Survivor: David vs. Goliath finale: Can Davie Rickenbacker win the game?

One of the earliest fun, positive, easy-going members of the David tribe, can Davie Rickenbacker win Survivor: David vs. Goliath on finale night?

Davie Rickenbacker is such a great character. It kind of makes sense that he was literally flown out to play Survivor: David vs. Goliath as a replacement for the 20th player of the season, as his easy-going lifestyle is befitting someone who can drop all life commitments for seven weeks on a dime. That said, can he command respect or pave a path to the end and win the title of Sole Survivor?

Davie’s chances of making Final Tribal

Let’s look at the field of players left in David vs. Goliath in terms of challenge threat levels. We have Alison, who has been a vote target for the past few Tribal Councils, almost won the most recent Immunity Challenge and won the first of the season. Then we have Davie, who stole Carl’s “PERCEPTIONS” clue from the word jump to provide “PERSPECTIVE” and win. However, he has won reward challenges a few times.

That’s pretty much it, and he’s also found two Hidden Immunity Idols correctly to void votes twice. Concerning his threat level, Davie is peaking at the worst time; when three players need to be voted out in three separate nights. It will make it harder for him to escape the heat, as his resume-building actions are clear and present as a danger to the others.

With Christian out of the game, having social strength and being in the good graces of the jury is important. He and Kara might be targeted first for being jury threats, and unless he wins the next two Immunity Challenges or finds an idol and wins a challenge, I find his path to the end difficult at this exact moment.

Davie’s chances of receiving votes at Final Tribal

If Davie Rickenbacker makes it to the Final Tribal Council of Survivor: David vs. Goliath, I believe he wins solidly against anyone not named Nick Wilson. Even then, Nick hasn’t looked too hot lately, as he misplayed his one idol and outed himself as a threat in the game while taking Christian’s betrayal personally.

If Nick is voted out before the end, there will be an even split of Davids and Goliaths determining the fate of this season’s winner. In that scenario, I have no doubts he would win all the David votes, and whether or not he ties or wins depends on who’s sitting at the end. I feel like Alison has had enough with Angelina that if she’s sitting beside Davie, Alison votes for him. Same goes for Kara, as she and Davie have a partnership we haven’t seen blossom on TV yet.

Realistically, it would be a battle between Nick and Davie in my mind, no matter who else is sitting at the end. Mike White has a compelling case to win if he sits beside Alison and Angelina, but there’s no way he wins beside charming game-players such as either of the Davids left in the game.

Overall Rundown: It seems like Davie’s biggest competition is getting to the end in the first place. He has challenge wins under his belt, a winning personality and has made big moves en route to the end. However, with Nick in on a plan to take out Christian and Davie needing to play his idol to guarantee safety, he likely won’t get the chance to plead his case.