Survivor: 7 reasons why Edge of Extinction twist is an institutional failure
The Day 35 returnee has way too many advantages re-entering the game
If you are voted out of Survivor and have the chance to re-enter the game at Day 35, you are at a massive advantage over all other players. Depending on when you were voted out prior, all those days you’re out of the “game,” you can’t be voted out again and only have to survive two eliminations. Even if you are the last player wanted to make it to the end, there’s always the chance to make a fire at the Final Four.
However, the Edge of Extinction gave the Day 35 returnee way too much power. Despite coming back at the Final Six, he was given half an idol that would allow him to stay safe at the Final Five, meaning he would only need to stay safe for one round of the endgame if he played his cards right.
Speaking of cards, Chris was granted the power of knowledge from the jury and pieces of physical proof to back him up. It didn’t make the finale, but Rick Devens remarked in a finale interview that Chris had a piece of paper from Ron on the Edge that told him to trust Julie.
Think of it this way; Chris already had information from the jury with him to use at the Final Six, was given a special idol upon re-entry that allowed him to give power to someone else and create a bond, while also holding physical proof from the jury that allowed him to make social bonds with a stranger who introduced herself to him a day prior.
Chris Underwood was given all the tools in the world; anything short of making it to the Final Four would have been a complete disaster.