‘Survivor: Kaoh Rong’ episode 8 rankings: Are Debbie, Joe, and Aubry in as much danger as they seem?

How much of a game-changer was Neal Gottlieb’s medical evacuation from “Survivor: Kaoh Rong“? It’s a tricky thing to assess. From exit interviews, including our own, it appeared somewhat clear that he was not going to be giving up his hidden immunity idol to Aubry; meanwhile, it also seemed likely that he was not going to play it on himself. Therefore, Aubry probably goes home, Neal stays another day, but remains a big target due to immunity idol suspicion.

While Neal had tremendous upside, we actually think (and as we’re about to explain in our rankings) that his exit probably benefits some of the other Brains remaining. None of the three are perceived as challenge threats, and if everyone thinks they are sitting ducks, maybe they could make a swing!

Were basing these, as always, on strategy, screen time, edit, challenge ability, and threat level as we approach the end of the game.

10. Joe Del Campo (last week: 10) – All indications were that Aubry was targeted last week only because Neal likely wouldn’t give an idol to her. It didn’t seem like she was a threat, which is why we could see things shifting to Joe. We’ve seen previews hinting at a possible women’s alliance, and if something like that happens, Joe could be an easy person to pick off at this stage.

9. Nick Maiorano (9) – There’s no question in our mind that Nick did a great job this past episode of putting himself in a position where he had a lot of information. Here’s the problem now: The Brawn tribe plus Tai, if they stick around, really don’t need him anymore. Why not just get rid of him before he flips and uses their information against them? Also, a sudden spike in airtime makes us wonder if he’s heading to the guillotine soon.

8. Debbie Wanner (2) – It was a really rough week for Debbie at the merge as she turned several people off by going way too hard. Here’s where we could envision a situation like Debbie going home: She makes it clear she wants to get rid of Jason, and he finds out about it. Nobody wants to lose her as a character, but there could be fear that she swings a move.

7. Kyle Jason (8) – Here’s a more complicated scenario for how Jason goes home: He doesn’t play his idol, thinking that Tai will just give him his in the event he is voted out. However, that moment comes, and Tai then decides to keep it. Maybe the super-idol twist doesn’t come to fruition, but still plays a big role in the story.

6. Julia Sokolowski (6) – The only reason for her placement here is that we don’t see a situation right now where she wins the game unless she’s up against someone like Jason who people really don’t like. She seems nice, but she needs to make a big play soon.

5. Aubry Bracco (4) – We still have a lot of faith in Aubry despite being in danger. She’s shown that she knows the game, and based on our talk with Neal, she also realizes that she was almost about to be voted out. That should give her reckless abandon to make something happen.

4. Scot Pollard (7) -Were it not for his past earnings and notoriety, we’d probably have him a spot or two higher. Scot’s been really impressive ever since being unimpressive during the Alecia debacle; while he doesn’t have an idol, he has lots of friends with idols, and we think that’s almost as good. People also do seem to like him out of the remaining group.

3. Michele Fitzgerald (5) – Michele has received a ton of air time the past two weeks, and it doesn’t feel like a Nick situation where she’s being set up for a fall. We could see her being a power player down the line, and she’s going to need to be to get the votes needed at the end.

2. Tai Trang (3) – We’re probably higher on Michele making it to the end than Tai, but the difference here is that Tai wins hands-down if he’s in the final three / final two. He’s so likable that even if he doesn’t make many strategic moves here on out, people may not care and give him the check anyway.

1. Cydney Gillon (1) – For now, we still have a really hard time putting Cydney anywhere but the top since she’s got connections everywhere. Debbie likes her, she has the relationship with the Brawn tribe, and she is involved in those women’s alliance talks. She’s flexible, but does so in a way that doesn’t make anyone think that she’s overtly disloyal. Maybe that changes if she and Jason do have a huge argument, but we just think that she is smart enough and strong enough to make it to the end and easily win if she’s there.

Who do you think rules the roost out of the top 10? Vote below, and head over here to get some other “Survivor” scoop right now! Also, sign up over here to secure some more TV news on all we cover, sent right to you via our official CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)