S35.E13: Million Dollar Night

[Whimsy]

Castaways compete in an all-new immunity challenge and a new twist is unleashed into the game.  Later, the finalists are questioned by the jury, who then vote for a winner. 

[Rachel RSL]

Our long national nightmare is finally over! God, this season sucked. I don't ever remember feeling such apathy towards a finale. I really didn't care who won, I just wanted it to be over.

The ridiculous amount of idols and advantages also helped make this season one of my least favourites ever. OF COURSE production gave Ben found another idol. I understand TPTB love the drama of idol-related blindsides, and I do too, but not when it happens all the time. I miss the early seasons when strategy talk was actually about strategy and not just people worrying about idols. Keep idols as part of the game if they must, but not so damn many of them. And get rid of the advantages entirely! That last advantage was fucking ridiculous and if I were a conspiracy theorist I would say it was concocted just to keep Ben from getting voted out. And I fail to see how that was, in any way, an advantage for Chrissy, it basically screwed up her game. If Ben isn't in that F3, Chrissy wins hands down. Poor Devon, that was twice he got screwed over by an advantage that wasn't really an advantage. Really, that was just some all around bullshit right there. 

Also something they need to get rid of entirely? Those annoying live segments where they throw to Jeff before commercials. More than half the cast won't get to utter a single word at the reunion show but, hey, let's waste time interviewing these random audience members. 

Question: If that last vote had been for Chrissy, it would have been a tie. What happens then? Would the tie breaker be the vote cast by that random girl who wrote on Jeff's back?

Season's over and I still can't figure out who Devon looks like. It will remain a mystery for all time.

Edited December 21, 2017 by Rachel RSL

[Eolivet]

"That's ....... not an advantage." --Chrissy at final 4

[MKL122788]

What a crappy ending to Survivor.

First off, in almost every final 3 season ever, idols were only allowed until day 36, which is the final 6 elimination.

EDIT: There actually has been a recent trending towards allowing idols on Day 37, but never has one been reintroduced into the game on Day 37.

Second, the twist was crappy and the timing essentially made it impossible for people to play around.

Third, both of these suspicious changes get put into place to conveniently protect the ultimate winner who didn't play a good enough game and had a 0% chance to win without said twists.

This is the first time where it really felt production had a favorite and rolled with it for the narrative they wanted to sell.

Chrissy and/or Devon got completely screwed by production here. No question about it.

Edited December 21, 2017 by MKL122788

[me5671]

RIP Survivor.  For me, this season was too manufactured to enjoy.  There were way too many hidden immunity idols and the last one was introduced far too late into the game.  That, combined with the suspect "advantages" have seriously undermined the strategy aspect of the show.  It's now more important to find advantages and dig up idols than it is to win (earn) immunity, vote strategically, or have a halfway-decent social game.  Plus, the new jury format was terrible.  It felt disorganized and people were talking over each other, making it difficult to follow.  And as for that Final Four twist... for me, the worst twist introduced into the game since Tony won the Tyler Perry Idol back in his first season.  Ugh, just horrible.  Bring back Survivor Classic, CBS!

[Whimsy]

Reminder- do not discuss the winner here. That discussion goes in the reunion thread since that’s where it is announced. 

[Lamb18]

I have to move my post to another thread but I thought announcing the winner was part of the episode and the reunion came afterwards.

Edited December 21, 2017 by Lamb18

[RedheadZombie]

Sometimes I'm not aware of who I'm rooting for until that person loses.  I've never liked Ben, yet I was devastated when he lost because he had one letter upside down.  Combined with the fact that he's the underdog and everyone is against him, and I found myself cheering when he beat Devon in the fire making challenge.

Chrissy really had to work hard for me to dislike her so.  Typically, the fact that a 47 y/o woman is a challenge beast and has the confidence to strut around in a bikini would have me cheering.  Instead, I find her extremely unlikable, and focus on how much I dislike her implants.

I was raised in a blue collar family, and I find that I typically root for the blue collar players.  Not always, but probably the majority.

[sadiegirl1999]

22 minutes ago, Eolivet said:

"That's ....... not an advantage." --Chrissy at final 4

It was to Ben! 

[Knuckles]

Given that I could not stand Chrissy and her "heroic mother" speech continued to simply annoy, I am still not pleased, even with the final 3. Ryan sucked, Chrissy annoyed and Ben found all the many hidden idols...so many, that I lost count. It was not an interesting season. And we never saw the amazing game play from Mike we were told existed. 

Too many lavish rewards, too many idols, too many engineered twists. The producers have improved the show into a bore.

[Paws]

Welp, I’m pissed. Even though the winner played an awesome game, the wi. Was manufactured by the “twist” that had no business being there. I’m not as disappointed as Kho Rong, but this was nothing like Jeremy’s win, even though it was patterned after it. 

[RedheadZombie]

Just now, Paws said:

Welp, I’m pissed. Even though the winner played an awesome game, the wi. Was manufactured by the “twist” that had no business being there. I’m not as disappointed as Kho Rong, but this was nothing like Jeremy’s win, even though it was patterned after it. 

I loved Jeremy.

[Paws]

1 minute ago, RedheadZombie said:

I loved Jeremy.

Me too! I was so excited during second chances I almost couldnt sleep and needed to look up spoilers to make sure he’d win. 

[Rowan]

I have never been so pissed after an episode of Survivor. I don't love Chrissy, but THAT was straight up bullshit. As if they didn't keep the Ben in the game with all the hidden idols, now they don't even let them legit vote  him out. Man, I've loved this show, but it just jumped the shark for me. 

[Whimsy]

31 minutes ago, Lamb18 said:

I have to move my post to another thread but I thought announcing the winner was part of the episode and the reunion came afterwards.

Nope. Jeff always announces the winner at the top,of the reunion. 

[violet and green]

I would have loved a Lauren win, but after she blew it, my allegiance shifted over to Ben who I'd had a soft spot for since his scene on the beach about That Which Must Not Be Named.

So I watched these eps with a lot, a lot of swearing! Watching Chrissie win puzzle challenges and then Ben lose his win in that last challenge over one overlooked detail, and almost winning it back and then Chrissie winning it, and then the Shitty Advantage she won along with it... I really loved the ups and downs, and given this was not my favorite season by a long shot I think they managed to bring the drama and fun into that edit.  I found myself actually gurning like an idiot I was so happy at one point.

I loved how Ben sprinted off into the darkness the moment he got back from his last Hidden Idol save at Tribal, to go and find another one... Such fun! Just seeing the dismay on Chrissie and Ryan's faces was worth the price of entry, as he pulled out yet another hidden idol, etc etc. Ha!

[Babalu]

1. The final immunity challenge was shown for about 45 minutes, or what felt like it. It was slightly tense for  two minutes, but it completely lost my interest a quarter of the way through. Most of that time should have been used for the reunion.
2. The final advantage was bullshit. The players who have made it to the final 4 should be the ones deciding who goes with them. Part of players’ strategy is figurIng out who they can beat at FTC and manipulating game play so that’s who they can sit with. AND Jeff said this is going to be the final twist next season, too.
3. I agree that the questions/answers from the jury and F3 weren’t handled well at all, with all the talking over each other, interrupting, and insults. They should go back to having one person talk at a time. 
4. I haven’t watched the reunion yet, but there was less than half an hour left, so I know I’m going to feel shortchanged.

A rotten ending to a rotten season.

[nutty1]

59 minutes ago, MKL122788 said:

What a crappy ending to Survivor.

First off, in every final 3 season ever, idols were only allowed until day 36, which is the final 6 elimination.

I’m pretty sure idols were always allowed until the final 5. 

Edited December 21, 2017 by nutty1

[MerBearHou]

I loved hearing what Lauren whispered about Ben and "those who served".  Very meaningful.

[lyric]

[MKL122788]

4 minutes ago, nutty1 said:

I’m pretty sure idols were always allowed until the final 5. 

There are a few times I believe idols were used in the F5 in seasons ending in the Final 3.

I think Rob Mariano played one in his highly suspicious season that he didn't need.. I recall Natalie getting out Baylor in the Final 5. I think once Tyson played one for Gervase. I don't remember if that was in the first F5 or the second, but I am fairly certain it was a Day 36 idol.

Sandra played her idol on Day 36 on the last day she could play it in the F6 in HvV. Most of the time, the final idol day was Day 36.

Only a few times has a Day 37 idol been allowed. Even fewer times played. And never has an idol been reintroduced on Day 37.

[GenerationX]

I would've been happier and more satisfied with a Chrissy vs. Devon vs. Ryan final three over what we got.  I would've been happier and more satisfied with this season with 5-10 fewer idols/advantages, too.

[Eolivet]

9 minutes ago, MKL122788 said:

Only a few times has a Day 37 idol been allowed. Even fewer times played. And never has an idol been reintroduced on Day 37.

I thought Adam found his idol on Day 37 (final 5). Speaking of "good stories production really hoped to see rewarded" ...

[MerBearHou]

Count me in the apparently very small camp of those who enjoyed this season's surprises, extra advantages, and twists.  I thought it put a bit of freshness in Survivor (I've watched every season) so I don't blame the producers for having some fun with it and producing more "gotcha" moments.  But my favorite moments in the season were Ben's tribals when he produced idols no one knew about.  Loved it every time!

[MKL122788]

5 minutes ago, Eolivet said:

I thought Adam found his idol on Day 37 (final 5). Speaking of "good stories production really hoped to see rewarded" ...

Yes, but it was reintroduced after Jay played it on Day 35. He went home on Day 36. So while the idol wasn't found until Day 37, it was reintroduced before that.

This is the first idol that has been played at a F6 and reintroduced on 37.

[TVFan1]

Very boring and bad season. So many idols and Ben happens to find every single one??? Highly suspect. Glad this season is over.

[violet and green]

He was out there digging like a dog in the dark! Fair props to him. The others may have looked, but they gave up.

[Ms Blue Jay]

1 hour ago, Rowan said:

I have never been so pissed after an episode of Survivor. I don't love Chrissy, but THAT was straight up bullshit. As if they didn't keep the Ben in the game with all the hidden idols, now they don't even let them legit vote  him out. Man, I've loved this show, but it just jumped the shark for me. 

Totally agree with you.  Not a fan of Chrissy, but this last "advantage" was CLEARLY to give Ben a chance to win the entire season.  In any other season after Chrissy won that immunity - which she won fair and square - that Immunity win would have been a guarantee that Ben would have been out of the game at that point.  Instead, I was immediately thinking how they were going to manipulate the game to keep him in.  And I say this as a big fan of Ben's.

I won't agree that any of his idol finds were manufactured though.  

Edited December 21, 2017 by Ms Blue Jay

[LadyChatts]

I'm more pissed for Devon than I am Chrissy getting what's really a non advantage.  He's the one who really got screwed out of the final 3 

Edited December 21, 2017 by LadyChatts

[Rachel RSL]

I still can't believe that, not only did they not allow people to vote at the most crucial voting time of the game, they're actually going to do it again next season. (Heh, the first half of that sentence happened in the episode and the second half of that sentence happened on the reunion. D'oh!) What's the point of creating alliances and having a good social game and having a solid strategy when it's all going to come down to who can make fire? I doubt Devon would have won but he should have been in that final 3 and Ben should have been voted out. That's how the game has worked for 34 seasons...you vote people out. How can TPTB possibly think this is a good idea? And this is right after Devon had just made that great game move by writing down Mike's name to save himself. I was impressed with that. 

Edited December 21, 2017 by Rachel RSL

[LadyChatts]

Just now, Rachel RSL said:

I still can't believe that, not only did they not allow people to vote at the most crucial voting time of the game, they're actually going to do it again next season. (Heh, the first half of that sentence happened in the episode and the second half of that sentence happened on the reunion. D'oh!) What's the point of creating alliances and having a good social game and having a solid strategy when it's all going to come down to who can make fire? I doubt Devon would have won but he should have been in that final 3 and Ben should have been voted out. That's how the game has worked for 34 seasons...you vote people out. How can TPTB possibly think this is a good idea? And this is right after Devon had just made that great game move by writing don Mike's name to save himself. I was impressed with that. 

I wonder if they're doing it next season just to say 'hey, we didn't do this because of Ben.'  What's going to happen is that people are going to be more about getting dragged to the end, less about playing the game.  That's the strategy for a lot of contestants already, but knowing you could be guaranteed final 3 without doing anything and make the case for being a goat?  I mean, what happened to them saying they were going to automatically go to rocks instead of a tie breaker from last season?  That doesn't work, so they can it without every really seeing how it would pay off, but with twists like these, no, let's just manipulate the outcome more.

Devon was the only one in the finale was a working brain.  I felt sorry for the guy, and I do think he had a decent chance of winning.  They could still prop Ben up and his history of PTSD without him winning.  They did with Zeke when he was outed as being trans last season.

[Lantern7]

Dull season, interesting ending. Once again, the series is drowning in twists. You'd think Burnett would have gotten the hint after a fan favorite got bounced in the stupidest way imaginable. I can't take away from Ben's win, but all of the gimmicks corrode the series and whomever wins it.

Seriously: Ben found two idols. Ben bailed himself out at two consecutive Tribal Councils with said idols. How the fuck does the tribe not follow him around from the second they return to camp?!? Honestly, sleep if shifts in you have to. Make sure he's not looking even when it's dark. Have eyes on him from the second dawn breaks. Four against one, the four has to act against the one as a single unit. Make sure he doesn't have an edge, win immunity instead of him, then chuck him over the top rope. How is that complicated?!? For the others' stupidity alone, Ben deserved the win. They were as dim as the three numbskulls that didn't make a move on Rob or Amber in S8.

Let's see . . . not liking the open-air debate, because "Outwit, Outplay, Outlast" is dated as hell. Not liking that the winner of final immunity being able to choose somebody to advance to Day 39. It also sucks for the schmuck chosen, because he might as well have "GOAT" branded on the forehead. Try this: instead of Ryan getting the bye, he gets a small advantage in making fire against Devon and Ben. Hey, it's another gimmick. Why wouldn't it work?!? Oh, and the Day 38 twist will be/has been used in S36. Once again: why does this series have a permanent place with CBS despite diminishing returns, while fans of The Amazing Race constantly sweat their show's future?

ETA: I don't think Ben got the game gift-wrapped. I just figure that he won because of the gimmicks, as opposed to idols marked "FOR MARINE USE ONLY" marked on them. With all of the twists, I don't thin we would have been satisfied with any winner. Even if Lauren got the win, she probably would have benefited from the twists, and the win would have an asterisk, which should apply to Ben. But I like him. Or at least tolerate him.

[Silver Raven]

Ben is an asshole. Please don't let him win.

Dammit, dammit, dammit.

Oh, boy, the final four "twist" is back next year.  Sigh.

I don't know that I like this jury free for all discussion thing.

Ah, here we are, Ben brings out the Marine corps and PTSD cards.

Cole is coming off as much more intelligent at the final than he ever did during the competition.

[ImpinAintEasy]

I feel like Devon wins if Ben is on the jury. In my opinion, he played the best game and deserved to win. He received one damn vote all season and he didn’t make the final tribal. Such bullshit. 

[princelina]

Ryan a superfan, yet can't make fire?  Joe Anglim won my heart not with his good looks or kind nature, but with his Day 1 remark that "when I found out I was cast, I googled it and practiced until I could do it."  FTR, I enjoyed this season and was happy Ben won.

[LadyChatts]

4 minutes ago, princelina said:

Ryan a superfan, yet can't make fire?  Joe Anglim won my heart not with his good looks or kind nature, but with his Day 1 remark that "when I found out I was cast, I googled it and practiced until I could do it."  FTR, I enjoyed this season and was happy Ben won.

I remember during Rodney's Ponderosa, Joe said he was trying to keep his cool because he wanted to tell Rodney that this is Survivor and he should have done his homework.  I tend to agree, not that practicing would do me one ounce of good, but I would definitely be trying to make fire, practice swimming, running, puzzle making, you name it.  I would probably still find myself on a pre jury trip somewhere, but I'd like to say I at least tried.

Edited December 21, 2017 by LadyChatts

[escatefromny]

The only way to watch the finale thase days is to use the DVR and start an hour late so you can FF through Jeff’s unnecessary hype and repetition of what we just saw.  And when will the producers learn that no one has any interest whatsoever in what some rando in the audience has to say about what we just saw.  

The little aside for the more popular players wasn’t a bad way to get their time in and do some audience service.  On the whole though, entirely too much filler in the episode.

[Jobiska]

Indeed, Ryan should have practiced making fire, but I have to admit I loved his line "I never thought not being able to make fire would get me into the final three."

[princelina]

2 minutes ago, LadyChatts said:

I remember during Rodney's Ponderosa, Joe said he was trying to keep his cool because he wanted to tell Rodney that this is Survivor and he should have done his homework.  I tend to agree, not that practicing would do me one ounce of good, but I would definitely be trying to make fire, practice swimming, running, puzzle making, you name it.  I would probably still find myself on a pre jury trip somewhere, but I'd like to say I at least tried.

Exactly!  You never know what will be your "million dollar moment", but you know that fire, swimming and puzzles will figure in somehow!

[Silver Raven]

Devon needs to be brought back for another show.

[princelina]

Haha I thought Devon had a very sexy devilish glare - hard to reconcile that with the hipster doofus he appeared at the reunion :)

[green]

2 hours ago, Lamb18 said:

I have to move my post to another thread but I thought announcing the winner was part of the episode and the reunion came afterwards.

You are right.  Silly to discuss the finale without the finale.  And Probst did his usual take the urn from Fiji and appear in LA without any commercial break.  He also did live stand-ups throughout the finale so seeing him live in LA doesn't make it the reunion.  Reunion means a return of the players.  AFTER the game is over.  The winner is part of this final episode.  No way can you not discuss this in the finale thread.  You'd have to be a lawyer-trained and spend an hour trying to talk around the final scene in the finale.

Editing said Ben was winning all along so no surprise.  The surprise was production had to throw in a last minute advantage to give him a chance for same.  He played a terrible game other than finding idols.

And at final tribal when he starts with home and marines and need the money crap there suddenly was the gentle plinking piano over it with violins coming in half way through to swell his scene and make us all love love love this guy.  Didn't work.  Just made me so pissed.  Man they shoved that guy down my throat all season long to the point that I can't stand him at all.

Chrissy out played him except for the dirt digging bit.  And twice he just kind of "accidentally" found a clue to the idol just when he decided he was giving up looking?  Yes he did look long and hard but those clues somehow magically appeared after he failed to find the idol and decided to give up?  Please.  And of course Chrissy's advantage was really Ben's advantage.  I've never bought into conspiracy theories ever on Survivor ... until now.

Hopefully Chrissy will be asked back since she was the real star player and was screwed over by production this season.

Edited December 21, 2017 by green

[LadyChatts]

In thinking about the new twist, it got me thinking about past final 3 scenarios and even outcomes that might have turned out very differently had they done this twist.  Somewhere Yau Man is yelling that he gave up a car as part of a deal to make the final 3 in Fiji.  

[303420]

Upon being presented with that "advantage," I think Chrissy's best move was to just pick Ben. Rob him of the opportunity to also be a fire-making badass.

I enjoyed this season. I liked seeing superfans play. 

[jumper sage]

2 hours ago, Rachel RSL said:

That last advantage was fucking ridiculous and if I were a conspiracy theorist I would say it was concocted just to keep Ben from getting voted out. And I fail to see how that was, in any way, an advantage for Chrissy, it basically screwed up her game.

So I am not the only one who witnessed yet another misogynistic Probstesque ending?  I was all like WTF?

[Paws]

I am Shocked, shocked, that things were unfairly  manipulated and votes denied so that a gruff man with some demons would win over an east coast blonde woman known for her smarts. Shocked I tell You!

[NeverLate]

19 minutes ago, 303420 said:

Upon being presented with that "advantage," I think Chrissy's best move was to just pick Ben. Rob him of the opportunity to also be a fire-making badass.

I enjoyed this season. I liked seeing superfans play. 

We really enjoyed this season. It's easy for some to be social, others are painfully shy. That's why I love survivor, and if I played, I would never play the mom card..nevah!!

I'd hope I would never be shrewish either..

[ItsJessMe]

1 hour ago, MerBearHou said:

Count me in the apparently very small camp of those who enjoyed this season's surprises, extra advantages, and twists.  I thought it put a bit of freshness in Survivor (I've watched every season) so I don't blame the producers for having some fun with it and producing more "gotcha" moments.  But my favorite moments in the season were Ben's tribals when he produced idols no one knew about.  Loved it every time!

You're not alone!  I adored Ben, the entire season, and Chrissy made my skin crawl.  And I found all the twists fresh and fun.

[Lantern7]

21 minutes ago, jumper sage said:

So I am not the only one who witnessed yet another misogynistic Probstesque ending?  I was all like WTF?

 

16 minutes ago, Paws said:

I am Shocked, shocked, that things were unfairly  manipulated and votes denied so that a gruff man with some demons would win over an east coast blonde woman known for her smarts. Shocked I tell You!

I don't think the producers would rig things for Ben and Ben alone. I mean, maybe an investigation is in order, but I don't think Burnett would get into trouble. I will note that I can't think of a better ending for Probst. You know he had been fantasizing being so close to Ben . . . the cowboy hat poking his forehead, the whiskers scratching his face, and him constantly thinking, "Don't call him 'Colby,' Don't call him 'Colby,' Don't call him 'Colby' . .  ."

[BTBAM310]

I've watched every season but 2, and with that twist "advantage" to help Ben, i'm done.  Never watching another episode again. That's like something the NFL would do if they didn't get a desirable Super Bowl matchup - rig it to where the more popular team wins (see SB XL, where they helped their beloved Steelers beat the Seahawks).