Survivor: Balearic Islands

## DVD Cover

***Survivor: Balearic Islands*** is the sixth season of CJvivor. The season began on September 22nd, 2023 and ended with the finale and live reunion on October 25th, 2023.

The sixth season ended with Michael defeating Murph and Deez at the Final Tribal Council by a jury vote of 5-2-1.

At the Final Tribal Council on Day 34, Michael emerged victorious over Murph and Deez, sealing his win with a compelling performance that highlighted his strategic prowess and social finesse. Despite facing adversity, Michael strategically navigated the game, forming robust alliances and orchestrating key vote-offs without relying on Individual Immunities to secure his path to the end.

Murph, an underdog throughout the season, defied the odds by making it to the end despite being a target during the merge. His ability to maintain positive relationships with jurors and a clutch Individual Immunity win showcased his resilience, but he lacked a strong strategic grasp on the game when compared to his two Final Tribal Council opponents.

Deez, frequently targeted during the merge and endgame, reached the Final Tribal Council despite not being part of various key alliances. However, his brash personality rubbed some jurors the wrong way, overshadowing his perseverence. At the Final Tribal Council, Michael's articulate recount of strategic moves and solid relationships with fellow castaways contrasted with Murph's underdog journey and Deez's controversial demeanor.

In the end, Michael's clean and strategic game, combined with a strong Final Tribal Council performance, secured his victory. Murph's underdog story and Deez's resilience weren't enough to overcome Michael's well-rounded gameplay, earning him five of the eight jury votes and the title of Sole Survivor.

## Production

Applications for *Balearic Islands* began August 1st, 2023. 32 people applied, 27 were chosen to complete a secondary interview, and 18 were selected for the final cast.

## Twists

**Expanded Cast:** For the first time in CJvivor history, 18 castaways would compete for the title of Sole Survivor. *Balearic Islands* was the first season to feature more than 16 starting castaways.

**Hidden Immunity Idols:** Hidden Immunity Idols were hidden in the game this season. Each tribe had a Hidden Immunity Idol hidden somewhere at their camp. When played at Tribal Council, the individual who the idol is played on becomes safe, any votes cast against them do not count, and the person with the next highest number of votes is eliminated. The tribe that won the Immunity Challenge also received a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol.

**Tribal Council Showdown:** At the start of the fourth episode, the castaways were informed that only one of the three tribes would win Tribal Immunity. The remaining two tribes would each attend Tribal Council separately, where they would each vote out a member of their tribe. However, rather than leaving the game, the two castaways voted out of their tribes would take part in the Tribal Council Showdown, a duel between the two castaways to determine who would remain in the game and who would be eliminated. Mallorca and Palma attended Tribal Council and voted out Josiah and Jasoi, respectively. The two faced off in a challenge at Tribal Council, where Josiah came out on top, leading to Jasoi being eliminated from the game.

## Castaways

When the 18 castaways arrived in the Balearic Islands, they were divided into three tribes of six: Llorenç, wearing teal, Mallorca, wearing maroon, and Palma, wearing purple. Llorenç is named after the municipality of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar. Mallorca is named after the largest Balearic Island, and Palma is named after Mallorca's capital and largest city. On Day 16, the tribes merged into a blue tribe which they named Trinidad, a reference to the three tribes joining together as one.

## Connor's Winner Predictions

Following the Tribal Council of every episode, Connor ranked the remaining castaways on how likely he thought they were to win the game. Connor filled out the Final Tribal Council column following the final two's opening statements to the jury. His predictions are recorded below.

## Trivia

* Connor went to Mallorca during his trip to the Balearic Islands. He visited Palma and stayed in the municipality of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, the three locations referenced in the names of this season's starting tribes.
* *Balearic Islands* is the second season filmed in Europe.
* *Balearic Islands* is the first season to feature 18 castaways, rather than the typical 16.
* *Balearic Islands* is the first season to begin with three starting tribes.
* *Balearic Islands* is the first season to feature the Tribal Council Showdown.