Board Thread:Virtual Tribal Council/@comment-26497595-20160518000249

It's been a whirlwind season. As much as it's slowed down in the last few episodes, I can really appreciate it for how good the first 10 episodes were. This is probably a top 10 season for me. For those of you that aren't frequent readers of my power rankings, or weren't around to check them out around the Cambodia finale, here's how it'll go for the finale; first of all I'll give a brief synopsis of the way I've perceived the games and stories of each of the final 4. Then I'll do the classic power rankings of 1-4 in terms of likelihood to be voted off, and finally a ranking of each of the final four's chances to win. Without further ado, let's get to it.



Aubry Bracco - We've seen Aubry come a long way from her snivelling, panicked self in episode 1. Since then, she's had lucky breaks, she's switched votes last minute, she's managed Tai with grace and finesse and she's been the dominant strategist of the season. As for her all star potential, I simply don't see it. Aubry has been an excellent player but I simply don't find her entertaining. I find it difficult to root for Aubry among the snark of Michele, the punchline that is Cydney Gillon and the sheer lovability of Tai Trang. But it doesn't matter what I think, Survivor will do what Survivor does. If she does come back, I think Aubry is a excellent candidate to be another 2 time winner.

Cydney Gillon - For me, Cydney is the complete opposite of Aubry. Whereas Aubry has used emotions to manipulate others, Cydney has let her emotions manipulate her. That's a totally normal reaction, and as well as it's seemed to work, I can't seem to convince myself that Cydney has been a great player. Nonetheless she's in a great spot and she's been the source of constant entertainment ever since her bounce back in the challenge that almost killed BMC. In a Survivor world that struggles to cast female PoCs, I think Cydney is a shoe-in for an all-stars season. If she isn't, there's something wrong with production.

Michele Fitzgerald - I didn't buy into the Michele love until this past episode. Even then, I'm not the biggest fan of hers. I think Michele winning this season would be far and away the least satisfying conclusion to this excellent season. I suppose she's played the game about as adequately as you could have hoped. Maybe tomorrow night we'll see her really ball out and take the game by the horns. If she doesn't, I don't see a victory in store for her. Either way, I don't see her as a potential all star when Anna and Julia are simply more compelling characters.

Tai Trang - What can I say about Tai that hasn't been said already? He's been beloved by some and reviled by others for the exact same reasons. Whatever you think about Tai Trang, it's hard to say he's played a good game. Likewise, whatever you think about his game, it's hard to say he isn't an all-star worthy character. I would love to see Tai come back and use the great game instincts he's shown without letting himself be pulled in so many different directions by so many different people. I think Tai has it in him to be a formidable force in any season.





Classic



1. Cydney Gillon - It's my belief that it's going to be a final 3 this season based on the fact that the promos show the classic "giant staircase" challenge featuring four lanes. That challenge is typically reserved for final immunity. Based on that logic, and the fact that she's got Michele backing her up, I think Cydney is wholly safe to go to final 3; it's just a matter of if Aubry can get there to beat her.

2. Michele Fitzgerald - She's my real pick to be safe at four. Cydney was, once again, my out-on-a-limb pick. I don't think Michele is going anywhere, but I don't think she's winning immunity either.

3. Aubry Bracco - It'll be a tough sell, but I think Aubry can convince Michele to vote Tai out instead of her. She won't come between Cyd and Michele, but as Cydney has pointed out; "We can't go to no damn final 3 with no damn Tai."

4. Tai Trang - Girl power has been a theme this far, why should it stop now?





<p style="font-weight:normal;">Winners

<p style="font-weight:normal;">

<p style="font-weight:normal;">1. Aubry Bracco - She's played the best game of the season and she's got a loyal soldier who will gladly fall on the sword for her. If Aubry can get to the end I think she'll have it locked up, and I think it's entirely possible she will. All it'll take is for Cydney to have a lapse in judgment and begin believing she can beat Aubry in the final tribal council. Soon Cydney will come to a startling conclusion: she can't.

<p style="font-weight:normal;">2. Cydney GIllon - HOWEVER, she may not need to. We've seen Tai be sneaky and unpredictable before; maybe we'll see the darkest timeline where he turns on Aubry. If he does, Cydney is the most viable candidate to pick up the pieces left over.

<p style="font-weight:normal;">3. Michele Fitzgerald - I guess maybe she could beat Cydney if the jury (notably Nick, Scot and Jason) is bitter? I just really doubt they are.

<p style="font-weight:normal;">4. Tai Trang - The best position to be in is to have the best chance to win, but have nobody believe you can do it. Tai manages to be in the exact opposite position: he's got no chance to win but Cydney and Michele both (unless we learn otherwise) believe he has a great chance to. That's not a great spot. <ac_metadata title="Kaoh Rong Power Rankings 14 - Finale Edition"> </ac_metadata>