During Survivor 49, many of the show's biggest fans had major complaints about it. While that certainly is valid, it is important to note that there were some great parts of the season, too.
One player almost broke a major record, and while that didn't happen, what they accomplished was fantastic. On top of that, the season featured three Kristina Mills moments that were simply amazing and should be roundly celebrated.
When fans are watching Survivor from home, it can be easy for them to feel like they would do better if they were part of the game. However, viewers should always try to remember how challenging competing on Jeff Probst's show truly can be.
Three Survivor 49 moments involving Kristina Mills proved that playing the game is extremely difficult. The way that she handled each of those moments proves why she is a total badass.
Kristina opens up to Jeff Probst about losing her mom
The first moment came when Mills was standing on a dock before a challenge, and Probst asked her why she didn't seem like her typical self. While virtually everyone has an impulse to avoid being vulnerable in public, Mills had the bravery to state that she was struggling as she tried to cope with the grief of having recently lost her mother.
“I'm just trying to keep it together… Jeff, I want my mom. I want my mom so bad right now. My mom was my best friend at any time I'm struggling. She knew how to make it better, and you don't have anyone out here. And I don't even have my mom anymore, and it's [expletive] not fair. It's not fair. And I'm just really struggling today, and I'm trying to be thankful. I'm really trying to be really grateful. I'm really trying to think deep, but I don't know if I have it today. I don't have it."
After that moment aired, I wrote an article about why I thought the gentle way Probst handled that interaction was one of the highlights of his hosting career. While I still completely believe that, I also think that it was Mills' bravery that truly stood out at that moment. After Mills and Probst's touching conversation continued, a challenge was started that featured her second inspiring moment.
Kristina finishes the challenge
As Mills tried to make her way across a slim board that connected two platforms, she lost her balance and mostly fell off. If Mills had allowed herself to completely enter the water, she would have had to go back to the start and try again. However, Mills used an incredible amount of tenacity to ensure that she didn't fully fall off, and she pulled herself back up so she could complete the obstacle.
Considering Mills must have been exhausted at that moment since Survivor players rarely eat, the fact that she fought so hard and never gave up was a true thing of beauty to behold. During the season finale of Survivor 49, Mills yet again showed a similar amount of tenacity, and why she deserves to be admired.
Kristina keeps fighting in the finale
During the finale's first immunity challenge, Mills slid down a platform and clearly hurt herself when she reached the ground and her leg and ankle bent unnaturally. The pain was bad enough that Mills let out a loud cry of pain as she fell to the ground. Mills proved how incredible she was by immediately exclaiming that she was fine after that, so she could continue competing to win the challenge.
After she stood up and limped along to continue competing, Mills tried to roll a barrel she was standing on while pulling on a rope. After making it a certain distance, Mills fell off and landed on her butt while potentially hitting the back of her head on the barrel. While Mills sat and cried for the briefest moment, she was back up on her feet within seconds and kept fighting.
I am the kind of Survivor fan who typically cares about the strategy above all else. As a result, there have been times when Survivor moments that are edited like they were supposed to have been emotional or inspiring have left me feeling cold. However, the way that Mills handled setbacks with dignity and class struck me as incredibly special. I sincerely hope that she knows how impressive her actions were.