Bobby Jon and Stephenie: They Need Each Other

As the two tribes merge into one this week on Survivor, it reunites the two people who have previously played the game, Bobby Jon and Stephenie. However, right now each of them comes into the merge with their own power base and alliances, and they seem likely to face off against one another.

This would be a mistake.

As soon as possible, Bobby Jon and Stephenie should make time to talk and reassess their alliances. Specifically, the two of them should agree to a Final 2 alliance – and stick to it.

Why should these two former players abandon or rework their existing alliances? Specifically because they are former players. If either of them make it to the Final 2 with somebody else, they will go in with a decided disadvantage. The other finalist can (and should, if it happens) point out that Stephenie/Bobby Jon already had a chance. They needed two attempts to get to the finals, and it’s really not fair. However, the other player can also say they needed only one attempt, and it’s the only chance they are going to get. Don’t reward Bobby Jon/Stephenie for needing to play the game twice to get it right.

If I were a juror, I know I’d take that into consideration. Yes, my main focus would be on strategy, but I would also have to take into account that Bobby Jon/Stephenie needed two seasons to put together such a strategy.

The only way to negate such statements it for Bobby Jon and Stephenie to make sure their Final 2 opponent cannot make them – by each planning to bring the other.

I’m not saying it will be easy. It would take a major overhaul of the existing alliances and some secret backup plans. But it is doable. Both Bobby Jon and Stephenie should plant the idea in their allies’ heads that they want to keep the former players around because they would be easier to beat in the end – use their disadvantage to their advantage. I’m not saying to make a big deal of it, just mention in casual conversation how they can never win because they played before, yadda yadda yadda.

Do I actually think Bobby Jon and Stephenie will do what I’ve described here? Nope. Not a chance. Neither of them has proven themselves to be a particularly deft strategic player who understands the nuances of the game. And I suspect many of their opponents this season – including each other – will now begin to look at them as threats rather than people they should be trying to take to the end, thus making them early targets and limiting their ability to move closer to the finals. Furthermore, Bobby Jon and Stephenie will likely find themselves fighting against one another rather than making secret plans to stick together.

Certainly, trying to align with each other is a move that requires some definite thinking ahead. They have to realize that getting past the next two or three votes is not enough – if they want to win, they need to think all the way to the end of the game. If they do so, they will recognize that the best they can do without each other is second place, and I doubt they came back to try for second best.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other Survivor: Guatemala Episode 7 articles:

David Bloomberg is the Editor of RealityNewsOnline and can be reached at RNO@pobox.com.

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