Big Brother 28 · Player Power Story · Finale spoilers
How Did Devens Win—and What Had to Go His Way?
Why did Devens and the other players make these moves? What did they want, what happened, and how did each choice affect his path to winning?
Total Power Score
Devens stays near the top—but still needs the ending to go his way
Official cast photographs: Evan Mulling ©2026 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Four steps at the end
How Devens reached the win
These are recorded events. They do not prove that the Power score predicted the result.
How to read this story
In Big Brother, Head of Household (HOH) chooses nominees: players who could be evicted that round. Being nominated is also called being on the block. A veto can save a nominee. Blockbuster is a safety competition: its winner cannot be evicted in that vote. Evicted players on the jury later vote for the winner. The Reality Power Model (RPM) rates six kinds of Power from 1 to 4 each. The Total Power Score adds those six ratings, so it runs from 6 to 24. A higher score shows stronger evidence of influence. It does not guarantee safety or a win.
The Reality Power Model
The six types of Power
Legitimate Power
influence from an official role or a promise others recognize.
Reward Power
influence from offering something another player wants.
Coercive Power
influence from a threat or an unwanted result a player can cause.
Expert Power
influence when others trust and follow a player's judgment.
Referent Power
influence when others trust a player or want to stay loyal to them.
Informational Power
influence when sharing or controlling information changes what others think or do.
The story, in order
Twelve choices that matter
Each section follows a choice that changes the game, even when the Power score stays the same.
01Why would Rome want Devens to win Head of Household?
Why save one nominee while trying to remove someone else?
Why not tell the house about the Diamond Veto?
How do Devens and Dee gather enough votes to remove Lyric?
Saving Dee puts Kamu on the block. How does Devens get enough votes to send Kamu home?
Why does Devens's ally turn on someone inside their wider group?
Why put himself on the block, and what happens when influence does not make him safe?
Why can Devens control his own safety but still need someone else's vote?
Why can Devens decide one eviction but not the next?
What makes keeping Devens look useful to Drew?
How does Taylor give Devens a reason to reconsider his promise?
How does Devens get the final choice, and why does he choose Taylor?
Choice 01 · Episodes 1–5
Devens Offers Rome Safety
Why would Rome want Devens to win Head of Household?
The situation
Before Devens becomes Head of Household (HOH), he works with two groups. Crossovers includes Dee, Devens, Angela, Drew, and Barrett. Red Corner includes Dee, Devens, Kamu, Chuk, and Haley.
The choice
Devens can build a friendly tie with Rome. He can also offer something Rome wants: safety if Devens wins HOH.
Why they acted
Devens
Why: Rome might support him if Rome expects safety in return.
What they hoped to gain: Make Rome more willing to see Devens in charge.
The safety offer is recorded. We cannot know every reason Devens made it.
Rome
Why: Devens offers him a way to avoid being nominated.
What they hoped to gain: Stay off the block if Devens wins HOH.
Rome changes his stated preference after the offer. His private reasons are not recorded.
What happened
Episode 3
Action: Devens tells others about Red Corner, works across the two groups, and gives Rome advice.
Response: Some players work with Devens. Lyric, however, says she does not trust him in the game.
Episode 5
Action: Devens offers Rome safety if Devens wins HOH.
Response: Rome changes his stated HOH preference after the offer. In a separate exchange, Drew follows Devens's advice to stay connected with Melody.
What changed
Rome responds to the promise before Devens has HOH power. We know he changes his stated preference. We do not know whether Devens would later protect him.
Devens offers a benefit Rome values. Rome's response supports Reward Power, which means influence through something a player can give. Devens also has useful relationships, but Lyric's distrust shows that support is not universal.
What we still cannot say
The reports do not give the offer's exact words or Rome's full statements before and after it. The early scores were worked out after those episodes, so this is an explanation of past events, not a prediction made at the time.
Choice 02 · Episodes 6–8
Devens Saves Lyric and Puts Rome at Risk
Why save one nominee while trying to remove someone else?
The situation
Devens is HOH and holds the veto. Jason, Lyric, and Melody are on the block. Devens plans to put Rome up if someone comes off. Rome was not chosen to play for the veto.
The choice
Keep the nominees as they are, or save Lyric with the veto and put Rome on the block.
Why they acted
Devens
Why: He decides Rome should leave after hearing Angela, Drew, and Lyric make their cases. Saving Lyric also gives her a reason to help him later.
What they hoped to gain: Put Rome in danger and perhaps gain Lyric's support.
The target and Lyric's offers are recorded. We cannot say Devens believed Lyric would stay loyal for the rest of the game.
Lyric
Why: She is on the block and wants Devens to save her.
What they hoped to gain: Stay safe in this vote.
She repeatedly offers Devens future safety in exchange for a veto save.
What happened
Episode 6
Action: Angela repeatedly names Rome as a target. Devens takes up the plan and says Drew's reasoning helped. Lyric's safety offers also affect his thinking.
Response: Devens and his close allies plan the replacement. He also promises Yash and Mallory that he will not nominate them.
Episode 7
Action: Devens uses the veto on Lyric and nominates Rome in her place.
Response: Lyric says she owes Devens and will vote his way.
Episode 8
Action: Jason wins Blockbuster safety. Lyric joins the majority voting Rome out.
Response: Rome leaves. Devens's term as HOH ends after this round.
What changed
Rome leaves, as Devens planned. Lyric says she owes Devens and will vote his way. Angela, Drew, the veto draw, and the majority vote also help make the result possible.
Devens uses the veto to give Lyric safety. Her words show that she feels she owes him. His HOH role lets him nominate Rome. Lyric's vote fits her promise, though she also votes with the majority.
What we still cannot say
We still need the details of Angela's case against Rome and Drew's reasoning to explain fully why Devens chose Rome. Winning a competition alone does not show Expert Power, which depends on others following a player's advice.
Choice 03 · Episode 9; carried scores through Episode 14
Devens Keeps the Diamond Veto Secret
Why not tell the house about the Diamond Veto?
The situation
A viewer vote gives Devens a Diamond Veto he can use later. Kamu is HOH now.
The choice
Tell the house about it, tell a few people, or keep it to himself.
Why they acted
Devens and Dee
Why: Dee advises Devens to keep the veto quiet, and he does. Secrecy may make it harder for others to plan against him.
What they hoped to gain: Keep a future move available without warning opponents.
Devens tells Dee and follows her advice. The possible advantage of surprise is our reading of that choice.
What happened
Episode 9
Action: Devens receives the Diamond Veto, tells only Dee, and does not use it yet.
Response: He follows Dee's advice. The veto has not changed anyone's nomination yet.
What changed
Devens keeps an advantage he will later use to save Dee. We do not know that he planned that exact save in Episode 9.
Viewers give him the opportunity. Devens chooses whom to tell. Getting an advantage and using it to change the game are two separate steps.
What we still cannot say
The viewer vote is more specific than random luck. It does not show that players in the house like or trust Devens, which is what Referent Power measures. We do not have Dee's exact words about secrecy.
Choice 04 · Episode 15; total carries through Episode 20
A Secret Plan Sends Lyric Home
How do Devens and Dee gather enough votes to remove Lyric?
The situation
Haley puts Drew, Melody, and Lyric on the block. Devens warns Drew that he may go home. A group then works quietly to vote Lyric out.
The choice
Let the expected vote happen, or bring together enough voters to change the result.
Why they acted
Devens and Dee
Why: They want Lyric out while Drew is in danger. Warning Drew gives him a chance to respond.
What they hoped to gain: Keep Drew as someone they can work with and change who leaves.
The warning and target are recorded. We do not know how each person weighed every reason.
Mallory
Why: A promise of protection involving Melody gives her a reason to vote against Lyric, even though she trusts Lyric.
What they hoped to gain: Help protect a relationship she values with Melody.
The report links the protection promise to Mallory's vote change. We still need the exact terms.
What happened
Episode 15, before the vote
Action: Devens warns Drew. Dee and Devens plan together. Taylor and Mallory join the group voting against Lyric.
Response: Drew acts on the warning. The report says a protection promise from Barrett and Dee helps change Mallory's vote.
Episode 15, eviction
Action: Drew wins Blockbuster safety. Eight people vote to evict Lyric. Kamu, Yash, and Chuk vote to evict Melody.
Response: Lyric leaves, 8–3. Haley does not get the result she wanted.
What changed
The secret voting plan works, and Lyric leaves. Drew also wins safety in a competition, so this vote does not prove that the group could have saved him without that win.
Devens warns Drew. Dee and Devens bring voters together. A promise of protection helps win Mallory's vote. Mallory can trust Lyric and still choose a different move in this vote.
What we still cannot say
We need the exact protection promise and the detailed reason for the Reward Power drop. One successful vote also does not prove that the group will stay together.
Choice 05 · Episodes 21–22
Saving Dee Is Only Half the Job
Saving Dee puts Kamu on the block. How does Devens get enough votes to send Kamu home?
The situation
Yash nominates Angela, Dee, and Haley. Devens can use his secret Diamond Veto to save Dee and put Kamu on the block. The voters still decide who leaves.
The choice
Use the Diamond Veto now, then try to win enough votes against Kamu.
Why they acted
Devens
Why: He wants Dee safe and Kamu out. When some voters consider keeping Kamu, Devens tries to stop them.
What they hoped to gain: Keep an ally and remove his chosen target.
His plan and talks with voters are recorded. Other players may have different reasons for the same vote.
Mallory and Melody
Why: They hear reasons to keep Kamu as well as warnings and offers from the other side. Their ties to Yash and Taylor also matter.
What they hoped to gain: Choose the side they think will protect them better later.
Their doubts and the competing offers are recorded. We cannot tell exactly how much each reason mattered.
Yash
Why: He sees risks in changing his nominees with the Golden Veto.
What they hoped to gain: Avoid those risks by leaving the nominations alone.
Yash's own risk assessment is recorded. Devens later uses a different veto.
What happened
Episode 21
Action: Devens promises to protect Dee, and she welcomes it. Yash leaves his Golden Veto unused. Devens then uses the Diamond Veto to save Dee and names Kamu in her place.
Response: Dee is safe from this vote. Kamu is on the block.
Episode 22, before the vote
Action: Devens threatens to expose the group and hurt people with his jury vote. Mallory and Melody discuss those risks while they consider keeping Kamu.
Response: Drew says Kamu did not protect his earlier allies. The plan to keep Kamu loses support. Angela and Dee also offer protection.
Episode 22, eviction
Action: Angela wins Blockbuster safety. Eight people vote Kamu out. LaTrice votes to evict Haley.
Response: Kamu leaves, 8–1. Mallory and Melody join the vote against him despite their earlier doubts.
What changed
Dee stays and Kamu leaves. The vote succeeds, but some voters still distrust Devens. Voting with him once does not prove they are loyal to him.
The Diamond Veto lets Devens put Kamu on the block. His protection promise helps Dee. His threats give some voters a reason to worry about changing sides. Drew's argument and other offers also help hold the vote together. Kamu may have counted on support that was never firm.
What we still cannot say
Several people help produce the result; we cannot give each person an exact share of credit. Kamu still has a chance to win safety until Angela wins Blockbuster. We do not have Devens's exact words for the threats.
Choice 06 · Episodes 23–25
Dee Turns From Yash to Drew
Why does Devens's ally turn on someone inside their wider group?
The situation
After Kamu leaves, Dee wins HOH. Her group first plans to target Yash. Then Dee considers targeting Drew.
The choice
Stick with Yash as her target, or change plans after hearing new information about Drew.
Why they acted
Dee
Why: She hears claims about Drew that fit her earlier doubts. She also makes a deal that could protect her later.
What they hoped to gain: Target someone she now distrusts and gain safety if Yash later wins HOH.
The deal and target change are recorded. We cannot tell which reason mattered most to her.
Yash
Why: He is in danger when Dee is considering nominees. Giving Dee reasons to target Drew may help him avoid the block.
What they hoped to gain: Receive $5,000 and move the target away from himself.
Yash accepts the deal and gives information about Drew. Avoiding danger is a reasonable reading, not a recorded private confession.
What happened
Episode 23, before nominations
Action: Yash accepts $5,000 in a deal that also requires him to protect Dee if he later wins HOH. Devens takes part in the earlier talks about nominees.
Response: Dee gains a future promise from Yash. He has not yet had a chance to keep it.
Episode 23, nominations
Action: Yash makes a case against Drew, and LaTrice backs up his account. Angela and Barrett speak up for Drew.
Response: Dee switches her target from Yash to Drew. She nominates Drew, LaTrice, and Taylor.
What changed
Drew ends up on the block even though he and Dee have allies in common. Devens is close to Dee, but she makes this decision herself.
Dee has the HOH power to choose nominees. Yash's account, LaTrice's support for it, and Dee's earlier doubts help explain why she chooses Drew. The $5,000 deal also gives Dee a future promise of protection; it does not explain the whole target change by itself.
What we still cannot say
We cannot say Devens caused Dee to change targets. The $5,000 meeting was not seen directly on the live feeds, though other records support the terms and Yash's acceptance.
Choice 07 · Episodes 26–29
Devens Volunteers for Danger—Then Has to Win
Why put himself on the block, and what happens when influence does not make him safe?
The situation
Drew is HOH, and Yash can remove himself from the block. Devens repeatedly offers to become the replacement so Dee and Angela stay safe. In the next round, Barrett puts Devens on the block again.
The choice
First, volunteer for danger to protect two allies and shape Drew's choice. Then, when Barrett nominates him, try to gain help from Barrett or Yash. In both rounds, Blockbuster remains his direct safety path.
Why they acted
Devens, under Drew
Why: He says he wants Dee and Angela to avoid the replacement nomination. He offers to take the danger himself.
What they hoped to gain: Keep two allies safe and give Drew another replacement choice.
The repeated offer and the people it protects are recorded. We cannot say the move created broad new trust.
Drew
Why: Yash uses the veto on himself, so Drew needs a replacement nominee. Devens has offered to take the place.
What they hoped to gain: Complete the nomination while leaving Dee and Angela off the block.
Drew accepts the offer and later explains the replacement choice. That does not mean he controls how the voters will use the new matchup.
Devens, under Barrett
Why: He is on the block again and needs help. He warns Barrett about a possible jury cost. He offers Yash future cooperation and promises not to target him.
What they hoped to gain: Get Yash to save him with the veto or persuade Barrett to change course.
The veto request and offer are recorded. We do not have the exact words of the separate jury warning.
What happened
Episode 26
Action: Devens repeatedly volunteers to become Drew's replacement nominee if Yash uses the veto. Yash saves himself. Drew accepts the offer and puts Devens beside LaTrice and Taylor.
Response: Dee and Angela avoid the block, but Devens is now exposed. Barrett, Yash, Taylor, and Melody discuss a possible vote against him if he loses Blockbuster.
Episode 27
Action: Devens wins Blockbuster safety. LaTrice and Taylor remain on the block.
Response: Devens cannot be evicted. LaTrice leaves 4–2. The feeds were down during the final hours, so we do not know the full path behind every vote.
Episode 28
Action: Devens warns Barrett about his jury vote. In a separate talk, he asks Yash for veto help. He offers to work with Yash and promises not to target him.
Response: We do not have Barrett's response. Yash talks about protecting each other but does not promise to use the veto. Talking about a deal is not making one.
Episode 29
Action: Yash does not use the veto. Devens wins Blockbuster safety.
Response: Devens cannot be evicted in this vote, and he still votes. He, Taylor, and Yash vote Angela out. Drew and Melody vote Dee out. Angela leaves, 3–2.
What changed
Devens protects Dee and Angela from Drew's replacement nomination, but puts himself in danger. He wins Blockbuster in that round. Under Barrett, his warnings and offers do not produce a recorded save, so he wins Blockbuster again. LaTrice and then Angela go home.
The volunteer offer works as influence because Drew changes his replacement choice. It does not work as safety because it puts Devens on the block and opens a possible vote against him. In both rounds, the competition—not a promise from another player—gives Devens the safety we can verify.
What we still cannot say
We cannot say Devens would certainly have left after either Blockbuster loss. The first round had an open vote path and a feed blackout before the result. We also cannot say the volunteer move created broad new trust. Under Barrett, we still lack Barrett's full exchange and Yash's reason for not promising veto help.
Choice 08 · Episodes 30–32
Devens Saves Himself, Then Needs Drew's Vote
Why can Devens control his own safety but still need someone else's vote?
The situation
Barrett leaves in the first eviction. Melody then wins HOH in a second, fast round and puts Devens and Dee on the block.
The choice
Devens can use his veto to save himself. Dee will still need the right replacement nominee and enough votes to stay.
Why they acted
Devens and Dee
Why: After Devens saves himself, Dee remains in danger. They ask Drew to vote Yash out instead.
What they hoped to gain: Keep both Devens and Dee in the game.
Their cooperation and appeal are recorded. We do not have every word of the pitch.
Drew
Why: We do not yet know why Drew chooses Dee over Yash, even though he has a secret final-two agreement with Yash.
What they hoped to gain: His hoped-for benefit from keeping Dee is not clear in the records we reviewed.
His vote and the earlier agreement are known. His reason for breaking the agreement is still unclear.
What happened
Episode 32, second eviction
Action: Devens wins the veto and takes himself off the block. Taylor asks Melody to put up Drew. Melody refuses and puts up Yash.
Response: Devens is safe. Dee and Yash now face the vote.
Episode 32, final vote
Action: Dee and Devens ask Drew for his vote. Taylor votes Dee out. Devens and Drew vote Yash out.
Response: Yash leaves, 2–1. Drew's vote keeps Dee, even though he had promised Yash a final-two spot.
What changed
Devens and Dee both reach the final five. Devens saves himself with the veto. Dee stays because Drew votes Yash out.
Devens's veto takes him off the block. Dee and Devens ask Drew for help, but we cannot prove their appeal changes his mind. Melody's choice of Yash as the new nominee creates the vote Drew faces.
What we still cannot say
We still need Drew's explanation. Until then, we cannot call this a proven success for Dee and Devens's appeal or a clear mistake by Drew.
Choice 09 · Episodes 33–34
Devens Saves Taylor, Then Drew Holds His Fate
Why can Devens decide one eviction but not the next?
The situation
Five players remain. Devens is HOH and keeps Dee off the block. He nominates Drew and Melody. Drew later saves himself with the veto, so Taylor takes his place beside Melody.
The choice
If the voters tie, Devens can break the tie to save Taylor or Melody.
Why they acted
Devens
Why: He has promised Taylor protection if he can give it. After Drew saves himself, Devens targets Melody.
What they hoped to gain: Keep his promise to Taylor and remove Melody.
The promise, target, and final choice are recorded. We still need more detail on why he prefers Taylor in the final four.
Drew and Dee
Why: We know they favor different nominees, but their votes do not tell us why each prefers that choice.
What they hoped to gain: Drew tries to keep Melody; Dee tries to keep Taylor. We do not know all their reasons.
The ballots are recorded. We do not have a full explanation from each voter.
What happened
Episode 33
Action: Devens wins HOH, keeps Dee safe from nomination, and puts Drew and Melody on the block.
Response: Devens can choose nominees while he is HOH. Drew later wins the chance to save himself with the veto.
Episode 34, first decision
Action: Drew saves himself, so Devens nominates Taylor. Drew votes Taylor out, Dee votes Melody out, and Devens breaks the tie against Melody.
Response: Taylor gets the protection Devens promised. Melody leaves.
Episode 34, next round
Action: Taylor wins the final-four HOH. Drew wins the veto.
Response: Drew alone will choose whether Dee or Devens leaves. Devens's earlier power to break a tie has ended.
What changed
Devens decides that Melody leaves. In the next round, his safety depends on Drew's choice.
The tied vote lets Devens decide the first result. Then a new HOH round and veto give Drew the only eviction vote. Taylor later becomes a threat, but that does not by itself prove saving her was a mistake at the time.
What we still cannot say
We know how Devens gets the final say. We still need more of his own explanation for choosing Taylor over Melody before judging how wise that choice was.
Choice 10 · Episode 35
Why Drew Saves Devens
What makes keeping Devens look useful to Drew?
The situation
Four players remain. Drew has the only eviction vote. He must choose whether Dee or Devens leaves. Our Power scores put Devens ahead, but we have no evidence Drew knew those scores.
The choice
Keep the player Drew thinks gives him a better chance to reach the final two and win.
Why they acted
Devens
Why: He faces eviction. He tells Drew that Dee and Taylor may shut Drew out of the final two. He also says Drew can beat him and reminds Drew of their long relationship.
What they hoped to gain: Convince Drew that keeping Devens helps Drew's own game.
The records report these campaign points in Devens's words, retold here without direct quotes.
Drew
Why: Drew says to the camera that he expects Taylor to beat Dee in Part 2. He thinks he can beat Devens in Part 3. If Drew wins, he says he would take Taylor.
What they hoped to gain: Reach the final decision and choose the opponent he thinks he can beat.
Drew explains this plan to the camera. His private plan differs from his promise to take Devens.
Dee
Why: We do not know why Dee takes back her agreement to Drew's Part 1 request.
What they hoped to gain: What she hoped to gain from changing her answer is not recorded.
The change is recorded. Her reason is not.
What happened
Episode 35, before the vote
Action: Drew asks Devens to leave Part 1 of the final HOH competition after Taylor drops out. Devens agrees.
Response: Devens agrees to a request Dee had first accepted and then withdrawn.
Episode 35, later that day
Action: Drew and Devens promise to take each other to the final two. Devens reminds Drew of their long relationship.
Response: They make the promise. We do not yet know whether either will keep it.
Episode 35, eviction
Action: Drew uses the veto to save himself, then casts the only vote to evict Dee.
Response: Dee leaves. Devens reaches the final three.
What changed
Devens gets the vote he needs and reaches the final three. Drew expects he can beat Devens later. Instead, Devens beats Drew in Part 2, and Drew never gets the final choice.
Devens agrees to help Drew in Part 1 and promises him a final-two place. Drew also has his own plan for the final competitions. Dee takes back a similar promise, and Drew worries about a Dee–Taylor path. These details help explain why he keeps Devens.
What we still cannot say
Drew's later loss shows that this plan fails in the game that happened. It does not prove he would have won if he had evicted Devens. His camera explanation and his promise to Devens tell us different things; both matter.
Choice 11 · Finale lead-up
Taylor Gives Devens a Reason to Change His Plan
How does Taylor give Devens a reason to reconsider his promise?
The situation
Taylor wins Part 1 of the final HOH competition. Devens wins Part 2. They will face each other in Part 3 for the right to choose the final opponent. Devens has promised to take Drew.
The choice
Keep his promise to Drew, or decide that taking Taylor gives him a better chance to win the jury vote.
Why they acted
Taylor
Why: She could lose Part 3 and lose her place in the final two. She warns Devens that Drew may beat him in the jury vote and offers to take Devens if she wins.
What they hoped to gain: Reach the final two even if Devens wins Part 3.
Taylor makes the offer. We cannot know whether she would have kept her promise.
Devens
Why: He has promised Drew a final-two place. He also says he fears another late loss.
What they hoped to gain: Keep a promise he values while giving himself the best chance to win.
Devens states both concerns while he thinks through the choice.
What happened
Before the finale, first talk
Action: Devens tells Taylor that Drew may have four jury votes. He says Taylor has a better chance beside Devens. Taylor asks why Devens still plans to take Drew; he points to his promise.
Response: Taylor rejects this first pitch in private and calls part of it a threat. Devens does not get the answer he wants.
Before the finale, later talk
Action: Taylor proposes that they take each other to the final two. She warns Devens about Drew's jury support. Devens asks her to make the same promise to him.
Response: Devens says he is torn and fears another late loss. He says Taylor's idea makes sense but needs time to think. He has not yet made a clear commitment.
What changed
Devens thinks about Taylor's offer. He still speaks of loyalty to Drew, but he is also considering how to win.
Taylor gives Devens two reasons to listen. She warns that Drew may be hard to beat before the jury, and she offers Devens a final-two deal. Devens's response shows that he takes the choice seriously.
What we still cannot say
Taylor's warning is an argument, not proof that Drew would beat Devens in a jury vote. Devens's earlier promise shows what he said; it does not prove what he would finally do.
Choice 12 · Finale decision and result
Devens Chooses Taylor and Wins
How does Devens get the final choice, and why does he choose Taylor?
The situation
Devens must beat Taylor in Part 3 to earn the final choice. His Power score cannot give him that right; the competition rules do.
The choice
If he wins, keep his promise and take Drew, or take Taylor after hearing her warning about Drew's jury support.
Why they acted
Devens
Why: When he makes the final choice, he points to Taylor's warning that Drew could beat him.
What they hoped to gain: Face the opponent he now thinks gives him the better chance to win.
Devens states this reason. Other private reasons may also have mattered.
Drew
Why: We do not know every reason Drew votes for Devens after Devens cuts him. Drew says the choice hurts but makes sense for Devens.
What they hoped to gain: Drew helps choose the winner as a juror. His personal reason for this ballot is not fully recorded.
We know his reaction and ballot. We cannot say respect was his only reason.
What happened
Before the finale
Action: Devens studies past competitions, nominations, vetoes, and votes. He practices his final speech.
Response: We can see that he prepares. We cannot measure exactly how much the preparation helps in Part 3.
Finale, Part 3
Action: Devens answers every question correctly. Taylor misses two. Devens wins.
Response: Devens now has the only vote to choose who leaves before the final two.
Final eviction and jury vote
Action: Devens points to Taylor's warning and votes Drew out. Drew says he is hurt but understands the move. Drew and five other jurors vote for Devens; LaTrice votes for Taylor.
Response: Devens beats Taylor, 6–1.
What changed
Devens wins the last competition, chooses Taylor, and wins the jury vote. Taylor reaches the final two but loses. Drew does not get the final choice he expected.
Winning Part 3 gives Devens the right to choose. He says Taylor's warning affects his decision to cut Drew. His own wish to win matters too. The 6–1 vote shows who wins; it does not tell us every juror's full reason.
What we still cannot say
We have only part of the final speeches and jury talks. Some game checkpoints were reconstructed after the fact. We do not know who would have won if Devens had taken Drew, how much luck mattered, or of any RPM winner prediction made before the outcome. His preparation should be counted as preparation, not casually called luck.
What viewers argued—and what the record shows
Four Arguments About Devens's Win
Devens won after leading the Power ratings at important points. That does not make every simple explanation of his win true. These four recurring arguments show where the record agrees—and where the claim goes too far.
These claims come from selected post-season discussions and coverage. This is not a poll of every viewer. Repetition and upvotes do not make a claim true.
“The Diamond Veto handed Devens the win.”
The advantage gave Devens a major chance. It did not finish the job for him.
What the record shows
The viewer vote gave Devens the Diamond Veto. He used it to save Dee and nominate Kamu. That changed the game and protected a close ally. It did not win his later safety competitions, make Drew keep him, win the final HOH, or persuade the jury.
What Power adds
The veto created temporary decision rights and helped Devens use Reward and Coercive Power. Holding the unused advantage did not raise his score, and using it did not guarantee the season result.
What we still cannot say: We cannot know how the season ends without the Diamond Veto.
“Devens won because he kept winning competitions.”
The wins were necessary on the path that happened. They were not the whole path.
What the record shows
Blockbuster protected Devens when his talks did not remove the danger. Later wins kept him safe, and the final HOH gave him the last choice. Drew still had to keep him at final four, Taylor's warning still affected the final cut, and Devens still had to win jury votes.
What Power adds
Competition wins can give safety or a temporary right to decide. They do not automatically show Expert, Referent, or Informational Power.
What we still cannot say: We cannot divide the win into exact shares for competitions, relationships, strategy, other players' choices, and luck.
“Devens controlled the game from start to finish.”
Devens often had strong Power. He did not control every week or every decision.
What the record shows
Other players passed Devens in the ratings while they held stronger positions. He went on the block, failed to talk his way out of danger, and needed safety wins. At final four, Drew—not Devens—held the only eviction vote.
What Power adds
A high Total Power Score combines several kinds of influence. It does not mean complete control, guaranteed safety, or a prediction that the player will win.
What we still cannot say: No record can tell us how every private decision would change after a different competition result.
“Volunteering for the block was a smart move.”
It protected allies and changed Drew's choice. It also gave the house a chance to remove Devens.
What the record shows
Devens repeatedly offered to replace Yash so Dee and Angela would stay off the block. Drew accepted. A group then discussed voting Devens out if he lost Blockbuster. Devens won safety before the vote could test that plan.
What Power adds
The offer showed influence over Drew and gave two allies something valuable. It also created immediate danger. Influence and good judgment are not always the same thing.
What we still cannot say: We cannot know the final vote if Devens loses Blockbuster, and the record does not prove that the risk created broad new trust.
Which mattered most to Devens's win: influence, competition wins, the Diamond Veto, or choices made by other players?
What can we conclude?
Did the Power Scores Explain the Win or Predict It?
What the evidence shows
- We can follow Devens's offers, warnings, threats, and choices, then see how other players respond. Some moves work; others fail.
- Devens leads the Power scores before the finale. He still needs competition wins, choices by other players, and the right final opponent to win.
- Drew expects a path through the final competitions that does not happen. Kamu appears to count on support that is less firm than he thinks. These are specific mistakes or misreadings we can examine.
What these records cannot establish
- The records we reviewed do not show a rule that picked the winner before the result or an RPM winner prediction made at the time.
- We cannot divide the win into exact shares for Power, competitions, outside help, other players' mistakes, and luck.
- We cannot know who would win if a competition, eviction vote, or final-two pairing had gone differently.
Details that still need stronger evidence
- Find the exact words in Devens's early offer to Rome and more detail about why he targets Rome.
- Find the exact protection promise in the Lyric vote and the reason Reward Power falls from 3 to 2 in Episode 15. Do not invent a broken promise.
- Find the full warning Devens gives Barrett and more about Barrett's and Yash's decisions. We already know what Devens asks Yash for.
- Find why Drew saves Dee over Yash and why Devens prefers Taylor over Melody at final five.
- Keep the reasons for each jury vote and the full final speeches marked as missing unless new, clearly dated evidence is found.
What helps Devens most: changing someone's mind, making himself useful to another player, or winning a competition when his relationships cannot keep him safe?
Supporting evidence
Devens’s Total Power Score by Episode
The Total Power Score adds six ratings, each from 1 to 4. A score that stays the same does not mean nothing happened. Some early scores were worked out after the episodes aired.
Show every score and all six Power ratings
| When | Total | Legitimate | Reward | Coercive | Expert | Referent | Informational |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Episode 2 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Episode 3 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Episode 4 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Episode 5 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Episode 6 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 7 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 8 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 9 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 10 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 11 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 12 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 13 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 14 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 15 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 16 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 17 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 18 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 19 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 20 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 21 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 22 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 23 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 24 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 25 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 26 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 27 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 28 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 29 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 30 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 31 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 32 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 33 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 34 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Episode 35 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Finale | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Continue exploring Big Brother 28