Survivor has introduced a steady stream of new wrinkles and decision-based scenarios over the past few seasons. Last night saw the beloved reality show roll out its latest tweak, but unlike some of the recent changes that weren’t very well received by fans, this one got extremely positive feedback. Both former players and fans took to social media to give it a thumbs up, and I’m right there with them. The rules for the Beware Advantage this season are fantastic.
Let’s back up and talk about what changed. During Seasons 41 and 42, Survivor hid a ‘Beware Advantage’ around camp. If a player found it and opened it, they were told they had lost their ability to vote, but it would be restored and they’d get an immunity idol once someone on all three tribes had found their camp’s advantage and said the extremely weird phrase at the Immunity Challenge. Fan reaction seemed mixed, as it was fun to watch the players try to say things like “I’m as confused as a goat on astroturf” without other players catching on, but it was also a bit annoying that its activation was so reliant on things happening at other camps.
This season, the show reintroduced the Beware Advantage, which was no big surprise, but when Cody opened it and was told he lost his vote, the requirement to get it back and receive an immunity idol was very different. He needed to convince every player on his tribe to give him a bead from their Survivor bag. He could give them any reason or justification, but they had to give the beads willingly.
Cody, probably the season’s most eccentric character, asked each of the players if he could have their beads to tie into a hat he’d already been working on. One by one, they handed over their beads to help him with his makeshift project, with only Noelle holding out because she was using hers as a bracelet. The tension was huge, and fans could not get enough of it on Twitter. Neither could former contestant Stephen Fishbach. Here’s what he said…
#survivorThese bracelet shenanigans are truly phenomenal. The stakes of the whole episode riding on this silly little thing. It involves every tribe member's personality. It's a perfect character moment/ strategy moment/ advantage moment. Give whoever thought of it a raise!September 29, 2022
The twist seemed to be extremely popular among former contestants, many of whom tweeted their support and/ or messages about how much they enjoyed watching the drama unfold. The central theme to many of these tweets seemed to be that the twist worked so well because it set up a wrinkle but still kept its ultimate success or failure within the control of the actual contestants playing the game. One of the primary problems with the Season 41 and 42 advantages were you had no idea how long it might take the opposing tribes to just randomly discover the hidden advantage. It could be multiple tribal councils. Or, in the case of the hourglass, the twist fundamentally wasn't fair.
Former Survivor winner Adam Klein touched on that in his take in which he called the new rules “brilliant.” Here’s a look at his tweet…
The best #Survivor twists leave plenty of room for the players to play. Being able to incorporate your hat into a game-changing advantage is the best evidence that you have a great twist. Absolutely brilliant!September 29, 2022
Part of what worked so well about the twist also was how much intrigue it left for viewers. As per usual with Survivor, the editing was handled very skillfully so we knew what the plan was heading into tribal council but weren’t 100% sure on whether Cody was able to pull off the execution until the votes were actually being read.
I spent much of the time at tribal trying to stare at Noelle’s wrist, and it turns out I wasn’t the only one. Former contestant Brice Izyah also said the same thing…
Am I the only one staring at Noelle wrist at tribal council👀👀 #Survivor43September 29, 2022
Of course, it’s also worth pointing out that, apart from the intricacies of how the twist worked, a lot of the feedback was also about how spectacular the hat itself looked. I mean, for an arts and crafts project on an island without supplies, Cody nailed this. It looks really, really good, or as one fan put it, it looks like Nordstrom would sell it. High praise…
This hat would cost $300 at Nordstrom #Survivor pic.twitter.com/rFH1miTQM8September 29, 2022
Survivor 43 has only dropped two episodes so far, as we're smack dab in the middle of the fall premiere schedule for TV. They’ve both been really good. If you’re someone who is on the fence and watches some seasons but not others, I’d highly encourage you jump in and catch up. There seems to be a good cast, and it’s likely we’ll be in for a really good season.
