In a confessional in Episode 11, Rick Devens shared his Survivor philosophy with fans: “You play to win the game, yes, but you have fun playing the game.” That statement defines how Rick has navigated the complex web that is Season 50. While some players lean into control and carefully orchestrated plans, Rick has embraced being an agent of chaos.
Naturally, his antics have earned him a few enemies—most notably Joe Hunter, who seems genuinely offended by his survival-at-any-cost strategy. But Rick’s mischievousness has also won him something arguably more important—the adoration of fans. A quick scan through Survivor’s dedicated Reddit page or the Survivor hashtag on X will make this point abundantly clear: Fans ride for Rick Devens.
His success makes complete sense when paired with the fan criticism that has dominated the modern era of Survivor. For years, viewers have complained that the “new era” castaways are too concerned with their reputation, which in turn has made them afraid to make bold moves. The “I don’t want to look like an idiot on TV” sentiment seems to have won out. Enter Rick Devens, who appears to be more concerned with producing entertainment value than solidifying his position as “one of the greats.” It may not win him 2 million dollars, but man, is it fun to watch.
Rick Devens is a Survivor 50 standout for these reasons
Rick has dominated much of the online chatter about Survivor 50, which makes it hard to believe he almost didn’t make the casting cut. The 42-year-old was originally an alternate. He only made the cut once “the cast extended to 24 people.” It’s possible that being a last-minute addition had an impact on Rick’s gameplay.
Take a player like Ozzy Lusth, who has been patiently waiting for years for another shot at the Sole Survivor title. You can almost understand why risk becomes paralyzing for a player who so badly wants to walk away a winner. But for Rick, winning doesn’t seem to be the main objective. He wants to play the kind of game he would want to watch on TV, and that is what makes him such an intriguing player. Rob Cesternino summed it up perfectly in an interview with CinemaBlend.
“I don’t know if this is a winning game that Rick Devens is playing, but Rick Devens is playing the most Rick Devens game that he ever played,” he told the outlet.
Here is why Rick Devens has my vote for MVP of Survivor 50.
Rick Devens reminds us of OG Survivor
Survivor used to be a different show. The early seasons were defined by controversial contestants, shocking lies, and ruthless competitions. But as the show evolved, it’s become a much more wholesome, family friendly program. It is hard to ignore that a scenario like Sandra Diaz-Twine removing Sugar Kiper’s bikini top to win a challenge could never happen in the “new era” of Survivor.
In recent years, production has traded in ruthless, unlikable players for castaways with a master’s degree in Game Theory, who have been watching the show since they were seven. And while it’s touching seeing superfans get a chance to play a game they love, it’s made the show, well, boring. The castaways of the “new era” are obsessed with carving out a place for themselves in the Survivor Hall of Fame, and it’s made the game too risk-adverse. Underdogs go along with plans that don’t benefit them in the hopes of surviving another week, and big moves are reserved for the very end of the game when the risk becomes more manageable.
This change has made fans desperate for a player like Rick to enter the fold. A player that sees the value in making a ruckus even if it means jeopardizing his game. In her pre-interview with Parade, Rick said being an alternate gave him the permission to have fun.
“I was actually kind of a gift. Because I didn’t think I was going to be here when they told me I was an alternate,” he said. “And then they tell me I’m on. It’s like, ‘Well, I guess I’ll just go have fun and be crazy.’ So I’m coming in with a total spirit of playfulness.”
Rick Devens takes risks
That playfulness has made Survivor 50 the most enjoyable season in recent years. It’s led to the most dynamic Tribal Councils that I’ve seen in the new era. I can’t recall a moment in recent years that I’ve been on the edge of my seat watching Survivor. But I’ve felt that way twice this season because of Rick. The fake Idol and the coin toss reminded me why I love this game. It should be about risky decisions.
Rick has managed to evade elimination on two occasions, soiling power players’ plans to send him to Ponderosa. And while there was some luck involved in his journey, it also took a lot of guts on his part. He could’ve sat back and let another castaway flip the coin, hoping it would work out in his favor. Instead, he chose to volunteer to flip the coin, embodying a core tenet of Survivor: big risk comes with big reward.
Rick Devens is an underdog
The Survivor fanbase tends to favor the underdog, and Rick fits the bill perfectly. It’s no fun watching a dominant alliance control the game. And it’s endlessly frustrating watching players at the bottom accept their fate. Too often, castaways allow themselves to become pawns for whoever is running the show. They vote the way the ruling alliance tells them to vote, even if it’s not in their best interest. Rick, however, isn’t interested in that strategy. He views the game much more malleable than that. Rick sees being on the bottom as freedom to take big risks, because what does he have to lose? He gives fans exactly what we’ve been praying for. A fearless player who doesn’t allow himself to be pushed around by bullies. After all, there is nothing more satisfying than watching a castaway escape from the grave.
Survivor is available to stream on Paramount+.
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