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Episode 14, Part 2 -"Facing the Music"

By Car84

After the final three arrive back at camp, Jon asks, "You think [Darrah] knew she was going?" Sandra comments that she was too much of a threat. Lillian asks, "Was I a big target?" Jon assures her, "According to D you were." Lillian concludes, "Tribal Council was kind of a blessing it worked out the way it did."

Sandra announces the arrival of "Sea mail in the middle of the night." The message invites the trio to a sunrise rendez-vous at Shipwreck Bay, the scene of the Reward Challenge of Episode 10. There, "the last chapter" of their adventure begins. Jon, Lillian and Sandra face a long evening of only a few torturous hours awaiting the unknown.

The trio arrives, in much-needed rain gear, at the designated spot. There, Jeff points to the torches of twelve fallen comrades, packaged four per bundle. (The thirteenth - Osten's - is still at Tribal Council, in perpetual disgrace.) Jeff describes "a final tribute in full pirate style to your former tribe members." Each torch will be placed on the shipwreck that was used in the Reward Challenge, lavished with memories and praise, and then set ablaze with the rest of the ship by flares fired from the modified pirate muskets and spare ammunition from the Episode 12 Immunity Challenge.

Lillian places Nicole's torch, saying a few things about her "wonderful spirit." Jon comments, "rockin' body!" Lillian attends to Ryan S's torch - no surprise there. Sandra addresses Michelle's torch, saying she wished Michelle could have stuck around longer. Jon plants Trish's torch, making an asinine comment about her sleeping partner qualities. Sandra does the honors for Shawn, recalling that he had "tons of stories" and "loved to eat." Lillian secures Andrew's torch. Sandra describes Ryno as pleasant and loving.

Jon has kind words for Rupert, as does Sandra. Lillian recalls conversations with Tijuana, as she places her torch in the designated hole. Sandra, naturally, does the honors for Christa, not apologizing for the fish dumping matter. After the game, "we'll be buddy buddy, and it will be great." Jon praises Burton, saying, "You became my best friend in the game." Lillian calls him "My Eagle Scout." She is impressed Burton remembered the oath. Jon has kind words for Darrah: "You're as nice as you are cute. I miss you."

We get a brief and silent view of Osten's torch. The trio walks, arms linked, to the muskets. They take aim, and fire on the water-logged ship, setting it ablaze. The three watch as the names and adornments of the torches fall off, consumed by the fire. The tall mast of the ship finally gives in, twisting and falling in a heap. Sandra quietly comments, "Thank the Lord that our torches are not up there burning."

The three row off to the final Immunity Challenge, and are met by Jeff.

The challenge site is in open water. Jeff presides from a large platform that is next to three smaller platforms - about 4 feet square - which are tethered together, rocking in the waves. He explains that the challenge is patterned after an old pirate torture, where prisoners are set adrift, and left to die. He then proceeds to describe a challenge that more closely resembles Article 1(e) of Section 4 of NFL Rule 7 (player is down, and the ball is dead when …) than it does pirate torture. Anything other than hands or feet on the playing surface, and you're alive. Knees, buttocks, etc., and you're out.

This is an endurance challenge. The last one in play wins immunity, and a chance to pick their competitor in the final two. Jeff predicts, "This should go on for a long time." Jon comments that this is not the final three that anyone envisioned.

After fifteen minutes, Jon complains that his feet are numb already. Lillian counters with, "I'm feeling pretty darn good." Sandra gives in, falling backward as the waves upset her. She takes a seat, and watches the remainder of the challenge. Jon immediately asks Lillian if she wants to make a deal. Lillian steadfastly declines the offer. Jeff comments to Jon: "Looks like you're gonna have to win it on your own, Jon."

Throughout the challenge, Jon tells Lillian that he'd take her to the end. Lillian doesn't trust him. He admits he doesn't trust her. She puts on her game face when Jon is visibly suffering. "I do aerobics," she says, adding, "My knees are great, my ankles are great."

Almost three hours into the challenge, Jon struggles to remain in the contest one last time, and then gives out. Lillian dives into the water to join Jeff, who has the Immunity Idol waiting for her. Her tired legs almost fail her when the platform is hit by a wave. Jeff explains that she now has the afternoon to think about who she'd like to have alongside her in the final.

Lillian tells us that the challenge was "so tough" for her, and that she was nervous. She knew that she didn't stand a chance for the final two if someone else had won. "This was nothing to do with bargains."

In solos, Sandra says, "I would be in damn shock if I'm not voted out tonight," and Jon says, "My gut right now says I'm going home tonight." Lillian talks through her thought process. She points out that she and Sandra have a lot in common, family-wise, and that she'd feel more comfortable losing to her than to Jon, whose lifestyle is so foreign to her. She admits that Sandra "may have a good shot at it."

Jon mockingly pressures Lillian to take him along with her. "I got one vote, Lill. Can you live with a six to one victory?" He points out that Sandra probably has Christa, Rupert and Ryan locked up for sure. Lillian tells us that, "I may not [take Jon] because he IS good at this."

As they prepare to leave for Tribal Council, Lillian sings a few strains of "Amazing Grace." We are treated to a peaceful shot of sunbeams through treetops. They paddle away in the boat.

At Tribal Council, Jeff recaps the day for us and for the jury. He refers to the tribute ceremony and asks Jon if he had any special feelings about any of the tribemates. Jon takes advantage of this by saying there were two. He describes Burton as "a really awesome friend" - something that he didn't expect. And Rupert was the nicest and greatest person, and a cinch for a seven to zero Survivor victory.

Jeff recalls the Immunity Challenge and asks Sandra what she felt when she was out of the contest. She replies that she was "in shock," and that Lillian was awesome. That was unexpected. "Who would have thought?" Jeff asks Lillian what she thought of the attributes of Jon and Sandra as she mulled over whom to take with her to face the jury. Of Jon, she says that his mind is always going. As for Sandra, she has "several friends" on the jury, and that she was a "little sister" to some of them. When asked what her decision will be based on, Lillian says, "It's gonna come down to whether or not I could possibly beat that other person in the final vote."

With that, Jeff explains that Lillian's vote was the only one that matters at this Tribal Council because the others' votes would cancel out. Lillian marches to the parchment for the last time.

With Jon in the background doing the "Johnny Fairplay" salute, Jeff gets the urn. He reaches in and shows the vote for "Johny Fairplay." Sandra thanks Lillian, and the two embrace as Jon's torch is doused. Jeff tells the two women that they have "the rest of tonight and most of tomorrow to think about what you want to say to the jury. Enjoy your last night on the Pearl Islands."

The two leave. Jon's last words include his triumphant claim that he was "the last man."

Back at camp, Lillian claims to have no regrets. Sandra admits, "I had my hand on my stuff." She says she was concerned because Lillian seemed to write a lot more than "J-O-N" when she was scribbling her final vote. Lillian is impressed that the two are the sole survivors. She tells us, "I'm hoping that strategy-wise, I have more friends on that jury." Emotionallywiselike, "I'd rather have Sandra win the money" than Jon.

On the final morning, Lillian reflects on the game: "Survivor is not for the faint of heart. It is hard on you. It is not a camping trip." She admonishes those who would judge the players without going through it themselves. Lillian admits, "I really don't have much of a spirit left."

Sandra points out that her name has never been written down at Tribal Council. "I think I have a good chance." She predicts that it will be "real close," likely a three to four vote.

The two finish packing and start their walk away from camp. Practical Sandra orders, "Don't look back." Sentimental Lillian insists, "We gotta look back!" They gaze back at Camp Balboa before they board the cavernous boat that entered the show in Episode 8.

The jury members reflect on the upcoming decision. Ryan talks about the power he has as a jury member. "I don't feel that good about it." Tijuana points out that Lillian persevered and maintained good relationships, and that Sandra was so blatant, so honest, yet not threatening. Burton insists, "I want to see 100% honesty for the first time in this game." Christa describes Lillian and Sandra as "the two most unlikely people in the final two."

Darrah, unable to hold back tears, says that "it's a good thing that I can get back and say something" to Lillian and Sandra. According to Rupert, the final two should appreciate where they are, and that the jury is going to make a whole family's lives different. Jon claims that, "the strongest player in the game made it as far as HE could make it in this game." He pledges to have fun at Tribal Council.

Jeff welcomes Lillian and Sandra to the final Tribal Council. He then ushers in the jury and tells the finalists that they are no longer in control. Their task is to convince the jury that "you are the most worthy, the most deserving of the title of Sole Survivor and the $1 million prize." He explains that they will be able to give an opening statement, which will be followed by questions from the jury, and a chance for a final rebuttal.

In her opening statement, Sandra stresses that she was "always a team player," and that her strategy was to help out and give 100%. Lillian says she set out to "just be Lillian Morris." She points out that she "worked constantly," even while others rested. She accuses three jury members of turning their backs on her. But she was nonetheless determined to "just be Lillian."

Ryan starts the jury question segment. He points out that Lillian was out of the game for ten days, and asks, "Do you think it's fair that I give you the $1 million over Sandra being that she was in the game thirty-nine days?" Lillian corrects Ryan by saying that it was actually eight days. She insists that those days were "a really hard time" and "no picnic." Ryan asks Sandra if she thought she rode coattails. Sandra responds that she merely bonded with people "who needed someone." That's why she befriended Rupert and Christa. And in the end, she was able to play without them. "I'm still standing here."

Rupert starts by saying he was impressed and proud of the both of them. He then tells Lillian that he understands all the Boy Scout ideals, and challenges her to recount a time when she was truthful to him. Lillian is clearly unprepared for this, and eventually stammers about a conversation they had over dedication to youth. Rupert asks Sandra if she knew he was doomed on Day 27. To his satisfaction, Sandra tells him that she did not, and that she voted against Jon because she thought Darrah was marked to go.

It is now Tijuana's turn. She asks for "one reason why the other person does not deserve to win." Lillian points out that Sandra disrespected a number of people, that she rode coattails, and that she couldn't figure things out on her own. Sandra observed that, "Every single one of you got a vote from Lill."

Christa wants to know why Lillian was always so sorry, and why she hid behind the Boy Scout oath. When asked to provide specifics, Christa cites Rupert's dismissal and Lillian's decision to not give away her reward. Lillian says she was sincerely sorry for those things. Voting Rupert out was tough. And, as far as the scout thing goes, "I had no other clothes." Christa's softball question for Sandra is for her to reminisce on her most crazy plan, plot, or scheme. It was when "me and T snuck behind the bushes and low-crawled through the dirt" to listen in on Jon and Burton's discussion.

Burton wants to know how each of them would rate themselves on a 1 to 10 scale for survival skills. Sandra settles on 5, because she knows something about fruits and foods, but the other things, such as fire, aren't her strong points. Lillian gives herself a 7, mainly because she can start a fire without matches, and knows how to prepare a safe water supply.

Darrah's vote, she says, will go to the most honest response to the question of how the player got to the final two. Sandra maintains that she relied on other people having other agendas and other fish to fry. She wasn't a threat. Lillian proclaims that she wasn't a threat, and that she did some thinking of her own.

Jeff announces Jon's turn with some anticipation. Jon asks how each players represented a larger group. For Sandra, it was Puerto Ricans. For Lillian, it was the Boy Scouts. He wants to know how well they did. Sandra says a lot without saying a lot, finishing with the apparent stereotype that Puerto Rican's "look out for number one." Lillian, again, disavows her scout background. "I did not represent the scouts very well."

For her rebuttal Sandra insists, "I've played the game the way I knew how. Being open and saying things the way they are is what I think helped me get this far. I'm actually surprised to be sitting here." Lillian says, "If I had this to do all over again, the Boy Scout uniform would have been at home." She insists, "Put the scout uniform aside!"

Jeff calls for the vote, reminding the jurors that they are voting FOR someone, and not against someone.

We hear from two jurors: Rupert (voting for Sandra): "I am so happy for you. You deserve it. From the first day we were blood brother and blood sister. I was just thrilled to have somebody on my side. I'm glad I can be there for you now. I hope you win." Tijuana (voting for Lillian): "I think that you did a phenomenal job."

Jeff retrieves the urn full of votes, and tells the players, "I will see you on the other side."

We rejoin Jeff, the finalists, and the jury, at CBS Television City - Hollywood. Before the votes are revealed, Jeff reminds everyone that this is for the marbles, the marbles being bragging rights to the title of Sole Survivor, a GMC Envoy, and a check for $1 million. Four votes are needed to win.

The votes are revealed, punctuated by cheers from the large studio audience: Sandra, Lillian, Sandra, Sandra, and then Sandra's fourth vote.

Sandra is congratulated by Lillian, then Rupert, Christa, and others. The non-jury members join in the celebration. Jeff invites Sandra's family members to come towards the stage. Jeff erroneously announces that Lillian won with a six to one vote, and then pitches the reunion show, which follows a standard five-minute commercial break.

Car84 can be contacted by email at car84@survivorskills.com

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