Survivor: Philippines - Finale Part 1
Million Dollar Question
By Ben Willoughby
December 17, 2012
Denise interviews that she is so mad, because Malcolm could have sided with her and they could have had a tie-breaker and then a fire challenge that Denise (or Malcolm) would presumably win. But it’s not going to happen, so she’s gunning for Malcolm.
She describes Michael as a “dreamer guy... who may not see the repercussions of taking the best of the best of the best to the end.” Heh – Denise, Top Gun fan. “I am one stubborn, determined woman.” Michael explains to Denise that he has this “weird instinctive primitive” thing to go against the best, and beat them. “Is there any honor in that?” he says, like there’d be no honor in beating Lisa and Denise.
Denise has to agree with Michael, so she says that “there is honor in that, to some extent.” But she highlights the risks involved that in taking on the best, you’re more likely to fail. But in interview, Michael is all “straight up” and “man-to-man” and “two warriors” and “I won three individual challenges, he won three individual challenges” so you know he really doesn’t understand this game. Anyway, Denise closes by claiming her genuine respect for and real friendship with Lisa and Michael.
Now Michael is jawing with Malcolm. “I just heard your comrade out,” says Michael bluntly. “She’s such a sweetheart,” Malcolm replies insincerely. Michael in interview, calls back to what his wife said when he left for Survivor: “make us proud of you.” His interpretation of that is not “win the million dollars” or “don’t embarrass yourself by being an idiot,” but “not going against his word.” But Lisa’s assessment is that “handing the title of Sole Survivor on a platter to Malcolm would be stupid.”
Time for Tribal Council. “How big a factor are alliances at this point in the game?” Probst asks Michael. “It’s always a factor,” is where his answer ends up.
What about the impact of starting the game together, Denise? She gives a long answer that begins with her usual “Absolutely”, and while it has an impact, so do new alliances you make along the way. “Malcolm, there’s clearly some loyalty to Denise, but it’s complicated." Malcolm observes that the people you are with on Day 1 aren’t necessarily the people you’re close to at the end of the game, and now he’s considering getting rid of Denise. Probst acts like this is some big surprise.
Denise describes Malcolm and her as separated at birth, but of course with their time apart she’s concerned. Malcolm says more or less the same thing. Both agree they had to form new relationships in the game, but it was to a Final Four and they both knew that, so everything's cool.
Probst notes that while there is division between Malcolm and Denise, Lisa and Michael seem harmonious. Lisa cuts in to highlight that they were in an “open relationship” because Michael jumped ship while Lisa stayed with her Tandang colleagues sitting over there on the jury. Probst likens this to “unrequited love.” Not really. Malcolm agrees that the Lisa-Michael relationship is a “sweet story” but reading it is hard.
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