'Survivor 50' recap: Blood moon merge twist sees 3 players exit
Anthony RobledoWarning: The following contains major spoilers for Season 50, Episode 6 of "Survivor."
A total lunar eclipse could occur around every two and a half years, but "Survivor" just experienced the first "blood moon" in its over 25-year history.
For the reality competition series' milestone 50th season, "Survivor" host Jeff Probst revealed to the contestants that a production twist known as a "blood moon" would see three players voted out in a single night. Despite initially celebrating reaching the "merge," the remaining players were informed that three people would have their torches snuffed out and not reach the jury stage.
"Ancient civilizations feared a blood moon. They saw it as a warning. A sign of upheaval, even impending death. And that's how you should see it as well," Probst informed the players. "Because tonight, 'Survivor' will have its own version of a blood moon. And just like in nature, it will cast a shadow over the entire 'Survivor' game. And it will never be the same again."
Two of the 17 players were sent to the exile island before the challenge, granting them safety from the triple exit twist, which they weren't even informed of.
Meanwhile, the remaining 15 players were divided into three groups of five, where they competed for individual immunity and a group Applebee's reward feast. Each group would later attend a tribal council and vote out the eighth, ninth, and tenth castaways.
So who survived the show's version of an "Avengers: Infinity War" Thanos snap?
Who was sent to an exile island?
Ahead of the challenge, the players met at a beach and read a note instructing them to find an advantage that would grant one player power, leading to an immediate and rampant scramble through the island.
Ozzy Lusth ultimately found a parchment that forced him and a player of his choosing, Rizo Velovic, to head over to Exile Island, where they would be immune from the vote but separated from the group. While there, the pair would live without food and fire, unaware of the big blood moon twist.
Who was the eighth person eliminated on 'Survivor 50'
Season 48 alum Kamilla Karthigesu was eliminated from the orange group in a 3-2 vote.
The software engineer and Tiffany Nicole Ervin had both voted for Chrissy Hofbeck; Chrissy, Jonathan Young, and Stephenie Lagrossa Kendrick voted for Kamilla. The orange group outlasted the other two, with Stephanie winning immunity and all five of them enjoying the iconic Applebee's feast together before voting.
"My time was so short. It was fun running around and lying to people and honestly, it was kind of fun getting lied to," Kamilla said in her exit interview.
Who was the ninth person eliminated on 'Survivor 50'?
Sole season 47 returnee Genevieve Mushaluk was eliminated from the pink group in a unanimous 4-0 vote.
Knowing the odds were not in her favor, the corporate attorney gave up her vote to play her Shot in the Dark advantage, which could have granted her a slim chance at safety.
But her lucky break never arrived as she was not safe and voted out by her game rivals, Aubry Bracco, Rick Devins, Joe Hunter, and Christian Hubicki, who won the immunity necklace.
Earlier in the season, Genevieve found two Billie Eilish Boomerang Idols, but was forced to give them to other players, Ozzy and Rizo, as part of a new twist. Meanwhile, Aubrey still has her own Billie Eilish Boomeraang Idol, which Christian found and gifted to her.
"I knew when I saw the rock draw that if I didn't win today, I was going to be getting my torch snuffed, but sometimes luck is on your side and sometimes it's not," she said in her exit interview. "Overall, had a blast and I'm ready to transition back to being a fan and let everyone else play this crazy game. And I can't wait to see who wins."
Who was the tenth person eliminated on 'Survivor 50'?
Season 2 pioneer player Colby Donaldson was voted out at his first tribal council in 15 years in another 4-0 vote.
The proud Texan had previously lost his vote earlier in the season, an easy target for Cirie Fields, Dee Valladares, and Emily Flippen, who, alongside Benjamin "Coach" Wade, unanimously voted him out.
The tribal council was emotional for all five players as Colby, Cirie, and Coach discussed being legendary players who paved the way for newcomers like Emily and Dee, who won the immunity necklace.
Colby made his "Survivor" debut in 2000 on the show's sophomore season titled "The Australian Outback," where he made it to the final two but lost the winning vote to Tina Westin. He later returned for Season 8 "All Stars," where he finished 12th, and again in Season 20 "Heroes vs Villains," placing fifth.
"Man, it's been a hell of a ride for 25 years," he said in a heartfelt exit interview, holding tears. "This is a vehicle for us to come out here and have an experience of a lifetime and for some of us that's three or four experiences in a lifetime. I don't take that for granted now. My heart is full and I have nothing but humility, appreciation and gratitude."
Who is left on 'Survivor 50' after the blood moon?
The remaining 14 players on Season 50 include:
- Stephenie Lagrossa Kendrick: Seasons 10 ("Palau"), 11 ("Guatemala"), 20 ("Heroes vs. Villains")
- Cirie Fields: Seasons 12 ("Panama – Exile Island"), 16 ("Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites"), 20 ("Heroes vs. Villains"), 34 ("Game Changers")
- Ozzy Lusth: Seasons 13 ("Cook Islands"), 16 ("Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites"), 23 ("South Pacific"), 34 ("Game Changers")
- Benjamin "Coach" Wade: Seasons 18 ("Tocantins"), 20 ("Heroes vs. Villains"), 23 ("South Pacific")
- Aubry Bracco: Seasons 32 ("Kaôh Rōng – Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty"), 34 ("Game Changers"), 38 ("Edge of Extinction")
- Chrissy Hofbeck: Season 35 ("Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers")
- Christian Hubicki: Season 37 ("David vs. Goliath")
- Rick Devens: Season 38 ("Edge of Extinction")
- Jonathan Young: Season 42
- Dee Valladares: Season 45 winner
- Emily Flippen: Season 45
- Tiffany Ervin: Season 46
- Joe Hunter: Season 48
- Rizo Velovic: Season 49
How to watch 'Survivor' Season 50
You can watch on CBS and stream live on Paramount+ for subscribers of the Paramount+ with Showtime plan. Episodes can be streamed the next day for subscribers of any Paramount+ plan.
The first 48 seasons of the show are all available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription.
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