WARNING: This post contains spoilers from “The Last Stand,” the season 47 finale of “Survivor,” which aired on Wednesday, December 18, on CBS.
“Survivor” 47 came to quite an end on Wednesday night — albeit a bit predictable for anyone who has been watching each week.
First came the final immunity challenge for Rachel LaMont, Sam Phalen, Sue Smey and Teeny Chirichillo, the final four. Despite being in an early lead, Sam failed to take home his first immunity win and Rachel, once again, earned the necklace. With that, she became one of now five women total over 46 seasons to have won four individual immunities in one season. While she was honored to join Jenna Morasca, Chrissy Hofbeck, Kim Spradlin-Wolfe and Kelly Wiglesworth, Rachel noted that she’s well aware Kelly and Chrissy made it to the finale and didn’t win.
Rachel revealed right away that she was bringing Sue to the final three, which meant Sam and Teeny would be forced to make fire. Sam, for some reason, didn’t at all practice making fire throughout the season, while Teeny was OK at it. Plus, Rachel coached Teeny to help build her confidence.
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Ahead of the fire-making challenge, Teeny admitted that she had “a bit of a one-sided rivalry” with Sam throughout the season which was due to her struggles with her own identity. She said that, due to Sam’s looks, she assumed he received certain treatment throughout his life and, “because of my identity and my gender, just to say it, that’s not always the experience I’ve gotten.” After adding that Teeny is “still working through things,” she said, “I’ve projected insecurities onto him.”
In the most exciting fire-making challenges in years, Teeny had a very big lead early on, building a giant fire before Sam could even get a spark. However, Sam’s unwillingness to give up combined with the quite literal way the wind blew, Sam’s eventual spark quickly built up and his fire burnt through the string before Teeny’s. Devastated, she was sent to the jury.
During the final discussion with the jury, Sue revealed it was 59th birthday — no, she’s not in her 40s, which she told the group all along. However, Sam and Rachel (understandably so) dominated the rest of the conversations.
In the end, just as she did throughout the second half of the season, Rachel dominated and took home the win!