This week’s episode of Survivor featured the final seven, a pivotal stage in the game where big moves are often made, and players solidify alliances for the endgame. Typically, an alliance of four begins targeting the remaining three in preparation for the finale, which can often play out all too predictably. This week, however, subverted expectations as a newly formed alliance of three orchestrated a stunning blindside — without any advantages — taking out a key member of the majority alliance. It was, without exaggeration, one of the most impressive strategic plays in Survivor history.
Before diving into the gameplay, we have to talk about Teeny’s reaction to Sam’s reward challenge decision. Sam won the reward challenge and chose Andy and Genevieve to accompany him to the Sanctuary for a meal and letters from home. Teeny’s reaction was unhinged. She went off on a lengthy rant against Sam.
As the first non-binary player in Survivor history, Teeny’s journey has been groundbreaking and fun to watch, but her temper tantrum about being excluded seemed to stem from deeper unresolved feelings. Her frustration appeared to conflate Sam’s strategic choice with personal grievances, painting him as the embodiment of a “mediocre popular guy” — “smug” and “a prom king.” Sam is a sports reporter, but he has more theater kid energy than prom king. Sam’s decision was purely strategic, not malicious, and clearly didn’t warrant the level of backlash Teeny expressed.
Nevertheless, Teeny used her anger to rally her alliance — Sue, Caroline, and Rachel (collectively known as the “Underdog Alliance,” which is ironic given their numbers and advantages) — into a collective disdain for Sam. While Teeny’s hurt feelings were justified — she just didn’t like being left out — her reaction was beyond disproportionate. Sam didn’t choose Rachel, Caroline, or Sue either; his choices reflected his closest ally (Andy) and a strategic pick (Genevieve), who was also perceived to be at the bottom. Ironically, Teeny, in Sam’s shoes, likely wouldn’t have chosen him either.
Thankfully, on social media, Teeny demonstrated some self-awareness about her behavior.
Meanwhile, during the Sanctuary retreat, Andy realized that sticking with the majority alliance would guarantee his placement at the bottom of the hierarchy. The epiphany led to the conception of Operation Italy, a plan he devised with Sam and Genevieve. Even they doubted it would actually work.
The strategy was honestly unprecedented, especially considering the advantages held by the Underdog Alliance and how easily Andy could’ve ensured his own safety for at least another day by going along with the majority. Rachel possessed immunity, Sue had an idol, and the group still had Rachel’s block-a-vote advantage. Despite all these advantages, Operation Italy succeeded through meticulous manipulation. The crux of the plan was to make the Underdog Alliance believe Genevieve possessed an idol. Genevieve crafted a convincing fake idol and subtly flashed it to Rachel, creating enough doubt to force the alliance to split their votes between Sam and Genevieve.
Andy masterfully sold the split-vote strategy to Caroline, framing it as her idea to maintain trust. Meanwhile, the trio of Andy, Sam, and Genevieve voted together for Caroline. When the votes were read, the Underdog Alliance’s split left two votes each on Sam and Genevieve, while three votes from Andy’s contingent sent Caroline packing. The shock and disbelief on the Underdog Alliance’s faces was incredible.
That was old-school Survivor, an episode about gameplay that relied on social manipulation and strategic deception instead of idols or advantages. The planning, the pettiness, and the backstabbing all made for the best episode of the season and one of the most memorable moments of the modern era.
