An “Insider” Look at Survivor: Micronesia, Episode 3 – “It’s a Very Cruel Game”

Yau-Man’s Final Words

Yau-Man starts off by saying he hoped he would last a bit longer and that Survivor is “a very cruel game.” He knew he was a big target going into this season after doing so well in Fiji. He worked well in the camp and contributed to challenges. Everything was going well until Cirie decided to look at the end game. Cirie thought he would definitely find the idol if he went to Exile Island. Yau-Man couldn’t convince her that he was in with her in a solid alliance – like his alliance with Earl in Fiji. It’s unfortunate he couldn’t convince Cirie otherwise. “No hard feelings. I had a great time.” Yau-Man’s just fortunate to have been able to play twice.

Yau-Man says this Tribal Council was very contentious – with Jonathan on one side and Cirie on the other. Yau-Man knows Ozzy tried to get him to stay. But Cirie wouldn’t have it. Things are pretty bad and it might cost the Favorites not to be a united tribe. Yau-Man thinks Cirie has put a target on her back now with her actions. He also thinks Jonathan is a possible target because Cirie aired his dirty laundry as well.

Yau-Man seems to have a good attitude about his short stay in this game. He tried to get Cirie to believe in him, but couldn’t swing it. I don’t think there’s much more he could have done there. Unfortunately for him, Cirie was willing to draw a line in the sand with her vote and none of the others – who wanted Eliza out instead – could get her to budge. And neither could Yau-Man.

Yau-Man, The Day After

Yau-Man starts out by saying it was easier, mentally, this time. He was prepared to be constantly hungry, wet, thirsty, etc. this time. The Favorites all knew how to get the camp ready this time. They knew they needed a shelter and food and everything else, so they worked really well together on that. Yau-Man didn’t realize how fast alliances would form this time – basically as soon as the game started. He wasn’t quite ready for that. People just assumed they knew who they wanted to play with by watching the previous shows.

Yau-Man says he’s very good at individual challenges and very loyal. He also has a reputation as a “fan favorite.” So, people wouldn’t want to go against him with a jury that had Fans in it. All of these factors made Yau-Man a big target – unless he could make enough firm alliances. He tried to do that, but “I don’t think I got any traction with many of them.”

Yau-Man was surprised to see Jonny Fairplay and Jonathan Penner on the Favorites. He thought they were more bad guys on their seasons. Yau-Man says he made a mistake by not approaching Cirie until the second day out there. He thinks she felt slighted. Jonathan approached Yau-Man the first day for an alliance. Yau-Man should have approached Cirie the first day as well.

The Favorites have a “firmer mindset” on how they want to play the game. They are less flexible than the first time out. If you don’t agree with their plans, they won’t listen. But it was good to get a second chance. Yau-Man doesn’t feel he made the most of the opportunity, though. “But, it’s been fun.”

Reward Challenge: Beach Bash

This challenge looks really rough. The players bash and smash their way through the mud and water trying to get the heavy bags into their respective end zones. The Favorites win the reward, but all of the players on both sides look really beat after this one.

Alexis, After Losing the Reward Challenge

Alexis starts out by saying the challenge was “insane!” It was the hardest thing she’s done. It was a rugby/football challenge with soaking wet 30 pound bags. And once you get a bag in your end zone, you’re still not safe. The challenge was almost impossible. She gave it everything she had and so did everyone else on the tribe. Everyone was exhausted. The two tribes were very evenly matched. But the Fans needed this reward so bad. They really needed that tarp and all the other items too. “It was pretty devastating” to lose today. There’s nothing worse than getting a beating and then going home empty handed. All they can eat is coconuts and limes.

Alexis talked to Natalie about being too focused on Tribal Council and who’s getting voted out. Their tribe needs to focus on beating the other team at challenges too. They need to be a team, too. Right now, all they do is fight among themselves. The first thing they did when they got back from the reward challenge was who they were going to vote out. Alexis thinks they should concentrate on winning the next challenge first.

Immunity Challenge: Nut Bucket

In this scene from the show, we see both tribes split with four members holding on to a large net and the others shooting coconuts into the opposing tribe’s net. The Fans simply get more coconuts into the Favorites’ net early, meaning that even with James holding one rope, the Favorites couldn’t win this one.

James on the Challenges

James interviews that the reward challenge was kind of a joke. He just did what he does best, knocking people over and taking the bags. It was fun. At one point, James says he had several bags and no one would come near him. He felt like “the stinky kid” with everyone staying away. He swallowed some ocean water, but it was good. It was great getting the reward, too!