Episode 3 had Yaxhá tribe losing both the Reward and the Immunity Challenge facing a revitalized Nakúm tribe. The Yaxhá members were angry with themselves and while some members are philosopjical about their losses, others, like Stephenie and Gary stress the importance of athletic ability if they are to avoid more Tribal Councils. At the Tribal Council where they voted out Brianna as another weakling, host Jeff Probst asked if their strategy was wise. What do you think? Is the Yaxhá tribe strategy wise?.
This may be more important now than before, now that some of the tribal members are shuffled around, something that hasn't happened this early in previous Survivor series.
Let's find out what happens in Episode 4!
Day 9 finds even the monkeys sleeping in the heat. At the Nakúm tribe camp, tribal members are prostrate, sapped by the heat and insects. Cindy , Judd and Margaret complain about bug bites while Brandon lies down, conserving energy and wondering how it is at the Yaxhá camp.
Refreshing themselves at water's edge, Yaxhá members Rafe and Gary are fishing while Stephenie looks on. Gary's devised a fish trap of a pot with a little corn meak sunk into the water. When minnows gather for the corn meal, he or Rafe yank the pot up quickly, trapping minnows. Steph sees a crocodile submerged in the still waters of the lake, and as they watch, the croc opens its jaws and nabs a fish. Meanwhile, a fish nibbles on ?? toes.
The Reward Challenge brings the tribes together for a break, a respite from the hard physicality of the previous challenges. Jeff has a series of questions about the tribe mates, with a warning that the answers will have an effect on the tribe. Each tribe member has a slate to write an answer, and the tribe member whose name appears most will get a reward:
- Which tribe member is most in need of nourishment?
Yaxhá = Jamie
Nakúm = Danni
Jamie and Danni get some fruit to eat immediately, which they do with great joy. - Which tribe members is the smelliest?
Nakúm = Bobby-Jon
Yaxhá = Gary
Jeff pulls a tarp aside and reveals an outdoor shower, complete with soap and 5 gallons on fresh water. Bobby-Jon and Gary scrub up with much enjoyment and catcalls from the others. - In a question that involved two members from each tribe:
Yaxhá = Gary and Amy
Nakúm = Judd and Margaret
The four set off for the top of a ruin for a picnic lunch of chicken, potato salad, iced tea and chocolate chip cookies. - Which team members have the most pride in their tribe?
Nakúm = Cindy
Yaxhá = Brian
Their reward is to remain with the original tribe as host Jeff Probst announces the sudden tribal switch.
Jamie, Rafe, Steph and Lydia are now part of the new Nakúm tribe.
Since the original Nakúm tribe had one more member than Yaxhá, Blake , Brandon , Brooke , Danni and Bobby-Jon will look under pots to find the one Nakúm buff. Danni goes first, and finds a Yaxhá buff. Brooke goes second and gets the Nakúm buff. The others now belong to the new Yaxhá tribe.
Jeff mentions that the four picnickers are going to be surprised when they return, and he is right. The newly mixed tribes go to their camps. Brian acts as host, showing the new people around, but he notes the unever numbers and worries. Amy and Gary are not happy. Amy feels "decimated," and with her swollen ankle still paining her, knows that if the others see her limping, she'll be a target. Gary denies he's an ex-football player, determined to keep to his game plan of denying it until the end, but Danni, who questions him again, knows better.
The tribes immmediately start choosing sides. The members of each of the original tribes decide to stick together. Judd, however, feels more at ease with Jamie and Steph and feels good about the switch. As a howler monkey howls, Judd talks about feeling good. He, Jamie and Steph form an alliance and agree to vote off Brooke first, as the weakest, then Lydia, and then Margaret. Jamie and Steph know that Rafe will join them. Judd is pleased with himself, saying the others will have to get out of "his jungle."
Day 11 begins with more plotting, alliance making and strategic talks. Blake and Brandon form an alliance.
