History Recap / Survivor

* For the first time, an individual immunity challenge was held before the merge, resulting in both tribes voting one member out in that episode.

* Double tribal councils were also held.

* Hidden Immunity Idols were also secreted onto each tribe's camps, and one challenge has both tribes vying for Individual Immunity, as both went to Tribal Council at the same time.

* Besides Hidden Immunity Idols, teamwork-based challenges are more apparent due to the age disparity. Also, a tribe swap and a double Tribal Council were featured in this season.

* The season also saw a "do-it-yourself" competition without Jeff Probst officiating, as well as Hidden Immunity Idols.

* This season saw the introduction of a super-secret idol that could be played ''after'' votes were read.

* In place of Redemption Island used in the last ''Blood vs. Water'' season, ''San Juan Del Sur'' brought back the Exile Island twist after a five-year absence.

* The season also set a record for contestants [[NonGameplayElimination medically evacuated]], with three having to be pulled from the game.
* Kaôh Rōng was the final season where Survivor would travel to different countries for the settings, as the following season would set the game at a permanent place for the rest of the franchise.

* The traditional end-of-season reunion show, gathering players together months after filming for a live reveal of the winner, was dropped and replaced. The winners are instead announced on-site immediately after voting, and the usual "reunion" discussions with castaways are held right afterward on the Tribal Council set during the beginning of production's wrap party.

* This season is infamous for the first [[NonGameplayElimination forced evacuee]]: Michael Skupin, who burnt his hands on a bonfire. It's also well-known for Colby Donaldson's individual immunity challenge streak and the tension between him and Jerri Manthey. Home season of Elizabeth Hasselbeck, who became a panelist for ''Series/TheView'' for ten years.

* This was one of the few seasons where Jeff offered the castaways a chance to mutiny from their tribes, and the only season where two of them (Johnathan Penner and Candice Woodcock) took the offer and defected from Aitutaki to Rarutonga.

* '''Winner:''' [[spoiler:Mike Gabbler of Meridian, Idaho]]

* First season where the Shot in the Dark was successful, with Kaleb Gabrewold nullifying a unanimous vote against him and forcing a revote.

* The only season to last 42 days, instead of 39 (pre-ReTool) or 26 (post-ReTool). First season to use previous votes as the method of breaking ties.

* The series featured day-one individual Immunity Idols for each tribe which ensured the winner's immunity during his/her tribe's first Tribal Council. The Exile Island system is played again, except this time one player from each tribe would be sent there and compete for a Hidden Immunity Idol. The season is also notable for an even-numbered jury (eight) and the return of the two-person finals. Jonathan Penner (returning from ''Cook Islands'') had to be evacuated due to a knee injury that turned into an infection.

* The first season to air on HD. The season retains last season's one-shot Immunity Idols, Exile Island (with the exile having to choose between luxury throughout his/her stay and immunity upon return), Hidden Immunity Idols for each tribe, and a double Tribal Council.

* A first-impression vote by castaways "eliminated" two who would be a liability and thus "cannot make it into the journey", [[ExactWords only to realize that by "journey" Probst meant a four-hour trek, and those two "liabilities" were airlifted directly to their camps]]. The one-time Immunity Idols also make a return, as well as Exile Island, except this time the member of a losing tribe chosen by the winners [[TakingYouWithMe can also bring one of their own]]. First season to not have a tribe swap or other disruption in any form since the idea was introduced in ''Africa''; this and the next few seasons would prefer an early merge instead. This is generally the season where the show started embracing the CreatorsPet, this time being Ben "Coach" Wade.

* After some reward challenges, a member of the winning tribe will go to the losing tribe's camp, where he/she will tip one of them to a Hidden Immunity Idol.

* [[MilestoneCelebration Celebrating the series' 10th anniversary]], the castaways are split, based on their previous strategies, between Heroes ([[{{Face}} players known for their integrity, courage and honor]]) and Villains ([[{{heel}} players known for their manipulation, deceptions and duplicity]]).
* Hidden Immunity Idols were also secreted onto each tribe's camps, and one challenge has both tribes vying for individual immunity, as both went to tribal council at the same time.

* Besides Hidden Immunity Idols, teamwork-based challenges are more apparent due to the age disparity. Also, tribe swaps and double tribal councils were featured in this season.
* This season is the only the Medallion of Power, a one-shot item which gives winners advantages in challenges, then passed on to the opposing tribe. This lasted until the team swap.
* This season is infamous for featuring two quits in one night, resulting in the rules changed for anyone who quits during the jury phase.

After ''Winners at War'', the show was forced to take a year off due to being unable to film during the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic. Production took this time to ReTool the show, overall increasing the risk of various aspects:

* Supplies are reduced, and losing tribe challenges now inflicts a penalty; most often having their flint confiscated.
* So far, all seasons have featured 18 players split among three tribes; where before there could be 18 or 20 players, and it was more common to have two tribes.
* Season titles have been simplified, abandoning subtitles in favor of just the season number.

** Once each round during the tribal phase, one player from each tribe is sent off to compete in a PrisonersDilemma or similar task, where winners can gain an advantage and losers lose their vote.

* The era also incorporates new pro-diversity practices: Anti-sexual harassment rules now come into effect after the incident in ''Island of the Idols''; and in the wake of 2020's UsefulNotes/{{Black Lives Matter|Movement}} protests and pressure from Black former contestants, CBS had committed to updating casting so that ''Survivor'' and their other reality shows have 50% or more people of color. Jeff also checked with the contestants in ''41'' on whether he should continue referring to them collectively as "guys", and decided to drop it in the interest of gender-neutrality.

* Many of the changes made for ''41'' are still in place, including a 26-day schedule, Beware Advantages, the Shot in the Dark, changing history, and Do or Die; the "Game Within the Game" is the only major element that did not return. A new advantage called the "Advantage Amulet" was introduced. This is a three-way shared advantage that grows in power when one of the holders is voted out (three amulets together create an Extra Vote, two creates a Vote Steal, and the last remaining amulet gives it the power of a hidden immunity idol).

* The game so far follows the previous year's format with a shortened schedule, reduced supplies, and various mechanics involving vote gambling. However, the changing history and Do or Die twists have been retired.

* Idols are no longer bound to Beware Advantages like they were three seasons prior. Instead, the Tribal Idols are locked in bird cages out in the open and the castaways must find a key to open it. These idols were also accompanied by pre-made fake idols that castaways could use to deceive the others (castaways had been making fake idols at least as far back as ''Fiji'', but this is the first time production provided some).

* [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness As opposed to later seasons]], the winner was announced on-site (this would not happen again until the post-COVID-19 pandemic ReTool starting with ''41'').

* After being on hiatus for a year thanks to COVID-19, ''Survivor'' returns with a ReTool.
** In terms of presentation, the title format abandoned subtitles in favor of just the season number. The show also now incorporates occasional behind-the-scenes shots, footage and photos from the players' lives at home, and times where Jeff Probst addresses the audience directly. A "Survivor Sanctuary" is established as a recurring location for challenge rewards (though it isn't seen more than once in a season until ''43''). A rebus puzzle is also hidden in each episode, as part of a ''Game Within the Game'' for kids intended to help train future ''Survivor'' players along with [[http://www.survivorgwg.com further word scrambles and strategy discussions online]].
** Regarding game mechanics, the game is shortened by two weeks, to 26 days instead of the usual 39 to accommodate a COVID quarantine period; and the accelerated pace is compensated for by reducing supplies and inflicting penalties for losing challenges. Other new mechanics are added that involve players gambling with their votes, including PrisonersDilemma situations, Hidden Idols replaced by "Beware Advantages" that can penalize the players until their advantage is activated, and the "Shot in the Dark" where a player in danger can exchange their vote for a slim chance at last-minute immunity. Other one-time twists include "change history", where a tribe member is sent to Exile Island at the merge but is given the opportunity to reverse Immunity Challenge results; and "Do Or Die", where coming in last in an Individual Immunity Challenge means facing a MontyHallProblem that will result in either Immunity or immediate elimination.
* The season also incorporates new pro-diversity practices: Anti-sexual harassment rules now come into effect after the incident in ''Island of the Idols''; and in the wake of 2020's UsefulNotes/{{Black Lives Matter|Movement}} protests and pressure from Black former contestants, CBS had committed to updating casting so that ''Survivor'' and their other reality shows have 50% or more people of color. Jeff also checked with the contestants on whether he should continue referring to them collectively as "guys".
* Like with ''Winners at War'', the season did not have a traditional reunion show due to the aforementioned protocols. The winner was instead announced on-site immediately after voting (for the first time since the original ''Borneo''), and the usual "reunion" discussions with castaways were held right afterward on the Tribal Council set during the beginning of production's wrap party.

* First season since the ReTool to include a tribe swap, and the first since ''Worlds Apart'' to include an auction "challenge". The Beware Advantages returned after a season off, along with the Advantage Amulet from ''Survivor 42''.

* First season since the ReTool to include a tribe swap, and the first since ''Worlds Apart'' to include an auction "challenge". The Beware Advantages returned after a season off, along with the Advantage Amulet from ''Survivor 42''. First season where the Shot in the Dark was successful, with Kaleb Gabrewold nullifying a unanimous vote against him and forcing a revote.

* [[MilestoneCelebration Celebrating the series' 10th anniversary]], the castaways are split, based on their previous strategies, between Heroes ([[{{Face}} players known for their integrity, courage and honor]]) and Villains ([[{{heel}} players known for their manipulation, deceptions and duplicity]]). Hidden Immunity Idols were also secreted onto each tribe's camps, and one challenge has both tribes vying for individual immunity, as both went to tribal council at the same time. Continuing from ''Samoa'', most of the camera time continued to be focused on Russell Hantz.

* Like the previous season, the two tribes were "led" by two returning players, Redemption Island was also in play, as well as two Hidden Immunity Idols. This was the last season to include a {{Recap Episode}} in its run.

* In an unusual twist, both tribes shared a single camp for the majority of the season. The season also saw a "do-it-yourself" competition without Jeff Probst officiating, as well as Hidden Immunity Idols. The tribe swap would return as a show staple after a hiatus (appearing in only one of the prior six seasons, ''Nicaragua''), now permanently as a random draw as opposed to the various ways of picking new tribes used before.

* Last season to feature a retrospective segment in its finale, where the finalists reflect on the eliminated players and their time in the game.

* An "extra vote" advantage was introduced which allowed whoever was in possession of it the ability to vote twice for one Tribal Council. Last season to include an auction "challenge" for several years, before returning in ''Survivor 45''.

* For the first time, the cast was decided by a fan vote, with the results announced at the ''Worlds Apart'' finale and the selected castaways sent off to play that same night. The season also featured the first time that the number of tribes was increased during a tribe shuffle. Another new twist is that Hidden Immunity Idols are now hidden in places where there's a much higher chance of being caught, such as during challenges or even underneath the tribe shelter.

* A second "Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty" season after ''Cagayan''. For the first time, two Hidden Immunity Idols could be merged into a special "Super Idol" that could be used ''after'' the votes had been read, and it saw the first time a ''jury member'' was voted off the jury by a surviving contestant (a concept the producers had been considering for a few years prior). The season also set a record for contestants [[NonGameplayElimination medically evacuated]], with three having to be pulled from the game.

* While ''Panama'' and ''Nicaragua'' also had age-based tribes, this is the first time that TheGenerationGap became the theme of the season. This is the first season where production, including both tribes, were forced to evacuate for a night due to a cyclone/hurricane, which could have killed someone. The first season set in Fiji's Mamanuca Islands, which would become the show's permanent filming location from then on.

* A reunion season of 20 returning castaways, all renowned specifically for strategic gameplay. For the first time, two tribes went together at a tribal council to vote someone off together. This season also set a record of the most immunities at a tribal council, with five people immune at a six person tribal, resulting in an elimination without any votes.

* The season was loaded with secrets -- secret idols, secret advantages, etc. -- though as Jeff pointed out in the finale, almost none of the castaways were able to ''keep'' those secrets. It also debuted a new system to choose the Final Three, where the final Immunity winner could choose one other player to go forward and the remaining two players would compete in a fire-making challenge to be the third finalist.

* ''Ghost Island'' is themed after the series' infamous EpicFail moments, with many misused idols and other advantage items making a return and the new castaways are challenged to use them ''correctly'' this time. Ghost Island itself is the Exile Island system from previous seasons under a new name. It also had the first time that the final vote resulted in a tie (resolved by the third finalist casting the tiebreaker).

* The first season since ''Blood vs. Water'' to mix returning players with new players, with four returnees being involved. Another "Island" twist is introduced, called "the Edge of Extinction": evicted castaways are presented with the option of staying in, and if they take it then (like Redemption Island) they are sent to a desolate beach with no supplies to wait until they're given a chance to return. Unlike Redemption Island, multiple players are allowed to stay at once and participation is optional, but all information is given on a need-to-know basis -- most players didn't learn the Edge of Extinction existed until it was time for someone to come back. The jury is also changed to include all players facing Extinction, even pre-merge evictees.

* After some reward challenges, a member of the winning tribe will go to the losing tribe's camp, where he/she will tip one of them to a Hidden Immunity Idol. Double tribal councils were also held. In one of the most harrowing scenes in the series, Russell Swan nearly died in the middle of a challenge from dehydration and had to be evacuated. The game was dominated, gameplay-wise and screentime-wise, by Russell Hantz. Starting with ''Samoa'', ''Survivor'' would have a filming schedule where they film two seasons back-to-back in the same location.

* Besides Hidden Immunity Idols, teamwork-based challenges due to the age disparity, tribe swaps and double tribal councils, this season introduces the Medallion of Power, a one-shot item which gives winners advantages in challenges, then passed on to the opposing tribe.

* This season is infamous for the first [[NonGameplayElimination forced evacuee]]: Michael Skupin, who burnt his hands on a bonfire. It's also well-known for Colby Donaldson's individual immunity challenge streak and the tension between him and Jerri Manthey.

* The season was the first to offer castaways a chance to "mutiny" and switch tribes voluntarily, and a merger fake-out through cohabitation. However, the host, Jeff Probst, also called it his least-liked season, having to deal with lots of {{Jerkass}}es throughout its run.

* This was also the original season of three of [[BreakoutCharacter the show's most memorable players]]: Sandra Diaz-Twine, Rupert Boneham, and Jon Dalton aka "Jonny Fairplay."

* On day 2 alone, two were removed after they were not picked by the tribes.
* Last season's double tribal council system was also imposed.

* Palau the only season so far where there was no tribe merger; thanks to the EpicFail of Ulong, by the time a merge would have happened there was [[LastOfHisKind only one Ulong left]] so she was just moved into Koror, starting the series' individual elimination stage.

* Bobby Jon and Stephenie, the two remaining tribe members from the ill fated Ulong of last season, return for this season.
* As with Vanuatu and Palau, this season features a double Tribal Council.
* This season also first saw the Hidden Immunity Idol, first played post-merger, which gives the person who finds it individual immunity.

* This is one of only two seasons to feature four tribes, though by Day 4, Viveros and Bayoneta were dissolved during a tribe shuffle and the rest of the tribe phase featured Casaya and La Mina.

* The season reuses the Exile Island system, and features a tribe shuffle which dissolved Manihiki and Puka Puka. There was also one double tribal council.
* This was the only season where Jeff offered the castaways a chance to mutiny from their tribes, and two of them (Johnathan and Candice) took the offer.
* First season with three castaways to face the final jury.

* The first challenge alone rewarded Moto with a camp filled with many luxury items, while all Ravu had was a pot and a machete -- a disparity Probst himself would later admit to have been detrimental to Ravu's later outings.
* The Hidden Immunity Idol rules would also change once more into their final version, requiring that they be played before votes are read (as the ability to play them only when necessary was deemed overpowered).

* Like ''Pearl Islands'', the season had a specific theme, this time being the famous Chinese text ''Literature/{{The Art of War|SunTzu}}''. Besides reusing the "kidnapping" system, the "kidnapped" member of a losing tribe would also be forced to give a message in a bottle to someone from the winning tribe cluing him/her in to the Hidden Immunity Idol.
* Best known for James Clement not only being the first person to be voted out with an unused Hidden Immunity Idol, but claiming ''two'' Hidden Idols and not using either one in what is considered to be one of the series' most idiotic moments.

* The series featured individual Immunity Idols for each tribe which ensured one's immunity during his/her tribe's first tribal council. The Exile Island system is played again, except this time one from each tribe would compete for a Hidden Immunity Idol. The season is also notable for an even-numbered jury (eight) and the return of the two-person finalists. Jonathan Penner (returning from ''Cook Islands'') had to be evacuated due to a knee injury that turned into an infection.