After my much-needed coffee....
Ben won Survivor!
I am not excited. I think there were too many times he found hidden immunity necklaces. I personally think this was a set-up almost every time. I am disillusioned with CBS. I have been a Survivor Fan since the beginning.
Even though I didn't like Chrissy at all from the very beginning, I personally felt she deserved to win this season.
When Jeff said that an underdog wins one of the two back-to-back filmed seasons, I thought he really meant an underdog. IMO, Ben was not an underdog at all. He ran the show right up until his last alliance turned on him...and then...wow....he kept finding idols! WOW!!!
Recap:
Day 37
Ben has been wandering around all night while the others slept. And just, just as he was about to give up....lo and behold....he finds the X and digs up the immunity idol.
The challenge today was a combination Reward and Immunity. It was physically challenging in the water, followed by solving a puzzle.
Chrissy won her third individual immunity.
She takes Mike and Devon as her guests for her comfort food reward.
Ryan is disappointed. Ben shrugs it off.
Chrissy later tries to deceive Ben with her old super idol that she never played/Ryan's idol clue. He obviously knew it was fake; he already had found yet another idol early in the morning....how fortuitous!
Tribal Council Night 37
Chrissy pulls out her "immunity" necklace and puts it around her neck. Ben smiles. Lots of talk back and forth....time to vote.
Ben plays his idol....SHOCKER to the rest!
Vote was tied between Mike and Devon.
Revote.
Mike voted off.
What's your reason for being on Survivor?
To teach my kids to follow their dreams wherever they take you. When opportunity comes knocking, answer the door.
Why do you think you'll "survive" Survivor?
I've been a fan since Season 1 so I understand how the game has changed. I am smart, I am strategic, and I am social. People will be hugging me as I vote them off.
Sorry, Mike. I really thought you were the underdog, but you didn't win anything. You were smart, strategic, and social. (((cyber hugs from lf)))
I loved the term: BenBomb! -- appropriate!
Back at camp
Final four!
The others grudgingly congratulate Ben for yet another blindside....
Day 38 Final Immunity Challenge
...with a twist...
The winner is given a final secret advantage to play at tonight's final Tribal Council.
This was the most exciting challenge, IMO, of the season. It's worth seeing it again.
Delicately balancing narrow letter blocks on a three-level beam which had to be locked with the foot each time a player had to retrieve more blocks, it was easy to jar the blocks and have them fall.
Blocks were to spell Heroes Healers Hustlers in three vertical rows.
Ben finished first...was absolutely elated...until 
Jeff announced that it was not correct! Ben looks disbelievingly at the upside-down U in the word HUSTLERS. So....unlock...blocks fall....Chrissy catches up....everybody scrambles...more blocks fall....Ben almost gets in...but Chrissy wins!
She won her 4th individual immunity and has tied the most won by female contestants.
I wonder how long that challenge actually lasted? I hope they repeat it in future seasons.
The Twist: At the final Tribal vote, Chrissy must choose one person to take to final three; the other two much perform the classic fire challenge. She tells Ryan and Devon, and Devon is geared up for the challenge; he understands that Ryan could never win against Ben.
So....all is set, right?
Nope!!!
Ben wins the fire challenge (impressively so).
Good-bye Devon, final member of the Jury.
Why do you think you'll "survive" Survivor?
When everyone is too busy either loving me or underestimating me, I am going to be picking them off one by one until I am the Sole Survivor! Every single Immunity Challenge is mine. I will have everyone's vote at the end because they all will love me so much.
Too boastful, Devon. Sorry!
Day 39
The final three wake up to a lovely breakfast.
At final Tribal the three are grilled by the Jury with answering how they managed to Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast everyone else.
Ryan and Ben were eloquent; Chrissy looked panic-stricken at times; she focussed on her social game, as did Ryan. Ben talked about PTSD and how he has had difficulty for the last 12 years and that the Survivor experience was really helpful for him.
When the Jury members voted, the show featured three jurors with their votes, so we knew that each finalist got at least one vote.
Now, on to last night's finale...
Ben ~ 4 votes
Chrissy ~ 3 votes
Ryan ~ 1 vote
I couldn't watch any more.
So I missed the trailer for Season 36, which I assume starts in February.
Addendum:
1) Ryan: Why do you think you'll "survive" Survivor?
I feel like I can get along with a variety of different people because I have knowledge of different topics. Without question, I am there to win and I will use relationships to get to the end yet I will do it in a way that ensures I'm liked enough to get votes.
Smart strategy. Didn't work in the end.
2) Chrissy: Why do you think you'll "survive" Survivor?
I am smart but lovable and for whatever reason people like to help me and do things for me which has led to great success. I get along with everyone, work hard, and always think "I know I can do it!"
IMO, you were not lovable at all, Chrissy. Great positive attitude, that I'll give you.
3) Ben the Winner: Why do you think you'll "survive" Survivor?
Because I have survived and overcome so many situations and met so many different people with different personalities. My social game is on point and my leadership and survival skills have been tried, tested, and proven.
No social game but he did outwit, outlast, and outplay everyone else.
Enough said.
[This message edited by looking forward at 10:31 AM, December 21st (Thursday)]
