Sam Phalen admits it was ‘very hard’ sitting through the ‘Survivor 47’ after-show!

“Operation Italy,” one of the most cunning blindsides in Survivor history, left fans buzzing after it wasn’t prominently featured in the finale of Survivor 47. The elaborate strategy, masterminded by runner-up Sam Phalen alongside jurors Andy Rueda and Genevieve Mushaluk, was a standout move this season. Born during an Italian feast reward at the Survivor sanctuary, the plan was a product of sleepless scheming, deceit, and bold execution, culminating in the shocking ousting of Caroline Vidmar.

Despite its brilliance, the aftermath of “Operation Italy” was bittersweet. Andy and Genevieve were eliminated shortly after its success, leaving Sam as the lone representative of the trio in the Final Tribal Council. Ultimately, Sam fell short in a 7-1-0 vote to Rachel LaMont, sparking a lingering question among fans: Could Sam have changed his fate if he had leaned more heavily on “Operation Italy” during his pitch to the jury?

As it turns out, Sam did bring up “Operation Italy” during the Final Tribal Council—but the exchange didn’t make it to the broadcast. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sam revealed how proud he was of the move and how he used it to bolster his case for the title of Sole Survivor:

“I think one of my favorite things that I talked about at Final Tribal, and one of my favorite aspects of my game as a whole, was breaking down ‘Operation Italy.’ I had the opportunity to explain why it was such a good move for my game and engaged in some back-and-forth with the jury about it.”

A particularly memorable moment for Sam came when Caroline challenged him, asking if he was dismissing Genevieve and Andy’s contributions. Sam clarified that they absolutely deserved credit but highlighted his role as the sole player remaining to reap the benefits of their collective plan.

Though the jury ultimately sided with Rachel, “Operation Italy” cemented itself as a legendary Survivor move. Fans eager to relive this iconic moment, along with the rest of Survivor 47, can stream the season on Paramount Plus. Whether it’s remembered as a pivotal point in Sam’s game or a cautionary tale about missed opportunities, “Operation Italy” will remain etched in Survivor lore.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Privacy & Cookies Policy