It Can't Be Obvious on Survivor, right?
Survivor 47 episode 6 can't be this clear of a vote
You cannot predict what will happen on Survivor. Well, that’s mostly true. There have been a few previous votes that were predictable, or votes outright shown as they were written down, but Survivor 47 episode 6 delivers another episode where a straightforward vote is still surprising.
On top of a surprising foretold vote, the “making the merge” episode of Survivor gives fans of the best reality TV show a fun (and good) twist leading into the merge. In this particular case, the twist leading into the immunity challenge appears in multiple stages.
Survivor 47 Episode 6 Immunity Twist
Before everyone merges, each separate tribe receives a message telling them to “Drop Your Buffs.” It’s the message every Survivor contestant yearns for; everyone wants to make the merge. In this instance, everyone comes together on the Tuku (blue) tribe’s beach and they all soon realize there’s an advantage waiting somewhere on the island.
The entire tribe discovers that an advantage for the immunity challenge is somewhere, and despite this information, the search seems minimal at best. Sol even mentions at tribal council how everyone didn’t want to make waves by searching and that presents one of the more interesting aspects of the new era. Not searching, or the appearance of not searching, reduces the threat level; however, Genevieve and Sam literally walked onto a beach, saw a buoy in the water, and dismissed it as if it was nothing.
Unfortunately for Sam, Genevieve did not forget about that moment and could not let it go. While everyone else was seemingly okay with not getting the advantage (for appearances), Genevieve went back to that beach cove and swam out to the buoy. What do you know? She found the advantage! She did read it aloud to the group and the advantage would only be announced at the challenge.
For this merge challenge, the tribe was split into two tribes, racing through an obstacle course where the last tribe to win then competes against each other for individual immunity. That’s right; only one person walks away with immunity for the merge episode. In previous years, fans have seen one team win and be immune, leaving only half of the tribe vulnerable for the vote. In this case, which seems to be the better way (leaving more options available), everyone is a potential target.
Well, except for Kyle, because he crushed it. Balancing a ball on a curved bow, while standing on a narrow beam never looked so easy.
Reading the Room in Survivor 47
Before Kyle won immunity, Rome was talking with the newly unified tribe at various points gaining information and then spreading seeds to hopefully gain goodwill. In previous episodes, we’ve seen Rome clash with other players, especially Sol, and he’s either had someone like Genevieve look out for him or he presented a problem where players understood he had a shelf-life in the game, because his confrontational gameplay was not sustainable.
In Survivor 47 episode 6, Rome highlighted (or twisted) things Kyle said about various tribemates to try and depict Kyle as a villain. It definitely got back to Kyle, and to say he was furious about it would be an understatement. Kyle soon realized what Sol had been saying for several episodes, “That’s what Rome does.” He tries to spout whatever he wants to further his game.
So, what happens when Kyle wins immunity? Would Kyle have even been a target if he lost? In the game of Survivor, nothing is ever a certainty – until they show it to you on TV. In this particular episode, the cards appeared to be stacked against Rome in a way where it must be a red herring. It can’t be Rome, because everyone is saying Rome. And Rome is selling out Sol, so it has to be Sol, right? Andy is also the backup plan, so it’s Andy, if not Sol, right?
It is clear that the first few episodes highlighted the chaos of Rome’s game, which led to this overwhelming fatigue from his style to where keeping him in the game couldn’t stick. The other castaways clearly sold the plan well, because he didn’t play his “Shot in the Dark,” so the majority of votes were for Rome. There were a couple votes for Andy, which I assume was a backup in case Rome played a successful shot in the dark and earned immunity. But, Rome was sent packing.
Will Chaos Reign in Survivor 47?
As Rome leaves the beaches of Survivor, it will be interesting to see if other players will be able to play more freely. Will Sol be able to play a less defensive game where he doesn’t have Rome constantly over his shoulder? Will Genevieve lessen her threat level by disassociating her game from someone who was constantly stirring the pot?
Although Rome doesn’t make the merge, it does seem like most of the Survivor 47 chaos revolved around him. It should be pointed out that Rome’s exit was classy, and he was a very good sport with nothing but kind words as he had his torch snuffed. That is a very good thing to see, but it does make one wonder if his game would’ve lasted longer if he took that approach while playing the game.
