Newfoundland proved to be quite the eventful stop despite only having a reward challenge. Thanks to Heather laying the ground work to build up DJ's spirit, Alejandro swooped in to sway the gentle giant into regaining his will to win. And all it took was a bit of paint on a fish. DJ carried Irene around in a fish bowl proudly, his new beloved companion and a symbol of his broken animal curse. Not only did it do wonders to repairing the guy's spirit, the manipulation had also endeared him to Alejandro. So much so that when they saw Chris passing by in first class, they had a request.
"DJ is the only member of Team Victory left," Al started. "But we're prepared to welcome him as a full time member. If you'll allow it."
"Trying to get a numbers advantage on Team Amazon, eh?" Chris smirked. "No dice."
He wouldn't let up, still following the host. "What if DJ chose to switch teams? Like Izzy and Sierra did in Egypt?"
"No more switches, and that's final."
Now it was DJ's turn to jump in. "It's fine, I'm sure the teams are gonna merge soon anyway."
"Wrong," Chris shot back. "End of story. Chris out."
Normally Alejandro wound just leave it be. Part of what got him into such a good position in the game was maintaining a cool calm demeanor. Trying to challenge the host might show off his ulterior motives a bit too much. However... maybe this was worth pressing just a bit more. He excelled at convincing people that what he wanted would be what THEY wanted too. If he could pull this off, he'd have a guaranteed loyal pawn ripe for the picking. A little bit of appealing to Chris' showbiz side couldn't hurt, right?
"Ah, so be it. I would have thought you of all people would have strived to keep things interesting, but it seems I was mistaken. I suppose it can't be helped. You know best, after all."
The smug aura dissipated and Chris raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"Well the suspense is one of the Total Drama hallmarks that fans look forward to, is it not?" Alejandro shrugged. "If DJ were to lose a challenge there's no such thing. You can't create any drama or tension for a one man team, the viewers have no reason to watch the end of the episode. But introducing a new element to an already established team? Well that can sow chaos, unpredictability, certainly even drama. I would have expected you to find that much more interesting."
While the host tried to display an unimpressed disinterest, inwardly his mind was racing. No suspense means bored fans, bored fans means ratings drop, ratings drop means his paycheck could be effected... or even worse!
"You know what? Fine. This whole Team Victory losing streak gimmick has gotten old anyway." Chris shoved DJ towards the Latino and stormed off. "DJ, you're stuck with Team Me Is Super Amazing Incredibly Hot. Knock yourself out."
Once he regained his balance, the gentle giant perked up and grinned at his new teammate. "He actually went for it! We're on the same team!"
"Bueno," Alejandro mumbled to himself, resisting the urge to break out into a sinister chuckle. Best to remain collected in front of his new pawn. "Fantastic news indeed, amigo! It'll be a pleasure having you amongst our ranks."
*** Confessional: DJ ***
"I finally have teammates again! Man, if you woulda said things would be looking this good for me a few episodes ago, I woulda called you nuts! And even better, now I get to share a team with Alejandro. With him I know I got an ally that's reliable, dependable, and totally trustworthy!"
*** Confessional: Alejandro ***
"Sometimes I even impress myself." Finally able to let loose, Al helped himself to a hearty laugh. "Strong and gullible is a nice combination to have wrapped around my finger. Just one more step on the path to my inevitable victory."
Not long after, Chris and Chef suddenly discovered that the jet was out of fuel. The budget had been cleaned out and with no warning they were going into a nosedive. Chaos ensued for the passengers. All except Izzy, who seemingly took this as a chance for some adrenaline and dove out an emergency exit. Owen was sucked out of the still open door soon after. Moments later, the jet fell on top of both, somehow only leaving them with head injuries, and for some reason awakening Izzy's hidden galaxy brain knowledge?
Meanwhile the contestants are tasked with diving from a cliff into an electric eel filled lake to retrieve Chef's bling. Owen and Izzy must sit out, and despite having a new teammate DJ doesn't prove to be much help between tending to Irene and having a life jacket on. Tyler is also insistent on trying over and over again, failing to get any results. Alejandro attempts to save Gwen from some eels and secure the bling in the meanwhile, but Heather snags the necklace off of him to win part 1 for the Amazons.
Gwen joins the medical tent and just as Owen begins to second guess breaking up with the newly dubbed Brainzilla, Izzy does the deed herself before suddenly being scooped up by the military and out of the game. Team Amazon wins helmets for part 2, a bobsled race down a makeshift course. Each team takes three runs, with the higher accumulated time winning first class while the losing team could face elimination. Cody and Sierra did two runs while Heather and Courtney did another, but it was no use. Noah and Owen, Tyler and Alejandro, and finally DJ (with Irene) manages to curbstomp their performance and won first class yet again.
Alejandro was of course happy, but DJ carrying the fishtank around was proving to be annoying. Plus the painted on Eye of Horus was bound to fade sooner rather than later. While the team relaxed by the sea, the Latino waited for his ally's back to be turned, then yeeted the fish into the ocean.
"DJ, look!"
He gasped, running after his fishy companion and somehow already busting into tears. "Irene!"
But it was no use, she was swimming far too fast for him to catch up. Alejandro acted quickly and draped his arm around the big man sympathetically.
"Perhaps it's for the best. An ocean fish like herself isn't meant to live in a tiny bowl. Perhaps now that she's helped break your curse, she wishes for you to walk your own path."
DJ sniffled. "But what if the curse comes back? How do I know it'll be safe without her?"
"Amigo, she'll always remain with you. Right here." He did the stereotypical point towards his heart thing, offering a reassuring smile. "Plus, you're with friends. I'd say your worries are long gone."
Maybe the comforting worked too well, since DJ suddenly pulled him in for a hug. "Thanks man. I'm really gonna miss her though."
Unbeknownst to the brickhouse, Alejandro watched as a barracuda suddenly shot out of the water and swallowed Irene in a single gulp. The villain went wide eyed but said nothing, just patting his ally on the shoulder. "I'm just she'll live a long happy life..."
Time had come for the elimination ceremony. Chris looked through the passports, occasionally peeking over at the Team Amazon crew before chuckling and resuming the tally. Everyone seemed on edge, be it Heather impatiently tapping her foot, or Cody fidgeting with his arms crossed. Courtney and Gwen exchanged a look, while Sierra bounced in her seat.
"Well now! You'd think this vote would be super unpredictable, right? I mean last time you girls were here we had more than one shocker. Gwen and Courtney working together, Heather being the one who almost got the axe, Sierra getting burnt by her boytoy voting her off."
"Which I chose to forgive," the superfan shot back. "I know he'd never do it again."
"Actually he did." Chris held up a Sierra passport with a vote on it, courtesy of Cody. Then he held the rest up, showing three Heather votes and one Gwen. "In fact, you dudes voted the EXACT same way you did in the Amazon! Talk about boring. Luckily for you, Izzy got med evaced. So I'm choosing to count that as filling our elimination quota for the day."
Courtney was the first to stand up in protest. "Oh give me a break! You're just protecting Heather because she gets good ratings or whatever."
"Am not, it's totally just because of Izzy." Just ignore how in the original timeline he would have happily let DJ also get booted to put Team Victory out of its misery. "If it helps you feel any better, we ain't going anywhere due to the whole no fuel problem. So you guys can all take a mini drop of shame in spirit!"
Chef suddenly corralled the entire team and shoved them out of the plane, letting them land in a heap on the sand below. Chris looked down from the plane and sighed.
"Yeah, it ain't as good without the death fearing scream. Oh well! Guess there's always next time... assuming there IS a next time." He chuckled nervously. "I'm sure the whole no fuel no money problem will sort itself out. And once it does, you guys can come back and tune in, right here on TOTAL... DRAMA... WOOOORLD TOOOOOUR!"
Votes:
Heather: Courtney, Gwen, Sierra
Sierra: Cody
Gwen: Heather
Votes void since Izzy eliminated.
Contestants Standing:
Team Chris is Really Really Really Really Hot: Alejandro, DJ, Noah, Owen, Tyler
Team Amazon: Cody, Courtney, Gwen, Heather, Sierra
Eliminated: Duncan, Ezekiel, Harold, Bridgette, Leshawna, Lindsay, Izzy
Aftermath: Revenge of the Telethon: As the episode title indicates, a telethon is held in an attempt to raise money so the show can go on. Because DJ isn't around for the animal mauling segment, the stage never gets destroyed and the goal is reached halfway through the episode. For the second half they're able to actually fully interview those eliminated since the last aftermath. Leshawna expresses her disdain for Alejandro and Lindsay gushes over Tyler. Brainzilla still tries to show off the extent of her intelligence, eventually suffering another blow to the head and returning Izzy to normal before the episode ends.
I See London...: With the money refueling the jet, they were off to their next destination. Chris forced both teams to economy despite Alejandro's team winning the last challenge. Supposedly, first class was needed for a special guest Chris was hosting. Al played it cool and tried to have a nice calm talk with DJ, but the rest of the room was more chaotic. Gwen having to dunk her sunburnt hand in Courtney's bat poop mixture, Sierra typing on a pizza box, Noah mocking her, and Owen knocking Tyler out with a nose milkshake fueled pepper. The Latin ladies man could handle so much, so he took a walk. As he passes first class, he hears the hosts talking to a shady cloaked figure with a knife, talking about the danger the contestants would be in. He's suddenly heard and the mystery man captures him.
The crew is dropped off in London and briefed on their task, capturing Jack the Ripper. But they're also being hunted, with Alejandro already caught. Heather and DJ worries for him, Courtney and Gwen continue to bond due to their shared knowledge relevant to the challenge, while Noah seems happy to have him gone for once. After stripping a dude (don't ask), the teams enter the Tower of London and must stretch someone on a torture rack for their next clue. Sierra drags Cody away in an attempt to woo him, but all it gets is both of them raptured by the Ripper. Heather and Tyler get stretched and they're off. But not before Team Chris forgets they even left him there, ensuring Tyler's capture. With DJ nearby and knowing the brickhouse is a huge fan of Alejandro, Noah refrains from voicing his distrust of the archvillain and just stick to using the confessional... for now.
Heather keeps watch while the new gal pals check a room for clues, inevitably getting her captured by the killer. Owen tried to smuggle some meat from a banquet table but DJ asks him to refrain since he's still weary of the potential animal curse and figures the wieners could attract something. Angry corgis perhaps. The jolly giant obliges and the three head for a double decker bus while Gwen and Courtney hit up Whitechapel. The girls can't find any sign of Jack, but someone does catch their eye in a punk club. Meanwhile, the Ripper uses some spooky noises and optical illusions to send DJ running away. Noah is thrown into the door of a double decker bus, prompting Owen to act. Unfortunately without the help of the corgis, he's bested by the Ripper and both boys are captured. DJ finally doubles back to check on his team, only to find them gone and himself soon joining them courtesy of Jack. Gwen and Courtney make their way back to the jet, lugging something in their sack who's mumbling obscenities at them. But with them distracted, the Ripper gets a jump on them and rounds up all three into his own sack. Soon enough, the stragglers are dropped off in the jumbo jet.
"Wow... he actually got all of em?" Chris chuckled in disbelief. "Well I guess a deal's a deal..."
"What's the meaning of this?" Courtney grumbled, tumbling out of the Ripper's sack to see everyone else already there. "We were just getting ready to bring you back something good."
On cue, their captor pulled the extra sack out of the bag and shook it open. Out tumbled... "Duncan?" everyone called at once.
"So THIS is where you've been hiding?" Chris glared. "Thought you were slick trying to run off, did ya? Well guess what, we're forcing you back into the game. Yo Jack, good job rounding him up!"
"But WE were the ones to find him," Gwen protested, only to get ignored.
"Two people getting added at once?" Chef grumbled, shaking his head. "You shoulda just let someone get voted out last episode like you were planning."
Everyone was already confused enough as it was, but that comment got Noah extra puzzled. "What does he mean two people?"
Rather than respond, Chef removed the Ripper's hat and cloak to reveal... an old man mask underneath. But once that was ALSO removed the cast was greeted by a familiar former contestant. Just without his usual toque... and also a greenish hue to his skin.
"Ezekiel?" they yelled at once. He growled in frustration.
"I found him in the cargo, homeschooling with the rats," Chef explained.
"We promised him that if he captures all of you, he could rejoin the game," Chris added. "I figured, eh, SOMEONE is gonna get him. But you guys totally sucked out there. So I guess now I have to follow through. So yup! Ezekiel is also back in the game."
Despite the good news, all Ezekiel could do was grumble incoherent gibberish. He looked a lot more disheveled than usual, and the bags under his eyes and boney face structure wasn't helping.
"He's extremely malnourished," Alejandro observed, cautiously approaching to look over the poor state of the homeschooler. "Not to mention it seems the isolation has taken a toll on him. My cousin Lalo, he's a rather gifted psychiatrist. Might I volunteer to watch over him and help make sure he heals up?"
Chris shrugged. "I guess he technically won the challenge, so if your team is the one he wants to join, go for it."
Ezekiel looked the villain over hesitantly, not used to the genuine concern for his well being. For now he was at least still mostly there mentally, so as far as he could tell that would surely be for the best. He mumbled something that sounded vaguely positive and nodded.
"Cool, guess Zeke joins Team Me So Very Hot." He turned to the delinquent and chuckled. "So Duncan McQuitty Pants can be on Team Amazon instead. Heh, I know. It'll be weird putting a guy on a team with all girls!"
"Hey," Cody protested.
"What about elimination?" Heather quickly pointed out. "Zeke is the only one that did what he was supposed to, we shouldn't be punished for that!"
Chris hummed in thought before eventually shrugging. "Eh, good point. The challenge is a wash, so no elimination. However, since Ezekiel's team still gets first class, thems the brakes. And don't get too comfy! Because of this little weirdness, you guys can bet there won't be another reward challenge anytime soon!"
And so it was done. Alejandro smirked in satisfaction, satisfied with what seemed to be another potential loyal pawn falling into his laps. First he'd help Ezekiel enjoy a bountiful first class feast and help him with some speech therapy, then he could enjoy the free vote. Noah was more than aware of how much this sucked, he'd have to clue in his buddy Owen soon. Meanwhile, Tyler goes to the confessional only to find... Gwen and Duncan kissing? Oh boy, this was gonna be a long season...
Votes:
N/A
Contestants Standing:
Team Chris is Really Really Really Really Hot: Alejandro, DJ, Ezekiel, Noah, Owen, Tyler
Team Amazon: Cody, Courtney, Duncan, Gwen, Heather, Sierra
Eliminated: Duncan (1), Ezekiel (1), Harold, Bridgette, Leshawna, Lindsay, Izzy
Greece's Pieces: Immediately the vibe is weird in economy, with Gwen and Duncan discreetly sharing looks but the former feeling immense guilt over going behind Courtney's back. Heather starts to pick up that something weird is going on, but when she turns to Sierra for a second opinion she's too busy trying to hang with Cody. In first class Alejandro makes strides in getting Ezekiel back to relatively normal standing, while DJ questions why Tyler is so on edge. He doesn't want to talk about it. Noah indicated to Owen that they need to talk, but it'll have to be somewhere more private. Owen misinterprets what he means and points out that his breakup with Izzy is too fresh on the mind, though he's flattered.
After a location mixup, the crew lands in Greece for a series of Olympic themed challenges. Duncan and Ezekiel square off in a fight to claim a medal from a bear, all while having to sing to make up for lost time. Zeke's singing isn't exactly music on the ears, but it counts and he ultimately wins thanks to his more animalistic approach. Heather bests Alejandro in a hurdles race, while Owen takes home a wrestling win with Tyler after Courtney and Sierra fight each other. Team Chris wins. Gwen has spent the episode stewing in her guilt, torn between coming clean to Courtney or shutting down Duncan. Tyler watches on nervous, but while Alejandro also picks up on his nervousness he has no reason to force the info out of him just yet. At the ceremony, a certain superfan is shocked to hear her name as the loser. Seems Cody had approached his teammates with a plea to help him, and the likes of Heather and Duncan were more than happy to oblige to keep themselves safe. Sierra is a sobbing mess when pushed out of the plan but while he's a bit guilty, the fact that he'll be able to sleep without one eye open convinces Cody that he'll get over it.
Votes:
Sierra: Cody, Duncan, Gwen, Heather
Heather: Courtney, Sierra
Contestants Standing:
Team Chris is Really Really Really Really Hot: Alejandro, DJ, Ezekiel, Noah, Owen, Tyler
Team Amazon: Cody, Courtney, Duncan, Gwen, Heather
Eliminated: Duncan (1), Ezekiel (1), Harold, Bridgette, Leshawna, Lindsay, Izzy, Sierra
Chore of the Worlds: See, the episode title is changed because Duncan and Courtney aren't technically broken up yet. Anyway, Heather tries to made friendly with Cody after helping with his Sierra problem, suggesting that perhaps they could target Duncan next before something happens between him and Gwen. Courtney overhears this part and protests, saying they'd never betray her like that. Cue awkward looks from Gwuncan. With Alejandro distracted by Zeke rehab, Noah tried to take Tyler aside to get him as an ally. But the Latino has done well to get in his good graces, plus the jock is still on edge because he's sitting on the confessional kiss info.
After the jet is zapped by UFOs, the gang winds up in Area 51 and must sneak in and retrieve an alien artifact to win. Ezekiel is captured at one point to be experimented on, prompting half of Team Chris to break him out while the other tries to find an artifact. Alejandro takes Tyler on the later duty and squeezes the tea out of him on Duncan and Gwen. Speaking of which, the goth and punk meet up during their search and share another kiss. Duncan is all for continuing what they have, but as she's starting to really enjoy her friendship with Courtney, Gwen thinks they need to come clean. Meanwhile, Cody deals with alien clones on himself, while Heather secures the bag.
Tyler accumulates multiple injuries throughout the challenge, all leading up to him tripping and squashing their alien specimen when trying to bring it to Chris. This allows Team Amazon to finally win again. Try as Noah may, Tyler won't backstab his bro. Ironic, since Tyler himself winds up taking the drop after getting enough votes. With DJ and Ezekiel as pawns, Alejandro sees no use in keeping around an ally that could hold them back with their injuries. The celebration of finally surviving a ceremony causes Ezekiel to finally speak a coherent sentence again.
Votes:
Tyler: Alejandro, DJ, Ezekiel
Alejandro: Noah, Owen
Noah: Tyler
Contestants Standing:
Team Chris is Really Really Really Really Hot: Alejandro, DJ, Ezekiel, Noah, Owen
Team Amazon: Cody, Courtney, Duncan, Gwen, Heather
Eliminated: Duncan (1), Ezekiel (1), Harold, Bridgette, Leshawna, Lindsay, Izzy, Sierra, Tyler
Picnic at Hanging Dork: With Ezekiel's rehab mostly complete and two loyal allies locked in, Alejandro now turns his sights to sowing chaos for Team Amazon. While Owen laments Tyler's bad luck during breakfast, Alejandro accidently lets it slip what he was told and exposes Duncan and Gwen's cheating to everyone. Courtney is incensed and lunges at Duncan, forcing Heather to hold her back. Cody despairs over Gwen kissing someone else that isn't him, while the goth herself shrinks down in embarassment since she was just gearing up to come clean herself. Noah is unamused with the dirty tactics and tries to use this as a point to sway DJ to his and Owen's side.
After breaking up with her boyfriend and lambasting what she thought was quickly becoming one of her best gal pals, Courtney decides she can just throw the challenge and hopefully convince Heather and Cody to help her vote Duncan out. However, as much as she loves the chaos Heather does not want to lose on purpose. Through a series of convoluted conveniences and Cody digging deep to win and earn Gwen more time to smooth things over, Team Amazon gets a come from behind win. The vote is in DJ's hands but when it's all said and done, Alejandro's hooks are in him too deep. Owen is cut for always annoying the mastermind with the "Al" nickname, and Noah sighs at his inevitable fate if they lose again.
Votes:
Owen: Alejandro, DJ, Ezekiel
Alejandro: Noah, Owen
Contestants Standing:
Team Chris is Really Really Really Really Hot: Alejandro, DJ, Ezekiel, Noah
Team Amazon: Cody, Courtney, Duncan, Gwen, Heather
Eliminated: Duncan (1), Ezekiel (1), Harold, Bridgette, Leshawna, Lindsay, Izzy, Sierra, Tyler, Owen
Sweden Sour: Heather consoles a sobbing Courtney in first class, just happy to be firmly in the safe zone for once on the show. Duncan insists that they should just forget his ex, noting that they could just scoop up Cody as an ally and enjoy an easy ride through the game. However, the extra time spent with Courtney being friendly towards her makes Gwen second guess this relationship to begin with. Cody agreed to voting Courtney out so it was up to the goth to make a decision on what to do.
Chris tasks the gang with building a boat and making them fight each other in nautical combat. One funky song later, and Team Chris is left with a much better vessel compared to the Amazons. With Alejandro leading, Zeke being a menace, and Noah just generally working overtime since his ass is grass if they lose, Team Chris ends up with the win. Heather is in agreement to vote off Duncan, more because having a showmance on the team is too risky for her own sake than anything. Gwen shocks everyone with her eventual decision. She helps eliminate Duncan, having approached Courtney with an apology earlier on. While he's hurt, she explains that there's still a chance to persue something after the show if he still wants to. But she hates how they went about things and felt she owed it to Courtney. With a mix of emotions, Duncan leaves the jet for good this time.
Votes:
Duncan: Courtney, Gwen, Heather
Courtney: Cody, Duncan
Contestants Standing:
Team Chris is Really Really Really Really Hot: Alejandro, DJ, Ezekiel, Noah
Team Amazon: Cody, Courtney, Gwen, Heather
Eliminated: Duncan (1), Ezekiel (1), Harold, Bridgette, Leshawna, Lindsay, Izzy, Sierra, Tyler, Owen, Duncan (2)
Aftermath: Aftermayhem: With 8 people left on the cast, there's no need for a returnee challenge. Instead the show has a focus on Geoff's rivalry with Blaineley, the two constantly trying to one up each other, especially after it's revealed she had tricked Bridgette into going to Russia. For the elimination group interviews, Tyler comically winds up injured again, getting concern from Lindsay. Sierra laments being eliminated by her precious Codykins, prompting the others to try and convince her to move on, and Owen shouts out his buddy Noah and roots for him to get one over on Alejandro. The bulk of the interviewing is focused on Duncan, diving deep on his betrayal of Courtney and Gwen voting him off. He confirms that Gwen's choice stings, but he relents that he should have broke it off with his girlfriend before making the move. He's hopeful to smooth things over with Gwen going forward, but partially defends himself after pointing out how controlling Courtney had become.
Niagara Brawls: Everyone sleeps in the cargo and is dropped straight into the top of the waterfall, only barely able to avoid going over thanks to some swan paddle boats. Chris leads them to a casino to congratulate the final eight on making it to the merge, announcing that today they'll be getting married for a pairs challenge. When Cody points out that there's more men than women left, Chris selects him to be a bride along with the rest of them. Gwen is relieved to get DJ, Heather is annoyed to be paired with Alejandro, and Courtney snarks that Ezekiel is an upgrade compared to her last man. This of course leaves Cody with Noah by default, which Chris is eager to tease them about throughout the episode.
Despite being the team that gets along the best, Gwen and DJ get caught between bickering between the Courtney/Zeke pair and the Cody/Noah pair, causing all to lose. Heather and Alejandro sneak in a win, with Chef noting that they seem like a genuine couple which both quickly deny. Gwen is optimistic that Courtney will forgive her, but the CIT is still spiteful and would like to eliminate the goth. Heather meanwhile would rather target Alejandro since he's growing too powerful. Luckily for her, Noah is all ears. Since the villain himself is safe, they must target one of his pawns. DJ may be able to be reasoned with later, so the now recovered Ezekiel is selected. He's tossed off the plane, but there's always landing gear, yo!
Votes:
Ezekiel: Cody, Gwen, Heather, Noah
Noah: Alejandro, DJ, Ezekiel
Gwen: Courtney
Contestants Standing:
Merge: Alejandro, Cody, Courtney, DJ, Gwen, Heather, Noah
Eliminated: Duncan (1), Ezekiel (1), Harold, Bridgette, Leshawna, Lindsay, Izzy, Sierra, Tyler, Owen, Duncan (2), *Merge*, Ezekiel (2)
Chinese Fake-Out: With one of his allies gone, Alejandro turns his sights to Courtney in her irritated state. Perhaps he can make a pawn out of her with promise to assist her against Gwen, though DJ is against the idea since the goth is his friend. Noah and Heather forge a more solid alliance, both with the mutual goal to take down Alejandro. And then there's Cody with Gwen, trying to be her royal night despite having no chance of escaping the friend zone. The gang arrives in China, told they must race over the Great Wall but Chris too distracted by constant phone calls to give them a full rundown. Courtney is the only one to not make it across the finish line in time for part 2.
The next portion is an eating challenge, something Alejandro has been dreading all season. He bargains with Courtney to help eat the food for him in exchange for helping with the vote, but he's eventually found out by Heather and disqualified. Herself, DJ, Cody, and Noah are all knocked out for one reason or another, eventually leaving Gwen as the immunity winner. Seeing that Courtney is going to continue holding a grudge as long as the game is going on, Gwen relents and goes with Cody's suggestion to vote the CIT out. Votes are all over the place but in a shock, DJ is the one to make the decision, going against Alejandro's wishes since he has grown tired of Courtney's attitude. A tear is now formed between the pair and Gwen sighs sadly over the lost potential of the friendship she'd been forming before the kiss.
Votes:
Courtney: Cody, DJ, Gwen
Heather: Alejandro, Courtney
Alejandro: Heather, Noah
Contestants Standing:
Merge: Alejandro, Cody, DJ, Gwen, Heather, Noah
Eliminated: Duncan (1), Ezekiel (1), Harold, Bridgette, Leshawna, Lindsay, Izzy, Sierra, Tyler, Owen, Duncan (2), *Merge*, Ezekiel (2), Courtney
African Lying Safari: DJ attempts to plead his case to Alejandro, saying he had to do what he did as a one time thing. The villain tries his best to keep his composure, angry as he is he can't afford to lose another ally after losing Ezekiel and Courtney back to back. Noah feels confident, knowing that his target's days are numbered, though Heather's affinity for her rival is starting to give her doubts. Gwen wonders if she did the right thing despite Cody's insistence that it had to be done.
Chris announces that Ezekiel was found once again stowing away on the plane, thankfully still human after his rehabilitation from the last time, but he wishes to nip this in the bud early. He's made a similar setup to the London challenge. The others will be hunting Ezekiel, if someone succeeds they get immunity and if he avoids them all he can rejoin the game. Alejandro seems poised to ace the challenge, but DJ gets the win right from under his nose at the last minute. He insists that it's probably fine. After spending much of the challenge courting Heather and convincing her that they need to work together, Heather decides to betray her own ally. The vote is revealed to be a tie, but Chris says that due to budget cuts he's just going to boot both guys! Noah is mostly satisfied to take his rival down with him, but is angry at the backstab. Alejandro is devastated but before he can protest, Chris hogties a still hiding Ezekiel to him to ensure the stowaway will FINALLY leave the plane for good. All three are sent packing.
Votes:
Alejandro: Cody, Gwen, Noah
Noah: Alejandro, DJ, Heather
Contestants Standing:
Merge: Cody, DJ, Gwen, Heather
Eliminated: Duncan (1), Ezekiel (1), Harold, Bridgette, Leshawna, Lindsay, Izzy, Sierra, Tyler, Owen, Duncan (2), *Merge*, Ezekiel (2), Courtney, Alejandro and Noah
Rapa Phooey!: DJ chooses to bring Heather to first class. He can tell she's upset over Alejandro being gone and says she should have made her feelings known. She vehemently denies the accusations and instead focuses on the game. They agree they need to work together since Cody and Gwen are a solid pair. And they're right, since the friends in question solidify their plans for a final two, and anticipate targeting Heather next if possible.
An Easter egg themed challenge unfolds on, where else, Easter Island. The respective allies work together, bust out a banger of a song, and brave a fight against a vicious condor with Gwen ultimately winning. Unfortunately it's just a reward challenge, but her and Cody can at least enjoy first class.
Awwwwww Drumheller: With Sierra not around, Cody never realizes that it's his birthday. RIP my man blud. Anyway, with not a whole lot changing between the dynamics, the final four enjoys some peace with the game quickly coming to a close. Gwen and Cody have become closer friends than ever, though decidedly JUST friends. DJ commends Heather for being much more pleasant than the last time she reached this far, though this makes her wonder if she's lost her edge. Maybe she needed Alejandro around to keep the respect a villain deserves.
Gwen manages to win the first part of the challenge when it comes to building dinosaurs. However, Heather is the first to bring back an oil drum with no Alejandro to stop her progress. DJ decides Cody would be the easier one to fight in a tiebreaker and prepares for battle. But in a twist, Heather tries to prove her villainous edge hasn't left by betraying them. But in a freak accident, a celebrating Cody accidently sets his shoe on fire and kicks it away towards some spilt oil. The Jumbo Jet is blown up and Chris furiously ejects Cody from the game. DJ is still in, very awkward for Heather.
Votes:
DJ: Cody, Gwen, Heather
Cody: DJ
Votes void due to Cody blowing up plane
Contestants Standing:
Merge: DJ, Gwen, Heather
Eliminated: Duncan (1), Ezekiel (1), Harold, Bridgette, Leshawna, Lindsay, Izzy, Sierra, Tyler, Owen, Duncan (2), *Merge*, Ezekiel (2), Courtney, Alejandro and Noah, Cody
Hawaiian Style: The fourth Aftermath is live from the finale location, though many are worried that the final three can even make it there with the jet destroyed while stuck in Drumheller. Bridgette is back to host with her boyfriend, Blaineley having been fired after her actions in the last Aftermath. At least she isn't horribly injured in this timeline? One song later, it's time for everyone to choose a support group.
Team DJ: Courtney, Ezekiel, Tyler, Sierra, Lindsay, Katie and Sadie, Beth
Team Gwen: Leshawna, Harold, Noah, Duncan, Owen, Izzy, Trent, Justin, Eva
Team Heather: Alejandro
Bridgette is upset to see Heather with only one supporter and tells a few from each of the groups to switch sides. Once that's done, a challenge is held for people to potentially help their supported finalist in the finale. Each team must choose a representative. Courtney, Harold, and Alejandro all volunteer. My favorite World Tour song proceeds to happen, just with Al replacing Owen's parts. In the end Al does the best while Harold gets runner up, winning their finalists a wheelbarrow and baby stroller respectively.
Planes, Trains, and Hot Air Mobiles: Chris let's the finalists know that they're on their own getting to Hawaii. Furthermore, whoever gets there last will be eliminated, narrowing it to the final two. Cody helps out Gwen despite being eliminated and injured following the plane explosion. Meanwhile Heather has to dig deep since DJ now also wants her eliminated.
Shenanigans ensue with everything from hot air balloons, to horse rides, to fireworks, and everything in between. Everyone eventually makes it to Tijuana Beach to hitch a speedboat for the final stretch. When it's all said and done, Gwen makes it to Hawaii first thanks to Cody's help. It's a photo finish for the other spot but Heather manages to outsmart her opponent to secure her safety. The crowd loudly boos her being in the finale instead of DJ, but she's unbothered.
Contestants Standing:
Final Two: Gwen and Heather
Eliminated: Duncan (1), Ezekiel (1), Harold, Bridgette, Leshawna, Lindsay, Izzy, Sierra, Tyler, Owen, Duncan (2), *Merge*, Ezekiel (2), Courtney, Alejandro and Noah, Cody, DJ
Hawaiian Punch: The finale is here and the game has come down to one of Total Drama's original rivals. Most of Team DJ moves to support Gwen, with only Courtney joining Team Heather. Chris allows the finalists to choose two helpers for the finale. With Cody injured, Gwen chooses Duncan and Leshawna. Heather chooses Alejandro, while Courtney volunteers in a bid to help defeat Gwen and Duncan. The two must build a dummy of their opponent using wood and pineapples, then carry it up the volcano. First to toss their dummy in wins.
A long battle ensues, Duncan and Courtney feuding hard as helpers while Leshawna stands in for all of Alejandro's victims to try and deal with him. It all comes down to one final duel for Gwen vs Heather, with one getting the upper hand and tossing in their idol. Who pulls it off? I guess that's for you to decide. Either way Ezekiel jumps in to try and steal their briefcase, but maybe now that he isn't feral he only gets dog piled by the rest of the cast instead of falling into a volcano. Gotta take the W where he can get it.
Final Standing:
Eliminated: Duncan Eliminated: Ezekiel 17th: Harold 16th: Bridgette 15th: Leshawna 14th: Lindsay 13th: Izzy *Ezekiel and Duncan return* 12th: Sierra 11th: Tyler 10th: Owen 9th: Duncan *Merge* 8th: Ezekiel 7th: Courtney 6th/5th: Alejandro and Noah 4th: Cody 3rd: DJ Winners/Runner Ups: Gwen and Heather
Author's Note:
Wow, what a chapter. And hey, have you ever wanted to ask me a question related to writing, the show, how to play the saxophone or whatever else? Then come on down to the Total Drama subreddit, tomorrow the 23rd to ask me your burning questions during my AMA!
... why yes, I did just get out a quickie "What If?" style chapter instead of the new season predictions or a Battle of the Generations update just so I could promote the AMA, how could you tell? Anyway, with this one I was torn between doing either "What if Chris did allow DJ to join Alejandro's team" and "What if the Ripper caught everyone, making Ezekiel rejoin," so in the end I just combined them since making them separate chapters would be a bit derivative. Hope it turned out OK. The love triangle was probably the main thing I struggled with deciding on how this would change things. Probably because I don't like that storyline in canon so much, oops.