"Survivor 49" recap: Will this tribe ever stop losing? (No.) Dalton RossOctober 2, 2025 at 3:30 AM 0 Robert Voets/CBS The cast of 'Survivor 49'Key Points Episode 2 of Survivor 49 featured more tribe futility, a twist that ended up not really going anywhere, and a special cameo by the Easter Bunny.
- - "Survivor 49" recap: Will this tribe ever stop losing? (No.)
Dalton RossOctober 2, 2025 at 3:30 AM
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Robert Voets/CBS
The cast of 'Survivor 49'Key Points -
Episode 2 of Survivor 49 featured more tribe futility, a twist that ended up not really going anywhere, and a special cameo by the Easter Bunny.
This episode was total fire! Just ask the Uli tribe!
Another player was blindsided right out of the game.
"I kind of don't care if we go to Tribal Council. It's fine. Let's ship another person home and keep this game moving along." —Annie
I mean, do I even need to tell you that the person who uttered those words was voted out the very next day? Of course not! Because you know! You know when the Survivor gods have been angered. And nothing angers the Survivor gods more than reality TV hubris. The more confident you boast, the more likely you are to end up on the receiving end of a ceremonial torch-snuffing. And Annie became just the latest example of that oft-repeated maxim.
The irony in all this is that Annie's bold proclamation about being as kool as a pack of menthol cigarettes to attend Tribal Council is that it came right after she talked about how she was "comfortable being uncomfortable." No! Don't say that! Never be comfortable doing anything on Survivor, even if it is just being comfortable being uncomfortable… which is, yes, kind of confusing and something of a double negative, but the point stands! You get comfortable on Survivor, you go home. Why do you think Sage keeps talking about pee and poop? She's trying to keep her Uli tribe uncomfortable so they don't get picked off! Brilliant strategy! Sage for the win!
Anyway, Annie found out the hard way that you never want to go to Tribal Council. She thought she was running the tribe, but as she said in her final words, she believed she was the puppet master when she was, in fact, the puppet. Do I wish she had instead used awesome Ben Katzman Metallica terminology and referred to herself as the "master of puppets" instead of puppet master? Absolutely! Especially seeing as how she is also the singer in a rock band. That's just a huge missed opportunity in my book, much like Annie's missed opportunities in the game. But let's ride the lightning — see how easy that was? — and rock and roll through everything else that went down on episode 2 of Survivor 49.
Robert Voets/CBS
Annie Davis on 'Survivor 49'If the shoe fits…. Wait, where is the shoe?
There is perhaps no better juxtaposition to show just how bad things have been for the Kele tribe than watching poor Jeremiah digging for worms in the dirt to eat, and then later cutting over to Uli, where they are getting ready to boil up a hermit crab roughly the size of Jake.
I asked Probst minutes after the first Tribal Council (and after they lost their first three challenges) if it was the Vula from Survivor 48 tribe all over again. He declined to compare the tribes, but they sure do have that feeling of defeat hovering over them at all times — as if they are the reality TV equivalent of Joe Btfsplk from the Li'l Abner comic strip, who walked around with a rain cloud perpetually over his head no matter where he went. I don't expect anyone reading this has the slighting idea who the eff Joe Btfsplk is, but I also don't expect Kele to ever win a challenge the way things are going, so we're all even on that front.
But more interesting than Annie trying to dictate everything while having no clue the entire tribe was against her was what was going on between Jake's two ride-or-dies. Sophi called herself out as being jealous of Alex because she wanted Jake all to herself, while Alex was basically saying the same thing in reverse about Sophi. It's like a classic love triangle, yet without the passionate longing and one character chasing the other to a Parisian train station. (#TeamConrad.) But would that desire to be Jake's true one and only lead either to try to take the other out? That's a red herring that will take flight later in the episode.
Before we vacate the FEMA disaster zone that is the Kele tribe, let's give a hearty shout-out to Sophi for inadvertently foiling the diabolical plot of the notorious Shoe Bandit. Again, as I mentioned last week, I don't get the Shoe Bandit's entire modus operandi here. He takes someone's shoe and then just kinda puts it a few feet away where it can be easily found. What's the point? Now, if you took the shoe and locked it in the lockbox were Alex procured his immunity idol, that would be funny, but just casually putting it behind a tree where Sophi would them stumble upon it seems relatively pointless. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Coconut Bandits > Shoe Bandit.
Has anyone seen Nate's walker?
Hey, let's move over to the Uli tribe, and let me just say without a shadow of doubt that this tribe is straight fire, y'all! The vibes are incredible. In fact, one could say the vibes are also fire! Every scene involving these jabronis is total cinema! And, it should be noted, fire. Except, of course, for that old dinosaur that somehow stumbled into a misplaced DeLorean, fired up the flux capacitor, and time travelled from the stone ages straight to the Uli beach.
Nate! I'm talking about Old Man Nate! "I am certainly uncomfortable a lot on this tribe," said the reality TV senior citizen, who clocks in at the ripe old age of… 47. But as much as Nate may worry about being seen as the tribe dad — hard not to happen when you wear socks emblazoned with the words "RAD DAD" on them — he has used his charm and steady Eddie nature to work himself into a fearsome foursome alliance with Savannah, Shannon, and the RizGod.
But Old Man Nate's ascension to the big four means Jawan has been officially demoted to the minor leagues. Was it his inability to make fire? Too much idol searching? Stuffing a bunch of sticks and ants into Savannah's bag? Too many confessional quotes about horror movies? All of the above? Nate was my pre-season pick to win it all, so obviously I am very excited to see him enter a big power alliance. But I am also a fan of anyone who wears overalls (especially when shirtless) so am sad to see Jawan booted out of the majority. If only he could do something to get back in his tribe's good graces… (FORESHADOWING ALERT!!!!)
Robert Voets/CBS
Jawan Pitts on 'Survivor 49'MC goes rogue
That transition would have worked so much better if I went straight to the Journey and Jawan winning an advantage for his tribe. Alas, we need to check in on the Hina folks. (Why didn't I just get to the Hina stuff before Uli and make all of our lives easier?) Truthfully, there's not even a lot to say about Hina because we really only got a single scene of them… which tends to happen when you have a dominant tribe that can win any competition, even with 20 pounds of coconuts on their backs.
The scene in question showed Steven, Matt, and Kristina solidifying an alliance and then doing some quick island math and realizing they needed a fourth. Matt wanted MC to be that fourth since he really liked her work ethic and how strong she was in challenges. Which is why what followed couldn't help make me a little sad for the guy.
Matt brought MC in, and then MC — perhaps not realizing how hard Matt had advocated for her — said she didn't trust him and them immediately went and squealed to Sophie with an E about their plan to take her out. You know I love a player who is "not afraid to rock the boat," and I also think Sophie is a dynamic personality I'd like to see more of, so I appreciate MC playing double agent. But poor Matt — another old guy just trying to fit in! He's a big fan of MC and advocates to bring her in and then she immediately tries to undo his entire plan. I mean, don't get me wrong… it's funny! But, also, a bit sad.
Robert Voets/CBS
Steven Ramm and Michelle "MC" Chukwujekwu on 'Survivor 49'Jawan has a big choice
The best part of this week's journey was clearly Sage making the entire tribe wait to read the instructions note so she could go pee. God bless that woman. I am one million percent on board with that decision. But Sage really confused me this week. Why would someone with that level of urination anxiety ever want to be stuck in a sports mascot costume? That sounds like an absolute nightmare. For multiple reasons, actually. I'd gander to guess that there is a 73 percent chance that every sports mascot has been kicked at least once in the groin by a precocious kid. Personally, I don't like those odds.
And the peeing thing! Seriously, that's a major red flag. First off, you have to be constantly hydrating because it's so damn hot in the suit and you don't want to have to pass out while leading the entire stadium in a rousing rendition of "YMCA" or "Cotton Eyed Joe."
But then, after drinking all that water, you're also going to need to be constantly peeing. I guess that's not a big deal to most people, but to folks like Sage and me who obsess over such matters of the bladder, THAT IS A HUGE DEAL! And, I would think, a deal breaker. But apparently not. Or at least it was not until she finally went and put the Easter bunny costume on and realized the ginormous miscalculation she had just made.
Anyway, the Uli tribe finally was able to read their note about the Journey, and Jawan was picked as the one to go, while Jake went for Kele and Matt won a pulse-racing game of RPS against MC to punch his ticket for Hina.
Robert Voets/CBS
Jeff Probst on 'Survivor 49'
This Journey was… not very exciting. Now, it should be noted that I am generally not a fan of Journeys to begin with (and neither are a lot of the Survivor 49 cast) so maybe I'm just biased. Anyhoodle, the three dudes went to a clearing and saw hanging net buckets and a stack of coconuts. The game was simple: throw coconuts in other players' nets and the player with the last net hanging would win.
Naturally, Kele's representative, Jake, did not win, continuing their epic streak of futility, and in the end it was Jawan coming away with the victory. And then he had a choice to either help himself or help the tribe. He could either steal a vote from either losing player — giving Jawan an extra parchment while that person would have no vote at their next Tribal Council — or he could put a disadvantage on another tribe at the immunity challenge, giving Uli a higher chance of avoiding the next Tribal Council.
Of course, this was really no choice at all. The value of an extra vote is very suspect and only in very specific conditions plays a crucial role. Is it really worth pissing off a player by taking their vote? Plus, how does that play with your own tribe? If you tell them the truth, they'll be wary about you having an extra power, and if you don't, they'll be suspicious and could possibly find out from the other tribes that you won something. Not worth it. Better to build some bonds with your tribe by showing that you are a team player and can be trusted. Also, increase your chances of not going to Tribal, which is the ultimate goal.
And how did that tribe disadvantage work out? Let's go find out.
Robert Voets/CBS
The Uli tribe on 'Survivor 49'Kele takes a huge lead! (Unfortunately, the challenge is not over)
The challenge was a very physical obstacle course involving cargo nets, wide-step bridges, digging up ladders, opening rope gates and scaling ramps. Of course, none of it mattered because as always — say it with me — IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PUZZLE.
In the end, Jawan took pity on the miserable lot over on Kele and put the disadvantage of having to carry 20 pounds of coconuts and cycle through 10 keys instead of just one on Hina instead, saying Kele had been through too much already. I'm split on this decision. From a purely strategic vantage point, it's the wrong call. If the goal is to not go to Tribal Council (as opposed to winning a bigger fishing kit), then you step on the neck of the weakest team to guarantee your safety. You put it on Kele, because Hina is a dominant wrecking ball when it comes to challenges and could still beat you even with the disadvantage. (Again, foreshadowing.)
On the other hand, there is also a social game at play here. Jawan scored some points with his own tribe by taking the team advantage. Why not also score some points with the Kele folks, especially when whomever survives at the merge could end up being the key swing votes between Uli and Hina? It makes sense to cultivate those relationships now.
And while Sophie with an E tried to talk tough and say Jawan's decision amounted to "Let's take a shot at Hina," I seriously doubt any of the Hina folks harbor any ill will toward Jawan for picking them. They were the big dogs out there and had to expect it. I probably would have done the same thing in Jawan's overalls, even if it didn't make the most sense for the challenge itself.
Robert Voets/CBS
Jake Latimer on 'Survivor 49'
Indeed, even with 20 pounds of coconuts and a fistful of keys, Hina still beat Uli up to the puzzle platform. And then Jason the puzzle dominator once again took over as they flew through the puzzle. Even with the disadvantage, Hina came in first place in their third straight tribe challenge. Clearly, they are both fire and cinema.
As for Kele… man, this is just getting sad. They dominated the physical portion of the competition, and still got absolutely smoked, once again coming in last place. Poor Sophi and Alex were completely lost on the puzzle. I don't know if they ever got a single piece in. If Rizo is a negative 100 puzzle solver, then the Kele team are hitting negative quadruple digits in that category. Sophi seemed absolutely devastated, her futility on the puzzle matched only by the carnage taking place on her legs. Seriously, did you get a good look at those things? Torn to pieces. (Those challenges are no joke. I still have a scar on my ankle from a rehearsal of the immunity challenge you'll see next week, and that was six months ago.)
But while Sophi's pride and legs may have each taken a big hit from her performance, did her game take a big hit as well?
Robert Voets/CBS
Sophi Balerdi on Survivor 49'Chain of events
In a word, no. Sophi's game did not take a hit. They tried to throw a last-second red herring our way that Alex might want to keep Annie and take Sophi out to have his Jakey Wakey all to himself, but it never truly felt like it would happen. Why would Alex risk pissing off Jake by taking out his other number one so early? That would make no sense. "Tonight, I'm not afraid to make a big move with my idol," Alex told us, with his pants immediately bursting into flames.
So most of the time back at the Kele beach was spent with Annie once again having no clue that she was the target, while every other person on the tribe was helping Alex locate his hidden immunity idol. It started with him and Jake digging up a literal ball and chain by the water well and then needing to lug the ball and chain (with a key) over to a hidden lockbox that contained the idol. (Alex and Jake could not just leave the bulky cannonball and chain there in some bushes and bring the much smaller lockbox over to the chain after because the lockbox was locked around a tree.)
That's a fun next-level evolution of the forcing people to do easily noticeable things to procure an idol, and I applaud the effort on the producers' part to set something up where a player can be awkwardly caught with a giant ball and chain around their neck. But there was also some potential fun that we may have missed out on by the lockbox being locked to a tree. Let's say it wasn't. Then imagine what would have happened when Sophi (who was enlisted by the fellas to help by this point) found the box. Instead of her being forced to leave it there (and Alex eventually stumbling across it), Sophi could have taken the box — thereby either denying Alex ever getting his idol, or perhaps even then later sneaking off and using the key to get the idol herself. MAYHEM DENIED!
Robert Voets/CBS
Annie Davis on 'Survivor 49'
So off we went to Tribal Council to watch multiple players have difficulties stringing a single sentence together. Look, I get it. I had to do Big Brother finale interviews at 2:30 a.m. the other night and I was pretty incoherent myself… or maybe I was just super confused as to why Vince was telling me that he was totally optimistic things were just absolutely fine with his girlfriend back home. Anyway, lack of food and sleep out in the elements can do that to a player. Plus, Jeremiah had to still be winded by busting out that extended dance remix of his maniacal villain laugh from back on the beach.
And then we finally got to the inevitable unanimous Annie vote out. She was shocked, to be sure. But after an initial gut punch, she recovered nicely and displayed no bitterness towards the big fat liars that just took her out. Which kinda sucks. Bitter Bettys are a lot more fun to watch in my book.
Speaking of books, it's probably time to wrap this sucker up before it hits hardcover length. But just a few programming notes before we go. First off, if you want Survivor news, interviews, and exclusive deleted scenes sent right to your inbox, then sign up for our free Survivor newsletter!
Also, if you missed the entire Survivor 49 cast making their bold predictions for what will go down this season, then make sure to check that out. We'll also have Jeff Probst weighing on the latest episode, as well as your exclusive deleted scene and our exit interview with Annie, so make sure to come back for all those goodies, and I'll be back next week with another scoop of the crispy!
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