Terrapin Trials Episode 13: Fire Of A Thousand Suns

Here we are at the final 4. They've been allies for a long time, but all took a different path to get here. Victoria and Zack are adamant about not letting Foluke get to the end, but Victoria actually thinks Zack might be the bigger threat. The game is taking an emotional toll on Victoria and Foluke, with Foluke even considering quitting. But Foluke then talks with Victoria and reaffirms their friendship, even claiming she will argue for the jury to vote for Victoria if she makes the final 2.

The final four

The immunity challenge is an amalgamation of elements from past challenges. Victoria is first to complete the egg toss, with Zack right behind. Victoria completes the brainteaser first too, whilst Terry gets it second. Foluke and Zack really struggle and have to work together. Victoria scores the goals and completes her symbols before the other two finally solve the brainteaser. Victoria completes the slingshot and is onto the dominos, but Terry is making up ground. Victoria wins the challenge and secures a spot in the final 3.

Zack is scared that Terry and Victoria will vote him out. Victoria offers to give Foluke immunity so she can stay in the game. Terry and Victoria talk, and decide to go to the end with eachother, since they think that's the only way they can win. Terry thinks Foluke is the bigger threat and has to go next, but Victoria tries to steer him towards Zack as well, since he's more likely to win the challenge and could also be a way for Terry to prove he isn't Zack's pawn.

At tribal council, Zack is pretty honest that he's voting for Foluke and that he thinks she has the most jury support. Foluke goes through the pros and cons of each vote, but once she feels in danger, makes the point about how she has a low chance of winning immunity. Victoria is asked if she's keeping the necklace and she does.

At the vote, Foluke is so pissed at Victoria lying to her that she almost votes Terry out of spite. However, Zack ends up voted out, and is more disappointed than surprised. Terry apologizes, but says he's playing to win.

The last vote sucked for Terry, but he knew there would come a time where he would have to do it. Foluke is still wanting to go to the end with Victoria, but wants to make her squirm a little, and knows she has to win the challenge.

A game of willpower

The final immunity challenge is simple: keep your hand on a pole for as long as possible. The rain first starts 2 hours in, but comes back several times. Foluke tries to talk Victoria into dropping since she's going to the finals either way, but she stays. Terry feels he needs to win just to get one on the board, but is the first to drop out when he starts to get sick, making the others promise to take him. When Foluke asks Victoria why she isn't dropping out, she admits she can't beat Foluke at the end. As the challenge winds on, Foluke gets more and more personal with Victoria, accusing her of not caring about their friendship. Eventually Victoria has had enough and drops out, giving Foluke immunity. I was in favour of the decision to vote out Zack, but I guess I also underestimated Foluke's fire.

Foluke is so happy, and talks about how this must be a sign that she's destined to win the game. Victoria is hurt by the things Foluke was saying to her at the challenge, and isn't sure she even wants to be her friend anymore. Terry tries to confirm his deal with Foluke, and she's on board.

Judgment day for Terry and Victoria

At tribal council, Terry admits he expects to be the one taken to the end...and Victoria seems to agree with that too. Foluke says Victoria needs to own her moves, and Victoria says she was 100% playing the game. Foluke admits she's conflicted, and even considers keeping Victoria to piss her off more, but in the end, her decision is to vote Victoria out. In her final words, Victoria says she's learned a lot about her strengths and weaknesses.

As the final 2 prepare to face the jury, Terry admits he didn't make the social connections he needed to..but still thinks he has a shot at the win. Foluke is expecting her public speaking experience to play a part, but plans to build herself up more than tear Terry down.

Seven angry men take down the final 2

At final tribal council, Terry opens by stating he's a huge fan of Survivor and overcame not knowing anyone in the beginning. Foluke's is a little rambling and incoherent...public speaking, my ass. Alex is the first juror to speak, calling Foluke a crazy bitch and telling Terry he ignored him. Terry defends himself by saying they were in different alliances the whole game and never spent much time together. Eric asks them to state why the other person doesn't deserve it. Foluke questions Terry's effort, whereas Terry reveals Foluke almost quit. Harry tells Foluke she's good at the game but to stop playing the victim. He tells Terry he rode Foluke's coattails, but Terry explains his main alliance was with Zack and that Foluke only made it past the final 4 vote because of him.

Holli is the first juror to compliment Foluke, saying she believes she's a loyal player. Holli asks Terry what he did to earn the win and he says he came up with the split vote and searched for idols in the snow. Marissa thanks Foluke for taking her in after Eric got voted out, even though she started the game resenting her. Zack asks Foluke why she didn't give Marissa the idol, and Foluke said she misunderstood Zack's intention to vote out Marissa on the revote. He asks Terry why he voted him out, and Terry uses the Tyson/Gervase analogy again. Victoria asks Foluke what she needs to apologize for, and Foluke says she just wanted to feel worth the apology. Victoria also says she's voting for Terry and Foluke's strategic game wasn't even that good.

Well that's it, the votes are in and it's time to find out the winner. Foluke gets 2 votes (from her girls Marissa and Holli, obviously) and Terry gets the rest. Yep, Terry is the winner of Terrapin Trials, which I can't say I ever saw coming. Whilst Foluke certainly had the flashier game, she may have talked herself out of it at FTC. How ironic that she also failed in her mission to get a female winner, and it was entirely her fault. Anyway, that's it for this season. I loved it and will definitely check out the next one.