Spencer Bledsoe

Spencer Reiman Bledsoe^[1] is a contestant from Survivor: Cagayan.

An underdog with terrible luck, Spencer started on the dysfunctional Luzon tribe, before gaining temporary control of the game after the tribe switch. His luck soured once again after the merge, after the betrayal of his ally, Kass McQuillen, which lost him his allies. However, Tony Vlachos, a member of the new majority alliance, was willing to work with Spencer on two separate occasions to take out threats in their alliance, advancing Spencer to the Final Four. He also turned out to be a fan favorite, becoming one of the more popular contestants from his season.

Profile

Name (Age): Spencer Bledsoe (21)
Tribe Designation: Luzon
Current Residence: Chicago, Ill.
Occupation: Economics Student at the University of Chicago
Personal Claim to Fame: Captain of my high school cross country and track teams, Georgia’s 2009-2010 High School Chess Champion, tying for 1st at the World Open Chess tournament for a prize of $6,609 and becoming a U.S. Chess Expert.
Inspiration in Life: The former governor Mitt Romney has been successful in everything he’s ever attempted, be it private equity, business/law school or running the Olympics. He has accumulated enormous wealth in starting several successful business ventures and constitutes the perfect embodiment of capitalism.
Hobbies: Chess, ultimate frisbee and partying.
Pet Peeves: People who are stupid but still voice their opinions, incompetent leaders, those who don’t respect intelligence and those who expect handouts in life.
3 Words to Describe You: Brilliant, competitive and arrogant.
If You Could Have 3 Things on The Island What Would They Be and Why? A chess board – with a chess board present, I know I have the ability to impress whoever I’m with. Regular practice is also important. The American Flag – perhaps my biggest source of pride is being an American; and The Economist – This is my preferred news source (despite the fact that it’s perceived as “snobbish”).
SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: The cleverness and strategic planning of Stephen Fishbach, but the personality of Marty Piombo. Like Marty, I am a natural leader and can come off as pompous or bombastic. Also, I shared Marty’s disdain for Jane on S21.
Reason for Being on SURVIVOR: The competition. I’m insanely competitive in chess, pursuing a career in investment banking, and everything I do. I want to play the game of Survivor for the challenge, the competition and the chance to prove myself in such an epic game, under such trying circumstances. Also, the money. The expected value of playing Survivor is, monetarily alone, worth more than most peoples’ salaries. I love $1,000,000 almost as much as winning.
Why You Think You’ll “Survive” SURVIVOR: I’m a strong leader despite my young age, and have worked well in a team in a number of different academic, athletic and chess-related capacities. I’m also extremely competitive and would be a large asset to a tribe in puzzles and endurance-related challenges, as well as strategic competitions.
Why You Think You Will Be the Sole SURVIVOR: I’m the chess expert who can plan my victory 10 moves in advance. I can use economic game theory to know the incentives of those around me. I’m the only guy who has these skills and is still personable enough to win. Think of me as a John Cochran who doesn’t suck.
Do You Consider Yourself a Brain, a Beauty or a Brawn? A Brain, in both life and Survivor super fandom. I've seen every episode. I know the game inside and out. I'll know what I'm doing in camp life; I could probably even build a shelter just using rocks. When my body is withered and I'm left with only my t-shirt and tighty whities, I won't be a little boy out there. I'll rely on my mind.
Who Do You Think Has the Best Chance in the Game of Survivor: Brains, Beauty or Brawn? What type of person excels in Survivor? The person who pushes the game forward strategically - the Rob Cesternino, Yul Kwon or Todd Herzog. A Parvati or Ozzy may slip through the cracks, but this is a brain game.

Survivor: Cagayan

Spencer started out on the Luzon (dubbed the "Brains") tribe. After the tribe lost the inaugural Immunity Challenge, Spencer joined the majority of the tribe in voting David Samson out. Following that Tribal Council, Spencer joined an alliance with Garrett Adelstein and Kass McQuillen to vote out the weakest of the tribe, J'Tia Taylor. However, after Luzon's second straight loss, Kass sided with the women, blindsiding Garrett, and leaving Spencer on the outs. When Luzon lost immunity again on Day 11, Spencer was immediately targeted by the women's alliance. However, Spencer pleaded with Kass and Tasha Fox to keep him in favor of J'Tia, who had cost them victory in almost every challenge. Despite some hesitance to do so, both women decided to keep Spencer for his strength and voted out J'Tia.

The next day, a Tribe Switch occurred, sending Spencer (along with Tasha and Kass) to the new Aparri tribe. Here, Spencer found himself in a powerful position due to the distrust between the original Solana members. At Aparri's only Tribal Council, Spencer voted out Alexis Maxwell and later made the Merge on Day 18. Although the new Aparri Alliance entered the Merge with six members as opposed to Solana's five, Spencer was concerned over Sarah Lacina's loyalty due to her previous affiliation with Tony Vlachos. However, Sarah stayed loyal to Spencer's alliance and joined him in voting against Jefra Bland. Unfortunately, Kass decided to join the new Solana Alliance and voted out Sarah, leaving Spencer in the minority once again.

As his allies continued to be voted out, Spencer was frequently targeted by the Solana Alliance, but won three individual Immunity Challenges as well as found a Hidden Immunity Idol (which he used, but ultimately wasted on Day 28). Additionally, Spencer played on Tony's paranoia, frequently pitting him against his own alliance and resulting in the eliminations of LJ McKanas, Jefra and Trish Hegarty, allowing him to reach the Final Four. After finally losing immunity to Kass on Day 37, Spencer realized that the season would likely end in a Final Two. He told this to Tony and attempted to convince him to vote against Woo Hwang, whom Spencer believed would take Kass to the Final Tribal Council over Tony. In the end though, Tony stuck with Kass and Woo, unanimously voting out Spencer. He became the eighth member of the Jury.

At the Final Tribal Council, Spencer criticized Woo for following Tony's every move, comparing Woo to a dog following its master, while praising Tony's game-play. In a similar manner to Survivor: Redemption Island castaway David Murphy, Spencer pleaded with the Jury to vote for Tony, whom he felt was the more deserving castaway of the million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor.

Voting History

Spencer's Voting History
Episode	Spencer's Votes	Voted Against Spencer
1	David	-
2	J'Tia	-
3	Luzon Tribe Immune
4	J'Tia	J'Tia
5	Aparri Tribe Immune
6	No Tribal Council
6	Alexis	-
7	Jefra	-
8	Tony	Individual Immunity
9	LJ	LJ
10	Woo	-
11	Jefra	Jefra, Kass, Trish
12	Tony	Individual Immunity
13	Trish	Individual Immunity
14	Woo	Kass, Tony, Woo
Voted Out, Day 37
Voted for Sole Survivor	Tony

Post-Survivor

Spencer was voted by fans as Rob Has A Podcast's Mr. Survivor for 2014.

Trivia

Spencer is the youngest member of the Luzon tribe and also the youngest male castaway of Survivor: Cagayan.
Before his elimination, in the Tribal Councils that Spencer received a vote in, he received a vote from the person that was sent home.
Jeff Probst publicly apologized to Spencer during the Reunion Show for pre-judging him that he would have no chance at the game. Prior to the game, Probst wrote Spencer a note that read, "Spencer, you will not win. - Probst" (the note currently hangs on Spencer's fridge). Probst wrote an apology letter for Spencer on August 9 (around Day 15 or 16, according to Probst), which he mailed to himself and gave to Spencer personally during the reunion.
Spencer was a favorite of Tyler Perry, a die-hard Survivor fan who suggested the "special idol" twist. Perry admitted that he hoped either Spencer or Tasha Fox would find the special idol.Probst stated his belief that the backlash of the "special idol" was due to the fact that it was because Tony Vlachos had found it; and that if Spencer, the fan favorite to win, found it, reactions would be positive.
Spencer lost 23 lbs (10,5 kg) during his time in Cagayan.^[2]
Spencer was elected "Fan Favorite Player of the Season" of Cagayan by the audience of Rob Has A Podcast.
In a finale interview with Parvati Shallow, Spencer revealed that former castaway Phillip Sheppard nicknamed him "The Survivor Shogun".
Before Cagayan, Spencer applied to Survivor: Philippines, Survivor: Caramoan and Survivor: Blood vs. Water.^[3]