Joseph Miller

***Joseph*** is the Lone Survivor of Essential Survivor: Maldives. He originally was a castaway on Essential Survivor: Anarchy. He later returned for Essential Survivor: All Stars 2.

## Anarchy

Every season of Survivor has to have a fun pre-merge villain. Whether incompetent or an over-dog, they’re fun and deliciously over the top negative for the time they’re around. Joseph fit that role to a tee.

Early on, Joseph hit the season with a stumble. He didn’t connect with his tribe socially. Joseph didn’t like nor trust anyone he was around, and had a simple strategy to counter that: avoid tribal. Unfortunately, that’s not the easiest plan to execute.

Despite his disdain toward his tribunates, Joseph did make a few social connections, particularly with Britney and Dom. The fishing system - as has been a recurring trend with these pre-merge eliminations - helped Joseph bond with them, especially Dom.

When Dom was voted out first, Joseph was unhappy to say the least. After all, he had lost his only real connection. Once Joseph found out Jess was behind Dom’s departure, he resolved to play more aggressively and avenge his comrade.

Joseph got to work socially in the second round of the game. He used his connections as an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a Jess boot. Despite her being safe from Tribal Council, Joseph threw out her name and tried to plant seeds against her. While this was a good plan on paper, in reality it looked suspicious and weird. On the other hand, Joseph had a decent read on the game. He was able to figure out alliances and divisions of people within the tribe - definitely impressive for an Anarchy season.

Joseph’s seed-planting was cut short when he lost the third immunity challenge of the season, placing dead last. Fortunately for him, his intended target in Jess was vulnerable as well. Joseph used his social skills to sway Lauren - who was in a very poor position after Cillian’s boot - and Jayla to his side. The trio confidently voted for Jess, expecting her to go home that tribal. They were blindsided when they learned the hard way that plans don’t always work out in Survivor. The rest of the tribe viewed Joseph as an easy boot and didn’t even consider changing their votes, effortlessly sending him in a 5-3 vote with relatively few complications.

## Voting History

 Should I Fake My Age
 I'm Thoroughly Screwed
 HUZZAH
 Voted Out, Day 8

## Maldives

Probably one of the best redemption arcs in the franchise, Joseph’s 2-season story is amazing. From an early perjury flameout villain, to the clear hero of the season, Joseph has been through hell and back just this season alone. So the fact that he could still pull out a win, (a unanimous one at that) is mind-blowing.

Beginning on the Bodu Beru tribe, Joseph recognized previous tribemate Kam from Season 7, he of course began to work with her closely, along with Bradley and John. His social game definitely seemed to have improved from last season as well, with Joseph being invited to 2 separate alliances only on Day 1. When they lost the challenge, the vote was simple as Winter’s actions had rubbed everyone the wrong way, making her an easy first boot. Her elimination resulted in unifying the tribe as they relaxed in their forthcoming challenge victories.

At the swap, Joseph was in a 4-3 minority on the second Bodu Beru tribe, and unlike his previous tribe, he hated this new one. He felt like the tribe unity was completely gone, as the Dhonians were complacent with their positioning in the tribe. Even when they had to vote out one of their own, knowing they’d get Trish in return and keep the numbers strong. But for as much as Joseph hated the tribe, he did feel relatively safe as Michael could be considered a liability. And he felt like Bradley didn’t have as strong connections as Joseph did.  When Bodu Beru 2.0 returned to tribal, the minority 3 had a plan to dupe the majority and idol out Zent after learning about Mike’s idol. Unfortunately, they were the ones that got outplayed as they wasted their idol and Bradley was sent packing. Meanwhile, Joseph saw Trish find a Hidden Immunity Idol, which could be useful down the road. During the next challenge, Joseph knew that it was do-or-die for him, so he absolutely CARRIED the tribe to a victory, keeping him safe for the merge.

The merge hits and Joseph couldn’t be happier that he’s out of the hellhole that was his old tribe. This prompts all 7 original bodu beru members to link up and take control of the votes, with their first plan being the vote out Jake while making Trish flush her idol; notified by Joseph. All the while, John, Kam and Joseph solidify a Final Three deal that Joseph has no intention of breaking. The good fortune doesn’t cease with Jake leaving though as Zent leaves next with no issues. But Joseph does get some new information as he’s able to infer that Trey has the idol from his conversation with Trish.

At the Final 8, things heat up very quickly. As the Bodu Beru 7 broke up last round and targeted Pierre, Joseph found himself in a great position heading into this round. Along with his newly found idol, he had everyone wanting to work with him, which is a blessing and a curse at the same time. Ultimately, he decided to flip to the 2 Dhonians and blindside Kam. Joseph believed that John and Kam were making it blatantly obvious that Magnus was replacing his role in the trio, warranting his flip. Ironically, the next round right after, Trish gets busted for spreading too much information (and misinformation) around after Joseph realizes that Michael was actively targeting him. Joseph isn’t alone here, as Trish gets voted out 6-1.

During the Final 6, Trey’s jury status was starting to get to people as he was a clear shoe-in if he reached the end. However, Trey figured out that he was getting the boot and actively did everything in his power to stop it. But with a little check-in with John, Joseph debunked many of Trey’s talking points, reluctantly voting him out 4-2. I say reluctantly, because Joseph had considered flipping the vote onto Michael several times this round, but knew he needed to think optimally.

Next round, Joseph wasn’t concerned about his own safety as he knew that the idol he possessed would save him. This round his focus was purely on getting Michael out due to his earlier antics. And on surface level, it seemed like that would be the plan as Tyler and John were on board. But it was revealed that they were actually planning to take out Magnus instead of Michael with Tyler, but he ruined the plan by not voting. When Joseph heard that, his trust with him was immediately demolished, turning to Magnus as Michael was booted accidentally.

Oddly enough, Joseph swore that keeping Magnus was a mistake just 1 day later as he beat him in the Final Four Immunity Challenge. Knowing that his life was in danger, Joseph pleaded hard to both John and Magnus. As it looks like the plan won’t work and Joseph’s game will end there… Magnus (for some reasons) puts faith onto Joseph and flips with him to force fire. Joseph then beats John in fire, giving him new light in the game.

He goes on to win the Final Immunity, taking out Tyler. At the FTC, he beats Magnus 9-0. Becoming the second unanimous winner in Essential History.