Luck is a key element to a winning game of Survivor, and unfortunately, Jeanine Zheng doesn’t have it. As the jury phase begins for the Gaia tribe, it has become apparent to fans that Jeanine is the season’s unluckiest player. Even when good fortune comes her way, it is quickly squandered in ways not previously seen on Survivor.
Fans have taken to social media to discuss exactly what makes Jeanine unlucky. Reddit user Eniotnacram95 created a thread breaking down, episode by episode, all the moments that haven’t gone her way, beginning with episode 5, “Stop With All the Niceness,” when she risks her vote and subsequently loses it. Following Survivor 43‘s unpredictable twist in episode 6, “Mergatory,” Jeanine was on the winning side and immune to the upcoming tribal council. Unfortunately, her closest ally, Elisabeth “Elie” Scott, over-strategized and not only got herself voted out, but also dragged Jeanine to the bottom of the tribe on her way out.
Survivor’s Jeanine Zheng Displays Adaptability In The Face Of Adversity
Episode 7, “Bull in a China Shop,” showed promise for Jeanine as Noelle Lambert assured her that Elie did not ruin her social standing in the tribe. This was supported by the fact that Dwight Moore was willing to bring Jeanine into his alliance as well as hold her hidden immunity idol for her in case James Jones used his “Knowledge Is Power” advantage to steal it from her. This backfired on Jeanine and the rest of her former Baka tribe on Survivor as Dwight ended up being voted out thanks to a blindside by Jesse Lopez and Cody Assenmacher. This meant that her new ally Dwight and her idol were now both out of the game. Jesse revealed in the following episode that Dwight actually gave him Jeanine’s idol right before the tribal council, which he now possesses.
Reddit user -ToPimpAButterfree- added, “Don’t forget the chin bruise she got early and has had to wear pretty much the whole time while on national television, too.” In the first immunity challenge, the Baka tribe chose Jeanine to burrow under a log, resulting in major cuts and scrapes on her chin that are still visible as of episode 7. On the other hand, the Vesi and Coco tribes were positioned best by putting their largest men on the task, giving them the easy victory over Baka and adding to the perception that Jeanine was the weakest in the tribe.
By episode 8, “Proposterous,” Jeanine received her final stroke of bad luck as Owen Knight won individual immunity, making her the new target. She was subsequently voted out in a 9-2 vote and is the first member of the jury. While she may not have won Survivor 43, Jeanine has proven to be one of the more memorable players this season and is perfect for a redemption arc in the future.
Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.
Sources: Eniotnacram95/Reddit, -ToPimpAButterfree-/Reddit
