Redemption Island

Redemption Island is a major twist that has appeared in multiple versions of Survivor.

Being the primary twist and namesake of Survivor: Redemption Island, Redemption Island provides an opportunity for an eliminated player or eliminated players to re-enter the game and continue their pursuit to the million-dollar prize and the title of Sole Survivor. In order to do so however, eliminated contestants will compete in head-to-head challenges (known as Duels) in order to remain on the island and avoid permanent elimination.

## Format

Immediately after being voted out, the castaway would take their snuffed torch with them as they walk out from the Tribal Council set. Then they would be instructed to go to Redemption Island.

When the next person is voted out, that player would be sent to Redemption Island as well, meeting up with current inhabitant at the same night. They would then live together from that point, until the next morning, where they will duel to remain on the island. Redemption Island duels varied from two to four castaways to compete to return. The number was based on the stage of the game and how much longer the twist was actually in play.

## Living Conditions

Similar to a successor twist Exile Island, castaways would be living alone at a camp with much fewer supplies than the existing tribe camps. A roofless shelter is provided, and it is up to the castaway to build and maintain the roof. Similar to the regular tribe camps, Redemption Island also has its own Tree Mail informing its inhabitants of the upcoming duels. A short supply of rice is provided daily. The eliminated castaway would also receive their luxury item from Tree Mail to alleviate boredom.

## Arena

Built at a considerable distance from Redemption Island, the "Arena" is where the duels are held. It is an open field surrounded on all sides by tiered seating on which the survivors still in the game sit. The survivors still in the game arrive at the Arena first, followed by the inhabitants of Redemption Island with their unlit torch. The duel would then commence.

## ​Re-entry Point

Each season containing Redemption Island have different points in which castaways return back into the game.

* In the case of *Redemption Island*, the first point was during the middle of the pre-merge, the second was at the beginning of the merge and the third was at the Final Four to become the Final Five.
* In the case of *Blood vs. Water*, the first entry point was at the tribe switch and the second was when the two tribes merged.
* In the case of *South Pacific*, the first entry point was at the merge and the second was at the Final Seven to become the Final Eight.

On completion of the final Duel, Redemption Island is then retired, with all subsequent eliminations following the traditional *Survivor* format.

## Strategy

For the remaining contestants, eliminating other players would be a more difficult burden. In theory, if a player was removed from a tribe after a blindside vote, and returns after winning the final duel, a more unpredictable series of events would complicate the game. For instance, voting out a physically strong player could be potentially risky, as that player might win subsequent duels and just come back at a later time. Also, if the castaways chosen as observers divulge any goings-on at their camp, this could be fatal, as it would be substantial to the strategies of the potential returnee, and to the rival tribe.

   As for the island's current inhabitant, he/she can have a longer time to rethink strategy and how he/she will re-assimilate with his/her former tribemates. The "resurrected" player may forgive the same people who double-crossed him/her, or might show bitterness by making bolder and more rebellious moves to avenge his/her untimely departure, such as creating a counter-alliance with the rival tribe, though all rethinking may all be wasted if they lose a duel. Furthermore, re-assimilating back into the game will be difficult because the inhabitant is oblivious to the happenings at the tribe camps. Additionally, a "resurrected" player is not guaranteed immunity, making him or her susceptible to getting voted out once again, meaning that winning Immunity Challenges could be crucial.

Once the Redemption Island cycle restarts post-merge, inhabitants will have the perfect time buying jury votes, gaining their sympathy as they share similar sentiments, stipulated they are all disposed from the tribe.

## Survivor: Redemption Island

During Survivor: Redemption Island, Ryder was voted out first, before winning Redemption Island and returning during the merge. Ryder later made it to Day 39 and came third at the Final Tribal Council.

Bethany was voted out on Day 10 originally, being the 5th voted out. She, along with Ryder returned at the merge, until being eliminated again on Day 30. She once again returned on Day 34, until being eliminated for the third and final time on Day 37. At Bethany's second return, Redemption Island was officially disbanded.

## Survivor: Blood vs. Water

During Survivor: Blood vs. Water, Redemption Island was once again in play. Cassidy and Mandy however, were sent to Redemption Island first because of the First Impressions Twist. Alistair later was voted out and joined Redemption Island. Alistair and Mandy won the first three duels, eliminating Cassidy, Jett and Kayla. Bethany later joined the two, where the winner was informed that they will return. Mandy won and returned to the game, meaning Alistair and Bethany were eliminated from the game permanently. At this point, the tribes were switched.

Redemption island was temporarily on hiatus until more castaways were eliminated and sent to Redemption Island. Beau, Mallory, Neal and Ryder all competed against each other in the duel, where Ryder lost. Cody later joined the trio, until they all duelled and Beau was eliminated. Cody, Mallory and Neal were then informed that the first person to complete the duel would return to the game. Cody and Mallory lost, meaning that Neal returned to the game. At this point, the castaways were merged and Redemption Island was disbanded.

## Survivor: South Pacific

During Survivor: South Pacific, Redemption Island was in play for the third and most recent time. Danielle, Lana and Virgil were all sent to Redemption Island, with Danielle being permanently eliminated. The remaining pair and Alistair competed, with Virgil losing. Alistair, Lana and Fawn competed against each other, with Alistair and Fawn both being eliminated. Lana then returned to the competition.

Dave, Lana and Karina were the most recent three to be voted out and were sent to Redemption Island. Lana and Dave won, later competing against Peighton and Joe. Since they won, Lana and Joe continued through to the next round of Redemption Island. The next duel was against Cecilia, Lana, Gabriel and Joe, to which Gabriel and Lana were eliminated. In the final duel, Cecilia, Charlie, Miles and Joe were informed that the winner would return to the game. Joe returned and Redemption Island was officially disbanded.

## Survivor: Thailand

A similar variation of the Redemption Island duels was used as a once-off during Survivor: Thailand. The first 5 eliminated castaways, Alistair, Eileen, Katniss, Peeta and Bobby Jon competed in the duel. Katniss returned after she won the competition. She was later voted out and became the 3rd member of the jury. It is not classified as a full Redemption Island twist because there was only one duel.

## Trivia

* In each season where Redemption Island has been a season long twist, at least one male and female returned to the game.
* Apart from the one-time duel during *Thailand*, there has always been a minimum of two castaways and a record of four castaways competing in a duel at any one take.
* Castaways to appear in multiple seasons that included Redemption Island are Alistair, Virgil, Mandy, Ryder, Jett, Dave, Charlie, Bethany, Lana and Fawn.
* Ryder is the only person to return from Redemption Island and make it to the Final Tribal Council in the same season.
	+ Bethany, Joe, Lana and Mandy have all returned from Redemption Island and reached the Final Tribal Council, but achieved this feat in separate seasons.