Survivor has always been a game that has pushed people past their limits and out of their comfort zones in many ways. This can manifest itself in both good and bad ways. Personal growth and self-realization have always been at the heart of the game, just as lying, cheating, and backstabbing have been.
Most people accept Survivor for what it is—a game for one million dollars. For most players, the dark side of the game is acceptable. It is incredibly difficult to win without figurative blood on your hands.
The question becomes what things that you would never do in the real world are acceptable in the game? Where is the line?
Invasion of personal property on Survivor is problematic
In episode 2, several players on the Vatu tribe decide to go through Aubry Bracco's bag because they think she has an idol. This wasn't just one person sneaking into the shelter to go through a bag.
This was almost a tribe group activity, complete with a lookout (Q Burdette), a distraction (Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick), someone to rifle through Aubry's possessions (Genevieve Mushaluk), and two others to keep a close watch on what was going on (Colby Donaldson and Rizo Velovic).
They found nothing because Aubry had nothing at the time. Still, the line of what should be allowed was crossed, as it has numerous times over the 50 seasons.
Survivor is a game of deceit and manipulation by its very nature. Everyone knows that, and some people try not to play that way. Joe Hunter is a good example of someone trying to play in a stand-up manner. Other people pretend they are above playing a game that is honest and honorable. Coach Wade is that type of player.
This game strips people down mentally and physically. There is little privacy and nowhere to hide. You have to rely on those around you for support until they backstab you in the end.
Each player has one thing that should be held sacred to themselves, the one thing that is theirs and theirs alone—their bag. Contestants aren't allowed to bring much, and what little they have is contained in one bag. It is their one place of privacy in a place where there isn't any privacy.
It has always been bothersome when players have gone through others' bags, looking for idols or advantages. This seems like an incredible invasion because that bag is their ONLY personal space on the island. It seems like the one line people shouldn't want to cross.
What was disappointing was the attitude of a couple of Old School heroes, Colby and Stephenie. Both were willing participants. Colby even said that while it wasn't acceptable behavior in the real world, it was part of the game of Survivor.
For the record, the other thing that seems like it crosses a line is destroying or stealing food. Doing this immediately qualifies a player as a villain.
Should going through people's packs or stealing food be just another part of the game? Are the morals surrounding those things any different from lying and deceiving people to their face?
The inherent deception that makes the game great seems like a different level of game morals. After 50 seasons, it is a well-known and acceptable, in fact, necessary part of the game. Going through bags and stealing food seems to be an overreach of what should be accepted.
The ironic thing is that after Aubry's bag was ransacked, she was gifted an idol. Her tribemates are now convinced she did not have any advantages, but she does. It would be sweet justice if Aubry were able to take down some of those complicit in invading her one personal, private place.