It was just a mere 3 months ago that I eagerly anticipated the start of Survivor's new season, Exile Island.  I was looking forward to 4 tribes and Exile Island and to see how it played a part in the game.

Early on, my favorites were Terry, Cirie, Shane, Aras, and Austin.  I laughed as Shane struggled with his nicotine withdrawals.  I was saddened by Tina's love for her departed son, and her eventual departure from the game.

I was shocked to see that 4 tribes only lasted 1 episode, and the formation of Casaya and La Mina happened.  I was sure that La Mina would wipe the slate clean at challenges, and they did at first, providing us with a fantastic episode 2 which saw Shane attempt to quit, and the brazenly truthful Aras tell Cirie and Melinda that they were the weakest links.  I was not sad to see Melinda go, because it wasn't Cirie.

Episode 3 sparked the dominance of Casaya, and it began with Bruce joining Casaya.  La Mina lost back-to-back ICs, and it was apparent that they desperately depended on Terry to sustain themselves.  Misty, and then Ruth Marie, were the victims of the La Mina Boy's Club.

Then, a refreshing change hit.  Terry visited Exile Island, and to the surprise of America, TERRY found the hidden Immunity Idol!  I knew at this point that La Mina was a sinking ship, so I figured it would come into play at some point.

However, once La Mina finally won an IC, we had one of the best TCs ever, with deuces being dropped, alliances being tested, and 4 people receiving votes.  It didn't bode well for Bobby, and he left the game.

Right before we hit the 3 week-break, Dan the man was voted out of La Mina.  Sally was saved by Casaya and sent to Exile Island, so Terry, Austin, and Nick all agreed that Dan would go home.  Dan received one of the most glorious send-offs in Survivor history, a true American hero.

Finally, the merge hit!  La Mina was down 6-4, but with the hidden immunity idol always looming over the Gitanos camp, Casaya (and most notably Aras) were concerned it could come into play.  Terry went on an unprecendented winning streak, however, and managed to save himself (and the HII) week-after-week.  It did cost Nick, Austin, and Sally a chance to gain ground in the game, though.

Terry was outnumbered 6-1, and things were looking bleak for him.  Bruce all of a sudden became ill and was forced to be take out of the game.  When Terry won immunities 4 and 5, Casaya was FINALLY forced to begin eating it's own, and a very surprised Courtney and Shane were sent packing.

At the F4, the mad scramble for position happened, as the rivalry between Terry and Aras finally came to an explosive head, and Aras finally, after so many weeks, dethroned Terry as the immunity winner, and suddenly there was a tie between Cirie and Danielle.  It was a hard fought challenge, but Danielle's flame was better kept, and she won the challenge, sealing Cirie's fate, and giving Danielle and Terry the numbers.

In the F3, Danielle was stuck between the 2 dominant forces of this game, Terry and Aras.  It was apparent that this would be a battle to the death, and that Danielle would only have to sit on the sidelines and let the men fight it out.  That's not what happened, as Danielle shocked everyone by winning the final immunity, and she turned her back on her F2 alliance with Terry and took Aras to the F2.  It cost her the million dollars, as Aras won by a decisive 5-2 margin.

All-in-all, this was a fantastic season.  Each episode provided plenty of crazy drama (mostly attributed to the Crazy Casayas), and in the end, the winner was a deserving one.

I'll see you guys in the Fall for Survivor:  Cook Islands.