In the first episode, Maarumu and Rotu compete solely for immunity, leaving the reward challenge absent, considering the first challenge is usually for fire, this time, they have decided to give the Survivors no fire or food. They must fend for themselves. Rotu wins immunity, and Maarumu votes off Peter Harkey.

The teams compete for a reward. The Rotu tribe successfully steals their second win overall, leaving Maraamu with a lot of ground to make up. In the immunity challenge, Rotu swipes their third win, leaving Maraamu no choice, but to eliminate a second player from their tribe. With the vote split between Patricia and Sarah, Patricia is voted out, 4-3.

One tribe experiences multiple injuries, while the other deals with internal strife.

After receiving tree mail, the two tribes met host Jeff Probst at what they thought would be their next Reward Challenge. However, they soon discovered that their lives were about to be turned upside down. Jeff instructed them to each stand on one of 13 wooden discs placed randomly in front of them. He then began the Survivor Switch. As jaws dropped and tears swelled in the eyes of the Rotu tribe members, they realized what was taking place. Underneath each disk was a colored buff, blue representing Rotu, and yellow representing Maraamu. As each person stepped off their disc and turned it over, the color of their buff revealed to which tribe the castaway would now belong. When it was all over, Sean, Rob and Vecepia found themselves the new members of Rotu, while Neleh, Paschal and Kathy switched over to Maraamu.

In a surprising turn of events, Rotu loses both challenges, and officially, John becomes a leader for his tribe. Rob, however, sees through this, and schemes to get John ousted, with help from Sean, Vecepia and Gabe. In the end, everyone votes for Gabe, leaving not only himself surprised, but the viewers as well.

One tribe ponders their current situation and attempts to insert their "never say die" attitude into the next immunity challenge.

The two tribes merge into one, Soliantu. A new rule in the game is introduced at tribal council, the person with immunity has the choice to keep it or give it up to someone else.

A powershift occurs in Soliantu.

Highlights and never-before-seen footage recap castaways' first 24 days on the island of Nuku Hiva.

Sean and Paschal's relationship becomes stronger when they win a feast and tribal dance.

Sean serenades a tearful, homesick Vecepia on her birthday and makes cheering her up a priority. Paschal and Neleh won the reward challenge, but resentment grows among their tribemates when they return and share their joyful experience with them.

A visit from family members for each castaway brings them to tears. Neleh's mother, Rebecca, was first to reveal herself. Next came Kathy's son Pat, followed by Robert's sister Diana, Sean's buddy Daryl, Vecepia's fiance Leander, and finally Paschal's wife Beverly. Kathy's son Patrick joins the tribe for one day, but is short-lived when it comes time to plotting strategy. Neleh becomes a new target.

One survivor is forced to choose sides.

The final four are: Neleh, Paschal, Vecepia and Kathy.

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