Well, here we are -- season finale time. All but two castaways from the start of the season remain in the game. That's so to speak, I guess. While it's been interesting, it's definitely not a "twist" I hope to see repeated. We have five castaways playing the game with thirteen (!) more over in Extinction. One will be coming back tonight. And, they will need to get rid of three to get to the final three. Um. Okay. Whatever.
I'll be live blogging the major events as tonight's show airs here on the East Coast. Please refresh this page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area -- feel free to join in on the fun!
Lifeguard Laurie has been diligently watching y'all in the blog pool. Here are the latest standings:
Gavin Whitson -- Brenda, KelseyNY
Julie Rosenberg -- Delee, MikesGirl
Lauren O'Connell -- Brian, Krysta Gibbon, Sharon N.
Rick Devens -- Auntie Leigh, Merrilee
Victoria Baamonde -- Indiana Jane, Karen in VS, SueGee
Jury & Extinction
Reem Daly -- David, Terry is a Texan, Sharon C
Chris Underwood -- Glenn Allen, Laurie
Aubry Bracco * -- Cheryl in NC, Margo, Petals
Eric Hafemann -- Bizaro22, Pinky, Shannon
Joe Anglim * -- Carol C, Kismet
Julia Carter -- Donna in FL, Monty924, Jennifer
David Wright * -- Dr_Celine, PDX Granny, Renee Buck
Kelley Wentworth * -- Donna in NY, Jenna G.
Dan DaSilva "Wardog" -- Jackie, Nana in the NW
Ron Clark -- Cherry Pie, Judi Sweeney, Rochelle
Aurora McCreary -- Ed in Ohio, marthalight
Let's see how the largest show jury will decide ...
I guess they'll never film the finale in NYC again. They used to rotate between CA and NY.
We open up with a challenge for the extinct. Tied to a rope, through rope maze, obstacle course, untie knots, across a rope bridge, table maze, first to drop two balls gets back in the game.
Wardog, as usual, is lagging behind. He talked such a good game! Ron is slow, too.
Joe, Eric and Aurora are leading. Aurora has one ball in. Joe has one in. Chris has one in.
CHRIS WINS AND RETURNS TO THE GAME!
Jeff sits them all down and tells them that this was a social experiment. He starts off asking Reem her darkest moment. He then asks Joe and the theme seems to be never quitting for him. Onto David and what it's meant for him. He seems to think there's no place like home. Julia is grateful and now realizes how strong she is. Eric is all about his kids and not quitting. Aubry reminder of your true character. Kelley says she thought it was about game, not people and now realizes it's about who you are, not that you win.
They get to not go back to Extinction but only Chris will play the game. Lots of tears.
Live, Jeff calls Joe out. His hair is not in a man-bun. It's wild. Jeff asks him if a player like him can ever win? He asks if he might come back. He does have a feeling he'll come back.
Chris hasn't even met some of the others. He tells them he does have information if people want to come talk to him. Thinking about it, he does have how the jury is leaning. He doesn't want to be immediately voted out. Victoria doesn't know him, but is worried about the two that do know him. He immediately teams up with Rick. But, since Rick backstabbed him before, can it last?
Chris also knows Lauren has an idol (because Kelley told him on Extinction). She's a bit leery. I think she's been a fairly strategic player. She's seriously thinking of trusting him.
Time for the first Immunity Challenge. Race through obstacles, across balance beam, collecting bags along the way, solve combination lock, puzzle. There is a reward of steak and chocolate cake for dessert.
Chris is doing poorly, but coaching Julie.
JULIE WINS IMMUNITY!
She chooses Chris to go with her because he has never had Reward, nor even the merge feast. She then chooses Lauren as the second. That choice now has the others "very wary."
Julie tells us that she invited Chris to try to get Rick out of the game. Chris advises a split between Rick and Victoria because the jury thinks they're best for the end game.
Victoria is telling the others that Chris needs to go because she thinks he'll work with Lauren and Julie. Rick isn't really keen to vote out Chris, but doesn't really trust him. He says he will be playing his idol tonight no matter what. He needs to know if Rick is working with him or against him.
Rick and Chris talk. Chris tells him that he's loyal to him. Rick brings up the bag from Extinction … which contains the half of an idol like we had before. He gives Rick the half-idol. Chris tells Rick that Victoria is on the line. He tells us that he wants Lauren to play her idol for him. She says if Rick plays his, she will.
It's off to Tribal and Jeff's Probsting questions. He first asks Chris how he's adapting. Jeff brings up that Rick was ticked when Julie chose Lauren instead of him. Then he cries. Victoria thinks there's someone other than the easy vote Chris to go. Rick says it's him. Time to vote.
The tally … Rick plays his idol. Lauren plays her idol for Chris.
Rick, Rick, Rick, Chris, Victoria, Victoria
Victoria is gone. She tells Gavin she will vote for him.
In the middle of the night, Rick is up idol hunting. He put two fake idols out there with the notes from the real ones he had previously found. He found the real one! He gives Chris back the half, so now it's Chris and Rick with idols going into the final four. Julie thinks since two idols were played, there has to be another one. Julie finds an idol. Is it the fake? Lauren finds a scroll directing to an idol. (Rick's?) and gets the idol from there. Yep, Rick tells Chris that's a fake one.
Immunity Challenge time. Way up over the water, race over obstacles over the ocean gathering bags, solve puzzle.
Gavin and Chris are in the lead. Chris drops behind. Gavin and Rick in the lead.
RICK WINS IMMUNITY!
Rick is beside himself with joy. He knows that they were all after him. He tells us both the Julie and Lauren idols are his fakes. He wants to play his idol on Chris if Gavin takes him final three and doesn't do a fire challenge. So, he's getting them to vote Chris who has a real idol. Julie is thinking since there were three idols, her own might be fake. Rick and Chris must decide which person will go home. The power is in their hand. They are tossing between Julie and Lauren.
Off to Tribal once again. Jeff talks about Rick's 4th immunity win and asks if it's due to the target on his back. Chris says he hopes his new bonds will get him through. They're talking about all the IFS going on. Trust issues are going on.
Time to vote …
The tally --
It's the last night to play idols.
Julie tries to play the fake idol. Nope, no go. Lauren plays the fake idol, nope for her, too. Rick plays his real idol for Gavin. Chris plays his real idol for himself.
Chris, Chris, Chris, Lauren, Lauren.
Lauren is still giggling about all the fake idols and says it was so well played. She goes off wishing the others good luck.
The final four are Chris, Rick, Julie and Gavin. Both Chris and Rick were voted off before and won their way back in from Extinction.
Immunity Challenge time once again. Negotiate rocky walkway balancing blocks on a rope suspended pole, first to spell Final Three wins. Rick is doing horribly. Chis is leading. But, if the blocks drop, they have to start all over. He has all his blocks up and is retreating to the start.
CHRIS WINS IMMUNITY!
He gets to choose who will sit next to him and which two will fight for the third slot in a fire-making challenge.
Rick is a bit worried about Chris having control. He doesn't want to do fire. They do have practice time with the fire. He tries to convince Chris. Not so convincing, Chris thinks that Rick would be the million dollar winner over anyone. Chris is working with both Gavin and Julie to improve their fire skills. He wants them both to stand a chance to beat Rick.
Going into the final Tribal now.
Both Gavin and Julie say they'll go fire. Gavin wants to go against Rick.
Chris wants to have no regrets. He gives his necklace to Julie and HE will do fire against Rick. Wow. Julie and Gavin will be a part of the final three.
CHRIS DOES IT! HE'S IN THE FINAL THREE! Well played.
Rick Devens is now on the jury. Jeff talks to him live and Rick gets a standing ovation from the crowd.
Gavin, Julie and Chris are enjoying the fancy feast of a breakfast. Julie tells us she thinks she got to the final three because of the relationships she formed. Chris pleads his case to us. He doesn't have to convince me. At this time, he deserves the win in my opinion. Then Gavin wants us to think he's such a strong social player and adaptable.
Tribal jury time …
Outwit -- David asks strongest ally. Gavin says Victoria Chris says Rick. Julie says Ron and Eric and a secret relationship with Lauren. Chris is asked about social relationships on Extinction, he says providing food. Gavin says his social game was his strategic game. He denies being anyone's goat. Julie says she was going to use her emotional weakness as a strategy. Julie seems to be knocking some of the jury in pleading her case. Hmm. She needs to shut up. Gavin and Aubry click.
Outplay -- Rick wants to know why so few found idols. Gavin said he looked a little. Rick wants to know if Chris had any advantages coming back. Chris brings up the final move. He also says you can't screw people around. His relationship with Rick was real. Gavin disagrees. Gavin is acting like Extinction is nothing. Wardog says it's about people playing better.
Outlast -- Gavin says pretty much what he told us. He was playing for his family. Chris wanted to play a perfect game but got blindsided. When he came back he had to do the best move every time. Julie goes on about the life-changing personal journey.
Time for the vote, but a commercial first.
Finally to the live show. We'll be in for a short reunion bit tonight. Just over a half-hour left.
The tally …
Gavin, Chris, Gavin, Chris, Gavin, Chris, Gavin, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris …
Yep, I called it.
CHRIS WINS!!!
Congratulations blog pool winners Laurie and Glenn Allen!
Reunion tidbits --
David Wright and Cochran are writing the CBS All Access Star Trek show
Jeff finally mentioned that he always calls Kelley "Wentworth."
Gavin again says "whenever" in place of the correct "when."
Rick wins Sia's award of $100,000. (She's done that a few seasons now.)
Next season will be …
Survivor: Two winners return Sandra and Boston Rob. Won't be competing, live on own island and mentor new players. Boot Camp. Survivor: Island of the Idols.
