I'm a Survivor fan. I believe I've mentioned it. I've watched every season since the beginning. I even wanted Rich Hatch to win. I have a soft spot for villains. Weird, right? Even weirder-- while I eventually fell for evil Russell's strategic game play (along with almost every other Survivor fan), I did not think he deserved to win. He had no end game. I think Natalie played a better game than a lot of people are willing to admit.
The biggest move? Russell wants to say it was ousting Laura, and that was pretty important. But Galu was already falling apart and the numbers were even by then. The real big move of the game was the idea of getting rid of Erik (Jaison's idea) and convincing Galu to actually boot one of their own-- and that was all Natalie, working her way into Laura and Monica's good graces and charming the Galu into thinking Erik was a real threat. That's the week that Russell had no control of the game, no faith in his Foas, and was scared enough to play his idol.
Ironic, then, that Natalie failed to make a strong case for herself at the final Tribal Council and Erik charged to her rescue, making the case for her. I think it is Erik's final jury speech that swayed the vote to Natalie. My husband thinks Natalie had it wrapped up anyway because Russell failed to charm.
In the end, major player Russell was lacking that human connection, the insight into his fellow players that would have helped him to see this was not a jury to put their own egos aside and vote for superior game play. This was a jury that felt played and would vote against the one who played them. Had he tried to get to know his fellow players instead of discrediting them and patting himself on the back, he might have caught on early enough to win the title he craved. Survivor is a social game as much as it is about strength and skill, and Russell failed on that end. Natalie made those human connections, turned on the charm, and took the title from the self-perceived master. She deserves more credit for playing her own game, and playing it well. She didn't just ride coattails to the end. She made some major moves in her own right, moves that set up to keep Russell in the game as much as it worked the other way around. Congratulations, Natalie! And I'm pretty sure we haven't seen the end of Russell.
Survivor fans, what did you think of the final?
