Surviving the Cook Islands, Episode 10: A New Identity

Previously: Adam and Candice “reconnected.” At the reward challenge, Raro had a lot of directional problems and Aitu won, sending Candice back to Exile Island for a little breakdown. Aitu’s reward was to hang out with some locals. At the immunity challenge, Jeff Probst told the tribes that the losing tribe would receive a bottle. Raro was that losing tribe. Back at camp, everyone blamed Rebecca for the tribe’s loss. Jonathan tried to work hard to be kept around. It worked - Rebecca was voted out. But then the bottle was opened and the tribe had to vote someone else out. Though Jonathan was in danger again, the tribe wound up ousting a very upset Jenny. Nine Survivors remain.

It’s day 25 at Raro. Jonathan talks about fishing as his tribemates lounge around. Jonathan interviews that he could have been ousted at Tribal Council, but so far, things have worked out his way. Three people have been eliminated before him and Candice. Now he’s in a powerful position in a smaller tribe; it’s a good place to be. While Jonathan is off fishing, Adam tells Candice and Parvati that they can at least start a fire to cook the fish when Jonathan returns. Or they can just let Jonathan do it.

Jonathan returns with the fish but the fire hasn’t been started yet. He knows his tribemates are young people and like to sleep in, but they need to listen to him now and see that his way is the good way. He tries to get them to start working and quickly learns that no one has even gotten water yet. Nate gets on it, then interviews that Jonathan needs to shut up. Or they could just not eat, you know. I understand being frustrated with Jonathan for being pushy, but he just wants some food and water. Nate continues that they know what to do around camp; they’re not stupid. Cut to Candice burning something. Not stupid, just not good with fire, I guess.

Jonathan says that they need to win some challenges and make some changes around camp. Parvati wanders and Jonathan says that it’s like a dorm around there. He interviews that he’s coming close to yelling at them. Does he need to be their father or their boss to get them to work? He doesn’t want to lose challenges because the “kids” can’t get out of bed.

At Aitu, Yul doesn’t feel well. He feels tired and achy and his leg hurts. He interviews that they haven’t had a lot of downtime to recover from challenges. He’s worried, but he hopes there won’t be a problem. Sundra interviews that they’re still the underdogs, so they have to keep working hard.

The tribes meet up with Jeff on the beach. Aitu sees that Rebecca and Jenny are both gone. “Two?” says Yul. Yep, two. Jeff points out that Aitu’s latest win was huge; if they’d lost, they would have two tribe members to Raro’s seven. Sundra says they’re starting to even up, but they can’t get comfortable. Jeff says that the game is definitely up for grabs.

Instead of presenting the Survivors with a reward challenge, Jeff unveils paint, brushes, a tribe flag, and buffs. It’s merge time! He tells the Survivors to drop their buffs. Adam interviews that he’s glad it’s coming today because Raro has the numbers advantage. Jeff hands out the new buffs. Sundra says that Aitu still has some maneuvering to do, but they’ll never quit.

Jeff tells the Survivors that the first decision they need to make is where they’ll live. Nate quickly suggests that Aitu move to Raro’s beach since they have more coconuts. Yul asks Jonathan and Candice for their opinion, since they’ve been on both beaches. Jonathan agrees with Nate; Raro has more coconuts and no rats. Yul and the rest of Aitu accept the decision. Jeff says they’re off to a good start.

Jeff sends the Survivors to Raro’s beach on a catamaran, which is full of food and refreshments. Everyone is excited, of course. There are locals playing drums for them. There’s general merriment as the Survivors board the catamaran and start partying. They all toast with beer and orange juice, then start passing the food around. Yul says he’s looking forward to getting to know people he hasn’t gotten to know yet. Nate tells him that he has class. Yul interviews that they have a new identity, but they’re still divided. Aitu has fewer numbers, so things are a little bleak for them. He tells the other Survivors that he’s glad to still be there. He interviews that he’s looking for chink in Raro’s armor because they need someone on their side. Jonathan is ready for the individual game to begin.

As the day passes on the catamaran, Jonathan notes that the Raro “kids” just want to drink. Everyone starts getting tipsy and Adam even gets sick over the side of the catamaran, joking that he’s watching his “girlish figure.” Jonathan says that they’re eating and drinking too much. Is this how they compete? He’s here for a million dollars, which he reminds us is a one with six zeroes. Thanks, Jonathan. He calls his tribemates psychos and says he doesn’t understand it.

The Survivors thank the locals and get off on Raro’s beach with their new flag. Their new tribe name is Aitutonga, a combination of Aitu and Rarotonga. Nate gives Aitu a mini tour of the beach. He’s happy that his tribe has better numbers and says they’re sticking together. He, Parvati, and Adam are close. Jonathan and Candice can’t really be swing votes because they betrayed Aitu in the mutiny. He’s feeling good, but he wants to keep his enemies close.

Down by the water, Ozzy and Nate talk about Sundra and Parvati, each thinking that respectively those are the people they’ll be able to get to flip if necessary. Nate thinks Ozzy is a good guy and sees them clicking nicely. He’s going to keep an eye on him in case things get ugly. They talk about Becky and Yul being tight. Nate tells Ozzy that the former Raro wants to cut off the former Aitu’s strong points. Thanks for that little strategy insight, Nate. I’m sure Ozzy couldn’t have figured that out on his own. Ozzy interviews that ever since the kidnapping, he thought he could ally with Nate. They just want to talk about what they can do. Nate says they need to be sneaky, like snakes. “One love, brother,” he says.