Survivor 43 episode 11: History made in immunity challenge

Survivor 43 episode 11 made history in a classic immunity challenge, and highlighted an advantage being played with the potential of more than one person being immune at tribal council. Who got voted out? In tonight’s episode of Survivor, the results will take a backseat to the outstanding performances given at an underwater challenge.

If fans are claustrophobic or are afraid of being underneath the water for too long, Survivor 43 episode 11 might not be your favorite moment of reality TV. The seven remaining players place themselves underneath a metal grate in the waters of Fiji, placing their faces through it to breathe air. That is, until the tides rush over them making it impossible to do anything other than hang onto the grates and hold their breaths.

It’s safe to say this is one challenge where viewers might find themselves holding their own breaths, because the thrilling moments are so chilling to watch. Players are literally struggling to breathe or waiting out extended periods of time where they’re completely submerged. In a game where winning immunity is what players covet the most, winning this challenge by making history is something fans and players will remember forever.

How did Survivor 43 episode 11 make history in an immunity challenge?

Players are placed into the water as the tide is rising, which means they are quickly finding themselves in a position where they’re spitting out water and struggling to find air. This challenge is agonizing to watch as players grapple with trying to stay afloat, and even host Jeff Probst referenced getting gray hairs by the end of it.

The castaways slowly trickled out of the challenge and suddenly Cody, Cassidy, Karla and Owen were the last four floating. Despite being a surfer from Hawaii, Cody referenced how cold the water was as he left the challenge. After an impressive run in the challenge, Cassidy left after being in the water for two hours. That’s right; fighting for air for two hours wasn’t long enough to win this underwater challenge in Survivor 43 episode 11.

After nearly three hours, Probst announced that the tides were starting to recede. They were getting to a point where the players were able to respond to Jeff, rather than just struggling to gasp for air between long stretches of being buried underwater. In the first time in Survivor history, two players outlasted the challenge. Mark it down: Karla and Owen made history in Survivor 43 episode 11 by both winning immunity.

Did one of them get an advantage that helped them last so long underwater? No, but there was an advantage played, which means the potential of an additional person having immunity was a possibility in tonight’s historic episode.

What advantage landed in Survivor 43 episode 11 and why was it excellent TV?

During the show, the castaways received a letter on the beach where it stated that there was an advantage hidden in the jungle. If you’re looking for the appropriate sequence in the show where everyone immediately bolts and starts looking for advantages, this is said moment. What made this moment incredible for TV was the location of this advantage – and how everyone kept passing by it.

The advantage was similarly colored to the palm trees, as the small, rectangular-shaped envelope hung from a small rope at eye level. One former player even joked about how “hidden” the advantage was, but that’s the magic of great television. This sequence highlights how sometimes advantages can be missed, even when they’re right in front of your face.

That was the case for Cody as he talked to Gabler. He even leaned on the tree, as if he had seen it, and was trying to block a path around the tree. It wasn’t until he stepped back and did a double take before realizing the elusive advantage was right by his fingertips. After all of this waiting to see if someone would find it, would this advantage turn out to be impactful? In short: Yes.

Before the immunity challenge, Cody was able to write the name of another castaway onto the advantage. If Cody wins immunity, it doesn’t matter. If the person he selects wins immunity, then Cody also earns immunity. So, after a lengthy underwater battle, Cody fans rejoiced as Owen was Cody’s selection and he was one of the immunity winners. This is great for Cody, but bad for the other players. They would not find out Cody’s pick until after they cast their votes.

Who was safe and who was Charlie Brown swinging and missing the football?

Much like when someone plays a hidden immunity idol after the votes are cast, Cody would have his pick read aloud by Jeff in the same fashion. This meant Karla, Owen and Cody were all immune and there were only four players left to vote for. Karla announced she was ready to blindside Cass, her number one ally, but Cass wanted to get rid of Sami for all of his double dealing.

In the end, despite the misdirect from the producers of the CBS show, Sami was sent picking with a unanimous vote. Despite the clear-cut results in tonight’s vote, Survivor 43 episode 11 highlighted an incredibly difficult immunity challenge and produced an intriguing advantage that impacted the game. On top of all of that, fans of the show received a comical Charlie Brown reference from Owen early in the episode. What more could you ask for from such an incredible reality TV show?

What did you think of Survivor 43 episode 11 and its historic immunity challenge? Did you like the advantage Cody found and would you want to see it again? Does Owen winning immunity mean his days of being Charlie Brown missing the football are over? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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