Confession: I watch Survivor, and I have since I became hooked in the very first season. And I just have to comment on the latest Survivor results, and Russell’s claim that Natalie didn’t outplay or outwit him.
He’s right; he outplayed and outwitted himself. Russell is the reason he didn’t win the $1,000,000.
Russell went into Survivor Samoa prepared to play a game, and everything he did was with that in mind. His strategy from the very beginning was to manipulate the emotions of those around him. The editing of the episodes worked for him as well. It was clear from the beginning Russell was being edited to be a villain. It wasn’t a coincidence that Jaison’s puckered feet and hands were the ones viewers saw. I’m sure he wasn’t the only one out there who had puckered skin, but a close up of Jaison’s feet made for better TV because viewers had already watched Russell burn Jaison’s socks.
Just like Russell was manipulating people, television viewers are manipulated by the editing of the show as well. The contestants are together and being filmed 24/7, but when an episode is being put together, the editing is designed to tell a story that will get the highest ratings.
OK, Russell burning Jaison’s socks really bothered me. I admit to being manipulated. I hated Russell when the show first began. He was arrogant and evil and sexist (Yes, his comment about the “dumb ass blonde” alliance thing bothered me as well, but it was supposed to — it was a great sound byte). But I could only go so many weeks of watching everyone else act like sheep around Russell before I started to admire the guy’s skill at playing the game.
And to Russell, it was just a game. He wasn’t on the show to make friends or have a life-changing experience. He had watched the show and thought he had developed a game-winning strategy. He told the cameras frequently that he was going to win and prove how easy it really was to win Survivor.
But Russell forgot that the Survivor television show is just that — a highly edited show. He developed his strategy watching the one-hour episodes and not realizing what goes on behind the scenes and how mind-numbing it can be to be stranded on an island for 24 hours. And when Russell developed his strategy to manipulate those around him, he failed to realize what his own psychological needs would be.
At the reunion show, Russell’s wife claimed that Russell isn’t really anything like what he was portrayed to be on the show, and I believe her. I don’t think Russell is really a villain, and he probably doesn’t lie and manipulate people in his real life. But other people playing Survivor did not go into the show thinking “it’s just a game.” Emotions and values were involved for a lot of the players. Plus, you put 16 people together and deprive them of food, warmth and a good night’s sleep, and you suddenly have 16 people at their very worst — they get snappy and snarky, which also makes for good television.
It was Russell’s close relationship with his wife that ultimately did him in. He probably discusses his plans and ideas with her at length. But when Russell was playing Survivor, he didn’t have her to confide in. He didn’t have her to talk to about his ideas and plans, and he NEEDED someone to talk with and admire his game playing.
He called himself the puppetmaster.. He studied the people he played with and learned exactly what he needed to do to manipulate them into the actions he wanted. He was often giggly and overflowing with pride about his latest manipulation or move. He didn’t hesitate to explain everything to the camera about his strategy, but the camera didn’t give him the instant feedback he needed. It didn’t give him the validation that he had came to depend on and usually received.
He forgot about his own psychological needs and his own strings. Russell would make a great play, and he KNEW the best plan would be to stay quiet about it, but he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. He went into the game planning to hide that he was a millionaire, but he confessed to both Mick and Natalie. Why? Because he NEEDED to tell someone.
Whenever he found a hidden immunity idol, he always told the camera, “I’m not telling anyone,” which really is the best strategy. But Russell couldn’t stay quiet about something so big. He had to tell someone. Pretty soon, the camera would show Russell going off with someone and showing them that he found the hidden immunity idol. Why? Because he needed validation. He wanted someone to be amazed by his prowess, and he absolutely needed someone to talk to about his strategy and accomplishments. And this need is what did him in.
Early on in the show, Russell was just amazed with himself. He couldn’t believe he found the hidden immunity idol without a single clue, and he had to tell someone. He was so proud of himself and so amazed he had to share, and the person he normally shared with (his wife) wasn’t around. At that point, Russell reminded me of a little kid who just learned to go potty by herself. That moment when a parent and a toddler celebrate over finally moving beyond the diapers is priceless. The child and the parent are just so proud, and as a parent, it is awesome to see your child’s eyes shine with pride at learning to be a “big kid.”
Russell’s eyes were shining, and it was easy to look at how proud of himself he was and be pleased for him. It WAS amazing that he found the hidden immunity idol without a single clue. But Russell needed validation. He HAD to tell someone if only to prove to himself that he really had it.
But soon, Russell’s pride grew a bit out of control, and he became arrogant. He thought he was so much in control of everyone else that he forgot other people have free will. It wasn’t enough to tell just one person. He started to tell multiple people while claiming he was sharing it with only that person. Russell forgot that other people talk to each other and share things.
Even when Natalie made her big play to get Galu to blindside Erik, Russell couldn’t give her credit. When she whispered to Russell what she had done — something he had not thought of himself — he dismissed her. He basically told her she didn’t do anything. I think that was a wake up call for Natalie. Until that moment, she may have thought Russell truly valued her as an ally, but his words dismissing her game play had to have stung. Just like Russell, everyone needs to have validation that they did good.
And by the final episode, when just Mick, Natalie and Russell were left, Russell was SO sure he was going to win the million that he just became disgusting to listen to. He still NEEDED to talk to someone and go over all of the angles and possibilities, but Mick and Natalie didn’t want to hear it. They had their own visions of dollar signs, and they wanted to enjoy it.
If Russell decides to be a part of the Heroes versus Villains show (and really, I don’t see him passing up the chance especially since he made several comments throughout the game that he needed competitors worthy of him), he would do well to think about his own needs for a sounding board and validation otherwise he’ll find that he just outplayed himself again.
Photo credit: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/
