Last time, on Revenge of the Island! Our campers were forced to admit things they rather wouldn't about their time on the island so far! It was a great team-building exercise… ha! Just kidding! Now they all hate each other! And have to trust each other with sensitive secrets! Now Anne Maria and Shawn have beef, and Jasmine and Sam have beef, and Scarlett and Dawn have beef, and Scott wants to give Rodney the ol' heave-ho, and Dave realized Sky doesn't like him and… oh, it's just so good! But in the end, it was Amy who was sent home after her sister finally confronted her. And Amy came to the realization that being cruel doesn't get you anywhere. I don't know why she would think that… It's worked for me so far! Don't believe me? Just watch! Right here, on Total! Drama! Revenge of the Island!
Intro plays.
The episode opens on the dock in the morning. If it weren't for the deformed seagulls flying about, the sunrise would actually be quite pleasant. Another somber figure contrasts sharply with the serene sky - Dave, sitting alone on the edge of the pier, a notebook in his lap. His face is drawn and weary, dark circles underscoring his tired eyes. With a furrowed brow, he scribbles intently onto the pages.
"The days just go on and on. They don't end. Loneliness has followed me my whole life. I can't sleep. All I feel is an emptiness deep in my-"
"Hi, Dave!"
Dave winces as his morose navel-gazing is cheerfully interrupted. Mike walks onto the dock, admiring the sky. "Come here to look at the sunrise? I think the toxic fumes actually make it more vibrant."
Dave whips around, revealing his sallow, bloodshot eyes. Mike reels back in shock. "G'ah!"
"The sun means nothing to me," Dave growls languidly.
"Were you out here all night?" Mike asks, concern creeping into his voice.
"Yes."
"Did you… sleep?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I'm not tired."
"Are you… sick?"
Dave stands, his movements slow and deliberate. "No, Mike, I WAS sick. But now I'm cured. I no longer entertain immature fantasies."
"Mike. Tell me. How do you feel about… Zoey?"
Mike hesitates, a blush creeping up into his face. "Uh, nice. I like her."
Dave's lips curl into a knowing smirk. "How does she feel about you?"
"Well, I don't know. I would HOPE-"
"Stop right there."
"Uh…"
"You don't know. You can only hope."
"Well, I can get to know-"
"NO!" Dave's sudden outburst startles a flock of rattlesnake-like seagulls, sending them screeching into the sky. Lowering his voice, Dave steps closer. "You will never know. You can never truly know someone."
"Dave…"
Dave puts his hand on Mike's shoulder and says in a hushed voice, as if he were telling a secret, "Mike, have you ever listened to Radiohead?"
MIKE CONFESSIONAL: Ok, obviously something happened with Dave in the previous challenge. He was paired with Sky, who he clearly has some sort of crush on. But everyone can tell Sky has no interest in him. Except Dave himself. And considering the challenge was about confessing secrets… somehow Dave finally realized the feeling isn't mutual.
Mike tries to dig to the root of the issue. "Is this about Sky? Did something happen in the challenge?"
Dave's expression darkens, and he looks away, evading the question. "...I don't want to talk about it," he mutters, his voice barely audible.
"Well, if there's anything I can do to help…" Mike offers.
"I don't need anyone," Dave replies with distant pessimism, waving Mike off with a dismissive hand motion.
"Dave, we're teammates. At the very least, try and help the team in the challenges."
"Yeah, whatever," Dave responds, his voice flat and uninterested.
Mike grimaces, concerned not just about Dave, but also about how this could impact the team as a whole.
Meanwhile, in the forest, Shawn and Jasmine touch base on how the challenge and its fallout has impacted their respective teams.
"…so now Anne Maria HATES me," Shawn vents. "I didn't even do anything. I just wanted to make sure I didn't get the question wrong! No way was I risking an electric shock. Those things can rewire your entire neural network."
Jasmine seems a bit wary, constantly looking behind her and scanning the forest. "That's… annoying…" She says, a bit absent-mindedly.
"What's wrong?" Shawn asks, concern edging his tone. "Are we being followed? I always feel like I'm being followed."
"Well, no, not necessarily," Jasmine says. "It's just… my partner in the challenge knows that I've been meeting with you. And that I've been talking about the team to you."
Shawn's eyes widen. "What? Was that your truth question in the challenge?"
"Basically, yeah," Jasmine confirms, her expression uneasy.
"Who was your partner? Wasn't it Sam?"
"Err, yes, it was," Jasmine admits.
"Well, what's he going to do? You've done so much for your team; he'd be foolish to risk messing it up. And honestly, he's not exactly the most popular guy on the island. No disrespect."
"Yeah, well," Jasmine hesitates, her gaze faltering. "I don't think he's too fond of me. I might have gotten a bit… intense during the challenge, and it led to Sam humiliating himself."
"What, that thing about frozen underwear? That was hilarious!" Shawn grins. His expression falters. "But if you caused that, he would definitely hold that against you."
"Exactly," Jasmine agrees, her voice laced with concern. "And it's not just that. Remember when someone was stealing stuff from Chris' trailer? Sam was the one who told Chris it was Topher."
Shawn recalls Topher's dramatic accusation of Sam in the mess hall after coming back from Boney Island. "Oh, yeah, that's right!"
"Anyway…" Jasmine's voice trails off, her hesitation clear. "I think it's best if we… stay apart. At least until the merge. I don't want my team getting any bad ideas."
Shawn's expression shifts to one of disappointment, though he tries to mask it. "Aw… I mean, if you think it's best. I wouldn't want to cause any trouble."
"Right," Jasmine says with a nod. "Any true survivalist would understand."
SHAWN CONFESSIONAL: It sucks to not be able to see Jasmine for a while, but she's probably right. It's too risky right now. It's not everyday you meet someone like her, so I don't want to screw this up!
Scarlett sits at a weathered picnic table outside the cabins, engrossed in a book. Scott briefly scans the area to see if anyone is around before approaching her. He takes a glance at her book title.
"Tractors?" He smirks, leaning in. "I could tell you all about tractors. I drive 'em all the time back on the farm."
Scarlett looks up, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. "Tractatus," she corrects, her tone clipped. "It's Latin for treatise."
"You're reading a book in Italian?"
Scarlett rolls her eyes, her patience thinning. "Latin is different from Italian," she responds coolly. "And no, this is… you know what, forget it. Do you need something?"
"Yeah, actually," Scott begins, shifting awkwardly. "There was an issue in yesterday's challenge."
"What happened?" Scarlett presses.
"Well, my partner was Rodney," Scott explains, his frustration evident. "And the question was something like, 'Who does Scott talk to the most?'"
Scarlett raises an eyebrow. "And?"
"And I had to answer, right? So, I said it was you," Scott admits. "You said I have to get the team to trust me more."
Scarlett's expression remains neutral. "And yet we still lost. And Rodney is still here."
"I tried to get the team to vote for him!" Scott argues. "I said he was throwing challenges."
"So what does he know, exactly?" Scarlett asks pointedly. "Considering it's Rodney, I'd say not much," she adds, taking advantage of the opportunity to make a cutting remark.
"All he knows is I talk to you more than anyone else on the team," Scott answers, clearly agitated.
Scarlett ponders the situation, her fingers drumming lightly on the book cover. "Rodney likely believes it's a crush of some sort."
Scott hesitates, his discomfort palpable. "So, what, we act like…"
Scarlett's expression hardens as if she's tasted something bitter. "Oh, goodness, no," she responds repellently. "The best move is to tell Rodney and ask him to keep your 'secret crush' from the rest of the team. That way, Rodney believes you see him as a trustworthy friend, the secret stays hidden, and if the idea of Rodney throwing challenges is still in people's minds, he should be gone soon anyway."
"I guess," Scott replies unenthusiastically. The plan is sound, but the idea of 'opening up emotionally' to Rodney, even if it's a ruse, does not sit well with him.
Scarlett returns to her book, her interest in Scott's predicament waning. "You know what to do," she says dismissively. "Just handle it."
SCOTT CONFESSIONAL: Why does my security on this island suddenly depend on RODNEY? That guy's an idiot. And now I have to pretend to be all vulnerable around him? This is stupid.
On another part of the island, Sky jogs along the fetid coastline. She stops to take a drink from her water bottle, looking up at an overcast sky.
"What up, fellow Maggot? Out for a warm-up?"
It's Jo, who is also out on the beach.
"Yeah," Sky responds, catching her breath. "I gotta let off some steam. Clear my head."
"I get that," Jo concurs, stretching her arms. "Exercise is a great stress reliever. That's why I'm always so calm."
Sky raises an eyebrow skeptically at Jo's claim, biting back a comment about Jo's frequent outbursts. "Right…"
"When a million dollars is at stake, everything is stressful," Jo adds, her voice taking on a competitive edge.
"It's not just that," Sky admits, her shoulders sagging slightly. "It's also the people."
Jo snorts. "That's why it takes ruthless determination to win this thing. Who cares about the others?"
Sky's face shifts in concern, but she bites her tongue. "Not caring about what people think about you might work in some situations, but not in a game where losers are voted out based on lack of popularity," Sky counters, her voice firm.
Sky counters Jo's statement. "Not caring about what people think about you might work in some situations, but not in a game where losers are voted out based on lack of popularity."
"Anyone who votes for someone just because they don't like them is stupid," Jo declares bluntly. "I only vote strategically." She pauses, scrutinizing Sky's troubled expression. "Why, do you have a hater or two out there?"
"I don't know if I'd use the word 'hater' to describe him…" Sky responds, her voice trailing off.
"'Him'? Guy troubles, eh?" Jo smirks, nudging Sky playfully.
"I guess," Sky admits uncomfortably. "It's… Dave. He's had a crush on me but I just don't feel the same way. And now he's acting weird about it."
"Weird how?"
"Just really moody," Sky replies, glancing out at the choppy waves, indicating inclement weather. "I don't know. I feel like he's gonna try and get some sort of revenge or something."
"Sky," Jo's tone shifts to something more serious, almost genuine. Sky softens, expecting a moment of real comfort. "Don't worry. Nobody likes Dave. And he's a loser idiot."
The crude remark shatters Sky's hope for solace. "Thanks, Jo," she replies half-heartedly, forcing a weak smile.
JO CONFESSIONAL: I like Sky. I respect a fellow female athlete when I see one. Even if it is gymnastics, which is just glorified dancing. And I specify female because I do NOT respect Lightning in any sense. He keeps thinking I'm a guy!
"Hey, admiral!" Jo shouts as she strides into the mess hall. She halts abruptly, surprised to see Brick sitting across from Ella, both engaged in a tranquil conversation.
Brick turns around, his brow furrowing. "What now?"
"Sorry to interrupt your tea party, but… what's that smell?" Jo stops mid-stride, her nose twitching as she sniffs the air, trying to place the unfamiliar, spicy aroma.
Brick gestures to his plate with a hint of enthusiasm. "Chef's serving something spicy. I don't know what it is, but for the first time, it actually tastes like real food."
"It's shakshuka!" Cameron pipes up from a nearby table. "A Maghrebi dish of poached eggs in a spicy tomato and pepper sauce, seasoned with cumin, paprika, and chili peppers." Cameron takes a bite and immediately screams at the intense flavor.
Jo raises an eyebrow, genuinely astonished. "Since when does Chef cook actual food?"
Brick shrugs. "I don't know, but I'm not complaining. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."
"...whatever," Jo mutters. "I came to tell you we've got a bit of a problem on our team."
"A problem? What's going on?" Brick asks.
"Dave," Jo replies, her tone growing serious. "He's a bit... 'shell-shocked' from the last challenge, if you catch my drift."
Brick looks at Jo, confusion evident. "What? You don't have to keep using military metaphors with me."
"Alright, fine," Jo concedes with a sigh. "Dave's become a liability. His behavior is erratic, his mood swings are off the charts—all because Sky rejected him."
Brick raises an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "What am I supposed to do about that?"
"You're a guy. Talk to him," Jo advises bluntly. "Get him to snap out of it. I don't want to lose any more challenges just because we have a basket case on our team."
Jo and Brick's escalating debate is interrupted by a sweeter cadence. "And why should he have to listen to you?"
Jo turns, startled to see Ella joining the conversation. "What?"
"You heard me perfectly clear," Ella says, her demeanor calm but firm. "I think you're a bad influence on him."
"Bad influence?" Jo exclaims. "What are you, his mommy? Listen, Clod-rey Hepburn, don't add any more issues to the pile. I'm trying to fix things here."
Ella remains unperturbed. "I've yet to see any evidence that your leadership is effective. Remember when you made Brick lose the challenge?"
Jo's face flushes with anger at the reminder. "Are we still on that? Get over it, princess!"
"Hold on," Brick mediates. "I can talk to him. I'm always ready to help a teammate."
Jo nods approvingly. "There's the comradery I like to see. Get his head back in the game, Brick!" Brick appears confident but the tension between Jo and Ella still hangs thick in the spicy air.
Scott pushes open the door to the Rats' boys' cabin, where Rodney is sitting, struggling to read a children's book.
"Rodney," Scott says, trying to sound authoritative. "We need to talk."
"Hold on, this is just getting good," Rodney replies, furrowing his brow at a particularly perplexing page.
Scott becomes slightly irritated, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible. "What are you doing?"
"Brushing up on some classic literature," Rodney replies with a hint of pride.
"I… what?" Scott's stops. Suddenly, he gets an idea. "Say… Rodney… you know who else likes to read a lot? Scarlett."
Rodney sighs wistfully. "Yeah… but she's your girl, right? Like from the last challenge?"
Scott winces as the insinuation that he would feel positive emotions for anyone. "Yeah, that's what I came to talk to you about…" Scott says. "I just wanted to let you know that she told me… well, she told me it's YOU she really likes."
Rodney's face lights up with a smile. "Really?"
"Yeah," Scott says, attempting to sound casual. "She's so into you."
"Wow, really?" Rodney turns bright red. "Thanks, Scott!" he beams with genuine gratitude.
Scott offers an insincere smile. "Don't mention it."
Outside, rain begins to fall steadily, pattering on the ground and creating a gloomy atmosphere. Chris, unfazed by the weather, grins broadly as he dons a bright rain jacket. "Right on schedule, just like the forecast called for," he announces with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He grabs a walkie-talkie from his pocket and switches to the intercom channel. "Alright campers, gather in front of the cabins for today's CHALLENGE!"
The 19 remaining competitors trudge through the growing mud and puddles and assemble in the clearing.
"What about the rain?" Zoey calls out, her voice tinged with concern.
"Oh, don't worry," Chris replies cheerfully. "We've got rain jackets for all of you!"
The contestants' initial apprehension transforms into pleasant surprise as Chef appears with 19 neatly folded rain jackets. They're clean, heavily insulated, and sized appropriately for each competitor. The jackets correspond to their team colors: red for the Maggots and green for the Rats.
"Chris being nice to us?" Sam points out the pleasant surprise. "Massive win!"
Topher isn't as enthusiastic. "There has to be a catch."
"The catch is they look terrible!" Anne Maria grumbles, reluctantly putting on her jacket. The material's shiny surface reflects the overcast sky.
"Why are they so shiny?" Samantha asks. "Is this latex?"
"It's polyvinyl chloride," Scarlett immediately susses out the material. "It's known for its waterproof qualities. But I've never heard of a PVC jacket paired with fleece insulation…"
"You will keep these on for the duration of the challenge," Chris adds with a grin. "And the challenge starts just down that path!"
The path leads to a large, wooden building nestled in the forest. "Welcome to our newest installation on Camp Wawanakwa!" Chris announces grandly. "The Wawanakwa Relaxation Center!"
"Since when do you care about the upkeep of this island?" Cameron asks skeptically. "The other buildings are pretty decrepit."
"Hey, don't knock the cabins," Chris retorts with a hint of defensiveness. "They're not decrepit; they're... rustic." Cameron still looks unconvinced, but Chris forges ahead. "The challenge is simple. Stay in that building as long as possible. The team that has all of its members drop out first will be up for elimination."
"The challenge is to relax?" Zoey asks, confused about the simplicity. "Anyone can do that."
"Not Lightning, Lightning never rests! Lightning is always ready for action! Sha-bam!" Lightning declares triumphantly. His eye twitches subtly, signifying his mindset may not be the healthiest.
"Yes, Zoey," Chris says, adopting a faux-soothing tone. "The challenge is indeed to relax. And I promise you, there is nothing in that building that you wouldn't find in any spa in the country." He pauses for dramatic effect. "But remember, you can't take off the coats."
The contestants' hesitation at Chris's unusual goodwill deepens with this remark. Cameron, the closest to the building, opens the door, and all 19 teens enter.
They step into a warm, dimly lit sauna that immediately envelops them in a wave of heat and humidity. The air is thick with the scent of the cedar wood that all the walls and benches are constructed of.
"Dude, it's like a sauna in here," Sam jokes. "Heh heh."
In the center of the room, a large stove radiates dry heat. A bucket of water and a ladle rest nearby. In any other context, the atmosphere would be serene. But considering everyone's attire of thickly-insulated rain jackets, it only causes hearts to sink.
A faint click comes from a speaker tucked away in the far corner of the room and Chris's voice crackles to life over the intercom. "Just as I promised," he announces, his tone both reassuring and mischievous. "There's nothing here that you wouldn't find in any other spa. And remember, don't even think about taking off those jackets! If you do, you're out of the challenge."
The weight of their rain jackets suddenly feel more oppressive in the sweltering heat.
"So that's why the jackets are so strange…" Samantha murmurs, the pieces finally falling into place.
SCARLETT CONFESSIONAL: What do polyvinyl and fleece have in common? An extreme lack of breathability. These jackets were specifically designed to maximize perspiration and discomfort. I'd admire the quite devilish craftsmanship if I wasn't wearing one myself.
The clock begins ticking as the group tries to get comfortable, if at all possible, by taking seats on the benches.
"I've been in saunas before. This challenge is so easy, I could do it in my sleep," Jo remarks confidently, taking a seat on a bench. She closes her eyes, seemingly unfazed by the oppressive heat, and leans back into a relaxed position. "And I will."
"How long is this gonna take?" Shawn asks, glancing around the room with growing unease.
Scarlett adjusts her glasses and responds in a clinical tone. "An average person is recommended to stay in a sauna for roughly 20 minutes. After that, they begin to exhibit early signs of heat exhaustion," she explains with the detached precision of someone reciting from a medical textbook. "This is assuming they are wearing minimal clothing, as is customary for such practices. In our case, one can assume that the risk of heat exhaustion is greatly accelerated due to our improper attire. I would estimate it will take roughly 10 minutes before attendees begin to experience dizziness, nausea, weakness, and-"
"-Okay, 10 minutes, that's not so bad," Zoey interrupts, cutting Scarlett off before her detailed prognosis can get any bleaker. She forces a smile but the flicker of apprehension in her eyes reveals her true feelings.
The episode cuts forward in time and a clock appears on the screen, indicating two minutes have passed.
"Man, I shouldn't have eaten that spicy food," Brick groans, clutching his reddening face.
"Chris probably gave it to us so we'd sweat more," Cameron replies. "Spicy food can do that."
"I knew Chris wouldn't give us actual good food out of the kindness of his heart," Anne Maria says, her breathing heavy and labored. "I knew he was up to something. That's why I didn't eat at all." She pauses, her exhaustion evident, before collapsing with a thud.
"Anne Maria!" Cameron cries out, rushing to his fallen teammate.
Chris' voice crackles over the intercom. "By the way, if you pass out, you're automatically out of the challenge." On cue, Chef, wearing nothing but a towel, strides into the sauna and unceremoniously drags Anne Maria out by her ankle.
Cameron rubs his chin in concern. "The lack of nutrients must have caused her to pass out…" He pauses, beginning to feel dizzy. "Come to think of it... I barely ate any breakfast either. The food was too spicy." He clutches his head, swaying slightly.
"If you want to leave, Cam, you can," Mike says, worried about Cameron's health. Zoey smiles at Mike's empathy.
"Leave?" Jo interjects, opening one eye. "You can't just quit!"
Mike's irritation flares. "Come on, just look at him! He's clearly not able to withstand any grueling physical conditions." He pauses. "No offense, Cam."
No response. Mike looks down to find Cameron already collapsed on the floor.
"Well, that solves that," Jo mutters, closing her eyes as Chef strides in and drags the second Maggot out of the room.
MIKE CONFESSIONAL: Jo's beginning to really get on my nerves. She clearly only sees her own teammates as burdens. I don't care if she's good at challenges, some things are more important than winning.
Brick sits down on a cedar bench between Shawn and Dave. Shawn peels off his beanie, drenched in sweat, and wrings it out like a sponge. Sweat pours out onto the floor. Brick recoils, his face twisting in disgust, but he forces himself to return to composure. Turning to Dave, who is seated with a vacant unblinking stare fixed straight ahead, Brick clears his throat. "Hey, Dave," he begins, his voice a mix of concern and determination. "How are you holding up, soldier?"
Dave, sitting rigidly, responds with a noncommittal grunt, barely acknowledging Brick's presence.
Brick, undeterred, shifts gears and tries to offer some encouragement. "You know," he starts, his tone growing more reflective, "I remember when I was in training, feeling like the world was closing in. My drill instructor had a way of putting things into perspective." Brick's voice hardens, taking on an intense, commanding edge. "He'd shout, 'WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR MALFUNCTION, PRIVATE? DIDN'T MOMMY AND DADDY SHOW YOU ENOUGH ATTENTION WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD?'"
The entire room goes silent as everyone turns to look at Brick. The silence is broken by Sam suddenly groaning and falling to the ground.
"Worked every time," Brick concludes. "Every… time…" his voice cracks as he trails off. A tear begins to form in his eye but he wipes it away. Dave continues to be unresponsive as Chef pulls Sam out of the challenge.
DAVE CONFESSIONAL: I'm so lonely. So lonely. Why can't people just leave me alone?
Rodney settles down on the bench next to Scarlett, who is struggling with her fogged-up glasses. The steam in the sauna has rendered her lenses nearly opaque. Rodney decides now is a good time to strike up a conversation.
"Hey, Scarlett." He pauses. "Uh… it's kinda hot in here."
Scarlett removes her glasses and begins to wipe away the condensation with a corner of her shirt. "Is there something you need from me?" She asks. She is irritated by idle small talk, but is able to keep her tone brusque but controlled.
Rodney begins to laugh nervously. "Uh, I… heh, uh… well…"
Scarlett remains patient, knowing any temperamental behavior could cause her team to mark her as a liability. "If you're feeling delirious, you should leave the sauna. It could be a sign of heatstroke."
"Okay!" Rodney responds with childish enthusiasm. "Whatever you say, nice lady! You're so true… I mean, that's a good smart… uh…" His gaze darts around, clearly flustered. "Okay, bye!" With an abrupt, almost childlike eagerness, he scrambles to his feet and bolts out of the room.
Scarlett watches him go, then calmly adjusts her glasses and returns to her previous position, as if nothing unusual had occurred. Everyone else looks baffled, exchanging glances and shrugging in confusion.
RODNEY CONFESSIONAL: Whatever Scarlett says, goes. If she has a crush on me, then clearly she knows what's best for me!
SCARLETT CONFESSIONAL: Hopefully that act of ineptitude will get Rodney voted off sooner rather than later. Scott's being overdramatic; he's definitely too stupid to figure out my tactics. However, he's been acting peculiar around me these last few hours, which is beginning to annoy me. I can't let any… less desirable… aspects of my character be exposed, so it's best to give anyone who tests my patience the boot as soon as possible. I can only imagine it's because Scott flubbed his task and told Rodney something other than… what I said. It was just busywork to make Scott feel like more of a schemer than he actually is, anyway, so it's inconsequential.
After about six minutes, the intense heat inside the sauna begins to take its toll. One by one, the campers are overcome by the suffocating warmth and the oppressive humidity. Ella is the first to succumb, her face flushed and beads of sweat cascading down her forehead as she stumbles out, gasping for fresh air. Samantha follows soon after, her breathing becoming ragged and the cool rain serving a sweet relief. Zoey's composure cracks next, and she is soon followed by Topher, concerned about how the humidity might impact his hair. Mike unzips his jacket, disqualifying him, and he exits too. Sky follows closely behind, fatigued and irritated.
The Mutant Maggots still have four; Brick, drenched in sweat; Jo, trying to look unfazed while resting her eyes; Shawn, rubbing his sweaty brow; and Dave, who sits motionless and contemplative like Rodin's 'The Thinker' statue.
The Toxic Rats still have five; Scott, eyes shifting; Scarlett, hair frizzing in the humidity; Dawn, sitting in a meditative position; Lightning, looking exhausted and defeated; and Jasmine fans herself with her hat.
Shawn takes off his beanie and squeezes out the sweat again. Everyone else recoils.
"You gotta stop doing that, man," Lightning remarks, revolted. "That's sha-nasty."
"No rule against it," Shawn replies. "It's our jackets we can't take off. Anything else is fair game." Something clicks in Shawn's brain. "Wait a minute…" He stands up and begins taking off his pants.
"Dude!" Lightning exclaims, shocked.
"There's no rule that we can't take off anything else," Shawn grins, standing in his boxers.
"I'm out," Scarlett takes the awkward opportunity to leave the sauna.
"Yea, I'm not doing that," Scott quickly follows suit, recognizing Scarlett's covert strategy of weakening the Rats' chance at winning.
Shawn is able to pull his arms inward, wiggling out of the shirt he was wearing under the jacket while keeping the jacket itself strapped to his body. "What, no one else wants to win?" He looks around in his bizarre get-up of boxers and latex jacket, seemingly baffled why no one else would want to do this on a television show broadcast to millions.
"...I'm good," Jo says, perturbed. "Appreciate the commitment, but… I'm good."
"Yeah, I can't top that," Jasmine admits, shaking her head. "Good one," she adds, giving Shawn a nod of begrudging respect as she exits the sauna.
"Lightning… is the only one on his team who's not a quitter?" Lightning pants, before collapsing on the floor. A long silence follows in the sauna's oppressive air.
"...Did we just win?" Brick asks.
"Dawn's still here," Shawn points out. He gestures toward Dawn, who remains seated in a lotus position with an almost ethereal calm.
Dawn had been so quiet and motionless that Brick didn't even notice her sitting right next to him. "G'ah!"
"She's got, like, psychic abilities," Shawn claims. "I don't think she even sweats."
Jo's eyes narrow and a smirk plays on her lips as she rises from her seat with a decisive air. "There is one way to end this quickly," Jo says. She gets up and with a quick motion goes for the zipper on Dawn's jacket.
Dawn snaps out of her trance. "Hey!"
"That's not fair!" Brick protests. "We should win this the right way!"
"What's not fair," Jo grunts as she struggles with Dawn, "...is using some magic hippie trickery!"
Dawn's voice rises in frustration as she tries to resist Jo's determined efforts. "...This won't solve your lingering insecurities about your parents' divorce!"
"Winning solves everything!" Jo declares, her voice triumphant as she finally wrestles the jacket from Dawn. She holds it up, victorious.
Chris's voice comes on the intercom. "And with that, Dawn is disqualified! The Maggots win!"
A collective sigh of relief comes over the remaining inhabitants of the sauna. "Finally, we can get out of here!" Brick sighs in relief. Everyone remaining in the sauna quickly makes for the exit. Except for Dave, Except for Dave. He remains seated, his expression both intense and vacant. His clothes and skin are drenched in perspiration but he sits unmoved.
Shawn pokes his head back in. "Uh, dude, the challenge is over."
"The challenge is never over," Dave remarks bleakly.
JO CONFESSIONAL: I can't wait for my team to give me grief for winning the challenge just because of their "ethics." They kept complaining about how I "lost" the nighttime challenge, so why can't they just get over it and see I keep this team alive?
TOPHER CONFESSIONAL: It has to be Sam tonight. He was the first guy on our team to leave the challenge.
SAM CONFESSIONAL: Topher's got this weird grudge against me. I think I may be in trouble here.
DAVE CONFESSIONAL: So unhappy. I wonder if anyone has ever been this unhappy.
As evening descends and the sky reddens, the Rats gather outside their cabin, discussing the imminent vote. Scarlett sits apart from the group on a weathered picnic table, reading, or more likely re-reading, Niccolò Machiavelli's "The Prince."
Scott motions for Sam to step aside, away from the rest of the group. His tone is outwardly friendly but tinged with urgency. "Sam, buddy," Scott puts on a veneer of camaraderie. "It's not looking so hot for you tonight."
Sam, his shoulders slumped in resignation, nods defeatedly. "I know," he replies, his voice low and disheartened. "I'm pretty screwed."
"Don't think like that," Scott placates. "There's one other guy who's also got a target on his back. Did you notice any weird behavior during this challenge?"
"No," Sam shakes his head. "I passed out about two minutes in."
"Right…" Scott's brow furrows and he strokes his chin. "Let me catch you up to speed. Rodney left the challenge pretty early. He started acting odd around Scarlett. It might be worth focusing on him. If you can shift the spotlight onto him, you might just survive tonight's vote."
"Rodney?" Sam's eyes briefly look relieved, but soon a new form of dread forms. "...I can't do that to Rodney. He's a good guy."
"You don't have to do anything," Scott replies. "Just ask him what happened in front of the team. Rodney will do the rest for you."
Sam looks down, fidgeting with his hands to distract from the morally questionable task in front of him, before rejoining the rest of the group with Scott. "Rodney…" Sam starts, hesitantly. "...What happened during the challenge? I heard you left a bit early."
Rodney blushes a bit and grins like a child. "Well, Scarlett told me to."
Scott quickly realizes that this could backfire and place a target on Scarlett. "No, she didn't," he flatly denies.
"She said I looked sick," Rodney continues. "She's always looking out for me. Isn't it great?"
"Scarlett's a good lass," Jasmine adds. "I think she's looking out for all of us." Scott releases a bit of tension, feeling the pressure leave his ally as soon as it arrived.
"Yeah, but me especially," Rodney replies.
"Why's that?" Samantha asks.
"Heh… heh…" Rodney blushes and gives no coherent answer.
Sam suddenly doubles down, seeing Rodney at a weak point. "You mean you quit the challenge just because someone told you to? If Scarlett told you to jump off a bridge, would you?"
"...Yeah."
"I think this is becoming a liability here!" Sam's voice intensifies. "You're deluded over a girl that clearly doesn't like you back, bro. We all saw what happened to Dave. We don't need that drama on our team."
"She does too!" Rodney defends.
"Then ask her!"
"But I don't wanna…" Rodney averts his gaze.
"Weren't you crushing on Staci, too? And Amy?" Sam points out, doubling down. "I'm beginning to see a pattern here. You throw off people's games by acting weird around them, and get them eliminated."
"Oh, snap!" Lightning exclaims. Scott grins.
"But… but…" Rodney blubbers.
"I think you're just a creep who's making everyone here uncomfortable," Sam posits.
TOPHER CONFESSIONAL: What the heck was that? Suddenly Sam's using psychological warfare? What happened to the lazy, timid guy from earlier?
SAMANTHA CONFESSIONAL: I don't buy what Sam's saying about Rodney causing Staci and Amy to be eliminated. Both of them were voted off by their own doing. And I know Amy, she would never be thrown off by a guy like that. And I don't think the team's gonna buy it, either.
LIGHTNING CONFESSIONAL: Lightning always knew that Rodney guy was a problem! Sha-bam!
The campfire ceremony commences under the navy blue sky. The nine Toxic Rats take their seats by the fire.
"Rats," Chris begins. "This is your sixth campfire ceremony. The Maggots have only had three. What's going on?"
"Too many conflicting personalities, Chris," Topher says, sneaking a glance at Sam.
"Whatever you say, thief," Chris dismissed Topher, clearly still bothered by Topher's burglary of his trailer.
"Come on, Chris, don't hold a grudge," Topher replies. "You're better than that!"
"Hey man," Chris jabs, smirking. "You're not exactly the 'let bygones be bygones' guy on your team. Just saying."
"What's a bygone?" Rodney asks.
"Don't worry about it, big guy." Chris dismisses, while grabbing a few marshmallows. "Here are some other people that don't need to worry about tonight's elimination." He tosses the token of survival to each person as he calls their name. "Jasmine. Dawn. Samantha. Topher."
"All right," Topher grins as he catches his sugary reward.
"Also safe are Lightning… and Scott." Chris states, reducing the remaining marshmallows by two. Scarlett raises an eyebrow at her lack of a marshmallow but does not speak.
"Scarlett," Chris states her name flatly, not revealing anything in his tone. "You… are also safe." Scarlett takes her marshmallow, feeling her safety was never in doubt but curious as to why it took so long.
"Sam and Rodney," Chris names the bottom two. "You were the first two to bow out of the challenge. Your inability to stomach a relaxing sauna day might be what costs you tonight."
"That sauna was about as relaxing as 'Dark Souls,'" Sam argues.
"Yeah, the very mentally-taxing chore of playing games for children," Chris dismisses, rolling his eyes again.
"Hey, that game is NOT suitable for children," Sam defends.
"Whatever, man," Cris shifts his focus back to the ceremony. "Whoever receives this final marshmallow is safe and can stay another day. If you get the toxic marshmallow, it's bye-bye to the million and also possibly your skin. I don't know what these things can do. It's like guessing a mystery jelly bean flavor. Heh-heh." The contestants fail to find the humor in Chris's remark.
"The final marshmallow goes to…"
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"…Sam."
"Yeah!" Sam says triumphantly.
Rodney, however, slumps in defeat, which luckily causes the toxic marshmallow to sail just above his head, slightly burning a couple stray strands of his hair. "I guess that's that, then." Rodney's voice is heavy with resignation.
Chris, leaning casually against a nearby post, barely glances in Rodney's direction. "Yep. Bye," he responds dismissively, examining his fingernails for dirt instead of giving Rodney any sympathy.
Rodney straightens up. "I'm sorry, Scarlett. Your knight has failed you!" he proclaims sorrowfully with a grand, theatrical gesture.
"What on earth are you talking about?" she asks, her tone sharp.
Rodney stammers, flustered. "What do you mean? I thought… I thought you thought…"
"No," Scarlett interjects firmly, cutting him off before he can finish his sentence.
"But… but…" Rodney's voice falters, his face flushed with bewilderment. "I heard that… I thought you…"
His words trail off, leaving an uncomfortable silence hanging between them. "That's rough, man," Chris remarks, not hiding his lack of real concern for Rodney's predicament. "Better leave now before you humiliate yourself any further." This is interrupted by the torrential sound of Chef's hose, blasting away any potential lingering radiation and leaving Rodney standing soaked.
"Awesome," Chris grins. "Since when could the hose reach all the way over here?"
"I got an extension," Chef replies simply.
"Love it. That was perfect timing," Chris commends. "Anyway, get him out of here." Chef takes the soaked country bumpkin and escorts him to the Dock of Shame.
Chris turns to the camera. "Will the Toxic Rats pull themselves together? Will anyone survive further humiliation on international TV? Will anyone survive at all? Find out right here, on Total! Drama! Revenge of the Island!"
VOTING RESULTS:
Rodney (4 votes, eliminated): Scott, Sam, Scarlett, Lightning
Sam (3 votes): Topher, Jasmine, Rodney
Scarlett (1 vote): Dawn
Scott (1 vote): Samantha
NOTES, REFERENCES, TRIVIA:
The title is a reference to the 1957 film "Sweet Smell of Success" which coincidentally also involves a lot of ruthless manipulation and morally questionable grabs for power.
Dave's line "The days just go on and on. They don't end. Loneliness has followed me my whole life. I can't sleep," is assembled from a couple voiceover journal entries made by the character Travis Bickle (Robert DeNiro) in the film 'Taxi Driver.' The exact lines are: "Twelve hours of work and I still can't sleep. Damn. Days go on and on. They don't end," and "Loneliness has followed me my whole life. Everywhere."
Scarlett is reading a book with "Tractatus" in the title. This could possibly be "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus" by Ludwig Wittgenstein or "Tractatus Theologico-Politicus" by Baruch Spinoza, both essential texts in philosophy.
Jo's insult toward Ella, "Clod-rey Hepburn," is a reference to Audrey Hepburn, a classic Hollywood actress. I'm trying to make Ella more of a 'theater kid' than a cartoon princess because I feel that's a bit more of a realistic caricature and one that the show hasn't done yet. ELla does also somewhat resemble Audrey Hepburn and Hepburn plays a princess in one of her most famous films, "Roman Holiday," so it works on multiple levels.
In order to shift her character more towards "theater kid/classic Hollywood fan" and away from "fantastical Disney princess" I even drew out an alternate character redesign for Ella where her outfit is based more on Hepburn in "Roman Holiday" than on Disney. Note that I am not an artist - /a/nBF7sI7
Brick's like "What is your major malfunction, private? Didn't mommy and daddy show you enough attention when you were a child?" is taken from "Full Metal Jacket" except instead of "private," Gunnery Sergeant Harman says "numb-nuts" which I cut because I assume that wouldn't fly on a TV show on a network for younger audiences. Also if you haven't seen the film I would not recommend looking that line up because some pretty major spoilers happen literally right after he says it.
Later on, Scarlett is reading Niccolò Machiavelli's "The Prince," which is where we get the term "Machiavellian" as the book advertises that in order to gain power, one must disregard conventional morals and be ruthless, manipulative, and cunning. Fits Scarlett's character, I think.
Sam mentions "Dark Souls" as something particularly un-relaxing. I've never played but from what I've heard the games are extremely challenging and unforgiving. The first Dark Souls came out in 2011 so if ROTI aired in 2013 then this reference would line up, timeline-wise.
Cameron says the breakfast is "shakshuka, a Maghrebi dish." If you don't know, the Maghreb is another name for Northwest Africa.