Survivor: Guatemala - Who Will Go in Episode 9?

This week, my daughter wasted no time making her pick. She toyed with Danni’s headshot for just a second. But in a moment of extreme lucidity she reached out and placed Judd in her mouth. Hey! Ew! Get Judd out of your mouth! You don’t know where that Judd has been! It just can’t be sanitary. At any rate, if the previews are any indication, then a Judd pick might just be correct this week. More on that later.

This week there are several Survivors who are clearly safe, namely Rafe, Lydia, and Stephenie. The remaining Survivors are each in some degree of danger, and from this point on in the season I shall address each of their chances individually.

Our first contestant is Cindy. Outside of the three aforementioned Survivors, Cindy is currently probably the safest of the lot. She is still on the outside of the primary Nakum alliance, but she has slowly been making inroads. And she hasn’t ruffled anyone’s figurative feathers. As I was discussing with Debby, a regular reader of this article, Cindy continues to play the Vecepia game. When V got switched to the opposing tribe, rather than trying to switch one or two of the other players to her incoming tribal alliance, she simply befriended the new tribe and tried as best she could to fit in and become one of them. After the arrogance of the Rotu 4 exposed them to a coupe, Vecepia wriggled her way among the factions to the end of the game and won. Cindy’s game currently seems to be mirroring V’s.

I’m upgrading Gary Hogeboom this week from “Danger! Will Robinson! Danger!” to “Yellow Alert!” His challenge strength is formidable, and he’s still on the Yaxha alliance. So I still think he’s not long for this game. But the pecking order was clearly established last week: Bobby Jon, Danni, and THEN Gary.

Speaking of Danni, I really don’t think she is in much danger this week either. The only reason she might be is if Stephenie again decides to press her influence and pull Bobby Jon along to another round (or if Bobby Jon gets immunity). Then the vote may default to her. Even so, for some reason I feel like she’s even safer than Gary (despite the established pecking order).

Bobby Jon is definitely in jeopardy this week! Last week he was saved by Stephenie due in part to All-Star Chaos Theory, which states, “If there is a pre-established relationship between players before the game, then rational gameplay may be dismissed during the game.” However, I don’t believe Chaos Theory will save Bobby Jon this week. He asked Stephenie just to get him to the jury; that’s it. And I’ve found that a person often only gets what he or she asks for, nothing more. As a major challenge threat, Bobby Jon is a big target this week, and he needs to either win or find immunity to stay in the game.

Jamie has the distinct honor this past week of trying to out-Judd the Juddster. His obnoxiousness drew some clear lines of distinction between himself and the rest of the Nakum alliance. Perhaps he simply thinks that he’ll make it to the finals with Judd and be better liked than him. However, after last week I might be able to argue that Judd is actually more likeable than Jamie. Nevertheless, Jamie will remain for at least another week. With a possible Pagonging on hand, he’s safe for the time being.

Judd has scaled back his venom ever since Margaret was booted, but I don’t expect that to last. He’s still as abrasive as ever, though. And that could put him on some players’ short lists if they decide they’d rather face Jamie or Stephenie at the final Tribal Council. Also, the previews indicate that he actually throws up in the sleeping area. I’m no expert on tribal puke politics, but I’m fairly certain that one of the best ways to get somebody to turn against you is to vomit in their bed. Perhaps he’s just trying to grab his obnoxiousness crown back from Jamie. Nonetheless, if you’re going to spew, Judd, spew in this... (hands Judd a paper cup).

So the final tally? Rafe, Lydia, and Steph are super safe. Cindy, Jamie, and Danni are fairly safe. Gary and Judd are possibly safe. Bobby Jon will be heading home this week. To stay in the game, Bobby Jon must win or find immunity. If he does get the immunity, I’m going to go out on a tiny little limb and say that Gary gets kicked off before Danni.

Since my daughter picked Judd, I don’t want to steal her thunder. So I’ll leave him off my boot list for this week. Speaking of my daughter, she took her first steps today! I’m so proud, I just had to share!

Will Bobby Jon find immunity, or is he doomed to go? Will Judd’s sleeping quarters surprise turn the tribe’s vote against him? Will I now need to raise the height of my baby-proofing? Stay tuned to Thursday’s Survivor for the answer to at least two of these questions.

Wesley is a writer and English teacher from Tulsa, OK. He tried to baby-proof his fireplace, but his daughter just tears the pads off and sticks them in her mouth. He can be reached with questions, comments, or snide remarks at Musnud@gmail.com.

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