Survivor S40: Winners at War

[JenniferS]

A bit off topic but somewhat related to reality tv. Will Big Brother have a season this summer or has that been cancelled?

Casting calls were cancelled in early March. Doesn’t look like we’ll have a summer season.

Up here, Big Brother Canada cancelled mid-run, with only one actual eviction! (Plus one quit the first week, and two were removed for inappropriate conduct.)

 

[JenniferS]

Is this Survivor finale bittersweet for anyone else? While I don't currently have it in my top 5 seasons, it's going to be sad to see the winners off our screens. Even if it's lost its nostalgia factor. But the biggest reason it's sad is because we don't know when we're getting Survivor again. But it's also exciting because it's the finale of Winners at War! We've been waiting for this for so long!

I felt that way about Heroes Vs Villains. That season started airing right after my dad was diagnosed with cancer, and I knew he’d be gone by finale night.

He died just before 5:00 am on 5/16/10, and I actually did watch the finale later that night. My mom needed some alone time, and I just needed everyone to stop talking to me. Until I just Googled it though, I couldn’t have told you who won.

 

[PUSH]

I have to say... that was a fantastic finale. One of the best ever. All of my fears seemed to have turned into something positive, or I avoided them.

- One of my fears is the final 4 fire making. I still don't like it, but it was fantastic this time.

- The Edge, while still the bane of my existence, offered up a fantastic send off to these winners. I teared up a little listening to Ethan. And Amber saying she knows she didn't deserve her win breaks my heart. So much emotion. It was awesome.

- I was very nervous Natalie was going to win. I knew in my head that logically Tony had to win, but I was still worried.

- While I love Michele, and this season confirms her status as a great player, she did not do enough to win. I see why she received no votes. Honestly, I think Tony should have swept the votes.

- Ben's stepping down moment was puzzling. He had to have known he was going to be a 0 vote finalist.

- Sarah had a fantastic finale. Except for losing fire making, but even then she was right there.

- Tony and Sarah's Cops R Us alliance is such a fantastic story arc through all these seasons. Tony's emotions when Sarah left was very touching. I loved to see his emotional side.

- While I still believe Parvati is the best player ever, if I was ranking players right now, Tony would be #2. His Cagayan game was flawed, but it was still fantastic. But this season was perfect. Absolutely incredible. He really fixed his weaknesses from his first two seasons. His mind was always in the game, as was evident when Natalie and Michele gave emotional responses. Tony always had a strategic response or confessional.

- I loved seeing Michele win that puzzle and kick it over again. I literally cheered when she did that, because I was worried she wouldn't. She was KICKIN' IT with that challenge.

- I really feel like the old school players in particular cherished this season. They were all so appreciative of everything. The newer players, too, but the ones who have been around a while have had this in their lives for so long. It really was special. And you can tell this game means so much to these players. Survivor creates a bond between cast, show, producers, and crew that really no other show can come close to. It's amazing. I'm so happy to be a part of it all.

- The finale leads to recency bias, so I'm not sure I can fairly rank this season. Before the finale I would have ranked it probably 7-10. Right now I'm feeling it's top 5. But realistically once it ages a little, I'll probably have it in the 6-8 range. Good season, but still left some to be desired. I definitely wouldn't rank it as the best. But the fantastic finale definitely pushes it up the board.

- It was interesting to hear Jeff say they are committed to season 41 in the fall. He says they have some creative ideas. That is music to my ears, but I'm still skeptical. But any season of Survivor is better than none. I'll take whatever they throw at me.

I also want to thank all of you. I have had so much fun talking Survivor with you. I know I have a lot to say about the game, and I have a lot of opinions about it. But Survivor is a passion of mine, and it brings so much joy in my life. And I thank you for being a part of that.

 

[PUSH]

Also, Michele is the only player in Survivor history to play multiple times and not be voted out. Amanda and Russell went two season without getting voted out, but they were voted out their third times. And neither of them won. Michele did.

 

[SAV]

The right person won this season. Tony played an amazing game. He only got psycho a couple of times and Sarah calmed him down. He did sniff out the Natalie idol at the end, but nobody would listen. I loved the Spy nest. Surrounded himself with the right people and never got a vote against him. Won immunity when he needed and built the fire when he needed to. Orchestrated most of the eliminations, but didn't have any repercussions from it. Just masterful.

I am totally against any person from Edge winning. Yes, they did what they needed to in order to get back in the game, but they didn't play the actual game....just a side game for most of it. I hated that Natalie could "buy" 3 advantages in that last challenge to get back in the game. Just didn't seem right.

Tony is the undisputed KING!! Won as many times as Sandra has and has won the most money from it. Also, he isn't a quitter.

 

[PUSH]

Also, Michele is the only player in Survivor history to play multiple times and not be voted out. Amanda and Russell went two season without getting voted out, but they were voted out their third times. And neither of them won. Michele did.

My comment is technically actually incorrect. Jenna Morasca has played twice and has never been voted out, but she left the game on her own accord in All-Stars to go back and be with her mom.

 

[No Name]

I haven’t been following this thread, but just want to say that I enjoyed the finale, and Survivor remains the greatest show on television.

Okay, I’ll add one more thing. I don’t really think the EoE belongs in a newbie season, but for the all winners thing, I think it’s been a great part of this season. Also Natalie deserved to come back into the game, and I wouldn’t have been mad if she won. But Tony was definitely the most deserving.

 

[PUSH]

I haven’t been following this thread, but just want to say that I enjoyed the finale, and Survivor remains the greatest show on television.

Okay, I’ll add one more thing. I don’t really think the EoE belongs in a newbie season, but for the all winners thing, I think it’s been a great part of this season. Also Natalie deserved to come back into the game, and I wouldn’t have been mad if she won. But Tony was definitely the most deserving.

You had me until you started saying good things about EoE.

Sorry... touchy subject with me.

 

[flynnibus]

Wth... dvr schedule was wrong and didnt record the whole show.... grrr

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

That was a great finale, and really just satisfying throughout.

The stories from the old school players felt meaningful, without being cheesy. The standing ovation at the end really showed a jury with respect for the game and the players, and there didn't seem to be any bitterness.

I'm glad Tony at least had to fight for his win a little bit, but I still feel he had an easier ride to the final three than he should have. So many players could have, and should have, taken him out at some point.

Kudos to Natalie, that jump from last to second place means a $100,000 runner up prize, assuming they didn't increase the payouts across the board.

Ben giving Lacina permission to vote him out, as it were, was interesting. If he realized he wasn't going to win, it still would have been in his best interest to move forward and help protect her. Maybe we didn't get the full story, maybe he was still fighting and it was more her choice.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them do a reunion once it's feasible to do so.

The lack of a live audience did keep Jeff's pontificating to a minimum, and for that I'm grateful.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Please no more Edge ever again.

 

[JenniferS]

Did I really read Dalton Ross’ recap before being able to actually watch the show tomorrow? Yup.
(But I refuse to open gifts before Christmas morning, so there is that.)

'Survivor: Winners at War' finale recap: Dominance is rewarded

A new winner is crowned in a Survivor finale filled with emotional highs and lows

www.google.ca

 

[manmythlegend]

The right person won this season. Tony played an amazing game. He only got psycho a couple of times and Sarah calmed him down. He did sniff out the Natalie idol at the end, but nobody would listen. I loved the Spy nest. Surrounded himself with the right people and never got a vote against him. Won immunity when he needed and built the fire when he needed to. Orchestrated most of the eliminations, but didn't have any repercussions from it. Just masterful.

I am totally against any person from Edge winning. Yes, they did what they needed to in order to get back in the game, but they didn't play the actual game....just a side game for most of it. I hated that Natalie could "buy" 3 advantages in that last challenge to get back in the game. Just didn't seem right.

Tony is the undisputed KING!! Won as many times as Sandra has and has won the most money from it. Also, he isn't a quitter.

100% agreed. That was disgusting that Natalie bought her way back from EoE, absolutely disgusting.

 

[BrianLo]

Please no more Edge ever again.

Technically Chris made himself vulnerable, but I agree with the overall point.

 

[BrianLo]

A great season all around. I am very glad Tony won as the clear overall front runner in this game. He played a near perfect game through and through.

I kind of wish Natalie had done a Michelle v. Tony combo. If only because Sarah - Natalie - Tony would have made for a very interesting final three split. Potentially any of them could have won that after Sarah's quite strong narrative in the final six and Natalie's pseudo-guaranteed votes from EoE.

EoE is way too dangerous though. Natalie did not play the better game over Tony. I don't think she played a better game over Michelle. That does not mean she wasn't deserving to come back, far from it. She was the most deserving. Which brakes a little bit of my complaints pre-season for this. That I thought people who are voted out incredibly early should not be eligible after a while.

Contrasted to Chris who really did not "deserve" his come back. He was the fluke challenge winner, but Natalie undispustibly ruled EoE.

If and when EoE ever returns (hopefully never in a newbie season), they again should look at making the final comeback earlier. Or introduce more of a strategy screw people over element. You can't just sit around and be bff's for 36 days. However, tokens definitely improved the functioning of EoE. Natalie certainly could not be accused of literally doing nothing the whole game.




Ben I think could have forced his way into the end with Sarah and Tony. But he was never going to win and Sarah was likely never going to win without a solo move. I think faced with the inevitable he made the far better decision. Rather than be a third place finisher he bolstered his public perception. I like him way better after the finale.

I do miss the reunion special though. I'd love to check back in with a lot of the cast more formally.


Someone can correct me, but is this the first time that 3 people fully brought themselves to the final three? I feel like there is always a goat. Not one of the finalists rode the others coat tails, or had the same path, at all.

 

[PUSH]

A great season all around. I am very glad Tony won as the clear overall front runner in this game. He played a near perfect game through and through.

I kind of wish Natalie had done a Michelle v. Tony combo. If only because Sarah - Natalie - Tony would have made for a very interesting final three split. Potentially any of them could have won that after Sarah's quite strong narrative in the final six and Natalie's pseudo-guaranteed votes from EoE.

EoE is way too dangerous though. Natalie did not play the better game over Tony. I don't think she played a better game over Michelle. That does not mean she wasn't deserving to come back, far from it. She was the most deserving. Which brakes a little bit of my complaints pre-season for this. That I thought people who are voted out incredibly early should not be eligible after a while.

Contrasted to Chris who really did not "deserve" his come back. He was the fluke challenge winner, but Natalie undispustibly ruled EoE.

If and when EoE ever returns (hopefully never in a newbie season), they again should look at making the final comeback earlier. Or introduce more of a strategy screw people over element. You can't just sit around and be bff's for 36 days. However, tokens definitely improved the functioning of EoE. Natalie certainly could not be accused of literally doing nothing the whole game.




Ben I think could have forced his way into the end with Sarah and Tony. But he was never going to win and Sarah was likely never going to win without a solo move. I think faced with the inevitable he made the far better decision. Rather than be a third place finisher he bolstered his public perception. I like him way better after the finale.

I do miss the reunion special though. I'd love to check back in with a lot of the cast more formally.


Someone can correct me, but is this the first time that 3 people fully brought themselves to the final three? I feel like there is always a goat. Not one of the finalists rode the others coat tails, or had the same path, at all.

Some other final 3s that were pretty solid:

Cook Islands: Yul, Ozzy, Becky

China: Todd, Amanda, Courtney

HvV: Sandra, Parvati, Russell

Kaoh Rong: Michele, Aubry, Tai

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Contrasted to Chris who really did not "deserve" his come back. He was the fluke challenge winner, but Natalie undispustibly ruled EoE.

If and when EoE ever returns (hopefully never in a newbie season), they again should look at making the final comeback earlier. Or introduce more of a strategy screw people over element. You can't just sit around and be bff's for 36 days. However, tokens definitely improved the functioning of EoE. Natalie certainly could not be accused of literally doing nothing the whole game.

Natalie put in the effort and was the Queen of Edge for sure, but she had so much more time to do so than players who arrived later. The fact that being voted out of the game first turned into a positive is a clear reason the Edge concept is broken.

Another reason it's broken is that the returnee is likely to have a positive relationship with the jury. You bring up the good point that there's no real competition among them or any need to play in a way that doesn't alienate potential jury votes. Natalie had that one moment where she had to retrieve a clue from the shelter. She waited to be alone to do it, like one might do in the main game, but she really didn't need to. Earning an advantage on Edge doesn't make one a target or impact others in any meaningful way.

I'm glad the fire making challenge was a close battle this time, but I'd like that showdown to be different. It usually comes down to who gets that initial flame first, and the subsequent building of a little fire with existing materials isn't much of a challenge. Make that challenge the showdown it deserves to be. The challenge where they made a fire in a bucket on a level, and had to run back and forth to fill a water bucket on the other end in order to raise the fire to the rope, would be good. Combines endurance with fire building.

 

[PUSH]

Natalie put in the effort and was the Queen of Edge for sure, but she had so much more time to do so than players who arrived later. The fact that being voted out of the game first turned into a positive is a clear reason the Edge concept is broken.

Another reason it's broken is that the returnee is likely to have a positive relationship with the jury. You bring up the good point that there's no real competition among them or any need to play in a way that doesn't alienate potential jury votes. Natalie had that one moment where she had to retrieve a clue from the shelter. She waited to be alone to do it, like one might do in the main game, but she really didn't need to. Earning an advantage on Edge doesn't make one a target or impact others in any meaningful way.

I'm glad the fire making challenge was a close battle this time, but I'd like that showdown to be different. It usually comes down to who gets that initial flame first, and the subsequent building of a little fire with existing materials isn't much of a challenge. Make that challenge the showdown it deserves to be. The challenge where they made a fire in a bucket on a level, and had to run back and forth to fill a water bucket on the other end in order to raise the fire to the rope, would be good. Combines endurance with fire building.

I don't remember all of the votes, but I noticed some of the Natalie votes had never spent time with Tony at all in the game. The jury should have at least spent a couple days with everybody in the final 3.

I don't mind fire at 4 for a tiebreaker scenario. Those were exciting. To have it automatically forced is not exciting. The surprise factor is gone.

 

[JenniferS]

100% agreed. That was disgusting that Natalie bought her way back from EoE, absolutely disgusting.

She had the tokens. What was she supposed to have done with them?

 

[SAV]

Buy comfort along the way. Buy food along the way. Buy an advantage for an Ally still in the game. Buying that last challenge just didn't do it for me.