I'll Be There for You

Plot
The episode opens up with Clayton, Nico and Annie eating breakfast at the giant table in the"family room" of the luxury cabin.

Annie (CONF): It just feels so good to be back in the luxury cabin, and honestly a little relieving to be here without Abbey and Colby, they’ve been starting to really fucking stress me out lately

They are laughing and talking about the movie they watched last night, after which Annie finishes her scrambled eggs and gets up to go upstairs and get ready. After waiting to hear the footsteps disappear onto the second floor, Nico admits he doesn't fully trust Annie.

Nico (CONF): Look, I have to start seriously assembling who I want to go to the end with

…and decides to show Clayton the “legacy advantage” he got from Sofia after she was voted out in the Serengeti. Clayton nods along, excited for the opportunity to strike back, but commenting that they need to make sure they can navigate their way into the final nine.

Clayton (CONF): I mean come on, ever since the final like twenty it's been only unreal competitors left in the game

He also apologizes again for voting for Sofia. Nico says he understands, he just wished he would have been more transparent.

Townes and Rourke are side-by-side on the stair-steppers in the workout room, while Ranjitha lifts weights nearby for her “skinny girl shredded” workout regimen. Rourke tells Ranjitha, unknowing she is on the verge of jumping alliances, that he is excited that they’re finally all working together. He tells them they almost got picked off one by one because they didn’t come together early enough, but thinks they have a good chance now.

Rourke (CONF): Wilson’s ginormous ego put us at a pretty bad start, but him getting voted out in Turkey actually gave us the opportunity to really turn the game around

Townes adds that they pretty much dominate the numbers as long as Colby and Abbey continue to work with them for the next few ceremonies, and Ranjitha just uncomfortably nods along.

Ranjitha (CONF): Ugh ok so I really don’t know what to do…like at all...like I feel like either way I'm going to screw myself over

In the boys' regular cabin, Colby lays sound asleep while Alex and Duncan sit and drink coffee on the front porch. The two discuss strategy.

Duncan (CONF): We have to start making big moves

Duncan loosely tosses out the idea of going after someone like Nico or Clayton given their clear shot at making it to the final. Alex agrees, but says he isn't sure if the timing is right for that as the numbers seem to be stacking against them. As they ponder, the scene pans past Helina going for a run along the beach by the Dock of Shame, and lands on Vani talking to Abbey about her concerns with Helina in the washroom.

Abbey (CONF): It’s prettty odd that Vani’s trusting me with this opinion but ok?

Vani (CONF): I mean come on being on Team Waka has some sort of loyalty, right? I mean I guess I did “vote you out” but that’s in the past dawg

Abbey (CONF): Wait didn’t she literally vote me out?

Beyla crawls out of bed and notices Duncan and Alex on the porch of the other cabin. She runs to the dining hall to get a mug of coffee, then goes over to join them in her pajamas. She tells the two about Nico’s idol, saying that Nico asked her to relay the information. That means that the three of them, Nico and Clayton all know. Alex says that could be a pretty solid final five, and Duncan hesitantly agrees. Beyla nervously takes a sip from her mug.

Beyla (CONF): Yeah that does sound good…although, it does kind of freak me out that the five of us are some of the strongest competitors left in the game…I don’t know dude

Chris summons all the contestants to the Dock of Shame, where a yacht awaits that looks similar to the one that brought them to the island for the first time.

Annie (CONF): There is just absolutely no way this can be good

Townes (CONF): If this is another returner I'm going to lose my shit

Chris reassures them that no one else will be returning to the game, and says before they address the yacht that the contestants have now officially completed their twelfth cycle, consequently leading to their sixth tribute. Chef rolls a giant TV screen out onto the dock. Even more so than last time, the contestants look dismayed to think about their friends that have been eliminated over the past two weeks. "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascal Flatts begins to play as a montage shows Phillippa squeezing under the giant dirt wall, Garrett getting blasted out of the thorn bush by Chef’s high-power stream of water, Grant and Dani diving over the side of the Chris cruise, Mary operating the hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Wilson rushing to the finish line after his balloon landed, Kelsey stealing Ranjitha’s key, Lauren jumping down on the see-saw catapult in a Glory-gold jersey, Miller fighting off a tai-chi park-goer in San Francisco at pride and finally Sofia getting attacked by the warthog in Tanzania.

Colby (CONF): Damn…

Once the montage is over, he welcomes the contestants to an Ultimate Challenge first – the loved one’s special.

Duncan (CONF): What?

Helina (CONF): No way

Alex (CONF): This is way too nice it has got to be some sort of trick

He says he brought thirteen people who have a close relation with the people here and attend or attended UNC alongside them. He also says eliminated contestants were not eligible to be brought back, given they’ve “been there, done that” on the cruise through the Caribbean. Chris says as he announces partners, they’ll step off the boat. Rourke is first, and brought for Rourke is…

Allie.

She comes rushing down the ramp and sprints into Rourke’s arms.

Allie (CONF): Damn I wish I had gotten the chance to compete, but this is actually incredible I’m so psyched

Rourke (CONF): Oh hell yeah

For Vani, Uma comes running down the ramp. Vani screams.

Uma (CONF): This game seems like a lot…but I’ll do literally whatever it takes to help Vani win

Vani (CONF): We got this in the bag

Helina also looks excited to see Uma, anxiously awaiting who her loved one will be.

Chris says for Nico, they brought his good friend and housemate – Abhinav.

Abhinav (CONF): This is so dope

And for Townes, his girlfriend Eryn.

Townes (CONF): Holy shit

She comes running down and Townes nearly tears up (nearly) and the two embrace.

Eryn (CONF): Ugh this really looks so fun

Eryn, Allie, Abhinav and Uma go around greeting some of the other contestants they know when Chris brings the next loved one – Helina’s best friend Nicholas.

Nicholas (CONF): Look y’all I ain’t came here to play no games

She shrieks and rushes into his arms. He starts doing his “knuck and buck” arms and people are excited, but nervous.

Rourke (CONF): Look I love Nicholas, but he’s definitely going to be a strong competitor and if this is a physical challenge...

For Abbey, they bring Clare. She comes running down the plank and her and Abbey hug.

Clare (CONF): Honestly I have no idea what the fuck is going on right now

Abbey (CONF): I always wondered why Clare wasn't picked to play

For Annie, they bring Bella. Bella comes sprinting down the dock.

Bella (CONF): I am soooo excited to be here

Annie scoops Bella into a huge hug, as Chris calls the next person down – TJ, here for Duncan.

TJ (CONF): What’s up y’all, I’m TJ…uh yeah, that’s about it

Duncan runs over to say hi as Chris calls the next person – Alex’s protégé, Cameron.

Cameron (CONF): *waving to the camera* This is so exciting!

Alex lifts Cameron off the ground, psyched to see him. Everyone starts to stir, as nervous jitters reverberate throughout the crowd.

Townes (CONF): This honestly kind of reminds me of the earlier days when there were a lot of us left in the competition…don't get me wrong, I’m glad to have made it this far, but I miss those days

*flashback to Townes stepping off the yacht after Paige and waving to the camera on the first day of the competition*

Next up is Ranjitha’s loved one – Celeste. She comes running down, PBR in hand, and everyone laughs.

Celeste (CONF): I don’t even know what to think, but this is gonna be fun as fuck

And Clayton’s housemate, Henry. He just walks down the ramp, hugging Clayton and waving to the other contestants.

Henry (CONF): Huh…*looking around*...so this is actually in an outhouse?

Clayton (CONF): Hopefully Henry’s athleticism will come in handy today

For Colby, Beth comes bursting out of the yacht, screaming enthusiastically. She hugs Colby, before turning to say hi to Abbey, Alex, Duncan and Annie.

Beth (CONF): This is so cool and I’m so pissed I didn’t get picked to play

And finally, that leaves Beyla’s loved one – Joey. He comes down waving to everyone.

Joey (CONF): I have a feeling this is going to be a nightmare

Beyla (CONF): This is going to be so fun

Chris says today’s challenge is going to operate a little differently. He likes to call it, "The Purge." Beth cheers causing the other contestants to laugh and Chris to pout until they quiet up again. He explains they'll compete in a series of 10 mini-challenges that will yield 10 winners. Once you and your partner win, you are clear of competing in the following challenges. The first three to win will get a stay in the luxury cabin for the night. Then for the three losing pairs, a twist…

Duncan (CONF): Are these really even twists anymore?

Beth (CONF): Ha! Classic Chris

The thirteen loved ones will independently vote to choose which of the bottom three to “protect.” That person will also be immune from the vote.

Bella (CONF): Wait that’s a lot of power...*begins fanning herself nervously*...whew this is going to be c-razy

And he says he hopes they know how to do math, because that leaves only two people eligible for elimination at the night’s campfire ceremony where the thirteen contestants will vote off on of the remaining two.

Helina (CONF): *groaning* Why does Chris do this to us…but honestly, with Nicholas here I have a good shot of staying out of that bottom two

Turning thirteen into the final twelve. He adds that no one wants to go home now, especially with their loved ones here. He says the loser’s loved one will have to return with them on the Boat of Losers, but the remaining twelve loved ones can stay for the night’s big finale – a huge party set up in their honor.

Henry (CONF): Oh we better not lose because I wanna be here for that *singing* banger

Chris says they may as well get things started, and suddenly gas canisters go off.

Vani (CONF): Chris is always pulling this bullshit man and look one day I’m gonna come afte- *sways then goes unconscious and collapses*

When the contestants wake up, the loved ones are gone. They are standing in the middle of Boney Island. A couple of the contestants notice that the mountain from the tribute challenge is gone.

Townes (CONF): Didn't we...climb a mountain here a few weeks a...you know at this point, fuck it

Across the way from them are thirteen gravestones, each with a loved ones name on it.

Abbey (CONF): What the hell is with Chris and the whole grave situation

Also laying next to each grave is a shovel.

Nico (CONF): I'm pretty sure I know where this is going

The scene flashes to inside the coffins, where the loved ones are screaming and banging against the lids. Well except Joey.

Joey (CONF): Yep, this is about what I expected

Chris says the first challenge is to dig your loved one up and run a mile-long race to the edge of the island. Without any further explanation, he yells “Go!” alongside the starting horn and intense music begins to play as the scene switches to slow motion and the contestants dart off the starting line. Regular speed returns when Alex and Nico are the first to reach their shovels and begin attacking the grave.

At Abhinav’s grave, dirt is flying, as Nico kicks it into overdrive.

Abhinav (CONF): Honestly I trust Nico is going to get me out first no doubt

Annie is having a little more difficulty with the digging portion.

Bella (CONF): Yeah…I don’t expect to be dug up anytime soon but that's ok

The camera first goes horizontal and shows the thirteen digging the graves, all with safety goggles on provided by Chris. Not for safety but because he thinks they “look cool.” Then, a slow-motion montage shows Ranjitha rub sweat off her forehead, Alex hurl a thing of dirt aside, Rourke shoving his shovel into the ground and ends with Nico finding a little rope handle and pulling it.

The door to Abhinav's coffin is tugged open, and him and Nico make a run for it.

Clayton (CONF): Shit

The contestants kick it into overdrive, and almost simultaneously Alex, Beyla and Clayton find the handles and a three-way split screen shows them yank it with all their strength. Cameron breathes a sigh of relief when he sees the daylight.

Cameron (CONF): Alright awesome it’s only been about what, five minutes, and we’ve already been buried alive?

Henry gasps for air.

Henry (CONF): Man is this how smokers feel

And Joey seems indifferent. All three pairs take off for the finish line. A few minutes later, Helina frees Nicholas from his giant coffin, Vani yanks Uma out and Duncan breaks out TJ. The three pairs start running down the mile-long course as well. Uma sweats profusely, eying Duncan, TJ, Helina and Nicholas as she runs next to Vani.

Uma (CONF): Hey I just gotta make sure I hold my own, mama ain't gonna be there reason Vani loses

No concept for how behind they are, Ranjitha and Celeste, Colby and Beth and Townes and Eryn start the run.

The scene flashes up to Nico and Abhinav, finishing first without any of the other contestants even in sight. Chris congratulates them for winning the first challenge and getting out of "The Purge".

Abhinav (CONF): I’m psyched man but…I’m kind of bummed I won’t get to compete in any more challenges

Nico scoops Abhinav up into a hug, saying this is huge. Alex and Cameron are the next to arrive followed by Beyla and Joey.

The scene flashes back to Rourke, finally freeing Allie, and Abbey and Clare beginning their run. Last to leave is Annie, who breathes a heavy sigh of relief when she yanks open the door to the coffin to reveal a heavily sweating Bella. The two girls take off down the course, hoping that something happened that keeps them in the running for first.

A montage shows Clayton and Henry cross the finish line, Nicholas a few feet ahead of Helina on the run, Duncan and TJ weaving through trees, Uma and Vani high-fiving at the end, Abbey scooping Clare into a hug after the finish line and ends with Annie and Bella collapsing on one-another upon finishing, Chris blowing the air horn.

Annie (CONF): Damn it I am so sick of losing – I have not won reward a single time, and have been eligible for elimination at almost every elimination ceremony…*sighs*...it's just so frustrating

At the end of the course are twelve tic-tac-toe boards. Chris says they’re going to immediately jump into part two – a puzzle. There are nine giant boulders with the numbers 1 through 9 on them beside each board. This was a part of the final in Namibia last season, but the boulders are even heavier.

Clare (CONF): Ah yes, even heavier, that's exactly what I like to hear

The goal is to arrange the numbers so that every row, column and diagonal adds up to 15. Chris blows the starting horn and the exhausted contestants get on it.

Eryn (CONF): *drenched in sweat* How the hell do they do this every couple of days…but I have to keep going...*heavily wheezes*...for Townes

Eryn has climbed on top of one of the boulders and is visualizing where to arrange the numbers. Nico and Abhinav watch on as the contestants scramble to roll the heavy boulders around. A montage shows Alex and Cameron drenched in sweat as they roll a boulder into position, Annie screaming that she figured it out and her and Bella beginning to push the "8" boulder, Nicholas snapping at Helina who’s being confusing as to what she wants and where, and Ranjitha and Celeste struggling to get the boulder to move even a few inches.

Celeste (CONF): *drenched in sweat* This is hard as fuck

Abbey and Clare grunt as they work to roll a “5” to the center, and Joey whispers to Beyla that a “7”, “9” and “8” can’t overlap in any row, column or diagonal.

Beyla (CONF): Thank god Joey is here

A montage shows Clayton and Henry sweating as they move a boulder, Duncan whispering something to TJ, Eryn cursing when she realizes they need to rearrange, Allie climbing onto a boulder to get a better view, Beth telling Colby where to put the “2” boulder, and Vani and Uma sitting there stumped.

Allie jumps down from the rock and proclaims to Rourke she’s figured it out, but by the time they start moving stuff around Chris blows the airhorn. Next to their board are Annie and Bella, collapsed on one another. Chris sends an intern to check if they’re right, and they are. Annie and Bella start screaming and jumping up and down.

Annie (CONF): Finally *sighs with relief* I was truly starting to get so annoyed

Bella (CONF): Oh, my god, that was exhilarating

Chris says like last time, they’re going to be rolling straight into the next challenge – canoeing back to Wawanakwa from Boney Island. Before anyone even has time to process, Chris yells “Go!”

Allie (CONF): This man seems quite insane

TJ (CONF): Ok low-key this competition is probably so fun

The sweaty contestants burst toward the canoes. The first to get there are Alex and Cameron. Cameron jumps in, and Alex begins trying to shove the canoe into the lake. Henry is in next, with Clayton pushing. Right behind them, Uma jumps in with Vani shoving the canoe toward the water.

Uma (CONF): This is way too much manual labor

Vani (CONF): This leg is a breeze

Townes and Eryn have a different strategy, and push together before both running into the water and trying to climb in. A montage shows Helina tighten Nicholas’s life-vest (again, because Chris thinks they “look cool” and not for safety), Abbey and Clare put their oars in the water, and Rourke and Allie begin stroking away from shore. The camera pans to show the lake, and shows Ranjitha and Celeste row into the lead, before getting passed by Colby and Beth who are then passed by Alex and Cameron. As the pair in the lead constantly shifts, things heat up.

Beth (CONF): This canoe race is so intense I love it

Beth jokingly talks trash to Abbey and Clare who are next to them, as Duncan and TJ row up and pass both of them and they're passed by a heavily sweating Rourke and Allie. As they near the island, Clayton and Henry are in the lead with Vani and Uma close behind them. Vani yells to Uma she’s impressed with her performance in the challenge so far, and Uma says she’s here to make sure Vani is safe. Uma kicks it into overdrive, throwing her back into the rowing, as Clayton wiggles wrong and his weight flips over their canoe and sends him and Henry soaring into the water. Vani and Uma glide past them and win the third challenge, locking in the final spot in the luxury cabin and escaping "The Purge".

Vani (CONF): *whipping* That's the big #3 for ya girl

Uma (CONF): Thank GOD we’re done, can we start drinking now or do we have to wait for the party

Ten pairs remain entering challenge four, as the scene flashes to the mess hall.

Alex (CONF): Well, might as well tap out of this one

Cameron (CONF): Yeah no not really about the whole “eating” challenges hope Alex is ok with that

Chef brings out a disgusting meal – a skunk-juice milkshake, pizza with “fun” toppings (crickets, worms, grasshoppers, etc.…), and for desert a cake made with expired milk, cheese and eggs.

Abbey (CONF): *turning green* You know...you'd think after our meals our stomachs would be- *abruptly pukes*

Clare (CONF): ...honestly, as long as it's gluten-free it doesn't sound that bad?

A starting horn goes off and the contestants rip into their food (well, "food").

Ranjitha (CONF): See I got away with not having to eat the food in Norway...guess that won't be happening today

Alex plugs his nose as Cameron pours the shake down his mouth, Beyla and Joey tear up as they bite the pizza, and Duncan takes a bite of the cake and immediately hurls into his little trash can, causing TJ to hurl as well. Townes and Eryn cross arms and jokingly feed each other the slices, also partially to prevent themselves from stopping, and Allie chugs the milkshake as Rourke makes moves on the cake.

Allie (CONF): That wasn’t so ba- *turns green and begins puking*

Only a few minutes into the competition, Clayton has shoved the entire pizza into his mouth.

Henry (CONF): This dude is a monster

Henry is weakly trying to down the milkshake next to him, as Clayton turns to the cake. A montage shows Evan take a sip of the milkshake and hurl, Nicholas gag before he takes another bite of pizza, Clare calmly eating the cake, Celeste throw back the milkshake, and Beyla hurl after finishing the cake.

Off to the side, the six finished contestants stand with Chris and Chef. Bella leans over to Annie and tells her she’s very glad they didn’t have to do this part. Chef looks over and Uma has a beer in hand. He looks confused as to where she got that, when she hands it to him and he shrugs and takes a sip. Suddenly, Chris slams the airhorn, and an intern runs over to Clayton and Henry’s table. Clayton looks fine but Henry is an odd shade of green. They both open their mouths to prove there’s nothing left, and Chris declares them the winners.

Clayton (CONF): Oh thank the lord

Henry (CONF): *puking*

The scene flashes to two wooden platforms floating in the water. On the larger one stand the nine remaining pairs of contestants, while the smaller one holds Chris and the four safe pairs (with Henry on his hands and knees still puking into the water). The nine pairs left are changed into their swimsuits. Chris tells them there are four buoys along nine ropes going deep into the water, one at 5 feet, one at 10 feet, one at 15 feet and one at 20 feet. The pairs have to dive down and untie them, and each partner must untie two. He yells “Go!” and the contestants get to work.

A slow-motion shot shows Clare, Celeste, Cameron, Beyla and Duncan lunging off the dock.

Celeste (CONF): I’m not the…strongest swimmer, so I definitely have to get the 5 and 10 ones

A buoy floats to the surface with Rourke, and Allie jumps in the water. A montage shows Clare untying the “10 foot” buoy, Abbey diving in when she surfaces, TJ diving in when Duncan returns, Beth yanking at a knot, Helina untying the “10 foot” buoy, Eryn diving in, and Celeste resurfacing and cursing before diving back down.

Beyla dives. The “15 foot” surfaces.

Nicholas dives. He returns to the surface empty-handed.

Nicholas (CONF): This shit is not easy

Alex uses the rope to pull himself down as Allie tugs at the “15 foot” buoy’s knot and Townes kicks back up with the “15 foot" buoy. Colby curses when he realizes he needs to dive back down and Abbey is coughing up water on the platform.

Suddenly an airhorn is heard when Cameron resurfaces with the “20 foot” buoy. He swims to shore, climbs aboard the platform and tackles Alex back into the water. The two cheer and hug.

Cameron (CONF): And that is how you do it

Chris tells Alex and Cameron to swim over and join them on the winners’ platform, prompting Colby to roll his eyes and say of course he's calling it the "winners' platform". Right when they climb up, Chris blows another horn and says the sixth purge challenge is a race back to shore. The eight pairs dive in.

Celeste (CONF): *groaning* Why does it gotta be more swimming?

Rourke (CONF): Damn Chris is not fucking around today, I feel like I'm back in Chef's absurd bootcamp

Helina takes off in the lead, but Nicholas isn’t as strong of a swimmer so she turns back to help him. That opens the door for Townes and Eryn to pull ahead. Right behind them are Colby and Abbey. Colby periodically turns his head over his shoulder to make sure Beth is behind him. Duncan and TJ are close behind as well, while Clare is struggling to keep up with the pack. Ranjitha and Celeste are in the back, with Ranjitha nearly pushing Celeste to shore.

Ranjitha (CONF): You know, I don’t think challenge six is our challenge but challenge seven bring it on

The scene flashes to the five safe pairs, with Alex and Cameron still wet, with Chris on the beach. Two dots appear and Abhinav runs to the edge of the water and shouts that it’s Townes and Eryn. When they reach shore the two sprint for the finish line and come in first, with Townes tackling Eryn onto the sand and the two giggling. Chris tells the lovebirds to cool it, but they’re also out of "The Purge" and safe from elimination.

Eryn (CONF): I'm honestly just glad we get to stay for the party...well Townes' safety too but mostly the party

Townes (CONF): Aye that’s my girl

The scene flashes to the woods. Seven targets are set up with seven archery sets. Chris says this is summer camp after all, so the next challenge will be a classic round of archery. Each pair gets four shots, so two per person, and whoever has the highest combined score is safe. He yells "Go" and an intense and slow-motion scene pans across Abbey, Joey, Beth, Duncan, Nicholas, Ranjitha and Allie all in a line and drawing their bows one by one. It then flashes to arrows barraging the targets.

Clare (CONF): Ok honestly I’m just glad this isn’t another insane physical challenge

Clare fires an arrow, Beyla curses as hers misses the target, Beth hugs Colby when he hits a bullseye and TJ carefully lines up his aim.

TJ (CONF): This is fun

Another slow motion goes down the line of Clare, Beyla, Colby, TJ, Helina, Celeste and Rourke releasing arrows, again barraging the target.

Once everyone shoots twice, Chris reveals the pair with the highest score is…Beth and Colby. She screams and scoops Colby into a hug, the two jumping up and down then coming over and being congratulated by Annie and Bella.

Beth (CONF): It was a matter of time before we we won *stretches and grins at the camera*

Colby (CONF): I love how into this Beth is

The scene flashes to a giant wooden maze constructed in a different part of the woods. Chris says the loved one will be blindfolded, and the contestant will be leading them through the maze. Vani jokingly tells Uma about how horrible this was when they had to do this last time and Alex and Annie jump in and reiterate.

Interns quickly blindfold the remaining pairs and line them up at the start when Chris abruptly yells “Go!” Immediately, everyone’s voices blend together as the six take off through the maze. Rourke accidentally tells Allie to turn left, slamming her into Joey.

Joey (CONF): Um…ow?

A montage shows Beyla shouting instructions at Joey, TJ slamming into a railing, Celeste walking slowly with her arms out in front of her, Helina getting frustrated when Nicholas isn’t understanding her, Rourke cheering Allie on, and Abbey directing Clare through a couple of hard turns.

It ends with Allie emerging at the end of the maze and the horn going off. She pulls off her blindfold and runs over to Rourke, the two celebrating. Duncan curses and kicks the sand, while Abbey throws her hands on her head.

Abbey (CONF): This cannot be how I go, especially for the second time

The scene flashes to everyone at the entrance to the mines, everyone in the five remaining pairs wearing hardhats with headlights on them. The five pairs are starting to get extremely stressed, as the opportunity to escape the purge is slowly dwindling. Chris says their challenge is to navigate through the mines and come out the other end first. Again, similar to the previous challenges, he just screams “Go!” unexpectedly and the contestants burst into the mine.

Even with the headlights, it’s extremely dark.

TJ (CONF): This is less fun

Vani (CONF): I really could not be more glad that Uma and I won the canoe race

A montage shows Ranjitha and Celeste holding hands, Helina screaming and jumping into Nicholas’s arms when she sees a bat, Beyla and Joey standing there confused, Duncan and TJ feeling along one of the walls, and Abbey and Clare hesitant with every step they take.

The contestants take turn after turn, unsure if they’re making the correct moves.

Helina (CONF): This could be the right way…maybe?

The scene flashes to the end of the mine where the eight safe pairs stand with Chris.

Nico (CONF): If we could get Abbey and Helina as the bottom two that’d be so clutch

Beth talks about how there's only an episode per week, so only a handful have been released and it's a spoiler now that she knows people like Mary, Kirk and Yuri are gone. Henry and Allie second that, saying they were really enjoying watching the season. Annie asks Bella and the others what episode they're at, and Bella says the X-games just aired and the preview for the dodgeball tournament looked intense. Colby's mouth drops in disbelief, saying that feels like so long ago.

Colby (CONF): That literally feels like a lifetime ago

*flashback to Beyla throwing a ball at Gianna, Yunah and Vani hitting each other simultaneously, Colby catching Yuri's ball, Townes dramatically pulling out his idol and Morgan looking shocked as her name is called and she is eliminated*

Suddenly, Duncan emerges from the mine, TJ right behind him. The two sprint to the finish line, with TJ wildly celebrating and Duncan hugging Clayton and Alex.

Duncan (CONF): Hell yes

TJ (CONF): Ayeeee that party thooo

The scene flashes to everyone back on the water. The four remaining pairs are changed back into their swimsuits, sweaty, exhausted, and wielding pillows with two straps for their arms to go through. Chris says the challenge is simple – last pair standing is the last safe pair before the loved ones vote.

Clare (CONF): *completely out of breath* Ok this has to be a fucking joke, I feel like I'm going to faint

He lets the starting horn loose, and the contestants in slow motion charge into battle. Given the stakes are so high, the eight are reinvigorated with energy.

First it shows Nicholas and Celeste collide, Abbey dodge a hit from Beyla, and Joey dodging Clare. Beyla shouts for Abbey to help her take out Helina. Abbey, in hopes this will score her some points with Vani, nods and Joey and Clare take their attention off one another and join their partners in charging Nicholas. Nicholas’s sheer strength is shoving them off of him, and Helina runs to try and take the four off her partner, but she can’t get through their barrage of attacks and Nicholas is shoved in the water.

Nicholas (CONF): Ok now that was some bullshit

While Helina’s not looking, Ranjitha, with tons of pent up rage from the past few challenges, charges at her full speed and slow-motion slams her into the water. Helina looks absolutely shocked.

Helina (CONF): What…

While she’s celebrating, Clare apologizes then knocks her off. Abbey quickly maneuvers Joey off as well. That leaves Beyla and Celeste against Abbey and Clare. Abbey charges Beyla, the surprise attack proving successful and sending Beyla into the water. Clare lets out a battle cry, charging toward Celeste and shoving her off in one fell swoop, making Clare and Abbey the last pair out of "The Purge".

Abbey (CONF): There we go

Annie (CONF): Wait Clare what...

The scene flashes to the campfire ceremony. It’s twilight, and the thirteen loved ones sit on the stumps where the contestants normally sit at the elimination ceremony. The ten safe contestants stand on one side of Chris, with Ranjitha, Beyla and Helina standing on the other side. Chris says of the remaining three contestants, the loved ones must choose one to protect and in his classic fashion, says "it's time to vote".

--

Clare (CONF): Oh I vote to protect Ranj for sure, is this even up for debate?

Bella (CONF): How could you not vote for Ranjitha?

Beth (CONF): Wow we even get to vote in the confessional? This is so incredible, but oh I vote to protect Ranj 100p

Celeste (CONF): I guess I have to vote Ranj lol

Uma (CONF): Ah this is hard...Ranjitha I love you baby girl but I vote to protect Helina

Allie (CONF): Helina I give you my vote, good luck pal

Nicholas (CONF): I mean I obviously vote to protect my girlie Helina

Eryn (CONF): I vote to protect Helina...I think that's what Townes wanted, well I hope so at least

Joey (CONF): I feel like it's pretty obvious I'm voting for Beyla?

Abhinav (CONF): Beyla is my homie

Cameron (CONF): I vote to protect Beyla for sure

TJ (CONF): Gotta protect my girl Beyla

Henry (CONF): ...*ten seconds of silence passes*...I honestly have no fucking clue...I guess I vote to protect- *confessional cuts off*

--

Chris returns with one little wooden Chris-head. He says this idol signifies the player who was protected by the loved ones and will be avoiding the night’s vote, and that person is, by a vote of five to four to four…

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Ranjitha.

She and Celeste cheer and jump up and down, with Celeste whipping. She screams she's excited for the party. Chris dismisses the contestants to dinner and says he’s excited to see what happens.

Beyla (CONF): Shit man…

Helina (CONF): This like actually can’t be happening

Beyla sits outside on the grass with Joey, Alex, Cameron, Nico, Abhinav, Annie, Bella, Clayton, Henry, Duncan and TJ. They talk about how they don’t have the numbers right now just the six of them, and absolutely need either Colby, Abbey or Ranjitha to flip knowing that Townes, Rourke and Vani won’t. Cameron, Abhinav, Bella, Henry and TJ are sitting and giving input as well from a third-party perspective.

Alex (CONF): Not to mention, and love you girl, but we can’t fully trust Annie at this point

Henry (CONF): This is so insane, like seeing it all happen up close

Cameron chimes in asking if they have anyone else they can ask to flip, and Alex says she makes a good point and they could potentially ask Vani. Bella agrees, saying it sounds like Ranjitha and Vani are working closely so if they can get the two that's a done deal.

While the strategizing happens in the background, Beyla tells Joey this is the most nervous she's ever been about an elimination, and he tells her he believes in her.

Joey (CONF): Honestly girl, things aren't looking great right now...

In the mess hall, Ranjitha sits with Celeste. She is telling her all of the drama from the game, and asking for advice as to how to vote. Celeste says it’s an individual game, and she needs to vote based on what is going to be best for her. Ranjitha says she isn’t sure, because she loves Beyla but Beyla is a huge social threat. Helina on the other hand has been treating her badly and is a strategic and a physical threat.

Celeste (CONF): I feel like the choice is obvious but I’m going to let her come to that decision on her own

Abbey, Clare, Beth and Colby sit at a different table. Similarly, Abbey and Colby are asking for advice, laying out the pros and cons.

Colby (CONF): I understand the lines have been blurry these past few elimination ceremonies, but this will 100% draw a line in the sand

Beth says that while she loves the people in the other alliance, it sounds like there’s a lot of threats, and Clare agrees. Abbey counters that Helina, Vani, Rourke and Townes are also all extremely dangerous and they need to consider that.

Clare (CONF): It honestly feels like they're acting with their hearts and not their heads on this one, I mean take Clayton for example, he is huge why the hell would you want to take him to the final?

At a big table nearby sit Helina, Nicholas, Rourke, Allie, Townes, Eryn, Vani and Uma. They talk about strategy moving forward to make sure that Colby, Abbey and Ranjitha vote their way.

Nicholas (CONF): Ugh Helina going home would suck both because I want her to do well in this game but more importantly...this party sounds fun as fuck

Uma (CONF): Honestly this sucks for Nicholas, if he has to go home that would blow

Eryn (CONF): I love all this strategizing, it's so complex

Rourke says it's good that it's Beyla up for elimination because she's a challenge threat and they have a better chance of swaying the votes against her. Allie nods along, saying Beyla also seems pretty likable. Uma counters to Vani, whispering they have to watch their backs because Helina is definitely a physical threat. Nicholas warily eyes Uma and Vani whispering, and nudges Helina who calls them out. This prompts Vani and Uma break off to go talk to Ranjitha, as Townes and Eryn walk over to Abbey and Colby’s table. Once dinner is done, Chris announces over the intercom that it’s time for the elimination ceremony.

~*ELIMINATION CEREMONY*~

Chris walks in with a plate filled with twelve marshmallows. A little set of bleachers is constructed where the loved ones sit and watch. As the contestants get up one by one to vote, the loved ones look on in anticipation.

Eryn (CONF): It’s so cool getting such an up-close view of this experience

Once Ranjitha returns as the last to vote, Chris throws marshmallows quickly to the eleven safe and announces their names as he does.

Nico. Annie. Vani. Clayton. Alex. Townes. Colby. Rourke. Duncan. Abbey.

One by one they smile as they catch their sweet safety.

Townes (CONF): This challenge was not an easy one

Ranjitha.

She runs over and hugs Celeste, Bella and Beth, thanking them for protecting her.

Henry lets out a cheer for Clayton, as TJ slowly dabs when Duncan’s name is called and Celeste jumps and screams "you're doing amazing sweetie" at Ranjitha. That obviously leaves Beyla and Helina as the bottom two, with the last marshmallow of the night going to…

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Beyla.

Helina is in complete and utter shock.

She turns and accuses Colby and Abbey of flipping again and being too wishy-washy, and both insist they voted with her. Helina falls silent, processing how the numbers had to have fallen…she turns her attention on Ranjitha, who is trying to avoid eye contact. Helina says "you're kidding", and Ranjitha gulps and says it’s an individual game, and that she made the move that’s best for her game. Helina looks too shocked to reply, and gives Rourke and Vani a big hug. She apologizes to Nicholas, who says it’s ok, as she holds back tears. She waves goodbye to everyone, before her and Nicholas walk hand-in-hand down the Dock of Shame and board the Boat of Losers.

Helina (CONF): I can’t believe this is how it ended…Ranjitha, like of all people…Ranjitha? This sucks so much like…*screams in frustration*

Nicholas (CONF): Ugh god damn it Helina

Chris says that was an insane elimination ceremony and yet again didn’t disappoint. He says the three winners can pick people to join them in the luxury cabin, and Nico chooses Beyla, Annie chooses Abbey and Vani chooses Ranjitha. Ranjitha thanks her, looking shaken from the whole experience. Chris then says to return to the beach, because it’s time to party.

At the beach is a gorgeous set-up, even more so than usual. A make-shift shelter has tons of hanging lanterns and is entangled in beautifully colored Christmas lights. Next to the shelter is a fire-pit on the beach with a roaring bonfire, s'mores supplies and seating, and out in the ocean are giant stadium lights illuminating the beach. Chris also set up the wave machine from the boat race so beautiful waves are crashing against the shore. When the twenty-four people arrive, they immediately sprint down.

Bella (CONF): This is absolutely insane

Allie (CONF): Hell. Yes.

Allie and Rourke take one of the super-soakers set-up and fill it with vodka, and a montage shows them going around and squirting shots into Alex, Henry, Bella, Cameron, Eryn and Vani's mouthes. Clayton, Abhinav, TJ, Nico and Duncan throw Beyla onto a chair and lift it high in the air, celebrating the fact that she escaped "The Purge," eventually running and doing it to Joey too saying he also escaped it in a sense. Rourke and Allie climb on top of the table, and make a toast. It shows Celeste finishing filling her solo cup, Clare quickly throwing back a shot before joining, TJ adjusting his glasses and Uma running over with a glass of champagne. As the contestants gather around, Rourke says he wants to congratulate everyone for officially making it past the halfway point of the merge, and for surviving "The Purge."

Annie (CONF): This is insane...there are literally twelve of us left...twelve

Everyone cheers and downs their drinks. It shows Celeste, Clare, Abbey, Annie, Bella, Henry, Ranjitha, Alex, Clayton and Cameron sprinting out into the water with boogie boards. They ride waves and laugh as they splash one another, drinks in hand. TJ and Duncan laugh and run after them, with Duncan yelling that they forgot some people.

Clare (CONF): Is this actually their life?

Townes, Eryn, Beyla, Joey, Nico, Abhinav, Vani and Uma laugh hysterically and play a drinking game around the fire, as Rourke and Allie remain at large with their super-soaker filled with cherry Burnett's. They turn toward Nico and evilly smirk, prompting him to run away.

Nico (CONF): This is some of the most fun I've maybe ever had?

Eryn jokingly tries to run when they try to get her again, Uma laughs and shields her face, Abhinav gags, and Clayton frantically swims further out into the water when they start shooting it at him from afar.

Colby and Beth run from Rourke and Allie and into the water, as Annie sits on Bella's shoulders and Clare sits on Abbey's, them jokingly competing in the bonus round of "The Purge." Cameron jumps on Alex's, Duncan jumps on TJ's and Henry jumps on Clayton's and the pairs join.

Later in the night, Ranjitha sits with Celeste, Vani and Uma. She asks if they think she made the right decision, and Vani confesses she also voted for Helina.

Vani (CONF): I feel bad Ranjitha got the heat, but hey our plan worked

Uma (CONF): Oh shit

Suddenly, the EDM remix of "Circle of Life" comes on and everyone rushes the dance floor beneath the shelter. Henry is going insane, Ranjitha and Celeste down shots as they dance, Joey drops it, Clare does the "Charlie Brown" dance with Annie, Uma throws her ass in a circle, Rourke and Allie do the "sprinkler" and Beth whips, as everyone circles up and enjoys the night. It also shows the outside of the circle, with Alex and Cameron's arms over one another, Celeste double-fisting, Nico and Abhinav wildly grinning, Bella cheering loudly and Abbey, Duncan and TJ being hype-men. The camera pans out into the distance, before the scene fades to black.

Trivia

 * The second challenge in the "Purge", the tic-tac-toe puzzle, also appears as a part of the final challenge in Namibia in And The Winner Is...
 * The eighth challenge in the "Purge", the blindfolded maze, also appears as the challenge in I'd Rather Go Blind
 * As of the end of this challenge, every remaining player in the game has won an individual immunity challenge and reward
 * Archer, Izzy and Paige are the only three contestants to make the merge but never receive individual immunity
 * They are also the consequently the first three eliminated post-merge
 * This is the last episode to have the challenge take place on the physical island of Wawanakwa, as the remaining three "island" rotation challenges take place on Boney Island, the Hollywood film lot and Playa des Losers