Survivor 49: Jason Treul Breaks Silence on His Shocking Blindside

The latest castaway to leave the Fiji shores, Jason Treul, opens up about getting "swap screwed" on Survivor 49 Episode 5, his surprising social game, and an unseen alliance that didn't make it to air.

TL;DR

• Jason Treul, 33, was the fifth person voted off Survivor 49 in Episode 5, "I'm a Wolf, Baby," after a brutal tribe swap.
• He didn't play his Shot in the Dark, despite being targeted, hoping to signal loyalty to his new tribemates.
• Jason reveals an unseen alliance with fellow alternates MC Chukwujekwu and Sophie Segreti from the original Hina tribe.

Another Week, Another Goodbye: What Went Down in Episode 5

Alright, Survivor fans, get ready to dive deep into the latest drama from Season 49! Episode 5, titled "I'm a Wolf, Baby," hit our screens on October 22, 2025, and it served up another helping of strategic maneuvering and, unfortunately for one player, an early exit.

Last week's tribe swap was a game-changer, breaking up the original three tribes (Kele, Uli, Hina) into two new ones. This week, the new Hina tribe found themselves back at Tribal Council, and the writing was on the wall for one particular castaway. If you've been following along, you know the original Uli members had formed a strong alliance, and they were ready to assert their dominance.

Jason Treul's Unforeseen Departure from the Island

The latest person to hear Jeff Probst snuff out their torch was none other than Jason Treul, a 33-year-old law clerk from Santa Ana, California. Jason, a self-proclaimed "puzzle king" and alternate for Season 49, found himself in a precarious position after the tribe swap. He was the last remaining original Hina member on the new Hina tribe, following Matt Williams's elimination in Episode 4. Surrounded by a majority of original Uli members (Rizo Velovic, Jawan Pitts, Nate Moore, Savannah Louie) and newly aligned Sophi Balerdi (from original Kele), Jason was an obvious target.

Despite the clear danger, Jason chose not to play his Shot in the Dark, a lifeline that could have potentially saved him. He later told The Post, "I feel a little screwed." But, ever the gamer, he added, "The best players overcome their worst matchups. So I got swap screwed. Would Boston Rob have gotten swap screwed? Would Sandra have gotten swap screwed? I don’t know." He recognized his own part in the outcome: "You can’t blame the game when you know that the best players would have been able to get out of that spot. So it’s like I was dealt a tough hand, but to me that makes me think I wish I could have played that bad hand. I don’t feel screwed by it, but I do feel like I didn’t rise to the challenge."

"I don’t really care about big blindsides and boot orders that are boring. If I could just go on a little bit of a tangent… I feel like you can have the most amazing episode of ‘Survivor,’ but then the vote in the last five seconds is predictable and people are like, ‘Ugh, boring episode.’ And ‘Survivor’ is so much more than that, right?”

— Jason Treul, on fan criticism of the season

The Subtle Social Game That Wasn't So Subtle

Jason’s exit interview revealed some fascinating insights into his gameplay and why he didn't use his Shot in the Dark. He felt Savannah Louie was "working him all day," promising a Hina-Uli connection for the merge. "I was convinced that she was on my side," Jason admitted to TVLine, adding, "she kind of gave me that rope to be like, 'Jason, I can save you,' and I just hung myself with it, bro."

His decision not to play the Shot in the Dark was a deliberate, albeit ultimately fatal, strategic move. Jason explained that in a game where he was already mistrusted, he wanted to use his vote to "show loyalty" to the dominant Uli alliance. He hoped to signal that he was "down to vote with you guys in this game. I never voted with Hina. I’m voting with you. Let’s move through this game together." Clearly, the message didn't land as intended, leading to his downfall.

Jason also shared a significant regret: not communicating with his former Hina tribemates to throw the immunity challenge. He realized this "a couple hours too late," a missed opportunity that might have saved his game.

Unseen Alliances and Alternate Bonds

One of the most intriguing revelations from Jason's post-game interviews was about an alliance that viewers never really saw. On the original Hina beach, beyond the "core four" shown on screen, Jason had a tight alliance of three with MC Chukwujekwu and Steven Ramm, eventually pulling in Sophie Segreti as their fourth. He knew about the other Hina alliance from Day 2 because his own alliance was forming.

A key moment solidifying his bond with MC was when she showed him her idol. "She didn't show Matt. She didn't show Kristina," Jason pointed out. He also highlighted their shared experience as alternates: "Me and MC were alternates, bro. We’re looking out for each other. That was a moment when she showed the idol to me. She’s like, 'Jason, we deserve to play this game as much as anybody else, even though we’re the alternates.' ... We are ride-or-dies." He felt "really good about his position on Hina" before the swap. This unseen dynamic truly paints a different picture of his early game.

Is the Season a "Snooze-Fest"? Jason Weighs In

Social media has seen its share of fans calling Survivor 49 "boring and uneventful" after the first five episodes. Jason, however, isn't buying it. He believes the show is about "people’s journeys" and "compelling stories" rather than just "big blindsides and boot orders." He told The Post that he doesn't "take it to heart," adding that his perspective is different since he's living the experience.

Even Jeff Probst acknowledged that Season 49 might be a bit of a "lull" initially, promising that the momentum will pick up "about halfway through gameplay," likely around the merge. So, hold tight, because things are expected to heat up soon!

Other Tensions Brewing on the Island

Beyond Jason's exit, Episode 5 saw several other storylines simmering:

• Shannon vs. Sage: On the new Kele tribe, Shannon Fairweather was busy trying to build alliances and even suggested getting rid of Sage Ahrens-Nichols. However, Sage, who found Shannon "artificial and scheming," was one step ahead, catching on to Shannon's moves and sharing "tea" with others. Their "soul sister" bond has definitely soured!
• Savannah's Frustration with Jawan: Savannah Louie continued to express "agitation" with Jawan Pitts, from his accidental use of her bag to taking her water bottle. These petty annoyances could become a strategic motivation to target him.
• Nate and MC's Journey: Nate Moore and MC Chukwujekwu went on a journey that tested their teamwork and tempted them with an advantage. Nate tried to subtly sabotage MC's chances of getting an advantage, but MC was perceptive enough to notice, leading to some distrust.

Looking Ahead: Who's Left and What's Next?

After five episodes and Jason's departure, a total of 12 contestants remain in the game, split across two tribes. The Uli-strong alliance on the new Hina tribe has asserted its dominance, creating an exciting "Hina vs. Uli" rivalry heading into the mid-game. Will the old Uli members stick together, or will new alliances form?

Current Tribe Lineups:

• New Hina: Rizo Velovic, Jawan Pitts, Nate Moore, Savannah Louie, Sophi Balerdi
• New Kele: Steven Ramm, Kristina Mills, MC Chukwujekwu, Sophie Segreti, Shannon Fairweather, Sage Ahrens-Nichols, Alex Moore

With Jeff Probst's promise of increased momentum and the lingering resentments between original tribes and new alliances, the season is definitely poised for some major shifts. Get ready for more strategic plays and shocking blindsides as the game progresses!

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Survivor 49

When does Survivor 49 air?

New episodes of Survivor Season 49 air every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Where can I watch Survivor 49?

You can watch Survivor 49 live on CBS. For streaming, subscribers to the Paramount+ with Showtime plan can watch live. All Paramount+ subscribers can stream episodes the next day.

Who was voted off in Survivor 49 Episode 5?

Jason Treul was the fifth contestant voted off Survivor 49 in Episode 5, "I'm a Wolf, Baby," which aired on October 22, 2025.

How many contestants are left in Survivor 49?

After Jason Treul's elimination in Episode 5, there are 12 contestants remaining in Survivor 49.

Sources

• Jason Treul on ‘Survivor’ Season 49: ‘Boring and uneventful’ fandom is wrong
• 'Survivor 49's Fifth Boot Details 'Abrasive' Pre-Tribal Deleted Scene
• ‘Survivor 49’ Recap: Who Was Voted out in Episode 5?
• Who Was Voted Off on Survivor 49 Last Night? Episode 5 Spoilers
• Survivor 49's Original Kele Tribe Sucked So Much It Made Me Happy About My Favorite Change To The New Era
• ‘Survivor 49’ Episode 5 Recap: ‘I’m a Wolf, Baby’