Wow, what an incredible ride. Plenty of close calls, even more backbiting than I remember from the first show, endless strategizing…and a certain Texan’s remarkable run (shades of Kelly Wigglesworth, as if I even need to point that out).
What the hell, I’m going to put my neck on the line now…I’m makin’ a prediction.
Keith Famie - He’s in trouble. It’s remarkable that he lasted this long with so many votes against him, but remember, Brazil’s '98 World Cup team had a pretty good run, too*.
Ironically, he’s almost assured of reaching the final regardless of whether or not he wins immunity, but he’s just rubbed too many people the wrong way. Not too serious, but more than enough to cost him the ultimate prize. Remember, almost NOTHING has gone the same way as the first show, so don’t even mention Richard Hatch. Jerri, Amber, and Elisabeth certainly won’t vote for him, and even Rodger may be borderline. I can see him getting two votes, just maybe three, but not four.
Tina Wesson - I like her. A lot. She brought sensibility and maturity to both the Ogakor and Barramundi camps and also was a stabilizing influence. (She really shone next to Jerri and Amber’s interminable howler monkey antics. GEEZiz. :o) I’m also downright impressed that she was able to separate her personal feelings from the harsh necessities of the contest. Nonetheless, she has just one fatal flaw that could cost her in the end…the inability to win when it counts. It’s astonishing that she made it this far without winning ONE individual reward or immunity challenge (Richard Hatch and Rudy Boesch both won an IC).
I mention this because if she wins the final challenge, the grand prize is hers. But that’s a huge if for someone who hasn’t done particularly well in the physical or mental aspects of the challenges and also has suffered pretty badly from lack of food. It looks doubtful.
Bringing me, of course, to…
Colby Donaldson - I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure what to think of him at first, but he’s really grown on me. It started with the state flag, a luxury item with practical use, hinting that he was very serious about winning this thing. It continued with the tribe vs. tribe challenges; he always gave his all. And it culminated in an impressive streak that puts even Kelly’s to shame. He KNEW that coming from behind to win the plate-breaking IC would make him a target. He didn’t care. He was playing to WIN, and he entered every contest as if he was assured of winning. Just an incredible amount of confidence, competitive fire, and focus…what’s not to like?
If he wins the final challenge…and this looks very likely…he’ll most likely take out Tina. Again, Keith already has three strikes against him, and with Tina in the jury he may fare even worse than he would against her.
So there you have it. If Keith wins, he gets to pick his poison. If Tina wins, she takes the million. Right now, though, either case looks about as likely as the Minnesota Timberwolves winning the NBA championship. Colby is on fire right now, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t seal the deal.
Prediction: Colby Donaldson. Easily.
- Who could forget…Brazil was plagued by inconsistency during the initial round robin (IIRC they even lost a game), but seemed to pull themselves together after that. They made it to the final against France. Then they gave up an early goal and completely fell apart en route to a 3-0 shellacking.