Survivor: China has two incredibly athletic challenge all-stars, and two strategic masterminds who have been running things since almost the beginning of the game.  This quatrain of players comprise the top four on my power rankings.  Perhaps “strategic masterminds” is a little strong in describing Todd and Amanda, but they're poised to run the game for the foreseeable future.  As for James and Frosti, who knows?  It all depends on who can emerge triumphant in the challenges and who becomes the biggest threat.
(See Power Rankings #9 through #5)


#4 – James Clement

I probably wouldn't have placed James below Frosti if it wasn't for the CBS promos for Thursday's episode that show Todd concocting a plan to back door James. I know that since the scheme is shown on the promos it almost certainly won't happen, but the mere fact that Todd is thinking about getting rid of James this early is troubling.  Todd's inclination is correct, though; James is the most dangerous player in this game.  However, if you get rid of him...

#3 – Michael 'Frosti' Zernow

...Frosti becomes, by far, the most dangerous player in the game.  Frosti won a mental immunity challenge, which had to scare the hell out of the rest of the castaways.  Frosti and James will duke it out in the challenges as long as they're both in the game, and I'm excited to see how that shakes out.  Frosti's knowledge of Todd's immunity idol is powerful, but Todd will not hesitate to pull the trigger and vote off Frosti, even if it means revealing he owns the idol. 

#2 – Todd Herzog 

I believe Todd is the most powerful person on Survivor: China, and has played the best game so far.  But, I think he's becoming too visible as a game player and the rest of the castaways will eventually rise up against him.  He's clearly a part of the power duo with Amanda, but he's going to catch the brunt of any backlash because he's the more visible strategic player. 

#1 – Amanda Kimmel

Despite what some of the editing may imply, I get the feeling that Todd and Amanda act as one and make all of their important decisions together.  The promo for this week showing Todd wanting to kick off James is, I'm sure, taken out of context and was merely brought up as a possibility.  The other reason I like Amanda more than Todd is the endgame.  If they play all their cards right, Amanda and Todd will bring a weak player with them to the final three.  Amanda would then be the favorite in that final immunity challenge and could ensure herself a million dollars by voting off Todd.  Will Amanda be that cold-blooded?  I would be for a million dollars. 


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of CBS)