Survivor Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers power rankings: Episode 9

#6. Ryan Ulrich

It’s a weird part of Survivor right now for Ryan Ulrich. After being the Hustlers’ narrator for most of the game, since the merge, he’s not had the biggest voice at the table anymore. He’s called himself a weasel and denigrated himself too many times for him to ever have a winner’s edit, but as we approach this double-vote-out episode, he’s made a fatal misplay with Devon.

Ever since the beginning, Ryan has seen Devon he can rely upon and talk strategy down to. He made the active decision to search him out and tell him about the Super Idol when he didn’t have to as a means of building trust. The two likely had some input on who to give the Super Idol to, and them reconnecting at the merge was a moment similar to seeing a familiar face after years apart.

However, Ryan made the mistake of exposing himself to more than just Devon. He first told Devon that only he knew about his Hidden Immunity Idol, then let Ben know, and then Ben told Devon in a move to gain his trust. Now Devon knows he can’t trust Ryan anymore, knows how good of a liar he is and how strong his chances are to win.

If Lauren, Ashley and Devon are going to pull off a game-changing blindside, it could be on Ryan, as he feels secure enough in his trust of Devon not to play an Idol.