‘Survivor: Worlds Apart’ rankings: Carolyn Rivera, Tyler Fredrickson rise to the surface

Wednesday night gave us an insanely interesting episode of “Survivor: Worlds Apart,” mostly in that almost nothing happened in the way that we predicted. For example, Joe and Mike went separate ways despite previously working together, and Tyler and Rodney were convinced to work with Mike again despite the Rodney vote. Add to this Jenn playing her idol and Kelly being sent home, and we’re left in a crazy position. We thought Kelly would be safe for a long time!

We do have at least a slightly-clearer picture for doing our rankings this week, at least in that we know now where some of the current castaways stand with each other. One thing to remember here is that alliances matter more to us right now than the result of this past vote, since Jenn doesn’t have that idol anymore. Strategy, screen time, challenge ability, and social game are all factors we are looking at.

11. Joe Anglim – The reason we rank Joe last is simple: If he loses the next challenge, it would be completely idiotic to keep him. He’s a huge physical threat, a likable guy, and he has an alliance who are tight around him. Even though Jenn played the idol, he, Hali, Jenn, and Shirin should still be outnumbered.

10. Mike Holloway – If Rodney and Will do end up going their own way as suggested in the preview (start playing that Fleetwood Mac song!), Mike will be in trouble. His strong edit makes us think that this may not be the case, but we’ve started to learn more at this point (see Josh last season) that it could be misdirection for a shock boot.

9. Jenn Brown – What Jenn did this past week was save her own hide, but what the other players should have learned from this is that she is a smart, dangerous player capable of finding another idol and keeping that one a secret, as well. She could easily win this game, but with the numbers laid out now she’s not in anywhere as good a position.

8. Rodney Lavoie Jr. – Ranked here mostly because we have no confidence in Rodney avoiding strategically shooting himself in the foot. He’s made for some crazy entertainment this season and good confessionals, but the way he plays makes things harder on himself.

7. Dan Foley – Dan could make it to the end. We just have a hard time imagining him beating anyone left in the entire game, even someone like Will who flipped on his old alliance and has stunk in almost every challenge.

6. Will Sims II – Will’s not that bad of a strategic player, given that he knew he was at best 4th in the No Collar tribe and he wanted to change his fate by flipping. The problem he runs into is that Rodney’s his tightest ally now, and he’s so unpredictable that he could leave Will high and dry.

5. Shirin Oskooi – She’s mildly dangerous at the end since she can make an underdog-story argument like nobody’s business, but even still, she has yet to do anything that she can really point to as a winning move at the final tribal council.

4. Sierra Dawn Thomas – Is Sierra can figure out how to go to the end with Dan and Rodney, she could win a million dollars! That wouldn’t be so bad for a woman whose biggest contribution to the season so far is complain about how much she loathes the two of them.

3. Hali Ford – Hali’s in the best position in her minority alliance. Both Joe and Jenn have established themselves as bigger threats, and you have to think with her law school background, she is going to be able to craft a good argument for herself if she makes it to the end.

2. Tyler Fredrickson – Whenever we doubt Tyler, he comes back and reminds us how good of a player he is. The soft-spoken way that he negotiated with Mike proved that he knows what he is doing. He didn’t make himself into a big threat, and secured himself allies and bigger shields for now.

1. Carolyn Rivera – She has everything that Tyler does, except an immunity idol and some relationships with No Collar. She’s a fighter, we cannot imagine this season ending without her continuing to prove herself as an underestimated force to be reckoned with.

Who do you think is in the best position right now on the merge tribe Merica? (Yep, that is still the name.) Vote in the poll below, and head over here to read our recently interview with Kelly! Also, sign up to have some further TV updates sent over to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)