In “Survivor 48”, the ability to vote is each castaway’s currency in the game. Some players go broke, while others get rich in Episode 3. When it comes time to vote, history is made just before the game gets flipped on its head with a tribe swap next week.
(Warning: Spoilers Ahead)
“Survivor 48” Episode 3 Recap + Castaway Betting Odds
Episode Recap
Vula Tribe Values
After voting out Kevin, the Vula tribe is down to four. Every pre-merge tribe in the history of “Survivor” is truly the sum of its parts. Each part, the remaining castaways of the Vula tribe sum, is divided by what they value in this game.
Sai and Mary are intent on finding a potential newly released idol after Sai played hers at the previous tribal council. Meanwhile, Cedrek and Justin appear to be a united duo that is getting by on trusting one another. Ironically, Sai is upset with Cedrek and Justin because she wasted her idol, wishing she had the same level of trust in them that they seem to have in each other.
Despite the yearning for trust in the tribe, Sai spends her time chasing Mary around the jungle during this potentially new idol hunt. She even goes as far as telling Cedrek and Justin they cannot take mid-day naps because keeping tabs on Mary is more important. This is a high-functioning dysfunctional group.
Civa Tribe Structure
There isn’t much focus on the Civa tribe in Episode 3 of “Survivor 48.” However, we do get some insight into David and his motivation to win this game. He reveals he is 38 years old and lives in a trailer. David goes on to explain he is in a relationship and wants nothing more than to have a family, but his financial situation is the only thing standing in the way. What makes “Survivor” so great is the variety of people, backgrounds and reasons to play. David’s story stands out to me because we are used to castaways playing to create financial stability for their current families. David is playing to establish a foundation to start a family.
Overall, the Civa tribe is thriving. They share everything with each other and work well together in challenges. If and when we do see this group face adversity, Kyle provides some insight into the structure of the tribe. He believes he is in the middle with the power to dictate who could go home if needed. It’s easy to feel that way when you’re holding an immunity idol.
Mitch and Charity are a package deal. Kyle believes he can pull them in with David if needed. However, he also recognizes his bond with Kamilla, who helped him retrieve the idol by solving a puzzle. Kyle could work with Kamilla and David and then pull in Chrissy to break up Mitch and Charity.
Lagi Tribe Loose Lips
There are divisions in the strongest group of “Survivor 48”, the Lagi tribe. Shauhin claims Joe is his strongest ally, but with Thomas, the three of them make up the “California Girls” alliance. Beyond those three, Shauhin recognizes Bianca as an extension of Thomas, while Eva is an extension of Joe. That leaves Star firmly on the bottom.
Although there may be cracks below the surface, the Lagi tribe has “family time” around a large bonfire that Joe creates with their tool kit won at a recent challenge. During this time, Eva gifts Joe a bracelet for his daughter. Independently, this moment is sweet. In the game of “Survivor,” it’s a red flag and Thomas recognizes it.
Star spends most of her time trying to figure out how to solve the puzzle to the clue she found that earns her an immunity idol. If she fails to solve it, she will not have a vote at tribal council. Everyone knows about the idol puzzle, though Star is unaware that Eva knows. Eva is Star’s top target if the Lagi tribe were to vote someone out.
Eva tests Star by asking if she’s found anything. Star lies and says no. Eva then talks gameplay with Star, pitching Thomas or Bianca as their first vote-out, claiming the Lagi tribe doesn’t need multiple “puzzlers.” Star takes this information and uses it to build allies, revealing Eva’s plan to Thomas and Bianca.
The Immunity Challenge
The third immunity challenge of “Survivor 48” involves blindfolded castaways on each tribe following the directions of another, calling out directions to guide them through an obstacle course. Each tribe must retrieve three keys on this course that unlock a slide puzzle. The “caller” must then guide one blindfolded tribe member to solving a slide puzzle. To no surprise, Lagi dominates this challenge. Civa has an almost equally strong start but leaves the door open for a Vula comeback. Unfortunately, Vula is unsuccessful, losing their third-straight immunity challenge of “Survivor 48.”
As the winner of the challenge, Lagi gets to choose one member from each tribe to go on a journey. Bianca has not gone on a journey yet, so she volunteers from Lagi. The tribe then chooses Justin from Vula and Kamilla from Civa to join her.
The Journey
On the journey, each of the three castaways separately plays a game of chance. They have seven dice in a cup. On each die is a picture of a skull, a picture of a flame and four other sides with dots. Each castaway is to keep rolling until they reveal four flames or four skulls. If they roll four flames first, they earn an extra vote. If they roll four skulls, they lose their vote.
Bianca rolls three skulls, then three flames and ends the game with a skull on her final die. She loses her vote. Back at camp, Bianca tells the Lagi tribe she did not choose to play a game for reward to preserve her vote. However, she does tell Thomas the truth later on.
Kamilla starts the game with three skulls and one flame on her first roll. After an immediate bleak beginning, Kamilla follows up with three flames on two rolls. She earned an extra vote. Back at camp, Kamilla tells the entire truth, and the Civa tribe rejoices!
Justin’s first roll reveals two skulls and one flame. His next two rolls reveal one skull each time; He loses his vote. Back at camp, Justin tells the Vula tribe he played a game that could earn them all comfort or food, but they won’t know until tomorrow. When asked by Cedrek if he was telling the truth, Justin doubles down claiming his story is true and he did not lose his vote.
Tribal Council
Before the third tribal council of “Season 48,” Mary appears calm and even goes for a swim. This has Sai on edge believing Mary may have found the immunity idol after all. Cedrek and Justin express their disbelief that Mary has an advantage. They plan to vote Mary out of the game. Sai, however, has revealed to Cedrek that she is going to vote for Justin in case Mary is somehow safe. Sai doesn’t want Mary’s vote to be the only one cast in her direction.
For the third straight tribal council of “Survivor 48,” Mary and Sai continue butting heads. Mary explains to Jeff Probst that there is no “we” in the Vula tribe; they’re all playing individual games… together. Sai explains she doesn’t trust anyone either because her name has been written down multiple times. Though she trusted Kevin, he was actually working with Mary. The two give off a “game recognize game” energy toward each other, but Cedrek explains it shouldn’t be this way when they’re supposed to be working together.
A Historic Vote
When it’s time to vote, only three of four votes appear to be cast since Justin is without his. Before the votes are read, Mary reveals she sacrificed her vote to play her Shot in the Dark. With a one-in-six chance at safety, Jeff reveals Mary’s Shot worked. This is just the second time in “Survivor” history a castaway has been saved by playing their Shot in the Dark since the advantage’s introduction to the game in Season 41.
With only two votes to be read, both are cast for Mary from Cedrek and Sai, though neither count. During a re-vote, one vote is cast for Justin (from Sai), and one vote is cast for Sai (from Cedrek). Now that there is a tie, the tribe must revote but can only vote for Justin or Sai. The votes are cast again. One vote is for Justin (from Sai), and one vote is for Sai (from Cedrek).
With yet another tie, the rest of the Vula tribe must come to an agreement as to who is to be voted out between Justin and Sai. If they cannot, then Sai and Justin are safe, and the rest of the tribe draws rocks to decide which of them goes home. However, Mary does not have a vote, so she has no say in the matter. The responsibility of this decision falls solely on Cedrek. He alone must decide to send either Justin or Sai home. If he cannot make a decision, there is no rock draw; Cedrek goes home!
Cedrek ultimately decides to vote out Justin after demanding Sai and Mary agree to work out their differences. Justin is officially voted out with a vote of 1-0, and the Vula tribe is down to three castaways.
RELATED: “Survivor 48” Premiere Recap + Castaway Betting Odds
“Survivor 48” Castaway Betting Odds + Power Rankings
Every week, I’ll have the remaining Season 48 castaways ranked and paired with odds to win the game. Just like any other set of rankings, these are fluid based on new information from each episode.
After the third episode of “Survivor 48,” ranking the 15 remaining castaways is tricky with the foresight of a tribe swap next week. Based on challenge performances, alliance chatter and advantages, there are some players in a much better position than others:
- Joe (+400)
- Kyle (+400)
- Thomas (+400)
- Mitch (+400)
- Shauhin (+600)
- Kamilla (+600)
- Eva (+750)
- Cedrek (+1000)
- David (+1000)
- Chrissy (+1100)
- Saiounia “Sai” (+1200)
- Mary (+1200)
- Charity (+1200)
- Bianca (+1300)
- Star (+1600)
Power Rankings Analysis
The Favorites
Joe remains at the top with plenty of allies around him. Even with a pending tribe swap, he has shown an ability to connect with everyone. He will remain a physical asset to his new tribe, as well. Kyle, with his immunity idol, and Thomas, with his Steal a Vote power, also sit near the top of the “Survivor 48” power rankings. Both have shown that they have a good pulse on the game and their tribe, with flashes of potential strategy toward voting that they haven’t had to use yet.
The Mid-Range
Eva finds herself slipping down the “Survivor 48” power rankings. Joe can claim he wants to bring her as far along as he can, but he doesn’t have an advantage or power to do so. Especially in a tribe swap, if she is separated from Joe and ends up with Thomas, he could start a campaign against her.
Cedrek appears to be the ultimate diplomat. Even when faced with a difficult decision to solely choose who to vote out tonight, he maintained his composure and made the decision he thought best for himself. Cedrek did blow the immunity challenge in Episode 2, but it had no impact on him potentially going home. He may not be so lucky if he can’t carry his weight in challenges on a new tribe.
The Longshots
After seeing the preview for Episode 4 of “Survivor 48”, Star could find herself in a horrific situation. If she ends up in the Civa or Vula tribe, then she won’t have an opportunity to solve her immunity idol puzzle from the Lagi camp. Failing to solve the puzzle results in losing her vote. If Star’s new tribe loses the immunity challenge, she may be an easy out. Her path to winning “Survivor 48” gets tougher and tougher each week.
Bianca falls toward the bottom of the “Survivor 48” power rankings. Not only did she lose her vote in Episode 3, but her supposed top ally, Thomas, was told this information and chose not to share with her an advantage of his own. Bianca doesn’t have much to get by.
Sai and Mary are toward the bottom, but their luck could change with a beneficial tribe swap. Sai could get herself in trouble if she continues playing hard or makes a bad first impression with her new tribe.
Thanks for reading my “Survivor 48″ Episode 3 Recap + Castaway Betting Odds.” For more entertainment content, check out our other blogs here at In-Between Media (IBT). And be sure to follow me @Colin_McT for more Survivor content.
