The Survivor 48 finale is so close our Final Five can taste it. But have all of them played a game that could win them the $1 million in the end?
There are definitely clear front-runners who still have some work to do to secure their spots in the Final Tribal Council and a couple of players who might have missed their chance to lock in their game-winning play, but might not have to be as worried about fighting for a spot in the end. Let's discuss.
Who's built a resume worthy of the title Sole Survivor?
It was clear from the very beginning that this season was going to focus heavily on social and physical gameplay when Lagi and Civa dominated the challenges, spending their camps days hanging out and building bonds, while Vula was slowly dwindling.
And by far the most important connection made in those early tribe camp days was between Kyle Fraser and Kamilla Karthigesu. Their secret alliance has been masterminding this game from the shadows in an absolutely brilliant partnership where Kyle is able to play a physical and social game with the majority alliance to stay in their trust, while feeding information to Kamilla to craft strategic plans for them to enact from both the top and bottom of the tribe. If we could crown two winners, it should be these two!
But that majority alliance stands on the shoulders of Joe Hunter's values. And as he wins challenge after challenge and uses his social bonds to stay in the game, he's been tough for our original Civa duo to navigate while still staying on the right side of the jury. The way most of our eliminated players see it, Joe's in charge and if no one does something to get him out, he deserves to win.
If the three of them are sitting at the end together—a Final Three of the true best players left in season 48—Kyle and Kamilla will have a lot of explaining to do in order to share how they were truly the ones running the game, not Joe, if they want a chance to win against him.
Who's been along for the ride?
In the most interesting turn of events this season, Mitch Guerra went from one of the biggest threats in the eyes of the Strong 5 to not even on their radar. Additionally, he spent weeks talking about wanting/needing to make a move, then when people wanted to make a move with him he said the timing wasn't right. Then when he was ready to make a move, there was no one left to make a move with him. Mitch was either playing two steps ahead or two steps behind and either way, the jury's going to view it as bad gameplay.
On the opposite side of the coin, Eva Erickson has been a valuable player showcasing both physical strength and great social relationship building. Specifically, she made a perfect move at the beginning of the game by aligning with Joe in a bond that transcended the game. And while she's won an individual immunity and gained possession of two hidden advantages, her game is unfortunately so tied to Joe's that most of the jury see her as his plus one rather than a viable competitor.
Historically, women in alliances with men are often viewed as the sidekick or the distraction and the only time they prove that isn't the case is by having their closest ally be a part of the jury to fight for them. Arguably Eva can't beat Joe for the same reason why Kamilla likely will not win if up against Kyle. It's not cool, but it does seem to be how to cookie of this social experiment often crumbles—but that's a rant for another day.
What is the jury voting for this season?
I predict we're definitely going to see a lot of pushback from the jury regarding the "honor and integrity" pact and the idea of the majority alliance wanting physical strength to make it to the end, especially considering two of those original Strong 5 members are now sitting on the jury themselves.
If the jury is a little bitter about no one wanting to play strategically, I expect they'll vote for Joe—assuming he earns a seat at the end. If they're extra bitter about that alliance existing in the first place, I could see them leaning towards Kamilla or Mitch, though this scenario seems highly unlikely.
Just a little while longer until we find out in the season finale of Survivor 48!