Following Episode 9: Regardless of all the speeches given about voting blocks and shifting alliances, this episode was a straightforward display of the relatively old school strategy of eliminating one half of any perceived power couple. Joe is considered to be a strong player, proven again by his third straight immunity challenge victory, and he is very likeable as well. The episode depicted Kelly Wiglesworth as his closest female ally, which was unusual, considering how they had not spent any time in the same tribe until the merge. Of course, Joe was at odds with Ciera, Kelley Wentworth, and Abi-Maria, and Tasha and Kimmi appeared to have stronger alliances with other men. Since Kelly Wiglesworth seemed to have good relationships with everyone, including current and future jurors, it seemed only sensible to eliminate her before she could be the best option among unlikeable candidates to receive votes at the final tribal council. In her confessional following tribal council aired during the closing credits, she expressed how she did not want to play in the new school manner. Much like Andrew Savage, the previously eliminated contestant who was too passive in relying upon majority alliances, Kelly Wiglesworth's inability to assert her place in the game was her undoing. It will be interesting to see how she might vote for a Sole Survivor, because unlike Cass and Andrew Savage, her vote might be up for grabs, assuming Joe does not reach the end.
