by Gina Scarpa

 

The third time was the charm last night for Tyson Apostol, who won Survivor: Blood Vs. Water in a 7-1 vote. In front of a live audience at the reunion, the newly crowned champion reiterated that he wanted the experience to be worth it after he didn't swap places with girlfriend Rachel Foulger. It kept him focused... and it certainly paid off (literally!)

 

Monica continued to go on about wanting to prove herself and she painted a picture as if she was overlooked or underappreciated in her everyday life back home. Brad jumped in to say that everyone in the Culpepper house has known for a long time that more than one badass lives in that house.

 

On to the guy who finished in third place both times he played. Gervase said he couldn't take on more of a leadership role because he backed himself into a corner. When the conversation turns to Ciera and the big moves she made, Jeff jumped in to yell, "That's how you play Survivor! You don't play for fourth place!" It's a high compliment from the man who has watched hundreds of people play this game for more than a decade.

 

Amazingly, screen time is given to Colton, who quit the game early on. He makes a joke about his tribe of returning players being members of the AARP and you can just tell the audience hates him. Caleb tries to smooth it over by explaining why Colton the way he is but Jeff isn't really interested and quickly moves on to a longtime fan favorite.

 

Rupert said that swapping with his wife was the only move he could make. He's played enough times that he wanted Laura to have that experience. You know what they say: happy wife, happy life. It's no wonder they've been married 16 years!

 

We check in with last season's winner, and one of my all-time favorites, John Cochran. Within hours of willing the million, he received a call from CBS with a job offer as a writer for their sitcom, We're The Millers.

 

On to the brothers Baskauskas, who admitted that they had a fight after they returned from the show and didn't speak for two weeks. That rivalry just won't die, will it? Aras sneaks in a plug for his band and hell, if he's going to do it, why doesn't everybody? Hayden asks people to follow him on Twitter and then Kat has a very bizarre conversation with Jeff where she said that she got a boob job to "get on Hayden's level".

 

After a few more check-ins, we arrive at Tina and Katie, who suffered a terrible loss just two weeks ago. Tina's son Taylor was killed in a car accident and she urges viewers to make sure that they buckle up when driving. Both women said that they wouldn't miss the reunion and that the love and support they've received from CBS and fans have helped keep them strong in this difficult time.

 

Next season's theme is revealed and it's Braun vs. Brains vs. Beauty. Hmm, a three tribe format. Will it be another season filled with returning players? We'll find out soon enough.

 

 

Stay tuned to RealityWanted this week for interviews with the final Survivor: Blood Vs. Water players.

 

(Image courtesy of CBS)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa