A buff-dropping tribe swap wasn’t the one surprising twist on Wednesday’s Survivor, because the present noticed its second castaway of the season voluntarily give up simply 4 episodes in.
With new and outdated alliances being molded after host Jeff Probst advised everybody to “drop your buffs” for a three-tribe shake up, tensions had been operating excessive for a couple of, together with Sean Edwards, a 35-year-old elementary college principal from Provo-Orem, Utah, who would go on to shock everybody at Tribal Council with the information that he needed his identify to be written down.
Right here’s a have a look at the way it all unfolded.
Sean’s exit
After the tribe swap, Sean moved from the fledgling Lulu Tribe — which was down to simply three after dropping a number of immunity challenges — to the Reba Tribe. Nevertheless he ended up with 4 remaining Reba members and located himself in a tricky spot, and probably on the chopping block.
Subsequent was the first immunity challenge as new tribes, the place immunity was provided to the 2 tribes that would carry a big wood cage out of the ocean after which shoot balls into tall baskets the quickest. Sadly, it was the Reba Tribe that fell brief and located themselves at Tribal Council the place somebody was to be voted off.
Through the pre-vote banter, Probst requested Sean, “What has Survivor been for you?” A query that “opened up the gate” based on Sean.
“Rising up in a really conservative world, being Mormon, was extremely complicated and difficult for me. I attempted every little thing, every little thing, to reside a straight, trustworthy, Mormon way of life. And due to these many, a few years that I misplaced, Survivor, for me, was a chance to reclaim that misplaced time,” mentioned Sean, who’s homosexual. “It’s being right here that I’ve realized that my true journey of a lifetime is again residence with my husband, Matt. And I understand how dangerous all 4 of you actually need this, and I don’t wish to take your dream away from you as a result of this isn’t mine and I’m at peace with that as a result of my dream is at residence. So respectfully, I’d kindly ask that if you vote tonight, that you simply write my identify down on the parchment.”
And with that Sean’s torch was put out by Probst and he left the present simply 9 days in. Sean’s former tribemate, Hannah Rose, beforehand asked to be sent home at a Tribal Council on day three. It’s the earliest two contestants have give up the sport voluntarily and solely the 18th and nineteenth quitters within the present’s 45-seasons history.
Jeff Probst’s response
Talking on the newest episode of his podcast, On Hearth, and as reported by Entertainment Weekly, Probst had this to say about Sean’s determination:
“Sean had been enjoying a really intelligent sport,” Probst mentioned. “He is a really intelligent man. I will be tremendous clear: This was one other engineered give up. And I must be sincere, I believe Sean tried to craft a story that labored for him as a result of… Sean wasn’t exhausted. He wasn’t anxious about meals or dangerous sleeping. This was a sudden discovery, as in that actual second at Tribal he realized, ‘Whoa, cling on. I believe I obtained what I wanted. I am good, thanks a lot.’ I understand — no disrespect to him — I understand he is lacking his household, but it surely’s not such as you’re on the market for an additional six months. It is barely two extra weeks.”
Probst additionally revealed that it wasn’t Sean who would have gone residence, primarily based on all of the interviews they’d performed with the tribe members, however somewhat Nicholas “Sifu” Alsup.
Viewers’ response
Having yet one more castaway voluntarily give up positive has taken the wind out of the present’s sails to date, no less than based on viewers reacting on social media. Frustrations were brewing as a result of there are such a lot of individuals on the market who would love to play the game.
How about survivor gamers need to pay a ton of cash to manufacturing in the event that they give up?? As a result of that is so unfun to observe 🤮 #Survivor45
— miss washington (@evajaney) October 19, 2023
Tbh if my associate went on Survivor and give up as a result of they “missed me”, I’d break up with them
— Ali (@whimsicali27) October 19, 2023
Wanting forward
Consider it or not, even after Sean’s plea it wasn’t a unanimous vote to ship him residence. One vote was solid for Dee Valladares and one other for Sifu. A preview for subsequent week exhibits Sifu reeling from the sight of his identify on parchment, whereas it seems cracks are forming all through different tribes in addition to the opportunity of a medical difficulty.
Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on CBS.
