Survivor 46 will be remembered for its meltdowns (Bhanu and Liz), unorthodox gameplay (Q), and the inability of the cast to play advantages. Five idols went unused by players who left the game, including four in a row that could have saved players from the jury.
In a move that surprised no one, the tribe quickly voted out Maria as soon as she did not win immunity at the final five. They even teamed up to beat her when Liz helped Kenzie take the necklace during the final five immunity challenge. You can wonder why this is even allowed, but you can't question why they did it. Maria would have won if she would have made it to the final three.
Ben, who had done absolutely nothing except be a truly nice guy throughout the entirety of the season, came out of nowhere to win the final immunity challenge. Unsurprisingly, Ben chose Liz to make fire, then he had Kenzie go against her. Kenzie won, setting up a final three of Ben, Charlie, and Kenzie.
Who won Survivor 46?
After an open and revealing final tribal, the jury voted for Kenzie Petty and made her the Sole Survivor, besting Charlie Davis 5-3 at the final tally. The audience had to be surprised, as it seemed as if Charlie was the clear winner. The jury saw otherwise.
Kenzie clearly road her great social game and fringy strategy to the win. Her good heart and friendly attitude toward everyone gained her a lot of support from those on the jury.
It was a close vote with Kenzie gaining five tallies to Charlie's three. Ben was shut out. Charlie's strategy of staying in the shadows and using shields clearly cost him the win as the jurors couldn't separate his game from Maria's fine work. They played together, and both played well, but the jury obviously gave more credit to Maria and less to Charlie.
Kenzie's win gives credence to the power of the predominantly social game. It wasn't as if she didn't attempt moves; it was more that it was in her best interest to follow rather than lead, and it worked out for her brilliantly.
Congratulations to Kenzie Petty for winning Survivor 46!
Survivor 47 premieres on CBS this fall!