My thoughts before the finale starts:
I think Natalie deserves to win (and how funny would it be, since Nadiya was the first voted out?!). It would be kind of great to see Keith win, as the funny, sometimes clueless underdog. Of the other 3, I don't see any way that Baylor and Missy can win (at least I hope the jury is thinking the way I am). Jaclyn doesn't deserve to win with all her (and Jon's) weekly flip-flopping...unless she can somehow spin that as some kind of genius strategy. However, if it comes down to a really despicable final 3 of Baylor, Missy, and Jaclyn...I would have to root for Jaclyn. If the jury dislikes the other 2 as much as I do, Jaclyn could have a chance to win. I think if Natalie makes it to the finals, she's got it in the bag. Missy and Baylor might just be dumb enough to take her along, and I think if it's up to her, she takes the two of them and wins easily. Her problem might be with Keith and Jaclyn...if it's up to either of them, they would probably be smart enough to realize what a threat she is. The commercials say there's one more big blindside, and that makes me worried for Natalie, because hers would be the only one I would consider a "big blindside". She has the hidden immunity idol, so she would be absolutely stupid not to play it at the next Tribal, so if they were going to blindside her, it would be at the next one.
Can't wait to see what happens...here we go!!! I sure hope I can keep up...2 hour Survivor and a ton of Survivor alumni tweets to read at the same time. Loving the hashtag #twinnieforthewinnie!
Huyopa Camp
Jaclyn said that she and Jon really got screwed because they really did trust Natalie, Missy and Baylor. A fight amongst the girls ensues when Jaclyn says they don't know the real Jon, they only know him in the game. She said if they really knew him, they wouldn't be saying mean things about him not being loyal.
Missy tells Baylor that the goal was for "them" to win. Baylor says they both need to make the final, but Missy was kind of like "yeah, OK".
Reward Challenge
Challenge: attached to a rope, they unspool the rope and then assemble a bridge; use sandbags to knock down blocks. First to finish wins.
Reward: advantage in Immunity Challenge
Missy is too handicapped to compete, as she hobbles in on crutches, so it's just Natalie, Baylor, Jaclyn and Keith.
Jaclyn is in last...her rope is all knotted up. Natalie and Keith are neck and neck as they work on their bridges. And then Jeff about Jaclyn "Jaclyn with a big fall, and that...will...leave...a...mark." She has fallen out of it. Natalie takes a fall, and Keith is in the lead. Natalie makes up some ground, but Keith is now on to the bag tossing. Meanwhile, everything is falling apart for Natalie. And Baylor just stands there looking at them.
It's all Natalie and Keith in this one. Keith is down to one, and he gets it! He wins the advantage! This could all work out perfectly. If he could win the Immunity, and Natalie uses her Immunity...they can both make it to the next round!
Keith chooses to send Jaclyn to Exile. I was really hoping he would send Baylor to split her and Missy up for awhile. Obviously it would have been too mean to send Missy...even though she is the only one who has never been there.
Exile Island
Poor Jaclyn...it should have been the brat Baylor going to Exile to be put in her place for a little bit. So what are the chances they rehid the idol that went home with Jon? I forget if they only do that when an idol is played, or if it also is done when it leaves the game.
Jaclyn is starting to break, I'm not sure if she has enough umph to get to the end.
Huyopa Camp
Keith's advantage is that he is given an example of the Immunity Challenge and he is allowed to practice. He can practice as long as he wants to, but when he stops, he's done. He had plenty of time to practice and learn about how to maneuver the balls and spoons. It looks very tricky, and this is going to really give him an important advantage because I think, unless you're really good, there's going to be a really big learning curve. He said he will practice until dark. He wants this win BAD! If he loses this one, he really has no one to blame for himself, because this advantage might just be the biggest advantage that anyone has ever gotten. Good luck Keith!
Natalie is still tight with Missy and Baylor, and they are pretty set on going to the final 3. Natalie still thinks that maybe she could switch it up and go with Keith, as it seems like he could be winning this immunity.
Immunity Challenge
Challenge: transfer 3 balls through a series of obstacles. It is worth noting that the setup is not exactly what he was given to practice on, it was just the concept that was the same.
Missy stole one of Jon's shoes and cut it open so she could use it on her bandaged foot. And, she's going to be able to compete in this challenge.
So far the girls are struggling...but so is Keith. Come on Keith, you practiced this for hours! And wouldn't you know, Missy is getting the hang of it..but just as she was getting somewhere, hers drops and she has to start over. Baylor made it halfway, and her ball falls. Yes!
Keith gets his first ball! Baylor looks to him to find out what he was doing. Jaclyn is getting nowhere.
Keith is now on a roll, and he's nice and steady. Natalie is getting frustrated, as Keith gets ball #2!
And it's Keith for the win! That advantage was EVERYTHING for him! Way to go Keith! This might just mess up some plans for some people.
Huyopa
Natalie has one move to make at this Tribal...and that's to play the idol. It's the final 5, and it's the last time she can use it. She would be absolutely STUPID not to use the idol.
Keith was shocked to find out that none of the girls even got one ball. "I'm good with balls" he says...that's an exact quote.
He's starting to lose it a little bit, and he can't even talk during his confessional. We're in trouble if he makes it to the final because his speech is going to be a mess.
The plan is to send Jaclyn home. Jaclyn tells Natalie that she would be down for voting for one of them and she wouldn't vote for her the next Tribal. Jaclyn said to vote Missy first because Baylor does what her mom says.
Baylor tells Natalie that she should play her idol for her mom. Oh...freaking...no. That better not even be an option in Natalie's mind. She's done some strange, out there moves to further herself in the game. This could be disastrous.
Tribal Council
Jeff asks about hidden idols. Missy says she isn't worried because she knows who has it. Jaclyn is shocked and had no idea there was a possible idol floating around.
Jeff asks about the final pair of Missy and Baylor being left. Missy said her alliance is stuck like glue, so she isn't too worried.
Natalie hints that Jaclyn came and talked to her, even though everyone assumes that she, Missy, and Baylor are voting together. Jaclyn confirms that she talked to Natalie about trying to make a move. Missy respects her move to try to stay in the game, but "this is my time". Grrr....
The Votes
Natalie pulls out her idol, and uses it...on JACLYN!!!!!!!!!!
She starts by saying that she had planned to use the idol for herself, but thought it would be more fun to use it on someone else. She asks Jaclyn if she voted for who they talked about, and she said she did, so therefore, she saved Jaclyn! Jon said "I knew I liked her." Baylor's mouth dropped in shock. Baylor and Missy say their goodbyes, they know it's one of them.
Jaclyn
Jaclyn
Baylor
Jaclyn
Baylor
Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! AWESOME! OK I take back what I said about Natalie being stupid to play her idol because it got Baylor out! Yes!
In her confessional, Baylor said she wasn't mad at Natalie because it was a big move! The only problem now is, that she is an even bigger target.
Huyopa Camp
Natalie knew she had to split up Missy and Baylor because she didn't want them deciding her fate. Missy is upset, but she is relieved that she doesn't have to write her daughter's name down. Natalie told her that is the only thing that she has not told her in this game.
Next on Natalie and Jaclyn's hit list is Keith because "he's scary."
Immunity Challenge
Challenge: It's obvious Missy isn't going anywhere near this challenge. It involves a huge 4-story tower and obstacles to collect bags of puzzle pieces. When the puzzle is complete, 3 pieces will be missing, and those spaces will reveal the numbers to the combination to raise a flag. Oh boy...
First step is a fireman's pole...perfect for Keith!
Natalie and Keith working on their second bags. Missy is still rooting for Natalie. Jaclyn is falling behind, as Natalie and Keith continue to be neck and neck. I can't believe how evenly matched they seem to be in so many challenges.
I'm not sure who I want to win immunity. I just want both Natalie and Keith to make the finals, so whoever can make that happen, I want them to win!
Natalie has so much energy as she sprints up the tower.
Natalie is now in the lead and is working on the puzzle. Keith makes it to the puzzle and Jaclyn is running out of steam...she can barely open the bags for the puzzle, as she puts her head down to rest on the bags for a second.
Natalie making good work of the puzzle...and Jaclyn can't get the pieces out of the bag.
Jaclyn had to check the buff on her chest to look at the logo.
Somehow Jaclyn just finished the puzzle. Wait, what?! When did that happen, how did that happen?
And then she slid down the fireman's pole with a huge thud. Jeff climbed down to ask her if she was OK. I wasn't sure if she was or not, because she wasn't moving. When she finally got up, she could barely move. I can't believe what I'm seeing! She made it to the table of numbers.
Natalie now has her numbers...she's catching up. Now Jaclyn thinks she has the answer, and she's heading back up the tower. Natalie is flying behind her...but it doesn't matter...Jaclyn just won! You've got to be kidding me! Wow. I am in total disbelief. You absolutely never can count anyone out. Gotta give her all the credit on that one, she could have easily given up when she was so far behind, or after she just about killed herself. And then there's Missy, who, even though she is severely injured...her foot is wrapped...she could have hobble along. Who knows, she could have pulled a huge upset and beat them all. But now we'll never know. Alumni on Twitter are bashing Missy because it's in their contracts that they have to participate in challenges, and in previous seasons, when people were hurt, they still had to compete. So, what makes her so special?
What is going to happen now? I HAVE NO IDEA!
Huyopa Camp
Keith is sure that Jaclyn's going to save Natalie, since Natalie saved her with immunity. He pitched to Natalie and Jaclyn that she has a better shot taking them than taking Missy because Missy has Baylor's vote, and she's also got a sympathy vote for her foot.
Natalie said she would easily vote out Missy if Jaclyn wants, even though Keith is scarier. It's looking like they've decided on Keith.
Jaclyn talks to Missy and asks her if she would consider voting Natalie. Jaclyn's no dummy. She knows that Natalie is a huge threat, and she initiated all the big moves. She thinks they should vote out Keith because of all the guys on the jury, but she thinks that Jon would tell her to vote out Natalie. Uh oh..things not looking so good for Natalie. Crap!
Tribal Council
Jaclyn is now, where she spent most of the game...in the middle.
Jeff asks if Jaclyn feels obligation to stick with Natalie because of her saving her. Natalie said it would be nice if she repaid the favor, but she doesn't expect that from her.
Natalie is basically giving her finale speech of why she deserves to win the game. It's either smart, or stupid because if they didn't think you were a huge threat before, they sure as heck do now.
The Votes
Keith
Missy
Keith
Keith
Natalie for the win! Natalie just won this game. She survived the last major hurdle. Yes, she has to get the votes to win, but let's be honest...Missy will get exactly 1 vote (Baylor). Jaclyn will get exactly 1 vote--Jon's. The rest of the votes will be for Natalie. If that's not how it goes down, there must be some pigs flying around. Jaclyn keeping Natalie shows just how much she values Jon's opinion...she went against what she thinks he would have said.
Props to Keith as the last man standing. He put up one heck of a fight. For an old guy, he performed so well. His only major downfall was his mouth and his social skills.
Huyopa Camp
Natalie's still playing the game, and she's working out her speech. She's a player to the end. She's a great speaker, and a great persuader, so I think she will do a really good job.
Final Tribal Council
Normally, I would recap each question and each answer, but does it really matter? So, I'm just going to hit the highlights. I don't see any of these yahoos coming up with anything interesting. They might as well just give Natalie the win right now. I sure hope I'm not too confident, because I'm going to be really upset if Natalie doesn't win, or if it comes down to a close vote.
Missy --
- equates the jury's decision to the jury on a murder trial
- her biggest move and hardest decision was voting Jon out
- hardest day was breaking her foot...while bringing her team to victory (ha! they carried HER to victory)
- she deserves to win because of loyalty
Jaclyn --
- she went through ups and down in the game, just like in her life
- she felt alone, but when the swap happened, she was in the middle of the game and because of her switching sides Natalie and Missy would not be there
- she brings up her MRKH diagnosis and how she overcame that
Natalie --
- she said she has outwit, outplayed, and outlasted the other 2 and she had examples for each of those
- plus she carryied her weight at camp and offered to go to Exile
- she made huge, scary moves;
- she said her game changed on day 3 when Nadiya was voted out
- biggest statement was that Missy and Jaclyn made the wrong decision, Keith should have stayed and she should have been the one to go if they were being smart
Keith asked Natlie how she felt about her final words to him in the game being a lie. She said she regretted it, but she had to do what she could to win. He didn't like her lying, even though he knows it's part of the game.
Alec asked Missy what her motherly role did for her in the game. Missy said she stayed in a control position and instructed her people on what to do. Really? Delusional much?
Baylor goes all emotional talking to her mom about how brave she was to finish hobbling on one foot. Way to pull the emotional heartstrings to try to get your mom a few votes. Nice try...not going to happen.
Wes loved playing with his dad, and he asks the dumbest question of all: "What was it like to play with your loved one?" Really Wes? That's the best you could come up with? He's had all that time on Ponderosa to think about this...apparently he spent all his time eating.
Jeremy said the best player should win, and that's Natalie. He said they shouldn't be mad at her, they should respect her game. He didn't even have a question...that's it.
Then there's Reed to save the day! He called Missy out for playing "motherly" but he said she was the "wicked step mother" and says that she spoiled her children and took things she wasn't entitled to. She got the most "gimmes" and played the worst out of anyone in the game. She said people felt inferior and they weren't going to be invited to the "ball". He said the people she was rude to are now going to decide her fate. He said he loves fairytales because the good always wins and the evil will lose. And Baylor is a mess and is bawling her eyes out. Missy tells her not to cry. Ha! That's one of the best final questions/statements in Survivor history, I think! It was so well thought out, and his analogies were spot on. Well done Reed, well done. (Update: this speech has caused quite a bit of uproar all over the internet, saying Reed was "too mean", etc., but I happen to love what he did, and so did one of my favorite Survivor alumni, Malcolm Freberg. Read his thoughts here.)
Votes to Win!
Votes we see...
Jaclyn--Jon's vote
Natalie--Jeremy's vote
Jaclyn--Reed's vote (wait, what?!)
Missy--Baylor's vote
Votes read...
First things first...uh oh...the Jury is also on stage for the reading...that doesn't usually happen.
Jaclyn
Natalie
Jaclyn
Missy
Natalie
Natalie
Natalie
Woohoo! A well-deserved win for one half of the Twinnies! I really didn't think at the beginning of the season that I would be rooting for either of the Twinnies. What complete irony, as they bookended the season...Nadiya was first out, and Natalie wins the whole thing. They spent the longest time out of the game with each other. Being on The Amazing Race twice and falling short of the grand prize, Natalie was finally able to do it. I think she would be the first "cross-over" reality star to win ("cross-over" being a contestant who's played on multiple reality shows: Survivor, The Amazing Race, Big Brother, etc.). And just another reason that she deserved to win was the fact that her name wasn't written down once at a Tribal...not once! That is incredibly hard to do!
Reunion Hilights
Poll: if Keith is in the final, how many votes does he get? 4, and he would have won...bummer.
Keith's now famous words "Stick to the plan!" are now being used against him at the fire house.
Reflection: I really wish John Rocker would have lasted longer because he is good TV! I would have loved to see how he would have done, and what things he might have done further in the game.
Jon & Jaclyn are now engaged!
Missy said Reed's comment hit her hard because she's been a step mom, and she wasn't ready to hear that. Reed wanted to clarify that he was talking about her in the context of the Survivor game, and not who she is outside of the game. He stands by what he said. It was harsh, but I like his answer, and I think he was totally justified in saying what he said about how he saw her and the character she was playing in the game.
It's been another great season, minus some really good players to root for. But the finale was really exciting, and in the end, the right person won. So, that's a win in my book. Can't wait for Season 30!
Season 30: World Apart is White Collar vs. Blue Collar vs. No Collar...interesting! Feb. 25th is the premiere date! Thanks to the handy countdown on this blog, I know that that is 69 days away!
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