Mentally Checked Out

**Mentally Checked Out** is the eleventh episode of Survivor: Taiwan

The episode title was said by Avery in a confessional talking about how, without Kate, she's feeling checked out of the game.

## Story

### The Frogs

There is a very different tone between the two alliances coming back from tribal council. The duo of Natalie and Alyssa are in high spirits, finally getting their rival, Kate, out of the game. Meanwhile, Audrey, Avery, and Hayden are all feeling depressed. Avery gives a sad confessional about how it hurts to see a friend leave the game, when all she wanted to do was play with her. She claims she's mentally checked out, and if somebody wants to drag her to the end to be bitchy to the jury, she'd love to. However, she's kinda over putting effort into the game. As Natalie played the idol last tribal, another idol hunt ensues. Everybody, minus Avery who's sitting at camp, is looking through trees, under stones, in logs and trunks. The idol is eventually found in an abandoned bird's nest. Once again, the finder is Natalie. She squeals and runs off to find Alyssa. The two are both overly excited, celebrating and hugging each other. Natalie gives a confessional saying that at this point, she feels like the idol queen. She laughs, and says that the final round to play idols is the final five, meaning she has to play it at the next tribal, which guarantees her a spot at the final four. She gets overwhelmed by emotions, saying that she's put so much effort into this game and can finally feel it all coming together, and just hopes she's able to occupy a seat at the final tribal council.

### Challenge

Today the castaways are participating in the **Survivor Auction**. A couple of people are confused as to how this is an immunity challenge, but Jeff assures them that there is a twist. For now, the auction will go through as normal. Each castaway will have $500 dollars that they can bid on items, going up in increments of $20.

The first item is a plate full of steak and vegetables. Natalie and Alyssa both bid on it, but Natalie ends up getting it for $300. The next item is covered. People are hesitant to buy a covered item, but eventually Audrey gets it for $120. She has the option to switch for another covered item, but she sticks with her original item. Jeff reveals that she's bought a letter from home. Audrey begins tearing up and begins reading the letter from her mother. Jeff then reveals the item she could have won if she switched, which was a phone call home. Audrey is guttered she missed out on it. Jeff asks if anybody else would like to bid on it, and both Alyssa and Hayden do. Alyssa bids $240, when Hayden immediately jumps to $500, spending all his money. He calls the phone and his parents pick up. Hayden is full on sobbing as he talks to them. The next item is a jar of candy, which Alyssa, spends $500 on. She laughs and says that she simply has a sweet tooth. Jeff gives her the jar, and then says that the auction has ended. Avery sits up, surprised. She complains, saying that she didn't get anything. Jeff smirks, telling them that the twist was the person with the most money leftover at the end will receive immunity. Hayden and Alyssa have $0, Natalie has $200, Audrey has $380, and Avery has $500. This means Avery wins immunity, which instantly perks her up. Alyssa and Natalie both complain, saying that if they knew about this they would have saved their money. Jeff shrugs and Avery laughs at the disappointment of Alyssa and Natalie.

### The Frogs

In a foul mood after the auction, Natalie and Alyssa stomp off to a private area alone. Avery lays down in the shelter and laughs to herself. She tells Audrey and Hayden how much she loves feeding off of the misery of Natalie and Alyssa, but *especially* Alyssa. The two laugh, before Audrey goes into game mode. She asks if anybody found the rehidden idol, and Avery and Hayden shake their heads. Audrey sighs, realising this means Alyssa and Natalie likely have another idol in their possession. In a confessional, Audrey says that since Kate is gone, it's time for her to step up as the leader of her alliance and as a strategist. She talks to Natalie and forcefully asks her if she has the idol. Natalie gives an ominous answer, which annoys Audrey. Audrey tells in a very over-the-top and phony way that she wants to work with Natalie, and to give the idol to Alyssa if she has it, as that's where the votes are going. Audrey gives a confessional explaining that she wants to pull some double reverse psychology shenanigans. Basically, she just wants to spin Natalie's mind a little so they can hopefully have a better chance at voting for the person that won't have the idol played on them. Natalie says that she doesn't trust Audrey one bit, and doesn't know if Audrey is simply lying, or trying to think one step ahead and use double reverse psychology as a strategy. Either way, this makes her decision on where to play the idol a little more complicated. Natalie fills Alyssa in on what happened, which makes her paranoid. Alyssa is convinced that she's receiving votes now, and tries convincing Natalie that it makes sense: Natalie is a bigger threat, who they would expect to play an idol, so they've voted for her instead. Natalie doesn't know who to play her idol on, and is thoroughly confused. They both agree to vote for Audrey, as she's the smartest person left of the alliance, and has been proven untrustworthy as she's the one that talked to Natalie this afternoon. As they head off to tribal, Hayden says he doesn't want a repeat of when Kate was voted out, and hopes by the graces of god, his alliance can stay together once more. Avery shrugs in her confessional and says she's ready to go if she's somehow voted out, but she wants to wipe the smug smirks off of Alyssa and Natalie's faces by voting one of them out. Avery then laughs, and sarcastically asks if you can tell she's very petty.

### Tribal Council

**THE FROGS**

**THE JURY**

Alyssa-Mae, Audrey, Avery, Hayden, and Natalie all walk into the tribal council area, followed by the members of the jury. Kate pumps her fist when she sees Avery with the immunity necklace. This tribal's discussion revolves around idols. Natalie says that tonight is the last night they can be used, so she expects anybody with an advantage of some sort to play it. Audrey agrees, and says it's a big factor in deciding who to vote for. Everybody then votes, and when Jeff asks if anybody would like to play an idol, Natalie stands. Avery and Hayden groan, but Audrey anticipated this. Natalie says that she feels sick to her stomach, and hopes she isn't making a mistake. She then says that she's playing the idol for the person that's always been by her side: Alyssa. Alyssa looks relieved and grateful. She hugs Natalie as Jeff reads the votes.

First vote...

**AUDREY.**

**AUDREY.**

Natalie and Alyssa hug each other tightly.

**NATALIE.**

Natalie sinks to the ground, sick to her stomach.

**NATALIE.**

The tenth person voted out of Survivor: Taiwan, and the seventh member of the jury...

**NATALIE.**

Natalie looks on the verge of tears. Alyssa looks extremely guilty, apologising profusely to Natalie. Audrey, Avery, and Hayden look happy to have finally voted Natalie out, as she's the person they've wanted out the most for a long time. The jury has shocked reactions, but ultimately Natalie shakes her head as her torch is snuffed. Disappointed, she walks out of the tribal council area.

### Final Words

"I... don't know if I can talk. *(pauses)* I had everything set up, I put my heart and soul into this game... and a misplayed idol got me voted out. *My* misplayed idol. *(long pause)* I played so many successful idols this season, being voted out by misplaying one is bittersweet."

*-Natalie Thomas, 5th Place*