This episode begins with a rainstorm with lightning flashing as the newly formed Outcast tribe goes to Tribal Council. Each of the outcasts gets a moment to state why he or she should be voted back into the game. It's no surprise that Burton is the first one voted in, but the surprise is the vote for Lillian Morris, who received no votes at all in the Episode 7 poll. With three votes apiece, they draw a buff from a container to determine which tribe they'll go to, and in another surprise, both draw their old teams. They have each won immunity from the next Tribal Council to allow them time to reassimilate, something Andrew Savage won't like as he's encouraged the Morgans to vote off whoever comes to them at the first Tribal Council.
On Drake island, instead of sleeping, the castaways assume it will be Burton returning, and worry about his attitude. When he arrives in the darkness, the Drakes welcome him back and individually apologize for voting him off. At first light, Rupert takes Burton aside and tells him his reasons for voting him off, and the two make amends and resolve their differences and agree to an alliance to vote Jon out. They form an alliance with Christa Hastie and Sandra Diaz-Twine and Rupert says they are a stronger team now. As he, Burton and Christa set off to find a lemon tree, they discuss strategies and agree to be honest with each other. They speculate about possible merger options.
Lil also gets a welcome back, but hers is tepid, filled with doubts. She's sceptical of her reception, and remembers that Andrew failed to deliver on his promise to talk to her before the Tribal Council that voted her out. She sees that the tribe is bad off, and determined to stay in the game, occupies herself getting water and firewood while the others sleep.
For his part, Andrew is angry and resentful that Lil is back and wonders why she's there. The tribe shares their last bit of rice for breakfast as Andrew comments that their situation has "shifted from critical to dire."
Gathering for the challenge, Drake and Morgan tribes face host Jeff Probst who has them drop their buffs, their team colors, take a new black one and merge into a new tribe. The team members all look suprised at the timing. Andrew looks around for a buffet, but has to face the challenge of keelhauling first. In two heats, each of the castways in the as yet unnamed team, has to swim underwater, climb a ladder, and run across the deck twice. Rupert and Jon win the first set, then face Burton and Ryan O for the final in which they have to do the same thing five more times, each time retrieving a gold medallion from one end of the deck and hanging it on a brace at the other end. It's neck and neck between Rupert and Burton, until at the last moment, Burton wins the immunity pirate cutlass.
The new tribe makes its home on Drake's beach, and gathers around a buffet of barbecue, bread, cheese, fruits and wine. Andrew says their morale is back, and the team calls itself Balboa, pleasing Rupert who remembers his snake.
Lil states that this is where the game really starts and she is right. Immediate politicking begins as the two ex-tribe members get to know each other. Burton immediately tries to talk Lil into joining the Drake alliance, while a suspicious Andrew waits to enlist her vote. Lil refuses to commit herself, and when Andrew asks her if she'll talk to him before the Tribal Council, she reminds him of his own broken promise to her. By the look on his face, Andrew realizes he's in trouble, and when Rupert and Burton agree to go after Andrew, as the strongest competition, others try to convince Lil's vote to swing their way.
What happens at Tribal Council? Read the next page to find out!
