We're only three days into CBS's 10-episode Road to Survivor programming block, and we're about to celebrate a very important anniversary for one of Survivor's best seasons ever in the next episode that will re-air on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
After spending time with Cirie Fields on Survivor: Micronesia and Coach in Survivor: Tocantins, CBS is rolling out the season premiere of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, titled "Slay Everyone, Trust No One." The episode features four stars of Survivor 50, including Cirie, Coach, Colby Donaldson, and Stephen LaGrossa Kendrick.
The episode originally aired on Feb. 11, 2010, so today is the 16th anniversary of the Heroes vs. Villains premiere. Man, that makes me feel so old because I remember exactly where I was when I watched this episode 16 years ago.
Heroes vs. Villains is the best Survivor theme of all time
There's no debate that Heroes vs. Villains, which was the 20th season of the series, is one of the most fascinating seasons in the show's history. In many ways, it feels like Survivor 50, a celebration of every season that came before it.
This is no shade to the Survivor 50 cast, but Heroes vs. Villains had a lot more star power, especially one the Villains tribe. Inarguably, there are probably four of the top 10 Survivor players of all time on that tribe, and maybe five players depending on how you feel about Russell Hantz. Boston Rob, Parvati Shallow, Sandra Diaz-Twine, and Tyson Apostol on one tribe? The heroes never stood a chance, and they didn't.
We've seen so many good themes over the years on Survivor, but Heroes vs. Villains was basically perfect in every way.
In the season premiere, we watch the tribes hit the beach and compete in some grueling challenges to kick things off. What stands out about this premiere is how it feels like there's genuine disdain between some of these players. I don't think we have that in Survivor anymore, necessarily.
I'm not saying everyone in the new era loves each other, but the show definitely hyped up and played into these individual rivalries with this "Heroes vs. Villains" theme, and it worked out splendidly.
In the episode, the Villains win the immunity challenge, which sends the Heroes to tribal council. In the end, the Heroes vote out Sugar Kiper in a 9-1 vote.
Overall, this isn't a particularly good episode if you're a fan of Colby, Coach, Cirie, or Stephenie. They each have their moments, but they all have better individual moments at different times throughout this season. But, at the end of the day, there aren't many episodes that feature so many Survivor 50 stars. And, this is such an epic season. It makes sense that CBS wanted to shine a light on such a good season, and this is the episode that kicks it all off.
In the episodes that follow, Stephenie LaGross Kendrick and Cirie Fields are voted out of the game as the villains begin to take control and never relinquish it for the rest of the game.
If you're looking for a Survivor season to rewatch before Survivor 50, Heroes vs. Villains is a great place to start.
CBS's Road to Survivor 50 continues on Thursday, Feb. 11. We're officially two weeks from the season 50 premiere on CBS on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Buckle up, Survivor fans. The ride is about to begin!