Warning: this post contains spoilers.

—————————

I gave a solid warning about the spoilers, but I was not spared. King George himself posted a picture with the winner not 10 hours after the winner was crowned. COUNT YOUR DAYS KING.

Anyways, what a finale! This season brought some of the best reality TV I have seen in years. So many incredible characters were introduced, rivalries, gameplay, AACTA winning performances, and challenges. I’ll admit, I was slightly skeptical at the theme (Titans v Rebels) being too similar to last season (Heroes v Villains), however, I was proven wrong, and I’m gutted the season has come to an end.

The rivalries between rebels and titans this season weren’t limited to that either, we had titans v titans AND rebels v rebels.
A few stand out to me:

Alex vs Kellie
Kirby vs Feras (an enemies to friends trope I stand by)
Caroline vs Mark
Val vs anyone

However, only a few of those rivalries made it to the finale. After Raymond was sent to the jury in the second last episode of the season (my poor sweet baby Ray!!) after losing to the fire challenge against Caroline, it seemed like an uphill losing battle for Feras to claim the title of sole survivor. He had yet to win an immunity challenge, in the previous tribal he chose not to save Kirby, and that didn’t seem to sit well with many people.

Looking at things from a viewer’s perspective, for me, it was down to either Mark or Feras winning the game. Caroline, bless her, didn’t stand a chance because she doesn’t strike me as a the type to be gritty enough to convince the jury of anything.
Caroline did however, always have a second place spot set up for her. It didn’t matter who won the final immunity challenge, Caroline would be in that final 2.

Mark had a pretty solid two-time streak of winning immunity, and the final immunity is always endurance so I wasn’t counting Caroline out yet.
I had expected to see the usual loved ones reunion for the final 3, and then our tried-and-true rock and water endurance challenge. Instead? What I can only describe as medieval torture device-ferris wheel hybrid.
Mark, Caroline and Feras were positioned on a huge wooden turning wheel with pegs sticking out for the hands and feet. As the wheel turned, the contestants had to adjust themselves and avoid falling off.

Mark was the first out, but he didn’t go down easily, and not without a plan. Seeing how well Caroline was doing, we saw him mouth to Caroline that she would take him to F2 if she won, and she agreed.

After hours of this gruelling competition, the smiling assassin Feras won, what we now will call the ‘Feras Wheel’. Running toward the arms of his GORGEOUS wife, and then toward JLP to wear that necklace for the first time this season.

To the surprise of no one, after Mark’s exposing of Feras’ multiple F2 deals at the last tribal council, Feras chose to send Mark off to the villa.

This left Feras and Caroline to head back to camp for their last night on the beach, followed by a final two breakfast of croissants, coffee and more.

The two has likely not slept a lot, pondering how to convince the set of castmates they helped to vote off, to crown them sole survivor.

One of the best parts of the finale tribal had to be Raymond coming in with his fresh haircut and screaming with glee at Feras wearing that immunity necklace. Their friendship is so special and I love it.

The majority of the jury did not make it easy to win, and did not fail to hold back at all (looking at you Val, love you).
It was up until the Russian rocket Valeria told the final 2 that their answers were too iffy and not confident that their responses to jury questions were mediocre at best. It felt weak until then, in my opinion. This was the fire that Feras needed to really let the jury know that he played a better game, and outwit, outplayed, and outlasted everyone including Caroline. He made sure to remind everyone that he kept an idol and played it correctly, by not playing it, for 31 days; showed that he could get rid of his shield and play for himself, and that he was loyal to Raymond.

The clean and gorgeous looking jury then voted, and unanimously crowed the first Middle Eastern Australian Survivor, Feras Basal.

I could see so many of this cast brought back for another season, and I would welcome that.

I guess now I impatiently await the next season in 2025…