Survivor 49 finally reached the merge, and it didn’t take long for the individual games to begin. Jawan Pitts and Sage Ahrens Nichols, along with Steven Ramm, started thinking ahead when they ousted Shannon Fairweather at the previous tribal council.
These three named themselves the Bottom Up alliance, playing on the fact that they were all at the bottom of their original tribe alliances. Once they knew the merge was happening and everyone else was heading to their beach, they quickly got a plan together and got their stories straight for what they would tell everyone else about Shannon’s vote.
With the Bottom Up alliance in the midst of a Hini vs. Uli power struggle, they chose to eliminate Nate Moore. It probably wasn’t the most strategic vote, but it was safe because no one knew if Rizo Velovic would play his idol for himself or for Savannah.
This season is shaping up to be entertaining moving forward, and this is the first power rankings of the season.
10. Savannah Louie
Savannah may be the most strategic player who made it to the merge. The problem is that everyone thinks that is the case. She is going to have to work a minor miracle to survive much longer.
9. Rizo Velovic
As long as the Bottom Up alliance stays aligned with the former Hinka members, it’s going to be difficult for Rizo to go very deep in the game. He does have a hidden immunity idol, that isn't very hidden anymore, and it will be surprising if he isn’t forced to play it soon.
8. Kristina Mills
Kristina has a great social game going and is well-liked by almost everyone. She hasn’t allowed herself just to be dragged along, but some of her moves haven’t been the strongest.
She was the biggest proponent of voting out Nate, but that accomplished nothing. Rizo still has his idol, and he and Savannah are both still in the game. Kristina’s overall game, probably, isn’t going to be strong enough to win.
7. MC Chukwujekwu
MC is one of the strongest players this season. She’s smart, physically strong, and socially adept. She has a history of performing well in challenges, and this could be perceived as a threat.
She did make a significant blunder, wasting her idol by playing it when she received no votes. This could cost her later, but that target is now out of the way.
6. Sophie Segreti
Sophie is a sound strategic player, and she proved her Survivor worthiness by winning the first individual immunity.
If Savannah and Rizo can turn the game around, Sophie might be one of their first targets (after Sage and Jawan, of course). She is starting to emerge as a threat, which will likely result in her being sent home before she deserves to be.
5. Alex Moore
Alex is playing a quiet, subtle game. He had a better read on what was going on than his initial Kele tribemate, Sophi, did, and voted with the majority to eliminate Nate.
He’s good in challenges, but not dominating. He’s good socially and doesn’t seem to have many enemies. Alex has a big move or two in his future, but he’s biding his time and doesn't have any enemies right now.
4. Sophi Balerdi
Sophi chose the wrong side in voting out Nate. Like a lot of people, she thought she was on the wrong side of the numbers, but the Bottom's Up alliance turned the tables on the Uli alliance. Sophi does have one powerful advantage - Knowledge is Power - and if she plays it correctly, she can change the game significantly.
If she wants to flip sides, she can do so by merely using her advantage at the next tribal council and taking Rizo’s idol. She can have a massive impact on this game.
3. Jawan Pitts
Jawan seems like a nice guy, but he’s got some enemies. Savannah has never been comfortable with him in her alliance, and now, even less so, since he has obviously sold out the Uli alliance. As long as Savannah and Rizo are in the game, Jawan won’t be safe.
2. Steven Ramm
Steven might have a target on him if he continues to perform well in challenges, but right now, he is a key member of the Bottom's Up alliance. He doesn’t have any significant enemies, and he might be able to bring MC, his closest original Hina ally, into his present alliance. He is safe for now.
1. Sage Ahrens-Nichols
Sage went from a quirky player without many close allies to this season’s first power broker. She had an opportunity to seize power, and she took it when she eliminated Shannon. She carried it over to the merged beach by convincing her former Uli tribemates that she was still with them. Instead, she took out another member of her former tribe. She rightfully pushed for Savannah as the strongest competition, but some of the people she’s now aligned with wanted Nate to go.
Sage was correct in her assessment, but she didn’t have the history with Kristina and Sophie to get her way - this time. Of course, when you start backstabbing, you become a prime target to get blindsided yourself. It will be interesting to see if Sage can hold her position.
Survivor 49 started a bit slow, but has hit its stride, as so often happens with the merge. Can the Bottom's Up alliance maintain its power, or will Savannah and Rizo find a way out of their dilemma? Stay tuned.