Survivor 48, it's been clear that while there's still a physical element to the competitions, strategy is the name of the game. With a group of mentally strong players, the group clicked and clashed throughout their time together, especially after the merge. With Eva lying low, the intensity is still radiating through the group.
Despite the target on her back being somewhat large throughout the game, Eva has managed to find her stride within her strong alliance after some difficult moments earlier in the season. Working with Joe Hunter, Shauhin Davari, and Kyle Fraser, Eva's alliance was larger earlier in the game. While she originally had David Kinne on her side, Eva and her fellow alliance had to make the tough decision to blindside him in previous weeks. Even without David, however, Eva's been able to navigate the tough landscape of the game with a sizable group on her side.
Eva's Alliance Are Loyal To A Point
They Have Eliminated One Of Their Own
Although Survivor doesn't always play out as a game that rests on big alliances, some seasons have more frustrating core groups than others. Typically, seasons of Survivor feature groups of different alliances once the tribes merge toward the middle of the game. After the merge, a lot of the time, original tribes find themselves sticking together if they're a larger group that could control the majority of the vote. While the large alliances don't always leave viewers interested in the game, some seasons weigh heavier with alliances steamrolling the competition than others, like Survivor 48's current group.
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Survivor 48's strong group may have been an interesting idea going into the merge, but as they've gone through the rest of the season, things have been tougher with Eva's alliance. While they've been dominating the competition because of their built-in voting block, they haven't necessarily been dedicated to each other as a group. Eva, who brought Joe and David together after the merge, looped in with Shauhin and Kyle as well, but Kyle had loyalty to Kamilla Karthigesu outside of the alliance, as well. Regardless, their voting block has been able to create an immovable force on Survivor.
Eva Has A Shot At Winning The Season
Her Story Will Be Impactful If She Makes It To The End
Though some aren't happy with the way Eva's playing the game, there's a huge chance that the Minnesota native could win the game. If Eva makes it to the Final Tribal Council, there's a decent chance that she could win the votes of many of her fellow castaways sitting on the jury. As a smart, savvy player, Eva's been careful with the social connections she's developed throughout Survivor 48, but it's been interesting to see her play knowing more about her backstory. As the first openly autistic person to play Survivor, Eva is navigating the competition with different challenges than her castmates.
Knowing that she has the strength to move through Survivor despite her disability, Eva was upfront about the issues she faced in the game once she became a bit more comfortable with the rest of the cast. When Eva revealed her autism diagnosis, she was clear about the details and left the rest of the cast emotional, with even Survivor host Jeff Probst in tears. While Eva's diagnosis doesn't define her, playing Survivor with autism will give her a great story should she make it to the end of the game. Eva's game moves have been strong, which could help.
A Member Of The Strong Four Could Betray Eva
Things Could Change Quickly
Although Eva's alliance has been more or less operating as a voting block rather than a traditional alliance, it's possible they could choose to betray her when it comes closer to the end. Survivor castaways typically stick to eliminating those outside of their alliance before the endgame, then playing individually once the numbers have gotten down to four or five. While this style of play can be difficult to watch, it's become clear that the current alliance doesn't seem to have issues with betraying one another when the time feels right, especially after taking out David in previous weeks.
Though Eva has been loyal to the greater alliance, especially in choosing to vote David out despite their connection, it's possible that they could perceive how threatening she may be in the endgame. While her fellow alliance have their strengths, Eva's got a story that's tough to beat when it comes down to the final moments of the game. After winning Survivor competitions and overcoming adversity, Eva may sway the jury about her social game in a way that gets her votes. With drama brewing between others in the alliance, Eva could slip through the cracks.
Eva Could Betray Her Alliance
She Could Choose To Go With The Minority
Although Eva could be betrayed by her Survivor alliance, what seems more likely is that she could choose to betray the alliance herself. As she's moved through the game, Eva has made decisions that may not be her favorite from an emotional standpoint, but tend to get her further in the game strategically. Eva's been working with the same alliance since the merge, but her real loyalties seem to lie with Joe more than anyone else. It's possible that if Eva doesn't feel things working, which she could because of Kyle's loyalty to Kamilla, she could choose to step away.
Eva's ability to play the game could be tested in the coming episodes, especially with the endgame coming so quickly on Survivor. The game is coming down to the wire, which means the decisions may be tougher, and the competitions may become trickier. For Eva, with drama appearing to be brewing between Kamilla, Kyle, and Shauhin, she could find herself deciding to move away from the group with Joe and making a big move to secure her spot in the endgame. Eva's decision as she moves into the final days of Survivor 48 will make or break her entire game.
Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on CBS.
Source: Survivor/Instagram
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