The BEST episodes of Survivor season 23

Every episode of Survivor season 23, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Survivor season 23!

Sixteen or more castaways are split between two or more "Tribes", are taken to a remote isolated location and are forced to live off the land with meager supplies for roughly 39 days. Frequent physical challenges are used to pit the tribes against each other for Rewards, such as food or luxuries, or for "Immunity", forcing the other tribe to attend "Tribal Council", where they must vote off one of their players. Once about half the players are remaining, the tribes are merged into a single tribe, and competitions are on an individual basis; winning Immunity prevents that player from being voted out, while several that are voted out at this stage form the game's "Jury". Once down to two or three people, a Final Tribal Council is held where the remaining players plead their case to the jury members. The jury then votes for which player should be considered the "Sole Survivor" and win the $1 million prize. Survivor has introduced numerous modifications, or "twists", on the core rules in order to keep the players on their toes and to prevent players from relying on strategies that succeeded in prior seasons. These changes have included tribal switches, seasons starting with more than two tribes, the ability to exile a player from a tribe for a short time, Hidden Immunity Idols that players can use to save themselves at Tribal Council and a chance to return to regular gameplay after elimination through "Redemption Island".

Last Updated: 12/17/2024Network: CBSStatus: Continuing
Then There Were Five
star
7.83
339 votes

#1 - Then There Were Five

Season 23 - Episode 14 - Aired 12/14/2011

Tensions escalate at camp when the Final Five original Upolu members are forced to turn on each other. Meanwhile, on Redemption Island, Ozzy and Edna compete to stay in the game, and one becomes the sixth jury member.

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Trojan Horse
star
7.80
348 votes

#2 - Trojan Horse

Season 23 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/26/2011

One tribe calls upon the heavens in hopes of changing their luck, while the other tribe is left in shock when one of their own makes a risky move that will go down in Survivor history.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Loyalties Will Be Broken
star
7.76
336 votes

#3 - Loyalties Will Be Broken

Season 23 - Episode 15 - Aired 12/18/2011

Using every last bit of physical mental strength, the castaways battle it out in the final Immunity Challenge to secure their spot at the final Tribal Council, and jury members get their moment to confront the Final Three. Find out who will outplay, outwit and outlast the others.

Watch Now:Apple TV
South Pacific Reunion
star
7.68
197 votes

#4 - South Pacific Reunion

Season 23 - Episode 16 - Aired 12/18/2011

The castaways reunite to discuss the season. Hosted by Jeff Probst.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Ticking Time Bomb
star
7.53
393 votes

#5 - Ticking Time Bomb

Season 23 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/7/2011

A relative crosses the line during the emotional family reunion, and an unlikely secret alliance threatens the pecking order of the Te Tuna tribe.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Double Agent
star
7.31
419 votes

#6 - Double Agent

Season 23 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/2/2011

With a potential merge on the horizon, one tribe puts on an elaborate show in hopes of gaining the upper hand on their competition, and an unlikely castaway holds all the power at a game-changing Tribal Council.

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Cult Like
star
7.30
335 votes

#7 - Cult Like

Season 23 - Episode 12 - Aired 11/30/2011

At the Immunity Challenge, one tribesperson makes a big gesture to a fellow castaway. Meanwhile, an alliance member becomes a liability around camp.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Survivalism
star
7.26
372 votes

#8 - Survivalism

Season 23 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/5/2011

One castaway is brought to tears when confronted with his past during an emotional Tribal Council, and another turns on his alliance and teams up with an unlikely tribe member. Meanwhile on Redemption Island, the second castaway is sent home.

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Running the Show
star
7.20
369 votes

#9 - Running the Show

Season 23 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/16/2011

Paranoia among tribesmen threatens to break a once-impenetrable alliance, and castaways are shocked at Tribal Council with the announcement of another double elimination. Meanwhile, on Redemption Island, a castaway makes a bold threat to his former tribesman during the duel challenge, and two castaways are sent home.

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He Has Demons
star
7.07
447 votes

#10 - He Has Demons

Season 23 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/21/2011

The discovery of an Immunity Idol gives one castaway an early advantage in the game, and the unraveling of a white lie leads to an explosive Tribal Council.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Cut Throat
star
7.05
364 votes

#11 - Cut Throat

Season 23 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/9/2011

After a shocking betrayal, one castaway faces the wrath of a former alliance, and a double eviction rocks the newly merged Te Tuna tribe.

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Free Agent
star
6.94
423 votes

#12 - Free Agent

Season 23 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/19/2011

Feeling betrayed by their tribe, one castaway reveals a potentially game-changing secret, and appalled by the lack of loyalty within his tribe, another castaway threatens to leave the game. Meanwhile, on Redemption Island, Christine battles Elyse to try and win her fourth duel in a row and stay alive in the game.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Reap What You Sow
star
6.92
423 votes

#13 - Reap What You Sow

Season 23 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/28/2011

One castaway reveals a shocking secret to their tribe while another castaway, in a last-ditch effort to keep alive in the game, devises a plan and pretends to find the hidden Immunity Idol.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Taste the Victory
star
6.90
372 votes

#14 - Taste the Victory

Season 23 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/12/2011

Starving castaways tap into their primal instincts at an intense Immunity Challenge, and a big betrayal shakes up the game at a surprising Tribal Council. Meanwhile, on Redemption Island a scorned castaway seeks revenge by spilling all the secrets of their former tribe, and the third castaway is sent home.

Watch Now:Apple TV
I Need Redemption
star
6.88
377 votes

#15 - I Need Redemption

Season 23 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/14/2011

The sixteen new castaways have mixed reactions to the return of Coach and Ozzy, two of the game's most memorable players, and an extremely close Immunity Challenge sparks a debate for the losing tribe members in a combative Tribal Council.

Watch Now:Apple TV
star
6.27
142 votes

#16 - A Closer Look

Season 23 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/23/2011

Never-before-seen moments give an inside look into the castaways and their decisions made during the game so far.

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