Episode 3, Alliance with Strangers
In the third episode of Survivor Blood vs. Water, we see the apparent divide among the opposing sexes in the Coyopa tribe. After a tribal council of voting off Val, which retired Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker swore to her husband Jeremy on Exile Island that he would not do, the tribe returns to camp one less female. John Rocker is a prime example of both the need for control and the need for inclusion in William Schutz’ theory of Fundamental Interpersonal Relationships. Rocker portrays his need for control by actively staying engaged with both sides of the fence. He talks to the girls when the guys alliance isn’t around and gives them false hope of the next person the tribe is going to vote out. For example, at the end of episode 3, while the girls are laying down on their make-shift hut, Rocker sits down and tells them that the group is wanting to vote out Dale because of his old age. Without invitation, John completely interrupts the ladies because of his feeling that what he says is most important. By Rocker feeding them this lie, he believes that he is controlling which way the opposing votes will go, and is making sure no votes will be cast his way. To Rocker’s dismay, his need for inclusion with the group has become so annoying, and negative, that they conspire within themselves to pull a blindside and get rid of the nuisance… John Rocker.
When it comes to the third aspect of Schutz’ Theory, the need for affection; another member of the Coyopa tribe comes to mind, Josh. Josh is a homosexual man that feels that he has a “connection with both sexes” and is the link between the two alliances. His need for affection becomes increasingly obvious when after each tribal council, he goes up to whoever he feels he wronged and tells them his side and reasoning to why he did it. He then follows his statement with “please don’t be mad at me.” Josh really can’t stand the feeling of not being liked by his tribe members and will do whatever it takes to make sure he is on everyone’s good side, and so far, he’s doing well.
A tremendous amount of drama unfolded during this episode between the two tribes. With John Rockers past history and arrogant demeanor, he made it quite easy for people to paint a target on his back. His being a physical threat would seem to be most important for a tribe plagued by loss’s in all challenges, but what the camera chooses to hide is the outspokenness of John Rockers’ character traits both back at camp, and during competition.
