Finale night is here for the 48th season of “Survivor.”
Although it wasn’t as spicy as prior seasons, season 48 has seen its fair share of mild controversy. One contestant needed a lot of dental work performed after their time on the island. Another was found to have been a part of the reality show world already – even after having applied and participated as a “Survivor” reserve previously. Two contestants were very open in their post show interviews about how others weren’t playing the game or how poorly they were treated while filming.
The finale of season 48 airs tonight and the remaining players are a grab bag of strength, strategic and coattail riders. While they have painted pictures as to what they need to tell the jury voters why they deserve to win, their actions have already been captured for viewers to see.
Below are summaries of what each player did to get to the final five.
Joe Hunter
Easily the top contender to win from a fan perspective, Hunter has dominated the physical competitions. As of the finale airing, he’s won 11 challenges – including seven immunity challenges. Hunter was one of the oldest players in the game this season but his occupation is fire captain so he was well prepared to take on every challenge.
He also struck a chord with viewers after partnering with fellow player Eva Erickson, who confided her autism diagnosis with him. Hunter would take her under his wing as the two would end up trading off wins throughout the season. During the episode “Icarus Time,” Hunter won the immunity challenge that ended with being able to read letters from home. He would then reveal in a more or less private moment on the beach that his departed sister, Joanna, was the reason he even applied to be on the show. Everything he did in the past 30 days has been for her.
Strengths: Loyalty
Weaknesses: Paranoid
Chances of Winning: 1 in 5
Eva Erickson
Erickson is one of the strongest women to compete on the show. This PhD candidate also grew up with brothers and plays hockey so she can give as much as she can take. She’s won six immunity and reward challenges. Not only that, she’s also been invited to three separate rewards that she lost.
With most of her wins, Erickson has been the most fed contestant on the island this season by far. She also has a fellow contestant’s immunity idol that she’s been holding on to since week five. But she’s also grown complacent in her status on the island, not making any moves whatsoever. While she may have outplayed many, Erickson definitely didn’t outwit. That could mean no votes coming her way.
Strengths: Physicality
Weaknesses: Arrogance
Chances of Winning: 1 in 5
Kyle Fraser
Fraser is one of the more daring contestants this season due to his willingness to do something other than let the game play out on its own. The lying lawyer didn’t reveal his profession — even to this number one, Kamila Karthigesu — until late in the season. He proved himself to be a slick talker, weaving between alliances without being caught. He’s won five challenges not including a sixth where he won a team reward but lost immunity. Not to mention Fraser is also willing to be vulnerable when the situation calls for it.
One of the better aspects of the season was his partnership with Karthigesu. Both promised each other to make it to the final three. Not a single soul on the island knows about the alliance – which has made for some of the only tension during season 48 as both Karthigesu and Fraser delegated manipulating votes behind the backs of others. Fraser’s real prowess for devising came into light during the late season episode “Icarus Time” when he exacted a plan to send home Shauhin Davari.
Strengths: Charming
Weaknesses: Too many irons in the fire
Chances of Winning: 1 in 5
Kamilla Karthigesu
Even though she’s only won four challenges and rewards, Karthigesu is one of the more likeable players in the final episodes of the season. As with every contestant, there’s obviously a want to be the big winner at the end but her constant reiterating of “final three” to alliance member Fraser paints Karthigesu to be more loyal than most.
Karthigesu’s gameplay has been less physical and more strategic (although, prior to the show, her husband did make her workout in order to prepare). In true “Survivor” fashion, Karthigesu’s ability to thrust herself in and out of the narrative has shown that some of the best contestants don’t only need to outplay but also outwit and outlast.
Strengths: Very undercover
Weaknesses: Too undercover
Chances of Winning: 1 in 5
Mitch Guerra
Speaking of the show’s motto, Guerra is supremely in the “outlast” camp thanks to his ability to go on few rewards (two to be exact) while not making any noteworthy moves. He is, however, a much more strategic player than even some of the more physical ones. He managed to block Sai Hughley’s vote. But that’s about it.
Strengths: Easy to get along with
Weaknesses: Can’t make a move
Chances of Winning: 1 in 5
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Who Are The Final Five of ‘Survivor’ 48?