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Lopevi Tribal Council
John Jousted
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Sarge (Votes John K.): This isn’t about trust. You’re next in line. I consider you a friend. But you’re next in line. Sorry.
John K. (Votes Chad): I’m afraid you might sneak by some more, and I need you to go.
DC Notes: No, what you needed was to stay in the game. Dumbass. And he forgets to fold his vote before putting it in the urn.
Chris (Votes John): I have to play the game. I have to stay the course. I just don’t trust you!
Julie (Votes John): My vote is for John and it was going to be me, so it’s better off to be you. You’re all right.
Chad (Votes John): You’re 22, and a little naive and wide-eyed, and you need a little bit more work-ethic. But you’re a cool guy, and we’ll miss your personality around camp.
Twila (Votes John): John, I’m voting for you because I can’t trust you for one, and I think you’re a young kid that has a lot of growing up to do. But I wish you the very best in life.
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John K.
Final Words
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John: This experience was cool, solely because I got to live somewhere with no food. No anything. I walk away with a better sense of smell, because I haven’t smelled anything in the past 2 weeks besides body odor. I walk away with better taste buds. I’ll eat probably anything you put in front of me right now. Before, I was really picky. I walk away with no craving for manioc because it’s horrible and I’ve been eating it for the past two weeks.
And I also walk away with – I don’t know. I guess regret. I’d love to say I walked out of here with no regrets, but I’m a little bummed, I have to say. I never thought I’d get emotional in this game, but I’m a little fired up, because I really, really wanted to win this, and I really, really needed the cash. So, what are you going to do. I lost. I tried. I don’t know. I’m kind of happy with everything. It’s cool.
The only thing I learned about myself in this game is that I’m me. I thought I could manipulate the way the camera saw me or I could manipulate that way the tribe could see me, but I can’t do that. If I get in an argument, it’s cause I get in an argument. I can’t change the way I act. I’m kind of cool with that. I have no problem with the way I acted on this game. Don’t regret that sense of it. Just regret choosing the path that I did to get voted off.
(Cut)
The thing that surprised me the most was how good of liars people are. I always thought I could read people pretty well, but man, Chris had me. We looked at each other in the eye and said, “Hey bud. I got your back, you got mine,” and he just flat out lied to my face. But that’s the game. I wouldn’t have done the same to him, but that’s only because I’m not as good at this game as he is. It’s a million bucks. I give him credit. That’s why I want him to win – because he’s that good of a liar. I’ll drink a beer with you when we get back, man. Oh well.
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John K.
The Day After
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John K.: My Survivor experience was – it was fun. It was better than not doing it. I can’t say I enjoyed my time there, but it was definitely something that was different and something that I’ll take with me for a while. It was interesting and I learned a lot about myself and how other people are. Money changes things when there’s a million bucks involved.
(Cut)
I learned that I’m pretty much me regardless of if I’m on TV or not. I really wanted to just sit back and not argue with people a lot of the times, but I couldn’t help it because half the things the people were talking about just bothered me. So I learned I can’t really hide how I act. It’s just me.
(Cut)
When Jeff put out that torch, I was pissed. I really wanted to get far in this game. I didn’t want to just get far. I really wanted to win this game. I went in thinking I didn’t even want to do this unless I came in the top 3. It didn’t intrigue me to be on Survivor. I just really wanted some cash, in all honesty. And when he put that torch out, halfway through the game, I was just pretty frustrated. Pretty mad. Because at that point everyone that I was friends with was already voted off. Everyone that I found interesting had been voted off. I can’t believe I was voted off and they were left there! The people that still remained, I could not believe that they were actually remained. I was just pretty mad, but I wasn’t mad at anyone and I wasn’t mad at myself. I was just kind of frustrated.
(Cut)
My only regret is not forming an alliance as soon as I got there. I thought that I’d have time to just do well in the challenges and get to meet everyone and figure out who would be best to strategize with, but people from the first minute already started an alliance, and they’re the people that are still there, so it’s kind of tricky, this game. The only thing I would have changed is forming an alliance as soon as I got there with the younger guys.
(Cut)
Me and Brook hit it off great. We lived around the same area when I lived in Boston. He lives in Boston now. He works where I used to live. We hit it off great. He was only there for three days, but in the time that we hung out, it went great, and I’m sure we’ll probably meet up and chill later on. Same with J.P. Me and J.P. really bonded and just hung out while we were there. He’s from where I live now. I’m sure I’ll run into him.
(Cut)
My worst day in the game has to be the day when I was voted off. I didn’t want to be voted off, and I was. I didn’t really have any bad days when I was mad at anyone, and hopefully nobody was really mad at me. I don’t care that much. What it all boiled down to was, I did not want to be voted off when I was voted off. So that was definitely my worst day.
(Cut)
My best day was probably the day when the teams were switched and we instantly won our first challenge. Afterwards, we got to go to a waterfall and have beer and pringles, and that was definitely my best day. It was a good victory for a new team, and I had beer and pringles underneath a waterfall. You can’t really beat that. It was a big opportunity for me to just see what Vanuatu has to offer, and I got to see some pretty cool sights.
(Cut)
To anyone who wonders what it’s like to be on Survivor, it’s got to be different from every person. The bottom line is, it all depends on who’s in your group with you. You’re hanging out with people you’ve never met before and you’re with them 24 hours a day. There’s no breaks. You’re with that person, you’re building a fort with that person, you’re eating with that person, you’re eating food you don’t like with that person. You’re forced to be with that person and get along, and if you don’t get along – you have to get along. And you also kind of have to watch your back and make sure you always know what they’re thinking. And the thing is, you never know what anyone else is thinking. So it’s all a guessing game. The thing with Survivor is, it’s just as much luck as it is skill, and it’s no more either or. It’s definitely 50-50, skill and luck. And that’s about it.
I’m extremely disappointed. I did not want to go home this early. I did not want to go home until the end. There’s really nothing I can do about that right now. So even though I am disappointed, I don’t have any regrets, because there’s really nothing I can do about it.
(Cut)
The one thing I’ll take with me that I learned in the game was probably my eating habits. Because I wasn’t able to have much to eat, I ate basically the same thing every day. I learned that I’ll eat about anything if I’m hungry. But I’m pretty picky at home, but I think I probably won’t be picky anymore once I get back.
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Tender Moment with Twila
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Description: After losing the Reward Challenge, Lopevi returns to camp, where Chris consoles a homesick Twila.
(Lopevi tribe walking back from challenge)
Chris: No matter what, what’s important is immunity. That’s for damn sure.
Everyone: Yep!
Chris (Confessional): Lopevi lost our challenge today. The reward would’ve been nice. I mean, you know, I miss my family, so. More than I ever would have dreamed!
(Everyone’s around the fire)
John K.: We almost came back. It was pretty good. We only lost by a little bit.
Chris: We lost by one cup.
Chris (Confessional): We’ve been coming off a lot of highs. We’ve won four in a row. And today, maybe we needed that.
(Twila walks off by herself)
Chris (Confessional): Twila, after the challenge, was extremely upset. We got back to camp. She didn’t say much to nobody. She took off for a walk. I was keeping track. I would say she was gone for a good 45 minutes, it seemed like.
Twila (Confessional): This probably would’ve been the best one to win, for me, anyway. Miss my son the most. I could do without the coffee or croissants. That don’t mean (beep) to me. Yeah, I was looking forward to getting something from my son. That’ve been nice. But that didn’t happen. I’ll be alright.
(Chris joins Twila at the beach)
Chris: Would’ve been nice.
Twila: Yeah, would’ve been nice.
Chris: It’d be better to see him in person.
Twila: Yeah.
Chris (Confessional): She was down there, cleaning a bowl. I walked down and consoled her. Told her it’s okay, just wait and you’ll get to see your son. It’ll be that much better than reading a letter. You know, Twila’s got a tough exterior, but I think Twila’s pretty soft on inside when it comes to family and her son.
Chris: Everything’s good.
(He and Twila hug)
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We’ll Be Together Again
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Description: See the sweet side of Lopevi tough guys Chris & Sarge, who get real about how much they miss their families.
(Lopevi, Day 17. Julie and John are napping. Twila’s wiping her eyes. Chris is standing alone by the ocean.)
Chris (Confessional): Mornings are pretty hard. Just thinking about my family. I got to finish the game, but I’d like to see my family (sniffles). Game takes a lot out of you. It’ll be worth it.
(Julie, John, Chris, and Sarge are staring at the fire)
Chris: Day 17. Been away from home 23 days.
Sarge (Confessional): Being out here and not having anyone close to me for a very long time is real hard for me, because I can’t handle emotions very well. Out here, I don’t think about my wife or my kid. If I did, I’d cry every day. And I don’t want to, because I’m hard. I’m solid. I’m the Sarge. I’m the drill sergeant. I’m in the army. I can’t let emotions get in the way. So I don’t think about my wife. Or my kid. I don’t have a kid and a wife right now. They’re their own family. My mom and dad don’t matter no more (Cries). When I go back home, we’ll be together again.
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Scramblin’ John
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Description: In this private chat, Julie notes that John is suddenly desperate, scrambling to ingratiate himself with his tribemates. Apparently, it’s not working with Julie.
Julie (Confessional): I think John is scrambling around, because his whole demeanor and attitude has changed at camp. I think he asked me something about my personal life 10 minutes ago, and I was like, “John, you don’t talk, ever. You don’t get into things.” And he’s been hauling wood and what not. I held some more wood myself too (laughs). So he’s definitely changed in the past three hours. John is scrambling and that’s why I think he came up to us and trying to throw this new idea. But it’s completely in left field from my perspective.
(Cut)
I won’t go with John. I’m going to put John’s name down on the parchment tonight. I don’t trust John at all, so I won’t go with him. I’ll use him: “Sure, John, I’ll vote for Chad.” Just to keep him off my back.
(Cut)
I don’t trust any of the other guys, but it’s a chance I’m going to take. I’m just going to put John’s name down, and I’m going to hope it’s John and not myself
(Cut)
Twila mentioned that maybe they’re screwing us and maybe we should approach John and do something, and I just feel it’s such a bad web if we start doing that. I know I’m putting John’s name down. I don’t know. Maybe I should venture out and go to John, but I don’t trust him at all. More so than any of the other guys.
(Cut)
Now I am just wallowing in sorrow (laughs). I just feel completely drained and it sucks. Today sucks. And if I’m going to go home, it just sucks. There’s nothing positive going on right now, and I’m just sitting around, really. We hauled some wood. We ate a really huge, nice papaya though. That was definitely a plus. But other than that, it’s just really somber. I’m kind of just at the end of things. I’m not into like – John’s completely like, oh, kissing up to everybody, and I’m not even going there. Not by any means.
(Cut)
The tribe would vote me out because they think I am going to flip-flop to the women, and I just think it’s so ironic because out of Twila or I, she would be the one to flip, because she’s got the loyalty going on. So I don’t know where somewhere along the line that I got targeted that way.
(Cut)
I think Sarge, Chris, and Chad are really wondering who’s going to be more loyal: Julie or John? And I think they’re weighing out those possibilities, pros and cons. And hopefully they pick John? To be unloyal? I don’t really know what they’re thinking. They got something great cooking, and Sarge is like, “Well, if we’re pulling the wool over your eyes and just laugh it off,” and I’m like, “I’m not laughing, and it’s not going to be funny!” It’s just a game, but we’re here to win. And if he thinks it’s so funny, why doesn’t he go?
(Cut)
He told me that about an hour ago, saying cause we were like, “What’s going on? We don’t feel too safe over here.” And he’s like, “What I know is John’s going, but if I’m being played or you’re being played, then just laugh it off.” And I’m like “Right.” It’s hilarious.
(Cut)
Well, John’s actually ruffling our feathers. I guess he pissed off Chad by saying something about, or just kind of putting him down in a way. Everyone really complains about him, and unless people are complaining about me the way they are about him and I don’t know about it, then that would be one reason to get him off. He just seems more schemier. If we go in with the numbers, I’ll stay faithful to Lopevi.
(Cut)
Right now, Twila can trust me. That’s pretty much the only one because I know she’s giving it back. So that’s the only one I’m feeling right now.
(Cut)
Apart from Twila, no, I’m not trusting any of these people at all. And it’s reciprocal. I can feel it. And that’s why it’s not working.
(Cut)
Before we go to Tribal Council, I’m just looking forward to it, because I know the decision’s already made. It was show on the road. These hours in between are driving me nuts and I just want it over with.
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They’re Gonna Keep Me
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Description: Having read the Reward Challenge Tree Mail, Eliza speculates about what’s ahead in the Challenge & its Reward. Then, she weighs in on Rory’s chances of staying in the game.
Eliza (Confessional): Well, we received treemail today saying we had a challenge that encompasses speed, balance and agility. To that me, that hints something like bringing flags across a balance beam quickly, seeing who can do it the fastest. The reward seems to be the tastes, smells, and sounds of home. Come to the “Home Cafe”. If it’s food and something from home, it’s all just like, we’re blown away and it would be the best reward yet. And since we’ve lost 4 straight challenges, we’re really, really hoping to pull this one out.
(Cut)
I would love to see the video of my family and my boyfriend because I miss them so much. I’ve been trying to not think about it because I don’t want to focus on it and be homesick all the time, but I’m really miss everyone from home a lot
(Cut)
We can’t stop talking about cheeseburgers (laughs). And french fries, or hot dogs, hamburgers, steak. I mean, I would eat anything right now.
(Cut)
You know, Rory, I guess is upset that he’s going to be the next one voted off if we lose the immunity challenge. Which I don’t understand why he’s focusing on that already anyhow, since we haven’t lost the immunity challenge. We haven’t even been told about the immunity challenge yet. But he’s focusing on the fact that the four women here are going to stick together and vote him off, and he doesn’t think it’s fair, and he thinks they should vote someone else off instead. I don’t know. I understand his position because I wouldn’t want to be voted off either, and I’d be doing everything I could to not be voted off if I were in the same situation that he was in. But it’s been 17 days and we’re all – the four of us have been together since day 1. I don’t know if he really thought he’d be able to infiltrate our alliance or what. I think he’s just upset because he realizes it’s not going to happen.
(Cut)
Um, I think he was trying to convince Ami and Leann to vote me off. But they told him not a chance in hell, so I don’t think he has a chance for anyone.
(Cut)
He thinks I work the least hard of anyone at camp. I think, yeah, I do agree with that. I think of the five of us, I do work the least hard of everyone. I don’t know if it’s because I’m the weakest or I think it’s stupid to drag logs around all morning when you have a challenge in the afternoon that you’d like to win. I don’t know. He’s probably right, but Scout, Leann, and Ami all believe that loyalty is more important.
(Cut)
They know I’m loyal to them to the end and they trust me completely. And with him, they’ve known him a few days but they can’t guarantee that he would stay on their side or anything like that.
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An Alliance of One
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Despite his best efforts, Rory seems unable to ingratiate himself with Ami and the women.
Rory (Confessional): So today is a new stage, and my new objective is to work on Leann and Ami and wrap myself into their relationship, and hopefully I’ll be able to get an alliance. Because otherwise, I’m still an alliance of one right now.
Rory: Ami, can I ask you a question?
Ami: Yeah, sure honey.
Rory: What’s the deal with you guys and Eliza?
Ami: Why? You about ready to choke her?
Rory: No. I just wonder about her value to ya’ll.
Ami: Oh. She’s stuck by what she said since day one.
Rory: But aren’t you ready to do another stage of the game now?
Ami: What else are you at? What else are you at? What do you mean? Explain.
Rory: What do I mean?
Ami: Yeah. Throw down.
Rory: What I mean is, I want in with you and Leann.
Ami: Really?
Rory: Yes. Very much so. You know, I’m kind of flying solo here.
Ami: I don’t know if you’re flying solo.
Rory: Well, all I know is –
Ami: – You’re still here. Lisa’s back at home enjoying pancakes.
Rory: I know that, and I’m grateful about that. The fact of the matter is, you’re sharp and you’re good in the challenges, and I’m both of those. I know you guys question my loyalties –
Ami: – Yeah, it’s kind of tough. You know what I mean?
Rory: Yeah. I completely, entirely, 110% understand.
Ami (Confessional): Rory kind of shocked me. He pulled me aside and said, “Hey. I want to join you and Leann’s team.” Which kind of caught me a little off guard. I was like, “Oh wow. All right. That’s interesting.”
Rory: With a word from you, I would back you and Leann literally to the very end. Literally. And I’ve already told you, if I was going to give somebody a million dollars, it’d be somebody in Yasur. I’ve made no bones about that at all. Make it be what you want. But I’m just telling you, if I was going to back two horses, it’d be you and Leann.
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Rory’s Wriggly Friends
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Description: In this exclusive interview, Rory describes what life on the island is like for him. Find out what animals have him worried.
Rory (Confessional): You know, I’m on my second walkabout of the morning. I usually come out and I hit the cold pretty hard. I got the boots for it. I’m starting to get a little bit an eye for crab movement. I really don’t know nothin’ about wandering around on no coral. I’m from Iowa. Here I am in the South Pacific wandering around on coral, and that (beep)’s dangerous, man. This stuff is dangerous.
I saw at least five coral snakes today. Sea snakes, coral snakes, I don’t know what the hell they’re called. All I know is they’re black-and-white banded and they move pretty damn fast. And most of them – actually, today is the first day I felt kind of calloused about them. Not really calloused, but I was saying to myself as I saw them, I saw them up ahead of me, and I looked down and I looked forward, and I saw them up ahead of me, and they’re swimming. And you kind of cut them a wide berth. Normally, I’d be like, as soon as I saw one, I’d be like “That’s it.” Today I cut them a wide birth. I’ll go over to the next pool entirely. Give them at least 15, 20 feet.
One of them, the closest that I came was about two feet away. Maybe three feet away. Down in a pool. And he was trying to go into a hole he couldn’t get into. It looked like a hole, but it wasn’t. He sat there with about an inch of his head in the coral and the rest of his head wriggling out, wriggling out, wriggling, wriggling, trying to get into this hole. So I take my eye off of him to take a step, and I look back and he’s gone. And at that point, I’m like “Aw man. You cannot take your eyes off a snake like that, man. You can’t take your eyes off a snake like that.”
So then I pack up over there, and I come over here and I’m looking for crabs on my second walkabout of the morning. And I walk all the way down this coral build here. I see a couple of the snakes. Saw a blue ringed octopus, which are also very, very dangerous.
And then I’m thinking about my strategy for the day. What I’m going to do to ensure I remain a member of Yasur. So I’m walking along, and I’m thinking about what my strategy is going to be for the day, and I feel something squirm under my foot. Underneath my boot. And I look down, and I’m standing on a (beep) seasnake. It was a little one. Probably about a foot. But I jimmy-legged it. My leg jumped up. And he shot off. That’s the end of my day. I can’t – that’s scary.
And I can’t keep going out there, feeding these women of Yasur if I not gettin no love. If I’m not going to continue to be a member of Yasur, I’m not going to – I’ll go out and catch my crab and eat my crab and build my energy up So I win an immunity challenge. It’s all I’m going to do for today, because I’m not going out there today. I’ve already pressed my luck. I did get breakfast, but that’s done a job on my head.
Credit: DCReads56