When the Clock Strikes Midnight

Plot
The episode opens up with the jumbo jet soaring through the dawn sky, "Come Fly with Me" by Frank Sinatra playing in the background.

As the music plays, the camera zooms into Team Glory in first class.

Zach (CONF): *the music still playing, kicking his feet up on the counter* It's exhausting winning all the time *contently sighs*

The song continues, showing the area decked out for New Years. Interns mill about handing out “2017!” glasses, chutes of champagne, party hats, sparklers and various other party-related items. There are metallic streamers about, as well as other decorations. A huge clock counting down to midnight hangs in between two of the floor-to-ceiling windows

The music dies down as the camera zooms into Alex sitting at the mini-bar with Lauren. The two sip on champagne as Alex tells her that he bets they’re going to New York like they did for the previous New Years challenge because Chris is predictable. Lauren laughs in agreement, and tells him if they do she hopes they have time to explore.

Alex (CONF): Damn, there were only twenty-one left last New Years, and this time there’s still thirty-six of us *let's out an exhausted sigh* This has been tough as hell

Chris (CONF): Predictable? Me? Next season for New Year's I'm taking them to Antarctica

In one set of chairs, Zach, Hailey, Kathryn and Eli talk about who they should take out next should Team Glory lose a challenge. An intern walks up and puts a little party hat on Zach, who says the easiest move is to take out Annie given she's from Team Friendship and less helpful in challenges than Nico and Miller. Hailey nods in agreement, saying it's almost like they're back to having a couple scapegoats like when Nick and Graham were on the outs of the mega-alliance running the team.

Nico, who is lounging on the couch nearby, overhears and gets worried.

Nico (CONF): Man do Annie, Miller and I need to stick together, we are ridiculously outnumbered

Beyla, Colby, Kirsten and Annie sit in the other set of chairs, and are similarly discussing what to do if Team Glory is sent to another elimination ceremony. Izzy is sitting on the ground between the four. She pitches they go after the four in the other set of chairs.

Izzy (CONF): I just feel like we should be going after Kathryn, Hailey and Zach, like that makes the most sense, it’s just a matter of getting others on board…

Kirsten agrees, saying the Kathryn, Zach and Hailey trio is too strong and Colby echoes they've always been kind of disjointed anyways. Annie stays silent.

Annie (CONF): So I don’t like…super trust Izzy after we watched that shady move we watched her pull on Dani back in Disney, but we’ll see, it's not like I have tons of options so I'm just gonna go with the flow

Economy class is similarly booming with New Years activity. Archer and Grant sit together as they watch Helina laughing with Sofia, Vani and Ranjitha. Grant tells him he hopes he realizes that once Townes, Wilson and Sam are taken out, the girls are going to greatly outnumber the guys and could easily band together and pick the rest of them off.

Archer (CONF): *sits in silence for a couple seconds*...so Grant definitely has a good point

Myra is laughing with Sam, telling him the stories of last New Years Eve when they had to sing on that big stage. She jokingly asks if he remembers how embarrassing that was, and he reminds her he was eliminated in the other New York challenge, a week or two before that.

Myra (CONF): Well this is awkward...

Duncan sits with Rourke and Mary and the three guess where they’re going next, and Matt tells Ani and Yuri he’s still delusional from the previous night’s challenge. Yuri tells him “welcome to the club,” stating that’s how he felt after winning the Awake-a-thon in the season one tribute, and that was right before Chef's crazy bootcamp.

Yuri (CONF): Man this is exciting, this game just keeps getting better and better

Kelsey eavesdrops on Townes and Wilson, and hears the two of them discussing that they didn’t expect the other side to successfully take one of them out. They decide they should target Ranjitha again, as they need to make sure they take out a girl, and that worries Kelsey.

Dan hangs out with Paige and Garrett, Phillippa naps on the bench, and Frances sips champagne and chats with Gianna.

Gianna (CONF): It’s been way more chill talking to Frances now that we're on different teams

Interns start subtly handing out parachutes alongside all the other “Welcome to 2017!” paraphernalia, causing some of the contestants to look suspicious.

Duncan (CONF): Here we go again

A montage shows all of the doors of the plane pop open at the same time, showing Alex, Beyla, Eli and Hailey getting pulled out of first class and Myra, Rourke, Duncan and Paige getting pulled out of economy.

Miller (CONF): Now that Nick's gone, I don't kno- *intense winds start blowing, sucking him toward the door* fucking Chri- *gets sucked out of the confessional*

It also shows Ranjitha, Lauren, Kathryn and Garrett getting pulled out in line for the confessional restroom and Helina, Sofia and Grant getting pulled out the mess hall.

The contestants all pull their parachutes and float toward Liberty Island. It is still daylight, and despite being the dead of winter, the trees have a striking combination of red, orange and yellow leaves. Standing on the island is Chris, Chef dressed like the New Years baby, and Ruchi from season one. Myra and Alex flip out, excited to see Ruchi again and confused why she wasn’t brought in to compete, given it was a UNC season, and even Sam looks pumped. The four hug, with Chris giving his signature eye roll then tells them to cut it out. Beyla also runs up, excited to see an old friend.

Ruchi (CONF): Ugh I am so jealous they are back, like why the hell didn't I get picked

Izzy (CONF): Is no one going to point out Chef dressed like a giant baby? Alright sure

Chris passes out a “punch” card with various landmarks on it to Kirsten, Myra and Rourke.

Myra (CONF): This looks awfully familiar…

Sam (CONF): Shit not again...

Chris reminds them that because it’s season two and the stakes are raised, this challenge is going to combine the New York challenge with the New Years challenge from last season. There are six stations that they have to visit, all loosely New Years themed, with six mini-challenges they’ll have to complete to receive a punch for their card. He hands a little laminated map to Eli, Helina and Duncan. It shows the six destinations, but not the challenges at each one:


 * 1) Empire State Building
 * 2) Statue of Liberty
 * 3) Toys R Us
 * 4) Macy’s
 * 5) Central Park
 * 6) Rockefeller Center

Mary (CONF): Aw I miss Sierra, she loves department stores...weird that she's been out for so long now

He then tells them that once they receive all six hole-punches, they will have to make their way to the safe zone in Times Square with an incredible view of the ball drop by 11:50, to ensure they are all there to celebrate the new year together.

Rourke (CONF): Aw that’s oddly...nice of him?

But any team that doesn’t make it by 11:50pm, will automatically be going to elimination.

Rourke (CONF): And there it goes

He also adds that they will have to fight through massive crowds to get to the safe zone, due to it’s position in Times Square. He wishes them luck, and tells them their first challenge will mirror the first one from last season – climbing up the Statue of Liberty then taking a fireman’s pole straight through it back down to the bottom. Once completed, they will board a ferry to Manhattan and race to complete the remaining challenges. Ruchi hugs Alex, Beyla, Myra and Sam, telling them they better make it by the cutoff, and Chris blows the airhorn prompting the contestants to go bolting toward the ropes dangling from the crown on the statue.

Immediately the scene flashes to everyone repelling up the statue. Grant, Alex and Nico are in the lead, with Paige, Duncan and Kelsey close behind.

All of a sudden, the rope carrying Zach and Sam snaps, and the two go barreling back toward the ground. Chris tells them to spice things up because it’s the second season, there are eleven ropes and an unspecified but large amount of them are not actually connected. Alex, Grant, Nico and Gianna soon learn that the hard way, as the rope they had made good progress on snaps and sends all four down to the ground.

Grant (CONF): Yeah nope, not a fan

That puts Paige and Duncan in the lead on a nearby rope, with Kelsey and Annie close behind on a different one. Suddenly, Kelsey and Annie’s rope snaps and they go plummeting toward the ground.

Kelsey (CONF): *rubbing the side of her head, a bandage wrapped around it* There’s just no way Chris can legally make us do this shit

Phillippa and Mary grunt as they climb, the camera zooming out to reveal Liberty Island gorgeously bathed in a multicolored array of autumn trees. Intense music plays as you can see other specks of contestants gripping with the ropes as well.

The camera zooms in to Paige, Duncan and Matt making it to the top, and they turn around to see Phillippa almost there as well on a rope with Mary who is close behind. Suddenly, the rope snaps, but Duncan dives and grabs it. Duncan begins sliding off the side of the crown atop the Statue of Liberty and Matt grabs Duncan, who is in turn grabbed by Paige. As Eli arrives to the top, he sees the group slipping.

Eli (CONF): I mean come on, you can’t just expect me to let them go over the edge

Eli grabs Paige, and the extra manpower helps prevent the three from falling over the top, helping Phillippa and Mary get up in the process. Kirsten looks upset as she arrives at the top.

Kirsten (CONF): This is a competition. Let them fall it's not like Chris is going to let us die...probably

A montage shows the rope carrying Hailey, Sam and Frances go rushing toward the ground, Alex and Colby pulling Lauren over the top, Helina cheering as Ranjitha and Yuri join her, the three working together to pull up Grant and Kelsey, Rourke slipping but Garrett catching him, and finally Townes reaching the top, finishing out Team Booty’s climbers. Myra runs over and punches the “Statue of Liberty” part of their card. They run to the fireman’s pole, and a shot from inside the Statue of Liberty shows everyone’s head along the outside of the hole, peering down to its base below.

Ranjitha (CONF): This just seems…unsafe?

First it shows Yuri shrugging and jumping down, Gianna saying "fuck this" and Wilson telling the team to wish him luck before he does. Then it goes inside to show Kelsey screaming as she slides down, Myra tightly closing her eyes, Grant clutching onto a cross necklace, Helina yelling "fuck Chris" and Sam freaking out. Finally the camera moves to the bottom to show Sofia hit the ground, Archer land upright for a second then fall and Townes immediately taking off after his team, the last to hit the ground. Ruchi cheers on Myra and Sam, wishing them luck. A disgruntled and bruised Sam says that it must be nice to just come "visit" for the challenges.

Dan finishing the treacherous climb means Team Waka can move on to the next part of the challenge as well. Vani hole-punches the card, and Dan gives Kirsten, who is glaring at Eli, a kiss on the cheek before joining his team at the fireman’s pole. The scene at the top shows Vani cheering and jumping down, Garrett gulping before grabbing the pole and Ani nervously laughing before taking the plunge. It transitions to the scene inside, showing Frances screaming at the top of her lungs, Phillippa cursing loudly, Duncan flicking off the cameras and Paige cheering with enthusiasm. Finally the one at the bottom shows Matt completely miss the landing and land on his butt, Mary shakily planting her legs and Rourke shrieking and coming to a halt just before reaching the ground.

Kathryn, exhausted, is having a hard time climbing the rope, and Hailey and Miller are trying to encourage her from behind as the rest of Team Glory waits anxiously at the top. Nico has an idea, and has the team grab the rope, and Alex, Colby, Eli, Zach, Beyla, Kirsten, Lauren, Annie, Nico and Izzy line up and heave the remaining three contestants to the top. Annie gets the hole-punch for the card before one last montage. The scene at the top shows Izzy shrugging before grabbing the pole, Zach saying "fuck it' and plunging in, and Lauren making the sign of the cross before she does. Then it transitions inside, showing Alex hollering, Annie clinging tightly to the pole as she slides down, Eli saying a long "woah" as he slides by the camera and Hailey repeatedly shouting an R-rated word. Finally the scene at the bottom shows Nico gracefully stick the landing, Beyla land then wobbly fall, Miller land before Colby lands right after right on top of him and Kathryn at the bottom praising the lord that she's alive. They take off toward the ferry, with Ruchi waving to Alex and Beyla and wishing them luck.

Ruchi (CONF): I wonder if Chris will just let me join the competition like who will notice?

Annie (CONF): I ask myself every day why I agreed to do this

Once they catch the ferry, the scene shifts to the first ferry, a full thirty minutes ahead of the competition and nearly back to Manhattan. Helina, Yuri and Ranjitha are on the top deck, cheering and waving every time they pass another boat. Other boats are shooting off little fireworks, testing for the displays to come that night. Grant and Kelsey also are on the top deck, with Grant playing his guitar and Kelsey lounging, smiling at the other three getting so excited to see strangers. Down below inside the ship, Sam looks out the huge floor to ceiling windows, telling Sofia he’s glad he made it this far, and his goal is to at least make it further than he did the first time, 24th.

Sam (CONF): I think I'm playing a better strategic game than last time, but this game changes in a moment's notice so I wouldn't say I feel "safe"...ever really

Wilson sits with Archer in a booth sipping hot chocolate, and, in a similar strategy to Grant’s, is telling him to be wary of the gender balance on the team.

Archer (CONF): I mean Sofia wouldn't turn on me...right?

Townes sits with Gianna and Myra, and the three laugh and joke, having never really gotten to know each other due to being on opposing teams.

In the second ferry about ten minutes behind the first and ten minutes ahead of the third, Team Waka also relaxes. Rourke and Mary lie on the top deck, bundled up due to the cold weather, and discuss being the heads of opposing alliances despite being friends. The two make a pact to not target each other, and potentially work together come a merge opportunity.

Mary (CONF): Damn it, I really feel like I missed an opportunity not working with Rourke...

Mary jokingly tells him she hopes he makes it that far, prompting him to laugh. Duncan and Paige are also on the top deck, waving to strangers like Helina, Yuri and Ranjitha are. They hang over the rail, talking and laughing. Down below, Phillippa is in line for the concession stand with Garrett, as Vani talks to Dan and Frances sits in a booth with Matt and Ani. Frances tells them she's glad to be off Team Friendship.

Frances (CONF): That team was such a shit show

Matt and Ani laugh and say they're glad to have her, and it's nice to have someone else to watch their backs. They continue to laugh and talk as the scene shifts.

On the final ferry, Kirsten paces on the top deck, nervous about how far behind they are from the other two teams. Alex and Miller are also up there, deep in conversation. Down below, Annie and Colby share a soft pretzel while Hailey, Kathryn and Zach sit in a booth and Kathryn apologizes for her poor performance in the first part of the challenge. Ironically, Izzy is in another booth with Lauren and Beyla telling them they should target Kathryn for putting them behind.

Beyla (CONF): I’m glad Izzy keeps including me in these conversations. I don’t think she realizes I’m also in CK so of course I’m not voting Kathryn, but this is good info to have

Eli looks out the window with Nico, speculating what challenge they’re going to have to complete.

Once Team Booty’s ferry arrives, a montage shows them running through Battery Park and through a crowded subway station, planning on starting at the Empire State Building.

A second montage shows Team Waka weaving through Battery Park, hailing a set of taxis to take them to Macy’s.

Finally, a third montage shows Team Glory off through Battery Park as well, also entering the subway station to head to Central Park.

Team Booty is first to arrive at the Empire State Building, where they learn their challenge is to reach the top by climbing the 86 flights of stairs. They groan and begin working their way up.

Gianna (CONF): Oh hell no

When Team Waka gets to Macy’s, they learn their challenge is to find a little present of their color somewhere amidst the chaos of the store. It could be on any of the five stories. They break into groups: Duncan and Phillippa, Rourke and Paige, Mary and Garrett, Matt and Ani, and Vani, Dan and Frances, and they split up to search the enormous store.

The scene flashes to Team Glory, split up into three canoes, and kayaking around the near-frozen lake in the middle of central park. It is filled with buoys all with three numbers on the bottom, one of which the code to crack open the gold suitcase containing their hole-puncher. Alex, Colby, Kirsten and Izzy share a canoe, as do Kathryn, Zach, Hailey and Beyla and Nico, Annie, Miller, Lauren and Eli.

A three-way split screen shows Grant and Helina sweating as they power up the stairs, Mary cursing as her and Duncan crawl through a shirt rack looking for the present and finding it empty, and Alex shouting out “778” code to Lauren, holding the suitcase, with her saying it didn’t work. All three parts of the split-screen simultaneously switch to Yuri encouraging an exhausted Myra, both profusely sweating, Matt and Ani checking larger presents to see if the light-orange one is inside, and Nico yelling out “412” to Lauren. Team Glory’s screen becomes the large screen as the case clicks open and Lauren hole-punches their card. Despite their early deficit, this puts Team Glory in the lead as they quickly kayak back to shore and run toward the subway to head to Rockefeller center.

Once Myra reaches the top and steps on the Booty blue mat, the intern waves Helina through to punch the card, and they all stuff themselves in the elevator for the ride down and make plans to head to Central Park. Myra is bright red.

Myra (CONF): Chris is literally trying to kill me

Frances finds a booty blue present, and smirks, deciding to hide it among the contestants of a trash can, somewhere the other contestants would never look. Almost simultaneously, Duncan and Phillippa stumble across the Waka orange present inside a clothes rack and rally everyone up to also head toward Central Park.

At Rockefeller Center, the ice rink in the middle of the plaza with the huge Christmas tree still up has been turned into a makeshift hockey rink. To receive this hole-punch, the teams have to face off against a group of talented children in a hockey match and score at least three goals before they pass.

Zach (CONF): They’re children, I mean come on how hard could this be

A little girl in a fluffy pink coat weaves right through Zach, Miller and Beyla before slapshotting it straight through Kathryn's legs and into the back of the net.

Hailey (CONF): Well damn

As the game rages on, Team Booty and Team Waka arrive at Central Park almost simultaneously. They quickly separate into teams for the canoes and begin frantically rowing around the lake. Frances, sharing a canoe with Mary and Paige, tells the two girls not to worry, given she hid Team Booty’s present back in Macy’s.

Paige (CONF): Ok come on dude that’s not cool

Mary (CONF): We gotta play fair I mean come on these are our friends

The scene shows Ranjitha, who is sharing a canoe with Helina and Yuri, calling out “119” to Myra who is holding the case for Booty, incorrect. Then Wilson, sharing a canoe with Sam and Townes, calling out “873”, also to no avail. It then shows Garrett, in a canoe with Matt and Ani, calling out “465” to Rourke who is holding the case for Waka – wrong. A montage shows Myra cursing at another failed code, Vani nearly tipping out of the canoe trying to grab hold of a buoy, Phillippa yelling out a code and Kelsey slapping the water in frustration.

A quick transition shows Alex slide the puck through a set of twins wearing bright red coats straight to Kathryn, who slams it in the net giving them their first point. Amidst the cheering, the kids immediate retaliate and begin trying to keep the puck away from the members of Team Glory. Zach is about to deck a kid to try and get the puck when Nico reminds them they’re kids. A frustrated Zach asks what they’re supposed to do then, and Nico says he has an idea.

“102”, yells Dan to Rourke, popping open their case and earning a cheer from his teammates. Rourke quickly punches a hole over the tree representing central park, and the group rows to shore to go take on the challenge at the Empire State Building. Soon after, Helina yells out “013” to Myra, popping open Booty’s case as they quickly row to shore to find out how to get to Rockefeller center.

Dan (CONF): Not sure what made me think of this, but it's honestly so weird competing against a team then suddenly being on it

Helina (CONF): Come on it's just Team Waka not like we have anything to worry about...

The sun is beginning to set, causing the contestants to worry because they realize they only have a few hours left. A shot of the Glory hockey game, and both Team Waka and Team Booty on the move is shown, emphasizing the sky turning a mixture of pink, purple and orange.

Everyone skates and floods Nico, who had simply tricked the kids into fighting with each other, distracting them long enough for him and Annie to score a goal each. The referee punches the Rockefeller Center space with an ice-skate shape, and Team Glory decides to make moves toward Macy’s.

A montage shows the next couple challenges: first it shows Phillippa and Duncan sweating as they quickly climb the stairs of the Empire State Building, Townes and Ranjitha high-fiving after scoring a goal in the hockey challenge, Kirsten and Colby side-by-side pulling clothes off racks in search of their present, Matt tossing the hole-punch to Rourke upon arriving at the top of the building, Sofia sliding the puck right through the kids legs to Yuri who scores and Eli cheering and tossing the gift down to Miller, who opens it and punches the card.

Eli (CONF): Alright we've got a pretty good groove going, I think we have a good shot this challenge

Then it shows Wilson and Grant motioning for Gianna to hurry onto the subway, with Archer pulling her in just before the doors close as they head to Macy’s, Garrett using his size to skate right through the kids and score a goal, Alex and Beyla pushing Izzy up the stairs of the Empire State Building, Miller excitedly pointing out the view to Hailey and Annie at the top, and finally ends with Mary scoring the third goal for Team Waka.

Almost simultaneously, Team Waka and Team Glory head for Toys R Us, the final challenge for both teams, and because of how late it is, it is nearly impossible for the contestants to push through the crowds of Times Square to get to the store. Duncan is the first to break through, and standing there is Ruchi to explain the challenge. She tells him and the other members of Waka and Glory trickling in that they have a list of seven toys they need to find. The twist is however, they will get one ride on the Ferris wheel where they will try and spot where they have to go to get the gifts, and have only one minute to either give the child all seven toys or get back on the Ferris wheel for another go around. Any time they don’t make it back within one minute, they will get an entirely new list of gifts, so she tells them it’s important to be observant on the wheel.

Dan (CONF): This just sounds excessively complicated

Once Hailey finally makes it through the crowds, Team Glory heads for the first go-round on the wheel. They divide up to have everyone look for different things. Once Ani arrives for Team Waka, they quickly board as well.

The scene transitions to Team Booty almost tearing apart Macy’s looking for the present, much to the chagrin of the other shoppers and employees given how crowded it is.

Gianna (CONF): This poor Macy’s

Townes (CONF): Alright where is this fucking present?

Similar to the other teams, they split up to cover all five floors, but no one seems to be having any luck. Helina and Yuri, who are on the fifth floor, run to the balcony to see Sam and Myra tearing through a clothing rack on the fourth. They motion asking if they have any luck, to which the two shrug and motion they haven’t. They similarly run over to motion to Kelsey, Grant and Sofia, who also indicate they’re not having any luck.

Back at Toys R Us, Team Glory has acquired four of the gifts while Team Waka only has two. Both are now on their third go-round, and the ferris wheel is moving slowly, frustrating the contestants. Ruchi is cheering on Alex, reminding him he won a variation of this challenge in the first season.

Alex (CONF): Ha yeah but was also almost eliminated in the New Years challenge so

A montage shows Eli and Hailey digging through Pokémon stuffed animals in search of a “Buizel” one, Paige making it back to the ferris wheel right as Team Waka’s timer hits zero, Kirsten sprinting up stairs thinking she saw the slinky, Gianna and Ranjitha cursing as they ravage through the second floor of the Macy’s, and ends with the members of Team Glory cheering on Izzy as she makes her way to the ferris wheel car with the sixth item: a bouncy ball with a specific pattern.

The timer is counting down, and right as Izzy is about to reach the ferris wheel, she encounters a huge crowd that slows her down. Everyone groans as the clock hits zero, and they have to restart the challenge with a different list. To make matters worse, almost simultaneously Frances returns with a pack of Silly Bandz, finishing the challenge for Team Waka. The kid punches their card and they return to the crowds to fight their way to the save zone.

Each team has about an hour left to reach the safe zone as Team Booty and Team Glory work frantically to catch up. On the verge of giving up, Gianna has to use the bathroom and notices their gift in the trash nearby. She grabs it and runs out, hollering at her team to move to Toys R Us for their final challenge.

Team Booty is fighting through the crowds to get to Toys R Us as Team Waka moves through a different direction to reach the safe zone. A montage shows Mary crawling between some guy’s legs, Garrett profusely apologizing to everyone he passes, Team Booty forming a chain of hand-holding to not lose each other in the crowd, and Townes, in the lead, reaching Toys R Us. Right as Team Booty gets there, Hailey comes running up with a little doll, Team Glory’s seventh item. Team Glory also heads out into the crowds, with a mere twenty minutes to make it to the safe zone.

Ruchi runs through the directions for Team Booty at lightning speed, and they dead sprint for the ferris wheel. Helina and Wilson get in full survival mode, and begin barking directions to people, splitting them into pairs and groups of three to retrieve the gifts in as few trips on the wheel as possible.

A cheer is heard as Matt hurdles over the barrier to the safe zone. He pulls Duncan over, and the two assist Vani and Rourke. Phillippa shoves her way past a couple making out, and Ani and Paige hold onto each other tightly as they maneuver over the little silver fence bordering the zone. Dan slinks through a small gap in a family of six and finally Frances and Mary wiggle in, rounding out Team Waka earning them all immunity. Chris, Chef and Ruchi stand there and congratulate them, as they all freak out and jump over one another.

Ani (CONF): Wait…how the hell did Ruchi get here wasn't she just in Toys R Us?

Matt (CONF): That does not make any sense whatsoever

With five minutes left to the zone, there is no sign of the other two teams. Dan looks extremely nervous, hoping Team Glory makes it because without Nick in the game as a buffer he is no longer as sure about Kirsten’s safety.

With two minutes left, Eli comes bursting through the crowd. Getting around the walls upon walls of people proves to be extremely difficult, as a montage shows Izzy crawl between someone’s legs, Alex boost Hailey over before jumping over himself, Zach just throwing himself at people to get them to move, forcing his way to the safe zone, and Miller and Annie trying to find gaps to squeeze through.

Miller (CONF): Note to self - New Years Eve in Times Square looks a lot more fun on TV than it is in real life

Ten seconds from 11:50 and not everyone from Team Glory has reached the safe zone. Kathryn, Beyla, Nico, Kirsten, Lauren and Colby still fight to try and make it in on time.

10…

Nico finally just hurdles over a young couple, with Alex, Zach and Hailey catching him upon entry.

9…

Beyla gets caught in a crowd of people going the other way, and Colby frantically tries to pull her out of it.

8…

Kathryn manages to weasel her way through a gap to the safe zone.

7…

Lauren goes to help Colby pull Beyla out of the traffic going the other way.

6…

Dan reaches out his hand, pulling Kirsten into the safe zone annoying some of his Waka teammates.

5…

Beyla is getting pulled further and further away.

4…

Alex, Annie, Eli, Miller, Nico, Zach, Kathryn, Kirsten, Hailey and Izzy are lined up along the metal fence at the edge of the safe zone, hollering and cheering at their remaining teammates.

3…

Colby and Lauren finally get a hold of her and head back toward the safe zone.

2…

Colby throws himself over the crowd and into the safe zone.

1…

Chris blows an air horn a mere moments before Lauren and Beyla cross. Chris laughs, telling them he’s sorry (not really) to inform them that despite all that effort, they did not cross in time and hence will be sending someone home at the elimination ceremony. A dejected Team Booty appears as well, using an underground tunnel that Ruchi used after being informed by an intern that their time was up. Chris manically laughs, and tells them to enjoy the New Year because two of them will be kicking it off at Playa des Losers with the other people voted out of the competition.

Everyone cheers as the clock counts down to midnight, exchanging “Happy New Years” and “Happy 2017.” Some of the contestants jokingly kiss as the clock strikes zero, as do Dan and Kirsten and Matt and Ani. Kathryn even lets Zach give her a quick kiss. Everyone hugs and exchanges embraces, cheering and celebrating the fact they’ve made it as far as they have in the game.

Zach (CONF): Shit man...getting voted off first thing in the new year would be so shitty

Once everyone boards the plane, the drama is back on. Chris tells them they only have a short time because they have to be back in New York in time for the party.

The unity that Team Glory has been experiencing since Norway is no more, as they are now down to solely members of the Glory alliance and the newcomers from Team Friendship that have a lot of connections to the people on the team. People are dividing into factions that are ever-shifting, and right now the crosshairs seem to be right on Kirsten, Annie, Zach, Hailey and Kathryn. Even Beyla and Alex’s names are thrown into the mix.

At one table, Alex sits with Colby, who urges him to help him, Annie, Kirsten and Miller vote out Hailey. In the meantime, Izzy is gunning for Kathryn due to the fact she is a threat, and Kathryn, Zach, Hailey and Beyla are meeting to try and rope in Lauren to vote for Annie and salvage the Glory mega-alliance.

Alex (CONF): Damn so I never had to do this in season one because by the time we were down to just the Victory mega-alliance, the teams merged

On Team Booty, there is equal chaos, with Sam, Townes and Wilson working frantically to prevent the same fate that Kirk had in the previous episode. The three agree they have to try and target a girl because they could potentially use that logic to secure Grant and swing Archer and Yuri onto their side, at least for this vote. In the meantime, Helina is talking to Ranjitha, Gianna, Myra and Sofia about yet again voting either Townes or Wilson, hoping to keep the momentum going after taking out Kirk. The girls agree, and say they should make sure that Kelsey and Grant are on their side to lock in the numbers. Myra suggests Townes for his social game, knowing how dangerous that can be having made it so far last time, and Gianna immediately seconds the sentiment.

At a table over, Archer talks to Yuri about what Wilson proposed. Yuri says he was approached with it too, and honestly doesn't really know what to do. Archer agrees, nervously eying the table with their alliance. Sofia motions them over, and Archer and Yuri share a knowing look before joining to discuss the logistics of going after another member of Kirk Alert.

Archer (CONF): We're getting to a point where I have to do what's best for my game, not just the alliance's

Team Waka relaxes as the jumbo jet is filled with chaos over who everyone thinks is going home, when Chris beckons Team Booty into the elimination room.

~*Barfbag Ceremony - Team Booty*~

Chris and Ruchi are standing in the elimination room as the twelve Team Booty members are ushered in for their third elimination ceremony in a row. Ruchi hugs Myra and Sam, wishing them luck. The contestants line the bleachers, Townes putting his hand on a nervous Wilson's shoulders as they sit and Ranjitha whispering with Gianna trying to finalize the plan. Once they settle, Chris calls upon Ranjitha to head to the confessional, beginning the voting process.

Ranjitha (CONF): You’re honestly pretty hype but we didn’t really have a choice *stamps Townes’ passport*

Townes (CONF): Really nothing against you, but this was the only way we were going to potentially get people to flip, sorry *stamps Myra’s passport*

Myra (CONF): *crosses fingers and stamps Townes’ passport*

Yuri (CONF): *holding up two passports, continuously looking back and forth between the two*

Archer (CONF): Fuck

Chris walks in with a plate full of eleven barfbags. He hands the first one to…

Yuri.

Yuri cheers loudly, claiming his safety.

Ranjitha. Sofia. Wilson.

Ranjitha and Sofia hug, while Wilson nervously awaits his allies’ fate.

Kelsey. Gianna.

The two girls hug and whip.

Sam. Helina. Grant. Archer.

Helina looks shocked, convinced by this point it had to be her in the bottom two with someone. Ruchi hugs Sam, but can't stop nervously watching Myra. Archer doesn't even catch his barfbag, looking too distracted. That leaves Myra and Townes as the bottom two, with the last barfbag going to…

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Townes.

Making Myra the first veteran voted out of season two. Like many Team Booty elimination ceremonies, Myra looks absolutely shocked. Helina is so shocked she throws her hands over her mouth, and Ranjitha turns to Yuri who avoids eye contact.

Myra (CONF): I’m just really bummed I didn’t make it as far as I did last time...but this season was like way harder and way more fun so I’m proud of myself *pauses to wipe away a tear* also thanks to all my fans *waves at the camera*

Alex and Ruchi look devastated and run over to hug Myra. Even Sam comes.

Ruchi (CONF): Are you kidding me? Caroline, Ian, Liz and Channing have told me their stories of these crazy bonding experiences with everyone after the elimination ceremony and Myra fricking goes home the episode I'm here? And now Alex is vulnerable? This sucks

Eventually, this leads to yet another group hug, as the contestants have been growing closer due to Chris’s crazy, horrifying and dangerous antics. Chris tosses her a parachute, and she thanks her team for the "mems" before sadly taking the Drop of Shame. He ushers the members of Team Booty out, preparing for Team Glory’s elimination ceremony.

~*Barfbag Ceremony - Team Glory*~

As Team Glory walks in, Beyla and Alex look dismayed to see Myra gone. Chris welcomes Team Glory to their second elimination ceremony as a new team, before telling Eli to go stamp the passport of the contestant he wants eliminated, starting the second round of voting. Nico and Eli lock eyes as he disappears into the hall.

Eli (CONF): I’m sorry but I just don't really have any other options *stamps Annie’s passport*

Nico (CONF): Voting Annie would be so risky, because former Team Friendship isn't in a great spot...but would it be worse to betray what's clearly becoming the majority alliance? *looks over both Annie and Hailey's passports for a long time, before finally stamping Hailey’s passport*

Lauren (CONF): I just feel like this makes the most sense *stamps Annie’s passport*

Kathryn (CONF): Gotta protect my girl *stamps Annie’s passport*

Hailey (CONF): I don't understand what's so hard about this like obviously our original alliance should stick together *stamps Annie's passport*

Annie (CONF): Oh getting rid of me is the smart move for sure...now let's just hope they don't *stamps Hailey's passport*

Chris walks out with a tray full of twelve barfbags. He hands the first to…

Alex.

Ruchi runs over and hugs him, extremely nervous for his wellbeing after seeing Myra take the Drop of Shame.

Miller. Colby. Kirsten. Nico.

Kirsten playfully sticks a tongue out at Nico as Colby and Miller embrace.

Lauren. Beyla. Kathryn. Eli.

The four all excitedly catch their barfbags. Right when Kathryn grabs hers, she looks back at Zach and Hailey nervously.

Zach. Izzy.

Zach scoops Izzy into a hug, as Annie and Hailey look nervous. Chris hands the final marshmallow to…

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Annie stands up, and tells Chris she’d like to use her advantage. Everyone's mouth's drop except for Colby and Alex, who knew she had an idol. But even Alex and Colby look slightly confused as they were never fully told the power. She turns to them and says the idol is a special one, having the power to be used at any time, even during Chris passing out barfbags.

She walks up to Chris and places the idol in his hand, and he says it’s valid. He tells them despite the fact it was Annie who received the most votes, it is Hailey who will be going home tonight. Hailey looks devastated, and she’s immediately hugged by Kathryn and Zach. A silence falls across the group. Chris hands her a parachute and she dejectedly takes the Drop of Shame, the final elimination of 2016.

Hailey (CONF): *tearing up* Damn, I’m not ready to stop playing...and an idol taking me out?…I guess I went big. Oh well, I hope my girl Kathryn kills it and I’m so blessed for the memories I got to make on this show. Good luck to the rest of y'all! *tears beginning to fall*

Chris congratulates the remaining members for surviving the elimination ceremony, and tells them they will be going to a penthouse in Times Square to celebrate 2017.

Ruchi (CONF): Where the hell does Chris get all this money?

They're dropped off back in Times Square, and they go up to the penthouse of the tallest building where ceiling-to-floor windows give an incredible view of the entire lit up city. Everyone in the city is still raging, filling the streets with cheers, laughter and small fireworks.

Similar to when they were in Sydney, Chris gives them all fancy attire to change into. Even the interns get dressed up, as DJ Chef comes out and begins cranking up the night.

Alex and Ruchi are drinking champagne on the balcony overlooking the city, talking about how bummed they are that Myra was voted off. Also on the balcony are Yuri and Archer, discussing how they flipped and how they're scared at how Helina, Sofia, Gianna and Ranjitha are going to take it. Especially Helina. Also outside, Dan and Kirsten can't enjoy the partying because they're too deep in conversation about their relationship again. Kirsten is still pushing that it isn't the right time due to the game, but Dan is insistent that they try anyways.

Inside, the party is raging. A montage shows everyone in their fancy clothes going wild. Paige, Izzy, Rourke, Duncan, Phillippa and Helina are taking shots at the bar. Ranjitha, Vani, Gianna, Nico, Beyla, Mary and Frances have a big dance circle, and are joined by Alex, Ruchi, Archer and Yuri. Yuri comes in the middle and begins taking his shirt off, causing Alex to laugh and cover his eyes and Ranjitha to cheer him on.

Garrett and Townes hover over the appetizers, eating everything in sight, and Colby, Kathryn and Zach laugh and talk by a giant bowl of PJ.

Also on the dance floor, Matt and Ani laugh and dance together, in a circle with Wilson, Eli, Kelsey, Grant, Annie, Miller and Sofia.

Kirsten looks through the windows inside and sees everyone had merged into one big circle on the dance floor, cheering and screaming as Helina drops it, Yuri does his crazy dance, Lauren does the shopping cart move, Townes does a running man dance and Ruchi and Beyla do some Bhangara moves. Phillippa whipping makes everyone scream, and Rourke drunkenly begins to hand out shots for everyone to take as a group. Kirsten asks Dan if they can go back inside, but he wants to keep talking things through until it's worked out. He says he feels like she's not in it, and begins to ramble off about the relationship again. Kirsten reluctantly listens, and laughter and a toast can be heard as the camera zooms out ending with a wide shot of the city and its shimmering lights, before one giant firework makes the scene cut to black.

Trivia

 * This challenge is a combination of the challenges performed in Big Ball Plop and What's Not to Love?
 * This is the only episode in the series that features a holiday and a male isn't eliminated
 * Clay is eliminated in the Halloween challenge in Dublin, Karthik is booted in the Thanksgiving episode at Plymouth Rock, Brian is sent home after the Christmas challenge and Eli is voted off in the Valentine's Day special
 * That makes Myra and Hailey the only girls eliminated during a holiday, both of which being New Years
 * This episode is an hour-long special