SPOILER ALERT: Read on only if you have already watched Wednesday night’s finale of Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X.
Out of tragedy can come triumph. Playing for his mother, who was suffering from stage four lung cancer back home, Adam Klein went to Fiji to compete on their favorite television show, Survivor. He talked often of wanting to honor her through his gameplay and completing their dream, which began when they auditioned together a few years ago for the Blood vs. Water season.
That dream was realized when Adam was unanimously crowned the winner of Millennials vs. Gen X. While the final vote was revealed live on television this evening, the season wrapped last spring, just a few days before Adam’s mother passed away.
Adam’s path to victory was cleared after the two biggest threats — Jay and David — were dispatched along with Bret before the final three. Jay thought he was safe at the first vote when he attempted to play a hidden immunity idol, only to learn that it was indeed an ingenious fake idol crafted by David.
Bret was then booted after Hannah’s curious decision to keep David — who was practically guaranteed victory should he make it to the end — but David’s good fortune was short-lived when Ken (who won the final immunity challenge) flipped on his friend in the hopes of winning the million dollars.
Those hopes were dashed when Adam trounced him and Hannah at the end, punctuating the final Tribal Council by revealing to the jury the news about his mother and her connection to the show. It was a dramatic conclusion to a surprisingly entertaining season that improved as it went, finishing up with a solid, deserving winner.
Check back soon for my full finale/reunion recap along with thoughts from Jeff Probst, intel on the next Survivor season, and interviews with Adam and the entire final 6. And for more Survivor scoop, follow me on Twitter @DaltonRoss.