RNO Roundtable – ‘Survivor: Cook Islands’ Predictions

Jeffrey S.: Candice is athletic, intelligent, and has had wide range of self-directed experience for a younger player, which will make her very flexible. This fits the smart, good-looking, and thus dangerous profile that either takes you a long way (in the case of Danni, all the way) or knocks you out early (as in Misty). I’m betting she’ll end up more like Danni against a crew that at first glance is fairly underwhelming. Final four material here.

Jenn: Candice will probably be underestimated like Becky, but I have a feeling she’s smarter than anyone will expect. However, while she has the brains for the game, she doesn’t seem as athletic as the other Survivors. That will probably hurt her. I don’t think she’ll make it as far as the jury.

Jeffrey C.: While I don't usually like youth, I think a combination of her experience in more primitive environments and the composition of her tribe will help her progress well into the game. Indeed, she might not be a target at that stage, and may sneak her way into the final four. I don't predict she'll win, but she might give everybody a good run for the money.

David: Candice has brains and experience in fairly primitive conditions (at least compared to our daily lives). That should help her early on. One thing I’m worried about is how she will handle the lack of food, but that will really hit later in the game. I suspect she’ll be on the jury.

Anh-Tuan "Cao Boi" Bui

Brian: Although he ought to be able to handle the physical aspects of the game, Jeff Probst tells us Cao-Boi’s personality can be a bit overwhelming. On a team where everyone else is younger, he may be resented by his tribemates. Early boot.

Jeffrey S.: His life shows a drive to succeed molded by a number of interesting experiences. That he runs a nail salon and can manage the ensuing cattiness is a plus, and you cannot take lightly any man who list as a favorite television show Columbo. Final four member here, possible winner.

Jenn: Cao Boi looks like he’s the most well-rounded contestant this season. A hiker/photographer/nail salon manager who plays classical guitar and softball? Judging just from his grin, he’ll get far in the game socially. I think he’ll last till the jury.

Jeffrey C.: I don't know. He's the oldest in his tribe, and he'll need to establish his value early on, particularly since the tribe has other strong men in it. On the whole I'm not sure he's going to make it to the jury phase due to how he fits into his tribe. Out before the jury stage.

David: Like Jeffrey C. noted, as the oldest member of his tribe he could be in danger unless he proves himself quickly. But as Brian noted, Jeff Probst began the show thinking Cao Boi wouldn’t last long. Don’t get me wrong, Probst has been wrong before, but he usually knows what he’s talking about. I’m gonna side with him this time.

Cecilia Mansilla

Brian: There’s nothing in Cecelia’s bio that strikes me as especially helpful in this game. For example, many of her hobbies are not group activities. I wonder if Cecelia was recruited? Such players often make better eye candy than they do strategists. I don’t see her making the jury.

Jeffrey S.: Cecilia seems bright and fit enough, but doesn’t otherwise stand out. Then again, somebody who didn’t seem that bright and certainly not at all fit by her profile last time went a long way, by the name of Cirie. But in this case, I think she misses the jury.

Jenn: Cecilia is another one I can’t get a good read on. Is she athletic? Who knows? Is she smart? Who knows? I can’t get a bead on her personality. I don’t think she’ll last long enough to make the jury.

Jeffrey C.: Cecilia looks tough, and given the composition of her tribe, she may stick around until the jury phase of the game, where she'll be promptly voted out. Then again, if she doesn't prove herself early, she'll end the game before then. Overall I'm guessing she'll make the jury, but she's harder to read than most of the contestants.

David: Most of the contestants this time around have a lot of physical activities in their background. But Cecilia doesn’t. If she can’t pull her weight, she may be pulling her backpack right out of Tribal Council. And, in fact, I suspect she’ll be doing that pretty quickly.

Cristina Coria

Brian: A police officer, Cristina has survived being seriously wounded on the job. In this game, it’s more important to dodge the bullets. Or ever better – deflect them towards others! Early boot.

Jeffrey S.: Cristina has had a couple life-altering experiences that may give her perspective and maturity, and she also seems ambitious enough. The big strike against her, which is shared by several players, is one gets a sense that she craves or wishes to reestablish celebrity status, and that’s the kind of player who does not make it to the end. I think she’s got her feet on the ground enough to make it to, but not past, the jury.

Jenn: Cristina strikes me as someone who will quickly emerge as a leader, but may not be too popular with the other Survivors. I think her determination will be mistaken for aggression. If she’s seen as too much of a threat, she won’t last as long as the jury.

Jeffrey C.: She's certainly tough, which should be a bonus, except that I think her tribe is a bad fit for her due to the youth on it. When it comes down to it, she'll be eliminated before the tribes merge, which is unfortunately since she seems to be a trooper in more ways than one.

David: I think Jenn said it best – she will try to be a leader but will quickly become unpopular because of it. Also, many players with backgrounds that hold honesty in high esteem have had problems lying and backstabbing, and I have to wonder if that will be the case again here. At first I thought her determination would be a plus, but now I just don’t think it will be enough.