Thoughts on the Survivor Finale

• Russell deserved to win
• Natalie won, really??
• The point of the game is to Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast, and Russell did all those things.
• Outwit – There isn’t a way that Russell didn’t outwit every other player in the game, from his dumb ass girl alliance, to aligning early on with Shambo, to burning Jaison’s sock and emptying the canteen, it’s clear that Russell knew what to do, and played the game well.
• Outplay – 3 hidden immunity idols, playing well in every challenge, consistently picking the right person to eliminate in tribal council, and beating Brett in that final epic challenge, Russell was clearly a dominant force.
• Really, Natalie?!?!?
• Outlast – The Foa-Foa foursome, led by Russell (although Mick was technically the elected leader, Russell was proved he was the man) survived until the finale because Brett won immunity.  Russell outlasted everyone until the final vote.
• Natalie, really?!?
• I honestly don’t understand awarding a million dollars to someone that just rides the coattails of one of the best players in Survivor history, and does basically nothing.
• The game is Outwit, Outplay, Outlast.  Not, Be Nice, Play Fair, and Don’t Lie.  People need to get over losing.  Quite honestly, Natalie followed everything Russell did, so she was just as much a lying cheat as Russell was, and if you remember, it was Natalie who started the push to get Erik eliminated (really the only important move she made besides following Russell)]
• Natalie?!?!
• I have no feelings on Mick, probably would have been angrier if he won.
• Really!??!

Interpreting the votes (according to Wikipedia):

Natalie, 7 (Brett, Jaison, Monica, Dave, Laura, Kelly, Erik)

• Brett- I see how he could be angry that Russell said he would vote for Mick, and I think that may be justification for voting for Nat. Plus, he had started to become friends with Nat, so it makes some sense he would vote for her. Retains same vote.
• Jaison- Jaison was a crybaby.  It was either Jaison or Mick.  In the end Russ picked Mick because Mick was more likely to help in the challenge.  Overall, it didn’t matter, because Russell won.  Jaison should have voted for the person that kept him there as long as he did. New vote – Russell
• Monica- Voting for Nat because she was a nicer person? That’s ridiculous. Russell outplayed you.  New Vote- Russell.
• Dave- Russell kept you there an extra week by voting out John, you should be thankful. New Vote- Russell
• Laura- Russell outwitted you well.  He played his heart out finding that idol to eliminate Kelly, then was able to convince John to switch is vote, you should thank him by voting for him. New vote- Russell.
• Kelly- Same as Laura (minus the bit about John since she wasn’t there).  New vote- Russell
• Erik- Don’t understand his vote at all.  If Natalie did anything to help the tribe, it was getting Erik eliminated.  Unless he thinks he play was worthy of a vote, I think he should vote for Russell.  No need to be bitter about Russell eliminating all your friends.

Russell, 2 (Shambo, John)

• Shambo- She loved Russell, he kept her there long, she helped him.  Good vote choice. Retains vote.
• John- He did what Kelly and Laura should have done, applauded Russell’s playing ability.  He realizes Russell saved him, and that Russell played the best.  Retains vote.

Mick, 0

• As Jeff Probst would say, “Got nothing for you.”

New vote totals:

Russell, 8 (Jaison, Monica, Dave, Laura, Kelly, Erik, John, Shambo)

Natalie, 1 (Brett)

Mick, 0

Your new sole survivor, Russell!