Survivor
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19 months later, we finally have a newSurvivorwinner.
Congratulations to Erika, the Luvu queen from Toronto.
The self-described lion that dressed like a lamb is a deservingSurvivorchampion.
And her gameplay is just as worthy of praise.
She dominated the final few days onSurvivor.
Before her victory, the finale begins on a familiar note: the fallout of a Deshawn-induced controversy.
(Spoiler alert: They resolve their tensions.)
Unfortunately for Ricard the biggest threat Deshawns drama isnt enough of a distraction.
Tree mail delivers a clue to an advantage for the upcoming immunity challenge.
Erika finds it and wins the first of two immunity challenges remaining.
This is her second solo immunity win, but its the nail in the coffin for Ricards game.
Xander briefly toys with the idea of giving his immunity idol to his bromance partner.
He doesnt go through with it, and Ricard is sent to the jury.
It seems unlikely anyone wouldve won against Ricard, so his exit makes strategic sense.
Still, its a bad move for Xander to play with the emotions of the newest jury member.
Fortunately, Xander wins the final immunity challenge, though it might be more baggage than its worth.
Hes guaranteed a spot in the final tribal council, but he can only bring one player with him.
Xander chooses Erika to deprive her of another chance to add to her resume.
The fire-making challenge is unexpectedly the best part of the episode.
Deshawn and Heather face off in a rousing match that honestly has more excitement than CBSMonday Night Football.
Heather is the final juror.
The next day Deshawn, Erika, and Xander head to the final tribal.
Its a strong trio with no clear winner; each would be a fitting champion.
Once they enter tribal, the equal footing quickly dissipates.
Xander has the nuts and bolts a Sole Survivor needs, but he fumbles selling his story.
Meanwhile, Erikas superb performance at the final tribal mirrored her gameplay.
She deploys a similar wait-and-pounce tactic at final tribal.
While Xander and Deshawn initially field many of the questions, Erika dominates the latter half with her answers.
Her win will most likely be debated, which is unfortunate.
Not knowing who will win makes it a fun TV show to watch, and ultimatelySurvivoris a TV show.
Earlier this week,Survivor: South Pacificwinner Sophie Clarke reflected on her edit.
Usually with winners, especially female winners, they want somebody to be loveable, she said.
I do have a little bit of an insecurity that maybe I just wasnt that lovable.
I didnt give them enough loveable content to be able to frame the winner that way.
Erika had a similar reflection.
Its about time thatSurvivorrealized that physical strength isnt the only key in of fortitude.
Having a woman of color win with subtlety and nuance is a far greater achievement than brute force.
The jury realized this, so why couldntSurvivor?
