The game is on. After last week's merge and the voting-out of ticking time-bomb Rory, "Survivor: Vanuatu" is down to its final nine contestants. Out of the remaining players, seven will comprise the jury that decides the winner, and the other two will vie for the $1 million prize.
So far, the ninth season of reality television's flagship program has been somewhat humdrum. Despite returning to the men-versus-women format that proved so effective and entertaining in "Survivor: Amazon," this installment has been unable to make up for last season's widely disparaged "Survivor: All-Stars." This is due in large part to the youngest and best looking players (Dolly, Brook, Mia, Brady) being voted off early, no doubt to executive producer Mark Burnett's dismay. The male tribe was soon made up almost exclusively of a group nicknamed the "fat five," certainly not the magnetic and engaging personalities the producers had hoped for.
After a string of mostly predictable tribal councils, the tension and scheming finally kicked up after the merge. Faced with choosing between Yasur, the women's tribe, and Lopevi, their new male alliance, highway repair woman Twila and nude sunbather Julie realigned with the female contingent. This move shocked the men, and signaled that the game had really begun.
With individual immunity up for grabs each week, expect alliances to shift from tribal council to tribal council, and the lies, deceit and backstabbing to mount. Despite what the contestants may say, from here on out it is every player for himself. With that in mind, we look at who has the best shot of keeping their torch lit until the very end.
Sarge: 20-1
As the apparent leader of the men, he has had a bulls-eye scrawled on his back and winning immunity last week only made that bulls-eye bigger.
Scout: 15-1
The 59-year-old rancher is only still alive in the game because she's loyal and harmless. Eventually her usefulness will run its course.
Eliza: 12:1
The 21-year-old motor mouth from Syracuse University is probably just Ami's pawn, but it's possible she's smarter than she seems ... possible, but unlikely.
Ami: 10-1
She's emerged as the queen bee of the female alliance, but in doing so she has made herself an obvious threat.
Chris: 10-1
While Chris might be the mastermind behind the "fat five," the "fat five" are now three, and they face a 6-3 disadvantage.
Chad: 8-1
Competing on a prosthetic leg, he might manage to get the sympathy vote, if he doesn't get voted off just to avoid that very scenario.
Twila: 5-1
Rough and rugged, Twila is the only woman who can really move between the men and the women, and this could take her quite far.
Leann: 8-1
She has flied somewhat under the radar without becoming a pawn but she's looked weak in physical challenges and might have trouble winning immunity.
Julie: 4-1
Disrobing got Jenna Morasca $1 million in the Amazon, so it might just work for Julie. She and Twila are the swing votes, so she could ride her voting power and good looks all the way to the end.
