More Than We Had This Morning

More Than We Had This Morning is the fifth episode of Survivor: Pearl Islands.

Day 12 (Night)
The remaining five members of the Morgan tribe return to camp having just emotionally voted out their ex-leader Juan. The group appear to be in low spirits after the vote, placing their belongings back down and silently standing round the fire for several minutes.

"morgan"

- Seeing Juan leave feels surreal to all of us left on the Morgan tribe. He led us through our lowest moments and into the highest moments. He was always someone willing to help out, put smiles on our faces. He's leaving a hole in our tribe that no one will be able to fill. We owe it to him to try and keep going... because if we keep losing all the arguments about him holding us back lose any value, and we just feel like dirt because we voted him out so early.

Several hours later, Jamal and Callum find themselves the only two members of the tribe still awake. The pair speak about their current position in the tribe, agreeing that they hold the power, and have guaranteed themselves spots at the merge.

"morgan"

- Juan going home ain't no result that any of us wanted to go through with. We're all here playing our own game and doing what gets us further, and I think we can agree that our decision is going to keep us in this thing. Callum and myself are solid right now. We've got Marcus to give us a majority over the girls, and the girls to give us a majority over Marcus. We're the kings of this tribe... maybe there isn't room for two kings, but right now we're ruling side by side. I just don't want to be the ruler of a failing kingdom... without any subjects.

Drake
Judith reads tree mail aloud to the tribe, letting them know of the clues to the next reward challenge. Once finished, the remaining seven members of Drake begin to strategically plan as to how they can best win.

"drake"

- It's getting really tiring to have each challenge be 'which girl is going to sit' unless Duncan is having some sort of crybaby fit. Michael essentially just dictated that it'll be me sitting with Grace, because he wants strength in the immunity... which if that's the case he could sit. But when you've got a penis between your legs I suppose not competing is out of the question.

"drake"

- The looting part of rewards make it very, very hard for us to accept losing. I think our tribe currently has hit a rock bottom, and if we don't start winning again then we may lose more members. I don't mind voting out Duncan, but we want to keep as many of us as possible for the merge. Otherwise the Morgan tribe could take over the game.

Morgan
The tribe begin their day by reading tree mail as a group, feeling determined to win the next reward challenge, having seen the value in raiding after being able to obtain Drake's fishing spear during the last raid. "morgan"

- I don't know how confident we are as a group today. I think the nerves are high, and that if we are to lose Drake will send someone over here to snatch back their spear, which means we're back to eating small bland meals. I don't know if this challenge is about gettin' somethin' from the other tribe as much as it is about protecting what we already got here.

"morgan"

- Each time we go into a challenge we know how critical it is to win, but over and over we have the same boring conversations about how if we don't win it's the end for us. It's mostly Marcus who preaches it, and when we lose and manage to survive he looks to blame someone else. I don't even know anymore. We've voted based on strength the last three times we've gone to tribal council, and each time we end up losing again eventually. Our assumption is that a merge will be at the final ten, so if that's the case then we are out of lifelines... one more tribal council and we're down in numbers. It makes me wonder if we should have voted out the people who have abrasive personalities rather than those who are fainting... at least we'd be losing and united.

Reward Challenge
Challenge: Paddle For Paddles The tribes must row to one of four floating crates, where one person dives down to grab two ladder rungs. Once all eight are collected, they row back to shore. One person runs to an old well to pull up a bucket with an idol inside, bringing it back. Meanwhile, the rest build a puzzle ladder with the rungs gathered and the two side panels. Then, the runner climbs it with the idol. First runner to the top wins. Reward: Bush shower, toiletries, cooking pot, rain jackets, and two jerrycans; loot one item from losing tribe; piece of treasure map. Winner: Morgan
 * Grace and Holly sit out for the Drake tribe.

Drake
After suffering another reward loss, the group return to camp in low spirits, quickly becoming aware that their dominance over their rivals has seemingly come to an end. "drake"

- The first two weeks of this game felt like constant victory for the Drake tribe. Now it is finished. We now lose three out of the last four challenges. They now send someone over here to take from us, and we in an even worse position.

"drake"

- Low and behold, we lost today because we sat myself and Grace out, who really have done okay in every challenge so far. It's hard because as a group we don't really have any weak links... apart from Danielle, maybe Judith and Duncan too... but nobody stands out as a huge liability. The issue I have is that we're being controlled by Michael, and what he says goes up to the vote at tribal council, and it's annoying. He's a great asset to the tribe, but two weeks of his word being final is rubbing me the wrong way. It's making me think Danielle had a point, and that the women can take control of this tribe. That way... we can say who sits out in future based off a consensus.

Michael and Grace walk down to the water together, standing as they await the boat from the Morgan tribe. The duo speak to one another, discussing the rise in tension between the tribe each time they lose a challenge.

"drake"

- Being the leader is not always the best position, and it's made clear at times like this. We've hit a rough patch lately, and of course when things go bad people start pointing the finger at whoever makes the call... or whoever is seen to be making the call. Morgan voted Juan out at their last tribal council, and that's a huge eye opener to me. I'm not invincible on this tribe, and there will come a time when the people revolt against who they see to be the higher power... the ruling class. It happens all throughout human civilisations in history, and tribes in Survivor are no different.

Several minutes later, a boat approaches the Drake camp, with Emma jumping off upon its arrival to the shore. After formally introducing herself to those she has yet to meet, she begins the walk up to the camp where she begins looking at the different items the tribe owns.

"morgan"

- When looting, there isn't a limit to what we can take if it's an item like rice. I really could take all their rice and it would be in the rules. But, I'm not that cruel... so I agreed on half, and I hope that the Drake tribe will be somewhat grateful for our generosity in that. Maybe they'll see me as the one who didn't hurt them when I came to loot as much as I could have.

After taking half the bag of rice, Emma says her goodbyes and leaves the Drake tribe, not wanting to spend an unnecessary amount of time away from Morgan's newly won shower. Once she has left, the group opt to cook themselves a portion of rice, and mull over their third loss in a short space of time. "drake"

- It feels so wrong that the roles have reversed in this game, and we now feel like the underdogs against Morgan. It's ridiculous because they feel like a band of misfits, and there's only five of them left. But, they're remaining positive and confident, and I've got to give it to them. They're able to do what we can't in some ways... and that just makes us look like the weaker players. I'm looking forward to a merge, where we get the chance to start voting them out before they can take any more strides forward. Emma would be the first one I'd come after. She's extremely socially intelligent... and I can see past her nice girl act. I don't doubt she's as lovely as she seems, but in a game like this she's a dangerous player. Being likeable is one of the best things you can be in Survivor. It's time we start playing this game more ruthlessly if we want to survive.

Morgan
The group return to camp having just won the reward challenge, allowing them to send Emma off to Drake in order to loot another item. After Emma leaves, the group opt to concentrate on getting their camp chores completed, and to wait until the following morning to continue the search for the buried treasure. "morgan"

- Call me an eternal optimist, but I truly believe that Morgan has a chance to beat Drake in every challenge moving forward. Perhaps I'm just an old fool, but after seeing us today I think we felt more ... determined. The passion in this tribe is something that can't be cancelled out, no matter how many times we're sent to tribal council. Having brute strength is one thing in this game, but if you have heart and the brain power... you'll last longer than those just playing physically. I hope that we don't have a repeat of the last few days, where we win the reward and then lose the immunity challenge. As harsh as it is to say, we need to keep Drake down, and Emma looting from there provides us with another opportunity to do so.

The group use the spear to catch several fish, cleaning around the camp whilst their shower is being set up. During this time, Emma returns to camp with a bag of rice looted from Drake, much to the tribes delight. Mina prepares the fish with some of the rice, placing it in the pot that was also won during the reward challenge. "morgan"

- This win was huge for both tribes. We got ourselves a pot, part of our treasure mat, water cans, rain jackets, a shower with all this fresh water and a bunch of soap. On top of that we got a bag of rice thanks to Emma... I'd have maybe grabbed their tarp and prayed for rain, but the rice is good enough if it gives us energy. So tonight, we're sitting down to a good meal, and we're going to smell good and freshen ourselves up.

As the meal cooks, Jamal is the first to try out the shower, using the soap to clean himself properly for the first time in thirteen days. Jamal sings in delight as he rubs the soap into his scalp, much to the tribes amusement. "morgan"

- When you have two weeks of stank, and you're given soap for the first time. I swear to God I could have made out with myself I smelt so good. There ain't nothing like smelling nice and sitting down to a good meal with the people you care about out here. I haven't been this happy since we started this adventure.

Later that evening, each member of the tribe has had an opportunity to clean themselves off, eventually sitting down together to enjoy a hearty meal of fish and rice. The group appear to be growing closer by the day, laughing throughout the meal as they share stories from back home. "morgan"

- Morgan feels on top of the world right now. We're eating well, we're winning more challenges than we ever had done. We smell good and feel so positive that I don't think any of us can imagine going down again. Even Marcus is fun to be around tonight! I think I hugged him twice... which if you told me I'd be doing a few days ago I'd say you're insane (laughs). Drake should be worried... of course they should be.

Drake
Duncan and Holly go off together in order to collect water, leaving the others around camp to sit as time passes. During this time, the group talk about the possibility of losing, acknowledging that Duncan remains the obvious outsider within the tribe. "drake"

- Initially, our tribe was probably going to vote Judith out first, and myself, Grace, Duncan and Luke felt like a core four who could really run this game. Things change so fast out here, and after Luke's injury and the fact the two younger guys just weren't bonding with everyone else... it meant that two of those four became the first two targets. Duncan has thankfully come back from his apparent apathy towards the game after Luke left, but I'm not alone in thinking that no matter what he says or does from here on out, that we can't take him with us through another tribal council if we're to attend one. Duncan has no reason to trust any of us, and if I was him I'd definitely vote with the Morgan tribe at a merge. He's a dissident that we need to take out before he has a chance to strike.

"drake"

- Right now, we're still all in agreement that Duncan needs to go home, and that's fine with me because he's not someone I trust. The good thing is that everyone is going along with this plan, even Michael and Lang... the two boys don't realise it yet, but I've suggested to the other girls that we get together and run this tribe. We know there's more of us, and if we're to lose one or two more challenges... two boys will be going home, and all four of us girls can make it to the merge. I know Holly is on board, as she's completely fed up with how the guys make the orders around here, and I know Judith feels the same way. Grace is close with Michael, but I think she'll do what the rest of us say because she's someone who likes to stay with the numbers.

Whilst collecting water, Duncan and Holly talk through their strained relationship, trying to make amends after she broke trust when voting Luke out of the game.

"drake"

- There is a danger in speaking to Duncan so frankly about my thoughts on this tribe... because there's nothing stopping him running his mouth and getting me voted out. He and I did get along well, and he's got that kind of humour that I can get along with. I'm a girl who gets on better with guys in general, and Duncan is just like so many of my friends back home. A few people want him to leave next, but I'm going to do what I can to protect him... or at least give him the dignity of letting him know if his time is up. I don't owe this tribe any more than I've given them, and I'm not going to stick to the status quo and vote out somebody that I get along with over people who I really can't see myself working long term with out here.

The pair shake hands, eventually going into an awkward hug to cement their deal. They finish collecting the water and begin heading back to camp, agreeing not to campaign until after they know if they've lost the challenge, hoping someone else will paint a target on themselves over the coming day. "drake"

- I'm taking back everything I said about not caring about this game, and everything I said about wanting to go home. I don't want to go. I fought to get out here and I'm gonna fight to stay. I want to be able to say to Luke next time I see him that I outdid these mother f***ers. Holly says she's on my side now, and I'm thinking all I need is two others to stay safe. I don't know who I'll be gunning for, because other than Michael being the semi-annoying leader and people like Danielle and Judith looking like the weakest... there's nothing obvious I can say about someone to see them leave first. Don't count your boy out just yet... I'll raise hell before I let this group send me home.

Morgan
The tribe get together and put the pieces of their treasure map in order, hoping to use the seemingly good weather to their advantage and spend the day searching for the buried loot. "morgan"

- Last night was, and I think I speak for the entire tribe, the best night we've had in the Pearl Islands so far. The only way we can raise our morale even more around here would be to find this God damn treasure that's buried somewhere around here. We know Drake ain't found theirs, but we're hopin' that as a group we've got more ... brainpower. I don't know what I'm thinkin' will be inside... maybe a tarp, or some rice... I'd hope for a steak but I think by now it would have gone bad.

"morgan"

- We searched for ... I think maybe two... three hours? It wasn't easy. We only had the two clues, and this island isn't exactly small in comparison. I think we dug in about ten different places, and then of course doubt starts to set in and you wonder if there's any point in continuing.

The group begin digging in a new area, eventually hitting something solid beneath the ground.

The tribe begin screaming in delight as Marcus and Callum pull the buried treasure out from the ground, placing it above the hole before climbing out and unlocking it with their key. The group all try to hide their excitement, eager to find out what lays within the treasure both tribes have sought after for fourteen days. "morgan"

- We dug for this thing for hours and hours, searched for it for two whole weeks, so we're rightfully thinking this is going to be a massive win for us... whatever is in here will be beyond anything we could have dreamed about...

The group open the lid of the chest, initially covering their noses as a foul stench emerges from within. The group quickly realise that the contents of the chest is the source of the smell, with the fourteen days below the surface having enabled moisture to seep into the chest, dampening the blankets within, and allowing a lot of the food inside to go stale. "morgan"

- I'm from the South, so I'm use to getting crappy presents when it came to Christmas and birthdays... especially when you grow up without much money. But I mean, nothing I've ever experienced came close to this disappointment. I'm sorry to say it, but I wish we just kicked that chest back in the ground and threw the dirt back on top of it (laughs).

The group take the chest and its contents back to camp, eventually sorting through it in order to determine what is safe to use. The group find some alcohol and chocolate in their chest, opting to consume it immediately, dumping much of the other food due to it having spoiled. "morgan"

- We were naturally disappointed by the treasure, because we'd been led to believe that there was something much more... worthwhile within. But, we're a lighthearted group, and we were all able to see the funny side. There was some moonshine and soggy chocolate which we were able to have, and even though it may not have been what we hoped for, it's still more than we had this morning. That's how you've got to look at this situation... we gained.

Day 15
The tribes prepare for the next immunity challenge, with Drake hoping to return to their winning streak, with another win supposedly guaranteeing themselves a majority over Morgan in the upcoming merge, whilst Morgan hope to keep their newfound wins going, further knocking Drake down by forcing them to vote out another member. "drake"

- Today I'm going to be sitting out, which I'm relieved about because it involves gross eating or something. I told my tribe to just do their best, and whatever happens, happens... because if we do lose, we're able to go through with the plan we've all been following with the last few days.

"morgan"

- If we lose today, I know that my vote will be for Marcus. I suspect that Marcus will be voting for me, and that my time in this game may be up, based on the fact that voting based on strength is this tribes preferred pattern. I don't support any notion that I'm the weakest, but it'll be hard to dissuade anyone that the older woman... the smallest person... is stronger than a man bulging with muscle. If it's based on eating... I've had some strange foods in my time, so this is nothing to me. I think we've got a group who'll stomach anything, and this could be another challenge which we excel in.

Challenge: Survivor Smoothie Jeff has a spinning wheel of seafood/island-related items, which will be blended into a smoothie after they're spun up. In a tie, each tribe chooses the other tribe's representative for the tiebreaker, which involves six of the twelve items on the wheel. Information: Remarkably, everybody competing manages to get their smoothie down without issue, thus ending the score on a 5-5 tie. In the result of a tie, both tribes are asked to select somebody from the other tribe. Drake select Jamal to drink again, whilst Morgan select Holly to drink again. Jamal manages to finish the smoothie first, handing the win to Morgan. Winner: Morgan
 * Danielle and Judith sit out for the Drake tribe.

Drake
Having just lost their second immunity challenge, the tribe return to camp having reached a new low, knowing any notion of them being the stronger tribe is now in the past. "drake"

- So, thanks to my failure to swallow a smoothie quicker than Jamal, my tribe is going back to tribal council and somebody is leaving tonight. I feel pretty crap, because my whole plan was to save Duncan from his elimination, and to use this challenge as a basis on who we should target to keep him safe. Obviously, the only person who screwed up today in any way was me... so it leaves me in this horrible position where it's like... is it me or him? Or is there even a chance we can look for somebody else to vote for.

Grace comforts Holly with a hug, trying to help her tribe member keep her emotions together. The rest of the group join in with the comforting, not wanting Holly to solely take responsibility for the loss. "drake"

- We lost the immunity challenge today, which means one of us has to be voted out. Holly is the only person who made any sort of mistake, but I don't think any of us can exactly point a finger at her and accuse her of under-performing. Holly is a great player for this team, and I don't even suspect she'll be in trouble tonight. Duncan is the one person who any of us have openly spoken about voting out... and the reasons make sense. He's an outsider, he's aggressive and he's a liability. However, there's somebody in this group who I'd much rather see leave tonight... and that's Danielle. I've said from the very beginning that I can't trust her, and I feel she's extremely disingenuous with everything she says in game talk. Most of all, she's not a benefit to the tribe in any challenges. She sat out today and thinks it excludes her from any of the blame... but I can name at least three previous challenges where she's been a detriment. The problem about voting Danielle is that it won't be easy... Michael, Lang and Danielle all seem set on voting for Duncan, and I can't see any way around this. Judith will likely vote with them too because she and Lang are working closely, and out of everyone... Judith was treated the worst by both Duncan and Luke. That's the majority they need to send him home... so my wants might have to wait until a later stage. Unless I can somehow convince one of the boys or Judith that saving Duncan is for the greater good.

Whilst the group are all gathered together, Michael decides to break into a small speech, talking about taking a more honest and transparent approach to the vote "unlike the last (tribal)". He opts to speak to Duncan in front of the tribe, admitting that he'll be voting him out, and that he didn't wish to lie to him for a second time in the game. "drake"

- Duncan was particularly upset last time when we voted against Luke, and one of the main issues he had was that we weren't up front and honest about our decision. I completely respect where he was coming from, and I want to make peace in that regard before we send him home. It may be foolish and it might cause him to have a meltdown, but he can't accuse us of lying to him a second straight time.

"drake"

- So we're sitting around camp, and Michael the messiah decides to let me know that he's voting me out tonight, because he back-stabbed me at the last vote and now he wants a clean conscience, so he's going to stab me in the front. Gee, thanks Michael! You're a real life saver there! Then the whole tribe that his backing choir throw their hands up like this is a holdup, and essentially offer me the chance to write my own eulogy before tribal council. It's a joke! Holly didn't respond to them, so at least I'm not going out unanimously. I could have died though... Michael telling me that my growth is worth more than a million. That's easy to say when you're worth six figures already and you're the one staying out here beyond tonight!

Later in the day, the four women of the tribe are given some time alone by the water in order to freshen up. Danielle begins once again talking about the future of their games beyond the vote, much to the annoyance of the others, who seem less than interested in theorising votes that have yet to pass.

"drake"

- Trying to get a group of women to stick together is always going to be hard, but we've got a unique group on Drake. We're all strong, independent and respect what we can bring to the game. I'm a little nervous that the men might realise what we're up to... but Michael's speech shows me that he hasn't even picked up on it (laughs).

"drake"

- I had said that I'd be looking to the challenge to find the weakness in the group, but thankfully the hole digging has come more from our camp dynamics. Danielle has spent the last God knows how many days talking non-stop about her plans, that nobody else seems that sold on. She has some points that are completely valid, but she's also incredibly irritating about it. For someone who doesn't bring strength... she's feeling very safe, and I can tell Grace wants to strangle her right now. Judith seemed horrified by the notion that Lang is next on the chopping block if Duncan goes, and maybe that's all I need to save Duncan tonight.

"drake"

- I thought this vote was all decided, and that Duncan ... who I hate... was going. Now, Danielle is bringing all this attention on herself and people want to vote her out instead. I want to protect Lang, and I can see that this could be better for him... but I don't want to save Duncan now, and have him be a thorn in my side all the way through this game.

Judith sighs, clearly feeling anxious at the position Holly and Grace are forcing her into. As time passes, the group spends the remainder of the day around camp, not allowing many side conversations to take place. Duncan asks Holly for any reassurance, to which she tells him that it all may rest on Judith, much to his dismay. Grace and Holly each take turns whispering to Judith, trying to influence her into voting for Danielle, with the others oblivious to the behind the scenes work that is going on. "drake"

- The sun is about to go down, and I've not really had a chance to campaign to keep myself in this game. I've got both Grace and Holly fighting my case right now, and the one person who can throw me a lifeline is Judith. It couldn't have come down to a worse person, because Judith really hates me... I mean she hates me. I don't like her either. My only chance is that the girls get through to her, or at tribal council I can somehow throw out a few lines... and get one of them to stick.

At tribal council, the group spend the opening portion discussing the blindside against Luke at their previous vote. Duncan talks through his initial anger towards the tribe for misleading him, but admits that he has since come to terms with their decision, and hopes that they'll give him another chance beyond this second vote. He continues by comparing his contribution in challenges against others, eventually quietening down and declining to directly attack any particular tribe members, following Grace's instructions. Several individuals talk about the unlikelihood that Duncan has a future in the game, regretfully noting that due to the last vote he will forever be a liability in a merge scenario. Holly interjects by praising this about Duncan, saying that his liability status makes him "predictable, unlike others" on the Drake tribe. In the final portion of tribal, the Drake tribe talk about their recent failure in challenges, and whether or not they can return to the early days in which they were consistently victorious. A majority of the tribe show optimism towards regaining their strong status, with Duncan finalising the point by claiming it will only be possible if the tribe look at strength rather than who voted in the minority beforehand. As the group go to vote, both Duncan and Holly are seen writing down Danielle's name, whilst Michael and Lang are shown casting their votes against Duncan. Judith is the final member to vote, writing a "D" on her parchment before letting out a sigh. Jeff returns with the now full urn, ready to reveal who will be the second member to leave the Drake tribe.

Danielle exclaims "wow" as she angrily stands, refusing to acknowledge her tribe as she takes her torch over to Jeff. Michael loudly tells Danielle that he didn't vote for her, looking around at his tribe mates as he tries to comprehend the result. Duncan becomes overwhelmed with emotion, placing his arms around Holly and repeatedly thanking her, looking over at Grace and Judith to quietly thank them both, although neither respond. After Danielle leaves, Jeff reminds the tribe that they have now pulled off two blindsides in two tribal councils, leaving everyone vulnerable for a potential third.

Final Words
"drake"

- This wasn't what I expected to happen. I thought the other girls agreed with my plan, but obviously people were playing a lot more sneakily than I expected. I really enjoyed the time I had out here, and I just wish it could've been longer.