An unfortunately predictable episode of Survivor that even the oiled up bodies of Chelsea and Christina couldn't elevate beyond average fare.

Eye of the Tiger

1. Kim - After a couple quieter episodes, Kim was given this episode in its entirety. Yeah, she messed up by winning the Popularity Contest. She should have let Alicia win it once it got down to the two of them, but apparently, her pride intervened. Alicia would have likely taken Kim and Kat to the reward, which would have been perfect. However, she was still never in any danger. I guess she took my advice and decided that winning ICs isn't so bad after all. Normally, I might give her no credit for winning a ring toss, but it wasn't just that she won, it was the WAY she won it. Ozzy-like, actually. I'm surprisingly starting to think that Colton's medivac, as great as it was at the time, ruined this season's chance at something really epic. Colton was Kim's only real competition. However, she hasn't closed it out yet....

Let's see the replay

2. Chelsea - Quieter episode for her with Kim stepping back to the fore. However, she still has the 2nd best chance to win this. The path to victory for this SC babe is simple: win the final IC and vote out Kim. With her challenge ability, it is a real possibility. However, would the girl I called the "perfect loyal soldier" do that? She didn't need to beat Kim in the IC, and you could kind of tell that in her body language. She kept competing though, as is her way. Easily a top 5 all time Survivor woman for me.

3. Sabrina - She would still be my pick for the Finals. Forget the previews for next week, which are likely trying to disguise another predictable boot. She showed some wits by entertaining Troy's ideas and observing the reactions of the other women. She kept Kim and Chelsea's interests in mind while they were gone on reward. Her spilling the beans to Christina was a smart play for her vote. Again, another unnecessary lie by Kim? It isn't like there is anything Christina can do about it. Sabrina might as well try to take advantage.

4. Kat - She got a nice piece of the edit this episode, but that probably only had the purpose of injecting a tiny bit of suspense into a TC as surprising as the end of the movie Titanic. She was also used to illustrate Kim's mistake and then quick recovery. Nothing more. Actually, Troy just gave Kim a reason to keep Kat out of the Finals. If you are Kim, you kick Kat out at F5. She is a bigger threat to win the final IC than Alicia is.

5. Alicia - I find her criticisms of Christina's IQ to be laughable. Special Ed teachers aren't exactly the elite of academia. Usually they are in it for the kids, but that is hard to believe in this case. Kim didn't want her alone with Troy, and that is a bad sign for her. She still has a goat's chance of slinking into the Finals. Regardless, once Christina is gone, there is no one left that she can beat.

6. Tarzan - As the last guy left, he might actually be able to get some votes from the majority male jury. So, there is no way Kim and Chelsea let him anywhere near the Finals. He could skate as far as F5 though. Kim has to feel he is a vote for her and not Chelsea; therefore, get him on the jury.

7. Christina - I'm sure she has some plan out there, but the edit is leaving it out. She was an easy target for everyone not named Troy during the Q&A session. Therefore, I wouldn't take too much out of the answers. This episode, however, showed that she HAD to move earlier than she has. She was idiotic to tell Troy she was the other target, but wise to vote for Chelsea. She was grasping at straws but at least she was grasping.

THAT MR. ANDERSON IS THE SOUND OF INEVITABILITY...

TROY - What a disappointment it must have been to have your Survivor life come down to a ring toss. I mean, seriously? The F8 IC is a ring toss? Anyway, he still has no one to blame but himself. It would have been wiser to get over his issue with Michael and join the Frat Pack; always align with the stronger if you can. They provide cover for you. Then, he allowed the women to boot his own alliance mate, Jonas, which doomed the men in the game. Plus, of course, he agreed with Colton and allowed the men to forfeit immunity. Not a great player, but an entertaining guy with a lot of heart. A definite candidate to return some day.

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