That game’s about to change. But is it for the better?
Mutiny Scrutiny
The episode opens with the teams heading to the daily challenge, and Nelson tries to conduct a mutiny. He claims he’s proven he belongs on the team and would be a fair leader, but Josh isn’t hearing it. Josh claims he’s earned his position and he’s a good leader for the team (reminder, they’ve never won). Nelson asserts Josh only put himself in a position of safety, but Nelson doesn’t have the votes. Josh stays captain and will lead the Blue Team going into Perfect Match. The challenge makes teams run back and forth between a jungle and a lake — a half mile each way. Once the players get to the lake, they’ll find 10 colored pieces in the water, each weighing 80 pounds. They’ll need to carry the pieces back to their station at the base two at a time. Once they have all 10, they’ll use the pieces to solve the puzzle and claim the win. Basically, it’s the mini-final.
The Problem and the Solution
This challenge tethers teammates together while they run, and surprisingly, the Blue Team is the first team to get to the lake. But by the end of the first lap, the Grey Team takes the lead. Meanwhile, the Orange Team worries because CT is moving slowly and can’t keep up with his teammates, Bananas even compares his slowness to Big Easy’s infamous Gauntlet 3 collapse. Later in the run, the Blue Team drops a piece on Nelson’s good foot, and the Grey Team is steadily holding a lead. They’re the first team to start solving their puzzle, but by the time the Blue Team has collected all of their pieces, the Grey Team is still working. Then, the Orange Team shows up, and the competition comes down to the puzzle. And despite CT’s struggle on the run, he proves his puzzle skills compensate for his lack of endurance. He finds the solution, and the Orange Team takes a come-from-behind win.
The CT Dilemma
The cast hosts a rodeo-themed party, and while everyone is dressed like cowboys, the Orange Team meets. Izzy expresses her concerns about the next girls’ elimination, but the conversation turns to the “biggest elephant in the room,” CT. Tori acknowledges his endurance is lacking, but she maintains he’s an invaluable part of the team. She’s run finals with him, and he has a switch that flips. Bananas concurs, and while Justin doesn’t disagree, he also felt Perfect Match was a struggle because of CT’s slower pace. Of course, CT isn’t there for any of the conversations. He’s sleeping, and the cowboys end their convo by piling onto a hibernating CT.
Team Building or Breaking?
The Blue Team also hosts a team meeting while wearing cowboy hats, and Josh tries to apologize to Nelson. Nelson never asked for an apology, and while Josh insists he wants to make things right on the team, he also says he won’t give up his captaincy. Nelson feels that Josh has an easy path — a “golden ticket” according to Cara Maria — but Nelson will need to face every elimination throughout the season, and he’s going to try to get both himself and Josh to the end.
Cory Departs
Cory opens up about his daughter, Maya, who has a heart condition called tricuspid atresia, meaning her right ventricle never fully matured. He shares that Maya has had two open-heart surgeries, one just a few months before he filmed this season. He explains how scary the process is, from having to comfort his daughter to watching her undergo anesthesia, but he feels blessed that she’s alive and has made it through her operations.
Later, he gets a call from Taylor saying that Maya is dealing with another health episode and has to be airlifted to Dallas.Fortunately, we know Maya improved.
Perfect Match?
Tori and Michele decide to pull a prank — she writes love notes to two Challengers, telling them to meet after dinner. Will receives the first one, but the second one goes to Leo. The two men have a surprising encounter, but everyone gets a laugh out of it.
New Team. Captain?
The cast arrives at The Arena, and because Cory has gone home, there’s no elimination. But the Grey Team now needs a new captain, and both girls want the position. Chris votes for Cassidy, Leo votes for Adrienne, and they reach a stalemate. This time, TJ gives them one day to pick their captain, and he arrives up at the house the next day. He says it’s never good when he shows up — could there be more than a captain replacement going on?
Stop Being Polite 