Survivor: Danni Boatwright's Chances of Being Season 40's Winner
Danni is now a parent, playing for her kids as much as she is the two million dollar prize. But she's also playing to represent Guatemala, the lone season for a long time that had never had a first-time player return to play again. Part of the reason for this, Danni now contends, is that the conditions in Guatemala were grueling. A season-opening hike knocked members of the tribe out like bowling pins. While some wilted when adversity struck, Danni thrived. She advanced in the game despite being down in numbers, getting allies to turn on each other while she floated to the end. Danni was never viewed as an iconic winner because she chose to hide the intricacies of her strategy from even the producers themselves. In confessional, Danni was reserved and calculated, almost as if she didn't want to give her hand away just in case she one day returned for a season like this.
Why Danni will win
There are 20 contestants on season 40. Danni has, without a doubt, the lowest threat level coming in. No one in their right mind is coming after Danni until at least the merge, and even then, it would be bold to vote Danni out with so many other big names around her. Though her win occurred all the way back in season 11, when the hidden immunity idol was first introduced, she has kept up with the game's evolution and appears ready to embrace it. Don't believe me? Take Jeff Probst's word for it.
Why Danni won't win
If the other contestants fear the unknown, Danni could be in trouble. Everyone knows what they are getting with Boston Rob. They are going to be cajoled by Parvati, charmed by Tyson and sent into a frenzy by Tony. But Danni? What is Danni preparing to do exactly? If that scares her tribe mates, Danni might be one of the first to go.
Prediction: Winner: Danni will win this season because she is the best player with the smallest target. Three out of the four all-returnee seasons were won by under-the-radar women: Amber, Sandra and Sarah Lacina. Danni will make it four out of five, and all those people who started this season saying "Danni who?" will know exactly who she is when the 39 days is up.
Survivor: Winners at War premieres Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Source: EW