Throughout Survivor 49, fans of the show have witnessed several shocking moments. Between the first episode to the scary medical emergency Jake Latimer suffered and more, the season has kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Similar to how the season has taken unexpected turns for viewers, its players also had to face unexpected moments and situations.
During the ninth episode of Survivor 49, Alex Moore wasn't one of the season's players who was shocked when they were voted out. Instead, Moore seemingly took being voted out in stride during the episode, and he even stated that he wasn't surprised as he uttered his final words after having his torch snuffed. However, Moore gave fans another shock when he was later interviewed about his exit and blamed being voted out on his tribemates wanting Savannah Louie and Rizo 'Rizgod' Velovic to like them.
Alex Moore claimed Savannah and Rizo have a strange influence on their tribemates
Moore was seemingly targeted by Savannah and Rizo, who sought to convince their other tribemates that he couldn't be trusted. After Moore was voted out, he commented on the situation by jokingly blaming himself with a chuckle, "This is what I get for playing both sides."
While Moore took the blame for his own exit on the show, he had something fascinating to say during his post-game interviews. Moore took part in a "Rob Has a Podcast" exit interview. As he spoke to Rob Cesternino, Moore blamed his tribemates turning on him and voting him out partially on something surprising. As he expressed exasperation at the situation, Moore stated that his tribemates turned against him because they wanted Velovic and Louie to like them.
"The thing that I don't get is people just kind of wanted in with them. They just wanted to be liked by Savannah and Rizzo. And I'm like, these are the two people clearly strategizing, like we have to get them out. And I think that was my downfall was that, sorry, I just wasn't going to give in to them. And other people felt differently. I don't know."
In a lot of ways, Alex seemed like he had all of tools necessary to be a Survivor winner. After all, he had extremely likable energy, it appeared like he was building bonds with everyone he shared the beach with, and it always seemed like he was self-aware. Sadly, however, Moore wound up becoming Survivor 49's third jury member after his game quickly went awry.
Moore's comments about Louie and Velovic's influence over their tribemates are very fascinating for three main reasons. The most obvious reason is that if the remaining players are seeking Velovic and Louie's approval, as Moore claimed, that could result in the duo easily lasting a long time during Survivor 49. Another interesting aspect of Moore's comment is that it reflects how pivotal Survivor players gaining social standing can be during the game.
The most notable reason why Moore's comment is so revealing is that it is known that the duo will be returning for Survivor 50. If Louie and Velovic got used to being able to use their popularity to survive, that could become a weakness for them during Survivor 50.
After all, the upcoming landmark season will feature many confident players who likely won't be worried about being liked by the duo or anyone else.