For quite some time now, I’ve been deeply engrossed in the series “Big Brother,” but given that I joined the fray before Season 21, there are still many episodes I haven’t watched. Therefore, it has become a custom of mine to catch up on a classic season from my Paramount+ subscription prior to the release of a new one, and since Big Brother Season 27 is slated for 2025, I decided it was high time to experience Season 10, which starred Dan Gheesling.
Gheesling is frequently recognized as one of the best Houseguests in the history of the game. Since I had previously watched him during Big Brother Season 14 and his unsuccessful season on The Traitors, I anticipated seeing the skilled manipulator back in action in his debut. However, it turned out that it wasn’t his mastery over manipulation that led to his victory in his first foray into reality television.
Unlike Season 14, Dan’s Power Is How He Reacted To Game Moves
A friend of mine shared their thoughts after the season ended, suggesting that Dan’s success might be attributed to a less competitive cast. However, I’d like to offer a different perspective. While it’s true that the outcome could have been different if circumstances had been different, there were several contestants who played exceptionally well in that season. For instance, Michelle Costa demonstrated a strong game, and I believe she might have won in other seasons. Similarly, Memphis Garrett likely would have taken the victory instead of finishing as runner-up in most cases.

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In essence, it’s hard to argue that Dan Gheesling wasn’t more of a strategist than someone who knew when to stay quiet and lie low during his first season. On the other hand, individuals like Jerry MacDonald frequently found themselves embroiled in conflicts with fellow Houseguests, even when there was no apparent need for their involvement. Remarkably, Renny Martyn often seemed intent on stirring up fights rather than avoiding them!
Dan typically shined in the limelight only when it was unavoidable, and on that occasion with Bryan Ollie, it was certainly a tense moment for him. Given that he was the Head of Household, it wasn’t a high-stakes situation, but breaking his promise to Ollie did create some tension. Remarkably, Dan succeeded in securing both Ollie and April’s votes by day’s end, which kept the controversy at bay for him.
This doesn’t mean Dan played a passive game; quite the contrary. Many players fall into this trap, but Dan stood out by staying engaged in such scenarios without resorting to personal attacks. Instead, he maintained his composure effectively, setting him apart from others who found it difficult to keep interactions impersonal.

Dan’s Confidence Played Into His Ability To Convince Others
As a seasoned movie critic, allow me to express my thoughts on Dan Gheesling, a contender in the world of Big Brother, who undeniably exudes an aura of self-assurance that many fans can’t help but admire. Unlike most newcomers, Dan appeared unwavering in his belief that he was destined to conquer this game from the very start. Even when Brian Hart’s actions threatened to derail his game early on, Dan remained unfazed and seemingly unafraid of being evicted, despite the high probability of such an outcome.
At that initial stage, it wasn’t the debut for Dan either. Jerry’s infamous remark echoed the moment when Dan might have been evicted. Yet, he appeared unfazed because he believed he could generate enough sympathy to reverse the situation and divert attention away from himself. If he had left the game at any point, I believe he would have faced harsh criticism like other housemates, being labeled as one of the least in-tune players on Big Brother, until Daniel Durston initiated his notable feud with Taylor Hale during Season 24.
Remarkably, Dan’s unwavering self-assurance that he controlled the game turned out to be a significant factor in his eventual landslide victory. He outshone Memphis when it came to addressing the jurors’ queries, even going so far as to help Memphis answer a question that ended up boosting Memphis instead. Let me tell you, his confidence is something to behold. Those who are curious about what happens when such overconfidence backfires should tune in to Season 2 of The Traitors.

He Also Had The Perfect Final Two Partner In Memphis
There couldn’t be a starker contrast between Dan Gheesling and Memphis Garrett, despite their alliance. While Dan excelled in keeping quiet during challenging situations, Memphis was seldom reserved, only speaking up when he felt provoked enough to do so. In an unfortunate incident, he even threatened physical violence against Jerry for labeling him a “womanizer,” which wasn’t his finest moment.

I really enjoyed the 26th season of Big Brother, and I believe other fans will share my enthusiasm about potential elements returning in upcoming seasons, which producers seem quite certain to include.
Moreover, Memphis isn’t typically seen as particularly friendly or relatable. Despite his strategy within Big Brother consistently being effective, as demonstrated during his participation in Season 22, he didn’t seem to forge strong connections with those he competed alongside.
In simpler terms, not all Houseguests are socially active players, and while some can thrive by relying on their strength and force their way forward in the competition, this strategy is effective only when they don’t have an ally who might claim credit for their game strategies. However, even having such an ally doesn’t guarantee success, and if Memphis had been better at defending himself, I believe he could have made the final vote more competitive.
It seems clear that Memphis didn’t believe he could win in the end, which was evident in his responses. He appeared to accept second place, and this wasn’t a smart move against someone as confident as Dan. Memphis seemed to give way to Dan, and even in Season 22 with Cody Calafiore, this strategy didn’t serve him well.
In other words, despite my initial belief that Dan Gheesling wasn’t the top “Big Brother” player in Season 10, he undeniably proved himself in Season 14, a fact that took me by surprise. Although I still feel that Ian Terry should have won over Dan, it’s left me pondering how Dan solidified his legacy without taking away from what Ian accomplished.
The 27th season of “Big Brother” kicks off on CBS on July 10th. If you haven’t already, catch up on past seasons available on Paramount+. There’s still plenty of time to binge-watch before the new season begins, so don’t wait!
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2025-06-08 01:09