Too Little, Too Late

In a case of "too little, too late," Florida student Gregory O’Callaghan was voted off Pulau Tiga tonight. Gregory, beset by sickness, fatigue, and poor work ethic during his first week on Pulau Tiga, finally recovered and became a vital member of the tribe.

“Every tribe needs a village idiot,” said Kevin, viciously.
“Shut up, Kevin!” retorted Greg.

This was particularly timely because his tribe needed to relocate the shelter after it got pummeled in the storm. (Upon hearing this news, well after the show ended, former tribemember Brian was heard to laugh and say, “Heh, heh, I had never planned on sleeping inside the shelter, so I didn’t try very hard to make it sturdy. I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did!”)

The sickness had created an emotional distance between Greg and his fellow castaways, however. He was unable to overcome that distance to stave off the fatal ejection vote.

"I came here knowing exactly what to expect," Gregory noted bitterly afterward. "They were always out to get me. But I learned that I could survive in this totally demanding environment. And, I mean, this is a tough place. If I could make it here, I feel I can go back to the real world and survive almost anywhere- and I’ll probably have to, because Mom moves every 2 months!"

The vote against Gregory was a trying one for the tribe. The group had bonded into a warm family unit (which, indeed they were) in their twelve days on the island. "You do what you have to do," Kevin noted. "Because that's all part of the game. But that doesn't make it easy."
…
"Aw, who am I trying to kid- I LOVED IT! I had Greg’s name preprinted on my ballots! So long, sucker!”

Eric seconded the notion. "I'll miss him. Greg overcame a lot of adversity during his time on the island, and showed how strong he could be. Unfortunately, the little goober just wasn’t strong enough."

Gregory's loss leaves the tribe with just two members: Eric and Kevin.

Buried Treasure

The 'Buried Treasure' Immunity Challenge foreshadowed Gregory's sinking fortunes. The combination relay race/treasure hunt was held on Ramis Beach, a windless cove on the island's southern side. It asked the competitors to find a buried treasure map, then the treasure itself. In order, the relay legs leading to the final objective were swimming, floating bridge balance, rowing, jungle running, then finally digging for treasure. This competition required a great deal of physical conditioning out of the contestants. Eric, an active duty army officer, was easily more physically fit than the slothful Kevin or lazy Gregory and seemed poised to win the immunity talisman for the second time, and, more importantly, guarantee his berth to the game’s final round. But in the harsh tropical environment where Survivor takes place, anything can happen.

And happen it did.

As Eric quickly swam, skillfully balanced across a floating bridge, rowed determinedly, and finally ran swiftly into another massive lead, Greg slipped on the balance beam. He knocked himself out cold, and began to sink in the water. Kevin glanced back, shrugged, and continued on. As the kind-hearted Eric glanced back to see Gregory submerge and Kevin ignore him, he made a decision- one that might have cost him dearly at Tribal Council. He turned around. As Kevin made his run through the jungle, Eric was busy trying to fish his youngest brother from the sea. As Kevin began digging for treasure, Eric was trying to push water out of Gregory’s lungs. In the broiling sun, Gregory choked his way back to consciousness. Eric could only watch as Kevin won immunity with a faltering crawl to the finish line, dragging the 5 pound chest behind him.

"When I turned around, I had a pretty good idea I was going to be the next to go," Eric said later that night. “But I couldn’t let Greg drown. It’s a curse being so honorable,” he sighed.

Fortunately, Greg was the one to pay the price at Tribal Council, not our bona fide hero, Eric.

Glory Days

Eric has seen plenty of glory in his life. The distinguished veteran, with nearly 11 combined years of service in the active Army and Army National Guard, was the highest-ranking commissioned officer to portray a Native American during his battalion’s year 2000 Thanksgiving Day celebration. However, his most public moment of glory had to be shadow-boxing with the curtain at New York’s famed Lincoln Center.

After a bet from brother Edward, and cousin Joseph Glazer, Eric hopped on stage and proceeded to outpoint the curtain in one sixty second round. While Joe paid his quarter, cheap Eddie declared it had only been 58 seconds and still, to this day, owes Eric a quarter.

Sore Winner

Kevin described his victory to the camera.
“After I dug six feet, I mean eight feet, down into the hard-packed sand to locate the 40 pound chest, I lifted it up out of the ten foot hole I had created. You’d think I’d have had a problem with an 80 pound chest, but I simply hoisted that 120 pounder into my beefy arms with a laugh. As I sprinted down the beach to the finish line, ensuring victory for myself, I knew I was running like a man halfway to a 2004 Olympic team. Ironic that the Olympics falls that year, because the chest weighed a good 200.4 pounds!”

"Yeah," he said later, flashing a smile, "that felt pretty good. I wouldn't mind doing that again."

Kevin had no comment on the 200.4 minutes he spent heaving his guts up after the race ended.

Hungry

All three castaways are hungry, and serious weight loss has begun. And while Gregory was disappointed at being voted off, within moments of the verdict he was talking about eating a real meal. "Oh… you name it. I want fried chicken. I want a Caesar Salad. I want a pizza with limp pineapples. I want everything. I'm starving and I can't wait to eat. Nose boogers only go so far, although it got a lot better after Eddie left, since after that we were able to keep our own."

Tribal Council

2 Votes for Greg
With Kevin immune, Eric had no option but to cast his vote against Gregory. Kevin, meanwhile, pulled out one of his preprinted `Greg’ ballots.

1 Vote for Eric
Greg, naturally enough, cast his vote for Eric.

Gregory's Final Words

”Well I just got booted off and I'm a little bummed of course. I guess I felt vulnerable anyway, but deep in my mind I was like, they've been waiting to vote me off. I've proven I'm a crucial part of any team, but those are the breaks. I feel kind of sad, but I think it's a win-win situation.

I think I won in just getting to here. There were six applicants, and I lasted longer than half of them. I believe nothing happens by chance. I think I was here for a reason. I don't know. Maybe I taught somebody something, or somebody learned something from me, or I learned something from somebody else, so I can't be mad- at least any more than I already was.

I got a trip to a country I've never been to before. I've seen some of the most beautiful sunsets of my life. I've seen a phenomenon that I don't think I could see anywhere else in the world. I really feel extremely blessed. That doesn't discount the fact, that yes, I'd like to stick it out until the end. But I think I did pretty good for a Florida bum, totally out of his element in the jungles of Borneo. I'm not too bummed.

I just want to say I have no hard feelings whatsoever towards my team, except for everyone who voted me off. Family forever man! Even if I hope you guys get your butts kicked. I hope someone on the team who really likes me wins this whole thing, so I can borrow money. Maybe I'll find out the reasons people voted me off, later down the road.

I think the first two days I was sick really hurt me, those first two days were crucial in forming dynamics. I really didn't get a chance to do that because I was so sick. Those are the breaks. Everything happens for a reason, so I'm not mad at the two jerks. I just wish that I'd have had one more opportunity to say `Shut up, Kevin!' one more time."

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Updated 2 Mar 01

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