Survivor Samoa: The Winner Is Crowned

With the close of the show’s 19th season, viewers were treated to a suspenseful conclusion which left them holding their breath up until the jury verdict was announced. The two hour finale opened with the Foa Foa foursome scrambling to outmaneuver Brett, the last remaining player of the Galu tribe. In the first of the night’s two immunity challenges, Brett saved himself by winning immunity. For the first time since the merge Foa Foa had to vote out one of their own. Russell decided to keep Natalie but did not know if he should get rid of Jaison or Mick. Russell promised both men he would vote the other out as he weighed the pros and cons of each. Ultimately it was Jaison’s time to go but he didn’t leave happily. He was very angry with Russell for lying to him. The final four players arrived at the last immunity challenge which saw the contestants trying to keep a statue steady on a perch that became higher and higher. It came down to Russell and Brett. Unfortunately Brett lost – this pretty much guaranteed he was going home. For a while though it seemed Russell had a change of heart. Back at camp he told the others how much he admired Brett’s character and determination. He went so far as to say he hoped his daughters would meet someone like him when they grew up. This left Mick a little anxious. However Russell stuck with his original plan and sent Brett packing. Thus the stage for the finale was set – Natalie, Mick and Russell would go head to head for the million dollar prize and title of sole Survivor. Russell lost no time back at camp intimidating and harassing his former allies. He arrogantly told them they had no chance of winning against him and he would call them out in front of the jury if he had to. The jury did not hold back from telling the finalists what they really thought of them. Among the most memorable statements: Jaison bringing to the everyone’s attention that Natalie, Russell and Mick all made good money so the vote should not be based on need; Kelly asking Russell to describe what he was like in real life compared to the liar and cheat he was in the game; and Erik’s closing statement where he dismissed Mick as “delusional” and pointed out it was wrong to praise Russell’s deceitful playing, but not give Natalie credit for flying under the radar and aligning herself with Russell. Perhaps this was what ultimately changed the jury’s mind when they voted. Natalie was crowned the winner at the end of the night. Russell was visibly upset at coming in second place but was chosen by viewers as Survivor Sprint Player of the Game.