Over the next few weeks, Inside Survivor is counting down all forty Survivor seasons from worst to first. As always with these kinds of lists, it’s entirely subjective, and we’re sure many fans will have different opinions. This is simply Inside Survivor’s ranking. Join us each weekday for a new entry.
Season No: 4
Broadcast Date: February 28th- May 19th, 2002
Location: Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands
No. of Castaways: 16
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OVERVIEW
Survivor: Marquesas is a season that deserves more respect. Not only does it have some incredible characters and hilarious moments, but it’s an important, game-changing season. For the first three seasons, the strategy of Survivor followed a standard formula. Tribes competed in challenges and voted out the outcasts and the physically weak. Then at the merge, the larger tribe systematically voted out the smaller one. There was very little deviation, and the winner was always someone from the tribe that held the numbers. Marquesas changed all that. It was a cultural reset to how the game was played and the possibilities for players’ strategies.
There are hilarious moments in the early stages of Marquesas with the two starting tribes’ different approaches to camp life. Rotu is the workhorses who run a tight ship and win challenges. Maraamu is much more jovial, with their funny “morning radio show” sketches. Maraamu is also a lot more divided, with some players focusing on the survival aspect of the game and others concerned more with the strategy. As is the norm in modern Survivor, strategy wins out. Maraamu loses the first three Immunity challenges, but unlike in previous seasons where the “provider” types rule the roost, the more cunning and free-willed players take control. The majority of Vecepia Towery, Sean Rector, “Boston Rob” Mariano, and Sarah Jones persevere, pulling off surprise moves, like the blindside of Hunter Ellis.
The difference in tribal values is further emphasized during the tribe swap, where strategists Vecepia, Sean, and Rob switch to the Rotu tribe. Despite being low on Rotu’s pecking order, the trio survives by way of one blindside and two Immunity wins. Their luck appears to run out, though, when Boston Rob is voted out right before the jury phase begins. And on any previous season, this would be true. However, then things become more complicated in the absolute best way possible.
A perfectly timed Immunity challenge (the coconut chop) reveals the core “Rotu Four” of John Carroll, Zoe Zanidakis, Robert “The General” DeCanio, and Tammy Leitner, and the order in which they plan to vote out their other tribemates. Sean and Vecepia use this to finally convince outsiders Kathy Vavrick-O’Brien, Neleh Dennis, and Paschal English to join them in blindsiding tribe leader John. The build-up, execution, and aftermath of this vote is fantastic, cathartic television. John’s blindside is particularly surprising not only because of how early it happens (first jury member), but because based on previous seasons, John should have been the one to win. Marquesas flipped everything we thought we knew about successful Survivor strategy on its head, opening the door for more fluid and exciting strategy in future seasons.
It’s not just the gameplay that makes Marquesas so enjoyable, though; it’s also overflowing with character. John is a great cocky villain, which makes his blindside that much sweeter. Kathy has an amazing journey from initial outcast to underdog fan-favorite. Sean is one of the realest and funniest castaways of all-time (who we need to see play again). Boston Rob 1.0 shows off signs of his mafioso-style charisma, though some of his comments about other tribemates are certainly problematic. Neleh is a sweet, if somewhat naive, player who provides one of the most awkwardly hilarious Survivor moments when she offers her tribe a half-sucked mint. And there are fun early boots too, like “Miss Cleopatra” herself Sarah Jones and the scrappy and likable Gina Crews.
If there’s any fault of Marquesas, it’s in the under-editing of the eventual winner, Vecepia. There is some excellent content early on for Vecepia, particularly her conversations with Sean about race and fitting in on a tribe of white folk. But for large parts of the season, she is sort of pigeon-holed into the “religious one,” with her gameplay not being highlighted to its fullest extent. That said, Vecepia’s victory is monumental in being the first (and only) Black woman to win Survivor. And her calm and approachable play-style helps massively in overthrowing the majority, the move that changes Survivor forever.
Marquesas teaches its players and viewers to never underestimate the value of the social game. Having the numbers is essential, especially in the old school era, where there were no idols to fall back on. Even more important than having the numbers is retaining them, and the Rotu Four learn that the hard way. Survivor is a selfish game, and the players that make it to the Final 5 are the ones that put what’s best for themselves before what’s best for their original tribes. The importance of self-preservation is further emphasized in the controversial Purple Rock tiebreaker and the final Immunity challenge. Seeing these lessons play out through the season cements Marquesas not only as one of the best of the series but as one that was instrumental to the modern style of gameplay we see today.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Kathy pees on John’s hand — Just because Rotu is the workhorse tribe doesn’t mean they don’t have any funny moments too. This is exactly what it sounds like… John gets stung by a sea urchin, needs someone to pee on his hand, and, after Paschal has performance issues, Kathy offers her services. It’s a quick event, but it’s one that is still talked about all these years later.
The Talk Show — For all their disagreements, the Maraamu tribe provides some of the best camp life segments ever, the best being the morning talk show. With Sean as their host, the whole tribe participates in discussing a myriad of topics, entertaining themselves and the viewers. Sean is easily one of the best personalities of early Survivor, and the talk show is just one of the many reasons why.
The Hunter blindside — The third episode of Marquesas is the first sign that this season isn’t going to follow the usual pattern. It’s the episode of The Robfather’s “fear keeps people loyal” speech and the shock vote-out of Hunter, the physically strongest member of the tribe. Survivor was starting to explore different strategies.
Fall of the Rotu Four — Once Boston Rob is voted out at the first merge Tribal, all appears to be smooth sailing for the Rotu Four. Then they get a little cocky at the ‘three strikes’ Immunity challenge, where Sean rightfully points out how the core alliance revealed their boot order. He and Vecepia are then able to convince outsiders Kathy, Neleh, and Paschal to flip, ending the pattern of Pagonging that occurred in the earlier seasons. It’s equal parts shocking and satisfying, as all the best blindsides are. The new majority bathing in the waterfall the next day with Sean singing “A Brand New Day” is one of Survivor‘s best scenes ever.
Purple Rock — The Purple Rock tiebreaker is certainly controversial, but the fact that it’s Paschal that goest home of all people is what really drives it home. Not only was Paschal not in danger that night, but he hadn’t received any votes the entire game. Had Paschal switched his vote, he would’ve avoided the rock draw and secured a spot in Final 3. But he decides loyalty is more important than a million dollars, and he pays the price for it.
Vecepia’s Historic Win — Vecepia herself was and always will be a game-changer. Not just because she was the first Black winner of any competition reality show, but also because of her gameplay. She is under-the-radar but well-informed. She wins Immunity challenges when needed and strategizes with her personal item (a journal) to ensure her success. She doesn’t have the numbers going into merge but works her way to the top. Many have gone on to win playing the under-the-radar game, but Vecepia did it first.
Check back tomorrow when we reveal which season placed at number 8. You can check out the previous entries here.
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The first entry where I really disagree with the ranking. Half the time between Vescepia and Neleh I thought I was watching the 700 Club with its religiosity force fed to me. That along with homophobic comments by Boston Rob (who doesn’t make the merge, but becomes a Probst cottage industry) annoying John, evangelical right wing Paschal, and sorry to say Sean playing to negative black stereotypes – angry and lazy, other than Kathy I was rooting for a typhoon not a castaway. All topped off by the worst Reunion Show of all time hosted by Rosie O’Donnell
Pass
Finally, respect for one of my fave seasons. Too bad Probst hated this one.
I don’t know if Vecepia just don’t wanna return or Survivor never even thought of it. All I can say is, Vecepia will always always always be one of my most favorite winners of Survivor (with or without her being black).
Vicepia as the first African American winner should have been treated with respect and brought back to the show. So sad that the fans wanted her back but Jeff and the higher ups ignore her presence/win.
Incredible season, I love everything about it. Each episode is like a work of art. This is a top 5 season for sure.
Wtf? For me, this series is in the top 5 worst.