Survivor Gabon Finale
blog by Alexis Jones

I felt like it was my first time visiting my high school after graduating. The hustle and bustle of the new kids in town, the excitement and the spot light on the current senior class. It was the same sentiments walking into the CBS studio moments before filming the Gabon finale. Instead of being the few, front and center with the bright lights blasting in your face and the audience members somewhat hidden in the shadows, I was now in the peripheral, among the many.

A certain amount of nostalgia came over me as I relived my past year and my fifteen minutes. I could see the irrepressible smile and slight dismay as the current Survivor cast proudly took their positions on the main stage. Having met several of them previously, I sat there with pride as though welcoming them into the family, an honor you only get after having paid your dues as a Rookie.

Like any sorority, fraternity, sports team or club, we too are a family. We have this rare experience, a mutual respect for one another and a sense of pride that serves as cement between our friendships. Regardless of the season or the amount of time you ”survived,” there’s a reverence for having played the game at all, for having showed up to the dance, or stepping up to the plate. Because for us, to even to dip your foot in the pool that is Survivor, you made it that far. Similar to the Olympics; it’s an honor to just compete at that level, to have been chosen to play and given the chance so much so that a gold medal is but icing on the cake.

Because let’s be honest, Survivor is exponentially harder than any of us imagined and no one who has not been their firsthand can possibly fathom what we go through. I can only imagine it’s the same for people who come back from war, you’ve seen things, experienced things that your fellow “civilians” have not and no explanation could give due justice. For some reason there is this unexplainable bond between people who’ve “been there and done that.” It’s certainly the same for us.

We were all changed, some more significantly than others. But for each of us, whether you were the first voted out or the last, we were changed. And it’s so subtle that you have to have gone through the transition yourself to fully appreciate it, and most likely it’s witnessing that shift in one another that bonds us. Either way, with the new Rookies on deck, though I may not be center stage any longer, I welcomed them into this unique, 21^st century, dysfunctional family.

The beauty of this life experience is that we are not here to stake claims on any single moment, we are meant to share them with those who came before us, and those who will follow. For those Lion King enthusiasts, “We’re all a part of the circle of life.” Mufasa’s advice could certainly be relevant to the Survivor experience. We all have our moment, but there is an incredible opportunity to gracefully bow out and give our new class the floor, center state and their much earned fifteen.

On a personal note, Bob, congratulations for a much deserved win this season. It is uncanny how much you remind me of my own father, one easily described as “damn good.” You’re a man of integrity, kindness and humility. And your wife is lovely, a reflection of the man you are, no doubt. And to the entire Gabon cast, thank you for an entertaining season, new friends and may I officially welcome you to the family; we are a motley crew, but (post-game) we are as loyal as they come.

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