Drone shots sweep over the turquoise water. Waves slam the rocks. The title card hits with a sharp cymbal. 

Cut to New Virei waking up under a sagging tarp. Noah and Junie are groaning into their buffs. Sariah is already up, twisting her wet hair, eyes sharp as she watches Caleb poke at the coals. 

Confessional: Sariah Vale, Producer, Virei
“I’m still recovering from yesterday’s absolute chaos. New faces, new tribe, new politics. But somehow…somehow this feels more manageable than day one did. I’ve learned something important: chaos is predictable. People aren’t.”

After a quick commercial reminding you to check if your garage door is closed, we roll back in with both tribes begin to arrive in the challenge arena. Jack yells, “Come on in guys.” As the sun is blazing, sand whips sideways in the wind. Contestants carry their dirty bags, and team flags are planted in the ground. We see Jack standing between two massive pits and two towering slingshots. 

“Salona getting their first look at Virei, Philly Bob voted out at last night’s tribal council.” Jack’s voice is clear, but his gaze pierces Sariah as she plants the flag for her team, dropping her grungy bag at her bandaged feet.

“Alright, let’s get to today’s Reward Challenge. Want to know what you’re playing for?” Everyone eyes the table next to Jack hoping for the best. They watch closely as he pulls the top off revealing a delightful set up of meat skewers, spices, veggies, and fruit. Day 7’s reward is something to actually taste.

“For one tribe, tonight you’re eating like kings. For the other…rice and regrets.” Jack’s dimple gleams and his gaze catches on Sariah as well. 

He explains the challenge: dig up buried bags of balls, transport the bags through a mud-pit where they have to crawl under a net. Once all the members of your tribe are on the mat only then can you begin untying the bags, then using the balls to slingshot them at three ceramic figures. The first tribe to break all three targets wins. 

After some commercials advertising diapers and a new weightloss drug, the competition is on. Crystal can’t get through the mud, gasping as it covers her entire face, muttering curses. Leah and Tommy dig so fast it gets them an edge ahead of Virei. Sariah fumbles through the knots on the bag while Delilah keeps screaming encouragement. Caleb absolutely nails the slingshot phase…but Constance comes out of nowhere like a sniper. 

Jack raises his hand announcing Salona as the winners. They erupt into cheers. Leah jumps into Tommy’s arms, legs around him, laughing through tears. 

Confessional: Leah Rose, Kindergarten Teacher, Salona
“I needed this. God, I needed this. Winning feels like breathing again.” 

B-roll footage of the Salona tribe eating their reward greedily. Wren not so subtly looking for a clue to an advantage or immunity idol.

Confessional: Tommy Fisher, Retired Park Ranger, Salona
“Look, I cry. I know America knows that. It’s fine. Me and Leah? This is our moment. We’re fighting.” 

Sariah puts her hands on her knees, breathing heavily as her team loses once again. The rest of Virei look exhausted as Jack announces he has nothing for them and to head back to camp. Sariah wearily picks up their flag, glancing back at Jack as the rest of her tribe walks out. 

Once commercials wrap up on laundry detergent the camera pans back to the Salona as they all sit in the sand, feasting. Smoke curls and the pineapple sizzles as Wren holds it over the flame, claiming the title “grill master”. 

Leah starts crying mid-bite, overwhelmed. Tommy wraps his arm around her neck, munching on a veggie skewer. 

“I thought I was going home. Now look at us.” Leah sniffs into his shoulder. 

“We are still here. Together.” Tommy grins, ruffing up Leah’s hair before returning to his food. 

Cut the cameras to Cadence watching them, eyebrows raised. Z and Constance exchange loaded looks. 

Confessional: Constance Michaels, Graphic Designer, Salona 
“Leah and Tommy think they’re the main characters of the universe. Cute. Let them bond. I’m building something that will win me this game.” 

Commercials flash of websites selling apartments, cars, and luxury furniture before opening back up with the Virei tribe. The camera follows Sariah as she walks to the water well with Caleb, carrying everyone’s canteens. 

“These tribes aren’t tribes anymore. After that shakeup? Lines can’t stay drawn.” He speaks lowly as he ladles water into the canteens he brought. 

“Good. Because lines need to be redrawn.” Sariah watches him carefully. 

“So, what’re you thinking?”

“Ashley and Phillip both came wanting numbers. They think they're in power because they were original Virei. That’s leverage we could use.” 

“And Noah?” Caleb passes the ladle to Sariah. 

“Overconfident, but he took a hit when Tara was cut from Salona.” She dips the ladle into the water. 

Caleb grins at her. “We’re dangerous.” 

“I know.” She smiles back at him, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. 

Confessional: Caleb Gossett, Graduate Student, Virei
“I’m not saying Sariah scares me…but she definitely makes me check over my shoulder more. Girl plays the game like she’s read the script but isn’t telling the rest of us which episode we’re in.” 

B-roll footage of waves, the tribe back at camp talking, Phillip cutting a coconut.

Confessional: Sariah Vale, Producer, Virei
“People forget shakeups reveal character. Who panics. Who adapts. Who pretends they’re in control. I know who Noah wants out. I know who Ashley fears. And I know exactly who to use to my advantage.” 

Commercials for local pizza places and grocery delivering services play before we are back in Fiji. The contestants file in, Virei has renewed determination. 

“Come on in guys!” Jack invites them in, and the immunity challenge burns before them. “Today, immunity is back up for grabs.” He walks the contestants through the challenge. Today it’ll be a torch relay with obstacles, ending in a puzzle.

“Losers go to Tribal Council. And tonight…someone will be sent to Exile Reef.” A visible shiver runs through the players, Sariah’s gaze locks with Jack’s before he breaks it. “I’ll give you a minute to strategize.” 

The teams are lined up, each contestant with a torch. They must navigate a weaving rope obstacle course, lighting braziers as they go. Phillip drops his torch twice, cursing loudly. Sariah is steady as stone throughout the balancing section, lighting her brazier with ease. Constance is terrifyingly good and laser focused as she slips through the course with ease. Josh Uptown nearly burns his buff. 

Salona gets to the puzzle first and they are off. Virei is being slow at the puzzle, and Jack does not give them any slack as he races between the two tribes, commentating on their progress. Sariah makes a snide comment the mic doesn’t pick up, [**audio lost** save the dramatics for someone who’s buying it, Jack**audio lost**] but Jack’s grin deepens his dimple. Then Salona is yelling for a check, and Jack is calling it. 

“Salona wins immunity.” 

Virei is demoralized. Sariah is on her knees in front of the puzzle, sweat beading off the end of her nose. Jack nods at them. “Virei grab your things, I’ll see you tonight at Tribal.”

The commercials for dog walking apps, and holiday deals on furniture bleed away to the set of Tribal Council alight from the fire. The Virei tribe walks in, each carrying their lit torch, before placing it in their spot behind the benches. 

Caleb and Sariah exchange a look as Ashely anxiously pulls on her beaded bracelet. Phillip keeps looking over at Noah who is staring into the fire. Jack surveys them. 

“Virei, tonight you will be voting someone out, and sending them to Exile Reef. Let’s talk.” 

“I think it sounds Ominous, Jack.” Caleb sneers. 

“No one knows what will happen when they arrive there. So it’s not even a true exit from the show.” Sariah’s gaze bores into his, and he visibly squirms. 

“So Delilah, are you nervous about Exile Reef?” Jack leads, trying to break the hold Sariah has on him. 

“Not really, I mean I performed really well today. I wasn’t the one that messed up on the puzzle.” Both Jack and Delilah’s gaze snaps to Sariah who is sitting calmly with her hands in her lap. 

“I don’t think that’s entirely fair, D. Sariah got her torch through the quickest of any of us.” Caleb comes to her rescue, causing the tendons in Jack’s jaw to jump. 

“No one is saying she’s not pulling her weight Caleb.” Annie Mae unexpectedly speaks up, rallying behind Delilah. 

Noah shakes his head, “You guys don’t realize who is even running this tribe.” He looks at Caleb who only smiles confidently. 

“I don’t think anyone knows anything about what is going on on this tribe.” Ashley says. “Clearly Old Salona voted to get out an Old Virei, because last week they had the numbers.” Jack looks at her, then to Sariah. 

“Sariah, is that true? Do you think everyone is still playing within tribal lines?” Her gaze meets his again, and the tension between them is palpable. 

“I think anyone who is playing within tribal lines is probably going to Exile Reef.” Her smile is calm but calculated. 

“Alright. It is…time to vote. Phillip, you’re up first.”

One by one they go up to vote, quick cut to commercials for shampoo that will make your hair shine. Jack brings the votes over, requesting an advantage or hidden immunity idol to be played now. 

No one speaks up, so the votes are read: “Sariah…Ashley…Phillip” It turns into a blindside against Phillip.

“That’s five, that’s enough. Phillip, bring me your torch.” Sariah smiles as Caleb ruffles her hair. This moment briefly catches Jack off guard, noticeably stammering, “Phillip…er…you’re heading to Exile Reef. Your game isn’t over, but it’s about to get a lot harder.” He snuffs his torch. 

Philip spits in the fire, mutters something at the group before marching down the torchlit path. 

Cut to a boat pulling up to a dark beach. Waves slam violently against the sharp coral as the moon hangs high overhead. Phillip hops out of the boat, falling to his knee for a brief second. He walks up, sand scraping against him, and something glinting catches his eye. 

A message is carved into driftwood that sits wedged between two rocks. He kneels, blood already dripping from a cut on his knee. 

He reads aloud:

“THE TIDE TAKES WHAT YOU’RE NOT WILLING TO SACRIFICE. FIND THE ADVANTAGE BEFORE THE TIDE FINDS YOU.” 

He looks up, the tide is coming in fast, and the screen cuts to black.

“NEXT WEEK ON STRANDED… “