by Gina Scarpa

This week on Survivor: Caramoan, the tribe was able to eliminate two big threats in Reynold Toepfer and Andrea Boehlke. Reynold had been the outs since early in the game, but his impressive performances in challenges and an alliance with Malcolm helped get him to Day 31. Andrea was a vital part of the favorites' alliance, Stealth R Us, but when she made a move to blindside Brenda or Dawn, it came back to bit her at tribal council. We talked to the pair in an exclusive interview about being a part of a fans vs. favorites season, trust issues, and their relationships with with people in and out of the game.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Andrea, you had a good run on Survivor: Philippines and Reynold, you have watched the show for so many seasons. What was it like for each of you to be asked, as a favorite and as a fan?
A. Andrea: I was ecstatic! I didn't feel fulfilled in my season, or like I got to make moves.
A. Reynold: I mean, first of all, it was an unbelievable amount of excitement to be on Survivor. When we were standing on the beach and the helicopters came with ten favorites, it was a polarizing feeling. Part of me was like, "This is unfair to send people that know each other!" Then, on the other end of the pendulum, I couldn't have been more thrilled.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Reynold brings up a good point, Andrea. Your tribe knew each other, either from playing the game together or meeting up at Survivor events. Did having personal relationships coming into the game affect the game for you?
A. Andrea: I mean, it's had a large effect on how people reacted afterwards. It's hard because I'm friends with these people. I went to Cochran's finale as his friend. I knew everybody! The first couple days set the tone. I got into Stealth R Us that set the tone for the rest of the season.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Reynold, did it surprise you how quickly you were on the outs with your tribe? You and Eddie said it yourselves, you've played this game with your backs against the wall since Day 2.
A. Reynold: Absolutely! I mean, I usually come into situations and get along with everybody. Winning the first immunity challenge kind of dramatically and working hard at camp, I thought I would be on Easy Street until the merge. I thought we were all fans playing against favorites and I didn't realize fans were playing against ourselves so early, which was foolish. I was completely not prepared.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You both did so well in challenges. Did you do a lot of preparing before going out there or was some of that just sheer determination to win?
A. Andrea: I'm pretty athletic, but I trained really hard right before I left. It's super nerdy stuff. I balance on things at home! I trained pretty hard beforehand.
A. Reynold: Ironically, all of my pre-game training was puzzle work and fire building. We got out there and was like, "All I gotta do is throw stuff at stuff?!"

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: I was imagining you in your backyard with a grappling hook!
A. Reynold: No, that was definitely my first time grapplehooking. One of my best friends and I went to Golden Gate Park and tried to simulate being in the jungle. Some guy ran by and was like, "You know you just can't run around with a hatchet!"

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Andrea, when we interviewed you on the red carpet of the Philippines finale, you said that trusting people too much ended your game. Here we are in your second season, and the same thing has happened again. What made you feel so comfortable? Was everyone that good of a liar?
A. Andrea: Yeah, they really are! I think that it was the perfect setup because I was so focused on this other blindside. I was so excited to see my plan in motion that I totally missed the cues. I don't know, you start to grow close to people. It's the same old thing, you have to trust somebody out there! I put my trust in Dawn and Cochran, and we've been working together since day one.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Reynold, it didn't seem like a good idea to go to the end with Eddie and Malcolm because you three would split the jury too much. Was it your plan to go with them?
A. Reynold: I guess what is representative of my gameplay is I'll never let strategy get in the way of a good story. I think it would've been awesome for the Three Amigos to go to the final tribal council and out debate each other!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Andrea, which season was harder for you to take your elimination, Philippines or Caramoan?
A. Andrea: The first time! It's such a bummer, I took things very seriously. I felt super betrayed. This time, I didn't feel betrayed. I just think I was part of a big play. I was laughing about it and was like, "That's so great!" It was hilarious, I almost liked it! I just look at it like a game. I'm very competitive and wanted to win, but only one person can win.

Survivor: Caramoan airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on CBS.

(Image courtesy of CBS)

Follow Gina @ginascarpa