Survivor 31, Episode 14
"LIE, CHEAT AND STEAL"
So, Spencer's strange edit is finally explained. The stories about growth and "feelings" that felt forced were there to explain the zero votes he received at final tribal.
I'm happy for Jeremy, what a likeable winner and man.
But I'm also bummed that Spencer lost -- with no votes at all.
It took me a day to process this because to feel disappointed immediately after the winner was announced felt like a knock on Jeremy's win, and how could you do that? Jeremy played a good game and did well at the final tribal. Then it felt like we were missing something. Ok, clearly, we are missing votes here. But in a season of all-returnees and many alleged superfans who have declared time and time again of their love for game strategy, not a single juror appreciates Spencer's gameplay?
It's hard for me to say this about this jury because I love, love most of the people on it, and I still enjoy watching those that I "don't love". But the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that the Cambodia jury is -- bitter.
The edit says Spencer shouldn't be in the final three in the first place. He shouldn't make it to the merge. He had too huge a target on his back with his underdog, superfan and "smart kid" reputation. (The quotes on "smart kid" are not because I don't agree that he's smart. The quotes are because people have used that term to describe Spencer way too often.) He didn't have an easy path to the finals. Not many huge threats can do what Spencer did. Sure, this can also involve luck, but let's just drop luck for now because everyone has had their share of being lucky or not lucky at some point in the game.
This cast is made up of returnees with their own hype, fan base and story that define their Survivor brand. In each of their minds, Cambodia is theirs to win. So, is Spencer too smart, too young for the jurors? Did their ego not like it when a 23-year-old, fan favourite, bright kid who talks about feelings like a robot bested them?
I watched the season with no real favourite. I can root for (almost) anyone to win. These people gave their all while they were on the show. There was no short of strategy, drama, entertainment, displays of emotion and rain. Cambodia was a great season. We had great episodes almost every week. The expectation was high for a great ending.
Final Six
So, this is a rapid fire finale. We have millions of tribals to go through in two hours.
The episode starts with Kimmi coming out with a plan, a brilliant plan, to blindside Jeremy and Spencer. She goes to Kelley and Keith, telling them that Jeremy, Spencer and Tasha will want to split the votes 2-2 between Kelley-Keith, thinking that she's with them. With that, they can now blindside Jeremy with 3 votes.
But poor Kimmi, the plan is so easily sniffed out by Spencer and Tasha. Jeremy, however, couldn't see it. He still trusts Kimmi, so he asks her if she has been talking to Keith. Kimmi denies it and comes out with some waterworks, because why not.
The first immunity challenge, building a staircase and completing a slide puzzle, is won by Spencer.
At tribal, Spencer announces that he, Jeremy and Tasha are no longer going to split the votes, basically threatening Kimmi that if she's not with them, they are going to rocks. Even more reason for Kimmi to not care -- and just risk drawing rocks. Why should she care? The fact that Spencer, Jeremy and Tasha are excluding her is even a clearer evidence of her position with them.
But let's complicate this further.
First, Kelley plays her idol. Two seconds after, Jeremy plays his.
The result of this is, all votes -- all 3-3 Kelley-Jeremy -- are nullified.
So they have to revote.
"Kimmi, Kimmi, Kimmi. So disappointed. So disappointed in you," Jeremy says, complete with finger-wagging.
"Ugh. Really?" Kimmi replies.
The revote results in a 3-3 tie Tasha-Kimmi.
So now they have to vote again and/or discuss because it's not that straightforward this time around.
Jeremy, Spencer, Kelley and Keith say that they are not changing their votes, so we come to a deadlock.
Jeff Probst dusts off an ancient rule book out of his library and explains to them what's next.
A tie at a revote makes the two vote receivers immune, and the rest now have to draw rocks. The unfortunate thing in this case, however -- since Spencer, Kelley and Jeremy are immune -- Keith is the only one who can draw rocks, resulting in him to go home by default.
But Keith can still be safe if he, Jeremy, Spencer and Kelley achieve a consensus to vote for either Tasha or Kimmi.
Boardroom Spencer dictates that there is no way that they are voting Tasha. So Kelley has to follow suit because she can't lose Keith.
The problem is, Keith wants to lose himself. He wants to sacrifice himself for Kimmi, and Kimmi encourages him with her plea to stay. Great thing Kelley is a hustler. For the sake of her future, she's not losing her last ally, so she urges Keith to stay.
In the end, Keith stays, and Kimmi is sent home.
Final Five
There's no time to waste. We move on to the second immunity challenge for the night: obstacle course plus puzzle. And Kelley wins.
Back at camp, Kelley makes Keith a fake idol.
For a while, Keith does a good job putting on a 'does he have it/does he not?' act. If people really have an idol, unless it's a Yul/Terry/Tony idol, they don't usually flaunt it around or give it to others (looking at you, Joe). In my head, though, Kelley would give it to Keith in front of everybody at tribal and threaten the three that only the first person going with them will be safe*.
Jeremy, sensing "something funny" with Kelley and Keith, starts thinking about the possibility of an idol. If there's any, he doesn't want the target to ricochet back at him. He mouths to Keith to vote for "Spencer" behind Tasha's back, in a comical scene where Keith takes ages to notice Jeremy trying to get his attention.
*Of course, this does not happen. The vote ends up straightforward, and Keith goes home.
Final Four
Final immunity challenge is catching balls spiraling down a chute: the Simmotion.
In short, Jeremy wins and gets really emotional. He wins his first and only individual immunity for the season at a point where he's possibly needing it the most.
Kelley cries too, but for a different reason: she's going to finish fourth.
So, it's time for tribal council.
Spencer, like many other players, has shot himself in the foot in the game before, but in a desperate attempt to ensure Jeremy won't vote him off, he goes one step further at this tribal: threatening Jeremy in front of everyone that Jeremy won't get his vote if he's sent to the jury. Not only that, he also vows to do everything in his power to ensure Jeremy won't win. In other words, Spencer thinks he has enough power to sway the jury *smh*. These are returnees with their own reputation and ego, Spence. They won't like it if people think they can be told what to do.
In short, Kelley goes home.
Before the Final Tribal Council
In confessional, Spencer says that he's going to prove it to the jury that his personal change deserves the million dollars.
As much as I like Spencer, I don't get this.
Ok, let me try to say this as politely as I can, not only to Spencer but to anyone else who thinks their personal change deserves a prize money: Who the F cares?
If I was being kind to a homeless person I met on the way to work today, do I deserve $300 reward money from the sky?
Final Tribal Council
– Savage being Savage starts off by speaking for every jury member that their votes are still open**. There's no short of dictators on Survivor. Next, he lectures Spencer and Jeremy for their arrogance -- Spencer for threatening Jeremy in front of everyone, and Jeremy for attacking Kimmi when she was trying to save herself at the last three tribals. Valid concern, probably, but there's your answer, Savage -- Spencer, too, was trying to survive. Spencer says he was arrogant in the beginning, which he admits came from insecurity, but he says he's grown. Jeremy wins this round. His excuse for his behaviour towards Kimmi: he was upset. Easy.
**yeah, right.
– No secret from Stephen. We know he's voting for Jeremy. His praises for Jeremy include the words... trust, honour and integrity. His criticism towards Spencer: Spencer letting himself be colonized by the idea of voting blocs that he's even willing to betrayhim people. Oh, Stephen. This is so confusing. By being a vocal proponent of this voting blocs rubbish, I kind of think you can't judge people who flip much.
– Ciera, too, asks about flipping and voting blocs, which have left many feeling betrayed, on why they should be rewarded. You almost forgot that she had been asking people to PLAY and FLIP at every tribal. But I don't have a problem with this question; what she did was just opening the door for the three to defend their game, and all three answered it pretty well.
– Keith wants Spencer and Jeremy to convince him why the other person should be the winner. Love Keith, boring question.
– Abi, reading from a note, asks them what their subtle moves in the game were. I like the question, and all three give pretty good answers too. Why is her question written on a note, though...
– Kimmi thinks Spencer is a bully, and she doesn't want her sons to be like Spencer.
Alright, Spencer is not the most humble, warmest person in the room, but I kind of think I'd be lucky to have a son like him actually. And she goes on to accuse Jeremy of replacing her with Spencer. Ugh, I love Kimmi, but what's wrong with her memory? True, Jeremy probably wasn't planning to go to the finals with her anyway, but at the point she was voted out, she was the one who flipped on Jeremy.
Who wrote the questions for these people???
– I wish Joe and his manbun didn't wear those green shirt and green pants.
– Kelly asks the three to pick a number because she was asked the same question 15 years ago. But, of course, the winning number is whatever Jeremy picks. I'm torn on this one. It's a wasted opportunity, but I'll entertain this kind of question than a baseless bitter speech. Reed Kelly's speech on SJDS is still my favourite. If you were to say your revenge piece, make it on point and well-crafted. Otherwise, ask for a number.
– Ok, Kass' question is a good one. It's for Spencer on why he should get her vote for his flipping, the same move she made in Cagayan that he called her a "dumbass" for. In his answer, Spencer mentions about personal change. While Kass seems to be satisfied with the answer -- see above -- she, too, doesn't care. Proof: she gives her vote to Jeremy.
– Kelley asks about their second chance story. By this time, I can no longer hear the word "second chance" or "voting blocs", but this is just like Ciera's question. It opens up the door for the three of them to tell the jury their gameplay.
And this is when Jeremy seals the deal. I don't feel like Jeremy is manipulating Val's pregnancy story at all. And I don't believe any of the jury members change their votes because of Jeremy's story anyway. Please, they all have made up their minds at Ponderosa. They vote for Jeremy because they like him and they feel betrayed by Spencer. I'm just surprised that in a jury full of veterans, no one thinks Spencer deserves a vote for playing hard. I'm also surprised that Spencer uses personal growth as his pitch instead of his agility to stay in the game.
But it's fun noticing the change in the background music between Spencer's and Jeremy's speeches.
Also, I need to get this off my chest:
No one admits to connecting with anyone pregame. But once they get voted off, suddenly you'd hear, "How could you? We were friends." Right, you so did not sign up for a game with only one winner and known for betraying allies. You so did not intend to betray anyone yourself. Of course, it hurts. Again, I'd probably stay in bed moping for at least one year. I'm just wondering, when these people talk about being betrayed, do they keep in mind that they, too, would do the same?
Image: CBS
So, Spencer's strange edit is finally explained. The stories about growth and "feelings" that felt forced were there to explain the zero votes he received at final tribal.
I'm happy for Jeremy, what a likeable winner and man.
But I'm also bummed that Spencer lost -- with no votes at all.
It took me a day to process this because to feel disappointed immediately after the winner was announced felt like a knock on Jeremy's win, and how could you do that? Jeremy played a good game and did well at the final tribal. Then it felt like we were missing something. Ok, clearly, we are missing votes here. But in a season of all-returnees and many alleged superfans who have declared time and time again of their love for game strategy, not a single juror appreciates Spencer's gameplay?
It's hard for me to say this about this jury because I love, love most of the people on it, and I still enjoy watching those that I "don't love". But the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that the Cambodia jury is -- bitter.
The edit says Spencer shouldn't be in the final three in the first place. He shouldn't make it to the merge. He had too huge a target on his back with his underdog, superfan and "smart kid" reputation. (The quotes on "smart kid" are not because I don't agree that he's smart. The quotes are because people have used that term to describe Spencer way too often.) He didn't have an easy path to the finals. Not many huge threats can do what Spencer did. Sure, this can also involve luck, but let's just drop luck for now because everyone has had their share of being lucky or not lucky at some point in the game.
This cast is made up of returnees with their own hype, fan base and story that define their Survivor brand. In each of their minds, Cambodia is theirs to win. So, is Spencer too smart, too young for the jurors? Did their ego not like it when a 23-year-old, fan favourite, bright kid who talks about feelings like a robot bested them?
I watched the season with no real favourite. I can root for (almost) anyone to win. These people gave their all while they were on the show. There was no short of strategy, drama, entertainment, displays of emotion and rain. Cambodia was a great season. We had great episodes almost every week. The expectation was high for a great ending.
Final Six
So, this is a rapid fire finale. We have millions of tribals to go through in two hours.
The episode starts with Kimmi coming out with a plan, a brilliant plan, to blindside Jeremy and Spencer. She goes to Kelley and Keith, telling them that Jeremy, Spencer and Tasha will want to split the votes 2-2 between Kelley-Keith, thinking that she's with them. With that, they can now blindside Jeremy with 3 votes.
But poor Kimmi, the plan is so easily sniffed out by Spencer and Tasha. Jeremy, however, couldn't see it. He still trusts Kimmi, so he asks her if she has been talking to Keith. Kimmi denies it and comes out with some waterworks, because why not.
The first immunity challenge, building a staircase and completing a slide puzzle, is won by Spencer.
At tribal, Spencer announces that he, Jeremy and Tasha are no longer going to split the votes, basically threatening Kimmi that if she's not with them, they are going to rocks. Even more reason for Kimmi to not care -- and just risk drawing rocks. Why should she care? The fact that Spencer, Jeremy and Tasha are excluding her is even a clearer evidence of her position with them.
But let's complicate this further.
First, Kelley plays her idol. Two seconds after, Jeremy plays his.
The result of this is, all votes -- all 3-3 Kelley-Jeremy -- are nullified.
So they have to revote.
"Kimmi, Kimmi, Kimmi. So disappointed. So disappointed in you," Jeremy says, complete with finger-wagging.
"Ugh. Really?" Kimmi replies.
The revote results in a 3-3 tie Tasha-Kimmi.
So now they have to vote again and/or discuss because it's not that straightforward this time around.
Jeremy, Spencer, Kelley and Keith say that they are not changing their votes, so we come to a deadlock.
Jeff Probst dusts off an ancient rule book out of his library and explains to them what's next.
A tie at a revote makes the two vote receivers immune, and the rest now have to draw rocks. The unfortunate thing in this case, however -- since Spencer, Kelley and Jeremy are immune -- Keith is the only one who can draw rocks, resulting in him to go home by default.
But Keith can still be safe if he, Jeremy, Spencer and Kelley achieve a consensus to vote for either Tasha or Kimmi.
Boardroom Spencer dictates that there is no way that they are voting Tasha. So Kelley has to follow suit because she can't lose Keith.
The problem is, Keith wants to lose himself. He wants to sacrifice himself for Kimmi, and Kimmi encourages him with her plea to stay. Great thing Kelley is a hustler. For the sake of her future, she's not losing her last ally, so she urges Keith to stay.
In the end, Keith stays, and Kimmi is sent home.
Final Five
There's no time to waste. We move on to the second immunity challenge for the night: obstacle course plus puzzle. And Kelley wins.
Back at camp, Kelley makes Keith a fake idol.
For a while, Keith does a good job putting on a 'does he have it/does he not?' act. If people really have an idol, unless it's a Yul/Terry/Tony idol, they don't usually flaunt it around or give it to others (looking at you, Joe). In my head, though, Kelley would give it to Keith in front of everybody at tribal and threaten the three that only the first person going with them will be safe*.
Jeremy, sensing "something funny" with Kelley and Keith, starts thinking about the possibility of an idol. If there's any, he doesn't want the target to ricochet back at him. He mouths to Keith to vote for "Spencer" behind Tasha's back, in a comical scene where Keith takes ages to notice Jeremy trying to get his attention.
*Of course, this does not happen. The vote ends up straightforward, and Keith goes home.
Final Four
Final immunity challenge is catching balls spiraling down a chute: the Simmotion.
In short, Jeremy wins and gets really emotional. He wins his first and only individual immunity for the season at a point where he's possibly needing it the most.
Kelley cries too, but for a different reason: she's going to finish fourth.
So, it's time for tribal council.
Spencer, like many other players, has shot himself in the foot in the game before, but in a desperate attempt to ensure Jeremy won't vote him off, he goes one step further at this tribal: threatening Jeremy in front of everyone that Jeremy won't get his vote if he's sent to the jury. Not only that, he also vows to do everything in his power to ensure Jeremy won't win. In other words, Spencer thinks he has enough power to sway the jury *smh*. These are returnees with their own reputation and ego, Spence. They won't like it if people think they can be told what to do.
In short, Kelley goes home.
Before the Final Tribal Council
In confessional, Spencer says that he's going to prove it to the jury that his personal change deserves the million dollars.
As much as I like Spencer, I don't get this.
Ok, let me try to say this as politely as I can, not only to Spencer but to anyone else who thinks their personal change deserves a prize money: Who the F cares?
If I was being kind to a homeless person I met on the way to work today, do I deserve $300 reward money from the sky?
Final Tribal Council
– Savage being Savage starts off by speaking for every jury member that their votes are still open**. There's no short of dictators on Survivor. Next, he lectures Spencer and Jeremy for their arrogance -- Spencer for threatening Jeremy in front of everyone, and Jeremy for attacking Kimmi when she was trying to save herself at the last three tribals. Valid concern, probably, but there's your answer, Savage -- Spencer, too, was trying to survive. Spencer says he was arrogant in the beginning, which he admits came from insecurity, but he says he's grown. Jeremy wins this round. His excuse for his behaviour towards Kimmi: he was upset. Easy.
**yeah, right.
– No secret from Stephen. We know he's voting for Jeremy. His praises for Jeremy include the words... trust, honour and integrity. His criticism towards Spencer: Spencer letting himself be colonized by the idea of voting blocs that he's even willing to betray
– Ciera, too, asks about flipping and voting blocs, which have left many feeling betrayed, on why they should be rewarded. You almost forgot that she had been asking people to PLAY and FLIP at every tribal. But I don't have a problem with this question; what she did was just opening the door for the three to defend their game, and all three answered it pretty well.
– Keith wants Spencer and Jeremy to convince him why the other person should be the winner. Love Keith, boring question.
– Abi, reading from a note, asks them what their subtle moves in the game were. I like the question, and all three give pretty good answers too. Why is her question written on a note, though...
– Kimmi thinks Spencer is a bully, and she doesn't want her sons to be like Spencer.
Alright, Spencer is not the most humble, warmest person in the room, but I kind of think I'd be lucky to have a son like him actually. And she goes on to accuse Jeremy of replacing her with Spencer. Ugh, I love Kimmi, but what's wrong with her memory? True, Jeremy probably wasn't planning to go to the finals with her anyway, but at the point she was voted out, she was the one who flipped on Jeremy.
Who wrote the questions for these people???
– I wish Joe and his manbun didn't wear those green shirt and green pants.
– Kelly asks the three to pick a number because she was asked the same question 15 years ago. But, of course, the winning number is whatever Jeremy picks. I'm torn on this one. It's a wasted opportunity, but I'll entertain this kind of question than a baseless bitter speech. Reed Kelly's speech on SJDS is still my favourite. If you were to say your revenge piece, make it on point and well-crafted. Otherwise, ask for a number.
– Ok, Kass' question is a good one. It's for Spencer on why he should get her vote for his flipping, the same move she made in Cagayan that he called her a "dumbass" for. In his answer, Spencer mentions about personal change. While Kass seems to be satisfied with the answer -- see above -- she, too, doesn't care. Proof: she gives her vote to Jeremy.
– Kelley asks about their second chance story. By this time, I can no longer hear the word "second chance" or "voting blocs", but this is just like Ciera's question. It opens up the door for the three of them to tell the jury their gameplay.
And this is when Jeremy seals the deal. I don't feel like Jeremy is manipulating Val's pregnancy story at all. And I don't believe any of the jury members change their votes because of Jeremy's story anyway. Please, they all have made up their minds at Ponderosa. They vote for Jeremy because they like him and they feel betrayed by Spencer. I'm just surprised that in a jury full of veterans, no one thinks Spencer deserves a vote for playing hard. I'm also surprised that Spencer uses personal growth as his pitch instead of his agility to stay in the game.
But it's fun noticing the change in the background music between Spencer's and Jeremy's speeches.
Also, I need to get this off my chest:
No one admits to connecting with anyone pregame. But once they get voted off, suddenly you'd hear, "How could you? We were friends." Right, you so did not sign up for a game with only one winner and known for betraying allies. You so did not intend to betray anyone yourself. Of course, it hurts. Again, I'd probably stay in bed moping for at least one year. I'm just wondering, when these people talk about being betrayed, do they keep in mind that they, too, would do the same?
Image: CBS
Comments