Mussels Over Muscles

"Mussels Over Muscles"	"Mussels Over Muscles"
 	
Season 	Survivor: Marquesas
Episode Number 	5/13 (044)
First Broadcast 	December 4, 2016
Episode Chronology 	Episode Chronology
Previous 	Dancing On An Active Volcano
Next 	Straight Up Charlatan
Mussels Over Muscles is the fifth episode of Survivor: Marquesas.
==Story==
===Day 12 (Night)===
The Maraamu tribe return from their first tribal council, with most of its members experiencing a vote off for the first time since arriving on the island. After blindsiding their tribe leader Hillary, the girls of original Maraamu comfort one another after the extremely nerve wracking experience.
Ibrahim walks over to Ryan, who feels equally as betrayed by the result of their first vote, having been led to believe that Duana would be leaving the game over Hillary. Lotus tries to speak with Ibrahim about the result, but he fluffs he off, insisting that he needs time to think and come to terms with the result. Ibrahim leaves to sit alone on the beach, whilst Ryan retires to the shelter, not wanting to speak with the rest of his tribe mates.
Exhausted from their day, Duana and Martin both join Ryan in the shelter, leaving the three girls to sit by the fire to talk about their game changing move.
The girls eventually go to sleep, leaving Ibrahim alone on the beach to gather his thoughts on his position in the game.
===Day 13===
===Maraamu===
The tribe steadily begin their day, with everyone pitching in with camp life, trying to ensure that Hillary's exit wouldn't bring about a failure to complete tasks. Ashley, Daisy and Duana begin by clearing up around the camp, removing stray twigs and rocks from their seating area. Martin takes the fishing gear in order to attempt to catch some food, with Ryan offering to help him on this venture. Ibrahim and Lotus are sent off to collect the tribe some more water, giving them an ample opportunity to talk over the previous nights events.
After their conversation, Ibrahim offers Lotus a hug of forgiveness, which she eagerly accepts, hoping that the two can continue their bond and work together further into the game. The pair head back to camp, with the tribe all getting ready to face their next reward challenge.
===Rotu===
The tribe are sat around their fire, having been cooking some snails for the past few minutes in order to eat before facing their next reward challenge. Tish, James and Troy make jokes between themselves, with Randy and William both remaining largely silent during the meal. 
The younger trio laugh as they continue to tease one another, with the sarcastic humour not enticing Randy or William to get involved. Whilst in the midst of their jokes, Tish starts playing with Troy's hair, eventually sitting on his lap, winding the others up that she is attracted to him.
Randy eventually interrupts the constant flow of jokes, asking how they can be so happy "eating crap" everyday. Randy's sudden comment throws everyone into an awkward silence, before he continues to talk down the situation at Rotu, saying that he misses the fruit and "supply of fish" found at Maraaamu. Troy tells Randy if he wants fish, that nothing is stopping him from going out and attempting to catch something other than snails. During the conversation, William stands and walks off from the group, heading into the shelter of the trees so he can be alone.
===Reward===
Challenge: Tiki TowersEach team had to pick one member to be the "eyes" of the group, while the others were to be blindfolded. The Caller had to direct the other members to collect randomly scattered segments of four Tikis that had been deconstructed. Once collected, the blindfolds were to be removed, and the first tribe to reconstruct their four Tikis would win.
Reward: The winning tribe will have the right to raid the losing tribe's camp. However, the winning tribe must leave at least a pot, a machete, and personal items behind.
Winner: Rotu
Reward Challenge: Tiki Towers	Reward Challenge: Tiki Towers	Reward Challenge: Tiki Towers	Reward Challenge: Tiki Towers	Reward Challenge: Tiki Towers	Reward Challenge: Tiki Towers
Result 	Tribe 	Caller 	Blindfolded Competitors 	Sit-Outs 	
Won 	Rotu 	William 	James, Randy, Tish, Troy 	 	
Lost 	Maraamu 	Martin 	Daisy, Duana, Ryan, Lotus 	Ashley, Ibrahim 	
===Maraamu===
After losing the reward challenge, the seven Maraamu members sit apprehensively around their camp, waiting for the Rotu members to begin their raid. The group spot the boat approaching in the distance, with the Rotu members taunting Maraamu by waving and cheering as they head towards the beach.
The Rotu five jump off their boat, heading towards the Maraamu camp, knowing they have a finite amount of time to grab as much as they want. James and Randy run towards the shelter, taking the comfort items previously won by Maraamu, collecting some cutlery items whilst on their way back to the boat. William searches the beach for the fishing gear, nodding his head to Martin and Duana as he passes them, thrilled to see his friends both miraculously survived the previous tribal council. 
Troy moves over towards Daisy, trying to communicate with her quickly whilst his tribe mates snatch all they can.
Troy gives Daisy a quick peck on the cheek, before turning and heading back to the boat with his raided items. Despite thinking he was discreet, Tish looks in awe, having noticed Troy kissing Daisy on the cheek during the raid. She goes to say something to James, but decides to wait, wanting to speak privately back at camp rather than at the Maraamu beach. The Rotu tribe leave with their raided items, leaving Maraamu with a bare beach, knowing that most of their luxury comforts have now been stolen.
Despite the set back, the tribe keep up their high spirits, trying to make the most of the bad situation. Martin and Ryan manage to catch several crabs with their hands, whilst Ibrahim and the girls try to fix the damage done to the shelter, giving the tribe an opportunity to bond closer as a unit.
===Day 14===
===Maraamu===
The tribe awaken to tree mail informing them that today they will face their fifth immunity challenge, which will take place a day earlier than expected. Lotus reads the rules to the camp, which state that both tribes must put together an SOS signal, with the tribe that has the clearest signal in the eyes of a passing boat being crowned the winners. Knowing that two members must sit out, Duana and Daisy volunteer themselves, feeling as though they need the physically larger individuals to be seen during the challenge.
Back at camp, the five competitors discuss how they will put together an SOS signal strong enough to be spotted by the boat. Martin recommends incorporating movement into the signal, and that simply running around waving clothing in the air could be enough to help them stick out. Ibrahim disagrees with this, suggesting they should use fire and smoke, as it will contrast with the green jungle situated behind them. 
The tribe get to work with creating a large pile of wood and leaves, erecting it so that the smoke should rise clearly enough for a passing ship to see. After several hours of building, the tribe light their pyre, which they have surrounded with trunks of smaller trees found by Ryan. As the boat passes, the group incorporate Martin's recommendation alongside the fire, trying to keep both men happy that their ideas played a role.
===Rotu===
The Rotu tribe awaken to the same tree mail as their rivals, knowing that they must put together an SOS signal in order to gain the attention of a passing boat. Before starting, the tribe seem in high spirits, having slept and eaten well after stealing the comforts and fishing gear previously held by the Maraamu tribe. 
The tribe decide that their strategy in making an SOS signal will be to build letters out of medium sized logs, which the group will then hold up for the ship to see. Both James and Tish feel skeptical about the plan, but agree to go forward with it rather than to argue with their tribe mates. The group split up to begin collecting logs, with James and Tish going off in one direction, and the other three going off in another. Whilst alone, Tish decides to fill James in on what she saw during the raid.
On the other side of the beach, William, Troy and Randy sit together arranging the logs they've found, all talking about their reactions to seeing Hillary was voted out at the previous tribal council.
The tribe eventually come together, having made the letters "HEL" with their logs, unable to make the "P" due to running out of rope. The group hold up the letters whilst the boat passes, with Tish somewhat struggling with the weight of the "E". The boat passes, with the five eagerly awaiting the news on whether or not they've been successful.
===Immunity Challenge===
The boat returns to the Maraamu camp, with the captain ringing the ships horn, alerting the tribe that they have won. The five competing Maraamu members cheer together as a group, with Duana and Daisy running in to join the celebrations.
At Rotu, the group sit and watch the sunset, worrying with each passing moment that the boat wont be returning. After being plunged into darkness, the group make the call that they lost the challenge, all deciding to retire to the shelter, knowing they have a full day of strategizing ahead of them before they head to tribal council.
Challenge: Distress SignalTribes were instructed to build a distress signal on the shore of their beach, using materials in and around camp to catch the eye of a rescue boat that would pass by in the water a few hours later. The tribe with the more eye-catching distress signal would win immunity.
Winner: Maraamu
Immunity Challenge: Distress Signal	Immunity Challenge: Distress Signal	Immunity Challenge: Distress Signal 	Immunity Challenge: Distress Signal
Result 	Tribe 	Competitors 	Sit-Outs
Won 	Maraamu 	Ashley, Ibrahim, Lotus, Martin, Ryan	Daisy, Duana
Lost 	Rotu 	James, Randy, Tish, Troy, William 	
===Day 15===
===Rotu===
The tribe spend their morning trying to avoid the inevitable, that they soon must begin discussions as to which of them will be voted out of the tribe later that evening. Tish decides before strategizing she should interrogate Troy on his relationship with Daisy.
Troy tells Tish that he and Daisy grew close earlier in the game, and that its just nice having someone to "keep warm with". Tish then jokingly asks James if he wants to "keep warm" with her later that night, evoking laughter from the tribe. Troy then asks Tish about the vote, worried that he could be in jeopardy due to being one of two old Maraamu members. James tells Troy he needs to campaign for himself, as it shouldn't be hard to make a case against Randy. The three hold a quick private conversation, with Troy assuring them that he's willing to make a deal that will last throughout the merge. Troy also tells the group that he feels it will be ideal for them to keep him due to his strength, as it will ensure Maraamu lose the next immunity challenge, guaranteeing the group they'll reach the merge.
Overhearing the group talking about Troy and Daisy's relationship, Randy walks over to interject.
William calls Tish and James to help him with the water, which is ultimately an excuse to talk strategy with the pair, hoping to work out where his vote will be going for the evening. The pair tell William that they're leaning towards voting out Randy, feeling as though he's the weakest of the two new arrivals, and that it'll help the tribe to keep Troy for the time being.
After returning to camp, Randy approaches William by the shelter, telling him that he and Troy agreed to vote for Tish (unaware that Troy was just appeasing him), asking William if he can try and swing James over to their side. William tells Randy that things are not as he believes, and that both Tish and James just told him that Troy is campaigning to get Randy out of the game. 
James and Tish sit together before tribal council, frantically going through their plan, still assuring Troy that they'll be voting Randy with him. James tells Tish that he too is now leaning towards voting for Troy, but Tish worries that they'll be passing up the opportunity to take the game into their own hands. The pair agree that if they go forward with the plan they'll be breaking trust with William, but wonder whether or not his vote will matter much to them once the merge hits. 
At tribal council the group admit they've been bonding well, with William pointing out that the three younger tribe mates have become close over the five days. Randy admits he's more nervous for tribal council given that he's waited fifteen days before attending, whilst the Rotu members are "experts" on how to handle it. Troy tells Jeff that he feels the tribe doesn't care too much about tribal lines, but rather about who they can work with going towards the merge, as they need to have ways to connect with the other tribe due to their numbers disadvantage. Tish and James both speak of how this vote will be their toughest yet, as it will have the greatest bearing on how their games turn out later on, particularly after the merge. Before the vote, Troy once again tells the tribe that they need to consider their votes carefully, as they will either help themselves make bonds with the Maraamu tribe, or shatter any chance of building up numbers. After the voting, Jeff collects the urn, with Troy looking nervous for the first time in the game, whilst Randy watches with a blank stare.
Troy sighs loudly, clearly devastated at his departure from the game. Tish turns, offering Troy and apologetic look, but he gives her no response, shaking his head as he takes his newly lit torch over to Jeff. Tish looks at James, biting her lip as she wonders whether or not the pair made the right decision. As Troy leaves the tribal council area, William and Randy watch with faint smiles on their faces. The remaining four Rotu members return to camp, looking forward to starting a new day after a tense tribal council.
==Tribal Council==
Tribal Council 5:Rotu	Tribal Council 5:Rotu 	 	
VotedAgainst 	Voter 	 	
Troy (4 votes) 	James, Randy, Tish & William	 	
Randy (1 vote) 	Troy 	 	
VOTED OFF:Troy 	VOTED OFF:Troy 	VOTED OFF:Troy	VOTED OFF:Troy
===Voting Confessionals===
===Final Words===
===Still In The Running===
Maraamu 	Maraamu	Maraamu	Maraamu	Maraamu	Maraamu	Maraamu	Maraamu
Ashley 	Daisy 	Hillary	Ibrahim	Lotus 	Randy 	Ryan 	Troy
Rotu 	Rotu 	Rotu 	Rotu 	Rotu 	Rotu 	Rotu 	Rotu
Alistair	Duana 	James 	Martin 	Tish 	Ursula 	William	Yuzuki