Top 20 Tribal Councils of all time

There's been a lot of tribal councils in Survivor, and they're usually centre stage for drama one way or another. Here's a look at some of the best ones, trying to put as much variety as possible on the list.

Last-minute cuts include: Kat's blindside (One World), Judd hoping Stephenie "gets eaten by a freakin' crocodile" (Guatemala), Billy declaring his love for Candice (Cook Islands)

20. Francesca spars with Phillip (Redemption Island)

The Phillip/Francesca fight really kicked this season off with a bang, with the former Federal Agent spilling the beans on Francesca and Kristina's plans as well as being unable to pronounce her name, providing many laughs. The rivalry was memorable enough to get Francesca invited back for Caramoan, where she went home first again.

19. Janu's quit spares Stephenie (Palau)

Osten and NaOnka may have been more memorable quitters, but I like this tribal council because it made Stephenie one of my favorites. Seeing her pour her heart out and show how much she wanted to stay in the game really endeared me to her, and I was so glad for her when she got a reprieve.

18. Shane blindsided (Exile Island)

Shane's facial expressions said it all as he was taken aback by being sent home by Cirie in a very amusing exit. His final words? "Oh my God, I'm gonna have a cheeseburger in one minute".

17. Gretchen realizes "it's me" (Borneo)

This tribal council was mainly memorable for its context. In a 4-1-1-1-1-1-1 vote that would never happen in modern Survivor, the surprise on Gretchen's face as she is taken out by the Tagi alliance signals the start of underhand gameplay and the moment that Survivor as we know it began.

16. Kelly gets idoled out (Samoa)

It's never a fun way to go, but it sure is entertaining. The shocked looks on everyone's faces as Russell played his idol were glorious. It was a game-changer of a vote that really got Foa Foa back into the game, and Galu only have themselves to blame.

15. Margaret and Judd clash (Guatemala)

This one wasn't memorable for the vote-off, but it did have one of the most epic fights ever on the show. It doesn't take much to get Judd worked up, and seeing him making a real scene and yelling "You have A.D.D.!" at Margaret was quite a sight to behold.

14. Paschal picks purple (Marquesas)

This was a pretty extraordinary and unique moment in Survivor lore, where the final four of Marquesas fail to agree on who to vote off between Kathy and Neleh, and end up having to pick rocks as a tiebreaker. 26 seasons in, and judge Paschal is still the only person to leave the game this way.

13. Shannon blows up (Nicaragua)

Shannon Elkins, one of the biggest douchebags in Survivor history, ensured a memorable first tribal for the bratty younger tribe La Flor, unloading on Sash and accusing him of being gay. The playground level spat was made funnier by Sash's increasing awkwardness over the incident, and ended with Shannon getting exactly what he deserved.

12. Matt sent back to RI (Redemption Island)

I seriously doubt the producers expected the Redemption Island twist to turn into a revolving door, but it was funny when it happened to Matt Elrod. Bible boy dug his own grave when he confessed to Rob he had planned to betray him, and thus got paid back with a backstab.

11. Jeff Kent strikes out (Philippines)

This had everything a tribal council needs to be memorable. Revelations - such as Malcolm and Abi showing their idols, bickering, an explosive exit ("It's not even a million bucks, it's 600 grand after Obama takes it!") and best of all, a compete aura of uncertainty over how the vote is going to go down, even amongst the players.

10. The three amigos take out the Specialist (Caramoan)

After sitting pretty the whole game, suddenly Stealth R Us are forced to have to eat their own when Malcolm reveals his gamechanging second immunity idol. Plans are put into jeopardy, chaos is in the air, and it ends with SRU's glorious leader being taken out.

9. Amanda idols Alexis (Micronesia)

The stage was set for Amanda's finest acting job, as she tricks the Fans into thinking she's going home, before playing the idol nobody knew she had. Another memorable blindside of Micronesia, resorting in Alexis hobbling out of tribal council unceremoniously.

8. Leann blindsided (Vanuatu)

This was one of the most satisfying blindsides of the show as the hierarchy of the tribe is turned upside down and Leann leaves when she least expects it. It saved Vanuatu from becoming a boring, predictable season by paving Chris' path to victory and allowed Eliza revenge on the people who turned on her.

7. Randy uses a fake idol (Gabon)

One of the funniest and most embarrassing moments of the show, when Randy is given a fake idol by Bob that fails to save him and ends up in the fire. The reactions of Sugar and Crystal to seeing their nemesis fall really seal the deal.

6. Ozzy bindsided (Micronesia)

It's not just the blindside, it's the magnitude of the blindside that puts this on the list. Ozzy had seemed pretty untouchable up until this point so to see him get de-throned at his most confident was pretty epic. Eliza's reactions from the jury were also legendary.

5. The fall of the four Horsemen (Fiji)

With the four Horsemen feeling confident they had saved themselves by playing their idol on Alex, their cocky grins were quickly wiped out when they saw the Edgardo votes come in, realizing they had wasted their idol and had been outwitted by Earl again. A solid piece of Survivor strategy, it also helped that this was the most unlikeable alliance in a long time and thus it was fun to see them fail.

4. James takes two idols home (China)

Memorably stupid moments are always fun on Survivor. This one was made better by how risky the plan seemed, and the knife-edge tension during the idol window. After that, all that's left is some fun reaction shots as the James votes roll in. James is dumbfounded, Todd is feeling too guilty to even look up.

3. Parvati's double-idol play takes out J.T. (Heroes Vs Villains)

It was the decisive merge vote of Heroes Vs Villains, and it really did not disappoint. The culmination of a several episode-long story involving Russell playing double agent and getting J.T.'s immunity idol, it was so poetic to see the man himself get taken out by it. Parvati took a risk and doubled her odds by using TWO idols on her allies, securing the majority for her Villains and surprising everyone, including Russell. A masterful move from one of the best players ever.

2. Erik makes the dumbest move ever (Micronesia)

It's a moment that's equal measures baffling, cringe-worthy, frustrating and hilarious. While Erik will never be able to excuse giving up immunity and getting voted out, it definitely made for a memorable vote-off in a season full of blindsides.

1. Tyson votes himself out (Heroes Vs Villains)

Russell makes a bold move by giving his idol to Parvati when he knows he's on the block, something not many would have the balls to do. But it paid off due to Tyson's sheer stupidity, switching his vote from Russell to Parvati and effectively voting himself out. This is Survivor at its dramatic best - breathtaking craziness, hilarious irony, theatrical twists and an underdog group of three overthrowing an alliance twice their size who thought they had a foolproof plan.

The ranking of Survivor seasons *updated with s26*

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. PHILIPPINES - The three tribe twist worked fantastically well, all the returnees delivered and we got a season that was always interesting, from the decimation of Matsing to the chaotic post-merge.

9. 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.

10. CARAMOAN - The noise made by Brandon, Phillip and Shamar kind of drowned out everyone else at the beginning, but the season really exploded after the merge and was certainly never boring.

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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

Caramoan Episode 14: Dream Come True

Erik medevaced for too much thinking

The finale starts with a bang when before they can even let the dust settle on the last vote, Erik is lying down because his head is spinning. Right away Jeff is in camp and the Doctor checks Erik over. Eddie is an EMT so he's able to make his first legitimate contribution to the season. The Doctor decides to pull Erik from the game. They all say their goodbyes and we're down to four left already with the episode barely started!

2 fans, 2 Favorites. Eddie, who was resigned to going home just yesterday, now has the game within his reach. Cochran is trying to convince him to target Dawn in case he wins the next immunity. But the castaways are pretty relieved to find out it won't be an immunity challenge next, it'll be a reward.

Steady Eddie going for his first win

The challenge is to build a house of cards, which I affectionately refer to as the "Albert, drop your stack" challenge. The winner gets an advantage for the final immunity challenge. Sherri gets off to the best start but it's a challenge where you can fall very easily. Dawn takes the lead for a while, Eddie takes the lead for a while, before Cochran comes out of nowhere to become Sherri's main challenger. When Sherri's stack falls because she didn't move her tiles close enough, Cochran takes the challenge.

Sherri and Eddie decide to talk, wanting to work together for the first time in the game. Sherri doesn't want Dawn at the end because she's a mom with 6 kids. That might've worked in South Pacific, but there's not much love for Dawn here. Cochran is actually considering booting Dawn though, and is getting a little annoyed by her constant paranoia.

Final 4 hug

The final four are taken on a boat to do their fallen comrades, which Cochran is very excited for as a fan of the game. The first question Cochran asks is "Who was Allie?", which is probably what a lot of the audience is thinking too. Phillip gets a kind send-off. Malcolm is already having a third appearance being set up.

The immunity challenge involves retrieving bags of puzzle pieces, a big slide, and a torch puzzle. Cochran's advantage is that he doesn't have to untie all his bags, so obviously he flies through the first part really quickly. Cochran has a headstart for the puzzle but Dawn manages to overtake him at one point. Eddie has nothing. What a pathetic player. As Cochran and Dawn go back and forth, Eddie does finally get a piece, but it's Cochran that wins the challenge...making Dawn very happy.

Cochran is so cocky when he gets back to camp, talking as if he's already won. It seems to be all for the camera though, as he does admit he's conflicted as to whether he should vote out Dawn or Eddie. Eddie tries to persuade him to vote out Dawn. If he fails, his dreams of using the million to make a dog bar will never become a reality!

Eddie in the doghouse

At tribal council, Cochran says his decision will be based on his perception of what the jury want in a winner. Dawn's pitch is she's pretty much pissed off all the jury. Eddie points out that he hasn't been strategic and has only voted one person on the jury out. True, except that last part is a reason he'd probably win. Jeff asks Sherri how she feels about nobody wanting to vote her out and she says it's because she's been underestimated the whole game. When the vote comes out, Eddie's luck finally runs out and he becomes the final member of the jury.

So here we are, at the final three. They've all circled their names on the flag. "Tell me your definition of a pawn" Sherri asks Cochran. It's you, Sherri. She's not giving up though, pointing out her argument is that she had the disadvantage of not having played before. Meanwhile, Cochran is starting to get last minute doubts as he thinks about what he wants to say to the jury, his insecurities creeping back in.

No turning back now

So now it's final tribal council and time for the opening statements. Dawn gives a good opening talking about how she wasn't afraid to play the game. Sherri's opening is horrible as she admits to being rich and even stumbles halfway through due to nerves. Oh well, not like she was going to get any votes anyway. Cochran's speech is great, revealing his passion for playing Survivor and also staying humble.

The first juror to speak is Malcolm who tells Dawn she has to own her game if she wants votes. He gives Cochran a perfect opportunity to stroke his ego by asking him a narcissistic question. Sherri doesn't even get a question from Malcolm and Eddie's only contribution is to get the jury to laugh at her when she says she wasn't dragged. Eddie has spotted a disconnect between the emotional Dawn they all saw in the game and the ruthless backstabber she proved herself to be. Phillip is up next and he kicks Sherri out of Stealth R Us, berates Dawn for crying so much and calls Cochran a class act. Seems pretty clear where his vote is going.

Come at me, bro

Erik is surprisingly a dick to Sherri telling her she didn't do anything, and Sherri yells at him to sit down. Reynold is also feeling mean, but is actually the most entertaining juror, getting Dawn to prove she isn't a phony by hitting him with insults. Andrea is a nice juror and gives them a question about animals, in which Cochran compares himself to a chameleon.

Last up is icy Brenda, who asks Dawn if she really was going to quit if she hadn't found her retainer. When she says no, she orders Dawn to take out her teeth. Wow, what a remarkably nasty request. She does so, but the whole thing is incredibly uncomfortable.

And now the jury have voted. Only Phillip's vote is shown and it's for Intelligentsia Attache. When we get back to America for the vote reading, both women admit their chances are probably not good. They were right - neither get any votes and Cochran wins unanimously.

STAR OF THE WEEK: JOHN COCHRAN

Cochran really redeemed himself from a disastrous first season and earned himself a place in the last name hall of fame. He made moves when he needed to, he laid low when it was smart, and his social game was pretty strong.


NEXT TIME ON SURVIVOR: Is blood thicker than water? Find out if it is, and how the hell that's even relevant, on Survivor: Blood Vs Water.

Caramoan Episode 13: Lowe Blow

Erik attempts a prison break

Talking with Eddie, Cochran learns he might be next on the block if Eddie wins immunity. And rightly so too, he's played a very good game. Erik marks off his 70th day on Survivor but he doesn't seem to be enjoying it.  He's so hungry he even tries - and fails - to climb a huge tree in search of coconuts that are "laughing at him". Guy's gone nuts.

Smile, you're on SprintCam!

He does however perk up when Eddie brings the Sprint phone with the loved ones messages. We get to see Dawn's husband wish her a happy anniversary, Cochran's mom tell him about the importance of sunscreen (ha!) plus a few others.

At the challenge, Survivor history is made when Jeff breaks down at the reunion between Brenda and her dad. It is a really sweet moment though. "Look how far I got, daddy". Her dad apparently told her to be humble which explains a lot about her subdued presence this season.

The rest of the visitors come out to join the fun...Erik's brother, Sherri's husband, Cochran's mom, Eddie's dad and Dawn's husband. The challenge is for the couples to twist off poles and set them up to be a target for a bola throw. Cochran's mom is already apologizing because she knows she's going to suck. Erik and Richard take a huge lead with Brenda and Raymond not far behind. Cochran tells Jeff off for berating his mom in the challenge. It comes down to Erik, Brenda and Dawn - and Raymond gets the last shot in!

Team Brenda!

So Brenda wins the challenge and gets to choose someone to take on the reward. She chooses Dawn. Then Jeff drops the bombshell that everyone has a SECOND family member back on the boat, and that if she gives up their rewards she can give love to everyone else. She takes the selfless option obviously, but it feels pretty unfair to punish Dawn too.

So the four lucky Survivors get a party on the boat. Cochran's dad works the grill and Cochran finds it pretty funny that his dad is trying to be a cool guy all of a sudden. They know they are in full view of the two back at camp though, and Erik sends them some love. Dawn is furious to be missing out on the reward and Brenda has to calm her down.

Dawn can breathe easy for once

The immunity challenge sees the contestants suspended over water holding a rope behind their back. Challenge dominator Cochran is the first one in. Eddie is in next which sucks a bit of the suspense out. So it's down to just Dawn and Brenda. Dawn tries to get Brenda to quit, but she's not having any of it. Dawn does eventually win though, which Jeff incorrectly states is her first immunity win ever. Uh no, she won during the South Pacific merge episode too.

So Brenda thinks she's got the game won if she can just get Eddie out, then Cochran. But Cochran is talking about getting Brenda out, saying "likability is a liability". He thinks it'll be a hard sell, but Sherri seems willing to do it even before he opens his mouth. Now he just needs Dawn and although she recognizes Brenda as a threat, she's a little conflicted as to what her best move is strategically.

Everybody hurts: Brenda is left heartbroken

At tribal council, the tribe discuss the "easy vote" of Eddie, and Cochran slyly alludes to the fact that the easy vote isn't always the best vote. But even Eddie thinks it's his last night. We'll see if he's right. A 3-2-1 vote results in Brenda's throat being cut, and she lets them know immediately how much it hurts. Her torch is snuffed and she leaves tribal council a sobbing mess as funeral music plays her out. She didn't deserve that, but as Clint Eastwood would say, deserve's got nothing to do with it.

So poor Brenda learns the hard way that nice girls finish last. One episode remains to wrap this season up.

STAR OF THE WEEK: BRENDA LOWE

The sweetheart of the season got probably the most sympathetic send-off ever. It's amazing how effective she was at switching up her game from being the head bitch in charge to flying under the radar. But more importantly, she's just impossible to dislike. She may not have won the game, but she's a winner in life.

Caramoan Episode 12: Girlfight

So Reynold has just watched another one of his allies get voted out, but ever the optimist, is now hoping he can win "five immunity challenges in a row". Ok dude, let's see if this is as accurate as all your other predictions so far.

Reynold doesn't have a leg to stand on

Erik is bummed when tree mail indicates it's an immunity challenge, as he wanted a reward. The challenge is to stand on a platform in the water. Reynold knows he has to win. Probst tempts them with donuts, and Eddie and Erik step off. What the hell, Eddie? Cochran steps off for hot dogs. Soon Dawn and Sherri are off too, and we're left with just Reynold, Andrea and Brenda. When Reynold falls off, you'd think the challenge would be over, but Brenda and Andrea keep going. In the end, they decide to balance on one leg to finish out the challenge, and Brenda falls in to give Andrea immunity.

"Blindsides need to happen"

As per their agreement, Andrea shares the clue she won with Brenda. Soon everyone is out searching for the immunity idol. Erik and finds it and immediately hands it to Andrea which Cochran thinks is ridiculously dumb. I'm guessing the kid just didn't want the target on his back though, having stayed off the radar this long. What's the point in having an idol if everyone knows you have it?

At tribal council, Probst asks the girls why they carried on and Brenda's bullshit excuse is she wanted to "test herself". Reynold claims he's here to be utilized if they need him but the lack of scrambling can mean only one thing and Reynold is unceremoniously sent to the jury. Such a major character didn't deserve to have his boot overshadowed by a double elimination, but he seems to have enjoyed himself.

One last bro-fist

Later that night, Andrea approaches Cochran about blindsiding Brenda, citing her as a big immunity and jury threat. He's not on board though, and relays this info back to Brenda who decides to target Andrea right back.

The immunity challenge is a water/land hybrid that's not incredibly awkward and disjointed for once. Players have to take their puzzle bag across the course and then build a staircase with planks at the end. Erik and Brenda race into the lead, with only Sherri struggling in the water. The staircase construction trips several people up, mainly Andrea, but Erik manages to fly through it and win immunity. About time!

Target acquired

Andrea thinks a Brenda blindside is set and begins to fill everyone in. Eddie is happy that he finally thinks he's in the loop. Oh, Eddie. Cochran becomes suspicious of Andrea's protectiveness of Eddie and begins to surmise that she has more plans with him than she lets on. Fearing he's being replaced, Cochran is ready to pull the trigger and finally make a big move happen...just not the one Andrea wants.

Of course, it could all backfire if Andrea plays her idol, so Cochran is proposing they split the vote. Erik, who is playing both sides, is also turning out to be quite a variable. He considers himself a powerful player because everyone wants his vote.

Front row seats to a good ol' blindside

Now to tribal council, but first, let's take a moment to admire Reynold's goofy mustache on the jury. Cochran and Andrea both admit openly they're lying to people. Conversation moves onto the not-so-hidden idol and Andrea admits she might play it. But does she? She does not, and she may come to regret it. The Andrea votes pile up on top of Brenda and Eddie votes, and it's shocking enough to make her yell "WHAT!??". Sorry girl, it happened again. Ever the gamer, when she is voted out she takes it well.

Andrea gets to take home a necklace for her troubles, but one of these six players will get to take home a million dollars, and we're two episodes away from finding out who that is.

STAR OF THE WEEK: ERIK REICHENBACH

Not gonna lie, Erik has been kind of a dud this season. But I think he deserves more credit than he's getting for his under the radar game. Giving the idol to Andrea may have turned out to be smart, he's everybody's friend right now and I'm sure he's about to unleash his inner challenge beast after presumably sandbagging individual immunities up until this point.