Joe Hunter may have placed third in Survivor 48, but that is not an indictment of his game. While he played a fairly simple game, it worked well for him. His combination of physical ability and social strength allowed him to stay in control the majority of the season, and avoid being a target when he was vulnerable thanks to the faith he built in his alliance.
That said, there were some flaws as well. His dedication to staying loyal and honest is admirable, but it opens the door to some strategic blunders, as well as some hurt feelings from players who felt his word should have been kept to them. That is precisely what was brought up at the final tribal council, and while players are welcome to their perceptions, it is something that bothered Joe at the time, and continues to now.
Joe Hunter hurt by "attacks" on the value of his word
Joe certainly made his mark on Survivor 48, as one of the focal points of strategy this season, and his run at trying to make Survivor history. He was also part of a final tribal that saw all three players receive a vote to win for just the sixth time in the franchise's history. That may not stick out most in his mind, though. Rather, it may be the comments made by former alliance member David Kinne that burn most into his brain.
David played part of the game with Joe at merge, building the "power" alliance both literally and figuratively; it was an alliance formed by players that were considered the strongest in the merge group, and was also in power the entire merge, right up to the final tribal council. David was ultimately blindsided by that same alliance and took exception to it, calling out Joe for breaking his word to him.
In Joe's post-finale interview with Entertainment Weekly, Joe opened up about some of the things that happened during and after the game. He was also hurt by David's comment and sees it as a difference of perspective.
Here's what he told Dalton Ross of EW:
"I was really upset and still am when it comes to topics like this, because I have to step back and… Let me just answer this directly. I have to realize that it's people's perspective. So I don't want to disrespect him because I feel like when it happened to me, when I'm hearing these kind of, I feel, attacks on me, I'm not going to do the same."
Joe also made it clear he felt it was not a one-sided issue.
"But I will say, here is my honest opinion of the whole comment: If you went back on your word, there were things that happened there, body language, demeanor, and how I was being spoken to and how others were being spoken to and treated during this whole event."
"That day before that, I had said it on camera that he had changed. There was something that was different. I think he's a great guy. I don't want to say anything negative about David, but an obligation or a contract or a word that we have between each other — there's two ends of that bargain. There has to be a mutual respect."
Joe finished by making it clear he does not agree that he broke his word. He believes that David broke his word, and Joe reacted to it. While he does say that he has respect for David, it is clear that the words hurt him a lot. Does it mean that he dislikes David? No. But it does mean there are still some lingering feelings there.
Joe has a right to feel frustrated, and David has a right to feel the way he does as well. That is what happens when two people have entirely different perspectives. The key is to listen to both sides and come to a middle ground. It does not seem that the two have done so yet, but at the very least, there is a level of respect for each other's point of view. Hopefully, they can eventually find a balance that directs them to the truth, that both hold part of the truth in their views.