Rating: 8.5/10
The success of almost any phenomenon can be traced to a fortuitous event that occurred around the inception of the phenomenon. For Survivor, that fortuitous event was the casting of Richard Hatch. Jeff Probst has been an impeccable and invaluable host ever since that first season, the true face of the franchise. But one has to wonder if the franchise would even exist without Richard. From the first day on the island through Final Tribal Council, Richard displayed how strategic, dynamic and dramatic the game could be. Most importantly, Richard was the only castaway capable of articulating his strategy to the viewers watching the square, non-HD footage on their rabbit-ears televisions. This ability remains the most necessary characteristic the show requires of its castaways. It was especially essential in season one, when Survivor, reality television and the consolidating contestant concept were all novelties.
For the first season, Probst was commissioned to narrate key developments and scenarios in an explanatory style that's no longer needed. But analysis is more authentic and intriguing when it comes from combatants. Richard was as comfortable in front of the camera as he was in the nude (one of several distinguishing quirks that instantly cinematized him). Richard deservedly garnered the most screen time in most episodes not because of his bombastic personality, but because this skill of articulation was unique among the initial castaways. As he developed several of the show's seminal strategies (alliances, alliances within alliances, threat-targeting, post-merge play, resumé-building, Final Tribal argumentation), Richard explained them to the growing millions of viewers watching across the Pacific. Whether intended or not, Richard's confessionals elevated the show beyond the primal struggle indicated in its name. That struggle was emphasized in Borneo, which featured laborious shelter-building, lengthy walks through the jungle to Tribal Council, legs decimated by bug bites and infestations, fishing adventures (dominated by Richard) and a bunch of poisonous snakes. By the end of the season, however, the social and strategic drama was more compelling than the physical.
Richard hatched the game's first alliance, making a pact with 72 year-old veteran Rudy that lasted all the way through Final Tribal. The loyalty they demonstrated made for fascinating television, as their differences were so stark: Rich was gay, progressive and verbose while Rudy was homophobic, antiquated and severe. But the two men connected through a deeper respect, acknowledging the honesty and dignity the other displayed while adhering to their own personal codes.
In the outer layer of the Tagi alliance was truck-driving Wisconsinite Sue and conflicted raft guide Kelly. The four made for an unlikely but effective alliance who stuck together as long as possible without splintering. It's difficult to visualize the formation and maintenance of this alliance in 2020. It's not hard to imagine Rich seeking other company upon ascertaining Rudy and Sue had voted for Trump. It was a joy to watch a mutual appreciation for humanity supercede their political differences - and fair to wonder if those political differences could be overcome by modern Americans.
The only player who competed with Rich on a cerebral level was the young Coloradoan Greg, an intellectual who masked his Ivy League education under goofiness and detachment. By the time the tribes merged with five members apiece, Greg's endearing zaniness and underlying brilliance had elevated him to the top of Pagong's pecking order. That merge set up what could have been Survivor's first great showdown. But in primordial Borneo, Pagong entered the merge disconnected and disorganized. Seven different castaways received votes in that first post-merge vote; the only multiples cast were for Pagong's Gretchen by what Jenna deemed as Tagi's "conspiracy of four." Greg recognized the potency of the alliance one vote too late. He was next to go.
The Conspirators subsequently ousted Jenna, Gervase and Colleen, setting up the epic season finale that remains Survivor's most legendary episode. Kelly won both immunity challenges in the finale, extending her streak to four and earning her choice of eliminations. First, after long consideration and a split vote, Kelly decided to sever her alliance with Sue. This led to Sue's classic scorched-earth evisceration, a devastating soliloquy that instantly became and remains the show's most iconic moment. Gervase's response is worth a watch too.
Kelly had another opportunity to oust Rich after she won the final immunity challenge. That challenge was intended to be one of pure endurance, simply requiring the players to remain in contact with an immunity idol while standing on stools. Rudy brainfarted away his spot at Final Tribal when he carelessly let go of the idol during a position switch four hours in. Of course, that was four hours longer than Rich. Hatch deemed Kelly unbeatable and quickly bowed out of the challenge. Rudy appeared to be the original goat and ideal partner for Final Tribal, having done little outwitting or outplaying throughout the season. After aligning with Rich, the crusty veteran made little effort to bond with other players or scheme their demises. But Kelly elected to go to Final Tribal, which then consisted of just two contestants, with Rich instead of Rudy. That decision seems preposterous in hindsight, but Kelly had to consider the jury consisted of subjugated Pagong and vindictive Tagi members. Further, a postseason poll showed viewers comfortably preferred Rudy to Richard, plus there was no protocol of voting for respectable game play. Richard invented the protocol himself with an eloquent Final Tribal argument echoing the TV confessionals he'd made all season.
Survivor captivated America upon its inception without HD cameras, without immunity idols, without familiar faces or archetypal strategies. People watched because they cared about the people on the show. They cared about the people on the show because the people on the show cared about the people on the show. Throughout the season, an intimate, genuinely friendly vibe permeated both camps. Most castaways legitimately cared about each other and how their actions would affect each other. This compassion was particularly affecting since the castaways navigated obvious culture gaps along with the antagonism forced by the million dollar prize. From the beginning, the essence of Survivor has been the struggle people face in overcoming their differences - just as it has been for America.
For the first season, Probst was commissioned to narrate key developments and scenarios in an explanatory style that's no longer needed. But analysis is more authentic and intriguing when it comes from combatants. Richard was as comfortable in front of the camera as he was in the nude (one of several distinguishing quirks that instantly cinematized him). Richard deservedly garnered the most screen time in most episodes not because of his bombastic personality, but because this skill of articulation was unique among the initial castaways. As he developed several of the show's seminal strategies (alliances, alliances within alliances, threat-targeting, post-merge play, resumé-building, Final Tribal argumentation), Richard explained them to the growing millions of viewers watching across the Pacific. Whether intended or not, Richard's confessionals elevated the show beyond the primal struggle indicated in its name. That struggle was emphasized in Borneo, which featured laborious shelter-building, lengthy walks through the jungle to Tribal Council, legs decimated by bug bites and infestations, fishing adventures (dominated by Richard) and a bunch of poisonous snakes. By the end of the season, however, the social and strategic drama was more compelling than the physical.
Richard hatched the game's first alliance, making a pact with 72 year-old veteran Rudy that lasted all the way through Final Tribal. The loyalty they demonstrated made for fascinating television, as their differences were so stark: Rich was gay, progressive and verbose while Rudy was homophobic, antiquated and severe. But the two men connected through a deeper respect, acknowledging the honesty and dignity the other displayed while adhering to their own personal codes.
In the outer layer of the Tagi alliance was truck-driving Wisconsinite Sue and conflicted raft guide Kelly. The four made for an unlikely but effective alliance who stuck together as long as possible without splintering. It's difficult to visualize the formation and maintenance of this alliance in 2020. It's not hard to imagine Rich seeking other company upon ascertaining Rudy and Sue had voted for Trump. It was a joy to watch a mutual appreciation for humanity supercede their political differences - and fair to wonder if those political differences could be overcome by modern Americans.
The only player who competed with Rich on a cerebral level was the young Coloradoan Greg, an intellectual who masked his Ivy League education under goofiness and detachment. By the time the tribes merged with five members apiece, Greg's endearing zaniness and underlying brilliance had elevated him to the top of Pagong's pecking order. That merge set up what could have been Survivor's first great showdown. But in primordial Borneo, Pagong entered the merge disconnected and disorganized. Seven different castaways received votes in that first post-merge vote; the only multiples cast were for Pagong's Gretchen by what Jenna deemed as Tagi's "conspiracy of four." Greg recognized the potency of the alliance one vote too late. He was next to go.
The Conspirators subsequently ousted Jenna, Gervase and Colleen, setting up the epic season finale that remains Survivor's most legendary episode. Kelly won both immunity challenges in the finale, extending her streak to four and earning her choice of eliminations. First, after long consideration and a split vote, Kelly decided to sever her alliance with Sue. This led to Sue's classic scorched-earth evisceration, a devastating soliloquy that instantly became and remains the show's most iconic moment. Gervase's response is worth a watch too.
Kelly had another opportunity to oust Rich after she won the final immunity challenge. That challenge was intended to be one of pure endurance, simply requiring the players to remain in contact with an immunity idol while standing on stools. Rudy brainfarted away his spot at Final Tribal when he carelessly let go of the idol during a position switch four hours in. Of course, that was four hours longer than Rich. Hatch deemed Kelly unbeatable and quickly bowed out of the challenge. Rudy appeared to be the original goat and ideal partner for Final Tribal, having done little outwitting or outplaying throughout the season. After aligning with Rich, the crusty veteran made little effort to bond with other players or scheme their demises. But Kelly elected to go to Final Tribal, which then consisted of just two contestants, with Rich instead of Rudy. That decision seems preposterous in hindsight, but Kelly had to consider the jury consisted of subjugated Pagong and vindictive Tagi members. Further, a postseason poll showed viewers comfortably preferred Rudy to Richard, plus there was no protocol of voting for respectable game play. Richard invented the protocol himself with an eloquent Final Tribal argument echoing the TV confessionals he'd made all season.
Survivor captivated America upon its inception without HD cameras, without immunity idols, without familiar faces or archetypal strategies. People watched because they cared about the people on the show. They cared about the people on the show because the people on the show cared about the people on the show. Throughout the season, an intimate, genuinely friendly vibe permeated both camps. Most castaways legitimately cared about each other and how their actions would affect each other. This compassion was particularly affecting since the castaways navigated obvious culture gaps along with the antagonism forced by the million dollar prize. From the beginning, the essence of Survivor has been the struggle people face in overcoming their differences - just as it has been for America.
