Survivor season 44 has been a treasure trove of idols, fake and otherwise, and Jaime's fake idol ended up causing quite the commotion during this Wednesday's episode.
Unbeknownst to the former Ratu tribe member, the hidden immunity idol that she found in episode three was a false one created and planted as a decoy by Survivor season 44 castmate Matthew, who had secretly found the real one. “Can you believe that I still have my idol?” Jaime said in a confessional this week, still believing in the validity of her fake idol. “How do I still have my idol? I’m so happy I still have my idol!”
To protect the "immunity" idol, especially given that several tribe members know of its existence, Jaime and Kane strategize a way to get around a potential Knowledge Is Power advantage, which allows it user to ask another player at Tribal Council if they have a hidden immunity idol or an advantage. The player has to fess up and if they are in possession of one of the two, the user is able to steal it. To ensure that Jaime's unplayed idol doesn't fall into the wrong hands, she gives it to Kane. "This is the debut of Kane Fritzler, strategist," Kane jokes of the move.
The problem is, after much back-and-forth strategizing between the former members of Tika, Soka and Ratu, Kane's name is brought up as a potential target. “Kane just seems so low priority right now,” Carolyn tells Carson, and says that she wants to go for a bigger name like Danny.
However, in the end, it's Kane who gets voted out and leaves...with Jaime's idol in his pocket. So why didn't he give it back before his departure? As Jeff Probst explained in Entertainment Weekly: “Once the reading of the votes begins, that’s it. That’s why I say, ‘If anyone has an idol or an advantage and you want to play it, now would be the time to do so.’ That’s your window. After that, you are basically handcuffed from doing anything other than hoping it’s not you.”
As for potentially giving the idol back now that Kane is on the jury? “Once you’re voted out, you’re out of the game and any advantage or idols in your possession lose all their power," Probst added. "You must turn all unplayed idols or advantages over to us. You are not allowed to even sneak an advantage to a player so they could try to bluff with it."
Fans react to Jaime's fake idol on Survivor:
After all that, we are robbed of seeing Jaime play the fake idol because Kane is voted out with it!! #Survivor44 #Survivor pic.twitter.com/it2mlkYrtlApril 27, 2023
They didn’t have to do my girl Jaime this dirty with the idol confessional#survivorApril 27, 2023
Oh my god the timing on that “One Fake Idol” in Jaime’s chyron was brutal but hilarious. #Survivor #survivorprpApril 27, 2023
Also could Jaime potentially be safe next week if only she & Lauren knew Kane went out with her "idol"? Cuz if the others don't know that he got voted out with it, they would still think she has it and it can help keep her safe next week, fake or real #Survivor #Survivor44April 27, 2023
Interestingly, if Jaime makes it to FTC, she has an argument that she found a REAL immunity idol, and no one will refute it. #Survivor #Survivor44April 27, 2023
Could Kane have given Jaime her (fake) idol back after he was voted out?#survivor#survivor44April 27, 2023
#Survivor #Survivor44 The editors trying to figure out a storyline for Jaime going forward now that her fake idol is out of the game: pic.twitter.com/Sy4QxbzKjuApril 27, 2023
Knowledge is Power simply existing robbed us a chance of Jaime eventually playing that fake idol with all the confidence Jaime possesses. #SurvivorApril 27, 2023
Me actually being very happy we won’t see Jaime get clowned on live television by trying to play a fake idol #Survivor44 #Survivor pic.twitter.com/yFQr5gHSjiApril 27, 2023
Kane went home with Jaime’s fake idol that they both think is real #Survivor #Survivor44 pic.twitter.com/gNYbejdDs5April 27, 2023
Considering he voted for Brandon at the first tribal of the season it’s kinda impressive that Kane made it to jury but not him leaving with Jaime’s fake idol and now they have no way to know that it’s fake until post season 😭😭 #Survivor #Survivor44 pic.twitter.com/q6BFNHqEUGApril 27, 2023
