Discovery Channel’s Survive the Raft has been firing from all cylinders since its premiere on Sunday, July 30, 2023.

The third episode delivered loads of speaking factors, together with blindsides, a contestant deciding in opposition to stealing $20,000 anonymously from her fellow contestants, and a lot extra.

TV Fanatic acquired to talk with collection host Nate Boyer in regards to the twists and turns.

Episode three was such an enormous episode. What was it wish to be on the set for it?

It was nice. It was cool to see the characters develop a bit extra, get a bit of extra snug with what we’re doing with the experiment itself, and discover a little bit of a rhythm.

Jonathan had a seizure on the premiere, and loads was occurring. That is a troublesome transition for anyone. Then you’ve got episode two with the shock of the swaps and new individuals being introduced in. 

Initially of episode three, they lastly have a rhythm, and it’s the first time that they’ve had that chance to be snug and determine the routine.

In fact, it does not get any simpler as a result of there’s nonetheless loads occurring.

The episode picks up within the aftermath of Summer season H.’s exit. It appeared like individuals’s mindsets instantly shifted to “Lashanna has to go subsequent.” Do you suppose lots of the solid had been so hopeful about that to keep away from their very own names developing?

I do not know. There was plenty of stress between Lashanna and Summer season H. in episode two. I believe plenty of that carried over, they usually felt like that friction was nonetheless lingering.

That is a superb level you introduced up. I hadn’t thought of it that means, nevertheless it may have been extra, “Hey, I might be secure for one more week as a result of we nonetheless have this lingering elephant within the room.”

I hadn’t thought of that.

In truth, that query most likely stemmed from me being a fan of Massive Brother, The Problem, and Survivor. I am all the time pondering extra strategically once I watch this sort of present. 

That is a superb level. It is a social experiment, and all of those dynamics are distinctive, however on the identical time, there’s a technique throughout the gameplay, so to talk, as a result of there’s cash at stake, and folks wish to keep so long as they’ll, if to not the top, and take house a few of that cash.

You’ve got to remember behind all these individuals’s heads that each transfer they make has penalties throughout the social dynamic and throughout the technique of attempting to outlive the raft for the complete season.

The consuming bounty this week was fairly vile. It wasn’t for me. I questioned whether or not Merissa can be singled out as a result of I did not consider she would be capable to eat something. I used to be stunned that 4 of the 9 individuals managed to complete their plates. Who stunned you essentially the most throughout that problem?

I did not actually know him as a result of he was new, however Mykhal.

He is acquired to impress as a result of he desires to earn a spot on the group, however on the identical time, no one’s watching you. You’re by your self. And he simply acquired on the market.

He was placing it down.

Maddie was given this chance to steal the cash the 4 individuals who completed earned for the group. What are your ideas on her not taking the cash?

I believe all of us realized loads about Maddie at that second. I noticed glimpses of it earlier than, however she has plenty of integrity. 

She’s very empathetic, places different individuals first, and thinks of the group earlier than she thinks of herself, which is exclusive.

That is a robust character trait to have on the raft. If solely the others knew a few of these dilemmas, and I suppose they’re going to get to see after they watch this episode as a result of they could not see what I acquired to see there at that second.

You might see it in her eyes. It was a very laborious determination, in fact. That is a life-changing sum of money to somebody like Maddie, however she by no means genuinely thought-about it as a result of it was like, “I am unable to do this to the group.”

I felt for Lashanna all through the episode as a result of it appeared like she knew that individuals wished her out of the sport. It appeared like they might’ve nominated her had Russell not popped as much as save her sport. Do you suppose that allowed Lashanna to rebuild connections as she heads into episode 4?

That is acquired to be her focus as a result of she mentioned so herself, and plenty of that has to do with what she does for a residing, her upbringing, and simply the world she’s accustomed to.

She has a really robust persona, and he or she lets you know the way she feels, and I worth that in individuals however for some individuals that are not used to that, It may be a bit of overwhelming.

I believe we see that with a number of the reactions from individuals as a result of they’re simply not used to people with that type of ardour and brutal honesty in a few of these moments. That may typically throw individuals off.

If we return to the technique you talked about earlier, she does must type of perhaps rethink the best way she reacts and take a step again. That sucks as a result of then perhaps it isn’t genuinely her being her true self, and I am positive she does not wish to really feel like she has to play a personality or be anyone else as a way to slot in with the group.

I might think about Lashanna most likely feels that loads in her life and possibly has, and that is the place that comes from. So you need to respect her for that, nevertheless it does make it difficult.

It does make it difficult when you have to not solely rebuild, however you’ve got the fixed concern or the specter of these individuals coming in that additionally deliver loads to the desk that you have to form of beat out.

Strolling on eggshells is not any enjoyable for anyone. I believe perhaps she’s in a spot proper now the place she would possibly really feel like that is the one means ahead.

Russell’s determination was wild. They had been imagined to be a democracy, however he took it upon himself to say that he was going up, and it did not give his co-stars any room to veto it. How ought to we count on that second to form the remainder of Russell’s time on the raft?

Russell additionally has a really robust persona, and he is a pacesetter. He served within the navy. He is additionally acquired fairly an enormous social media following, so he is used to rallying the troops and being that sort of man.

I ponder if he felt that was wanted, that anyone wanted to only type of tackle that place, as within the voice for the group or, such as you mentioned, the pinnacle of that democracy.

I do not suppose he meant to be a dictator, however it could really feel like that to a number of the group due to these discussions occurring about how issues needs to be executed as a group.

It goes again to the self-preservation behind these individuals’s minds; how can I solidify myself as anyone that the group values a lot that it doesn’t matter what, they can not afford to let me go?

We have got free divers who can catch fish 100 toes under the water’s floor. We have got different folks that deliver different items to that pie.

You’ve got acquired somebody like Elliot, who’s extremely robust bodily. Perhaps Russell additionally thinks, “The place am I strongest, and the way can I flex my quote-unquote muscle mass?”

You regarded stunned when Mykhal got here down the steps on the finish of the episode. Are you able to hear what’s occurring upstairs, or is that every one reduce off from you?

Once they debate, after they go on their very own after I go away them and allow them to make their determination, I am not listening. I do not know what they’re saying. I am undecided who’s coming down these stairs till they arrive down.

I bear in mind seeing that and pondering, wow, the pact is actual if that is what’s occurring. Jonathan had a seizure within the prior episodes and needed to be faraway from the experiment.

Summer season H. volunteered to depart. So this was the primary time {that a} vote was executed. They did keep that dedication, the pact to stick with the unique group. 

I used to be stunned as a result of I knew plenty of the battle that had gone on and the battle throughout the group dynamic. I believed he was only a fairly agreeable man and really likable.

He acclimated properly to the group, assimilated, and positively inserted himself, however I suppose it wasn’t sufficient of their eyes.

This interview has been edited for size and readability.

 Survive the Raft continues Sundays at 9 p.m. on Discovery Channel.

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