One of the more polarizing players on Survivor 48 has been Sai Hughley. She plays hard at all times, and she tends to rub others the wrong way. Sometimes, she seems aware that she is going too hard; other times, she’s oblivious.
The remaining 13 survivors were sent to co-exist on one beach during episode 6. They were not yet merged. They were told there was an advantage for the upcoming challenge, and a chaotic search ensued. Charity Nelms spotted the advantage, but Sai outraced to where it was and took it.
At the grueling challenge, they were split into two tribes of six, and the advantage allowed Sai to sit out for the first half. She then had a chance to compete with the winning team for individual immunity. Kyle Fraser won and became the only player in the “merged” tribe.
Back on the beach, the fun began!
Sai Hughley continues to survive Tribal Council despite numerous votes against her
Back in camp, the six players who won the team portion of the challenge, plus Sai, got to eat the merge feast. With the players split, each group started throwing out names. Charity threw out Eva Erickson's name early because of her idol and relationship with Joe Hunter. She quickly realized a vote for Eva wouldn’t happen, so she switched her attention to Sai.
In the other group, Charity’s name was bandied about. Several members of the original Civa tribe hadn’t been to Tribal Council, but before the tribes were shuffled, Charity had been on the bottom. Even though all six original Civa members were in the game, there wasn’t a sense that the Civa tribe would stick together.
So, once again, Sai was on the chopping block, along with Charity. Sai has been to all but one tribal, and she has been a target at every one of them. Cedrek McFadden has cast votes against Sai multiple times yet has saved her, too. He has single-handedly kept her in the game.
In episode 6, the players were clearly split, but Charity got more votes than Sai, and the latter survived to play another day.
Sai has found and played an idol. She's found and played an advantage. Her game has little subtlety, and she's unapologetic for that. In the past, this style of play hasn't fared well.
Just how much longer can Sai be a target yet avoid elimination? Can she continue the aggressive style of play? In the episode, she showed awareness that she drew too much attention to herself and that she would lie low. That didn’t happen, so it is doubtful she can pull that off, even with the best intentions.
Sai has been like a cat with nine lives, but her time is likely running out.