Natalie beats Russell on finale of 'Survivor: Samoa'
Photo: CBS
Natalie White beat Russell Hantz and Mick Trimming to emerge as the 2009 winner on finale night of "Survivor: Samoa." Natalie received the necessary five jury votes, while Russell received just two (of the votes that host Jeff Probst read).
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Earlier on the finale, the remaining four Foa Foa members knew they needed to beat Brett to get a chance at the $1 million prize. In a puzzle challenge, however, Brett won his third straight immunity necklace, securing himself a seat at the final four table.
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After the challenge, Russell wasn't sure who should get voted off next. His first thought was to oust Natalie due to her perceived physical weakness in challenges. In the end, however, Russell convinced Mick and Natalie to vote out Jaison, who the remaining Foa Foa members thought mentally checked out of the game a long time ago.
In the final individual immunity challenge, the remaining members were required to balance a wooden statue on several feet of pole that would continue to increase in length. Mick was the first to bow out of the challenge, followed soon by Natalie. It came down to Russell and Brett, who by the end of the challenge were balancing the statue on seven feet of pole. While both wavered back and forth, Brett lost control and Russell won his first individual immunity challenge.
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At the final tribal council, Brett was unanimously voted off by the final three members of Foa Foa, becoming the ninth crucial jury member.
At the end of the episode, the remaining jury members were allowed to question Mick, Natalie, and Russell. It appeared that Russell had secured enough votes based on the questioning of his peers--until Erik stepped up. Erik, the last jury member to pose questions, stated that Russell's lying, backstabbing, and overall manipulation of his fellow castaways wasn't worthy of jury votes. Erik said that while some perceive Natalie as being weak and undeserving of the $1 million prize, that perception is "not reality. Reality is reality."
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In the end, Erik's plea to the jury for Natalie to win "Survivor: Samoa" may have just paid off. After 39 grueling days, Natalie is the latest winner in the "Survivor" series.
But did she deserve to win over Mick and, ultimately, Russell? Vote in the poll below!
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Comments
I loved watching Russell but Eric was right on the money about Ratalie and she deserved it.
Sorry Natalie shouldnt have won. Russel played a better game. Natalie did nothing out of the ordinary in the game. Russel found all three idols and two with no clues. I fail to see where Natalie did anything as memorable as that. Russel was honest from the get out, he said he was going to lie and cheat. This wasnt a popularity contest it was a game, and he did the best job any Surevivor has ever played including Richard Hatch the first winner.
I have a feeling we will be seeing Russ again very soon.
"...and she deserved it." - now that is funny. If anyone deserved it, it was Russell. Natalie who?
Russell won plain and simple. This was a reflection of what our society has become. We don't keep score anymore at little league baseball because "trying your best" is what counts. He came to PLAY, but the PC jury did not. He OUTWITTED everyone of them and they thought they would look good voting her the winner. They just confirmed they have no WITS about them. CBS is kicking themselves because he is what that show needed to revive itself and a bunch of "SOUR GRAPES" HELD IT BACK YET AGAIN.
eric called natalie Ratalie because she killed a rat.
what is with people saying russel played a good game? russel didnt account for people having emotions and therefore would HATE him. natalie's social game destroyed russels. and him being better than richard hatch? hatch didnt need hidden immunity idols (which btw arent strategy) to save himself, and he also didnt have anyone before him showing how you can win the game. a good survivor player has strategy AND a good social game (see cirie, yau man, parvati) which russel did not.
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