Twenty castaways are abandoned on Palau, a group of islands in the western Pacific. Initially, the players are given no information on how they are to proceed. The unusual start claims two early casualties who get lost and don't make it to the first challenge. By the end of the first episode, three players depart. Jeff Probst is the host.
The Koror tribe discovers that their beach is overrun with rats, and romance begins to spark in both camps. Koror members also attempt to recover the flint they lost in the water when their boat capsized. A fourth castaway is voted off the islands. Jeff Probst is the host.
Koror's Katie and Caryn get into an argument, one castaway is injured just before competing in a challenge and the fifth castaway is voted off the island. Jeff Probst is the host.
Both tribes are forced to choose a leader for the reward challenge, but each tribe is uncertain of the role that person will play, which makes the choice difficult. Later, the sixth person is cast off the islands. Jeff Probst is the host.
The Ulong tribe members abandon camp during a storm to search for a dry cave and get lost in the woods. The tribe that loses the reward challenge is forced to watch the winners enjoy the prize. In the end, a seventh person is ousted. Jeff Probst is the host.
The tribes endure an intense storm and the following day one tribe member suffers an emotional and physical breakdown. The winners of the reward challenge embark on an undersea adventure. Jeff Probst is the host.
Tom battles a small shark and brings it ashore; a potential alliance between Gregg and Jennifer causes concern for one Koror tribe member; one castaway takes over for a struggling teammate during the immunity challenge. Jeff Probst is the host.
Stephenie becomes concerned about Bobby Jon's primitive behavior around camp; rats invade Koror's campsite; the castaways sample a local delicacy that's hard to swallow; and the winners of the reward challenge disagree over how to enjoy it. Jeff Probst is the host.
Stephenie finds it rough going as she tries to survive on her own as the last member of the Ulong tribe; Coby takes offense at something Tom says; the tenth person is voted out. Jeff Probst is the host.
The castaways take part in a challenge that sees the loser forced to live alone on another island; Janu gets upset at her tribemates. Jeff Probst is the host.
Stephenie tries to get the other three women to form an alliance with her and start voting out the men, beginning with Tom if he loses the immunity challenge.
The six remaining castaways get an emotional visit from loved ones; Caryn believes she is the target of the next vote; some players plot to break up the relationship between Gregg and Jennifer. Jeff Probst is the host.
The final four players are determined, as alliances splinter and gender lines are drawn. At tribal council, one player holds the power vote and is torn between an alliance and a friendship. Jeff Probst is the host.
The final four castaways are pared to two and the jury votes for the $1 million winner. Jeff Probst is the host.
The winner is revealed as the 20 players reunite to discuss the game with host Jeff Probst.