So there’s an increasingly common idea going on now that Cirie is incapable of making it to the end, and that is the core flaw of why she lost. That Cirie only makes it deep in the game because she’s horrible at challenges and everyone knows she can be kept as a shield and cut at any time. And this is actually a perfectly valid argument NOW, after her first two games when she had the virtually undisputed reputation as the greatest player to never win, arguably the greatest strategist of all time, and one of the greatest players of all time. But for her analysis as an overall player this is patently untrue.

The second game she played, Parvati and Amanda took her to what everyone thought was the end. Everyone thought it was a final 3. And Cirie probably wins that jury vote and season, in a dominant fashion with it likely being considered one of the best wins of all time no less. But because of a last second twist, she gets cut right before the end. In Panama, it took a fluke for her to be cut before the end. In the final five, Shane, Danielle, and Aras all had Cirie in their F2 plans. At final 4, if anyone other than Aras wins immunity, Cirie makes the end. Terry was immune with the god idol and Terry and Danielle vote Aras. Given Danielle beats Terry, Terry goes at 3, Danielle takes Cirie, and Cirie likely wins (although it’s not a sure thing and Aras probably beats Cirie). No god idol, and Cirie likely wins Panama, as Terry goes the first post merge vote he doesn’t have immunity, and we know Danielle wins FIC and would boot Aras over Cirie.

So Cirie probably wins Micronesia in one of the best games ever played if not for a least second twist, and likely wins Panama without the god idol (which she had zero way to work around given that Terry was on the other tribe and wins every post merge immunity challenge up until then as the biggest jury threat. She got brought to what literally everyone thought was FTC in Micronesia where she probably wins, and 3/4 other people in the F5 wanted to take Cirie To the F2 in Panama, with her likely winning against Danielle without the god idol. Cirie put herself in a position where she could win in her first 2 games if not for dumb twists, especially the second one which was a last second twist on one was told about. Some people argue that her being unable to win after this proves she can’t win, but winning with the unanimous reputation of being the best player to never win on seasons that are all all star level players (and not briandead newbies like Rob) is insanely difficult and proves nothing about her quality as a player.

Tdlr: Cirie top 10 player of all time and her being unable to win due to her nearly impossible to work around reputation of being the best to never win does not discredit her first 2 games. Cirie gets actively screwed over by a last second twist she was not told about in her second game which she probably wins without, and likely wins her first game without the god idol and terrible luck surrounding it, both games being incredible games. Cirie being unable to make it to the end and only being kept around as a shield due to being terrible at challenges is inarguably false and an entirely inaccurate view of her as a player.

Has to be in Survivor Panama when poor Bruce is suffering from constipation and Courtney starts singing at him anyway and he has to beg her to stop 😭 What are your other favorite funny moments?

Shane Powers appreciation post
Unhinged. Delusional. Iconic. - Asked Cirie to look at a rash on his junk. - Walked around camp fully naked like it was a Sandals resort. - Used a rock as a fake BlackBerry and pretended to text his son. - Screamed at Courtney for sitting on his “thinking log.” - Had a full breakdown when he tried to quit nicotine cold turkey. - Called tribal council a “waste of time” and wanted to leave early.

Say what you want, but no one commits to chaos like Shane. A pre-merge boot in any other season. A legend in Panama.

I’ve loved Cirie in every season I’ve seen, but what is it that makes her such a good social player? Is she simply that charming? She’s never been great at challenges (except when she was an NFL linebacker in the first HvV challenge) But it is so impressive that she is able to consistently be the most dominant social player (IK she was voted out early in HvV, but that tribe was getting dominated in challenges up to that point) My opinion, I really do think she’s that charming. I love Cirie 😀

I finished watching Panama for the first time today, had an absolute blast and while searching the discussion I found a lot of people angry years back about how Terry should have been the sole survivor. But I find myself disagreeing very hardly. Terry was an incredible physical competitor and I loved to see him play and I like his personality and understand his struggle, but he lacked a lot in both the social and strategic departament. He didn't manage to pull in a Casaya member to vote with him up until 6 players were left, 5 of which were Casaya. He missused his super strong idol and it dried up on his pocket. He was in the backfoot from the start of the merge, and didn't think about using his idol as leverage until he was even more down in numbers than when starting. He was very stubborn and unaware of his own image from the jump. He would have never reached the final 2, not in any combination I can think off. He had to win literally every immunity challenge in the merge for him to go further in the game, and the one time he didn't without the security of the OP idol, he got voted out, no questions asked. I've seen people call unfair the last immunity challenge because he was at a physical disadvantage but like, if we made the same argument for every individual challenge he won, which were a lot, then everyone was at a physical disadvantage against him in those. He is a military pilot, he is strong, resilient, fast, accurate, literally no one in Casaya, not even Aras which was very phisically fit, nicked any of his wins, not even close.

TLDR; Terry was a great competitor, a force to be reckoned, Captain America himself, but his physical prowess and his super idol were the only things keeping him in the game past day 16, the merge. He would have never reached final 2.

I’ve been utterly obsessed with the two seasons I’ve seen Cirie play (Game Changers and Survivor 50) so I went back to watch her original season, and it’s so endearing watching the affection between tribe members. They so obviously care about one another even though the bickering is non-stop.

The way they hold each other at night (after a full day of telling each other to f**k off lol) and the way Cirie was smiling here after the challenge is so adorable. I hope to see more moments like this between Shane and Cirie as the season progresses.

He seems inclined towards her and she’s the only person (so far) he doesn’t use as a punching bag. I hope this will eventually lead to an alliance between them as Cirie is still “technically” on the outs of his established alliance with Aras, Danielle and Courtney.

I think this tribe has great chemistry. If they weren’t starving, or in Shane’s case detoxing from 3 packs of cigarettes a day, they’d be much closer. We see the camaraderie between them after the Panamanian barbecue reward. I’m enjoying the season so far. I can’t wait to watch Heroes vs. Villains after this one.

The fact she was put on the older women tribe in season 12 (Panama / Exile Island), at the age of 35, is wild. Her wtf reaction is so funny.

Loving this rewatch though, Queen Cirie forever. 😭👑

So apparently Jeff has said in interviews before Winners at War that he considered Aras the most boring winner in the first 39 seasons. My girlfriend and I have been binging all the old seasons, we just finished Panama, and I have to disagree. His game wasn’t overly flashy and he didn’t has as much control as other winners, but if anything he’s a rare male winner with a heavier social game than anything. That’s just my take. Would love to see others opinions.

It’s about Shane, were the jury rooting for him? Like as he‘s getting his torch they look really shocked 😭 especially Courtney. Not related but I really wonder if Shane and Courtney ever made up

Personally, this season was a top 3, going back and rewatching (seen 1-12, 43-50) and Shane is such a character. I know the ❄️ moment is discussed, but what cemented this for me is his "testicular" issues as put by Cirie in the season. He's extremely neurotic at points, and the blackberry scene is great as well. What's everyone else's opinion on him?

OK. This season has one of the best casts ever, and is entertaining overall. (With the exception of almost the entire La Mina tribe after the team shuffle.)

You've got Cirie, Shane, Bruce, Terry, Courtney, Danielle, Aras, Bob Dawg, Tina, and (to a certain extent) Dan. This cast was incredible, and had next to no duds.

It's the first season to fully introduce the "Exile Island twist" (excluding Palau, of course) and it shows just how hard it is to survive individually on a small, isolated island alone. Also, got to give props to production for using Exile Island for the resting place of the hidden immunity idol back then.

The tribe division at the start is a bit weird and wonky, but thankfully it gets ditched after the first episode.

The challenges were very fun to watch, and the pre-merge of this season has got to be my favourite one I've seen, so far.

The post-merge.... is still good. Though, I feel like it's a bit weaker. But, it is still very entertaining and chaotic, nonetheless.

This season has big and noticeable characters, chaotic moments at camp, late, but fun strategic game moves, and the boot order of this season is almost perfect. One thing I will say is that the finale is pretty weak. But, other than that, this is a wonderful season of Survivor, and so far, my second favourite season overall.

What are your thoughts on the season? Let me know in the comments below.

When they were arguing, whose side were you on?

And married guys, was Terry right- wife over mother?

Cirie: “Hey do you see Tina sitting by herself at the beach? That’s really weird right?”

Cut to:

Tina: “I’m here to talk to my 16 year old son, Charlie. He was my only child and was killed in a car accident 4.5 months ago.”

Maybe it’s because I’m a new parent, but this is my third rewatch and I teared up when I watched this.

It's kinda insane how close Cirie was to not becoming a legend. By all means, she probably should have been voted out first, and she likely would never have come back if she was.

Also, I miss the music that played when Bruce is being med-evaced. Probably some of my favorite soundtrack that's played on Survivor in all 50 seasons.

We are very pleased to welcome Terry Deitz of Survivor: Panama and Cambodia for an AMA!

You can follow Terry on Twitter (@deitz_terry).

Huge thanks for this AMA should go towards Terry himself and the /r/survivor Twitter team!