Survivor South Pacific Season Finale Dec 18/1

It's late and it was a long show so I will do you all a favour and keep this short. It's night 35. Brandon has arrived at Redemption Island. He tells Ozzie that he gave Albert the immunity idol and, as Ozzie rolls his eyes, Brandon says that he loves and forgives Albert. Ozzie tells us that Brandon has to understand that he isn't playing with God but with a bunch of greedy humans who want to win a million dollars. At camp Coach is giving Albert a stern talking to. He says he knew that Brandon was going home but didn't return the idol. Coach says he is tired of all the little lies and wonders what bigger lies are occuring. Privately Albert tells us this has been a humbling day and he will need to find a way to repair his alliance. The final duel is called on Redemption Island. This time the winner returns to the game. Ozzie is ready. He has been on Redemption Island for two weeks preparing for this moment. The contest involves holding onto a large post as long as possible. There are 1/4 inch grooves cut into the poles, but Ozzie and Brandon must hang on with arms and legs and not much else. Both of them hold on for more than 40 minutes but it is Ozzie who is victorious. He returns to camp with the former Upolulites while Brandon (along with pool member Lorelee). The Upolians treat Ozzie with half hearted hospitality. They know they will have to beat him in challenges if they want to get rid of him. Coach though, confirms that he would like to take Ozzie to the final three and even suggests he will give him the immunity idol if Coach should win it (remember Coach still has the hidden immunity idol so if he won a challenge he would have an idol to spare). At this offer Ozzie wonders "who in their right mind would want to take me to the final three?" The immunity challenge involves using a rope handle to balance a teeter totter. While holding the handle with one hand, Survivors must use the other hand to build a house of cards to a specific height. Ozzie wins again and tells us that he is happy to facilitate having the Upolu tribe each each other up. And they do. Albert wants to send the likable Rick packing, while Ozzie is lobbying for Sophie to go. Ozzie tells Albert that Coach promised to take him (Ozzie) to the final three. Albert speaks to Coach about this but gets a lot of Coach-speak that really doesn't reassure him. At Tribal Council Ozzie again tells the group that Coach promised him final three and Sophie has a meltdown when Ozzie calls her a spoiled brat. When the votes are counted Rick (along with Debbie) is jury-bound. And so Ozzie, Coach, Sophie and Albert are left. Ozzie's Plan A is to win. His Plan B is also to win. His Plan C is to not share the coconuts he is collecting. Coach, believing the best defence is a good offense, tells Ozzie that the deal is off since Ozzie spilled the beans about their secret deal. It was disrespectful, says Coach. But Ozzie tells Coach that he has been burned before by trusting people and the game has hardened his heart. Coach's heart softens toward Ozzie and he tells us that "everything has changed". The last immunity challenge involves a race through a giant flower-shaped obstacle course to collect bags of puzzle pieces. Once all five bags of pieces have been collected, Survivors must complete a flower puzzle. Ozzie takes a huge lead in the obstacle course but seems to get frustrated with the puzzle. Sophie pulls off a stunning upset, defeating Ozzie and being dubbed the new dragonslayer by Coach. Ozzie asks Coach to tie the vote and let he and Albert settle the matter in a fire-making competition. But Coach stays firm to Albert and Ozzie becomes the final member of the jury. Sadly Donna goes along with Ozzie. I must tell you that Donna has been in this pool from the beginning. She also runs another pool at work. She has never won in either of these pools in all these years. I was kind of pulling for Ozzie for Donna's sake, but, alas, it was not meant to be. Back at camp Coach tells the others that the vote was a no-brainer and that he stuck with "the family". And so Coach, Albert and Sophie face the jury. They each make their opening statement then are questioned by the members of the jury. This process was quite uneventful except that Ozzie wore pigtails which was not his best look! Once the votes are cast and everyone is whisked off to Los Angeles it is Sophie who is caressing a cheque for 1,000,000 dollars. Sophie was represented in our pool by Mitzie who will have a little extra cash to pay for those last minute Christmas gifts this year. No one in our pool voted for Sophie to win but Jack came the closest in voting for Albert. So Jack has won a Survivor buff which I will mail once the Christmas craziness is over. The next Survivor is called Survivor One World. Both tribes share the same island and must decide whether to share their resources. I will let you know more details when I hear them. Until then, Outwit, Outplay, Outlast Pat (aka Christine lookin' fine at the reunion Markosky)