Here we are at the finale for Season 27 with only four players left at camp and one to return from Redemption Island. My money's on Laura, but I could be wrong. With Survivor being renewed yet again for Seasons 28 and 29, if Tyson doesn't win this one he could be back again. I guess that'll depend on who he's up against in tonight's finale.
It's been 35 days since we started and only four days left. Tonight's episode opens with a recap of the past 35 days, complete with Rupert's switch, Colton's whining and numerous farewells. We get to rewatch the evictions and betrayals, right up to the last Tribal Council. Gervase, Monica, Tyson and Ciera are all that remain at the Kasama camp, while Tina, Hayden and Laura are getting ready for their final duel on Redemption Island,
The blue light evening special shows the four players discussing their decision to vote out Hayden. Ciera knows she needs her mom to come back, but she feels that whoever does can only help her. Tyson knows he needs to keep Monica tight to stay to the end but Monica has started to see the light. Hopefully it's not to late.
When Hayden arrives on Redemption Island the women are so surprised. He let's them know how he and Ciera tried to flip Monica and that he feels they were close. He's out but he's not done yet.
As morning comes on Day 36 it's time for the final Redemption Arena Duel. They all feel ready and I'm still betting on Laura, but these are all strong competitors. This final challenge has the players place one foot on a balancing board to balance a vase on the other end, when the vase falls they're out. As they start Laura looks a little shaky but she gets it under control.
At 15 minutes in Tina is rock steady, as is Hayden, but Laura's starting to lose it again as her vase starts to wobble. Distracted, Hayden loses his balance and he's out. Laura asks Tina to give it to her but there's no way. Tina has never won a duel but 30 minutes in and she's still solid. Laura is still wobbling. Laura becomes the sixth member of the jury and Tina wins. That looked like a hard challenge and well earned. Too bad for Laura and Hayden as they head for the jury.
Laura feels like she failed her daughter and doesn't feel she finished strong but she did great. Ciera was proud of her and how she played and thinks she played the best and she's sorry she's not the one returning. I'm sorry to see her go, (good thing there was no money involved on my end), but Tina has proven that she's no pushover. Tyson may need to rethink his game now that Tina is back in it.
Back at Kasama, Ciera feels alone without her mother, while Tina is happy to be back. She immediately starts looking for the Hidden Immunity Idol, climbing through the trees like a twenty year old. She's thinking an all mom alliance will get rid of Tyson and Gervase and she approaches Monica right away. Ciera thinks Tina is being too confrontational and may push Monica away. She's figured out that the way to work Monica is to appeal to her ego. Monica feels like she's been pounced on as they head for the Immunity challenge.
Ciera hands back the Immunity Necklace. For this challenge players need to pull on a rope that balances a table and retrieve 10 blocks to balance on that table. Tyson and Gervase are having a bit of trouble but the girls are all moving quickly through it. They all had four blocks when all three dropped them. Tyson has managed to take the lead with six blocks. Then seven. Followed closely by Monica and now Gervase, then Ciera. Monica and Gervase are at eight while Tyson is at nine. Complete patience as he slowly moves forward with his tenth block. Tyson wins.
Tyson's not ready to celebrate yet because he knows he still needs to maintain control. He's guaranteed a spot in the final four but that's not the win he wants. Ciera, on the other hand, knows she's on the chopping block unless she can flip Monica and Tina to vote out Gervase. A great plan as long as Tyson doesn't give him the Hidden Idol to guarantee both their safety. Decisions, decisions.
Everyone congratulates Tyson who really wants to keep his hidden idol as a souvenir. That may not be the best move. He discusses taking out Tina versus Ciera and Gervase feels he can beat either but Monica wants Tina to go first. Gervase doesn't trust Ciera and prefers her to go first because he feels she's a bigger player. Monica has been feeling bullied throughout this season and yet she still sticks with her alliance. Wake up girl.
Maybe she's had enough, because back at camp she pitches the idea of voting out Gervase to Tina and Ciera. Finally. No more lap dog. Let's hope they stick to the plan because it'll be a big surprise for the boys.
At Tribal, Jeff goes to Ciera asking if she went to Tina as soon as she arrived and she admits she did. Over to Monica who reveals that the girls came to her to take out the villain. Apparently these people learned nothing because once again they're all talking way too much. Ciera goes on about Tyson referring to Monica as his lap dog and of course Tyson denies it. Monica feels crushed listening to all if this and reveals that it's her time to make a move for herself and nobody else. Jeff admits those are scary words and Gervase is nervous.
Time to vote and with only five players it's pretty quick. Tyson's desire to keep a souvenir for his girlfriend rather than give the Hidden Immunity Idol to Gervase to save him could be a game losing decision . . . and a great time to break for commercial. Aaarrrggghhhh!
Okay we're back. Jeff asked for the Hidden Immunity Idol and while Monica prayed she made the right decision, Tyson gave in and handed it over. Gervase played the idol and Jeff read the votes. Gervase, Gervase, Ciera, Ciera. And with that she's the fifteenth member voted out and eighth member of the jury. At the end it's also revealed that Monica voted for Ciera, even after pitching that they all vote for Gervase. She feels she's in control of her destiny but they may as well just hand the money to Tyson now,
Tina is surprised to be there on day 38 and knows she needs to win today's challenge or it's game over for her. She and Monica appear to be bonding at camp and Tyson realizes the he no longer has the security of the Immunity Idol to keep himself safe. Time to step it up another notch, but based on how this season has played out he's probably in it to the end. His alliance with Gervase has been solid from the start and has carried them both to final four, but can it take them to final two?
The final Immunity challenge has players climbing the steps to the top of a slide. Race through a series of obstacles to collect two bags of puzzle pieces to solve a combination lock. Everyone gets their first bags pretty quickly and then their second. It's Monica and Gervase up the steps and down the water slide, then Tyson and Tina are heading up. They need to find six bags each. Tina's falling a little behind while Monica is maintaining a lead. Down she goes for her fifth and sixth bags, followed right behind by Tyson. Tina has slowed down and is a full bag behind everyone.
Once everyone's back up with their bags it's time to work on their puzzle.tina finally gets her sixth bag and slowly works her way up. Gervase is doing well on the puzzle, as is Tyson and Monica and quickly they pass Gervase. Tina's back in it but then slows down. Tyson has solved the puzzle but now has to solve the combination. Does he have it. Yes! Tyson has won final Immunity when he needed it most.
It will come as no surprise that Tina is likely gone at Tribal but she feels she can still try to get Monica to make a move and get rid of Gervase. Somehow I don't see that happening since every time Monica has had a chance to make a move she's decided against it at the last minute. Why should this Tribal be any different. Nice puppy.
It's congratulation time for Tyson again. They may as well get used to it. Monica's pretty proud of her blocking Gervase, and he's a little bummed out that she actually checked him. Now he needs to convince the jury why he's better than Tyson. Monica goes to Tina again to vote out Gervase because she's a bit pissed that Tyson never told her he had the idol, but I'm pretty sure he had told her already. Is she just trying to give Tina false hope? It really doesn't matter to Tina since she has no other options.
Monica still thinks she's making big moves but somehow I doubt it. At Tribal, the players come in followed by the jury. Jeff goes right to Tina to ask if she felt she needed to win. Tina reveals it was that or Plan B, Monica. Then Jeff brings up Monica checking Gervase up the stairs. Once again too much talking at Tribal, too much information revealed and even a big move is a good idea. What? Gervase, shut up.
Time to vote . . . Tina, Tina, Gervase, Tina. Once again Monica's big move is to do as Tyson says. He should get her a collar when he wins, and maybe a leash. The power now shifts to the jury and it's all a matter of who gives the best speech. As Hayden said, if Tyson makes it to the end he wins and I don't see how he can lose. Monica's gameplay has been crap, and Gervase would have been gone long ago if he hadn't allied with Tyson. Sure that may have been his big move but that's not outplaying anyone.
A beautiful sunrise on Day 39 as the final three wake to their final breakfast. They all have a right to feel proud to have made it this far but I really don't think that two of them would be there without Tyson. Interestingly there's no Walk of Remembrance for their fallen comrades.
Time for the final Tribal Council and it's Tyson, Gervase and Monica against the jury who decides who wins the title of sole survivor. Gervase starts with his speech on being the most deserving . . . Monica addresses the elephant in the room that she's not a lap dog and planned to be at the end with these two . . . Tyson knew he was entering the game with a huge target, and then throws in a few tears about his girlfriend being voted out, and says he did everything strategically and because Rachel made her sacrifice.
Now we flip over to the jury and it's time to grill the players. Vytas addresses Tyson and says he had no plan to take Tyson to the end and intends to stick to his plan not to give him his vote, he doesn't trust Gervase any further and questions his friendship with Monica. I think he's taking the game too seriously.
Katie has a question for Tyson as to why he was so mean when she was voted out by drawing rocks, he admits he felt bad about saying that jury seat was for her and wanted to apologize . . . which he does now.
Caleb to Gervase, what was his big move . . . Voting out Aras. Gervase admits the big moves came from him while Tyson took all the heat. When he talks to Monica she says she's been all alone without her husband. Boo hoo.
Ciera to Tyson, the villain . . . does he see himself that way. He says he never did anything personally, it was pure strategy. Gervase, were you ever going to vote out Tyson and he goes on and on and the end result was maybe, eventually, if it worked in his favor. Pretty wishy washy.
Laura goes for Monica about not knowing who she is, Monica gets defensive about feeling out of place and not liking her. Laura asks how that didn't devastate her and Monica says it did. Tears well up for both.
Tina asks for one word from each to describe their core essence, Monica-generous, Gervase-honourable, Tyson-fun loving. May as well have had them pick a number.
Hayden drills Tyson about where the idol was hidden, Monica about how much he loves her but wants to know what she feels the jury thinks of her. Hayden doesn't want to beat her up but she gets defensive again. They plan dinner
Aras finishes up with Gervase, prove why I can only vote for Tyson or Monica and Gervase says . . . Tyson. Monica, who made the best move and who do I vote for, . . . Tyson. Same to Tyson and he says to vote for . . . Monica. Interesting.
And that's it. Time for the jury to assess the information and make their decision. At this point it looks pretty much like either Tyson or Monica, sorry Gervase.
Tonight the jury is voting for the winner and we all know who that should be. Jeff thanks everyone for a great season and then tells them they'll have to wait until they return to . . . CBS Television City in Los Angeles and the live Reunion Show.Jeff reads the votes . . . Monica, Tyson, Tyson, Tyson, Tyson, Tyson. The winner of Survivor Blood vs Water.
Third times the charm.
What the heck, I'm still here and you're still reading so I may as well do a quick review on the Reunion Show. Gervase certainly cleans up real good but it didn't help him win. The entire group actually cleaned up nicely.
Jeff introduces the winner, Tyson, and we get the video clip compilation. He looks pretty humble about the whole thing. Jeff asks what was different and Tyson reveals that he had gone into the game so his girlfriend could have the experience and when she got voted out he used that as his focus to stay in the game. Rachel is surprised that he kept that focus.
Jeff asks about the emotional wear on everyone and Tyson says that nobody ever got much sleep other than Caleb. Jeff likes this new, focused Tyson. Jeff commends Monica on her dominance in competitions and we get the Monica compilation. Jeff says that as each episode aired Monica got more respect. Come on, she outlasted her husband.
Monica's kids weren't surprised by her performance. Jeff asks how hard it was for Monica to feel constantly attacked and she said it was very difficult. An audience member felt Monica played great and that sometimes even Brad was hard on her. Brad knew there was more than one bad-ass in their house long before Survivor.
Jeff turns to Gervase, why didn't he take a bigger leadership role. Gervase says initially he followed Aras and when Aras went Tyson stepped up so he followed Tyson. Gervase makes a good right hand man but he's not motivated enough to lead.
Jeff commends Ciera on her two big moves. He was surprised by her as he thought she'd be gone early. She comments that it took the revelation that she's four to make her move. He was impressed that she and Hayden could push the others to Rocks. Ciera's second big move was when she voted out her mom. She's outta the will. Just kidding, her mom was pretty proud of the strength it took to make that move. It gave them more respect for each other.
Jeff goes to Rupert, one of the most favorite players of the game and Colton, one of the most hated right after this commercial break. I hate when they do that but it does keep everyone watching.
We return to the scene where Colton quits and Jeff goes straight to him. Colton had an excuse for quitting both times and Jeff says he still roots for Colton as a person but as a player he has no respect for him. Time to redeem yourself or dig deeper. Colton figures that he always felt he needed others to take care of him and without them he freaks out. He finally realizes he needs to be enough for himself and not rely on others. Jeff asks what Caleb sees that everyone else misses and Caleb goes to his defence.
Over to Rupert, who sacrificed himself so his wife could play. Rupert doesn't regret that decision for a moment. He loves the game but his wife comes first. Jeff asks if Laura now has a new perspective on what Rupert has gone through and she admits she has.
Time for the teaser clip about next season and we get . . . a little competition clip, then a "B" moving towards us, then a girl exiting the water and another "B" moving at us . . . and that's it. Hmm. BB. Big Brother? All the contestants are ex-Big Brother players? Blonde Bombshells? Buff Bods?
Update on last years winner, Cochrane wanted to write and an hour after the show he was called by a producer, he moved out to LA to write for a new comedy series, The Millers.
It's Aras versus Vytas in a battle clip and Jeff starts with Aras. Jeff understands the brother relationship, having two brothers of his own. Aras feels their relationship is healthier but they still have a rivalry. Vytas reveals they had a fight the day they got back and didn't talk for two weeks. Jeff asks both Vytas and Hayden if they'd play again and hey both say yes. Hayden reveals that Survivor is a tougher physical game than Big Brother, but Big a Brother is more social.
Hayden and Kat are still together, even though she didn't make it to the merge, and so are Candice and her husband John (as if there were any doubt). They're still mad at Brad Culpepper. Get over it already.
When Tina and Katie returned from the island their shared experience helped them to deal with a personal tragedy at home. Tina's son was in a fatal car accident and died and she pleads to the audience to "please buckle up." Because of their relationship with everyone in the game and with CBS they both feel comfort in their arms and feel stronger for it. It's an odd way to find closure but everyone goes at it in a different way and everyone feels for their loss.
Jeff presents Tyson with his cheque for one million dollars and we wrap up Season 27. Next season Survivor 28 goes Brawn vs Brain vs Beauty. I guess I missed a "B." Sounds interesting and I'm sure we'll all be there.
So that's it. That's all I've got to review until after Christmas. I'd like to thank everyone who's been reading my posts and especially those who've commented. Feel free to follow my other blog postings over at my personal site www.gordonlgaleillustration.weebly.com to follow along on the evolution of the graphic novel that Wayne and I are working on. As soon as there's a new season of Amazing Race, or Survivor, or even Big Brother, I'll be back with more reviews and hopefully you'll all be here.
Here's wishing everyone a joyous holiday season, whatever you celebrate. Stay safe and I'll see you soon.