(S16E14) "May the best woman win." - Amanda
Well, this surely was a season of blindsides on Survivor Micronesia, wasn't it? Down to the finale, it just went on and on. After the excitement we had all season due to the strategical game play, I felt tonight's finale was a bit lackluster and full of filler. No, I'm not fussing just because my favorite didn't win. Heck, if that were the case, I would have been gone when Yau-Man hit the dust! Read on past the jump for my full review of the finale.
Now, there were definitely parts of tonight's show which I truly enjoyed. And, some of the material I didn't care that much for they do in each finale show. In the beginning of the show we had to endure a recap bit on the whole season. I don't know about you, but I know you know I've watched every show this season. Either that or I fake writing about them well, huh?
But in addition to the lengthy season recap, then there was the usual Rites of Passage segment which also touched on each previous contestant. Okay, I know that's expected to be in there. Tonight's little trip to Exile Island to collect the torches of the folks banished from the Magic Kingdom just seemed so posed and scripted for the cameras that I got annoyed. Maybe they should combine the two recaps of previous contestants. As it is, although the content differs, I find it redundant. Fix that, please!
I also think the show (and following reunion show) spent too much time on:
- Amanda crying and not being able to make up her mind.
- Erik's incredibly foolish and naive blunder in trusting the women and giving away his immunity. I didn't count how many times it was brought up in the three hours, but it had to be more than ten times.
- Amanda crying and being indecisive.
- Did I mention Amanda going all emo?
Parvati had one of the best lines about the situation, though -- "We bamboozled everybody out of the game!" That's exactly what they did. Cirie, Parvati, and Amanda had it all working like well-oiled machinery when the Blindside Wrench was thrown into the works. It would be a final two, not a final three. In a season of surprises, that was yet another one for both them and me.
After they completed the first immunity challenge with an Amanda win, they thought they had it made in the shade. Natalie had grown on them, but it's been Amanda, Parvati, and Cirie from early on. Even though the editing looked like Natalie might have a chance, I knew she was doomed. But then, horror of horrors, there would be another immunity challenge and another tribal council. Amanda won again (and then went emo forever). In the end she chose Parvati to go with her. In view of the final results of the jury vote, if Parvati won against her, chances are that Cirie would have also won against her. I guess it isn't in the cards for Amanda to win anything other than Ozzy's heart. (Yeah, I went all mushy there for a moment. Excuse me, I'm back now.)
I always find the jury questioning entertaining. No true fan of the show can forget Sue Hawk's "snake, rat, dying in the desert and I won't give you water" speech to Kelly Wiglesworth and Richard Hatch. So, I settled in for some good stuff during that segment. Huh? What the heck was with Natalie's flirting comments? I know I'm not as naive as Erik and I had trouble understanding her goal with that line of questioning. Did she want Parvati to say she'd sleep with someone to get ahead or what?
Other than that bit of bizarreness, I thought the jury was a bit off for the caliber of the season. Both Eliza and Erik came across as pouting children with Eliza telling Amanda she's a mean person and Erik still hurt. Ozzy was so personally hurt by Parvati mainly because she stole 14 days he could have had with his beloved Amanda. Alexis asked about role models for young girls? Silly fan, this is Survivor.
When the votes came it, it was me who was blindsided. I surely thought along the same lines as James -- that Amanda had it in the bag. Instead, they voted for Parvati to win 5-3. Go figure. She was one of my last personal choices for a win throughout the whole season, but kudos to her. James won $100,000 voted on by show fans as the Sprint Player of the Season. Yay for him! James always came up with the most entertaining lines all season before his injury caused him to leave. Plus, that body!
It was one fantastic season of the show and now I'm already excited about next season. There will be lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Er, make that crocodiles and hippos and leopards, oh my! As more news comes out about Survivor Gabon: Earth's Final Eden (filmed in HD), I'll let you know.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-12-2008 @ 1:21AM
Michael said...
Wow, they saved the final blindside for last. I thought Amanda was going to win 6-2, or maybe 5-3, but I never would've thought Parvati would win.
Awesome season. Can't wait to see the next one in HD.
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5-12-2008 @ 3:51PM
KTR3 said...
Amanda made the same mistake she made in China: playing a smart game and then having a mental breakdown at the end. If there was some way she could have seen the way the China finale went, maybe she could have been a little less emotional towards the end.
5-12-2008 @ 1:27AM
Will said...
I guess the final blindside was us- I, too, thought Amanda would win easily. I thought Pavarti would get 2 votes, at the most. I'm disappointed because I was rooting for Amanda all the way. I wanted her to win in China, too, though. I've been fooled by the jury before though. The good thing for Amanda is that she's young, smart, beautiful, etc. etc., so I think she'll do fine outside of the game. But I do feel bad for her, I think she deserved to win more than Parv. Seeing how the jury voted, I think Cirie would have, indeed, won against Amanda. I don't feel bad for Cirie, though, as I've never liked her, at all, and I am happy she went out when she did. She laughed about kicking everyone else out & then cry's when it's her?!? No, I hope that's the last I see of her.
Glad James won the 100 G's. I really thought the popular vote would go to Cirie. Wrong again. That's tell's you why I stopped gambling! Maybe I should just bet opposite of my gut feeling.
Kind of sad its over, can't wait for the next one. Thanks for all the recaps, I enjoyed them!
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5-12-2008 @ 2:28AM
karen said...
I think Amanda made a mistake in not selling her strengths more forcefully to the jury. She didn't remind them of all the immunities she won; she played a good physical, as well as mental game. She also could have pointed out that she never wavered in her loyalty to her alliance. I think she also should have mentioned the fact that she'd been at this for 78 days, because of being in China previously. She didn't really emphasize the way she found and played the immunity idol either - the only one to successfully do so. As I recall, Amanda didn't do that well with the jury in China either. She almost seemed apologetic for being there instead of proud of what she'd accomplished. When it's that close, I think the juries tend to go with the person who is most vocal about their accomplishments. I was disappointed she didn't win. I think Pavarti did a better job explaining her strategy to the jury, and that's what swayed them and got her the $$.
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5-12-2008 @ 2:40AM
D Colin said...
I agree Cirie was the real person pulling the strings -- starting with the voting out of Yau. Parv was smart to pull in Alexis and Natalie. I felt Amanda kind of stood behind them but didn't make the decisions like Parv and Cirie. She won needed challenges and had a great exile idol moment. Good player, yes. Winner, not for me. I mean I like Amanda but she didn't lead the game she went along with the game.
So out of Parv and Amanda it didn't come as such a shock. I knew Ozzy would vote Amanda and Erik had such a boner for him he'd vote with what he thought Ozzy would.
Speaking of cry babies on the jury -- hello Ozzy. During that last tribal I was really disappointed in the guy. I mean come on dude it was a game and you were tough competition. He had an immunity idol and often won challenges -- he was going to lie to Jason, so why is he any different. Yes he and parv have a friendship but going into Survivor you'd have to think you need to check that at the door. And what if it came down to him, Amanda and Parv. He'd vote out Parv for his "love" of Amanda. I like the guy, great player, but he got too big for his britches this season.
Alexis and the role model question --- mmmm this is Survivor not America's Next Top Role Model. Seriously
From Natalie's question all I could grasp was she had the hots for Parv
I didn't think Eliza was being a cry baby -- I mean Parv was rough on the girl
Loved this season-- even though Yau and Ami went earlier than I hoped for. I moved over to the Cirie camp she got the ball rolling on getting a lot of people out. I liked Jason though, but he really just wanted friends too much to fully get the game.
I do gotta say I'm disappointed in the fans a bit. I mean your fans of the show-- so you've seen it more than once but from Jason and the fake idol to not using the real idol to Erik giving away his idol. To Jason, Erik not getting with James to get a female out these people just weren't thinking
And I'm glad Jeff didn't give Kathy cr-p. I liked that lady. Like a kooky neighbor on a sitcom, she was fun. And that lady had to go to Exile so many times. But I do think mmmm yeah they show the ran for 30 seconds but as a viewer you know it last longer -- it's called logic
I can't wait til next season -- hope it can be as good as this season. Hey and I love hippos
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5-12-2008 @ 4:21AM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
Amanda was robbed. Eliza saying that the jury wanted to kill themselves when Amanda was speaking really pissed me off. I wanted to shoot my tv whenever I saw her or heard her voice. And I called Natty being a lezbo weeks ago. She was wondering if Parv was flirting with her or if Parv really deep down inside wanted Natty. Poor Natty, Parv is just a tease. And after not saying it all season, they just had to fire up the proverbial reality show bus and start mentioning getting thrown under it. And if Amanda was my woman, I would always hide her make-up. She is so hot without it. She looked strange with all that make-up on. I hope Amanzzy stay together so I won't have to hear about Rob & Amber anymore. Great reviewcraps Jackie. Just 2 more months til BB-10. See ya then.
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5-12-2008 @ 7:59AM
grumpyoldman said...
Parvati won the vote the second Ozzy got up at the final tribal council and drooled over Amanda instead of asking questions. The jury didn't want Ozzy to get his hands on any part of the million.
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5-12-2008 @ 8:21AM
Dave said...
I am almost as dumbfounded at this result as I was at Erik's stupid move from the last show. The jury voted for Parvati? There is no chance she's sitting there without Cirie. Amanda played the better game in all areas and she deserved to win. She deserved to win China too.
I thought Ozzy's statements were good. His comment to Parvati that she cost him 14 days with Amanda just might be the most romantic thing ever said on Survivor. Of course, that's not difficult since there isn't much romance on the show to begin with.
I was very disappointed that the reunion show didn't even mention Erik's made up name for the tribe. That would have been a good discussion. I guess his stupid immunity move overshadowed that.
Good season, I am looking forward to the next one.
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5-12-2008 @ 9:27AM
BobbyBuz said...
Two questions, if anyone knows:
What would have happened if Cirie had voted for Amanda and the vote wound up tied at 4 to 4?
What is the cash breakdown after the first place $1,000,000. (i.e how much does 2nd, 3rd, etc. receive)?
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5-12-2008 @ 10:58AM
Bash said...
100k for second place.
All the others get 10k for appearing on the reunion, nothing more.
5-12-2008 @ 11:04AM
Bash said...
OK forget that. I read that here about a year ago and since I knew that you can't believe 2nd hand knowledge I looked it up:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_%28TV_series%29#Prizes
"Every player receives a stipend for participating on Survivor depending on how long he or she lasts in the game. In most seasons, the runner-up receives $100,000, and third place wins $85,000. Sonja Christopher, the first player voted off in Survivor: Borneo, received $2,500.[6] The stipend was increased for Survivor: All-Stars. The known prizes for Survivor: All-Stars were as follows: 2nd = $250,000; 3rd = $125,000; 4th = $100,000. Tina Wesson, the first player voted off in Survivor: All-Stars, received $25,000. In Survivor: Fiji, the first season with tied runners-up, the two runners-up received US$100,000 each, and Yau-Man Chan received US$60,000 for his 4th place finish.[7] The prizes for other seasons with more than sixteen contestants are unknown.
All players also receive an additional $10,000 for their appearance on the reunion show."
Interesting fact: Denise last season LIED about being demoted to janitor from lunch lady. The 50k Mark Burnett awarded her during the Survivor: China reunion were then declined by her and donated to the pediatric aids charity - i guess pedaids but that info wasn't given on Wikipedia)
5-12-2008 @ 11:05AM
Bash said...
Oh and final addition: this is all BEFORE taxes, which usually amount to 50% of the sum. So none of these people really have a chance to become a millionaire.
Only Richard Hatch managed to do that and went to prison for it :-)
5-12-2008 @ 9:45AM
MJ said...
Great great season. I'm disappointed Parv won, (I was blindsided for sure) but still it was a great season of outwit outlast outplay! cant wait for next season
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5-12-2008 @ 9:46AM
Eric said...
I agree that Amanda didn't do a good job of making her case to the jury, I think she lost Circe's vote with her answer, she should have said, Circe the reason I didn't pick you was because you were a bigger threat with the jury, and I couldn't have beat you.
Now Ozzy and Amanda should team up and go on the Amazing Race, I think James and his dad would be a great team for the Amazing Race too.
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5-12-2008 @ 10:39AM
Saragee said...
Wow Eric, I think James and his Dad on the Amazing Race is a great idea!!!!
5-12-2008 @ 10:14AM
David said...
I never expected Parvati to win over the jury votes. But at the same time, Amanda readily admits she is reserved, which to some people is aloof, so I wasn't totally surprised that she didn't gain enough jury votes.
I second BobbyBuzz's question: what would have happened in a tie?
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5-12-2008 @ 10:24AM
I miss my stars! said...
Ozzy really disappointed me with his bitterness. He was outplayed, plain and simple, and as a good sport he should have recognized that and applauded them.
I was rooting for Cirie. She was the "man behind the curtain" this game, but like she said - was always the odd man out in the alliances.
I think Erik should get the award for dumbest move ever made in Survivor history and Natalie should get the award for dumbest question ever. I'm thrilled I won't have to see any more eye-rolls from Eliza.
Looking forward to next season!
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5-12-2008 @ 10:37AM
ORKMommy said...
This was by far the best Survivor season of all time! I loved Rupert's season (was that Cook Islands?) but this was so much better! I was shocked that Parvati won, but I understand why.
The only bad thing about having such a great season is that it's almost a given that the next one won't be nearly as good!
Eric said: "I think James and his dad would be a great team for the Amazing Race too."
OMG...I would love to see that!! James and his dad would be a total hoot!
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5-12-2008 @ 10:46AM
Saragee said...
Again, I totally agree with you Eric. Amanda threw away her million when she answered Cirie's question. I was dumbfounded because Cirie's phrased it as "why do you think Parvati deserves a million dollars more than I do" and she proceed to answer as if Parvati DID deserve it more. The correct answer should have been excactly what you said!!
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5-12-2008 @ 11:11AM
slutty_whore said...
I actually thought Eliza made a good point to Parvati and wasn't being pouty, she simply pointed out that Parv had a good strategy, and while Eliza wasn't a part of that strategy, she didn't have to be rude and disrespectful and mean. I think that's a fair point, it didn't sound bitter, it came off to me, as Eliza respecting Parv's game, but not respecting her as a person.
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