Survivor 48 episode 3 featured one of the most dramatic and historic Tribal Council in Survivor history. I know we throw the word "historic" around a lot because Survivor has changed so much over the years, but it actually was unprecedented.
To briefly recap, the issues started because of the four-player Vula tribe. After losing immunity for a third time in three challenges, the tribe was back in front of Jeff Probst to send someone home. In an unfortunate twist of fate, Justin Pioppi was without a vote after losing it on a Journey he wanted no business to be a part of.
Then, Mary Zheng, who had been idol-hunting for the full episode minus a little swim, played her Shot in the Dark, and it worked. Cedrek McFadden and Sai Hughley had to revote, which resulted in a tie with one vote for Sai and another for Justin. Then, Cedrek, who changed his mind three times throughout the Tribal Council, had to choose the person who was voted out, and he chose Justin. So, yeah, it was a weird one, but it was iconic and historic because it was only the second time in history a person has been saved via the Shot in the Dark!
Mary Zheng and Kaleb Gebrewold are the only two players to successfully use a Shot in the Dark
Mary became the second person in Survivor history to actually be saved by the Shot in the Dark. Survivor fans will remember Kaleb Gebrewold was the first player to use a Shot in the Dark and be safe at Tribal Council back in Survivor 45.
In Survivor 48 episode 3, Mary used her Shot in the Dark to nullify Sai and Cedrek's votes against her. It was clear she was the mark all episode. Honestly, it was amazing that she survived the second episode, too. Mary had nothing to lose. Justin, had he had his vote, would have voted for her, too.
In Kaleb's case, it was also clear that he was going home, but the Survivor 45 players didn't even bother to put a throwaway vote on another player. All 11 players not named Kaleb voted for him in Survivor 45, and all of those votes were nullified. On the revote, J. Maya was voted out.
Unfortunately for Kaleb, he only lasted one more day in the game, so the Shot in the Dark only extended his Survivor journey by one more vote, but it's so much more than that. This is one the most iconic and memorable scenes of the New Era so far. There are few things more exciting in Survivor than a perfectly played immunity idol or Shot in the Dark at Tribal Council.
Fans might also remember Jaime Lynn Ruiz playing her Shot in the Dark and ending up safe from the vote in Survivor 44. That was the first time someone played a Shot in the Dark successfully in Survivor history, but the kicker was that no one actually voted for Jaime, so it was essentially a waste. Jaime was voted out at the Final Six.
Will Mary be able to extend her life in the game further than Kaleb or Jaime? I think we need a player who used a Shot in the Dark successfully to win Survivor. That's what I'm waiting for. Mary might have what it takes. It looks like a tribe swap is on the way in Survivor 48.
It's so awesome to see a Shot in the Dark land this season, especially with how Rachel LaMont used it in a different way in Survivor 47. Rachel had found an immunity idol, but she was left out of the vote to blindside her old alliance members, Sam Phalen and Sierra Wright. She used the Shot in the Dark to see if she needed to play her immunity idol based on how the tribe reacted. No one reacted, and Rachel kept her idol. Then, we all know how she used that idol to basically win Survivor 47.
Will we see another successful Shot in the Dark play in Survivor 48? The odds say no, but I'd love to see it!