‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X’ interview: Zeke Smith on game strategy, Will’s flip, relationships with Bret, Chris

Zeke Smith is the sort of “Survivor” contestant who is easy to love. For one, he’s got the best mustache since Rancher Rick from “South Pacific.” Also, he was a very good player for the majority of the time in the game. His elimination came under crazy circumstances, as he found himself betrayed by Will, a guy intent on proving that he was more than just an 18-year old high school student who would be dragged all the way to the end of the game. Sure, Adam also used his immunity idol, but Zeke would’ve went home even without that.

As you would expect, we were very much excited to speak with Zeke today about what happened, some of his successful game moves, and all sorts of other assorted odds and ends from the game. We usually do these via phone, but this one was conducted via email earlier today.

CarterMatt – Was there a moment at Tribal Council last night where you knew it was going to be you?

Zeke Smith – When Adam pulls out his Penis Idol for Hannah, I know I’ll be eating burgers and drinking margaritas soon. Though, there weren’t burgers or margaritas at Ponderosa. I settled for Hawaiian pizza and a vodka-Fanta.

The show gave you a confessional where you were very confident last night after Jessica was eliminated from the game. How much of that stemmed from the idea that nobody would be willing to flip on you given that they’d all just shown a willingness to go to rocks to save you?

I believed the trauma of the rock tribal forged us as a solid five. As chaotic as the game had been up to that point, everyone seemed ready to take a break from the turmoil and just stick together.

Was there anything regarding your own handling of Will that could’ve been done better?

I don’t know what more I could’ve done to persuade Will. I was very honest with him, saying that flipping to the bottom of Dave’s alliances made him very vulnerable. Will had complete safety with both Jay and me as shields. I even told Will he was in the best position to flip on us at five or six, a move that if done correctly would net him the win.

But, Will, like me – and like a lot of us out there – is a massive Survivor super fan. I think he saw his window to make a mark on the game closing and wanted to act. I understand where he’s coming from, because I had the exact same impulse.

How did Adam know to play the idol on Hannah? Do you think he was clued in?

Yes, Will told Adam the votes were going towards Hannah.

What was the source of the animosity with David?

There was never any animosity towards David. We were rivals who respected the heck out of the way the other guy was playing, so much so that we couldn’t permit the other to stay in the game. Survivor becomes your whole world. You really lose perspective. Sometimes things get heated, but it’s a result of caring so deeply about the game we both love.

When you were having the conversation with Bret where he revealed his sexuality, did you get a sense that it was going to have the impact that it did out in the game?

I didn’t even consider the larger ramifications at the time! I was so touched Bret wanted to share with me. I only cared about being present for Bret at the time. It’s been an honor to be by his side in this journey.

How is someone like Jay, who is an obvious physical threat, avoiding being the target?

In the highly evolved game play you’re seeing in Season 33, individual immunity wins weren’t the biggest factor in votes. James Clement is famous for saying that the “talkers” are the most dangerous people, and that’s very true and the guiding principle behind threat ranking in 33.

Also, Ken is a big physical threat and, thus far, many different people have snagged immunity – Will, Dave, and Adam netted wins in endurance competitions.

How were you able to maintain lying about your job and your education for as long as you did during the game?

It was actually very easy. Instead of being a Harvard grad working in finance, I said I was an NYU grad who worked as a lifestyle reporter – basically a restaurant reviewer. I set myself up where I could talk about the city I love/live – New York – and talk about food, which I love to do off the island, and is a castaway’s number one pastime on the island.

You said during your Ponderosa video that getting rid of Chris was your biggest mistake. Do you still feel that way?

No, I don’t. I’ll defend the Chris vote to the death. But, sometimes you have to live with somebody who is very large and very angry. You say what you need to say so they don’t strangle you in your sleep.

Are you and Chris on better terms now?

Yes, Chris and I are very close friends.

If you are to play again, what would you take away from this season as some of what you need to work on?

The linchpin to my strategy was to build close bonds and relationships with all players in the game. I was successful in many respects, but believe that the two key flips which took me down – Hannah and Will – were a result of coming off as a cold, intimidating player down the stretch.

Where David best outmaneuvers me is his ability to be vulnerable and emotionally honest. David is able to make people feel he cares for them and that they’re safe with him in a way I was not. I also think coming off as more human and less “game robot” decreases the intimidation factor.

What do I need to work on, then? Feeling feelings. At least that’s why my therapist says.