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B+
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The show opens with Anderson explaining the rules. You know them. Ten players do "tests" for cash prizes that go into a pot. One player is The Mole, who tries to sabotage the whole thing. The one who correctly figures it out gets the pot. Each week, one player is eliminated via a quiz on facts about The Mole. Whoever knows the least leaves. Anderson claims that it's "a simple game -- be observant, expose The Mole, claim the money." But do they really want to expose The Mole? Don't they want to figure it out and then try to divert the others? I guess he means at the end. I'm not going to think about it anymore.
Also, for those of you who missed last week's recap, I want to quickly explain the Three Creamer Rule. The producers obviously include a lot of information to distract the viewers, and in that capacity will often make a big deal out of things that are not at all a big deal. My example was if someone said, "Jim usually only uses two creamers in his coffee, and this morning he used three. I think it means he's The Mole!" So, Three Creamer Rule means something that the producers try to make us think is significant, but clearly (at least in this recapper's opinion) isn't. ["Also known as the Red Herring." -- Wing Chun]
And on with the show. We get a recap of last week's events, but you can read the recap instead of rehashing it all here, if you missed it. The credits roll with a super-cheesy Bond-esque theme song while each player is introduced. Anderson sets the stage by saying that Manuel was the first victim, "and then there were nine."
Jim speaks directly to camera, saying, "Bless me camera, for I have sinned. It's been how many hours since my last confession?" In an interview, Jennifer says that Jim is her "buddy," but not because they are both gay. What? They are? Okay, then. Clearly, the producers did not want to introduce that tidbit into the first episode, probably for fear of turning off the more conservative viewers. And it doesn't really matter to the game, does it? I don't know why they put that at the top of the show, but there it is. In an interview, Kate says that she feels bad that she's not "bonding with the group." Because she's totally The Mole. You know it and I know it.
The group eats breakfast. Jennifer asks how many people think that Jim could be The Mole. She and Jim are the only ones to raise their hands, that we can see. Charlie says that he hasn't eliminated anyone at the table. In an interview, Afi says it's weird to be in a situation where "you can't trust a single person." Or a married person. Ba dum bump. Thanks, I'll be here all week. Don't forget to tip your waitress. Jennifer gets her hands on a video camera, and makes a little video introducing each player. She calls Afi "Alfie."
Maybe they were eating dinner, because suddenly it's 10:34 PM. The Mission: Impossible exact times are working my nerves. Just say it's 10:30 or something. The group is still in France. Anderson voice-overs that the group is "riding high" with their success. Except Manuel, of course. Who? Aw, how soon we forget our Paris-loving, height-fearing, well-dressed Mexican friend.
Cut to 2:30 AM when, as Anderson informs us, the "operatives go to work." They try to make it look like a night-vision camera, but really I think they just put a green filter on the camera lens, because it doesn't look quite right. Some people in ski masks sneak into the castle. They tell someone to open the door and he does immediately. It's Steven. He is "kidnapped," although he doesn't put up much of a fight, blindfolded and driven away in a van.
The group sits down to breakfast the morning at 8 AM. Jim sits down and states that he was woken up, but then changes his story and says that he got up to go to the bathroom. Well, which is it? He takes way too long to tell his story, which is essentially that he went to look out his peephole, and someone put a piece of tape over it just as he looked out, so he thinks something fishy is going on. I wonder if they are told not to leave their rooms at night? Because why wouldn't Jim have walked out into the hallway at that point to see what was up? I guess we'll never know. Kate, Afi, Wendi, Charlie, and Jim go to Steven's room and knock, but there's no answer. They decide to inform the group. Wendi is carrying a pad and pencil for some reason. I just like to give these little details in case they are important later.
The group gathers back at the breakfast table. A waiter walks in, and Jennifer immediately stands up, even though we didn't hear him say her name or anything, and she's almost furthest from the door. She takes a cell phone and an envelope from him. Anderson is on the phone. He is all serious. Lighten up, dude! He tells them that the test today is to find Steven. There is information in the envelope to help them find Anderson, which is the first part of the test. Anderson suggests that they hurry, because he thinks they'll find "Steven is rather, well, uncomfortable." What a fromage-filled performance from Mr. Cooper. He ends the call in a sunset-filled shot. Cut to Steven being led into a candle-filled room, put in leg shackles and fitted with an Iron Mask. Just like Leonardo DiCaprio!
Jennifer pulls out a clue -- another one of those "letters cut out of magazines"-type ransom notes. She reads it: "We have Steve. In order to win more money, meet Anderson at Monaco Heliport."