Secret Scene: Erik
Erik's Final Words
Erik reacts to having just been blindsided after Tribal Council
"Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Uh...man, it's a game. On the one hand, you take it as a compliment. You're the first one to get taken out, in a blindside. On the second hand, you think, how do you miss that? Huge, large majority, how do you miss that? I don't know. I never went after anybody in particular. Maybe one person. I let her float around, I went with the group. I tried to listen more than I talked. Maybe that's not the strategy. Maybe that is the strategy, maybe not this game. Maybe that is the strategy for this game, but not this particular season. I don't know. Obviously, I am disappointed, but I said coming into this game that playing Survivor would be looking into a mirror. As rough and difficult as it may get out here, at the end of the day, you want to know what's looking back at you. I'm pretty proud of the face I see in the mirror, and it's definitely been sculpted and gotten stronger and better over the last 22 days. That I will never regret. Winning or losing is arbitrary. As cliche as it sounds, it's how you play the game. I worked my ass off in thi game, and I can hang my hat on that."
(cut)
"If I deserved it, I guess I think I would accept it a little bit more. I feel like I really went out of my way to check myself on all accounts, every day, hourly, to make sure I didn't put myself in this situation. Somehow I ended up in the trap. That's a bitter pill to swallow."
(cut)
"What's an idol good for? It's good for getting out of a mess that you think you might get into. I told myself being in the game I was gonna have to be the immunity idol. Protect myself via communication with other groups, within the tribe, in order to not have to play it. In fact, I never wanted to use it myself. This entire time I was planning on on dihing it off to somebody ele, to push somebody else further in the game. Which might be advantageous to me or not, but as far as anybody else knew, it was invisible to me anyway. I don't regret going home with the idol, but...wow...sure was blindsided. Man. How do you prepare for that? You know what I said about the alliances we had was you can't defend against something that was invisible. This blindside was invisible to me. How can you defend against it? Keep the idol. Throw it back out there. I dare someone to find it with no clues. Try that."
(cut)
"I lived this experience. I gave 100% of my heart. Just...I mean...life's not fair, it's not a storytale, storybook ending, things like that. I get that. That's why I can take this on the chin, walk away and say, good move guys. But yeah...(exhales), what can I say? (laughs) They got me."
Erik the Day After
Erik reflects on Galu's decision to turn on him so early after the merge, and assesses how it will affect his former tribemates later in the game
"I don't think for a second that playing the way I played jeopardized my position in this game. I don't think playing with my heart on my sleeve and busting my ass and using every ounce in my body, playing what I felt was the right way to play the game, I don't think that was wrong. I don't think that jeopardized my game. I don't think that even cost me."
(cut)
"People got wind of an idea, a knee-jerk reaction, they didn't think it through, they didn't look at the consequences, they didn't look at the source, they didn't give me the respect I think I earned with my actions over 21 days of providing and working hard for them. They made a mistake. In this game, you don't have to make a mistake to lose. You can lose because of someone else's mistake."
(cut)
"It was slow-motion when I walked out. I was shellshocked and betrayed. I knew in my heart it was more than being blindsided. I've seen guys doing well in this game, they lose focus, they get cocky, they get arrogant. I was like, that will not be me. Every day I checked myself to make sure that wasn't it. I knew it had to be more than that. Somebody had an agena, or somebody lied. What's more upsetting than the culprit who lies is the 9 people who sign on the document and go, 'Sounds good for me.' It hurt, and it was confusing. It hurt more than I thought it would, since it was a game show. It did hurt. It was very confusing. I walked up and it was almost like I was going to pass out. Jeff puts the torch on and says his thing. I hear it like this. (in slow motion) 'The tribe has spoken.' I'm like, 'Woah.' I wanted to turn around and say some kind of a...but I couldn't look at them. I was disgusted. I just walked out into the lonely jungle. That was brutal. (laughs)"
(cut)
"You can be one thing, and as honest, and genuine, and real as you come across, or try to be, and you know that's who you are, if somebody sees it differently, it doesn't matter. What are you supposed to do? Lie, because you know they'll perceive you as lying, so if you lie, they'll perceive that lie, assume you're lying, think opposite, and all the sudden the truth will be told? You can't live your life like that. You gotta look into somebody's eyes and you gotta be the person you are. When I look into somebody's eyes, you have the responsibility to say, this guy's looking me dead in the eyes. He's either telling the truth, or he's got the biggest stones I've ever seen, because he's looking dead in my eyes and he's completely compelling me to believe what he's saying. From my perspective, either way you tip your hat. Even if the guy is lying, you tip your hat, and you go, 'You had the stones to look me dead in the eyes, and I bought it.' Some people are afraid of that. They're intimidated or nervous."
(cut)
"There was nothing I could do. These people flipped out. They got scared, they panicked, they hit a button, they didn't question the ramifications or the collateral damage, nor did they realie that I was tight with Shambo, so much so that when they burned me, they really burned Shambo as well. It makes no sense in a strategic game, even if I was the devil incarnate, to burn 2 members at the same time, right off the bat, when you're going into a merge at 8-4. Let alone that the reason you're 8-4 is because guys like me were out there killing themselves or your tribe."
(cut)
"I felt like I worked too hard to warrant that kind of an ax within the timeframe of 3 minutes. The least you could have done was look at me like, 'Yeah, you're going home.' At which point I would have used the idol, and whoa, if you think I had something left in the tank, and I used that idol, because I sniffed it out, or I say, 'Jeff, idols are crazy, they bring you down, if uss is gonna flush him and I'm gonna flush mine,' and all the sudden I see 10 votes come my way, whoo, I'm coming back (points at chest) and hell hath no fury like Erik being scorned, becaue I'm coming back, and whatever I had left in the tank is now times 50. I would've called every single person in Galu out to their face. There would have been no more Mr. Nice Guy. There would have been no more not stepping on toes. I would've been like, 'You all are going down. Every single last one of you. You either sign up with me, look me dead in the eye and agree to work with me, or I will end every single one of you. I have nothing to lose now. I shouldn't even be here today.' I would have gone off. It would have been nuts. Nuts."
Life at Ponderosa: Erik Part 1
Erik is blindsided and begrudgingly becomes the first member of the jury. Watch as he sets up camp at Ponderosa.
(Erik is voted out)
Erik: Ugh, they stabbed me in the back! Nobody has been treated like I've been treated.
Erik (solo): I didn't even think I was getting one vote, let alone a landslide. They got me tonight.
Erik: And I'm in the van!
Dr. Sherry: Hi.
Erik: What kind of a doctor are you?
Dr. Sherry: Psychologist.
Erik: Fantastic. (as he gets into the van) Did he say I was on the jury? (they say yes) Oh good. (gets in the car) Right now I have no idea how or why I was blindsided. They had to have been thinking about it before. That hurts my feelings, because as you can see (rips his blue buff off his neck), this is a purple necklace, this is Galu. Russell and I built Galu. Russell and I are the reason they're in that dominant position, 8-4. And I'm the one that's gonna go down for it? That's absurd. I built that city.
Erik (solo): I have no allegiance any more to any Galu.
(the doctor checks Erik out and tells him he's lost 17 pounds)
Erik: I lost 17 pounds in 20 days. People didn't think I was losing that much, but it was true, because they were eating all the food. (gets back in the van) I haven't eaten since the merge feast. This is gonna be the best orange I've ever eaten in my life.
Erik (solo): Ponderosa is like the bad word around camp. No one wants to come back here. We all know what that means.
Erik: (gets out of the van) Damn. Home sweet home. Awesome. And by awesome I mean (looks directly into the camera) SUCKS. (Erik walks to the dining area and marvels over the chips and pina coladas) I'm so happy. Did I just say I'm happy? (laughs) Funny how the brain works. 30 minutes ago I did not want to be here. Looking at that bottle of wine and this food, the body's thinking, "It's OK, man. It's cool. You get to eat. We're good again."
Erik (solo): As much as you don't wanna be here, it's such a warm welcome with staff, and food, and drink, and more people that genuinely care about you.
(Daniella, the chef, gets him a beer)
Erik: Every moment of this game, pre, during, and post, have been totally surreal. I mean, I'm drinking a beer called the Lima, with no tribemates, wearing the purple around my neck still. But you know what? As Homer Simpson would say, beer makes everything better. (Erik begins eating) Those little bastards from Foa Foa, sitting there like, "Hoo hoo hoo (rubs hands), can't believe it worked, but it did. We're alive." And they got rid of the strongest member of the Galu tribe. Would not be surprised if this whole thing comes crashing down.
Erik (solo): It could ruin the Galu tribe, but you know what, that's not my tribe anymore. I'm not cheering for Foa Foa, I'm not cheering for anybody.
Erik: I'm eating chicken. What are you guys eating, hermit crabs? Those are glorified bugs. (begins to eat ice cream) I tell you, some people at camp are dreaming about ice cream. (holds up his beer) This one's for you, Russ. And I think you know which Russ I'm talking about.
(Erik marvels at his beard as he begins to shave)
Erik (solo): The biggest thing they're gonna miss about me is they have probably, unknowingly, opened the floodgates to all hell breaking loose on that tribe.
Erik (holding a light up to his face): How could you vote this out right here?
Erik (solo): I'm gonna say this out there to my man James, they just couldn't help themselves from biting the damn fruit.
(Erik goes to his quarters, but returns for a snack)
Erik (solo): Ponderosa's gonna be lonely, and is not the place I wanted to be, but I'm gonna make the best of it.
Erik: I got a little dessert. Bag of cookies. I thought I could go for a beer. Then I figured after a night like tonight, I could go for 2.
Erik (solo): This whole game is about looking in a mirror and figuring out what's on the other end. To be honest I liked what I saw on the other end. I'm only upset that I didn't get to look into the mirror longer. I know as much as I've changed, another 20 days would have been a greater opportunity to learn even more about myself.
Life at Ponderosa: Erik Part 2
Erik enjoys his first full day at Ponderosa playing video games and eating to his heart's content. Still disgruntled, he awaits his first tribal council as a jury member.
Erik (solo): I'm really excited this morning because there's breakfast on the table.
Erik: (marvels over a banana, then gets a plate of eggs) Thank you. There's more eggs on our plate today than those 3 chickens combined laid for us over the course of 2 weeks.
(cut to a game room)
Erik (solo): We also have this cabana set up as kind of an entertainment room. There's hordes of DVDs. There's video games that trigger the competitive nature you kind of miss when you're out of there. (Erik celebrates over winning a game, and then leaves what is "rapidly becoming his favorite spot" to eat a burger) The amenities of Ponderosa are actually fantastic.
Erik (at his bungalow): This right here is Erik's bungalow. My own private VIP section, being that I'm the first one here. Thanks Galu. (Erik shows the air conditioning, mattress, and shower) It comes out cold, but fresh water. See the best part of the shower area? This bar of soap. It does wonders for the human body. (lays on the bed) I finally get to relax, be by myself for a little bit. One by one they'll be coming back, but they'll be coming into my den.
(Erik finds treemail)
As the first member of the jury it is time to raise the banner.
Erik (solo): An Exile flag with a skull and crossbones. I had the honor as the first representative of Ponderosa from "there" to raise that banner.
(Erik hoists the flag up a tree)
Erik: Tonight's the first Tribal Council post-Erik's Era. That means I've gotta look all those backstabbing Galu members in the eye. Then I get to welcome someone to the ranch. (Erik returns to his bungalow) I'm not sure what I'm gonna wear tonight. When I packed for this trip I didn't pack for 18 days of Ponderosa living. (Erik happily puts on deodorant)
(right before TC)
Erik: I'm gonna wear this proud, (shows his purple necklace) and I want every single person on Galu to see this every single time I walk by them. (hits the Ponderosa sign on his way to the van) Play like a champion. Going to Tribal Council for the first time as a non-contestant. Smell a lot better than the last time I was there. That's about all. Still gotta surly disposition on the whole thing. (cut) See you at Tribal. (closes the van door)
Erik's Final Words
Erik reacts to having just been blindsided after Tribal Council
"Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Uh...man, it's a game. On the one hand, you take it as a compliment. You're the first one to get taken out, in a blindside. On the second hand, you think, how do you miss that? Huge, large majority, how do you miss that? I don't know. I never went after anybody in particular. Maybe one person. I let her float around, I went with the group. I tried to listen more than I talked. Maybe that's not the strategy. Maybe that is the strategy, maybe not this game. Maybe that is the strategy for this game, but not this particular season. I don't know. Obviously, I am disappointed, but I said coming into this game that playing Survivor would be looking into a mirror. As rough and difficult as it may get out here, at the end of the day, you want to know what's looking back at you. I'm pretty proud of the face I see in the mirror, and it's definitely been sculpted and gotten stronger and better over the last 22 days. That I will never regret. Winning or losing is arbitrary. As cliche as it sounds, it's how you play the game. I worked my ass off in thi game, and I can hang my hat on that."
(cut)
"If I deserved it, I guess I think I would accept it a little bit more. I feel like I really went out of my way to check myself on all accounts, every day, hourly, to make sure I didn't put myself in this situation. Somehow I ended up in the trap. That's a bitter pill to swallow."
(cut)
"What's an idol good for? It's good for getting out of a mess that you think you might get into. I told myself being in the game I was gonna have to be the immunity idol. Protect myself via communication with other groups, within the tribe, in order to not have to play it. In fact, I never wanted to use it myself. This entire time I was planning on on dihing it off to somebody ele, to push somebody else further in the game. Which might be advantageous to me or not, but as far as anybody else knew, it was invisible to me anyway. I don't regret going home with the idol, but...wow...sure was blindsided. Man. How do you prepare for that? You know what I said about the alliances we had was you can't defend against something that was invisible. This blindside was invisible to me. How can you defend against it? Keep the idol. Throw it back out there. I dare someone to find it with no clues. Try that."
(cut)
"I lived this experience. I gave 100% of my heart. Just...I mean...life's not fair, it's not a storytale, storybook ending, things like that. I get that. That's why I can take this on the chin, walk away and say, good move guys. But yeah...(exhales), what can I say? (laughs) They got me."
Erik the Day After
Erik reflects on Galu's decision to turn on him so early after the merge, and assesses how it will affect his former tribemates later in the game
"I don't think for a second that playing the way I played jeopardized my position in this game. I don't think playing with my heart on my sleeve and busting my ass and using every ounce in my body, playing what I felt was the right way to play the game, I don't think that was wrong. I don't think that jeopardized my game. I don't think that even cost me."
(cut)
"People got wind of an idea, a knee-jerk reaction, they didn't think it through, they didn't look at the consequences, they didn't look at the source, they didn't give me the respect I think I earned with my actions over 21 days of providing and working hard for them. They made a mistake. In this game, you don't have to make a mistake to lose. You can lose because of someone else's mistake."
(cut)
"It was slow-motion when I walked out. I was shellshocked and betrayed. I knew in my heart it was more than being blindsided. I've seen guys doing well in this game, they lose focus, they get cocky, they get arrogant. I was like, that will not be me. Every day I checked myself to make sure that wasn't it. I knew it had to be more than that. Somebody had an agena, or somebody lied. What's more upsetting than the culprit who lies is the 9 people who sign on the document and go, 'Sounds good for me.' It hurt, and it was confusing. It hurt more than I thought it would, since it was a game show. It did hurt. It was very confusing. I walked up and it was almost like I was going to pass out. Jeff puts the torch on and says his thing. I hear it like this. (in slow motion) 'The tribe has spoken.' I'm like, 'Woah.' I wanted to turn around and say some kind of a...but I couldn't look at them. I was disgusted. I just walked out into the lonely jungle. That was brutal. (laughs)"
(cut)
"You can be one thing, and as honest, and genuine, and real as you come across, or try to be, and you know that's who you are, if somebody sees it differently, it doesn't matter. What are you supposed to do? Lie, because you know they'll perceive you as lying, so if you lie, they'll perceive that lie, assume you're lying, think opposite, and all the sudden the truth will be told? You can't live your life like that. You gotta look into somebody's eyes and you gotta be the person you are. When I look into somebody's eyes, you have the responsibility to say, this guy's looking me dead in the eyes. He's either telling the truth, or he's got the biggest stones I've ever seen, because he's looking dead in my eyes and he's completely compelling me to believe what he's saying. From my perspective, either way you tip your hat. Even if the guy is lying, you tip your hat, and you go, 'You had the stones to look me dead in the eyes, and I bought it.' Some people are afraid of that. They're intimidated or nervous."
(cut)
"There was nothing I could do. These people flipped out. They got scared, they panicked, they hit a button, they didn't question the ramifications or the collateral damage, nor did they realie that I was tight with Shambo, so much so that when they burned me, they really burned Shambo as well. It makes no sense in a strategic game, even if I was the devil incarnate, to burn 2 members at the same time, right off the bat, when you're going into a merge at 8-4. Let alone that the reason you're 8-4 is because guys like me were out there killing themselves or your tribe."
(cut)
"I felt like I worked too hard to warrant that kind of an ax within the timeframe of 3 minutes. The least you could have done was look at me like, 'Yeah, you're going home.' At which point I would have used the idol, and whoa, if you think I had something left in the tank, and I used that idol, because I sniffed it out, or I say, 'Jeff, idols are crazy, they bring you down, if uss is gonna flush him and I'm gonna flush mine,' and all the sudden I see 10 votes come my way, whoo, I'm coming back (points at chest) and hell hath no fury like Erik being scorned, becaue I'm coming back, and whatever I had left in the tank is now times 50. I would've called every single person in Galu out to their face. There would have been no more Mr. Nice Guy. There would have been no more not stepping on toes. I would've been like, 'You all are going down. Every single last one of you. You either sign up with me, look me dead in the eye and agree to work with me, or I will end every single one of you. I have nothing to lose now. I shouldn't even be here today.' I would have gone off. It would have been nuts. Nuts."
Life at Ponderosa: Erik Part 1
Erik is blindsided and begrudgingly becomes the first member of the jury. Watch as he sets up camp at Ponderosa.
(Erik is voted out)
Erik: Ugh, they stabbed me in the back! Nobody has been treated like I've been treated.
Erik (solo): I didn't even think I was getting one vote, let alone a landslide. They got me tonight.
Erik: And I'm in the van!
Dr. Sherry: Hi.
Erik: What kind of a doctor are you?
Dr. Sherry: Psychologist.
Erik: Fantastic. (as he gets into the van) Did he say I was on the jury? (they say yes) Oh good. (gets in the car) Right now I have no idea how or why I was blindsided. They had to have been thinking about it before. That hurts my feelings, because as you can see (rips his blue buff off his neck), this is a purple necklace, this is Galu. Russell and I built Galu. Russell and I are the reason they're in that dominant position, 8-4. And I'm the one that's gonna go down for it? That's absurd. I built that city.
Erik (solo): I have no allegiance any more to any Galu.
(the doctor checks Erik out and tells him he's lost 17 pounds)
Erik: I lost 17 pounds in 20 days. People didn't think I was losing that much, but it was true, because they were eating all the food. (gets back in the van) I haven't eaten since the merge feast. This is gonna be the best orange I've ever eaten in my life.
Erik (solo): Ponderosa is like the bad word around camp. No one wants to come back here. We all know what that means.
Erik: (gets out of the van) Damn. Home sweet home. Awesome. And by awesome I mean (looks directly into the camera) SUCKS. (Erik walks to the dining area and marvels over the chips and pina coladas) I'm so happy. Did I just say I'm happy? (laughs) Funny how the brain works. 30 minutes ago I did not want to be here. Looking at that bottle of wine and this food, the body's thinking, "It's OK, man. It's cool. You get to eat. We're good again."
Erik (solo): As much as you don't wanna be here, it's such a warm welcome with staff, and food, and drink, and more people that genuinely care about you.
(Daniella, the chef, gets him a beer)
Erik: Every moment of this game, pre, during, and post, have been totally surreal. I mean, I'm drinking a beer called the Lima, with no tribemates, wearing the purple around my neck still. But you know what? As Homer Simpson would say, beer makes everything better. (Erik begins eating) Those little bastards from Foa Foa, sitting there like, "Hoo hoo hoo (rubs hands), can't believe it worked, but it did. We're alive." And they got rid of the strongest member of the Galu tribe. Would not be surprised if this whole thing comes crashing down.
Erik (solo): It could ruin the Galu tribe, but you know what, that's not my tribe anymore. I'm not cheering for Foa Foa, I'm not cheering for anybody.
Erik: I'm eating chicken. What are you guys eating, hermit crabs? Those are glorified bugs. (begins to eat ice cream) I tell you, some people at camp are dreaming about ice cream. (holds up his beer) This one's for you, Russ. And I think you know which Russ I'm talking about.
(Erik marvels at his beard as he begins to shave)
Erik (solo): The biggest thing they're gonna miss about me is they have probably, unknowingly, opened the floodgates to all hell breaking loose on that tribe.
Erik (holding a light up to his face): How could you vote this out right here?
Erik (solo): I'm gonna say this out there to my man James, they just couldn't help themselves from biting the damn fruit.
(Erik goes to his quarters, but returns for a snack)
Erik (solo): Ponderosa's gonna be lonely, and is not the place I wanted to be, but I'm gonna make the best of it.
Erik: I got a little dessert. Bag of cookies. I thought I could go for a beer. Then I figured after a night like tonight, I could go for 2.
Erik (solo): This whole game is about looking in a mirror and figuring out what's on the other end. To be honest I liked what I saw on the other end. I'm only upset that I didn't get to look into the mirror longer. I know as much as I've changed, another 20 days would have been a greater opportunity to learn even more about myself.
Life at Ponderosa: Erik Part 2
Erik enjoys his first full day at Ponderosa playing video games and eating to his heart's content. Still disgruntled, he awaits his first tribal council as a jury member.
Erik (solo): I'm really excited this morning because there's breakfast on the table.
Erik: (marvels over a banana, then gets a plate of eggs) Thank you. There's more eggs on our plate today than those 3 chickens combined laid for us over the course of 2 weeks.
(cut to a game room)
Erik (solo): We also have this cabana set up as kind of an entertainment room. There's hordes of DVDs. There's video games that trigger the competitive nature you kind of miss when you're out of there. (Erik celebrates over winning a game, and then leaves what is "rapidly becoming his favorite spot" to eat a burger) The amenities of Ponderosa are actually fantastic.
Erik (at his bungalow): This right here is Erik's bungalow. My own private VIP section, being that I'm the first one here. Thanks Galu. (Erik shows the air conditioning, mattress, and shower) It comes out cold, but fresh water. See the best part of the shower area? This bar of soap. It does wonders for the human body. (lays on the bed) I finally get to relax, be by myself for a little bit. One by one they'll be coming back, but they'll be coming into my den.
(Erik finds treemail)
As the first member of the jury it is time to raise the banner.
Erik (solo): An Exile flag with a skull and crossbones. I had the honor as the first representative of Ponderosa from "there" to raise that banner.
(Erik hoists the flag up a tree)
Erik: Tonight's the first Tribal Council post-Erik's Era. That means I've gotta look all those backstabbing Galu members in the eye. Then I get to welcome someone to the ranch. (Erik returns to his bungalow) I'm not sure what I'm gonna wear tonight. When I packed for this trip I didn't pack for 18 days of Ponderosa living. (Erik happily puts on deodorant)
(right before TC)
Erik: I'm gonna wear this proud, (shows his purple necklace) and I want every single person on Galu to see this every single time I walk by them. (hits the Ponderosa sign on his way to the van) Play like a champion. Going to Tribal Council for the first time as a non-contestant. Smell a lot better than the last time I was there. That's about all. Still gotta surly disposition on the whole thing. (cut) See you at Tribal. (closes the van door)
