Welcome back to another “Survivor 49” episode recap.
We finally merge, lines are drawn, and the first merge tribal council results in a not-so-marvelous outcome. First, I’ll recap the episode and then provide updated betting odds for the remaining castaways. Finally, in the words of the great Tony Vlachos, I will highlight our “top five, baby” – the five players who not only made a significant impact this episode but are also set up for future success.
Let’s hit the sand of Fiji.
(Warning: Spoilers Ahead)
“Survivor 49” Episode 7 Recap + Castaway Betting Odds
Episode Recap
Swap Tribe Camp Life
Kele returns to camp fresh off the Shannon vote. Sage mentions how she solidified trust with Jawan and Steven. Jawan speaks about removing the status quo by eliminating an original Uli tribe member. He plans on taking out the top dogs from Uli at the merge: Rizo, Savannah and Nate.
At the Uli swapped tribe camp, Nate is thankful his tribe won immunity because he was not sure he would have survived a tribal there. And on Hina swapped tribe, MC, who has yet to attend tribal council, still does not have a vote as she needs to finish her Beware Advantage tasks.
Merge & Challenge Advantage Competition
The tribes merge on the old Kele beach. A boat is sent out to both the Hina and Uli swapped tribes to take them there. Jawan, Steven and Sage walk down to the beach. Much to the chagrin of their former original Uli tribemates, Shannon is not with them, voted out at the last tribal council. Nate, in particular, is curious why Shannon was voted out.
Jawan, Steven and Sage crafted a plan to present Shannon as snappy. They mentioned to the rest of the merge tribe how Shannon spiraled in the hours leading up to tribal council, targeting and voting for Jawan. Sage and Savannah reconnect and say they are good, but Sage doesn’t buy it. She feels it is more out of convenience than actual trust.
The players are then given a competition to compete for an advantage in the first immunity challenge of the merge. Players are tasked with finding keys in the jungle to unlock a box. The player who finds the right key to unlock it will win the challenge advantage. Our unfiltered and unbothered hero Sage finds the right key and wins the challenge advantage!
Following the advantage competition, players from their original tribes reconnect. Rizo reconnects with Jawan and Sage and thinks the five former Uli members can vote together as a block. However, Jawan says, “They’re about to get played!”
Alex and Sophi reconnect and discuss being in the middle. Sophi is closer to the original Uli members, while Alex is closer to the original Hina. Alex also mentions how he is used to playing both sides in his day-to-day life, working in politics in Washington, DC.
Immunity Challenge
“Survivor 49” Episode 7 Recap + Castaway Betting Odds
Starting with the immunity challenge, Sophi will now go by “Soph,” per her and Sophie’s conversation with Jeff. We will do the same moving forward.
The merged tribe is divided into two teams of five for the individual immunity challenge. The winning team, plus Sage, the winner of the challenge advantage, will win a merge feast. Those six will also be the only players to compete for individual immunity.
The teams begin the challenge by pushing a large colored ball over a series of obstacles. Players must then climb on top of the ball and onto a platform to complete a puzzle featuring a “Survivor” phrase. The phrase is “That’s how you do it on Survivor,” which Jeff ironically says in the middle of the challenge before either tribe reaches the puzzle. The yellow team of Steven, Nate, Soph, Rizo and Sophie wins the first part of the immunity challenge by solving the puzzle quicker than the blue team.
In the second leg, players stand on a beam and balance a ball on a pole. The beam is set at an angle, and as the challenge progresses, players must move down the beam while the beam itself narrows. After a couple of rounds, the challenge comes down to Steven versus Sophie. On the final section of the beam, Sophie outlasts Steven and wins the first individual immunity of the merge!
At the merge feast, the winning players enjoy a charcuterie board. However, with the mixed group present, there is very little strategy talk. Soph even points out that people are not talking strategy during the feast.
Tribal Council
Back at the merged tribe camp, MC can finally complete her Beware Advantage hunt. She digs underneath a boat to secure a clue, which leads her to a set of keys to open a box. Savannah approaches MC while she is working on the box, and they awkwardly converse before going after the hidden key when they both locate it. MC mentions in a confessional that Savannah is evil, and that going home with an idol in one’s pocket is the worst thing that can happen on “Survivor.”
Sophie and Kristina discuss the merits of a Nate vote, assuming Rizo would play the idol for himself or Savannah. Soph tells us about her Knowledge Is Power, and mentions the idea of stealing either MC or Rizo’s idol. Soph also thinks Steven is a threat because he has a strong social game. Jawan wants Rizo out and leaks to Steven that the original Uli members could target him here.
The players arrive at tribal council for the first time as a merged tribe. Jawan mentions how navigating this game is like trying to survive a horror movie. Sage satirically mentions that big groups like the merged tribe are her version of a horror movie.
It’s show and tell night at tribal, as Rizo shows everyone the hidden immunity idol he has from completing his Beware Advantage tasks. He provides a vague answer when asked if he is going to play it that night, but says that blood will be drawn.
The players vote, and when Jeff calls for advantages, MC plays her idol on herself. Rizo saves his. The votes are read, and Nate is voted out 7-4, with Steven receiving four votes. Nate says his goodbyes, and he becomes the first member of the jury.
“Survivor 49” Castaway Betting Odds
Each week, I’ll rank and pair the remaining “Survivor 49” castaways with betting odds to win the game. These odds are subject to change after each episode. When castaways are eliminated, edits become clearer. As a result, win equities will diverge, and odds will become more favorable to some and less favorable to others.
I have ranked players with a poorer edit, with much lower odds. This week, there was significant change. Our top contenders to win were all on the wrong side of the vote. I have decreased the odds for Soph, Rizo and Savannah to win, and I’ve increased Sage and Jawan’s odds.
Steven’s odds slightly increase, too, as he survived a vote on a tribe swap with three original Uli members.
- Soph (+325)
- Savannah (+425)
- Alex (+525)
- Rizo (+575)
- Jawan (+1000)
- Steven (+1200)
- Sage (+1300)
- MC (+1600)
- Kristina (+1800)
- Sophie (+2400)
The “Top Five, Baby!”
“Top five, baby!” The phrase coined by the great Tony Vlachos in “Survivor Cagayan” rings true here and will throughout the season. The five most impactful castaways this episode and moving forward, in my eyes, are as follows:
Soph
Soph votes incorrectly for the first time all game here. However, she is not in any sort of immediate danger. The players in the majority of this vote are much more scared of Savannah and Rizo. In addition, she still has a Knowledge Is Power and is well-connected to Alex. Soph will be OK, and I anticipate her bouncing back next episode.
Savannah
Savannah lost one of her closest allies, Nate, this episode. She is seen in a negative light by MC and voted incorrectly. I still have her as my second biggest contender based on her strategic content throughout the season. However, she will need to find a way to integrate herself into this merged group and avoid being targeted next round.
Alex
It was a strong episode for Alex. He votes correctly, speaks about playing the middle with Soph, and continues to harp on his personal life and how it relates to “Survivor.” Alex should definitely have longevity in this game. My only concern for him is that his narrative is more of a growth narrative, whereas Soph’s is more strategic. This is why she is my top contender, and Alex is fourth. If Alex can chip away further at Soph’s allies, he will continue to rise up the ranks.
Rizo
Rizo hits the ground running at the merge and tries to rally the original Uli tribe members. He saves his idol here at the merge vote, but loses a close ally. In addition, Jawan wants him out, and Jawan now has power in this game. Rizo can certainly bounce back, and having an idol definitely helps.
Jawan
Welcome to the top five, Jawan! From the outhouse all the way to the penthouse, I hope you bet on Jawan to win earlier in the season. Jawan has close allies in Sage and Steven, while sliding in well with the other original Hina members. We are looking at a strong underdog edit here, and hopefully Jawan can continue having success in this game.
Thanks for reading my “Survivor 49″ Episode 7 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 on Twitter/X @robbrereton for more “Survivor” content.
