Survivor: 5/15: Survivor Finale: Woo Hoo! Tom, the man comes through!

Sure, Tom "plotted"...sure he told some half-truths...but come on, here's a guy that won 5 out of 7 immunity challenges, took his tribe to total victory over Oolong and caught a shark with a stick. Usually, the "real" hard working survivors are voted off by the lazy slugs and schemers after the tribes merge because they know they can't beat them. Not this time.

This episode wasn't remarkable until the final immunity challenge began. Pole-standing for as long as you can out in the lagoon. On tiny platforms, in barefeet, the three remaining contestants gave their all to become the last man with immunity. Well, all but Katie, that is. True to form, she jumps in way before Tom and Ian. Those two are in for the long haul. REALLY long haul. Even Jeff P was trying to get them to deal because we all knew they'd stay out there until Labor Day if they could. Tom offers Ian the chance to go first, and if he does, he'll take him to tribal. Tom's good to his word, I believe, but Ian says no. (probably not to let Katie down). After 11 and some odd hours Ian finally says he'll jump in if Tom takes Katie with him. Katie, who's been laying down on the dock for about 7 hours, finally sits up in interest. Does she say, "Oh, Ian..don't do that for me"?? No way. Katie doesn't say a WORD about the deal at all. Tom finally gives in and votes Ian off. Ian tells Jeff he's trying to restore his respect to Tom and Katie for the lies he told. Where's Richard Hatch when you need him?! That's no way to play Survivor, son! Don't give lazy Katie the second prize! I didn't even hear her say Thank You at that point.

At the final tribal meeting, everyone laid out their game. Tom basically said he played hard, stuck to his word, vote for him. Katie said she went with the people that were the strongest to help her along. (not to mention saying she'd go with Gregg and Jen at one point). Gregg called her pathetic, a great word I thought. She cried. Coby, in his usual Coby flair told Tom he knew he was playing a game and that Tom had better fess up or he wouldnt' get his vote. I don't think Tom got it however, because he didn't change a thing about his defense. Janu hated Katie, Katie knew it and wouldn't answer her question. Caryn felt used... Stephanie wanted to know why she was voted out (you were TOO GOOD!) and Ian asked why they shouldn't win the money. Oh, reverse psychology, eh, Ian? Not that it mattered much.

Finally Jeff jumped from the jungle to the live set and carried the votes on to the stage. Katie and Tom sat together..he shaved and she with her hair straightened. Jeff wasted no time...and Tom won. He so deserved it. If Katie would have gotten it, I probably would have blown a gasket.

We found out that Tom's 40--which floored me (I figured 45 or older) He said he wanted to "hide behind gray hair"--well, you can't hide that body or that skill, buddy! He hugged his wife and kids and his firehouse in Brooklyn gave him a holler. Jeff started to ask the contestants questions and this is where I found the show a bit lacking this year. Tom's family wasn't introduced and it was as if Katie fell off the face of the earth. There was a lot of talk about Ulong losing, how great Stephanie was on the show and Wanda sang us another song. Willard spoke, telling everyone he was a lawyer, not a mailman...a fact that no one knew but fellow lawyer Caryn. Willard looked pretty dapper, I must say..loved his outfit. Of course, after watching everyone waste away on the island, it's always fun to see them all fattened up and glam. Caryn even had some makeup on. The big "Aww" moment was when Coby announced he had adopted his cousin's daughter and named her Janu. Glad it wasn't a boy...would he had gone with Willard or Bobby John?

The Ian/Katie connection wasn't explored at all. I mean, here's a guy that gave up the 2nd spot on that stage for a woman. He cried two times because she was mad at him. Jeff didn't even go there. I have a sneaky feeling Katie doesn't have much to do with ol' Ian now that the show is over. I could be wrong...but I doubt it. It would have been nice if she would have said how great it was of him to do that for her. But, this was Katie. No such luck.

Next Survivor is in Guatemala..and the people are going to live in Mayan ruins. How cool. In the meantime, we get to watch Romber's wedding if we so choose. Will Lex be there? Will they have an eating challenge during the reception? I personally think Alex and Lynne should be bridesmaids, but that's just me.

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