SURVIVOR FAVORITES: Africa: Lex van den Berghe
(Note that my Survivor Favorites are solely judged on the seasons I have seen the person play in. I have not seen every season; this is not a complete list.)
Previous favorites:
Richard Hatch
Rudy Boesch
Lex van den Berghe
Survivor: Africa, Survivor: All-Stars
Why? Because he's one of my favorite strategic players (yes, I admit I overrate him to an extent). Because in his original season I believe he was the only one playing to win, whether it turned out that way or not. Because he and Big Tom are the only reasons at all to watch Survivor: Africa. Because I cant decide if his whole deal in All-Stars is hilarious or immensely frustrating.
From what I recall (I've only seen Africa once) he did most of the thinking for the alliance of him, Ethan, Big Tom, & Kim. He deserved to win that season. Not to belittle Ethan or anything-- what he's done with the money is fantastic and in that regard I'm glad he won. But if it weren't for getting sick the day of the final immunity challenge, I'd like to hope Lex had it. He was responsible for prematurely voting out Kelly and that was all due to paranoia, but if he hadn't been able to get Brandon's vote he'd've been out. He was a good manipulator and a good leader for the alliance. One of my fondest Survivor memories is him taking care of a very intoxicated Big Tom at the reward challenge.
All-Stars Lex is a little different. He and Kathy probably should have voted out Amber. And regardless, he was almost as bitter and holier-than-thou than the entire Samoa jury. That was irritating. It's a fucking game, get over yourself. He's a sore loser, but one of my favorite players anyway.