Survivor: Game Changers

Oi.
In just two episodes, a couple of my favorite players are gone and both from silly mistakes.
Haven't written about my super-fan nerd status of the CBS reality show Survivor, but yeah...big fan.
I've been watching since Survivor first aired when I was a senior in high school. I've applied several times, had an interview to be on the show once when I was in college - (at that time, they told me I was literally too skinny to physically survive. I wouldn't have a problem now, CBS!) I still think it's the best reality show out there and hope it continues for another 34+ seasons because it's different every time.
Reading through various comments on the Survivor Facebook page, it seems like many people aren't fans of the returning player seasons, but I don't mind them.
Or at least I didn't until these last couple weeks when my faves got voted out.
Boo-hoo, right?
​Let's dig in to see who is left and where I'm going for my Final 4.

***SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN'T CAUGHT UP ON LAST WEEK'S EPISODE***

While I love the returning player seasons, the one thing I'm not a fan of is their targeting of the big physical threats (a la Malcolm and JT). I get that everyone's doing what's best for their game, but come on, man! More on this in a minute...

Episode 1 - They voted out Ciera. Made sense. Get rid of the girl who's proven to flip-flop all over the place and stir up gossip. Good on 'em.

Episode 2 - Tony goes home. I say that's on him. If he would've just calmed down...I mean, he was paranoid in his season too, but jeez dude. Pump the brakes a bit, yeah? Anyway, felt pretty meh about him going home too.

Episode 3 - This one hurt. Caleb?!? Really, Tai! How could you? This vote made absolutely no sense to me and I put it on Brad's shoulders. I get that Caleb was a physical threat, but everything we've ever seen of him (on Survivor, not Big Brother) showed he's 1) an honest and loyal ally, 2) busts his butt at camp, and 3) isn't the most strategic player out there. Brad...I get that you wanna be Mr. Macho and feel needed, but when it comes time to merge, they're gonna be looking at you. Meanwhile, Lawyer Hali is gonna work her magic and slip under the radar. Dumb move, dude. Should've taken out Hali all the way.

​Episode 4 - Wow! Was not the craziest tribal ever?!? Loved the move, even if it resulted in Malcolm getting the boot. Still, I can't imagine what it must've felt like to be him in that moment. He's such a savvy player that to go out the way he did has to be eating at him still. Lotta people dogged JT for screwing up the vote (which he did) but I think of this like the Monday morning coaches - he's either the hero or the goat. This move just didn't pan out and it ended up costing us two great players. Still...man, what an episode.

Episode 5 - Le sigh. My fave player goes home. As a display of my crazy geek status for Survivor, did you know that JT is one of only two players to have ever played a perfect game - (won the game, received all the jury votes, AND never received a vote against him on the way here)?!? (**Bonus pts. if you know the other player) I hated that JT got screwed by the tribal swap and was even more mad that he didn't see through Sandra's lies, especially because he's played with her before on Heroes vs. Villains. If he would've just played his hidden idol and lasted one more day...boom, another tribal swap. Le sigh. 
On another note, I don't for a second buy that Sandra wanted to take JT out because of what happened with Malcolm. I think she was gunning for JT as the only other winner to make sure nobody had a shot of tying her sole 2x-winner status. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

Okay, so that brings us up to speed. So...what do I think of those remaining and who's my pick to be in the Final 4? Again, it's incredibly foolish to make judgement calls until they get to the merge, but what the heck. Let's do it.

Random Thoughts

• Call me crazy, but I think we got us another Girl-Power Alliance season brewing. (Sandra, Hali, Andrea, Cirie). Come on, guys! Those four need taken out, ASAP. (I still think at least one of them will be in the Final 4). Also, if they do end up running the show, it's all Brad's fault for not seeing it coming and needing to be an alpha by focusing on taking out the other guys.
• I love me some Ozzy, but even if he makes it to the merge, he's gonna have to run the table with winning immunities. He's just too tough at challenges and they'll take him out.

ZEKE - This kid is sharp. Feel like he's got a great social game and he's wicked smart in the puzzle department. Like his chances a lot of going all the way.

ANDREA - I call her Parvati-lite because she's essentially modeled the same game. This girl's crazy adaptable in either flirting with the guys or going girl power all the way. She's also pretty awesome at challenges. 

SARAH - Feel like she's the loyal one that players like Andrea/Zeke would carry with them to the end because they know they can count on her + they can craft better arguments in a final jury. 

DEBBIE - Okay, before you judge, just hear me out. She's the perfect one to sit next to in a final jury. If you can stand the crazy, she's (mostly) loyal, you know you'll get more jury votes than her, and she's not gonna beat you in final challenges. 

There you have it - my picks for the Final 4. Granted, I would love to see a Ozzy, Sandra, Cirie, and Aubrey showdown, but don't think that's in the cards. :/

So....who are your Final 4 picks?