It isn't "sadly progressing" in that direction at all because that is how it started. In Episode 1 of Borneo Jeff calls it a "social experiment." In the very first page of his book, Burnett wrote about his idea for the show: "It...led me to search for a new and clever "nature based" way of providing men and women with an opportunity to discover who they really were. Survivor was the outcome of that search."

The deserted island and the challenges only serve as catalysts. The experiment is all about the characters and their interactions.

The only sad progression is that viewers demand more shock value. Back in 2000-01, Hatch and Jerri were considered villains but what did they really do that was villainous? They made alliances and Jerri flirted. The new viewers, the ones that started watching during Cook islands or Samoa or even later, look back at Hatch and Jerri and don't really see what the big deal was. Hence, casting has to come up with Shamars, Culpeppers, Coltons and Rockers. When that intended villain proves to be harmless like the ex-pitcher, the season falls flat like San Juan del Sur even if I found it interesting.