Survivor 41 recently introduced the Knowledge Is Power advantage, and two-time player Stephen Fishbach is not a fan of the new twist.

The 41st season of Survivor has introduced a number of new twists to the game, and two-time player and podcast host Stephen Fishbach is less than pleased with the latest major wrinkle in the competition. Stephen is known for his appearances on Survivor: Tocantins and Survivor: Cambodia. In Tocantins, Stephen formed a legendary duo alliance, making it all the way to the end with his friend, JT Thomas, but he ultimately lost to JT in the final two. Stephen was invited to play again in Survivor: Cambodia, a "Second Chance" season. He formed a strong alliance with the eventual winner, Jeremy Collins, but didn't make it as far in his second attempt. Stephen now co-hosts the Survivor Know-it-Alls podcast with fellow Survivor all-star Rob Cesternino.

The controversial Survivor 41 twist drawing Stephen's ire is the new "Knowledge is Power" advantage. The twist was introduced in the season's fifth episode when Liana Wallace chose to risk her vote in a prisoner's dilemma during a summit with Shan Smith. Liana and Shan decided Liana should receive the advantage and gamed the dilemma to achieve that result. Back at camp, Liana found out what the advantage's power entailed. The Knowledge is Power advantage gives Liana the ability to ask one player at a Tribal Council if they have an advantage or idol. If that player is in possession of an idol or advantage, they cannot lie and must relinquish it to Liana. If the player doesn't have any of Survivor 41's numerous idols or advantages, Liana's advantage loses its power.

In a tweet he posted during the episode's airing, Stephen railed against the new twist. Stephen referred to Knowledge is Power as "one of the worst twists in show history." He compared it unfavorably to Survivor: Nicaragua's Medallion of Power, a failed twist that was abandoned mid-season and is often considered one of the show's most notable creative misfires. Stephen's biggest issue with the Knowledge is Power advantage is that it rids players of their agency and discretion by forcing them to tell the truth about the idols and advantages, or lack thereof, in their possession. Stephen believes players having the choice to lie or be truthful when interacting with their fellow competitors is a core component of the show, and the new twist goes against the spirit of the game of Survivor. "It's like a stupid card in a board game," Stephen stated in summation.

#Survivor

Truly believe this is one of the worst twists in show history, including Medallion of Power. Forbidding the players from deceit cuts against the entire identity of the show.

They CANNOT LIE? Who is making them tell the truth? It's like a stupid card in a board game.

— Stephen Fishbach (@stephenfishbach) October 21, 2021

The twist has been poorly received by much of the Survivor fanbase, who have vociferously echoed Stephen's criticisms on social media. It's hard to argue with that stance, as a key aspect of Survivor's appeal is the freedom it allows of its contestants to form their own strategies and value systems during the game. This twist not only forces players to act against their own self-interest with no freedom of choice or personal discretion, but it's also the latest curveball in a season already overloaded with convoluted twists and advantages.

Hopefully, the rest of the season lets the twists take a back seat while the game unfolds. It would be a refreshing change of pace for the show to slow down on the influx of complicated twists, as it did in the fourth episode of Survivor 41. That episode's focus on the players, rather than twists, made it the strongest of the season so far. But if the introduction of Knowledge is Power is any indication, it might have just been the eye of the storm.

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Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Source: Stephen Fishbach/Twitter