Survivor New Era Hot Takes

A Little Background

My daughter got me into Survivor when I was at a time in my life when I really needed many, many hours of escapism tv to get through the aftermath of a traumatic event. And Survivor rose to the top in delivering countless (well, actually it is countable but a very large number) hours of rich entertainment that was completely separate from the "real" world. I am eternally grateful for what Survivor provided me during that difficult time. However, Island of the Idols came along and shifted the Survivor space to a place that was not emotionally safe for me. I almost gave up on the show completely. But recently, my daughter talked me into watching one of the new era seasons (44) with the promise that the new era was amazing (and much safer, emotionally). I'm hooked again!

New Era Hot Takes

Diving in head first, I basically can not stop watching and eagerly awaited every episode of Season 48. Now that 48 is over, I have some thoughts on what I love about the new era (> 40) and also things that I miss from the old era (<=40).

Love, Love, Love

• By Season 44, the production staff has really hit its stride with beautiful and compelling storytelling, backed by a cast of diverse players and top notch cinematography. I think of this show as the (rare) tv equivalent of This American Life, one of the deepest compliments I can bestow.

• The diversity of casting in the new era, though well overdue, is so welcome and has produced some of the most interesting game play in the show's history. I love all the unique voices and perspectives on the game.

Things I miss

• This is probably informed by the fact that I am a 50-something woman whose entire career has been spent in male dominated tech work (meaning I've long ago come to feel that "guys" means any gender and certainly includes me), but I kinda miss "come on in, guys!" I assume it was changed based on feedback from younger generations. It was probably the right thing to do. And I miss it. Nostalgia is a powerful feeling :wry-smile:

• Family visits. Enough said, right? So much fun to watch and routinely revealed a lot about the players by getting to see how they interacted with their loved one. If there is anyway to bring it back in the future, especially for special seasons like 50, it would be amazing!

• A wider variety of challenge types. The formula has gotten a little predictable. For example, the first immunity challenge is always a multi-stage highly physical challenge that requires mostly brute strength with a puzzle at the end that is almost always the determining factor of who wins the challenge. Beyond that, I feel the formula for challenges doesn't offer enough different ways for players that are older or less athletic to shine. Basically, it feels like it's compressed the player age range and skill set that can reasonably compete, especially in the pre-merge. Pre-merge votes seem to only be driven by alliances or the level of physical strength that the player brings (other attributes I'd love to see highlighted more are balance, agility, creative problem solving, memory skills, being good with word puzzles, being observant to their surroundings, amongst others.

A Few Other Complaints, I mean errrr, Constructive Feedback

• Journeys are getting a little stale. I personally would like a tad fewer journeys and more of the "sneak around in the middle of the night" or "accomplish something in a public place". I'd love to see the type of journey that offers a collaborative opportunity between the journey takers.

• With the 26 day season, all swaps seem to be