It’sThe Challengetime again, baby!
I’m back to recap all the madness once again, so let’s jump right in!
TJ’s picked his agents, boarded a helicopter, and the mission is officially a go.
Credit: mtv
Thirty Challengers are en route to a bougie mansion (no bunkers this time!)
for their shot at a million dollars.
to impressive rookie players likeSurvivorwinnerNatalie Andersonand literal Olympian Lolo Jones, it’s really anyone’s season.
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He introduces himself as their handler and describes their first challenge, which is happening … right now.
Players must memorize that color code, race down to their station, and duplicate it exactly.
The first to encrypt their code and detonate their station wins.
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Challenge analysis:We’re starting off physical!
It could get ugly as players wrestle over the capsule long enough to memorize the sequence of colors.
Challenge winners:Aneesa and Fessy!
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The first heat is for the females, and Lolo Jones makes it to the top first.
Her Olympic speed is already intimidating some players.
She grabs the capsule before Tori tackles her.
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Things get a little physical, but not too bad.
Kam calls out for a check twice but is incorrect.
Big T is wrong, too, since she did it in the wrong direction.
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Aneesa ends up winning for the females.
In the male heat, things get extremely physical right out the gate (not surprising!).
Wes goes down in the most comically satisfying way, and TJ can’t stop hysterically laughing.
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It’s one of the most beautiful moments inChallengehistory.
Someone GIF it, hey!
Cory ends up grabbing the capsule and running, and Fessy grabs it next.
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He’s the first one back at his station, and the capsule keeps changing hands after that.
Devin calls for a check first but is wrong.
Darrell is also wrong.
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Fessy finally gets it right, winning for the guys.
That’s why they’re going to be playing from here on out in pairs.
Obviously, Fessy and Aneesa won this challenge, but TJ announces to Aneesa’s own shock!
that she beat Fessy’s timeby over a minute.
So she gets to choose any guy she wants to be her partner.
She picks Fessy, who clearly did not want to be picked by her.
But she’s done being undervalued and is playing to win this season.
And the shocks just keep coming!
TJ yells out for everyone else to stand next to a partner.
It’s chaos, and some people’s feelings get hurt.
Kam tries for CT, but he flat out rejects her and ends up with Ashley instead.
Kam and Leroy are left alone, and so are Josh and Kaycee.
There is so much to unpack from these partnerships!
Big T doesn’t even know her partner’s name in her talking head interviews.
Also, did the pairs have to be guy/girl?
Or did everyone just assume that?
The rookie pair of Lolo and Nam could do some real damage.
Nelson is probably pissed he’s with the smallest rookie girl.
Leroy and Kaycee could actually go far!
The other pairs will choose to send one pair into elimination.
But the vote will happen as individuals in secret.
The double agents will then choose who will go against the chosen pair in elimination.
Loser goes home and the winner gets a skull, earning a spot in the final.
And this season, there are only 10 skulls available.
Now that the pairs have been picked, it’s time for a night out!
Er, make that a nightin.
Nothing else of note happens that night so it must have been a boring night of drinking.
That never happens on this show.
And other veteran players are thinking along the same lines of getting out winners early.
They’re wasting no time this season!
But Wes hears the rumor that winners are going to be targeted early, and he’s not happy.
CT also knows he’s being targeted, so he asks everyone point-blank if they’re voting for him.
They all tell him no, and he knows they’re all lying.
The champs know who’s working with them and who’s working against them.
That’s going to be dangerous for everyone on their hit list.
And theyalsosee who voted for them.
Elimination
The players then suit up and enter The Crater.
This is theDouble Agentselimination grounds, and it’s epic.
Aneesa and Fessy are given the choice to go against CT and Ashley, and they pass.
Instead, they choose Wes and Natalie.
ThreeChallengechampions and aSurvivorwinner in the first elimination?!
I’m torn though.
These four are like a dream final four!
But wait, there’s more!
TJ has yet another twist up his sleeve.
He reveals this is a women’s elimination, even though the pairs are co-ed.
That means only Natalie and Ashley are competing!
Everyone’s freaking out on the sidelines.
The only person not freaking out?
Because she knows she’s got this in the bag.
Elimination challenge:Operation Fire Escape.
And oh yeah, the whole thing will be SET ON FIRE.
She also is used to being targeted early (hello,Winners at War!)
and works well under pressure.
She also came into the house expecting to be targeted early as a rookie.
She’s mentally given up before it’s even started.
Winner:Natalie, duh.
It starts off pretty even between the two women.
They both get visibly exhausted, but Natalie shoots Ashley a great side-eye at one point.
Ashley gets her legs over the middle hump first and Natalie starts to get nervous.
But then she gets into a momentum, catches up, and then takes the lead.
She beats Ashley, earns her gold skull, and gets to return to the house.
but there’syet another twist.
The episode ends before we find out her decision.
If she stays with Wes, does CT have to leave too?
Who will she pick?
What’s going to happen?
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