This episode picks up right where the last one left off, with the Tribunal voting for the elimination. Unsurprisingly, Paulie declines to throw himself into elimination and we get started with voting. Da’Vonne votes for Hunter and Wes votes for Theo, but everyone else votes for Kyle sending him into elimination. Kyle selects Theo to go against, setting up another Brit versus Brit elimination.

Theo dragging Kyle away from the bell.

The elimination is Hall Brawl, another classic Challenge elimination. The two competitors stand across from each other in a narrow hallway, with a bell on each side of the Killing Floor. The first competitor to ring the other’s bell (literally, not figuratively) wins. Simple enough but guaranteed to produce a physical battle.

Theo tackles Kyle to keep him away from the bell.

The elimination starts and Kyle charges into Theo’s knees and is able to force him back. Theo starts grabbing at Kyle’s ankles in an effort to keep him back, but it proves futile and Kyle breaks free and gets to the bell just before Theo does. The next round starts and Theo tries to get under Kyle this time and is able to prevent getting pushed back. Kyle is grabbing at Theo to slow him down, but eventually, they break away from each other and Theo gets to the bell, setting up one final round. This round starts and the guys meet in the middle without either being able to gain significant ground. Kyle’s helmet flies off, and his hair is everywhere as he and Theo wrestle for ground. They seem jammed in the middle for a while before they eventually break apart and Theo gets to the bell just before Kyle does, giving him the win.

Theo after the elimination.

Outstanding elimination from both competitors, and even Cara Maria and Paulie gave him credit for the effort he put forth. I think if Kyle is healthy, he probably wins, but an impressive performance by both and Kyle is dismissed by TJ. Theo admits back at the house he thought he would lose after the first round, but he was able to adjust his strategy and eke out the win.

The puzzle during the mission.

We head to the mission for the episode, entitled Crash Landing. The mission has the competitors sit in an airplane as it is tossed and spun around akin to a theme park ride while working on a puzzle. First three to complete the puzzle and get in the water get in the Tribunal. Also, the first male and female to complete the mission with a correct puzzle go straight to the final.

Turbo flipping out of the plane.

Solid mission, I enjoyed the switch the past two episodes to having everyone compete at once to expedite the length of the mission. Turbo, Cara Maria, Paulie, Wes, Ninja, Georgia, and Dee all completed the mission in the fifteen-minute time limit; with Turbo and Cara Maria getting the free pass to the final and those two in addition to Paulie make the Tribunal. Dee was really stressed about making the jump, but after encouragement from Wes, Ninja, Mattie, Georgia, and Cara Maria she was able to make it.

Cara Maria and Paulie during the Tribunal Meeting.

The tribunal meeting opens, and Cara tells Turbo and Paulie she can’t vote for Dee and Mattie since they made a deal last week. Paulie decides to take Dee in, which I was surprised by as I had assumed he was involved in the alliance with her as well. Turbo says he was going to go for Dee, but since he cannot he will take Ninja. Cara is left short on options and is to decide between Da’Vonne and Georgia. She decides to go with Da’Vonne.

The Tribunal during the ceremony.

The Tribunal ceremony starts with Ninja, and she begins by attempting to apologize to Turbo. Turbo really doesn’t seem to even consider it, and she begins to cry before her part ends. Dee is next, and she tries to reason with Turbo as well, but it goes nowhere. Da’Vonne is next, but the guys assure her they won’t be the reason she goes in but she is liable to be called out.

Ninja listening in on Dee and Turbo’s conversation.

After the ceremony, Dee takes it upon herself to improve her stance with Turbo. She says that she and her friends argue often but makeup since they know they care about each other. Turbo says that he prayed to god for the chance to throw her and Ninja into the Killing Floor and that once that is done their rivalry is over.

Turbo prior to taking out an assassination contract.

We head to the Killing Floor, where TJ asks the Tribunal for votes. Turbo starts things off by voting for Dee, eliminating any thought of reconciliation. Cara Maria votes for Da’Vonne, while Paulie votes for Dee sending the Aussie into the Killing Floor. Dee selects Da’Vonne to go against, and TJ introduces the elimination as Tug Of War before the episode ends.

Eliminated

Kyle: Great season from Kyle, he didn’t make the final but considering he was hurt and was up against a legitimately outstanding athlete and still was so close to victory I think this was his best year yet. The rivalry between him and Paulie took more of a backseat in the season than I was expecting, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it continues to be the dominant storyline of the show moving forward.

Power Rankings

11) Da’Vonne: Being in elimination puts her at the bottom, but I give her a solid shot against Dee.

10) Dee: She should be the favorite against Da’Vonne, but even if she wins is still susceptible to being out next amongst the females.

9) Mattie: The rankings get real tough from here on out. Mattie has the least track record endurance wise and out of the competitors remaining her winning the final would be what I was most surprised by.

8) Theo: I went back and forth on Hunter or Theo for this spot, but considering Hunter has won a final before and should have fresher legs by not being in elimination I give him the slightest of edges.

7) Hunter: I think Hunter’s lack of conditioning may be a tad overblown, he’s been solid on running before and there has really only been one mission (Tired Out) where his conditioning has been a significant issue.

6) Georgia: Her conditioning is going to make her a threat no matter the scenario, but her lack of experience on reality competition shows could also rear its head as we whittle down to the best of the best.

5) Ninja: She’s been great so far this season, and her experience in Ninja Warrior gives her a slight edge over Georgia.

4) Paulie: I give Wes the slight edge just due to experience, but Paulie’s a legitimate threat to win as long as he keeps his head on straight.

3) Wes: People have said Wes has disappointed at times in missions this season, but frankly I don’t see it. Since episode 6, he has won five of the eight missions and in the other ones his partner didn’t quite have the length for the mission, he missed the Tribunal by one ball, and he finished in fourth place.

2) Cara Maria: Making four finals in a row is nothing to shake your stick at, and while she is an outstanding competitor, I think her political ability (only one elimination in that time frame) has gone massively overlooked as well.

1) Turbo: I think he is the strong favorite to win at this point; the edit has been very pro-Turbo and his experience in a previous reality competition show combined with his outstanding athletic ability will make him hard to topple.

Extra Notes

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Fantasy Scoring