Premerge
If not for Stephen, JT might have ended up as one of those strong likeable provider guys, on the fringes of power, that nobody seriously wants near F2. Like China James or Kota Bob.
Spencer, Sydney, and Joe were the early alliance, much like Todd\Amanda\Aaron in China. Joe and Sydney courted JT as their 4th, but he'd never have been well-positioned in that group.
It was Stephen who befriended outsider Taj and worked to forge the 3 of them into an alliance. Thanks to Brendan, their sub-alliance got possession of an idol. Stephen and Taj knew their fate depended on their 3some coming to power, and were willing to draw rocks (unlike the other group) the episode that Spencer left.
JT does not compare with other "tribe leaders" like Tom and Brian in challenges, because Tyson and Brendan were always kicking his ass. He is solely responsible for losing the ep.6 challenge.
Postmerge
People complain that Sugar handed the win to Bob, but Coach did as much or more for JT. It was more of a "love at first sight" thing than JT having to be manipulative.
However, Stephen still had the biggest say in the boot order. He and Erinn pushed JT to turn on Tyson - a ruthless move that strengthened Jal's position, Stephen also set up the endgame to his advantage when he pushed to boot Debbie and Coach, partly because they were pro-JT. Debbie promised to give immunity at F3 to her fellow Alabaman- she's gone. Coach wanted to bring "the Warrior" to F2 - he's gone.
So at F4, JT has to win TWO ICs, because Stephen has F2 deal with both Erinn and Taj. And Erinn almost ended JT's game with her puzzle prowess at F4. Good strategists maneuver the people cloosest to them into the endgame, like Parvati with Natalie.
Conclusion
Socially, JT was a good social player. Like Earl and Ethan, one of the few male winners with this as their straogest category.
At challenges. he was just middle-of-the-road for a young male. He couldn't compete with Tyson and Brendan. He never won an individual IC until F5, when the field was weak (kind of like Amanda).
Strategically, he was 2nd banana to Stephen, who lost because JT went on an immunity run and because Stephen hid his game too much. It was kind of like Steph and Rafe, were Stephen was the outfront leader and Rafe maneuvered the boots to his advantage (yes, Steph would have done better against Rafe than most people think for that reason).
Overall, JT is the best player of his season (though only 2nd strategically).
Better than Bob, Aras, or Ethan.
But inferior to Richard, Tina, Brian, Tom, Yul, Todd, Parvati, and maybe a couple others.
In short, a middle of the road winner for a mediocre season.
If not for Stephen, JT might have ended up as one of those strong likeable provider guys, on the fringes of power, that nobody seriously wants near F2. Like China James or Kota Bob.
Spencer, Sydney, and Joe were the early alliance, much like Todd\Amanda\Aaron in China. Joe and Sydney courted JT as their 4th, but he'd never have been well-positioned in that group.
It was Stephen who befriended outsider Taj and worked to forge the 3 of them into an alliance. Thanks to Brendan, their sub-alliance got possession of an idol. Stephen and Taj knew their fate depended on their 3some coming to power, and were willing to draw rocks (unlike the other group) the episode that Spencer left.
JT does not compare with other "tribe leaders" like Tom and Brian in challenges, because Tyson and Brendan were always kicking his ass. He is solely responsible for losing the ep.6 challenge.
Postmerge
People complain that Sugar handed the win to Bob, but Coach did as much or more for JT. It was more of a "love at first sight" thing than JT having to be manipulative.
However, Stephen still had the biggest say in the boot order. He and Erinn pushed JT to turn on Tyson - a ruthless move that strengthened Jal's position, Stephen also set up the endgame to his advantage when he pushed to boot Debbie and Coach, partly because they were pro-JT. Debbie promised to give immunity at F3 to her fellow Alabaman- she's gone. Coach wanted to bring "the Warrior" to F2 - he's gone.
So at F4, JT has to win TWO ICs, because Stephen has F2 deal with both Erinn and Taj. And Erinn almost ended JT's game with her puzzle prowess at F4. Good strategists maneuver the people cloosest to them into the endgame, like Parvati with Natalie.
Conclusion
Socially, JT was a good social player. Like Earl and Ethan, one of the few male winners with this as their straogest category.
At challenges. he was just middle-of-the-road for a young male. He couldn't compete with Tyson and Brendan. He never won an individual IC until F5, when the field was weak (kind of like Amanda).
Strategically, he was 2nd banana to Stephen, who lost because JT went on an immunity run and because Stephen hid his game too much. It was kind of like Steph and Rafe, were Stephen was the outfront leader and Rafe maneuvered the boots to his advantage (yes, Steph would have done better against Rafe than most people think for that reason).
Overall, JT is the best player of his season (though only 2nd strategically).
Better than Bob, Aras, or Ethan.
But inferior to Richard, Tina, Brian, Tom, Yul, Todd, Parvati, and maybe a couple others.
In short, a middle of the road winner for a mediocre season.
at thinking Erinn was even playing at all.
