Vytas is a bona fide social genius. Thrust into one of the
more hopeless tribal swap situations in Survivor history, he somehow managed to
convince his tribemates to vote out a solid-footed comrade instead of the
obvious choice – him. He had to get a gaggle of girls to like and trust him. He
had to pacify fears of him joining his brother for a late-game power alliance.
He had to dislocate what should have been a peaceful – if temporary – alliance,
and he had one day to do it all. Somehow, Vytas pulled survival out of this
desperate situation. If and when he wins the game, he’ll look back on those 24
hours as his finest moment.
As Vytas noted, his younger brother is more accomplished and
dependable. Stronger. Better-looking. But it is Vytas who has burrowed his way
through five hundred yards of ugliness Andy Dufresne-style to freedom, while
Aras could be gone next episode and has no hope of winning a final vote over
his brother. Along the way Vytas has forged relationships with every remaining
player in the game without ostracizing or alienating anyone. Not only would he
surely oust his brother at final tribal, but it’s hard to imagine any castaway
overcoming him at that point.
The second-shrewdest player in the game is Tyson, who might
be more similar to Vytas than his brother. Tyson is playing just like Vytas,
only with a tad less humility and a pinch more abrasiveness. A monumental
Tyson/Vytas power battle could be on the horizon.
Always cunning, never vulnerable, Tyson has deemed Gervase
to be his #1 henchman. It’s a wise move – unobjectionable Gervase figures to
swim deep into the nether regions of this season. Gervase claims to be playing
a craftier game than his first go-round, but it’s hard to imagine him upending
the power players.
Tina is playing an elegant brand of second-coming Survivor.
Her game is pleasant, subdued and innocuous. Even the arrival of her daughter
was gracefully managed to bring as little attention as possible. While
Tina/Katie could easily have been identified as a must-be-destroyed power
couple, they got through their reunitement without attracting a smidge of
suspicion. This figures to be a duo headed deep into the merge.
Monica, Hayden, and Caleb are the lone wolves. Strong
players alike, their challenge isn’t to further accentuate their resumes, but
to ingratiate themselves into the future-merged tribe. As the suddenly-eloquent
Brad Culpepper noted, sometimes a loved one is more of an anchor than a shield.
Each will have to convince the jury they’re more than muted versions of their
lovers.
Laura B. is an unexciting piece of driftwood with an upside
of one vote at the final tribal council. Ciera could maybe get two.
The one wild card lurking is John, a likable (if gullible)
and brawny player with an outside shot at a run upon return from Redemption.
It’s high time for the return of an RI player; John has the tools to maneuver
his way into the final three and catch a few votes if he gets there.
Power Rankings:
1.
Svelte
Only the strong remain. Vytas and Tyson are two serious
players, and we found out this episode what happens if you mess with Monica.
2.
Mind Under Matter
Who wants to date someone who can’t even make the merge?
Even if Hayden cuts ties with Kat, the Tina/Katie duo could make a deep run
together.
3.
51st State
This team has three power players; trouble is, one’s on RI,
one’s a loose cannon without a shield/anchor, and one was earmarked for doom in
the “next time on…” tester.
4.
AhhhhhFUCKthat
It’s easy to poke fun at this team – their best player is on
RI, Laura B is involved, Bag is involved, and they have no studs. But they do
have the most points and the most remaining Survivors. F That isn’t drawing
dead.
