Eighteen castaways, separated into two tribes of men vs. women, are stranded on the remote islands of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. After a shocking welcoming ceremony with a local tribe, the nine men and nine women are sent their separate ways to search for their camps at night. At first light, both tribes struggle to make fire and build shelter. Lopevi (the men's tribe) is shocked when Chad reveals that he is an amputee, having lost his right leg below the knee only 20 months earlier. Over at Yasur (the women's tribe), Eliza's constant chatter and Twila's workaholic attitude are rubbing some the wrong way.

A tribe deals with very grim conditions as one castaway has a tearful meltdown after finding maggots in the tribe's food. A wild chicken wanders into the Yasur camp and sends the hungry tribe into a frenzy as they try to catch the chicken with a machete. One Survivor tries to take advantage of tensions between two tribemates after a loss at the Reward Challenge. Two castaways think they are the swing vote, leading to a very unpredictable Tribal Council.

The castaways are shocked to learn that each tribe will lose a member at the next tribal council. An additional twist to the challenge puts one contestant in a very influential position.

A Reward Challenge sends them a visitor for 24 hours. One Survivor plays puppet master in an attempt to pit one tribemate against another.

Both tribes receive unexpected visits from Vanuatu natives bearing a message with consequences for all the castaways. A massive earthquake rocks the island, literally shaking things up for the tribes. A trip for one tribe leads to bonding and makes one castaway very happy. One castaway is caught by a tribemate while attempting to communicate secretly with a member of the opposing tribe.

Feeling vulnerable, one castaway gives an impassioned, persuasive speech in hopes of breaking the tribe's alliances. In a piglet-herding Reward Challenge, could one tribe's chance of winning be hurt by a member's fear of handling pigs?

One member's lack of work ethic prompts negative reactions in the tribe. After winning a hard-fought Challenge, one tribe is rewarded with more than just sustenance. One Survivor, in danger of being voted off, wins a Challenge for the tribe, thus buying more time on the island. A potential target at Tribal Council, one Survivor tries to convince the rest that another tribemate should be next to go.

A Survivor gets fed up with the tribe and is ready for a change. One castaway uses charm, flirtation and cuddling in an attempt to get in good with a tribemate. Anxiety about a possible tribal merge leads one Survivor to make one-on-one pacts with numerous others. One castaway gets into a war of words with a tribemate after being told what to do.

Fetching Tree Mail, one Survivor is surprised to get more than just mail, but the meaning of the surprise remains a mystery. One group of Survivors hatch a devilish plan to screw over their tribemates. Hatred drives two Survivors to serious lobbying to get each other voted out. One Survivor's guilt over aligning with a faction is exacerbated by a tribemate's words.

Two Survivors become "sacrificial lambs" and are tied up by their tribe. A surreal Reward drives one Survivor to overindulge and pay for it later. After a tumultuous night in which one castaway struggles to keep the camp together, it is decided that the most useless tribemate should go. One Survivor is torn between joining a new alliance or thwarting an existing one.

One Survivor tries to solidify a Final Four position. The Survivors are surprised by an emotional reunion with their loved ones.

One tribe member accosts another for breaking a pact. The tribe is irritated by two tribemates who show little desire to contribute to routine camp life. A suddenly powerless castaway attempts to sway an undecided tribe member going into a crucial Tribal Council.

One Survivor is alienated from the tribe after an outburst that jeopardizes any chance of being in the Final Four. Tempers flare when one tribemate refuses to tell another the whereabouts of some buried provisions. When a tribemate catches two Survivors talking strategy, an altercation erupts that makes everyone realize what's at stake. Working both sides of a divided camp, one Survivor makes conflicting promises going into Tribal Council.

Two Survivors get into a fight after one says the other doesn't deserve to be there. Two final and most crucial Immunity Challenges play out and in the end, only two remain.

In front of a live studio audience and the entire cast of VANUATU, Jeff Probst announces the Sole Survivor and winner of the $1 million.