The Millennials got it last time. Now it's time for the Gen-X tribe of "Survivor" to get analyzed.
Bret LaBelle
Age: 42
Occupation: Police Sergent
Starting off right off the bat, Bret is the best Gen-X on this season. He may not look the part, but he seems incredibly smart and incredibly aware. He also looks deceivingly athletic and strong. Being a Police Officer also is not a bad tool to have in your arsenal. He needs to keep that a secret, though. If he tells people then that will make him an incredibly huge target and he will be stuck. Bret seems like he can manipulate people well and play on their emotions. He also says he is like Penner in being easy going and laid back. This is not a bad thing, but he just needs to watch out for overplaying, like Penner has done in his past seasons. Overall, Bret looks like a very strong player and if he stays under the radar, he could win the game.
Prediction: Merge
Chris Hammons
Age: 38
Occupation: Trial Lawyer
Chris is an interesting character. He's got the southern thing going on and he seems like he's a pretty strong competitor. He definitely is going to do well in those physical challenges. For the most part, Chris looked alright until he started to talk about how much of a leader he wants to be at camp. Going into the game with a leadership mentality is never a good thing. Chris also wants to be like Boston Rob, which never works out for anyone that says that. Chris' only hope is that he is very valuable in challenges and to be one of your ordinary guys around camp. Chris does have some upside because he is a trial lawyer. His negotiating skills will come in handy, especially if he gets past the merge, which he could very well do. However, the whole leader complex is a big red flag and will be what ultimately puts him out of the game.
Prediction: Pre-Merge
Ciandre "CeCe" Taylor
Age: 39
Occupation: Insurance Adjuster
CeCe has the best story here because of the fact that she says she is "living paycheck to paycheck" and that she wants to create a better life for her daughters. In the past, contestants that have come in with this same sort of story always do well, as long as they don't dwell on it too much. People can see this as threatening and vote her out in an instant. She says she is a really strong person, though, so she won't have any problem with the survival aspect. She wants to play like Spencer Bledsoe and Tasha Fox which is a little troublesome since they both lost in a Fianl Tribal Council. Overall, CeCe seems like a really enjoyable person and she will be around for at the very least half of the season.
Prediction: Merge
David Wright
Age: 42
Occupation: Television Writer
It is so crazy that David not only shares the same name as the New York Met's Third Basemen, but also looks like him as well. David is one of those people that could go either way in the game. He could be a really strong player and have a strong social game or he could really give into those insecurities that he talks about and be walked all over. He compares himself to Cochran, but believe it or not he looks skinnier than him. This could pose a big problem during Tribal Council. He also just doesn't seem to be very social and not a big fan of people, which being around a bunch of strangers for 39 days is one of the main objectives of the game. David could just come into this with a clean slate though and really use "Survivor" to get that confidence himself that he desperately needs. He might not win, but he will get what he came out to do. As Jeff Probst says, "This journey means a lot to different people."
Prediction: Pre-Merge.
Jessica Lewis
Age: 37
Occupation: Assistant District Attorney
Another lawyer and another person that is going to have excellent negotiating skills. Like she says being a District Attorney requires you to be a great storyteller and honestly that's what "Survivor" is all about. How well can you make things up to get people to believe you? She also compares herself to Cirie Fields because of their rough upbringings. Jessica grew up on a farm and had to work very hard. This experience is going to help her because she not only will have the work ethic around camp, but she will also have the strategic part going. It could be very easy for her to get over confident though and get blindsided. It is great to have confidence in yourself, but you also must be realistic. Jessica could go into game bot mode and have no social game. She doesn't want that to happen. Jessica has tremendous upside and could go deep in this game.
Prediction: Merge
Ken McNickle
Age: 33
Occupation: Model
Ken is a model and that is why Ken is on this season of "Survivor." He does have a touching story about his daughter and what not, but other than that the guy isn't bringing much to the table. He is this season's Fabio, minus the fact that he is going to win. Just the way Ken talks makes it feel like this guy is going to get played. He has some physical upside so he could be good in challenges. Ken just seems like he is going to get into a fight with someone at camp and it is going to be the most unintelligent thing we hear all season. People will see Ken and play him like a fiddle.
Prediction: Pre- Merge
Lucy Huang
Age: 42
Occupation: Dietician
Based off her picture, Lucy doesn't look super happy to be on "Survivor," but I am sure she is! Lucy seems like a very smart individual, but she won't be able to utilize this based off of her personality traits. She says she is stubborn and controlling - two qualities you don't want to have in this game. Lucy might just be the jury GOAT of the season. Everyone could be clamoring to keep her around so they can take her to the end. Or she could go the Abi-Maria route and just be so annoying that people can't stand to be around her. She says she hates whiners yet she will probably be the biggest whiner of the season.
Prediction: Merge
Paul Wachter
Age: 52
Occupation: Boat Mechanic
Paul is interesting and personally, very relatable to myself. The David Lee Roth reference just automatically gets this guy points. Paul seems like a pretty big personality. It was very funny that many people kept referencing in their videos. Some even thought he was an ex-football player, so he could be way bigger than the bio says.He says he is like Ozzy Lusth because they both have the "heart of a lion." It's safe to say that Paul won't be climbing trees like Ozzy though. With Paul being the oldest person on this cast, he could have a tough time getting along with everyone. He could also rub people the wrong way. If he makes it to the tribe swap, the Millennials won't know what to think about him and he could be an easy target. However, he also looks like a guy that could also be very smart and make it deep. Paul is really just a toss up.
Prediction: Pre-Merge
Rachel Ako
Age: 37
Occupation: Recruiting Director
Rachel is the bubbly girl of the season. She is really just here to have a good time and that's it. She says she really values what each generation brings to the table, but I don't think this will sit well with the rest of her tribe. This whole Gen-X thing could really show and Rachel seems like a person that might have the perceived mentality of a Millennial. She will probably not be very strategic and very flirty. She might not survive the tribe swap, but if she can, then she might be alright with her Millennial mindset. She dosen't seem like challenges will be her strong suit though and early on, that will hurt her.
Prediction: Pre-Merge
Sunday Burquest
Age: 45
Occupation: Youth Pastor
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday. This youth pastor is looking to play the game just like Lisa Whelchel which could be interesting to see play out. Lisa was a different sort of player that her fans and had her haters. It could be interesting to see how this plays out. Sunday's main concern is her obsession with religion. She could get too preachy and her tribe could turn against her. However, she could totally step into the mom role of her tribe and that could cause them to keep her around. Sunday just needs to stick to her guns. She might not lie, but she is going to do her best to form relationships with people and that is why she will make the merge.
There you have it. The Gen-X tribe. Overall, this season could not be very strategic, but there could be some major blow ups and entertaining television between these two generations. Only time will tell on who will truly be the Sole Survivor.
