This week, the third night on the Pearl Islands begins with Morgan tribe huddled around their fire complaining of the cold and sleep deprivation. With little clothing to protect them form the elements, the conditions are taking their toll of the team both physically and mentally. Osten Taylor complained that Ryan Shoulders was incapable of physically contributing to the group. Ryan said he was already giving 100%, how much more could he do?
Meanwhile, over on Drake island, Rupert exults in their paradise. He loves the beauty of the islands, calling it a "paradise," loves their bounty of fish and coconuts, and loves fishing with "his spear," keeping his team mates well fed.
The first Reward Challenge has the teams competing, in team tag, to find five items of treasure underwater, place them in a treasure chest and pull the chest ashore. Because Morgan tribe was short one member, Sandra Diaz-Twine of Drake tribe, sat out. Drake tribe pulled ahead early in the game and kept the lead with strong swimmers as the Morgan pirates had trouble diving underwater, staying underwater and opening their treasure chest.
Drake tribe won the first Reward Challenge, the first of three parts of a map to a buried treasure chest somewhere on their island with a number of goods to sustain them for a long time, plus a one person raid on Morgan's camp to steal any item they chose. This raid will be part of all future reward challenges, but as host Jeff Probst warns, payback can be painful.
While a dispirited Morgan team worried about what item, of the few they had, Drake would steal, Drake pirates discussed the same thing. Someone suggested stealing their tarp, to hurt them, but Rupert said that wasn't necessary. Drake decided they could use an extra water container and Sandra was sent to collect it.
She arrived at the Morgan camp by speedboat, and was greeted coolly by Morgan members. She was dismayed by how little the Morgan tribe had, looked and couldn't find a water jug, and decided on the tarp. Morgan tribe was visibly upset, and when Sandra asked for help in removing the tarp without damaging their shelter, they refused. Tijuana Bradley sharply denied her the use of a knife to cut knots.
After Sandra left their island, Darrah Johnson complained that she was "too snatchy," and a demoralized Osten worried about his health, being all but naked and cold. When he mentioned he was thinking of quitting, Tijuana tried to talk him out of it.
On day 5, Drake team suffers a dietary challenge when Shawn, out fishing with the spear gun, lost the tip. He searched for an hour and then headed ashore to share his bad news. Rupert became angry and exchanges harsh words with Shawn Cohen. Christa Hastie suggested they all search for it, but only Rupert swam out to sea. Shawn couldn't remember where he was when he noticed the tip gone, so Rupert began to search an area the sixe of 3 or 4 football fields in a grid. And he found it! He let out a roar that disturbed a nearby pelican and headed back to camp in triumph.
At the second Immunity Challenge, with Christa Hastie of Drake tribe, sitting out, Morgan tribe took an early lead but couldn't sustain it. The challenge consisted of three members of each team tied like pirate prisoners to a raft, pulled out to sea while the male member untied first his hands, then his teammates, then towed the raft back to shore, unwrap a map with coordinates to a buried team flag, tie the flag to a pole, then hoist it high. The Drake tribe on the raft were Rupert, Michelle Tesauro and Trish Dunn . The Morgan prisoners were tribal leader Andrew Savage Darrah Johnson and Ryan Opray. Andrew managed to untie his hands first while Rupert struggled, but once he had his hands undone, Rupert caught up and led his team to their second victory. They congratulated themselves with a group hug and high fives.
Please read the next page for the Tribal Council vote.
