Survivor Season 48, Episode 1 is here, with a brand new bunch of castaways battling it out for the $1 million prize. Who will make it all the way to the end and earn the respect of their fellow competitors enough to ensure they collect their jury votes? And who will fall at the first few hurdles? Here’s everything important that went down during Survivor Season 48, Episode 1: “The Get To Know You Game.”
What happened during the Survivor Season 48 premiere, Episode 1?
The game is on in Survivor Season 48, Episode 1, with some castaways immediately playing hard. It might be to their detriment down the road, but for now, it seems that making sure to build some strong bonds through honesty and oversharing is working in the favor of those engaging in such gameplay. One tribe was sent to tribal council, resulting in the first casualty of the season. Here are all of the highlights from the Survivor 48 premiere.
The Survivor 48 cast have arrived in Fiji, and they’re ready to play
Physicist and engineer Eva reveals in her first confessional that she’s the first and only girl to play on Georgia Tech’s men’s club hockey team, which instantly makes her one of my favorites. David, who wants to be “the hero,” not so much. We all know villains have more fun. But all the players impress Jeff Probst, with what he describes as maybe “the best” marooning reaction he’s ever heard. A bold claim, but I’m not going back over the 47 previous seasons to check.
Mitch, who reveals he has a speech impediment, has been “trying to get out here for the last 20 years,” and was inspired to apply all the way back when a deaf contestant took part in Survivor: The Amazon. It’s a beautiful story; but it’s one that would have me wanting to target him before he can even get close to the end. Who’s going to want to go up against him in front of a jury?
We’re kicking off with three tribes, each representing either the sun, moon, or the entire sky. And of course, there’s a marooning challenge, which gives all the feels when you see each contestant covered in mud. And what would a first challenge be without an injury? Kevin’s hurt his shoulder.
Lagi – made up of Star, Bianca, Joe, Eva, Thomas, and Shauhin – win the tribe supplies. The other tribes must leave behind one person to fight for the second set. Kevin and Kyle volunteer.
“There’s only one opportunity right now for your tribe to think of you as an asset,” Kevin says. He could fail again, or change his fate in this game.
The bonds are bonding, but is one castaway overplaying?
Lagi are celebrating, and Thomas immediately proves he is perfect television. He’s bonding “with two straight dudes,” and while it’s shocked him, he’s not complaining. The music exec also has huge love for fellow tribemate Bianca, and I’m immediately hoping they become a duo force to be reckoned with.
Over on Civa, Chrissy is looking forward to working with these different personalities. I’m trying to pay attention to the dynamics, but stunt performer David is doing shirtless pull-ups and talking about how he’s played a literal superhero. Maybe I don’t mind his hero complex after all. David’s hoping his fellow contestants can look past his muscles, and see him as a “valuable ally.” I’m sold. And also extremely fickle.
Then there’s Vula, with surgeon Cedrek. He thinks they’re the “underdog team” right out of the gate. “We didn’t get our supplies, so now we just have to regroup and move forward.” That’s the right attitude! Meanwhile, Stephanie’s ready to play. “I want to practice sitting on my hands. That will be the key to my game. Not taking action when I might direly want to.” I fear this would also be my downfall on Survivor. I’d be out looking for idols thinking I was being stealthy, while leaving a trail of both broken branches and noise in my wake. Saiounia isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, though. She wants security from Stephanie and Mary, but then also tries to lock in a three with Cedrek and Justin. The overplaying is worrying, to say the least. She says she wants a “Core Four,” but locking in two boys after trying to lock in two girls is dangerous.
Kyle and Kevin try to earn supplies for their tribes
“Losing the challenge … that was horrible; one of the worst feelings ever,” says Kyle. “I always viewed myself as a teammate that would get the job done.” I always wonder why castaways like Kyle come in with such a huge weight on their shoulders. You’re there to win $1 million, not prove yourself as a challenge beast to America.
In their challenge, Kyle and Kevin will compete against one another. The first player to secure their machete, retrieve their pot, and unlock their flint at the end of their path earns their tribe supplies. The loser has to leave everything behind, and their tribe won’t receive anything to help them out until after the first immunity challenge.
Kevin’s worried. He’d be confident if he didn’t hurt his shoulder. “I trained for this … but once I hurt my shoulder, all bets are off.” I’m rooting for him. But are my good vibes enough?
Kyle and Kevin’s approaches to the challenges are polar opposites. Kevin’s taking his time, while Kyle is, in his own words, “erratic.” That’s where things begin to fall apart for him, but when he chops down his pot, there’s a chance to turn things around. He’s got a slight lead, but as he’s filling up his pot, he accidentally breaks the container. Though the challenge is over, and Kevin wins by default, Kyle decides to help his opponent out.
“I felt like a screw-up,” Kyle says. “I let my tribe down. That sucks.” Maybe next time, Kyle.
Back at Vula, Kevin receives a hero’s welcome. “We gotta make fire! We gotta do stuff!” he tells his tribemates. The Kumbaya vibes are high, and everyone wants to work with Kevin. Let’s see how this shakes out…
Animal markings pique David’s curiosity
Civa tribemate David’s noticed a dolphin symbol on the water well, an octopus on one of the paddles, and an eagle marking on a tree. He shows it to Mitch, and the pair then find some black string. Tied underneath is an “S,” but the pair are distracted by Kyle’s return.
“I still have to figure out a way to integrate into this group of people who have been forming bonds,” Kyle says. But he’s going to do so with a lie. Despite being a lawyer, he’s going to claim he’s a high school English teacher. David thinks he’s being “sincere,” but boasts about how he definitely would have returned to the tribe with supplies if he had been the one to compete. And I’m back on the ‘SHUT UP, DAVID,’ train; even more so when he tells his ENTIRE tribe about the markings. This leads everybody to different ropes and letters, but to quote Mitch, “What the freak is happening right now?”
Lagi tribemates are instead focused on building a shelter. “I think the Lagi tribe is fire,” says Star. “Everybody just fell into roles of what to do.” They seem to be working the best as a team. Plus, it’s fun to see firefighter Joe – who wants to “change the game” by remaining loyal throughout – starting a fire.
Back at Vula, Sai instructs Kevin, Cedrek, and Justin to start looking for the idol. She doesn’t want it to fall into anyone else’s hands outside of that group. Meanwhile, Stephanie and Mary slam Sai’s “bad gameplay,” branding her as untrustworthy. They’re not wrong; she’s playing both sides. Unfortunately for them, Sai dips her hand into a hole in a tree, and finds the Beware Advantage.
What does the Beware Advantage hold?
A puzzle lock is wrapped up in the Beware Advantage, which Sai opens in front of Justin without a second thought. A code reading “216337” throws Sai for a loop. It’s going to spell a word, but with different colors for each number, and cryptograms spinning through Sai’s mind, she’s not sure where to start. “I was adamant about math, that was the one thing I didn’t want out here.” Until Sai claims the puzzle lock’s idol, she has lost her vote at tribal. “I need to have this thing open – I need my vote.” Yes, Sai, and you also need to SLOW DOWN.
At Lagi, Star is out looking for idols, and her tribemates notice she’s disappeared. “Star is in trouble for sure,” Shauhin admits. “Don’t leave tribe by yourself at the beginning of the game.” Suddenly, everybody wants Star to go home. Her social game is on the floor. Joe, Tom, and Shauhin however? They’re the California Girls trio; an all-male alliance unlike any other. Finally, a “budding alliance of all dudes” I can root for! Bianca and Eva are the two players vying for that fourth spot to build the majority.
Pulling Joe aside, Eva opens up about her autism. It’s not something she wants to “advertise” in the game, but she wants to let her number one know. She says she will struggle to tell “when someone is lying,” and admits there will be times she needs to get “grounded” when she is “overstimulated.” Joe asks how he’ll be able to help in those moments, and oh my goodness me is that a tear rolling down my face? All love this for this pair. “I’ve made the decision, she’s with me. I’ve got her.”
Kyle’s causing concern for Charity, and Sai cracks the code
It’s Day two on the Civa beach, where Charity admits that Kyle’s journey has her worried he might have an advantage. Unfortunately for her, she says it to Kamilla, who wants to work with Kyle. Kamilla “reverses that bus” and runs Charity “over and over” as she reveals how shady she’s being. Alongside Kyle, David, and Krissy, Kamilla’s plan to cast suspicion on Charity works a charm. An alliance of four is formed, and that means a majority.
Back at Vula, Sai is spiraling. She tells the rest of the alliance she’s found the puzzle lock, which gives Cedrek confidence she’s on board to ride with him at least for the foreseeable future. Kevin finds it to be a “double-edged sword,” however. He’s happy to know, but worried that she does have her hands on something so powerful.
Turns out Sai has also spotted symbols around camp. Now, she’s got some idea of what to do next. “There’s a method to the madness.” With Cedrek and Justin’s help, she forms the word “Listen,” and voila. She’s got her hands on an immunity idol, and regains her votes at any future tribal. Teamwork makes the dream work – perhaps I was wrong in calling Sai out for playing so hard, so early.
The first immunity challenge of the season gets underway, and it looks to be a hugely physical one that ends with a Survivor logo puzzle. Two tribes will win immunity, and in the end, they turn out to be Lagi and Civa, sending Vula to tribal council.
Who was sent home in Survivor Season 48, Episode 1?
Stephanie Berger was the first person voted out of Survivor Season 48, in Episode 1, by a vote of 4-1.
After a closely-fought challenge, Stephanie found the spotlight on her. She volunteered to complete the logo puzzle, and didn’t get the job done.
Mary, however, didn’t trust Sai. “You’re trying way too hard. Can’t we make some connections first?” she asked in confessional. Justin agreed that she was playing “really, really hard, really early,” but wanted to remain in the middle. Sai had proven she would be honest with Justin, so he wondered how he could turn his back on that.
Kevin told Justin it wouldn’t be the “worst thing” if Sai went home. It would mean that they would be able to try and hunt down the idol when it got placed back into the game.
At tribal council, Stephanie said trust was the “number one concern.” She pointed out there were three Libras on the tribe, which is “usually good at communication, but maybe a little bit of indecisiveness.” Sai then pointed out she doesn’t typically get on “with other air signs.” The battle lines were drawn, and some shade was thrown.
Stephanie decided to play her Shot in the Dark. “Not sure how I feel about my stars tonight,” she quipped. She sacrificed her vote for a one in six shot at safety. That didn’t happen, and she was sent home. It’s a shame, because I found her to be completely endearing! Now, Mary and Sai have beef. This is gonna be a fun season – we’re back, baby!
Survivor continues Wednesdays at 8/7c on CBS.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF SURVIVOR SEASON 48, EPISODE 1?
