'The Mole' debuts
Guest blogger John-John Williams IV reports:
Ominous music accompanied a series of breathtaking shots of the Chileian landscape. The Mole was in full swing. That means tons of strategy, lying, and adventure.
(I have to admit, The Mole is probably one of my favorite reality game shows. I was so excited to learn that ABC had decided to revive the series. Granted there was no more Anderson Cooper. But, new host Jon Kelley seems to be a decent sub—so far.)
We quickly meet our 12 contestants. They include: Ali, 24, a model from St. Louis; Alex, 31, a musician from Haverford, Pa.; Bobby, 25, a restaurant manager from Manayunk, Pa.; Clay, 32, an attorney from Philadelphia; Craig, 30, a graphic designer from San Diego; Kristen, 25, a neuroscientist from Santa Monica; Liz, 60, a retiree from Whitefish, Mont.; Marcie, 31, a stay-at-home mother from Corona, Calif.; Mark, 42, a high school history teacher and soccer coach from Mukwonago, Wisc.; Nicole Williams, 32, an OB/GYN from Chicago; Paul, 29, a utility worker from Yonkers, N.Y.; and Victoria, 26, a retail manager from Bishop, Texas.
Anywho, the contestants were thrust immediately into danger with their first challenge. Each had to leap from a raft to grab a bag of money while plummeting down a waterfall. (Told you there is some serious adventure.)
Marcie picked Nicole, Liz, Craig and Bobby to sleep outside.
Nicole showed a little of her “personality.” She was none-too-happy with Marcie’s decision to have her sleep outside.
“I’m coming in,” Nicole informed to the group. “I don’t have to do anything other than stay black and die.”
Nicole later said she was going to stay awake and stay in the cabin. She said that did not violate the rules. (Nicole immediately rubbed the competitors the wrong way. They showed her how much the following day. But we’ll get to that later.)
The next day the contestants voted Nicole the whiner of the group. As her “reward,” she was charged with assigning contestants jobs in their next challenge — a scavenger hunt.
Nicole appeared stung by the label, but then embraced it.
“What’s wrong with being smart and gorgeous at the same time?” she asked during a confessional. (Oh, brother….)
Anywho, the contestants failed miserably during the challenge. Many demonstrated some mole-like behaviors. Bobby, Craig, and Paul were instantly winded.
In the end, it was revealed that the contestants had only earned $35,000 out of a possible $85,000. Kelley informed the group that Nicole had to spend the night sleeping on the beach alone as punishment for her whining.
After a gourmet dinner in the cabin, the group had to take the elimination quiz.
Just before the quiz, Kelley informed the contestants that Nicole received immunity because she was banished to the beach for the night.
During a confessional, Paul revealed that Craig was his top pick to be the mole.
“He is a person that you just love to love,” he said.
Marcie reveals that she is nervous going into the quiz.
Mark tearfully confessed that he wants to win the competition so that his wife can stop working and spend more time with their children. (Was that meant to make us feel sorry for him? Not I.)
Kelley revealed that Marcie was eliminated. She was tearful in her exit. And she said she was ready to go home to her family. (Back to the show...)
The show ended with an eerie clip of Nicole giggling as she fell asleep in front of the fire. (She might take on Omarosa status before the season is over.)
Next week, we see Paul’s bullying side rear its head. He challenges Bobby’s manhood. He gets into an argument with Victoria. And the scene ends with Nicole telling him that she is going to “kill him while he sleeps.” (How’s that for civility?)
