Finale for 'Survivor: Redemption Island'
Natalie Tenerelli, Grant Mattos, Andrea Boehlke, Rob Mariano, Ashley Underwood and Phillip Sheppard of the Murlonio Tribe during tribal council. Credit: CBS Photo/
There will be eight -- eight! -- active players going into this Sunday's endgame, when the usual number is five. Reason is (in part) Redemption Island, where players voted off could literally redeem themselves, and have. Who goes into Sunday's episode? Definitely Rob and at least one member from Redemption Island.
MY SAY In life, you are blessed if you are talented at one, good, solid practical thing that puts food on the table, or the kids through college. Rob Mariano -- Boston Rob -- is good at "Survivor." Hard to say whether he's the world's best player, because there are so many editions around the globe, but he certainly has earned a master's ranking, while "Redemption Island" is his masterpiece. Like a Svengali, or Rasputin, Rob has controlled remnant members of his Ometepe tribe since Day One, and even since the April merge with Zapatera. Poor Zapatera, otherwise known as the sitting ducks. Week after week they were picked off on directives from the boss of the "Mariano Crime Syndicate" (contestant David Murphy's wonderfully colorful description) until . . . there were none. Will Rob win? Be mindful of the fates of Svengali (heart attack) and Rasputin (poisoning.) Moreover, the jury will be peopled with those sitting ducks, including Ralph (eliminated Wednesday), who are probably not of a mind to hand him a $1-million-minus-taxes check, nor will Grant, who was sent to Redemption Island Wednesday by Rob after getting his handshake on a plan that would keep Grant around. Does Rob deserve to win? With all that experience (four editions!) he does have an unfair advantage over poor Matt, Phillip, Ashley, Grant et al. But who knows? Maybe even Matt, who has spent almost the entire game in purgatory (Redemption Island) could surprise everyone. Nevertheless, Boston Rob has played a heck of a game.
BOTTOM LINE The Rob Show (aka "Survivor: Redemption Island") comes to an end, and in truth, it was too often predictable this season, even with the Redemption trump card. But no true blue "Survivornista" will want to miss this wrap.
GRADE B+
