We’re a few days away from the premiere of Survivor: 50 – In the Hands of the Fans, another historic season that brings 24 former players—the biggest cast in the show’s history—from Borneo to Survivor 49. To commemorate the show’s 25th anniversary, producers decided to put some of the show’s key elements in the hands of the fans through a public vote.
While we count the days before the premiere, we’ve decided to take a trip down memory lane and relive 50 of the best moments in Survivor.
To keep up with the new season’s theme, we decided to ask Survivor fans to select and rank their favorite moments of all time.
Let’s continue with 40 to 31!
40. Survivor: Cambodia, Live cast reveal
While Survivor: Worlds Apart aired, CBS announced that the upcoming season will bring back previous one-time non-winners for a second shot at the game. Aptly called Survivor: Cambodia – Second Chance, the season will bring back 20 former that will be decided by the fans.
Finally, the real voice of the fans. No more unworthy all-stars or returnees.
CBS then released a shortlist of 32 names of players who are in the running to be cast for Second Chance. These players can campaign as hard as they can. Viewers and fans can vote through social media up until the finale of Worlds Apart.
This sent the entire Survivor community into a frenzy with fans actively rallying for their favorites to be voted into the official cast. Former castaways reached out to their fans for support.
If there was a better time to talk to your favorite castaways on Facebook or Twitter, this was it because they need all the votes they can get.
The official cast was then revealed at the finale of Survivor: Worlds Apart. All those in the shortlist are present, with their bags in tow. As the cast is revealed one by one, each player heads out to a huge truck that would take them to the airport. They flew to Cambodia right after the finale.
While mostly exciting and cheery, there were a few upsets in the results of the vote. Fan favorites like Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper from Survivor: Africa and Shane Powers from Survivor: Panama were expected to make the cast but didn’t.
39. Survivor: 43, Jessie uses Cody’s idol to blindside him
Immunity idols have been used to solidify trust between allies. They’ve also been used to strongarm someone into voting with them.
They are also powerful weapons to get rid of the biggest threats and become one’s golden ticket to winning the million dollars. In theory, at least.
At Final 6, Cody Assenmacher and Karla Godoy have emerged as the biggest threats in the game. Cody’s number one ally, Jessie Lopez, knows that. So, he agrees to work with Mike Gabler and Cassidy Clark to take out one of the threats.
Cody also has the same idea that he shared with Jesse; he wants Karla out. There’s a slight problem though: she has an idol.
So he creates a ruse. He tells Karla that they should threaten the others about playing their idols. In reality, they will hold on to the idols and blindside either Owen or Gabler. But the real plan is once Karla decides not to play hers, the men would vote for her.
Jesse thinks the plan is good. In fact, he feels it’s so good it just might boost Cody’s resume if it plays out perfectly. And that worries him. He then realized he may just have to blindside his ally instead.
“Tonight’s blindside will be the biggest of the season for sure, no doubt about it,” Cody says in a confessional.
At tribal council, a shocked Cody watched as Jessie used his idol and played it for Owen. This made Karla nervous, so she played hers. Turned out she didn’t have to because Jesse and the rest all voted for Cody.
38. Survivor: Samoa, Russell finds hidden immunity idols without any clue
For all the hate the Russell Hantz got (and is probably still getting), one thing can’t be taken away from him: he’s the first player to find an immunity idol without any clue.
He played a very aggressive game in Survivor: Samoa. He wasn’t about to sit back and let the game happen to him. He wanted to be the one calling the shots. And he started by doing something no person has ever pulled off.
“If I could find that idol. Then that would be genius. In the history of Survivor, how many people found the idol without a clue? Zero,” says Russell in a confessional.
By the end of Samoa, he was able to find three hidden immunity idols without a single clue.
“They’re like magnets to me,” he says proudly.
37. Survivor: Marquesas, First purple rock draw
Survivor: Marquesas started out like a well-organized summer camp. It was fun to watch the Rotu tribe dominate the early part of the game. And then the minority flipped and took control.
Summer camp soon turned into chaos. Two of those responsible were besties Paschal English, a 56-year-old former judge, and Neleh Dennis, a 21-year-old student.
Paschal and Neleh joined forces with the remaining Maraamu members to secure a path to the Final Four alongside Kathy Vavrick O’Brien and Vecepia Towery.
Vecepia won immunity at Final Four. Knowing that Paschal and Neleh would never turn on each other, Kathy was forced to pair up with Vecepia to vote out Neleh.
At tribal, the votes were tied. 2 votes for Neleh and 2 votes for Kathy.
In previous seasons, tie-breakers are decided by counting past votes. Whoever had the most votes from past tribal councils will be eliminated. But that’s not the case this time.
“Previous votes do not count. There’s no Q&A,” Jeff announces.
He then explains that the tribe has 2 minutes to come up with a unanimous decision. If they don’t, everyone except Vecepia will draw rocks. The one who draws the purple rock will go home.
Amazingly, the four still did not budge, leaving Jeff with no choice but to take out the bag of rocks. Each person gets to draw a rock which they will reveal all at the same time.
As Paschal reached inside, he jokes: “Oh, that feels purple, Jeff!”
Kathy laughed and said: “I’m sure it’s mine.”
But the joke’s on Paschal because when they all opened their hands, he picked the purple rock.
“I told you it felt purple!”
36. Survivor: Heroes vs Villains, Injuries at the first Reward Challenge
When you put together 20 of the fiercest and most hardcore contestants—and add a few of the best Survivor players—you get an explosive season.
Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains started out in an epic fashion. It didn’t only feature big personalities with their meme-worthy confessionals, it also premiered with serious injuries happening within the first 20 minutes.
At the reward challenge, the tribes need to dig the sand for a bag and bring it over to their mat. This meant players will need to tackle one another to get the bags. At the first round, Cirie Fields and Stephenie LaGrossa faced off with Parvati Shallow and Danielle DiLorenzo.
Cirie and Steph put up a good fight. But the Villains were vicious. Right after Danielle scored their first point, we see Stephenie wincing in pain. She walks over to their mat holding her right arm over her shoulder.
“Her shoulder’s out,” James notices.
The medical team arrives and takes a look at Steph. They relocated her shoulder with a loud, audible crunch.
“The villains are brutal. They dislocated my shoulder at the first challenge. I mean, really? Like you’re already on the villain tribe. Do you have to act like a total jerk?” Steph says in a confessional after the challenge.
In another round where Rupert Boneham and James Clement went against Boston Rob and Tyson Apostol, Rupert felt something crack in his foot.
“My toe, instead of going straight, it went like a J,” describes Rupert. “My toe is broke. And I felt it cracking inside. But I’m not getting put out of this game over a damn toe.”
These are just in Episode 1. In succeeding episodes, we will see James Clement suffer a torn ACL, Parvati get hit on the face by a huge box, and Boston Rob collapse in the jungle.
35. Survivor: Micronesia, Cirie hatches plan to blindside Ozzy
Eliza Orlins famously played a stick as an immunity idol in Episode 9 of Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs Favorites. After Jeff reveals it’s just a stick, she told everyone that Oscar Lusth (Ozzy) must have the real idol.
At this point, Ozzy is already a huge threat with his challenge performance. Having the idol can get him even deeper in the game. And Cirie Fields doesn’t like that.
“Maybe I should focus on getting rid of Ozzy and his idol,” muses Cirie when she was sent to Exile Island the next day.
But the tribe has agreed to vote out Jason Siska first. And they need to keep him from winning the next immunity challenge.
At the challenge, Cirie and Erik stepped down in exchange for a bowl of gummy worms. Feeling comfortable with his position in the tribe, Ozzy stepped down as well for three glazed donuts. We then see a shot of Cirie with a hint of smile.
After six hours, with only Parvati and Jason vying for the win, Jeff brought out a tray of food and says the person who steps down get to share it with the rest of the tribe. The tribe immediately tried to convince Jason to take one for the team.
He wants to do a good deed but Jason knows he’s in danger. Jason is only willing to do it as long as everyone promises he won’t be voted out that night.
“I guarantee,” Natalie Bolton assures him.
Soon, everyone promised they won’t vote for him that night. Jason eventually steps down. Everyone’s happy because they get to feast.
Ozzy calls it as “one of the dumbest moves” that just played out. In his mind, Jason has given up his shot in the game. They were still going to write his name down.
Cirie knows what Ozzy’s planning. And this gave her the opportunity to get rid of a threatening player and his idol.
Ozzy thinks everyone’s voting for Jason. “… which makes this the perfect time to get rid of Ozzy and his idol,” Cirie says in a confessional.
With the help of Natalie, Alexis, and Parvati, she put the plan in motion. She instructed them not to tell Amanda, James, and Erik.
Parvati was onboard. “I think if Ozzy goes to the Final 5 with me, Ozzy wins this game. And I haven’t been here miserable, going through all this crap to not win this game,” she says.
At tribal, a shocked—and then furious—Ozzy got his torch snuffed.
34. Survivor: 46, “I’m pissed!”
Survivor is tough.
And in the time that it’s been on, all the big moves and mind games make us sometimes forget how the elements, exhaustion, thirst, and hunger really do take a toll on the players.
Even with the shortened days played, one can’t underestimate how crazy hunger can make someone.
Episode 10 of Survivor: 46 reminded us of that.
At the reward challenge, Jeff teased the biggest reward of the season: Applebee’s, which happens to be Liz Wilcox’s favorite. She wanted that prize.
Despite her efforts though, she loses. The winner, Q Burdette, is now presented the opportunity to choose three people to join him. This gave Liz a glimmer of hope.
“I’m gonna beg. I’m gonna beg,” she half whispers while on the mat. “Please.”
But even with her pleas, Q chooses a different player. Liz is devastated. She was having a weird reaction. And Jeff notices that.
“Liz, do you feel comfortable talking about what you’re feeling?”
Liz slowly turns around and it’s like a light switch was flipped on.
I loved how the editors turned down the background music except for the light chirping in the background for dramatic effect.
“I’M PISSED!”
Fade in: music.
“I see you eat every day!” she shouted at Q in between sobs. She takes a deep breath.
Okay, maybe she’s done.
It seems Venus Vafa wants to comfort her, so she takes a step forward to walk over to her when Liz suddenly yells: “Q you almost blew up my game!”
Oops. Guess not.
Venus returns to her spot.
“You overshadowed everything I was trying to do, and I said it’s cool!” Q could only look in disbelief.
“I didn’t say nothiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!”
And then as quickly as she exploded, she calmed down.
33. Survivor: Ghost Island, Tied votes at the final tribal council
There hasn’t been a tie at the final tribal council, until now.
After the jury has cast their votes for the winner, Donathan Hurley comments: “Oh my god, it’s over.”
Jeff walks back to the podium, with the urn in his hand. As usual.
This is the part where he says it’s been a great season and that he’ll see everyone at the live show months from now to see who wins. This time however, he says:
“I’m gonna read the votes.”
Everyone looked confused all of a sudden.
As Jeff started pulling out parchments and reading them out, we soon understand why. The votes are tied—5-5.
It’s historic and unprecedented.
Jeff then explains how the other finalist, Laurel Johnson, now becomes the final member of the jury and she will cast the million-dollar vote. Laurel casts the vote and heads back.
“This vote, I will save,” Jeff affirms. “I will see you back in the States.”
Back in the U.S. months later, during the live telecast, Jeff reveals that the winner is Wendell Holland.
32. Survivor: Cook Islands, Billy confesses love for Candice
One of Survivor’s appeal is its ability to make anything possible.
There’s no saying what happens to a person in 39 days. A person afraid of leaves can emerge as one of the best strategists in the game. A pirate can be loved by the entire nation. Two people of different ages can develop a strong bond. Someone can push their limits and become a one-woman tribe.
Or someone can simply fall in love at first sight.
By Episode 2, Aitutaki is so over Billy Garcia’s lazy ways. As if that’s not bad enough, he was also a liability in challenges, something that annoys the hell out of Ozzy Lusth and JP Valderama.
“It gets tiring having to tell someone what to do all the time. ‘Billy, can you do this? Billy, can you do that?’ I hate saying that,” Ozzy shares.
To make things worse, Billy snores at night. And it keeps everyone awake.
And since they’re up anyway, Ozzy used that time to tell everyone to throw the next immunity challenge so they can get rid of Billy.
The plan was put to action the next day. JP volunteered to sit out despite Billy saying “he’s the worst” person for the challenge.
Aitutaki clearly has no love for Billy.
But we’ll soon realize it doesn’t matter because Billy has much love to give.
Ozzy’s plan to throw the challenge worked. They lost immunity. Before the tribes are asked to head back to their camps after the challenge, they first need to decide who from the Raro and Hiki and Puka tribe members must go to Exile Island. As they wait on their respective mats, Candice offers some words of encouragement to the losers.
“We feel sorry for you, guys,” she says sympathetically.
Billy’s heart skips a beat. OMG. She does care.
“I’m next,” he says, looking straight into her eyes.
Candice felt bad. “We love you,” she says.
Billy can’t believe his ears. She also has feelings for him!
“I love you,” he blurts out. Relieved that he has poured his heart out, finally. He then shyly looks away. He is happy.
At tribal council, he got into a verbal sparring with JP over throwing the challenge. Billy wouldn’t back down. He says he is simply trying to play the game. And then he suddenly confesses his prize isn’t even the million dollars.
“… my prize was that I fell in love in this game.”
Jeff’s eyes widened. Not sure what he is hearing.
“Love at first sight,” Billy continues. “Her name is Candice.”
Cecilia Mansilla and Cristina Coria burst out laughing.
“Candice… from Raro?” Jeff confirms. Still not sure if he heard it right.
“At the last challenge we sort of mouthed the words ‘I love you’ to one another and that was my prize,” Billy proudly shares.
Jeff, now obviously enjoying this, had to put his hand over his mouth.
“My prize is her.”
“So, you’re absolutely sincere right now?” Jeff tries to figure out if this is really happening.
“I’m dead serious,” Billy says with a straight face.
His tribemates are also dead serious about how they feel about Billy.
They want him gone, so they vote him out.
31. Survivor: Palau, 12-hour final immunity challenge
By Day 38, the tight alliance of Tom Westman, Ian Rosenberger, and Katie Gallagher was shattered by mistrust because Katie and Tom feel betrayed by Ian.
Katie feels betrayed because Ian did not take her to a reward.
Tom feels betrayed after Jenn revealed to him that in a separate conversation, Ian had entertained the idea of voting out Tom due to his threat level. Which is also called playing the game, right?
Take note that Ian has never written any of their names down.
Take note also that Tom voted for Ian at the last tribal council.
Poor Ian had to defend himself by saying he is just playing the game, like the two of them. And this gaslighting quarrel has taken a toll on Ian’s headspace coming into what would become the longest—and perhaps most disappointing—final immunity challenges ever on Survivor.
They simply need to stay on a floating pole as long as possible. Sounds easy.
Ian was set on winning because he knows Tom is out for his head. Jeff asks him if he thinks he can beat Tom.
“Yup,” he confidently says.
Tom shakes his head in disagreement.
After four hours, Katie decides to step down.
Four more hours passed.
Katie has decided to lie down and try to sleep.
More time passed.
“I am amazed that we have been here for 8 hours,” Jeff says. “There have been no words spoken for the last four hours. And never once was a notion for a deal.”
Finally, Tom begins to threaten propose something to Ian: “If I win this, I’m taking Katie to the finals. If you step off, I’m taking you. I think you should take the offer.”
Ian was not having it. “If you jump off, we got a deal.”
Tom continues to convince Ian it’s in his best interest to jump.
“Step off and pay off your college loans. $100,000 is not chump change.”
“If I don’t step down, I’m gonna beat you,” Ian assures Tom.
“That’s why I can’t step down. And won’t step down.”
After a few more hours, Ian has had time to think.
“I have a solution,” Ian suddenly says. “I’ll go down, you take Katie.”
From the sideline, you can see Katie’s smile. Ian continues:
“I’ll give up the million to get back your friendship.”
In an apartment somewhere in New York, Eliza Orlins’ jaw dropped to the floor. Or eye-rolling.
Jeff had to be sure he’s heard right. “Wait, you will step down. He doesn’t take you but instead he takes Katie as a way to show that you do care about them.”
“You would do that?” asks Tom.
“I would do it.”
“Ian would have my friendship after this game anyway,” Tom tells Jeff. “But he wins my respect back.”
After 11 hours and 55 minutes, Ian dives into the icy water of the western Pacific. And lost a million dollars. But hey, he gained two dear friends.
“He’s just a hell of a guy. And I respect him,” Tom says about his bestie after Jeff confirmed Ian as the final jury member.
Ian flashes a huge, genuine smile. Not a million-dollar smile, but still a smile.
Poor Ian. Good for Tom, a true friend. The price tag of that friendship is just too much.
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