Transcripts by James Barber

Stephanie admits that her strong personality and work ethic can sometimes cause others to mistake her for a bitch.

"Hi, my name is Stephanie. I am 25 years old and I am from Long Beach, California."

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"I am a server at Yard House and I audition and go to acting school."

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"I think being a server isn't who I really am. I think that's just what I do to make money, it's the easiest for me - when I need a shift covered, I get it covered, it's quick money - so that aspect of my life, I think, just dealing with ignorant people and not knowing what they're talking about, I deal with it every day at work. That will help in the game, just having to deal with different personalities, people who are stubborn, being patient, learning to deal with people. Other than that I think it's just who I am personally that will help me through the game. I don't quit. I'm not a little be-yotch (laughs). I like to keep busy. I'm a hard worker. I think that will help me more than my title of server."

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"I decided to get into acting. It's something I used to do a lot when I was younger. It was something I felt most comfortable with. I felt liberated. I started going back to acting about 2 years ago. Auditioning is just like another job to me. I want to get something, I want to get somewhere. It can be nerve-wracking at first, but once I'm in there I feel comfortable. I think that'll help me too. It takes a lot of balls to go in and go 100% into some character. You're basically gonna make a fool out of yourself. You go in, - you don't know these people - you do a good job and you walk out. I think that's gonna help me out. A lot of people are afraid of auditioning. A lot of people are afraid of being onstage. They find it intimidating. To get over that, to me, it's like a job. Keep busy."

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"My work ethic will be very beneficial out here. I can't just sit there and do nothing. I'd rather be doing something, be helpful, and put in even more than people expect. I'm little, and I'm girly, so they don't think I want to do anything. They think I want to sit around. I want to go fishing, I want to make sure everyone's OK. It's another way for me to control things. If I'm doing it...I'm one of those people who feel if I'm not doing it, it's not being done right. And that's usually the case. It's not something like I want to take on all the responsibility. It's like, I'm going to give you a task and you don't complete it, therefore you're incompetent, and I'm going to do it. End of discussion."

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"I'm not afraid to be considered a bitch. I don't think it's a bad thing, especially since I've been the same person my entire life, and I don't think it's necessarily a bitch. I think it's because I'm a girl, I know what I'm doing, and I think some people have trouble, looking at me, or they look at my size and I'm dressed up girly. They have trouble, saying, like, well 'Why am I gonna listen to you? She's a little bitch.' I'm just like, fine, if you're gonna say little bitch, I'm gonna live up to it. That's what you think it is, but really, it's my getting my way because I'm right and you're wrong. So...(laughs) it's not my fault. I'll embrace it if that's what it is. I think I'm just strong. I think a lot of people who get their way get a label of being arrogant or bossy, but really, they just know what they want and are gonna go get it."

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"My strength would definitely be my will to survive and my will to win. My weaknesses would be more of my temper. When something rubs me the wrong way, I'm very patient, and I try to, 'OK, let it go, let it go.' If it continually...I don't say anything until I know I'm right. That's when the other person is in trouble. If I'm biting your head off it's because that's it, off with your head. You're done. You got me to this point and now, boom boom boom boom, this is what you did, you pissed so many people off, you're dumb, blah blah blah blah. That would be my downfall. Like I said, I'm really patient with it, but if that ever happened, I don't know."

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"I'm excited. I'm anxious. I want to start. I need to keep busy, like I said. I'm excited because I want to see if I can spear fish, I want to know if I can start a fire. I want to do so much already. I want to know how I'm gonna deal with the elements, first and foremost. I want to see how my brain's gonna react to having no food, no water, and the heat. I think I've mentally prepared myself that I won't freak out. That would be a nightmare. I'd rather someone else freak out and I could keep to myself. I could freak out but I have it under control. You can't show people your weaknesses. I want to be able to be a person people look at like, 'OK, she's doing it. This is crazy. I don't know how she's doing it, I can't believe it.' I'm really excited. (laughs)"

Surprise a Lot of People

Steve feels that others will underestimate his abilities because of his age.

"My name is Steve. I'm 51, single, living in Huntington Beach, California. Retired NFL player of 13 years. Started with the Dallas Cowboys in '81, went with the Baltimore Colts in '83, went with them to Indy, then went out here to play with the Los Angeles Raiders from '87 to '94."

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"I believe my years of experience in the NFL with staying agile, mobile, and hostile, and it's basically gonna be the same thing out here. I've had my ass kicked in front of 60,000 people and learned how to live through adversity and tough situations. It's gonna be the same thing out here. I'm gonna get my ass kicked, I'm gonna be in some ugly positions, and I know that I'm gonna be one of the older guys out here. I think my life experiences and professional career's gonna see me through this."

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"I think I'm gonna surprise a lot of people out here. Being 51, I actually feel like I'm 35. I've got a 9 and a half % body fat. I'm in super-shape, no injuries. I think I'm really gonna excel in a lot of the physical part of this game. Being a little older and wiser too I think I'm gonna excel in the social part of this game. I've run companies and know how to get people from different backgrounds together for the same goals, without pushing too many buttons. I think I know how to manipulate people to get what I need out of them, which is definitely gonna help me out here."

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"There's a lot of young studs, guys and girls, here. Looking at this big old gray-haired guy and most likely underestimating my athletic ability, my strengths, my flexibility, my tenacity. They're gonna get the whole can of whoop-ass when this starts."

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"My experience in camping, high school for spring break, three other guys and I went up to the Minnesota Boundary Waters canoe area, went out there for 2 weeks (something I don't hear). They loaded you up with food, but we were four hungry guys, and we went through two weeks of food in about a week, so we were screwed, and had to fish our ass off just to stay alive. We were eating berries and trying to catch animals. Besides that, been up to Montana camping a few times. Otherwise I'm pretty much a beach guy."

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"I've tried to study and research a lot of this. What I'm going to be up against, from starting fires to shelter-building and trapping. Everything else. Hopefully some of the book work is gonna get me through."

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"I think I'm pretty good at reading people. I think being a little older and wiser is gonna help me a lot. I can read a lot by someone's eyes and tell if they're talking the truth to me or if I've gotta be aware of a plot to get me."

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"I think my downside could be things are too rosy, having the Pollyanna glasses on of positivity, and then just get blindsided. The old clip at 15 yards, and I'm out of the game. I've gotta be aware of that."

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"I'm here because for one, it's the opportunity of a lifetime. It's a crazy adventure, just another chapter in my life of dealing with adversities and rising to the top, coming out a winner. My first year in the NFL, 110 free agents, 3 of us made the team, and I came from a little school in Iowa."

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"It's gonna be another adventurous challenge that I think is the reason I'm here. I couldn't pass something like this up."

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"What really pisses me off? I hate to say it, but kind of not getting my way. That's where the leadership thing is gonna be delicate. Trying to push what I think is the best agenda, and yet listening to other opinions. If it's not going my way that's when I can stomp around a little bit and get pissed off, especially if it doesn't work, and I know my way always works. (laughs)"

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"I'm ready to start kicking ass and build a solid team here, for the (looks at buff on wrist) Zapateras or whatever we're called. I'm really ready to get to camp and get through the to-do list of shelter, fire, hunting spears, and just get everybody working on the same program."

My Faith is Everything

Matt's faith is very important in his life and he hopes that if he is kind to others then they will be kind to him by awarding him the million dollar prize.

"My name is Matt Elrod, I'm 22, and I'm a student in Nashville."

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"Pre-med. My dad's a doctor and I kind of grew up with it, had a knack for it. I guess I have a sciency, nerdy type of brain. It clicked best, that's the way it went, and that's what I followed."

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"I think if I let them think I'm a surfer from Nashville, they'll probably think I'm a little naive and think there's not much going on upstairs. That'll probably work to my advantage that they don't know what I'm trying to accomplish."

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"I'm very, very single. Girls can be a lot of trouble. We'll see what happens. I don't know. I'm open to anything, but I'm looking to win a million dollars, not come home with a girlfriend."

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"My faith is everything. My entire life kind of revolves around it, as I strive to become more like my Savior. It will be interesting. I'm excited to see where everyone else is in their walks in life, and just talk with them about how they feel about religion and faith, and really explore those ideas. I'm looking forward to that. Yes, I am a virgin. I don't know. It seems to be a very important thing to me, not to be taken lightly. I guess that's why I still have it. (laughs)"

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"I'm saving myself for marriage. I think it will be a precious gift I can give to my wife one day."

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"My strategy for playing this game...I feel like I have a leg-up on everyone, as far as maybe athletics and maybe even intellectually and socially. I'm a really friendly guy and feel like I'll be well-received by mostly everyone. Those three areas are gonna be areas I'm gonna try to excel in. As far as strategy goes, everyone always comes in thinking I'm gonna start in the middle of the pack and make my break towards the end, but it doesn't always work out that way. I'm hoping I can just kinda stay, I guess not unnoticed, but be around and be friends with everyone. When it's time to make a big move, it'll pay off, and hopefully I'll have the discernment to take that chance."

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"I struggled with the idea of the game being immoral a lot when I first considered being a part of it. It was hard to get across in my head that I'm gonna have to lie to these people. I kept on going back and forth like, oh, I won't tell a lie, I'll play it straitlaced. Then I kinda came to the realization that it's a game, this isn't real-life. Everyone here signed up for this. If they were too upset about being lied to or blindsided, it's like being upset about going in the shower and getting wet. It's gonna happen. You can't trust anyone. I'm gonna be true to my word to the best of my ability, but when it becomes necessary to advance myself in the game, it's gonna be necessary for me to do."

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"I do have outdoor experience, but not outdoor experience in the tropics. That'll be a little bit more interesting to see. I do love camping. I love backpacking. I can start fire and fish. Hopefully I'll be able to maybe provide some fish for us and be a strong person who knows how to build a shelter, secure everything, collect water, boil water. I'm used to being around a campfire. Hopefully they'll see that and wanna keep me around a little extra longer."

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"I don't know anyone who couldn't do without a million dollars. Have I thought about what I want to do with the money? My mind's gone a thousand different places. Being from Tennessee, I love the outdoors, I thought maybe I'll just buy a farm (laughs). I don't know. I think a lot of good could be done with this money as well. Something that's been on my heart is all the people who die because they can't get clean water. That's gonna be a real issue we face out here, having to get our own water, clean it, boil it, do all that. I'm thinking about starting a non-profit to build wells. There's no telling. I'm gonna enjoy it as well, maybe enjoy a motorcycle. I don't know."

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"I think the reason I'll win, that will probably set me apart, is my genuine nature. I love people, I really do. I genuinely care about them. I think they'll come to find that, it's not a facade or anything. I think if I make it down to the end, when I make it down to the end, people will have a hard time not voting for me, just because of how I've treated them throughout the game. I have to keep my head on straight, play hard, be kind to everyone, and it will kind of take care of itself."

Nothing I Wouldn't Do

David is on Survivor to win money, not make friends.

"My name is David, I'm 31 years old, and I'm a criminal defense attorney from Los Angeles, California."

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"Growing up as a child, I took a series of career placement tests, I guess is the best way to describe it. The three things they gave me were king, president, and attorney. Realistically the only one of those that was gonna work out was attorney, so I went that route."

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"I've defended just about everyone from little minor juvenile incidents all the way up to terrorists and serial killers. I've got experience with every type of person you can imagine in a professional capacity."

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"I think in the context of the game it works well for me because I am here to play a game. I have obvious compassion for people but I'm not gonna sit there and do things that are nice for people that act to the detriment of me in the game. It's not about making friends. It's about deceiving people into thinking you're friends."

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"That's the thing that aggravates me the most when I'm watching it on TV. The people who get very emotional and feel cheated and betrayed, when the situation is that you're here to win money. You're not here to walk away with a new best friend. If you do, great, but at the end of the day, if someone completely screws me over, am I gonna be pissed about it, yeah, but I'll pat them on the back and tell them they did a good job, because they outplayed me. They didn't lie to me, they didn't break my heart. They played a smarter role than I did."

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"You have to look at it as that or you're gonna get so emotionally wrapped up in it. The problem is that people aren't that logical. Everyone works emotionally. If you can turn the emotion off and turn on logic you've gotta hell of a lot easier road in this game. Dealing with the people who run on emotion is not only an obstacle but is pretty annoying."

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"There's nothing that I would say in the context of the game that I wouldn't do, flat-out. It's a game. If people's feelings are hurt, so be it. It's a game."

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"I think I have an advantage in terms of..."

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"The ability to detach myself from a situation, the ability to look at people. I'm not a psychic but I can get a pretty good snap judgment as to whether or not they're trying to BS me or not. I think a lot of people write everything on their face when they're talking to you, especially in a situation like this where everything is a loaded question, everything is intended to either plant a seed in my mind or see who's listening. Nothing is completely innocent. Bearing that in mind, I think it's a huge advantage to me is to listen to what people say and determine the credibility of it."

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"I don't want to be perceived as a threat right off the bat. (gestures at suit) This is a threat enough to some of these people, probably. I've gotta downplay it. I've gotta downplay my job."

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"I've gotta lie, to some extent, about what I do. Minimize it. I obviously can't avoid the issue altogether."

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"I don't wanna be obnoxious, but I'm trying to bring myself down to what I presume is the level of everyone else."

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"In order to shrink the target that's already on me."

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"I think first and foremost is just be as nice as I possibly can, which doesn't necessarily come naturally for me. I think that's gonna be the first step. I think the second step is to do my best to explain away this whole thing (opens his suit jacket) and my job, and try and..."

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"It's better to have extra clothes than not enough. That's the best I can do to try and deflect that."

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"I think I'll be perceived as definitely more of a mental threat than a physical threat, but I think that perception may quickly change. I'm not necessarily the most visibly athletic person, but I've played sports my entire life, and short of the sheer brawn I have as much athletic ability as most of the people out here. I'll be able to hold my own that way but I think I'll perceived as more of the strategist or the mental threat."

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"I grew up in the woods, actually. I wear a suit to work but I grew up in a suburb in Indianapolis. My parents house is obviously not tropical and close to the beach but is not in an area too dissimilar to this."

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"I'm pretty comfortable outside. I'm not exactly a camper but I think I'm smart enough to get by with the little things."

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"Going into the game I'm cautiously optimistic about my chances for success. I think my biggest obstacle is getting through the first few days. Once that happens and I have one or two solid relationships developed, I think I have a chance of going deep and possibly winning the game. Nothing short of that will be acceptable."

Playing Since I Was Born

Growing up in a Mongolian yurt with an outhouse has taught Sarita how to survive with minimal luxuries.

"My name is Sarita, I'm 35 years old, and I'm a visual effects executive producer."

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"I think going into this experience one of the reasons I was really drawn to it and have been drawn to the program was what a true social experiment it is. I think that's so fascinating to take a little microcosm of our culture and our times and submerge in that. That definitely will be my game, the social game."

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"One of the things I've been drawing parallels from my everyday life to the game of Survivor is every day I navigate a different situation. There's so many different personalities. From Oscar award-winning directors, to PAs, to people in the kitchen, to clients who everything you're working on for them is the most important thing, down to the smallest minutia. You've got these super-serious Type A personalities you're devoted to, and you've got a hundred of those. Also you're honoring your artist and preserving them and their art and their crap. You're navigating potentially awkward situations and talks about money and things that kind of could get sticky and awkward with kind of a subtle hand, and grace, and making people feel good about it. I think that relates a lot to Survivor because they're all a bunch of type As out there, committed to winning a million dollars, all with very distinct life philosophies. I think it's going to be challenging but also really fun to get to know everyone and navigate life in Survivor, and survive it."

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"Winning a million dollars is important to me, but I have to say above that - which is kind of crazy - is the experience. I want to see if I can hang. I come from a background where I had to acclimate quickly to a lot of different scenarios. Kind of always had to make it work. This is the ultimate...I kind of feel like everything in my life has led up to right now. It's crazy that it's a TV show but I feel like every  little turn and crevice that I've gone through has brought me to right now. The most important thing is that I get through it and remain true to myself and do what I want to do on the show, which is be a part of it, truly be in my own skin, be present everyday. The fear is, I'm just gonna guard myself a little, you know what I mean? Just really submerge and then at the end come up and walk away and be proud."

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"I can be quick - and I can only imagine after not eating and not sleeping - I can be a little bit short. I'm going to definitely have to temper that. If someone does repeated offenses, some people you have to tell a couple of times, and some people you have to tell every day. On the fifth day I'd be like, 'Are you serious? Pull up your big boy pants and let's do this together.' That's what I'm going to have to temper, because you've got a whole bunch of people out here. I can't control everything and nor do I want to, but I do have that...I'm a Virgo, so...I like to (pretends she is using puppet strings)."

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"I think that I can navigate worlds like this better than the average bear, just because of my upbringing. One, the fact that my dad had an outhouse until I was 15 years old. That's a big difference. I don't bat an eye going to the bathroom out in the woods. Snakes, kind of just a sense of the outdoors. The fact that they don't want to come after you. A level of endurance that probably is surprising for how I look, just because I am citified. I'm rough-and-tumble. 39 days not showering, not a problem for me."

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"My parents went off the grid after I was born, when I was just a few months old. From California, they moved with, there was a movement at this time, Back to the Landers. They settled East of the Cascades, in Washington state, Okanogan, and built a Mongolian yurt, it was almost like a barn-raising, them and a bunch of their friends. They set out to make this idyllic lifestyle, like true frontiersmen."

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"I feel like I have been playing the game of Survivor since I was born. Whether it's just being able to hold my own, walking out to the outhouse when I was a tiny little teener, in the snow, or knowing that once we finished the last of the milk that was really it for the milk, until someone went down to the local farm and got more milk. The fact that there is no garbageman so you are really conscious of your waste and what you burn, what you recycle, and what you bury, and knowing what you bury. There's that can-do survivalist instinct that anything is possible, anything you want done you have to do for yourself and you can do for yourself."

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"I fluctuate between feeling really good and really excited and really grateful that I have this opportunity to moments where I'm really scared, and I do feel fear, and there's only one way out of this, and it's straight forward."

Scramble Before Tribal

Rob sets the voting plan for Tribal Council while Philip worries that he is the target.

Philip: For tonight's vote, who do you think should go?

Matt: Who do I think should go? (looks confused and unsure) I gotta talk to everybody else.

Philip: I got word that you guys were all considering me. That I was the guy you wanted to get rid of.

Matt: You guys being...?

Philip: The group that walked down the water this morning. (something) You can tell me. I can go out there and survive and come back another day.

Matt: I can assure you you're not going tonight, from what I hear. (puts his hand on Philip's shoulder, then shakes his hand)

Philip: Do you guys want me to vote for any particular person? Has anybody said that? Who do you think Andrea's gonna vote for?

Matt: She's probably considering Fran or Christina.

Philip: Interesting. Well, I appreciate that, man, and I'm glad to have your confidence.

Matt: We're good.

<cut to the beach with Matt/Rob/Grant/Andrea/NatalieAshley>

Rob: I think they're coming after me. That's what I think.

Matt: I just finished talking to Philip and he was like, 'would you be willing to vote for any other man,' didididida. He was clearly talking about you. I just told him, dude, you're not going home tonight, don't worry.

Rob: From now on, don't tell anybody who we're voting for, because they have the immunity idol and they can use it to manipulate 'em.

Matt: They have it?

Rob: I tell you this, the second we landed on the beach, the first thing she did was look through the sewing kit. (Andrea or Ashley keep agreeing with him) I wouldn't put it past her to have it.

Matt: They have it?

Rob: I think they have it.

Andrea or Ashley: I wonder if it's in the sewing kit.

Rob: Even if they don't, there's no reason why we shouldn't split the vote and be safe, you know what I mean? The guys are voting for Francine...Francesca? You guys are voting for Kristine. Everybody understand that. Last season I got so screwed because one person didn't understand.

<a lot of laughter and crosstalk>

Rob (solo): The hardest thing with these new players is I don't know if they understand the intricacies of splitting the vote and strategy and whatnot, or if they're completely oblivious.

<they all wander off>

Ashley: Don't tell anybody what we're doing?

Rob: Yeah. Don't tell anyone.

Change My Life

Natalie is only nineteen years old from a small town and expects to learn a lot on Survivor.

"I'm Natalie Tenerelli. I'm 19 years old and I'm from Acton, California."

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"I dance professionally for the AVP, which is professional beach volleyball, and I'm also a dance teacher at my local dance studio that I've grown up with for 16, 17 years."

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"I think being a dancer is really gonna help me in this game because I have really good balance and endurance. Dance is about pain and how you deal with it. You're always constantly putting yourself in awkward positions. It's not comfortable. I think that's really gonna help me."

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"The outdoors is not something I'm that familiar with, so being out there is going to be really exciting. It's going to be a lot of firsts for me. Everything is gonna be really new and just exciting."

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"I'm a little worried about the bugs and snakes and different creatures, but I think that's going to be kind of the least of my worries. I think my hunger and exhaustion are going to take over rather than take over what bugs are crawling on me. I just have to make friends with these creatures."

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"I think for me Survivor is going to change my life for the better. It's going to make me a stronger person. It's gonna make me realize what else is out there in the world. I come from a small town where I'd say I'm pretty sheltered. I don't travel, I've never really been to Nicaragua before. I think this is going to open my eyes to what else is out there. People live like this."

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"I'm really scared and nervous but I'm trying to change it around to positive energy and look at the beautiful things rather than the negative things that can probably happen."

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"I'm not worried at all that I'm probably one of the youngest competitors on Survivor. It's gonna be really good for me and to show what my generation is about and I can go out there and represent."

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"I want the million dollars. Being that I'm 19 and would be the youngest it would be amazing to be the sole survivor at 19 years old. I feel like it would give me all that I needed to go on with my life and pursue the things that make me happy and the things that I love."

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"I think the first day I really have to go in with a positive attitude and really show them how useful I am. I'm creative and I can come up with solutions to problems. I have to prove myself that I'm not a girly girl and I'm not just out here to look cute. I'm here to work and better myself and I think they'll appreciate that and realize I'm deserving of being here."

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"I'm willing to be aggressive and make decisions and turn on people if I have to. That's the only way this works, really."

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"I'm not looking for love on Survivor, but if a fun guy is here to flirt with, then it might speed up the time a little bit. Definitely open to the possibility."

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"I'm so excited, getting started. I'm ready as I'll ever be, I guess. How do you prepare for something like this? How do you get ready and go out there. I'm staying positive and confident that I'm going to try hard and play hard. Hopefully it will take me to the end."

Miss Maine Can Win

As last year's Miss Maine in the Miss USA pageant, Ashley is confident that her brains, athletic ability and charm can get her to the end.

"I'm Ashley, I'm 25 years old and I'm from Maine, which is the best state in the US."

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"I'm a nurse, I'm a nurse but I also own a coffee company, I also work on my family farm, so like I said, I'm a chameleon. I like to do a lot of different things. It keeps me busy. I love to stay busy. I just try to explore different things."

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"I played basketball at the University of Maine. I got a full 4-year scholarship to play there. After that I ended up going overseas to play in Switzerland. I played professionally there. It was really huge for me to be away from where I grew up. I was there for 20 years of my life. It was cool to have that experience, to grow on my own. Being an athlete, it shows athletes are hard-working, they're determined, they're competitive - I'm super-competitive. That's the thing I'm so excited for, the challenges. I can't wait. I want to be the girl that friggin kicks ass in all the challenges."

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"Last year I represented Maine in a Miss USA pageant. It was a little crazy, because I kind of did it on a dare. I had to learn to walk in heels. I had to start in little baby heels. I had to learn to curl my hair. I was a tomboy. It was really a neat experience, but at the same time, pageants, I was so used to team sports, but pageantry is a totally solo thing, sport, whatever. There's huge mind games that go into pageants. Again the whole strategy of the game, I think that's going to help me. I'm not sure I'm going to come right out and say I'm a pageant girl. I want to play the whole athlete card, I want to play the nurse card, I want the tribe to know I'm educated, a hard worker. Pageant girls get a bad rap sometimes. I don't want to be like, I'm the pageant girl, I'm just going to lay out and suntan."

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"When people meet me, I'm very open. I think I'm likeable. I have a good personality and that might get taken as she's a pushover, she's weak, let's get her out. When I have to be strong, I can definitely be strong. I know how I want to play the game and I have envisioned winning this game since day one. Since I found out I was gonna be on the show, I have literally dreamt about being at the final Tribal Council and winning a million dollars. I honestly believe I can do that. I want to make bold moves. I want to do the whole blindside thing. That's what the way I want to play the game. That's what this is about. I have a manipulative side to me and I'm not going to be afraid to bring that out. 39 days in the game, and yeah, I'm not gonna be afraid to bring that out."

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"I'm a huge fan of Survivor. I've been watching since I was 15 years old. I love the game. I have my own favorites, Stephenie being one of them. She's like my super...I love her. If I could emulate her in challenges, that's who I see myself being like in challenges. As far as the game goes, the mental game, Parvati. She's one of the best players to ever play the game, I think. She's got the charm and the charisma and all that. Pageants kind of taught me to have that charm and taught me to be a girl. I think that's going to play a huge role. To watch Survivor all these years and finally be here is crazy. I'm going take advantage of every minute."

(cut)

"My general strategy for the game is to focus on building relationships. I think I'm a likeable person. I want to use that to my advantage. I'm definitely a talker, and again I want to use that to my advantage. I think it will really help me. I also want to be strong in challenges and useful around camp. Especially the first few days you're out there, if you're not doing anything to help, people are gonna get rid of you because of that. I want to be considered one of the strongest people on my tribe, girl or guy. To do that I have to build relationships, be as honest as I can to a certain extent. You never know who's gonna be voting for you at the end of the game, voting you off or voting for you to win the million dollars. I think I'm gonna lie as little as possible."

(cut)

"Miss Maine can definitely win Survivor. I'm here to prove that. I know the game I want to play, I'm strong, I'm focused. I'm not just Miss Maine. I've done a lot of stuff to prepare me. I'm in a good place. I'm ready to do this."

"I really don't know what I'm doing back again. It's kind of like this mountain that I've been trying to climb. It's taken me almost ten years, but this time I'm gonna get to the top."

(cut)

"And I came back to kick Russell's ass. I promised everyone I'd do it, I must do it."

(cut)

"Russell's not my archenemy. He just needs to be put in his place. For two seasons I watched him going around saying he's the king of the island. Let's see how he does one-on-one against me."

(cut)

"The goal coming back this time is the same as it's always been. I wanna win. I wanna make it 39 days, I wanna get to the end, and I want the jury to give me the million dollars. That's why I'm playing."

(cut)

"It's gonna be different this time around because I have to play with new people. The last two times I've played I've played with people that have played the game before. Hopefully if these new people at least give me a shot I might be able to show 'em a thing or two. If not then I'll be dead in the water."

(cut)

"The way I see it is like this. If they at least give me a shot and I get a foot in the door, I know I can make it all the way to the end. With Survivor it's one day at a time, one Tribal Council at a time, but you have to plan for the long run. In order for me to play for the long run I have to at least get my foot in the door."

(cut)

"It's weird. I'm the veteran and I've played this game four times, but I have to look to the new guys to see if they're gonna accept me or not or let me in their game, even though it's really my game. The biggest selling point I have for these people is I'll be able to help them in challenges, I'll be able to help them around camp, and at the end of the day, nobody's gonna give me a million dollars. At the end of the day when I'm sitting there, I think they're gonna find it in their heart to give me the million dollars. They just don't know it yet."

(cut)

"I've played this game for 78 days. You know what? If I don't win this time I might as well hang it up. This is it. I'm all in."

(cut)

"The fact that I'm back here for the fourth time, it's because I love this game. The rain, the crying - as tough as it is, I love it. I love this game so much. I respect it. I love to play it."

(cut)

"The one thing I know that's been consistent throughout all the times I've played Survivor is I have to lead. It's just my nature. I can't sit in the backseat. I wanna drive. That's just who I am. As hard as I try to say I'm gonna be the quiet guy and be the guy in the background, I know it's  not gonna happen. Hopefully all these new guys get right in line, like they should, and do as they're told, and we'll have a great time out here."

(cut)

"Amber is the best wife in the world. She gave me a kiss on the cheek and said, 'Have fun, and will you do me a favor and please win this time?' I think for her peace of mind she wants to get it out of my system."

(cut)

"The bottom line is I'm sick of trying to win Survivor - I want to win it. Enough is enough. I love this game and I'll play it until the day I die, but I'm here to win. That's why I came back. I'm a competitor. It's like there's something eating me inside. This is something I need to do and I need to accomplish. It's like a mountain I've been trying to climb for ten years now. I want to get to the top. I'm going to go out there and give it my best shot."

I'm Used to Being in Charge

Mike is used to barking orders as a Marine who completed two tours in Iraq.

"My name's Mike. I'm 30 years old, from Houston, Texas."

(cut)

"I attended the US Naval Academy at 18. Spent 4 years there. After graduation I was commission in the US Marine Corps. From there I was stationed out to Camp Pendleton, did a couple of tours to Iraq, good times, got out, and now I do real estate, mainly work with veterans."

(cut)

"I think it's gonna be a lot of the same, but Survivor's gonna be very different at the same token. While we were on deployment at Iraq, we deal with a lot of adversity, a lot of sweating, a lot of heat, but we got MREs everywhere we go. There's food. They stop you up if you eat 'em for more than 2 weeks, not fun, but here we gotta forage for our own food. We'll be dealing with adversity in a different way. It's more of a social dynamic. In the Marine Corps you get to bark orders. You get to tell Lance Corporal Schmucktelli what he needs to do and it's yes sir and get it done. You might have a question here but you've gotta be a little more diplomatic. I don't think you can get away with barking orders on the beach at your tribal camp."

(cut)

"I am used to being in charge. That's what I'm gonna have to fight on the show. I'm gonna want to be the guy that wants to get stuff done and also tell people what needs to be done. I need to tone that down, though. I need to be a little more diplomatic."

(cut)

"I think it's gonna be fun. It's gonna be a challenge. It's something I've never done before, something I always wanted to do. I've been looking at the crabs walking around, I see a little floating hamburger with legs. I think it's gonna be a challenge. The first few days is gonna be rough, eating what fruits and crawling things we can find. Hopefully I've got some innate fishing skills. I've been fishing before but it's always been with a line and a lure. I've never been spear fishing. I think it's gonna be difficult to get food but it'll be an experience in itself."

(cut)

"I'm here to win this game. I'm here to challenge myself. I'm here for an experience that is unparalleled anywhere on the earth. I'm here to win a million dollars."

(cut)

"I think I'm gonna win just because of my background. I think I've been trained for something like this. Being in the Marine Corps isn't just about being tough in dealing with adversity. It's also about being a thinker, taking in information coming from tons of different places when you're tired, you're hot, you're hungry, you're thirsty. It's also about a social dynamic. Being on deployment, you're out there with men and women. They're people. You have to understand their energy level, what might be on their minds. Survivor is very much like that. You've gotta be able to connect with people and find out where they are. The more you know about where everybody is at and where you stand the better you'll be in the show, or the game."

(cut)

"Strategy is the big blue arrow. Strategy is like what's your mission that's gonna get you through the game. The key to that is a strong 4-person alliance with strong players and people you can form a common bond with, a common thread of something that you can find, and establish that trust. It can take you all the way to the end. If your tribe is strong, you can ride that to the end."

(cut)

"I'm ready to get out there and do it. I've thought about it enough, studied about it enough, and I'm ready to just go do it. It's kind of like I'm in that apprehensive phase before the first snap of a football game. We have a big game at the Naval Academy, the Army-Navy game. It's huge. Every year tens of thousands of people come to it, they air it across the country. The whole week is a buildup to Army-Navy. It's like our own Bowl game we have once a year every year. Prior to the game, you're just nervous as hell. After that first snap, you're good to go. I'm ready to hit the beach, I'm ready to get the first challenge over with, and I'm ready to start the game."

I'm Doing it for Myself

Krista is playing Survivor to prove to herself and others that she can do it

"I'm Krista and I'm 25 years old. I'm originally from Alabama but I just moved two months ago to Columbia, South Carolina, where I'm a pharmaceutical sales rep."

(cut)

"The biggest part of sales is starting relationships. For me, they're genuine relationships. Going in and speaking to doctors, you're speaking to some of the most educated people in the world, and I'm having to go in and make strong relationships because they have a job to do in terms of seeing patients, and I have a job to do in knowing my drugs. We form these relationships and understand each other on that professional level. In terms of the game I think it's important for me to be able to transfer those types of characteristics into the game."

(cut)

"I grew up on a small working farm until I was about 10, 11 years old. Then I moved off with my mom to a lake. I've always been outdoors. Being in the South there's a lot to do outdoors, there's (didn't hear this), being around water, boats, so yeah, I'm really comfortable being outdoors."

(cut)

"I've never been the type to turn down a challenge. Or see if I can outlast myself or others, really pushing myself to the limit I could take. I'm doing this because I think it's actually something I can achieve and win and make it furthest, I'm doing it for myself, just a personal goal."

(cut)

"If I can make it through the first vote or two. That's gonna be the key thing, to give me a chance to really play the game. Then once I can start playing I think I can develop pretty good relationships, where people believe they can trust me. I hope I can go in and have relationships where I can stay true to my word, even though I know there may come a time where that may not necessarily happen, or I have to change my plan, but in the beginning I think I'm gonna make those relationships where people wanna stick with me and trust me."

(cut)

"I'm really pumped about our tribe. I think the guys and the girls - I don't know about personalities and how they're gonna mix; I'm gonna have to go on my gut with alliances and stick with it and try and trust it - but I think in challenges we're gonna be pretty strong. But we have 4 girls and 5 guys. That's interesting. You always worry about your female alliance and male alliance, so that's already out the bag for me in that situation. I like to form relationships with males. Sometimes I think I get along better with them, they're a little less high-maintenance, less complainers. It's an interesting mix. You have the guys who look like they're gonna be able to build the shelter and make the fire. I wanna make sure I do my gathering and helping them in cleaning and making utensils and stuff. It's definitely gonna be a good mix. I'm going to make sure I do my gathering and helping with cleaning, and making utensils and stuff. I think it's gonna be a good mix. It's going to be interesting."

(cut)

"Always being in leadership roles, it's been something that's very natural, I don't think necessarily the people who are smartest or have the most knowledge should always be leaders. I'm very approachable and I feel like I can relate to people, and I feel I have more of a servant leadership, where I have the best interest of my team and whoever I'm leading in mind. Moving that into this game, I hope all those traits of leadership and the way I like to lead will come out. I don't want to be too overwhelming. I don't think I'm bossy, but it may come across that way because I think I have great ideas and I want people to listen to them. It can go either way. Some people like to be led and some people don't. Some can do both. I'm just gonna try and give a lot when I need to and back off when I feel like it may be too much for them."

(cut)

"In college I was part of a co-ed cheerleading squad. There was ten guys and ten girls. I was part of the squad for three years and my last year I was head cheerleader. All those experiences working with male and female is a lot like this. Not necessarily the conditions, but some of the power struggles you always come across as a leader. There may be some things from being a female leader, being on a tribe where will be guys, it will be sort of the same. You'll have their respect, but there's some of that ego with guys that sometimes you have to feed. I think I learned a lot being the head of a co-ed cheerleading squad that I'll be able to use in this game."

Hard to Figure Out

Ralph plans on being sneaky and spontaneous therefore making it hard for the others to figure out his game.

"I'm Ralph, I'm 44 years old, from Lebanon, Virginia. I work at a pole-manufacturing company, American flagpoles. I farm on the side, I have around 150 head of cattle, put up hay, do odds and ends like that."

(cut)

"I do my own building at home. I built my house. Two or three barns. I know how to build, no problem. Know how to hunt for food. I've been a poor boy. I know how to hunt. I work with people awesome. I ask them their opinion, and I give them my advice. Take it or leave it, we'll do it your way first, and it doesn't work, we'll try it my way. That's the way I do it with the guys back where I work. I've done that, I know how to do that, they'll hire me (?), they'll think, 'I know how to do everything.' Well you might know a better way. Just do it your way and if it don't work, just do it my way, or I'll have to get rid of you."

(cut)

"I've got a gameplan on Survivor. I hope I can fool a lot of the players and get 'em to believe I'm a lot smarter than what I really am, and I'm going to be dumber when it's time to be dumb and see if I can get help that way on their side, say, 'He's not smart enough to make it all the way. Let's carry him on a feather (?).' That's when I'm going to try to turn the ball and rope the other way. Play the game like that. To be honest with you I don't know what the next thing's gonna come out of my mind. I ain't got a lick of damn sense. Sneaky as hell and it will take a sharp one to get over me. (something I don't understand) Only way they're gonna get me out of the game is flat-out smoke my ass off, say we don't like him, don't like the way he acts, let's get him. I'm gonna try my damndest to cut their throat (makes sound), one way or the other. I'm after the million, just like they are."

(cut)

"I'm here for the million dollars. I'm damn sure not gonna starve myself, put myself through this for second place. I don't want that. I might have to live with it, but I don't want to. I'm gonna go 100%. I'm gonna give it all I got. Everybody's gonna laugh their ass off me, but that's what it's all about, fun. I've done figured out life. If you've got people smiling, they can't be mad. They can't be!"

(cut)

"When we start the game, it's gonna be hard for any guys to figure me out, because they don't know what the hell I'm gonna do to try to win. I'm gonna try my darndest to win this game. It's gonna surprise me as much as it is them and everyone around. 'What an idiot, but damn, he's fun.' That's what we gotta have. We gotta have fun, and be friends when it's over with. That's the main thing."

(cut)

"Have fun and enjoy this trip millions of people would love to do. Fight for it. That's what I want to do."

(cut)

"I used to be a bashful kid. I'd turn my head and hardly talk to nobody. As I got a little bit older, I thought, 'I ain't been doing nothing but missin' a lot of life.' Life's short and it's ticking away and I'm a young guy. Don't be embarrassed, hold your head up, (something I didn't understand). Talk, give 'em your two cents. And I do. It is two cents. It ain't much more than that."

(cut)

"That two cents is likely to get me kicked out of the game. You've gotta know when to spend your two cents, or try to. I'm not giving my opinion, I'm gonna ask for their advice. I'll try this game you all's way, and if you don't like it, you can fall back on my backup. It always pay to have a backup plan."

(cut)

"I wanna see who's gonna be the millionaire. I believe it's gonna be me, but, you know...I gotta have confidence it's me. Might not be, but I'm 100% it's gonna be me."

A Lot in Common with the NFL

Grant feels his years in the NFL will help him win Survivor.

"My name is Grant. I'm 29, and I am a student/yoga instructor."

(cut)

"I'm living in Los Angeles. West Hollywood to be exact."

(cut)

"I used to play in the NFL for about 4-5 years, with San Diego. Started in San Diego, went to Denver, and then stopped off in Tennessee for a year. I called it quits after that. Didn't like living in a suitcase too much."

(cut)

"I had to leave the NFL, one because I didn't really like moving around so much, and I had a hip injury that required surgery."

(cut)

"Hip surgery. Yeah, as a wide receiver it makes it a little tough to run. I didn't want to do it anymore. I had to work to fight through the pain of year after year, just grinding through it. I would like to play with my kids someday, and not have to hobble around."

(cut)

"Yoga I've been doing for about 2 and a half years. It's forced me to dive inside myself and why I act in certain ways.  It allowed me to see for most of my entire life my emotions were being controlled by other people, I was letting other people dictate how I reacted. It allowed me to find myself and now I'm grounded and know who I am. If I came out here 2 years ago, even a year ago, I would be a completely different person. It feels like a lifetime ago when I was playing in the NFL because I don't, that person doesn't exist anymore, you know?"

(cut)

"Survivor and NFL, specifically training camps, have a lot in common, in regards to you're mentally and physically pushed, to limits you normally wouldn't be. You're constantly stressed out, because in the NFL you don't know if you're gonna be gone the next day. Here you don't know if you're gonna be gone the next day, day after a challenge, whatever. This is more of a sociological game than the NFL, but still, if you're living 4-5 weeks with your team, you've gotta socialize, or else you're gonna be on the outskirts. It will be interesting once I dive into it how really similar they are."

(cut)

"My strategy, I think I have a mark on me already because of my size. I don't want that to become a threat. I'm going to be useful, be friendly, be the nice guy, for the beginning portion of it. Obviously I'll have a better portion of who I'm playing with and the personalities and how I can fit in with them, and then..."

(cut)

"If it comes to having to go behind somebody's back and manipulate them, that's part of the game. It's not life. Some people think this out here directly relates to their life. There are some aspects, I get it, life and the game, but I don't think there's a way to do it without hurting somebody. (laughs) And I plan on being there at the end."

(cut)

"Winning the million dollars would be a great thing for me. I would like to open up a brand new yoga studio and I would to start a family with my lovely significant other."

(cut)

"I'm going to win Survivor through my mental toughness, physical toughness in challenges, and a disarming smile. (laughs) To wriggle past everybody."

(cut)

"The only problem is I might be a little too nice and see the good in what might not necessarily be the good in somebody. That's going to be a tough battle for me, is letting people in and actually believing the other person is letting me in as well. That would be the main thing for me."

(cut)

"I practice meditation on a daily basis and yoga as well, which I'll bring out there with me, just for my own personal benefit of staying grounded and not getting pulled in 50 million different directions. I know it's gonna start getting crazy cause everyone's gonna start scrambling. I feel like if I can stay grounded and emotionally detached, golden."

(cut)

"I packed on a little extra weight before I came, so I'm good to lose a few pounds. I think I'll be alright with not eating a lot out here. In fact, I think it might be a benefit if there was less, if there was no food, because that's when people really start quickly self-destructing inside themselves. I've pushed myself to the limits, obviously not starved myself, but this is where the NFL comes in, you push yourself to limits where not a lot of people have gone. You know how far you can push yourself. This is no different out here. Either working yourself out to a point of exhaustion or not eating to a point of exhaustion. Same thing I think."

I'm Not a Barbie

Andrea is a hands-on farm girl ready to tackle the elements

"My name's Andrea and I'm from Random Lake, Wisconsin, and I'm 21 years old."

(cut)

"I'm definitely a small town girl. I grew up on a farm my whole life. I live in the country. I do have friends who live in the city and eventually I even maybe want to live there."

(cut)

"I live on a real working farm. We had about 200 head of cattle, we have horses, pigs, poultry. It's a lot of fun, but also there's a non-glamorous side. We used to round up cattle to give them shots, and castrate pigs. There's a lot of dirty work that goes into it. There's some of the more glamorous sides, like riding horses, which is one of my favorite things."

(cut)

"I'm pretty good at outdoor skills. I've been hunting since I was 12, and fishing and camping. I'm not as worried about the elements as I am more of the strategic part of the game. In terms of the elements I think I'll be fine. I'm not too worried."

(cut)

"I'm very competitive. I'm also more of a perfectionist as well. I get really down on myself if I don't achieve something. That's one of the things I need to work on out here. If I lose a challenge I can't be so down, and disappointed. I need to bounce back. From everything I do in 4-H, and sports, and high school and sports and theatre, I always wanted to be better than the next person."

(cut)

"I am a student at the university of City Point, Wisconsin, and I am majoring in theater and communications. It's not what you'd expect a farm girl to do, but it's actually like I'm breaking away from the farm, because I can always go back. I'm very outgoing, energetic, so it's also a different mix of things that I like to do."

(cut)

"People's first impressions of me are usually girly-girl, unless I'm dressed in a way that reflects me to be a farm girl. I've been called Barbie. In high school, even before people knew my background, were like, 'You look like a Barbie.' That kind of stuck. I'm not a Barbie. (laughs) I think people their first impression was that I'm more of a girly-girl."

(cut)

"Girly-girls bother me. I guess if you're a girly-girl and you work hard and really try to do stuff, I'll accept that, but people that get by and get everything handed to them, and they're afraid to get their feet dirty, it is kind of a pet peeve of mine."

(cut)

"I'm a pretty big fan of Survivor. I've seen all the seasons and when I found out I got cast, I re-watched them. I've been thinking a lot about strategies and how the game has changed so much, from the first couple of seasons to Heroes vs Villains. I'm trying to think of applicable strategies for this season."

(cut)

"I think initially I need to prove I'm not a girly-girl and I'll get up early and do work and go fishing and try to really contribute to the team and athletically I have a lot to prove as well, so that they'll want to keep me around. By that time I can find a tight alliance and play my social game."

(cut)

"A lot of my strategy is to be myself. I do think I have a lot to offer a tribe and to be anything else would probably hurt me."

(cut)

"It's usually a younger, pretty girl or older man or woman who gets voted out first. Unfortunately in my tribe there isn't an older man or older woman. There's an older lady, but she looks fierce. I need to really fight to stay in right away. I don't know why that is. I guess it's because you look at a younger girl and she physically isn't as strong as these older men, and you think she won't contribute at camp, which hopefully I can prove wrong."

(cut)

"I think I'll win because socially I'm kind of a social butterfly, and I really want to fight to stay in this, and physically I can surprise people as well. I have a farm background so I kind of know all the elements to stay in as far as I can. I'm likeable. I have a friendly/flirty thing going on and hopefully I can find a tight alliance that will take me far. If I need to flip, I'll flip, because I can make bold moves as well."

(cut)

"I'm definitely gonna have to remind myself that this is a game and if you have to backstab someone, you have to backstab someone, because I do genuinely like people, I get to be friends with people. But I definitely have to keep reminding myself that you can be friends with people but when it comes down to it they'll backstab you just as fast as you backstab them."

(cut)

"To be honest I don't think I really need money as much as other people do, but it would be nice. I've been saving up for college, whereas other people are just handed money for college and other things, whereas I've been working on the farm and selling steers and pigs to raise money. Coming out of college I'll have zero, so it'll be nice to have some money to save up."

(cut)

"Survivor's a big adventure and I'm an adventurous person, so this is definitely something I think I can succeed at. I do have a lot to prove and I feel like a little bit of an underdog coming in, but I really believe in myself that I can make it all the way."

I Am the King

Russell is ready to get to the end again while being as aggressive as ever in his game play.

"I am the king, and I am back, baby."

(cut)

"I'm more ready now than I was in 19, Samoa, Heroes and Villains. I am ready. The first two, I was just a schoolboy. This one, I'm bringing it. This one, this will be the one. I'm bringing it, and whoever's ready better be <expletive> ready."

(cut)

"I didn't have to come back. I proved my point the first two points. I thought I would not come back. It's like Michael Jordan. He retired on top. I was on top. Why would I go to another season and get voted out day 1? But that's not gonna happen. I'm too good at this game. I'm too good at this game. Why would you get rid of Michael Jordan when he's the one who can hit that last shot with seconds left in the game? I'm the one who can take you to the end. Why get rid of me? I know I can prove a point. They need to take me. How I played the first 2 so aggressive? How everybody says that's my Achilles' Heel? Guess what? I think that's my shining moment now. My Achilles' Heel is what's gonna take me to the end on this game. Why not take me? If you think you can beat me, take me. But guess what? When it comes down to it, at the end, when I do make it, my speech is gonna be beautiful. It's gonna be given straight to me from God."

(cut)

"I'm not here for the grand prize of a million dollars. I want that title. I have to get the title of sole survivor. My fans - I was voted fan favorite twice, twice - they want what I want. I have so much to prove this time. My fans are looking for me to win. I am looking for me to win. There's so much on the line this time. It would be nothing short of a disappointment if I don't win this game. I have to win it. If I win it, then I failed. I came to prove one thing, that I can be sole survivor, and I can win it. Everyone says no you can't, you're too aggressive. I'm gonna be more aggressive this time and I'm gonna win it."

(cut)

"The difference this time is I'm gonna be a leader to my tribe. I'm gonna tell them, 'We have to do this as a team. We need to come together.' I'm gonna make them all trust me immediately. Every single one of 'em."

(cut)

"I'm gonna tell 'em all, let's just win and not even worry about alliances. Let's get to the end. We can beat them. Let's just get there. Stress lies here (points to his heart). Don't give up. It lies here (points to his heart again), not here (points to his head). This (his head) is gonna tell you to give up. This (his heart) tells you to keep going. That's my message. That's how I'm gonna win this game. With hope and with leadership."

(cut)

"I'm playing with a bunch of people who've never played the game before. That's a huge advantage for me. You know how many all-stars they really have out there? Strategic all-stars. Maybe 4 or 5. Maybe. There's not that many strong, strong strategic players. I have to think there's no way they found a strong strategic player. When they see me they're gonna be fearing me, and by fearing me they're gonna respect me. I'm good with that. You'd better respect me, or you're going home. I'm gonna set a foundation so strong from day 1 on so many different levels - hope, fear, accomplishment - you'd better do what I tell you to do. If you don't, you will go home. If you believe in me, you can go all the way with me. The worst my alliance has ever done in two seasons is 7th. Ever. I bring my team all the way every time."

(cut)

"When I tell you to join me, you'd better join me. I can take you as far as you wanna go. If you're good enough, then get rid of me. But who is good enough to get rid of me?"

(cut)

"These new people that are here to play the game have no clue about who they're about to deal with. They have no clue they're about to deal with Boston Rob and Russell Hantz, the two best strategic players to ever play the game. That's hard to find. Like I said, there are 4 or 5, maybe, good strategic players to play the game. Now they have to play with us."

(cut)

"This is no game for me. This is no joke for me. I take this very seriously. Boston Rob, it's a game to him. Let him look me in the eye. Let's go head-to-head. Tell me it's a game. Grab ahold to me and feel me. You'll know this ain't a game. I'll put fear in his eyes, I promise you."

I'm Here to Win

Francesca has sacrificed her job, family, friends and comforts to win the million-dollar prize.

"My name is Francesca Hogi. I'm 35 years old. I'm a lawyer from New York City. I don't actually do anything at the moment, because I left my job. I was working for the federal government in DC up until a couple of weeks ago, but I left my job to come here for Survivor."

(cut)

"I'm totally determined to win. Yes, it's a great adventure, and all of that is great, but I'm not here to have fun, I'm not here to see how it goes, I'm here to win. That's why I'm here. That's why I left indoor plumbing, and all the people that I love, and a bed to sleep in with a roof over it, because I'm here to win a million dollars."

(cut)

"A million dollars is gonna go a long way to help me, help my family, it's gonna completely change my life."

(cut)

"I'm gonna make it out here based just on determination. I'm pretty headstrong and once I get my mind set on something I tend to be pretty single-minded about it. Right now I'm determined, I'm focused on winning Survivor, and a big part of that is surviving out here."

(cut)

"I am worried about the lack of food, that is what I'm worried about, because I don't miss meals, normally, ever. I don't miss breakfast, I don't miss second breakfast, I don't miss snacks between meals, I don't miss dessert. That's gonna be the biggest adjustment. I also don't like being cold, but like I said, I'm just gonna have to stick it out. Like I said, I would be surprised if half the other players have the will that I have. If they can do it I can certainly do it."

(cut)

"I think that people tend to like me, people like to confide in me, that's been my experience my whole life. I've always been a very social person. I'm gonna bring that to the game, for sure. I'm gonna form alliances and stick with them for as long as they serve me. I don't have that...some people come into Survivor and they're like, I'm a good person, I can't lie, I have this integrity and I'm playing the game is integrity. To me that's all nonsense. This is a game. In my life, you can ask my friends and family and they'll tell you, she's a great and loyal friend, you can believe everything she tells you, she'll always be there for you. That's life. This is Survivor. I will definitely form relationships with people because you can't make it to the end of this game on your own, but I am definitely - I have my eyes on the prize."

(cut)

"In terms of what I'm out to prove to myself, I definitely want to prove that I can do it. When I get my mind set on something I become pretty relentless about it. This is a big thing. I've never done anything like this. I've never voluntarily put myself in a situation where I'm gonna be so uncomfortable. So uncomfortable for so long. It's not like having a job you hate, then you can go have lunch, and go home and sleep in your bed, and call up your friends, and go to dinner with your boyfriend. I can't do that now. I'm gonna have to go really deep inside in a way I haven't had to do before. I want to prove to myself that I can do that. I think I can, but it remains to be seen; you never really know until you're in a situation. In terms of being educated, I've been very fortunate, I've had a great education. I don't think book smarts help you win Survivor. I think it's much more important to be socially smart, to be perceptive, to talk to people and see what their real agenda is, and know how to talk to them so they get the impression you're trying to give. I think I'm really good at that. I don't even think, 'I'm gonna win Survivor because I'm a lawyer.' Who cares that I'm a lawyer. I think what's more important is the social skills that I have."

(cut)

"I think the only reason I would lose is if I place my trust in the wrong person. I don't see that happening. Either that or I piss off too many people in the jury and I have the bitter jury syndrome. They're like, 'She's a bitch, she voted me out, she lied to me, she stabbed me in the back.' It happens. (shrugs) The whole point of the game is you have to play it in a way and get people out in a way where people still respect what you did and feel like they can still vote for you in the end. That's part of the game I signed up to play and that's what I'll do."

(cut)

"In challenges I think I'll do well. I'm just physically strong, I've got pretty good endurance, and I'm just competitive. I'm from New York, and I think people from New York are competitive about everything. We're competitive about getting on and off the subway fast (laughs). As soon as I'm in any kind of competition mode, I really get that drive to win. I think I'll do really good in challenges. I hope we'll have a lot of puzzles and word game challenges, because I'm a total word dork. Dork. (laughs)"

(cut)

"I'm ready to go. I wanna start playing the game now."

Better Life for My Girls

My name is Julie, I'm 50 years old and I am a firefighter in Los Angeles.  I believe that my experience especially as a female on the fire department is going to help me with this game, tremendously.  For a woman to fit in and get along in a male oriented profession and to prove herself.  I relate this game Survivor to the fire station a lot.  I've seen a lot.  I've dealt with a lot of emotions.  I've seen a lot of backstabbing on my department unfortunately.  I've seen people step on people to make themselves look good.  And I've learned on the department when to keep my mouth shut and when to let 'em have it.  I can see myself bringing that experience to this game and being successful. 

(cut)

Besides my first love of my family and my girls of course, my second love and a good part of life is paddling outrigger canoes, the Hawaiian style canoes.  I've been paddling for about 18 years now.  I've been lucky enough to be on some great teams, former world champion teams we're current United States champs.  It's my love.  I'm on the water everyday.  Everyday before work, after work.  That's my life.

(cut)

You know, I don't think that I'm conceited or a bragger but yeah, I am tough.  There's no doubt about it, I am tough.  I don't think I'm going to surprise anybody with that.   To be successful I might have to hold back some of that toughness.  I can be gruff on the outside, I tell people what I feel and I'm gonna have to bite my tongue out here, really. 

(cut)

I am looking forward to the camp life.  Just proving to my tribe that I have high work ethics.  I'm really looking forward to kicking some ass in the challenges, to be truthful with you.  Maybe not so much as the team because my God, I don't want them to be intimidated by me but once we get out to the individual immunities, I'm gonna be taking some names.  I'm gonna be kicking some ass and taking some names and I'm not gonna be holding back anything.

(cut)

I am going to be taking on the role as provider, not so much, I like to eat, ya know.  I'm not going to be the girl sitting around camp waiting for the guys to bring me some food.  Hell, no.  I'm going to go out in the ocean and find food, I'm very comfortable in the ocean.  I've killed rattlesnakes before, that's not an issue.  I'm not sitting around hungry at that camp.  From the fire department I have a high standard, high work ethic.  I'm gonna be going out making shelters.  I'm not going to be the girl that's making the guys do it. 

(cut)

There is one reason and one reason only why I am here. I am not here for the adventure.  I am not here to be on TV.  I don't care if anybody ever takes a picture of me.  I'm here to win that million dollars.  That's it.  The last two years of my life I went through an ugly divorce.  Me being the bread maker I've had to give up half my pension to my ex-husband.  I'm paying alimony, I'm paying child support and I have the girls 100% of the time.  My house is in foreclosure and I'm here to win that money and take names and go home the winner.  Get my house out of foreclosure, get braces in my girls' mouths because their mouths are killing them and just make a better life for my two girls.  That's the only reason why I am here, period. 

(cut)

I am gonna win this game because I am mentally strong, physically strong.  I don't have any problem stabbing anybody in the back with a smile on my face.  I am deceiving.  Where I come across...well, I am a friendly person but here in the game, I'm a very competitive person.  I'm gonna do whatever it takes to win. 

(cut)

My strategy at first is to be super happy, be super nice, be super supportive and then yeah, stab 'em in the back.  Eat before being eaten.

(cut)

My profession is a firefighter.  I'm trained to put fires out.  In this game of Survivor we all know that fire is life.  I'm not going to have a problem extinguishing, putting out the other contestants' fires. Not at all. 

EW Deleted Scene:

<Ometepe return from the challenge>

Ashley (solo): We lost the first challenge today, which totally sucked. I don't know if other people feel this way, but I feel like we let Rob down. It's weird. You want to please your leader. I know it sounds weird, but it sucks we have to go to Tribal Council tonight. I just wish we didn't have to.

<everyone is around the shelter>

Philip: Before we run off - I've learned in life that when you come up with a loss like that, everyone would have what we call a debrief. Everybody would talk about what we were feeling, and what we could do better. We're gonna have to make a decision this evening about somebody going home.

<silly music and various stunned/awkward looks from the tribe>

Rob (solo): I gotta tell you, Philip is a piece of work. He's got new surprises every single day. I found out just yesterday he's an FBI agent, and today he wanted to have a <air quotes> debrief </air quotes>.

Philip: We gotta think about maintaining some strength in this tribe, because that is a huge disadvantage for us right now.

Francesca: Can I just interject for a moment, because we need some water. I think that should be the priority because we all need to be hydrated.

Philip: I just wanted to put it out there. Let me know when you guys want to have that meeting. Or not.

Natalie (solo): Phillip. (laughing) We all think he's crazy. If he can read people he should know when to stop running his mouth. He's basically...(looks around, and looks kind of stunned)

<final shot of Philip near the fire in his underwear)