An "Insider" Look at Survivor: Cook Islands, Episode 10 - Dirty, Stanky, Whacked Fruitcake!

Nate's Final Words

Nate starts by saying that this is one of the greatest things he's ever done. It really tested his “city cat” self. It was cool. It hurts to leave this early, just as the individuals are starting. He thought he was playing it smart at the immunity challenge by not showing his strength, but he guesses he came out with his guns blazing too quick. Nate wants Jonathan to kiss his ass – for real. “Kiss. My. Ass.” Apparently, Jonathan is a dirty, stanky, whacked fruitcake who sold Nate out. He's dirty – just dirty. And, oh yes, he can kiss Nate's ass. He says Jonathan's fake speeches about integrity meant nothing and that he can, let's see... right! Kiss his ass. Other than that, Nate loved everyone!

Nate didn't think he was much of a hunter when he came on the show, but you do go into survival mode out here. He'd get in the zone and hunt octopus and it was fantastic. Nate learned he can do anything in life after learning how to focus his strength here. A few years ago he never would have gone on an island “with some knuckleheads.” Nate tried to play with class and dignity, but sometimes you get blindsided when you're strong. He tells Adam, Parvati, and Candice that he loves them and hopes they do well. He knows they're feeling his pain and they were the “fab four.” He loves them and wants Adam to know they're after him. He thought Ozzy was cool when he met him, but he's a “little, dirty punk” too. Guess what? Ozzy can kiss Nate's ass. Yul has class and respect and Becky and Sundra were just doing what they had to do.

Survivor was a mind-blowing experience. You never what to expect or how you'll feel – weak, strong, whatever. Mind-blowing. Oh, and Jonathan can kiss his butt. Really, he can kiss Nate's butt. He thought he had a cool connection with Ozzy, but he can kiss Nate's butt too. He thinks Ozzy's going to get his later. For the rest, it's all love and peace. But for Jonathan and Ozzy, they can pick a cheek and – let's all say it together now! -- kiss Nate's butt.

After that speech, all I can say is that Nate has one busy ass.

Nate, the Day After

Nate's all cleaned up and wearing black today. He says the best thing for him on the show was getting octopus. That was his time when he was really in the zone. He could just go hunt and be himself. At Rarotonga, Nate knew he had to prove himself. It was a tribe of nine, with strong guys in it – J.P., Adam, and Brad. They had adapted well already, and Nate had to prove his value in camp. So, the first day, he grabbed the spear and just went out with no idea what he was doing. He wasn't good getting the fish, but he really figured out how to get the octopus. So, he was a provider then and Nate liked it!

Nate says that the game taught him about himself. He knows to listen to his gut now. No matter what anyone says or what people say you should do, if you don't feel it inside then it's not right for you. In the game, you may have allies, but you're really out there alone. Nate won't judge his guts or instincts any more. His instincts were always right in the game and he should have gone with them. Jonathan was a rat and he felt that from the start. Nate notes it's hard to get your torch snuffed. You want to have a good outlook, but it's the worst feeling – like getting sucker punched. Your dream is over. Nate says that once you do something like Survivor, you realize that you can do whatever you put your mind to doing.

Now Nate talks about Parvati. He says that his relationship with her was “priceless.” Parvati has a warm vibe that's like medicine. She's gorgeous and he had to control his feelings towards her. He didn't want others to “smell something.” They had to play a sneaky game to hide their friendship from the others so they wouldn't seem threatening. Having her “grow with him” is priceless. Hmm... No comment, Nate!

Nate says being in the game is a blessing, even with all the strange folks in the game. It's a privilege. And we can all kiss his ass. Well, I may have added that last bit in, but I'm sure he was thinking it!

The Merge

This is a re-showing of Jeff telling the two tribes they're merging. The Aitu are shocked and pleased by Raro's double elimination, but concerned about going in down in numbers. Raro is smug, as usual. That's about it.

Immunity Challenge: Mast Cling On

Ook. Bad pun CBS websters! Here we again get to see the newly merged Aitutonga struggling to cling to their respective masts. It was clear from the outset that either a woman or Ozzy (given his small size and relatively great strength) would win this one. Yul completely grocked this, as he explained while still clinging to his mast, noting “the surface area supporting all of us is about the same... but your mass goes up at a higher rate than surface area. It's kind of why elephants can't run up trees.” I wonder how many of his fellow Aitutonga understood Yul's point?

Parvati and the New Tribe

This interview takes place after the first individual immunity challenge. Parvati is hanging out in the jungle. She says she thinks she did alright at the first individual challenge. She wanted to prove that she could hold her own in the tribe. What she really wanted was to outlast Yul so he couldn't win immunity – and she did that. Parvati also knew that Ozzy would win. He's a baboon! He climbs fifty foot trees and knocks down coconuts all the time. Candice, when she puts her mind to something, really hangs in there. So, she knew Candice would be in it too. Candice is very strong mentally and she is a threat. She wins things because it's mind over matter. Parvati acknowledges that Yul is the first choice to get rid of in the tribe. He's brilliant. He's mister Harvard-Stanford-Yale guy! And he's really, really strong. Parvati thinks Yul could have lasted longer in the challenge, but he didn't want people to know how strong he is. He's strong and smart and the biggest threat in the game. He makes Parvati nervous. Parvati's worried Yul could manage to swing one of the Raro five over to his side and she wants to nip that in the bud.

Parvati now turns to the strategy for tonight's vote. She says that Jonathan doesn't want to vote Yul out this time. That makes Parvati a bit skeptical. Jonathan wanted Ozzy to go tonight, although Nate didn't want him to go because they have a bond. Jonathan and Candice are bitter rivals with Ozzy. It was interesting that Candice and Ozzy were the two left at the end of the challenge since they're such bitter rivals. But in the end Ozzy won out. Nate and Ozzy have really clicked and Nate really wants to keep him around. Parvati doesn't think this hurts her, so she's planning on going along with this. She feels like she's in a good spot and isn't worried about it.

Now it's time to talk immunity idol! Parvati says there is “tons” of talk about who has the idol. Parvati says she's almost “100%” sure that Adam has the immunity idol. He's not very slick at trying to be slick. Every time you ask him about the idol he gets a goofy grin on his face and says he doesn't know who has it. Then he goes through a list of people he “knows” doesn't have it (like Yul). Doh. No one ever accused Parvati or Adam of being the sharpest tool in this Survivor shed.

After Parvati's mistaken monologue about the holder of the immunity idol she turns to Jonathan. Apparently, Jonathan is driving Ms. Parvati crazy. He's a dictator. He works really hard and that's great because everyone's hungry, but he just wants everyone else to do stuff all the time. Parvati doesn't like being told what to do. Apparently, she'd rather sit on her butt and practice looking cute. Because he's so annoying, Parvati does not think that Jonathan will be coming with her, Candice, Adam, and Nate to the final five. She just doesn't see it happening. Well, don't worry Parvati, I don't see that final five happening either! Parvati concludes by saying that Jonathan is a much bigger threat than Sundra or Becky and that Jonathan might well be one of the next ones to go.

The interview concludes with Parvati saying that there are some sparks between her and Nate, but that he's laid it on the line more. She doesn't get attracted very easily, so it would take a lot more time for her to get interested.

Well, judging from Parvati's comments, the original Raro were indeed feeling smug – or at least Parvati was – before tribal council. Parvati does acknowledge that Yul could be dangerous, but she doesn't really come across as worried about it. It also seems that the Raros were completely smug and clueless about Yul's possession of the immunity idol. Parvati's interview also confirms that Jonathan made a good choice to jump back to Aitu's camp, since the original Raro and Candice seem to have had their sights set on getting rid of him as soon as they felt able.

Candice Interview

Candice's interview also occurs post-immunity challenge. Candice starts by saying that she was disappointed in herself. Candice feels that she could have held on longer, both physically and mentally. She was worried about completely ruining her hands and feet for one challenge and then losing anyway. Next, Candice turns to the Raro majority. She says that folks are on edge, because their majority is only one. She doesn't feel like there's a reason for anyone to slip over, but it could happen. That's why she wanted to win today. Before Ozzy won immunity there was some debate over whether they should vote for Ozzy or Yul (as Parvati discussed in the previous interview), but they had already determined that Yul was the one they wanted out. Nate believes Yul is the mastermind. He also thinks that Yul and Becky need to be separated. Candice would personally rather vote Ozzy out first because he's such a physical threat in the challenges. While Nate really wanted to keep Ozzy. Candice thinks Nate might want to ally with Ozzy and boot out one of their Raro five which makes her a bit suspicious of him.

Now Candice turns to her friendship with Sundra. She says she has to be careful how much she talks to Sundra, as the other Raro don't feel comfortable if she talks to her too much. They don't want to bring anyone else into their voting alliance. So she can't really tell Sundra anything. She has to be careful. Candice tried to get Sundra to vote with the Raro as a “vote of confidence,” but Candice didn't expect this to really work. Candice goes on to say that she told Sundra that she's pretty sure Adam has the idol and that Sundra should “stick with the idol.” Snork. But Candice doesn't think her talk with Sundra worked at all. But actually, Candice admits that she actually knows Adam doesn't have the idol, but she was trying to paint a picture for Sundra that he had it and she needed the idol's protection.

Candice acknowledges that she made four enemies when she mutinied. Those are four people who won't vote for her if it comes down to it. She also had some Raro folks she never got to know. She really needs to make a case for herself if she wants to win Survivor. She plans on emphasizing what a tough competitor she is and that she came to play.

Next, Candice talks about tribal council. She says she's nervous tonight because their majority is only one. Something could happen. She doesn't want the other four to vote for her. Even if another Raro were to get voted out, it would be bad news for all the remaining Raro, so Candice hopes it doesn't happen. Too bad, Candice.

So, we've learned that Candice is smart enough to try to dangle the immunity idol as bait to members of the other tribe. At least she, unlike Parvati, is trying to solidify the old Raro's advantage instead of just resting on their one vote margin. It seems likely that Adam has told his kissy-cuddly partner that he doesn't have the idol. Overall, Candice seems less smug and more aware of what's going on in the game than Parvati, but she doesn't seem worried about one of the old Aitu actually having the idol.

Tribal Council

We're back at the pirate wreck for a particularly exciting vote. Lets see what the tribe members had to say for themselves!

Sundra votes for her former tribemate Nate. “Hey man, it's nothing personal. Just strategy.”

Becky votes for Nate. “It's really nothing personal, just pure strategy to get the Aitu four to the final four.”

Yul votes for Nate. “Nate, you seem honestly like a great guy. I wish I could have gotten to know you better and that we were on the same tribe. I'd still like to get to know you. This is a purely strategic vote. I don't know how it's going to go down tonight, but best of luck to you and I hope we get to know each other outside this game.” A gentleman, as always.

Adam votes for Yul. “You're a stand-up guy with a lot of integrity, but you're also a threat.”

Ozzy votes for Nate. “I hope your plan works, man. I don't know how anyone else is voting, but sorry if it's you.” Wow. That's an odd statement. How does Ozzy not know how anyone else is voting, yet still votes for his new pal Nate? And did he really want the Aitu vote to fail? Weird.

Nate votes for Yul – well, 'Yuehl.' “Yul, this is nothing personal. But you control your tribe too much. Peace out, brother.”

Parvati votes for Yul. “You are just too smart and too strong. It's a lethal combination.”

Candice votes for Yul. “Yul, this vote is strategic, but I also don't think that you should hide behind the idea that you haven't lied in this game. You have. And I know it. And you know it.” Interesting comment. I wonder what lie, in particular, Candice means?

Jonathan votes for Nate. “This was never my intention, but Yul presented me with the immunity idol and said that if I didn't vote with them it would be me going home tonight. They would all vote for me. My alliance is more with Adam and Candice and Parvati. I hope you understand. I couldn't go home tonight.”

Well, this was certainly a pivotal point in the game. Given the interviews above, I believe Jonathan definitely made the right choice for himself in the game. Who knows what's going through Ozzy's mind based on his comments on his tribal council vote, though. He might be a bit of a wild card in all this. Becky and Yul seem incredibly solid, as does Sundra, although Candice has a friendship with her that she's trying to re-ignite. Very interesting indeed!

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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