One of America’s most popular and exciting game show series, Survivor, is back for its 25th season. The show, starting in 2000, features seasons located across the globe: Gabon, Samoa, Borneo, and Fiji just to name a few of the exotic locations. Each one of the 351 episodes aired to date is filled with every element that makes a reality series captivating. The producers, throwing together the harsh forces of nature and many inexperienced contestants, create an exciting and interesting show, as many Americans know. To add, all of the competitors battling for the title of “Sole Survivor” are forced to work together and battle against one another and mother nature, pushing themselves beyond their physical capabilities. Many of the cast members are from local states, one being the famous Rob Mariano, better known as “Boston Rob,” who has participated in four seasons, and won Survivor: Redemption Island.
Located in the Philippines, the new season premiered on September 19th and airs every Wednesday night at 8:00 pm on CBS. Hosted by Jeff Probst, the show casted 18 Americans off to a deserted land where they must outwit, outplay, and outlast their teammates to claim the one million dollar prize at stake. This season features mostly new competitors, including a cancer survivor, a former actress, and a retired MLB player, as well as three players returning from past seasons to contend again.
On the thrilling season premiere, the 15 new competitors sailed toward the majestic Southern Asia island of the Philippines as they began a 39-day, life-changing journey. Once Probst introduced the three returning players, the survivors were split into three tribes: Kalabaw, Matsing, and Tandang.
Right off the bat, the Matsing tribe contained an uprising conflict in terms of tribe leadership. They were able to quickly start up a fire, thanks to Malcolm’s previous experience living in Micronesia. Meanwhile, Zane’s idea of a “greatest in Survivor history” move – allying himself with every person on the tribe – seemed to provoke further chaos within the newly formed group. Over at the Tandang campsite, things were running smoothly and a powerful alliance emerged. The Kalabaw competitors’ plan to vote off the only returning player on their team may prove to be unintelligent, but their tribe collaborated well to start off the game. Matsing suffered a devastating loss at the first immunity/reward challenge due to poor leadership decisions and an overall weak physical performance. At tribal council, the first player to leave the new season was Zane, and the rest of the Matsing tribe was left in a state of turmoil.
After a hard beginning to the game, Matsing members Angie and Malcolm formed a couple. Prominent in Survivor history as being a dangerous type of alliance, other tribe members feared this close relationship. In the next few episodes, Mitsing lost two more challenges, forcing them to vote off two more members of their squad: Roxy and Angie. As the rain took a significant role in the game, Matsing fell further into disarray when their raft drifted away overnight and later lost their fourth challenge in a row. At tribal council, the tribe voted out Russell, the returning player on the team and the source of most of the group’s physical strength.
With only two members remaining on Matsing, Denise and Malcolm, they were split up onto the two other tribes. During the fifth episode, Malcolm found the hidden immunity idol and Dana, suffering from a medical situation, was forced to evacuate the island and leave the game. Tandang won both the immunity and reward challenges and Sarah was voted off. The next episode yielded letters from loved ones for the Kalabaw tribe. Tandang claimed a victory at the immunity challenge and Katie was voted out of the game. In the exciting seventh episode, the two tribes merged into one named “Dangrayne” and RC was voted out.
During the eighth episode of Survivor, Jonathon was able to obtain individual immunity and the former MLB athlete, Jeff Kent, left the island after his fellow competitors voted him off at Tribal Council. The most recent episode that aired this past Wednesday features an intense challenge; Denise stood out as a very strong and physical player. The winners visited a local village and enjoyed a feast there. Later, the merged tribe voted out Artis.
Up until this point, the show has continued to pursue its success and hold on to its tradition that started twelve years ago. The game show attracts many Americans across the nation, while its excitement and competitiveness consistently draw more viewers. This season is especially interesting, for three players who were forced to evacuate the game during their first season due to injury are back and hungry for a win. Even more unique, this season started off with three tribes, for the second time in Survivor history. The competition heats up each and every week because of new challenges, new alliances, and someone getting voted off every episode. It’s the show’s unexpectedness that draws so many fans to watch the show. The challenges are unpredictable, as are the tribal council sessions. Not to mention Jeff Probst’s unmatchable hosting abilities that have become so well known to long-term fans even further captivates large audiences. Probst’s captivating voice and exceptional talent in creating suspenseful episodes for fans keeps America on the edges of their seats each and every week. This season has been nothing but mesmerizing for fans nationwide and future episodes seem promising. For twenty four seasons and now the twenty fifth, Survivor proves to be a largely popular competition that will continue to thrill, chill, and fascinate America as ordinary citizens battle to outwit, outplay, and outlast their tribemates.
