The dynamic cast of Survivor 48 secured their merge buffs, and we're officially on our way to the finale, though we still have a few weeks to go before it hits our screens.
It's truly anyone's game, with every player having a clear path to the end. But only one can be the Sole Survivor. Who will it be? Only time (and strategy) will tell.
But, based on how the game's going, these are my predicted paths for how each of our castaways might (or might not...) take the crown.
David Kinne
A physical threat with a heart of gold, David has the potential to join the individual immunity hall of fame. While he's fairly secure right now with the "honesty and integrity" alliance, it will definitely be his ability to win challenges that gets him to the end. If he takes the right people with him, and avoids getting his torch snuffed by keeping immunity around his neck, the soft nature he's presented with his social game could likely get him the $1 million prize.
Star Toomey
Star's social game started rough, with her at the bottom of the winning Lagi tribe. But after the tribe swap and merge, she's been able to develop relationships and share a few trustworthy moments that could keep her in the game to the end. Not to mention, she's really strong in challenges, having been on the winning side of every group challenge so far and coming in second at the first individual challenge. If she gets to the end with a group that makes her gameplay shine, I could see a jury voting in her favor.
Joe Hunter
Joe is the definition of a fan favorite. He has the strength, the heart, and the drive to win this game. Unfortunately, those are also the traits that make him unlikely to win the game. Looking back at power players like Ozzy Lusth (Survivor: Cook Islands; Survivor: Micronesia; Survivor: South Pacific; Survivor: Game Changers) and Malcolm Freberg (Survivor: Philippines,; Survivor: Caramoan; Survivor: Game Changers), the reason they're so good at the game is the reason they've never won the game. If Joe can manage his threat level, win challenges, and keep the right people by his side, he's definitely someone people would vote to be the Sole Survivor.
Kyle Fraser
Kyle has been playing a flawless game so far (knock on wood!). An impeccable blindside of a strategic threat during a successful hidden immunity idol play, winning the first individual immunity necklace, and a slew of loyal allies, Kyle is in a really good spot right now. If he can keep himself there, I don't think there's anyone who could beat him at Final Tribal. As long as he doesn't burn any bridges with the jury and is able to leverage why being a little strategically sneaky didn't go against the "honesty and integrity" pact that he made.
Shauhin Davari
Shauhin is the other member of the "honesty and integrity" alliance who seems fine with getting his hands a little dirty (but not too dirty). Playing a clean, yet strategic game, he could earn big points at the end. He'll have to be sly with how he maneuvers game play, taking a lead without looking like he's in control—because he could likely find himself on the wrong end of a blindside if he plays too hard, too quickly. But his social strategy and physical strength both have the power to take him far, if he uses them wisely.
Cedrek McFadden
Cedrek has had a rough go of it this season, but that might be exactly what gets him to Final Tribal. People could easily see him as someone they can win against, which means he needs to turn the game upside down soon by orchestrating a blindside on his day one ally, who he has saved more times than I can count—Sai Hughley. If he can put that on his resume, then he might not be as good a bet to beat in the end as people make him out to be.
Chrissy Sarnowski
As the "camp mom," Chrissy has the potential to fall into a similar situation as Survivor 47's Sue Smey, a well-loved castaway who just didn't play the right cards to get her the jury votes in the end. But I think Chrissy has a move in her that will open up a new world of gameplay. Now that Charity Nelms has been voted out, the idea of "Civa Strong" doesn't necessarily hold the same weight, and if she is able to organize a new secret alliance, she could put herself in a powerful position that could possibly win her the game.
Mitch Guerra
With Mitch's closest ally not making the merge, it's time for the claws to come out. His beautiful soul could win him the $1 million, but he's going to have to fight to make it to that finale. After being on the wrong side of the vote at the last two Tribal Councils, I think Mitch is about to turn a corner and become a force no one saw coming. We know from his confessionals that he has the strategic mindset to be a real player, and he's single-handedly won challenges for his tribe more than once. If he can make a big move and take ownership of it correctly, he can win.
Eva Erickson
Eva's emotional showing in episode 5 proves she has the power and drive to play (and win!) this game. She's already demonstrated incredible social strategy, connecting with not one, but two of the most obvious physical threats in the game as well as bonding with her day one enemy so well that she was given an immunity idol that was originally meant to get her out. I think there will be people that both over and underestimate her, but if she can situate herself in the middle of the pack until the time comes to strike with a big move, I don't see anyone who could vote against her for Sole Survivor.
Sai Hughley
Sai should have been voted out first. Not because she's a bad player, but because she's obviously an amazing player! She has been at all but one Tribal Council, had her name written down in every single situation, but has yet to receive enough votes to go home—even when she played her idol, she'd secured the numbers well enough that she didn't have to. People are putting her on the back burner with the idea that it's better to keep her in the game, knowing what she's capable of, and use the current opportunity to get rid of someone with the potential to sneak attack down the line. But don't discount Sai's brilliant ability to stay alive. It's called Survivor for a reason...
Mary Zheng
Again, someone who should have gone home early on in the game, Mary has held on despite being on the bottom from the very beginning. Having successfully played her shot in the dark, demonstrated her ability to easily form new connections after the tribe swap, and possibly being the key to Sai's demise, she holds much more power in the game than I think anyone realizes. Her social game could earn her a spot at Final Tribal with people thinking she's an easy player to beat, but her resume was already extensive just from her time on Vula. I expect we'll see even more moves come out of her that could possibly win her the game.
Kamilla Karthigesu
Kamilla is no doubt this season's sleeper agent! No one knows just how tight she and Kyle are, luck was on her side for an impossible journey (that ultimately eliminated two other players), and she continues to predict the moves of her fellow castaways better than they even realize. The only thing in the way of her winning is her closest ally. Based on outward appearances, she might not have the ability to beat Kyle at the end, but she could definitely win if she's the one to orchestrate his blindside. And after she was a key asset in blindsiding Thomas Krottinger, I don't doubt she could do it.
Who do you think will win? Keep watching Survivor 48 to see if any of these predictions come true. New episodes air every Wednesday at 8 pm ET on CBS and Paramount+.