The tribe has spoken: Tom Westman, a fireman from Brooklyn, NY, was declared the official winner of Survivor: Palau and the $1m prize money on Sunday night, beating finalist Katie Gallagher, a radio ad saleswoman from Merced, California. In the final episode of the series’ 10th instalment, Westman displayed grace under fire during an emotionally-charged final Tribal Council, while Gallagher crumbled under her own complacency while being interrogated by the jury of seven ousted contestants.

While he was the clear favourite to win going into the final four, Westman was an unusual winner in Survivor history where leaders get the boot midway through the contest by power players who fly below the radar to avoid being targeted. He also goes into the record books for conquering the most number of immunity challenges: as part of Koror’s whitewash of opposing Ulong tribe and as an individual (winning 5 of 7).

While Westman relied heavily on his athletic prowess to motor his way to the final two spots, Gallagher adopted the tried-and-tested approach of riding on others’ coat tails to book herself a place in the finals. But in the end, her offensive strategy and mean-spirited disposition left her caught in her own web, and jury members were forced to choose the lesser of two evils.

The only player who could have forced a rubber vote or possibly even demolish Westman at the final hurdle would be fellow contestant Stephanie LaGrossa, a pharmaceutical representative from Philadelphia. Like Westman, she played the game with her heart on her sleeve and proved to be as tough as the men - she was the last Ulong member standing - but fell short of advancement as Koror banded together to oust her shortly after she joined them.

omg I’m so sleepy…. (to be continued)