Survivor: 5 Season Themes We Loved (& 5 We Hope To Never See Again)
Our favorite competition show, Survivor, has finally returned for its 39th season, and we're more than interested in this season's theme of Island of the Idols. While there have been many seasons of this hit show, it goes without saying that there have also been many, many themes.
From Blood vs. Water to Heroes vs. Villains, we probably all have our favorite seasons, and the ones we may not have loved so much. In case you've forgotten the plethora of themes to have come and gone on the show, we've made a list. Here are 5 season themes we absolutely loved, and 5 we hope never return.
10 Never Again: Ethnicity
Early on in the show's run, on season 13 for Survivor: Cook Islands, the castaways were divided into four tribes. These tribes were based on ethnicity, including African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, and European-American.
While this definitely paved the way for a diverse island, we're not totally sure this made the game any more interesting. In fact, it's also pretty stereotypical. We're not totally sure we loved this theme, and we probably all forgot it even happened, anyways.
9 Loved: Ghost Island
In season 36 of our favorite competition show, the theme of Ghost Island was brought to the table. This did not affect the tribes, but it definitely affected the game.
This was a fun season for die-hard fans of the show. You'll probably remember that Ghost Island was similar to Exile Island, in which the castaways would be sent to this mysterious island. On the island, they would find mementos from previous seasons and have the chance to win an advantage. Every advantage "won" would have been previously misplayed in another season. For all fans of the show, this was pretty cool, and players had to break the curse.
8 Never Again: 30 & Younger, 40 & Older
On season 21, on Survivor: Nicaragua, the tribes were separated into two. One tribe was full of castaways aged 30 and under, and the other was 40 and older. Again, this was a different and arguably interesting dichotomy, but it ended up (pretty obviously), that the younger tribe was a bit better at the physical challenges.
Honestly, age doesn't really define a person anyways, so we're not totally sure this made for an interesting season. In fact, we would be fine never seeing it again.
7 Loved: Fans vs. Favorites
This theme has had two appearances, so clearly fans were, well, fans of it. For Survivor: Micronesia (season 16) and Survivor: Caramoan (season 26), the tribes were separated into favorites (returning players) and fans (die-hard lovers of the show). This made for an incredibly interesting season, especially when these tribes merged. We got to meet new players, love the old ones, and see the drama unfold as veterans battled to stay in the game against fresh blood. We would be okay if this theme came for a third go, to be honest.
6 Never Again: Redemption Island
This season also had a few appearances, and we're not really sure why this was. It premiered in season 22, but they also brought it back for season 23 and season 27. Honestly, this theme was kind of cool, because your favorite players (who were maybe voted out because they were awesome) got a chance to claw back into the game. Also, the one-on-one challenges were intense.
However, it was rare that a player who re-entered the game would last the next tribal council. Like, they were voted out once already, right? Therefore, it was kind of a letdown and definitely just broke our hearts twice.
5 Loved: Heroes vs. Villains
Season 20 of this show has to be at least one of everyone's favorite seasons. Not only did we get a whole season of our returning players, but we got the mischievous ones and the virtuous ones. Even better still, they were against each other. The villains ended up dominating this season, but we still loved seeing the heroes and villains show their true colors in a second attempt at the title. We would be down to see this theme return, especially with the best of the best.
4 Never Again: Millennials vs. Gen X
In season 33, the tribes were divided (again), by age. Honestly, isn't everyone sick of the millennial debate? Especially as a millennial, it's pretty offensive to just get roped into one giant category (and we're sure it is for the Gen X people, too).
Age is a number, and, yes, there are generational differences, but anyone can rise above these stereotypes. It's not super interesting, and, to be honest, it's just kind of exhausting.
3 Loved: Blood vs. Water
This theme also had its shining moment for two seasons: season 27 and season 29 (Survivor: San Juan Del Sur). This season was incredibly interesting because the added aspect of having a loved one on the island is both helpful and detrimental.
What was even better was that half of the castaways were returning players and half of the castaways were new (and were loved among the returnees). This season was cutthroat, intense, and totally exhilarating. We'd definitely be down for a third go.
2 Never Again: Edge of Extinction
In season 38 of the show, the theme was Edge of Extinction. This theme also wasn't relevant to the sorting of the tribes, but rather was a twist on Exile Island. When players were voted out, they had the choice to leave the game or head to the Edge of Extinction, where they were to wait, solve clues, and eventually fight for a way back into the game.
As neat as this was, it seemed, again, as pointless as Redemption Island. All of these players just sat on an island, and the two players who returned were just eventually voted out (again) before the final three. *Yawn*.
1 Loved: Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty
This theme had two runs, on Survivor: Cagayan (season 28) and Survivor: Kaôh Rōng (season 32). We kind of fell in love with this theme because every tribe had their strengths and weaknesses. There's the age-old argument between this show whether social skills, strategy, or brawn gets you to the end of the game. Well, this theme definitely tested the argument.
We kind of liked having the different lifestyles and skills of these tribes, and it was surprisingly an interesting and even match. We would love to see this theme return to give every skill-set another chance. Let the games begin, right?