Great discussion here, thumbs up to FLF and Warrior, lots of good ideas (with pictures!)
After the last episode I would say Sierra is still in my top four but is moving down, J.T. is moving up a little. Any of them could go anytime ala Marcus, but that doesn't mean their edit doesn't show us that they could win. Why is Brendan counted out by so many? He was right there at the beginning of the first episode, he talked about his game and Coach's....lots of face shots of him although I certainly don't put large stock in face shots in looking for the winner. He wasn't shown much the first episode because of his big Exile Alliance story line beginning the next few weeks and it would have been overkill. If he won I can see them wanting to keep his air time at a minimum in the first episode, plus we had the whole Sierra/Sandy thing.
FLF pointed out the bean segment, who was shown laughing and playing along with Coach, and then talking about his game in the confessionals? Brendan. Nothing from anyone else except Sierra, who was shown not even trying to hide her anger with Coach. That is part of the reason why Sierra is number four on my list to win instead of one or two.
Stephen is still in good shape and has a great edit for winning. Like others have mentioned, it's hard to tell if he is a Rob C with all of that strategizing or a Todd type winner. He and J.T. being featured as a pair since the beginning shows us that they have a story, most likely end game with at least one of them there on finale night. I keep wondering if Stephen could be J.T.'s distraction or is it the other way around? Taj is definitely a distraction, I like her and I think they want us to like her. She is a little too out there to win but she is going far. They have been giving us the doubt that she can make it since day one, that would be good for her if her edit was a little pulled back.
It is interesting that we really haven't seen Brendan talk about having a lot of money, but it was shown that Taj has money. Brendan is given doubt in other ways, Coach and Tyson want him out, Stephen talks like he doesn't really trust Brendan yet and he might end up back stabbing him. Sierra had the doubt in the beginning but that is not even an issue anymore. Of the main characters left, we have the most doubt that Brendan and Taj can make it. Sierra was the only Exile Alliance member shown a bit cocky, Brendan seemed hopeful but he actually asked Sierra if they were sitting good (he said "We're doing good, right? Nobody knows, right?") Something like that, he didn't really say it with over confidence.
J.T. has been hidden at times considering what a big player he is, he could be the super hero up on that pedestal like Rupert or even Tom, but he has been held back and then put out there in key moments. After the last episode I think he has a great chance to win or go far, I don't see he and Brendan both in the final three, but one of them most likely makes it.
Coach might be an ass, but he is interesting to watch and a great distraction on his tribe. In a way I will be sorry to see him go, he is good TV. I'm not sure if he goes next, it seems like Joe is being set up to go at the merge, unless they are trying to fool us. I see no story for Joe, he was just there for Sydney and she's gone. I can't see his possible alliance with Erinn coming to anything, unless one of them uses the fake immunity idol and goes out looking like a fool.
My top picks: Brendan, Stephen, J.T., Sierra
After the last episode I would say Sierra is still in my top four but is moving down, J.T. is moving up a little. Any of them could go anytime ala Marcus, but that doesn't mean their edit doesn't show us that they could win. Why is Brendan counted out by so many? He was right there at the beginning of the first episode, he talked about his game and Coach's....lots of face shots of him although I certainly don't put large stock in face shots in looking for the winner. He wasn't shown much the first episode because of his big Exile Alliance story line beginning the next few weeks and it would have been overkill. If he won I can see them wanting to keep his air time at a minimum in the first episode, plus we had the whole Sierra/Sandy thing.
FLF pointed out the bean segment, who was shown laughing and playing along with Coach, and then talking about his game in the confessionals? Brendan. Nothing from anyone else except Sierra, who was shown not even trying to hide her anger with Coach. That is part of the reason why Sierra is number four on my list to win instead of one or two.
Stephen is still in good shape and has a great edit for winning. Like others have mentioned, it's hard to tell if he is a Rob C with all of that strategizing or a Todd type winner. He and J.T. being featured as a pair since the beginning shows us that they have a story, most likely end game with at least one of them there on finale night. I keep wondering if Stephen could be J.T.'s distraction or is it the other way around? Taj is definitely a distraction, I like her and I think they want us to like her. She is a little too out there to win but she is going far. They have been giving us the doubt that she can make it since day one, that would be good for her if her edit was a little pulled back.
It is interesting that we really haven't seen Brendan talk about having a lot of money, but it was shown that Taj has money. Brendan is given doubt in other ways, Coach and Tyson want him out, Stephen talks like he doesn't really trust Brendan yet and he might end up back stabbing him. Sierra had the doubt in the beginning but that is not even an issue anymore. Of the main characters left, we have the most doubt that Brendan and Taj can make it. Sierra was the only Exile Alliance member shown a bit cocky, Brendan seemed hopeful but he actually asked Sierra if they were sitting good (he said "We're doing good, right? Nobody knows, right?") Something like that, he didn't really say it with over confidence.
J.T. has been hidden at times considering what a big player he is, he could be the super hero up on that pedestal like Rupert or even Tom, but he has been held back and then put out there in key moments. After the last episode I think he has a great chance to win or go far, I don't see he and Brendan both in the final three, but one of them most likely makes it.
Coach might be an ass, but he is interesting to watch and a great distraction on his tribe. In a way I will be sorry to see him go, he is good TV. I'm not sure if he goes next, it seems like Joe is being set up to go at the merge, unless they are trying to fool us. I see no story for Joe, he was just there for Sydney and she's gone. I can't see his possible alliance with Erinn coming to anything, unless one of them uses the fake immunity idol and goes out looking like a fool.
My top picks: Brendan, Stephen, J.T., Sierra
