In Survivor 50, almost 40% of viewers voted for dynamic advantages to be a part of the fan-led anniversary celebration. And there’s definitely already been a good amount of advantages (and disadvantages) included in the game that have provided power and affirmed alliances but also sent people home.
So which players have something in their pocket as they prepare to enter the merge in episode 6? And how might that affect their status or safety?
Aubry Bracco
Advantage: Billie Eilish Boomerang Idol
Aubry was gifted Cila's Billie Eilish Boomerang Idol by Christian Hubicki fairly early in the game. However, as someone on the outs of her original Vatu tribe, her protection of her bag made everyone suspicious, and pretty much all of them believe she is in possession of an idol, despite not finding one in her bag. Christian informed his allies—Rick Devens, Cirie Fields, and Emily Flippen—of Aubry’s possession of the idol as well, which Emily then shared with Q Burdette (voted out day 8), Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, and Ozzy Lusth.
So Aubry might have a huge target on her back as she enters the merge, even with Christian in her corner.
Christian Hubicki
Disadvantage: No Shot in the Dark
In episode 5, we saw Christian give his shot in the dark to Ozzy as a gesture of good faith and trust. It worked for the vote—eliminating Angelina Keeley over himself—but now as we move into the merge, the question is whether or not Ozzy’s going to give back Christian’s shot in the dark. If not, he’ll be the only person at the merge without one, and Ozzy will have additional power with two in his pocket.
Cirie Fields
Advantage: Extra Vote
After Ozzy earned an extra vote by selling the camp starter supply kit to Q, he transferred it to Cirie as a sign of his commitment to work together. After Rizo Velovic revealed the information about idols to her, she reciprocated by telling him about her extra vote. So only Ozzy and Rizo know about this advantage, both of whom want to play with her, which puts her in a fairly good position as she enters the merge.
Colby Donaldson
Disadvantage: No Vote
At the first official journey of the season, Colby lost his vote going up against Survivor 49 winner Savannah Louie. Since both tribes he’s been on have claimed victory at every immunity challenge, he’s yet to attend a Tribal Council, which means he has not reinstated his vote. And now that he’s down an ally in Q, he might not have the numbers needed to ensure safety at his first Tribal Council.
Ozzy Lusth
Advantage: Billie Eilish Boomerang Idol
Genevieve Mushaluk sent Ozzy her first Billie Eilish Boomerang Idol—that she found on Vatu—based on his history of being voted out with an idol still in his pocket. Her ultimate goal is to get that idol back in her pocket, but all of her allies know she sent it to him—including Ozzy himself now thanks to Q. So Genevieve could be coming after Ozzy pretty quickly into this merge, and she has a few numbers now to back up her vote.
Rick Devens
Advantage/Disadvantage: Fake Idol
Leaning into what he’s best known for, Devens created a fake idol and planted it at Tribal Council with the help of his top ally Christian. They are the only two that know about this plan, and—considering it’s completely unprecedented—there are so many possibilities of how this might play out for either or both of them.
Rizo Velovic
Advantage: Billie Eilish Boomerang Idol
Rizo was the second to receive an idol from Genevieve—that she secured on Kalo beach—though he hasn’t confirmed it’s from her yet. And this time around, Geneveive did not tell anyone that she found and gifted it. Once again, she gave it to him under the guise that he’d be easy to blindside and get her idol back, but she hasn’t watched Survivor 49, so she has no idea what Rizo’s capable of with an idol in his pocket. This might be the fuel he needs to really go far in the game—especially with his new alliance of Cirie, Dee Valladares, and Kamilla Karthigesu who have already fueled a pretty big blindside this season.
But with 17 people entering the merge, we have no idea what could happen next and safety is never guaranteed in this game. But we’ll know soon enough how the first post-merge Tribal Council of the season plays out when Survivor 50 airs a new episode this Wednesday, April 1 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.