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Earl Cole |
Sometimes, good guys finish first.
Earl Cole, the 35-year-old advertising executive from California, was
declared the winner of 'Survivor: Fiji' on last night's finale. The
unanimous jury vote was proof solid that weak player Cassandra Franklin and
dubious player 'Dre' Herd never had a chance in front of a very bitter
jury.
Playing one of the worst games of 'Survivor' ever by not considering the
consequences of his persistent betrayals, Dreamz Herd's decision not to
live up to the deal he made with Yau-Man Chan was the final nail in his
coffin. The judgment call pretty much guaranteed Earl the win.
"I was shocked. I was already strategizing in mind to possibly be going
against Yau. What I would say? What I would do? When Dreamz reneged on that
deal I was like...Wow! I just won a million dollars," Earl told 'Survivor'
host Jeff Probst.
Even though he played a "clean" game, all things considered, Earl
admitted that the hardest thing he had to do was vote against his friend
Yau-Man.
"The key moment was when I unfortunately had to write down Yau's name
because he was my biggest competitor. It was about my best chances at
winning," confessed Earl. When Probst presented the scenario of Yau-Man
versus Earl in the finals, Yau-Man scored more votes with the jury.
Despite the betrayal, there seemed to be no love lost between the two
players who had formed an alliance on the very first day due to mutual
respect for each other's morals and gameplay.
"It wasn't until we were stuck in Ravu and those horrible conditions
that I began to notice that of all my tribe mates, Earl turned out to have
the work ethic that I appreciated. He worked very hard and he was the one
who actually was closer to me than anyone else," said fan favourite super
nerd Yau-Man of his friend.
While the ending of possibly the worst season of 'Survivor' was
predictable in so many ways, host Jeff Probst still had trouble nailing
down Dreamz Herd's gameplay. When cornered, Dreamz danced around the
question time and time again. Finally, Probst turned to his alliance
partner, Cassandra, for some answers.
"Cassandra, was Dreamz flying by the seat of his pants or was Dreamz
playing the part of a guy flying by the seat of his pants?," asked Probst.
"He knew exactly what he was doing. He thought things out. He
communicated every step," said Cassandra. "He knew what people were
thinking and how they would react to different situations and scenarios."
In addressing the final four car pact he made with Yau-Man, Dreamz
finally admitted that he never had any intention of keeping his word.
"I never told the truth and I wasn't about to start," said Dreamz.
Probst confirmed at the end of the reunion show that the next stop for
the series will be in China. 'Survivor: China' is set to be filmed this
summer and will air in September.
The Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Bula Bula Tribe
1. Cassandra Franklin.
2. Earl Cole.
3. Yau-Man Chan.
4. 'Boo' Bernis.
5. 'Dre' Herd.
Bula Bula Tribal Happenings - Day 36
Earl and Yau-Man are fretting over the Tribal Council vote. Earl
believes the others were trying to flush out the Hidden Immunity Idol.
Earl: It might have been me who was targeted. It is all about cannibalism
now.
Bula Bula Tribal Happenings - Day 37
Yau-Man: I am the biggest target now since my public deal with Dreamz.
Cassandra: It is all about our own personal interests now. In trying to
get rid of Yau, we were trying to level the playing field.
Immunity Challenge
The Survivors must wander through a gigantic five part maze searching for
keys.
Reward
Immunity from the Tribal Council vote.
Result
Yau-Man pretty much runs away with this one.
Winner: Yau-Man.
Bula Bula Tribal Happenings - Day 37
Yau-Man: This was a very important win for me. Unless the plan changes,
Boo will be going home.
Yau-Man congratulates Boo. Yau-Man: You are a great competitor. Boo has
figured since he didn't win Immunity, the tribe is kicking him. Boo speaks
to Earl and Yah-Man. He portrays himself as the better jury opponent.
Dreamz will get the sympathy vote. Earl and Yau-Man ponder Boo's
suggestion.
Tribal Council Happenings
Boo floats his plan again at Tribal Council. Dreamz takes issue with the
idea. He has never tried to gain sympathy for his situation. Boo: Getting
rid of Dreamz now would be the best thing.
Dreamz votes for Boo. Boo votes for Dreamz.
Final Voting
1. Cassandra Franklin: Boo.
2. Earl Cole: Boo.
3. Yau-Man Chan: Boo.
4. 'Boo' Bernis: Dreamz.
5. 'Dre' Herd: Boo.
Tribal Council Victim: 'Boo' Bernis.
Final Words: "Well, it is 9:37 and I have been voted out. Yau is a
strong competitor. He is going to be a hard person to beat and I respect
him on many different levels. It will be interesting to see if Dreamz keeps
his word. There might be some fireworks tomorrow." - 'Boo'
Bernis.
Bula Bula Tribal Happenings - Day 37
Yau-Man is proud of himself for making the final four. It is an amazing
accomplishment. Earl says that their friendship will last beyond the show.
Earl: It is like a Rush Hour thing.
To show his son how important it is to keep your word, Dreamz says he
will win Immunity and give the necklace to Yau-Man.
Yau-Man, Cassandra, Dreamz and Earl gather the torches of the other
players, remember them and then give them a Viking burial before moving
onto the final Immunity Challenge.
Immunity Challenge
The Survivors hang from a platform. Water pours from above on the players
and every five minutes, Probst raises the platform.
Reward
Immunity from the Tribal Council vote.
Result
The elimination order is Cassandra, Earl and Yau-Man.
Winner: Dreamz.
Bula Bula Tribal Happenings - Day 37
Dreamz is not sure what to do considering that it is three players in
the finals not two. Earl to Cassandra: He is a good kid. He will stay on
the straight and narrow.
Yau-Man to Dreamz: All that I ask is if you change your mind, don't vote
for me. Earl: Don't vote for me either.
Yau-Man: Dreamz is a wild card and now he is in control. I hope he keeps
his promise.
In speaking to Cassandra, Dreamz claims it was him who took out the LAX
Alliance.
Dreamz: At Tribal Council, I can prove that I am the truth-teller, I am
an honourable person. I am Dreamz.
Tribal Council Happenings
Dreamz is sure that if he gives up the Immunity Necklace, he will be
voted out tonight. Yau-Man: It is my hope that Dreamz lives up to his word.
Cassandra: Dreamz is in a difficult situation. When Dreamz is asked if he
is holding onto the Immunity Necklace, Dreamz answers: "I am gonna keep it.
I am sorry Yau-Man."
Final Voting
1. Cassandra Franklin: Yau-Man.
2. Earl Cole: Yau-Man.
3. Yau-Man Chan: Dreamz.
4. 'Dre' Herd: Yau-Man.
Tribal Council Victim: Yau-Man.
Final Words: "I am sorry Dreamz that you didn't keep up your end of
the bargain. Enjoy the truck. I am very surprised that Earl voted me out. I
don't understand why. I am glad I could hold my own and to make it this far
is quite an accomplishment and I am very proud of it." - Yau-Man.
Final 'Survivor Fiji' Jury Vote
1. Yau-Man Chan: Earl.
2. Boo Bernis: Earl.
3. Stacy Kimball: Earl.
4. Alex Angarita: Earl.
5. Mookie Lee: Earl.
6. Edgardo Rivera: Earl.
7. Lisi Linares: Earl.
8. James 'Rocky' Reid: Earl.
Sole Survivor: Survivor Fiji: Earl Cole.
