Episode 1: The new cast rises above a pile of twists

Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: September 28, 2021

Survivor 41's premiere delivered a dynamic group of 18 new contestants, most of whom might have been on the first tribe if the theme had been "Savvy vs. Sweat." They're a fun group, and navigated their way well through the first episode's bevy of new twists. It's a good sign for the season's future, as long as the twists don't ultimately sink it.

Episode 1: Twists and risks and savviness

Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis

By Brent Sullivan | Published: September 27, 2021

Survivor is back, and Brent dives into five topics from the double-length premiere episode that he thinks will have long-term impact on the season, from the many new twists, to the increased elements of risk, to one player's savvy gameplay and another's seeming lack thereof.

Episode 1: Risk it, or play it safe?

Survivor 41 Recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: September 24, 2021

With a super-sized premiere, Ryan has a lot of twists, turns, decisions, and decision-makers to talk about in his first US Survivor recap in over a year. Will he take a shot in the dark, or talk directly to you, future Survivor players?

Pre-season: Entering the monster

Survivor 41 Season preview

By Jeff Pitman | Published: September 21, 2021

The new era is almost upon is, as (US) Survivor 41 begins airing tomorrow. Here's a brief look at the new cast, the big characters, the big players, and an attempt to understand what the heck the "monster" Probst keeps going about is supposed to be.

Episode 16: Old school beats new school

SurvivorSA: Immunity Island Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: September 20, 2021

Just as Survivor SA: Immunity Island ended with a classic Survivor run of idol- and twist-free votes and the ultimate classic final challenge, its winner also successfully executed a very old-school strategy: loyalty and lack of scheming. A look at this win, and does the final two provide more paths to victory for women than the final three?

Episode 16: Closing time at Chappies' Diner

SurvivorSA: Immunity Island Recap/ analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: September 18, 2021

Ryan salutes the highlights of the finale of SurvivorSA: Immunity Island, from the winner, to F3 boot, to the rainbow-bedecked juror, to the classic, old-school Survivor feel of the finale as a whole, and recounts the ways in which this season made this first-time international Survivor viewer a SurvivorSA superfan.

Episode 24: It's election night for the crown

SurvivorAU: Brains v Brawn Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: September 14, 2021

The final showdown of Survivor AU: Brains v Brawn pitted two strategists against each other, and delivered an all-time great Final Tribal Council performance, as Queen Hayley was crowned. It also highlighted the King George paradox: Why were the editors so unwilling (unable) to demonstrate his strategic prowess, forcing him instead into to be an entertaining 'character'? Plus a modest list of suggestions to improve the show.

Episode 15: The reward table runneth over

SurvivorSA: Immunity Island Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: September 13, 2021

With just the Survivor SA: Immunity Island finale to go, Chappies continues to dominate the competition in challenges. So in addition to the amazing breakfast-with-a-juror reward, did production really need to throw in an overpowered advantage that had not been announced beforehand? (Hint: No.)

Episode 22-23: The story comes together

SurvivorAU: Brains v Brawn Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: September 8, 2021

It took seven long weeks, but in the final two pre-finale episodes of Survivor AU: Brains v Brawn, the broad, season-long narrative pieces have finally started to fall into place, like the puzzles that have been so lacking in challenges this season. The final three players all have big stories, and we've been set up for an exciting final episode.

Episode 14: Slow-walking the inevitable

SurvivorSA: Immunity Island Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: September 6, 2021

As Survivor SA: Immunity Island ventured into what is uncharted territory in the US version (a final five with no idols or advantages), there were some great moments, but also an overwhelming sense of dread, as either Chappies or one of Tyson/Kiran was almost certainly out. That's indeed what happened. At least there was time for a proper sendoff?

Episodes 19-21: Slowly finding its Wai

SurvivorAU: Brains v Brawn Recap/ analysis

By Jeff Pitman | Published: September 2, 2021

In the second-to-last week of Survivor AU: Brains v Brawn, the show found itself navigating a tricky path: Trying to justify a final five in which three of the people have already been voted out, and giving belated, extremely welcome attention to one of the two who hadn't in Wai, who has slowly, steadily been building a case for the season win.

Pre-season: Swiping through Survivor Tinder

Survivor 41 Pre-season cast analysis

By Ryan Kaiser | Published: September 1, 2021

While the Survivor 41 cast has only just officially been revealed, Ryan is already here with the hottest of takes: Who on this cast is dateable (making the merge), who isn't, and who gets a super like? That's right, the day has finally come for cast assessment via Survivor Tinder.