'The Circle' Season 3 Power Rankings
How is Nick so powerful?!?!
This Wednesday is the season finale of Season 3 of The Circle, Netflix’s hit reality competition show that debuted in the beginning of the pandemic. For the uninitiated, The Circle features eight contestants, all strangers, who move into their respective flats within the same apartment building. There, they create online profiles in “The Circle” app, uploading a profile picture and short bio. Most players play as themselves, while some are “catfish” and play as someone else. These players never meet and can only communicate via private DMs and group chats. Each episode features a mini game, which allows the players to get to know one another better. At the end of each episode, each player must rank one another, and the two highest ranked players become “influencers,” having the ability to block (remove) another player from the game. Once a player is blocked, a new contestant enters the game in their place.
Season 3 has been a really entertaining season so far! And, to be honest, it might be the best season so far. I loved the first season because it was surprisingly so wholesome. The second season, though less wholesome, was still great because it featured plenty of likable players and was genuinely competitive. Why I think Season 3 is the best so far is because it still features plenty of likable players, but it’s the most strategic and competitive season so far. The players eventually form two major factions, but with mini alliances within and between the two groups, which creates an incredibly entertaining and interesting game (it also lowkey becomes a game of Team Marginalized vs Team of White People). And the show also made some changes that addressed the minor flaws within the game, allowing more influence to players who usually would make zero impression due to getting blocked early in the game.
Anyway, the following is a power ranking of each of the 13 players this season. This is not a ranking of which players I like the most.
12. Rachel Ward (playing as her best friend’s boyfriend “Jackson”)
I’m sure Rachel is a nice person IRL but I’m really surprised how far she got in the game despite having no effective strategy or memorable moments. While, yes, she’s catfishing as a dude, her strategy of playing it safe and remaining neutral in every conversation ended up putting more suspicion on her. But, somehow, she remained safe for so long (maybe because there were bigger catfish to fry?), likely due to her alliance with the Great RiNickelous.
11. Michelle Rider
Michelle is so, so sweet as the oldest contestant in the game. Unfortunately, her time in the show was cut short after Ava and Chanel “clone” Michelle’s profile and somehow convinced the entire group to believe Michelle was the “fake” Michelle. She played an honest game, only telling the truth, but sadly, it wasn’t enough.
10. Jacki Jing
Jacki was the final contestant to enter the game, which is a huge disadvantage because everyone else has already formed tight alliances and relationships (this is a major flaw with The Circle). While there was hope she’d make it to the finale after choosing to join Kai/James/Daniel’s group chat instead of Nick/Isabella/Ashley’s, it was her failure at reaching out and making connections that doomed her. After James broke his alliance by blocking Daniel, I was curious why Jacki didn’t ask him to explain his decision. And right before Jacki was blocked, she mentioned she hadn’t talked to her alliance (Kai and James) in “days.” Like, what are you doing girl?!
9. Ava Marie Capra (secretly playing with her older sister Chanel)
Ava and Chanel were an annoying pair, but, admittedly, they did surprisingly well after cloning Michelle and convincing everyone they were the real Michelle. I have no idea how, but they did it! And that’s why they’re not ranked last.
8. Ruksana Carroll
Ruksana is one of my favs because she’s so sweet and plays an honest game. She and Kai ended up doing a good thing by blocking Fake Michelle (aka Ava and Chanel), but after that she never makes another impact. It was really sad to see her go (eff you Nick!!!).
7. Daniel Cusimano
When Daniel was introduced this season I was excited because he was a queer Gen Z kid, which had a lot of potential for entertainment. And while Daniel was super likable and really funny, his gameplay was so disappointing! He remained neutral too much in conversations, and, most of all, none of the humor that was present during his live commentary showed in his messages with the other players. I think if his messages showed more of his personality, he would’ve made a better impact. But I will say, after he was blocked (and for some reason visited Isabella), he did add some spice in the game by making up lies. This decision, however, may have hurt his alliance with Kai more than anything.
6. Sophia Layne (playing as her older sister “Isabella”)
Like Matt aka Ashley, Sophia has made it this far mostly due to her alliance (flirt game) with Nick. And like Matt, I like that she ended up reaching out and apologizing to Kai for their heatedness. Like Matt, again, Sophia hasn’t done anything notably strategic, but she’s still in the top five despite the fact that several players have guessed she’s a catfish. Her choosing to play as her hot older sister and flirting with Nick was the best decision she could’ve made for herself, honestly. If it weren’t for that, I can’t imagine her making this far into the game. However, as much as I liked her adorkable queer Gen Z self, her animosity towards Kai (I don’t even remember how/why it happened) feels kind of racist (it doesn’t help she was one of the two to block Calvin, who is Black, and is part of an all-white alliance).
5. Matthew Pappadia (playing as his friend “Ashley”)
I really like Matt, even though he’s part of the alliance I’m against. He’s really sweet, gay, and seems like a great guy. While he isn’t one of the best, most strategic players, he’s survived this long simply due to his strong alliance with Nick. I appreciate his reaching out to Kai after the two opposing factions started to get out of hand. While not one of the best players, the fact that he made it to the final five, and based on how I think the other top four players will rate each other, he has a high chance of winning simply due to the fact he isn’t a top player.
4. Calvin Kiing Crooks
Calvin was the first influencer, alongside Kai, but he remained in the middle of the popularity rankings ever since. His middle name “Kiing” is fitting as he ended up being a kingmaker when, upon his elimination, he gave Nick the OP ability to make a burner profile, fast-tracking Nick’s reign of terror.
3. James Andre Jefferson Jr.
Before the last couple of episodes, James would’ve been number 1 in my power rankings. But he fucks up so hard in the last couple of episodes that he’s now lower. I like James! He’s hilarious, genuine, honest, and is so smart (he susses out the catfishes immediately). Players who enter The Circle late are usually at a huge disadvantage, but James makes an impression on everyone and quickly rises to the rank of influencer—twice! But both times, despite all his talk about loyalty to his alliance, he ends up falling to Nick and eliminating two of his own team members (Daniel and Jacki). I was pissed! James would’ve dominated this game had he stuck to his guns, but thanks to his idiotic decisions, he’s effectively prevented him and Kai from winning the game.
2. Keisha “Kai” Ghost
Kai has been in the game since Day 1 and she’s been my fav since Day 1. She plays it straights, always tells people how it is, and doesn’t cause drama. She’s an honest player, while also strategic in her alliances and who she speaks to. However, I feel like her truce with Nick feels too one-sided (yes, Nick keeps his word by not blocking Kai, but he considers it many times, whereas Kai fully trusts Nick). What’s impressive about Kai is she has a good bullshit detector, particularly when it comes to catfish. She blocked Ava and Chanel TWICE! The fact that her alliance is composed of all genuine players (not catfish!) also demonstrates this. Also, I love everyone in her alliance!
1. Nick Uhlenhuth
“How is there this huge-ass fucking cult following of Nick?” - Daniel
My thoughts exactly, Daniel! Nick was one of my least favs out of the original eight contestants on Day 1. Not because he’s an asshole or anything, he’s just a bit too bro-ey for my taste and doesn’t have the most compelling reason for winning the prize money, compared to the others. But, admittedly, he’s played an impressive game, winning over the right people who have supported his rise to power (Calvin, Sophia aka Isabella, Matt aka Ashley). This dude was able to form a truce with his arch nemesis, Kai, got his way with James twice, and took out THREE of his opponents back to back to back (Ruksana, Daniel, Jacki). I can’t deny it, this dude is killing the game. He might be the best player the show has had so far!
My preference for this week’s finale:
1st Place: Kai
2nd Place: James
3rd Place: Matt aka Ashley
4th Place: Nick
5th Place: Sophia aka Isabella