(S18E14) Well, tonight was it for Survivor Tocantins. It's hard to believe that the 18th season of the show is a wrap. Why, wasn't it just a few years ago that Richard Hatch was the evil fat naked gay guy and all the talk around the watercooler? We've progressed a lot during those nine years. This season we stepped up the game to include a naked skinny Mormon crude dude and a delusional coach. So, how did things go down tonight? Read on.
Survivor' Photos
NEW YORK - MAY 17: Survivor Season 18 contestant Stephen Fishbach and Survivor Season 18 winner James "JT" Thomas Jr attend the finale of CBS's "Survivor: Tocantins The Brazilian Highlands" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Stephen Fishbach;James "JT" Thomas Jr
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NEW YORK - MAY 17: Survivor Season 18 contestant James "JT" Thomas Jr (C) is joined by members of the Tocantins Government as he is named the winner of CBS's "Survivor: Tocantins The Brazilian Highlands" during the finale at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** James "JT" Thomas Jr
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NEW YORK - MAY 17: Survivor season 18 contestant Debra "Debbie" Beebee attends the finale of CBS's "Survivor: Tocantins The Brazilian Highlands" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Debra "Debbie" Beebee
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NEW YORK - MAY 17: Survivor season 18 contestant Debra "Debbie" Beebee attends the finale of CBS's "Survivor: Tocantins The Brazilian Highlands" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Debra "Debbie" Beebee
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NEW YORK - MAY 17: Pro-athelete Eddie George attends the finale of CBS's "Survivor: Tocantins The Brazilian Highlands" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eddie Geroge
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NEW YORK - MAY 17: Survivor Season 18 contestant James "JT" Thomas Jr is named the winner of CBS's "Survivor: Tocantins The Brazilian Highlands" during the finale at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** James "JT" Thomas Jr
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NEW YORK - MAY 17: Survivor season 18 contestant Erinn Lobdell attends the finale of CBS's "Survivor: Tocantins The Brazilian Highlands" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Erinn Lobdell
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NEW YORK - MAY 17: Survivor season 18 contestant Erinn Lobdell attends the finale of CBS's "Survivor: Tocantins The Brazilian Highlands" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Erinn Lobdell
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NEW YORK - MAY 17: Survivor season 18 contestant Erinn Lobdell attends the finale of CBS's "Survivor: Tocantins The Brazilian Highlands" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Erinn Lobdell
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NEW YORK - MAY 17: Survivor season 18 contestant Erinn Lobdell attends the finale of CBS's "Survivor: Tocantins The Brazilian Highlands" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on May 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Erinn Lobdell
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Just the skinny
I want to talk more about how I feel about the season, but I'm aware that some folks might be reading this to find out exactly what happened. So, here are the facts in a nutshell:
- Jalapao joy as the Jalapao Three rule the game after voting off Coach.
- Bits of betrayal weave their way into conversations. Everyone thinks that JT will win it all with the jury.
- The first immunity challenge had them scrambling through a giant spider doohickey and (but, of course) putting together a puzzle. JT won, although Erinn was very close.
- Erinn tried to work her mojo with the boys.
- Sigh. Betrayal. JT and Stephen vote out their ally, Taj. They think that they have a better chance of beating Erinn in the final immunity and with the jury if it comes to that. Poor Taj.
- Stephen and JT realize that Erinn is a chatterbox and they must kill her vote her off.
- The final three do the Rites of Passage Walk. I forgot Carolina was on the show. Coach's bit was still very annoying. He just doesn't stop.
- The final immunity challenge was actually something a bit different and kind of nifty. It was kind of like catching balls on Hot Wheel track loops. Lots of dexterity and concentration were needed as they built up the number of balls in the tubes. Then it started to remind me of Lucy and Ethel in the chocolate factory.
- Erinn was out first, followed by Stephen. Once again, JT wins immunity.
- More betrayal was afoot as Erinn tried to drive a wedge between the boys.
- In the end, JT remained true to his word and took Stephen to the final two.
Throw 'em under the bus!
The jury questioning had the "we share one brain" boys scrambling to throw each other under the proverbial reality TV bus. The BFF boys were baited by just about everyone. Brendan basically accused Stephen of being a weak player. Erinn pointed out all of the alliances Stephen was in, and even unpopular Sierra lit into JT for taking the weakest player with him. Taj was crushed, betrayed, and disappointed ... with both of them.
What was Stephen to do? Of course, he had to defend his own strategy and lay some of the blame for the votes on JT. He pointed out that JT took the easy route out by not writing down Coach's name as a strategy ploy for his vote. The worst point for Stephen came when Debbie pressured him to give an answer to her question -- would he have taken JT to the final two had he won immunity? She wouldn't accept an "I don't know" answer and he finally admitted that he probably would have taken Erinn. Aha! More betrayal!
In the end
While the jury questioning might have had some bearing on the vote, I still think JT would have won. He definitely would have won against Erinn (as would Stephen and Taj). I think JT probably would have won against Taj if they were in the final two. I don't think the vote would have been unanimous for the win as it was against Stephen. Since JT was not only very popular with everyone, but an out there blatant kind of game player, he had it in the bag.
Both Stephen and Taj played a sneakier less physical game. Neither really rode coattails, both made some sound strategic decisions. But we know that because we're watching the confessionals throughout the season. The jury doesn't have the insight we have into strategies. Heck, even Erinn deserves some kind of recognition for gameplay as she made it to the final three despite the odds against her.
JT is one popular dude
So, JT won the million dollars plus the $100,000 from the fans' vote. He can go hire someone else to wrangle the cattle now, eh? I was pleased that Sierra and Taj were the other two in the top three for the fans' vote. I never did get why Sierra was treated so badly all season. The poor kid was in tears again on the reunion show. Thankfully, Coach won nothing.
Next season
It will be Survivor Samoa in the fall. Here's what I'd like to see:
- Please ... no delusional and obnoxious people like Coach. I'd rather he just vanish in the netherworld of bad reality show people.
- Fewer puzzles.
- We really need some fresh new challenges. I know it's hard to come up with new stuff, but so many challenges are treading trodden trails of past glories.
- Don't let the show winner win the prize from the fans, too. Share the wealth.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-18-2009 @ 8:30AM
GL said...
The jury always makes me sad during the final questioning. I realize they must be prompted to be dramatic, but the whole thing just feels foolish.
I hope I've seen the last of Coach.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 9:03AM
Guido said...
Disagree -- I loved Coach .. a show like Survivor that's been around this long needs a character like this. I hated him at first, but after awhile he became entertaining.
Loved JT - he deserved it .. and was perhaps the best player to ever play the game, both in challenges and socially.
# Fewer puzzles.
I agree here .. the problem with these is that as a viewer it's really hard to tell what's going on and with all the director cuts, it's impossible to know who's leading.
# We really need some fresh new challenges. I know it's hard to come up with new stuff, but so many challenges are treading trodden trails of past glories.
I actually thought this year was pretty good for new things. The final challenge was a real good one.
# Don't let the show winner win the prize from the fans, too. Share the wealth.
Agree 100% I never understand this. The prize was made up for players like Rupert that deserved to win, but got screwed out of it .. not for people that actually win.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 9:37AM
james said...
Yes I agree about Coach. He spiced things up. Think about it. How boring would survivor be if everyone just got along? The best movies have a villian that everyone loves to hate. Coach made the show entertaining and it lost all it's fizzle once he got voted off. I hope they have another equally entertaining character like coach next time..
5-18-2009 @ 9:49AM
cebijp said...
I agree that the challenges this year were new and fresh. The writer of the main article has confabulated her own reality spin.
5-18-2009 @ 10:22AM
secadal said...
I don't mind have an excentric (sp?) player on survivor, but not a Charlatan and phony like coach.
5-30-2009 @ 11:19AM
dustin said...
The reason they can't prevent the winner from winning the $100,000 prize is because the voting takes place before the actual winner is announced.
5-19-2009 @ 2:21PM
Susie said...
The challenges are always better when there is water around. Samoa should provide more interesting challenges.
5-18-2009 @ 9:35AM
susan said...
JT was my favorite along with Taj from the beginning...as far as coach he sure added color to the show..He's the guy everyone loved to hate..I have to say he cleaned up pretty darn well...
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 9:24AM
Sarah Coats said...
I have lived on American Samoa. I would like to know if the next Survivor will be on American Samoa or Samoa.
If you can answer, please let me know.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 9:39AM
HIMI said...
My wife and I are addicted to this show. It is fascinating to watch the inter action between people. Has it been 9 years ? I remember thinking what a stupid format srtanding people on an island what could possibly be interesting in that approach? I agree that the extra 100K should go to someone other than the big winner.
I know coach was off his rocker, but what were the true results of the kie detector test?
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 11:58AM
mairin said...
Coach seems so delusional, he seems to really believe his own line of BS. So he probably could pass a lie detector test.
5-19-2009 @ 2:21PM
Susie said...
It would not surprise me if the results of the lie detector were not real, just like Coach's tall stories. Also, they could award the $100,000 to the person who received the second most votes if the million dollar winner receives the most.
5-18-2009 @ 9:44AM
HIMI said...
Taj was a great lady. She deserved the 100K. Coach I was embarassed for him. I also worried that he might snap and go off on people. Strange dude.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 9:49AM
cab1 said...
The only problem with less puzzles is that the women won't get a shot at winning any of the challenges. They need to have more challenges that aren't so physical that a woman can win. The majority of challenges are won by men only because they challenges are too physical for women. Also, get a cast around the same age, like all in their 30's. That way the old people won't get voted out so early just because they are old.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 11:17AM
envelope said...
I disagree. I think a wide variety of ages makes it more interesting. Plus they don't always get voted out first... remember last season when Bob won?
5-18-2009 @ 10:02AM
Fran said...
Am so glad J.T. won----however I don't understand how someone with his morals could have gotten so close to Stephen, a wishy-washy little weasle.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 10:03AM
mrozzfest2008 said...
Whoa Coach theres one dude who is still suffering the effects of the brown acid at Woodstock. I think a GREAT PLACE FOR HIM TO GO NOW WOULD BE THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF CLERKS if they make a third movie. (He can bullshit Jay and Silent Bob)
J.T. did deserve the moola but I kept saying to myself that if he didnt keep his word and take Steven with him to the end, would he still have won the money? I hink so, but I don't think it would have been a sweep. Has anyone heard if there is going to be another all stars show coming up soon?
Reply
5-22-2009 @ 7:01PM
Jesse said...
Forgive me if I am wrong, but isn't one of the rules that no one can share their money or gifts with another player! JT is going on about sharing his bounty with Steve who was trying his best to shut him up! Right out in front of us, how outrageous. They should be beaten - including "Coach" and tossed out on their asses.
It was clear as day that some arrangement had been made. At least from where I am setting.
Are you just going to allow this??? Don't take my word for it, play the tape.
I was keenly disappointed and angry - YES, angry that we had been had. The ONLY good thing is that the Coach creap didn't get a thing - no matter how hard he tried. He is a true low life-er.
Sincerely,
Jesse Black
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 10:22AM
secadal said...
Don't know what "arrangement" you are talking about between JT and Stephen. In a previous Survivor, Cody made a deal with the eventual winner (can't remember her name) and she gave him a motorcycle. What the players do with their money is no one business, as long as they pay their taxes.
5-18-2009 @ 10:22AM
cdawg said...
I think he was talking about a "venture" with Stephen. Who says the winner cant invest in a friend's business or partner with him, so long as they don't just give the money away.
I do get that it is still "sketchy"...
I agree with a poster above that they should have the cast all one age. One season plus 50 would be fun too! but I'll disagree with him about women not being as physical as men. I could take out Stephen with one hand behind my back.
I'll admit that Stephen actually looked better than JT in the reunion show! Erinn was gorgeous, Sierra adorable, Taj skinny and pretty (HOW LOL was it that Jeff couldn't figure out which one she was in that SWV picture... um someone needs sensitivity training!)
I still miss Sugar.