The ranking of Survivor seasons *updated with S24*

1. PEARL ISLANDS - The perfect Survivor season. Memorable, larger-than-life characters like Rupert and Jonny Fairplay, unpredictable boot order and an Outcast twist that, whilst unfair, added lots of new dimensions to the season.

2. COOK ISLANDS - In a word, epic. To watch 20 people in 4 tribes battle it out to get down to 1 was a great journey, particularly once the Aitu Four staged their amazing comeback. Yul was a likeable and worthy winner, and Cao Boi was amusing.

3. HEROES VS VILLAINS - A fanboy’s wet dream. Pitting so many big characters against each other was sure to guarantee explosive confrontations and memorable moments, and it did not disappoint.

4. MICRONESIA - A great concept, but the Fans tribe was laughably bad. After that initial mismatch, the game changed and one of the most successful and ruthless alliances of all time (the all-female Black Widow Brigade) emerged. Cue blindsides galore and memorably stupid moments like Jason’s stick and Erik giving up immunity.

5. CHINA - Beautiful location, inventive and unique challenges, and one of the best casts ever (even Chicken is memorable) make it another great season. Todd is one of the few strategists to backstab and still win. The James blindside was great.

6. VANUATU - Chris had one of the best winner’s stories ever, to come back after being outnumbered by 6 women. This season also introduces the adorably paranoid Eliza. Underrated.

7. NICARAGUA - Fabio is one of the most likeable winners ever. Constantly unpredictable, there were many memorable moments, from fiery tribal councils to a double quit, and great characters like Marty and Brenda.

8. PALAU - Despite no original gimmick, still ends up being one of the most unique seasons as one tribe decimated the other. Thus, it was a season of two halves. Stephenie emerged as a true hero.

9. SAMOA - Russell was the star of the show, but a lot of the rest of the cast left a lot to be desired.

10. TOCANTINS - Coach’s crazy antics were the highlight of the season. He was a joy to watch, you never knew what he’d do next. Credit to runner-up Stephen Fishbach, an expert strategist overshadowed by the charming J.T.

11. ALL STARS - Probably the most drama-filled season of all. The competition was dominated by Boston Rob physically and tactically, and he left a lot of people angry and bitter. Amber and Rob also gave us the first on-screen Survivor romance.

12. EXILE ISLAND - Worth watching for Shane alone. But this season also contained Terry’s amazing immunity run and competition with Aras, and the evolution of Cirie, now one of Survivor’s best ever players.

13. GUATEMALA - Physical, brutal season with some great confrontations (Jamie vs. Bobby Jon, Judd vs. everyone), but a lacklustre winner keeps it in the bottom half.

14. GABON - Probably the most personal and nastiest season, the personal grudges and Randy’s intense dislike of everyone and everything was awesome. But at least a good guy won in the end. It also had one of the worst tribes ever, Fang, and one of the show’s biggest surprises, Sugar.

15. AMAZON - Cesternino’s wit made this worth watching and kept the power shifts interesting. Jenna and Heidi add eye candy. However, the cast in general wasn’t the best.

16. ONE WORLD - Kim's a great player but not great TV, and the season didn't have as many shake-ups as it should've done given the twist. The cast was decent, but not amazing. Colton created more awkwardness than entertainment.

17. FIJI - Easily the worst twist, but the Dreamz car deal and the fall of the four horsemen were both memorable moments. Earl, Yau Man and Michelle were all cool characters.

18. SOUTH PACIFIC - So many of the previous seasons problems flared up again, and in many cases even worse. I rate it slightly higher because it had one of the most realistic casts for years, an exciting and evenly-matched pre-merge and because Coach is still cool even as a gamebot.

19. REDEMPTION ISLAND - Started strong, but too many big characters getting voted out early lead to one of the most predictable and one-sided seasons ever. The Redemption Island twist failed, as did the "Rob vs Russell" twist. No season that introduced the craziness of Phillip could ever be a total loss, though.

20. AUSTRALIA - The first ever evacuation, a handful of memorable characters like Jerri and Colby, and an unexpected winner makes this one of the best of the early seasons of Survivor.

21. BORNEO - The season that started it all. It’s interesting to see the birth of the show’s gameplay and pioneer Richard Hatch in action, but it’s also frustratingly slow in places and hadn’t quite reached its potential yet.

22. AFRICA - The best thing about Africa was Lex. Ethan was a likeable winner, but had it far too easy. There was the first and best tribe swap, and a look at the community outside of the game.

23. MARQUESAS - Most boring cast/winner ever. Boston Rob was the only person worth rooting for and even he was at his worst. The best thing this season gave us was the coconut chop challenge, now a staple of the show.

24. THAILAND - Was a drag to get through at times. Shii Ann was one of the few redeeming qualities. However, Brian Heidik is pretty much the perfect Survivor player.

One World Episode 14: Kimmunity

Chelsea is delighted that Tarzan has gone home. Kim is impressed with how far they've come...from struggling and starving in the rain, to the last five standing. Next morning, Kim proposes to Sabrina that Chelsea should go, which shocks her. She thought they were tight, but instead Kim is thinking of taking out a jury threat and taking the useless Christina. This makes Sabrina think twice about Kim - is she on the chopping block if Chelsea wins immunity?

Kim heading for the top

The five girls compete for a 1 in 4 shot at the final and Christina surprisingly takes the lead. The next stage is to walk over a maze. Alicia and Chelsea come out first. Alicia unties the wrong bag to put Chelsea in the lead. The puzzle becomes a three horse race between Kim, Alicia and Chelsea. Kim makes it to the top of the tower first, but can't get it right. Alicia also goes up and fails. The girls both go back down. Chelsea is in on it now. With all three of them working their combination locks, who will snatch it first? It turns out to be Kim.

Kim is relieved to be safe, but she now has to consider her options, and is torn between getting rid of Alicia and getting rid of Chelsea. Every vote has an impact on how it goes down. Chelsea feels completely safe because of her friendship with Kim. Christina and Alicia both think that Kim is voting Chelsea out with them.

At a very Kim-centric tribal council, Jeff weighs up the criteria of how to vote someone out and offers everyone the chance to give some last words to Kim. The votes comes down and Alicia and Chelsea await finding out which way she's gonna swing. The vote is 3-2 with Alicia going home. She regrets her decision to vote out Tarzan and seems a little mad that Christina has outlasted her, but is overall in decent spirits and not bitter at Kim - unlike most of the jury.

Up in smoke: Tribute to the fallen survivors

Christina returns to camp having voted in the minority, and feels like she's on the block. Not necessarily true though, all the girls are looking at her as a favourable opponent. The four girls go on the final torchwalk, something which I am happy to see come back. We learn that Matt is still delusional, thinking he played the best game, Kim considers Colton and Troyzan her biggest strategic threats, and that Tarzan considers himself an alpha male playing as a beta male. The four watch the bonfire, appreciative of their cast.

Kim, calm, collected

The final immunity challenge is like a delicate game of operation. Kim takes the lead, with Chelsea behind her but pacing herself. Christina emerges as a surprise contender, impressively managing to keep up with Kim as late as round 8. The wind proves a bigger obstacle for Christina, who has to slow down to avoid her stack spilling. Kim takes the lead and wins her 4th and most important immunity.

Eh, I had a good run

Christina goes up to Kim and says she'd rather just know. When Kim reveals that it is her, Christina sighs and doesn't fight it - which starts to make Kim have second thoughts about voting her out. At tribal council, Christina even admits she gave up, and for some reason attacks Sabrina for being undeserving. Kim's last response is to assert that Christina would be a good opponent and maybe not everything is as it seems. However, in a surprising move Christina is actually voted out, with one of the most pathetic exits ever. To be fair to her, she was slated to go episode 1 and made it to the final four.

Sabrina is totally overwhelmed by the experience. She wants to go back and tell her kids everything. The three girls all sit down and eat, Chelsea says her reward is the experience and Kim talks about her year, which has included a rough divorce.

Sabrina overcome by the experience

Here we are: final tribal council. The jury gets a chance to speak. Chelsea's opening speech, which she stands for, is horrible and basically a great advert for a Kim win. Kim talks about how hard she played and asks for forgiveness. Sabrina talks about how her levelheaded approach was smart.

Kat speaks from her heart

Jonas is soft on the final three but seems to bash several jury members. He makes Chelsea admit to booting Kat. Christina asks Chelsea "why do you hate people?". Tarzan shows off his vocabulary and talks about himself. Half of them just want to know why they were voted out, which Kim answers honestly and respectfully...doesn't seem to placate Troyzan though. Alicia gives a deluded speech about how awesome she is. Kat closes it up and says despite how hurt she was, she doesn't want the jury to base their vote on anger.

Troyzan votes for Sabrina ("take care, comb your hair"). Kat votes for Kim ("If I didn't vote for you tonight, I would not have learned a damn thing in this game"). Jeff takes the votes back to the U.S. and gets ready to read them. In a 6-2-0 vote, the winner of One World is....Kim.

STAR OF THE WEEK: KIM SPRADLIN

There has never been a more obvious winner, but that just proves how deserving she was. She was head and shoulders above everyone else with her Boston Rob-like dominance. The most impressive I've ever seen a first-timer play and maybe the best female player ever.


Next time on Survivor...The show heads to the Philippines and goes back to three tribes, with second chances for three medevacs. Could that include Mike Skupin, who hasn't been on the show since season 2?

One World Episode 13: Warrior Poet

Tarzan has a gameplan. Finally! Up until now he'd just been going any way the wind blows. He tells Kim he thinks he can get the jury to vote for her, so they need to take out Chelsea and Sabrina next. Alicia agrees, but then again, Tarzan has also told her that he can sway the jury for her. Be careful Tarzan, wouldn't want to get voted out just as you start playing.

No reward for you: Chelsea wants
to kick Christina's sweet ass

Chelsea tries to turn Christina against Alicia and Tarzan by pointing out the obviousness of their alliance, and offers to take her on a reward. However, when Chelsea goes out for a swim, Christina tells everyone else what she said. Kim's first thought is "did Chelsea blow my cover?" Playing both sides can be a good position, but it's not a secure one, when all it takes is one conversation to leave you exposed. Kim tells Chelsea what Christina did and Chelsea gets pissed.

The reward challenge involves unscrewing three discs and using them as a decoder to find the combination for the lever at the end. Sabrina takes an early lead on the first two rounds, with Kim behind her. On the decoder wheel, some different people start getting their heads in front, with Chelsea first to the lever and Alicia right behind. Both girls take a few tries to get it, but in the end, the reward goes to...Chelsea!

Chelsea picks Sabrina because it's the fair thing to do. And then who else? Kim, of course. The girl who gets picked for everything. The three of them go on a boat and Chelsea gets cleaned up real good. The ladies then pledge to go to the final three together.

Kimsea on their honeymoon

The three back at camp are also pledging to go to the final three. Tarzan reminds the girls that he's going to be an easier opponent than Kim or Chelsea, and they've gotta go. Christina even reiterates this in front of his face, which is not only pretty dumb, but she's hardly one to talk. A final three between these people would be hilarious, but also depressing, because one of them would have to win.

Don't wanna be Tarzaned

Tarzan continues his unsanitary behaviour, once again proving himself the tribemate from Hell. Kim tries to turn Alicia against Tarzan, by convincing her that some of the men on the jury would rather die than see a woman win. She also exposes some of the double-dealing he's been doing. And Alicia buys it all. Just when you thought she couldn't look any stupider, she then calls herself "Queen of the social game". Delusional as usual.

Not the first time Alicia has had a bone in her mouth

Jeff calls them all in for the immunity challenge, which is constructing a fish skeleton with one hand behind your back. Kim hooks it first, Alicia's behind her, Tarzan seems to be doing surprisingly well too...I guess this challenge is more up the surgeon's alley. Kim blows her lead which opens the door for Alicia. Starting to drop a few, Kim rushes to finish, but Alicia beats her to the punch and wins immunity.

Alicia is very happy with her win. Chelsea knows she's on the chopping block but Kim thinks she can save her. She asks Kim to use her idol on her but Kim basically tells her she's not worth it. The thing that'll piss Chelsea off the most is being beaten by Christina, but Sabrina is hopeful Chelsea can see another day...she knows how good Kim is. Another person who knows how good Kim is is Tarzan, who seems well aware he might be a target tonight also. He's trying hard to make himself seem as appealing an opponent as possible - putting Kat's underwear on his head, for one. Alicia is going into tribal torn on what to do - stick with her alliance, or cut the wildcard loose?

Mike gives an indicator of Tarzan's winning chances

At tribal council, Tarzan reiterates that he can't win. Sabrina meanwhile says she can win - is that really a wise thing to remind people? Christina reveals she was annoyed Chelsea broke her word about taking her on a reward but Chelsea says she did because Christina also broke her word. They go to vote, and Tarzan gets the chop. He stands up and thanks the women for letting them make it as far as he did, and Mike flips him off from the jury. Tarzan's final words are great, he gives us a little poem and a Tarzan yell.

So there we have it...five girls left and nowhere to hide. Next episode we'll know who our winner is.

STAR OF THE WEEK: ALICIA ROSA

I'm starting to appreciate Alicia a little more. She was kind of a fun presence in this episode. Maybe I'm just softening because I know she has no chance of winning anymore. But she must have been doing something right to have control of three votes as late as final six.

One World Episode 12: Kat The Brat

Alicia's review of tribal council is that Christina is dumb (lay off her for once, geez) and Sabrina is a big threat because of how well-spoken she is. Alicia thinks she's controlling everything. Delusional as usual.

The box of power!

Sabrina and Alicia go to fetch tree mail and yell as soon as they see the Sprint logo. They take it back to camp and see messages from Sabrina's brother, Alicia's sister, Chelsea and Christina's dads, Kim's sister, Kat's cousin and Tarzan's wife. Sabrina thinks Tarzan and Christina need this the most (Tarzan because he's been in a 30-year marriage, and Christina because her dad has kidney problems and might not have long left to live), so she's playing this next challenge for them.

Chelsea shows her softer side

At the challenge, everyone greets their loved ones. Kat gets particularly excited and is even crawling across the floor at one point and "speaking her own language". Tarzan receives his wife Terri and talks about the "quantum entanglement" the two of them have. Jeff reveals the loved one will be competing in the challenge with them, and the two of them will have to navigate a rope maze to win the chance to spend more time together.

You'd think Sabrina and her athletic-looking brother Justin would be the favorites, but the two of them barely get started. Kat, Chelsea and Kim are the frontrunners for the competition, and it ends with Kat and her cousin Robby winning out and celebrating outrageously. She has to pick two people and picks...Kim and Alicia. Really? Haven't they gone on enough rewards?

So the three of them all tuck in to their meal and tell their family members about how the game has gone so far. The three of them are confident they're gonna be the final three. Even on a reward, Kim is strategizing, telling her sister she thinks her best chance is the other two because she thinks she can beat them.

A model of success

Back at camp, Sabrina is pissed that Kat didn't choose Tarzan and Christina, and saw it as a selfish move. It is in fact reason enough to vote Kat off, for her. Amazingly Tarzan disagrees with this, saying Kat's not a "thinker". Dude, you shouldn't be fighting any name that isn't your own at this stage.

Chelsea is totally down for doing Kat next, but when Kim gets back, she says she wants Sabrina out instead. Neither are favorable prospects at the end: Sabrina because she's smart, and Kat because they know Troyzan is rooting for her. Kim is starting to rethink her strategy of not coming off as a threat in immunity challenges, and decides going to tribal council without the necklace is just too risky.

Over troubled waters: Jeff turns the screw

The challenge sees them suspended over water holding onto a rope. Jeff is turning a crank that slowly lowers them, making the challenge more difficult as it goes along. Sabrina drops out of the challenge first, giving Alicia a big old grin. Tarzan and Alicia drop out next, followed by Chelsea. Christina's doing good, but then she steps down. We're one hour in now, and it's between Kat and Kim. Kim is calm and collected. Kat is frustrated because Kim wins everything. In the end, Kat's fingers are hurting too much and she drops out, giving Kim immunity. Kat rebuffs Kim's attempts for a high five and enters a sulk. She later says she was "embarrassed" she lost to someone older than her. Wow.

Alicia has had a change of heart, after seeing how badly Sabrina did at the challenge and how well Kat did. Kim is still trying to get Sabrina out though, and talks to Tarzan about it. "Alright, boss lady" he slyly tells her. Can Chelsea and Alicia win Kim over? She's not budging.

At tribal council, Kat comes under fire for some of her selfish behaviour over the past few days, starting with the decision to pick Kim and Alicia on the reward, and also snubbing Kim at the immunity challenge. Kat talks about how cool and fun a blindside is, a comment she's bound to regret later.

Kat looks confused, again

The votes come in, and it's a brutal one. Kat gets the blindside she wanted, but it's her that goes, not Sabrina.  The shell-shocked girl grabs her torch and cries on her way out and through her final words. So, for once Kim didn't get what she wanted...and she's starting to break hearts. Could she be losing her grip on this game? We're so close to the end now, it's going to be tough.

STAR OF THE WEEK: KAT EDORSSON

Kat was kind of a brat in places this week, but I still felt bad for her. She's generally pretty harmless and has contributed many hilarious moment throughout the season and tonight at the reward. Losing my two favourites back to back sucks, particularly as I didn't see this one coming at all and thought she was good for the final three.