New watcher: Which seasons can and can't I skip?

Every season with my own estimation of how important it is:

1 - Probably shouldn't skip it though if you get bored before the season fully ramps up it's understandable, but the relationships are so intense and fascinating that by the end you'll be in love with the season.

2 - Kind of the same as 1, though more essential as the relationships carry over to returnee seasons. Like, it's very helpful to watch 2 before 20 or 27.

3 - Less returnees, less iconic players but honestly more actively entertaining than 1 or 2.

4 - not to be missed, first major power shift the show had seen + introduces one of the most iconic characters

5 - skip it

6 - absolutely not to be missed, the foundations of "modern strategy" are found here, jam packed with great characters.

7 - same as 6. Also this season is essential to watch before 20 imo. 3 of the best characters of all time are here.

8 - probably skip it, first returnee season but everyone either ruins their legacy or does nothing to improve it, sooo many uncomfortable moments. Though one player manipulates people in a way the show hadn't really seen before, I'll give this season that.

9 - Not to be missed, didn't advance strategy a whole lot but the end game is almost entirely fantastic characters. You really have to watch this one before watching 16.

10 - not to be missed. Contains the most openly dominant win the show had seen at that point while remaining surprisingly unpredictable, especially toward the end. the season that best showcases how physically AND psychologically brutal survivor can be. Not my favorite but essential.

11 - you can skip this one, I love it but it's not essential for strategy, characters, or returnees.

12 - not to be missed, essential viewing before 12, 20 and 34. The strategy isn't advanced but the characters are 100% gold. Like season 4, one of the most iconic & popular characters has their first appearance here.

13 - skip it imo. It has lots of returnees but they're way better on those seasons and their personality comes through more anyway.

14 - skip it, generally uncomfortable but not dark enough to be riveting, some fun characters and a great winner though. Worth watching.

15 - not to be missed, like season 7, 3 iconic players are here and thats not even including the winner whicmant consider to be iconic (and the originator of the superfan archetype, though that's not explicitly pushed as a narrative) as well. Must watch before 16 and 20.

16 - One of the best seasons but you've kinda gotta put in the work before watching this one to appreciate it fully.

17 - whew, depends. First HD season, and it's beautiful visually. Total trainwreck but loads of fun. I guess it's not essential but I wouldn't skip it if I were you.

18 - not to be missed, it's not one of my favorite seasons but 3 huge figures in survivor lore begin their journeys here.

19 - I think most would say not to skip it but you can get everything you would get from season 19 and wayyyyy more out of season 20. I don't think it's essential.

20 - this is the season for which you have to watch the most seasons beforehand, because it really helps to understand everyone's motivations, or at least as many people's as possible. Most stacked cast the show has ever seen or ever will see. Events of this season are still scalding hotly debated to this day.

21 - kind of like a lesser season 17 for me, not essential

22 - skip it seriously lol awful

23 - I think this season is fascinating and I absolutely adore the winner, but it's not essential. There are many better seasons to watch.

24 - skip it!

25 - not to be missed, THE best modern era survivor villain, full stop, makes their first appearance here.

26 - skip it unless you really love nerds and moms I guess

27 - this one I'm conflicted on, it has returnees, one of whom makes for better tv than they ever had before, but it comes across as beige. One move made this season is seen by some as one of the most important moves in the history of the show, and the person who made this move comes back later in 31 and it helps to watch this first to get some context on who they are as a human being.

28 - absolutely essential, pretty much on par with 6, 7, and 15 in terms of importance.

29 - this is another one I'm conflicted on. I adore it, it's probably in my top 5 seasons, but most people would disagree with me as the cast is pretty unintelligent overall, but it has one of the best winners and 3 people return for season 31 and it definitely helps to watch this first.

30 - not essential

31 - I don't love this season but if you like strategy, don't miss it. A lot of random returning players but they all come out guns blazing pretty much.

32 - perhaps not essential, but an awesome season

33 - not essential

34 - not essential

35 - not essential

/r/survivor Thread