An average episode still provided plenty of fantasy goodness, thanks in large part to the group reward challenge, giving six contestants a point there. Michael played his second idol of the season, this time correctly. Looking ahead we still have Dom and Wendell’s idols out there waiting to be played and the safe bet is that at least one more will come into play before all is said and done.
Matt Points coming into this week: 11 Wendell: 1, Won reward challenge Jacob Sebastian Stephanie J Winner pick: Wendell Episode 9 points: 1 New total: 12 Outlook: Wendell has been great in challenges so far this season so hopefully that will translate into some immunity wins before the others get a chance to vote him off. Will be tough to move past Maddie, but it could be done if Wendell is able to avoid the ever-growing target on his back. Sea Bass is Sea Bass. Hasn’t really done a whole lot. But he does seem to be well-liked by most, if not all, of the other remaining players. Hopefully that will allow him to stick around for a while more.
Maddie Points coming into this week: 19 Domenick: Desiree: Michael: 3, Played an idol correctly Chris Winner pick: Wendell Episode 9 points: 3 New total: 22 Outlook: Just in a great spot. Two strong players in Dom and Michael, and Des has shown flashes of potential as well. However, Dom and Michael are two of the bigger threats in the game right now. They would both be tough to beat at Final Tribal so they could be targeted at any point going forward.
Chris Points coming into this week: 7 Brendan Laurel: 1, Won reward challenge Chelsea: 1, Won reward challenge Morgan Winner pick: Kellyn Episode 9 points: 2 New total: 9 Outlook: Laurel is actually in a pretty good spot right now. Unless I’m forgetting something, I don’t think her name has been mentioned even once as a possible vote-out. If she keeps building these relationships and maybe fits in a couple challenge wins, she would be a real threat if she were to make the Final 3. I still don’t see Chelsea as having any shot to win. And she might have done herself a disservice by coming so close to winning the first immunity challenge. I have no data to back this up, but I feel it’s dangerous to come in second or third in that first post-merge immunity challenge. It puts everyone on notice right away that you are a challenge threat, something Chelsea probably wasn’t too worried about prior to that happening. Normally that might be cause to vote someone off at that immediate Tribal, but it is something that will likely stick in the minds of the other players.
Mary Points coming into this week: 11 James Kellyn: Jenna: Donathan: 1, Won reward challenge Winner pick: Kellyn Episode 9 points: 1 New total: 12 Outlook: Still has three players, including her winner pick. Just based on placement points alone, she has a lot left to earn. Donathan tried to make a big move this week but couldn’t quite get it to go through. If he doesn’t let that discourage him and keeps looking for those openings, he could emerge as a surprise strategic threat, which I’m not sure anybody saw coming. I would still bet against it, however. Kellyn obviously remains a strong threat; nothing has changed there. Jenna went to Ghost Island and we barely saw anything from her, unlike every other person who has gone. I think that really says all that needs to be said.
City Points coming into this week: 8 Libby: 1, Won reward challenge; 8, Voted off finishing 12th; 9 total Angela: 1, Won reward challenge; 1, Won individual immunity; 2 total Stephanie Bradley Winner pick: Libby Episode 9 points: 11 New total: 19 Outlook: It’s not looking good for our pal City here. He is the first to lose his winner pick, which would have been valuable points. And he lost her after the merge so he won’t have a chance to get those points back with a new pick. Nobody picked Angela to win so he would be the sole benefactor if she does somehow pull it out, but that’s looking incredibly unlikely. I haven’t looked at all the point possibilities as far as challenge wins, idol plays, etc., but it’s going to be next to impossible for him to win the game now. Really his only hope is Angela winning the game and also winning a bunch of challenges along the way, while maybe finding and using an idol or two.
Updated Standings: 1) Maddie – 22 points 2) City – 19 points 3t) Matt – 12 points 3t) Mary – 12 points 5) Chris – 9 points
