The final six vote on Why Survivor 43's New Choose Your Champion Twist Worked (& Why It Didn't)
Playing Around Advantages Continues To Evolve Gameplay
The final six vote is so crucial because it is the last time a hidden immunity idol holder needs to debate using it. In the new era of Survivor, hidden immunity idols expire at the final five, followed by a fire-making challenge at the final four. In order to allow for a more open endgame, idols need to be flushed by the final six, or else there could potentially only be one player left vulnerable at the final five vote. This unfortunate elimination happened to Cirie Fields in the final six of Survivor: Game Changers when three hidden immunity idols and a legacy advantage were played at a single tribal council.
While both Maryanne and Jesse made showstopping moves at the final six, they were able to do so with the safety of a hidden immunity idol in their own pocket. Maryanne found hers on her own while Jesse received his idol from Dwight Moore, who was originally holding it for Jeanine Zheng before being voted off. Neither of them told anyone else about possessing these idols, providing them the right amount of safety to pull off these moves. It remains to be seen whether these moves could have happened had they not both had these secret advantages.
Maryanne and Jesse became the ones to beat on their respective seasons following their moves. Survivor continues to evolve as players become more knowledgeable about the different advantages and twists added to the game. What the past two final six votes have taught viewers is that keeping advantages a secret is the best option in order to create a big move in front of the jury right before final tribal council.
Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8pm EST on CBS