Just when Survivor 48 was starting to get a bit boring and predictable with Vula tribe players dropping like flies following three back-to-back Tribal Councils, CBS threw fans an unexpected curveball by teasing the arrival of our first tribe swap of the season. The tribe swap truly could not be coming at a better time in the season as it means we’re in store for plenty of drama as the three tribes are shaken up with players shifting to new tribes, while others remain with their original tribes.
Needless to say, heading into the fourth episode of the season, it was clear this tribe swap would be most beneficial to the Vula tribe’s remaining three members as it gives them the chance to reinvigorate their game by landing on a tribe with players who actually are able to win challenges. As for the rest of the players? Well, this tribe swap could prove to be make or break for many members of the Survivor 48 cast.
Tribe swaps are notorious for shaking up the game and testing the players. While Vula hasn’t had the best luck, the Civa and Lagi tribes have proven to be an unstoppable force. The two tribes have been dominating in the challenges and avoided Tribal Council which has made life a bit easier on the players in the two tribes. This has also helped to form stronger alliances within the two tribes and more long-term thinking among the players in strategizing for later in the game.
This tribe swap brings new challenges for the players and we’re going to see new dynamics as new alliances are formed and existing ones are tested.
Early in the episode, host Jeff Probst brought the three tribes together and dropped the unexpected news telling the tribes that if you’re reminded that every day in Survivor the one thing you always have to do is be ready for whatever curveballs that come your way. With that he told all of the players to drop their buffs which immediately sent some players into a panic while giving Vula the light at the end of the tunnel which they so desperately needed.
New Survivor 48 tribes
The fate in each player's game lay in a tray of buffs which each player selected one by one. So how did the new tribes shake out? Well, let's just say that the game has truly been shaken up with lots of movement that is going to make things really interesting in the weeks ahead!
Civa Tribe
- Chrissy Sarnowsky (Original Tribe: Civa)
- Mitch Guerra (Original Tribe: Civa)
- Cedrek McFadden (Original Tribe: Vula)
- Saiounia “Sai” Hughley (Original Tribe: Vula)
- Bianca Roses (Original Tribe: Lagi)
The new Civa Tribe is by far the most diverse tribe pulling in members from every tribe with original Civa members Chrissy and Mitch remaining part of the tribe, Vula’s Cedrek and Sai, and Lagi’s Bianca. Bianca is definitely in the most interesting spot on the new tribe as the only member of the tribe who does not have a familiar face joining her in the new tribe.
Lagi Tribe
- Mary Zheng (Original Tribe: Vula)
- David Kinne (Original Tribe: Civa)
- Eva Erickson (Original Tribe: Lagi)
- Charity Nelms (Original Tribe: Civa)
- Star Toomey (Original Tribe: Lagi)
Similar to Civa’s new dynamic, the new Lagi tribe is comprised of two pairs of former tribemates as well as well as one lone wolf. Making up the new Lagi tribe are original Lagi members Eva and Star, Civa duo David and Chariety, and Vula’s Mary. With the tribe shakeup, David is now the only male contestant on the tribe which could make physical challenges interesting for the Lagi tribe moving forward.
Vula Tribe
- Joe Hunter (Original Tribe: Lagi)
- Shauhin Davari (Original Tribe: Lagi)
- Thomas Krottinger (Original Tribe: Lagi)
- Kyle Fraser (Original Tribe: Civa)
- Kamilla Karthigesu (Original Tribe: Civa)
Finally, we have the new Vula tribe which is comprised of entirely new tribe members who definitely got the short end of the stick as they inherit a camp that has no supplies and has a lot of work ahead of them. Making up the new Vula tribe are former Lagi members Joe, Shauhin, and Thomas, as well as former Civa members Kyle and Kamila. This tribe could be a dominant one moving forward given it's made up of four male powerhouses who are sure to show up in competitions.
Be sure to update this post as we'll be adding new updates as Survivor 48 episode 4 airs live on CBS!