We've got an emotional episode of Survivor 48 up next! We don't know much about what to expect in the episode, but Survivor 48 episode 5, "Master Class in Deception," is bringing the waterworks for Jeff Probst (and probably the rest of the Survivor 48 cast and all the viewers).
One week after Thomas Krottinger was voted out of the Vula tribe and tribe swap, the Vula tribe is still looking for its first challenge win of the season. Another tribe is headed to Tribal Council, and another player will be voted out. Who will it be? We'll find out soon!
What time is tonight's episode of Survivor 48?
Survivor 48 episode 5, "Master Class in Deception," airs at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 26, on CBS and Paramount+. You can watch the episode at 7 p.m. C and MT, respectively. Those on the West Coast have to wait until 8 p.m. PT to watch the new 90-minute episode of the best reality show on TV for the last 25 years.
Because of the emotional nature of tonight's episode, which we'll talk more about in a minute, you might want to stay away from social media until you've had a chance to watch. I'm certain everyone will be talking about this episode based on what we've seen so far of the new episodes.
Jeff Probst cries in Survivor 48 episode 5
You might want to get those tissues ready now! It looks like tonight's episode will be one of the most moving episodes of Survivor in the show's 48 seasons on the air.
During the 2025 NCAA Tournament, CBS has been running a teaser for tonight's episode featuring Jeff Probst breaking down in tears after the immunity challenge. The common theory is that one of the players is going to struggle during the challenge and overcome some personal battles with the group, but I don't know if that's going to be true or not. We'll just have to tune in and watch!
But, Jeff did mention during the teaser that "this has never happened" before in Survivor history. If you're a fan, you should definitely be tuning in tonight!
Episode 5 synopsis and sneak peek
CBS also shared the synopsis for episode 5, via press release. We shared the synopsis of the new episode below.
"Loose lips sink ships when one castaway’s frustrations put a wedge between them and their tribe. A shared meal breeds connection between tribemates as they discuss race and heritage. Then, an emotional immunity challenge brings two adversaries closer than ever imagined, on SURVIVOR..."
This seems like it's going to be the best and most impactful episode of the season. We start with the regular Survivor drama of someone saying a little too much and rubbing others the wrong way. That's typical, every episode of Survivor drama. But, the rest of the synopsis suggests a super impactful conversation about race, and that's not even including this moment that brings Jeff to tears.
I feel like we're going to be talking about this episode for a long time, and I haven't even seen it yet.
We've also seen a few teasers for the new episode, too. In the first teaser, the Vula tribe returns from Tribal Council, and Shauhin Davari apologizes for writing Kyle Fraser's name down at Tribal Council. It's an awkward moment but one we have seen every episode in Survivor history.
Then, in the final clip, we see the three tribes heading out for the reward challenge (not immunity!).
So, that means we're going to see two challenges this episode, along with a tribe celebrating the reward and getting some food. We know they need it. Just look at these players!
So, that's what we can expect to see on Survivor 48 episode 5. Obviously, things are coming down to the wire right before these tribes merge, so if these players can survive two more votes, they'll be into the individual portion of the game. That's when things can really change organically in Survivor.
Watch Survivor 48 episode 5 on CBS and Paramount+ on Wednesday, March 26, at 8 p.m. ET!