The Blood vs. Water format, also known as the couples format, is a twist in the game that is originated outside the United States. While international versions have used this format, the pairs of castaways are not always separated to different tribes.
History[]
Philippines[]
- Main article: Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Doubles Showdown
The Philippine version was the first to employ a couples format, a year earlier than the U.S. version. For its fourth season, the game began with 10 celebrity pairs. Prior to the Tribe Switch, the tribes each had five pairs, and while the players still voted as individuals, they voted for a pair, thus sending both members of the pair home.
On Day 1, the pairs, then without tribes, competed for 2 Immunity Bracelets, one for each pair. Former onscreen couple Chuckie Dreyfus and Isabel Granada and rugby teammates Arnold Aninion and John Odulio won the challenge, which also earned them the right to start the schoolyard pick in which they selected other pairs to join their tribe. Arnold and John selected for Bulan and Chuckie and Isabel for Tala.
The couples format however was only seen in play once due to an unprecedented quitting streak of 5 players:
- Geneva Cruz left on Day 2 due to her morals conflicting the game, though the producers allowed her ex-husband, KC Montero to compete as an individual.
- Jackie Forster and Angelika Schmeing from Tala, quit the game at Tribal Council on Day 6 due to struggling from the ethics of the game. When the tribe returned to camp from Tribal Council, Ellen Adarna and Filo Cucueco also quit the game for the same reasons.
The only pair voted out were friends Aifha Medina and Alyssa Alano, who were both voted out of Bulan on Day 3.
Temptation Reward[]
Another added layer to the game was the "Temptation Reward", where a pair from the tribe that won the Reward Challenge was given an opportunity to obtain a game advantage for a cost.
For winning the Day 3 Reward/Immunity Challenge, Tala elected Angelika and Jackie to partake in the Temptation Reward where they were given the choice between giving their tribe flint, shelter building materials and a hammock, or Immunity Bracelets for each of them at the cost of one of them moving to the Bulan tribe, and if either of them got voted out, the remaining member of the pair also had to leave. Angelika and Jackie refused the bracelet and brought the creature comforts to their tribe.
After winning the Reward Challenge on Day 5, Bulan chose mother and daughter pair Maribel Lopez and Mara Yokohama to go the Temptation Reward where they received the same temptation and consequence as Angelika and Jackie. They decided to take the temptation, with Maribel moving to Tala.
Bulan won the Reward Challenge on Day 7 where Arnold and John quickly refused to take the temptation of hotdogs and an amount of money at the cost of giving the reward to the other tribe.
On Day 10, the post-switch Tala won reward, but the Temptation Reward for this round may only be taken by one person. Carlo Gonzales voluntarily partook in the Temptation Reward. He was given a choice to not join in the reward in exchange for 2 amulets: a gold amulet which can subtract a vote in Tribal Council, and a black one that can be played as an Extra Vote. Carlo accepted the dare.
On Day 11, a Tribe Switch occurred, thus ending the pair elimination mechanic, though the Temptation Reward remained in play for one more round on Day 13 where Arnold, who won the Reward Challenge for Tala, was tempted alone. He was also offered P100,000.00 at the cost of him forfeiting his tribe's reward altogether. Due to the steep consequence, Arnold refused.
Australia[]
- Main article: Australian Survivor: Blood v Water
The Australian version adopted the U.S. version's couples format for its ninth season.
In addition, two-time Survivor (U.S.) winner Sandra Diaz-Twine was invited to compete against her daughter, Nina. The tribes were simply named Blood and Water.
Pairs[]
Philippines[]
| Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Doubles Showdown Loved-One Pairs | ||||
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| Alyssa Alano and Aifha Medina Friends |
John Odulio and Arnold Aninion Rugby Teammates |
Geneva Cruz and KC Montero Formerly Married |
Stef Prescott and Gino Dela Peña Dating |
Maribel Lopez and Mara Yokohama Mother-Daughter |
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| Jackie Forster and Angelika Schmeing Friends |
Arthur Solinap and Carlo Gonzales Cousins |
Betong Sumaya Jr. and Maey Bautista Comedians |
Chuckie Dreyfus and Isabel Granada Former Showmance Couple |
Ellen Adarna and Filo Cucueco Dating |
Australia[]
| Australian Survivor: Blood v Water Loved-One Pairs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Jay Bruno and Alex Frost In-Laws |
Khanh Ong and Amy Ong Siblings |
Kate Tatham and Andy Meldrum Siblings |
Ben Watson and Shay Lajoie Partners |
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| Chrissy Zaremba and Croc Crocker In-Laws |
Briana Goodchild and David Goodchild Daughter-Father |
Jordie Hansen and Jesse Hansen Brothers |
Josh Millgate and Jordan Schmidt Cousins |
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| KJ Austin and Sophie Cachia Sisters |
Mark Wales and Sam Gash Married |
Mel Chiang and Michelle Chiang Twin Sisters |
Sandra Diaz-Twine and Nina Twine Mother-Daughter |
Trivia[]
- Instances of loved one pairs competing together on non-Blood vs. Water seasons:
- Husband and wife Henrik Andersen and Lissi Andersen competed together on Robinson Ekspeditionen 1999. They are the first contestants in the Survivor franchise to enter the game with a familial relationship.
- Mother and son Duddie Staack and Mass Staack competed together on Robinson Ekspeditionen 2004.
- Husband and wife Jens Wedel and Stine Wedel competed together on Robinson Ekspeditionen 2004.
- Boyfriend and girlfriend Robban Andersson and Anna Wase competed together on Expedition Robinson 2005.
- Twins Bilyana Martinova and Gabriela Martinova competed together on Survivor: Ekspeditsiya Robinzon.
- Boyfriend and girlfriend Tim Schoegje and Iraida Ibragimova competed together on Expeditie Robinson 2007.
- Mother and daughter Mia Begović and Maja Lena Lopatny competed together on Survivor Srbija VIP: Costa Rica.
- Siblings Camilla Schrøder and Nicolaj Schrøder competed together on Robinson Ekspeditionen 2024.