39--O26--Nicaragua

Rank: Original #26

 Season # 21
Title:  Survivor: Nicaragua
Location:  San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Broadcast: Fall 2010
New Players:  20
Returning Players: 0
Winner:  Jud "Fabio" Birza
Final Tribal Council:  3 Players 9 Jury
Initial Tribes: Espada and La Flor
Swap at 16
Merge: at 12 Libertad
Jury: at 12
Premise:  Original Tribes were split into two groups by age:  Over 40 and 30 and under.  Medallion of Power was introduced which gave a tribe an advantage in a challenge, but would then be transferred to the other tribe once used.  This transferred back and forth a few times.

The contestants were marched into the opening in two separate groups and sent looking for the Medallion of Power which was found by Brenda.  Once tribes were set the Medallion was traded for fire and fishing gear.  The older tribe then owned the Medallion.

A lot of the early attention was given to Jimmy Johnson, who lasted a total of 8 days and was the 3rd one voted out.    Jane, Holly, Dan and Marty were the real drivers of the Older Tribe,

The attention on the younger tribe centered on Jud, who was early on nicknamed "Fabio" and the men worked to prevent a woman from winning the season.   Kelly Bruno also showed her prosthetic leg early on and got a mixed reaction, but overall was considered a threat for a sympathy vote if she made it to the end.  

By episode 2 when Holly and NaOnka have melt downs on separate tribes, we had a clue to how the season was going to go.   Both players some how stayed until  NaOnka quit on Day 28, and Holly was voted out on Day 38, but both really should have gone on day 6 and 8. Shannon took a weird turn at his first Tribal Council, and was voted out of one of the most disjointed tribes ever.

By episode 3, the edit clearly showed that NaOnka is probably the worst human being ever to  play Survivor.   Like Colton, in One World, she would eventually quit the game after sucking too much air time out of the season.

Coach Johnson meanwhile ran the challenges as a coach making substitions (or not making substitutions).   He seemed to think he was in a football camp, but to his credit he knew that it was time to go on Day 8.

The season went too long with NaOnka's shenanigans, and she was obnoxious to everyone  Holly made a turnaround from day 5 and even tried to convince NaOnka and Purple Kelly to stay.   Holly also stood up to give up her reward on Day 28 to get more food for the tribe., after NaOnka announced she was quitting and did not give up her reward.   Her only selfless move was giving Chance her Idol before quitting.   Sash was also a despicable character and rightly got no votes at FTC as he was totally selfish. 

We could have done without this cast.  Brenda was much more likeable in Fans Vs. Favorites II (but never understood why she was there after this season.) 

After rewatching Nicaragua and a couple others which will show up next week.  this is  the worst Original Cast of all time.  Originally I had it higher, but am now convinced this is not worth archiving. 


Update: 2/11/21--Rob Has A Podcast Fans Ranked this Season 34th in its Top 40 Countdown



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