Survivor Shrine: Survivor 14 - Fiji

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First Impressions on FIJI Survivors
By: Dan Levy (02.04.07)

Alex - A very motivated individual, who seems to work hard for what he wants. He is very intelligent, and has a good idea of the game. His business and law work can help him make relationships with others. According to his biography, he is a fan of the show and that always helps. Additionally, he seems very likable, and knows what to hide from others and what to share. His physical prowess should be good as well, considering he boxed and plays sports frequently. I get the feeling he might play under-the-radar, and may not get a tremendous amount of airtime on the show, but he has a very decent shot at going far. The final four is a definite possibility for him, and even the final two.
Survivability Factor: 9

Anthony - Anthony is extremely smart and likable, almost too much for his own good. He clearly has studied the game, and has developed a strategy. His description of himself (dorky, intelligent and friendly) seems very accurate from what we've seen of him. He reminds me of Aras and Yul, in that they also wanted to be a nice guy, but were willing to do whatever it took to win. That said, I think people will think twice this season before taking another Aras or Yul to the final two. If he hides his intelligence and likeability he could win this game. I really liked his strategic views, like "trusting one person implicitly, but be prepared to drop them at a moments notice". He also had some good ideas regarding who not to bring to the end of the game. Unless these people are dumb, they will be sure not to take him to the finals. I do think he will make it far in the game though, but I can't see a nice guy winner for the third time in a row, he won't make the final two, but he may come pretty close.
Survivability Factor: 8

Boo - Obviously, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but early in the game he will be a physical asset to his tribe. He reminds me of Travis from Vanuatu a bit. He describes himself as outgoing and strong-willed, which could work for or against him in social situations. He participates in martial arts as well as olympic weight lifting. Boo believes that he is both strong mentally and physically, though there's
no evidence of his mental abilities. Although he seems to be one of the strongest physically, his mental game may be lacking. His plan to romance the women seems a little presumptuous and very unlikely to occur. I could see him clashing with others, just because he seems to have strong opinions and a strong personality. In addition, I'm not sure how much he knows about the show, he didn't really mention
any strategy during his interview. He could make the jury, but I don't really see it happening, he'll end up going around merge time, either right before, or right after.
Survivability Factor: 5

Cassandra - A good mix of Vecepia and Cirie. She is religious and intelligent as well as spunky and positive. She has the right attitude and is motivated to win the game. Whether she has a good strategy is yet to be seen. However, she describes herself as fun, warm and giving, which adds stock to her being a mother figure. I can't say for certain how long she might last, but she certainly seems likable and will definitely
be a fan favorite. Honestly, I can either see her being an early casualty or making it to the final five or so. It's a toss up for Cassandra, but I will be rooting for her, I think she may have what it takes.
Survivability Factor: 6

Dre - He definitely seems to be prepared for an experience like this. Physically, he is very fit, and shouldn't have problems keeping up in the challenges. Additionally, he seems to be a positive and happy person, which should work to his advantage. Also, it seems he has a good perception of the game, when he says that he needs to make "at least five friends". He seems a little arrogant, but his inspiring
personality shines through. He shouldn't have trouble making the merge. In fact, I can see him making it pretty far in the game, but I think he'll be out before the final four, probably one of the first few to make the jury.
Survivability Factor: 7

Earl - He kind of bores me, I don't see anything particularly unique about him. I don't see him as a prominent character on the show. His physicality shouldn't be a problem, and his strategy of adaptation is probably very smart. He just doesn't have anything interesting that sets him apart from the others. I really have no clue how far he might make it. I think if anything, he will be lacking in the social game, maybe he'll fly under the radar a bit too much. Overall, I don't really have a good read on him, but I doubt he'll go far, pre-jury.
Survivability Factor: 4

Edgardo - I have mixed feelings on Edgardo at the moment. He's interesting, because he doesn't seem to have any idea how he will play the game, I'm not sure how well he knows the game either. Communication may be difficult for him too, I'm not sure anyone else on the show before has had an accent as heavy as his. He describes himself as spontaneous, which may bode well for him because he will be adaptable to new situations. Physically and mentally, based on his profile, he should be up to par with everyone else. I do think the social game may be his downfall, he may only connect with a few people. I could see him going before the merge, but most likely, he will make the jury.
Survivability Factor: 6

Erica - Erica seems very motivated to win this game. Describing herself as subtle, confrontational and outgoing ensure that she will be entertaining to watch. Socially, I'm not sure how she will fit in with this cast, but I do believe she is mentally and physically able. There is a possibility she could get on some people's nerves and be voted out early. I do think she might be in a little over her head, I don't know how well she will play the game in a group of people who seem to know it pretty well. I don't think she will make the merge, unfortunately.
Survivability Factor: 5

Gary - The guy seems really nice, but to be blunt, he's an old fat guy in a group of young, buff guys. Unless he is on a lucky tribe, I have a lot of doubt that he will even participate in a tribe swap. He will be one of the first few to go, mark my words. Other than that, it seems like he's a fan of the show, and knows what to do and what not to do. However, we all know it's not just a social game. He will be a liability to his tribe, and he won't have many people his age to bond with. Hey, maybe I'll be wrong, he does seem like a good guy, reminds me of Jake Billingsley a bit.
Survivability Factor: 3

James - Ugh... I hate him already. He reminds me of hybrid of Rob Mariano and Jamie from Guatemala, only more annoying. James seems physically fit and perhaps he's intelligent, but I don't think anyone can stand him for even ten days, "ya know what I mean"? Wearing his emotions on his sleeves will not bode well for him, but might be entertaining. He also mentioned he hasn't thought about strategy... *sigh*, he
just keeps getting better and better, doesn't he? I don't want him to last very long, and I don't think he will. He's likely to be the early villain who gets voted out before he becomes a real pain in the ass. At least I hope he doesn't last long enough for that. One of the first handful of people to go, hopefully the very first boot.
Survivability Factor: 2

Jessica - She seems like the right type of player for the game, and she seems very likable. She's a fan of the show, and she seems to have a good read on people. I like the fact that she's considering this game as a game, and stating that people should not take anything personally. As far as how she will place, I'm not quite sure. Although I could see her going far, something makes me think she will stir up trouble and get herself booted early on, but who really knows? I could see her going far too.
Survivability: 4

Liliana - She's interesting, the first castaway to have participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She really didn't reveal too much about herself in her interview, but I think she will be someone interesting to watch. The one thing I've noticed is that she seems like a very genuine person. I don't see any obvious physical, mental or social flaws. I really don't see her doing anything to deserve an early boot, so I'm going to guess she'll earn a jury spot, maybe she will even be a part of the final four.
Survivability: 7

Lisi - Lisi is very different from anyone we've had on the show before. I command anyone who hasn't already to go to her myspace and listen to her "Tightie Whities" song. I don't think she will socially mesh with the group well. She might have some issues keeping her mouth shut. I like her, but in all honesty, I don't think she can make it that far in the game. Not to mention the fact, that she may be a liability to her tribe. I find it unlikely that she will be on the jury.
Survivability: 3

Michelle - Bubbly, fun, happy, I don't think she will annoy people much. Her comments remind me of Candice's pre-season, though I don't think she'll turn out anything like Candice. Not sure what strategy she might use, but I liked her parallels to rock climbing that she made. I think she will coast along and make it pretty deep in the game, the jury shouldn't be a struggle for her. Expect her to be under-edited a bit.
Survivability: 6

Mookie - I'm not getting a great read on him actually. For some reason he reminds me of Brook from Vanuatu, I can't tell you why. The fact that Survivor is not really up his ally interests me, but he does apparently know the show well. His ideas on it being a social game are right. He comes off a little arrogant, but he's tolerable. He commented that his physical shape isn't great either, so though he looks fit, he might not fair that well in the challenges. I don't really have any idea where he might end up to be honest, he just doesn't strike me as someone who will go very early or be a finalist.
Survivability: 5

Rita - My pre-season favorite, so she is doomed to place eighth, seventh or sixth. She seems very smart and very deep, and I like that about her. She reminds me a lot of Leann, embarking on Survivor after a divorce. She didn't go into her strategy too much, which worries we. Describing herself as tender on the inside, considerate and respectful, seems to indicate she will be a likable member of the group. I don't
really see an obvious reason for her to be booted early unless her challenge performance is poor, or her age makes her stand out. She wants to play with no regrets, which is a smart way to come into the game. I see her blending in for a while, and possibly making the final four, I don't see her missing out on the jury.
Survivability: 7

Stacy - My pre-season pick to win the game. She seems very well rounded and intelligent. Coming into the game with plans of strategy impresses me. She does admit that she is annoyed easily, but I believe she will bite her tongue. Her initial plans to start the game are right on track. Additionally, she seems motivated and her profile states that she finds it easy to adapt to her surroundings. I think Stacy has what it takes to win, I guess we will see soon enough.
Survivability: 10

Sylvia - She seems like a perfectly nice lady, I just doubt that she'll be kept around on a male-dominated tribe with younger women than her. I could honestly see her being the first boot, unfortunately. She has a great attitude, and some great insight on her tenacity and the game. Maybe she has the potential to somehow slip into the merge, but I really doubt it. She just doesn't seem right for the game.
Survivability: 1

Yau-Man - Reminds me a lot of Dan from Exile Island. He definitely is a stand-out in this crowd. Maybe I'm a pessimist when it comes to the older folks, but along with Sylvia and Gary, I just don't see him making it very far in the game. It's a pretty young group besides them, and I think they will be outcasted from the others. If one of the older people sneak through, I think it might be Yau-Man, he definitely has the intelligence to pull it off, but I still would pick him as a pre-merge boot.
Survivability: 4

A Final 3 - The Jury is Still Out on this One
By: James Le (12.19.06)

The Final 3 is a double edged sword and this roundtable will devote our discussion of whether I believe it is a good or a bad thing. I'll try to maintain an objective viewpoint despite my personal feelings for the way the Cook Islands season ended. I'll also take snippets of arguments from Survivor Sucks and place them here for you to formulate an opinion.

THE GOOD: Since All-Stars, we have not had a final Tribal Council where all the votes needed to be read in order to determine the winner. The reason that has happened can be explained by looking at all of the Final 2 in the past seasons.

Twila vs. Chris (5-2); Katie vs. Tom (6-1); Stephenie vs. Danni (6-1); Danielle vs. Aras (5-2)

In each of those match ups, you have a clearly dominant player, alongside someone who either was painted as the goat (an easy player to beat a la Katie), or someone despicable to the jury because of the constant backstabbing (Stephenie). In some cases, match ups like Ian vs. Tom, Stephenie vs. Rafe, Terry vs. Aras would have made for closer vote tallies, and as a result, a more suspenseful final Tribal Council.

It was clear that in any scenario with the given final 3 of Cook Islands, Ozzy would take Becky, Yul would take Becky, Becky would take whomever, and the jury would just vote for the person who wasn't Becky. It would be a 8-1 or 7-2 vote. That's why having a final with 3 people can actually be better for the show because we had people that ultimately played the best game in that last group. Maybe it would be a different story if all three players in the Final 3 were powerhouses to the jury but that wasn't the case this season and it just happened to work out.

People were afraid of the bigger jury, more time, and all of that, but the final Tribal Council felt like just about the same time as in past seasons, though the questions were on the boring side.

THE BAD: Now, changing the game to an expanded jury also has a lot of cons, enough so that 75% of you are against having a Final 3 in Fiji. Well lets take a look at the bad of having an expanded final.

One can argue that telling the Survivors so deep into the game that there would be a Final 3 instead of a 2 was the equivalent of telling basketball players that all shots made in the 4th quarter are worth twice as much. In other words, a fundamental rule that has made Survivor Survivor, was basically presented to the castaways so late into the game that there was virtually nothing they could do to turn the tide. If Yul or Ozzy known of this earlier on, you can bet we would see a Final 3 of the two Aitu girls and one of the guys. But telling them at the Final 4 is not allowing much room to strategize, as you have the immunity hog around, and the hidden immunity idol holder locked for the finals, with one more spot to be taken that literally translates to just third place. If I were one of the girls, I probably would have taken Jonathan with the Final 3 instead of the guys (and even then, he might just win).

There's also a notion of having it reach an anti-climatic ending. A sole survivor decision should come down to a choice between two people, not three. It feels as though part of that satisfaction of being the winner of the game is taken away because you still had two people sitting next to you.

And a huge explanation for the anti-Final 3 is because we have someone like Ozzy, who has a high probability of winning the Final 3 immunity challenge, but is prevented from winning the entire thing. If he wins immunity, he would take Becky, and the Sole Survivor title would be given to him instead of Yul. But a Final 3 did not allow him to do that and to some, the best player STILL didn't win the game.

And there you have it. Whether Fiji will actually have the Final 3 or not is up to them, but if they do do it, the final Survivors won't know of the twist either. If you would like to add additional comments to this discussion, please use our form below and send us a message.

Also, if you are interested in further discussion of this topic you can try these threads: http://p085.ezboard.com/fsurvivorsucksfrm9.showMessage?topicID=9486.topic
http://p085.ezboard.com/fsurvivorsucksfrm2.showMessage?topicID=19281.topic