Welcome to Inside Survivor’s 50 For 50, a semi-regular feature highlighting 50 former castaways who we think should be considered for a spot on Survivor 50. In a snake draft, the Inside Survivor team selected ten players each, with the only rule being they couldn’t have played more than twice.
PROFILE
Name: Victoria Baamonde
Age: 29
Season: Edge of Extinction, 2019
Finish: 6th Place
HIGHLIGHTS
Victoria had the unfortunate position of being on a season overshadowed by four returning players and a dramatic new twist. If she had been on a season where half the air-time wasn’t dedicated to the losers at Edge of Extinction, she would have had a far bigger presence. Even with those things going against her, Victoria proved herself to be a capable Survivor player on Season 38.
Her standout moment came at the tribe swap when she masterminded the blindside of Survivor veteran Aubry Bracco. It’s so easy for newbies to be blinded by returning fan favorites, but Victoria never let her fandom get in the way of her personal goals. She outplayed Aubry at her own game, lulling her into a false sense of security with promises of an all-women’s alliance. As a result, Aubry was voted out with an idol and an extra vote in her pocket.
While her post-merge game remained relatively under the radar, she was always on the right side of the numbers and often a key part of the plans, especially when she orchestrated the split vote between Rick Devens and Ron Clarke. She was also the only castaway to vote out all four of the returning players.
Victoria had positioned herself in a strong spot to win, but she saw it all undone when Chris Underwood returned to the game on Day 35 and let everyone know how much of a jury threat she was. In the end, Victoria was voted out with only two votes against her after a lot of chaos and two hidden idol plays.
WHY SHE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
On paper, Victoria might not seem like an obvious choice for Survivor 50. However, returnee seasons always have that one “unfulfilled potential” spot. It’s usually reserved for the young, good-looking woman who showed promise in her first season but either left too soon or didn’t receive significant screen time. Previously, we’ve seen the likes of Parvati Shallow and Kelley Wentworth return in these “unfulfilled potential” spots and go on to great success.
Victoria fits that archetype perfectly. She is clearly an astute player capable of pulling off big blindsides that would relish a second opportunity. On a season with a more level playing field against and no EOE eating up air time, Victoria could prove to be a force of nature.
While some fans want to see Survivor 50 filled with big-name legends, I think there is a danger of packing the season with too many two, three, four-time players. Those multi-time veterans have done it all, and there is a risk of them resting on their laurels. The season needs hungry players who are champing at the bit for a second chance and will leave it all out there on the island. Survivor 50 will need some Victorias.
Also, when it comes to legends, many Survivor players didn’t reach legend status until their second or third time out. Victoria just might be a legend in waiting.
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Not saying it’s right or wrong…but I think she was one of those former survivors with and only fans and I don’t think CBS is going to be keen on recasting them.
Yes, please bring her back!