Last week's show ended with the Morgan tribe, now down to six dispirited members trudging away from Tribal Council after having voted Skinny Ryan off. Was this a mistake? After all, he was physically lightweight and not a good swimmer, but he was cheerful, upbeat, and didn't shirk his share of chores. Osten, on the other hand, for all of being physically buff and strong, caved in rather quickly to the environment.


Day 7 begins with very low morale in the Morgan camp. Lillian Morris prays for strength, missing her friend Skinny Ryan, and vows to stay as long as she can, while Osten basks in the sun and Darrah Johnson rests in the shelter. When Lil complains about Osten to Andrew, the tribal leader, Andrew defends him, saying they need Osten for his strength, as a tribal anchor. Osten, in a turnaround from episode 2, says he won't quit. Andrew chats with all the castaways in an effort to bolster morale.

Meanwhile, over on Drake's island, they're eating well, sharing laughter and puzzling over the first piece of their treasure map. They begin a search, first by sea, looking for landmarks, then begin digging in the sand, which Rupert cautions against, saying the tides would uncover the treasure so it wouldn't be buried there.

Tree mail summons the tribes to the Reward Challenge, for which the prize will be a mattress, four pillows and four blankets. Morgan tribe, chilled and sleepy, are excited by the reward.

Drake tribe discusses who should sit out, depending on the nature of the challenge. Jon dismisses Sandra's swimming skills, which offends her and a shouting match ensues, with Jon stalking off into the forest and Sandra yelling after him. Jon says her days are numbered.

At the reward challenge, with Jon and Michelle Tesauro sitting out, both tribes work together, each with two boats with three members each whose job it is to use grappling hooks to pull the corks and sink the other team's boats. Morgan tribe falls to with a will, and look like they might be ahead until Osten stands in his boat, twice, the second time sinking it. Rupert, with his grappling hook, uses his strength to push down until the remaining Morgan boat sinks. Drake team is jubilant and looks forward to pillaging one more item from the Morgan camp.

Morgan camp awakens on Day 8 to find that Lil has gone fishing on her own. It appears she'll be successful in feeding her tribe until she loses both fish and hook and has to return empty handed. Her fellow castaways are angry that she's gone alone and lost the hook. Andrew is shocked by her lack of teamwork. Lil had hoped to shine, to prove her worth, but faced with the tribe's anger, realizes it will be either her or Darrah on the block.

Ryan Opray tries to make a fishing net while the others worry about their possessions. What will Drake choose this time?

Drake tribe ponders the same question. Water pot or something else? They worry about Morgan tribe welfare if they take their only pot. Rupert feels bad about taking a necessity, but agrees that they are pirates and Christa Hastie is sent to loot the Morgan camp.

She's met with a hug from Tijuana Bradley, exchanges hugs with Andrew and somewhat friendly greetings with the others. The Morgan castaways pump her for information about Drake tribe, their leader, and who they would vote off first, but Christa won't respond. After she leaves with a metal bowl, thankful that the Morgans have two, Osten badmouths her. Andrew wonders how euphoric the Drakes will be after they lose their first challenge. Darrah acknowledges that they need to win the next one, or they're finished.

The Immuntity Challenge is one of strength and endurance. With Darrah and Michelle suspended over the water in a tripod harness, their team mates hold them up by pulling on ropes. At five minute intervals, one tribal member is moved off the rope, getting finally to the last man for each team: Osten versus Rupert. They hold on, in various positions as instructed, until at last, ninety minutes later, Osten can't hold on any longer, lets go of the rope and Darrah falls into the water.

Drake tribe is triumphant! They've won five straight challenges. With Morgans facing another Tribal Council, and the loss of one more castaway, the question is: what happens next? Will the tribes be reformed? Or will Morgans have to battle an increasingly stronger Drake tribe as they grow increasingly weaker?

Morgans discuss the vote. Andrew, Ryan O, Osten and Tijuana compare Lil, who is more skilled and willing to work, even though she's lost the hook, to Darrah, who is younger and stronger and held her own during the challenges. Lil calls Darrah a fragile Southern belle.

Please read the next page for the Tribal Council vote.