Victory Falls

Plot
The episode opens up with the camera panning past an empty first class. It shows the empty minibar, an empty set of chairs and the vacant couch, before landing on Beyla and Nico sitting the other set of four chairs. An intern walks up with a plate of cookies, and the two each take one as they talk about the final six.

 Beyla (CONF):  Six of us left, I'm a huge Iron man fan but I feel like we're all six avengers, you’ve got Abbey who is Black Widow because she’s a badass and Rourke who is Bruce Banner because he’s kind of a genius and instead of turning into the Hulk he turns into blackout Rourke…

Abbey and Rourke sit at a table in the mess hall over breakfast, Abbey pouring herself a cup of coffee as Rourke tells her about the time they hiked through the Amazon Rainforest while she was eliminated.

 Beyla (CONF):  …Alex is like Captain America because he’s kind of the leader *mumbling off to the side* don’t ever tell him I said that though *returning to her normal voice* and Ranjitha is Hawkeye because let’s face it she’s one of the…well…more useless ones...

Alex and Ranjitha are talking and walking with plates as they sit down with Rourke and Abbey, Ranjitha eating a strip of bacon in a gross manner making Alex laugh.

 Beyla (CONF):  …Nico is Thor cause he’s a challenge beast and finally I am obviously Iron Man

Nico says they’re so close, it’s just Ranjitha he’s worried about.

 Nico (CONF):  Literally the fate of my game lies in the hands of Ranjitha

In the messhall, Abbey, Rourke, Alex and Ranjitha laugh and enjoy themselves. After the overnight portion of the last challenge, there’s been an air of camaraderie.

*flashback to everyone carrying the boxes overnight on the Rock of Gibraltar*

 Rourke (CONF):  Look, I love this and all, but this is also my only shot of staying in this game so I'll play along for now

Chris calls them into the cargo hold for the next challenge. He tells them they’re going to be parachuting into the next destination, but this time they’re going to really enjoy it. He pulls the cord, and the floor opens beneath them showcasing the beautiful Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe at sunset.

 Abbey (CONF):  Ok wow this is the most amazing thing ever

They land in an open clearing surrounding by jungle. It has a spectacular view of the falls, mesmerizing the contestants until Chris angrily huffs, not liking the attention isn’t on him. He tells them this challenge could have taken place pretty much anywhere, but figured they may as well be tortured somewhere with a view.

 Alex (CONF):  Bullshit, I say three minutes until he shoves us over the falls

Standing with him is Alma from season one. Alex and Beyla run over and excitedly hugs her, after which she introduces herself to the remainder of the final six.

 Ranjitha (CONF):  So Eugenia was the veteran in Tokyo, and now Alma is with us in Zimbabwe…

Alma (CONF): This feels like a race thing

In the clearing are three huge set-ups. On the far right are two metal dome-shaped structures that look like jungle gyms. In the center, two giant walls with bells at the top. And finally, on the left is a set of walls forming a narrow hallway, a bell about 50 yards from both exits.

 Alex (CONF):  Wait, these look like eliminations from the challenge *excitedly clapping* hell yeah let’s get it

Chris says they’ll be competing in elimination rounds from MTV’s The Challenge. They'll be randomly paired up, and the three winners will face off in a final round to see who wins immunity. He announces the match-ups:

Round I

Knot so Fast: Alex v. Beyla | Wrecking Wall: Ranjitha v. Abbey | Hall Brawl: Rourke v. Nico

Chris says he’ll explain all three, then he'll start all three eliminations simultaneously.

He starts by saying Alex and Beyla will be facing off in “Knot so Fast.” They’ll each have an extremely heavy rope that's connected by a hook on their back, and will have ten minutes to create as many knots in their dome structure as possible. Once time is up, they’ll switch and the first person to untie their opponent’s knots by climbing around the structure and managing the heavy ropes will win.

 Beyla (CONF):  Oh please this sounds easy

The scene flashes to the six standing at the base of the towering walls. Chris explains that Abbey and Ranjitha must punch through their 30-foot dry wall to make holes they can use to get themselves to the top. First to do so wins.

 Ranjitha (CONF):  And I have to do this against Abbey?

It finally flashes to everyone around the third structure. Alma explains that Rourke and Nico must run through a narrow hallway past each other to ring the bell. The player who rings the bell first in the best of two out of three heats will win.

 Rourke (CONF):  This is a joke right? I have to run past Nico? Like in a football game?

The contestants gear up, the roaring sound of the falls in the background. Alex slides on his elbow pads.

 Alex (CONF):  I don’t trust that Ranjitha will vote with us tonight, I need this win

Abbey tightens her helmet.

 Abbey (CONF):  We’re down two to four right now, sorry Ranj but I am hitting that bell first

Nico stretches and jumps up and down, hyping himself up.

 Nico (CONF):  Yeah baby it’s game time

The camera pans from the roaring falls to the entire playing field, the players in position. Alex and Beyla sweat as they stand by their respective rigs and plan out their paths. Ranjitha and Abbey stare up at the bell, planning their hand and footholds. And finally Rourke and Nico jump up and down as they hold on to opposite ends of the hallway.

Chris raises his airhorn high in the air.

Alma (CONF): I am sure glad I’m not in this challenge…

And blows it, starting Beyla and Alex’s ten minutes, Ranjitha and Abbey’s climb and the first of three heats for Rourke and Nico.

The camera zooms into the hall, where Nico shoves Rourke out of the way and easily hits the bell, winning the first round.

 Rourke (CONF):  *drenched in sweat* Ok going to need to alter my strategy

Abbey and Ranjitha are neck and neck. Abbey punches a hole, grabs it and begins kicking with her right foot. Ranjitha slips and falls to the base, before using her previous holes to climb and trying to pound a hole with her right elbow.

Alex climbs to the top and drops down, grunting as he pulls his slack to catch up. Beyla has a different strategy, weaving around the lower level and not worrying about slack until she absolutely has to.

With Rourke and Nico’s first round over, they watch as Alex and Beyla tire themselves in the dome and Abbey and Ranjitha fly up the wall.

Ranjitha begins to pull ahead of Abbey.

 Abbey (CONF):  Ok what

But she’s having a harder time breaking through the dry wall to make the handhold. She’s been using her elbows, but she’s wearing out.

 Ranjitha (CONF):  This is hard as shit

Abbey is kicking and punching frantically, overpassing Ranjitha and taking a last jump at the top, nailing the bell and winning the elimination round.

While Alex and Beyla are still tangling their ropes, Chris blows the airhorn to start Rourke and Nico’s second round. Instead of making direct contact, right as Rourke is about to hit Nico he drops to the ground causing Nico to trip. Rourke uses this time to sprint to the bell, winning the second round.

The horn goes off, and Alex and Beyla have a two minute break before they switch to untie the others. They jog over with Abbey and Ranjitha to watch the final round of Nico and Rourke’s showdown. Chris blows the airhorn, and the scene becomes slow motion with intense music playing as they charge toward one another. Rourke tries to get low, but Nico gets lower making direct contact. But unlike the first round, it isn’t a blowout. Nico is starting to move Rourke backward, but Rourke is doing everything in his power to stop him.

 Nico (CONF):  Ok where has that strength been the past, oh I don’t know, fifty challenges

Despite this, Nico gets the upper hand and shoves Rourke out of the hall, running to slam the bell and joining Abbey in the final round.

By the time this is over, Alex and Beyla are clipped back in to untie the other’s knot. An exhausted Abbey, Rourke, Ranjitha and Nico join Alma to watch, and the airhorn goes off. Immediately, they begin scaling their opponent's structures. A flash of scenes shows Alex grunt as he tugs the rope, Beyla climb up the side of the dome, Alex swing down to untie a spiral pattern Beyla made, and Beyla pull rope from the second layer.

 Ranjitha (CONF):  Definitely glad I didn’t have to do this one

Alex is drenched in sweat, jumping out of the dome and pulling the last amount of slack. He’s tugging, as Beyla picks up the pace to catch up.

The airhorn blows, and Alex collapses on his pile of rope. Beyla unclips and runs to the side to puke over the side of the cliff toward the falls.

 Beyla (CONF):  *drenched in sweat* What a beautiful view *almost pukes again*

Round II

Inside Out: Alex v. Abbey v. Nico

The scene flashes to the same clearing, a fourth playing field set up. Abbey, Rourke and Nico are harnessed to a rope tied behind their back to a ring. There are three bells, one right outside the ring in front of each player. Chris explains that the first player to hit their bell wins, like a reverse game of tug-o-war.

Another beautiful shot of the falls prefaces the beginning of the final round. Chris blows the airhorn, and the three bolt toward their respective bells. Almost immediately, the ropes pull all three of them back. They each dig down in the sand, digging deep in hopes of making it to their bell. They grunt, kick and pull, but none of the three is seeming to make any forward progress.

Forty-five minutes pass, and Abbey, Nico and Alex all look like they're going to pass out.

Alma (CONF): This is wild

Abbey looks up and sees Ranjitha laughing with Beyla, pointing over the falls.

 Abbey (CONF):  This is it…if Ranjitha doesn’t work with us, I am definitely going home…

Abbey suddenly takes a step, the sudden movement jolting Alex and Nico back giving Abbey enough slack to dive toward her bell. Alex and Nico put up resistance, but are unable to get in the same defensive position from earlier and Abbey slowly drags them backward, ringing her bell and winning immunity.

 Alex (CONF):  What the hell just happening

Abbey unclips and jumps up and down. Rourke, however, looks dismayed, knowing if Abbey is immune then he’s definitely the target.

 Rourke (CONF):  Fuck

The scene flashes to dinner. The messhall is empty, everyone having scattered throughout the Jumbo Jet to discuss strategy. In economy class, Abbey and Rourke sit and eat on the ground with cups of coffee. Abbey says his only hope is to sway Ranjitha and force a tie.

*flashback to Chris pulling out a passport and revealing it's Townes in San Francisco, meaning the votes were tied and there would be a revote*

Rourke asks what will happen if no one sways their vote, and Abbey shrugs but says there’s no way Alex, Nico and Beyla break their alliance at this point. This is their best shot.

 Abbey (CONF):  You know, in retrospect, I may have chosen the wrong alliance, but at this point just have to run with it

In the hallway outside the confessional, Alex is talking to Ranjitha about what the best move is. She is unsure, saying while Rourke is an easy vote, this may be their only chance to take out serious threats Nico and Beyla. Alex nods his head.

 Alex (CONF):  Honestly…she has a point, I just can’t turn on my alliance at this point, there’s no way I’d make it through a jury vote

Nico and Beyla sit at the mini bar in first class to eat their dinner. Alex walks in to join them, and three discuss the need for Rourke to be eliminated.

 Beyla (CONF):  The dude has way too many connections on the jury

Nico asks Alex if he’s solidified Ranjitha’s vote, but he just shifts in his seat, unsure. Over the intercom, Chris announces it's time for the barfbag ceremony. Alex, Beyla and Nico nervously sit in silence, before sliding off the barstools and walking toward the elimination room.

~*ELIMINATION CEREMONY*~

Chris walks out with five barfbags on a plate. He tells them that this is one of the most pivotal elimination ceremonies of the entire game. That this could determine who ends up moving to the final, and who falls just short of the insanely large prize.

Alma (CONF): *rolling her eyes* I think they get it Chris

And it's time to vote.

 Rourke (CONF):  This definitely makes the most sense right now *stamps Beyla’s passport*

 Abbey (CONF):  You know I love you Beyla *stamps Beyla’s passport*

 Beyla (CONF):  Let’s try this again for literally the one hundredth time *stamps Rourke’s passport*

 Nico (CONF):  Let’s end it once and for all *stamps Rourke’s passport*

Chris rubs his hands together and says this is a juicy one. Even Alma is sweating with anticipation.

Alma (CONF): I barely know most of these people, why am I so invested

He hands the first barfbag to the person immune.

Abbey.

Despite knowing she had immunity, she reflexively sighs with relief.

Ranjitha. Alex. Nico.

Alex and Ranjitha hug, as Nico puts a hand on Beyla’s shoulder. Chris says that there’s one barfbag left, and it goes to…

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no one. It’s a tie!

 Alex (CONF):  Damn it Ranjitha

 Ranjitha (CONF):  Look, if you're not playing to win then why are you here

Beyla throws her hands in her head.

Chris asks if anyone other than Rourke and Beyla is going to change their vote, and the contestants nervously eye one another. Beyla tries to make eye contact with Ranjitha, but she avoids it. Alex and Nico shake their heads, the two also eying Ranjitha. Chris's gaze shifts to Abbey, who also nods her head.

He eyes Ranjitha.

She nods no.

Chris says that since no one is going to swap, they’ll be going to a tiebreaker challenge between Rourke and Beyla.

The scene flashes to both Rourke and Beyla by a fire-making set. There’s a little base, rocks, sticks and kindling. Above each base is a rope about five feet above it. Chris explains the first person to build a fire big enough to snap the rope wins the challenge – loser goes home.

 Nico (CONF):  Wait, if Beyla loses and Ranjitha is with Rourke and Abbey…fuck

Alma hands each contestant a flint, and Chris yells "Go!" prompting Beyla and Rourke to immediately get to work.

 Beyla (CONF):  How the fuck

Beyla arranges the sticks into a little pattern, but Rourke has a different strategy and is padding sticks with kindling before going for the structure. Beyla gives hers a go, and a spark hits but given there’s no kindling a fire doesn’t catch.

When Rourke is done with the kindling, he moves onto the sticks, focusing more on their set up and less on the quantity.

Beyla throws the kindling on and strikes it again, this time actually starting a fire. She starts adding more sticks, but the fire is quickly dying. Rourke starts sweating, but stays intently focused.

A montage shows Alma hitting Chris's arm with stress, Beyla adding little sticks, Alex, Nico, Abbey and Ranjitha leaning forward in their seats, extremely invested and Rourke continuing to methodically build up his structure.

As Beyla’s fire rises and falls, the contestants’ eyes are glued to the competition.

 Abbey (CONF):  This is wild

Rourke finally gest to the flint and strikes it hard but nothing happens. He keeps striking, as Beyla’s fire begins to rise. Rourke starts to panic, hitting it harder, eventually getting a spark and starting a small fire. He jumps excitedly and begins adding more sticks. The fire grows larger, the time he spent setting it up starting to pay off. It suddenly surpasses Beyla’s. It lulls right at the rope, giving Beyla’s time to slowly catch up. A snapping sound is heard, and the camera zooms into a rope snapping.

It zooms out, showing that…

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Rourke is jumping up and down cheering, the snapped rope right in front of him. Beyla dejectedly kicks the ground, as Abbey runs over and scoops Rourke into a hug. Chris tells Beyla that it's game over for her. After this wild ride, from the streets of Dublin to the Serengeti, her time in the competition has come to an end.

Alma runs over and pulls Beyla into a huge hug. Ranjitha is just starting at her feet, and Abbey and Rourke are awkwardly looking around.

Beyla, holding back tears, runs over and hugs Alex and Nico. She smiles at Rourke and Abbey as well, completely ignoring Ranjitha before Chris hands her a parachute. She turns at the door and says one final goodbye, before sadly taking the Drop of Shame.

 Beyla (CONF):  I can’t believe that just happened...but wow am I lucky to have been on this wild ride man, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world

A silence befalls the final five, not believing Beyla is gone. Chris asks Abbey who she’d like to bring with her to the luxury cabin, and she chooses Rourke.

Chris says that instead of a party, he has set up the means for a great time in first class. Alma cheers and the five follow.

Alma (CONF): Now this is what I was waiting for

The mini-bar is now fully-stocked with alcohol, and a boombox rests on one of the chairs. There's a deck of cards, and fold-out tables with solo-cups.

 Nico (CONF):  I'm excited but...I can't stop thinking about what's going to happen next

Alex plays "Post to Be" and starts pouring everyone drinks. They laugh, dance and drink all night. Alma, Alex and Nico take on Rourke, Abbey and Ranjitha in a game of "Red Rover" flip cup.

 Alex (CONF):  Well this is weirdly...symbolic

Rourke yells a "Fuck Alma" in a game of "Fuck You Pyramid." Everyone laughs as Ranjitha has to ride the bus. Alex curses as Abbey makes her his mate in Ring of Fire.

After a night of laughing, games and dancing (a lot of "Yeah" by Usher and one play of Wop after Alex insisted), the six go to sleep. After the lights go off, they still talk and laugh, before drifting off, each drunkenly thinking about the final five and what it's going to take to get them that coveted spot in the final.