A Shortened Season Makes You Play Faster and Harder

## Subpages

**A Shortened Season Makes You Play Faster and Harder** is the season premiere of *Izwe*.

## Story

### Day 1

Eighteen new castaways arrive in Ulwandle on three boats. They have been divided into three tribes, with each boat containing three men and three women. The castaways arrive and board a barge floating in the water where Tayna is waiting for them.

Before the castaways arrive, it is revealed that one castaway dropped out mere days before the season began due to mental health issues.

Tayna officially welcomes the cast to *Survivor: Izwe*. She informs the cast the season will only span for 26 days, a third shorter than the standard 39; thus the game will be more fast-paced, and the tribes will start the game with meager supplies, consisting of a pot, a machete, and a flint, with no rice or food rations included to keep the game just as hard.

The three tribes then immediately compete in a reward challenge where the first tribe to win earns all of the supplies mentioned earlier, while the other two tribes will get nothing, and must earn them another way back at camp. All three tribes scatter across the deck, working together to find their paddles. Apula and Isimaragidu start tossing the paddles they have into the water while one person gathers them. Soon, both tribes have all six and jump in the water, while Iqhwa discovers that they are missing one paddle. Isimaragidu gets everyone on their boat, unclips first and starts paddling, while Iqhwa is clueless about where their missing paddle is. Apula gets everyone and unclips the boat, chasing after Isimaragidu, who in the meantime has stopped moving even as they paddle. Apula overtakes Isimaragidu and gets around the buoy. Iqhwa still has not found their paddle, so Brenda jumps in the water to gather and count them. Isimaragidu is stuck in the same spot as before, leaving them confused. Apula comes back to the barge, grabs their flint, and wins the challenge. Afterwards, Toni finally finds the paddle for Iqhwa, and Isimaragidu realizes that while they unclipped the front of their boat, they did not unclip the back, so they have been dragging an anchor the whole time, which slowed them down. Following the Apula tribe's win, all three tribes paddle their way to their respective camps.

Apula arrives on their beach. Henri and Joey immediately bond, as do Courtney and Sienna.

Isimaragidu arrives at their camp, embarrassed by their performance at the Reward Challenge. As they enter their beach, they find an hourglass, a triangular frame, and two steel barrels. A note states that for them to earn the supplies they lost from the challenge, they have to choose one of two tasks: "Savvy", which requires them to count the number of triangles within the triangle given in one guess, or "Sweat" where two members, without any help from their four other tribemates, are to fill up both barrels with water, but the pair may only collect water from the far side of the beach and only have four hours to complete the task. Failure to succeed on either task will result to the tribe not receiving the supplies until after the first immunity challenge. As the tribe discusses which task to do, it is pointed out the "Savvy" task may have triangles that can be easily overlooked, and since the tribe missed a paddle at the Reward Challenge, the tribe agrees to perform "Sweat" instead. Stefan's fears are realized when Trent offers to try the "Sweat" task with him as his partner. Stefan expresses his concerns with Trent, stating the task would leave them exhausted, but he gives in and agrees to help him while the rest can build the shelter for them.

Iqhwa arrives at their beach and are given the same dilemma Isimaragidu got. Without giving a second thought, Sidney and Taylor volunteer to do the "Sweat" task. Jen is not surprised by this decision, having taken their previous blunder into account. As Sidney and Taylor get started, Brenda makes the tribe agree to a promise that there will be no strategy talk until the two have finished their task. The two men attempt to carry the pots with a pole of bamboo, only for it to break after a couple trips. Sidney and Taylor then realize and ponder about being informed about the season being brutal.

At Apula, Ari was not impressed with Kane's performance in the reward challenge.

Back on Iqhwa, Sidney and Taylor are still doing their task, when they decide they have some spare time to make quick hunts for their tribe's Hidden Immunity Idol. The two of them agree not to tell anyone else if one of them finds it. Unbeknownst to the two of them, Brenda, who initially came by to check on their progress, catches them looking around the woods instead of finishing their task when the hourglass is already half-empty. Upset, Brenda expresses her worry to the women and Tori they might not have their supplies if the two men keep idol hunting. Surprised, Tori vows to keep an eye on them moving forward. Brenda offers a pitch that if Iqhwa loses immunity, they keep it simple and vote either Sidney or Taylor out.

Back at Isimaragidu, Stefan and Trent are starting to tire from their task, but they push on. Eva tells Kristin the two are likely to be a tight duo after the penalty, and since she feels close with Kristin, the four of them might be able to work together in the future, in which Kristin agrees.

At Isimaragidu, after hours of carrying and walking, Stefan and Trent finally complete their task, with a relieved Stefan lying in the sand in exhaustion.

At Iqhwa, with their hourglass being close to empty, Sidney and Taylor call off their idol hunt and finish what they left off. The task is completed, and the tribe applauds Sidney and Taylor's efforts as they come back to camp, with their pot, machete and flint now available for them. While Jen, Sidney and Toni leave to retrieve the supplies from Tree Mail, Tori informs Taylor that Brenda caught them looking for the idol. Taylor is visibly annoyed.

### Day 2

Later in the day, Toni spots a boat coming to their beach and calls everyone over. The boat driver hands over a note instructing the tribes to send one of their own, make a decision, and return to camp right after. After much indecision, Tori volunteers and enters the boat. Henri goes for Apula, and Trent for Isimaragidu.

The three boats convene on another island where Henri, Tori and Trent are welcomed with a sign, telling them to hike to the summit of the mountain and suggest they use their hiking time to get to know each other. The three men later realize the trek is punishing. Henri, Tori and Trent finally reach the top of the mountain and spot another sign, telling them to go back down the mountain and separate, after which each will make a private decision before heading back to camp. Each of them comes across with their own ship's wheel with instructions. With the time the three got to get to know each other, they are presented with a prisoner's dilemma: "Protect" or "Risk" their vote in their first trip to Tribal Council. By unanimously choosing "Protect", all three keep their votes, while unanimously choosing "Risk" will strip all three of their votes, but if there is a split decision, those who chose "Protect" will keep their votes while those who chose "Risk" will not only keep their votes, they will also receive an Extra Vote parchment. Henri, Tori and Trent make their decision, the results of which will be known to them when they enter the voting booth at Tribal Council. Not confident enough to risk his vote and betray his tribe, Tori chooses to protect his, while Henri and Trent's choices are not shown.

The three return to their camps where all of them tell the truth about their trip and what came with going. While Iqhwa generally accepts Tori's story, Isimaragidu however remains cautiously optimistic with Trent's, and Apula has mixed feelings with Henri's despite him telling the truth, even after Henri offers to let his tribemates search his bag. In truth however, both Henri and Trent risked their votes, though the outcome of their gamble remains unknown to both of them.

### Day 3

The tribes meet for their first Immunity Challenge.

Before informing the tribes the mechanics of the challenge, Tayna presents the return of the Shot in the Dark die. After explaining the challenge, as a final twist, Tayna tells the tribes only one tribe will win immunity, sending the two other tribes to Tribal Council with their flints forfeited after the challenge.

All three tribes are dead even from the start. The tribes work to carry their sandbags off the track, some carrying two at a time. Iqhwa loses momentum when one of their bags fell off the finish platform. Isimaragidu takes a brief lead on the tower. Tayna sees Iqhwa's fallen bag, forcing the blue tribe to drag their sled back and pick up the fallen bag. Isimaragidu takes the lead over Apula while hoisting up the crate of puzzle pieces. Iqhwa picks up the their fallen sandbag and pushes the sled again, but pause before placing their sled on the end platform. Isimaragidu reaches the top first, allowing Charlie and Heidi to work on the puzzle. Iqhwa quickly catches up to Apula, both reaching the top at nearly the same time. Jen and Sidney do the puzzle for Iqhwa, while Kane and Sienna work for Apula. Isimaragidu is still in the lead, but Charlie suddenly panics over a missing puzzle piece. Apula and Iqhwa catch up as Heidi finds the missing piece from one of the puzzle bags. Isimaragidu tries to catch up for lost time, but Iqhwa finishes their puzzle first in a come-from-behind victory. For losing the challenge, Apula and Isimaragidu are forced to give up their flints, but Tayna assures they can win them back if they win the next Immunity Challenge.

At Isimaragidu, Kristin already knows who she wants to vote out; she just hopes the tribe is not focusing solely on physical strength.

Charlie and Heidi talk with Eva, stating they discussed they idea of keeping the tribe strong; Charlie brings up Stefan's challenge performances, as he did not know what he was doing in either of them, feeling he is the weakest link. Eva understands Charlie's reasoning, seeing how brutal this season is becoming.

Charlie, Eva and Trent talk to Kristin about the vote in the water, again bringing up Stefan. Eva is worried their tribe will be decimated if they do not have strength. Trent tells Charlie they are in on the plan, but reveals in a confessional that they want to keep Stefan as an ally. Trent begins warning their tribe-mates not to underestimate Charlie, and that Stefan is someone who can be loyal in the long-run.

Trent lets Stefan know Charlie is convinced he is going, and that he is currently fifty-fifty with Kristin. Stefan is unsettled hearing his name be tossed around, and goes idol hunting in the jungle in hopes of staying safe. However, he narrowly misses finding the Beware Advantage right in front of him.

On Apula, the tribe is dejected after having such a strong lead in the challenge, only to fall short because of one missing piece. Kane is especially heartbroken due to being one of the people in charge of solving the puzzle.

Ari and Kane reaffirm their plan to take out Henri. Because there are only six people, they need all the help they can get. Ari feels they can easily get Sienna on board, because Sienna adores Kane.

Ari talks to Courtney to try and get her on board, and later he and Joey discuss the plan with Sienna in the bushes. Kane walks over, and Ari invites him to join in on the conversation. Kane feels it is too soon for Henri to go because of his physical strength. When Kane is asked to be honest about who he thinks should go instead of Henri, he throws out Joey and Sienna's names right in front of them, leaving Sienna fuming.

At the well, Ari, Courtney and Henri are filling their water canteens. Ari warns Henri his name has been mentioned by Kane and Sienna as a potential target, but he would prefer Kane to go over him.

Henri is in on the plan, and they all split up. After a chat with Joey, Courtney takes note of everything she has learned, and considers all her options on the table before her tribe leaves for Tribal Council.

Isimaragidu attends Tribal Council first, for placing last in the challenge. Tayna starts by asking if Isimaragidu has found their vibe as a tribe, and Trent believes they have found it; they are cohesive and exist in harmony, accepting of each other. With only six people, Charlie is basing the voting criteria on who they have and what they put together for strength. Charlie's answer sounded very fine-tuned, like an experienced player, and Stefan brings up his speaking skills and how you may not feel you were given a proper answer. Charlie does not argue with Stefan about what he thought of him, but states he knows what he brings to the tribe. The idea of the Shot in the Dark terrifies Eva, but she also feels it may not be as scary as it appears to be. Kristin believes the twist could cause a lot of chaos, as it takes that sliver of power to mess up someone's game. Trent sees Isimaragidu as the underdogs, and he wants to prove to Apula and Iqhwa that they can compete with them; Heidi believes they will leave Tribal Council more cohesive than they entered.

While voting, Trent receives an Extra Vote for taking the earlier risk. After the votes are revealed, Charlie is blindsided in a 4-2 vote against Stefan, becoming the first person voted out of *Izwe*.

Apula attends Tribal Council afterwards. Courtney and Sienna think back to how close the entire tribe is; they never fought, they worked well together, and have a great sense of camaraderie, and yet they have to vote someone out. Henri's trip to the summit is brought up; the tribe states they cannot help but feel suspicious about what he did there. Tayna brings up how Apula could have won the challenge; Kane and Sienna agree it was a big mistake, and learned that mistakes can be very costly this season. As Kane is answering a question about voting criteria, Ari, Joey and Sienna begin whispering to each other about what to do. The others notice, and Kane thinks plans might be changing, mentioning how everyone has had their name thrown out. Sienna counters back, saying her name was thrown out to her face, namely because of him. As Kane tries to explain, a live discussion starts and everyone begins whispering. As the tribe sits back down, everyone gets out their Shot in the Dark dice out of paranoia.

While voting, Henri receives an Extra Vote for taking the earlier risk. After the votes are revealed, Kane is blindsided in a 4-1-1 vote against Henri and Sienna, making him the second person voted out of *Izwe*.

## Challenges

* Reward
* Immunity
**Challenge:** *Race to Shore*

Each tribe must race to collect boat paddles scattered around the ship deck in six different spots. Once they have all six of their paddles, they must jump off and swim to their tribe's boat. Once onboard and unclipped, they must then paddle out and around a buoy, come back, and grab the flint dangling on a rope on the edge of the ship. The first tribe to grab the flint wins.

**Reward:** Pot, machete, and flint

**Additional Stipulation:** The two losing tribes will have to earn their supplies in a penalty challenge waiting for them at camp.

**Winner:** Apula**Challenge:** *Rise and Shrine*
Each tribe must climb over a net frame, then crawl under an obstacle filled with sawdust. They must then load bags of puzzle pieces onto a sled. Afterwards, two members at a time will move heavy sandbags off a track and onto a platform. Once the track is clear, they must push their sled down the track to the end, transfer their puzzle bags into a crate, and then hoist the crate to the top of a tall tower. Once at the top, two members must use the pieces in the bags to solve a puzzle. The first tribe to finish their puzzle wins.

**Additional Stipulation:** Both losing tribes must forfeit their flint, though they can win it back if they win the next Immunity Challenge.

**Winner:** Iqhwa
## Tribal Council

### Isimaragidu

#### Voting Confessionals

*For choosing to risk his vote, Trent found the Extra Vote advantage when he was called to vote.*

### Apula

#### Voting Confessionals

*For choosing to risk his vote, Henri found the Extra Vote advantage when he was called to vote. Ari's vote was not shown during his confessional.*

## Trivia

### Episode Title

* The episode title was said by Jen on the opening mat.