After an emotional finale filled with tears, another name is etched into the history books.
What is he doing?
What is he thinking?
Yam Yam Arocho on ‘Survivor 44’.CBS
What the hell is wrong with this freakin' guy?
That was my basic reaction while watchingYam Yam ArochohelpCarson Garrettwith his fire-making skills during the finale ofSurvivor 44.
It was a flawless social game.
Carolyn Wiger on ‘Survivor 44’.Robert Voets/CBS
Yam Yam made people happy, and that is a recipe for success in this game.
And he was rewarded in an overwhleming 7-1-0 vote.
Yam Yam made people feel good.
Carolyn Wiger, Lauren Harpe, Yam Yam Arocho, Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt, and Carson Garrett on ‘Survivor 44’.CBS
And when someone makes you feel good, you want to reciprocate that feeling.
And that’s why he’s the Sole Survivor.
But now they’re winning!
Carolyn Wiger, Yam Yam Arocho, and Lauren Harpe on ‘Survivor 44’.CBS
And winning with impressive resumes.
But we also need to talk aboutCarolyn.
Carolyn was the first face we saw and the first voice we heard this entire season.
Lauren Harpe on ‘Survivor 44’.CBS
At least from among the contestants.
Think back to theseason premiere ofSurvivor 44and what had to be the weirdest intro in franchise history.
“So I’m just, like, talking?”
Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt on ‘Survivor 44’.CBS
With no disrespect to the late, greatKeith Nale, Survivorshouldbe fun.
At least for viewers.
Kane was spewing about every vote being open).
The ‘Survivor 44’ jury: Matt Blankinship, Brandon Cottom, Kane Fritzler, Frannie Marin, Danny Massa, and Jaime Lynn Ruiz.cbs
It didn’t ultimately work.
The woman had layers!
She also played the game hard and played the game well.
The final 5 of ‘Survivor 44’.CBS
The season was definitely not about big moves, or even about big moments.
Okay, we’re just getting rolling here.
Let’s get into some other thoughts about the three-hour season finale ofSurvivor 44.
A puzzling situation
Wow.
Put yourself in the position of one of the final five.
Speaking of which, does anyone happen to know what kind of things happen at the Sanctuary?
Frannie, Jaime, Heidi, and Carolyn were all open faucets.
Obviously, the birdcages were introduced to up the hijinks factor as well.
It’s actually kind of hilarious, in retrospect.
So consider that noted.
The Simmotion of the ocean
Y’all, I’m really torn on this one.
(And yes, I have been known to bust out a y’all on occasion.)
And what I’m torn on is… Simmotion.
The setting was gorgeous, the action was dramatic, and the entire challenge was an editing marvel.
Go back and watch it again.
As more balls are added, the edits are quicker and the music feels more frantic.
you’ve got the option to almost feel your own heartbeat speeding up as it goes.
So why am I torn?
Only because we have had alotof Simmotion lately.
Is that too much of a good thing?
You know what they say: Always better to leave ‘em wanting more!
(Advice I seem to ignore on a weekly basis with this recap, incidentally.)
Oh, and congrats to Heidi for winning.
After guaranteeing her way to the final three, the last Soka member just blurted out completely unprompted!
to Probst that she might put herself into the fire-making competition.
This produced a flurry of thoughts from yours truly.
First off, I was bummed that Heidi even felt it was necessary to do that.
Sorry, not ranting.
Because that’s not how to play the jury.
And if she had decidednotto do it, the jury would have been massively let down.
UNLESS SHE MADE FIRE FASTER THAN ANYONE HAS EVER MADE FIRE BEFORE!
Which is exactly what happened.
How in the name of Hephaestus and/or Hestia, did Heidi make fire that quickly?
She made fire faster than it takes to burp chocolate up Carolyn’s nose.
She made fire faster than challenge producer John Kirhoffer can shotgun a beer.
She made fire faster than it takes Jeff Probst to film an “Apply to be onSurvivor!”
And she made fire faster than any player in Tribal Council history.
Three minutes and two seconds.
She even ate upthe Ali-Gabler!
And that meant the end of Carson.
He was also a really great narrator in a season absolutely stocked with them.
An impressive showing from an impressive guy.
The jury is out (of drama)
Admit it.
You kind of miss the bruised egos and pointed questions ofSurvivorfinal Tribal Councils of yesteryear.
But man, sometimes you just want a little drama!
But something has been missing.
They are like night and day when compared to now.
We just need to put a little spice and sizzle back into final Tribal.
I do think the final three did an excellent job stating their cases.
So we can make even more history together if you vote for me."
(If Jeremy Collins can play the pregnancy card, anything goes!)
(And also, like, who cares?)
Speaking of Carson, was he coaching Carolyn from the jury?
Not that I really care… but is it?
The idol could mature with awesome new powers!
That’s not even a joke.
I love, love, love the Ghost Island concept.
I mean, who doesn’t want to see classicSurvivoritems from the past?
I’m telling you Ghost Island 2!
Bring back Chris Noble while you’re at it.
Plus, we got a super-rad look atSurvivor 45and the return of Bruce Perreault!
But before I do that, just a heads-up about all the other finale content we have for you.
Did you see our interview with theSurvivor 44jury?
Well, go see it!
Okay, I promised emotion, and emotion you shall have!
They make the early mornings, late nights, and everything in between at least semi-worth it.
