Episode 4: For a brief moment, two tribes of seven

Published: October 19, 2025

Jeff Pitman praises the decision to, for the first time in the new era, have two tribes of more than six people, in Episode 4 of Survivor 49. True, we didn't get to see the improved strategic possibilities on new Hina, but there's a decent chance for that on new Kele.

Episode 3: But is it fun?

Published: October 11, 2025

With the obviously-going-to-lose tribe predictably losing, and the guy who was on the bottom in the previous episode being voted out, mystery was in short supply in Episode 3 of Survivor 49. But at least it was fun getting there, right? Er, nope. Not really.

Episode 2: A whole lot of nothing

Published: October 4, 2025

The always three-tribes-of-six new era Survivor starting format has worn extremely thin, much like the Kele tribe's metabolic reserves, and Episode 2 of Survivor 49 showed just how depleted the new era game and the Kele tribe really were. A predictable loss, a predictable boot, and not a lot else, in a show that desperately needs another reboot.

Episode 1: An enthusiastic introduction

Published: September 28, 2025

The premiere of Survivor 49 was bursting with energy from the new crop of contestants, and while the overlong episode meandered a bit at times, most of the cast seem likely to deliver a fun, gameplay-focused season, even if the first vote was a dull, keep-the-tribe-strong affair.