Survivor Season 21 - 2010

After an incredible run, it was almost a relief to get a total dud of a season. Starting as a young vs old contest, the tribes were shuffled quickly and a long, annoying slog to the finish line was begun. At least we got a sneak peek of Jack Black’s Gulliver’s Travels!

At the end, there was a real danger that the Jury would award the grand prize to a man named Sash, but thankfully, affable himbo “Fabio” got it instead. There were slim pickings for fun characters this season, though professional cheerleader turned master strategist Brenda and elderly Carolina hog farmer Jane get nods. There was even a man named Jimmy Johnson, famous for coaching the Dallas Cowboys, for a brief minute, but thankfully he was voted off once people started referring to him as “Coach”. Benjamin Wade would like a word, sir.

But the standout this season was NaOnka, perhaps the most singularly unpleasant contestant to date. Physically combative, endlessly argumentative, and willing to steal and sabotage for no discernible reason, NaOnka felt to me like someone who was accidentally swapped from a different reality show. Not that I’m an expert in the genre, but her style would be better suited for a Real Housewives or something. What bothered me about her demeanor, I ultimately concluded, was that it was so uninspired. A one-note reaction to every circumstance. It speaks to an effort to put on a show, but if you are in that position you simply need to try a little harder. Where’s the variety? The passion?

NaOnka ended up giving up and quitting mid-season, along with someone named “Purple Kelly”. Shortly after, during a Tribal Council, Jeff has to coach 3 people who are on the outs with a 3-person alliance through realizing they have the numbers to do, idk, something, to no avail. It was a telling moment; the impression I have of the entire season is that of the producers poking the cast with a stick, begging them to do something interesting.