Curse of the car leads ‘Survivor’ to final four

Stephenie, odds of winning, 3:1
Last season, Steph gained the respect and admiration of many viewers for excelling in challenges and outlasting the rest of her loser tribe. That culminated in a dramatic Tribal Council fire building competition against Bobby Jon. Steph won, and although she was welcomed into the other tribe, she was quickly voted out. Producers inexplicably brought her back this season and gave her a second chance, which she’s blown, at least in terms of endearing herself to the audience. In terms of the game, she’s done very well.

At the center of a dominant alliance, she’s called the shots, although she’s shown herself to be easily susceptible to external pressure, which twice caused her too vote out her friends. But every time she’s lost, and both she and her tribe lost a lot, she’s done nothing but whine and complain, constantly talking about how she never wins anything. Boo freakin’ hoo.

Tonight, Steph finally won her first immunity challenge, and immediately burst into tears. “Oh my god, finally I won something,” she said, later insisting that “I did not think I was going to get past the first tribal council.” But she did. If she makes it to the final two, however, will the jury be willing to reward someone who’s had two chances? That will depend upon who she’s up against.

Danni, odds of winning, 3:1
No one has ever cast a vote against Danni, which is surprising because she seemed like an easy target for the dominant alliance once the two tribes merged. But she’s played her cards flawlessly, approaching the right people and making the best arguments for why one of their own should go home. It’s worked at least twice, and she also apparently has a pact with Rafe to go to the final two with him. If she can manage to win a challenge or two during the final three days, she just might find herself as one of the final two. On the jury, she has only one true ally, Gary, and could maybe also get former tribemate Bobby Jon’s vote.

Then again, having been voted out by their own alliance, Jamie, Judd, and Cindy might see Danni as more deserving than back-stabber Steph.

Lydia, odds of winning, 9:1
Sometimes flying under the radar works. That’s only effective, though, when you manage to not annoy the heck out of everyone, and Lydia has done that to varying degrees all season long. Her tribe almost voted her out during week four, but kept her around because she worked harder than Brooke. The only other reason Lydia is still around is because other people in her tribe were deemed greater threats or more annoying than she was. And, of course, everyone thinks, probably correctly, that she’d be a great partner for the final two. It’s hard to imagine a compelling argument that would result in the jury voting for Lydia over Steph, Rafe, or Danni.

Andy Dehnart is a writer and teacher who publishes reality blurred, a daily summary of reality TV news.

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