‘Survivor’ Finale Recap: [Spoiler] Wins Season 32 After Insane Twist

It all came down to this — season 32 of ‘Survivor’ all boiled down to the crazy finale, where Jeff Probst somehow pulled out a new twist!

Let me just point out something: the reunion hour of Survivor, where the winner was announced, aired live on May 18 — and this season filmed over a year ago. So yes, that means the winner and the runner up have been waiting a year to learn who won the million. Alright now that that craziness is in your mind, let’s get into the finale. It was Michele Fitzgerald V. Cydney Gillon V. Aubry Bracco V. Tai Trang! Plus, watch the Survivor season 33 trailer now!

Jeff Probst pointed out a very important point at the start of the episode: Mark the Chicken has survived longer than a chicken ever has on this show! Spoiler alert: it happened. (Find out what happened on the live after show reunion!)

First challenge for the final four was an immunity challenge — a game of advanced shuffle board, followed by a balancing act through an obstacle course. Aubry basically dominated at the start, and although the puzzle had her stumped, she did win the reward, her first individual win. The reward was a great one to win before the next immunity challenge: a meal to “fuel” you with energy. She got to choose if she wanted to bring someone or go solo, which obviously could have huge repercussions either way; she brought Cydney. While they were gone, Michele tried convincing Tai that if one of them were to win immunity, they should take out Aubry.

Next up was quite the endurance challenge which literally made me tired watching. After Aubry and Cydney’s power meal, they started off strong — but when they came to the puzzle, they were both too slow to succeed. Both Tai and Michele came from behind, and she won. And just like, the game changed. Catch up on season 32 of Survivor here.

Tai played all buddy buddy with Aubry, but we all know his word doesn’t mean much. Cydney and Michele vowed to stay together and Michele was in control: so she wanted Aubry out. She convinced Cyd that in the end, the jury would pick Aubry over them. So they told Tai too, and he basically agreed. Or not — it came down to two votes Cydney and two votes Aubry. On to the fire making; unfortunately it wasn’t Cydney’s night — Aubry got her fire to burn the rope and made the finale three.

This Changes Everything

So, did final three go to the jury? Well, there was one more challenge coming; everyone assumed that meant the winner picks who they take to the final. NOPE. Jeff dropped the bomb that all three would be making their case to the jury — but the winner of this challenge would get to eliminate a jury member. Talk about a plot twist. (P.S. Jeff later said that CBS has wanted to do that for seven years.)

The challenge was a complete balancing act and it did not look easy. Aubry and Michele looked neck and neck through the entire challenge and couldn’t have physically been any closer at the end; but it was Michele who won it! It seems obvious that she would go with Joe, who is one thousand percent voting Aubry… right?

For her, she went with Neil (who finally got his name written down!), and from his comments, she definitely wasn’t getting his vote. He actually said she wasn’t a “badass b-tch,” but actually a “cute little puppy still suckling at the tit.” Yikes.

The Jury Stands

It all came down to the jury. Here are the highlights of the comments (besides Mark’s attendance, which was of course, the best part):

Michele’s BFF, Julia, gave her the chance to say that while she didn’t have to go to jury for 26 days, she fought and strategized and deserved it — and actually it was nice of her to give her that shot. It also led to Tai saying he felt like he “trumped” what Michele did.

Jason started out by saying he had no idea who he’d be voting for, and really gave everyone a chance. He asked Tai why it was that he chose the other side over him and Scot — and Tai was honest: he got scared, he got jealous of their friendship, and couldn’t relate to their “savage” conversations.

Scot spent his time telling Tai what he did wrong, asking Aubry why he’d vote for her, then telling Michele — who he didn’t get along with all season — that she was the only one who improved throughout the whole time. He even made her cry!

After saying goodbye to Mark, the winner is . . . MICHELE. (Aubry received two votes, while she received four.) Do you think she deserved the W? Let us know!