RNO Roundtable - 'Survivor: The Amazon' Predictions, Part 1: The Women

Deena Bennett
Age: 35
From: Riverside, CA
Occupation: D.A.
Marital Status: Married
Luxury Item: Water Balloons
Works as a Deputy District Attorney assigned to the Sexual Assault Child Abuse Unit. Wants to become a Superior Court Judge. Enjoys adventure racing (think Eco-Challenge) and participates in several triathlons every year. Has traveled to Brazil (because she 'wanted to see the rainforest') and to Australia. Ifs she wins, she's going to buy new flooring for her house. Enjoys playing softball, basketball, and soccer. Doesn't drink alcohol.

David: She's a lawyer in an area where she really wants to win and put the scum away. She wants to be a judge. Both of these point towards a person who will argue to get her way - which is not really a good thing on Survivor. Add to this that she enjoys adventure racing and she might well think she knows more than the other women - and thus try to sway them to her side. On the flip side, she says her favorite shows are Survivor and other reality shows, so one would hope she has learned something about the proper way to act - and not to act. Still, you can watch and say, "I would never do that," and then end up out there doing exactly that. I predict she will be out before the merge.

Jeffrey: Deena has the physical ability to do well in Survivor, and trial lawyers (at least the good ones) need to be able to read a jury. She'll make the merge, and I think she'll make the final four.

Brian: Water Balloons? Oh great. We have another Yaney on our hands here. A district attorney, though, which means she has to be a persuasive speaker to juries in the court room and to juries on Survivor. Has a great athletic background but is it going to be enough to carry her through to the finals? She has the makings of another Alicia Calaway with her physical attributes and could scare off the men and the women. I love her dedication to her job but I am concerned that it might flare up and come out at the wrong moment and ruin her chances.

Jamie: Wow. Super athlete and extreme traveler, ambitious lawyer all of which probably bespeaks a certain amount of aggression. Barring any grating personality traits, I see her lasting until the merge as she looks to be a huge asset challenge-wise. Clearly intelligent if she has the people skills to form the right alliance to protect her post-merge when she is a challenge threat she could take this.

Ken: In her promos, she described herself as a "Child Abuser's" worst nightmare, or somesuch. Obviously has strong feelings of social justice and morality, as she does not drink. Unfortunately, her convictions may come across as more self-righteous if she's not careful. Also, if her tribe loses right before the merge, I can see her being ousted due to strength, a la Joel in Paula Tiga or Robb in Thailand. The D.A. will just barely miss a stint doing jury duty.

Phil: Something about Deena is rubbing me the wrong way. I think it is that she is pretty dull. The looks of her profile make her sound pretty interesting, but I think she is pretty boring. Although, there are some Gretchen-like qualities she seems to possess. Why she is taking water balloons with her as her luxury item is still a mystery to me. It's not like they have a hose or faucet or something to fill them up. The most I can think that you can do with them is inflate them a very little and use them as pillows. Would that even work? She is in the age range of previous Survivor winners, and she seems to be in good shape. I think she will make the final six.

Charlie: Water balloons? What a maroon. Seriously, the Amazon is a rain forest. Just what everyone is going to want to do: have a water balloon fight when staying dry is tough enough as is. I'm just kidding. I actually can't see anyone but Deena winning the game. I think that the women's tribe will be at a better advantage when it comes to multi-tasking and forming alliances. Deena, if she is willing to scheme and plot, should be able to have an alliance early in the game. She's physically fit and used to the outdoors, so she will be one of the most valuable tribemates to have around. The only thing that can stop her is if she gets sick really early in the game. Otherwise, Deena is here to stay.

Melinda: Deena is the kind of woman I admire right off the bat. Who wouldn't admire a criminal prosecutor who goes after child molesters with the power of the law behind her and a big grin on her face? She's obviously a star athlete, great mom, and successful at her job. Her abilities and character could be a huge asset to her tribe - Deena just needs to use her good courtroom listening and communicating skills to build bonds with the other women. Otherwise, she could end up like Hunter in Survivor: Marquesas and be quickly ejected because she's too powerful.

Heidi Strobel
Age: 24
From: Buffalo, MO
Occupation: P.E./Health Teacher
Marital Status: Single
Luxury Item: Jump Rope
Heidi enjoys running, writing poetry, and keeping up on dance music. Wants to be on Survivor because of the challenge of mind and body it presents. Describes herself as "conscientious, enthusiastic and determined." Enjoying running, hiking, and swimming. Wants to win Survivor so that she can pay back her student loans.

David: Well, she's athletic, which will certainly help. And she's a teacher so she's used to dealing with children (and, let's face it, some Survivor contestants act like children). The question is if her statement about wanting to be on the show because of the challenge will affect her ability to plot and scheme - will she be a female Gabe? Might make the jury, but I doubt it.

Jeffrey: A jump rope is a very useful luxury item, and I'm quite surprised they let it into the game. She's got the physical tools to survive in the game, and I expect to see her until mid-game at least.

Brian: I like the jump rope for her personal item. It's useful. It's multifunctional. It can keep her in shape and help tie up part of their shelter at the same time. Well not at the same time, but you know what I'm saying. She's definitely fit and knows how to harness her energy when she gets run down, to better compete in challenges later in the contest when the body is at its weakest stages. I dunno. There's just something about her that I like and I can't put my finger on it.