Survivor: China, Ranking the Survivors – The Top 15

1. Todd: Todd started off the season showing strategic understanding. He knew that it was important for the tribe to have a leader, but that it should not be himself and nominated Aaron instead. He took the co-pilot seat for a team that is poised to do well. Todd handled Jean-Robert’s odd conversation well, and now has some dirt on him. What Jean-Robert intended to use for intimidation Todd can use in his favor.

2. Amanda: Amanda is in an awesome position. We haven’t seen much of her, but I think she could be a threat to win this season. She seems smart and reasonably athletic, and has no claims to leadership that will put a target on her back. If she links up closely with Aaron and Todd (which I expect she will), she’ll earn a spot in the finals. As long as she can show she’s playing the game more than Becky and Danielle did, she could win.

3. Aaron: Aaron was forced into a leadership position, which actually may take him far. He’s unlikely to leave until after a merge, and even then, there are many more threats to worry about. If he can form a core alliance, he should make it very far.

4. Erik: Erik may just be in a position to make it far. We haven’t seen much of him, but he’s likely to be one of the last survivors of his tribe (if things continue as they are). Erik may be playing an under-the-radar game, if he’s playing the game at all. Time will tell.

5. James: Woah! What an intimidating yet lovable guy. James will definitely not leave until individual challenges start. He will be part of the core alliance for his brawn until he’s seen as a threat. I don’t picture him as being flexible enough to change things up when he needs to.

6. Frosti: Frosti will stick around until the individual immunities start and he loses his first one. I don’t think he’ll have the allies to protect him at that point, and I’m not sure he is too aware of the importance of strategy.

7. Denise: I’m giving Denise a large benefit of the doubt in positioning her this high. She seems nice, and could prove a loyal ally. Unless she bombs in the challenges, she may make it far.

8. Jaime: I don’t have a good read on Jaime yet. I think perhaps the producers are hoping for a showmance between her and Erik. If she wasn’t already cast for being eye-candy, her decision to not wear a bra with the dress she had propelled her to the forefront for this. Jaime stays squarely in the middle until something of depth about her surfaces.

9. Sherea: Sherea should thank the producers they let the players keep their shoes. Now, I believe the producers probably dressed them up for some sort of “publicity” shot with the clothes they brought and then revealed they were headed off just as they were, because nobody’s dumb enough to wear heels to Survivor. Sherea (and the rest of the players) should’ve known to always wear what you want to be stranded in. Although she’s not suited for the elements, Sherea seems like someone who can flow with the crowd, which will be OK until she drags down her team in challenges. Unlike Cirie or Cassandra, I don’t see Sherea making it deep into the game.

10. Leslie: Unlike others, I believe Leslie did the right thing at the temple. Right for life in general, but not right for the game. It’s the classic question of integrity in Survivor, specifically for Christians. Whatever Jeff said or was told to say, it certainly looked like a form of worship to me. Unlike Courtney, who was disrespectful, Leslie apologized for leaving, and wanted everyone to know she didn’t mean to be disrespectful. A lot of people may not get her distinction between religion and relationship, but I certainly do. As for how this impacts her game, it’s yet to be seen. I commend her attempt at friendship with James, but think she’d better be less vocal about her beliefs if she hopes to even make it to the jury.

11. Jean-Robert: Having James and Aaron on the tribe will make the others feel secure in booting Jean-Robert before the merge. He poses too much of a strategic threat, and is not likely to naturally get along well with his tribe. His background in poker seems corollary, but I’m not sure if he understands the social side to the game.

12. Dave: Dave’s lucky to have Peih-Gee and Ashley on his tribe. If he can truly ingratiate himself with the younger generation and learn to vote alongside them, he may last a while longer. In Survivor, leadership has to do much more with strengthening alliances than coordinating worker bees. Dave should have never raised his hand at Tribal Council.

13. Ashley: It’s too bad Ashley’s out of the loop with the others she bonded with so soon after arriving at camp. Her decision to throw a random vote to Peih-Gee shows she has no alliances built yet. Ashley’s sickness didn’t help things, as she could still be perceived as weak no matter how well she does in upcoming challenges.

14. Courtney: What’s to say about Courtney that hasn’t already been said? She lives in a world where the jaded and pessimistic are her friends. I don’t expect her to hide her disdain for the others, and they’ll reciprocate with an easy boot at the first opportunity. In fact, I believe her ouster will be unanimous.

15. Peih-Gee: Pei-Gee is not long for this game. She’s an outsider with a bossy attitude that will not be able to undo the damage caused in the first few days.

Asher Streets is a food engineer and musician who lives in Madison, WI. He has a love for all things Italian, most especially gelato, wine, espresso, and cheese. Asher appreciates your opinions too and can be reached via email: asher.streets@gmail.com.

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