Matt Liguori ranks the players each week with his own guest in RHAP’s Survivor Power Rankings. This week Matt is joined by RHAP’s Haley Strong.
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RHAP Survivor Power Rankings Week 2 with Haley Strong
We lost a good one this week. Simone didn’t seem to have strong bonds with any of her tribemates, so they decided she was the weakest link and sent her home. I’m disappointed because I thought Simone could be a really fun character on this season, but I think this cast is so strong that I would’ve been sad to lose any of the Hustlers. It takes a lot to go play Survivor and not everyone can hack it. I like seeing players like Simone get out there when they aren’t totally comfortable; if they stick around long enough, you end up with a player like Aubry or Cochran who adapt to the environment and grow with the game.
This week, I’m joined by RHAP’s Bachelor franchise expert, Haley Strong. We’re in one of the very few weeks of the year where there are no Bachelor shows airing, which means Haley gets to breathe for a few weeks… until everybody asks her to come on their thing and talk about other reality shows, just like I did this week! You’re all welcome. Follow Haley (@hstrong_) and myself (@mattliguori) on Twitter, tweet us what you think and leave a comment below!
- First I have to ask the most obvious question for a love expert like yourself, Haley. Cole and Jessica… what’s the deal there?
- They’re totally going to make out. I’m into it. They’re both v v v pretty people.
- Chrissy Hofbeck: Undercover strategic mastermind in the making or will all of these new partnerships she’s forming backfire?
- Hmmm hard to say. I can see both sides of the coin – relationships are the most important thing to have in this game, but people can see through fake relationships and might be sketched out by seeing she has too many relationships.
- We got a closer look into the Hustlers’ tribe this week and everybody seems to be active in the gameplay. Lauren wasn’t even in the discussion to go home. Ryan’s got the whole tribe under his spell. Ali’s working every angle. Devon’s in a great spot under the radar. Patrick hasn’t hurt himself yet. Who are you most impressed by from this group?
- I’m most impressed by two people – Ali and Devon. I knew I’d like Ali; from the pre-season stuff, I knew she would be smart and cool and knew how the game worked, so I’m impressed by her but not surprised about it. Devon has exceeded any expectations I had for him. Mostly because I didn’t have any for him. I think he’s playing all of his angles correctly.
- Who was your winner pick, and how are you feeling about them after two episodes?
- Ali is my winner pick, and I think she’s a good choice!
- Was there anything Simone could’ve done to save her game?
- I really think Simone was dead in the water. She didn’t seem to make any solid connections and people didn’t really seem to care if she stayed or went.
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Matt
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Haley
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1. Ali 
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Nobody has more power right now than Ali. She has full control over the group and while that’s awesome to see, I also don’t want to get toooo ahead of myself in thinking this could be a winning game. Eventually, everybody wants to knock the Queen off her throne, right Sandra?
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1. Devon
Dude is in a steady spot. His tribe could go to Tribal Council four more times and he wouldn’t be the one voted out. He’s strong in challenges, and everyone around camp seems to be digging him. I would go far enough to say that even after the merge he would not be the first big strong hot guy targeted.
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2. Ryan 8
While Ali may have the most power, Ryan may be in the best spot. He’s got Ali’s ear for any upcoming strategic decisions and has allies underneath him that look to him for guidance. Ali may be seen as the strongest player, but Ryan has the same tools available as she does without being seen as the top dog.
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2. Ali
Ali was portrayed as the lynchpin in the decision to get rid of Simone. She’s a smart and capable player who has a lot going for her in this game – including her relationship with Patrick. She has so much pull in this tribe that no one is even questioning her decision to wear her shoes in the water.
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3. Ben 
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A minor drop for Ben as other players in the game begin to shine. The Heroes held it together this week to stay away from Tribal. Even if Ben had gone to Tribal, he would’ve had nothing to worry about. Ben’s still in a great spot in the middle and has now been joined by Chrissy to create a strong duo that could potentially rival Malcolm and Denise if they have it in them to make a deep run.
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3. Ben
Ben is in an interesting position on the Heroes tribe. He has an underground alliance with Chrissy. These types of relationships are ones we often see go far in Survivor. He’s in the best position on the Heroes tribe by far and he’s going nowhere pre-merge, but I could see him taking a fall from grace after the merge.
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4. Chrissy 7
Love what I’m seeing here. I didn’t have high expectation for Chrissy coming into the season. If anything I was confused when I saw so many people choose her as a winner pick. I’m glad we’re seeing her potential come to fruition. Besides seeing her successfully find a way back in with every member of her tribe, her confessionals are giving us an insight on where her head is at. Chrissy really has her finger on the pulse of her game.
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4. Chrissy
She’s the whipped cream to Ben’s pumpkin pie which puts her in a great spot down the line, but I’m worried for her if the Heroes go to Tribal again, she’s probably up there on the chopping block, but she can probably maneuver her way out of it.
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5. Cole 1
Strong episode for the golden boy! While it’s great that Cole was able to be a part of the idol finding, it is Joe’s idol. Everyone loves Cole… his tribemates, the viewers, and really, how could you not? Even if Joe decided he wanted to target Cole and eliminate the guy who knows where the bodies are buried, he would have no shot of rallying votes to make it happen.
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5. Jessica
We’re not seeing a whole lot from the Healers yet, which is a good thing in the early game. They’re winning challenges and are getting along. Jessica has probably one of the best positions in the game. She has a ride-or-die in Cole (please, make out already I’m begging you), and all the girls on the Healers seem to get along which makes them prime for an ALL GIRLS ALLIANCE.
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6. Devon 3
Not much has changed since last week. We saw that Devon and Ryan’s relationship is still strong, but other than that, there’s nothing to really sink your teeth into with Devon’s game. He’s in a good spot, and probably will continue to be.
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6. Ryan
He’s Devon’s right hand man and is definitely helping lead the decisions of the Hustlers tribe, but I would think that people are going to see him as more schemey and a bigger liability to the tribe. He’s definitely going before Devon.
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7. Roark 4
A lack of content from the girls on the Beauty tribe (oops, the Healers tribe) really speaks well for their games. A minor drop in the rankings isn’t because of anything the girls have done wrong, we’re just not seeing their story yet to analyze their games effectively. The dynamic between Mike and Joe will likely leave one of those guys on the outs if this tribe loses a challenge, leaving Roark and the other Healers girls safe.
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7. Cole
Cole is clearly a trustworthy dude. Joe comes out of nowhere to tell him about the idol clue, but then he TELLS HIM WHERE IT IS. Come on Cole, don’t play me like that!! Anyway, he’s going to make out with Jessica and be the target in that relationship, but that’s way down the line.
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8. Desi 3
Desi’s not in any danger anytime soon. She’s not making any waves. Her tribe has been winning. All looking good. However, like I said above, it’s hard to rank the game of players we’re not seeing much of. Their time will come, and I’m looking forward to seeing where these girls’ heads are at.
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8. Roark
It’s hard to place Roark and Desi one in front of the other because they seem to be on a very even playing field. They’re in a great position on their tribe and I doubt either will be in conversation to go home if the Healers ever go to Tribal. Also hi, Roark. I love you!!
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9. Jessica 2
Hey, Jessica, watch it with the flirting! I get that asking anybody to be around Cole and not flirt with him is cruel. But the last thing you need is Joe to see this “power couple” and react similarly to confident-not-crazy Alan Ball.
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9. Desi
See Roark.
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10. Joe 8
It’s always good to find an idol…. and always risky to find an idol with a friend. Now that Cole knows the idol exists and it isn’t in his possession, there’s plenty of reason to try to pull off a blindside against the guy who has it. I don’t see it happening just yet because Cole feels like Joe sees him as an asset, and if the two of them can work together there’s no reason to take him out yet. While Joe’s game seems to get shakier each couple of days, the idol should protect him for the time being.
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10. Alan
After last week’s blow up, he seems to have recovered nicely and I don’t think people will be looking at him as a potential target for the next few weeks, especially if he can remain solid with Ben and Chrissy.
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11. JP 3
I really believe that JP was making an effort to separate himself from Ashley after that crazy Tribal. You’d think if they did continue spending time together, we would’ve seen it, right? With everyone turning to Chrissy (and Ben) to confide in, we’re just waiting to see where Chrissy decides to go. I still think Ashley would go first if Chrissy sides with Alan. JP needs a swap as soon as possible. Reset and move forward.
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11. Dr. Mike
He’s definitely on people’s radar on his tribe, but I think he really benefits from being out there with Joe who is truly insane and will be out first from the healers. Mike just needs to cool it for a few weeks moving forward and maybe don’t talk about dicks very much.
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12. Ashley 5
Looking at the individual pieces, the Heroes have what it takes to stay away from Tribal. The only reason they could fall apart again is if dissension in the group takes over at a challenge. With Ben and Chrissy firmly in the decision-making spot, it remains to be seen if the Alan paranoia is enough for the four to send him packing, or if Ashley will be seen as the weakest link and taken out.
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12. JP
God he is so bland. He will not be making a single decision along the way and he is prime to be the first boot after the merge. And no one will care.
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13. Patrick 5
“It’s not going to be one of us. It’s Simone.” The confidence Patrick had going into Tribal was telling. If you ask me, there was never a real consideration to take Patrick out of the game over Simone. Patrick seems to be in good with Ali, Ryan, and Devon. His unpredictability is causing his allies to at least acknowledge that he may be tough to work with. If Patrick has enough self-awareness to realize he needs to cool things down, he should do so A.S.A.P..
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13. Ashley
Ashley has a solid relationship with JP, but I don’t know if that can be said for anyone else on her tribe. I would think she is the next in line to be voted out if the Heroes make a return trip to Tribal.
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14. Alan 1
It’s tough on when a tribe doesn’t get new content to not repeat yourself over and over, so I do apologize if this is getting repetitive. As I’ve said… Ben and Chrissy = the middle. Alan = One side. JP and Ashley = The other side. Ben and Chrissy = The decision makers. Alan = The crazy guy. Ben, Chrissy, JP, and Ashley = A strong four that can move forward together. Ben, Chrissy, Alan = A not-so-strong three with an unpredictable player making up 33% of the group.
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14. Patrick
Boy did he have himself an episode, huh. I think Patrick is going to continue getting wilder and wilder as the season goes on – and he’ll piss off a whoooole lot of people.
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15. Dr. Mike 1
If I had to guess, I’d say the women and Cole are a strong four on the Healers tribe. Joe is tied into that, leaving Mike on the outs, but the idol found by Joe and Cole could throw a wrinkle into things. If Cole decides to take Joe out and eliminate that threat, Mike could live to see another day. I’m just not sure Cole is able to pull that off without Joe realizing and saving himself. I don’t think anybody wants Mike gone, but if someone has to go, he still seems like the obvious sacrifice.
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15. Joe
Joe, what are you doing man? He’s the poster child of too hard, too fast. Take 15 seconds and fully think about your actions before you, you know, act on them. I can’t see this going well for Joe.
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16. Lauren 4
Back in the early seasons of Survivor, we often saw tribes vote out the older man or woman even when they really didn’t want to do so, but needed to in order to keep the tribe strong. Unlike the Heroes voting out Katrina, where they didn’t bat an eyelash, the Hustlers would have a hard time letting Lauren go. The group of Ali, Patrick, Ryan, and Devon seems tight, which puts Lauren on the outs if the Hustlers return to Tribal Council. While Patrick’s actions are really dangerous for his game, I think Lauren will lose this battle when pen meets parchment.
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16. Lauren
Lauren’s going to be fixated on hating Patrick and will be on the losing side of that battle next time the Hustlers go to tribal.
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Matt’s Power Rankings By Week
