A victory a 12 months within the making

First issues first. Happy birthday, Sue! 46 years outdated! I imply… 59 years outdated! And how superb that it occurred on the identical day as last Tribal Council, and he or she was sitting there on the very finish. I’ve by no means had a Survivor finale fall on my birthday, however did have one land concurrently on Mother’s Day and my marriage ceremony anniversary, and let me inform you, that was not a implausible coincidence so far as my spouse (and the mom of my youngsters) was involved. Still working my approach out of the doghouse for that one.

But I suppose it was a little bit of a bittersweet birthday for Sue, as she was utterly shut out of each the edit and the vote there at last Tribal. ZERO VOTES! You would suppose someone would not less than throw her a sympathy vote to keep away from turning into the most recent member of the Stephen Fishbach Zero Vote Club. Where you at, Gabe? Explain your self, Caroline! You completely left my lady hanging!

Even worse, Sue was largely a bystander as Rachel and Sam dueled it out at last Tribal and garnered just about the entire consideration and questions from the jury… regardless that Sue solely acquired one much less vote than Sam! Some individuals merely haven’t any respect for birthdays anymore.

But let’s put some respect on the title of the most recent — and in response to Domenick Abbate (whom I lately smoked in fantasy soccer), best — Survivor winner. Rachel.  Here’s a enjoyable story, and it has to do with the image under. Take a glance.

So, that picture above of Rachel was taken out at Survivor, besides it was not taken at Survivor 47. Instead, it was taken at Survivor 46. Rachel was an alternate for that season, so we met out in Fiji in 2023. I truly do interviews with the alternates every season simply in case one thing occurs they usually find yourself within the recreation. Which is why I interviewed Rachel for 46 out in Fiji (and likewise interviewed Tiyana earlier than Survivor 45.).

As we spoke, it was clear Rachel was a large fan of the present, and but right here she was that shut to getting on Survivor, but not fairly getting on Survivor. And it began to daybreak on me: Here is that this enormous fan out right here the day earlier than the sport begins, and this can be the closest she ever will get to truly enjoying. Not solely that, however since they took her cellphone away, she has no proof or proof that she was ever even out right here having a Survivor expertise.

So, being the large softie that I’m, I wished to be sure that Rachel not less than had a visible memento of her time in Fiji in case she by no means made it on the present. So I informed her we must always take her picture, simply in case. Look, I’m removed from an expert photographer, however I channeled by inside Robert Voets anyway and had Rachel stand with the water and an island within the background to provide the composition a few of that pure Fijian magnificence. Little did I do know then that I used to be snapping the pic of a future Survivor champion.

A 12 months later, that’s precisely what she grew to become. Rachel didn’t play a flashy recreation like Tony, an excellent misleading recreation like Boston Rob, a flirty recreation like Parvati, a stealthy cutthroat recreation like Dee, or a supremely social recreation like Kenzie. But she did every little thing nicely and was a terrifically well-rounded participant with no obvious weak spot. She was revered each socially and strategically. She received a number of challenges (Jeff Probst might have talked about one thing about that). She didn’t solely purchase idols and benefits, however maximized how and once they had been used. And she employed her Shot within the Dark correctly, as a take a look at to gauge different gamers’ reactions as as to if she wanted to make use of her idol. Smart.

So what’s to not like? A really deserving winner, to make sure. And the jury agreed, handing her a 7-1-0 win, with solely Kyle voting in any other case, for Sam. And let’s speak about Sam. He didn’t win. In truth, he acquired smoked. That’s not a shock judging by the way in which gamers had been speaking about Rachel for the previous few weeks. But man, did he kill it at that last Tribal Council.

The editors did all they might main into Tribal so as to add suspense and make us suppose Sam had a shot. They confirmed him speaking about how “My story is rootable, one thing the jury goes to wish to get behind.” They aired a clip of jury member Sierra speaking up Sam’s recreation. But all of it felt like a feint. I wasn’t satisfied. Then, Tribal Council began. It wasn’t that Rachel was doing something poorly in any respect, however Sam introduced his case with confidence and gusto, and had sensible arguments on the prepared.

His strongest second got here when he painted Rachel as a one-dimensional participant who leaned on competitions and luck to get to the tip. “It was immunity and an idol in fries that acquired her to the tip of this recreation,” he informed the jury. And when Rachel responded that his path was simpler as a result of individuals weren’t concentrating on him, Sam was in a position to deftly counter that he was voted for essentially the most occasions out of anybody within the last three, and was voted for at 4 completely different tribals and obtained 10 votes. He additionally linked once more later when he promoted how he “Found a number of methods to get to the tip with out successful immunity necklaces or shopping for the best merchandise on the public sale.”

It was a robust line, however in the long run, the stronger all-around recreation received out. And regardless that Rachel received in a rout, it nonetheless felt like a detailed race there for a couple of minutes, proper right down to the pained parchment decision-making by of us like Sierra and Gabe. Maybe it was simply skillful modifying, however it labored. I truly began to surprise, if solely a bit. And that added somewhat welcome uncertainty into what appeared like an inevitable march to the title after final week’s episode.

Two fast notes earlier than we transfer on to the remainder of the finale recap: First off, after males received 12 out of 15 seasons (together with six in a row) from season 26 via 40, 5 out of seven new period Survivor seasons have now been received by girls, together with the final three. Make of that what you’ll. Secondly, it is too unhealthy the finale sort of fell sufferer to CBS’ scheduling whims. Because the community wished a 14th episode and producers subsequently determined to separate the finale into two installments, we sort of all knew Rachel (who was additionally an professional fire-maker) was going to win earlier than the episode even started. That certainly sapped among the drama from the endgame, which is a disgrace. On the opposite hand, I do not wish to be the man complaining about getting even extra Survivor. Okay, let’s get into the opposite large moments of the Survivor 47 finale.

One final puzzling scenario

There had been so many phases to this last immunity problem that I’m fairly positive 5 turtle doves had been by some means concerned in some unspecified time in the future. But none of it mattered, after all. Because the second we noticed the puzzle on the finish, we knew who was successful. Sure, it was enjoyable watching the forwards and backwards because the contestants did stage after stage and we watched Sam go from first to worst and again to first, however it all ended the place we knew it could, with a Rachel victory.

I do wish to give a particular shout out to Teeny, who struggled mightily making an attempt to chop the rope, simply as I did whereas testing out a season 46 problem. (Note to future gamers: There is a selected angle it is advisable chop from or else you’ll sit there wanting like an fool in entrance of everyone. I converse from expertise.)

Rachel’s victory put her in elite firm, which was shouted out by Probst nearly as many occasions as I’ve shouted out Milwaukee’s Best in these right here digital pages over time. Rachel joined Kelly Wiglesworth, Jenna Morasca, Kim Spradlin, and Chrissy Hofbeck as the one girls to win 4 particular person immunity challenges in a season.

And not like two of these girls, she had simply received the sport. There’s a shot after Probst referred to as it the place you see it throughout Rachel’s crying, muddy face as she stares on the accomplished bat. That was the face of victory. She knew it, too.

To fireplace or to not fireplace?

I can’t inform you how pleased I’m that Rachel felt completely no must put herself into the fire-making competitors after already incomes her spot within the last three with the problem win. It’s one of many issues I dislike most in regards to the fire-making, that it by some means delegitimizes successful the ultimate immunity problem. “I don’t suppose knocking Sam out straight goes to raise me in any substantial approach,” Rachel defined. Hallelujah! And fortunately, the jury clearly agreed. (Let’s hope future juries are simply as sensible and don’t punish individuals for not participating in that ridiculous train.)

The problem winner didn’t hesitate in telling the group of her choice, which was that Sam and Teeny would sq. off at fireplace and have a possibility to battle for an opportunity to lose to Rachel on the finish. And thank goodness she did, because it led to this A+ forwards and backwards within the water:
Sam: “You’re going to let me make fireplace?
Rachel: “Yeah.”
Sam: “Alright”.
Teeny: “Oh, f— you.”
Sam: “I’m down.”
Teeny: “I’m down too. I’ve no selection. You don’t must be like that.”
Sam: “Like what?
Teeny: “Arrogant.”
Sam: “I’m not conceited.”
Teeny (imitating Sam): “You’re gonna let me make fireplace.”

Now, look — I’ll be the primary to confess that was not Teeny’s strongest Sam impersonation. You would suppose it could get higher the extra they did them, however this one by some means acquired worse! Although, to be truthful, so far as we all know, that is the primary time Teeny has impersonated Sam in entrance of Sam, which, one would possibly assume, may result in some efficiency jitters. Plus, this impersonation happened whereas 90 % submerged in water. Teeny didn’t have the total vary of emotion or gesticulation they employed of their on-land imitation that set the bar for all imitations to come back. Let’s minimize them some slack, is what I’m saying.

So Sam and Teeny then acquired to practising, utilizing these knives that had been disturbingly left for them stabbed right into a tree, as if Jason Voorhees had immediately swooped in John-Cochran-in-Game-Changers model for no obvious cause. While Rachel helped Teeny grasp the artwork of fireplace (concurrently locking up a jury vote if they didn’t prevail) Sam was struggling. Evidently, Sam was not mendacity to Teeny when he stated he had by no means practiced and by no means sparked a flint. In truth, he informed us he had solely even touched a flint as soon as in 25 days, main me to ask: HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!?

I perceive the way in which Survivor works. Certain individuals tackle sure duties round camp and if another person (like, say, Sue) takes on fireplace obligation, you then go do one thing else. I additionally perceive that you just don’t wish to come off as a fireplace professional as a result of that incentivizes individuals to eliminate you earlier than you even get to the ultimate 4. But to by no means attempt even as soon as? Remarkable.

It was round this time when Sam lit his first fireplace… and that fireplace was inside! After studying again a Loved Ones letter from his dad that was little question 5 million occasions extra motivating than any halftime speech ever given by Matt Eberflus (“Whatever you do, don’t cowl the tall man on the Hail Mary play”) Sam went again out and practiced some extra and at last acquired a flame. But may he do it when it counted?

Rope-a-dope

I would be the president of the ultimate 4 fire-making hater society, however I’ve at all times acknowledged that regardless that I believe it’s a severely flawed recreation mechanic, it has offered some insanely dramatic moments over time. The fire-making is why we acquired the one Survivor tie vote in historical past with Wendell edging out Dom, and there have been different unimaginable moments as nicely, just like the emotional Tony vs. Sarah face-off in Winners at War, Jesse’s emotional exit on season 43, and now the Sam vs. Teeny duel that tuned your entire jury into one large Eliza Orlins exaggerated facial response. (I don’t care. I nonetheless don’t prefer it, LOL.)

This one was loopy, and so far as I can inform, Teeny didn’t lose to Sam. Instead, they misplaced to wind. Probst even talked about this himself, noting throughout his play-by-play that “Now the wind is blowing Teeny’s away from the rope and Sam’s into the rope.”

So regardless that Teeny appeared to have a flame nicely earlier than Sam, it simply wouldn’t keep centered beneath the rope. And this isn’t the primary time that has occurred. Back on Survivor 41, Heather Aldret was undone by the wind when she misplaced to Deshawn Radden, even whereas showing to have the upper, longer-burning fireplace. “I did have the upper, most constant flame,” Heather informed me then. “But I do not know when you may see it, however the wind was blowing so arduous. I felt like I used to be in somewhat wind tunnel, and it was pushing the flames again. It was truly blowing in at me! I needed to maintain backing up as a result of it was gonna burn my face.” 

Thankfully, Teeny didn’t get their face burned off, however they might undoubtedly sense it slipping away as Mother Nature sided with Teeny’s all-American quarterback nemesis, whereas all they might do was look on in horror whereas gasping annoyed exclamations like “Come on!” and “Noooooooo!”

“I do suppose that second will hang-out me for the remainder of my time on earth,” Teeny informed us after having their torch snuffed… additionally as soon as once more snuffing my probabilities of appropriately choosing a winner at first of the season. (What else is new?) But I wish to say one thing else about Teeny. I’m positive there are individuals on the market who didn’t like Teeny being so hostile in spots to Sam for being the charismatic, well-liked alpha jock sort, however I don’t actually get why. After each of their outbursts, Teeny was very clear in explaining how their points with Sam had been far more about their personal inside points and coming to phrases with being comfy in their very own pores and skin than something Sam did.

How many occasions have we heard somebody on Survivor slam somebody and place all of the blame on the different celebration’s ft whereas taking no duty for their very own prejudices and bias? Yet, right here was Teeny doing precisely that and explaining their points via a a lot bigger prism. They defined it fairly nicely at their last Tribal, dubbing the rivalry “one-sided” and admitting “I’ve projected insecurities onto him.” That is a uncommon show of self-awareness on a present that always lacks it. And when Teeny ended by explaining that “Losing to the large good-looking jock, it’s simply one other a part of the story that I’ll need to cope with,” they had been speaking about way more than the sport. All that stated, I can be rewatching Teeny’s tantrums and impersonations on a steady loop till season 48 begins, as a result of whereas I’ll profess infrequently to own high-minded beliefs, I’m, at my core, a toddler.

Final Tribal ideas

I notice I sort of did this complete recap backwards and already talked in regards to the last Tribal Council and the way a lot Rachel deserved it, and the way nicely Sam did in defeat, and the way a lot Sue simply sort of needed to sit there questioning why no one was singing “Happy Birthday” to her, however a couple of different fast notes from last Tribal.

• I don’t know the way it performed with the jury, however I sort of love Rachel’s reply to Gabe’s opening question of “How do you suppose your recreation can be remembered?” the place she stated she didn’t come to have a Survivor legacy, didn’t care how she can be remembered, and simply wished to play Survivor. The cause why I believe that surprising reply was so efficient is that by zigging to a query clearly set as much as have gamers zag, she set herself up as somebody that was going to reply the jury’s questions truthfully and never simply inform them what they wished to listen to (even when she secretly was).

• Can we take a second to acknowledge Sol busting out yet one more shirtless vest look? What an icon.

• Check out Mike Holloway and Ben Driebergen catching strays at a Survivor 47 Tribal Council! This was truly a implausible query by Andy. Super Survivor nerds are inclined to low cost Mike and Ben as unsavvy gamers who merely succeeded due to a string of immunity wins and idol finds (or, Ben Bombs, if you’ll), so what Andy was primarily asking Rachel was, “If you don’t respect these sorts of wins, why ought to we respect yours?” Rachel parried this decently, speaking in regards to the last three offers she made with Sue and Teeny to focus on her extra social and strategic aspect. Still, nice query for Andy, made much more excellent by the truth that he hung out fixing his hair earlier than asking it.

• Rachel took a danger when she talked in regards to the private accomplishments in her profession and life, and the way she hadn’t at all times owned these accomplishments. It was a stable level about having the liberty to advertise oneself with out sounding like a cocky jerk, however juries don’t at all times wish to hear about one’s accomplishments off the island when competing for what is likely to be a life-changing sum of money for somebody sitting beside you. Thankfully for her, the transfer didn’t backfire.

Of course, after Rachel was introduced because the winner, it was not over, as we nonetheless needed to get to the ultimate three losers’ greatest nightmare… also called the After-Show!

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After-Show afterthoughts

You all know my emotions on the After-Ahow. Probst likes it as a result of he says it’s the most actual and uncooked, earlier than gamers really feel like they need to react to how viewers react to what they noticed on TV. That’s effective, however I’d counter that gamers are unable on the After-Show to react to something that they didn’t see out on the island with their very own eyes. The enjoyable of the reunion is seeing gamers react to issues they’d no concept even occurred or had been stated till they popped up on their TV display screen. Plus, not all of the gamers are even there! Also, we do not get to see what they seem like six months later, which is undeniably enjoyable. Okay, sufficient ranting.

I did not catch any nice moments from the After-Show… besides possibly Genevieve saying “Be ready to be on the underside” (I informed you I’m a toddler) and Andy filling up Teeny’s champagne glass to the rim. I’ve stated it earlier than and I’ll say it once more… RELEASE THE DRUNK TEENY TAPES! I additionally thought Teeny articulated rather well what a novel expertise enjoying Survivor is. But there was no actual excessive drama or excessive comedy in these last 20 minutes.

However, how superb does this Survivor 48 promo look?! So freakin’ good! Check out some intel on the season, in addition to the teaser and the brand proper over right here. I used to be on the market for filming on that one, and suffice it to say I can not wait to see S48 kick off.

But earlier than we get to that, we nonetheless have loads of S47 enterprise to conduct. If you missed my unique pre-finale interviews with the ultimate 4 and jury, I heartily suggest you verify these out for many perception. We’ll even have an unique deleted scene from the finale, in addition to interviews with Jeff Probst and the ultimate 4, so maintain your eyes peeled for all of that (and likewise be at liberty to hit the feedback under together with your ideas on the finale.)

Thanks to everybody for taking part in alongside, for yet one more season of Survivor recap shenanigans. Your patronage and your sort phrases are a lot appreciated. Let’s do it over again on Feb. 26, lets? I’ll see you then with a piping scorching scoop of the crispy