Survivor 48 episode 8 recap: Drama, tacos, and Chrissy’s surprising elimination

The Survivor Season 48 castaways were already feeling the heat, but episode 8 turned up the pressure even more. Starting with a surprise twist, players had to pick partners before even knowing what the next challenge would be. No rocks to draw. No random pairings. Just vibes, strategy, and a bit of panic.

In the eighth episode, titled "A Rift Between All of Us," strong players went head-to-head with weaker ones, and real game lines began to show. By the end of the episode, two players’ dreams of winning Survivor came to an end. With tacos, journeys, and hidden alliances all on the menu, it was a night packed with drama.

Here’s what went down on this week’s Survivor.

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Pairs revealed alliances early on Survivor

The 10 remaining Survivor castaways were asked to form pairs before the challenge, giving a big clue about where loyalties might lie. It wasn’t just about winning a reward—it was about revealing future threats.

The obstacle course challenge had three stages. Only three teams would make it past the first stage, and just two would reach the final stage to compete for individual immunity.

Kamilla Karthigesu, Shauhin Davari, Star Toomey, and Mitch Guerra missed out on tacos and had to go on a “journey,” which came with major consequences. Meanwhile, Eva Erickson, Joe Hunter, Mary Zheng, and David Kinne battled it out for safety.

In a classic Survivor test of endurance called "Get a Grip," players had to cling to a tall, narrow pole. Eva outlasted them all, grabbing her first individual immunity of the season.

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Chrissy calls out alliances at Survivor tribal council

At tribal council, Chrissy made her move, calling out what she saw as a "strong player alliance" between David, Eva, Joe, and Shauhin. She pointed to Eva and Joe's close relationship, urging others to recognize their growing power.

But speeches don’t always save you in Survivor. Chrissy’s outburst sealed her fate. With a near-unanimous vote, Chrissy, a 55-year-old fire lieutenant from Chicago, was voted out. She became the second member of the jury, who will eventually help decide the season’s winner.

Her fiery final stand was a reminder that in Survivor, exposing alliances can sometimes backfire instead of flipping the game.

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Peanut butter, jelly, and another Survivor elimination

But that wasn’t the end of the night. Jeff Probst dropped another bombshell: there would be a second immunity challenge and a second tribal council.

In this twist, the last person standing from each team would win individual immunity. Plus, the last player standing overall would win peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the tribe. It was a much-needed boost after days of scarce food.

In an epic face-off lasting nearly an hour, Joe Hunter and David Kinne battled for the top spot. David finally pulled out the win, setting a new record and grabbing the second tribal council’s crucial immunity.

For Survivor fans, it was a thrilling reminder that physical endurance can sometimes rewrite the whole game.

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Mitch’s advantage saves him on Survivor

After returning to camp, Joe’s group debated between voting out Mitch Guerra or Sai Hughley. Mitch’s inspiring backstory made him a threat to win jury votes, while Sai’s strong personality made her a target too.

Mitch had a secret weapon: the “block-a-vote” advantage. He used it on Sai, preventing her from casting a ballot against him.

The move worked perfectly. Sai, a 30-year-old marketing professional from Simi Valley, California, was voted out.

Using advantages at the right time is key in Survivor, and Mitch’s decision helped him survive another day.

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Cedrek’s game ends at second Survivor tribal council

At the second tribal, it came down to Cedrek McFadden or Shauhin Davari. Kyle and Kamilla tried to stir things up by telling David that Shauhin had found an immunity idol—though he hadn’t.

Despite doubts, the tribe stayed steady. Cedrek, a 46-year-old surgeon from Greenville, South Carolina, was voted out.

He became the first juror of the season and will have a say in who wins Survivor Season 48. His calm approach made him likable, but sometimes in Survivor, staying too low-key can be just as dangerous as being a big threat.

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With just eight players left, the race for the $1 million prize is getting tighter. Divisions are deeper, trust is thinner, and advantages are more important than ever.

The latest episode of Survivor showed how quickly the game can shift. One moment you’re eating tacos; the next, you’re making your jury speech.

New episodes of Survivor air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and are available to stream on Paramount+. All 47 previous seasons are also ready to binge on Paramount+.