Survivor 44 episode 12 recap: Breaking up is very hard to do

Spoiler Warning: This article contains immediate spoilers for Survivor 44 episode 12, “I’m the Bandit.”

The producers behind Survivor have put their work in to continue the tradition of leading fans astray with a potential vote-out. Survivor 44 episode 12 is not any different in what appeared to be a straightforward target. Did fans (like me) want to see Carolyn targeted and then voted out? Not one chance. Is it also possible fans (like me) held their breaths while the votes were being read by host Jeff Probst at tribal council? Yes, it is very possible.

So, what gives? It was clear throughout this entire episode that Yam Yam was targeting Carolyn. He recognizes her incredible threat to win, including her idol play for Carson in last week’s episode. Although Carson continually kept talking about the Tika trio staying strong in this week’s episode, it appeared that everyone else was talking about getting Carolyn out of the game.

Was Carolyn the only target in Survivor 44 episode 12?

Outside of the Tika three, the remaining castaways include Heidi as the last member of Soka while Lauren and Jaime are the last two members of Ratu. Carolyn’s idol play woke the other players up to her savvy gameplay, which led to Lauren, Jaime, Carson, and Yam Yam discussing a potential next move. They all agreed that Carolyn is playing the best game and needed to exit stage right immediately.

Yes, strategic conversations in Survivor happen quite frequently, but there seemed to be some pull with this foursome and all of their side chatter. Carson was also mentioned as a potential option to vote out by Jaime, and Carolyn used that information to redirect the vote toward her. Yes, there were a couple of names mentioned in Survivor 44 episode 12, but none of them felt as relevant as Carolyn – and a lot of that had to do with Yam Yam.

Yam Yam is playing an excellent game and he recognizes that his closest ally is doing a fantastic job, which means he might have to play with his head and not with his heart. Whether he was chatting with Carson or Jaime, or confiding his admiration for Carolyn, it seemed clear he was leaning in one specific way: Vote out Carolyn!

Did the Tika three stay strong or did they leave us heartbroken after breaking up?

Survivor 44 episode 12 did one thing in particular: It fooled me. Yes, it might have fooled other fans, but I have to recognize this writer’s own assertions going into the episode and thoughts leading all the way up to the final vote being read. I was wrong – and I have never been more delighted by it.

The hit reality TV show has given fans wonderful insight into Carolyn’s world as a person and dynamic player throughout the season. Whether it be the connections she’s formed with other players or her incredible reads from one episode to the next, she’s proven herself completely capable while giving fans someone wholeheartedly to root for. And this is the episode where the writing appeared to be on the wall, but not everything is what it seems in the world of Survivor.

From Carson backing the Tika three most of the episode before finally admitting Carolyn might need to go, to Yam Yam’s heartfelt confessionals getting upset at needing to vote her out, it did seem clear the mighty threesome would be coming to an end. It’s such a dramatic realization for viewers to see, but that’s one of the reasons why Survivor continues to be one of the best things to watch on TV.

Who was voted out in Survivor 44 episode 12 and why?

There were six players left in Survivor 44 episode 12, and it was not until the final vote was read that I realized I was holding my breath. Would Carolyn be betrayed by her alliance or would her movement towards Jaime work out? The last vote gave a four-to-two margin to send Jaime off to Ponderosa and become the next member of the jury.

It is important to mention Carolyn told Carson that Jaime targeted him in tonight’s episode. Perhaps this little bit of information helped solidify their bond and mutual loyalty, which he highlighted was important to him. On top of that, when Yam Yam and Carson were discussing Carolyn as the primary vote, Carson mentioned that his gut told him Jaime but he wanted to vote together. Again, Carson is playing a solid game too, so perhaps his leaning toward Jaime swayed Yam Yam.

It was clear that Jaime and Lauren were voting for Carolyn. It also seemed clear Yam Yam was voting that way, too, with Carson following his lead. If viewers take a step back, perhaps they realized voting out Carolyn would put them at a distinct disadvantage with five players left. It would leave them as a pair, potentially against Lauren, Jaime, and Heidi. Carson already knew Jaime was plotting against him, so voting out Carolyn would have left him without a close ally while leaving in a player who wants to send him packing.

Perhaps self-preservation led this vote more than loyalty, but it is hard to tell at this point. Survivor 44 episode 12 gave fans a truly muddled view of what was going to happen and left us breathless until the very last vote. That is the sign of great television, and with the season finale just around the corner, fans should buckle up and get ready for a fun and intense ride to the end.

Did you think Carolyn was getting voted out in Survivor 44 episode 12? Were you surprised the Tika three were considering breaking up and giving away the majority? Share your thoughts in the comments below!