The Finale:  I'm rolling my commentary of this week's episode into
my prediction, since time is short and the end is near.  So, we last
left watching Burton getting booted.  Hurrah!  It's about time!  Even
Burton admitted on his post-boot appearance on "CBS Morning
Show" that the ladies should've booted him long before.  They did
not play a wise game.  But, better late than never. 

Another important revelation from this past Thursday's show, and
Burton's interview, was that he does not think highly of Lil.  This is
very important, now that he is a member of the Jury.  He was very
critical of her, which makes me believe that she will not get his vote
for the grand prize.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

So, we are now left with our four finalists.  The question is, how will
they be whittled down to two?  My hunch is that Sandra will go next.
However, there is a rumor floating around that there is one more new
twist this season, a double boot on Day 37.  In which case, both Jon
and Sandra will go, leaving Darrah and Lil to face the Jury.  Should
we go through a normal schedule of two more Immunity Challenges,
and Tribal Councils, then I'm going with Sandra leaving first, then
followed by Jon. 

I say this because I do not believe that the Ladies Alliance is all that
strong.  Had it been so, they would have acted sooner.  There is
sufficient friction between Sandra and Lil to rock the boat.  We must
also keep in mind the Jon-E-Rotten factor.  The others must realize
that Jon would be the perfect foil to go against in the Finale.  Also,
Sandra betrayed Darrah earlier, when Tijuana got booted, so Darrah
can't be all that certain of Sandra's loyalty.  So this is why I'm picking
Sandra to be the 6th member of the Jury.

Jon will go next, if not together with Sandra.  Lil will be suspicious
of how many votes he may get, not to mention her general irritation
with him.  Likewise for Darrah, who will see Lil as a better choice for
being against in the Final Two.

So this takes us to the Jury's Vote.  I have total confidence that the
majority will vote for Darrah.  RyanO, Tijuana, and now Burton, are
sure to vote for Darrah.  In Burton's case, it was Darrah who tipped
him off prior to the last Reward Challenge that Lil was talking about
booting him.  Rupert seems also more likely to vote for Darrah for
two reasons.  One is that Lil betrayed him and two, he admires
achievement, which Darrah has earned through her recent victories
at Immunity Challenges.  So that makes four votes for Darrah.  My
guess is that the others will also vote for Darrah, making it a clean
sweep, only the second time that has happened.  The reason being
simply, if nothing else, for spite's sake as Lil was an Outcast and
they will feel that she never belonged in the Finals in the first place.
Sandra and Christa will look at Lil as someone who road Burton and
Jon's coattails.  Jon will view Lil as a weakling who simply doesn't
deserve any honors.

So that's my take on the Finale.  7-0 for Darrah.  She has earned the
title through her efforts.  Sure, she flew under the radar for a long
time, but that is good strategy.  So my hat's off to her, I hope she
wins this season. 


PICK OF THE SEASON:  Darrah to win big!  Sorry Lil, but you just
don't cut the mustard.  Go read some Ayn Rand and develop a set
of cajones.