'Survivor: Second Chance' Cast Roundup!

Lucy Philips-Roberts ’16/ Emertainment Monthly Contributor

20 castaways, 39 days, 1 survivor. In its 30 seasons, Survivor has attempted almost every theme, gimmick and twist, but nothing like this season’s twist. In the highly anticipated all-returners season, all your favorites have a second chance at the title of sole survivor. Not only are viewers getting to watch amazing players duke it out for a second time, for several of the returners it will be like the first time again. Survivor’s first ever fan voted cast really gave America the reigns to choose who deserved this second chance at the life-changing million dollars.
This season has one of the most exciting, fascinating, twists yet: the element of the hidden immunity idol will be changed. Now, in the past the hidden immunity idol has been used to form alliances, to ward off votes, and to take out a sworn nemesis. It is generally found by a player who has a clue or two (with the exception: Russell Hantz), and is hidden somewhere at camp, or perhaps on exile island. But for many seasons players have used it best by not using it at all. The first twist on the idol is that it is hidden at the challenges. So while swimming, climbing, doing a puzzle, or talking smack survivors must blatantly walk over and put a small talisman in their pocket. The clues will be very clear, they just have to be brave enough to go for it. The second changeup- each hidden idol will look different. This means that if someone finds an idol that person must convince others that it is in fact real. And once the players know they are all different, this would allow for more fake idols! Huzzah!

Our returners are an exciting bunch bound to give an amazing hour of TV to look forward to each week. Returning all the way from season one, Survivor: Borneo, is Kelly Wiglesworth, known for going on an unbelievable winning streak in the final stretch of the game. She lost to the infamous Richard Hatch, but now she’s back with a vengeance. She hasn’t been watching the show since she was on it, so we’ll see how she plays it by ear. Stephen Fishbach aka “The Wizard” is regarded as one of the smartest survivors ever. He came in second place to the labrador of a human JT Thomas in Survivor: Tocantins. Stephen is a favorite this season, but it seems impossible that he could win. His likability and smarts put a huge target on his back. Since his season he’s been featured on Rob Cesternino’s (Survivor: Amazon and Survivor: All Stars) Rob Has A Podcast as a part of the weekly debriefing “Survivor Know-It-Alls”. If the title of “Know-It-All” alone doesn’t get him voted out, I don’t know what will? Ciera Eastin from Survivor: Blood Vs. Water, is returning as well, she is famous for voting out her mom, Laura Morett (Survivor: Samoa, Survivor: Blood Vs. Water). Ciera, as a strong strategizer has a great chance of going all the way if she can play it cool early on. Nobody wants to be the leader on day one. Spencer Bledsoe, an alum of Survivor: Cagayan, aka: Brains vs. Brawns vs. Beauties, a member of the high-powered Brain alliance is back along with two other former Brains. Spencer’s got perspective on his self-proclaimed “cocky” gameplay and is certain he can bring it home this time around. Kelley Wentworth has another chance after a quiet and short-lived game. She played in Survivor: San Juan Del Sur, and was seriously bogged down by her playing with her dad, Dale. During voting, fans rallied to give this previously quiet player a chance to play again with the passion she lacked before.

Predictions!
 
WINNER: Ciera Eastin from Survivor Blood vs. Water. She is an extremely strategic player, she will do whatever it takes to keep from going home. In her previous season that meant voting out her own mother! All of this says a lot about her cutthroat style of play.
 
FIRST PERSON VOTED OUT: Peih-Gee Law from Survivor China. From Jeff Probst’s cast assessment, it seems like she’s on the outs early. And although in China she was a real scrapper to get as far as she did. But that can only take you so far.
 
180 ON THEIR GAMEPLAY: Who’s gonna surprise us the most in their game style? Kelley Wentworth. She played with her dad before and that really held her back. Viewers will love to see her play really fast and hard.
 
CHALLENGE THREAT: We have quite a few of the older men who were challenge threats in their previous seasons, however it’s been awhile for them. This makes way for someone like Spencer to do well again without being too threatening. He’s seen first and foremost as a brain, so he and his co-brain Tasha Fox are able to slip under the radar and dominate.

Watch ‘Survivor: Second Chance’ at 8PM Wednesday on CBS for guaranteed drama, tears, twists and maybe even a showmance.