Four teams remain, but only one will win (spoiler, not this episode).
Entering and Leaving as Rivals
The final is right around the corner, and the cast gathers for dinner. We hear what some of them would like to do with the money. We have a lot of single parents who want to provide for their kids, but Sam reveals she wants to use the money for top surgery so she can live more authentically. Then, the cast talks about who will leave this competition as friends. Shane says he’s grateful for the relationship he’s built with Da’Vonne, but she doesn’t reciprocate that response. She keeps quiet and breaks the ice with a conversation about food. Clearly, Shane is upset by this, and the other players speculate communication will be an issue for Shane & Da’Vonne in the final.
$300,000 in Stars
The cast is greeted by TJ and they learn that this final is a race to collect stars. They will travel from a dune, to an oasis, to a lagoon, to a temple. The order that teams complete the checkpoints will determine the number of stars they receive. But, the teams need to finish the checkpoints, or they won’t get any stars. In the end, the fourth place team will get $5,000, third place gets $10,000, second place gets $35,000, and first place gets $250,000.
Checkpoint 1: Coding Ball
The cast needs to run down a sand dune to remember a code, then they need to climb back up (while passing a ball) to use the code to solve a puzzle. They can go up and down as many times as needed, but if they drop the ball while climbing, they will need to head back to the bottom. To everyone’s surprise, Nicole & Melissa set the pace and crack their code first, but Frank & Sam are struggling. This is very reminiscent of the sand dune Sam saw on Battle of the Seasons, and she’s moving slowly. In the end, this proves to be too big of an obstacle, because Frank & Sam are the only team that can’t crack their code, though Adam & Steve need to take two laps to complete theirs.
First place: Melissa & Nicole (4 stars)
Second place: Shane & Da’Vonne (3 stars)
Third place: Adam & Steve (2 stars)
Did not finish (DNF): Frank & Sam
Checkpoint 2: Hashtag Barrels
The next checkpoint is like the Over a Barrel elimination. Teams will need to use ropes in a grid (resembling a hashtag) to roll 12 barrels to their base, then they will use the barrels to solve two puzzles. Once again, Sam is moving quite slowly, though Frank is moving quickly. Adam & Steve collect all their barrels first, which isn’t a shock because they won the Over a Barrel elimination. However, Shane & Da’Vonne are hot on their heels. Adam solves his puzzle first, but Shane & Da’Vonne solve both of their puzzles before Steve completes his.
First place: Shane & Da’Vonne (7 total)
Second place: Adam & Steve (5 total)
Third place: Nicole & Melissa (6 total)
Fourth place: Frank & Sam (1 total)
Checkpoint 3: Towered Out
The cast has to build a pyramid with 28 baskets using a bungee sling, but it’s not that simple. Each team has one ball they can use at any point to sabotage another team, though it’s not a free shot — other players can block. The baskets are quite light, and most teams are dropping them, except for Shane & Da’Vonne. So, Adam uses his ball… to target Frank… and he misses. Then, Frank targets Shane & Da’Vonne and he knocks down a few baskets. Shane retaliates and shoots for Frank, but Frank blocks the ball once again. All of this allows Adam & Steve to take the lead and secure first place.
First place: Adam & Steve (9 total)
Second place: Frank & Sam (4 total)
Third place: Shane & Da’Vonne (9 total)
Fourth place: Nicole & Melissa (7 total)
Checkpoint 4: Camping Chaos
Teams need to race up a hill, memorize a scenic camping site, and recreate it at the base 100% accurately. There are 42 items at the site, and teams can only transport one item at a time. Most teams are getting winded, and Frank knows this is his opportunity to make up ground and hone in on details because Sam isn’t moving super fast. Steve & Adam call for the first check, but they have one item wrong: Their napkin is folded incorrectly. Nicole & Melissa and Shane & Da’Vonne also call for checks, but they have minor errors, and the answer key is very specific. By the time Frank & Sam call for a check, they also have an error. Eventually, Shane & Davonne get their site 100% correct. They celebrate and destroy their camp site.
First place: Shane & Da’Vonne (13 total)
Second place: Frank & Sam (7 total)
Third place: Nicole & Melissa (9 total)
Fourth place: Adam & Steve (10 total)
Stop Being Polite 