Customer Reviews

Survivor Palau - The Complete Season

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is at the bottom of the "quality" seasons of Survivor. The reason why - sheer dominance. Koror beats Ulong in almost every challenge pre-merge; and every immunity challenge. After merge, Tom and Ian take every immunity challenge. Never was such a show of dominance seen in Survivor.

On top of that, the season had the most deserving winner of any season. I won't spoil who it is, but you can probably guess from the DVD cover.

If "Survivor" seasons were novels, "Survivor: Palau" would be considered one of the finest volumes in the series. Why? Amazing, bigger-than-life characters wrapped in a suspenseful storyline that has a satisfying ending!
The first half tells the tale of a tribe who, through no obvious fault of their own, are seemingly cursed. All these years later, I still remember Bobby Jon as a heartbreaking tragic character. In mid-story, the heroine slips through the jaws of doom... we cheer! But, will she survive? I think that Stephanie is still, to this day, the most popular woman ever on "Survivor".
The "matter of the heart" as we near the climax is an unexpected twist, but totally works in context. And then, finally, FINALLY... the player who dominates the story wins in the end. Having found myself feeling cheated many times before by juries that could not rise above their own hurts and acknowledge the obvious (Colby in "Outback" and Boston Rob in "AllStars" come to mind) here credit is given where credit is due. Three cheers!
The producers are doing those who haven't seen "Survivor" a favor by releasing them in the order that they have: they've skipped over a number of seasons because, quite truthfully, they just aren't very good seasons. "Survivor: Palau" totally justifies its release. 4 stars only cuz I haven't seen the DVD release yet. Let's hope the technicals are as good as the superior storyline.

My Consecutive Survivor Streak was snapped during this season (I missed 3 survivors due to the CBS March Madness, and forget to set my vcr accordingly), so it would be nice to see the whole series in its entirety.

I liked this season. I loved Coby, Angie. Bobby Jon was someone to cheer for, and stephanie was an inspiration of never to give up. The winnner for the first time was someone who obviously dominated the game and deserved to be there (however; if the final three did not end the way it did; it would have been a much closer battle, with maybe a different winner. ahh, the shoulda coulda wouldas of Survivor).

This is the season where the first Ulonging took place. Ulonging is like Pagonging (affectionaly named after the first tribe in Survivor who got picked off one by one after the merge), but when an entire tribe gets eaten up BEFORE merging. Never before had this happened, and I doubt it will ever happen again. This is the season where for the first time there was no tribes at the beginning of the show.

It, like the 9 before it, and the 2 after is a classic season, and needs to be placed on the shelf next to Borneo, the Outback, Pearl Islands and Allstars. It will be enjoyed, and I can't wait for the commentaries and get the insider information.

What DOES irk me, is that Palau was only on t.v. 2 years ago. I can remember the drama very clearly, while Africa, Marqueases, Thailand & the Amazon are slowly fading away. At least do what was originally being done, Current-eqsue season (like Palau) with an older season. Rumours have it that Vanuatu is being released for Christmas, and with everyone in love with Cirie from Exile Island it wouldn't surprise me if they release that one next. Step away from the current; and bring on what started the road to excellence.

I'm a lover for SURVIVOR and never can wait until they put the next one out on DVD. Although I do think that CBS should put them out in order and not just pick a season out of order. I started watching survivor on season 4 so I would love for them to put out season 3. I have bought all of the survivor seasons and I'm sure other people have too, but we would like them in order (not that there is any order now) On top of everything else I LOVE SURVIVOR and can't wait to get this in the mail so I can start watching it.

Great season to watch. If you are a Survivor fan, it is a must own season. It is one of my favorite seasons.
The ones with commentary were very interesting and fun, I wish they did it on all of the episodes

If your considering purchasing a box set, this followed by the original in Borneo & Pearl Islands would be my 2nd and 3rd recomendations.

The cast was so likable. Bobby John was my absolute favourite surivor of all time. He wasa never slacking off, he amde friendships, he trusted people, he ahad ethics, he was athletic - if only had had lit that fire and made it to the merge instead of Stephanie, and the final two would have been Ian and Tom --- well, let's jsut say it would have been an A+ al around !

Sorry Stephanie fans, but asides from her athletic ability her feeling of entitlemnet was to arrogant and annyoying to watch. I am glad the merged tribe did not fall for her sob story and voted her off fairly quickly. I can't decide if I dislike her for getting rid of JOLANDA and ruining the Tibe's chances of doing well at the very start or the mean spirited immature (and I will add almost 30 yr old) KATIE for making it to the final two !

This season has some of the toughest and most exciting challanges I have ever seen on survivor. Even the characters you didn't like much at least made you laugh (AKA James and Karen!)

Alot of fun moments, sad ones and twists. Also, guys the scenery is breathtaking. Anyone watching this season with an HDTV will agree :)

I was so glad Bobby Jon was brought back on the very next season (Guatemalla) because he really was deserving.

Hope this review helps !

Derek V

Commentary is alright; another solid Survivor season; memorable characters, had a blast watching it again and again

Having watched mostly all survivor seasons on T.V this was one of my favourites, so finding out it was available on DVD i purchased it straight away. A great selection of people was put together for this season and it shows how thinking and smarts will always beat muscle and braun anyday. the elder tribe led by Tom were enjoyable to watch. seeing them dominate the other tribe and then eventually turn on each other was why this season never really had a dull moment. other tribe mates Ian, Coby, Katie, Bobby John and Gregg were entertaininng and likeable in there own way. even the annoying grew on me Stephanie, Caryn and Janu. Overall this season is worth watching over again and the extra's are interesting to see how there strategies played out.

hope to be able to purchase other seasons like Thailand and Marquesas soon.

thanks, from Cooky in Aus.

This season had many things going for it -- characters that were colorful (James, Coby), eye candy (Jenn), and ones you'd root for (Angie, Steph, Bobby Jon, Tom). Most of the cast were highly likeable or at least enjoyable to watch, except maybe for Jolanda and Wanda (thank goodness they left early). Some great challenges, many broken alliances, a one-man tribe, the longest immunity challenge ever and even a laid-down torch all make for pretty riveting stuff. Eminently watchable and rewatchable...only wish they could have done more in terms of the extra features; the 4 featurettes didn't really whet the appetite of what went on behind the scenes or even offer never-before-seen footage. That apart, it was worth the buy, better than pearl islands and slightly edging out the all-stars version. I'm buying Australia (The Outback) next, though I'd really like to get my hands on the Africa series. Wonder when CBS will release it.

This has got to be the best survivor ever! It was really great to "relive" the whole Palau experience again. And to see how amazingly good and strong Tom was. He deserved the title. Totally! The dvd has some pretty good extras as well especially the cast commentaries. Worth every cent!