Andy DehnartAll 40 of Survivor’s seasons are available to stream on CBS All Access, but Netflix’s addition of two seasons—Survivor Cagayan and Survivor Heroes vs. Villains, both of which are among the show’s best seasons ever—has introduced the show to a much wider audience.
Survivor season 28, also known as Survivor Cagayan: Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty, was a season that split its cast into ridiculous tribes but also gave us Tony, Spencer, Kass, Woo, Tasha, and other strong and memorable players, plus the Spy Shack, Cops-R-Us, and a quit that didn’t make host Jeff Probst mad.
During Survivor Cagayan, which originally aired in the spring of 2014, I recapped the show every week, and also reported on some interesting behind-the-scenes details—like the origin of the Tyler Perry super hidden immunity idol. I’ve collected those recaps, analysis, and stories here, so you can read along as you watch or re-watch season 28.
Survivor Cagayan recaps
Survivor Cagayan episode 2: Cops-R-Us
Survivor Cagayan episode 2 introduced Tony and Sarah’s alliance, “Cops-R-Us,” a challenge designed by a member of the Dream Team, and a lot of rain.
Survivor Cagayan episode 3: "Our Time to Shine"
Reward challenges returned on Survivor Cagayan episode 3, “Our Time to Shine,” on which a lot of stupidity was on display.
Survivor Cagayan episode 4: "Odd One Out"
Survivor Cagayan’s Brains, Brawn, and Beauty tribes became two tribes during the first tribe swap during episode 4 of season 28.
Survivor Cagayan episode 5: "We Found Our Zombies"
Survivor Cagayan players were upset that one of their own quit the show during season 28, episode 5, “We Found Our Zombies,” but Jeff Probst expressed admiration for the quitter and their rationale.
Survivor Cagayan episode 6's merge: "Head of the Snake"
The Survivor Cagayan merge arrived in episode 6, “Head of the Snake,” and ended in multiple idols and a member of one tribe turning on their former allies.
Survivor Cagayan episode 7: "Mad Treasure Hunt"
“I just want to say how proud I am of myself,” said the person voted out during Survivor Cagayan: season 28, episode 7 recap: “Mad Treasure Hunt."
Survivor Cagayan episode 8: "Bag of Tricks"
Tony turned on his alliance during Survivor Cagayan, season 28, episode 8, “Bag of Tricks,” which also featured an intellectual, not physical, immunity challenge.
Survivor Cagayan episode 9: "Sitting in My Spy Shack"
Tony Vlachos used his spy shack and found the idol that Jeff Probst said was inspired by Tyler Perry, all during Survivor season 28, episode 9, “Sitting in My Spy Shack.”
Survivor Cagayan episode 10: "Chaos Is My Friend"
A recap and analysis of Survivor season 28, episode 10, “Chaos Is My Friend,” during which the Survivors bid at an auction, Tasha won immunity again, and Tony found his third hidden immunity idol.
Survivors Cagayan episode 11: "Havoc to Wreak"
Kass and Spencer tried to convince Woo to abandon Tony, and Tony admitted he had the Tyler Perry idol, during Survivor Cagayan episode 11.
Survivor Cagayan episode 12: "Straw That Broke The Camel’s Back"
During the penultimate episode of Survivor Cagayan, the players acknowledged that Tony Vlachos was in control of the game.
Survivor Cagayan behind the scenes
Survivor Cagayan's hidden immunity idol that could be played after the votes were read was an idea from director Tyler Perry, according to Jeff Probst, and Perry later appearance on the live Survivor finale and reunion to discuss the twist.
During Survivor Cagayan, Jeff Probst did a Reddit AMA. Here are the highlights.
The immunity challenge on Survivor Cagayan episode 2 was created in part by a member of the Dream Team. Meet him, and watch the Dream Team rehearse the challenge.
Why Survivor executive producer, host, and showrunner Jeff Probst defended Redemption Island, even though it won’t be part of Survivor Cagayan.