The game is about to change once again on “Survivor 49.” Tonight’s highly anticipated episode, titled “Blood Will Be Drawn,” marks the official merge where alliances shift, power structures crumble, and one castaway’s torch will be snuffed before the night is over. The episode resumes with the aftermath of last week’s tribal council. With 11 players left, fans are bracing for a brutal elimination that could shock even the most strategic players.

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Tribal Council & Vote Results

Rizzo says he may use his idol if he needs to. The vote is occurring now. Jeff reads the votes one by one. Rizo holds onto his idol, but MC plays hers and secures her safety for the night. The votes come in: Nate, Steven, Nate, Steven, Nate, Steven, Nate, Steven, Nate, and Nate. With six votes against him, Nate becomes the latest castaway voted out of “Survivor” season 49

As the title suggests, tonight’s episode saw the first major “bloodbath” of the season. The merge historically brings blindsides, betrayals, and big moves — and with so many previous swaps, old allies are hard to define. Fans can expect shifting loyalties, emotional gameplay, and a tribal council that could leave even the most confident players rattled. Probst teased that fans will later learn which two “Survivor 49” players made a big enough impact to earn an invitation to Season 50 — meaning tonight’s episode could reveal who’s making that kind of mark. But before that future can be written, one player’s game will end in heartbreak.

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Drop Your Buffs: The Merge Has Arrived

“Survivor 49” host and showrunner Jeff Probst confirmed to Gold Derby that tonight’s 90-minute episode will push contestants to prove they belong in the game — and maybe even in the next one. With the milestone “Survivor 50” (an all-stars season) on the horizon, Probst revealed that players were told there are still spots available for returning castaways. While it’s not guaranteed that anyone from Season 49 will be chosen, the news ignited fierce motivation across all three tribes.

As of last week, the Kele tribe’s Sage Ahrens-Nichols, Jawan Pitts, and Steven Ramm had just blindsided Shannon Fairweather, leaving new alliances scrambling. Meanwhile, Sophi Balerdi, Michelle “MC” Chukwujekwu, Savannah Louie, and Rizo Velovic represented the Hina tribe, while Kristina Mills, Alex Moore, Nate Moore, and Sophie Segreti held strong on Uli. But with merge time here, loyalties will be tested like never before. Probst noted that the game’s constant tribe swaps this season have created “more cross-pollination than usual,” meaning almost everyone has worked together or voted against each other at some point. That history promises chaos as the remaining players drop their buffs and start fresh.

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Looking Back at Last Week’s Tribal Council

In last week’s episode, Shannon Fairweather’s exit sent shockwaves through camp after what seemed like a stable alliance suddenly fractured. As Entertainment Now previously reported, Shannon’s elimination came down to trust issues that surfaced following the double tribe swap. Her torch-snuffing left Kele fractured and set the tone for tonight’s unpredictable merge.

At that tribal, Jeff Probst reminded players that the merge often resets the game — but not without consequences. Players who have been leading quietly will need to emerge, while early power players must adapt to avoid becoming easy targets. After multiple tribal shuffles, tonight’s merge feels like both a reunion and a showdown.