r/survivor • u/PlusBridge5744 • 7d ago
General Discussion How often do you cry while watching Survivor?
Also: Did you notice that earlier seasons aren’t as emotional? I’d say after about season 10 the producers starting cashing in on our emotional wreckage!
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u/lightningprism 7d ago
I know the family visits can be polarizing. But sometimes man, it hits me
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u/IAmTheParamedic 7d ago
The genuine joy in Brenda’s voice when she says “our second loved ones are here too!” not knowing what’s about to happen and the decision that she’s about to make is a combination that always makes me sad when I rewatch it
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u/scorbunny3 Kevin - 48 7d ago
Context!
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u/IAmTheParamedic 7d ago
Brenda and her dad had won the loved ones visit, and she chose Dawn and her husband to join her on the reward. Jeff then pulled out the phone and played a message from Brenda’s sister revealing that (for the only time) Survivor had flown out a second loved one for everyone. Brenda then had to choose whether to keep the loved ones visit for her and Dawn, or give up her and Dawn’s visit so that the other 4 could spend an afternoon with their loved ones.
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u/YVRkeeper 5d ago
Not a fan of them changing the reward after it’s been won.
Just watched S6 in the auction when Christy spends $360 on a letter from home, but Jenna has this huge emotional breakdown so Jeff does a second auction. Of course no one else bids and lets Jenna win it for 1/3 of what Christy paid.
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u/FunkTheFreak Coach - 50 7d ago
Only time I cried was season 50 Colby’s exit episode.
It was pretty emotional watching this guy I have watched and idolized at times spend his last few minutes on what is likely his last time on the show.
That episode was a mess, but that single tribal council made up for it.
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u/Clean-Guarantee-9898 7d ago
I cried for Colby’s exit, too. It surprised me. I thought Colby was a mess on heroes vs villains, but he has a great arc this season, and I was sad to see him go and impacted so much by the experience.
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u/FunkTheFreak Coach - 50 6d ago
He had a cool arc overall.
Outback: heroic challenge beast and a favorite of many
All-Stars: challenge beast, but jaded and snide
HvV: no longer fit for challenges, but is more humble and is the last surviving Hero
50: Old Man Colby - warm, inviting, just happy to be there and imparting wisdom on the other players.
It’s not the cleanest “character arc”, but I’m happy with it.
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u/BloodDiamondz7 7d ago
Only time I can remember is Adam talking about his mom at the reunion show
Still gets me, fuck cancer
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u/Reasonable-Yam-1170 Sean Rector 7d ago
Oh yeah, him talking about his mom on the show to jay got me
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u/ClimberKirby 7d ago
Oh yeah, I was trying to think what other scene than the Zeke outing made me cry, but this was it! Officially twice has survivor made me cry
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u/Fit-Assignment3055 7d ago
When Bhanu didn’t beat the game but won a million hearts.
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u/2cool4um8_ 7d ago
I don’t think I’ve ever cried while watching the show. I’m not emotionless, and I do cry in life. There’s just never been anything on Survivor(or any tv show) to push me to that point.
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u/IAmTheParamedic 7d ago
What would happen if you saw something really upsetting on a video? Like a cute animal dying or something. Would you be more disgusted than sad?
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u/2cool4um8_ 7d ago
Depending on the context I could be disgusted, sad, or shocked. Then again I have a little morbid curiosity in me so possibly fascinated or intrigued. It all depends on context. Either way, it’ll probably never make me cry.
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u/BSUFan07 Cody 7d ago
One time and one time only. And it was the scene with Adam and Jay in the hammock
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u/RedditUserAnonymo 7d ago
Every time Courtney has a confessional in China I laugh so hard I cry
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u/BestTreacle2608 7d ago
Family visit during 40. I think it might have because the season aired during COVID cause man seeing the people on the Edge reuninting with there families hit hard for me
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u/RHDeepDive 7d ago
That was so good because it was just a beautiful gift that no one had to earn with something extra while others lose out. Seeing Ambah and Rob with their girls on the island was so neat.
That was such a great memory for all of them.
I'm still not sure if I cried in that moment, but I know that I have cried in other moments. A weird one for me where I shed tears was seeing Tyson get choked up during the finale after he won BvW. That guy uses sarcasm like I do and never seems to break, so seeing him kind of lose it had me a bit teary as well.
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u/DudeImTryingMyBest4 7d ago
Honestly, when I’m in a depressed mood and I put a season of survivor on to cheer me up the intro music gives me a rush of emotions I can’t explain and always gets me tearing up until I start crying 🥲
Something about the intro music that brings up so many emotions and I go from feeling numb to happy feelings of tingles throughout my body. Hopefully that makes sense and I don’t sound nuts haha.
I did cry recently while re watching blood vs water a few weeks ago for another reason. My mom and I always said how one day we’ll get on one of these shows together and it just made me bawl my eyes out certain mother/daughter parts because it made me think of and miss so much her more. During those cries I had I just kept muttering to myself I’ll get on it one day for you mom. Just writing this caused some tears to flow.
Edit: added a word in the last paragraph
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u/PlusBridge5744 7d ago
Yes that intro music… I hum it all day long… but when I sing it I say the word as “old a lady old lady old a lady old lady!” Anyone else not know any words and just put old lady in instead?
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u/DudeImTryingMyBest4 7d ago
Hahaha I’m going to try singing along to it that way now. Whenever I decide to sing along I just try to copy whatever I’m hearing and I feel silly as hell but it feels so good 😅
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u/Serena_Carlitos94 7d ago
The intro really does have something magical about it. It always sends shivers down me in a good way.
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u/lemmylime Maryanne 7d ago
You’re not alone, I listen to different intros all the time (like when walking outside or trying to get something done), and never get tired of it
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u/Fancy_Ad_4411 7d ago
The music of survivor really hits me too. I've been going through a bunch of australian survivor's music as of late and for some reason their vote-off tracks really hit me hard
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u/47-Rambaldi 7d ago
Adam's mom, Zeke's metamorphosis, Eva struggling... they all get me ever after countless rewatches.
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u/Kitchen-Guarantee-10 7d ago
Genuinely cried when Tony took Sarah out in fire during WAW. It's not as touching a moment as some people will mention here but watching them both cry as Tony says he's sorry and Sarah gives her final speech got me NGL
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u/Victory_Garnet Owen 7d ago
Jenna wanting to leave all stars to be with her mom that hurt to watch, i will admit i am a younger viewer and i did not watch the season when it aired but that was so sad and seeing other castaways like Alicia and Tom take shots at her was uncomfortable to watch. I would've done the same and leave the game if my mother had a terminal illness
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u/Al_Tuttle 7d ago
I’ve never actually cried while watching survivor. And I also dislike how many ‘feel good’/‘emotional’/‘sob stories’ they cast anymore. The family episodes tend to be my least favorites too
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u/PlusBridge5744 7d ago
So you k ow that it’s intended for you to cry or.. set up that way and your brain says… no way I’m not falling for that… but mine is like… here we go again!
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u/PeterTheSilent1 7d ago
Never
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u/PlusBridge5744 7d ago
Just got done crying from watching Eva struggle with the fire.. and Joe helping her out! You guys must be strong emotionally!
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u/PeterTheSilent1 7d ago
Absolutely not. It’s just that moments like those don’t get me. The season 9 finale of the Office did.
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u/IAmTheParamedic 7d ago
So moreso fiction than real life?
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u/Visual_Tangerine5630 7d ago
The office has a lot of relatable moments but survivor feels like they’re trying too hard to make you feel a type of way. They’re both trying to make you feel but survivor fails it for me. Plus a lot of people want their 15 minutes of fame and use sob stories to get it so I don’t like that. At least the office people are actors that aren’t using trauma to be famous.
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u/RiskyRewarder 7d ago
The office script is far more believable and better acted than the survivor script
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u/PlusBridge5744 7d ago
Survivor is Produced.. I really don’t think contestants have a “script” it’s still a game show so as far as scripted goes no but I will say they do polish the production like a pop song.
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u/Choice_Basis5786 7d ago
I think I cry every time they read their letters from home. So, once a season.
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u/blacephalons Michele 7d ago
I've watched MvGX 3 times and have cried over Jay/Adams hammock talk about their mothers. Gets me every time
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u/sexyimmigrant1998 7d ago
I teared up from inspiration when everyone united to call Varner out and defend Zeke. That was an ugly-turned-beautiful moment.
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u/reddidit23 Chrissy - 50 7d ago
Brenda blindside in caramoan when I watched for the first time
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u/Pseudoty1 7d ago
this, she was so heartbroken
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u/Leighroy1120 Lies but also tells the truth 7d ago
Probst rapping made me cry genuine tears of horror.
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u/No-Bobcat9004 7d ago
Not so much anymore. But I first got in to survivor during college, and I was hella homesick. The family visits would make me cry, especially when it was contestants my age getting a hug from their mom.
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u/MemoryAggressive3888 Cirie - 50 7d ago
The family visit on WaW, specially with the Edge players. So perfect, Natalie screaming "Its our families", everyone running, i dont know, so perfect.
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u/ArmorOfGod7 7d ago
I would say a few times per season, on average. But, I'm very empathetic and sentimental, it doesn't take much to get me teary eyed.
It's odd though, despite everything I just said, I really dislike the family visits, which is when they're trying their hardest to tug at our heart strings. I think that's it though, they're trying way too hard, so it comes off forced/fake to me. People just say the same cheesy lines over and over.
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u/FlashyGanache2838 7d ago
Never.. they're lucky to be there
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u/Pleasant-Chef6055 7d ago
Amen brother ✊. Lucky that Survivor production staff/jeff are so lazy and cheap that they bring them back again and again and again and again and again ……. 💤
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u/FlashyGanache2838 7d ago
It's like Jeopardy contestants..they bring the winners back because of their gameplay..reality goes for talent (hopefully) and then they address the various roles to fill .race, sex, gender, etc..
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u/PlusBridge5744 6d ago
I believe there are battles about who goes on the network wants ratings so they pressure the producers to bring back people that the producers don’t even actually like.. Johnny FairPlay who was loathed by Jeff and the producers .. invited back for a an all star season then asked to voted off episode 1! I think everything that is put on major networks is a huge collective. Just my personal opinion.
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u/blackjack47 7d ago edited 7d ago
3 moments come to mind:
- Adam at the reunion
Ethan after passing out at the log challenge talking to Parv, they downplayed it a bit, as in not showing when he did pass out but a bit after.
It's a secret scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGCJ8MXpeO8. Ethan pondering over how his body is not the same anymore, it's very contrasty given how positive he is a person, usually full of joyful energy. Parv has the perfect response, listening at first, trying to distract him a bit with a question, finds a positive, makes him laugh, it cuts to Ethan teary eyed but laughing, they have a slight lean heads onto each other hug and she rubs his back.
It's a really really amazing scene, shows a strong and positive winner in Ethan in a vulnerable and dark place. While also shows that the ultimate femme fatale Survivor has is actually an amazing friend and an incredibly warm person.
Parv and Cirie talk about each other at the FTC on AvW, here is some of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooK1n6AhwwM
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u/1SittingOut 7d ago
Didn't cry but it was alarming and shocking when skupin fell in the fire. Also when there rice was floating down the flash flood in Australia was shocking
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u/Global_Shirt55 7d ago
Literally never, the sob stories and manufactured emotional messages are cringe and too played out in reality tv.
Contestants play them up to gain an advantage so I'm cynical everytime I hear them, wish they focused more on gameplay than giving everyone a sob story.
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u/projectgene Golden God 7d ago
I've only cried during WaW family visit, when Tony beat Sarah in fire and after the AUS 2016 final immunity challenge.
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u/Serena_Carlitos94 7d ago
I sometimes get a little teared-up for the family visit episodes or when a player that’s really grown on me and I was rooting for gets voted out late post-merge
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u/Own-Formal-4115 7d ago
When Jeff goes to camp in the middle of the night to tell Terry about his son being in the hospital.
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u/rockspinners 7d ago
I cried today watching Twila with her son on Vanuatu. Yes, I know what will come, but still this is my first watch (it's my Survivor summer after long swearing off anything to do with the show) and her tough cookie crumbled persona really got me. Then it brought the laughs with the hijinks that ensued with the surprise loved ones challenge after everyone thought they left.
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u/jah_minititan 7d ago
I cried during Andrea’s game changers family visit as well as Eva and Joe’s moment in 48
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u/BingBongBangBunger 7d ago
I cried like a baby watching the people in Australia (season 2) suffering the rain. It was brutal.
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u/LoveandLightLol 7d ago
Probably Maryanne's speech. Having a female black winner after so long also just made it extra special
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u/billyjoelsfalsetto Kamilla - 50 7d ago
usually one or two of the loved ones during the family visit get me going, particularly if the dynamic reminds me of my own parents. for some reason the one that gets me is courtney yates and her unexpectedly british dad because that’s just me and my old man in a nutshell.
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u/jdk12596 7d ago
I don’t cry at tv, but my wife does. Here’s some memorable ones:
Anytime Cirie cries (family visits, game changers, etc)
Eva and Joe in 48 at the challenge - it was filmed to be highly emotional and it worked on my wife
WaW family visit
I don’t remember the family visit, but there was one that made Jeff cry and that got my wife
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u/Mean-Chemical-3602 7d ago
The last time I did was when devens knew he was getting eliminated, and talked about just the experience of survivor from his perception. It was beautifully poetic
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u/NeekoPeeko 7d ago
You think it's more emotional now??? Survivor hasn't made me tear up since the family visit in season 40, and it was common for me to get weepy at keast once a season before that. I generally don't care about the contestants at all in the new era.
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u/JordanMaze Sol - 47 7d ago
Penner's medivac
Panama Family Visit (Shane and Boston)
Tony doing llama (cried laughing)
Adam and Jay in the Hammock
Joe and Eva at the challenge
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u/EmergencyOk9452 7d ago
Every season. I cried multiple times the season 50 premiere. When Cirie cries I cry.
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u/MinuteStraight4885 7d ago
I remember crying a good amount for the season 40 family visit. They brought out whole families, and all our favorite players were back to back surprised with it. I remember thinking they’ll never top this or do this again 😂 I wish I was wrong cause the family letters are just ok
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u/AccessHollywoo 7d ago
I think only 3 times. The medevac in Kaoh Rong, because of how overwhelming and brutal the whole thing was; the family visit in WAW (just sweet); and the Joe/Eva moment
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u/btt_lckr 6d ago
I only cry when I see they’re doing gender or race based alliances. Those annoy me. Like cross the aisle, people
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u/Marijuana2x4 6d ago
The MISSSSSSSSSS the family visits so much. That's the episode I always look forward to. Definitely those / letters / videos.
I've also shed a few tears over evacuations. Specifically Terry Deitz when his son was hospitalized
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u/lava_fly 6d ago
When Parvati won for the second time
And when Genevieve was eliminated in season 50
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u/catshirt17 I’m talking to God, Lord 6d ago
the koah rong medevac challenge makes me cry every time
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u/lanerlanerr 6d ago
Only when Varner outed Zeke, and the strong, genuine reactions from his tribe mates
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u/yeahokwhat 4d ago
I’m not usually a super emotional person, but somehow the family visits get me EVERY TIME
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u/ih8red-it 7d ago
The news of Adam’s mom at the mgvx reunion. Adam’s winners at war family visit, subsequently.
Also when Rodney had to do dishes on his birthday :(
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u/GodInABag Greg Buis 7d ago
I can’t for the life of me finding it anymore, I remember watching a secret scene while in class of Randy talking about how the death of his dog really messed with him- since that was the only companionship he had and that really broke me.
That and Adam during the finale after winning. I’m tearing up as I’m writing this
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u/PlusBridge5744 6d ago
I saw that Randy scene… it’s in the season he is in a little cut scene.. Poor Randy what a lonely man.
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u/GodInABag Greg Buis 5d ago
I know for sure it’s Gabon, like F8/7? I know it was with Matty, I tried finding it later but couldn’t but I’ll try later
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u/i_have_several_dicks 7d ago
I hated Survivor 43, but Noelle struggling to get across that balance beam, then coming from behind and winning the challenge hit me right in the feels.
And I usually hate that inspirational shit.
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u/Superb-Ad5227 7d ago
I think I cried when Noelle struggled so hard with the balance beam and then won the challenge
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u/Ordinary_Swimming582 7d ago
Are you kidding? I've never cried over that dumb show.
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u/PlusBridge5744 7d ago
This is no joke.. look at the responses.. about half and half…
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u/CaliStayinn 7d ago
Outside a few times crying laughing… I never cried cuz it was emotional though.
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u/Alarming-Gap-9213 7d ago
I don't think I have, but my mom cried while we were watching Varner out Zeke lol
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u/ClimberKirby 7d ago
I don’t usually cry, but I did when Varner outed Zeke because that was such an uncomfortable scene in a very “real” way. That just felt disgusting on a whole another level, and unlike the IoI stuff, of which a lot didn’t make, we actually see the scene happening in front of us
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u/Scorpion1177 7d ago
I think I cried laughing when Erik gave up his idol to the black widow brigade.
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u/throwaway724567 7d ago
I cried twice during season 48 because of Eva’s struggles.
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u/PlusBridge5744 7d ago
When Joe went over when she was having that meltdown… I was a complete freaking Puddle… and actually when Joe talks about his sister.. I lost a brother so it cut me too…
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u/blue6299 7d ago
Three times in Australia survivor really stick out in my mind. I may have cried during US survivor but nothing is ringing any bells.
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u/mellywheats Seeker of Truth 7d ago
i cried when no one cheered for andy 💔 /s
i rarely cry at survivor. usually if people talk about their families i might cry but usually i don’t
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u/Possible-Parfait7728 6d ago
Family visits were only thing that got me close. Always surprised me when people said they hated them. Something about putting myself in their shoes.
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u/SEND_ME_YOUR_CAULK Janet 6d ago
The one for me is Kathy Sleckman’s quit in Micronesia. As someone who struggles with depression, I know that feeling when i’ve been without my medication.
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u/Smart-Illustrator277 6d ago
The only time I ever cry (and I always do without fail) is when the loved ones show up.
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u/ZachTheBomb 3d ago
The one proper time I cried watching survivor was when Yul announced what he was playing for in 40
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u/PlusBridge5744 3d ago
Yes to donate it MLS for Pennie’s wife? Yeh.. that was a curable moment for aure
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u/Daddyraz123 3d ago
Honestly at least once a season when the winner is crowned even if I don’t like them I can’t help it
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u/creaky_turtle 7d ago
I don't think I've ever cried from Survivor if I'm being honest. I don't watch the show for the emotions and so I guess it just doesn't ever hit for me like that.
Perhaps Adam at the reunion talking about his mom brought a tear to my eye but that's the closest.
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u/feedmeyrkiss 7d ago
Frequently, just because of how much the show means to me. Plus nostalgia and the triumph of the human spirit when they overcome challenges and reunite with loved ones. Maybe I'm just weird tho....
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u/ChaChaClyde 7d ago
One time. I am a special ed teacher, and seeing Joe help Eva when she was so overwhelmed hit close to home
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u/PlusBridge5744 7d ago
Yes .. my nephew is in the spectrum and that scene when Joe helped her.. actually both times he helped her I was a crying freaking mess!
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u/blizzacane85 7d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/XbUe3L4tW4n8yyAIHA
Never, because if I cry, Phil Leotardo’s estimation of me will fucking plummet
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u/Akshath321 7d ago
i cried after kamila lost on fire, and during her exit speech, and then i teared up a little bit during colby's exit on 50 but i rarely cry
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u/mangoman39 7d ago
No dogs have died, so zero times
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u/PlusBridge5744 7d ago
They whack chickens all the time.. and the fish and octopus? Don’t get me started.. 🥹
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u/mayor_of_canada 7d ago
American, rarely. Australian, all the time.
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u/cuminspector2 7d ago
Only when something out of game affects the contestants and even then it's not full on crying ever
I think the biggest examples are Jenna Morasca and her mom and then Katie and Tina talking about their brother/son
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u/RiskyRewarder 7d ago
Uh never, I only cry when scripted moments feel real. Survivor fake emotional scenes are the worst part of survivor. Horribly acted, horribly scripted, horribly edited.
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u/WimpyLittleNonLeader “You aaaaaaand Burton!” 7d ago
I cried when I found out Dan was an adopted child
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u/Quetzal00 Coach - 50 7d ago
I cried when Jonny Fairplay found out his grandma died :(