'Survivor's' Jeff Probst Talks Cody's "Powerful and Devastating" Blindside and How Fear Influenced Season 43

The host and executive producer also discusses new editing choices, and previews this week's finale and After Show.

"The personality of a tribe often leads to groupthink, and that groupthink can circle back and influence the gameplay of individuals. It's a bit like brainwashing. It's insanely powerful, and it should be terrifying to players because if you're unaware it's happening, you start making decisions that are not in your best interest."

This is what Jeff Probst told me in the preseason leading up to Survivor 43. And the newest season of the reality juggernaut has, in some ways, felt different. While the structure largely remains the same from the previous two seasons of the "new era," a couple of things made season 43 feel distinct from its predecessors. One huge part of that is editing, from small moments like physically going through a blindside checklist and making a castaway's dream come true by putting them in an intro package to larger choices like opening episodes with flashbacks that reveal crucial pre-Tribal Council information. But the gameplay also felt generally different, which the host and executive producer noticed himself on the island.

"Survivor 43 was very unique in the way fear took hold of the players," Probst tells Parade.com in a pre-finale interview. "I’ve never seen it before and after this season, I’m not sure we’ll ever see it again. From my seat at tribal, the social contract seemed to be “You better go with the flow, otherwise we’ll vote you out.” But nobody ever seemed to know who was controlling the flow. It was fascinating to witness. The players often seemed frustrated because it’s a very limiting way to play, but it was of their own doing. Nobody had the courage to make a move."

Then came Jesse Lopez. Last week, the political science Ph.D. student stunned viewers with the biggest move of the season. Increasingly worried about sitting in the end with Cody Assenmacher, he crafted the blindside of his closest ally, utilizing the idol that Cody had given him against him. It was by far the most talked-about moment of the season so far, and puts Jesse in an intriguing, yet precarious position to win against fellow castaways Cassidy Clark, Karla Cruz Godoy, Mike Gabler, and Owen Knight.

"Jesse’s blindside of Cody was one of the most powerful and devastating in Survivor history," Probst says. "It really highlights the need to constantly assess what every other player is thinking and what their best move would be in any given moment. Letting Jesse hold his idol was a way for Cody to build trust, which is a huge part of the game, and initially it helped solidify their alliance. But the game is always evolving, and what made sense yesterday may not make sense tomorrow."

Check out the interview below for more insight from Probst about Cody's blindside, the gameplay and editing this season, and the upcoming finale and after show. You can also check out a preview clip of the finale below. Survivor 43 concludes on Wednesday, December 14 at 8 p.m. ET with a three-hour episode on CBS.

Related: Everything We Know About Survivor Season 43

We have to start with what we just saw, as Jesse pulled off the move of the season by blindsiding his closest ally Cody using the idol that Cody gave to him for safekeeping. What was your take on the blindside and reaction both in the moment and in retrospect?
Jesse’s blindside of Cody was one of the most powerful and devastating in Survivor history. It really highlights the need to constantly assess what every other player is thinking and what their best move would be in any given moment. Letting Jesse hold his idol was a way for Cody to build trust, which is a huge part of the game, and initially it helped solidify their alliance. But the game is always evolving, and what made sense yesterday may not make sense tomorrow. Cody is a great player. He took a risk, and it backfired. As painful as it is, it’s really that simple.

I loved watching Jesse and Cody in the moment after the vote. As frustrated as Cody was, he still had the composure to show Jesse respect for the move by shaking his hand. That’s the new era of Survivor. Today’s player wants to play big and win big, and that requires taking big risks. There are hundreds of great Survivor players who still haven’t won the game. Add Cody’s name to the list.

This season had many talks about “the social contract” and what that meant to each player. Given what you saw from the castaways this season, how would you define what the social contract of season 43 was?
Survivor 43 was very unique in the way fear took hold of the players. I’ve never seen it before and after this season, I’m not sure we’ll ever see it again. From my seat at tribal, the social contract seemed to be “You better go with the flow, otherwise we’ll vote you out.” But nobody ever seemed to know who was controlling the flow. It was fascinating to witness. The players often seemed frustrated because it’s a very limiting way to play, but it was of their own doing. Nobody had the courage to make a move. Until Jesse. Now the social contract is out the window, and the game is on.

One notable editing choice you made in season 43 was the increased use of flashbacks to show things that viewers did not see in the previous episode. As an example, after Dwight was voted out, the next episode revealed that Jesse had taken Jeanine’s idol from him before he was voted out. What prompted the change in storytelling this season?
Survivor has assembled one of the greatest team of editors of any show on television. When you have great talent, you let them soar. Our editors know they can try any idea, and if it works, we go with it. And if it doesn’t fully work in its first version, it often leads to a different idea that does work. They’re fearless in the edit bays, and that is directly linked to inspired ideas like the Dwight to Jesse idol flashback.

From a big-picture standpoint, we’re always very mindful of our intention behind every decision. The Jesse flashback was fun and flashy, but it had an ever deeper purpose. It was designed to put a spotlight on the type of game Jesse is playing. Nobody knew he had that idol, including the audience. So when it was finally revealed in the show, the impact was much more powerful than had we shown it in real time. That’s why it’s such an inspired idea.

This is the first time you are approaching the on-island reunion show since seeing fan reaction behind it. What changes, if any, did you make after workshopping the idea in 41 and 42?
We love announcing the winner and then immediately going into the "Survivor After Show" because the conversation is so pure. As much fun as the big live finales are, the live reunion conversations often centered around players feeling the need to defend their gameplay based on what they read on social media. I much prefer talking to the players while they are still in game mode and still proud of how they played. As far as the format goes, we didn’t make any significant changes, but I do think we’re getting better, and you’ll feel that in the Survivor 43 After Show. It’s a packed show with a lot of emotion and laughs.

This season has kept many of the similar elements from 41 and 42 such as starting in three tribes, the “earn the merge” aspect, sitting out for rice, etc. While 44 will assumingly do the same as well, considering you filmed back-to-back, do you have any consideration for changing up the format for seasons 45 onward, such as going back to two starting tribes?
All I will say about that is we like this new format a lot and plan to explore it for the near future!

Next, read our interview with Cody Assenmacher, who was voted out in Survivor 43 Episode 12.