Gulf Shores' hometown Survivor heads home

Jonathan Young makes final 4 in reality show finale

By Melanie LeCroy
Lifestyle Editor
melanie@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 6/1/22

Baldwin County's Jonathan Young is among the final five castaways to make the "Survivor" season 42 final episode. The battle for $1 million took place May 25 during a three-hour long episode. If you …

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Gulf Shores' hometown Survivor heads home

Jonathan Young makes final 4 in reality show finale

Posted

Baldwin County's Jonathan Young is among the final five castaways to make the "Survivor" season 42 final episode. The battle for $1 million took place May 25 during a three-hour long episode. If you have not yet watched the finale, be warned. There are spoilers ahead.

The final episode opens with the final five castaways arriving on a new island in the dark. With their torches still glowing from tribal council, the group searches the area to see if there is shelter. They only find their clothes, but they all agree they can make it three more days without a shelter. The group sleeps around the fire, resting up for the challenges that lie ahead.

As the new day breaks the castaways are each given an envelope with a word scramble and instructions to decode the message because it will lead to an advantage. Lindsey makes quick work as the remaining castaways struggle. She runs all over the island trying to locate the advantage and finally locates it.

At the first immunity challenge each castaway must make it through another physically taxing obstacle course to puzzle pieces. Lindsay's advantage is that her puzzle bags only have one knot to untie while everyone else must untie six knots. The winner of the challenge will receive a pasta dinner.

Young takes an early lead despite Lindsay's advantage. The two keep pace with one another and Probst comments that it is a familiar sight to see the pair in the lead. The surprise of the challenge is Mike as he gets to the final puzzle phase just shy of Young and Linsday. The large circular puzzle slows Young to a near halt, but Mike and Lindsay stay even until the end. Mike wins his first immunity challenge of the season and chooses Young to enjoy the meal with him.

During the meal Mike and Young talk strategy while Maryann, Lindsay and Romeo make plans back at camp on empty stomachs. Each castaway is trying to decide who they want to be in the final three with and how to make that happen.

The first tribal council opens with Mike playing his idol to protect Maryanne and the remaining castaways vote out Lindsay. The final four are Young, Mike, Maryanne and Romeo.

The second immunity challenge is a "Survivor" classic, Simmotion. The challenge appears easy but requires strong mental focus and endurance. Each castaway has one hand tied behind their back and must drop a ball into a metal chute. The ball travels down a spiraling metal track and exits out of one of two points. As the challenge goes on, balls are added. Timing and focus are key.

Mike is the first to drop a ball and Maryanne is close behind. Young and Romeo continue but Romeo is victorious winning his first immunity challenge of the season. He is guaranteed a spot in the final three.

The one player that has been at the bottom over and over is now the most powerful player. Romeo must determine who he will take to the final jury and which two will build a fire to make the top three.

At the final tribal council, Romeo chooses to take Maryanne to into the finals. Mike and Jonathan must make a fire. While Young has been the primary fire builder all season long, he struggles to get a flame he can nurture. Mike gets a flame and starts throwing everything at it with no organization. Young's fire is organized, and he tries to build it up, but Mike's flames reach the string and send the flag into the air first.

Young, smiling ear to ear, takes his torch to Probst. "I fought the good fight Mr. Jeff," Young said.

Young joins the jury for the final. The three underdogs of "Survivor" season 42 sit in front of the jury as the final three Romeo, Maryanne and Mike answer questions from the jury regarding their personal growth, game play and strategy. The jury casts their votes and Probst reads the results on location. Maryanne Oketch is announced the winner of "Survivor" season 42.