34 days ago, 20 of Shakespeare's most famous characters were deserted on an island and forced to survive with only nature and each other as company. Every few days, they made the trek to Tribal Council, where they voted one of their own off the island. Now, only 5 players remain:
Portia! She used her sex appeal and social grace to create an unwavering alliance with a group of men, which put her into a dominant alliance after a rocky start. She dictated her alliance's strategy for most of the game, and kept herself safe even when her plans went awry by making a secret deal with Iago and by framing fellow alliance member Desdemona for a vote that Portia herself had cast. Her charm was such that even when she was recognized as a threat to win, her alliance never wanted to turn on her. Will she be able to keep them loyal all of the way to the finals and take the win?
Bassanio! He developed a stronger connection with Portia than any of the others did, and became her right-hand man and romantic partner for most of the game. Being part of the power duo has kept him safe and in control so far, and he's been able to build relationships with everyone while Portia did most of the strategic planning for them both. But being part of a pair so close to the finals puts a target on Bassanio's back. Will he be able to survive until the final Tribal Council? And if he does, will he shed enough light on his game to bring it out of Portia's shadow and get the jury votes?
Iago! Being on the wrong side of the numbers for almost the entire game, this evil mastermind stopped at nothing to keep himself safe. With the help of his sidekick Hamlet and his secret deal with Portia, he pulled off blindside after blindside, chipping away at the larger alliance until he finally gained some footing. In one of the most controversial moves of the game, he went so far as to emotionally manipulate both Romeo and Juliet into quitting the game. His streak of blindsides culminated at the last tribal council, where he voted against his closest ally, Hamlet, sending him to the jury. But with everyone still so focussed on taking him out, will he be able to pull off the miracles he needs to stay in the game? And has he angered the jury past the point of getting their votes?
Macduff! After ending his alliance with Iago early on, he vowed to play a completely loyal and honest game. He impressed his alliance when he swayed Romeo and Juliet to their side, giving them the numbers to take out Macbeth. His devotion to his alliance and ability to keep it together by preventing the outsiders from strategizing almost singlehandedly cost both Iago and Hamlet the game. But with his recent discovery that Portia had lied to him, Macduff realized that his only true ally was Desdemona, and now finds himself in the middle of two sides fighting for his vote. Will he be able to ride the middle all the way to the end, and will the jury respect his loyal gameplay?
And Desdemona! When the game started, she seemed in over her head. The harsh conditions on the island broke her, but with the help of her friend Duncan, she found new strength, and she carried it with her long after Duncan was blindsided. She made connections and alliances with almost everyone in the game, giving herself options to turn to no matter which way the game went. But her game took a hit when she was framed by Portia for voting against the alliance. Her allies lost trust in her, forcing her to try to work with Iago and Hamlet until Portia's lie was finally exposed. Now she has the complete trust of Macduff and a plan to get revenge on Portia. But she worries that her game will not stand out to the jury among the louder, more aggressive games that some of her opponents played. Will her fears be realized, or will this black horse ride to victory?
Only one of these five will outlast the rest to become Shakespeare's Sole Survivor! Who will it be? Read on to find out!
Night 34
Back at camp, everyone congratulated Iago for his move but none of them seemed happy about it.
Macduff: Congratulations on staying in the game, Iago. You've really mastered the art of being a heartless psychopath.
Iago: It's a game, Macduff. It's just a game. Hamlet will understand.
Macduff: You made the kid cry, Iago!
Iago: But based on what he said, he understood. He'd been invested in the game, so he was sad. But he knows it wasn't personal. That doesn't warrant you saying I have no heart.
Iago (IC): I want to really give Macduff a piece of my mind, but I need to keep my cool. I might need to work with the fool to get Portia out. In terms of voting out Hamlet, I did what I had to do and I don't feel bad in the slightest. Hamlet was a useful tool for me to use throughout the game, but I'll be fine without him. This is my game, and if these people think I'll be leaving with anything less than a million dollars, they're kidding themselves.
Day 35
Desdemona wasn't getting out of bed, if their shelter could even really be called a bed. Everyone else was up and about.
Desdemona (IC): I can't stop thinking about what Hamlet said about how I needed him and Bassanio in the finals if I wanted any chance of winning. I feel like I lost the game last night. I'm just going to have to focus on getting Portia and Iago out like I originally planned, but at this point it could all be a lost cause. I've lost a lot of motivation.
Portia was talking to Bassanio.
Portia: We really messed up last night. We should've just told Hamlet to vote for Iago and Iago wouldn't be here right now! How didn't we think of that!
Bassanio: It's okay. We can still take him out before the end. If not at the next tribal, then at the final 4. You can't play idols then.
Portia: Still, that's cutting it close. It'll be tough.
Bassanio: It will. But I have faith in us.
Desdemona finally got up and talked to Macduff.
Desdemona: So what are you thinking now?
Macduff: Iago will probably find an idol, so I guess we should vote out Portia next. I'm sure Iago will be up for it.
Desdemona: Yeah. And then we take Iago out at the final 4. You can't use idols after the final 5 so all we have to do is make sure he doesn't win immunity.
Macduff: I can beat him. No problem. I will not let that roach make it to the final tribal.
Desdemona: Good.
Iago left camp under the pretext of getting water.
Iago (IC): All I need to do in the next few days is find that idol and I'm set for the next tribal council. This shouldn't be too hard. Even though the rest of the tribe probably suspects that I'm looking for the idol, I don't want to flat out confirm it to them, because that would pretty much just be inviting them to follow me.
Iago returned to the dip in the land near the pond, and continued his search where he'd left off the day before.
A little later, back at camp, Desdemona noticed Iago's absence.
Desdemona: Iago's been gone for a while...
Desdemona (IC): I thought, Iago has to be looking for the idol right now. And if I can find Iago, I'll know where the clue led him. And if I'm really lucky, I might find the idol myself! That might be what I could do to prove to the jury that I'm playing a game worthy of their vote. A great idol play at the final 5 can't be ignored!
Desdemona searched through the woods for a half hour before she spotted Iago. She crouched behind a bush and watched him until he left.
Iago (IC): I can't find that idol anywhere. I've flipped every rock, looked in every tree, dug a big hole. The clue says "A stream you must follow, til the end of the line, if an idol you want to get. Look not high but look low, where the birds cannot dine, you will need to get your feet wet." The place I'm looking fits the clue almost perfectly! It's at the end of the stream, it's a low area, and I had to get my feet wet to get there. The only part of the clue I don't understand is "where the birds cannot dine." That has to be the key to finding specifically where the idol is, but I have no idea what it means!
After Iago was gone, Desdemona raced to where he had been looking and started looking for the idol herself.
Desdemona: I didn't see Iago find anything, so I don't think he has the idol yet. It has to be around here somewhere!
Desdemona tore the sunken land apart, throwing away rocks, kicking away leaves, widening the hole Iago dug.
Desdemona: I need to find it before they realize I've been gone too long...
She continued the search until she heard Macduff calling.
Macduff: DESDEMONA? COME BACK! IT'S REWARD CHALLENGE TIME!
Desdemona: Damn it! I couldn't find it...
The tribe met Shakespeare at the reward challenge. He explained that they'd have to make their way through a long obstacle course including a balance beam, a wall to climb, and a wooden structure with lots of criss-crossing beams to squirm through, until they arrived at a slide puzzle. First person to solve the slide puzzle would win reward.
Shakespeare: Wanna know what you're playing for?
Everyone: YEAH!
Shakespeare swept the cloth off of the reward, revealing a sleek, red car.
Desdemona: OH MY GOSH!
Everyone gasped and cheered.
Shakespeare: The winner gets this car, and gets to drive it to a secluded location where a nice barbeque meal is waiting.
They cheered even more.
Shakespeare: Okay. Survivors ready? Go!
Desdemona was first across the balance beam, but she got caught up at the wall climb and Macduff, Iago, and Bassanio all overtook her. Macduff was in the lead but Iago's slim frame helped him make up time climbing through the wooden structure. Desdemona made up a lot of time here, too, and Portia was still having trouble scaling the wall. Iago got to the slide puzzle first, with Desdemona and Macduff right behind. Desdemona blew through the slide puzzle.
Shakespeare: Desdemona wins reward! And her third challenge in a row! Desdemona, how do you feel?
Desdemona: I just won a car! I don't even know how to drive and now I have a car! This is surreal!
Shakespeare: Okay, Desdemona, pick one person to join you for your barbeque dinner.
Desdemona: Yay! Come on, Macduff!
Macduff looked thrilled.
Desdemona: I'll need you to drive there for me!
Macduff: Ha! Fine by me.
Shakespeare: Here's a map to your reward. The rest of you, I've got nothing for you. Head back to camp.
Desdemona and Macduff ran into the car and drove off while Portia, Bassanio, and Iago walked back to their camp.
Desdemona and Macduff found a large campfire with a grill hanging over top, covered with slabs of steak, with burgers, hot dogs, chicken. A nearby table had buns, cheese, condiments, and sauces for their meal, as well as a variety of drinks.
Desdemona leaped out of her car.
Desdemona: Woooo! Oh my gosh this smells amazing! Let's eat!
Desdemona (IC): I've got a new car, I've got the best food I've ever tasted, and I've got a great friend to share it with. I've been making out like a bandit recently! Who knew I'd be such a challenge threat? I'm starting to think I can just win my way into the finals. Maybe that's what I need to do to impress the jury.
Macduff bit into a fat steak.
Macduff: Mmmmm! Thank you so much for bringing me, Des!
Desdemona: There's no one else I'd rather share this with.
Desdemona (IC): Macduff is like a father to me out here, and even though I'm upset that Hamlet's gone and my chances have plummeted, a part of me is happy because now I won't have to vote out Macduff.
Desdemona: You don't think Portia's trying to swing Iago right now, do you?
Macduff: Oh, I'm sure she is. But I don't know why Iago would go for it. She's a much bigger threat to him than us.
Desdemona: But having her around at final 4 could benefit him...
Macduff: True...
Macduff (IC): It's tough having to rely on Iago for this next vote. I hate having to work with him, but I need him as a number for now. I have no idea which way he will swing, though. Portia has told me that she'll target Desdemona before myself, but you can never be sure. If I don't win immunity, I'll be very scared that I could be the one to go. That's why I'm extra thankful that Desdemona brought me along for this reward. All of this protein could give me the boost I need to win the next challenge.
Back at camp, Iago, Portia, and Bassanio were eating rice for dinner.
Portia: Found your idol yet, Iago?
Iago chuckled.
Iago: Not yet. But I will.
Portia: It doesn't matter anyways.
Iago: Why not?
Portia: Everyone is going to assume you have it, no one will risk voting for you. And besides, if we voted you out, it would be 2 against 2 at the next vote. No one really wants that.
Iago: Guess so. But I'm still going to find that idol.
Portia: Better safe than sorry, I know... So, I trust you'll be voting out Desdemona with us?
Iago: Pfft. What makes you think that? If you want me to vote with you, we're voting Macduff.
Bassanio: You'd vote out Macduff if we did?
Iago: Of course.
Portia: No, no. We are voting Desdemona. And you just have to go along with that.
Iago: Or I could join them and vote you out.
Portia: Oh, Iago. I know you aren't so foolish, so stop pretending to be. You know that if I get voted out, the only way you make the final 3 is by winning immunity. You wouldn't be so brazen as to take that risk.
Iago: If I vote Desdemona out, the risk is the same. Macduff will put aside his grievances with you in order to take me out before the final 3.
Portia: You think so? I'm actually not so sure. I think he could go either way.
Iago: No. He hates me. All you did to him was tell him a small lie. I've been involved in betraying him over and over, and he's hated me for some odd reason since the beginning.
Portia: You're telling me that you think you have a better chance of winning the final 4 immunity against two strong guys and a girl on a winning streak than convincing Macduff to vote with you against me at final 4?
Iago: Even if I did convince him, that only makes it 2-2. There's still a 50% chance I'd be out.
Portia: Think of it this way, then. Who would you rather go up against for immunity? Me, who hasn't won a single individual challenge, or Desdemona, who's won 3 in a row.
Iago: I'd rather send Macduff home and go up against both of you. I know Desdemona would vote against you at final 4. I can't vote her out.
Portia: Say what you want, but you know that you'd have a better chance with Desdemona gone and me here than with me gone and Desdemona here. That's the choice you have to make. Think about it.
Iago was silent. More time passed as he spooned the rice into his mouth, staring out to the sea. As he watched, a gull swept to the water's surface and plucked a fish from the waves. Iago was muttering to himself as he chewed the rice.
Iago: "Look not high but look low, where the birds cannot dine, you will have to get your feet wet." ... "Look not high but look low, where the birds cannot dine..."
Another gull swept low and gulped a fish from the water.
Iago: "Where the birds cannot dine... Where the birds cannot dine!"
Iago slammed down his unfinished bowl of rice and took off into the woods, until he reached the spot where he'd been looking for the idol.
Iago (IC): Underwater! The birds can dine on the fish that swim near the water's surface, but if the fish is swimming deeper underwater... that's where the birds cannot dine. The idol is underwater!
Iago splashed into the pond at the end of the stream and found the deepest area.
Iago: "Look not high but look low."
The deepest part of the pond was only as high as his waist. He felt around with his feet.
Iago: "You will have to get your feet wet." Oh! That feels like cloth!
Iago picked up something with his foot, transferred it to his hand, and took it out of the water. He had a small cloth package. Unwrapping it, he pulled out the wooden feather and the note declaring it as a hidden immunity idol.
Iago: Yes! I got it again! This is my ticket to the final four! Portia may have been right that I don't need it, but I'm glad to have it anyways. It opens up even more doors for me at the next vote.
Iago returned to camp. Desdemona and Macduff returned late that night, and Desdemona told the others all about their reward.
Bassanio (IC): I'm happy that Desdemona had a good time, but I really don't need to hear her go into every detail about how amazing the ketchup was and how nice the air-conditioning in the car felt. It's bad enough that the one person who can't drive wins the car, but now it's like she's rubbing it in all of our faces without even realizing what she's doing. Desdemona is like the spoiled kid next door who somehow gets everything she wants and doesn't let you forget that her life is better than yours. I'm not an easy guy to rile up, but she's really getting to me now, especially since Iago is refusing to vote her out.
Day 36
Iago met Desdemona and Macduff by the fire in the morning. Portia and Bassanio were out fishing.
Desdemona: Found your idol yet, Iago?
Iago: I guess there's no point in hiding it, is there? Yeah, I got it.
Desdemona: Nice. I don't think it will change much, but still. Good for you.
Iago: Thanks.
Macduff: Are you still on board with voting out Portia, then?
Iago: Yeah... I have just one worry. I remembered it last night. We still don't know what happened with the idol from this beach. The merge tribe idol. Someone must have it.
Desdemona: Ohh yeah! I completely forgot about that.
Iago: From what I can figure, Desdemona doesn't have it because she didn't look for it like the rest of us did. I know I don't have that one, and I feel like if Portia or Bassanio had found it, they would have used it at the tribal council where Mercutio got voted out... So, that leaves you, Macduff. Do you have it?
Macduff: No, I don't have it!
Iago: Because if you do, then we don't need to worry about Portia playing it and blindsiding Desdemona tonight.
Macduff: I swear, I never found it.
Iago: Okay. I believe you. I know you're not the type who would keep this from us, knowing that it would help us... but that means Portia and Bassanio must have it.
Desdemona: Oh, great!
Macduff: Is it possible that someone got voted out with it in their pocket?
Iago: Ah. I hadn't thought of that... I guess it could have happened...
Desdemona: There's no way Lady Capulet found it... she didn't look. And I doubt Romeo and Juliet would have kept it from me, especially when they both quit.
Iago: Macbeth would have told us if he had it, and I think Hamlet would have played it long ago if he'd found it.
Macduff: That leaves Cassio and Mercutio.
Iago: Hard to imagine that dolt Cassio finding it... but Mercutio...
Desdemona: He definitely could have had it. He was completely blindsided that night, so it makes sense that he wouldn't have played it.
Iago: We will have to hope that's the case.
Macduff: This immunity challenge could change everything, too. It's the most important one so far... if Portia wins...
Iago: Then we vote out Bassanio.
Macduff: I guess so.
Desdemona (IC): There's no way I'm voting out Bassanio. I can't afford to lose the only person I know I can beat in jury votes. If Portia wins immunity, I'll have no choice but to turn on Macduff. I can't let that happen, so I'll be going all out to continue my winning streak with this next challenge.
Meanwhile, Portia and Bassanio were fishing.
Bassanio: Isn't it bad that we've left Iago alone to strategize with Macduff and Des?
Portia: They would find a way to talk eventually, no matter what we did. It's not bad, though. Iago is a logical player, and siding with us is the logical move. He will see that.
Bassanio: For your own sake, I pray you're right.
The tribe received treemail announcing their next immunity challenge, and they met Shakespeare at the challenge beach.
Shakespeare: First things first, Desdemona, I'll take back the immunity necklace... Immunity, back up for grabs! For this challenge, you will have a small, handheld platform. You will need to stack different sized dishes on the platform, adding a new dish every few minutes when I tell you to. If your stack topples, you're out of the challenge. Last player standing wins immunity and a guaranteed spot in the final four! Okay, take your places and we'll get started. Your first item to place on your platform is a large bowl.
The players stacks grew over time, and Iago was the first one out, closely followed by Macduff, and then Bassanio. It came down to Portia and Desdemona, and they fought it out for a long time. Eventually, both of them were having trouble, with both of their stacks quivering and looking as if they'd fall at any moment. It was Desdemona whose dishes crashed first.
Shakespeare: Portia wins immunity! And a guaranteed spot in the final four!
Shakespeare put the immunity necklace on a beaming Portia.
Shakespeare: Portia, safe from the vote tonight, but one of the rest of you will be joining the jury. I'll see you tonight.
The tribe returned to camp. Iago, Desdemona, and Macduff got together.
Desdemona: Well, that sucked.
Iago: Yep. So... Bassanio, then?
Macduff: We have no other choice.
Macduff (IC): I really don't want to vote out Bassanio. He was in my alliance and never wronged me, so he doesn't deserve to be voted against. But I won't vote for Desdemona, Portia's immune, and Iago has an idol, so Bassanio is my only other choice. I might just throw away my vote at Iago, though. Voting for Bassanio would go against my whole philosophy of how I want to play this game. If I vote for Iago, then it will probably be a tie between Desdemona and Bassanio, and on the revote I will have no choice but to vote for an ally, so no one will be able to accuse me of betraying them.
Meanwhile, Portia and Bassanio were strategizing.
Bassanio: This is great! If Iago can't vote you out, he will definitely have to join us in voting for Desdemona.
Portia: Not necessarily... Voting you out would actually be a pretty good scenario for Iago. He would never have been able to convince them to do it while I was vulnerable, but now that I'm safe... I'll bet they're voting for you.
Bassanio: Oh. But that's okay, you can play your idol on me.
Portia: Yeah, and then we vote Desdemona and she's gone.
Bassanio: Iago has an idol, too, though...
Portia: So? He's definitely playing it on himself... right?
Bassanio: Iago is smart... he probably suspects that we have an idol. If he thought I would have an idol played on me, he might play his idol on Desdemona to make sure she's safe.
Portia: He could... but then it would be no votes for anyone. Me, you, and Desdemona would be immune, so we would have to revote between Iago and Macduff. There's no way Iago would take that risk. Unless... unless Iago voted for Macduff... then all the other votes would be cancelled out except for his, and he could get Macduff out like he wanted.
Bassanio: Wait... why don't we just vote for Iago tonight? If he plays the idol for Desdemona... he'd be out.
Portia: That would be great, wouldn't it? But I don't think we want to get Iago out yet. We need him in the final 4 to take the target off of us, as much as I hate to admit it.
Bassanio: So if Iago does play the idol on Des, and votes for me, and all of the votes get cancelled out, and we have to revote between Iago and Macduff, you think we should keep Iago?
Portia: Yes. The Macduff and Desdemona pair is dangerous. We need to get one of them out tonight, and if it can't be Desdemona, Macduff will have to do.
Bassanio: Okay.
Later, Desdemona talked privately with Iago.
Desdemona: I don't think we should vote Bassanio out tonight. He's such an easy beat in the jury... why get rid of him?
Iago: Wait... so you're saying you want to vote out Macduff?
Desdemona: I don't want to... but that would be our best move. So I'm willing to do it.
Iago: Wow... this is interesting. So... if we vote for Macduff... Macduff votes for Bassanio... Portia and Bassanio vote for you... it would be a tie, between you and Macduff. Portia and Bassanio would definitely vote you out on the revote.
Desdemona: Can't we convince them to vote out Macduff with us?
Iago: No. I've already tried. They are dead-set on getting you out.
Desdemona: Well... you could play your idol on me. It's not as if anyone's voting you out anyway.
Iago: I could. If I did, and if we vote for Macduff, he'd be out. But that would be risky. Sounds like a sneaky way for you to vote me out.
Desdemona: No! If I voted for you on the assumption that you'd play the idol on me, but you ended up playing it for yourself, I'd be out for sure! I wouldn't take that risk.
Iago: But if you vote for Macduff and I play the idol on myself, you'll be gone for sure too.
Desdemona: Oh yeah...
Iago: Our safest bet is to just vote out Bassanio.
Desdemona: I won't do it. Besides, he could have an idol. Please just vote for Macduff with me? I promise I won't vote you out.
Iago: Why wouldn't you?
Desdemona: I don't know! The thought never crossed my mind until you just said it!
Iago: I'm sorry, Desdemona. I want you in this game, but I can't take the risk of playing the idol for you. If you want to survive tonight, our only choice is to vote for Bassanio.
Desdemona: Ugh. Fine...
Iago (IC): Desdemona's idea to play the idol on her is actually an idea worth considering, but I need her to think there's no chance I will do it, to make sure she doesn't vote for me. Now that I have her voting for Bassanio, I've made myself the swing vote. Portia and Bassanio have barely talked to me, so I have to think they have an idol, which makes it very risky to vote for Bassanio, even though it could be great for my game if he goes home. So it might be best if I switch my vote to Macduff. If Bassanio plays an idol, and I play mine on Desdemona, Macduff would be out. If Bassanio doesn't play an idol, the Bassanio will be out.
Bassanio and Portia were once again alone.
Bassanio: Shouldn't we try a little harder to get Iago on our side? We've barely said a word to him since the challenge.
Portia: There isn't much to say. If Iago didn't want to vote out Desdemona even when the alternative was voting out me, which would be clearly bad for his game, what are the chances that he will want to vote her out now that the alternative is voting out you, which might be even better for his game?
Bassanio: I just feel like we should at least try.
Portia: Don't worry. I have a plan for tonight's tribal that might make Iago vote how we want him to. No guarantees. But mark my words, there will be chaos tonight.
It was time to head to tribal council. The final 5 met Shakespeare, and he called in the jury.
Shakespeare: Lady Capulet, Macbeth, Cassio, Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, and Hamlet, voted out at the last tribal council. So, Iago. At the last tribal Macduff and Desdemona joined Portia and Bassanio in trying to get you out. How has that foursome held up?
Iago: It hasn't. Neither pair wants to go head-to-head with the other pair at the final four, so they are fighting for my vote.
Shakespeare: So you must feel pretty safe tonight.
Iago: Yeah. Plus, I finally found that idol I was looking for. So I'm extra safe.
Shakespeare: Portia, how are you feeling about the vote? Do you think you've won Iago's vote?
Portia: I think we had Iago's vote until I won immunity. Now Iago has the chance to take out Bassanio, and he might take it. But I don't know. It's a tossup.
Shakespeare: How worried are you tonight, Bassanio?
Bassanio: I'm very worried that Iago might vote with the others against me tonight. But... Iago, I just want to say that you shouldn't be so sure that I wouldn't be open to working with you later if you keep me tonight.
Iago: Hm. Interesting...
Shakespeare: Macduff, you're very clear that you will only vote for someone who either is not in your alliance, or has betrayed you in some way. Has Bassanio done anything to you to warrant you voting for him?
Macduff: No. We just don't have a lot of options at this point in the game. But Bassanio has never wronged me in this game, so that does make it very difficult to vote for him.
Shakespeare: Desdemona, up until today, you were on a great winning streak. How did it feel to come so close to another win, but lose out to Portia?
Desdemona: It was really sad. Especially because... well, it's no secret that Portia and I have been questionable allies at best. And if I'm being completely honest, I wanted to vote her out tonight. And I think we had Iago's vote. But now she's safe, and it really makes tonight suck, because I don't want to vote out anyone besides Portia or Iago, and Portia has immunity and Iago has an idol.
Shakespeare: Wow. You're being very open about your plans. Does that make you worry at all, Iago?
Iago: Not really. It hasn't been flat out stated like that before, but I think it's been pretty clear that Portia and I have been the two biggest targets for a while now.
Shakespeare: Okay, it's time to vote. Portia, you have the immunity necklace. If you want, you can give it to someone else.
Portia: If there's one thing I know about Iago, it's that he knows that he needs me at the final 4. So I think I'd be safe, even without this necklace. I'm going to give it to Bassanio.
There were gasps from the players and jury alike as Portia handed off the necklace to Bassanio. Even Bassanio looked shocked as he thanked her.
Shakespeare: Wow! No one can vote for Bassanio tonight... everyone else is fair game. Macduff, you're up first.
Voting Confessionals
Macduff: Portia, I was going to vote for Iago tonight because I can't betray Bassanio, but you've just made my decision easy. I have NO idea what you're thinking.
Desdemona: Portia! That was so stupid! There's no way Iago will pass up this chance to vote you out!
Portia: Desdemona, I'm voting you out because I know you are targeting me. Iago, I'm hoping the confusion I caused by giving Bassanio the necklace will be enough to scare you into voting with me, or at least wasting the idol on yourself. As long as you don't use it on Desdemona, she will be out and I will be very happy.
Shakespeare: I'll go tally the votes.
He left and returned with the votes.
Shakespeare: If anyone has a hidden immunity idol and wants to play it, now would be the time to do so.
Portia stood up, and passed her idol to Shakespeare.
Portia: You didn't really think I'd go into this vote without immunity, did you?
Shakespeare: This is a hidden immunity idol, any votes for Portia will not count.
Desdemona (whisper): Dang it!
Iago also stood up, and handed Shakespeare his idol.
Iago: Call me crazy, but I'm using this on Desdemona.
Desdemona: No way! Oh my gosh, Iago! Thank you!
Shakespeare: This is also a hidden immunity idol. Any votes cast for Desdemona will not count.
Portia: Aw, man!
Shakespeare: I'll read the votes.
First vote, Portia. Does not count.
Desdemona. Does not count.
Portia. Does not count.
Desdemona. Does not count.
Fourteenth person voted out, and the eighth member of our jury... Macduff. You need to bring me your torch.
Macduff: What...
Iago: I had to do it...
Macduff shook his head.
Macduff: Good luck, Desdemona, Bassanio.
He took his torch to Shakespeare.
Shakespeare: You're tribe has spoken.
Macduff's torch was snuffed, and he left the area.
Shakespeare: And then there were 4. With yet another blindside, this is truly anyone's game. I can't wait to see how it plays out. Head back to camp.
The votes:
Portia- Macduff, Desdemona
Desdemona- Portia, Bassanio
Macduff- Iago
Back at camp, it was raining. Desdemona confronted Iago.
Desdemona: You said we couldn't vote for Macduff!
Iago: I know. I couldn't have you thinking I would play the idol on you, or else you might vote for me.
Desdemona: But once Portia gave away immunity... the only reason I wanted Macduff out was because she was safe! Why still vote for Macduff?
Iago: Because Portia was right. I need her here. If she were gone, you and Macduff would have teamed up with Bassanio to get me out, don't try to deny it. This way, I at least have a fair chance.
Desdemona: Ugh. Whatever.
Desdemona (IC): Iago votes out my closest ally, and then has the audacity to tell me it was because he needed my vote for the next tribal? I can't take it with him right now. I just need to go to sleep or I might slap him. The tribe just seems so cold now that Macduff's gone. It's like even the skies are mad that he's gone, so they're raining down on us.
Day 37
It was still raining in the morning, and no one had slept much. With only 4 people, there was more space in the shelter than ever before, and Portia and Bassanio were close enough together as they lay to whisper to each other without Iago or Desdemona hearing.
Bassanio: So… last night did not go as planned.
Portia: No. But it doesn't matter. What's important is that Iago is still here, and the pair of Macduff and Desdemona has been split up. We have a chance of turning Desdemona and Iago against each other… we never would have been able to do that with Macduff and Desdemona.
Bassanio: Great... I can't believe it. Final four! And we actually have a good shot at making final three together!
Portia: I know, it's amazing! We've done a remarkable thing out here. And now we have just one step left.
Portia (IC): I know I can beat Desdemona and Bassanio in the final three. With Iago, it's hard to say. Either the jury will be bitter and not vote for him, or they will respect his moves and give him a lot of votes. So ideally, Iago goes out next. But if that can't happen, as much as I hate to say it, sending Bassanio to the jury would be my next best option because he's a definite vote for me.
Desdemona (IC): I was really mad at Iago for pulling one over on me last night, but after thinking about it all night, I know I need to stick to my original plan to get Portia out. Iago has made a lot of enemies, meaning he might not be a big jury threat, and I'm still craving revenge for what Portia did to me. Voting her out just before the end would be sweet vengeance.
It continued to rain all morning, stranding everyone to the shelter once again.
Bassanio (IC): This morning is super awkward. We have Iago and Desdemona sitting to one side, and Portia and myself sitting on the other side of the shelter, and no one is saying anything. No one's going to try to sway someone when that person's alliance is sitting right next to them. And besides, with so few people left, immunity is extremely important. It's almost pointless to strategize at all before we know who is going to be safe.
The rain finally stopped in the early afternoon, and the final four left the shelter and stretched as they soaked in the sunshine. Bassanio got the fire going while Desdemona and Iago checked treemail. On the way there, Desdemona told Iago that she was still with him.
Desdemona: I hate what you did last night, but I still want to take Portia out.
Iago: I'm happy to hear it.
Desdemona: Not that I like voting with you, but Portia has hurt me far worse than you have in this game.
Iago: I don't care what your reason is, as long as we're voting together.
There was treemail waiting for them, and they brought it back to the camp to share with Portia and Bassanio. It told of a journey they would take, collecting the torches of their fallen comrades and remembering them, before burning the torches at the end of their trek.
They piled into their canoe and paddled to a large island, following a map that had been included with treemail. When they landed on an island, the first torch was waiting for them, with a nametag attached to it.
Desdemona: Bianca… she seemed like a really nice girl, and I would have loved to work with her longer, but she just couldn't handle the conditions.
Bianca (IC): I was ready to play this game! But I shouldn't have shown how sick I was getting, because that gave my tribe no choice but to vote me out. Regardless, I'm so happy I did this.
Desdemona picked up Bianca's torch, and the tribe hiked to the next one.
Portia: Banquo… Unfortunately, you got targeted due to your association with me. I've always felt bad for that.
Banquo (IC): My tribe didn't like my alliance, but I sure did! I had so much fun with them for the three days I was out here, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
The next torch was Othello's.
Desdemona: It broke my heart when I saw that he was voted out.
Othello (IC): I was so confused for the entire time I was out there… Those mental games everyone played really weren't for me. I don't think there was anything I could have done to save myself, and so I'm fine with it.
Bassanio laughed as they approached the next torch.
Bassanio: Oh, Witch. We never knew what to expect from you. And that made you truly dreadful at this game.
Witch (IC): I didn't go deep, but I knew that was coming. Thought I was a creep, but my huge move was stunning.
Iago: I was sad to see Roderigo go, just because he seemed like he'd be a loyal ally.
Roderigo (IC): I had some bad luck in the challenges, and so I was sent home. I know if I could have made it just one round further I could have won this game!
The next torch belonged to Shylock.
Portia: Shylock just never could find his footing in this game. He was too shady.
Shylock (IC): I got screwed over because Hamlet played an idol. I had a tight alliance and could have rocked this game if I'd stayed! I was the smartest one out there, by far!
Desdemona: Duncan got me through the first half of this game. I wish he could still be here.
Duncan (IC): I have no regrets about my game. It was honourable, and I led my tribe well. They smartly blindsided me because they thought I was a big threat. And I was.
Bassanio: I still can't believe that Lady Macbeth quit. She seemed like the toughest woman I'd ever seen.
Lady Macbeth (IC): I was doing great mentally, but that endless rain was just too much for me. I wish I'd stayed in the game, but what's done is done.
Desdemona addressed the next torch, Lady Capulet's.
Desdemona: She really just wanted what was best for Juliet, but the way she went about it was just all wrong.
Lady Capulet (IC): I hate that Juliet couldn't forgive me for what I said about Romeo, but I still stand by it. Something about that boy is just not right. I hope that one day Juliet will see that, and we will love each other once again.
Next up was Macbeth.
Iago: Macbeth was a delusional ally, but he was loyal.
Macbeth (IC): I ruled the island while I was there! Getting me out was the best move they ever made, because I would've crushed them all!
Portia: Cassio… voting for you changed this game for me. Sorry, bud.
Cassio (IC): I don't know what happened to get me voted out. All I know was that my time in the game was wild! Good times, yo.
Next up was Romeo.
Bassanio: Romeo, Iago got you. Big time. I can't believe you made us vote you out.
Romeo (IC): I knew that I had to do whatever I could to save Juliet. Leaving the game was worth it if it meant Juliet could win.
Portia: Juliet, what Iago did to you was horrible. I'm sorry you had to go through that.
Juliet (IC): My final day in this game was the worst day of my life. But getting to spend so much time out here with Romeo both during the game and during our time on the jury… I think it was worth it.
Mercutio's torch was next.
Bassanio: Mercutio, you were my bro out here. You were a good friend, and true, and I hated to see you get blindsided.
Mercutio (IC): I did the best I could, and I stand by the moves I made. In the end, none of us could have expected that I'd be a target that night. I thought I was in a golden position, but I learned by experience that anything can happen in this game.
Iago: Hamlet… you were a useful ally for almost the whole game. But in the end, I couldn't put our game ahead of my game.
Hamlet (IC): I never expected to make it as far as I did. I was part of some of the biggest moves of the entire game, and managed to survive for so long even though I was on the wrong side of the numbers. I'm more proud of myself than words can express.
Only one torch was left.
Portia: Macduff… I think you should be happy with what you did out here. To make it as far as you did and keep your honour intact is a tough thing to do. Good job.
Macduff (IC): I know that I was the glue that held my alliance together, but unfortunately my alliance wasn't as dedicated to me as I was to them. I played the game the only way I knew how, and I am satisfied.
The final four brought the torches to a structure at the edge of a cliff, piled them on, and set them on fire. They watched the flames rise high as the sun sank low in the sky. Portia rested her head on Bassanio's shoulder, and Iago patted Desdemona on the back. The fire had begun to die down as the sun finished setting, and the final four returned to their canoe and paddled back to camp.
Night had fallen, and they all went to the shelter to sleep. They knew they needed to be well rested for tomorrow's challenge—the most important one of the game.
Day 38
Portia (IC): I checked treemail first thing this morning, and was thrilled to find a note telling us of our final immunity challenge. It's been killing me hardly being able to strategize because we don't know who will be safe, so I can't wait to get this challenge over with.
Portia read the treemail to the rest of the tribe.
Iago (IC): It is imperative that I win this challenge, because if I don't, Portia will probably vote for me, Bassanio will probably vote for me, and I will have to fight to make fire to stay in the game. I especially can't let Portia win this one, because if she's safe then even Desdemona will probably vote for me, and I'll really be done for.
The tribe met Shakespeare at the challenge beach, where a giant vertical maze towered over everyone. Shakespeare explained that there were 5 stations within the maze with bags of letters. To win, the players had to obtain all 5 bags of their colour, and then unscramble the letters to spell out an appropriate phrase.
Shakespeare: First person to spell the phrase wins immunity, and guarantees themselves a spot in the final tribal council, where they will get the chance to plead their case to the jury for a million dollars. Are you ready?
They were. They took their spots, and the challenge began. Iago was back quickly with his first bag, with Portia right behind. It was neck and neck between the two of them for a while. Portia was the first back with all 5 bags, and got to untying them. Each bag had two letters. Portia finished untying first, Iago not ten seconds behind her. But by the time Iago had untied his bags, Portia cried out that she was done. Shakespeare checked her words.
Shakespeare: "Final Three"… Portia took no time at all to put her letters together and she is… right! Portia wins final immunity! Portia will be safe tonight and will be one of the final three to face the jury!
Iago swore. Portia retrieved her necklace.
Bassanio: Good job, Portia!
Portia: That was easy!
Iago and Desdemona both looked less thrilled.
Desdemona (IC): This sucks. I was so excited to finally take out Portia tonight, but she won immunity. Now I'll just have to settle for voting out the other big threat, Iago.
Back at camp, Iago immediately went aside to talk with Desdemona.
Iago: Will we vote for Bassanio then?
Desdemona: I can't vote out Bassanio. You and Portia are the two big threats. If I can't vote her out… I have to vote for you. I'm sorry.
Iago: I think you're overestimating how threatening I am. I've betrayed a lot of the people sitting on that jury.
Desdemona: And you were playing a great game as you did it. They might respect that.
Iago: They might. But they might not. Bassanio on the other hand, he's just a nice guy. Everyone loves him, they have no reason not to vote for him.
Desdemona: Oh my gosh, Iago!
She laughed.
Desdemona: I appreciate that you're trying. I'd expect nothing less from you. But it makes no sense for me to vote Bassanio out over you. He hasn't done anything on his own, he's just followed along behind Portia. Almost every move she's made in the game, he was in on it. If the jury is mad at Portia, they'll be mad at him too. If the jury isn't mad at what Portia did, they'd vote for her before they'd vote for Bassanio because everyone knows she was the driving force behind every decision they made. Iago, you played an amazing game, and I would have loved to go head to head with you in that final tribal. But at this point, I just can't.
Iago: Please just consider it? Consider giving me a chance? The jury might respect a move against Bassanio, a move that says you want to go to the end with the people who actually played for themselves, and played well.
Desdemona: Maybe they would… but I'm probably not going to do it. It's a very big risk. I promise you I will consider it, but if I decide that it's best for my game to vote you out, that's what I'm doing.
Iago: Thank you. For your consideration.
Meanwhile, Bassanio and Portia excitedly worked out their plan.
Bassanio (IC): Portia winning immunity was perfect, because the only reason Desdemona was against us was because of her feud with Portia. With Portia safe, convincing Des to vote for Iago should be a cinch.
Portia and Bassanio met with Desdemona.
Bassanio: Are you up for voting Iago tonight?
Desdemona nodded.
Desdemona: Iago… that's the best move right now, since you won immunity!
She glared at Portia.
Portia: Hey, now the rivalry can continue right up to the final day! Think of what a great story that is!
Desdemona: Thrilling. I can't wait to bury you alive in front of the jury.
Portia: Yeah, well we'll see about that tomorrow. For now, all that's important is that we all write down Iago.
Desdemona: Don't worry. Iago it is, I won't forget.
Iago (IC): I have no delusions that Desdemona will keep me here. She's right, it makes no sense for her to vote out Bassanio. If I'm going to make a plea to someone, it needs to be rational. And I think I've found one. After everything I've been through in this game, there's no way I'm letting myself get taken out right before the end. I've still got fight left in me, and I'm about to throw all the punches I can.
Iago found some time to talk privately with Portia.
Iago: So… I'm guessing you're wanting to vote me out?
Portia: You know you're a big threat. But anything can happen.
Iago: Indeed, and I think anything should happen. I understand that I'm a threat… but from my point of view, and maybe you'll need to hear me out before you agree, but I think voting me out tonight might be the worst move for you.
Portia: Ha! Can't wait to see how you explain this one…
Iago: You have three choices tonight on who to vote out. There are pros and cons to each. Let's just examine the choices. First, if you vote out Bassanio. The con to voting him out is that if you keep him, he's an easy beat in the final three. But the pro for you, is that he would be a guaranteed vote for you on the jury.
Portia: If I betrayed Bassanio, I don't think he'd be a guaranteed vote for me.
Iago: Really? I don't think he would hold it against you. You could even plan it with him ahead of time…
Portia did not look like she was on board with the plan.
Iago: Okay. Let's move on. What you want to do is vote out me. The pro to that is that you remove someone who could potentially get a lot of jury votes. I would argue that I'm not the big threat everyone thinks I am. Every single person on that jury is there because I acted against them in some way. Maybe they respect my game. But I think it's just as likely that they are bitter at me.
Portia: Perhaps. I wouldn't bet on it though.
Iago: There's a con to voting me out, too. If I'm on that jury, I'm voting for Desdemona to win the game.
Portia: Ugh. You're really going to stoop that low? Threaten me with your jury vote?
Iago: Yes. I'll do whatever it takes.
Portia: Whatever. I don't think your vote will make a difference anyways. If you're out, I've played the best game. That's clear to the jury.
Iago: You're right, my vote probably won't make a difference. Desdemona will probably win anyways.
Portia: What!?
Iago: Think, Portia. Don't tell me you haven't been counting jury votes. That jury is full of Desdemona's friends. Lady Capulet was like a mother to Des. Juliet was her best friend, and she was close with Romeo by extension. She'll definitely get Cassio's vote after what you did to him. Mercutio wasn't on good terms with her when he left, but that was only because he thought she voted out Cassio, which he now knows you were lying about. Hamlet had become very close to her just before I voted him out. And she and Macduff were thick as thieves for a while at the end. That's a lot of likely jury votes…
Portia: But Desdemona was in on the plan to get Lady Capulet out, while I remained loyal to her. And I was close with Cassio, Mercutio, and Macduff too. And Romeo and Juliet.
Iago: Maybe you will get Lady Capulet's vote, but you lied to most of the others. Desdemona was completely loyal to all of them. And her strategic game was strong, too. You've been targeting her for a long time now, and she's managed to survive. She won a few immunities… she's the epitome of the kind of player a jury would love to vote for.
Portia: I had more control than she did…
Iago: That's why you could give her a run for her money. But I still think she would win.
Portia: … So you'll be voting for Desdemona tonight?
Iago: Yes. All I ask is that you think it through completely before you finalize your decision to kick me out. Talk it over with Bassanio. I think Desdemona is the big threat, and I think you're smart enough to see that.
Portia: We will consider it.
Portia (IC): I really never even considered voting Desdemona out because Iago is the obvious threat. But he brings up a great point: Desdemona is definitely a much bigger jury threat then I thought. Now I'm panicking that I'm going to need to switch things up at the last minute. This is the final act. This is my last decision in this game, and it could very well win me a million dollars… or lose it.
The final four gathered their torches and set out for tribal council. When they arrived, Shakespeare called in the jury.
Shakespeare: Lady Capulet, Macbeth, Cassio, Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, Hamlet, and Macduff, voted out at the last tribal council… Okay, Iago, tell me about where things stood coming back from voting out Macduff.
Iago: Desdemona was upset that I voted out her ally behind her back, but she was still focused on voting out Portia. So it was all set to be a 2-2 tie, with Desdemona and I voting for Portia, and Portia and Bassanio voting for me.
Shakespeare: So, Portia, it must feel great that you won the final immunity challenge?
Portia: Of course. I think I would've been safe even if I didn't have this necklace, but of course it's reassuring to have it.
Shakespeare: Desdemona, it's no secret that you've been trying to get Portia out for a while now, and now it was your last chance and she won immunity. How'd that make you feel?
Desdemona: Yeah, it would've been great to vote her out tonight. But I can't. All that means is that I get to beat her tomorrow in front of the jury. And that'll be even sweeter than voting her out right now, because I think she expects to win. And I think she's going to be in for a shock.
Shakespeare: Wow. Desdemona seems very confident. Does that worry you, Portia?
Portia: …No. First of all, I don't expect to win. But I do think I have a decent chance. And I think I have Desdemona beat.
Shakespeare: Bassanio, you and Portia wanted to vote out Iago, and Desdemona had a grudge against Portia. But since Portia won immunity, did you approach Desdemona to see if she'd be willing to vote against Iago with you?
Bassanio: Yes, we did. And she knows that Iago is the bigger threat. So, I think Iago has a lot of reason to worry tonight.
Shakespeare: Iago, you worried?
Iago: I'm worried. Probably more worried than I've ever been in this game. But that's not saying a lot. I don't think it's a done deal that my time in this game is up.
Shakespeare: With that, it's time to vote. Desdemona, you're up.
Voting Confessionals
Desdemona: Iago, you played an incredible game, but that's why I can't afford to keep you tonight. It's been a thrill playing this game with and against you… vote for me tomorrow, will ya?
Iago: Desdemona, I was forced today to think about every scenario, and I realized something that I think could save both myself and Portia: That you would beat either of us in the final three. You deserve more credit than I'd ever given you before today. You played a great game. If I'm right, it ends now.
Shakespeare: I'll go tally the votes.
He made a trip to the voting station and came back with the urn of votes.
Shakespeare: Once the votes are read, the decision is final. The person voted out will be asked to leave the tribal council area immediately. I'll read the votes.
First vote, Iago.
Desdemona. That's one vote Iago, one vote Desdemona.
…Desdemona.
*Desdemona gasped*
Fifteenth person voted out, and the final member of our jury… Desdemona. You need to bring me your torch.
Desdemona: Wow… Nice play, guys.
She took her torch to Shakespeare.
Shakespeare: The tribe has spoken.
Desdemona's torch was snuffed, and she left tribal council.
Shakespeare: Fittingly, your last vote was another blindside. There's still time for one final blindside, but this time, it'll be up to them.
He pointed to the jury.
Shakespeare: Enjoy your last night at camp. Tomorrow, you face the jury and one of you wins a million bucks.
The final three filed out and returned to camp.
Iago: Well, that was fun.
Bassanio: That's one word for it…
Portia: I enjoyed it. Good game, guys.
Iago: It's not over yet.
Bassanio: One day left. May the best man or woman win!
Portia: May the best man or woman win.
Iago nodded.
Day 39
Bassanio: Wake up! Portia! Wake up!
Portia groggily opened her eyes. And immediately gasped.
Portia: Oh my God! Wooooo!
The sound woke Iago, who quickly saw what Portia had seen. Bassanio had in his hands a basket of all kinds of fruit.
Bassanio: A feast for making it all the way! There's more at treemail.
Portia and Iago quickly got out of the shelter and ran with Bassanio to treemail. There were 3 more baskets there. One with a variety of meats, cheeses, and crackers, one with all kinds of sweets, and one filled to the brim with bottles of champagne, beer, soda, and juices. There was also a note, which Bassanio read aloud.
Bassanio: Congratulations final three! You suffered through days one to thirty-eight, but on day thirty-nine you celebrate! Enjoy this meal as you prepare for tonight's final tribal council.
They each carried a basket back to camp and dug in to the food and drinks.
Portia (IC): Coming into this game, I doubted that I was capable of making it all the way to the end. After my father died… I felt so alone in the world, and I lost all hope for a bright future, and that feeling of despair made me think of myself as weak… But I knew I had to try. So I went all out and played the game as hard as I could, the thought of my father guiding me and encouraging me the entire way. Being here on day thirty-nine, I've proved to myself that I am as strong and intelligent as I always wished I was. I know my father is watching me from wherever he is now and is as proud of me as I am. As for the jury vote tonight, I hate to discount Bassanio but I really feel like it will be between Iago and I. We played the two loudest games strategically, but I think Iago really hurt, lied to, and abused enough people that I can get enough votes to win.
Later that day, Iago sat alone by the fire in silence.
Iago (IC): Portia and Bassanio are spending their last day together, so I've had a lot of time to myself to think about tonight. I've been thinking about this night since before the game even started, because I always knew I'd get here. I'm going to be as honest as I can about my strategy and the moves I made in the game. I know that the jury won't want to hear any more lies, and my game is good enough that I don't need to lie about it. But when it comes to how I feel personally about these people… I don't truly care about any of them. I don't feel an ounce of remorse at any move I made, whether it be making Juliet quit the game or betraying my closest ally Hamlet. But that's not what they want to hear, so I may need to lie and tell them that I really do love them all personally and they're so great, in order to get their votes. I know exactly what to say, and by the end of tonight I guarantee you I'll be a million dollars richer.
When it was almost time to leave, the final three threw all of their supplies into the shelter. Bassanio found a sturdy branch and lit it in the fire. Then, together, they threw their makeshift torch onto the shelter. It ignited, and the fire slowly spread throughout the shelter until they were facing a fearsome wall of fire.
Bassanio: Our home… up in flames…
Portia: And good riddance. I'm ready to get back to the real world.
Iago: Me too. But I'm going to miss this island. I had a lot of fun here.
Bassanio: We'll all miss it… Time to go?
Portia: Yep. Bye camp!
They grabbed their torches and left the camp for the final time.
Bassnanio (IC): I played this game the way I think it should be played, and that's with as much kindness and honour that I could work into a game that encourages the opposite. I didn't know if it would get me to the end, but here I am. Part of it may be luck, but part of it is definitely the strength of my game. I think people are overlooking me as a potential winner. Between the three of us, I've angered the fewest people on that jury. If they are very bitter, I'm probably the most attractive option of the three. I still think I can pull off an upset, and the others may be in for a big surprise.
They met Shakespeare at the tribal council and sat down.
Shakespeare: Let's bring in our jury: Lady Capulet, Macbeth, Cassio, Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, Hamlet, Macduff, and Desdemona, voted out at the last tribal council…
He turned back to the final three, seated in front of him.
Shakespeare: Welcome to your Final Tribal Council! The three of you have gone as far as you can go in this game. Now the power shifts to the jury: Nine players that you had a hand in voting out, who will now decide your fate. We'll start with opening statements from each of you, then each member of the jury will have the opportunity to ask any or all of you a question to help them decide who they will vote for, and then we will vote for the winner of this game. Is that clear?
Everyone nodded.
Shakespeare: Good. Let's get going with opening statements, then. Bassanio, you're first.
Bassanio: Hello, jury! From the beginning of this game, there was only one thing that was important to me in how I played: That I didn't forget my morals. I didn't care if I got to the end, as long as I was kind to everyone and played as honourable a game as I could. Obviously, getting to the end requires a little deception, so I will not claim to have played a perfectly honourable game. Macduff was doing that, and he got voted out before he could sit here. But I think I played as honourably as I could play while still making it to the end. The other part of my game was Portia. Not that our relationship was all for game, because it wasn't, it's all genuine, but it did provide some benefits for my game. Having one person that I could trust unconditionally was huge for helping me stay sane out here. And Portia was more strategically adept than I was, so she was able to do a lot of the talking while I hung back, avoiding the lies and the target. Good luck in your decision.
Shakespeare: Thanks, Bassanio. Portia, you're up.
Portia: At the start of this game, I came out swinging, and I paid the price for it. I would have been the first one voted out if I hadn't been lucky enough to have immunity. After that, I had to simultaneously make myself seem like less of a threat while fighting to stay in the game, and I succeeded. I went into the merge with a strong alliance, and even though we lost Lady Capulet at the first tribal council, the alliance had grown even bigger by the next day. We took out Macbeth, and then the alliance began to fall apart. But despite that, I was never a serious contender to be voted out, because almost everyone in the game trusted me. Even while my alliance turned on each other, I was able to keep everyone loyal to me. When that loyalty was threatened, I made moves to destroy that threat. For example, I voted out Cassio and blamed it on Desdemona, so that she couldn't steal Mercutio and Macduff away from me. Even after Macduff and Desdemona learned the truth, that it was me who voted out Cassio, I was able to win them back for the next tribal council. Finally, I won the final immunity and became the primary decision maker for who went to the final three. I think I outwitted and outplayed better than the rest, so that I could outlast. And that's why I think you should vote for me. Thank you.
Shakespeare: Iago.
Iago: I made a lot of moves in this game that a lot of you were probably none too pleased with. I don't regret a single one, because every move I made was strategic, nothing was personal. I had to play almost this entire game from the bottom, without a big enough alliance to so easily control the vote. At nearly every tribal council, I had to swing the right people, make the right vote, or tell the right lie, to get myself ahead. Nothing came easy for me, and I was one of the primary targets at almost every vote, and yet I am here right now. If that doesn't prove that I played a great game, I don't know what will. I'm looking forward to discussing my game with you tonight, and welcome any questions you have for me about the game I played.
Shakespeare: The jury will now have an opportunity to ask questions to any or all of the final three… Lady Capulet, you're first.
Lady Capulet: Hello, you three. I have no questions, just statements. Iago… What you did to Juliet in this game is unforgiveable. You are a monster. You may say that it was all just a game, all strategic, but that's not true. What you did went beyond the game. You toyed with Juliet's heart, you emotionally abused her to the point where she quit the game, and we all saw your true colours. I have been tasked tonight to vote for the player who I think deserves to win. Iago, you are not a player. The moment you crossed that line with Juliet, you ceased to be a player, and you became the monster sitting before me today. I cannot vote for you.
Iago: I respect your opinion.
Lady Capulet: Bassanio… you're such a nice man. But, like Iago, you aren't a player. You just sat back and did nothing while everyone else played the game. Portia, you're the only true player sitting up there tonight, and I think you played wonderfully. Congratulations.
Portia: Thank you!
Shakespeare: Macbeth, you're up.
Macbeth: I have one question that I want each of the three of you to answer, and it's very simple. What was your single best move in this game? You first, Bassanio.
Bassanio: My best move in this game was aligning with Portia. She was someone I could trust completely, and who knew the game better than me, so she could make the decisions and take all of the heat.
Macbeth: Okay… that's weak, Bassanio. That's barely a move. Your turn, Portia.
Portia: My best move was taking you out, Macbeth. I had to make the decision of who to vote out in your alliance: you, Iago, or Hamlet. I chose you because you were clearly a huge challenge threat, you knew strategically how to play the game, and everyone liked you for doing so much work around camp. You were the biggest threat all around and I believe that if I had taken out Iago or Hamlet that night, you would have found a way to get both you and whoever was left in your alliance to the end.
Macbeth: But you put most of your votes on Hamlet that night… I only got voted out because he played an idol.
Portia: And Hamlet only played an idol because I warned Iago that they needed to play an idol. I knew you were the one who would really be out.
Macbeth smiled.
Macbeth: Wow… okay. And you, Iago?
Iago: First of all, she plays you for a fool, Macbeth. See how she thinks she can win your vote with flattery? Anyways, my best move was the series of lies I told to Romeo and Juliet, which led to both of them leaving the game. I knocked out two birds with one stone, and pushed myself, Hamlet, and my idol into the endgame, putting me in a great position to make it to the end.
Macbeth: Good. That's all.
Shakespeare: Your turn, Cassio.
Cassio: I want to hear the truth, from each of you, about how involved you each were in getting me out.
Bassanio: I had no idea you were going home that night, Cassio. I was loyal to you the whole time, I was not involved at all in voting you out.
Portia: I was the deciding vote in getting you out. But it was nothing against you. I just wanted to make people lose faith in Desdemona.
Iago: I came up with the plan to vote you out, so I guess I was very involved in you going home.
Cassio: That's all I needed to hear. Thank you.
Shakespeare: Romeo.
Romeo: My first question is for Portia and Bassanio. I want to know how genuine your relationship is, and if you think it will continue after the game.
Portia: Well, Bassanio already said in his opening that it was genuine for him, and I can say that it was genuine for me too. I really do like him and I definitely want to try to keep the relationship going even after the game is over, and I think it will work out.
Bassanio: Me too. I'm not going to just forget about Portia after the game ends. What we have is truly special.
Romeo: Okay. And Iago, my question for you is who on the jury do you personally like the most?
Iago: That's a tough question to answer… I really don't have any major personal issues with any of you. I like you all. But if you want me to pick one, it would have to be Hamlet. He was my faithful alliance partner for the entire game, and I respect him for sticking with me even as I unfortunately had to turn on him.
Romeo: Okay.
Shakespeare: Next up, Juliet.
Juliet: I think I have a good idea of how each of you played the game, so I don't have any questions. But I do want to set something straight. Everyone is making a big deal out of what Iago did to me to make me quit the game. And, yes, it really hurt me in the moment. But because of what he did, I've had the opportunity to spend the most wonderful week imaginable with Romeo at Ponderosa. This past week has been a once in a lifetime experience, and so I want to thank you, Iago, for getting us both out of the game, because we've enjoyed our time at Ponderosa a million times more than we would have in the game.
Iago: Oh. I'm happy to hear that! You're welcome!
Portia and Bassanio looked bewildered. Lady Capulet shook her head in disgust. Juliet took her seat.
Shakespeare: Okay… Mercutio, you're next.
Mercutio: Great game, guys. Congrats on making it all the way. What I want to know from each of you is why each of the others doesn't deserve to win. Starting with Bassanio.
Bassanio: I think Portia and Iago both don't deserve to win for the same reason, which is that they both made some ethically questionable moves in the game. I think I played the game while keeping my morals intact, which to me makes my game greater than theirs.
Mercutio: Okay, Portia?
Portia: I think Bassanio doesn't deserve to win because he let everyone else make all of the moves in the game, and I think Iago doesn't deserve to win because one of the primary reasons he's here is because I refused to vote him many times because I wanted to keep him in to take the target off myself. And his moves may seem more impressive but the reason he was on the bottom was because he couldn't keep people loyal to him. I didn't have to make those big dramatic moves because my social game was good enough that almost everyone in the game trusted me and wanted to keep me around.
Mercutio: Alright, and Iago?
Iago: Bassanio didn't play the game. He didn't outwit or outplay any of us, he only outlasted. And Portia only survived because I wanted to keep her in the game, to take the target off myself, back when I voted you out. And her plans were foiled over and over again by me, while, for me, at every post-merge tribal council the person voted out was the person I wanted to be voted out.
Mercutio: Uh-huh. Thanks.
Shakespeare: Hamlet.
Hamlet: Congrats on making the final three, you all deserve it. But I want to know which jury member you think most deserves to be sitting in the finals? Bassanio first.
Bassanio: I think Macduff played a really honourable game and lasted a really long time, so I'd say he would deserve a spot here.
Hamlet: Okay. Portia?
Portia: Desdemona was a rival of mine for the second half of this game, and she managed to get all the way to the final 4, and only got voted out because of a last minute decision. She came so close to winning this game, and I think she would deserve a spot here.
Hamlet: And Iago?
Iago: I have to say you, Hamlet, because while you were in the game your game was very similar to mine. So, since I think my game is the most deserving of the win, that makes your game very deserving of a spot in the finals too.
Hamlet: Okay, that's all. Good luck, guys!
Shakespeare: Macduff, ask away.
Macduff: I'm having a tough time deciding who to vote for. Iago, I don't agree with how you played, so I can rule you out easily. But I don't know if I should respect Bassanio for playing the cleanest game out of the three of you, or Portia for playing a better game strategically, even if she told a few lies. So Portia, I'm going to ask you one question, and your answer will decide my vote. I want you to be honest. When you made the final three deal with me and Bassanio, way back before the merge, did you really intend to keep me until the final three?
Portia: At that time, I intended to bring you to the final 5. I would have brought Mercutio or Cassio with me to the final 3. But by the time Mercutio was voted out, I really did want you in the final 3.
Macduff: …Thank you for being honest. I'm done.
Shakespeare: Okay, Desdemona, close us out.
Desdemona: Good job on making it to the final 3. I'm happy for all of you. My question is for Iago… how did you do it? How did you save yourself and get me out?
Iago: I spent the entire game thinking that Portia or myself had the best chance of getting the jury votes at the end, but when my game life was on the line, so close to the final three, I was forced to consider other possibilities. I realized that the jury was full of your friends. You were the real jury threat, you would've beaten either of us in a landslide! Lucky thing I noticed it, because Portia's and my own focus on getting each other out that night almost caused us both to lose the game. I told Portia my realization, and she agreed that you were the bigger threat. And so we voted you out.
Desdemona: I see. Good move, Iago. Great move. I'm just going to come out and say it. Portia and Iago both played pretty good games. But I'm voting for Iago tonight. Portia, those days when people avoided me because they thought I'd betrayed them were the worst days of my life. As far as I'm concerned, you are the wicked witch of Survivor, Portia, which is remarkable considering we literally played with a Witch. I will never forgive you for what you did to me. But I'm not going to hold it against you for my jury vote. No, the reason I'm not voting for you is because your game simply was not as good as Iago's was. You say that you kept Iago in the game to keep the target off of you, and that was smart of you, but you needed to get rid of him before you got to this point, because the biggest targets in the game translate to the biggest targets for jury votes. Not voting out Iago defeated the whole purpose of keeping him in the first place.
Portia: I wanted to vote out Iago, but you were the bigger jury threat.
Desdemona: Yes, but that just means you should've voted both of us out before the end. You said earlier that you wanted to get to the end with Macduff. You failed. Iago, on the other hand, never failed. He said it himself: at every post-merge tribal council the person voted out was the person he wanted to be voted out. That is impressive. That is great gameplay.
Portia: I don't think that's completely true, though. I think when Macbeth went out, Iago would have wanted one of our side to be voted out. When Hamlet got voted out, Iago would have preferred it was one of us.
Desdemona: But when he realized that was impossible, he adapted to keep himself in the game. He ended up voting for Macbeth and Hamlet. I do think you played a great game, Portia, a great enough game to win if Iago wasn't here. But Iago is here, and he played it better. Plain and simple. So I'm voting for him.
She took her seat.
Shakespeare: With that, it is time for the jury to vote. Remember, you are voting for the player you want to win. Lady Capulet, you're up first.
Voting Confessionals
Cassio: Bassanio, you stayed loyal to me 'til the end, so I'm staying loyal to you. Good luck, buddy.
Macduff: Portia, you played a fantastic game. You may have told a few white lies, but in the end you were honest with me, and I appreciate that. I hope you win this.
Desdemona: Iago, you were put in a bad position early on, and you played your heart out to get where you are. I can rest easy knowing I lost to the best. Congratulations!
Shakespeare: I'll get the votes.
He returned with the voting urn.
Shakespeare: Once the votes are read, the decision is final. The person with the most votes will win the title of Sole Survivor and the million dollar cheque that goes along with it. I'll read the votes.
First vote… Portia!
… Iago!
… Bassanio! That's one vote for each of you.
Next vote… Iago!
… Portia!
… Portia! That's three votes Portia, two votes Iago, one vote Bassanio. It takes five to win.
Next vote… Iago! We're tied, three votes each for Iago and Portia, one vote for Bassanio. Two votes left.
Next vote… Iago! That's four votes Iago. One vote left. If this vote is for Iago or for Bassanio, Iago wins. If it's for Portia, then we have a tie… Bassanio, there aren't enough votes left for you to possibly win, so you are our third place finisher.
Last vote…
…
…
…
…
The winner of Shakespeare Survivor… Iago!
The votes
Bassanio- Cassio
Portia- Lady Capulet, Mercutio, Macduff
Iago- Macbeth, Romeo, Juliet, Hamlet, Desdemona
Iago: Ha! I did it! Thanks, whoever voted for me. But truth be told, I don't actually like any of you. What I did like was making you all suffer in this game. It's a lot of fun, you should all try it sometime.
He picked up his million dollar cheque from Shakespeare.
Iago: Who knows what fun I can have with this… the things people will do for money… I'm about to find out exactly how much that is!
Everyone was listening and watching, some confused, others amused, and still others in horror.
Hamlet: Even me?
Iago: Even you what?
Hamlet: You didn't like me?
Iago: Hamlet… yes, even you. What you've all failed to realize is that I don't have a heart. I am the devil incarnate, and this is the devil's game. The way to win is without a single ounce of compassion. And now that I've won the game of Survivor, I will go on to win the game of life, because that's all life really is: a game. And if any of you have any grand plans of stopping me, remember this game and remember how it ended. For I am evil. And evil can never die.