It was one of the most epic challenges in “Survivor” history as Christian Hubicki won a grueling five-and-a-half hour immunity showdown. “It was like the passion of the Christ,” says Susan Wloszczyna in our Gold Derby editors’ video recap with Matt Noble and Marcus James Dixon. She adds, “and ‘Christian’ is even his name.” The muscly bartender Alec Merlino was hanging on a perch for his life during the “David vs. Goliath” challenge, but ultimately could not outlast the robotic scientist. Watch our fun video recap above.
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In the Biblical narrative, while Christ is hanging on the cross, another dying man calls out for grace. Jesus famously turns and assures the man that “today you will be with me in paradise.” Unfortunately for Alec, Christian was not in a merciful mood. In the dying breaths of the challenge Alec desperately calls out, “You’re safe, I’m not.” Christian turns and replies, “I know how you must feel in this moment. But I might never get this opportunity again. I’m sorry.”
Christian’s moment of triumph proved tragic for Alec, who dropped from the post and was voted out unanimously that night. Susan says Christian’s victory “was amazing and my favorite moment on the show. But I’m glad they didn’t show all five and a half hours.”
While hanging on the post Christian regaled stories and facts, which contributed to Alec’s frustration in the challenge. Susan comments that “using his verbal command as a weapon was cool.” But Marcus notes, “I don’t know if his talking was a strategy. He could have just been talking because that’s who he is.” Matt personally thinks it’s both. Often the greatest “Survivor” players are ones who don’t change who they are, but use their personality to find advantage in the game. The stories helped project confidence and help him get “in his groove.”
So, can Christian go from outlasting everyone on a wooden post to outlasting all contestants in the game? Currently at Gold Derby he is ranked second most likely to win with 9/2 odds. Marcus agrees he has a good shot, saying, “In the first 10 minutes of the season, he won that challenge on the boat. Ever since then, he’s looked like a winner. He is the season.”
Matt continues, “We have so many people saying how likeable Christian is. If enough people are saying that on the island there must be some truth to it; these are the jurors. His challenge will be getting to the end. If everyone thinks he’s the most likely to win, no one’s going to take him to the end. This next vote will be crucial for him.”
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