Ready or Not, Here I Come!

Plot
The episode opens up with Nico, Beyla, Mary and Alex eating dinner at the big table in the luxury cabin. Nico and Beyla tell the other two this is so much better than staying in the luxury cabin the past two nights, as it was extremely awkward living with the entire other alliance.

Nico (CONF): It’s also relieving any time you survive an elimination ceremony…ever since Eli got sent home in Paris I’ve been on my toes

Alex also talks about how it’s weird that two days have passed and they have yet to hear about what the next challenge is, given they normally fall every other day. Beyla says she thinks it might be another nighttime challenge, like that time they had to stand on the crate all night, with Alex and Mary joking about how horrible that would be and Nico saying that would be better than another horror-movie scavenger hunt or blizzard camping trip.

Helina and Ranjitha lie on a king-sized bed in one of the bedrooms on the third floor strategizing. Ranjitha tells her on the plus side, Abbey has helped their alliance survive the past few elimination ceremonies.

Ranjitha (CONF): Honestly, worst comes to worst we expose Abbey and make it through another elimination ceremony? But preferably we can keep getting the tea from her

Ranjitha and Helina are confused why they aren’t working with Alex, given he’s their only other housemate left in the game after Yunah, Connor and Yuri all walked the Dock of Shame. Additionally, Cleo’s elimination back in Australia, Suzanne’s at Team Friendship’s dissolution and Izzy’s in the boat race have cost them their other former housemates, all underutilized or fallen allies. The two need to figure out a way to squeeze into the main alliance, now that it’s just the two of them, Vani and Garrett.

Grant and Townes are in the weight room, discussing how nervous they are after Phillippa’s elimination.

Grant (CONF): We are just that much more vulnerable now, they’re going to start picking us off one by one…honestly, maybe Phillippa was right about working with Helina

Townes says they are going to have to reposition their strategy, and the two, profusely sweating, continue to discuss as the scene transitions toward the lake.

Abbey lounges on the dock with Annie, only their outlines visible contrasting the moonlight, the two discussing forming a smaller alliance within the large alliance with Colby, Duncan and Alex.

Abbey (CONF): With numbers dwindling, we have to start considering things down the line

Annie says they’ll have to wait though, because any wind of this could lead to their preemptive eliminations. Abbey agrees, not wanting to walk the Dock of Shame for a second time anytime soon.

In the washroom, Colby and Duncan are getting out of the shower, and in their towels having a discussion similar to Annie and Abbey, only Colby wants to make moves sooner rather than later.

Colby (CONF): Letting people like Nico and Beyla progress further in the game is dangerous, even Miller…love him to death but come on he has a huge shot of winning should he make it to the end

At the mess hall, Vani eats dinner with Garrett, talking about how thankful she is to have him in the game with her. He agrees, saying their unlikely alliance and friendship has been a huge proponent in getting them this far. Vani says she’s nervous after being in the bottom two at the last elimination ceremony, and now desires more than ever to win individual immunity for the first time. At the table over, Clayton sits with Sofia, Lauren, and Miller, with Lauren thanking them for officially indoctrinating her into their alliance.

Clayton (CONF): With Eli’s absence, it makes sense, but to me she’s disposable?

Lauren (CONF): I’ve felt pretty alone in the game since the merge…without Ryan or Team Glory to support, it’s good to have this alliance

Kelsey kicks around a soccer ball outside with Wilson, the light of the dining hall illuminating the area around them, with the two discussing moves going forward. Wilson also thinks they made need to start changing up their strategy, and try and determine who one of the biggest threats is in the big alliance. Kelsey suggests Miller, for being a social and athletic threat, and Wilson says he doesn’t feel good about it given him and Miller are friends, but that does make sense strategically. The two quiet up when they are joined by Duncan and Colby, who ask to join in.

As Abbey and Annie make their way toward camp, Sofia walks back to the cabins to change and Alex, Mary and Nico sit on the front porch of the luxury cabin in the comfortable rocking chairs, Chris blows a louder-than-usual air horn.

Abbey (CONF): Is that really necessary?

It flashes to all of the contestants standing with Chris right outside the lit-up luxury cabin. They're all groaning, with Kelsey pointing out it's ironic they're right by the luxury cabin - so warm and comforting, yet here they are about to endure what's definitely going to be hell. Chris laughs and tells them today’s challenge is a classic game of Hide and Seek.

Vani (CONF): It’s just definitely not just a game of “hide and seek” *rolls eyes*

He tells them the twenty-one of them will disperse throughout the island, as a vengeful Chef hunts them down with a water gun with a high-power flashlight attached. Chef grins and begins pumping the handle to charge what looks like a super-soaker. Duncan sarcastically asks how they are supposed to find that scary, prompting Chris to turn to Chef and ask him to “please demonstrate." Suddenly, a blast with the force of a firehose slams into Duncan, knocking him to the ground. As a dizzy Duncan returns to his feet, Chris chuckles and says the last four to be discovered by Chef will win immunity at the night’s campfire ceremony. He also tells them a twist – eliminated contestants may help Chef find other contestants. They can either travel with him, or bring a contestant to him. If you can manage to find four contestants, you may pick one of the four winners and steal their immunity

Sofia (CONF): I wonder how they plan for these challenges, like just sitting at a table figuring out who can do the most damage without actually killing us? Wilson (CONF): I think you’re more likely to find four than to be four out of twenty-one...I’ll have to think about this one

He then tells them another twist. At sunrise, the “safe zone” activates. It is the lifeguard chair resting at the edge of the Dock of Shame. If more than four are still left in the game, the first four to make it to the chair win immunity. But that won’t stop someone who ratted out players from being able to steal their immunity.

Vani (CONF): Regular hide-and-seek my ass, this shit is complicated

He tells them they’ll have fifteen minutes to hide, before Chef goes and begins to hunt them down. They must stay on the parameters of the island, with no one allowed to enter the water or make the trek to Boney Island.

Chris yells “Go!”, and the contestants disseminate. Having it be so late combined with how far they've come in the game leads a lot of the contestants to reflect on their time.

Wilson climbs into the refrigerator of Chef’s kitchen.

Wilson (CONF): I’m getting bad flashbacks to the scavenger hunt

*flashback to Sam and Kirk entering the kitchen, with the door slamming shut behind them and disappearing*

Lauren runs to the top floor of the luxury cabin.

Lauren (CONF): I’ve got so many good and…weird memories from this place now

*flashback to Alex, Lauren and Nick taking the time to explore the cabin and making a game out of it before the voice battles*

Ranjitha picks a random beach and tries to bury herself in the sand.

Ranjitha (CONF): I can't stop wondering if I'm aligning myself with the right people to actually make it far in this game. Have I made enough big moves?

*flashback to Ranjitha in the outhouse confessional voting for Patrick after the boot-camp*

And lastly it shows Clayton starting to trek off the cliff.

Clayton (CONF): I just can’t stop thinking about how lucky I am be back…I really have to make sure I play it right this time

*flashback to Chris throwing the final barfbag to Gianna back in Aspen, and Clayton taking the Drop of Shame*

The scene flashes to Abbey making her way through one of the caves deeper in the forest. She ends up bumping into Helina, who is coming from the other direction. The two girls are excited, given neither wanted to stay in the dark cave alone, and vow to stick together in the cave system to try and win the challenge.

A montage shows Nico popping out from a pile of leaves in the woods, Alex peaking out from under the porch of one of the regular cabins, Beyla looking out into the distance as she climbs a tall tree, and Grant flinching as he wanders through the mine system when a blaring siren echoes throughout the island, indicating the start of the game.

The camera flashes to Rourke, who picks up the pace as he realizes the game is going.

Rourke (CONF): Shit, now more than ever immunity is crucial…I also haven’t won yet and that’s really annoying

His logic is that if he makes it to the other side of where Chef is starting, he’ll increase his odds of not being found and doubts there will be more than four come sunrise. In the meantime, he bumps into Miller. Miller likes his idea, saying he’ll join him.

Miller (CONF): Even though I love Rourke and Wilson, that whole alliance is filled with threats to my game so I could never strategically join them…but right now being alone out here is kind of scary

Another montage filled with introspective thought shows Colby climbing on the roof of one of the other regular cabins.

Colby (CONF): It’s time to make a move, because if we don’t then someone else will. I mean we’ve seen what happens when you have an “airtight alliance” this big

*flashback to Izzy handing the last pair of Mickey ears to Nick in Epcot, followed by a devastated Dani being taken away by Chef*

Sofia hides in the boathouse somewhat by the Dock of Shame, wanting to stay close to the safe zone.

Sofia (CONF): Every time someone walks the Dock of Shame, you just kind of get this upset feeling in your stomach

*flashback to Sofia hugging Yuri toward the end of the Dock of Shame, before he boards the Boat of Losers*

Duncan is in the rafters of the dining hall, lodging himself out of sight.

Duncan (CONF): This has been the experience of a lifetime…I’m so lucky to still be here

*flashback to Duncan hitting a big “whip” to everyone cheering at the merge part in the cabin in the Himalayas*

And finally, Kelsey slides under the covers of a bed on the top bunk in one of the regular cabins, hoping hiding in plain sight in the darkness will help her.

Kelsey (CONF): I’ve lost a lot of friends along the way, but honestly it’s helped me keep my focus on what’s important, and that’s winning

*flashback to Team Waka joining the contestants at the party after the “Thirsty Games”, with Kelsey, Erica and Sam noticing Mahmoud no longer amongst the competitors*

The scene cuts to chef, humming to himself as he begins to make his way around the island. It begins to cut back and forth between Chef and those hiding. It first cuts to Chef’s face, followed by Garrett squeezing his way into a thorny bush. Then it cuts to Chef’s footsteps along the ground, followed by Annie popping out from behind one of the graves in the cemetery. Next it shows just Chef’s torso, clutching his high-power water gun like his own child followed by Townes wiggling into a hollowed-out tree. Finally, it shows his whole body walking toward the camera, wearing a madman’s grin, followed by Vani and Mary shaking and clutching each other as they hide in some trees by the campfire ceremony.

Wilson holds his breath as he hears Chef kick open the door of his kitchen. Wilson still sits in the refrigerator, when he is suddenly blinded by a bright light and drenched in water.

Wilson (CONF): *wringing out his shirt* Well, guess I’m commencing phase two…

Chef (CONF): Trying to hide in my kitchen? I don't think so

Wilson begins to tail chef, hoping to find contestants to rat out to secure himself immunity.

The scene shifts to Duncan, noticing Chef walk beneath him through the dining hall. He tries to flatten himself against the wall, and sighs with relief when he hears him walk out the front door. Suddenly, Wilson shouts “There!”. Duncan peeks down, Wilson’s finger jabbed in his direction.

Duncan (CONF): *a towel wrapped around his head to dry his hair* Ok that was shady

A high-power blast knocks Duncan out of the rafters, as the scene transitions to Abbey and Helina traversing through the caves, Helina talks about potentially working together to take out bigger threats in the game like Miller and Nico, and Abbey says that’s not a bad idea, and is something she’ll think about. As they get deeper, their voices begin to echo so their voices fall to a soft whisper.

Abbey (CONF): Swinging on the alliance just doesn’t make sense right now, but I need to make Helina think it does so she doesn’t expose me...goodness drunk Abbey needs to control herself

*flashback to Abbey laughing on the top deck with Ranjitha and Helina at the back of the yacht, their feet hanging over the side as contestants run and dive over the side in the background, and it accidentally slipping she wishes they were in her alliance - Helina threatens to publicly reveal her if she doesn't say who else is in it*

The scene flashes to Beyla climbing further up the tree, Ranjitha still burying herself, and Alex sneezing and quickly covering his mouth.

Alex is reflecting as he lies under the porch.

Alex (CONF): I’m nervous that people are going to start seeing my experience as a threat

*flashback to Alex laughing on the boat with Nathan, Lizzie, Ian and Liz as they sail to Wawanakwa on the first day of the first season*

The darkness of night makes it impossible for him to see anything out the bottom, but he hears a scream as the scene transitions to Colby getting slammed with water and shooting over the side of the roof.

Colby (CONF): *soaking wet and rubbing his shoulder* Ow

Wilson is checking the rooms of the cabin when he notices a lump on the bed. Kelsey pokes her head out and grins, whispering about how great of a hiding spot she has. Wilson screams for Chef, who comes bursting in and blasts Kelsey with water.

Kelsey (CONF): *wringing out her hair* Ok that wasn’t cool

As Kelsey walks with Wilson, he apologizes and says he needs to steal immunity from any potential threat who wins it. She shrugs, and follows him and Chef into the darkness as Colby rounds up Duncan to do the same.

Abbey tells Helina they should just work together to take out Wilson or Townes, which has seemed to be a recurring theme of the game, but Helina says that can happen anytime. At this point, they need to blindside someone who doesn't see it coming. Abbey sits in silence thinking about it.

Helina (CONF): I need to do more than make sure I’m not next, that alliance needs to go down

Grant hears footsteps and runs deeper into the mines. He collides head-on with Chef, who immediately blasts him with water.

Grant (CONF): *in a towel* Honestly I’m just happy to be out of those scary mines

A huge stream of water bounces off a grave and slams into Annie’s chest.

Annie (CONF): *water dripping off everywhere* I’m not quite sure that’s how physics works

Clayton gets blasted over the side of the cliff, screaming as he plunges toward the water below.

Clayton (CONF): *soaked* If I fall off that cliff one more damn time I swear to god…

As the eliminated contestants walk along the forest, Wilson trips. He notices a pile of leaves slightly moving, and digs it up to find Nico, turning him in to Chef and increasing his “catch” count to three. Chef stands over Nico and grins, blasting him with water.

Nico (CONF): *shaking his head like a dog to dry his hair* That wasn’t the most pleasant experience I’ve ever had

The scene flashes back to the caves. Abbey says she would feel much more comfortable targeting at least either Wilson or Townes first before making a bigger move. She says after they split up that powerful duo, they can begin to target other threats. Helina argues they won't have the numbers for an even bigger blindside if they knock out Wilson or Townes, and follows up saying Abbey should think extremely careful about the next vote, because she wouldn’t want certain...information getting out.

Abbey (CONF): Ok that sounded suspiciously like a threat Helina

Abbey loudly asks “what?”, alerting a nearby Chef to her presence. Thinking quickly, Abbey darts further into the cave as fast as she can, taking random turn after turn. Helina, however, is flushed out by a high-power blast.

Alex gets blasted from under the porch.

Alex (CONF): *wet and shivering* I hate this game

Sofia pokes her head out from the boathouse to a blast of water.

Sofia (CONF): *soaked* Isn't there some sort of law protecting people's well-being on these shows?

Mary hears Sofia’s squeal and chuckles, with Vani hushing her. It wasn’t fast enough, and Chef slams the two girls with a blast of water as well.

Mary (CONF): *wet and giggling* oops

Miller and Rourke end up splitting up, with Miller deciding to loop back around to the starting point under the assumption Chef is making his way toward them and Rourke deciding to stick it out there, not believing Chef will make it to him before finding everyone else.

As the group of eliminated contestants follow chef, everyone is vigilant, but no one matching Wilson's intense focus. While everyone else has a low buzz of conversation, Wilson remains quiet, ignoring what Grant and Kelsey are talking about and focusing on finding people. Looking up he sees what looks to be the shape of a foot. He nudges Chef and points up. Chef fires his gun high into the leaves shrouded in darkness, when a figure comes crashing down. It’s Beyla, disgruntled and now soaking wet and covered in leaves.

Beyla (CONF): *still soaking wet and covered in leaves* Not cool man, not cool

Wilson has reached his fourth catch, but decides to keep it a secret by continuing to act extremely focused. Garrett is the next victim, the water shoving him out through the thorns.

Garrett (CONF): *wet and covered in tiny scratches* Maybe that wasn’t the smartest hiding place

The sun starts to rise, indicating the game is coming to a close. The eliminated contestants spread out, prepared to try and catch anyone running to the safe zone. Miller, having already looped all the way back, tags it and cheers, securing himself immunity.

The scene transitions to Ranjitha, who is already on the beach close to the Dock of Shame, deciding to just make a run for it. She wiggles out of the sand and bolts toward the dock. A nearby Colby points her out, but Chef isn’t near her and Ranjitha tags the chair, squealing and jumping up and down.

The scene transitions to Lauren, operating under a similar train of thought. She slides off the roof and tumbles onto the ground. The commotion alerts a nearby Alex and Annie to her location, but the two think it’s pointless at this point to rat anyone out and run with her to the lifeguard chair, protecting her in case water comes. It never does, and Lauren becomes the third person to claim immunity.

Lauren (CONF): And this is why having an alliance is helpful, and best of all, I got to stay dr- *a water blast comes shooting through the open door*

Chef (CONF): *grinning*

Rourke, Abbey and Townes have all converged in the woods and are working on darting through the trees to try and make it back to the lifeguard chair and secure one of those four spots, not knowing there’s only one spot left. Dramatic music plays as Chef steps in front of them. The three dodge his blasts and dart past him. Frustrated, he swings around and begins firing at them from behind as he chases on foot. Abbey jumps over a blast as Rourke rolls under one, but Townes gets nailed in the back. With the dock in sight, Rourke and Abbey see Lauren, Miller and Ranjitha sitting high in the chair and grinning. Chef, upset he let three people slip under his radar, picks up the pace.

It begins to go in slow motion, as a blast of water is clearly headed to hit one of them. The camera shows a hand grab onto one of the beams holding up the chair, and in the background a body get blasted into the water.

Abbey grins, climbing the chair and joining those immune. Rourke pops out of the water, cursing that he was so close to winning his first individual immunity challenge.

Rourke (CONF): *groaning in frustration*

The contestants gather at the dock, where Chris congratulates Miller, Ranjitha, Abbey and Lauren for being the last four standing. He does not, however, congratulate them on being the four immune. Confused looks are exchanged amongst the contestants, as a confidant Wilson steps forward. Chris reveals Wilson successfully hunted down four people: Duncan. Kelsey, Beyla and Nico. Chris tells them Wilson gets the chance to steal immunity from anyone who won. Wilson decides to pick...

Wilson (CONF): Time to commence part one

Miller.

Miller looks down, as a still-wet Wilson takes his place on the lifeguard stand. Chris motions to Chef, who giggles as he blasts Miller into the ocean with a high-power stream of water.

Abbey (CONF): Could not have picked a better time to be safe…now to figure out what to do about Helina

Chris congratulates these four for winning immunity, and tells everyone he’ll see them at the campfire ceremony the following night.

Similarly to the scavenger hunt, because the challenge took place at night they have the day to relax.

Annie and Alex sit at the edge of the dock and talk about life, as Miller, Townes, Colby, Abbey and Duncan swim nearby. Lauren and Wilson sunbathe by the campfire ceremony, near Vani, Rourke and Helina who are laughing hysterically as they try to fly a kite. Garrett is with them, jokingly critiquing their ability to do so.

Kelsey and Grant go on a run on the outskirts of the island, and Mary, Beyla and Sofia eat snacks as they sit on the porch of one of the regular cabins. Nico, Ranjitha and Clayton sit on one of the other porches, excited to just relax for a couple of hours and not be strategizing, partying or working hard in a challenge.

At dinner, talk of the elimination ceremony begins to pick up. Abbey confesses to Annie that Helina is subtly blackmailing her, and that she’s the one who has been feeding them information after accidentally revealing it drunkenly after the boat race.

Annie (CONF): Abbey what the fuck

Annie asks what Helina wants her to do, and Abbey begins to whisper it as the scene transitions to the rest of their alliance sitting in the grass to the left of the luxury cabin. They all have paper plates and are "enjoying" (as much as you can enjoy Chef's grosser-than-usual slop) their dinner as they discuss elimination that night. Clayton suggests taking out physical immunity threats like Garrett and Grant, which people seem to be fond of. Beyla asks about Wilson, but Nico brings up the people in their alliance have a much better chance of beating him in an immunity challenge down the line than Garrett, Grant or Kelsey. They begin to debate the pros and cons of each one as the scene transitions to Helina and Wilson gathered in the dining hall with their respective alliances.

Wilson (CONF): It’s time to make a move

Wilson says that they both know this isn’t a permanent partnership, but right now they need to work together to make a move to take them further into the game. Rourke says combined they have nine, so will need to get two to swing in their direction and Helina nods to Ranjitha, having told her about her talk with Abbey in the cave. Without wanting to reveal their leverage, Helina says to trust her that they have a few votes from the inside that will definitely swing their way.

Helina (CONF): Ok so it’s technically only one vote we have locked in, but Abbey knows if this vote doesn’t go well neither will her game so she’ll have to bring people on…she knows the plan

A split screen shows both factions and Abbey and Annie looking up as Chris’s voice floods the intercom, saying it’s time for the elimination ceremony.

~*ELIMINATION CEREMONY*~

Chris welcomes them to the 44th elimination ceremony of the game (counting the double eliminations and the fact there wasn’t one for Izzy), and says he looks forward to see the results. He ushers everyone in for the vote.

Sofia (CONF): This should be a pretty easy vote

Colby (CONF): I want to make a move but voting Garrett is what makes the most sense right now

Kelsey (CONF): I'm just honestly not sure we're making the right decision

Chris walks back out with a plate full of twenty marshmallows. He flicks the first four to the night’s immunity winners.

Wilson. Lauren. Abbey. Ranjitha.

Lauren (CONF): This feeling of individual immunity is nice

He continues to hand marshmallows to those surviving the night.

Duncan. Kelsey. Beyla.

The three sigh with relief and hug each other.

Helina. Alex. Nico. Colby.

Alex scoops Nico into a hug, as Helina hunts down Colby to do the same.

Annie. Townes. Rourke. Mary. Clayton.

Clayton lets out a “whoop”, Mary tackles Annie and Townes throws an arm around Rourke as the five walk up, marshmallows in hand, to join the other safe contestants.

Sofia. Grant. Vani.

Grant wipes the sweat that had begun accumulating on his forehead, as Sofia let’s out an “ohmygod” and Vani shuts her eyes and lets out a sigh of relief.

That leaves Miller and Garrett as the final two. Garrett looks extremely nervous, but Miller just looks shocked. Helina eyes Abbey as Chris builds up the dramatic pause before revealing who will be walking the Dock of Shame. He lets out a long breath, before revealing the last marshmallow of the night goes to…

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Miller.

Garrett looks dejected as Miller nearly passes out from the stress. Miller runs over and tightly hugs Alex. Helina yells “what?” causing heads to turn her way.

Helina (CONF): No way she gets away with this

She proclaims to the group how Miller was supposed to go home that night, given their informant, Abbey, was going to break from her alliance and vote with them. Duncan, Clayton, Colby and Alex shoot shocked looks in Abbey’s direction, as Annie shakes her head in the background.

Abbey (CONF): Shit

Abbey argues back asking why “in the hell” she said that because Abbey voted her way and got Annie to as well. That leaves Nico and Beyla, who are standing right by Annie, to also gasp with shock. Chris just giggles at the drama as Garrett looks sad in the background, having been scooped into a hug by Alex and Ranjitha.

Helina says that must be a lie because if that was the case then Miller would be going home. She then pauses and looks as Wilson, who is averting eye contact.

Helina (CONF): There’s no way…

Wilson (CONF): *showing a list to the camera with Helina’s alliance on it* Another one down *crosses Garrett’s name off the list and grins*

Amongst the chaos, Garrett scoops up his green Adidas bag and begins walking down the Dock of Shame. A break from the chaos, people realize they are losing a big sweetheart in the game, and rush to the end of the dock. They take turns squeezing him, ending with Vani squeezing him tightly and telling him she’s so lucky they got to work together. He tells her to win it and, letting out one last sigh, waves to everyone and boards the Boat of Losers.

Garrett (CONF): Damn…I'm just not ready to leave...*sighs*

Chris tells the four winners to pick someone to join them in the luxury cabin. Wilson picks Rourke, Lauren picks Beyla, Ranjitha picks Helina and Abbey picks Annie.

Ranjitha (CONF): Well, time to knuck and duck…this is going to be so awkward

Everyone begins to debrief the night as they return to their cabins, and the scene fades to black.