5. Yau Man Chan--Sure, he may have screwed up royally in the end by putting his faith in Dreamz, but he proved to be one of the most underestimated Survivors
in the game, time and time again beating the strongest guys in challenges and in overall gameplay. And had Dreamz lived up to his deal and taken Yau Man to the
final three, it would have been one of the best plays (and example of foresight) in the game.
4. Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien--Started out extremely rough, but she wound up become the power player in multiple votes. The first time in Survivor history where the minority rose above what was thought to be the majority, and she was largely behind it. Not only that, but became the glue that held the two opposing alliances together--Sean/Vecepia and Neleh/Paschal. Should have won her season, and would have if she made the final two. Still probably the best comeback of any Survivor.
3. Amanda Kimmel- She did what no other Survivor has ever done, made it to Day 39 twice, back to back, playing good strategy both times. If it hadn't been for her colossal breakdowns at both final tribal councils, she would have won either time, and not only that, but she would have been deserving of winning either season, especially China (I would say Cirie played the best game in Micronesia, but an Amanda win would have been satisfactory nonetheless)
2. Cirie Fields--in the final four both times she played, and she was IMO the best player of her season both times around. A master manipulator and strategist, truly deserved to win both of her seasons.
1. Rob Cesternino--He helped bring an end to 'pagonging'. His strategy of alliance-jumping paved the way for future seasons where the power would shift between multiple alliances. In previous seasons the dominant tribe/alliance would vote out the minority and there would be little betrayals/shifts in power. Rob shifted the power between the alliances several times, and like the others on his list, should have won his season. He is #1 not only because he is one of the most strategic contestants in Survivor history, but moreso because he revolutionized the game much like Richard Hatch did for the first season.
Thoughts? This is not a concrete list, let me know what you think.
4. Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien--Started out extremely rough, but she wound up become the power player in multiple votes. The first time in Survivor history where the minority rose above what was thought to be the majority, and she was largely behind it. Not only that, but became the glue that held the two opposing alliances together--Sean/Vecepia and Neleh/Paschal. Should have won her season, and would have if she made the final two. Still probably the best comeback of any Survivor.
3. Amanda Kimmel- She did what no other Survivor has ever done, made it to Day 39 twice, back to back, playing good strategy both times. If it hadn't been for her colossal breakdowns at both final tribal councils, she would have won either time, and not only that, but she would have been deserving of winning either season, especially China (I would say Cirie played the best game in Micronesia, but an Amanda win would have been satisfactory nonetheless)
2. Cirie Fields--in the final four both times she played, and she was IMO the best player of her season both times around. A master manipulator and strategist, truly deserved to win both of her seasons.
1. Rob Cesternino--He helped bring an end to 'pagonging'. His strategy of alliance-jumping paved the way for future seasons where the power would shift between multiple alliances. In previous seasons the dominant tribe/alliance would vote out the minority and there would be little betrayals/shifts in power. Rob shifted the power between the alliances several times, and like the others on his list, should have won his season. He is #1 not only because he is one of the most strategic contestants in Survivor history, but moreso because he revolutionized the game much like Richard Hatch did for the first season.
Thoughts? This is not a concrete list, let me know what you think.
