Survivor 43 finale crowns a winner with a shocking announcement afterwards

The Survivor 43 finale introduces another monumental move to cap an incredible season. Not only do fans witness shocked reactions from finalists listening to votes being read at final tribal council, but the winner stuns everyone with a very special announcement.

Survivor 43 has had several big moves and challenge wins throughout its season, including an epic blindside by a Sith Lord, two players outlasting a challenge to win immunity and even having blueprints to blindside someone produced in such an entertaining way. On top of that, the Survivor 43 finale saw two powerhouse players voted out, leaving a trio of players who had distinctly different games.

Who were the last three standing in the Survivor 43 finale?

The Survivor 43 finale started with five players; Jesse, Karla, Cassidy, Owen and Gabler. It’s safe to say Jesse was the favorite going into the episode, with Karla next in line after also playing an incredible game throughout the season. Unfortunately, the final five vote knocks out Karla before Jesse loses in the fire-making challenge at the final four.

What’s more interesting; who won the last challenge and made the decisions to set the stage for final tribal? Cassidy won her third individual immunity challenge, which tied Owen for the season’s lead. It was clear Jesse was going into the fire-making challenge, but who would Cassidy pit against him? She described Owen as having an underdog story with immunity wins, so taking out Jesse could be enough to beat her.

She didn’t believe Gabler had done enough to this point to where him defeating Jesse would improve his chances enough to win in the end. Well, folks, as the votes were being read – much like many responses online – Owen and Cassidy were surprised as the votes came out. Cassidy received the first vote, but every single vote afterwards was for Gabler. In an impressive 7-to-1 vote, 52-year-old Mike Gabler has won Survivor season 43.

How did the “AlliGabler” land a win in the Survivor 43 finale?

This season did show several instances of Gabler talking with many of the other castaways, being a trustworthy sounding board and person to vote with. He positioned himself with a variety of different alliances where he could go one way or another way to further his position and make it farther in the game. Gabler spoke to his game during final tribal council and the jury members confirmed during the after show that his answers swayed their votes.

Cody even referenced before final tribal in a jury member confessional how Gabler’s ability to integrate himself with a younger group of people speaks to how good of a game he played. One of the biggest talking points of Survivor is: You have to vote people out of a game, but do it in a way (and play a game) where people will then want to vote for you at the end. Gabler was precise in his responses, discussing his social game, good and bad moves, while also clearly defining how his game was different than Cassidy and Owen’s.

The tribal council during the Survivor 43 finale showed Gabler making the jury members laugh with his commentary, which speaks to his sincerity and ability to connect with the other players. Perhaps his entire game wasn’t shown during the season, highlighting all of these bonds, but perhaps his own confessionals can help to explain it. Describing himself as an “assassin” or “hiding in plain sight,” perhaps the production team gave viewers enough of what he was doing, knowing he’d explain it all during the final tribal council.

He described himself as an “AlliGabler,” as he had to sink into the waters at times to lower his threat level or to be ready to strike without anyone seeing him coming. In this case, the jury members were convinced by his arguments, while his competitors didn’t see it coming.

What was the monumental moment in the Survivor 43 finale?

In a confessional before the final tribal council, Gabler mentioned that he would donate the winnings to Veterans in Need. Whether those who serve in the military come home dealing with PTSD, injuries or trying to find work, it’s clear Gabler understands the hardships of this reality. What’s incredibly impressive is that he didn’t make this announcement to try and earn their votes – he tells this to them after he wins.

After the votes are read and fans are watching the after show, Gabler says they’re going to make history. Even Jeff Probst responds, “What’s happening?” Gabler announces “Survivor 43 is going to make history” by donating the entirety of the million dollars to the Veterans in Need Foundation. Not only that, Gabler said, “We did this.”

In this moment during the Survivor 43 finale, when Gabler has earned the win, he makes this important and touching gesture that he’s not alone in this decision. He credits those around him and what they accomplished during the season, and that they’re all doing this amazing thing. Gabler stands out with a great win for being able to connect with others, fly under the radar, reinforce the game he played during final tribal and then also show what kind of person he is by making this incredible donation.

It’s clear the jury members appreciated Gabler’s gameplay and willing to write down his name at the end, which is the opposite of what happened throughout the season as his name wasn’t written down once. In a game where people want to vote out other people, not receiving a single vote does highlight his ability to blend in and not seem threatening, while being integrated within the game enough to have people depend on you when needed.

Mike Gabler – winner of Survivor 43! 

What did you think of the Survivor 43 finale? Were you surprised by Gabler’s win? Did you feel his final tribal performance was impressive like the jury thought? Share your thoughts in the comments below!