In addition to welcoming a dozen new houseguests into the game, the 18th season of Big Brother was also the fifth to bring back former houseguests to play for a second time: Frank Eudy returned from season 14, Nicole Franzel from season 16, and James Huling and Da'Vonne Rogers from season 17.
It was an interesting mix of players, both old and new, either working on their first time trying to win the final prize or hoping for a second chance.
Between both the returning and new players, there were stand-outs for both good and bad reasons.
Best: Victor Arroyo
Victor ended up finding the love of his life on this season in Nicole, who he dated after the show and is engaged to be married to. But game-wise, he was also a favorite, both with houseguests and viewers.
He voted America's Favorite Houseguest and was evicted and made it back into the house not once, but twice. The first time was in the Battle Back Competition and the second the jury re-entry competition, proving that he was a fierce player.
Worst: Paulie Calafiore
Hoping to do better than his little brother Cody (who just returned to win the 22nd All-Stars season after placing second his first time around), Paulie was instantly part of the dominating alliance.
But even though he was popular in the house, he just didn't have the same level of charm as his brother. He got distracted by a showmance with Zakiyah, which impacted his game. He made it to jury, but that was about it.
Best: James Huling
James started up a rock-solid bond that turned into a showmance with Natalie and always quietly had plenty of power. James was always firmly in the middle of the two sides of the house and a fan favorite.
His silliness, penchant for pulling pranks, and overall sunny demeanor made him liked by everyone in the house. Even if he wasn't technically in an alliance with someone, they still genuinely enjoyed having him there and never considered voting him out. He made it all the way to the final three and evicting him and keeping Nicole might very well have cost Paul the game.
Worst: Bridgette Dunning
Seemingly infatuated with Frank, Bridgette did everything wrong in the game and was overall annoying. She put a target on her own back the second she aligned with returning player Frank then had nowhere to go once he was evicted.
She made bad moves all around and it was clear right from the beginning that she would have no shot at winning. She did, however, make it far enough to be on the jury that ultimately crowned Nicole the winner over Paul.
Best: Paul Abrahamian
Paul deserved plenty of credit for playing a flawless game. Well, almost flawless. One thing cut-throat players forget about is that cunning strategy and winning a lot of competitions alone won't be enough. If not being careful, their moves can make people bitter. The best players eliminate their own allies and friends but leave them respecting the moves, not angered by them.
Paul, however, just made a ton of enemies in the house who all ended up talking in jury and were so appalled by their behavior in the house and their inability to own up to it that they handed Nicole a win.
Worst: Michelle Meyer
Michelle had the potential to be a really fun and exciting player and could have even had made a cool All-Star player. But she cried way too much. So much that it became an eye-rolling moment when the waterworks began once again in every episode. Whether she was having a conversation on the couch with someone and the paranoia set in or she was talking to the camera in the diary room, it always ended in tears.
Michelle did, however, have one of the best exits of any season after she grabbed Paul's favorite pool floatie on her way out as a final act of rebellion.
Best: Nicole Franzel
Nicole might not have been a popular player in All-Stars, receiving a lot of flak after the series ended regarding everything from perceived insensitive comments she made in the house to rumored actions before even getting there. But back in season 18, Nicole's second time playing, she was just a sweet nurse.
She did what she always does, which is lurk in the background while everyone else did the dirty work until she scampered all the way to the end. Sure, she got distracted by a showmance (again), interestingly with another player, not Victor (her now fiancé). But considering she made it to the finale and beat the supposed best player of the season, it has to count for something.
Worst: Bronte D'Acquisto
She had such a sunny personality and should have brought a lot of joy to the house. But Bronte's child-like attitude and look just became annoying after a while. She tried desperately to form an all-girls alliance called the Spy Girls but they just didn't have enough power.
She was eliminated third, then permanently eliminated when she didn't win the Battle Back Competition. She didn't even make it to jury.
Best: Da'Vonne Rogers
Da'Vonne got the short end of the stick when she was sent packing second the first time she played on season 17. After getting in trouble for confronting people in the house about their lies, Da'Vonne tried to play a tamer, quieter game on season 18, and she did the same in All-Stars, getting sent home prematurely in that season, too.
She was a fan favorite when she went in and she remained a fan favorite all the way through, even though she only lasted to week six. There's a reason Da'Vonne was asked back for All-Stars.
Worst: Frank Eudy
Frank was not popular among houseguests nor viewers, especially after he was called out for his unsavory treatment of women in the house, particularly Tiffany Rousso and Da'Vonne.
He was, however, a competition beast and is often considered one of the best physical competitors to have ever played the game. Nonetheless, it isn't all about performances in competitions. And Frank had a lot of strikes against him that season.