By Daniel Fienberg
December 17, 2006 7:39 PM ET
Ozzy and Yul were a fitting Top Two for this Survivor season, but the reason I endorse the eventual final vote is simple: If Ozzy hadn't been in the game, I think Yul would have been capable of being physically dominant and winning challenges galore. If Yul hadn't been in the game, I don't think Ozzy would have been capable of playing the strategic game to the same degree.
That being said, had Ozzy won, I'd have accepted that his physical dominance was absolutely worth of the big prize.
Now if Becky had won? The gal couldn't even make fire.
Before I open the floor to reactions to Friday (Dec. 16) night's finale, some thoughts from the episode:
Some credit should be given to Adam for the way he left the game. After losing the elaborate penultimate immunity challenge, he was done, but his attempts to force Yul to play the hidden Idol were intriguing and completely selfless, since he was going to be eliminated either way. He just wanted to stir up the Aitus and his was probably the correct strategy, as far as Becky and Sundra were concerned. If Adam'd done anything a tenth as smart during the preceding weeks, maybe I wouldn't have been so pleased to see him go.
Yul made the right choice in not giving Becky the hidden idol, but not just because the strategy would have blown up in his face. No, it was the right choice because it allowed for a firemaking tiebreaker between Becky and Sundra, the funniest moment of the season and maybe in Survivor history. I loved the yawning and eye-rolling from the jury and from Jeff Probst, as well as Jeff's disappointment allowing Sundra and Becky to use matches, which opened the door for Jeff's tongue-in-cheek reaction, "Becky, having trouble lighting the match." And then for Sundra to run out of matches? At that point, Jeff should have said, "OK. Neither of you is going to win anyway. This is a joke."
It's funny that they decided to change the rules and do a three-finalist jury vote in a season without a third worthy contender. There was never going to be any conceivable reason for anybody to vote for Becky. I'd have been interested to see what might have happened if it have been Ozzy, Yul and Jonathan in the Top Three, if anybody had had the guts to respect Jonathan for his gameplay.
So, sound off...
Did the right person win? And where does this season rank in the Survivor pantheon?
Ozzy and Yul were a fitting Top Two for this Survivor season, but the reason I endorse the eventual final vote is simple: If Ozzy hadn't been in the game, I think Yul would have been capable of being physically dominant and winning challenges galore. If Yul hadn't been in the game, I don't think Ozzy would have been capable of playing the strategic game to the same degree. 
I was happy with Yul or Ozzy winning the game, but in the end Yul deserved it. Ozzy did touch me with the story of his father though I will admit. One thing I'd like to mention is that Jeff mentioned tonight that this season was one of the best, but I don't agree. I did enjoy it don't get me wrong, but I enjoy every season. I don't agree that it's one that people will remember when thinking of great Survivor Seasons. The only players I may remember (may being the key word) is Yul, Ozzy, and Jonathan. I know the best seasons of Survivor are the ones where I can name many different players and tell you all the major things that happened during the season, believe me this won't be one of them.
I did like this season. I was pulling for Yul almost from the beginning, and most seasons the people I want to win early on don't make it far, because they're too strong and get eliminated early. I agree that Yul probably could have been very competitive in the challenges if Ozzie had been ousted early. I wouldn't have been outraged if Ozzie had won, though. I did find it funny that he was criticizing Yul for not going all out all the time when he was the ringleader to tank it so that they could eliminate Billy. I guess that strategy is good only when it suits him.
I'm glad that Yul won but I think I would have been happy if Ozzie pulled it out as well (felt a bit sorry for Becky but she really couldn't claim anything over the two guys physically or strategically). By the way Adam with your "You're all boring" remarks: You weren't exactly Mr.Exciting either. One more thing. After seeing how Yul domintaed after revealing he had the idol, I don't see how any future contestants wouldn't do the same. It would take a devil of a strategic play to get it out of the person's hands without finding a willing sacrifice.
I would set fire to a million dollars before I would award it to a lawyer...apparently people like being manipulated...idiots.
I am so happy that Yul won. I have been rooting for him since day one. It is such a joy to see that a Bay Area guy has wn. I think both Yul and Ozzy played the game with the best integrity. CONGRATS YUL!!!
I was rooting for Ozzy and I thought he played a very clean game in comparison to Yul. I know it's part of the game to strategize i.e. lie, but Ozzy really had to fight to stay in it and from what we saw Yul would have voted him out before Adam if he had had the chance. So much for staying true to the final four.
Also referring back to what Daniel Fienberg said, Yul didn't choose not to give Becky the idol. He offered it to Becky and she chose not to accept it. So if that would have affected the votes, Becky helped Yul in a sense. I'm sure she was thinking of herself but it worked in Yul's favor. He was my 2nd choice so better him than Becky or Sundra.
I think yul deserved to win because he outplayed everyone and proved that by winning. I think it was soooo true what probst said about Yul doing subtle things to manipulate people. I really admire that he was able to do this and still gain everyone's repect in the game! Some people are saying he was lucky he found the idol and then used it by holding it over everyone head, however, I think they're failing to see that he knew how to maximize his opportunities like no other. Also I thought what johnathan said about Yul running for office was so true because he does talk like a politican!... and I would totally vote for him!
The game is nearly as smart as the article that stated that the girls could not make fire with "flit and steal" the correct words are flint and steel. Survivor is a wast of electrons!!
I would like to know how the vote went? Does anyone know who voted for who?
Okay, I saw the Surviviors finale yesterday and Ozzy won. Why does it says here that Yul won?? It was live and Jeff said Ozzy very clearly. You have to correct that mistake!