Survivor

Survivor Finale Recap: The War Is Over — Who Won $2M and Became the Series' Second Two-Time Champ?

Thirty-nine days, 20 people… and the largest jury Survivor has ever seen. (Oh right, and one Sole-Surviving multi-millionaire!)

Winners at War’s Wednesday-night finale delivered the goods, crowning one cunning castaway with a fat $2 million check. But the road was not easy. An Edge of Extinction player’s epic return reshuffled the deck, as alliances were tested (and re-tested) en route toward an explosive final three. So who was able to outwit, outplay and outlast? Let’s recap and discuss!

EDGE CHALLENGE | We waste no time, diving straight into the battle back challenge. Edge players must race through fence and post obstacles, dig to find ropes that will help them build a bridge, and then sink two balls on a table maze. Despite her three advantages in the challenge, Natalie loses her huge lead by getting caught in the ropes. She catches up to Wendell, but Yul and Parvati aren’t far behind. At the table, Wendell is the first to sink a ball, but Natalie eventually takes the win.

Back at camp, Nat knows the target is going to be directed toward her. She also knows she can spin whatever lies she wants. She starts by telling the tribe that everyone on the Edge is on the Tony bandwagon. Tony knows she can be lying, but for the first time, he looks scared.

IMMUNITY IS BACK UP FOR GRABS | In the episode’s first immunity challenge, players race through obstacles to collect bags of puzzle pieces one at a time. Then, they must climb up a tower and slide down a waterslide after making the drop. The first person to finish a three-tiered puzzle after all bags are collected wins. Ben is the first to the puzzle, but Natalie is hot on his tail. Michele is the last to get back, but the first to complete the first tier… and the first to finish, winning her second immunity in a row. Never underestimate an underdog, y’all.

Over rice, Natalie straight-up tells Tony she’s going to look for an idol (HA!), which stirs Tony up even more. Ben tells us he’s learned from his mistakes, and he refuses to see Denise as a number because she’s his friend. Aww. Natalie and Michele want to shake up the game by splitting up the other four. Tony sees it coming, but can’t convince Sarah that Natalie might have an idol.THE TRIBE HAS SPOKEN | Jeff’s first question is about Natalie’s return, and the “easy vote” of just getting rid of her. Ben mentions that with Natalie, there’s no fact-checking her; anything she says can be true or false. Sarah calls Nat’s return a “blessing” (is it though?). She mentions Survivor‘s highly talked about gender bias, where women are often bashed when they play aggressively, but when men do it, it’s great gameplay. “The biggest weight that’s held me down for two years has been lifted, and it feels great,” she says. Jeff even recognizes his own bias he’s had over the years, which honestly, is about damn time. “You can start calling me Lacina,” Sarah jokes. This is a moment that needed to happen after 20 years of Survivor. Kudos, Sarah. Excuse me, Lacina.

Natalie goes hard at Tony, telling Jeff she told the women they’re giving Tony $2 million. Look, I love Tony’s game this season, but finally, someone is making him sweat! Before the votes are read, Natalie plays her idol, which causes Tony to play his. Then, Ben plays his! It’s a royal flush of idols! Four votes come in for Nat, and none of them count. Neither do two votes for Ben. We go to a re-vote, leaving only Denise and Sarah on the chopping block, and Mama D becomes the next member of the jury.

Immediately after tribal, Tony hunts for the new idol, but when the sun comes up, everyone joins him. Tony’s hustle is impressive, but Natalie beats him to the punch. A successful idol flush and a new idol? Nat’s on a tear.

IMMUNITY #2 | Players must navigate an obstacle course in the water, collecting a key that will unlock sandbags. Then, they have to crawl under a net and land two bags on a target. Ben and Natalie are the first to make it to the target. Even though Ben is the first to land a bag, Tony comes from behind and takes the win.

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