Survivor 48's Joe Hunter On Soothing Eva During Unexpected Autism Episode: 'You Just Want To Stop The Pain'
The following contains spoilers from Wednesday's episode of Survivor 48.
Forty-eight seasons in, the long-standing reality staple that is Survivor continues to make our jaws drop... and our eyes water.
Wednesday's episode delivered one of the most emotional moments in the show's history, as Joe Hunter stepped in to support his former tribemate Eva Erickson after the young woman struggled hard during the week's immunity challenge. (Read a recap here.) Eva had previously confided in Joe and Joe alone, detailing her how her life with autism made certain social cues difficult for her and asking for his help if the game ever began to overwhelm her.
And help he did. After Eva won immunity for her tribe, she started to feel ungrounded and overstimulated, as a very worried Joe and Jeff Probst looked on. Probst then allowed Joe to help Eva calm her nerves and re-center herself, before the host himself became extremely emotional from her story.
Below, Joe talks to TVLine about the friends' instant connection, the heartbreak of watching her struggle and how his own experience as a parent shaped his actions in the game.
TVLINE | When the tribe swap first happened, what were your initial thoughts about being separated from Eva, especially considering you were the only person she confided in about her condition?
JOE HUNTER | Man, so the tribe swap was very challenging. I was worried. I was just concerned that something was gonna happen or maybe they would take advantage of her. I wasn't really sure, it was happening so quickly. I just wanted to be with her. That's all. I just wanted to be with her and that way we could kind of navigate through that together. And I knew too that, hey, I've also developed a great friend that I can trust. So it wasn't just the fact that she had shared this with me. I genuinely trusted her and that's also rare out there. So, it was not an act. That was a very frustrating situation, but part of the game.
TVLINE | Can you tell me a little bit about your first couple days with Eva? Did you feel an instant connection with her?
Right away. Instantly. Obviously, there's a sports connection. There's a person that's aggressive and [that] reminds me of 20 years ago. I saw the accomplishments as a person, but then her sharing that story, that was it. Out there, I didn't have these schemes in my head of, "I'm gonna be this person or that person." I'm just gonna be me. And when you sense out there a genuine person on the island... this is a genuine human being. If that was wrong, then I'm wrong about life.
And so, the connection started immediately and once you share something that vulnerable, then it just flows. Then I'm sharing these intimate things with her and we're going back and forth. We're away from our family and friends, so the bond started immediately. I think what people forget too is it's also a vibe, right? You've been out in public and there's just certain people you're like, "I get a good vibe from this person." So it was that on top of everything we shared that just linked up.
TVLINE | One of the most heartbreaking moments of Wednesday's episode, in my opinion, was watching you watch her, unable to help her as she struggled through the table maze challenge. What was going on in your head before Jeff gave you the go-ahead to step in?
Even though I had talked to her about her autism and what she needed, I hadn't seen an event, so we didn't get into the description of what this would look like. And I never really thought about it. It's also difficult in the beginning because you're processing. "Is this a moment that I'm in need, or is this just her?" Because she's so talented, she's so amazing. [But] those challenges are so difficult. Is it just a human being working through a challenge? Do I just jump in and and then it's like, "What are you doing?" So it's this moment of being surreal, like, "I think this is happening?" So in the beginning, it's just witnessing another human being go through pain. It was excruciating. You just want to stop the pain, but you also want them to get through it and be successful. I just wanted to be right next to her, to just soothe [her]. And it was brutal. I'm so thankful that Jeff allowed that to happen later, but it was very difficult to watch.
TVLINE | How did your own parenthood help shape your relationship with Eva and your actions in that moment?
Kids just give you this ability to — and it doesn't mean that you're not capable of it if you don't have kids — but once you have kids... you think you know love until you have this child in front of you and this sense of responsibility to make sure that they're gonna be OK. You're so selfless as a parent, a good parent. You just act. This person's hurting. I don't care at what cost, I'm gonna make this better for them. I just saw my daughter. I slow down when I say that because it always makes me cry, but I immediately think like, "What's to separate my daughter or my son from being in that spot? How would I want a human to treat them?" And so the parenting just allowed me to be a vulnerable person in the moment and act on something that was true to my heart.
TVLINE | Even Probst shed some tears during this emotional exchange. What was your reaction to that?
He's such a professional and if you ever have the ability to be around him, he's such a pro and in the most positive light. And to do what he does, time and time again, is so surreal. I think we all get used to his ability to keep us all right in the middle of this chaos. He is our sounding board and to have that emotion come out of him, I lost it. It's just because it was so genuine. And it's shocking because he's such a rock, and not that he wasn't then, it's just, oh my gosh, his vulnerability came out too. Man, if you didn't love him [before], now you definitely love him. It was awesome.
TVLINE | When everything was said and done, and you were returning back to camp, how were you feeling then?
You know, I tried to recall that because, keep in mind, everything's coming at you, not just that event. The game, it's all full speed. The first thing I remember thinking was like, "I hope [they're] kind to her. Don't try to use this either way. Let's just all reset." I didn't want it to hurt her. I was like, "Let's just get her right back in a groove." I know that sounds crazy because she's a grown adult and everything's fine, but that's what I was thinking. "Is she gonna be OK?"
I really hope that my kids are proud of that. I hope, however that looks, that it shows up. Will that even show up? So it's all of that. And then you sit there and you're like, "I'm on Survivor. This is wild!"
TVLINE | Did you watch the episode back with your family? What was their reaction?
I went to a small little pub around the corner with my wife and the reason why we did that is we are having all the proceeds donated to Autism Speaks for Eva. But then coming home, my daughter and son, we had talked about watching it, but my daughter was just — yeah, it always gets me emotional — she was just so excited. She just wants to watch the challenges, but she loves Eva. Like loves Eva, and she's a splitting image of her too. And she just said when she saw it, "Oh, that's my daddy!" and she was so proud. I've said it before, I'll say it again: There is no greater accomplishment to me than having my kids be genuinely proud of me, and that moment allowed that to happen, and like that, my cup is full.
TVLINE | I've got to ask at least one strategy question! I know Jeff brought up the fact that your relationship was now exposed, but were you feeling heat from that? Were you worried, game-wise?
I totally respect why people would think that, but in the moment, everybody was great. You have to realize though subconsciously, you do naturally think, "Well, what are they really thinking?" I don't know that they would outwardly say anything, but what is going on behind closed doors? This is something that happened that was outside of the game. I don't regret it. I would never do it a different way. I was just like, "Hey, I'm gonna let the cards fall where they fall now," and that's me being genuine. There are too many variables to try to think about and control. You just go, "It happened, and I'm just gonna keep playing and that's it." Let's see what happens next.