Episode 7 · Power brief
Lyric receives the veto. Rome becomes the replacement nominee.
Devens uses the veto on Lyric and names Rome as the replacement nominee. Lyric says she owes him. Rome’s wider campaign fails to rebuild the protection he needs before the Blockbuster.
Always on the page
Power snapshot
Terminal: Ashley remains terminal at 7 and is excluded from the active ranking.
Devens saves her, and she states that she owes him.
The Toolshed carries its plan through the veto ceremony.
Jason, Melody, and Rome have not played the Blockbuster.
Episode action sequence
One campaign reaches the veto holder. The other cannot rebuild the house.
- 1Lyric keeps pitching
She offers future safety to Devens
- 2Devens uses the veto
Lyric leaves the block
- 3Rome goes up
The Toolshed plan reaches the ceremony
- 4Lyric names the debt
She says she owes Devens
- 5Rome campaigns broadly
The house target does not reverse
What changes
The veto creates new promises while Rome loses support.
Kamu and Melody exchange protection. Kamu and Chuk repeatedly protect Haley. Lyric’s veto pitch changes Devens’s decision. Rome loses wider trust when the fake breakup is detected and his campaign fails.
The two campaign paths
Lyric gets a consequential response. Rome gets a narrower circle.
- Lyric offers reciprocityA future safety benefit if Devens saves her
- Devens actsHe uses the veto and receives a stated obligation
- Rome’s deception is detectedThe fake breakup costs trust
- The broader campaign stallsHis remaining bonds do not reverse the target
Both nominees try to change the week. Lyric reaches the decision-maker; Rome retains close ties without rebuilding enough broad protection.
Claim stop: Episode 7 records Lyric’s declared obligation, not a completed vote, and stops before Rome’s survival outcome.
Always on the page
Where this Episode sits in the season
The frame stays consistent. The values show only what is established through Episode 7.The return obligation is stated; actual follow-through remains untested.
The alliance coordinates the ceremony but has not completed the eviction.
Existence is visible; durability varies and remains uncertain.
Close allies remain, but global Referent Power falls to 2.
The people inside the numbers
Players in this Power story
Featured cards are limited to the strongest Episode-level Power changes, uses, responses, or closures.
HOH · Rank 1
Rick Devens
Macon, Georgia · Father and former news anchor · Survivor 38 and 50
Devens uses the veto and receives a promise in return.
His Episode 6 authority peak carries. Episode 7 shows the tool being used: Lyric becomes safe, Rome becomes nominated, and Lyric says she owes him.
Power profile
- Legitimate
- 4
- Reward
- 3
- Coercive
- 4
- Expert
- 2
- Referent
- 3
- Informational
- 4
Season Power
Episode checkpoints- Start
- 9
- Peak
- 20
- Current
- 20
- Episodes 1–2 · Holds at 9
- Episode 6 · Rises to 20
- Episode 7 · Holds at 20
- Episode position
- HOH and veto holder at the start of the Episode.
- What they do
- Uses the veto on Lyric and names Rome as the replacement nominee.
- Result
- Lyric becomes safe and declares an obligation. Rome enters the final nominee group.
- Power change
- Total Power holds at 20. Veto authority expires after use; HOH-backed Legitimate and Coercive Power remain active.
Safe · Rank 2
Lyric Medeiros
25 · Honolulu, Hawaii · Attorney
Lyric’s repeated pitch ends with safety.
Her relationship score grows early, reciprocal Power appears in Episode 5, and Episode 7 raises Informational Power when Devens acts on her veto campaign.
Power profile
- Legitimate
- 2
- Reward
- 2
- Coercive
- 1
- Expert
- 2
- Referent
- 3
- Informational
- 3
Season Power
Episode checkpoints- Start
- 9
- Peak
- 13
- Current
- 13
- Episodes 1–2 · Holds at 9
- Episode 5 · Reaches 12
- Episode 7 · Reaches 13
- Episode position
- Nominated, campaigning directly to the veto holder.
- What they do
- Repeatedly offers Devens future safety if he uses the veto on her.
- Result
- Devens saves her. She says she owes him and receives a separate Safety Lock.
- Power change
- Total Power rises 12 → 13 as Informational moves 2 → 3. Safety remains separate.
Active · Rank 5
Kamuela “Kamu” Kirk
32 · Phoenix, Arizona · MMA fighter
Kamu turns vote protection into a return-favor agreement.
He holds at 10 from Episode 3 through Episode 6. Episode 7 adds narrow Legitimate and Reward Power when Melody accepts his protection and promises the same later.
Power profile
- Legitimate
- 2
- Reward
- 2
- Coercive
- 1
- Expert
- 2
- Referent
- 3
- Informational
- 2
Season Power
Episode checkpoints- Start
- 9
- Peak
- 12
- Current
- 12
- Episodes 1–2 · Holds at 9
- Episodes 3–6 · Holds at 10
- Episode 7 · Rises to 12
- Episode position
- Protects Melody while maintaining access inside the Toolshed.
- What they do
- Promises Melody vote protection and asks for the favor to be returned.
- Result
- Melody accepts the protection and agrees to reciprocate.
- Power change
- Total Power rises 10 → 12. Legitimate and Reward move 1 → 2.
Active · Rank 14
Haley Thogmartin
29 · Wildwood, Missouri · Telemedicine executive
Kamu and Chuk give Haley’s relationships practical value.
Haley returns to 10 after three Episodes at 9. Repeated trust and protection from Kamu and Chuk, plus Toolshed access, raise Referent Power back to 3.
Power profile
- Legitimate
- 1
- Reward
- 1
- Coercive
- 1
- Expert
- 2
- Referent
- 3
- Informational
- 2
Season Power
Episode checkpoints- Start
- 9
- Peak
- 10
- Current
- 10
- Episode 3 · Reaches 10
- Episodes 4–6 · Holds at 9
- Episode 7 · Returns to 10
- Episode position
- Protected by close partners inside a larger coordinating structure.
- What they do
- Maintains trust with Kamu and Chuk while Rome attempts a partial repair.
- Result
- Kamu and Chuk repeatedly treat her as someone worth protecting.
- Power change
- Total Power rises 9 → 10 as Referent moves 2 → 3.
Nominated · Rank 16
Rome Seymour
28 · Delray Beach, Florida · Pickleball coach
Rome reaches the block with fewer people willing to protect him.
He peaks at 11 in Episode 3, then loses Informational Power in Episodes 4 and 6. Episode 7 cuts Referent Power when the fake breakup is exposed and the broad campaign fails.
Power profile
- Legitimate
- 1
- Reward
- 1
- Coercive
- 1
- Expert
- 2
- Referent
- 2
- Informational
- 1
Season Power
Episode checkpoints- Start
- 9
- Peak
- 11
- Current
- 8
- Episode 3 · Peaks at 11
- Episode 6 · Falls to 9
- Episode 7 · Falls to 8
- Episode position
- Replacement nominee preparing for the Blockbuster and possible vote.
- What they do
- Runs a broad campaign after the fake breakup with Lyric is detected.
- Result
- Close allies remain, but Melody’s trust weakens and the house target does not reverse.
- Power change
- Total Power falls 9 → 8 as Referent moves 3 → 2.
Cast details: Paramount+ official Season 28 cast guide. Official cast portraits: Evan Mulling / CBS. Episode analysis: S28E07 Technical Episode Report v1.
Always on the page
