Last night’s episode of Australian Survivor: Brains vs Brawn sparked fierce debate around hidden immunity idols.
Shortly after contestant Simon Mee was eliminated from the competition with two immunity idols in his pocket, Kez said goodbye also having not played the immunity idol she found earlier.
But what caused outrage was the split-second moment at the end when instead of taking her immunity idol with her, Kez gave it to her close ally Flick.
Fans took to Twitter to question whether the move was allowed and if it was still able to be played.
YOU CAN’T GIVE SOMEONE AN IDOL AFTER YOU’VE BEEN VOTED OUT #SurvivorAU pic.twitter.com/2C6mexXOnb
— Michael McDermott (@FakeMichaelMcD) August 15, 2021
I thought the rule was If you are voted out while in physical possession of the idol, that idol is out of the game and no longer has any power.
How is what Kez did allowed ?
— Staci 🕸️ (@staci_kp) August 15, 2021
#SurvivorAU That Idol should be dead. If you get voted out with anything, it should ALWAYS STAY DEAD. That's the gamble. That's the point.
— Austin Smith (@AustinFSmith8) August 15, 2021
Survivor Australia veteran Nick Iadanza tweeted out a clarification to help clear the air, saying: “The rules were changed so that idols and advantages could be passed to others up until the torch snuffing.”
All players know the rules beforehand so it is technically fair.
Also seen in #SurvivorSA this week actually, if you can believe it.
— Nick Iadanza (@nickiadanza) August 15, 2021
Iadanza also revealed that all contestants are aware of the rule, “so it is technically fair.”
In the US version of the show, Hidden Immunity Idol’s are considered a personal item, which means they cannot be transferred to another contestant.
Kez’s elimination came as a surprise but should have been expected as she discovered the idol in front of her tribemates, meaning her discovery was no secret.
Luckily, Kez made it to merge, which means she is the first contestant to sit on the jury and help decide this season’s winner.
Australian Survivor: Brains Vs. Brawn airs Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays at 7.30pm on 10 and 10 Play on Demand.
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