Like all good reality television, Survivor has heroes and villains. In fact, one of its most popular and acclaimed seasons was titled Heroes vs. Villains, and it saw the two factions battling it out in separate tribes. But the characters seen throughout Survivor are complex individuals, and some may not deserve the hateful reputation that they receive.

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These contestants earned their reputations through a variety of manners, like backstabbing, selfish gameplay, or just generally cold personalities that many people didn't care for. But this is a game, and the content of their characters cannot be judged from their on-screen actions.

Shane Powers

Shane Powers from Survivor making a funny face

Some fans claim that Shane Powers should be given a second chance. Not only because he was a good player, but because he was so eccentrically entertaining. Shane certainly has his flaws, including a fierce temper and a penchant for walking around nude.

But it's clear that there's a good person underneath. His temper could often be chalked up to nicotine withdrawal, and even when he was threatening the life of Courtney Marit, it was done in a joking manner. This is even recognized by Courtney, who focuses on Shane's dig over her apartment rather than the threat itself.

Jean-Robert Bellande

Jean Robert from Survivor looking at the camera

Hailing from Survivor: China, Jean-Robert Bellande had a nasty habit of disparaging other players - particularly Courtney Yates, whom he perceived as physically and mentally weak. It was by far his greatest flaw, and one that perhaps cannot be forgiven.

But his other flaws are rather forgivable. He was lazy, but many contestants have been lazy. He had some irritating traits, but so does everyone. And he was a cutthroat player, but that's just part of the game. In fact, the main reason he was voted out was because Todd Herzog saw him as a strategic threat.

Jonny Fairplay

Jonny Fairplay looks at someone off camera on Survivor.

One of the most notorious villains in Survivor history, Jonny Fairplay made quite a name for himself on Pearl Islands. He soon became famous for his deceitful style of gameplay, which included lying about the death of his grandmother in order to win a reward challenge.

Despite his cutthroat approach to the game, Fairplay never seemed to harm anyone. He tended to refrain from the personal, focusing most of his deception on the game itself. When it comes to winning $1 million, some slick fraud and trickery must be forgiven.

Russell Hantz

Russell Hantz from Survivor

Despite being a fantastic strategic player, Russell Hantz constantly wrecked his own game with a horrible approach to the social aspect. Russell was prone to mocking others, and he showed outward arrogance and pride whenever it came to a good play. Neither tribemates nor viewers particularly liked him, but they could still recognize his excellent strategic mind.

Russell single-handedly dominated Samoa, and he proved a strategic powerhouse in Heroes vs. Villains, resulting in back-to-back Final Tribal Council appearances. Hating his personality is one thing, but Russell's gameplay deserves all the acclaim it often receives.

Kass McQuillen

Survivor contestant Kass McQuillen's cast photo

Great villains can help strengthen a season of Survivor, and Kass McQuillen helped make the incredible Cagayan. Kass has earned quite a bad reputation for her sarcastic personality and arrogant demeanor. But perhaps her most infamous trait is her lack of loyalty.

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Kass is by far one of the most unpredictable and disloyal contestants that Survivor has ever seen, but that's all part of the game, and it often made for thrilling television. It was a trait that carried Kass deep into the game, and fans have since come around to respect her strong gameplay (if not her personality).

Courtney Yates

Courtney Yates from Survivor with white hair

Courtney Yates is an acquired taste. Some people find her one of the greatest aspects of Survivor: China, and some don't care for her cold and antagonistic behavior. Viewers immediately took note of Courtney, and she quickly developed a reputation for her sarcastic attitude and sharp wit. Of particular interest were her confessionals, in which she often poked fun at other contestants and called them names.

But there's no denying that Courtney is hilarious and creative, and she remains loyal to those she is close with. There's no denying that she is rather cold, but it's also clear that she values loyalty and friendship.

Stephenie LaGrossa

Danni and Stephenie of Survivor: Guatemala sitting down

Despite having one of the worst final tribal performances, Stephenie LaGrossa is nevertheless considered a Survivor icon. Following a memorable turn in Palau, a more abrasive and deceptive Stephenie returned for Guatemala, and this newfound aggression earned her some hate from both tribemates and viewers.

But Stephenie was only doing what was necessary to survive and thrive, and her ruthless gameplay was perhaps influenced by her horrible time on Palau in which she and her team were steamrolled by Koror. There's a reason she returned as a hero in Heroes vs. Villains.

Boston Rob

Boston Rob raising his hand on Survivor

Survivor legend Boston Rob is hated by some for numerous reasons. Some hate that he's considered such a fantastic player, despite requiring four tries to win. Some hate his arrogant personality. And some hate his cutthroat gameplay in which he favors deception and betrayal over loyalty.

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But there's no denying that Boston Rob is a great player (regardless of his multiple losses), and he never stoops so low to venture into personal attacks. He always keeps his arrogance and aggression within the realm of the game, and it has resulted in some stellar results.

Chris Underwood

chris underwood smiling in survivor 38

Chris Underwood is hated by the Survivor community through no fault of his own. Underwood is the winner of the widely maligned Edge of Extinction, and the hate he receives stems from the manner in which he emerged victorious. Chris was voted out on day 8, but a win in the re-entry dual placed him back in the game.

The strong social ties he made on the Edge then resulted in his easy 9-4-0 win. Chris is hated not necessarily for what he did, but because of a needless and, let's face it, rather silly production twist. Chris does not deserve to be hated. The Edge of Extinction twist deserves to be hated.

Ben Driebergen

Ben in place of the fire making challenge in Survivor

Ben Driebergen is another unfortunate victim of production twists. The winner of Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers, Ben made it to the end thanks to the use of three Hidden Immunity Idols - a fact that has earned Ben some resentment from old-school Survivor fans who don't like the hidden immunity twist. He also won the unprecedented fire making challenge - a needless twist that prevented Ben from being voted out, undermined the final immunity win, and destroyed all semblance of social gameplay.

Of course, none of this is Ben's fault, and he doesn't deserve the hatred. That should instead be aimed at the producers and their insistence on adding silly twists to a classic and structurally-sound game.

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