LAST EDITED ON 02-22-09 AT 05:27 PM (EST)

Sandy

Her edit reminds me a little bit of Kathy's in Marquesas.

One of the most important scenes of Episode 1 is her reacting emotionally at the tribe flag. We were supposed to see this, to get behind her. With the early vote-off she was the automaticaly the underdog. During the scene with the flag, she showed her vulnerability, emotion, and fight. The tears of being initially rejected, the calming down, and getting her head into this game. She is here to play and I see many good things for Sandy. She makes statements that the producers want us to hear (foreshadowing) like "this game is mine" and "gonna go the distance."

Throughout the first episode we are shown how and why she is so vulnerable. Because of the hidden idol twist, she decides to further isolate herself to look for the idol. Her strong challenge performance is probably the only that saved her this early, and we were shown that as well.

In Episode 2 we got the predictable back at camp "how the vote went" speech. She's very thankful and once again, seems very genuine and endearing. More positivity focused on her. I also found that JT seemed more of the focus during the scenes of her thanking her tribe. They even throw in one last scene where she grabs and kisses his shoulder. I think these two definitely will team up very soon.

After the immunity challenge win, Sandy, once again, tells us she had a 50/50 shot of going home if they lost. I found this quote very interesting.
It seems as if she would have she was for sure the next to go, but something tells me there are already talks of voting someone else out instead of Sandy (Sidney/Taj) and Sandy is being clued in and aware of this by someone (JT/Stephen?) She reitterates her underdog status in Episode 2.

My prediction is Sandy is going to go very far in this game, either the last to go in pecking order, or as 3rd/4th wheel in a majority alliance.
Sandy is FINAL 5.

Spencer

Suprisingly, Spencer to me appears to be the "tourist" of this season. I think this season lacks any true form tourist, and Spencer falls closest to being in that category. In Episode 1 we get an introduction from him. Explains why he is here and for how long he has watched the show. He discusses the brutal heat and the hard walk to camp. In Episode 2 we get the narration of the bugs snacks from Spence as well. We are seeing the trials and tribulations of this experience through his eyes. He is young and wideeyed.

In Episode 2 it is Spencer who tells us that Sandy shouldnt feel safe, she only went from 1st to go, to next to go. I dont think Spencer knows of any other plans, putting him in a minority position very soon. I dont expect him to go soon, but he will become an underdog. I dont think Spencer is going to be a cut and dry good guy though. I think he will do a fairshare of playing his way to mid-game.

JT

Our good ole boy JT has a darker side. On Survivorfever's bootsheet, he is disliked by MANY of his tribemates. Whether this is sour grapes or not im not quite sure yet. I get this Boston Rob feel from JT. We are supposed to like JT, but in Marquesas we were supposed to like Rob as well. As obnoxious and manipulitave as he was, he was our charachter of the season. JT i think will be disliked by the guys who may see the women more drawn to him come a certain point, and we are hearing is like an "Ozzy" in challenges. JT is getting some important confessionals right now, not a lot, but they are substantial. His story is going to unfold in time, and he looks poised for midgame/early jury.

Stephen

We are shown Stephen in an underdog role as well. I think the dweeby sidekick is going to outlast his countryboy friend. We are shown insight to his strategy, and that works very well in his favor.

Taj

The editors are setting up the inevitable split at the Jalapao tribe. JT/Stephen/Sandy with Joe/Sidney/Spencer.... Taj looking like the swing vote. Maybe a big episode for Taj next episode. We are shown Taj as a likeable person. But we are also supposed to understand why she doesnt make it in the game. We will feel ok when she goes, not slighted.

Sydney/Joe

They are kind of the invisibles of the tribe. I think when it's time for their story, it will be told, but their story seems to revolve around everyone else's. It's because of the stories of Sandy/JT/Taj & Stephen that these two will go home with little impact.

I decided just to focus on the Jalapao tribe. I see the next few boots coming from this tribe.We are already getting more hints to the dynamics of this tribe and storylines that are beginning to be told. Timbira's story will unfold later in the game. I see a new alliance in Jalapao forming and Taj/Brendan's "secret 4" being the storyline for the next episode or two.

Side note, the first 6 confessionals of the game, come from Sandy, Stephen, Tyson, Erin, Coach and Sierra. The next two confessionals are from Spencer and JT. Now not saying the Final 8 could be laid out for us as blatant as that, but more and more its looking VERY plausible that our Final 8 ARE JT, Spencer, Stephen, Sandy, Coach, Tyson, Sierra & Erin