Heading into Survivor 48 episode 10 on Wednesday, April 30, there's a lot of pressure on the players to make the critical move that sets them up for success. As things stand, there are eight players left. If someone can manage to put together an alliance of five players, they, in theory, could control the rest of the game.
David Kinne was the most recent player to be voted out of Survivor 48 in episode 9. With David out of the game, there are a few players who are in big trouble as the game moves one step closer to Final Tribal Council.
Who are those players? Well, let's get into it, starting with Joe Hunter.
Joe Hunter
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Joe Hunter is the biggest threat left in Survivor 48 right now. He's going to win if he makes it to the end. I don't think the players will let that happen, and that's why he and his fans need to be very worried about what's next for him. So far, we've seen a lot of talk in the two previews for episode 10 about voting out one of the stronger players, specifically Joe. That's what Kamilla Karthigesu says during the Next Time on Survivor clip that aired immediately after episode 9.
Ultimately, I don't think that Joe is actually going to go home, though. It makes sense for Kamilla, Star Toomey, Mary Zheng, and Mitch Guerra to start working together and pick off one of the so-called "stronger players." They still need to pull in one other player. Kyle, who is close with Shauhin Davari and Joe, seems like the best option, but I don't think he's ready to make the move to win Survivor 48 yet. In fact, taking out Joe right now could actually be worse for his game right now. It makes more sense to let the numbers dwindle a little more and then make a bigger move with Kamilla and maybe one or two others to take out Joe.
And, that's what I think is going to happen. Joe still needs to be on high alert because his name is starting to get thrown around, which is never a good sign at this point in the game. But, expecting Mary, Star, Mitch, and Kamilla, who have yet to really establish that trust together, probably isn't that realistic.
Mary Zheng
If Joe isn't going home this week, I have to imagine that it's going to be one of players outside of the majority alliance who is getting voted out. Right now, I consider the majority alliance to be: Joe Hunter, Eva Erickson, Kyle Fraser, Shauhin Davari, and Kamilla Karthigesu. Kamilla doesn't appear to be in the alliance, but she has a strong relationship with Kyle and possibly even Shauhin. I don't think Kamilla is going anywhere anytime soon.
You have to think of a reason why that group of five stops working together, and as of right now, I don't have one. And, that probably means that Mary Zheng, who was most closely allied with David, is probably in trouble. Mary doesn't have a lot of ties to Mitch Guerra or Star Toomey in the game, although Mary and Star did vote together in the last vote.
It makes a lot of sense for that majority to take out two or three more people on the bottom before turning on each other. And, that's what the synopsis for episode 10 reveals.
Here's CBS's synopsis for Survivor 48 episode 10, "My Enemies Are Plottin'":
The reward challenge is good enough to sing for when Jeff announces what is on the line for the winners. A rice negotiation with Jeff is completed in almost record time. Then, at Tribal it’s a toss-up when two players on the bottom begin to target each other, on SURVIVOR...
"Two players on the bottom begin to target each other." That's the important part, and I have to imagine Mary is part of that group.
Star Toomey
Unfortunately, Star is probably the other player who is on the bottom. I could see Star and Mary going toe-to-toe to stay in the game in this one for a few reasons. First of all, I don't think that the majority alliance is flipping on each other. Looking at who is left in the game, it seems like Kamilla and Mitch have some sort of relationship. Maybe they aren't "allies" yet, but it seems like Mitch could be part of Kamilla's long-term strategy. I think Mitch is safe.
That leaves Star and Mary fighting it out for what looks like seventh place at this point, but that could change.
Star and Mary were also featured prominently in the sneak peek for the new episode. We all know Survivor likes to tease little things in some of the previews for the new episodes, so there's definitely reason to support my theory.
We'll find out who is voted out when Survivor 48 episode 10 airs on Wednesday, April 30! I have a feeling it's going to be one of these three players.