Survivor: Game Changers Episode 8 Synopsis: “There’s a New Sheriff in Town”

The Survivor: Game Changers synopsis for episode 8 promises another change in something we know well: the meal that comes with the merge.

As Survivor: Game Changers showed in its preview at the end of this week’s episode, the merge will arrive. We deduced thanks to the CBS schedule a couple weeks ago that next week’s episode would likely be the merge based on the fact that it’ll take two hours and a bit of math.

So, here we are, now looking forward to this two-hour episode. Per the CBS press release, our title is “There’s a New Sheriff in Town.” Check out the synopsis below:

"“The merge brings another twist in the game that leaves two castaways out of the celebratory feast, on a two-hour SURVIVOR, Wednesday, April 19 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.”"

There’s almost certainly no trick or fake merge, as there has been in the past on seasons like Thailand. The preview shows players wearing yellow buffs, and Jeff Probst says that it happens. What will the new tribe’s name be? We don’t know, but mashups of old tribal names are always popular, like Chaboga Mogo from Survivor: All-Stars.

Now, though, let’s talk about that change. As per usual, making the merge comes with a reward of its own beyond just a seat on the jury: food, and lots of it. There’s usually some wine involved or some libations as well. But who won’t have a chance to participate in the feast? How will that work? Survivor wouldn’t pull the “you don’t get a buff” twice trick, right? It seems too close to the last time that happened, with Debbie’s trip to Exile Island. Perhaps they’ll need to play for the reward somehow.

We also know who will name the episode already: Sierra Dawn-Thomas. She might not be at the obvious top of her alliance, but she does have a legacy advantage to her name that she can use at the final 13 for immunity. It might be an opportune moment to topple someone like Brad or Ozzy before either of them can go on a winning streak. Those rumbles have already started vis a vis Ozzy, and Brad’s probably the second target when it comes to physicality.

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Two hours of Survivor: Game Changers means that there’s plenty that can happen. The episode airs this coming Wednesday.