We're just days away from finding out who the Season 31 "Survivor: Second Chance" Ultimate Survivor is, and after a season of blindsides, broken alliances and some of the greatest gameplays we've ever seen, there's a lot of uncertainty going into the finale. With six contestants remaining, four more Tribal Councils left and only one three-hour episode to figure it all out, only time will tell who's going to walk away with the million dollars.
"The finale is...phenomenal. Historic. Unpredictable. And ultimately satisfying," host and producer Jeff Probst told Entertainment Weekly. "I think it will cap off, in grand fashion, what most fans will regard as one of - if not THE greatest season of 'Survivor.' I have absolutely loved the way this group played. I am proud and impressed by the level of fierce dedication to playing to win. Everybody went big. I hope future players take note from this season. You want to be a part of something amazing? You want to be remembered? You have to play big."
This season was an extra special one as - for the first time ever - fans got to choose the 20 players from a producer-picked pool of 32 past players who had not won and were going to be given a second chance at becoming the Ultimate Survivor, something they never expected, and the reason they gave it their all. As if this wasn't exciting enough, the season featured several new twists to the game format from the way hidden immunity idols were played to the way the tribe merges and switches worked.
After 35 grueling days in the brutal Cambodia heat, just six former contestants remain and still have a shot at the million dollars. Here's everything you need to know about these remaining contestants before the finale airs Wednesday Dec. 16 on CBS at 8/7c, and what Jeff Probst had to say about them earlier on in the game.
Spencer Bledsoe
Spencer, 23, is from Chicago, Ill., and was originally on Season 28, "Survivor: Cagayan - Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty," which aired in February 2014. He was a part of the brains tribe and lasted 37 days on the island, becoming the 14th contestant to be voted out and the eighth member of the jury. During this season, he played with Tasha, who is also a "Second Chance" finalist.
During the current season, Spencer began on tribe Ta Keo, then went to tribe Bayon during the first switch, and then back to Ta Keo before the final merge. So far, he has won two individual immunity challenges and does not have a hidden immunity idol.
"I think Spencer is doing a good job of showing people his intention to behave differently," Probst told Entertainment Weekly when there were only 12 contestants left. "Whether it's an authentic desire or just game play is irrelevant if it's working."
Jeremy Collins
Jeremy, 37, is a firefighter from Foxborough, Mass., and was originally on Season 29, "Survivor: San Juan del Sur - Blood vs. Water," which aired December 2014. This season featured pairs of loved ones competing against each other, and Jeremy was competing against his wife, Val, who was the second person voted off on day six. Jeremy ended up making it to day 24 and was the eighth person voted out, becoming the second member of the jury. He played with Kelley and Keith during this season, who are also in the finals of "Second Chance."
During the current season, he remained on tribe Bayon the entire time until the final merge. Jeremy has not yet won an individual immunity challenge, but he has already played one of his hidden immunity idols, which he gave to Stephen Fishbach, who was eventually voted off the following Tribal Council. Jeremy still currently has a hidden immunity idol that nobody knows about, which means he has a pretty good shot at going to Final Three considering there'd be no reason for him not to use it at the second-to-last Tribal Council.
"I like the game Jeremy is playing," Probst said. "He's really just trying to pick up where he left off. His second chance isn't so much about changing as it is playing without the burden of a loved one."
Latasha "Tasha" Fox
Tasha, 39, is from St. Louis, Mo., and was originally on Season 28, "Survivor: Cagayan - Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty" with Spencer. She was also a part of the brains tribe and lasted 33 days, making her the 12th person voted out and the sixth member of the jury.
During the current season, she started off on the Bayon tribe, then was switched to Angkor, and then back to Bayon before the merge. She has not yet won an individual immunity idol and has no hidden immunity idols.
"Tasha is doing a good job of taking the patience she learned from her first season and putting it into practice this season," Probst explained. "She is not pushing anybody around, she's gently persuading when she has to, and then she's right back to observing and letting other people make mistakes."
Kimmi Kappenberg
Kimmi, 42, is from The Woodlands, Texas, and was originally on Season Two, "Survivor: Australian Outback" (which is now referred to as "Survivor: Australia" and) aired in January 2001. Kimmi lasted 15 days in Australia and was the fifth person voted out, but made such a lasting impression that fans just had to bring her back for a second chance.
During the current season, she also remained on the Bayon tribe throughout the entire competition before the final merge along with Jeremy. She has not yet won an individual immunity idol and does not have a hidden immunity idol.
"Kimmi didn't last long enough the first time for any of us to really know how she would have played, and because it's been so long since then she has clearly grown as a person so we don't have much to go on," Probst admitted. "In many ways this is a fresh start for her. She seems to be very involved in strategy and isn't afraid to speak her mind. At this point she's surprised me in a positive way."
Keith Nale
Keith, 54, is from Keithville, La., and was also originally on Season 29, "Survivor: San Juan del Sur - Blood vs. Water," where he played with his son Wes, who lasted 26 days and was the ninth person voted out. Keith lasted 38 days, was the 14th person voted out and became the final member of the jury along with his son.
During the current season, he started off on the Bayon tribe, the switched to Ta Keo and then back to Bayon before the merge. He has won one individual immunity idol and does not have a hidden immunity idol.
"Keith is doing a refined version of what he did the first time and it can work all the way to the end because Keith is a likable person," Probst explained. "He stays out of the way, contributes at camp, bleeds at challenges and then says, 'Who do you want me to vote for?' It works because he's easy."
Kelley Wentworth
Kelley, 29, is from Seattle, Wash., and was also on "Blood vs. Water" where she played with her father Dale, who lasted two more days than she did. Kelley lasted 13 days and was the fifth person voted out, while her dad lasted 15 days and was the sixth person voted out. Neither made it long enough to become members of the jury.
During the current season, Kelley remained on tribe Ta Keo for the first tribe switch and then switched to Bayon before the final merge. She played a hidden immunity idol earlier in the season, which completely saved her spot in the game considering she would have been voted off that night. She does have another hidden immunity idol, which nobody knows about, which means she may also have a pretty solid chance at being in the Final Three along with Jeremy.
"I've been really impressed with her play," Probst said. "And so happy to see her playing her own game this time."
