‘Survivor’ finalists were consistent to the end

[Spoiler warning: Don't want to know who won "Survivor Guatemala"? Stop reading now.]

The turning point and most revealing moment of "Survivor Guatemala" came during the final immunity challenge. Balancing on swiveling platforms while hanging on to ropes, each of the final three — Rafe, Stephenie, and Danni — were forced to let go of one rope after one hour of teetering on the small piece of wood. Within seconds of letting go, each lost their balance and found themselves dangling from the last rope, flailing around in an attempt to keep their feet from touching the ground.

All three found support leaning against a pole. But that support didn’t last very long for two of them. Rafe was quickly eliminated after he grabbed the pole without even realizing he’d done so, and while Danni examined her nails and twirled her hair, Stephenie slid down the pole as tears slid down her cheeks. Clearly in pain, Steph’s body finally gave out, and she hit the ground.

After winning the most important immunity challenge in the game, Danni’s immediate response was to approach Steph and comfort her. “You’re the toughest girl I know, Steph,” she said. But Rafe, clearly distraught and emotional over his own loss, interrupted.

While Steph stayed crumpled on the ground, he sealed his fate in the game. “Danni, I want to release you from any promise you made to me about who you take to the final two,” he said, Steph’s sobbing audible in the background. “Take whoever you want tonight, I’m really serious about that, and I really mean it. Okay?”

Danni agreed, and then at Tribal Council, much to Rafe’s surprise, voted him out and took Steph with her to the final two.

Here was the whole season wrapped into a few moments: Stephenie LaGrossa, the “Survivor Palau” cast member who was given a second chance, found once again that her strengths weren’t enough to keep her in the game. Rafe, the gay Mormon, played in the way he thought was most honorable and ethical, but was surprised to learn that he couldn’t trust anyone else to do so. And Danni, the underdog who always played as if she was the next person to go home, was still humble even though she’d secured complete control of the game.

Rafe gave up his shot at final two
Danni played an outstanding game, even though it wasn’t always apparent. Throughout the 39 days, the only person Danni really betrayed was Rafe, and she only did that, ironically enough, because he gave her permission to do so. Going into the finale, Rafe was the odds-on favorite to win, simply because he was more likable and more apologetic than Stephenie. Had he faced Danni in the final two, he might have still lost, but it was clear that the jury felt far more betrayed by Steph than by Rafe.

Ultimately, Rafe was either too earnest or too naïve to win. He did everything in his power to ensure a loss. After carrying Danni along to the final three, he unbelievably released her from their alliance, assuming she’d still stick with him. During his final tribal council as a player, when he still had a chance of being in the final two, he admitted that he “screwed over the same people” as Steph did, telling the jury exactly what he should have tried to downplay. After being voted out, and even during the reunion, he expressed genuine surprise that Danni didn’t take him to the final two, even though she made the only smart move possible, and even though he basically told her not to.

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