19. The Australian Outback (Season 2)
The Australian Outback was 100 percent necessary for the game of Survivor to stick around and ultimately evolve. It added depth to how the game could be played and won with Tina Wesson emerging as the winner. As opposed to Richard Hatch winning in Borneo, she was the likable person that no one could really find a bad word about, but also one that played a smart game beyond just being social. Her best move was, of course, convincing Colby Donaldson to take her to Final Tribal Council.
Speaking of Colby, he was dominant in challenges throughout, and it made for compelling television. His strategy obviously needed work considering the fact that he acquiesced Tina’s request to bring her to FTC where she was obviously at an advantage, but he was still a fun aspect of the season. There was also one of the greatest early villains for Survivor in the form of Jerri Manthey.
What’s more, you also have arguably the most beloved early contestant, Elisabeth Filarski (later Hasselbeck). All told, Australia also featured a plethora of memorable moments that will forever be listed among the greatest ever. There was Michael Skupin falling into the fire and getting medically evacuated, a blood-feud over chickens, and much more.