Bright Red Salvation

**Bright Red Salvation** is the seventh episode of *Survivor 41.*

## Story

Things are quiet on the Ua tribe after Shan's elimination, as everyone feels relieved to be free of Shan's instability while Liana feels still worked up over her emotional manipulation. Genie and Abraham comfort Liana while Erika is out collecting firewood, helping her release the pent up emotions over the Shan boot. Liana thanks them profusely, hugging them both and telling them she regrets ever having doubted that being loyal to them was the right choice. They tell her it's alright, and later in the night Genie and Abraham celebrate having survived, agreeing a merge is coming soon and that Liana is someone they both feel is central to their success moving forward.

The next morning, the castaways meet up with Jeff, all becoming excited when he tells them to drop their buffs. However, Jeff quickly unveils a new twist to the game. The twelve castaways will be split into two groups of six, and they must compete in a team challenge. Whichever team wins the challenge will officially become a part of the merged tribe while also winning Individual Immunity. The other six will have to fight at the first merged vote for their right to a buff, and will be the only six not immune. Shocked by this news, everyone fights hard to win. Eventually, the group of Danny, Evvie, Liana, Sara, Sydney, and Xander wins out, gaining Immunity and their buffs as the whole tribe heads back to their brand-new merged camp to figure out how this first vote will go down.

After figuring out the tribe will be named Viakana, the castaways begin building their new campsite, with everyone taking on their fair share of the work. However, strategizing begins immediately, as people begin to try to pull together larger alliances to help them advance. Danny immediately sets out to organize a large majority group, first solidifying his central alliance with JD, Sara, and Evvie from post-swap Luvu while also pulling in his old ally Sydney and her new ally, Brad. These six agree to stick close together moving forward, discussing who they see as options to swing through the game. Meanwhile, Xander and Liana are thrilled to still be in the game together, agreeing to work together again. Abraham is instantly on their side, bringing Genie with him, and those four agree to try to find numbers. Meanwhile, both Erika and Voce float along through the merged tribe, feeling disconnected from the rest of the group and trying to find a way into the game. Erika remains quiet, trying to be friendly with everyone, while Voce attempts to reconnect with the original Yase's, reigniting his relationship with Evvie from the beginning of the game.

The next day, as Tribal Council looms, things begin to become more serious. In the morning, Xander and Sydney talk, trying to convince each other to come work with their groups that are materializing. Realizing they are at an impasse, they both agree it's best to try to take out outsider players before they go to war with each other deeper into the merge, not wanting to have to draw a line in the sand that hasn't been drawn yet. Thus, both go back to their forming alliances talking about picking off the outsiders, namely players like Erika and Voce. Danny's alliance is alright with this, as they trust neither of them, and they see it as a way to gain a majority. When Xander reveals this idea to his allies, they are hesitant, but agree it's the only way to avoid getting targeted for now. Thus, the entire tribe agrees to a ceasefire of sorts, deciding that Voce is a slimy guy who poses a potential future threat if he slips by.

Aware of the target on his back, Voce pleads with Evvie to save him, eventually revealing that he has the Yase idol while scheming with her over the vote. Voce intends to target Brad, who he sees as someone in the center of the social politics of the tribe. Evvie is shocked by the news of Voce's idol, revealing this to her group with Danny and the others as well as the other Yase's as an extension of good will to keep them thinking highly of Evvie. Everyone is worried about his idol, with Danny getting his group to begin thinking about choosing another target. However, Abraham realizes he can use his Knowledge is Power advantage to steal Voce's idol and keep the vote simple and smooth. He shares this with the rest of the tribe, telling them they can all keep their votes on Voce because he'll get rid of Voce's idol. Danny and his allies are skeptical of this, formulating a Plan B in case this is a move to gain Yase power, but agree to keep the target on Voce. Thus, at Tribal Council, before Voce can play his idol to save himself, Abraham uses his advantage to steal Voce's idol, dashing his hopes of a legendary move. Without an idol, everyone feels safe enough to gang up on Voce, and he misses the jury by a round, being unanimously voted off in an 11-1 ceasefire vote.

## Challenges

**Reward/Immunity Challenge:** *Blue Lagoon Bustle*

Teams start out on the beach, with first four players from each team running into the ocean, swimming out to a net obstacle, climbing over, go over a barrel roll, swimming to a crate staircase and jumping off, swimming to the tribe boat, diving down and untying a series of knots, paddling back to shore, carrying a chest to the puzzle station. The two remaining players from each team then solve a captain's wheel puzzle. The first team to extend the flag using the wheel wins reward and Individual Immunity for each of them.

**Reward:** Merge feast and a Viakana buff

**Winners:** Danny McCray, Evvie Jagoda, Liana Wallace, Sara Wilson, Sydney Segal, and Xander Hastings.

## Next Time on Survivor...

After a shocking Tribal Council, some players feel good...

...while others are too busy thinking ahead...

...and all of them learn what *Survivor* chaos is truly like.

...

## Trivia

The episode title was said by Evvie Jagoda when talking about how getting the red Viakana buff felt like freedom from the fear that her allies on Luvu would take her out if they ever lost again.