Cochran: 'I Really Want to Play Again'

Whether you loved his game or hated it, you can't say John Cochran didn't make "Survivor: South Pacific" interesting.

The Oakton resident and graduate went from being on the chopping block in Week One to placing seventh, as his Survivor run came to an end in Wednesday's episode. He got that far by making some bold decisions that brought on labels ranging from "game-changer" from his fans to "traitor" from his haters.

And in between, he joined fellow Savaii tribemate Jim in their successful effort to oust de facto leader and Survivor veteran Ozzy's closest ally, Elyse. Two weeks later, he happily accepted Ozzy's offer to sacrifice himself to Redemption Island in an attempt to allow Savaii to enter the merging of tribes with an equal number of people as their opponents, Upolu. Cochran even took possession of Ozzy's immunity idol only to give it back to Ozzy after his victory in the redemption duel.

But then came The Move. Realizing a tie vote at Tribal Council loomed, Cochran made the decision to not allow his fate be determined through a random drawing of rocks. Instead, he turned on Savaii to vote out his own tribemate Keith and pledged his loyalty to Upolu. Savaii's fate was sealed. They were picked off one by one in the following weeks.

Many critics have pointed to this moment as Cochran's downfall. But Cochran disagrees.

"I think it was my actions after flipping, or my inaction, that did me in," Cochran said in an interview with Oakton Patch. "It was during that time where I should've been really trying to scope out who I can pull from Upolu to work with. I had a final four deal with Coach, Albert and Sophie, so that's what kind of made me complacent for a while, but then I started to realize that wasn't a legit promise."

He also noted he was trying to penetrate the most "cult-like alliance I had ever seen on the show," and he was doing it without the benefit of knowing what the audience knew about Upolu heading into the merge.

"I feel like most seasons, the people who are aware that they're headed for fourth, fifth and sixth in a six-person alliance would be willing to join up with the seventh and then put up one, two and three," Cochran said. "But the Upolu alliance was so solid that even the people at the bottom of the totem pole and seemed aware that they were at the bottom of the totem pole, didn't want to do anything about it. So I was stuck. I don't know exactly what I could've done differently."

Thus, Upolu voted him to Redemption Island, forcing a duel between Cochran and Ozzy — a duo whose storyline on the island is arguably the most complicated. Ozzy edged out Cochran to send him out of the competition and into the jury, who will decide the winner in the Dec. 18 live finale episode.

After his loss, Cochran became teary-eyed not because he lost (though maybe a little), but because his time on the island was a dream come true.

"[The tears are coming from] the realization that I'm not the person I necessarily thought I was and that I could be a better person that's more pleased with himself and the decisions that he makes and the things he pursues," Cochran said to Probst.

Months removed from his time on the island, Cochran said he will likely always have some baseline neuroticism and anxiety to his personality, but he does believe he has changed. He said he used to be much more nervous in social situations, especially in large groups, such as at parties or clubs.

"Going on Survivor, I've put myself through the most bizarre and at times humiliating, uncomfortable things you can go through and it's being broadcast to millions of people who can comment on it and make fun of me," Cochran said. "Now anything in the real world seems like nothing in terms of social anxiety or fear of rejection. Am I a super confident guy now? No. But it's a greater comfort level with things that would previously make me feel uncomfortable."

As one of a few memorable contestants from the season, it is likely Cochran would be asked to do another season of Survivor. (Plus, Probst has said he would want him back.) But would he want to?

"I really want to play again," Cochran said. "But the thing I've been thinking about is my reputation is that I suck at challenges, I'm not particularly good around camp, I'm possibly kind of annoying and I'm a traitor. I'm just worried my reputation will precede me in such a way that I would be dead on arrival. ... I would try to strike alliances on day one or day two."

Questions with Cochran

Nicole Trifone (Oakton Patch): As a fan, who was your favorite castaway to watch this season?

John Cochran: I find it exciting to see Coach completely rehabilitate his image and suddenly become this great Machiavellian player, whereas before he was just a joke. So I find that exciting. He's the one that really jumps out to me, I guess.

NT: Who is playing the best game at this point?

JC: I think Coach has been playing a very, very good game. I actually don't think him voting off Edna was especially smart. And arguably voting me off wasn't that smart. So he's made some questionable decisions, but he's in a good position. He has the idol. If you're going to say who has played the best game so far, I'd have to say Coach, but I don't think he's playing a perfect game like Boston Rob did last season.

NT: What friendship struck you as the most surprising?

JC: The fact that I was friendly with Coach was bizarre to me, doing Coach-Chi with him on the side of the beach. I was actually friendly with Brandon, who seems a little bit goofy on the show. We had a lot of heart to hearts. We were really close. Survivor's weird because it brings people together who ordinarily would never associate with each other in the real world. I'm curious to see how these friendships will exist outside of the game. The big first test will be next week's finale.

NT: What wedding present will you buy Jeff Probst?

JC: I'm thrilled you mention it because I hadn't thought of that, but I am going to now that you said that. [After a few minutes of deliberation]

Maybe I'll get him a sweater vest or something.

NT: A blue one?

JC: [Laughs] Yes, that's a good one. A blue sweater vest.

NT: What's the weirdest fan interaction you've had so far?

JC: Generally, my fan interactions haven't been that weird. I guess the most unusual, or what I found bizarre ... Usually the people who approach me are older. Survivor demographically skews to an older audience. But a few weeks ago this 14-year-old girl or 13-year-old girl came up to me and acted like she had just seen, it was like one of those Michael Jackson fans who like fainted at the sight of him. ... She was out of breath and putting her hands over her mouth as if she was shocked to see me. It was really cute. On the 23rd season of a reality show, it's bizarre I'm inspiring that sort of emotion. But it was fun. I love meeting the fans because I'm a fan.