CBS // Mark Burnett

2000 • 1 (Borneo) • Reality Competition • 13 Episodes

✦ OVERALL FEELING

I was recommended Survivor by a good friend who enjoys the show- I tend to really dislike reality television for it being hammed up and the people to be very insufferable and unlikeable or if they are likable it’s all fake to get good reviews and eyeballs on the ‘product’. I didn’t really get that from Survivor Borneo. I was hooked from start to finish and I think part of it was me being transported to 2000s American TV and just seeing these contestants get thrust into something that people hadn’t seen before. I loved the players and the challenges and how simple it all seemed but then as competitors get booted, there becomes very real and intense personal connections put to the test in the attempt for the million dollar prize. Overall I think this has kickstarted my desire to watch more of Survivor for sure and then maybe from there I could slowly peer into more reality competition shows as time progresses.

✦ CAST

• favorite player: Rudy Boesch

• most entertaining: Rudy Boesch

• best social game: Richard Hatch

• best strategist: Richard Hatch

• most frustrating: Susan Hawk (Her ending and reaction in particular)

• underrated player(s): Sonja and Gervase

• player i rooted for most: Colleen Haskell

• player i couldn't stop watching: Colleen Haskell

✦ STORYLINES & DRAMA

• strongest storyline: The ‘Core 4’ Alliance and how it plays out

• best rivalry: Richard versus everyone

• funniest moment: any time Rudy is on screen.

• most emotional moment: Jenna’s tape

• biggest blindside/shock: Gretchen getting booted off so quickly

• episode peak: Episode 13 being the finale really is the peak of the show I mean there’s moments for sure but this whole episode where its finally the Core Four vs themselves is crazy good.

• slowest stretch: Episode 7 where its the Merger episode and its just the two tribes becoming one and Sean Jenna shenanigans happen. Not really much to say on it

✦ GAME / STRUCTURE

• twists: First Season, no big twists on the rules N/A / 10

• challenges: 6/ 10 I think they were good to start off with

✦ VISUALS & SOUND

• location: Borneo seemed like it was exotic enough for people to really get that “survivalist feel” and the island they picked was small enough to not be overwhelming.

• cinematography: some good shots and editing for 2000

• sound: the “N64 Desert Music” theme and tribal music is crazy lol. I like that little transition sound they use.

• memorable visual moment: lowk they be getting crazy feet shots in the middle of the day for no reason bro there’s one time where its Jennas toes for like 5 seconds uninterrupted.

✦ THEMES / TAKEAWAYS

• what this season was REALLY about: showing this crazy situation and creating some big visual spectacle that was great for weekly viewing.

• social dynamics: 10/10 Hatch is crazy.

• what made it memorable: For me its the players and seeing people of the 2000s- we wont have that again.

• lingering thoughts: Rudy quotes.

✦ FAVORITE MOMENTS

• Rudy

✦ CRITICISMS

• Nothing that’s fair for it being the first season.

✦ WHO WOULD LIKE THIS?

• best for fans of: Reality TV, People watching, Character studies

• best watched when: whenever!

• avoid if: you hate conflict and seeing people get mad or weird with each other.

SEASON RANKING: The best I’ve seen so far !

FAVORITE PLAYER: Rudy (Rest in Peace)

MOST ICONIC MOMENT: Rudy saying things.