Last night on Survivor 2016 marked the first Jury member selection and the second medical evacuation of the Kaoh Rong season when castaway Neal Gottlieb was pulled from the game.
Neal developed a bad infection just below the knee and the doctor was worried over it potentially disabling Neal for the rest of his life if not treated properly. And with that, Neal was gone, but not without the promise that he could return to the game as the first member of Jury and relax for a few weeks at Ponderosa.
Heading out on the boat Neal tells us it’s about the journey for him and he had an incredible time in the game. Considering how well the Brains tribe performed and that he had an Idol in his pocket I’d say he definitely had a good run and a comfortable one at that. Aside from the pus spewing infection on his knee and all.
After a short stay at the hospital Neal returns to Survivor with a bandaged knee and a positive outlook with the hopes that he’ll be back for another season. Kinda feels like everyone is saying that these days.
As for that hidden Idol that he held on to instead of handing it off to Aubry, he kept it as a souvenir from his time on Survivor. I had given him benefit of the doubt that maybe he just was too overwhelmed to remember to hand it off, but nope. Neal says he’ll pull this out when he’s 80 and think of the experience. Oh well.
Since he won’t have the chance to win them during the game, Neal is handed all of his letters from home. We listen in as Neal reads a letter from his father and tears up in the process before wrapping up his Ponderosa video with a few more wise words.
Hopefully he’ll get another chance, maybe with Caleb, that would be awesome.
Hi Mare! [It’s Rho :) ] Hopefully there will be another 2nd chance show. I’m glad he was evacuated though…infection that close to a joint really is dangerous. And that yellow pus was pretty evil lookin’. I’m so happy that production decided to keep medical close by after what happened to our Caleb. Smart move.
I think he’s an ass for not handing the idol off.
So do I!!!
The journey is the reward is something I should take to heart more often.
I wonder why he didn’t. I did not hear him say in the footage.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think it’s allowed. I have never seen a season where the idol was handed out to another player before an evac or a forced exit. Have you? They do it while they’re still in the game, but I think their game stops when a player is taken out for some unavoidable reason.
Hmmm, another good point…I’m so confused.
For some reason, he was forced to quit the game, so all his properties/belongings goes with him. Including the idol. Now, had he known he will be evacuated, (before it happened) he could have secretly given it to any player..We all know, timing is important when using the idol.
Makes sense to me, thanks for clearing that up Cyril :-)
Hi Mary. This is just my take on that because it comes up all the time. Maybe Matt can confirm us the rules.
Am I the only one who loves that the production team will list very single one of Debbie’s loooong list of jobs everyone she professes to a new profession
I would love to see that too Mary.
I just read a Q&A of Jeff Probst and he said since Neal didn’t know he was going to be pulled from the game they decided he was allowed to do or say anything upon leaving including giving the idol to someone else. Probst was surprised he didn’t give it to anyone.
Oh wow..interesting.
Interesting, guess he needed a memory In his pocket to remember Survivor.
Even if you have alliances while in the game, do they deserve to be just handed an idol, maybe he thought they should earn it/find it on their own.
I agree Mary. Since he was out I bet he said hell I am keeping it.
I mean look what Tai when through to get his idol, he scratched big gouges on both his legs climbing up that tree to get it.
You are right on target and correct Mary. It almost cost him the game. But thank God he was able to stay.
Agree but I was a little surprised since he considered saving Aubry at Tribal Council if needed. But then again he could have just been saying that.
I agree, however you can not trust anyone on Survivor other than yourself.