Survivor

View Date: 12/20/09

Tonight was the season finale, and we were treated with a recap of the entire season as is usually the case. Talk around camp was to still gun for knocking Brett out.

The first immunity challenge of the night consisted of racing across a series of obstacles to retrieve a bag of puzzle pieces. After getting the bag, they then had to run back and make their way up a very steep wall. Once up, there would be a table on which to complete their puzzle. The first person to complete their puzzle would win immunity. Brett won yet again, which means that an original member of Foa Foa would be joining the jury.

Back at camp, Russell decides to keep Natalie and debates between voting off Jaison and Mick. Both have their advantages and disadvantages for staying and leaving. This is probably the toughest decision Russell has had to make yet. Jaison was the one booted during the first tribal council of this episode, leaving Russell, Natalie, Brett, and Mick heading into the final immunity challenge.

The next day, the remaining members went on the walk to remember the members previously voted out of the game, and we got to see people that we really didn't remember because they left so long ago. After paying their respects and burning masks representing their fallen tribe members, the final four made their way to their final immunity challenge.

As the final challenge is almost always an endurance challenge, this time was no different. The team members had to balance a figurine on top of a small platform, then periodically add a 1 foot section of pole on which the platform was resting. Mick and Natalie were both knocked out at six feet of pole, while Russell and Brett successfully made it to seven feet. Russell was able to hold on long enough to win his first individual immunity, and it is almost a given that Brett is going home.

Russell did pull Brett aside and discuss options as to what might be done to keep him in the game, but he was eventually the one to be sent to the jury. That left Mick, Natalie, and Russell vying for the million dollars.

At the final council, the standard opening remarks were made by the final three, then the jury members got their chance. Some very interesting questions were asked and remarks made. Russell was probably his most honest and admitted to his manipulative ways.

Feckless!!!!!?

Natalie wound up winning this season, purely by riding the coattails of Russell.

10 words or less: Russell was robbed.