Every season, talk of an all-women alliance inevitably arises. Each time, we get disappointed as the plan falls apart. In Survivor 47, we have already lost Caroline Vidmar from the 4 women who were proposing a final four, along with Sue Smey, Rachel Lamont, and Christine "Teeny" Chirichillo. However, with three of the four still standing strong and outsider Genevieve Mushaluk going up against two male tribemates - Andy Rueda and Sam Phalen, the all-women tribal council cold streak still has a mathematical possibility.
The three times we had an all-women final tribal council
The last all-women Final Tribal Council occurred in Survivor: San Juan del Sur, season 29. It aired its final episode in December 2014. In this season, the final three contestants were Natalie Anderson, Jaclyn Schultz, and Missy Payne. Natalie Anderson emerged as the Sole Survivor, securing five jury votes, while Jaclyn received two, and Missy garnered one.
Prior to that, it also happened on Survivor: One World, which was season 24. The last episode with the tribal council was aired on May 13, 2012.
That season ended with the final three of Kim Spradlin, Sabrina Thompson, and Chelsea Meissner, with Kim Spradlin being crowned Sole Survivor. Kim played an impeccable social game, controlling the narrative and the votes throughout.
Not only was it an all-women final three, it was an all-women final five after Greg "Tarzan" Smith was voted out.
Other than Survivor 24, the only other final tribal council featuring all-women was Survivor: Micronesia — Fans vs. Favorites in 2008. Back then, it was a final two, and the final two were Parvati Shallow (winner) and Amanda Kimmel. This was the season best remembered for the 'black widow brigade', one of the most iconic women’s alliances in Survivor history.
All three women also returned for Survivor: Winners at War, with Natalie lasting the longest, making it all the way to final tribal council but ultimately garnering less votes than winner Tony Vlachos.
Why has there not been an all-women final tribal council
Somehow, we have not seen an all-women tribal council since. Why is that? Here are a few possible explanations for this phenomenon.
Fear of a Dominant Women’s Alliance
The mere mention of a "women's alliance" can be enough to trigger paranoia, putting a target on those involved.
The End of Men as “Meat Shields”
In the new era of Survivor, physical threats, such as this season's Kyle Ostwald, are identified early and eliminated. It leaves behind male castaways who are strategic, and they have somehow managed to break up any dominant female group before they happen.
The "Goat" Strategy
Some men find themselves at the Final Tribal Council not because they are strategic masterminds but because they are "goats" — players brought to the end because they have no chance of winning. Of all the New Era seasons, there has always been one player in the final three that garnered zero votes. From season 41 to season 46, five of the six "goats" were male, with the only exception being Carolyn Wiger from Survivor 44
Will We See Another All-Women Final Tribal Council?
With four women left in the final six, it is still possible. However, with two players to be eliminated this week, we will find out soon if this is yet another futile season for an all-women tribal council.