There is something fishy about our exit interview with the Survivor 43 juror.
Ryan Medrano was really, really good at catching fish.
Why was Ryan so averse to spending more time with the tribe?
Ryan Medrano on ‘Survivor 43’.Robert Voets/CBS
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Okay, Ryan.
RYAN MEDRANO:I got voted out last night at Tribal Council.
I thought it was gonna go one way and it went the other.
Ryan holds a giant clam on ‘Survivor 43’.CBS
So it was a split.
Two people had immunity.
I lost my balance and I could not outlast him, man.
Ryan Medrano and Cody Assenmacher on ‘Survivor 43’.Robert Voets/CBS
In hindsight, do you think that was an issue?
I noticed very early that it was a lot of pandemonium in the first hour and a half.
So I talked to the people that I trusted, it worked for a couple of Tribal Councils.
I was dodging bullets.
And then the last one, there were only five people, so three votes to send you home.
I completely thought I was good.
I talked to Gabler, talked to Jesse, and talked with Cody, and I seemed solid.
And that day I actuallydidn’tgo out fishing.
I said that from the beginning.
So I was extremely happy out there.
I stayed true to myself.
One of the main reasonsI fished so muchis because before my grandfather passed, he was a great fisherman.
And he passed before I was able to do that.
And it felt so natural.
And one of the reasonsthat wall was builtis ‘cause it was so windy.
You didn’t notice it, but it was so windy at night that it would get cold.
Because with my mild cerebral palsy, sometimes I miss things.
It’s interesting hearing you talk about judging body language and the way people were interacting.
In hindsight, were there any clues that it might be you either before or during that last Tribal?
Did you notice anything?
Actually, I would have to say, yeah.
That’s bound to happen when you’re not necessarily paranoid, but anxious.
So whenever you think your name’s on the line, your body is gonna change.
Jesse and Cody seemed pretty calm and collected.
So I was like, “Oh, okay.
His number one’s gone.
He doesn’t seem to be in with Dwight too much.
Maybe he’s on the bottom.”
So I had thought we’re almost on equal playing field, but obviously, I was wrong.
So it was the amount of time people spent talking with other people.
So I was like, “It’s a no-brainer.”
So it was a strategic play on their side and I think that’s how it went down.
What was your reaction when you saw James had been voted out?
I had heard some things.
I had talked with Noelle.
I was actually close with Noelle and I had thought she was gonna use that Steal-a-Vote.
I already knew it was gonna happen, but still!
Why are you using it on Owen of all people?
James probably didn’t see it coming whatsoever.
So I was thinking that was gonna happen, and it did.
And that’s why it was such a surprise that they didn’t take Cass over me.
I’m only one vote.
They got two numbers instead of one.
Have you heard from any folks who have been inspired by your story?
It’s really gonna uplift us and help us keep going."
And I responded to every single person that reached out to me.
I had more than a hundred messages about people being inspired, and it was jaw dropping … And it felt like, not that I felt alone, but I feltdifferentthan everybody else.
What’s something that did not make it onto an episode that you wish we had seen?
What I miss is the amount of connection and the amount of familiarity you get with each character.
And she knows she uses her mouth very well and she plays the game very well.
That’s the person she is."
And, obviously, I did a lot of work.
I was the only person on my team that could cut bamboo.
Often players leave with idols and advantages in their pocket.
Did you leave with any fish in your pocket?
So I left with a lot of fish in my heart and they got some very good shots.
I went down, I saw this butterfly fish swimming.
It was swimming with another one.
It was about 15, 20 feet under water.
And I turn around and Gabler’s going [makes two thumbs up motion] underwater.
So I left with a plethora of fantastic memories and experiences that I hope I get to experience again.
But I’m glad to say I have experienced them.
