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Tom Westman beat Katie Gallagher to win 'Survivor Palau'. |
After nine seasons, 'Survivor' has its most deserving winner yet. Tom Westman, the 41-year-old firefighter from New York City who thoroughly dominated the entire 'Palau' season defeated irritating floater/slacker Katie Gallagher by a vote of six to one during the final jury vote to win a new car, the title of 'Sole Survivor' and a million dollars. The only vote Gallagher received was from the 32-year-old hairstylist from Texas, Coby Archa.
Criticized for having too many "under the radar" players become the 'Ultimate Survivor' in past seasons, the producers can take some pride in the fact that Westman is indeed the most complete 'Survivor' player to ever be cast on the series. Not only did Westman dominate the majority of the challenges - winning five of the final seven Immunity Challenges - and lead the Koror Tribe during its sweep of Ulong, his strategies and logic during the ever-shifting tribal politics were some of the best ever employed. Westman rarely made a misstep and despite a few minor flaws that didn't really cost him in the end, he pretty much played a perfect game.
Westman credited his win to one of his best friends and his wife.
"When I started concocting plans of the role I would play out there in Palau, they both just slapped me around and said...You gotta go in there and be yourself, it's a winning strategy," Westman told host Jeff Probst during the reunion broadcast. "I thought I was going to be able to hide underneath my gray hair and it didn't happen too well. If anything, I played a lousy strategy game because I didn't hide well."
Westman's Tribal Council victory was elementary. His opponent, Katie Gallagher, was the polar opposite of Westman in every way. She either sat out or bungled the majority of the challenges, lazed around at camp and many of her strategical moves winded up backfiring in her face. Her only successful scheme was to ride on the coat tails of others to the end. At the final Tribal Council itself, Gallagher had a shameful showing. While Westman remained calm and collected, Gallagher was argumentative and defensive.
"How many times did I say...I will not win against Tom? I tried to take him out. I love him but come on, you can't beat this guy," Gallagher confessed to Probst.
The person who received very little thanks from Westman or Gallagher during the reunion show was their alliance partner from the very beginning of the game, dolphin trainer Ian Rosenberger. In what will be considered either the stupidest move of all time on 'Survivor' or the most endearing, at eleven hours into the final Immunity Challenge, Rosenberger agreed to forfeit the challenge if Westman promised to take Gallagher to the finals instead of him. Guilty about the lies he told to both Gallagher and Westman, Rosenberger claimed to know no other way of regaining their friendship and proving to Westman and Gallagher that they were more important to him than the money and the game. Westman accepted Rosenberger's offer. At an impromptu Tribal Council at the site of the final Immunity Challenge, Westman cast his vote against Rosenberger eliminating him from contention.
While the Reunion show played out very sedately with Probst not even making his usual humourous journey to the finale site, it did contain one surprise. Coby Archa, the 32-year-old hairstylist from Texas, revealed that he had adopted a baby girl and named the child after his friend and former tribe mate, Janu Tornell, the 39-year-old Vegas showgirl.
As detailed at the reunion show, the next instalment of 'Survivor' will take place in Guatemala with Mayan culture as the theme. Probst revealed that unlike previous editions, the players would not have to construct their own shelters. They will live in the Mayan ruins.
The Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Koror Tribe
1. Ian.
2. Katie.
3. Tom.
4. Jennifer.
Koror Tribal Happenings (Day 37)
Katie: Caryn did me a huge favour in front of the jury by outing Ian and Tom's plans and how Ian betrayed me.
Ian: The heat was definitely on me. My stock with the jury has gone way down.
Jenn and Katie are heard screaming for help. Tom and Ian rush to their aid. Ian says they sounded as if they were being massacred. When Tom and Ian arrive they find Katie and Jenn have found a crate with all sorts of goodies inside. It is a gift from the producers to the Final Four. Everyone celebrates.
Katie: It was nice to enjoy each other's company before we slit each other's throats.
Jenn, Ian and Katie chat in the hovel. Jenn feels that Tom has been too strong and has to be voted off if he doesn't win Immunity. Ian agrees. Ian: Game on!
Ian: This is the moment he has been waiting for. He wants to beat the crap out of Tom at a challenge.
Immunity Challenge
At the challenge site, a car awaits. Probst informs the players that the vehicle and what is inside the glove compartment go to the winner of 'Survivor Palau'. In the glove compartment is a cheque for a million dollars. This challenge is run into two phases. First, the players will be tied to a rope and have to manoeuvre their way through a tire crawl untying knots and keys as they go. Then, it is off to a tower. The keys open locks, which lead to the second level. At the second level of the tower, the competitors must use a grappling hook to retrieve ladder rungs on the ground. The rungs build a ladder to the final level. The first two to raise their flag on the final level move on. During the final phase, a flying fox is used to reach a bag of tiles with numbers on them. At shore, the tiles if assembled in the correct order are the combination to a lock on a box. The box contains a flag, which must be raised for the win.
Reward
Immunity from the Tribal Council vote.
Result
Tom and Ian win the first leg. As usual, Katie brings up the rear. In the second leg, Tom is the first to open the flag box. Jenn is clearly disappointed at the outcome.
Winner: Tom.
Koror Pre-Tribal Happenings (Day 37)
Back at camp, Jenn comments that the challenge seemed to be three hours long.
Ian: Since Tom won Immunity, Jenn is going home.
In front of everyone, Tom explains to Jennifer that he made a deal with Ian. He is going to honour that agreement and won't turn on him. Reading between the lines, Jenn knows she is going next. Tom asks Jenn if that is all cool with her. She says that it is. Tom and Jenn hug. Tom to Jenn: It has been a pleasure and an honour playing the game with you.
Tom: He is taking a risk keeping Ian in the game but he is going to stand by him. For good or for bad, that is his move.
Koror Pre-Tribal Happenings (Night 37)
While everyone is eating supper, Ian admits that if he had won Immunity, he would have had a difficult decision to make. He is glad that Tom won so he didn't have to go there.
Tom: What Ian just said makes me think that I have been played for a fool.
Tom and Jenn conspire. Tom can't believe what Ian just said. Jenn says that it is true. Ian did state this morning that if he won Immunity, he would vote Tom out.
Tom and Jenn confront Ian. Tom to Ian: What you just said floored me. Am I a fool for doing the right thing? A flustered Ian: I am playing the game like everyone else. I would have voted you out if I won Immunity. Tom before he walks away: That's all I needed to know.
Koror Tribal Council Happenings
Tom is angry that he might have been played for the fool. His respect for honour was not returned. Ian states that he and Tom had an agreement to make it to the Final Three. Ian claims he never would have voted Tom out. He was just talking game. Tom disagrees. He knows Ian was working to vote him out. Ian cannot believe Tom is taking Jenn's word over his. Jenn admits to being happy over the dissention between Ian and Tom. Katie is upset that Ian doesn't care what she thinks. Katie to Ian: I have a vote too. Tom might write your name down. Katie to Ian: Have you lied to me in the last 24 hours? Ian: Straight up, no.
Final Voting:
1. Ian: Jenn.
2. Katie: Jenn.
3. Tom: Ian.
4. Jennifer: Ian.
Since the vote is tied, Probst calls for another vote from just Tom and Katie.
Tie-Breaker Vote:
1. Katie: Jenn.
2. Tom: Ian.
Special Immunity Challenge
Rather than pull out the Dreaded Purple Rock of Doom, Probst says that a special Immunity Challenge will be held between Ian and Jenn. It is the same fire building challenge used earlier in the season between Stephenie and Bobby Jon.
Reward
The winner gets to stay in the game.
Result
Winner: Ian.
Tribal Council Victim: Jennifer Lyon.
Parting Comments
"I lasted 37 days but it didn't work out my way. I am a little disappointed in Katie. She had the chance to keep me around a little bit longer and she went against that so Katie, I don't know if you have my vote any longer." -- Jennifer Lyon. .
Koror Tribal Happenings (Night 37)
Tom: He has no loyalty to Ian. Ian just tried to submarine him.
Tom and Ian share more bitter words. Ian claims he always wanted to duke it out in the finals with Tom. Tom: You are the worst liar. Katie inserts herself into the debate. Katie: Tom stuck up for you all those times. Tom: You are twisting the truth and lying to her and me. Ian: I was just playing a game like anyone else here. Tom: We were supposed to be playing together. I held to that. You didn't. Ian: You are crucifying me for a decision I never followed through on. Tom: You didn't get the chance to. Katie, of all people, accuses Ian of double-dealing everyone. Tom: He would appreciate it if Ian stepped up like a man and just admitted what he tried to do. He believes that being a man means confessing when you have done wrong instead of trying to weasel your way out of it. Tom: You got caught and you blew it.
Koror Tribal Happenings (Day 38)
Ian has slept outside the shelter all night long. He is upset. He is not the only person who told a lie or fibbed in the game.
Katie joins Ian outside. Katie: You don't have to sleep outside. Ian assures Katie if he wins Immunity, he will take Katie to the finals. Katie: I wish I could believe that.
A sobbing Ian: He didn't come on the show to be portrayed as the villain. Everyone plays the game with their own best interest in mind. He didn't act any differently than anyone else. He won't quit. He is going to fight to be in the Final Two.
Tom, Katie and Ian canoe to the location of the Final Immunity Challenge. Along the way, they drop torches representing the other players into the water in honour of them.
Final Immunity Challenge
In the water are three buoys with poles attached to them. The players must stand on a small disk attached around the pole as the buoy bobs around. It is an endurance test.
Reward
Immunity from the Tribal Council vote.
Result
At five hours, Katie gives up. Tom makes a deal with Ian. If Ian steps off, he will take him into the finals. Tom says if he wins, he will take Katie. Ian doesn't accept. At eleven hours in, Ian offers a solution to their troubles. If Tom agrees to take Katie into the finals, he will step off. He will sacrifice the money to win back their friendship. Tom states that he would have always been Ian's friend but if Ian quits, he will have earned his respect back. Ian dives off. Probst: Nobody would have predicted this move. Ian, Tom and Katie hug.
Winner: Tom.
Koror Tribal Council Happenings
Probst sees no need for a formal Tribal Council. He asks Tom who he is voting off. Per their deal, Tom picks Ian. Tom says he respects Ian and calls him a "hellva guy".
Final Voting:
1. Tom: Ian.
Parting Comments
No final comments from Ian are aired.
Koror Tribal Happenings (Day 39)
Katie and Tom celebrate their last day by building a bon fire and torching the picnic table. Tom doesn't think it is right that the table ever be used by another family. Tom thinks the jury might be fed up with him winning everything and go with the person who rode his coat tails. Tom and Katie agree the Koror flag will go to the 'Sole Survivor'. Katie is proud of the game she played and wants some credit for her choices. Tom about the jury: So be it. The decision is in their hands not mine.
Koror Final Tribal Council Happenings
Katie and Tom are allowed to make opening arguments.
Tom: "It is an honour to be sitting in front of what has been our tribe and our family. I don't sit here pretending that I deserve this seat any more than you. There are a million things I do want to say, and you can ask me things and I will get into specifics, but judge me on who I was. The fact that I came out and played real hard, tried to provide, went out, did my work, never had a nasty word for any of you and tried to keep it light. It is an honour and this humbling. I cherish you people for going through this experience with me."
Katie: "What I would like to say is that there are two very different people sitting here. I am not going to pretend that I am even close to Tom in some aspects. The whole goal of this game is self-preservation and that's what I have done. I never sat here and had Immunity around my neck but I am sitting here right now. I am sure a lot of you are probably thinking...Yeah, she skated by. She aligned herself with two really strong people. Well, that's the game and that's exactly what I did. I came in with a plan and I executed that plan. I hope that I didn't hurt anyone. I played the only cards I could play. By far, I can say, I definitely outwitted and I am honoured to be sitting here right now."
The jury is given the chance to ask their questions
Coby: Makes Katie aware that if she gets his vote tonight, it a vote against Tom not a vote for her. "In the challenges, you sat out of most of them. At camp, I rarely saw you muster enough energy to stir coconuts. Your self-proclaimed social skills really don't lie anywhere outside of your alliance. The only element I saw you bring to this game is riding the coat-tails of those who do play the game." Coby claims that Tom played the game dirty. He played the game as dirty as Ian did, even if he won't admit it. He will sit down and listen to every word Tom says to see if he speaks the truth.
Gregg: He claims that he saved Tom when he was at risk but Tom didn't repay the same respect back to him. Why should he give Tom his vote? Tom says he voted Gregg out because he believed what others had told him. That Gregg was targeting him. He apologizes if he was wrong. Gregg calls Katie "worthless" around camp. She was embarrassing during the challenges. Gregg accuses Katie of ridiculing people. He calls her plan pathetic. The harsh words upset Katie. She cries. She would never had said anything so cruel about him. Katie: I played with the cards I had. I don't have an athletic heart but that is not what this game is about.
Stephenie: She wonders what Tom did to save her. Tom insists that he did look out for her but when it came to down to brass tacks, he couldn't break his alliance with the others. He didn't have a choice but to vote Stephenie out. Katie butts in and claims that Tom insisted that the Alliance of Five take out Stephenie. Tom says that Stephenie was "an ace in the hole" so what Katie is saying doesn't make any sense at all. Katie: I swear I remember that conversation.
Janu: Asks Tom how he can defend to himself how he played the game. Tom: This game is what it is. We all know the rules. Tom says he didn't cross any lines. Tom: I played the game with as much honour as I could. You cannot play 'Survivor' and not mislead or misdirect. I went out of my way never to hurt people. Janu wants Katie to name three positive and negative adjectives to describe how she played the game. Katie refuses to answer. She won't get Janu's vote any way.
Caryn: She wants to know what she was to Tom in the game? Was she just a pawn or did they have a real, genuine friendship? Tom responds that he never told Caryn she was in an alliance with him. They were the older members of the tribe who would look out for each other. Tom apologizes for not believing Caryn and taking Ian's word over her's. Tom: If I didn't win those two back-to-back Immunity Challenges, I was going home. Caryn asks the same question...was she a pawn or a friend? Tom refuses to answer. She should know the truth if she listens to her heart. Caryn to Katie: You were phoney and cruel. You were the laziest person at camp and bad at challenges. You betrayed me. Give me a reason I should vote for you? Katie: The game is about making alliances and the reason you are sitting over there is you didn't make one. Caryn: I got it, Katie. Thanks.
Jenn: Jenn calls Tom chauvinistic and that he didn't respect her game play. Tom admits that he didn't until the very end because Jenn hid her game from him. Jenn doesn't appreciate how Katie played the game. She didn't play as a strong woman and let herself be disrespected over and over. Katie: I preserved myself by forming strong alliances. Katie believes she is a strong woman. She feels good about her game.
Ian: Wants to know from both why the jury shouldn't give them the million dollars? Katie: Because of my personality and my sense of humour. Tom: I have already had my payday by going on this adventure.
Katie and Tom are allowed to make closing statements.
Tom: When I found out I was coming out here, I turned into a panic. This game is a truth serum and you cannot hide who you are. Good or bad, you met Tom Westman. I stuck with the people who I said I would stick with in the beginning even at folly and because of that I hurt some other people along the way, I apologize for that. Somehow, I ended up here and I am glad I did. I am willing to be judged on how I played the game, how I treated you and however you vote, there are no hard feelings on this end. I have loved these days.
Katie: I am sorry if I hurt you and I want to start off by saying that. I knew coming into this that Tom was my biggest threat. He is such a stand-up guy, totally athletic and true. That's why I aligned with him. That's why I aligned with Ian. My plea to you guys is...give me a chance. I knew I had nothing going up against this guy but I came into this playing with everything I had. It might not be things you respect. You might not respect my sense of humour but it got me here. All I can say is I came into this with a plan, I did it, I am leaving with my self-respect though I might not have won any from you.
Janu votes for Tom. She thanks him for choosing her on the first day.
Coby votes for Katie. He didn't hear any honesty from Tom.
Final Voting:
1. Coby: Katie.
2. Gregg: Tom.
3. Stephenie: Tom.
4. Janu: Tom.
5. Caryn: Tom.
6. Jenn: Tom.
7. Ian: Tom.
Powell's Thoughts:
It was fitting end to a thoroughly enjoyable season. The producers have certainly redeemed themselves after an utterly cruddy 'Vanuatu' edition. If anyone told me at the start of 'Palau' that one tribe would steamroll over the other, I would never have guessed the season would have been as fascinating as it has been. Compared to the other editions, I would rate this fourth behind Borneo, Australia and Pearl Islands. It was satisfying to see a hard-core player like Tom handily defeat a freeloading, "under the radar" competitor like Katie. If nothing else, 'Palau' breathed new life into the series with all of its firsts and re-instilled some credibility into the game as a whole.
See you in July for the 24/7 coverage of 'Big Brother 6'. Stay tuned to Jam! for all the details.
