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I think it was pretty clear that Natalie was working the future jury pool throughout the last few picks, buttering up future votes for herself to win, if she made it to the final. Russell lost focus a couple times in the game, not keeping Shambo for the final was his second biggest mistake, his biggest being breaking his image and letting out that he was in the oil business and made a good deal of money.

Russell owned the game, and ultimately, it was Russell who assumed the jury would go by the banner and vote for whomever outplayed, outlasted and outwitted them, and they instead chose to give it to the person who pretended to care about them.

The rules of Survivor's final vote are: Whatever you decide to base your vote on, that's what you do, and you make your vote based upon your personal choice. The game's rigged in some ways, but in that, whatever two or three outlasted you, those are your choice, and the jury went with who they thought should get the money.

A bitter jury, blindsided over and over again, every one of them sitting there because Russell took advantage of the situation, or created the situation, where they would be voted out. Who knows what is going to happen in Heroes vs Villains, as I think it was filmed before this series was even shown, but I hope Russell will be even better in that one, learning from his minor mistakes in this game to pull down the victory in season 20.

Either way, I don't feel sorry for Russell. In addition to the hundred grand he won from the people's choice, he also won at least $100,000 for his appearance, plus whatever place he earned in Heroes vs Villains, and absolutely will have tremendous notoriety which he will hopefully be able to cash in on on the corporate speaking circuit. Not a bad payoff, all things considered, and hopefully, he'll use his second chance to bring home the million dollar prize next time.