The Fifth Betrayal

Previously on The Mole: Al failed to open the lock on the chest during the rappelling game, and Heather informed us that the most important element of that game was trust. Al informed his teammates as to which answers they got wrong. Dorothy pulled "mistrustfulness" (the word, not the concept) out of her ass to help her team win some more money. Heather had not yet had an exemption. Patrick got executed.

As the credits end, Anderson reminds us that we should "watch for the clue to the identity of The Mole in tonight's episode." Hmm, doesn't he usually say "hidden clue"? Interesting. The episode begins with a series of interviews. Darwin -- suddenly sans moustache -- says that it's difficult not having exposure to the outside world or current events. Al laments how long it's been since he's seen his wife and kids. Bill says that he feels guilty about being away from home because his mother is very ill. Heather wants to go home, but she also wants to win the money, which she knows she can do.

Anderson voice-overs that the players have been away from home for fourteen days, and are now located in Vicenza, Italy. Stereotypical Italian music plays on the soundtrack. Anderson tells the assembled players that he needs three people who are swimmers, three people who are runners, and one person who likes to talk. Katie immediately raises her hand as someone who likes to talk, and Al also volunteers for that role. Anderson adds that the game only involves seven people; the three who are not picked will stay at the hotel and won't get to watch the proceedings. Al voice-overs that he immediately raised his hand, but then Darwin spoke out. Let the record show that Katie's hand went up first, but Al didn't appear to notice that. Darwin says he thinks that Katie should be the one to talk, because Al has already been the central figure in two missions. In an interview, Darwin explains that they haven't been very successful so far, but he stops short of blaming that on Al, even though you know that's what he was thinking. Darwin claims that it's really just a question of fairness. We don't get to see exactly how the decisions are made, but it ends up that Katie is the talker; Dorothy, Rob, and Elavia are the runners; and Darwin, Bribs, and Bill are the swimmers. Heather, Myra, and Al are sitting out. In an interview, Al says that he got more and more angry about Darwin's comment. Al bitches to Myra and Heather about Darwin's decision. I really didn't think it was that big a deal. I kind of hate Al. He just bugs me. I think it's those baggy denim shorts and the white sneakers. Could he look more like the stereotypical American tourist in Europe? All he needs is a fanny pack. Heather says that she'll be angry if she misses out on the opportunity for another exemption.

Anderson explains the game to the players, and boy is it complicated. I'll do my best to explain. Katie stands in front of a magnetic board. The three runners will each be given a question; the answer to that question can be found somewhere in the town of Vicenza. Once the runner determines the answer, he or she calls Katie on a cell phone and relays the information. Katie uses magnetic letters to spell out the answer on the board, which has pre-printed blanks, kind of like a word Jumble. Also as with a word Jumble, certain letters are highlighted with boxes. In order to answer the fourth and final question, Katie will need to take the highlighted letters and spell out an answer on her own. If they get all four answers, they win $20,000. Instead of being timed, they can only keep playing as long as at least one of the three swimmers is still treading water in the pool. Every five minutes, a weight will be added to one swimmer's neck. If all three swimmers give up before the fourth answer is completed, they don't get any money. Got all that? The runners are given the phone and take off for the town.

The swimmers discuss their strengths. Bribs tells Darwin that Bill has experience swimming in a full flight suit. Bill says that he swam a mile in an hour and forty minutes, swimming on his back the entire time. Bribs thinks Bill will be fine. See, I don't think that Bill was claiming that he would be able to tread water for a long time, but others on the forums have disagreed. In an interview, Darwin explains that Bill will take the weights first; when Bill drops out, Darwin will take the weights, so that Bribs can "stay fresh" as long as possible. Bribs says that he has pretty good endurance.

The runners arrive in Vicenza, armed with only a cell phone and a map. The swimmers get into the pool and start treading water. Anderson hands Katie the first question, and she calls Rob and reads it to him: "to the Tempio di San Lorenzo, there is a statue of a poet. What is his name?" Rob consults the map and takes off running. Anderson voice-overs that only one runner can go at a time, and the runner can't take the map. Rob runs. The swimmers swim. Anderson gives Bill the first weight, which is 1.1 lbs. Bill jokes that it feels like fifteen pounds. Rob gets lost and asks some locals for directions. Bill struggles, and Darwin tries to cheer him on. Bill says that he's done, and goes underwater after only seven minutes and thirty-two seconds. He exits the pool. Rob reaches the statue and says the name aloud to himself: "Giacomo Zanella." Darwin takes the weight and voice-overs that he's worried about his chances if Bill dropped out so quickly. In an interview, Bribs says that he thought Bill would be able to last until he had four or five weights, and couldn't believe that he dropped out so soon. In an interview, Bill says that he's just not good at treading water, and that if he could have traveled while swimming, he would have done fine. Katie calls Elavia to let her know that one swimmer has dropped out already. Dorothy is outraged. Darwin accepts another weight, so now he's been in the water fifteen minutes and is carrying 2.2 lbs. Rob finally returns and calls Katie with the answer. He spells it out to her. She puts the letters in place, but Anderson says that it's not correct. Katie spells it back to Rob, and it turns out that she spelled it Vanello instead of Zanella. He corrects the first letter, but not the last one. Anderson says that it's still not correct. Rob thinks it's totally correct. From the pool, Darwin yells out that Katie should try an A at the end. She does, and they move on to the question. Darwin is so not The Mole.

Katie reads the question to Dorothy: "Directly behind the Arco delle Scalette, how many stairs lead up to the top of the hill?" We see a shot of the location, and there are a lot of stairs. Dorothy takes off. Katie asks how Darwin knew to change the final letter of the first answer, and Darwin says, "Because I am The Mole!" Darwin adds another weight to his neck. Katie thinks this question will take a while to answer because there seem to be a lot of steps, based on the number of blanks on the board. Bribs suggest that they try to figure it out before Dorothy calls back. Katie fills in the blanks while Darwin and Bribs yell out suggestions from the pool. Dorothy runs and runs. Darwin voice-overs that after about the fourth weight, it was really difficult to keep his head above water, and he was breathing in water. Dorothy runs and runs, and voice-overs that she got lost and asked pedestrians where the Arco was, and no one knew. Dorothy slows to a walk, then leans over a wall and throws up. Nice. Darwin continues to struggle in the water, but still tries to offer suggestions to Katie, like, shouldn't he conserve his energy? Dorothy sits on the sidewalk with her knees drawn up to her chest, and coughs. Darwin takes on his sixth weight after having been in the water for thirty-five minutes, and immediately drops out. Anderson dramatically voice-overs that Bribs, like Obi Wan, is "their only hope."

Bribs is still swimming after the commercial, and Anderson reminds us that Bribs has been treading water for over thirty-five minutes. Katie finally figures out the answer to the question, and Anderson confirms it. Meanwhile, Dorothy is still limping around on the streets of Vicenza. Katie calls Elavia and reads her the third question: "Which famous author's tomb lies in the Tempio di Santa Corona? Don't fret. The answer is just outside the front door." Katie also tells Elavia that they are down to one swimmer, and Bribs yells out that Elavia needs to go quickly. Elavia takes off. Bribs takes on his first weight. Elavia runs some more and voice-overs that she kept picturing Bribs in the water and worried that he was drowning by now. Bribs takes on his third weight, so he's now been in the water for fifty minutes and is holding 3.3 lbs. Elavia runs. Bribs takes on another weight. Bribs suggests to Katie that she take all of the highlighted letters over to the area for the fourth answer, so that they are ready to start solving. Elavia gets to her destination and squints up at the entrance. In Italian, she asks a guy sitting on the steps which writer is buried there. That guy was totally a production plant, by the way. He tells Elavia that the answer is Luigi da Porto. Elavia confirms the spelling of the last name (incorrectly) and takes off running. Katie shows Bribs how she has transferred all of the letters over. Elavia calls and gives Katie the answer, but she says that it's "Da Porta" instead of "Da Porto." Slightly forgivable to me, since she only heard it and didn't see it written out like Rob did. Anderson says that it's not correct. Katie spells it back to Elavia, who says that she might be spelling it wrong. Katie sticks an O on the end of the name, and Anderson says that it's correct.

Katie is now given the final question: "Their love was sealed with 'a righteous kiss.' The answer is in Italian." Bribs immediately recognizes it as a quote from Romeo & Juliet. Katie gathers her letters together while Bribs accepts another weight. He's been in the water for one hour and is holding 5.5 lbs. Bribs suggests that the last word might be Julia or Julio. Katie tells him that they don't have a J. Bribs asks her if she has all of the letters. Katie does a quick count and says that she does. Anderson voice-overs that Katie has overlooked one letter, and we see that a highlighted G is still on the board. Bribs accepts another weight. Katie tries to sound out the answer. Darwin notices the missing letter, but Anderson voice-overs that only the swimmers in the pool can help solve the puzzle. Darwin whispers something to Bill and makes a face. Bribs voice-overs that he tried to help Katie, but he was exhausted. Bribs tells Katie that she has to hurry, and Katie says that she is. Bribs struggles to stay above water, and Anderson advises him to stop if he needs to. Katie agrees that Bribs should maybe stop. Bribs insists that he can keep going. Katie frustratedly yells, "Faaaaarts!" Bribs goes to accept another weight, but he puts his feet on the bottom of the pool, and the game ends. Anderson points out the missing G and shows them the correct answer: Giulietta e Romeo. In an interview, Bill says that forgetting the G seemed pretty suspicious to him. In an interview, Darwin says that Katie is a Spanish teacher, so she should be able to spell. In an interview, Bribs also thinks that it was suspicious. Katie cries and cries as usual, and blames herself.

The runners return, and Katie explains her mistake. Darwin asks what happened with the misspelling on the parts of the runners. Elavia explains that she didn't get to see the answer written down, and only heard it. Everyone seems really disappointed. Anderson tells them that it was a tough game, and congratulates the swimmers -- particularly Bribs, who was in the water for an hour and thirteen minutes. Anderson adds that in Vicenza, people say that Luigi di Porta actually wrote Romeo & Juliet, and that "William Shakespeare is a scoundrel" for stealing the story. Yeah, that would be hard to believe, because Shakespeare came up with so many original storylines. Except not. Throughout his little history lesson, Anderson seems ashamed, like he knows that the players really don't care but he's contractually obligated to tell this little story. Anyway, he finishes and announces that they will rejoin the others for dinner.

In an interview, Al says that he has a problem with what Darwin said, so he decided to bring it up after dinner. In their hotel room, Al tells Darwin that he shouldn't try to run the show. Darwin denies that he was trying to do so. I have to confess that, without his moustache, Darwin looks really hot to me. Al wonders who the hell Darwin is to say that Al shouldn't be in the competition. Darwin says that he didn't say that. In an interview, Darwin says that if there were an Olympic event for jumping to conclusions, Al would win. Darwin explains his thought process to Al: he figured that the talking thing would be "the head honcho thing," and Al already had the chance to do that twice before, so someone else should get a shot. In an interview, Bill says that Al has gotten so serious about the games that "it's a life-or-death thing." Al explains that he didn't want to sit out for another day. In an interview, Al says that Darwin may think that Darwin calls the shots, but that he doesn't. Oh, just pull out your dicks and measure them already, boys. God. Darwin apologizes, and Al says that he understands now. Darwin confirms that he wasn't trying to slight Al in any way. They shake hands. In an interview, Darwin says that he hopes it's water under the bridge now.

Day Fifteen. The contestants walk out to their van, where they find a message written using the magnetic letters from the game. Heather reads it aloud: "Mighty Goliath took a big fall. David or defeat, it's your call." Except that all of the Gs are missing from the message, a reference to Katie's mistake from the day. In an interview, Bill says that the message was funny "if you're a masochist or a sadist." The contestants dig in their message bags for their journals. Heather asks what everyone thinks it means. Darwin says that he thinks the "It's your call" part is a clue. Katie explains that David slung a rock at Goliath's head, and that's what killed him. Darwin asks, "Is that what killed him?" Katie says, "Yeah. Are you being sarcastic?" Darwin answers very seriously, "Yeah." Ha! Heather suggests that it might mean that they will need to use their wits instead of their strength to complete the mission.

After a shot of a spider, Anderson explains that Al, Heather, and Myra will be competing alone today since they sat out the game yesterday. Anderson leads them into a dungeon, which contains three jail cells. Anderson explains that each of them will be locked in a cell, and if just one of them gets out of their cell in three hours, they earn $40,000 for the pot. Anderson shows them the key, which is hanging from a bare light bulb in the center of the room, and says that everything they need to get out is somewhere in the room. They can also swap materials as needed. Anderson adds that tonight at the hotel, each player will be having a teleconference with a loved one. If Al, Heather, and Myra don't get out of their cells, they won't be allowed to take part in the teleconference. Al groans. In an interview, Heather says that phoning home is really important to them at this point. Al voice-overs that he really needs to call his wife. Anderson says that he'll take the torches with him, and if the light bulb in the center of the room goes out, all of the other lights in the room will also go out. There will be a black light, and they will be able to see the key, which is painted neon green.

Al, Myra, and Heather enter their cells and Anderson locks them. Anderson removes the torches and says that the three hours begins now. This is so like that Brady Bunch episode where they went to the Grand Canyon and Thurston Howell III was the crazy sheriff who locked them in jail. Not that I'm complaining. Al and Heather discuss that the only way to get the key down is to break the light bulb. Al points out a slingshot hanging to Myra's cell, and says if they break the light bulb, the key will fall into a basket, which is on the floor below. Heather says they need to gather up rocks. In an interview, Al says he could hear his wife telling him to slow down and think it through. Should we be worried that Al is hearing voices? Heather says that she has a hanger and a string of rocks, and she removes the pillowcase from her pillow in case they need that. Al has a hacksaw hanging above his cell, which he retrieves. Myra has the slingshot and rocks, and she also takes her cot apart and finds a long stick and a strap. Heather thinks they might need to use their shoelaces. Al doesn't understand why, but Heather and Myra want to be prepared for any eventuality. Heather throws the hanger to Myra, with a lot of trepidation, but Myra talks her through it, and it works. Myra attaches the hanger to her stick with a shoelace, so that she can retrieve the slingshot. First, Myra spreads her blanket out on the ground, so that if the slingshot falls down while she is trying to get it, she can pull it in on the blanket. It's a great idea, but turns out not to be necessary, as she hooks the slingshot on the second try with Al's guidance.

Heather announces that she's going to tie her shoelaces together and tie her sneaker to one end, then toss her sneaker into the basket. That way, when the key drops, she'll be able to pull the basket to her. Myra thinks she can hook the basket with her stick and hanger concoction, but Heather insists that she's got it. She lands her sneaker in the basket. Al says that they shouldn't waste any more time worrying about backup plans for retrieving the basket, because it might take them two hours to break the light bulb. Myra says that she's going to lay her blanket down on the ground in front of her cell, so that if the bulb breaks funny and the key doesn't drop straight down, she might be able to pull it in on her blanket. Al and Heather do the same with their blankets. Al lays his blanket down perfectly. It's actually kind of impressive. Myra picks up the slingshot and realizes that it's just a prop, and not actually usable. All three of them start throwing rocks at the bulb. Al throws, like, ten rocks at once and not one of them hits the bulb. Heather hits the bulb and it doesn't break. Al finally hits the bulb and breaks it, and the key drops into the basket. Heather drags the key in, and unlocks her cell. They are all jubilant. Anderson shows up and stops Heather before she unlocks the other cells. Heather realizes what's about to happen. Oh, dear. Anderson is wearing that purple shirt again. Anderson tells Heather that since she's the one who actually got the key, she will be offered an exemption. However, she will have to leave Al and Myra in their cells overnight, and they won't get to teleconference with their loved ones. Myra voice-overs that she doesn't want to spend the night in her cell, but they all know how badly Heather wants an exemption. Not a word about her loved ones, huh? I just noticed that Heather looks a lot like Tonya from The Real World. Yikes. And we have to wait through the commercial break to find out Heather's decision.

When we return, Anderson reiterates the choice that Heather faces. Heather immediately says that she's not going to take the exemption. Anderson asks if she's sure she understand what this means. Heather says that she does, and that they solved the puzzle together, so she can't leave Al and Myra in there. Myra asks if she's sure, and Heather says that she is. Al tells Heather that she has committed "a very selfless act" that won't be forgotten. An onscreen graphic reminds us that they won $40,000 for the pot. Al and Myra hug Heather. Anderson asks Heather why she passed up the exemption. Heather says that it wasn't even a question in her mind, because she knows how badly she wanted to talk to her boyfriend, and she can't imagine denying others the opportunity to talk to their loved ones. In an interview, Heather says that, up to this point, she really wanted an exemption, but she couldn't take it under those circumstances. Anderson asks Heather how she'll feel if she gets executed . Heather says that she'll leave knowing that she did the right thing. I so would have taken the exemption, by the way. Anderson mimes wiping a tear from his eye, and Heather tells him to shut up. Anderson says that she's "warming [his] shriveled little heart."

At dinner, Al tells the others what Heather did. Anderson smiles warmly. I think Anderson has a crush on Heather. Okay, not really. The others applaud Heather's act. Except Elavia, who looks pissed off. Al points out that they've broken the $200,000 mark now. Anderson reminds them about their teleconference with their loved ones after dinner. The word "teleconference" is starting to bug me. Why can't they just say "video phone call"? "Teleconference" makes me think that there are multiple people involved or something. In an interview, Bill says that he was apprehensive about calling home, because he was worried that he might get bad news about his mother's health. If Bill is The Mole, as many people in the forums think, do you think his mother is really sick? Would the producers pick a Mole who might have to leave the game to go home to be with his mother, or even worse, attend a funeral? I don't know. Maybe it's all a ruse.

The phone calls begin. Dorothy talks to her family and laughs at how funny they look on the video screen. Bribs calls his mom, who flashes him the "I love you" sign. Aw. Darwin's wife notices that he shaved off his moustache, and doesn't like it. What is she, nuts? He looks so much better without it. Elavia's boyfriend looks nothing like I expected. He's not that cute. I figured she was more superficial than that. I don't know why. Heather talks to her boyfriend, who says he's going crazy without her. Al shows his wife the picture of his family that he looks at every night and every morning. Myra's sister says that she was joking with their mom that Myra ran off and joined the CIA. Myra says their mom probably thinks she's in jail. Just adding fuel to my theory that Myra is the Mole, since her family thinks that she would join the CIA. Or commit a crime. Rob talks to his brother Andy, and doesn't know what he's allowed to tell him. In an interview, Rob says that it was nice to talk to someone that he could believe and trust. Bill's wife says that his mother is doing really well. Bill is visibly relieved. Katie talks to her parents and tries to hide the fact that she's crying. Al talks about how much he misses his wife.

Anderson voice-overs that Bribs is forming his first alliance -- with Darwin. No! An alliance with Darwin is the kiss of death. Just ask Lisa. Bribs suggests that they go through and answer all of the quiz questions about one person. In an interview, Bribs says that if someone shows him a trustworthy action, he will help that person out. Darwin asks what color The Mole's eyes are, and Bribs says brown. Darwin asks where The Mole was born, and Bribs says he put Texas. For some reason, Darwin thinks this is "very sneaky." According to the official site, there are multiple players with brown eyes, but only Heather was also born in Texas. Make of that what you will. In an interview, Bribs says that Darwin isn't the first person who comes to mind when he thinks about forming a coalition, but he has Darwin's journal, so it couldn't hurt. In an interview, Darwin says that he trusts Bribs to the extent that you can trust anyone in the game, but that it's possible that Bribs is playing him.