PREVIOUSLY ON SURVIVOR: The Heroes and Villains had merged, but knew one more contestant would be joining them. At Exile, Tai and Danni for the Heroes, as well as Jessica and Carl for the Villains, were awaiting their chance to return. They had all bonded, but knew that they could never make alliances, considering only one of them would return. “I’d love to prove that a girl who didn’t even make the jury could prove themselves amongst a bunch of legends, while being strategic and sassy all at once,” Jessica said. “It is my dream to win a season as a Hero, because I believe that good always wins in the end,” Tai said. “I won this season years ago, and I want to show that I can do it again, in a New School season, by being the strongest I can be,” Danni said. “I don’t consider myself a villain, but I need to be the Godfather, I’ll do what I need to do. But right now, I have to win a challenge,” Carl said. All four were hyped to finally compete and find out who would be going to the merge. There were three challenges: a puzzle challenge, an agility challenge, and an endurance challenge. First was the puzzle, in which the four contestants had to complete a standing block puzzle. First three would continue, last place would go home. The pressure was on, and Danni was killing it at the puzzle, with Carl shortly behind her. Tai was struggling building his base, while Jessica had it all together, except for one piece that had dropped on the floor. Danni and Carl finished. Knowing Tai would be hard to beat in endurance, Danni told Jessica about the piece on the floor, and Jessica picked it up, finishing her puzzle, and sending Tai home. Danni hoped that it wouldn’t come back to bite her. The agility course was a series of balance beams, rope courses, and a biplane. First two would advance, last would go home. Carl was slow out the gate, while Jessica wanted to make up for the last round. Danni was safe in the middle, not wanting to exude all her strength, but wanting to stay one step ahead of Carl. Jessica finished, with Danni after her, sending Carl packing, with no shot of returning. The final two competitors would do the endurance challenge, holding on to a pole until one person dropped. Danni knew she would have to persevere and hang on, but Jessica felt confident and sturdy. Jessica had made it only one episode into the merge, and wanted to prove she could hang with the Legends, while Danni wanted to show that she could win twice, even after joining the game so late. It was a lengthy showdown, and in the end, Danni couldn’t hang on any longer, and fell, giving Jessica the chance to join the game! Danni was upset, especially since she gave Jessica the tip in the first round, but knew she probably wouldn’t beat Tai at it either. Jessica was happy to join the game and start playing this season. And the first twist, she would have automatic immunity in the first tribal.