Survivor: China, Ranking the Survivors – The Top 9

1. Amanda (1): Amanda is playing a flawless game so far and has done nothing to lose her place at the top of the pack. She is not even being discussed as a target by anyone because there are greater strategic threats (Todd, Peih-Gee, and Jean-Robert) and greater physical threats (James, Erik, and Frosti). Amanda is controlling the votes no matter how many people think that it’s Todd (including himself).

2. Todd (2): Todd is still in a great place within his tribe, but he’s now replaced Aaron as Amanda’s shield. Jean-Robert’s threat to rail on Todd if he votes him off may very well resonate with the rest of the tribe if Todd doesn’t start becoming subtler. I think his mind is overworking, but his suggestion to get rid of James during this next episode is a good one. He is far too threatening in every way. I just don’t think some members of his tribe will go with it, especially Denise and Jean-Robert. In fact, it may backfire and make him a target sooner than he’d like.

3. Courtney (3): Only Jean-Robert perceives Courtney as a threat. She’s actually great final-three material. She’s going all the way, folks, but will receive nary a vote. She’s my permanent number three.

4. Denise (4): Denise is actually in a very good position. If she can get the right combination of people to stick around until the final five, she might be able to wrestle her way into the finals by tipping the scales against Todmanda. But with James as her closest ally, and a ginormous target painted on his back, she can’t pin her hopes on him lasting that long. Denise is too nice for anyone to let into the final three unless they’re strategic dolts, so as long as Todmanda is in control, Denise will be the last jury member.

5. Frosti (8): Frosti has improved his spot by choosing to ally with the old Fei Long. He’s now seen as less threatening than Jean-Robert and James, so he may have an opportunity to change up the game when there are five left. Yet I don’t think he’ll know how to make this move. He’s just too naïve and too much of a challenge threat.

6. Jean-Robert (9): If either Todd or Amanda were smart, they would stick with Jean-Robert all the way to the end, because he would never win in front of a jury. In fact, it would be in the best interest of either of them to partner up with both Jean-Robert and Courtney to take to the final three instead of each other. However, Jean-Robert is far too abrasive for Courtney to vote with him that long. Jean-Robert is an idiot who will only be useful until Todmanda rids the new tribe of Erik, Peih-Gee, and James. At six, they will have no problem getting a unanimous vote to get rid of Jean-Robert.

7. Erik (7): Erik has been along for the ride and will continue to bob along until his number is up. It’s possible he may last until five, so that greater threats go before him (Frosti or Todd), but he has little hope of that. The old Fei Long seems cohesive and I expect Erik won’t last very long. He’s shown little strategic thinking, and even if he would start, he doesn’t have the power to make something happen.

8. James (6): James is way too threatening nowadays. I will be impressed if Todd’s plan is successful, but somehow I think the others are too wimpy to pull it off. After Peih-Gee is gone and only Erik is left, I think the tribe will feel more comfortable taking out James while he still feels protected for another vote. James needs to keep his relationship with Denise solid so he can detect when others may be plotting his demise. Despite having two idols, I’m not sure James will know when to use them. He needs to win immunity more than he thinks he does.

9. Peih-Gee (5): As I predicted, Peih-Gee will try to turn the tables. But she is in a position of weakness and needs three other people to majorly change their course of action in order for it to work. Of course she has Erik, but I think this preview is a red herring. There’s a chance Peih-Gee may get a reprise if she can stoke the flames of Todd’s idea, but it involves a lot of risk from non-strategic players who seem risk-averse. Peih-Gee needs to make the power move next, and although she’ll try hard, I don’t see her succeeding.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent Survivor: China articles here on RealityNewsOnline:

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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