[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for the Survivor Season 48 premiere.]
Survivor has had its share of neurodiverse gamers, however the Season 48 solid options what the present is looking its first overtly autistic participant. Eva Erickson, a 24-year-old PhD candidate, got here into Survivor with a plan to disclose her neurodiversity to at least one ally to begin, and if circumstances pressured her to open up extra, she would. She fears telling extra individuals about her autism as a result of, as she describes it, they might attempt to benefit from her struggles with social cues and issue to catch somebody in a lie. However Eva shortly pinpointed her “trip or die” ally within the Season 48 premiere, which aired on Wednesday, February 26 on CBS, and as her ally mentioned himself, “she got here to the proper individual, one hundred pc.” This second of connection resulted in a strong confessional interview from contestant Joe Hunter, who was deeply honored by Eva’s present of vulnerability and belief.
“I used to be identified once I was very younger, simply over a yr outdated. Having autism provides me a number of nice strengths for the sport, in addition to some blatant weaknesses. Weaknesses, for certain, are social cues,” Eva mentioned within the premiere as footage confirmed her gathering bamboo for the Lagi (purple) tribe. “I don’t know when somebody’s mendacity to me. I’m a really direct individual, and I anticipate others to be direct with me, and so they’re not going to be on this recreation. However on the flip facet, my autism makes me so pushed.”
One driving power was discovering her “trip or die” so they might begin strategizing collectively. Eva selected Joe, 45, a fireplace captain and pa who’s enjoying to encourage his youngsters and himself. Her selection was pushed by the participant who made her really feel essentially the most snug with out even making an attempt. She pitched their partnership, to which he shortly agreed, after which waited till later within the day to share her analysis, explaining that she’s “by no means seen it as a roadblock” however the world informed her household it could be.
“Once I was a bit of child, they informed my mother I’d by no means stay independently, that I’d by no means maintain a job, that at most they might hope that I’d marry somebody with autism as nicely,” Eva shared. However her dad and mom raised her “to imagine that this was not an issue, that this isn’t one thing unhealthy or flawed with you. You simply have this factor and it makes you distinctive.” She defined that she’ll generally get overstimulated, and Joe requested how he may help in these moments. All she wants is for him to squeeze her fingers to assist her recenter. She mentioned it’s going to be a “robust” recreation when she will get “fixated” on success and failures, and Joe was “honored” to be given her belief on this method. He was delivered to tears in confessional.
“That is larger than the sport now and transcended it in a method that modified the whole lot,” Joe mentioned. “What if my daughter was right here in that scenario? I’ve decided. She’s with me. I received her.”
“As time goes on, and if one thing does occur, I’ll share it with everybody, however I don’t need somebody to see my social expertise as a factor that they will then benefit from,” Eva additional defined. As Joe replied, “I’d completely love that will help you with that scenario.” They hugged, and Joe then informed the cameras that their partnership was “meant to be.”
“I’m not gonna let her down. Even when that hurts my recreation, no matter. If I gotta go residence early, I’m not gonna let her down.”
Jeff Probst informed us that Survivor 48 is outlined by partnerships. Eva and Joe’s simply turned our favourite.
Survivor, Wednesdays, 8/7c, CBS