In its 21 years on TV, Survivor has given fans many incredible seasons of television, but few have reached the heights of its greatest modern season: Survivor: David vs. Goliath. The 37th season of the show, David vs. Goliath, aired in 2018, following a trio of seasons that are typically considered to be lower-tier Survivor. After Game Changers, Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, and Ghost Island received a fair bit of criticism for unbalanced casting and some controversial twists, David vs. Goliath was a welcome surprise and helped reignite the fanbase.
David vs. Goliath was such a hit, in fact, that it’s one of four seasons Survivor has featured on Netflix in order to attract a wider mainstream audience. Last year, Netflix hosted Heroes vs. Villains and Cagayan, considered by many to be the two greatest seasons of the show. This year, David vs. Goliath joined season 16, Micronesia — Fans vs. Favorites, on the streamer. David vs. Goliath is in good company, as Micronesia is also an all-time great season that features several legendary players and perhaps the most iconic moment in the show’s history.
What makes season 37 such a stellar Survivor season is that it contains a perfect marriage of story and gameplay. Most season themes serve mostly as an entry point for the season and fade from the forefront as the game unfolds, but the David vs. Goliath theme works especially well thanks to the incredible cast. Nearly every player on season 37 brings something to the table, and it’s truly thrilling to watch them interact and maneuver through the game. Among the standouts are Christian Hubicki, who transcends the stereotypical “nerd” archetype through his keen social awareness and mesmerizing intellect, as well as Davie Rickenbacker, whose jovial attitude is infectious and makes for some wildly entertaining confessionals. What makes the cast truly special, though, is that there is a distinct sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie throughout, despite the inherent conflict of Survivor. Of course there are arguments and blindsides, but the cast is, for the most part, exceedingly good-natured and sportsmanlike. They each play exceptionally hard and leave it all on the field.
The cast of David vs. Goliath is so good that it wouldn’t be surprising if over half the cast were eventually invited back to return. A player like Angelina Keeley, for instance, is someone the show is likely itching to have back. Angelina created one of the most iconic moments of the modern era when she asked for Natalie Cole’s jacket after voting her out. Other contestants, like Mike White and John Hennigan, were pleasant surprises. Mike, a Hollywood multi-hyphenate, provided some great strategy and meme-worthy moments, while John, a pro wrestling superstar known for his brash persona, subverted expectations through his sensitive and introspective demeanor on the island.
Overall, Survivor: David vs. Goliath is emblematic of why the show is still so compelling after so many years. It’s a perfect entry point for new fans and proves that Survivor is still capable of greatness when it doesn’t overload seasons with twists and lets the cast shine. Every aspect of the season comes together perfectly and results in a legendary concoction that will always be known as one of the show’s greatest seasons.
Survivor: David vs. Goliath is available to stream on Netflix.
