Everything that happened on Wednesday’s season finale of ‘Survivor 50.’
And the winner is…
Not so fast! Before we get to all that, here’s everything that happened on Wednesday’s “Survivor 50” finale, including an epic live TV botch the spoiled the ending of the final challenge. Warning, spoilers ahead:
Previously on ‘Survivor’…
Tiffany came back from the previous night’s Tribal Council steamed over the unexpected ouster of Cirie. “Tiffany got played, so she’s really upset,” Rizo said. Rizo, meanwhile, was proud of himself for the role he played in voting out Cirie. “Words can’t describe what I was able to pull off today,” he bragged. “I out-Ciried Cirie.” With Cirie out of the picture, the others starting looking toward their next move. Jonathan wanted to take Joe and Rizo with him to the final three, figuring he’d have a harder time winning over Tiffany or Aubry, the latter of whom carried “the underdog story of the century.” For her part, Aubry said she just had to keep her focus in the game, while Tiffany wasn’t giving up without a fight. “I’ve got fire in my veins right now,” she said, “and I’m gonna do whatever to stay in this game.”
Meanwhile, back in the studio…
In front of the live audience gathered at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood, Cirie was given a special award, dubbed the Spirit of Survivor Award, awarded “for inspiring others to discover the fire that burns within.” It’s not 2 million bucks, but it’s better than going home empty handed.
Who won immunity?
In the night’s first challenge, which determined the final four spots in the game, Jonathan won in a photo finish over Tiffany, after completing an obstacle course and building a puzzle. He celebrated by doing the worm, and it’s worth noting he was retching over the edge of a high platform just moments earlier. Afterward, Tiffany pretty much knew she was toast. “They’re clear and free to take the shot,” she said, the wind clearly out of her sails.
Aubry vs. Tiffany
But Tiffany still had some fight left in her. She made the case to everyone that Aubry was a bigger threat than she was. She promised “on my life” that if Jonathan would vote for Aubry, she wouldn’t challenge him in a fire building contest, and she pitched Joe hard on keeping her in the game. Rizo, however, admitted there was pretty much nothing Tiffany could say that would have him voting to keep her around. At least he was honest.
Were there any ‘White Lotus’ updates?
Glad you asked! Mike White was the only “Survivor 50” contestant who couldn’t make the live finale, since he was in France filming the latest season of “The White Lotus.” Jeff Probst asked him if any “Survivor” players would be appearing in the new season, and he said Charlie Davis and Kamilla Karthigesu would both be making appearances. Anyway, back to the game…
Who was voted out?
At a heated Tribal Council — where Tiffany made the case she shouldn’t be considered a bigger threat than, say, Joe, who won the same number of challenges during the season that she did — Tiffany called her shot that she’d be voted out, and she was indeed sent packing. “It’s been an honor,” she told Probst on her way out, and didn’t say anything else to any of the other players. “I am extremely proud of the game that I played,” she said in her exit comments, and back in the live studio, she received a standing ovation and said she’d gladly play the game again if asked. “Not only am I coming back,” she said, “but I’m winning.”
Meanwhile, in the Final Four…
It was all smiles back at camp. “The vibe around camp is amazing. It’s great. It’s all smiles now,” Rizo said. “But Season 50’s all about uncertainty.” The most uncertainty hovered around whether building fire would be an upcoming challenge, and how well anyone would fare in such a challenge against Aubry. Meanwhile, Aubry wasn’t too sure of her standing among the boys. “I think if one of these three guys wins the final challenge, I might be out the door,” she said. “Of all the ‘Survivor’ challenges that I’ve ever played, it’s do or die for me now.”
Who won Immunity?
During a simmotion challenge where players had to load balls onto a metal track and catch them as they came out the other side, Aubry won the most important Immunity Challenge of the game. She picked off Joe, who came in second, and was nearly speechless after her win. Her victory meant she got to pick which person would join her in the Final 3, and which two would face off in a fire making showdown for the last spot in the three. So, who’d she pick?
Well, who’d she pick?
Aubry chose Joe to join her in the Final 3, which meant a fire showdown between Jonathan and Rizo, both of whom lost at making fires during their previous seasons. The prospect of making fire had Rizo doubting his own RizGodness, while Jonathan was in beast mode, ready to set the whole island ablaze. Joe, feeling a touch of sympathy for Rizo, gave him a few pointers, at least giving him a fighting chance. Catching a glimpse of Rizo’s burgeoning skills, Jonathan started feeling a little hot under the collar. We officially had a challenge on our hands.
Who won the fire showdown?
Welp, it was spoiled before viewers got to see it. Live TV, everyone! The epic showdown between “redemption and reckoning,” as Probst put it, was blown, as Probst brought Rizo out to interview him on the live stage before the challenge aired and had him take his seat on the jury. On the jury? We still hadn’t seen the challenge! The live audience booed, Probst didn’t understand what was happening, and after a commercial break, Probst owned the botch and joked it was “the last twist of the season.” Anyway, long story short, Jonathan won the fire challenge and Rizo took his rightful place on the jury. At least Probst had some fun with it, later making a joke about whether the live audience wanted to watch the rest of the show in order or out of order.
How was the final jury?
Joe talked about his integrity, Aubry talked about her relationship building, Jonathan talked about his evolution as a player from the last time he played. You know, typical jury stuff. Jonathan and Aubry both tried taking credit for taking out Ozzy, Joe was told he had to be babysat through each vote, and there was some jury in-fighting between Stephenie and Tiffany.
Alright, enough already. Who won?
In the jury showdown between Aubry, Joe and Jonathan, it was Aubry Bracco who ultimately outwitted, outplayed and outlasted her fellow contestants, taking home the show’s $2 million prize and earning the title of “Survivor 50” champion, as the votes were tallied — Aubry 8, Jonathan 3, Joe 0 — in front of the live audience in L.A. “I was more intuitive, I trusted myself, I moved differently,” Aubry said of her game, giving props to the past “Survivor” players she learned from this time around. (She also won a new Toyota Land Cruiser for her troubles.) Jonathan, for his part, was proud of the game he played. “I’m so proud. I played the best game that I could,” he said. As for Joe? Well, Joe was happy to be there.
But wait, there’s more!
A final $100,000 prize was awarded to Cirie, who took home the Sia prize — named for the pop singer — for being the most inspiring player.
So now what? Well, “Survivor 51: Open Era” starts in September…
