Gavin Whitson came onSurvivorand lasted all 39 days.
He never even had a single vote cast against him.
In that sense, he played the perfect game.
Gavin Whitson on ‘Survivor: Edge of Extinction’.Robert Voets/CBS
But it still wasnt enough to winSurvivor: Edge of Extinction.
How does Gavin feel about the jurys verdict?
Where did it all go wrong?
We spoke to the runner-up shortly after the votes were read and heres what he had to say.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Gavin, congratulations on making it all 39 days and becoming the runner-up.
Its still a great accomplishment.
Being aSurvivorfan, you dream of making it 39 days.
But that one thing, you know, it slipped out of my grasp.
But Im still super happy with the game I played and Im thankful for the opportunity.
And, to be honest with you, Im sticking to my guns.
Im proud of the game I played.
I think every decision I made got me to where I am.
So I dont have any regrets.
Im still leaving with a full heart.
I think youre right.
How do you think you wouldve done against Rick at fire?
We didnt really get a sense of how good you were at it.
Whether I was going to win or not, I was ready to go to war.
I had that mentality, like Im going to beat yall or Im going to die trying.
So I was ready.
And in my mind I was going to win.
So whether Im right or wrong, well never know.
What if I wouldve made it?
What if I had the opportunity?
Would I be sitting here as a millionaire?
But I cant sit on what ifs for the rest of my life.
So just going to move on and keep smiling.
So this is not to take anything away from him at all.
He did everything he could once he got back in the game.
I never received a vote and thats because I became friends with these people.
Thats people that Chris never had a hand in voting out.
So I think that did hurt me.
Yeah, its the big flaw in this format of players coming back in.
Like, how am I supposed to compete with Chris when Ive never met Reem?
It sounds like J.T.
So, thats what was in my mind.
So Im not sure which way I should take it.
But, you know, nothing against Chris.
He played it great, but I playedSurvivornot to go to the Edge of Extinction.
And people were still trying to belittle that experience.
I dont know if that makes sense.
I was talking about possible strategies that couldve happened on Edge, you know what Im saying?
Like, I dont know, I just misread things.
Eric was your number one guy, why did this happen?
Because if its really me and him at the end, then nothing else should matter.
So I went to him with the same proposition.
I said, Eric, right now its time to make a move.
Its going to be me, you, Victoria, Julia, thats four.
So I said, We have seven out of 12, so if were good until the seven.
And he said, Nows not the time.
So in my mind, I began to believe what had been said.
Like, Is he really with me?
Or is he making plans to move towards David and Devens and Ron whenever push comes to shove?
Just because I didnt just completely throw him out to the wind, if that makes sense.
But my main concern is her happiness and to double-check that shes taken care of.
I had it, it slipped through my fingers.
So Im hungry for the chance again.
