Who will win Wonka's The Golden Ticket, Netflix's wacky reality competition series?

Wonka's The Golden Ticket brought nostalgia to fans of "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory." Its colorful edible garden, chocolate river, and new games in Wonkavision 2.0 added to the fun. The singing Oompa Loompas were one of the best parts, especially Rusty Goffe, who appeared in the original film 55 years ago. He adds that extra bit of mischievous spice the competition needed.

As the show began, twelve pairs of Golden Ticket winners entered the chocolate factory to compete in a series of challenges set against the backdrop of a life-sized chocolate room and explored Wonka's extensive factory. The series used an AI version of Gene Wilder's voice as Wonka to issue commands, which was both ingenious and creepy. The players felt like they were part of the action, but it wasn't quite as innocent as when Charlie visited the factory.

These teams of friends, families, and coworkers played cutthroat in hopes of being the last ones standing and winning "a lifetime of money," or $3 million. Wonka's The Golden Ticket feels like Big Brother or Squid Game: The Challenge since some challenges tested physical strength and others tested loyalty. The losers were immediately ejected from the game. Some results came from strategy, while others were pure luck. I was surprised to see some of the frontrunners eliminated, but we're down to the final six players, who will battle it out in the finale on September 30.

Who should have made it further in The Wonka's Golden Ticket

Some players were competitive and compelling, and I was disappointed that some didn't make it to the finale.

I rooted for Hunter since the beginning. He was the first one to lose his partner, and he was determined to win the money for both of them. It was difficult for him because he had never had a partner, and Marcy and Joanne, his only other allies, were eliminated early on. He had physical strength and seemed well-liked. I never understood why Bill went after him in "Bubble Jeopardy," which proved to be the downfall of both Bill and Kayla. He got Bill out, and that heightened the group's mistrust of Kayla.

It was so entertaining to watch Jackson and his grandpa, Ray. Not many people have a close relationship like that. Jackson played a clean, honest game, partly because he tried to protect his grandpa. He was heartbroken that Ray was eliminated, and he gravitated towards the other singles. It was bittersweet when he won the gobstopper competition because we wanted both him and Hunter to stay. This competition was about survival first, but it still stung when Garrison let Jackson stay on the bad egg and be eliminated. Jackson brought so much light into the house.

I think Everett should have made it to the finale, too. He was the best strategist of the bunch. While he could win physical competitions like the spinning one, he was better at social and analytical cues. The pink team could have won the "sorting room" test if only Ziad had listened to Everett instead of needing to be in charge. His elimination hurt because the remaining pairs are determined to eliminate the singles first.

Kayla and Ava reminded me of cutthroat Big Brother players, who would do anything to get to the end. Ironically, they were both playing with their fathers, who also would have sacrificed anything for their daughters to their downfall. Sometimes that strategy works, and part of me liked how strategic they were. Kayla was pushy, but she tried to build alliances, while Ava seemed more spoiled and likely to backstab anyone if it helped her.

Which of the final six should win Wonka's The Golden Ticket?

If Austin survives the Steal or No Steal Challenge, he has great odds of winning this game. While he and Ziad are technically still a duo, their relationship has grown strained because of Ziad's choices, and Austin seems to be approaching it more like a solo player. That could help him since the other singles won't vote him out immediately, and other players won't connect him with Ziad's mistakes.

Austin has played a much better social game, trying to look out for others or lead, whereas Ziad takes over, confronts people like Ava and Garrison, and paints a target on his back. While he's a strong physical competitor, he could be the next target because he's burned so many bridges.

It will depend on whether Austin stands by him and if Garrison decides he needs him to get to the finish line. Garrison doesn't like Zaid, but he knows he needs strong people to win. It depends on whether Zaid targets him for choosing Gabrielle before him. Things may get messy.

Gabrielle may be the swing vote if the players vote on a winner, since I doubt they'd let something so important be decided by chance. She's close to Bryce and Taylor and Garrison, with alliances on both sides. She's managed to pull out some comp wins when it mattered, so she's not out of this yet.

Bryce and Taylor have double the odds, as they're the only pair left that's officially together. While Bryce has won comps, Taylor has flown under the radar and observed the dynamics. They have a decent shot with only six people left. We can't wait to see what wacky tests Wonka has in store on September 30 for Wonka's The Golden Ticket finale.

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