Memory (also known as Remembrance, Bislama Memory, Concentration, and Brain Food) is a recurring memory challenge that originated in Survivor: The Australian Outback, and has since reappeared in Survivor: Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, and Redemption Island.
Rules[]
Scattered in a challenge arena are numerous pairs of matching objects or symbols hidden under covers. One at a time, contestants will enter the field and uncover two items. If they match, they (or their tribe) score a point. If the items do not match, they are re-covered and the next contestant takes their turn. The first tribe/contestant to score a designated number of points, or the tribe/contestant with the most points when all covers have been unveiled wins the challenge.
Additional rules have appeared season to season, such as the inclusion of items that do not have a matching pair. In Samoa, tribes could choose to forfeit a point in exchange for adding the uncovered item into a reward pool for the winning tribe.
History[]
United States[]
The challenge debuted in Survivor: The Australian Outback as Memory, where it was used for individual immunity. 18 pairs were in the field, and the highest score at the end of the game would win. Colby Donaldson won the challenge, winning immunity.
The challenge was reappeared in Survivor: Vanuatu as a Reward Challenge. The Lopevi tribe fell behind early and eventually fell to the Yasur tribe, 5-2. The women won the expertise of a local bushman to better their camp.
In Survivor: Fiji, the challenge was used as for tribal immunity. Tribes matched words and numbers on sandwich-boards, with the first tribe to score seven pairs (out of 13) winning. Although Ravu came dangerously close to winning, Moto continued their winning streak to take home immunity.
Survivor: Samoa used the challenge for tribal reward under the name Brain Food. Tribes were permitted to forfeit a point in the challenge to place any matched item into the reward pool that would be taken home by the winner. Galu won the challenge over Foa Foa, receiving the forfeited items and a sailing adventure.
The challenge was reused as a Redemption Island duel in Survivor: Redemption Island, with the first person to score five matching symbols winning the challenge. Matt Elrod beat Stephanie Valencia, permanently eliminating her from the game.
Australia[]
France[]
New Zealand[]
Quebec[]
The Brain Food variant of the challenge introduced in Survivor: Samoa appeared in Survivor Québec (2023) as a tribal Reward Challenge. 14 pairs of items were in the field, and the first tribe to match five pairs would win. Tribes were permitted to forfeit a point in the challenge to bring any of the matched items back for their tribe; none of the tribes ended up choosing any of their matched items. Despite starting with an early disadvantage, Tiyaga won the challenge 5-4 and a reward of pastries, fruits, and coffee.
South Africa[]
The Survivor: Redemption Island setup of the challenge was used as a tribal Reward Challenge in Island of Secrets, with the tribes competing for a trip to the BioStrath smoothie bar. Ta'alo came in first, while Laumei squandered a lead to come in second place to win a bounty of fresh fruit, leaving Sa'ula with nothing.
Winners[]
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| The Australian Outback "The Final Four" |
Individual Immunity |  Colby Donaldson |
| Tribal Reward |        Yasur | |
| Fiji "Love Many, Trust Few, Do Wrong to None" |
Tribal Immunity |        Moto |
| Samoa "Houdini Magic" |
Tribal Reward |         Galu |
| Redemption Island "It Don't Take a Smart One" |
Duel |  Matt Elrod |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Survivor Australia Episode 2 |
Tribal Immunity |      Moso |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Viêtnam Episode 4 |
Tribal Reward |        Vang |
| Johor Episode 4 |
Tribal Reward |          Lankawaï |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Nicaragua Episode 13 |
Duel |  Mike Sparrow |
| Thailand Episode 6 |
Individual Reward (Outpost Duel) |
 Renee Clarke |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Survivor Québec (2023) Episode 9 |
Tribal Reward |          Tiyaga |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Island of Secrets "It's Time for a Hail Mary" |
Tribal Reward |       Ta'alo |
     Laumei |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Only men have won this challenge when used as an individual challenge.