Ron's Recommended Rewatch of Survivor Episodes to Prepare for 50

Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans is set to maroon  on February 25 with a three-hour episode. I might have bitched about the trailer previously, but I am care deeply for the show to be good. For 25 years, I have watched torch-snuff-after-torch-snuff, blindside-after-blindside and countless foibles in gameplay that I am wholeheartedly invested until the final finale airs.

Returnee seasons tend to be my favourite. After 10 seasons in the “new era” where it has felt like we were in a remake on Groundhog Day, I hold onto hope that a season with 24 players will resemble the heat and personality of pre-41 seasons.

CBS is airing ten episodes to act as a reminder and refresher of the last 25 years and over 750 castaways. Like the cast choice, location selection or vote on the twists and production elements, everyone has an opinion. Like thumbprints, no one’s selections are the same as the next fan. Even the episode list I am surprised by. It omits seven of the castaways returning, with some key moments that even us OG viewers might have forgotten about. 

I recommend the episodes to add to your viewing schedule. It ensures every 50 castaway is featured, with some highlights of moments you may have never seen or forgotten about. I agree with CBS’s picks for most of these episodes, so please refer to this link. 

If I disagree, I’ll recommend a new episode below. I suggest skipping South Pacific all together - you will have watched enough of Coach and Ozzy by that season.

• Survivor: Borneo, episode 8 “Thy Name is Duplicity,” featuring Jenna Lewis and her infamous video-from-home moment.
• Survivor: The Australian Outback, episode 10 “Honeymoon or Not?” featuring Colby Donaldson’s start as one of the series’ challenge beasts (and also Jerri Manthey, who should have been casted in 50.)
• Survivor: All-Stars, episode 1 “They’re Back!” featuring Jenna Lewis and Colby Donaldson as part of the first returnee season, both with new perspectives on the game.
• Survivor: Palau, episode 8 “Neanderthal Man,” featuring Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick as she becomes the last person standing in her tribe.
• Survivor: Panama - Exile Island, episode 1 “The First Exile,” featuring Cirie Fields as the lady who gets off the couch.
• Survivor: Cook Islands, episode 9 “Mutiny,” featuring Ozzy Lusth and the moment (I believe) that saved him.
• Survivor: Micronesia, episode 10 “I Promise…” featuring Ozzy Lusth and Cirie Fields in a game-changing moment.
• Survivor: Kaôh Rōng, episode 9 “It’s Psychological Warfare,” featuring Aubry Bracco’s strategic prowess.
• Survivor 42, episode 3 “Go for the Gusto,” features Jonathan Young and the reason everyone is scared of Jonathan Young.
• Survivor 45, episode 10 “How am I the Mobster?” featuring both Dee Valladares and Emily Flippen in strategy-defining moments.
• Survivor 47, episode 4 “Is That Blood in Your Hair?” featuring Genevieve Mushaluck in (what I believe to be) her character-defining moment in the game.
• Survivor 49, episode 8 “Hot Grim Reaper,” featuring Rizo Velovic and Savannah Louie in one of their most powerful moves in the game.

Global TV will air the same episodes in Canada. Full episodes can be found on Paramount+, with clips to be found on YouTube and Survivor Instagram fan accounts like allwinnerssurvivor or survivorquotesx.

What episodes make you Survivor fire ignite?