Golden Ticket

**Golden Ticket** is the penultimate episode of *Survivor 1 (US)*.

## Story

The Talotia tribe returned to camp after Owen’s elimination. Trina told everyone good game and said she understood and respected their move. Spenser was less kind and headed off on his own. Madi tried to stop and explain herself but he didn’t give her the chance, he was too mad. Spenser sat on the beach and aggressively threw pebbles into the water. His throws became more and more angry each time. Sage and Madi watched in horror from the beach. Sage smirked and commented that they thought Spenser might be a bit angry. Trina sat with Boston, DJ, and Paloma as they got ready to go to bed. She again reiterated that she wasn’t upset about their decision and completely understood. Paloma and Boston both commended her for how well she was taking it, especially compared to Spenser. DJ was also impressed but not in a good way. He felt it was a reason why she should leave next because clearly she’s capable of maintaining a poker face.

The next morning, Boston, Madi, and Sage all got up together to go idol searching. They peeped through crevices and dug through stuff. Boston and Sage paired up and helped each other in searching and talked game with each other in the meantime. They discussed the pros and cons between Spenser and Trina. They agreed that while they liked Trina better, Spenser could be a good goat to take to the Final 3. Madi was looking and had noticed them distancing from her and whispering. She sighed and just kept searching. Madi could tell that the work she’d put in with Sage last round had only gone so far and Sage was just a lot closer with Boston. Madi went back to camp early and met Trina who was working on starting their fire. Madi could see she was struggling and offered to help. She sat down and within minutes was able to get a fire started. Trina gasped and asked how she was able to do that. Madi smirked and said she’d practiced a lot before the show. Trina laughed and it eventually quieted down to a chuckle and then silence. She turned to Madi and said she felt really hopeless. Madi put her hand on Trina’s shoulder and said that if she had anything to do with it, Trina wasn’t going anywhere.

The next day, Jeff welcomed the tribes out to the beach for the Reward Challenge. He explained that this would be a very special reward and one that nobody would want to miss out on. The castaways all looked at one another with confusion until they heard someone coming from behind the trees. Out came Spenser’s boyfriend who ran towards the group. Spenser’s jaw dropped and he ran over to hug him. The two kissed and embraced one another for a minute. Immediately everyone started crying, they figured this was what they’d be fighting for. The next to join them was DJ’s wife, Whitney. A smile grew on his face and he ran over to her. He finally shed tears once he felt her in his arms. Trina’s dad was the next person to turn the corner. She yelled out for him and ran to give him a big hug. He lifted her in the air and said he was so proud of her for making it this far. Boston’s younger brother was the next to run out towards the others. Boston started tearing up and went over to hug him. Sage started crying from just watching Boston with his brother. The next person to come through was Madi’s mom. She ran over to hug her and her mom was immediately taken aback by how different Madi looked. Her mom laughed looking at her fingernails and all of the bug bites on her. She said that Madi looked so much more mature. Madi teared up and hugged her mom again, saying she missed her. Sage’s best friend was next to run out. Sage’s face lit up and they ran over to meet them. The two hugged and their friend pointed out how much Sage smelled. The two laughed. Paloma had been waiting with anticipation from the mat. Just then, her little sister turned the corner and shouted for her. Paloma darted towards her and hugged her tightly. Paloma frantically asked for updates and asked how she was doing in school and how her friends were doing. The two cried together and shared a special moment. Jeff then asked the castaways to move back towards their tribe flag. He noted that Paloma in particular was really emotional and asked her how it felt to see her sister. Paloma said that her sister was everything to her and that nothing was more important, so seeing her after having such a hard month on the island, was exactly what she needed. Jeff then explained that the reward would be spending the afternoon a Steakhouse with their loved one. Everyone cheered in excitement. Jeff explained the challenge and how it would be a mix of physical and mental components. The castaways then began. The challenge started and immediately, everyone was giving it that extra 10% that they hadn’t been giving in prior challenges. For the physical component, Boston, DJ, Trina, and Paloma all had a steady lead with Madi, Sage and Spenser trailing slightly behind. Boston and Paloma reached the puzzle portion before anyone else and got a headstart. DJ and Trina caught up and started sooner after. Madi and Sage started the puzzle after the others had had about five minutes with it. Boston and Paloma both made a lot of progress and only had a few more pieces needed. Spenser finally reached it and got started. He made very quick work with the puzzle per usual but it wasn’t enough because Boston and Paloma both shouted for Jeff at the same time. It came down to a photo finish but Boston had finished slightly before her, earning reward and the afternoon with his little brother. Following Boston’s victory, Jeff pulled Boston aside and let him know that he could choose for one other person to join him on the Reward. Boston didn’t even hesitate and invited Sage as well as their best friend. The two cheered and ran over to join Boston and his little brother. Jeff then told Boston that he could bring one more person to round out the reward. Boston thought hard, looking between DJ, Madi, and Paloma. Eventually, he said that he was going to bring DJ and apologized to the others. DJ started crying and hugged his wife. The two joined the other reward winners. Jeff then told Madi, Paloma, Spenser, and Trina to say goodbye to their loved ones and head back to camp. Paloma in particular had a very tearful goodbye, and the four headed back while Boston, DJ and Sage went on a boat to the steakhouse.

At the reward, Boston, DJ and Sage all spent most of their time just wish their loved ones one-on-one. Eventually the six people all sat together with their meals and introduced one another. DJ’s wife wanted all of the gossip on the game. They explained that their allies were Madi and Paloma. Boston’s little brother asked who was next and they collectively agreed that Trina would be the next to go. Sage’s best friend smirked and suggested that maybe the other four would be bitter and vote one of them off. Boston laughed and said that he trusted Madi too much for that, and Sage agreed.

Back at camp, Madi, Paloma, Spenser and Trina were all sat by the fire and moped. Everyone was bummed to have missed out on this reward. Spenser took it as an opportunity to point out that Boston, DJ and Sage were clearly a trio that were running the game. Trina said that the four of them would have the votes in theory to take one of them out. Spenser asked how Madi and Paloma felt about voting for DJ. Paloma said she would rather vote for Sage or Boston if they were to vote off one of the trio. Trina asks Madi how willing she’d be to vote off Boston or Sage. Madi said she didn’t want to promise anything but that she’d definitely consider it, especially after being excluded from the reward.Spenser said that Boston was a very well rounded player. He was strategic, social, physical and always willing to flip. Paloma nodded and said they’d made a really compelling case. Madi agreed.

Boston, DJ, and Sage returned to camp later that day. Boston pulled Madi aside and explained that he’d only not picked her so she’d be there to make sure Spenser and Trina didn’t flip Paloma. He asked if anything happened while they were gone. Madi said no and that everyone just kind of moped around. DJ also checked in with Paloma and said he was really nervous for the next few votes because he felt like everyone would take him out. Paloma nodded along. DJ smirked and said she must be happy to not have to worry about that since nobody sees her as a threat.

The tribe joined Jeff for the Immunity Challenge. It was another endurance challenge. This one they all had to stand on top of a skinny beam and be the last person hanging from it. From the getgo, everyone seemed really solid except for DJ. He struggled to get a grip and slowly slid down the beam until he eventually dropped fifteen minutes in. Everyone else seemed solid for a while. After the forty minute mark, both Paloma and Spenser began sliding down and eventually both completely slipped off, leaving it down to Boston, Madi, Sage, and Trina. After an hour, Madi and Trina were both still on the top of the beam. Sage as on the second tier and Boston was on the first tier, hanging on for dear life. After another ten minutes, Boston’s body gave out and he dropped. Sage looked up at Madi and asked if she was solid because they could feel themselves slipping. Madi gave Sage a nod and with that, Sage dropped. Trina looks to Madi and shouts good luck to her. Madi smiles back at her. After ten more minutes, Madi out of absolutely nowhere, plumits to the ground, taking a really big fall. Out of concern, Jeff runs over and asks if she’s okay. She reassures that she is. Trina hopped down to check up on her. Madi said her back hurt but other than that she was fine. Jeff then turned to Trina and congratulated her on Individual Immunity. She cheered and hugged Madi. Jeff gave Trina the immunity necklace and reminded everyone else that one of them would be voted off later that day at Tribal Councill.

At beach, DJ pulled Boston, Madi, Paloma, and Sage all aside for an alliance meeting. He does this completely in front of Spenser and Trina. After they all leave, Spenser rolls his eyes to Trina and says that they’re so transparent. Trina nods and says they have to maintain faith in Paloma and Madi. Spenser sighs and admits that he’s considering playing his Shot in the Dark. He didn’t feel confident that Madi and Paloma were flipping. Trina urged him to let her try and see if there’s anything she could do before making that decision because if they do flip. Spenser explains that if he does use his Shot in the Dark and they flip, that they’d have the majority in the revote if it tied. Trina admitted that he was right and said that he could do whatever he had to do but that she felt saving his Shot in the Dark might make more sense.

Back at the alliance meeting, DJ checked in to make sure they were all cool with voting for Spenser. Everyone agreed and noted they’d just have to fight their asses off for the next immunity to make sure Trina didn’t win it. DJ and Paloma dispersed and Sage noted that they were a bit worried about DJ and Paloma flipping. Madi brushed it off and said they were in dept to them for saving them and she didn’t see that as a possibility. Boston agreed and said the Spenser vote was locked. Before tribal, Trina pulled Madi and Paloma aside. She informed them that Spenser was considering playing his Shot in the Dark but that they’d still have the votes after the revote. Trina continued to press the same arguments for Boston leaving that her and Spenser had before. Madi and Paloma listened and said they completely saw where she was coming from. She headed off and Paloma promised Madi she’d vote whichever way she went. Madi nodded and said she’d let her know before tribal. DJ checked in with Madi before tribal and said that he still meant what he told her at the Reward Challenge and that he’d take her to the end. He said that he had control over the guys and Paloma and that no matter what, he wouldn’t let them touch her. Madi nodded and thanked him. Everyone headed over to get their torches before tribal and prepare for their walk.

The players head towards Tribal Council and sit in front of Jeff. He welcomes in the members of the jury; Marissa, Jarrett, Gloria, and now Owen. He cuts right to the chase and asks Spenser how he felt heading back to camp after the previous tribal. Spenser explains that he felt really alone and just spent the night to himself because he felt betrayed. Jeff asked Trina if she felt she would’ve been in danger had she not won immunity. She exclaimed that she absolutely would have been and that this immunity was a life saver for her in this game. Trina added that Boston, DJ and Sage made it very obvious at the reward that they were a trio and she knew that put her on the bottom. Jeff asked if they wanted to address this. DJ smirked and said that him, Boston, Madi, Paloma and Sage were a team and that there was no hierarchy among them. He looked to Trina and suggested that it might be a foreign concept to her because of how there were easily people on top of and on the bottom of her alliance before Owen and Gloria left. Trina rolled her eyes. Jeff asked Madi what her perspective was on it and if she felt she was just on the bottom of an alliance. Madi looked to him and said she felt like all game people had pitched to her that she was on the bottom, no matter where she was or what alliance she was in, and that at a certain point she had to decide which side truly was better for her. With that, Jeff began the voting process. After everyone had voted, Jeff asked if anyone had an advantage and wanted to use it. Spenser stood up and revealed he’d used his Shot in the Dark and as a result, hadn’t voted. Jeff opened the piece of paper and it revealed that Spenser was “NOT SAFE”. DJ and Boston both chuckled. Spenser sighed and Trina rubbed his back. With that, Jeff began reading the votes. By a vote of 5-1, Spenser was voted off with only Trina voting for Boston. He hugged Trina from his seat and whispered her good luck. He didn’t address any of the others as he got up to grab his torch and hand it to Jeff. Jeff snuffed out his torch and told him the tribe had spoken. Spenser turned and said that if they let DJ get to the end of this game, he was voting for him as was everyone else on the jury. DJ rolled his eyes and Spenser walked off. Jeff turned to the Final 6 and noted that they’d spent 30 days in the game and they’d finally reached the endgame. Things were only going to speed up from here and if they didn’t keep up, they’d fall out. He excused them back to camp.

## Tribal Council

 Boston (1 vote)
 VOTED OUT:Spenser Hu

## Trivia

* The episode's title was said by Trina Mitchell.