A big aspect of Survivor is the hidden immunity idols and advantages. These can greatly turn the tide of a vote (and maybe even the game!), and they often make for spectacular television. And a big aspect of these plays is knowing when to make them. There's nothing better than a well-timed and well-executed idol play.
But sometimes things go horribly wrong. Sometimes players greatly misjudge the danger and the impending vote, resulting in a disappointing and useless idol play. These also make for great TV. Just for different reasons. These are five idol plays (and five other advantages) that went terribly wrong.
Idol: Kim Plays For Denise
In one of the most chaotic tribal councils in Winners at War, Kim ended up playing her hidden immunity idol for her ally Denise. Unfortunately, this was the wrong move, and it only resulted in Kim blowing an idol.
Only Sophie and Sarah had voted for Denise, while five others voted for Tyson. Tyson ended up going home in a 5-2-2 vote. If she played for Tyson, then Tyson and Sophie would have split the vote 2-2 (and if Michele didn't flip her vote, then Sophie would have gone home in a 3-2 vote).
Idol Nullifier: Tyson And Parvati Waste An Idol Nullifier
Idol nullifiers were introduced in David vs. Goliath and they give someone the ability to nullify a hidden immunity idol, effectively making the idol player vulnerable. The advantage returned for the third time in Winners at War, and Tyson sold it to Parvati for one fire token.
Unfortunately, Parvati was voted out the very next day, effectively eliminating both Parvati and the idol nullifier from the game.
Idol: J.T. Gives His Idol To Russell
J.T. Thomas may have won Tocantins, but he will forever be known as "the guy who gave up his immunity idol to Russell Hantz." While playing Heroes vs. Villains, J.T. believed that Hantz was the victim of an all-female alliance and on the verge of being voted out.
He, in turn, gave Hantz his immunity idol in the hopes that he would use it and vote out Parvati. In reality, Hantz was leading the Villains and was allied with Parvati and Danielle. In the end, J.T. was voted out with his own idol. Whoops.
Vote Steal: Stephen Plays A Vote Steal (And Gets Voted Out Anyway)
Vote steal made its first appearance in Cambodia, and it went horribly, horribly wrong.
Stephen stole Joe Anglim's vote and used it to vote against Joe (his "normal" vote was cast against Abi-Maria Gomes). It didn't matter. Stephen was blindsided in a 4-3-2 vote, effectively eliminating him from the game and wasting his vote steal advantage. Not only that, but if he used his vote steal to vote for Abi-Maria twice, then he could have tied it with a 4-4-1 vote.
Idol: Lauren Plays For Chris
Lauren O'Connell played a very strong game in Edge of Extinction, but her immunity idol blunder proved to be her downfall. Wanting to make a "big move" to impress the jury, Lauren played her immunity idol for Chris Underwood.
However, Chris had only received one vote. Lauren not only wasted the idol, but she blew a guaranteed spot in the final four. Lauren was voted out the very next week for being too calculating. If only she still had her idol...
Challenge Advantage: Corinne Loses (Despite Skipping To The Final Round)
In Survivor: Gabon, Corinne Kaplan spent all of her auction money on an advantage at the next immunity challenge. This advantage essentially allowed her to skip the entire challenge and go straight to the final round.
However, she ended up in a tight race with Ken Hoang and Matty Whitmore, with Ken eventually pulling it off and winning immunity. She not only wasted the challenge advantage, but she also wasted the cash she could have spent on food and drink at the auction.
Idol: Lauren Gives Away Her Half
In Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, Lauren Rimmer found two halves of an immunity idol, effectively making a whole (and valid) idol.
To gain his trust, Lauren gave one half of the idol to Mike Zahalsky, who in turn threw it into the fire! This move nullified the idol and left Lauren vulnerable at Tribal. And even though everyone voted for Ben, Ben played his own idol and voted against Lauren, effectively eliminating her in an unprecedented 1-0 (really 6-1) vote.
Legacy Advantage: Utterly Wasted On Ghost Island
The legacy advantage is a bit of a confusing advantage. It acts like a hidden immunity idol, but it can only be played at a specific Tribal Council. If someone is voted out with the legacy advantage in their possession, they must will it to another player.
In Ghost Island, the advantage was found by Jacob Derwin, who in turn gave it to Morgan Ricke, who in turn gave it to Domenick Abbate. And when Abbate was forced to play the legacy advantage, he didn't receive a single vote against him in a 10-2 vote, effectively wasting the legacy advantage.
Idol: Russell Wastes An Idol
Russell Hantz is known as a bit of an idol master, so to see him utterly waste one was a shock indeed. In Heroes vs. Villains, Russell believed himself in trouble and played a hidden immunity idol. Only, he didn't receive a single, solitary vote.
All the votes went to Amanda and Parvati (in a 6-3 vote against Amanda). Courtney visibly laughed at Russell's misplay, and Russell himself even hung his head in shame and uttered a quiet "damn it."
Extra Vote: Tai Votes Against Michele
An extra vote does exactly what it says - it gives the wielder an extra vote at Tribal Council. In Kaoh Rong, Tai used his extra vote to cast two votes against Michele Fitzgerald.
Unfortunately, these two votes proved useless, as Kyle Jason was voted out in a 4-2-1 vote.