Ep 11. This Is Extortion

This is Extortion, the eleventh episode of the 40th season of the long-running reality TV show Survivor, which aired on April 22nd, 2020.

As with the rest of the season, this episode is set on the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji, where 20 returning champions are competing for a grand prize of $2 million. The episode begins with the remaining 9 castaways returning to camp following the highly-suspenseful Tribal Council of the previous episode, in which two players were voted off and one idol was played. They are all feeling the pressure as they move closer to the finish line.

The first scene of the episode features the Edge of Extinction, where Natalie, Amber, and Danni – the three players voted off earlier in the game – are living in difficult conditions, struggling to survive. Nevertheless, they continue to work towards earning Fire Tokens – items that can be used to buy advantages in the game – by undertaking various challenges set by the producers.

Back on the main island, the remaining castaways receive a surprise package containing a message inviting them to go on a jungle excursion. They are accompanied by Jeff Probst, the host of the show, and taken to a remote location where they are greeted by their loved ones – spouses, siblings, and children – who have been flown in to spend a few hours with them. The emotive reunion is one of the most touching moments of the season, with many castaways breaking down in happy tears in an introspective moment of the show.

After the family visit, the castaways return to camp to resume their gameplay. In an individual Immunity Challenge, players must race through a water obstacle course, retrieve a key from a submerged puzzle, and unlock a chest containing a ball. They then must manoeuvre the ball through a maze using only their hands, and be the first to land it on a narrow platform. The competition is tight, with all castaways fiercely vying for the protection of the Immunity necklace. In the end, one player prevails, earning a crucial advantage in the upcoming Tribal Council.

As night falls, the players decide to test their relationships and alliances, in hopes of securing their standing in the game. The first major development of the episode occurs when one of the players, realizing he is on shaky ground, attempts to blackmail two of his allies by demanding they surrender their Fire Tokens to him in exchange for his group vote at the next Tribal Council. This marks the first instance of overt extortion in Survivor history, and creates a stir among the castaways as they contemplate the consequences of accepting or rejecting the offer.

Meanwhile, a rival alliance of three players hatches a plan to blindside one of their opponents, who they believe is too powerful and can easily win the competition. They scramble to gather four votes for their plan, but the complexity of the web of alliances on the island makes it difficult to get everyone on board, and tension mounts as they face the possibility of an unexpected outcome.

At Tribal Council, Jeff Probst guides the players through the ritualistic ceremony, and the players take turns voicing their suspicions and allegiances, trying to gain insight into the feelings and loyalties of their fellow competitors. As the votes are tallied and the torches are snuffed, viewers are kept on the edge of their seats by the twist ending, as the unthinkable happens and one of the most revered players on the island is voted out by a surprising margin.

The episode ends with a sneak peek into the following episode, setting up an intriguing cliffhanger for viewers to ponder until the next week's installment.

Overall, This Is Extortion is a non-stop, action-packed episode that offers viewers plenty of drama and intrigue. As one of the pivotal points of the season, it is sure to be talked about by fans and critics alike, and provides ample evidence of why Survivor remains one of the most enduring and beloved shows on television today.