for you guys. I’m gonna go find out if Wardog has an idol.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a spiny caper grows.

Around the fire, Ken, Hannah and Todd sit. Hannah gets Todd’s attention and mouths to him, “Jerri.”

“What?”

“Jerri’s gonna ping-pong between us until she gets to the end,” Hannah whispers, “Let’s take her out now when she’s not expecting it.”

“That’s a bold move, Hannah.”

“We gotta do it now before it’s too late.”

“Okay, Hannah Banana.”

Michaela wanders around until she finds Wardog. “Hey, Wardog! What are you doing?”

“I’m looking for an idol, obviously.”

“Who do you think is voting for you?”

“I figure everyone.”

“Well, I know we’re not. In fact, we needed your help.”

“With what?”

“Well, you saw Elizabeth in the challenge. She was killing it. If she gets to merge?”

“Right, right.”

“But, we need your vote, Wardog.”

“Okay, Okay, Okay, Elizabeth?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.”

As the sun sets over the far horizon, Suhtai makes their way to Tribal Council. Jeff has his regular seat at the tallest stump. Next to him is a large boulder with a flat surface where he reads the votes. The members of Suhtai take their seats on the various logs and stones around the campfire.

“Wardog,” Jeff starts, “How was your time in jail?”

“You know, Jeff, I did not enjoy it!”

“So, were you welcomed into the tribe?”

“I thought I would come back and be ostracized immediately, but I had a few people come up to me with plans.”

“Any plans you feel good about?”

“There are enough plans that NEED me, that I feel good either way.”

“Todd, are you happy to have Wardog on your tribe?”

“Oh, absolutely. And I’m glad he feels comfortable with us. That’s what we wanted, no matter who came to our side.”

“Do you think we’ll see a blindside tonight, Jerri?”

“Oh no, I don’t think so. It’s too early for a true blindside. For something to be a true blindside, there needs to be more history than a few days. Right now we’re just rallying troops, people we can trust when we get to the merge.”

“Are you just rallying troops at this point, Michaela?”

“Yeah, I think that makes sense. I don’t think tonight’s vote will be a shock.”

“Alright, it is time to vote. Ken, you’re up first.”

Ken walks into the cave and casts his vote for Wardog. He drops it in the spittoon-shaped urn and returns to the campfire. The rest of the tribe votes. Jeff tallies the votes, asks for any idols, and, when no one plays anything, he reads the votes, “Wardog,” he looks up, disappointed but not surprised. “Wardog, Wardog, Hannah,” the millennials look around. No one makes eye contact with them. “Hannah, Hannah, seventh person voted out of Survivor: Wild West: Hannah.” Michaela and Ken hug Hannah goodbye before she grabs her torch. Michaela shakes her head as she looks around her tribemates.

Votes for Wardog came from Hannah, Michaela and Ken. Votes for Hannah came from Jerri, Todd, Elizabeth and Wardog.

Read Episode 7 here

#Survivor #Survivor Wild West #wild west #Wardog #Russell Hantz #Jerri Manthey #Michaela Bradshaw #Wendy Diaz #Ben Driebergen

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 5 - We’ll Get Through It

Colby looks defeated as Tsitsistas returns to camp. Michaela places a hand on his shoulder as she enters the shelter for the night. Colby nods in appreciation.

At high noon the next day, the tribes meet Jeff in town for the next reward challenge. “The thing about the Wild West,” Jeff starts, milking the theme for all its worth, “people were always coming and going, between towns, kind of like on Survivor. Everybody, drop your buffs.” 

Everyone throws their buff in the air and grabs a velvet bag from the barrel in front of them. They unwrap the velvet bags to reveal their new buffs. The buffs are designed to look like bandanas and don the Survivor: Wild West logo, which features a cowboy on horseback, horseshoes and a crude rendering of a desert landscape.

Jerri opens her velvet bag and says, “Teal.” Wendy opens hers, “Orange.” Russell opens his and looks at Jerri and Wendy, “Orange.” Jerri and Russell stare at each other as they separate, but Jerri stares a bit longer.

“Uh, Jeff. My buff is white,” Bi says.

“Yeah, mine too,” says Wardog.

“If your buff is white, you will be ditched.”

“What’s that mean?” Wardog shouts.

“You will be locked behind bars in the town square until the next immunity challenge, at which point, each of you will join your new tribes.”

The new tribes are, on Tsitsistas: Colby, Russell, Ben, Lauren, Wendy, Kass and Brandon. The new Suhtai is: Elizabeth, Michaela, Jerri, Ken, Todd, Carl and Hannah.

“Today’s challenge is for both reward and individual immunity. The last remaining member of each tribe will win individual immunity, and the last remaining person overall will win reward for their tribe: the opportunity to go to tribal council first and sit in on the other tribe’s while eating a feast of burgers, fries and whiskey and... this,” Jeff says, holding a darkened wine bottle, “to be opened later.”

Jeff stands before fourteen stationary oxen. One line of seven facing another. “For today’s challenge, you will sit on the back of this oxen. If you lose your balance, the oxen’s torso will rock back and forth until you fall off. Last person on their oxen for each tribe wins immunity.”

They each take their places and the challenge begins. Hannah falls almost immediately. After a few minutes, Carl falls, then Wendy. Russell drops soon after. Then, everyone else sustains a good posture. Kass begins to tip, distracting Brandon. Kass can’t recover. Brandon tries to not laugh, but the suppression backfires and throws off his balance. He falls into the desert sand below. Elizabeth swats a fly away and her ox begins to twist. She doesn’t recover. Colby slips and, in trying to reaffix himself, falls off. Lauren and Ben remain for Tsitsistas. Michaela loses her focus in the heat and falls off. Jerri looks over to make sure she’s okay, causing her ox to rock, throwing her off. Todd and Ken remain for Suhtai. Todd looks over at Ben and says, “Hey Ben. Do you want to do a winner’s alliance?”

Hannah and Michaela laugh from the bench as Ben yells, “No,” falling in his fervor.

Todd turns his attention and says, “Congratulations, Lauren.”

“Yeah,” Ken says, not trying to not break his focus, “Congratulations.”

“Thanks Ken,” Lauren says. Ken slips when he hears her and his ox begins to rock. “Thanks, Todd.”

“No problem,” Todd says, remaining stationary.

Ken clenches his thighs on the ox’s swinging body, but it’s too wet from his sweat. He can’t regain balance and slips off.

“Oh, man,” he says when he hits the ground.

“Lauren,” Todd says.

“Uh-huuuuh?”

“How important is going first to you guys?”

“Uh-huuuh...”

“It’s that important to you,” Todd asks, his ox beginning to rock.

“Yuuuup.”

“What do you want for it?”

“The bottle.”

“What,” he asks, his ox near shaking.

“I’ll let you guys go first if you give us the bottle.”

“What’s in the bottle?”

“Your win.”

“Okay, fine. Do it!”

Lauren bends forward, wrapping her arms around the ox’s neck as she slowly swings her leg over his torso. Jeff hands her and Todd individual immunity, then says, “Suhtai, you will attend tribal council first tonight, then watch Tsitsistas’ tribal council as you indulge in burgers and fries and whiskey.”

Todd rubs his belly.

“But, this,” he grabs the darkened wine bottle, “thanks to a trade made between Todd and Lauren, is going to Tsitsistas. You can open this back at camp as a tribe.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a coyote plays in the sand.

In jail, Wardog and Bi are locked behind bars in two separate cells in one room. They’re alone in the room but for one desk near the front door. After a few hours, Wardog is putting his white buff over his nose like a bandit.

“I’m like a real outlaw,” he says, pointing finger guns at Bi from across the jail, “pew, pew.”

“So, Wardog’s doing whatever he’s doing and I notice something on his buff,” Bi says in a talking head, “Our tribe buffs had cowboys and rope and a gun, but this one has a bow & arrow pointed at a star.” She holds the new buff up to show off the clue. “So, I started looking around for a star and I notice this toolbox on a shelf on the wall between us with a star painted on the side. I didn’t even see it until I was looking for it.” 

She heads to the corner of her cell, looks at the shelf overhead, and determines she can’t reach the toolbox. So, she uses the bed made of thin wooden planks as a step up to the center bar of the cell.

“Hey, what are you doing,” Wardog asks as he jots over to his side of the tool box.

Bi reaches through the bars and opens the toolbox. Inside, she finds two screwdrivers and two rolls of twine. She grabs one of the screwdrivers and looks over her cell. She notices the planks of wood making the bed she’s standing on have been screwed.

“And then it dawns on me,” Bi says in a talking head.

“Have you seen any keys?”

“Uh, what, no, keys,” Wardog asks, “We’re trapped in these cells until the next immunity challenge. That’s the whole point.”

“I don’t think it is,” Bi says, looking up from unscrewing the planks.

“Just, look for the keys for me, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, alright.”

Wardog surveys the room as Bi finishes disassembling her bed.

“Bi!”

“What?”

“Next to the door.”

Bi looks up from tying twine around the planks to see Wardog pointing at the front door of the Sheriff's office where they were trapped.

“Awesome. Thank you.”

She finishes building her pole arm and reaches it 20 feet across the office but it drops on the front desk, knocking a newspaper from the desk and onto the ground. She realigns the pole, this time resting it on the center bar of her jail cell. She crouches slightly to get the upward trajectory needed to reach the keys. She slips her pole through the keyring and lifts it so the keys slide into her hands. There are three keys on the keyring. Two are large, rusty, black keys, clearly meant for their cells, but the third is smaller and cleaner. Bi reaches around her bars and tries one of the keys in her own lock. It doesn’t work, so she tries the other. The metallic lock disengages as Bi twists it. She opens the door and frees Wardog. She holds up the third key. “We need to find whatever this unlocks.”

“It looks like a key for a safe.”

“I was thinking the same thing. Where would a Sheriff keep a safe?”

“Under the front desk,” Wardog says, removing the chair from the front desk.

“Wardog, oh my god!” Bi tries the key and it works perfectly. Inside, she finds a box, locked with a combination lock.

“What the fuck,” they both groan.

Wardog notices the newspaper on the ground. He looks at the front page to see an article about the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He reads it over, then asks, “How many numbers?”

“Four”

“Okay, okay, okay, try One-Eight-Eight-One”

She tries it, but it doesn’t work.

“Okay, try One-Zero-Two-Six.”

She enters the combination and it unlocks. “How did you know that?”

“It’s the date of the shoot-out at the O.K. Corral.”

She looks inside and then says, “Wardog, can I trust you?”

“Yeah, of course.”

She pulls out a sheriff’s badge and a paper telling her this is the Idol Nullifier.

“Oh, holy shit.”

“No one knows about this.”

“No one knows about this.”

“Wardog.”

“Bi.”

“You. Cannot. Tell. Anyone. About. This.”

“Bi, I won’t say a word.”

“I saw what you did to Wentworth. I’m not gonna let the same happen to me.”

“You’ve got nothing to worry about, Bi. Here. Here. Let me prove it to you.”

He runs back to his bag and pulls out his extra parchment. He tells her, “This is an extra vote. No one else knows about it.”

“Oh, that’s perfect, Wardog. Don’t use that until the merge. I’ll tell you when its needed.”

“Okay, sounds good,” Wardog says, trying to quiet an excited squee.

“Can I ask you something?”

“What’s up?”

“Your real name isn’t Wardog, is it?”

“That’s just what everyone calls me. My real name is Dan. Dan ‘The Wardog’ DaSilva,” he says with a joking bravado.

“Alright, Dan,” Bi laughs.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a carpenter bee buzzes into its home.

Back at the Tsitsistas camp, everyone crowds around Lauren as she attempts to uncork the wine bottle, but the cork won’t come out, so she smashes the bottle on a rock. Inside is a small envelope, sealed shut with red wax. The front of the envelope reads, “Open at tribal council after the votes are read.”

“What do you think it is,” Brandon asks.

“I think we get to pick between Bi and Wardog,” she explains.

“You want Wardog, I assume,” Ben asks.

“No way,” Wendy says, “Our tribe was terrible on Edge of Extinction.”

“We had one of the worst tribes in Survivor history,” Lauren tells them, “Both of us and Wardog were on it together. Then when we swapped and lost Wendy, we were even worse. Taking Bi is the right move if we can.”

At Suhtai, everyone congratulates Todd, then Michaela and Ken introduce themselves to their new tribe.

“Hi, I’m Michaela. I’m from Texas. I played in Millennials vs Gen X and then again in Game Changers.”

“Hi, I’m Ken, I also played in Millennials vs Gen X, but Michaela and I were on different tribes. I was on the Gen X tribe.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, the wind blows across the desolate earth.

In the hills of the Tsitsistas camp, Wendy and Russell check in with each other. In a talking head, Russell is ecstatic, “This could not have worked out better. I’ve got my little dumb girl with me and no Jerri to align with her behind my back.”

“Ahhh!!!” Wendy screams in her own talking head, “I can’t get rid of him!”

“So, what are you thinking,” he asks Wendy.

“I think it’s going to be one of us.”

“I think so too. Do you have an idol?”

“No,” Wendy lies, “do you?”

“I don’t. Jerri just said she thought you might have one,” he says, staring at her for several seconds, gauging her reaction.

In a talking head, Russell admits, “Jerri never told me anything about any idol, but hey, maybe she’ll tell me if she has one!”

“I don’t! We should look for one.”

Elsewhere, Brandon and Ben scurry to shade. “What’s going on, man? Have you talked to Russell yet,” Ben asks.

“Not yet, but I will. I think we should stick with him for a while but I have no problem cutting him when we have to.”

“Good. That’s what I was thinking too. Do you think he’ll be into it?”

“Oh yeah, Hantzs don’t turn their back on each other.” Brandon lifts his knuckles and Ben taps them with his own.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a blue scrub jay rests on a tree branch.

On the other side of the desert, Hannah and Michaela catch up at the Suhtai camp. “So, have you been working with Ken,” she asks with more energy than she can contain.

“We haven’t voted together.”

“What?!”

“I’ve been working with Colby and Ken just does whatever Lauren tells him to do.”

“Okay, okay, lemme think.”

“I’ll vote for him. I don’t give a shit. I voted for him last time.”

“So, he knows he’s a target?”

“I think he probably already knows. I figure, if it’s not him, it’s me. And if it’s not me, it’s you.” 

“Alright,” Hannah says, shrugging her shoulders with disdain.

“Who instead?”

“I think we could get people to vote for Carl. I promise you, we can cement a working relationship with Ken here, and if he and Lauren are close, that’s more numbers for us in the merge.”

Michaela considers it.

“Carl brings nothing to the table for us,” Hannah explains, “He and Elizabeth are close, but that’s it. They’re not gonna stick with us every tribal. And what if we get Bi? She’s definitely going to align with them.”

“Damn, Hannah,” Michaela says after some contemplation, “okay.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a ground squirrel stands on his hind legs and chirps to his brethren.

Elsewhere, Carl, Elizabeth and Todd discuss the vote. “Honestly, between the two of them,” Todd says, “I’m most worried about Michaela. I don’t think Ken is anything to worry about.”

“What about Hannah,” Carl asks, “Weren’t they close?”

“They were on a tribe together. I don’t know if they’re close.”

“I don’t think she’s gonna leave a sure-thing alliance of three though,” Elizabeth explains.

“If we get Bi, we’ll be in the same situation as them unless we take one of them out,” Carl says.

“Guys, we’re already three,” Todd reminds them. 

“For sure,” Carl tells him. 

“We have to go to tribal before we can even worry about that,” Elizabeth says. 

“We need to talk to Jerri,” Todd says.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a long-tailed brush lizard camouflages itself against the bark of an old tree. 

Back at Tsitsistas, Russell has isolated Brandon in the shelter. “Would you look at that,” Russell says, “the two Hantzs finally playing Survivor together.”

“It’s about to get fun.”

“It sure is, nephew. It sure is.”

“You find an idol yet?”

“Not yet. But I will, don’t you worry. Have you?”

“I haven’t. But, Ben found one.”

“Oh, really,” he says with a curious grin, “Does he still have it?”

“No, he played it.”

“Okay, that’s good to know. Thank you, nephew.”

“No problem, uncle. So, are you close with Wendy?”

Russell chortles, “Wendy is my lamb.”

“So, she’s with you?”

“Indeed she is. That little girl will do whatever I tell her to do. Long as it ain’t her, she’s happy.”

“So, who are we voting for?”

“Colby. This is my tribe now.”

“Alright, Colby. Me, you, Ben and Wendy.”

“Four of seven. Perfect.”

“Perfect. Who do you think they’ll target?”

“Probably Ben. He’s the only winner over here. I don’t know why y’all didn’t do it earlier.”

“Ben’s my closest ally.” 

“Not anymore.” 

Around the Tsitsistas campfire, Kass, Colby and Lauren discuss what to do about the vote. “I think Russell sees us targeting him, so maybe we go after Brandon,” Colby suggests.

“Works for me,” Lauren says.

“Can we get Wendy to our side? Isn’t she close with Russell,” Kass asks.

“I’ll talk to her,” Lauren says.

“Talk to who about what?” Ben asks as he takes a seat at the fire.

The other three around the fire look at each other. Then, Colby makes an executive decision and says, “Look Ben. There’s no point dancing around it.  I know you’re close with Brandon but it’s only right to tell you. We’re going after Brandon tonight. We were gonna try to get Wendy’s vote but, I guess you’re in on the plan now.”

“Oh, uh, yeah, okay. Thanks for telling me. You’re sure it’s not me?”

“It’s definitely not you,” Lauren says.

“Okay, I’m trusting you.”

“Yeah, good. I’m telling you the truth.”

“Kass?”

“It’s Brandon, bud,” she tells him.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a roadrunner sprints down the dusty Route 66.

Collecting any firewood they can find in the desert, Todd tries to convince Jerri to vote with him and the Davids, “Look,” he says, “the Millennials are a really tight-knit group. Vote with us tonight, and me and you can run this game at the merge.”

“Okay, so who do you suggest?”

“Michaela. She’s the biggest threat, she’s got the most connections of anyone. The sooner we get her out the better. She’s too smart.”

“Then it’s me, you, Carl, Elizabeth and presumably Bi?”

“Presumably.”

“That puts us at four and five in their alliance.”

“Or, it puts us at one and two in our alliance, Bi at three. She already knows she’s number three between those three. We could talk her into coming to our side.”

“Alright, Todd. I imagine the other side will be coming to me trying to make the same argument. What do I tell them?”

“Tell them Ken because you’re doing a woman’s alliance thing or something.”

“Or something.” 

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tarantula crawls up on a rock. 

In an area of rock they deemed their cubby, Ben and Brandon talk in hushed voices. With genuine concern, Brandon looks into Ben’s eyes and says, “Russell says he trusts Wendy, but I don’t.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Russell says they’re targeting you.”

“Who?

“Colby, Kass, Lauren.”

“Wendy?”

“Russell says no, but she might flip. I wanted to give you this,” Brandon says, pulling out his idol.

“Oh, no, Brandon. I can’t.”

“Just take it tonight. If you feel like we can trust Wendy, just don’t play it, but if we can’t, play it and we send Colby home. Colby’s going home either way.”

“Oh wow, Brandon. That’s- wow. Thank you,” Ben says before putting his second idol of the season in his pocket.

Lauren finds Wendy in the shelter. She sits down in one of the chairs Ken made. She takes Wendy’s hand in her own and says, “Hey, how you holding up?”

“Well, your shelter is a lot nicer. So, I’m good,” Wendy says, “How are you?”

“I’m good. I wanted to talk to you about… where you’re at re: the vote.”

“Oh, yeah. What were you thinking?”

“Well, I know you and Russell are close but I think Brandon might put a wedge between that.”

“So, Brandon?”

“What do you think?”

“I don’t really care, honestly. I’ll vote for Brandon. Russell will be mad but so what, he’s always mad.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a spider leaps from one rock to another, carrying a string of silk behind it. 

Around the Suhtai campfire Michaela sits next to Jerri. “You don’t strike me as the type of person who appreciates dilly-dallying, so I’m going to get straight to the point. Colby and I formed a working relationship on Tsitsistas. I know y’all are close. I’m close with Hannah from my original season. She’s close with Ken. He’s close with Lauren. We all stick together, we’re set in the merge. What do the Davids promise you, next tribal?”

“Alright, Michaela. Where am I putting my vote tonight?”

“Carl.”

“Okay.”

“Carl or Michaela,” Jerri contemplates in a talking head, “huh. I’m set either way! Ha!”

Jeff first greets Suhtai around the campfire at Tribal Council. He points to Todd, wearing individual immunity, a few seats away, “Feel good?”

“Anything could happen tonight, Jeff, so I am very pleased to be wearing this.”

“What do you think this vote will be about tonight, Elizabeth?” Jeff asks.

“This is really about choosing sides.”

“What are the sides, Jerri?”

“Well, we’ve got the Millennials, as we’re calling them, that’s Michaela, Hannah and Ken, and then the Davids; Carl, Elizabeth, and Todd I guess.”

“I’m a flight attendant, so it works,” Todd says.

“And then there’s me,” Jerri says.

“So, when Elizabeth says ‘choosing sides’ what she means is, ‘which side is Jerri choosing?’”

“Would seem that way, Jeff,” Jerri says with a knowing smile.

“Alright, it is time to vote. Michaela, you’re up first.”

Everyone votes. Jeff tallies the votes, asks for any idols, and when no one stands to play an idol, he reads the votes. “Michaela, Carl, Michaela, Michaela, Carl, Carl, fifth person voted out of Survivor: Wild West, Carl.”

Carl grabs his torch and gives everyone a gracious nod as his torch is snuffed.

“Suhtai, you will now enjoy your reward as you sit in on the Tsitsistas tribal council,” Jeff says.

Suhtai sits among the fireflies as they eat their burgers and sip their whiskey. It’s not good whiskey, but everyone’s happy it’s there. Tsitsistas takes their place around the campfire. Ken catches Lauren’s eye as he sits and he smiles to see her still there. Jerri looks at Ken next to her and rolls her eyes big enough for Colby to see. He laughs as the ice in her whiskey hits her lips.

“Tsitsistas, welcome to tribal council. As you can see, Carl was voted out at Suhtai’s tribal council. Are you surprised, Russell?”

“No, not really. Carl was a charming guy. You gotta get charming guys out before they charm their way to the end.”

“Is that how you do it Russell, you just charm your way to the end,” Jeff asks.

“Hey, don’t give away all my secrets, Jeff,” Russell jokes.

“Is there concern with Russell and Brandon being on your tribe together, Kass?”

“There’s always concern when either one of them is even in the game. The fact that they’re together can be seen as scary, but they can’t actually do anything without us, so while there is concern, I am not concerned.”

“Colby, Concerned?”

“I wouldn’t say that. We’ll get through this. We gotta lose somebody, but we’ll get through it.”

“Worried that somebody could be you, Ben,” Jeff asks.

“Oh, sure. You’re always worried it could be you, especially as a winner. I assume there’s always a target on my back. They’ll wanna weaken me however they can, if it’s flush an idol, or vote out one of my allies, or turn on me to further their own game. I know that. I’m ready. I just hope they’re ready for me.” 

“Alright, with that it is time to vote. Colby, you’re up first.”

Colby casts his vote for Brandon. Russell votes for Colby. The rest of the tribe makes their way into the cave to cast their votes. Jeff leaves, tallies the votes and returns to read the votes. Suhtai leans forward in their seats as Jeff reads the votes from Tsitsistas: “Colby, Brandon, Colby, Brandon, Coolby, Brandon, sixth person voted out on Survivor: Wild West: Brandon.”

Burgers fall from the mouths of Suhtai as Tsitistas gets up to bid Brandon adieu. Ben goes to hug him goodbye, but Brandon walks past with his torch for Jeff to snuff. The votes for Colby were Russell, Wendy and Brandon. The votes for Brandon were Colby, Lauren, Kass and Ben.

“Now, Lauren, you won something in the challenge. What does it say?”

Lauren opens the sealed envelope in front of everyone, “As the holder of this letter, you can take whichever prisoner you want before the other tribe.”

“So, think it over,” Jeff says, “I will get your choice at the next immunity challenge. Other than that, I got nothing for ya.”

#Survivor #Survivor Wild West #Jeff Probst #Jerri Manthey #Ben Driebergen #Russell Hantz #Hannah Shapiro #Ken McNickle #michaela bradshaw

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 4 - Snakes Live in There

Upon returning to camp, Elizabeth takes Hannah under her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Han.”

“No, it’s okay,” Hannah says, “I just realized, I was gonna have to fight for him and myself every time and I just can’t do that.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a mouse sniffs for food while the other animals sleep.

The next morning, Ben and Brandon wake up early in the Tsitsistas shelter and search the area for an idol.

“When I found it, it was in the hills. I think we should go there.”

“Whatever you say. What does it look like?”

“It’s just a gold nugget, like yay big,” he says, holding up a fist.

Brandon starts looking between the creases where the rocks meet and in holes at the bottom of the hill.

“Be careful. I think snakes live in there,” Ben warns him.

Brandon gets back to his feet and walks further up the hill. The particular hill they’re exploring is a gradual climb with various rock formations throughout the ascent creating a wall that increases with height as they climb. At its peak height of 40 feet is a natural pole, perfectly centered on the hill. There are smaller, similar towers cascading down the main pole. From above, the formation looks like a cinnamon roll. Brandon finds himself climbing the hill up its natural spiral. Ben gets distracted by a hare on a rock. They stare eye-to-eye until the hare hops away. 

“Brandon, did you see the rabbit--” Ben asks, but Brandon has already made it to the top of the hill, where he sees, just above eye level, something that doesn’t quite look like it belongs on this tower. He can’t get a good look at it, but what he can see looks gold. He reaches up and wraps his fingers around what he thinks is an idol. He pulls it down and looks in his hands. “Ben!” he calls.

“Did you find it?”

“Come here!”

Ben runs over and they read the attached note together, “Congratulations! You have found a hidden immunity. This may be played until there are five players remaining.”

They jump up and down briefly before sauntering back to camp where Lauren is reading the Tree Mail.

“Arrow,” guesses Kimmi.

“I like how they changed it around this time,” Kass says, “Usually the High Noon part is first.”

At high noon, the two tribes meet again for a reward challenge. “Tsitsistas, getting your first look at the new Suhtai tribe. Taylor voted out at the last tribal council.”

A few people are surprised to see someone they assumed was strong go. Michaela doesn’t seem shocked and nods to Hannah in quiet approval.

“Now, as you’re probably aware, since they’re on your buffs, there were two weapons of choice in the Wild West. The gun and the bow. For today’s reward challenge, you will be firing arrows at a target. First tribe to get a bullseye wins reward. Want to know what you’re playing for?”

They all wait with eager anticipation

“While chickens are nice,” Jeff says, “They’re not quite authentic. The winning tribe will receive rabbit traps to place around your camp.”

The two tribes strategize their order and begin. Colby fires first for Tsitsistas, but hits far from the bullseye. Todd fires for Suhtai. He’s closer than Colby, but still doesn’t hit the bullseye. Lauren takes her aim and rivals Todd’s placement.

“Shit,” Todd mutters.

Carl takes his shot, and first place should no one get a bullseye.

Ken is up next. He takes a long breath in and, closing his eyes, breathes out slowly. He pulls his arrow back and lets it go. It spins as it glides through the air and pierces the bullseye.

“Tsitsistas win reward,” Jeff shouts as he flings his hands in the air.

Back at the Tsitsistas camp, Colby leads the tribe in preparing rabbit traps. They then break off into groups to place them throughout their camp in “the most optimal positions.” Colby, Michaela and Kimmi take one near the peak of a hill. Brandon and Ben return to where they found the idol in an attempt to catch the rabbit Ben saw. Ken and Lauren take a casual stroll around the desert until they find somewhere that feels suitable.

“How’d you get so good at bow & arrows?”

“Well, it’s all about balance really. Just, being at peace with yourself and one with your body.”

“Totally, yeah. Being one with your body is so important.”

“Is that something you’ve found yourself able to do with soccer?”

“Yeah, definitely. Do you need help,” she asks as Ken struggles to balance the bait on the trigger plate.

“No, I got it,” he says, fumbling.

“Here, let me help,” she says as she reaches into the trap. She slips her fingers between Ken’s hand and the bait, then situates it on the trigger plate so it stays on. Ken maneuvers his hand out of the cage and around Lauren’s forearm. Centimeters separate his fingers and her wrist. The hair on her arm raises to meet Ken’s fingertips. As he removes his hand, he falls backward and catches himself with his other hand.

“I think we should be getting back to camp,” Lauren says, extending an arm to help him.

“Yeah, thanks.”

As the two of them find their way back to camp, they see Bi and Kass sitting on the stones around the fire, already returned from their trap placing.

“Sit, Sista” Kass says as she sees Lauren with Ken. They sit on stones across from the other two at the fire.

“I wanted to run something past you, and I talked to Bi about it and she agrees.”

“Okay, what’s up?”

“I’m afraid Kimmi could be a wildcard at the merge. She hasn’t shown any initiative to align herself with anyone. She said she’s open to anything at this point, and knowing her game from Cambodia, I don’t trust her.”

“I could do Kimmi. Could you vote Kimmi, Ken?”

“Well, I don’t like to vote anyone out but I suppose I could do that.”

On their way back to camp, Colby, Kimmi and Michaela run into Ben and Brandon.

“Whoa-ho-ho,” Ben says as if they’re encroaching on his property.

“Ben,” Kimmi says, “Who are you thinking?”

“Well, I know you guys are going to come after me again so how can I know to trust you?”

“What,” Michaela asks.

“Who are y’all thinking go next,” Ben asks.

“I don’t like how close Lauren and Ken are getting,” Michaela says.

“Yeah,” Brandon says, rubbing his chin and rocking back and forth.

“Just, consider it,” Colby tells them, “We’re not targeting you, Ben.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert one night, bats emerge from their cave.

On Morning Eleven, Carl collects the tree mail and gathers the tribe around the fire. Colby does the same for Tsitsistas.

“Where’s there a river,” Wardog asks. “I thought this was a desert.” “Probably near the lake we went to,” Todd reminds him.

At High Noon, the two tribes meet Jeff for the immunity challenge.

“We are standing on the Colorado River on the border of Nevada and Arizona.” Jeff tells them, “Here in Nevada, each tribe has a wagon full of supplies. Your job is to get your tribe’s wagon and supplies from here to the mat in Arizona. First tribe to get the wagon, all the supplies and all their tribe members on the mat wins immunity.”

The two tribes take a minute to strategize then they begin. Tsitsistas begins by placing smaller items in the wagon, but taking larger items across by hand, the tips of their toes just barely touching the rocky bottom of the river. It’s proving to be a more strenuous strategy than expected but they stick with it.

Suhtai carries their wagon and places it in the water. Russell, Carl, Wardog and Elizabeth hold the wagon in place while Todd, Wendy, Jerri and Hannah load the supplies onto the target. Tsitsistas has already placed a quarter of their items on the finish mat by the time Wendy and Jerri throw a rope over the wagon. They jump inside to catch their breath and their tribemates row.

About halfway across the river, Jerri joins in the rowing but notices it’s too late and alerts her tribe. Wendy grabs the rope, ties it around her waist, then around a bar in the wagon. She turns to her tribe and tells everyone to grab the heaviest thing they can and carry it on foot the rest of the way. She then dives into the river and begins swimming. By the time she gets to the other side, the rest of her tribe has dropped their supplies and carry the wagon to the mat as she jogs ahead of them. As soon as they drop the wagon, Wendy collapses into it and Jeff announces “Suhtai wins immunity!”

Jeff hands Suhtai immunity and everyone excitedly pushes Wendy forward to take it. She humbly obliges and has an excited tick and big smile when Jeff congratulates her.

Back at camp, everyone congratulates Wendy before heading back into their tents to rest.

At Tsitsistas, everyone sits around the fire, staring at the flames as they wait for someone else to get up. Ben finally says, “I’m going to get water. Does anyone need any?”

A few people grab their canteens and hand them to Ben when Kass volunteers to come along.

At the oasis, Kass runs her Kimmi plan by Ben. He appears dumbfounded and begins stammering, “I could… I mean, you make a lot of good points.”

“Who are you thinking otherwise?”

In a talking head, Kass says, “He’s just standing there, smacking his lips together and he’s just spewing nonsense. I don’t understand how I couldn’t win Survivor, twice, but this guy did it on his first try.”

“Ken or Lauren is what Colby and them are doing,” Ben says.

“Huh, okay. I guess that makes sense. What about Brandon?”

“He’ll vote however I vote.”

“Okay. That’s good to know.”

“You’re a hundred percent on Kimmi?”

“Yes.”

“How many people are with you?”

“Enough if we get you and Brandon.”

“Alright, I’ll talk to him about it.”

Back inside the shelter, Colby guts a rabbit as he and Michaela discuss the vote. “What are you thinking, cowboy? Lauren or Ken?”

“They’re both strong in challenges,” Colby says.

“Sure,” Michaela agrees.

“What about Kass? I think she could be a force to be reckoned with come merge.”

“Definitely.”

“Who do you think we have a better chance working with,” Colby asks.

“I’ll be straight-up with you, Colby. I gave you a name last time and you didn’t vote with me. I want you to decide.”

“Alright, fair. Ken.”

“Alright. Ken.”

As the temperature falls with dusk, Michaela finds Bi and Kass. She tells them, “It’s Ken.”

“Sounds good,” Kass and Bi agree. She sees Ben across the fire and mouths “Ken,” to which he nods.

With the moon’s beams lighting their way, Tsitsistas join Jeff around the Tribal Council Campfire once again.

“Is this starting to feel like Survivor yet,” Jeff asks.

“Oh, it’s been feeling like Survivor, Jeff,” Ben answers. “I went from almost being voted out last time to the swing vote this time.”

“That’s got to feel nice.”

“I’m not complaining!”

“So, we know the game at its core hasn’t changed. It’s still a game about connection. Have you felt connections forming in the tribe, Kass?”

Kass laughs with the rest of the tribe as she looks at Ken and Lauren, “There have been some… connections, Jeff, yes.”

“Clearly talking about you two.”

“Look, Jeff, I’m used to it,” Ken says, “everybody likes to assume I have some innate romantic attraction to every attractive woman, but that’s not why I came here. Even if Lauren is a strikingly beautiful woman.”

“Yeah, I--” Lauren stutters over her words when she receives his compliment, “I totally agree. I’m here to play Survivor. I’m sorry I find someone on my tribe attractive.”

“Even in denying it, Michaela,  they’re still flirting,” Jeff says.

“Let em flirt,” Michaela says, “Who cares? Doesn’t affect me. Give us a big bed for the next reward though, Jeff, then we might have a problem.”

“Kimmi, does this budding relationship between Ken and Lauren influence how you vote.”

“Of course,” Kimmi says, “This is a long game, and if you have as close a connection as those two do, you’ll go far.”

“This is a long game,” Bi says, “There are still a lot of things to worry about that aren’t a showmance.”

“Alright,” Jeff laughs, “It is time to vote. Kass, you’re up first.”

Everyone votes. Jeff tallies the votes then asks for any idols. Brandon looks over to Ben who shakes his head briefly only one time.

“Alright, I’ll read the votes. Kimmi, Kimmi, Kimmi, Ken, Ken, Ken, Kimmi, Fourth person voted out of Survivor: Wild West, Kimmi.”

Kimmi hugs everyone goodbye before Jeff tells her that the tribe has spoken and snuffs her torch. Everyone voted for Kimmi except Kimmi, Colby and Michaela.

Read Episode 5 here

#Survivor #Survivor Wild West #millennials vs gen x #Edge of Extinction #Ben Driebergen #ken mcnickle #Wendy Diaz #lauren o'connell

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 3 - We’re Wrangling Cattle

After returning from Tribal Council, Michaela instructs Colby to follow her to a more secluded area in the hills. “There were only seven votes for Ben.”

“Sure.”

“There shoulda been eight.”

Colby doesn’t respond.

“Did you vote with me, Colby,” she asks without blinking.

“I voted to make the tribe stronger.”

“So, what you said on day one, that was just bullshit?”

“Michaela, no.”

“You sure?”

“Michaela, I am with you. I’m sure. I’m sorry I didn’t vote with you this time.”

“Platitudes, man. If you’re with me, show me,” she tells him before walking back to camp.

After placing their torches against the wall, Ben finds his way indoors, following Brandon. Once out of sight of anyone else, Ben wraps his arms around Brandon, “Thank you so much! I owe you my life in this game!”

“Don’t mention it. Are you gonna go find another one?”

“Well, one of us has gotta. You and I are targets now, bud.”

“Don’t worry. I’m used to it.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a common chuckwalla lounges in the sun.

The next morning, at the Suhtai camp, Elizabeth and Carl talk as they wander the desert.

“This is a bit different, huh,” Carl says.

“I’ll say.”

“But, hey, I want us to stay together moving forward. Let’s put all that bullshit from David versus Goliath behind us.”

“Absolutely. I was going to say the same thing.”

“Cool. Glad we’re on the same page.”

“Davids forever.”

“So, who do you like?”

“I like Wendy. I like Hannah. I’m put off by Wardog but I have nothing against him. Who do you like?”

“I get a good feeling from Todd.”

“Oh, I LOVE Todd.”

“What about Russell and Jerri?”

“I don’t trust them. They’re both very good and only more powerful together.”

“Hm.”

“Do you trust them?”

“Absolutely not.”

“So, what do you want to do?”

“It’s too early. I want to take Taylor out. I never know where he’s at. I think the sooner we eliminate that uncertainty, the better.”

“That makes sense. What do we tell him though?”

“We’ll just say Russell or Jerri. Whatever people are feelin.”

The tribes meet again in town square at High Noon for a rousing reward challenge. Jeff says, “Suhtai, getting your first look at the new Tsitsistas tribe. Lisa voted out at the last tribal council.”

The Suhtai tribe nods, unsurprised. Jeff explains they will be competing in a game of horseshoes. “Lemme ask, you’re all used to the rice and fish on Survivor. How has the eating in the wild west been?”

“Mostly beans, Jeff,” Colby says.

“We’ve been able to catch a few crickets,” Elizabeth says.

“Well, how does a few chickens and a rooster sound?”

“Yeeeeesss,” Todd exclaims.

“I’ll give you some time to strategize and we’ll get started.”

The two tribes take their places and take their turns throwing. Everyone does about as well as an average person can until Bi, who gets significantly closer than anyone before her. Russell is next and lands quarter an inch closer to the post than Bi’s, putting Suhtai in first place. Ben takes his turn. His horseshoe lands with enough force and at such an angle upon Bi’s that it bounces forward and takes first place back. Jerri asked to go last, claiming she was “weirdly good at horseshoes. She takes her teal horseshoe from Jeff, lines her toes up with the post, squats and swings the horseshoe in her palm, so that her wrist goes through the gap every time, until she feels the weight perfectly aligned. Then, with a graceful toss, the horseshoe flips in the air over itself until it clangs with the post on its descent and spins around until falling in the sand.

“Suhtai wins reward,” Jeff calls.

“How did you get so good at horseshoes,” Colby asks, exasperated.

She gives him a wink and a grin before running back to her tribe as they celebrate with their chickens.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a desert black swallowtail flaps its wings as it floats through the dry air.

At the Tsitsistas camp, Bi tracks down Michaela. She’s sitting alone in the shade of one of the few, leafless trees. She looks up and smiles at Bi, “Sit, sista.”

“Is everyone saying that now?”

Michaela shrugs her shoulders like, “who knows, who cares?”

Bi aligns her back to the deceivingly strong tree and faces north. Michaela’s spine parallels Bi’s as she faces south.

“So,” Bi starts, “I know you and Colby are close, but hear me out.”

“Okay.”

“Kimmi played with Colby in their original season, then again with Kass in Cambodia.”

Michaela listens intently.

“And on top of that, if she gets to the merge, she’s got Jerri. Then It’s Kimmi, Kass, Colby, Jerri and you know Jerri is working with Russell.”

“That’s five.”

“That’s a big number in the merge. They’d probably only need one more to gain control.”

“Colby'll be mad.”

“So, let him be mad.”

Meanwhile, Kass and Kimmi tend to the fire. “So, you played with Colby originally,” Kass asks.

“That’s right,” she confirms.

“So, I have to imagine, with Jerri here as well, the three of you are planning on working together in the future?”

“He hasn’t said anything to me about it.”

“Hm. Are you open to it?”

“Oh, sure. I’m open to anything at this point!”

Colby approaches with tree mail as the rest of the tribe gathers round. He reads it aloud to Tsitsistas. Carl reads it to Suhtai.

“Cow? We’re wrangling cattle,” asks Wardog.

“Yee-haw, cowboy,” Jerri says as she affixes her hat to her head. Her finger glides perfectly across the brim as she points a finger gun toward Wardog and fires.

At high noon, the eighteen castaways meet Jeff at a corral in town, filled with cattle. Jeff is beaming with excitement as each tribe takes their place.

“For today’s challenge, five people from each tribe will be tasked with finding puzzle pieces in this corral.”

Everyone looks confused.

“Each tribe has five cows. Suhtai’s cows have teal bags hanging over their backs. Tsitsistas’ bags are orange. Once you get one of your cows in your tribe’s area, you may remove the bag of puzzle pieces and hand them to your two runners who will then transport the pieces to the two puzzlers up that hill,” He points to a trail up a hill about 20 feet high behind the corral. “Winning tribe gets immunity.”

The two tribes place everyone in their roles and wait for Jeff’s call. Hannah and Todd do the puzzle for Suhtai. Kass and Michaela are chosen for Tsitsistas. Jeff calls for the challenge to begin and all ten people in the corral race after cows while the four runners, Ken, Taylor, Brandon and Carl, wait at the fence for a bag of puzzle pieces. Lauren grabs a bag from a cow’s back and rushes over to hand it off to Ken. She struggles as she carries it, causing Jeff to shout, “These Bags Are Heavy!” As she gets closer to Ken, he reaches over and helps her with the weight.

“Thanks,” she says as they stare at each other.

“No problem.”

“Ken,” Brandon yells, “Run!”

“Oh, right,” he says before running up that hill.

Ben is quick behind with the second bag for Tsitsistas. He hands it off to Brandon, who immediately breaks off into a sprint.

Carl is handed the first bag for Suhtai. He throws it over his shoulder and begins his trek at a steady pace, hoping to not tire himself out. He passes Ken and Brandon on their way back. They nod to each other, but all three are already exhausted from the heat alone. Carl drops the bag with Hannah and Todd and immediately heads back to the corral, where he sees Taylor with a heel against the fence, a bag in one hand and his other hand extended for another.

“What are you doing,” he asks.

“Gonna take two at once.”

“That’s gonna waste time.”

“No, it’s gonna save time.”

“Everyone else has already gone and come back.”

“Trust me.”

Carl shakes his head, lines up next to his teammate and waits for the next bag. Next to them, Ken is handed a bag from Kimmi. Brandon is handed one from Bi. Both members of Tsitsistas begin their second leg of the challenge. Leaving at the same time, they have an unannounced but well-spirited race to Michaela and Kass. By the time they get to the peak of the hill, Michaela and Kass appear to have already finished the first two bags’ worth of pieces.

Elizabeth hands Carl another bag and he begins his jog again. Shortly thereafter, Wardog hands Taylor another bag. He begins his sprint, but loses all his speed after three steps. Carl makes his way back to Hannah and Todd, who look at him, confused.

“Taylor’s got a plan,” he assures them through heavy sighs.

“Whaaaat’s his plan,” Hannah asks.

Todd looks over at the other tribe’s puzzle. It’s nearly finished at this point. He tries to make out the puzzle’s pattern from their placements. He maneuvers a few pieces around, but he only has half the pieces they do. As Carl descends the hill once more, he sees Taylor lugging up the two bags. The bags are now in the sand behind him as he drags them.

“Tails!” Todd yells, “Hurry!”

Taylor puts a little more oomph in each step, but it doesn’t make much a difference in the sand. As he reaches the peak, but before he hands the bags off, Ken and Brandon carry their final bag together and pass him. They give their final bag to Michaela and Kass, who plug in the remaining pieces with no trouble. Jeff calls, “Tsitsistas win immunity.”

After the challenge, no one will give Hannah the time of day at the Suhtai camp. Everyone sees her as aligned with Taylor and she knows Taylor is the target. The two Millennials find some shade to talk.

“So, you know you’re the target,” she says.

“Yeah.”

“So, what do you want to do about that?”

Taylor looks back at camp, at the rest of their tribe, “What about… Todd?”

“No one’s going to vote for Todd.”

“Why not?”

“Everyone loves Todd.”

“Yeah, but he already won.”

“I know, Tails. I just don’t think now is the time.”

“Who do you think then?”

“Jerri scares me. She’s got a lot of connections.”

“You think people will go for that?”

Her eyes bug out as her cheeks fill with air. As she exhales, she tells Taylor, “You better hope they do. You might want to think about making a deal with God.”

“What?”

“Just-- I’m gonna try, Taylor.”

“Okay.”

Back in camp, Elizabeth, Carl, Todd, Russell, Jerri, Wendy and Wardog all sit around the fire. Todd raises his hands a couple inches in front of him and stops them quickly to get everyone’s attention, “So, we’re all voting Tails tonight, right?”

Everyone kind of nods and shrugs in agreement.

“And then, Hannah can vote for whoever. Her vote doesn’t really matter.”

“What if they have an idol,” Russell asks without taking his eyes off the fire.

“I don’t think they do,” Wendy says.

“Can we find out for sure,” Russell asks, his eyes now moving slowly from the flames to Wendy’s pupils. She freezes. Jerri takes Wendy’s hand in her own and Wendy turns to her.

“Wendy, sweetheart,” Jerri says with a soothing tone, “will you find out if Hannah or Taylor has an idol?”

Wendy sees Hannah walking past the fire without Taylor.

She turns back to Jerri, “Yes, yes, I can- I will find out.”

“Thank you,” Jerri says as Wendy walks off into the dark of the desert night. She meets up with Hannah.

“Hannah!”

“What’s going on?”

She shuffles over to her, “They’re worried one of you has an idol.”

“We don’t! You do! You’re not going to play your idol for Taylor, are you?”

“No!”

“Wait, so are they splitting the votes?”

“I don’t think so. I think it’s Tails”

“Everyone?”

“Yeah.”

“Fuck.”

“What?”

“You want to work with me?”

“Yes!”

“I don’t know if I can save Taylor, but if I can, he’s ours for the rest of the game.”

“So, what do you want to do?”

Hannah rubs her temples, “Jerri, I guess?”

“Jerri?”

“Do you think Wardog would vote for Jerri?”

“I don’t know. He, like, idolizes Russell and his…” she makes gibberish with her hands, “gameplay.”

“Who do you suggest then?”

After some contemplation, Wendy says, “I’ll talk to Wardog.”

“Thank you.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a yellow primrose flutters in the heat.

Wendy and Hannah return to camp with nothing more than exhausted faces. 

“Hot out,” Wardog asks as he laughs, tossing a rock in his hand.

“I need to talk to you,” Wendy says.

“Okay, what’s up?”

“What do you think of voting for Jerri?”

Wardog’s rock drops in his palm with a heavy thud.

“I don’t know why you’re trying to piss people off already, Wendy.”

“She’s got too many connections.”

“That’s exactly why you can’t go after her yet,” he explains, tapping the back of his hand on her shoulder, “That’s Colby mad at you. That’s Russell mad at you and THAT’S Brandon mad at you. I wouldn’t risk it. Just take the easy vote.”

“Wendy,” Jerri calls from across camp, waving her over. Wendy leaves Wardog and heads toward Jerri.

“What’s up?”

“Did you talk to Hannah?”

“Yes! I did!”

“And what’s the report?”

“She does not have an idol!”

“You’re sure?”

“A hundred percent.”

“How are you so sure?”

Wendy takes a moment before she responds, fearing she’s been caught, but then says, “She told me.”

“And you trust her?”

“Yeah, absolutely.”

“Alright,” she says before adorning her hat once again for tribal council.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a valley pocket gopher burrows into the sand.

Jeff welcomes Suhtai back to the Tribal Council campfire and receives disgruntled chuckles. “So,” he starts as he slaps the top of his thighs and sits on his stump, “here we are again. Now that we’re a little more acclimated to the environment, are things getting easier?”

“Sand’s different when there’s no water,” Elizabeth says.

“Hot?”

“I wake up sweating.”

Jeff laughs and moves onto his next question, “You’ve all played before, some of you have won,” he says, pointing toward Todd with an open palm, “Is the social aspect of the game significantly harder with more seasoned players?”

“You know, Jeff,” Todd says, “I think the fact these players have played before makes them realize what the priorities of the tribe as a whole should be.”

“Do you agree with that Taylor?”

“Haha, I mean, I know Todd wants me out. Everyone wanted me out after the Cao Boi vote. I’m just hoping the work done today can help my cause.”

“You put work in to get the target off you?”

“Yeah, so Hannah and I were talking and I came up with a plan and she went and talked to the right people, so fingers crossed, I’m here tomorrow.”

“So, the two of you had an idea and then Hannah put it into action?”

The tribe laughs at Taylor as he says, “Yeah, well, I’m hoping she did.”

“Alright, well, with that, it is time to vote. Taylor, you’re up first.”

Taylor walks up to the voting booth, writes Jerri’s name, holds it to the camera with his fingers crossed and places it in the urn. Jerri votes for Taylor, as does Todd with a “duh,” face to the camera. Hannah takes a long time when she goes to vote.

Jeff tallies the votes, then says, “If anyone has the hidden immunity and you’d like to play it, now would be the time to do so.” 

No one plays anything. Jeff reads the votes, “Taylor, Jerri,” Jerri rolls her eyes upon seeing Taylor has written, ‘Jerry.’ 

Jeff continues, “Taylor, Taylor, Taylor, third person voted off Survivor: Wild West” he holds up the parchment. It says “Tails” with a quick sketch of Sonic’s friend Tails in the corner.

Taylor laughs as Jeff reads the last vote. “Who’s that little guy?” he asks. He takes his torch to Jeff to be snuffed. 

Once Taylor leaves, Jeff turns back to the tribe, “While you may be having a hard time with the environment, after two unanimous votes, you seem to know how to solidify a tribe.”

Read Episode 4 here

#Survivor #Survivor Wild West

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 2 - Kissing’s Cool

After Tribal Council, everyone at the Suhtai camp is calm because they didn’t go home, but surprised that Taylor would just announce the target like that. Hannah pulls Taylor to a small hill nearby for some privacy, “Tails, you can’t do that!”

“What did I dooo?” Taylor asks, not understanding the attempt at a private conversation.

“You can’t just ANNOUNCE who you’re voting for at tribal council in front of everyone!”

“What does it matter? He went home anyway.”

“That’s not the point.”

“What is the point?”

“You could have screwed up a big plan. Everyone just voted for Cao Boi to avoid making enemies. We couldn’t take Jerri out because of you, Taylor.”

“Well, sorry man! I thought Cao Boi was the better move!”

“Okay, fine. We’ll just… get Jerri next time.”

“There. Good. No problem then.”

Hannah stares at him in disbelief then gets up and walks back to the tent.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a swarm of bats flies through the night sky.

The next morning, at the Tsitsistas camp, the tribe gets tree mail for the next challenge. Colby reads it in front of everyone:

“Dart,” Brandon guesses.

“Is anyone good at darts?”

“I’m decent,” Bi says.

“We’re gonna be looking at you then, missy,” Lisa says with love.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cactus wren lands on a cactus and cleans under its wings.

The two tribes meet in the old saloon in town where Jeff explains the rules of challenge. “Each tribe will put one person up to throw three darts. Whoever scores higher for their tribe, wins. Want to know what you’re playing for?”

Everyone claps and tells Jeff, “yeah.”

“Now, I’m sure desert nights are pretty rough in those tents. The winning tribe will receive wood and tools to build a shelter.” Everyone lets out an exalted sigh. Suhtai nominates Russell. He and Brandon exchange a grin. Tsitsistas nominates Bi. Jeff hands each of them a dart and has them take position. Russell throws first. His teal dart lands in the circle just outside the bullseye, at two o’clock on the face of a clock. Bi takes her first shot and mirrors Russell’s placement exactly at eight o’clock. She flashes him a quick grin as he steps up for his second throw. With almost the exact same technique, Russell’s dart hits just above and to the left of his first, still a hair from the bullseye. Bi mirrors him again. With his third and final dart, Russell takes a deep breath, pulls his hand back and tosses the dart through the air with such precision that it lands directly inside the bullseye ring.

“Try to mirror that, sweetheart.”

“Oh, I don’t know if I can, Russel,” Bi says, feigning concern.

Bi pulls back just as she had in her previous two throws and, with her eye directly on the center of the bullseye, tosses the dart directly in the center of the bullseye.

“This ain’t your game anymore, old man,” Bi taunts as Tsitsistas cheers.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a scorpion sits atop a rock and takes in the sun.

Back at the Tsitsistas Camp, Ken, Colby and Ben get started on building their new shelter. As Ken saws some wood, he catches Lauren’s eye as she walks past.

“Ken is,” she says in a talking head, “a very good-looking man. Uhh…” She trails off with a distracted smile.

“Can I help with anything, Ken,” she asks.

“Uh, yeah, could you grab me some more,” he looks in his hand to see a fistful of nails, “uh, nails.”

“Sure,” she says as they stare into one another’s eyes for far longer than necessary.

“Lauren’s…”Ken says in a talking head, “I really like Lauren, man. When I was working on the shelter, she came up to me, unprompted, and asked how she could help. She didn’t need to do that but I’m glad she did.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cottontail rabbit hops along.

Over at Suhtai, Todd approaches Carl to discuss the previous tribal council. “So,” he starts, “What do we think of Taylor?”

Carl tilts his head slightly and says only with his eyes, “This dude cannot be real.”

“Okay, I’m glad I’m not the only one.”

“No, man. Everyone is with you. We gotta take him out next chance we get. We’re lucky it was early. He coulda screwed a lot of things up.”

“Right?! Like, I don’t want to take the risk of that happening again.”

“I’m with ya, man.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, common goldenweeds grow bright.

Wendy and Hannah are hiking through the nearby hills. Once she feels they are far enough away from everyone else, Wendy asks Hannah, “Can I trust you?”

“Yes, of course!”

“You can’t tell Wardog, or Tails!”

“What is it??”

“And especially not Russell!!”

“I won’t tell Russell!”

Wendy pulls her satchel around front, opens it, and pulls out her nugget of gold.

“Is that an idol?!”

Wendy smiles real big and nods her head.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a rosy boa curls up under a rock.

That night, at the Tsitsistas Camp, while everyone makes their way to bed, Lisa sits around the fire alone. Eventually, Lauren gets up and makes her way to the fire.

“Hey Lisa,” Lauren says.

“Sit, sista.”

“Ha,” Lauren laughs briefly, “Like the tribe name.”

“Exactly. What’s got you up?”

“I just can’t sleep.”

“I’m right there with ya. I couldn’t sleep a wink my first time either. How do people sleep during this?”

“Why’s it so hard to go to sleep?”

As the two women talk, Lisa notices Ben get up and leave camp.

“I couldn’t help but notice you looking at Ken.”

“Haha, I mean sure. Who’s not looking at Ken?”

“He’s looking at you too, sweetie. You two would be cute together.”

“Oh my goooood, Lisa.”

“You’d make adorable kids.”

“Lisa! Stop,” Lauren giggled.

Ben has found his way to the hills. In a talking head, he explains, “There’s nowhere else an idol could POSSIBLY be hidden at camp.”

As he feels around all the rocks by moonlight, he comes across one with a different texture. He wraps his fingers around it and pulls. As luck would have it, Ben Driebergen finds an idol. He quickly stuffs it in his pocket. When he returns to camp, he notices Lisa still sitting at the fire. She notices him too. They do not acknowledge each other but he instinctively grabs his pocket as he heads to bed. After a few moments of sitting alone in silence, Lisa sees Bi. 

“I need to tell you something,” Lisa whispers.

Bi takes a seat next to her and asks, “What’s up?”

“I think Ben has an idol. I noticed him leave camp a few hours ago and he just came back with something in his pocket and he was trying to cover it with his hand when I saw him come back.

Somewhere in the desert, a desert iguana scurries into the shade when the sun comes up.

The next morning, Ben finds Brandon and says “Look, I’m not saying anything bad about Lisa. I’m just worried she’s going to hold us back in challenges.”

“Yeah, Ben. That makes sense. Hopefully we don’t have to worry about that.”

“Right. Right. But, we might.”

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”

“Is that from the bible?”

“Psalms 21:5”

“Yeah, well, just keep it in mind.”

“Sure thing.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a kangaroo rat hops like a kangaroo across the American desert.

The tribes receive another piece of tree mail, instructing them to be prepared to get wet. At high noon, they meet Jeff for their immunity challenge. “For today’s immunity challenge, each tribe will take a canoe across Lake Mead. First tribe to reach the finish line wins immunity. Tsitsistas you’ve got one extra member, you gotta sit someone out.” Without hesitation, Kass raises her hand.

Jerri takes the role of the Canoe Captain. She looks over her canoe to see Russell and Wardog taking up the helm with everyone else assorted throughout the canoe with their paddles. She looks over to the other canoe to see Colby standing in the same position, looking over his canoe where Ben and Ken take the helm. Jerri and Colby make eye contact and laugh before the challenge gets under way.

Suhtai seems to have established a rhythm early, forcing Tsitsistas to work from behind. Ben notices Lisa not stroking as hard as him. No one was rowing as hard as him, but he knows that blowing up would only draw more ire his way, so he keeps his mouth shut. Meanwhile, Suhtai crosses the finish line with no trouble. Jeff calls “Suhtai wins immuinty!”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a desert iguana looks out over the desert, searching for food.

Back at the Tsitsistas camp, Ben is fuming but refuses to talk to anyone. He stares into the fire, muttering to himself. Brandon takes a seat next to him. “I told you,” Ben says.

“I know, man. I’m with you.”

“Who else?”

“Bi? Michaela? Colby?”

“That would be five.”

“Do you want me to talk to them?”

“Yes, Brandon. Please do that.”

So, Brandon gets up from the fire to find Colby first. He’s helping Ken build a table in their new shelter, which is slowly starting to look like a small house. 

“Hey, Brandon,” Colby says with his signature smile, “Ken thought it would be a good idea to build a table, so that when we win any rewards, we can put them up here on a table indoors, rather than outside in the sand.”

“That’s a great idea. So, what do you think of Lisa tonight?”

“Lisa,” Ken asks, “You want to vote for her?”

“Yeah.”

“Well,” Colby says, “it would definitely make the tribe stronger.”

“But at the same time,” Ken argues, “Like you were saying earlier, how many tribals can we go to with Ben before he pulls out an idol. It might just be a good idea to get rid of him as soon as possible.”

“We gotta stay strong right now,” Brandon says.

“Right. I’ll talk to Michaela about it,” Colby says, “I know she wanted Ben first, but I can probably convince her.”

“I’ll talk to Lauren about it,” Ken says.

“Hey, yeah, Ken,” Colby excitedly says, “I saw you two hittin it off earlier.”

“Yeah, Lauren’s cool.”

“She’s cool,” Brandon guffaws, “you’re so clearly into her.”

“Oh, I-- I don’t know about that. She’s quite young.”

“You’re both adults,” Colby assures him, “There’s nothing wrong with some innocent flirting on Survivor.”

“You would know,” Brandon jokes.

“What if it goes beyond just innocent flirting?”

“Well, I wouldn’t know anything about that,” Colby says suddenly looking back to the table.

“You’re telling me,” Brandon pokes, “that in your four seasons together, you and Jerri have never gotten it on?”

“No, we-- I-- I don’t like to call it ‘gettin it on.’”

Ken chuckles quietly to himself.

“What do you call it then,” Brandon asks.

“Just… sex. I just call it sex!”

“Whoa-ho-ho, playboy Colby over here,” Brandon laughs.

Ken chuckles again.

“So, you and Jerri never had sex?”

Colby looks up from the table at Brandon and says with a clear voice, intentionally avoiding anger, “No, Brandon, Jerri Manthey and I have never had sex. We’ve never gotten it on. We’ve never even kissed.”

“Kissing’s cool, man,” Ken explains, “You should try it.”

Colby looks at the two men he feels are taunting him, then gets back to work on the table.

Ken puts down his tools and makes his way back to the fire pit where he sees Lauren sitting with Lisa. “Hey ladies,” he says as he joins them.

Lisa grins really big while staring at Lauren, then at Ken, instructing Lauren to talk to him.

“Uh, what’s going on, Ken,” Lauren asks.

“Well, I was just wondering who you guys were voting for.”

“I think the plan is Ben, right?”

“Ben, okay. That works.”

“Who have you heard,” Lisa asks.

“Uh… I haven’t really heard anything. I was just building a table inside.”

“Yeah,” Lauren asks involuntarily.

“Yeah,” he replies with the same absent-mindedness.

At the well, Michaela, Kass, Bi and Kimmi are collecting water for everyone. 

“What are you guys thinking,” Michaela asks.

“I think everyone’s kind of on the same page,” Kimmi says.

“Ben?” Bi presumes.

“That’s who I wanted.”

“Works for me,” Kimmi says.

“What if he has an idol already?” Bi asks.

“If he plays an idol tonight, we’ll just make sure he doesn’t get the next one,” Kimmi says. Neither of the other women seem convinced.

“He doesn’t have an idol,” Kimmi assures them, “Have you seen him since the challenge? He’s been so on edge.”

The Tsitsistas Tribe treks to Tribal Council. They are welcomed by Jeff and his light-polluting smile. They all take a seat in the circle around the campfire Jeff made. “Welcome back, all of you, to tribal council. I’m sure you’re all happy to be here.”

“Nope!” Brandon shouts, “I am never happy to be at Tribal Council, but hey, here we are so what can you do?”

“What do you want to do with this vote, Brandon,” Jeff asks.

“I want to keep our tribe strong. So many people play the individual game so early these days. We’re still a team, y’all! And teamwork makes the dream work!”

“Colby, do you agree? Do you think your tribe needs to work better together as a team?”

“Well, sure, Jeff. But not everyone’s definition of strength is the same. What’s strong to me isn’t necessarily the same thing as strength for someone like Ben.”

“Ben, what is strength to you?”

“Well, Jeff, I was in the marines. So, I think strength is being forced into mental and physical exhaustion and still being able to perform. Isn’t that what Survivor’s all about?”

“If you say so. It is time to vote. Bi, you’re up first.”

Bi gets up and writes Ben’s name. Ben writes Lisa’s name and holds it up to the camera with an unenthusiastic and apologetic shrug. When Ken makes his way to the voting booth, he takes a long time to decide how to vote. When he finally returns, Jeff says “I’ll go tally the votes.”

When Jeff returns with the votes, he says “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play it, now would be the time to do so.” Ben looks around at the rest of his tribe, stands up and pulls the small nugget of gold from his pocket. “Should I bite it to make sure it’s real,” he jokes as he walks up Jeff’s lectern.

“That won’t be necessary,” Jeff tells him, holding his hand out.

He takes the gold, holds it up to the tribe and says, “This IS a hidden immunity idol. Any votes cast for Ben will not count.” Jeff reaches in the urn and begins reading the votes. “Ben, does not count.”

“Ben does not count, Ben does not count, Ben does not count, Ben does not count, Ben does not count, Ben does not count, Lisa, Second Person voted out of the Wild West, Lisa.”

Everyone voted for Ben except Ben, Brandon and Colby.

Read Episode 3 here

#Survivor #Wild West #fanfic

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 1 - Still Hot, Still Sandy, Still a Buncha Liars

Jeff begins his narration as a train bends around the rocks of the Mojave Desert. He says, “Since humanities inception, societies rise and societies fall. Societies evolve. Societies change. And so, Survivor is once again changing things up!”

The camera pans to Jeff on horseback standing over the Grand Canyon, “Welcome to Survivor: Wild West! We’ve brought back some of your favorite Survivors from west of the Mississippi. They’ll be stranded outside an old ghost town in the Mojave Desert with only the supplies on their back and whatever they can scavenge in the remains of this town.”

“People forget, a lot of the first cowboys were black.” Carl says in a talking head before adjusting his hat.

Probst rides his clydesdale to the middle of an intersection. He looks around the skeletons of buildings and notices a saloon on the corner. He ties his horse to the hitching post outside and walks inside. The spurs on his boots spin as he steps in front of the cast. The 20 castaways sit around the saloon, at the bar stools and the poker tables, on the stairs and the piano bench. Jeff welcomes the cast of returnees to the new season. He first calls out Cao Boi, “Cao Boi, obviously, you’re the first person we call when we start to think about a Wild West theme.”

“It’s not the Wild West without a cow boy,” Cao Boi says.

“From one Cowboy to another, Colby, our first season in America, we need to get Colby Donaldson.”

“Yeah, I guess I was America’s Favorite Son for a while,” he answers.

“Still are,” Jerri interjects from the other side of the room.

“Jerri,” Jeff says turning his attention to her, “Why are you here on the Wild West season?”

“Well, I’ve already got the hat,” Jerri jokes as she tips her hat, “but, I’m just here to bother Colby. Same as always.”

Colby rolls his eyes and looks back to Jeff.

“Not excited to see Jerri, Colby?” Jeff asks.

“How could I not be excited to see Jerri Manthey? It’s been 20 years,” Colby says, presenting a purposeful smile.

Jeff then turns to Michaela, “Michaela, how old were you when Colby was first on Survivor?”

“I woulda been eleven, Jeff.”

Colby laughs at his own age.

“So, was Colby an idol of yours at that age,” Jeff asks.

“Honestly,” Michaela says, “not really. I mean, it was cool that he was from Texas and all cause I’m from Texas, but no I couldn’t relate to him. To hear you call him the proto-American, I just have to ask, ‘Who’s America?’ I just don’t see what makes Colby Donaldson any more American than Michaela Bradshaw.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself, Michaela,” Jeff says, “And with that, the season begins. Teal tribe, you are Suhtai,” he tosses the tribe to his left a satchel with their buffs and a map to their camp in some nearby hills. “Orange tribe, you are Tsitsistas.” He does the same for the tribe to his right.

“Your tribes are named after two Native American tribes who travelled together until the early 19th Century, the two tribes came together, or merged, and became known as the Cheyenne people,” Jeff explains, “Now, you have 30 minutes to scavenge this town. There are supplies hidden throughout these ruins. As of now, Survivor: Wild Wild West is on.”

Jeff leaves the saloon and the hunt for supplies begins. A few people dive over the bar for any bottles of alcohol they can find. Some whiskey, gin and red wine are found by Wendy Diaz.

“I don’t even really drink,” Wendy says in a talking head, “but I noticed the label on the wine bottle was a little... oh i don’t know... curled up in the corner, so I took it!”

Wendy runs off to a corner away from everyone else to unfurl the wine bottle. She crouches under a table to avoid any witnesses when she sees Russell and Brandon Hantz enter the room to chat.

“But then,” Wendy continues in her talking head, “Russell and Brandon showed up! And Russell is on my tribe!! And I hate Russell.”

Russell tells Brandon he’ll take care of him, he just needs to get to the merge. “Find an idol if you can,” Russell advises.

“But then,” Wendy’s narration continues.

Wendy removes the wine label when the Hantzs leave.

“There’s Gold in them thar hills!” She exclaims, reading the label in her talking head.

Wardog opens a crate of supplies behind the saloon where he finds rations, kerosene and a small tube he suspects is an advantage.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a coyote sits on the porch of a saloon.

After the scavenging of the town, each tribe hikes to their camp. At the Tsitsistas Camp, Colby builds a fire and Ben gathers everyone around, “Alright, so let’s all introduce ourselves. My name is Ben Driebergen. I’m 37 years old. I have a wife & kids. I fought in the marines and then I played in Survivor: Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers and again last season in Winners at War. Who’s Next?”

“Yeah, hi, I’m Lauren, 23, I played in Edge of Extinction. No kids. No significant other. Just… little ol’ me,” Lauren says with a grimace.

“Uh, I’m Kass, Chaos Kass, you may have heard, I played in Cagayan and again in Cambodia… or Second Chances I guess”

“Hey, I’m Ken. I played Millennials vs Gen X. I was on the Gen X tribe. I am also single.”

“Hey everyone, yeah, I’m Brandon. I’m Russell’s nephew.“

Everyone stares at him and nods slightly.

“Hi, I’m Kim-”

“And, I just want you all to know,” Brandon continues, “I know last time I played, things didn’t look so great. I want you all to know, I’m good now. I’m not gonna throw any tantrums or any fits or anything. I’m gonna be good. I’m good now.”

Kimmi Kappenberg says, “Alright, I’m Kimmi, I played in Season TWO” she holds up two fingers, “And then again in Second Chances.” She mirrors the peace sign she made on the other hand for “Second Chances.”

“Hi, I’m Bi. I played in David vs Goliath but had to leave early because of an injury.“

“And I’m Lisa! I played in the Philippines like a hundred years ago.”

After a few minutes of small talk, people begin to go their separate ways. Ben, Brandon, Kass, Lauren, Ken and Kimmi use some wood they’d taken from town to build a shelter. Lisa pulls Bi aside to lend a shoulder if Bi wanted to talk about losing her opportunity. Colby continues to work on the fire as Michaela sits with him.

As the desert sun beats down on him, Colby rubs two sticks together. He sweats through his shirt. Michaela reaches in her pocket, “Colby,”

He looks up. Sweat drips from his eyelash into his eye.

“You think these might help,” and she pulls out a dry box of matches, “I found them next to a stove back in town. They’re old and they don’t look like they’ll work but it’s worth a try.”

“Sure. You know,” Colby says as he places the dusty match against its dustier box, “I don’t think of myself as more American than you.”

The match lights and he brings it to the kindling to ignite. He looks back to Michaela, “After everything going on, you know, the world’s fucked right now. Honestly, living in the desert for a month and a half sounds alright right about now,” Colby jokes.

“The world certainly is fucked right now,” Michaela laughs, “You’re not wrong, Colby.”

“It’s been fucked for you guys for a while though, right?”

“’You guys’ meaning black folks?”

“Well, yes and no. I just mean, people who don’t look exactly like me.”

“Ha,” she laughs, “sure, that’s true.”

“I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

“It’s alright. You’re learning.”

“I know. I just feel bad.”

“I’m not asking for your pity, Colby. Just asking for your assistance.”

“You know,” he says, “I’ve been doing a lot of listening since everything started and what I keep hearing is ‘Listen to black women.’ So, that’s what I’m gonna do. I really do want to help, however I can.”

She looks at him, taking in his intention. She sticks out her hand for him to take and they shake hands.

“Colby’s a good dude,” Michaela explains in a talking head, “He means well. That’s good. ”

“Okay, so, with us working together now,” Michaela asks, “who would you recommend we go for first?”

Colby looks down toward Bi and Lisa, then at the group building the shelter, then back at Michaela, “How about Ben?”

“I don’t see why not. He’s already won. Have you won?”

“Not once. In 20 years, never once.”

“Me neither.”

The two of them stare down Ben from across the camp.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a desert collared lizard scurries from the shade of one rock to the shade of another.

At the Suhtai Camp, everyone drops their things. Jerri immediately turns to Russell, opens her arms and says “Russell, my old friend!”

“Jerri, hello again,” he says.

“I saw your nephew is here.”

“Yeah, we’ll see about that,” he chuckles.

Carl calls everyone to the center of camp and introduces himself, “Hi everybody, I’m Carl, I played in David vs Goliath, along with Elizabeth.”

“Oh, hi, yeah, Carl’s right, we played David vs Goliath together. We were on the Davids tribe.”

“Oh! I played my season with Taylor!” Hannah Shapiro exclaims.

“Hey everybody… I’m Taylor, or Tails. We played uh…”

“Millennials vs Gen X!” Hannah finishes.

“Well, I think I’m the only person from my season, I’m Todd,” Todd says.

“What’s up, man,” Taylor says.

“I’m the only representative from my season too. I am Cao Boi, obviously. I was on Cook Islands.”

“I was on the same tribe as Wardog!” Wendy exclaims.

“Wendy!” Wardog shouts, as if no one would have figured it out.

“We were on the Edge!” Wendy explains, “of Extinction!”

“Wendy’s funny, man,” Taylor says in a talking head, “She’s kinda uhh cooky but she’s fun, man.”

“Do you want to go get water,” Jerri asks Russell.

“Yeah,” he mutters, “Grab one of them young kids.”

Jerri looks over the crowd of people getting to know one another, then looks back at Russell and grins, “Let’s go.”

As they make their way through camp, Jerri turns to Wendy, “Do you want to come get water?”

Wendy nods and follows Jerri and Russell.

“So,” Russell starts with his deceptively charming southern grin, “What do you think of everyone so far?” 

“Well, so far everyone seems cool! Although, maybe I’m not the best judge of character. I didn’t make it far my first time out.”

Russell and Jerri make pouty faces at each other outside of Wendy’s view. 

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that this time, honey,” Jerri promises.

“Yeah, you’re with us now,” Russell assures her.

Wendy nods in agreement to Russell and Jerri, but in a talking head yells, “Who said I wanted to be in an alliance with you, RUSSELL?!”

The three of them find the camp’s well. It’s nestled amongst a rock formation. Overhead, there’s a sign deeming the well, “The Oasis." Wendy eyes a small hill on their way back, then explains in a talking head, “There was a little crease in the rocks where it looked like something could be hidden and the sand around it looked... weird... So, after we all got back to camp and sat around the campfire, I got up to use the bathroom aaaand…” she pulls out a two and half inch tall gold nugget, “There’s gold in them hills! It’s the idol!”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a coyote surveys the landscape.

When he has a moment alone, Wardog sneaks off to open the advantage he found in the scavenge. He reaches a finger inside and finds a note reading “Extra Vote” and one voting parchment.

“Holy shit. Alright. Alright. That’s good.”

The next morning at the Suhtai camp, each survivor wakes from their tent and makes their way to the fire. Kass is the first person awake and begins to tend to the fire. Lauren wakes shortly after her and yawns for what feels like eternity, then sits near the fire with Kass.

“How long you been up,” she asks through the remnants of her yawn.

“Oh, just a little bit.”

“You go looking for an idol?”

“Please, Lauren, it’s far too early to worry about that.”

Ken saunters his way around the campfire from the tent.

“Morning folks, What’s on the docket for today?”

“There’s a challenge,” Kass tells him.

“Oh, right on. I think we’re pretty strong, so we should be alright. Didn’t you play soccer, Lauren?”

“I-- yeah, I did.”

“So you’re probably pretty strong. Michaela’s strong, Brandon’s probably strong, Bi’s a boxer so she must be strong.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a lone desert cottontail rabbit hops over and under the rocks, looking for shelter.

At high noon, both tribes head to their first immunity challenge. Jeff explains, “Each tribe will have a conestoga wagon. You must move your cart through various obstacles, disassembling and reassembling pieces throughout. Along the way, you will collect puzzle pieces. Then, two people from each tribe will solve the puzzle. First tribe to complete the puzzle wins immunity.”

Kass and Michaela are chosen as the puzzle solvers for Tsitsistas. Todd and Cao Boi volunteer for the puzzle on Suhtai.

Both tribes fumble a bit as they figure out how to situate themselves around their large conestoga wagons. Once they finally do, Tsitsistas takes a slight lead. Lisa is slow getting back to her position after the reassembling portion of the challenge. Brandon starts yelling they’re “not going to win” until Michaela yells from the puzzle, “Bro, just shut up and get it done.” The disorder causes Suhtai to catch up and take the lead, inciting Brandon further.

“We got it on the puzzle,” Michaela promises, “Be cool, Brandon.” 

Suhtai makes it to their puzzle first and begins working on it, but Tsitsistas is only a few steps behind. As soon as Kass places a tile, Todd is right behind her, then Michaela is right behind him, then Cao Boi next. The four of them are finding pieces with no trouble. When Suhtai goes up by a piece, Tsitsistas is right behind and vice versa. Todd and Cao Boi slam their final piece in and call Jeff. He checks it as Kass and Michaela continue working. “Suhtai thinks they have it,” he places one hand on the puzzle as he looks it over, “That is not right!”

Kass and Michaela clamor for Jeff. He does the same to their puzzle and announces, “Tsitsistas wins immunity!”

In a talking head, Todd blames the loss on Cao Boi after he placed two pieces in their opposite places, “I just don’t understand why you would volunteer yourself and then miss something like that!”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a purple-throated hummingbird hovers over a nest.

Back at the Suhtai camp, the first vote scramble begins. Todd goes to Taylor first, “Look bro, we shoulda had that challenge.”

“Yeah, man.”

“Cao Boi fucked us,” Todd says, mimicking Taylor’s cadence, “He misplaced two of the pieces.”

“Why would he do that,” Taylor genuinely asks.

“I don’t know, man, but we gotta get him out.”

“You got it man. Let’s do it. I’ll talk to Hannah.”

Taylor wanders over to Hannah, who’s sitting with Wendy, “Han.”

“What’s up, Taylor?”

“So, I was just talking to Todd, he said it’s Cao Boi’s fault we lost. Yeah. So, we have to take him out.”

“Tonight?”

“I mean, yeah. Are you down?”

“Yeah, I mean, sure. That works for me.”

“Wendy, are you down to vote Cao Boi?”

“Sure!”

After Taylor leaves, Hannah asks Wendy if she’s got Wardog. 

“I think so. At least, I can get him to vote with us this time.”

“Okay, That’s good. Wardog’s good.”

“Wardog!” Wendy yells from across the camp.

“Wendy, hey, what’s up,” he asks as he walks over.

“What do you think of Cao Boi,” Hannah asks.

“I’ve got no allegiance to Cao Boi. You guys want to do Cao Boi tonight?”

“Yeah,” Hannah says. 

“Alright, let’s do it,” Wardog says.

Meanwhile, Cao Boi recognizes he’s being targeted. He goes first to Todd and explains, “Everyone here on our tribe has played with someone else on our tribe. Some people have played with people on the other side. You & me, though? We haven’t played with anyone else. Why don’t you and I start something?”

“What are you thinking?”

“Jerri and Russell, that’s a strong connection. They went far together in Heroes vs Villains. You know who else they went far with? Colby. Is there a better story in Survivor history than Jerri and Colby?”

“So, Jerri?”

“I’m just saying. With Jerri gone, Russell and Colby aren’t working together. With Jerri there, they might.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a bushel of daisies blow in the wind.

Wendy goes to Russell and Jerri to tell them the Cao Boi plan. They hear the plan, then Russell asks, “Who came up with this?”

“Todd,” she tells them, “Hannah and Taylor already agreed to it. And Wardog.”

“Thanks, Wendy,” Jerri says.

“This is very helpful information,” Russell says, sounding more condescending than he realizes.

In a talking head, Wendy is exasperated, “He talks to me like I’m a child. I can’t stand him. I wish we were taking him out tonight.”

After Wendy leaves, Jerri points out to Russell that Todd and Cao Boi are going to team up to take out the other couples. She believes she’s the target.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a mantis prays.

Cao Boi approaches Carl and Elizabeth and gives them his pitch for Jerri. They hear him out and agree to the plan. He then finds Wendy shortly before Tribal Council. “Wendy,” he says, “We’re voting Jerri tonight.”

“Okay,” she agrees without question.

As the sun sets over the horizon and the temperature drops, the Suhtai tribe join Jeff around a campfire outside a cave. Unlike previous tribal councils, this season’s has only one row of seating around the fire so everyone is in full view of one another the whole time. The voting booth is inside a small cave in the nearby hills. “So,” Jeff begins with his infectious grin, “Here we are. Survivor 41. Tribal Council. How does it feel, Wardog?”

“Honestly, Jeff, it sucks. No one ever wants to be here.”

“How about being in the desert, Russell? Any different?”

“It’s still hot, still sandy, still a buncha liars. Don’t matter if it’s Samoa, Nicaragua, Fiji or right here in the Wild West. It’s still Survivor and I’m still the best at it.”

“Haha yeah, alright, dude,” Taylor laughs.

Jeff and Russell turn to Taylor to finish.

“You’ve never even won, dude. How can you call yourself the best?”

“Gotten a lot further than you, bro.”

“Alright, bro. We’ll see.”

“Are you voting for me tonight?”

“No,” Taylor laughs.

“Who are you voting for?”

“Cao Boi! He fucked us in the challenge! Todd said!”

“Alright,” Russell says with a quiet grin before he turns back to Probst.

“Alright, with that, It is time to vote. Taylor, you’re up first.”

Taylor gets up and proudly votes. The other nine make their votes. Jeff tallies the votes and returns to read the votes. “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play it, now would be the time to do so.” No one stands up. Jeff reads the votes. “Cao Boi, Jerri, Cao Boi, Cao Boi, Cao Boi, First Person voted out of Survivor: Wild West: Cao Boi.”

Read Episode 2 Here

#Survivor #Wild West #Jeff Probst #Survivor Wild West

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Coming 9/9

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Coming Soon

Damsel in Distress, Wendy Diaz (Bell, California)

#Wendy Daiz #Survivor #Edge of Extinction #Wild West #Fan Fic #Jeff Probst