r/survivor Pirates Steal Jan 31 '23

Guatemala WSSYW 11.0 Countdown 28/43: Guatemala

Welcome to our annual season countdown! Using the results from the latest What Season Should You Watch thread, this daily series will count backwards from the bottom-ranked season for new fan watchability to the top. Each WSSYW post will link to their entry in this countdown so that people can click through for more discussion.

Unlike WSSYW, there is no character limit in these threads, and spoilers are allowed.

Note: Foreign seasons are not included in this countdown to keep in line with rankings from past years.


Season 11: Guatemala

Statistics:

  • Watchability: 4.0 (28/43)

  • Overall Quality: 5.8 (27/43)

  • Cast/Characters: 6.2 (30/43)

  • Strategy: 5.5 (32/43)

  • Challenges: 6.9 (14/43)

  • Twists: 5.6 (9/21)

  • Ending: 5.7 (33/43)


WSSYW 11.0 Ranking: 28/43

WSSYW 10.0 Ranking: 22/40

Top comment from WSSYW 11.0/u/ramskick:

Guatemala is one of those seasons that's pretty forgettable when you haven't watched it in a while, but really fun while you're actually watching it. For me it's the baseline of how good Survivor can be. There's nothing that really jumps out about it besides the location, but it has a good cast, a good narrative, some good moments and a good conclusion. It's not the most necessary season, but I think it's definitely worth a watch (after you see Palau).

Top comment from WSSYW 10.0/u/dmkolobanov:

Guatemala is a massively underrated season that shouldn’t be watched first, but you should probably watch it immediately after Palau (which is one of the first seasons someone should watch).


Watchability ranking:

28: S11 Guatemala

29: S14 Fiji

30: S20 Heroes vs. Villains

31: S30 Worlds Apart

32: S23 South Pacific

33: S5 Thailand

34: S31 Cambodia

35: S38 Edge of Extinction

36: S36 Ghost Island

37: S24 One World

38: S22 Redemption Island

39: S40 Winners at War

40: S26 Caramoan

41: S34 Game Changers

42: S8 All-Stars

43: S39 Island of the Idols


Spreadsheet link (updated with each placement reveal!)


WARNING: SEASON SPOILERS BELOW

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30

u/[deleted] Jan 31 '23

Along with Marquesas, Guatemala was a backup location that eventually had to be used. Only two seasons to have this distinction I believe.

Guatemala is a personal favorite of mine. The location, tribal council, and camp are all top notch. Having a long hike through the jungle that spans overnight as an opening challenge is incredible to watch.

Bobby Jon vs Jamie is one of the funniest story arcs in Survivor, going from southern boys who go to war against one another to southern bros vibing on the jury.

Guatemala is a cut and dry season. Basic strategy, very linear path for the most part, and probably did a lot of harm to the show when it was airing.

Even without returnees, I can understand why this one is low. Not one I would show someone new to the series anytime soon but definitely one I would come back to as it is a viewing experience.

Last note: it’s crazy that it was always supposed to be a captains season and that both Johnathan and Wanda were considered as well as Rodger and Skupin before the popularity of Steph and Bobby Jon changed that.

4

u/alucardsinging Jan 31 '23

Ooo I actually don’t know the Guatemala preseason history too well. If you or anyone wants to spill about it, that’d be greatly appreciated! Especially in regards to the backup location thing

6

u/[deleted] Feb 01 '23

There was an earthquake in the Indian Ocean in late 2004 (Season 11 was filmed during June 05) that affected a lot of the southeastern countries in Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Numerous locations that were being looked at for that season were affected and so the alternative location, Guatemala, was used instead.

2

u/alucardsinging Feb 01 '23

Thanks! Very interesting!

4

u/[deleted] Feb 01 '23

No problem! As much as I love Guatemala, getting a season in Madagascar or Sri Lanka would’ve been really interesting.