Tonight we watched the season finale of “Survivor.” We were a little apprehensive about who would win, because for however many weeks this Heroes vs. Villains season lasted, we sat and waited and crossed our fingers and yelled at the television for somebody, ANYBODY, to wise up and vote out Russell.
But it never happened. Even though he called people names and strutted around like a rooster and threatened the other players and came across like he wouldn’t know humility if it stood two inches in front of him and SPELLED OUT ITS NAME, nobody ever made a move to get him out of the game.
I can usually take my TV with a grain of salt, but I vowed and declared that if Russell was this season’s winner, I was done with “Survivor” forevermore. He wasn’t just manipulative in the game – which, truth be told, is pretty standard “Survivor” fare – he was a bully. And I don’t like bullies. I don’t like them in real life, and I don’t like them on TV, either.
(You may have picked up on the fact that Russell got under my skin a little bit.)
(For all I know he’s the nicest guy in the world in real life and the Russell we saw on “Survivor” was just a persona he created.)
(Regardless: I don’t enjoy the arrogance. All the horn-tooting gets pretty shrieky and ear-piercing after awhile.)
****SPOILER AHEAD****
ANYWAY, given all of our misgivings about Russell, we were tickled by the final results. Russell didn’t get a single vote, and while you could certainly argue that Pavarti played a stronger game than Sandra, I think Pavarti’s partnership with Russell failed to win the respect of the original Heroes. Sandra played a quiet game – but I think she played a smart one. And she proved that the game isn’t just about strategy and physical strength; there has to be a social game at work, too. People have to like you and respect you. Russell is a brilliant strategist, but in the context of the game, at least, he’s a jerk.
And it was just sort of refreshing that, for once (or for twice, in Russell’s case), the jerk didn’t win.
What did you “Survivor”-watchers think? Did the right person win?
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To commentor #3 Kellie: Russel and Sandra have not both won. Parvati and Sandra have both won. Out of the 4 finalists I was hoping for Jerri who has not won. Just because of that fact. But when it came down to the 3 I was happy it was Sandra. I actually clapped. Because like Big Mama – I would have quit watching if Russel had won. The bad guys should never win.
I always liked Coach – such a free spirit.
Colby – a loveable man and a good soul. But his heart wasn’t in it.
My favorite of all time – Rupert. A good person with a good family he loves very much. A lovable teddy bear. I had to stay up until 1 a.m. because I taped it. I was at a b’day party and came home in the middle. But didn’t dare turn it on then. So at 10 p.m. when it was done taping I started watching. As you know, if you look at the internet or the tv on the morning after you will inadvertently find out the winner. And that would have ruined everything for me.
Hugs
Marie
Exact “discussion” we’ve had around our house all season – DH thinks Russell plays best survivor game but as Jeff Probst pointed out more than once in the Reunion Show – the game Russell thought he was playing wasn’t survive. The social game and not ticking off the entire jury DOES matter – if it was just being the biggest horse’s butt – then Russell should have won. Parvati had already won once – and what the heck – Sandra DID hang in there by her fingernails. Glad it was done – and no way somebody could be such a liar and sneak on a show where you are filmed 24/7 and a wonderful person in real life – his language alone made me dislike him. Go Sandra. -
I couldn’t agree with you more!!!!
Russell is a great strategist, but he plays to get to the end – not to win. And those are his own words. He totally forgets that the people you step over to get to the end are the sames ones whose vote you need.
I don’t see this season or last as a popularity contest. I see a jury who recognized that Russell was a good player, but there were also two other good players in the finals.
Sandra played a great game of staying uder the radar. She’s even said that not winning immunity all the time is one of her strategies. The stronger players tend to get voted off – and she’s right. I also agree that she won Hero votes by saying that she tired over and over to side with them and get Russell voted off and they would never listen to her.
I can’t wait for next season although it will be a bummer that it’s all “new” blood.
I had to wait almost a whole week to watch the finale because my husband won’t watch Survivor with me – too many half dressed women! I thought Russel was a complete troll the whole season and I was SO GLAD that he didn’t win. I couldn’t believe how delusional he was at the reunion show, either. “BUT I MADE IT TO THE END! BUT I MADE IT TO THE END!!” Ummm, darlin’, you STILL didn’t win the million dollars! Close doesn’t count in Survivor!
I was rooting for Boston Rob. And it doesn’t surprise me that Sandra won. She played the game exactly the same way she did before – stay low, don’t make waves or enemies.
I totally agree with you about Russell. There is a difference between stratigizing and just being downright mean. My first impression of him on his first survivor was that he was just mean. He didn’t need the money for sure, but I was glad Sandra won. I think she deserved it, but I wouldn’t have minded Parvati winning.
I had also seen where he was arrested for his behavior, and that was the final straw for me. I still can’t believe that they didn’t vote him off sooner.
JT was one of my favorites, but he did such a stupid thing with that idol.
OK I am a little late to the party – but can I just say AMEN SISTER! I did NOT want Russell to win. Each week I hoped and hoped that someone would wise up and get rid of him, but it never happened. Even when people would say we need to get him out he is dangerous – no one would listen! If that doesn’t make you scream at the TV, well then, you probably have a life or something.
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