During Survivor 45, Kaleb Gebrewold successfully played his Shot In The Dark after 11 votes were cast against him, delivering one of the most unforgettable Tribal Councils in recent memory. However, until last night, Gebrewold was the only contestant in Survivor history to successfully use the lifeline. On the latest episode of Survivor 48, Mary Zheng made history by becoming the first female player to successfully play the Shot In The Dark, but her strategic move led to one of the most shocking Tribal Councils in the game’s history.

Mary Zheng’s Shot In The Dark Leads to Hectic Elimination

Following Zheng’s Shot In The Dark play, two re-votes, and one final deadlock vote to finally snuff somebody’s torch, Justin Pioppi became the third person eliminated from Survivor 48. After the Vula tribe lost their third Immunity Challenge in a row, Zheng looked to be on the chopping block after barely surviving the previous Tribal Council. However, before returning to camp, Justin Pioppi was given the opportunity to go on a journey where he would either gain a vote, or lose his vote for the impending Tribal Council. After failing a game of chance, Pioppi lost his vote and lied about the outcome when he returned to his tribe. Unfortunately for the 29-year-old pizzeria manager, it was the night his vote possibly mattered the most.

At Tribal Council, the remaining two members of the Vula tribe, Cedrek McFadden and Sai Hughley, opted to stick to their original plan and vote for Zheng. However, after Zheng played her Shot In The Dark, both McFadden and Hughley needed to vote again, but were still unaware that Pioppi had lost the privilege to right a name down. This led to a re-vote, with Hughley voting for Pioppi and McFadden voting for Hughley, leading to another tie. After a third vote commenced, the result was another draw, meaning a deadlock had occurred. This meant there was no more voting to be had, and it was left to McFadden to decide who would go home because Zheng had already sacrificed her vote, and Hughley and Pioppi couldn’t vote after tying twice. Despite many expecting McFadden to save Pioppi, who he had a connection with since the beginning of the game, he chose to keep Hughley, on the one condition that both Zheng and herself promised to get along moving forward. Hughley and Zheng had clashed since the game began, but Hughley’s plea to McFadden convinced the 46-year-old to save her.

Although several Tribal Councils have featured ties, it’s rare for one contestant in the game to be given the sole power to decide who to eliminate without voting. If McFadden was unable to make a decision, the tribe would be forced to draw rocks, which also could’ve resulted in McFadden going home. Despite losing his closest ally in the game, McFadden’s deadlock choice partnered with Zheng’s successful Shot In The Dark made for one of the most entertaining Tribal Councils of all-time.

Survivor is available to stream on Paramount + in the U.S.