Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Plot
The episode opens up with a shot of the island at dawn, birds flying about and calm serenity providing a strange juxtaposition to the craziness of the treasure hunt the night before. The camera zooms into the luxury cabin, where Miller is passed out on one of the queen-sized beds sound asleep. The combination of drinking and having been shot with a tranquilizer dart has taken a toll on him.

Miller (CONF): *in a daze* Hi mom!

He is hoping to sleep it off before the next challenge. In the meantime, Colby is downstairs eating breakfast with Abbey and Annie. The three talk about what to do now that they’re relationship with the majority alliance is so rocky.

Annie (CONF): Is it though? I think yours and Abbey's are but I’m honestly still pretty fine

Abbey (CONF): Ok we have to got to make sure Annie is still on our side

They talk about trying to create more balance in the game, knowing even if they are still in the majority alliance they are now at the bottom, and discuss who they should try to knock off next.

Colby (CONF): Honestly, I don’t know Lauren or Sofia that well and really wouldn’t have a problem getting rid of either of them…I just have to do it in a way that doesn’t piss my friends off even more

Rourke and Townes sit in front of the fireplace. The weather on the island is unpredictable given it’s in a warm location in winter months, but it is a chilly morning. Both talk about how they’re upset about losing Kelsey, but say it may be for the better.

Rourke (CONF): Honestly, without Wilson or Kelsey, I think the target is going to be a lot less focused on just Townes and I, I mean we’re not dangerous at all…for now

At the messhall, Alex eats breakfast with Beyla and Nico. He pokes his "oatmeal" (read: sludge) with a fork as he shifts in his seat, the creaking of the wooden seat echoing throughout the main area. He asks the two how they’re feeling about Colby, Abbey and Annie, and Nico says he feels like the divide has always been there anyways and Beyla agrees.

Beyla (CONF): I feel like Alex was our only real connection to them, and after the shady shit they pulled? I don't know man

He tells them he agrees but they’re his friends so he doesn’t know what to do. At the table over, Lauren sits with Helina. She tells the her she feels like she doesn’t have a lot of friends left in this game.

Lauren (CONF): Honestly, I’m having a hard time here without Patrick, Fiona, Ryan and Yuri…like I only am friends with Alex, Helina and Ranjitha

She tells her she has grown close with everyone, but it’s different and unlike the existing friendships between other remaining contestants. Helina sees an opportunity.

Helina (CONF): Now that numbers are starting to shift around, having Lauren vote with us would be huge

She says there’s a way they can change that, and begins to lay out a plan.

Vani and Ranjitha stand in line for food behind Duncan, Clayton and Sofia who are deep in conversation. Vani asks Ranjitha how she’s feeling about where they're at right now and Ranjitha, deciding to take a risk, tells her everything she's been thinking about their alliance, from feeling like she's made the wrong decision to frustration working with Helina. Vani pauses, before letting out a sigh of relief and telling her she's felt the same.

Vani (CONF): Man, I love Helina but it is hard being in an alliance with her

As they progress through the line, they continue to talk about options they'll have moving forward.

The scene flashes to the sixteen contestants standing with Chris on Boney Island. Standing with him is Katie from season one. Alex freaks out, excited to see her.

Alex (CONF): Man I miss Katie

She sarcastically tells Chris she’s happy to be back, to which he shushes her. She rolls her eyes, as he tells the remaining sixteen that as some of them may have noticed, there are sixteen left in the game.

Duncan (CONF): *rolls his eyes* Great observation Chris

And amongst those sixteen, four from every original team still stand.

Duncan (CONF): ...ok that’s actually kind of cool

Everyone looks around, having not really thought about teams in a while. They are astounded to find that he’s right.

Annie (CONF): Wow did Chris just make a somewhat interesting observation…honestly kind of shocked

He tells them that for today’s challenge, they will be rejoining their old teammates. Townes and Helina eye each other, as Abbey awkwardly hugs Rourke and Alex, Beyla, Colby and Lauren rush into a hug.

Beyla (CONF): I miss Team Glory so much it’s insane

Annie, Miller and Nico look over sadly, remembering the good times they had with that team.

Nico (CONF): I’m not gonna lie, I kind of forget Team Friendship existed, it’s been so long

*flashback to the nine left on Team Friendship in their hiding places around the island during the team dissolve*

He tells them today’s challenge is going to be a mix of feels from some of their last challenges, like the “Would You Rather?” challenge, the “Over Under” and the relay race in Hawaii. It’s also a relay race, but now upped in intensity and around boney island. Leg one is a run through the woods, encountering a surprise obstacle along the way, whilst carrying heavy backpacks.

Vani (CONF): That sounds like my worst nightmare

The second leg is a giant tangrams puzzle, that he adds is going to be very difficult to figure out.

Sofia (CONF): So the first leg is an insane obstacle death run, and the second is a...puzzle?

He then says the third leg will require a lot of strength. It’s using a wheelbarrow to transport a giant amount of dirt up a huge hill, trying to fill up your team’s crate to the designated line (all the way, not just a mound that surpasses it).

Lauren (CONF): Well I know which leg I don’t want to do

And the final leg is having to chug a really disgusting beer and using a seesaw catapult propelled by your body weight to launch the can onto the top of a barrel. Four times. And he says really disgusting beer.

Helina (CONF): We’re just so used to keystone and icehouse, how bad could it be?

He says the winning team will win immunity for the night, and unlike in the usual team stage, instead of the last place team voting someone out, it will act like the merge stage and everyone will go to the elimination ceremony to vote out someone from one of the three losing teams, saying he already gave out too many immunities in the last challenge.

He tells them he’ll give them time to figure out who is doing what leg.

In Team Glory’s huddle, things come together quickly.

Beyla (CONF): I thing we have a solid shot of winning this challenge…I just can’t believe we’re what’s left of our team

*flashback to Kathryn, Zach, Eli and Alex sneaking in and “kidnapping” Annie, Miller and Nico, with Kirsten yelling in German as fake hazing and Hailey and Nick hissing, before coming to Izzy and Colby fanning “Queen Lauren” at their initiation*

For Team Booty, all four clumsily strategize, the division between alliances clear and making it difficult to communicate. Sofia and Helina awkward suggest something at the same time, and Townes tries to break the uncomfortable silence that follows by offering to do the strength part.

Sofia (CONF): This is so strange being back together

*flashback to Townes, Wilson, Kirk and Sam laughing in a set of chairs on their plane ride to Sydney in first class, with Helina, Cleo and Fiona chatting in the other set of chairs, Grant strumming on his guitar for Patrick, Yuri and Ranjitha, and Archer, Sammi and Sofia at the mini bar*

The members of Team Friendship are nervous.

Annie (CONF): We weren’t the…strongest team?

*flashback to Connor walking the Dock of Shame, Sierra strapping on a parachute, Duma leaping out of the plane, Yunah hugging Sibu goodbye at the end of the dock, Karthik trying to pull the string on his parachute, Clayton boarding the Boat of Losers and finally Ryan falling through the sky*

And Team Waka is debating who should do the wheelbarrow stage, everyone nervously dancing around it.

Duncan (CONF): Immunity is so important this late in the game, we need to make sure we work out our differences

*flashback to Rourke making a toast as Hank slams his mimosa back, Abbey laughing with Duncan and Mary, Phillippa, Paige and Suzanne clinking their glasses, Matt and Ani holding hands and Garret throwing his arms around Vani and Brian*

The legs are as follows:

 Leg 1 (Run):  Nico, Alex , Abbey and Helina 

 Leg 2 (Puzzle):  Annie, Colby , Rourke and Ranjitha 

 Leg 3 (Wheelbarrow):  Clayton, Beyla , Duncan and Townes 

 Leg 4 (Catapult):  Miller, Lauren , Vani and Sofia 

Those completing the last three legs go together to their stations deeper in the woods, as Nico, Alex, Abbey and Helina line up at the starting line. They all are now in uniforms of their team’s color, and have a black weighted backpack with their name in white on the back. Helina adjusts her ponytail as Alex stretches and Nico jogs in place, trying to hype himself up. Abbey just eyes Chris. He gets a call from Katie that everyone is in their place, so the four wait in anticipation for him to start the challenge. He draws out a long pause, before telling them to get on their marks.

Suddenly, the airhorn goes off and he screams “Go!”, prompting all four take off into the woods. Alex pulls ahead, with Nico right behind him, and Abbey and Helina hot on their tail. As they maneuver through the trees, the Skrillex & Nero “Promises” remix begins to play.

Alex jumps over a rock jutting out in his way, but Abbey hits it and tumbles to the ground.

*flashback to Alex and Abbey weaving back and forth while surfing down the waterfall in Hawaii*

Nico takes a quick stop to catch his breath and readjust his backpack.

*flashback to Nico hitting the ground and rolling, before getting his torch snuffed out*

Helina struggles to close the now-widening gap between her and the others.

*flashback to Helina swimming hard to pass the torch to Grant*

Alex, Nico and Abbey come across a clearing, that has a huge upward sloping dirt hill and what looks to be ice-water on the other side.

Alex (CONF): Shit

The music intensifies, as the three leap off the top, the scene transitioning to slow motion. When they hit the water they all immediately freak out and run. Helina is next, and immediately cramps up when she gets out.

The scene switches to everyone anxiously awaiting their teammate to round the corner.

Annie (CONF): We just quite frankly need to win

When the bass drops in the song, the scene switches to slow motion as Alex comes barreling around the corner and begins the last stretch. He is drenched in sweat, and Beyla and Lauren run to cheer him on as he darts for the finish line. He passes his baton to Colby, who unloads the puzzle pieces onto the board, ending the song. Townes and Rourke look on nervously as Alex pukes.

Colby is frantically re-arranging puzzle pieces when Nico and Abbey simultaneously round the corner. Duncan, Clayton, Miller and Vani run to cheer their teammates on, and a split-screen shows Nico and Abbey handing the baton to Annie and Rourke respectively.

The camera shot shows the three puzzlers side-by-side, frantically re-arranging pieces.

Colby (CONF): I. Hate. Tangrams.

Helina is the last to round the corner. As she runs by, Nico hurls in a bush and Abbey lies on the ground, almost passed out. Townes and Sofia run and offer support, as she chugs along with all the gas left in her tank. She hands the baton to Ranjitha, who frantically works to make up ground.

The same angle used before shows Colby, Rourke, Annie and Ranjitha sweating and intently focusing on the puzzle, throwing pieces around and jamming them in hoping they fit. Ranjitha eyes a move Annie makes, and Rourke curses and restarts.

Suddenly, a “done!” is heard, and Chris sends Katie over to check to make sure. She grumbles she should be getting paid for this, before announcing it’s correct and the camera pans out to show it’s Colby. He runs and hands the baton to Beyla, who starts frantically shoveling dirt into their “Glory” gold wheelbarrow.

Beyla (CONF): How did I get stuck with this leg

Once she fills up, she grunts as she begins wheeling it up the hill.

Ranjitha seems to be making up some time for Team Booty.

Ranjitha (CONF): Ahh puzzles, the great equalizer

But still, Annie is next to finish, almost throwing the baton to Clayton. He shovels at insane speeds, filling up his wheelbarrow in almost half the time it took Beyla.

Duncan (CONF): Look I love Clayton…but damn is it smart to still have him this late in the game?

By the time he leaves up the hill, Beyla is shoveling dirt into the crate and another “done!” is heard followed by Rourke handing over the baton to Duncan. He begins shoveling dirt into his wheelbarrow as quickly as he can, as Beyla and Clayton skid down the hill at the same time to begin shoveling their second wheelbarrow full.

Ranjitha finishes quickly thereafter, closing the gap further and passing the baton to Townes as a sweaty Helina cheers in the background.

More intense music plays as a camera shot of the hill shows the four going up and sliding back down. Beyla uses her jersey to wipe sweat off her face, Duncan heaves a giant shovel in, Townes slowly pushes his up the hill and Clayton just lifts his and empties it into the crate.

Townes (CONF): Holy shit

Clayton and Beyla finish around the same time, and pass their batons to Miller and Lauren respectively. Lauren and Miller lock eyes, and instantly begin chugging their first beer.

Clayton and Beyla lie exhausted in the background, with Beyla turning over and puking and Clayton with his hands on his head.

Clayton (CONF): This challenge is brutal

Duncan is next to finish, and by the time he passes his baton to Vani, Lauren and Miller are attempting the catapult for the first time. Lauren rushes up the mini-stairs and slams down with all her weight onto her end of the seesaw, sending the can flying way past the barrel. She curses and runs after it, as Miller’s falls incredibly short.

Instead of chugging, Vani slowly drinks it as she observes Lauren and Miller’s troubleshooting in hopes that she won’t have to if she can pick up the strategy.

By the time she’s done, Townes finishes packing his crate and Sofia begins the last part of the challenge as well. The camera shows Townes and Duncan joining Helina, Beyla, Clayton, Alex, Abbey and Nico in an exhausted heap, as Ranjitha, Colby, Rourke and Annie enthusiastically cheer for their respective teams.

Vani lands a hit on her first try, having seen the trial and error, and begins working on her second beer.

Vani (CONF): This shit actually tastes like pee

Miller hits one next, but looks at his second beer and throws up.

A montage shows Lauren gagging as she tries to chug, Sofia slamming down on the catapult, Miller puking and Vani landing a second.

Abbey (CONF): Vani is weirdly...good at this?

Vani hits her third before anyone else even hits their second. Miller sprints to grab a can he missed as Lauren frantically launches one, nailing it and beginning to chug the next. She's panicking, having entirely blown Team Glory's lead. Sofia is having trouble working the catapult, never using enough power.

Then a clank is heard, and just like that Team Waka is the winning team. Duncan, Abbey and Rourke storm Vani, and the four lie on a heap in the ground together, cheering and laughing.

Chris and Katie congratulate Team Waka on their win, and says he looks forward to see what happens at the night’s elimination ceremony.

Miller (CONF): Shit…our team needed this win bad

At dinner, Lauren sits with Helina who is telling her if they don’t take out someone like Clayton or Nico now, they’re going to have an extremely difficult time down the road. She nods her head, thinking about it as the scene shifts to Vani and Ranjitha. The two agree they need to bide their time and take another hit at the majority alliance before making any moves against Helina. Townes and Rourke join them, and say they have a lead that could work. Rourke looks over and eyes Colby.

Annie and Abbey stand in line, with Abbey asking Annie if she’s for sure ready to flip. Annie looks over at one of the other tables, where Alex, Duncan and Beyla laugh hysterically at a story Lauren, who had just rejoined, is telling, with Sofia looking on in horror. She nervously gulps, saying she's still not sure.

The scene shifts to that group, and Beyla says now is a good time to potentially try and target Helina.

Sofia (CONF): Helina is easily one of the most dangerous players left in the game right now

Duncan nods his head, as Clayton and Nico join the table as well. Clayton says she's the most strategic, and if they don't get rid of her now it will be hard later. Lauren eyes Helina, as Nico chimes in that he agrees as does a reluctant Alex.

Over the intercom, Chris tells them it’s time to vote.

As the contestants walk out of the dining hall, Rourke runs over to talk to Helina, who nods as he whispers something to her. Sofia notices, and makes a note to bring it up later.

On the journey over to the campfire grounds, Helina asks Lauren if she’s down to vote Clayton with them. Lauren nods and says she thinks she agrees with their logic. Helina turns back and eyes Rourke who nods his head, but the camera pans to Lauren's face, who is clearly still conflicted. A few paces back, Alex is talking to Ranjitha about their plan, and is telling her she should join them.

~*ELIMINATION CEREMONY*~

Chris comes back once the votes are cast with a plate filled with fifteen marshmallows. He tells them he himself doesn’t even know what to make of the results, but they know the drill – whoever doesn’t get a marshmallow is going to be the Boat of Losers’ next passenger. He hands the first four to the former Team Waka members.

Abbey. Duncan. Rourke. Vani.

The four proudly catch their marshmallows, with Rourke squeezing Vani for a hug. Chris does his signature long pause, making eye contact with the twelve vulnerable, before giving the first one to…

Beyla.

She cheers.

Alex. Townes. Nico. Sofia.

The four, who happen to be seated near one another, all hug.

Ranjitha. Annie. Colby. Miller.

Ranjitha lets out a “whoop”, nervous after being in the bottom two at the previous elimination ceremony. Colby goes to hug Miller, but he eyes him and Abbey suspiciously, not knowing if they’re going to try and pull another blindside. Chris says everyone left got votes, but the next person safe…

Clayton.

He cheers as he catches his marshmallow, with Lauren looking confused. He lets out a loud sigh of relief, surprised he's made it so far without getting a vote cast against him.

Lauren (CONF): How the hell did I get in the bottom two? Sorry Helina I tried but looks like you're going home girl

Helina (CONF): *fingers crossed* Shit...this was a risky plan and if I get the short end of the stick because of it…ooh imma buck

Chris looks the two girls in the eye, drawing out a long silent pause. The camera flashes back and forth between the two girls, both nervously sweating and Helina bouncing her leg up and down. Lauren eyes Alex who shrugs. He finally hands the last marshmallow to…

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Helina.

Lauren looks absolutely shocked, and Clayton angrily kicks over a stump as Miller and Sofia shoot dirty looks at Colby, Abbey and Annie.

Sofia (CONF): Why the hell do we continue to trust them?

Nico (CONF): I'm so fucking pissed like this is ridiculous

Clayton (CONF): *screams*

The three nervously avoid the angry glances, as the realization begins to hit Lauren that her journey is ending. She begins to tear up as she goes down the line and hugs everyone.

Miller (CONF): Honestly, Lauren was too sweet for a game this brutal

The scene flashes to her walking the Dock of Shame then getting pulled away on the Boat of Losers. Alex and Beyla sit at the edge of the dock, with Colby standing behind them, the only three remaining members of the original Team Glory.

''*flashback to everyone laughing before Nick yells out "Glory!" when they were naming their team on the first day*''

Lauren (CONF): I have literally no idea what happened...I just...*tears up*...I guess I'll get to see Ryan again...good luck everyone, I just hope Alex watches his back because there are some snakes around him

Chris tells the members of Team Waka to each pick someone to join them. Abbey picks Colby, having picked Annie last time, Duncan picks Alex, Rourke picks Helina and Vani, confused given she was going to pick Helina, goes with Ranjitha.

That night is the first night in a while the party is set up between the two cabins again. Strings of lantern lights outline the party area, and it feels a lot emptier than it has in the past, everyone remembering the party there the first night.

*flashback to Mahmoud and Erica facing off against Grant and Kelsey in beer pong, Team Alex (Alex, Suzanne, Myra, Yunah, Yuri, Helina and Ranjitha) taking on Team Kirsten (Kirsten, Izzy, Mary, Sofia, Rourke, Paige and Phillippa) in flip cup, Chloe and Patrick laughing and playing can jam against Matt and Morgan with Zack's commentary, Archer and Garrett holding up Sammi for a keg stand, and finally everyone converging on the dance floor in a huge dance circle, with Sibu nae-naeing, Nick doing the running man, Chloe and Kelsey swinging in a circle and Rice doing a split*

They decide to play some new games, and the fifteen converge to play a game of "Fuck You Pyramid", followed by "Screw Your Neighbor." They laugh, trying to forget the tension, but it's harder. Katie laughs hysterically at the concept of the first game, and is having a good time getting to know people. Her sarcastic commentary makes everyone laugh as they down their drinks together. Clayton angrily eyes Abbey, Annie and Colby, still feeling betrayed, and Rourke sits at the make-shift bar with Townes, telling him he can't believe that worked.

Then things shift as Helina and Ranjitha play beer-ball against Vani and Sofia, Alex hits the dance floor with Nico, Katie, Beyla, Townes and Rourke, and Abbey and Annie face off against Colby and Duncan in can jam. Clayton stands nearby with Miller, the two exchanging grievances. Clayton says he thinks it's time to make a move, the camera focusing on Annie slamming down a frisbee that Abbey threw, as the scene fades to black.