Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans is finally here, and it’s back with twists and turns fans never saw coming!
During Survivor 50's first episode, "Epic Party", which aired on Feb. 25, a “twist” from season 12, was reintroduced into the game. After losing in the challenge for supplies, two players were forced to stay on Exile Island for the first night.
After the Marooning Challenge, three players (one from each tribe) were sent off on a “Journey” to another island, where they had to compete in a challenge to win their camp’s supplies (a decision made by the fans). That journey ultimately consisted of Q Burdette, Ozzy Lusth, and Benjamin “Coach” Wade, chosen by their fellow tribemates.
We already know that some of these players have a history of playing in the same seasons, and two of those players are Ozzy and Coach, who played together during Survivor: South Pacific, which left their relationship on rocky terms. As the three players stepped onto the beach for their camp supply challenge, Ozzy and Coach seemed to share a moment, acknowledging their past.
Toward the end of the challenge, the three players were trying to capture a key on a hook using sticks they were required to tie together to reach it. Once Ozzy knocked the key off the hook with his stick, Coach quickly snatched it up and unlocked his camp’s supplies, leaving him with the win. While Coach got to retrieve his supplies and leave on the boat back to his camp, Ozzy and Q were left without supplies and a note on the island.
Before letting fans see what is written, the camera captures Q and Ozzy laughing until the camera reveals the words on parchment. Ozzy and Q learn that they are staying the night on ‘Exile Island.’
This means while Coach and the other tribes are back at camp, making alliances and building shelter and fire, Q and Ozzy are stuck on the island overnight alone, waiting for the next step in their journey.
Before exiting Exile Island, Q and Ozzy are given a decision. One player can “sell” their vote, in other words, lose their vote, for their camp’s supplies, but that means the other player will gain an “extra vote” advantage, but will not receive camp supplies. After discussion, it was decided that Q will lose his vote for his camp’s supplies while Ozzy won the “extra vote” advantage.
This exciting twist in the season gives long-time Survivor fans a sense of nostalgia, as well as provides a change in the game that we haven’t seen in the new era.
As the rest of the episode unfolds, which includes another Journey that consisted of Colby Donaldson and Savannah Louie, it leaves fans wondering when in this season we will see Exile Island come into play and the advantages or disadvantages that come with it each time.
Stay tuned for more news about Survivor 50!