Up next we have the Tony Vlachos Award for Most Likely to Find an Idol.
This category is pretty self-explanatory. For better or worse, we all know how valuable Hidden Immunity Idols can be in the game of Survivor, and there are certain people that just have a knack for finding them. Survivor: Cagayan winner, Tony Vlachos, powered his way through the game with his lying and scheming, but he also had an expert ability at finding idols – and because of those idols he was able to maneuver his way to the Final Tribal Council. But idols can also be a curse – remember in Survivor: China, James Clement was blindsided and sent home with two idols in his possession. Finding an idol is one thing, but knowing how to best utilize an idol is the key thing.
In Survivor: Cambodia – Second Chance, only 5 of the 20 contestants found Hidden Immunity Idols in their original season – and only one of them is a woman, which makes these nominations even tougher. Also, there are four players returning in Cambodia that first played the game before hidden idols even came into existence. How will they adapt to this unknown element? As always, I have nominated the two men and two women I think are most likely to find an idol.
And the nominees are…
Spencer Bledsoe – in Survivor: Cagayan, perpetual underdog Spencer kick-started an island-wide idol hunt after he discovered a clue at a reward. It was probably the most panicked idol searching ever, but even with the entire tribe looking for the idol, Spencer was able to find it and keep it secret from his fellow tribe-mates. He may not have played the idol correctly the first time around, but I believe Spencer will have a great chance to redeem himself in that regard this season. He’s a superfan, he knows the type of places the producers hide idols, and he has experience in searching for them.
Terry Deitz – the circumstances were a little different back when Terry found his Hidden Immunity Idol in Survivor: Panama. It was only the second time an idol was introduced, and unlike the idol we are most familiar with today, this one you could play after the votes were read at Tribal Council. Terry also found this idol, not at camp, but on Exile Island. However, Terry’s determination to find the idol is what makes me believe he will be committed to finding any idol that is hidden on the beaches of Koh Rong Island. Terry is someone that needs to be in control, and having the idol will give him that control.
Abi-Maria Gomes – the only woman in the Second Chance cast that actually found a Hidden Immunity Idol in her original season. Abi not only found the idol in Survivor: Philippines but she correctly used it to save herself at Tribal Council. Even when she didn’t have an idol, she made up a lie pretending she did (after she won an advantage at the Survivor Auction). Abi is someone who very much understands the power of an idol and how deep they can take you in this game. I expect her to be looking for it on Day 1.
Shirin Oskooi – as I said, none of the other women in the cast have previous experience of finding an idol, but if anyone on this cast who should know where idols are hidden it’s Shirin Oskooi. One of the biggest superfans to ever play the game, in Survivor: Worlds Apart, Shirin effectively broke the Survivor Auction with her superfan knowledge, and she could just as easily apply that knowledge to locating idols. Much like Spencer, she should have a good idea of the kind of places the producers tend to hide these things.
Vote below for which of these four nominees you think is Most Likely to Find an Idol in Survivor: Cambodia. Results will be announced in September.
THIS POLL IS NOW CLOSED!
Check out our Survivor Second Chance interviews here and Second Chance Cast Retrospectives.
Photo Credit: Rosmarie Voegtli via Compfight cc
Written by
Well traditionally this should go to a male cast member, and a production favorite so I pick Spencer.
Agreed. Spencer will definitely be searching for Idols. But Abi and Shirin may not search at all. Abi will be too busy screaming at everyone on her tribe (most of Ta Keo is either old, mature, or just can’t relate to her); and there is lots of monkeys in Cambodia to keep Shirin company…
I could see Tasha, Kelley Wentworth, or Peih-Gee finding an idol easily.
I’d say those four are more likely than Abi-Maria or Spencer.
I think those who found idols in previous seasons will be watched like hawks this season. They won’t be able to wonder into the woods alone much.
Well, now that we know the idols are hidden in challenges, that kind of upends conventional wisdom.
[…] Likely To Hold A Grudge Most Likely To Go From Zero To Hero Most Likely To Go From Hero To Zero Most Likely To Find An Idol Most Likely To Misplay An Advantage Most Likely To Get A Purple […]
Jeremy my pick but I voted shirin since he’s not up Here
I don’t see Spencer being around long enough, terry doesn’t seem like the guy searching for idols, panama was different with exile island, Abi idk maybe but Pete basically found it for her last time didn’t he?
Who was the fifth to have an idol I know these 3 plus keith