WHAT A TRIBAL COUNCIL! I had the great pleasure to be at Survivor Know It Alls at Caroline's on Broadway for this momentous episode. And boy what a reaction! I think we all know that the twist is going to be debated for years to come but it made fabulous television! So how did it alter my power rankings? Shockingly, not much! Since we are getting much on the greenies, they are staying pretty close to their placement. This twist just illuminated some players on why they are where they are. So let's get started!
#1) Brad (1)
Who is this person and what did you do with Brad Culpepper? This man is playing a baller game. In a tribal that should have been all about numbers, he was able to maintain his tribe's numbers while making JT look like a fool. Did this expose him as a massive target? Surely. But he clearly knows how to make moves that are going to work. Now can you blame JT for Brad's success? Yes. But more on that later.
#2) Ozzy (2)
There is absolutely no reason to move Ozzy. He didn't get much time to show any faults, flaws, or success. He is leading his tribe to victory and that's all that matters right now.
#3) Sierra (4)
Like Brad, who is this person?! We won't know the full truths of this tribal until we get a perspective from each post game but Sierra played it well. And she gained bonus points for playing it cool. Is JT a big reason why she didn't go home? Yes. But more on that later.
#4) Sandra (5)
Listen, Sandra is the biggest target at this tribal. And yet again, not only is she safe, she received zero votes. How? Well, she's good. Is she going to win? Hell no. But she has gotten farther than anyone expected. JT may be another reason why she's safe. By getting in Brad's ear, he caused the vote to move away from her. So she should thank him. And thank him by voting him out.
#5) Troyzan (6)
Troyzan didn't have the strongest showing. Coffee is for closers. But he has the idol. Let's just remember that!
#6) Sarah (7)
Again, no need for her to move. But we did see her featured in the next time on preview. We see her get a big moment there. That's either a sign of death or she's about to gain control. I'm going with the latter.
#7) Andrea (9)
Let's all remember that Andrea is pretty damn decent at challenges. She reminded everyone of this. It's a good thing and a bad thing. But it's exposing her as a threat should another swap loom closer.
#8) Zeke (10)
Another one who by episode appearance has nothing to worry about. That is if they lose with a Troyzan idol still in play. An easy target for an idol out.
#9) Michaela (11)
Michaela didn't get a real chance to play in Millennials vs Gen X simply because she was safe more than she wasn't. Girl is getting to PLAY! She has seen nearly every tribal and she has been active in each. Michaela needs to calm down though. It's not a good look right now.
#10) Jeff (12)
Here's the thing with Jeff. He could easily move down much lower. His tribe is significantly weaker now that Malcolm is gone. But JT is officially enemy number one so he should be safe for at least one more Tribal.
#11) Cirie (13)
The last of the greenies, Cirie is just the biggest target who is in the least control. She needs to hope they keep on winning.
#12) Debbie (8)
Debbie has the biggest shake up because of the preview. What the hell is that outburst for? I fear that Debbie is about to blow up her game big time. And for what?
#13) Aubry (14)
Target! Malcolm going is bad for her. And this apparent feud with Sandra does not bode well for her. She needs to hope a miracle saves the tribe.
#14) Hali (17)
Everyone is playing by Tribal lines and that's not good for Hali moving forward. What is good for her is ability to play hard. She may not be smart but she is a gamer for sure!
#15) Tai (15)
I went back and forth on putting Tai on the bottom. Let's face it, that tribal would not have been what it was had Tai not played the idol. Now here's my stance. He had absolutely no reason to share that he had the idol. He needed that further down the road. It would have been risky to lose a number but he was not the target and now has exposed himself as an idol seeker, again. I fear that Tai's days are numbered.
#16) JT (16)
JT is only successful when he has a genius on his side. Yes, I'm calling Stephen Fishbach a genius. And I believe that even more after meeting him last week. JT should have kept his butt in his seat, voted with his tribe, and proved his loyalty. All that is gone now. JT is done on Survivor. Don't expect a redemption story for him anytime soon unless he gets Stephen as a partner.
It's time for the Game Changers to take over Fiji! Survivor is about to celebrate 500 episodes with the premiere of Survivor Game Changers. This season has the potential to be epic...or a complete let down. Here are my predictions!
#1) Sarah Lacina
Queen Sarah, this is your game to lose! Sarah made one fatal flaw in Cagayan. She got cocky. Knowing your position as the swing vote can get to your head. And it did. But I think she's learned from that. She's insanely underrated in this lot of 20 and that's bad for everyone else. She's smart, perceptive, and a great competitor. We want to see her interact with Tony but the best thing for her game is to not have to deal with Tony. Ever.
#2) Troyzan Robertson
If there's anyone who wants to be there more than anyone it's Troyzan Robertson. After being shafted so many times, it's finally his time to claim his island! People are going to think he's going to be fiery and play like he did in One World. He won't. He wants this bad.
#3) Sierra Dawn-Thomas
She's a fan favorite! She has been ripped apart by the fab community but let's not forget, she came in fifth in WorldsApart! She is an extremely strong competitor. She's likeable. She has zero target on her back. Being forgotten in an all-star season usually means a deep run in the game. And when she turns on the jets, it's too late, she's a threat. Why she won't win? She won't be able to defend herself in the Final Tribal Council.
#4) Ozzy Lusth
Four times will not be the charm. When Ozzy gets deep, he can't complete. This will be the case once again. Ozzy is a natural threat. He's needed in pre merge and he'll do his own thing in the merge. But with no Redemption Island to fall back on, he's screwed.
#5) Michaela Bradshaw
The sound clip queen, Michaela is a wild card. She's an unknown but the moment she shows her strengths, she'll be a big ally. Michaela will need to keep her cool and be a loyal soldier. Her game will be dependent on her relationships. If someone burns her, expect her to get some PTSD and play too hard. But she'll go deep. No doubt about it.
#6) Hali Ford
For me, Hali is the biggest head scratcher. Sometimes we get stars out of these huh returners. Parvati won. Wentworth shocked. But then you have Amber who won by default thanks to the disdain of her then future husband. Hali won't win but she'll be closer to an Amber and not a Parvati. She likely knows little about these players. In this version of the game, that's a bad thing. She'll be carried as a vote and perhaps a goat.
#7) Malcolm Freberg
I will always and forever love Malcolm. He is a top ten character for sure. He's coming in for a third time, this time where others will have seen him play. His ego seemed to inflate to a truly bad level. Malcolm needs to be sure that his relationships are strong and that he doesn't take complete control. His smile will get him far. His challenge prowess needs to take him farther. That will be his Achilles heel.
#8) Brad Culpepper
Brad Culpepper is known for his lack of math skills. He's known for being cursed out by Marissa Peterson with the infamous "Fuck you Brad Culpepper." Brad was held back because he was playing for Monica in Blood vs Water. Monica isn't here this time so he'll play his own game. And that can be dangerous. He's known as a villain and he'll remain a villain. He'll be an immunity threat but he'll get booted the second he loses because he is the epitome of a goat.
#9) Sandra Diaz-Twine
Sandra is my favorite player. I predicted her win twice. I love her on my tv. But I can't let her reputation be tarnished. And it's about to. There is absolutely no way in the world that Sandra wins. Cross your fingers she can make the merge so we get our complete supply of Sandra. RIP 2-0.
#10) Cirie Fields
She is dangerous. She knows how to play. Cirie will play you and you'll not realize it until your torch is snuffed. Cirie, if she lets the other targets get the bullets first, can go far. But her placement will be completely dependent on who's left in the merge. If she doesn't have a big target left in front if her, she's a goner. You'd be dumb to bring her to the Final Tribal Council and that's why no one will. Fourth time is not the charm for her either.
#11) Jeff Varner
Jeff Varner, all I want for you is to get to the merge. We all want it. And I'm rooting for you. But that may be insanely hard to achieve. If being a weaker player is means for a vote out, Jeff is in trouble. He needs to hope his social game is better than ever. You don't vote out people you like. If he can instill this, he will make the merge. It all depends on who is leading his tribe.
#12) Zeke Smith
Another wild card, Zeke is diabolical. He is a mastermind and that is scary in a season like this. His social game tends to be strong. He has a bond with Andrea that no one will likely know. Zeke just needs to play it cool and find other targets bigger than him. With the unknowns usually going far in back to back returner seasons (Rupert, Russell, Malcolm), Zeke may get cut simply for that fear. Let's hope not.
#13) JT Thomas
JT is the least terrifying of the previous winners. That being said, we have no idea what version of JT we're getting. Tocantins JT is dangerous. Heroes vs Villains JT is anything but. He needs to go back to basics, be a loveable hillbilly and hind his number two. What he will have to overcome is his winning resume. I expect JT to be the premerge boot of his challenge game is strong. If he is second coming of third time Colby Donaldson, take him far because he'll be useless.
#14) Caleb Reynolds
He changed the gage simply by almost dying. We have not seen Caleb truly play. He played the social card with the pretty people. But now he has some smart people alongside him. That will be bad. Caleb is a loyal number so don't expect him to flip ever. If he falls on the wrong side of the numbers, he is toast. Again.
#15) Andrea Boehlke
Andrea played strong in Caramoan. It didn't turn out too well for her. If she gets Boy hungry, she is doomed. If she plays smart, she will go far. But there are a lot of handsome fellas out there! The two players to watch her with are Malcolm and Zeke. These previous relationships are key to the success of her game. Zeke will bring her far. Malcolm will be her downfall. Oh and Debbie. Why she's targeting her? Likely jealousy.
#16) Aubry Bracco
By far, the biggest threat among the non winners. Aubry is at the center of a debate of who really should have won Koah Rong. With the fans believing she should have won, the other players have that on their mind. We know she's strategic. She can compete in the challenges. She has a good social game. She should win. And for that, everyone won't let her. Plus the Koah Rong four will not be to her advantage. Oh and Debbie is out for blood.
#17) Tai Trang
Tai is a rare bird. He has so many pros and so many negatives. You know why he got to the end and you know why he lost. It's clear. In a returning player season, Tai is doomed because this game is more cutthroat. That is not Tai's game. The second a chicken gets fried, Tai will lose it. Morals will play a great factor in his outcome. Tai will not go far.
#18) Tony Vlachos
Team TV is strong. Everyone wants to watch to work his magic in his bag of tricks. But just look at his target. It's massive! Tony will go and he will go early. These people want to brag that they knocked him out. It's a point of pride and line in the resume. If you want Tony to stick around, cross your fingers that an idol or twelve falls into his lap.
#19) Debbie Wanner
Call Debbie the Abi of Fiji. Debbie has no idea what to do in this situation. She wants revenge. She wants no threats out. Her agenda is so messed up that a win is out if her reach. In a game where emotions destroy strategy, the strategists will want her out simply because she's unpredictable. The only way she will make the merge is if her tribe wins immunity every single time.
#20) Ciera Eastin
I am so low on Ciera. Jeff Probst loves her to the point of annoyance. Did you know she voted out her mom? For a season that Jeff built around her, clearly, these players will want her to go so the love fest doesn't last. Ciera is coming back too soon. Expect this to be her final time on Survivor.
