An "Insider" Look at Survivor: Exile Island, The Finale: Two Out of Four Ain't Bad

Well, I was wrong about the outcome, but I would have been perfectly fine with it had I predicted the final two right – Terry and Danielle. No, instead, while everyone is cheering and exclaiming, “At least Danielle didn’t win!” I’m over in the corner with my hand up, saying, “Yes, but Aras did.” I can deal with lazy (Danielle) and arrogant (Terry), but what I can’t deal with is disrespectful and hypocritical.

Game or no, with one threat, Aras proved that he was in it for nothing but the money. Which is fine – which is how it should be! But don’t tell me you want to play the game with integrity and threaten your way into the final two. He even went so far as to try and say he ONLY jumped off because she gave him the nod. Sure. He looked for the nod because he knew he was screwed. So I just can’t be happy about his victory in any sense. Except maybe that it wasn’t Courtney.

One person I am deliriously happy for is Cirie. Not only for her well-earned fame (and let’s hope they don’t squander it like they did Rupert’s, although I have the distinct feeling that was Rupert’s doing) but that America agreed with me and voted her the Yukon. This whole infuriating season was almost made worthwhile in that one moment. Which leads us nicely to…

Cirie’s Final Words: Her time there is up, she lasted 36 days, FAR beyond her expectations, she had a great experience, met interesting people, hopefully made friends, she’s done some cool things like flying on a helicopter and riding on a yacht. She challenged herself in ways (does the “holds up her hands and gasps” thing), she’s speechless. Her face is one of absolute wonderment and joy.

She hopes her family is proud (I would venture a guess that they are), sorry guys, she says she let them down, she couldn’t keep the fire going. Geez, she lasts that long and she’s apologizing. Why DON’T I love Cirie, you know? This has been the hardest thing she ever had to do in her life. And then she laughs that laugh, which, coming after that statement, pretty much sums up my feelings for Cirie right there.

For people like her out there, don’t listen to the self doubt, don’t listen to the underestimators, just try it, you never know what might happen. Look at her. Next to having kids, this has been the best thing she’s ever done. The hardest thing, but the best. She’s so thankful for the opportunity. She can barely keep it together. Just get off the couch, she says. Don’t let life pass you by because you’re on the couch. If she can do it, so can you.

Cirie on day one was so lost, she was like a newborn baby. She needed directions from the Lumberjack Lady (ironic, no?), she couldn’t even find the water, and she had a map! She had no idea where to start, thankfully there were other people around. Otherwise, she would have died. Gradually, she watched and learned – and points out that she should have watched the fire more. She went from zero to my hero. Actually, she said she went from zero to being able to catch a fish and find other ways to get water, which she really doesn’t recommend.

She overcame a lot of her fears. Dark woods, 36 days ago, would have had her pulling hairs out. Now she’s used to nature. Well, she stops herself, she’s not really used to nature because she still doesn’t like the bugs. Hey, who does? BUT, she can be outside in the dark and not scream out loud, how about that?

Terry. Terry, Terry, Terry. No hard feelings, but she thinks there is a way to go about things with a little more tact and a little more sensitivity to other people’s thoughts, and a little less… just stop thinking about yourself so much. She knows he’s military and is used to being in charge. Be in charge of Terry, not other adult people, and put yourself in their shoes before you scold 35-year old adults. Or any adults for that matter.

She wishes them all luck, Aras especially. This was far beyond anything she expected. She watches the show, she knew the show. Not a chance. She was so ill-prepared. She doesn’t think you can prepare. You may be athletic or (laughing) be able to start a fire, but there’s no way to prepare for all the aspects. It is impossible. It’s way past what she expected. She thought on day 15, a producer might bring out a banana and a coke or something. There’s no help! It’s crazy. It’s the best thing that she’s ever done in her life, and she’s lasted 36 days!

All Cirie fans (and I know there are a lot of you out there) need to go watch this clip. And people who can’t understand why people like me are smitten, go watch this clip.

Cirie, the Day After: She knew it was hard, watching it from home, but you just can’t understand until you’re here. I make fun of others for saying this, but I’ll allow it from Cirie. It seems like a show, but when you live here, it’s a rude awakening. When she realized that she probably should have done a little research, she thought, “uh-oh.”

Her best time was when HB came and he got to see what she went through. The fact that she knew what to do and could show him made it her best time. Her lowest point was when she didn’t get the family video. You mean the one Aras lost because he kept kicking out the flags? Prior to that challenge, she was feeling defeated and she just needed a boost. Something from the family would have been great, and lo and behold, that was the reward. And she didn’t get it.