Survivor David vs. Goliath power rankings: Episode 10 prepares for trouble

2. Davie Rickenbacker

When Davie came back from Tribal Council and acted like a consummate professional in front of the entire camp, it showed a very great social skill he has backed up. Of course, we also saw him pop off in a confessional where he took out Johnny Mundo from the top ropes and took his jacket, but the tribe didn’t see that; only the viewers get the balance of Davie the eccentrically fun and gameplay-serious player.

The fact that he played like he kept the Hidden Immunity Idol a secret from the Davids put Goliath at ease that he wasn’t part of an uber strategic group that has been running the game. We know that’s not true, though, as Davie has found himself in something of a tight group of players brought together by circumstance. He was undervalued by Mike as a strategic threat, yet he managed to overthrow the Goliaths like Mike said he couldn’t.

What separates his threat value from Carl is that Carl couldn’t leave well enough alone. He had to give the “BING,” unfurl the paper and do most everything short of a moonwalk in victory, while Davie previously set the tone of “let’s just play like gentlemen and gentlewomen” just after the previous Tribal Council.

Davie’s in a good spot, he has bigger threats ahead of him, and he could be a good social player that wins based on likeability and social connections if he makes it to the end. Being a stronger player in retrospect at the Final Tribal Council is better than getting picked off before getting that chance.