Every season so far in the new era of Survivor has featured a few (or more, to be honest) moments that had me shaking my head and whispering (or yelling) to myself, "why are they being so stupid?" as the castaways went against the best strategic move and gave us a lackluster vote.
And I am so happy how late into the season it took for me to get there for Survivor 48. To have such engaging gameplay for the first six episodes—and then an understandable, easy vote due to an unexpected twist—is something to applaud. And episode 8 set us up for a showdown, but did it deliver?
(Spoilers ahead for episode 8!)
A challenge that pairs up players couldn't be more symbolic.
Down to our final 10 castaways at the beginning of the episode, it's very clear who has a solid ally and who is on their own when push comes to shove.
It's no secret that Eva Erickson and Joe Hunter are ride or die—proving as much when they crushed the challenge—and everyone knows that sooner or later, they will need to get broken up. But later is starting to come around, and Eva is now in possession of a (not so) hidden immunity idol and is about to try for another secret advantage. She starting to become an unbeatable force.
David Kinne and Mary Zheng have come forward as a tight two and proven that they are going to be hard to mess with after completely dominating the duo challenge, as well. With Mary being the only Vula left and David being known as a very social player, this pairing would appear smart on her part, but she needs to be much stealthier about it.
Let him keep the target on his back by being the outspoken, vocal one within the tribe, and then whisper all the plans she wants in his ear, playing the actual mastermind behind the scenes. Her boldness right next to his could come back to bite her.
And though Kamilla Karthigesu and Kyle Fraser are still working to keep their partnership on the down low, their alliance is the most powerful in the game by far. Kyle knows everything planned within the Strong 5 alliance, and Kamilla has the ability to make moves from the shadows. But with David noticing how dangerous Kamilla has the potential to be, and Kyle fighting to keep her in over Chrissy, the fog might be lifting, and the tribe might begin to see how close the two actually are.
Who does that leave on the outs?
Obviously Chrissy Sarnowsky felt the most vulnerable this episode, leading to a big display at Tribal Council that swiftly sent her to the jury. We are now left with three players outside of our paired off six that will either be easy pickings or will take over as the new power players as the Strong 5 need their votes to take their former alliance members down from the inside.
- Shauhin Davari: While technically a part of the Strong 5, Shauhin is the odd man out of the alliance. Kyle has never trusted him and planted the idea that he possibly has an idol in David's head. But if Kyle's next move is to get David out, he's going to need Shauhin to make it happen.
- Mitch Guerra: Mitch is not someone you want to take to the end because he's done great jury management and hasn't slacked when it comes to his resume either. He could be an easy vote out if the Strong 5 decide to remain intact, but they don't want to accept that he's also a physical threat that has the power to potentially beat them in challenges, if the right one comes along.
- Star Toomey: Star lost her vote, and no one even batted an eye. She was in the least and most safe position all at once this week, which puts her in the most powerful position in the game currently. She is a swing vote everyone will want on their side because odds are she is someone people will want to take to the end.
Intentions are revealed and the gaslighting begins
The most telling (and semi-disappointing, but I get it) part of this episode was Kyle not blindsiding David after all the pressure surrounding the Kamilla vote. Was David right to suspect that Kyle and Kamilla are working together? Yes. But was the entire rest of the alliance also right to push for the person voting against them over the person voting with them? Also yes.
David was actively ignoring the requests of the alliance member whose name was being thrown around—Joe—and only accepting his own idea as an option. Kyle and Joe discussed his erratic behavior on the side, and while surely Kyle would want to push to get David out to avoid any critical disasters in the future, he also needed to make sure he secured Joe on his side of the battle. Joe needed to feel safe by getting Chrissy out. Kyle heard him and followed through with his request.
Joe is truly a man of honor and has displayed that in ten-fold this season. By keeping his word this week, Kyle earned Joe's trust and therefore Eva's trust, locking in a solid four against David's two with a higher probability of pulling in Shauhin, Mitch, and Star based on who he's grouped with.
While this week's vote wasn't the masterful blindside of David I wish it had been, it was a smart move on Kyle's part for both short-term strategy and jury management.
Next time on Survivor...
A storm's a-brewin' and it looks like we're getting set up for what will either be the first of many battles or the ultimate war. Kyle and David both feel like they are leading this game right now, and their pride will be the death of them both if they don't figure out a way to take the other out and quickly settle the tides around the big move afterwards.
If Kyle and David can keep each other from winning immunity and gather enough votes to get the other out, either one of them might be able to navigate a new path forward. But if David or Kyle wins, it will likely be a battle of allies, and Mary and Kamilla will find themselves with their names on the chopping block, based on their allegiance.
Based on this week's initial rift, it might be the Strong 5 vs. David and Mary going into episode 9. And I doubt Shauhin, Mitch, or Star will be against voting out a huge challenge threat like David, especially after his boastful showing in the second individual immunity challenge that none of them were huge fans of from the bench.
See what happens next for yourself this Wednesday at 8 pm ET on CBS and Paramount+!