articles
May 4, 2001
Survivor Episode 14: The Tennessee Nurse Brings Home the Bacon
by Barbara Fletcher
Well, the cold light of day brings with it the realization that Survivor is over once again.
The Outback dust has settled, leaving Tina standing as the ultimate Survivor.
Many pegged the Colbster as the million-dollar winner. After all, he won most of the immunity and reward
challenges, and it seemed as though he was on a winning course. And, had he voted off Keith in the last
Tribal Council, he most certainly would have won.
But no, he chose to oust Keith and go head-to-head with his best ally -- and fiercest competitor -- Tina. And that's
what lost him him the mil.
But oh well, Colbykins still managed to snag himself the $100,000 runner-up prize, a Visa card,
and a strange-looking hunk of metal on wheels. When that is coupled with the free trip to the Australian
Outback, the best little Survivor in Texas certainly did his Mom proud.
And it's not like we are never going to see him again. As he was leaving CBS's Early Showing this morning,
his hotel phone was probably ringing off the hook with calls from agents. Colby is never going to starve again.
With Tennessee Tina winning, it does leave us with a warm and fuzzy feeling. After all, she's a 40 year-old
mother of two who confessed during the show that she never felt like she contributed enough financially to the
household. A million will certainly help.
When asked what she plans to do with the money, she talked about putting some in the bank and donating the
interest to a less fortunate family -- something she and Elisabeth discussed earlier in the show.
Now, doesn't that make us all feel better?
Not that it's necessarily what we were all looking for when we watched the two-hour show last night.
The entire episode was saturated with tribe member's introspection, evaluation of personal growth and goals,
realizations that they had taken the beauty of the Outback for granted. Etc.
This was of course to be expected, but where was the tension? Where was the drama?
And where were the eagerly-anticipated snarky final comments from Jerri?
It was all just so... calm.
Each of the 16 Survivors left the Australian Outback quietly. Some left with more than others
but each of them left undeniably changed.
And left us with a yearning for Survivor 3.