Oh My... Part 2

Oh My... Part 2 is the eighth episode of Survivor: Pearl Islands.

The Outcasts
The Outcasts arrive at tribal council, with the six of them having been victorious in the latest immunity challenge, enabling them to vote two of their members back into the game for another shot at the million dollar prize. Jeff begins by congratulating the six previously voted out players, asking someone to put into words quite how they're feeling at this moment. Danielle responds by noting the groups joy at winning the challenge, feeling as though regardless who returns, that all six have somewhat gotten revenge over Drake and Morgan. When asked whether revenge is the main criteria surrounding their return, Juan states that he feels it certainly plays a role, but for him personally it is not a concern.

Lucy then talks about not wanting to rely solely on revenge as a motive, as whoever goes back into the game will need to remember that they are still playing for the title of Sole Survivor, not just to settle a score. Mina agrees with Lucy, saying whilst she wants to return to side with those from her old tribe, she is open to making new bonds with members of Drake is need be.

Jeff then explains that everybody will be granted two votes, and that they must vote for who they want to return to the game. The two individuals with the most votes will return to the game, whilst the four with the least votes will be eliminated for good. One by one, The Outcasts walk up and begin casting their votes in what has proved to be the most poignant moment of the season.

The group look at one another, knowing that the result is bound to be split due to the nature of the vote.

Luke places his hands over his head, trying to contain his excitement at being voted back into the game. The group prepare for Jeff to read the final vote, and work out who will be the last individual to return to the game.

Jeff instructs both Luke and Mina to take their snuffed torches and reignite them in the fire, as the fire will represent their life having returned in the game. One by one, Savannah, Danielle, Lucy and Juan exit the tribal council area, having been eliminated after failing to return to the game. Luke and Mina are then instructed that the pair of them will return to their respective camps, where they will await further instructions coming the following day. He reminds the pair before they leave that they will both be given immunity at the next tribal council, giving them time to re-assimilate themselves into the game. Both Luke and Mina then exit the tribal council area, taking different paths in order to reach their separate camps which acted as their homes before being voted out.

Drake
The five members of Drake sit around the shelter, waiting to see who will be replacing Duncan after their heated tribal council. "drake"

- Duncan going was best for our tribe. His personality was very unkind, and he didn't treat me or Judith very good. The tribe we have now is stronger than the one we had before.

The group eventually hear someone approaching their camp, trying to see through the darkness as to which of the six 'Outcasts' will be joining them. As the individual comes towards the fire, the Drake tribe are able to see the return of previously voted out member Luke. "drake"

- Of all the people we could have gotten back... it had to be him. We get rid of Duncan, and trade in for his equally horrible friend.

"drake"

- The only positive thing about coming back to the Drake tribe was the chance to see Duncan again, as he's the only person I really trusted when I was voted out. I don't have any luck, I guess... because they just voted him out too. So, I'm looking at the tribe... and all I see are a bunch of people who betrayed me and my friend. I don't want to work with these people... and I hope the merge is coming, because I don't want to be stuck with them.

Luke sits down in the shelter, making himself comfortable as the others ask him questions about his time in 'The Outcasts'. During the questioning, Luke seems disinterested, letting the group know that he has no interest in being friendly to the group who voted him and his closest ally out of the game. "drake"

- This result is probably the worst one we could've experienced as a tribe. We just voted Duncan out, and in doing so we're a hell of a lot closer going into what should soon be a merge. We've now gained Luke back, who desperately wants to screw us all over... you can just tell by how he's acted since he arrived. It's almost as if the last vote didn't happen, and we've still got a thorn sticking into our side.

Morgan
The Morgan three sit around stoking their fire, joking happily after voting out Marcus, with the three of them aiming to keep an optimistic outlook despite being at a severe numbers disadvantage. "morgan"

- The vote tonight was mostly about myself and Jamal trying to secure the best chance at survivin' a merger. We saved Marcus way too many times, and it never amounted to anythin' but further headaches. Emma is a social person, and we know with people comin' back and a merge not far off, she can help bring us more numbers that we'll need to take control.

Several minutes later, the group hear a familiar voice calling out to them, quickly recognising it as Mina. The trio stand, cheering as their ex-tribe member returns to their camp, hugging them all as she re-enters the game.

"morgan"

- This is the best case scenario for me. Mina was easily one of my best friends on the tribe, and she and I will work together no doubt. I'm a little nervous how she'll be feeling towards Jamal and Callum... because both the boys saved me last night, and I want to be able to repay them for that. So, I need to make sure as a four we can work together, but a lot of that rests on Mina being forgiving.

Mina assures the tribe she wants no apologies, as what happened in the past must remain in the past, as the four of them must stay together if they want a chance at taking out the Drake tribe in an upcoming merge.

"morgan"

- Coming back into this game is an extremely powerful moment for me, because I'm essentially one of two people to be the only one's that have ever received a second chance in Survivor. One of my errors last time was I let these boys take control of our tribe and it left me without much say. I'm coming back now and I know there won't be a third chance, so I'm not wasting any time, and I'm laying out the perfect plan for the four of us to follow to get us to the end of this game. I know I'm not going anywhere at the next vote, because myself and Luke are immune. So, everything I'm doing is to save those I want to work with. I haven't had a chance to speak with anybody on Drake yet... other than Luke, so I don't know what my options concerning them are. I may find out that my odds are better outside the tribe that has already voted me out, and if that's the case then blue will suit me well (laughs).

Drake
Luke gets up before the rest of his tribe, sitting alone on the beach looking out at the water, mulling over his return to the game. As the rest of Drake begin to rise, they debate amongst themselves who should approach Luke first, unsure what they can say to reduce the threat he now poses. "drake"

- Judith and Lang both don't want to talk with him, and it's a problem because if we are to merge then Luke is an additional number for Morgan. I feel the I'm probably the best person to speak with him at this stage, and hopefully I'll be able to get a better idea what his intentions are.

Michael walks over to Luke, taking a seat next to him on the sand.

"drake"

- The Drake tribe is definitely panicking. Michael is trying his old leader role again, and it's funny to watch because he's probably the main person to lie to my face last time I was here. I actually like the idea of us losing another immunity challenge, so I'm safe and I get to watch these people who betrayed me fight amongst themselves (laughs).

Holly and Grace watch the two men talking from a distance, trying to decipher what Luke may be planning based off his body language. Grace claims that she has no confidence that Luke will be playing alongside them, and that as a tribe they should vote him out the first opportunity they are given. "drake"

- I wanted Luke out before, and I no doubt want him gone again. We just voted out Duncan, and I don't need another temperamental boy storming around our camp making everyone uncomfortable. Our best hope is to manipulate him into helping us, and we have to play the role of backstabbers. I don't know how we'll do it... but I think we can find a way. We have to.

"drake"

- The situation we're in right now is really sticky. More so for me than anyone else on my tribe. If we lose another immunity challenge, Luke can't be voted out, which leaves the rest of us vulnerable to being the one to go home. We're pretty aware that Lang and Michael... and I suppose Judith... will work together, and Grace is more in with that foursome than I am. I know... if we lose... I am probably going home. I need to show this tribe that I do have some use and I need to do whatever they need me to do to make Luke feel secure... and whilst I'm doing that I can try to get Luke on my side, and maybe help pass the target off me onto someone else. I want a merge more than anything right now, just because it gives me options that being on Drake denies me.

Over the next few hours, the Drake tribe begin collecting food and going about their daily chores, all leaving Holly free time to speak with Luke, knowing she is in the best position to manipulate a sense of security in his mind. The pair speak about Luke's return, eventually getting onto the subject of their strained relationship, and ultimately Holly's betrayal upon voting him out.

Luke assures Holly that her game might not be over, feeling as though if they can win the immunity challenge and reach a merge, that the pair of them can work together to reach the final days of the game. "drake"

- I hate having to lie to someone's face... so in my "manipulation" of Luke, I'm giving him some honesty in the dynamic of the tribe, and what will happen if we go to tribal council as a tribe. I don't know yet if working with Luke is something that will actually help me, or if maybe I can just... lead him to the slaughter. I don't want to do my tribes dirty work just to end up in the same position I'm in now... because I know none of those people have any plans on keeping me around until day thirty-nine.

Morgan
The foursome are particularly pleased to discover a lemon tree on their island, despite first mistaking the fruit as being oranges.

"morgan"

- The group today seems still... okay. I mean, we aren't talking too much game, and we're just waiting around for a merger or to go for a challenge. So far, we haven't been told a damn thing.

With little to do throughout the day, Mina and Emma take some time alone together whilst bathing to discuss their current predicament. Emma voices her concerns over a delayed merge, noting that if they are to go to tribal council as Morgan alone, by default she will receive two votes off Callum and Jamal. "morgan"

- There's no way that Callum and Jamal will vote one another, and it leaves me as their only option because Mina has immunity from her next tribal council. I don't think Mina will vote for me, which means there's probably going to be the need to draw from a bag of rocks. It gives me a one in three chance of going home... but maybe I can convince Callum or Jamal not to put their chances of leaving in a rock.

"morgan"

- The power I currently have at this stage is absolutely ridiculous. The immunity grants me the necessary protection for the next tribal council, which means even if we stay as Morgan... I am in a good position... if we merge... I'm in an even better position. There's much work to be done, and I'm not going to just sit back and play it safe because I can't leave. As I said, this is my second-chance, and I intend to use it to mould the rest of this game how I see fit.

Drake
The tribe awaken to news that they will be heading to an immunity challenge, leaving the group with the assumption that they will continue competing as tribes; feeding into their fears that should they lose they will need to vote somebody out other than Luke. "drake"

- There were moments when I felt that any grip of control I thought I had over the Drake tribe completely slipped, and more recently I thought that I was able to regain my footing in the game. Once again, I find myself without a clue of what is going on, and it's all thanks to the reintroduction of Luke into our tribe. I think we can beat Morgan today, because we've done so countless times before. But, if we don't, then somebody who should be going to the top five is leaving this game.

"drake"

- Luke is acting like a spoilt petulant child, and it's annoying to put up with his self-pitying. Eight people have been voted out of this game so far... and eventually everyone will see their dream of winning shattered. He's taken it so personally and wants to punish us for... something that happened so long ago. He could have used his return to the game to add some ... grace and decorum... to his presence, but instead he's just as irritating and unlikeable as he was when we voted him out.

Morgan
Reading the same tree-mail, the Morgan tribe struggles to hide their disappointment, with all three vulnerable members now contemplating the likelihood of their exits taking place later this day. "morgan"

- It's hard not to feel sick to your stomach... not knowing what's going on the last few days, and then today waking up and seeing that there's an immunity challenge and no sign of a merge. It's the realisation that you may have already had your final nights sleep in the Pearl Islands.

"morgan"

- These darn tree-mails always throw a wrench into my plans. We gotta take what comes our way, and hope tonight we finally get some time away from tribal council.

Immunity Challenge
Both tribes arrive at the immunity challenge, looking over to Jeff as he talks them through the events of the past few days. Eventually, he gives them the positive news that they were all hoping for; instructing them to drop their buffs. The final ten are each given a new black buff, signalling their merger into one single tribe. Once the excitement has died down, the group are told that they will now face their first individual immunity challenge, granting somebody safety from the first merged tribal council. It is noted that whilst both Luke and Mina are immune, that they are eligible to compete, and if they are to win they must will the immunity to another player of their choice. The contestants take part in a draw to determine who will take part in each heat, with the winner of both heats going head to head in the final round. Immunity Challenge: Keel Hauling For the first round, the castaways must jump from a pontoon into the water, pull themselves along a rope under the pontoon to the opposite end without surfacing, climb back onto the pontoon, and run back to the start. This is done in two heats of five, the first two players in each to finish two laps move on. For the final round, the same thing is done, but players must do five laps, and move a medallion to the front each lap. First to move all five medallions to the front wins. Information: Heat 1 sees Emma, Holly, Jamal, Lang and Luke compete. All five perform relatively well, but Lang ultimately is able to beat out the others to win the round. Heat 2 sees Callum, Grace, Judith, Michael and Mina compete. During the challenge, Michael and Callum each respectively take on similar injuries when slipping on the pontoon, with Michael opting to stop competing to nurse his bleeding leg. Mina also struggles to keep up with the others, allowing Judith to ultimately win the round. The final round sees Judith go against Lang, which Judith eventually wins, with many speculating that Lang purposely slowed down to give his friend the win. Winner: Judith

Balboa
The final ten opt to return to the Morgan tribe, due to the majority of the reward items already being present, and the fact that their shelter is far less worn out due to less members being present in it over time.

The ex-Drake members are given a tour of their new camp, trying to seem friendly and optimistic despite all ten knowing that the battle-lines between them have already been drawn.

After a short conversation centred around Mina and Luke's thoughts at returning to the game, the group eventually splits into their respective tribal lines. The six ex-Drake members gather in the jungle, trying to assure themselves of their majority going into the vote.

Luke eventually leaves the conversation, causing the rest of the Drake members to panic over his clear wavering. Grace instructs Holly to try and reel him back in, but they struggle to see how it would be possible. Elsewhere, the Morgan members similarly discuss their thoughts heading into the vote. The group quickly agree that their best hope is to pull Luke in and target Holly, Lang or Michael.

Luke and Mina join up together soon after the group conversations, speaking through their options heading into the first vote.

Over the next few hours, the Morgan members voice their frustration towards Luke, who isn't giving a clear name on who he wishes to target, leaving them unsure whether Holly, Lang or Michael would be the wisest decision. Holly and Grace both try to work together to speak with Luke, hoping to take one last attempt at swaying his decision.

Before heading to tribal council, Grace and Holly are seen whispering to Michael, filling him in on the plan to get Luke to pass off his necklace.

Luke continues having conversations with both sides, with everyone unsure as to where his vote will be going (including Luke himself).

The newly merged tribe arrive at tribal council, having just had a few hours to interact as a group before deciding who will be the next person voted out of the game. Much of the start of tribal is centred around the return of Luke and Mina, and how their re-addition has impacted the game. Callum speaks highly of their return, feeling as though the twist has worked in his favour, whilst Lang admits to being displeased over the result, suggesting it has added a greater unknown into the game. Luke shakes his head at this, clearly annoyed blatant dismissal of him as a player.

The players are then asked about the supposed Drake versus Morgan divide in the tribe, with Mina and Luke seemingly being in the middle due to their Outcast status. When asked if it gives them unlimited power, Luke answers in a surprising fashion.

The Morgan tribe members confusingly look to one another, as do Lang and Judith, both of whom cannot believe what they are hearing.

As the fallout continues, the Morgan members all begin to show visible annoyance, allowing the group to work out that they were indeed planning on voting Holly, having not been told otherwise by Luke, who wanted to commandeer tribal council in an impulsive manner.

Luke whispers to Holly and Grace, who are sat next to him, confirming that the vote will be made against Lang, which they both agree to. Luke then tries mouthing Lang over to the Morgan members sat on the other side, although the foursome's irritation prevents them wanting to reply to him. Michael, Lang and Judith remain quiet during this, smiling as the chaos unfolds around them.

Michael begins to look visibly uncomfortable, with Luke still holding onto half a smile, noting that the Morgan tribe as expected were forced to put their votes on Lang or Michael.

Luke wipes sweat from his forehead, panicking at the fact his move was undoubtedly foolish in hindsight, knowing that he may have likely overplayed his hand upon returning to the game.

Once Luke's torch is snuffed, a tear is seen running down his cheek when he takes one last glance back at his tribe, who once again have managed to dupe him into being blindsided in what will undoubtedly be seen as one of the worst decisions in Survivor history. With only nine left, the players leave tribal council knowing they have at least reached the jury... something Luke's immunity should have assured for himself.

Trivia

 * The first half of the episode was written on June 12, 2019. The remainder was written December 18, 2019.