An “Insider” Look at Survivor: China, Episode 5 – “I Was a Victim of the Game”

Aaron’s Final Words

Aaron starts by saying he didn’t know he was going tonight. He thought it would be James all the way up until the votes came in. He thought the “biggest threat” they were voting for was James. He guesses it’s a compliment to him, but he’d rather be back with them – even though he doesn’t like those people anymore. Being a leader in the game is treacherous and it certainly was for him. Aaron throws a hello out to James. He liked going into battle with him and he agrees about always striving to win. Aaron says, “I was a victim of the game tonight.” He wishes James the best.

Aaron’s obviously still processing his sudden boot from the game in this clip. It is clear that he wasn’t expecting to go. Zhan Hu was probably right to vote out Aaron, but I don’t know if he can see that through the disappointment.

Aaron, The Day After

Aaron starts out by saying that the big moment for him in the game may have been the last challenge where he got really into the swimming and grabbed the rope with his teeth and got Zhan Hu the lead. He was trying to prove himself to his new tribe. Getting that big lead but then seeing it turn on him “Caesar-style” when the others threw the challenge was tough. “I don’t think Peih-Gee and Jaime have that much of a heart” to concern themselves over how hard he tried. It’s a difficult game and you have to keep your emotions in check. “It’s a game of numbers.” Aaron wasn’t appreciated by his new tribe. Zhan Hu had the numbers and they “played a strategy game.” They threw the challenge and took him out. “They saw me as more of a threat than they ever did as an advantage.”

Aaron does say it makes it easier for him that he was taken out because he was a threat. When Peih-Gee said at Tribal Council that they were going to take out the most important threat down the line, Aaron thought they were going for James. James is the one who is more likely to be an “immunity hog” down the line. But when the votes came back and he saw it was him going, he had a “feather in my cap,” but he wanted it to be the other way around. Seeing your torch snuffed is surreal. It’s hard to see how it happened and your thoughts become angry and turn to hatred. But then you realize it is just a game.

The hardest part of the game for Aaron was wearing too many hats and trying to please too many people. When he became leader it was hard because a lot of people weren’t pulling their weight. Aaron faulted himself, too, for not stepping up enough to show them what to do. Like surfing, the game is an amazing undertaking. You go out of your element and enter survival mode. The highs and lows that come about in both Survivor and surfing are incredible. Aaron says he pushed himself for 15 days and it was “really, really hard.” It’s amazing to see what happens to you when you go through it. And then having a whole crew of people put together these amazing challenges for you and let you feel like a warrior and part of the Swiss Family Robinson is just amazing. Aaron finishes with a big grin, saying, “Cool.”

Aaron seems to have generally come to grips with his ouster and the reason for it. He knows he was taken out by a turn in the game, but doesn’t seem bitter about it and clearly understands why the Zhan Hu voted him out. I’m not sure James would have felt the same if the situation was reversed!

The Switch

This is the same series of scenes we saw in the episode as the tribes learn they get to take two members from the opposing tribe. Fei Long quickly figures out that both tribes will get this opportunity, while Zhan Hu thinks it’s just a random gift from the Survivor gods. Surprisingly, neither tribe immediately figures out that they can use this as an opportunity to get rid of their opponents – although Peih-Gee does realize this later on.

Frosti and Sherea go to Fei Long while James and Aaron are forced to go to Zhan Hu. Aaron is not pleased as he realizes how vulnerable he is in his new position. Jean-Robert is also displeased as he thinks the new situation at Fei Long is bad for him with one of his strongest allies, James, leaving the tribe.

Frosti on His New Tribe

Frosti interviews that Fei Long traded James and Aaron for him and Sherea. Frosti’s not sure how Fei Long feels about it and is worried that he’ll be the first one off. Sherea and he saw James and Aaron going by on the water. They all knew they were going into “a tough spot.” But they’re all warriors and they’re all going to fight. “It’s pretty interesting and I love that about this game.” Frosti thinks the whole experience is amazing. He’s got to try to find his way and overcome any obstacles that come along.

He’s now trying to find his way in Fei Long. Todd is a “Survivor geek.” He always knows what’s going on. He’s really smart and fun and Frosti thinks he’ll get along with Todd. Courtney makes her jokes and rolls her eyes, but she’s sweet on the inside. Denise is really upfront and a lot nicer to Frosti than he thought. She’s really mean to Jean-Robert and isn’t into strategy. Amanda is quiet, nice, and open. They both have lived in Chicago and are getting along well. Jean-Robert is like Fei Long’s Dave.