An Emerging Plan

An Emerging Plan
Episode Information
Version	United States
Season	Panama
Episode Number	8/16 (177)
Original Release	March 30, 2006
Viewership (in Millions)	16.25
Ratings/Share (18-49)	5.8/17
Episode Chronology
Previous	"A Closer Look"
Next	"The Power of the Idol"
Subpages

An Emerging Plan is the eighth episode of Survivor: Panama.

Story

“	It's bittersweet for one Survivor stranded alone on Exile Island. Even though the company is nice, one castaway struggles with the monotony of camp life. When the two tribes finally become one, the Survivors celebrate together, but hidden agendas quickly take over the camp. Building a bigger shelter becomes a dangerous project and leaves one Survivor with a chipped tooth and a cut lip.	”
—Episode Synopsis

Night 15

During the night, it begins to rain and Courtney Marit has a horrible time sleeping between being soaking wet and dealing with Shane Powers's elbows.

Day 16

At Casaya, a miserable Courtney and Danielle DiLorenzo discuss getting rid of Shane, who adamantly wanted out of their alliance. While tidying up his rock garden Bruce Kanegai feels like he is the odd man out and he hopes that he can make it to the merge.

Sally Schumann looks for the Hidden Immunity Idol at Exile Island, and is happy to still be in the game. She wonders if Terry has already found the idol.

At La Mina, Tree Mail indicates that there is treasure to be found on the back of their beach. The three men take a walk to find it and discover a boat with a crate inside. A note tells them to pack up their things and meet up with Casaya where they can open the crate together. The tribe thinks it's time for the merge.

When the lazy Casaya tribemates see Nick Stanbury, Austin Carty and Terry Deitz coming, they quickly scarf down the rest of their rice so that they don't have to share it. They agree to go to the final six together. Upon Sally joining them from Exile Island, the castaways open the crate and it confirmed that they are now a merged tribe. They share all of the food within and La Mina is pleased with how well they have been welcomed by Casaya.

Bruce finds himself in the swing vote position, entertaining both an offer from Terry and leadership respect from Shane and Aras Baskauskas. While working on a new shelter, Nick cut through some rope and accidentally hit Bruce in the face with the machete, splitting his lip and chipping his tooth. Nick is mortified but Bruce is okay and doesn't let it affect his game.

Day 17

The former La Mina members attempt to recruit a fifth member into their alliance but Austin has no luck with Aras, and Terry has no luck with Shane or Cirie Fields. At the Immunity Challenge, Terry hangs on the longest and wins the first individual immunity.

Day 18

Casaya gathers together and debates on whether to vote for Austin or Nick. Shane annoys the former La Mina tribe members, earning their votes. Austin reveals his strategy to appear weak in the Immunity Challenge but ultimately Nick is voted out 6-4.

Challenges

Immunity Challenge: Vampire Bats
The castaways must use their arms and legs to hang onto a raised log for as long as possible. The last person left hanging wins.
Winner: Terry Deitz

Tribal Council

Tribal Council 7: Gitanos
Voted Against	Voter
Nick (6 votes)	Aras, Bruce, Cirie, Courtney, Danielle, Shane
Shane (4 votes)	Austin, Nick, Sally, Terry
VOTED OUT: Nick Stanbury

Voting Confessionals

Austin and Courtney's confessionals were shown in the episode.

	Nick	“	(voting against Shane) Shane, I'm giving you a vote tonight. Just kind of a shot across your bow, but regardless if I put your name down...	”

	Austin	“	(voting against Shane) Cool guy, man. Just voting for you 'cause you led the charge to get me outta here. Best of luck, man.	”

	Terry	“	(voting against Shane) Shot in the dark. We'll see what happens.	”

	Sally	“	(voting against Shane) I'm just voting with the tribe. You're a great leader, and probably a pretty pointless vote, but...	”

	Bruce	“	(voting against Nick) Nick, it has been truly a pleasure and an honor to do battle with you. This is just part of our team strategy. Love you, buddy.	”

	Cirie	“	(voting against Nick) Nothing personal, just strategy. Sorry.	”

	Shane	“	(voting against Nick) It was a pleasure. I'll see you soon.	”

	Courtney	“	(voting against Nick) This makes me really sad.	”

	Aras	“	(voting against Nick) Just the numbers thing, man.	”

	Danielle	“	(voting against Nick) Nothing personal. You're a great guy.	”

Final Words

	Nick	“	All you kids in your mid 20s that are in my situation, confused, not sure which direction life's pulling you, you're just trying to find yourself. I urge us all, please, be hungry, be foolish, block out the noise, find yourselves, be who you potentially are, and be true to your dreams, and what you really want to do. If we all maximize that personal freedom, then we'll change the world.	”

Still in the Running

Tina 16th	Melinda 15th	Misty 14th	Ruth Marie 13th	Bobby 12th	Dan 11th	Nick 10th	Aras Gitanos
Austin Gitanos	Bruce Gitanos	Cirie Gitanos	Courtney Gitanos	Danielle Gitanos	Sally Gitanos	Shane Gitanos	Terry Gitanos

Trivia

• The two tribes merged on Day 16, setting the record for the earliest merge in the history of the show, tied with "Million Dollar Decision" in San Juan del Sur. This record would be broken by "Ready to Play Like a Lion" in Survivor 41, where the tribes merged on Day 12.
• This would be the last time someone is voted out post-merge and does not become part of the jury until "Blindside Time" in Survivor: Caramoan.
• The episode title is a pun on the word "merge".