Discovery Channel’s Survive the Raft has been firing from all cylinders since its premiere on Sunday, July 30, 2023.
The third episode delivered loads of speaking factors, together with blindsides, a contestant deciding in opposition to stealing $20,000 anonymously from her fellow contestants, and a lot extra.
TV Fanatic bought to talk with collection host Nate Boyer concerning the twists and turns.
Episode three was such an enormous episode. What was it wish to be on the set for it?
It was nice. It was cool to see the characters develop a bit extra, get a bit extra comfy with what we’re doing with the experiment itself, and discover a little bit of a rhythm.
Jonathan had a seizure on the premiere, and so much was taking place. That is a troublesome transition for anyone. Then you may have episode two with the shock of the swaps and new folks being introduced in.
At the start of episode three, they lastly have a rhythm, and it’s the first time that they’ve had that chance to be comfy and determine the routine.
In fact, it would not get any simpler as a result of there’s nonetheless so much happening.
The episode picks up within the aftermath of Summer season H.’s exit. It appeared like folks’s mindsets instantly shifted to “Lashanna has to go subsequent.” Do you suppose lots of the solid had been so hopeful about that to keep away from their very own names arising?
I do not know. There was loads of rigidity between Lashanna and Summer season H. in episode two. I believe loads of that carried over, they usually felt like that friction was nonetheless lingering.
That is an excellent level you introduced up. I hadn’t thought of it that manner, nevertheless it may have been extra, “Hey, I may very well be secure for one more week as a result of we nonetheless have this lingering elephant within the room.”
I hadn’t thought of that.
Honestly, that query most likely stemmed from me being a fan of Huge Brother, The Problem, and Survivor. I am at all times pondering extra strategically after I watch this sort of present.
That is an excellent level. It is a social experiment, and all of those dynamics are distinctive, however on the identical time, there’s a technique throughout the gameplay, so to talk, as a result of there’s cash at stake, and folks need to keep so long as they’ll, if to not the tip, and take residence a few of that cash.
You’ve gotten to remember at the back of all these folks’s heads that each transfer they make has penalties throughout the social dynamic and throughout the technique of attempting to outlive the raft for your complete season.
The consuming bounty this week was fairly vile. It wasn’t for me. I puzzled whether or not Merissa can be singled out as a result of I did not imagine she would be capable to eat something. I used to be shocked that 4 of the 9 folks managed to complete their plates. Who shocked you probably the most throughout that problem?
I did not actually know him as a result of he was new, however Mykhal.
He is bought to impress as a result of he needs to earn a spot on the group, however on the identical time, no person’s watching you. You might be by your self. And he simply bought on the market.
He was placing it down.
Maddie was given this chance to steal the cash the 4 individuals who completed earned for the group. What are your ideas on her not taking the cash?
I believe all of us realized so much about Maddie at that second. I noticed glimpses of it earlier than, however she has loads of integrity.
She’s very empathetic, places different folks first, and thinks of the group earlier than she thinks of herself, which is exclusive.
That is a robust character trait to have on the raft. If solely the others knew a few of these dilemmas, and I suppose they will get to see after they watch this episode as a result of they could not see what I bought to see there at that second.
You possibly can see it in her eyes. It was a very onerous choice, in fact. That is a life-changing amount of cash to somebody like Maddie, however she by no means genuinely thought of it as a result of it was like, “I can not try this to the group.”
I felt for Lashanna all through the episode as a result of it appeared like she knew that folks wished her out of the sport. It appeared like they might’ve nominated her had Russell not popped as much as save her sport. Do you suppose that allowed Lashanna to rebuild connections as she heads into episode 4?
That is bought to be her focus as a result of she mentioned so herself, and loads of that has to do with what she does for a dwelling, her upbringing, and simply the world she’s accustomed to.
She has a really robust character, and she or he lets you understand how she feels, and I worth that in folks however for some folks that are not used to that, It may be a bit overwhelming.
I believe we see that with among the reactions from folks as a result of they’re simply not used to people with that type of ardour and brutal honesty in a few of these moments. That may typically throw folks off.
If we return to the technique you talked about earlier, she does should type of perhaps rethink the best way she reacts and take a step again. That sucks as a result of then perhaps it is not genuinely her being her true self, and I am positive she would not need to really feel like she has to play a personality or be someone else with a view to slot in with the group.
I might think about Lashanna most likely feels that so much in her life and possibly has, and that is the place that comes from. So you must respect her for that, nevertheless it does make it difficult.
It does make it difficult when you have to not solely rebuild, however you may have the fixed concern or the specter of these folks coming in that additionally deliver so much to the desk that you have to kind of beat out.
Strolling on eggshells isn’t any enjoyable for anyone. I believe perhaps she’s in a spot proper now the place she may really feel like that is the one manner ahead.
Russell’s choice was wild. They had been speculated to be a democracy, however he took it upon himself to say that he was going up, and it did not give his co-stars any room to veto it. How ought to we anticipate that second to form the remainder of Russell’s time on the raft?
Russell additionally has a really robust character, and he is a pacesetter. He served within the army. He is additionally bought fairly an enormous social media following, so he is used to rallying the troops and being that sort of man.
I ponder if he felt that was wanted, that someone wanted to only type of tackle that place, as within the voice for the group or, such as you mentioned, the pinnacle of that democracy.
I do not suppose he meant to be a dictator, however it might really feel like that to among the group due to these discussions happening about how issues must be performed as a group.
It goes again to the self-preservation at the back of these folks’s minds; how can I solidify myself as someone that the group values a lot that it doesn’t matter what, they cannot afford to let me go?
We have free divers who can catch fish 100 toes beneath the water’s floor. We have different those that deliver different items to that pie.
You have bought somebody like Elliot, who’s extremely robust bodily. Perhaps Russell additionally thinks, “The place am I strongest, and the way can I flex my quote-unquote muscular tissues?”
You seemed shocked when Mykhal got here down the steps on the finish of the episode. Are you able to hear what’s taking place upstairs, or is that each one minimize off from you?
After they debate, after they go on their very own after I go away them and allow them to make their choice, I am not listening. I do not know what they’re saying. I am undecided who’s coming down these stairs till they arrive down.
I bear in mind seeing that and pondering, wow, the pact is actual if that is what’s taking place. Jonathan had a seizure within the prior episodes and needed to be faraway from the experiment.
Summer season H. volunteered to depart. So this was the primary time {that a} vote was performed. They did preserve that dedication, the pact to stick with the unique group.
I used to be shocked as a result of I knew loads of the battle that had gone on and the wrestle throughout the group dynamic. I believed he was only a fairly agreeable man and really likable.
He acclimated nicely to the group, assimilated, and positively inserted himself, however I suppose it wasn’t sufficient of their eyes.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
Survive the Raft continues Sundays at 9 p.m. on Discovery Channel.
Paul Dailly is the Affiliate Editor for TV Fanatic. Comply with him on Twitter.
