Ball balance challenge - Malcolm can drop it once and he's still in the challenge.

LAST EDITED ON 12-16-12 AT 10:48 PM (EST)

holding ball balanced on still held pressed between two handles. Drop the ball and you are out.

Each round add pieces of wood.

Malcolm's reward is a second chance.

This will be a tough challenge!

All made it through

Malcolm dropped his ball - they're starting round 2 again with Malcolm on the same page as everyone else.

Malcolm first to drop (what was he doing lifting it up?) but gets to use his reward.

Challenge back on and Malcolm really struggling.

This reminds me of the balance ball challenge that Skupin won. I am thinking he will win.

and Malcolm is first out.

Denise is out second.

Denise out too. Lisa or Skupin will win.

Lisa barely held on, but made it to Round 4.

Lisa drops in round 4.

Malcolm - he was shaky through the entire second round.

Lisa out, and Skupin wins the final IC.

Malcolm really stunk at that challenge. Surprised Denise didn't do better -- I would have thought with her arm strength that she'd excel.

So Skupin's trash talking on twitter was true -- he is the challenge champ. This also explains why Pete and the guys are cracking up when they walk into the final TC -- I'm sure none of them expected Skupin to be wearing the immunity necklace.

The IC will be the same IC that they did after Fans vs Favorites. Amanda won that challenge.

See them arriving at IC...Malc and Skup zoom ins...Malc gives the IN back to Jiffy. For the last time, Immunity is back up for grabs. Each have a wooden cylinder, on his go, balance a ball on the middle piece, after so much time, add more wooden pieces making it more difficult. At last RC Malc won advantage, and skup says he doesn't need it. The advantage is a SECOND chance. If at any time, Malc drops his ball he gets another shot to start over!

They start. Pick up handles agaisnt the first piece of wood, then pick it up. Challenge is on. Keep the ball balanced, simple backyard game could be worth a million bucks. Everybody looks really solid. Survivor 30 seconds, Malc wobbles, recovers. Safe after first round, add 2 more pieces of wood, this is more difficult. Starts, lift...Skupin is shaking, jitters, Denise nice adjustment. Lisa is rock solid. And Malc drops his ball. Malc now gets his opportunity, resuming this round...Malc is very shaky...Malc is shaking, saves it, Malc is really shaking, visibly....and he's OUT! And, he walks off pissed, takes a deep breathe...he is so bummed!

All the rest are steady. Denise is OUT! Now they are down to 2...Skup and Lisa survive another round. Move on to next round. Hear Malc say, come on Skup! Down to Lisa and Skup battling for final immunity necklace. I bet anything that Lisa is winning this! Down to 30 seconds, Lisa is wobbling....both safe in this round.

2 more pieces added in next round, lifting....Skup or Lisa will go to TC wearing the necklace. YOu want to be the one in charge. Skup is adjusting...Lisa has a little bit of movement....Skup is jiggling....and LISA chokes! Skupin wins immunity. Skup gets a chance to finish what he started! He's all smiles! Safe at tonights final TC. Skup says he never thought he'd hear Jiffy say that. One of the other 3 will be the last member of the jury!....Skup walks off with Malc patting his back and his arm is around Lisa....

Just wanted to write that Jeff said best story wins, Mike said he had the best story twice and now, with IC, his story is even better.

Nope, it wasn't a good story as it turned out.

Mike tells Denise it would be so honorable to beat Malcolm, the best of the best, as opposed to Denise or Lisa, who are just meh.

Lisa said before TC that she will do everything she can to keep Malcolm out of the Final 3, because taking him would hand him the million dollars.

More with the "stories". They have obviously been coached to talk this way.

Smart comments:

- Malcolm says that Denise's story is better than his, since she got to slide through and be at every TC. He's got blood on his hands.

- Lisa points out that she and Skupin didn't always vote together, because she stuck with her alliance.

Malcolm voted out 3-1.

Malcolm is out. He stands and says "congratulations Denise". Was that because she survived this TC? or because he is deeming her to be the sole survivor?

I note that many on the jury nodded when he said that.

Things couldn't have worked out better for Denise. Malcolm made the case for her before the jury, and she didn't have Malcolm's blood on her hands -- Mike and Lisa will have that.

I read it as he was congratulating her, and that he was PISSED at Skup and Lisa that renegged on his F3 deal...fwiw.

I think he was pissed period, even at Denise.

My bet is on him congratulating her on winning the game. Especially since Abi has been saying that Denise would "automatically" win at every TC since she found out everyone hated her.

Our season narrator, Penner, told us that the story was important. I think Denise has a better story than Skupin, who in turn has a better story than Lisa.

I think a lot of people on the jury just didn't like Skupin.

And I can't imagine that Michael or Lisa will out-speak Denise.

LAST EDITED ON 12-16-12 AT 11:14 PM (EST)

Malcolm sarcastically says "congratulations Denise" on exiting.

I took it as he was actually congratulating her, and his tone was just that way because he was pissed at Lisa and Michael for betraying him.

This is somewhat confirmed when Michael recounts later that Malcolm stated "Congratulation on winning a million dollars, Denise" This was either edited out, or Micheal was hearing things again (which wouldn't be out-of-character for him, as the man has had delusional moments this season)

- aaron

I have serious doubt as to Denise winning. Just saying! Skup is looking good so far this episode. We'll see!

Day 38...back to the beach. What an exhausting day, great job, Skup!. Malc said that he knew he needed to win, but the minute he gets nervous his hand starts to shake because now his fate is in Lisa and Skuopins hands.

Skup conf: This means I made it to the end, they all said the same thing, that Malc's going to win, and it turns out it wasan't even close. NOw who to put on the jury, it's up to me to make that decision.

Malc talks to Lisa: If we're all good I don't care, is what Malc says. In conf he tells them that I have an oath with them for F3, but we are playing for a million dollars and I could be in for a nasty surprise today.

Denise says that Lisa and I are tight and it's up to us...if you are on board with us...he tells her

Denise says that she is so mad. Malc and I could have stayed together, but now my head is on the block. Now she has to talk him into taking me along. I am one stubborn determiend woman and if I can make it happen, I will. See them talking alone, waht are you thinking? He tells her that he wants to take the best of the best and that's with Malc. Denise says: would there be honor in beating him, yes, but none of us will....Skup in conf: want 2 warriors, head to head, we both won 3 challenges each. Denise starts to cry, whatever you decide is ok, I have such respect and love for you and Lisa. You know where I am voting. Whatever you decide I will have respect for you outside of this game.

Skup says he does'nt know who he will keep yet, his wife said, make us proud of you, so I want to keep my word and take Malc. To Lisa he says, right now, I think I will take Malc. Lisa says that Skup is a wild card right now. Lisa says handing the title of sole survivor to Malc would just be stupid. After what I have been through I will do whatever it takes to make sure that Malc is NOT in the F3. And we go to TC.

Jury arrives. Malc is serious, Denise is smiling at them.

Abi shakes her head. 38 days, 1 spot for jury. 3 spots for final TC. Skup starts talking first, must wiegh out everything. Denise, you started with Malc, Skup started with Lisa. Yes, the alliances we made got us here, the loyalty, it doesn't get any easier. Given how you started, losing so much, does it make a difference with how you end with them...he says something about Angie and it concerns Denise. Yes, it does concern me...Malc says we are in agreement, we both had to form new alliances to survive and we both knew it was to final 4.

Lisa says that Skup and her weren't always together, we voted differently, we wanted to be together, but Jiffy says the forces kept you apart. Malc says reading into that is extremely difficult.

Jiffy asks how much will favors play into tonights vote? Yes, says Skup regarding his son. Lisa says there are no favors playing out that are worth a million. Malc...you could be the biggest threat, yes, but Denise has done it one tad bit better, Denise never went to TC, she is far and way more dangerous in the F3.
Skup says we have run all the scenario's- everyone has a great story.

Denise: Is there a reason to take Malcolm to the F3. Lisa says NO, there isn't. Malc says it's upsetting, we have deals, I looked them in the eyes, and I hope that takes precedence tonight, cut to Penner. Time to vote, Denise is first voter.

She votes Malc...I tried to approach you but you didn't give me a commitment, so....

Malc says sounds like it's me or you tonight, votes Denise...

Skup is last voter!

Tally:

Malc is sweating profusely!

Malc
Denise
Malc
Maclolm
He turns and says congratulations, Denise! And leaves with a big sigh. Jiffy says that is one more unhappy jury member you can add to the list that you will have to sway tomorrow night. That's the invoice for doing what they couldn't do, you did...you have one more night, go and enjoy it, see you tomorrow night....Malc says maybe he pushed too hard. He had them so driven to finally play the game and see threats that they finally saw me as a threat. It's painful for me that I am not there at the end, painful for a life long fan!

Agreed Skup is looking good...as we've all said, they all have good stories in their own way....jury performance will be key.

Jury sure seemed to agree with Malcolm that Denise wins...so I think it'll have to be an incredible jury performance for Mike or Lisa to pull it out. I must say Denise hasn't been as articulate as I would have expected of late.

Skupin is the narrator of this episode. Is that setting us up for a win? Denise has been the quietest in this episode - is her story being saved up for the jury?

We've gotten so much of Skupin and Lisa's perspectives compared to Denise's.

Could go either way bw Skupin and Denise. I sense though that Skup is being set up to take a fall ultimately. Lisa has no prayer.

Sure hope you win the fan favorite, Malcolm! You or Penner, perhaps!

I don't know why Denise and Malc didn't go after Lisa....they could both have had a shot to make their cases in front of the jury...?

Returning at night....night 38. Skup says OMG...that was my most heart wrenching one yet, Denise says that he was mad. He feels bad, but you played a great game but this is the part that I say I outwit you. I went one step past you and you can be angry but that 's the game.

Skup says you got a vote of confidence though...Skup says in confessional that he will have a lot to say about that tomorrow. Who can plead their case the best is the one that will potentially win the million bucks. Hmmmmmm? that sure could be prophetic...

Denise says the next morning they hiked up to the top of the hill...here I am this little ole sex therapist that they thought would ride on coat tails and I am thriving out here. She says more, I just didn't get it all...

Lisa has a nice comment and Skup too....they find tree mail, it's not treemail, it's treeMEAL! Sausage, Champagne, lots of food. Skup says 23 seasons he's watched, he's always wondered could I play strategically enough to get to the end. When I came out here, there were doubt, every time I got around a camp fire I thought, don't fall in!

lisa feels very good about the F3, the comraderi, and she says that it could easily go any way...she got married, had kids, but this (survivor) is nothing like I knew, in the tv show I had a script, here I didn't realize how much of your heart, spirit, soul is in this game, it's a huge part of it when it comes to winning it, it's a rare priveledge and I am aware and humbled that I get to experience something so incredible!

LAST EDITED ON 12-16-12 AT 11:36 PM (EST)

Potential vitriolic speeches:

Artis - against Skupin
Penner - commenting on the trustworthiness of Lisa and possibly Skupin
Abi - against Skupin
Malcolm - open declaration of voting for Denise as Skupin/Lisa shook their hands with him.

Meanwhile, RC will be all about herself as the diva, while Carter will need to be prodded awake to say a bunch of nothings.

Artis - check. He was looking at Skupin and the camera kept cutting to him during Artis' spiel that ended in "karma is a bitch."

Penner is really carving all three of them up!

But I think Lisa had the best of that jury discussion. RC said she had pegged Lisa from Day 1 and was not surprised to see her up there. So many of them completely ignored Denise in their discussions/questions. And Malcolm raked Denise over the coals for "appeasing".

Night 39, going to TC:

Jeffy smiling as the come in. Skup is seated in the middle of the women...jury arriving...and Malc, clean shaven. Welcome, says Jiffy, you have done what 15 others couldn't do, power shifts to the jury...they decide who's most worthy of winner and million...make an opening statement, jury addresses you, then we vote.

Denise: She is not making any apology, able to adapt and assimilate into tribes, I made alliances, made moves that upset and changed game, at the end of the day I am the one that sits here after every singe TC, I out wit, out played and I deserve the title of sole survivor.

Lisa: Yours to judge which iof us deserves. Her strategy was to run wide open, fall down, and get back up. One of the big mistakes I made was that I didn't trust my gut, and I turned around when My brother came. When at the end, I grew, and then I threw a punch that got the heavy weight champ out, and I'm proud.

Skup: Returning player....started to think I got the call too late. Everyone wanted the returners out, I did every thing with such fire because my back was agaisnt the wall from the start, I love this gaem too much and I know that you do too....

All good statements! All true to form. I liked Denise's the best. I can't really tell who will win with their statements. I still think Denise's had the most punch. I don't think Lisa will win this. I think it's between Skup and Denise, my money is on Denise, still...what does everyone else think at this point...?

That was so annoying!

DO NOT listen to Ponderosa videos. She did that the whole time. Given her TC showing, I am surprised she lasted as long as she did with that annoying laugh!

Malcolm is VERY pissed at Denise.

Denise is not doing well, and I am shocked by that.

If the jury respected Malcolm this could go badly for Denise. Skupin is making a good case for himself.

He should have been madder at Skupin and Lisa for not keeping their words! I still think he's voting for Denise.

LAST EDITED ON 12-16-12 AT 11:56 PM (EST)

Jonathan calls Denise a bitch. Says his own name was written down more often than Skupin's (he sort of missed Skupin's point I think). Outs Lisa as TV star. Is generally nasty and melodramatic.

Whoa - I am not getting a good vibe on Denise. Lisa and Mike have been doing much better in the jury discussion.

Penner said that Denise had pointed out that she didn't want to be seen as a bitch. But she showed that side tonight.

He just told everyone about "The Facts of Life".

Penner said that Skupin was proud his name hadn't been written down at all during the game. Penner said he was proud about how many times his name had been written down. He then told Mike to get used to not seeing his name written down.

Funnily... it was Denise who originally told Penner about Lisa's background (as per his after-boot interview).

how could that be true? We saw Michael talk to Denise about her past way before the merge, and before Denise would have had this chance.

LAST EDITED ON 12-17-12 AT 00:00 AM (EST)

Michael and Denise were never on the same tribe until the merge. Denise started on Matsing then went to Kalabaw while Michael stayed on Tandang the whole time before they merged.

ETA: You might have been thinking of Skupin recognizing Lisa right off the bat and they talked about it briefly. Then on the day of the merge, Penner went up to Lisa and said he knew about her past. So the Denise debriefing of Penner happened while the two of them were on Kalabaw for a few days before the merge.

yes, that was my mistake (mixing Penner and Skupin).

I guess Skupin stayed true to his promise to never out Lisa. Did Penner promise the same?

Yeah, easy to get things mixed up considering it happened right at the beginning of the game and so much has happened since then.

From Gordon Holmes' Xfinity interview with Denise today:

Holmes: The young-uns, they don’t know what “The Facts of Life” is.
Stapley: No.
Holmes: People like you and me, we should know.
Stapley: Well, it looks on there like I was shocked, but I knew who Lisa was from day one. In the mud ball challenge I talked to her about it. I asked if people knew who she was and she said, “No, I want to play as long as I can without her knowing.” So, I actually outted Lisa to Penner at Kalabaw. And he knew her from somewhere, I just handed him the conformation. For me it never would have benefited me because I might want her as an alliance down the road. I was surprised that Penner did, that was his final dig with her.

Very interesting! Thanks for posting, Pepe!

Speaking of interesting... the story just got ramped up into the "hrmmm, verrrrry interesting" category - this tweet just came in earlier tonight:

ah, "the plot thickens" behind the scenes

Plot? No, Jiffy is just doing what he always does: Setting up people so they look dumb.

were there cricket chirps after he said it? I doubt any of the younger player even recognize the title. lol

I agree. Very strange TC. Denise forgot to use her analysis of the jury to appease to them without seeming like she was kissing their butts.

I still think she wins.

Jury: Some of you have waited a long time to address them. Gather the info to make a very big decision...start

Artis: Normally this is the part where you would be congratulated for where you are. I can't do that. You started with the holier than though attitude, when you say you will do something and then don't do it, you are held accountable. When it's all said and done, karma is a biotch

Carter: Lisa, people looked at you as an easy target, here you are, good job. Skup same thing, good job. I know there is bitterness, but I feel you played good games. Skup we were close, I want to know what you thought when I went home?

YOu played the gaem so hard, likable, selfless, there was no reason to keep you if we wanted to win. Friendships couldn't factor into the game

Pete: Hi. Lisa, you have hid behind the fact that I didn't vote for you, it's judas like, you knew we were going home. She says she didn't know Artis was going home....Denise, why was your game better than skup and Lisa. Goindfrom tribe to tribe, I had to be strategic, had to have a reason to stay in the tribe, getting to the merge, we should have been the first to go, not RC, there were fractures and I was forced to work with that multiple times.

RC. Lisa: you were the one I wanted out, I knew that this was going to happen, I identified you on day one, I am proud of you. Mike: on Day 19, is there something you want to tell me? I thought Penner was going, and I thought that was a complete blindside, and I would never have wanted to get rid of you.

Malc: Guys I didn't have questions before you started. Lisa, you said just wahat I wanted to hear. This appeasing every one...why do you want to hear nodding, or appeasing. Some of this is appeasing and listening and valueing what people say. I was playing the game every step of the way. The questions was how did you beat these two. I don't think that they played that strategic of a game...

Jeff: We share some bitterness...Skup: I have learned throughout life, people that make things happen, people that watch things happen, or people that wonder what the hell just happened, which are you? Skup says his neck was on the line every single time, I had to shift and create things. Lisa: give me a reason how you didn't play in the middle...she can't recall her ever playing in the middle...she found out that Malc had the idol, and she wanted to blindside him but Pete didn't want to. You tried to make something happen, but couldn't....her plan was to keep Tandang strong...going with plan B was not floating in the middle.

Abi: she was called the most volatile person, Lisa why are you deserving? She says because she was true to the end with this alliance and came to go to F4 with them...Mike: why should I give you, or do you even care? He deserves your vote because it's about outwit, outplay, outlast...Denise: you made very clear that you didn't respect my game, and that I was the most unlikable...hindsight is 20 20, I still stand behhind, yes there was a different way to handle it, I apologize if you were traumatized by that, but our strategies just didn't mesh.

Penner: There is vestage of fury, how could there not be when we are not there, it's painful. Heartfelt congrats, I know it's hard, want to continue asking the hard questions....Denise: you shared with me that you were most afraid that you would be seen as a biotch, you can rest assured that you have been seen as one now. Skup, you never had your name written down, but I have had my name written down 15 times, however you did it, you had avoided your name being written down, and now you may find that even after tonight it was not written down.

Lisa was a television star, 9 years on a tv program the facts of life, was america's sweetheart, you all need to know that before you give her a million dollars. She asks him did you reveal what you did as a teenager? If they are interested I will, but it won't affect the outcome. 2 of you have been ridden in and will be ridden to the slaughter. The other two are the oxen there and will hear the cheering for the other.

Time to vote. Which one most deserves to be the winner and get the million dollars...

Abi: Mike: why should I give you, or do you even care

and again Abi makes remarks that emphasize why she was so unlikeable.

I know a lot of people say they are outspoken (I am one of them); but....
sometimes you have to know when to keep your mouth shut; when to not say anything.
Abi? doesn't know that. Wonder if she will ever learn?

I thought that comment was more telling about Skupin than about Abi. It subtly explained why Mike didn't get more votes. Tandang obviously didn't respect him. There was a lot we didn't see regarding Mike's behavior out there.

OK, I am feeling much better about Denise right about now...anyone else have any thoughts right about now???

Penner said she showed she was a bitch. Malcolm said she was appeasing. Abi chewed her out. Some of the others completely ignored her in their questioning. I don't feel as good about Denise as I did before tonight.

Jeff - not shown
RC - Lisa
Artis - not shown
Pete - not shown
Penner - Denise. She played a flawless game.
Carter - Skoopin
Abi - not shown
Malcolm - not shown

6-1-1 vote for Denise. Congrats to Denise Stapley.

LAST EDITED ON 12-16-12 AT 11:59 PM (EST)

RC votes Lisa
Jonathan votes Denise
Carter votes Skupin

Suspense!

Starts with a moment of silence for the Newtown tragedy.

We couldn't figure out whether Lisa or Skupin would finish second - they tied with one vote each.

Looks like only RC and Carter didn't vote for Denise.

So even Abi gave Denise her vote.

Yeah I had that feeling as soon as I saw Abi's final words and then her interviews - she made an U-turn in her behaviour and attitude, and I felt that she knew Denise was telling the truth even if it was painful to hear.

Yay Denise! I was worried for a bit there -- sure didn't seem as obvious during parts of TC that she won, especially the way Malcolm and Penner talked about her.

Skupin did not do a good job of telling his story at all. At least Lisa did pretty well.

So obviously everyone except for RC and Carter voted for Denise.

I thought Penner summed it up as I saw it, now lets see if I had the 2 oxen correct or not!

Back to TC: OK, Lisa, Skup, Denise, you addressed the jury, they addressed you, now for the vote...vote for a WINNER. 39 days, for one of you the tremendous toll is about to be worth it, first voter, Jeff.

RC votes for Lisa
Artis:
Penner: YOu played a pretty flawless game, it hurts but you did great, DENISE
Carter: Skupin
Abi:
Malc:
etc.

Jiffy goes and gets the votes...thank you for a great season of Survivor, see everyone back in the states for the reading of the votes...they all smile...Jiffy walks down, leaves, and reappears at the US set. Comes down the stairs with the TC ballot jug...wearing the same outfit, standard blue, double pockets on the chest, shirt...

We are live in LA, there will be a winner of Survivor: Philippines. First a moment of silence for the tragedy in Newtown, CT. Thank-you.

OK, time to read the votes...Lisa, Skup, Denise all side by side, holding hands

Lisa
Denise
Skoopin
Denise
Denise
Winner: Denise!

WOOOOHOOOOO! She's crying and in tears, hugs Skup and Lisa and runs to hug her family and child! All of them come in now! Live reunion show is next, show Penner and MAlcolm shaking hands!

Jury was asked who they would have voted for if both Malcolm and Denise were both in the F3. All but 2 would have voted for Denise.

one of those two was Lisa! So the finalists thought higher of Malcolm than the jury.

The polls that Jeff does are meaningless. The question could have been asked last May, not now after they all saw the show, heard the confessionals, etc...

I agree, Michel - It's a waste of time when Jeff asks this, as their opinions would be swayed by having watched the show.

Plus a better question, as this was the way it could have actually played out, would've been: a show of hands of who thinks Malcolm would've won if it were him in final three instead of Denise.

Were you surprised that the players polled by Jeff at the reunion show said wouldn't have voted for you in the finals?
No, because they would have. Pete and Carter planned it backstage beforehand to throw Probst off. We knew this question was going to come up -- the hypothetical. Pete and Carter said, "Hey, when Probst asks that question, we're not going to raise our hands. And then Penner was walking by, , "Ooh, I like that! I'm in." It was hilarious.
Do you give any credence to Skupin's insistence that he only lost because a resentful jury colluded against him?
Richard Hatch said you have to know who you are to play the game. There was no way that Skupin knew how he was perceived. , we didn't know that. We just saw a bumbling Skupin who might as well have been wearing a hat with bells on it, and Lisa who was crying every other day. They're making a TV show they had to make it look like it was going to be close. It was never going to be close. That's the reason I was trying to make a deal with them, because they were just goats.

Sorry, I had posted this in the wrong spot. Clearly, Malcolm would have run away with the title had he been in the F3 with any of them out there...

RC voting for Lisa and Carter voting for Skupin were the only 2 votes that she didn't get!

See some flashbacks! Denise winning, one stubborn, determined woman! BACK to LA...Denise with tears in her eyes has just won! Alot of fans saw you as an underdog, did you see yourself as an underdog, YES, going from tribe to tribe and going to every TC. The moment she thought it was over was going to F4 TC. She said that she had to get rid of Malc and it was her biggest move.

Malc said he took a page out of Penner's "how to get voted out of Survivor Play book". Ha Ha! So, he - Jiffy just took a tally and it looks as though Denise would have won EVEN if Malc was in the final 3....I find that hard to believe.

Denise talking about what she is telling her patients. Jiffy notes that a big issue in this game is trust...Lisa, you fell out of trust with Malc too. Penner, you had an offer for a final four, as I am watching it back...you said, I don't know, I'll get back to you...Penner says that Lisa trusted her because he never lied to her...he didn't realize that the lying was upon him...what was the deal with you and Jeff? Penner says ask Jeff...he says he was surprised that he was gunning for him before the get-go....Jeff said that he never wrote his name down...I gave him the idea that they were gunning for him, but Denise was the problem, she wouldn't got with us...

Skup: are you surprised that you didn't get more votes? He said that he knbows that he clawed and fought every step, I expected to get every vote...Lisa says that she beats around the bush, it was painful along the way, corny as it was, learning to accept both sides of me, the good the bad, etc, was worth a million dollars for me. Jeff said that Jeff Kent had the best exit game...he said this is a very competetive game and it draws you back in....this is a game of anticipation, that anticipation draws you in to compete...you came in with this big baggage and everytime we had a challenge that you lost, you came back and said, we'll get them next time...

Skup...showing the accidents that Skup had along the way....made you falling in the fire~made sense. He said it's just because I play so hard...small little injuries, nicks, once you are there at the challenge you don't even feel it...Jiffy gives Skup the mask that he broke when he dove in...hard to beleive it's our 25 th season all because of our audience, and we would like to thank our audience...showing a clip...most loyal and amazing fans, and thanks to us Survivor is still the most watched show on Wednesday nights! YOur welcome, Jiffy!

Denise really was a deserving winner, imo. But, I do find it hard to believe that Malc wouldn't have won if he were sitting in the F3....hmmmm? Editing really shoved Denise on the back burner after the merge. I think they really try to have a "surprise" winner, somewhat?

Back to the LA Reunion:

Lisa crying early in the game...her journey of having a life based on public perception, she's now taking control of her own destiny and the rest of her life...

Welcome back...Lisa, the facts of life, you grew up on TV, you come here were you concerned about this image you had with the public...no I didn't think about it, I am not like Blair, wasn't about my appearance, it was more about opening up about who I am inside. Is the Christianity a part of this...she said that she wasn't going to pray out there. She said that God doesn't care about this game, he cares about each of us individually...I don't know what she's rambling on about....Jiffy wants to note about the evil game and being a Christian, she says yes, she wanted to relect God's love, but nothing about Survivor reflects Godliness...but it's a game. Acceptance, that's what Christianity is all about. Jiffy asks what was the appeal of Survivor, and she says that it was because I always loved the game and wanted to play, put yourself where you are not in control and that's what will happen. I was able to see that what's on the inside of me is acceptable to God and me and it doesn't matter waht anyone else thinks. Show the Justice and Lisa reunion on the show...She's weeping, gasping...Jiffy notes powerful moments between loved ones and this might be at the top. Jeff says that you were so vulnerable, what did your brother say to you...trust your gut and remember it's a game, and she said what if those things are so opposed...

Jeff mentions how rainy it was...can you describe what all that rain is like, Russell...miserable, there is no inside, it's all wet, no dry, never any relief, cold, wet, miserable. Dana: One of the most tender moments was you being evacuated, you didn't watn to go, she was delusional at the time, She couldn't win the million, she doesn't know how well I would have done, Jiffy says there is a case to be made, Dana! Never know...

Our station cut out just as Jeff was asking for a moment of silence.

Our news broke in to say that 2 police officers were shot and killed. At our local Dillions.

THey backup the show to just before the voting. Just now catching up.

This has been a bad weekend. Though I Am so glad Denise won.

LAST EDITED ON 12-17-12 AT 00:43 AM (EST)

Show a montage on Malcolm....first seaosn of Survivor aired when I was 12 years old, and it's going this poorly...but everyone loves an underdog...I got my swag back, and then the shot of the locals with Malc, and he was reconsidering what he needs to do with his life.

Jiffy compares him with Ozzy...he knew that he was toast with the last IC...he saw that when he saw that challenge, he knew that he was toast...Jiffy says you are one of the more popular players ever...so what's it like to suddenly get all of this adoration...he said going in, you just don't know what you will look like, and that was me, and it's great to know that they liked me.

Where does that ability come from to climb trees or swim with fish or othr things...swagger, self confidence., it's the coolest trait that anyone can ever have ....talks about the whale shark experience...touching the whale shark is the one moment I will never ever forget.

He's competetive, he was pissed off when he was out, he played to win the game...they asked him, would you play again? YEs, he would. When you leave here would you say you are single or not, he answered, single. SO DARN CUTE!

Abi is the villain...show her biotch montage...she has never been told that she's not a likable person. She takes away that she has alot of growing to do...how so? She replied, did you watch the show. I was very abrasive, very passive aggressive, and i wear my feelings on my sleeve. Show the attack on Skupin last week, you are a moron, an idiot, a moron...Abi is laughing. RC...was Abi your down fall, 100%...she wouldn't listen to reason at all, that's why we are losers...Pete, I think Abi was your dwonfall too...Pete says it was funny, he's the only one that is congratulating yourself about that one...Pete tells them that "some people are still a little bitter"....geez, RC is a lunatic...thank GAWD she was voted off when she was...!

RC is still trying to get them to admit they should have just listened to her, let her call the shots, be queen of the game! LOL. As much as I enjoyed RC in the game, this is just more of Ponderosa RC.

At least Abi came away from it all aware she needed to do some improving herself.

Lisa

I am so disappointed by that. Tootie must have an auto-dialer.

I know, I was hoping Malcolm would prevail.

At first I thought Malcolm was robbed. I had thought he was a shoo-in for fan favorite based on his edit. But Lisa was probably also getting the Facts of Life fans vote too. Boo! Malcolm is my fan favorite! Never was a Blair fan and though I respect Lisa's play at the end, her journey was just too annoying to watch at times.

Were you surprised that the players polled by Jeff at the reunion show said wouldn't have voted for you in the finals?
No, because they would have. Pete and Carter planned it backstage beforehand to throw Probst off. We knew this question was going to come up -- the hypothetical. Pete and Carter said, "Hey, when Probst asks that question, we're not going to raise our hands. And then Penner was walking by, , "Ooh, I like that! I'm in." It was hilarious.

Do you give any credence to Skupin's insistence that he only lost because a resentful jury colluded against him?
Richard Hatch said you have to know who you are to play the game. There was no way that Skupin knew how he was perceived. , we didn't know that. We just saw a bumbling Skupin who might as well have been wearing a hat with bells on it, and Lisa who was crying every other day. They're making a TV show they had to make it look like it was going to be close. It was never going to be close. That's the reason I was trying to make a deal with them, because they were just goats.

I thought this was enlightening....from the article, here.

Clearly, imo, Malcolm would have won the game if he had been in the F3 with anyone else.

Also, interesting what he noted about Skupin and Lisa. And, I have to agree, that's the way that I perceived them as well...

Lisa is the fan favorite! Malcolm was ahead, then they were tied, then Lisa pulled ahead. GOOD GRIEF!

Angie, you took some grief, but she said that she had the time of her life. Zane, did you find a way to quit? No.

Roxy: You were so upset, had amazing experience, her moment on the beach...
Kaite: Are you mad at me...she forgives him for calling her out as being the last in challenges. She is glad that Denise won.
Artis: Were you angry during the game? No, in his opening interview, he said if I am not smiling, I look like I am going to take your head off, but no, I wasn't!
Carter: Said the first part of the game was ridiculously hard for him. The second half of the game was much nicer. he was hungry !
Dawson: She runs up to Jiffy and PLANTS one on his LIPS, holding him in place....Jiffy says, luckily she doesn't kiss half as good as my wife!

Carter's comment is interesting, because as a viewer it seemed like two separate seasons visually. The rainy part must have been awful to play and to film.

This is the first time I can recall that each of the 18 people on the cast got to say something (or do something, as in Dawson) while up there in the reunion. There's always a person or two that was missed, but not this time around.

For quite awhile Jeff made it a point to get to everyone, but yes lately they've seemed to almost go out of their way to ignore certain players.

But like with Kim last season, Jeff hardly spent any time speaking with Denise.

that was my observation also. Instead we got all this time with Lisa and her bible.

I sort of feel like he never ends up talking to the winner. Remember Sophie? Yeah, I didn't think so.

*cough*theyareallwomen*cough*

After Dawson last night, I don't think Jiffy will want to be interviewing women again lest he gets jumped on and dry-humped again!

After Dawson last night, I don't think Jiffy will want to be interviewing women again lest in hopes that he gets jumped on and dry-humped again!

Fixed that for you.

Much as I was rooting for Denise we all know the answer to any question she might be asked.

"Absolutely."

Jiffy says the 26th season is just around the corner....10 ultimate survivor fans square off against 10 of their favorites...with mother natures true fury only one storm away...it's the return, Survivor Caramoan: Fans vs Favorites

Check giveaway, presentation...gives her the check! Still alot of dough, life changing, in Iowa you can do a lot with this!. She bends down to hug Skup and shows off her new check. Skupin was sitting right behind Denise.

A truly deserving winner this season and a great final four!

A few surprises tonight:
- TC was edited so not as obvious as it truly was
- Lisa won Fan Fave over Malcolm
- They gave Denise the check tonight...don't they usually wait until the morning show? Maybe with the CT shooting they won't be covering it in the a.m.
- No mention of Malcolm or other returning players for S26

It was a beautiful location. Hope that there's less rain this coming season and we can have more water challenges!

Thanks FloPo for the play by play tonight...great job!

P.S. I'm a big Penner fan, but I think he was a bit of a jerk tonight. Too much mugging for the camera. And the fact that he felt he needed to call Denise a ##### and out Lisa seemed beneath him.

Personally, I thought Lisa missed that opening Penner gave her by outing her, falling back on who talks about what they were doing when they were 12 or so on. She could have pointed out that he played an alcoholic for three years on some show (assuming she knew about that), would he have wanted the others in the game to have that impression of him? In one of her early moments she made a comment that she wanted to be Lisa. Blair (a pampered rich kid) would never have gone on Survivor.

Agreed, Lisa could have done better on that answer....but who knows how it was edited.

I knew she was pretty popular, but was still very surprised that Lisa beat out Malcolm for player of the season.

LAST EDITED ON 12-17-12 AT 09:02 AM (EST)

Lisa won perhaps because it was a split vote more than in the past? Malcolm had a large group of fans for sure, but I think Penner got a lot of the vote, and I have heard multiple peeps say that they wanted Skupin or Angie to get it...whatever. Lisa, really? Like I said up above, Good grief. GAWD, I hope they DO NOT EVER bring her back again...

LAST EDITED ON 12-17-12 AT 02:11 AM (EST)

Was that really a great final 4? I only started watching midway thru more or less, but I didn't think they were any great shakes. Maybe compared to the early bootees, but that doesn't say much for the cast as a whole. Malcolm impressed somewhat.

I really hate that they always have returning players now. Apparently that is not going to change.

>I really hate that they always
>have returning players now.
>Apparently that is not going
>to change.

Agreed! Seems like they feel it's the only way to get ratings. I don't mind 1 or 2 returnees, but Fans vs. favorites is not my cup of tea. And I heard that Cochran is one of the returnees (not sure if that's true or not), which makes me hate this next season already.

Yeah, from what I've read of the returning cast, there are a couple I don't mind seeing again, a few I never wanted to see again. The fans may have a chance this time.

I don't mind 1 or 2 returnees, but Fans vs. favorites is not my cup of tea. And I heard that Cochran is one of the returnees (not sure if that's true or not), which makes me hate this next season already.

DITTO, 100%. If Cochran is coming back, that's a huge black mark for me right off the bat. Very disappointing.

I actually don't mind seeing Cochran back again - it certainly blew up in his face, but I like to see people trying to do whatever it takes to keep themselves in the game instead of being led to slaughter like a sheep (which is what would have happened if he continued to let Ozzy, et al, run roughshod over him in camp).

He actually had some good ideas, just the execution was poor. I'm interested in seeing if he learned anything from his experience.

This type of returnee, I don't mind. The ones who don't do much and ride coattails, please GTFO my TV screen. From what I've been reading on S26, there are people involved who said that this past season was excellent but next season is going to be even better. So I say bring it on!

I think there's a chance that Cochran might have learned something since his last appearance, which would be refreshing.

Well, it was a deserving final four anyway.

LAST EDITED ON 12-17-12 AT 07:13 AM (EST)

>Was that really a great final 4?

I thought it was one of the best final fours this show ever had, if not the best. All four were likeable and there was nobody that riled up the audience other than wishing Lisa would shut up for once and actually do the moves she's been talking about. All four came to play and fight tooth and nail and there weren't any coattail riders or goats in the traditional sense, certainly not like in many recent seasons where some finalists were dragged along (yes I'm referring to Rob in RI).

And when was the last time there was a foursome that each of the four legitimately had an argument for being Sole Survivor? Each could have won in other seasons with different finalists. Even Lisa, I wouldn't have been too upset with a win from her because at the very least she did have decent gameplay ideas and tried to make things happen in between her sob stories and inner struggles that dragged on interminably. Too bad her brother didn't show up, say, three episodes earlier - we'd have an even more hard-playing character and some boots might have been turned around.

Was that really a great final 4? I only started watching midway thru more or less, but I didn't think they were any great shakes. Maybe compared to the early bootees, but that doesn't say much for the cast as a whole. Malcolm impressed somewhat.

If you only started watching half way through, then you completely missed Denise in action. Seriously, once the merge came, they threw her on the back burner. She and Malcolm had a lot to do in the pre-merge episodes.

You missed Lisa crying and wringing her hands at Tandang. You missed Abi going ballistic on her first alliance-mate, RC. (Can't say that I blame her now after seeing RC in the Ponderosa). And you missed Skupin hurting himself in a sorted variety of ways, which really explained his first accident in Australia. Geez!

Denise's entire story was in the first half of the show.

Maybe it's just me, but I thought we had a great cast this season. Nobody was afraid to make moves, and by the time the merge came, we really had only two "duds" left: Artis and Carter. Everyone else was featured pre-merge and were fairly big characters.

I thought this was one of the most evenly matched F4's that we've seen since S2. Denise won in a landslide, but arguments can be made for everyone why they deserved a vote. Actually, I think arguments can be made for the entire F8, except maybe for Abi, and even then, she still has a decent shot at getting votes if she had made it to the end.

Great Final 4? They were likable but not very good players.

Mike and Lisa kept Denise over Abi at F5 which is inexcusable. They thought Denise could help them beat Malcolm but they should have realized that Denise would simply get the credit for winning FIC. Mike couldn't know he'd win but he HAD to take that chance.

Denise rode coat tails from the merge to the end. She didn't make a single decision, just floated in the middle of all the crisis. Smart but she could have easily been voted out at F5.

Malcolm was the only good player but he made a mistake when Lisa found his idol. It worked out well for him but he would have been wiser to go to Pete first and tell him about his idol so that Lisa had nothing to reveal. In the end, he put himself in a postion where he needed to win a string of immunities and that's far from ideal. Maybe he should have teamed up with Carter.

"Denise rode coat tails from the merge to the end. She didn't make a single decision..."

This is not true, Michel

It was Denise who suggested that they vote out Artis... and they did. This was a pivotal boot in the game. This was shown to us when she and the huddled group of conspirators could hear Abi shouting from the beach that she found a clam.

A big decision Denise made that was not shown was regarding the vote before that one, in which she chose not to align with Jeff Kent. Kent stated this at the Reunion (as well as in exit interviews), when they were discussing why he and Jonathan didn't continue to work together. Denise knew it would be more advantageous to her not to stay aligned with her fellow Kalabaw - and this was a wise decision on her part. No one other than Kent can argue that this was not a wise decision (because it screwed his game), while it opened the way for Denise to stay secure with better options to make it to the end.

For other key decisions and plays that Denise made in the game,check out my posts in the editing thread, as I likely pointed them out since I felt she was edited nicely and would be the Sole Survivor. I believe Jonathan stated it correctly when he voted at the FTC: "Denise played a flawless game"

- aaron

Now that's funny! Proposing someone's name isn't making a decision. Hell, Stacy was the one that proposed Edgardo's name in the pivotal Fiji F9 boot and no one has ever said that Stacy was a good player. She was nothing more than a coattail rider.

If you want to say that Denise made a decision by saying they should vote Artis then that decision ranks, in order of importance, alongside choosing a restaurant for lunch. Without Mike's decision to vote against Artis, Denise doesn't have the numbers to get it done.

The important decisions, the ones that would rank with choosing where to invest your savings, were all made by Mike and Malcolm.

And by Denise's own testimonial, she rode Malcolm's coattails. She said it: "Malcolm set up the 6 and then he made the alliance of 4."
Making alliances => Making Decisions.

BTW, I have no idea what you are saying about the move against Kent because, when he left, the vote went like this:

Artis Jeff
Carter: Peter
Skupin Jeff
Abi Jeff
Lisa Jeff
Malc Pete
Denise Pete
Penner: Abi
Pete: Jeff
Jeff: Pete

Obviously, Denise was still voting with Kalabaw then.

At FTC, I remember mostly Jonathan saying that Denise was a bitch.

LAST EDITED ON 12-18-12 AT 09:14 PM (EST)

And yet, Penner still voted for Denise over Skupin and Lisa despite the interaction we were shown between him and these two. That was the only "harsh" comment made about Denise and it came from a guy who was doing a grandstanding Penner Show who still voted for her anyway.

By contrast, Skupin had doubts from the jury about who he actually voted for at which times. Via post-game interviews, in-game interaction, and other sources, Skupin has been called or had said about him the following bon mots: "Stupin", an idiot, a moron, "a bumbling fool", clueless, didn't know what he was doing out there, put others at risk, and was so despised by one contestant that the guy took time to type out a letter about it months later (yeah I agree Artis needs to get over it but it goes to show the type of passion against him that Skup is capable of generating that only Abi truly got) and had another threaten to run roughshod against him in Ponderosa if Skupin went against him as the swing vote. Whew!

And as for Denise, I think Aaron has done a fine job of outlining her involvement in the game that perhaps you've overlooked over on the editing thread.

Re: Hell, Stacy was the one that proposed Edgardo's name in the pivotal Fiji F9 boot and no one has ever said that Stacy was a good player. She was nothing more than a coattail rider.

This is typical to just throw out some obscurely-random person from some random season that had nothing at all to do with this season.

You're also forgetting the Russell Hantz Manual of Gameplay - you could claim to be making more moves than others, but it's worthless if you clearly have absolutely no clue how the jury works (as Skupin himself admitted in his Xfinity interview), and besides, with all the bumbling incompetence he'd shown thus far, do you really believe that he fully knew what he was doing while acting as the swing vote for the Artis and Kent boots? I'm not so sure about that now since he's been labeled in some form as 'not knowing what he's doing' a number of times!

Kalabaw knew that Abi had an idol and could give it to Pete so Denise proposed that they vote for Artis instead.

Earl's alliance knew that Mookie had an idol and could give it to Alex so Stacy proposed that they vote for El Doucho instead.

No parallels?!

As for the rest, I never listen to what was said in interviews and on Ponderosa clips. Only what the show presents.

Denise fought with Abi and, to me, looked like a bitch doing it so Penner's words rang true.

Around the merge, Skupin's confessionals sounded reasonable and his strategy was outlined to us so that is often a good sign. I went overboard, hoping it would lead to something. My mistake.

PS. what did Artis write, do you know?

See below for Artis.

I consider the interviews to be an important part of show analysis because these aren't heavily edited or manipulated as the show itself and helps us understand certain motivations that may not be readily apparent at first. It's how it was clear that Skupin didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning.

I agree that interviews say a different thing but they are done after the fact and are often spun to make the interviewee look good. I don't care for them except for those that tell us things we didn't see.

And I will repeat: Veruca's thread analyses the way the show is edited. It isn't an analysis of tweets, facebook and interviews which could certainly be done in parallel but not inside an editing analysis. It's more fun to work only with the story.

Artis below? where?

Look for my post with the title relating to the reason why Skupin lost.

Disagree - one of the better F4 in a while.

So glad my hometown Survivor won! Yay Denise!

So glad my hometown Survivor won! Yay Denise!

Hey Corvis, is Denise from your town? Maybe you can make an appointment with her just to meet? Ha!

I'm sure she's getting at least a few new clients after this

Corvis, please keep us posted if there's any interesting local news stories. Thanks!

Denise is from Cedar Rapids, which is where I work. I live in a town a short drive away. A good friend of mine went all the way through school with her.

I had no idea she was from Iowa until the last episode!

Malcolm lost because he was considered too much of a threat to go up against in the final jury.
Lisa lost because she was wishy washy and let down too many people with her indecisions.
Skupin lost because of his narcissism and tooting his own horn.
Denise won because she was direct and told it like it was and that really stood out in comparison to the two sides often shown by Skupin and Lisa. Denise's word meant something in the game while you didn't know whether the other two were truly on your side or not - we saw several jurors thinking that Skupin or Lisa went one way with their votes when they actually went another so there was mistrust there. No such thing with Denise, people knew where she stood even if they didn't always like the directness.

No such thing with Denise, people knew where she stood even if they didn't always like the directness.

I agree, Pepe! You say it so eloquently!

It seemed that most folks were very angry and mad at Skupin and Lisa because they were so wishy washy and they felt that they could make alliances and break them and then dismiss it as game playing.

Malcolm hit a home run with the jury for Denise when at his last TC, he pointed out solidly that he had a solid F3 with Lisa and Skupin and he was counting on it.

I think this jury valued your word more so than in previous years. At least I think that is what it seemed to boil down to.

I just want to add that I think the jury was caught off guard when Jiffy asked the question if they would have voted for Malcolm over Denise had they both been in the F3. It was though they were all talking amongst themselves, or laughing at something and they didn't quite catch what he was asking, and then he moved on so quickly. I seriously doubt that only 2 people would have voted for Malc over Denise....not saying that she still wouldn't have won, but that more would have voted for her. It's so hard to know because we don't know how compelling Malcolm would have been at the final TC. At least that was how I read it?

LAST EDITED ON 12-17-12 AT 10:59 AM (EST)

FloPo, I was surprised about the Malcolm jury vote too. Maybe some felt he coasted on the HII? And I can see (in their mind)s the Pete/Artis/Abi alliance might feel he betrayed them since he was on their tribe vs. Denise never cut a deal with them.

Can't wait to see how Malcolm plays in S26 -- I'd love to see him do well. He didn't really look super thin last night...when would shooting have ended for S26?

Well, I just finished watching the Ponderosa clips and the jury sure seemed VERY supportive of Malcolm, and many noted that he was the one in the alliance of Denise/Malc that had to stick his neck out on the line constantly. And, it's very apparent that he was liked by them all as well. So, still makes me think that we didn't get an accurate assessment from that question.

Would love to see Malcolm do well in s26. He only lost 10 pounds in S25, so he really doesn't seem to lose that much weight compared to others. He did appear tan to me...? I can't wait to see him again!

June 30

LAST EDITED ON 12-17-12 AT 04:33 PM (EST)

June 30

ETA: Sorry, I see what you were answering now....when was S26 finished with filming...June 30. So, plenty of time to gain weight back and to be not so tan!

If you go over the questions again, I think the jury didn't really want to vote for any of the three. Denise was a least to blame for putting them on the jury so she got their votes.

Look at Skupin's game: We know he was on the block at the merge despite what Penner said. He managed to bust two alliances by first eliminating Kent and then Artis AND he still wound up in the core 4 of the ruling Final 6 alliance. That is rare. The jury was bitter and they didn't even pretend that they weren't.

LAST EDITED ON 12-19-12 AT 11:12 PM (EST)

As two other contestants clearly put it, Skupin was seen as a goat to take along. That's how he lasted so long and Penner nailed it - Skupin kept bragging about how he was a target but he was never really in danger nor did he ever receive a single vote against him. You say he was on the block but he didn't get a vote against him. And Penner said in an interview tonight that everyone on the jury was decided on who they were voting for before the final tribal council - they just wanted to vent big time to the three finalists.

Like I said, the circumstantial evidence is strong that Skupin didn't know what he was doing in the game and was seen as a goat. I wouldn't be so quick to assume that he knew what he was doing when Kent and Artis were eliminated.

Here's a fact of the game that has proven true through all 25 seasons, michel... juries never like to vote for any of the finalists because they all want to be there at the end! Durrr. Only one person has ever been happy and content to be on the jury, and that is Bobby Jon Drinkard.

Didn't you hear Pete and Artis say that Mike had to go first when Abi was fixating on RC? Mike heard that so he knew he was in danger. It was actually Penner who never knew that Kent was after him!!!

Mike became the goat only because he made the moves. It used to be a good thing but Hantz gave the jury another excuse to be bitter and they are now overindulging. Cesternino was applauded for flipping back then but he'd be the goat today doing the exact same thing.

Mike gave us confessionals that explained his thoughts. His moves worked out well enough to get to the end so his decision to boot Kent and Artis were the "right" ones. Lisa even said that, had Artis survived, the F4 would have been Pete, Abi, Arits and herself.

I know the jury votes for who they like but the game suffers when every move is seen as a sin. The game is a game and only a game.

Not sure exactly where to put this. I thought he treated her horribly in his jury speech. I lost a lot of respect for him there. And I wish that she had said to him something similar in what she said to the camera in one of her last confessionals about going to him at Final 4, and he waivered.

Glad she won.

Jeff Probst's take on Penner outing Lisa (from EW):

EW: I want to ask you about Penner’s comments at the final Tribal Council. What did you make of him outing Lisa’s celebrity past just moments before the final voting, something Mike Skupin, who was still competing for the money, did not even do?

PROBST: Ah man you just reminded me I forgot to ask Penner that question during the reunion. Damn. I blew it. I even wrote it in ball point pen on my card so I’d remember. I thought it was a bit petty. I don’t know why he needed to do that or wanted to do it. I can only assume that it’s because he didn’t end up in her final alliance, though he paused when he had the chance.

My impression was that Penner was employing a tactic with all three of them to put on more pressure, see how they took it. He'd probably already made up his mind but did it fairly to all three and the two oxen had some small chance to make their final cases for themselves.

I got a similar impression, Dabo!

Jonathan was probably clear he was going to vote for Denise. He also is someone who is about "the story" and making for good TV. And he did! At first I thought he was a little harsh, but in some way it was almost seemed like he was cleansing them of their uglier side in the game before the FTC would end. It was a great FTC speech from him.

- aaron

Yesterday, the day after the finale, Carter was in our small town in a coffee shop with a friend. My DW spotted him and said hello, and they took a photo together. She said it was odd because – they talked for about 5 minutes and he sounded nothing like he did on camera. We kept commenting during the show on his “lazy, surfer-ish, uninterested” style but she said he was quick-witted and insightful and energetic. He thought Mike would win and was even trying to sway some voting – he said some folks were more undecided than the vote ended up showing, it was really between him and Denise, and he was not sure which way it would tip.

Jeff even commented on the difference between Carter in casting and Carter on Survivor during the reunion show. The elements and lack of food really got to him!

Thanks Bondt for this. The jury questions really showed that they didn't want to vote for any of the three!

LAST EDITED ON 12-18-12 AT 06:07 PM (EST)

Here's an answer to why Artis was so pissed at Skupin and perhaps a reason why he only got one vote in the FTC? Apparently Abi posted briefly on this subject as well, but I can't find it at the moment ... one is hearsay, two is coincidence, but these two combined with Skupin's smugness and receiving only one vote, well where there's smoke, there's fire:

Artis's message about what Skupin allegedly did to rile him and others up

Frankly, this sounds just like Skupin to me from all the interviews I've read and from what I've seen from him this season - a narcissistic guy who's in it for himself first and foremost, and will never accept that he made a mistake. He was so cocky and confident on Twitter before the final vote was revealed, as an example.

Also, in Malcolm's Xfinity interview, he flatly said that nobody respected Skupin or his game and most of the others thought Lisa was just this weepy, crazy Christian woman who cried all the time. Malcolm's personality really shone through in this interview! You can easily see him as a villainous type, and I was surprised they didn't show that side of him more often - guess we'll see more of that in S26.

ETA: Further proof of Skupin's delusions... http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/12/17/survivor-philippines-mike-skupin-ponderosa-blackmail/

Why assume Malcolm is correct and Skupin is "delutional"? I don't get your POV...

Sku could have riled people up and that for some reason was edited out, true, and therefore what he is saying about the Ponderosa is then more accurate than delutional, right?

Carter seemed to think there were more very close to vote for him, the day of voting.

Skoopin was really only as smug as Denise, Jonathan, Malcolm, etc., etc. I mean who, at least in the end, wasn't "in it for themselves.."?? All of them were!

LAST EDITED ON 12-18-12 AT 06:35 PM (EST)

Because, like I said, once is hearsay, twice is a coincidence, and more than a few is a pattern. The guy is completely high on himself (I'm a follower on Twitter so I see all of his tweets) and he has a way of thinking only his way is correct and everyone else is wrong.

I used to be a fan of Skupin's but after reading everything he's said, watching him on TV, seeing what others said about him (Malcolm certainly wasn't the only one who said that type of thing about Skupin, FWIW), and so on, all I can say is thank goodness he didn't win. He would have been truly insufferable.

As for Malcolm, two other interviews (one was Lisa's) said that he would likely have been an unanimous winner as everyone on the jury absolutely liked Malcolm.

There was no way IMO Lisa or Michael were gonna win. I just see everyone in there out for themselves. Many of the past winners have been insufferable. Heck many of the past losers have been insufferable. What's new?

At the merge, my hat was in the ring for Denise or Malcolm anyway.

Thanks, Pepe!
I doubt I would have run across this had it not been posted here.

Interesting that the shelter debacle was not included in the story at all.

Yes Pepe. Thanks. That was even more interesting than reading Malcolm's exit interviews!

Personally, I think because Mike was so seriously injured and evacuated, TPTB handled Mike's edit with kid gloves. His edit was so vanilla despite his bumbling and accidents. I think there was a lot more we didn't see. Editing gave him a pass - and wanted to make the final tribal appear close.

Honestly, Mike was a self-centered zealot and grandstander in the Outback, even before he fell in the fire I figured his game then was going to blow up at some point. This time, per his first episode edit, I really thought he'd mellowed with age, learned as few things. Guess not.

Artis probably should get over it, though it was good of him to explain it after all this time. It was a factor in how things broke apart in Tandang that was never shown, it must have frustrated Artis no end that the Mike the audience got to see wasn't the whole picture of the Mike he experienced.

Yes, Artis absolutely should get over it and move on with his life, but I guess it was hard to bite his tongue for so long. Hopefully this letter will give him a sense of peace and be able to let go from here. I'm glad, though, that he did post his explanation - as you said, it helped us to understand why things broke apart in Tandang when they had every reason to stick together as such a strong tribe all the way to the end.

"Shelter of Doom: the Real Story behind the true Demise of Tandang Tribe"

Personally, RC's nervous laugh would have trumped even Abi as a reason to start writing their names down.

HU-HUH-HUH-HU-HUH

Thanks for posting this and, if it happened like Artis said then it could be why Mike lost but I have a problem with Artis' tale:

1- 400 pounds???? Do you know how many trees Mike would have had to put together to get to that weight?!!!

2- If Mike didn't listen to Artis' idea then why didn't Artis build his own shelter?

3- Artis admitted that Mike apologized so it's really Artis' opinion that he didn't mean it. Maybe Artis didn't want to believe it. Anyway, even after that, RC, Pete, Abi and Lisa still made alliances with Skupin so it couldn't have been as bad as Artis makes it out to be.

4- Considering what happenned in Newtown, maybe Artis should have used a bit more restraint when he wrote: "This incredible second chance at life that had been bestowed me..." You'd think he escaped a Taliban attack in Afghanistan. Or maybe he counts it as a second chance in life every time he crosses a street successfully!

LAST EDITED ON 12-19-12 AT 11:35 PM (EST)

I'm pretty certain the second chance at life Artis meant was beating cancer.

Yeah, 400 lbs. of what? He had no way of weighing it, just an estimation, I disregarded that and understood he was talking about an event in which people could have been injured, perhaps seriously. And somehow it was Mike who was at fault.

Mike apparently didn't show what Artis considered appropriate concern or contrition.

Per Pete's interview, Artis did confront Mike with it (though Pete wouldn't say at the time what had happened) and in Pete's words Mike just "never understood."

LAST EDITED ON 12-20-12 AT 07:44 PM (EST)

If it was about beating cancer then it had nothing to do in that letter. Note however that he wrote it after saying he wanted to put a nail in THIS issue and move on with that second chance. It certainly connects the two.