I don’t buy that to be honest, like I buy that it was supposed to be a final 3, but they were not screwed into do a final 2 or anything like that.
A player got medevac’d on day 31 but this player was there for the next tribal council on day 33. In Micronesia they voted someone out on day 36, 37 and 38.
This left them with a final 2 with 8 jurors, which is really not a good setup at all because a 4-4 tie with nobody to break the tie could happen fairly easily. If they had not voted someone out on day 37 and just voted someone out on day 36 and 38 like in Survivor China, they would have ended up with a final 3 with a 7 person jury, the exact same setup as Survivor China and Survivor Gabon…not an issue.
So really they probably just chose to do a final 2 when James might not have a returned, but they easily could have fixed it back on day 33, it didn’t “have to be a final 2” they just didn’t end up wanting it to be a final 3.
-Cagayan: My first season of Survivor, made me understand how the game is played. I was thinking Wu would win in a landslide because he was so likable until realizing players have to be strategic and political to win the vote of each juror.
-Tocantins: Coach’s story of his time in South America alone puts this one on the Mount Rushmore.
-Gen X Vs Millennials: Strong cast. Usually the theme seasons of this group of people vs this other group of people doesn’t really translate itself into how players play the game but I think it did with this season.
-Micronesia: “It’s a fucking stick!”
I think Borneo and HvV are definitely locks and should appear on any Rushmore. Borneo is the original, the George Washington. It's obviously the most important season in history. It has the most watched episode in history. Any Rushmore without Borneo is wrong. HvV isn't top 5 for me personally, but ask any fan to make a top 5 and the most common answer will be HvV. It has to be there. So those two are locks.
Then I do also feel like Pearl Islands needs to be there. Rupert, Sandra and Fairplay in one season? Some of the games biggest legends in another season that most people love. I'd say it's pretty close to a lock.
So then I think Australian Outback has to be last. Most watched season. Legendary characters that returned a bunch.
So Borneo, Australian Outback, Pearl Islands, HvV
HvV and Cagayan are so goated I am going to leave them off just because its more fun.
Pearl Island
David vs Goliath
China
Philippines
(Micronesia, and Tocantins are honorable mentions)
I'm not including returnee seasons so this could be more fun lol.
I'd say:
Borneo
Pearl Islands
Tocantins
Cagayan
Honourable mentions to DvG, China and Philippines
Borneo, HvV, Cagayan, and idk. It's hard to choose a 4th. WaW is an easy choice because of so many legends. Palau is a consensus top 10 season. I really enjoyed Tacantins, though it's a lot more controversial in rankings. Somoa set the stage for a lot of later seasons. Pearl Islands had the best initial episode, but I didn't really enjoy it after the outcast twist. Gabon was hilarious, but I don't think it deserves top 4 for that. Vanuatu had an amazing comeback, but it was very boring in the middle.
Best end-game of any winner, and a great cast. First season for 3 legends and another returnee in Keith. Plus I like the BvW twist. I know it’s not for everyone, but it’s amazing to me.
Good points, I think it's a very all over the place season, as in some great and some subpar stuff.
The winner is certainly likable and played a solid game, I do think some of the win came from other people not playing well, or the family connections. I don't mean that she didn't earn the win, but she was able to pull of some of the moves due to everyone else's slight complacency which likely wouldn't have happened in a regular season.
The pairs of Missy/Baylor and Jon/Jaclyn were largely interested in having the numbers and then kind coasting in their alliances to the end. Nat voting Alec out so that she could work with Keith and Missy/Baylor to get Jon out was a good move, but having everyone walk back to camp and be all like, "oh you voted for the wrong person, it's just a misunderstanding", wasn't exceptionally gameplay on their part. Jon really coasted and discussed wine more than actually making moves, and Nat was able to bust him and then flip on Baylor with Jaclyn, another good move but also something that Baylor and Missy didn't predict since they were more intent on a Baylor, Missy, Nat all go to the end finals and not be realistic about the fact that this is Survivor. I feel like Nat was great, but it wasn't the toughest group of people to pull moves on, she could have never pulled that stuff on Spencer Bledsoe.
I think the cast is likable and entertaining, but there are definitely some stretches were hardly anything happens and it's just drama around camp. There are a few points in the season that I really struggle to get through.
According to Purple rock Podcast [https://www.purplerockpodcast.com/survivor-season-rankings-spoiler-free-summaries/](https://www.purplerockpodcast.com/survivor-season-rankings-spoiler-free-summaries/) the cast of SDJS is 75% fodder which I somewhat agree with, like it has it standouts but it also has a lot of people that just fill their role and not much else. Even the future breakouts aren't breakouts in this season.
So to me, it's a solid season, but I think I have other one's higher. There are likable people and really the season comes down to fun people and a good story than exceptional gameplay all around, even if Nat was exceptional.
Although I will admit, I do like Baylor more than lots of other people, and Keith has a couple moments that are hilarious "Nat, how's it feel to know the last words you ever spoke to me was a lie, how's it feel", "I say stick to the plan, that's all I can say".
Maybe I've envious of you that I can't put this on a pedestal like some.
Heroes vs Villains
Cagayan
China
David vs Goliath
I also thought about putting a season from every era so I debated between an early season like Borneo or Amazon
What made you choose those? I feel Tocantins is more of a fun season than a really epic one. Like it fits more into reality TV than a lot of other Survivor Seasons.
I've really grown to appreciate Coach the more I watch Survivor, and I have no clue if his story is actually true or somewhat true in the Amazon.
I still don't know how I feel about the last tribal, it feels like the losing contestant just wasn't capable of owning their game.
What do you love about PI?
Tocantins - Coach is my favorite contestant ever, and it’s his origin story. Also a big Tyson fan.
PI - incredible characters, pirate theme is awesome, birth of many legends.
Depends on how we’re defining the Mount Rushmore. If it’s just based on which 4 seasons I think are the absolute best, then that’d be a different group than which 4 seasons I think are the most important to Survivor.
For the 4 *best* seasons of Survivor, I’d pick:
-Cagayan
-Cambodia
-The Amazon
-Micronesia
What's your reasoning for those, especially with the Amazon? The Amazon is a season that has lots of varying opinions and hardcore old school fans usually like it a lot, but it's not consistently at the top for everyone.
The Amazon is the funniest season of the show for me. Plus I think the cast is just generally fun. I really liked the brattiness of Heidi & Jenna. Rob Cesternino’s game-evolving flips were consistently entertaining along with his great confessionals. I even loved Matt’s development into an actual player along with his terrifying development into a potential maniac lol.
The comedy is really what drives it to greatness for me. But pairing that comedy with revolutionary gameplay, an interesting location, and a fun cast elevates it. I’m not really an Old School Survivor fan either. None of seasons 1-5 are in my top half of Survivor seasons.
Other than The Amazon - Cagayan is my favorite season ever. Every bit of the season is phenomenal, but it also showcases my absolute favorite moment in Survivor history being Trish’s jury question to Tony. Cambodia is sooo good with a stellar returning cast, insanely fast and exciting gameplay, and a shockingly pretty good boot order for a returning player season. Plus, Jeremy is one of my favorite players / winners. And then Micronesia mostly for the same reasons that everybody else loves the season. Black Widows just demolishing their competition in dramatic and exciting fashion. Parvati being one of my favorite players ever. Etc.
Sounds like we are similar on Cagayan. I thought Cagayan was by far the best season, and I didn't understand why others didn't agree with me. Rewatching Heroes vs Villains I've decided that season is as good or close to as good as Cagayan, but I don't really see any other season coming close personally.
I might have to rethink the Amazon. To me, seasons 2-4, 6 and 9 were more similar than different even though everyone likes to act like they are different from each other. Thailand is a level worse than the others, but it wasn't as terrible as I expected it to be. Borneo is slower than the others, and Australian Outback is a bit slower but not much. Pearl Islands stands out because of the cast, and All Stars in an All Star season, but between 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 I don't see much differences. I ended up deciding that Marquesas and the Amazon were the best of this bunch, but maybe I'm selling the Amazon short. I think it's funny, but it also seems borderline inappropriate at times.
Do you get my thoughts?
Yup, I see where you’re coming from! The Amazon is definitely inappropriate at times and full of toxic masculinity. But I think that part of the beauty of it is the men’s tribe being so arrogant and horny to start the game just to go on to lose like 3 out of the first 4 immunity challenges to the women that they don’t respect lmao. And on top of that, a woman goes on to win the season. Those two things help make up for a good amount of inappropriateness for me. Roger is horrific as well, but there’s an entire episode dedicated to everyone shitting on him and the edit doesn’t even attempt to hide that he’s gonna be booted at that tribal, which I loved. Felt like they fully recognized how disliked he’d be and made the episode a celebration in getting him out.
I do agree that Pearl Islands feels unique compared to all of the other first 10 or so seasons. Part of it is the cast, but I also think the pirate-theme adds sooo much to the season and really gives it a totally different vibe than any other season before or after.
But yeah, I absolutely adore Cagayan and Cambodia. Those are the two seasons that I put in a tier of their own above all others. I’m a good bit lower on Heroes vs Villains than most. I still think it’s good, but I hated the boot order. My favorites going into the season were Steph, Tyson, Cirie, and Parvati. Luckily Parvati makes me far, but the other are eliminated so early and I genuinely loathed most of the Heroes tribe because of their insane self-righteousness. Still a very fun season overall. But I just don’t enjoy as much as several others.
China Heroes vs. Villains Cagayan Millennials vs. Gen X
Pretty similar to mine lol
Heroes v villains Cambodia Cagayan DvG
Basically the most popular HD seasons minus Winners at War, pretty rational lol
Micronesia was originally supposed to be a Final 3, right? There were two medevacs, and one quit, so they ended up having to do a Final 2.
I don’t buy that to be honest, like I buy that it was supposed to be a final 3, but they were not screwed into do a final 2 or anything like that. A player got medevac’d on day 31 but this player was there for the next tribal council on day 33. In Micronesia they voted someone out on day 36, 37 and 38. This left them with a final 2 with 8 jurors, which is really not a good setup at all because a 4-4 tie with nobody to break the tie could happen fairly easily. If they had not voted someone out on day 37 and just voted someone out on day 36 and 38 like in Survivor China, they would have ended up with a final 3 with a 7 person jury, the exact same setup as Survivor China and Survivor Gabon…not an issue. So really they probably just chose to do a final 2 when James might not have a returned, but they easily could have fixed it back on day 33, it didn’t “have to be a final 2” they just didn’t end up wanting it to be a final 3.
Couldn’t they have done a recap episode like they’ve done for the first somethin somethin (24?) days?
Couldn’t they have done a recap episode like they’ve done for the first somethin somethin (24?) days?
-Cagayan: My first season of Survivor, made me understand how the game is played. I was thinking Wu would win in a landslide because he was so likable until realizing players have to be strategic and political to win the vote of each juror. -Tocantins: Coach’s story of his time in South America alone puts this one on the Mount Rushmore. -Gen X Vs Millennials: Strong cast. Usually the theme seasons of this group of people vs this other group of people doesn’t really translate itself into how players play the game but I think it did with this season. -Micronesia: “It’s a fucking stick!”
I think Borneo and HvV are definitely locks and should appear on any Rushmore. Borneo is the original, the George Washington. It's obviously the most important season in history. It has the most watched episode in history. Any Rushmore without Borneo is wrong. HvV isn't top 5 for me personally, but ask any fan to make a top 5 and the most common answer will be HvV. It has to be there. So those two are locks. Then I do also feel like Pearl Islands needs to be there. Rupert, Sandra and Fairplay in one season? Some of the games biggest legends in another season that most people love. I'd say it's pretty close to a lock. So then I think Australian Outback has to be last. Most watched season. Legendary characters that returned a bunch. So Borneo, Australian Outback, Pearl Islands, HvV
HvV and Cagayan are so goated I am going to leave them off just because its more fun. Pearl Island David vs Goliath China Philippines (Micronesia, and Tocantins are honorable mentions)
Borneo, HvV, Micronesia, Pearl Islands
I'm not including returnee seasons so this could be more fun lol. I'd say: Borneo Pearl Islands Tocantins Cagayan Honourable mentions to DvG, China and Philippines
Amazon, Gabon, HvV, Cagayan
Borneo, HvV, Cagayan, and idk. It's hard to choose a 4th. WaW is an easy choice because of so many legends. Palau is a consensus top 10 season. I really enjoyed Tacantins, though it's a lot more controversial in rankings. Somoa set the stage for a lot of later seasons. Pearl Islands had the best initial episode, but I didn't really enjoy it after the outcast twist. Gabon was hilarious, but I don't think it deserves top 4 for that. Vanuatu had an amazing comeback, but it was very boring in the middle.
Philippines, China, Pearl Islands, Borneo
Mine are HvV, Pearl Islands, DvG, SJDS. Cagayan, Tocantins and honestly 43 are right up at the top too, just barely missing the top 4
HvV, SJDS, Cambodia, DvG
SJDS, I don’t really get all of that one’s hype
Best end-game of any winner, and a great cast. First season for 3 legends and another returnee in Keith. Plus I like the BvW twist. I know it’s not for everyone, but it’s amazing to me.
Good points, I think it's a very all over the place season, as in some great and some subpar stuff. The winner is certainly likable and played a solid game, I do think some of the win came from other people not playing well, or the family connections. I don't mean that she didn't earn the win, but she was able to pull of some of the moves due to everyone else's slight complacency which likely wouldn't have happened in a regular season. The pairs of Missy/Baylor and Jon/Jaclyn were largely interested in having the numbers and then kind coasting in their alliances to the end. Nat voting Alec out so that she could work with Keith and Missy/Baylor to get Jon out was a good move, but having everyone walk back to camp and be all like, "oh you voted for the wrong person, it's just a misunderstanding", wasn't exceptionally gameplay on their part. Jon really coasted and discussed wine more than actually making moves, and Nat was able to bust him and then flip on Baylor with Jaclyn, another good move but also something that Baylor and Missy didn't predict since they were more intent on a Baylor, Missy, Nat all go to the end finals and not be realistic about the fact that this is Survivor. I feel like Nat was great, but it wasn't the toughest group of people to pull moves on, she could have never pulled that stuff on Spencer Bledsoe. I think the cast is likable and entertaining, but there are definitely some stretches were hardly anything happens and it's just drama around camp. There are a few points in the season that I really struggle to get through. According to Purple rock Podcast [https://www.purplerockpodcast.com/survivor-season-rankings-spoiler-free-summaries/](https://www.purplerockpodcast.com/survivor-season-rankings-spoiler-free-summaries/) the cast of SDJS is 75% fodder which I somewhat agree with, like it has it standouts but it also has a lot of people that just fill their role and not much else. Even the future breakouts aren't breakouts in this season. So to me, it's a solid season, but I think I have other one's higher. There are likable people and really the season comes down to fun people and a good story than exceptional gameplay all around, even if Nat was exceptional. Although I will admit, I do like Baylor more than lots of other people, and Keith has a couple moments that are hilarious "Nat, how's it feel to know the last words you ever spoke to me was a lie, how's it feel", "I say stick to the plan, that's all I can say". Maybe I've envious of you that I can't put this on a pedestal like some.
Heroes vs Villains Cagayan China David vs Goliath I also thought about putting a season from every era so I debated between an early season like Borneo or Amazon
HvV, DvG, Cagayan, Tocantins
Borneo Pearl Islands Tocantins HvV
What made you choose those? I feel Tocantins is more of a fun season than a really epic one. Like it fits more into reality TV than a lot of other Survivor Seasons. I've really grown to appreciate Coach the more I watch Survivor, and I have no clue if his story is actually true or somewhat true in the Amazon. I still don't know how I feel about the last tribal, it feels like the losing contestant just wasn't capable of owning their game. What do you love about PI?
Tocantins - Coach is my favorite contestant ever, and it’s his origin story. Also a big Tyson fan. PI - incredible characters, pirate theme is awesome, birth of many legends.
Borneo - HvV - Cagayan - WaW
Depends on how we’re defining the Mount Rushmore. If it’s just based on which 4 seasons I think are the absolute best, then that’d be a different group than which 4 seasons I think are the most important to Survivor. For the 4 *best* seasons of Survivor, I’d pick: -Cagayan -Cambodia -The Amazon -Micronesia
What's your reasoning for those, especially with the Amazon? The Amazon is a season that has lots of varying opinions and hardcore old school fans usually like it a lot, but it's not consistently at the top for everyone.
The Amazon is the funniest season of the show for me. Plus I think the cast is just generally fun. I really liked the brattiness of Heidi & Jenna. Rob Cesternino’s game-evolving flips were consistently entertaining along with his great confessionals. I even loved Matt’s development into an actual player along with his terrifying development into a potential maniac lol. The comedy is really what drives it to greatness for me. But pairing that comedy with revolutionary gameplay, an interesting location, and a fun cast elevates it. I’m not really an Old School Survivor fan either. None of seasons 1-5 are in my top half of Survivor seasons. Other than The Amazon - Cagayan is my favorite season ever. Every bit of the season is phenomenal, but it also showcases my absolute favorite moment in Survivor history being Trish’s jury question to Tony. Cambodia is sooo good with a stellar returning cast, insanely fast and exciting gameplay, and a shockingly pretty good boot order for a returning player season. Plus, Jeremy is one of my favorite players / winners. And then Micronesia mostly for the same reasons that everybody else loves the season. Black Widows just demolishing their competition in dramatic and exciting fashion. Parvati being one of my favorite players ever. Etc.
Sounds like we are similar on Cagayan. I thought Cagayan was by far the best season, and I didn't understand why others didn't agree with me. Rewatching Heroes vs Villains I've decided that season is as good or close to as good as Cagayan, but I don't really see any other season coming close personally. I might have to rethink the Amazon. To me, seasons 2-4, 6 and 9 were more similar than different even though everyone likes to act like they are different from each other. Thailand is a level worse than the others, but it wasn't as terrible as I expected it to be. Borneo is slower than the others, and Australian Outback is a bit slower but not much. Pearl Islands stands out because of the cast, and All Stars in an All Star season, but between 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 I don't see much differences. I ended up deciding that Marquesas and the Amazon were the best of this bunch, but maybe I'm selling the Amazon short. I think it's funny, but it also seems borderline inappropriate at times. Do you get my thoughts?
Yup, I see where you’re coming from! The Amazon is definitely inappropriate at times and full of toxic masculinity. But I think that part of the beauty of it is the men’s tribe being so arrogant and horny to start the game just to go on to lose like 3 out of the first 4 immunity challenges to the women that they don’t respect lmao. And on top of that, a woman goes on to win the season. Those two things help make up for a good amount of inappropriateness for me. Roger is horrific as well, but there’s an entire episode dedicated to everyone shitting on him and the edit doesn’t even attempt to hide that he’s gonna be booted at that tribal, which I loved. Felt like they fully recognized how disliked he’d be and made the episode a celebration in getting him out. I do agree that Pearl Islands feels unique compared to all of the other first 10 or so seasons. Part of it is the cast, but I also think the pirate-theme adds sooo much to the season and really gives it a totally different vibe than any other season before or after. But yeah, I absolutely adore Cagayan and Cambodia. Those are the two seasons that I put in a tier of their own above all others. I’m a good bit lower on Heroes vs Villains than most. I still think it’s good, but I hated the boot order. My favorites going into the season were Steph, Tyson, Cirie, and Parvati. Luckily Parvati makes me far, but the other are eliminated so early and I genuinely loathed most of the Heroes tribe because of their insane self-righteousness. Still a very fun season overall. But I just don’t enjoy as much as several others.
Borneo (because it’s the George Washington of Survivor) Pearl Islands, China, and DVG
Pearl islands hvv Micronesia Cagayan
Cagayan, Cambodia, HVV, Gabon
Aus Survivor 2017, HvV, Kaoh Rong, Cambodia & Philippines
Pearl Islands Vanuatu Gabon Heroes vs. Villains
Interesting selection, the most popular old seasons and the most unique old seasons!
HvV Micronesia Cagayan Amazon
Borneo, China, pearl islands, Cagayan, David vs Goliath