The time for tribes is over as the 17 remaining castaways on “Survivor 50” prepare to drop their buffs ahead of the biggest Merge in the series’ 26-year history on Wednesday, April 1.
At present, it remains unclear how production plans to stage the massive Merge over the course of the upcoming two-hour episode, though some fans have already started speculating that the installment could feature the series’ first-ever triple elimination as production attempts to trim down the remaining contestants ahead of the season’s May 20 live finale.
Whether Wednesday’s Merge episode will feature one, two, or even three eliminations, here’s a run down of the season’s current “power rankings,” outlining which castaways are best-positioned to survive the transition from tribes to the individual portion of the game, and who might be in danger of going home this week.
‘Survivor 50’ Castaway Power Rankings After Episode 5
- Colby Donaldson (+2 from Episode 4 rankings)
- Rick Devens (-1)
- Dee Valladares (+6)
- Jonathan Young
- Rizo Velovic (+5)
- Christian Hubicki (-4)
- Genevieve Mushaluk (-2)
- Benjamin ‘Coach’ Wade (-2)
- Cirie Fields (+2)
- Aubry Bracco (-2)
- Ozzy Lusth (-4)
- Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick
- Emily Flippen (+2)
- Kamilla Karthigesu (+2)
- Chrissy Hofbeck (-3)
- Joe Hunter (+1)
- Tiffany Nicole Ervin (-3)
- Angelina Keeley – Eliminated in Episode 5
- Charlie Davis – Eliminated in Episode 5
- Mike White – Eliminated in Episode 4
- Quintavius ‘Q’ Burdette – Eliminated in Episode 3
- Savannah Louie – Eliminated in Episode 2
- Kyle Fraser – Medically Evacuated in Episode 1
- Jenna Lewis-Dougherty – Eliminated in Episode 1
Colby Donaldson Leads the Pack, But Lacks a Vital Tool
CBSGoing into the Merge, fourth-time player and “Survivor: The Australian Outback” runner-up Colby Donaldson is listed as DraftKings’ current Season 50 front-runner, having usurped former favorites like Christian Hubicki and Rick Devens who led the pack in previous episodes.
Colby is well-positioned to succeed during the individual portion of the game, having formed the so-called “Honor & Integrity” alliance with players like Benjamin “Coach” Wade, Joe Hunter and, seemingly, Chrissy Hofbeck. Donaldson similarly stands to find/reunite with allies on other tribes, including castaways like Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick and Rizo Velovic amongst others.
While his new and steadfast relationships should leave Colby in a great place heading into the Merge, it’s important to remember that he’s one of the only castaways who has yet to attend a Tribal Council ceremony this season, meaning that he has yet to earn back his right to cast a vote.
Going into the Merge without a vote could potentially lead Donaldson’s allies to see him as a liability.
Rizo & Dee Secure Relative Safety After Successful Blindside
CBSAfter blindsiding “Survivor 46” runner-up Charlie Davis during last week’s double elimination episode, Rizo Velovic and Dee Valladares rose in DraftKings’ power rankings from middle-ground players to genuine contenders for the “Sole Survivor” title, rising 5 and 6 points in the rankings, respectively.
Going into the Merge, the duo have established a wary alliance with both Kamilla Karthigesu and Cirie Fields.
Together the quartet of strategic masterminds have a Billie Eilish Boomerang Idol and an extra vote in their possession. The collection of advantages stands to grow even further if Cirie and convince her former Cila Tribe ally Ozzy Lusth – who similarly possessed a Boomerang Idol – to join their alliance.
Former Front-Runners Fall Behind as the Tribes Dissolve
CBSWhile key players Christian Hubicki and Rick Devens have both claimed the top spot in DraftKings’ power rankings during previous episodes, their hard and fast game play has put major targets on both of their backs heading into the 17-player Merge.
Specifically, Hubicki stands to fumble as his pool of reliable allies had dwindled over recent weeks, after he orchestrated the blindsides of both of his former “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” co-stars, sending Mike White and Angelina Keeley home in quick succession after Episode 3’s tribe swap landed the trio on the same beach.
Christian and Rick have been in lock-step all season long, but their alliance is already starting to crumble, especially after his tentative allies Ozzy Lusth and Emily Flippen started to sour towards the duo on the new Vatu tribe.
Despite trying to make amends by offering Ozzy his Shot in the Dark, Hubicki’s reign of terror could potentially come to an end as the tribes unite.
Find out what happens when “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans” returns to CBS screens nationwide on Wednesday, April 1 with a special two-hour Merge episode starting at 8:00pm ET.
