Our first double-boot of Survivor 50 saw yet another group of fan favorites go home early. Wednesday’s episode, titled ‘Open Wounds’, former finalists Charlie Davis and Angelina Keely had their torches get snuffed. Now, our 24-person cast has been whittled down to 17, with a potential merge (?) looming on the horizon.
In the span of 90 minutes, two more players have been sent packing. Let’s break down the fallout, and which names boosted and hurt their stock the most this week on Survivor 50.
Survivor 50 Power Rankings
- 1. Colby (+2)
- 2. Rick (-1)
- 3. Dee (+6)
- 4. Jonathan
- 5. Rizo (+5)
- 6. Christian (-4)
- 7. Genevieve (-2)
- 8. Coach (-2)
- 9. Cirie (+2)
- 10. Aubry (-2)
- 11. Ozzy (-4)
- 12. Stephenie
- 13. Emily (+2)
- 14. Kamilla (+2)
- 15. Chrissy (-3)
- 16. Joe (+1)
- 17. Tiffany (-3)
- Angelina – Eliminated
- Charlie – Eliminated
- Mike White – Eliminated
- Q – Eliminated
- Savannah – Eliminated
- Kyle – Eliminated
- Jenna – Eliminated
Biggest Risers
Dee (+6)
A promising new alliance appears to have solidified itself on the Cila tribe. Dee and Rizo (more on him later) teamed up, ensuring the latter would stick around in this game. As a result, Charlie’s alliance, led by Jonathan, ended up on the wrong end of the vote. While Rizo did a good job keeping himself safe, the lone winner remaining in this game was arguably just as important. An exceptional social player, Dee already seems to have made major inroads with the likes of Kamilla and Cirie.
What was so intriguing about this week’s vote is that Dee could have easily played it safe. Her name hasn’t been floated much, if at all, since the tribe swap. Old Kalo member Jonathan was dead-set on voting out Rizo as well. However, Dee recognized that an oft-targeted player makes for an ideal shield going forward. Together, she and Rizo are far more powerful together than on their own. Bringing in another big-time strategist in Cirie only strengthens their bond even further. A second win felt like a long-shot mere weeks ago, but now there’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
Rizo (+5)
Dee was making plenty of moves behind the scenes last week. However, it was her new partner’s neck that was on the line. In that regard, the RizGod pulled off a masterful blindside on Charlie. Cirie seems to have taken a liking to the super fan as well; the two shared idol and advantage secrets with one another. Kamilla was a bit harder of a sell, but she eventually came around as the swing vote.
Equipped with an idol and surrounded by massive targets, Rizo has positioned himself nicely heading into the merge. He’s also one of the more well-connected players on this season, with strong links to original Vatu, Kalo and Cila members. His placement here doesn’t come without some downside, however. Genevieve has expressed interest in blindsiding him, her pathway to gaining an immunity idol. Jonathan and Rick, two winner favorites, have already cast his name as well. Rizo likely needs to lay low for a bit in order to reduce his threat level.
Biggest Fallers
Christian (-4)
The busiest man in Fiji, Christian has gone to tribal in every episode of Survivor 50 so far. That on its own isn’t a bad thing, as he’s been on the right side of each vote. Still, it’s not exactly ideal. Cracks are already beginning to form, especially with the temperamental Ozzy. That led to Christian giving up his Shot in the Dark as a show of trust, which doesn’t feel very promising long-term. One of his biggest allies, Emily, has shown she can’t be trusted with important information. Stephenie feels like she’ll go back to old Vatu at a moment’s notice.
Add it all up, and Christian is running out of reliable allies. Rick remains his day one, Star Trek-quoting pal. Cirie is likely still in his pocket as well, but she’s always liable to find greener pastures. After that, it’s truly anyone’s guess as to who he’ll work with. In many ways, the merge can’t come enough; Dr. Hubicki looks like he’s getting frustrated by the constant losing. Regardless, I have to drop him down a few pegs following yet another trip to tribal.
Ozzy (-4)
We’ll stay in Vatu, where Ozzy finds himself free-falling for the second straight week. For all the ‘2.0’ talk, he’s kinda just doing a better version of his usual schtick? By that I mean it’s all about loyalty and finding a number one ally, but failing to actually make meaningful social connections. The former runner-up had a right to be annoyed by Episode 4’s Mike White blindside. However, he’s beginning to let it reshape his entire game.
It’s no secret that Christian is calling the shots on new Vatu. That’s a position Ozzy likely wishes he could be in. Even so, you’ve gotta play with the cards you’re dealt, and he’s been less than convincing in that regard. Oscar was showing some trepidation towards sending Angelina home, to the point that he demanded Christian’s Shot in the Dark. Maybe this will be the move that mends what appears to be a broken relationship. Still, it’s not an action that screams ‘I’ve got your back’. Ozzy still has an idol and a shield in Cirie, so he’s certainly not out of it. Still, it’s difficult to feel great about his chances at the moment.
