Survivor: Jeff Probst doesn’t think Winners at War quit’s legacy changed ‘in any way’

The same people who dislike the Edge of Extinction with a passion shouldn’t be harsh as Jeff Probst says, “Goodbye to a true one-name Survivor icon.”

This post will discuss the events of Survivor: Winners at War episode 7, featuring Jeff Probst’s thoughts on the legacy of one of its players.

An interesting aspect about the Edge of Extinction twist is that after the first Dakal Tribal Council on Day 3, per an EW recap, Yul regarded Chris Underwood’s win using the twist as “very controversial and polarizing,” while only Sarah, Amber, and Nick (3 out of 10) liked the Edge of Extinction. In a preseason interview, Jeremy Collins outright questioned that if somebody came back from the Edge of Extinction, “Did they really play Survivor and win the game?”

For Sandra Diaz-Twine to say “someone should be out when they are out” and to quit the game after being sent to the Edge in episode 7, “We’re in the Majors,” shows that she’s not just mincing words. Those who say Sandra shouldn’t sit out of challenges since she’s so bad at them (debatable) only to admonish her for realizing she can’t beat anyone else and quitting are telling on themselves.

If you think Sandra leaving Survivor: Winners at War early somehow diminishes the fact that she won the game twice without having to play in a season only with winners, Jeff Probst disagrees. He spoke to Dalton Ross for EW, saying, “There was 0.0 chance that Sandra was going to win a challenge against the group of players already assembled on the Edge,” noting that “Sandra does what Sandra wants” in deciding to go home.

“I don’t think it changes her legacy in any way,” Probst added. “Sandra is a legend. She is connected to so many iconic Survivor moments … So after 16 years, if Sandra is done, I’m good with that. Goodbye to a true one-name Survivor icon. And now… who will be the second two-time winner?”

It’s a healthy attitude to have towards so many playing in Winners at War this season, as it’s hard to expect many to show up in a “champion of champions” game in a competition for $2 million and also to see them ever show up as players in the future. Sandra has said both in and outside of the game that this is the end of her journey, and she has accepted her fate early instead of wasting away and suffering for three weeks just to knowingly lose.

Think about it this way; it’s likely the last time we’ll ever see Boston Rob, Ethan, Parvati, Yul, Danni, Denise, Amber, if not most of these players ever competing in Survivor again. Sandra has won twice and knows she would never have the opportunity to come back on Day 35 to win a third time. What more does she need to prove to anybody?