As Survivor enters Season 50: “In the Hands of the Fans,” a cast of returning players is once again prey to America’s favorite display of survival of the fittest. But who will adapt to the new style of gameplay, and who will get left behind?
Returning contestants include familiar faces from Survivor seasons as far back as its first iteration, from Jenna Lewis to the show’s most recent winner, Savannah Louie. While it’s not the first time old-era players are meeting new-era players, more is at stake in an anniversary season that could set the standard of future gameplay and usher Survivor into an even newer era.
The premiere, “Epic Party,” did indeed feel epic, with a whopping three-hour runtime – the longest non-finale episode in the show’s history. As for the party? That got started immediately with an iconic flashback montage of the past 25 years’ worth of moments, memories, and mayhem.
Archival clips ranged from the infamous first winner, Richard Hatch, to the perils of Season 3’s filming in Africa, to the more modern-day meme-able moments like Angelina Keeley begging for Natalie Cole’s jacket before getting ghosted at Tribal Council. The opening scene puts into perspective just how much Survivor has transformed since it first aired in 2000. Whether that evolution is for better or worse, though, might be in the hands of the fans.
After the traditional tribal divisions and marooning challenge, decades of history between these 24 castaways begin to seep from their buffs. On top of the personal, non-game history between the longstanding group of tight-knit competitors, there is also tribal history from past seasons.
Colby Donaldson and Stephenie LaGrossa are reunited on the Vatu tribe, as they were during their time as tribemates on “Heroes vs. Villains” (Season 20). Benjamin “Coach” Wade and Oscar “Ozzy” Lusth rekindle a longstanding feud from their “South Pacific” (Season 23) days during a volatile sidequest challenge on Exile Island. On the Cila tribe, former tribemates from “Game Changers” (Season 34), Ozzy and Cirie Fields form an alliance, as they both are now competing for their fifth time on Survivor.
New era players also shine bright in the premiere. In true nerdy fashion, Christian Hubicki (Season 37) laughs in the face of fans who voted to make certain game elements harder this season. Without flint, Christian took advantage of a sunny day and eyeglasses to spark a flame and make fire for his tribe — something we haven’t seen since early Survivor seasons. Out of all the contestants, Christian actually stands out the most in Episode 1, reminding us he’s a trusty narrator with quotes that sum up tribal dynamics perfectly.
As Christian says at the first Tribal Council, it’s impossible to come into this season with a clean slate: “There’s just too much history.” That history can haunt returning players. Joe Hunter admits that he felt scorned by Season 48 smokescreens. When Joe’s tribe, Cila, loses the immunity challenge and is sent to Tribal Council, he suspects a bond forming between Ozzy and Cirie, and is triggered by that same dynamic of the unlikely duo from just two seasons ago. This distrust puts Ozzy and Cirie – two Survivor legends – on the chopping block.
It’s been five years since Survivor brought back past players in its historic Season 40, “Winners at War.” The all-winners cast was criticized for a slew of early bootings of some of the most iconic old-school winners, like Survivor sweethearts Boston Rob and Amber Mariano. It became clear that the old-era players who didn’t adapt would get left behind. Will that same pattern play out again? Although it’s too early to say, if the premiere is any indication of the social landscape of these tribes, old-school players should heed the warning of the first snuffed torch.
While there’s history tied up in these contestants, there’s also lots of hope. In many confessionals, Survivor 50 players explain how they’re back and better than ever, or they are a “2.0” version of themselves, or they’re playing the game for new reasons. Christian, for instance, explains that his firemaking feat was fueled by his newborn son, who he knows will one day watch this. Now, he is playing better and smarter because of this newfound passion and hope. All of the contestants, even those who have already won the show, are hopeful that they can cement their status in Survivor history on Season 50. This history and hope make for layered gameplay, emotional dilemmas, and just plain good TV — as long as frivolous additions don’t spoil the fun.
In Season 50: “In the Hands of the Fans,” Jeff Probst once again aims to reimagine the iconic reality game show, adding new twists, advantages, and celebrity influence. In the premiere, Genevieve Mushaluk (Season 47) finds the “Billie Eilish Boomerang Idol,” meant to evoke “oohs” and “ahs” but mostly elicits groans and sighs. When will Probst realize fans don’t care about these twists? We care about the people. It’s the moments Christian brought to this episode. It’s the emotional medical evacuation of a fan favorite after he tore his Achilles tendon in the first challenge. It’s the tears streaming down Cirie’s face as she feels the weight of her Survivor legacy wavering in the wind at Tribal Council.
The bells and whistles of game mechanics were never the reasons viewers tuned in weekly for 25 years. With Season 50 promotional videos and previews touting even more celebrity-inspired advantages, as well as an appearance by Mr. Beast himself, fans are wary. Survivor has lasted and thrived for 50 seasons because it is a microcosm of society. With all of life’s conveniences stripped away, we see people as their basest, most vulnerable selves. People are tested to their full physical and mental capabilities. Pushed to the edge, social dynamics deteriorate, trust is more valuable, and paranoia is more potent. It’s a game of strategy and survival, not celebrity and status.
Survivor is rich in history, and I do have hope that Season 50 will set the course for a new era that is entertaining yet true to its roots. Although this season’s twists are all about fan involvement, it’s ultimately up to this roster of experienced contestants to prove Survivor is still a game worth playing.
The first episode of ‘Survivor’ Season 50 is now streaming on Paramount+, with the remaining episodes airing weekly on Wednesdays on CBS.
Review Courtesy of Kasey Dunifer
Feature Image Credit to CBS