Survivor Island of the Idols cast assessment: Elaine Stott’s hard fought journey

Elaine has a very rootable story heading into Survivor: Island of the Idols, but her need to provide and her hunger for adventure will propel her game.

It seems like Kentucky has been a boon for Survivor casting in recent years. Players like Donathan have gotten far, while players like Nick Wilson have outright won the game. Additionally, Kentucky-based players have provided great characters who have compelling stories to tell, so it’s no wonder that Elaine Stott fits the bill in droves.

Nobody had me more enthralled about their story heading into the game quite like Elaine did, as her CBS bio hints at just a bit of the hardship she’s had to endure. She’s proud of stepping up and providing for ailing members of her family, taking care of her mother and grandpa before they passed away. Whenever people needed her in her life, she’s dropped everything to help them out.

At the same time, she has a bit of a wild side to her, as indicated by her line of being perceived as a hard-ass but really being a softy on the inside. She talked a great deal about her troubles with the law growing up in her RHAP interview, which really contrasts with the number of personal sacrifices she’s made to help out her loved ones in her thirties and forties.

The will to push forward to help others will reflect part of her Survivor strategy, as she looks to modernize an old school player’s game while adapting to modern sensibilities. Her noted influence is Rupert, and as she says in her one-minute video, she wants to be the one providing for others with the Hawaiian sling, catching fish and taking names.

Appealing to become others’ sidekicks by referencing she’ll be the Cal Naughton Jr. to others’ Ricky Bobby not only tells you the style of comedy she likes but the frame of references she embodies. The fact that Jeff Probst already refers to her potential as a one-name player is high praise bigger than the potential to win the game.

The fact that Jeff Probst immediately wanted to get a beer with her and has never known anyone like Elaine (other than, perhaps, Lauren Rimmer) per his Hollywood Reporter impressions shows that she can appeal to anyone at any time. Wanting to be the woman who supports others and gather as many shields as possible puts her in a great position in the game if she can find a good group.

Her intended role as a gatherer will allow her more opportunities to look for advantages that women have only recently started to return to in recent seasons. Additionally, her ability to make others laugh back at camp will only power her social game, as her multiple buddy strategy aims to be an Australian Survivor Pia-like strategy with a smaller cast and on a smaller scale.

Unless she’s the one whose likability is considered a liability in the premiere synopsis, I feel like Elaine has the potential to make it deep in the game based on social connections. It’s when the game gets towards the Final Eight where resumes become actually important that I fear whoever she’s working with will start to look at well-liked players.

Regardless, Elaine has the most rootable stories in Survivor: Island of the Idols, and I cannot wait to see her entertain for (hopefully) weeks ahead as the season progresses.