They did it! Jeff Probst and Survivor production actually did! With the new era, the show introduced the awful “Earn the merge” twist. And now, in Survivor 47, we’re back to where things are supposed to be. Everyone “earns” the merge (but let’s please retire that phrase), and only one player wins immunity.
Through the first 40 seasons, the merge episode was often a highlight of each season. Ghost Island’s merge is one of my all-time favorite episodes of the show. But with the new wrinkle the show invented, the merge episode was a guaranteed low point of each season. My fingers are crossed so tightly, hoping this reversion to the “old” way is now permanent again.
Gata
Oh, Andy. Starting off the episode with a “not” joke? Are we in 2006 again? Come on, my guy.
But in actual events, the remaining Gata tribe members discuss the Anika vote. Rachel has some serious scrambling to do. She had been thinking Andy was at the bottom from day one. It’s a harsh reality to realize she’s actually the one on the bottom. Sounds like someone could use a major lifeline. Say, the merge, perhaps?
And what do you know, perfect timing! The next morning, Gata is visited by a surprise boat, delivering the Survivor classic “The game is about to change” letter.
Merge Camp
The three tribes gather at their new home, the Tuku camp. Shortly after everyone arrives, they find a sign, with a message telling them an advantage is hidden “somewhere.” I’m on the record (over and over again) that I do not like immunity challenge advantages. Reward challenge? Sure, why not. But keep the immunity challenges pure. However, if we’re looking for positives here, I do like how this was set up. A reward is hidden, go. Love it. No puzzles, no clues to decipher, just a mad dash scramble across the entire camp.
Sam and Genevieve come across a buoy in the ocean. Sam says he’s seen a couple of those floating around, and this is nothing. Um? Sam made a good point right before this, saying it probably wouldn’t be that hard to find, given how vague the note was. And then he sees this? Come on my dude.
At the water well, a group finds evidence of Sue’s idol. There is still paint everywhere. Caroline thinks back to when they found Sue at the well, and she immediately connects the dots, realizing Sue has the idol. However, she’s proud of Sue, and vows to keep her secret. She tells Sue, who trusts Caroline and now feels good about having somebody else in the know.
Even funnier though, they also find bits of the pot. Sue buried the pot and then just left it there? That’s a temporary solution. You have to go back and get rid of the evidence. Incredible, hilarious incompetance.
Thankfully, Genevieve can’t stop thinking about the buoy, so she goes back on her own to check it out. AND OBVIOUSLY IT’S THE ADVANTAGE! Because of course it is! Unbelievable. Genevieve brings the advantage back to the camp to read the note. It doesn’t say anything, just that Jeff will reveal the details at the challenge.
Rome makes sure he stays in full on game mode, working Kyle for information. Kyle lets slip that he views Sam and Tiyana as big threats. He tells Rome that Caroline and Sue are a tight duo and weak in challenges. Rome goes right to Sue with this information.
Rome then goes to Sam and Tiyana, revealing Kyle’s view of them as big threats. Tiyana is especially rattled, as she had been viewing Kyle as a close ally. Why would he say something like that about someone whose partnership he’s counting on?
However, Sol tells Tiyana to be very careful with anything Rome says. It’s absolutely a fair point to make, but in this case everything Rome said is mostly true. Rome asked Kyle about Tiyana specifically, and Kyle just said she would be a fair bet to win. So now Kyle has his sights set on Rome.
Immunity Challenge
LET’S GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! The Mergatory twist started in Survivor 41 and was terrible then, and it was terrible every time. And now, we’re back to the way it should be, as Probst says: One will be safe, 12 will not.
They still start by dividing into two teams. But the winning team earns a meal, while also advancing to the individual portion, where – rightly so – only one player will win immunity.
Genevieve’s advantage is a huge one. She does not have to compete in the team portion of the challenge. She automatically advances to the individual portion and gets to partake in the meal. I actually don’t mind this. It’s a big advantage, but it doesn’t really give her a boost in the challenge, other than she won’t be tired out from the initial team portion. That may or may not even matter, depending what the individual part is. The worst is when the players receive an actual edge in the challenge itself, drastically tipping the scales in that player’s favor.
For the team stage, they race through mud and wood shavings to reach a cave. They use grappling hook to retrieve a large bag containing a ball. They climb a steep ramp, where two players move the ball through table maze
And the news keeps getting better! Rather than random draw for teams, they draw for captains and then draft teams. Sadly, we don’t see the draft. Come on, you have 90 minutes!
Yellow
Sierra, Rachel, Sam, Sue, Kyle, Teeny
Blue
Rome, Caroline, Andy, Gabe, Tiyana, Sol
After a close challenge with both teams on the maze at the same time, the Yellow team comes out on top, advancing that group of six, plus Genevieve, to the final individual portion.
We’ve got a Survivor classic on our hands here. The competing castaways stand on a narrow beam, balancing a ball on a wooden bow. They periodically move down the beam. It comes down to Kyle vs Sue, and Kyle ultimately wins the first individual immunity.
Pre-Tribal/Reward Meal
In a small twist, the players learn those that are eating will do so at a separate part of camp. And they have an actual feast, thank goodness. The discussion quickly moves to the vote. Rome is the first name thrown out, and everyone (obviously) agrees to it. They also want to settle on a backup vote, just in case. Sue suggests Andy, and everyone (again, obviously) agrees to it. Sierra and Sam are hesitant, but they don’t want to ruffle any feathers.
Back at the losers beach, they are having the same discussion, and, surprise surprise, Rome’s name comes up before too long. But they have to give Rome a name. He suggests Sol, saying Sol has been genuinely mean to him. Hilarious, hysterical, out of this world. To his credit, Rome *really* plays it up, even conjuring up some fake tears. Andy and Gabe come back to Sol with this info. And Sol just shrugs it off, he was expecting this.
Rome makes the rounds, telling everyone Sol is the vote. And everyone plays their part well, getting Rome to believe that everyone is on board with it. We get a supercut of Rome confessionals talking up his game, telling us how well he’s playing. He even makes an INCREDIBLE basketball analogy, describing his war against Sol as Michael Jordan vs Kirk Hinrich. It sure feels like Survivor is telegraphing the vote. I don’t normally like that, but this is one of those times where it works.
Tribal Council
In a Survivor first, Jeff gives up his spot to Rome, allowing him to tell everyone why the Amulet idol is in fact a disadvantage. And as you would expect, Rome describes it perfectly.
Rome gets in one last bit of fun and votes for Sam, because he “knows” Sol is the vote and he just wants to add a little chaos.
Caroline, Teeny, and Andy decide to play their Amulet, just to get rid of it. They play it for Teeny. Get it out of the game, use it on someone who is not in any danger. I like it.
Folks! The merge is back. We got a big blindside. Easily the best episode of Survivor 47. Even if it came at the expense of the biggest character of the season in Rome.
Things I Liked
- The merge! Self-explanatory, Survivor fixed the merge!
That’s it. Great episode, lots to like, but that’s the big takeaway. Merge, baby, merge!
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You can catch new episodes of Survivor 47 every Wednesday at 8pm ET/7pm CT on CBS, and it is also available to stream on Paramount+.
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