After 38 days playing the game of “Survivor: Redemption Island” in Nicaragua, Mainer Ashley Underwood fell one day short of getting a shot at the $1 million prize.

After making it all the way to the final four, Underwood could no longer dodge “Boston Rob” Mariano’s slings and arrows, and was voted out of the game at the final Tribal Council in Sunday night’s episode.

Boston Rob, after playing the game four times and spending 117 days of his life on remote islands around the world, finally won the title of “Sole Survivor” and the $1 million prize.

“I have nothing to hang my head about,” Underwood said in her final words to the camera after being voted off. “I’m proud of how I played the game, and I wouldn’t change anything.”

Boston Rob, who became known as “the island godfather” during the game because of the way he could manipulate people and make them stay loyal to him, made it clear from the beginning of the show that Underwood was on his hit list.

“Ashley’s just no good,” he said. “She’s got to go.”

The action began with the final duel on Redemption Island, where Matt Elrod, Mike Chiesl, Andrea Boehlke and Grant Mattos participated in an endurance challenge. They each placed one foot on a balancing board, and at the other end was a ceramic vase. The last person left standing with their vase intact would become one of the final five.

That turned out to be Boehlke. Back at camp, Boston Rob reiterated his desire to get rid of Underwood, saying, “As long as Ashley doesn’t win immunity tomorrow, Andrea gets to stay another day.”

It was a classic case of Survivor foreshadowing.

Underwood won the next immunity challenge, a puzzle game, guaranteeing herself a spot in the final four.

“I’m kind of at a loss for words,” Underwood told host Jeff Probst. “That was a really big one, and I’m really excited, Jeff.”

With Underwood safe, Boston Rob decided Boehlke should go next.

Underwood asked her best friend, Natalie Tenerelli, to “promise me 100 percent” that if Boehlke was voted out, Underwood wouldn’t be next.

Boston Rob was so confident that he controlled the other players, he briefly considered gambling and not playing his immunity idol at Tribal Council. But in the end, he handed the idol over to Probst.

Back at camp, Underwood recalled how Boehlke had called the women on their uninspired game playing, but the criticism didn’t seem to sink in.

“I get the last laugh, when all is said and done,” Underwood said.

Staff Writer Meredith Goad can be contacted at 791-6332 or at:

mgoad@pressherald.com

 

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