Warning: Major spoilers ahead for the finale of “Survivor” Season 48.
Who earned the title of “sole ‘Survivor’” at the end of Season 48 and walked away with the $1 million prize?
As the conclusion to “Survivor” 48 began on Wednesday, May 21, there were only five castaways remaining: Eva Erickson, Kyle Fraser, Mitch Guerra, Joe Hunter and Kamilla Karthigesu.
The three-hour finale included multiple surprising eliminations before the winner was announced. So, as host Jeff Probst says every episode, “Let’s get it on!”
Who won ‘Survivor’ Season 48?
By the end of the three-hour Season 48 finale, just three castaways lasted to the Final Tribal Council: Kyle, Eva and Joe.
After the jury members’ votes were cast, Probst continued the divisive recent tradition of announcing the winner then and there.
Kyle Fraser won “Survivor” 48, Probst revealed. Read on for how it all shook out.
Jeff Probst hosting the “Survivor” Season 48 finale.CBSWhat happened during the ‘Survivor’ 48 finale?
Following the blindside of Shauhin Davari in the penultimate episode, the final five returned to their Niu Nai camp to discuss Tribal Council. Eva and Joe thanked Kyle for tipping them off that Shauhin had turned on them, not realizing that Kyle and Kamilla concocted a plan to trick the duo into eliminating Shauhin.
Kyle pointed out in his confessional that he was in a good spot, with the option of either sticking beside his strongest ally, Kamilla, or going to the final three with Eva and Joe. But, he still had more obstacles to tackle, like winning the next immunity challenge. He also worried about how Eva planned to play her hidden immunity idol.
Meanwhile, Kamilla marveled at her lying abilities, adding that she planned to own all her deceptive game play if she made it to Final Tribal Council.
But first, the players had to unlock a puzzle that would give them an advantage in the next challenge. Eva secured the advantage by cracking the code.
At the next immunity challenge, which also included a pasta-filled reward, Probst welcomed the final five and explained that Eva’s advantage allowed her to skip one of the ball toss sections. But despite the leg up, Kamilla pulled off the victory in a “massive comeback,” as the host said.
After Kamilla secured her spot in the final four, the other finalists had multiple conversations to decide who would join the jury as the next castaway voted out of “Survivor” 48. Although the obvious choice seemed to be to get rid of Joe, Kamilla and Kyle contemplated eliminating Mitch instead. They were convinced that Mitch could make a better pitch to the jury if he made it to the end of the game.
So when the second-to-last Tribal Council began, Mitch was a sitting duck. Kyle directly told Probst that Mitch’s name was tossed around at camp. Mitch became emotional as he said it “sucked” knowing his game was over. But, he said he didn’t have any regrets.
With Mitch getting his torch snuffed, the final four journeyed to the Niu Nai camp, again, and celebrated.
The next morning, the final four watched the sunrise together. In her confessional, Eva said she would take Joe to the end despite him being a strong competitor. Kamilla had a different plan for her other half in the game. She told Kyle she would select him to make fire against Joe. Kyle agreed with her thinking. As for Joe, he wanted to go to the end with Eva.
For the final immunity challenge, Probst said the final four would have to participate in a “Survivor” “classic.” The ball challenge, called “Simmotion,” which has appeared in multiple past seasons, required concentration and hand-eye coordination.
After a close battle with Joe, Kyle became the last “Survivor” 48 contestant to have the immunity necklace placed around his neck. He was also tasked with choosing which castaway would automatically join him in the finale, thus confirming the other two would have to participate in the fire-making challenge.
Kyle upheld a promise he made before the challenge and told Joe he was taking him to the final three, meaning Eva and Kamilla had to make fire. While prepping for the challenge, Eva became overwhelmed. Joe offered to take her spot, but she declined. So, he sat with her and shared some tips to improve her fire-making skills.
Before facing off, the jury looked stunned to learn that Kyle chose Joe. Each player then sat at their respective stations and began building their fires. Eva easily pulled off the victory, cementing her spot in the final three, as Kamilla struggled to get anything going.
On Day 26, the last day of the season, Kyle, Joe and Eva enjoyed their breakfast feast as viewers heard the jury — Cedrek McFadden, Chrissy Sarnowsky, David Kinne, Star Toomey, Mary Zheng, Shauhin, Mitch and Kamilla — share what they hoped to hear at Final Tribal Council.
As the sun set, Eva, Kyle and Joe made their way to Probst, ready to be grilled by the eliminated cast members.
Probst advised them, “Own your game and claim your victory,” before the questions began.
Multiple secrets were spilled, including Kyle revealing his true occupation as a lawyer and his undercover partnership with Kamilla.
For their final pitches, Kyle said he was the most well-rounded player because he built strong relationships and played in the middle all season long. Joe spoke about being a 45-year-old firefighter and needing the money to take care of his family. Eva said there has never been a player like her on the show and that she “embodied” the season by being “unprecedented.”
After the votes were cast, Probst revealed that Kyle won, receiving five votes. Eva had two and Joe had one, marking a rare occasion in which all three finalists received votes at Final Tribal Council.
All the jury members congratulated Kyle, and he toasted his fellow “Survivor” cast members with champagne.