First time I'm watching a US season after I enjoyed the UK version last year! Genevieve played a blinder, what a brilliant blindside! That said, I can't stand Rome (confidence is one thing but damn he's SO cocky, especially during the latest challenge...!!) so I hope he's out of there asap :lol:

Anika having 5 different emotions in a matter of minutes was the highlight of the last episode :lol: looking forward to the merge *.*

Last nights episode was great, that tribal ate AND Rome went home :cheer:

 

I really wish they’d just give us the regular path to Jury back stop with all the twists!

 

I really do like most everyone left, I don’t have a firm favourite but I'm throwing support behind Genevieve, Andy, Sue and Teeny. I really thought Sue would be out early but I’m so happy she made Merge!

 

Sam feels like an old school Survivor player, it’s been a while since we’ve had a white male get so much airtime honestly.

This is the closest to an "old era" merge we've had in the new era and I'm here for it! I'll never understand why we can't call it the merge until after tribal but whatever. Rome's blindside was everything I hoped it'd be and more :wub:

 

I don't have a firm favorite either, although Kyle's growing on me leaps and bounds every episode. Genevieve and Teeny have been great too. I like Sam but something's lacking, not sure what but I can see him making the finale anyway.

That was a cruel episode! Would've been lame for Rachel to be voted out just because of that rock draw, so I'm glad she wasn't, but poor Tiyana getting blindsided instead.

 

That said, Sol (and Rachel) played that advantage beautifully.

@1858544688141082650

 

I really just need them to go back to the live vote reads + reunion.

Okay I officially love this season so much! They're so messy with the editing :lol:

 

Teeny: I loved her confessional that last episode :cry: It must be so hard trying to figure out who you are while playing such an intense game. I really like Teeny and I'm rooting for them!

Rachel: Definitely a sleeper pick, she's in an interesting position, if she can survive I think she has a good chance. But, so many people have her name in their mouths so it's gonna be tough.

Kyle: I underestimated him earlier in the season, I'm surprised he's still around and I'm surprised they didn't get rid of him when he didn't win immunity. He's toast once he loses again for sure.

Sam: WHAT A STRONG, LIKEABLE, WHITE MAN?! I do like Sam but his gameplay is a bit straightforward.

Andy: my bi-king. He's far and above one of my favorites this season, he's brought everything to the table. I don't think he has the storytelling ability to win at the end, but if he gets to Final 3 I'll be happy.

Sue: I love Sue and her bitterness towards Kyle deserves another 10 segments before this season ends. I really didn't think she would get this far either, but she's insulated which I love.

Caroline: another sleeper pick but for me unlike Rachel she has a few more relationships. They've been a bit lazy with her edit and bringing her into the show but the LOOKS she gives :wub:

Genevieve: omg I adore her and kinda need her to win but that was CLOSE last episode.

 

I miss Daddy Sol. CBS is absolutely on fire this year. These are some heights for Big Brother and Survivor.

 

At this point I want the Final 3 to be Genevieve, Andy and Sue.

I never warmed to Gabe as a castaway. He talked so highly of his game from beginning to end (telling Jeff that he'll be back as his torch was snuffed) and the overconfidence was just off-putting. He clearly did something right to be leader of Tuku and be viewed as a strategic threat but no, I do not see him returning :lol:

Genevieve survives again :cheer:

That was tight, but yes. Getting rid of Kyle made the most sense.

 

Kinda need Teeny, Rachel or Caroline out next if they’re just gonna keep going after Genevieve.

I really like everyone left to some degree! I find Sam a little cocky in the talking heads but I don't dislike him at all. Rachel, Andy and Teeny are my favourites and I'm really enjoying Genevieve's villain arc too. Rachel feels like the frontrunner to me now, doesn't feel like that many are onto her, and I think she's more likely than someone like Andy to be able to execute the endgame well.

 

Fair play for getting Kyle out, it was a no brainer given the amount of challenges he was winning, but he seemed like a nice guy so a shame on that front.

 

Not sure how this holds up to other seasons but for my first US Survivor season, I'm thoroughly enjoying this - a likeable cast with plenty of chaotic gameplay!

Not sure how this holds up to other seasons but for my first US Survivor season, I'm thoroughly enjoying this - a likeable cast with plenty of chaotic gameplay!

I’m going to attempt to answer this through a few different lenses. But I'd recommend checking out a few previous seasons if you can! I will say I don’t hold Survivor as close as I do Big Brother. There are a few seasons I’ve rewatched, but I’ve seen all seasons at least once. The good seasons however I’ve seen at least 4-5 times.

 

One suggestion I’d make would be to start from Season 41 onwards. It was post CBS’ 50% BIPOC mandate so we know the casting for the most part has been stepped up. There aren’t any returning players so you aren’t missing out on anyones previous journeys on Survivor. However, I hated Season 43 so if you’re cherry picking seasons, you can give this a pass.

 

I will also say, the best part of Survivor prior to Season 32 is that they went all over the world. Now it’s just filmed on a beach in Fiji.

 

Another recommendation, just watch from the beginning Season 1 is iconic, Season 2 was great.. I get lost from Season 3-6 however. If you know that you’re going to watch Survivor and get into it, I would absolutely watch from the beginning because there are a lot of Returning Players, All-Stars, Half-Stars seasons and honestly - they are the BEST SEASONS.

 

Aaron’s Cherry Picked Seasons if you really just want to watch seasons randomly, aren’t too worried about being spoiled and just want to see if Survivor is worth the investments, I’d recommend, in order:

 

Season 1

Season 2

Season 7 (Must Watch)

Season 8*

Season 12

Season 13

Season 15

Season 16 (MUST WATCH!!!!!)*

Season 18

Season 19

Season 20 (Must Watch)*

Season 27 (Must Watch)*

Season 28

Season 29

Season 31 (Must Watch)* you have to watch Season 30 Finale however

Season 34

 

*Returning Players in some capacity.

 

Season 16 is one to watch out for, but I’d recommend ensuring you at least watch watch season 12, 13 and 15 prior to Season 16.

If you do start from the earlier seasons, you're just going to end up finding players you want to watch play over and over (Cirie for example) which is actually a really great way to watch.

Also, don’t just limit yourself to American Survivor. The UK was a bust, but I have to say Australian Survivor has completely outpaced Survivor at times.

You have to be careful with Survivor Australia, they moved networks so sometimes people refer Season 3 as “Season 1”. I’d recommend:

 

Season 3 (a bit slow)

Season 5

Season 6

Season 7*

Season 8

Season 10 (Must Watch)*

Season 11

 

I know you weren’t really looking for recommendations but I had an hour gap in my schedule and was feeling nostalgic :lol: perhaps a guide for anyone that may be looking to get into Survivor at any point.

 

I would say I’d put this in the middle tier as far as seasons go, but this is definitely one of the best seasons in the “new era (41+)”. But honestly anything Season 41+ does feel fresh, well edited and some great gameplay.

Edited December 2, 2024Dec 2 by Aaron.

OPERATION ITALY OMG THAT WAS SENSATIONAL

This season is sooooo good. CBS honestly added crack to Big Brother and Survivor this year.

Devastated however my top two are out. 100% throwing my support behind Rachel, but she’s probably 4th?!

I'm still optimistic for Rachel! She only needs to win immunity or fire, then just making sure she has more jury votes than Sam. I'm slightly nervous that Teeny mentioned how good Rachel is at fire-making, hoping they aren't using that comment to foreshadow something...

 

So sad for Genevieve, but how she survived that many tribals after the Sol vote is pretty incredible.

Gutted for Genevieve. What a player :heart: hoping Rachel can pull it out but wouldn't be too mad at Sam winning either

Anyone following 48? Loving Sai and Mary's sworn enemies arc and the complete disaster that the green tribe has been in the first three weeks!

Wanted to check out the OG series after seeing some of the players who've been on US Traitors and thought that the flop UK version showed some promise despite generally being pretty dull. Got myself a source using a VPN to get into Survivor over the last month or so and I am loving it. Binged 47 over a few days and loved the fluidity and the shifting power dynamics compared to the "floptina but showed some promise" UK version, then peeped 44 after loving Carolyn on Traitors and have since seen The Amazon, Pearl Islands, Palau, Panama, Cook Islands, China, Micronesia (ICONIC), Gabon (I know lots of people aren't keen but on that one but thought it was an iconic hot mess), Tocantins, Samoa and Heroes vs Villains (Almost as ICONIC as Micronesia if it weren't for the presence of THAT person (#hobbitoncrack)

Oh Lex I love that you're enjoying it so much! You've basically watched all the seasons I would've recommended.

Yes I'm watching the current season as per (probs obvious with the avatar). Sai is abrasive but a good villain, the Sai/Mary dynamic is fascinating so far. Thoroughly enjoyed that last tribal even if it was at Justin's expense oop

Mary is so funny I Iove her