logo
Breaking down Survivor 48 with Survivor 47 runner-up Sam Phalen

Breaking down Survivor 48 with Survivor 47 runner-up Sam Phalen

Yahoo23-05-2025
Survivor 48 has come to an end, with castaway Kyle Fraser being named the Sole Survivor after yet another memorable run of the greatest game of all time.
As we look back on this latest season, we've asked Survivor 47 runner-up Sam Phalen to help us break down all the big questions from what we just watched.Sam, a sports journalist for FanSided, got close to being named Sole Survivor last fall but fell just short of that honor to Survivor 47 winner Rachel LaMont.
However, his tenacity, social game and strategy plays more than cemented his place in the season's second spot and got him close to winning outright.
Sam also one of the architects behind "Operation: Italy," one of the great strategy moves in the show's history. You may also remember his thrilling comeback in the fire-making competition to make the final three.
Sam's Survivor expertise gives us great perspective on Survivor 48 from somebody who played and succeeded at the game, so let's run through some of his big takeaways.
FTW: Kyle is our latest Survivor winner after a pretty terrific finale. What do you think set him apart by the time the jury's vote rolled around?
Sam: Kyle was the only person in the game playing both sides from start to finish. As he said himself, he rode the middle. Not only was a part of the dominant alliance that chose who went home every week, he also had a side relationship with Kamilla [Karthigesu] and was able to manipulate information to get his way.
A Survivor jury loves to be surprised. They want to hear something that wows them. Something they didn't know before sitting down at Final Tribal Council. Kyle being able to sit there and reveal the secrets he kept from everyone in the game not only impressed the jury, but made him look more credible than Joe [Hunter] and Eva [Erickson].
FTW: As one of the architects of all-time Survivor move 'Operation: Italy,' what was your favorite moment of strategy this season?
Sam: Probably the plan from Kyle and Kamilla to blindside Shauhin. It reminded me of "Operation: Italy" a little bit.
The best Survivor moves take detailed planning, acting and layers upon layers of details that further validate the scheme. People talk and fact-check information constantly, so you have to be thorough. Kyle referred to the move as a 'heist,' which is exactly how we described "Operation: Italy" in real time.
FTW: Joe's game was the perfect example of how Survivor used to be played, before the era of cutthroat strategy took over for modern players. How do you size up his game and the way he approached his time in Fiji?
Sam: Joe's social game was really, really impressive. It seemed like everyone on the island thought they were working with him and didn't want to cross him. He's a good person that was invested in building real relationships. That worked out for him and got him some longevity in the game.
I think Joe ultimately struggled with jury management and sent a lot of scorned people to the jury. He probably could have been more cutthroat, too. Because he was playing such an honest game, it seemed like he assumed everyone else in his alliance would be, too. But Kyle and Kamilla had other plans and pulled one over on him one too many times to have the jury give him the victory.
FTW: Is there a castaway for this season you feel deserves more credit for the game they played before their elimination?
Sam: I think Shauhin [Davari] was a really savvy player that wasn't highlighted in the edit very much. A lot of people seemed to feel good about Shauhin. He's an eloquent speaker with a strategic mind that absolutely could have won the game had he not gone out at the final six.
Because he worked so closely with Kyle and Joe, I think Shauhin's story takes a bit of a backseat to theirs throughout the season. Credit to Kyle for outplaying him at the end, but I think Shauhin was closer to winning the game than we see on T.V.
FTW: When it comes to famous duos, where do Joe and Eva and Kyle and Kamilla stack up in the history of Survivor?
Sam: Joe and Eva are certainly going to be one of the most memorable duos ever. Their relationship is always going to define Survivor 48. It's going to be the thing people remember when they reflect on this season five years from now.
Kyle and Kamilla may go down as the greatest duo in Survivor history? Or at least on the top three? That sounds like hyperbole, but we've never seen a duo go 25 days without being discovered by the other players in the game. Everyone wants to do it, but nobody can. They're the new gold standard for what an alliance should look like.
FTW: How do you feel about Survivor 48 as a whole? What do you think this season will be most remembered for?
Sam: I think this will be remembered as Joe and Eva's season. The 'strength and loyalty' season. It's not beloved by the fans, and it definitely wasn't one of my favorites, but I think Kyle's dominant win gives it a pretty strong conclusion.
Ultimately, seasons that are built on emotional connections are never going to translate as well through the TV screen as seasons that are built on strategic maneuvers. 48 didn't have much strategy, so it can be stagnant for a viewer tuning in for the shifting gameplay. It will play better on a binge rewatch than it did in real time.
FTW: Fill us in on what you're up to after finishing as the runner-up for Survivor 47.
Sam: I've been staying active in the Survivor/Reality TV community while going through some pretty significant life changes. I got married in March of this year, had a dream honeymoon and recently started a new job.
I'm currently covering the Chicago White Sox, my hometown team, as a writer and Site Expert at FanSided.com. I've been doing a lot of traveling around the U.S. and the world and hope to continue with more big adventures soon!
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Breaking down Survivor 48 with Survivor 47 runner-up Sam Phalen
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sony makes one of the best OLED TVs, this deal makes it $900 more affordable
Sony makes one of the best OLED TVs, this deal makes it $900 more affordable

Digital Trends

time13 minutes ago

  • Digital Trends

Sony makes one of the best OLED TVs, this deal makes it $900 more affordable

Every day we find incredible TV deals, so there's never really a point in buying a TV at the regular price. That is, unless you want one of the best TVs all around, which have more of a reason to not go on sale frequently. They already get lots of attention and have the chops to justify high prices. However, from time to time we do find a great deal on one of our favored TVs. This time around we're see a $900 discount on the 65-inch Sony Bravia 8 OLED, one of our picks for the best OLED TVs. Getting the TV now, which you can do simply by tapping the button below, will only cost you $1,900 instead of the usual $2,800. Read on to learn why the TV is so great, as well as to see the special reason why it's included in our list of OLED TVs. Why you should buy the Sony Bravia 8 OLED The Sony Bravia 8 OLED is a brilliant TV for your living room or gathering area. It's a weird thing to say, but a lot of TVs have a sort of 'hermit' personality and are really best enjoyed with a small group in a dark room. Not the Sony Bravia 8 OLED, with its wide viewing angle and ability to stand up to ambient lighting. This is a TV to grab the crew around and watch some ball or have in your living room to give you some company while you watch the kids. It's a TV to enhance your life with, but it doesn't have to So, why did this TV make it on our OLED shortlist? It happens to be the best Sony OLED for the price. And, of course, by this we mean its standard price. The quality is simply there; it has rich colors and black levels that make things pop, whether you're in the living room or not. So, why not grab it while it is $900 cheaper and you can get it for $1,900 instead of the usual $2,800.

Nebula's Netflix Licensed Outdoor Projector Hits Lowest Price, Flying Off the Shelves
Nebula's Netflix Licensed Outdoor Projector Hits Lowest Price, Flying Off the Shelves

Gizmodo

time13 minutes ago

  • Gizmodo

Nebula's Netflix Licensed Outdoor Projector Hits Lowest Price, Flying Off the Shelves

If you're in the North East, that month-long wave of humidity seems to have finally broken. It's comfortably to be outside again. So why not get back the lost weeks of summer outdoors by hosting movie night in your backyard? Get yourself set up with an outdoor projector. Amazon has the Nebula Capsule 3, an outdoor projector officially licensed by Netflix, on sale for a solid 26% off. The projector is normally priced at $530, but after the reduction, you only have to pay $390. That works out to a savings of $140. That's not all though. Click the 'Redeem' button on the product page to receive an additional 15% off. This projector is designed for portability and outdoor use. It runs off a battery that will last you for two and a half hours of watch time. That should be enough to cover the length of most movies. Though if you're watching some long epic like Lawrence of Arabia, you can always plug it into a portable power bank to score some extra hours of use. A power bank is not included, you'll have to find one separately. See at Amazon You can also use the projector as a Bluetooth speaker. When doing so, you can enjoy 8W Dolby Audio and get a whole 8 to 10 hours of listening time on a single charge. Back to movie watching, you can stretch the projection to a massive image of 120 inches across. You'll capture the feeling of the cinema right in your own backyard with a screen that big. It projects with 200 lumens of brightness in gorgeous 1080p. Set up could not be simpler. The Nebula Capsule 3 projector uses a intelligent environment adaptive technology that can automatically adjust screen fit, keystone correction, autofocus, and obstacle avoidance in just a matter of a few seconds. Out of the box, the Nebula Capsule 3 outdoor projector supports a ton of your favorite apps. Netflix comes pre-installed and you can also watch content through Google TV, YouTube, and more. The stand is adjustable up to 180 degrees so you can position the projector at the best angle that fits your particular viewing area. The projector is nearly pocket-sized, making it easy to take with you to a friend's house or a weekend getaway and make your favorite movie or show part of the trip. For a limited time, you can pick up the Nebula Capsule 3 outdoor projector for a reduced price of just $390. Normally, you' find this projector selling for $530, so you'll save a whole $140. But again, that's not all. Click the 'Redeem' button on the product page to receive an additional 15% off. See at Amazon

This Iconic Disney World Attraction Just Reopened With New Tech, Scenes, and Thrills—What to Know
This Iconic Disney World Attraction Just Reopened With New Tech, Scenes, and Thrills—What to Know

Travel + Leisure

time13 minutes ago

  • Travel + Leisure

This Iconic Disney World Attraction Just Reopened With New Tech, Scenes, and Thrills—What to Know

Following an extensive refurbishment, Walt Disney World's Test Track has reopened with all new show scenes, on-board narration, vehicles, and queue. The high-speed thrill attraction has been an Epcot staple since 1999, and one of the Orlando destination's most popular rides. And now park goers can race to what Disney has called an all-new 'reimagined experience' that celebrates 'today's innovation while highlighting the past, present, and future.' The new Test Track is a collaboration between General Motors and Walt Disney Imagineering. Riders will first walk through a queue featuring six distinct exhibits that 'celebrate the vehicles—and people behind the vehicles—that push the envelope and help get people to our next chapter in our motion journey.' On display are futuristic, concept cars. Once on board, riders will journey through various show scenes that depict 'technological advances and how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone.' The attraction taps into the spirit of the open road while showcasing the unique vantage point of how vehicles 'see' the world around us. To create this effect, Walt Disney Imagineering utilized over 29,000 points of light. And fans need not worry: The popular scenic outdoors portion where riders are thrust to an exhilarating 65 miles per hour remains. Guests will then exit into a sprawling Vehicle Showcase displaying the latest innovations from General Motors. The newly-refreshed ride also pays tribute to the early days of Epcot and its legacy. Longtime visitors will notice an all-new musical score featuring the 'It's Fun To Be Free,' theme song for World of Motion, the attraction that once occupied the space where Test Track sits today. And its exterior has also been given a refresh, inspired by the original pavilion's design. Test Track will operate with a standard queue and a single rider line. The attraction is also available to book through Disney World's paid expedited line system, Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Walt Disney World is currently celebrating 'Cool Kid Summer' with new experiences that include two all-new stage shows at Disney's Hollywood Studios, 'The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure' and 'Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After,' and a brand-new evening parade at Magic Kingdom Park, 'Disney Starlight: Dream The Night Away.' And later this year, guests can look forward to a brand-new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern, The Beak and Barrel, at the Magic Kingdom Park.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store