You truly don’t know what can happen on Survivor. Season 43 has proven that, with subtle gameplay dominating, supported by some of the most cutthroat moves in the show’s history. But the two-hour finale showed how unpredictable the endgame can be, as a series of emotional vote-outs led to perhaps one of the most unexpected winners in the show’s history.
Check out more information about the results from tonight’s finale episode below.
Related: Everything to Know About Survivor 43
Who won Survivor 43?
Robert Voets/CBS
Mike Gabler
The “Alligabler” wound up king of the jungle! After a dramatic premerge where he ruffled many feathers (and palm fronds), the heart valve specialist made new bonds to immediately take out his enemy in Elie. Now finding himself out in front, he slipped under the water, blending into the background while getting in on alliances with everyone. As a result, Gabler never got his name written down once, a testament to being able to manage his threat level. But he got plenty of his name when he won the season near-unanimously, with the jury awarding his bonds and threat management.
Who was eliminated on Survivor 43 tonight?
Robert Voets/CBS
Cassidy Clark
Cassidy talked from the beginning of the game about playing like a fox. She was sly enough to slip into the shadows behind bigger threats, and cunning enough to get the numbers together to take out the people against her. She got to Day 26 with an impressive three Immunity Challenge wins and being on the right side of every vote. But unfortunately, the jury did not feel her game measured up to a million-dollar win, save one vote from her closest ally James.
Robert Voets/CBS
Owen Knight
Owen experienced some of the biggest highs and lows a Survivor contestant has ever seen, from breaking challenge records to being left out of an astounding number of votes. But the admissions director kept pushing, hoping his underdog story would make his superfan dream come true. Unfortunately the football got yanked out from the proverbial Charlie Brown one more time, as while the jury respected his fight, they felt he influenced too little to deserve the win.
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Jesse Lopez
Jesse was arguably the player of the season. Despite coming across as subtle and unassuming, the political science Ph.D. was cutthroat as all get out. Most prominently, he took out his closest ally Cody with the idol that was lent to him, seen as one of the most impressive moves in the game’s history. Unfortunately, that is exactly what took him out. When he failed to win the final Immunity Challenge, he was quickly thrown into firemaking, where he lost handily to Gabler before succumbing to a surge of emotion.
Robert Voets/CBS
Karla Cruz Godoy
Through most of the game, Karla wielded a cudgel of social and strategic control, being able to make and maintain relationships easily while also making decisions behind several key votes. Unfortunately, that cudgel eventually turned into a walking stick, as she suddenly lost her tightest ally and her idol in a couple of votes. Going into the Final 5, Karla was on the bottom and literally on her last legs. But on her way out she showed the spirit that got her where she was in life, pitching Jesse to play his idol on her and even threatening Cassidy’s jury vote before being voted out unanimously.
Was there a reunion show for Survivor 43?
Yes! As was the case with seasons 41Â & 42, Survivor 43Â did have a reunion following the winner reveal, albeit in a different way than many seasons before it. The jury votes were read on the island right after they were cast. Then the finalists and jury came together to debrief about the season. As host and executive producer Jeff Probst told Parade, the decision was initially made on location to not deprive the contestants an opportunity to debrief if the COVID-19 situation had not let up by the time to allow for live events.
Will Survivor return for season 44?
Yes! CBS announced a couple of months ago that Survivor would premiere season 44 with a special two-hour episode on March 4, 2023.
Next, read our interview with Cody Assenmacher, who was voted out in Survivor 43 Episode 12.
