QUICK NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your bug-eatin’, back-stabbin’, “Survivor” coverage. During the season we’ll have insightful weekly Power Rankings with Aubry Bracco, exit interviews, and full episode recaps. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news.

Watch Full Episodes of “Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers”

The Rules: Each week our two combatants will create separate power rankings. The ranking of the person who is voted out of the next episode will determine the number of points the players will earn. For example, if Mike is voted out this episode, Aubry will receive five points and Gordon will receive three points. At the end of the season, the person with the most points will be named the “Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers” Power Rankings Challenge Champion.

Last Week: Aubry Bracco and I both had Ali in spot twelve. The current score is Team Bracco 54, Team Holmes 63.

Quick Note: Rankings are not based on who the player thinks is most likely to win. The smart strategy is to rank the contestants based on who is the most likely to be voted out in the next episode.​

Aubry’s Score = 54 Any questions for Aubry? Drop her a line on Twitter: @aubrybracco Gordon’s Score = 63 Any questions for Gordon? Drop him a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes 1. Ben: Ben’s in a great spot. He seems relaxed, he’s calling Dr. Mike “Doc” and he’s buds with Lauren. What’s most impressive is that Ben is playing strategically by playing emotionally — he’s already assembling his army by making friends. That’s a smart way to start managing a jury before you even start voting them out. 1. Joe: Nothing’s ever for sure when you head into the merge. But there’s one thing I do know; Joe isn’t afraid to use an idol when he feels threatened. 2. Lauren: Lauren’s predictable, and that’s a great person to have when you hit the merge chaos. Even better, she says what everyone’s thinking but most won’t say for the sake of their games. When the going gets tough, these no-filter Keith Nale types are common relief and in it for the long haul. 2. Desi: A Healers vs. Hustlers/Heroes split makes a lot of sense. Lauren is close with Ben, Ryan is close with Chrissy, Devon is close with Ashley. And of the Healers, Desi seems like the least likely target. Unless she’s the most unassuming target and they’re worried about idols…oh, I just remembered why I hate ranking merges. 3. Chrissy: There’s no denying Chrissy is a strategic powerhouse in the game with the ability to lie to someone (Ali) straight to her face right before sending her out the door. Ryan is with her to the death, and she’ll be reuniting with Ben. At the merge vote, numbers are everything, and this player has them. 3. Mike: A million high fives for your idol move last week. About time Cole’s loose lips helped somebody on his side. You’d better keep your idol close and your options open this week. 4. Ryan: Swap “Chrissy” with “Ryan” and “Ben” with “Devon” in the description above and paste here. 4. Ben: Why would Ben be anyone’s first post-merge target? He doesn’t have any enemies and he isn’t an obvious challenge threat. 5. Mike: I’m proud of Dr. Mike. He’s letting his personality shine, and that’s helping him connect with everyone from Jess to Ben — that’s a solid pre-merge strategy for a guy who could have easily been pegged as a strategic, socially anxious nerd and voted off early. Well done. 5. Lauren: There’s just no reason to target Lauren first. In fact, with her ability to rub people the wrong way, I could see people lining up to take her to the end. 6. Devon: Devon’s found a friend in Ashley, and he’s about to be reunited with Ryan. Ashley, JP, Devon and Ryan could pal up or war down. Only time will tell where Devon falls in this Survivor Trust (or Distrust) cluster. 6. Chrissy: With all the idols in play, nobody on the non-idol side is really safe. But, there’s always the chance one side will try to target someone that nobody expects in case of an idol. That’s the only way I can see Chrissy going home. 7. Desi: I’m not entirely sure what Desi’s plan is going into the merge. Either way, she’s going to have to work to make herself someone’s reliable number, or she’ll be hacked because she’s that last one in the game of merge musical chairs. 7. Ryan: People get how likable and charismatic you are. And if word gets out of what went down with you and Ali, a lot more eyes could be looking at you. 8. Ashley: Ashley’s not in the easiest position and could be out to sea. If, however, Devon and JP throw her a life raft, the lifeguard could be saved past the merge. 8. Ashley: Oh good, the nation finally gets the Ashley/JP reunion they were hoping to see. I know you were sweet on him before the split, but you have to be really careful with that Power Couple stuff. 9. JP: I’m so intrigued by JP. I don’t know if his game play is terrible or genius. All I know is this group has their eyes on alpha male threats and they’ve vocalized it so he’s definitely on people’s radars, which is never a good thing. 9. Devon: Likable challenge threat after the merge? You’re never going to be safe, buddy. 10. Joe: I love watching Joe. He’s a wild man. The only bad part is people seem to sense it. I’m interested to see how Joe fits in with this larger group or if all the new blood will activate his Tony paranoia to a level we’ve never seen before. 10. JP: If the Healers alliance is going to use the idol and bounce a challenge threat, it’s going to be you. 11. Jessica: Jessica seems like she’s making a great connection with Dr. Mike. She’s got one big problem, and his name is Cole. Power duos are always at risk going into the merge. Worse than that, her other half is driving people nuts. 11. Cole: If this vote comes down to a case of “Who has the idol?” It’d make sense to use one to protect Cole. He’s an obvious target and Lauren and Ben are already out to get him. 12. Cole: Sorry Cole, but you’ve got an expiration date. His eating annoys people. He’s verbally jousting with Lauren. He flirts all day. Cole is that guy who’s about to annoy himself right out of the game. 12. Jessica: If the Hustleros alliance is worried that the Healers could be using an idol, it might make sense to take out the challenge threat’s love interest.



Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes