We're already one player down in Survivor 48 after Stephanie Berger was voted out in the season premiere. Based on the Next Time on Survivor preview for episode 2, "Humble Traits," it looks like the Vula tribe might be down another player soon.
In the teaser, Kevin Leung tells Cedrek McFadden and Justin Pioppi that a player on the Vula tribe is "dangerous." Obviously, he's referring to Sai Hughley or Mary Zheng. Then, there's a quick cut to a clip of Sai saying, "I hold grudges."
It definitely looks like there's a fight coming to the Vula beach after Mary threw a vote Sai's way in the season premiere. Justin, Kevin, Cedrek, and Sai teamed up to vote out Stephanie, but I think we all know Sai would not be too excited to see her name written down by Mary.
I never understand why players get so upset when a vote comes their way early in the game like this. Sure, there's a lot of pressure, but it's never a good look to react negatively when you get your feelings hurt early in the game.
Why we're worried for Sai in Survivor 48 episode 2
It makes a lot of sense why Sai might be in trouble. Sai has an immunity idol, and there are multiple people on the Vula tribe who know about it. At this point, I'm sure Mary, who is clearly on the outside after the last vote, knows about the idol, too.
That idol is probably going to be a target on Sai. The Vula tribe should do everything they can to flush that idol out of the game right now, especially when a player like Sai holds it. We haven't seen much of Sai yet, but we all saw how she treated Stephanie at Tribal Council. Even if you had a big problem with Stephanie or thought it was the right decision, it makes no sense to antagonize that player when they are about to go home. It basically forced Stephanie to play her Shot in the Dark. Had that one-in-six chance landed, Sai would be the first player voted out of Survivor 48. So, I wasn't totally behind how she played that first Tribal Council, and I don't think her alliance members are either.
When Sai's saying that she holds grudges, I do think she's talking about Mary throwing the vote her way, so it should open up the perfect opportunity for Justin, Kevin, and Cedrek to pull in Mary and vote her out. So, even though Sai has an idol, she's never been more unsafe in the game. Obviously, it's going to come down to how Kevin, Cedrek, Justin, and Mary play their hand, but the blindside is right there.
Another point to consider is that these players did not watch Survivor 47. The last season they watched was Survivor 46. In that season, five players went home with immunity idols in their pocket. So, Sai probably won't let that idol burn a hole in her pocket. If there's any chance of getting voted out, you have to think that she'll play it, which makes the next move that Kevin, Cedrek, and Justin make very important.
The preview isn't all about the Vula tribe, though. The Lagi tribe was also featured in the preview, and it appears that, despite the physical advantages the tribe has, they might be heading to Tribal Council in episode 2. It looks like someone has made a big misstep.
Star Toomey is panicking about someone throwing her name out or coming for her. Thomas Krottinger has a big reaction, and so does Shauhin Davari, who calls it "full-blown sabotage."
It will be really interesting to watch that group because they seemed like a tight-knit tribe to start the game, but I'm definitely more interested in what's going on with the Vula tribe. I have a feeling this drama with the Lagi tribe might be a misdirection.
We'll find out when Survivor 48 episode 2, "Humble Traits," airs on Wednesday, March 5!