Survivor: Edge of Extinction has suddenly been whittled to just eight remaining castaways after the elimination of its last two returning players. Though at least one player on the Edge will return to the fray, we're undoubtedly entering the homestretch of a wobbly season. We've got a capricious group of greenhorns vying for the title. Let's break 'em down.
Player Power Rankings:
8. Aurora has no friends and no respect. She's an instantly-forgettable player who will never re-enter our conscious after her elimination. But in this wonky season she's scored a crapload of points. Aurora has scored 29, eight more than second-place Julie, sixteen more than third-place Gavin. It doesn't feel right, but she's grinding out the challenges.
7. Wardog is playing a Trumpian game. He’s incompetent, but
pushes forward with relentless aggression. It hasn’t yet been worth it for
anyone to stand up to him, so he's been getting his way. But he isolates himself with erratic, paranoid decisionmaking, haphazardly ejecting his closest allies. He destroys most of what he touches and won't be able to win a final vote without cheating.
6. Lauren was an energetic player her first week or so in Fiji, but her vitality has waned. The lost challenges, endless tribals and lack of food drained Lauren's lifeforce, and Wentworth's ouster leaves her friendless. She has nothing to pin her hopes on, and could actually slip below zero points for the season if she misplays her idol.
5. Gavin hasn't made much of an impression, but neither had last season's champ Nick up to this point. Gavin resembles Nick in many ways, but his game isn't as whimsical or as inspired. Gavin appeared to be a ringleader early, or at least to dwell within the ring of leadership. Recently he's been an afterthought. He'd be wise to reunite with Victoria and soak up passengers like Aurora and Lauren to retake control of the game.
4. Ron has some annoying attributes, but he plays alright. An assessment of his game doesn't reveal anything particularly distinguishing, but there's enough acumen/fortitude/sociability here to defeat a relatively weak cast of opponents.
3. Rick has done it all. He's forged alliances and broken them. He's lost a dozen challenges and won individual immunity. He's tipped tribal council, been voted out, lived on the Edge of Extinction and rejoined the game. He's played astutely, lost his bearings and rediscovered them. With all the larger alliances and voting blocks disassembled, Rick has the social skills to maneuver his way to Final Tribal.
2. Julie has lost her wits on occasion, but generally plays with balance and rationale. She's got something cooking with Ron, an alliance that could potentially go the distance.
1. Victoria was the Mob Boss early on, but has been bumped over to riding shotgun. She's accepted her demotion with humility, but you know she's keeping a list of adversaries she'll eventually take revenge on, Arya-style. Having endured a winter of loneliness without perishing, Victoria may now be ready to regain her seat at the head of the table.
Standings:
Eric - "Eric" - 121.5 pts
Gavin - 13
Julie - 21
Aurora - 29
It was a catastrophic hour for Big Eric, who lost two strong returning players in dubious fashion. Perhaps the lead story of the season so far is returning players misplaying idols. First Aubry got bamboozled with an idol in her pocket, then David used his one vote before he actually needed it, then Wentworth pulled an Aubry. It was an embarrassing exit for the veteran, who had played arguably her strongest game before exiting ignominiously. Barring an upset return from the Edge, this should be the last we ever see of Wentworth.
Doug & Bri - "Well, That Sucked" - 110.5 pts
Rick - 12.5
Ron - 12
Aurora - 29
Terrific episode for B&D, as they won both immunity challenges and watched their greatest rivals lose a key player to the Edge. Their team would morph into the pool's strongest if Chris was able to return from the Edge. If not, they need Rick + Ron to outscore Gavin + Julie by ten points to beat Eric.
Baggins - "Using My Rage Over Last Season to Draft Like a [redacted]" - 102 pts
Lauren - 3
Ron - 12
Julie - 21
Ron and Julie appear to be the strongest alliance left in the game. They also seem to have an element of control over the stretch, as their middling position gives them access to the fates of the remaining castaways. Should this duo remain allied and navigate their way to Final Tribal, they could spearhead the storybook victory Baggins (given just a 9% chance of victory one week ago) deserves.
Ben & Michal - "The Hammer" - 93 pts
Lauren - 3
Victoria - 7
Wardog - 5
Prospects have dimmed to a flicker for the Greenbergs. Their three players who haven't been ousted have combined to score an anemic 15 points. Wardog won't be winning while Lauren and Victoria don't have much current footing or challenge potential.
Moon & Melissa - "Nerdy White Dudes" - 69 pts
Rick - 12.5
Gavin - 13
Victoria - 7
Wardog - 5
With the most remaining players and the most remaining competent players, the MoonBee has hope for another epic comeback. The deficit is a concerning 52 pts, but keep in mind each player voted out will immediately receive an escalating jury bonus starting at 18 pts.
2 comments:
1. Rheem and Ron have done an excellent job of keeping their marriage a secret. Having her on the jury will definitely help Ron if he makes it to the end but I think that's unlikely.
2. Wardog is crazy enough that he could win and his terribleness at challenges makes him less threatening.
3. Victoria and Julie as number 1 and 2 in the power rankings? Maybe Victoria should be near the top but Julie? How does Rheem feel about her cooking with Ron?
4. Lauren has been worthless in this game. I expect a little more energy out of a young athlete.
5. Gavin is likable but I think he'd be a bad Agricola player and that hurts his chances on the island.
6. I have no idea who is going to win but Gavin could make a strong push and I'd give one of the almost extincted players (NOT RHEEM) a 15% chance.
7. Team Eric has a 32% chance of winning this.
Correction - when I said Gavin I meant Rick. I think. The news guy.
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