JT Voted as ‘Survivor: Tocantins’ Winner

Some thoughts on the finale of this years season of Survivor Tocantins. Congratulations to Alabama cattle-rancher James “J.T.” Thomas Jr., who was definitely a deserving champion, and was chosen the winner at the final tribal council.  Thomas (JT) swept the Survivor jurors’ votes in outwitting, outplaying and outlasting his nearest rival, New York corporate consultant Stephen Fishbach, who finished second.

JT, wasn’t necessarily a brilliant manipulator, but was charming and very socially adept (a big key to the game), highly athletic (he won the final three individual immunity challenges), and otherwise very much deserving.  However I don’t if JT would have even made it to the jury, if this the 18th season of the show hadn’t deviated so much in form on how things played out.  At the merger Benjamin “Coach” Wade and his tribe were in firm command but instead of quickly picking off JT and the others of the smaller tribe as in past shows things went differently.  Coach, one of the most interesting and polarizing contestants to ever grace the show, was mostly calling the shots and immediately took a shining to JT, who he viewed as a fellow warrior worthy of his trust and taking to the final. This of course broke the usual mode of eliminating the stronger players first not to mention the smaller tribe.

Not surprising Coach who vowed to play the game without deception was eventually blind sided.  The blind sides this season were as good as they get for catching contestants off guard.  24-year-old JT not only took the million-dollar prize but was named the fan-favorite and recipient of an extra $100,000.

And for next year? Samoa will be the site of the 19th season, which heads back to CBS this fall.