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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who won Survivor 48? Summing up how the latest season ended
The 48th season of Survivor is in the books, and we have a new Sole Survivor to celebrate. Kyle Fraser emerged victorious during the Final Tribal Council, besting fellow finalists Eva Erickson and Joe Hunter to win the million dollars and the bragging rights of winning a season of Survivor. Kamilla Karthigesu also made the Survivor 48 final four but was eliminated during the fire-making competition. It's as hard a game to play as any on Earth, but Kyle won with his resiliency, strategy and heart during his time in Fiji. He will join Survivor 47 winner Rachel LaMont in the pantheon of recent game winers. The final four in the game were indeed Kyle, Joe, Kamilla and Eva, with the latter two competing in the fire-making competition and Eva winning that battle. Mitch Guerra finished in fifth place. In the Final Tribal Council, Kyle was able to make his case the best to the jurors of why he should win the competition. The final tally went his way, and he was crowned Survivor 48 victor. We'll see if this latest winner, any of these other finalists or other Survivor 48 castaways make it back to the island for Survivor 50 once the cast gets announced next week. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Who won Survivor 48? Summing up how the latest season ended
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Why Survivor 48's Joe Hunter still leaves the game as a huge winner
Why Survivor 48's Joe Hunter still leaves the game as a huge winner When it comes to playing Survivor in the modern era, strategically (and, most often, amicably) stabbing people in the back is typically part of the formula for success. A big move, a "blindside," is a coveted attribute to add to your Survivor game, showing that you can indeed "outwit" your opponents and build your reputation for being a master of strategy. When the game first started, original winner Richard Hatch caught his opponents off-guard with his purposeful conniving, but it is now a critical piece to any Survivor castaway's game to win favor with the jury. To be honest, to play Survivor the old way, with more interpersonal integrity and with heavy reliance on alliance and sheer force of strength and will, won't earn you a lot of favor with the audience and potentially with the jurors. That's probably part of why Joe Hunter, Survivor 48's third-place finisher, didn't ultimately win the competition. This latest season's winner, Kyle Fraser, absolutely deserved winning in the context of the game. He arguably played the best strategy of any contestant outside of fellow secret alliance partner Kamilla Karthigesu, he meshed beautifully with the game's two best alliances for individual survival and he showed enough poise and power in the Immunity Challenges to build his Sole Survivor case. Kyle was an excellent Survivor victor. However, for so much of the season, it seemed like Joe was steamrolling his way to the finish line playing the game his way, which was pretty remarkable considering how Survivor has dramatically evolved from its inception. Final Tribal Council is always such a tricky spot where the makeup of any given jury can swing the game in some wild directions, but Joe found a way to make himself a frontrunner while eschewing traditional game strategy for a much more honorable approach to how he tried to win the whole shebang. No, Joe did not take home the million dollars, but he is still a pivotal game player in the show's recent history and leaves a huge winner. Joe showed audiences globally that you can still be a stand-up human being and make it far on the beaches of Fiji. He showed a path to play Survivor in the modern era where you really can advance week to week by playing a nearly impenetrable social game while dominating in the Immunity Challenges. He built one of the more impressive alliances in recent memory, and he made sure to keep it intact for as long as possible. No, he did not plot a traditional "blindside" or work his strategy in the shadows, but he didn't necessarily need those tactics to make his game as strong as it inevitably was by season's end. For a modern Survivor jury, this is not the path to currying votes in the face of strategic advancements. However, Joe even making it to the final three as a viable threat to winning altogether proves that he may be the prototype for a throwback style of Survival competitor. This entire season felt like a time capsule back to the early 2000s at times, which might be why Joe gained such a foothold on the competition. Joe never really had to sacrifice his integrity to maneuver in the game (depending on how you view David Kinne's beef with him), and he clearly became uncomfortable when the winds blew in the direction of playing the modern way being the only way to make it out for the next day. Perhaps that's why he felt like a unique contender in a Survivor landscape where potential players dream of how they'll pull off big moves and "blindsides" to win the game. However, it's just cool for where Survivor has gone that you got a player like Joe with such a strong moral compass and an eye for life bigger than the game being played. It's also why Kyle was such an easy person to root for by game's end, a Survivor winner who agonized how his fully fair deceptions might impact the castaways he developed close relationships with while in Fiji. It's clear how much this cast came together at the end, and how even a modern game of Survivor can build lifelong bonds in the heat of competition. Joe's relationship with Eva Erickson, Survivor's very first openly autistic castaway and an incredibly deserving runner up to Kyle by Final Tribal Council, really cemented why the former's run on the show was so special. It was always easy to root for both of these challengers from a human perspective, but it was something else altogether to see Joe at times perhaps sacrifice his individual game to see the bigger picture with Eva. The season's most powerful moment by a mile came when Joe left his tribe to comfort Eva during a particularly troubling episode for the latter, publicly exposing their alliance in an interaction that ultimately left show host Jeff Probst in tears. The empathy and character Joe showed in helping Eva during such a harrowing moment in the game cemented the two as one of the game's all-time duos, as it could become hard to root against them in a game where it's easy to lose sight of the person behind the player. Yes, strategy in Survivor often dictates you do just that in the spirit of friendly competition, but Joe seemed willing to fall short of his ultimate goal if it kept him from doing the right thing. That's pretty moving. Joe, Eva, Kyle, Kamilla and Mitch showed moments of remarkable character throughout, and it's really cool they were the last five standing by the season finale. Joe's ironclad bond with Eva might not have endeared those who prefer their Survivor to be as cutthroat as possible, but it was a welcome change of pace and a reminder that you can still play the game Joe's way and make it very far in the competition. Sure, you might not always leave with a million bucks this way, but for so much of this season, it felt like Joe was headed his way there with ease. Honestly, you wish Joe would have made this more central to his argument at Final Tribal Council. He should get many more flowers for finding a way to play the game his way, one build on unshakable bonds and consistent brawn, in this modern era and still making it as far as he did with such week-to-week dominance. That might not sway the jurors who want their season of Survivor represented by the most impressive strategy, but it still means Joe should leave Mamanuca Islands with his head held high. For a game that proudly creates heroes and villains, Joe gets to close his run on Survivor 48 as a clear hero. If his mission in heading to Fiji was that the world could see what a good guy he was and prove that even the good guys can find success in the world's greatest game without even strategically compromising their character, then mission accomplished. As a friend who is a huge Survivor fan shared with me in conversation about the finale, we have a feeling this season of Survivor will age well because of the genial spirit that largely dominated the island this go-around, and we have a feeling even those who didn't like Joe's game this time around for its lack of traditional "blindside" strategy will grow to appreciate it more in the years to come. Joe played the game his way with honor and determination, and he would have certainly a worthy Sole Survivor because of it.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Survivor 48: Kyle Fraser wins the final - Here's how the jury voted
Kyle Fraser was crowned the winner of Survivor 48, securing the title of Sole Survivor and the $1 million grand prize in the season finale aired on Wednesday. The three-hour finale saw Kyle outmaneuver finalists Joe Hunter and Eva Erickson, earning the majority of the jury's votes through his strategic gameplay, immunity win, and social finesse. The Survivor 48 finale began with five players: Kyle Fraser, Joe Hunter, Eva Erickson, Kamilla Karthigesu, and Mitch Guerra, following Shauhin Davari's elimination. Kamilla won the first immunity challenge, a puzzle-based obstacle course, and chose Eva for the sanctuary reward, strengthening their alliance. At Tribal Council, Mitch was voted out, leaving four players. In the final immunity challenge, Kyle clinched victory, securing a spot in the final three and the power to assign immunity. He chose Joe, forcing Kamilla and Eva into the fire-making challenge, where Eva prevailed. The final three—Kyle, Joe, and Eva—faced an eight-person jury: Cedrek McFadden, Chrissy Sarnowsky, David Kinne, Star Toomey, Mary Zheng, Shauhin Davari, Mitch Guerra, and Kamilla Karthigesu, per GoldDerby. Kyle's victory came from his balanced gameplay, highlighted by a hidden idol play (negating three votes), an extra vote advantage, and a secret alliance with Kamilla that orchestrated key blindsided. At the Final Tribal Council, Kyle articulated his strategic control and social bonds, outshining Joe's challenge-heavy resume and Eva's emotional narrative tied to her autism journey. The jury vote resulted in a 5-2-1 split: Kyle received five votes (from Kamilla, Shauhin, David, Star, and Cedrek), Eva earned two (from Mary and Mitch), and Joe secured one (from Chrissy). The prize money remains standard: $1 million for the Sole Survivor, $100,000 for the runner-up (Eva), and $85,000 for third place (Joe). Jury members received a $10,000 reunion show bonus, while early eliminees earned as little as $3,500, per EntertainmentNow.
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Who won Survivor 48? Summing up how the latest season ended
Who won Survivor 48? Summing up how the latest season ended The 48th season of Survivor is in the books, and we have a new Sole Survivor to celebrate. Kyle Fraser emerged victorious during the Final Tribal Council, besting fellow finalists Eva Erickson and Joe Hunter to win the million dollars and the bragging rights of winning a season of Survivor. Kamilla Karthigesu also made the Survivor 48 final four but was eliminated during the fire-making competition. It's as hard a game to play as any on Earth, but Kyle won with his resiliency, strategy and heart during his time in Fiji. He will join Survivor 47 winner Rachel LaMont in the pantheon of recent game winers. The final four in the game were indeed Kyle, Joe, Kamilla and Eva, with the latter two competing in the fire-making competition and Eva winning that battle. Mitch Guerra finished in fifth place. In the Final Tribal Council, Kyle was able to make his case the best to the jurors of why he should win the competition. The final tally went his way, and he was crowned Survivor 48 victor. We'll see if this latest winner, any of these other finalists or other Survivor 48 castaways make it back to the island for Survivor 50 once the cast gets announced next week.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Survivor 48: Ranking the 5 remaining castaways in likelihood of winning the game
On Wednesday night, Survivor 48 will come to a close, with show host Jeff Probst overseeing who will be crowned the latest Sole Survivor in show history. It's been a roller coaster of a season, one that has provided fans with a throwback to how Survivor used to be played as opposed to the more strategy-led approach that has dominate recent seasons. While we can't tell with certainty who will be the last castaway standing after the Final Tribal Council, we've gone through the final five contestants and ranked them with their likelihood of winning the game. Let's run through all five of these Survivor 48 castaways and discuss why they're favorites or underdogs at this stage in the game. Mitch sticking around like he has throughout the season, often on an empty stomach, deserves a lot of commendation. He's got a great story, and his fellow competitors have consistently mentioned how his perseverance should be considered as a threat with the jury at final statements. Mitch has played a good game, but he just lacks the Immunity Challenge showcases and moments of inspired game play his fellow remaining competitors have gathered this season. It won't shock us if Mitch makes it to the final three, but we're not sure he'll have as strong of a case as some of the other castaways this season. Even so, we're glad Mitch made it this far. A wonderful castaway this season, Eva deserves so, so much credit for being the first openly autistic Survivor contestant. She has played an inspired game, winning an Immunity Challenge, building an incredible alliance with Joe that has dictated so much of this season and finding game advantages along the way she hasn't even needed. She's been a steady force in guiding where this season of Survivor has gone so far. However, if the jurors have to choose between Joe and Eva at the end, it's likely to be the former for how much he dominated those Immunity Challenges and how much he's led the alliance they both had with Kyle and Shauhin. Being such a dedicated member of a Survivor alliance can have its downsides if your fellow competitors don't necessarily find you to be the top threat in that group, after all. Eva more than has what it takes to make it to Final Tribal Council, but we're not sure she'll make it across the finish line as the Sole Survivor. Even so, she's been a remarkable castaway this season, and we'd love to see her back in a future Survivor competition. Kamilla and Kyle's hidden alliance has been one of the most consequential movers and shakers in this game, and it's been arguably the best showing of strategy between two contestants this season so far. If the jury rewards the castaways in this game playing the most modern game of Survivor, Kamilla absolutely should be considered a threat to win it all with Kyle. She's won an Immunity Challenge, too, so that helps. However, her chances of winning are solely based on how well her alliance with Kyle can withstand the Final Immunity Challenge. If Joe wins yet again, it will make it tougher and tougher for Kamilla and Kyle to remain in lockstep with each other in the final phases of the game just based on who is left. Kyle still has a bond with Joe and Eva that Kamilla does not, and Kyle is the biggest threat to win outside of Joe. Kamilla will be a real factor to win if she makes it to Final Tribal Council, but Joe and Kyle have the overall edge right now going into the last final days. Still, Kamilla has played a strong game of modern Survivor. Make no mistake about it; Kyle is the biggest non-Joe threat to win Survivor 48. If you're basing this off how the game has been played in recent years, Kyle has been the most impressive modern Survivor contestant this season. If Kyle and Joe both make it to Final Tribal Council, it's really a coin flip as to who the jury will select. Kyle has taken an admirable approach to playing Survivor the old and new way, leaning on his relationships and his strength and building a modern alliance in secret for strategic purposes with Kamilla. Sure, he doesn't have the overwhelming success Joe has with Immunity Challenge victories, but he may win over the jurors who appreciate how he's been able to get the best of both worlds while in Fiji. If he wins, don't be shocked. Outside of Joe, Kyle feels like the only "right" choice to win, given how well he's melded past and present approaches to playing Survivor. Honestly, you could make an argument he's the favorite in that view. Ever since the beginning, Joe has felt consistently like the biggest threat in the Mamanuca Islands to be crowned Sole Survivor. He has masterfully built an alliance with Eva that has withstood almost the entirety with the game and showed his glowing character by helping her in a touching moment that brought Probst to tears. Joe has been adamant throughout the show that he wants to win the game the old-fashioned way, without any deception and on the merits of his accomplishments through Immunity Challenges and honest social bonds. If he wins, it will hearken back to the original days of the show and prove that, even in the modern era, a contestant like Joe can absolutely steamroll through a season and win the game entirely. His fellow castaways had a golden moment to vote him out of the game during "Coconut Etiquette" but chose Mary instead. It was the real strategic folly of this entire game for the castaways, but it also showed why Joe's empathetic approach has its strategic advantages, too. How do you vote somebody out with whom you have a strong relationship? At this point, Kyle feels like the only realistic contestant to beat Joe in the Final Tribal Council if he makes it there, barring a surprise surge from Kamilla late in the contest. The other castaways have constantly talked about how Joe has been the biggest threat to win all along, and that may work against him in crunch time if Kyle, Kamilla and Mitch get a chance to vote him out before the final four is set. Joe is going to have to give it his all in the Final Immunity Challenge because he's got a huge target on his back if he doesn't win it. However, we still like Joe's odds to win it all at the end despite his real challenges to even get in position to win. He's been the strongest player throughout the season (depending on how you like your Survivor played), and his honorable game play hasn't hindered his success. He should be considered the favorite for now. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Survivor 48: Ranking 5 remaining castaways in likelihood of winning
