The WORST episodes of Survivor
Every episode of Survivor ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Survivor!
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".
#1 - The First Fifteen Days
Season 18 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/25/2009
This Special Edition in a special time period for this week only, provides an intimate look behind-the-scenes at camp life including alliances that have formed, Taj revealing her emotional struggle with being away from her family and Tyson's playful side around the ladies in camp.
#2 - We Did It Guys
Season 21 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/24/2010
New scenes shed light on the castaways and the decisions they've made during the game.
#3 - 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.
#4 - A Closer Look
Season 13 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/26/2006
Loads of never before-seen-footage includes a scene where Candice and Adam go on a boat trip only to encounter a storm that leaves them cold and shivering and stranded on a sandbar. Another new scene involves Yul who, after discovering the Immunity Idol on Exile Island, decides to cover the evidence by taking the small box that once held his prize, wrapping it in coconut husks and setting it adrift. During their individual time on Exile Island, Jonathan, Adam and Candice search in vain for the Immunity Idol. In addition, the Raro tribe enjoys their wine reward around a campfire and the normally soft-spoken Stephannie becomes deliriously drunk and nearly passes out.
#5 - The First 24 Days: A Closer Look
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/21/2001
A review of the first 24 days in The Outback includes previously unseen footage.
#6 - Cops “R” Us
Season 28 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/5/2014
The castaways' spirits are drenched by a monster monsoon. Meanwhile, two castaways form a "blue-blooded" alliance, and the "Brains" must win a challenge to avoid another trip to tribal council.
#7 - My Brother's Keeper
Season 27 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/13/2013
It's double the drama as castaways endure two Tribal Councils in one episode. Meanwhile, castaways wonder if Vytas will exact revenge for his brother's blindside and one castaway attempts to change history in a challenge that's tough to swallow.
#8 - Blood Is Blood
Season 29 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/22/2014
After a surprising tribe swap, the game gets complicated when one castaway is stranded on a tribe with three pairs of loved ones. Meanwhile, the other tribe is forced to negotiate for their next meal as a result of mismanaged portion control.
#9 - A Closer Look
Season 12 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/15/2006
Relive the magic of Survivor: Panama -- Exile Island so far with this fond look back at key moments in the first six episodes. In addition, you'll see footage never shown on TV before this episode.
#10 - Hungry for a Win
Season 19 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/8/2009
The game of one determined castaway may be changed when a tribe member makes a stunning revelation. Meanwhile, Russell continues his game of chess when he considers ousting one of his allies.
#11 - 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.
#12 - Family Values
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/3/2002
The tribes compete in a Reward Challenge to gain the help of two soldiers who will assist them in making the most of their resources at camp.
#13 - Palau Reunion
Season 10 - Episode 15 - Aired 5/15/2005
In front of a live studio audience and the entire cast of PALAU, Jeff Probst reveals the results of the Jury vote and announces the Sole Survivor and winner of $1 million.
#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.
#15 - That's Baked, Barbecued, and Fried!
Season 16 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/28/2008
One castaway carves a fake Immunity Idol out of a piece of wood in order to replace the real Idol they found on Exile Island. Will the fake Idol be good enough to fool the other castaways? Meanwhile, another mastermind emerges ... pitting two power players against each other.
#16 - 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.
#17 - The Final Four
Season 2 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/26/2001
The Final Four players compete for Reward in the “Survivor Pentathlon,” which incorporates elements from past challenges, such as walking a plank, solving a puzzle, and being blindfolded and shackled. The winner gets a hot meal, a hot shower and a new car. Each person also receives a care package from home. For Immunity, the castaways must match pairs of items. At Tribal Council, the number of players is whittled down to three.
#19 - 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.
#20 - A Closer Look
Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/27/2002
A look at highlights of some of the most unforgettable moments from the first 10 episodes of the series, including Ted pretending to take pictures of Ghandia and Clay expressing his admiration of Erin's physique.
#21 - The First 21 Days
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/29/2001
Jeff Probst hosts a look back at the first 21 days of the game in Kenya.
#22 - Game of Chicken
Season 42 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/27/2022
One castaway will be the last standing in the fight for immunity, earning themselves a spot in the final eight.
#23 - Gender Bender
Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/10/2002
One tribe begins to divide itself along gender lines.
#24 - Pulling the Trigger
Season 21 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/6/2010
The hunt for the Hidden Immunity Idol widens the rift between two castaways at the La Flor camp, triggering a venomous fight. Meanwhile, a valuable secret is revealed that solidifies a powerful alliance.
#25 - The Reunion
Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 8/23/2000
The 16 contestants from “Survivor” are reunited and answer questions about their experiences on the island. Bryant Gumbel is the host.