Survivor Season 45 Week 11 Recap and Live Blog
A new episode of Survivor 45 airs tonight on CBS. Read a live recap here.
The episode begins with the tribe returning to camp after tribal council. They all celebrate blindsiding Bruce. Bruce had a hidden immunity idol, but he didn’t play it. Katurah says it’s a testament to his lack of self-awareness. Emily tells them the story of how she was able to convince Bruce he’s safe so he wouldn’t play his idol. Julie says it was a genius move by Emily, but she adds that her threat level has now gone up. Meanwhile, the Reba Four celebrate having the number advantage moving forward. They promise each other they will go to the Final Four together. Austin and Dee have especially formed a close bond, and there are hints of a romantic spark between them too. There’s even a callback to Boston Rob and Amber from Survivor: All-Stars.
The next morning, Jake sits alone on the beach. He says he has to tread carefully moving forward. He’s received seven votes against him so far, and he doesn’t want to receive more votes. Katurah and Julie join him. Jake opens up about being a lawyer, and he says anyone can do it if he can. Katurah is a lawyer too, but she’s keeping this a secret. She opens up to Jake and Julie about her background. Her family entered a religious cult when she was very young, forcing her out of school. They eventually left the cult, but she had to start high school after being out of school for several years. Nonetheless, she was able to graduate and be successful in her career.
Going on a journey
A boat arrives at their camp. One person will go on a journey and must make a decision. They draw rocks to decide who goes. Emily draws the green rock, so she will go on the journey. She’s not thrilled about going, but she’s optimistic it could be good for her game.
After she leaves, Julie and Drew talk about Emily. They agree she’s becoming too big of a jury threat. However, Drew asks Julie if she wants to make a big move with her idol. Julie is unsure if she wants to do that. In his confessional, Drew says Julie wasn’t supposed to have that hidden immunity idol. Austin gave it to her for safekeeping in case she needed it, but now Julie has been unwilling to return it to Austin. After their conversation, Julie walks away feeling suspicious of Drew. She shares her concerns with Dee and how he presented the idea of Julie making a big move with her idol. Dee is also worried about Drew, especially with his close allegiance to Emily. Dee says she wants to target Emily next, but she first wants to see if Emily returns from the journey with an advantage or not.
At the journey, Emily is presented with a puzzle challenge. If she successfully completes it, then she will be safe at the upcoming tribal council. If she fails, then she will lose her vote at the upcoming tribal council. After weighing her options, Emily chooses to not risk her vote and does not attempt the challenge. She gets back on the boat and returns to camp.
Who to vote out?
Drew talks game with Katurah and Jake. He presents the idea of voting out Julie at the next tribal council. He tells them that he believes he can get Austin on board.
Later, Katurah talks to Austin. They both agree Julie is too big of a threat. Everyone loves her and she would be tough to beat in a Final 3 scenario. After their conversation, Austin and Drew talk. Austin says it would put them in a tough spot if they blindside Julie. Austin says it would upset Dee, and the Reba Four would no longer have the majority. Austin would rather see Emily be voted out next. Drew says Emily would be willing to go to the Final 3 with them. He wants Julie voted out next. Austin admits voting out Julie would be the better move (especially since she still has his hidden immunity idol she won’t return), but he’s worried about upsetting Dee.
Emily returns to camp, and she tells them exactly what happened on the journey. However, Dee doesn’t believe her. She thinks it’s an easy story, and she doesn’t think Emily has come back with nothing. Later, Drew talks game with Emily. Drew tells her that Julie is targeting her, so they should vote her out next. Emily is on board, and she hopes her allies will rally to keep her and blindside Julie.
Immunity challenge
It’s time for the immunity challenge. They must go through a series of obstacles while attached to a rope. Afterwards, they must knock down blocks with sandbags. Lastly, they must use the blocks to solve a word puzzle. The first to complete the challenge will win immunity. In addition, the winner will win a barbecue reward.
The challenge begins, and Drew takes the early lead. He’s the first to begin throwing his sandbags. Jake and Austin are the next to toss their sandbags, but Drew has managed to knock all of his down. He can now try solving the word puzzle. Austin knocks down his blocks and can start working on the word puzzle too.
Drew seems to know what the word is, but he is unable to put the blocks together without it falling apart. They must put the blocks together like an arch. Austin is now close to solving the word puzzle. He thinks he solved it, which is the word “resourcefulness.” However, the word must be spelled on the opposite side too. Drew ends up putting his blocks together, with “resourcefulness” spelled out on both sides. Drew wins immunity! Drew is allowed to bring two people with him on the reward. He chooses Jake and Austin.
While Drew, Jake, and Austin are enjoying their reward, they discuss the upcoming vote. They agree voting out Julie would be the better move. The only issue would be if Julie ends up playing the hidden immunity idol tonight (which Jake does not know about). While the men were on the reward, the women agree to vote out Jake tonight. However, Emily and Katurah plan to vote for Julie, and Dee and Julie plan to vote for Emily.
A plan against Julie…
Later, Austin talks game with Dee. He is worried about blindsiding Dee, but he doesn’t want Julie to find out and ruin the plan. Austin ends up telling Dee that there is currently a plan against Julie. Dee tells Austin she doesn’t want to write Julie’s name down. She thinks it’s too soon to turn against Julie. Dee asks why can’t they vote for Emily. Austin says everyone except the two of them (and Julie) want to vote for Julie. Dee tells Austin she knows she would put her game at risk if she gives Julie a heads up. However, after their conversation ends, Dee talks to Julie. Dee tells Julie to play her idol and the two of them will vote Emily out. Julie is stunned her Reba allies Drew and Austin are conspiring against her.
Later, Julie approaches Jake and Emily about a plan to vote out Austin. She thinks Katurah would be willing to vote for Austin too. After she walks away, Emily tells Drew about this. Drew realizes that Julie knows about the plan. Later, Dee and Austin find out that Julie is pitching to vote out Austin. Austin still has an idol in his possession, and he’s considering playing it for himself tonight. Before tribal council, Dee tells Julie they still need to target Emily tonight. Julie would rather target Austin, especially realizing that Dee is prioritizing Austin over Julie.
…But not so fast!
It’s time for tribal council. Jeff asks if the game is getting more difficult. Jake says it’s harder after they get to know each other better. Drew counters that it’s easier since they’re so close to the end now. Julie agrees it’s easier since they can give themselves permission to play the game. Katurah says they have to understand how to remove emotion in order to make game moves.
Jeff asks what was happening back at camp. Drew says the game has shifted after Bruce was voted out. Jeff says it sounds like anything can happen tonight. Julie says they’re all thinking about who they want to go to the end of the game with. Emily admits the game can rip their hearts out since they do end up liking each other. Austin says it does take a toll on them as they have to end each other’s dreams. Jeff ends the discussion about the lack of idols and advantages played this season. Katurah admits she’s nervous about advantages and says they could start being played now. Afterwards, it’s time for the vote.
We see Drew, Emily, Austin, Katurah, Jake, and Dee vote for Julie. Katurah says if the plan doesn’t work, then Austin is to blame. Dee says she wants Julie to play the idol. But who will Julie vote for?
Before Jeff reads the votes, Julie plays the hidden immunity idol on herself. Austin does not play his idol.
Jeff reads the votes. The first vote is for…
Julie
Julie
Julie
Julie
Julie
Julie
Emily
Emily is the twelfth person voted out and the fifth member of the jury. Emily takes her elimination in stride, and she lets everyone know she will be voting for the person who played the best game.
And that wraps up tonight’s episode of Survivor. Thanks for reading, and come back next week for another live recap.
