Survivor, like many other popular reality TV series, often tries to reinvent itself, and one of the most common strategies is to bring back former players so they can try their hand at the game again. The twist can come in different ways, like the person returns to play with a family member, they are part of a returning players tribe, or it's an all-out All-Stars season.
Some people have even played more than twice, including fan favorite Boston Rob Mariano, who played a total of five times! While Sandra Diaz-Twine has played four times (and appeared as a mentor in a fifth), she remains the only player to have ever won the game twice.
While some believe every season should let an entirely new cast of players have their shot, there are players from the more recent seasons who deserve another try, too, for various reasons.
Kellee Kim ("Island of the Idols" Season 39)
Kim's first appearance on the show was marred with controversy when she spoke out against a fellow player for his unwanted touching and other inappropriate behavior that made her uncomfortable. Kim shed a lot of light on the topic of female victim blaming, which was a wonderful moment for the show to raise awareness about the important issue.
That said, the whole experience got in the way of what Kim was really there to do, which was play the game of Survivor. She ended up being voted out after 22 days on the show, even with an Idol in her pocket she never got to play! She deserves another shot where she can just focus solely on the game.
Karishma Patel ("Island of the Idols" Season 39)
Every fan loves an underdog story and Patel was the ultimate one. Always seemingly the odd one out, unable to fit in with anyone else, she had trouble on the island right from the start. She didn't do well in competitions and being isolated from her life at home gave her time to reflect.
Patel, who lasted 32 days, may very well have grown from her first experience on the show. It would be amazing to see her come back stronger than ever, and ready to fight with a new tribe that she can get along with better.
Elaine Stott ("Island of the Idols" Season 39)
A fan favorite on her season, Stott was instantly popular thanks to her sunny and easy-going personality and generally pleasant demeanor. She worked hard at camp, did well in challenges, and got along with just about everyone.
While she finished in seventh place, which gave her a seat on the jury that eventually named Tommy the winner, Stott is yet another contestant from that season who fans would love to see get another try.
Janet Carbin ("Island of the Idols" Season 39)
Yet another player from season 39, Carbin got caught up in the tension between Kellee and Dan, and it might have affected her game. Nonetheless, she had a fifth-place finish, which was impressive for the 61-year-old lifeguard who was playing and aligning with kids half her age, or even younger.
She deserves another shot to redeem herself, both in terms of her character and skill and her representation of a strong woman who is there to support other strong women.
Dan "The Wardog" DaSilva ("Edge of Extinction" Season 38)
Was he annoying, a bully, bossy, and arrogant? Yes, totally. But sometimes, players with reputations like "The Wardog" are who make for entertaining television. And it would be great to see DaSilva arrive to try and run the show with a new set of players.
On his season, which saw one of the most chaotic tribal councils ever, the former military man finished ninth out of 18 players after being blindsided. After having watched his season back on television, DaSilva might have some ideas on how to play differently a second time.
Rick Devens ("Edge of Extinction" Season 38)
The local Georgia morning news anchor with a self-professed dad bod was an instant favorite on his season for his likeable personality and fun-loving attitude. He also had the gift of gab, which made people terrified of him: even though he didn't really do well in challenges, he had a very charming and persuasive personality.
Inching out a fourth-place finish, Devens was equally popular among fans, including singer Sia, who named him recipient of a $100,000 award, which she gives to the player she feels is most deserving each season. He would easily be the favorite if he returned for a second chance.
David Wright ("Millennials vs. Gen X" Season 33, "Edge of Extinction" Season 38)
David has already appeared twice, but his journey and growth as a person has been televised through his two times playing. He began on the 33rd season: considered one of the best seasons of the series to date, it was dubbed Millennials vs. Gen-X. Scrawny and shy, he had little confidence in himself but through encouragement from others including his fellow Gen-X tribe members, David accomplished things he never thought he could, and made it to fourth place.
He returned for season 38, much more self-assured and a completely different person, attributing much of his personal growth to his time on the show. But he was instantly deemed a threat and was voted out in 11th place.
Elizabeth Olson ("David vs. Goliath" Season 37)
The Longview, Texas 33-year-old's thick Southern accent, signature cowboy hat, and honest and genuine personality made her instantly lovable and popular among tribemates.
Olson only lasted 20 days, however, due to a Tribe Switch that through her for a loop and instantly put her on the bottom. She became the easy target but proved herself a worthy player when she outed fellow player Angelina as being a "double agent" right before she left. Clearly, there was much more game left in Olson.
Christian Hubicki ("David vs. Goliath" Season 37)
A quick front-runner to win, Hubicki was likeable and also unapologetically nerdy. He viewed every puzzle, and even endurance competitions, mathematically. He constantly referenced his intellect and analyzed every situation from a position of logic, not emotion. He was strong, persuasive, smart, and liked by all, which was a dangerous combination.
That's why it's no surprise that the robotics scientist got sent home in seventh place, simply because everyone knew he would likely win the game if he wasn't taken out as soon as they had the chance. For that reason, Hubicki deserves another shot at actually making it to the end.
Caleb Reynolds ("Kaoh Rong" Season 32, "Game Changers" Season 34)
Caleb first appeared on another reality series, Big Brother. As a young, fit, athletic man, he moved on to try his hand at Survivor afterwards. His first time around, Reynolds developed an adorable friendship with fellow player Tai Trang, which could have taken both of them to the end if he hadn't been medically evacuated due to heatstroke.
Reynolds did get a second chance two seasons later but got the short end of the stick again when the Tribe Switch put him in a new tribe and the minority alliance and he was ultimately sent home. Still, considering that Reynolds has only made it a combined 18 days on the show – nine per season – maybe a third time would be a charm for the now 33-year-old.