Survivor Winners at War episode 8 press photos: Winners at feast

It’s time for castaways in tribes to drop their buffs and merge into one, as the Survivor: Winners at War episode 8 press photos prepare for war.

The Survivor: Winners at War episode 8 press photos will showcase scenes from the merge, including the feast and players at camp.

At the very end of this week’s show, we saw that players would drop their buffs in Survivor: Winners at War episode 8, “This is Where the Battle Begins,” in the preview. To me, it’s long overdue, as a game with two players returning from the Edge of Extinction turns a 20-player cast into one with “22” runs of gameplay, which is a lot to get through in just 39 days.

Either way, CBS has released the press photos for the merge, going well out of their way as to not spoil who returns from the Edge of Extinction. In fact, we don’t even have photos of the Edge of Extinction Challenge despite the preview at the end of this week’s episode making it look like the one from the titular season. We don’t even know what the Immunity Challenge looks like!

There are no hard spoilers that I can find, so no worries as you look through this week’s press photos.

Sele drop your buffs Survivor Winners at War episode 8 — Photo: Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

If there’s a tribe that has been waiting too long for this moment, it’s Sele. Through the tribe swap, they’ve experienced nothing but hardships, with Yul being the latest and final victim of the “old school vs. new school” mentality. It’s clear which side won out.

Merge feast right side Survivor Winners at War episode 8 — Photo: Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

I cannot recall a time since starting Surviving Tribal with Game Changers where I have seen so many merge feast photos. Here’s just one shot of the various foodstuffs on the right side of the entire spread.

Merge feast drinks Survivor Winners at War episode 8 — Photo: Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Note that there are 12 different cups in this picture, each of differing sizes and styles of a goblet. The designs aren’t that important (for now); the fact that there are 12 indicates just one player will be returning from the Edge of Extinction.

Merge feast cheers Survivor Winners at War episode 8 — Photo: Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Most of the merge feast photos with actual people show this side of the table, as it’s more than likely that whoever returned from the Edge of Extinction is on the left side. Think about who is less likely to sit with this side and who would sit with the others if you want to theorycraft who returns.

Michele Denise Sophie Survivor Winners at War episode 8 — Photo: Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

There is one look at the other side of the table, though not everyone is seen sitting. Could that fourth set of arms belong to the Edge of Extinction returnee, or do people at the merge move around at the table and get to talk with as many people as possible? Who’s to say?

Merge bench Survivor Winners at War episode 8 — Photo: Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

If the merge feast wasn’t enough of a central communication hub, how about the merge bench? Eight of twelve players are sitting here, split down the line from original tribe formats.

Jeremy Adam Nick Wendell Survivor Winners at War episode 8 — Photo: Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Here is Adam surrounded by Nick, Wendell, and Jeremy, perhaps pointing at someone else other than him to target as the merge boot. Funny, they have the new black and gold merge buffs on but still carry carrying bags colored in the style of their original tribe.

Tony Vlachos Kim Spradlin Survivor Winners at War episode 8 — Photo: Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

One of the underlying stories surrounding Kim Spradlin is the options she hopes to have heading into the merge. She previously showed concern for Tony’s zany ways; will she stay loyal now that we’ve arrived here?