Survivor: Last Resort: Cape Verde 1.5 - Episode 5

Survivor: Last Resort: Cape Verde 1.5 - Episode 5
Writer: Chad Taylor

The Togo tribe complacently return to their camp after yet another vote-off. However, this time they find a letter there waiting for them. The letter reads “As a group, please decide who you think are the two strongest players on Brava to bring over to your tribe.” They are excited by this prospect of boosting their chances in challenges, while also knowing that if they lose again, there will be easy targets to vote out. After some debate, they decide to narrow it down to Brava members who are young and fit.

Jeff Probst has the two tribes meet with him at a neutral location. “I hope you’re not too comfortable with your current tribes because we are changing things up.” He smiles. He asks Togo if they have chosen their two members of Brava to bring over. Jose says that they have selected...Chase and Laura. Jeff instructs Chase and Laura to go over to Togo, who they greet.

He then turns to the Brava tribe. “Have you selected two members of Togo to bring over to your tribe?” They confirm that they have. Jose, Chad, Jim, and Kaiser are a bit stunned at this development - thinking that they were the only ones who got that message. Fiona announces that they have chosen Jim and Jose to join them. The two of them are still a bit stunned as they walk over to their new tribemates.

At the Brava camp, they welcome Jose and Jim to the team and the two of them are taken aback by how well-run this camp is. It becomes clear to them that that is due to the leadership of Sally and Bonds. In confessional, Jose says that he has taken a liking to the duo of Fiona and Megan. He’s obviously still loyal to Chad but he likes that they are two kind-hearted people who won’t betray him (which doesn’t mean he won’t betray them, though).

In his confessional, Jim worries about being on the bottom immediately but says things weren’t much better at Togo. In need of new allies in the wake of Puma’s dismissal, he circles Sally, Bonds, and Francis as the people he senses that have came here to play. Of course, there is also Jose who he knows well but also knows that he might have to turn against in an instant.

Francis meets with his ally Rajon and reveals that he actually tried to throw the last immunity challenge (and failed). Rajon asked him why and he says it would be to pit Sally and Bonds against each other before they can make some super alliance at the merge. Rajon tells him that that is not a bad idea. Rajon again considers telling Francis about his secret but decides against it.

At Togo, the tribe dynamics are a bit strange. Chad and Kaiser have voted together in the past but they aren’t really close. Meanwhile, Laura and Chase are the strongest duo in the game at the moment as the romantic tension continues to rise between them. In confessional, Laura talks about how there is no one she would rather be with here than Chase. In his confessional, Chase talks about how he thinks the trio of him/Laura/Chad will be the best athletic combination on either tribe. That should be able to at least give them a shot.

In the immunity challenge, going one castaway at a time, the tribes would dive in the ocean to a puzzle wheel attached to a rope. Once eight puzzle wheels were retrieved, the tribe would use the wheels to solve a puzzle. Jim, Bonds, Sally, and Megan compete for Brava. Although Kaiser’s swimming ability slows down Togo considerably, it helps that his tribe mates are very athletic. Once they get to the puzzle section, Kaiser’s intelligence comes into play and he makes up for any athletic deficiencies. Sally and Bonds clash as they try to help put the puzzle together, whereas Togo work in harmonious silence. Togo completes the puzzle first and Kaiser and Chad give each other a long embrace - their first taste of safety all game.

Everyone on the Brava tribe return to camp in mixed spirits. Of course, Jim and Jose have experienced this many times but it is a first for the rest. The two of them actually meet up immediately and discuss how they are probably on the bottom. They discuss how they see a similar guy/girl split now that Chase and Laura are gone. It is between Sally’s team and Bonds’s team. They discuss the merits of both before deciding to stick with what they know and side with the guys again.

Once they split up, Jose says in a confessional that he has no loyalty to Jim and he will not be upholding that promise. He goes to Fiona and Megan and sees if they would be willing to vote Jim out. They think he is talking about Bonds, who they actually do want out. Jose is cool with anyone but himself so he is all aboard voting Bonds out. He drops his concerns with Togo Jim for now.

In confessional, Sally debates with herself on what is the right move. On one hand, the easiest path is taking out Jim or Jose as they are the clear outsiders. Even if she doesn’t like some of her Brava mates, they should all be on board to eliminate the enemy. On the other hand, now would be the time to establish a strong alliance that can protect her going forward. Sally talks with Megan about liking both Jim and Jose better than Bonds. Megan says that her and Fiona are down to vote Bonds and it shouldn’t be hard to convince the two newbies to do what they want. Sally says that if they can solidify this alliance of 5, they will be practically be in the majority in every vote going forward.

Bonds comes to Sally and asks if the plan is Jose or Jim. She says it is Jim because the Fiona and Megan get along well with Jose. Bonds says that works for him although he is unsure of where Francis and Rajon stand. When he finds them, they tell him that they are ready to take out Sally now as it will be a big move they can put on their resume. Bonds is all for this as he suspects her group will try to vote for him. They pull in Jim, who says that he is definitely willing to vote out Sally and he talked with Jose about it and he said he was also on board. Rajon says that he has heard Jose throwing Jim’s name around but Jim says he will talk to him to make sure they are on the same page. That number of five would give them the advantage.

Right before the vote, Jose and Jim coalesce once again and talk about how lucky they feel. Jim is still suspicious that they aren’t the targets but Jose reassures him that everyone has bigger fish to fry. He tells him that he has changed his mind and that they should vote with Sally’s side. This last second plan-changing makes him nervous but he thanks Jose for being his only ally on this tribe.

At tribal council, Jeff tells everyone but Jim and Jose: “Behind each of you is a torch. Grab a torch and approach the flame. Dip it in and get fire. This is part of the ritual of tribal council, because in this game, fire represents life. Once your fire is gone, so are you.” The original Brava members discuss what is like going this long before heading to Tribal Council. Francis, a superfan of the show, is actually giddy at the prospect of being here. Megan talks about how it is a double-edged sword, as that period also gave time for tensions to rise and now people are over-eager to pull the trigger.

This comment raises tensions and suspicions a bit, although people stick to their charade of targeting the former Togo members. Jeff asks how they are adjusting to life in the new camp. Jim says that for the benefits of food and shelter that this tribe brings, it is also scary being on bottom. In an extreme minority, if you will. Bonds - trying to throw Sally’s alliance off his scent - says that targeting the Togo members is a smart play because it dampens the potential of a four-man Togo alliance once The Merge happens. Sally actually agrees with this and says she hopes they are on the same page as to which Togo person to vote off. Jeff says that it is time to vote.

After everyone has voted, Jeff says that if anyone has a Hidden Immunity Idol, now would be the time to play it. A prolonged silence gives the impression that no one has one yet but Rajon stands up and pulls his out of his back pocket. He says it’s just a hunch. He is playing this for Bonds. Everyone is stunned, including his own alliance members! Jim verifies the idol and says that any votes against Bond will not count.

First vote...Jim Bonds, does not count

….Bonds, does not count

….Bonds, does not count

….Bonds, does not count

…….Sally

…….Sally

…….The fifth person voted off of Survivor: Last Resort...Sally.

There is a scattered disbelief amongst the crowd. Jose looks at Jim, who shrugs his shoulders and smiles. Bonds shakes Rajon’s hand, who reiterates that it was just a hunch. Sally, the tribe has spoken.

In her post-show interview, Sally is a bit angry. She concedes that maybe she should have teamed with Bonds but they went head-to-head and she came out on the losing end. It is what it is. She can’t believe what she’s saying, she’s actually rooting for the damn James Bond impersonator to win the game now!

Votes for Jim Bonds: Sally, Fiona, Megan, Jose
Votes for Sally: Bonds, Rajon, Francis, Jim