For 31 seasons and 468 episodes, Survivor has delivered countless hours of entertainment and thrilling television. Trendsetting concepts, water-cooler moments, unforgettable characters, shocking twists and gripping drama. Survivor is the granddaddy of reality television. There are many individual moments we could point to as highlights of the show’s impressive 15-year run but what episodes stand out as the best of all time?
Starting tomorrow, Inside Survivor will be counting down the 50 Best Survivor Episodes as chosen by myself and new contributor Ian Walker. Ian and I both compiled our separate Top 50 lists and then compared and contrasted notes. We argued and debated our favorites until we eventually settled on a definitive Top 50. The list spans episodes from all the way back in Borneo to the most recent season in Cambodia.
The countdown will commence January 1, 2016, and will end in time for the premiere of Survivor: Kaôh Rōng on February 17. We will post at least one entry per day and we welcome discussion of our choices in the comment section and on social media.
For now, Happy New Year from the team here at Inside Survivor!
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The Marooning will be in the top ten! Calling it now! 🙂
I’m SOOO WAITING FOR THIS, SRSLY!
I’m gonna be commenting in every single one!
CAN’T WAIT FOR KAOH RONG!
One of my favorites was the Worlds Apart finale. It had amazing editing and Mike finally winning made the whole season worth while. It had so many great moments such as Mike’s mother guiding Mike at the stunning compass-like challenge, and Will placing the idol around Mike’s neck after the final challenge, not to mention the fire tie-breaker and Shirin’s revenge on the “dead fish”, which was then wrapped up with the live reveal of the Second Chance cast. What more could a Survivor fan ask for?
I hope Borneo, Marquesas, Pearl Islands, San Juan del Sur and Panama have lots of representatives. And Guatemala.
Ozzy blind side in Micronesia
Finale of Micronesia
Purple Kelly and NaOnka quit episode in Nicaragua
Kelley Wentworth playing her first idol in Second Chances
Three Amigos 2 idol play in Caramoan (one of the best)
Ciera renegading from Tyson-Monica-Gervase alliance in BvsW
finale of Second Chances
2-hour episode of Second Chance (one of the best I have seen)
Start of Marooning in Borneo
Natalie and Jon browl in San Juan Del Sur
Stick to the plan in San Juan Del Sur
Alicia heard Christina strategy in One World
Finale of San Juan Del Sur
Merge in Philippines
Merge in Cagayan
Pearl Islands first episode
I don’t give much tought about ranking episodes individually, but I usually grade them on a tv show tracker so I’ll try to give a list:
Tier 1 (Perfect 10 for me or almost there, all episodes are in order of exhibition)
Trial By Fire
The Twist
Girls Gone Wilder
Me and My Snake
What the….? (Part 1)
Shark Attack
I’ve Been Bamboozled!
Surprise! And…. Surprise Again!
You’re a Rat
It’s a Turtle!?
A Slippery Little Sucker
I Promise…
I’m Ruthless… and Have a Smile on my Face
If It Smells Like a Rat Give It Cheese
Stir the Pot!
The Biggest Fraud in the Game
It’s Funny When People Cry
The Martyr Approach
I Trust You But I Trust Me More
Going Down in Flames
Jumping Ship
A Sinking Ship
Go Out With a Bang
Perception is Not Always Reality
Dead Man Walking
Little Miss Perfect
Hell Hath Frozen Over
Zipping Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Big Bad Wolf
Head of the Snake
It’s Do or Die
Line Will Be Drawn Tonight
Second Chance
Bunking With the Devil
You Call, We’ll Haul
My Wheels are Spinning
Lie, Cheat and Steal
Tier 2 (9.5 or almost there)
Mutiny (Cook Islands)
Love is in the Air
He’s a Ball of Goo
Lost Puppy Dog
I’m Such a Hot Pickle
I’m Gonna Fix Her!
That Girls is Like a Virus
Tonight, We Make Our Move
Survivor History
Anything Could Happen
Whiners Are Wieners
Shot Into Smithereens
Persona Non Grata
Cut Off the Head of the Snake
This is Where We Build Trust
Witches Coven
Like Selling Your Soul to the Devil
I think the second episode of Survior Cambodia was especially good. Not many people talk about it though… I think the combination of Abi’s breakdown and Varner’s quick gameplay made for an electric episode. Also, the moment when Shirin realized she’s going home is soooo fun to watch, and I’m a Shirin fan.
Amazing job with this list – I’m watching each episode as I go along. I appreciate the effort you put into it!