Survivor: The Amazon - Great Season, Horrible Ending, and Light at the End of the Tunnel

Finally, the jury gets their say, and as he has done throughout the show, Rob manages to liven things up a bit. He asks each of them why the other one doesn't deserve to win. Matthew observes that Jenna hasn't contributed as much to camp as everyone else. Jenna then gives the most ridiculous answer I can imagine. She mentions how Matthew doesn't need the money. What, pray tell, does that have to do with how he played the game?

It irritated me in Africa when Lindsay pointed this about Carl, aka "Doc." And the irritation was no less in the Amazon. In fact, it doesn't even answer the question, in my opinion. Even if Matthew were a multi-millionaire, that is completely irrelevant to how well he did or didn't play. Did Jenna expect everyone to hand her the money just because she needs it? Did it ever occur to her that maybe Matt is well-off because he EARNED it? It's fairly obvious he did a lot of work in the Amazon, while Jenna worked mostly on her tan. Whatever the case, she sounds like she's begging for a handout.

And of course, Heidi hasn't finished quite amusing us either. She asks the two who else deserves to win the game. It seems like an innocent enough question at first. But when, to Heidi's obvious shock and distress, they both say Rob and not her, she then gives a textbook definition of "fishing for compliments," asking, "Is that the only person?" Thankfully, Jeff Probst steps in and says they've covered it.

Then, Deena calls Jenna on her previously-mentioned "money" comment. Asked about it, Jenna says, "I think need should come into it because that's how I would vote." Oh really? Suppose she were in the jury, and the two finalists were someone she detested but who needed the money, and someone she liked but whom was well off?

Rachel, I can hear her saying, "I'm not awarding you the money just because you need it. Get over it!" And here's another point: Last season, near the beginning of Thailand, Helen voted for Clay, saying it was a financial move, as he was probably pretty well off. Little did she know he had filed for bankruptcy just prior to leaving the states.

The point is, we really don't know how other people are doing, and things may not always be what seem. Also, Matt may face some calamity in the future and really need the money. So, in essence, voting for someone based on need, or perceived need, is ludicrous. Also, would Jenna feel the same way if she were better off than Matt? Just a few points to ponder.

Okay, Rachel, now it's about to get good. Christy asks Jenna about her comment that being beautiful was a handicap. Jenna, of course, tries to pull the old "I can't remember saying that" gag. Maybe she didn't but Christy wouldn't let go, and says Jenna indeed say that At least Jenna apologized, and said she didn't mean to compare beauty with deafness.

Now, it's Dave's turn. Remember, he's the one who wanted intelligent answers to his question. Well, he proceeds to ask a less-than-intelligent question. The rocket scientist asks them what modern influential leader have they emulated in the game. Uh, yeah. If I were about to take the journey of a lifetime, the first thing on my mind would be which world leader I wanted to pattern myself after.

Too bad Rob isn't in the final two, or he could say, "Nixon." Of course, Rob and some of the other guys could've easily said "Clinton," after the way they drooled over the women of the Amazon. As for Jenna, I think she should've said, "Cleopatra," because for a good part of the game, she acted like she was the Queen, and everyone else was her subject, not to mention the numerous times she made an "asp" of herself.

Well, it's time for the votes to be revealed, or some of them, anyway. Heidi, to no one's surprise, votes for Jenna, someone she says she could trust "in the most adverse conditions." What conditions are those? Being in the minority? Running out of makeup? If I were in adverse conditions, I'm sorry, but I think I'd rather have Matt and his superior survival skills.

Well Rachel, now it's time for Probst to supposedly ride a jet ski from Brazil all the way to New York City. Do you think he stopped for gas? What if he lost control shortly after leaving, fell into the river, and heard a group of piranhas saying Grace over him? Did he not stop to use the restroom? Did he pack a lunch? Suppose a pirate ship held him up, took the vessel holding the votes, and sold them to "The Smoking Gun?" And I thought it was cheesy when he hailed a cab in New York while in possession of the "Lock Box." Doesn't he know people get mugged on the subway?

And now it's time for the reunion, and the reading of the votes. At the risk of intruding on the territory of fellow RNO writer Phil Kural, if I had to name an MVP for the Reunion special, it would be Probst. Just as he did in the Thailand Reunion show, he asked tough questions and avoided "softballs."