‘Survivor 40: Winners at War’: Sophie Clarke Explains Why She’s Taking More Risks This Season in Bonus Scene
In Survivor: South Pacific (Season 23), several larger-than-life personalities overshadowed eventual winner Sophie Clarke. Toward the end of the season, Ozzy Lusth called her a “pretentious brat,” which upset the recent college graduate. She admitted she used her tough exterior as a shield and thought it showed strength, but vowed to change.
17 seasons later, Sophie returned for Survivor 40: Winners at War to compete against other former champions for a $2 million grand prize. Many fans love her introspective confessionals and consider her a top contender for this season.
In a bonus scene, Sophie admitted she used to play “with so much fear,” but is now stepping out of her comfort zone and taking risks.
Sophie Clarke on ‘Survivor 40: Winners at War’
Initially placed on the Dakal tribe, Yul Kwon almost immediately approached Sophie Clarke with the prospect of working together. As someone who respected Yul from his original season, Sophie eagerly obliged.
The Cook Islands champ invited Nick Wilson and Wendell Holland to be in their “free agents alliance,” which consisted of people who didn’t have many connections.
The four were on the same page until a tribe swap placed Sophie in the minority alongside Sarah Lacina in the expansion tribe, Yara. Once on the new tribe, everyone dispersed, looking for a hidden immunity idol.
Sophie found it and shared the other half with her original tribemate, Sarah, who gave it back to her before they went to Tribal Council. Even though Boston Rob Mariano implemented the “buddy system,” preventing other tribemates Ben Driebergen and Adam Klein from communicating with the ladies, they unanimously voted out the five-time player, without having to use any advantages.
The team went on to win back-to-back immunity challenges, mainly due to Sophie’s physical prowess, and are seemingly bonding well. Adam, who is on the outs of the tribe dynamics, accused Sarah and Ben of having the idol and pretending to look for it, without ever considering Sophie.
Sophie Clarke steps out of her comfort zone in bonus scene
In a bonus scene, Ben found a boa constrictor by the water well. He then picked it up and placed it on a log, before filling up his canteen. The Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers champ went back to camp and asked if Sophie and Adam wanted to see the snake.
They obliged and followed Ben back to the water well. He picked up the snake and asked Sophie, who looked terrified if she wanted to touch it. At first, the South Pacific champ resisted and admitted she hated snakes.
The stay-at-home dad assured her she’s doing fine, and Sophie finally pet it a few times. In a confessional, the health care consultant admitted she played South Pacific filled with fear over “what was happening next,” and felt like the experience passed her by.
However, Sophie noted she “let go of that fear” this season, and it’s made her “happier and freer to take risks” and step outside of her comfort zone. Playing with the snake was a “proud feeling” for her, and it served as a reminder that she’ll have to “take risks” to win the game.
Survivor 40: Winners at War airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.
