For over 25 years, ordinary people have opted into one of the most physically challenging reality television shows for a chance to win $1 million. In “Survivor,” contestants are cast away to a remote location, where they separate into tribes and must build shelter and win immunity challenges to avoid being voted out by their fellow contestants. The last contestants standing plead their cases to the very players they voted out to earn the coveted cash prize and title of Sole Survivor.
With a cast of all returning players and guest appearances by Jimmy Fallon and MrBeast, the show’s 50th and wildest season to date will premiere tomorrow. As two of the show’s biggest fans — trust, we listen to “Rob Has A Podcast” and know what it means to be “purpled” — we’re here to bring you our takes on how Season 50 will play out.
Winner pick
Skylar’s choice: Christian Hubicki
One of my favorite moments in “Survivor” history is when Christian Hubicki won an endurance challenge by talking endlessly about his academic research in robotics and wearing down his competition. Fans have been waiting eight years for the breakout star’s return since he was placed on the David tribe in Season 37, titled “David vs. Goliath.” Hubicki fell short last time around because his opponents deemed his strategic mind and charm too threatening. Luckily, he will be shielded by much bigger threats this season , namely the previous winners. With an extremely likable personality and an intelligence level undeniably higher than any other player on the beach, everyone is going to want him on their side. Just as Hubicki’s tribemate Nick Wilson won in Season 37, a David is sure to win this all-star season.
Joe’s choice: Cirie Fields
Fields’ victory is 20 years in the making. She orchestrated the iconic 3-2-1 vote in Panama, helped form the infamous Black Widow Brigade, masterminded the Ozzy Lusth blindside in “Survivor: Micronesia” and even concocted a scheme to get poor Erik Reichenbach to give up individual immunity. But despite her strategic prowess, she always gets screwed by either game circumstance or her lack of survival skills. This season, Fields has a distinct advantage against the rest of the old-school returnees: She has played the fast-paced game before, reaching the final four in “Australia v. the World.” Fields proved that pace is no obstacle and that her tried-and-true game gets her far. Wishful thinking? Maybe, but our thrice-robbed queen is destined for this.
First boot
Skylar’s choice: Dee Valladares
Just three years off her win in Season 45, Dee Valladares has a bigger target on her back than any other player. Although more recent winners like Kyle Fraser and Savannah Louie are playing against her, Valladares is widely recognized as having the most dominant winning game in the show’s new era. Her threat level increases when you consider that her fellow castmate from Season 45, Emily Flippen, is returning as well. While the pair aren’t particularly close, the sheer fact that she knows someone else on the island, alongside her power-player status, will intimidate her fellow contestants enough to vote her off first.
Joe’s choice: Dee Valladares
I’m with Skylar on this one. Valladares is, by far, the greatest winner of the new era. Not that there is much competition — the past 10 seasons have been fairly lackluster. But Valladares feels like she could fit in any era of the show. Her strength in challenges and delicate yet vicious flirtatious domination of her tribe cemented Valladeres as the real-life Black Widow. But as the best of the recent winners on the beach, I don’t see a way she gets the target off her back. Sorry, Valladares — love ya, hate to see ya go, but I think it’s unavoidable.
Alliance potential
Skylar’s choice: Rick Devens and Savannah Louie
Rick Devens, a fan favorite from Season 38, and Savannah Louie, last season’s winner, don’t seem too similar at first glance. However, both previously worked as broadcast journalists in Georgia before becoming reality television stars. In Louie’s preseason press for Season 49, she even stated that she wanted to play like Devens. These two are bound to get along and are sure to dominate if they lock in their alliance early on.
Joe’s choice: Cirie Fields and Ozzy Lusth
The tribe reveals showed that one duo is poised to work together despite their rocky history. Fields and Lusth may have been bitter rivals in Season 16, but by the time they both returned in Season 34, they managed to bury the hatchet and work together as best they could. They were easily the two biggest threats on their tribe, and are finding themselves in the same spot again. I foresee an alliance of Fields and Lusth against Jenna Lewis, Devens and Louie. Will the two carry the necessary alliance through the merge? Nobody knows. But they’ll certainly need each other early on in the game.
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