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 'Survivor Vanuatu' winner, Chris Daugherty. (Photo: Courtesy of CBS.) |
Chris Daugherty, the 33-year-old highway construction worker from Ohio, became the last man standing on the 'Survivor Vanuatu' finale in more ways than one. By a jury vote of 5 to 2, Daugherty beat fellow construction worker Twila Tanner to become the Sole Survivor and a millionaire. Though Daugherty wasn't a strategic mastermind like Richard Hatch or Brian Heidik, he did manage to pull off an astonishing feat in overcoming the men versus women theme that caused him to be outnumbered six to one. In every sense of the word, he was a survivor. Daugherty took the game by making some of the most risky moves ever seen on the series, knowing when to keep his mouth shut or to open it and reading the remaining women so well that he was able to deceive them and prey on their emotions. Just ask Julie and Eliza. It was something that Daugherty made no bones about at the reunion show.
"I pulled out the sympathy card," he told 'Survivor' host-producer Jeff Probst. "I saw an opening to keep my mouth shut because there was six women and I had no control of the game."
Truth be told, some of Daugherty's success can be directly attributed to the Yasur Women's Alliance who couldn't keep things together in the final phase and he admitted that at the final Tribal Council giving credit where credit was due. Yasur's self-destruction left Daugherty with the opportunity to pick up the pieces and evolve into a power player who then went on to win the last two Immunity Challenges.
"I just really think it is hard for women to support each other and believe in each other," Ami Cusack, the unofficial leader of the Yasur Women's Alliance, told Probst as she summed up the alliance's demise. "It has been a really long time of women not really standing up for each other being their best. We lost it. We really did."
For her part, Twila Tanner deserves undying gratitude from Daugherty. Without her, he wouldn't have made it as far as he did. It was Tanner who flipped the entire game on its head by backstabbing Yasur and approaching Daugherty with a new alliance that essentially saved his skin by giving him room to strategize once again. Tanner's outspoken nature also sunk her with many of the jury members who cast their vote not for Chris but against her.
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Tanner apologized repeatedly for her "great lie" on 'Survivor Vanuatu'. Promising on her son's name not to betray the Yasur Alliance was the focus of much of the final Tribal Council and the reunion show.
"At the time, it wasn't a strategic move. It was the honest truth because I didn't see the game changing," Tanner said to Probst. "When they (the rest of the Yasur Alliance) decided to take Eliza out before Chris, it was too late. I couldn't take it back." Tanner's son James, who was also on the reunion show, had no problem with the tactic his mother employed. She was just looking after him and trying to make a better life for their family as the single mom has always done.
On the reunion show, Probst revealed that the next edition of 'Survivor' will take place in the Palau Islands. Probst hinted at a possible war theme as old, newsreel combat footage aired. 'Survivor Palau' will also feature 20 players, the largest number of competitors to ever vie for the million-dollar prize. Probst promised that the players' assumptions about the game would be "wiped out" in the first ten minutes of the premiere broadcast.
The Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:
Alinta Tribe
1. Chris Daugherty: Highway construction.
2. Twila Tanner: Highway repair.
3. Eliza Orlins: Pre-law student.
4. Scout Cloud Lee: Rancher.
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Night 36)
Eliza tells Chris at the campfire that she felt so happy casting her vote for Twila. Chris says that Julie had it coming due to the fact that she jumped back to the Yasur Alliance when the merge occurred. Eliza doesn't know who to trust. Chris says Julie being voted out was just part of the game.
Twila jumps into the conversation with her fangs bared. Twila to Eliza: "You don't deserve to be here. You have been riding everyone's coat-tails." Twila maintains that Eliza never worked hard at camp. Eliza says she was conserving her energy to do well at the challenges. If Twila had done the same, she might have had more success at them. Twila to Eliza: "The reason you are still here is because everyone used you."
Alone with Chris, Eliza calls Twila a "dumb bitch". Chris defends kicking Julie. He says what happened doesn't alter their alliance. He insists that Julie didn't care about Eliza. Heck, she voted against her. Chris asks Eliza to have a little faith in him.
Chris: Watching the women turning on each other is a riot. He finds it funny that he likes Eliza and Twila but they don't like each other.
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Day 37)
Eliza: She can't believe who is in the Final Four. She has to laugh. She is well aware that Twila and Scout want to vote her out...badly. She has to win Immunity. If not, she hopes Chris does.
Immunity Challenge
It is the first ever 'Survivor' vertical maze. The players must climb through the different levels of the maze and retrieve puzzle packages which contain letters. The letters spell out two words: Final Three.
Reward
Result
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Day 37)
Walking back to camp, Chris thinks it is a beautiful day and not just because he won Immunity either.
Chris: I am the last man standing. I needed Immunity so bad. I won't ever give up. It is a good day but I have my work cut out for me.
Scout, Twila and Chris hug. Twila just wants to gloat now. That wench Eliza is going home. Twila might not even pack her bags tonight.
Chris: Twila is out of control.
Chris tells Twila she should rip into Eliza. She should ride her like a dog before they head off to Tribal Council.
Twila ain't dumb. She knows what Chris is up to. He wants her to make Eliza even angrier so she doesn't get her jury vote.
Scout sucks up to Chris. She says that from the very first day, she wanted to play the game with him.
Chris informs Eliza that Twila is gone tonight.
Eliza: All of her trust is in Chris. They did make that Final Two alliance together.
Eliza approaches Scout. She advises Scout to make a deal with Chris and oust Twila. Eliza says Twila has no integrity and she wants to see a Final Two she can be proud of. Eliza asks if Scout will be voting for Twila tonight. Scout doesn't answer.
Chris: He didn't come to the island to get second place...and not third or fourth. He has to get himself to the next step and to hell with everyone else.
Alinta Tribal Council Happenings
Eliza is happy Chris won Immunity. Chris admits he had a bad start at the game. Twila feels at ease but brought her bag to Tribal Council...just in case. Scout wouldn't be surprised if she was vote off. Chris says there is a distinction between friendship and the game. Twila admits she made a mistake swearing on her son's name. She can't take it back. If she wins the million though, her son won't care and he is the one that counts.
Twila votes for Eliza. She has been driving her crazy since Day One. She has some growing up to do.
Eliza looks back at Chris as her torch is snuffed. Chris just shrugs his shoulders.
Final Voting
1. Chris Daugherty: Eliza.
2. Twila Tanner: Eliza.
3. Eliza Orlins: Twila.
4. Scout Cloud Lee: Eliza.
Tribal Council Victim:
Eliza Orlins.
Parting Comments
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Night 37)
Twila wonders if Chris saw the look Eliza gave him as she left Tribal Council. Scout is glad Eliza isn't around any more. Twila compares the situation to a thorn being pulled out of her foot.
Chris: At this point in the game, you have no choice but to lie. If you don't, you will be sent packing.
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Day 38)
Probst arrives at Alinta to explain how the day is going to go down. They are going to travel to the island across from where they are now. In case the players haven't guessed it yet, that island is the one he spoke of as being taboo. You know, where that famous chief is buried. The players will paddle there, go through the snuffed torch walk, visit the grave of the dead chief, give him a sacrifice as a show of respect and then go on to their final Immunity Challenge.
As the Final Three paddle away, Twila jokes that they should get there some time tomorrow. While Twila, Chris and Scout browse through the torches of their fallen comrades, the producers air the ousted players comments taken directly from their post-boot interviews. Kinda lame. At the chief's grave, Chris lays down the magic stone. Twila and Scout hand over the chief staffs given to Scout and Sarge when the tribes were switched up.
Scout: When she walked to the grave she felt as if she were a part of history. She respects that.
Immunity Challenge
The Final Three must stand on logs barefoot and notch an arrow in a bow. The bow has a special pierce marker on it. If the players allow the arrow to jab through the marker or they step off the logs, they are out.
Reward
Result
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Day 38)
On the way back to camp, Chris compliments and hugs Twila. She is probably the toughest chick he has ever met.
Twila: She was trying to win the challenge for herself and not Scout.
Chris approaches Scout. He wants to know if she had an agreement with Twila to go into the Final Two. If so, he is voting Twila out. Scout says there wasn't.
Chris appreciates Scout's honesty. She told the truth when a lie could've sunk Twila's game. Chris: I respect that. Chris isn't sure who he is taking with him to the finals. He might make that decision at Tribal Council.
Alinta Tribal Council Happenings
Chris tells Probst he admires Twila for fighting so hard at the Immunity Challenge. He doesn't blame her for not cutting a deal and stepping off. Chris claims that neither Scout nor Twila approached him with a pact before coming to Tribal Council. He thinks they understand he is the only one with a deck of cards. Twila doesn't want to settle for third. Chris respects the way Twila played the game. Twila admits she plays aggressively.
Final Voting
1. Chris Daugherty: Scout.
Tribal Council Victim:
Scout Cloud Lee.
Parting Comments
Alinta Tribal Happenings (Day 39)
Chris and Twila cook some roots. Chris is glad he will never have to eat that crap again.
Chris: He realizes the game isn't over yet. He still has to mess with Twila's head.
Chris tells Twila he won't take any crap from the jury and she shouldn't either.
Chris: He ain't dumb. If Twila spouts off at Tribal Council, he is just going to sit back and remain calm. He wants Twila to drive the last nail of her coffin in herself.
Twila: Thinks she played a strong game. She didn't suck up to anyone.
Twila says to Chris they will have to go back to "reality reality" soon. They both sit on the hammock together and have a swing. It collapses under their weight and they both fall to the ground.
Twila: Has a sense of pride in how she played the game. She will remember Vanuatu forever. She is grateful for that.
Chris: Finds it ironic that he wasn't in charge and things turned out exactly the opposite of how the game should. He is proud to be the last man standing. The game won't be over for him until he walks off the island.
Final Tribal Council Happenings
Chris' opening statement: "I think I deserve to win as the Sole Survivor for many reasons. I think besides not only being loyal to the alliances that I made throughout the game, I think I am the person who overcame more odds than anybody. I was the last man standing with six women. I think I deserve to win this game because of the odds I overcame."
Twila's opening statement: "I came to this game with one goal and that goal was to win a million dollars to better my life and my son's. I played the game to win. I played it hard. I know I didn't do everything I should have done. It came from my soul though. Everything I did was to win this game and that's why I believe I should be the Sole Survivor. I believe I have earned it. I worked hard for it."
Eliza's question/comment: Eliza calls Twila a "deceptive, lying bitch". She never treated her with an ounce of respect. Eliza doesn't envy Twila's life. Eliza credits Twila with playing a good game. Eliza addresses Chris. His actions shocked her. She calls Chris a "deceptive, lying bitch" too. Eliza: "You stabbed me in the back with the Julie thing and you stabbed me in the back again." Eliza demands an apology from Twila and Chris. Twila says that she only disrespected Eliza when she disrespected her. Twila: "All I said was you talk too much and you do." Eliza: "That's a lie." Twila: "You think I am a deceptive bitch? Well, you are a spoiled little child." Chris says to Eliza he didn't intend to do her wrong when he made the pact with her. Chris: "You are right. I owe you an apology. I broke our pact and I am sorry."
Julie's question/comment: Julie starts crying. She didn't think she would. Julie admits to Twila that she tried to oust her from the game numerous times. Julie says that her energy is directed towards Chris tonight. Julie: "I am either voting for Chris or against Chris." Julie can't believe that Chris lied to her when they had a brother - sister thing going. Chris: "I lied to you, Julie. I can't take it back." Chris maintains that in the end, he didn't know whether he was going to write her name down or not. Chris: "I did you wrong, Julie. I am sorry I lied to you." Chris says that if she doesn't want to speak to him again he understands but he truly looked at her like a little sister.
Leann's question/comment: She brings up Twila swearing on her son's name. Twila responds that when Yasur brought Julie into the alliance and ditched Scout that they could have turned on her as well. Leann asks Chris why she should vote for him and not a woman to win the game. Chris points to Twila turning the tables and that he had to overcome being outnumbered.
Ami's question/comment: Ami wants to know what qualities Twila and Chris have over her in playing the game. Chris: "You are on the jury because you have a soft heart. You are on the jury because you gave me a break and I didn't give you one." Twila apologizes for swearing on her son's name.
Chad's question/comment: He wonders what in the game changed Twila and Chris. Twila thinks she needs to watch her mouth. She is also too quick to judge some people. Chris says the money started talking to him. He claims the jury looked past the million dollars and he didn't.
Sarge's question/comment: States that he wouldn't like to see Twila on the street. He doesn't want to be associated with her. Sarge: "I never want to see you again." Sarge claims that Twila has his vote. He asks Chris if he votes for Twila will their friendship change. Chris says it won't in the least. Chris: "Give your vote to Twila. I don't give a @#$%. We will be friends after this game."
Scout's question/comment: States that Twila has to be Twila and can't scam anyone while Chris is up to his neck in bull.
Twila's final statement: "I didn't come into this game intentionally wanting to deceive or lie to anyone. I don't do that back home and anybody who knows me, knows my word is good. Whether you believe it or not, it is good. All I thought about here is how to better my life. I didn't worry about your feelings. That was selfish of me. People kill for less than what we are playing for. This game turned me into someone I don't like. Sarge, you don't have to rub it in. You don't have to make me feel any lower than I already feel. You just don't understand how that bothered me. I highly respect you and to hear you say that just kills me. I apologize to every damn one of you. It wasn't the game I intended to play. It was the game that ended up playing me and if I could do right again, I would. For that, I apologize. If you forgive me than maybe I can forgive myself."
Chris' final statement: "Scout called me out. I am a bull------. You made me realize one thing: I can't bull---- a bull-------. Julie, all that matters to me is I need your vote. That's for damn sure. I would like to mend some fences and I did you wrong. You are still like my little sister and I brought you your hat. Eliza, you were absolutely right. I do owe you an apology. What happened to you and Julie makes me feel like I don't deserve to be sitting here. Any one of you would probably deserve it more and that's no bull----. I truly feel that way. I just want to tell you again, I am sorry because you gave me your word and there is no doubt in my mind you would be sitting right here if it wasn't for me. I was your demise. Ami and Leann, I came across pretending not to be in the game and I snuck in the backdoor because of the very person sitting to my left and because of Scout. They changed the alliance. They changed the course of the game. I took advantage of it. You are both sitting right there because I did what I had to do to benefit myself. Chad and Sarge, no matter how you vote tonight. I have still made two dear friends. Vote from your heart. Just feel good about who you vote for."
Sarge votes for Chris. His question was a scam. He just wanted to know where their friendship was at. Scout votes for Twila. She thanks her for a strong, outspoken women's alliance. They took it to the end of the game. Eliza votes for Chris. She wishes him the best of luck. She wants him to win. Ami votes for Twila.
Final Voting
1. Eliza: Chris.
2. Julie: Chris.
3. Leann: Chris.
4. Chad: Chris.
5. Ami: Twila.
6. Sarge: Chris.
7. Scout: Twila.
Tribal Council Victim:
Twila Tanner.
Winner and Sole Survivor:
Chris Daugherty.
Powell's Thoughts:
I am glad this below par series finished up with a bang. The finale did deliver a worthwhile and entertaining conclusion. The overall disappointment with 'Vanuatu' began with how the producers started the series with the recycled gender war. The dual dominant alliances at both Lopevi and Yasur didn't help matters much either. Both those factors crippled the first phase of the series. I don't blame the players for that. They were fascinating people for the most part. It is just the producers didn't give us insight into them as they usually do. It seems they realized their mistake but there was nothing they could do about it so they just let the series run on cruise control until things picked up when the Yasur Alliance crumbled.
If the producers learned anything from 'Vanuatu' it should be that they need a hook or theme to hang the series on. They had the black magic and spirit ones on Vanuatu but didn't make any real effort to work them solidly into the series to captivate the audience and reel them in. I believe that the game is fine as it stands now but the producers should look to Pearl Islands as their model for boosting interest. Making little alterations like allowing the tribes to plunder each other or the treasure chest quest on the Pearl Islands series set it apart from the rest and added some creative and fascinating touches.
There are some definitely aspects they need to rework though. Probst's trip to the sound stage in California was a bore. They need to change things up as far as that is concerned. The producers also need to work on clever ways to break up alliances. Start out with more tribes. Something, anything to thwart Pagonging as best they can without manipulating the game in an outright way. I respect that the producers have a game with integrity unlike something like 'Big Brother'. It has never appeared that they manipulate the game all that much. That aspect is why 'Survivor' is a strong series and maintains a great following. Yet, the game needs some tweaking and unique touches to set each series apart from the rest of the pack.
In my interview with Probst before the series aired, he said that 'Survivor' has become a mainstay now and has probably earned the right to take a risk. They have and they should. If this season proved anything, it is that the series has a dedicated, hardcore fan base. The producers should be proud of that. They should also respect that fan base and walk that fine line of spicing things up without diminishing the game or the series as a whole. Not every season can be off the chart. That is asking too much. Some duds are to be expected. There is no excuse though for sleepwalking through a production like they did with 'Vanuatu'.