Ep 5. It's Like the Worst Cocktail Party Ever

It's Like the Worst Cocktail Party Ever is the fifth episode of Survivor season 38. The episode begins with the contestants returning to camp after the tribal council. David, who had played an idol, was saved, and Wendy was voted out. Most of the players are still processing the vote and trying to figure out who to trust moving forward.

The next day, the contestants are met with a surprise when host Jeff Probst shows up at their camp with a package. Inside the package are trays of appetizers and drinks, announcing that it's time for a Survivor "social." The contestants are excited at first, but the excitement quickly wears off as they begin to realize that this social is more of a strategy session with Jeff than a fun party.

Jeff sits down with each tribe and talks to them about how the game is progressing so far. He asks the players who they are aligned with and who they think is on the bottom of their tribe. The players are hesitant to reveal too much, but Jeff manages to tease out some interesting tidbits.

On the Manu tribe, Reem is feeling isolated after her blow-up with Keith in the previous episode. She tells Jeff that she wants to be more involved in the tribe's decisions, but the other players seem to be ignoring her. Keith, on the other hand, is feeling more comfortable and confident after avoiding elimination at the last tribal council. He tells Jeff that he's working on building stronger relationships with the other players.

Over on the Kama tribe, the players are feeling more united. Ron and Julie talk about their tight bond, and Joe and Aurora reveal that they are working together. Aurora confides to Jeff that she's worried about the all-girls alliance that has formed, but Joe reassures her that the alliance is not as strong as it seems.

After the social, the Manu tribe receives tree mail announcing that their next challenge will involve balls. The tribe is excited, but Reem is feeling left out again. She tells the other players that she's not feeling well and doesn't think she'll be able to compete. The other players try to encourage her, but Reem still feels left out.

The challenge involves a balancing portion where the players must balance on a narrow beam while holding a ball above their heads. After the balancing portion, the players transfer the ball to a cradle that they must carry to the finish line. The first tribe to get all three balls across the finish line wins immunity.

The challenge is close, with both tribes staying neck-and-neck. However, the Kama tribe pulls ahead in the end and wins immunity. The Manu tribe is devastated, knowing that they will have to go to tribal council once again.

Back at camp, the alliance between Chris, Rick, and Wardog is feeling solid. The three are confident that they can sway the other players to vote out one of the weaker players, like Reem or Wendy. However, David is feeling uneasy. He knows that he's on the bottom of the tribe and is worried that he might be the next to go.

David decides to approach the other players and try to form an alliance with them. He talks to Kelley and Lauren about banding together with him and hoping to sway the others to vote out one of the stronger players, like Wardog or Chris. However, the women are hesitant, knowing that they need Chris and Wardog to help them win challenges.

As tribal council approaches, the players are feeling the pressure. Reem is feeling sick and is unsure if she'll be able to make it through the council. The other players are discussing their plans, trying to figure out who they should vote for.

At tribal council, tensions are high. Jeff asks the players about their thoughts on strategy and how the game is progressing. David tells the other players that he wants to form a new alliance and shake things up. Wardog, Chris, and the others are visibly uncomfortable, but the vote is still up in the air.

In the end, the tribe decides to vote out one of the weaker players, as planned. However, there's a surprise twist when Jeff announces that the person who receives the most votes will be sent to the Edge of Extinction. The players are shocked, knowing that they will now have to deal with an eliminated player potentially re-entering the game. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as the tribe votes and waits to see who will be sent to the Edge of Extinction.