Episode 12 of Survivor 47 may have been the catalyst for the humanization of Genevieve Mushaluk. She finally reveals the reason why she has been so guarded all game. That may now change with the new perspective after reading letters from home.
Haunted by the final words of Kishan
While on the reward journey together, Sam Phelan candidly asked, "I'm just curious to your non-emotional approach. Like, where do you think that comes from?"
Genevieve explained that she was still affected by voting out Kishan Patel while on Lavo. "I wasn't planning on being closed off or detached. Kishan was one of my first friends here and when we voted him out, his last words were, "Genevieve, I trusted you.", very sincerely and very sadly. At that point, I decided I didn't want to get emotionally close to people or let them get close to me knowing I was going to vote them out. I kind of regret that. It's hard to hurt people but then you missed out on all the connections. I wish I learned that day one instead of day 21."
Andy Rueda, the third tribemate on the reward challenge, then consoled her by telling her "You learn by going through that, by having those experiences." Sam added, "Better late than ever".
Genevieve concluded the segment by confessing that she would need to let everyone in a little, even if its 'awkward and uncomfortable and I hate it'.
Letters from home help to change her perspective
The letters from home also helped her to change her perspective. Her dad wrote 'you can do this, we love you and I'm sure you have so many friends." She then realized tearily that she had no friends out there. "I have no friends out here, and I chose that. Who does that?"
She also received a letter from her husband. In it, her husband reminded her 'mistakes can be fixed, especially in Survivor. No matter what happens out there, you are coming back to this amazing life.'
The heartfelt conversation over the reward challenge may have sealed the Operation: Italy bond that worked to pull off an incredible tribal council surprise, and endeared Genevieve to playing a more social game.
Genevieve's soliloquy at tribal council
This episode felt like an emotional turnaround for Genevieve, and she sums it up at tribal council with this speech.
"When I came into this game, I was Genevieve the person and Genevieve the player. Before I knew it, I put up a little wall to make it easier to think strategically. I thought I was blocking out the bad feelings but what I was doing was getting them in. The letters from home gave me the perspective I needed. It made me feel like myself again. It reminded me you are better off if you connect with people. Today was the first time I felt the value of community here. It was a very meaningful experience for me."
Genevieve, Sam and Andy then pulled off the move of the season, eliminating Caroline Vidmar despite not having the majority. The human bond that they forged at the reward challenge may have contributed to the trio working together and executing their plan flawlessly.