[Jeff Probst]

This is Gary's Final Tribal Council Thread.

All other Jurors should remain in their own threads. Final 3, remember... this is not for you to address each other, but to talk to Gary. In-fighting amongst the Final 3 should be reserved for the Live Final Tribal Council on Sunday.

Gary, you have until Saturday at 8c/9e to post your statements/questions to the Final 3. Remember not to take up too much of their time as they have 10 other jurors to get to. Please no listing or questions requiring novels for answers. You can ask more questions after the final 3 have answered if you truly do not have enough information, but remember... there is a live Final Council on Sunday where you will get to address everyone live with statements they have made.

[Gary]

Howdy y'all, Taino strong amirite?

Congrats to all three of you on outlasting the competition. I don't think any of you will be good representatives of what this season was all about, but that's not the name of the game and one of you is going to be a millionaire by monday.

Adam

You've made your strategy relatively clear, so I shared some of the same questions that other jurors have asked you and will be weighing all those responses very heavily. But for Hogeboom pointstm, I really need to figure out what your playstyle was and understand how it's better than your competitors. I need to preface this by saying that I truly do respect strategic flips. Also, what you Zeke and Lucy did was pretty much what I wanted to do with our OG Lucayan people so believe me, I respect your game. However, I think you failed hard at your social game in several respects. You made yourself untrustworthy by always giving canned cliches at tribal and in basic game talks. When people swapped to your tribe after the vets entered, you made yourself incredibly cold and closed off to anybody who wasn't in your core alliance that you mentioned in your opening. You were in power and didn't seem to have any desire to make bridges with the rest of us. This means that I never got a clear sense of whether you were a strategist, cutthroat, loyal, or any other type of player. So all I have is the actions you took and I want you to hop in the wayback machine to the merge of Stranded T&C when you answer this question. You lament being called a goat, but I believe you made yourself a goat in this single moment:

I want you to tell me, without the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, why you think it was a better move to work with powerhouse vets Dale/Joaq/and co. rather than everybody's whipping boy Ryan and Gullible Greenhorn Gary. Tell me why you made that decision at the time without using anything that happened after I was voted out as justification. You can win my vote by convincing me it increased your chances of WINNING the game not just your chances of making the final three. This is a vital caveat so don't ignore it, dipshit.

I will probably have a follow-up unless you give some stupid bullshit cliche response. In which case, go back to the Big Brother writers room where you belong and commence fellating Lucy until next season.


Zeke

I'll be honest, I found socializing with you to be excruciating. So I'm shocked that you touted your ability to "bond" with new people after the merge. I cannot fathom that anybody genuinely enjoyed conversing with you and I believe wholeheartedly that everybody you spoke with was simply just trying to keep you in line as their chosen goat. I will also second the notion of other jurors that the "witty" remarks you made all the time were objectively unfunny and 'absolutely' obnoxious. The reason this social ineptness is bad for your game is that you appeared so oblivious to how people perceived you. So much so, that when Jeff constantly called you out on your bullshit you didn't seem to catch the hint. Instead, you dropped some other attempt at wit, cleverness or an Adamesque cliche. But at least Adam's cliches sometimes had substance to them. I'll also give Adam props for recognizing a wake-up call when he sees one. You should take notes from him.

But hey, look, that's all just my perception... which is completely subjective. So here I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt and pretend that it was my lack of social skills and sense of humor that made our conversations feel like arsenic. I'm presenting you an opportunity to prove yourself with a simple exercise: Please tell me which juror you felt the strongest social bond with and describe (if possible) what that bond was based on. If you want to do this exercise about multiple jurors, feel free. I'll be cross-referencing your answers with them.

Prove to me you had a social game because I don't believe you. At all. Like not even a little bit.

Lucy, Goosey, Lucy
I feel like it's unfair for me to assess you today. Because of all the people in the game, I think I had the weakest social connection with you. From my viewpoint, I have no reason to vote for you. When you socialized with me, it felt like appeasement. When we game talked, you constantly played dumb and/or aloof to the point where I gave up on trying to work with you because I genuinely thought you were an idiot. Now, this is great strategy for appearing non-threatening and UTR, but not so great strategy for someone who wants jury votes at the end.

As I said to almost everyone in the game, I judge people based on concrete evidence and actions. So as an example of your true strategic prowess, I'd like you to tell me about something you did while we were on the same tribe that I should give you credit for. It doesn't have to be a big move, anything subtle that demonstrates how you were playing at that time or trying to setup a longer term strategy will do the trick.

I wasn't there during the merge so I cannot give you Hawkins pointstm for anything that happened during a game I wasn't participating in (but I have seen these moves hashed out in other threads and your opening speech).






Congrats again to all three of you, I look forward to starting fresh once the game is over and we don't have to constantly lie to each other.

[Lucy]

Lucy, Goosey, Lucy
I feel like it's unfair for me to assess you today. Because of all the people in the game, I think I had the weakest social connection with you. From my viewpoint, I have no reason to vote for you. When you socialized with me, it felt like appeasement. When we game talked, you constantly played dumb and/or aloof to the point where I gave up on trying to work with you because I genuinely thought you were an idiot. Now, this is great strategy for appearing non-threatening and UTR, but not so great strategy for someone who wants jury votes at the end.

As I said to almost everyone in the game, I judge people based on concrete evidence and actions. So as an example of your true strategic prowess, I'd like you to tell me about something you did while we were on the same tribe that I should give you credit for. It doesn't have to be a big move, anything subtle that demonstrates how you were playing at that time or trying to setup a longer term strategy will do the trick.

I wasn't there during the merge so I cannot give you Hawkins pointstm for anything that happened during a game I wasn't participating in (but I have seen these moves hashed out in other threads and your opening speech).

I think it's one thing to say you didn't feel close to me, but it's another to suggest that means I didn't play the game because that is just ridiculous. The majority of everyone asking questions have berated Adam and Zeke for their poor game play and not having their own identity. Zeke to the point that he's virtually getting his ass handed to him.

I didn't trust you and that's why my conversations were never game related. I thought you were smart enough to solve the idol password on Taino. You blindsided Hannah and alienated Adam and Zeke because you were paranoid about a Taino Alliance that didn't exist, which I cant thank you enough for because that was a big reason why they didn't team up with you and Ryan at the merge. I constantly reminded them that you had already mislead them, so what would stop that from happening again. You had alliances with the people I didn't. So why would I talk game with you when I didn't trust you? Of course I was going to act aloof. You were a threat to my game.

As far as a big move that changed things in my favor... I was the reason Will left. Now you can say HE WASN'T ACTIVE, but lets cut the bullshit. If I had done what Adam, Hannah, and Zeke wanted and kept Will in the game... I would have committed game suicide when we switched. They wanted to keep Taino in the majority and I didn't want to have that stigma on my back of being lumped in with Taino all the time. Me voting off Will and tipping Drew off about how he was being targeted by my Taino teammates opened the doors for me to get to the switch and get in good with the vets and the other Lucayan's. Had I not done that there is no way I would have survived to the merge, Brooke's elimination, and Brian's potential boot if we had gone to tribal council again.

I'm sorry if this sounds assertive, but I swear to you I was playing this game... You may have thought I was aloof and dim-witted, but I have a pile of jury members laying in my wake who can attest to the fact that they trusted me and it was there downfall in the game.

[Gary]

Lucy, Goosey, Lucy
I feel like it's unfair for me to assess you today. Because of all the people in the game, I think I had the weakest social connection with you. From my viewpoint, I have no reason to vote for you. When you socialized with me, it felt like appeasement. When we game talked, you constantly played dumb and/or aloof to the point where I gave up on trying to work with you because I genuinely thought you were an idiot. Now, this is great strategy for appearing non-threatening and UTR, but not so great strategy for someone who wants jury votes at the end.

As I said to almost everyone in the game, I judge people based on concrete evidence and actions. So as an example of your true strategic prowess, I'd like you to tell me about something you did while we were on the same tribe that I should give you credit for. It doesn't have to be a big move, anything subtle that demonstrates how you were playing at that time or trying to setup a longer term strategy will do the trick.

I wasn't there during the merge so I cannot give you Hawkins pointstm for anything that happened during a game I wasn't participating in (but I have seen these moves hashed out in other threads and your opening speech).

I think it's one thing to say you didn't feel close to me, but it's another to suggest that means I didn't play the game because that is just ridiculous. The majority of everyone asking questions have berated Adam and Zeke for their poor game play and not having their own identity. Zeke to the point that he's virtually getting his ass handed to him.

I didn't trust you and that's why my conversations were never game related. I thought you were smart enough to solve the idol password on Taino. You blindsided Hannah and alienated Adam and Zeke because you were paranoid about a Taino Alliance that didn't exist, which I cant thank you enough for because that was a big reason why they didn't team up with you and Ryan at the merge. I constantly reminded them that you had already mislead them, so what would stop that from happening again. You had alliances with the people I didn't. So why would I talk game with you when I didn't trust you? Of course I was going to act aloof. You were a threat to my game.

As far as a big move that changed things in my favor... I was the reason Will left. Now you can say HE WASN'T ACTIVE, but lets cut the bullshit. If I had done what Adam, Hannah, and Zeke wanted and kept Will in the game... I would have committed game suicide when we switched. They wanted to keep Taino in the majority and I didn't want to have that stigma on my back of being lumped in with Taino all the time. Me voting off Will and tipping Drew off about how he was being targeted by my Taino teammates opened the doors for me to get to the switch and get in good with the vets and the other Lucayan's. Had I not done that there is no way I would have survived to the merge, Brooke's elimination, and Brian's potential boot if we had gone to tribal council again.

I'm sorry if this sounds assertive, but I swear to you I was playing this game... You may have thought I was aloof and dim-witted, but I have a pile of jury members laying in my wake who can attest to the fact that they trusted me and it was there downfall in the game.

By "on the same tribe" I meant on Taino together. My bad for not being clear. It's pretty obvious that you were playing your ass off after the merge! I have no criticisms of that, but I can't directly judge any of it because I wasn't there. That's why I wanted to know about things that happened when you and I were first getting acquainted.

Why would you use the UNANIMOUS Will vote as an example of you doing something when we were on Taino together? Are you saying you convinced Adam and Zeke to vote him out? As far as I knew, you wanted to leave Adam Zeke and Hannah in the dark about that vote. Ryan and I worked to make that vote unanimous.

[Lucy]

I also want to touch on a few other thing because you mentioned about me seeming non-threatening and being under the radar. I was a threat. I had strong relationships with Dale, Joaquin, Caryn, Danni, Drew, Lydia, Adam, Zeke, Brian.... I talked everyone up as much as possible, even the players that I didn't trust or get to know as well - like You, Ryan, or Chrissy. I was trusted by a lot of people and the reason why is because I spent the time getting to know them, not just talking menial strategy crap. Talking strategy 24/7 does not make a relationship, not a real one. I was not Under The Radar. I was never labeled a goat like the two gentleman sitting next to me.

I tied for the most individual competition wins in this season. I was the only person that can say they voted off all of the jury members that left by a majority vote (not a rock draw or by being pulled). I was the last person in the game to even have a vote cast against them.

[Lucy]

Why would you use the UNANIMOUS Will vote as an example of you doing something when we were on Taino together? Are you saying you convinced Adam and Zeke to vote him out? As far as I knew, you wanted to leave Adam Zeke and Hannah in the dark about that vote. Ryan and I worked to make that vote unanimous.

Not to burst your bubble, but you and Ryan were NEVER in control of the first Taino tribe you guys joined. You might have gained control of it after the next switch, but originally you guys were sitting ducks. Adam and Zeke wanted to stick with all Taino for the easy majority. All of the things you and Ryan would discuss as far as targets were discussed amongst the Taino tribe. Once I told them that I was voting for Will- they caved because they didn't want the vote tie in the event that Will no showed.

[Gary]

I also want to touch on a few other thing because you mentioned about me seeming non-threatening and being under the radar. I was a threat. I had strong relationships with Dale, Joaquin, Caryn, Danni, Drew, Lydia, Adam, Zeke, Brian.... I talked everyone up as much as possible, even the players that I didn't trust or get to know as well - like You, Ryan, or Chrissy. I was trusted by a lot of people and the reason why is because I spent the time getting to know them, not just talking menial strategy crap. Talking strategy 24/7 does not make a relationship, not a real one. I was not Under The Radar. I was never labeled a goat like the two gentleman sitting next to me.

I tied for the most individual competition wins in this season. I was the only person that can say they voted off all of the jury members that left by a majority vote (not a rock draw or by being pulled). I was the last person in the game to even have a vote cast against them.

I was only referring to how you portrayed yourself to me, Lucy. Believe me, once I was on jury, you were very clearly one of the favorites to win the entire time. That's why I tried to explain in my question that I wanted to know about things I was around for. You clearly don't remember past the merge, so I will just take your word for however it appears.

Again, my bad for not being clear. I know you have been reading tons of these so my convoluted bullshit is tough to focus on.

[Gary]

Why would you use the UNANIMOUS Will vote as an example of you doing something when we were on Taino together? Are you saying you convinced Adam and Zeke to vote him out? As far as I knew, you wanted to leave Adam Zeke and Hannah in the dark about that vote. Ryan and I worked to make that vote unanimous.

Not to burst your bubble, but you and Ryan were NEVER in control of the first Taino tribe you guys joined. You might have gained control of it after the next switch, but originally you guys were sitting ducks. Adam and Zeke wanted to stick with all Taino for the easy majority. All of the things you and Ryan would discuss as far as targets were discussed amongst the Taino tribe. Once I told them that I was voting for Will- they caved because they didn't want the vote tie in the event that Will no showed.

Perfect, thanks!

[Gary]

Why would you use the UNANIMOUS Will vote as an example of you doing something when we were on Taino together? Are you saying you convinced Adam and Zeke to vote him out? As far as I knew, you wanted to leave Adam Zeke and Hannah in the dark about that vote. Ryan and I worked to make that vote unanimous.

Not to burst your bubble, but you and Ryan were NEVER in control of the first Taino tribe you guys joined. You might have gained control of it after the next switch, but originally you guys were sitting ducks. Adam and Zeke wanted to stick with all Taino for the easy majority. All of the things you and Ryan would discuss as far as targets were discussed amongst the Taino tribe. Once I told them that I was voting for Will- they caved because they didn't want the vote tie in the event that Will no showed.

LMAO Ryan and I never thought we had any control there. We were scrambling non-stop and were in complete survival mode to avoid being sitting ducks.

You've nearly lost my vote with your hostile tone and misperceptions of my "bubble".

Best quit while you're ahead, love.

[Lucy]

I only said that because you said Ryan and you worked to make that vote unanimous. I wasn't trying to be condescending.


I will stop and again I'm sorry for coming off feisty, but I don't want to sit hear in a few days having lost the game wishing that I had said thing and didn't.

[Lucy]

said something*

[Lucy]

I'm also sitting on the second floor of my house with no air conditioning and I'm about to have a fucking stroke.

Thanks for letting me clarify things and sorry if I offended you. That really was not my intention. I'll see you at the live tribal council 2.0 thing.

[Adam]

Hello Gary, I have to work for a few hours but later this afternoon I will be here and will answer and respond to everything. I would now but I don’t want to be a rushed and miss certain points to talk on

[Adam]

Okay Gary, I am here. I will tell you everything with no bullshit or cliche answers.

So first off, if I did come off cold and shut off to you when you first came to Taino, I apologize. It truly was not my intention. I can say that I was in shock by the twist of the game and was processing everything, but the fact I made you feel that way was a mistake on my part and I own that. I also want to point out to you that when you first got to refuge and was able to speak to us, you came off shady in all realness. When you asked me about David and who was going, you came off interrogating and like you were trying to fish for information to take back to Lucayan. This was pre-swap as well and I didn't know you guys and I had a great thing going for me on the Taino OG side so I obviously was going to be skeptical and closed off at that point. So when you came to Taino, I had my doubts about you. From challenges you and Lydia seemed to be tight with everyone and you also knew all the vets. Lucy, Hannah, Will, and Zeke all shared my concerns as they all came to me saying they were uneasy with you and thought you were not to be trusted. I agreed and at that time I wanted you out. Now over the course we won challenges and you voted out Amy who you were close with and I began to see you in a different light. You were proving me be loyal and I saw an ally in you. Drew became the object of our target but we all remember how that went down. I did want to get a Lucayan OG out at the tribal we voted Will, but Lucy convinced me to keep you and I went with it because Will was screwing us over and I thought this would be a chance to pull you and Ryan in. After the second swap, I knew I had no more Taino people I could count on besides the three. I was not close to Hannah but as you said, she seemed to be tight with us which was not true. The night you guys voted out Hannah really confused me because I was ready to take out a big player that night. Literally right before the vote you came to me and said, "I want to play it safe." I was trying hard to make that plan before happen but I figured it was best to keep you and Ryan happy especially since a merge was about to happen. Then the votes came in and Hannah was out. You guys came to me later and explained and we tried to come together, but for me that was a bridge that was damaged. Seems like we both were not good at communicating with one another and we had pre-conceived notions that we never really fixed. The reason I went with Dale and Joaquin was because I felt both were being straight up and honest with me. Both were letting me know who was targeting me and who wanted me out. I was getting details and those same people targeting me, were some of your allies. I felt going with Joaquin and Dale would be a great chance for me to start fresh and start getting in with a new group and get the target off my back. It made sense to me. I felt like you and Ryan did not have my back and if you did, I wish you had come and been more honest with me about what was going on. I felt like if I went with you and Ryan I would never be able to trust you guys fully. With Dale and Joaquin at the time I knew I could be in a position to make moves and make my voice be heard and then start taking out the big threats around camp. Plus Dale and Joaquin had connections with the Vets and Lucayan so Dale felt like he could bring in other votes. I saw that if I worked with the big guys it would make ME a big guy and then I could be seen as a threat in the end. Plus I knew I always had Lucy and Zeke with me and we could come together and take out Joaquin and Dale when we wanted.


So to conclude, I wanted to work with them because we had trust and I was planning on getting in there and making big moves and make myself a threat and not a scapegoat.

[Zeke]

Hello Gary!

I appreciate your honesty with what you have said. Like I said in Chrissy's thread. I know that my sense of humor may or may not be right for some or in this case, many jurors. Even if it is just flatout childish and I can understand that. People have different taste in jokes and I know that whatever the hell I said was not a laugh riot that I expected it to be. If I was tough to talk with. I do take fully responsibility for that and I can only say that I really knew that I should have worked hard on trying to be better at having conversations and just being more entertaining at that point.

To answer your question:

My closest social bond would have to be definitely with Drew. And the reason is really clear. Not only have the two of us actually felt like we were actual close friends but we also shared the same thought process and we really did wanted to be together in the end and said that if whatever happened, he wouldn't have voted for me. Though in the end that didn't happen and that Drew obviously had to go for me as a vote. In any case however, I do feel that if things were different. I do think I still would have had Drew's back in this game.

I hope that this answers your question. Also, I just would like to say that whatever happens. Even if you won't vote for me. I will respect your decision. And I do hope that we can be friends after this because even if you didn't enjoyed our conversations. I actually felt like you were an awesome person to have talks with.

[Gary]

Hello Gary!

I appreciate your honesty with what you have said. Like I said in Chrissy's thread. I know that my sense of humor may or may not be right for some or in this case, many jurors. Even if it is just flatout childish and I can understand that. People have different taste in jokes and I know that whatever the hell I said was not a laugh riot that I expected it to be. If I was tough to talk with. I do take fully responsibility for that and I can only say that I really knew that I should have worked hard on trying to be better at having conversations and just being more entertaining at that point.

To answer your question:

My closest social bond would have to be definitely with Drew. And the reason is really clear. Not only have the two of us actually felt like we were actual close friends but we also shared the same thought process and we really did wanted to be together in the end and said that if whatever happened, he wouldn't have voted for me. Though in the end that didn't happen and that Drew obviously had to go for me as a vote. In any case however, I do feel that if things were different. I do think I still would have had Drew's back in this game.

I hope that this answers your question. Also, I just would like to say that whatever happens. Even if you won't vote for me. I will respect your decision. And I do hope that we can be friends after this because even if you didn't enjoyed our conversations. I actually felt like you were an awesome person to have talks with.

Thanks for being classier than me, mate. Respect.

[Zeke]

Hello Gary!

I appreciate your honesty with what you have said. Like I said in Chrissy's thread. I know that my sense of humor may or may not be right for some or in this case, many jurors. Even if it is just flatout childish and I can understand that. People have different taste in jokes and I know that whatever the hell I said was not a laugh riot that I expected it to be. If I was tough to talk with. I do take fully responsibility for that and I can only say that I really knew that I should have worked hard on trying to be better at having conversations and just being more entertaining at that point.

To answer your question:

My closest social bond would have to be definitely with Drew. And the reason is really clear. Not only have the two of us actually felt like we were actual close friends but we also shared the same thought process and we really did wanted to be together in the end and said that if whatever happened, he wouldn't have voted for me. Though in the end that didn't happen and that Drew obviously had to go for me as a vote. In any case however, I do feel that if things were different. I do think I still would have had Drew's back in this game.

I hope that this answers your question. Also, I just would like to say that whatever happens. Even if you won't vote for me. I will respect your decision. And I do hope that we can be friends after this because even if you didn't enjoyed our conversations. I actually felt like you were an awesome person to have talks with.

Thanks for being classier than me, mate. Respect.

You're welcome, man.

[Gary]

Okay Gary, I am here. I will tell you everything with no bullshit or cliche answers.

So first off, if I did come off cold and shut off to you when you first came to Taino, I apologize. It truly was not my intention. I can say that I was in shock by the twist of the game and was processing everything, but the fact I made you feel that way was a mistake on my part and I own that. I also want to point out to you that when you first got to refuge and was able to speak to us, you came off shady in all realness. When you asked me about David and who was going, you came off interrogating and like you were trying to fish for information to take back to Lucayan. This was pre-swap as well and I didn't know you guys and I had a great thing going for me on the Taino OG side so I obviously was going to be skeptical and closed off at that point. So when you came to Taino, I had my doubts about you. From challenges you and Lydia seemed to be tight with everyone and you also knew all the vets. Lucy, Hannah, Will, and Zeke all shared my concerns as they all came to me saying they were uneasy with you and thought you were not to be trusted. I agreed and at that time I wanted you out. Now over the course we won challenges and you voted out Amy who you were close with and I began to see you in a different light. You were proving me be loyal and I saw an ally in you. Drew became the object of our target but we all remember how that went down. I did want to get a Lucayan OG out at the tribal we voted Will, but Lucy convinced me to keep you and I went with it because Will was screwing us over and I thought this would be a chance to pull you and Ryan in. After the second swap, I knew I had no more Taino people I could count on besides the three. I was not close to Hannah but as you said, she seemed to be tight with us which was not true. The night you guys voted out Hannah really confused me because I was ready to take out a big player that night. Literally right before the vote you came to me and said, "I want to play it safe." I was trying hard to make that plan before happen but I figured it was best to keep you and Ryan happy especially since a merge was about to happen. Then the votes came in and Hannah was out. You guys came to me later and explained and we tried to come together, but for me that was a bridge that was damaged. Seems like we both were not good at communicating with one another and we had pre-conceived notions that we never really fixed. The reason I went with Dale and Joaquin was because I felt both were being straight up and honest with me. Both were letting me know who was targeting me and who wanted me out. I was getting details and those same people targeting me, were some of your allies. I felt going with Joaquin and Dale would be a great chance for me to start fresh and start getting in with a new group and get the target off my back. It made sense to me. I felt like you and Ryan did not have my back and if you did, I wish you had come and been more honest with me about what was going on. I felt like if I went with you and Ryan I would never be able to trust you guys fully. With Dale and Joaquin at the time I knew I could be in a position to make moves and make my voice be heard and then start taking out the big threats around camp. Plus Dale and Joaquin had connections with the Vets and Lucayan so Dale felt like he could bring in other votes. I saw that if I worked with the big guys it would make ME a big guy and then I could be seen as a threat in the end. Plus I knew I always had Lucy and Zeke with me and we could come together and take out Joaquin and Dale when we wanted.


So to conclude, I wanted to work with them because we had trust and I was planning on getting in there and making big moves and make myself a threat and not a scapegoat.

This is a tremendous answer, Adam. Everything makes sense but I just cant figure out how you had a better chance to beat that other crew than you did me and Ryan. You got fooled into thinking that group wasnt gonna target you. these were people you just met and were connected to you via Lucy and spent plenty of time dropping your name to me. Speaking of Lucy, I believe she was the one who convinced you not to trust me because she is claiming that throughout her responses. So more Hogeboom points to her.

We remember the events leading up to the Hannah vote very differently. One thing you sont know is that I had expressed my distaste for Hannah to Zeke and he defended her. I took his word as yours.

Thank you for your well reasoned explanation, its convincing from your perspective.