Redemption Island cast: the last word

At the start of the season, I posted my first impressions. Here are my thoughts now that the game has ended. How many met my expectations?

18th place - Francesca Hogi

First impressions: I don't think I'm going to like her. Her feistiness might keep her going in the game, but it's sure to land her in hot water before the end.

Result: I was right about the last part, but she was definitely more likeable than I gave her credit for. Sorry, Fran. It seems like she simply got off on the wrong foot by upsetting Rob. She's a smart girl though, pity there weren't more of them on her tribe.

17th place - Russell Hantz

First impressions: As good as he is, I think this is a task too much for him. I expect him to make the jury, but sadly I think this is the season we will finally see his torch snuffed. 

Result: I definitely underestimated the urgency with which his tribe wanted to get rid of him. Russell had a strategy that's worked very well for him twice, but now that people know his game, it's not as easy. To be fair, he was never given a fair chance. He was a major scalp, everybody wanted to be the guy who finally voted out Russell Hantz. I still like Russell because I am a fan of bold moves, and Russell still went all in this season, the only difference being he lost.

16th place - Kristina Kell

First impressions: We could be looking at the new villain of the season here. Kristina seems like a woman who can definitely hold her own in a confrontation, so I'm relying on this cougar to bring the entertainment.

Result: I definitely didn't expect to love her as much as I did. She was my favorite from day one, and it's such a shame she couldn't go further. Kristina played too hard, too fast. She focused on getting rid of Rob and neglected the social game. I had her down as an early boot, and unfortunately I was right.

15th place - Krista Klumpp

First impressions: My pick for a female winner. I'm expecting her to have a strong social game, I think she's sharp, and I think she will be underestimated due to her Southern accent. Plus, she looks like Samoa winner Natalie White. What better omen is there than that?

Result: Yeah...definitely my worst call. Krista simply just backed the wrong horse when she aligned with Russell. There was nothing she could do after he went, although I was disappointed she didn't put up much of a fight. We didn't see much of Krista, but I liked her. She seemed a lot more willing to play hard than most of the people on her tribe.

14th place - Stephanie Valencia

First impressions: She's bound to be the weakest link on the tribe and she would never be able to survive Redemption Island, poor thing. I can't really see anything other than "early boot" for this one, I'm afraid. 

Result: I had mixed feelings about Stephanie before the game started but she quickly became a fave. She was an early boot like I thought, but she was much stronger than I initially suspected. Unfortunately for Steph, it was a game of "almosts". There were so many great plays that she almost pulled off, but in the end fell short. Potential to be a great player, but unfulfilled. If she had made it to the merge though, she could've gone deep into the game.

13th place - Sarita White

First impressions: This is the name that stands out to me the least. Usually the bores tend to slip under the radar, so she has a chance to get to the second half of the game if she stays out of the way.

Result: I wasn't expecting much from her, and I didn't get much. So glad I was wrong and she went pre-merge. Sarita had very little game. The weak link on the tribe, who only lasted as long as she did because she made a strong alliance and was trustworthy. Unfortunately trust ain't enough when you're useless at challenges and on a losing tribe.

12th place - David Murphy

First impressions: Intelligent - or at least thinks he is - but his arrogance is off-putting. I think David is all talk, and I would love for him to be one of the first ones to go.

Result: I wouldn't say I was really wrong in my assessment, but I actually found David mostly quite likeable. Despite claiming to be a great puzzlemaker, he didn't really get to show off these skills, and his strategic game was lacking too. I think he realized too late that he should have aligned with Russell and Stephanie, and was unable to rectify that. He still has the potential to be a good player though, so I would welcome it if he was given another chance.

11th place - Julie Wolfe

First impressions:  Julie strikes me as a confident and experienced lady. And she really needs the money, which is going to put a target on her. I could go either way with Julie. If she can hold her own in the challenges, she can go far. If not, she'll be gone pretty quick.

Result: Julie had a mixed record in challenges, I would say. But I loved her and she's definitely a character I think we deserved to see more of. Why was her story only mentioned after she was eliminated?

10th place - Steve Wright

First impressions: This guy is in danger of being an early boot. If he's loud and take-charge, then that will surely rub his tribe mates up the wrong way...particularly Russell. He better be damn good at challenges to save himself.

Result: Nah, Steve was much gentler than I thought. It's a pity his sense of humour only started to come out at the end. I don't think Steve gave it his all, which is to be expected at his age...but it's a pity, because he looked so enthusiastic on day one.

9th place - Ralph Kiser

First impressions: He seems much more likeable than I anticipated actually, and is the closest thing to a big character on this season other than the returnees. He's not exactly giving off winner vibes, but I'm hoping he can at least make the merge.

Result: Ralph was a charming, endearing character and a nice guy. He far exceeded my expectations although his intelligence did hold him back at times - particularly on the puzzle that eliminated him.

8th place - Grant Mattos

First impressions: Quiet and soft-spoken, Grant could fly under the radar in this game. His athletic ability could also help him. He may be the dark horse.

Result: A disappointment. He's clearly not dumb, but was made to look dumb, by having far too much trust in Rob, and was never really a contender to win. Still one of the best physical competitors the show has ever had, though. I hope he makes up with Boston Rob, as Rob really did seem to like him.

7th place - Matt Elrod

First impressions: It's Fabio 2.0! And honestly, there's no reason why we can't see him repeat his predecessors success. Like Fabio, he's not as dumb as he seems. He can get by on his good looks and laid-back personality. Watch him!

Result: Matt had a rather unique Survivor experience, shall we say. He mastered the art of challenges, he just had too much naivety to play alongside Rob - you can't play Survivor with morals! He was probably the least fun contestant to watch this season due to all the God talk.

6th place - Mike Chiesl

First impressions: I'm calling it now, folks - this here is your winner! He seems like the full package - likeable, intelligent, and athletic. 

Result: The only thing that stopped Mike winning this season was the addition of Rob and Russell. He possesses all the attributes somebody needs to do well in this game, and if his tribe had got the numbers I fully believe he would've been our winner. A little boring, but I liked him for the most part.

5th place - Andrea Boehlke

First impressions: I like Andrea. I think she has more depth than the other girls. I expect her to be a decent challenge competitor, and to coast to the merge easily. Maybe further.

Result: I held out hope for far too long that Andrea could pull something out and save the season, but in the end she disappointed me. She had the least excuse to trust Rob, as he already lied to her once! At least Andrea acknowledges she played a poor game and could become a good player if she was to play again.

4th place - Ashley Underwood

First impressions: Well...this girl is hot, that's for sure. The show has never been light on eye candy, but after seeing some of her modelling work, she ranks as one of the best (that ass, oh my word). She sounds like she can handle herself, and is unlikely to be viewed as a threat, so should Ometepe come out on top she has a good chance of going far in the game.

Result: Was my least favourite for a long while, but definitely emerged as a player late on. She had more game awareness than any of the other Ometepes, and even turned into a challenge threat. If she'd done that last puzzle - and I thought she had it - she'd be a millionaire right now. So close!

3rd place - Natalie Tenerelli

First impressions: Natalie seems bubbly and enthusiastic, but at 19 years old she's the youngest Survivor contestant ever. She's sweet, and she's smiley, but I feel she's out of her depth.

Result: One of the worst players ever. She didn't have a single thought for herself, her challenge performances were pathetic, and was almost painfully inarticulate in interviews. Congrats on kidding yourself you were doing anything other than playing for Rob to win. I still would, though.

2nd place - Phillip Sheppard

First impressions: He seems to have a diverse set of skills and claims he can read people, so I'm interested to see if he can put that to use. Question is, can he read the game? He doesn't sound like a guy who knows what he's doing out there. Personally, I'm thinking early boot.

Result: The most random runner-up ever. Week after week we were left wondering how the Hell he was still here. If his antics were all strategy as he claims, why didn't he say anything at final tribal? Regardless, he was definitely the most entertaining person this season. I don't know how he comes up with some of this stuff.

1st place - Rob Mariano

First impressions: Rob might have a better chance of getting far in this game than you think. He won't be gone early, as his tribe will need his leadership and physical dominance. I just hope the other players are smart enough to know when to take him out.

Result: You can say what you want about him playing against amateurs, it's never easy to win Survivor. Probst called it one of the most perfect games ever, and it's hard to disagree. He was entertaining along the way, but you still can't help resent the fact that he was the reason this season was so predictable. Good gameplay does not always equal good entertainment.