Survivor finale! (Spoilers)

[SWBaxter]

I think that Rafe was a lock to win against Steph for precisely the reason that we've both cited: She was perceived as the "back stabber", not him.

I don't really see that working so well for him, since he stabbed all the same people she did (and said as much at the final three tribal council). Steph probably had Judd and Jamie voting against her no matter what, but the other votes could've gone either way and it's not impossible she could end up with four of 'em. Still, I think he probably would've beaten Steph just on the strength of it being her second shot at the game. That's the only scenario under which I think Steph had any chance at all, and it's a longshot. It's also the only scenario under which I think Rafe could've won, barring a massive rewind to change the final four - Danni would've beat him by a similar margin as she beat Steph, and Lydia most likely would've had a decently easy win once Steph and/or Danni tell Judd and Jamie that Rafe was not exactly a wallflower in the various backstabs.

So it sounds to me like once they booted Lydia that Rafe had at least a 2/3 chance of winning.

Perhaps, but I don't think it was anywhere near that high. And keeping Lydia while booting Danni all but guarantees a Rafe vs. Steph final (since Lydia wasn't going to win the final immunity, and neither Rafe nor Steph would take her to the final two), which would've been Rafe's best shot anyway. And hey, even if he screwed up massively in front of the jury and Steph took it from him, $100K isn't a bad consolation prize, all things considered. I'm quite sure Steph was pretty happy Danni decided to give her the $100K over Rafe.

Hmm, I wonder if she'll get a Rupert-style "here's a million for getting good ratings" prize at some point?

But his biggest blunder was that when she DID win, he didn't run up and give her a huge hug and say, "We made it! We made it!" thus strongly encouraging her to keep her word about their deal.

Yeah, that's part of his "too nice to win" problem. Certainly not his first blunder, but a big one nonetheless.

 

[Silver Moon]

We blew it. Watched the whole season every Thursday night and then yesterday got all caught up with Christmas stuff plus our weekly Sunday night game and totally spaced that the finale was on. Bummer.

If anybody has a videotape of the 3-hours that they'd be willing to mail to me please drop me a PM over on the www.randomlingshouse.net board. I'll happily reimburse you for the cost of the tape and postage.

 

[John Crichton]

That was a fun season. I was routing hard for both the girls (mostly Steph, left over from last season I guess) and had no problem with them being in the final two. I was actually kinda shocked that Danni made it that far. If I was in Rafe's shoes I would have gotten rid of Danni instead of Lydia when they were down to 4 but that wasn't his game.

All in all, when it really came down to it I did not want Lydia to win. I liked her a bit but the hanger-ons making the final 2 always annoy me. The ones who play the game hard from a strategy standpoint who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty are the ones I usually route for and like to watch. She would latch on to anyone she could and just get dragged along for the ride. Danni at least had some strategy going on and won a few critical immunities. I thought she was more dangerous than someone like Bobby John when it got to the late game. The last immunity is ALWAYS an endurance/balance test of some type and she showed (plus her body type) that she could beat any of the men in that kind of challenge. And if it wasn't for her long legs (the one advantage she had over Steph) it would have been Steph/Rafe in the end where Steph still would have lost, IMO.

But yeah, this season had some great personalities in it. Gary, BJ, crazy Jamie and the final four were all fun. Not a bore in the lot. That's about as much as you can ask for.

I agree with the comments here about next season, too! That looks really cool and I hope they switch things up a bit. Then they can go back to the regular formula for a season when the new host takes over for Jeff next year. I like Probst, he is Survivor to an extent and he understands the game. I hope they find a way to keep him around or at least find someone who can be as calm and probing at tribal.

Grrrr. I hate liking this show...

 

[Rel]

Then they can go back to the regular formula for a season when the new host takes over for Jeff next year. I like Probst, he is Survivor to an extent and he understands the game. I hope they find a way to keep him around or at least find someone who can be as calm and probing at tribal.

Are they replacing him? My wife told me while we were watching that he had signed on to keep doing the show for a "ridiculous amount of money".

 

[Cthulhudrew]

Are they replacing him? My wife told me while we were watching that he had signed on to keep doing the show for a "ridiculous amount of money".

Jeff Probst signs new two-year 'Survivor' hosting contract

 

[John Crichton]

Are they replacing him? My wife told me while we were watching that he had signed on to keep doing the show for a "ridiculous amount of money".

Sweet. I haven't really been following it. Last I heard about 2 months ago was that he was leaving. Good to know he'll still be on. Would be a mistake on his part to leave. He's sorta like the new Bob Barker for the show.

 

[Rel]

Jeff Probst signs new two-year 'Survivor' hosting contract

I knew that if I spent twelve seconds typing my post above that somebody would save me the eight seconds of googling it would take to find the answer. Thanks!

 

[devilbat]

I had Steph in the office pool. It was the only reason I was cheering for her.

Survivor quote of the year: "You can get her autograph after the show". Gary referring to the starry eyed players attitude towards Steph.