Ahead ofSurvivor48,hostJeff Probsthas identified a theme for thereality competition show’snewest season: partnerships. In the nearly 25 years since it began,Survivorhas had its fair share of twosome alliances – from showmances to bromances to unlikely pairings. Needless to say, some have worked out better than others. While no twoSurvivorduos are alike, looking back toseasons past,there are some unspoken rules that make for successful partnerships in the game ofSurvivor. It remains to be seen if this season’s players will take them into account while forming alliances.
Two Is Seldom a Majority Number in ‘Survivor’
The first rule of thumb for aSurvivorduo is to conceal the duo within a larger alliance. Ever since“Boston” Rob MarianoandAmber Brkichproved just how powerful an unbreakable pair can be inSurvivorback in itseighth season,Survivor: All Stars, players on the show have grown more wary of strong twosomes. This is whyit has become paramount forSurvivorduos to remain part of a larger majority alliance, lest they be targeted early on.
An example of this strategy can be found in “Old School”Survivorfan-favorite duoJ.T. ThomasandStephen FishbachofSurvivor’s18th season,Survivor: Tocantins.The pair formed an alliance after J.T. accidentally discovered aHidden Immunity Idolin Stephen’s pocket pre-merge that lasted until J.T. won the final immunity challenge and brought Stephen to the Final Two. Before they could get there, however, they temporarily joined the Warrior Alliance – alongsideTyson Apostle,Coach Wade, andDebbie Beebe– to remain in the majority for a few Tribal Councils. Another example from theNew Era ofSurvivorisDee VallaradesandAustin Li CoonofSurvivor 45, whoconcealed their showmancewithin the Reba Four alliance and sat together at Final Tribal Council because of it.
Twosome alliances who don’t follow this rule and remain overexposed seldom work outfor those in them. This was the case forJessica “Figgy” FigueroaandTaylor StockerofSurvivor: Millennials vs Gen X(Season 33), who, despite recognizing that their showmance wouldn’t bode well for their games, continued to flaunt their duo status around camp. Having let their showmance be known without bothering to position themselves in a majority alliance, Figgy wasvoted out pre-mergeto break up the pair, and Taylor soon after.
‘Survivor’s Most Dominant Winner Is Also One of Its Most Underrated Players
She easily managed to “Outwit, Outplay, Outlast.”
Remember, There’s Only One Winner in ‘Survivor’
The second unspoken rule forSurvivorduos is toknow when to separate and learn not to take it personally.Malcolm FrebergandDenise StapleyofSurvivor: Philippinesare another fan-favorite duo, known for remaining solid throughout the season – even when they were separated on different tribes – and waiting until the final four to turn on each other. Though Denise had a hand in voting Malcolm out, Malcolm still voted for Denise atFinal Tribal Councilto win the $1 million and the title of Sole Survivor.
In comparison,Charlie DavisandMaria Shrime GonzalezofSurvivor 46modeled their alliance after Malcom and Denise, but when it came time for them to separate, things became more personal. Charlie sat at Final Tribal Council where Maria voted forKenize Pettyto win the title of Sole Survivor, a move that many fans believecost Charlie the season.
Now, fans are looking forward to seeing what successful, and not-so-successful, pairings will emerge inSurvivor 48.It’s safe to say that if they keep these rules in mind, they’ll have a better chance of lasting far into the game andjoining the ranks of some ofSurvivor’smost iconic, dynamic duos.
Survivorairs Wednesday on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
