Survivor 34: Game Changers

[declansdad]

Wow. Did not see that move coming from Varner. I thought Tai stepped in it good last week (and dodged a bullet) but that move by Varner last night will go down as the most jaw-dropping, mean spirited, bad decision in Survivor history.

Zeke handled it with dignity and grace.

I thought he was doing a decent job of making his case but as soon as he did that it turned completely.

 

[lucas]

Wow. My jaw definitely dropped on that one.

 

[Moxiepup]

Part of me thinks it was a quick, poor judgment call on the part of Varner, and part of me wonders how long he thought about playing that card at tribal if needed. I'd be curious to know how much regret he would have shown if his tribe mates had reacted the way he hoped they would.
I must say that I was pleased that his tribe was soundly aghast at his behavior. Society is all too often not kind to those who are different. It was nice to see people sticking up for Zeke.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Part of me thinks it was a quick, poor judgment call on the part of Varner, and part of me wonders how long he thought about playing that card at tribal if needed. I'd be curious to know how much regret he would have shown if his tribe mates had reacted the way he hoped they would.
I must say that I was pleased that his tribe was soundly aghast at his behavior. Society is all too often not kind to those who are different. It was nice to see people sticking up for Zeke.

I wondered that same thing. Jeff V. admitted that he had been talking to the others and trying to come up with a way to save his own butt. Makes me wonder if he had been pondering how to toss the fact that Zeke was transgender into his argument to save himself. But, then again, how could he really not know how much of a negative effect it would have. Guess that just goes to show what the game does to your mind when you are trying to win a million dollars.

With everything that has happened to the transgender community (beatings, suicide, etc.), I am betting that Jeff P. gave Zeke the option to have it edited out. Survivor would not want to be responsible if something happened to Zeke after the show aired (other than being embraced by the fans of the show). As someone else said, it would have made for a choppy tribal as we saw it but it could have been done.

**Edited to add: I was also pleased with how the tribe immediately came to Zeke defense. It was not Varner's right to "out" Zeke to the tribe. It was Zeke's choice. Being transgender is something very very personal. It's not like the past when other players have "outted" someone for fibbing about their career, homelife, etc. To me, Jeff V.'s move was way worse than even Johnny saying that his grandmother had died.

 

[L&Lfan]

For me it felt as if last night Survivor jumped the shark.

Sarah's speech sounded too "afterschool special" to me. And how easy it is to bash "fly over America" as "conservative" just because SHE doesn't have much contact with LGBT persons.

And with the word of the day metamorphosis, it all felt very manipulative to me. Maybe MANIPULATION should have been the word instead.


And, imo, CBS outed Zeke. That part could have been removed from broadcast. Zeke is already out proud and transgendered (and has/had a girlfriend) on that Harvard link from 7 years ago. I wonder if he told Bret the gay cop from last season with whom he bonded?

 

[Minnesota!]

Anyone else think all that was scripted? The IC word being 'metamorphosis' and even Zeke used that word. If so, no way would I take that deal, whatever deal they offered... if Varner agreed to that, Wow!

If not scripted, at least prompted by CBS. Too coincidental that all that went down in the Metamorphosis challenge day.

Lame. As was Varner. If Zeke wins, it will be fact.

Also, expect a big donation from CbS, or the like, to an LBGTQ foundation..

 

[OhMari]

I don't think that I ever screamed at anyone in my entire life, as I did last night. It was strange that Zeke sat their wide eyed. I know editing does what it wants. In the end Zeke did say, he did not want to be known as the Trans-gender player-so why didn't he stick to his beliefs and ask that it be edited out. I agree with Tai-you can forgive Varner-but it was not his place at all to out Zeke-"you just don't do that".

Before the Metamorphosis challenge the other tribe was describing how the game of Survivor has changed them. Especially Culpepper finally getting what his wife Monica went thru. I think Survivor had us going with that conversation and then the challenge of Metamorphosis-and then WHAM!! Just wrong.

 

[kimblebee]

Interesting read..it's Zekes POV from that night.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/li...mith-outed-as-transgender-guest-column-991514

 

[declansdad]

Interesting read..it's Zekes POV from that night.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/li...mith-outed-as-transgender-guest-column-991514

Great read!

 

[KrazyPete]

It may be an unpopular opinion but I think everyone overreacted a little. Zeke's family and friends have probably known him as a girl for most of his life. He started transitioning in college so isn't the whole thing kind of an open secret anyway? The indignation directed toward Varner felt a little opportunistic to me. Cast members saw a chance to lock in the vote against someone else and take a popular stance on a controversial issue in front of the television audience. Win/Win.

I do believe that Varner didn't expect the big reaction because he really didn't think it was that big of a reveal.

 

[declansdad]

It may be an unpopular opinion but I think everyone overreacted a little. Zeke's family and friends have probably known him as a girl for most of his life. He started transitioning in college so isn't the whole thing kind of an open secret anyway? The indignation directed toward Varner seemed felt a little opportunistic to me. Cast members saw a chance to lock in the vote against someone else and take a popular stance on a controversial issue in front of the television audience. Win/Win.

I do believe that Varner didn't expect the big reaction because he really didn't think it that big of a reveal.

Sorry I can't agree with that at all. The reactions they showed last night were immediate and the articles that I read this morning certainly don't portray it in the manner you are suggesting.

 

[okeydokey]

Zeke handled the situation with a lot of grace. Kudos to him.

 

[Ride Junkie]

Varner was trying to save his hiney and pulled out all the ammo he had. Unfortunately for him, instead of everyone turning on Zeke for being deceptive, they all turned on him instead. I don't think he was trying to intentionally hurt Zeke, just trying to stay in the game. I think he has realized that the $1 million isn't worth it. I feel for him and Zeke both. Zeke was incredibly composed and took his time to respond. With love and forgiveness.

Meanwhile at tribal, Ozzy is sitting there like, "Wut?!?"

 

[Ride Junkie]

Oh, and did anybody else see Zeke's tweet from last night? LOL

 

[Jennasis]

Loved reading Zeke's story above.

 

[Wendy31]

I feel a lot of what happens on "Survivor" is initially organic, but then the producers & editors craft each week's "story" based on what's happened - and, sometimes, in the solo confessionals, the producers "lead" the contestants w/ their questioning, if that makes sense.

Regarding last night, my initial reaction was how did Varner know Zeke was transgender? But the two seemed close (or were portrayed that way) so I could see Zeke telling him.

At its best, I think "Survivor" is a commentary on social interaction, & last night's tribal council was a good example. In my opinion, it could have turned very ugly, but it didn't - it ended up feeling at the same time both regrettable & heartwarming (in the others' reactions & then conclusions to what Varner had said). Jeff Probst even said that the moment ended as something beautiful.

Like others have said, Varner was desperate & in the kind of environment which affects how one would normally act & react. I think he was honestly contrite & regretted what he had done, & I ended up feeling sorry for him at the end.

I also think Zeke stayed composed & responded kindly & graciously. As someone from a conservative, small-town kind of background myself, I could relate to what the girl (I can't remember her name) said about how nothing had changed about how she felt about Zeke & that in itself was a lesson & something she had learned about herself. I think what she said was said very well. I also feel that Jeff Probst handled the situation well & didn't play into it to make tribal council more dramatic & he didn't try to "rabble-rouse" anyone - he let the discussion & reactions happen naturally, but the points he interjected were also good & well-made. Actually, I think everyone there reacted well. They stopped Varner, but they weren't really attacking him & piling on him. However, they were stalwart & unanimous in their defense of Zeke. If anything, they were more sad than mad. Ozzy sounded more disappointed than outraged, &, sometimes, I think knowing someone is disappointed in you is worse than feeling the person's outrage.

I think the point was well made that, in the end, "Survivor" is a game, & there are some things that should be kept sacred from the game.

And Ozzy is still my favorite.

 

[lovin'fl]

yeah, Ozzy is still my favorite in the game right now too.

I have been in top place on the fantasy team... woo hoo.

 

[KrazyPete]

On the subject of the fantasy team...
We're about a third of the way through the cast and it looks like they're about to merge, I guess this is a good spot for a DisBoards Fantasy League update:

Rank/Points/Player
1) 180 laura m
2) 170 abeautybutafunnygirl
3) 169 Krazy Pete
4) 169 Jennifer Ann *
5) 160 matoskah*
6) 156 Mary R.
7) 144 Mandy *
8) 143 C Swanky *
9) 143 Nicole *

* You have an eliminated player on your active roster. You probably can't get any more points with them so you should swap in one of your benched Survivors.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

yeah, Ozzy is still my favorite in the game right now too.

I have been in top place on the fantasy team... woo hoo.

I like him too but I'm starting to realize he's just not that good of a player. Last night, he had no earthly idea that his name was even being discussed. And I'm surprised that he hasn't learned that dominating every physical challenge is a bad move, it makes you a big threat.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

One word...WOW!!!!

We actually had to go back and watch tribal twice!

Felt terrible for Zeke.

Still rooting for Ozzy!