An "Insider" Look at Survivor: Cook Islands, Episode 8 - The Best Worst Experience

Brad's Final Words: Brad's experience has been the “best worst experience” of his entire life. Brad pulls out the cliches and says he's grown a lot as a person, stepped out of his comfort zone, and stretched his boundaries. Parting is bittersweet even though it's also a relief. The journey has ended, but it's been a good journey. His eviction came as a shock to him. Brad didn't know he was being evicted. He didn't know “what was brewing underneath everyone's breath.” Huh? By the same token, Brad says they're all good people and he's thrilled to have made the jury. Finding out he will be on the jury was a complete shock and Brad's thrilled about that. He can't wait to see what comes next.

Brad, the Day After: Brad's all squeaky clean now! He says the hardest thing to get used to on the island was “the lack of” so many things in his life – nutrients, different climate, etc. He says it was a huge difference going from Puka to Raro. There were a lot more people and personalities to “babysit” on the Raro tribe. There's only so much you can take! After a while he just had to let his true colors shine. Brad thought he did get along with people on both tribes, but it became too much for him and he started to snap. He should have changed some of the things he said – saying “we” instead of “I.” He said “every man for himself” several times and that wasn't good. It put him in a vulnerable position. He should have emphasized alliances and a proper team bond, but you're not in a proper state of mind out there due to the lack of sleep and food. It makes it really difficult to stay focused and give it 110% in the game. It makes you have “personality malfunctions.”

Brad thought he had a great connection with Yul and Rebecca from Puka. Why didn't you mutiny, Brad? Brad believes in what they stand for and are on the same level intellectually and where they're at in life. Rebecca is a women's rights attorney and Yul was an attorney and is an all around good guy. Brad really admires them. They all give back to their communities. Yul is extremely smart too. Brad didn't feel the same connection with anyone on the Raro tribe.

Brad says he didn't care about being split up by ethnicity. He lives in the “melting pot of the universe.” He doesn't see color. He's a number of different nationalities mixed into one. On Survivor, you realize you don't need all of the “fluff” you have in normal life. It's nice, but you don't need it. Brad really liked learning that he could live on his own. He killed a chicken and harpooned an eel! That was way out of his comfort zone. Brad thought the survival process would be the hardest part of the game, but juggling the personalities and trying to manage them was just as hard. Brad thinks the whole experience is unexplainable to anyone who hasn't been there. Doing the challenges and having no calories is amazing. He's thankful to be on the jury and will give his vote to someone he thinks deserves it. It's been an amazing experience and one Brad wouldn't trade for the world. Or even five chickens.

Alright, I added that bit about the chickens myself.

Reward Challenge: Barrel of Monkeys: This clip begins again with Candice and Jonathan's mutiny from the Aitu tribe... and Brad's mistaken failure to mutiny. We get to see the ladies – or monkeys as this clip's title calls them – rolling around in the barrels and Aitu kick the mutineers butts soundly in the challenge before shipping Candice off to Exile Island.

Sundra's Mighty Tribe: This interview takes place after the mutiny. Sundra says, “Oh Lord! It is definitely a new game!” She says that Aitu has to hold tight and play their be-hinds off! When she saw the numbers and size of the people on Raro it made her tribe look small and weak. But Sundra thinks they have proved several times that they are mighty. They put their hearts into everything and kept their dignity. Sundra thinks Raro was very comfortable today when they saw the numbers. They thought it was a done deal that they'd win. Sundra says it ticks her off when people celebrate before a win. She says Aitu doesn't let them bother them and they keep their focus.

Sundra thought she would have a heart attack in that barrel! Her knee hurt and she kept telling herself to dig deep and breathe. Sundra thinks the four remaining on Aitu have remained true to each other. People have won the game of Survivor by deceptive means, but Aitu's hearts are in the right place and they have strength. They rely on themselves and it works.

Sundra turns to the reward and practically cries in ecstasy describing the chocolate and blueberry muffins. She says it was the best day in her life – even better than when her son was born because she was all drugged up then. They ate and ate and ate. Everyone had a glazed look on their faces. They got to wash their clothes and read their letters. Sundra's obviously thrilled about the whole reward – every part of it. She says their were letters and pictures and it was so amazing she wondered if they would execute the tribe the next day! It was the best day of her life. They all appreciated the reward and each other and that's what made if feel “so damn good.”

Sundra goes on to lovingly describe every food and drink they had during the reward. She enumerates every comfort and every wonderful thing about the reward. I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy a reward this much! I believe Sundra that, at this moment, she believes the reward was the best moment in her life.

Sundra believes the reward brought Aitu even closer to each other. The odds are against them, but they'll stay true to each other and be able to look each other in the eye and feel good about themselves.

And they had muffins – don't forget the muffins.

Immunity Challenge: Depth Charge: The small but mighty Aitu tribe once again whup the Octopus that is Raro in a challenge... as seen on TV! I noted that Becky, again, did very well with the puzzle, taking no time at all to realize that the word they needed was Bounty. She really stands out in the puzzles!

Nate Interview: Nate heads over to Adam and says they need to get rid of Brad now. Adam thinks that's a fine idea. Later, Nate interviews that people are starting to feel how close the money is getting. Nate says you have to ease up and earn it. And that's that. An odd, short clip.

Tribal Council: Raro was clearly united in their vote to evict Brad. But what did they have to say to him?

Candice votes for Brad. “Brad, I'm voting for you tonight because I think as soon as you got the chance you would mutiny and go over and be with Becky and Yul. And you said you were playing an individual game and didn't trust people on this tribe. And that's why I'm voting for you. Good luck.” Interesting, since Brad didn't mutiny – and Candice did!

Jonathan votes for Brad. “Obviously, this is nothing personal, but I'm in a very precarious position here and I'm hoping I'm not the only one voting for you tonight. Good luck.”

Rebecca votes for Brad. “I think you're a great guy. I just could not trust you.”

Brad votes for Jonathan. “I think you're a good guy, a good leader, and a good father, but you're coming in way too late in the game. Sorry.”

Jenny votes for Brad. “I guess I won't know until all this is said and done whether it was you who wrote my name down in the last tribal council. Yes, we bonded, but I could never really trust you.” Note that Brad did write Jenny's name down in the previous tribal council.

Parvati votes for Brad. “I love you and I'm really going to miss you. You're just a really strong competitor and a huge threat right now.”

Nate votes for Brad. “You just proved my point. You said you don't trust us.”

Adam votes for Brad. “Nothing personal, buddy. I just think there's potential for you to flip over to the other side if we do merge and I don't see that potential with anyone else on our tribe.”

Teeuwynn is a professional puzzle, game and event designer. You can check out one of Teeuwynn's current puzzles here. You can reach Teeuwynn at Teeuwynn@gmail.com

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