“This can be a very robust determination for me for lots of causes. As a competitor, I’ve at all times stated, ‘Maintain your destiny in your individual arms.’ However there’s so many issues weighing on my thoughts. I’ve made plenty of errors up to now couple of days. And I do know that actions do converse louder than phrases.
“I need to give particular person immunity to Natalie.”
When Erik Reichenbach spoke these phrases, an instantly-iconic Survivor second was born. It was Day 36 in Micronesia, the sixteenth season of the CBS actuality collection. And the “Followers vs. Favorites” theme had all however damaged down. As an alternative essentially the most prevalent coalition was the “Black Widow Brigade.” Comprised of Cirie Fields (who’s showing for her record-sixth season on the upcoming Survivor 50), Amanda Kimmel, Parvati Shallow and Natalie Bolton (in addition to the recently-booted Alexis Jones), the group had expertly taken males out of the sport in a collection of eviscerating blindsides, leaving them strolling out of Tribal Council shocked, and with an idol of their pocket.
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However that afternoon, the 4 ladies had been stewing. Erik, the only remaining man, had enlarged the goal on his again, getting caught telling a number of individuals the very same factor. However he had received immunity earlier, which means he was the one particular person locked-in secure. That’s…except they by some means satisfied him to surrender a positive spot within the Closing 4.
“I believe it was like what you’d do in a heist,” Cirie tells Parade in an unique interview. “It was so vital and pivotal at this level within the sport that everybody needed to know their half, and needed to play their half 1,000%. As a result of if there’s one iota of a decimal of something off, Erickwould not comply with by with the plan, and we must vote out Natalie. It was like once you go into a company workplace and also you planning on a merger. Like they will take over this firm, and it’s a must to have all of those steps in place to take over this firm. That is type of what it felt like.”
And certainly, with everybody enjoying their position to a tee, the Black Widow Brigade netted a deal of a lifetime. Erik gave up immunity and was summarily taken out. And in that night, one of the vital iconic and referenced strikes in Survivor historical past was born.
In honor of CBS re-airing this episode as a part of their “Highway to 50” encore episodes collection, Cirie talks with Parade about her perspective on every thing that went down, from the second it practically did not her response within the second to how she appears again upon its legacy at present.
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This episode begins with the aftermath of Amanda enjoying her idol. And, whilst you did inform her you’d think about forcing a tie to avoid wasting her, you continue to voted for her. So what was your response when she got here again into camp, having blindsided Alexis?
I believe Amanda informed me proper earlier than we went that she had the idol, as soon as I stated I might be contemplating drawing rocks for her. So then I felt secure nonetheless. So far as I bear in mind, I do not even suppose it was like a difficulty! [Laughs.] Actually, I do not suppose it was like that huge of a deal. They knew how shut Amanda and Parvati and I had been. We had been the Favorites; they had been the Followers, and Natalie was type of integrating herself. So I do not bear in mind it being that huge of a deal.
Erik finally ends up profitable the Reward Problem, controversially selecting Amanda to go together with him and sending Parvati to Exile Island. However individuals could not bear in mind, within the Survivortrivia problem, you had been really proper behind him. In the event you had received, who would you might have picked for reward and Exile?
Oh, I most likely would have despatched Amanda to Exile, and greater than doubtless, I might have taken Parv.
Why Parvati over Amanda?
As a result of Parv and I locked in from the go. When Jeff stated, “Go” and crossed the water and…it was water. [Laughs.] I used to be okay to some extent, after which it drops off. So then it’s a must to type of swim. And as you already know, I am not the most effective swimmer. So Parvati instantly grabbed my hand and stated, “I received you”. And we had been locked in from that second on.
I did not know this! As a result of it is a relationship that might clearly span a number of years and seasons collectively, most just lately in Australia V The World.
That is precisely the way it began. And we had been going throughout; she was proper subsequent to me. And as quickly because it received to the purpose the place you needed to swim, you could not stroll anymore, I assume she might see me type of panicking a bit bit. And she or he was like, “Seize my hand. I received you.” And that was it.
Nicely, whereas you do not get introduced on reward, you do get a rewarding alternative to stir the pot a bit again at camp. Natalie is clearly upset that Erik did not take her on the reward, and also you stoke these fiery emotions. Speak to me extra about what the remainder of the day was like.
I do not like to stir the pot. Truly, I prefer to be drama-free! [Laughs.] Nonetheless, I’ll make the most of a scenario that presents itself. As a result of Natalie was fairly perturbed. She thought, after all, her and Erik being the Followers and using collectively this complete time, she thought for positive she would go.
So as soon as she began speaking about, like, “Rattling, I can not imagine he did not take me!” I simply took the chance to assist her out and say, “Yeah, he did not take you. Go determine why.” And he was telling us at that time that he needed Amanda out. So I needed to convey up, “Does he actually need Amanda out? Why would you feed the competitors proper earlier than a problem if you need them to lose? I might have thought he would take you. I believed y’all was cooler than that, proper?” [Laughs.]
What was your relationship like with Natalie? Clearly, we see so much about her and Parvati, however you two hadn’t met till the merge earlier than you began working collectively.
I believed we had a superb relationship. By way of hierarchy. It will have been Parv, Amanda, Natalie within the Black Widow Brigade, from my standpoint. However I believed Natalie was okay. I believed she was clearly going to be voted out as a result of she got here to the group a bit late, and it was purported to be Parvati, Amanda and myself within the Closing Three. However till that time, I believed she was cool.
Erik comes again from the reward and instantly tries to do harm management. And, within the course of, Natalie overhears him telling you that he needed the 2 of you and Parvati to take out Amanda and Natalie. What was your response to the entire messiness after you in contrast notes?
I wasn’t actually shocked, as a result of Erik’s younger, proper? And Erik was gung-ho to play Survivor, and he was enjoying it at 100 miles an hour. So once I came upon, he was telling everyone the identical factor, was it shocking? No, not likely. Was it useful? Completely. [Laughs.]
I’ve at all times been interested in that “Followers vs. Favorites” dynamic. Did you discover, given your recognition from Exile Island, that anybody was starstruck by you on the market on the island?
I believe there have been some star-struck relationships, not between Erik and me, however like Erik and Ozzy. I believe I stated it on the present, when he checked out Ozzy, stardust would bloom, and also you’d hear that sound. [Makes angelic noise.] So with a few of them, sure, you could possibly see that type of star-struck relationship. However at that time within the sport, we had been deep within the sport. By then, it type of wears off. And that is like when individuals ask me, “Aren’t you conscious of the cameras?” That goes away so quick? Oce you are making an attempt to determine how you can keep dry, the place to sleep, what you’ve got going to eat, after which your stress stage and your spidey senses and all that’s going, you do not care in regards to the digital camera. And I believe they do not care. The stardom of all of it went away for the Followers, too, the longer they stayed.
Alright, let’s begin stepping into the machinations behind this iconic transfer. First, what was your response once you noticed Erik win immunity? Had been you already formulating a plan to attempt to get that necklace off of him?
Nicely, as soon as he received, you’ll be able to virtually see it in our physique language. We had been like, [Sighs.] So at that time, I type of had Nat as a backup, proper? So if Erik had been to win, I do know they are not going to vote me, I am not going to vote them. Nonetheless, then, there’s nonetheless the issue of Erik. And Erik appeared to be profitable all of the challenges. And often across the ultimate, the nearer you get to the tip, there are extra endurance challenges. So considering in that vein, it is like, “Rattling, if it is an endurance problem, he’ll win that too. How will we eliminate him?”
So we’re simply sitting round type of sulking a bit bit. Natalie’s type of coming to phrases with leaving. And it simply was like a lightweight bulb. As a result of I knew Erik, one, felt dangerous for telling us all the identical factor. Two, he felt dangerous for not taking Natalie. I believe Natalie type of gave him the enterprise for not taking her on the reward. So I do not know, out of nowhere, similar to, “You suppose he would give Natalie the necklace?”
And I am considering when it comes to redemption. He might suppose possibly he would have a shot at votes later. As a result of up till that time, as soon as he crossed everyone, in his younger thoughts, he is considering, “No person will ever vote for me.” In order that’s the place the thought got here from. And it was similar to a humbug! I did not even actually imagine it. You may hear how I stated it. I did not say it sturdy, like, “You suppose he would give Natalie the necklace?”
That is what makes it so enjoyable, although, as a result of then Parvati and Amanda begin chiming in, and it turns into an idea into an precise plan. What was it like making an attempt to designate the components everybody would play?
I believe it was like what you’d do in a heist. I’ve by no means participated in a heist. [Laughs.] However it was so vital and pivotal at this level within the sport that everybody needed to know their half, and needed to play their half 1,000%. As a result of if there’s one iota of a decimal of something off, Erickwould not comply with by with the plan, and we must vote out Natalie. It was like once you go into a company workplace and also you planning on a merger. Like they will take over this firm, and it’s a must to have all of those steps in place to take over this firm. That is type of what it felt like. “Alright, you do that, you do this, you do this, and I will do that. And if everyone does their half, this could work seamlessly.”
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Was there ever a degree once you felt issues had been falling aside? That Erik wasn’t shopping for the pitch and would not undergo with it?
So once I initially stated it to Erik, like, “Nicely, I am prepared to work with you, and I am prepared to vote out Amanda. However as a result of you might have lied to all of us, I do not know once you’re mendacity or once you’re telling the reality. Nonetheless, in case you do that factor, then I’ll know that we’re locked in. You are using with me, and I will vote the way in which we have to vote. Give Natalie the necklace.” And he instantly stated, “Oh no, completely no. I am not doing that.” And so at that time, I used to be like, “Nicely, I assume we received a bit too excessive on the horse, he is not going to do it.”
However then I believe there was a bit time that we separated. I used to be like, “It is simply an thought. I do not know how you can transfer from right here, Erik. As a result of I do not belief you, and rightfully so, since you’ve lied to all of us. You informed us all this very same factor, so they are not going to belief you. I do not belief you. I do not know the place to go from right here.” We type of separated. After which Erik, I assume he went to ponder. And I am positive in his thoughts, he is considering, “If I do that, I will have an alliance again.” As a result of proper now he is by himself. It is simply Erik and the Black Widow Brigade.
I can not converse for him, however what I believe he thought is, “Rattling, if I’m going by with this, I will have Cirie locked in. I will eliminate Parvati.” As a result of he comes again and says, “Alright, possibly I will give it some thought. But when we had been to do that, I would not need to vote Amanda. I might need to vote Parvati.” And I took the chance, “Okay. You understand I am sacrificing one thing by giving up Parv, who’s my primary. You are sacrificing one thing, giving up the necklace. And we’re forming this new relationship of belief. If that is the way it has to go, that is the way it’ll go.” That is once I received excited, when he got here again with another supply. I am like, “Oh, shucks, he’s actually contemplating this!” After the no, I used to be like, “It was price a strive”. However then when he got here again with a suggestion, I am like, “Oh, he countered!”
You spoke about placing ahead this concept of redemption, not solely within the sport, however to the jury. Was that based mostly in any type of fact? Did you get the sense he would not have received if he made it to the tip?
I did not know. I did not suppose the jury thought-about Erik in any approach, form, or kind in any respect. However I knew he did, as a result of he is enjoying 100 miles a minute. He is already on the jury; he is already in his ultimate speech. He is already beat us in his thoughts by all of the challenges, as a result of he is been beating us to this point. So Erik, considering six strikes forward, was now considering, “What am I going to appear to be in entrance of the jury?” So I simply capitalized on that and stated, “Oh no, everyone hates you. When then these women are going to go inform that you just lied to everyone and. Oh my god, Amanda do not even speak to you no extra. I imply, this might be a redemption. The jury might see this as a giant transfer, and also you redeem your self and get you a pair votes. As a result of the factor is you most likely ain’t gonna get no votes.”
Nicely let’s get into how he made fairly the impression in entrance of the jury. Given every thing that went down that afternoon, going into Tribal Council, what did you suppose the possibilities had been that he would really quit the necklace?
Even strolling into Tribal, I wasn’t 100% bought that he would undergo with it. I used to be hopeful, however I used to be nonetheless that little feeling you get in your abdomen, like, “Rattling, he might change his thoughts.” Any fallacious look, andd then we’ve got the dwell jury over there, so something in any respect might tip him off. Jeff might say one thing like, “Give away your immunity?” That may tip him off. I used to be simply afraid that any little factor would tip him off and he would change his thoughts. I actually did not suppose he would undergo with it.
You informed Parvati and Amanda earlier than Tribal Council that their position was to play dangerous cop and discuss how a lot Erik betrayed them. What was your position?
I believe Jeff might need requested me, “Is there redemption on this sport?” And that’s precisely what I used to be making an attempt to promote. So my half in it was to make sure everyone listening, Erik, that redemption is feasible. It doesn’t matter what you do in these video games, there is a time that you would be able to stand 10 toes down and redeem your self and redeem your phrase, the place individuals can belief you once more. And that was just about the one half I performed at Tribal Council, as a result of I used to be too afraid. I used to be so locked in solely on Jeff. I did not look within the periphery. I did not look to the left, proper. I simply needed to deal with Jeff. As a result of I felt like if Erik noticed me blink, he would change his thoughts.
And you’ll see that when he is speaking. You are staring simple, to not tip something off. So what was going by your head when he really did it?
When he began the speech, initially I believed, “Oh, wow, he’ll clarify why he cannot do it.” However then when he talked about redemption, I stated, “Oh my god, I believe he’ll do it.” And, though I did not need to see, I might see the jury type of wanting confused. And I am saying, “Simply hurry up Jeff! Simply hurry up and do it.” As a result of if he sees them, if he notices that they are like, “What?!” he’ll change his thoughts. However for some motive, he was centered on Jeff, as I used to be. And, watching it again now I see him wanting and speaking to Jeff, and I see Eliza and James like, “Are you kidding?!” Ozzy’s laughing. And I am like, “Oh my God.” We had been that near dropping. If he had simply appeared over on the jury and took within the scene, he might need stated, “Oh, what am I doing? Completely not. What was I considering?” However fortunate for us, that did not happen.
Erik was the primary to vote. And when he received up, we see Parvati kiss Natalie’s cheek. I do know technically talking you are “on ice” when voting. However what was the vitality like between the 4 of you as soon as it really occurred?
It was a full on Mardi Gras as quickly as he took that necklace off and put it on Natalie. You did not hear the horns and the second line dancers. It was a full-on Mardi Gras. However we nonetheless should be tactful. And it wasn’t over but. It isn’t over till Jeff says it is over. So though he did precisely what we needed him to do, I did not need to simply rise up and begin faucet dancing or doing the Dougie or one thing. [Laughs.] However I used to be doing it inside! [Laughs.]
I need to discuss your voting confessional. As a result of, truthfully, it is such a microcosm of every thing you’ve got been capable of do throughout 5 seasons of this sport. “My mom at all times informed me, ‘It’s possible you’ll not have the ability to beat them with these on a regular basis [Gestures to arms], however you’ll be able to at all times beat them with this [Gestures to brain]. What impressed you to say that in that second?
Simply because Erkc was bodily. He was a strapping, sturdy younger man, specimen, excellent. He ran. He was sensible, too. So it was like, “How can we beat this man?” And once more, considering the ultimate challenges are extra endurance-based, and taking a look at Erik and taking a look at me like, come on! Who’s going to win it?
So my mom at all times informed us, “Use what you might have. You’ve abilities. You’ve God-given abilities. You will not be as sturdy bodily as the person subsequent door, however you are sturdy up right here. Make the most of your mind. It should by no means allow you to down.” And that is what that second meant to me.
I felt like there isn’t any approach we’d bodily beat him, however we had been capable of mentally outthink him. Sure, there have been components of expertise and age, all of which come into play. And I believe it was, similar to Jeff stated, a life lesson for him. It isn’t all about who’s the strongest; it is not at all times about who’s the quickest. It is about who’s essentially the most strategic. And I believe that speaks volumes about Survivor. Everyone says to me, “Oh, how did you put together? Did you’re employed out? Did you run six miles?” Clearly, they will take a look at me and know I did not do this. [Laughs.] However I at all times inform them, there is a component of physicality to enjoying the sport of Survivor. However in my private expertise, in my thoughts, I really feel prefer it’s 70% social and strategic and possibly 30% bodily. That is what labored for us.
Let’s speak in regards to the legacy of this second. It is typically cited as among the best and iconic strikes inSurvivor historical past. Did you get any sense whereas it was occurring that one thing really particular was occurring?
I am a fan of the present. So I used to be in shock that he went by with it. However I actually wasn’t taking a look at it as historic, as huge of a second because it turned out to be. As a result of I used to be simply grateful that it labored. I used to be joyful that we had been capable of keep collectively, after which he adopted by with it. And I used to be in shock, like, “Rattling, has anyone ever given up immunity earlier than?” However I did not actually grasp how huge of a transfer it could be.
And what’s been fascinating is watching individuals uncover Survivor through the pandemic, and watching that transfer in a modern-day lens. And I really feel like arguably the Black Widow Brigade is extra standard than ever earlier than. What do you suppose has made individuals have fun that second a lot?
I believe that is virtually just like the David and Goliath story. You’ve this large, Erik. And once I say large, I imply bodily large. You’ve this bodily beast, after which you might have these 4 little ladies. There is a combine between Little Ladies and David and Goliath, in case you put these books collectively. And we had been capable of come along with a plan, ladies working collectively to outsmart, outwit, and outlast the enormous. And I believe that is what your common particular person appears at, “Rattling if they may do regardless of the large is of their story…” If it is anyone at work, if it is a challenge in school, if it is a food regimen, no matter it’s, I believe it made them really feel like, “If they may slay that big, I might slay my large nicely.”
What’s additionally fascinating is how this arrange the legacy of the “harmful ladies’s alliance.” You and I spoke earlier than 50 about how you are feeling you erroneously get tagged with solely working with ladies based mostly on Micronesia. And I do really feel like, within the years since, we persistently see gamers speak in regards to the concern of a ladies’s alliance particularly. What’s been your response to that?
I believe rightfully so. If I’ve seen it happen, I might be afraid of it too! However it’s very exhausting to drag off. I have not seen a cohesive group of girls simply keep the course and vote out one man after one other after one other and make it to the Closing 4 collectively. Perhaps it has occurred; I simply cannot bear in mind proper now. However I believe it simply confirmed how highly effective ladies might be in the event that they work collectively and caught collectively in opposition to whomever, in opposition to the enormous.
Let’s stay up for what’s to return in your most up-to-date Survivor outing. What’s one similarity and one distinction between the Cirie we noticed on this Micronesia episode and the Cirie on 50?
One similarity is I am shy and I need to be off the radar. Y’all do not even see me. I need to be invisible, do not I ain’t even right here. That is at all times my technique, as a result of if you cannot see me, you’ll be able to’t vote for me, proper? In the event you do not see me, you’ll be able to’t vote for me. Distinction, I believe, a bit extra self consciousness. As a result of once I play Panama, once I performed Micronesia, I did not notice, the strengths that I had. I at all times felt oh so afraid. After which watching it again, I am like, Rattling I just about had ’em!” And I by no means actually acknowledged that on the time. So I went into 50 with a special stage of confidence than I went into Panama or Micronesia with. I believed in myself a bit greater than I did in these seasons.
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