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Matsing’s absorption into the Kalabaw and Tandang means a re-jiggering of the power rankings, as both Denise and Malcolm have found comfortable slots in the majority alliances on both tribes. But it hasn’t shaken things up, as the castaways who were on top remain on top, and those at the bottom are still at the bottom. With the evacuation of Dana and the elimination of Dawson, it seems like this season only one tribe will ever be put under pressure.

Tandang

The only thing that happened at Tandang last week was Malcolm turning up and Pete bringing him in to the majority alliance. The alliance looks well-positioned at the moment, because there are two expendables outside it and it has exactly as many members as the entire Kalabaw tribe. If Kalabaw loses one or two more immunity challenges, they could get Pagonged out.

Of course, we have seen many seasons of Survivor where an alliance that appears dominant mid-game is annihiliated when the people outside of the alliance flip to another tribe. With a merge coming soon – and the last four merges happened in Episode 7 – the expendables defect over to Kalabaw, with the current majority Pagonged out themselves.

1. Pete

Pete’s still the one making the moves for the group. This week, he was the one who approached Malcolm and brought him into the majority alliance. I was wondering why he is gunning to get rid of Michael because he’ll be dangerous down the road, when Malcolm is just as obviously dangerous long-term, but keep your friends close and your enemies closer, I guess. Plus, why give RC and Michael a chance to build an alliance and maybe sway a fourth vote?

We will see how long Pete maintains his spot at the top of Tandang. First impressions of Pete were that he was a bit of a thickie, and while he’s cleared that low bar, he is still making some elementary mistakes that show over-confidence. There was no need to volunteer to Malcolm that their side had the immunity idol. All he had to do was say “we have the votes to get rid of whoever we want, are you in?” If you see him interview “I’m running this game," you know he’ll be out soon.

2. Abi

Abi was surprisingly quiet this week. Probst calling her out for competing in as few challenges as possible will only encourage Probst to keep calling her out. But she’s secure in her alliance, she has a sub-alliance with Pete that seems stronger than anything else on Tandang and she has the hidden immunity idol.

It’s difficult to get a read on Abi and whether she is playing a very smart game, or a very stupid one. The best Survivor players bide their time to make their big moves. Abi has already made one big move – dumping her alliance with RC and switching to Pete, snatching the idol in the process. With Tandang winning immunity challenges and the majority alliance sitting pretty, if Abi does absolutely nothing for for the next few weeks, I’ll assume she is playing a smart game. If she does anything, stupid!

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