Finished my rewatch of #Survivor: Marquesas, a hugely significant season in that it featured the first overthrow of a majority alliance, the dreaded purple rock, Kathy peeing on John’s hand, and a great cast. Some other (spoiler-filled) thoughts…

Cast and crew still recount horror stories about the bugs on Marquesas. Here is Exhibit A for why

The product placement is totally insane in Marquesas. You name it, they shill it. And these are but a few examples.

The Reebok product placement is less than subtle, even right up on the buff in huge letters.

Also, all the players had to wear Reebok clothes, which is why Boston Rob’s first season does NOT feature his trademark Red Sox cap, but rather a Patriots hat because Reebok was also an NFL partner. (You also see Jets and Panthers gear this season)

Definitely odd to see contestants rocking shades.

Jeff Probst also experimenting with different looks.

There are a lot of weird confessional interview angles in Marquesas, including Gabe straight up lying down.

Sarah (a.k.a. Cleopatra) also refusing to get up for her interview.

Needless to say, it’s very difficult watching Boston Rob essentially out John on national TV and say things like this…

On the brighter side, this Sean and Paschal celebration is among the best you will ever see as we begin the Sean Rector appreciation portion of the #Survivor: Marquesas thread.

Another epic Sean Rector celebration.

Pretty much every confessional out of Sean in Marqueses was money.

While we’re on the subject of Sean Rector highlights, the quoting of Passenger 57 is simply tremendous.

Always a straight shooter, even on reward

Speaking of rewards, this was certainly one for viewers.

And while I posted this already, it’s always worth taking another look and listen to Sean’s spot-on take on the issues Black contestants face while playing Survivor.

Look boys & girls, a world before whispering at Tribal Council…

Forgot about this whoopsie! challenge call by Jeff Probst

The challenges in Marquesas are a mixed bag. A lot of having to dive down to unhook or grab things from the ocean floor, which I absolutely LOVE, but also some pretty lame ones, like the S.O.S. challenge, and this one where they literally had to fly a kite.

But at least the final immunity challenge was this classic, which should be the final immunity contest on EVERY season. So simple, yet so dramatic.

Marquesas also allows us to look back upon a time when women not only actually won the game, but made up the entire final 3.

The General’s final Tribal look is A+++

Here’s where @Eorlins clearly got her inspiration for dramatic indecisive final Tribal Council voting.

There is an inordinate amount of taxi cab footage in this epic vote delivery, and I am here for every second of it.

Jeff Probst having to awkwardly hand off to Rosie O’Donnell to host the reunion show. Rosie basically just did a comedy act the entire time and didn’t really ask anyone anything. (Never even asked Paschal about the purple rock.) Probst started hosting the following season.

Speaking of awkward…

I went to this outdoor finale in Central Park. It was freezing. They gave us all those silver space blankets to keep us warm, but then took them away when they decided they looked terrible on camera. I’m still bitter about it.

In conclusion, Marquesas remains an underrated early #Survivor season gem and an enjoyable rewatch.