The Twist

The Twist is the fifth episode of Survivor: Africa.

Day 12 (Night)
The Samburu tribe return to camp after a shocking tribal council where Phoebe became the first person to ever officially quit the game. Briallen, relieved to have survived the tribal council against all odds, immediately goes off alone to one side, not wanting to talk to her tribe mates, knowing that had Phoebe not quit she'd have gone home.

The Samburu tribe all head to sleep, with no one talking to Briallen, not quite sure as to what they should be saying to her.

Boran
The Boran tribe awakens to an unusual tree mail, which informs them that they must send three of their members to the drop off point (the same point they arrived at on day one). The mail simply states that these three members will go on a "quest". Kris immediately volunteers himself, excited at the prospect of going on any form of quest. The group then discuss which members they feel should join Kris. Don and Abbas opt themselves out, as both wish to stay and finish their work on the tribes perimeter. Soledad is then selected to join Kris, as the group feel that their "leader" should be present on this journey, much to the annoyance of Phillis, who views herself as more of a leader. The tribe then vote between Mary, Marsha and Phillis, with Mary gaining the most votes to join the three on the quest. "boran"

- I think Mary's had it tough these last few days, and this quest was what she needed to see that we as a tribe really do value her.

"boran"

- I don't know what the hell the tribe was thinking. Soledad, Mary and Kris over myself, Abbas and Don!? Really? The three members who have their heads out their asses and we're left behind? I hope this involves no decision making for the tribe because if it does we're screwed.

Kris, Soledad and Mary head off, using their map to reach their intended destination.

Samburu
The Samburu tribe awakens to an unusual tree mail, which informs them that they must send three of their members to the drop off point (the same point they arrived at on day one). The mail simply states that these three members will go on a "quest". No one immediately volunteers for the tribe, with everyone somewhat weary as to what it could mean. After several minutes of debating, the tribe agree to send David, who has become the de-facto leader since Renato's elimination. Luigino and Ingrid are then selected as the next two members, both of whom seemed more eager then Briallen (who is showing little interest in tribe activities) and Adela (who wished to stay behind to try and form a closer bond with outsider Briallen).

The three head off, using their map to reach their intended location.

The Twist
The six contestants selected to go on the quest arrive at the drop off point where Jeff is waiting for them. The six look at one another, somewhat apprehensive as to what is about to occur. Jeff welcomes the contestants, before explaining what is about to occur.

Boran
Abbas, Don, Marsha and Phillis sit at camp awaiting the return of their three missing tribe members. Don sees three individuals in the distance, assuming it is the returning players, he informs the group of their return. However, as the three get closer it becomes clear that it is not the three they expected. "boran"

- We saw some people coming closer in the distance, and of course we just assumed it was the group returning to tell us that they selected items for a reward or something. It wasn't a particularly nice surprise when we realized that it was Samburu members walking up to us... wearing our tribes buff.

"boran"

- My heart sank. I didn't know what to think. I didn't know if the others were now out of the game, if something was wrong, if we were merging... But all I knew was Mary aint here and I'm on my own.

"boran"

- Why... Why did I have to be the one to volunteer to leave? Ugh, I'm now stuck on a tribe with the two senior members from Samburu, and there's four Boran stood over us knowing they've got us cornered.

"boran"

- It sucks to have been moved to this new Boran tribe. I was happy at Samburu, I had all my stuff there... Now I'm in this camp with all these people I don't know, all these people who'll think I'm a jackass. S**t.

The group all sit together to discuss the change in the game, whilst going through introductions. The three ex-Samburu members are clearly all uncomfortable with the change in game, particularly David, who feels as though he is the biggest target of the three that were swapped. Phillis and Don both grill the new arrivals, trying to gather as much information on Samburu as possible. Ingrid unintentionally reveals a lot about the tribes past, talking about the problems with Briallen, Phoebe and Roland, also revealing that Luigino has votes against him. "boran"

- Really Ingrid?! You're going to just tell them everything about us?! We're already screwed I may as well get her out before me.

"boran"

- Phillis and Don really got to work questioning us today, which I saw right through, as did Luigino. Sadly for us Ingrid isn't the smartest person in this game, and she basically told them everything they wanted to know. Now that they know Luigino has votes against him he'll stick around, because he's already a tainted individual, whereas if we lose they can just ditch me right away... Bigger threat, no votes against me... I'm in a much better position than Lui and Ingrid, both of whom have votes against their names.

The tribe continue spending their day getting to know the new members, with Phillis realizing the positives that have come from the swap. "boran"

- This tribe swap is absolutely brilliant for my game. I've now gotten Mary and Soledad out the way, and we've got three struggling Samburu members under our control. Its time that I really stepped up and took control of this tribe, because there's no one trying to be a faux-leader, and the people around me need all the help they can get. Perfection would be sending Samburu back to tribal council, where they're picked off one by one, because no one on the other tribe has any real use to my game anymore.

Samburu
Adela and Briallen sit talking together, with Adela hoping to make Briallen feel more included in the tribe dynamics, preventing her from potentially flipping if they reach a merge. However, the conversation is interrupted by the arrival of three new members.

The group begin discussing the tribe swap, with both Adela and Briallen desperate to know what has occurred, finding out that their old three members have now joined Boran, and that Kris, Soledad and Mary will be permanent members of their tribe. Briallen seems to get along with the new tribe members, joking that she thought they were coming to raid their camp.

Adela sits back and observes the situation, feeling immediately on the outs with the new tribe, realizing that Briallen will use the opportunity to work her way into a new tribe. Soledad quickly asserts herself as the leader once again, grooming Briallen and speaking on behalf of the Boran tribe.

Day 14
Challenge: Get Your Goat Forty goats are in a pen. Twenty are marked with the Samburu red and twenty with Boran yellow. The first tribe to get their twenty goats from the starting pen into their destination pens, one hundred yards away, wins.

Reward: Three egg-laying chickens and a rooster

Winner: Boran

Boran
The Boran tribe returns to camp having just won the reward challenge, earning themselves three egg laying hens. Abbas and David lay the hens down once arriving back at camp, before the group take a vote as to what the fate of the hens should be.

"boran"

- So today we won three chickens, which is going to benefit our new tribe a great deal. Considering we've already got an advantage over Samburu I'd say this could be the nail in their coffin, and that they come to the merge with three people left. I do worry that Adela wont make it further, especially considering she's my closest ally in this game. But I suppose its self preservation, and that means her going means I've made it that one step further to the merge, which is exactly where I need to be.

"boran"

- We won us some chickens today. (begins clucking, then laughs) This new tribe is just great, I mean its much nicer then Samburu, which looks a bit like the slums compared to Boran.

After returning from the reward, the Boran tribe begin to work on their camp, making sure they have enough firewood and water to keep them going throughout the next few days. However, the old Samburu members appear to be lacking in their contributions, all sitting around as opposed to pulling their weight, much to the annoyance of Don. "boran"

- When you get back from these challenges you're exhausted. But you're going to be a great deal more exhausted if you don't get water to drink, and fire to boil it with. These three new members really aint my kind of team members that I want to keep here y'know? I thought maybe that Luigino and Ingrid, as two other senile players, would reciprocate my work ethic, but it seems they'd both rather sit around and be waited on. Well that's not how we do things here over on Boran...

Phillis stops working and walks over to the old Samburu members, asking why the three of them feel they can sit around whilst there is work to be done. Phillis' tone comes across as aggressive, causing Abbas to look away in horror. "boran"

- As soon as Phillis says she's going to do anything I panic inside because I've seen how she deals with situations, and its not good. She doesn't have very good people skills. I suppose its not something you need when you're working in a lab all day. She really is a loose cannon, but she's someone who seems to control others through fear. Its absolutely ridiculous because she shouldn't intimidate anyone when we hold the power to collectively vote her out.

"boran"

- I'm sat there, and this crazy lady comes storming over telling me to get up and to work. So earlier today she tells me I cant compete in the challenge, and now she's telling me when I have to work. Does she want to tell me when I wipe my ass too!? I thought I escaped the lunacy over on Samburu but it seems that its tainted this tribe too.

"boran"

- I don't know what Samburu have been doing since this game started. Most likely sitting on their butts and eating non-stop because they are the laziest individuals I've ever seen in my life. I go over and ask them to pitch in, and I'm met by rudeness from Luigino, who seems to feel he's above working. Well I've got news for him, next time we go to tribal council he can be the one going home.

"boran"

- God Phillis is awful. She's just loud, aggressive and completely unfamiliar with social skills. I thought Luigino was bad but she really does take the crown on this one. Its like he argues with her and manages to look like a reasonable guy despite his own attitude (laughs). I'm trying to play the game as best as possible, making myself appear as the most reasonable of our three. Hopefully this way I can form bonds with the Boran members, and go into the merge with the security of new found allies, replacing those I'm bound to lose in my old Samburu members.

David, Luigino and Ingrid get to work around the camp, pitching in as much as possible, pleasing the old Boran members.

Samburu
The Samburu tribe returns to camp having just lost the reward challenge, losing out on the egg laying hens. The now demoralized tribe sits around the burnt out fire pit, all discussing what they'd have done with eggs and chicken had they won. Kris begins talking about food, to the point that his tribe members become annoyed, with Soledad politely asking that he stops.

The five Samburu members sit together talking for some time, with Mary rubbing Kris' swollen ankle, which hasn't improved over time, casting doubt into her mind over whether he'll be able to be an asset going into the next few challenges.

The group get to work around the camp, with Kris' hobbling around collecting wood, trying not to look weak in front of his tribe members. The girls all praise Kris, proud of his efforts despite clearly being in pain. After collecting enough firewood, the tribe settle down for the evening, with both Briallen and Adela attempting to grow stronger bonds with the old Boran members, knowing that they are competing between themselves to survive the next tribal council.

Day 15
Challenge: Puzzle of Shields Both tribes will have twenty giant puzzle pieces. First team to complete their puzzle wins.

Winner: Boran Information (Boran): Abbas, Don, Marsha and Phillis all perform well, solving the puzzle quickly and effectively. Luigino somewhat struggles, unable to work it out for himself, although he contributes well, despite not attempting to take the lead. Information (Samburu): Adela, Mary and Soledad perform averagely, all struggling to solve the puzzle, but working well enough together to keep the tribe placing pieces down. Briallen and Kris perform poorly, both stepping back, unable to solve the puzzle, ultimately costing the tribe the win.

Samburu
Samburu return to camp having just lost the immunity challenge, all having expected to lose since failing to win the previous reward challenge. Adela and Briallen stand together, both looking somewhat deflated, knowing that they must now scramble to keep themselves in the game. Kris goes to lie down, quickly requesting that Mary informs him of the vote before tribal council, which she promises to do.

Adela and Briallen talk together for some time, both accepting that one of them is going to leave the game. They both agree to let the other have time with Soledad and Mary, giving both of them a fair chance to plead their case as to why they should be kept.

Soledad and Mary sit alone before tribal, ready to head over to Kris with their decision.

At tribal council the tribe discuss their blatant disadvantage against their rivals, who they feel will likely win the next few challenges before the merge unless luck in on their side. Briallen and Adela both admit to knowing that their heads are on the chopping block, before being asked to explain their plea's to Jeff, who is interested in knowing why they both feel the other should go over them. After a brief discussion, Jeff selects Adela to start the voting, feeling as though any further discussion will only be futile, as the old Boran members admit to having made a decision. As the votes come in, Briallen and Adela hold hands, wishing each other luck. In the end, the Boran members select strength and strategy over the safe option, ousting Briallen from the game in a 4-1 vote. Briallen hugs Adela goodbye, before wishing the tribe luck, clearly holding back tears as Jeff snuffs her torch. The remaining four Samburu members head back to camp, all hopeful that they will overcome the odds, winning the next immunity challenge.