Episode 5 had the sudden swtich of tribal members, which left the switched members floundering and unsure: how did they stack up without their old alliances? Would their new tribe accept them, or use the opportunity to vote them off as soon as possible? (See the new tribes on page 3.)
Betrayals and re-alignments seemed a definite possibility, and as Judd proved, a reality. He aligned himself with Stephenie and Jamie and set the works in motion to vote out Brooke . However, this may be premature, as Brooker pointed out, she was a strong competitor, and the new Nakúm tribe hadn't had a chance to see what she could do.
Will she be proved right? Let's see what happens in Episode 5!
There are 14 players left in Survivor 11, and Episode 5 begins with the Judd describing his good feelings about getting Brooke out, but Margaret is upset and unhappy with his betrayal of his old alliance, and calls him a "traitor." Judd is oblivious, and hopes that his new alliance with Steph and Jamie will hold strong.
Day 12 begins with Brandon and the Yaxhá tribe listening to Blake talking about how good he feels with his alliance with the original Nakúm tribe members. He feels he has a good chance and targets Gary , Amy , and Brian for ouster, saying "I don't think it could have worked out any better. We came over to the new Yaxha camp and we have the odds. Gary, Brian, and Amy have to know they have a target on their backs if we lose, so I am liking my odds right now."
Amy admits she is not an "outdoor person" and has never been camping. She asks Brian and Brandon about their farming experiences. The Yaxhá joins together in parayer before each meal, which makes Brian uncomfortable.
The Reward Challenge, called Slave to the Grind, is a tough one, but the reward is worth it: a large enclosed crocodile-proof pool, lounge chairs and umbrella, plus margaritas and chips and dips. The challenge involves hacking through a set of ropes with a sharp stone, as the Mayas did, then cutting through another set with a machete to release four logs which will be used to haul a cart up a steep hill. At the top, asix team members are to jump in, with the seventh cutting the final rope to releae the cart to slide down a track to the bottom of the hill. The first tribe there wims the reward.
Jamie for Nakúm and Brandon for Yaxhá attack the first set of ropes. Brandon hacks at his and cuts both while Jamie saws at them. Brandon cuts his ropes in minutes, and give his tribe a lead which they retain through all the stages of the challenge while Jamie continues sawing. He finishes just as the cart with the Yaxhá players slides into the winner's spot.
The Nakúm tribe members look on in frustration. Margaret turns her back on Jamie. Steph's face betrays her disappointment and Judd is overtly angry with Jamie. Host Jeff Probst tells them it was an "absolute blowout" and "Jamie, it falls on you."
Back in their camps, while the Yaxhá tribe relaxes in and out of their pool, cooling off in the water and with margaritas, with Amy saying they are "superstars," and Brandon accepts the praise from his tribe, with Gary calling him a "super-hero," and all shouting out a cheer, all is not well in the Nakúm tribe.
Day 12 has Jamie apologizing and explaining how sorry he is, and Judd venting but also saying they can't blame anyone, Lydia encourages Jamie but the body language from other tribe members betrays their true feelings. Steph is annoyed, frustrated and jealous of the Yaxhá success. She's mad at Jamie, and sick of losing. She says she won't cry in front of anyone, but her heart is breaking.
Rain comes thundering down, drenching the tribes on night 13. The Yaxhá players collect what fresh rainwater they can, and huddle under their umbrella while Brian and Blake sleep in their shelter. The next morning, Amy calls Blake the "Golden Boy" for no matter what he tries, he comes out well. However, Blake isn't winning many friends. He talks incessantly about himself, his girl friend and Brian decides he's going to "bait" Blake so others will see him as he is. He intends to help Blake dig a hole to bury himself in.
Tree Mail on Day 14 gathers the tribes for the Immunity Challenge. Steph and others are dispirited, and Lydia takes it on herself to be the motivator. She gets fruit for her tribe, then dances the "pancake," laughing and singing to raise their spirits, and does so. She's proving herself to be a vital part of her tribe, hard-working, positive and not the weakling her tribe mates thought her.
