Cunning, vicious, and heartless castaways. Endless backbiting and bickering. Mind-blowing and injury-inducing challenges. Intense proceedings during Tribal Councils. Shocking twists. Hard-to-find immunity idols. Outwit. Outplay. Outlast. Survivor is back Now on its 17th season, our favorite reality show is taking us to Gabon. Before it airs on September 25, let's look back at some of the highlights of the past seasons.

Survivor: Borneo. In the first Survivor, Corporate trainer Richard Hatch edged out raft guide Kelly Wiglesworth with a 4-3 vote. The winner was revealed on location rather than live; the only season to do so.

Survivor: The Australian Outback. So far the most watched installment, this season featured registered nurse Tina Wesson who beat actor and custom car designer Colby Donaldson in 4-3 decision. Here, Michael Skupin became the first castaway to be evacuated because of injuries. It ran for 42 days, more than any other seasons san for not more than 39 days.

Survivor: Africa. The third installment was the first to feature tribe swapping. The popular former USL player Ethan Zohn defeated retired teacher Kim Johnson, 5-2.

Survivor: Marquesas. This season featured an all-female finalists, with office manager Vecepia Towery winning over student Neleh Dennis by a 4-3 vote. This season used the infamous Purple Rock tie breaker. The only time it was ever used in Survivor history.

Survivor: Thailand. The tribes were picked by Jake and Jan, instead of the producers predetermining the tribes. It was the first season to feature a delayed merge and fake merge. The two rival tribes also lived side by side on the same beach. Restaurant owner Clay Jordan was beaten by former soft-core porn actor and used car salesman Brian Heidik, 4-3.

Survivor: The Amazon. This installment featured two tribes: one consisted of males and the otherr was composed of females. The hearing impaired Christy Smith competed, the first contestant with disability in a reality TV. Swimsuit model and student Jenna Morasca edged out restaurant designer Matthew Von Ertfelda, 6-1.

Survivor: Pearl Islands. This season featured the Outcast Tribe. Contestants who had been voted out were allowed to return to play the game. In the Reward Challenge, the winning tribe could loot an item from the other tribe. Boy Scout leader Lillian Morris fell to office assistant Sandra Diaz-Twine, 6-1.

Survivor: All-Stars. Administrative assistant Amber Brkich beat bartender and construction worker Rob Mariano (who proposed to Amber just before the announcement of the winner), 4-3. Rupert Boneham won a million dollar afte being voted as the viewers most favorite contestant.

Survivor: Vanuatu - Islands of Fire. The first double tribal council was featured. Chris Daugherty, the last male in the final seven prevailed over Twila Tanner, 5-2.

Survivor: Palau. Koror tribe won all the immunity challenges. There was no tribal merge. The last member of Ulong simply joined Koror. This installment marked the first Exile Island, which was used only once. Firefighter Tom Westman beat advertising executive Katie Gallagher, 6-1.

Survivor: Guatemala - The Mayan Empire. Bobby Jon Drinkard and Stephenie LaGrossa from Survivor: Palau joined 16 new survivors. The hidden immunity idol was first featured in this season. Gary Hogeboom, a retired NFL quarterback, hid his past profession from other castaways, feeling that it was a disadvantage on his part. Radio host Danni Boatwright prevailed over pharmaceutical sales representative LaGrossa, 6-1.

Survivor: Panama - Exile Island. The contestants were grouped into four tribes: Older Men, Older Women, Younger Men, and Younger Women. In this season, the hidden immunity idol (only found in Exile Island) is offered throughout. Bruce Kanegai left because of a medical emergency. Yoga instructor Aras Baskauskas defeated medical sales representative Danielle DiLorenzo, 5-2.

Survivor: Cook Islands. One of the most controversial Survivor seasons as the tribes were divided into four tribes according to ethnicity: Caucasians, African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. Three castaways became finalists. The jury consisted of nine members (some entered the jury even before the merge. Management consultant Yul Kwon won the contest with 5 votes. Waiter Ozzy Lusth got 4 votes, and attorney Becky Lee received no votes.

Survivor: Fiji. For the first time, the total number of castaways starts with an odd number (19 total) due to the last minute withdrawal of one contestant.[4] As part of the twist to this season, one tribe enjoyed much better living conditions than the other tribe prior to the merge. Two immunity idols were in play. For the first time in Survivor's history, the winner got a unanimous vote, 9-0-0. Advertising executive Earl Cole defeated cheerleading coach Dre Herd and civil engineer manager Cassandra Franklin

Survivor: China. This season featured a twist that involved the kidnapping of contestants from the rival tribe, replacing Exile Island. Two immunity idols, hidden in plain sight, were in play. Flight attendant Todd Herzog won over hiking guide Amanda Kimmel and waitress Courtney Yates, 4-1-2.

Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs Favorites. Ten Survivor superfans went head-to-head against 10 popular past castaways. Exile Island returned, with one contestant from each tribe being exiled on occasion. This installment had three contestants leave because of reasons other than being voted out. Amanda Kimmel was defeated by organizer Parvati Shallow (Ozzy's fellow Survivor: Cook Islands castaway), 5-3.