Okay, Denise won this season of Survivor. Am I disappointed that Lisa lost? Yes, however, Denise had a great underdog story. During the early part of the season I was spoiled of the final 3. Rumors said Skupin was going to win. After the first episode, it looked like the spoilers were correct. Bummer, this season was going to suck because it was going to be predictable. Cough cough last season with Kim.
Hold on, as the second, third and fourth episode aired, Skupin visibility was low. He even appeared in a negative light. His Tangdang members hated him and we never heard insight about his strategy. Editing never tries to paint the eventual winner in a negative way. Also, winners usually have steady confessional flow along the way. Skupin was silent until the merge. He did give a winner’s quote about ‘going with the flow’ so maybe he is just taking a step back, something Russell should have done as a returning player.
Lisa had a very interesting edit. There was so much to her screen time that it made us wonder, “why??” It was the merge episode that she emerged as a front runner to win the game. Her edit was golden. I truly thought she won the game. She was the narrator and told how the game played out in her eyes. Usually, the winners take on this role so we can appreciate their strategic play.
In hindsight, the reason why Lisa became the narrator is because she flipped the game up and down and all around. This is a reason why she lost the game. The show went from “How Denise wins to how Lisa / Skupin loses around merge.” Her visibility became so bold and obnoxious that it polarized the audience. Either you love her or hate her wishy-washy, “the game is bigger than me” self.
Denise’s edit started out really strong. Her edit was phenomenal during the pre-merge. Then, she fell off the face of the screen after merge. Her only storyline was the main antagonist to Abi. People pegged her to win early then recanted their theory after each episode she was invisible. Typically, the winner’s edit is more visible after merge but hers went away.
Malcolm actually got the best edit but I knew he wasn’t going to win because he wasn’t in the final tribal council. His edit basically sets him up to be a fan favorite lock. Okay this is spoilers so if you don’t want to know then don’t read……………………………… Malcolm returns next season.
Actually, the first spoilers were that Tangdang dominated the others and Matsing was completely wiped out. Everyone wondered why Malcolm was a returning player. What made him so special if he was going to go out in the first few tribal councils? Then Denise was spoiled to be in the final tribal council which made us all scratch our heads. How can someone from a doomed tribe make it to the final 3?
Editing wise this is a strong season. With spoilers, it made all of us guess, to literally the revealing of the votes, on who won this season. Everyone in the final 3 had flawed edits so no one had the ideal one.
The Votes
RC voted for Lisa and Carter voted for Skupin. The rest voted for Denise. This means Abi voted for Denise. Anything can happen during the final tribal council that can change the jury’s mindset. I really do think Penner ruined Lisa’s chances of winning. By telling the jury that she is/was famous, they are more willing to reward the money to someone else than her. Hence, why she only received one vote.
I chatted with another Survivor junkie, Aubrey, during the show and asked him if it was smart for Lisa to get rid of Skupin at final 4 so the unbeatable Malcolm and Denise would split the votes allowing her to get 4 votes from Tangdang. I know its playing if and maybe game but it’s always interesting to speculate. Since, Probst asked the jury and many seem to vote for Denise no matter what.
Lisa won fan favorite which saved this season. Lisa made the season memorable. Just rewatch the merge episode.
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