So, now you’re here with me as your guide throughSurvivor 48.
The season that’s two away fromSurvivor 50.
And let’s be honest.
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But that’s not why we’re here.
We’re here to celebrate 18 new castaways living out the dreams many of us can only fantasize about.
I’m not jealous, you are!
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Actually, we both are.
So, c’mon in.
We’ve got much to discuss.
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“Come On In!”
The joy and jubilation of our 18 new players is the energy we want out of this season.
Let’s see if that stamina can last 29 days through all that lying, backstabbing, and deceit.
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We haveJoe Hunter, with that enigmatic smile, giving us fire captain realness.
Well, our red flags are waving that something about this alpha male jot down is in danger.
No matter what,our fresh new faces to Fiji are raring to go.
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The initial action, as told by Probst, is the “best” he’s ever heard.
On the Richter scale, probably like a 5?
We can give them that.
It may have been years ago, so what took him so long?
Did Jeff Probst really take a stab at subtly reinvent the lyrics to thatPolicesong?
Put that on a pillow and sell it!
Well, that doesn’t seem equivalent!
There are heavy objects.
And, of course, there’s adrenaline.
It’s perhaps the only way to move those 100-pound chests of doom.
And that’s not even what knocks Kevin’s shoulder out of whack.
In the New Era ofSurvivor, this is our first major decision.
How did we land on him?
Who knows, but our story is very much focused on our boy, Kevin.
It’s a race to snatch the machete, flint, and pot.
Kevin’s approach is slow and steady.
Kyle is a bit more erratic.
Until Kyle accidentally smashes the jug to smithereens.
THAT’S how you do it onSurvivor!Survivoris a game about morality and good karma.
Hopefully, karma will allow Kyle to have a pass when he tells his new friends he failed again.
The Underdogs Have Arrived With the Vula Tribe
The Vula Tribe is already presented as the underdogs.
They receive that goofy underscoring.
They are not very physically threatening on the surface.
Is this a group we should already be worried about?
They have some interesting personalities, like the self-proclaimed “butt doctor,“Cedrek McFadden.
AndStephanie Berger, whose floppy hat would likely have earned its own Twitter account back in the day.
But her options are little to be desired.
She’s not vibing with the “mamas.”
Cedrek andJustin Pioppiare not screaming out as viable options.
What’s a girl to do?
She locks the boys down.
It’s an aggressive approach, but do you blame her?
When Kevin returns with his tribe’s supplies, everyone is happy.
Never count out the underdog!
Kevin’s a hero!
Next on the list of heroes is determining who can make fire.
It’s Mary Zheng, who claims it was her first time making fire.
“Maybe it was beginner’s luck, but it was easy!”
He does give off those vibes.
Stephanie is hoping to have authentic conversations and play a slower-paced game.
Then there is Sai, who is guns blazing.
Who’s strategy will win out in the end?
To the point of them saying if anyone would have something, it would be her.
Lo and behold, Sai finds the first Beware Advantage of the season.
In the latestSurvivor-inspired 3D printed game to purchase on Etsy is the new puzzle lock.
Sai reveals that inside the puzzle lock is a Hidden Immunity Idol.
Time to crack the code, or no vote for you!
Contained in her note is a series of numbers in a variety of colors.
She thinks that perhaps the colored numbers may be a cryptogram, another puzzle to master before playing.
Sai did not want math andSurvivorgave her numbers.
It becomes a group project as Sai’s desperation is palpable.
After grounding herself, she finally comes to the realization that the symbols are all over the jungle.
First impressions are crucial.
How you introduce yourself to the tribe can make or break your game.
He’s living his bestSurvivorlife.
What he has going for him is an exceptional personality.
Social games in the New Era ofSurvivorhave helped guide players to victory.
This tribe found their roles naturally.
Everyone seems to fit their role on the island.
Eva’s contribution to the tribe is hauling bamboo.
She She-Hulks her way through this jungle until there is no bamboo left to be found.
Eva is certainly a character to keep an eye on this season.
They are both eager to have an ally that is upfront.
One hopes for trust, the other longs for loyalty.
From a physical standpoint, it’s an excellent pair.
From an emotional standpoint, it’s even better.
She tells him about her autism in a truly beautifulSurvivorand life moment.
She warns him about her episodes, telling him what to look out for should they arise.
It’s a scene that will most definitely go down inSurvivorhistory.
Thank you, Eva, for telling your story.
Someone we haven’t heard from quite yet is Star.
Instead of making connections, she was on an idol hunt.
And that’s not sitting well with her tribemates.
They’re already willing to cut her out of the tribe.
They have a unique vibe.
Will the all-male alliance stick?
With four being a majority, the California Girls need one more.
It’s between Eva andBianca Roses, someone Thomas had an instant connection with.
And he is not going to let her go under any circumstance.
Only one will win out.
Tune in next week to find out!
The Civa Tribe Takes Bonding to a New Level
Our friends on orange have a sunny disposition.
Perhaps they’re really owning that representation Jeff bestowed upon them on the beach.
They feel as if they are a strong group with brain and brawn.
It makes sense that earlier, Chrissy disclosed that she had been a day-oneSurvivorfan.
She gives off that aura of an old-school player.
You could easily see her brushing shoulders with the pioneers of her archetype back in the day.
Just like David would fit right in with the dude-bros of the OG seasons.
Listen, if I could do pull-ups on a tree in Fiji, I would, too.
But I can’t, so I won’t.
Now, when David reveals that he is a stunt performer, everything makes sense.
He is ON 24/7.He is a performer and entertainer.
That’s dangerous.Especially when he is more than happy to play a villain.
“Hi, I’m Kyle.
I teach high school English, and I didn’t get the supplies.”
Facts upon facts to soften the blow.
But he has a plan to boost morale.
Each season, Probst and Co. must reinvent the twists and turns to keep everyone on their toes.
Can’t have too much consistency, aside from inconsistency.
Was it smart for David to share?
Now it’s David’s turn to share.
To be fair, I would do the same had I learned you never sawRat Race.
“You should have bought a squirrel.”
Anyway, why are we discussing his favoriteJulia Robertsfilm?
He’s proving that even though he embodies many stereotypes, he’s a big softy at heart.
“I’m just a regular guy, trapped in a jock’s body.”
Why doesSurvivorshow moments like this?
With Kyle as her new ally, she alerts him to the target Charity is painting on his back.
Again, it’s another unlikely duo.
Creating a common enemy is smart in the early stage of the game.
As long as you know, the common enemy is universal.
Watch out for Kamilla, she might be diabolical!
“For us it was a pretty easy decision.”
The Fijian War Club.
Will they be available for purchase in the Paramount store?
The story at this hour is the stunning Immunity Idols.
Bravo, art department.
Per usual, it all comes down to the puzzle.
Lagi will dominate and become the first tribe to finish, winning Immunity and aSurvivortool kit.
It’s down to pieces.
Sadly, someone from Vula will be the first casualty ofSurvivor 48.
One is about to be the first boot.
Will the vote come down to Justin, who rocks his pizza shirt looking like Shaggy?
He’s very much playing the middle, which creates tremendous pause for Sai.
Now, she’s feeling vulnerable due to Justin’s poor acting skills.
The Tribal Council set is stunning, as usual.
It’s truly giving film-set vibes.
As Cedrek says, this is most certainly not like watchingSurvivoron your couch on Wednesday nights.
With a conversation revolving around trust, this vote will determine the future of this tribe.
It will set the tone.
For all those astrology fans out there, Stephanie tells Jeff that the tribe is very air-sign-heavy.
Will a decision ever be made!?
Sai tells us that she, as an air sign, doesn’t get along with other air signs.
She needs someone who will commit.
When it is time to commit,Sai commits to doubling down on Stephanie as the target.
But when she comes for Stephanie and the stars, the air sign fights back.
It had to be someone.
I’m going to miss that floppy hat!
This season starts off strong.
This cast is phenomenal.
Survivorairs Wednesdays at 8:00pm on CBS.
All episodes are available to stream on Paramount+.
