Why Neleh Has Lasted So Long; or What David, Peggy, Jeffrey and Charlie Failed to See

As we all know, the RNO Roundtable before Survivor: Marquesas began didn't predict Neleh's success. In fact, three out of the four predicted that she would be so unable to get along with the other tribemates that she would be booted before the jury was selected. Why ? Many of us find it amusing, especially those of us who have believed in her from the very beginning. It seems that we all saw something that the roundtable didn't. Why is it that they didn't see what we saw? Let's take a look at a few of the predictions made.

"She'll always be around, but never really part of a group."

"I worry about this one. Members of LDS can be preachy, and she's carrying scriptures. She won't be the first out, but I'm betting she'll get on the nerves of others to the point where her name is written down."

"Many non-Mormons don't really like Mormons, and I wouldn't be surprised if she was voted out just because of her religion."

We can't be too surprised that their predictions were wrong. They had relatively little information to go by. The thing that can be surprising to us is all of the information that was available that the roundtable failed to base their predictions on. Using just the information given to us before the season started, let's take a look at what some of us saw in Neleh that the roundtable seems to have missed.

Neleh worked with mentally challenged young adults, Alzheimer's patients, and in an adult psychiatric ward. What we saw: Neleh is probably a kind, tolerant, caring person who knows how to work with a variety of people (even troubled people). She should be able to handle working and living with any mix of people thrown in her tribe.

Neleh has taught dance, sang in choir, enjoyed theatre, volunteered for the Special Olympics, and has worked as a lifeguard and makeup artist. What we saw: Neleh enjoys trying different activities and is willing to put herself out there. This will be very valuable to her and her tribe members with reward challenges. Also, she definitely isn't of the lazy variety, another advantage to her and her tribe.

Neleh enjoys waterskiing, dancing, camping, boating, snowboarding, and working out. Makes you wonder where Peggy came up with: "Anyway Neleh does not seem athletic in the least."

What we saw: Neleh is athletic, challenges herself physically, and once again, definitely doesn't seem lazy. All of these qualities can take her far in Survivor.

Neleh enjoys exploring new places, picnicking, four wheeling, and is a member of the Mountaineering Club.

What we saw: Neleh is at home in the outdoors and won't be surprised at the harsh conditions in which they will be required to live.

Some were surprised that Neleh's tribe members loved her, that she and Paschal bonded, that she has been strong in all the challenges, that she was nicknamed "Sweetpea," that she was able to fit in marvelously with not only her first tribe, but with a brand new tribe, and that rather than being "preachy" she just seemed happy and kind. Funny thing is, some of us weren't even surprised that Neleh offered her tribemates a mint out of her mouth. Maybe it seemed insulting and a little disgusting to some people (even me to a certain extent) but to Neleh maybe it just seemed like offering someone the shirt off her back. (As a side note, I knew some girls in high school that reminded me of Neleh, and they used to swap already-chewed gum. Interesting.)

Sure, Neleh's image has been tainted somewhat in the last few episodes , but most complaining about her has come from one person – Sean.

At this point it is fun to note that if anyone came across as what some might describe as being "preachy," it was Sean and Vecepia. Also, if we take the statement, "she won't be the first out, but I'm betting she'll get on the nerves of others to the point where her name is written down," and replace "she" with "he" it could accurately state why Kathy chose to vote for Sean, Neleh's greatest adversary, instead of Neleh. It was actually someone else's annoying personality that saved Neleh.

In response to Charlie's recent predictions regarding the final two, I have to disagree. I am going to go out on a limb right now and say that Neleh will be in the final two and that it will definitely be based on her own merits. We all know that people who fly under the radar aren't usually the people we want to win because they haven't been nearly as fun to watch, but when we closely examine what it takes to fly under that radar, we have to admit that it takes some skill. You can't mess up the immunity challenges for your team. Neleh actually won the fish-eating challenge for her tribe and not once did she hold her tribe back in a challenge. She wasn't Kim Johnson, tripping and falling during every challenge. You have to get along with the people in your tribe, but hold back enough that you aren't seen as too much as a threat. You can't scheme too much, but you have to scheme enough to keep yourself in the game. Sure, we love to see people like Hunter and Gina – who possess incredible athletic abilities and wilderness know-how – do well, but we still have to appreciate the fact they somehow they didn't make it as far as the people left. Flying under the radar might seem like the easy way to the top, but it does take some intelligence and awareness to not be seen as a threat and still actually remain one.

Charlie also predicted that if Neleh was up against Paschal or Kathy in the final two, she would lose. Okay, maybe Charlie doesn't like Neleh (I am making that assumption based on his Grinch “extra” comment) but the facts are that some people on the jury do. For starters, John would vote for Neleh rather than any of the other three who are left? Why do I say that? Well, John has stated in interviews that the four people he is closest to are the General, Tammy, Gabe, and Neleh. Notice, Neleh is the only one left out of his four favorite people. His vote would definitely go that direction. He has even visited her in Utah, where he said her family welcomed him very warmly. John was always the head of the Rotu Four and if any of that feeling is still left on the jury, there is a chance that the other three might vote for Neleh as well. Tammy and John both stated in interviews that Neleh is a really a very nice girl, but she is a schemer as well. That certainly doesn't mean they will vote for her, but it also shows that they don't think she is some nobody that just held onto Pappy the whole time. I think their votes could go either way.

Pretty much anything can happen Sunday night, and if a sweet little Mormon girl (a minority, to make an allusion to David's article) takes it all, there will be a lot of people who are shocked, just like they were that she lasted this long. But the rest of us…

Be sure to sign up for our e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on the site and be registered for giveaways and special offers! You can find all of our articles about this show at the Survivor: Marquesas Page, and take a look at our sections on Reality TV Interviews and Combat Missions. You can even buy reality show stuff at our Reality TV Store!

For even more news about reality TV, be sure to check out RealityTVFans.com, SirLinksALot and the Manly Man!