Team Asshat arrives at the top with a total of 23 bricks, adding $5,750 to the pot. Team We Suck Because Of Craig sloooowly continues to make their way up. Craig isn't doing too well, but he's really motivated. Funny side note: In interview, Paul says "Craig has an amazing heart--uh, drive." Haha. Craig's heart may be many things (weakened, clogged, in grave danger at all times) but you can be sure it's not amazing.
Eventually they make it, with only thirty seconds left on the clock. They have 34 bricks, for a total of $8,500. Clay utters a fake-sounding "What?" and generally acts all surprised and horrified. Whatever, MOLE. Jon tells Team Asshat that they have earned the exemption, but there is only one, and they must unanimously decide who gets it. If they can't decide, no one may have it, and all of the money earned is forfeited. Oh man, it's just like that show Unam1mous that was on for a single season last year that was only watched by myself and the FOX executive who approved it. What up J.D. Roth!!!
Victoria and Nicole choose Kristen, since she carried double what everyone else on her team carried, but Clay interrupts to nominate himself, since he's never had an exemption. Fair point, but neither has Victoria, and Kristen was really the MVP of this mission. This, to me, is a classic Mole move - angling for the one exemption and being really aggressive about it. I can see the producers instructing him to do so. The team discusses for a while, and ultimately decides on Clay. Poor Victoria says in interview that she's never had an exemption either, but Clay performed better and that's why she's not so selfish. Oh, honey. Hope you enjoy your llama ride home.
When they all get back to the bottom of the mountain, Craig is suddenly plagued with more slow-motion camera action, and crashes. Medics are called, and he is diagnosed with hypothermia. So he's rushed to the hospital, slipping in and out of consciousness, leaving the rest of the players to worry on the ride home behind him. Nicole states the mood in the van as being somber, but I like to think that Paul busted out Lemonhead for some much-needed hilarity.
"CHEER UP, FUCKERS!"
Later, everyone arrives home, as well as Craig, who is instructed to stay in and stay warm. He comments that he hopes people don't think he's acting this way because he's the Mole. Now, I'd be interested in hearing people's opinions on this. The people I was watching with thought it was extremely Mole-like behavior, but I disagree. I don't think the producers would choose someone to be the Mole who is not physically able to do the tasks. You're taking a huge risk there. If Craig had really hurt himself and not been able to continue, you've got no more show. I just think he's too much of a liability. But what do I know? I apparently think marriage proposals are hilarious practical jokes.
I blame the silly hat.
Dinnertime. Craig is not in attendance, as the doctors were fearful of a relapse. Jon asks the team how vital their journals are. Mark, the Harriet the Spy of the group, says that it is essential, as he has written down every single thing that has happened since the game started. The more the players talk about the importance of the journals, the more excited I get. I remember in Season 2, when everyone had to swap journals, and that moment was like Christmas for me. I LOVE this game.
Sure enough, Jon collects the journals, much to everyone's shock and horror. But he brings them back moments later, explaining that he only used them to create the next mission. Yeah, yeah Jon. We all know you're the mastermind behind this colossal mindfuck. That still doesn't explain why you've chosen to wear a wet suit to the dinner table.
"I prefer to be prepared at all times for an emergency scuba dive."
He explains that he wrote down some comments that players wrote about other players. He's going to quiz them, and if they can correctly guess who said that about them, they'll add $2,000 to the pot. I'm not going to go through all of the questions, so here's a quick summary: Mark thinks Victoria is a lush, Kristen likes Clay's "vibe", Paul can't spell the word "too", and Nicole is even more of an idiot than we thought. When her quote pops up, she obnoxiously coughs and blinks like a friggin strobe light at Kristen, who really has no choice but to choose her. Later, Jon takes that money away. Wow. The only thing sadder than being Omarosa is being an Omarosa wannabe.
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Comments (12)
Congrats on the rock Scream - this is my first Mole season - and it's your fault I'm hooked! Thank's for the great recaps!
1 of 12 | Posted by msmooshka | Posted on June 25, 2008 10:45 AM
isn't there anything more excruciatingly more painfull to poison Nicole with? (p.s. this is the question that got me to register :) )
2 of 12 | Posted by lunababi | Posted on June 25, 2008 10:47 AM
I'm glad SmugJon is growing on you!
I agree with Lunababi, Nicole deserves to die in a very painful way. She's one of the most annoying people I've ever been forced to watch on TV. Your line about her being an Omarosa Wanna-Be made me laugh so loud my boss looked at me funny.
I'm not sure Mark isn't the Mole, but I agree Clay, Alex and Kristen are up there on the list. I can't see it being Paul or Craig, and please not Nicole in any way, shape, or form!
Congrats on your engagement! :)
3 of 12 | Posted by lonebutterfly | Posted on June 25, 2008 11:12 AM
Loved the Legends of the Hidden Temple reference =)
Clay is still at the top of my suspect list, but Mark is starting to look more moley.
Am I the only one thinking that they may have copied their journals and will be getting them back? I remember the first episode of the second season, where some challenge had the players thinking they had all their stuff burned - but in reality they got their stuff back unharmed. You don't really know how long SmugJon was away, so its possible.
4 of 12 | Posted by BlackieChuu | Posted on June 25, 2008 12:54 PM
I, too, am leaning towards Mark being the Mole. If so, he is a great actor.....last night wasn't the first time he squeezed out some tears. Remember in one of his first interviews...crying because he wanted to win so his wife wouldn't have to work anymore?
Everytime Nicole came onscreen, I said to my kids "I hate her." They concurred. You're right, she IS an Omarosa wanna-be. Ew!
Great recap!
5 of 12 | Posted by KikiC | Posted on June 25, 2008 2:42 PM
Good thing I'm not in a pool in this game, Victoria was at the top of my list.
6 of 12 | Posted by EZ Rider | Posted on June 25, 2008 4:03 PM
Is it just me? Still trying to like this season. I feel it is so yaaawwnnn! The challenges are so mundane and lack the flair of past seasons. I'm bored by the end of each episode. I read the boards and everybody is into it. I guess I've just outgrown the show. Or expected it to grow on me eventually, with the changes.
Why God Why? I just dont find it interesting?
7 of 12 | Posted by mangopepper | Posted on June 25, 2008 10:22 PM
for MANGOPEPPER:
You might think about turning off the TV. There are other things to do in life besides watching TV shows that you don't like. Have you ever considered reading a book?
For Screampillar:
Did you get engaged to a man or a woman? I only ask because you have this man crush on Anderson Cooper and now that gays can get married in California....
Congrats regardless. Best wishes to you and the wife (or husband).
8 of 12 | Posted by weasel dearest | Posted on June 26, 2008 8:48 AM
I am pretty sure the Mole is Craig.
First episode:
#11 on the journal put that number in our heads so we would get this right
E_E_E_
11th person in intro was Craig. After going over the waterfall Craig said: "the rope just goes taut and chokes me like a hanged man.
E_E_E_ = hangman
mobile clue:
NIC @ IT = NICATIT = TITANIC
On the boat on the way to the island for scavenger game, Craig is in the very front of the boat with his arms stretched out like in the movie Titanic.
During the scavenger hunt game, the host mentioned that Robinson Crusoe was based on Alexander Selkirk. If you google that name you will find that his name at birth was Alexander Selcraig. Pretty big coincidence there.
And don't forget who brought over the big sign that said someone was going home that night. Craig.
Episode 2:
Everyone was on Bobby for being in the wheelbarrow (where he never should have been at all) but it was Craig that suggested it. In his confessional thing Craig says: I noticed Bobby limping so I told him to get in the wheelbarrow.
The mole would do this to slow the team down so that only 2 teams were looking for pigs. I have yet to figure out why he helped when they got back and took over for Victoria, unless it was to ease a little suspicion from himself or maybe he figured they needed SOMETHING in the pot or people would start giving up. IDK
At all other times in both episodes, Craig has been wearing his glasses, but he did not have them when they arrived for the pig challenge and did not have them the entire time. He did have them back on later though. Maybe they are just clear lenses and doesn't really need them? This could be lying with his eyes.
I haven't went through the second episode good enough yet to have any ideas about the new clues but hopefully I will be back to post something.
In the first episode intro Craig is the only one without any type of graphics(the circly things) next to his name or hometown. The text doesn't change either. Plus he's a graphic artist. Now the episode 2's intro DOES have the circles and animation on his intro, it all but proves they knew it was different from the rest and purposely made it that way.
Episode 4
Text clue:
cf(11)8 = See if 11 ate.
Craig didn't eat... and he is linked to "11"
9 of 12 | Posted by asmaj | Posted on June 26, 2008 10:06 AM
Do you think that this mole's scrapbook/journal is meant to contain clues for us because if so it certainly eliminates several players(as sailorswife was saying)?
for example:
1)"Those kids really ran us all over the field..." Eliminates: Mark, Kristen
"Being blindfolded while flying 40 mph..." Eliminates: Nicole, Mark, and Craig. (Bobby and Ali were also blindfolded.
This Leaves Victoria, Clay, Paul, and Alex (who is supposedly going home this week). I really don’t like this... but Clay was in my top three anyways as well as Victoria. It seems like to much information for then to give us straight out!
hmmmmmmmmmm
10 of 12 | Posted by asmaj | Posted on June 26, 2008 10:07 AM
asmaj,
I think you are way overanalyzing things. I would be really surprised if Craig was the mole. Perhaps you are right, but what if they are giving you all those clues to make it look like Craig, when in actuality it is someone else similar to him? Ever heard of the element of surprise? I don't think they would make it as obvious as you seem to think.
11 of 12 | Posted by JustJesse | Posted on June 26, 2008 1:54 PM
hey weasel I am pretty sure scream is a woman..just never heard a guy being surprised about a proposal before..Congrats Scream.. Have to say though Weasal it did make me smile at the irony that you could not from Screampillar's writing figure out she is a woman, and you are watching a show trying to guess who the Mole is.. ;)
Enjoyed the recaps Scream I just started watching this season because of you.. and I don't know they guys name with the NY accent, lemonhead guy, but I betcha he is the mole.. just my guess..
(scream wrote great recaps for my favorite show last season"Friday Night Lights" and now I will watch any show you think worthy of viewing. FNL sidenote new 3rd season on DirectTv ch. 101 only starting in October, than the series repeats and airs for the first time on NBC Fridays nights after the superbowl in January)
anyway love your writing Scream and congrats on the upcoming marriage..!!
12 of 12 | Posted by User Name | Posted on June 27, 2008 7:09 PM