Survivor: Caramoan Power Rankings
Episode 4
By Ben Willoughby
March 6, 2013
BoxOfficeProphets.com

She's shocked that any of us know who she is. Most of the 'favorites' are like that.
Three weeks in and it has been a pretty dull affair so far, mostly because among the “fans” the pretty alliance are getting their come-uppance a lot earlier than they do in most seasons, the “favorites” aren’t going to Tribal Council and Shamar is still shouting a lot. I’m looking forward to the merge already, as the tribe that is down is always the one with the most opportunity. But how do things stand this week?

Fans

1. Sherri

It seems more obvious to viewers after last week that Sherri is in control of her alliance, being the one to bring Shamar back from quitting and the one Julia seeks out to advise that Shamar blabbed their split vote plan to Hope. It seems obvious to everyone playing the game too.

2. Mike

Mike was non-existent last week, except for a “Shamar was shouting at everybody.” Aside from Sheri/Shamar interview, he has the only sub-alliance we’ve seen. No reason to move him from #2.

3. Julia

I’ve ranked Julia higher this week just because she seems more secure in the game than Laura. I would love to know what was really said in her conversation with Shamar where he shouted at her, and why that conversation even happened. Did he just look at the next person to shout at? Was he responding to something provocative she said, like “Let’s just stop shouting and all get some sleep?”

4. Laura

I’ve ranked Laura a little lower this week because of her paranoia at maybe getting voted out because of her performance in the immunity challenge, and her willingness to ally with the pretty alliance (which she never followed through on). Her insecurity means she doesn’t think she is in a strong position with her alliance.

5. Matt

If the “fans” get rid of Shamar, Matt is suddenly in with a good chance of going to the end. His chances of winning? Not so good.

6. Shamar

While he is difficult to listen to, Shamar is the most interesting of the “favorites”. Watch him in Tribal Council. He will provide these amazingly concise answers that get right to the nub of what is being discussed. I don’t think there’s been a Survivor ever with this combination of being really good at telling it like it is and being willing to share it at Tribal Council, without any concessions to jury management.

But back at camp when he does the same thing and gets ignored, he’ll just get angry and shout at everyone. He can clearly control himself where others provide structure by listening to him – like at Tribal Council or when Sherri is talking to him. But without that, he loses it completely. He’s not great at listening to anyone else either.

Anyway, half his alliance wants him out and the other half know they can’t trust him, so he’s #6.

7. Reynold

Reynold has an idol, but what is he going to do with it? If the “fans” lose another immunity challenge, they are poised to split the vote between Eddie and Reynold to flush the idol. Barring a tribe switch, his best chance is to put together a vote-out-Shamar alliance with Laura, Julia and Matt and go from there – though once Shamar is gone, why would the alliance need to continue?

8. Eddie

Eddie. Is he making any moves at all? Not that we’ve seen.

Favorites

1. Andrea

Things are a little clearer among the “favorites” this week. It looks like Andrea is the one closest to Phillip, as she is safely able to suggest people she wants gone and have him agree with them. Her move for Stealth R Us to trade out Corinne for another player is a good one, as it gets rid of the castaway who is playing the most similar game to Andrea and brings in someone who cannot possibly win. However, her eminence grise game won’t be obvious and that’s a long-term problem for her.

2. Phillip

Nothing’s really changed since last week. Phillip has put together an alliance that will do as he says, but doesn’t take him seriously.

3. Malcolm

Malcolm’s better-positioned this week, with an immunity idol and a tentative sub-alliance with Corinne. He’s still the outsider, and everyone else seems to be taking offense that he and Corinne are working together, like the other pairs aren’t. But Corinne is the one being targeted, not Malcolm.

4. Cochran

Cochran’s looking better too. He’s not facing any existential threat, and he could have a new ally if he is able to bring Brandon into Stealth R Us. Everything continues to come up Cochran.

5. Dawn

Dawn was MIA last week. More Dawn, please.

6. Corinne

It seems like nobody trusts Corinne. Not Andrea, not Phillip, not Cochrane... presumably not Dawn. There’d even be an upside for Malcolm with her gone, because no one would know about his idol. I think she is under threat because she is playing such a different game to the one in the Gabon season, so deep down everyone thinks she’s just a big faker.

7. Brandon

I’ve bumped Brandon up to #7 because there’s a misguided move to bring him in to the alliance as a possible goat to take to the end.

8. Erik

I actually think Erik would be a better choice for Andrea to bring into Stealth R Us because he’s more predictable, easier to get along with, has gameplay respected by no one (he’ll always be the dummy who gave away his immunity idol) and would be more reliant on Andrea and less on Cochrane. But either Andrea doesn’t realize this or she knows something I don’t. Poor Erik.

9. Brenda

Brenda’s not making much of an impression so far. I think all we saw of her last week was lifting rocks way, way down the beach. Anyway, no one wants her in Stealth R Us and there’s no reason for anyone to want her, so she’s #9. If there’s anyone who needs a tribe switcheroo next episode, it’s Brenda.

Tune in tonight for more shouting by Shamar, followed by more victimhood for being the big, loud guy.