“Survivor,” the once-groundbreaking reality game show, returned last Wednesday for its 30th season, “Survivor: Worlds Apart.” After a lackluster 29th season, “Survivor” seemed to finally be running out of steam — but the latest season premiere proved that the reality show still has some fight left.
The premise: 18 strangers are stranded in remote Nicaragua, divided into three tribes and left to fend for themselves against the harsh elements. Each week, the tribes compete in challenges for rewards, and each week one person is voted out until only one contest left — the “Sole Survivor” the winner of which earns the $1 million prize.
In “Survivor: Worlds Apart,” the tribes were divided based on job description and “approach to life.” There’s the white-collar tribe, full of corporate executives and type-A personalities, the blue-collar, hard working tribe and the no-collar tribe, who call themselves “free spirits” and pride themselves on breaking the rules.
This twist — of dividing the tribes by job — is definitely a risk, but it absolutely paid off. Each tribe has a unique dynamic due to their distinct personality types, and it makes for ridiculously entertaining television. “Survivor” really hinges on there being a good mix of character, and this season, the show struck gold. Each person plays the game hard and everyone brings something different and interesting to the table.
Max Dawson, a white-collar tribal, is a die-hard fan of the game and fulfills the strategist role perfectly. If Dawson plays his cards right, he has a solid chance of winning. Vince Sly, on the other hand, is the embodiment of no-collar with hair full of feathers and a personality he describes as “riding a wave.” He seems highly unstable, and within minutes of hitting the beach, his paranoia sets in. Finally, Dan Foley, a postal worker from the blue-collar tribe, does not seem to understand basic social grace, constantly yelling and condescending to his tribe, marking himself instantly as an outsider.
Jeff Probst returns as host and he is as enthusiastic as ever. Probst knows exactly what questions to ask the contestants and his heckling during challenges is often better than the challenges themselves. It just would not be “Survivor” without Probst.
Whether you are a fan who gave up on the show, or someone who has never seen an episode, now is the time to tune into “Survivor.” If the premiere is any indicator, “Survivor: World’s Apart” is going to be an interesting ride.
Read More
Liv Quintero is proof that the future of filmmaking is here at U.Va
By Madigan Lounsbery | 2 days agoSince arriving in Charlottesville, the Chesterfield, Va. native has taken the University arts scene by storm both in and out of the classroom.
In Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers,” the score is love, all
By Caroline Lee | May 4, 2024The film, one of the year’s most anticipated releases, follows a decade-long love triangle between three tennis prodigies, tracking them across the years through triumphs and defeats.
Shaking, not stirring, things up — the past and future of James Bond
By Caroline Lee | May 4, 2024First year College student Lucas Stocks said that changes across performers and performances adds excitement to the experience of going to the movies.
