After ten years of watching Survivor I had no doubt that bringing back the supposed greatest heroes and villains would deliver and I was right… kind of. It’s a formula that is destined to succeed. Bringing back America’s favorite players ensures the long time fans are happy and the fans who have left the survivor camp for other shows will return, at least for a little while.
One of the weakest points in the CBS staple every season are those first few episodes where the audience has no idea who the people are and have no attachment to the players who are voted out. The all-star seasons skip that aspect, as there is a previous attachment to every contestant.
With that being said I was almost in physical pain every time one of my favorites was voted out. I was too attached. Stephanie, Tom, Tyson, Boston Rob, I continually faced situations in the season where I was rooting for nobody because I wanted everyone to stay. However, I have watched 20 season of this ridiculous show and I know that screaming obscenities at the screen is part of the experience.
Survivor 20 was the first time that I’ve looked at returning castaways and said it’s time for them to hang it up. They have been great players, and some of my favorites but Colby, Rupert, Amanda, Jerri and probably some others have worn out their welcome. I just resent them now. Luckily, I have their former seasons on DVD so I can relive their pre-washed up moments whenever I want.
The opposite can be said for Boston Rob and Russell. The entertainment level these guys provided during their runs showed the true craft of the game and the intellectual aspect that is usually masked by the fake boobs and whining of other contestants. The masterminds made this show what it is for the first decade and I hope they can come up with another strategist this fall for Survivor: Nicaragua.
I found that this past season did live up to the hype. The noticeably larger budget made some amazing looking scenes, larger than life challenges, and the editing was as good as anything I’ve seen on television. When the dust settled Sandra won, and I was bummed. I thought she was a genius for how she got it done in the Pearl Islands but this time around I was bitter that the jury didn’t recognize the unbelievable moves Russell made during the 39 days. But as Tom said during the reunion show, whomever wins played the right game and deserves to win.
In his back-to-back seasons, Russell has leaped his way to the top of craftiest players in Survivor history ahead of Richard Hatch, Boston Rob, Johnny Fairplay and others but still doesn’t have that title of sole survivor. Oh well. There have only been 19 winners of this game, and to be honest, a good number of those winners were not the story of their season.
So, the villains won. I look forward to bringing in some ignorant first timers this fall. I’ll be watching religiously like always, taking notes for if I ever get my chance to play. But, what am I supposed to do all summer with no Survivor? “I got nothing for you. Head back to camp.” Dammit!
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