This ‘Survivor 48’ Castaway Just Sealed His Fate

It would not be Survivor without a bit of drama. After a rollercoaster of a tribal, the CBS reality competition show had one castaway making a game-ending choice. Despite his obvious kindness, Season 48’s Cedrek McFadden made a terrible move that could result in his elimination. McFadden voted for everyone on his tribe in one tribal council, voted out his closest ally, solidified a duo between two scary players, and kept a woman who holds grudges who he had just voted out twice in a row. Cedrek McFadden went from the best position in the tribe to the worst in one tribal council.

McFadden started the game well off. No one on the green Vula tribe considered voting for him once. In the three tribals that Vula had to endure, McFadden’s name was never written down. Even when McFadden made obvious mistakes during immunity challenges he was safe. Cedrek McFadden made no enemies, stayed in the majority, and kept quiet to let other people get in trouble. Not only that, but McFadden is very kind, even checking on Mary Zheng after immunity. However, in one confusing tribal council, Cedrek McFadden ruined all the goodwill with his tribe.

McFadden Voted Everyone Out on His Tribe

The third tribal council of Survivor Season 48 was confusing; no one is denying that. In the course of the night McFadden voted out everyone on the tribe. First, McFadden voted out Mary Zheng as they had planned. Zheng had a rare and successful Shot In The Dark, resulting in a revote. The revote came, and Cedrek voted for Saiounia Hughley because he had known Justin Pioppi longer.

However, Jeff Probst had to reveal that Pioppi did not have a vote. There was another vote with the same result. The game mechanics then dictate that because McFadden does not change his vote, he becomes the only person left with a vote. Hughley pleads for her life and McFadden begins to doubt Pioppi. McFadden keeps Hughley on the stipulation that she and Zheng get along. Since the tribe was already so small, McFadden ended the night by voting out Zheng, Hughley, and Pioppi.

Sai Holds Grudges

McFadden was aligned with Pioppi and Hughley but had already discussed eliminating Hughley during the first two weeks before turning on Kevin Lueng instead. Even when Hughley proposed splitting the vote onto Pioppi after losing that third immunity, McFadden refused because they were close. McFadden’s resistance indicated that he would rather sacrifice Hughley than Pioppi. So, when the time comes, McFadden votes Hughley twice. Hughley, who only became rivals with Zheng after she voted for her in the first tribal, has now watched McFadden vote for her twice. It is clear that Hughley holds grudges, so the easier move would be to eliminate Hughley to protect himself. Pioppi would have had McFadden’s back and given them the majority. However, in the end, McFadden eliminates his last real ally in Pioppi and keeps Hughley, who historically does not forget when she was slighted.

Sai And Mary Are A ‘Survivor’ Duo Cedrek Should Worry About

McFadden’s last mistake was the stipulation for keeping Hughley. All McFadden wants is for Hughley and Zheng to get along. Hughley and Zheng spent the first three rounds on opposite sides because, as mentioned before, Zheng voted for Hughley to try to save her friend Stephanie Berger. Hughley even chased Mary around the first to prevent her from finding an idol. However, despite the antics, both made it clear to Jeff Probst and their tribe that Hughley and Zheng were having fun and respected each other. Hughley and Zheng saw the eachother as a threat and recognized their skills, creating respect between them. The pair refused to work together because they thought their games were in opposition. McFadden heard this and basically forced Hughley and Zheng to work together. For Hughley to stay, she and Zheng are now forced to be allies, which leaves McFadden the third wheel.

Ultimately, McFadden remains the only castaway on Vula not to be voted for during a Survivor tribal council, so credit where credit is due. However, after voting out everyone on his tribe unsuccessfully, voting out his only real ally instead of someone who will target him, and forcing two powerhouse players to work together, McFadden has put himself in a difficult spot. Is there always a chance that Cedrek comes back from this? Sure, but more likely, this ends in his torch being snuffed. It just goes to show how quickly things change on Survivor. Survivor is available to stream on Paramount+ and airs on Wednesdays.