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'Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains' - 'Anything Could Happen' Recap (Season Finale)
by Jackie Schnoop, posted May 17th 2010 8:08AM
(S20E14) So, here it is -- the final showdown between four villains and the sole remaining hero in the epic season long battle of good versus evil on 'Survivor.' No, it wasn't quite like Stephen King's good versus evil epic 'The Stand.' (Although I think Russell could be Randall Flagg's lesser known cousin three times removed.)However, by 'Survivor' standards, this battle might have provided the most entertaining, unpredictable and exciting season yet. For me to say that after watching every episode of all twenty seasons, that's something you can't beat with a stick. So, did Russell fare better than Randall Flagg in the Stephen King novel? Read on.
I've been surprised by many of the castaways this season even though I thought I knew them well. Jerri Manthey came across as likable while James seemed quite mean. JT went from nice guy to King Doofus when he switched up his game and tried to think strategically. Oh, yeah, give Russell a hidden idol, great strategy there! Colby went from being a superior challenge winning Superman eye candy dude to a sad losing forlorn kind of guy. A few remained consistent -- Russell, Parvati, Rupert. That could be either good or bad, though.
The first part of the finale was somewhat predictable. If Colby didn't win immunity, we knew he'd be gonzo. I had been so looking forward to watching him this season, but he ended up being a huge disappointment. At least he actually played the game during the last immunity challenge, but too little too late. Parvati ended up balancing plates longer than him in the end. He knew it was over then and there even though he tried scrambling a bit for a Sandra ouster.
So then there were four villains remaining -- Sandra, Jerri, Parvati and Russell. I believe Russell might even be the shortest. Hey, maybe he's got one of those Napoleon Complex things going on! Once again, they made the Rites of Passage, a time to pay tribute to their fallen comrades in the game. This has never been my favorite part. However, they've improved it some over the years. I know they're not going to get rid of it, so I must endure.
I absolutely loved the maze which made up the second immunity challenge of the night! It was a twist on the regular mazes as the four finalists were blindfolded and going by Braille-esque guideposts to make their way through. The only one not having fun and laughing seemed to be Sandra. That's probably because she knew from Jeff's commentary that the others were ahead of her. Russell, Parvati and Jerri were all in reach of the goal at the end. Russell was the closest and snagged it, but any of the three could have won. I can't help but wonder if either Parvati or Jerri would have brought Russell to the final three. I think they would, figuring he's alienated the jury.
Then came their final tribal council before it's all handed over to the jury. Since Russell had immunity, it had to be one of the women who went. The one I personally liked the most this season, Jerri, actually played the weakest game of the three women. While Russell thought Sandra was the weakest player, she had some strategy going on. Then there's Parvati. Against the odds of being a target from the first day, she made it to the final four. What to do? Why, vote out Jerri, naturally!
Then there were three. The jury questioning might have been the weakest of many seasons. We had no real memorable speeches this time around. As the questioning went on, Russell had to be feeling the animosity towards him. Yet, he might not be really human as he just doesn't care. He's sure he's the best player ever and that's that, case closed. I think it was Rupert who might have swayed the vote towards his ex-ally Sandra. But she might have won it anyway -- they don't like Parvati and most seem to despise Russell.
When the live New York City show announced the jury votes, Russell didn't get a single vote to win. He looked like he was looking for an escape, yet managed to take over a good portion of the reunion show. Sandra won six votes to three against Parvati. Once again, Russell's way with his fellow human beings did him in. He can't quite grasp that he's not the best player since he made it to the end twice, winning neither time.
Russell did win the Sprint $100,000 fan vote. While he really is a despicable dude, I can tell you why he won it. For me, Russell has brought new excitement into what was starting to be a routine series. Sure, he's a bad guy. No, I don't always support the bad guys -- I'm usually on the side of good. Russell, akin to Richard Hatch when the show was fresh and new, resurrected that water cooler talk once again.
We were dumbfounded that no one voted him out even though they all knew what he was. We were shocked that the people he wanted gone got gone. If we didn't have Russell the past two seasons, the thrill of the unknown would have been lacking. He's not anyone I want to know, for sure. But he was the star of the show two seasons running. That's why he won.
A few random observations:
-- Rupert needs to lose that tie-dyed shirt and stop being so righteous. He's not all that.
-- Parvati looks so much better on reunion shows when she doesn't have that Eddie Munster thing going on with her hairline.
-- Sandra has never won a single challenge? Yikes!
-- Lots of dumb moves have been on the show. I don't know if JT giving the idol to Russell was THE dumbest.
-- Boy, Russell is even more overbearing and obnoxious in "real life."
-- As with Jerri, I'm liking Coach a bit more. But Jerri is more normal and Coach still has a few loose screws.
-- James thinks he was more social this season? Oh my.
-- I never get tired of Jeff Probst hosting the show and the reunion.
Next season's show will be set in Nicaragua. Also, the season premiere date for 'Big Brother' was announced during tonight's 'Survivor' -- July 8. Be there or be square. Oh, something like that.
| Yes, Sandra deserved it. | |
|---|---|
| Parvati played a better game. | |
| Russell was robbed. |
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